Achieving phosphorus recovery at pilot-scale anaerobic anoxic/nitrifying-induced crystallization (A2N-IC) process: Performance, assessment, and challenges.

A pilot-scale anaerobic-anoxic/nitrifying/induced crystallization (A2N-IC) process was established for phosphorus (P) recovery and nutrient removal from municipal wastewater with a treatment capacity of 80 m3d-1. Results show that the A2N-IC process can operate stably on a pilot scale; the recovery efficiency of influent P reached 62.2%, and the total P removal efficiency of the IC section was 65.4%. The IC section had little effect on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen (N), and the P removal efficiency was improved. Soluble non-reactive P (sNRP) was the key factor affecting P recovery efficiency. Although P recovery increases the construction and maintenance costs, the process can be profitable if a market for P recovery products is established. To improve the P recovery efficiency, attention should be paid to the effects of sNRP and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on P recovery, and P-rich sludge should be considered.

In vitro and in vivo Study of a Novel Liposome-Mediated Dual Drug Delivery for Synergistic Lung Cancer Therapy via Oral Administration.

BACKGROUND: To establish the co-delivery liposomes of gefitinib (GFT) and curcumin (CUR) via oral administration with the goals of improving the synergistic effect and reducing acquired drug resistance. METHODS: We prepared liposomes (LPs) which can embed the anticancer compound GFT and CUR and investigated whether they could enhance the antitumor effects of anticancer drugs against MDR. The LPs system was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size, encapsulation efficiency, cellular uptake and cell viability. In addition, the release characteristics and pharmacodynamics of the LPs were also studied in detail. RESULTS: The results showed that GFT/CUR LPs were characterized by small particle size of about 130 nm and negative zeta potential of about -22.2 mV, and the drug controlled to release slowly on a biphasic pattern. Compared with control groups, GFT/CUR LPs showed a higher cellular uptake and cell inhibition rates. Through pharmacodynamics analysis, we found that two compounds (GFT and CUR) were incorporated into one LPs carrier, which played a good role in synergistic effect. CONCLUSION: Co-delivery of GFT and CUR has the potential to improve cancer treatment efficacy and overcome acquired resistance, especially towards GFT-resistant cells.

Quantum chemical simulations revealed the toxicokinetic mechanisms of organic phosphorus flame retardants catalyzed by P450 enzymes.

The metabolic fate and toxicokinetics of organic phosphorus flame retardants catalyzed by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are here investigated by in silico simulations, leveraging an active center model to mimic the CYPs, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate as substrates. Our calculations elucidated key main pathways and predicted products, which were corroborated by current in vitro data. Results showed that alkyl OPFRs are eliminated faster than aryl and halogenated alkyl-substituted OPFRs. In addition, we discovered a proton shuttle pathway for aryl hydroxylation of TPHP and P = O bond-assisted H-transfer mechanisms (rather than nonenzymatic hydrolysis) that lead to O-dealkylation/dearylation of phosphotriesters.

Vaccination with recombinant paramyosin in Montanide ISA206 protects against Schistosoma japonicum infection in water buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis japonica is a zoonosis and presents significant public health problems in China and the Philippines. Vaccines targeting domestic animals constitute attractive control measures. METHODS: We conducted three vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of recombinant full-length paramyosin (rSj97) in water buffalo. Animals were immunized with 3 doses of rSj97 adjuvanted with ISA206 at 250µg/dose or 500µg/dose at 4wk intervals before challenge with 1000 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. The primary outcome was worm burden assessed by portal perfusion 8-10weeks post challenge. Safety measures included weight, temperature, body condition score, hemogram and routine assays for hepatic and renal function. RESULTS: The three-dose regimen was well tolerated in all three trials. In the first trial, vaccinated buffalo had 51.5% lower worm burden post challenge compared to controls. In the second trial, buffalo immunized with 500µg/dose of rSj97 had 57.8% lower worm burden compared to controls (p=0.026). A similar but not significant reduction (60.9%) was observed with animals administered with 250ug rSj97/dose. In the third trial, buffalo immunized with a 500µg/dose of rSj97 had 57.8% lower worm burden compared to controls (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that rSj97 is a safe and promising vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis japonica in water buffalo.

[Identification and preliminary analysis of a novel full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 from Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and preliminarily analyze the full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 (RXR2) from Schistosoma japonicum. METHODS: The rapid amplification cDNA ends (RACE)was applied to get a full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 from S. japonicum (SjRXR2). The transcription of SjRXR2 was detected by real-time PCR. By bioinformatical technology, the gene structure was analyzed and the antibody epitope was predicted. The polyclonal antibodies were raised in mice immunized with the synthesis peptide. Western blot was applied to detect its expression in the worm. RESULTS: The full-length cDNA of SjRXR2 was 5 960 bp and contained an open reading frame encoding a 1 435 amino acid which had a predicted molecular weight 159 kDa. Bioinformatical analysis indicated that SjRXR2 had a highly conserved DNA binding domain (DBD) and a moderate conserved ligand binding domain (LBD). The relative mRNA (s) of SjRXR2 with higher expressions at Day 21 and 42 were evaluated in five different S. japonicum developmental stages. The Western blot analysis showed that polyclonal antibodies were able to specifically recognize the protein with molecular around 150 kDa from the extract of S. japonicum. CONCLUSION: A full-length cDNA encoding retinoid X receptor 2 (RXR2) from S. japonicum is obtained which provides preliminary information for further investigation of SjRXR2 functions in S. japonicum.