Performance of hybrid subsurface constructed wetland system for piggery wastewater treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of a hybrid constructed wetland (CW) built for high organic content piggery wastewater treatment in a cold region. The system consists of four vertical and one horizontal flow subsurface CWs. The wetland was built in 2009 and water quality was monitored from the outset. Average purification efficiency of this system was 95±5, 91±7, 89±8, 70±10, 84±15, 90±6, 99±2, and 93±16% for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium-N (NH4-N), total phosphorus (TP), total coliform (T. Coliform), and suspended solids (SS), respectively during August 2010-December 2013. Pollutant removal rate was 15±18 g m(-2) d(-1), 49±52 g m(-2) d(-1), 6±4 g m(-2) d(-1), 7±5 g m(-2) d(-1), and 1±1 g m(-2) d(-1) for BOD5, COD, TN, NH4-N, and TP, respectively. The removal efficiency of BOD5, COD, NH4-N, and SS improved yearly since the start of operation. With respect to removal of TN and TP, efficiency improved in the first three years but slightly declined in the fourth year. The system performed well during both warm and cold periods, but was more efficient in the warm period. The nitrate increase may be attributed to a low C/N ratio, due to limited availability of carbon required for denitrification.

Atomic force microscopy identification of Al-sites on ultrathin aluminum oxide film on NiAl(110).

Ultrathin alumina film formed by oxidation of NiAl(110) was studied by non-contact atomic force microscopy in an ultra high vacuum at room temperature with the quest to provide the ultimate understanding of structure and bonding of this complicated interface. Using a very stiff Si cantilever with significantly improved resolution, we have obtained images of this system with unprecedented resolution, surpassing all the previous results. In particular, we were able to unambiguously resolve all the differently coordinated aluminum atoms. This is of importance as the previous images provide very different image patterns, which cannot easily be reconciled with the existing structural models. Experiments are supported by extensive density functional theory modeling. We find that the system is strongly ionic and the atomic force microscopy images can reliably be understood from the electrostatic potential which provides an image model in excellent agreement with the experiments. However, in order to resolve the finer contrast features we have proposed a more sophisticated model based on more realistic approximants to the incommensurable alumina interface.

Coffee consumption and the risk of prostate cancer: the Ohsaki Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence regarding the effect of coffee on the incidence of prostate cancer is inconsistent. We aimed to investigate coffee consumption and the risk of prostate cancer risk in a general Japanese population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in Ohsaki city, Japan, where 18 853 men aged 40-79 years participated in a baseline survey. Coffee consumption was assessed via a validated self-administered questionnaire. During 11 years of follow-up (from January 1 1995 to December 31, 2005), 318 incident cases of prostate cancer were detected. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). RESULTS: There was a significant inverse association between coffee consumption and the incidence risk of prostate cancer. Compared with those who did not drink coffee, the multivariate adjusted HRs were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.61-1.07), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.53-1.00), and 0.63 (095% CI: 0.39-1.00) for those who drank coffee occasionally, 1-2 cups per day, and > or =3 cups per day, respectively, with a P for trend of 0.02. CONCLUSION: This prospective finding from a Japanese population adds evidence that coffee intake is inversely associated with the incidence of prostate cancer.

Dynamic of modernizing traditional Chinese medicine and the standards system for its development.

This article reviewed the process of Traditional Chinese Medicine's modernization on a global scale. This process is motivated by the potential need for traditional medicine as a result of health transitions and increasing drug R&D based on know-how from TCM. The established standards system for modern medicine serves as a basic model yet has limitations in terms of comprehensively evaluating TCM. Spurred by policy committments, research to provide supplements suited to TCM's features and principles is underway. Advanced and interdisciplinary technology and methodology is expected to play an essential role in TCM development.

Effects of a modified group intervention with early-stage breast cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of a psychiatric intervention program consisting of 5 weekly structured interventions and 3 additional group meetings every two months. Previous studies revealed that a 5 weekly structured intervention program was effective for alleviating psychological discomforts in Japanese breast cancer patients, and that the effectiveness persisted for 6 months for patients without lymph node metastasis or adjustment disorders. Since this 5-session intervention did not have persistent effects in patients with lymph node metastasis and/or adjustment disorders, 3 additional group meetings every two months were added after completion of the 5 weekly structured interventions. A total of 43 breast cancer patients completed the full program. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were compared before, immediately after 5 sessions, immediately after the 3 additional interventions, and 6 months after all programs. As analyzed by POMS scores, the clinical effectiveness of a structured group intervention program persisted for 6 months for patients even with nodal metastases and/or adjustment disorders. These findings of the present study suggested that the 5 weekly intervention program was sufficient for patients without lymph node metastasis or adjustment disorders. In contrast, this intervention program alone was insufficient for patients with nodal metastases and/or adjustment disorders. For them, a new psychiatric intervention program consisting of 5 weekly structured interventions and 3 additional group meetings every two months were effective and sufficient.

Factors associated with the effects of a structured psychiatric intervention on breast cancer patients.

The authors developed a structured group intervention for Japanese breast cancer patients. This program is a series of five 90-minute sessions including psycho-education, problem-solving, psychological support, relaxation training, and guided imagery. The aim of this study was to investigate discriminating factors between the improving and non-improving group. From November 1996 through November 1998, 110 patients participated in this study. Out of 110 patients, 9 failed to complete the five sessions. Nine did not return the questionnaire 6 months later, due to death of 3 individuals and re-location of 6. The remaining 92 patients were analyzed. The subjects were administered the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at entry and 6 months after the completion. According to the overall change in Total Mood Disturbances scores of the POMS, 69 subjects were categorized into the improving group and 23 into the non-improving group. This study defined several factors which discriminated between the improving and the non-improving group. These factors can be summarized as: (1) 'good relationship with doctors', (2) 'family support/understanding', (3) 'more intervention benefit', and (4) 'no comorbid adjustment disorders' at entry. Further modification is suggested such as an educational approach for family members to increase their understanding/support and also additional support for patients with adjustment disorders is suggested.

Biological activities of deoxyspergualin in autoimmune disease mice.

An assessment of the prophylactic and ameliorative effects of deoxyspergualin (NKT-01), an immunosuppressive agent, was carried out in male MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mice which spontaneously develop lupus-like lesions. When NKT-01 was administered ip daily from the age of either 8 or 19 weeks, diseases such as massive lymphadenopathy, circulating anti-DNA antibody and lupus nephritis were markedly suppressed. The primary response to lipopolysaccharide was significantly reduced in MRL/1 mice administered NKT-01 but the response to sheep red blood cells was not affected. The ability of spleen cells to release interleukins 2 and 3 with or without mitogen was significantly enhanced in mice receiving NKT-01. These findings demonstrate that NKT-01 has therapeutic activity against the development of spontaneous disease in MRL/1 mice.