[Combining Different Aerobic/Anoxic Durations with Zoned Sludge Discharge to Optimize Short-cut Nitrification Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal Granules in Domestic Sewage].

In this study, domestic sewage was used to inoculate mature short-cut nitrification denitrifying phosphorus removal particles, which were cultivated and matured under artificial water. The operation of the short-cut nitrification denitrifying phosphorus removal system was optimized using different aerobic/anoxic durations combined with zoned sludge discharge. The results showed that regulating the aerobic/anoxic duration, in combination with zoned sludge discharge, can realize the stable operation of the system. In the later stable period, the effluent COD concentration was below 50 mg·L-1, the effluent TN concentration was below 15 mg·L-1, the TN removal rate reached about 83% and remained stable, the effluent P concentration was below 0.5 mg·L-1, and the average P removal rate was 93.72%. At the same time, zoned sludge discharge (70% top sludge and 30% bottom sludge) can be used to screen out microorganisms, maintain good nitrosation and phosphorus removal performance, limit the particle size distribution, and ensure the growth advantages of AOB and DPAOs. Increases in the anoxic duration improved the growth rate of anoxic heterotrophic bacteria, causing them to secrete more EPS and ensuring granular sludge improvements and continued stability.

[Effects of Different Nitrite Generation on the Short-cut Nitrification Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal Granules System].

To explore the effects of nitrite generation on the system of short-cut nitrification denitrifying phosphorus removal granules, nitrite was produced continuously and intermittently, under continuous and intermittent aeration, in two groups of SBR reactors of the same size. The effects of nitrogen and phosphorus removal, physical characteristics of the sludge, and microbial community structure were investigated. Nitrite was consumed immediately after intermittent production, with better and more stable nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance. In particular, the average rate of TN removal was 92.07% after 72 days. The utilization efficiency of the carbon source (by P/COD) was concentrated at 0.21-0.22 mg ·mg-1, to ensure full utilization of the carbon source and to further promote denitrification and phosphorus removal. Particle sizes were uniform and showed concentrated distribution, with particles exhibiting regular shapes and clear boundaries. Microbial community analysis showed that the abundance and diversity of microbial communities were higher in the intermittent nitrite system and more enriched in DPAOs genera (Dechloromonas and Pseudomonas). The combination of DPAOs genera and Nitrosomonas resulted in a dynamic balance and stable operation of the short-cut nitrification and denitrifying phosphorus removal system.

Lignans Extracted from Eucommia Ulmoides Oliv. Protects Against AGEs-Induced Retinal Endothelial Cell Injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) could elicit oxidative stress, trigger and aggravate endothelium damage in several ischemic retinopathies including diabetic retinopathy (DR). The leaves of Eucommia ulmoides O., also referred to as Tu-chung or Du-zhong, have been used for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes, showing great antioxidant activity and anti-glycation activity. Lignans is one of the main bioactive components of Eucommia ulmoides. This study mainly investigated the effect of lignans treatment on AGEs-induced endothelium damage. METHODS: MTT assay, Hoechst staining, and calcein-AM/ propidium iodide (PI) staining was conducted to determine the effect of lignans treatment on endothelial cell function in vitro. Retinal trypsin digestion, Evans blue assay, isolectin staining, and western blots were conducted to determine the effect of lignans treatment on retinal microvascular function in vivo. Western blot, protein immunoprecipitation (IP), MTT assays, and enzyme activity assay was conducted to detect the effect of ligans treatment on oxidative stress response. RESULTS: Lignans protected retinal endothelial cell against AGEs-induced injury in vitro and diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction in vivo. Lignans treatment could regulate oxidative stress response in retinal endothelial cell line, retina, and liver. Moreover, we showed that NRF2/HO-1 signaling was critical for lignans-mediated oxidative stress regulation. CONCLUSION: Lignans treatment could protect against endothelial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro via regulating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Lignans might be developed as a promising drug for the treatment of diabetes-induced microvascular dysfunction.

Pharmacodynamic study on insomnia-curing effects of Shuangxia Decoction in Drosophila melanogaster.

The present study aimed to establish a pharmacodynamic method using the pySolo software to explore the influence of freeze-dried powders of Shuangxia Decoction (SXD) on the sleep of normal Drosophila melanogaster and the Drosophila melanogaster whose sleep was divested by light. The dose-effect and the time-effect relationships of SXD on sleep were examined. The effect-onset concentration of SXD was 0.25%, the plateau appeared at the concentration of 2.5% and the total sleep time showed a downtrend when the concentration was greater than 2.5%. The sleep time was the longest on the fourth day after SXD was given. The fruit fly sleep deprivation model was repeated by light stimulation at night. The middle dosage group (2.5%) had the best insomnia-curing effect. In conclusion, using the pySolo software, an approach for the pharmacodynamics study was established with Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to determine the insomnia-curing effects of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Our results demonstrated the reliability of this method. The freeze-dried powders of SXD could effectively improve the sleep quality of Drosophila melanogaster.