The prognostic value of plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1 is related to inflammation. Its increased circulating concentrations are associated with the severity and prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. In-hospital major adverse events (IMAEs), including acute traumatic coagulopathy, progressive hemorrhagic injury and posttraumatic cerebral infarction, are correlated with mortality after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study was designed to investigate the changes of plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations and further assess its association with inflammation, trauma severity, in-hospital mortality and IMAEs following TBI. METHODS: We measured plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations of 100 severe TBI patients and 100 controls. Progressive hemorrhagic injury and posttraumatic cerebral infarction were diagnosed based on a follow-up computerized tomography scan. Acute traumatic coagulopathy was identified according to a coagulation test. RESULTS: Plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls and associated highly with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores and plasma C-reactive protein concentrations. Nesfatin-1 was indicated as an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality and IMAEs. In accordance with area under receiver operating characteristic curve, its predictive value was similar to GCS scores. CONCLUSION: Increased plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations are associated closely with inflammation, trauma severity and clinical outcomes, indicating that nesfatin-1 might be involved in inflammation and become a good prognostic biomarker following TBI.

[Pollution characteristics and evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Changshouhu in Chongqing, China].

In order to reveal spatial distribution characteristics of nutrient in the surface sediments of Lake Changshouhu, contents of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and organic matter (OM) of 62 surface sediments samples were determined and compared with other urban (suburban) lakes in China. C/N and the correlation of TN, TP and OM had also been analyzed. The results showed that the average contents of TN and TP were 2 255.89 mg x kg(-1) and 622.03 mg x kg(-1) respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution were very serious all over the lake, with a significantly different spatial distribution. The average content of OM was 2.80%. So the contents of TN, TP and OM were in the middle level compared with other lakes. 87.10% of C/N was between 5 and 14 (72.58% within which was between 6 and 13) and 3.23% of C/N was between 2.8 and 3.4, which showed that OM came from algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Besides, a small part of OM came from aquatic organisms. OM and TN were significantly correlated (Pearson coefficient was 0.849), but with less significant correlation to TP. The spatial distribution characteristics of OM were very similar with that of TN. The content of OM in water samples collected from western and middle waterbody was higher than that in eastern waterbody, which was the same as TN. By evaluating pollution situation with organic index and organic nitrogen, the average organic index was 0.386 which was on the III level still belonged to clean category. However, the average number of organic nitrogen was up to 0.214% which was on the IV level indicated the pollution degree. This showed that the lake Changshouhu was in a serious pollution situation especially in nitrogen pollution.

[Influence of disturbance intensity on nitrogen, phosphorus and permanganate index release of Potamogeton crispus during soaking in water].

Influence of various disturbance intensities on nitrogen, phosphorus and permanganate index (PI) release of Potamogeton crispus were investigated during the plant soaking in water, and the plant materials were collected in an urban lake of Beijing. Results showed that more rapid release of TP and PI from Potamogeton crispus were caused by disturbance, NH4(+) -N and TN in water were significantly increased (ANOVA, p < 0.05) under the condition of high disturbance (120 r/min) for 240 h. However, PI and TP were significantly decreased (ANOVA, p < 0.05) after 240 h disturbance in all treatments. When the release equilibrium of 2.13 g dry mass Potamogeton crispus in one liter of water was reached, the PI, TN, and TP released from unit mass Potamogeton crispus were 35, 5.1 and 4.1 mg x g(-1), respectively. The release ratio of TP from Potamogeton crispus was the highest, while the release ratio of PI was the lowest. The simulated experiment results showed that the highest pollution load to water released from Potamogeton crispus was the TP among the three nutrients. Phosphorus is one of the key factors which causing water eutrophication in lake, thus after submerged plants declining in lake, the field research of phosphorus release and migration from submerged plants into water is the focus of future research work.

[Sodium hypochlorite disinfection on effluent of MBR in municipal wastewater treatment process].

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) used in wastewater disinfection was assessed by examining its performances in lab fed by the effluent from a MBR treatment plant. The influence of sodium hypochlorite initial concentrations (0.5-3.0 mg/L) on the presence of indicator microorganisms (total coliforms, fecal coliforms), disinfection by-products (DBPs) concentrations and the acute toxicity were evaluated. Results indicate the total coliforms and the fecal coliform were 1500-2400 and 10-40 CFU/L, which is difficult to meet the present reclaimed water quality standards. A chlorine dose of 2.0 mg/L and contact for 1 h could achieve a 3 lg indicator bacteria reduction in MBR effluent samples. THMs (trihalomethanes) analysis indicated that concentrations of THMs increase with the raise of the active chlorine dose. After adding sodium hypochlorite 1 h the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) were 16.22, 7.35 microg/L respectively and chloroform (TCM) accounted for 87% of THMs, the haloacetic acids (HAAs) was involved trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) 2.01 microg/L, dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) 1.58 microg/L and under the national limits. Luminescence bacteria acute toxicity analysis showed that the chlorinated effluent has higher inhibition rate (48%) in comparison to the control with a chlorine dosage of 3.0 mg/L. The results which could provide theoretical basis to production show that NaClO disinfection not only can inactivate microbe with the DBPs and acute toxicity of the effluent under the safety limits, but also meet the requirement of health and safety.

[Degradation of dichlorvos by Rhodobacter sphaeroides].

Rhodobacter sphaeroides possesses an extensive range of energy acquiring mechanisms including photosynthesis, lithotrophy, aerobic and anaerobic respiration. It can produce 5-aminolevulinic acid, CoQ10, carotenoids, hydrogen, etc. by fermentation. A Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain was isolated, designated as EBL0706, from soil. The degradation of dichlorvos (DDVP) by the Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated. 98% of DDVP could be degraded in water solution in 12 h when 5 x 10(8) CFU/mL Rhodobacter sphaeroides was added to 400 mg/L DDVP solution under pH 6.9-7.5 and 20-50 degrees C. This strain could also degrade the DDVP residues on Chinese cabbage leaves effectively.