Pilot-scale field studies on activated microbial remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil.

Soil contamination by petroleum, including crude oil from various sources, is increasingly becoming a pressing global environmental concern, necessitating the exploration of innovative and sustainable remediation strategies. The present field-scale study developed a simple, cost-effective microbial remediation process for treating petroleum-contaminated soil. The soil treatment involves adding microbial activators to stimulate indigenous petroleum-degrading microorganisms, thereby enhancing the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) degradation rate. The formulated microbial activator provided a growth-enhancing complex of nitrogen and phosphorus, trace elements, growth factors, biosurfactants, and soil pH regulators. The field trials, involving two 500 m3 soil samples with the initial TPH content of 5.01% and 2.15%, were reduced to 0.41% and 0.02% in 50 days, respectively, reaching the national standard for cultivated land category II. The treatment period was notably shorter than the commonly used composting and bioaugmentation methods (typically from 8 to 12 weeks). The results indicated that the activator could stimulate the functional microorganisms in the soil and reduce the phytotoxicity of the contaminated soil. After 40 days of treatment, the germination rate of rye seeds increased from 20 to 90%, indicating that the microbial activator could be effectively used for rapid on-site remediation of oil-contaminated soils.

Comparison of Structural and Physicochemical Characteristics of Skin Collagen from Chum Salmon (Cold-Water Fish) and Nile Tilapia (Warm-Water Fish).

This study compared collagens from cold-water and warm-water fish for their structural, rheological, and functional properties, and explored their potential applications, aiming to realize the high-value utilization of marine biological resources. To this end, chum salmon skin collagen (CSSC) and Nile tilapia skin collagen (NTSC) were both successfully extracted. Collagens from the two species had different primary and secondary structures, with NTSC having a higher molecular weight, imino acid content, and α-helices and ß-turns content. The denaturation temperatures were 12.01 °C for CSSC and 31.31 °C for NTSC. CSSC was dominated by viscous behavior and its structure varied with temperature, while NTSC was dominated by elastic behavior and its structure remained stable with temperature. Both collagens had good oil holding capacity, foaming capacity, and emulsifying activity, but NTSC had better water holding capacity and foaming and emulsifying stability. Their different properties make CSSC more suitable for the preservation of frozen and chilled foods and the production of sparkling beverages, and give NTSC greater potential in biofunctional materials and solid food processing.

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR): recent development and future perspectives.

After conventional oil recovery operations, more than half of the crude oil still remains in a form, which is difficult to extract. Therefore, exploring and developing new enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies have always been priority research in oilfield development. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a promising tertiary oil recovery technology that has received widespread attention from the global oil industry in recent years due to its environmental friendliness, simplicity of operation, and cost-effectiveness. This review presents the: principle, characteristics, classification, recent development, and applications of MEOR technology. Based on hundreds of field trials conducted worldwide, the microbial strains, nutrient systems, and actual effects used in these technologies are summarized, with an emphasis on the achievements made in the development and application of MEOR in China in recent years. These technical classifications involve: microbial huff and puff recovery (MHPR), microbial flooding recovery (MFR), microbial selective plugging recovery (MSPR), and microbial wax removal and control (MWRC). Most of them have achieved good results, with a success rate of approximately 80%. These successful cases have accumulated into rich experiential indications for the popularization and application of MEOR technology, but there are still important yet uncertain factors that hinder the industrialization of this technology. Finally, based on the extensive research and development of MEOR by the authors, especially in both laboratory and industrial large scales, the main challenges and future perspectives of the industrial application for MEOR are presented.

Investigation of the accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiography and multi-slice spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a common malignant biliary tract tumor in clinical practice. The detection rate of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) with a diameter of 10 mm is low, and it is easy to be misdiagnosed and missed. In addition, patients who are allergic to iodized contrast media are not eligible for MSCT screening. However, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is non-invasive, does not require contrast injection, scans quickly, and is simple to perform. MRCP has good development rate and the ability to recognize human pancreas and biliary tract. MRCP is also non-invasive, does not require contrast injection, has fast scanning speed, and is easy to operate. In addition, MRCP has a good development rate and the ability to recognize human pancreas and biliary tract. Therefore, this study sought to analyze the accuracy of MRCP and MSCT in the diagnosis of CCA. Methods: In this paper, 186 patients with highly suspected CCA admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2020 to May 2022 were selected for MSCT and MRCP examination. We compared the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MSCT and MRCP with pathological diagnosis and the detection rate of lesions with different diameters between MSCT and MRCP. Finally, the imaging features of MSCT and MRCP of CCA were analyzed. Results: The results showed that (I) the diagnostic accuracy (95.70%), sensitivity (95.12%), and specificity (96.15%) of MRCP were higher than those of MSCT (69.89%, 60.98%, and 76.92%, respectively; P<0.05); (II) MSCT and MRCP were basically consistent with the datum (Kappa value =0.527, Kappa value =0.767, respectively); (III) the detection rate of lesions <0.5 cm in diameter of MRCP (32.05%) was higher than that of MSCT (14.00%; P<0.05); and (IV) the detection rates of lesions 0.5-1.0 cm (38.46%) and >1.0 cm (29.49%) in diameter of MRCP were lower those of MSCT (50.00%, and 36.00%, respectively; P>0.05). Conclusions: MRCP can provide relevant imaging feature information, improve the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma, and has a high detection rate for small diameter lesions, which has good reference, promotion and reference value.

Exploration of three different nutritional scores in predicting postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy / Exploración de tres escalas nutricionales distintas para predecir complicaciones posoperatorias tras la pancreaticoduodenectomía

Objectives: we used the Controlling Nutritional Status score (CONUT), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) to explore three different nutritional scores in predicting postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods: data were retrospectively reviewed from 113 patients who underwent PD to treat pancreatic cancer and periampullary neoplasms at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between 2015 and 2020. Nutritional status was assessed by the CONUT, GNRI, and PNI scores, and patients were categorized as either at risk or not at risk for malnutrition by each score. Postoperative complications were defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact probability method and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The relationships between the three nutritional scoring systems and postoperative complications were examined.Results: CONUT, GNRI and PNI scores were closely related to the occurrence of postoperative complications. CONUT (OR = 0.92, 95 % CI, 0.75-1.12, p = 0.043), GNRI (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI, 0.93-1.02, p = 0.036), PNI (OR = 0.96, 95 % CI, 0.89-1.03, p = 0.024), and operation periods (OR = 1.01, 95 % CI, 0.99-1.02, p = 0.034) were independent risk factors for complications in patients after PD. The predictive value of the three nutritional screening methods for overall complications in patients with PD had a sensitivity of 31.8 %, 56.06 % and 74.24 %, a specificity of 85.10 %, 68.08 % and 76.81 %, a Youden index of 0.17, 0.24 and 0.71, and a kappa value of 0.460, 0.389 and 0.472, respectively. The predictive value of the three nutritional screening methods in predicting the severity of complications in patients with PD had a sensitivity of 82.11 %, 58.95 % and 65.26 %, a specificity of 38.89 %, 55.56 % and 66.67 %, a Youden index of 0.21, 0.15 and 0.36, and a kappa value of 0.664, ...

Objetivos: se utilizaron las escalas Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) y Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) para explorar tres puntuaciones nutricionales diferentes en la predicción de las complicaciones posoperatorias después de la pancreaticoduodenectomía (PD).Métodos: en este estudio se revisaron retrospectivamente los datos de 113 pacientes después de una PD entre 2015 y 2020. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante las puntuaciones CONUT, GNRI y PNI. Se examinaron las relaciones entre tres sistemas de puntuación nutricional y las complicaciones posoperatorias. Resultados: las puntuaciones CONUT, GNRI y PNI estuvieron estrechamente relacionadas con la aparición de complicaciones posoperatorias. CONUT (OR = 0,92, IC del 95 %: 0,75-1,12, p = 0,043), GNRI (OR = 0,98, IC del 95 %: 0,93-1,02, p = 0,036), PNI (OR = 0,96, IC del 95 %: 0,89-1,03, p = 0,024) y períodos de operación (OR = 1,01, IC del 95 %: 0,99-1,02, p = 0,034) fueron factores de riesgo independientes de aparición de complicaciones en los pacientes después de la DP. El valor predictivo de los tres métodos de cribado nutricional para las complicaciones globales de los pacientes con DP tuvo una sensibilidad del 31,8 %, 56,06 % y 74,24 %, una especificidad del 85,10 %, 68,08 % y 76,81 %, un índice de Youden de 0,17, 0,24 y 0,71, y un valor kappa de 0,460, 0,389 y 0,472, respectivamente. El valor predictivo de los tres métodos de cribado nutricional para predecir la gravedad de las complicaciones en pacientes con DP tuvo una sensibilidad del 82,11 %, 58,95 % y 65,26 %, una especificidad del 38,89 %, 55,56 % y 66,67 %, un índice de Youden de 0,21, 0,15 y 0,36, y un valor kappa de 0,664, 0,416 y 0,645, respectivamente. Entre los tres sistemas de puntuación nutricional, la puntuación PNI obtuvo una mejor eficiencia diagnóstica ...(AU)

[Impact of Enclosure Culture on Heavy Metal Content in Surface Sediments of Hongze Lake and Ecological Risk Assessment].

In order to explore the concentrations of heavy metals and the influence of fencing on Hongze lake, the content, source, and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in surface sediments and ecological risks were analyzed in 2018 after part of the fence around Hongze Lake was removed. The results showed that the average contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the surface sediments in Hongze Lake were 66.78, 33.89, 25.35, 74.77, 16.55, 0.23, and 27.20 mg·kg-1, respectively. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb contents were at non-polluting levels, with As and Cd at the lowest level, based on the accumulation index evaluation. Except for Cd, all the elements showed low potential ecological risk. The results showed that the heavy metal content in the fenced, dismantled, and peripheral areas increased and accumulated towards the center of the lake. The removal of the fence did not significantly reduce the heavy metal content in the short-term. Overall, Hongze Lake presented a state of low ecological risk. In the future, environmental policies should include surface sediment accumulation areas and fencing culture in the north and northeast of Hongze Lake.

[Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on biological activity and inflammatory factor expression of human gingival fibroblasts].

PURPOSE: To explore the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on biological activity and inflammatory factor expression of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). METHODS: The effects of EPA on the activity, morphology and cell cycle of HGFs were observed by living and dead cell staining, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, respectively. HGFs were stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) or heat inactivated P. gingivalis, after which the effects of EPA on mRNA and protein expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1ß were observed by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The gene and protein expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) was also detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: 200 µmol/L EPA inhibited cell activity of HGFs; 100 µmol/L EPA did not affect cell activity and morphology of HGFs, and had no significant effect on cell cycle (P>0.05). EPA significantly downregulated gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1ß, and protein expression of IL-6 stimulated by P. gingivalis LPS and heat-killed P.gingivalis(P<0.05), in a dose-dependent manner. EPA increased gene expression of HO-1 in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05), and upregulated HO-1 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: EPA significantly inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors without affecting the biological activity of HGFs, which may be related to the induction of HO-1, suggesting the potential role of EPA in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Bioremediation of oily sludge by solid complex bacterial agent with a combined two-step process.

In the present research, a bioremediation process was developed using solid complex bacterial agents (SCBA) through a combined two-step biodegradation process. Four isolated strains showed high efficiency for the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and the reduction of COD of the oily sludge, at 96.6% and 92.6%, respectively. The mixed strains together with bran prepared in form of SCBA exhibited improved performance compared to individual strains, all of which had an optimal temperature of around 35 °C. The use of SCBA provided advantages over commonly used liquid media for storage and transportation. The two-step process, consisting of firstly biosurfactant-assisted oil recovery and secondly biodegradation of the remaining TPH with SCBA, demonstrated the capability for treating oily sludge with high TPH content (>10 wt%) and short process period (60 days). The large-scale (5 tons oily sludge) field test, achieving a TPH removal efficiency of 93.8% and COD reduction of 91.5%, respectively, confirmed the feasibility and superiority of the technology for industrial applications.

Ligand-free copper-catalyzed C(sp3)-H imidation of aromatic and aliphatic methyl sulfides with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide.

A novel and efficient process has been developed for copper-catalyzed C(sp3)-H direct imidation of methyl sulfides with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide(NFSI). Without using any ligands, various methyl sulfides including aromatic and aliphatic methyl sulfides, can be transformed to the corresponding N-((phenylthio)methyl)-benzenesulfonamide derivatives in good to excellent yields.

[Distribution and Risk Assessment of OCPs in Surface Water, Sediments, and Fish from Lake Gucheng and Inflow and Outflow Rivers].

To investigate the distribution, source, and ecological risk of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in Lake Gucheng, surface water, sediment, and biological samples were collected from 12 sampling sites of Lake Gucheng and its inlets and outlets during summer and winter, and the concentrations of 19 OCPs were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration (dry weight) of OCPs in Lake Gucheng ranged from 26.74 to 48.12 ng·L-1 in surface water, 9.01 to 35.34 ng·g-1 in sediment, and 13.39 to 124.29 ng·g-1 in organisms. The pollution characteristics of OCPs in surface water showed that the concentration was much higher in summer than in winter, and much higher at inflow and outflow rivers than in farming ponds and the central region of Lake Gucheng; the seasonal pollution characteristics in sediment were not obvious. All 19 kinds of OCPs in water, sediment, and organisms were detected in different degrees, and the dominant contaminants were HCHs and DDTs. α-HCH was the main pollutant at all sites in both surface water and sediment, with 21% to 42% of total HCHs in two seasons. p,p'-DDD was the main pollutant in surface water with 30% to 76% of total DDTs, whereas p,p'-DDT was the main pollutant in sediment with 68% to 93% of total DDTs in two seasons. Source analysis based on ratios of HCHs isomers and DDTs isomers indicated that there was a new input of OCPs under anaerobic conditions in the study area. The ecological risk assessment showed that the OCPs in surface water did not lead to significant health risks, but the OCPs in sediments might pose ecological risks to the Lake Gucheng ecosystem. The organisms were within the acceptable potential carcinogenic risk range.

Long Non-Coding RNA (LncRNA)-ATB Promotes Inflammation, Cell Apoptosis and Senescence in Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) Induced Human Kidney 2 (HK-2) Cells via TGFß/SMAD2/3 Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis occurs in the end-stage of all chronic kidney disease. Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) is a central contributor in fibrosis. Identifying effective biomarkers that targets TGF-ß1 is necessary for the development of therapeutic agents for kidney disease. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA)-ATB in TGF-ß1 induced human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS We investigated the effects of either overexpression or knockdown of LncRNA-ATB on inflammation, cell apoptosis, and senescence in TGF-ß1 induced HK-2 cells. TGF-ß1 induced HK-2 cells served as the cell model. The gene level was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and protein expressions by western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed for assessment of cell viability. Flow cytometry was applied for detection of cell apoptosis. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 were measured by corresponding kits. RESULTS LncRNA-ATB was highly expressed in TGF-ß1 induced HK-2 cells. Inflammation, cell apoptosis, and senescence were enhanced by TGF-ß1 and these effects were all reduced by knockdown of LncRNA-ATB. Whereas overexpression of LncRNA-ATB had the opposite effects with knockdown of LncRNA-ATB. The TGFß/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-ß1 and this effect was further enhanced by LncRNA-ATB overexpression. Silencing LncRNA-ATB inhibited the TGFß/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway in TGF-ß1 induced cells. The effects of LncRNA-ATB overexpression aforementioned in TGF-ß1 induced cells were abolished by blockage of the TGFß/S0MAD2/3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS LncRNA-ATB overexpression have promoting effects on inflammation, cell apoptosis and senescence in TGF-ß1 induced HK-2 cells via activating the TGFß/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. LncRNA-ATB act as a key downstream mediator via activating the TGFß/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway and silencing LncRNA-ATB might be a new strategy for chronic kidney disease treatment.

A 3D Cu(ii) tetrazolate coordination polymer based on pentanuclear units with a large coercive field.

A novel 3D coordination polymer {[Cu4.5 (BTZE)1.5 (µ3-OH)3(µ-OH)(SO4)(H2O)1.5·4H2O]}n (1) was synthesized by a solvothermal reaction of 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl) ethane (BTZE) with copper sulfate. Compound (1) contained triangular [Cu3(µ3-OH)] cluster based magnetic Δ-chains linked with in situ generated µ2-BTZE ligands to form a 2D cyclic annular layer. This 2D layer structure was further modified with sulfate and symmetry-related µ3-OH groups, extending to a 3D coordination framework structure. The magnetic performance of (1) was characterized in the temperature range of 2-300 K in terms of direct-current and alternating-current magnetic susceptibilities, revealing that (1) was a canted ferromagnet with a critical temperature (Tc) of 9.5 K. Notably, (1) behaved as a hard magnet with a coercive field of 2.3 kOe at 2 K, showing significant unique characteristics compared to those of the reported spin canting systems based on pure Cu(ii) ions.

Biodegradation of crude oil by Chelatococcus daeguensis HB-4 and its potential for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) in heavy oil reservoirs.

Biodegradation of crude heavy oil was investigated with Chelatococcus daeguensis HB-4 that was isolated from the produced fluid of Baolige Oilfield in China. Batch growth characterization and crude oil degradation tests confirmed HB-4 to be facultative anaerobic and able to degrade heavy oil. The oil degradation was found to occur through degrading long hydrocarbons chains to shorter ones, resulting in oil viscosity reduction. By mixing crude oil with glucose, or using sole crude oil as carbon source, the content of light fractions (C8-C22) increased by 4.97% while heavy fractions (C23-C37) decreased by 7.98%. It was also found that bioemulsifiers were produced rather than commonly observed biosurfactants in the fermentation process, which was attributed to the extracellular degradation of hydrocarbons. Core flooding tests demonstrated 20.5% oil recovery by microbial enhancement, and 59.8% viscosity reduction, showing potential of strain HB-4 for application in the oil industry, especially in enhanced heavy oil recovery.

High efficiency and fast separation of active proteins by HIC chromatographic pie with sub-2 µm polymer packings.

This paper reports the development of hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) by synthesizing sub-2 µm polymer packings which was packed into a chromatographic pie for fast separation of native proteins at low pressures demonstrating high efficiency. Using styrene as monomer and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA)as swelling agent, the polystyrene seeds with an average particle size of 0.8 µm and monodisperse polymeric microspheres with a particle size of 1.5-5.0 µm were synthesized through dispersion polymerization and one-step swelling method, respectively. In order to separate active proteins, the microspheres were modified to hydrophobic chromatographic packings through covalent bonding with benzene methanol. Compared with the traditional column chromatography, the sub-2 µm polymer packings in chromatographic pie exhibited higher column efficiency for protein separation at lower column pressures, even at higher flow rates. The van Deemter curve showed that the flow rate had insignificant effect on column efficiency of chromatographic pie. Seven example proteins were clearly separated within 3 min at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. The applicability of this method was further demonstrated by the separation of human serum samples. The results indicated that this chromatographic mode can be potentially applied for the fast separation of complex active proteins, such as protein drugs from natural products.