Effects of occupational exposure to dust, gas, vapor and fumes on chronic bronchitis and lung function.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and therefore the identification of the modifiable risk factors [such as exposure to vapors, gases, dust and fumes (VGDF)] for accelerate disease progression has important significance. Methods: We conducted COPD surveillance in six cities of southern China between 2014 and 2019. We recorded the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure to VGDF and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression and multivariate linear regression model were adopted for analysis. We performed sensitivity analyses based on two methods of propensity score (PS) methods to evaluate the robustness of our results. Results: A total of 7,418 participants were included. Cough [odds ratios (ORs): 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 to 2.08] and phlegm (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.85) correlated significantly with exposure to dust. There was an increased risk of cough (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.07) for occupational exposure to gas/vapor/fume. Dual exposure to dust and gas/vapor/fume was associated with a significantly increased risk of chronic bronchitis (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.52), cough (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.79) and phlegm (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.79). In 5,249 participants with complete data of spirometry, gas/vapor/fume was associated with a decreased ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (ß: -1.05, 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.26) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (ß: -0.15, 95% CI: -0.23 to -0.07). Dual exposure to dust and gas/vapor/fume was significantly associated with decreased FEV1/FVC (ß: -0.74, 95% CI: -1.28 to -0.20) and MMEF (ß: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.01). Results of sensitivity analysis were not materially changed. Conclusions: VGDF exposure is associated with chronic bronchitis, respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function, suggesting that VGDF contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of COPD.

Metastatic tumor antigen 1 contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis posttranscriptionally through RNA-binding function.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Both nuclear and cytoplasmic overexpression of metastatic tumor antigen 1 (MTA1) contributes to tumorigenesis of HCC. Most studies have focused on nuclear MTA1 whose function is mainly a chromatin modifier regulating the expression of various cancer-promoting genes. By contrast, the molecular mechanisms of cytoplasmic MTA1 in carcinogenesis remain elusive. Here, we reveal a role of MTA1 in posttranscriptional gene regulation. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We conducted the in vitro and in vivo RNA-protein interaction assays indicating that MTA1 could bind directly to the 3'-untranslated region of MYC RNA. Mutation at the first glycine of the conserved GXXG loop within a K-homology II domain-like structure in MTA1 (G78D) resulted in the loss of RNA-binding activity. We used gain- and loss-of-function strategy showing that MTA1, but not the G78D mutant, extended the half-life of MYC and protected it from the lethal -7-mediated degradation. The G78D mutant exhibited lower activity in promoting tumorigenesis than wild-type in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, RNA-immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis demonstrated that MTA1 binds various oncogenesis-related mRNAs besides MYC . The clinical relevance of cytoplasmic MTA1 and its interaction with MYC were investigated using HBV-HCC cohorts with or without early recurrence. The results showed that higher cytoplasmic MTA1 level and MTA1- MYC interaction were associated with early recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: MTA1 is a generic RNA-binding protein. Cytoplasmic MTA1 and its binding to MYC is associated with early recurrence in patients with HBV-HCC. This function enables it to regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally and contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis.

Cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors for falls among the elderly in communities of Guangdong province, China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of falls among the elderly in Guangdong, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six communities of Guangdong province. People over 60 years old were selected with multistage random-cluster sampling. Data on falls within the previous 12 months and fall-related risk factors were collected through a face-to-face interview. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls among older adults was 11.9% (95% CI: 11.0% to 12.8%) among 5374 interviewees. The common injuries caused by falls were bruises/scrapes (40.0%) and fractures (15.5%), and most people fall while doing housework (35.0%). Univariate analysis showed that 14 factors were associated with falls among older adults, including gender, age, residence, occupation, education level, balance ability, situation of cognition, disease, depression, living arrangement, marital status, the behaviour of exercise, drinking and drug use (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the associated factors of falls among older adults included woman (OR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.40 to 2.02), age from 70 to 79 years (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.58), age over 80 (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.25 to 2.13), impaired balance ability (OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.75), exercise several times per month (OR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.53), polypharmacy (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.00), cognition impairment (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.69), mild depression (OR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.47 to 2.45) and moderate depression (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.99 to 4.73). CONCLUSIONS: The hazards caused by falls to the elderly in China cannot be ignored. A multidimensional customised fall prevention programme should be considered to reduce the risk of falls among the elderly based on the results above.

Effects of long-term PM2.5 exposure on metabolic syndrome among adults and elderly in Guangdong, China.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and waist circumference among adults and elderly in south China. METHODS: We surveyed 6628 participants in the chronic disease and risk factors surveillance conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province in 2015. MetS was defined based on the recommendation by the Joint Interim Societies' criteria. We used the spatiotemporal land-use regression (LUR) model to estimate the two-year average exposure of ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3) at individual levels. We recorded other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed model was used for analysis. RESULTS: A 10-µg/m3 increase in the two-year mean PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of developing MetS [odd ratio (OR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.35], increased risk of fasting blood glucose level. (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.58) in the adjusted/unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). We found significant interaction between PM2.5 and the region, exercise on the high TG levels, and an interaction with the region, age, exercise and grain consumption on FBG (P interaction < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with MetS, dyslipidemia and FBG impairment. Efforts should be made for environment improvement to reduce the burden of MetS-associated non-communicable disease.

Patients with SERPINC1 rs2227589 polymorphism found to have multiple cerebral venous sinus thromboses despite a normal antithrombin level: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The hereditary antithrombin (AT) deficiency caused by SERPINC1 gene mutation is an autosomal dominant thrombotic disorder. An increasing number of studies have shown that mutations in the SERPINC1 rs2227589 polymorphic site are correlated with a risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at common sites, such as lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Currently, there are no reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a VTE site with a low incidence rate and rs2227589 polymorphism. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we report a Chinese CVST case with a mutation of the SERPINC1 rs2227589 polymorphic site, which did not cause significant AT deficiency. In a 50-year-old male patient presenting with multiple cerebral venous sinus thromboses no predisposing factors were detected, although a relative had a history of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. We performed sequencing of the SERPINC1 gene for the patient and his daughter, which revealed the same heterozygous mutation at the rs2227589 polymorphic site: c.41+141G>A. CONCLUSION: The results showed that more studies should be conducted to assess the correlation between rs2227589 polymorphism and CVST.

Comparative study on the removal of organic pollutants by magnetic composite and pre-magnetized zero-valent iron activated persulfate.

The rapid development of global logistics has led to the overuse of packaging cartons, causing problems for municipal solid waste disposal. Diverse methods of exploiting the potential value of waste cartons are needed. Herein, we fabricated a magnetic composite (MC) from waste cartons via a one-step hydrothermal treatment and characterized. Using methylene blue (MB) as a model organic pollutant, tests of the activation of persulfate (PS) via the MC for the removal of MB were performed. Meanwhile, a comparison with activation with pre-magnetized zero-valent iron (Pre-ZVI/PS) was made. The comparative results show that the removal of MB was successfully accomplished with both Pre-ZVI/PS and MC/PS. Specifically, MC/PS could remove almost 100 % of MB, with the COD removal efficiency reaching over 70 % when the MB concentration was 50 mg/L at 80 min under different pH conditions. Even when reused twice, the MC still displayed robust activation performance. Additionally, we evaluated the lifetime of magnetic memory for Pre-ZVI, and first found its consecutive loss of pre-magnetization over 30 days, corresponding to the incremental attenuation of reaction rate constants in the Pre-ZVI-activated PS process. Overall, activating PS using the MC is a promising advanced oxidation technology and also provides a valuable reference on the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass.

Health transition of the causes of mortality between 2005 and 2015 in Guangdong, China.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the patterns of transition of health burden for 110 causes of death by stratification of age, sex and geographic regions in Guangdong between 2005 and 2015. METHODS: We analysed the age-specific, sex-specific, region-specific mortality in Guangdong based on assembled databases. County-level surveillance data were calculated to inform city-level changes. RESULTS: The age-standardised mortality of all causes, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), communicable diseases, maternal diseases, neonatal diseases, malnutrition and injury declined progressively. Despite declining mortality of NCDs, the overall burden of disease was dominated by NCDs (ie, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that still accounted for 86.93% and 88.12% of death in 2005 and 2015, respectively. Considerable variations across geographic regions were observed (lowest in Pearl River Delta and highest in west Guangdong). There was a modest shift to transport injuries at younger ages and unintentional injuries in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented a dramatic change in the overall mortality and age-specific, sex-specific and cause-specific mortality in Guangdong province between 2005 and 2015. The significant burden of NCDs remains a major healthcare issue despite the notable progress in reducing mortality in Guangdong, China. Our findings highlight important unmet needs to refine healthcare services by taking into account the inequity of age, sex and geographic regions. Identification of the 'treatable' risk factors and improved disease surveillance should be continuously improved to minimised the overall and cause-specific mortality.

Impact of polluting fuels for cooking on diabetes mellitus and glucose metabolism in south urban China.

We hypothesized that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with abnormality of glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus (DM) in south urban China. 3414 residents were surveyed in 14 urban areas of Guangdong Province in 2018. We recorded polluting fuels for cooking exposure, different DM status (DM, prediabetes), fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ), and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. We conducted logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model based on propensity-score method (inverse probability of weighting) to examine the effect of polluting fuels for cooking exposure on DM and glucose metabolism. Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with DM (odds ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.71 to 3.86) and prediabetes (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 2.58) in both the adjusted and unadjusted models (all p < 0.05). Exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was significantly associated with an increase of FBG (ß: 0.30 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval: 0.22 to 0.38 mmol/L). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were not substantially changed. There was an increased risk of DM, prediabetes and high levels of FBG, OGTT, and HbA1c among participants aged ≥ 40 years with exposure to polluting fuels for cooking. We demonstrated that exposure to polluting fuels for cooking was associated with higher levels of FBG, which contributed to the increased risk of DM and prediabetes in middle-aged elderly Chinese population living in urban areas.

Trends of injury mortality during the COVID-19 period in Guangdong, China: a population-based retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to ascertain the trends of injury mortality during the COVID-19 period in southern China. METHODS: We conducted a population-based retrospective analysis to compare the mortality changes of all-cause injury and transport injuries, poisoning, falls, fire/heat/hot substances, drowning, self-harm and interpersonal violence, which were further stratified by sex and age. Comparisons were made between the COVID-19 period (between January 2020 and June 2020) and control period (between January 2019 and June 2019) in Guangdong province. We used the negative binomial models to explore the associations of deaths during the COVID-19 period, according to the different sex and age strata. RESULTS: The all-cause injury mortality in Guangdong province decreased significantly from 28.65 per 100 000 population during the control period to 23.24 per 100 000 population during COVID-19 pandemic period. Similar results were found in specific injury categories. Mortality of self-harm increased by 139.26% in the 10-14 year group during the COVID-19 period as compared with the control period. Although mortality changes in some groups were not statistically significant, some increases were noteworthy during the COVID-19 period (ie, self-harm, transport injury and falls) in the 70-79 year group. The corresponding increase in mortality rate was 16.83%, 3.32% and 4.92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mortality of all-cause injury, transport injury and drowning during the COVID-19 pandemic was consistently decreased. However, the increase in mortality associated with falls, fire/heat/hot substance injury and self-harm in specific age populations warrant the targeted control and prevention measures for the population at risk.

Exposure to biomass fuel is associated with high blood pressure and fasting blood glucose impairment in females in southern rural China.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the association between household exposure to biomass fuel and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference among females in southern rural China. METHODS: We surveyed 1664 residents in the Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance, conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province. We recorded the use of biomass fuel, MetS and its components, and other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression model and multivariate linear regression model were adopted for analysis. RESULTS: Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with an increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß: 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 4.17) and FBG (ß: 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.37) in the adjusted and unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). Among participants with exposure to biomass fuel, being overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of having hypertension (odds ratio: 3.19, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 4.76) and higher FBG levels (odds ratio: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.46 to 3.02). Exposure to biomass fuel was significantly associated with a decrease of the prevalence of central obesity (P < 0.05). However, exposure to biomass fuel was not associated with MetS, diastolic blood pressure and TG (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to biomass fuel is associated with an increase in blood pressure and FBG levels, but not MetS per se. Efforts should be made to protect females in southern rural China from the adverse effects associated with biomass fuel pollution.

Age-standardized mortality, disability-adjusted life-years and healthy life expectancy in different cultural regions of Guangdong, China: a population-based study of 2005-2015.

BACKGROUND: Guangdong province is dominated by three cultural regions: Canton, Hakka and Hoklo. However, little is known about the disease burden within these regions, particularly because different population,environmental and socioeconomic risk factors might cause different patterns of mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE). We aimed to compare the patterns of disease burden in Canton, Hakka and Hoklo regions between 2005 and 2015. METHOD: We calculated the mortality, YLL, YLD for 116 diseases for different cultural regions between 2005 and 2015. We calculated the DALYs for 116 causes as the sum of YLLs and YLDs. We estimated the life expectancy and HALE by using sex-specific mortality rates and YLDs for the three cultural regions. RESULTS: With a respective reduction of 22.3, 15.8 and 17.8% in 2015 compared with 2005, the age-standardized DALY rates in 2015 was 19,988.0, 14,396.5 and 20,436.6 in Hakka, Canton and Hoklo region. Canton region had a significantly lower mortality and DALYs in most diseases, followed by Hoklo and Hakka regions. The life expectancy and HALE at birth were highest in Canton region in both 2005 and 2015, than in Hoklo and Hakka region. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings call for improved public health care via the refinement of policy and effective measures for disease prevention. Understanding the environmental and culture-related risk factors of diseases in Hoklo and Hakka regions may help inform public health sectors to reduce the disease burden and the between-region inequality.

Hydrothermal conversion of waste cartons into a magnetic carbon-iron composite for use as an efficient and recyclable dye adsorbent.

Disposal of large quantities of waste cartons aggravates the burden of municipal solid waste treatment. Exploitation of the potential value of waste cartons and conversion of this waste stream into available materials is a hot research topic with practical application prospects. In this study, we successfully fabricated a magnetic carbon-iron composite from waste cartons via hydrothermal treatment and investigated its application as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a disperse blue dye (DB 56) and reactive yellow dye (RY 3) from aqueous solution. The fabricated product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The effects of the composite dose, initial dye concentration, and solution pH on the dye removal efficiency were investigated. Under acidic conditions at pH 2, the removal efficiencies of DB 56 and RY 3 reached 81.53% and 96.77%, respectively. The adsorption processes followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm. The magnetic carbon-iron composite could be easily separated from the aqueous solution because of its magnetism, and could be regenerated by the Fenton reaction. After re-use in three cycles, the removal efficiencies for both dyes were still above 70%. The magnetic carbon-iron composite produced from waste cartons shows promise for application to effluent that contains dyes because of its low cost, high efficiency, and simple application.

Regional, age and respiratory-secretion-specific prevalence of respiratory viruses associated with asthma exacerbation: a literature review.

Despite increased understanding of how viral infection is involved in asthma exacerbations, it is less clear which viruses are involved and to what extent they contribute to asthma exacerbations. Here, we sought to determine the prevalence of different respiratory viruses during asthma exacerbations. Systematic computerized searches of the literature up to June 2017 without language limitation were performed. The primary focus was on the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including AdV (adenovirus), BoV (bocavirus), CoV (coronavirus), CMV (cytomegalovirus), EnV (enterovirus), HSV (herpes simplex virus), IfV (influenza virus), MpV (metapneumovirus), PiV (parainfluenzavirus), RV (rhinovirus) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during asthma exacerbations. We also examined the prevalence of viral infection stratified by age, geographic region, type of respiratory secretion, and detection method. Sixty articles were included in the final analysis. During asthma exacerbations, the mean prevalence of AdV, BoV, CoV, CMV, EnV, HSV, IfV, MpV, PiV, RV and RSV was 3.8%, 6.9%, 8.4%, 7.2%, 10.1%, 12.3%, 10.0%, 5.3%, 5.6%, 42.1% and 13.6%, respectively. EnV, MPV, RV and RSV were more prevalent in children, whereas AdV, BoV, CoV, IfV and PiV were more frequently present in adults. RV was the major virus detected globally, except in Africa. RV could be detected in both the upper and lower airway. Polymerase chain reaction was the most sensitive method for detecting viral infection. Our findings indicate the need to develop prophylactic polyvalent or polyvirus (including RV, EnV, IfV and RSV) vaccines that produce herd immunity and reduce the healthcare burden associated with virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Evaluation of the mass measles vaccination campaign in Guangdong Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mass measles vaccination campaign of 2009 in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: Data on the campaign implementation, measles surveillance, and serological surveillance were reviewed and analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: Rapid coverage surveys showed that 98.09% of children were vaccinated during the campaign. The coverage of migrant children increased significantly from 67.10% to 97.32% (p<0.01). From May to December 2009, after the campaign, the number of measles cases was reduced by 93.04% compared with the same period of 2008. The antibody positive rate in children aged less than 15 years reached above 95%. More than 1 million migrant children were identified and vaccinated during the campaign. Flyers, notices of information from doctors, and television programs were the best methods to inform parents of the campaign. Awareness of the campaign by residents increased significantly from 91.86% to 97.10% (p<0.01) through the use of social mobilization materials. CONCLUSIONS: A massive vaccination campaign approach for controlling measles in a developing region like Guangdong Province with a vast migrant population has proved effective. Comprehensive mobilization, communication with the mass media, and support from government departments were critical to the success of the campaign.

[Effect of pH on precipitate composition during phosphorus recovery as struvite from swine wastewater].

Phosphorus recovery as struvite from swine wastewater was carried out. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Xray diffraction (XRD) and mass balance analysis were utilized to analyze the species of precipitated minerals under different pH conditions. Results showed that increasing pH from 8.0 to 9.0 resulted in the increase of phosphorus removal efficiency from 85% to 94%. A relatively stable phosphorus removal at 94% was observed at pH 9.0-11.0, whereas a drastic decline to 70% was detected when pH increased to 12.0. The minerals precipitated in the deposits were struvite (MgNH4PO4 x 6H2O), K-struvite (MgKPO4 x 6H2O), amorphous calcium phosphate [Ca3 (PO4 )2 (x) xH2O, ACP] and Mg (OH)2. Struvite was the dominant species in the precipitate at pH 8.0-9.0. Enhancing pH from 9.0 to 10.0 resulted in struvite decline and gave rise to K-struvite and ACP steadily. With regard to highly alkaline conditions at pH above 10, drastic decrease of struvite and rapid increase of ACP and Mg(OH)2 were observed. Maximum concentration of K-struvite was obtained at pH 11.0, following a sharp decline to pH 12.0. Controlling pH between 8.0 and 9.0 could inhibit other minerals formation and obtain the highly pure struvite crystal product.

Recovering phosphorus as struvite from the digested swine wastewater with bittern as a magnesium source.

Recovering nitrogen and phosphorus through struvite (MgNH4PO4 6H2O) crystallization from swine wastewater has gained increasing interest. However, swine wastewater contains complex compositions, which may hinder the formation of struvite crystal and affect the purity of the precipitates by forming other insoluble minerals. In this work, experiments were carried out to evaluate struvite precipitation in the anaerobically digested swine wastewater, with dosing bittern as a low-cost magnesium source. Exceeded 90% phosphate removal and 23-29% ammonium reduction were obtained. FTIR, XRD and mass balance analysis were combined to analyze the species of precipitated minerals. Results showed that the precipitates were struvite, mixed with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and brucite. The presence of Ca2+ diminished the percentage of struvite and gave rise to ACP formation. Controlling pH below 9.5 and bittern dosage above 1% (w/w) could inhibit ACP precipitation and harvest a highly pure struvite crystal product.

[Establishment of an artificial neural network model for analysis of the influence of climate factors on the density of Aedes albopictus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a model for predicting the density of Aedes albopictus based on the climate factors. METHODS: The data of Aedes albopictus density and climate changes from 1995 to 2001 in Guangzhou were collected and analyzed. The predicting model for Aedes albopictus density was established using the Artificial Neural Network Toolbox of Matlab 7.0 software package. The climate factors used to establish the model included the average monthly pressure, evaporation capacity, relative humidity, sunshine hour, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation, and the established model was tested and verified. RESULTS: The BP network model was established according to data of mosquito density and climate factors. After training the neural network for 25 times, the error of performance decreased from 0.305 539 to 2.937 51x10(-14). Verification of the model with the data of mosquito density showed a concordance rate of prediction of 80%. CONCLUSION: The neural network model based on the climate factors is effective for predicting Aedes albopictus density.

Phosphorus recovery from synthetic swine wastewater by chemical precipitation using response surface methodology.

With synthetic swine wastewater, central composite design using response surface methodology was employed to investigate the effects of pH value and concentrations of ammonium, phosphate, magnesium and calcium on phosphorous recovery. P recovery efficiency with the range of 53-99% was observed in the experimental runs. Results showed that magnesium ammonium phosphate were the only crystals, mixed with amorphous calcium precipitates, in the deposits. According to the regression quadratic model, the linear and quadratic terms of PO(4)(3-)-P and Mg had significant effects on the P recovery amount. With regard to the interaction terms, pH x NH(4)(+)-N, PO(4)(3-)-P x Mg, PO(4)(3-)-P x Ca and Mg x Ca showed significant influences. A maximum P recovery amount of 299.25 mg/L was achieved at optimized conditions with pH 9.7, NH(4)(+)-N 456 mg/L, PO(4)(3-)-P 300 mg/L, Mg(2+) 264 mg/L and Ca(2+) 59 mg/L, respectively.

[Characteristics of surface runoff pollution of Shanghai urban area].

Sampling and monitoring of surface runoff in Shanghai urban area were carried out during rainy seasons from 2003 to 2005, and pollutographs of COD, BOD5, SS, NH4+ -N, TP and TN of 56 rainfall events from 19 sampling sites were analyzed. Discharge processes of runoff pollutants during rain events and relationships of the processes with rainfall characters were discussed, and event mean concentrations (EMCs) were calculated. Probability distribution of EMCs and correlation between EMCs and rain characters were analyzed. Medium event mean concentrations of pollutants in surface runoff of Shanghai urban area are: COD 205, BOD5 68, SS 185, NH4+ -N 3.14,TP 0.40, TN 7.23 (mg/L), which are much higher than those in Paris urban area. The ratio of BOD5 to COD is 0.37, which is very high for surface runoff compared with that of large cities of developed countries. Results show that impervious surface pollution is serious in Shanghai urban area and some measures must be taken to improve urban water environment quality except stormwater separation.

[Efficacy, toxicity and mechanism of insecticide KR-100: a preliminary study].

KR-100 is a newly developed long-lasting insecticide that incorporates cinerins substance, drug-release control substance and synergistic agent following certain procedures under carefully regulated conditions. Tests of the efficacy, toxicity, stability and long-term effect of KR-100 were conducted, and it was show that the insecticide possessed strong and long-lasting effect against mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches but was by no means toxic to human. Morphological study of KR-100 under scanning electron microscope revealed porous membrane form. This insecticide, therefore, can be safely applied with good pesticidal effect.