Accuracy of optimized Sirius ray-tracing method in intraocular lens power calculation.

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy and predictability of ray tracing-assisted intraocular lens (IOL) calculation function in Sirius internal software and further improve the accuracy by optimizing the calculation of predicted lens position (PLP). METHODS: This retrospective study recruited 52 eyes of 49 patients. All of the cases with cataract had undergone phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation. SRK-T, Haigis formula, and Sirius ray-tracing method were all used for each eye's IOL calculation. The mean absolute value of prediction error (prediction error=predicted refraction-postoperative refraction) was defined as mean absolute prediction error (MAPE) and was determined for each method. Calculation of PLP was optimized by effective lens position (ELP). Optimized PLP was entered to Sirius internal software again to verify whether the method was improved. RESULTS: Compared with SRK-T and Haigis formulas, less accuracy was shown in Sirius ray-tracing method (P=0.001). The ELP of the IOL moved forward compared to PLP (P<0.001). The MAPE of the ELP-inputted Sirius ray-tracing method was reduced. ELP and PLP were well correlated. Taking ELP as y and PLP given by Sirius soft as x, a linear regression formula y=0.1637x+3.1741 was concluded (R2 =0.1066, P=0.018). It was shown that the optimized Sirius ray-tracing method (optimized PLP entered), compared with SRK-T and Haigis formulas, worked with the same accuracy (P=0.038). CONCLUSION: The original Sirius ray tracing method is not satisfactory enough. However, in normal eyes, the optimized Sirius ray-tracing method in IOL calculation was as accurate as SRK-T and Haigis formulas.

Nasal nebulization inhalation of budesonide for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRNP) is a common public health concern for general population, and is thought to negatively impact their quality of life. Although previous studies have reported that nasal nebulization inhalation of budesonide (NNIB) can benefit patients with such condition, its conclusions are still inconsistent. Thus, this study will assess the efficacy and safety of NNIB for the treatment of CRNP. METHODS: To identify any associated studies, we will comprehensively and systematically search Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We will search all electronic databases from inception to the present with no limitations of language and publication status. Two independent reviewers will undertake selection of study, data collection, and study quality evaluation, respectively. Another reviewer will help to settle down any different opinions between both of them. Study quality will be checked using Cochrane risk of bias tool, and statistical analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will assess the efficacy and safety of NNIB for the treatment of CRNP through assessing primary outcomes of nasal symptoms and polyp sizes, and secondary outcomes of serum cortisol levels, health-related quality of life, and any expected and unexpected adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will summarize the up-to-date evidence on assessing the efficacy and safety of NNIB for the treatment of CRNP. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040108.

Effect of CO2 laser for the management of primary otosclerosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study will explore the effect and safety of CO2 laser (COL) for the management of patients with primary otosclerosis (PO). METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from inception to the present: PUBMED, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, VIP, WANGFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. No language limitation will be applied. All relevant randomized controlled trials using COL to treat patients with PO will be included. Two researchers will identify studies, collect data and evaluate the risk of bias of each included study independently. Any different views between 2 researchers will be resolved by a third researcher via discussion. Data analysis will be carried out using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the effect and safety of COL for the treatment of PO through hearing gain, tinnitus severity, incidence of intraoperative, health-related quality of life, other morbidities, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence for the effect and safety of COL in patients with PO. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040110.

Efficacy of levocetirizine for the treatment of children with allergic rhinitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have reported that levocetirizine is utilized for the treatment of children with allergic rhinitis (AR), its conclusions remain inconsistent. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and harms of levocetirizine for children with AR. METHODS: Electronic database sources will be undertaken from the beginning to the present: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ACMD, PsycINFO, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We will not apply any restrictions to language and publication status. We will only consider randomized controlled trials of levocetirizine for children with AR. Two authors will independently scan literature, select studies, and collect data. Study quality for each included trial will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool, and statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will summarize the present evidence to systematically assess the efficacy and harms of levocetirizine for children with AR. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study intent to adequately inform stakeholders or clinicians, as well as to help develop treatment guidelines. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040111.

Amino-functionalized biomass-derived porous carbons with enhanced aqueous adsorption affinity and sensitivity of sulfonamide antibiotics.

In view of the increasing concerns in antibiotics contamination, advanced technologies for antibiotics removal have been receiving widespread research attention in the fields of environmental sciences. This work has developed a series of amino-functionalized porous carbon materials (NH2-BPCs), via a facile chemical modification method, which have been found efficient for the removal of sulfonamide antibiotics from simulated wastewater. Studies on adsorption kinetics and isotherms of antibiotics in simulated aqueous phases indicated that the adsorption capacity of sulfadiazine (SDZ) by NH2-BPCs showed a large value under acidic conditions (pH < 5). Moreover, the adsorption rate constant of NH2-BPCs was greatly enhanced upon amino modification, which demonstrated faster and more effective adsorption efficiency for antibiotics removal. These results suggested that surface amino modification of porous carbons might be a viable pathway to increase the adsorption affinity and efficiency of antibiotics with great potentials for water remediation.

[Genetic characterization of echovirus 6 isolated from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province, China].

To analyze the genetic characteristics of echovirus 6 (E6) isolated from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province, China, we collected cerebrospinal fluid samples from meningitis and encephalitis cases in Shandong Province from 2007 to 2012 for virus isolation. Viral RNAs were extracted from positive isolates, and complete VP1 coding regions were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Six isolates were identified as E6 by microneutralization assay and molecular typing. The homology analysis showed that the six isolates had 78. 6%-99. 8% nucleotide and 95. 5%-100. 0% amino acid identities with each other, as well as 76. 9%-78. 4% nucleotide and 92. 3%-95. 1% amino acid identities with the prototype strain (D' Amori). The phylogenetic analysis based on the integrated VP1 sequences indicated that all Shandong E6 isolates could be separated into four clusters, designated as A, B, C, and D. The six E6 isolates belonged to clusters A, B, and D. Our study reveals high genetic differences between Shandong E6 isolates and suggests different transmission lineages of E6 co-circulated in Shandong Province.

[Identification and genetic characterization of coxsackieviruses A2, 6, 8 and 12 isolated in Shandong Province].

In previous study, molecular typing method was performed to identify human enteroviruses (HEVs) isolates collected from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases from 1989 to 2011 and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) patients, and 8 HEV-A serotypes were identified. In order to explore the genotypes and molecular evolution characteristics of HEV-A in Shandong province, viral RNA of the remaining isolates was extracted and entire VP1 coding region was amplified, sequenced and identified with HEV-A primers. Another 7 HEV-A Shandong isolates were obtained, and identified as Coxsackievirus A (CVA) 2, 6, 8 and 12 by molecular typing method. Homologous comparison showed that the nucleotide acid identities of Shandong strains ranged from 80.8% to 85.0% with prototype strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on VP1 sequences indicated that CVA8 and CVA12 strains were genetically related with domestic strains. However, CVA2 and CVA6 strains were distinct from both domestic and foreign strains. In addition, multiple transmission chains of CVA2 and CVA6 existed within Shandong province. So far, a total of 12 HEV-A serotypes were identified in Shandong province. This study enriched the distribution of serotypes and genetic evolution characteristics of HEV-A isolates in Shandong, and revealed different transmission chains of CVA2, 6, 8, 12 serotypes co-circulated in Shandong province or in China.

Effect of tangweian jianji on upper gastrointestinal remodeling in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Tangweian Jianji (TWAJJ) on the biomechanical and morphometrical remodeling of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in 27 rats by injecting streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight), the animals were then divided into three groups (n = 9 in each group), i.e., diabetic control (DM); high dose (10 g/kg, T1) and low dose (5 g/kg, T2). Another 10 rats acted as normal controls (Control). TWAJJ was administered by gavage once daily. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured. Circumferential length, wall thickness and opening angle were measured from esophageal, duodenal, jejunal and ileal ring segments. The residual strain was calculated from the morphometric data. Step-wise distension was carried out on esophageal and jejunal segments. The obtained data on the length, diameter and pressure changes were then used to calculate the circumferential and longitudinal stresses and strains. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) mRNA level in jejunal tissues. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the blood glucose level was significantly higher and the serum insulin level was significantly lower in DM, T1 and T2 groups than in the control group (Glucose: 30.23 ± 0.41 mmol/L, 27.48 ± 0.27 mmol/L and 27.84 ± 0.29 mmol/L vs 5.05 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P = 1.65 × 10(-16), P = 5.89 × 10(-19) and P = 1.63 × 10(-18), respectively; Insulin: 1.47 ± 0.32 µg/L, 2.66 ± 0.44 µg/L, 2.03 ± 0.29 µg/L and 4.17 ± 0.54 µg/L, P = 0.0001, P = 0.029 and P = 0.025, respectively). However, these levels did not differ among the DM, T1 and T2 groups. The wet weight per unit length, wall thickness and opening angle of esophageal and intestinal segments in the DM group were significantly higher than those in the control group (from P = 0.009 to P = 0.004). These parameters in the T1 group were significantly lower than those in the DM group (wet weight, duodenum: 0.147 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.158 ± 0.001 g/cm, P = 0.047; jejunum, 0.127 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.151 ± 0.002 g/cm, P = 0.017; ileum, 0.127 ± 0.004 g/cm vs 0.139 ± 0.003 g/cm, P = 0.046; wall thickness, esophagus: 0.84 ± 0.03 mm vs 0.94 ± 0.02 mm, P = 0.014; duodenum: 1.27 ± 0.06 mm vs 1.39 ± 0.05 mm, P = 0.031; jejunum: 1.19 ± 0.07 mm vs 1.34 ± 0.04 mm, P = 0.047; ileum: 1.09 ± 0.04 mm vs 1.15 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.049; opening angle, esophagus: 112.2 ± 13.2˚ vs 134.7 ± 14.7˚, P = 0.027; duodenum: 105.9 ± 12.3˚ vs 123.1 ± 13.1˚, P = 0.046; jejunum: 90.1 ± 15.4˚ vs 115.5 ± 13.3˚, P = 0.044; ileum: 112.9 ± 13.4˚ vs 136.1 ± 17.1˚, P = 0.035). In the esophageal and jejunal segments, the inner residual stain was significantly smaller and the outer residual strain was larger in the DM group than in the control group (P = 0.022 and P = 0.035). T1 treatment significantly restored this biomechanical alteration (P = 0.011 and P = 0.019), but T2 treatment did not. Furthermore, the circumferential and longitudinal stiffness of the esophageal and jejunal wall increased in the DM group compared with those in the control group. T1, but not T2 treatment, significantly decreased the circumferential wall stiffness in the jejunal segment (P = 0.012) and longitudinal wall stiffness in the esophageal segment (P = 0.023). The mRNA level of RAGE was significantly decreased in the T1 group compared to that in the DM group (P = 0.0069). CONCLUSION: TWAJJ (high dose) treatment partly restored the morphometric and biomechanical remodeling of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats.

[Study on the genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of echovirus 11 strains isolated in Shandong province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution and genetic characterization of echovirus 11 (Echo11) from the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in Shandong province. METHODS: Isolation of Enterovirus was performed from stool samples of AFP cases from 1994 to 2009. All positive strains were sero-typed by neutralization test. Entire VP1 coding region from 27 strains typed as Echo11 was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and subsequently phylogenetic analyse on VP1 sequences from these strains and others published in GenBank were conducted. RESULTS: From 1994 to 2009, altogether 915 non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) strains were isolated with 79 (8.6%) isolates serotyped as Echo11. There were 876 nucleotides (nt) in the complete VP1 genes, encoding 292 amino acids (aa). The nt identities were 76.4% - 100.0% among those Echo11 Shandong strains with the aa identities as 91.4% - 100.0%. The nt and aa identities were 77.7% - 80.7% and 90.7% - 94.8% between Shandong strains and prototype strains, respectively. CONCLUSION: All Echo11 strains could be divided into four genotypes. Shandong strains that forming three (A1, A2 and C1) new sub-genotypes, with every sub-genotype had several brands. Sub-genotype A1 appeared to be the lately circulating one.

[Genotype distribution of enterovirus group B isolated in Shandong Province, China].

In order to explore the genotype distribution of human enterovirus group B (HEV-B) in Shandong Province and to study the correlation between HEV-B serotypes and disease outbreaks, we sequenced and analyzed the entire VP1 coding region of HEV-B isolated from acute flaccid parolysis (AFP) system and disease outbreaks in Shandong province during 1998-2008. All together twenty nine HEV-B serotypes were identified, including twenty Echovirus (ECHO) serotypes, five Coxsackievirus B (CVB1-5) serotypes, one Coxsackievirus A9(CVA9) serotype, and newer enteroviruses EV73, EV75, and EV97. E11, CVB3, E6, E14 and E25 were the five frequently isolated serotypes from AFP surveillance system. CVB3, CVB5 and ECHO30 were the major causative agent of aseptic meningitis in Shandong province. Comparison of nucleotide sequence homology showed 75.4%-99.6% inter-typic identities within Shandong strains, and 73.8%-85.2% identities with prototype strains. Amino acid sequence comparison showed the differentiation was not much. Our research showed different serotypes possessed distinct time-cycling pattern, and different sub-genotypes could be further classified according to the inter-typic genetic distance. Thereby the route and range of transmission of HEV could be determined.

[Genotype distribution of enterovirus group C in Shandong Province, China].

Human Enterovirus C group (HEV-C) includes 17 serotypes, which can not be serotype-identified by neutralization test using antiserum pool for NPEV. In order to elucidate the genotypes and molecular evolution of HEV-C in Shandong Province, We selected the strains isolated from AFP cases between 1994-2009 to perform reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) by the primers specific for entire VP1 coding gene of HEV-C and sequencing. The phylogenetic tree was then constructed among these VP1 nucleotide sequences and other prototype strains. Totally 12 Shandong local strains were obtained and separated into 4 genotypes, CVA20, CVA21,CVA24 and EV 96. The homologous comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed Shandong strains were distinct from prototype strains in each genotype. This report showed that different genotype HEV-C strains spread widely in Shandong Province.

[Investigation on varicella incidence of the children < or =14 years old in Shandong province in 2007].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variceilla incidence of children age < or =14 years old in Shandong province in 2007. METHOD: All children aged < or =14 and the cases of varicella were investigated from one township of rural area and one township of urban area of Jinan, Yantai, Taian, Linyi, Dezhou and Liaocheng prefecture. RESULT: 48877 children aged < or =14 were investigated. The incidence of varicella was 2841.83/100,100 The incidence of varicella was different between prefectures, and it was between 719.02/100,000 to 4394155/100,000. The peak age of incidence was 5 to 9 age group children. CONCLUSION: The incidence of varicella was high in Shandong province, the incidence was difierent between areas and age groups.

[Analysis on vaccine-derived poliovirus found from acute flaccid paralysis cases and effectiveness for emergency response in Binzhou in 2007].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze VDPV found from acute flaccid paralysis cases and effectiveness for emergency response in Binzhou, Shandong in 2007. METHODS: Outbreak investigation, rapid evaluation for oral poliomyelitis attenuate live vaccine (OPV) coverage rate, active searched for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)cases, supervision for VDPV case, virology and serology surveillance, mopping-up of OPV were used for this emergency response to prevent the possible VDPV spread. RESULTS: The case was reported from the AFP surveillance system. The poliovirus type I was isolated from stool specimen, which was identified as VDPV by gene sequencing. This AFP case was diagnosed as Guillain-barre syndrome (GBS) with 11 doses of OPV and normal self-immunity function test. The investigation results showed that the OPV coverage rates and the neutralization antibody to poliovirus type 1-3 were at high level among the local children, no similar VDPV was isolated from stools of healthy children around the case. The quality of AFP surveillance system was good, and had not found additional similar case in Bizhou city. Additional VDPV was not found in continuous stool specimen from this case. The case was diagnosed as VDPV infected vector but not VDPV case by the national and provincial expert group. CONCLUSION: This VDPV was found in the area with high coverage rate OPV, There was no evidence for the VDPV circulation. The emergency response for the VDPV was rapid and effective. The VDPV surveillance and research related should be strengthened.

[Identification and phylogenic analysis of Coxsackie-virus B5 during an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Shandong].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogen that caused an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Shandong province in 2005. Phylogenic analysis was carried out on Coxsackie-virus B5 (CVB5) which was isolated during this outbreak. METHODS: 78 stool and 58 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) specimens were collected from some inpatients during this outbreak. Virus isolation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was then performed. Phylo-genetic trees based on entire and partial VP1 sequences were constructed among CVB5 isolates and others published in GenBank. RESULTS: The isolation rates of stool and CSF specimens were 38.5% (30/78) and 48.3% (28/58) respectively. Among the results of serotype identification and molecular typing of 58 positive isolates, 54 were identified as CVB5, 2 as ECHO24, 1 as CVB3 and 1 as CVA9. Results from viral investigation showed that CVB5 was the main pathogen causing this outbreak. Data from homological comparisons indicated that Shandong strains had the highest nucleotide acid identity with the Zhejiang/12/02 strain (97.5% - 97.8%), and lower identity (78.3% - 78.6%) with the prototype strain (Faulkner strain). Phylogenic tree in VP1 region showed that CVB5 could be separated into four genotypes. Isolates of this outbreak belonged to genotype D. CONCLUSION: CVB5 was the major etiological agent correlated with this outbreak. The shift of predominant genotype might serve as one of the causes that associated with the outbreaks of aseptic meningitis.

[Identification and genetic characterization of human enterovirus type 73, 75, and 97 strains of specie B isolated in Shandong province].

Molecular typing was conducted for three human enteroviruses (HEV) isolated from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in Shandong province, China. RNAs from virus supernatants were extracted and complete VP1 genes were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Genotypes of these isolates were identified as HEV type 73, 75 and 97, respectively by BLAST program. Homology and phylogenetic tree analyses were performed. Sequence analysis of VP1 gene showed significant variation compared with prototype strains. This study presents the genetic characteristics of HEV 73, 75 and 97 of specie B in Shandong Province, and the first report of HEV97 in China.

[Molecular characterization of full-length genome of Japanese encephalitis virus (SD08-10) newly isolated in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: Sequence and analysis the complete nucleotide of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) newly strain SD08-10, isolated in 2008 in Shandong, China in order to understand the characterization of the virus. METHODS: Overlapping primers were designed according to the full-length genomes in GenBank. RT-PCR was used to amplify the fragments and the full-length genome was obtained by sequencing and splicing. Using the computer software to analysis the nucleic acid data, deduced amino acid sequence and phylogenetic tree, including Clustal X (1.8), DNASTAR, GENEDOC (3.2). RESULTS: The result of sequence analysis shows that the genome of SD08-10 strain was 10 965 nucleotides long. An open reading frame from 96 to 10 392 including 10 296 nucleotides is capable of coding for a 3432 amino acid polyprotein. Compared with the live attenuated vaccine strain SA-14-14-2 in China, there was 1253 nucleotide difference and 82 amino acid divergence. Comparison of the complete genome sequences with 59 different JEV isolates showed a 0.7%-18.9% nucleotide sequence divergence among them, which resulted in 0.1%-5.2% amino acid sequence divergence. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length genome showed that the SD08-10 strain was belonging to genotype I. CONCLUSION: Analysis based on the complete genome sequences of different JEV isolates showed that the SD08-10 strain isolated in 2008 in Shandong was belonging to genotype I and close to SH17M-07 isolated in 2007 in China.

[Genotype distribution of enterovirus A species isolated in Shandong Province, China].

In order to study the genotypes and molecular evolution of human enterovirus (HEV) A species in Shandong Province, Stool samples were collected from AFP and HFMD patients in Shandong Province and virus isolation was performed. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reactions (RT-PCR) specific for EV71 and CVA16 were performed with the virus isolates from HFMD patients. Positive isolates were selected for entire VP1 coding gene amplification and sequencing. Isolates with negative PCR results and isolates from AFP patients were selected for entire VP1 coding gene amplification and sequencing using primers specific for HEV A species. Phylogenetic tree was constructed among these VP1 nucleotide sequences and of other strains. Altogether 293 strains classified into 8 genotypes were isolated. The homologous comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed Shandong strains were distinct with prototype strains in every genotype. This report presents an overview of HEV-A in Shandong Province.

[Molecular characterization of coxsackievirus B3 isolated from an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Shandong Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogen caused an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Tancheng county of Shandong province in 2008, and to analyze the molecular characterization of VP1 gene of the Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3) isolates. METHODS: Stool and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) specimens were collected from this outbreak for virus isolation with RD and Hep-2 cell. After typing by neutralization test, the VP1 gene of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Homologous comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed. RESULTS: 35 strains of enteviruse were isolated from 22 stools and 120 CSFs(7 from stools and 28 from CSFs), 34 strains identified as CVB3 and 1 as Echovirus 30(ECHO30) by neutralization test. The nucleotide homologies were 90.5%-100.0% in the partial VP1 gene (381 bp) among 34 CVB3 isolates. Homology comparisons indicated that Shandong strains have the identity of 79.5%-81.6% with the CVB3 prototype strain Nancy. 012/2008TC/SD/CHN and 177/2008TC/SD/CHN showed the highest nucleotides homologies (98.2% and 91.0% respectively) with Fuyang19 strain of Anhui province in 2008 in complete VP1 gene. The phylogenetic tree based on complete VP1 genes showed that all the CVB3 correlated with aseptic meningitis in China recently came from the same evolution linkage and formed a monophyletic cluster. CONCLUSION: The causative agent of this outbreak of aseptic meningitis was CVB3. CVB3 circulated in China was genetically different from other countries.

[Study on adsorption of bisphenol A from aqueous solution on modified activated Carbons].

A commercial activated carbon (WV A1100) was modified with nitric acid, sodium hydroxide and thermal treatment in an atmosphere of N2. Several techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of these materials including BET, XPS, pH(PZC) and Boehm titration. The results indicated that the specific surface area of the W20 remarkably decreased after oxidized by nitric acid. But the amount of surface acidic oxygen-containing functional groups of the oxidized sample increased compared to the W20 and resulting in the points of zero charge (pH(PZC)) changed from 4.95 to 1.50. The changes of surface chemical properties of thermal treatment and sodium hydroxide treatment were opposite to the oxidized sample, as a result, the pH(PZC) of them was changed to near pH 7.0. However, a 43.81% surface area of W20 was also diminished by thermal treatment. Furthermore, the results of BPA adsorption indicated that the oligomerization of BPA on the surface of activated carbon could not be formed through oxidative coupling reactions in the presence of dissolved oxygen. And the data of BPA adsorption on original sample, thermal and sodium hydroxide treatment sample were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model well. Whereas the Freundlich isotherm model described the adsorptive behavior of the oxidized sample better. In addition, the adsorption capacity of thermal treatment sample was the highest and its saturated adsorption capacity reached 526.32 mg/g. The value was three times higher than that of the oxidized sample. Combined with the results of characterization, it was found that the hydrophobic nature and zero of net charge density of carbon surface were the main factors to affect the BPA adsorption on activated carbons and the adsorption is based on pi-pi theory.

[Isolation, identification and biodegradation characteristics of A bacterial strain able to degrade nonylphenol].

A bacteria strain F-10 was isolated from activated carbon, which was processed with sand filtered water from Songhua River for a long time, pre-oxidized with ozone, PPC and ferrate. The bacterial strain was capable of utilizing nonylphenol (NP) as sole carbon source and identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis with the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS) from the MIDI Corporation. The optimal conditions for NP biodegradation in the shaking flasks were at 30 degrees C and pH 6.0. Under those conditions, NP at concentration of 1 mg/L was biodegraded by 62% with 2% of inoculum amount. The biodegradation reaction fitted well with first-order kinetic model, with a degradation rate constants (k) of 0.0865 d(-1) and half-lives (t1/2) of 8.0 d. Aerobic degradation rate for NP was enhanced by increased level of NH4+, Mn2+, Mg2+, and NaCl, and by addition of glucose, NaAc, and yeast extract as well as by reduced level of Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and phosphate, while no apparent effect of original NP concentration was observed. The combination of F-10 with other 27 bacterial strains which were also isolated from activated carbon expressed better biodegradation effectiveness.