[Wastewater Treatment Effects of Ferric-carbon Micro-electrolysis and Zeolite in Constructed Wetlands].

Ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis fillers and zeolite have been increasingly used as substrates in constructed wetlands due to their good wastewater pollution-removal efficiencies. To explore the effects of different fillers on wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands, four constructed wetlands were examined with vertical subsurface flow areas filled with ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis filler+gravel (CW-A), ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis filler+zeolite (CW-B), zeolite (CW-C), and gravel (CW-D). In addition, intermittent aeration was used to improve the dissolved oxygen (DO) environment. The results showed that, compared with CW-D, the ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis filler significantly increased the dissolved oxygen (DO, P<0.05) and pH (P<0.05) of the effluent from the wetlands. The mean removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the four constructed wetlands were more than 95% (P>0.05). For TN, the mean removal efficiency of CW-A,-B, and-C was 7.94% (P<0.05), 9.29% (P<0.05), and 3.63% (P<0.05) higher than that of CW-D, respectively. The contribution of ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis filler and zeolite to improving the TN removal efficiency of the constructed wetlands was 73.55% and 26.45%, respectively. The mean removal efficiency of NH4+ in the four wetlands ranged from 67.93% to 76.90%, and compared with CW-D, the other treatments significantly improved the removal efficiency of NH4+ (P<0.05). The ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis filler had an excellent removal effect on NO3-, with a removal efficiency of more than 99%, which was significantly higher than the constructed wetlands without ferric-carbon micro-electrolysis (P<0.05). Considering the treatment effect of the organic pollutants and the nitrogen-containing pollutants, CW-B achieved the best removal efficiency in constructed wetlands with intermittent aeration.

[Effect of Plastic Film Mulching on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from the Ridges and Furrows of a Vegetable Field].

Investigate the effects of plastic film mulching on CH4 and N2O emissions from a vegetable field, a one-year in situ field observation was conducted using a static opaque chamber in a pepper-radish cropping system at the Key Field Station for Monitoring of Eco-Environment of Purple Soil of the Ministry of Agriculture of China at Southwest University, Chongqing. Two treatments (conventional and film mulching) were used to study the influence of film mulching on CH4 and N2O emissions. The results showed that mulching significantly increased the annual average soil pH (P<0.01), annual surface and subsurface (5 cm) temperature (P<0.05), and soil moisture content during the radish-growing season (P<0.05). The mulching also significantly reduced CH4 emissions in the field ridges (P<0.05); the average CH4 flux from ridges during the pepper-growing season was 0.110 mg·(m2·h)-1 and 0.028 mg·(m2·h)-1, and 0.011 mg·(m2·h)-1 and -0.019 mg·(m2·h)-1 during the radish-growing season, under the conventional and film mulching treatments, respectively. However, across the entire experiment, CH4 flux from field furrows was not significantly different between the two mulching treatments (P>0.05), with mean flux values during the pepper-growing season of 0.058 mg·(m2·h)-1 and 0.057 mg·(m2·h)-1, and 0.083 mg·(m2·h)-1 and 0.092 mg·(m2·h)-1 during the radish-growing season, for conventional and plastic film mulching, respectively. Except for the conventional treatment during the pepper-growing season, CH4 emissions from ridges were significantly higher than from furrows, but for other treatments, including conventional and film mulching treatments during radish-growing season and film mulching treatment during the pepper-growing season, the CH4 emissions from furrows were all significantly higher than those from ridges. This was related to the stable anoxic environment created in furrows under high rainfall conditions in Southwest China. The N2O emission flux from the ridges during the pepper-growing season was 65.41 µg·(m2·h)-1 and 68.39 µg·(m2·h)-1 under the conventional and film mulching treatments, respectively, and the N2O emission flux during the radish-growing season was 78.43 µg·(m2·h)-1 and 66.19 µg·(m2·h)-1, respectively. The N2O flux between conventional treatment and film mulching treatment in ridges or furrows were not significantly different (P>0.05), while the N2O emissions from the ridges were significantly higher than that from the furrows. CH4 emission flux was significantly positively correlated with surface and subsurface temperature, while N2O emission flux was only significantly positively correlated with alkaline nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen content.

[Characteristics of Aerosol Optical Depth in the Urban Area of Beibei and Its Correlation with Particle Concentration].

To understand the atmospheric quality of the Beibei District of Chongqing, using the simultaneous observation data of aerosol optical depth and particulate matter concentration in 2014, we analyzed the characteristics of aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the urban area of Beibei and its correlation with particle concentration. The results showed that the annual average of AOD500nm in Beibei District is 1.46±0.69, which varies significantly by month. The highest value in November was 2.90±1.85, and the lowest in September was 0.54±0.05. There is particulate matter pollution in Beibei District. The annual average values of PM2.5 and PM10 are (62±40)µg·m-3 and (94±51)µg·m-3, respectively, which exceed the secondary standard of GB 3095-2012 Ambient Air Quality Standard. The limit values, the daily average over-standard rates of PM2.5 and PM10, are 26% and 15%, respectively. There was significant correlation between fine particle PM2.5 and PM10 concentration of respirable particulate matter. The annual coefficient of determination R2 could reach 0.95 (P<0.01). The correlation between AOD and PM2.5 and PM10 was positive throughout the year. The coefficient of determination R2 was 0.48 and 0.46, respectively, and the coefficient of determination and correlation function were different in different seasons, among which the correlation in winter was the best and the correlation in summer was the worst. AOD and air quality index showed positive correlation characteristics throughout the year, and the coefficient of determination R2 was 0.15 (P<0.05). The AOD value was affected by the comprehensive effects of weather elements. The temperature, humidity, water vapor, and other factor data should also be collected synchronously during the observation period.

Oral JS-38, a metabolite from Xenorhabdus sp., has both anti-tumor activity and the ability to elevate peripheral neutrophils.

AIM: JS-38 (mitothiolore), a synthetic version of a metabolite isolated from Xenorhabdus sp., was evaluated for its anti-tumor and white blood cell (WBC) elevating activities. METHOD: These anti-proliferative activities were assessed in vitro using a panel of ten cell lines. The anti-tumor activities were tested in vivo using B16 allograft mouse models and xenograft models of A549 human lung carcinoma and QGY human hepatoma in nude mice. The anti-tumor interactions of JS-38 and cyclophosphamide (CTX) or 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were studied in a S180 sarcoma model in ICR mice. Specific stimulatory effects were determined on peripheral neutrophils in normal and CTX- and 5-Fu-induced neutropenic mice. RESULTS: The IC50 values ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 µmol·L(-1). JS-38 (1 µmol·L(-1)) caused an increase in A549 tumor cell apoptosis. Multi-daily gavage of JS-38 (15, 30, and 60 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) inhibited in vivo tumor progression without a significant effect on body weight. JS-38 additively enhanced the in vivo anti-tumor effects of CTX or 5-Fu. JS-38 increased peripheral neutrophil counts and neutrophil rates in normal BALB/c mice almost as effectively as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In mice with neutropenia induced by CTX or 5-Fu, JS-38 rapidly restored neutrophil counts. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JS-38 has anti-tumor activity, and also has the ability to increase peripheral blood neutrophils.

Characterization of the anticancer effects of S115, a novel heteroaromatic thiosemicarbazone compound, in vitro and in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the anticancer effects of S115, a novel heteroaromatic thiosemicarbazone compound in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The anti-proliferative action of S115 was analyzed in 12 human and mouse cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Autograft and xenograft cancer models were made by subcutaneous inoculation of cancer cells into mice or nude mice. The mice were orally treated with S115 (2, 8, 32 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 7 d, and the tumor size was measured every 3 d. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were examined using flow cytometry, gene expression profile analyses, Western blots and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The IC50 values of S115 against 12 human and mouse cancer cell lines ranged from 0.3 to 6.6 µmol/L. The tumor growth inhibition rate caused by oral administration of S115 (32 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) were 89.7%, 81.7%, 78.4% and 77.8%, respectively, in mouse model of B16 melanoma, mouse model of Colon26 colon cancer, nude mouse model of A549 lung cancer and nude mouse model of SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer. Furthermore, oral administration of S115 (7.5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) synergistically enhanced the anticancer effects of cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, or 5-fluorouracil in mouse model of S180 sarcoma. Treatment of A549 human lung cancer cells with S115 (1.5 µmol/L) induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, S115 downregulated the level of ubiquitin, and upregulated the level of Tob2 in A549 cells. CONCLUSION: S115 exerts anticancer effects against a variety of cancer cells in vitro and in grafted cancer models by inducing apoptosis, downregulating ubiquitin and upregulating Tob2.