Correction to: Duganella rivus sp. nov., Duganella fentianensis sp. nov., Duganella qianjiadongensis sp. nov. and Massilia guangdongensis sp. nov., isolated from subtropical streams in China and reclassification of all species within genus Pseudoduganella.

In the published version of the article, the title should have read 'Duganella rivi sp. nov., Duganella fentianensis sp. nov., Duganella qianjiadongensis sp. nov. and Massilia guangdongensis sp. nov., isolated from subtropical streams in China and reclassification of all species within genus Pseudoduganella'.

Massilia aquatica sp. nov., Isolated from a Subtropical Stream in China.

A Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped and motile strain FT127WT was isolated from a subtropical stream in China. Comparison based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FT127WT belongs to genus Massilia and shares 98.5% similarity with Massilia buxea A9T as its closest neighbor. The genome size of strain FT127WT was 6.65 Mbp with G + C content of 65.3%. The calculated pairwise OrthoANIu values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain FT127WT and each of strains M. buxea KCTC 52429T, Massilia armeniaca ZMN-3T, Massilia plicata DSM 17505T and Massilia namucuonensis CGMCC 1.11014T were less than 83.1% and 26.6%, respectively. The reconstructed phylogenomic tree based on concatenated 92 core genes showed that strain FT127WT clusters closely with M. namucuonensis CGMCC 1.11014T. The respiratory quinone of strain FT127WT was Q-8. The major fatty acids were C16:1 ω7c, C16:0 and C12:0. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified phospholipid. Combining above all characteristics, strain FT127WT should represent a novel species within genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia aquatica sp. nov. (type strain FT127WT = GDMCC 1.1690T = KACC 21482T) is proposed.

Duganella rivus sp. nov., Duganella fentianensis sp. nov., Duganella qianjiadongensis sp. nov. and Massilia guangdongensis sp. nov., isolated from subtropical streams in China and reclassification of all species within genus Pseudoduganella.

Four Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive, rod-shaped and motile strains (FT55WT, FT93WT, CY13WT and DS3T) were isolated from subtropical streams in China. Comparisons based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains FT55WT, FT93WT and CY13WT take strain Pseudoduganella danionis E3/2T, and strain DS3T takes strain Pseudoduganella eburnea 10R5-21T as their closest neighbour, respectively. The genome sizes of strains FT55WT, FT93WT, CY13WT and DS3T were 6.15, 5.10, 5.31 and 5.72 Mbp with G+C contents of 61.7, 60.9, 60.6 and 64.0%, respectively. The reconstructed phylogenomic tree based on concatenated 92 core genes showed that strain FT55WT clusters closely with Duganella radicis KCTC 22382T and Duganella sacchari Sac-22T, strains FT93WT and CY13WT form a distinct clade with P. danionis DSM 103461T and this clade clusters with the clades of genus Duganella together, and strain DS3T forms a distinct clade with P. eburnea JCM 31587T and Pseudoduganella violaceinigra DSM 15887T and this clade clusters closely with the clades of genus Massilia, respectively. The calculated pairwise OrthoANIu values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values among strains FT55WT, FT93WT, CY13WT, DS3T and related strains were in the ranges of 75.6-94.2% and 20.6-56.2%, respectively. Q-8 was the sole respiratory quinone of these four strains. The major fatty acids were C16:1ω7c, C16:0 and C12:0. The polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified phospholipid. Considering the similar fatty acids and polar lipids profiles of species within genus Pseudoduganella, Massilia and Duganella, there is currently no justification for assigning the species of genus Pseudoduganella into the Massilia and Duganella clades in the phylogenomic tree. It is reasonable to transfer P. violaceinigra and P. eburnea to the genus Massilia as Massilia violaceinigrum comb. nov. and Massilia eburnea comb. nov., and transfer P. danionis to the genus Duganella as Duganella danionis comb. nov. Considering phylogenomic analysis, OrthoANIu data, digital DDH data and a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics, strains FT55WT, FT93WT and CY13WT should be assigned to genus Duganella, and strain DS3T should be classified as a novel species within genus Massilia, for which the names Duganella rivus sp. nov. (type strain FT55WT = GDMCC 1.1675T = KACC 21467T), Duganella fentianensis sp. nov. (type strain FT93WT = GDMCC 1.1683T = KACC 21475T), Duganella qianjiadongensis sp. nov. (type strain CY13WT = GDMCC 1.1669T = KACC 21461T) and Massilia guangdongensis sp. nov. (type strain DS3T = GDMCC 1.1636T = KACC 21312T) are proposed.

Comparison of deep or moderate neuromuscular blockade for thoracoscopic lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery typically requires deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB), but whether deep or moderate NMB is superior for thoracoscopic surgery remains controversial. METHODS: Patients scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy under intravenous anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive moderate [train of four (TOF) 1-2] or deep NMB [TOF 0, post-tetanic count (PTC) 1-5]. Depth of anesthesia was controlled at a Narcotrend rating of 30 ± 5 in both groups. The primary outcome was the need to use an additional muscle relaxant (cisatracurium) during surgery. Secondary outcomes included surgeon satisfaction, recovery time of each stage after drug withdrawal [time from withdrawal until TOF recovery to 20% (antagonists administration), 25, 75, 90, 100%], blood gas data, VAS pain grade after extubation, the time it takes for patients to begin walking after surgery, postoperative complications and hospitalization time. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled per arm, and all but one patient in each arm was included in the final analysis. Among patients undergoing moderate NMB, surgeons applied additional cisatracurium in 8 patients because of body movement and 5 because of coughing (13/29, 44.8%). Additional cisatracurium was not applied to any of the patients undergoing deep NMB (p < 0.001). Surgeons reported significantly higher satisfaction for patients undergoing deep NMB (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The mean difference between the two groups in the time from withdrawal until TOF recovery of 25% or 90% was 10 min (p < 0.001). The two groups were similar in other recovery data, blood gas analysis, VAS pain grade, days for beginning to walk and mean hospitalization time. CONCLUSIONS: Deep NMB can reduce the use of additional muscle relaxant and increase surgeon satisfaction during thoracoscopic lobectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-15007117 , 22 September 2015.

Molecular phylogeny of Loliginidae inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence variation.

Loliginidae includes many economically important species in trophic systems worldwide. Here, we investigated genetic relationships and diversity in this family. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses revealed considerable variations between mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene and cytochrome coxidase subunit I gene among nine Loliginid species. We identified three similar non-coding regions in eight Loliginid species, but not in Sepioteuthislessoniana. We detected a single extended termination-associated sequence and three conserved sequence blocks among these eight species. Our results suggest that Loliginidae forms a major lineage, with S. lessoniana located at the most basal position and forming an individual clade as sister to the remaining species. Loligobeka, Loliolusjaponica, Loliolusuyii, Loligochinensis, Loligoedulis, Loligoduvauceli, Loligobleekeri, and Loligoopalescensare clustered into a monophyletic group. We identified repetitive elements and repeat numbers in the control regions.

A high-throughput dye-reducing photometric assay for evaluating microbial exoelectrogenic ability.

Exoelectrogenic bacteria (EEB) can transfer electrons to extracellular electron acceptors and have wide applications in environmental bioremediation and bioenergy generation. Thus, methods for effectively probing the exoelectrogenic ability of EEB are highly desirable. In this work, a simple but efficient photometric assay based on the extracellular reduction of high polar dyes was developed to evaluate the microbial exoelectrogenic ability. Methyl orange were proven to be used as a probe for evaluating the exoelectrogenic ability of EEB. Through monitoring the extracellular dye decolorization under anaerobic conditions, this plate-based photometric assay could rapidly measure the exoelectrogenic ability of various EEB. This approach was also able to evaluate the exoelectrogenic capacity of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 wild-type strain and its Mtr mutants. Furthermore, the exoelectrogenic ability of mixed cultures in microbial fuel cells was correlated with the extracellular dye decolorization. Thus, this work is useful for the practical implementation of microbial exoelectrogenic ability evaluation.

Different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne zinc on Zn accumulation, ROS levels, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses in the liver of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea.

The aim of the present study was to assess survival rate, Zn accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses after Zn exposure (2 and 8 mg L-1 Zn) at different exposure times (6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h) in the liver of large yellow croaker. Survival rate was reduced at 96 h, and hepatic Zn content increased during 24-96 by 8 mg L-1 Zn. In the 2 mg L-1 Zn group, no fish died and the increase in Zn content merely occurred at 96 h. Exposure to 8 mg L-1 Zn induced accumulation of ROS, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation during the late stage of exposure. In contrast, exposure to 2 mg L-1 Zn did not result in oxidative damage, which may result from the up-regulation of antioxidant defenses. Although exposure to 8 mg L-1 Zn increased activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes during the early stage of exposure, including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT, GPx and GR, the activities of these enzymes except Cu/Zn-SOD were inhibited at 96 h. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Nrf2 expression was observed in fish exposed to 8 mg L-1 at 6 and 12 h, and 2 mg L-1 at 12 h and 24 h, suggesting that Nrf2 was required for the protracted induction of these genes. The late increase in Keap1 expression may support its role in switching off the Nrf2 response. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne Zn on antioxidant responses, which could contribute to the understanding of antioxidant and toxic roles of zinc on a molecular level.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of AMPK α subunit isoform genes from Scophthalmus maximus responding to salinity stress.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved and multi-functional protein kinase that plays important roles in both intracellular energy balance and cellular stress response. In the present study, molecular characterization, tissue distribution and gene expression levels of the AMPK α1 and α2 genes from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) under salinity stress are described. The complete coding regions of the AMPK α1 and α2 genes were isolated from turbot through degenerate primers in combination with RACE using muscle cDNA. The complete coding regions of AMPK α1 (1722 bp) and α2 (1674 bp) encoded 573 and 557 amino acids peptides, respectively. Multiple alignments, structural analysis and phylogenetic tree construction indicated that S. maximus AMPK α1 and α2 shared a high amino acid identity with other species, especially fish. AMPK α1 and α2 genes could be detected in all tested tissues, indicating that they are constitutively expressed. Salinity challenges significantly altered the gene expression levels of AMPK α1 and α2 mRNA in a salinity- and time-dependent manners in S. maximus gill tissues, suggesting that AMPK α1 and α2 played important roles in mediating the salinity stress in S. maximus. The expression levels of AMPK α1 and α2 mRNA were a positive correlation with gill Na+, K+-ATPase activities. These findings will aid our understanding of the molecular mechanism of juvenile turbot in response to environmental salinity changes.

The role of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in inorganic mercury induced oxidative stress in the liver of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute inorganic Hg exposure (0, 32 and 64µgHgL(-1)) on lipid peroxidation, activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST), and mRNA levels of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling molecules at different exposure times (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, and 96h) in the liver of large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. The results showed that lipid peroxidation was sharply reduced by 32µg Hg L(-1) during 6-12h before returning to control levels. Similarly, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced during 6-12h followed by a sharp increase towards the end of the exposure in the 64µgHgL(-1) group. There was a negative relationship between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, and positive relationship between activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that the changes at a molecular level may underlie enzymatic level and accordingly affect hepatic lipid peroxidation. Obtained results also showed a coordinated transcriptional regulation of antioxidant genes, suggesting that Nrf2 is required for the protracted induction of these genes. Furthermore, a negative relationship between the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 indicated that Keap1 may play an important role in switching off the Nrf2 response. In conclusion, this is the first study to elucidate effects of waterborne Hg on antioxidant system in large yellow croaker through the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which will aid our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of waterborne heavy metal on antioxidant responses in fish.

Toxicity Thresholds for Diclofenac, Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen in the Water Flea Daphnia magna.

Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been frequently detected in aquatic ecosystem and posed a huge risk to non-target organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of three typical NSAIDs, diclofenac (DFC), acetaminophen (APAP) and ibuprofen (IBP), toward the water flea Daphnia magna. All three NSAIDs showed remarkable time-dependent and concentration-dependent effects on D. magna, with DFC the highest and APAP the lowest toxic. Survival, growth and reproduction data of D. magna from all bioassays were used to determine the LC10 and LC50 (10 % lethal and median lethal concentrations) values of NSAIDs, as well as the EC10 and EC50 (10 % effect and median effect concentrations) values. Concentrations for the lethal and sublethal toxicity endpoints were mainly in the low ppm-range, of which reproduction was the most sensitive one, indicating that non-target organisms might be adversely affected by relevant ambient low-level concentrations of NSAIDs after long-time exposures.

Rho/ROCK acts downstream of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in modulating P2X3 receptor-mediated bone cancer pain in rats.

BACKGROUND: Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 and Rho/ROCK signaling is implicated in bone cancer pain development. However, it remains unknown whether the two signaling pathways function together in P2X3 receptor-mediated bone cancer pain. RESULTS: In this study, using a rat model of bone cancer, we examined the expression of P2X3 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and further dissected whether lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 and Rho/ROCK-mediated pathways interacted in modulating rat pain behavior. Bone cancer was established by inoculating Walker 256 cells into the left tibia of female Wistar rats. We observed a gradual and yet significant decline in mean paw withdrawal threshold in rats with bone cancer, but not in control rats. Our immunohistochemical staining revealed that the number of P2X3- and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1-positive dorsal root ganglion neurons was significantly greater in rats with bone cancer than control rats. Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 blockade with VPC32183 significantly attenuated decline in mean paw withdrawal threshold. Flinching behavior test further showed that lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 inhibition with VPC32183 transiently but significantly attenuated α,ß-meATP-induced increase in paw lift time per minute. Rho inhibition by intrathecal BoTXC3 caused a rapid reversal in decline in mean paw withdrawal threshold of rats with bone cancer. Flinching behavior test showed that BoTXC3 transiently and significantly attenuated α,ß-meATP-induced increase in paw lift time per minute. Similar findings were observed with ROCK inhibition by intrathecal Y27632. Furthermore, VPC32183 and BoTXC3 effectively aborted the appearance of lysophosphatidic acid-induced calcium influx peak. CONCLUSIONS: Lysophosphatidic acid and its receptor LPAR1, acting through the Rho-ROCK pathway, regulate P2X3 receptor in the development of both mechanical and spontaneous pain in bone cancer.

Antioxidant defenses at transcriptional and enzymatic levels and gene expression of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling molecules in response to acute zinc exposure in the spleen of the large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea.

We evaluated the effects of acute Zn exposure (4 and 8 mg L(-1) Zn) on lipid peroxidation, and activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzyme genes (Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GPx, and GR), and gene expression of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling molecule at different exposure times (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h) in the spleen of large yellow croaker. Lipid peroxidation remained relatively constant during 6-48 h and 6-24 h and sharply increased at 96 h and during 48-96 h in fish exposed to 4 and 8 mg L(-1) Zn, respectively. Activities of all tested enzymes increased during the early stage of exposure and decreased towards the end of the exposure in both groups. However, mRNA levels of antioxidant enzyme genes were dramatically up-regulated by 4 and 8 mg L(-1) Zn during the late stage of exposure. During the early stage of exposure for 6 h, the 8 mg L(-1) Zn exposure sharply increased mRNA levels of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GPx1b, Nrf2, and Keap1, whereas, the 4 mg L(-1) Zn exposure did not significantly affect the expression of these genes. Our data also showed positive relationships between Nrf2 expression and mRNA levels of its target genes, suggesting that Nrf2 was required for the protracted induction of these genes. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Keap1 expression levels was observed in fish exposed to 4 mg L(-1) at 96 h, and 8 mg L(-1) at 6, 48, and 96 h. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Zn-induced antioxidant defenses were involved in modifications at enzymatic and transcriptional levels and the transcriptional regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling molecule; these results may contribute to the understanding of mechanisms that maintain the correct redox balance in the immune organ of the large yellow croaker.

The Effects of Molecular Properties on Ready Biodegradation of Aromatic Compounds in the OECD 301B CO2 Evolution Test.

Ready biodegradation is the primary biodegradability of a compound, which is used for discriminating whether a compound could be rapidly and readily biodegraded in the natural ecosystems in a short period and has been applied extensively in the environmental risk assessment of many chemicals. In this study, the effects of 24 molecular properties (including 2 physicochemical parameters, 10 geometrical parameters, 6 topological parameters, and 6 electronic parameters) on the ready biodegradation of 24 kinds of synthetic aromatic compounds were investigated using the OECD 301B CO2 Evolution test. The relationship between molecular properties and ready biodegradation of these aromatic compounds varied with molecular properties. A significant inverse correlation was found for the topological parameter TD, five geometrical parameters (Rad, CAA, CMA, CSEV, and N c), and the physicochemical parameter K ow, and a positive correlation for two topological parameters TC and TVC, whereas no significant correlation was observed for any of the electronic parameters. Based on the correlations between molecular properties and ready biodegradation of these aromatic compounds, the importance of molecular properties was demonstrated as follows: geometrical properties > topological properties > physicochemical properties > electronic properties. Our study first demonstrated the effects of molecular properties on ready biodegradation by a number of experiment data under the same experimental conditions, which should be taken into account to better guide the ready biodegradation tests and understand the mechanisms of the ready biodegradation of aromatic compounds.

Beneficial effects of dantrolene on sepsis-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are associated with downregulation of high-mobility group box 1 and calpain-caspase-3 proteolytic pathway.

BACKGROUND: Intracellular calcium overload is a major contributing factor to diaphragmatic dysfunction triggered by sepsis. In this study, the possible role of dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor inhibitor, in preventing the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in diaphragmatic dysfunction and weakness was explored. METHODS: A middle-grade severity sepsis rat model was established for the effects of treatment with dantrolene, on diaphragm harvested 24 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and analyzed using functional, histologic, and biomarker assays. RESULTS: It was found that in septic rats, treatment with dantrolene significantly improved the contractility, relaxation, and fatigue index of the diaphragm in a dose-dependent manner. The benefits are associated with improvement in ultrastructural changes of Z band integrity and myofilament arrangements along with increases both in the ratio of slow-twitch type composition. Moreover, dantrolene effectively inhibits the overexpression of high-mobility group box 1 and reduces the calpain-1-caspase-3 proteolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Dantrolene can effectively attenuate the dysfunction of diaphragm in septic rats; Furthermore, the beneficial effects were associated with downregulation of high-mobility group box 1 and calpain-1-caspase-3 proteolytic activity.

Novel roles of ginsenoside Rg3 in apoptosis through downregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor.

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), a pharmacologically active compound from red ginseng, has been reported to induce cell death in various cancer cell lines, although the specific mechanisms have not been well established. In the present study, Rg3 treatment to A549 human lung adenocarcinoma led to cell death via not only apoptotic pathways but also the downregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We used cross-linker and cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to show that Rg3 inhibited EGFR dimerization by EGF stimulation and caused EGFR internalization from the cell membrane. Among several important phosphorylation sites in cytoplasmic EGFR, Rg3 increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine 1045 (pY1045) and serine 1046/1047 (pS1046/1047) for EGFR degradation and coincidently, attenuated pY1173 and pY1068 for mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. These effects were amplified under EGF-pretreated Rg3 stimulation. In vivo experiments showed that the average volume of the tumors treated with 30 mg/kg of Rg3 was significantly decreased by 40% compared with the control. Through immunohistochemistry, we detected the fragmentation of DNA, the accumulation of Rg3, and the reduction of EGFR expression in the Rg3-treated groups. Here, we provide the first description of the roles of Rg3 in the reduction of cell surface EGFR, the attenuation of EGFR signal transduction, and the eventual activation of apoptosis in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma.

A comparative study of biodegradability of a carcinogenic aromatic amine (4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane) with OECD 301 test methods.

4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) is a widely used compound in industries. Studies on the biodegradability of MDA are necessary for environmental hazard identification and risk assessment. Previous studies have suggested that MDA was not readily biodegradable. In the present study, three batches of biodegradation tests (OECD 301A, B, D and F tests) were performed on MDA in June, August and December of 2012. MDA was found to be readily biodegradable and produced colored intermediates in the 301A, B and F test systems. MDA biodegradation measurements were consistent among the three batches of tests. Differences in the extent of biodegradation determined in different methods originated from different test conditions and assessment endpoints. The 301D test has stringent test conditions and is usually performed on chemicals that are toxic to microorganisms, so the test results obtained from 301D tests are less meaningful for evaluating the biodegradability of MDA. The low MDA biodegradation measurements in the 301B tests compared to the 301A and F tests were due to the assessment method, which did not account for MDA incorporation into biomass in its calculation of CO2 formation rate. The differences in the biodegradation rates, as measured by the different OECD 301 test systems, could also be related to the structure and properties of the chemical. For test substances that can be assessed by all OECD 301 test methods, the highest biodegradation values may be obtained from the 301A and F test methods. This study provides new information to assess the environmental fate in the risk assessment of MDA.

Cold ischemia-induced autophagy in rat lung tissue.

Autophagy is a highly conserved pathway that permits recycling of nutrients within the cell and is rapidly upregulated during starvation or cell stress. Autophagy has been implicated in the pathophysiological process of warm ischemia­reperfusion injury in the rat lung. Cold ischemia (CI) preservation for lung transplantation also exhibits cell stress and nutrient deprivation, however, little is known with regard to the involvement of autophagy in this process. In the present study, CI preservation­induced autophagy and apoptosis was investigated in the lungs of Sprague Dawley rats. Sprague Dawley rat lungs were flushed and preserved at 4˚C (i.e. CI) for various durations (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h). The levels of autophagy, autophagic cell death and apoptosis were measured at each time point following CI. The results revealed that autophagy was induced by CI preservation, which was initiated at 3 h, peaked at 6 h after CI and declined thereafter. Additionally, a coexistence of autophagic cell death and apoptosis was observed in rat lung tissues following prolonged CI. These findings demonstrate that autophagy is involved in the pathophysiological process of lung CI. Furthermore, autophagic cell death in addition to necrosis and apoptosis occurs following CI in the lung. CI preservation may therefore be a potential mechanism of lung injury during organ preservation prior to lung transplantation.

Emission of odorous volatile organic compounds from a municipal manure treatment plant and their removal using a biotrickling filter.

Odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from municipal manure treatment facilities are considered as a major nuisance issue for operators and nearby residents. In this study, up to 71 odorous VOCs were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at the manure treatment plant. These compounds can be classified into five different categories, including alkanes, olefins, aromatics, volatile organosulphur compounds and terpenes. Toluene, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl sulphide, xylene and ethylbenzene were the five most abundant pollutants. A pilot-scale biotrickling filter (BTF) was employed to treat the complex odorous gases. Correlation analysis showed that the removal efficiency (RE) of the BTF was related with the molecular weight and chemical structure of contaminants. Higher than 85% of REs could be reached for aromatic, terpenes and most alkanes compounds after 180 days of operation. Comparatively, most olefins and partial alkanes compounds with a molecular weight lower than 70 were not removed easily. The REs of these compounds ranged from 0% to 94%, and the average removal efficiency (RE) was only about 33.3%.