Microbial fuel cell-upflow biofilter coupling system for deep denitrification and power recovery: Efficiencies, bacterial succession and interactions.

The excess organic carbon is often added to meet denitrification requirements during municipal wastewater treatment, resulting in the carbon waste and increased risk of secondary pollution. In this study, microbial fuel cell (MFC) was coupled with an up-flow denitrification biofilter (BF), and the long-term performances of denitrification and power output were investigated under the different carbon source concentration. With sodium acetate (NaAc) of 600 mg/L and 300 mg/L, the favorable denitrification efficiencies were obtained (98.60%) and the stable current output was maintained (0.44 mÃ0.48 mA). By supplying NaAc of 150 mg/L, the high denitrification efficiency remained in a high range (89.31%) and the current output maintained at 0.12 mA, while, the denitrification efficiency dropped to 71.34% without coupling MFC. Electron balance analysis indicated that both nitrate removal and electron recovery efficiencies were higher in MFC-BF than that in BF, verifying the improved denitrification and carbon utilization performance. Coupling MFC significantly altered the bacterial community structure and composition, and while, the diversified abundance and distribution of bacterial genera were observed at the different locations. Compared with BF, the more exoelectrogenic genera (Desulfobacterium, Trichococcus) and genera holding both denitrifying and electrogenic functions (Dechloromonas, Geobacter) were found dominated in MFC-BF. Instead, the dominating genera in BF were Dechloromonas, Desulfomicrobium, Acidovorax and etc. By coupling MFC, the more complex and diversified network and the closer interaction relationships between the dominant potential functional genera were found. The study provides a feasible approach to effectively improve the denitrification efficiency and organic carbon recovery for deep denitrification process.

New Policy and Implementation of Municipal Solid Waste Classification in Shanghai, China.

To promote sustainable development, the Chinese government launched a new municipal solid waste (MSW) classification strategy in 2017. Shanghai was selected as one of the first pilot cities for MSW classification. The Shanghai municipal government first established the new MSW classification policy in 2017. The Shanghai Municipal Solid Waste Management Regulation was published in 2019 and came into effect on 1 July 2019. This short communication reports on Shanghai's new MSW classification policy and its implementation. The main content and measures adopted by Shanghai's government to ensure the effective implementation of the new MSW classification policy are introduced. Besides, a SWOT (i.e., strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis on the present policy and measures is conducted, and based on the results, some discussions and suggestions regarding the implementation of MSW classification in Shanghai and the whole of China are presented.

The synthesis of super-small nano hydroxyapatite and its high adsorptions to mixed heavy metallic ions.

A "molecular cage" was possibly built in glucose alkaline solution to limit the chemical reaction in a tiny space to control the size and morphology of HA nanoparticles. A possible reaction mechanism of HA nanoparticles confined space synthesis was proposed in this work. The super-small HA nanoparticles were successfully obtained in the first time in mild and green condition which had a 7 nm diameter. The adsorptions to Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ ions in their mixture solution by the synthesized HA nanoparticles were studied. The adsorbent showed huge adsorption capacities for the targets (Pb2+ = 3289 mg/g, Zn2+ = 3150 mg/g, Ni2+ = 3061 mg/g and Cd2+ = 2784 mg/g), which indicated an excellent performance of the synthesized nano material in water treatment. Freundlich equation analysis and SEM images of the adsorption products suggested multilayer adsorptions to the targets, and a new recrystalline type adsorption on the surface of the host was found. Some Ca atoms in HA nanoparticles were also found to be substituted by the heavy metallic elements in the initial stage of the adsorptions. The synthesized nano material exhibits better application prospect in wastewater treatment field for its easy synthesis, low-cost and environmental friendly properties.

[The effects of DNA methylation on the homeostasis in vascular diseases].

Homeostasis is fundamental to maintain normal physiological functions in our body. Internal and external physical, chemical and biologial changes can cause dysregulation of vascular homeostasis, which is closely associated with the homeostasis of oxygen supply, blood transportation and lipid metabolism. Subsequent epigenetic modifications are able to lead to abnormal structures and function of vessels. DNA methylation has been shown to play a vital role in the development of vascular diseases. In addition, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and N(6)-methyladenine (m(6)A), as new epigenetic modifications, provide additional clues for vascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the effects of DNA methylation on the homeostasis dysregulation in the vascular diseases.

Preclinical safety evaluation of the aqueous acetone extract of Chinese herbal formula Modified Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of oral administration of Modified Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXLD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine. METHODS: The toxicological information of HLXLD and its individual constituent herbs was searched in cintcm or TCMlars (www.cintcm.com), PubMed (MEDLINE), Chinese Herbal Medicine (1999) and WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Vol. I- III). Single-dose acute toxicity was assessed by using the highest possible dosage. Motor function test was used to determine whether the herbal formula might cause motor impairment. Nine-day HLXLD repeat-dose sub-chronic toxicity/adverse effects, and 42-day chronic toxicity/adverse effects in rats were also assessed. RESULTS: The literature searches showed that HLXLD and its eleven ingredient herbs had no side/adverse effects listed in the traditional Chinese medicine literature. Under the dosages proposed in the formula, the HLXLD formula had no side/adverse effects according to MEDLINE, Chinese Herbal Medicine and WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants. The studies in rats showed: (1) in single-dose acute toxicity assessment, the maximal feasible single oral dose, 9.20 g/kg HLXLD, showed no significant effect on clinical signs, or body weight and mortality over a 14-day period in rats; (2) during motor function test, nine-day repeat-dose of daily HLXLD treatment at 4.60 g/kg did not cause motor impairment; (3) in nine-day HLXLD repeat-dose sub-chronic toxicity/adverse effects assessment, there were no noticeable abnormal behavioral changes or obvious adverse reactions and signs in complete Freund's adjuvant inflamed rats (highest observed dosage: 4.60 g/kg), and no noticeable adverse effects were observed during, or 14 days after nine-day treatment at 4.60 g/kg in non-inflamed rats; (4) during 42-day chronic toxicity/adverse effects assessments, no noticeable abnormal behavioral changes, no obvious adverse reactions and signs were observed in normal rats administered with HLXLD at a dose of 2.30 g/kg and the values of serum biochemistry and histopathology were in normal range. CONCLUSION: Both existing information and animal data support that Modified HLXLD is a safe herbal product for clinical application.

Extract of the Chinese herbal formula Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan inhibited adjuvant arthritis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The herbal formula Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXL) and its modifications have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about one hundred years to alleviate pain and inflammation. AIM: To investigate the effects of HLXL on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced multiple-joint arthritis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Lewis rats, 190-210 g, were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with 200 microl of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mineral oil (5 mg/ml). HLXL (2.30 and 4.60 g/kg) or vehicle control (n=8 per group) was administered orally (i.g.) once a day between days 16 and 25 post-CFA injection. The rats were observed for signs of arthritis with arthritic changes (erythema, edema, induration) being scored on a scale of 0-4 of increasing severity using a standard scoring system. The maximum arthritis score per rat was 16. A plethysmometer was used to measure edema volume in each paw. Adverse effects of HLXL were monitored by closely observing the animals for unusual behavioral changes. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) in local tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on day 25 post-CFA. RESULTS: HLXL significantly decreased arthritis scores between days 23-25 in the 2.30 g/kg group and 21-25 in the 4.60 g/kg group (p<0.05). It reduced paw edema on days 22 and 24 in the 2.30 g/kg group and on days 20, 22 and 24 in the 4.60 g/kg group compared to control (p<0.05). Local tissue TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels on day 25 post-CFA injection were significantly (p<0.05) lower in rats treated with HLXL than in control rats. No observable adverse effects were found. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that HLXL produces significant anti-arthritic effects that may be mediated by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it appears to be safe.