Cytosolic/Plastid Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Is a Negative Regulator of Strawberry Fruit Ripening.

Cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPC) and plastid glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPCp) are key enzymes in glycolysis. Besides their catalytic function, GAPC/GAPCp participates in the regulation of plant stress response and growth and development. However, the involvement of GAPC/GAPCp in the regulation of fruit ripening is unclear. In this study, FaGAPC2 and FaGAPCp1 in strawberries were isolated and analyzed. FaGAPC2 and FaGAPCp1 transcripts showed high transcript levels in the fruit. Transient overexpression of FaGAPC2 and FaGAPCp1 delayed fruit ripening, whereas RNA interference promoted fruit ripening and affected fruit anthocyanins and sucrose levels. Change in the expression patterns of FaGAPC2 and FaGAPCp1 also influenced the expression of several glycolysis-related and ripening-related genes such as CEL1, CEL2, SS, ANS, MYB5, NCED1, ABI1, ALDO, PK, and G6PDH, and H2O2 level and reduced glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) redox potential. Meanwhile, metabolomics experiments showed that transient overexpression of FaGAPCp1 resulted in a decrease in anthocyanins, flavonoids, organic acid, amino acids, and their derivatives. In addition, abscisic acid (ABA) and sucrose treatment induced the production of large amounts of H2O2 and inhibited the expression of FaGAPC2/FaGAPCp1 in strawberry fruit. These results revealed that FaGAPC2/FaGAPCp1 is a negative regulator of ABA and sucrose mediated fruit ripening which can be regulated by oxidative stress.

[Topical haemostatic agents in neurosurgery].

Haemostasis is of fundamental significance in neurosurgery, and insufficient control of bleeding is associated with morbidity and mortality. Topical haemostatic agents play an important role, as the characteristics of neuronal tissue limit the use of classical surgical haemostasis techniques. Appropriate choice of agent depends on the location and type of bleeding, but also on knowledge of the products' mechanisms of action, indications, price and accessibility. Biological products are superior to the mechanical in efficacy but require more preparation and are significantly more cost-intensive.

Photo-Fenton treatment of valproate under UVC, UVA and simulated solar radiation.

The abatement of valproic acid sodium salt (VA) via photo-Fenton process was investigated to evaluate the effect of irradiation type. Three different light sources have been used: UVA (black light blue lamps, BLB reactor), UVC (UVC reactor) and simulated sunlight in a Solarbox (SB). Using the highest concentrations of Fe2+ (10mgL-1) and H2O2 (150mgL-1), 100% of VA degradation was observed in BLB and UVC devices, and 89.7% in Solarbox. Regarding mineralization, 67.4% and 76.4% of TOC conversion were achieved in BLB and UVC, respectively. In Solarbox, mineralization was negligible. Treated solutions under UVA or UVC radiation became biodegradable (BOD5/COD≥0.25), which was not observed in Solarbox where BOD5/COD achieved was only 0.20. Regarding to toxicity (Vibrio Fischeri method), all processes have promoted the overall toxicity reduction of VA solution. Transformation products were identified by a LC-ESI-TOF mass spectrometer, and degradation pathways were proposed. Operating costs and the energy needed by mg of VA removed were estimated and compared, for the different installations, showing that UVA can remove around 3 times more VA than SB and 2 times more VA than UVC, under the same conditions.

Fenton's treatment as an effective treatment for elderberry effluents: economical evaluation.

The utilization of Fenton's oxidation for the depuration of elderberry juice wastewater was studied. The aim was to select the adequate cost-effective operating conditions suitable to lead to an effluent within the legal thresholds to be discharged into the natural water courses. The treatment efficacy was assessed by chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour, phenolic content and total solids removal besides its ability to improve biodegradability (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)/COD). Moreover, the costs of the applied reactants were also considered. Fenton's reaction was able to abate at least 70% of COD (corresponding to a final value below 150 mg O2 L(-1)). Besides, total phenolic content degradation was always achieved. Within these conditions, the resulting effluent is able to be directly discharged into the natural hydric channels. Fenton oxidation could be successfully applied as a single treatment method with a reactant cost of 4.38 €â€…m(-3) ([Fe(2+)] = 20 mmol L(-1), [H2O2] = 100 mmol L(-1), pH = 3 and 4 h of oxidation procedure).

Reducing THMFP by H2O2/UV oxidation for humic acid of small molecular weight.

In this study, the merits of using H2O2/UV oxidation for reducing trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), colour, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of smaller molecular humic acid were investigated, especially the energy consumption based on EEO. The results show that THMFP decreases by increasing oxidation time, H2O2 dose and UV intensity. The reaction constant in descending order is kColour>kDOC>kTHMFP. Furthermore, EEO shows three trends. First, it decreases as H2O2 dose increases. That is, by increasing the amount of H2O2 dose, the electrical energy efficiency becomes better. Second, EEO,9 W>EEO,13 W, implying that higher UV power would result in a higher electrical energy efficiency. Third, EEO,THMFP>EEO,DOC>EEO,colour. That is, the electric energy efficiency is the best for colour removal, second for DOC removal, and third for THMFP reduction. The operation costs for 90% removal of colour, DOC, and THMFP are from 0.31 to 0.69, from 0.78 to 1.72, and from 1.11 to 2.29 US$/m3, respectively. However, reducing THMs to Taiwan's drinking water standard of 80 µg/L needs only 0.25-0.60 US$/m3. Therefore, the condition with UV of 9 W, H2O2 of 50 mg/L, and oxidation time of 23 min can be applied for THMs reduction as the cost is the smallest of 0.25 US$/m3, even lower than current Taiwan's drinking water price of 0.3 US$/m3.

Evaluation of a hydrogen peroxide-based system for high-level disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes.

OBJECTIVES: Because of the complex process and the risk of errors associated with the glutaraldehyde-based solutions previously used at our institution for disinfection, our department has implemented a new method for high-level disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes: the hydrogen peroxide-based Trophon system (Nanosonics, Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia). The aim of this study was to compare the time difference, safety, and sonographers' satisfaction between the glutaraldehyde-based Cidex (CIVCO Medical Solutions, Kalona, IA) and the hydrogen peroxide-based Trophon disinfection systems. METHODS: The Institutional Review Board approved a 14-question survey administered to the 13 sonographers in our department. Survey questions addressed a variety of aspects of the disinfection processes with graded responses over a standardized 5-point scale. A process diagram was developed for each disinfection method with segmental timing analysis, and a cost analysis was performed. RESULTS: Nonvariegated analysis of the survey data with the Wilcoxon signed rank test showed a statistical difference in survey responses in favor of the hydrogen peroxide-based system over the glutaraldehyde-based system regarding efficiency (P = .0013), ease of use (P = .0013), ability to maintain work flow (P = .026), safety (P = .0026), fixing problems (P = .0158), time (P = .0011), and overall satisfaction (P = .0018). The glutaraldehyde-based system took 32 minutes versus 14 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide-based system; the hydrogen peroxide-based system saved on average 7.5 hours per week. The cost of the hydrogen peroxide-based system and weekly maintenance pays for itself if 1.5 more ultrasound examinations are performed each week. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrogen peroxide-based disinfection system was proven to be more efficient and viewed to be easier and safer to use than the glutaraldehyde-based system. The adoption of the hydrogen peroxide-based system led to higher satisfaction among sonographers.

Solar photo-Fenton process for the treatment of colored soft drink wastewater: decolorization, mineralization and COD removal of oolong tea effluent.

The decolorization and mineralization of dark-brown-colored oolong tea effluent by the solar photo-Fenton process has been examined. The solar photo-Fenton process for a fine day achieved 92% decolorization after 60 min and 94% mineralization after 80 min. For a cloudy day, about 88% decolorization and 85% mineralization were obtained after 290 min. For reference the UV light photo-Fenton process was also conducted. Very similar degradation efficiencies were found between the solar and UV light photo-Fenton processes. However, the intrinsic low cost associated with abundant solar energy turned out to be more efficient in treating oolong tea effluent as compared with UV light. The decolorization and mineralization profiles under the different light intensities could be unified with the accumulated light energy instead of with irradiation time. This implies that the solar photo-Fenton process should be designed and operated on the basis of the accumulated energy rather than the reaction time. The COD removal was 99.3% after 75 min under the fine condition. This removal rate for a fine day was approximately twice as fast than that for a cloudy day and comparable to that by the UV light irradiation. The results obtained in this study suggest that the solar photo-Fenton process offers a promising technology for decolorization and degradation of oolong tea effluent.

Fenton-driven chemical regeneration of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon--a pilot study.

Three columns containing granular activated carbon (GAC) were placed on-line at a ground water pump and treat facility, saturated with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and regenerated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under different chemical, physical, and operational conditions for 3 adsorption/oxidation cycles. Supplemental iron was immobilized in the GAC (≈6 g/kg) through the amendment of a ferrous iron solution. GAC regeneration occurred under ambient thermal conditions (21-27 °C), or enhanced thermal conditions (50 °C). Semi-continuous H2O2 loading resulted in saw tooth-like H2O2 concentrations, whereas continuous H2O2 loading resulted in sustained H2O2 levels and was more time efficient. Significant removal of MTBE was measured in all three columns using $(USD) 0.6 H2O2/lb GAC. Elevated temperature played a significant role in oxidative treatment, given the lower MTBE removal at ambient temperature (62-80%) relative to MTBE removal measured under thermally enhanced (78-95%), and thermally enhanced, acid pre-treated (92-97%) conditions. Greater MTBE removal was attributed to increased intraparticle MTBE desorption and diffusion and higher aqueous MTBE concentrations. No loss in the MTBE sorption capacity of the GAC was measured, and the reaction byproducts, tert-butyl alcohol and acetone were also degraded.

Economic evaluation of the photo-Fenton process. Mineralization level and reaction time: the keys for increasing plant efficiency.

The use of the solar photo-Fenton process is proposed to degrade Paracetamol in water in order to form biodegradable reaction intermediates which can be finally removed with a downstream biological treatment. Firstly, biodegradability enhancement with photo-Fenton treatment time has been evaluated; the minimum mineralization level should be at least 18.6% where Paracetamol has been degraded and biodegradability efficiency is higher than 40%. 20 mg L(-1) of Fe(2+) and 200 mg L(-1) of H(2)O(2) were selected in a lab-scale study looking at Paracetamol's degradation rate and organic carbon mineralization rate. As a result of scaling up the process at a pilot plant, 157.5 mg L(-1) of Paracetamol (∼1 mM) was treated in 25 min of photo-Fenton treatment achieving the desired biodegradability. A further economic evaluation shows how the proposed treatment strategy markedly increases plant efficiency, resulting in an 83.33% reduction in reagent cost and a 79.11% reduction in costs associated with reaction time. Total cost is reduced from 3.4502 €/m(3) to 0.7392 €/m(3).

Environmental assessment of different photo-Fenton approaches for commercial reactive dye removal.

An environmental study using life cycle assessment (LCA) has been applied to three bench-scale wastewater treatments for Cibacron Red FN-R hetero-bireactive dye removal: artificial light photo-Fenton process, solar driven photo-Fenton process and artificial light photo-Fenton process coupled to a biological treatment. The study is focused on electricity and chemicals consumption, transports and atmosphere and water emissions generated by the different processes involved. Results show that the artificial light photo-Fenton process is the worst treatment in terms of environmental impact. On the other hand, both solar driven and coupled to biological photo-Fenton processes reduce significantly the environmental damage, although none can be identified as the best in all impact categories. The major environmental impact is attributed to the H2O2 consumption and to the electrical energy consumption to run the UVA lamp. An economic analysis of the different photo-Fenton processes has also been performed and the results are discussed together with those obtained from the environmental assessment.