[Occurrence Characteristics, Sources, and Toxicity Risk Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Typical Rivers of Northern Shaanxi Mining Area, China].

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence level, spatial distribution, pollution source, and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Kuye River of the northern Shaanxi mining area. In total, 16 priority PAHs were quantitatively detected at 59 sampling sites using a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector in series with a fluorescence detector. The results showed that the ρ(ΣPAHs) in the Kuye River ranged from 50.06 to 278.16 ng·L-1, with an average value of 128.22 ng·L-1. The PAHs monomer concentrations ranged from 0 to 121.22 ng·L-1, of which Chrysene had the highest concentration, with average values of 36.58 ng·L-1, respectively, followed by benzo(a)anthracene and phenanthrene. The detection rate of each monomer was more than 70%, of which 12 monomers revealed detection rates of 100%. In addition, the 4-ring PAHs showed the highest relative abundance in the 59 samples, ranging from 38.59% to 70.85%. The PAHs concentrations revealed significant spatial variation in the Kuye River. Moreover, the highest PAHs concentrations were mainly observed in coal mining, industrial, and densely populated areas. Compared with those in other rivers in China and worldwide, the PAHs concentrations in the Kuye River showed a medium pollution level. On the other hand, the positive definite matrix factorization (PMF) and diagnostic ratios were used to quantitatively assess the source apportionment of PAHs in the Kuye River. The results showed that coking and petroleum emissions, coal combustion, fuel-wood combustion, and automobile exhaust emissions contributed to the PAHs concentrations in the industrial areas of the upper reach by 34.67%, 30.62%, 18.11%, and 16.60%, and coal combustion, fuel-wood combustion, and automobile exhaust emissions contributed in the downstream residential areas by 64.93%, 26.20%, and 8.86%. In addition, the results of the ecological risk assessment showed low ecological risks of naphthalene and high ecological risks of benzo(a)anthracene, respectively, whereas the remaining monomers revealed medium ecological risk. Among the 59 sampling sites, only 12 belonged to low ecological risk areas, whereas the remaining sampling sites were at medium to high ecological risks. Moreover, the water area near the Ningtiaota Industrial Park showed a risk value close to the high ecological risk threshold. Therefore, it is urgent to formulate prevention and control measures in the study region.

Analysis of the mechanism for enhanced pyrene biodegradation based on the interactions between iron-ions and Rhodococcus ruber strain L9.

A slow degradation rate and low transformation efficiency are the main problems in the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study selected pyrene as the target PAH to investigate the effect of ferrous ion and ferric ion on pyrene degradation. The driving effect and mechanism, including the interaction between pyrene and iron ions and the bacterial physiological response during the biodegradation process by Rhodococcus ruber strain L9, were investigated. The results showed that iron ions did not enhance bacterial growth but improved bacteria's pyrene removal capacity, contributing to the total efficiency of pyrene biodegradation. The process started with an initial formation of "cation-π" between Fe (III) and pyrene, which subsequently drove the pyrene removal process and accelerated the bacterial metabolic process. Moreover, a significant increase in the protein concentration, catechol dioxygenase (C12O and C23O) activities, and intracellular protein regulation in crude enzyme solution indicate a positive response of the bacteria during the iron ion-enhanced pyrene degradation process.

A simple and quick method to detect adulterated sesame oil using 3D fluorescence spectra.

Adulterated sesame oil seriously damages the interests of consumers and the health of market. In this paper, a simple, fast and real-time model for identifying adulterated sesame oil (ASO) was proposed by combining 3D fluorescence spectra with wavelet moments (WMs). First, noise and data volume of the experimental data were reduced by wavelet multiresolution decomposition (WMRSD), which improved the stability and real-time of the model. Next, WMs were used to extract the features of the 3D fluorescence spectra and proved to be effective by hierarchical clustering results. Then, the qualitative quality of WMs of the same orders, different orders and the combinations were evaluated by Dunn's validity index (DVI), and the rules were given, respectively. Finally, the target WMs for identifying ASO were determined. This model is simple and fast, and expandable to online measurement, providing a reference for identification and adulteration of vegetable oils.

[Clinical effect of manipulation therapy for the treatment of degenerative lumbar instability based on myofascial chain theory].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of manipulation therapy in treating degenerative lumbar instability based on myofascial chain theory. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with degenerative lumbar spine instability were analyzed retrospectively from January 2018 to December 2019, and treated with massage manipulation therapy. Among them, 29 patients were treated with massage manipulation therapy based on the myofascial chain theory (myofascial chain group), including 14 males and 15 females, aged from 40 to 69 years old with an average of (51.76±5.07) years old, the courses of disease was (3.4±1.6) years. Twenty-eight patients were treated with massage manipulation therapy based on TCM meridian theory (TCM meridian group), including 12 males and 16 females, aged from 42 to 70 years old with an average of(52.48±4.31) years old, the courses of disease was (3.3±1.7) years. Before treatment, after treatment, 1 and 3 months after treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain degree of lumbar, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess improvement of lumbar function, and changes of lumbar muscle tension were used to evaluate clinical effect. RESULTS: VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension after treatment were significantly improved than those of before treatment between two groups (P<0.05) . There were no statistical difference in VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension between two groups before treatment and after treatment immediately(P> 0.05). However, VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension at one and three months after treatment in myofascial chain group weresignificantly better than that of TCM meridian group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Manipulation therapyon in treating degenerative lumbar instability based on myofascial chain theory could effectively relieve low back pain symptom and improve lumbar function. It is worthy of promoting.

[Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis of Leukemia Cell Induced by Reovirus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of apoptosis of HL60 cells induced by oncolytic virus Reovirus type 3 (Reo3). METHODS: HL60 cells were infected with Reo3 at different multiplicity of infection (MOI) with the uninfected HL60 cells as control group. After 48 h of infection, the activity of HL60 cells infected with virus at different MOI was detected by CCK8 method to investigate the influence of MOI to cell activity. Simultaneously, the apoptotic rate of HL60 cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the activation level of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and the expression of apoptotic-related protein in HL60 cells were detected by Western blot. Before infection with Reo3 for 48 h, HL60 cells were treated with 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a specific inhibitor of PKR, for 24 h. Afterward, the apoptotic level and expression of apoptotic related proteins were detected. RESULTS: Activity of HL60 cells was obviously inhibited after infected with Reo3 with a MOI of 1 for 48 h. The cell survival rate was (24.333±3.396)% and the apoptotic rate was (29.96±2.06)%. Both rates were all higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that the expression levels of PKR, p-PKR, Bax, Caspase3 and cleaved Caspase3 in HL60 cells infected with Reo3 were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the expression level of Bcl-2 was lower (P < 0.05). Compared with the group without inhibitor, the apoptotic rate of HL60 cells pretreated with 2-AP decreased (P < 0.05), the phosphorylation level of PKR and the expression level of apoptotic-related protein also decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oncolytic virus Reo3 could activate PKR in HL60 cells and thus induce apoptosis of HL60 cells.

[Application of Fluorescence Spectra and Matrix Analysis in the Classification of Edible Vegetable Oils].

The fluorescence spectra of 42 vegetable oil samples are measured with FS920 fluorescence spectrometer, including 36 pure vegetable oil samples, 3 blend oil samples and 3 mixed oil samples. The fluorescence matrixs (EEMs) are normalized to determine representative excitation wavelength and matrix analysis model of vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are divided into three categories by analyzing representative emission spectra and contour maps in the range of emission wavelength from 260 to 750 nm, and excitation wavelengths from 250 to 550 nm. Applying matrix analysis model to identify pure vegetable oils, blend oils and mixed oils, the correct classification rate is 100% for pure vegetable oils, the composition is close to actual for mixed oils, and the conclusion of soybean and rapeseed oil as base for blend oils is reached. The results demonstrate the capability of the combination of fluorescence spectra technology and matrix analysis model for differentiating and characterizing vegetable oils.

Withaferin A activates stress signalling proteins in high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Withaferin A, the principal bio-active component isolated from the Withaniasomnifera, has shown promising anti-leukemic activity in addition to anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activity. The present study demonstrates the effect of withaferin A on the cell cycle status and the phosphorylation/activation of proteins involved in signal transduction in t(4;11) and non-t(4;11) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines after treatment with withaferin A. The cells after treatment with the vehicle or 25 µM withaferin A for 1, 2, 4 and 8 h were examined using flow cytometric analysis. The results revealed that withaferin A treatment induced cell growth arrest at the S to G2/M phase transition of the cell cycle. Withaferin A treatment also induced the phosphorylation of stress signalling proteins, including the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Jun, the heat shock protein 27 and protein kinase B within 0 to 16 h. These results were observed using multiplex technology and Western blotting analysis. Thus withaferin A induces stress response leading to cell death. Therefore, withaferin A can be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of high risk ALL with chromosomal translocation t(4;11).

[Application of fluorescence spectra and parallel factor analysis in the classification of edible vegetable oils].

The fluorescence spectra of 22 samples of 8 kinds of edible vegetable oils (soybean oil, maize oil, olive oil, rice oil, peanut oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil and sesame oil) were measured with FS920 fluorescence spectrometer and the fluorescence matrixs (EEMs) were analyzed with parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis model. To synthesize the capabilities of material characterization and component identification, fluorescence spectra combined with PARAFAC fulfill the classification of vegetable oils. The map feature (peak position, peak value and peak number) was obtained by analyzing three dimensional spectra and con tour maps in the range of emission wavelength from 260 to 750 nm, and excitation wavelengths from 250 to 550 nm. The fluorescent substances (unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and its derivatives, chlorophyll and carotenoid) corresponding to spectrum peaks were determined. The factor-number was selected and the components (vitamin E and its derivatives, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, fatty acid oxidation products, vegetable oil oxidation products) corresponding to each factor were ascertained. The four-factor excitation and emission profiles and projection score plots of PARAFAC model were plotted. Different vegetable oils can be characterized and distinguished with the map features of fluorescence spectra and sample projection plots of PARAFAC model. The results demonstrate the capability of the combination of fluorescence spectra technology and four-factor PARAFAC model for differentiating and characterizing vegetable oils.

[Study on phase-matching of four-wave mixing spectrum in photonic crystal fiber].

In the present paper, the four-wave mixing principle of fiber was analyzed, and the high-gain phase-matching conditions were shown. The nonlinear coefficient and dispersion characteristics of photonic crystal fibers were calculated by multipole method. The phase mismatch characteristics of fibers with multiple zero-dispersion wavelengths were analyzed for the first time. The changing rules of phase matching wavelength with the pump wavelength and the pump power were obtained, and the phase matching curves were shown. The characteristics of phase matching wavelengths for different dispersion curves were analyzed. There are four new excitation wavelengths of four-wave mixing spectrum in two zero-dispersion wavelength photonic crystal fiers. Four-wave mixing spectroscopy of photonic crystal fibers with two zero-dispersion wavelengths was obtained in the experi-ent, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis, and verified the reliability of the phase matching theory. The fiber with multiple zero-dispersion wavelengths can create a ricbhphase-matching topology, excite more four-wave mixing wavelengths, ena-ling enhanced control over the spectral locations of the four-wave mixing and resonant-radiation bands emitted by solitons and short pulses. These provide theoretical guidance for photonic crystal fiber wavelength conversion and supercontinoum generation based on four-wave mixing.

[Study on water quality monitoring scheme based on non-point source pollution].

In order to improve standardization and normalization of non-point source pollution monitoring, this paper summarized the non-point source pollution monitoring scheme that based on conventional technology condition. The scheme firstly emphasized the preparation work before monitoring, including situation investigation and index selection of the monitoring area and so on; In the process of establishing monitoring scheme, the monitoring area was divided into three types: city, agriculture and watershed. Take urban area monitoring scheme for Xi'an as an example, through dividing function zone setting sampling point, summarized sampling time interval, frequency and sampling methods during a rainfall process. An irrigation district was an example for agricultural monitoring scheme, through unit division, setting sampling point at the approach channel and drain channel, introduced sampling times, interval time and so on in the process of irrigation. Watershed monitoring scheme's example was the Weihe GuanZhong section, raised the setting principle of each sample section, and analyzed each section's sampling law in the process of rainfall. Finally the principal character of different non-point source pollution monitoring areas was discussed, and concluded that non-point source pollution monitoring scheme is the base of non-point source pollution study and control.

[Application of PARAFAC method and 3-D fluorescence spectra in petroleum pollutant measurement and analysis].

A method for identification and concentration measurement of petroleum pollutant by combining three-dimensional (3-D) fluorescence spectra with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was proposed. The main emphasis of research was the measurement of coexisting different kinds of petroleum. The CCl4 solutions of a 0# diesel sample, a 97# gasoline sample, and a kerosene sample were used as measurement objects. The condition of multiple petroleum coexistence was simulated by petroleum solutions with different mixed ratios. The character of PARAFAC in complex mixture coexisting system analysis was studied. The spectra of three kinds of solutions and the spectra of gasoline-diesel mixed samples, diesel-kerosene mixed samples, and gas oline-diesel mixed with small counts of kerosene interference samples were analyzed respectively. The core consistency diagnostic method and residual sum of squares method were applied to calculate the number of factors in PARAFAC. In gasoline-diesel experiment, gasoline or diesel can be identified and measured as a whole respectively by 2-factors parallel factors analysis. In diesel-kerosene experiment, 2-factors parallel factors analysis can only obtain the characters of diesel, and the 3rd factor is needed to separate the kerosene spectral character from the mixture spectrum. When small counts of kerosene exist in gasoline-diesel solution, gasoline and diesel still can be identified and measured as principal components by a 2-factors parallel factor analysis, and the effect of interference on qualitative analysis is not significant. The experiment verified that the PARAFAC method can obtain characteristic spectrum of each kind of petroleum, and the concentration of petroleum in solutions can be predicted simultaneously, with recoveries shown in the paper. The results showed the possibility of petroleum pollutant identification and concentration measurement based on the 3-D fluorescence spectra and PARAFAC.

[Research on fiber methane sensing system based on prism gas cell].

A novel fiber methane detection system was constructed based on integration of prism gas cell and harmonic detection technique. The system can be applied to broad-range concentration detection. Grounded on the Beer-Lambert approximation, the detection of various concentration (0-20%) of methane was completed using subtraction of background and ratio processing method, as the atmosphere surroundings was treated as background. The direct absorption spectra for various concentration were measured using GRIN gas cell, combined with available DFB-LD, and the R5 line of the 2v3 band of methane was selected as absorption peak. The system was tested online during gas mixing process and the linear relation between system indication and concentration variation was validated, while the stability and dynamic response characteristics was confirmed by experiments. The system sensitivity can be adjusted according to the concentration level of various field environments by changing the prism distance using step motor. So that, the system can be applied to various application fields and can be adopted as a monitoring instrument for coalmine tunnel and natural gas pipeline.