Effect of humic acid on visible light photocatalytic inactivation of bacteriophage f2 with electrospinning Cu-TiO2 nanofibers: insight into the mechanisms.

Photocatalytic disinfection is a promising technology with low cost and high efficiency. However, most of the current studies on photocatalytic disinfection ignore the widespread presence of natural organic matter (NOM) in water bodies, so the incomplete conclusions obtained may not be applicable. Herein, this paper systematically studied the influence of humic acid (HA), one of the most important components of NOM, on the photocatalytic inactivation of bacteriophage f2 with electrospinning Cu-TiO2 nanofibers. We found that with the addition of HA, the light transmittance of the solution at 550 nm decreased from 94 to 60%, and the band gap of the photocatalyst was increased from 2.96 to 3.05 eV. Compared with reacting without HA, the degradation amount of RNA of f2 decreased by 88.7% after HA was added, and the RNA concentration increased from 1.95 to 4.38 ng·µL-1 after the reaction. Hence, we propose mechanisms of the effect of HA on photocatalytic disinfection: photo-shielding, passivation of photocatalysts, quenching of free radicals, and virus protection. Photo-shielding and photocatalyst passivation lead to the decrease of photocatalyst activity, and the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) (·OH, ·O2-, 1O2, H2O2) are further trapped by HA. The HA in water also can protect the shape of phage f2 and reduce the leakage of protein and the destruction of ribonucleic acid (RNA). This work provides an insight into the mechanisms for the influence of HA in photocatalytic disinfection process and a theoretical basis for its practical application.

[Changes in Algal Particles and Their Water Quality Effects in the Outflow River of Taihu Lake].

Connected rivers are a common engineering method to ensure the ecological health of urban water. However, for the lakes with serious cyanobacteria blooms, the algal particles are carried by the outflow of the lake and will have a significant impact on water quality. The location at which the Liangxi river meets Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu was selected to explore the influence of the eutrophic lake on the connected rivers, and high-frequency monitoring was conducted in summer for three consecutive years to analyze the changes in the flux of cyanobacterial bloom particles in rivers and their impact on river water quality. The results show that:① The improvement of the algal cyanobacteria bloom in Meiliang Bay and the operation of the pressure-controlled algae well at the entrance of the river significantly reduced the concentration of chlorophyll a and the flux of algae particles in the Liangxi River. The average value of the concentration of chlorophyll a and the flux of algae particles in the river in summer 2019 were 54.34 µg·L-1 and 84.7 t·d-1, respectively, and significantly lower than those of 2017; ② Water diversion had a significant effect on improving the water quality of the receiving water. Except for DTP, the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of the remaining forms of the Liangxi River showed a downward trend from 2017 to 2019, indicating that the water quality of the Liangxi river improved after water transfer; ③ A large amount of cyanobacterial blooms entering the channel significantly increased the particulate nitrogen and phosphorus content of the water. From 2017 to 2019, the nitrogen and phosphorus in the Liangxi River were mainly PN and PP, accounting for 62.5% and 70.8% of TN and TP, respectively; ④ The water quality of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and other connected rivers has not been affected by the algal particles in Meiliang Bay. In August 2019, the chlorophyll a content in the canal water decreased by 65% compared with that of June, indicating that cyanobacterial bloom particles have not accumulated in the Grand Canal; ⑤ On the premise that the cyanobacteria bloom in the lake has not been effectively improved, the algae particles carried by the water diversion will have an impact on the water quality and landscape of the local reach connecting the river.

Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of smoking and passive smoking in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults. METHODS: Using a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people aged⋝60 years in 5 provinces of China during 2007-2009. RESULTS: World age-standardised prevalence for current and former smoking in men was 45.6% and 20.5%, and in women 11.1% and 4.5%. Current smoking reduced with older age but increased with men, low socioeconomic status (SES), alcohol drinking, being never-married, pessimistic and depressive syndromes. Former smoking was associated with men, secondary school education, a middle-high income, being a businessman, being widowed, less frequencies of visiting children/relatives and friends, and worrying about children. Among 3774 never-smokers, the prevalence of passive smoking was 31.5%, and the risk increased with women, low SES, alcohol drinking, being married, having a religious believe, and daily visiting children/relatives. There were sex differences in the associations, and an interaction effect of education and income on smoking and passive smoking. CONCLUSION: Older Chinese had a higher level of smoking and passive smoking than those in high income countries, reflecting China's failures in controlling smoking. The associations with low SES and different psychosocial aspects and sex differences suggest preventative strategies for active and passive smoking.

Determination of zinc and copper in edible plants by nanometer silica coated, slotted quartz tube, flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Nanometer SiO(2) was coated onto the inner wall of a slotted quartz tube atomizer (STAT) and then was used as a new atomizer (NSC- STAT) for the determination of Zn and Cu by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Compared to conventional STAT-FAAS, the analytical performance of NSC-STAT-FAAS was improved as follows: (a) the linear range of calibration curves was expanded from 30.0-200.0 ng mL(-1) to 5.0-400.0 ng mL(-1) for Zn, and from 100.0-1000.0 ng mL(-1) to 50.0-2000.0 ng mL(-1) for Cu; and (b) the characteristic concentration was decreased from 6.0 ng mL(-1)/1% to 2.7 ng mL(-1)/1% for Zn and from 25.0 ng mL(-1)/1% to 10.1 ng mL(-1)/1% for Cu. NSC-STAT-FAAS was applied for the determination of Zn and Cu in edible plants, including herbal medicine, marine algae, tomato leaves (NIST 1573), and apple leaves (NIST 1515).

[Study on the prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' and 'non-empty-nest' elderly in four provinces and cities in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' and 'non-empty-nest' elderly in four cities/provinces. METHODS: 4265 elderly aged 60 and over, were recruited with cluster sampling method in Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Guangdong and Shanxi province and interviewed, using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule and self-developed related questionnaire. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence of depressive symptoms for 'empty-nest' elderly was (8.18%), significantly higher than that for 'non-empty-nest' elderly (P=0.019); (2) the 'empty-nest' elderly had a significantly higher proportion of the following factors: being male, married, with higher income (≥15,000 Yuan/year), living in city, with high education background, under employment etc. than the 'non-empty-nest' elderly (P<0.0001); (3) the 'empty-nest' elderly had significantly higher proportions on good self-rated health status and life (P=0.0001, P<0.0001) as well as heavier health problems and economic difficulties (P=0.001, P=0.002); (4) there were significantly negative associations between depressive symptoms and the following 10 factors: being female, single, having bad self-rated health and life status, having somatic disease≥3, with big health problems in the last two years and loss of dearest persons, community engagement and involvement of religious activities. CONCLUSION: The 'empty-nest' elderly showed higher prevalence of having depressive symptoms than the 'non-empty-nest' elderly. The 'empty-nest' elderly had characteristics as being single, female, having adverse event etc. and should be under greater attention for care.

Molecular analysis of SNP12 in estrogen receptor α gene in hypospadiac or cryptorchid patients from Northwestern China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism 12 (SNP12) in the estrogen receptor α (ESR1) gene in hypospadiac or cryptorchid patients from Northwestern China. METHODS: 103 patients and 40 controls were analyzed for SNP12 to verify whether this genetic variant was associated with hypospadias or cryptorchidism. RESULTS: The frequencies of the A allele and homozygote individuals for the A allele of SNP12 in the hypospadiac group were higher than in the control group, respectively (p = 0.011, p = 0.005). The frequency of the A allele of SNP12 in the cryptorchid group was higher than in the control group (p = 0.038). However, no significant difference was observed between the cryptorchid group and control group of homozygote individuals for the A allele of SNP12 (p = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the A allele of SNP12 may increase the risk of hypospadias or cryptorchidism.

[The historical review of cardio pulmonary resuscitation].

Cardio pulmonary resuscitation is the main method to rescue sudden cardiac arrest, which involved the aspects of opening airway, artificial ventilation, cardiac compression, defibrillation and pacing. By reviewing the developmental process of each aspect of the above and analyzing the historical role of academic background, important events and outstanding figures could contribute to conclude the experience and discipline in this historical process so as to grasp the developmental sequence of cardio pulmonary resuscitation and understand deeply and further perfect and develop the cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

[Analyses on the effect of community-based intervention on hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To testify the feasibility of management through contract system between general practitioners and patients. METHODS: In Sichuan province contract was made between general practitioners and hypertension patients in "community health service center-family of hypertension patients" in Yulin community in Chengdu city. After half a year, we analysed the effects of community-based intervention on hypertension. RESULTS: General means of both SBP and DBP remarkably decreased (P < 0.05) with SBP remarkably decreased by 8.94 mm Hg while DBP decreased by 3.61 mm Hg. After interfered by the model, people whose blood pressure were above normal had a remarkable decrease than before by 14.06 mm Hg (P < 0.05). Rates of hypertension being under control increased from 38.39% to 64.29% (P < 0.001). Rates of awareness on fatness and heredity in hypertensive patients were increasing from 58.06% to 74.19% (P < 0.001). Rate of awareness on risk factors for hypertension was also higher than that of 6 months back (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The model of management by signing contract between general practitioners and patients in community, proved to be a successful way in the treatment to control high blood pressure.