Genetic and Epigenomic Modifiers of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (DN), the most common chronic and progressive complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), strongly affects patients’ quality of life. DN could be present as peripheral, autonomous or, clinically also relevant, uremic neuropathy. The etiopathogenesis of DN is multifactorial, and genetic components play a role both in its occurrence and clinical course. A number of gene polymorphisms in candidate genes have been assessed as susceptibility factors for DN, and most of them are linked to mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species production, neurovascular impairments and modified protein glycosylation, as well as immunomodulation and inflammation. Different epigenomic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA action have been studied in DN, which also underline the importance of “metabolic memory” in DN appearance and progression. In this review, we summarize most of the relevant data in the field of genetics and epigenomics of DN, hoping they will become significant for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of DN.     

Simple Sequence Repeat Markers in Genetic Divergence and Marker-Assisted Selection of Rice Cultivars: A Review

Sequencing of rice genome has facilitated the understanding of rice evolution and has been utilized extensively for mining of DNA markers to facilitate marker-assisted breeding. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that are tandemly repeated nucleotide sequence motifs flanked by unique sequences are presently the maker of choice in rice improvement due to their abundance, co-dominant inheritance, high levels of allelic diversity, and simple reproducible assay. The current level of genome coverage by SSR markers in rice is sufficient to employ them for genotype identification and marker-assisted selection in breeding for mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci analysis. This review provides comprehensive information on the mapping and applications of SSR markers in investigation of rice cultivars to study their genetic divergence and marker-assisted selection of important agronomic traits.     

Harmful effects of pyrethroid ester insecticide on the male reproductive system mainly through affecting testicular function and inflammatory markers

Pyrethroid esters are widely used as insecticides worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the harmful effect of deltamethrin on the male reproductive system through the assessment of reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers, and testicular function. To achieve our aim, eighty male 7-9-week-old, Wistar rats were taken, weighed, and divided into four experimental groups. The first group was kept as a control group, and the other three groups were given deltamethrin orally at different concentrations (0.87, 8.7, and 17.4 mg/kg body weight) for nine weeks. The results indicated that deltamethrin administration associated with a significant decrease in reproductive hormones, especially FSH, LH, and significant elevation in the interleukin 2 (IL2), interleukin 6 (IL6), histamine, and cortisol levels. Also, the significance of inhibition of sperm motility and viability, decreased testis weights, sperm count, and fructose in semen were noted. These findings clarify the harmful effect of deltamethrin on the male reproductive system by producing a significant alteration in reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers as well as testicular function.     

Ozonation of Two Acidic Azo Dyes with Different Substituents

The ozonation of two differently substituted azo dyes (Schwarz GRS and Orange Acid 8) in water media is studied. The influence of pH on the effectiveness of the ozonation at various initial concentrations of each dye is explored. It was found out that the rates of decolorization for amino-group substituted dyes reflect the considerable influence by the widely varying initial pH from 4.5 to 10. Specifically, the highest effect of decolorization of this dye was obtained at the highest pH studied (pH 10) for all initial concentrations of the solutions. Considering the dye without an amino-group substitute, the rates of color disappearance in ozonation reflected to a lower degree the variations of the initial pH. Pseudo-first-order trends of decolorization were observed in all the experimental runs. Regarding the kinetic results obtained, an attempt to explain the different dyes reactivity was made based on the absolute electronegativity (E_lumo + E_homo) of both dyes. The COD/BOD analysis shows that the ozonation of both azo dyes can reduce the sample COD but it could not improve the biodegradability ratio (BOD₅/COD). BOD decrease with ozonation time indicates that the intermediates of the ozonation are of lower biodegradability. Oxalic acid was found as the final product of ozonation of both dyes.     

Pretreatment of Highly Polluted Pharmaceutical Waste Broth by Wet Air Oxidation

The preoxidation of a highly polluted waste pharmaceutical fermentation broth using wet air oxidation (WAO) has been studied as a possible method for the effective removal of organics. The applied (pre)treatment method should enhance the biotreatability of the pharmaceutical fermentation broth in terms of reduced initial toxicity and higher biodegradability. Preliminary experiments in the pilot biological treatment plant were successful only at low organic loads, whereas the system collapses at higher ones. The characterization of the fermentation broth was started by common physicochemical analysis, whereas several bioassays were used to determine its impact on biological treatment plants and the environment. Toxicity prior to and after WAO was determined using the acute Vibrio fischeri test, measurement of inhibition of O2 consumption, and the Daphnia magna acute test. Ready biodegradability of the treated and untreated broth has also been assessed. WAO experiments were accomplished in the 2?L batch reactor at different temperatures (240/280°C) and operating pressures. WAO experiments confirmed reduction of the toxicity toward microorganisms, whereas oxidized wastewater was more toxic to daphnids. Biodegradability of the oxidized broth has also been enhanced. Further work has been focused on designing appropriate combination of WAO and biological processes.     

变频调速技术在污水处理厂的应用

概述污水处理厂的一般工艺，简单介绍了风机、水泵等的节能特点，介绍了变频调速装置在污水处理厂各处理工段的应用。     

Existence, uniqueness and stability of the equilibrium points of a SHARON bioreactor model

This paper addresses the dynamics of a SHARON reactor, a promising technology for ammonium removal from concentrated wastewater streams. The contraction mapping theorem is used to determine which operating conditions of a SHARON reactor with pH-control result in a unique equilibrium state. However, this approach only identifies the case of very large dilution rates, in practice corresponding with complete biomass wash-out, i.e. with complete loss of biological activity. Practical operation of a SHARON reactor aims at reaching ammonium conversion to nitrite. To identify such interesting operating points, the equilibrium points are subsequently calculated directly in terms of input variables for a simplified SHARON reactor model. The stability of the obtained equilibrium points is assessed and the corresponding phase portraits are analyzed. The influence of slightly varying parameter and input values is investigated as well.     

The significance of chemical markers in the bioprocessing of fossil fuels

Biochemical conversion of crude oils is a multi-step process proceeding through a series of biochemical reactions. These reactions can be characterized by a set of chemical markers which are associated with the chemical composition of crude oils. Reactions with heavy crude oils indicate that there is an overall decrease in the concentration and chemical speciation of organic sulfur compounds, and a redistribution of hydrocarbons and organometallic species. The contents of trace metals in the crude oils, such as nickel and vanadium, also decrease. Further, heavy ends of crudes, containing the asphaltenes and the polar nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen containing fractions, as well as the organometallic compounds and complexes, are biochemically converted to lower molecular weight chemical species. In the studies reported in this paper, microorganisms used to mediate such reactions were thermophilic ( > 60°C) and pressure tolerant (up to 2500 psi). These organisms are also capable of biochemical conversion of bituminous and lignite coals in an analogous manner to their action on crude oils and follow similar trends characterized by chemical markers. For example, X-ray absorption near-edge structural (XANES) analyses of biotreated crude oils and low grade coals show that biochemical reactions lead to decreases in organic sulfides and thiophenes with a concurrent increase in sulfoxide contents. Chemically related constituents present in heavy crude oil fractions and low grade coals are the asphaltenes. Asphaltenes are complex structures containing heteroatoms and metals involved in inter- and intra-molecular bridges and stereochemical configurations. The chemical markers associated with the biochemical conversion of oils and coals indicate multiple biochemical processes involving chemical reactions at sites containing heteroatoms and metals leading to a breakdown of the structure(s) to smaller molecular weight units. Thus, using chemical markers as diagnostic tools, the extent and the efficiency of fossil fuel bioconversion may be predicted and monitored, allowing for better cost-efficient field trials. Recent results in this area will be presented and discussed in this paper.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application for wet oxidation of phenol of iron-containing clays

High-surface-area pillared clays (PILC) were prepared from naturally occurring montmorillonites by exchanging interlayer ions to polyoxocations containing (i) aluminum (Al₁₃-PILC), (ii) iron adsorpted onto Al₁₃-PILC, and (iii) iron and aluminum located within the same complex (Fe_0.8Al_12.2-PILC). The obtained Fe_0.8Al_12.2-PILCs were characterized by DR–UV–vis and IR spectroscopy, XRD, ESR, scanning electron microscopy and low temperature N₂ adsorption measurements. Important factors affecting catalyst activity and phenol removal efficiencies have been studied, i.e. the effect of pH, temperature, catalyst concentration and stability of the catalyst.