Cyclops of zooplankton propagates prolifically in eutrophic waterbody and it cannot be exterminated by conventional disinfection process. The mutagenicity of Mesocyclops leukarti and its extermination with oxidants in a drinking waterworks in China were studied. Among five oxidants for use in bench-scale, chlorine dioxide is the most effective and the potassium permanganate is the weakest against Mesocyclops leukarti under the same conditions. Full-scale results showed that Mesocyclops leukarti could be effectively removed from water by 1.0 mg/L chlorine dioxide preoxidation combined with conventional removal physical process. After filtration, chlorite, a by-product of prechlorine dioxide, is stable at 0.45 mg/L, which is lower than the critical value of the USEPA. GC-MS examination and Ames test further showed that the quantity of organic substance and the mutagenicity in water treated by chlorine dioxide preoxidation are obviously less than those of prechlorination.

A laboratory-scale experiment was carried out to assess the influence of temperature fluctuation on thermophilic anaerobic digestion of municipal organic solid waste (MOSW). Heating failure was simulated by decreasing temperature suddenly from 55 °C to 20 °C suddenly; 2 h time is needed for temperature decrease and recovery. Under the conditions of 8.0 g/(L·d) and 15 d respectively for MOSW load and retention time, following results were noted: (1) biogas production almost stopped and VFA (volatile fatty acid) accumulated rapidly, accompanied by pH decrease; (2) with low temperature (20 °C) duration of 1, 5, 12 and 24 h, it took 3, 11, 56 and 72 h for the thermophilic anaerobic digestion system to reproduce methane after temperature fluctuation; (3) the longer the low temperature interval lasted, the more the methanogenic bacteria would decay; hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis were all influenced by temperature fluctuation; (4) the thermophilic microorganisms were highly resilient to temperature fluctuation.

Screening of microorganisms producing flocculating substances was carried out. A strain secreting a large amount of bioflocculant was isolated from wastewater samples collected from the Little Moon River in Beijing. Based on the morphological properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolate (designated W31) was classified as Vagococcus sp. A bioflocculant (named MBFW31) produced by W31 was extracted from the culture broth by ethanol precipitation and purified by gel chromatography. MBFW31 was heat-stable and had strong flocculating activity in a wide range of pH with relatively low dosage requirement. MBFW31 was identified as a polysaccharide with molecular weight over 2×10⁶. It contained neutral sugar and uronic acid as its major and minor components, respectively. Infrared spectra showed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and methoxyl group in its molecules. The present results suggested that MBFW31 had potential application in wastewater treatment.

Stereoselective transformation of Baylis-Hillman acetates 1 into corresponding (Z)-allyl iodides 2 has been achieved by treatment of 1 with samarium triiodide in THF. Remarkable rate acceleration of samarium triiodide-mediated iodination of 1 was found when ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluroborate ([bmim]BF₄) was used as reaction media in stead of THF. This novel approach proceeds readily at 50 °C within a few minutes to afford (Z)-allyl iodides 2 in excellent yields. A mechanism involving stereoselective iodination of the acetates of Baylis-Hillman adducts by samarium triiodide is described, in which a six-membered ring transition state played a key role in the stereoselective formation of 2.

Two sulfonylurea herbicides, metsulfuron methyl (Ally 20 WP) and chlorimuron ethyl (Classic 25 WP) were evaluated for their dissipation behaviour in alluvial, coastal saline and laterite soils under laboratory incubated condition at 60% water holding capacity of soils and 30 °C temperature was maintained. In field study herbicides were applied twice for the control of grasses, annual and perennials broad leaves weeds and sedges in rice, wheat and soybean to find out the residual fate of both the herbicides on different matrices of respective crops after harvest. Extraction and clean up methodologies for the herbicides were standardized and subsequently analyzed by HPLC. The study revealed that the half-lives of metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl ranged from 10.75 to 13.94 d irrespective of soils and doses applied. Field trials with rice, wheat and soybean also revealed that these two herbicides could safely be recommended for application as no residues were detected in the harvest samples.

Pot studies were carried out to evaluate the reactions of 23 selections of field pea (Pisum sativum) against Meloidogyne incognita (2000 freshly hatched juveniles (J2)/pot). Experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions ((24.7±3) °C and (62±7)% RH) and terminated 45 d after inoculation. The roots of all the selections were assessed to determine root-knot indices (RKI) on a 0~4 scale. Out of 23 selections HFP-990713, Pant P-25, and HFP-0129 were resistant; Pant P-2005, NDP-2 and Pant P-42 were tolerant; LFP-305, HFP-8909, HFP-4, HUP-31, HFP-0128, Pant P-31, Pant P-40, LFP-363, and HFP-0118 were moderately resistant; HFP-0110, HUDP-28, HUDP-15, HUDP-27, HUP-30, HUP-2 and HUDP-26 were moderately susceptible; and only Ambika was susceptible to M. incognita. It was observed that reproduction of nematode was favored on tolerant and susceptible cultivars but inhibited on resistant ones. Strong negative correlation was observed between the total fresh and dry plant weights and the root-knot index. The selection Pant P-42 showed highest tolerance among all the selections tested and can be recommended for field trials, whereas, selection Ambika showed highest susceptibility and should be avoided.

In the present study, polyvoltine germplasm stock of Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development, Institute (APSSRDI) was evaluated for its performance based on quantitative and qualitative traits. Twenty-one oval and 10 peanut cocoon shaped lines were reared in different seasons of the year. Since the polyvoltines are non-diapausing, six generations were reared and evaluated for various economically important traits based on evaluation index and sub-ordinate function statistical methods. Ten top ranked lines obtained by using both the methods were identified as potential parental strains. Among oval lines, APM14, APM11, APM18, APMW9, and APM19, and among peanut lines APMD5, APMD1, APMD3, APMD9 and APMD8 were selected as base material. The identified high yielding lines will be used in various breeding programmes as initial parents for the synthesis of superior polyvoltine breeds/hybrids.

The mutagenic effects of microwave and chromium trioxide (CrO₃) on Vicia faba root tip were studied. Micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration assay were used to determine the mitotic index, the micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberration frequency of Vicia faba root tip cells induced by microwave and CrO₃. The results showed that the micronucleus frequency decreased, and that the mitotic index and chromosomal aberration frequency showed linear dose responses to CrO₃, in treatment of microwave for 5 s. In microwave of 25 s, the mitotic index decreased, the micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberration frequency increased with increase of CrO₃ concentration. We concluded that microwave and CrO₃ had antagonistic effect on the mitotic index of Vicia faba root tip cells, but had synergetic effect on micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberration frequency of Vicia faba root tip cells.

Aim: To observe effects of angiotensin (Ang) II receptor antagonist (AT1) irbesartan and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril on rat myocardium calcineurin expression and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase activity in the model of pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Forty male adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. One group was treated by sham operation; four groups were myocardium hypertrophy cases caused by banding aortic above renal artery. Drugs were given one week after operation. Group 1: sham group, rats (n=8) were gavaged with normal saline 2 ml/(kg·d) (ig); Group 2: control group, rats (n=8) were treated with normal saline 2 ml/(kg·d) (ig); Group 3: rats (n=8) were given perindopril 2 mg/(kg·d) (ig); Group 4: rats (n=8) were treated with irbesartan 20 mg/(kg·d) (ig); Group 5: rats (n=8) were given irbesartan 20 mg/(kg·d) plus perindopril 2 mg/(kg·d) (ig). Morphometric determination, calcineurin expression and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase activity were done at the end of 6 week of drug intervention. Expression of calcineurin in myocardium was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), transverse diameter of myocardial cell (TDM), calcineurin activity were remarkably decreased after drug intervention and this decrease was most remarkable in the combination drug therapy group. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was increased after drug intervention, especially in the combined drug therapy group. Calcineurin expression in myocardium was remarkably decreased after drug intervention. LVMI was positively correlated with TDM and calcineurin, negatively correlated with sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase. Conclusion: These data suggest that irbesartan and perindopril inhibit cardiac hypertrophy through the increased activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase and decreased expression of calcineurin. Their combination had better effects on regressing of ventricular hypertrophy.

Objectives: To detect the serum proteomic patterns by using SELDI-TOF-MS (surface enhanced laser desorption/ ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry) technology and CM10 ProteinChip in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and to evaluate the significance of the proteomic patterns in the tumour staging of colorectal cancer. Methods: SELDI-TOF-MS and CM10 ProteinChip were used to detect the serum proteomic patterns of 76 patients with colorectal cancer, among them, 10 Stage I, 19 Stage II, 16 Stage III and 31 Stage IV samples. Different stage models were developed and validated by support vector machines, discriminant analysis and time-sequence analysis. Results: The Model I formed by 6 protein peaks (m/z: 2759.58, 2964.66, 2048.01, 4795.90, 4139.77 and 37761.60) could be used to distinguish local CRC patients (Stage I and Stage II) from regional CRC patients (Stage III) with an accuracy of 86.67% (39/45). The Model II formed by 3 protein peaks (m/z: 6885.30, 2058.32 and 8567.75) could be used to distinguish locoregional CRC patients (Stage I, Stage II and Stage III) from systematic CRC patients (Stage IV) with an accuracy of 75.00% (57/76). The Model III could distinguish Stage I from Stage II with an accuracy of 86.21% (25/29). The Model IV could distinguish Stage I from Stage III with accuracy of 84.62% (22/26). The Model V could distinguish Stage II from Stage III with accuracy of 85.71% (30/35). The Model VI could distinguish Stage II from Stage IV with accuracy of 80.00% (40/50). The Model VII could distinguish Stage III from Stage IV with accuracy of 78.72% (37/47). Different stage groups could be distinguished by the two-dimensional scattered spots figure obviously. Conclusion: This method showed great success in preoperatively determining the colorectal cancer stage of patients.

Aim: To study the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties in rabbits treated with N-Ile¹-Thr²-63-desulfato-r-hirudin (rH) newly developed in China by means of bioassay in order to provide preclinical experiment basis for its development as a novel anticoagulant agent. Methods: rH plasma concentration was determined using bioassay based on ex vivo antithrombin activity of rH. Normal rabbits received iv rH 4.0, 2.0 and 1.0 mg/kg or sc rH 2.0 mg/kg, respectively. The rabbits with acute severe renal failure were given iv rH 2.0 mg/kg. Results: The bioassay described in this paper met requirements for study of PK in rabbits. The major PK parameters after iv dosing were as follows: t_1/2β 58.4~59 min. V_d 0.09~0.12 L/kg, CL 0.0035~0.0040 L/(kg∙min); AUC were proportional to the doses, t_1/2 and CL did not change significantly with the doses. The sc bioavailability reached 94%. The rabbits suffering from acute severe renal failure presented 11-fold longer t_1/2β and 13-fold greater AUC than normal healthy rabbits. Conclusion: rH exhibited rapid elimination, distribution was only limited to extracellular space and good absorption from sc site. The excretion of rH by kidneys played a very important role in the elimination of rH. The PK of rH could be described by the two- and one-compartment model after iv and sc dosing, respectively, and followed linear kinetics.

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of matrine (Mt.) on myocardial interstitial fibrosis induced by pressure overload. Methods: Pressure overloaded myocardial hypertrophy was produced by banding of aorta abdominalis in 67 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing (200±15) g. The rats were assigned into one of the following groups: sham-operation control, operation control, operation group treated with matrine (15 mg/(kg∙d)) and treated with carvedilol (Car.) (3.6 mg/(kg∙d)) group. The rats were given drugs one day after operation. Five weeks after treatment, the left ventricular weight (LVW) was measured and the volume of myocardial cells was detected with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H-E) stain and Masson stain was used to assess the level of fibrosis of the myocardial matrix. Myocardial metalloproteinase activity was quantified with zymography, and survival rate was calculated. Results: Survival rate significantly decreased (P<0.05), LVW/BW (body weight), MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) activity (P<0.05), size of cardiomyocytes and interstitial fibrosis obviously increased in the operation group compared with sham control group. Mt. and Car. treatment can significantly increase survival rate (P<0.05), decrease LVW/BW (P<0.05) and MMP-2 activity (P<0.05), decrease size of cardiomyocytes and interstitial fibrosis compared with operation group. But there was difference compared with sham group. Conclusion: Matrine was shown to be able to prevent cardiac remodelling of hypertrophy cardium induced by pressure overload including myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis which may be associated with the decrease in MMP-2 activity of heart.

Amides can be obtained in good to excellent yield by Sm/TiCl₄ mediated reductive cleavage of N=N bond in azo compounds and successive acylation in one pot. It offers an alternative method for the synthesis of amides from very simple starting materials directly.