Comparative Study of the Adsorption Selectivity of Cr(VI) onto Cationic Hydrogels with Different Functional Groups

Two types of hydrogels with different functional groups, trimethylamine on quaternary ammonium and dimethylethoxyamine on quaternary ammonium, were synthesized. Type 1 and type 2 hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis. The anion selectivity of these two hydrogels was investigated. The surface charges of the type 2 hydrogel were lower than those of type 1, probably because of the presence of the hydroxyl group in the ethoxy group. The Cr(VI) removal capacity of type 2 hydrogel was, therefore, less than that of type 1 hydrogel, although their adsorption rates were similar. The anion selectivity of the hydrogels was found to have a similar order: Cr(VI) > sulphate > bromide > As(V). Under the co-presence of Cr(VI) and sulphate conditions, type 2 hydrogel shows a higher selectivity towards Cr(VI). The higher hydrophobicity was caused by the presence of the ethoxy group on the quaternary ammonium in type 2 hydrogel and thus increased in selectivity towards monovalent ions (i.e. HCrO₄⁻). In addition, the hydrogels have a high reusability. Compared with type 1 hydrogel, type 2 hydrogel has an advantage for applications in Cr(VI) removal and recovery processes.     

Study on the Acute Toxicity of Rare Earth Yttrium to Earthworms under the Stress of Leaching Agent Ammonium Sulfate

[目的]考察浸矿剂硫酸铵（NH4）2SO4胁迫下稀土离子钇的毒性研究。[方法]选择蚯蚓作为土壤生态环境污染指示生物,采用滤纸接触法研究硫酸铵胁迫下稀土钇（ Y）对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应。[结果]①稀土钇单一染毒,蚯蚓的48 h 半致死率浓度为 LC50=213.41 mg/L、24 h半致死率浓度为 LC50=322.63 mg/L。②硫酸铵单一染毒下,蚯蚓的48 h半致死率浓度为 LC50=13.89 g/L、24 h半致死率浓度为LC50=15.05 g/L。③低浓度10 g/L的硫酸铵与稀土钇复合染毒,蚯蚓的48 h半致死率浓度LC50=198.65 g/L、24 h 半致死率浓度 LC50=399.85 g/L;中浓度14 g/L的硫酸铵与稀土钇复合染毒,蚯蚓的48 h半致死率浓度 LC50=167.3 mg/L、24 h半致死率浓度 LC50=256.73 mg/L;高浓度20 g/L的硫酸铵与稀土钇复合染毒,蚯蚓的48 h半致死率浓度 LC50=31.03 mg/L、24 h的LC50=127.65 mg/L。[结论]低浓度的硫酸铵降低稀土钇对蚯蚓的毒性,产生一定的拮抗作用。中浓度的硫酸铵增加稀土钇对蚯蚓的毒性,产生较明显的协同作用。高浓度硫酸铵显著增加了稀土钇对蚯蚓的毒性。稀土钇染毒下蚯蚓死体更易断裂,而活体对针刺反应相对不灵敏。     

Acetylcholine-synthesizing T cells relay neural signals in a vagus nerve circuit

Neural circuits regulate cytokine production to prevent potentially damaging inflammation. A prototypical vagus nerve circuit, the inflammatory reflex, inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α production in spleen by a mechanism requiring acetylcholine signaling through the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expressed on cytokine-producing macrophages. Nerve fibers in spleen lack the enzymatic machinery necessary for acetylcholine production; therefore, how does this neural circuit terminate in cholinergic signaling? We identified an acetylcholine-producing, memory phenotype T cell population in mice that is integral to the inflammatory reflex. These acetylcholine-producing T cells are required for inhibition of cytokine production by vagus nerve stimulation. Thus, action potentials originating in the vagus nerve regulate T cells, which in turn produce the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, required to control innate immune responses.     

Virus Detection in Questing Ticks is not a Sensitive Indicator for Risk Assessment of Tick‐Borne Encephalitis in Humans

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick‐transmitted arbovirus causing human disease in Europe, but information on its endemic occurrence varies between countries because of differences in surveillance systems. Objective data are necessary to ascertain the disease risk for vaccination recommendations and other public health interventions. In two independent, separately planned projects, we used real‐time RT‐PCR to detect TBE virus in questing ticks. In Poland, 32 sampling sites were selected in 10 administrative districts located in regions where sporadic TBE cases were reported. In Germany, 18 sampling sites were selected in two districts located in a region with high TBE incidence. Altogether, >16 000 ticks were tested by real‐time RT‐PCR, with no sample testing positive for TBEV. A systematic search for published studies on TBEV prevalence in ticks in Poland and Germany also suggested that testing large numbers of collected ticks could not consistently assure virus detection in known endemic foci. Although assignment of results to administrative regions is essential for TBE risk mapping, this was possible in only 10 (investigating 22 417 ticks) of 15 published studies (>50 000 ticks) identified. We conclude that the collection and screening of ticks by real‐time RT‐PCR cannot be recommended for assessment of human TBE risk. Alternative methods of environmental TBEV monitoring should be considered, such as serological monitoring of rodents or other wildlife.     

Evaluation of chitosan and alginate immobilized Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 on tomato plant growth

Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20, a promising plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and a biocontrol agent, was immobilized in different formulations such as wet chitosan, dry chitosan, wet alginate and dry alginate and were tested for tomato plant growth promotion. Chitosan solution (1.5%) with pH 5.5–6.0 and 90 min contact time was found optimal for immobilization. The chitosan formulations showed better entrapment efficiency and good degradability resistance apart from slow release of cells under prolonged incubation. Survivability of bacteria (80%) was observed in wet chitosan formulation even after 90 days of storage at 4°C. The spermosphere survival of bacteria was high in both dry and wet chitosan formulations applied soils even after 21 days under greenhouse conditions. While the alginate formulation degraded fully, partial degradation of chitosan formulation was observed even after 30 days, indicating its ability to support the survival of M. oryzae CBMB20 in soil. Plants inoculated with wet chitosan formulation registered 1.3 fold increase in the shoot and root length and dry weight compared to other treatments. Hence, chitosan formulation supporting better plant growth compared to alginate will be a better carrier for taking bacteria to the plant rhizosphere and thereby promote plant growth.     

Large variations in Southern Hemisphere biomass burning during the last 650 years

We present a 650-year Antarctic ice core record of concentration and isotopic ratios (δ(13)C and δ(18)O) of atmospheric carbon monoxide. Concentrations decreased by ~25% (14 parts per billion by volume) from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then recovered completely by the late 1800s. δ(13)C and δ(18)O decreased by about 2 and 4 per mil (‰), respectively, from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then increased by about 2.5 and 4‰ by the late 1800s. These observations and isotope mass balance model results imply that large variations in the degree of biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere occurred during the last 650 years, with a decrease by about 50% in the 1600s, an increase of about 100% by the late 1800s, and another decrease by about 70% from the late 1800s to present day.     

Comparing Soil Chemical and Biological Properties of Salt Affected Soils under Different Land Use Practices in Hungary and India

Eurasian Soil Science - This study was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of land use on chemical properties (organic carbon; pH; electrical conductivity; available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na),...     

DNA sequence analysis of glycoprotein G gene of bovine ephemeral fever virus and development of a double oil emulsion vaccine against bovine ephemeral fever

The surface glycoprotein G is considered as the major neutralizing and protective antigen of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of G protein of BEFV isolates during the period 1984-2004 outbreaks in Taiwan showed amino acid substitutions in the neutralizing epitopes. All the isolates differ markedly in the neutralizing epitope at the same amino acid positions compared to the currently available killed vaccine strain (Tn73). Tn88128 strain isolated in 1999 showed the maximum variability of 12 amino acids, 5 amino acid in the neutralization epitope and 7 apart from, respectively. Combinations of both Tn88128 (1999) and commercially available vaccine strain (Tn73) were developed and its safety was evaluated in mice, guinea pigs, calves, and pregnant cows. None of the animals showed any adverse effect or clinical signs. Calves were immunized with commercial vaccine (Tn73) and, combined vaccine (Tn73 and Tn88128), respectively, with adjuvants such as Al-gel and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) oil and PBS alone and challenged with Tn88128 strains. Except PBS administered animals, all the vaccinated animals showed protective immune response. However, animals immunized with combined vaccine plus w/o/w adjuvant elicited stronger neutralization antibodies and long lasting immunity compared to other vaccines.