The TGFβ1/SMADs/Snail1 signaling axis mediates pericyte-derived fibrous scar formation after spinal cord injury.

Aims: The deposition of fibrous scars after spinal cord injury (SCI) affects axon regeneration and the recovery of sensorimotor function. It has been reported that microvascular pericytes in the neurovascular unit are the main source of myofibroblasts after SCI, but the specific molecular targets that regulate pericyte participation in the formation of fibrous scars remain to be clarified.

Methods: In this study, a rat model of spinal cord dorsal hemisection injury was used.

Extended biotic ligand model for predicting combined Cu-Zn toxicity to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Incorporating the effects of concentration ratio, major cations and pH.

Current risk assessment models for metals such as the biotic ligand model (BLM) are usually applied to individual metals, yet toxic metals are rarely found singly in the environment. In the present research, the toxicity of Cu and Zn alone and together were studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using different Ca and Mg concentrations, pH levels and Zn:Cu concentration ratios.

Anodic concentration loss and impedance characteristics in rotating disk electrode microbial fuel cells.

A rotating disk electrode (RDE) was used to investigate the concentration loss and impedance characteristics of anodic biofilms in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Amperometric time-current analysis revealed that at the rotation rate of 480 rpm, a maximum current density of 168 µA cm(-2) can be achieved, which was 22.2 % higher than when there was no rotation.

Modeling of acute cadmium toxicity in solution to barley root elongation using biotic ligand model theory.

Protons (H(+)) as well as different major and trace elements may inhibit cadmium (Cd) uptake in aquatic organisms and thus alleviate Cd toxicity. However, little is known about such interactions in soil organisms. In this study, the independent effects of the cations calcium (Ca(2+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)), potassium (K(+)), H(+) and zinc (Zn(2+)) on Cd toxicity were investigated with 5-day long barley root elongation tests in nutrient solutions.

Effect of the chemical oxidation demand to sulfide ratio on sulfide oxidation in microbial fuel cells treating sulfide-rich wastewater.

This work focused on studying the effect of the chemical oxidation demand to sulfide ratio (COD/S) on power generation and sulfide oxidation in microbial fuel cells treating sulfide-rich wastewater containing organic contaminants. The maximum power density achieved was 20 +/- 1 W m(-3) V(Anode) and the C(oulombic) yield was 20 +/- 2%. The COD/S ofinfluent played an important role in elemental sulfur and sulfate production because of competition between acetate oxidation and element sulfur oxidation to sulfate in the anode.

Improvement of biological total phosphorus release and uptake by low electrical current application in lab-scale bio-electrochemical reactors.

The overall process enhancement by different electrical current application on the biological phosphorus release and uptake have been investigated. Five reactors were constructed for three experiments and activated sludge was used as inoculums. In Exp.

Enhanced biomethanation of kitchen waste by different pre-treatments.

Five different pre-treatments were investigated to enhance the solubilisation and anaerobic biodegradability of kitchen waste (KW) in thermophilic batch and continuous tests. In the batch solubilisation tests, the highest and the lowest solubilisation efficiency were achieved with the thermo-acid and the pressure-depressure pre-treatments, respectively. However, in the batch biodegradability tests, the highest cumulative biogas production was obtained with the pressure-depressure method.

Enhanced propionic acid degradation (EPAD) system: proof of principle and feasibility.

Full-scale anaerobic single-phase digesters can be confronted with process instabilities, which often result in the accumulation of propionic acid (HPr). As a solution, an enhanced propionic acid degradation (EPAD) system has been conceptually designed and experimentally tested at lab-scale. The system consisted of two components: a liquid/solid separator containing a microfiltration membrane and an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor specialized in HPr degradation.

Maximum removal rate of propionic acid as a sole carbon source in UASB reactors and the importance of the macro- and micro-nutrients stimulation.

The maximum propionic acid (HPr) removal rate (R(HPr)) was investigated in two lab-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors. Two feeding strategies were applied by modifying the hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the UASB(HRT) and the influent HPr concentration in the UASB(HPr), respectively. The experiment was divided into three main phases: phase 1, influent with only HPr; phase 2, HPr with macro-nutrients supplementation and phase 3, HPr with macro- and micro-nutrients supplementation.

Improvement of the anaerobic treatment of potato processing wastewater in a UASB reactor by co-digestion with glycerol.

The effect of three different types of glycerol on the performance of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating potato processing wastewater was investigated. High COD removal efficiencies were obtained in both control and supplemented UASB reactors (around 85%). By adding 2 ml glycerol product per liter of raw wastewater, the biogas production could be increased by 0.