Chlorine and heavy metals removal from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash by electric field enhanced oxalic acid washing.

Electric field enhanced oxalic acid (HCO) washing was conducted to examine the simultaneously removal efficiency of heavy metals (HMs) and chlorine, especially insoluble chlorine from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSW FA). Results show that chlorine and HMs can be effectively removed with a total chlorine, As, Ni and Zn removal rate of 99.10%, 79.

Degradation of COD in antibiotic wastewater by a combination process of electrochemistry, hydroxyl-functionalized ball-milled zero-valent iron/FeO and Oxone.

In this study, the significant iron-based material, hydroxyl-functionalized ball-milled zero-valent iron/Fe3O4 (HFB-ZVI/Fe3O4) was employed for the experiments. The performance of the Electro + HFB-ZVI/Fe3O4 + Oxone system for the degradation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in antibiotic wastewater was investigated. A direct current was applied between a graphite plate anode and two iron plate cathodes, and a series of operational parameters, such as applied electric current, the dosage of HFB-ZVI/FeO composite, the dosage of Oxone, and initial solution pH, were explored to evaluate the oxidation process.

Removal of heavy metals in medical waste incineration fly ash by NaEDTA combined with zero-valent iron and recycle of NaEDTA: Acolumnar experiment study.

In this study, an effective circulating system was developed to remove heavy metals in medical waste incineration (MWI) fly ash. MWI fly ash (MWIFA)-column experiments were performed to remove Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ni from MWIFA using EDTA disodium (NaEDTA). Iron-column experiments were conducted to study the removal effect of zero-valent iron on the five heavy metals from washing wastewater.

Effect of genes modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on small bowel transplant rejection.

Aim: To investigate whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) modified with the and genes can augment the inhibitory effect of BMMSCs on small bowel transplant rejection.

Methods: Lewis rat BMMSCs were cultured . Third-passage BMMSCs were transduced with the genes or the gene alone.

Effects of heme oxygenase-1-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on microcirculation and energy metabolism following liver transplantation.

Aim: To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on the microcirculation and energy metabolism of hepatic sinusoids following reduced-size liver transplantation (RLT) in a rat model.

Methods: BMMSCs were isolated and cultured using an adherent method, and then transduced with HO-1-bearing recombinant adenovirus to construct HO-1/BMMSCs. A rat acute rejection model following 50% RLT was established using a two-cuff technique.

Biological effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on hepatitis B virus in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of co‑culturing bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) cultured with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‑infected lymphocytes in vitro. BM‑MSCs and lymphocytes from Brown Norway rats were obtained from the bone marrow and spleen, respectively. Rats were divided into the following five experimental groups: Group 1, splenic lymphocytes (SLCs); group 2, HepG2.

Effect of heme oxygenase-1 transduced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on damaged intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.

In this study, we explored the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow overexpressing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on the damaged human intestinal epithelial barrier in vitro. Rat MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and transduced with rat HO-1 recombinant adenovirus (HO-MSCs) for stable expression of HO-1. Colorectal adenocarinoma 2 (Caco2) cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to establish a damaged colon epithelial model.

Immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing heme oxygenase-1: Protective effects on acute rejection following reduced-size liver transplantation in a rat model.

Here we explore the T-lymphocyte suppressive and immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) overexpressing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on acute rejection following reduced-size liver transplantation (RLT) in a rat model. The proliferation activity, cell cycle progression, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, expression of CD25 and CD71 in lymphocytes, and activity of NK cells were found to be significantly lowered, and the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was found to be increased relative to BMMSCs when Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs were co-cultured with Con A ex vivo; secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines was significantly higher. When treated with saline, BMMSCs or Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs, post-transplantation rats receiving Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs showed better median survival time, lower rejection activity index, higher anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, lower proinflammatory cytokine levels, more peripheral Tregs, and lower natural killer cell viability.

[Influence of thyroid dysfunction on male sexual and reproductive functions and its mechanisms].

Thyroid dysfunction may affect the body growth metabolism and the synthesis and secretion of sex steroids. A large number of clinical and basic studies suggest that thyroid hormone abnormality can cause sexual and reproductive problems. Patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may develop not only premature ejaculation but also erectile dysfunction.

Mesenchymal stem cells improve the outcomes of liver recipients via regulating CD4+ T helper cytokines in rats.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) exert immunosuppressive activities in transplantation. This study aimed to determine whether BMMSCs reduce acute rejection and improve outcomes of liver transplantation in rats.

Methods: Orthotopic liver transplantation from Lewis to Brown Norway rats was performed, which was followed by the infusion of BMMSCs through the penile superficial dorsal vein.

Improvement of Liver Transplantation Outcome by Heme Oxygenase-1-Transduced Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rats.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) exert immunosuppressive activity in transplantation, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enhances their immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether HO-1-transduced BMMSCs (HO-1/MSCs) improve rat liver transplantation (LTx) outcomes. Orthotopic LTx rejection models were treated with HO-1/MSCs, BMMSCs, HO-1, or normal saline, respectively.

Ag(x)@WO₃ core-shell nanostructure for LSP enhanced chemical sensors.

Exceptional properties of graphene have triggered intensive research on other 2D materials. Surface plasmon is another subject being actively explored for many applications. Herein we report a new class of core-shell nanostructure in which the shell is made of a 2D material for effective plasmonic propagation.

Effects of music videos on sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with chronic insomnia: a randomized controlled trial.

Listening to soothing music has been used as a complementary therapy to improve sleep quality. However, there is no empirical evidence for the effects of music videos (MVs) on sleep quality in adults with insomnia as assessed by polysomnography (PSG). In this randomized crossover controlled trial, we compared the effects of a peaceful Buddhist MV intervention to a usual-care control condition before bedtime on subjective and objective sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with chronic insomnia.

A nationwide survey of nurses' attitudes toward music therapy and their need for education in its application.

Background: Music therapy is increasingly used to help heal patients. However, there is a significant gap in the literature about nurses' attitudes toward and need for education in music therapy for nursing practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted to describe nurses' attitudes toward music therapy and determine their need for education in music therapy.

Effects of music intervention with nursing presence and recorded music on psycho-physiological indices of cancer patient caregivers.

Aims And Objectives: To compare the effects of music intervention with nursing presence and recorded music on blood volume pulse amplitude, the low/high frequency ratio component of heart rate variability, depression, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patient caregivers; to compare the participants evaluation of these two forms of musical intervention.

Background: Presence is one of the activities of caring. However, little is known about the effect of music intervention with nursing presence on psycho-physiological indices.

Sleep disorder in Taiwanese nurses: a random sample survey.

This study determined the prevalence of and factors associated with insomnia in rotating-shift nurses. A two-stage, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in eastern Taiwan. Participants were randomly-sampled, rotating-shift nurses (n=661), ranging in age from 21 to 62 years, with a mean age of 31.

The effect of music on biochemical markers and self-perceived stress among first-line nurses: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of music on stress indices and to examine the association between music preference and stress.

Background: Although clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of music on stress, study results have been inconsistent. At the time of writing, no known publications had investigated the effects of preferred music on workers in high-stress professions such as nursing.

The risk factors for ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among adolescents.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is garnering increasing interest and acceptance as one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for NAFLD among selected adolescent students in Hualien City, Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: A stratified random sampling scheme was carried out among 1724 adolescent students aged 12 or 13 years old in Hualien City.

Alcohol-related Injuries at an emergency department in Eastern Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Injuries are major causes of mortality and morbidity in Taiwan. Alcohol involvement often plays a role in injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol-related injuries at an emergency department in Eastern Taiwan and their associated factors.

Maternal demographic and psyhosocial factors associated with low birth weight in eastern Taiwan.

The relationship between birth weight and maternal sociodemographic characteristics was examined in a sample from two teaching hospitals in eastern Taiwan. Using a structured questionnaire, we conducted face-to-face interviews with women at antenatal clinics between 1998 and 1999 in Hualien City. One year later, we took the outcome of pregnancy from medical records and birth certificates from the Public Health Bureau of Hualien County.

Using hyperaccumulator plants to phytoextract soil Ni and Cd.

Two strategies of phytoextraction have been shown to have promise for practical soil remediation: domestication of natural hyperaccumulators and bioengineering plants with the genes that allow natural hyperaccumulators to achieve useful phytoextraction. Because different elements have different value, some can be phytomined for profit and others can be phytoremediated at lower cost than soil removal and replacement. Ni phytoextraction from contaminated or mineralized soils offers economic return greater than producing most crops, especially when considering the low fertility or phytotoxicity of Ni rich soils.

Feasibility of identification of alcohol intoxication by nurses in emergency departments.

Vehicle-related injuries are the major cause of death and injuries in Hualien County, and driving under the influence of alcohol plays a major role in such crashes. From December 1997 to May 1998, we determined the blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of injured individuals from vehicle crashes at two emergency departments in Hualien. Nurses were asked to record whether the patient presented with an alcohol odor.