Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth correct the immune imbalance of allergic rhinitis via Treg cells in vivo and in vitro.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells can ameliorate the inflammation of allergic rhinitis (AR) and correct the Th1/Th2 immune imbalance.

Methods: This study was performed to explore the immunomodulation properties of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) in the treatment of AR in vivo and in vitro. BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection, and then SHEDs or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were injected intravenously before challenge.

[Investigations of microscopic morphology of individual inhalable particulates in Macao in summer].

By means of high resolution field emission scanning electron microcopy (FESEM) and image analysis (IA), microscopic morphologies and the number-size and volume-size distributions of different types of individual inhalable particles collected in Macao in summer of 2007 were investigated. The results showed that the soot aggregates and mineral particles were ubiquitous in the PM10 of Macao in July, 2007. The mineral particles mostly showed an irregular morphology and the soot aggregates displayed chain-like and fluffy morphology.

Characterization of surface runoff from a subtropics urban catchment.

Characteristics of surface runoff from a 0.14-km2 urban catchment with separated sewer in Macau was investigated. Water quality measurements of surface runoff were carried out on five rainfall events during the period of August to November, 2005.

[Characterization of urban surface runoff in two urban catchments in Macau].

Characteristics of pollutants from urban surface runoff were investigated. Two catchments with a seperated system in Macau were selected for sampling on rainfall events during the period of August to November, 2005. Water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, TSS, COD, TOC, TN, TP, Zn, Pb, and Cu were analyzed.

[Choice experiment method and its application to solid waste management in Macao].

Economic valuation of environmental goods or services has been becoming a research frontier and hotspot of environmental economics in the world. Choice experiment (CE) is a relatively new method that can be used to value the economic benefits of environmental goods or services. This paper reports an attempt to apply the CE method in Macao that aimed to understand Macao residents' preferences for solid waste management programs.

[Primarily study of alkylphenols in sediment core from Nam Van artificial lake of Macao].

Alkylphenols, nonylphenols (NPs), octylphenol (OP), are known to have estrogenic effects. In a sediment core from Nam Van artificial lake of Macao, the concentrations of NPs ranged from 2.17 to 5.

[Study on on-board measurements and modeling of vehicular emissions].

It's a basic work to study the characteristics of vehicular emissions and give emission factors for development of vehicular emission inventory and decision-making of the control strategies. On-board emission measurements of on-road vehicles are regarded as important complementary to emission laboratory dynamometer tests. On-board exhaust emission measurements were conducted on seven samples of gasoline cars in a typical road in Macao, using AVL DiGas 4000 light five-gas analyzer.