Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Hepatitis A Virus in Wastewaters in Tunisia

Hepatitis A causes substantial morbidity in both industrialized and non-industrialized countries and represents an important health problem in several southern Mediterranean countries. The objectives of the study were as follows: (a) to assess the occurrence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Tunisia through the monitoring of urban wastewaters collected at wastewater treatment plants (WTPs); (b) to characterize environmental strains; and (c) to estimate the viral load in raw and treated sewages, in order to evaluate the potential impact on superficial waters receiving discharges. A total of 150 raw and treated wastewaters were collected from three WTPs and analyzed by both qualitative (RT-PCR/nested) and quantitative (qRT-PCR) methods. Of these, 100 (66 %) were found to be positive for HAV by the qualitative assay: 68.3 % in influents and 64.7 % in effluents. The vast majority of HAV sequences belonged to sub-genotype IA, with 11 different strains detected found to be identical to clinical strains isolated from Tunisian patients with acute hepatitis. Five unique variants were also detected, not previously reported in clinical cases. Only two IB strains were found, confirming the rarity of this sub-genotype in this country. The results of the present study indicate a wide circulation of the pathogen in the population, most probably in the form of asymptomatic infections, a finding consistent with the classification of the country as having intermediate/high endemicity. Quantitative data showed high viral loads in influents (3.5E+05 genome copies/liter, mean value) as well as effluents (2.5E+05 genome copies/liter, mean value), suggesting that contaminated water could be a critical element in transmission.     

The first direct evidence of a Late Devonian coelacanth fish feeding on conodont animals

We describe the first known occurrence of a Devonian coelacanth specimen from the lower Famennian of the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, with a conodont element preserved in its digestive tract. A small spiral and phosphatic coprolite (fossil excrement) containing numerous conodont elements and other unrecognized remains was also found in the same deposits. The coprolite is tentatively attributed to the coelacanth. Although it is unclear whether the Late Devonian coelacanth from Poland was an active predator or a scavenger, these finds provide the first direct evidence of feeding on conodont animals by early coelacanth fish, and one of the few evidences of feeding on these animals known to date. It also expands our knowledge about the diet and trophic relations between the Paleozoic marine animals in general.     

SCAR处理城市生活污水的效能及其微生物群落动态分析

利用强化循环厌氧反应器(SCAR)处理模拟城市生活污水,研究不同负荷条件下的反应器运行特征、污泥特性及微生物种群结构.结果表明,水力停留时间(HRT)为6 h可以作为反应器高效运行的关键控制参数,该条件下污水化学需氧量(COD)去除率达到75%以上.随着反应器容积负荷的逐渐提高,颗粒污泥中辅酶F420和产甲烷活性(SMA)逐渐增加,胞外聚合物(EPS)含量也不断提高,其中紧密黏附EPS(TB-EPS)含量的增加尤其明显.厌氧颗粒污泥性状和反应器对污染物的去除效率同时受到污泥负荷和HRT的影响,微生物的群落结构及其在反应器中的空间分布也受到污泥负荷的影响,不同代谢特征微生物在反应器不同空间位置的相对丰度随着污泥负荷的调整而改变.     

气态甲醛致雌性小鼠生殖细胞DNA-蛋白质交联的研究

为了研究气态甲醛对雌性小鼠生殖细胞的影响,以昆明雌性小鼠卵巢为实验材料,采取动态吸入式染毒方式,应用KCl-SDS沉淀法检测了气态甲醛染毒后所引起的小鼠卵巢生殖细胞DNA-蛋白质交联(DPC)效应.结果表明,较低浓度的甲醛(0.5mg·m-3),即可导致明显的DPC效应(与对照相比,p<0.05),并且随着染毒浓度的升高(0.5、1.0、3.0mg·m-3),DPC系数也逐渐升高.上述结果表明在实验所设浓度范围内,甲醛对小鼠卵巢生殖细胞的DNA损伤可以引起DNA-蛋白质的交联,并且DPC系数随着染毒浓度的增大而增大.DNA-蛋白质交联是DNA分子的一种严重损伤,气态甲醛对雌性小鼠生殖细胞具有一定的影响.     

长江三角洲水田保护性耕作制度的碳收集效应估算

耕作制度对农田土壤有机碳的稳定和积累作用显著,探讨耕作制度演变下农田土壤碳库动态,将有助于农田土壤碳收集的技术选择及政策制定。利用已发表的田间定位试验数据,构建不同耕作制度下长江三角洲水田耕层土壤有机碳密度的估算模型。依据该区近20多年来耕作制度演变动态,对保护性耕作制度的土壤碳收集效应进行了初步估算。结果表明,油菜面积的扩大、小麦的少免耕和作物秸秆的还田分别约增加土壤耕层有机碳0.94 Tg、2.76 Tg和3.95 Tg,其中以麦稻复种转向油稻复种的单位面积碳收集效应为最高。最后,就碳收集效应估算的方法进行了相关讨论,并就土壤碳收集研究和如何提高土壤碳收集潜力提出了一些建议。     

煤气负压管道裂纹的修补

介绍了河南天宏焦化公司采用可赛新金属修补系列产品,对煤气负压管道裂纹进行修补,取得了良好效果,避免了煤气负压管道普通焊补作业的危险性和停机检修对生产造成的诸多不利因素,实现了煤气负压管道补漏作业的安全高效.同时,对可赛新金属修补系列产品的技术性能作了介绍.     

Revalorization of Macadamia nutshell residue as a filler in eco-friendly castor polyol-based polyurethane foam

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The use of lignocellulosic fibers as fillers in polymer matrices has aroused the interest of the scientific community and industrial sectors. In...     

Comprehensive investigation of various re-refining technologies of used lubricating oil: a review

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Waste lubricating oil is considered to be a hazardous waste and has tremendous impact on human health and environment. The present review...     

Production of new concrete with leather tannery waste used as partial replacement of the natural sand

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Leather production is a technology that boosts the economy because of its versatility and durability. However, the wastes generated throughout the...     

Face mask and medical waste generation in the City of Baguio,Philippines: its current management and GHG footprint

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The daily use of facemask to prevent virus transmission increases the negative effect on the environment because of improper waste disposal. Due to...