Application of a Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Norovirus and Rotavirus on Artificially Contaminated Food and Environmental Surfaces

Noroviruses and rotaviruses are the leading causes of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Virus-contaminated food and surfaces represent an important risk to public health. However, established detection methods for the viruses in food products are laborious and time-consuming. Here, we describe a detailed swabbing protocol combined with real-time RT-PCR for norovirus and rotavirus detection on artificially contaminated food and environmental surfaces. Recovery rates between 2 and 78% for norovirus and between 8 and 42% for rotavirus were determined for contaminated food surfaces of apple, pepper, cooked ham and salami. From contaminated environmental surfaces (stainless steel, ceramic plate, polyethylene, wood), recovery rates between 26 and 52% (norovirus) and between 10 and 58% (rotavirus) were determined. The results demonstrate the suitability of the swab sample method for virus detection on food and environmental surfaces. Compared to other methods, it is easy to perform and significantly time-saving, predestining it for routine testing.     

Detection of dioxygenase genes present in various activated sludge

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Activated sludge from refineries contains various microorganisms that could utilize aromatics under aerobic conditions due to the oxygenase enzymes. Dioxygenase enzymes are oxygenases, which are involved in the ring cleavage step of aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, the selected catabolic loci involved in ring cleavage have been monitored in the activated sludge samples at different time intervals. The investigation of the dioxygenase genes in the Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and evaluation of their presence at different time points provides a clue for the aromatic utilizing potential of the inherent microbial flora. METHODS: The catabolic gene loci pheB, xylE, tod-isp, bed and nahG responsible for the enzymes catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, toluene dioxygenase-iron-sulphur protein component, benzene dioxygenase and naphthalene dioxygenase were used respectively. The time dependent change in eubacterial population was demonstrated by the amplification of 16S rDNA product, followed by restriction digestion. The template DNA was obtained from the activated sludge collected from ETPs. The supporting physiological data for the overall performance of sludge was developed using respirometric analysis. The on-site COD and MLSS analysis for ETP was used in final evaluation. The study was carried out with samples collected from three different ETPs and also from a selected ETP at different time intervals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The respirometric studies were carried out with phenol, catechol, toluene, and naphthalene to arrive at the target genotypes for further study by PCR protocol. The respirometric analysis coupled with the COD and MLSS analysis represented the physiological capacity of the various sludges. Initially, the tracking protocol was optimized by using different sludge samples, which were collected from refineries. The selected genotypes were amplified and their presence has been confirmed using Southern analysis. The gene loci tod-isp, bed and xylE were commonly observed at various time intervals of the sludge from the same source. The gene loci pheB and nahG were found to be relatively rare. CONCLUSION: The 16S rDNA PCR products after restriction digestion produced different DNA fingerprint patterns, suggesting that the microbial community composition was diverse in the three sources. Similarly, the presence of the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, benzene dioxygenase and toluene dioxygenase genes confirmed the aromatic degrading potential in the various sludges. The probes could not pick the nahG and pheB genes. However, the respirometeric assay suggested that the oxidative capacity to use naphthalene as a substrate exists. RECOMMENDATION AND PERSPECTIVE: Our study of the diversity at various time points from the ETP provided an overview of the shifts of the catabolic composition of the sludge. This also depends on the influential parameters like the incoming pollutant level and the environmental conditions that are prevailing and often changing from time to time. The results of direct DNA extraction and PCR amplification do reflect the relative abundance of a particular catabolic genotype, which could be used to monitor the efficiency of treatment.     

武汉市水资源可持续利用评价

水作为人类所需要的不可替代的一种自然资源,是社会经济持续发展的重要支撑之一。解决武汉市的水问题,直接关系到武汉市人民群众的生活,关系到社会的稳定,关系到城市的可持续发展。采用定量方法——层次分析法和综合指数法对武汉市水资源进行评价,找出近几年来武汉市水资源持续利用的趋势,为武汉市水资源的可持续利用提供可靠的依据。具体步骤是：首先采用层次分析法确定武汉市水资源可持续利用评价指标体系;其次,对武汉市各年代水资源评价指标分别赋值、确定权重;其三,按照加权相加的方法（即综合指数法）评定出武汉市各年代水资源利用得分;最后根据各年代分值的大小进行对比分析,得出武汉市水资源利用变化趋势。     

基于形态修正的描述符构建可电离化合物对大型溞急性毒性的QSAR模型

在环境水体中,可电离有机化合物(IOCs)可解离为分子和离子形态。研究表明,IOCs离子形态的环境行为、毒性效应等都与其分子形态存在较大差异,因而在研究IOCs环境行为、毒性效应时不应忽略离子化的影响。在构建IOCs相关预测模型时如何表征离子化的影响是当前研究的重要内容之一。探讨了采用基于形态修正的描述符构建IOCs水生毒性预测模型的可行性。具体而言,采用逐步多元线性回归(MLR)方法,构建了可预测63种取代酚、取代苯甲酸和取代苯胺等IOCs对大型溞急性毒性的定量结构-活性关系(QSAR)模型。与仅采用分子形态描述符的模型相比,使用基于形态修正描述符的模型决定系数(R2)、去一法交叉验证系数(Q2LOO)、外部验证系数(Q2EXT)等参数从0.622～0.705提高到了0.840～0.875,表明基于形态修正描述符的模型具有更好的拟合优度、稳健性和预测能力。因此,在将来的研究中,可采用基于形态修正的描述符构建IOCs水生毒性效应预测模型。     

卤代肉桂酸对羊角月牙藻的急性毒性及3D-QSAR研究

卤代肉桂酸类化合物广泛用于医药、化妆品和除草剂等生产制造,随着使用量的增加,其生态环境健康风险逐渐受到关注。为揭示该类化合物的毒性特征,选择14种卤代肉桂酸作为研究对象,考察了它们对羊角月牙藻的急性毒性效应,并应用三维定量构效相关技术(3D-QSAR)探讨化合物分子结构特征对毒性效应的影响。结果表明,14种卤代肉桂酸类化合物对羊角月牙藻急性毒性的72 h半数效应浓度(72 h-EC50)值在45.88～83.72 mg·L-1范围内,其中4-氯肉桂酸、4-溴肉桂酸等表现出较高毒性效应。3D-QSAR结果表明,该类化合物分子结构的立体场、静电场和疏水场特性对其毒性效应影响显著,在苯环结构上引入体积较大、电负性较弱及疏水性较强的取代基,将导致毒性升高。以上结果将为科学评价卤代肉桂酸类化合物潜在环境健康风险提供基础数据支撑。     

Hybrid process-criterion benchmarking methodology framework to support sustainability performance assessment and reporting

The conception, design, and implementation of sustainable development strategies in an organization aims at meeting and balancing economic, social, and environmental needs of internal and external stakeholders. While the principles and fundamentals of sustainability assist during the conception and design phases, the implementation process of management strategies – impacted directly or indirectly by internal and external factors – may identify areas of competitive advantages or challenges that would impede the projects and organizations’ performance targets. An organization is not an isolated entity and its performance is often compared against others in the market arena; therefore, assessment tools, benchmarking processes, and reporting strategies become essential for the understanding of the efforts made towards the implementation of plan, policies, and programs at the organization and project levels. A framework for a hybrid process-criterion benchmarking methodology is proposed in this paper. The framework integrates the Rank Xerox benchmarking process and the Wa-Pa-Su project sustainability rating system assessment methodology. The proposed hybrid process-criterion benchmarking methodology encourages the diversification in the development and implementation of sustainable and environmental rating systems in industry contexts (e.g., oil and gas, mining, heavy industrial, and energy) and aims for the improvement of existing sustainability performance assessment and reporting practices. It also assists the quantitative assessment process of advances and/or setbacks in sustainability performance and the implementation of continuous performance improvement programs.     

Quantitative SWOT analysis for prioritizing ecotourism-planning decisions in protected areas: Igneada case

As environmental problems and pressures on natural resources escalate, awareness building and efforts to protect natural areas have also became a major goal to ensure sustainability. Ecotourism is one of the major activities to protect natural and cultural resources, while also providing economic benefits to both local people and government. Successful ecotourism planning is a function of establishing sound goals and criteria. In this paper, we have presented the example of Igneada, Turkey, as a case to elaborate this point. Igneada a coastal town, located on the north-west Black Sea region of Turkey, was declared a national park in 2007. The park is well known for its longos forests (flooded), lagoons, endemic and endangered species, and wildlife. However, currently, unsustainable economic activities, overgrazing, and urbanization cause threats to its sensitive ecosystems. Promoting ecotourism is a sustainable approach to balance economic, social, and environmental aspects in the development of Igneada.

The aim of this study is to define a set of ecotourism criteria and propose an ecotourism vision for Igneada. The methodology in this research involves field observations and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis with an Analytical Hierarchy Process. A survey study is conducted with both local people and experts to define a framework to generate a priority ranking for ecotourism-planning decision. The research generated 5 main criteria and 14 subcriteria, among which ‘Proposal of Igneada in Turkey’s 2023 Tourism Strategy Plan’ was the highest ranked opportunity for ecotourism planning and development in the town.     

生活垃圾堆肥过程中细菌群落演替规律

应用PCR-DGGE技术研究生活垃圾堆肥过程中的细菌群落演替规律,对堆肥不同时期的宏基因组DNA进行提取,扩增16S rDNA的V3区,分析生活垃圾堆肥过程中细菌群落的变化. DGGE图谱表明,随着堆体温度的升高,DNA条带表现出了明显的动态变化,降温期出现了新的优势条带并趋于稳定,说明堆肥不同时期的细菌群落发生了更替. 对条带分布进行聚类分析,结果表明:以55 ℃为界,将14个堆肥样品划分为2个族,族间的相似性仅为13%,说明堆肥过程中常温期(<55 ℃)和高温期(>55 ℃)微生物群落结构差别较大. 对优势条带回收测序的结果表明:在升温期,堆肥堆体中检测到H. obtusa和人类排泄物中的细菌;但随着温度的升高,具有纤维素降解功能的嗜热微生物Clostridium thermocellum成为堆肥高温期的优势细菌;当堆体温度小于55 ℃时出现了大量的未培养微生物.