Biomedical subjects

Han-Qing Yu

Publications and source records attributed to Han-Qing Yu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Biosorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solution by Phanerochaete chrysosporium biomass: isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics.

The biosorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous solution on non-living mycelial pellets of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was studied with respect to pH, initial concentration of 2,4-DCP, temperature and pellet size. The fungal biomass exhibited the highest sorption capacity of 4.09 mg/g at an initial pH of 5.0, initial 2,4-DCP concentration of 50.48 mg/l, 25 degrees C and a pellet size of 1.0-1.5 mm in the investigated pH 2.0-11.0, initial concentrations of 5-50 mg/l, temperature 25-50 degrees C, and pellet size of 1.0-2.5 mm. The Freundlich model exhibited a slightly better fit to the biosorption data of 2,4-DCP than the Langmuir model. The biosorption of 2,4-DCP to biomass followed pseudo second-order adsorption kinetics. The second-order kinetic constants decreased with increasing temperature, and the apparent activation energy of biosorption was estimated to be -16.95 kJ/mol. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the biosorption process was exothermic and that the adsorption of 2,4-DCP on P. chrysosporium might be physical in nature. Both intraparticle diffusion and kinetic resistances might affect the adsorption rate and that their relative effects varied with operation temperature in the biosorption of 2,4-DCP by mycelial pellets.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Chemical-equilibrium-based model for describing the strength of sludge: taking hydrogen-producing sludge as an example.

A new model, based on chemical equilibrium theory, was established to evaluate the strength of sludges in biological wastewater treatment systems. The effectiveness of this model was demonstrated by the experimental results with an anaerobic hydrogen-producing sludge. The equilibrium dispersed mass concentration of the primary particles in the sludge solution was found to nonlinearly increase with the solid content and shear intensity, and could be well described by the model. The Gibbs free energy of adhesion (deltaG degrees) under shear could also be calculated using this model. The equilibrium constant K degrees and deltaG degrees/ RTat a shear intensity of 800 1/s were estimated to be 6.54 +/- 0.12 and 1.88 +/- 0.02, respectively. The two parameters could be used to evaluate the strength of the hydrogen-producing sludge. In addition, the effectiveness of the established model was also confirmed by the results with activated sludge in the literature.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

The role of pH in the fermentative H2 production from an acidogenic granule-based reactor.

The role of pH in the fermentative H(2) production from an upflow acidogenic granule-based reactor was investigated in this study. Experimental results show that all H(2) partial pressure, H(2) production rate and H(2) yield were pH-dependent, in the range of 2.8 x 10(4)-5.2 x 10(4)Pa, 61-145 ml-H(2)l(-1)h(-1) and 0.68-1.61 mol-H(2)mol-glucose(-1), respectively. The maximum H(2) partial pressure was observed at pH 3.4, while both maximum H(2) production rate and H(2) yield were found at pH 4.2. Acetate, propionate, butyrate, i-butyrate, valerate, caporate and ethanol were present in the effluent of this UASB reactor, and their distribution was also pH-dependent. As pH was decreased from 4.2 to a lower level of 3.4 or increased to a higher level of 6.3, the fermentative type of this H(2)-producing reactor would shift from butyrate-type to caporate- or ethanol-type. Thermodynamic analysis was performed to explore the possible metabolic pathways of caproate and valerate formation. The metabolic pathway of caproate formation was pH-dependent, while that of valerate formation was pH-independent. A neural network model was designed, trained and validated. It was able to successfully describe the daily variations of H(2) partial pressure and H(2) yield of the reactor, and to predict its steady state performance at various pHs.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed2006

[Levels of serum interleukin-15 and the expression of T-helper lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of serum interleukin-15 (IL-15) levels and the expression of CD4(+)T (T-helper lymphocyte) subsets CD4(+)CD45RA(+) and CD4(+)CD45RO(+) in peripheral blood of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: The serum concentration of IL-15 was detected using ELISA in 39 children with JRA. The expressions of CD4(+)CD45RA(+)T and CD4(+)CD45RO(+)T in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry in 24 out of the 39 patients with JRA. Twenty-six age and sex-matched healthy children were used as the Control group. RESULTS: The mean serum IL-15 level in JRA patients was significantly higher than that in controls (1.37 +/- 0.98 pg/mL vs 0.96 +/- 0.41 pg/mL, P <0.05). Among the 39 JRA patients, the serum IL-15 level in 17 patients with systemic JRA increased remarkably (P < 0.01), but not in patients with the other two types of JRA, the oligoarthritis and polyarthritis (n=13, n=9, respectively), compared with that in controls. The mean serum IL-15 level of the JRA patients was significantly reduced after conventional treatment (P < 0.01). The serum IL-15 level in JRA patients positively correlated with white blood cell count (r=0.347, P <0.05) and C reactive protein (r=0.452, P < 0.01) but not with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The patients with high serum IL-15 levels (> or = medium level 1.73 pg/mL) had higher expression of CD4(+)CD45RO(+)T than those with low serum IL-15 levels (< medium level) (16.29 +/- 5.46% vs 11.75 +/- 3.15 %, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum IL-15 levels in JRA patients increased significantly. An increased IL-15 level can transform CD45RA into CD45RO in peripheral blood of patients with JRA, and then result in T lymphocyte activation and mediate the immunopathological impairment. IL-15 may be used a marker for the evaluation of severity of JRA.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Relationship between the extracellular polymeric substances and surface characteristics of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila.

The relationship between the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and surface characteristics of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila in its different growth phases was established. The equilibrium constant of partition (K par) and the Gibbs energies of partition (DeltaG par) between hexadecane and aqueous phases were also calculated according to the microbial adhesion to hexadecane (MATH) testing. The EPS content decreased with cultivation time at the logarithmic phase, but kept almost unchanged around 22.9 mg g(-1) dry cell at the stationary phase. The EPS production of R. acidophila had a significant effect on its surface characteristics. The relative hydrophobicity and the K par values of R. acidophila before EPS extraction were both lower than those after extraction. Both EPS content and ratio of proteins to carbohydrates had a negative effect on the water contact angle of the bacterium, but had a positive influence on the bacterial surface free energy and its polar component. On the other hand, the EPS were not related with MATH% or the Gibbs energy of partition between hexadecane and aqueous phase.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2005

Formation and instability of aerobic granules under high organic loading conditions.

The cultivation and instability of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch reactor under high loading conditions were investigated. Compact bacteria-dominated aerobic granules with a mean diameter of 1 mm were formed at a chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rate of 6.0 kg m(-3) d(-1) within 30 d. However, the compact bacteria-dominated aerobic granules were not stable and transited to large-sized filamentous ones gradually. With the formation of bacteria-dominated granules, the hydrophobicity and specific gravity of the sludge increased. When the granules were transited to filamentous ones, the hydrophobicity and specific gravity decreased. Both granules had a high COD removal efficiency, excellent settling ability and showed a clear, regular round-shaped outline. After the filamentous granules reached a diameter of 16 mm, due to the mass transfer limitation and the possible presence of anaerobes in the inner part of the granules, they began to disintegrate and be washed out of the reactor, follow by failure of the reactor.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed2005

Production of extracellular polymeric substances from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila in the presence of toxic substances.

A hydrogen-producing photosynthetic bacteria strain, Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, was used to investigate the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the presence of toxic substances and the effect of toxicants on bacterial surface characteristics. Addition of the toxic substances including Cu(II), Cr(VI), Cd(II) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) stimulated the production of EPS but reduced the cell dry weight. At concentrations of 30 mg l(-1) Cu(II), 40 mg l(-1) Cr(VI), 5 mg l(-1) Cd(II) and 100 mg l(-1) 2,4-DCP, the EPS content increased by 5.5, 2.5, 4.0 and 1.4 times, respectively, than the control. These toxic substances also greatly influenced the proteins/carbohydrates ratio of EPS. The ratios in the presence of toxic substances were always higher than that of control. Furthermore, under toxic conditions, the increase in the protein content far exceeded than that of others in EPS, suggesting that extracellular proteins could protect cells against toxic substances. The toxic substances significantly changed the surface characteristics and flocculation ability of R. acidophila, such as surface energy, relative hydrophobicity and free energy of adhesion.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2005

Application of response surface methodology for optimization of acidogenesis of cattail by rumen cultures.

Acidogenesis of cattail using rumen cultures was carried out to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA) in this study. The influences of pH and substrate concentration on cattail degradation, VFA yield and microbial growth were investigated by using response surface methodology (RSM). Experimental results showed that a low substrate concentration and pH of 6.9 were optimal for acidogenesis of cattail. The highest cattail degradation efficiency, VFA yield and microbial yield were 75.9%, 0.41 g/g VS and 0.110 g/g VS, respectively. Further experiments confirmed that the main VFA in the acidogenesis of cattail were acetate, propionate and butyrate, while i-butyrate, valerate and i-valerate were also produced at low levels. The results suggested that acidogenesis using rumen cultures is a promising method for cattail disposal.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Anaerobic digestion of cattail by rumen cultures.

The anaerobic digestion of aquatic plants could serve the dual roles for producing renewable energy and reducing waste. In this study, the anaerobic digestion of cattail (Typha latifolia linn), a lignocellulosic aquatic plant, by rumen microorganisms in batch cultures was investigated. At a substrate level of 12.4 g/l volatile solids (VS) and pH 6.7, maximum VS conversion of 66% was achieved within an incubation time of 125 h. However, a decrease in pH from 6.7 to 5.8 resulted in a marked reduction in VS conversion. The total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) yield was about 0.56 g/g VS digested. Acetate and propionate were the major aqueous fermentation products, while butyrate, i-butyrate and valerate were also formed in smaller quantities. Biogas that was produced was composed of carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen. A modified Gompertz equation was developed to describe substrate consumption and product formation. The hydrolysis of insoluble components was the rate-limiting step in the anaerobic digestion of cattail.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Kinetic modeling of batch hydrogen production process by mixed anaerobic cultures.

The kinetics of batch anaerobic hydrogen production by mixed anaerobic cultures was systemically investigated in this study. Unstructured models were used to describe the substrate utilization, biomass growth and product formation in the hydrogen production process. The relationship between the substrate, biomass and products were also evaluated. Experimental results show that the Michaelis-Menten equation, Logistic model and modified Gompertz equation all could be adopted to respectively describe the kinetics of substrate utilization, biomass growth and product formation. Furthermore, the relationship between the acidogenic products and biomass was simulated by Luedeking-Piret model very well. The experimental results suggest that the formation of hydrogen and the main aqueous products, i.e., butyrate and acetate, was all growth-associated.

Acetates↗

PubMed2005

Formation and characterization of aerobic granules in a sequencing batch reactor treating soybean-processing wastewater.

Aerobic granules were cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with soybean-processing wastewater at 25+/-1 degrees C and pH 7.0+/-0.1. The granulation process was described via measuring the increase of sludge size. The formation of granules was found to be a four-phase process, that is, acclimating, shaping, developing, and maturated. A modified Logistic model could well fit with the granule growth by diameter and could be employed to estimate the maximum diameter, lag time, and specific diameter growth rate effectively. Both normal and log-normal distributions proved to be applicable to model the diameter distribution of the granules. The granule-containing liquor was shear thinning, and their rheological characteristics could be described by using the Herschel-Buckley equation. The suspended solids concentration, pH, temperature, diameter, settling velocity, specific gravity, and sludge volume index all had an effect on the apparent viscosity of the mixed liquor of granules. The matured granules had fractal nature with a fractal dimension of 1.87+/-0.34. Moreover, 83% of matured granules were permeable with fluid collection efficiencies over 0.034. As compared to activated sludge flocs, the aerobic granules grown on the soybean-processing wastewater had better settling ability, mass transfer efficiency, and bioactivity.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

PubMed2005

Effects of an electric or magnetic field on the radiolytic degradation of two biorefractory contaminants.

Effects of an electric or magnetic field on the radiolytic degradation of two biorefractory contaminants, Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and nitrobenzene (NB), were evaluated in this work. A continuous DC electric current with a low density (approximately 2.8-5.6 mA cm(-2)) applied during the radiolytic degradation of AO7 and NB solutions only led to slight enhancement in their degradation rate constants, but altered significantly the degradation mechanisms. On the other hand, application of a magnetic field (0.4 T) in irradiation processes slightly enhanced the degradation kinetics without leading to any change in degradation mechanisms.

Azo Compounds↗

PubMed2005

Degradation of lignin in pulp mill wastewaters by white-rot fungi on biofilm.

An investigation was conducted to explore the lignin-degrading capacity of attached-growth white-rot fungi. Five white-rot fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinus edodes, Trametes versicolor and S22, grown on a porous plastic media, were individually used to treat black liquor from a pulp and paper mill. Over 71% of lignin and 48% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were removed from the wastewater. Several factors, including pH, concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and trace elements in wastewater, all had significant effects on the degradation of lignin and the removal of COD. Three white-rot fungi, P. chrysosporium, P. ostreatus and S22, showed high capacity for lignin degradation at pH 9.0-11.0. The addition of 1 g l-1 glucose and 0.2 g l-1 ammonium tartrate was beneficial for the degradation of lignin by the white-rot fungi studied.

Basidiomycota↗

PubMed2005

Kinetics and mechanisms of radiation-induced degradation of acetochlor.

The radiation-induced degradation of acetochlor was investigated in this work. In a mixed solvent composed of acetonitrile and water at a ratio of 20/80 in volume, the acetochlor degradation rate was proportional to the radiation dose rate and acetochlor concentration. The acetochlor degradation efficiency was higher under alkali conditions and lower under acidic conditions. The contribution to the acetochlor degradation by the radicals was in the order of: e(aq)->.OH>H.. The quantum efficiency ratios of .OH, e(aq)- and H. for the degradation of acetochlor were calculated as 1:3:1.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2005

Radiolytic degradation of Acid Orange 7: a mechanistic study.

Steady-state radiolysis experiments were performed to investigate the mechanisms of the radiolytic degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solutions, which might be useful for the application of ionizing radiation for the remediation of azo-dye-laden wastewaters. The degradation products formed under various conditions were identified by using UV-Vis, HPLC, FTIR, and GC-MS analyses. With theoretical analysis and degradation products identified, the mechanisms behind the radiolytic degradation of AO7 under both oxidative and reductive conditions were elucidated. Irradiated under reductive conditions AO7 was decomposed through N-N cleavage with the formation of aniline, sodium sulfanilamide, 1-amino-2-naphthol, naphthalidine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthol, and 2-naphthol etc., whereas under oxidative conditions both N-N and C-N cleavages might be the initial steps in the radiolytic degradation of AO7.

Azo Compounds↗

PubMed2005

Inhibitory effects of butyrate on biological hydrogen production with mixed anaerobic cultures.

In this study batch experiments were conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of butyrate addition on hydrogen production from glucose by using anaerobic mixed cultures. Experimental results showed that addition of butyrate at 4.18 and 6.27 g/l only slightly inhibited hydrogen production, and addition of butyrate at 8.36-12.54 g/l imposed a moderate inhibitory effect on hydrogen production. At addition of 25.08 g/l, butyrate had a strong inhibitory influence on substrate degradation and hydrogen production. The distribution of the volatile fatty acids produced from the acidogeneisis of glucose was significantly influenced by the addition of butyrate. The inhibition of butyrate addition on hydrogen production was described well by a non-competitive and non-linear inhibition model, with the maximum hydrogen production rate of 59.3 ml/g-SS/h, critical added butyrate concentration of 25.08 g/l, and inhibition degree of 0.323, respectively. The C(I,50) values (the butyrate concentration at which bioactivity is reduced by 50%) for hydrogen production rate and yield were estimated as 19.39 and 20.78 g/l of added butyrate, respectively.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2005

Kinetic modeling of the radiolytic degradation of Acid Orange 7 in aqueous solutions.

The degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solutions induced by gamma-ray irradiation was investigated in terms of both the disappearance of parent molecule (decoloration) and the degree of mineralization. The disappearance of AO7 followed pseudo first-order kinetics, whereas its mineralization could be described by zero-order kinetics. The pseudo first-order degradation rate constants were found to be proportional to irradiation dose rates and the reciprocals of initial AO7 concentrations. Based on the experimental results and a reaction analysis on the steady-state radiolysis of aerated aqueous solutions, a kinetic model was developed for describing the radiolytic degradation of AO7. Moreover, with this kinetic model, the reaction rate constants of e(aq)(-) and H. with AO7 were estimated as 3.0 x 10(9) and 8.4 x 10(9) x L mol(-1) s(-1), respectively. Taking the relative contributions of oxidative and reductive species to AO7 degradation into account, oxidative radiolysis proved to be a better approach for the degradation of AO7.

Azo Compounds↗

PubMed2005

Preparation and characterization of visible-light-active nitrogen-doped TiO2 photocatalyst.

A visible-light photocatalyst was prepared by calcination of the hydrolysis product of Ti(SO4)2 with ammonia as precipitator. The color of this photocatalyst was vivid yellow. It could absorb light under 550 nm wavelength. The crystal structure of anatase was characterized by XRD. The structure analysis result of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) shows that doped-nitrogen was presented in the sample. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated using methyl orange and phenol as model pollutants. The photocatalytic activities of samples were increasing gradually with calcination temperature from 400 degrees C to 700 degrees C under UV irradiation. It can be seen that the degradation of methyl orange follows zero-order kinetics. However, the calcination temperatures have no significant influence on the degradation of phenol under sunlight. The N-doped catalyst shows higher activity than the bare one under solar irradiation.

Catalysis↗