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In order to investigate the fluoride removal effect of calcium fluorophosphate induced crystallization, Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used for calcium fluorophosphate induced crystallization fluoride removal experiments to develop a quadratic regression model with the fluoride ion removal rate as the response value, and to compare the significance of the effects of three parameters〔n(Ca)/n(F), n(P)/n(F), crystalline seed dosage〕 on the fluoride ion removal rate by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The process parameters of calcium fluorophosphate induced crystallization for fluoride removal were optimized by RSM, and the model was validated by the experimental results under the optimal process condition. The optimal condition optimized by RSM were n(Ca)/n(F)=15, n(P)/n(F)=8.918, and the amount of crystalline seed dosage as 9.208 g/L, resulting in the theoretical optimal fluoride removal rate of 97.26%. Compared with the actual fluoride removal rate of 95.07%, the relative error was 2.3%. SEM showed that the surface morphology changed greatly before and after the reaction of the crystalline species, from regular crystalline particles to a layer of spherical clustered crystals completely covered. XRD revealed that the induced crystallization produced CaF2, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, Ca10(PO4) 6F2, and CaHPO4, indicating that there were multiple crystallization reaction pathways for the removal of fluorine by induced crystallization of calcium fluorophosphate.

BackgroundThe advent of culture-independent, next-generation DNA sequencing has led to the discovery of distinct lung bacterial communities. Studies of lung microbiome taxonomy often reveal only subtle differences between health and disease, but host recognition and response may distinguish the members of similar bacterial communities in different populations. Magnetic-activated cell sorting has been applied to the gut microbiome to identify the numbers and types of bacteria eliciting a humoral response. We adapted this technique to examine the populations of immunoglobulin-bound bacteria in the lung.MethodsSixty-four individuals underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). We separated immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria using magnetic-activated cell sorting and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform. We compared microbial sequencing data in IgG-bound bacterial communities compared to raw BAL then examined the differences in individuals with and without HIV as a representative disease state.ResultsImmunoglobulin G-bound bacteria were identified in all individuals. The community structure differed when compared to raw BAL, and there was a greater abundance of Pseudomonas and fewer oral bacteria in IgG-bound BAL. Examination of IgG-bound communities in individuals with HIV demonstrated the differences in Ig-bound bacteria by HIV status that were not seen in a comparison of raw BAL, and greater numbers of immunoglobulin-bound bacteria were associated with higher pulmonary cytokine levels.ConclusionsWe report a novel application of magnetic-activated cell sorting to identify immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria in the lung. This technique identified distinct bacterial communities which differed in composition from raw bronchoalveolar lavage, revealing the differences not detected by traditional analyses. Cytokine response was also associated with differential immunoglobulin binding of lung bacteria, suggesting the functional importance of these communities. Video Abstract.

Rationale: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with chronic lung disease and impaired pulmonary function; however, longitudinal pulmonary function phenotypes in HIV are undefined. Objectives: To identify pulmonary function trajectories, their determinants, and outcomes. Methods: We used data from participants with HIV in the Pittsburgh HIV Lung Cohort with three or more pulmonary function tests between 2007 and 2020. We analyzed post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO) using group-based trajectory modeling to identify subgroups of individuals whose measurements followed a similar pattern over time. We examined the association between participant characteristics and trajectories using multivariable logistic regression. In exploratory adjusted analyses restricted to individuals with available plasma cytokine data, we investigated the association between 18 individual standardized cytokine concentrations and trajectories. We compared mortality, dyspnea prevalence, respiratory health status, and 6-minute-walk distance between phenotypes. Results: A total of 265 participants contributed 1,606 pulmonary function measurements over a median follow-up of 8.1 years. We identified two trajectories each for FEV1 and FVC: "low baseline, slow decline" and "high baseline, rapid decline." There were three trajectory groups for FEV1/FVC: "rapid decline," "moderate decline," and "slow decline." Finally, we identified two trajectories for DlCO: "baseline low" and "baseline high." The low baseline, slow decline FEV1 and FVC, rapid decline, and moderate decline FEV1/FVC, and baseline low DlCO phenotypes were associated with increased dyspnea prevalence, worse respiratory health status, and decreased 6-minute-walk distance. The baseline low DlCO phenotype was also associated with worse mortality. Current smoking and pack-years of smoking were associated with the adverse FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and DlCO phenotypes. Detectable viremia was the only HIV marker associated with the adverse DlCO phenotype. C-reactive protein and endothelin-1 were associated with the adverse FEV1 and FVC phenotypes, and endothelin-1 trended toward an association with the adverse DlCO phenotype. Conclusions: We identified novel, distinct longitudinal pulmonary function phenotypes with significant differences in characteristics and outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of lung dysfunction over time in people with HIV and should be validated in additional cohorts.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between measures of HIV persistence with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cigarette smoking, systemic markers of inflammation, and pulmonary function. Retrospective study of 82 people with HIV (PWH) on ART for a median of 6.9 years (5.6-7.8) and plasma HIV RNA levels

In this study, wet oxidation of excess sludge from the caprolactam wastewater treatment process was investigated. The effects of reaction conditions, including sludge concentration, the amount of sludge, reaction temperature and time and the oxygen supply amount, were discussed. The highest removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile suspended solid (VSS) that can be attained at 78.6 and 89.3% were acquired separately under 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen gas pressure of 1.3 MPa. The sludge was hydrolyzed and oxidized under hydrothermal conditions, producing small molecule organic acids, such as acetic, formic and oxalic acids, as the main products, which could be used as carbon sources for wastewater treatment. These results indicated that wet oxidation provides a favourable and feasible alternative method for the treatment of excess sludge from the coal chemical industry. HIGHLIGHTS Sludge resulting from the coal chemical industry has received great attention due to its large amount and high environmental risk.; Wet oxidation provides a favourable and feasible alternative method for the treatment.; The highest removal rates of COD and VSS that can be attained at 78.6 and 89.3% were acquired separately with an initial oxygen gas pressure of 1.3 MPa under 260 °C for 60 min.;

BackgroundMaladaptive immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis of many chronic lung diseases. Here, we tested hypotheses that CD4 and CD8 T-cell and monocyte phenotypes are associated with lung function in people living with HIV and those without HIV.MethodsMarkers of T cell differentiation, activation, exhaustion and senescence, and markers of monocyte recruitment and migration were quantified in 142 HIV-positive and 73 HIV-negative participants of the Pittsburgh HIV Lung Cohort. All participants underwent lung function testing.ResultsCD4 or CD8 T-cell phenotypes were not associated with measures of lung function in HIV-positive or HIV-negative participants after adjustment for multiple comparisons. In HIV-positive participants, however, the percentage of classical monocytes that were CD11b+ had positive associations at the Bonferroni-adjusted significance threshold of P = 0.05/63 with prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (β = 0.36; P = 0.00003 and β = 0.31; P = 0.0003, respectively). In stratified analyses of n = 87 participants with CD4 ≥ 500 cells/µL, associations of percentage of classical monocytes that were CD11b+ with prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio were stronger (β = 0.48 and β = 0.41, for pre- and post-, respectively) than in the entire HIV-positive study population. Significant associations of monocyte phenotypes were not observed in HIV-negative participants after adjustment for multiple comparisons.ConclusionsCD11b+ expression on classical monocytes is positively associated with FEV1/FVC ratio in people living with HIV including in those with CD4 T-cell recovery. Given the normal surveillance activity of monocytes, such association suggests this monocyte subset may play a role in preservation of pulmonary function in PLWH.

BackgroundAmbulatory function predicts morbidity and mortality and may be influenced by cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Persons living with HIV (PLWH) suffer from a high prevalence of cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities that may contribute to higher risk of ambulatory dysfunction as measured by 6-minute walk test distance (6-MWD). We investigated the effect of HIV on 6-MWD.MethodsPLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals were enrolled from 2 clinical centers and completed a 6-MWD, spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results of 6-MWD were compared between PLWH and uninfected individuals after adjusting for confounders. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine predictors of 6-MWD.ResultsMean 6-MWD in PLWH was 431 meters versus 462 in 130 HIV-uninfected individuals (p = 0.0001). Older age, lower forced expiratory volume (FEV1)% or lower forced vital capacity (FVC)%, and smoking were significant predictors of decreased 6-MWD in PLWH, but not HIV-uninfected individuals. Lower DLCO% and higher SGRQ were associated with lower 6-MWD in both groups. In a combined model, HIV status remained an independent predictor of decreased 6-MWD (Mean difference = -19.9 meters, p = 0.005).ConclusionsHIV infection was associated with decreased ambulatory function. Airflow limitation and impaired diffusion capacity can partially explain this effect. Subjective assessments of respiratory symptoms may identify individuals at risk for impaired physical function who may benefit from early intervention.

Studies demonstrate that Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei) is present in the lungs of healthy individuals without acute respiratory symptoms or acute respiratory infection and is more common in the lungs of HIV-infected individuals and in smokers. The impact of T. whipplei colonization in the lung on local inflammation and pulmonary dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals is currently unknown. In this study, we performed specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing for T. whipplei in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and induced sputum (IS) samples in 76 HIV-infected participants from three clinical sites. Pulmonary function and proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in BAL were measured. Frequency of T. whipplei in either BAL or IS was 43.4%. The sensitivity and specificity of IS compared to BAL for detection of T. whipplei was 92.3% and 84.2%, respectively, and isolates of T. whipplei in the BAL and IS in the same subject shared genetic identity. Pulmonary function measures were not associated with T. whipplei colonization, and proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in BAL and plasma as well as percentages of inflammatory cells in BAL and IS were not higher in colonized individuals. Overall, these results indicate that T. whipplei colonization in the lung is common, but may not be associated with decreased pulmonary function or inflammation in HIV-infected individuals.

Recent avian and swine-origin influenza virus outbreaks illustrate the ongoing threat of influenza pandemics. We investigated immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a multi-antigen (MA) universal influenza DNA vaccine consisting of HA, M2, and NP antigens in cynomolgus macaques. Following challenge with a heterologous pandemic H1N1 strain, vaccinated animals exhibited significantly lower viral loads and more rapid viral clearance when compared to unvaccinated controls. The MA DNA vaccine induced robust serum and mucosal antibody responses but these high antibody titers were not broadly neutralizing. In contrast, the vaccine induced broadly-reactive NP specific T cell responses that cross-reacted with the challenge virus and inversely correlated with lower viral loads and inflammation. These results demonstrate that a MA DNA vaccine that induces strong cross-reactive T cell responses can, independent of neutralizing antibody, mediate significant cross-protection in a nonhuman primate model and further supports development as an effective approach to induce broad protection against circulating and emerging influenza strains.

With the simultaneous increase in wastewater generation and wastewater treatment rates in China, the annual production of residual sewage sludge (RSS) has been steadily rising, exceeding 70 million tons with an 80% moisture content. The sustainable resource utilization of RSS will be the predominant disposal method instead of sanitary landfilling in China. This review aimed to systematically analyze the major sustainable resource utilization technologies for RSS. Firstly, the basic characteristics of RSS in China were analyzed. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of three primary sustainable resource utilization technologies for RSS: building materials, energy utilization, and phosphorus recovery, aiming to provide clear insights for the development of future strategies. The research findings revealed that no single method can economically and environmentally address all challenges in the utilization of RSS resources. It is necessary to adopt appropriate resource utilization technologies according to the characteristics of RSS from wastewater treatment, achieving integration of pollution control and resource utilization. This review can provide scientific guidance for future sustainable utilization of RSS resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]