An aminated bagasse (AB) with highadsorption capacity for mercury ions was prepared by grafting copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto sugarcane bagasse, followed by aminating with chelating molecule diethylenetriamine. Effects of grafting conditions such as irradiation dosage, acrylonitrile concentration, and solvents on the grafting yield were investigated. The adsorption performance for mercury ions were evaluated by batch adsorption experiments and kinetic experiments. The results show that AB is effective for the removal of mercury over a wide range of pH > 5. Adsorption isotherms of mercury ions on the modified bagasse can be well described by Langmuir equation. The equilibrium adsorption amount could be as high as 917.4 mg/g, and the removal percent of mercury ions can achieve 99%. The kinetic adsorption results indicate that AB could remove 80% of mercury ions in 2 h and 24 more hours are needed to achieve adsorption equilibrium. Regeneration experiments show that the adsorption capacity of recycled AB still can reach the level of 96% after four cycles.

Sugar bagasse was converted into an anionexchanger through grafting acrylamide using (NH 4 ) 2 Fe(SO 4 ) 2 /H 2 O 2 as initiator in an aqueous system, followed by reacting with ethylenediamine and hydrochloric acid. The effects of the grafting conditions such as monomer concentration, temperature, reaction time on the degree of grafting were investigated. The ion exchange capacity of the sugar bagasse base anion-exchange fiber (SB-IEF) was up to 3.70 mmol/g. Application of the SB-IEF in sugar decolorization was evaluated. Compared with commercial strong basic anion exchange resin (AIER) and strong basic anion exchange fiber (AIEF), SB-IEF showed the highest static decolorization capacity for sugar colorants (decolorization degree 71.40%), followed by AIEF (decolorization degree 68.74%) and AIER (decolorization degree 31.40%) at the same operating conditions. The dynamic decolorization results indicated that SB-IEF showed larger processing volume than AIER and AIEF. SB-IEF with higher grafting degree would have a higher decolorization degree. When 200 mL 2% brown granulated sugar solution was treated with 1 g SB-IEF (grafting degree 82%), 80% decolorization degree could be achieved. The research results may provide a recyclable route for the comprehensive utilization of by-products of sucrose industry. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 126: E344-E352, 2012

Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Bushen Yugong Granule (BSYGG, a Chinese medicinal preparation) in treating infertility due to uterine dysgenesia. Methods: (1) Clinical study: Serum level of sex hormone and endometrial contents of estradial receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in follicle period of 60 patients (the tested group) were measured and compared before and after treatment, and also compared with those of 70 normal women (the control group). ( 2) Experimental study: Rats were divided into the control group and 3 tested groups fed with different doses of BSYGG. Pathologic examination of pituitary, ovary and uterus of rats after BSYGG treatment were performed, and serum levels of ER, PR measured. Also, an estrogen activity experiment was conducted in some young oophorectomized rats. Results: (1) Clinical study showed the difference of serum sex hormone levels between the tested and control group was insignificant. The percentage of patients in the tested groups with endometrial ER content over $-F was lower than that in the control group (46.9 % vs 72.4 % ) significantly (P < 0.05), after treatment, it rose to 65.4 %, and the change was significant, P< 0.05. (2) Experimental study showed that the number of follicle, weight of uterus and serum E2 level increased significantly after BSYGG treatment. The endometrial content of ER in the control group was 29.25 + 17.03 %, while in the tested groups, it was 67.75 + 24.56 % to 83.00 + 9.87 % after treatment, the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0. 005). Conclusion: BSYGG has an estrogen-like activity, it could increase the endometrial content of ER, enhance the effect of estrogen on uterus and promote the development of uterus, so as to elevate fertilization rate.