Release of formaldehyde during the biofiltration of methanol vapors in a peat biofilter inoculated with Pichia pastoris GS115

Background: Methanol can be effectively removed from air by biofiltration. However, formaldehyde is one of the first metabolic intermediates in the consumption of methanol in methylotrophic microorganisms, and it can be released out of the cell constituting a secondary emission. Results: The total removal of methanol was achieved up to input loads of 263 g m−3 h−1 and the maximum elimination capacity of the system was obtained at an empty bed residence times of 90 s and reached 330 g m− 3 h−1 at an input methanol load of 414 g m−3 h−1 and 80% of removal efficiency. Formaldehyde was detected inside the biofilter when the input methanol load was above 212 g m−3 h−1 . Biomass in the filter bed was able to degrade the formaldehyde generated, but with the increase of the methanol input load, the unconsumed formaldehyde was released outside the biofilter. The maximum concentration registered at the output of the system was 3.98 g m−3 when the methanol load was 672 g m−3 h−1 in an empty bed residence times of 60 s. Conclusions: Formaldehyde is produced inside a biofilter when methanol is treated in a biofiltration system inoculated with Pichia pastoris. Biomass present in the reactor is capable of degrading the formaldehyde generated as the concentration of methanol decreases. However, high methanol loads can lead to the generation and release of formaldehyde into the environment

Hypodectes propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae) in a rufous turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis (Aves: Columbiformes), in Japan

An adult male rufous turtle dove, Streptopelia (S.) orientalis (Aves: Columbiformes), was found dead in Yorii-machi Town, Osato District 369-1217, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and subjected to necropsy. A large number of immobile hypopi (deutonymphs) of the hypoderatid mite, Hypodectes (H.) propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae), were found individually encapsulated subcutaneously primarily in the adipose tissue. The mites were 1.43 mm in length and 0.44 mm in width on average, and had provoked mild inflammatory reactions that predominantly manifested as foamy macrophages and lymphoplasmocytes. PCR analysis using ribosomal DNA extracted from paraffin-blocked tissues produced a 240 bp band specific for hypoderatids. Based on the morphological features (distinct coxal apodemes, especially in the anterior portion) and PCR-based findings, the hypopi were identified as H. propus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing the subcutaneous mite H. propus in a rufous turtle dove, S. orientalis, in Japan. This study also highlights the use of paraffin blocks as a source of tissue DNA for molecular evaluation.

[Effects of biofilm in improvement of activated sludge efficiency for treatment of industrial effluents containing formaldehyde]

Formaldehyde is used in many industrial applications as raw material and therefore high concentrations are found in their effluents. Activated sludge processes based on biofilm growth are increasingly used because of appreciate abilities in controlling of high organic load industrial effluents. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of biofilm in improvement of activated sludge efficiency for treatment of industrial effluents containing formaldehyde. Two lab scale activated sludge reactors [with and without fixed bed for biofilm growth] were investigated in organic loading rate of 0.7-10.5 kgCOD/m3.d, aerobic condition and the room temperature. In this study, the effects of organic and hydraulic loads were investigated for the mentioned two processes. The most COD removal efficiency for biofilm activated sludge was 98.86%. The reactor containing biofilm had removal efficiency of more than 64% up to the organic loading rate of 10.5 kgCOD/m3.d, while the conventional activated sludge reactor collapsed in organic loading rate of 7.5 kgCOD/m3.d. Findings of this study indicate that activated sludge reactor containing fixed bed for biofilm growth is significantly more efficient than the conventional activated sludge one

Adrenocortical involvement during diverse stress in soft-shelled turtle Lissemys p. punctata Bonnoterre.

Adrenocortical responses to diverse stressful situations (dehydration, formaldehyde treatment and salt loading) were studied in the adult female soft-shelled turtle, Lissenmys p. punctata. Dehydration, formaldehyde treatment (formalin, 1%: 0.1 ml/100 g body weight daily) or salt loading (NaCl, 1%: 0.1 ml/100 g body weight daily) treatments consecutively for 7 days caused hypertrophy of the adrenocortical cells with their nuclear diameter increased, and depletions of adrenal cholesterol and ascorbic acid concentrations followed by decreased acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities in turtles. Corticosterone levels were elevated in both the adrenal gland and serum of turtles after dehydration and formalin stress, but the hormone level remained unaltered after salt loading in turtles. The results suggest active involvement of adrenal cortex in stress for homeostasis in Lissemys turtles.

A possible evolutionary role of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a compound which is believed to have had a role in evolutionary processes. On the other hand, the (methyl)glyoxalase pathway is a route being present in all biological organisms whereas its function has not yet been recognized in the biochemical machinery. In this article it is raised that (methyl)glyoxalase path might have functioned as a bridge between formose and archaic reductive citric acid cycles in surface metabolists at the early stage of evolution. According to the theory, formaldehyde was essential for the mentioned system as a raw molecule. Based on thermodynamic calculations a simple way of regulation is also shown. The simplicity of the theory may be in a good agreement with and an explanation of why the (methyl)glyoxalase system is of ubiquitous nature.

Early diagnosis of bone biopsies--the role of sediment cytology.

This study analyses the role of the cytological examination of the sediment of the formalin in which bone biopsy specimens are received, in the early diagnosis of bone lesions. Of the one hundred lesions studied using this technique, twenty six of thirty three malignant lesions (seventy nine percent) could be diagnosed as malignant when relevant clinical and radiological data were considered. Sixty six benign lesions yielded sparsely cellular smears with benign cell. There was one false positive for malignancy. This simple rapid diagnostic technique can be used to advantage in the early diagnosis, and treatment planning of bone lesions.