Advanced nitrogen removal from anaerobically pre-treated potato wastewater via partial nitritation-anammox in a continuous fed SBR.

Partial nitritation-anammox was carried out successfully in a continuous fed Sequencing Batch Reactor (cf-SBR), composed of 3 compartments operated in continuous mode. The reactor was operated with floccular biomass (flocs) and biofilm to remove nitrogen from the anaerobic effluent from the potato industry at different nitrogen loading rates (0.16 g TN L-1 d-1 - 0.8 g TN L-1 d-1). At the maximum nitrogen loading rate (NLR) evaluated the nitrogen removal and ammonia oxidation achieved were 62% and 74% respectively. During the evaluation of the NLR, it was observed an improvement of the characteristics of the sludge, improving the Sludge Volumetric Index (SVI) from 228 to 63 mL g-1 MLSS. Moreover, molecular analysis (qPCR) confirmed the presence of anammox bacteria on the flocs and in the biofilm from the cf-SBR. The results showed the capability of the reactor to carry out the partial nitritation-anammox in the same reactor at pilot scale. The cf-SBR was presented as a suitable and feasible technology for advanced nitrogen removal under partial nitritation and anammox conditions.

Computed tomography analysis of osteochondral defects of the talus after arthroscopic debridement and microfracture.

PURPOSE: The primary surgical treatment of osteochondral defects (OCD) of the talus is arthroscopic debridement and microfracture. Healing of the subchondral bone is important because it affects cartilage repair and thus plays a role in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dimensional changes and bony healing of talar OCDs after arthroscopic debridement and microfracture. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with a talar OCD were treated with arthroscopic debridement and microfracture. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. Three-dimensional changes and bony healing were analysed on CT scans. Additionally, clinical outcome was measured with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and numeric rating scales (NRS) for pain. RESULTS: Average OCD size increased significantly (p < 0.001) in all directions from 8.6 (SD 3.6) × 6.3 (SD 2.6) × 4.8 (SD 2.3) mm (anterior-posterior × medial-lateral × depth) preoperatively to 11.3 (SD 3.4) × 7.9 (SD 2.8) × 5.8 (SD 2.3) mm 2 weeks postoperatively. At 1-year follow-up, average defect size was 8.3 (SD 4.2) × 5.7 (SD 3.0) × 3.6 (SD 2.4) mm. Only average defect depth decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from preoperative to 1 year postoperative. Fourteen of the 58 OCDs were well healed. No significant differences in the AOFAS and NRS-pain were found between the well and poorly healed OCDs. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic debridement and microfracture of a talar OCD leads to an increased defect size on the direct postoperative CT scan but restores at 1-year follow-up. Only fourteen of the 58 OCDs were filled up completely, but no differences were found between the clinical outcomes and defect healing at 1-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Lift, drill, fill and fix (LDFF): a new arthroscopic treatment for talar osteochondral defects.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the short-term clinical outcome of a new arthroscopic fixation technique for primary osteochondral talar defects: lift, drill, fill and fix (LDFF). METHODS: Seven patients underwent an arthroscopic LDFF surgery for osteochondral talar defects, the mean follow-up was 12 months (SD 0.6). Pre- and postoperative clinical assessment included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) and the numeric rating scales (NRS) of pain at rest and during walking. Remodelling and bone ingrowth after LDFF were analysed on weight-bearing radiographs during follow-up. RESULTS: In all patients, LDFF led to an improvement of the AOFAS and NRS of pain. The AOFAS significantly improved from 63 to 99 (p < 0.001). The NRS of pain at rest significantly improved from 2.9 to 0.1 (p = 0.004), and pain with walking significantly improved from 7.6 to 0.1 (p < 0.001). On the final radiographs, five of seven patients showed remodelling and bone ingrowth after LDFF. CONCLUSIONS: The LDFF of an osteochondral talar defect appears to be a promising arthroscopic treatment option for primary talar osteochondral defects. Although the clinical and radiological results of 1-year follow-up are encouraging, more patients and longer follow-up are needed to draw any firm conclusions and determine whether the results stand the test of time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective case series. Therapeutic, Level IV.

Analysis of deformity in scaphoid non-unions using two- and three-dimensional imaging.

UNLABELLED: Pre-operative assessment of the deformity in scaphoid non-unions influences surgical decision-making. To characterize deformity, we used three-dimensional computed tomographic modelling in 28 scaphoid non-unions, and quantified bone loss, dorsal osteophyte volume and flexion deformity. We further related these three-dimensional parameters to the intrascaphoid and capitate-lunate angles, and stage of scaphoid non-union advanced collapse assessed on conventional two-dimensional images and to the chosen surgical procedure. Three-dimensional flexion deformity (mean 26°) did not correlate with intrascaphoid and capitate-lunate angles. Osteophyte volume was positively correlated with bone loss and stage of scaphoid non-union advanced collapse. Osteophyte volume and bone loss increased over time. Three-dimensional modelling enables the quantification of bone loss and osteophyte volume, which may be valuable parameters in the characterization of deformity and subsequent decision-making about treatment, when taken in addition to the clinical aspects and level of osteoarthritis. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Upgrading of existing aerobic plants with the LUCAS anaerobic system based on full-scale experiences.

It has been demonstrated that the combination of anaerobic-aerobic treatment is the best technological and economical solution for the treatment of high loaded wastewater. Where in the past aerobic treatment systems were still very acceptable due to the very good treatment efficiency, simplicity and robustness of the technology, this has, in most cases, been changed due to very stringent sludge disposal legislation. The anaerobic pretreatment takes care of approximately 80-90% of the overall treatment efficiency at high loading rates and low sludge production and low energy costs. The aerobic posttreatment takes care of the absolute high removal efficiency and nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Because of the low organic loading rate of the aerobic posttreatment also in this stage the sludge production is low. The combination of anaerobic-aerobic treatment results in a compact system capable of reaching high treatment efficiency at low sludge production and lower energy consumption. Waterleau Global Water Technology has developed LUCAS anaerobic-aerobic system that combines an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor with an aerobic, constant-level cyclic activated sludge system, which is very suitable for the treatment of high loaded wastewaters in general and brewery waste water in particular. It has been proven from several full scale upgrading projects that the UASB system is best suitable for implementation in the aerobic plants that have to be extended in capacity.

Purification and properties of pyrophosphatase of Acinetobacter johnsonii 210A and its involvement in the degradation of polyphosphate.

Inorganic pyrophosphatase (E.C. 3.6.1.1) of Acinetobacter johnsonii 210A was purified 200-fold to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate and triphosphate to orthophosphate. No activity was observed with other polyphosphates and a wide variety of organic phosphate esters. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 141 kDa by gelfiltration. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a subunit composition of six identical polypeptides with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. The cation Mg2+ was required for activity, the activity with Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ was 48, 48 and 182% of the activity observed with Mg2+, respectively. The enzyme was heat-stable and inhibited by fluoride and iodoacetamide. The analysis of the kinetic properties of the enzyme revealed an apparent Km for pyrophosphate of 0.26 mM. In A. johnsonii 210A, pyrophosphatase may be involved in the degradation of high-molecular polyphosphates under anaerobic conditions: (i) it catalyses the further hydrolysis of pyrophosphate and triphosphate formed from high-molecular weight polyphosphates by the action of exopolyphosphatase, and (ii) it abolishes the inhibition of polyphosphate: AMP phosphotransferase-mediated degradation by pyrophosphate and triphosphate.