DIET-like mutualism of Geobacter and methanogens at specific electrode potential boosts production of both methane and hydrogen from propionate.

Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) has been demonstrated to be an efficient type of mutualism in methanogenesis. However, few studies have reported its presence in mixed microbial communities and its trigger mechanism in the natural environment and engineered systems. Here, we reported DIET-like mutualism of Geobacter and methanogens in the planktonic microbiome for the first time in anaerobic electrochemical digestion (AED) fed with propionate, potentially triggered by excessive cathodic hydrogen (56 times higher than the lowest) under the electrochemical condition. In contrast with model prediction without DIET, the highest current density and hydrogen and methane production were concurrently observed at -0.2 V where an abundance of Geobacter (49%) and extracellular electron transfer genes were identified in the planktonic microbiome via metagenomic analysis. Metagenomic assembly genomes annotated to Geobacter anodireducens were identified alongside two methanogens, Methanothrix harundinacea and Methanosarcina mazei, which were previously identified to participate in DIET. This discovery revealed that DIET-like mutualism could be triggered without external conductive materials, highlighting its potentially ubiquitous presence. Such mutualism simultaneously boosted methane and hydrogen production, thereby demonstrating the potential of AED in engineering applications.

Circular utilization of food waste to biochar enhances thermophilic co-digestion performance.

Codigestion is an emerging approach to improve wastewater sludge biogas production and valorize food waste (FW). This study explores FW-derived biochar as a codigestion amendment for the first time and reports a matrix experiment using four diverse biochar amendments (mixed food waste, pinewood, bonechar, unamended control) across four FW types (vegetable, rice, chicken, mixed). It demonstrated that biochar derived from mixed FW can greatly improve the performance of biogas production and yield relative to unamended control and other biochars. The mixed food waste (MFW) biochar amendment led to 34.5%, 35.6%, and 47.5% increase in methane production from mixed FW compared to biochars made of wood, bone and non-amendment control, and the maximum methane production rate of MFW biochar reactors could be up to 6.7-9.9 times of the control. These results suggest that a more circular utilization of FW by integrating biochar production with codigestion can bring great benefits to FW management.

Biofilm structure, dynamics, and ecology of an upscaled biocathode wastewater microbial fuel cell.

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) system containing modular half-submerged biocathode was operated for 6 months in an 800 L flow-through system with domestic wastewater. For the first time, spatial and temporal differences in biofilm communities were examined on large three-dimensional electrodes in a wastewater MFC. Biocathode microbial community analysis showed a specialized biofilm community with electrogenic and electrotrophic taxa forming during operation, suggesting potentially opposing electrode reactions. The anodic community structure shifted during operation, but no spatial differences were observed along the length of the electrode. Power output from the system was most strongly influenced by pH. Higher power densities were associated with the use of solids-dewatering filtrate with increased organic matter, conductivity, and pH. The results show that the biocathode was the rate-limiting step and that future MFC design should consider the effect of size, shape, and orientation of biocathodes on their community assembly and electrotrophic ability.

Endoscopic-Assisted Anatomic Reconstruction of Chronic Proximal Hamstring Avulsion With Achilles Allograft.

Hamstring injuries commonly occur at the musculotendinous junction; however, they can occur as proximal avulsion injuries. A lack of recognition can lead to proximal hamstring injuries being frequently misdiagnosed, resulting in delayed treatment. Chronic proximal hamstring tears are often retracted and scarred to the surrounding soft tissues. Owing to the poor quality of tissue at the torn ends of the tendon, an augmented reconstruction using an allograft may be required. In cases with poor visualization of the ischial tuberosity and proximal hamstring footprint, an Achilles tendon allograft can be secured directly to the tuberosity with suture anchors. However, visualization of the footprint can be optimized using an arthroscope. This report describes a technique for endoscopic-assisted anatomic reconstruction using an Achilles allograft with both knotless and knotted suture anchors for chronic complete avulsions of the proximal hamstring.