Nitrogen and carbon removal from anaerobic digester effluents with low carbon to nitrogen ratios under feammox conditions.

Removal of nitrogen and carbon from anaerobic digester (AD) effluents is challenging for currently available technologies. Herein, effective treatment for real AD effluents was achieved via the feammox process by using a Multistage Feammox Bioreactor (MSFB). The reactor achieved the best performance with AD effluent of a low carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 2.5. A 6-day retention time reached removal efficiencies for NH4+ and COD at 99 % and 97 %, respectively, with a thorough conversion of NH4+ to N2. Accordingly, the MSFB achieved removal rates for N and C of 14 and 34 mg L-1 d-1, respectively. The C/N ratio of 2.5 is regarded to be the critical point above which the feammox is shifted to conventional iron reduction with organic carbon. Iron-reducing bacteria of the γ- Proteobacteria (Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter), and δ- Proteobacteria (Geobacter) were dominant in the MSFB and were supposed to drive the feammox process.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Efficacy of Therapy Based on the Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Children with Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy for children is currently low, and antibiotic resistance is a significant cause of treatment failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the H. pylori eradication efficacy of therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility in pediatric patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer. METHODS: This study was conducted at Can Tho Children's Hospital and Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital between March 2019 and April 2022. We performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, cultured H. pylori from biopsies of gastric mucosa, determined antibiotic sensitivities to H. pylori by the E-test method, and treated eradication based on the antibiotic susceptibilities of bacteria. After at least 4 weeks of eradication therapy, we assessed the effectiveness of treatment with a breath test. RESULTS: Among 237 children recruited in this study, 48.9% were boys and 51.1% were girls, and the mean age was 10.03 ± 2.53 years. We determined that 80.6% of H. pylori were resistant to clarithromycin, as well as amoxicillin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, and tetracycline, at 71.7%, 49.4%, 45.1%, and 11.4%, respectively. The overall eradication rate of H. pylori was 83.1% (172/207). Among therapies tailored to antimicrobial susceptibility, the bismuth quadruple regimen achieved the greatest success, but the efficacy of triple therapy with esomeprazole + AMX + CLR/MTZ was low. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored eradication therapy was highly successful in our study but did not achieve over 90%. We recommend that in countries with a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in H. pylori strains, particularly where the amoxicillin-resistance rate of H. pylori is high, therapy tailored to antimicrobial susceptibility should be used as first-line therapy, and bismuth and tetracycline should be added to enhance the eradication efficacy in children.

Occupational symptoms due to exposure to volatile organic compounds among female Vietnamese nail salon workers in Danang city.

OBJECTIVES: Nail workers are exposed to many hazardous chemicals. Despite many warnings about health problems among nail workers in other countries, data concerning exposure to chemical hazards among nail workers is still limited in Vietnam. In this study, we aimed to identify exposure to volatile organic compounds and their relationship with occupational symptoms among Vietnamese female nail salon workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Danang, Vietnam, from January 2019 to September 2019. Total 42 personal passive samplers were collected to evaluate 12 substances from 21 nail workers (15 salons) twice a week. We chose one representative worker from each of the nine salons with less than six workers and two representative workers from each of the six salons with over five workers for personal sampling based on the principle of similar exposure groups. We interviewed a total of 100 nail workers in 15 salons and 100 office workers in offices adjacent to the salons to compare occupational symptoms among them. RESULTS: The commonly detected compounds in nail salons were acetone (97.6%), butyl acetate (83.3%), and ethyl acetate and ethyl methacrylate (78%). The concentration of total target VOCs was related to the number of serviced customers, the concentration of CO2 , and general ventilation used. The subjective symptoms were significantly higher for the nail workers than for the comparison subjects, that is, headache, nausea, nose irritation, skin irritation, shortness of breath, and confusion. Among 100 nail workers, nose irritation was significantly higher for nail workers who were exposed to acetone at levels exceeding the Vietnam occupational exposure limit (VOEL) adjusted with the Brief-Scala model. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to VOCs such as acetone in nail salons results in occupational symptoms among workers.

Using multiple carbon brush cathode in a novel tubular photosynthetic microbial fuel cell for enhancing bioenergy generation and advanced wastewater treatment.

A novel tubular-type photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFC) with algal growth and multiple electrodes in the cathode chamber was operated at various hydraulic retention times (HRTs). When the HRT in the cathode was fixed to 24 h, cell voltage gradually increased as the HRT in the anode was decreased from 24 h to 6 h, and at 6 h, 315 mV of electricity was generated and the dissolved oxygen concentration was 10.31 ± 2.60 mg/L. However, HRT changes in the cathode did not affect cell voltage generation much, although a sharp decrease in cell voltage was observed at 2-h HRT. With wastewater passing through the chambers in series (19.3-h total HRT), the PMFC was able to successfully generate cell voltage and remove nutrients. The maximum COD and phosphorus removal percentages were obtained for an initial COD of 300 mg/L, while the maximum nitrogen removal was obtained for an initial COD of 400 mg/L.

Leachate treatment and electricity generation using an algae-cathode microbial fuel cell with continuous flow through the chambers in series.

Algae-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with various hydraulic retention times (HRTs) were investigated for electricity generation, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nutrient removal from diluted landfill leachate (15% v/v). The cell voltage and dissolved oxygen (DO) in the cathode were considerably affected by the HRT. The highest cell voltage was 303 mV at 20-h HRT, and DO concentration of 5.3 mg/L was only observed at 60-h HRT. Nutrient removal increased with increasing HRTs, and the maximum removal efficiency was 76.4% and 86.3% at 60-h HRT for ammonium and phosphorus, respectively. The highest COD removal of 26% was observed at 60-h HRT. The dominant phyla in the cathode were Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chlorophyta, which could have contributed to electricity generation and nutrient removal. This study suggests that an algae-cathode MFC with an appropriate HRT can continuously generate electricity and simultaneously remove nutrients from real leachate wastewater in field applications.

Potential applications of algae in the cathode of microbial fuel cells for enhanced electricity generation with simultaneous nutrient removal and algae biorefinery: Current status and future perspectives.

Production of biofuels and other value-added products from wastewater along with quality treatment is an uttermost necessity to achieve environmental sustainability and promote bio-circular economy. Algae-Microbial fuel cell (A-MFC) with algae in cathode chamber offers several advantages e.g. photosynthetic oxygenation for electricity recovery, CO2-fixation, wastewater treatment, etc. However, performance of A-MFC depends on several operational parameters and also on electrode materials types; therefore, enormous collective efforts have been made by researchers for finding optimal conditions in order to enhance A-MFC performance. The present review is a comprehensive snapshot of the recent advances in A-MFCs, dealing two major parts: 1) the power generation, which exclusively outlines the effect of different parameters and development of cutting edge cathode materials and 2) wastewater treatment at cathode of A-MFC. This review provides fundamental knowledge, critical constraints, current status and some insights for making A-MFC technology a reality at commercial scale operation.

Efficacy of Rose Myrtle Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Seed Extract against Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease in Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp Penaeus vannamei.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is a new emerging bacterial disease that has been recently reported to cause mass mortalities in Pacific whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Antibiotics have been used to treat bacterial diseases in shrimp, but most of them have been ineffective and have resulted in drug residues in the harvested shrimp products. In this study, an alternative approach was tested for its efficacy in controlling AHPND. The extract of rose myrtle Rhodomyrtus tomentosa seed, a traditional Vietnamese medicine, was tested for antibacterial effect against three AHPND bacterial strains in vitro (Vibrio parahaemolyticus [VPAHPND ] KC12.020, VPAHPND KC13.14.2, and V. harveyi KC13.17.5) and was further evaluated for its potential efficacy in prevention of AHPND in shrimp in vivo. The in vitro studies showed that the antibacterial activity of the R. tomentosa extract was dose dependent, with the strongest bacterial susceptibility (≥18.0 mm) at a concentration of around 3,500 µg/disc. The in vivo studies showed that after challenge with VPAHPND KC12.020, the survival rates for shrimp in the groups that received feed pellets supplemented with extract at 3.5% or 7.0% (survival ~48.9% and 52.2%, respectively) were significantly higher than the zero survival rate in the positive control group, which received feed without the extract. These results indicate that the use of the R. tomentosa extract as an alternative therapy for control of AHPND in shrimp could help to minimize disease outbreaks. As a result, the extract is further expected to reduce drug/chemical residues in shrimp products.

The effect of PEGylation on the stimulation of IL-1ß by gold (Au) nanoshell/silica core nanoparticles.

Au nanoshell/silica core (GNS) nanoparticles have been used for the photothermal ablation of tumors and imaging, and have recently reached clinical trials. In this study, we compared the ability of bare (GNS) and PEGylated Au nanoshell/silica core (PEG-GNS) nanoparticles in stimulating the production of IL-1ß in both macrophage cell lines. GNS particles formed large aggregates while PEG-GNS particles did not in cell culture medium. Correspondingly, GNS particles induced the production of IL-1ß while PEG-GNS did not in THP-1 macrophage cell line. Corroborating with in vitro results, GNS induced a significant level of neutrophil influx in peritoneal cavity, and PEG-GNS reduced the level four times. The density of PEG on particle surface has little effect on both the induction of IL-1ß and neutrophil influx by PEG-GNS. The ability of induction and scavenging reactive oxygen species(ROS) by GNS and PEG-GNS particles were also assessed. We demonstrated that GNS was able to induce and scavenge ROS while PEG-GNS was not. The excess of ROS induced by GNS potentially caused the activation of inflammasomes, and thus the secretion of IL-1ß. Our finding in the reduction Il-1ß production by PEGylation of nanoparticles has implications in other particulates used for drug delivery, imaging and therapy.

Cervical cancer: barriers to screening in the Somali community in Minnesota.

This study examined barriers to and facilitators of cervical cancer screening among Somali immigrant women in Minnesota. We adopted the socioecological framework to illustrate screening barriers at multiple levels. We conducted 23 semi-structured key informant interviews and used a thematic exploratory approach to analyze the data. Barriers were classified into individual, community or health systems levels. Obstacles included lack of knowledge, religious beliefs, fatalism, fear, embarrassment, and lack of trust in the interpreters. Participants described a need for training of healthcare providers on issues surrounding Somali women's cultural practices and sexual health. Identifying individual, community, or health system barriers and addressing them concurrently may increase use of cancer screening services among Somali women. Future interventions need to address multilevel barriers with multilevel approaches to improve utilization of cervical cancer screening services in underserved immigrant populations in the United States.

Antibiotic therapy for inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia in a developing country.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify antibiotic prescription patterns for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Vietnam. METHODS: Medical records for CAP adult patients admitted to 10 hospitals across the country were randomly selected from admission lists during the peak pneumonia season. CAP cases were identified from manual record reviews by clinical pharmacists. Data was collected using a standard data collection tool including patient clinical features on admission, comorbidities, microbiological culture results, and antibiotic regimens. Pneumonia severity was estimated using the CURB-65 score. RESULTS: A total of 649 medical records for adult patients (55.2% male and 52.3% urban residents, median age 68 years) met the selection criteria for CAP. Pneumonia severity was assessed as mild (64.1% of patients), moderate (23.0%), and severe (9.2%). Antibiotics were most frequently administered intravenously (93.4%) and as combination therapy (dual therapy 54.4%, monotherapy 42.5%, and triple therapy 3.1% of patients) regardless of CAP severity. Third-generation cephalosporins were used most frequently (29.3% as monotherapy and 40.4% as combination therapy). Third-generation cephalosporins were most commonly combined with penicillins and/or quinolones. CONCLUSIONS: This first nationwide study provides a baseline profile of antibiotic use in the treatment of CAP. Third-generation cephalosporins were widely used for initial empirical management of CAP, often in combination with quinolones, regardless of CAP severity. The study will assist in providing an evidence base to inform new national antibiotic guidelines for CAP management and will contribute locally relevant data for the national master plan addressing antibiotic resistance and the development of educational interventions to improve CAP management.

Blockade of the high-affinity noradrenaline transporter (NET) by the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor escitalopram: an in vivo microdialysis study in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Escitalopram, the S(+)-enantiomer of citalopram is the most selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor approved. Although all 5-HT selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase extracellular levels of 5-HT ([5-HT](ext)). some also enhance, to a lesser extent, extracellular levels of noradrenaline ([NA](ext)). However, the mechanisms by which SSRIs activate noradrenergic transmission in the brain remain to be determined. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: This study examined the effects of escitalopram, on both [5-HT](ext) and [NA](ext) in the frontal cortex (FCx) of freely moving wild-type (WT) and mutant mice lacking the 5-HT transporter (SERT(-/-)) by using intracerebral microdialysis. We explored the possibilities that escitalopram enhances [NA](ext), either by a direct mechanism involving the inhibition of the low- or high-affinity noradrenaline transporters, or by an indirect mechanism promoted by [5-HT](ext) elevation. The forced swim test (FST) was used to investigate whether enhancing cortical [5-HT](ext) and/or [NA](ext) affected the antidepressant-like activity of escitalopram. KEY RESULTS: In WT mice, a single systemic administration of escitalopram produced a significant increase in cortical [5-HT](ext) and [NA](ext). As expected, escitalopram failed to increase cortical [5-HT](ext) in SERT(-/-) mice, whereas its neurochemical effects on [NA](ext) persisted in these mutants. In WT mice subjected to the FST, escitalopram increased swimming parameters without affecting climbing behaviour. Finally, escitalopram, at relevant concentrations, failed to inhibit cortical noradrenaline and 5-HT uptake mediated by low-affinity monoamine transporters. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These experiments suggest that escitalopram enhances, although moderately, cortical [NA](ext) in vivo by a direct mechanism involving the inhibition of the high-affinity noradrenaline transporter (NET).

5-HT2 ligands in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

INTRODUCTION: One third of depressed patients do not respond adequately to conventional antidepressants including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Therefore, multi-target drugs or augmentation strategies have been developed for the management of SSRIs-resistant patients. In this context, the 5-HT(2) receptor subtypes represent promising targets but their precise roles have yet to be determined. AREAS COVERED: The aim of this review is to shed some light on the preclinical evidence supporting the use of 5-HT(2A) and/or 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonists such as antipsychotics, as potential effective adjuncts in SSRIs-resistant depression. This review synthesizes the current literature about the behavioral, electrophysiological and neurochemical effects of 5-HT(2) receptors ligands on the monoaminergic systems but also on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. EXPERT OPINION: Although studies support the hypothesis that the inactivation of 5-HT(2A) and/or 5-HT(2C) receptors might be of interest to reinforce different facets of the therapeutic activity of SSRIs, this pharmacological strategy remains debatable notably because of the lack of chronic data in relevant animal models. Conversely, emerging evidence suggests that the activation of 5-HT(2B) receptor is required for antidepressant-like activity, opening the way to new therapeutic approaches. However, the potential risks related to the enhancement of monoaminergic neurotransmissions could represent a major concern.

Activation of inflammasomes by tumor cell death mediated by gold nanoshells.

Gold nanoshell-enabled photothermal therapy (NEPTT) utilizes the efficient thermal conversion of near infrared (NIR) light for the ablation of cancer cells. Cancer therapies that combine cell killing with the induction of a strong immune response against the dying tumor cells have been shown to increase therapeutic efficacy in the clearance and regression of cancers. In this study, we assessed the ability of dying cells generated by in vitro NEPTT to activate inflammasome complexes. We quantified levels of major danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and uric acid, released from tumor cells treated by NEPTT. The amount of DAMPs released was dependent on the dose of nanoshells internalized by cells. However, under all the employed conditions, the levels of generated DAMPs were insufficient to activate inflammasome complexes and to induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-1ß). The results from this study provide insights into the development of nanoplasmonics for combining both photothermal therapy and immunotherapy to eradicate cancers.

Functional status of somatodendritic serotonin 1A autoreceptor after long-term treatment with fluoxetine in a mouse model of anxiety/depression based on repeated corticosterone administration.

Most preclinical studies investigating the effects and the mechanism of action of antidepressants have been performed in naive rodents. This is inappropriate because antidepressants act on specific symptoms of the pathological condition, such as distress and anxiety. We have developed a mouse model of anxiety/depression based on addition of corticosterone to drinking water. This model is highly reproducible and easy to set up compared with unpredictable chronic mild stress. The serotonin 1A (5-HT(1A)) autoreceptor is known to play a role in mood disorders and their treatments. An increase in somatodendritic 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor density in the dorsal raphe (DR) attenuates the therapeutic activity of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), whereas their functional desensitization promotes activation of brain serotonergic transmission, thereby representing an adaptive change relevant to their therapeutic effect. Here we assessed the effects of sustained administration of the SSRI fluoxetine on 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor sensitivity in mice administered with corticosterone. Fluoxetine attenuated hypothermia induced by the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, decreased DR 5-HT neuronal activity, and decreased 5-HT release in both vehicle- and corticosterone-pretreated mice. However, such desensitization was more pronounced in corticosterone-pretreated mice. This change had an overall effect on serotonergic tone because we found a greater firing rate of 5-HT neurons associated with an enhancement of 5-HT outflow in the DR of corticosterone-pretreated mice in response to fluoxetine compared with the corresponding group of vehicle-pretreated mice. These results provide cellular explanations for the antidepressant effects produced by SSRIs in subjects with pathological conditions but not in naive animals or healthy volunteers.

Behavior and cellular evidence for propofol-induced hypnosis involving brain glycine receptors.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that several general anesthetics, including propofol, potentiate glycine receptor function. Furthermore, glycine receptors exist throughout the central nervous system, including areas of the brain thought to be involved in sleep. However, the role of glycine receptors in anesthetic-induced hypnosis has not been determined. METHODS: Experiments were conducted in rats where the loss of righting reflex (LORR) was used as a marker of the hypnotic state. Propofol-induced LORR was examined in the presence and absence of strychnine (a glycine receptor antagonist), GABAzine (a gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor antagonist), as well as ketamine (an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid subtype of glutamate receptors). Furthermore, the effects of propofol on the currents elicited by glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid were analyzed in neurons isolated from the posterior hypothalamus of rats. The effects of strychnine and GABAzine on propofol-induced currents were also evaluated. RESULTS: Strychnine and GABAzine dose-dependently reduced the percentage of rats exhibiting LORR induced by propofol. Furthermore, strychnine significantly increased the onset time and reduced the duration of LORR induced by propofol. In contrast, strychnine did not affect the LORR induced by ketamine. In addition, propofol markedly increased the currents elicited by glycine and GABA of hypothalamic neurons. Conversely, strychnine and GABAzine both profoundly attenuated the current induced by propofol. CONCLUSION: Strychnine, the glycine receptor antagonist, dose-dependently reduced propofol-induced LORR in rats and propofol-induced current of rat hypothalamic neurons. These results suggest that neuronal glycine receptors partially contribute to propofol-induced hypnosis.

Smoking cessation counseling: a missed opportunity for general surgery trainees.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the attitudes, practices, technique utilizations, and barrier perceptions of smoking cessation counseling (SCC) in general surgery (GS) and primary care (PC) residents. METHODS: One hundred house staff officers (45 GC and 55 PC residents, consisting of internal medicine and family medicine disciplines) were randomly surveyed. chi(2) and t tests were used for comparative analysis where appropriate. The National Cancer Institute's recommendation that physicians follow the "four A's" for SCC (Ask, Advise, Assist, and Arrange follow-up) was examined with respect to compliance by surgical and medical residents. RESULTS: Fewer GS than PC residents thought physicians were responsible for SCC (64% versus 85%; P <.02), and fewer felt well prepared to counsel their patients (38% versus 58%; P <.05). Nevertheless, about 85% of both groups reported a higher inclination to provide SCC to patients who expressed an interest for cessation. Although many GC residents Ask (89% GS versus 100% PC residents; P <.03) and Advise (64% versus 89%; P <.003) new patients about smoking, they did so less frequently than PC residents. GC residents used fewer SCC techniques than did PC residents (3.96 versus 6.00; P <.001) and Arranged fewer follow-up visits for SCC (7% versus 44%; P <.001). Postgraduate year did not correlate with SCC in either GS or PC residents. Residents from both groups perceived time constraints, lack of patient desire, and poor patient compliance to be the main barriers in SCC. CONCLUSION: In this study, many GC residents agreed that physicians were responsible for SCC, but few followed through by arranging SCC follow-up visits compared with their PC resident counterparts. Behavior does not appear to change as residents mature, despite greater exposure to smoking-related diseases. In every dimension of SCC studied, GS residents played a less assertive role when compared with PC residents. GC residents should be more proactive in SCC because the diseases they treat are often related to cigarette smoking.