Inoculum-to-substrate ratio and solid content effects over in natura spent coffee grounds anaerobic digestion.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity worldwide, and its production is associated with the generation of a large number of residues, which are underused and disposed of in landfills. Notably, the coffee industry annually generates approximately 6 million tons of industrial spent coffee ground (ISCG) when extracting coffee flavorings to produce soluble coffee. That resource loss scenario has been highlighted in sustainable waste management contexts as an opportunity to improve the coffee circular economy. Despite ISCG bioconversion to methane potentially meets the waste-to-energy purposes of reducing residues disposal in landfills, decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing renewable energy sources, data about anaerobic digestion (AD) of ISCG remains quite restricted. That limitation becomes more apparent owing to the lack of data focusing on AD key parameters for ISCG as substrate. This study assessed the influence of inoculum-to-substrate ratio (ISR) and the solid content influences on mesophilic (37 °C) ISCG-AD throughout the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD). Results revealed that both factors, ISR and solid content, should be kept above a certain threshold of 0.5 and 6.0 gTVS L-1 to ensure experimental reliability, as well as reproductively and above 1.0 and 8.0 gTVS L-1 to avoid underestimation on the MY potential achieved. Concerning ISCG-AD kinetics, the quadratic model optimum condition was at 1.36 and 14.83 gTVS L-1 for ISR and solid content, respectively. This optimum range for ISR and solid content could guide further development of process configurations for mono- and co-digestion of ISCG, avoiding underestimation of the MY potential and extended incubation periods.

Use of spray nozzles to recover dissolved methane from an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor effluent.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and a source of energy. Recovering this gas means lower greenhouse gas emission and potential reduction of energetic costs. The lack of full-scale results, the use of different methodologies to detect dissolved methane (d-CH4) and the fact that no process to remove d-CH4 from anaerobic effluents is energetically or economically viable at full-scale urged a different approach to the problem. To avoid methodological interference and facilitate comparison of results the Standard Test Method number D8028-17 published by ASTM International can be used to determine d-CH4. The use of real anaerobic reactor effluent also helps results to be compared. In this study, 80 samples from a full-scale anaerobic reactor showed an average concentration of dissolved methane of 14.9 mg·L-1, meaning an emission of 229 kg of CO2 eq·h-1 and an average of 113.5 kW wasted. Using spray nozzles, an alternative to the methods being researched, the average methane recovery was 11.5 mg·L-1 of CH4, an efficiency of 81.6%, meaning 177 kg of CO2 eq·h-1 emissions avoided and 87.9 kW of recoverable energy.

Lack of Evidence for Natural Wolbachia Infections in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Wolbachia is a genus of endosymbiotic bacteria that infects 66% of all insect species. Its major impact on insects is in reproduction: sterility, production of one sex, and/or parthenogenesis. Another effect was discovered when the disease-transmitting mosquito, Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae), was infected with Wolbachia isolated from Drosophila: infected female mosquitoes became less capable of transmitting diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya. This has led to releases of Ae. aegypti carrying Wolbachia in an attempt to control disease. An open question is whether there are natural Wolbachia infections of this mosquito. We assayed DNA from 2,663 Ae. aegypti from 27 countries on six continents, 230 from laboratory strains, and 72 Aedes mascarensis MacGregor (Diptera: Culicidae) for presence of Wolbachia DNA. Within the limits of our polymerase chain reaction-based assay, we found no evidence of Wolbachia, suggesting that natural infections of this endosymbiont are unlikely to occur throughout the worldwide distribution of Ae. aegypti.

Biochemical methane potential of raw and pre-treated meat-processing wastes.

Raw and pre-treated greaves and rinds, two meat-processing wastes, were assessed for biochemical methane potential (BMP). Combinations of temperature (25, 55, 70 and 120 °C), NaOH (0.3 g g(-1) waste volatile solids) and lipase from Candida rugosa (10 U g(-1) fat) were applied to promote wastes hydrolysis, and the effect on BMP was evaluated. COD solubilisation was higher (66% for greaves; 55% for rinds) when greaves were pre-treated with NaOH at 55 °C and lipase was added to rinds after autoclaving. Maximum fat hydrolysis (52-54%) resulted from NaOH addition, at 55 °C for greaves and 25 °C for rinds. BMP of raw greaves and rinds was 707±46 and 756±56 L CH4 (at standard temperature and pressure) kg(-1)VS, respectively. BMP of rinds improved 25% by exposure to 70 °C; all other strategies tested had no positive effect on BMP of both wastes, and anaerobic biodegradability was even reduced by the combined action of base and temperature.

Screening for frailty in elderly emergency department patients by using the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR).

OBJECTIVES: Frail older adults are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes after an Emergency Department (ED) visit. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been proposed to screen for frailty in the ED, but it is difficult to carry out. We tested whether a CGA-based approach using the Identification of Seniors At Risk (ISAR) screening tool was associated with the brief deficit accumulation index (DAI) of frailty. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Two urban EDs in Italy. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 200 elderly (≥65 years) ED patients. MEASUREMENTS: Identifiers, triage, clinical and social data along with the administration of ISAR. CGA was performed using: Charlson Index, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Katz's ADL. Follow-up data at 30 and 180 days included: mortality, ED revisit, hospital admission, and functional decline. Frailty was defined according to a brief DAI. Logistic regression evaluated the consistency of the frailty definition; ROC curves evaluated ISAR ability in identifying frailty. RESULTS: Frailty was present in 117 (58.5%) subjects and predicted ED revisit and frequent ED return, hospitalization and 6-month mortality. ISAR had an AUC of 0.92 (95%CI 0.88-0.96, p<0.0001) in identifying frail elders in the ED and using a cut-off of 2 showed 94% sensitivity and 63% specificity. CONCLUSION: ISAR is a useful screening tool for frailty and identifies elderly patients at risk of adverse outcomes after an ED visit. ISAR can also be used to select high-risk patients more likely to benefit from a geriatric approach or intervention, independently of admission or discharge.

Effect of agitation on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor in the treatment of dairy effluents.

Agitation rate is an important parameter in the operation of Anaerobic Sequencing Biofilm Batch Reactors (ASBBRs), and a proper agitation rate guarantees good mixing, improves mass transfer, and enhances the solubility of the particulate organic matter. Dairy effluents have a high amount of particulate organic matter, and their anaerobic digestion presents inhibitory intermediates (e.g., long-chain fatty acids). The importance of studying agitation in such batch systems is clear. The present study aimed to evaluate how agitation frequency influences the anaerobic treatment of dairy effluents. The ASBBR was fed with wastewater from milk pasteurisation process and cheese manufacture with no whey segregation. The organic matter concentration, measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD), was maintained at approximately 8,000 mg/L. The reactor was operated with four agitation frequencies: 500 rpm, 350 rpm, 200 rpm, and no agitation. In terms of COD removal efficiency, similar results were observed for 500 rpm and 350 rpm (around 90%) and for 200 rpm and no agitation (around 80%). Increasing the system's agitation thus not only improved the global efficiency of organic matter removal but also influenced volatile acid production and consumption and clearly modified this balance in each experimental condition.

Pulmonary embolism with minimal D-dimer increase - disagreement between clinic and laboratory: case report.

Pulmonary embolism is still currently considered a very insidious disease and if not diagnosed and treated rapidly is lethal in almost 10 percent of all cases. Clinical and patient history data are essential for the diagnosis and evaluation of the clinical risk of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism, particularly during minor episodes, was primarily identified by abnormalities in D-dimer concentration during laboratory testing. Indeed, an increase in D-dimer plasma levels was consequently identified as a valid diagnostic element for pulmonary embolism and therefore, in the absence of D-dimer abnormalities, a tendency to exclude such diagnosis exists. This case report describes the importance of carrying out level II diagnostic investigations which may be particularly valid in patients with a minimal rise in D-dimer levels and a clinical suspicion of a pulmonary embolism. This method allows for a quick diagnosis with early therapeutic measures which improve survival rates during the acute and critical phase.

The elderly in the emergency department: a critical review of problems and solutions.

The elderly are an ever increasing population in overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) in many countries. They have multiple health problems and consume more time and resources than younger patients. They are more frequently admitted and experience adverse outcomes after they are discharged from the ED. These frail patients could require specific skills, instruments and organisational models of emergency care in order to look after their complex needs. As such, several approaches have been tried and tested to improve emergency care for them. This article analyses the epidemiological load and problems faced when confronted with elder ED patients. We critically review organisational models, clinical approaches and methodologies in order to reduce ED physicians' difficulties and to improve quality of care and outcomes for elder patients. Triage, clinical assessment and discharge are identified as critical moments during an emergency care process, and interesting and useful instruments are proposed as possible solutions.

Influence of multiple substrates on anaerobic protein degradation in a packed-bed bioreactor.

Data on the influence of substrate composition on the anaerobic degradation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a bench-scale packed-bed reactor are presented and discussed from the standpoint of substrate consumption kinetics. The experiments were carried out in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor fed with BSA based substrates. BSA was the sole carbon source in the first one, while the others were composed of BSA, carbohydrates and lipids. In all the experiments, the HAIB reactor was operated at the hydraulic detention time of 4 hours. The reactor's performance was evaluated based on physicochemical and chromatographic analyses and also on microscopy techniques. A kinetic model of irreversible first-order series-parallel reactions with two intermediate products was proposed, allowing evaluation of the microbial consortium's affinity with the substrates and the metabolic compounds formed. As the first-order kinetic model adhered quite well to the experimental data, the initial protein degradation rates (k) were estimated. The presence of carbohydrates and lipids led the initial protein degradation rate to be reduced. However, the system fed with protein and carbohydrates showed higher process stability.

On the formation of iron(III) hydroxo acetate complexes.

The formation of hydroxo acetate complexes of iron (III) ion has been studied at 25 degrees C in 3 M (Na)ClO4 ionic medium by measuring with a glass electrode the hydrogen ion concentration in Fe(ClO4)3-HClO4-NaAc mixtures (Ac = acetate ion). The acetate/metal ratio ranged from 0 to 6, the metal concentration varied from 0.005 to 0.06 M, whereas [H+] was stepwise decreased from 0.1 M to initial precipitation of hydroxo-acetates. This occurred, depending on the acetate/metal ratio, in the -log[H+] range 1.85-2.7. The potentiometric data are consistent with the presence of Fe3(OH)3Ac3(3+), Fe2(OH)2(4+), Fe3(OH)4(5+), Fe3(OH)5(4+) and, as minor species, of Fe3(OH)2Ac6+, FeAc2+, FeAc2+, FeOH2+ and Fe(OH)2+. Previously published EMF measurements with redox and glass half-cells were recalculated to refine the stability constants of FeAc2+, FeAc2+ and Fe3(OH)2Ac6+. Formation constants *beta pqr for pFe(3+)+(q-r)H2O + rHAc reversible Fep(OH)(q-r)(Ac)r3p-q + qH+ (in parenthesis the infinite dilution value): log*beta 111 = -1.85 +/- 0.02 (-0.67 +/- 0.15), log*beta 122 = -3.43 +/- 0.02 (-1.45 +/- 0.15); log*beta 363 = -5.66 +/- 0.03 (-2.85 +/- 0.40), log*beta 386 = -8.016 +/- 0.006 (-4.06 +/- 0.15), log*beta 220 = -2.88 +/- 0.02 (-2.84 +/- 0.05), log*beta 340 = -6.14 +/- 0.18 (-6.9 +/- 0.4), log*beta 350 = -8.44 +/- 0.09 (-7.65 +/- 0.15).

A potentiometric study on oxalate and citrate complexes of tin(II).

The formation of oxalate and citrate complexes of the Sn2+ ion in 1 M Na(ClO4) at 25 degrees C was investigated in the -log[H+] range 2 to 5 by potentiometric titrations using glass and tin amalgam electrodes. The tin concentration was varied from 0.5 to 5 mM and the concentration of the ligands from 1 to 40 mM. The experimental data have been explained by the formation of the oxalato complexes SnC2O4(aq) and Sn(C2O4)2(2-) and of the citrate complexes (C3H5O7(3-) = citrate ion) SnC3H5O7-, SnHC3H5O7(aq), SnH2C3H5O7+ and Sn(OH)C3H5O7(2-). The equilibrium constants were refined by the computer program SUPERQUAD. The final values of the constants on the medium scale and in the infinite dilution reference state are given in Table 2.

Effects of thyroid hormones on heart and kidney functions.

Thyroid hormones affect the functions of several organs including the heart and kidney. Using isolated left papillary muscles we have investigated the action of thyroid hormones on the mechanical and electrical properties of the heart. We found that pure hypothyroidism causes a depression in contractile and electrical parameters, but we noticed that superimposed hypoparathyroidism accounts for the marked prolongation in contractile kinetics and action potential duration. At kidney level we have shown that thyroid hormones affect proximal tubular sodium transport and this effect is only partially mediated by the action of thyroid hormones on Na-K-ATPase activity. Using the micropuncture technique, we hypothesized that the early effect of thyroid hormone action is on the potassium permeability of proximal tubular cell membrane. This latter effect would explain the increase in isotonic fluid reabsorption through an increase in the driving force for sodium. Finally, hypothyroid patients have a decrease in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow that are completely reversed by thyroxine administration. On the other hand, hyperthyroid subjects exhibit a significant increase in both parameters.

[Evaluation of the accuracy of calcaneus bone tissue findings by a contact ultrasound system. Comparison with the most used absorptiometry methods]. / Valutazione della validità dei rilievi sul tessuto osseo calcaneare di un sistema a ultrasuoni a contatto. Confronto con le più diffuse metodiche assorbimetriche.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound measurements of bone include Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) and Speed Of Sound (SOS) through a skeletal segment. These techniques do not expose patients to ionizing radiations. Aim of the present study was to evaluate reproducibility, specificity, sensibility and accuracy of these measurements as compared with those obtained by absorptiometric devices at the distal radius and lumbar spine (L2-L4). METHODS: Mean c.v. for repeated measurements on the same subjects was 2.7% for BUA and 0.9 for SOS. Both BUA and SOS were able to separate young normal from healthy post-menopausal subjects and patients with recent vertebral osteoporotic fractures as well as absorptiometric techniques. RESULTS: All compared methods of bone measurements showed non statistically significant differences for what concerns sensibility, specificity and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude by affirming that both BUA and SOS measurements at the os calcis with the contact ultrasound analyzer CUBA may represent safe and available methods for routinary assessment of skeletal health. The contact device allows more rapid measurements than other US devices the use of whom is conditioned by the immersion of the foot in a water bath; furthermore the CUBA system detects BUA and SOS in the mid os calcis: at this level bone density resulted more homogeneous than in other regions of the same bone.

The effect of acute metabolic alkalosis on bicarbonate transport along the loop of Henle. The role of active transport processes and passive paracellular backflux.

The loop of Henle (LOH) reabsorbs approximately 15% of filtered HCO3- via a luminal Na(+)-H+ exchanger and H+ATPase. During acute metabolic alkalosis (AMA) induced by i.v. HCO3- infusion, we have observed previously inhibition of LOH net HCO3- reabsorption (JHCO3-), which contributes to urinary elimination of the HCO3- load and correction of the systemic alkalosis. To determine whether the activities of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger and/or H(+)-ATPase are reduced during AMA, two inhibitors believed to be sufficiently specific for each transporter were delivered by in vivo LOH microperfusion during AMA. AMA reduced LOH JHCO3- from 205.0 +/- 10.8 to 96.2 +/- 11.8 pmol.min-1 (P < 0.001). Luminal perfusion with bafilomycin A1 (10(-4) mol.l-1) caused a further reduction in JHCO3- by 83% and ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA; 5.10(-4) mol.l-1) completely abolished net HCO3- reabsorption. The combination of bafilomycin A1 and EIPA in the luminal perfusate was additive, resulting in net HCO3- secretion (-66.6 +/- 20.8 pmol.min-1; P < 0.001) and abolished net fluid reabsorption (from 5.0 +/- 0.6 during AMA to 0.2 +/- 1.1 nl.min-1; P < 0.001). To establish whether HCO3- secretion via luminal stilbene-sensitive transport mechanism participates in LOH adaptation to AMA, we added diisothiocyanato-2,2'-stilbenedisulphonate (DIDS; 10(-4) mol.l-1) to the perfusate. No effect was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bicarbonate transport along the loop of Henle. II. Effects of acid-base, dietary, and neurohumoral determinants.

The loop of Henle contributes to renal acidification by reabsorbing about 15% of filtered bicarbonate. To study the effects on loop of Henle bicarbonate transport (JHCO3) of acid-base disturbances and of several factors known to modulate sodium transport, these in vivo microperfusion studies were carried out in rats during: (a) acute and chronic metabolic acidosis, (b) acute and chronic (hypokalemic) metabolic alkalosis, (c) a control sodium diet, (d) a high-sodium diet, (e) angiotensin II (AII) intravenous infusion, (f) simultaneously intravenous infusion of both AII and the AT1 receptor antagonist DuP 753, (g) acute ipsilateral mechanicochemical renal denervation. Acute and chronic metabolic acidosis increased JHCO3; acute metabolic alkalosis significantly reduced JHCO3, whereas chronic hypokalemic alkalosis did not alter JHCO3. Bicarbonate transport increased in animals on a high-sodium intake and following AII administration, and the latter was inhibited by the AII (AT1) receptor antagonist DuP 753; acute renal denervation lowered bicarbonate transport. These data indicate that bicarbonate reabsorption along the loop of Henle in vivo is closely linked to systemic acid-base status and to several factors known to modulate sodium transport.

Nifedipine treatment in preeclampsia reverts the increased erythrocyte aggregation to normal.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to assess erythrocyte aggregation in hypertensive pregnancy and to evaluate the effect of the antihypertensive treatment on it. STUDY DESIGN: The mean entity of erythrocyte aggregation was determined by an automatic aggregometer in 57 pregnant women: 20 normotensive, seven chronically hypertensive, 10 chronically hypertensive with superimposed preeclampsia, and 20 with preeclampsia. Ten of the latter were subsequently treated by 40 mg/day oral nifedipine; the other 10 by 400 mg/day oral labetalol, to keep diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. Also, patients with superimposed preeclampsia were treated with 40 mg/day oral nifedipine. RESULTS: Erythrocyte aggregation was increased in all the hypertensive pregnant patients compared with the normotensive pregnant controls, regardless of both the onset (chronic or pregnancy-induced) of hypertension and the status of plasma macromolecules. Antihypertensive treatment with labetalol significantly reduced the aggregability of erythrocytes, whereas treatment with nifedipine reverted it to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Increased erythrocyte aggregation may be due to either conformational changes of the membrane occurring during hypertension or a redistribution of the ionic charges on the two surfaces of the membrane. The effect of nifedipine by restoring the ionic charges may be due to this latter event.

Effect of cyclosporin A on B cell maturation and differentiation.

The activation and differentiation of resting B cells into Ig secreting cells are regulated by T cells, macrophages and their secreted factors. The present study evaluated the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on this process. Peripheral blood lymphomonocytes (PBMC) drawn from healthy donors were stimulated with protein A (PA) or with lipopolysaccharides plus pokeweed (LPS+PWM) in either the presence or the absence of CsA. Phenotypic B cell changes and immunoglobulin production was then analyzed. The data revealed that CsA decreased the expression of B cell surface receptors of the activation phase, and enhanced the resting phase receptors. Different effects of CsA were found on B cell differentiation, depending on its induction by PA or LPS+PWM. In the first system, CsA decreased the expression of differentiation phase receptors and the secretion of free Ig. In cultures stimulated with LPS+PWM, CsA increased the differentiated phase receptors and Ig secretion. Thus, CsA seemed to act as a blocking agent of the activation phase and as a modulator of the differentiation phase and of IgG secretion, depending upon the antigen used for stimulation.

Relationships between obesity and ischaemic heart disease in type II diabetic subjects homozygous for the apoprotein E3 allele.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the influence of obesity on ischaemic heart disease frequency in a well-documented type II diabetic population. To eliminate one of the possible sources of variability for plasma lipid concentrations, only subjects showing the apoprotein E phenotype, indicative of homozygosity for the epsilon 3 allele (i.e. an E3/E3 genotype), have been recruited. A larger prevalence of ischaemic heart disease was noticed among obese patients as compared to non-obese or merely overweight subjects according to a higher frequency of hypertension and to higher triglyceride concentrations. These results corroborate the hypothesis of a common pathogenesis of the major cardiovascular risk factors.

Parathyroidectomy has a beneficial effect on experimental cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

It has recently been suggested that selective parathyroidectomy modifies drug-induced acute renal failure. In the present study, we tested whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) could play a role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin (CP) nephrotoxicity. Parathyroidectomized rats (PTX) with normal blood calcium, were injected with two different doses of CP (group Ia: 10 mg/kg and group Ib: 6 mg/kg) and their renal functions were evaluated after 72 hours (group 1 a) and 120 h (group 1 b), respectively. All animals exhibited a milder course of acute renal failure when compared to sham-PTX CP treated rats, with lower serum creatinines (SCr) (group Ia: 1.99 +/- 0.14 vs 2.91 +/- 0.56 mg/dl, p less than 0.05) (group Ib: 1.45 +/- 0.08 vs 1.80 +/- 0.09 mg/dl, p less than 0.05) and blood urea (BUN) (group Ia: 76 +/- 5 vs 115 +/- 19 mg/dl, p less than 0.05) (group Ib: 70 +/- 9 vs 88 +/- 10 mg/dl p less than 0.05). Furthermore, the i.p. administration of PTH (50 I.U. twice daily for 9 days) to normal rats treated with CP (6 mg/kg) aggravated the CP-induced ARF as compared to vehicle injected animals (SCr 2.23 +/- 0.16 vs 1.63 +/- 0.19 mg/dl, p less than 0.05 and BUN 153 +/- 22 vs 97 +/- 20 mg/dl, p less than 0.05). Treatment with the calcium channel blocker verapamil (4 mg/kg) nine days before and three days after CP (4 mg/kg) administration, had no significant effect on cisplatin nephrotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)