Navigating HER2-Low Testing in Invasive Breast Cancer: Update Recommendations for Pathologists.

The article discusses the importance of accurately distinguishing HER2-low from HER2-negative breast cancer, as novel ADCs have demonstrated activity in a large population of patients with HER2-low-expressing BC. While current guidelines recommend a dichotomous classification of HER2 as either positive or negative, the emergence of the HER2-low concept calls for standardization of HER2 testing in breast cancer, using currently available assays to better discriminate HER2 levels. This review covers the evolution and latest updates of the ASCO/CAP guidelines relevant to this important biomarker in breast cancer, including still-evolving concepts such as HER2 low, HER2 heterogeneity, and HER2 evolution. Our group presents the latest Mexican recommendations for HER2 status evaluation in breast cancer, considering the ASCO/CAP guidelines and introducing the HER2-low concept. In the era of personalized medicine, accurate HER2 status assessment remains one of the most important biomarkers in breast cancer, and the commitment of Mexican pathologists to theragnostic biomarker quality is crucial for providing the most efficient care in oncology.

Physical-Chemical Assessment of Azo Dye Basic Violet I (BVI) Discoloration Using the Corona Plasma in Batch and Flow Systems.

The decolorization of the Basic violet I (BVI) dye when interacted with a corona discharge is studied in the present work, taking in account two systems, batch and flux. The current and voltage were measured during the whole process in which a corona plasma was generated, with an applied power of 51.9 and 167.72 W where the transport gas was air. A batch reactor and a flow reactor were used, where 500 and 5000 mL of samples were treated, respectively. Optical emission spectra (OES) were measured where the oxidizing species ·OH were at wavelengths of 307.597 and 310.148 nm, associated with the A2∑+ - X2Π transition. The absorption spectra for the batch system showed a discoloration of 85.7% in the first 10 min, while in the flow system, the absorption was 93.9% at the same time and 4.5% at the same time by conventional heating. Characteristics of the final sample included an acidic solution with an electrical conductivity of 449.20 ± 55.44 and 313.6 ± 39.58 µS/cm, a dissolved oxygen concentration of 7.74 ± 0.2 and 6.37 ± 0.23 mg/L, an absorbance of 0.04 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.01 au, with turbidity measuring 1.22 ± 1.59 and 10.34 ± 4.96 NTU, and an energy cost of 1.1 × 10-1 and 6.3 × 10-1 g/kWh in the batch and continuous flow systems, respectively. The interaction of the corona plasma with water promoted the production of reactive species, resulting in the discoloration of the Basic Violet I dye.

Detection of NTRK gene fusions in solid tumors: recommendations from a Latin American group of oncologists and pathologists.

NTRK gene fusions have been detected in more than 25 types of tumors and their prevalence is approximately 0.3% in solid tumors. This low prevalence makes identifying patients who could benefit from TRK inhibitors a considerable challenge. Furthermore, while numerous papers on the evaluation of NTRK fusion genes are available, not all countries have guidelines that are suitable for their setting, as is the case with Latin America. Therefore, a group of oncologists and pathologists from several countries in Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay) met to discuss and reach consensus on how to identify patients with NTRK gene fusions in solid tumors. To do so, they developed a practical algorithm, considering their specific situation and limitations.

Sweet potato flour (Ipomoea batatas) as natural antioxidant on carcass yield and meat physicochemical characteristics of Creole chickens of Mexico and Cobb 500.

Antioxidants are considered functional additives against oxidative stress since they avoid nutritional decline in the meat. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of sweet potato flour (SPF) as a natural antioxidant on carcass yield and physicochemical characteristics of Creole chickens of Mexico (CChM) and Cobb 500 broilers. In total, 210 chickens (105 CChM and 105 Cobb 500 chickens) were randomly assigned to three treatments: 0, 500, and 1000 mg of SPF kg-1 of feed. The Cobb 500 chickens showed higher carcass yield (hot and cold), breast, and breast fillet, whereas the CChM had higher thigh yield (P ≤ 0.05). The yield on the previously mentioned variables was not affected by the inclusion levels of SPF. The initial pH differed because of the effect of the chicken's genotype and the addition of SPF, which was higher on Cobb 500 chicken and on those that were not supplemented with SPF. The birds' skin that consumed SPF presented higher yellowness after 24 h (P ≤ 0.05). CChM manifested a higher dry matter and protein content and a lower content of ash and fat (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, Cobb 500 chickens present a higher carcass yield and its components, in addition to a less acid pH; however, CChM offer a higher nutritional contribution, whereas the 500 and 1000 mg addition of SPF increases the skin yellowness, which makes it an alterorganic as a pigment on broiler chicken production.

Synovial sarcoma with ossification and calcification with SS18 immunochemical expression and rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization / Sarcoma sinovial con osificación y calcificación, con expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica y reordenamiento de SS18 por hibridación in situ fluroescente

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue tumor of uncertain origin. Generally, it is a monophasic spindle cell neoplasm that can have glandular-like structures. Ossification and presence of calcification is a rare phenomenon with only a few reported cases. We present the case of a young male with a synovial sarcoma of the right foot. Histology revealed prominent deposits of tumoral osteoid and coarse calcifications. The diagnosis was confirmed by the expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry and the demonstration of the rearrangement of the SS18 gene by fluorescent in situ hybridization. We reviewed the literature for synovial sarcoma with prominent ossification or calcification, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry. The main differential diagnoses are osteosarcoma (both primary of bone and extraosseous) and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.(AU)

El sarcoma sinovial (SS) es un tumor de partes blandas de origen incierto. Generalmente es una neoplasia monofásica de células fusiformes que puede tener estructuras de tipo glandular. La osificación y la presencia de calcificaciones es un fenómeno raro, con pocos casos reportados. A continuación presentamos el caso de un hombre joven con un sarcoma sinovial del pie derecho que en la histología mostró depósitos de osteoide tumoral y calcificaciones gruesas. El diagnóstico fue confirmado por la expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica y la demostración del reordenamiento del gen SS18 por hibridación in situ fluorescente. Revisamos la literatura referente a sarcoma sinovial con osificación o calcificación prominente, y este es el primer caso con expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica. Los principales diagnósticos diferenciales son con osteosarcoma (tanto primario de hueso como extraóseo) y fibrosarcoma epitelioide esclerosante (sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma [SEF]).(AU)

Influence of Carboxymethyl Cellulose on the Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Gliricidia sepium and Petiveria alliacea Extracts: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Effect Evaluation.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized and stabilized using ecological strategies: the extracts of the leaves of the plants Gliricidia sepium (GS) and Petiveria alliacea (PA) reduced the metallic Au ions to AuNPs. The AuNPs were analyzed as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for pyridoxine detection (vitamin B6). UV-vis spectroscopy was carried out to assess the stability of the AuNPs. As a result, absorption bands around 530 and 540 nm were obtained for AuNPs-PA and AuNPs-GS, respectively. Both cases associated it with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). In the final stage of the synthesis, to stabilize the AuNPs, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was added; however, LSPR bands do not exhibit bathochromic or hypsochromic shifts with the addition of CMC. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs show relatively spherical morphologies; the particle diameters were detected around 7.7 and 12.7 nm for AuNPs-PA and AuNPs-GS, respectively. The nanomaterials were evaluated as SERS substrates on pyridoxine, revealing an intensification in the vibrational mode centered at 688 cm-1 associated with the pyridinic ring. Complementarily, different density functional theory functionals were included to obtain molecular descriptors on the Aun-cluster-pyridoxine interaction to study the SERS behavior.

Synovial sarcoma with ossification and calcification with SS18 immunochemical expression and rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue tumor of uncertain origin. Generally, it is a monophasic spindle cell neoplasm that can have glandular-like structures. Ossification and presence of calcification is a rare phenomenon with only a few reported cases. We present the case of a young male with a synovial sarcoma of the right foot. Histology revealed prominent deposits of tumoral osteoid and coarse calcifications. The diagnosis was confirmed by the expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry and the demonstration of the rearrangement of the SS18 gene by fluorescent in situ hybridization. We reviewed the literature for synovial sarcoma with prominent ossification or calcification, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry. The main differential diagnoses are osteosarcoma (both primary of bone and extraosseous) and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.

Cytochrome gene expression shifts in Geobacter sulfurreducens to maximize energy conservation in response to changes in redox conditions.

Previous studies have identified that Geobacter sulfurreducens has three different electron transfer pathways for respiration, and it switches between these pathways to adapt to the redox potential of its electron acceptor. However, only a small fraction of the electron carriers from each pathway have been identified. In this study, we combined electrochemical and gene expression data to identify electron carriers in the inner membrane, periplasm, outer membrane, and exterior of the cell that may be induced by the use of the three different electron transfer pathways. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on thin biofilms grown on anodes poised at different redox potentials, providing a quantitative assessment of the relative use of three electron-transfer pathways in each condition (catalytic midpoint potentials (EKAs) of -0.227 V [Low], -0.15 V [Medium], -0.1 V [High] vs. SHE). Transcriptomic analyses as a function of electrochemical signals or fumarate utilization showed differential induction in inner membrane (Medium: cbcL), periplasmic (Low: ppcB/ppcE, Medium: ppcA), outer membrane (Low: extA/extC, Medium: extJ/extK, Fumarate: extF/extG), and extracellular (Medium: omcZ, High/Fumarate: omcS/omcT) cytochromes, suggesting the pathway signals are associated with complex transcriptomic responses in genes across the electron transfer pathway. Our method combining electrochemical modeling and transcriptomics could be adapted to better understand electron transport in other electroactive organisms with complex metabolisms.

Intracytoplasmic membranes develop in Geobacter sulfurreducens under thermodynamically limiting conditions.

Geobacter sulfurreducens is an electroactive bacterium capable of reducing metal oxides in the environment and electrodes in engineered systems1,2. Geobacter sp. are the keystone organisms in electrogenic biofilms, as their respiration consumes fermentation products produced by other organisms and reduces a terminal electron acceptor e.g. iron oxide or an electrode. To respire extracellular electron acceptors with a wide range of redox potentials, G. sulfurreducens has a complex network of respiratory proteins, many of which are membrane-bound3-5. We have identified intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM) structures in G. sulfurreducens. This ICM is an invagination of the inner membrane that has folded and organized by an unknown mechanism, often but not always located near the tip of a cell. Using confocal microscopy, we can identify that at least half of the cells contain an ICM when grown on low potential anode surfaces, whereas cells grown at higher potential anode surfaces or using fumarate as electron acceptor had significantly lower ICM frequency. 3D models developed from cryo-electron tomograms show the ICM to be a continuous extension of the inner membrane in contact with the cytoplasmic and periplasmic space. The differential abundance of ICM in cells grown under different thermodynamic conditions supports the hypothesis that it is an adaptation to limited energy availability, as an increase in membrane-bound respiratory proteins could increase electron flux. Thus, the ICM provides extra inner-membrane surface to increase the abundance of these proteins. G. sulfurreducens is the first Thermodesulfobacterium or metal-oxide reducer found to produce ICMs.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis index and overall survival in patients taken to cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) secondary to gastrointestinal or gynecological cancer has increased its incidence. It has a worse prognosis compared to other sites of metastasis. The peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) establishes overall survival in patients with gastrointestinal or gynecological tumors and carcinomatosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of PCI to overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHOD: A descriptive, retrolective study of 80 charts of patients with CP was conducted. We included patients with colon, ovarian, appendicular, pseudomyxoma and gastric tumors with CP treated with CRS plus HIPEC. The OS and RFS were determined according to the type of adenocarcinoma and the degree of differentiation. The OS and RFS were determined in months in patients with PCI > 15 PCI as well as in patients with PCI < 15 considering the tumor of origin. RESULTS: Patients with ovarian tumors and pseudomyxoma with PCI < 15 presented OS > 70 months, compared to patients with gastric tumors (4 months). CONCLUSIONS: The PCI and histology are predictors of OS. Patients with ovarian tumors and PCI < 15 have higher OS, similar to pseudomyxomas. RFS was also higher in patients with PCI < 15.

ANTECEDENTES: La incidencia de carcinomatosis peritoneal (CP) secundaria a cáncer gastrointestinal o ginecológico ha aumentado y tiene peor pronóstico en comparación con otros sitios de metástasis. El índice de carcinomatosis peritoneal (ICP) establece la supervivencia global en pacientes con tumores gastrointestinales o ginecológicos y carcinomatosis. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación del ICP con la supervivencia global (SG) y la supervivencia libre de recurrencia (SLR) en pacientes tratados con cirugía citorreductora (CCR) más quimioterapia intraperitoneal e hipertemia (HIPEC). MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo, retrolectivo, de 80 expedientes de pacientes con CP. Se incluyeron tumores de colon, ovario, apendicular, pseudomixomas y gástricos con CP tratados con CCR + HIPEC. Se determinaron la SG y la SLR de acuerdo con el tipo de adenocarcinoma y el grado de diferenciación, en meses, en pacientes con ICP > 15 y con ICP < 15 considerando el tumor de origen. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con tumores de ovario y pseudomixoma con ICP < 15 tenían una SG > 70 meses, frente a 4 meses con tumores gástricos. CONCLUSIONES: El ICP y la histología son predictores de la SG. Las pacientes con tumores ováricos con ICP < 15 tienen mayor SG, igual que los pseudomixomas. La SLR fue mayor en los pacientes con ICP < 15.

Changes in bioactive compounds during fermentation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) harvested in Amazonas-Peru.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is the main raw material for the production of chocolate; it is considered the food of the gods, as it possesses a diversity of bioactive compounds beneficial to human health. The abundance of bioactive compounds, among others, is conditioned by the post-harvest processing of cocoa beans, and fermentation is a major step in this regard. Consequently, this research evaluated the changes in phenolic compounds and methylxanthines occurred in the fermentation of Criollo and CCN-51 cocoa beans, varieties of great commercial interest for the cocoa-growing areas of Peru. For this purpose, samples were taken every 12 h of cocoa beans under fermentation for 204 h in which phenols (gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, and epicatechin) and methylxanthines (theobromine, caffeine and theophylline) were quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC); total polyphenols by Folin Ciocalteu; antioxidant capacity by DPPH free radical capture method; total anthocyanins; pH; titratable acidity; and fermentation rate of beans. We found that during fermentation, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and methylxanthines of cocoa beans decreased; on the other hand, the anthocyanin content increased slightly. Indeed, at distinctly degree, fermentation influences bioactive compounds in cocoa beans, depending on the variety cultivated.

Double Image Encryption System Using a Nonlinear Joint Transform Correlator in the Fourier Domain.

In this work, we present a new nonlinear joint transform correlator (JTC) architecture in the Fourier domain (FD) for the encryption and decryption of two simultaneous images. The main features of the proposed system are its increased level of security, the obtention of a single real-valued encrypted signal that contains the ciphered information of the two primary images and, additionally, a high image quality for the two final decrypted signals. The two images to be encrypted can be either related to each other, or independent signals. The encryption system is based on the double random phase encoding (DRPE), which is implemented by using a nonlinear JTC in the FD. The input plane of the JTC has four non-overlapping data distributions placed side-by-side with no blank spaces between them. The four data distributions are phase-only functions defined by the two images to encrypt and four random phase masks (RPMs). The joint power spectrum (JPS) is produced by the intensity of the Fourier transform (FT) of the input plane of the JTC. One of the main novelties of the proposal consists of the determination of the appropriate two nonlinear operations that modify the JPS distribution with a twofold purpose: to obtain a single real-valued encrypted image with a high level of security and to improve the quality of the decrypted images. The security keys of the encryption system are represented by the four RPMs, which are all necessary for a satisfactory decryption. The decryption system is implemented using a 4f-processor where the encrypted image and the security keys given by the four RPMs are introduced in the proper plane of the processor. The double image encryption system based on a nonlinear JTC in the FD increases the security of the system because there is a larger key space, and we can simultaneously validate two independent information signals (original images to encrypt) in comparison to previous similar proposals. The feasibility and performance of the proposed double image encryption and decryption system based on a nonlinear JTC are validated through computational simulations. Finally, we additionally comment on the proposed security system resistance against different attacks based on brute force, plaintext and deep learning.

Nonlinear Encryption for Multiple Images Based on a Joint Transform Correlator and the Gyrator Transform.

A novel nonlinear encryption-decryption system based on a joint transform correlator (JTC) and the Gyrator transform (GT) for the simultaneous encryption and decryption of multiple images in grayscale is proposed. This security system features a high level of security for the single real-valued encrypted image and a high image quality for the multiple decrypted images. The multispectral or color images are considered as a special case, taking each color component as a grayscale image. All multiple grayscale images (original images) to encrypt are encoded in phase and placed in the input plane of the JTC at the same time without overlapping. We introduce two random-phase masks (RPMs) keys for each image to encrypt at the input plane of the JTC-based encryption system. The total number of the RPM keys is given by the double of the total number of the grayscale images to be encrypted. The use of several RPMs as keys improves the security of the encrypted image. The joint Gyrator power distribution (JGPD) is the intensity of the GT of the input plane of the JTC. We obtain only a single real-valued encrypted image with a high level of security for all the multiple grayscale images to encrypt by introducing two new suitable nonlinear modifications on the JGPD. The security keys are given by the RPMs and the rotation angle of the GT. The decryption system is implemented by two successive GTs applied to the encrypted image and the security keys given by the RPMs and considering the rotation angle of the GT. We can simultaneously retrieve the various information of the original images at the output plane of the decryption system when all the security keys are correct. Another result due to the appropriate definition of the two nonlinear operations applied on the JGPD is the retrieval of the multiple decrypted images with a high image quality. The numerical simulations are computed with the purpose of demonstrating the validity and performance of the novel encryption-decryption system.

The Ring Study: an international comparison of PD-L1 diagnostic assays and their interpretation in non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer and urothelial cancer.

PD-L1 immunohistochemistry has been approved as a diagnostic assay for immunotherapy. However, an international comparison across multiple cancers is lacking. This study aimed to assess the performance of PD-L1 diagnostic assays in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and urothelial cancer (UC). The excisional specimens of NSCLC, HNSCC and UC were assayed by Ventana SP263 and scored at three sites in each country, including Australia, Brazil, Korea, Mexico, Russia and Taiwan. All slides were rotated to two other sites for interobserver scoring. The same cohort of NSCLC was assessed with Dako 22C3 pharmDx PD-L1 for comparison. The PD-L1 immunopositivity was scored according to the approved PD-L1 scoring algorithms which were the percentage of PD-L1-expressing tumour cell (TC) and tumour proportion score (TPS) by Ventana SP263 and Dako 22C3 staining, respectively. In NSCLC, the comparison demonstrated the comparability of the SP263 and 22C3 assays (cut-off of 1%, κ=0.71; 25%, κ=0.75; 50%, κ=0.81). The interobserver comparisons showed moderate to almost perfect agreement for SP263 in TC staining at 25% cut-off (NSCLC, κ=0.72 to 0.86; HNSCC, κ=0.60 to 0.82; UC, κ=0.68 to 0.91) and at 50% cut-off for NSCLC (κ=0.64 to 0.90). Regarding the immune cell (IC) scoring in UC, there was a lower correlation (concordance correlation coefficient=0.10 to 0.68) and poor to substantial agreements at the 1%, 5%, 10% and 25% cut-offs (κ= -0.04 to 0.76). The interchangeability of SP263 and 22C3 in NSCLC might be acceptable, especially at the 50% cut-off. In HNSCC, the performance of SP263 is comparable across five countries. In UC, there was low concordance of IC staining, which may affect treatment decisions. Overall, the study showed the reliability and reproducibility of SP263 in NSCLC, HNSCC and UC.

Geobacter sulfurreducens' Unique Metabolism Results in Cells with a High Iron and Lipid Content.

Geobacter sulfurreducens is a ubiquitous iron-reducing bacterium in soils, and in engineered systems, it can respire an electrode to produce measurable electric current. Its unique metabolism, heavily dependent on an extensive network of cytochromes, requires a unique cell composition. In this work, we used metallomics, cell fraction and elemental analyses, and transcriptomics to study and analyze the cell composition of G. sulfurreducens. Elemental composition studies (C, H, O, N, and ash content) showed high C:O and H:O ratios of approximately 1.7:1 and 0.25:1, indicative of more reduced cell composition that is consistent with high lipid content. Our study shows that G. sulfurreducens cells have a large amount of iron (2 ± 0.2 µg/g dry weight) and lipids (32 ± 0.5% dry weight/dry weight) and that this composition does not change whether the cells are grown with a soluble or an insoluble electron acceptor. The high iron concentration, higher than similar microorganisms, is attributed to the production of cytochromes that are abundant in transcriptomic analyses in both solid and soluble electron acceptor growth. The unique cell composition of G. sulfurreducens must be considered when growing this microorganism for lab studies and commercial applications. IMPORTANCE Geobacter sulfurreducens is an electroactive microorganism. In nature, it grows on metallic minerals by transferring electrons to them, effectively "breathing" metals. In a manmade system, it respires an electrode to produce an electric current. It has become a model organism for the study of electroactive organisms. There are potential biotechnological applications of an organism that can bridge the gap between biology and electrical signal and, as a ubiquitous iron reducer in soils around the world, G. sulfurreducens has an impact on the global iron cycle. We measured the concentrations of metals, macromolecules, and basic elements in G. sulfurreducens to define this organism's composition. We also used gene expression data to discuss which proteins those metals could be associated with. We found that G. sulfurreducens has a large amount of lipid and iron compared to other bacteria-these observations are important for future microbiologists and biotechnologists working with the organism.

Fuzzy Edge-Detection as a Preprocessing Layer in Deep Neural Networks for Guitar Classification.

Deep neural networks have demonstrated the capability of solving classification problems using hierarchical models, and fuzzy image preprocessing has proven to be efficient in handling uncertainty found in images. This paper presents the combination of fuzzy image edge-detection and the usage of a convolutional neural network for a computer vision system to classify guitar types according to their body model. The focus of this investigation is to compare the effects of performing image-preprocessing techniques on raw data (non-normalized images) with different fuzzy edge-detection methods, specifically fuzzy Sobel, fuzzy Prewitt, and fuzzy morphological gradient, before feeding the images into a convolutional neural network to perform a classification task. We propose and compare two convolutional neural network architectures to solve the task. Fuzzy edge-detection techniques are compared against their classical counterparts (Sobel, Prewitt, and morphological gradient edge-detection) and with grayscale and color images in the RGB color space. The fuzzy preprocessing methodologies highlight the most essential features of each image, achieving favorable results when compared to the classical preprocessing methodologies and against a pre-trained model with both proposed models, as well as achieving a reduction in training times of more than 20% compared to RGB images.

Recent progress in treatment of dyes wastewater using microbial-electro-Fenton technology.

Globally, textile dyeing and manufacturing are one of the largest industrial units releasing huge amount of wastewater (WW) with refractory compounds such as dyes and pigments. Currently, wastewater treatment has been viewed as an industrial opportunity for rejuvenating fresh water resources and it is highly required in water stressed countries. This comprehensive review highlights an overall concept and in-depth knowledge on integrated, cost-effective cross-disciplinary solutions for domestic and industrial (textile dyes) WW and for harnessing renewable energy. This basic concept entails parallel or sequential modes of treating two chemically different WW i.e., domestic and industrial in the same system. In this case, contemporary advancement in MFC/MEC (METs) based systems towards Microbial-Electro-Fenton Technology (MEFT) revealed a substantial emerging scope and opportunity. Principally the said technology is based upon previously established anaerobic digestion and electro-chemical (photo/UV/Fenton) processes in the disciplines of microbial biotechnology and electro-chemistry. It holds an added advantage to all previously establish technologies in terms of treatment and energy efficiency, minimal toxicity and sludge waste, and environmental sustainable. This review typically described different dyes and their ultimate fate in environment and recently developed hierarchy of MEFS. It revealed detail mechanisms and degradation rate of dyes typically in cathodic Fenton system under batch and continuous modes of different MEF reactors. Moreover, it described cost-effectiveness of the said technology in terms of energy budget (production and consumption), and the limitations related to reactor fabrication cost and design for future upgradation to large scale application.

Organic carbon metabolism is a main determinant of hydrogen demand and dynamics in anaerobic soils.

Hydrogen (H2) is a crucial electron donor for many processes in the environment including nitrate-, sulfate- and, iron-reduction, homoacetogenesis, and methanogenesis, and is a major determinant of microbial competition and metabolic pathways in groundwater, sediments, and soils. Despite the importance of H2 for many microbial processes in the environment, the total H2 consuming capacity (or H2 demand) of soils is generally unknown. Using soil microcosms with added H2, the aims of this study were 1) to measure the H2 demand of geochemically diverse soils and 2) to define the processes leading to this demand. Study results documented a large range of H2 demand in soil (0.034-1.2 millielectron equivalents H2 g-1 soil). The measured H2 demand greatly exceeded the theoretical demand predicted based on measured concentrations of common electron acceptors initially present in a library of 15 soils. While methanogenesis accounted for the largest fraction of H2 demand, humic acid reduction and acetogenesis were also significant contributing H2-consuming processes. Much of the H2 demand could be attributed to CO2 produced during incubation from fermentation and/or acetoclastic methanogenesis. The soil initial total organic carbon showed the strongest correlation to H2 demand. Besides external additions, H2 was likely generated or cycled in the microcosms. Apart from fermentative H2 production, carboxylate elongation to produce C4-C7 fatty acids may have accounted for additional H2 production in these soils. Many of these processes, especially the organic carbon contribution is underestimated in microbial models for H2 consumption in natural soil ecosystems or during bioremediation of contaminants in soils.

Electrochemically Driven Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Cyanobacteria Lacking Photosystem II.

Light-activated photosystem II (PSII) carries out the critical step of splitting water in photosynthesis. However, PSII is susceptible to light-induced damage. Here, results are presented from a novel microbial electro-photosynthetic system (MEPS) that uses redox mediators in conjunction with an electrode to drive electron transport in live Synechocystis (ΔpsbB) cells lacking PSII. MEPS-generated, light-dependent current increased with light intensity up to 2050 µmol photons m-2 s-1, which yielded a delivery rate of 113 µmol electrons h-1 mg-chl-1 and an average current density of 150 A m-2 s-1 mg-chl-1. P700+ re-reduction kinetics demonstrated that initial rates exceeded wildtype PSII-driven electron delivery. The electron delivery occurs ahead of the cytochrome b6f complex to enable both NADPH and ATP production. This work demonstrates an electrochemical system that can drive photosynthetic electron transport, provides a platform for photosynthetic foundational studies, and has the potential for improving photosynthetic performance at high light intensities.