Simultaneous copper, cobalt and phenol removal from aqueous solutions by alternating biosorption and biodegradation.

A strategy for removal of heavy metals and phenol from wastewaters is proposed. It involves consecutive cation biosorption by fungi, phenol biodegradation by the yeast association Candida sp. 2326 + Candida sp. 2327 and regeneration. Copper and cobalt removal from aqueous solutions containing 80-120 mg/L phenol by biosorption, using Rhizopus archizus cells immobilized onto poly (vinyl alcohol), was investigated by conducting a series of batch experiments. The removal efficiencies were 81% for Cu and 5% for Co. The residual concentrations of Cu (1.9 mg/L) and of Co (9.5 mg/L) did not change the biodegradation dynamics of phenol. A quantitative biodegradation of 120 mg/L phenol proceeded within 22 h. After biodegradation of phenol, the removal efficiencies achieved by biosorption after regeneration were 90% for Cu and 44% for Co. It was found that copper and cobalt form positively charged complexes with phenol. This complex formation hinders the retention of Cu and Co by the biosorbent and reduces the uptake of their cations.

Biosorption of copper(II) and cadmium(II) from aqueous solutions by free and immobilized biomass of Aspergillus niger.

This study investigates the ability of Aspergillus niger resting cells entrapped into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) network to remove Cu(II) and Cd(II) from single ions solutions. The performance of free and immobilized biosorbent was evaluated by equilibrium and kinetic studies. The PVA-immobilized fungal biosorbent removed Cu(II) and Cd(II) rapidly and efficiently with maximum metal removal capacities of 34.13 mg/g and 60.24 mg/g, respectively. These values of heavy metal uptake at equilibrium were higher than the amount of Cu(II) and Cd(II) removal by free biomass (17.60 mg/g and 69.44 mg/g, respectively). Biosorption equilibrium data were best described by Langmuir isotherm model. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order model and intraparticle diffusion equation. The results obtained suggest that the immobilized biosorbent holds great potential for wastewater treatment applications.

Cd (II) stress response during the growth of Aspergillus niger B 77.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship between growth, heavy metal ions uptake and participation of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the protection of Aspergillus niger B 77 against cadmium stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: The stress response of the model fungal strain, under conditions of a wide range of Cd (II) ion concentrations, was investigated by determining the biomass formation, protein biosynthesis, SOD and CAT activities and heavy metal uptake in growing cells. Exposure to heavy metal ions induced an increase in protein content, heavy metal uptake and SOD activity, and a heavy decrease in CAT activity. CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicated that the tolerance of A. niger to Cd (II) was correlated with the heavy metal uptake, reactive oxygen species generation in the cells and the efficiency of antioxidative defence system. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Evidence is provided for the possibility that oxidative stress plays a major role in the effect of Cd (II) ions on A. niger. These data could offer useful information when creating new strategies and methodological improvements for bioremediation with the participation of fungi.

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in limited gynecological surgeries for pregnancy termination]. / Antibiotichna profilaktika pri malki ginekologichni operatsii, svurzani s prekusvane na bremennostta.

The authors attempted with this trial to confirm the necessity of periabortal antibiotic prophylaxis after spontaneous and induced abortion. The trial included 172 patients with abortion; 53 of them with induced abortion and 119 with spontaneous abortion. The term of gestation was between 5 and 22 week. Three therapeutic groups were compared to a control no-treatment group. The first group was given Ampicillin orally 4 x 500 mg for 5 consecutive days. The second group was administered a combination of Ampicillin orally 4 x 500 mg plus Gentamycin 2 x 80 mg i.m. for 3 to 5 days postoperatively. The third group was given 3 x 2 g i.v. Cefazolin intraoperatively and 24 hours following the manipulation. The trial aimed at establishing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the antibiotic prophylaxis. The results tend to prove the perioperative prophylaxis with Cefazolin is preferable since it is most efficient and cost-effective.

[Retrospective study of the pregnancy course in preeclamptic patients]. / Retrospektivno prouchvane na bremennostta pri zheni, razvili preeklampsiia.

105 women had been evaluated using a retrospective analysis for the period 1999-2000. Clinical and laboratory data indicated development of preeclampsia and the pregnancy progress, antenatal complications, mode of delivery and perinatal outlet has been observed. The group has been divided using the following criteria: preexisting disease, severity of preeclampsia, mode of delivery, gestational age and prematurity rate. The present trial is important for optimizing management of women with preexisting disease before, during pregnancy and after delivery.

[The rare case of successful pregnancy and delivery in patient with hereditary angioedema]. / Riaduk sluchai na uspeshna bremennost i rodorazreshenie pri bremenna s nasledstven angiionevrotichen otok.

A rare case of successful pregnancy and delivery of a patient with Hereditary angioedema is described. The complications of the disease during pregnancy are described as well as the possibilities for their prevention. The delivery was accomplished without complications and the preoperative preparations are listed. The treatment of HAE in general is divided into two groups: short-term (Fresh frozen plasma) and long-term prophylaxis (antifibrinolytic agents, androgen therapy) and acute treatment (epinephrine, steroids, antihistamines, eventually tracheotomy).

[Candidiasis and birth canal injuries]. / Kandidozna infektsiia i rodov travmatizum.

Candidiasis of the lower female genital tract during pregnancy is a leading cause for seeking medical help. During pregnancy candidiasis is encountered about 30% more often compared to non-pregnant (by the time of delivery about 18-22% of the pregnant women would have the infection). It is clinically manifested especially after 36 w.g. This might be the cause of a series of pregnancy complications. Most serious are considered prematurity, chorioamnionitis, descending infection from mother to the newborn during delivery. Significantly less attention has been paid to the birth canal injury and its higher rate if a Candida colpitis is present at the time of delivery.

[Utrogestan--an alternative for synthetic gestagen treatment in spontaneous abortion]. / Utrogestan--alternativa na sintetichnite gestageni v lechenieto na spontanniia abort.

A clinical trial is conducted with 32 pregnant patients with a history of sterility and infertility, uterine malformations as well as progesterone deficiency. The mean week of gestation is 9-10. All patients were treated with Utrogestan in the usual doses 2 x 100 mg for vaginal application. No side effects were observed which is encouraging to its routine use.

Copper uptake by Penicillium brevicompactum.

The copper binding properties of Penicillium brevicompactum biomass were influenced by growth phase of mycelium and concentration of copper in reaction mixtures. The efficiency of copper uptake increased with growth time and was largest at the mid-logarithmic growth phase. The time course of copper uptake was biphasic. Double reciprocal plots of absorption velocity of copper vs. copper concentration gave straight lines at concentration between 0.5 to 4 mM. The apparent affinity of copper to the biomass of the stationary growth phase was the same as that of logarithmic growth phase and Km values were about 1.4 mM. Pretreatment of the mycelium with glucose increased the amount of metal uptake about five times in comparison with the controls.

Copper removal from aqueous solution using Aspergillus niger mycelia in free and polyurethane-bound form.

This study assesses the ability of mycelia of Aspergillus niger B-77 (both free and immobilized on polyurethane foam) to remove copper from single-ion solution. All experiments were conducted using 0.5 mM solutions of CuSO4.5H2O. Mycelia immobilized on polyurethane foam cells showed a three-fold increase in uptake, compared with that of free cells. The efficiency of copper removal (mg Cu2+ removed/mg Cu2+ added) in a column system reached more than 99% before the break-through point was attained.

[Pregnancy with Rh-isoimmunization. Results of a retrospective analysis in the maternity hospital "Maichin Dom"]. / Bremennost s Rh-izoimunizatsiia. Rezultati ot retrospektiven analiz v sbalag "Maichin Dom."

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study is to analyze the outcome of pregnancies complicated by Rh-isoimmunization for the period 1996-2001 and to outline the aspects of optimization of the obstetrical conduct. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current study includes 39 pregnant women with Rh-isoimmunisation to whom amniocentesis and cordocentesis was performed. All cases were analyzed using medical history, serology (indirect Coombs, PAP test), ultrasound examination, amniocentesis, cordocentesis, NST. RESULTS: From 39 pregnancies, complicated by severe Rh-isoimmunization 36 resulted in a live delivery, 2 resulted in intrauterine death of the fetus and 1 in early neonatal death. The titre of the antibodies is of prognostical value only in the first isoimmunised pregnancy. In this case there is a reliable correlation between the condition of the newborn and the zone from the Liley curve, antenatally found. With history of former immune pregnancies with unfavourable perinatal outcome most precise information about the condition of the foetus gives the cordocentesis. CONCLUSION: In all of the discussed cases the Rh-isoimmunization is a result of no andi-D immunoglobulin profilaxis post partum or following abortion. That is why the efforts should be directed towards conduction of proper profilaxis to all Rh-negative pregnant women.

[A case of multiple pregnancy (twins) in each cavity of a double uterus and a vaginal septum]. / Sluchai na dvuplodna bremennost (plod v'v vsiaka ot kukhinite na matkata) i vrodena anomaliia - dvoina matka i septum v'v vlagalishteto.

A case of a multiple pregnancy in each of the horns of a double uterus with a double cervix and a vaginal septum is discussed. The uterine malformation was known prior to pregnancy. In 34 g. w. a Ceasarean section was performed because of premature rupture of membranes. Two premature infants were born with no evidence of present pathology.

[A case of pregnancy with fetal malformation and an hepatic hydatid cyst]. / Bremennost, malformativen plod i ekhinokokova kista na cherniia drob.

A case of pregnancy, malformation of the foetus--Spina bifida, and hydatidosis hepatis is discussed. The patient is 19-year old, primigravida, pregnant in the 31st gestational week who was admitted to the ward with an observation of Hydrocephalia and fetal compromise (low beat-to-beat variability and lack of accelerations of the fetal heart rate). Un ultrasound scan of the foetus proved hydrocephalia and Spina bifida in the lumbal segment of the fetal spine. Un extended ultrasound scan proved a hydatid cyst of the liver with a 10 mm diameter, corresponding with the data of the serological tests--RAHA 1:400.

Copper accumulation and phosphatase activities of Aspergillus and Rhizopus.

Copper accumulation and phosphatase activities of three Aspergillus species resistant to copper were compared to three copper-sensitive Rhizopus species. High level of acid phosphatases and decreased Cu2+-uptake were found with resistant in contrast to sensitive strains. The presence of copper(II) ions in the medium increased the production of acid phosphatases in the resistant A. niger and decreased their activity in the sensitive R. delemar. Copper ions inhibited the activity of A. niger cellular acid phosphatase with a Ki of 8.9x10(-4) M and slightly activated the R. delemar enzyme.

Copper accumulation by Aspergillus awamori.

Aspergillus awamori accumulated Cu2+ from aqueous solutions. The level of copper uptake was dependent on the ambient metal concentration. The process consisted of two phases: a fast initial phase and a slower secondary phase. Chelation of these ions occurs by chemical, equilibrated and saturable mechanism, following the mathematical models of Langmuir and Freundlich, with better performance on the Langmuir model. Data transformation allowed us to calculate the kinetic constants of the sorption reaction.

Effect of cadmium and copper on the production of citric acid by Aspergillus niger.

Copper and cadmium inhibited the growth as well as citric acid production (depending on the heavy metal concentrations) by citric-acid-producing Aspergillus niger. Activity of citrate synthase was connected with citrate synthesis in the absence as well as in the presence of heavy metals. The activity of aconitase, and both NAD- and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenases was strongly inhibited by copper. The contents of DNA and proteins in the cells decreased but the contents of lipids and polysaccharides increased considerably in the presence of both heavy metals.

Amylase activity of Aspergillus strains--producers of organic acids.

The ability of fungi from genus Aspergillus (producers of organic acids) to synthesize amylase enzymes (alpha-amylase and glucoamylase) was investigated. The productivity of the strains on Czapek-Dox agar and in liquid Czapec-Dox media with 3% soluble starch as a carbon source was established.