Occurrence of aerobic denitrifying bacteria in integrated fixed film activated sludge system.

Denitrification can be enhanced in the Integrated Fixed Film Activated System (IFAS) system by integrating media into the anoxic or aerobic zone. The simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in the biofilm layers has been reported in the aerobic zone of the IFAS system. In this study, two IFAS systems with Bioweb® media installed in the anoxic or aerobic reactor were operated in parallel to evaluate both anoxic denitrification or aerobic SND in the biofilm layers enhanced by fixed film media at three different nitrite and nitrate recirculation (NR) ratios of 75%, 100%, and 125%. The results revealed that both IFAS systems achieved the same organic and nitrogen removal efficiencies without statistically significant difference. The NR ratio of 125% enhanced slightly the denitrification in the anoxic zones of both systems. The media increased the anoxic denitrification at the NR ratio of 100%. The SND in the biofilm was found insignificant in both systems. It was evident that suspended-growth microorganisms stored substrates internally in the cells under anoxic conditions due to insufficient retention time. The aerobic denitrifiers including Chryseobacterium sp., Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were abundant in both IFAS systems providing aerobic denitrification with storage products as carbon sources. In summary, the denitrification in the anoxic zone and SND in the biofilm of the aerobic zone, both were enhanced by the fixed film media, did not contribute significantly to the IFAS system for the biological nitrogen removal because of microbial storage products and aerobic denitrification of several aerobic denitrifiers.

Influence of storage conditions on the infestation of Tyrophagus putrescentiae and prevalence of mite hypersensitivity in Taiwan.

Sensitization to mites is a considerable factor in the development of allergic diseases. Because of its abundance, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) is the predominant storage mite found in home storage rooms, kitchens, and bakeries. Patients allergic to mites might exhibit a severely hypersensitive reaction upon ingesting Tp-contaminated food. The objective of this study was to investigate the rates of Tp contamination in commercial storage products from various areas, storage conditions, and environments in Taiwan. A specific antibody against Tyr p 3, the allergen on Tp, could be used as an indicator to monitor the contamination condition in storage foods. The microscopic mite examination, allergen detection by ELISA and cultured mite chemotaxis were used to evaluate the prevalence of T. putrescentiae contamination. Moreover, the IgE responses of patients allergic to mites were examined. We found that pet food and mushrooms were commonly contaminated with Tp, and this was validated through Tyr p 3 concentration and chemotaxis experiments. Tp contamination rates decreased significantly when samples were sealed and stored at a low temperature (<  4 °C), low relative humidity (RH < 60%), or for longer periods at a low temperature. The results of the clinical study indicated that the mites that elicited major positive IgE responses in allergic subjects were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae. Thus, people who are sensitized to D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae might be at risk of a second anaphylactic reaction due to cross-reactivity upon ingestion of Tp-contaminated food. Accordingly, Tp contamination can be prevented by keeping food packages sealed and stored at a low temperature. This prevents the severe allergic reaction caused by the inadvertent ingestion of contaminated food-borne Tp.

Armazenamento dos produtos para saúde estéreis no centro de esterilização e unidades assistenciais de hospitais grande porte de Belo Horizonte / Storage of the Sterile Products for Health in Sterilization Center and Assistance Units in large-scale hospitals in Belo Horizonte

O produto para saúde (PPS) esterilizado, quando armazenado nas unidades assistenciais de saúde, deve ser mantido em condições adequadas ou semelhantes ao Centro de Material e Esterilização (CME), visando tanto à garantia para o tempo de validade como o uso seguro para o paciente. Muitos aspectos e desafios na manutenção da esterilidade a exemplo, características da área física hospitalar, tipo de embalagem utilizada e acesso restrito podem influenciar a qualidade do armazenamento do PPS estéril. Este estudo orientou-se pela pergunta: Quais são as condições de acondicionamento do PPS estéril nas unidades de assistência direta e no CME? Para responder à questão, propôs-se como objetivo: Analisar as condições dos locais de guarda dos produtos estéreis para saúde em unidades assistenciais e no CME de hospitais grande porte de Belo Horizonte. Trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa. Foram selecionadas 11 instituições. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um instrumento contendo aspectos relacionados à estrutura física, à infraestrutura, à organização do ambiente e às condições de armazenamento. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de maio a setembro de 2013, a análise dos dados foi processada com base no programa estatístico Statistical Package for the Social Science, versão 19.0, por meio de análise descritiva, com a apresentação de valores absolutos e porcentagens. A caracterização do CME, com base nas informações obtidas dos respondentes (100% enfermeiros) evidenciou-se a presença de janelas lacradas (60%). A distância mínima exigida do teto foi encontrada em (100%) das instituições, sendo em (90%) distancia das paredes e (80%) distancia do chão. Quanto ao acondicionamento do material estéril, foram encontrados armários fechados (60%), com revestimento lavável (100%). O controle de umidade relativa do ar e temperatura foi referido como realizado em todos os CME, variando os parâmetros adotados. A data de vali...

The sterile health product (SHP) when stored in the health care units should be kept in appropriate or similar to the Material and Sterilization Center (MSC) conditions, in order to guarantee both the shelf life and safe of use. Many aspects and challenges in maintaining the sterility for instance, hospital physical characteristics, used packaging type and restricted access may influence the quality of storage of sterile PPS. This study was guided by the following question: What are the conditions for packaging of sterile PPS units in direct assistance and in the MSC? To answer the question, it was proposed as objective: To analyze the conditions of the custody places for sterile products for health care units and large scale hospitals and MSC of Belo Horizonte. This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. 11 institutions were included. Data were collected by means of an instrument containing aspects related to the physical structure, infrastructure, and organization of the environment as well as storage conditions. Data collection was conducted in the period May to September 2013, data analysis was performed based on the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 19.0 , using descriptive analysis, with the presentation of absolute values and percentages. The characterization of the MSC, based on information obtained from the respondents (100 % nurses) showed the presence of sealed windows (60 %). The minimum required distance was found in the ceiling (100 %) of the institutions, and in (90 %) and distance of the walls (80 %) distance from the ground. As for the packaging of sterile equipment, closed cabinets (60 %) were found, with washable lining (100 %). The control of temperature and relative humidity was referred to as held in all MSC, varying the parameters adopted. The expiration date of the SHP was reported as sterile checked in (100 %) of the MSC. Transport in exclusive cars occurs in 80 % ...

Controle de insetos em frutas, hortaliças e grãos armazenados com o uso de temperaturas extremas e gases: [revisão] / Control of insects on fruits, vegetables and stored grains with high or low temperatures and gases: [review]

A utilização de temperaturas baixas e altas além de concentrações de CO2 e O2 na atmosfera do armazenamento são alternativas para a desinfestação de frutas destinadas à exportação e controle de insetos em grãos armazenados. Estas técncias não contaminantes, eliminam o uso de inseticidas que podem deixar resíduos tóxicos no produto. Este trabalho de revisão apresenta resultados de pesquisas em que foi avaliada a eficiência destas técnicas no controle de insetos em frutas, hortaliças e grãos.

The use of either high or low temperatures and different CO2 and O2 concentrations on the storage atmosphere are altematives for fruit desinfestation and others agricultural goods and insect control on grains during storage. These nonchemical methods avoid the use of insecticides, without leaving toxic residues on the storage products. This review evaluate the efficiency of these different nonchemical methods of the control of insects on fruits, vegetables and grains.