Magnetite addition reduces nitrite requirement for efficient anaerobic ammonium oxidation by facilitating mutualism of ANAMMOX and FEAMMOX bacteria.

Partial nitrification (PN) is crucial for anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX), but faces challenges such as high energy demands and process control. Recent research has highlighted additives like magnetite as potential alternatives to conventional electron acceptors (O2 and NO2-) for enhancing ammonium (NH4+) oxidation with lower energy consumption. This study investigated the effect of adding 50 mg/L of magnetite to ANAMMOX reactors, resulting in improved nitrogen (N) removal efficiency. The magnetite-added ANAMMOX (M-ANA) reactor yielded N removal efficiencies of 71 %, 66 %, and 57 % for NH4+:NO2- molar ratios of 1:1.3, 1:0.8, and 1:0.5, respectively. The M-ANA reactor operated under a 0.5 mol lower NO2- concentration achieved similar performance to the control ANAMMOX (C-ANA) reactor operated with a theoretical amount of NO2-. Moreover, the M-ANA reactor showed the potential to remove NH4+ by 56 % without any NO2- supplementation. Metagenomic analysis showed that the addition of magnetite significantly improved the relative abundance of microorganisms involved in the FEAMMOX reaction, such as Fimbriimonas ginsengisoli and Pseudomonas stutzeri. It also facilitated positive mutualism between ANAMMOX and FEAMMOX reactions. In addition, M-ANA granules exhibited a dense and compact structure compared with C-ANA, and the presence of magnetite facilitated the formation of resilient granules. Notably, the useful protein (Heme C) concentration and specific microbial activity in the M-ANA reactor were 1.3 and 2.2 times higher than those in the C-ANA reactor. Overall, the results demonstrate that an appropriate amount of magnetite can enhance the N removal efficiency while reducing the energy input requirements and associated carbon emissions. These findings can guide the future development of carbon- and energy-neutral N removal processes.

Enhanced anaerobic co-digestion of cattle manure with food waste and pig manure: Statistical optimization of pretreatment condition and substrate mixture ratio.

This study investigated the optimal pretreatment condition and mixture ratio of cattle manure (CM) for its efficient anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) with food waste (FW) and pig manure (PM). The pretreatment performances of thermal (TM), microwave (MW), and ultrasound (US) technologies and the AcoD performance were statistically and experimentally evaluated at various mixture ratios of CM, FW, and PM. The results revealed that the most effective pretreatment condition with the TM, MW, and US pretreatments was 129.3 °C for 49.6 min, 824.2 W for 7.3 min, and 418.0 W for 36.3 min, respectively. The best AcoD performance of optimally pretreated CM (PCM) was achieved when 30.5 % PCM was mixed with 42.5 % FW and 27.0 % PM. A long-term evaluation showed that the start-up rate for the anaerobic mono-digestion of PCM was 2.3 times faster than that of CM and the amount of methane produced was 4.7 times higher; process stability was thus preferentially maintained under a higher organic loading rate (OLR) (2.0 kg-VS/m3∙d). The start-up rate for the AcoD of PCM with FW and PM was 1.2 times higher than that of the AcoD of CM with FW and PM. Although the performance gap between the AcoD reactors after steady state was not significantly different, the PCM AcoD reactor provided a more stable operation under a higher OLR (5.0 kg-VS/m3∙d). This study demonstrates that the pretreatment and co-digestion of CM could significantly enhance the production of biogas and improve process stability.

Influence of increasing anode surface area on nitrite-absent ammonium oxidation in a continuous single-chamber bio-electrochemical system.

Reducing energy consumption in conventional nitrogen removal processes is a crucial and urgent requirement. This study proposes an efficient electrode-dependent bio-electrochemical anaerobic ammonium (NH4+-N) oxidation (BE-ANAMMOX) process, employing a carbon brush as the electron acceptor and voltage of 0.8 V. The applied voltage facilitated the removal of NH4+-N with a maximum removal efficiency of 41% and a Coulombic efficiency of 40.92%, without the addition of nitrite (NO2--N). Furthermore, the NH4+-N removal efficiency demonstrated an increase corresponding to the increase in the anodic surface area. The bio-electrochemical NH4+-N removal achieved remarkable reductions, eliminating the need for O2 and NO2--N by 100%, lowering energy consumption by 67%, and reducing CO2 emissions by 66% when treating 1 kg of NH4+-N. An analysis of the microbial community revealed an increase in nitrifiers and denitrifiers, including Exiguobacterium aestuarii, Alishewanella aestuarii, Comamonas granuli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. This intricate process involved the direct conversion of NH4+-N to N2 by ANAMMOX bacteria through extracellular electron transfer, all without NO2--N. Thus, bio-electrochemical NH4+-N removal exhibits promising potential for effective nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment facilities.

Prediction, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Synthetic Peptide as an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Candidate for Screening of Bovine Antibodies against Theileria annulata.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) of livestock are endemic across various parts of tropical countries. Theileriosis is one such economically important TBD, caused by the Theileriidae family of organisms, which is transmitted by ticks. Theileria annulata, the causative agent of tropical theileriosis, contributes a significant loss to the dairy sector by causing anorexia, high fever, anemia, inflammatory changes in vital organs and icterus, thus, a loss in milk yield. Though vaccines are available, their protective efficacy is not absolute, and treatment is limited to early diagnosis of the causative agent. Routinely, microscopic identification of piroplasms in the erythrocytes (Giemsa-stained) of infected animals or schizonts in lymph node biopsies are practiced for diagnosis. PCR-based techniques (multiplex, uniplex, nested and real-time) have been reported to perform well in diagnosing active infection. Several attempts have been made using serological assays like Dot blot, ELISA and ICT, but the results were of variable sensitivity and specificity. Recombinant proteins like the Theileria annulata merozoite surface antigen (Tams1) and Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) have been explored as antigenic candidates for these assays. In the present study, we predicted an immunogenic peptide, i.e., TaSP-34, from the TaSP using various computational tools. The predicted peptide was custom synthesized. The diagnostic potential of the peptide was assessed by indirect plate ELISA to detect the bovine-IgM against Theileria annulata. Alongside, a recombinant truncated TaSP (rTaSP(tr)) was expressed and purified, which was used to compare the performance of the peptide as a diagnostic candidate. The IgM-based peptide ELISA was 100% sensitive and 92.77% specific as compared to PCR (Tams1 targeting), while 98.04% sensitivity and 97.44% specificity were observed in comparison with rTaSP(tr) ELISA. Almost perfect agreement between peptide ELISA and Tams1 PCR was observed with a Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ-value) of 0.901 and agreement of 95.31%. Further, the κ-value between the peptide ELISA and rTaSP(tr) ELISA was found to be 0.95, and the agreement was 97.65%, which shows a good correlation between the two tests. The findings suggest that the TaSP-34 peptide can be an efficient and new-generation diagnostic candidate for the diagnosis of T. annulata. Furthermore, the peptide can be synthesized commercially at a larger scale and can be a cost-effective alternative for the protein-based diagnostic candidates for T. annulata.

Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty in an Adult without Osteotomy for Neglected Developmental Dysplasia of Hip.

Introduction: Developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) is an abnormal development of hip joint which when neglected in early age group can lead to joint pain and secondary osteoarthritic changes. Crowe types III and IV neglected DDH joint is widely managed with total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric shortening. Case Report: A 52-year-old female presented with neglected DDH joint which was managed in two stages with femoral lowering followed by uncemented total hip arthroplasty without osteotomy. Conclusion: With the two-stage procedure, subtrochanteric shortening which is widely accepted management for neglected DDH and the related complications were avoidable with a satisfactory Harris hip score.

Potential of nitrite-absent anaerobic ammonium oxidation by mixed culture ANAMMOX granules in a single chamber bio-electrochemical system.

Nitrogen (N) removal from wastewater is essential, but it a process that demands a substantial amount of energy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop treatment processes that can conserve and use energy effectively. This study investigated the potential of a single chamber bio-electrochemical system (BES) for ammonium (NH4+) removal. Various NH4+:NO2- ratios (1:1, 1:0.5, and 1:0) were tested at an applied potential of 0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Potential in the reactors (R-1, R-2, and R-3) significantly improved NH4+ removal efficiencies. Specifically, R-1, R-2, and R-3 exhibited removal efficiencies of 68.12%, 64.22%, and 57.86%, respectively. NH4+ oxidation in R-3 involved using a carbon brush electrode as an electron acceptor. Significant electric charge generation was observed in all reactors (R-1, R-2, and R-3) during NH4+ removal. Particularly, the use of a carbon brush as an electron acceptor in R-3 resulted in higher electric charge generation compared to those in R-1 and R-2, where NO2- served as an electron acceptor. Upon NH4+ removal and concurrent electric charge generation, nitrate (NO3-) accumulation was observed in reactors with applied potential (R-1, R-2, and R-3), demonstrating greater accumulation compared to reactors without potential (R-7, R-8, and R-9). The mechanism involves ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) oxidizing NH4+ to NO2-, which is then further oxidized by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) to NO3-. ANAMMOX bacteria could directly produce N2 from NH4+ and NO2- or NH4+ could be oxidized to N2 through extracellular electron transfer (EET). A carbon brush electron acceptor reduces NO2- requirement by 1.65 g while enhancing NH4+ oxidation efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of mixed culture ANAMMOX granules for efficient NO2-free NH4+ removal.

Bioelectrochemical system for nitrogen removal: Fundamentals, current status, trends, and challenges.

Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) is essential for the treatment of nitrogen-containing wastewater. However, the requirement for aeration and the addition of external carbon sources, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and additional costs, are disadvantages of the traditional BNR process. Alternative technologies have been devised to overcome these drawbacks. Bioelectrochemical nitrogen removal (BENR) has been proposed for efficient nitrogen removal, demonstrating flexibility and versatility. BENR can be performed by combining nitrification, denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX), or organic carbon oxidation. Bioelectrochemical-ANAMMOX (BE-ANAMMOX) is the most promising method for nitrogen removal, as it can directly convert NH4+ to N2 and H2 in one step when the electrode is arranged as an electron acceptor. High-value-added hydrogen can potentially be recovered with efficient nitrogen removal using this concept, maximizing the benefits of BENR. Using alternative electron acceptors, such as electrodes and metal ions, for complete total nitrogen removal is a promising technology to substitute NO2- production from NH4+ oxidation by aeration. However, the requirement of electron donors for NO3- reduction, low NH4+ removal efficiency, and low competitiveness of exoelectrogenic bacteria still remain the main obstacles. The future direction for successful BENR should aim to achieve complete anaerobic NH4+ oxidation without any electron acceptor and to maximize selectivity in H2 production. Therefore, the bioelectrochemical pathways and balances between efficient nitrogen removal and high-value-added chemical production should be further studied for carbon and energy neutralities.

Synergetic effects of anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and algae on biogas production.

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and algae was assessed to offset the drawbacks of anaerobic mono-digestion of each substrate. Batch test results indicated that a food waste and algae mixture ratio of 8:2 facilitated the highest CH4 yield (334 mL CH4/g CODInput). This ratio was applied to the anaerobic co-digestion reactor, resulting in a CH4 yield that was twice that of the anaerobic mono-digestion reactors, thereby facilitating high operational stability. In contrast to the anaerobic mono-digestion, anaerobic co-digestion resulted in stable CH4 production by overcoming volatile fatty acid accumulation and a decreased pH, even under a high organic loading rate (3 kg COD/m3∙d). Furthermore, a comparative metagenomic analysis revealed that the abundance of volatile fatty acid-oxidizing bacteria and hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic methanogens was significantly increased in the anaerobic co-digestion reactor. These findings indicate that the anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and algae significantly improves CH4 production and process stability.

Realizable wastewater treatment process for carbon neutrality and energy sustainability: A review.

Despite a quick shift of global goals toward carbon-neutral infrastructure, activated sludge based conventional systems inhibit the Green New Deal. Here, a municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) for carbon neutrality and energy sustainability is suggested and discussed based on realizable technical aspects. Organics have been recovered using variously enhanced primary treatment techniques, thereby reducing oxygen demand for the oxidation of organics and maximizing biogas production in biological processes. Meanwhile, ammonium in organic-separated wastewater is bio-electrochemically oxidized to N2 and reduced to H2 under completely anaerobic conditions, resulting in the minimization of energy requirements and waste sludge production, which are the main problems in activated sludge based conventional processes. The anaerobic digestion process converts concentrated primary sludge to biomethane, and H2 gas recovered from nitrogen upgrades the biomethane quality by reducing carbon dioxide in biogas. Based on these results, MWWTPs can be simplified and improved with high process and energy efficiencies.

Molecular and pathological screening of canine distemper virus in Asiatic lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, leopard cats, jungle cats, civet cats, fishing cat, and jaguar of different states, India.

The present investigation was conducted to rule out canine distemper (CD) diseases in Indian wild felids (Asiatic lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, leopard cats, jungle cats, civet cats, fishing cat, and jaguar). The collected samples were screened for CD virus (CDV) by histopathology (HP), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting H gene and N gene. The HP and IHC of suspected samples portrayed that 22 [11 leopards, 6 lions, 3 tigers, 1 snow leopard and 1 civet cat] out of 129 (17.05%) wild felids were positive for CD. The major pathological consequences were observed in spleen, lung, kidney and brain. The syncytia and intranuclear as well as intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were seen in CDV infected cells. Although the histopathological lesions in spleen were more specific and consistent, however, the severe demyelinated leukoencephalitis (usually expected in CD infected dog) was not observed in the brain of any Indian wild felids. Conversely, the CDV antigen has been portrayed via IHC in pancreatic islets of Langerhans of tiger species for the first time in this study. Moreover, the concurrent CD and babesiosis has also been observed in a lioness without a usual coffee-coloured urine. The N gene and H gene of CDV isolates were amplified, sequenced and subsequently constructed the phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic analysis of H gene revealed that the CDV isolates from Indian lion formed separate clade with CDV isolates from Indian dog and Indian palm civet cat. Furthermore, two CDV isolates from Indian tigers formed clade with Onderstepoort vaccine strain and CDV isolates from dogs of Uttar Pradesh, USA and UK. Evidently, CDV is circulating in Indian wild felids and causing diseases in them.

Acute Reconstruction of Traumatic Zone IV Re-tear of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon using Extensor Hallucis Brevis loop Technique - A Mid-term Follow-up Case Report.

Introduction: The present case report describes an acute reconstruction of extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon with defect treated using looped extensor hallucis brevis (EHB) tendon graft. Case Report: A 40 year male manual labor had an acute traumatic EHL tear which was repaired at a primary health care center. After 2 days, the patient felt a sudden click and a re-tear at zone IV of EHL. Since there was a defect of 3.5 cm which was not amenable for primary repair, EHB graft was used for the reconstruction in a loop fashion. The foot and ankle disability index score was 95.2 at 2 years follow-up with grade 4 + power. Conclusion: EHB graft is a good alternative to other autografts for extensor hallucis longus reconstructions with good clinical and functional outcomes.

Biochar seeding promotes struvite formation, but accelerates heavy metal accumulation.

This study investigated the effects of biochar seeding (wheat straw biochar and rice husk biochar) on nutrient recovery via struvite formation, and improvements in the particle size of precipitated struvite from anaerobic digestate supernatant. Simultaneously, the influence of biochar seeding on heavy metal accumulation and elimination of pathogens (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) was evaluated under various operational factors, e.g., pH, supersaturation, reaction time, and seeding rates. Compared to the non-seeding process (maximum recovery efficiency of phosphate and ammonium 91% and 83%, respectively, with a particle size of 70 µm) and the struvite-seeding process (maximum recovery efficiency of phosphate and ammonium 97% and 94%, respectively, with a particle size of 100 µm), the process of biochar seeding improved nutrient recovery up to 7% and 11% for phosphate and ammonium, respectively, and increased struvite particle size by 43%, regardless of biochar type. XRD diffraction and FTIR analysis confirmed the prevalence of orthorhombic characteristics and an inner crystalline structure of the struvite formed by biochar seeding. About 75% of total coliforms and 70% of Escherichia coli were removed from the digestate supernatant through seeded struvite precipitation, regardless of the seeding materials. However, the biochar seeding process led to an accumulation of heavy metals in the acquired struvite product than that with non-seeded precipitation process. The concentrations of these metals were still well below permissible limits for application on agricultural land. It can be concluded that the inclusion of biochar as a seeding material might be a sustainable strategy to enhance struvite formation, intensify nutrient recovery, and yield high-quality struvite fertilizer with increased particle sizes.

Giant Cervico-Thoracic Cystic Hygroma in a Preterm: A Case Report.

Cystic hygroma is a benign, painless loculated lymphatic proliferation, which occur due to a combination of sequestration from developing lymphatic system, abnormal budding of the lymphatic system or lack of development of the normal connections between venous and lymphatic drainage. We report a case of giant cervico-thoracic cystic hygroma in a preterm neonate with management options and a brief review of literature.

Intrathoracic Gastric Volvulus presenting with GIT Bleed.

Intrathoracic gastric volvulus in neonatal period is a life-threatening surgical emergency. We report a case of neonate with respiratory distress and GI bleeding who was diagnosed to have congenital diaphragmatic eventration with Intrathoracic gastric volvulus.

Primary Liver Abscess with Anterior Abdominal Wall Extension Caused by Mycobacteriumtuberculosis Complex.

Tubercular liver abscess is generally secondary to some other primary foci in the body, most notably pulmonary and gastrointestinal system. To find primary tubercular liver abscess is rare, with prevalence of 0.34% in patients with hepatic tuberculosis. Abscess tracking into abdominal wall from spinal and para spinal tuberculosis is known, however primary liver tuberculosis rupturing into anterior abdominal wall has been reported only twice in literature. We report a case of 43-year-old female with direct invasion of the anterior abdominal wall from an isolated tubercular parenchymal liver abscess, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, diagnosed primarily on smear for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), imaging and isolated by culture and BACTEC MGIT 960 KIT. We discuss here the diagnostic dilemma, management and outcome of primary tubercular liver parenchymal abscess with direct invasion into anterior abdominal wall.