Enhancing biohydrogen production from Agave tequilana bagasse: Detoxified vs. Undetoxified acid hydrolysates.

The aim of this work was to compare the biohydrogen production potential of undetoxified and detoxified acid hydrolysates from A. tequilana bagasse. Detoxification was carried out with activated carbon at different concentrations and pH values. Results indicated that pH was not a significant variable, while the lowest evaluated concentration of activated carbon (1% p/v) significantly promoted the highest removal of acetic acid (89%) with minimal losses of fermentable sugars. Regarding dark fermentation experiments, central composite designs were used to optimize COD and pH variables for both substrates, undetoxified and detoxified hydrolysates (activated carbon 1% p/v and pH 0.6). At optimal conditions, the detoxified hydrolysate produced 33% more biohydrogen than the undetoxified one. Hydrogen molar yields were 1.71 and 1.23 mol H2/molsugar, respectively. This improvement was correlated to changes in metabolic byproducts, since the detoxified hydrolysate produced only acetic and butyric acids, while lactic acid was detected in the undetoxified hydrolysate.

Zika virus-induced neurological critical illness in Latin America: Severe Guillain-Barre Syndrome and encephalitis.

Zika virus (ZIKAV) is classically described as causing minor symptoms in adult patients, however neurologic complications have been recognized. The recent outbreak in Central and South America has resulted in serious illness in some adult patients. We report adult patients in Latin America diagnosed with ZIKAV infection admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). METHODS: Multicenter, prospective case series of adult patients with laboratory diagnosis of ZIKAV in 16 ICUs in 8 countries. RESULTS: Between December 1st 2015 and April 2nd 2016, 16 ICUs in 8 countries enrolled 49 critically ill patients with diagnosis of ZIKAV infection. We included 10 critically ill patients with ZIKAV infection, as diagnosed with RT-PCR, admitted to the ICU. Neurologic manifestations concordant with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) were present in all patients, although 2 evolved into an encephalitis-like picture. 2 cases died, one due to encephalitis, the other septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Differing from what was usually reported, ZIKAV infection can result in life-threatening neurologic illness in adults, including GBS and encephalitis. Collaborative reporting to identify severe illness from an emerging pathogen can provide valuable insights into disease epidemiology and clinical presentation, and inform public health authorities about acute care priorities.

Electrochemical oxidation of cyanide on 3D Ti-RuO2 anode using a filter-press electrolyzer.

The novelty of this communication lies in the use of a Ti-RuO2 anode which has not been tested for the oxidation of free cyanide in alkaline media at concentrations similar to those found in wastewater from the Merrill Crowe process (100 mg L-1 KCN and pH 11), which is typically used for the recovery of gold and silver. The anode was prepared by the Pechini method and characterized by SEM. Linear sweep voltammetries on a Ti-RuO2 rotating disk electrode (RDE) confirmed that cyanide is oxidized at 0.45 < E < 1.0 V vs SHE, while significant oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurred. Bulk oxidation of free cyanide was investigated on Ti-RuO2 meshes fitted into a filter-press electrolyzer. Bulk electrolyzes were performed at constant potentials of 0.85 V and 0.95 V and at different mean linear flow rates ranging between 1.2 and 4.9 cm s-1. The bulk anodic oxidation of cyanide at 0.85 V and 3.7 cm s-1 achieved a degradation of 94%, with current efficiencies of 38% and an energy consumption of 24.6 kWh m-3. Moreover, the degradation sequence of cyanide was also examined by HPLC.