Activated sludge microbiome in a membrane bioreactor for treating Ramen noodle-soup wastewater.

Population shifts in the activated sludge microbiome of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) during the treatment of Ramen noodle-soup wastewater were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. An MBR underwent stable treatment of wastewater containing increasing oil concentrations (from 135 to 1,350 mg/L) for 26 days; however, after feeding with wastewater containing 2,700 mg/L of oil, the mixed liquor suspended solids and transmembrane pressure exhibited gradual and rapid increases, respectively, leading to clogging of the membrane. Phylogenetic analysis revealed an oil supply-dependent increase in the abundance of Cupriavidus gilardii (relative abundance of 26.2% at Day 30) in the sludge together with Parasegetibacter terrae (9.9%) and Ferruginibacter yonginensis (9.4%). These dominant species may play important roles in noodle-soup wastewater treatment.

Evaluation of cell viability and metabolic activity of a 3D cultured human epidermal model using a dynamic autoradiographic technique with a PET radiopharmaceutical.

Quality control of tissues and organs for transplant is important to confirm their safety and effectiveness for regenerative medicine. However, quality evaluation is only carried out using a limited range of inspection criteria, because many of the available evaluation tests are invasive. In order to explore the potential of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG)-bioradiography as a non-invasive test for estimation of the safety, soundness, and effectiveness of tissues for transplantation, [18F]FDG uptake and cell viability or metabolism were investigated using a reconstructed human epidermal model (RHEM). We developed an imaging system, and suitable bioradiographic image acquisition conditions and its effectiveness were investigated. [18F]FDG uptake increased in agreement with DNA content as a marker of cell numbers and for histological assessment during cell proliferation and keratinization. [18F]FDG uptake was significantly decreased in good agreement with the viability of tissues used with various hazardous chemical treatments. [18F]FDG uptake by the tissues was decreased by hypothermia treatment and increased by hypoxia treatment while maintaining cell viability in the tissue. Therefore, [18F]FDG-bioradiography can be useful to estimate cell viability or metabolism in this RHEM. This method might be utilized as a non-invasive test for quality evaluation of tissues for transplantation.