Wastewater sludge as a potential raw material for antagonistic fungus (Trichoderma sp.): Role of pre-treatment and solids concentration

Abstract The objective of this study was to demonstrate that municipal and industrial wastewater sludges could be used as a sole raw material to sustain growth of rhizobia. Growth of two different groups of rhizobium (fast growing: Sinorhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv viciae; and slow growing: Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii) was tested on primary, secondary and mixed sludges obtained from different wastewater treatment plants. The results obtained in Erlenmeyer flasks indicated that slow- and fast-growing rhizobia grew well in sludge. Generally, the number of cells of rhizobia exceeds 1 × 109 cfu/mL in 72 h. The composition of sludges varies with the sludge type and origin. The sludge composition affected the generation time, cell yield and nodulation index. Higher solids concentration tended to give higher generation time. The high sludge metals concentration did not affect the growth kinetics of rhizobia. However, primary sludge could inhibit cell growth. Acid, alkaline and oxidative pre-treatments increased the primary sludge biodegradability and consequently the cell count of S. meliloti. Pre-treatment of pulp and paper sludge with NaOH enhanced the bacterial cell concentration to a maximum 1 × 1010 cfu/mL. Sludge pre-treatment decreased the generation time and reduced the process time.

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Bacillus licheniformis proteases as high value added products from fermentation of wastewater sludge: pre-treatment of sludge to increase the performance of the process

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2008.007 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 423-429 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Drouin ◽

C. K. Lai ◽

R. D. Tyagi ◽

R. Y. Surampalli

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Licheniformis ◽

Value Added ◽

Alkaline Treatment ◽

Wastewater Sludge ◽

Raw Material ◽

Protease Production ◽

Polypropylene Glycol ◽

Foam Formation ◽

Foaming Agent ◽

Pre Treatment

Wastewater sludge is a complex raw material that can support growth and protease production by Bacillus licheniformis. In this study, sludge was treated by different thermo-alkaline pre-treatment methods and subjected to Bacillus licheniformis fermentation in bench scale fermentors under controlled conditions. Thermo-alkaline treatment was found to be an effective pre-treatment process in order to enhance the proteolytic activity. Among the different pre-treated sludges tested, a mixture of raw and hydrolysed sludge caused an increase of 15% in the protease activity, as compared to the untreated sludge. The benefit of hydrolysis has been attributed to a better oxygen transfer due to decrease in media viscosity and to an increase in nutrient availability. Foam formation was a major concern during fermentation with hydrolysed sludge. The studies showed that addition of a chemical anti-foaming agent (polypropylene glycol) during fermentation to control foam could negatively influence the protease production by increasing the viscosity of sludge.

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Membrane condenser as emerging technology for water recovery and gas pre-treatment: current status and perspectives

BMC Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1186/s42480-019-0020-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Adele Brunetti ◽

Francesca Macedonio ◽

Giuseppe Barbieri ◽

Enrico Drioli

Keyword(s):

Current Status ◽

Innovative Technology ◽

Water Recovery ◽

Treatment Unit ◽

Treatment Stage ◽

Treatment Technologies ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

And Control

Abstract The recent roadmap of SPIRE initiative includes the development of “new separation, extraction and pre-treatment technologies” as one of the “key actions” for boosting sustainability, enhancing the availability and quality of existing resources. Membrane condenser is an innovative technology that was recently investigated for the recovery of water vapor for waste gaseous streams, such as flue gas, biogas, cooling tower plumes, etc. Recently, it has been also proposed as pre-treatment unit for the reduction and control of contaminants in waste gaseous streams (SOx and NOx, VOCs, H2S, NH3, siloxanes, halides, particulates, organic pollutants). This perspective article reports recent progresses in the applications of the membrane condenser in the treatment of various gaseous streams for water recovery and contaminant control. After an overview of the operating principle, the membranes used, and the main results achieved, the work also proposes the role of this technology as pre-treatment stage to other separation technologies. The potentialities of the technology are also discussed aspiring to pave the way towards the development of an innovative technology where membrane condenser can cover a key role in redesigning the whole upgrading process.

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Rheological Characterization of a Concentrated Phosphate Slurry

Fluids ◽

10.3390/fluids6050178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 178

Author(s):

Souhail Maazioui ◽

Abderrahim Maazouz ◽

Fayssal Benkhaldoun ◽

Driss Ouazar ◽

Khalid Lamnawar

Keyword(s):

Flow Behavior ◽

Continuous Phase ◽

Raw Material ◽

Rheological Characterization ◽

Phosphate Ore ◽

Insoluble Particles ◽

Experimental Protocols ◽

Solid Liquid

Phosphate ore slurry is a suspension of insoluble particles of phosphate rock, the primary raw material for fertilizer and phosphoric acid, in a continuous phase of water. This suspension has a non-Newtonian flow behavior and exhibits yield stress as the shear rate tends toward zero. The suspended particles in the present study were assumed to be noncolloidal. Various grades and phosphate ore concentrations were chosen for this rheological investigation. We created some experimental protocols to determine the main characteristics of these complex fluids and established relevant rheological models with a view to simulate the numerical flow in a cylindrical pipeline. Rheograms of these slurries were obtained using a rotational rheometer and were accurately modeled with commonly used yield-pseudoplastic models. The results show that the concentration of solids in a solid–liquid mixture could be increased while maintaining a desired apparent viscosity. Finally, the design equations for the laminar pipe flow of yield pseudoplastics were investigated to highlight the role of rheological studies in this context.

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Contribution of Cyanotoxins to the Ecotoxicological Role of Lichens

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13050321 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 321

Author(s):

Dobri Ivanov ◽

Galina Yaneva ◽

Irina Potoroko ◽

Diana G. Ivanova

Keyword(s):

Research Methods ◽

Raw Material ◽

Modern Times ◽

Effective Application ◽

The World ◽

The Common

The fascinating world of lichens draws the attention of the researchers because of the numerous properties of lichens used traditionally and, in modern times, as a raw material for medicines and in the perfumery industry, for food and spices, for fodder, as dyes, and for other various purposes all over the world. However, lichens being widespread symbiotic entities between fungi and photosynthetic partners may acquire toxic features due to either the fungi, algae, or cyano-procaryotes producing toxins. By this way, several common lichens acquire toxic features. In this survey, recent data about the ecology, phytogenetics, and biology of some lichens with respect to the associated toxin-producing cyanoprokaryotes in different habitats around the world are discussed. Special attention is paid to the common toxins, called microcystin and nodularin, produced mainly by the Nostoc species. The effective application of a series of modern research methods to approach the issue of lichen toxicity as contributed by the cyanophotobiont partner is emphasized.

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The Insulin Receptor Mediates Insulin’s Early Plasma Clearance by Liver, Muscle, and Kidney

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9010037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 37

Author(s):

Rick I. Meijer ◽

Eugene J. Barrett

Keyword(s):

Insulin Receptor ◽

Plasma Clearance ◽

Plasma Insulin ◽

Insulin Clearance ◽

Initial Plasma ◽

Liver And Kidney ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Initial Clearance

The role of the insulin receptor in mediating tissue-specific insulin clearance in vivo has not been reported. Using physiologic insulin doses, we measured the initial clearance rate (first 5 min) of intravenously injected ([125I]TyrA14)-insulin by muscle, liver, and kidney in healthy rats in the presence and absence of the insulin receptor blocker S961. We also tested whether 4 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) affected the initial rate of insulin clearance. Pre-treatment with S961 for 60 min prior to administering labeled insulin raised plasma ([125I]TyrA14)insulin concentration approximately 5-fold (p < 0.001), demonstrating receptor dependency for plasma insulin clearance. Uptake by muscle (p < 0.01), liver (p < 0.05), and kidney (p < 0.001) were each inhibited by receptor blockade, undoubtedly contributing to the reduced plasma clearance. The initial plasma insulin clearance was not significantly affected by HFD, nor was muscle-specific clearance. However, HFD modestly decreased liver clearance (p = 0.056) while increasing renal clearance by >50% (p < 0.01), suggesting a significant role for renal insulin clearance in limiting the hyperinsulinemia that accompanies HFD. We conclude that the insulin receptor is a major mediator of initial insulin clearance from plasma and for its clearance by liver, kidney, and muscle. HFD feeding increases renal insulin clearance to limit systemic hyperinsulinemia.

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Identification of an Immature Subset of PMN-MDSC Correlated to Response to Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1362

Author(s):

Françoise Gondois-Rey ◽

Magali Paul ◽

Florence Alcaraz ◽

Sarah Bourass ◽

Jilliana Monnier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metastatic Melanoma ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽

T Cell Proliferation ◽

Low Density ◽

Direct Cytotoxicity ◽

Radiological Response ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Immature Cells

PMN-MDSCs support tumor progression and resistance to ICI therapy through their suppressive functions but their heterogeneity limits their use as biomarkers in cancer. Our aim was to investigate the phenotypic and functional subsets of PMN-MDSCs to identify biomarkers of response to ICI therapy. We isolated low-density CD15+ PMNs from patients with metastatic melanoma and assessed their immune-suppressive capacities. Expression of CD10 and CD16 was used to identify mature and immature subsets and correlate them to inhibition of T cell proliferation or direct cytotoxicity. Frequencies of the PMN-MDSCs subsets were next correlated to the radiological response of 36 patients receiving ICI therapy. Mature activated cells constituted the major population of PMN-MDSCs. They were found in a higher proportion in the pre-treatment blood of patients non responders to ICI. A subset of immature cells characterized by intermediate levels of CD10 and CD16, the absence of expression of SIRPα and a strong direct cytotoxicity to T cells was increased in patients responding to ICI. The paradoxical expansion of such cells during ICI therapy suggests a role of PMNs in the inflammatory events associated to efficient ICI therapy and the usefulness of their monitoring in patients care.

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The role of trans obturator tape as a surgical procedure for female stress urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in Jammu region

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20195355 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 4975

Author(s):

Sapna Puri ◽

Manisha Kohli

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Stress Incontinence ◽

Symptomatic Relief ◽

Female Stress Urinary Incontinence ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

King’S Health Questionnaire ◽

Promising Treatment ◽

Pre Treatment

Background: Stress incontinence is one of the most common but debilitating health issue among women. It has a detrimental effect on overall health and quality of life of women. Trans obturator tape (TOT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality. The aim of present study was to assess the usefulness of TOT in terms of change in quality of life of stress incontinence patients.Methods: The study was performed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acharya Shri Chandler of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS), Jammu. A total of 50 symptomatic women were enrolled in the study and underwent TOT procedure using outside-in technique. The quality of life of women was assessed at enrolment and 12 months after the procedure using King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Change in QOL was assessed using paired ‘t’-test.Results: After 12 months follow-up, a total of 27 (54%) patients were entirely symptom free. As compared to pre-treatment QOL assessment on KHQ for general health/incontinence impact, quality of life and symptom scores a % decline of 73.2%, 79.8% and 78.4% was observed. For all the three parts, the change in scores was significant statistically. No other complications and side effects were reported.Conclusions: TOT is a useful procedure which provided symptomatic relief as well as QOL enhancement.

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Can Pre-Treatment Inflammatory Parameters Predict the Probability of Sphincter-Preserving Surgery in Patients with Locally Advanced Low-Lying Rectal Cancer?

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11060946 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 946

Author(s):

Richard Partl ◽

Katarzyna Lukasiak ◽

Bettina Stranz ◽

Eva Hassler ◽

Marton Magyar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rectal Cancer ◽

Anal Verge ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Sphincter Preservation ◽

Independent Predictive Factor ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Inflammatory Parameters ◽

Pre Treatment

There is evidence suggesting that pre-treatment clinical parameters can predict the probability of sphincter-preserving surgery in rectal cancer; however, to date, data on the predictive role of inflammatory parameters on the sphincter-preservation rate are not available. The aim of the present cohort study was to investigate the association between inflammation-based parameters and the sphincter-preserving surgery rate in patients with low-lying locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). A total of 848 patients with LARC undergoing radiotherapy from 2004 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify patients with rectal cancer localized ≤ 6 cm from the anal verge, treated with neo-adjuvant radiochemotherapy (nRCT) and subsequent surgery. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to investigate the role of pre-treatment inflammatory parameters, including the C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for the prediction of sphincter preservation. A total of 363 patients met the inclusion criteria; among them, 210 patients (57.9%) underwent sphincter-preserving surgery, and in 153 patients (42.1%), an abdominoperineal rectum resection was performed. Univariable analysis showed a significant association of the pre-treatment CRP value (OR = 2.548, 95% CI: 1.584–4.097, p < 0.001) with sphincter preservation, whereas the pre-treatment NLR (OR = 1.098, 95% CI: 0.976–1.235, p = 0.120) and PLR (OR = 1.002, 95% CI: 1.000–1.005, p = 0.062) were not significantly associated with the type of surgery. In multivariable analysis, the pre-treatment CRP value (OR = 2.544; 95% CI: 1.314–4.926; p = 0.006) was identified as an independent predictive factor for sphincter-preserving surgery. The findings of the present study suggest that the pre-treatment CRP value represents an independent parameter predicting the probability of sphincter-preserving surgery in patients with low-lying LARC.

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