ENHANCED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PERFORMANCES: EFFECT OF SLUDGE ULTRASOUND PRE-TREATMENT AND ROLE OF THE MICROBIAL POPULATION

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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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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Efficiency of integrated electrooxidation and anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge

Biotechnology for Biofuels ◽

10.1186/s13068-021-01929-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. A. Barrios ◽

A. Cano ◽

F. F. Rivera ◽

M. E. Cisneros ◽

U. Durán

Keyword(s):

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Current Density ◽

Methane Production ◽

Energy Recovery ◽

Energy Analysis ◽

Mathematical Optimization ◽

Waste Activated Sludge ◽

Bdd Electrode ◽

Vs Removal ◽

Pre Treatment

Abstract Background Most of the organic content of waste activated sludge (WAS) comprises microbial cells hard to degrade, which must be pre-treated for energy recovery by anaerobic digestion (AD). Electrooxidation pre-treatment (EOP) with boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode have been considered a promising novel technology that increase hydrolysis rate, by the disintegrating cell walls from WAS. Although electrochemical oxidation could efficiently solubilize organic substances of macromolecules, limited reports are available on EOP of WAS for improving AD. In this endeavour, the mathematical optimization study and the energy analysis of the effects of initial total solids concentrations [TS] of WAS and current density (CD) during EOP on the methane production and removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS) were investigated. Because limited reports are available on EOP of WAS for improving biogas production, it is not well understood; however, it has started to attract interest of scientists and engineers. Results In the present work, the energy recovery as biogas and WAS conversion were comprehensively affected by CD and [TS], in an integrated EOP and AD system. When working with WAS at 3% of [TS] pre-treated at current density of 24.1 mA/cm2, the highest COD and VS removal were achieved, making it possible to obtain the maximum methane (CH4) production of 305 N-L/kg VS and a positive energy balance of 1.67 kWh/kg VS. Therefore, the current densities used in BDD electrode are adequate to produce the strong oxidant (hydroxyl radical, ·OH) on the electrode surface, allow the oxidation of organic compounds that favours the solubilization of particulate matter and VS from WAS. Conclusions The improvement of VS removal and COD solubilization were due to the effects of pre-treatments, which help to break down the microbial cells for faster subsequent degradation; this allows a decomposition reaction that leads to biodegrade more compounds during AD. The balance was positive, suggesting that even without any optimization the energy used as electricity could be recovered from the increased methane production. It is worth noting that this kind of analysis have not been sufficiently studied so far. It is therefore important to understand how operational parameters can influence the pre-treatment and AD performances. The current study highlights that the mathematical optimization and energy analysis can make the whole process more convenient and feasible.

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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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Pro-Inflammatory and Neurotrophic Factor Responses of Cells Derived from Degenerative Human Intervertebral Discs to the Opportunistic Pathogen Cutibacterium acnes

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2347

Author(s):

Manu N. Capoor ◽

Anna Konieczna ◽

Andrew McDowell ◽

Filip Ruzicka ◽

Martin Smrcka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Acne Vulgaris ◽

Opportunistic Pathogen ◽

Intervertebral Discs ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Gene Target ◽

Cutibacterium Acnes ◽

Pre Treatment

Previously, we proposed the hypothesis that similarities in the inflammatory response observed in acne vulgaris and degenerative disc disease (DDD), especially the central role of interleukin (IL)-1β, may be further evidence of the role of the anaerobic bacterium Cutibacterium (previously Propionibacterium) acnes in the underlying aetiology of disc degeneration. To investigate this, we examined the upregulation of IL-1β, and other known IL-1β-induced inflammatory markers and neurotrophic factors, from nucleus-pulposus-derived disc cells infected in vitro with C. acnes for up to 48 h. Upon infection, significant upregulation of IL-1β, alongside IL-6, IL-8, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), was observed with cells isolated from the degenerative discs of eight patients versus non-infected controls. Expression levels did, however, depend on gene target, multiplicity and period of infection and, notably, donor response. Pre-treatment of cells with clindamycin prior to infection significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. This study confirms that C. acnes can stimulate the expression of IL-1β and other host molecules previously associated with pathological changes in disc tissue, including neo-innervation. While still controversial, the role of C. acnes in DDD remains biologically credible, and its ability to cause disease likely reflects a combination of factors, particularly individualised response to infection.

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