Childhood Furuncular Cutaneous Myiasis Associated with Seborrheic Dermatitis: A Case Report

Myiasis is a parasitic infection caused by dipterous fly larvae that can affect various organs in both human and animals. Cutaneous myiasis is the most common type of myiasis and can be classified into three categories, localized furuncular myiasis, migratory myiasis, and wound myiasis. One of the risk factors for myiasis is seborrheic dermatitis. The definitive treatment for the condition requires complete extraction of larvae, in combination with oral therapy, and localized occlusion to promote hypoxia. This paper reports a case of a 12-year-old girl with furuncular cutaneous myiasis associated with seborrheic dermatitis on the occipital region that showed significant improvements after manual extraction of larvae after local anesthesia injection of 2% lidocaine on the base of the lesion, in combination with oral and topical therapies

Phospholipid fatty acids in soil—drawbacks and future prospects

The current opinion and position paper highlights (1) correct assignation of indicator phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), (2) specificity and recycling of PLFA in microorganisms, and (3) complete extraction and detection of PLFA. The straight-chain PLFA 14:0, 15:0, 16:0, and 17:0 occur in all microorganisms, i.e., also in fungi and not only in bacteria. If the phylum Actinobacteria is excluded from the group of Gram-positive bacteria, all remaining bacteria belong to the bacterial phylum Firmicutes, which should be considered. The PLFA 16:1ω5 should be used as an indicator for the biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as there is no experimental evidence that they occur in marked amounts in Gram-negative bacteria. Fungal PLFA should embrace the AMF-specific 16:1ω5. In the presence of plants, ergosterol should be used instead of the PLFA 18:2ω6,9 and 18:1ω9 as fungal indicators for Mucoromycotina, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. The majority of indicator PLFA are not fully specific for a certain microbial group. This problem might be intensified by recycling processes during decomposition to an unknown extent. Soil handling and extraction conditions should be further optimized. The reliability and accuracy of gas chromatographic separation need to be regularly checked against unintentional variations. PLFA analysis will still be of interest over the next decades as an important independent control of DNA-based methods.

Resource-saving processing of technological solutions and wastewater by electrochemical method (methods overview)

The paper summarizes the data on the wastewater formation from a number of plants of chemical, engineering, energy and leather industries and its processing in electrolyzers of various designs to obtain the substances that can be used in various production processes. In the ethylenediamine production, wastewater occurs at the stages of amines rectification and of ethylenediamine dihydrochloride neutralization. Recycling of effluents generated during the amine rectification in a two-chamber electrolysis cell allows the ethylenediamine and ammonia to be returned to the production process. The processing of ethylenediamine dihydrochloride solution in the membrane electrolyzers saves alkali for the neutralization process. Electrochemical processing of distilled liquid in soda production makes possible to obtain calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid or chlorine, which can be used in various industrial processes. Wastewater generated during the demineralized water production contains a significant amounts of sodium sulfates and chlorides. The processing of these effluents in a membrane electrolyzer yields sulfuric acid and alkali, which are suitable for the regeneration of ion-exchange filters. After processing in an electrodialysis apparatus the wastewater generated during the chromium and nickel coatings, is concentrated to values that allow them to be used to prepare an electrolyte adjustment. The leather industry effluents contains an amount of trivalent chromium and sulphides. Electrochemical processing of these effluents leads to almost complete extraction of chromium and sulfides.

Design of MFI Type Aluminum- and Titanium-Containing Zeolites

HZSM-5 (MFI type) of composition (Hx)[Al3+xSi12−xO24] × wH2O and nanocomposites NA/HZSM-5, NA:M/HZSM-5 (NA—nanoscale anatase; M = V, Ni, Ag) with Si/Al = 12, 25, 40, 300 (sp.gr. Pnma or P21/n; z = 8), as well as zeolites [(Ti4+xSi12−xO24] × wH2O (TS) with Si/Ti = 47, 53, 73.5 (sp.gr. Pnma) were studied by XRPD, XAS, FTIR-spectroscopy, BET, XPS, SEM, EDX, TPD, UV–VIS-spectroscopy, UV–DRS, and chemiluminescence methods. The results obtained together with photocatalytic, adsorption, antimicrobial, catalytic properties were analyzed using crystallochemical concepts and literature data. It was shown that NA or NA:M introduction into HZSM-5 leads, respectively, to the photodegradation of MeO dye in the UV region or difenoconazole in the visible range, and contributes to the appearance in the dark of adsorption (almost complete extraction of P(V), As(V), and Se(V) from aquatic environment) and bacteriostatic properties in respect to Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus antracoides, and Escherichia coli for NA:Ag/HZSM-5(40, 300). The presence of titanium ions in NA nanoparticles on the HZSM-5 surface improves the catalytic activity in ethanol and propane (the best performance for NA/HZSM-5(25) and NA/HZSM-5(40), respectively) conversion. Determination of the composition (surface and bulk) and structure (statistical and local) of TS zeolites together with the found correlations made it possible to propose new catalysts in the reactions of propane, ethanol, and allyl chloride conversion.

92. Characteristics and Outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation Device Related Infections: Experience from Quaternary Centers

Background Increasing use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) over the past 20 years is paralleled by a rise in DBS infections. There is a paucity of data on the diagnosis, management, and outcomes in such infections. We describe our center’s experience with DBS infections. Methods Adults ( >18 years) diagnosed with DBS associated infection between January 1, 2000 and May 1, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, microbiology, and management was collected. Results Seventy cases were identified (table 1). The mean age at diagnosis was 58.9 ± 16.5 years. The bulk were free of comorbidities. Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors were the most common indications for DBS placement. The median time from implantation to infection was 4 months [IQR 1,24]. The neurotransmitter and extension wires were the most frequently infected parts. A microbiological diagnosis was made in 89% of cases, 47% of which were polymicrobial. The most commonly identified organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Cutibacterium acnes, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. For patients with deep infection, 71% had complete device extraction, 20% partial extraction, and 9% device retention; clinical cure at 3 months occurred in 97%, 64% and 100%, respectively (figure 1). On the other hand, 93% of patients with superficial infection had device retention; cure at 3 months was seen in 64% (figure 2). Suppressive oral antibiotics were rarely used, 45% of patients with partial extraction and 26% with device retention. DBS was reimplanted in 71% of patients after complete extraction and led to reinfection in 30% at 1 year follow up. Median time to reimplantation was 2.7 months. All patients who failed at 3 months in the partial extraction and device retention cohorts subsequently underwent complete device removal leading to clinical cure sustained at 1 year follow up. Conclusion All patients who had complete extraction achieved clinical cure at 3-months follow-up, while high failure rates occurred in those with device retention. Most infections were polymicrobial and predominantly caused by gram-positive pathogens. Thirty percent of patients with re-implantation after complete device extraction developed re-infection within 1 year. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Modified Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Increases Seroma Evacuation: An Ex Vivo Model

Background. Incisional negative wound pressure therapy (iNPWT) is a relatively novel dressing technique with the aim of reducing postoperative wound infections and dehiscence in high-risk wounds after all kinds of surgical procedures. There is a lack of theoretical knowledge about the way those dressing would ameliorate wound healing. One aspect is the reduction of superficial tension, but significant remaining seroma might still cause deep wound infections. The aim of this study was the evaluation of technical modifications of the standard iNPWT dressing to increase seroma evacuation. Methods. iNPWT dressings were applied on the porcine abdominal wall, and an incremental pressure ramp from 50 to 200 mmHg was performed. The resulting wound pressures were measured using (i) balloon manometry and (ii) esophageal manometry catheter. Seroma evacuation was analyzed with a seroma model. All measurements were performed with (i) standard iNPWT dressing, (ii) wound gauze diverted through the incision, and (iii) placement of suction drain tube into iNPWT. Results. Due to the modifications of the iNPWT dressing, the vacuum applied by the iNPWT dressing could be transferred into the wound and was not only restricted to superficial layers. More importantly, placement of wound gauzes or suction drain tubes led to complete extraction of wound seroma. The placement of the suction drain tube showed the best combination of increased intrawound pressure as well as seroma evacuation. Conclusion. Addition of a suction drain tube to the iNPWT dressing leads to an improved function of the iNPWT dressing in our ex vivo model.

Influence of Cardboard Pretreatment on the Determination of Starch Content by the Enzymatic Method

We determined the amount of starch by the enzymatic method in different samples of corrugated cardboard, including the sample produced of primary semi-finished products and corrugated cardboard made of 100 % waste paper. For starch enzymatic degradation, it is necessary to extract it from the corrugated board structure, since the processes of compression and keratinization of pulp fibers reduce the availability of starch for extraction. Enzymatic treatment requires the use of a complex amylolytic preparation for complete hydrolysis of starch to glucose. We were able to determine, respectively, 70 and 84 % of starch obtained from primary semi-finished products by mechanical methods, such as defibrillation in water and degradation in a liquid nitrogen medium, and added at the production stage of corrugated cardboard. It was shown that extraction with alkaline agents was necessary for more complete extraction of starch from corrugated cardboard. The influence of alkaline treatment on the characteristics of fibers of waste paper fractions obtained at the Sukhonsky Cardboard and Paper Mill has been analyzed. The fibers swell in alkali, resulting in an increase in fiber width and its shortening, as well as a decrease in crystallinity, which can be a positive opportunity for more complete starch extraction. Fiber swelling and crystallinity reduction are more intensive for the short fiber fraction compared to the long fiber fraction. When determining starch in corrugated cardboard using the standard method SCAN-P 91:09 SСAN-W 13:09 it was not possible to detect all the starch added at the production stage of corrugated cardboard from primary semi-finished products. Also the processing conditions of this methodology lead to degradation of the partially hydrolyzed starch. The most complete extraction of starch from corrugated cardboard was achieved by two stages of alkaline extraction under the following conditions: 5 % NaOH, temperature of 20 °C, the duration of each extraction – 2 h. Under these processing conditions it was possible to determine all the starch (22.8 kg/t) in the corrugated cardboard produced of primary semi-finished products with known consumption of starch; the starch content in the corrugated cardboard produced of 100 % waste paper was 48.2 kg/t. For citation: Khadyko I.A., Novozhilov E.V., Chukhchin D.G. Influence of Cardboard Pretreatment on the Determination of Starch Content by the Enzymatic Method. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 5, pp. 150–162. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-5-150-162

Recovery of Copper(II) and Silver(I) from Nitrate Leaching Solution of Industrial Dust via Solvent Extraction with LIX63

A nitrate leachate containing Cu(II), Ag(I), Ni(II), Mg(II), and Al(III) was obtained during the leaching of industrial dust, which arises during the pyrometallurgy of spent camera modules. To separate and recover Cu(II) and Ag(I) from the leaching solution, solvent extraction experiments using 5,8-diethyl-7-hydroxydodecan-6-oxime (LIX63) were conducted. LIX63 was found to selectively extract Cu(II) and Ag(I) over other metal ions (Ni(II), Mg(II), and Al(III)) at low nitric acid concentrations. The extraction efficiency of Cu(II) was more affected than that of Ag(I) by the acidity of the feed solution and the LIX63 concentration in the organic phase. Cu(II) and Ag(I) were simultaneously extracted using 2 mol/L LIX63. Cu(II) was separated from the loaded LIX63 via stripping with 4 mol/L HNO3, whereas Ag(I) was recovered via stripping with 0.1 mol/L thiourea after the removal of Cu(II). McCabe–Thiele diagrams for the extraction and stripping of Cu(II) and Ag(I) were constructed. The complete extraction of Cu(II) and Ag(I) was confirmed via counter-current extraction. Moreover, stripping simulation tests confirmed that higher than 99.99% of Cu(II) and 99.2% of Ag(I) were stripped. The purities of Cu(II) and Ag(I) in the recovered solution were 95.2% and 99.993%, respectively. A process flow chart for the recovery of Cu(II) and Ag(I) from the nitrate leachate of the target industrial dust was also provided.

CERVICAL OESOPHAGOTOMY IN A CAT FOR FOREIGN BODY REMOVAL - CASE REPORT

Oesophageal foreign bodies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in small animals, especially in carnivores. Due to the possibility of complications such as perforation or tracheal compression, the patient may present an upper airway obstruction, which might become a medical emergency. Here, we describe a rare case of a large cervical foreign object in a cat and review the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of this condition. A 4-year-old female cat was referred to our clinic with signs of dyspnoea, dysphagia and regurgitation. The history and clinical exam suggested an oesophageal foreign body, subsequently radiographically confirmed. Because its shape and position did not allow endoscopic extraction, the foreign body was removed via ventral cervical oesophagostomy. Due to its location and large size, it was necessary to fragment the foreign body into two pieces for complete extraction without injuring the oesophageal walls. The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged 7 days after surgery. In this condition, an early diagnosis, followed by an immediate surgical repair and a rigorous postoperative care, correlates with patient recovery and survival, being crucial in reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates that are usually associated.