Comparison of commercial baker's yeast versus bacteria-based membrane bioreactors for landfill leachate treatment.

This study compares the performance of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) inoculated with commercial baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (MBRy) versus one inoculated with bacterial sludge (MBRb) for treatment of landfill leachate. The MBRb and MBRy were operated with a hydraulic retention time of 48 h, solids retention time of 60 d, and specific air demand based on membrane area of 0.6 m3 h-1 m-2. The MBRy was more efficient in removing chemical oxygen demand (COD) (68 ± 12%), color (79 ± 8%), ammoniacal nitrogen (58 ± 18%), and phosphorus (62 ± 19%) compared to MBRb, which showed removal efficiencies of 44 ± 18%, 46 ± 20%, 45 ± 17%, and 29 ± 15% for COD, color, ammoniacal nitrogen, and phosphorus. Furthermore, the MBRy had lower production of soluble microbial products, which are the main cause of membrane fouling, and so a lower membrane fouling potential. The average hydraulic permeability of the MBRy (32.23 L m-2 h-1 bar-1) was about four times higher than that of the MBRb (8.34 L m-2 h-1 bar-1). Thus using commercial baker's yeasts as a MBR inoculum can enhance pollutants' removal and membrane performance.

FLAIR* to visualize veins in white matter lesions: A new tool for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of a post-processing technique combining FLAIR and T2* (FLAIR*) to distinguish between lesions caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) from cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) in a clinical setting. METHODS: FLAIR and T2* head datasets acquired at 3T of 25 people with relapsing MS (pwRMS) and ten with pwSVD were used. After post-processing, FLAIR* maps were used to determine the proportion of white matter lesions (WML) showing the 'vein in lesion' sign (VIL), a characteristic histopathological feature of MS plaques. Sensitivity and specificity of MS diagnosis were examined on the basis of >45% VIL+ and >60% VIL+ WML, and compared with current dissemination in space (DIS) MRI criteria. RESULTS: All pwRMS had >45% VIL+ WML (range 58-100%) whilst in pwSVD the proportion of VIL+ WML was significantly lower (0-64%; mean 32±20%). Sensitivity based on >45% VIL+ was 100% and specificity 80% whilst with >60% VIL+ as the criterion, sensitivity was 96% and specificity 90%. DIS criteria had 96% sensitivity and 40% specificity. CONCLUSION: FLAIR* enables VIL+ WML detection in a clinical setting, facilitating differentiation of MS from SVD based on brain MRI. KEY POINTS: • FLAIR* in a clinical setting allows visualization of veins in white matter lesions. • Significant proportions of MS lesions demonstrate a vein in lesion on MRI. • Microangiopathic lesions demonstrate a lower proportion of intralesional veins than MS lesions. • Intralesional vein-based criteria may complement current MRI criteria for MS diagnosis.

Efeito de um programa de manejo farmacoterapêutico em um grupo de idosos com hipertensão em Aracaju-Sergipe / Effect of a drug therapy management program in a group of elderly patients with hypertension in Aracaju (Sergipe, Brazil).

O presente estudo visou avaliar o efeito de um programa de manejo farmacoterapêutico no atendimento de idosos com hipertensão arterial sistêmica assistidos em unidade básica de saúde no município de Aracaju-Sergipe. Foram selecionados 30 idosos portadores de hipertensão, entre 60 e 75 anos de ambos os gêneros. Foi realizado um estudo de intervenção. Ao longo do estudo foram avaliadas as mudanças referentes ao manejo da farmacoterapia, de janeiro de 2007 a agosto de 2008. As variáveis analisadas foram: perfil sócio-demográfico e farmacoterapêutico e freqüência de comorbidades. A média de idade foi 69 ± 4 anos, com prevalência do gênero feminino. Os dados obtidos mostraram freqüência das comorbidades, especialmente nos sistema cardiovascular (100%) e músculo-esquelético (90%). Com relação ao perfil farmacoterapêutico foram identificados 76 diferentes tipos de especialidades farmacêuticas. Os medicamentos mais consumidos foram a hidroclorotiazida (53,3%) e o captopril (30%). Além disso, as intervenções reduziram o uso de AINEs (25,3% para 10%) e de polifarmácia (de nove para seis pacientes). O levantamento do perfil farmacoterapêutico forneceu elementos relevantes para compreender o uso de medicamentos em uma unidade de saúde, bem como, para eleger prioridades no cuidado aos idosos com hipertensão e elaborar estratégias em que o farmacêutico possa intervir de modo a reduzir e prevenir problemas farmacoterapêuticos.

This study was designed to assess the effect of a drug therapy management program on the treatment of elderly patients with systemic arterial hypertension who were attended at a primary health care unit (PCHU) in the city of Aracaju (SE). An intervention study was carried out at the PCHU, for which a sample of 30 elderly patients (60 - 75 years old) with hypertension, of both genders, was selected. During the study, changes in drug therapy management, from January 2007 up to August 2008, were assessed. The variables analyzed were socio-demographic and drug therapy profiles, as well as the frequency of comorbidity. The mean age was 69 ± 4 years, with a preponderance of women. The data showed a high frequency of comorbidity, especially in cardiovascular (100%) and musculoskeletal (90%) systems. Regarding the drug therapy profile, 76 different drugs were found. Those consumed most were hydrochlorothiazide (53.3%) and captopril (30%). The interventions reduced the prescription of NSAIDs (25.3% to 10%) and the practice of polypharmacy (nine to six patients). The drug therapy profile obtained from the survey provided details that could be employed to understand the use of drugs in a PCHU; for instance, to select priorities in caring for the elderly with hypertension and develop strategies in which the pharmacist can intervene to reduce and prevent drug therapy problems.