Phylogenetic description of immobilized methanogenic community using real-time PCR in a fixed-bed anaerobic digester.

After immobilization of anaerobes on polyurethane foam in a thermophilic, fixed-bed, anaerobic digester supplied with acetate, the results of real-time PCR analysis indicated that the major immobilized methanogenic archaea were Methanosarcina spp., and that the major free-living methanogenic archaea were Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium spp. 16S rRNA gene densities of Methanosarcina spp. and Methanobacterium spp. immobilized on the polyurethane foam were 7.6x10(9) and 2.6x10(8) copies/cm3, respectively. Immobilized methanogenic archaea could be concentrated 1000 times relative to those in the original anaerobically digested sludge from a completely mixed thermophilic digester supplied with cattle waste. On the other hand, immobilized bacteria could be concentrated only 10 times. The cell densities of the immobilized methanogenic archaea and bacteria were higher than those of the free-living methanogenic archaea and bacteria in the reactor. The results of clone analysis indicate that the major methanogenic archaea of the original thermophilic sludge are members of the order Methanomicrobiales, and that the major methanogenic archaea immobilized on the polyurethane foam are Methanosarcina spp., and those of the liquid phase are Methanobacterium spp. The results of the real time PCR analysis approximately agree with those of the clone analysis. These results indicate that real-time PCR analysis is useful for quantitatively describing methanogenic communities.

Oculomotor nerve palsy after surgery for upper basilar artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to evaluate the relationship between postoperative oculomotor nerve palsy and other clinical factors and to improve preoperative estimations of the risk. Such an evaluation has not been previously described in the literature. METHODS: Patient records for 77 basilar tip aneurysm cases and 28 basilar superior cerebellar artery aneurysm cases treated between 1981 and 1997 were reviewed. Clinical and radiological parameters were separately analyzed using the chi2 test, and then multiple-regression analysis was used. RESULTS: Postoperative oculomotor palsy occurred in 25 (32%) patients with basilar tip aneurysms and 11 (39%) patients with basilar superior cerebellar artery aneurysms, in addition to 2 patients with basilar tip aneurysms and 3 patients with basilar superior cerebellar artery aneurysms who exhibited oculomotor palsy before surgery. For both type of aneurysms, the size and direction of the aneurysms were closely related to oculomotor nerve palsy. The complication also tended to occur in early surgery cases, in younger patients, and in patients of poor-clinical grade status. CONCLUSION: In this study, some clinical and radiological factors were found to be associated with postoperative oculomotor nerve palsy.

Serial angiography and endovascular treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the anterior cerebral and vertebral arteries. Case report.

This 47-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with disturbance of consciousness due to subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the left anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Conservative treatment resulted in improvement in the patient's consciousness; however, repeated rupture occurred during the chronic stage. Endovascular coil embolization of the parent artery was successful. Serial angiography demonstrated all stages in the development of the aneurysm. Follow-up angiography demonstrated an incidental dissecting aneurysm of the right vertebral artery. This aneurysm was also treated by endovascular embolization. No new neurological deficit appeared during or after the treatment. Multiple dissecting aneurysms are rare, especially those involving both supra- and infratentorial regions. A ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the ACA is also an uncommon vascular disorder. This case shows that rebleeding may occur, even during the chronic stage, and thus appropriate treatment for the prevention of subsequent bleeding is essential. Incidental dissecting aneurysms can be treated using the endovascular technique, but further study is necessary.

Lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket.

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) method has been developed as an efficient anaerobic wastewater treatment process; however, the performance of this process in the removal nitrogenous compounds and phosphate is not high. Here, we present the water treatment performance of a lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (LUASB) reactor and propose a novel LUASB concept. A population of phototrophic bacteria was induced from UASB granules under light conditions (100 microE x m(-2) x s(-1)). The ammonium and phosphate ion removal efficiencies of the LUASB reactor were higher than those of a UASB reactor. The difference in the results from runs under light and dark conditions suggests that the efficiencies of ammonium and phosphate ion removal were improved by an increase in the phototrophic bacteria in the LUASB reactor. The UASB granule can decompose a variety of organic substances; therefore, the LUASB method could also be effective for producing phototrophic bacterial biomass and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from various wastewaters.

Wastewater treatment and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate production using lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket method.

We investigated the performance of a lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (LUASB) reactor for wastewater treatment and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production. Phototrophic bacteria were induced from UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) granules under light conditions (100 microE.m(-2).s(-1)). The ammonium and phosphate ion removal efficiencies of the LUASB reactor were higher than those of the UASB reactor. The difference in the results from runs under light and dark conditions suggested that the ammonium and phosphate ion removal efficiencies were improved by increasing the amount of phototrophic bacteria in the LUASB reactor. The average production rate of PHB from the biomass in the effluent from the LUASB reactor was 6.6-14.0 mg.l(-1)-reactor.d(-1) using acetate-based media and the average PHB content based on the dry bacterial biomass was 15.1-25.3%. The PHB concentration increased by reincubation of the effluent from the LUASB reactor with sodium acetate under light conditions. The UASB granular sludge can decompose a variety of organic substances and in addition the LUASB method can remove ammonium and phosphate ions. The LUASB method thus appears to be appropriate for wastewater treatment and production of phototrophic bacteria and PHB from various wastewaters.

Organic acid consumption of phototrophic bacteria in a lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor.

It was previously suggested that a population of phototrophic bacteria, Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain RN1 and Blastochloris sulfoviridis strain GN1 could be induced from granules in a lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (LUASB) reactor. The present study showed that both strains RN1 and GN1 could use acetate, propionate, butyrate, and lactate as electron donors under anaerobic light conditions. The composition of organic acids in the effluent from the LUASB reactor was studied to investigate competitive consumption between acetogenic bacteria, methanogens, and phototrophic bacteria in the reactor. When acetate, propionate and lactate were supplied to the reactor, a small amount of acetate and propionate was observed in the effluent under light conditions. The concentrations of acetate and propionate increased under dark conditions compared with those under light conditions using organic acid and peptone media as the influent. When starch was supplied to the reactor, the concentrations of formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and lactate in the effluent were less than 0.5 mg C.l(-1) during operation under light and dark conditions. The concentrations of ammonium and phosphate in the effluent under dark conditions were higher than those under light conditions. These results suggested that phototrophic bacteria in the LUASB reactor consumed acetate and propionate as well as ammonium and phosphate in competition with methanogens and acetogenic bacteria.

Treatment of liquid fraction separated from liquidized food waste in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor.

Thermochemical liquidization as a pretreatment for anaerobic digestion of food waste was studied using a laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for a period of 82 d. Model food waste (approximately 90 wt% moisture content) was thermochemically liquidized at 175 degrees C for 1 h. The liquidized food waste was separated into a solid phase (6-10 wt%) and a liquid phase (85-89 wt%). The diluted liquid phase was continuously treated by anaerobic digestion using a UASB reactor at 35 degrees C. The volumetric loading rate was increased stepwise to 6.4-7.2 g total organic carbon (TOC)/l-reactor/d. Methane production was found to be approximately 0.35-0.61 l/g-TOC removed. The range of TOC removal efficiencies was 67-69% at an influent TOC concentration of 10.1-11.1 g/l and a volumetric loading rate of 4.8-5.3 g-TOC/l-reactor/d. This treatment process using an UASB reactor could be suitable for resource recovery from food waste.

Effects of glucose addition and light on current outputs in photosynthetic electrochemical cells using Synechocystis sp. PCC6714.

The effects of glucose addition and light on the current outputs in electrochemical cells using a cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6714 were investigated under photo- and chemoheterotrophical conditions. The addition of glucose to the anode solutions of the electrochemical cells resulted in a rapid increase in the current outputs under both light and dark conditions. Although the coulombic outputs were almost the same between under light and dark conditions, the rate of glucose consumption was faster under illumination than in the dark. The total sugar content in the cells of strain PCC6714 increased with the addition of glucose and the total sugar accumulated remained intact during the discharge under illumination, while it decreased gradually in the dark. When the light was switched off after the addition of glucose, the current output markedly increased. The coulombic outputs obtained after darkening were 10 to 80 times larger than that obtained by the addition of glucose under the continuous light or dark conditions. Synechocystis sp. completely incorporated 0.14 mM and 0.42 mM glucose for 1 h and 3 h, respectively, under illumination. There was no difference in the coulombic outputs between 1 h and 12 h illumination times in the electrochemical cells with 0.14 mM glucose. When the light was switched off after 1 h illumination in the electrochemical cells with 0.42 mM glucose, the coulombic output obtained from the electrochemical cell was lower than that in the electrochemical cell with 12 h illumination. This indicates that the current output was produced with higher efficiency with glucose incorporated under illumination than that in the case of glucose incorporated after darkening. The highest coulombic yield of 54% in this experiment was obtained by darkening in the electrochemical cell with 0.14 mM glucose.

Characterization of lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (LUASB) method under sulfate-rich conditions.

Growth of phototrophic bacteria was induced from granules in a lighted upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (LUASB) reactor supplied with an organic-acid-based medium containing 141.7 mg S.l(-1) of SO4(2-) under light conditions (100 microE.m(-2).s(-1)). We investigated the population dynamics of phototrophic bacteria in the LUASB reactor and the performance of the LUASB reactor for wastewater treatment and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production under anaerobic light and sulfate-rich conditions. In vivo absorption spectra and a colony count suggested that populations of Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Blastochloris sulfoviridis in the LUASB reactor supplied with a medium containing 574.4 mg S.l(-1) of SO4(2-) under light conditions were lower than those supplied with a medium containing 1.0 or 141.7 mg S.l(-1) of SO4(2-) under parallel conditions. Removal efficiencies of ammonium and phosphate in the LUASB reactor supplied with the medium containing 141.7 mg S.l(-1) of SO4(2-) under light conditions were higher than those under parallel conditions but without illumination. The difference in the results of runs under light or dark conditions suggested that the ammonium and phosphate ion removal efficiencies were improved by increasing the amount of phototrophic bacterial biomass in the LUASB reactor under sulfate-rich conditions. The average PHB production rates of the bacterial cells recovered from the effluent of the LUASB reactor supplied with a medium containing 141.7, 283.5 or 574.4 mg S.l(-1) of SO4(2-) were 1.0-2.9 mg.l(-1)-reactor.d(-1) and the average PHB content based on the dry bacterial biomass was 1.4-3.6%.

Microalgal cultivation in a solution recovered from the low-temperature catalytic gasification of the microalga.

Microalgal cultivation in a solution recovered from the low-temperature catalytic gasification of the microalga itself was studied. The growth of Chlorella vulgaris in 75-300-fold diluted recovered solution containing phosphate, magnesium ions and micro-elements was comparable to that in the standard culture medium. It was suggested that C. vulgaris could use ammonium in the recovered solution as its nitrogen source and at the same time could provide a source of biomass which was recycled via gasification.

Technical points to improve surgical results in cases with basilar tip aneurysms.

Surgical results in 82 cases with aneurysm (61 ruptured and 21 unruptured) of the bifurcation of the basilar artery were analyzed and the causes of unfavorable outcome and its measures were discussed. Operation was performed in grade I, II, III, or IV of the Hunt and Kosnik's classification for the patients with ruptured aneurysm. Both in ruptured and unruptured cases, patient's age was not considered. As it turned out, 10 elderly (70 years old or older) cases (8 ruptured and 2 unruptured) were included in this study. Unilateral pterional approach was adopted for all but one case, and temporary clip and/or division of the hypoplastic posterior communicating artery was actively used. Surgery was completed with clipping of the aneurysm in all but six cases and overall surgical result consists of 70% of favorable outcomes. The main causes of unfavorable outcome were surgical procedures and primary brain damage due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. And the factors influenced to increase surgical technical damage to the brain were the patient's age, size of the aneurysm, and/or height of the neck from biclinoids line. The outcome of the higher grade (grade III or IV) in elderly cases was miserable, whereas it was not different from anterior circulation aneurysms in younger cases. From the result we concluded that the surgical indication for elderly cases should be limited in cases with lower grade (grade I or II) without large and/or high-positioned aneurysm. To obtain further improvement of the surgical result in younger cases, additional surgical techniques have to be considered to avoid the injury of perforating arteries from P1 and to reduce the pressure of the brain retraction which are the most important hazards for aneurysm surgery in this area.

Removal of 3-chlorobenzoate using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor under light conditions.

The possibility of 3-chlorobenzoate removal from water using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor without the addition of any extra dechlorinating culture under light conditions has been studied on a laboratory scale. Benzoate removal was observed in the first three months of operation under light conditions, but the 3-chlorobenzoate removal was not observed. After three months of operation under light conditions, the 3-chlorobenzoate concentration in the UASB reactor effluent gradually decreased to less than 1 mg x h(-1). The 3-chlorobenzoate concentration in the effluent did not increase under dark conditions. The DOC concentration in the effluent decreased according to the removal of the 3-chlorobenzoate by the UASB granules. These results indicated that granules in the UASB reactor provided the 3-chlorobenzoate removability after 80-100 d of adaptation to the 3-chlorobenzoate, and that the UASB reactor is useful for 3-chlorobenzoate removal.

[MRI study of degenerative process in multiple system atrophy].

The characteristic morphological changes of the brainstem and cerebellar regions of multiple system atrophy (MSA) were studied by MRI in varying subtypes, that is olivoponto cerebellar atrophy (OPCA: 23 cases), striatonigral degeneration (SND: 7 cases) and Shy-Drager's syndrome (SDS: 9 cases). OPCA was characterized by atrophy of the entire regions of the brainstem and the cerebellum. SND and SDS tended to show atrophy similar in type but lessin extent to OPCA. The common lesions in MSA were atrophy of the pontine base and cerebellum, and dilation of the fourth ventricle. Atrophy of the pontine base was more dominant in the inferior part than in the superior part, and cerebellar atrophy was more dominant in the superior part than in the inferior part, indicating that degeneration of the pontocerebellar pathway proceeds principally along fibers connecting the inferior part of the pons and the superior part of the cerebellum. Dilation of the fourth ventricle indicated atrophy of the middle cerebellar peduncle. In almost all the cases of OPCA and about a half the cases of SND and SDS, the pontine base and the middle cerebellar peduncle appeared as high signal intensity on T2 weighted image and as low intensity on T1, suggesting degeneration and demylination. In a few cases of OPCA, the dorsolateral part of the putamen were demonstrated as low signal intensity on T2 weighted image.

[Fulminant cerebello-brainstem encephalitis with polyradiculitis following probable Epstein-Barr virus infection].

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is occasionally accompanied by acute neurological impairment. The pathogenesis of neurological manifestations with EBV infection consists of primary inflammations of EBV infection, and secondary immunologic reactions. However, their clinical course and prognosis are usually favorable. Here we report a patient with fulminant neurological involvement in association with EBV infection. The patient was a 44-year-old man. One morning he developed ataxic gait and speech following flu-like symptoms. He noticed double vision in the afternoon. He had disturbance of consciousness, bilateral ptosis with mydriasis, opthalmoplegia, facial diplegia, bulbar palsy, and weakness of muscles in extremities and respiratory system on the next day. He required mechanical ventilatory support for a month. His symptoms began to improve gradually two weeks after the onset. Two month later, neurological examinations disclosed severe cerebellar ataxia of the four extremities and ocular movement, cerebellar speech, and moderate weakness in his limbs. Moderate cerebellar ataxia and diminished deep tendon reflexes remained for 8-months. Although he had no physical manifestations of infectious mononucleosis, DNA of EBV was identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by the polymerase chain reaction method. From these results, we diagnosed his condition as a cerebello brainstem encephalitis with polyradiculitis associated with EBV infection. The cell counts and protein content of CSF gradually normalized in the early stage of his illness, but CSF protein increased again, and had the peak of 275 mg/dl in about one month. In spite of normalized CSF cell counts, his neurological symptoms persisted. CT scan and MRI studies of the brain and the spinal cord were repeated, but demonstrated no significant abnormalities. Clinical course and CSF findings revealed that his fulminant neurological symptoms were most likely produced by the secondary immunologic reactions following the primary inflammations by EBV infection.

Inhibition of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine-induced urinary bladder tumor in rats by alpha-difluoromethylornithine.

The therapeutic effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on rats with bladder tumors induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) were examined. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were given 0.05% BBN in their drinking water for a period of 4 weeks. Therapy (0.1% DFMO in their drinking water) was started at week 4 and all rats were killed at week 60. DFMO was seen to significantly reduce the incidence, the mean number and the total size of tumors. No side-effects of DFMO were noted, except alopecia, which started at month 7 of the therapy.

[Treatment using CDDP and radiation therapy in treating bladder tumor].

Combination therapy consisting of cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum (CDDP) and radiotherapy was used to treat bladder cancer. The subjects were 20 patients with bladder cancer we experienced since September, 1986. They were between 33 and 83 years old and consisted of 13 males and 7 females. Among the histotypes and grades, there were 3 cases of G2, 7 of G2-G3 and 10 of G3 metastatic epithelial carcinoma. The classification of primary tumors was T2 in six cases, T3a in 12 cases and T4 in two cases. In 12 cases where the bladder was preserved, this therapy was performed after TUR biopsy or TUR, and the effects were evaluated after observation periods of 5-17 months. Side effects caused by CDDP were anorexia in 15 cases, nausea and vomiting in 10 cases, leukopenia in 10 cases and thrombocytopenia in four cases. Those caused by the radiotherapy were diarrhea in seven cases and skin disorders in six cases. All of these side effects were mild and the patients recovered spontaneously.

[Clinical results of endourologic technique for upper urinary calculi].

Between May, 1985 and September, 1987, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) and transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL) have been performed at our hospital and five affiliated hospitals. We report on the therapeutic results of 216 cases treated during this period. PNL and TUL were performed 168 times on 120 patients (119 males and 41 females) and 57 times on 56 patients (35 males and 21 females), respectively. Rate of success with PNL was 80.7% (103/130) for renal calculus, 85.7% (18/21) for upper ureteral calculus, and 47.1% (8/17) for middle-lower ureteral calculus. Rate of success with TUL was 57.9% (33/57). Of these, cases of ureteral lower edge calculus showed the lowest rate of success, being 33.3% (2/6). Complications of the cases undergoing PNL and TUL were: ureteral damage in 13; hemorrhage in 6; renal pelvic damage in 4; ureteral lower edge stenosis in 3; pyrexia in 3; cardiac insufficiency in 2 and retention of perfusate in posterior peritoneal cavity, pneumonia and renal insufficiency in 1 case each.

[Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in patients with urogenital cancer].

We measured the serum TPA level in 260 patients with benign urogenital diseases, 189 patients with urogenital cancer and 72 healthy blood donors by using a radio-immunoassay kit in order to evaluate its usefulness as an indicator for the presence of cancer. TPA value (mean +/- 2SD) in healthy blood donors was in the range of 36.8-110.8 units per liter, so that values higher than 110 U/L were considered to be abnormal. Significantly higher serum TPA levels were observed in patients with non-treated cancers, compared to healthy blood donors. But elevated serum TPA levels were also observed in the patients with benign diseases, especially in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia with urinary tract infection. Consequently, it is considered that the serum TPA test is very useful for detecting urogenital diseases, but not for screening urogenital cancer. In cases of urogenital cancer, serum TPA levels elevated significantly by recurrence or recrudescence of the disease. Therefore, a good correlation was established between serum TPA and the efficiency of a given therapy in patients with prostatic cancer and bladder cancer.

[Chronic toluene intoxication and hyperkinésie volitionnelle].

Hyperkinésie volitionnelle is one of the involuntary movements discriminated from intention tremor. It occurs idiopathically and with cerebral infarction, head trauma, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, hepatolenticular degeneration and polyneuropathy. Here, we report a case of toluene intoxication presenting hyperkinésie volitionnelle. A 28-year-old painter noticed a tremor of the upper extremities on December 1979. The tremor occurred both in posture and in voluntary movements. The tremor gradually developed and appeared in the legs in May 1980. Slight titubation of the trunk and head was marked in sitting posture. He showed staggering of gait. On August 1980, he exhibited slurred speech. He was admitted to the Department of Neurology of Chiba University Hospital on January 19th, 1981. Neurological examination revealed slight mental deterioration, pendular nystagmus, bradylalia, 4-5 c/s violent postural tremor of the upper extremities, action myoclonus, head and truncal titubation, mild leg tremor in sitting posture. The tremor increased terminally on finger to nose testing, and showed fast, coarse, convulsive movement (movement oppositionniste). But there was no dysmetria. The involuntary movements, above mentioned, were summarized as hyperkinésie volitionnelle. Muscle tone was hypotonic. Muscle weakness and atrophy were not seen. Deep tendon reflexes were all exaggerated, but there was no pathological reflex. He showed wide-based ataxic gait. Sensory and autonomic functions were normal. Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid analysis appeared normal. Electroencephalography showed 40-50 microV, 9-10 c/s alpha waves with a few fast waves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Meningoencephalitis associated with polyradiculoneuropathy with increased HSV IgG antibody--report of three cases].

We report three patients presented with meningoencephalitis associated with polyradiculoneuropathy with increased HSV IgG antibody titer. The first patient was a 27-year-old woman with meningoencephalitis who developed status epilepticus. The CSF showed pleocytosis and increase in HSV IgG antibody titer. Herpes encephalitis was suspected, and she was treated with acyclovir. The symptoms of meningoencephalitis improved, but she developed flaccid tetraplegia. The NCV study was compatible with polyradiculoneuropathy. About two months later from the onset, muscle atrophy appeared in her all limbs. The second patient was a 23-year-old woman with meningoencephalitis, which was followed by ascending motor paralysis. The CSF showed pleocytosis and increase in HSV IgG antibody titer. The symptoms of meningoencephalitis improved by administration of acyclovir, but paralysis didn't improve. About two months later from the onset, muscle atrophy of all limbs appeared. The NCV study was compatible with polyradiculoneuropathy. The third patient was a 43-year-old man presenting somnolence, neck stiffness and ascending motor paralysis developing into flaccid tetraplegia. The CSF showed pleocytosis and increase in HSV IgG antibody titer. Somnolence and neck stiffness improved by administration of acyclovir but tetraplegia didn't improve. The NCV study was compatible with polyradiculoneuropathy. Immuno-absorption therapy and administration of prednisolone were performed. Meningoencephalitis associated with increased HSV IgG antibody titer is rare. Auto-allergic process which is initiated by HSV infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of polyradiculoneuropathy in these patients.