Assessing the performance and microbial community of hybrid moving bed and conventional membrane bioreactors treating municipal wastewater.

A conventional (SB-CMBR) and a hybrid moving-bed (SB-HMBR) sequencing batch membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater were compared during their start-up in terms of organic matter and nutrient removal, membrane fouling characteristics and microbial community. Both systems exhibited similar COD, ammonium, total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus removal efficiency, amounting up to 96%, 99%, 70% and 85%, respectively. Results from cycle tests revealed that the contribution of attached biomass to the overall ammonium removal in the hybrid reactor was marginal. Moreover, higher despite the similar phosphorus removal efficiency attained in both reactors, nitrate-dosing activity batch assays specifically revealed that the anoxic phosphate uptake rate (PUR) in the SB-HMBR was 1.71 times higher than in the SB-CMBR. Moreover, a higher frequency of Candidatus Accumulibacter-related polyphosphate-accumulating organisms was observed in the biofilm carriers of the hybrid reactor. These findings may explain why the overall PUR was almost 50% higher in the SB-HMBR. By operating the reactors in sequencing batch mode, adhesion of particles on the membrane surface was reduced while fouling was mitigated as compared to continuous MBR systems. Better filterability conditions with lower fouling rate were found in the SB-HMBR, important features of the hybrid reactor for reducing membrane cleaning-related energy demand.

Greater muscle damage in athletes with ACTN3 R577X (RS1815739) gene polymorphism after an ultra-endurance race: a pilot study.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of ACTN3 R577X gene polymorphism on muscle damage responses in athletes competing in an ultra-endurance race. Twenty moderate to well-trained ultra-runners who had entered in an official 37.1 km adventure race (22.1 km mountain biking, 10.9 km trekking, 4.1 km water trekking, 30 m rope course, and orienteering) volunteered for the study. Blood samples were collected for genotyping and analysis of muscle protein levels before and after the race. Percentage changes (pre- to post-race) of serum myoglobin [XX = 5,377% vs. RX/RR = 1,666%; P = 0.005, effect size (ES) = 1.73], creatine kinase (XX = 836.5% vs. RX/RR = 455%; P = 0.04, ES = 1.29), lactate dehydrogenase (XX = 82% vs. RX/RR = 65%; P = 0.002, ES = 1.61), and aspartate aminotransferase (XX = 148% vs. RX/RR = 75%; P = 0.02, ES = 1.77) were significantly greater for XX than RX/RR genotypes. ES analysis confirmed a large magnitude of muscle damage in XX genotype ultra-runners. Therefore, athletes with the ACTN3 577XX genotype experienced more muscle damage after an adventure race. This suggests that ultra-runners with alpha-actinin-3 deficiency may be more susceptible to rhabdomyolysis and associated health complications during ultra-endurance competitions.

Biomarkers in traumatic brain injury: a review.

Biomarkers allow physiological processes to be monitored, in both health and injury. Multiple attempts have been made to use biomarkers in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Identification of such biomarkers could allow improved understanding of the pathological processes involved in TBI, diagnosis, prognostication and development of novel therapies. This review article aims to cover both established and emerging TBI biomarkers along with their benefits and limitations. It then discusses the potential value of TBI biomarkers to military, civilian and sporting populations and the future hopes for developing a role for biomarkers in head injury management.

A population-based study of the prevalence of HPV in three districts of Tamil Nadu, India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection among women from three districts of Tamil Nadu (Erode, Salem, and Namakkal). METHODS: Between January 27, 2007, and December 15, 2009, 1800 women aged 20-70years who had normal cervical cytology were enrolled into a cross-sectional study. Participants completed interviews and provided first void urine samples for assessment of HPV infection. RESULTS: Among 1699 eligible samples, 179 (10.5%) were HPV positive. HPV16 was the most common type (affecting 68 [4.0%] women), followed by HPV6 (58 [3.4%]). Among the 179 HPV-positive women, 71 (39.7%) were aged 36-45years. An annual income of less than 25 000 INR was significantly associated with HPV infection in all three districts (P<0.05). Regular intercourse was also associated with HPV in Erode and Salem (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Screening and prophylactic vaccines containing HPV16 and HPV6 should be promoted in western Tamil Nadu.

High-level, unstable adriamycin resistance in a Chinese hamster mutant cell line with double minute chromosomes.

An Adriamycin-resistant Chinese hamster V79 line was isolated previously in this laboratory. There was about a 5-fold increase in Adriamycin resistance in this mutant as determined from survival curve measurements. Using this low-level Adriamycin-resistant mutant, a cell line with a high level of resistance was isolated after a multistep selection process culminating in continuous growth of the cells in medium containing 5.0 micrograms Adriamycin/ml. These cells are about 3000 times more resistant towards the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin than is the parental V79 line. This high-level resistance phenotype is unstable and lost upon culture in the absence of drug. The highly resistant cells also showed increased cross-resistance to actinomycin D, Colcemid, and vincristine compared to the low-level resistant cells. Cytogenetic studies showed that these mutant cells contained increased numbers of double minute chromosomes and that the number of double minutes decreased proportionately with the reduction of Adriamycin resistance in cultures changed to drug-free medium. Adriamycin uptake assays demonstrated that there was a further decrease in net uptake relative to the low-level resistant mutant.