Mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of winery wastewater sludge and wine lees: An integrated approach for sustainable wine production.

In this work, winery wastes generated by a cellar producing approximately 300,000 hL of wine per year was monitored for a period of one year. On average, 196 L of wastewater, 0.1 kg of waste activated sludge (dry matter) and 1.6 kg of wine lees were produced per hectoliter of wine produced. Different winery wastes, deriving from different production steps, namely waste activated sludge from wastewater treatment and wine lees, were co-treated using an anaerobic digestion process. Testing was conducted on a pilot scale for both mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The process was stable for a long period at 37 °C, with an average biogas production of 0.386 m3/kg CODfed. On the other hand, for thermophilic conditions, volatile fatty acids accumulated in the reactor and the process failed after one hydraulic retention time (23 days). In order to fix the biological process, trace elements (iron, cobalt and nickel) were added to the feed of the thermophilic reactor. Metals augmentation improved process stability and yields at 55 °C. The pH ranged between 7.8 and 8.0, and specific gas production was 0.450 m3/kg CODfed, which corresponded to dry matter and COD removals of 34% and 88%, respectively. Although the observed performances in terms of biogas production were good, the thermophilic process exhibited some limitations related to both the necessity of metals addition and the worse dewaterability properties. In fact, while the mesophilic digestates reached a good dewatering quality via the addition of 6.5 g of polymer per kg of dry matter, the required dosage for the thermophilic sludge was greater than 10 g/kg of dry matter.

Anaerobic co-digestion of winery waste and waste activated sludge: assessment of process feasibility.

In this study the anaerobic co-digestion of wine lees together with waste activated sludge in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions was tested at pilot scale. Three organic loading rates (OLRs 2.8, 3.3 and 4.5 kgCOD/m(3)d) and hydraulic retention times (HRTs 21, 19 and 16 days) were applied to the reactors, in order to evaluate the best operational conditions for the maximization of the biogas yields. The addition of lee to sludge determined a higher biogas production: the best yield obtained was 0.40 Nm(3)biogas/kgCODfed. Because of the high presence of soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) and polyphenols in wine lees, the best results in terms of yields and process stability were obtained when applying the lowest of the three organic loading rates tested together with mesophilic conditions.

Treatment of waste activated sludge together with agro-waste by anaerobic digestion: focus on effluent quality.

Waste activated sludge production and management plays an important role in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), especially from an economic point of view. One possible approach is the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge with others organic substrates in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions in order to exploit the spare volume of existing reactors, recover energy from biogas production, and obtain a fertilizer as final product. The anaerobic trials were carried out at pilot scale, applying two organic loading rates (2.8 and 4.5 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m(3)·d)) with a hydraulic retention time of 16 and 21 days. Among agro-wastes, wine lees were chosen because of their continuous availability throughout the year, and their high COD content (up to 200-300 g/l, 70% soluble, on average). The addition of wine lees to activated sludge determined a higher biogas production (best yield was 0.40 Nm(3)/kgCOD(fed)) improving the energetic balance of the sludge line of the WWTP. The characterization of both substrates fed and digester effluents was carried out in terms of heavy metals; comparison with EC proposed limits showed that, due to high content of Cu in wine lees, the loading rate of this agro-waste should be limited to maintain good characteristics of final biosolids.

Growth of tropical tree species and absorption of copper in soil artificially contaminated.

Reclamation of copper contaminated sites using forest species may be an efficient alternative to reduce the negative impact. The aim of this study was to quantify the growth and evaluate the quality of seedlings of native species at different doses of copper in the soil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven replications in a factorial arrangement (3×9), using three indigenous species of plants (Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Mimosa scabrella and Apuleia leiocarpa) and nine doses of copper in the soil (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 and 480 mg kg-1).The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse which the seedlings were grown for 180 days. The experimental units were plastic pots of 125 cm3 filled with Oxisol. The results indicated that the levels of copper applied to the soil decreased the quality of seedlings and growth of Apuleia leiocarpato a lesser extent compared with Mimosa scabrella and Anadenanthera macrocarpa. Anadenanthera macrocarpa was the forest species that resulted in the lowest copper translocation from roots to shoots. In addition, the Apuleia leiocarpa exhibited high resistance and tolerance for copper in the soil and also, it is highlighted an ability for copper phytoremediation.

Prevalence of Peyronie's disease in men over 50-y-old from Southern Brazil.

The pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease still remains an enigma and few epidemiological studies are available. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Peyronie's disease in males older than 50 y. From 26 to 30 July 1998, 1071 men attended the 'Prostate Cancer Awareness Week of Santa Casa Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil'. In the prostate exam they also consented to be screened for Peyronie's disease. They underwent the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire for evaluation of the erectile condition. The presence of a well-defined plaque in the penis was the diagnostic criterion for Peyronie's disease. The men were examined by five senior residents, under supervision by the staff Urologist. Men younger than 50 y as well as patients under intracavernous injection therapy for erectile dysfunction were excluded from the study. Chi2 test was used for statistical analysis. Nine hundred and fifty-four (89.1%) out of the 1071 men with a mean age of 62 y (ranging from 52 to 77) were included in the study. Peyronie's disease plaques were found in 35 men (3.67%). Eight hundred and forty-five (88.6%) were Caucasians. There was no significant statistical difference regarding age (P > 0.05). The presence of erectile dysfunction in the men with Peyronie's disease and without this condition, was 68.6% and 53.5%, respectively (P > 0.05). From this data we can conclude that the prevalence of Peyronie's disease is higher than in formerly reported studies. Further observations should be carried out in different communities and in other groups of patients in order to confirm our results.

Winery waste recycling through anaerobic co-digestion with waste activated sludge.

In this study biogas and high quality digestate were recovered from winery waste (wine lees) through anaerobic co-digestion with waste activated sludge both in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. The two conditions studied showed similar yields (0.40 m(3)/kgCODfed) but different biological process stability: in fact the mesophilic process was clearly more stable than the thermophilic one in terms of bioprocess parameters. The resulting digestates showed good characteristics for both the tested conditions: heavy metals, dioxins (PCDD/F), and dioxin like bi-phenyls (PCBs) were concentred in the effluent if compared with the influent because of the important reduction of the solid dry matter, but remained at levels acceptable for agricultural reuse. Pathogens in digestate decreased. Best reductions were observed in thermophilic condition, while at 37°C the concentration of Escherichia coli was at concentrations level as high as 1000 UFC/g. Dewatering properties of digestates were evaluated by means of the capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) tests and it was found that a good dewatering level was achievable only when high doses of polymer (more than 25 g per kg dry solids) were added to sludge.

Growth of tropical tree species and absorption of copper in soil artificially contaminated / Crescimento de espécies arbóreas tropicais e absorção de cobre em solo artificialmente contaminado

Abstract Reclamation of copper contaminated sites using forest species may be an efficient alternative to reduce the negative impact. The aim of this study was to quantify the growth and evaluate the quality of seedlings of native species at different doses of copper in the soil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven replications in a factorial arrangement (3×9), using three indigenous species of plants (Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Mimosa scabrella and Apuleia leiocarpa) and nine doses of copper in the soil (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 and 480 mg kg–1).The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse which the seedlings were grown for 180 days. The experimental units were plastic pots of 125 cm3 filled with Oxisol. The results indicated that the levels of copper applied to the soil decreased the quality of seedlings and growth of Apuleia leiocarpato a lesser extent compared with Mimosa scabrella and Anadenanthera macrocarpa. Anadenanthera macrocarpa was the forest species that resulted in the lowest copper translocation from roots to shoots. In addition, the Apuleia leiocarpa exhibited high resistance and tolerance for copper in the soil and also, it is highlighted an ability for copper phytoremediation.

Resumo A recuperação de áreas contaminadas com cobre utilizando espécies florestais pode ser uma alternativa eficiente para reduzir o impacto negativo deste elemento nestas áreas. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar o crescimento e avaliar a qualidade de mudas de espécies nativas em diferentes doses de cobre no solo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com sete repetições, em um esquema fatorial (3×9), utilizando-se três espécies nativas de plantas (Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Mimosa scabrella e Apuleia leiocarpa) e nove doses de cobre no solo (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 e 480 mg kg–1). O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, onde as plantas foram cultivadas por 180 dias. As unidades experimentais foram vasos de plástico de 125 cm3, preenchidos com Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. Os resultados indicaram que o nível de cobre aplicado ao solo reduziu a qualidade de plântulas e crescimento de Apuleia leiocarpa para um menor grau comparado com bracatinga e angico. Anadenanthera macrocarpa foi a espécie florestal que apresentou menor translocação de cobre a parte aérea das mudas. Além disso, a Apuleia leiocarpa exibiu elevada tolerância para o cobre no solo e também destaca-se mostrando uma capacidade para fitoremediação de áreas contaminadas com cobre.

A randomised, double-blind study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of controlled-release doxazosin and tamsulosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Brazil.

Brazilian patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomised in a 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy study to receive doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) 4 mg q.i.d. (n = 82) or tamsulosin 0.4 q.i.d. (n = 83). Primary endpoints were the absolute and percentage change from baseline in symptoms measured by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Secondary endpoints included IPSS, quality-of-life (QOL) question from the IPSS, and questions 6 and 7 of the Sexual Function Abbreviated Questionnaire (SFAQ) at weeks 4 and 12. Doxazosin GITS and tamsulosin improved IPSS with no significant differences between groups at week 12. During weeks 4-8, tamsulosin-treated patients demonstrated a slower improvement (p < 0.001) in IPSS than doxazosin GITS-treated patients. The proportion of satisfied patients was observed earlier with doxazosin GITS (p = 0.006) vs. tamsulosin. At week 12, the proportion of patients with little or no difficulty at ejaculation (Q6 of SFAQ) was higher in the doxazosin GITS group (p = 0.019). Both treatments were well tolerated.

Prosthetic penile infection: "rescue procedure" with rifamycin.

Penile prosthetic implantation is a successful procedure for the management of male erectile impotence. However, infection remains the most serious complication requiring removal of the device. Later reinsertion can be difficult due to fibrosis and a shortened penis. We present 3 cases of penile infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis in which a new penile prosthesis was placed after 72 hours of continuous irrigation of the corpora cavernosa with rifamycin. The procedure requires judicious selection of patients and a stable clinical status.

Does intratesticular testosterone administration modify the evolution of transitory testicular ischemia in pre-pubertal rats?

PURPOSE: Testicular torsion followed by ischemia results in variable degrees of infertility and until now there appears to be no effective way to recover it. Testosterone participation in the maintenance of male sexual organs and spermatogenesis led us to hypothesize that intratesticular administration could recover ischemic injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided 40 Wistar rats in 2 groups, of 20 each. One group was control and the other underwent a 120-minute testicular ischemia by means of a vascular clamp on the left spermatic cord. Each group was further subdivided in 2 subgroups. The first one was observed and the second received intratesticular testosterone 25 mg. starting on the third day after injury and during the next 7 consecutive days. Half the animals were sacrificed 30 days after injury and the remaining ones after 60 days. Weight, volume, number of seminiferous tubules, histology and spermatogenesis of the same side and contralateral testes were examined. For statistical analysis ANOVA and Fisher's tests were applied. RESULTS: It was found that testosterone was capable of acting upon volume and weight of the left testis (p=0.0001). The animals receiving intratesticular testosterone showed lower testicular weight and volume after 30 and 60 days, respectively. This subgroup also showed a higher number of seminiferous tubules, modified histology and absent spermatogenesis suggesting testicular atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intratesticular injection of testosterone 25 mg. once a day during 7 consecutive days after transitory testicular ischemia causes ipsilateral testis atrophy. The animals in control group showed testicular histological recovery 60 days after injury. There were no significant histological differences in the contralateral testes.

Long-term results of penile vein ligation for erectile dysfunction due to cavernovenous disease.

PURPOSE: We now know that outflow restriction is essential for maintaining a rigid erection, which can be achieved after satisfactory smooth muscle relaxation. The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the efficacy of penile vein surgical ligation in patients with a follow-up of at least 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two men with impotence due to cavernovenous occlusive disease underwent penile vein ligation for management of organic erectile dysfunction. Cavernovenous occlusive disease was diagnosed by gravity cavernosometry. RESULTS: Long-term evaluation revealed sustained potency without adjunctive therapy in only 7 patients (21.87%). Twenty-five patients (78.12%) did not show any improvement in the erectile mechanism. Associated complications included penile shortening in 4 (12.5%), hypoesthesia of the glans area in 2 (6.25%), and Peyronie's disease in 1 (3.2%). CONCLUSION: Based on these data, we conclude that the long-term success of penile vein ligation is poor.

Suprarenal aorta reconstruction using a saphenous spiral graft: case report.

We report a case of gunshot wound to the suprarenal aorta with restoration of blood flow through a saphenous spiral graft in an 18-year-old man. He was followed for a period of 27 months. The follow-up showed a progressive dilatation of the graft. This original technique for wounds of the aorta seems a reasonable alternative for trauma cases in which there is no vascular prosthetic graft.

Penile straightening with crural graft of the corpus cavernosum.

PURPOSE: We present a surgical alternative to penile straightening in Peyronie's disease that avoids penile shortening by using tissue from the crural segment of the corpora cavernosa as a graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 7 patients with stable Peyronie's disease and satisfactory penile rigidity but significant curvature that precluded intercourse with this technique. An incision is made in the fibrous area and after stretching the gap is covered with a graft removed from the crural segment of the corpora cavernosa. RESULTS: In 6 of the 7 men straightening was satisfactory but in 1 it was not complete. No patient reported worse penile rigidity postoperatively. Donor site healing was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Use of tissue from the corpus cavernosum to correct penile curvature is effective. However, our results are preliminary, and long-term effectiveness and safety must be confirmed in a larger number of cases.

Endoscopic suspension of the prolapsed vaginal dome.

Complete prolapse of the vaginal dome post hysterectomy is uncommon. However, complications such as urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary infections, and ureteral obstruction leading to anuria and loss of renal function may result. A modified technique for endoscopic suspension of the bladder neck and vaginal prolapse, performed in six patients, is presented. The positive results achieved after a 64-month of follow-up suggest that this procedure is another safe alternative to correct vaginal prolapse and its complications.