Tolerance of three fungal species to lithium and cobalt: Implications for bioleaching of spent rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

AIMS: This paper aims to quantify the growth and organic acid production of Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium simplicissimum when these fungi are exposed to varying levels of lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co). The study also tests whether pre-exposing the fungi to these metals enables the fungi to develop tolerance to Li or Co. METHODS AND RESULTS: When cultures of A. niger, P. chrysogenum or P. simplicissimum were exposed to 250 mg l-1 of Li or Co, biomass production and excretion of organic acids were significantly inhibited after 5 days of growth compared to cultures grown in the absence of these metals. Pre-exposing cultures of A. niger to 250 mg l-1 of Li or Co for 20 days significantly increased biomass production when the fungus was subsequently sub-cultured into 250 or 500 mg l-1 of Li or Co. However, pre-exposure of P. chrysogenum or P. simplicissimum to 250 mg l-1 of Li or Co for 20 days did not increase biomass production. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus niger, but not the Penicillium species, developed tolerance to Li and to Co during the 20-day pre-exposure period. Therefore, processes that utilize fungal bioleaching with A. niger to mobilize and recover valuable metals such as Li or Co should consider a pre-exposure step for fungi to improve their tolerance to metal toxicity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Fungi may have the ability to extract valuable metals such as Li and Co from spent rechargeable batteries. However, the toxicity of the extracted metals can inhibit fungal growth and organic acid production. Pre-exposure to metals may alleviate toxicity for some fungal species. This knowledge can be used to improve the design of bioleaching protocols, increasing the potential for fungal bioleaching to become an economical and environmentally friendly method of recovering Li and Co from spent batteries.

Can Brief Email Guidance Enhance the Effects of an Internet Intervention for People with Problematic Alcohol Use? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Some research suggests that internet interventions aimed at people with problematic alcohol use are more effective when provided with guidance from a therapist or coach. Purpose/Objectives: This trial intended to compare the effects of a previously evaluated internet intervention for people with problematic alcohol use when delivered with or without brief email guidance. Methods: Using online advertising, 238 participants, 18 years or older, were recruited and randomized to receive access to the Internet intervention Alcohol Help Center with or without brief email guidance from a health educator. The guidance consisted of at least four structured, slightly individualized emails delivered during the first two weeks after randomization. Participants were followed up at 3 and 6 months. Results: Number of log-ins did not differ significantly between groups throughout the follow-up period. The follow-up rate at 6 months was 47.0%. Generalized estimating equations run on the primary (standard drinks in preceding week/heavy drinking days in preceding week) and secondary outcome variables (AUDIT, AUDIT-C, quality of life) revealed no significant differences between the interventions on any of the outcomes. Conclusions/Importance: The study does not provide support for any added benefits of providing brief guidance via email in an internet intervention for problem drinkers.

Experimental taphonomy of giant sulphur bacteria: implications for the interpretation of the embryo-like Ediacaran Doushantuo fossils.

The Ediacaran Doushantuo biota has yielded fossils interpreted as eukaryotic organisms, either animal embryos or eukaryotes basal or distantly related to Metazoa. However, the fossils have been interpreted alternatively as giant sulphur bacteria similar to the extant Thiomargarita. To test this hypothesis, living and decayed Thiomargarita were compared with Doushantuo fossils and experimental taphonomic pathways were compared with modern embryos. In the fossils, as in eukaryotic cells, subcellular structures are distributed throughout cell volume; in Thiomargarita, a central vacuole encompasses approximately 98 per cent cell volume. Key features of the fossils, including putative lipid vesicles and nuclei, complex envelope ornament, and ornate outer vesicles are incompatible with living and decay morphologies observed in Thiomargarita. Microbial taphonomy of Thiomargarita also differed from that of embryos. Embryo tissues can be consumed and replaced by bacteria, forming a replica composed of a three-dimensional biofilm, a stable fabric for potential fossilization. Vacuolated Thiomargarita cells collapse easily and do not provide an internal substrate for bacteria. The findings do not support the hypothesis that giant sulphur bacteria are an appropriate interpretative model for the embryo-like Doushantuo fossils. However, sulphur bacteria may have mediated fossil mineralization and may provide a potential bacterial analogue for other macroscopic Precambrian remains.

Isolation of a common receptor for Coxsackie B viruses and adenoviruses 2 and 5.

A complementary DNA clone has been isolated that encodes a coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). When transfected with CAR complementary DNA, nonpermissive hamster cells became susceptible to coxsackie B virus attachment and infection. Furthermore, consistent with previous studies demonstrating that adenovirus infection depends on attachment of a viral fiber to the target cell, CAR-transfected hamster cells bound adenovirus in a fiber-dependent fashion and showed a 100-fold increase in susceptibility to virus-mediated gene transfer. Identification of CAR as a receptor for these two unrelated and structurally distinct viral pathogens is important for understanding viral pathogenesis and has implications for therapeutic gene delivery with adenovirus vectors.

Metastatic malignant melanoma: an unusual case presentation.

Secondary involvement of the genitourinary tract with malignant melanoma is a common autopsy finding, but rarely evident clinically. We report a rare case involving a previously asymptomatic patient presenting with gross hematuria and a large renal mass, which was found to be metastatic melanoma. We propose that metastatic melanoma to the kidney, although rare, be considered in the differential diagnosis of disease processes causing hematuria.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a pregnant woman: a case report and review of the literature.

We report a rare case of a 24-year-old woman who presented during her second trimester of pregnancy with a presumptive diagnosis of right-sided xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP). Despite attempted conservative management, the patient ultimately required a right nephrectomy without complications to either the patient or fetus. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of XGP of the right kidney. Herein, we present a case report and a review of the literature concerning XGP and pregnancy.

Disseminated bacille Calmette-Guérin infection in an infant with a novel deletion in the interferon-gamma receptor gene.

Six weeks after receiving BCG vaccination, a Canadian aboriginal infant presented with suspected sepsis, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Lymph node biopsy revealed macrophages filled with acid-fast bacilli. Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from tissue specimens and there was evidence of concomitant cytomegalovirus disease. The infant died of disseminated BCG infection. A novel deletion at nucleotide 165 in the interferon-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR1) was identified. The incidence of this mutation in the aboriginal population and the impact on the heterozygous state are unknown.

A social marketing model for disseminating research-based treatments to addictions treatment providers.

AIMS: Researchers must develop effective strategies for disseminating research-based treatments. This study evaluates the application of a dissemination model based on principles of social marketing and diffusion theory. DESIGN: A case study describes how the model was implemented. A qualitative design was employed to examine rates of adoption and adaptation of an early intervention program by a targeted system of addictions agencies. SETTING: The interventions were developed at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto and disseminated to Assessment and Referral (A/R) Centres in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants included the managers and a designated therapist for 33 participating A/R centres. MEASUREMENTS: Managers were asked mainly open-ended questions concerning whether their agency had made a formal decision to adopt the intervention and whether therapists in their agency were using the early intervention program. "Adoption" was operationalized as offering the complete four-session intervention to at least one client. FINDINGS: At 12 months after the completion of training workshops, 68% of 34 agencies in the target system had adopted the program while 85% of the agencies were using some components of the intervention with clients. CONCLUSIONS: The dissemination model appeared to be effective although its application proved to be time-consuming and labour-intensive. The "market analysis", systems focus and field-test components of the model appeared to contribute to its success.

Toward a stepped care approach to treating problem drinkers: the predictive utility of within-treatment variables and therapist prognostic ratings.

AIMS: Cost containment, a central issue in current health planning, encourages the use of brief interventions. Although brief interventions for problem drinkers have proved successful, a portion of such individuals do not change their alcohol use during treatment. DESIGN: Repeated measures design (pre-treatment, within-treatment and 6 months post-treatment). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: To identify individuals at risk for continued problem drinking, predictors of post-treatment drinking were examined for 212 problem drinkers who presented for treatment in an outpatient treatment clinic. INTERVENTION: All participants completed a brief cognitive behavioral motivational intervention. MEASUREMENTS: At the pre-treatment assessment demographic, drinking pattern, severity of dependence and other cognitive variables (e.g. self-efficacy, goal choice) were collected. Within-treatment, drinking pattern and cognitive variables such as self-efficacy and goal choice were again measured. FINDINGS: Regression analyses showed that therapist prognosis ratings contributed significantly to the prediction of outcome even when pre-treatment variables were controlled. However, when within-treatment variables were included in the prediction, variables such as within treatment drinking eliminated the predictive utility of therapist prognosis ratings. This pattern held for both percentage of days abstinent and drinks per drinking day at a 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that a stepped care approach based on prediction models that include clients' within-treatment response can be applied to the treatment of problem drinkers who show little initial response to treatment.

Remissions from drug dependence: is treatment a prerequisite?

The present study investigated the prevalence of untreated drug remissions in a representative sample of respondents who had a lifetime diagnosis of one of five types of illicit drug dependence in the past (cannabis, cocaine/crack, hallucinogens, amphetamines, or heroin) but no diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence in the last year. It was concluded that, among recovered individuals with previous clinically significant drug concerns (as measured using DSM-IV criteria), a substantial proportion had accessed addictions treatment services prior to remission.

A relationship between perceived self-efficacy and quality of life in cancer patients.

The quality of life of cancer patients may be influenced by the degree of control they feel able to exert over stressful situations arising from having the disease. We were able to test this association using a newly developed instrument, the Stanford Inventory of Cancer Patient Adjustment which assesses perceived self-efficacy, that is, perceived ability to enact coping strategies. In a heterogeneous sample of 273 cancer patients a strong positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and quality of life and between self-efficacy and mood. Improvements in all three measures brought about by a brief, group program teaching coping skills were also highly correlated. By contrast, no significant association was seen between improvement in mood or quality of life and amount of home practice of coping skills.

Using self-help materials to motivate change at assessment for alcohol treatment.

The utility of a brief self-help booklet provided at assessment for alcohol treatment was evaluated using a quasi-experimental design (booklet provided to all clients for one month at a time, interspersed by one month of no booklets, for a 6-month period). While the booklet did not result in any significant reduction in client attrition, clients who received the booklet at their assessment were drinking less by the 6-month follow-up than those who did not receive the booklet. Limitations of this study, including the quasi-experimental design and the impact of the low baseline attrition rates, are discussed.

Resolving alcohol-related problems with and without treatment: the effects of different problem criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Prior research indicates that the majority of people who resolve an alcohol problem do so without treatment. Further, a substantial proportion return to moderate drinking. One of the concerns with these findings, however, is that the definition of prior alcohol problems may reflect a less severe problem criterion. Thus, it could be argued that the majority of people "recover" from alcohol problems without treatment because a substantial proportion of these individuals did not actually have a severe alcohol problem. METHOD: This article systematically replicates earlier findings regarding the predominance of alcohol recoveries without treatment, using data from the 1994 Canadian Alcohol and Drug Survey. Further, variations in estimates of the proportion of resolutions from alcohol problems both with and without treatment, and to abstinence and moderate drinking, were assessed when different definitions of prior alcohol problems were employed. RESULTS: Of 9,892 adult lifetime drinkers, 2,177 had experienced at least one problem related to their alcohol consumption and, of these, 885 (57.2% male) had experienced no problems in the last year. Estimates of the prevalence of nontreatment recoveries ranged from 87.5% to 53.7% depending on the stringency of the definition of prior alcohol problems employed. CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant proportion of individuals recover from alcohol problems without treatment, such recoveries appear less common among individuals with more severe alcohol problems.

Providing personalized assessment feedback for problem drinking on the Internet: a pilot project.

OBJECTIVE: This project developed an Internet program that conducts a brief assessment of an individual's drinking habits and then provides normative feedback comparing the user's drinking to that of others of the same gender and age group. The Internet program, "Try Our Free Drinking Evaluation," was based at the Addiction Research Foundation Internet web site (now at http://notes.camh.net/efeed.nsf/ newform). METHOD: A voluntary survey linked to the participant's feedback summary collected respondents' impressions of the program. RESULTS: During the trial period, the site received approximately 500 hits per month. While the feedback was generally well received, the weekly summary format was less credible to those individuals who drink less than once per week or whose consumption varies a great deal over time. CONCLUSIONS: Given these pilot results indicating that there is an audience for Internet-based interventions, the next step is to evaluate whether receiving such personalized feedback materials on the Internet leads to any change in drinking behavior by participants

What's in a label? The effects of substance types and labels on treatment considerations and stigma.

Visitors (N = 579) to a science center read selected scenarios and evaluated the most likely outcome for a hypothetical substance abuser. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of six scenario conditions: a person with one of three different substance abuse problems (alcohol, tobacco, or cocaine) was crossed with two labels reflecting high or low substance dependence. Results indicated that: (1) cigarettes were viewed as a less serious substance abuse problem than were alcohol or cocaine (a person who smoked cigarettes was rated as more likely to recover from his problem, self-change was regarded as more appropriate and less stigma was associated with smoking than with the other two drugs); (2) non-abstinent recoveries of all types were greeted with skepticism; and (3) recovery was rated as more likely to occur from treatment than from self-change.

Impact of normative feedback on problem drinkers: a small-area population study.

OBJECTIVE: As many as one in four adults in North America experiences some problems due to alcohol consumption. Although most of these problem drinkers do not have concerns that are severe enough to merit formal treatment, such drinking has large economic costs and can place the drinker at risk for long-term negative health and social consequences. The present study evaluated a minimal intervention that used normative feedback about population drinking to motivate changes in alcohol use. METHOD: An intervention pamphlet was mailed to over 6,000 households in Toronto, randomized by block from a region containing almost 10,000 households. In the month after the mailing, a general population survey was conducted in the region to assess alcohol use. RESULTS: Respondents from households receiving normative feedback (n = 472) reported significantly lower alcohol use than controls (n = 225), but this effect occurred only among respondents who met an objective criterion for problem drinking and who perceived some risk associated with their drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Viewed from a public health perspective, normative feedback interventions have the potential for a significant payoff because they can be provided at low cost and to problem drinkers who might ordinarily never access any treatment services.

Help-seeking timeline followback for problem drinkers: preliminary comparison with agency records of treatment contacts.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study assessed the utility of the Timeline Followback (TLFB) method to collect information on help seeking. METHOD: Using the TLFB method, 34 clients (26 men) who had attended at least one session of an outpatient alcohol treatment program reported on treatment contacts, including any supplemental services (e.g., psychiatric care). TLFB reports of help seeking at that agency were compared with agency records of treatment contacts. RESULTS: Clients reported on their help-seeking behavior for a period of approximately 8 months after they had completed an initial assessment for the outpatient treatment. With regard to the number of outpatient sessions they attended, intraclass correlations and equivalence testing showed that the TLFB data were comparable to the agency records of treatment contacts. Analysis of week-to-week correspondence of the presence or absence of help-seeking episodes showed good agreement between TLFB and the agency records for most participants, although there was substantial variation. Degree of correspondence was not associated with the length of the recall period or individual differences (e.g., drinking pattern). Older participants, however, tended to have lower week-to-week concordance than did younger participants. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide preliminary support for the utility of a help-seeking TLFB instrument to assess addiction- and mental health-related contacts. This instrument may be especially useful in research in which collecting temporal patterns of help seeking is of interest (e.g., in studies examining factors influencing the delay in help seeking after relapse).

What is the price of perfection? The hidden costs of using detailed assessment instruments to measure alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes results from a study investigating the effects of using long assessment instruments on attrition rates in mailed-out surveys. METHOD: Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of two versions of a mailed-out survey; one version incorporated a detailed assessment of drinking using the Timeline Follow back method (TLFB; n = 46) and the other employed a brief graduated frequency measure of alcohol consumption (n = 49). RESULTS: 29% fewer respondents who received the TLFB returned any of their survey materials as compared to those respondents who received just the graduated frequency measure (22% vs 51%). CONCLUSIONS: In some situations, e.g., mailed-out surveys, employing detailed survey instruments may not be justified as the increased respondent burden may result in increased attrition rates.

Untreated remissions from drug use: the predominant pathway.

Prior research has indicated that the majority of people who resolve an alcohol problem or from smoking cigarettes do so without treatment. However, no similar data have been available for other drug resolutions. This article explores the service use of former drug users employing data from the 1994 Canadian Alcohol and Drug survey. It is concluded that, as for alcohol and smoking, the majority of individuals stop their drug use without treatment.