A galaxy rapidly forming stars 700 million years after the Big Bang at redshift 7.51.

Of several dozen galaxies observed spectroscopically that are candidates for having a redshift (z) in excess of seven, only five have had their redshifts confirmed via Lyman α emission, at z = 7.008, 7.045, 7.109, 7.213 and 7.215 (refs 1-4). The small fraction of confirmed galaxies may indicate that the neutral fraction in the intergalactic medium rises quickly at z > 6.5, given that Lyman α is resonantly scattered by neutral gas. The small samples and limited depth of previous observations, however, makes these conclusions tentative. Here we report a deep near-infrared spectroscopic survey of 43 photometrically-selected galaxies with z > 6.5. We detect a near-infrared emission line from only a single galaxy, confirming that some process is making Lyman α difficult to detect. The detected emission line at a wavelength of 1.0343 micrometres is likely to be Lyman α emission, placing this galaxy at a redshift z = 7.51, an epoch 700 million years after the Big Bang. This galaxy's colours are consistent with significant metal content, implying that galaxies become enriched rapidly. We calculate a surprisingly high star-formation rate of about 330 solar masses per year, which is more than a factor of 100 greater than that seen in the Milky Way. Such a galaxy is unexpected in a survey of our size, suggesting that the early Universe may harbour a larger number of intense sites of star formation than expected.

High molecular gas fractions in normal massive star-forming galaxies in the young Universe.

Stars form from cold molecular interstellar gas. As this is relatively rare in the local Universe, galaxies like the Milky Way form only a few new stars per year. Typical massive galaxies in the distant Universe formed stars an order of magnitude more rapidly. Unless star formation was significantly more efficient, this difference suggests that young galaxies were much more molecular-gas rich. Molecular gas observations in the distant Universe have so far largely been restricted to very luminous, rare objects, including mergers and quasars, and accordingly we do not yet have a clear idea about the gas content of more normal (albeit massive) galaxies. Here we report the results of a survey of molecular gas in samples of typical massive-star-forming galaxies at mean redshifts of about 1.2 and 2.3, when the Universe was respectively 40% and 24% of its current age. Our measurements reveal that distant star forming galaxies were indeed gas rich, and that the star formation efficiency is not strongly dependent on cosmic epoch. The average fraction of cold gas relative to total galaxy baryonic mass at z = 2.3 and z = 1.2 is respectively about 44% and 34%, three to ten times higher than in today's massive spiral galaxies. The slow decrease between z approximately 2 and z approximately 1 probably requires a mechanism of semi-continuous replenishment of fresh gas to the young galaxies.

Intervention strategies for microbial therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunotherapies have drastically improved clinical outcomes in a wide range of malignancies. Nevertheless, patient responses remain highly variable, and reliable biomarkers that predict responses accurately are not yet fully understood. Compelling evidence from preclinical studies and observational data from clinical cohorts have shown that commensal microorganisms that reside in the human gastrointestinal tract, collectively termed the 'microbiome', can actively modify responses to chemotherapeutic agents and immunotherapies by influencing host immunosurveillance. Notably, microbial correlates are largely context specific, and response signatures may vary by patient population, geographic location and type of anticancer treatment. Therefore, the incongruence of beneficial microbiome signatures across studies, along with an emerging understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between the microbiome, metabolome and host immune system, highlight a critical need for additional comprehensive and standardized multi-omics studies. Future research should consider key host factors, such as diet and use of medication, in both preclinical animal models and large-scale, multicenter clinical trials. In addition, there is a strong rationale to evaluate the microbiome as a tumor-extrinsic biomarker of clinical outcomes and to test the therapeutic potential of derived microbial products (e.g. defined microbial consortia), with the eventual goal of improving the efficacy of existing anticancer treatments. This review discusses the importance of the microbiome from the perspective of cancer immunotherapies, and outlines future steps that may contribute to wide-ranging clinical and translational benefits that may improve the health and quality of life of patients with cancer.

Organizational Readiness to Implement System Changes in an Alaskan Tribal Dental Care Organization.

INTRODUCTION: Tribal health care systems are striving to implement internal changes to improve dental care access and delivery and reduce health inequities for American Indian and Alaska Native children. Within similar systems, organizational readiness to implement change has been associated with adoption of system-level changes and affected by organizational factors, including culture, resources, and structure. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess organizational readiness to implement changes related to delivery of evidence-based dental care within a tribal health care organization and determine workforce- and perceived work environment-related factors associated with readiness. METHODS: A 92-item questionnaire was completed online by 78 employees, including dental providers, dental assistants, and support staff (88% response rate). The questionnaire queried readiness for implementation (Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change), organizational context and resources, workforce issues, organizational functioning, and demographics. RESULTS: Average scores for the change commitment and change efficacy domains (readiness for implementation) were 3.93 (SD = .75) and 3.85 (SD = .80), respectively, where the maximum best score was 5. Perceived quality of management, a facet of organizational functioning, was the only significant predictor of readiness to implement change (B = .727, SE = .181, P < .0002) when all other variables were accounted for. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that when staff members (including dentists, dental therapists, hygienists, assistants, and support staff) from a tribal health care organization perceive management to be high quality, they are more supportive of organizational changes that promote evidence-based practices. Readiness-for-change scores indicate an organization capable of institutional adoption of new policies and procedures. In this case, use of more effective management strategies may be one of the changes most critical for enhancing institutional behaviors to improve population health and reduce health inequities. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The results of this study can be used by clinicians and other leaders implementing changes within dental care organizations. To promote organizational readiness for change and, ultimately, more expedient and efficient adoption of system-level changes by stakeholders, consideration should be given to organizational functioning generally and quality of management practices specifically.

Strain differences during intraventricular infusion of norepinephrine: possible role of receptor sensitivity.

Two rat strains previously shown to differ with respect to behavioral activity, regional brain tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and norepinephrine-elicited accumulation of adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate exhibited differential behavioral responsiveness during the intraventricular infusion of norepinephrine. The results are interpreted in terms of differential catecholamine receptor sensitivity.

Biomimetic hydroxyapatite/collagen composite drives bone niche recapitulation in a rabbit orthotopic model.

Synthetic osteoinductive materials that mimic the human osteogenic niche have emerged as ideal candidates to address this area of unmet clinical need. In this study, we evaluated the osteoinductive potential in a rabbit orthotopic model of a magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite/type I collagen â€‹(MHA/Coll) composite. The composite was fabricated to exhibit a highly fibrous structure of carbonated MHA with 70% (±2.1) porosity and a Ca/P ratio of 1.5 (±0.03) as well as a diverse range of elasticity separated to two distinct stiffness peaks of low (2.35 â€‹± â€‹1.16 â€‹MPa) and higher (9.52 â€‹± â€‹2.10 â€‹MPa) Young's Modulus. Data suggested that these specific compositional and nanomechanical material properties induced the deposition of de novo mineral phase, while modulating the expression of early and late osteogenic marker genes, in a 3D in vitro model using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). When tested in the rabbit orthotopic model, MHA/Col1 scaffold induction of new trabecular bone mass was observed by DynaCT scan, only 2 weeks after implantation. Bone histomorphometry at 6 weeks revealed a significant amount of de novo bone matrix formation. qPCR demonstrated MHA/Coll scaffold full cellularization in vivo and the expression of both osteogenesis-associated genes (Spp1, Sparc, Col1a1, Runx2, Dlx5) as well as hematopoietic (Vcam1, Cd38, Sele, Kdr) and bone marrow stromal cell marker genes (Vim, Itgb1, Alcam). Altogether, these data provide â€‹evidence of the solid osteoinductive potential of MHA/Coll and its suitability for multiple approaches of bone regeneration.

Innovative approach to the design and evaluation of treatment adherence interventions for drug-resistant TB.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment is expensive, lengthy, and can cause severe side effects. Patients face socio-economic, psychosocial, and systemic barriers to adherence; poor adherence results in poor treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of the components of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model on DR-TB treatment adherence. DESIGN: We recruited 326 adults receiving DR-TB treatment and 86 of their health care service providers from 40 health centers in Lima, Peru. The main outcome was adherence (i.e., the proportion of prescribed doses taken by a patient). Exposure measures were adherence information, motivation, and behavioral skills; loss to follow-up during previous TB treatment(s); providers' work engagement; and patient-perceived support from his/her social network. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling revealed that adherence information and motivation had positive effects on adherence, but only if mediated through behavioral skills (ß = 0.02, P < 0.01 and ß = 0.07, P < 0.001, respectively). Behavioral skills had a direct positive effect on adherence (ß = 0.27, P < 0.001). Loss to follow-up during previous treatment had a direct negative effect, providers' work engagement had a direct positive effect, and perceived support had indirect positive effects on adherence. The model's overall R2 was 0.76. CONCLUSION: The components of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model were associated with adherence and could be used to design, monitor, and evaluate interventions targeting adherence to DR-TB treatment.

Influence of pre-PTCA strategy and initial PTCA result in patients with multivessel disease: the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI).

BACKGROUND: In PTCA patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, incomplete revascularization (IR) is the result of both pre-PTCA strategy and initial lesion outcome. The unique contribution of these components on long-term patient outcome is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI), 2047 patients who underwent first-time PTCA were evaluated. Before enrollment, all significant lesions were assessed by the PTCA operator for clinical importance and intention to dilate. Complete revascularization (CR) was defined as successful dilatation of all clinically relevant lesions. Planned CR was indicated in 65% of all patients. More lesions were intended for PTCA in these patients compared with those with planned IR (2.8 versus 2.1). Successful dilatation of all intended lesions occurred in 45% of patients with planned CR versus 56% with planned IR (P<0. 001). In multivariable analysis, planned IR (versus planned CR), initial lesions attempted (not all versus all intended lesions attempted), and initial lesion outcome (not all versus all attempted lesions successful) were unrelated to 5-year risk of cardiac death or death/myocardial infarction but were all independently related to risk of CABG. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a pre-PTCA strategy of IR in BARI-like patients appears comparable to a strategy of CR except for a higher need for CABG. Whether the use of new devices may attenuate the elevated risk of CABG in patients with multivessel disease and planned IR remains to be determined.

Blood flow velocity in the right coronary artery: assessment before and after angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: This study attempted 1) to assess the utility of rest measurements of intracoronary blood flow velocity for the physiologic assessment of coronary stenoses before and after right coronary artery angioplasty, and 2) to compare the phasic flow pattern in the right coronary artery proper with the phasic flow pattern in its major branches to the left ventricle. BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have demonstrated that a reduction in distal blood flow velocity and a loss of distal diastolic predominant flow are characteristic of physiologically significant stenoses and that these indexes normalize after successful coronary artery dilation. However, these studies were predominantly performed in the left coronary artery. The utility of monitoring rest velocity variables during angioplasty of the right coronary artery has not been studied. METHODS: We studied 20 patients undergoing angioplasty of the right coronary artery with use of a Doppler angioplasty guide wire. RESULTS: Values were expressed as the mean value +/- 1 SD. The rest average peak velocity did not decrease distal to angiographically significant right coronary artery stenoses (23.3 +/- 9.4 cm/s proximal vs. 20.2 +/- 11.1 cm/s distal, p = 0.20). The proximal/distal velocity ratio was 1.4 +/- 0.9 before angioplasty and did not significantly decrease after angioplasty (p = 0.58). This study had a 99.4% power to detect a difference between proximal and distal average peak velocity. There was no relation between percent diameter stenosis and proximal/distal velocity ratios (r = 0.15, p = 0.55). Diastolic predominant flow was not observed in the proximal or distal right coronary artery. However, after angioplasty, diastolic predominant flow was observed in the posterolateral and posterior descending coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Rest phasic Doppler flow velocity indexes are not useful for evaluating stenoses in the right coronary artery proper before or after angioplasty. In contrast to the right coronary artery proper, diastolic predominant flow is observed in the posterior descending and posterolateral coronary arteries. The utility of measuring hyperemic Doppler flow velocity indexes, such as distal coronary flow reserve, for assessing right coronary artery stenoses merits further investigation.

Sequential teboroxime imaging during and after balloon occlusion of a coronary artery.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess whether sequential teboroxime imaging can rapidly evaluate vessel patency and identify the coronary artery occluded in patients undergoing balloon occlusion of a coronary artery. BACKGROUND: Intravenous thrombolytic therapy results in successful reperfusion of the infarct-related artery in only 50% to 80% of cases. A noninvasive technique to serially evaluate coronary perfusion would identify patients who might benefit from other interventions such as emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting or increased intensity of thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: Teboroxime scans were performed during balloon occlusion in 15 nonconsecutive patients undergoing angioplasty of a major coronary artery. Equivalent views were repeated after successful angioplasty. RESULTS: The mean time between balloon occlusion and reperfusion imaging was 1.6 +/- 0.6 h. The mean number of defects decreased significantly from 4.13 +/- 1.01 during balloon occlusion to 0.27 +/- 0.44 after reperfusion (p = 0.0006). There was a 30% decrease in the defect/normal zone count/pixel ratios during balloon occlusion and normalization of these ratios after reperfusion (p = 0.0006). The scans correctly identified all nine left anterior descending coronary artery occlusions and both right coronary artery occlusions. One of the four left circumflex coronary artery occlusions was incorrectly identified as a right coronary artery occlusion by scan criteria. Overall, the scans correctly identified the occluded artery 93% of the time (kappa = 0.88). The scan was 100% accurate for distinguishing occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (n = 9) from occlusions of the left circumflex or right coronary artery (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this is the first clinical study to demonstrate that sequential planar imaging with teboroxime can 1) rapidly detect acute coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion, and 2) identify the occluded coronary artery. A trial comparing rapid sequential teboroxime imaging with coronary angiography in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction is warranted.

Heparin after percutaneous intervention (HAPI): a prospective multicenter randomized trial of three heparin regimens after successful coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of bleeding, vascular, and ischemic complications using three different heparin regimens after successful intervention. BACKGROUND: The ideal dose and duration of heparin infusion after successful coronary intervention is unknown. METHODS: Patients were randomized to one of three heparin strategies after coronary intervention: Group 1 (n = 157 patients) received prolonged (12 to 24 h) heparin infusion followed by sheath removal; Group 2 (n = 120 patients) underwent early removal of sheaths, followed by reinstitution of heparin infusion for 12 to 18 h; Group 3 (n = 137 patients) did not receive any further heparin after intervention with early sheath removal. The primary end point of the study was the combined incidence of in-hospital bleeding and vascular events. Secondary end points included in-hospital ischemic events, length of stay, cost and one-month outcome. RESULTS: After successful coronary intervention, 414 patients were randomized. Unstable angina or postinfarction angina was present in 83% of patients before intervention. The combined incidence of bleeding and vascular events was 21% in Group 1, 14% in Group 2 and 8% in Group 3 (p = 0.01). The overall incidence of in-hospital ischemic complications was 2.2%; there were no differences between groups. Length of hospital stay was shorter (p = 0.033) and adjusted hospital cost was lower (p < 0.001) for Group 3. At 30 days, the incidence of delayed cardiac and vascular events was similar for all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Heparin infusion after successful coronary intervention is associated with more minor bleeding and vascular injury, prolonged length of stay and increased cost. In-hospital and one-month ischemic events rarely occur after successful intervention, irrespective of heparin use. Routine postprocedure heparin is not recommended, even in patients who present with unstable ischemic syndromes.

Survival following coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass surgery in anatomic subsets in which coronary artery bypass surgery improves survival compared with medical therapy. Results from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI).

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare survival after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in high-risk anatomic subsets. BACKGROUND: Compared with medical therapy, CABG decreases mortality in patients with three-vessel disease and two-vessel disease involving the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), particularly if left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is present. How survival after PTCA and CABG compares in these high-risk anatomic subsets is unknown. METHODS: In the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI), 1,829 patients with multivessel disease were randomized to an initial strategy of PTCA or CABG between 1988 and 1991. Stents and IIb/IIIa inhibitors were not utilized. Since patients in BARI with diabetes mellitus had greater survival with CABG, separate analyses of patients without diabetes were performed. RESULTS: Seven-year survival among patients with three-vessel disease undergoing PTCA and CABG (n = 754) was 79% versus 84% (p = 0.06), respectively, and 85% versus 87% (p = 0.36) when only non-diabetics (n = 592) were analyzed. In patients with three-vessel disease and reduced LV function (ejection fraction <50%), seven-year survival was 70% versus 74% (p = 0.6) in all PTCA and CABG patients (n = 176), and 82% versus 73% (p = 0.29) among non-diabetic patients (n = 124). Seven-year survival was 87% versus 84% (p = 0.9) in all PTCA and CABG patients (including diabetics) with two-vessel disease involving the proximal LAD (n = 352), and 78% versus 71% (p = 0.7) in patients with two-vessel disease involving the proximal LAD with reduced LV function (n = 72). CONCLUSION: In high-risk anatomic subsets in which survival is prolonged by CABG versus medical therapy, revascularization by PTCA and CABG yielded equivalent survival over seven years.

Modifiable risk factors for vascular access site complications in the IMPACT II Trial of angioplasty with versus without eptifibatide. Integrilin to Minimize Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify potential predictors of vascular access site (VAS) complications in the large-scale Integrilin to Minimize Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis (IMPACT) II trial, which studied angioplasty with versus without a new glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor (eptifibatide). BACKGROUND: GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition during coronary interventions has been associated with excess VAS complications. If other predictors of VAS complications could be identified, they might be manipulated to reduce complications. METHODS: A total of 4,010 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization (PTCR) were randomized into one of three bolus/20- to 24-h infusion arms: placebo bolus/placebo infusion; 135-microg/kg body weight eptifibatide bolus/0.5-microg/kg per min eptifibatide infusion; or 135-microg/kg eptifibatide bolus/0.75-microg/kg per min eptifibatide infusion. Heparin during the procedure was weight adjusted and stopped 4 h before sheaths were removed. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify independent predictors of VAS complications. RESULTS: VAS complications were more common in patients treated with eptifibatide (9.9% vs. 5.9% placebo-treated patients, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified eptifibatide therapy (p < 0.0001), advanced age (p = 0.0001), longer time to sheath removal (p = 0.0002), stent placement (with intense post-stent anticoagulation) (p = 0.0004), female gender (p = 0.0006), PTCR within 24 h of thrombolytic therapy (p = 0.002), larger heparin doses during PTCR (p = 0.009), major coronary dissection (p = 0.03) and placement of a venous sheath (p = 0.04) as independent predictors of VAS complications. CONCLUSIONS: VAS complications may be reduced by early sheath removal, by avoiding placement of venous sheaths and by limiting heparin dosing to avoid excessive activated clotting times. Early sheath removal during inhibition of platelet aggregation by eptifibatide is feasible.

The effect of vegetarian diets on plasma lipid and platelet levels.

Vegetarians have an apparent diminished risk for the development of ischemic coronary heart disease. This may be secondary to dietary effects of plasma lipids and lipoproteins, but platelets, which may also play a role, have also been observed to have aberrant functions in vegetarians. We measured plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, platelet function, platelet fatty acid levels, and platelet active prostaglandins in ten strict vegetarians (vegans), 15 lactovegetarians, and 25 age- and sex-matched omnivorous controls. The most striking observations were a highly significant rise in platelet linoleic acid concentration and a decline in platelet arachidonic acid concentration in both vegetarian subgroups as compared with omnivorous controls. Serum thromboxane and prostacyclin levels as well as results of platelet aggregation studies did not differ among the groups tested. Cholesterol levels were significantly lower in both vegetarian groups as compared with controls, but plasma high- and low-density lipoprotein levels were lower only in the vegan subgroup as compared with omnivores. If diet produces these changes in platelet fatty acid and plasma lipid levels it may contribute to the decreased risk of coronary heart disease and possibly atherosclerosis in vegetarians.

Feasibility and safety of emergency interhospital transport of patients during early hours of acute myocardial infarction.

The transfer of patients with acute myocardial infarction from community hospitals to tertiary care facilities for further intervention has become increasingly more frequent due to the emerging role of thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. To assess the feasibility and safety of early transfer, a prospective analysis of 57 patients who were transported by ground ambulance or helicopter to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, for acute intervention during the early hours of myocardial infarction was conducted. Before transport, the majority (46 [81%]) of patients were having chest discomfort, 13 (23%) were hypotensive, and 12 (21%) were electrically unstable (defined as high-grade ventricular ectopia or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia). During transport, the majority (41 [72%]) continued to have some chest discomfort; however, only two (4%) remained hypotensive. Although five patients (9%) were electrically unstable during transport, the instability was considered noncritical. The distance traveled or the mode of transportation did not adversely impact on these clinical complications. All patients survived transport, and 53 patients (93%) were eventually discharged from the receiving hospital.

Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids prolongs platelet survival in hyperlipidemic patients with atherosclerosis.

Enhanced dietary omega-3 fatty acid consumption is thought to be associated with a reduced incidence of atherothrombotic disorders. This effect may be mediated in part through suppression of in vivo platelet activity by omega-3 fatty acids. We observed that platelet survival, a sensitive indicator of in vivo platelet activity was prolonged from 6.4 +/- 1.5 days to 7.7 +/- 1.4 days by moderate amounts of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 weeks in a group of hyperlipidemic patients with preexisting, established atherothrombotic disorders. This effect on platelet survival was associated with a decrease in platelet arachidonic acid levels from 26.7 +/- 3.5% to 20.9% +/- 2.5% and a rise in platelet eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid measurements from essentially undetectable to 2.8% +/- 1.6% and 1.9% +/- 1.0%. Plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum apolipoprotein B levels rose significantly during the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation period. Platelet aggregation did not change. This study demonstrates that a modest amount of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can significantly effect in vivo platelet activity in a population at high risk for recurrent atherothrombotic disorders.

Hydrothermal carbonization of poly(vinyl chloride).

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was subjected to hydrothermal carbonization in subcritical water at 180-260 °C. Dehydrochlorination increased with increasing reaction temperature. The release of chlorine was almost quantitative above ∼235 °C. The fraction of organic carbon (OC) recovered in the hydrochar decreased with increasing operating temperature from 93% at 180 °C to 75% at 250 °C. A wide array of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) could be detected in the aqueous phase, but their combined concentration amounted to only ∼140 µg g(-1) PVC-substrate at 240 °C. A pathway for the formation of cyclic hydrocarbons and O-functionalized organics was proposed. Chlorinated hydrocarbons including chlorophenols could only be identified at trace levels (low ppb). Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) could not be detected. The sorption potential of the hydrochar turned out to be very low, in particular for polar organic pollutants. Our results provide strong evidence that hydrothermal carbonization of household organic wastes which can be tied to co-discarded PVC-plastic residues is environmentally sound regarding the formation of toxic organic products. Following these findings, hydrothermal treatment of PVC-waste beyond operating temperatures of ∼235 °C to allow complete release of organic chlorine should be further pursued.

Organic breakdown products resulting from hydrothermal carbonization of brewer's spent grain.

Hydrothermal carbonization of brewer's spent grain resulted in a solid hydrochar and an aqueous phase rich in macromolecular dissolved organic matter. Both phases were analyzed with regard to low molecular weight organic compounds (MW<500 Da) in lyophilized form by exhaustive solvent extraction followed by pre-chromatographic derivatization and GC/MS-analysis. Low molecular weight acids, O-functionalized phenols, cyclopentenone derivatives, and benzenediols accounted for the majority of organic analytes in both hydrothermal carbonization product streams while being absent in solvent extracts of the pristine biomass. The pattern of short chain functionalized acids in the pristine biomass and in the hydrothermally produced matrices turned out very different. Acylglycerines as the most abundant lipids in pristine brewer's spent grain were quantitatively hydrolyzed under hydrothermal conditions. The recovery of total fatty acids present in the pristine biomass amounted to 19%. The major fraction of hydrophobic breakdown products including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and sterols was sorbed onto the hydrochar.

Characterization of biochars and dissolved organic matter phases obtained upon hydrothermal carbonization of Elodea nuttallii.

The invasive aquatic plant Elodea nuttallii was subjected to hydrothermal carbonization at 200 °C and 240 °C to produce biochar. About 58% w/w of the organic carbon of the pristine plant was translocated into the solid biochar irrespectively of the operating temperature. The process water rich in dissolved organic matter proved a good substrate for biogas production. The E. nuttallii plants showed a high capability of incorporating metals into the biomass. This large inorganic fraction which was mainly transferred into the biochar (except sodium and potassium) may hamper the prospective application of biochar as soil amendment. The high ash content in biochar (∼ 40% w/w) along with its relatively low content of organic carbon (∼ 36% w/w) is associated with low higher heating values. Fatty acids were completely hydrolyzed from lipids due to hydrothermal treatment. Low molecular-weight carboxylic acids (acetic and lactic acid), phenols and phenolic acids turned out major organic breakdown products.

Effects of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and oxaprozin, on the kidney.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been found to cause sodium retention and to decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We studied the effects of two such drugs, indomethacin and oxaprozin, a new propionic acid derivative, on renal function of awake, normal human subjects during sustained water diuresis. Although neither drug had a long-term effect on GFR or sodium clearance (CNa), indomethacin (six subjects) but not oxaprozin (seven subjects) transiently reduced GFR and CNa. Given over the short term, oxaprozin caused a reduction in GFR from 113.7 +/- 5.7 to 99.8 +/- 4.7 ml/min (p < 0.01) and CNa from 0.84 +/- 0.07 to 0.61 +/- 0.08 ml/min (p < 0.005). The results were much the same when an additional dose of indomethacin was given to subjects who had been receiving the drug for a week. Inference from clearance data at a time when urinary osmolality (Uosm) remained constant but urine flow per GFR (V/GFR) fell suggests that both drugs stimulated proximal tubular sodium and fluid resorption. Both suppressed renin and aldosterone levels comparably and reduced potassium excretion transiently, but only indomethacin caused a sustained change in serum potassium concentration; serum potassium rose from 4.32 +/- 0.10 to 4.56 +/- 0.11 mEq/l (p < 0.05) after 1 wk. These disparate findings suggest that prostaglandin synthesis inhibition may not be the sole mechanism of action of NSAIDs.