Biohydrogen production through dark fermentation by a microbial consortium using whey permeate as substrate.

Nowadays, hydrogen produced globally has been synthesized from fossil fuel with limited source. Therefore, research has been developed in order to explore biological H2 production by dark fermentation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of initial pH and ferrous sulfate and ammonium sulfate concentrations on the production of biohydrogen by dark fermentation. The process was carried out in batch mode under anaerobic conditions, in the absence of light, and at standard room temperature and pressure. A microbial consortium provided by the effluent treatment plant of a local dairy company was inoculated into a synthetic medium supplemented with cheese whey permeate (20 g/L of lactose) as a carbon source. The influence of three variables was analyzed by a central composite design 2((3)), and the optimum results of hydrogen yield (4.13 mol H2/mol lactose) and productivity (86.31 mmol H2/L/day) were achieved at initial pH 7.0 and FeSO4 and (NH4)2SO4 concentrations of 0.6 and 1.5 g/L, respectively. Under these conditions, the kinetic parameters of fermentation were investigated by analyzing the profile of H2 yield and productivity, metabolite concentrations, pH, and concentration of dissolved iron. In the kinetic analysis, the modified Gompertz equation described adequately the fermentative hydrogen production from cheese whey permeate (R (2) = 0.98). The profile of ethanol and volatile organic acids showed that lactic acid and butyric acid were the main metabolites produced, and the sum of both by-products corresponded to about 58 % of the total metabolites.

Anatomic variations in vascular and collecting systems of kidneys from deceased donors.

INTRODUCTION: Nephroureterectomy for transplantation has increased owing to the greater number of deceased donors. Anatomic variations may complicate the procedure or, if unrecognized, compromise the viability of kidneys for transplantation. METHODS: We reviewed 254 surgical descriptions of nephroureterectomy specimens from January 2008 to December 2009. All organs collected according by standard techniques were evaluated for age, cause of death, renal function, frequency of injury during the procedure, as well as variations in the vascular and collecting systems. RESULTS: The mean donor age was 42 years (range, 2-74). The mean serum creatinine was 1.2 mg/dL (range, 1.0-7.0). The causes of death were cerebrovascular cause (stroke; n = 130), traumatic brain injury (n = 81) or other cause (n = 43). Among the anatomic variations: 8.6% (n = 22) were right arterial anatomical variations: 19 cases with 2 arteries and 3 cases with 3 arteries. In 25 cases (9.8%) the identified variation was the left artery: 2 arteries (n = 23), 3 arteries (n = 1) and 4 arteries (n = 1). We observed 9.8% on right side and 1.5% on left side venous anatomic variations, including 24 cases with 2 veins on the right side and 4 cases with 2 veins on the left side. Three cases of a retroaortic left renal vein and 1 case of a retro necklace vein (anterior and posterior to the aorta). Two cases of ureteral duplication were noted on the left and 1 on the right kidney. There were 3 horseshoe and 1 pelvic kidney. In 7.5% of cases, an injury to the graft included ureteral (n = 3), arterial (n = 10), or venous (n = 6). CONCLUSION: The most common anatomic variation was arterial (17.8%). Duplication of the renal vein was more frequent on the right. The high incidences of anatomic variations require more attention in the dissection of the renal hilum to avoid an injury that may compromise the graft.

[The implantation of VDD pacemakers with a single electrode--a comparative study. The experience of the last 5 years]. / Implantação de pacemakers VDD com um único eléctrodo--estudo comparativo. Experiência dos últimos cinco anos.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the epidemiological characteristics and immediate results of all first single lead VDD pacemaker (PM) implantations with those of an equal number of dual chamber DDD PM, implanted during a 5-year period in a tertiary-care hospital. POPULATION AND METHODS: A total of 41 patients (pts) (25 males, mean age of 69.0 +/- 11.8 years) underwent a VDD PM implantation, from 30-11-92 to 15-9-97. This group was compared with an equal number of patients (28 males, mean age of 69.9 +/- 7.31 years) with a DDD PM implanted in the same period, selected by a criterion of immediate temporal proximity of procedure. For each patient we collected the clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) indications for PM implantation, parameters of atrial (AS) and ventricular (VS) sensing and ventricular pacing (VP), X-ray exposure time (XRT) and complications. RESULTS: In the VDD group, 46.3% of the patients had syncope, 51.2% had complete AV block on the ECG, and 14.6% were PM-dependent. Analyzed procedure-related parameters were as follows: P-wave amplitude: 2.1 +/- 0.6 V; AS threshold: 1.2 +/- 0.7 V; R-wave amplitude: 9.1 +/- 3.3 V; VS threshold: 7.0 +/- 2.0 V; VP thresholds: 0.68 +/- 0.24 mA, 0.43 +/- 0.12 V (for a spike duration of 0.5 ms); ventricular impedance: 644.9 +/- 132.0 ohm; XRT; 7' 43" +/- 8' 23". There were two minor complications, for an incidence of 4.9% (one local hematoma and a vagal reaction). In the DDD group the clinical and ECG characteristics were similar, but there was a 22.0% prevalence of sinus-node dysfunction, VS 0% in the VDD group). The P-wave amplitude and AS threshold were significantly (p < 0.005) better (2.8 +/- 0.9 V and 2.8 +/- 0.9 V respectively). The other parameters were similar to those of the VDD group. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate results of VDD PM implantation are good and comparable with those of DDD PM, although with worse acute AS parameters.

[Permanent pacing in childhood: a review of 11 years of experience]. / Pacing permanente em idades pediátricas: revisão de uma experiência de 11 anos.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review our eleven year experience in the implantation and follow-up of permanent Pacemakers in the paediatric age group. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Children submitted to permanent cardiac Pacing implantation and accompanied in the Pacing Center of the Hospital de Santa Maria. PATIENTS: Children from both sexes, aged from neonate to 14 years old, with brady-dysrhythmia and indication for permanent cardiac Pacing implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 1980 to September 1991, 16 children had permanent Pacemaker implantation. We describe the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the population, mode of Pacing used, technical data from the implantation and evolution. RESULTS: One children died due to associated cardiac defect not related to the Pacemaker. The other 15 children remain in follow-up with normofunctioning Pacemakers and free of symptoms. We had to perform 11 reinterventions in 8 children due to generator or electrode problems (28,2 months reintervention interval). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in Pacemaker technology and a careful technique of implantation can significantly reduce the morbidity associated to permanent pacemaker implantation in this age group.

[Comparative study of various staining methods for mycobacteria]. / Estudo comparativo das variantes do método de coloração de micobactérias.

The present paper intends to show what coloration method for mycobacteria is the better. Samples was assessed and processed by hot Ziehl-Neelsen, cold Ziehl-Neelsen, Ziehl Gabbet and Ziehl-Neelsen with alkaline metilene blue. After microscopy by five different persons the method selected were the cold Ziehl-Neelsen.

[Mycobacteria isolated from armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus inoculated with mycobacterium leprae]. / Micobactérias isoladas de tatus Dasypus novemcinctus inoculados com Mycobacterium leprae.

The authors report the isolation of two mycobacteria from armadillos livers and spleens, inoculated with Mycobacterium leprae in the Kato medium. They discuss this results.