Biological nutrients removal from the supernatant originating from the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste.

This study critically evaluates the biological processes and techniques applied to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the anaerobic supernatant produced from the treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and from its co-digestion with other biodegradable organic waste (BOW) streams. The wide application of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of several organic waste streams results in the production of high quantities of anaerobic effluents. Such effluents are characterized by high nutrient content, because organic and particulate nitrogen and phosphorus are hydrolyzed in the anaerobic digestion process. Consequently, adequate post-treatment is required in order to comply with the existing land application and discharge legislation in the European Union countries. This may include physicochemical and biological processes, with the latter being more advantageous due to their lower cost. Nitrogen removal is accomplished through the conventional nitrification/denitrification, nitritation/denitritation and the complete autotrophic nitrogen removal process; the latter is accomplished by nitritation coupled with the anoxic ammonium oxidation process. As anaerobic digestion effluents are characterized by low COD/TKN ratio, conventional denitrification/nitrification is not an attractive option; short-cut nitrogen removal processes are more promising. Both suspended and attached growth processes have been employed to treat the anaerobic supernatant. Specifically, the sequencing batch reactor, the membrane bioreactor, the conventional activated sludge and the moving bed biofilm reactor processes have been investigated. Physicochemical phosphorus removal via struvite precipitation has been extensively examined. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from the anaerobic supernatant can take place through the sequencing anaerobic/aerobic process. More recently, denitrifying phosphorus removal via nitrite or nitrate has been explored. The removal of phosphorus from the anaerobic supernatant of OFMSW is an interesting research topic that has not yet been explored. At the moment, standardization in the design of facilities that treat anaerobic supernatant produced from the treatment of OFMSW is still under development. To move toward this direction, it is first necessary to assess the performance of alternative treatment options. It study concentrates existing data regarding the characteristics of the anaerobic supernatant produced from the treatment of OFMSW and from their co-digestion with other BOW. This provides data documenting the effect of the anaerobic digestion operating conditions on the supernatant quality and critically evaluates alternative options for the post-treatment of the liquid fraction produced from the anaerobic digestion process.

Late third trimester diagnosis of congenital giant hemangioma complicated by the Kasabach-Merritt phenomen: a case report and literature review.

Objective. To describe the case of a large cervical mass diagnosed in the late third trimester with development of Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) in the immediate postnatal period, along with a literature review.Methods. Description of case-report and literature search through Medline/Pubmed, performed from inception to December 2022 for articles relating to the pre and postnatal diagnosis of KMP.Results. A 36-year-old multiparous woman was admitted to hospital for contractions at 40 weeks of gestation, in an otherwise uneventful pregnancy. Admission's ultrasound showed the presence of a voluminous mass of 14x15 cm of the posterior side of the neck, highly vascularized, and no signs of hemodynamic imbalance. Postnatally, blood tests showed the presence of severe anemia and thrombocytopenia requiring several transfusions of blood, plasma, platelets and clotting factors. Due to the association of congenital hemangioma and thrombocytopenia a diagnosis of KMP was made. After attempts of conservative treatment, surgical removal was needed to stop the hematological cascade with regression of symptoms. The review of the literature identified 14 articles including 9 cases of prenatally suspected KMP and 6 diagnosed in the immediate postnatal period and without signs of fetal hydrops. Adverse perinatal outcome, in terms of postnatal death/termination of pregnancy, was observed in 67% of cases (6/9) in the prenatally suspected group and 33% of cases in those with a postnatal diagnosis of KMP. Fetal hydrops was present in 83% of cases with adverse perinatal outcome.Conclusions. The Kasabach-Merrit syndrome is a rare condition, which can have a dangerous evolution when it develops in utero or in the immediate postnatal period carrying a risk of perinatal mortality of approximately 50%. Even if the fetus shows no signs of anemia or heart failure, the risk of developing it in the immediate postnatal period is high and should be mentioned to the couple.

Severe acute colitis related to levodopa treatment.

The first case of severe drug-induced gastrointestinal injury related to levodopa is described. The 86-year-old patient experienced acute colitis temporally related to the intake of the drug with complete resolution of symptoms on levodopa withdrawal. Awareness of the possibility of a levodopa-related damage on colon biopsies performed for acute colitis is of paramount importance for pathologists. However, in order to exclude or confirm a drug-related damage an effective communications between clinicians and pathologists is always required.

Spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate susceptibility to spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-positive patients before and during highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). DESIGN: A longitudinal study was performed on 12 evaluable patients on HAART. This cohort was analysed prior to and at week 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 after beginning HAART. Variations in CD4 and CD8 cells, viral load, susceptibility to spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in the presence of IL-2, IL-4 or IL-12 were studied. Expression of Fas and Bcl-2 were also assessed. METHODS: Levels of HIV RNA were determined by a quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by staining isolated nuclei with propidium iodide followed by multiparameter flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Spontaneous apoptosis of PBMC was promptly inhibited after the start of treatment. Similarly, anti-Fas-induced apoptosis diminished greatly during treatment. Expression of Fas decreased significantly, while that of Bcl-2 remained statistically unchanged during the first 24 weeks of therapy. Levels of apoptosis correlated inversely to CD4 cell counts and directly to viral load in a highly significant way. Expression of Fas was directly correlated to apoptosis. Interleukin (IL)-2, but not IL-4 or IL-12, protected PBMC of HIV-positive individuals from spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis before and during HAART. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that regulation of apoptosis and of Fas expression are involved in immunoreconstitution during HAART.

Early immune reconstitution after potent antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children correlates with the increase in thymus volume.

DESIGN: Despite significant rises in total CD4 T cells, the process of immune reconstitution in adults with HIV infection treated with potent antiretroviral treatment results in a rather slow increase in phenotypically naive lymphocytes. In children more than in adults, thymic function may be at least partly restored when disease-induced immunosuppression is attenuated by pharmacological means. METHODS: Twenty-five vertically infected and antiretroviral-experienced [zidovudine (ZDV)/ZDV plus didanosine (ddl)] children were prospectively followed during 12 months of treatment with lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T) and indinavir (IDV). The plasma HIV viral load and phenotypic and functional cellular immunity-defining parameters were examined. The relationship between the degree of immune reconstitution and thymus volume assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance was also examined. RESULTS: An early and steep increase in CD45RA+62L+ T cells was observed in parallel with a sustained decrease in plasma HIV RNA levels and a significant rise in total CD4 T cells. This increase was significantly greater than that observed in CD4+CD45RO+ T cells. Analysis of the CD4 T cell receptor (TCR) beta repertoire and T helper function showed the ability to reconstitute families almost completely absent at baseline, and a substantial improvement of antigen-specific responses by peripheral blood lymphocytes. The rise in CD4 cells and in CD4+CD45RA+62L+ T cells was statistically associated with changes in thymus size observed over time. CONCLUSION: These data suggest a relevant contribution of the thymus to reconstitution of the peripheral pool of T cells in vertically HIV-infected children treated with potent antiretroviral regimens.

Vaginal transmission of HIV-1 in hu-SCID mice: a new model for the evaluation of vaginal microbicides.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an animal model of vaginal transmission of HIV-1 for the evaluation of vaginal microbicides. DESIGN: Vaginal infection was performed in SCID mice reconstituted with 4 x 107 human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL) by non-invasive vaginal administration. The hu-PBL were previously infected in vitro with a non-syncytium (NSI) strain of HIV-1 (SF162) (hu-PBL-SCID). Lymphocyte migration in vivo was examined using fluorescently labelled human lymphocytes. METHODS: The percentage of CD4 T cells, plasma viral load and p24 antigen were evaluated using fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS), the Amplicor HIV-1 monitor kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on DNA extracted from spleen and lymph nodes. For in vivo migration of labelled lymphocytes, the mice were sacrificed after 4, 24 and 48 h; vaginae and local lymph nodes were removed, snap frozen with OCT, sectioned and examined by fluorescent microscopy and FACS. RESULTS: HIV transmission was established using virus-infected cells inoculated vaginally, as shown by FACS, HIV viral load, p24 and PCR results. Labelled cells were easily located within the vaginal tissues after 4 h. However, few or no cells could be identified after 24 or 48 h at the vaginal level, whereas labelled cells could be detected at the level of regional lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its simplicity and practical features compared with other animal models, the vaginal HIV-infected hu-SCID mouse model may prove useful to test the activity of compounds against cell-associated HIV and, possibly, other sexually transmitted diseases.

Hemodynamic effects of intravenous morphine infusion in ventilated preterm babies.

BACKGROUND: the importance of sedation and analgesia of newborn babies in intensive care is only now receiving recognition in many neonatal units. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of morphine on Cerebral Blood Flow velocities (CBFv), Cardiac Output (CO), Stroke Volume (SV), Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MABP) and Heart Rate (HR) in ventilated preterm infants, before and during the infusion of a loading dose. DESIGN: prospective, open, non-randomized, before-after intervention study with hemodynamic measurements made by Doppler ultrasound. SETTING: neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Tertiary Care Center. PATIENTS: sequential sample of 30 ventilated preterm newborns (gestational age (GA) 29 +/- 2 wks, range 27-31, birth weight (BW) 1240 +/- 440 g, range 800-1680). INTERVENTION: each subject received an intravenous loading dose of morphine (100 mcg/Kg/h) for 2 h, followed by a continuous infusion of 25 mcg/kg/h. MEASUREMENTS: the following Doppler parameters of the anterior cerebral artery were estimated: Peak systolic flow velocity (Vs), end-diastolic flow velocity (Vd), mean flow velocity (Vm) and Pourcelot' Resistance Index (RI). Measurements of CBFv, CO and SV (by Doppler ultrasound), MABP and HR were made 30 min before (baseline values) and at 15 (M15), 30 (M30), 60 (M60) and 120 min (M120), during the morphine loading infusion. Statistical evaluation analysis of variance, significance was calculated by Student-Newman-Kenfeld test. RESULTS: there were no statistically significant changes in the cerebral and cardiac Doppler parameters before or during the 120 min of morphine loading infusion. There was a non-significant fall in MABP (MABP: Baseline value = 44 +/- 6 mmHg, M120 = 42 +/- 4 mmHg; reduction = 4%) and HR (HR = Baseline value = 148 +/- 12 beats/min., M120 = 140 +/- 16 beats/min.; reduction = 5%). CONCLUSIONS: a loading dose of morphine over 2 h did not have any significant effect on MABP or cerebral and cardiac hemodynamics. No adverse effects were noted that could be attributed to morphine therapy.

[Osteoarticular tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement. Description of 2 pediatric cases]. / Tubercolosi osteoarticolare senza interessamento polmonare. Descrizione di due casi in età pediatrica.

Tuberculosis of bone and joint is becoming uncommon in childhood, overall in absence of clinical and radiologic pulmonary findings. The Authors describe two cases: the first one had typical radiologic picture of the hand localization; the second one had tibial localization. Both the children had none clinical and radiographic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis. Chemiotherapical treatment and bed rest led to complete recovery, without anatomic and functional sequelae.

Disseminated, large-sized neonatal pneumatoceles: the wait-and-see strategy.

Pulmonary pneumatoceles are thin-walled, air-filled cysts that develop within the lung parenchyma. Most often, they occur as a sequel of acute pneumonia, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus in children. Limited data are available about infective pulmonary cysts in newborns. We report a case of a newborn, who developed multiple pneumatoceles after Escherichia coli pneumonia.

Start-up of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal process using low activity anammox inoculum to treat low strength UASB effluent.

The start-up of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal process was examined in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) using low activity anoxic ammonium oxidation (anammox) inoculum. The SBR received effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) that treated low strength wastewater. The volumetric nitrogen loading rate (vNLR) was first 0.24 ± 0.11 kg Nm(-3)d(-1) and then reduced to 0.10 ± 0.02 kg Nm(-3)d(-1). The average specific anammox activity was 2.27 ± 1.31 mg N (gVSS h)(-1), at 30°C representing an increase of 161% compared to the inoculum. The decrease in vNLR did not significantly affect anammox activity, but resulted in a decrease of denitrifying heterotrophic activity to very low levels after the first 30 days owing to the decrease of organic loading rate (OLR). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed the stable presence of anammox bacteria in biomass. Numerous filamentous microorganisms were present, several of which were in a state of endogenous respiration.

[Introduction to the principles of neonatal resuscitation]. / Introduzione ai principi della rianimazione neonatale.

WHO has estimated that as many as 10% of all newborn infants need some intervention at birth and approximately 1% more extensive intervention. If this is correct, up to 13-14 million of the world's annual newborn infants need intervention and of these approximately 1.5 million will need intensive therapy. Each year at least 1.16 million newborn babies die in sub-Saharan Africa. This region has the highest risk of newborn deaths and the slowest progress in reducing mortality. The transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life is extremely hazardous, with probably more radical physiologic adjustments required during and immediately following the birth process than at any other point in a human lifetime. Although certain episodes of fetal asphyxia cannot be prevented a prompt and skilled resuscitation may prevent lifelong adverse sequelae. Optimal resuscitation procedures should therefore become high priority. The ILCOR, the AHA and the AAP have established their new guidelines for newborn resuscitation on review of the evidence for each step. There still are a number of unanswered questions regarding newborn resuscitation (the ideal ratio of chest compressions to ventilation, the benefits and risks of supplementary oxygen, the indications for volume therapy, the optimal glucose level in infants that required resuscitation, the better ventilation in a newborn at birth.

Tibial plateau fractures: internal fixation with locking plates and the MIPO technique.

Proximal tibial fractures are difficult lesions to treat because of the involvement of the articular surface, the often occurring comminution, and the precarious condition of the soft tissues, especially following high-energy trauma. Aim of the treatment is to restore the congruence of the articular surface supporting the tibial plateau cartilage which is usually depressed; to fix the fracture with a stable device; to allow early rehabilitation. We present our treatment strategy, utilising closed or open reduction and internal fixation, angle-stable polyaxial plates, immediate osteointegration, when necessary, with autologous bone graft or other osteoconductive material augmented with autologous platelet gel. Surgery is soft-tissue dependent in terms of timing, and it is usually performed directly or under supervision of an experienced surgeon utilising, whenever possible, a tissue sparing technique. A cohort of 58 proximal tibial fractures, surgically treated, from January 2004 to June 2007, was retrospectively reviewed. Fractures were classified according the OTA/AO classification. The assessment of the functional outcome with the use of the Rasmussen score identified good to excellent results in 78% of the cohort 12 months post-surgery. Internal fixation with locking plates, following the principles of MIPO (Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Osteosynthesis), provides satisfactory fracture reduction with good results regarding the mid-term clinical outcome.

Open randomized controlled parallel study of ofloxacin versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment of lower respiratory tract and urinary infections.

A total of 60 patients with lower respiratory tract or urinary tract infections were enrolled in an open, randomized, controlled, parallel study comparing 300 mg ofloxacin (OFX) b.i.d. with trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole (TMP 800 mg + SMX 160 mg), 1 tablet, b.i.d. The signs and symptoms of low respiratory tract infection were cured in 12 patients (80%) of the OFX group and improved in 2 other patients (13%); at the end of therapy, the 2 germs that persisted were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Branhamella catarrhalis. Clinical cure was achieved in 13 patients (86%) in the TMP-SMX group, while 2 patients were considered as failures (14%); after therapy, the 3 organisms that persisted were 2 S. pneumoniae and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As far as urinary tract infections are concerned clinical cure and complete eradication of bacteria were achieved in 14 patients in the OFX group (93%); the germ that persisted was Escherichia coli (100,000 CFU), but the patient was asymptomatic. In patients of the TMP-SMX group the urinary infections were cured in 11 subjects (73%); the germs that persisted were 2 E. coli and 1 Proteus mirabilis. Adverse effects were reported for 3 patients (10%) in the OFX group and 4 patients (13%) in the TMP-SMX group. The measurement of serum and intracellular (polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes) levels of OFX and TMP-SMX and the assessment of the host's immunocompetence ruled out the possibility of any immunotoxicological side effect.

Assessment of immunomodulating activity of ofloxacin and three other quinolones in human plasma.

A time-dependent degree of immunosuppression or immunostimulation which may be correlated to pharmacokinetic variables was obtained by administering a single dose of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, pipemidic and piromidic acid to healthy volunteers. The plasma samples collected before drug administration and then at various time intervals were tested for their immunomodifying activity by employing a modified 2-way mixed lymphocyte reaction and a PMN chemotactic assay. Our results show that some of the quinolones tested--norfloxacin, pipemidic acid, piromidic acid--have an immunosuppressive activity.

Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine oral administration on lymphocyte antibacterial activity and TNF-alpha levels in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. A randomized double blind versus placebo study.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), a drug for the treatment of ageing-related neuroendocrine dysfunctions, was orally administered--2 gm/day for 30 days--to 10 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TBC). Lymphocyte-mediated antibacterial activity and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were evaluated before and after treatment, comparing the values with those of 10 TBC patients receiving placebo. Results show that by day 30, antibacterial activity remained unmodified or increased in ALC-treated subjects, while decreased in the placebo group. No influence of ALC on TNF-alpha levels was detectable. These data suggest that the host's immune responses to M. tuberculosis infection can be selectively modulated by drugs acting on the neuroendocrine axis.

Enhancement of host resistance against Salmonella typhimurium infection by a diet supplemented with yogurt.

The effect of a diet supplemented with yogurt containing live lactobacilli (LAB) - Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus - on the response of inbred mice to infection with Salmonella typhimurium was elaborated. The results of our experiments were consistent with the hypothesis that modifications of the microflora influence the adherence of S. typhimurium to intestinal mucosa, the natural antibacterial activity of the Peyer's patches lymphocytes, the accumulation of the macrophages in the liver, the proliferative responses of the splenocytes. The relationship between modifications of the immune response following ingestion of yogurt with live LAB and increased defense mechanisms was confirmed by the bacterial counts in livers and spleens and by the reduced mortality to S. typhimurium infection.

Quantitation of human influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes: correlation of cytotoxicity and increased numbers of IFN-gamma producing CD8+ T cells.

To study virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity at the single cell level, an IFN-gamma specific ELISPOT assay was adapted to elucidate the frequency of influenza-specific CTLs together with a standard cytotoxic 51Cr-release assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human volunteers were cultured with influenza virus-infected autologous cells; following 3 or 7 days of culture, T cell subsets were assessed for IFN-gamma production by IFN-gamma-specific ELISPOT and ELISA, while IFN-gamma mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Influenza virus-specific CTL activity was measured in a 4 h 51Cr-release assay. Culture of PBMC with autologous A/Taiwan influenza (H1N1)-infected stimulator cells resulted in IFN-gamma spot forming cells (SFCs) at 3 days that increased after 7 days of incubation. Numbers of IFN-gamma SFCs directly correlated with levels of secreted IFN-gamma and higher levels were seen in supernatants from 7 day cultures. RT-PCR analysis (35 cycles of amplification) showed greater IFN-gamma mRNA in T cells isolated from 7 day cultures. Separate aliquots of T cells from these cultures were also assessed for virus-specific cytotoxicity and T cells from 7 day (but not from 3 day) cultures induced high 51Cr release. Analysis indicated a significant direct correlation between level of cytotoxicity, number of IFN-gamma SFCs, and amount of IFN-gamma in culture supernatants. Studies with purified T cell subsets showed that elevated IFN-gamma SFCs, IFN-gamma synthesis, and cytotoxic activity were associated with CD4-CD8+ T cells but not with the CD4+CD8- T cell subset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)