Optimization of methane gas-liquid mass transfer during biogas-based ectoine production in bubble column bioreactors.

Nowadays, the utilization of biogas for energy generation is hindered by the declining production costs of solar and wind power. A shift towards the valorization of biogas into ectoine, a highly valuable bioproduct priced at 1000 €â¸±kg-1, offers a novel approach to fostering a more competitive biogas market while contributing to carbon neutrality. This study evaluated the optimization of CH4 gas-liquid mass transfer in 10 L bubble column bioreactors for CH4 conversion into ectoine and hydroxyectoine using a mixed methanotrophic culture. The influence of the empty bed residence time (EBRTs of 27, 54, and 104 min) at different membrane diffuser pore sizes (0.3 and 0.6 mm) was investigated. Despite achieving CH4 elimination capacities (CH4-ECs) of 10-12 g⸱m-3⸱h-1, an EBRT of 104 min mediated CH4 limitation within the cultivation broth, resulting in a negligible biomass growth. Reducing the EBRT to 54 min entailed CH4-ECs of 21-24 g⸱m-3⸱h-1, concomitant to a significant increase in biomass growth (up to 0.17 g⸱L⸱d-1) and reaching maximum ectoine and hydroxyectoine accumulation of 79 and 13 mg⸱gVSS-1, respectively. Conversely, process operation at an EBRT of 27 min lead to microbial inhibition, resulting in a reduced biomass growth of 0.09 g⸱L⸱d-1 and an ectoine content of 47 mg⸱gVSS-1. While the influence of diffuser pore size was less pronounced compared to EBRT, the optimal process performance was observed with a diffuser pore size of 0.6 mm.

Ectoines production from biogas in pilot bubble column bioreactors and their subsequent extraction via bio-milking.

Despite the potential of biogas from waste/wastewater treatment as a renewable energy source, the presence of pollutants and the rapid decrease in the levelized cost of solar and wind power constrain the use of biogas for energy generation. Biogas conversion into ectoine, one of the most valuable bioproducts (1000 €/kg), constitutes a new strategy to promote a competitive biogas market. The potential for a stand-alone 20 L bubble column bioreactor operating at 6% NaCl and two 10 L interconnected bioreactors (at 0 and 6% NaCl, respectively) for ectoine production from biogas was comparatively assessed. The stand-alone reactor supported the best process performance due to its highest robustness and efficiency for ectoine accumulation (20-52 mgectoine/gVSS) and CH4 degradation (up to 84%). The increase in N availability and internal gas recirculation did not enhance ectoine synthesis. However, a 2-fold increase in the internal gas recirculation resulted in an approximately 1.3-fold increase in CH4 removal efficiency. Finally, the recovery of ectoine through bacterial bio-milking resulted in efficiencies of >70% without any negative impact of methanotrophic cell recycling to the bioreactors on CH4 biodegradation or ectoine synthesis.

Emerging trends in nurse-led programs of care for management of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: Systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), nurses are considered as essential, not only to ensure pharmacological safety, but also in the promotion in self-care and decision-making, favouring the empowerment of patients. This systematic review aimed to summarize the available literature on the health education by the nurse in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following Cochrane Collaboration procedures, the PRISMA statement and PRISMA checklist, relevant quantitative studies published were retrieved from the CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed and Medic databases and then systematically reviewed. The search ended in August 2021. Nineteen studies were retained for inclusion and evaluated with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network for Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: We found statistically significant improvement in self-care (five studies), disease activity (three studies), quality of life (two studies), satisfaction (five studies) and adherence (one study) with the nursing-led management of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. DISCUSSION: Although there is solid evidence of improvement in satisfaction and self-care, there seems to be a trend also to improve other outcomes, such as DAS28, from the EULAR recommendations, the expansion of the therapeutic arsenal for rheumatoid arthritis and shared decision-making. In addition, recently and due to the implementation of new technologies, the role of the nurse has been evaluated through virtual consultations. The results of recent studies have shown that this an effective and well-accepted novel approach for the management of patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that nurse-led health education, in addition of improvement in satisfaction and self-care, improve activity disease scores in RA patients.

Specific Cellular and Humoral Response after the Third Dose of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RNA Vaccine in Patients with Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases on Immunosuppressive Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Data on cellular and humoral immunogenicity after the third dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs) are scarce. Herein, we evaluated the adaptive immune response in IMRD patients treated with different immunosuppressive therapies (conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [csDMARDs], biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [bDMARDs], and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [tsDMARDs]) after the booster of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to determine whether any drug reduced the vaccine's response. METHODS: A single-center prospective study was conducted, including patients presenting with IMRD and healthy controls (HC). Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production was evaluated between 8-12 weeks after the third dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. In addition, anti-Spike IgG antibody titers were also measured. RESULTS: Samples were obtained from 79 IMRD patients (51 women, 28 men; mean age 57 ± 11.3 years old): 43 rheumatoid arthritis, 10 psoriatic arthritis, 14 ankylosing spondylitis, 10 undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, and 2 inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis (IBD-SpA). In total, 31 HC (mean age 50.9 ± 13.1 years old, 67.7% women) were included in the study. Post-vaccine results displayed positive T-cell immune responses in 68 out of 79 (86.1%) IMRD patients (82.3% of those without prior COVID-19). All HC and IMRDs patients had an antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain; however, the HC response was significantly higher (median of 18,048 AU/mL) than in IMRDs patients (median of 6590.3 AU/mL, p < 0.001). MTX and leflunomide were associated with lower titers of IgG and IFN-γ responses. Among bDMARDs, adalimumab, etanercept, and guselkumab are associated with reduced cellular responses. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data show that the majority of our IMRD patients develop cellular and humoral responses after the SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination, emphasizing the relevance of vaccination in this group. However, the magnitude of specific responses was dependent on the immunosuppressive therapy administered. Specific vaccination protocols and personalized decisions about boosters are essential for these patients.

Influence of operational conditions on the performance of biogas bioconversion into ectoines in pilot bubble column bioreactors.

The application of biogas as a low-priced substrate for the production of ectoines constitutes an opportunity to decrease their production costs and to enhance the viability of anaerobic digestion. The influence of operational conditions on CH4-biogas biodegradation and on ectoines production yields was assessed in continuous pilot bubble column bioreactors. The rise in biomass concentration from 1 to 3 g L-1 resulted in a decrease in the specific ectoine content from 42 ± 8 to 30 ± 4 mgectoine gVSS-1. The concentration of Cu2+ and Mg2+ did not impact process performance, while the use of ammonium as N source resulted in low CH4 biodegradation and ectoine yields (13 ± 7 mgectoine gVSS-1). The increase in CH4 content from 4.5 to 9 %v·v-1 enhanced CH4 removal efficiency. Process operation at NaCl concentrations of 3 %w·w-1 instead of 6 %w·w-1 decreased the ectoine yield to 17 mgectoine gVSS-1. Finally, Methylomicrobiumburyatense was identified as the dominant species.

Development and feasibility of 4 checklists for the evaluation of comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: GECOAI Project.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and assess the feasibility in daily practice of four comorbidity checklists, for common use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts on comorbidity was established. Data from the GECOAR, GECOAX and GECOAP projects were analysed and a narrative literature review in Medline on RA, axSpA and PsA comorbidity was performed in order to select the most relevant and common comorbidities across the three diseases. With these results and those obtained from a focus group of patients, in a nominal group meeting, the experts generated preliminary checklists. These were afterwards modified by an external evaluation by two associations, a patients' association and an association of health professionals related to rheumatology. As a result, the final checklists were generated. A cross-sectional study was conducted to test the feasibility of three of the checklists in daily practice, in which eight health professionals evaluated the checklists in five patients with RA, five with axSpA and five with SpA. RESULTS: Four comorbidity checklists were designed, three for health professionals (one to assess current comorbidity, one on prevention/health promotion and one with the referral criteria to other health professionals), and another for patients. The feasibility study showed them to be simple, clear, and useful for use in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The use of specific and common checklists for patients with RA, axSpA and PsA is feasible and might contribute favorably to their prognosis as well as in daily practice.

Performance evaluation of a control strategy for photosynthetic biogas upgrading in a semi-industrial scale photobioreactor.

The validation of a control strategy for biogas upgrading via light-driven CO2 consumption by microalgae and H2S oxidation by oxidizing bacteria using the oxygen photosynthetically generated was performed in a semi-industrial scale (9.6 m3) photobioreactor. The control system was able to support CO2 concentrations lower than 2% with O2 contents ≤ 1% regardless of the pH in the cultivation broth (ranging from 9.05 to 9.50). Moreover, the control system was efficient to cope with variations in biogas flowrate from 143 to 420 L h-1, resulting in a biomethane composition of CO2 < 2.4%, CH4 > 95.5%, O2 < 1% and no H2S. Despite the poor robustness of this technology against failures in biogas and liquid supply (CH4 concentration of 67.5 and 70.9% after 2 h of biogas or liquid stoppage, respectively), the control system was capable of restoring biomethane quality in less than 2 h when biogas or liquid supply was resumed.

Development and feasibility of 4 checklists for the evaluation of comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: GECOAI Project. / Desarrollo y viabilidad de cuatro checklists para la evaluación de la comorbilidad en pacientes con artritis reumatoide, espondiloartritis axial y artritis psoriásica: Proyecto GECOAI.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and assess the feasibility in daily practice of four comorbidity checklists, for common use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts on comorbidity was established. Data from the GECOAR, GECOAX and GECOAP projects were analysed and a narrative literature review in Medline on RA, axSpA and PsA comorbidity was performed in order to select the most relevant and common comorbidities across the three diseases. With these results and those obtained from a focus group of patients, in a nominal group meeting, the experts generated preliminary checklists. These were afterwards modified by an external evaluation by two associations, a patients' association and an association of health professionals related to rheumatology. As a result, the final checklists were generated. A cross-sectional study was conducted to test the feasibility of three of the checklists in daily practice, in which eight health professionals evaluated the checklists in five patients with RA, five with axSpA and five with SpA. RESULTS: Four comorbidity checklists were designed, three for health professionals (one to assess current comorbidity, one on prevention/health promotion and one with the referral criteria to other health professionals), and another for patients. The feasibility study showed them to be simple, clear, and useful for use in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The use of specific and common checklists for patients with RA, axSpA and PsA is feasible and might contribute favorably to their prognosis as well as in daily practice.

Technology validation of photosynthetic biogas upgrading in a semi-industrial scale algal-bacterial photobioreactor.

The performance of photosynthetic biogas upgrading coupled to wastewater treatment was evaluated in an outdoors high rate algal pond (HRAP) interconnected to an absorption column at semi-industrial scale. The influence of biogas flowrate (274, 370 and 459 L h-1), liquid to biogas ratio (L/G = 1.2, 2.1 and 3.5), type of wastewater (domestic versus centrate) and hydraulic retention time in the HRAP (HRT) on the quality of the biomethane produced was assessed. The highest CO2 and H2S removal efficiencies (REs) were recorded at the largest L/G due to the higher biogas-liquid mass transfer at increasing liquid flowrates. No significant influence of the biogas flowrate on process performance was observed, while the type of wastewater was identified as a key operational parameter. CO2 and H2S-REs of 99% and 100% at a L/Gmax = 3.5 were recorded using centrate. The maximum CH4 content in the biomethane (90%) was limited by N2 and O2 desorption.

Treatment of recurrent corneal erosions using autologous serum.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of autologous serum in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions. METHODS: Eleven eyes of 11 consecutive patients with acute macroform corneal erosions who had suffered several relapses despite receiving different types of treatment were analyzed from November 2000 to February 2002. All patients were treated with autologous serum for 3 months. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 9.4 +/- 3.7 months (range, 4-16). No side effects were noted in any of the treated patients. Treatments prior to the use of autologous serum had failed to avoid recurrences in all the patients, with the mean recurrence rate being 2.2 recurrences per month of follow-up. After the onset of serum treatment, only a single recurrence was recorded in three of the patients (0.028 recurrences per month of follow-up). CONCLUSION: The use of autologous serum for the treatment of patients with recurrent corneal erosion is effective and safe in reducing the number of recurrences experienced by patients.

Performance of the rebound, noncontact and Goldmann applanation tonometers in routine clinical practice.

PURPOSE: To compare rebound tonometry (RBT) and noncontact tonometry (NCT) using Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) as reference. METHODS: The study sample was comprised of 108 eyes of 108 subjects consecutively examined at a general ophthalmology clinic. The order of use of the three tonometers was randomized at the study outset. The difference between the methods was plotted against the mean to compare the tonometers. The hypothesis of zero bias was examined by a paired t-test and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were also calculated. Differences with respect to GAT were assessed according to the international standard for ocular tonometers (ISO 8612). RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressures (IOPs ± SD) obtained using the three instruments were GAT 17.5 ± 3.8 mmHg; RBT 18.5 ± 5.5 mmHg and NCT 17.4 ± 5.6 mmHg. The 95% LoA were from -7.9 to +7.7 mmHg for NCT-GAT and from -6.8 mmHg to +8.7 mmHg for RBT-GAT. A difference with respect to GAT under ± 1 mmHg was observed in 11.1% of the eyes measured by NCT and 18.5% of eyes measured by RBT. According to the IOP ranges established by the ISO 8612, differences from GAT measurements greater than ± 5 mmHg were always above the accepted level of 5%. Correlations between IOP and central corneal thickness (CCT) were significant for all three tonometers. CONCLUSIONS: The rebound and noncontact tonometer behaved similarly when used to measure IOP taking GAT measurements as the reference standard. Neither tonometer fulfilled ISO 8612 requirements. Both were similarly influenced by CCT.