Boosting ethanol production rates from carbon dioxide in MES cells under optimal solventogenic conditions.

Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) has been widely applied for acetic acid (HA) production from CO2 and electricity. Ethanol (EtOH) has a higher market value than HA, and wide application in industry and as a biofuel. However, it has only been obtained sporadically and at low concentrations, probably due to sub-optimal operating conditions. This study aimed at enhancing EtOH productivity in MES cells by jointly optimising key operation parameters, including pH, H2 and CO2 partial pressure (pH2 and pCO2), and HA concentration, to promote solventogenesis. Two H-type cells were operated in fed-batch mode at -0.8 V vs. SHE with CO2 as the sole carbon source. A mixed culture, enriched with Clostridium ljungdahlii was used as the biocatalyst. The combination of low pH (<4.5) and pCO2 (<0.3 atm), along with high HA concentration (about 6 g L-1) and pH2 (>3 atm), were mandatory conditions for maintaining an efficient solventogenic culture, dominated by Clostridium sp., capable of high-rate EtOH production. The maximum EtOH production rate was 10.95 g m-2 d-1, and a concentration of 5.28 g L-1 was achieved. Up to 30 % of the electrons and 15.2 % of the carbon provided were directed towards EtOH production, and 28.1 kWh were required for the synthesis of 1 kg of EtOH from CO2. These results highlight that strict conditions are required for a continuous, reliable, EtOH production in MES cells. Future investigation should focus on improving cell configuration to achieve EtOH production at higher current densities while minimizing the electric energy input.

Analysis of aneusomy level and HER-2 gene copy number and their effect on amplification rate in breast cancer specimens read as 2+ in immunohistochemical analysis.

Our aim was to determine the aneusomy level and the HER-2 gene copy numbers, by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and to analyze their impact on the amplification rate in breast carcinomas considered HER-2 weakly positive cases by immunohistochemistry. We evaluated 343 breast carcinomas using double colour FISH (LSI Her-2/neu gene and CEP 17). Monosomy and polysomy were demonstrated in 24.2% and 46.1% respectively and 101/343 (29.6%) of the specimens were amplified by FISH. A statistically significant difference was observed, when we compared the amplification percentage in polysomic and monosomic specimens (P<0.0001) and, among polysomic specimens, when tumours were compared with HER-2 gene signals number per cell between 3 and 10 and >10 respectively (P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that HER-2 signals >10 and polysomy absence were independently associated with amplification. Our results confirm that the majority of 2+ IHC cases express the HER-2 protein without gene amplification and highlight the effect of chromosome 17 aneusomy and the HER-2 gene copy number on amplification.

[A comparative study of 0.15% sodium hyaluronate versus polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of dry eyes]. / Estudio comparativo entre el hialuronato sódico al 0,15% y el alcohol polivinílico como tratamiento para el ojo seco.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of two artificial tears for the treatment of dry eyes: 0.15% sodium hyaluronate and polyvinyl alcohol. METHODS: The study included 60 dry eyes in 30 patients. Fifteen of the patients were treated with 0.15% sodium hyaluronate and 15 with polyvinyl alcohol. Five drops a day for one month was given in both groups. Visual acuity, Schirmer's test, tear clearance, dry eye symptoms questionnaire, fluorescein and rose bengal staining, corneal sensibility, bulbar hyperemia, tear detritus, meibomian gland plug, palpebral erythema and edema before and after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Symptoms as judged by the dry eye questionnaire, as well as both fluorescein and rose bengal staining, were significantly improved by 0.15% sodium hyaluronate. The polyvinyl alcohol treated patients did not show a significant improvement in any parameter. CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate was more effective than polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of patients with dry eyes (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2005; 80: 387-394).

[Tear function index validation for dry eye diagnosis]. / Validación del índice de función lagrimal para el diagnóstico del ojo seco.

PURPOSE: To develop a simple method for the clinical evaluation of tear dynamics and evaluate its usefulness in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. METHODS: The study includes 170 eyes from 85 adults. 102 eyes had a Schirmer's test value of less than 10 mm and subjective symptoms of dry eye. Tear function index (TFI) was calculated in all the cases using prepared drops with 0.5% fluorescein and 0.4% oxibuprocaína. Five minutes later a Schirmer strip was placed on the conjunctival fornix. Schirmer's test and tear clearance were calculated after a further five minutes. Tear clearance was measured using a table of fluorescein concentrations. TFI is the quotient between the value of the Schirmer's test and TCR. RESULTS: The cut-off value of TFI in dry eye is 74. At this point the sensitivity of this method is 74% and the specificity is 63%. The Schirmer's test results did not correlate with the tear clearance results. CONCLUSION: TFI is a rapid and sensitive method of identification of subjects with dry eye. The lack of correlation between TFI and TCR is because these methods evaluate different aspects of tear dynamics.

Selo SINASC 2009: Certificado da qualidade das informações sobre Nascidos Vivos na cidade de São Paulo

Traz estudo sobre o Selo SINASC, lançado em dezembro de 2008. Uma iniciativa de melhoria da qualidade da coleta, preenchimento e digitação das informações da DN que, em São Paulo, são processadas pelos estabelecimentos que realizam partos

Selo SINASC 2009: Certificado da qualidade das informações sobre Nascidos Vivos na cidade de São Paulo / Seal SINASC 2009: Certificate of quality of information on live births in São Paulo

Traz estudo sobre o Selo SINASC, lançado em dezembro de 2008. Uma iniciativa de melhoria da qualidade da coleta, preenchimento e digitação das informações da DN que, em São Paulo, são processadas pelos estabelecimentos que realizam partos

A declaração de nascido vivo e os defeitos congênitos na cidade de São Paulo

Estudo sobre fomentar o diagnóstico precoce de DC e sua notificação na DN e no SINASC em todos os estabelecimentos que realizam partos na cidade de São Paulo.

A declaração de nascido vivo e os defeitos congênitos na cidade de São Paulo / The statement of live birth and birth defects in São Paulo

Estudo sobre fomentar o diagnóstico precoce de DC e sua notificação na DN e no SINASC em todos os estabelecimentos que realizam partos na cidade de São Paulo.