Search

In order to evaluate the solid-state fermentation of post-harvested wastes of S. tuberosum (potato), inoculated with a microbial preparation, analysis of variance was carried out according to a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (3 x 3) for the fermentative indicators crude protein, true protein, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, pH, organic acids, lactic acid, NH3 and microbiological analysis. The factors were 15 and 25 % of inclusion of three fibrous plant material (wheat bran, alfalfa meal and rice meal) and three times of fermentation (0, 24 and 48 h) with three repetitions. The inclusion of 15 and 25 % of the different fibrous materials in the fermentations was performed under the same conditions, and showed interaction between the evaluated indicators and the fermentation time (P < 0.0001). The pH, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber notably decreased in the three fibrous materials. There were lower values of lactic acid and ammonia (P < 0.0001) with dilution effect by the fiber. There were not pathogenic microorganisms, but there were significant values of acid lactic bacteria, at 48 h, in the mixture of alfalfa meal of 3.03 x 107 and 7.67 x 107 UFC/mL for 15 and 25 % of inclusion, respectively. The crude protein and true protein increased in 25 % with alfalfa and the dry matter reached at the end of the process 75.80 % for this treatment. It is concluded that the inclusion of fibrous materials in the solid-state fermentation of post harvested wastes of S. tuberosum, inoculated with a microbial preparation with acid lactic activity, have positive effect on their chemical and microbiological composition. It is recommended by the quality indicators of the final product, the use of 25 % of alfalfa meal, fermented at 20 °C during 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon monoxide intoxication (COI) can result in severe neuropsychiatric lesions that are however granted little attention in literature. Following the description of affective and neurological symptoms in a 37-year-old female patient five years following COI, we will review, across the literature (Medline1974–2006), the long-term neuropsychiatric consequences, etiopathogenic hypotheses, prognoses and treatments to apply. Subjective symptoms are reported by the quasi-totality of patients for over more than 30 years following COI. More than half of patients are diagnosed as suffering from cognitive impairments and other neurological symptoms after years following COI. Affective disorders are observed in almost three-fourths of patients and personality disorders in more than half. Numerous cerebral lesions and perfusion disorders can be observed through IRM, PET scan and SPECT and related to the clinical symptomatology of the patient. COI may constitute a risk factor in the waking of long-term neuropsychiatric disorders in a context of environmental and neurobiological complex factor interaction. A close follow-up must be envisaged with neuropsychiatric assessments and regular neuroimagery in order to adapt at best therapeutic interventions to the patient''s clinical status. First and foremost prevention and education remain the key solution to the reduction of morbidity and mortality of COI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this paper is to study the precipitation process in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operated for EBPR (enhanced biological phosphorus removal) and the possible effects of this phosphorus precipitation in the biological process. Four experiments were carried out under different influent calcium concentration. The experimental results and the equilibrium study, based on the Saturation Index calculation, confirm that the process controlling the calcium behaviour in a SBR operated for EBPR is the calcium phosphate precipitation. This precipitation takes place at two stages initially precipitation of the ACP and later crystallization of HAP. Also the accumulation of phosphorus precipitated was observed when the influent Ca concentration was increased. In all the experiments the influent wastewater ratio P/COD was kept constant. It has been observed that at high Ca concentration the amount of poly-P granules decrease, decreasing the ratio between phosphate release and acetate uptake (Prel/Acuptake). Changes on PAO and GAO populations during the experimental period were ruled out by means of methilene blue stains for poly-P detection. These results confirmed the phosphate precipitation as a process that can affect to the PAO metabolism and the EBPR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sequencing batch reactor was operated in the conventional anaerobic-aerobic mode for enhanced biological phosphorus removal using acetate as the sole substrate. Despite the nutrients concentrations in the influent being high enough to satisfy the biological requirements, Zoogloea ramigera managed to grow in the system until it had negative effects on the process performance. The excess of exocellular polymeric material produced by this microorganism contributed to a viscous bulking phenomenon and caused important settling problems. The examination of the sludge under the microscope was a valuable tool to diagnose the cause of the imbalance in the process. The strategy adopted to avoid the deterioration of the process (changing key operational factors affecting the Z. ramigera development) allowed the successful recovery the enhanced biological phosphorus removal system. The effectiveness of this approach was confirmed by analyzing several parameters along the operational period (SVI, YPO4, TSS, %VSS ...) together with microbiological examinations of the sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty percent of all schizophrenic patients experience sexual delusions at some point during the evolution of their illness. Among them, some patients develop the conviction of belonging to the other sex. Although true coexistence of schizophrenia and gender identity disorder is rare, it can be difficult to disentangle the two conditions. We report the case of a 40-year-old male patient with chronic schizophrenia who developed intrusive gender identity preoccupations over the years. Using this clinical case as a starting point, relevant literature is then reviewed and discussed. Long-lasting florid delusions of sex change are unusual but have been noted among patients with schizophrenia. Considering the irreversible consequences of surgery and its medico-legal implications, these patients should be properly detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Spirituality and religiousness have been shown to be highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia. However, clinicians are rarely aware of the importance of religion and understand little of the value or difficulties it presents to treatment. This study aimed to assess the role of religion as a mediating variable in the process of coping with psychotic illness. METHOD: Semistructured interviews about religious coping were conducted with a sample of 115 outpatients with psychotic illness. RESULTS: For some patients, religion instilled hope, purpose, and meaning in their lives (71%), whereas for others, it induced spiritual despair (14%). Patients also reported that religion lessened (54%) or increased (10%) psychotic and general symptoms. Religion was also reported to increase social integration (28%) or social isolation (3%). It may reduce (33%) or increase (10%) the risk of suicide attempts, reduce (14%) or increase (3%) substance use, and foster adherence to (16%) or be in opposition to (15%) psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the clinical significance of religion in the care of patients with schizophrenia. Religion is neither a strictly personal matter nor a strictly cultural one. Spirituality should be integrated into the psychosocial dimension of care. Our results suggest that the complexity of the relationship between religion and illness requires a highly sensitive approach to each unique story. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of calcium (Ca) in enhanced biological phosphorus removal and its possible implications on the metabolic pathway have been studied. The experience has been carried out in an SBR under anaerobic-aerobic conditions for biological phosphorus removal during 8 months. The variations of influent Ca concentration showed a clear influence on the EBPR process, detecting significant changes in YPO4 These YPO4 variations were not due to influent P/COD ratio, pH, denitrification and calcium phosphate formation. The YPO4, has been found to be highly dependent on the Ca concentration, increasing as Ca concentration decreases. The results suggest that high Ca concentrations produce "inert" granules of polyphosphate with Ca as a counterion that are not involved in P release and uptake. Furthermore, microbiological observations confirmed that appreciable changes in PAO and GAO populations were not observed. This behaviour could suggest a change in the bacterial metabolic pathway, with prevailing polyphosphate-accumulating metabolism (PAM) at low influent Ca concentration and glycogen-accumulating metabolism (GAM) at high concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]