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The hypersensitivity of anammox bacteria toward fluctuating temperature (seasonal) conditions significantly limits its real-world application. Biomass immobilization alleviates the impact of environmental shocks on the anammox process. In this study (291 d), a sequencing batch reactor engaging dishwashing scrubbers as model waste biocarriers and an amalgamation of activated, anaerobic, and anammox sludge (1:1:0.5 ratio) as inoculum (at influent pH 8.0) were deployed for the startup of the anammox process. Intriguingly, the SBR was run at ambient temperature (6–37 °C) at varying nitrogen loading rates (g N m−3 d−1) of 20, 30, 40, 46.4, 58, 60, 81.2, 92.8, and 116. Notably, anammox activation took place at ⁓247 d wherein the reactor performance improved and exhibited stable nitrogen removal (NH4+–N, NO2−–N and total nitrogen removals were 100, 99, and 72.04%, respectively). Additionally, post 279 days of reactor operation (280 – 291 d), the reactor demonstrated an average total nitrogen removal rate (g N m−3 d−1) of 88.2 at a maximum nitrogen loading rate (g N m−3 d−1) of 116. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed that Anammox bacteria predominated in the reactor, highlighting the fact that the reported increase in the percentage abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia at 266 d was exorbitantly higher (41.69%) than inoculum sludge (0.18%). Nitrospira (23.9%) and Nitrosomonas (4.32%), in addition to anammox, were found in high concentrations, suggesting presence of dissolved oxygen in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Within the United States (US), significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in the rates of latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease. A disproportionate number of TB disease cases result from untreated LTBI among individuals born outside the US. This study evaluates LTBI treatment outcomes among an underserved, at-risk population in Rhode Island. Methods: A quantitative retrospective chart review of adult patients with a positive screening test assessed LTBI care cascade outcomes including referral, treatment initiation, and completion. Results: Seventy-four percent of patients found to have positive screening TB tests were born outside of the US; 80% identified as Hispanic or Black and 45% spoke a preferred language other than English. Twenty-one percent of potential candidates for LTBI treatment initiated treatment. Conclusions: Major gaps were identified in referral success and treatment initiation. Expanding LTBI treatment access into primary care settings could be a solution to improve outcomes and decrease health inequities among at-risk communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA mismatch repair (DMR) functions to maintain genome stability. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells deficient in DMR show a microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype characterized by repeat length alterations at microsatellite sequences. Mice deficient in Pms2, a mammalian homolog of bacterial mutL, develop cancer and display MSI in all tissues examined, including the male germ line where a frequency of ~10% was observed. To determine the consequences of maternal DMR deficiency on genetic stability, we analyzed [F.sub.1] progeny from [Pms2.sup.-/-] female mice mated with wild-type males. Our analysis indicates that MSI in the female germ line was ~9%. MSI was also observed in paternal alleles, a surprising result since the alleles were obtained from wild-type males and the embryos were therefore DMR proficient. We propose that mosaicism for paternal alleles is a maternal effect that results from Pms2 deficiency during the early cleavage divisions. The absence of DMR in one-cell embryos leads to the formation of unrepaired replication errors in early cell divisions of the zygote. The occurrence of postzygotic mutation in the early mouse embryo suggests that Pms2 deficiency is a maternal effect, one of a limited number identified in the mouse and the first to involve a DNA repair gene.

Introduction: We need to understand the continued concerns and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines within marginalized communities in the United States. Our study explores the concerns and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines, by language group, at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Rhode Island. Methods: We conducted an exploratory, mixed data collection telephone survey in languages spoken in the community (Spanish, Cape Verdean (CV) Creole/Portuguese, and English). Participants were asked about their COVID-19 vaccination status, as well as vaccine concerns and acceptability via 9 closed-ended and 2 open-ended questions. Chi squared and multivariate analysis was used to compare concerns and acceptability across languages. Coding and immersion/crystallization techniques were used to identify qualitative data themes. Results: The overall response rate was 58%. Side effects were cited as the most frequent (66%) concern among all language groups. Concern about the speed of vaccine development, vaccine ingredients, and being in a research trial varied significantly by language. Qualitative findings included concerns about chronic medical conditions and generalized fear of vaccine safety. English speakers were the most likely to report concerns and CV Creole/Portuguese speakers were the least likely to report concerns about the vaccine. Spanish and CV Creole/Portuguese participants who were not yet vaccinated reported higher acceptability to receive the vaccine compared to English speakers, with odds ratios of 2.00 (95% CI: 1.00-4.00) and 1.27 (95% CI: 0.62-2.60), respectively. Conclusion: To mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future pandemics, strategies must be based on understanding the beliefs and perceptions of marginalized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the start-up of anammox in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) using conventional activated and anaerobic sludge in 1:1 ratio (v/v) as inoculum was achieved using an unconventional strategy. The ratio of NH 4 +-N to NO 2 −–N in the influent was not maintained as per the stoichiometry (1:1.32) of anammox and rather varied depending on the effluent characteristics. Nitrite was omitted during its accumulation period to avoid its toxicity during the start-up phase. The SBR having polyurethane foam impregnated with activated carbon (Levapor® carriers) was operated for 212 d (temperature, 37 °C; influent pH, 8). Anammox process was started up in ~95 d with 85% average total nitrogen (TN) removal. Thereafter, the reactor showed average TN removal efficiency of 85% and exhibited an average NH 4 +-N and NO 2 −–N removals of 99.9% each at maximum influent NH 4 +-N and NO 2 −–N concentrations of 200 mg L−1 and 264 mg L−1, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis of suspended sludge samples (100 d, 150 d, and 186 d) from the reactor revealed the dominance of infrequently occurring anammox bacterial genus Candidatus Jettenia in the reactor. The phyla Chloroflexi , Proteobacteria, and Bacteriodetes were also detected in the reactor. Image 1 • Start-up (~95 d) of anammox process was reported using activated and anaerobic sludge as seed. • Regulation of nitrite is crucial to avoid nitrite toxicity and successful start-up of anammox process. • Stable nitrogen removal (85% TN; 99.9%, NH 4 +-N; 99.9%, NO 2 −) was observed between 150 and 187 d. • Infrequently occurring anammox bacterial genus Candidatus Jettenia dominated in the reactor. • Planctomycetes abundance doubled from 12.2% (100 d) to 24.86% (186 d) in the reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic that has engulfed the world, has affected the human lives in several aspects. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in faeces and urine of the infected person, even after viral clearance in the respiratory tract, and its presence in untreated wastewater raises the possibility of fecal-oral transmission in future. The situation is likely to be more aggravated in developing and least developed countries struggling with the problem of ineffective waste disposal system, open defecation, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean drinking water. In this review, the available data on wastewater treatment, sanitation status and healthcare infrastructure from middle- and low-income countries is collected and correlated with the risk associated with the fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The review also highlights the limitation of COVID-19 surveillance through sewage monitoring in these countries owing to the absence of proper sewerage system. An inclusive approach of awareness, prevention, and mitigation from global to the local levels is required to overcome this challenging situation in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anammox is the most sustainable way to remove inorganic nitrogen from wastewater. The feasibility of corncob as bio-carrier for the enrichment of anammox bacteria using activated sludge as inoculum in lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) was studied. Control experiments using Levapor® carrier and without carrier were also conducted. Nitrite was completely removed without utilizing NH 4 +-N when corncob used as carrier in SBR. These results revealed that corncob is not a suitable carrier for anammox enrichment as it supports the growth of denitrifying bacteria. NH 4 +-N removals were observed after 80 d in control SBRs (with and without Levapor® carrier). The average NH 4 +-N removals in control and Levapor® carrier set-ups were almost similar (11.92% and 9.17%, respectively) between 80 and 119 d. However, the nitrite removal was significantly higher using Levapor® carriers (36.47%) than control experiment (3.33%). These preliminary results indicate the feasibility of activated sludge as seed for the enrichment of anammox bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]