Effect of chloride concentration on the electrochemical treatment of a synthetic tannery wastewater

The electrochemical treatment of a synthetic tannery wastewater prepared with 30 compounds used in animal skin processing was studied. Electrolyses were performed in a one-compartment flow cell at a current density of 20 mA cm(-2), using a dimensionally stable anode (DSA (R)) of composition Ti/Ir(0.10)Sn(0.90)O(2) as the working electrode. Effects of chloride concentration and presence of sulfate were evaluated. Variation in the concentration of phenolic compounds as a function of electrolysis time revealed a first-order exponential decay; faster phenol removals were obtained with increasing chloride concentration in the wastewater. Lower phenol removals were obtained in the presence of sulfate. Higher chloride concentrations led to a faster decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and absorbance values at 228 nm. Faster wastewater color removal, higher current efficiency and lower energy consumption were also obtained. This electrochemical treatment was also able to reduce the wastewater toxicity for Daphnia similis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Embolisation of Prostatic Arteries as Treatment of Moderate to Severe Lower Urinary Symptoms (LUTS) Secondary to Benign Hyperplasia: Results of Short- and Mid-Term Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short- and medium-term results of prostatic arterial embolisation (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: This was a prospective non-randomised study including 255 patients diagnosed with BPH and moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms after failure of medical treatment for at least 6 months. The patients underwent PAE between March 2009 and April 2012. Technical success is when selective prostatic arterial embolisation is completed in at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was defined as improving symptoms and quality of life. Evaluation was performed before PAE and at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), uroflowmetry, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and volume. Non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol particles were used. RESULTS: PAE was technically successful in 250 patients (97.9 %). Mean follow-up, in 238 patients, was 10 months (range 1-36). Cumulative rates of clinical success were 81.9 %, 80.7 %, 77.9 %, 75.2 %, 72.0 %, 72.0 %, 72.0 % and 72.0 % at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months, respectively. There was one major complication. CONCLUSIONS: PAE is a procedure with good results for BPH patients with moderate to severe LUTS after failure of medical therapy. KEY POINTS: • Prostatic artery embolisation offers minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. • Prostatic artery embolisation is a challenging procedure because of vascular anatomical variations. • PAE is a promising new technique that has shown good results.

Secondary bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia during treatment of chronic hepatitis C: role of pegylated interferon alfa-2a

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C has frequent side effects such as cytopenias and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, pulmonary toxicity associated with interferon is rarely described. This paper describes the clinical case of a 67-year-old female patient with chronic hepatitis C who presented an acute onset of dry cough, dyspnoea, and fever 36 weeks after the use of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. The lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Corticotherapy was initiated, with clinical and radiological improvement. This paper aims to advise physicians to this occasional, though severe, adverse event related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment.

Northern Ireland Primary and Secondary Care Opioid Substitute Treatment Guidelines 2013 (PDF 4.5MB)

Drugs misuse

Northern Ireland Primary and Secondary Care Opioid Substitute Treatment Guidelines (2013)

The guidelines are intended for all those involved in providing support for drug misusers, especially those providing pharmacological interventions as a component of drug misuse treatment.

Secondary Cancer Risk for Stage I Seminoma Patients - a Comparison of Adjuvant Treatment Versus Surveillance

Background: Post-surgical management of stage I seminoma includes: surveillance with repeated CT-scans and treatment reserved for those who relapse, or adjuvant treatment with either immediate radiation therapy (RT) or carboplatin. The cancer specific survival is close to 100%. Cure without long-term sequelae of treatment is the aim. Our goal is to estimate the risk of radiation-induced secondary cancers (SC) death from for patients undergoing S, adjuvant RT or adjuvant carboplatin (AC).Materials and Methods: We measured organ doses from CT scans (3 phases each one) of a seminoma patient who was part of the active surveillance strategy and from a man undergoing adjuvant RT 20-Gy and a 30-Gy salvage RT treatment to the para-aortic area using helical Intensity Modulated RT (Tomotherapy®) with accurate delineation of organs at risk and a CTV to PTV expansion of 1 cm. Effective doses to organs in mSv were estimated according to the tissue-weighting factors recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection 103 (Ann ICRP 2007). We estimated SC incidence and mortality for a 10,000 people population based on the excess absolute risk model from the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VII (Health Risk of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation, NCR, The National Academies Press Washington, DC, 2006) assuming a seminoma diagnosis at age 30, a total life expectancy of 80 years.Results: The nominal risk for a fatal secondary cancers was calculated 1.5% for 15 abdominal CT scans, 14.8% for adjuvant RT (20 Gy paraaortic field) and 22.2% for salvage RT (30 Gy). The calculation assumed that the risk of relapse on surveillance and adjuvant AC was 15% and 4% respectively and that all patients were salvaged at relapse with RT. n CT abdomen/Pelvis = secondary cancer % RT Dose and % receiving treatment = secondary cancer % Total secondary cancer risk in % Active surveillance 15 = 1.5% 30 Gy in 15% of pts = 3.3% 4.8 Adjuvant carboplatin 7 = 0.7% 30 Gy in 4% of pts = 0.88% 1.58 Adjuvant radiotherapy 7 = 0.7% 20 Gy in 100% of pts = 14.8% 15.5Conclusions: These data suggest that: 1) Adjuvant radiotherapy is harmful and should not anymore be regarded as a standard option for seminoma stage I. 2) AC seems to be an option to reduce radiation induced cancers. Limitations: the study does not consider secondary cancers due to chemotherapy with AC (unknown). The use of BEIR VII for risk modeling with higher doses of RT needs to be validated.

Place de ta vitamine D, du sevelamer et du cinacalcet dans la prise en charge des patients en insuffisance rénale [Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal insufficiency: role of calcitriol, sevelamer and cinacalcet]

Along with the decrease in kidney function arises a secondary hyperparathyroidism, which constitutes one of the most important risk factor for mortality in patients suffering from renal insufficiency. Treating secondary hyperparathyroidism is challenging, as most of the parameters of mineral metabolism are interconnected. We review here the pathophysiology and treatment options of this entity.

Bentonite Treatment for Economical Dust Reduction on Limestone Surfaced Secondary Roads, HR-351, 1995

This research project was directed at laboratory and field evaluation of sodium montmorillonite clay (Bentonite) as a dust palliative for limestone surfaced secondary roads. It was postulated that the electrically charged surfaces (negative) of the clay particles could interact with the charged surfaces (positive) of the limestone and act as a bonding agent to agglomerate fine (-#200) particulates, and also to bond the fine particulates to larger (+#200) limestone particles. One mile test roads were constructed in Tama, Appanoose, and Hancock counties in Iowa using Bentonite treatment levels (by weight of aggregate) ranging from 3.0 to 12.0%. Construction was accomplished by adding dry Bentonite to the surfacing material and then dry road mixing. The soda ash/water solution (dispersing agent) was spray applied and the treated surfacing material wet mixed by motor graders to a consistency of 2 to 3 inch slump concrete. Two motor graders working in tandem provided rapid mixing. Following wet mixing the material was surface spread and compacted by local traffic. Quantitative and qualitative periodic evaluations and testing of the test roads was conducted with respect to dust generation, crust development, roughness, and braking characteristics. As the Bentonite treatment level increased dust generation decreased. From a cost/benefit standpoint, an optimum level of treatment is about 8% (by weight of aggregate). For roads with light traffic, one application at this treatment level resulted in a 60-70% average dust reduction in the first season, 40-50% in the second season, and 20-30% in the third season. Crust development was rated at two times better than untreated control sections. No discernible trend was evident with respect to roughness. There was no evident difference in any of the test sections with respect to braking distance and braking handling characteristics, under wet surface conditions compared to the control sections. Chloride treatments are more effective in dust reduction in the short term (3-4 months). Bentonite treatment is capable of dust reduction over the long term (2-3 seasons). Normal maintenance blading operations can be used on Bentonite treated areas. Soda ash dispersed Bentonite treatment is estimated to be more than twice as cost effective per percent dust reduction than conventional chloride treatments, with respect to time. However, the disadvantage is that there is not the initial dramatic reduction in dust generation as with the chloride treatment. Although dust is reduced significantly after treatment there is still dust being generated. Video evidence indicates that the dust cloud in the Bentonite treated sections does not rise as high, or spread as wide as the cloud in the untreated section. It also settles faster than the cloud in the untreated section. This is considered important for driving safety of following traffic, and for nuisance dust invasion of residences and residential areas. The Bentonite appears to be functioning as a bonding agent.

Evaluation of reclamation technologies for wastewater reuse

Reclamation and reuse of wastewater require the use of tools that minimize risks to health and natural ecosystems. There are various types of such tools, among which HACCP (hazardanalysis and critical control points) and barrier systems are gainingimportance. The research reported here aims to determine andevaluate the most efficient combinations of different treatmentsystems—barriers—for the reclamation of secondary effluentsfrom urban sewage treatment plants, and for obtaining water ofsufficient quality for reuse in accordance with existing legislation,in which water disinfection has become one of the keys tocompliance. Several conventional and non-conventional reclamationtechnologies are evaluated. The results lead us to recommendtreatment lines for the different reclaimed water uses established inthe Spanish legislation.

Delayed primary versus late secondary wound closure in the treatment of postsurgical sternum osteomyelitis.

Sternal osteomyelitis and poststernotomy mediastinitis is a severe and life-threatening complication after the cardiac surgery. The incidence ranges up to 3% with a mortality rate up to 29%. In addition, postoperative infections after sternotomy are associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased healthcare costs and impaired quality of patient life, representing an economic and social burden. The emergence of increasing antimicrobial resistant bacteria augments the importance of postsurgical infections since the antimicrobial choices are becoming limited. Furthermore, the incidence of infection is an indicator for the quality of patient care in the international benchmark studies. Although several therapy strategies are nowadays present in clinical practice, there is a lack of evidence-based surgical consensus for treatment of this surgical complication. In most cases the poststernotomy mediastinitis involves surgical revision with debridement, open dressing and/or vacuum-assisted therapy. After the granulation tissue on open chest wound is achieved, secondary closure and/or reconstruction with vascularized soft tissue flaps, such as omentum or pectoral muscle is performed. It seems there is a need for more effective surgical treatment of poststernotomy wound infections, which may address the prolonged hospitalization and reduce the number of surgical interventions and with this also the perioperative morbidity. In light of this we propose a randomized study comparing new delayed primary closure of the sternum to the secondary vacuum-assisted closure.

Treatment of micropollutants in municipal wastewater: study of a sequential batch biofilter

All the experimental part of this final project was done at Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Environnementale (LBE) from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, during 6 months (November 2013- May 2014). A fungal biofilter composed of woodchips was designed in order to remove micropollutants from the effluents of waste water treatment plants. Two fungi were tested: Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor in order to evaluate their efficiency for the removal of two micropollutants: the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole,. Although Trametes versicolor was able to degrade quickly naproxen, this fungus was not any more active after one week of operation in the filter. Pleurotus ostreatus was, on contrary, able to survive more than 3 months in the filter, showing good removal efficiencies of naproxen and sulfamethoxazole during all this period, in tap water but also in real treated municipal wastewater. Several other experiments have provided insight on the removal mechanisms of these micropollutants in the fungal biofilter (degradation and adsorption) and also allowed to model the removal trend. Fungal treatment with Pleurotus ostreatus grown on wood substrates appeared to be a promising solution to improve micropollutants removal in wastewater.

Treatment of oily wastewater by ultrafiltration: The effect of different operating and solution conditions

In many industries, such as petroleum production, and the petrochemical, metal, food and cosmetics industries, wastewaters containing an emulsion of oil in water are often produced. The emulsions consist of water (up to 90%), oils (mineral, animal, vegetable and synthetic), surfactants and other contaminates. In view of its toxic nature and its deleterious effects on the surrounding environment (soil, water) such wastewater needs to be treated before release into natural water ways. Membrane-based processes have successfully been applied in industrial applications and are considered as possible candidates for the treatment of oily wastewaters. Easy operation, lower cost, and in some cases, the ability to reduce contaminants below existing pollution limits are the main advantages of these systems. The main drawback of membranes is flux decline due tofouling and concentration polarisation. The complexity of oil-containing systems demands complementary studies on issues related to the mitigation of fouling and concentration polarisation in membranebased ultrafiltration. In this thesis the effect of different operating conditions (factors) on ultrafiltration of oily water is studied. Important factors are normally correlated and, therefore, their effect should be studied simultaneously. This work uses a novel approach to study different operating conditions, like pressure, flow velocity, and temperature, and solution properties, like oil concentration (cutting oil, diesel, kerosene), pH, and salt concentration (CaCl2 and NaCl)) in the ultrafiltration of oily water, simultaneously and in a systematic way using an experimental design approach. A hypothesis is developed to describe the interaction between the oil drops, salt and the membrane surface. The optimum conditions for ultrafiltration and the contribution of each factor in the ultrafiltration of oily water are evaluated. It is found that the effect on permeate flux of the various factors studied strongly depended on the type of oil, the type of membrane and the amount of salts. The thesis demonstrates that a system containing oil is very complex, and that fouling and flux decline can be observed even at very low pressures. This means that only the weak form of the critical flux exists for such systems. The cleaning of the fouled membranes and the influence of different parameters (flow velocity, temperature, time, pressure, and chemical concentration (SDS, NaOH)) were evaluated in this study. It was observed that fouling, and consequently cleaning, behaved differently for the studied membranes. Of the membranes studied, the membrane with the lowest propensity for fouling and the most easily cleaned was the regenerated cellulose membrane (C100H). In order to get more information about the interaction between the membrane and the components of the emulsion, a streaming potential study was performed on the membrane. The experiments were carried out at different pH and oil concentration. It was seen that oily water changed the surface charge of the membrane significantly. The surface charge and the streaming potential during different stages of filtration were measured and analysed being a new method for fouling of oil in this thesis. The surface charge varied in different stages of filtration. It was found that the surface charge of a cleaned membrane was not the same as initially; however, the permeability was equal to that of a virgin membrane. The effect of filtration mode was studied by performing the filtration in both cross-flow and deadend mode. The effect of salt on performance was considered in both studies. It was found that salt decreased the permeate flux even at low concentration. To test the effect of hydrophilicity change, the commercial membranes used in this thesis were modified by grafting (PNIPAAm) on their surfaces. A new technique (corona treatment) was used for this modification. The effect of modification on permeate flux and retention was evaluated. The modified membranes changed their pore size around 33oC resulting in different retention and permeability. The obtained results in this thesis can be applied to optimise the operation of a membrane plant under normal or shock conditions or to modify the process such that it becomes more efficient or effective.

'L’escriptura del jo', una proposta d’educació intercultural i tractament de la diversitat per a l’ensenyament secundari obligatori = The writing of I, an intercultural educational proposal and treatment of diversity for Compulsory Secondary Education

The writing of I is a project that starts an itinerary through past, present and future experiences of each of our students based on following research activities. Reading, creation and recreation of text and other items that turn essentially around autobiographical writing and culminate with the elaboration of a free autobiography