Final Clarification Research Articles

Patenting of Stem Cells and Processes Involving Stem Cells According to the Rules of the European Patent Convention

155 STEM CELLS ARE UNDIFFERENTIATED CELLS that can divide over a long period of time regardless of their origin and therefore can self-renew, without thereby differentiating, but can also differentiate into specialized cells after appropriate stimulation. On the basis of these properties, it is hoped that sooner or later, it will be possible to use human stem cells for treatment of diseases caused by defective or inadequate functioning of certain cells. The best-known examples of such diseases are Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes, and myocardial diseases. In 2001, The Handelsblatt had estimated the economic potential of human stem cells at US$360 billion. Because more potential fields of use continue to be added; for example, screening and testing of active substances, the actual economic potential is probably now far higher. However, human stem cells have made headlines, not only because of the possible therapeutic uses they may open up, but also because of the legal and ethical problems associated with obtaining and using them. The judiciary and legislators have made efforts to keep step with development but see themselves confronted with enormous difficulties. While on the one hand, knowledge of human stem cells is growing rapidly, on the other hand, there is a lack of clarity about the fundamental differences between the various types of stem cells and their particular potential. Legal regulations, such as the Embryo Protection Act in Germany, also have frustrated the final clarification of the potential of these cells. From the wide problem area of stem cells, only a small section, namely, the patenting of human stem cells at the European Patent Office (EPO), is dealt with in this paper. The common definitions of the various types of stem cells will be presented before the legal basis for patenting and current practice of the EPO are considered.

Purificação do extrato aquoso de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni através dos processos com zeólitas e membranas

In this work the following processes of purification of the aqueous extract of Stevia 10% were used: the adsorption in modified CaX zeolites, the membrane separation process and the associated process, zeolites and membrane. The best result of purification was obtained with the associated process which lasted 12 hours of adsorption in the zeolites followed by an ultrafiltration, in a 0.05 µm membranes and a pressure of 4 bar. The final clarification after 2.5 hours of filtration was 99.56%. The results showed that the association of zeolites and membrane process is promising for the purification of crude extract of stevia. However, the performance of the sweeteners (stevioside and rebaudoside) was increased when the membranes isolated process was used

Assessment of ventricular contractile function during orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract Hemodynamic alterations are a well-known phenomenon that influence the outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Whether or not myocardial dysfunction, which has various causes, contributes to this instability is still debated. Previous transesophageal echocar-diography (TEE) studies have presented controversial data, not leading to final clarification. This is mainly because the impact of other contributing factors (inotropic support, alternating preload conditions and temperature) remained unaccounted for. We therefore measured the left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF), a parameter reflecting myocardial contractility, in 10 consecutive patients undergoing OLT without veno-venous bypass. We measured during preparation (PP), during the anhepatic (AP) phase and the immediate reperfusion phase (RP). During the AP we observed a significant decrease of LVSF which never fell to subnormal levels in the majority of our patients, whereas during the RP, LVSF returned to PP values. These findings support the assumption that myocardial function is influenced by OLT, but that it plays only a minor role in the occurrence of hemodynamic instability, which could mainly be attributed to volume fluctuations.

PHARMACEUTICAL WWTP OPTIMIZATION INVESTIGATION

PHARMACEUTICAL WWTP OPTIMIZATION INVESTIGATIONA pharmaceutical company located in the northern United States owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to treat process and sanitary wastewater from its production facilities. The WWTP includes aerated lagoon treatment, chemical treatment for solids and phosphorus removal, final clarification, disinfection, and tertiary filtration. Although the WWTP has an excellent record of permit...Author(s)Randall A. WirtzSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 11: Pharmaceutical Industry Wastewater TreatmentDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2004ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20040101)2004:6L.582;1-DOI10.2175/193864704784105724Volume / Issue2004 / 6Content sourceIndustrial Wastes (IW) ConferenceFirst / last page(s)582 - 597Copyright2004Word count158

Assessment of ventricular contractile function during orthotopic liver transplantation.

Hemodynamic alterations are a well-known phenomenon that influence the outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Whether or not myocardial dysfunction, which has various causes, contributes to this instability is still debated. Previous transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) studies have presented controversial data, not leading to final clarification. This is mainly because the impact of other contributing factors (inotropic support, alternating preload conditions and temperature) remained unaccounted for. We therefore measured the left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF), a parameter reflecting myocardial contractility, in 10 consecutive patients undergoing OLT without veno-venous bypass. We measured during preparation (PP), during the anhepatic (AP) phase and the immediate reperfusion phase (RP). During the AP we observed a significant decrease of LVSF which never fell to subnormal levels in the majority of our patients, whereas during the RP, LVSF returned to PP values. These findings support the assumption that myocardial function is influenced by OLT, but that it plays only a minor role in the occurrence of hemodynamic instability, which could mainly be attributed to volume fluctuations.

Results of irradiation tests of KU-1 and KS-4V silica glasses as ITER candidate window materials

Previous irradiation tests have shown that KU-1 silica glass may be used for ITER diagnostic windows in the spectral region of 0.35–2.5 μm. To help clarify the possibility of increasing this spectral range to the UV region irradiation tests of KS-4V high purity silica in Co 60 gamma source and nuclear reactor were undertaken. KS-4V has an order of magnitude lower induced absorption in UV range compared with KU-1 after gamma irradiation up to 3 MGy, but there is no marked difference in transparency of KU-1 and KS-4V silica glasses after reactor irradiation up to F >0.1≅3×10 16 n/cm 2 (D γ≅1 MGy) although induced absorption of KS-4V is slightly lower. In situ tests of transparency degradation under neutron and gamma irradiation of KU-1 and KS-4V silica glasses in UV range will be necessary for final clarification and ITER database preparing.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the aging brain: flipping a coin in the "fountain of youth".

The physiological role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated ester DHEA(S) has been studied for nearly 2 decades and still eludes final clarification. The major interest in DHEA derives from its unique pattern of activity. Its levels exhibit a dramatic age-related decline that supports significant involvement of DHEA(S) in the aging process. Particularly relevant to the aging process is the functional decline that involves memory and cognitive abilities. DHEA is derived mainly from synthesis in the adrenal glands and gonads. It can also be detected in the brain where it is derived from a synthesis that is independent from peripheral steroid sources. For this reason DHEA and other steroid molecules have been named "neurosteroids." Pharmacological studies on animals provided evidence that neurosteroids could be involved in learning and memory processes because they can display memory-enhancing properties in aged rodents. However, human studies have reported contradictory results that so far do not directly support the use of DHEA in aging-related conditions. As such, it is important to remember that plasma levels of DHEA(S) may not reflect levels in the central nervous system (CNS), due to intrinsic ability of the brain to produce neurosteroids. Thus, the importance of neurosteroids in the memory process and in age-related cognitive impairment should not be dismissed. Furthermore, the fact that the compound is sold in most countries as a health food supplement is hampering the rigorous scientific evaluation of its potential. We will describe the effect of neurosteroids, in particular DHEA, on neurochemical mechanism involved in memory and learning. We will focus on a novel effect on a signal transduction mechanism involving a classical "cognitive kinase" such as protein kinase C. The final objective is to provide additional tools to understand the physiological role and therapeutic potentials of neurosteroids in normal and/or pathological aging, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The effect of air-induced velocity gradient and dissolved oxygen on bioflocculation in the trickling filter/solids contact process

The trickling filter/solids contact process (TF/SC) was developed in the late 1970s to improve the final effluent quality of existing trickling filters, to be able to meet stricter effluent EPA requirements. Although the TF/SC process has been successful in achieving this goal, it is still not fully understood, and there is limited information regarding the factors affecting the flocculation phenomena occurring in the solids contact chamber (SCC), such as the effect of bubble size and dissolved oxygen on bioflocculation efficiency. To better understand the kinetics of bioflocculation in a continuous flow solids contact chamber, a long-term experimental program was conducted using a TF/SC pilot plant constructed at the Marrero, Louisiana wastewater treatment plant. This program, developed from January 1998 through October 2000, included a detailed investigation of the kinetics of the bioflocculation process taking place in the SCC. This paper deals with the effect of air-induced velocity gradient on bioflocculation. Analysis of the observed data demonstrates that excellent final effluent quality can be obtained with a wide range of air-induced velocity gradients ( G) and with dissolved oxygen levels as low as 0.5 mg/l. However, from the point of view of SCC design, a value of G=25/s, achieved using a fine-bubble aeration system, and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels between 1.0 and 1.4 mg/l, are recommended to consistently produce a very good final effluent. This study also demonstrates that additional mechanical flocculation units would not be needed if a fine-bubble aeration system were used in the SCC and the floc structure could be preserved while transferring the floc from the SCC to the secondary sedimentation tank. However, considering that floc breakup frequently occurs during mixed liquor transfer from the SCC to the secondary clarifier, flocculator center wells should be used as a precaution in final clarification units to re-flocculate the mixed liquor.

Vomilenine Reductase — a novel Enzyme catalyzing a crucial Step in the Biosynthesis of the Therapeutically applied Antiarrhythmic Alkaloid Ajmaline

Delineation of the biochemical pathway leading to the antiarrhythmic Rauvolfia alkaloid ajmaline has been an important target in biosynthetic research for many years. The biosynthetic sequence starting with tryptamine and the monoterpene secologanin consists of about 10 different steps. Most of the participating enzymes have been detected and characterized previously, except those catalyzing the reduction of the intermediate vomilenine. A novel NADPH-dependent enzyme that reduces the intermediate has been isolated from Rauvolfia serpentina cell suspension cultures. Vomilenine reductase (M r 43 kDa, temp opt 30 °C, pH opt 5.7–6.2), saturates the indolenine double bond of vomilenine with stereospecific formation of 2β( R)-1,2-dihydrovomilenine. The described detection, enrichment and properties of the reductase not only closes a gap in ajmaline biosynthesis but is also a prerequisite for overexpressing the protein heterologously for final clarification of its molecular properties.

Treatment of urban wastewater in a membrane bioreactor at high organic loading rates

Membrane bioreactors can replace the activated sludge process and the final clarification step in municipal wastewater treatment. The combination of bioreactor and crossflow microfiltration allows for a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of synthetic wastewater. From biomass, grown at high production rates in the aerobic bioreactor, energy rich biogas can be obtained in a subsequent anaerobic bioreactor. In this paper, experimental data from a laboratory scale membrane bioreactor are presented. The degradation of synthetic wastewater at short hydraulic retention times down to 1.5 h has been studied. The organic loading rate (OLR) has been varied in the range of 6–13 kg m −3 per day. At steady state a high quality filtrate could be obtained at different operating conditions. At biomass concentrations of 10–22 g l −1, COD reduction was above 95%.

TO REHABILITATE OR NOT: THAT IS THE QUESTION

TO REHABILITATE OR NOT: THAT IS THE QUESTIONThe existing Beni Suef Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a secondary treatment facility consisting of preliminary treatment, primary clarification, trickling filters, final clarification, and disinfection. This facility is owned and operated by the recently formed Beni Suef Economic General Authority for Water and Sanitation (BEGAWS). The plant was originally constructed in 1958 with a nominal...Author(s)Terry L. KrauseTarik PekinOmar Abo El MaatiSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 36 - Local, International and Public Education Issues: International IssuesDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2001ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20010101)2001:13L.557;1-DOI10.2175/193864701790864575Volume / Issue2001 / 13Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)557 - 581Copyright2001Word count92

Replacement of Secondary Clarification by Membrane Separation—Results with Tubular, Plate and Hollow Fibre Modules

Membrane separation systems can replace the final clarification step to separate mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the activated sludge processes. Mixed liquor suspended solids concentrations as high as 20 g/l can be obtained compared with the typical 3-4 g/l for conventional activated sludge/secondary clarifier systems. This leads to much smaller reactor volumes. In addition, excellent, solids free effluent qualities can be achieved with this process technology. This paper reports about the parallel investigation of three membrane systems installed within or outside bioreactors of 7 to 9 m3 volume and flow rates from 1 to 3 m3/h. The different membrane modules were investigated: plate module (80 m2 membrane surface), hollow fibre module (80 m2) and tubular module (45 m2). At MLSS concentrations up to 25 g/l and water temperatures from 10 to 25°C a stable operation of the membrane systems was achieved for a period of more than one year. The energy consumption was approximately 1.5 kWh/m3 for the plate and hollow fibre and 3.0 kWh/m3 for the tubular module system.

A numerical study of sedimentation by dripping instabilities in viscous fluids

A common instability in metallurgy and geophysics is the dripping of negatively-buoyant, solid–liquid mixtures. We conducted a numerical study of the finite amplitude evolution of multiphase Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities. For systems with a density-weighted average viscosity of less than 0.2, two time scales of sedimentation were observed. Initially, plumes form and merge, and solids disperse throughout the cavity. Final clarification of the carrier phase by hindered Stoke's settling then occurs. The ratio of the time to clear the mixture to the time for near-uniform dispersal of the solids can be two or three orders of magnitude. Roof sedimentation in more viscous liquids demonstrates a complex time dependence. The solid volume fraction distribution becomes non-topological with features of both viscous and inertially dominated conditions at a given time step. Cyclic sedimentation occurs as the potential energy associated with the initially unstable layer does not decay in a temporally uniform manner.

Replacement of secondary clarification by membrane separation — Results with tubular, plate and hollow fibre modules

Membrane separation systems can replace the final clarification step to separate mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the activated sludge processes. Mixed liquor suspended solids concentrations as high as 20 g/l can be obtained compared with the typical 3–4 g/l for conventional activated sludge/secondary clarifier systems. This leads to much smaller reactor volumes. In addition, excellent, solids free effluent qualities can be achieved with this process technology. This paper reports about the parallel investigation of three membrane systems installed within or outside bioreactors of 7 to 9 m3 volume and flow rates from 1 to 3 m3/h. The different membrane modules were investigated: plate module (80 m2 membrane surface), hollow fibre module (80 m2) and tubular module (45 m2). At MLSS concentrations up to 25 g/l and water temperatures from 10 to 25°C a stable operation of the membrane systems was achieved for a period of more than one year. The energy consumption was approximately 1.5 kWh/m3 for the plate and hollow fibre and 3.0 kWh/m3 for the tubular module system.

Replacement of secondary clarification by membrane separation - results with plate and hollow fibre modules

Submerged membrane systems can replace the final clarification step to separate mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) from treated wastewater in the activated sludge processes. Mixed liquor suspended solids concentrations as high as 20 g/l can be maintained compared with the typical 3–4 g/l for conventional activated sludge/secondary clarifier systems. This leads to much smaller reactor volumes. In addition, excellent, solid free effluent qualities can be achieved with this process technology. One major challenge, when applying membrane technology to municipal wastewater treatment systems, is handling the flow variations typically encountered by these systems. This paper reports about the parallel investigation of two membrane-systems installed within a 7 m3 and a 9 m3 bioreactor. One membrane system used submerged plate modules (80 m2 membrane surface), the other hollow fibre modules (83.4 m2). The emphasis of this first investigation was the hydraulic performance and elasticity of the membrane systems. At MLSS concentrations of 15 g/l and hydraulic retention times of 6 hours, flux rates of 15 l/m2 h under permanent operation and up to 30 l/m2 h for short periods of time were achieved (standardised to a temperature of 10°C). A stable operation at these rates could be achieved for a full 4 months period without chemical cleaning of the membranes. Future studies will focus on nutrient removal aspects and the energy consumption of the systems.

Replacement of secondary clarification by membrane separation — Results with plate and hollow fibre modules

Submerged membrane systems can replace the final clarification step to separate mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) from treated wastewater in the activated sludge processes. Mixed liquor suspended solids concentrations as high as 20 g/l can be maintained compared with the typical 3–4 g/l for conventional activated sludge/secondary clarifier systems. This leads to much smaller reactor volumes. In addition, excellent, solid free effluent qualities can be achieved with this process technology. One major challenge, when applying membrane technology to municipal wastewater treatment systems, is handling the flow variations typically encountered by these systems. This paper reports about the parallel investigation of two membrane-systems installed within a 7 m3 and a 9 m3 bioreactor. One membrane system used submerged plate modules (80 m2 membrane surface), the other hollow fibre modules (83.4 m2). The emphasis of this first investigation was the hydraulic performance and elasticity of the membrane systems. At MLSS concentrations of 15 g/l and hydraulic retention times of 6 hours, flux rates of 15 l/m2 h under permanent operation and up to 30 l/m2 h for short periods of time were achieved (standardised to a temperature of 10°C). A stable operation at these rates could be achieved for a full 4 months period without chemical cleaning of the membranes. Future studies will focus on nutrient removal aspects and the energy consumption of the systems.

Einfluß von Amiodaron auf Defibrillationsschwelle und perioperative Komplikationen bei Patienten mit implantierbarem Kardioverter-Defibrillator mit transvenösen Elektroden und biphasischen Schocks

In order to evaluate the safety of implantation of a third generation automatic cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with amiodarone therapy, we retrospectively analyzed implantation results and perioperative complications in 17 consecutive patients with continued amiodarone therapy and 38 patients without antiarrhythmics at first ICD implantation.ICD implantation could be performed successfully in all 55 patients using a transvenous electrode system. In one of 17 patients with amiodarone (6%) versus three of 38 patients without antiarrhythmics (8%), additional implantation of a subcutaneous patch electrode was necessary to achieve a defibrillation threshold </=24 Joules (p=n.s.). Intraoperatively tested defibrillation threshold was 13+/-5 Joules in the amiodarone group versus 12+/-5 Joules in patients without antiarrhythmics (p=n.s.). The incidence of perioperative complications was not different between patients with amiodarone and patients without antiarrhythmics.In summary, patients with amiodarone did not have higher defibrillation thresholds or a higher incidence of perioperative complications than patients without antiarrhythmics. The occasionally postulated discontinuation of amiodarone with subsequent waiting for the elimination of this antiarrhythmic drug is unnecessary. For final clarification of the influence of amiodarone-therapy on the defibrillation threshold in patients with third generation ICDs, a prospective randomized study in a large patiente cohort with standardized study conditions would be required.

High-dose therapy with fluconazole > or = 800 mg/day. Review

The clinical use of fluconazole in dosages > or = 800 mg/day has been reported in about 900 patients against candidemia, oropharyngeal candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients as well as for initial therapy of endemic mycoses. Especially in patients with life-threatening infections caused by Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and Coccidioides immitis, the results of a limited number of dose-finding trials with non-neutropenic and HIV-infected patients show dose-dependent response rates. These findings strongly advocate the application of high dose-fluconazole; their evaluation, however, still awaits final clarification. The good safety profile for dosages up to 2000 mg/day and the linear, predictable pharmacokinetics up to 1600 mg/day indicate the excellent tolerability of fluconazole in the clinical situation which justifies prospective, randomized clinical trials with treatment groups as homogeneous as possible for further evaluation of the optimum dosage and duration of treatment.

Checklists for the Differential Diagnosis of Orbital Affections

Numerous diseases can present as orbital or periorbital swelling, i.e. an increase in the volume of the orbital contents or surrounding tissues with or without discoloration of the overlying skin. We have therefore developed a differential diagnostic checklist for clinical evaluation of the patient with orbital or periorbital swelling prior to further investigation. It is based on the history (acuteness of onset, pain, itching, temporal pattern, patient's age, previous illnesses, previous treatment) and the findings on inspection and palpation (location, consistency, redness, pulsation, pseudoproptosis). On account of the long list of differential diagnoses it is rarely possible to make a diagnosis on the basis of a single category alone. However, with an integrative approach which considers the problem from various different angles, it is often possible to arrive at a diagnosis or at least to narrow down the number of possible diagnoses significantly. Imaging procedures and other investigations can then be employed more selectively for final clarification of the diagnosis.

Final Clarification by Integrated Filtration within the Activated Sludge Aeration Tank

A laboratory sequencing batch reactor (SBR), integrating a novel filtration system, was used to treat wastewater from a cheese factory. For an average influent CODtot of 1,000 mg l−1 and at an HRT of 8 d, the SBR-Filtration system yielded an overall efficiency of 94.5% in terms of COD removal, and an effluent suspended solids (SS) concentration close to 0 mg l−1. Throughput fluxes as high as 443 l m-2 h−1 could be reached. No permanent clogging or decrease in permeability of the filtration step was observed over the 12 d testing period. The effect of solids concentration on filtration was assessed by increasing, stepwise, the MLSS concentration in successive stages. The food to microorganism ratio (F/M) was maintained almost constant by increasing the influent load proportionately to the increase in biomass. This was done by adding powdered milk waste to the real wastewater. As a result of rapid increases in influent COD, changes in composition and loading rates, and a lack of nutrients during this phase of experiments, steady state conditions were interrupted. Consequently, the biomass would not flocculate well and the SVI increased. The decrease in filtration efficiency was thought to be due to the transient biological state of the biomass, rather than to the concentration increase itself. An attempt to corroborate this observation was made by systematically decreasing the mixed liquor concentration in the reactor by dilution with water. Flux rates remained constant, regardless of the variation of MLSS concentration.