Treatment Of Methanol Research Articles

Anaerobic treatment of methanol condensate from pulp mill compared with anaerobic treatment of methanol using mesophilic UASB reactors

The feasibility of anaerobic treatment of methanol condensate from pulp and paper mill in UASB reactor was investigated and compared with the anaerobic treatment of methanol. The UASB reactor treating methanol condensate was operated for 480days with minimum problems of overload. COD removal from methanol condensate and methanol under normal operating conditions ranged from 84–86% to 86–98%, respectively. Under optimal conditions (OLR=5.0gCODL−1day−1, CODinfluent=11.40gL−1) a methane yield of 0.29 NL CH4 per g CODremoved (at standard temperature and pressure) was achieved during the treatment of methanol condensate. The recovery time of the microorganisms after several overloads was decreasing each time probably due to the adaptation to methanol condensate. These findings indicate that methanol condensate can be efficiently treated in a UASB reactor with the benefit of biogas production. As a bonus effect of the treatment, much of the smell of the feed was eliminated.

Medication errors associated with the use of ethanol and fomepizole as antidotes for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning

Introduction. Little is known about medication errors which occur with the antidotes ethanol and fomepizole, used for treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Study objectives were to describe and compare the frequency, type, outcome and underlying causes of medication errors associated with ethanol and fomepizole. Methods. Patients aged ≥13 years were included if they were hospitalized in 1996–2005 for methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning and treated with ethanol or fomepizole. Charts from 10 hospitals were separately reviewed by two abstracters who recorded case details. A consensus panel of clinicians used the abstracted data to identify medication errors and classify error outcome. Fisher's exact test determined significant differences in the proportion of ethanol and fomepizole-treated cases with medication error and univariate logistic regression identified risk factors associated with harmful dosage errors. Results. There were 145 ethanol- and 44 fomepizole-treated cases. There was ≥1 medication error in 113/145 (78%) ethanol- and 20/44 (45%) fomepizole-treated cases (p = 0.0001) with more ethanol-related errors involving excessive dose, inadequate monitoring and inappropriate antidote duration. Harmful errors occurred in 19% of ethanol- and 7% of fomepizole-treated cases (p = 0.06) and were largely due to excessive antidote dose or delayed antidote initiation. Occurrence of harmful dosage error was reduced in cases with Poison Control Centre consultation, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.39 (0.17, 0.91), hemodialysis 0.37 (0.16, 0.88), or fomepizole versus ethanol 0.24 (0.06, 1.04). Conclusion. Fomepizole was less prone to medication error than ethanol. Error-related harm was most commonly due to excessive antidote dose or delayed antidote initiation.

Can Fomepizole be Substituted by Abacavir in the Treatment of Methanol Poisoning?

Methanol is metabolized into formaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the liver and then, formaldehyde is converted to formic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. Formic acid is responsible for the characteristic signs and symptoms of methanol toxicity such as coma, seizure, visual disturbances, and metabolic acidosis with a high plasma anion gap [1-4]. Also, due to inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase by formate, lactic acid accumulation can occur [5-11]. Two antidotes for methanol intoxication include ethanol and fomepizole since they both are competitive inhibitors of ADH [1, 12, 13]. Abacavir is used for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase [14]. It has been shown that the metabolism of abacavir is completely inhibited by fomepizole in vitro [15]. Additionally, ethanol inhibits the metabolism of abacavir [16]. However, affinity of ADH for abacavir in comparison with methanol is not clear. Ghannoum and colleagues [17] presented an HIV-positive patient on the treatment with antiretrovirals, who had ingested more than 15-fold of the accepted lethal dose of pure methanol and had no signs and symptoms of methanol poisoning 11 h after the intake. None of the laboratory tests of the patient including arterial blood gases, measured osmolality, osmolal gap, and calculated anion gap was abnormal 5 and 11 h after the ingestion of methanol. Since methanol is rapidly absorbed after ingestion, its serum concentration usually reaches the peak level within 30 to 60 min [1], and the methanol-intoxicated patient generally becomes symptomatic within 6 to 30 h post-ingestion [8, 9]. With this amount of pure methanol ingested, as the authors themselves suggested [17], their patient should have become symptomatic or at least have developed metabolic acidosis within this period of time (11 h). They hypothesized that from the antiretroviral drugs the patient was using, only abacavir might have had a strong competitive inhibiting role of ADH. They did not administer fomepizole to their patient. We hypothesize that abacavir may be a substitute for fomepizole in the treatment of methanol toxicity. To test this hypothesis, the affinity of abacavir for ADH in comparison with methanol should firstly be experimentally determined and if it is shown that it has a greater affinity for ADH compared with methanol, a multicenter randomized controlled trial study should be designed to compare fomepizole with abacavir in the treatment of methanol-poisoned patients. Albeit, the best opportunities for conducting this study are the mass poisonings with methanol that regularly occur in developed and developing countries [9, 18-21]. Concurrent use of fomepizole and ethanol is contraindicated in the treatment of methanol poisoning because it has been shown that fomepizole prolongs the half life of ethanol. On the other hand, it is not clear if abacavir has impact on the half life of ethanol. However, it has been shown that ethanol increases the abacavir plasma concentration and not vice versa [16]. Also, fomepizole is dialyzable and the frequency of its dosing should be increased during dialysis [12, 13] while abacavir is poorly removed by hemodialysis [22]. As AIDS and HIV infection are worldwide problems, abacavir—used for their treatment—is also available worldwide. In contrary, methanol poisoning is a rare toxicity that is seen in the form of isolated episodes and intentional ingestion, and sometimes occurs as single epidemies [9, 18-21]. Therefore, fomepizole is not widely stocked in some hospital pharmacy stocks in comparison with abacavir. Additionally, its high price and lack of availability in some countries should be borne in mind.

Oxidation of methanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropanol with human alcohol dehydrogenases and the inhibition by ethanol and 4-methylpyrazole

Human alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) include multiple isozymes with broad substrate specificity and ethnic distinct allozymes. ADH catalyzes the rate-limiting step in metabolism of various primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols. The oxidation of common toxic alcohols, that is, methanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropanol by the human ADHs remains poorly understood. Kinetic studies were performed in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer, at pH 7.5 and 25 °C, containing 0.5 mM NAD + and varied concentrations of substrate. K M values for ethanol with recombinant human class I ADH1A, ADH1B1, ADH1B2, ADH1B3, ADH1C1, and ADH1C2, and class II ADH2 and class IV ADH4 were determined to be in the range of 0.12–57 mM, for methanol to be 2.0–3500 mM, for ethylene glycol to be 4.3–2600 mM, and for isopropanol to be 0.73–3400 mM. ADH1B3 appeared to be inactive toward ethylene glycol, and ADH2 and ADH4, inactive with methanol. The variations for V max for the toxic alcohols were much less than that of the K M across the ADH family. 4-Methylpyrazole (4MP) was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ethanol for ADH1A, ADH1B1, ADH1B2, ADH1C1 and ADH1C2, and a noncompetitive inhibitor for ADH1B3, ADH2 and ADH4, with the slope inhibition constants ( K is ) for the whole family being 0.062–960 μM and the intercept inhibition constants ( K ii ), 33–3000 μM. Computer simulation studies using inhibition equations in the presence of alternate substrate ethanol and of dead-end inhibitor 4MP with the determined corresponding kinetic parameters for ADH family, indicate that the oxidation of the toxic alcohols up to 50 mM are largely inhibited by 20 mM ethanol or by 50 μM 4MP with some exceptions. The above findings provide an enzymological basis for clinical treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning by 4MP or ethanol with pharmacogenetic perspectives.

Uncoventional Views on Certain Aspects of Toxin-Induced Metabolic Acidosis

This discussion will highlight the following 9 specific points that related to metabolic acidosis caused by various toxins. The current recommendation suggests that alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor fomepizole is preferred to ethanol in treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning, but analysis of the enzyme kinetics indicates that ethanol is a better alternative. In the presence of a modest increase in serum osmolal gap (<30 mOsm/L), the starting dose of ethanol should be far less than the usual recommended dose. One can take advantage of the high vapor pressure of methanol in the treatment of methanol poisoning when hemodialysis is not readily available. Profuse sweating with increased water ingestion can be highly effective in reducing methanol levels. Impaired production of ammonia by the proximal tubule of the kidney plays a major role in the development of metabolic acidosis in pyroglutamic acidosis. Glycine, not oxalate, is the main final end product of ethylene glycol metabolism. Metabolism of ethylene glycol to oxalate, albeit important clinically, represents less than 1% of ethylene glycol disposal. Urine osmolal gap would be useful in the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning, but not in methanol poisoning. Hemodialysis is important in the treatment of methanol poisoning and ethylene glycol poisoning with renal impairment, with or without fomepizole or ethanol treatment. Severe leucocytosis is a highly sensitive indicator of ethylene glycol poisoning. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by salicylate can explain most of the manifestations of salicylate poisoning.

간장에서 분리한 Bacillus licheniformis가 생산하는 박테리오신의 특성 및 정제

수집한 간장시료에서 형태학적인 특성에 따라 상이한 30주의 미생물을 분리하고 MRS 액체배지에서 <TEX>$37^{\circ}C$</TEX>, 24시간 배양한 후 회수한 배양 상등액 중 paper disc법으로 항균활성이있는 것을 일차 선별하여 proteinase K 처리에 의해 항균활성이 사라지는 시료 하나를 최종적으로 선별하였다. 선별한 분리주를 생화학적 분류와 분자계통학적 분류를 통해 동정한 결과 B. lichenifirnus로 나타났다. 이 균주의 생장온도와 배지의 초기 pH 에 따른 세포생장 및 박테리오신 활성을 조사한 결과 배양온도는 <TEX>$37^{\circ}C$</TEX>, 배지의 초기 pH는 7.0에서 박테리오신의 활성이 가장 높게 나타났다. B. lichenifirnus가 생산하는 박테리오신은 Bacill sogaerucey, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantaum, Micrococcus Iateus, Paenibacillus polymyxa 및 Pediococcus dextrinicus 등에 대해서 항균활성을 보였으며, pH 3.0<TEX>${\sim}$</TEX>11.0에 이르는 거의 전 pH 영 역에서 20시간 이상 처리하여도 그 항균활성을 완전히 잃지 않아 비교적 넓은 pH 범위 내에서 안정함을 알 수 있었다. Acetone, acetonitrile, chloroform, ethanol 처리 및 <TEX>$20{\sim}100^{\circ}C$</TEX>C에서 60분간 가열시에도 높은 항균활성을 유지하였다. 여러 가수분해효소에 대한 내성을 조사한 결과 trypsin, a-chymotrypsin, pepsin, a -amylase 및 carboxypeptidase A 등은 항균활성에 영향을 주지 않았으나 lipase는 항균활성을 약간 감소시켰으며 proteinase K는 항균활성을 완전히 사라지게 하였다. 75% 황산암모늄 침전, 양이온교환크로마토그래피, 역상 HPLC 등의 과정을 통해 정제된 박테리오신의 상대비활성(specific activity)은 배양상등액에서 보다 약 75배 증가하였고 회수율은 13.5%였다. 역상 HPLC를 통해서 정제된 박테리오신의 분자량을 tricine SDS-PAGE을 통해서 확인한 결과 약 2.5 kDa으로 나타났으며 염색 시 단일 band로 나타나 순수하게 정제되었음을 확인하였다. A bacteriocin-producing bacterium identified as Bacillus licheniformis was isolated from soybean sauce. Antibacterial activity was confirmed by paper disc diffusion method, using Micrococcus luteus as a test organism. The bacteriocin also showed antibacterial activities against Bacillus sphaericus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus planiarum, Paenibacillus polymyxa, and Pediococcus dextrinicus. Optimal culture conditions for the production of bacteriocin was attained by growing the cells in an MRS medium at a pH of 6.5~ 7.0 and a temperature of 37<TEX>$^\circ$</TEX>C for 36<TEX>$\sim$</TEX>48 hr. Solvents such as chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile had little effect on bacteriocin activity. However, about 50% of bacteriocin activity diminished with treatment of methanol and isopropanol at the final concentration of 50% at 25<TEX>$^\circ$</TEX>C for 1 hr. It was stable against a pH variation range from 3.0 and 7.0, but the activity reduced to 50% at a pH range from 9.0 to 11.0. It's activity was not affected by heat treatment at 100<TEX>$^\circ$</TEX>C for 30 min and 50% of activity was retained after heat treatment at 100<TEX>$^\circ$</TEX>C for 60 min, showing high thermostability. The bacteriocin was purified to a homogeneity through ammonium sulfate precipitation, SP-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The entire purification protocol led to a 75-fold increase in specific activity and a 13.5% yield of bacteriocin activity. The molecular weight of purified bacteriocin was estimated to be about 2.5 kDa by tricine-SDS-PAGE.

Performance of a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor and dynamics of the microbial community during degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP)

The anaerobic biological treatment of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and methanol as the main carbon source was investigated in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass (HAIB) reactor at 30 ± 1 °C, during a 220-day trial period. The reactor biomass was developed as an attached biofilm on polyurethane foam particles, with 24 h of hydraulic retention time. The PCP concentrations, which ranged from 2.0 to 13.0 mg/L, were controlled by adding synthetic substrate. The HAIB reactor reduced 97% of COD and removed 99% of PCP. The microbial biofilm communities of the HAIB reactor amended with PCP, without previous acclimatization, were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) with specific Archaea oligonucleotide primers. The ARDRA technique provided an adequate analysis of the community, revealing the profile of the selected population along the reactor. The biomass activities in the HAIB reactor at the end of the experiments indicated the development of PCP degraders and the maintenance of the population of methanogenic Archaea, ensuring the high efficiency of the system treating PCP with added methanol as the cosubstrate. The use of the simplified ARDRA method enabled us to monitor the microbial population with the addition of high concentrations of toxic compounds and highlighting a selection of microorganisms in the biofilm.

Kinetics of microbial growth and biodegradation of methanol and toluene in biofilters and an analysis of the energetic indicators

The kinetics of microbial growth and the biodegradation of methanol and toluene in (a) biofilters (BFs), and (b) biotrickling filters (BTFs), packed with inert materials, has been studied and analyzed. The specific growth rate, μ, for the treatment of methanol was 0.037 h −1 for a wide range of operating conditions. In the BF, μ was found to be a function of the methanol and toluene concentrations in the biofilm. In the BF used for treating methanol, μ was found to be affected by (1) the nitrogen concentration present in the nutrient solution, and (2) the kind of packing material employed. The kinetics of the methanol and toluene biodegradations were also analyzed using “mixed order” models. A Michaelis–Menten model type provided a good fit for the elimination capacity (EC) of the BTF treating methanol, while a Haldane model type provided a good fit to the EC of the BF treating methanol and toluene. The carbon dioxide production rate was related to the packed bed temperature and the content of the volatile solids within the biofilm. For the BF, the ratio of temperature/carbon dioxide production rate (PCO 2) was 0.024 °C per unit of PCO 2, and for the BTF it was 0.15 °C per unit of PCO 2.

Anaerobic treatment of wastewater containing methanol in upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor

The direct conversion of methanol into methane is the main process in anaerobic treatment of methanol containing wastewater. However, acetic acid can also be produced from methanol theoretically, which may probably result in an abrupt pH drop and deteriorate the anaerobic process. Therefore, it is interesting to know what would really happen in an anaerobic reactor treating methanol wastewater. In this study, an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor treating methanol wastewater was operated. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), acetic acid and pH of the effluent were monitored at different loadings and influent alkalinity. The results showed that the anaerobic reactor could be operated steadily at as low as 119 mg/L of influent alkalinity and high organic loading rate with no obvious pH drops. Volatile fatty acids accumulation was not observed even at strong shock loadings. The microorganisms in the sludge at the end of the test became homogeneous in morphology, which were mainly spherical or spheroidal in shape.

Oral administration of fomepizole produces similar blood levels as identical intravenous dose

Introduction. Fomepizole is available intravenously (IV) for the treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Few studies demonstrate that fomepizole achieves effective serum concentrations after IV or oral (PO) use. The objective was to describe the comparative pharmacokinetics of fomepizole after a single PO and IV dose. Methods. This was a prospective, randomized, crossover trial in 10 healthy volunteers. Each received 15 mg/kg fomepizole, PO and by 30 minute IV infusion. Serum was collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours (h) and stored at −70°C. Candidate models were fit to the IV and PO data, simultaneously, using iterative 2-stage analysis weighted by the estimated inverse observation variance. Time above the MEC (T>MEC) was determined by numeric integration of the fitted functions using 10 μmoles/L as the minimum effective concentration (MEC). Results. Seven females and 3 males were enrolled. Sole complaints included headache and dizziness in 3 subjects and 10/10 reported an unpleasant taste. The final PK model was 2-compartment with 0-order IV and 1st-order PO input (following a fitted TLag) and Michaelis-Menten elimination. PO fomepizole was rapidly absorbed with a bioavailability of ∼100%. The Km was 0.935 ± 0.98 μmoles/L and the Vmax was 18.57 ± 9.58 μmoles/L/h. T>MEC was 32 h with agreement between PO and IV dosing. Conclusions. This is the first study that effectively determines a human Vmax and Km for PO and IV fomepizole. PO and IV administration of fomepizole result in similar pharmacokinetic parameters.

Acetone poisoning - a diagnostic dilemma

EDITOR: Acetone intoxication is a rarely reported substance involved in poisoning [1-3]. A literature search indicated that, in all cases reported, a clear history of acetone ingestion was obtained, thus facilitating management. We present a case where this information was not immediately available, and subsequent difficulties presented in the diagnosis and management. Case report A 47-yr-old female presented to A&E with respiratory distress. She had a past history of alcohol abuse and deliberate self-harm and was receiving citalopram for depression. She had no other medical problems of note. On physical examination, she had a slim build and was drowsy but rousable with a Glasgow coma scale of 12/15 and no focal neurological signs. She had a sinus tachycardia of 120 min−1 and a blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg. She had a respiratory rate of 40 min−1 with a fruity odour on her breath and SPO2 of 94% on air. Chest was clinically and radiologically clear with no signs of cardiac, hepatic or renal failure. She was hypothermic (35°C). Arterial blood gas analysis showed pH 6.9, PaCO2 1.4 kPa, PaO2 18.5 kPa and base excess −28.8 mmol L−1. There was negative toxicology screen involving ethanol, salicylate, paracetamol and barbiturates. The blood glucose was 15 mmol L−1 and a peripheral blood smear showed neutrophil leucocytosis and white cell count of 26 × 109 L−1. The calculated serum osmolarity was 288 but the measured osmolality was 310, giving an osmolar gap of 22. While the anion gap was 38, the blood lactate level was normal and urinanalysis was mildly positive for ketones. She did not require ventilation, but a bolus of intravenous (i.v.) sodium bicarbonate was administered, and she was transferred to intensive treatment unit (ITU) for further supportive care and management of her profound metabolic acidosis by haemofiltration. The National Toxicology Centre was contacted and suggested methanol or ethylene glycol, but not acetone as a potential aetiological agent. Treatment with i.v. ethanol was recommended. Gas chromatography of the patient's urine and blood confirmed the presence of acetone. The acidosis improved within hours of haemofiltration and i.v. ethanol was not administered. The osmolar gap, anion gap and pH were completely corrected by 18 h. She was transferred out of ITU after 30 h and subsequently sent home after a few days. Discussion Alcohol misuse is associated with concurrent intentional ingestion of acetone as well as methanol, ethylene glycol and acetonitrile (a common component of cosmetic nail varnish remover) [4]. In all of these, the presenting laboratory features of acidosis, with a high anion and osmolar gap, are similar and non-specific. Though acetone alone is a relatively non-toxic compound, methanol and ethylene glycol are converted to the highly toxic breakdown product formaldehyde, and acetonitrile is metabolized to cyanide. The toxicity of acetone is identical to ethanol, although the anaesthetic potency of acetone is much greater [5]. The main route of elimination of acetone is through the lungs. Both acetone and ethanol produce respiratory failure due to central nervous system depression in toxic doses [5]. The elimination of both at high doses follows zero order kinetics. The few reported signs of acetone poisoning, which may help to clinically differentiate ethanol from acetone ingestion, include red and swollen pharynx and soft palate erosions [5,6], but were not seen in this patient. It is likely that the acetone was diluted with another liquid and probably taken over a period of time. Acetone is metabolized to glucose [5,6], and the high blood sugar levels and ketonuria were in keeping with this. Diabetic keto-acidosis was considered as a possible diagnosis but was not in keeping with the overall clinical picture. Measurement of serum osmolality and osmolar gap have limited sensitivity and specificity. Gas chromatography, if available, offers the possibility of a definitive diagnosis. This case illustrates several interesting points: acetone containing nail polish removers are readily found at home, and acetone ingestion should be kept in mind when considering possible aetiological agents. Unless there is a clear history, it can be very difficult to distinguish clinically between all these agents. Finally, the recommended treatment of methanol, as well as ethylene glycol poisoning, is 100% ethanol. Ethanol administration will exacerbate acetone toxicity. It is important to consider acetone in the differential diagnosis of unexpected metabolic acidosis, especially in the presence of hyperglycaemia.

1,5,3,7-Diazadiphosphocine-1,5-Dicarboxylic Acids의 합성과 반응

본 연구는 MRI 조영제나 새로운 생리활성 물질을 개발키 위해 paraformaldehyde와 hypophosphorous acid를 아미노산인 glycine 혹은 glutamic acid와 함께 반응시켜 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-diazadiphos-phocme-1,5-diacetic acid 1 와 3,7-dihydrexy-3,7-dioxoperhydre-1,5,3,7-diazadiphos-phocme-1,5-di- (2-glutaric acid)3을 합성하였다. 그러나 aspartic acid에 의한 2-[5-(1,2-dicarboxy-ethyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxo-315.715-[1,5,3,7]diazadiphosphocan-1-yl]-succinic acid 2는 얻지 못했다. 합성 된 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-dia-zadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid 1을 산 촉매에 의한 에스테르화반응시켜 화합물 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoper-hydro-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid methyl ester 4, 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-dia-zadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid ethyl ester 5, 그리고 3,7-dihyoxy-3,74dioxoperhyo-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid propyl ester 6을 합성하였다. 계속해서 다양한 반응을 통해 새로운 화합물을 합성할 것이며 생리활성검색도 실시할 예정이다. In order to synthesize new bioactive compounds and contrasting agents, reactions of glycine and glutamic acid as an animo acid with paraformaldehyde and hypophosphorous acid were executed. Products are 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid 1 and 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7- dioxoperhydre-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-di-(2-glu taric acid) 3. 2-[5-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxo-315.715-[1,5,3,7] diazadiphosphocan-1-yl]-succinic acid 2 by using aspartic acid was not obtained. Esterification of 3,7- dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperkydro-1,5,3,7-diaza-diphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid 1 by treatment of methanol, ethanol, and propanol were executed. 3,7-Dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid methyl ester 4, 3.7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,f-diazadiphosphocine-1.5-diacetic acid ethyl ester 5, and 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dioxoperhydro-1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphocine-1,5-diacetic acid propyl ester 6 were respectively synthesized in good yields. Continuously, we will try synthesis of novel compounds and evaluation of biological activity.

Improved Performance of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells by Anodic Treatment

Anodic treatment of direct methanol fuel cell single cells was carried out at anode potentials of 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 V. An increase in maximum power density by 48% was achieved after anodic treatment at 0.7 V. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the methanol electro-oxidation activity of the PtRu catalyst was promoted by the anodic treatment. Oxidation states of Ru changed from Ru metal (43%) and RuO 2 (57%) to RuO 2 (33%) and RuO x H y (67%), which were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the formation of RuO x H y occurred at a potential range of 0.4-0.7 V.

Butanol ingestion in an airport hangar

1-Butanol is a colourless organic solvent with a rancid sweet odour. 1-Butanol ingestion may result in vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, drowsiness and unconsciousness. We present a 47-year-old male with no previous medical history, who was found comatose and soiled after having vomited while unconscious. On arrival, he had a Glasgow coma scale of 3, tachycardia, hypotension, shallow tachypnoic breathing, hypotonic muscles, absent myotatic reflexes and aromatic odour. The patient was intubated and treated with oxygen, dopamine and volume replacement therapy. Gastric lavage was performed and activated charcoal was given. His initial laboratory test revealed hypokaliemia, renal failure, acidosis with elevated lactate and hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency. Twelve hours after admission, the patient started to respond to a painful stimulus and 4 h later he was conscious. He was extubated 23 h after admission. All pathological laboratory results gradually returned within normal limits. The subsequent toxicological examination of gastric content and urine sample by gas chromatography revealed 1-butanol. On awakening, he confirmed ingestion of a solvent stored in an airport hangar. In conclusion, we describe a patient who ingested - a posteriori with suicidal intention - an unknown dose of 1-butanol. Symptoms were headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, coma, muscular hypotonus, hypotension, respiratory insufficiency and mixed acidosis. The patient totally recovered after supportive therapy over 30 h. In future cases, intravenous administration of ethanol or even hemodialysis can be considered analogous to the treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.

An Improved, Single Step Standardized Method of Lipid Extraction from Human Skeletal Muscle Tissue

A new method of lipid extraction from human skeletal muscle is presented. The quantitative extraction of lipid metabolites such as phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, simultaneously, in a single experiment is evaluated by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. Thirty‐seven normal cryopreserved muscle samples were pulverized at liquid nitrogen temperature and treated with methanol and chloroform at different ratios (i.e., 1∶2, 1∶3, and 1∶4, by vol). The methanol‐chloroform ratio, at which maximum extraction occurred (1∶3, by vol), was further used to study the efficiency of lipid extraction by simultaneous and sequential treatment of the solvents; phospholipids and cholesterol were extracted better when the tissue was treated first with methanol and subsequently, with chloroform. Further, the quantities of the lipid extracts obtained from muscle tissue by treatment of methanol and chloroform sequentially (1∶3 ratio, by vol) with and without addition of a known quantity of standard lipids, were compared with those obtained from commonly used methods (Folch's and Bligh and Dyer's). The present method of sequential use of methanol and chloroform in 1∶3 ratio provided 44.9%, 41.9%, and 22.8% higher yields of triglyceride, phospholipids, and cholesterol, respectively, compared to Folch's method and 73.5%, 54.1%, and 46.9% higher yields compared to Bligh and Dyer's method in spite of adding yield of re‐extraction in the latter two methods. In the recovery experiment after addition of 1 and 2 mg of these individual lipid components, average recovery was 84.5% with the present method compared to 70.7% with Folch's method and 62.2% with the Bligh and Dyer's method. The results show that the present method is superior in terms of extraction of lipid components such as phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol compared to commonly used methods. The major advantage of this method is that the total lipids are extracted in a single step.

Development of a TiO2/AC Composite Photocatalyst by Dry Impregnation for the Treatment of Methanol in Humid Airstreams

A dual-functional photocatalytic TiO2/AC composite was developed by dry impregnation for controlling pollutants through simultaneous adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation. Titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP), the precursor, was effectively converted to the anatase form of TiO2 on the carbon surface after hydrolysis and calcination. The composites, prepared using various hydrolysis and calcination conditions, were evaluated for their ability to remove methanol from humid air streams. The TiO2/AC composite hydrolyzed at 175 °C for 2 h and calcined at 300 °C in air for 2 h was more effective (58%) at removing methanol as compared to the composite prepared by boil deposition (35%). The experimental results demonstrated that a dry impregnation method is an effective method for preparing photocatalytic TiO2/AC composites.

Treatment of gas-phase methanol in conventional biofilters packed with lava rock

The performance of laboratory scale methanol-degrading biofilters packed with lava rock was checked during almost 1 yr under different conditions. The biomass concentration and biomass adaptation of the inoculum dramatically affected the start-up and the performance of the systems during the first stages of operation. A fast start-up was obtained when using concentrated and adapted inocula, while diluted or non-adapted inocula proved to be much less efficient. The performance of the reactor during long-term operation was significantly affected by the toxic load and moisture content of the gas. Critical loads between 120 and 280 g/m 3h were reached during different phases of the study. The reactor had a high stability to EBRT changes when working at values between 48.0 and 91.1 s, showing little or no negative effect when decreasing the EBRT. Hardly any difference was observed regarding performance when using either a downflow or upflow feed, although slightly better results were obtained when working in a downflow mode.

AOX Formation and Elimination in the Oxidative Treatment of Synthetic Wastewaters in a UV-Free Surface Reactor (6 pp)

Intention, Goal, Scope, Background The effect of chloride concentration and pH on the UV oxidation systems was examined. Phenol and methanol were used as organic substances. The treatment of these chemicals by UV oxidation using a newly developed lab scale pretest UV-Free Surface Reactor (UV-FSR) with and without Cl– addition at different pH values, is evaluated. Results of this study indicated that the Cl– concentration of the water and the chemical structure of the substances is more important than the pH of the water. There was no AOX at the beginning of the experiments, but a de-novo synthesis of AOX was observed during the batch experiments. This is caused by the high chloride content of the wastewaters. It can be supposed that OHradicals oxidize some chloride-ions to form chlorine, which further reacts with organic compounds. During the treatment, these AOX compounds which are produced from the beginning of the reaction are destroyed again. Evaluations of these experiments were done according to TOC and AOX results. Approximately 80% and 99% TOC removal efficiencies were obtained for the treatment of Phenol and Methanol-containing wastewaters, respectively.

Treatment of volatile organic compounds in a biotrickling filter under thermophilic conditions.

The objectives of this research were to investigate the potential to biologically treat volatile organic compounds emitted by the forest products industry at thermophilic conditions and to examine the microbial community developed at high temperatures. Three biotrickling filters were run in parallel at temperatures ranging from 40 degrees C (mesophilic control) to 70 degrees C. The first phase involved treatment of methanol, for a 3-month run, and the second phase involved a 260-day run on the treatment of alpha-pinene. Methanol removal rates over 100 g m(-3) h(-1) where achieved at temperatures up to 70 degrees C. Alpha-pinene removal was achieved at temperatures up to 60 degrees C with optimal treatment occurring at 55 degrees C at rates up to 60 g m(-3) h(-1). The time for acclimation increased with increasing temperature and was longer for pinene than for methanol. Filter performance was also able to quickly recover from a shutdown period of up to 2 weeks due to the robustness of the microbial communities as determined by DNA fingerprinting analysis. The high-temperature communities treating methanol or pinene were more similar to each other than the mesophilic communities (i.e., 40 degrees C). The mesophilic methanol community had a high degree of functional redundancy, while the mesophilic pinene community was more unique and very distinct from the others. These results show that biofiltration at high temperatures is achievable and opens up a range of possibilities for applying biofiltration to hot gas streams.

Formaldehyde and methanol biodegradation with the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha. An application to real wastewater treatment.

The application of methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha to the treatment of methanol and formaldehydecontaining wastewater was experimentally verified. A variety of real wastewater samples originating from chemical industry effluent were examined. The yeast cell culture could grow in the wastewater environment, revealing low trophic requirements and a very high adaptation potential to poor cultivation conditions. The proliferation of cells was accompanied by a concomitant xenobiotic biodegradation. Grown, preadapted cellular suspension at a density of about 1 x 10(7) cells/ml proved to be able to utilize formaldehyde present in wastewater at concentrations up to 1750 mg/l, levels toxic to most microorganisms. The biological waste treatment method presented shows the enhanced potential by means of specific enzymatic activities of monocarbonic compound oxidations through methylotrophic pathway reactions. The need to obtain mutants highly resistant to formaldehyde has also been rationalized.