Comparing methanol and glycerol as carbon sources for mainstream partial denitrification/anammox in an IFAS process.

This study explored the implementation of mainstream partial denitrification with anammox (PdNA) in the second anoxic zone of a wastewater treatment process in an integrated fixed film activated sludge (IFAS) configuration. A pilot study was conducted to compare the use of methanol and glycerol as external carbon sources for an IFAS PdNA startup, with a goal to optimize nitrogen removal while minimizing carbon usage. The study also investigated the establishment of anammox bacteria on virgin carriers in IFAS reactors without the use of seeding, and it is the first IFAS PdNA startup to use methanol as an external carbon source.

Probiotic Formulations Containing Fixed and Essential Oils Ameliorates SIBO-Induced Gut Dysbiosis in Rats.

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and metabolic disease states such as allergies, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. SIBO is a condition characterized by an increased number (>1 × 10 CFU) of abnormal bacterial species in the small intestine. Interest in SIBO has gained importance due to increased awareness of the human microbiome and its potential relationships with human health and disease, which has encouraged new work in this area.

Comparative assessment of energy generation from ammonia oxidation by different functional bacterial communities.

Bioelectrochemical ammonia oxidation (BEAO) in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a recently discovered process that has the potential to reduce energy consumption in wastewater treatment. However, level of energy and limiting factors of this process in different microbial groups are not fully understood. This study comparatively investigated the BEAO in wastewater treatment by MFCs enriched with different functional groups of bacteria (confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing): electroactive bacteria (EAB), ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and anammox bacteria (AnAOB).

Impact of Inoculum Type on the Microbial Community and Power Performance of Urine-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells.

Bacteria are the driving force of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, which benefits from their natural ability to degrade organic matter and generate electricity. The development of an efficient anodic biofilm has a significant impact on the power performance of this technology so it is essential to understand the effects of the inoculum nature on the anodic bacterial diversity and establish its relationship with the power performance of the system. Thus, this work aims at analysing the impact of 3 different types of inoculum: (i) stored urine, (ii) sludge and (iii) effluent from a working MFC, on the microbial community of the anodic biofilm and therefore on the power performance of urine-fed ceramic MFCs.

A case report of a unique aorto-bifemoral graft infection and its treatment.

In this study, we report a unique case of aorto-bifemoral graft infection, which developed in a 47-year-old male patient after endovascular aortic aneurysmal repair (EVAR) and extra anatomic axillo-femoral bypass. The patient had previously been treated by EVAR for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Earlier, the EVAR was blocked by a thrombosis and treated with an extra-anatomic axillo femoral bypass, which then became occluded.

Resilience and limitations of MFC anodic community when exposed to antibacterial agents.

This study evaluates the fate of certain bactericidal agents introduced into microbial fuel cell (MFC) cascades and the response of the microbial community. We tested the response of functioning urine fed MFC cascades using two very different bactericidal agents: a common antibiotic (Ampicillin, 5 g/L) and a disinfectant (Chloroxylenol 4.8 g/L) in concentrations of up to 100 times higher than the usual dose.

Development of efficient electroactive biofilm in urine-fed microbial fuel cell cascades for bioelectricity generation.

The Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology harnesses the potential of some naturally occurring bacteria for electricity generation. Digested sludge is commonly used as the inoculum to initiate the process. There are, however, health hazards and practical issues associated with the use of digested sludge depending on its origin as well as the location for system deployment.

Anammox start-up strategies: the use of local mixed activated sludge seed versus Anammox seed.

The start-up period of Anammox systems is still a big challenge due to the unavailability of large volumes of slowly growing Anammox seed locally in most countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of seeding strategy on the start-up and enrichment period of Anammox systems by monitoring both process performance and microbial population dynamics. Two different seeding strategies, the use of mixed activated sludge culture from a local STP and the use of enriched Anammox culture transported from abroad, were comparatively studied in SBR systems operated for 410 days.

Overcoming challenges in mainstream Anammox applications: Utilization of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI).

Although Anammox process is a proven technology for sidestream nitrogen removal, the process faces challenges for mainstream applications in sewage treatment plants (STPs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) on process performance to eliminate confronts for mainstream applications. An SBR (sequencing batch reactor) system was fed with various nZVI concentrations (0.

Risk factors for infection development after transrectal prostate biopsy and the role of resistant bacteria in colonic flora.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors for the development of infectious complications after prostate biopsy and to investigate the role of intestinal colonization of bacteria that are resistant to prophylactic antibiotics.

Methodology: A total of 168 patients who had undergone transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) under ciprofloxacin and gentamycin prophylaxis were included in the study. Stool cultures and subsequent antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed in all patients before the start of antibiotic prophylaxis.

An Unusual Manifestation of Q Fever: Peritonitis.

Q fever has rarely been reported and can be difficult to diagnose, especially in immunocompromised patients. In the present report, we describe an unusual case of Q fever that presented as peritonitis and was treated with long-term combination therapy with doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin for five weeks in a patient who had been on peritoneal dialysis for six years due to hypertensive nephropathy.

National practice in antibiotic prophylaxis in breast cancer surgery.

Background: Although breast cancer surgery is regarded as a "clean" surgery, surgical site infection (SSI) rates are higher than expected. There is no consensus regarding the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective breast surgery. The nationwide survey was conducted to determine the trend of antibiotic prophylaxis in breast cancer among Turkish surgeons.

Case management and supportive treatment for patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne infection which has been increasing in Turkey and European countries since the year 2000. The disease is particularly endemic in the Middle East and in some African countries. It is also seen in European countries as a travel infection.

Comparative activity of carbapenem testing (the COMPACT study) in Turkey.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, the most common of which are Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, and Acinetobacter baumannii, are frequent causes of hospital-acquired infections. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro activity of doripenem and comparator carbapenem antibiotics against Gram-negative clinical isolates collected from COMParative Activity of Carbapenem Testing (COMPACT) study centres in Turkey.

Assessment of the requisites of microbiology based infectious disease training under the pressure of consultation needs.

Background: Training of infectious disease (ID) specialists is structured on classical clinical microbiology training in Turkey and ID specialists work as clinical microbiologists at the same time. Hence, this study aimed to determine the clinical skills and knowledge required by clinical microbiologists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June 1, 2010 and September 15, 2010 in 32 ID departments in Turkey.

The effect of a nationwide antibiotic restriction policy on antibiotic usage in a stem cell transplantation unit.

The Turkish Ministry of Health has released a regulation in February 2003 in order to decrease, first the antibiotic expenses and second, inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of this nationwide antibiotic restriction (NAR) in the most active stem cell transplantation unit (SCTU) in Turkey. All patients followed up in SCTU and had received antimicrobial therapy in the period of four months before and after NAR were evaluated retrospectively.

[Prevalence of extrahepatic illnesses in patients with chronic hepatitis b and hepatitis c: retrospective study of 435 patients].

Chronic infections that caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, are important all of the world as a public health problem. Despite intensive control measurements, the incidences of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections in our country are estimated as 5-7% and 3%, respectively. There are accumulating data of especially autoimmune mediated extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis B and C virus infections, such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Behçet's Disease (BD), hypo- or hyper-thyroiditis and autoimmune diseases.

The significance of cryoglobulinemia in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection.

Background/aims: Mixed cryoglobulinemia is frequently seen in liver disease and chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and clinical findings of cryoglobulins in patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C.

Methodology: Cryoglobulins were precipitated from serum stored for up to 7 days.

[Thrombocytopenia cases due to acute brucellosis].

The hematological manifestations of brucellosis include anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and clotting disorders. In this case report, two patients, with clinically and serologically proven brucellosis, manifesting with thrombocytopenia were presented. The first patient who was a 32 years old man, was admitted to the hospital with the complaints of fever, malaise and night sweats.

[Case report: psoas abscess due to brucellosis].

Skeletal system involvement is relatively a common complication of human brucellosis. However, muscular involvement is less frequent, and particularly psoas abscess is always secondary to spondylitis. In this case report, psoas abscess formation in a 70 years old female brucellosis patient complicated with spondylitis on vertebral corpus, has been presented.