Salinity effect on an anaerobic methane- and ammonium-oxidising consortium: Shifts in activity, morphology, osmoregulation and syntrophic relationship.

Nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) is a microbial process of both ecological significance for global methane mitigation and application potential for wastewater treatment. It is mediated by organisms belonging to the archaeal family 'Candidatus Methanoperedenaceae', which have so far mainly been found in freshwater environments. Their potential distribution in saline environments and their physiological responses to salinity variation were still poorly understood.

Enhancing methane oxidation in a bioelectrochemical membrane reactor using a soluble electron mediator.

Background: Bioelectrochemical methane oxidation catalysed by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) is constrained by limited methane bioavailability as well as by slow kinetics of extracellular electron transfer (EET) of ANME. In this study, we tested a combination of two strategies to improve the performance of methane-driven bioelectrochemical systems that includes (1) the use of hollow fibre membranes (HFMs) for efficient methane delivery to the ANME organisms and (2) the amendment of ferricyanide, an effective soluble redox mediator, to the liquid medium to enable electrochemical bridging between the ANME organisms and the anode, as well as to promote EET kinetics of ANME.

Results: The combined use of HFMs and the soluble mediator increased the performance of ANME-based bioelectrochemical methane oxidation, enabling the delivery of up to 196 mA m, thereby outperforming the control system by 244 times when HFMs were pressurized at 1.

In silico and in vitro methods to identify ebola virus VP35-dsRNA inhibitors.

Ebola virus continues to be problematic as sporadic outbreaks in Africa continue to arise, and as terrorist organizations have considered the virus for bioterrorism use. Several proteins within the virus have been targeted for antiviral chemotherapy, including VP35, a dsRNA binding protein that promotes viral replication, protects dsRNA from degradation, and prevents detection of the viral genome by immune complexes. To augment the scope of our antiviral research, we have now employed molecular modeling techniques to enrich the population of compounds for further testing in vitro.

Impacts of backwashing on granular activated carbon filters for advanced wastewater treatment.

The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) in fixed bed filters is a promising option for the removal of organic micropollutants (OMP) from wastewater treatment plant effluents. Frequent backwashing of the filter bed is inevitable, but its effect on potential filter stratification is not well understood yet and thus has been evaluated in the present study for two commercial GAC products. Backwashing of GAC filters was simulated with 10 or 100 filter bed expansions of 20 or 100% at backwash velocities of 12 and 40 m/h, respectively.

Glenohumeral internal rotation deficits in baseball players with ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency.

Background: The kinetic chain of the throwing motion functions to optimize efficiency of proximal segments to decrease force loads seen at smaller, distal segments such as the ulnar collateral ligament. Several studies have shown that shoulder internal rotation forms the physiologic counter to the valgus torque generated during the late cocking phase of throwing. Previous studies have implicated decreased glenohumeral internal rotation as a cause of shoulder internal impingement.

Repair site integrity after arthroscopic transosseous-equivalent suture-bridge rotator cuff repair.

Background: Successful healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair remains a challenge. Earlier studies have shown a relatively high rate of failure. New surgical techniques may improve healing potential.

Revision surgery for failed elbow medial collateral ligament reconstruction.

Background: Although excellent results can be achieved in up to 90% of primary elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions, retears of the ligament have been reported. As the number of primary reconstructions continues to increase, one could expect a commensurate increase in the number of revision medial collateral ligament reconstructions performed.

Hypothesis: Given the difficulty associated with revision procedures, the complication rate relative to primary reconstructions would increase while the percentage of athletes returning to their previous level of play would decrease.

Posterolateral corner injuries of the knee.

The posterolateral region of the knee is an anatomically complex area that plays an important role in the stabilization of the knee relative to specific force vectors at low angles of knee flexion. A renewed interest in this region and advanced biomechanical studies have brought additional understanding of both the anatomy and the function of posterolateral structures in knee stabilization and kinematics. Through sectioning and loading studies, the posterolateral corner has been shown to play a role in the prevention of varus angulation, external rotation, and posterior translation.

Lower extremity injuries in the skeletally immature athlete.

The heightened intensity of training and competition among young athletes places them at increased risk for both acute and chronic injuries. Prompt recognition and treatment of such injuries are critical to prevent long-term functional disability and deformity. These injuries occur in patterns unique to the skeletally immature athlete, given their developing epiphyses and ossification centers and supporting ligamentous structures.

Utilization of personal digital assistants (PDAS) by pediatric and emergency medicine residents.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the current personal digital assistant (PDA) usage patterns of the residents and their interest in future PDA-based applications. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Pediatrics (Peds) and Emergency Medicine (EM) residents in an urban teaching hospital. Data points included level of training, specialty of training, experience of use of different PDA devices, use of current software applications, and interest in future applications.

Helical blade versus sliding hip screw for treatment of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures: a biomechanical evaluation.

Objective: To compare the fixation stability in the femoral head with sliding hip screw versus helical blade designs for unstable, intertrochanteric hip fractures.

Methods: A simulated, unstable intertrochanteric hip fracture was created in six pairs of cadaveric femurs. One of each pair was treated using an intramedullary nail with a sliding hip screw (ITST) for femoral head fixation and the other was treated with a nail with a helical blade (TFN).

Osteochondral fracture of the distal lateral femoral condyle: a report of two cases.

Osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle are uncommon injuries. These fractures often are misdiagnosed, and the majority of the cases reported have been managed with surgical excision. We present 2 cases of osteochondral fractures of the lateral femoral condyle.

The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric cervical spine clearance.

Study Design: A retrospective chart analysis of pediatric trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury was performed.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and cost-efficiency of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for cervical spine clearance in pediatric trauma patients.

Summary Of Background Data: The evaluation of cervical spine injury in the pediatric trauma population can be difficult.