Can the removal of pharmaceuticals in biofilters be influenced by short pulses of carbon?

Biofilters, similar to those already used for, e.g., removing particles from stormwater and combined sewer overflow can remove organic micropollutants from polluted waters.

Life in the dark: far-red absorbing cyanobacteria extend photic zones deep into terrestrial caves.

Chlorophyll (Chl) f and d are the most recently discovered chlorophylls, enabling cyanobacteria to harvest near-infrared radiation (NIR) at 700-780 nm for oxygenic photosynthesis. Little is known about the occurrence of these pigments in terrestrial habitats. Here, we provide first details on spectral photon irradiance within the photic zones of four terrestrial cave systems in concert with a detailed investigation of photopigmentation, light reflectance and microbial community composition.

Dose-dependent effects of acetate on the biodegradation of pharmaceuticals in moving bed biofilm reactors.

Moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR) are promising as a post-treatment for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater. However, the effect of easily degradable carbon sources on the degradation of pharmaceuticals is unclear. This study shows the influence of acetate on the degradation of 26 pharmaceuticals in an MBBR was dose- and compound-dependent: while the degradation of venlafaxine, tramadol and ciprofloxacin was promoted (increase of reaction rate constant (k) by 133%, 212%, 55%) by acetate, its presence caused negative effects on the removal of ibuprofen, citalopram and diclofenac (decrease of k by 76%, 57%, 44%).

Transmission of Salmonella typhimurium to swine.

These studies were designed to determine the rate of transmission and the colonization pattern of Salmonella typhimurium in swine. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, swine challenged per os with either S.

Identification of three new serotypes of group E streptococci isolated from swine.

Evidence is presented for the recognition of 3 new serotypes of Group E Streptococci (GES). Serological and biochemical characteristics of 3 porcine isolates of GES, that could not be placed in any of the 3 established serotypes, were examined. On the basis of double-diffusion precipitin reactions, the isolates were found to be of 3 distinct, previously unreported serotypes.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to Treponema hyodysenteriae antigens.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated and compared with the microtitration agglutination test for the detection of swine antibody to Treponema hyodysenteriae lipopolysaccharide antigens. Cells of T. hyodysenteriae serotypes 1 and 2 were extracted with hot phenol-water (68 degrees C).

Detection of antibody to the antiphagocytic factor produced by group E streptococci.

Tests for opsonic activity, long chain formation, and precipitins were investigated for ability to detect antibodies to the antiphagocytic factor of group E streptococci. Rabbits, hyperimmunized to serum-grown group E streptococci developed antibodies to the antiphagocytic factor detectable after 2 weeks by the opsonic activity and long chain tests and at 4 to 6 weeks by a precipitin test in which a slide micro double diffusion method was used. Antiphagocytic factor antibodies were dected in swine serums 2 weeks after the swine were experimentally infected, and the antibodies persisted at the end of the experiment at 20 weeks.