Multiplex real-time PCR FilmArray performance in the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis: lights and shadows.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the performance of the FilmArray (FA) meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel. Secondarily, we analyzed the false positive (FP) and false negative (FN) results, as well as the predictive values of the technique, regarding the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics.

Methods: FA is a multiplex real-time PCR detecting 14 of the most common ME pathogens in CSF.

Enhancement of biogas production rate from bioplastics by alkaline pretreatment.

The effect of alkali-based pretreatment on the methanization of bioplastics was investigated. The tested bioplastics included PHB [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)], PHBH [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)], PHBV [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate], PLA (polylactic acid), and a PLA/PCL [poly(caprolactone)] 80/20 blend. Prior to methanization tests, the powdered polymers (500-1000 μm) at a concentration of 50 g/L were subjected to alkaline pretreatment using NaOH 1 M for PLA and PLA/PCL, and NaOH 2 M for PHB-based materials.

Screening Enzymes That Can Depolymerize Commercial Biodegradable Polymers: Heterologous Expression of Cutinase in .

In recent years, a number of microbial enzymes capable of degrading plastics have been identified. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as a potentially more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the currently employed methods for plastic treatment and recycling. However, the functional and systematic study of depolymerase enzymes with respect to the degradation of a series of plastic polymers in a single work has not been widely addressed at present.

Production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from five commercial bioplastics via acidogenic fermentation.

The feasibility of producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from five commercial bioplastics via acidogenic fermentation by a non-pretreated anaerobic sludge was investigated. Mesophilic, anaerobic, acidogenic batch assays at 1, 10 and 20 g/L feed concentrations revealed the feasibility of producing VFAs from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), i.e.

Biodegradation of bioplastics under aerobic and anaerobic aqueous conditions: Kinetics, carbon fate and particle size effect.

The biodegradation of PHB, PHBV, PBS, PBAT, PCL, PLA, and a PLA-PCL blend was compared under aerobic and anaerobic aqueous conditions assessing biodegradation kinetics, extent, carbon fate and particle size influence (in the range of 100-1000 µm). Under standard test conditions, PHB and PBHV were biodegraded anaerobically (83.9 ± 1.