Anaerobic degradation of benzaldehyde in methanogenic granular sludge: the influence of additional substrates

Summary The degradation of benzaldehyde in methanogenic granular sludge was investigated in batch and in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. The effect due to the presence of co-substrates, such as H₂, sodium butyrate and sucrose, was studied using formaldehyde as a reference compound. The additional substrates enhanced the activity of benzaldehyde- and formaldehyde-degrading microorganisms (ACT_bdm and ACT_fdm, respectiveky) and increased the transient production of benzyl alcohol and methanol. As a consequence, the concentrations of benzaldehyde and formaldehyde that caused 50% inhibition of the methanogenic activity (50% IC_m) on sucrose were 3133 and 254 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/l respectively, three times higher than the literature data values on acetate. Experiments performed in UASB reactors on benzaldehyde showed that the replacement of volatile fatty acids with sucrose as co-substrate improved the treatment capacity of the system from 0.73 to 4.36 kg COD benzaldehyde·m^–13·day^–1. Correspondence to: O. Todini     

Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing: Effect of Inactivation,Splitting and Site of Manufacturing. Comparison of Influenza Vaccine Production Processes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different inactivation and splitting procedures on influenza vaccine product composition, stability and recovery to support transfer of process technology. Four split and two whole inactivated virus (WIV) influenza vaccine bulks were produced and compared with respect to release criteria, stability of the bulk and haemagglutinin recovery. One clarified harvest of influenza H3N2 A/Uruguay virus prepared on 25.000 fertilized eggs was divided equally over six downstream processes. The main unit operation for purification was sucrose gradient zonal ultracentrifugation. The inactivation of the virus was performed with either formaldehyde in phosphate buffer or with beta-propiolactone in citrate buffer. For splitting of the viral products in presence of Tween^®, either Triton^™ X-100 or di-ethyl-ether was used. Removal of ether was established by centrifugation and evaporation, whereas removal of Triton-X100 was performed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. All products were sterile filtered and subjected to a 5 months real time stability study. In all processes, major product losses were measured after sterile filtration; with larger losses for split virus than for WIV. The beta-propiolactone inactivation on average resulted in higher recoveries compared to processes using formaldehyde inactivation. Especially ether split formaldehyde product showed low recovery and least stability over a period of five months.     

Congenital dyserytropoietic anaemia, type II (HEMPAS) in three siblings

These siblings of a Czech family aged 21, 19 and 6 years, respectively, with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, type II, (HEMPAS) are reported. In two elder siblings ferrokinetic studies revealed a rapid plasma 59Fe clearance, markedly decreased erythrocyte incorporation and shortened 51Cr red-cell survival. Direct anti-globulin test was found positive in one of them. Further investigations revealed low values of blood plasma cholesterol, total lipids, beta-lipoproteins, beta-carotine and vitamin E and A as well as low values of the prothrombin complex. Liver biopsy demonstrated siderosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in the liver in both patients. The possible reasons for these humoral aberrations are discussed.     

Relationship of blood vessels to small intensely fluorescent cells in the autonomic ganglion.

In our experiments we observed the relationship of the blood vessels to the small, intensely fluorescent cells (SIF cells) in the lower mesenteric ganglion of the cat. We injected the solution of Evan's blue into the ganglia and processed them with the fluorescent histochemical method by Falck and Hillarp. We observed that the SIF cells are placed in the ganglia closely to the blood vessels or closely round them. When observing lager groups of SIF cells placed at the edge of the ganglia a dense network of the blood vessels was observed among these cells.     

Glycine neurotransmitter transporters: an update

Glycine accomplishes several functions as a transmitter in the central nervous system(CNS). As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it participates in the processing of motor and sensory information that permits movement, vision, and audition. This action of glycine is mediated by the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor, whose activation produces inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. In some areas of the CNS, glycine seems to be co-released with GABA, the main inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter. In addition, glycine modulates excitatory neurotransmission by potentiating the action of glutamate at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It is believed that the termination of the different synaptic actions of glycine is produced by rapid reuptake through two sodium-and-chloride-coupled transporters, GLYT1 and GLYT2, located in the plasma membrane of glial cells or pre-synaptic terminals, respectively. Glycine transporters may become major targets for therapeutic of pathological alterations in synaptic function. This article reviews recent progress on the study of the molecular heterogeneity, localization, function, structure, regulation and pharmacology of the glycine transporter