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Context: In the last 30 years, the number of golf courses has increased dramatically worldwide. Since no other sport occupies and manages such large areas of green space, landscape context is crucial for determining their impacts or benefits. Objectives: (1) Examine how they affect the main landscape socio-environmental landscape components; (2) analyze the knowledge network structure characterizing the research focused on golf courses; (3) discuss the most common best management practices to mitigate their environmental impacts; and (4) suggest new research perspectives. Methods: This paper has reviewed 239 papers from academic library databases through a literature review and co-word network analysis. Results: Golf courses have impacted negatively on water and soil components, while positively on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and tourism, mainly in urban contexts. The best management practices have focused on soil, biodiversity and ecosystem services, water quality and quantity, and have given specific indications for amphibians, birds, turtles, and bee species. Few articles have considered the landscape perspective, despite the potential impact on natural or semi-natural landscapes. Conclusions: New clusters of research and management issues, in order to link biodiversity conservation with landscape perspective, have emerged: the need to increase (1) studies focused on the effects of golf courses on the ecological processes behind the functioning of the landscape, taking into account its composition and spatial configuration; (2) the proportion of native vegetation in the landscape composition, and density and complexity of vegetation in the landscape configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Many connectivity metrics have been used to measure the connectivity of a landscape and to evaluate the effects of land-use changes and potential mitigation measures. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of how to accurately quantify landscape connectivity. Objectives: A number of metrics only measure between-patch connectivity, i.e. the connectivity between different habitat patches, which can produce misleading results. This paper demonstrates that the inclusion of within-patch connectivity is important for accurate results. Methods: The behavior of two metrics is compared: the Connectance Index (CONNECT), which measures only between-patch connectivity, and the effective mesh size (meff), which includes both within-patch and between-patch connectivity. The connectivity values of both metrics were calculated on a set of simulated landscapes. Twenty cities were then added to these landscapes to calculate the resulting changes in connectivity. Results: We found that when using CONNECT counter-intuitive results occurred due to not including within-patch connectivity, such as scenarios where connectivity increased with increasing habitat loss and fragmentation. These counter-intuitive results were resolved when using meff. For example, landscapes with low habitat amount may be particularly sensitive to urban development, but this is not reflected by CONNECT. Conclusions: Applying misleading results from metrics like CONNECT can have detrimental effects on natural ecosystems, because reductions in within-patch connectivity by human activities are neglected. Therefore, this paper provides evidence for the crucial need to consider the balance between within-patch connectivity and between-patch connectivity when calculating the connectivity of landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a cluster of risk factors that includes central obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose homeostasis and hypertension. Individuals with MetS have elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease; thus placing significant burdens on social and healthcare systems. Lifestyle interventions (comprised of diet, exercise or a combination of both) are routinely recommended as the first line of treatment for MetS. Only a proportion of people respond, and it has been assumed that psychological and social aspects primarily account for these differences. However, the etiology of MetS is multifactorial and stems, in part, on a person's genetic make-up. Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the various components of MetS, and several of these SNPs have been shown to modify a person's response to lifestyle interventions. Consequently, genetic variants can influence the extent to which a person responds to changes in diet and/or exercise. The goal of this review is to highlight SNPs reported to influence the magnitude of change in body weight, dyslipidemia, glucose homeostasis and blood pressure during lifestyle interventions aimed at improving MetS components. Knowledge regarding these genetic variants and their ability to modulate a person's response will provide additional context for improving the effectiveness of personalized lifestyle interventions that aim to reduce the risks associated with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To reduce energy consumption in a sludge drying process, sludge treatment process combined with bio-drying and carbonization was newly developed, which reduced the moisture content of the sludge by less than 30%-wet through bio-drying process without adding any auxiliary fuel. In this experiment, bio-drying of dog food, as simulated organic waste sample, in a lab-scale was carried out and effect of sludge char addition on the drying rate and decomposition rate of wet dog food during bio-drying was analyzed. Addition of sludge char to dog food in bio-drying experiment was found to increase the drying rate and to promote decomposition of organic matter. It was also clarified that the drying rate of dog food and decomposition rate of organic matter increased with increasing amount of char addition. Initial amount of filled dog food also influenced drying rate and decomposition rate; the drying rate and decomposition rate increased with increasing dog food amount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration and composition in an active landfill were monitored by a developed static chamber for 2 years. The landfill gas from 82 sampling points including 70 points on working face, 8 points on geomembrane (GMB), and 4 points on final cover were analyzed for VOCs by GC-MS. Twenty-eight types of VOCs were detected, including terpenes, sulfur compounds, aromatics, hydrocarbon, oxygenated compounds, aldehyde compounds, and halogenated compounds. Terpenes were the dominant VOCs recorded in the spring, autumn, and winter seasons, whereas sulfur compounds dominated in the summer season. Limonene, ethyl alcohol, and acetone were identified as the main VOCs emitted from the waste working face of the landfill. Limonene dominated the terpenes with a maximum concentration of 43.29 μg m−3 in the autumn season. Limonene was also the dominant VOC escaping from the defects of geomembrane temporary cover reaching an average concentration 38 μg m−3. The defects of geomembranes can be a great emission source of VOCs. Emission rate of limonene was 2.24 times higher than that on the working face. VOC concentrations on the final cover can be 166 times less than those obtained on the working face. VOC emitted from the landfill did not represent a health threat for human health. However, concentrations of methyl mercaptan and ethanethiol on the working face were 3.4–22.8 times greater than their odor threshold, which were the main compounds responsible for odor nuisance. Results obtained from CALPUFF model indicated that methyl mercaptan and ethanethiol would not be a nuisance for the residents around the landfill. However, these compounds are harmful to the workers on the landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoclaving of unsorted municipal solid waste is one of the solutions in waste management that maximises the amount of waste for recycling. After autoclaving, however, a large part of the waste is composed of unstabilised biodegradable fractions (organic remaining fraction, ORF), which may comprise up to 30% of autoclaved waste and cannot be landfilled without further stabilisation. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic stabilisation in a passively aerated reactor of organic remaining fraction after full-scale autoclaving of unsorted municipal solid waste. The organic remaining fraction had a volatile solids content of ca. 70%, a 4-day respiration activity test (AT4) of ca. 26 g O2 kg–1 total solids and a 21-day gas formation test (GP21) of ca. 235 dm3 kg–1 total solids. Stabilisation was conducted in a 550 L reactor with passive aeration (Stage I) and a periodically turned windrow (Stage II). The feedstocks consisted entirely of organic remaining fraction, or of organic remaining fraction with 10% inoculum (ORF + I). Inoculum constituted product of stabilisation of organic remaining fraction. During stabilisation of organic remaining fraction and ORF + I, thermophilic conditions were achieved, and the decreases of volatile solids, AT4 and GP21 could be described by 1 order kinetic models. The rate constants of volatile solids removal (kVS) were 0.033 and 0.068 d–1 for organic remaining fraction and ORF + I, respectively, and the thermophilic phase was shorter with ORF + I (25 days vs. 45 days). The decrease in GP21 corresponded to volatile solids decrease, but AT4 decreased sharply during the first 10 days of waste stabilisation in the reactor, indicating that the content of highly biodegradable organic matter decreased during this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy represents a conserved self-digestion program, which allows regulated degradation of cellular material. Autophagy is activated by cellular stress, serum starvation and nutrient deprivation. Several autophagic pathways have been uncovered, which either non-selectively or selectively target the cellular cargo for lysosomal degradation. Autophagy engages the coordinated action of various key regulators involved in the steps of autophagosome formation, cargo targeting and lysosomal fusion. While non-selective (macro)autophagy is required for removal of bulk material or recycling of nutrients, selective autophagy mediates specific targeting of damaged organelles or protein aggregates. By proper action of the autophagic machinery, cellular homeostasis is maintained. In contrast, failure of this fundamental process is accompanied by severe pathophysiological conditions. Hallmarks of neuropathological disorders are for instance accumulated, mis-folded protein aggregates and damaged mitochondria. The nucleolus has been recognized as central hub in the cellular stress response. It represents a sub-nuclear organelle essential for ribosome biogenesis and also functions as stress sensor by mediating cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Thus, proper nucleolar function is mandatory for cell growth and survival. Here, I highlight the emerging role of nucleolar factors in the regulation of autophagy. Moreover, I discuss the nucleolar stress response as a novel signaling pathway in the context of autophagy, health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Dialysis facilities voluntarily reported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in vaccinated dialysis patients detected between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Among 4087 patients reported, most were symptomatic, a third required hospitalization, and 9% died within 30 days of diagnosis.Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infections and outcomes among vaccinated people on dialysis provides valuable insight into this population., Competing Interests: D.S. Johnson reports an advisory or leadership role for Alive Hospice and the American Association of Kidney Patients. All remaining authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Excess of sludge generated during activated sludge process by various industries is causing sludge disposable problem worldwide. Sludge contains organic materials of a highly complex mixture of molecules with some toxic compounds. Thus, the harmful effect of sludge could be managed by processing of sludge and recovery of useful products. Sludge could undergo biodegradation and used for the recovery of enzymes and energy. Enzymes (amylase, alkaline phosphatase, lipase, proteases) are produced by microorganisms and released into the media to degrade organic matters of sludge. These enzymes can be extracted by means of different physical and chemical methods from activated sludge for the multifarious application. Current manuscript discussed all the methods utilized for the extraction of enzyme and their utilization in terms of energy generation. Extracted industrial enzymes are used in agriculture, dairy, detergents, pulp, paper, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. Apart from enzyme extraction, production of energy (biofuels, electricity) is also done by key treatment of sludge. It is a compilation of current knowledge and expected competitiveness with respect to existing methods already applied in practice for enzyme recovery. This paper presents an overview of the production of valuable enzymes and various forms of energy from sludge, which is toxic and unwanted for life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the sewage sludge treatment method using bio-drying with Ultra-Thermophilic Aerobic Microorganisms (UTAMs). Twelve specific odorous compounds and various sources of bacteria were tested using the sewage sludge treatment method. Sewage sludge was mixed with a seed material and was composted for 47 days. During composting, the temperature was maintained at 80-90oC. The concentrations of the 12 specific odorous compounds after composting did not exceed the allowable exhaust standard for odor. In terms of the bacterial community number after composting, the thermophile bacterial number was 60% of the total bacterial number. The thermophile bacterial ratio after composting increased by 23% compared to the initial composting. The 16S rRNA gene demonstrated that the change in the bacterial community structure was coupled with shifts in the bio-drying process. Therefore, both stable composting operation and economic benefit can be expected when an ultra-thermophilic composting process is applied to sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odors occupy a leading position among air quality issues of growing concern. Odors can be emitted from different economic sectors, from industrial to agricultural, including waste treatment activities. Although there are different techniques to determine odor emissions, a standardized indicator has not still been defined to include odor impact into methodological tools such as Life Cycle Assessment. In this sense, some proposals can be found in current literature. Considering these approaches, the present work proposes the Odor Impact Potential, an indicator to be used in Life Cycle Assessment or in waste treatment technologies benchmarking. A simple method is reported to calculate the Odor Impact Potential value from different types of data: chemical analysis of odorants or olfactometric determinations. Data obtained in a previous work for an industrial scale anaerobic digestion plant have been used to present an example of application. Additional Odor Impact Potential calculations from other published data (thermal waste treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant) are also included. The aim of Odor Impact Potential is not to replace parameters such as odor emission rates, odor concentration, or odor emission factors but to use those values to calculate the odor-derived impact in Life Cycle Assessment studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water removal is one of the main objectives of sewage sludge composting to reduce the volume and mass of sewage sludge. In this study, the effect of aeration strategy and ambient temperature (summer and winter) on composting pile temperature, moisture content, and volatile solid (VS) change were studied during sewage sludge composting processes in a well-operated sludge composting plant. The results showed that the temperatures of the composting pile could remain above 55°C for more than 3 days under all conditions, which was sufficient to meet the requirement of harmless treatment. Moisture content of composting material decreased from 65%-69% to 39.2%-52.6% within 20 days, and VS decreased to about 77%. In the end of the composting process, cumulative water removal was 0.45-0.47 kg/kg in summer, which was significantly higher than that in winter (0.35-0.36 kg/kg). When the average aeration rate was fixed, aeration strategy with a smaller aeration rate and higher on/off time ratio showed more water removal than that with a higher aeration rate and lower on/off time ratio in summer, but showed reverse results in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we assessed the drying and composting effectiveness of helminth eggs removal from sewage sludge of a lagoon wastewater treatment plant located in Chichaoua city. The composting was run after mixing sludge with green waste in different proportions: M1 (½ sludge + ½ green waste), M2 (23 sludge + 13 green waste), and M3 (13 sludge + 23 green waste) for 105 days. The analysis of the dewatered sewage sludge showed a load of 8-24 helminth eggs/g of fresh matter identified as Ascaris spp. eggs (5-19 eggs/g) followed by Toxocara spp. (0.2 to 2.4 eggs/g); Hookworm spp. and Capillaria spp. (0.4-1 egg/g); Trichuris spp., Taenia spp., and Shistosoma spp. (< 1 egg/g) in the untreated sludge. After 105 days of treatment by composting, we noted a total reduction of helminth eggs in the order of 97.5, 97.83, and 98.37% for mixtures M1, M2, and M3, respectively. The Ascaris spp. eggs were reduced by 98% for M1 and M3 treatments and by 97% for M2 Treatment. Toxocara spp., Hookworm spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., and Shistosoma spp. eggs were totally eliminated (100% decrease) and the Taenia spp. was absent from the first stage of composting. These results confirm the effectiveness of both dehydrating and composting processes on the removal of helminth eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the fact that Iron oxide (Fe2O3) is known to have a good effect on the photochemical reaction of catalysts, an investigation in this study into the enhancement of the degradation performance of bio-electro-Fenton microbial fuel cells (Bio-E-Fenton MFCs) was carried out using three photocatalytic cathodes. These cathodes were produced at different calcination temperatures of Fe2O3 ranging from 500 °C to 900 °C for realizing their performance as photo catalysts within the cathodic chamber of an MFC, and they were compared for their ability to degrade oily wastewater. Results show that a suitable temperature for the calcination of iron oxide would have a significantly positive effect on the performance of Bio-E-Fenton MFCs. An optimal calcination temperature of 500 °C for Fe2O3 in the electrode material of the cathode was observed to produce a maximum power density of 52.5 mW/m² and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation rate of oily wastewater (catholyte) of 99.3% within one hour of operation. These novel findings will be useful for the improvement of the performance and applications of Bio-E-Fenton MFCs and their future applications in the field of wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodrying has emerged recently as an energy-effective technology for converting organic wastes into solid recovered fuel (SRF). In biodrying, water removal is achieved using metabolic heat produced from microbiological degradation of organics and forced airflow to promote heat and mass transfer. Factors affecting biodrying include moisture content (MC) and free air space (FAS) of the wastes, use of bulking agents, aeration rate, mechanical turning as well as microbial activities. These factors independently or collectively determine water removal capacities of various biodrying processes. In this review article, studies on these factors are surveyed extensively and reviewed. Additionally, details of reactor configurations, operation modes, and modeling studies on biodrying are summarized. Finally, health and environmental risks and their management associated with off-gases and final products of biodrying processes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems posed by fecal sludge (FS) are multidimensional because most cities rapidly urbanize, which results in the increase in population, urban settlement, and waste generation. Issues concerning health and waste treatment have continued to create alarming situations. These issues had indeed interfered with the proper steps in managing FS, which contaminates the environment. FS can be used in agriculture as fertilizer because it is an excellent source of nutrients. The recent decline in crop production due to loss of soil organic component, erosion, and nutrient runoff has generated interest in the recycling of FS into soil nutrients through stabilization and composting. However, human feces are considerably liable to spread microorganisms to other persons. Thus, sanitation, stabilization, and composting should be the main objectives of FS treatment to minimize the risk to public and environmental health. This review presents an improved FS management (FSM) and technology option for soil amendment that is grouped into three headings, namely, (1) collection, (2) treatment, and (3) composting. On the basis of the literature review, the main problems associated with the collection and treatment of FS, such as inadequate tools and improper treatment processes, are summarized, and the trends and challenges that concern the applicability of each of the technologies in developing urban centers are critically reviewed. Stabilization during pretreatment before composting is suggested as the best method to reduce pathogens in FS. Results are precisely intended to be used as a support for decisions on policies and strategies for FSM and investments for improved treatment facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review on effective neutrophil recruitment under shear stress by a precise molecular interplay, formation of tethers and slings, and neutrophil‐neutrophil or neutrophil‐platelet interactions. Neutrophils are the first cells arriving at sites of tissue injury or infection to combat invading pathogens. Successful neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation highly depends on specific molecular mechanisms, fine‐tuning the received information into signaling pathways and converting them into well‐described recruitment steps. This review highlights the impact of vascular flow conditions on neutrophil recruitment and the multitude of mechanisms developed to enable this sophisticated process under wall shear stress conditions. The recruitment process underlies a complex interplay between adhesion and signaling molecules, as well as chemokines, in which neutrophils developed specific mechanisms to travel to sites of lesion in low and high shear stress conditions. Rolling, as the first step in the recruitment process, highly depends on endothelial selectins and their ligands on neutrophils, inducting of intracellular signaling and subsequently activating β2 integrins, enabling adhesion and postadhesion events. In addition, subcellular structures, such as microvilli, tethers, and slings allow the cell to arrest, even under high wall shear stress. Thereby, microvilli that are pulled out from the cell body form tethers that develop into slings upon their detachment from the substrate. In addition to the above‐described primary capture, secondary capture of neutrophils via neutrophil–neutrophil or neutrophil–platelet interaction promotes the process of neutrophil recruitment to sites of lesion. Thus, precise mechanisms based on a complex molecular interplay, subcellular structures, and cell–cell interactions turn the delicate process of neutrophil trafficking during flow into a robust response allowing effective neutrophil accumulation at sites of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation that progressively disrupts the lung tissue is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). In mice, vardenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), restores transepithelial ion transport and corrects mislocalization of the most common CF mutation, F508del-CFTR. It also reduces lung pro-inflammatory responses in mice and in patients with CF. To test the hypothesis that macrophages are target effector cells of the immunomo-dulatory effect of vardenafil, we isolated lung macrophages from mice homozygous for the F508del mutation or invalidated for the cftr gene and from their corresponding wild-type (WT) littermates. We then evaluated the effect of vardenafil on the classical M1 polarization, mirroring release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We confirmed that macrophages from different body compartments express CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and showed that vardenafil targets the cells through PDE5- and CFTR-dependent mechanisms. In the presence of the F508del mutation, vardenafil down-regulated overresponses of theM1markers, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-2. Our study identifies lung macrophages as target cells of the anti-inflammatory effect of vardenafil in CF and supports the view that the drug is potentially beneficial for treating CF as it combines rescue of CFTR protein and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new model of batch biodrying of sewage sludge. This model divided the matrix into two phases (gas and solid), generating 9 · N equations which were solved numerically with Matlab software. A sensitivity analysis was also performed. It was found that the model can represent the experimental trend reported in the literature for the biodrying process, such as higher temperatures (T) for higher initial moisture content (MC) and higherTdifferences at lower initial MC. The sensitivity analysis shows that the model is mainly affected by changes in parameterskh,rb,kh,sb,µmax, UA,dp,Xsb,0, andXH,0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calibration and validation of a new model of batch biodrying of sewage sludge are presented. The calibration was performed with experimental data from the literature, while the validation was performed with new experimental data. The model was successfully calibrated with experimental data, with the values of parameters falling in the range of values reported. The new model also represented the behavior of the experimental data for all the variables measured, showing that it is robust and valid for the simulated conditions. Simulations showed that continuous high aeration increased the efficiency of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis treatment face unique challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, specifically the need to attend for treatment that prevents self-isolation. Dialysis unit attributes and isolation strategies that might reduce dialysis center COVID-19 infection rates have not been previously examined., Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We explored the role of variables, including community disease burden, dialysis unit attributes (size and layout), and infection control strategies, on rates of COVID-19 among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis in London, United Kingdom, between March 2, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The two outcomes were defined as ( 1 ) a positive test for infection or admission with suspected COVID-19 and ( 2 ) admission to the hospital with suspected infection. Associations were examined using a discrete time multilevel time-to-event analysis., Results: Data on 5755 patients dialyzing in 51 units were analyzed; 990 (17%) tested positive and 465 (8%) were admitted with suspected COVID-19 between March 2 and May 31, 2020. Outcomes were associated with age, diabetes, local community COVID-19 rates, and dialysis unit size. A greater number of available side rooms and the introduction of mask policies for asymptomatic patients were inversely associated with outcomes. No association was seen with sex, ethnicity, or deprivation indices, nor with any of the different isolation strategies., Conclusions: Rates of COVID-19 in the in-center hemodialysis population relate to individual factors, underlying community transmission, unit size, and layout., (Copyright © 2021 by the American Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects multiple organs, including the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestine. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) locus lead to defective proteins and reduced Cl- secretion and Na+ hyperabsorption in the affected organs. In addition, patients suffering from CF display chronic inflammation that contributes to the pathogenesis of CF. Recent work suggests that CF patients have a reduced capacity to biosynthesize specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), which contributes to the development and duration of the unwanted inflammation. Alterations in the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), like lipoxins (LXs), maresins (MaRs), protectins (PDs) and resolvins (Rvs), may play a major role on clinical impact of airway inflammation in CF. Methods: In this study, our aims were to detect and quantitate Resolvin D1 (RvD1) in sputum and plasma from patients with CF and compare levels of RvD1 with biomarkers of inflammation and lung function. We studied 27 CF patients aged 6 to 55 years (median 16 years) in a prospective approach. Results: DHA can be found in the plasma of our CF patients in the milligram range and is decreased in comparison to a healthy control group. The DHA-derived pro-resolving mediator Resolvin D1 (RvD1) was also present in the plasma (286.4 ± 50 pg/ mL, mean ± SEM) and sputum (30.0 ± 2.6 pg/ mL, mean ± SEM) samples from our patients with CF and showed a positive correlation with sputum inflammatory markers. The plasma concentrations of RvD1 were ten times higher than sputum concentrations. Interestingly, sputum RvD1/ IL-8 levels showed a positive correlation with FEV1 (rs = 0.3962, p< 0.05). Conclusions: SPMs, like RvD1, are well known to down-regulate inflammatory pathways. Our study shows that the bioactive lipid mediator RvD1, derived from DHA, was present in sputum and plasma of CF patients and may serve as a representative peripheral biomarker of the lung resolution program for CF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene on chromosome 7, is complex and greatly variable in clinical expression. Airways, pancreas, male genital system, intestine, liver, bone, and kidney are involved. The lack of CFTR or its impaired function causes fat malabsorption and chronic pulmonary infections leading to bronchiectasis and progressive lung damage. Previously considered lethal in infancy and childhood, CF has now attained median survivals of 50 years of age, mainly thanks to the early diagnosis through neonatal screening, recognition of mild forms, and an aggressive therapeutic attitude. Classical treatment includes pancreatic enzyme replacement, respiratory physiotherapy, mucolitics, and aggressive antibiotic therapy. A significant proportion of patients with severe symptoms still requires lung or, less frequently, liver transplantation. The great number of mutations and their diverse effects on the CFTR protein account only partially for CF clinical variability, and modifier genes have a role in modulating the clinical expression of the disease. Despite the increasing understanding of CFTR functioning, several aspects of CF need still to be clarified, e.g., the worse outcome in females, the risk of malignancies, the pathophysiology, and best treatment of comorbidities, such as CF-related diabetes or CF-related bone disorder. Research is focusing on new drugs restoring CFTR function, some already available and with good clinical impact, others showing promising preliminary results that need to be confirmed in phase III clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotrickling filters for waste gas treatment are often packed with expensive, inert packing materials. In this work, poplar and pine wood chips were evaluated as low-cost packing materials in two biotrickling filters for the simultaneous treatment of a mixture of organic and inorganic volatile compounds. Bioreactors were operated at gas contact times of 22-34 s. Inlet loading rates of 3.5 ± 1.0 gN-NH3 m−3h−1 and 6.5 ± 1.1 gS-H2S m−3h−1 were supplied, while ethylmercaptan and butyric acid were fed at loads of 3.6 ± 1.2 and 6.0 ± 2.1 g m−3h−1, respectively. A thorough characterization of both packing materials revealed some differences in the physical-chemical properties, mainly in their water retentivity and buffer capacity. Despite of such differences, both bioreactors performed similarly. Bioreactors were able to achieve complete removal of NH3 and butyric acid, while H2S and EM removal efficiencies over 90% and 70%, respectively, were found. N-species analyses in the leachate proved high nitrification rates in both biotrickling filters. Control of pH was essential for maintaining nitrification activity. Other oxidation processes were hardly affected by pH changes. Both woods showed potentially attractive as packing materials for biofiltration. Thus, availability and durability of woods are decisive factors to tip the balance. The work compares the performance of two biotrickling filters packed with two types of wood chips commonly used in biofilters. No previous works have directly compared the performance of two types of woods in biotrickling filters for the treatment of a range of organic and inorganic odorants because biotrickling filters are commonly packed with inert packing materials. Results indicated that the two types of woods tested behaved similarly and, more interestingly, showed equivalent treatment capacities than that of inert packing materials in the removal of a range of typical pollutants in odorant waste gases. Research is of particular interest for improving biofiltration knowledge. In addition, this research has large practical implications in the cost-benefit of full-scale biotrickling filtration systems because inorganic packing materials commonly used in biotrickling filters are much more expensive than organic packing materials. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 171-179, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis leads to an inflammatory response that persists because of the chronic presence of bacteria and ultimately leads to a catastrophic failure of lung function. Methods: We use a combination of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology to study the interaction of TRADD, a key adaptor molecule in TNFα signaling, with CFTR in the regulation of NFκB. Results: We show that Wt CFTR binds to and colocalizes with TRADD. TRADD is a key signaling intermediate connecting TNFα with activation of NFκB. By contrast, ΔF508 CFTR does not bind to TRADD. NF-κB activation is higher in CFBE expressing ΔF508 CFTR than in cells expressing Wt CFTR. However, this differential effect is abolished when TRADD levels are knocked down. Transfecting Wt CFTR into CFBE cells reduces NF-κB activity. However the reduction is abolished by the CFTR chloride transport inhibitor-172. Consistently, transfecting in the correctly trafficked CFTR conduction mutants G551D or S341A also fail to reduce NFκB activity. Thus CFTR must be functional if it is to regulate NF-κB activity. We also found that TNFα produced a greater increase in NF-κB activity in CFBE cells than in the same cell when Wt CFTR-corrected. Consistently, the effect is also abolished when TRADD is knocked down by shRNA. Thus, Wt CFTR control of TRADD modulates the physiological activation of NF-κB by TNFα. Based on studies with proteosomal and lysosomal inhibitors, the mechanism by which Wt CFTR, but not ΔF508 CFTR, suppresses TRADD is by lysosomal degradation. Conclusion: We have uncovered a novel mechanism whereby Wt CFTR regulates TNFα signaling by enhancing TRADD degradation. Thus by reducing the levels of TRADD, Wt CFTR suppresses downstream proinflammatory NFκB signaling. By contrast, suppression of NF-κB activation fails in CF cells expressing ΔF508 CFTR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of potable water, poor hygiene practices and inefficient sanitation systems in developing countries pose a risk to human health. Pit latrines aim to break the link between human faecal waste and human contact by serving as improved sanitation. The eThekwini Municipality has developed a programme that employs workers to empty pits every 3 to 5 years. This study aimed to find a cost-effective, easy way of disinfecting household surfaces and inactivating Ascaris eggs using household disinfectants, so that transmission of helminths is minimised when pits are emptied. Disinfectants tested in this study were based on sodium hypochlorite or carbolic acid. Experiments simulated inactivation of Ascaris eggs by wiping contaminated surfaces with disinfectants and by soaking small spills in disinfectants. Samples were processed using standard helminth egg enumeration methods for soil and sludge. Wiping of contaminated surfaces removed Ascaris eggs, facilitating egg transfer but not egg inactivation. Prolonged exposure to disinfectants, at concentrations of 50% and above, were required to inactivate eggs. Sodium hypochlorite-based disinfectants were the most successful for inactivation, whilst those based on carbolic acid were mostly ineffective. It is recommended that faecal sludge spills are soaked in a sodium hypochlorite-based disinfectant and contaminated surfaces be wiped with a sodium hypochlorite-based disinfectantsaturated cloth, which should then be soaked for 1 h in a similar disinfectant solution (50% dilution) to inactivate any eggs picked up on the cloth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite initial enthusiasm towards electronic noses and their possible application in different fields, and quite a lot of promising results, several criticalities emerge from most published research studies, and, as a matter of fact, the diffusion of electronic noses in real-life applications is still very limited. In general, a first step towards large-scale-diffusion of an analysis method, is standardization. The aim of this paper is describing the experimental procedure adopted in order to evaluate electronic nose performances, with the final purpose of establishing minimum performance requirements, which is considered to be a first crucial step towards standardization of the specific case of electronic nose application for environmental odor monitoring at receptors. Based on the experimental results of the performance testing of a commercialized electronic nose type with respect to three criteria (i.e., response invariability to variable atmospheric conditions, instrumental detection limit, and odor classification accuracy), it was possible to hypothesize a logic that could be adopted for the definition of minimum performance requirements, according to the idea that these are technologically achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing smallholder producers’ potential to sell cattle and identify marketing opportunities for sustainable beef production in South Africa. A total of 95 structured questionnaires was administered to the Ncorha and Gxwalibomvu communities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Average cattle herd size per household was higher (P< 0.05) in Ncorha (13.7 ± 1.9) than in Gxwalibomvu (11.3 ± 1.9). The logit model showed that households with few members, young farmers, Christians, large cattle herds, low income levels and access to extension services had high potential to sell cattle compared with other households (P< 0.05). Beef branding (∼40% of respondents from each community), feedlotting (∼30%), group marketing (∼25%) and forward contracting (>5%) were mentioned as potential strategies for improving commercial marketing of cattle in the studied areas. Most producers (70%) indicated their potential and willingness to participate in developing a natural pasture-fed beef brand. Overall, commercial marketing of beef cattle raised on communally owned natural pastures in the surveyed areas in South Africa was largely determined by farmer’s demographic characteristics, cattle herd size and access to extension services with branding and feedlotting as the major opportunities for improving sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article aims at showing how to produce, to use, or to look at images allow to make things in the world, with contextual meanings; that is, how the images perform, or are means for performing, different actions in specific situations. I will describe various examples of actions performed by and through images, while attempting to broaden the current definition of images or, at least, the idea we have of them. In that way, the relations between image and agency, and image and writing, will be considered, with the purpose of finally outlining some significant aspects of the action performed by means of "bodily images" (from gazes to gestures). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In the EU, over the past three decades, poultry production has been growing around the 5 percent per year. This increase determined a higher volume of livestock and poultry farming waste, which represents a potential renewable fuel suitable for waste to energy conversion. One way is through biological process such as the dry anaerobic digestion (AD). Tests normally applied for the measurement of the anaerobic biogas potential (ABP) are reliable, but not feasible as a routine analysis. This kind of test is expensive and time consuming (21-100 days). The purpose of this paper is to propose a rapid method for assessing the potential of biogas in anaerobic poultry manure, with the goal of helping the choices of operators of AD. Design/methodology/approach – The Dynamic Respiration Index was calculated as “key parameter” in order to estimate the ABP, which provides important information about the biogas generation for the poultry manure. Furthermore, two dynamic respirometric approaches were considered developed in two Italian universities. The main difference between them is the control of temperature. Findings – Calculate ABP through IRD is a useful method to determine the value of the potential production of biogas of different biomasses in a short time and assess which one is more productive. Originality/value – The methodology presented in this study is fast (one-five days) and alternative method to determinate the ABP, above all for the operators of AD plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled field experiments were carried out for monitoring the emissions of three plastic commercial household waste bins, which were adapted for studying the effect of aeration process in the evolved volatiles, during house storing of green food waste for 2 weeks, prior to collection. Three experimental scenarios were examined based on no aeration ('NA,' closed commercial waste bin), diffusion-based aeration ('DA,' closed commercial waste bin with tiny holes), and enforced aeration ('EA,' closed commercial waste bin with tiny holes and enforced aeration). The monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from organic household kitchen waste was performed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis. Portable sensors were also used for monitoring selected gases and parameters of environmental, bioprocess, and health interest (e.g., CO, O, HS, CH, NH, % RH, waste temperatures). VOC emissions are strongly dependent on the waste material. The most frequent VOCs identified over the storing waste, showing over 50 % appearance in all examined samples, were terpenes (e.g., di-limonene, beta-myrcene, delta-3-carene, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinolene, linalool, etc.), sulfides (dimethyl disulfide), aromatics (benzene, 1-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)), alkanes (e.g., decane, dodecane), ketones (2-propanone), esters (e.g., acetic acid ethyl ester, acetic acid methyl ester), and alcohols (e.g., 3-cyclohexen-1-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)). The prominent role of terpenes in the 'pre-compost' odor and especially that of di-limonene was highlighted. In all examined scenarios, the emitted volatiles were increased at raised temperatures and later decreased in time. Aeration of waste bins slightly affected the volatilization process resulting in higher profiles of VOCs; uniformity in the composition of VOCs was also noted. Slight modifications of commercial waste bins may favor the initiation of home composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial refers to 'The voltage-gated potassium channel KV1.3 regulates neutrophil recruitment during inflammation', by Immler I et al. i , pp. 1289-1302. Manipulating Kv1.3 function thus alters calcium homeostasis and calcium-dependent neutrophil functions. Myeloid cells also express transient receptor potential channels that have been implicated in inflammatory functions.[4] But the role of Kv1.3 is different in that this channel does not directly regulate calcium flux. [Extracted from the article]