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This study evaluated biohydrogen production by co-culture of Clostridium butyricum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. C. butyricum and R. palustris were grown separately and together as batch cultures. Hydrogen production, growth, NH4-N, total volatile fatty acid production, and sucrose degradation were monitored. The hydrogen production of the co-culture produced 562 ml, R. palustris 426 ml, and C. butyricum 333 ml. The co-culture produced 2.16 mol H2/mol sucrose, C. butyricum and R. palustris produced 1.77 and 1.64 mol H2/mol sucrose, respectively. The co-culture was more efficient in the hydrogen production. Therefore, the co-culture is a good method for biohydrogen fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The prevalence of human adenoviruses (HAdV) in river waters was investigated in this study. Water samples were collected from 13 rivers in Taiwan, concentrated, and assessed for the presence of HAdVs using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Human AdV positive samples were then subjected to real-time PCR (qPCR) to quantify the viral genomes and further subjected to primer-based genotyping to identify the various serotypes present. For each water sample, several water quality parameters were evaluated, including heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, Escherichia coli, water temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. Among the 13 rivers examined, four rivers (30.8 %) were found to contain HAdVs. The major genotype was F species HAdV serotype 41. The mean HAdVs concentrations ranged from 6.10 × 10 to 8.51 × 10 copies/L. No significant differences were observed between the presence of HAdVs, and all of the water quality parameters evaluated (heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, E. coli, water temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen). Given the potential health risks posed by the presence of enteric viruses in environmental waters, further assessment is desirable with respect to possible sources, virus transport, and survival of viruses in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the presence of Legionella in major water reservoirs of Taiwan was examined with respect to seasonal variation, geographical variation, and water quality parameters using TaqMan real-time qPCR. Water samples were collected quarterly at 19 reservoirs in Taiwan between November 2012 and August 2013. The detection rate for Legionella was 35.5 % (27/76), and Legionella was detected in all seasons. The Legionella concentration was relatively high in spring and summer, reaching 3.86 × 10 and 7.35 × 10 cells/L, respectively. By sampling the area, Legionella was detected at a higher proportion in reservoirs in the northern and southern areas, and the difference was consistent in all seasons. Significant association was found between detection of Legionella and various water quality parameters, including conductivity, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05). Results of Spearman rank test showed negative correlation for Legionella detection with pH ( P = 0.030, R = −0.497) and dissolved oxygen ( P = 0.007, R = −0.596) in fall and positive correlation with Carlson's trophic state index ( P = 0.049, R = 0.457) in spring. The identified species included Legionella pneumophila and Legionella drancourtii. The detection of Legionella in reservoirs was indicative of a potential public health risk and should be further evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among heart irregularities, congenital pericardial defect is an unusual anomaly, and is typically left dominant. However, cases of right pericardial defect with heart herniation are extremely rare. This is a case of congenital right pericardial defect with herniation of the right ventricle free wall and right ventricular outflow tract. The patient is asymptomatic and refused further intervention but even indolent discomfort underscores the risks of iatrogenic injuries to the heart and sudden death caused by mechanical pathogenesis due to changes in anatomical positions of the cardiac structures.