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This work reports the results of the first worldwide full scale application of the concept of MBBTF (moving bed bio trickling filter) applied to biological gas treatment. A full scale prototype of an innovative MBBTF for for gaseous effluents treatment was designed and installed in a tannery wastewater treatment plant (Cuoiodepur, Pisa, Italy). The prototype was operated for 9 months with empty bed retention time of 3.5 s and treated 8000 m3h–1of a gaseous stream with a concentration of hydrogen sulphide up to 300 mg S m–3(in average 170 mg S m–3). The removal efficiency was on average 80% and the highest elimination capacity (EC) was 18 kg S-H2S d–1(corresponding to a specific EC of 90 g H2S m–3bed h–1). The rotation of the bed was demonstrated to be a suitable solution to promote the detachment of the biomass and, thus, to control the pressure headlosses caused by the biofilm growth. The start up phase lasted 2 weeks and, the role of several process parameters (including pH, recirculated water flow rate and rotation frequency) was evaluated.

Spine surgery has been growing rapidly as a neurosurgical operation, with an increase of 220% over a 15-year period. Intraoperative blood transfusion is a major outcome determinant of spine procedures. Various approaches, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies, have been tested to decrease both intraoperative and postoperative blood loss. The aim of this systematic review is to report clinical evidence on the relationship between intraoperative blood loss (primary outcome) and on transfusion requirements and postoperative complications (secondary outcomes) in patients undergoing spine surgery. A literature search of PubMed database was performed using 5 key words: spine surgery and transfusion; spine surgery and blood loss; spine surgery and blood complications; spine surgery and deep vein thrombosis; and spine surgery and pulmonary embolism. Clinical reports (randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies, and case reports) were selected. A total of 473 articles were examined; 450 were excluded, and 24 were selected for this systematic review. Selected articles were categorized into 3 subchapters: (1) drugs active on coagulation (12 studies): tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid, aprotinin, and recombinant activated factor VII; (2) drugs not active on coagulation (5 studies): ketorolac, epoetin alfa, magnesium sulfate, propofol/sevoflurane, and omega-3 and fish oil; (3) nonpharmacologic approaches (7 studies): surgical tips, patient positioning, and general or spinal anesthesia. Several studies have shown a significant reduction in intraoperative bleeding during spine surgery and in the requirement for blood transfusion.

The photodynamic action of the bilirubin is associated with severe consequences observed during ‘in vitro’ irradiation of the erythrocytes. This paper is designed to evaluate the bilirubin photodynamic effects which occur ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ on erythrocytes in healthy and jaundiced infants. The in vitro bilirubin sensitized photoreaction damages the erythrocytes mainly at the membrane level. In particular, a dramatic decrease of ATPase activity and an increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, expressed as malondialdehyde production, were observed. For in vivo studies, specific fluorescent probes have been used to verify probable changes on the functional architecture of the erythrocyte membrane in the phototherapy-treated infants. Our results showed that specific areas of the membrane are differently affected, mainly at lipid/protein interface. Although the role of the erythrocyte membrane is an important factor of the hemorheological behavior, the measurement of blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation and filtration did not show significant alterations during the overall time of phototherapy.

SummaryPhosphoglucomutase locus 3 (PGM3) phenotypes have been examined in placental samples from a total of 532 Italian subjects. The PGM3similarity in some different ethnic groups excludes this polymorphism from the useful anthropological markers.

In Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR) the biofilm grows protected within small plastic carriers (known as biofilm carriers), which are designed with high internal surface area. The biological wastewater treatment process consists of adding biofilm carriers in aerated or anoxic tanks to support biofilm attachment and growth. Some of the authors conceived, designed and realised an improved carrier (new shape and material) for fungal biofilm development. The improved biofilm carriers were tested in laboratory conditions and good results were obtained. This new biofilm carrier will be used to treat cellulosic (tannery and papermill) wastewaters and is grafted with cellulose fibers for the self-sustainability of the fungal biomass. This will facilitate substrate adhesion, due to biochemical capabilities of the selected strains, which involve secretion of extracellular enzymes, that can break down substrate by combined action of several degradative processes, such as demethylation, oxidative cleavage of the propane side chain, cleavage of ether bonds between monomers etc.

Placental alkaline phosphatase presents electrophoretic polymorphism with 6 common phenotypes determined by 3 alleles (Pls1, Plf1and Plf1) at an autosomal locus. The electrophoretic pheonotypes of alkaline phosphatase from 2000 consecutively delivered placentas of white and negro subjects were determined. The results were subdivided according to race and to the presence or absence of Rh and/or ABO feto-maternal incompatibility. In the group of ABO incompatible infants, a further subdivision was made according to the presence or absence of a positive direct Coombs test and/or jaundice. Within the compatible groups the frequency of allele Pls1was significantly higher in “first born” than in “subsequently born” infants. The reverse was true in the incompatible groups. Among infants with ABO incompatibility, allele Pf1was significantly more frequent in infants without evidence of isoimmunization than in those with a positive Coombs test and/or jaundice. These results suggests that placental alkaline phosphatase may play a role in the maintenance of the fertilized ovum in utero and that in this regard allele Pls1may be more efficient than allele Plf1. These results also suggest the possibility of an interaction between the polymorphism of placental alkaline phosphatase and those of Rh and ABO systems whereby, in the presence of feto-maternal incompatibility, allel Plf1seems to provide an advantage when compared to allele Pls1.