Removal of micropollutants with coarse-ground activated carbon for enhanced separation with hydrocyclone classifiers

One key technology to eliminate organic micropollutants (OMP) from wastewater effluent is adsorption using powdered activated carbon (PAC). To avoid a discharge of highly loaded PAC particles into natural water bodies a separation stage has to be implemented. Commonly large settling tanks and flocculation filters with the application of coagulants and flocculation aids are used. In this study, a multi-hydrocyclone classifier with a downstream cloth filter has been investigated on a pilot plant as a space-saving alternative with no need for a dosing of chemical additives. To improve the separation, a coarser ground PAC type was compared to a standard PAC type with regard to elimination results of OMP as well as separation performance. With a PAC dosing rate of 20 mg/l an average of 64.7 wt% of the standard PAC and 79.5 wt% of the coarse-ground PAC could be separated in the hydrocyclone classifier. A total average separation efficiency of 93-97 wt% could be reached with a combination of both hydrocyclone classifier and cloth filter. Nonetheless, the OMP elimination of the coarse-ground PAC was not sufficient enough to compete with the standard PAC. Further research and development is necessary to find applicable coarse-grained PAC types with adequate OMP elimination capabilities.

The proline TP53 variant stimulates likely lymphangiogenesis in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer

Background:

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease characterised by high incidence of TP53 mutations. Restoration of TP53 function is perceived as a highly attractive therapeutic strategy, whose effects are not well characterised.

Methods:

The current work adapted an inducible strategy of stage-specific reexpression of wild-type (wt) TP53 in an in vivo orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer.

Results:

The reconstitution of wt TP53 function in TP53-mutant DanG and MiaPaCa-2 cells caused G1 cell cycle arrest but no evidence of apoptosis induction. Consistent with subcutaneous xenograft models, we found that wt TP53 reduced primary tumour growth. Wt TP53 reexpression during early tumour growth led to significant increase in vascularisation. This correlated with an unexpectedly high rate of micro-metastases in lymph nodes of animals with wt TP53 induction, despite the 90% decrease in median primary tumour weight. Reexpression of wt TP53 later in tumour development did not significantly affect the number of CD31-reactive vessels, but increased lymphatic vessel density.

Conclusion:

The increased number of lymphatic vessels and micro-metastases suggests that wt TP53 induction complexly affected the biology of different tumour constituents of pancreatic cancer. Our observation suggests that combination of the inducible system with an orthotopic model can yield important insights into in vivo pancreatic cancer biology.

Structural evidence for ligand specificity in the binding domain of the human androgen receptor. Implications for pathogenic gene mutations

The crystal structures of the human androgen receptor (hAR) and human progesterone receptor ligand-binding domains in complex with the same ligand metribolone (R1881) have been determined. Both three-dimensional structures show the typical nuclear receptor fold. The change of two residues in the ligand-binding pocket between the human progesterone receptor and hAR is most likely the source for the specificity of R1881 to the hAR. The structural implications of the 14 known mutations in the ligand-binding pocket of the hAR ligand-binding domains associated with either prostate cancer or the partial or complete androgen receptor insensitivity syndrome were analyzed. The effects of most of these mutants could be explained on the basis of the crystal structure.

Steroid injections for tenosynovitis in the hand

The history, anatomy, and pathology of trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and de Quervain's disease are discussed. A review of 171 such cases treated with steroid injections indicates that injection for trigger finger and de Quervain's disease can be quite successful. The results in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are less predictable.

[Detection of an alga of the genus Prototheca in the blood of a tuberculosis patient]

The proof of a chlorophyllous alga of the genus Prototheca from the blood of a tuberculous patient with brain damage is described. The pathogenetic importance of Protothecae in the field of human medicine is discussed. Although representatives of the genus Protothecae up to now are regarded as extraordinarily infrequent commensals, nevertheless occasionally their proof not only on the surface of the skin but also from the blood or the inner organs must be taken into account.

[2 1/2-year experience with highly-effective short-term dialyses in Erfurt]

At present 18 of 19 dialysis patients undergo the highly effective short-term dialysis, which is used in the Erfurt centre since November 1974. The therapy is performed by two parallel dialysators C-DAK 4 for 3 to 4 hours (24.4 square metres -- hours/week). During the period of observation of 2 1/2 years altogether 35 patients were treated with the short-term dialysis. There are compared clinical and paraclinical parameters of 12 patients who on an average for 2 years underwent the short-term dialysis. The serum levels of retained substances of protein and albumin as well as the "optimum weight" did not or only unessentially differ from each other. Also the blood pressure values scarcely deviated from each other before and after dialysis. The manifold use of the C-DAK 4 is the cause for an increased substitution of erythrocytes. Insufficient compensation of the circulation and a low body weight are regarded as contraindication to the short-term dialysis.