bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined RET and Ki-67 assessment in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: a useful tool for patient risk stratification
Authors: Mian Caterina , Pennelli Gianmaria , Barollo Susi , Cavedon Elisabetta , Nacamulli Davide , Vianello Federica , Negro Isabella , Pozza Giulia , Boschin Isabella Merante , Pelizzo Maria Rosa , Rugge Massimo , Mantero Franco , Girelli Maria Elisa , Opocher Giuseppe
Published: March 2011

Objective

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) derives from the parafollicular C cells, being sporadic in 75% of cases and familial in 25%, due to RET proto-oncogene germinal mutations. In sporadic forms, stage at diagnosis is the most important negative prognostic factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of molecular and immunohistochemical markers in sporadic MTC.

Design and methods

We studied 60 patients with sporadic MTC. For each case, we sought RET somatic mutations in the primary cancer and in lymph node metastases. The primary cancer also underwent immunohistochemical examination for Ki-67.

Results

A somatic RET mutation was found in 38% of patients, being M918T in 52% of them. We observed a statistically significant association between RET mutations and male gender (P<0.01), tumor size (P<0.05), lymph nodes (P<0.05) and distant metastases (P<0.001), advanced stage (P<0.05), increased risk of persistent disease (P=0.01), and low overall survival (P<0.01). High Ki-67 levels were similarly associated with extra-thyroid spread (P<0.05), lymph nodes (P<0.05) and distant metastases (P<0.001), advanced stage (P=0.01), and low overall survival (P=0.01).

Combining somatic RET analysis with Ki-67 assessment seems to be useful for increasing the specificity of Ki-67 assessment alone and identifying patients with a more aggressive cancer: in our series, only the patients who died during the follow-up had both a somatic RET mutation and a Ki-67 expression level >50 cells/mm2.

Conclusions

The combined evaluation of RET and Ki-67 could act as an adjuvant prognostic marker useful for ameliorating the initial risk stratification of patients with sporadic MTC.
Characterization of ABCC8 and KCNJ11 gene mutations and phenotypes in Korean patients with congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Park So Eun , Flanagan Sarah E , Hussain Khalid , Ellard Sian , Shin Choong Ho , Yang Sei Won
Published: March 2011

Objective

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is characterized by persistent hypoglycemia due to the inappropriate insulin secretion. Inactivating mutations in the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, which encode the sulfonylurea receptor 1 and Kir6.2 subunits of the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel in pancreatic β-cell, are the most common cause of CHI. We studied the genetic etiology and phenotypes of CHI in Korean patients.

Methods

ABCC8 and KCNJ11 mutational analysis was performed in 17 patients with CHI. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify phenotypes.

Results

Mutations (12 ABCC8 and three KCNJ11) were identified in 82% (14/17) of patients. Of these, nine ABCC8 mutations (E100X, W430X, c.1630+1G>C, D813N, Q923X, E1087_A1094delinsDKSDT, Q1134H, H1135W, and E1209Rfs) and one KCNJ11 mutation (W91X) were novel. Of the 14 patients, four had confirming recessively inherited CHI. The remaining ten patients had single heterozygous mutations. The majority (12/17) of patients were medically responsive. Of the five diazoxide-responsive patients, four had an ABCC8 mutation. The five patients unresponsive to medical management and one diazoxide-responsive patient underwent pancreatectomy and had diffuse histology. Of the operated six patients, two had recessively inherited mutations; three patients had a single heterozygous mutation (one maternally and two paternally inherited); and one patient had no identifiable KATP channel mutation.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report genotype and phenotype correlations among Korean patients with CHI. Mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 are the most common causes of CHI in Korean patients. Similar to other studies, there is marked genetic heterogeneity and no clear genotype–phenotype correlation.
Risk Factors for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and Herpangina and the Preventive Effect of Hand-washing
Authors: Ruan Feng , Yang Tao , Ma Huilai , Jin Yan , Song Shili , Fontaine Robert E. , Zhu Bao-Ping
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Hygiene and social distancing are recommended control measures for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina. However, empirical data to support this recommendation are limited.

METHODS:

During an outbreak of HFMD and herpangina due to infection by the human enterovirus 71, we defined a case as a vesicular papular rash on the hands, feet, buttocks, or oral mucosa and onset from April 30 to June 26, 2008. We selected 176 HFMD and herpangina case-children and a stratified random sample of 201 asymptomatic control-children; frequency matched according to residency status. We administered a questionnaire to the parents about their children's exposures and hygienic behaviors.

RESULTS:

Risk factors for HFMD and herpangina included playing with neighborhood children (odds ratio [OR]: 11 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.2–17]), visiting an outpatient clinic for another reason ≤ 1 week before onset (OR: 20 [95% CI: 5.0–88]), and community exposures to crowded places (OR: 7.3 [95% CI: 4.1–13]). By using a score summarizing responses to 4 hand-washing questions, we found that 50% of the case-children and 2.5% of control-children had a poor score of 1 to 3, whereas 12% of the case-children and 78% of control-children had a good score of ≥7 (OR: 0.00069 [95% CI: 0.0022–0.022]) after we adjusted for residency, age, and community exposures by using logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hand-washing by preschool-aged children and their caregivers had a significant protective effect against community-acquired HFMD and herpangina from the human enterovirus 71 infection.
Medically Underserved Girls Receive Less Evaluation for Short Stature
Authors: Grimberg Adda , Feemster Kristen A. , Pati Susmita , Ramos Mark , Grundmeier Robert , Cucchiara Andrew J. , Stallings Virginia A.
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if gender is associated with diagnostic evaluation by primary care pediatricians caring for children with growth-faltering.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective study of children who were attending 4 urban pediatric primary care practices affiliated with a tertiary pediatric hospital. Growth-faltering was defined as height at the <5th percentile or a z-score decrease of ≥1.5 SDs before 18 months of age or ≥1 SD thereafter. For each child, height z score, age, gender, race, insurance, diagnostic tests, and subspecialist appointments were examined.

RESULTS:

Of 33 476 children, 3007 had growth-faltering (mean height: −1.5 ± 1.0 vs 0.3 ± 0.9 SDs in those without growth-faltering). Boys comprised 53% of the growth-faltering group (vs 51% of the nonfaltering group; P < .01). Among children with growth-faltering, 2.8% had endocrinology appointments (vs 0.8% of others; P < .0001) and 6% had gastroenterology appointments (vs 1.5% of others; P < .0001). Subspecialty care was not associated with gender. Pediatricians ordered diagnostic tests for a significantly greater proportion of children with growth-faltering than others. In multivariate analysis of height z score among children with growth-faltering, tests for chromosomes (1.4% of short girls vs 0.4% of short boys; P < .005) and growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis (0.9% of short girls vs 1.8% of short boys; P < .05) were associated with gender. Thirty-five percent of the girls for whom chromosome testing was performed were 12 years old or older.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patterns in diagnostic testing of children with growth-faltering by their pediatricians may lead to underdiagnosis of Turner syndrome and growth hormone deficiency among girls.
Metabolic Profiles in Children During Fasting
Authors: van Veen Merel R. , van Hasselt Peter M. , de Sain-van der Velden Monique G. M. , Verhoeven Nanda , Hofstede Floris C. , de Koning Tom J. , Visser Gepke
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Hypoglycemia is one of the most common metabolic derangements in childhood. To establish the cause of hypoglycemia, fasting tolerance tests can be used. Currently available reference values for fasting tolerance tests have limitations in their use in daily practice.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine the reference values of metabolites involved in glucose homeostasis during fasting in healthy children.

METHODS:

This study included a retrospective analysis of 488 fasting tests. All tests of patients (n = 321) with disorders, including metabolic and endocrine disorders, were excluded, as were tests performed in children who were over- or underweight.

RESULTS:

In 167 fasting tests performed in the study, hypoglycemia was reached in 52 (31%) tests. On the basis of the time until hypoglycemia was reached, 3 age groups could be defined: (1) children aged 0 to 24 months (median 15 months) (n = 49); (2) children aged 25 to 84 months (median 45 months) (n = 79); (3) and children aged 85 to 216 months (median 106 months) (n = 39). In all groups, a significant increase in ketone body levels and a significant decrease in glucose levels in plasma were observed during fasting. Younger children had a faster increase in ketone body levels and a faster decrease in glucose levels in plasma than older children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Reference values of the metabolites involved in glucose homeostasis during fasting in children were generated. Those values can be used to determine whether a child has a normal fasting response. For high-risk children, guidelines concerning maximum fasting time and dietary intervention during illness are of the utmost importance.
Compliance With National Guidelines for Physical Activity in U.S. Preschoolers: Measurement and Interpretation
Authors: Beets Michael W. , Bornstein Daniel , Dowda Marsha , Pate Russell R.
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE:

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) guidelines for preschoolers recommend 120 minutes of physical activity daily. Two issues, however, create a situation whereby substantial variation in estimated prevalence rates of (in)active preschoolers are reported. First, NASPE guidelines have been interpreted in multiple ways. Second, objective monitoring via accelerometry is the most widely accepted measure of preschoolers' physical activity, yet multiple cut points provide vastly different estimates of physical activity. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of preschoolers meeting NASPE guidelines and illustrate the differences among rates, given guideline interpretations, and cut points.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Three- to 5-year-old children (n = 397) wore ActiGraph accelerometers for an average of 5.9 days. NASPE guidelines were expressed in 3 ways: 120 minutes daily of light-to-vigorous physical activity; 120 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; and 60 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Estimates of 120 minutes daily of light-to-vigorous physical activity, 120 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and 60 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were calculated on the basis of 4 common accelerometer cut points for preschoolers: Pate, Reilly and Puyau, Sirard, and Freedson.

RESULTS:

Prevalence rates varied considerably, with estimates ranging from 13.5% to 99.5%, 0.0% to 95.7%, and 0.5% to 99.5% for 120 minutes daily of light-to-vigorous physical activity, 120 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and 60 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The variation in NASPE guidelines, coupled with different accelerometer cut points, results in disparate estimates of (in)active preschoolers. This limits the ability to estimate population prevalence levels of physical activity that can be used to guide public health policy. Development of new guidelines should focus on an explicit delineation of physical activity and attempt to standardize the measurement of preschoolers' physical activity.
Legal, Ethical, and Financial Dilemmas in Electronic Health Record Adoption and Use
Authors: Sittig Dean F. , Singh Hardeep
Published: March 2011

Electronic health records (EHRs) facilitate several innovations capable of reforming health care. Despite their promise, many currently unanswered legal, ethical, and financial questions threaten the widespread adoption and use of EHRs. Key legal dilemmas that must be addressed in the near-term pertain to the extent of clinicians' responsibilities for reviewing the entire computer-accessible clinical synopsis from multiple clinicians and institutions, the liabilities posed by overriding clinical decision support warnings and alerts, and mechanisms for clinicians to publically report potential EHR safety issues. Ethical dilemmas that need additional discussion relate to opt-out provisions that exclude patients from electronic record storage, sale of deidentified patient data by EHR vendors, adolescent control of access to their data, and use of electronic data repositories to redesign the nation's health care delivery and payment mechanisms on the basis of statistical analyses. Finally, one overwhelming financial question is who should pay for EHR implementation because most users and current owners of these systems will not receive the majority of benefits. The authors recommend that key stakeholders begin discussing these issues in a national forum. These actions can help identify and prioritize solutions to the key legal, ethical, and financial dilemmas discussed, so that widespread, safe, effective, interoperable EHRs can help transform health care.
Acceptability of Testing Children for Tobacco-Smoke Exposure: A National Parent Survey
Authors: Winickoff Jonathan P. , Tanski Susanne E. , McMillen Robert C. , Ross Kaile M. , Lipstein Ellen A. , Hipple Bethany J. , Friebely Joan , Klein Jonathan D.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Tests are available to measure children's exposure to tobacco smoke. One potential barrier to testing children for tobacco-smoke exposure is the belief that parents who smoke would not want their child tested. No previous surveys have assessed whether testing children for exposure to tobacco smoke in the context of their child's primary care visit is acceptable to parents.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether testing children for tobacco-smoke exposure is acceptable to parents.

DESIGN AND METHODS:

We conducted a national random-digit-dial telephone survey of households from September to November 2006. The sample was weighted by race and gender, based on the 2005 US Census, to be representative of the US population.

RESULTS:

Of 2070 eligible respondents contacted, 1803 (87.1%) completed the surveys. Among 477 parents in the sample, 60.1% thought that children should be tested for tobacco-smoke exposure at their child's doctor visit. Among the parental smokers sampled, 62.0% thought that children should be tested for tobacco-smoke exposure at the child's doctor visit. In bivariate analysis, lower parental education level, allowing smoking in the home, nonwhite race, and female gender were each associated (P < .05) with wanting the child tested for tobacco-smoke exposure.

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of nonsmoking and smoking parents want their children tested for tobacco-smoke exposure during the child's health care visit.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Neonates With Rhesus Hemolytic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Smits-Wintjens Vivianne E. H. J. , Walther Frans J. , Rath Mirjam E. A. , Lindenburg Irene T. M. , te Pas Arjan B. , Kramer Christine M. , Oepkes Dick , Brand Anneke , Lopriore Enrico
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Despite limited data, international guidelines recommend the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease.

OBJECTIVE:

We tested whether prophylactic use of IVIg reduces the need for exchange transfusions in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease. After stratification for treatment with intrauterine transfusion, neonates were randomly assigned for IVIg (0.75 g/kg) or placebo (5% glucose). The primary outcome was the rate of exchange transfusions. Secondary outcomes were duration of phototherapy, maximum bilirubin levels, and the need of top-up red-cell transfusions.

RESULTS:

Eighty infants were included in the study, 53 of whom (66%) were treated with intrauterine transfusion(s). There was no difference in the rate of exchange transfusions between the IVIg and placebo groups (7 of 41 [17%] vs 6 of 39 [15%]; P = .99) and in the number of exchange transfusions per patient (median [range]: 0 [0–2] vs 0 [0–2]; P = .90) or in duration of phototherapy (4.7 [1.8] vs 5.1 [2.1] days; P = .34), maximum bilirubin levels (14.8 [4.7] vs 14.1 [4.9] mg/dL; P = .52), and proportion of neonates who required top-up red-cell transfusions (34 of 41 [83%] vs 34 of 39 [87%]; P = .76).

CONCLUSIONS:

Prophylactic IVIg does not reduce the need for exchange transfusion or the rates of other adverse neonatal outcomes. Our findings do not support the use of IVIg in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease.
Child Passenger Safety
Authors: Durbin Dennis R. ,   Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention
Published: March 2011

Child passenger safety has dramatically evolved over the past decade; however, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death of children 4 years and older. This policy statement provides 4 evidence-based recommendations for best practices in the choice of a child restraint system to optimize safety in passenger vehicles for children from birth through adolescence: (1) rear-facing car safety seats for most infants up to 2 years of age; (2) forward-facing car safety seats for most children through 4 years of age; (3) belt-positioning booster seats for most children through 8 years of age; and (4) lap-and-shoulder seat belts for all who have outgrown booster seats. In addition, a fifth evidence-based recommendation is for all children younger than 13 years to ride in the rear seats of vehicles. It is important to note that every transition is associated with some decrease in protection; therefore, parents should be encouraged to delay these transitions for as long as possible. These recommendations are presented in the form of an algorithm that is intended to facilitate implementation of the recommendations by pediatricians to their patients and families and should cover most situations that pediatricians will encounter in practice. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges all pediatricians to know and promote these recommendations as part of child passenger safety anticipatory guidance at every health-supervision visit.
Child Passenger Safety
Authors: Durbin Dennis R. ,   Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention
Published: March 2011

Despite significant reductions in the number of children killed in motor vehicle crashes over the past decade, crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for children 4 years and older. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend inclusion of child passenger safety anticipatory guidance at every health-supervision visit. This technical report provides a summary of the evidence in support of 5 recommendations for best practices to optimize safety in passenger vehicles for children from birth through adolescence that all pediatricians should know and promote in their routine practice. These recommendations are presented in the revised policy statement on child passenger safety in the form of an algorithm that is intended to facilitate their implementation by pediatricians with their patients and families. The algorithm is designed to cover the majority of situations that pediatricians will encounter in practice. In addition, a summary of evidence on a number of additional issues that affect the safety of children in motor vehicles, including the proper use and installation of child restraints, exposure to air bags, travel in pickup trucks, children left in or around vehicles, and the importance of restraint laws, is provided. Finally, this technical report provides pediatricians with a number of resources for additional information to use when providing anticipatory guidance to families.
Brazil’s energy policies: An interview with Sérgio Rezende, former S&T minister
Authors: Solórzano Guillermo
Published: March 2011

Brazil is a newcomer in science and technology (S&T) because the country woke up to this area only in the last 40 years. Brazil’s scientific community was very small until the 1960s, when full-time faculty positions at universities and graduate programs were created. Investments in graduate education and research have been consistent since the 1970s, and the country currently has about 150,000 researchers, of which 85,000 have PhD degrees. In the last 10 years, federal funds for research and development (R&D) have been increased by a factor of 10. At the same time, a robust system has been structured to support R&D and technology innovation, and the legal framework has been improved to stimulate development in companies. According to former Minister of Science and Technology Sérgio Rezende (2005–2010), a materials researcher himself, Brazil is prepared within its research centers and industry for the energy challenges ahead.
Catholic Worker Economics
Authors: Stock Paul
Published: March 2011

The Catholic Worker employs subsistence and resistance economic strategies to survive, but also protest a capitalist system. Householding, originally a concept developed by Karl Polanyi, illustrates an economic system that allows marginalized organizations to survive within a capitalistic system through innovative techniques such as sharing, pooling of resources and living close to poverty (intentionally or not). The Catholic Worker strategies demonstrate a flexibility and viability made possible by its decentralized structure. Lastly, the Catholic Worker illustrates the viability of householding as an organizational strategy.
Digestion of wastewater pond microalgae and potential inhibition by alum and ammoniacal-N
Authors: Sukias J. P. S. , Craggs R. J.
Published: March 2011

Algae are produced in considerable quantities in oxidation ponds, and may negatively affect receiving waters when discharged at high concentration. Thus in some instances they require removal prior to effluent discharge, which may be enhanced using flocculants such as alum. Harvested algal biomass could be anaerobically digested to methane for use as a renewable energy source, however, alum, has been reported to inhibit anaerobic digestion. Psychrophilic (20°C) anaerobic digestion experiments showed a 13% reduction in methane production with 200 g m−3 alum in the flocculated algae, and a 40% reduction at an alum concentration of 1600 g m−3. Elevated ammoniacal-N concentrations (785 g NH4+−N m−3) also inhibited algal digestion at 20°C when using an inoculum of anaerobic bacteria from a mesophylic municipal wastewater sludge digester. However, anaerobic digestion using a bacterial inoculum from a psychrophilic piggery anaerobic pond (in which typical ammoniacal-N levels range between 200 and 2000 g NH4+−N m−3) were unaffected by elevated digester ammoniacal-N levels and methane production actually increased slightly at higher ammoniacal-N concentrations. Thus, selecting an anaerobic bacterial inoculum that is already adapted to high ammoniacal-N levels and the digestion temperature, such as that form an anaerobic pond treating piggery wastewater, may avoid ammonia inhibition of algal digestion.
Luxury uptake of phosphorus by microalgae in full-scale waste stabilisation ponds
Authors: Powell N. , Shilton A. , Pratt S. , Chisti Y.
Published: March 2011

Biological phosphorus removal was studied in two full-scale waste stabilisation ponds (WSP). Luxury uptake by microalgae was confirmed to occur and in one pond the biomass contained almost four times the phosphorus required by microalgae for normal metabolism. However, the phosphorus content within the biomass was variable. This finding means that assumptions made in prior publications on modelling of phosphorus removal in WSP are questionable. While fluctuations in microalgal growth causes variation in many water quality parameters, this further variation in luxury uptake explains the high degree of variability in phosphorus removal commonly reported in the literature. To achieve effective biological phosphorus removal high levels of both luxury uptake and microalgal concentration are needed. The findings of this work show that while high levels of these parameters did occur at times in the WSP monitored, they did not occur simultaneously. This is explained because accumulated phosphorus is subsequently consumed during rapid growth of biomass resulting in a high biomass concentration with a low phosphorus content. Previous laboratory research has allowed a number of key considerations to be proposed to optimise both luxury uptake and biomass concentration. Now that is has been shown that high levels of biomass concentration and luxury uptake can occur in the field it may be possible to redesign WSP to optimise these parameters.
Characterization of interaction between tricyclic structures containing pharmaceuticals, their models and humic substances
Authors: Klavins M. , Ansone L. , Purmalis O. , Zicmanis A.
Published: March 2011

Their persistence and wide consumption identify pharmaceuticals as “emerging pollutants”. The complexation of pharmaceuticals containing adamantine ring structures and their model substances with humic acids (HA) of different origins was compared using fluorescence spectroscopy as a function of pH, humic acid concentration, ionic strength, and molecular mass of HA. Binding constants between the studied pharmaceuticals and humic acids were calculated. A combination of dynamic and static quenching processes as indicated by nonlinear Stern-Volmer plots and high Kd values were positively correlated with the concentration of carboxyl groups in the studied humic acids. For basic functional group-containing pharmaceuticals, the complexation was driven by cation exchange and hydrophobic interactions depending on the properties of the interacting compounds.
Demographic projections of future pharmaceutical consumption in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Aa N. G. F. M. , Kommer G. J. , van Montfoort J. E. , Versteegh J. F. M.
Published: March 2011

Over the next few decades, many Western European countries will undergo a large demographic transformation introduced by the retirement of the “baby boomers” and the possibility of striking increases in longevity. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a growing and ageing Dutch population on the future consumption of pharmaceuticals, so as to be able to anticipate the potential future emissions of these pharmaceuticals and their residues to surface waters. A total of 354 prescribed pharmaceuticals from 40 therapeutic groups was selected for study. These constitute 1.251 metric tonnes (98%) of the total Dutch consumption of prescribed pharmaceuticals in 2007. Calculations based on a fixed consumption rate (2007) predict that demographic developments can be expected to push consumption up to 1.504 metric tonnes in 2020 (+17%) and 1.851 metric tonnes by 2050 (+37%). Therapeutic groups showing the largest increase are related to illnesses associated with old age. The only groups showing a decrease are the antivirals and drugs for addiction treatments as well as ethinylestradiol, an active compound in contraceptives.
Priority substances in combined sewer overflows: case study of the Paris sewer network
Authors: Gasperi J. , Garnaud S. , Rocher V. , Moilleron R.
Published: March 2011

This study was undertaken to supply data on both priority pollutant (PP) occurrence and concentrations in combined sewer overflows (CSOs). A single rain event was studied on 13 sites within the Paris sewer network. For each sample, a total of 66 substances, including metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, organotins, volatile organic compounds, chlorobenzenes, phthalates and alkylphenols were analyzed. Of the 66 compounds analyzed in all, 40 PPs including 12 priority hazardous substances were detected in CSOs. As expected, most metals were present in all samples, reflecting their ubiquitous nature. Chlorobenzenes and most pesticides were never quantified above the limit of quantification, while the majority of the other organic pollutants, except DEHP (median concentration: 22 μg.l−1), were found to lie in the μg.l−1 range. For the particular rain event studied, the pollutant loads discharged by CSOs were evaluated and then compared to pollutant loads conveyed by the Seine River. Under the hydraulic conditions considered and according to the estimations performed, this comparison suggests that CSOs are potentially significant local source of metals, PAHs and DEHP. Depending on the substance, the ratio between the CSO and Seine River loads varied from 0.5 to 26, underscoring the important local impact of CSOs at the scale of this storm for most pollutants.
A nine-point pH titration method to determine low-concentration VFA in municipal wastewater
Authors: Ai Hainan , Zhang Daijun , Lu Peili , He Qiang
Published: March 2011

Characterization of volatile fatty acid (VFA) in wastewater is significant for understanding the wastewater nature and the wastewater treatment process optimization based on the usage of Activated Sludge Models (ASMs). In this study, a nine-point pH titration method was developed for the determination of low-concentration VFA in municipal wastewater. The method was evaluated using synthetic wastewater containing VFA with the concentration of 10–50 mg/l and the possible interfering buffer systems of carbonate, phosphate and ammonium similar to those in real municipal wastewater. In addition, the further evaluation was conducted through the assay of real wastewater using chromatography as reference. The results showed that the recovery of VFA in the synthetic wastewater was 92%–102 and the coefficient of variance (CV) of reduplicate measurements 1.68%–4.72%. The changing content of the buffering substances had little effect on the accuracy of the method. Moreover, the titration method was agreed with chromatography in the determination of VFA in real municipal wastewater with R2= 0.9987 and CV =1.3-1.7. The nine-point pH titration method is capable of satisfied determination of low-concentration VFA in municipal wastewater.
Application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry preceded by solvent extraction to determine volatile fatty acids in wastewater of municipal, animal farm and landfill origin
Authors: Banel Anna , Zygmunt Bogdan
Published: March 2011

This study describes extraction of selected volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (containing from 2 up to 8 carbon atoms) with methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from polluted aqueous samples followed by separation, identification and quantification by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Extraction parameters such as time and number of extractions, volume ratio, effect of acidification and salt addition were optimized with respect to recovery, enrichment factor and repeatability. The VFAs studied were separated using an open tubular capillary column Stabilwax-DA (crossbond polyethylene glycol treated with nitroterephtalic acid). The limits of quantitation (LOQ) of the procedure developed were on the level of 0.1 to 0.5 mg L−1. The analysis of real samples of municipal raw and treated wastewater, animal farms wastewater, and also landfill leachates showed that always dominant was acetic acid. The content of VFAs in animal farms wastewater was a few times higher than in municipal wastewater and in municipal solid waste landfill leachates. In surface and ground water close to municipal landfill only acetic acid was detected at higher concentrations in outflow than inflow water. This indicates that slight leakage from the landfill must have occurred.
Occurrence of N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors in wastewater treatment plant effluent and their fate during ultrafiltration-reverse osmosis membrane treatment
Authors: Farré M. J. , Keller J. , Holling N. , Poussade Y. , Gernjak W.
Published: March 2011

The formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is of major concern among wastewater recycling utilities practicing disinfection with chloramines. The NDMA formation potential (FP) test is a simple and straightforward method to evaluate NDMA precursor concentrations in waters. In this paper we show the NDMA FP results of a range of tertiary wastewater treatment plants that are also the source for production of recycled water using an Ultrafiltration – Reverse Osmosis (UF-RO) membrane process. The results indicate that the NDMA FP of different source waters range from 350 to 1020±20 ng/L. The fate of these NDMA precursors was also studied across the different stages of two Advanced Water Treatment Plants (AWTP) producing recycled water. These results show that more than 98.5±0.5% of NDMA precursors are effectively removed by the Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes used at the AWTPs. This drastically reduces any potential for re-formation of NDMA after the RO stage even if chloramines may be present (or added) there.
Photoeletrolytic system applied to remazol red brilliant degradation
Authors: Sousa Mariana Lopes , Moraes Peterson Bueno , Bidoia Ederio Dino
Published: March 2011

Toxicity tests using Sacharomycces cerevisiae were made with simulated textile effluents containing reactive dye (remazol red brilliant) treated by photoeletrolytic process, varying treatment time and applied current. The treatment incorporated an electrolytic reactor with rectangular titanium anode coated with 70% TiO2/30% RuO2 cathode and a rectangular stainless steel coupled with another photolytic reactor containing a high power UV lamp. The treatment system was used in batch recirculation, in other words, the simulated effluent was driven by the system through a helical pump. It was observed that the higher the value of current applied, the longer the treatment has greater color removal of textile effluent and higher mortality of S. cerevisiae, killing up to 100% of the cells at the end of the treatment. With a lower current applied and having the treatment time of 5 minutes, the effluent showed a color removal of 97% and a lower mortality of S. cerevisiae than the effluent simulated without any treatment.
Response surface analysis and modeling of n-alkanes removal through bioremediation of weathered crude oil
Authors: Mohajeri Leila , Abdul Aziz Hamidi , Ali Zahed Mohammad , Mohajeri Soraya , Mohamed Kutty Shamsul Rahman , Hasnain Isa Mohamed
Published: March 2011

Central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to optimize four important variables, i.e. amounts of oil, bacterial inoculum, nitrogen and phosphorus, for the removal of selected n-alkanes during bioremediation of weathered crude oil in coastal sediments using laboratory bioreactors over a 60 day experimentation period. The reactors contained 1 kg soil with different oil, microorganisms and nutrients concentrations. The F Value of 26.89 and the probability value (P < 0.0001) demonstrated significance of the regression model. For crude oil concentration of 2, 16 and 30 g per kg sediments and under optimized conditions, n-alkanes removal was 97.38, 93.14 and 90.21% respectively. Natural attenuation removed 30.07, 25.92 and 23.09% n-alkanes from 2, 16 and 30 g oil/kg sediments respectively. Excessive nutrients addition was found to inhibit bioremediation.
Research of trace metals as markers of entry pathways in combined sewers
Authors: Gounou C. , Varrault G. , Amedzro K. , Gasperi J. , Moilleron R. , Garnaud S. , Chebbo G.
Published: March 2011

Combined sewers receive high toxic trace metal loads emitted by various sources, such as traffic, industry, urban heating and building materials. During heavy rain events, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) can occur and, if so, are discharged directly into the aquatic system and therefore could have an acute impact on receiving waters. In this study, the concentrations of 18 metals have been measured in 89 samples drawn from the three pollutant Entry Pathways in Combined Sewers (EPCS): i) roof runoff, ii) street runoff, and iii) industrial and domestic effluents and also drawn from sewer deposits (SD). The aim of this research is to identify metallic markers for each EPCS; the data matrix was submitted to principal component analysis in order to determine metallic markers for the three EPCS and SD. This study highlights the fact that metallic content variability across samples from different EPCS and SD exceeds the spatio-temporal variability of samples from the same EPCS. In the catchment studied here, the most valuable EPCS and SD markers are lead, sodium, boron, antimony and zinc; these markers could be used in future studies to identify the contributions of each EPCS to CSO metallic loads.
Reclaimed wastewater quality enhancement by oxygen injection during transportation
Authors: Rodríguez-Gómez L. E. , Álvarez M. , Rodríguez-Sevilla J. , Marrero M. C. , Hernández A.
Published: March 2011

In-sewer treatments have been studied in sewer systems, but few have been carried out on reclaimed wastewater systems. A study of oxygen injection has been performed in a completely filled gravity pipe, 0.6 m in diameter and 62 km long, in cast iron with concrete inside coating, which is part of the reclaimed wastewater reuse scheme of Tenerife (Spain). A high pressure oxygen injection system was installed at 16.0 km from pipe inlet and a constant dosage of 30 mg/L O2 has been injected during six months, under three different operational modes (low COD, 63 mg/L; high COD, 91 mg/L; and partially nitrified water). Oxygen has been consumed in nitrification and organic matter reduction. Generally, nitrification is clearly favored instead of the organic matter oxidation. Nitrification occurs, in general, with nitrite accumulation due to the presence of free ammonia above 1 mg/L. Denitrification is in all cases incomplete due to a limitation of easily biodegradable organic matter content, inhibiting the appearance of anaerobic conditions and sulfide generation. A notable reduction of organic matter parameters is achieved (TSS below 10 mg/L), which is significantly higher than that observed under the ordinary transport conditions without oxygen. This leads to a final cost reduction, and the oxygen injection system helps water reuse managers to maintain a final good water quality in the case of a treatment plant malfunction.
Integrated urban water management in commercial buildings
Authors: Trowsdale S. , Gabe J. , Vale R.
Published: March 2011

Monitoring results are presented as an annual water balance from the pioneering Landcare Research green building containing commercial laboratory and office space. The building makes use of harvested roof runoff to flush toilets and urinals and irrigate glasshouse experiments, reducing the demand for city-supplied water and stormwater runoff. Stormwater treatment devices also manage the runoff from the carpark, helping curb stream degradation. Composting toilets and low-flow tap fittings further reduce the water demand. Despite research activities requiring the use of large volumes of water, the demand for city-supplied water is less than has been measured in many other green buildings. In line with the principles of sustainability, the composting toilets produce a useable product from wastes and internalise the wastewater treatment process.
Kinetic study of compost liquor nitrification
Authors: Gagnaire J. , Wang X. Y. , Chapon L. , Moulin P. , Marrot B.
Published: March 2011

This study is a first kinetic approach about the compost liquor treatment by activated sludge. This industrial wastewater is highly loaded in organic and nitrogen compounds (COD≈12,000 mg L−1 and NH4+-N≈4,000 mg L−1). The possibility of its treatment in an urban WWTP is studied measuring ammonia oxidation rate with non-acclimated sludge to the industrial effluent. Compost liquor appears as an inhibitor substrate. The ammonia oxidation rate can be modelled by the Haldane model: UMAX=0.180 d−1, KS=12.0 mgN.L−1 and KI=26.0 mgN.L−1. The ammonia oxidation rate also follows for a synthetic substrate which has the same pollutant load as the real substrate. In this case, the ammonia oxidation rate can be modelled by the Monod model: UMAX=0.073 d−1 and KS=4.3 mgN.L−1. This result confirms that the ammonia oxidising bacteria are inhibited by the real wastewater. The following-up of nitrate production shows also the inhibition of nitrite oxidising bacteria. The compost liquor treatment seems not possible in an urban WWTP (<50,000 p.e.). That’s why a specific WWTP is recommended and an acclimation step of activated sludge is essential.
Economic valuation of a created wetland fed with treated wastewater located in a peri-urban park in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Alfranca Oscar , García Joan , Varela Hector
Published: March 2011

The main objective of this study was to calculate the economic value (including externalities) of a created wetland located in a peri-urban park in Catalonia, Spain. The wetland, which covers an area of 1 ha, was constructed in 2003 and receives a secondary treated wastewater flow of between 100 and 250 m3/day. The externalities of the wetland were evaluated using the travel cost method. The value of the wetland is expressed in terms of the price of the water that flows through the system, which is estimated to range from 0.71 to 0.75 €/m3. The value of positive externalities (1.25 €/m3) was greater than private costs (from 0.50 to 0.54 €/m3). These results constitute empirical evidence that created wetlands in peri-urban parks can be considered to be a source of positive externalities when used in environmental restoration projects focusing on the reuse of treated wastewater. This study also illustrates 1) the small influence of the hydraulic infrastructure depreciation costs on the private costs of constructed wetlands (less than 10%), and 2) the low investment costs of constructed wetlands in comparison with operation and maintenance costs (less than 10% of total private costs).
Use of vetiver grass constructed wetland for treatment of leachate
Authors: Bwire K. M. , Njau K. N. , Minja R. J. A.
Published: March 2011

Performance of Constructed Wetland planted with vetiver grasses for the treatment of leachate was investigated in controlled experiments involving horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSFCW). The HSSFCW experimental unit had two cells, one planted with vetiver grasses and another bare. Both units were packed with limestone gravel as substrate and were operated with equal hydraulic loading and hydraulic retention time. Collected samples of influents and effluents were analysed for COD, Cr, Pb, Fe and pH. The results showed that vetiver grasses tolerated leachate with high loading of COD up to 14,000 mg L−1. The planted cell outperformed the unplanted cell in terms of COD, Cr, Pb and Fe removal. The systems showed optimum points for COD and Pb removal as a function of feed concentrations. The optimum COD removal values of 210 mgm−2 day−1 at feed COD concentration of 11,200 mg COD L−1 and 89 mgm−2 day−1 at feed concentration of 7,200 mg COD L−1 were obtained for planted and unplanted cells respectively. Similarly Pb removal values of 0.0132 mgm−2 day−1 at 1.0 mg Pb L−1 and 0.0052 mgm−2 day−1 at 1.04 mgPb L−1 were obtained for planted and unplanted units respectively. Removal of Fe as a function of feed Fe concentration showed a parabolic behaviour but Cr removal showed linear behaviour with feed Cr concentrations in both units. The system showed very good removal efficiencies with Cr and Fe but poor efficiencies were recorded for Pb.
Disinfection of greywater effluent and regrowth potential of selected bacteria
Authors: Friedler Eran , Yardeni Anat , Gilboa Yael , Alfiya Yuval
Published: March 2011

Chlorination and UV irradiation of RBC (rotating biological contactor)-treated light GW (greywater) was investigated. The ability of chlorine and UV to inactivate indictor bacteria (FC - Faecal Coliforms, HPC – Heterotrophic Plate Count) and specific pathogens (P.a. - Pseudomonas aeruginosa sp., S.a. - Staphylococcus aureus sp.), was assessed and their regrowth potential was examined. The RBC removed 88.5–99.9% of all four bacteria groups. Nevertheless, the treated GW had to be disinfected. Most of the chlorine was consumed during the first 0.5 h, while later its decay rate decreased significantly, leaving enough residual after 6 h to prevent regrowth and to further inactivate bacteria in the stored GW effluent. Under exposure to low UV doses (≤69 mJ/cm2) FC was the most resistant bacteria group, followed by HPC, P.a. and S.a. Exposure to higher doses (≤439 mJs/cm2) completely inactivated FC, P.a. and S.a., while no further HPC inactivation was observed. FC, P.a. and S.a. did not exhibit regrowth after exposure to all the UV doses applied (up to 6 h storage). HPC did not exhibit regrowth after exposure to low UV doses (19–69 mJ/cm2), while it presented statistically significant regrowth in un-disinfected effluent and after exposure to higher UV doses (147–439 mJ/cm2).
The relationship between technology and functionality of rural water points: evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Jiménez A. , Pérez-Foguet A.
Published: March 2011

This paper presents an analysis of the relationships between technology of water point, management related practices and functionality over time through an extensive water point mapping study made in 15 rural districts of Tanzania, which covered 15% of the total rural population of the country. Results show irregular functionality rates at district level by technology, but reveal statistical dependence between functionality and technology at regional level. Management-related questions show that reported expenditure is the indicator most related to functionality. All categories of water points show very low performance over time. In the first five years of operation, about 30% of water points become non-functional. Only between 35% and 47% of water points are working 15 years after installation, depending on the technology. By categories, hand pumps are the less durable of the technologies studied. We suggest that more emphasis has to be placed on the creation of community capacities to manage the services during and after the installation of water points. At the same time, the role of decentralised government has to be strengthened to provide support to community services in the long term.