Optimization of arsenic removal from an acid mine drainage in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor

This study aims at optimizing the arsenic removal performance of a sulfidogenic anaerobic MBR treating acid mine drainage (AMD). The feed sulfate concentration was kept constant at 2,000 mg/L and ethanol concentration was decreased steadily from 1,500 mg COD/L to 500 mg COD/L. Metal concentrations were kept at 75 or 150 mg/L Fe, 25 mg/L Cu, 5 mg/L Zn, 5 mg/L Co, 5 mg/L Mn, 2.5 mg/L Ni and 2.5 mg/L As. High sulfide concentration led to dissolution of orpiment (As2S3) and low As removal efficiency. Later, decrease of sulfide concentration in the bioreactor resulted in increasing As removal efficiency over 99% due to formation of orpiment and co-precipitation of As with amorphous iron precipitates. Flux was increased up to around 10 L/(m2h) (LMH). It was concluded that heavy metals in the AMD behaved as a filtration aid and increased the sludge filterability, which was assessed by the regular analyses of supernatant filterability, specific resistance to filtration and capillary suction time. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia involving occipital bone: a case report and review of literature

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a progressive systemic bone tumour of young and it can be seen on cranial  bones. FD is divided into three types according to radiological features. The second most common  subtype is polyostotic subtype. With this article, we aimed to review and present clinical features, radiological examination, differential diagnosis and treatment management of a case of solitary  monostotic fibrous dysplasia of occipital bone. 15 years old female patient admitted to our hospital for a bump and in the back of his head that she  noticed 1 month ago. Her physical and neurological examination was normal. On cranial CT examination we detected a bony defect. Her gadolinium enhanced cranial MRI revealed bony defect along with massive  gadolinium enhancement in adjacent tissue. On histopathologic examination; PANCK, CD68, CD1a were found negative and CD45, S-100, Vimentine were found positive. Ki-67 was 4,8%. In conclusion, fibrous dysplasia is a progressive bone disease of the young patients. Despite its resemblance to a benign lesion by not being symptomatic it can progress and cause severe bony defects and skin lesions. Total surgical resection is  necessary and sufficient for total treatment.Key words: Fibrous dysplasia, cystic, cranial, monostotic, occipital, traum

Spinal Intramedullary Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Objective. Breast cancer accounts for approximately one-third of all cancers in females. Approximately 8.5 % of all central nervous system metastases are located in the spinal cord. These patients have rapidly progressing neurological deficits and require immediate examination. The aim of surgery is decompression of neural tissue and histological evaluation of the tumor. In this paper, we present a case of breast cancer metastasis in thoracic spinal intramedullary area which had been partially excised and then given adjuvant radiotherapy. Case. A 43-year-old female patient with breast cancer for 8 years was admitted to our hospital with complaints of weakness in both legs. Eight years ago, she received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On her neurological examination, she had paraparesis (left lower extremity: 2/5, right lower extremity: 3/5) and urinary incontinence. Spinal MRI revealed a gadolinium enhancing intramedullary lesion. Pathologic examination of the lesion was consistent with breast carcinoma metastasis. The patient has been taken into radiotherapy. Conclusion. Spinal intramedullary metastasis of breast cancer is an extremely rare situation, but it has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Microsurgical resection is necessary for preservation or amelioration of neurological state and also for increased life expectancy and quality

Comparison of adjacent segment degeneration in patients using cervical cage and disc prosthesis in anterior cervical surgery

Aim: To examine the prevalence of adjacent segment degeneration associated with the use of cages and disc prostheses in patients who underwent cervical disc surgery via an anterior cervical approach. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients who underwent cervical disc surgery via an anterior cervical approach at our clinic between 2018 and 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of implant used: those with a cervical cage (Group 1) and those with a cervical disc prosthesis (Group 2). Patients' demographic and clinical details, including age, gender, smoking habits, follow-up durations, and any additional comorbid diseases, were recorded. Radiological evaluations focused on degeneration rates in the segments adjacent to where either the cage or disc prosthesis was implanted. Results: In the study comparing two groups, participants' average ages were 48.9 in Group 1 and 48.1 in Group 2 (p=0.720). Group 1 had a higher proportion of smokers (p=0.052) and more discopathy (p=0.196). In terms of disc degenerations, variations existed but were not statistically significant (p=0.259). Utilizing the Pfirrmann grading, Group 1 had more Grade III degeneration (p=0.088) and a significantly higher presence of ossification or osteophytes (p=0.038). Both groups showed high rates of adjacent segment degeneration, yet Group 1 had notably more proximal degeneration (p=0.012). Stenosis and facet hypertrophy differences were not significant (p=0.417, p=0.071). Follow-up duration averaged around 38 months for both groups (p=0.929). Conclusions: No substantial difference in the overall incidence of adjacent segment degeneration between the two procedures. Nevertheless, further large-scale and long-term studies are essential to draw comprehensive conclusions regarding the optimal surgical intervention for cervical disc ailments

KESTANBOL (CANAKKALE-NORTH WESTERN TURKEY) GRANITE PILLAR QUARRY

Within the borders of Ezine district in Canakkale, upper Oligocene - lower Miocene of aged Kestanbol Pluton has the quartz monzonite and granitic character as mineralogical structure. Light metamoprhic clastics, recrystallized limestones, Karadag Metamorphic Community consisting of metaclastics in upper levels and Denizgoren Ophiolite mostly serpentinized this tectonic unit are rest units of the study area forming the base of the Ezine Zone

Geology and woods of a new fossil forest from the Early Miocene of Gokceada (Turkey)

In Gokceada, metamorphic, sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the period covering the Paleozoic to the Upper Miocene periods have formed outcrops over time. A newly identified fossil forest site in Gokceada covers an area of approximately 1.5 square kilometers of land situated near the coastline. Silicified trees in the area from the early Miocene period were observed to present three phases of pyrodastic deposition, namely: the complete silicification phase, the half silicification phase and the coal phase. The purpose of this study is to present the paleobiology and paleoecology of the wood flora and the geological formation of the fossil forest site, and to evaluate this information in terms of paleoclimatology. Sixteen (16) petrified pieces of wood thought to have originated from the upper slopes and found on the sea shore were collected, with three planes of thin sections taken horn each one. A total of 12 types of woods were identified, as follows: three (orders (Cupressinoxylon,sequoioxylon and Pinoxylon) and nice angiosperms (alnoxylon,Corpinoxylon, ostryoxylon type1 and 2, Fagoxylon,Quercoxylon sect. ilex, laurinoxylon and plotanoxylon). The wood composition in Gokceada is similar to that of the wood flora of the Miocene in Lesvos, showing the presence of riparian. well-drained lowland and coastal trees

Mammillothalamic and Mammillotegmental Tracts as New Targets for Dementia and Epilepsy Treatment

BACKGROUND: Recently, neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation (DBS) has appeared as a new surgical procedure in the treatment of some types of dementia and epilepsy. The mammillothalamic and mammillotegmental tracts are involved among the new targets. To our knowledge, a review article focused specifically on these mammillary body efferents is lacking in the medical literature. Their contribution to memory is, regrettably, often overlooked

Mammillothalamic and Mammillotegmental Tracts as New Targets for Dementia and Epilepsy Treatment

WOS: 000425856900164PubMed ID: 29129763BACKGROUND: Recently, neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation (DBS) has appeared as a new surgical procedure in the treatment of some types of dementia and epilepsy. The mammillothalamic and mammillotegmental tracts are involved among the new targets. To our knowledge, a review article focused specifically on these mammillary body efferents is lacking in the medical literature. Their contribution to memory is, regrettably, often overlooked. METHODS: A review of the relevant literature was conducted. RESULTS: There is evidence that mammillary bodies can contribute to memory independently from hippocampal formation, but the mechanism is not yet known. Recent studies in animals have provided evidence for the specific roles of these mammillary body efferents in regulating memory independently. In animal studies, it has been shown that the disruption of the mammillothalamic tract inhibits seizures and that electrical stimulation of the mammillary body or mammillothalamic tract raises the seizure threshold. In humans, DBS targeting the mammillary body through the mammillothalamic tract or the stimulation of the anterior thalamic nucleus, especially in the areas closely related to the mammillothalamic tract, has been found effective in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Nonetheless, little knowledge exists on the functional anatomy of the mammillary body efferents, and their role in the exact mechanism of epileptogenic activity and in the memory function of the human brain. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive knowledge of the white matter anatomy of the mammillothalamic and mammillotegmental tracts is crucial since they have emerged as new DBS targets in the treatment of various disorders including dementia and epilepsy