Effect of increasing salinity on biogas production in waste landfills with leachate recirculation: A lab-scale model study

AbstractThe effects of salinity on anaerobic waste degradation and microbial communities were investigated, in order to propose an appropriate leachate recirculation process in a waste landfill in a tropical region. A salt concentration of 21mScm−1 of electrical conductivity (EC) did not affect waste degradation, but a salt concentration of 35mScm−1 of EC inhibited CH4 generation. A higher salt concentration of 80mScm−1 of EC inhibited not only CH4 and CO2 generation, but also degradation of organic compounds. The bacterial and archaeal community compositions were affected by high salinity. High salinity can exert selective pressure on bacterial communities, resulting in a change in bacterial community structure. Ammonium caused strong, dominant inhibition of biogas production in the salt concentration range of this study. Quality control, especially of ammonium levels, will be essential for the promotion of waste biodegradation in landfills with leachate recirculation

Light-dependent induction of Edn2 expression and attenuation of retinal pathology by endothelin receptor antagonists in Prominin-1- deficient mice

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and macular dystrophy (MD) are prevalent retinal degenerative diseases associated with gradual photoreceptor death. These diseases are often caused by genetic mutations that result in degeneration of the retina postnatally after it has fully developed. The Prominin-1 gene (Prom1) is a causative gene for RP and MD, and Prom1- knockout (KO) mice recapitulate key features of these diseases including light-dependent retinal degeneration and stenosis of retinal blood vessels. The mechanisms underlying progression of such degeneration have remained unknown, however. We here analysed early events associated with retinal degeneration in Prom1-KO mice. We found that photoreceptor cell death and glial cell activation occur between 2 and 3 weeks after birth. High-throughput analysis revealed that expression of the endothelin-2 gene (Edn2) was markedly up-regulated in the Prom1-deficient retina during this period. Expression of Edn2 was also induced by light stimulation in Prom1-KO mice that had been reared in the dark. Finally, treatment with endothelin receptor antagonists attenuated photoreceptor cell death, gliosis, and retinal vessel stenosis in Prom1-KO mice. Our findings suggest that inhibitors of endothelin signalling may delay the progression of RP and MD and therefore warrant further study as potential therapeutic agents for these diseases

Three dimensional motion analyses for rehabilitation version of Awa Odori exercise and the expectancy of physical effects

‘Awa Odori Exercise -Rehabilitation version- was developed in 2006 for the new trial of physical exercise for the aging and the impaired person with lower balance performance in Tokushima prefecture, Japan. Public relations of this exercise had been spreading over Tokushima since then. The characteristics of the exercise were highly familiar with most of people in Tokushima because of popularity in original ‘Awa Odori’. This study proposed the efficacies of Awa Odori Exercise as a rehabilitation exercise. This exercise expected the flexible balance reinforcements and the substitution for walking training with prevention of fall, bedridden and participating restriction for the old people, also promoting the health in Tokushima

Relationship between Barthel Index scores during the acute phase of rehabilitation and subsequent ADL in stroke patients

The Barthel Index (BI) cannot be used to measure initial stroke severity or by extension, to stratify patients by severity in acute stroke trials because most patients are bedbound in the first few hours after stroke, either by their deficit or by medical directive. Our objectives were to clarify the threshold of acute BI for use in the prediction of subsequent independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and to assist in the definition of acute stroke rehabilitation goals. Subjects comprised 78 patients out of 191 inpatients admitted with acute stroke at our hospital during 2006-2007. The BI ADL score was divided into 2 ranges (BI≧60 and≦40), in a process similar to previous studies. During the acute period (from onset to approximately 3 weeks), all patients with a BI≧40 could improve their ADL in 6 months. Patients with a BI≦40 exhibited two ADL recovery outcomes (improved and no change) at 6 months. We also found that the skill level of basic activities related to standing was significant indicator of BI improvement (P<0.001). BI scores determined at approximately 3 weeks were reliable predictors of ADL disabilities at 6 months