P uptake by denitrifying phosphate accumulating organisms [DPAOs) accounted for 41 – 52% of the total uptake in the MBR.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the intermediate clarifier assisted chemical oxygen demand (COD), N, and P removal. With respect to the fate of P, the intermediate clarifier functioned as an extended anaerobic zone when the HRT of the

preceding anaerobic zone was insufficient for P release, and as a pre-anoxic zone when the anaerobic HRT was adequate for P release. (C) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Periodontal disease is characterised by proteolytic processes involving enzymes that are released by host immune cells and periodontal click here bacteria. These enzymes, when detectable in whole saliva, may serve as valuable diagnostic markers for disease states and progression. Because the substrate specificities of salivary proteases in periodontal health and disease are poorly characterised, we probed these activities using several relevant substrates: (i) gelatin and collagen type IV; (ii) the Arg/Lys-rich human salivary substrate histatin-5; and (iii) a selleck compound histatin-derived synthetic analog benzyloxycarbonyl-Arg-Gly-Tyr-Arg-methyl cumaryl amide (Z-RGYR-MCA). Substrate degradation was assessed in gel (zymography) and in solution. Whole saliva supernatant enzyme activities directed at gelatin, quantified from the 42 kDa, 92 kDa and 130 kDa bands in the zymograms,

were 1.3, 1.4 and 2.0-fold higher, respectively, in the periodontal patient group (P<0.01), consistent with enhanced activities observed towards collagen type IV. On the other hand, histatin 5 degraded equally fast in healthy and periodontal patients’ whole saliva supernatant samples (P>0.10). Likewise, the hydrolysis rates of the Z-RGYR-MCA substrate were the same in the healthy and periodontal patient groups (P>0.10). In conclusion, gelatinolytic/collagenolytic activities but not trypsin-like activities selleck kinase 抑制剂 in human saliva differentiate health from periodontal disease and may thus provide

an adjuvant to diagnosis for monitoring disease activity.”
“Objective: Description and evaluation of a newly developed artificial temporal bone (TB) model suitable for surgical training for cochlear implantation.

Subject: Based on micro-computed tomographic images, a TB model was designed with material properties as similar to bone as possible. The bony anatomic details were rebuilt as closely as possible with preservation of the endocochlear lumen.

Intervention: The TB model was compared with a human cadaveric TB by 8 otologists experienced in cochlear implantation.

Main Outcome Measure: The otologists were asked to respond to a semiquantitative questionnaire with scales from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Anatomic details were compared macroscopically and microscopically. The surgical steps of mastoidectomy, posterior tympanotomy, cochleostomy, and insertion of a cochlear electrode were assessed.