This work proves the feasibility of employing regular secondary activated sludge for the enrichment of a microbial community able to perform the anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to nitrate reduction (N-AOM). After 96 days of activated sludge enrichment, a clear N-AOM activity was observed in the resulting microbial community. The methane removal potential of the enriched N-AOM culture was then studied in a stirred tank reactor (STR) operated in continuous mode for methane supply and semi-continuous mode for the liquid phase. CX-5461 manufacturer The effect of applying nitrate loads of ∼22, 44, 66, and 88 g NO3- m-3 h-1 on (i) STR methane and nitrate removal performance, (ii) N2O emission, and (iii) microbial composition was investigated. Methane elimination capacities from 21 ± 13.3 to 55 ± 12 g CH4 m-3 h-1 were recorded, coupled to nitrate removal rates ranging from 6 ± 3.2 to 43 ± 14.9 g NO3- m-3 h-1. N2O production was not detected under the three nitrate loading rates applied for the assessment of potential N2O emission in the continuous N-AOM process (i.e. ∼22-66 g NO-3 m-3 h-1). The lack of N2O emissions during the process was attributed to the N2O reducing capacity of the bacterial taxa identified and the rigorous control of dissolved O2 and pH implemented (dissolved O2 values ≤ 0.07 g m-3 and pH of 7.6 ± 0.4). Microbial characterization showed that the N-AOM process was performed in absence of putative N-AOM archaea and bacteria (ANME-2d, M. oxyfera). Instead, microbial activity was driven by methane-oxidizing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria (Bacteroidetes, α-, and γ-proteobacteria).Acetaminophen (AP) has been frequently detected in different environments due to its wide usage as a common analgesic and antipyretic pharmaceutical. Excess residual of AP in the environment may cause biological risk. However, information about its environmental behaviors was limited, especially the interactions with clay minerals. In this study, AP transformation mediated by Fe3+ saturated clay particles was systematically investigated. The results showed 47.6 ± 1.1% or 78.9 ± 0.5% of AP was removed in the presence of Fe3+-montmorillonite respectively in dark or under simulated sunlight irradiation after 10 h. The hypothesized mechanism was that exchangeable ferric ions can either obtain electron from AP to form AP radical, or produce •OH under light, which can further react with AP. In dark condition, AP radicals could cross-couple with each other to form dimers, while oxidation products were also detected under light irradiation due to •OH attacking. Moreover, higher concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) facilitated Fe3+ regeneration on clay surfaces and more reactive Fe species distributed in lower pH, which could significantly enhance the removal of AP both in dark and light. Results of this study revealed that clay minerals played important roles in the abiotic transformation of AP either in dark or under light irradiation, and oligomerization other than mineralization were the dominant processes. Although physiologic differences exist between younger and older children, pediatric trauma analyses are weighted toward older patients. Trauma-induced coagulopathy, determined by rapid thrombelastography (rTEG), is a predictor of outcome in trauma patients, but the significance of rTEG values among very young trauma patients remains unknown. Our objective was to identify the prehospital or physiologic factors, including rTEG values, that were associated with mortality in trauma patients younger than 5 y old. Patients younger than 5 y old that met the highest-level trauma activation criteria at an academic children's hospital from 2010-2016 were included. Data regarding demographics, pre-hospital management, laboratory values, injury severity, and outcome were queried. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed comparing survivors and non-survivors. A total of 356 patients were included. 60% were male, and the median age was 3 y (IQR 1-4). Overall mortality was 13% (n=45); brain injury (91%) an the youngest trauma patients. Central neck dissection (CND) remains a controversial intervention for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with clinically negative nodes (cN0) in the central compartment. Proponents state that CND in cN0 patients prevents locoregional recurrence, while opponents deem that the risks of complications outweigh any potential benefit. Thus, there remains conflicting results amongst studies assessing oncologic and surgical outcomes in cN0 PTC patients who undergo CND. To provide clarity to this controversy, we sought to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and oncologic impact of CND in cN0 PTC patients at our institution. Six hundred and ninety-five patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy at our institution between 1998 and 2018 were identified using an institutional cancer registry and supplemental electronic medical record queries. Patients were stratified by whether or not they underwent CND; identified as CND(+) or CND(-), respectively. Patients were also stratified by whether or not they received nt recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (19.7% vers us 7.0%; P < 0.001), and permanent RLN injury (3.3% versus 0.7%; P < 0.001). The majority of patients at our institution with cN0 PTC did not undergo CND. This data suggests that CND was not associated with improvements in oncologic outcomes during the short-term follow-up period and led to increased postoperative morbidity. Therefore, we conclude that CND should not be routinely performed for patients with cN0 PTC.The majority of patients at our institution with cN0 PTC did not undergo CND. This data suggests that CND was not associated with improvements in oncologic outcomes during the short-term follow-up period and led to increased postoperative morbidity. Therefore, we conclude that CND should not be routinely performed for patients with cN0 PTC. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) in selected trauma patients is associated with potential benefits. This study evaluates the real-world outcomes of SSRF since its implementation at Westmead Hospital, Australia. We hypothesize these outcomes to be similar to that reported by best-evidence in the literature. A retrospective analysis of data on all consecutive SSRF performed between January 2013 to December 2018 was completed. Sixty-three patients (54 male; average age 55.9 ± 14.1 y) with median ISS 24 (IQR 17;30) underwent SSRF. Thirty-seven patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with median ICU length of stay (LOS) 10.0 (5.0-17.0) d. Median hospital LOS was 15.5 (10.0-24.8) d. Fifty-five (87.3%) patients did not have any surgery-specific complications. The highest observed surgical morbidity was wound infection (n = 4, 4.7%). There was one mortality after rib fixation that was not related to surgery. SSRF within 3 d of hospital presentation in ventilated patients with flail chest was associated with significantly reduced median ICU LOS (3.