In the course of investigating the cytology of clathriid sponges a new species from the San Juan Archipelago, Washington, has been found. On the basis of skeletal and field characteristics this form appears to be identical to chela-containing sponges described by de Laubenfels (1927) from California as variants of Ophlitaspongia pennata (Lambe, 1894). Cytological evidence reviewed here (see Sim...

Operators of agricultural machinery are exposed to an extensive range of indirect vibrations through the seats, which gradually causes chronic damages. One of the ways to reduce the vibrations imposed on the operators is to use appropriate materials in tractor seat cushion. The present study was carried out in order to select appropriate foam or sponge and investigate different factors in reduc...

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of sponge as an active mobile carrier for attached-growth biomass in three typical types of aerobic bioreactors to treat a high strength synthetic wastewater. The results show that sponge thickness deteriorated the organic and nutrient removal and 1cm is the optimum thickness for fixed-bed sponge biofilter (SBF). The sponge volume had sig...

Marine sponges are frequently inhabited by a wide range of associated invertebrates, including caridean shrimps. Symbiotic shrimps are often considered to be commensals; however, in most cases, the relationship with sponge hosts remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that sponge-inhabiting shrimps are often parasites adapted to consumption of sponge tissues. First, we provide detailed examination...

INTRODUCTION Down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactors employ polyurethane sponge media to retain biomass. Wastewater is trickled from the top of the reactor and purified by microorganisms within and on the surface of the sponge media as influent flows vertically downward through the reactor. Since the sponge media of DHS reactors are exposed to the atmosphere, oxygen dissolves continually into t...

A novel bioartificial dermal regeneration template has been developed using platelet-rich plasma and acellular animal skin collagen sponge for the treatment of larger area and full thickness skin wounds. This platelet-rich plasma-collagen sponge keeps native skin structure and contains huge amounts of growth factors. The effect of this bioartificial dermal regeneration template was tested in vi...

A biodegradable sponge, composed of chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA), was successfully obtained in this work. The sponge was ethereal and pliable. The chemical structure and morphology of the sponges was characterized by FTIR and SEM. The swelling ability, in vitro drug release and degradation behaviors, and an in vivo animal test were employed to confirm the applicability of this sponge ...

Encrusting and excavating Caribbean sponges Cliona aprica, C. caribbaea and C. tenuis (Hadromerida: Clionaidae) aggressively undermine and displace live coral tissue. To establish modes and rates of lateral advance into neighboring organisms, 171 sponge individuals were studied for 13 mo. Sponge advancement into live coral, via excavation underneath boundary polyps, occurred only when the 2 con...

This study compared membrane fouling in a sponge-submerged membrane bioreactor (SSMBR) and a conventional membrane bioreactor (CMBR) based on sludge properties when treating synthetic domestic wastewater. In the CMBR, soluble microbial products (SMP) in activated sludge were a major contributor for initial membrane fouling and presented higher concentration in membrane cake layer. Afterwards, m...

We present a case of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis arising as a complication of fungal septicaemia following gastrointestinal surgery, and subsequent treatment with endoluminal vacuum therapy (Endo-SPONGE, B Braun Medical Ltd). Our patient developed a pre-sacral collection due to an anastomotic leak post ileoanal pouch formation. Despite treatment with Endo-sponges and antibiotics, the pati...