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To obtain a wide variety of green materials, numerous investigations have been undertaken on industrial waste that can act as sustainable resources. The use of hazardous wastes derived from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), especially the activated carbon used in odor control systems, is a highly abundant, scalable, and cost‐effective strategy. The reuse of waste materials is a key aspect, especially for the sustainable development of emerging energy storage systems, such as lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Herein, granular active carbons from two WWTP treatment lines were regenerated in air at low temperature and utilized as the sulfur host with micro‐/mesoporous framework. The resulting regenerated carbon and sulfur composites were employed as cathodes for Li−S cells. The SL‐ACt3@S composite electrode with 60 wt% loaded sulfur exhibited a remarkable initial capacity of 1100 mAh g−1 at C/10 rate and higher than 800 mAh g−1 at C/2. Even at a rate of 1C, it maintained a high capacity of almost 700 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 85.4 % after 350 cycles, demonstrating a very low capacity fading of only 0.042 % per cycle. It is essential to note that the coulombic efficiency was always higher than 96 % during all the cycles. In this proposal, the only used source material was expired carbon from WWTP that was obtained with a simple and effective regeneration process. This “trash into treasure” strategy leads to a new way for using hazardous waste material as high‐performance and environmentally safe electrodes for advanced Li−S batteries., Smells like energy: A sustainable Li−S battery exploiting a hazardous waste derived from the odor control filter of a wastewater treatment plant delivers a high capacity for an extended number of charge/discharge cycles.

This study evaluates the feasibility of advanced biofilm microalgae cultivation in a twin layer (TL) system for nutrient removal (N and P) as the tertiary treatment in small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in sensitive areas. Furthermore, the potential valorisation of microalgae biomass as a component of bio-based fertilizers is assessed. Scenedesmus sp. was chosen among 33 microalgae strains for inoculation of TL due to its high growth rate and its nutrient uptake capacity. The tests carried out in the prototype were markedly efficient for total soluble and ammoniacal nitrogen removal (up to 66 and 94%, respectively). In terms of potential valorisation of microalgae, the nutrient content was 5.5% N (over 40% protein), 8.8% P2O5 and 1.5% K2O, high enzymatic activity, very low levels of heavy metals and no detectable pathogen presence. However, in the formulation of solid-state bio-based fertilizers, the microalgae proportions in blends of over 2% of microalgae led to negative effects on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp.). The obtained results demonstrate that TL represents a promising technology, which allows efficient tertiary treatment of urban wastewater and the production of high-quality bio-based fertilizer.

Graphitic carbon nitride is a non-metal photocatalyst easily prepared from nitrogen organic compounds through green synthesis processes that do not require the use of solvents. This work proposes the use of boron to modify the layered g-C3N4 structure by incorporating B to induce defects aimed at the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. Boron-modified graphitic carbon has been obtained using elemental B and NaBH4 as precursors. The XRD and FTIR characterization results suggest that the C and N positions of g-C3N4 can be replaced by B, resulting in a layered modified structure in which the tri-s-triazine units are altered. The exchange of B atoms differed from the boron precursor according to the analysis of the chemical properties of the surface. Thus, the elemental B had a preference to exchange positions with N atoms, whereas the use of NaBH4 led to the substitution of B into the C positions. This difference considerably affected the photocatalytic activity during the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The sample modified with NaBH4 led to the highest oxidation rate and selectivity linked to a lesser recombination effect than the other samples according to photoluminescence tests. This work provides evidence about the convenience of the selection of precursors during the modification of g-C3N4. The photon absorbance rate was determined for the estimation of the quantum yield. Although the photon absorbance rate was quite similar in all the cases, the different registered kinetics led to a maximum quantum efficiency of 0.15% for NaBCN.

Swine harbor genetically diverse influenza A viruses (IAVs) with the capacity to host-switch to humans, causing global pandemics. Spain is the largest swine producer in Europe and has a mixed production system that includes ‘white coat’ pigs raised intensively in modern buildings and free-range Iberian pigs that interface differently with humans, wildlife, and other swine. Through active longitudinal IAV surveillance in nine Spanish provinces during 2015–9, we generated forty-seven complete or near-complete genome sequences from IAVs collected from swine in both systems. Genetically diverse IAVs were identified in intensively raised white pigs and free-range Iberian pigs, including new H3N1 reassortants. Both systems are dynamic environments for IAV evolution, but driven by different processes. IAVs in white pigs were genetically related to viruses found in swine raised intensively in other European countries, reflecting high rates of viral introduction following European trade routes. In contrast, IAVs in Iberian pigs have a genetic makeup shaped by frequent introductions of human IAVs, reflecting rearing practices with high rates of human contact. Transmission between white and Iberian pigs also occurred. In conclusion, Iberian swine with high rates of human contact harbor genetically diverse IAVs and potentially serve as intermediary hosts between white pigs and humans, presenting an understudied zoonotic risk that requires further investigation.

Resumen: La cirugía cardiaca de mínimo acceso ha protagonizado un gran avance en los últimos años y, a través de numerosos estudios publicados, ha logrado demostrar obtener resultados al menos no inferiores a la cirugía convencional, e incluso superior en algunos aspectos. En esta revisión de nuestro programa mínimamente invasivo en la sustitución de la válvula aórtica, presentamos nuestros primeros resultados con el fin de analizar si se asemejan a los de la literatura. Abstract: Minimal access cardiac surgery has been a breakthrough in recent years. Numerousprevious published reports have suggested the results are favorable when compared with conventional surgery and, in some aspects, better. The initialresults are presented of the minimally invasive aortic valve replacement program in our centre, and the outcomes are compared with those reported in the literature.

This study evaluates different hydrothermal pretreatment conditions for the tomato plant. Since these plants produce abundant waste due to their lignocellulosic content, biodegradation through anaerobic digestion is difficult. Hydrothermal pretreatment of the tomato plant was carried out at different times (0, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 min), with pressure and temperature conditions maintained at 394 K and 202,650 total Pa. In addition, acid and base were added to determine if they favored the hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic material. After determining the most appropriate pretreatment time for the different options (with or without chemical reagent), aerobic biodegradability was evaluated, as well as the structural changes caused by the pretreatment. From this stage of pretreatment evaluation, it was concluded that the conditions of greatest interest were 15 min (t15) hydrothermal pretreatment without the addition of chemical reagents (TPWH (t15)). The anaerobic digestion process was subsequently evaluated by comparing TPWH (t15) with the untreated tomato plant, obtaining a mean value of 0.125 ± 0.006 and 0.097 ± 0.010 m3STP CH4/kg TVS (total volatile solids) (STP standard temperature and pressure conditions, 273 K and 101,325 Pa), respectively, once the methane production is stabilized.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality in the world. Cancer is defined as a multistage process and divided into the following stages: initiation, promotion, and progression. In this disease, oxidative stress is involved in a large array of carcinogenic pathways associated with the proliferation of initiated cells and cellular malignancy. Therefore, the suppression of oxidative stress by natural antioxidant compounds has gained interest as an effective approach in colorectal cancer prevention. Accordingly, cocoa and its phenolic components have demonstrated to exert antioxidant activity and to be able to interfere with multiple carcinogenic signaling pathways. In this chapter, we reviewed the different in vitro and in vivo studies that have identified potential targets and mechanisms whereby cocoa and their flavonoid compounds could interfere with colonic cancer cells. In addition, recent evidence from human studies is also illustrated., This work was supported by the grants AGL2015-67087-R and RTI2018-095059-B-I00 (MINECO/FEDER, UE).

Anaerobic co-digestion of residual cabbage and cauliflower mixed at a ratio 1:1 (w/w) was investigated in two continuously stirred tank reactors under mesophilic conditions to ensure stability and enhanced methane generation. The experiments, including start-up, inoculum acclimatisation and treatment of the waste mixture, were carried out over a 65-day period. The characterisation results showed that the residual mixture contained a high proportion of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (around 37 g N/kg dry weight). The maximum value of methanogenic yield potential was found to be 250 L

The energy efficiency in the building sector, a widely accepted point inside world energy sustainability, can be pursued in a variety of complementary ways, being energy consumption reduction one of them. Specifically, the residential buildings are responsible for more than 40% of the total energy consumption of the European Union. Therefore, this residential sector is an important target for optimizing the use of energy. This paper examines the energy saving measures for multi-family residential building thermal systems in the city of Granada. The state and usage patterns of such systems in a middle-size city are surveyed and analysed in order to propose sounded saving measures. The proposed measures were quantified according to two parameters: energy saved and CO2 emissions reduction. This quantification enables the identification of best measures either cost or energy effective, concluding that the biggest benefits are obtained adopting solar/biomass energy, while other zero-cost measures like the information campaign have more impact than, for instance, boiler replacement. Finally, it is concluded that an extension of mandatory installation of solar systems to existing buildings should be considered.

The importance of the balance between the nutrients in the anaerobic digestion process was assessed at laboratory scale. A soluble synthetic solution was used as substrate. The variable used to monitor the proportion of nutrients in the substrate was the [C]/[N + P] ratio expressed as equivalents of each element. A blank assay with a constant ratio of 53 and three experiments in which this variable was modified in the range 53-1 were performed. An increase in the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus both separately and in combination was observed. The most relevant results show a loss of N in the biogas in the form of NH3 for concentrations of around 400 mg N soluble/L in the liquid phase of the reaction, and a loss of soluble phosphorus in the form of calcium phosphate due to precipitation at concentrations above 250 mg P soluble/L, regardless of the experimental procedure. No significant effects were observed in the production of biogas for a ratio in the range 53-40, while biogas production decreased by 8% for a ratio of 20 when both N and P increased in the best of cases and by up to 46% when only N increased. (c) 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 228-236, 2019

Resumen Introduccion La puncion-aspiracion con aguja fina (PAAF) es la tecnica de referencia en la evaluacion de los pacientes con nodulos tiroideos. Su mayor limitacion son las muestras inadecuadas, que deberian ser menos del 20% de los casos. Objetivo Analizar la curva de aprendizaje de dicha tecnica de un endocrinologo sin experiencia (endocrinologo 2), comparando sus resultados con los obtenidos en los mismos nodulos por un colega experimentado (endocrinologo 1). Material y metodos Se realizaron 60 PAAF entre los meses de febrero y junio de 2016. Cada endocrinologo realizo 2 punciones de cada nodulo en un orden establecido aleatorizadamente. El orden de las punciones y el endocrinologo que las realizaba eran datos desconocidos para la patologa que analizo las muestras. Resultados En el total de las PAAF, el endocrinologo 1 tuvo un porcentaje de diagnosticos significativamente superior al endocrinologo 2 (82 vs. 72%; p = 0,015). En las primeras 20 PAAF la diferencia entre ambos fue notable y estadisticamente significativa (80 vs. 50%; p = 0,047). En las siguientes 20 PAAF la diferencia se redujo y ya no tenia significacion estadistica (90 vs. 65%; p = 0,058). Y en las ultimas 20 la diferencia fue minima y sin significacion estadistica (75 vs. 70%; p = 0,723). Conclusiones La curva de aprendizaje de la eco-PAAF puede completarse en un entorno adecuado haciendola un minimo de 60 veces. Aunque las guias recomiendan al menos 3 punciones por nodulo, 2 son suficientes para conseguir un porcentaje adecuado de diagnosticos.

The main aim of this work is to study the effect of scaling in the biosorption of chromium(VI) onto olive stone in two different fixed-bed columns. Firstly, the effect of flow rate, bed depth and inlet concentration of Cr(VI) in both columns was analyzed. The results revealed a better operation for lower flow rates, higher bed heights and lower inlet concentrations of metal. When decreasing flow rate, the operation time of the column increases. Therefore, as the solution flow rate increased the breakthrough and the exhaustion times decreased. An increase in bed depth increases the quantity of chromium eliminated and thus, the higher sorption capacity of the system. A decrease in the inlet concentration of chromium produces a delay in exhaustion time, and larger volumes of solution could be treated. The results were fitted to the BDST model, obtaining that the adsorptive capacity of the bed depth is similar in laboratory- and pilot-scale fixed-bed columns, considering the biosorption capacity as a biosorption-coupled reduction process. Results also could indicate that scaling affects more to the reduction process than properly biosorption process. The experimental data were also fitted to Adams–Bohart, Thomas, Yoon–Nelson and dose–response models. A good fit of the biosorption process of Cr(VI) was found for dose–response and Adams–Bohart models.

This study evaluated the composting process of a mixture of sewage sludge and bulking agent in a semi-closed system at industrial scale, which consisted of an aerated static windrow covered with a semi-permeable film. Physical-chemical and respirometric variables were studied and bacteria and fungi were monitored to assess the improvement in the composting process. The system was compared with conventional open windrows in which lengthy composting times are required to obtain stabilized compost, compost sanitation is not always reached and periodical turning must be carried out to avoid anaerobic conditions. The high temperatures reached and maintained during the stage under the semi-permeable film (≈80 °C) permitted the sanitation of the compostable substrate, as demonstrated by the rapid disappearance of Salmonella sp. and the decrease in Escherichia coli in only 5 days of the process. The total microorganism concentration also decreased during the composting process. The rapid decrease in carbon content expressed in volatile solids (VS) (around 41%) showed that the composting process carried out under the semi-permeable film could be shortened to 30 days. The evolution of thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria and fungi was conditioned by the windrow temperature and the biodegradable organic matter content. An adequate linear correlation (r2 = 0.9214) between the total microorganism concentration (log CFU/g) and VS (%) was obtained during the composting process.

Due to the ever-growing pressure on our planet’s natural resources to supply energy, the production of bioethanol by fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass is increasingly important in courses related to engineering and energy. Moreover, recent changes in the teaching–learning paradigm make necessary the introduction of novel teaching tools where students are the protagonist of their education. In this context, the purpose of this study is to compare the results obtained after traditional lessons with those obtained after the implementation of various computer activities based on modeling and simulation of bioreactors to teach biorefinery concepts focused on bioethanol production. Berkeley Madonna was chosen as the digital simulation software package because it is user-friendly, fast, and easy to program. This software allowed students to gain experience writing models that let optimize fermentations in well-stirred bioreactors and others bioprocess of industrial interest. The students (those who participated in the modeling-simulation classes and those who participated in traditional ones) completed a questionnaire and a cognitive test at the end of the course. Students that participated in modeling-simulation classes got a better score than students that participated in traditional classes. Therefore, the study showed the improvement in the understanding of the biorefinery concepts and the students improved their grades. Finally, students’ perception about the proposed modeling-simulation learning was also analyzed and they rated the efficiency of this new learning methodology as satisfactory. There are very few studies providing information about educational experiences regarding the development of skills for the formulation, interpretation, simplification, and use of mathematical models based on mass balances and simple microbial kinetics in biochemical engineering courses. The experience described in this work can be used by professors to plan and conduct courses based on the modeling of biochemical engineering problems.

In this work, a waste form olive industry was characterized in terms of its physical–chemical properties, which can be useful for its use in biosorption processes or in pyrolysis units. The characterization results showed that the solid presents a good size distribution to be use as biosorbent or as fuel, although it can be improve with a milled step. The initial moisture content is very high (around 40%), being one of the main characteristics of the solid that makes its direct use as a fuel difficult. However, the low sulfur value (< 0.1%) is very suitable from the environmental point of view, reducing SO2 emissions. The results of the proximate analysis showed a high content of ashes and the gross calorific value within the range of most biomass waste, was 5100 kcal/kg.

The management of sewage sludge is an important issue in developed countries due to the highly polluting character of this waste. Biomethanization is a widely employed technology for this purpose, although it has several disadvantages such as low methane yield, poor biodegradability, and high sensitivity to nutrient imbalance. In this paper, a thermal pre-treatment (120 °C, 2 atm) is proposed to improve the biomethanization yield of sewage sludge and strawberry extrudate by solubilizing organic matter from the residual raw materials. Additionally, the co-digestion of sewage sludge with strawberry extrudate is evaluated as this combined treatment allows enhancing the nutrient balance and diluting inhibitors from sewage sludge. Therefore, the main aim of this study is the joint evaluation of the pre-treatment and co-digestion of this waste, which has never been described before in literature. The individual thermal pre-treatment of sewage sludge for 15 min was found to increase the soluble carbon concentration (mainly as volatile fatty acids), nitrogen, and phosphorus by 165%, 16%, and 24%, respectively. In contrast, the variation in the concentration of soluble carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus for strawberry extrudate was as low as 10%, 32%, and 43%, respectively. Subsequent individual biomethanization tests showed a positive relationship between substrate solubilization and methane yield enhancement, with an increase of around 29% and 16% for sewage sludge and strawberry extrudate, respectively. Moreover, the co-digestion of sewage sludge and strawberry extrudate, both without pre-treatment, enhanced the stability and diluted the nitrogen concentration inside the digesters, although the methane yield was slightly lower than expected. In contrast, the most suitable combination was found to be the co-digestion of pre-treated sewage sludge and raw strawberry extrudate as it was also stable, but showed a synergy in methane production (237 ± 29 mLSTP/g VS; STP: 0 °C, 1 atm). This combined treatment might be considered an interesting alternative for the combined treatment of both polluting wastes.

Background Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the reference procedure for thyroid nodule evaluation. Its main limitations are inadequate samples, which should be less than 20%. Objective To analyze the learning curve of the procedure by comparing the results of a non-experienced endocrinologist (endocrinologist 2) to those of an experienced one (endocrinologist 1). Material and methods Sixty FNABs were analyzed from February to June 2016. Each endocrinologist made 2 punctures of every nodule in a random order. This order and the professional making every puncture were unknown to the pathologist who examined the samples. Results Endocrinologist 1 had a higher percentage of diagnoses than endocrinologist 2 (82% vs. 72%, p = 0.015). In the first 20 FNABs, the difference between both physicians was remarkable and statistically significant (80% vs. 50%, p = 0.047). In the following 20 FNABs, the difference narrowed and was not statistically significant (90% vs. 65%, p = 0.058). In the final 20 FNABs, the difference was minimal and not statistically significant (75% vs. 70%, p = 0.723). Conclusions The learning curve of ultrasound-guided FNAB may be completed in a suitable environment by performing it at least 60 times. Although the guidelines recommend at least 3 punctures per nodule, 2 are enough to achieve an accurate percentage of diagnoses.

Anaerobic co-digestion is a promising alternative to manage agri-food waste rather than landfilling, composting or incineration. But improvement of methane yield and biodegradability is often required to optimize its economic viability. Biomethanization of agri-food solid waste presents the disadvantage of a slow hydrolytic phase, which might be enhanced by adding a readily digestible substrate such as glycerol. In this study, strawberry extrudate, fish waste and crude glycerol derived from biodiesel manufacturing are mixed at a proportion of 54:5:41, in VS (VS, total volatile solids), respectively. The mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion at lab-scale of the mixture was stable at loads lower than 1.85 g VS/L, reaching a methane yield coefficient of 308 L CH4/kg VS (0 °C, 1 atm) and a biodegradability of 96.7%, in VS. Moreover, the treatment capacity of strawberry and fish waste was increased 16% at adding the crude glycerol. An economic assessment was also carried out in order to evaluate the applicability of the proposed process. Even in a pessimistic scenario, the net balance was found to be positive. The glycerol adding implied a net saving in a range from 25.5 to 42.1 €/t if compared to landfill disposal.

The biomethanization of sewage sludge has several disadvantages such as low methane yield, poor biodegradability and nutrient imbalance. In this paper, a sewage sludge and strawberry extrudate mixture in a proportion of 40:60 (wet weight) is proposed to improve the viability of the process. The addition of an easily biodegradable co-substrate enhanced the nutrient balance and diluted the heavy metals and inhibitors from sewage sludge. Two different experimental set-ups at lab and semi-pilot scale were employed in order to ensure the reproducibility and significance of the obtained values. Co-digestion improved the stability of the process by decreasing the alkalinity to a mean value of 3215 ± 190 mg CaCO₃/L, while maintaining the pH within the optimal range for anaerobic digestion. The methane yield coefficient and biodegradability were 176 L/kg VS (total volatile solids) (0°C, 1 atm) and 81% (VS), respectively. Kinetic parameters decreased at the highest loads, suggesting the occurrence of a slowing down phenomenon. A quality organic amendment with a heavy metal content lower than the limits established under European legislation for agricultural applications was obtained from the digestate of the proposed treatment.

Anaerobic co-digestion of agri-food waste is a promising management alternative. Its implementation, however, requires evaluating the proportion in which waste should be mixed to optimize their centralized treatment. The combined treatment of strawberry extrudate and fish waste, which are widely generated in Mediterranean areas, was optimized. Strawberry extrudate and fish waste were mixed and treated at different proportions (88:12, 94:6, and 97:3, respectively; wet basis). The proportions selected for the mixture allow the different flows to be absorbed simultaneously. The highest methane production was observed for the ratio 94:6 (0.205 m3 STP CH4/kg volatile solid) (VS) (STP; 0 °C, 1 atm), with a methane production rate in the range of 5 · 10−3–9 · 10−3 m3 STP/kg VS · d, while the highest organic loading rate was observed for the mixture at a proportion 88:12 (1.9 ± 0.1 kg VS/m3 · d). Biodegradability was found to be similar for the 88:12 and 94:6 proportions, with values around 90 % in VS. Nevertheless, the 97:3 ratio was not viable due to a low methane production. An inhibition phenomenon occurred at increasing loads due to the effect of some compounds contained in the fish waste such as chloride or nitrogen.

Oxidative stress is accepted as one of the causes of beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, identification of natural antioxidant agents that preserve beta cell mass and function is considered an interesting strategy to prevent or treat diabetes. Recent evidences indicated that colonic metabolites derived from flavonoids could possess beneficial effects on various tissues. The aim of this work was to establish the potential anti-diabetic properties of the microbial-derived flavonoid metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPAA), 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (HPPA). To this end, we tested their ability to influence beta cell function and to protect against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced beta cell toxicity. DHPAA and HPPA were able to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in a beta cell line INS-1E and in rat pancreatic islets. Moreover, pre-treatment of cells with both compounds protected against beta cell dysfunction and death induced by the pro-oxidant. Finally, experiments with pharmacological inhibitors indicate that these effects were mediated by the activation of protein kinase C and the extracellular regulated kinases pathways. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that the microbial-derived flavonoid metabolites DHPAA and HPPA may have anti-diabetic potential by promoting survival and function of pancreatic beta cells.

Sewage sludge is a hazardous waste, which must be managed adequately. Mesophilic anaerobic digestion is a widely employed treatment for sewage sludge involving several disadvantages such as low methane yield, poor biodegradability, and nutrient imbalance. Tomato waste was proposed as an easily biodegradable co-substrate to increase the viability of the process in a centralized system. The mixture proportion of sewage sludge and tomato waste evaluated was 95:5 (wet weight), respectively. The stability was maintained within correct parameters in an organic loading rate from 0.4 to 2.2 kg total volatile solids (VS)/m(3) day. Moreover, the methane yield coefficient was 159 l/kg VS (0 °C, 1 atm), and the studied mixture showed a high anaerobic biodegradability of 95 % (in VS). Although the ammonia concentration increased until 1,864 ± 23 mg/l, no inhibition phenomenon was determined in the stability variables, methane yield, or kinetics parameters studied.

The generation of fish waste is an environmental problem mainly associated to the canning industry in many Mediterranean countries. The application of anaerobic digestion is not advisable, however, due to the organic matter deficit in the chemical oxygen demand:nitrogen:phosphorus ratio (COD:N:P) of this waste, which entails the destabilization of the process. The co-digestion of fish waste with residual strawberry extrudate was evaluated at laboratory scale under mesophilic conditions. Strawberry waste increased the organic matter concentration in the mixture and diluted the inhibitory compounds contained in the fish waste, such as chloride, nitrogen and phosphorus. Co-digestion improved the stability of the treatment, while biodegradability was found to be 83% in total volatile solids. Moreover, the methane production yield reached a mean value of 120 mL/g total volatile solids (at 1 atm, 0 °C) for an organic loading rate in the range of 22.8–50.6 kg waste mixture/(m3 d), while the digestate was rich in nutrients, which might enable it to be used as an organic amendment in agriculture.

The tea flavonoid epicatechin gallate (ECG) exhibits a wide range of biological activities. In this study, the in vitro anticancer effects of ECG on SW480 colon cancer cell line was investigated by analyzing the cell cycle, apoptosis, key proteins involved in cellular survival/proliferation, namely AKT/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the role of p53 in these processes. ECG induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1-S phase border associated with the stimulation of p21, p-p53, and p53 and the suppression of cyclins D1 and B1. Exposure of SW480 cells to ECG also led to apoptosis as determined by time-dependent changes in caspase-3 activity, MAPKs [extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK)], p21 and p53 activation, and AKT inhibition. The presence of pifithrin, an inhibitor of p53 function, blocked ECG-induced apoptosis as was manifested by restored cell viability and caspase-3 activity to control values and reestablished the balance among Bcl-2 anti- and proapoptotic protein levels. Interestingly, ECG also inhibited p53 protein and RNA degradation, contributing to the stabilization of p53. In addition, JNK and p38 have been identified as necessary for ECG-induced apoptosis, upon activation by p53. The results suggest that the activation of the p53-p38/JNK cascade is required for ECG-induced cell death in SW480 cells.

Silybum marianum Gaertn. (Milk thistle) has been used since ancient times for the relief of liver diseases characterized by intense oxidative stress such as inflammatory liver disease and cirrhosis. As oxidative stress by hyperglycemia is involved in micro- and macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes, our aim was to assess the protective effect of milk thistle seed extract against oxidative stress induced by a high glucose concentration on endothelial cells (EA.hy926 cells). High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis shows flavonolignans silychristin and silibinin A and B as major components. No cell toxicity was observed for concentrations up to 100 μg/mL of milk thistle extract for 24 h. Concentrations of 5-25 μg/mL of the extract were used to assess the protective effect on EA.hy926 cells treated with 30 mM glucose for 24 h. Oxidative damage by 30 mM glucose was shown as a significant decrease in reduced glutathione and a significant increase in protein carbonyls and antioxidant enzyme activities. S. marianum extract recovered reduced glutathione and balanced the elevated carbonyls and enzyme activity. Silibinin alone also recovered reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. S. marianum protects endothelial cell against oxidative damage by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced glutathione, and protein carbonyl levels.

5 Figuras.-- 4 Tablas, Agricultural recovery is the primary option for the final destination of sewage sludge, which must be properly treated, stabilized and sanitized. However, these processes are occasionally eliminated or not carried out properly for economic reasons or due to the design and size of the treatment plant. In this study, 62 samples of sewage sludge (21 and 41 samples from Seville and from Huelva, respectively) were characterized. Variable annual sludge production and equivalent inhabitants are virtually proportional (related by a potential power function of 0.9134). The results were evaluated through multivariate statistical analysis in order to assess the operability status of the WWTPs and the final quality of the sludge generated in the processes. Principal components analysis provided information on two separate groups for the bulk of waste water treatment plant (WWTPs) analyzed: (1) a nickel group, where the samples showed outliers above 50 mg/kg with respect to other WWTPs; and (2) the group where total nitrogen, organic matter and total potassium (KO) showed abnormally high values. Linear discriminant analysis models allowed the detection of WWTPs that used inadequate treatments but where geographical area and number of equivalent inhabitants were not significant., The authors are very grateful to the Water Agency of Andalusia, now integrated into the Environment and Water Agency of the Regional Ministry of the Environment and Territorial Planning, UTE Ingeniería y Gestión del Sur-Biomasa Peninsular and the Government of Andalusia for funding this research in the framework of the “Estudio de alternativas para el tratamiento de lodos en las provincias de Sevilla y Huelva” (Study of alternatives for the treatment of sludge in the provinces of Seville and Huelva). We also wish to express our gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for funding this research through Project CTQ2014-60050-R.

Rapid discrimination of avian vs. human phenotypes of emerging influenza A virus isolates with pandemic potential is an important issue in pathogenesis and epidemiology studies of the infection. In this work, functional architectures are tailored on the surface of a gold electrode, introducing receptor molecules as a sensing entity that mimics those found in the membrane of target cells of the influenza A virus and with the aim of developing an impedimetric-based detector for influenza A virus phenotyping. In a bottom-up approach, the artificial receptors are built by sequential assembly of a 1-octanethiol/octyl- galactoside hybrid bilayer, followed by an enzyme-mediated functionalization of the terminal galactoside groups with sialic acid molecules. The detection mechanism relies hence on the specific affinity between the sialic acid-galactose receptor moieties anchored on the modified electrode surface and the hemagglutinin (HA) viral surface protein. By using the appropriate type of sialyltransferase enzyme, sialylation of galactose residues is made through α-2,3 or α-2,6 linkages. This permits the envisaged impedimetric detector to discriminate rapidly between avian vs. human strains of influenza A virus with the absence of elaborate sample preparation steps. In contrast to immunosensors based on antibodies as bioreceptor, the sialylated modified gold electrode is also able to distinguish among influenza phenotypes, which could make the here presented detector a reagentless, label-free diagnostic device for influenza phenotyping. Biomimetic architectures for the impedimetric discrimination of influenza virus phenotypes are tailored by a self-assembly process on gold substrates. Incorporated sialic acid molecules as sensing entities mimic receptors found on target cells of the influenza A virus. The resulting detector rapidly discriminates between avian and human strains of influenza A virus, acting as a reagentless, label-free diagnostic device for influenza phenotyping, which is important in surveillance and prediction of pandemics. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim., This work was supported by the CICYT (Spain, projects MAT2009-09960 and AGL2007-60274) and the CSIC (Spain, projects PIF08-018 and 201060I009). B.W. acknowledges a Personal Investigador contract of the Comunidad de Madrid. M.A.M.B. and M.Y. acknowledge a PIF08-018 contract.

The main purpose of this work is to establish a methodology which uses the advantages of stratified sampling to study noise perception. Taking as a starting point the results of an existing psychosocial survey of a large population sample, the proposed procedure consists in stratifying the original sample into homogeneous groups (clusters or classes) as far as noise perception/annoyance, and then select some representatives within each group. Those representatives will be used for further inquiries relating to noise annoyance perception (i.e. action plans follow up) and may facilitate further data acquisition making it faster and cheaper to acquire without significant precision loss. According to the European Directive 2002/49/EC, action plans for noise perception and noise level conflicts reduction shall be based both on existing noise maps and existing psychosocial surveys. It is in this context that the proposed methodology can be useful, since it will allow action plans follow up and thus evaluate in a fast and cost effective way the impact of action plans on the population. The methodology has been applied to the Malaga psychosocial survey results and the variability of estimates when working with subsamples (representatives from each group) has been studied. It is observed that performing a stratified sampling technique on the clusters optimizes the cost/precision ratio of estimators.

Resumen Introduccion Se han apreciado cambios permanentes en las subpoblaciones de linfocitos intraepiteliales (LIE) en los pacientes con enfermedad celiaca. Objetivo El objetivo principal de este estudio fue demostrar la utilidad de la determinacion de las subpoblaciones de LIE receptores de celulas T gamma-delta y CD3 − /CD7 + , mediante citometria de flujo, como marcador diagnostico de la enfermedad celiaca del adulto. Pacientes y metodos Para ello, hemos realizado un estudio prospectivo sobre una muestra de 128 pacientes adultos (70 con enfermedad celiaca y 58 controles). A todos ellos se les realizaron biopsias de duodeno distal, que fueron procesadas mediante citometria de flujo para la determinacion de subpoblaciones de LIE. Resultados Segun los resultados obtenidos, la muestra de pacientes celiacos presenta un aumento de la subpoblacion de LIE gamma-delta y un descenso en la subpoblacion de LIE CD3 − /CD7 + , independientemente de la dieta realizada, cuando se comparan con el grupo control. Conclusiones Segun los datos obtenidos, se puede concluir que la determinacion de subpoblaciones de LIE mediante citometria de flujo podria resultar de utilidad para confirmar el diagnostico de enfermedad celiaca. Seria necesario investigar las subpoblaciones de linfocitos intraepiteliales en otras enfermedades distintas de la enfermedad celiaca, asi como en pacientes con enfermedad celiaca latente o potencial.

Bio-nanohybrids prepared by assembling natural polymers (polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, etc) to nanosized silicates (nanoclays) and related solids (layered double hydroxides, LDHs) give rise to the so-called bionanocomposites constituting a group of biomaterials with potential applications in medicine. In this way, biopolymers, including chitosan, pectin, alginate, xanthan gum, ι-carrageenan, gelatin, zein, and DNA, as well as phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, have been incorporated in layered host matrices by means of ion-exchange mechanisms producing intercalation composites. Also bio-nanohybrids have been prepared by the assembly of diverse bio-polymers with sepiolite, a natural microfibrous magnesium silicate, in this case through interactions affecting the external surface of this silicate. The properties and applications of these resulting biomaterials as active phases of ion-sensors and biosensors, for potential uses as scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and gene transfection systems, are introduced and discussed in this work. It is also considered the use of synthetic bionanocomposites as new substrates to immobilize microorganisms, as for instance to bind Influenza virus particles, allowing their application as effective low-cost vaccine adjuvants and carriers.

There is currently substantial interest in the cyto-protective effects of natural compounds against oxidative stress and in studying of the defense mechanisms involved. Corema album fruit is an edible berry consumed along the Atlantic littoral of the Iberian Peninsula. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic composition and evaluate the chemo-protective effects against oxidative stress of three phenolic extracts from this fruit on liver cells. Characterization of phenolic compounds, achieved by liquid chromatography and diode-array, mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry detection, showed a main fraction of hydroxycinnamic acids. Liver HepG2 cells were treated with 1-40. οg/mL of the extracts and exposed to oxidative stress chemically induced. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated. Treatment of HepG2 cells with the extracts partially prevented ROS increase, GSH depletion, antioxidant enzymes over-activity and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids induced by stress. The results support the traditional use of C. album as a medicinal plant and suggest that inclusion of its berries in the diet would contribute to the protection afforded by fruits, vegetables and plant-derived beverages against oxidative stress related diseases. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd., This work was supported by the grants AGL2010-17579, AGL2010-18269 and project CSD2007-00063 from Programa Consolider-Ingenio from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CICYT). A. L.-G. received a pre-doctoral fellowship from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (FPU).

Oxidative stress caused by oxygen radicals damages cellular DNA, proteins and lipids and is widely recognized as one of the causes of the development of chronic disease. There is substantial evidence that antioxidant food components have a protective role against oxidative stress-induced atherosclerosis, degenerative and age-related diseases, cancer and aging. The study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the prevention of cell damage mediated by antioxidant compounds could help to prevent appearance and development of oxidative stress related diseases. The present overview describes a model of oxidative stress in cultured cells suitable to test the signal transduction pathways involved in the chemo-preventive effect of dietary compounds. Human HepG2, a well differentiated transformed cell line from hepatic origin, is a reliable model for human hepatocytes widely used for biochemical and nutritional studies. The products selected for this overview are representative of different foodstuffs widely included in the human diet: cocoa flavonoids and olive oil hydroxytyrosol. The results confirm the reliability of the model and give more insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the biological activity of the tested compounds. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.