Integrating waste valorization and symbiotic microorganisms for sustainable bioremediation of metal(loid)-polluted soils.

Remediation strategies for metal(loid)-polluted soils vary among the wide range of approaches, including physical, chemical, and biological remediation, or combinations of these. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of a set of soil remediation treatments based on the combined application of inorganic (marble sludge) and organic amendments (vermicompost, and dry olive residue [DOR] biotransformed by the saprobic fungi Coriolopsis rigida and Coprinellus radians) and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizoglomus custos). The treatments were applied under greenhouse conditions to soil residually polluted by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Sb), and wheat was grown in the amended soils to test the effectiveness of the treatments in reducing soil toxicity and improving soil conditions and plant performance. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of the treatments on the main soil properties and microbial activities, as well as on PTE availability and bioaccumulation in wheat plants. Overall, the results showed a positive influence of all treatments on the main soil properties. Treatments consisting of a combination of marble and organic amendments, especially biotransformed DOR amendments, showed the greatest effectiveness in improving the soil biological status, promoting plant growth and survival, and reducing PTE availability and plant uptake. Furthermore, AMF inoculation further enhanced the efficacy of DOR amendments by promoting the immobilization of PTEs in soil and stimulating the phytostabilization mechanisms induced by AMFs, thus playing an important bioprotective role in plants. Therefore, our results highlight that biotransformed DOR may represent an efficient product for use as a soil organic amendment when remediating metal(loid)-polluted soils, and that its application in combination with AMFs may represent a promising sustainable bioremediation strategy for recovering soil functions and reducing toxicity in polluted areas.

A systematic review of the application of deep learning techniques in the physiotherapeutic therapy of musculoskeletal pathologies.

Physiotherapy is a critical area of healthcare that involves the assessment and treatment of physical disabilities and injuries. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in physiotherapy has gained significant attention due to its potential to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of clinical decision-making and treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, it is still a rather innovative field of application of these techniques and there is a need to find what aspects are highly developed and what possible job niches can be exploited. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current state of research on the use of a particular AI called deep learning models in physiotherapy and identify the key trends, challenges, and opportunities in this field. The findings of this review, conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians. The most relevant databases included were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Astrophysics Data System, and Central Citation Export. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to determine which items would be considered for further review. These criteria were used to screen the items during the first and second peer review processes. A set of quality criteria was developed to select the papers obtained after the second screening. Finally, of the 214 initial papers, 23 studies were selected. From our analysis of the selected articles, we can draw the following conclusions: Concerning deep learning models, innovation is primarily seen in the adoption of hybrid models, with convolutional models being extensively utilized. In terms of data, it's unsurprising that body signals and images are predominantly used. However, texts and structured data present promising avenues for groundbreaking work in the field. Additionally, medical tests that involve the collection of 3D images, Functional Movement Screening, or thermographies emerge as novel areas to explore applications within the scope of physiotherapy.

False Positive in [ 99m Tc]Tc-DPD Scintigraphy for Cardiac Amyloidosis Due to Intravenous Iron Administration.

ABSTRACT: [ 99m Tc]Tc-DPD (3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid) scintigraphy is an essential tool for diagnosing transthyretin amyloid cardiac amyloidosis. An 86-year-old woman suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction underwent [ 99m Tc]Tc-DPD scintigraphy and a SPECT/CT for suspected transthyretin amyloid cardiac amyloidosis. The scan showed intracardiac and liver uptake. As the patient had taken intravenous iron on the morning of the scan, we decided to repeat the scan, but this time, it showed no uptake in the heart or the liver. Accordingly, we concluded the first result was a false positive due to drug interaction.

Technosols Derived from Mining, Urban, and Agro-Industrial Waste for the Remediation of Metal(loid)-Polluted Soils: A Microcosm Assay.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of six Technosols designed for the remediation of polluted soils (PS) by metal(loid)s at physicochemical, biological, and ecotoxicological levels and at a microcosm scale. Technosols T1-T6 were prepared by combining PS with a mix of organic and inorganic wastes from mining, urban, and agro-industrial activities. After two months of surface application of Technosols on polluted soils, we analysed the soil properties, metal(loid) concentration in total, soluble and bioavailable fractions, soil enzymatic activities, and the growth responses of Trifolium campestre and Lactuca sativa in both the Technosols and the underlying polluted soils. All Technosols improved the unfavourable conditions of polluted soils by neutralising acidity, increasing the OC, reducing the mobility of most metal(loid)s, and stimulating both the soil enzymatic activities and growths of T. campestre and L. sativa. The origin of organic waste used in the Technosols strongly conditioned the changes induced in the polluted soils; in this sense, the Technosols composed of pruning and gardening vermicompost (T3 and T6) showed greater reductions in toxicity and plant growth than the other Technosols composed with different organic wastes. Thus, these Technosols constitute a potential solution for the remediation of persistent polluted soils that should be applied in large-scale and long-term interventions to reinforce their feasibility as a cost-effective ecotechnology.

Remediation potential of mining, agro-industrial, and urban wastes against acid mine drainage.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) poses serious consequences for human health and ecosystems. Novel strategies for its treatment involve the use of wastes. This paper evaluates the remediation potential of wastes from urban, mining and agro-industrial activities to address acidity and high concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in AMD. Samples of these waste products were spiked with an artificially prepared AMD, then pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and PTE concentrations in the leachates were measured. The artificial AMD obtained through oxidation of Aznalcóllar's tailing showed an ultra-acid character (pH - 2.89 ± 0.03) and extreme high electrical conductivity (EC - 3.76 ± 0.14 dS m-1). Moreover, most PTE were above maximum regulatory levels in natural and irrigation waters. Wastes studied had a very high acid neutralising capacity, as well as a strong capacity to immobilise PTE. Inorganic wastes, together with vermicompost from pruning, reduced most PTE concentrations by over 95%, while organic wastes retained between 50 and 95%. Thus, a wide range of urban, mining, and agro-industrial wastes have a high potential to be used in the treatment of AMD. This study provides valuable input for the development of new eco-technologies based on the combination of wastes (eg. Technosols, permeable reactive barriers) to remediate degraded environments.

Editorial for the Special Issue "Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils".

Soil is an essential natural resource because of the ecosystem services it carries out in the terrestrial ecosystem: the provision of food, fibre and fuel; habitats for organisms; nutrient cycling; climate regulation and carbon sequestration; water purification and soil contaminant reductions; and others [...].

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Polluted Soils One Year after the Application of Different Soil Remediation Techniques.

The present work evaluated the influence of eight different soil remediation techniques, based on the use of residual materials (gypsum, marble, vermicompost) on the reduction in metal(loid)s toxicity (Cu, Zn, As, Pb and Cd) in a polluted natural area. Selected remediation treatments were applied in a field exposed to real conditions and they were evaluated one year after the application. More specifically, five ecotoxicological tests were carried out using different organisms on either the solid or the aqueous (leachate) fraction of the amended soils. Likewise, the main soil properties and the total, water-soluble and bioavailable metal fractions were determined to evaluate their influence on soil toxicity. According to the toxicity bioassays performed, the response of organisms to the treatments differed depending on whether the solid or the aqueous fraction was used. Our results highlighted that the use of a single bioassay may not be sufficient as an indicator of toxicity pathways to select soil remediation methods, so that the joint determination of metal availability and ecotoxicological response will be determinant for the correct establishment of any remediation technique carried out under natural conditions. Our results indicated that, of the different treatments used, the best technique for the remediation of metal(loid)s toxicity was the addition of marble sludge with vermicompost.

The effects of global postural re-education on sleep quality and stress in university women lecturers: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of global postural re-education (GPR) on sleep quality and stress in female health science lecturers. Methods: A total of 24 female university lecturers were allocated in this randomized controlled trial into intervention (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The intervention group underwent familiarization and training on the therapy to execute an 8-week treatment with GPR. Data collected on sleep quality were analyzed using 24-h accelerometry (Actigraphy GT3X+) in addition to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire score as well as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) anxiety questionnaire. Data on stress were collected by measuring salivary cortisol. Results: After comparing the GPR of the groups, there was a main effect of the group (F = 5.278, p = 0.044) for PSQI. The post-hoc analysis revealed that both groups decreased scores between pre- and post-treatment. Additionally, post-treatment, there were differences between groups. For sleep latency, there were main effects of group (F = 6.118, p = 0.031) and score × group (F = 9.343, p = 0.011) interactions. The post-hoc analysis revealed that treatment groups decreased scores between pre- and post-treatment, and there were differences between groups (all p < 0.050). Conclusion: The self-administered GPR improves sleep quality in female university lecturers, providing a valuable self-regulation tool for enhanced sleep quality and enhanced academic performance. Further study may help to develop this as a potential tool to help university lecturers' job performance.

Pinus halepensis in Contaminated Mining Sites: Study of the Transfer of Metals in the Plant-Soil System Using the BCR Procedure.

The study aimed at evaluating the geochemical fractions of Zn, Pb, Cd and their bioavailability in soil in-depth and around the root of Pinus halepensis grown on heavily contaminated mine tailing in south-western Sardinia, Italy. The contaminated substrates were partly investigated in a previous study and are composed of pyrite, dolomite, calcite, quartz, gypsum, barite, iron-sulfate and iron-oxide. The geochemical fractions and bioavailability of Zn, Pb and Cd were measured through the BCR extractions method. Cadmium in the superficial contaminated substrates was mainly found in the exchangeable BCR fraction. Zinc and lead were often found in the residual BCR fraction. PCA confirmed that the uppermost alkaline-calcareous layers of mine waste were different with respect to the deeper acidic layers. We demonstrated that Pb and Zn were less present in the exchangeable form around the roots of P. halepensis and in soil depth. This can be due to uptake or other beneficial effect of rhizospheres interaction processes. Further studies will shed light to confirm if P. halepensis is a good candidate to apply phytostabilization in mine tailing.

Impact of time-of-day and chronotype on neuromuscular performance in semi-professional female volleyball players.

This study aimed to determine if time-of-day could influence physical volleyball performance in females and to explore the relationship between chronotype and volleyball-specific performance. Fifteen young female athletes participated in a randomized counterbalanced trial, performing a neuromuscular test battery in the morning (9:00 h) and the evening (19:00 h) that consisted of volleyball standing spike, straight leg raise, dynamic balance, vertical jump, modified agility T-test and isometric handgrip tests. Chronotype was determined by the morningness-eveningness questionnaire. Compared to the morning, an increased performance was found in the standing spike (4.5%, p = .002, ES = 0.59), straight leg raise test (dominant-limb) (6.5%, p = .012, ES = 0.40), dynamic balance (non-dominant-limb) (5.0%, p = .010, ES = 0.57) and modified T-test (2.1%, p = .049, ES = 0.45) performance in the evening; while no statistical differences were reported in vertical jump tests or isometric handgrip strength. Moreover, no associations were found between chronotype and neuromuscular performance (r = -0.368-0.435, p = .052-0.439). Time-of-day affected spike ball velocity, flexibility in the dominant-limb, dynamic balance in the non-dominant-limb and agility tests. However, no association was reported among these improvements and the chronotype. Therefore, although the chronotype may not play critical role in volleyball-specific performance, evening training/matches schedules could benefit performance in semi-professional female volleyball players.

Integrated rearing system proposal for Cantareus aspersus in experimental orchards: Growth models.

An integrated rearing system for Cantareus aspersus under environmental conditions in an experimental orchard is proposed. In this study, the natural behaviour, circadian rhythms and suitable rearing conditions of the edible snail were optimised to produce homogeneous growth and low variability. The growth was standardised, and growth pattern fit was assessed with various models. One thousand fry were cultured in the orchard, and a random sample of 100 snails were measured weekly for 23 weeks. The rearing system had the following characteristics: snails and earthworms were included in the experimental rearing orchard; a homogeneous group of juvenile snails of the same age and size and high rearing density (500 snails/m2) was used; snails were fed with layers mash ad libitum; and mixed and fringes vegetation was planted in the orchard. A commercial size of 60% of snails was achieved in 21 weeks and 95% in 23 weeks. The different models showed a good fit, and the quadratic model obtained the best fit. This experimental snail orchard proposal can be extended to other areas, although it must be corrected according to different environmental conditions and fit to other species of interest. This experimental model could constitute a viable alternative to traditional models of animal experimentation with mammals, and given its high adaptability, it could be applied in different fields of science.

Acute Effects of Global Postural Re-Education on Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Does Time-of-Day Play a Role?

Low back pain is one the most common forms of musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, several physiotherapeutic strategies (e.g., global postural re-education therapy) have been used for reducing low back pain. The aim of this study was to determinate if acute application of global postural re-education session associated effects are influenced by the time-of-day when this physical therapy is applied. Eight participants in a randomized, counterbalanced order were acutely tested both before and 24 h after a global postural re-education therapy session (10 min session) in three different time-of-day points; morning (i.e., AM; 7:00-9:00 h), midday (i.e., AM; 12:00-14:00 h) and afternoon (i.e., PM; 18:00-20:00 h). In each session, low back pain Visual Analogue Pain Scale [VAS]), flexibility, function capacity (Roland Morris Questionnaire [RMQ], and physical functioning Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) were recorded. Results showed a pain reduction (VAS Scale) 24 h post Global postural re-education [GPR] session (p = 0.001) and increasing of flexibility pre-post GPR session in all the time-of-day points (morning, midday, and afternoon) (p = 0.001) while no differences were reported in RMQ (p = 0.969) and ODI (p = 0.767). Thus, acute GPR session produces the same effects on flexibility, low back pain, function capacity, and physical functioning values independently of time-of-day when it is applied.

The role of organic amendment in soils affected by residual pollution of potentially harmful elements.

The addition of organic amendment in soils affected by residual pollution of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) is evaluated. The area was polluted twenty years ago and remediation actions were intensively applied, but evidence of pollution are still detected in some sectors. The amendment application produces significant changes in the main soil properties and modifies the mobility and availability of the pollutants. In general, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, showed a significant reduction in soluble and exchangeable forms after the vermicompost addition (percentage of reduction ranging from 59% for soluble Pb to 95% for exchangeable Zn), both in highly (UVS) as in moderately (VS1) polluted soils. This reduction is strongly related to the rise in OC content and pH. Arsenic presented no significant reduction or even an increase in soluble forms in moderately polluted soils (VS1), where the competing effects of OC and phosphorous could be responsible for this increase. Pb also showed an increase in availability after vermicompost application, probably related to the competing effect of Mg2+ coming from the organic amendment. The less mobile forms (those extracted with oxalic-oxalate, pyrophosphate and EDTA), indicate that vermicompost application reduce medium-long term mobility to similar values of those found in less polluted soils (VS2); anyway, an increase in available forms of Pb and As was detected in some cases, indicating a potential risk of toxicity that should be monitored over time.