Valorisation of biowaste digestate through solid state fermentation to produce biopesticides from Bacillus thuringiensis.

The main goal of this work is the production of a biopesticide through solid-state fermentation of biowaste digestate inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) at pilot scale using different configurations of reactors. Fermentations were carried out using insulated and non-insulated, stirred and non-stirred reactors at different scales (10, 22 and 100 L) in order to assess the influence of the reactor configuration on the biopesticide production process. A maximum temperature of 60 °C was reached in 10-L insulated non-stirred reactors where increments of Bt viable cells and spores with respect to initial values of 1.9 and 171.6 respectively, were attained. In contrast, when temperature was regulated by using 22-L non-insulated stirred reactors the increment of viable cells and spores were 0.8 and 1.9, respectively, at a stable temperature of 27 °C. When the non-insulated stirred reactor was scaled up to 100-L, the increase of viable cells and spore counts were 1.2 and 3.8 respectively, with an average temperature of 28 °C. These results demonstrated that the election of a proper reactor configuration is important when considering the development of a new SSF process, especially when dealing with non-conventional substrates as digestate.

Biological and Cognitive Markers of Presenilin1 E280A Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Colombian Kindred.

The study of individuals with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease affords one of the best opportunities to characterize the biological and cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease that occur over the course of the preclinical and symptomatic stages. Unifying the knowledge gained from the past three decades of research in the world's largest single-mutation autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred - a family in Antioquia, Colombia with the E280A mutation in the Presenilin1 gene - will provide new directions for Alzheimer's research and a framework for generalizing the findings from this cohort to the more common sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease. As this specific mutation is virtually 100% penetrant for the development of the disease by midlife, we use a previously defined median age of onset for mild cognitive impairment for this cohort to examine the trajectory of the biological and cognitive markers of the disease as a function of the carriers' estimated years to clinical onset. Studies from this cohort suggest that structural and functional brain abnormalities - such as cortical thinning and hyperactivation in memory networks - as well as differences in biofluid and in vivo measurements of Alzheimer's-related pathological proteins distinguish Presenilin1 E280A mutation carriers from non-carriers as early as childhood, or approximately three decades before the median age of onset of clinical symptoms. We conclude our review with discussion on future directions for Alzheimer's disease research, with specific emphasis on ways to design studies that compare the generalizability of research in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease to the larger sporadic Alzheimer's disease population.

The nucleus raphe magnus OFF-cells are involved in diffuse noxious inhibitory controls.

Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) are very powerful long-lasting descending inhibitory controls which are pivotal in modulating the activity of spinal and trigeminal nociceptive neurons. DNIC are subserved by a loop involving supraspinal structures such as the lateral parabrachial nucleus and the subnucleus reticularis dorsalis. Surprisingly, though, whether the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), another supraspinal area which is long known to be important in pain modulation, is involved in DNIC is still a matter of discussion. Here, we reassessed the role of the NRM neurons in DNIC by electrophysiologically recording from wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the trigeminal subnucleus oralis and pharmacologically manipulating the NRM OFF- and ON-cells. In control conditions, C-fiber-evoked responses in trigeminal WDR neurons are inhibited by a conditioning noxious heat stimulation applied to the hindpaw. We show that inactivating the NRM by microinjecting the GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, both facilitates C-fiber-evoked responses of trigeminal WDR neurons and strongly attenuates their inhibition by heat applied to the hindpaw. Interestingly, selective blockade of ON-cells by microinjecting the broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonist, kynurenate, into the NRM neither affects C-fiber-evoked responses nor attenuates DNIC of trigeminal WDR neurons. These results indicate that the NRM tonically inhibits trigeminal nociceptive inputs and is involved in the neuronal network underlying DNIC. Moreover, within NRM, OFF-cells might be more specifically involved in both the tonic and phasic descending inhibitory controls of trigeminal nociception.

Odours and volatile organic compounds emitted from municipal solid waste at different stage of decomposition and relationship with biological stability.

Odours (OU(E)) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission during biological process used to treat MSW were studied under standardized conditions in order to detect potential risk for workers and population. Results obtained indicated that odours and VOCs emitted depend on the biological stability of waste measured by the dynamic respiration index (DRI) and a very good correlation were found between these parameters (OU(E) vs. DRI, r=0.96, p<0.001, n=6; VOC vs. DRI, r=0.97, p<0.001, n=6). GC-MS study of the VOCs indicated the presence of a group of molecules that were degraded during the process. On the other hand, a second group of molecules, i.e. aromatic and halogenated compounds, and furan persisted in the waste sample, although molecule concentrations were always lower than Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA).

Potential odour emission measurement in organic fraction of municipal solid waste during anaerobic digestion: Relationship with process and biological stability parameters.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between microbial activity, i.e., biological stability measured by aerobic (OD(20) test) and anaerobic tests (ABP test), and odour emissions of organic fraction of municipal solid waste during anaerobic digestion in a full-scale treatment plant considering the three stages of the process (input, digested and post-digested waste). The results obtained indicated that the stabilization of the treated material reduces the odour impact measured by the olfactometric approach. Successive application of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (EN) allowed the characterization of the different groups of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible of odour impacts determining, also, their concentration. Principal component and partial least squares analyses applied to the EN and GC-MS data sets gave good regression for the OD(20) vs the EN and OD(20) vs the GC-MS data. Therefore, OD(20) reduction could be used as an odour depletion indicator.

Potential odour emission measurement in organic fraction of municipal solid waste during anaerobic digestion: relationship with process and biological stability parameters.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between microbial activity, i.e., biological stability measured by aerobic (OD20 test) and anaerobic tests (ABP test), and odour emissions of organic fraction of municipal solid waste during anaerobic digestion in a full-scale treatment plant considering the three stages of the process (input, digested and post-digested waste). The results obtained indicated that the stabilization of the treated material reduces the odour impact measured by the olfactometric approach. Successive application of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic nose (EN) allowed the characterization of the different groups of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible of odour impacts determining, also, their concentration. Principal component and partial least squares analyses applied to the EN and GC-MS data sets gave good regression for the OD20 vs the EN and OD20 vs the GC-MS data. Therefore, OD20 reduction could be used as an odour depletion indicator.

[Response to idebenone and multivitamin therapy in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy]. / Respuesta a la idebenona asociada a multivitaminoterapia en neuropatía óptica hereditaria de Leber.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the efficacy of idebenone and multivitamin treatment in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). METHOD: Two patients diagnosed of unilateral LHON were treated with megadoses of idebenone, vitamin C and riboflavin for one year. They were examined clinically before, during and after treatment. RESULTS: No improvement of visual function was observed. Despite the idebenone treatment, in both cases the second eye became involved. CONCLUSIONS: Despite previous reports of visual recovery with idebenone in patients with LHON, our experience shows that an effective treatment for Leber's disease remains to be found.

New frontiers for the perioperative data method for IOL calculation following corneal refractive surgeries.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of the perioperative data method for intraocular lens (IOL) calculation after correction of myopia and hyperopia with different techniques, including reoperated cases. METHODS: Thirty-five eyes (26 patients) that developed cataract after corneal refractive procedures were evaluated retrospectively. They were categorized according to initial error of refraction into myopes and hyperopes and according to types of refractive procedures into ablative, incisional, both, or others. Reoperated cases were also considered. Number of refractive procedures was noted. Time interval between the first procedure and cataract extraction was indicated. Perioperative method was used to calculate the K value. SRK/T formula was used to calculate IOL power. Difference between intended and finally achieved manifest refraction was an indicator for efficiency of the calculation. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 77.2% of cases had manifest refraction +/-1.5 D of intended refraction. There was no difference between myopes and hyperopes in terms of final manifest refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, and difference between intended and finally achieved manifest refraction. Similarly were groups of different types of surgeries. Efficiency of the method decreased with high axial lengths and low IOL powers. Neither the number of refractive surgeries nor time interval between surgeries affected efficiency of the method. CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative data method is equally effective for myopes and hyperopes. The types, numbers of refractive procedures, as well as the time interval between refractive surgery and cataract extraction do not alter the credibility of the method. In high degrees of myopia, the method gives less accurate results.

Diabetes mellitus concomitantly facilitates the induction of long-term depression and inhibits that of long-term potentiation in hippocampus.

Memory impairments, which occur regularly across species as a result of ageing, disease (such as diabetes mellitus) and psychological insults, constitute a useful area for investigating the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. Previous studies in rats found that induction of diabetes (with streptozotocin, STZ) impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) but enhances long-term depression (LTD) induced by high- (HFS) and low-frequency stimulations (LFS), respectively. Using a pairing protocol under whole-cell recording conditions to induce synaptic plasticity at Schaffer collateral synapses in hippocampal CA1 slices, we show that LTD and LTP have similar magnitudes in diabetic and age-matched control rats. But, in diabetic animals, LTD is induced at more polarized and LTP more depolarized membrane potentials (V(ms)) compared with controls: diabetes produces a 10 mV leftward shift in the threshold for LTD induction and 10 mV rightward shift in the LTD-LTP crossover point of the voltage-response curve for synaptic plasticity. Prior repeated short-term potentiations or LTP are known to similarly, though reversibly, lower the threshold for LTD induction and raise that for LTP induction. Thus, diabetes- and activity-dependent modulation of synaptic plasticity (referred to as metaplasticity) display similar phenomenologies. In addition, compared with naïve synapses, prior induction of LTP produces a 10 mV leftward shift in Vms for inducing subsequent LTD in control but not in diabetic rats. This could indicate that diabetes acts on synaptic plasticity through mechanisms involved in metaplasticity. Persistent facilitation of LTD and inhibition of LTP may contribute to learning and memory impairments associated with diabetes mellitus.

Propagation of fatigue cracks in acrylic bone cements containing different radiopaque agents.

In this work three iodine-containing monomers were proposed as new radiopaque agents for acrylic bone cements. In previous studies the addition of iodine-containing methacrylate monomers provided a statistically significant increase in tensile stress, fracture toughness and ductility, with respect to the barium sulphate (BaSO4)-containing cement. However, since fatigue resistance is one of the main properties required to ensure a good long-term performance of permanent prostheses, it is important to compare the fatigue properties of these new bone cement formulations with the radiolucent and BaSO4-containing bone cements. Because the acrylic cements have initial cracks, fatigue crack propagation studies were performed. It can be observed that these acrylic cements followed the Paris-Erdogan model. The results showed that the addition of some organic radiopacifiers (DISMA, TIBMA) increased the fatigue crack propagation resistance as compared to the radiolucent cement, being similar to the BaSO4-containing cement. The radiolucent cement showed a low crack propagation resistance.

Wear behaviour of the pair Ti-6Al-4V-UHMWPE of acrylic bone cements containing different radiopaque agents.

The objective of this study was to improve the wear behaviour of acrylic bone cements by substituting the conventional inorganic radiopaque agents (BaSO(4), ZrO(2)) for different iodinated radiopaque monomers which can co-polymerize with the methyl methacrylate monomer, MMA. To this aim, the wear behaviour of the pair Ti-6Al-4V-UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) was studied in the absence and in the presence of cement particles (the third body).

Elimination of barium sulphate from acrylic bone cements. Use of two iodine-containing monomers.

The aim of this work is to present a new approach to joint arthroplasty failure related to bone cement mantle. As barium sulphate is considered one of the main causes of mechanical weakness in the cement, we substituted this inorganic radiopacifier of the solid component for radiopaque monomers in the liquid component. We obtained two different cements, one containing 5 vol% 2-[2',3',5'-triiodobenzoyl] ethyl methacrylate (TIBMA) and the other containing 3,5-diiodine salicylic methacrylate (DISMA). In both cases, the mechanical properties of these new cements were better than those of the barium sulphate-containing cement. The radiopacity obtained was comparable to that of the aforementioned cement and all the samples showed good biocompatibility.

Increased spike broadening and slow afterhyperpolarization in CA1 pyramidal cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with impairments of cognitive function both in humans and animal models. In diabetic rats cognitive deficits are related to alterations in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Many similarities with the pathophysiology of normal brain aging have been noted, and the view emerges that the effects of diabetes on the brain are best described as "accelerated brain aging."In the present study we examined whether CA1 pyramidal neurons from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats display an increased slow afterhyperpolarization, often considered as a hallmark of neuronal aging. We found no differences in resting membrane potential, input resistance, membrane time-constant, and action potential amplitude and duration between CA1 pyramidal neurons from streptozotocin-induced diabetic and age-matched control rats. During a train of action potentials, however, there is an increased broadening of the action potentials in diabetic animals, so-called "spike broadening." The amplitude of the slow afterhyperpolarization elicited by a train of action potentials is indeed increased in diabetic animals. Interestingly, when the slow afterhyperpolarization is elicited by a Ca(2+) spike, there is no difference between control and diabetic rats. This indicates that the increased slow afterhyperpolarization in diabetes is likely to be due to an increased Ca(2+) influx resulting from the increased spike broadening. These data underscore the notion that the diabetic brain at the neuronal level shares properties with brain aging.

A radiopaque polymeric matrix for acrylic bone cements.

As part of the search for an alternative to inorganic radiopaque agents, this work studies the possibility of modifying bone cement formulations by incorporating a radiopaque monomer, that is, 4-iodophenol methacrylate (IPMA), in the liquid phase. The monomer was synthesized in the laboratory, and cements were prepared by the standard method. The influence on the different cement characteristics of various monomer concentrations was studied. It was seen that the setting time decreased as the percentage of monomer increased. The radiopacity attained in the 15 vol.% IPMA formulations was about the same as that for a cement containing 10 wt.% barium sulphate. Dynamic and static mechanical properties were measured. The materials did not show significant differences in the glass transition temperature. However, static mechanical properties showed enhanced compressive strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus with respect to conventional cements formulated with barium sulphate. Histological studies showed a good response of muscular tissue to implanted specimens.

Haze after laser in situ keratomileusis in eyes with previous photorefractive keratectomy.

In cases with previous photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), there is a risk of developing severe haze after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). We report 3 patients (4 eyes) who developed severe haze after LASIK treatment for residual myopia following PRK. Both PRK and LASIK procedures were performed using the VISX 20/20 excimer laser. We report the grade of haze, amount of regression, and visual acuity after the patients were treated with topical steroids. In 2 eyes, the uncorrected visual acuity was 1.0 after 1 year with grade I haze. In the other 2 eyes, there was a residual refractive error, and the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.7 with grade II haze.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for treatment of residual myopia after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis after photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS: Eighty eyes of 80 patients with residual myopia after photorefractive keratectomy were reoperated with laser in situ keratomileusis. The study was retrospective. Laser in situ keratomileusis was performed using the automated corneal shaper microkeratome and Chiron Technolas 217-C d1 excimer laser. Data measured after laser in situ keratomileusis included uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, haze, pachymetry, and keratometry. The follow-up was at least 12 +/- 1.6 months (range, 12 to 15 months). RESULTS: After laser in situ keratomileusis the mean spherical equivalent was -0.24 diopters +/- 0.78. (range, -3 to +1.5) at 12 months, and the mean uncorrected visual acuity was 0.76 diopters +/- 0.24 (range, 0.1 to 1). Sixty-five eyes (81.3%) had various degrees of haze after laser in situ keratomileusis. One eye (1.2%) lost 2 lines of best-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis enhancement may be a good alternative to correct residual myopia and astigmatism after primary photorefractive keratectomy. Corneal haze is a common problem in these eyes, and the treatment after laser in situ keratomileusis enhancement should be the same as the treatment after primary photorefractive keratectomy.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for undercorrection and overcorrection after radial keratotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the management of overcorrection and undercorrection after radial keratotomy (RK). SETTING: Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 20 eyes of 13 patients. The eyes were divided into 2 groups: 11 eyes that were overcorrected after RK and 9 eyes that were undercorrected after RK. Both groups were treated with LASIK after a mean interval of 22 months +/- 8.4 (SD) (range 12 to 45 months). The follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: Six months after LASIK, there was a significant decrease in the spherical equivalent in both groups. Ninety-one percent of eyes in the overcorrected group and 89% in the undercorrected group were within +/-1.0 diopter of the intended correction. There was a significant improvement in the uncorrected visual acuity in both groups. In the overcorrected group, 91% showed no change or improvement in their best corrected visual acuity; in the undercorrected group, 89% showed no change or improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was relatively safe in treating both overcorrection and undercorrection after RK. With proper intraoperative precautions, LASIK can effectively treat the residual refractive defects after RK.

Laser in situ keratomileusis to correct residual myopia after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, predictability, and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting residual myopia after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients underwent LASIK for the correction of residual myopia after cataract surgery. LASIK was carried out using the Chiron Automated Corneal Shaper and the NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser. In all eyes, the follow-up was 12 months. RESULTS: Before LASIK, 1 eye (4.5%) had an uncorrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better; 12 months after LASIK, 10 eyes (45.4%) achieved this level of visual acuity and 0 eyes achieved 1.00 or better. Before LASIK, mean refraction was -2.90 +/- 1.80 D; 12 months after LASIK it decreased significantly to 0.40 +/- 0.60 D (P < .01). In 18 eyes (81.8%) at 12 months after LASIK, spherical equivalent refraction was within +/-1.00 D of emmetropia; 11 eyes (50%) were within 0.50 D. No vision-threatening complications occurred. CONCLUSION: LASIK with the Automated Corneal Shaper and Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser was an effective, predictable, stable, and safe procedure for correcting residual myopia after cataract surgery. No intraocular lens or cataract incision related complications occurred when LASIK was performed at least 3 months after phacoemulsification.