Performance of high-efficiency UV-C LEDs in water disinfection: Experimental, life cycle assessment, and economic analysis of different operational scenarios.

The widespread use of low or medium pressure mercury lamps in UV-C water disinfection should consider recent advances in UV-C LED lamps that offer a more sustainable approach and avoid its main drawbacks. The type of water and the mode of operation are critical when deciding on the treatment technology to be used. Therefore, this study investigates the potential application of UV-C LED disinfection technology in terms of kinetics, environmental assessment, and economic analysis for two scenarios: the continuous disinfection of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and disinfection of harvested rainwater (RWH) in a residential household that operates intermittently. Experiments are conducted using both the new UV-C LED system and the conventional mercury lamp to disinfect real wastewater. Removal of total coliforms and Escherichia coli bacteria, with concentrations of approximately 105 and 104 CFU per 100 mL has been followed to assess the performance of both types of UV-C lamps. The experimental study provides kinetic parameters that have been further used in the environmental assessment conducted from a life cycle perspective. Additionally, considering the significant role of electricity consumption, a preliminary economic analysis has been conducted. The results indicate that first-order kinetic constants of pathogens removal with UV-C LEDs achieve 1.4 times higher values than Hg lamp. Regarding the environmental and economic assessment, for disinfection systems operating continuously, LEDs result in environmental impacts 5 times higher than Hg lamp in most categories, indicating that Hg lamps offer a viable option both from economic and environmental point of view. However, for installations with intermittent operation, LEDs emerge as the most competitive alternative, due to their ability to be turned on and off without affecting their lifespan. This study shows that UV-C LED lamps hold promise to replace conventional mercury lamps in a near future.

Circular economy in hot-dip galvanizing with zinc and iron recovery from spent pickling acids.

The management of spent pickling acids (SPA) is an environmental challenge for the hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) industry. Bearing in mind its elevated content of iron and zinc, SPA can be regarded as a source of secondary materials in a circular economy approach. This work reports the pilot scale demonstration of non-dispersive solvent extraction (NDSX) in hollow fiber membrane contactors (HFMCs) to perform the selective zinc separation and SPA purification, so that the characteristics needed for use as a source of iron chloride are achieved. The operation of the NDSX pilot plant, which incorporates four HFMCs with a 80 m2 nominal membrane area, is carried out with SPA supplied by an industrial galvanizer, and consequently technology readiness level (TRL) 7 is reached. The purification of the SPA requires of a novel feed and purge strategy to operate the pilot plant in continuous mode. To facilitate the further implementation of the process, the extraction system is formed by tributyl phosphate as the organic extractant and tap water as the stripping agent, both easily available and cost-effective chemicals. The resulting iron chloride solution is successfully valorized as a hydrogen sulfide suppressor to purify the biogas generated in the anaerobic sludge treatment of a wastewater treatment plant. Additionally, we validate the NDSX mathematical model using pilot scale experimental data, providing a design tool for process scale-up and industrial implementation.

Hydrogen Recovery from Coke Oven Gas. Comparative Analysis of Technical Alternatives.

The recovery of energy and valuable compounds from exhaust gases in the iron and steel industry deserves special attention due to the large power consumption and CO2 emissions of the sector. In this sense, the hydrogen content of coke oven gas (COG) has positioned it as a promising source toward a hydrogen-based economy which could lead to economic and environmental benefits in the iron and steel industry. COG is presently used for heating purposes in coke batteries or furnaces, while in high production rate periods, surplus COG is burnt in flares and discharged into the atmosphere. Thus, the recovery of the valuable compounds of surplus COG, with a special focus on hydrogen, will increase the efficiency in the iron and steel industry compared to the conventional thermal use of COG. Different routes have been explored for the recovery of hydrogen from COG so far: i) separation/purification processes with pressure swing adsorption or membrane technology, ii) conversion routes that provide additional hydrogen from the chemical transformation of the methane contained in COG, and iii) direct use of COG as fuel for internal combustion engines or gas turbines with the aim of power generation. In this study, the strengths and bottlenecks of the main hydrogen recovery routes from COG are reviewed and discussed.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in Andalusian families: a genetic population study.

BACKGROUND: The BRCA1/2 mutation profile varies in Spain according to the geographical area studied. The mutational profile of BRCA1/2 in families at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer has not so far been reported in Andalusia (southern Spain). METHODS: We analysed BRCA1/2 germline mutations in 562 high-risk cases with breast and/or ovarian cancer from Andalusian families from 2010 to 2015. RESULTS: Among the 562 cases, 120 (21.4%) carried a germline pathogenic mutation in BRCA1/2; 50 in BRCA1 (41.7%) and 70 in BRCA2 (58.3%). We detected 67 distinct mutations (29 in BRCA1 and 38 in BRCA2), of which 3 in BRCA1 (c.845C > A, c.1222_1223delAC, c.2527delA) and 5 in BRCA2 (c.293 T > G, c.5558_5559delGT, c.6034delT, c.6650_6654delAAGAT, c.6652delG) had not been previously described. The most frequent mutations in BRCA1 were c.5078_5080delCTG (10%) and c.5123C > A (10%), and in BRCA2 they were c.9018C > A (14%) and c.5720_5723delCTCT (8%). We identified 5 variants of unknown significance (VUS), all in BRCA2 (c.5836 T > C, c.6323G > T, c.9501 + 3A > T, c.8022_8030delGATAATGGA, c.10186A > C). We detected 76 polymorphisms (31 in BRCA1, 45 in BRCA2) not associated with breast cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting the mutational profile of BRCA1/2 in Andalusia. We identified 21.4% of patients harbouring BRCA1/2 mutations, 58.3% of them in BRCA2. We also characterized the clinical data, mutational profile, VUS and haplotype profile.

Clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in Spain. Comparison with the 2008-2009 period and analysis of the causes of diagnosis out of screening programs. Analysis of 686 cases in 73 centers. / Características clínicas del carcinoma hepatocelular en España. Comparación con el período 2008-2009 y análisis de las causas del diagnóstico fuera de cribado. Estudio de 686 casos en 73 centros.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In 2010 we published that 53% of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detected in Spain were diagnosed outside the context of standard screening programs, which consequently leads to lower survival rates. The aim of this study was to analyze the current situation and the causes of diagnosis out of screening programs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective registry of 73 second- and third-level Spanish healthcare centers carried out between October 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015. The baseline characteristics of the disease and the first treatment administered for the incidental primary liver tumors during such period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 720 patients were included in the study: HCC (n=686), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n=29), hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n=2), other (n=3). HCC characteristics: male 82%; mean age 67 years; cirrhosis 87%; main etiologies: alcohol 35%, HCV 30%, alcohol and HCV 15%, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 6%; tumor stage: BCLC-0 11%, A 43%, B 19%, C 16% and D 11%; first treatment: transarterial chemoembolization (23%), percutaneous ablation (22%), symptomatic treatment (20%), resection (11%), sorafenib (11%). Three hundred and fifty-six patients (53%) were diagnosed outside of screening programs, mainly owing to the fact that they suffered from an undiagnosed liver disease (76%) and to the poor adherence to the screening program (18%). These patients were mainly male (P<.001), with an alcoholic etiology (P<.001) and active alcohol consumption (P<.001). Moreover, the disease was predominantly diagnosed at more advanced stages (P<.001) and was addressed with less radical treatments (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, the main cause of diagnosis of a HCC outside the context of a screening program is the absence of a prior diagnosis of a liver disease, particularly in alcohol-consuming men. Detecting a liver disease in asymptomatic populations and improving adherence to screening programs are the main areas that must be subject to improvement in order to improve the early detection of HCC.

Arsenic and fluoride contaminated groundwaters: A review of current technologies for contaminants removal.

Chronic contamination of groundwaters by both arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) is frequently observed around the world, which has severely affected millions of people. Fluoride and As are introduced into groundwaters by several sources such as water-rock interactions, anthropogenic activities, and groundwater recharge. Coexistence of these pollutants can have adverse effects due to synergistic and/or antagonistic mechanisms leading to uncertain and complicated health effects, including cancer. Many developing countries are beset with the problem of F and As laden waters, with no affordable technologies to provide clean water supply. The technologies available for the simultaneous removal are akin to chemical treatment, adsorption and membrane processes. However, the presence of competing ions such as phosphate, silicate, nitrate, chloride, carbonate, and sulfate affect the removal efficiency. Highly efficient, low-cost and sustainable technology which could be used by rural populations is of utmost importance for simultaneous removal of both pollutants. This can be realized by using readily available low cost materials coupled with proper disposal units. Synthesis of inexpensive and highly selective nanoadsorbents or nanofunctionalized membranes is required along with encapsulation units to isolate the toxicant loaded materials to avoid their re-entry in aquifers. A vast number of reviews have been published periodically on removal of As or F alone. However, there is a dearth of literature on the simultaneous removal of both. This review critically analyzes this important issue and considers strategies for their removal and safe disposal.

Assessment of PCDD/Fs formation in the Fenton oxidation of 2-chlorophenol: Influence of the iron dose applied.

Toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) may be formed during remediation of chlorinated phenols via Fenton oxidation. To highlight the need for monitoring the production of toxic byproducts in these reactions, this work assessed the influence of iron dose (0.09-0.36 mM) on the Fenton oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP, 15.56 mM), a potential precursor of PCDD/Fs, by quantifying 2-CP removal and mineralization rates as well as byproducts yields, including PCDD/Fs. Although the increase in the iron dose showed positive contribution to 2-CP oxidation, under the operating conditions of the current study (H2O2 at 20% of the stoichiometric dose and 20 °C), there was no effect on the mineralization rate, and TOC and chlorine balances were far to be closed, depicting the presence of chlorinated organic byproducts in the reaction medium. After 4 h of treatment, the total PCDD/Fs concentrations increased by 14.5-39 times related to the untreated sample when the iron doses tested decreased from 0.36 to 0.09 mM, with preferential formation of PCDFs over PCDDs and dominance of lower chlorinated congeners such as tetra and penta-PCDD/Fs. The treatment with the highest iron dose (0.36 mM) exhibited the lowest PCDD/Fs yields and was thus most successful at mitigating toxic byproducts of the Fenton oxidation, leading to lower sample toxic equivalence (TEQ) value.

Usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography in the analysis of endoscopic activity in patients with Crohn's disease: changes following treatment with immunomodulators and/or anti-TNF antibodies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) in the assessment of mucosal healing in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) receiving immunomodulators and/or biological treatment, with ileocolonoscopy as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were included in a prospective longitudinal study. All patients underwent ileocolonoscopy and AUS before and after a minimum of one year of treatment. The Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Inflammatory Index of Severity (CDEIS) was used for endoscopic assessment whereas AUS was analyzed by means of bowel wall thickness, color Doppler grade and percentage of increase of parietal enhancement after contrast injection. RESULTS: In the segmental analysis, endoscopic healing was found in 71.2% of the segments and AUS findings were normalized in 62.8%, with a significant correlation between the two techniques (κ=0.76, p<0.001). In the overall assessment performed after treatment, 18 (60%) patients exhibited endoscopic remission (CDEIS <6 points); of these patients, 15 (83.3%) had normalized sonographic findings, with a good correlation between endoscopic remission and sonographic normalization (κ=0.73, p<0.001). Of the three variables assessed by AUS, parietal thickness was the best variable to predict mucosal healing in both analyses, segmental and global. CONCLUSION: Abdominal ultrasonography is a useful and reliable technique for the assessment of the endoscopic response to treatment with immunomodulators and/or biological drugs in Crohn's disease. AUS is a highly accurate technique for evaluating the healing of the intestinal mucosa.

Impact of glutathione-enriched inactive dry yeast preparations on the stability of terpenes during model wine aging.

The impact of the addition of glutathione-enriched Inactive dry yeast preparations (g-IDYs) on the stability of some typical wine terpenes (linalool, α-terpineol, ß-citronellol, and nerol) stored under accelerated oxidative conditions was evaluated in model wines. Additionally, the effects of a second type of IDY preparation with a different claim (fermentative nutrient) and the sole addition of commercial glutathione into the model wines were also assessed. Model wines were spiked with the low molecular weight fraction (<3 kDa permeate) isolated from the IDYs, avoiding the interaction of aroma compounds with other yeast components. An exhaustive chemical characterization of both IDY permeates was carried out by using targeted and nontargeted metabolomics approaches using CE-MS and FT-ICR-MS analytical platforms. The findings suggest that the addition of <3 kDa permeate isolated from any of the IDYs employed decreases the loss of typical wine terpenes in model wines submitted to accelerated aging conditions. The g-IDY preparation did indeed release reduced GSH into the model wines, although this compound did not seem exclusively related to the protective effect on some aroma compounds determined in both model wines. The presence of other sulfur-containing compounds from yeast origin in g-IDY, and also the presence of small yeast peptides, such as methionine/tryptophan/tyrosine-containing tripeptide in both types of IDYs, seemed to be related to the antioxidant activity determined in the two permeates and to the minor loss of some terpenes in the model wines spiked with them.

Assessment of the effect of the non-volatile wine matrix on the volatility of typical wine aroma compounds by headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the whole non-volatile wine matrix composition on the volatility of typical wine aroma compounds by comparing the slopes of regression lines of five deodorised and reconstituted wines with the slopes calculated for the same compounds in a control wine with no matrix effect. RESULTS: The main effect observed was a reduction in the slopes, or a retention effect, that was largest for the reconstituted sparkling wine, which showed between 11 and 69% lower slopes than the control wine. In addition, an increase in the slopes, or a 'salting-out' effect, in the most compositionally complex reconstituted aged-red and sweet wines was also noticed for some volatiles with a very low boiling point or a low hydrophobic constant value. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the non-volatile composition of wines strongly affects the volatility of wine aroma compounds. In addition, the aroma chemical class, in particular its physicochemical properties (volatility and hydrophobicity), strongly influences this behaviour. On the basis of these results, many odour threshold values calculated in simple hydroalcoholic solutions and usually employed to evaluate the odour importance of specific volatile compounds may have been over- or underestimated.

[Quality of life and long-term results of reinterventions performed by laparoscopy after oesophageal hiatus surgery]. / Calidad de vida y resultados a largo plazo de las reintervenciones efectuadas por laparoscopia tras cirugía del hiato esofágico.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery has had a significant impact on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), para-oesophageal hiatal hernia (POHH) and achalasia. There have been a percentage of poor results due to reappearance, persistence or appearance of new symptoms. Reinterventions of the hiatus are more complicated and are not always accompanied by a satisfactory clinical response. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results of a series of 20 patients reintervened by laparoscopy and their quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients operated on between February 1998 and December 2008 after previous surgery for the hiatus. The mean age of the patients was 56 (19-77) years. A total of 18 patients had been operated on due to GORD or POHH and 2 due to achalasia. They were followed up until December 2008 and a quality of life GIQLI test was performed. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients, 13 were operated on by laparoscopy and 7 by laparotomy. The mean pre-operative time was 74 (1-24) months. The reintervention was for GORD and HH in 12 (63%); dysphagia in 4 (21%) and POHH (3). Conversion was 10% and the operating time was 180 (105-300)min. The procedures were: pillar closure and re-Nissen (10), re-Nissen (2), Toupet (2), Collis (1), mesh removal (1), re-myotomy (2), and pexy (1). There was 16% morbidity and no mortality. After a follow up of 68 (1-116) months, 14 patients were symptom-free. The GIQLI score was 106 (97-124), which was less than standard (125). CONCLUSIONS: Reintervention of hiatus is reliable and effective over the long-term, but quality of life scores were lower than normal.

Removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from polluted ground waters: a comparative study of ion-exchange technologies.

The focus of this work has been the study of Cr(VI) removal from ground waters and the simultaneous concentration for its reuse using three different technological alternatives: anion-exchange resins, liquid-liquid extraction assisted by hollow fibre membranes and emulsion pertraction. The viability of the considered objectives, i.e., Cr(VI) separation (<0.5 g/m3) and concentration for reuse (>20,000 g/m3) has been checked and a comparative analysis of the three technologies has been performed. Although the flexibility and ease of operation of non-dispersive solvent extraction, anion-exchange resins and emulsion pertraction lead to higher velocities of chromium removal, yet still maintaining similar concentration efficiencies.