Comparison by Life-Cycle Assessment of Alternative Processes for Carvone and Verbenone Production.

Verbenone and carvone are allylic monoterpenoid ketones with many applications in the fine chemicals industry that can be obtained, respectively, from the allylic oxidation of α-pinene and limonene over a silica-supported iron hexadecachlorinated phthalocyanine (FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2) catalyst and with t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. As there are no reported analyses of the environmental impacts associated with catalytic transformation of terpenes into value-added products that include the steps associated with synthesis of the catalyst and several options of raw materials in the process, this contribution reports the evaluation of the environmental impacts in the conceptual process to produce verbenone and carvone considering two scenarios (SI-raw-oils and SII-purified-oils). The impact categories were evaluated using ReCiPe and IPCC methods implemented in SimaPro 9.3 software. The environmental impacts in the synthesis of the heterogeneous catalyst FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2 showed that the highest burdens in terms of environmental impact come from the use of fossil fuel energy sources and solvents, which primarily affect human health. The most significant environmental impacts associated with carvone and verbenone production are global warming and fine particulate matter formation, with fewer environmental impacts associated with the process that starts directly from turpentine and orange oils (SI-raw-oils) instead of the previously extracted α-pinene and limonene (SII-purified-oils). As TBHP was identified as a hotspot in the production process of verbenone and carvone, it is necessary to choose a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient oxidizing agent for the oxidation of turpentine and orange oils.

Influence of Temperature and Copper on Oxalobacteraceae in Soil Enrichments.

ß-Proteobacteria is one of the most abundant phylum in soils, including autotrophic and heterotrophic ammonium-consumers with relevance in N circulation in soils. The effects of high-temperature events and phytosanitary treatments, such as copper amendments, on soil bacterial communities relevant to N-cycling remain to be studied. As an example, South Portugal soils are seasonally exposed to high-temperature periods, the temperature at the upper soil layers can reach over 40 °C. Here, we evaluated the dynamics of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria from a temperate soil, in particular of heterotrophic ß-Proteobacteria, regarding the ammonium equilibrium, as a function of temperature and copper treatment. Soil samples were collected from an olive orchard in southern Portugal. Selective enrichments were performed from samples under different conditions of temperature (30 and 50 °C) and copper supplementation (100 and 500 µM) in order to mime seasonal variations and phytosanitary treatments. Changes in the microbial communities under these conditions were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, a molecular fingerprint technique. At moderate temperature--30 °C--either without or with copper addition, dominant members were identified as different strains belonging to genus Massilia, a genus of the Oxalobacteraceae (ß-Proteobacteria), while at 50 °C, members of the Brevibacillus genus, phylum Firmicutes were also represented. Ammonium production during bacterial growth at moderate and high temperatures was not affected by copper addition. Results indicate that both copper and temperature selected specific tolerant bacterial strains with consequences for N-cycling in copper-treated orchards.

Evaluación clínica abierta multicéntrica no aleatorizada y prospectiva de la efectividad de una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) en diferentes tipos de pacientes con riesgo de ulceración / Multicentric prospective non randomized open clinical evaluation of the efficacy of an emulsion based on hyperoxigenated fatty acids Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora (Mepentol® Leche) in different types of patients with risk of ulceration

Las úlceras de la extremidad inferior suponen un grave problema sanitario que afecta a un gran número de pacientes, constituyendo por ello un gran reto de trabajo para los profesionales de la salud. Los ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados (AGHO) han demostrado tener eficacia en la prevención de este tipo de úlceras. Gracias a los buenos resultados obtenidos en un estudio previo, nos planteamos seguir evaluando la efectividad del producto Mepentol® Leche, una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora, en el cuidado de la piel y alivio de los síntomas en pacientes con este problema, pero ampliando el tamaño de la muestra y centrándonos en pacientes diabéticos junto con otras enfermedades concomitantes. Además, en este estudio se ha implicado a profesionales de enfermería de seis provincias: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Sevilla, Málaga y Ceuta. De nuevo con este estudio, realizado en un total de 2.145 pacientes, hemos demostrado que ningún paciente ha ulcerado durante el tiempo de seguimiento y tratamiento con Mepentol® Leche y que su aplicación sistemática mejora claramente los síntomas previos a la aparición de úlceras, evitando la sequedad cutánea, reduciendo el prurito, escozor, dolor y eccema, y devolviendo la piel de estos pacientes a su coloración normal (AU)

The lower extremity wounds are a serious health problem that affects a large number of patients, thereby assuming a great challenge to work for health professionals. Hyperoxygenated fatty acids (AGHO), have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of this type of ulcers. Thanks to the good results obtained in a previous study, we plan to continue evaluating the effectiveness of Mepentol® Leche, an emulsion-based hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora in skin care and relief of symptoms, in patients with this problem, but expanding the sample size and focusing on diabetic patients with concomitant diseases. Also in this study have been involving nurses in six provinces: Almería, Alicante, Granada, Seville, Malaga and Ceuta. Again with this study, a total of 2,145 patients, we demonstrated that no patient has ulcerated during the follow-up and treatment with Mepentol® Leche and its systematic application significantly improves the symptoms before the onset of ulcers, preventing dryness skin, reducing itching, burning, pain and eczema, and returning the skin of these patients to their normal color (AU)

Did smoke from the Kuwait oil well fires affect Iranian archaeological heritage?

The combustion of crude oil produces a wide range of pollutants, including gases, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, acid compounds (e.g., sulfuric acid), and soot. Several of these pollutants have been linked with the deterioration and blackening of monuments. The paper reports the results of an investigation on the causes of the soiling of cultural remains at important archaeological sites in the provinces of Khuzestan and Fars, in southern Iran, assumed to be an effect of the Persian Gulf oil well fires of 1991. Different analytical techniques were applied to characterize the mineralogical composition of the damage layers, investigate the deposition of atmospheric particles, measure the anion concentrations, and identify and quantify the carbon components. The results showed that the black deposits on the surfaces of the Iranian monuments considered are mainly microbiotic crusts produced by cyanobacterial growth. No evidence was found of the deposition of particulate matter (smoke) produced by the Kuwait oil fires during the Gulf War.

[Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot. Non-randomized open clinical evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"]. / Prevención de ulceras vasculares y pie diabético. Evaluación clínica abierta no aleatorizada sobre la efectividad de Mepentol Leche.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for health professionals. Hyper-oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December 2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were 32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated over a one month period and each had a follow-up by means of a data collection file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions: color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation. RESULTS: Not one patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche. Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching 96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%, maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals' evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use, tolerance, absorption, and ease of application. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin.

Prevención de úlceras vasculares y pie diabético. Evaluación clínica abierta no aleatorizada sobre la efectividad de Mepentol Leche / Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot. Non-randomized open clinical evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"

Introducción: las úlceras vasculares y úlceras de pie diabético constituyen un grave problema sanitario que afecta a un gran número de pacientes, suponiendo por ello un gran reto de trabajo para los profesionales de la salud. Los ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados (AGHO) han demostrado tener eficacia gracias a su acción favorable sobre la piel en tres puntos: aumentando la microcirculación sanguínea, impulsando la renovación celular epidérmica y mejorando notablemente la hidratación cutánea. Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia del producto Mepentol Leche, una emulsión a base de ácidos grasos hiperoxigenados, Aloe barbadensis y Mimosa tenuiflora, en el cuidado de la piel y el alivio de los síntomas, en pacientes con úlceras vasculares y úlceras de pie diabético. Métodos: evaluación clínica realizada entre junio de 2004 a diciembre de 2005. Se estudia un total de 195 pacientes. Los parámetros de inclusión han sido: por patología venosa (32,82%), cuidado de la piel (35,90%), patología arterial (26,67%) y patología linfática (4,62%). Los pacientes han sido evaluados durante un mes y se ha realizado un seguimiento de cada uno de ellos mediante una ficha de recogida de datos. La pauta de aplicación del producto ha sido de dos veces al día y siempre en piel íntegra. La efectividad del producto se ha establecido en base a los siguientes epígrafes: sintomatología (prurito, escozor y dolor) y condiciones de la piel (coloración, sequedad, edema, maceración, eritema y descamación). Resultados: ningún paciente ha desarrollado nuevas lesiones en la piel sana protegida con Mepentol Leche. Los síntomas asociados mejoran en: prurito (96%), escozor (93%), dolor (96%), coloración de la piel (100%), edema (90%), maceración (96%), eritema (92%) y descamación (100%). La valoración del producto por parte de los profesionales ha sido muy buena respecto a la comodidad, tolerabilidad, absorción y facilidad de aplicación. Conclusiones: se demuestran los beneficios de su aplicación sistemática en el alivio de los síntomas previos a la aparición de úlceras, evitando la sequedad cutánea, reduciendo el prurito, escozor, dolor y eczema, y devolviendo la piel a su coloración normal

INTRODUCTION: Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for health professionals. Hyper-oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December 2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were 32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated over a one month period and each had a follow-up by means of a data collection file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions: color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation. RESULTS: Not one patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche. Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching 96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%, maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals' evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use, tolerance, absorption, and ease of application. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin