Nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from hemodialysis wastewater to use as an agricultural fertilizer.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis wastewater contains high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus. Recovery of these nutrients as soil fertilizers represents an interesting opportunity to ensure a sustainable fertilizer supply. METHODS: In this paper, a simple method for recovering phosphorous and nitrogen as crystalline struvite [MgNH4PO4·6H2O] is presented. An integrated cost model is also presented in order to create a positive business case. RESULTS: Recovery rates in form of struvite of 95% of PO43--P and 23% of NH4+-N were achieved with a profit. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to study the recovery of these naturally occurring minerals from hemodialysis wastewater. This offers great potential for the valorization of this type of wastewater.

Study of Nutritional and Organoleptic Quality of Formulated Juices from Jujube (Ziziphus lotus L.) and Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruits.

The present work aims to elaborate many juice formulas (F1 to F8) from two dried fruits (jujubes: Ziziphus lotus L. and dates: Phoenix dactylifera L.). Physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the formula juices shows that juices rich in dates fruits (F1, F3, F5, and F7) are loaded, on average, in total sugars (129.5 g/l), proteins (3.02 g/l), lipids (1.08 g/l), and carotenoid (0.02 mg/l), while juices rich in jujube fruits (F2, F4, F6, and F8) are overloaded, on average, in phenolic compounds (697 mg/l), flavonoids (6.32 mg/l), condensed tannins (2.1 mg/l), hydrolysable tannins (359.5 mg/l), and viscosity (1.062 mm 10-3 s). All formulations developed have a pH that rotates between 5.12 and 5.20. Total antioxidant capacity (CAT) reveals that formulations F1, F3, F5, and F7 show a strong activity compared to the other formulas. The DPPH test shows that all formulated juices have the same antioxidant profile with IC50 values lower than the template (BHT and Vit C). The FRAP test reveals that F2, F4, F6, and F8 formulas have a strong reducing power. Organoleptic evaluation by a jury shows that F4 formula is the best in terms of odor, aroma, and aftertaste agreeability.

Morphological, Biochemical, and Climatological Analysis of Three Moroccan Henna Verities.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate planted Henna in three sites in Morocco, namely, Alnif, Tafraoute Sidi Ali, and Tazzarine. Morphometric study shows that Tafraoute Sidi Ali Henna variety has highest geometric and weight parameters (length of 27.48 mm, width of 10.92 mm, specific mass of 25.1 mg/leaf, leaf area of 51, 53 mm2, and rib's number of 9.41) when compared to Alnif and Tazzarine varieties. On the other hand, biochemical analysis shows that Tazzarine Henna variety, in the first rank, is characterized by high levels of total sugars (11.27 g/100 g), reducing sugars (5.59 g/100 g), proteins (4.4 g/100g), lipids (3.05 g/100g), phenolic compounds (31.9 g/100 g), flavonoids (5.68 g/100 g), and tannins (5.5 g/100 g). Chromatographic study shows that Tazzarine Henna variety is rich in monocyclic and polycyclic phenolic compounds. Climatic conditions analysis shows that the morphometric and biochemical diversity is related to hydrous and thermal profiles of studied sites. As a conclusion of this work, we can recommend the use of morphometric analysis and phytochemical and chromatographic analysis to determine the quality of Henna in Morocco and elsewhere.

[Acute renal failure secondary to the transurethral resection of the prostate syndrome]. / Insuficiencia renal aguda secundaria al síndrome de resección transuretral de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: Complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) related to hypotonicity and hypervolemia were well described in the literature. However acute renal failure, known to be a clinical presentation of some TURP syndromes was less discussed. METHODS: We report a case of oliguric acute renal failure as a major complication after TURP, with a discussion of a possible mechanism for the disorder. RESULTS: The mechanism by which renal failure developed in our patient is not entirely clear, but most likely is due to hemolysis. Other factors such as hemodynamic alterations, hypotension and rabdomyolisis are also suspected based on analysed data. CONCLUSION: We believe that a detailed evaluation before and after TURP will allow to reduce the incidence of this abnormality and to prevent its occurrence.

Insuficiencia renal aguda secundaria al síndrome de refección transuretral de próstata / Acute renal failure secondary to the transurethral resection of the prostate syndrome

OBJETIVOS: Las complicaciones de la resección transuretral de próstata (RTUP) relacionadas con la hipotonía y la hipervolemia fueron descritas bien en la literatura. La insuficiencia renal aguda, es una forma de presentación clínica que puede surgir en el curso de la resección transuretral de próstata, y que fue poco discutida. METODOS: Presentamos un caso de insuficiencia renal aguda oligúrica como importante complicación después de la RTUP, con una discusión de un posible mecanismo para el desorden. RESULTADOS: En nuestro paciente, el mecanismo por el cual se produjo el fallo renal no está claro, aunque posiblemente fuese debido a una hemólisis. Otros factores etiológicos, tales como la alteración hemodinámica, hipotensión, o rabdomiolisis fueron implicadas en base a los datos analíticos. CONCLUSIONES: Creemos que una evaluación detallada en el transcurso de una RTUP, pueden ayudar a minimizar la incidencia y prevenir esta anormalidad (AU)

OBJECTIVE: Complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) related to hypotonicity and hypervolemia were well described in the literature. However acute renal failure, known to be a clinical presentation of some TURP syndromes was less discussed. METHODS: We report a case of oliguric acute renal failure as a major complication after TURP, with a discussion of a possible mechanism for the disorder. RESULTS: The mechanism by which renal failure developed in our patient is not entirely clear, but most likely is due to hemolysis. Other factors such as hemodynamic alterations, hypotension and rabdomyolisis are also suspected based on analysed data. CONCLUSION: We believe that a detailed evaluation before and after TURP will allow to reduce the incidence of this abnormality and to prevent its occurrence (AU)

Heart valve calcifications in patients with end-stage renal disease: analysis for risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of valve calcification (VC) in end-stage renal disease patients is high and information regarding risk factors is scarce. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of VC in our maintenance haemodialysis (HD) population and to examine some possible aetiologic factors for its occurrence. METHODS: We studied 90 patients (47 women) on maintenance HD for more than 12 months. An M-mode two-dimensional echocardiogram was carried out to evaluate mitral, aortic VC and ventricular geometry. We calculated mean daily calcium intake for the phosphate intestinal chelaing in the previous year to echocardiogram date and also mean values from previous year of Ca, PO4, Ca x PO4, parathyroid hormone, lipide profile, nutritional and inflammatory marquers. Finally consumption of calcium and alfacalcidol was also noted. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (40%) presented with VC. Patients with VC were older and showed higher levels of serum calcium (92.00 +/- 7.54 vs 89.27 +/- 6.86 mg/L, P = 0.04), phosphorus (69.70 +/- 18.33 vs 44.90 +/- 12.43 mg/L, P < 0.0001), Ca x P product (6164.97 +/- 1797.64 vs 4024.70 +/- 1066.40 mg(2)/L(2), P < 0.0001) and poor ventricular geometry, as compared with patients without VC. Moreover, they required higher doses of alfacalcidol for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (0.43 +/- 0.60 vs 0.11 +/- 0.46 microg/day, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Findings of the present study are consistent with a role of altered calcium and phosphate metabolism in the pathogenesis of VC in HD patients.