Use of Phragmites australis for controlling phosphorus contamination in anthropogenic wetland ecosystems.

Continuous phosphorus discharges in bodies of water, generated by human activities, such as agriculture, domestic effluences or wastewater from industrial processes, produce contaminated water and eutrophication. For this reason, efficient and low-cost systems that can remove phosphorus from contaminated water are necessary. In addition, it is important to generate renewable energy such as the energy produced in biomass power plants, taking advantage of the available biomass waste in each place. When producing this renewable energy, the resulting ash is a residue that can be used for phosphorus removal by adsorption processes. Moreover, according to the concept of the circular economy, the ash waste generated in this bio energy process should be reduced as much as possible. One of the advantages of this research being that surplus phosphorus-laden ash can be reused as fertilizer in agricultural fields. Considering this, the efficiency of reed ash (RA) (Phragmites australis) has been analysed in batch experiments, as well as the effect of several parameters on the removal of phosphate, such as contact time, phosphate-ash ratio, ash dose and temperature. Significant results obtained show that RA can be used to improve water quality.

Selective local anesthesia versus corticosteroid infiltration on low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. / Anestesia local selectiva frente a infiltración de corticosteroides en el dolor lumbar: ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTIVE: Local infiltrations are second line therapy in the treatment of chronic low back pain, although their use is controversial in the literature. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of 2 types of infiltration at the paravertebral lumbar level in two groups of patients diagnosed with low back pain: corticosteroids, and selective local anaesthetic administered using segmental neural therapy (SNT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Double-blind clinical trial in 55 patients diagnosed with low back pain in the neurosurgery department of the Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla. Patients were randomised to 2 treatment groups to receive either paravertebral injections of corticosteroids or SNT. Outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Short Form-36, and patient satisfaction at the start of treatment (baseline) and at 3 and 12 months post intervention. RESULTS: The combined treatment group showed a statistically significant improvement in Oswestry Disability Index at 3 months. The SNT group showed a statistically significant improvement in baseline visual analogue scale vs. visual analogue scale at 3 (1.398cm, p=0.001) and 12 months (0.791cm, p=0.007). No differences were observed in the remaining variables measured. The percentage of patients that would repeat the treatment was 81% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant pain relief was achieved with SNT, and disability improved with the combined treatment. Although clinical improvement was limited, patients were satisfied. Local infiltrations should be considered as an alternative treatment for chronic low back pain. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial was registered at the European Union Clinical Trials Register with EUDRA-CT number 2015-001146-29.

Leaf biochemical adjustments in two Mediterranean resprouter species facing enhanced UV levels and reduced water availability before and after aerial biomass removal.

Effects of supplemented UV radiation and diminished water supply on the leaf concentrations of phenols and antioxidants of two Mediterranean resprouter species, Arbutus unedo and Quercus suber, were assessed before and after entire aerial biomass removal. Potted seedlings of both species were grown outdoors for 8 months with enhanced UV-A + UV-B, enhanced UV-A or ambient UV, in combination with two watering conditions (field capacity or watering reduction). After this period, all aerial biomass was removed and new shoots (resprouts) developed for a further 8 months under the two treatments. In general, the investment in leaf phenols was substantially greater in A. unedo than in Q. suber, while Q. suber allocated more resources to non-phenolic antioxidants (ascorbate and glutathione). In response to enhanced UV-B radiation, Q. suber leaves rose their UV-screening capacity mainly via accumulation of kaempferols, accompanied by an increased concentration of rutins, being these effects exacerbated under low-watering conditions. Conversely, A. unedo leaves responded to UV-B radiation reinforcing the antioxidant machinery by increasing the overall amount of flavonols (especially quercetins) in seedlings, and of ascorbate and glutathione, along with catalase activity, in resprouts. Nevertheless, UV effects on the amount/activity of non-phenolic antioxidants of A. unedo resprouts were modulated by water supply. Indeed, the highest concentration of glutathione was found under the combination of enhanced UV-B radiation and reduced watering, suggesting an enlargement of the antioxidant response in A. unedo resprouts. Different biochemical responses to enhanced UV and drier conditions in seedlings and resprouts of these two species might modulate their competitive interactions in the near future.

Physiological functions of glucose-inhibited neurones.

Glucose-inhibited neurones are an integral part of neurocircuits regulating cognitive arousal, body weight and vital adaptive behaviours. Their firing is directly suppressed by extracellular glucose through poorly understood signalling cascades culminating in opening of post-synaptic K(+) or possibly Cl(-) channels. In mammalian brains, two groups of glucose-inhibited neurones are best understood at present: neurones of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) that express peptide transmitters NPY and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neurones of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) that express peptide transmitters orexins/hypocretins. The activity of ARC NPY/AgRP neurones promotes food intake and suppresses energy expenditure, and their destruction causes a severe reduction in food intake and body weight. The physiological actions of ARC NPY/AgRP cells are mediated by projections to numerous hypothalamic areas, as well as extrahypothalamic sites such as the thalamus and ventral tegmental area. Orexin/hypocretin neurones of the LH are critical for normal wakefulness, energy expenditure and reward-seeking, and their destruction causes narcolepsy. Orexin actions are mediated by highly widespread central projections to virtually all brain areas except the cerebellum, including monosynaptic innervation of the cerebral cortex and autonomic pre-ganglionic neurones. There, orexins act on two specific G-protein-coupled receptors generally linked to neuronal excitation. In addition to sensing physiological changes in sugar levels, the firing of both NPY/AgRP and orexin neurones is inhibited by the 'satiety' hormone leptin and stimulated by the 'hunger' hormone ghrelin. Glucose-inhibited neurones are thus well placed to coordinate diverse brain states and behaviours based on energy levels.

[Olfactory alterations in allergic rhinitis to pollens and mites]. / Alteraciones olfativas en las rinitis alérgicas a pólenes y ácaros.

INTRODUCTION: In the last 80 years, the presence of allergies has increased among Europeans from 0.28% to 14.2%. Allergic rhinitis is the main presentation, rising from 18% to 40% of cases. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that allergic rhinitis due to pollen and mites has an effect on the olfactory system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the impairment of olfactory function in two groups of individuals with allergic rhinitis due to mites or pollen (n = 76; 42 with allergy to pollen [48.9%], and 34 with allergy to mites [39%]), compared with a group of healthy volunteers (n = 120). Olfactory ability was measured by the BAST-24 (Barcelona Smell Test) olfactometer comprising 20 odours tested by the forced choice method to compare the levels of odour detection (knowing if there is odour in the environment), and efficacy (identifying what was smelt). RESULTS: The results show firstly that people with allergic rhinitis have a clear, definitive, and significant impairment (P >.05) in olfactory levels; secondly, there is a tendency towards greater olfactory loss in the case of people with pollen-related allergic rhinitis than in those allergic to mites; and thirdly, the different odours are affected differently in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We propose consideration of the study of olfactory status in the assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Biological activity of secondary metabolites from Bupleurum salicifolium (Umbelliferae).

Secondary metabolites from Bupleurum salicifolium were tested against viruses, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the yeast Candida albicans, the nematodes Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis, the insect Spodoptera littoralis and the crustacean Artemia salina. These compounds were also tested against tumoral and non-tumoral cell lines. The polyacetylene 8S-heptadeca-2(Z)-9(Z)-diene-4,6-diyne-1,8-diol exhibited toxicity for A. salina and specific antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Nine of the lignans and one coumarin showed toxicity for A. salina, and the lignans bursehernin and matairesinol inhibited the hatching of the two nematode species. These are the first lignans that have been reported as affecting phytoparasitic nematodes, and the first natural products known to have an effect on the hatching of G. pallida. Lignans may play a role in the defence mechanisms of potato plants, as allelopathic substances acting against cyst-forming nematodes.

In vivo measurement of electrical parameters with alumina-covered stainless steel electrodes.

An experimental method has been developed for in vivo measurement of electrical parameters. It is thus possible to evaluate not only the instantaneous corrosion rate of implants but also their susceptibility to pitting corrosion. It has also been shown that when the method is applied to stainless steel/ceramic electrodes, these remain in the passive condition. If an eventual breakdown of the passivating film occurs, it will quickly regenerate itself.