Moving bed biofilm reactor as an alternative wastewater treatment process for nutrient removal and recovery in the circular economy model.

Over the last years, an increasing concern has emerged regarding the eco-friendly management of wastewater. Apart from the role of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for wastewater and sewage sludge treatment, the increasing need of the recovery of the resources contained in wastewater, such as nutrients and water, should be highlighted. This would allow for transforming a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) into a sustainable technological system. The objective of this review is to propose a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) as a novel technology that contributes to the circularity of the wastewater treatment sector according to the principles of circular economy. In this regard, this paper aims to consider the MBBR process as the initial step for water reuse, and nutrient removal and recovery, within the circular economy model.

Tunneling of a leech into a free flap breast reconstruction.

Leeches are well known to migrate over the surface of the treated tissues. At times, they can be located in remote locations once they become engorged and detach. We report the first case of a leech tunneling through a dermal bite wound on a breast free flap.

Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the western part of Granada province (southern Spain): ethnopharmacological synthesis.

AIM: The aim of this work is to catalogue, document, and make known the uses of plants for folk medicine in the western part of the province of Granada (southern Spain). An analysis was made of the species used, parts of the plant employed, preparation methods, administration means, and the ailments treated in relation to pathological groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work was performed in 16 municipalities within the study zone. The participants were located mainly by questionnaires distributed in public and private centres. The information, gathered through semi-structured open interviews of a total of 279 people, was included in a database for subsequent analysis. A floristic catalogue of the territory was compiled, enabling analyses of the relevance of certain botanical families in popular medicine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Great diversity was established among medicinal species in the region. A total of 229 species of plants were catalogued for use in human medicine to prevent or treat 100 different health problems covering 14 different pathological groups. The number of references reached 1963. The popular pharmacopoeia of this area relies primarily on plants to treat digestive, respiratory, and circulatory problems, using mainly the soft parts of the plant (leaves and flowers) prepared in simple ways (decoction, infusion). An analysis of the medicinal ritual uses of 34 species and the different symptoms reflected a certain acculturation in relation to ethnobotanical knowledge in the last 20 years. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The traditional knowledge of plants was shown in relation to medicinal use, reflecting a striking diversity of species and uses, as well as their importance in popular plant therapy in the study zone. These traditions could pave the way for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies and thereby give rise to new medicinal resources.

Medicinal plants in the Mediterranean area: synthesis of the results of the project Rubia.

AIM OF STUDY: Within the scope of the European project RUBIA (ICA3-2002-10023), research has been performed on the traditional use and handling of plant species in several Mediterranean countries, Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Morocco, and Spain. This paper synthesises the chief results related to the medicinal utilization of those plants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information has been gathered by means of semi-structured interviews (1256) and techniques of participant observation with 803 informants. In each of the participating countries the study areas were selected by means of uniform criteria defined at the beginning of the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 985 species have been catalogued, of which 406 have medicinal use. This work constitutes the first comparative study performed with ethnobotanical data gathered by a coordinated methodology in the Mediterranean area. An exhaustive list is provided for the species catalogued, indicating the regions where each plant was mentioned. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This information underlines the ethnobotanical richness of the region and the need to broaden this study to other areas of the Mediterranean. Furthermore, this constitutes a base for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies which could lead to new therapeutic products.

Evaluation of uranium incorporation from contaminated areas using teeth as bioindicators--a case study.

The Southwest region of the Bahia state in Brazil hosts the largest uranium reserve of the country (100 kton in uranium, only), plus the cities of Caetité, Lagoa Real and Igaporã. In this work, aim was at the investigation of uranium burdens on residents of these cities by using teeth as bioindicators, as a contribution for possible radiation protection measures. Thus, a total of 41 human teeth were collected, plus 50 from an allegedly uranium free area (the control region). Concentrations of uranium in teeth from residents of 5- to 87-y old were determined by means of a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The highest uranium concentration in teeth was measured from samples belonging to residents of Caetité (median equal to 16 ppb). Assuming that the uranium concentrations in teeth and bones are similar within 10-20% (for children and young adults), it concluded that uranium body levels in residents of Caetité are at least one order of magnitude higher than the worldwide average. This finding led to conclude that daily ingestion of uranium, from food and water, is equally high.

Quantification of the intensity of virgin olive oil sensory attributes by direct coupling headspace-mass spectrometry and multivariate calibration techniques.

The main sensory defects of virgin olive oils (rancid, vinegary, winey, muddy sediment, musty and vegetable water) and one positive attribute (fruity) characteristic of three monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (Arbequina, Picual and Frantoio) have been quantified using the direct coupling headspace-mass spectrometry. The results obtained were compared with those provided by the panel test for the same samples. Taking into account that no chromatographic separation exists, multivariate calibration techniques (partial least squares, PLS, and principal components regression, PCR) were used to create the appropriate models. The best results, in terms of standard error of prediction and prediction residual error sum of squares were obtained by PLS and therefore it was used for the prediction of a new set of samples with the above-mentioned positive and negative attributes at different concentration levels. The samples were also assessed by the panel test and good correlations were obtained in all cases. In order to extend the applicability of the model with the time, a multiplicative calibration transfer was used. The benefit of this approach was found to be more marked for the negative than the positive attributes.

Uranium levels in the diet of São Paulo City residents.

Natural levels of uranium in the diet of São Paulo City residents were studied, and radionuclide concentrations were measured by the fission track method on samples of typical adult food items. This information was used to evaluate the daily intake of uranium in individuals living in São Paulo City which is, according to our findings, around 0.97 microg U/day. Using the ICRP Uranium-model, we estimated the uranium accumulation and committed doses in some tissues and organs, as function of time. We compared the output of the ICRP uranium biokinetic model, tailored for the conditions prevailing in São Paulo, with experimental data from other localities. Such comparison was possible by means of a simple method we developed, which allows normalization among experimental results from different regions where distinct values of chronic daily intake are observed.

Correlation between pollen counts and symptoms in two different areas of the Iberian Peninsula: Cordoba (Spain) and Evora (Portugal).

This work was designed to analyse the symptoms of pollen allergy in two different cities of the Iberian Peninsula, Cordoba and Evora. Fifteen patients with pollinosis in Cordoba and twenty-seven in Evora were included in this study. Rhinitis symptoms scores were recorded in both cities in order to correlate these data with those of pollen counts. Linear regression analyses were performed in order to find out the contribution of different taxa to the sign of allergy symptoms in the allergenic population. Skin prick tests were also considered. A high and significant correlation was found for Poaceae (0.89), Olea (0.73) and Plantago (0.56) in Cordoba and Olea (0.53) in Evora. Results also suggest that the incidence of the different pollen types in allergy patients is higher in Cordoba than in Evora. A rural lifestyle in Evora that confers a better protection from environmental agents in addition to a less contaminated atmosphere could be the cause.

Pollen allergy in Cordoba city: frequency of sensitization and relation with antihistamine sales.

The occurrence of symptoms in pollen allergy patients in urban areas may be affected by local environmental factors such as sources of pollution, natural and ornamental vegetation, local architecture impeding dispersion, etc. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of sensitization in pollen allergy patients and the relationship with antihistamine sales. For this study, a large number of clinical records, together with pharmaceutical and pollen data, were collected between 1999 and 2001 in the city of Córdoba, in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Differences were observed in the symptoms suffered by pollen allergy patients in different areas of the city due to varying local emission of both biological and non-biological particles. Temporal distribution of symptoms over the three study years was influenced by meteorological factors, especially rainfall patterns; higher water supply to plants was associated with increased airborne pollen concentrations. Air pollution might be one of the main factors affecting the distribution of pollen allergy patients within the city. Recent years have seen a worsening of symptoms and increased sensitization to urban species such as plane-trees.

Uranium incorporation biokinetics in poultry bonesas function of phytase doses

Direct alpha-energy spectroscopy in liquids is possible by placing a chemically selective polymer thin film upon the surface of passivated silicon diodes. By utilizing polymer thin films with high affinity for actinides, we have been able to selectively concentrate actinides of interest upon the diode surface, resulting in a substantial increase in sensitivity relative to a direct measurement. With this film coated diodes, we were able to obtain in-situ alpha spectra with energy resolution comparable to that of conventional alpha-spectroscopy. The response of the thin film coated diode was found to be linear over . The sensitivity and reversibility is a function of the membrane complexation chemistry.

Long-term accumulation of uranium in bones of Wistar rats as a function of intake dosages.

Groups of Wistar rats were fed with ration doped with uranyl nitrate at concentration A ranging from 0.5 to 100 ppm, starting after the weaning period and lasting until the postpuberty period when the animals were sacrificed. Uranium in the ashes of bones was determined by neutron activation analysis. It was found that the uranium concentration in the bones, as a function of A, exhibits a change in its slope at approximately 20 ppm-a probable consequence of the malfunctioning of kidneys. The uranium transfer coefficient was obtained and an analytical expression was fitted into the data, thus allowing extrapolation down to low doses. Internal and localized doses were calculated. Absorbed doses exceeded the critical dose, even for the lowest uranium dosage.

Long-term accumulation and microdistribution of uranium in the bone and marrow of beagle dog.

The accumulation and microdistribution of uranium in the bone and marrow of Beagle dogs were determined by both neutron activation and neutron-fission analysis. The experiment started immediately after the weaning period, lasting till maturity. Two animal groups were fed daily with uranyl nitrate at concentrations of 20 and 100 microg g(-1) food. Of the two measuring techniques, uranium accumulated along the marrow as much as in the bone, contrary to the results obtained with single, acute doses. The role played by this finding for the evaluation of radiobiological long-term risks is discussed. It was demonstrated, by means of a biokinetical approach, that the long-term accumulation of uranium in bone and marrow could be described by a piling up of single dose daily incorporation.

Cannabis improves night vision: a case study of dark adaptometry and scotopic sensitivity in kif smokers of the Rif mountains of northern Morocco.

Previous reports have documented an improvement in night vision among Jamaican fishermen after ingestion of a crude tincture of herbal cannabis, while two members of this group noted that Moroccan fishermen and mountain dwellers observe an analogous improvement after smoking kif, sifted Cannabis sativa mixed with tobacco (Nicotiana rustica). Field-testing of night vision has become possible with a portable device, the LKC Technologies Scotopic Sensitivity Tester-1 (SST-1). This study examines the results of double-blinded graduated THC administration 0-20 mg (as Marinol) versus placebo in one subject on measures of dark adaptometry and scotopic sensitivity. Analogous field studies were performed in Morocco with the SST-1 in three subjects before and after smoking kif. In both test situations, improvements in night vision measures were noted after THC or cannabis. It is believed that this effect is dose-dependent and cannabinoid-mediated at the retinal level. Further testing may assess possible clinical application of these results in retinitis pigmentosa or other conditions.

Sauna-induced rapid weight loss decreases explosive power in women but not in men.

This study aimed at investigating to what extent sauna-induced dehydration is effective to rapidly decrease body weight and whether this practice alters strength and/or explosive power (jump capacity) in healthy athletes. We also investigated whether the observed changes could be rapidly reversed through rehydration. Six male (aged 21.6 +/- 1.8 y) and six female (aged 24.5 +/- 3.7 y) athletes who were not familiar with weight cutting procedures were tested on three occasions: 1) before sauna, 2) after three consecutive sauna sessions (3 x 20 min at 70 degrees C, with 5 min rest interval), and 3) after one hour rehydration period (2.5 ml/kg body weight every 15 min). For rehydration, a carbohydrate beverage (6.3 % glucose, 9.5 mmol/l Na (+), 10 degrees C) was used. Evaluation consisted of body composition, strength (row-strength, handgrip-strength) and jump capacity (squat jump, counter-movement jump and elastic capacity). Sauna-induced dehydration, significantly decreased body weight in men (- 1.8 +/- 0.5 %) and women (-1.4 +/- 0.6 %). This reduction could not be rapidly reversed through rehydration. This weight cutting scheme did not affect strength or jump capacity in men. In women, a statistically significant decrease in squat jump was manifested after rehydration compared to pre-sauna values 23.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 25.2 +/- 1.4 cm, p < 0.05). The squat jump decrease in women was linearly and directly related to the percent reduction of body weight.

Contribución al conocimiento de la medicinarifeña tradicional III: Fitoterapia de la diabetesen la provincia de Chefchaouen(norte de Marruecos) / Contribution to the Knowledge of Rifian traditional medicine III: Phytotherapy of Diabetes in Chefchaouen province (North of Morocco)

Desde 1992 se lleva a cabo en el Rif estudios etnobotánicos con el fin de estudiar aspectos del cultivo del cáñamo y catalogar las especies de interés etnobotánico. En el presente trabajo se presentan las especies usadas en tratamientos tradicionales en la provincia de Chefchaouen. Treinta y ocho especies que pertenecen a veinticuatro familias botánicas son catalogadas como plantas con propiedades sobre la glucemia (AU)

Antimalarial activity of neurolenin B and derivates of Eupatorium inulaefolium (Asteraceae).

Dried stems and leaves of Eupatorium inulaefolium (Austroeupatorium inulaefolium) (Asteraceae) were used to obtain four crude extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethanol). Two fractions were obtained from the hexane extract (S1 and S2) and three compounds (neurolenin B, lobatin A and lobatin B) from the dichloromethane extract. The ethanol, hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts, two fractions from the hexane extract (S1 and S2), and neurolenin B were evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum, FCB-2 strain. Two extracts (dichloromethane and methanol), the S2 fraction and neurolenin B showed statistically significant antiplasmodial activity.

The use of a neural network to forecast daily grass pollen concentration in a Mediterranean region: the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

BACKGROUND: Pollen allergy is a common disease causing hayfever in 15% of the population in Europe. Medical studies report that a prior knowledge of pollen content in the air can be useful in the management of pollen-related diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to forecast daily Poaceae pollen concentrations in the air by using meteorological data and pollen counts from previous days as independent variables. METHODS: Linear regression models and co-evolutive neural network models were used for this study. Pollen was monitored by a Hirst-type spore trap using standard techniques. The data were obtained from the Spanish Aerobiology Network database, University of Cordoba Monitoring Unit. The set of data includes a series of 20 years, from 1982 to 2001. A classification of the years according to their allergenic potential was made using a K-mean cluster analysis with pollen and meteorological parameters. Statistical analysis was applied to all the years of each class with the exception of the most recent year, which was used for model validation. RESULTS: It was observed that cumulative variables and pollen values from previous days are the most important factors in the models. In general, neural network equations produce better results than linear regression equations. CONCLUSION: Co-evolutive neural network models, which obtain the best forecasts (an almost 90% "good" classification), make it possible to predict daily airborne Poaceae pollen concentrations. This new system based on neural network models is a step toward the automation of the pollen forecast process.

Transfer coefficient measurements of uranium to the organs of Wistar rats, as a function of the uranium content in the food.

Groups of animals (Wistar rats) were fed with rations doped with uranyl nitrate at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 100 ppm. The uranium content in the ashes of the organs was measured by the neutron-fission track counting technique. The most striking result is that the transfer coefficients, as a function of the uranium concentration, exhibit a concave shape with a minimum around 20 ppm-U for all organs. Explanations to interpret this finding are tentatively given.

New contributions to the ethnopharmacology of Spain.

In the course of an ethnobotanical research project carried out in the Province of Granada (Southern Spain), 267 taxa have been catalogued as being used in folk medicine. Based on the literature consulted, phytotherapeutic use for 34 of these was recorded for the first time.