Techno-economic analysis of the scale-up process of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation.

This work presents a techno-economic study of the scaling-up of the electrochemically-assisted soil remediation (EASR) process of polluted soil. Four scales have been selected for the study: laboratory, bench, pilot and prototype, with a capacity of treating a volume of soil of 1 × 10-4, 2 × 10-3, 0.11 and 21.76 m3, respectively. This study analyses the technical information produced by studies carried out at each scale, and informs about the fixed costs (construction of the electrokinetic remediation reactor, installation of auxiliary services and purchase of analytical equipment) and variable costs (start-up, operation and dismantling of the test) derived from running a test at each of the evaluated scales. The information discussed in based on the experience gained with many evaluations carried out over the last decade at these scales. This information can provide useful guidance for developing a scaling-up of the EASR for many researchers starting on the evaluation of this important environmental remediation technology.

Nueva técnica FEVAR: CaFeRIo / New FEVAR technique: CaFeRIo

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Enhanced electrokinetic remediation of polluted soils by anolyte pH conditioning.

In the treatment of a polluted soil, the pH has a strong impact on the development of different physicochemical processes as precipitation/dissolution, adsorption/desorption or ionic exchange. In addition, the pH determines the chemical speciation of the compounds present in the system and, consequently, it conditions the transport processes by which those compounds will move. This question has aroused great interest in the development of pH control technologies coupled to soil remediation processes. In electrokinetic remediation processes, pH has usually been controlled by catholyte pH conditioning with acid solutions, applied to cases of heavy metals pollution. However, this method is not effective with pollutants that can be dissociated in anionic species. In this context, this paper presents a study of the electrokinetic remediation of soils polluted with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a common polar pesticide, enhanced with an anolyte pH conditioning strategy. A numerical study is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy. Several numerical tests have been carried out for NaOH solutions with different concentrations as pH conditioning fluid. The results show that the anolyte pH conditioning strategy makes it possible to control the pH of the soil and, consequently, the chemical speciation of pollutant species. Thus, it is possible to achieve an important flux of pesticide into the anolyte compartment (electro-migration of anionic species and diffusive transport of acid species). This way, it possible to maximise the pesticide accumulation in this compartment, allowing a much more effective removal of pollutants from the soil than without the anolyte pH conditioning strategy.

Tratamiento del síndrome de robo en acceso vascular mediante modificación de la técnica RUDI. Presentación de un caso / Treatment of the dialysis access-associated steal syndrome with a modified revision using distal inflow (RUDI) technique. Presentation of a case

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Caso 12. Arteria renal derecha con origen aberrante / Case 12. Aberrant origin in a right renal artery

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Solución del caso 12. Arteria renal derecha con origen aberrante / Solution to case 12. Aberrant origin in a right renal artery

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Traumatismo inguinal con el manillar de la bicicleta y desgarro de la vena femoral. Presentación de un caso clínico / Inguinal injury and rupture of the femoral vein caused by bicycle handlebars. Presentation of a clinical case

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Úlcera de Lipschütz / Lipschütz ulcer

La úlcera de Lipschütz o ulcus vulvae acutum engloba la aparición de úlceras genitales agudas en mujeres jóvenes, generalmente sin relaciones sexuales previas, cuyo diagnóstico se realiza por exclusión, tras descartar el resto de las causas (enfermedades de transmisión sexual, causas autoinmunitarias, traumatismos, etc.). Se trata de una entidad poco frecuente e infradiagnosticada, de causa desconocida, aunque en estudios recientes se asocia al virus de Epstein Barr. El curso clínico es autolimitado y tiende a la curación espontánea. Se presenta el caso de una úlcera vulvar aguda en una paciente joven y se realiza una revisión de la bibliografía (AU)

Lipschütz ulcer, also known as ulcus vulvae acutum, encompasses the development of acute genital ulcers in young women, generally those who have not had sexual relations. The diagnosis is made by exclusion, after ruling out the remaining etiologies (sexually transmitted diseases, autoimmune causes, trauma, etc.). Lipschütz ulcer is an uncommon and underdiagnosed entity of unknown etiology, although recent research has associated it with Epstein Barr virus. The clinical course is self-limiting and this type of ulcer tends to resolve spontaneously. We report the case of a young woman diagnosed with an acute vulvar ulcer and provide a review of the literature (AU)

Análisis coste-efectividad del tratamiento del aneurisma de aorta abdominal mediante prótesis endovascular en España / Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of using stents to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms in spain

Objetivos. Determinar si el tratamiento endovascular (TEV) es una opción coste-efectiva en la terapia delaneurisma de aorta abdominal (AAA) respecto a la cirugía abierta, y evaluar el impacto presupuestario de una mayorutilización de estos dispositivos en el Sistema Nacional de Salud. Pacientes y métodos. Realizamos un análisis costeefectividady coste-utilidad del TEV frente a cirugía abierta utilizando un modelo de Markov de ciclos mensuales basadoen datos clínicos de la literatura (esencialmente el estudio EVAR-1) y la opinión de expertos. Tuvimos en consideraciónuna población española hipotética de pacientes con AAA igual o superior a 5 cm y tributarios de cirugía abierta. El análisislo realizamos desde la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud, y se descontaron costes y efectos futuros al 3,5%.Adicionalmente realizamos el impacto presupuestario y un análisis de sensibilidad probabilístico con la simulación deMonte-Carlo. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que el TEV se asocia a una mayor efectividad que la cirugía abierta,con ganancias de entre 0,03 y 0,18 años de vida por paciente a uno y cuatro años, respectivamente (resultados similaressi se utilizan años de vida ajustados por calidad). El coste medio por paciente fue mayor en TEV, entre 2.879 y 3.492euros según distintos escenarios, el coste por años de vida ganado con TEV fue de 111.064 a 19.852 euros y el coste poraños de vida ajustados por calidad ganado fue de 137.206 a 27.077 euros (análisis a uno y cuatro años, respectivamente).El impacto presupuestario de aumentar la introducción de la endoprótesis evaluada en España durante los próximoscuatro años representa el 0,5-2,2% del coste total de las AAA. Conclusiones. El TEV es una alternativa coste-efectiva conrespecto a la intervención quirúrgica convencional, ya que a los cuatro años de seguimiento presenta valores por debajodel umbral de eficiencia usualmente aceptado en España(AU)

Aims. To determine whether endovascular treatment (EVT) is a cost-effective option for the treatment ofabdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with respect to open surgery, and to evaluate the budget impact of a more widespreadutilisation of these devices in the Spanish National Health Service. Patients and methods. We performed a costeffectivenessand cost-utility analysis of EVT versus open surgery using a Markov model of monthly cycles based onclinical data from the literature (essentially the EVAR-1 study) and the opinion of experts. The sample taken into accountwas a hypothetical Spanish population of patients with AAA equal to or larger than 5 cm and who were candidates foropen surgery. The analysis was performed from the perspective of the National Health Service, and future costs andeffects were discounted at 3.5%. Additionally we also examined the budget impact and performed a probabilisticsensitivity analysis with Monte-Carlo simulation. Results. The results showed that EVT is associated to a higher degreeof effectiveness than open surgery, with gains of between 0.03 and 0.18 years of life per patient at one and four years,respectively (similar results to those obtained if quality adjusted life years are used). The mean cost per patient wasgreater in EVT, between 2879 and 3492 euros, depending on the different scenarios, the cost-life years gained with EVTwas from 111 064 to 19 852 euros and the cost-quality adjusted life years gained was from 137 206 to 27 077 euros(analysis at one and four years, respectively). The budget impact of increasing the introduction of stents evaluated inSpain over the next four years represents 0.5-2.2% of the total cost of AAA. Conclusions. EVT is a cost-effectivealternative with respect to conventional surgical interventions, because at four years of follow-up it offers values thatare below the efficiency threshold that is usually accepted in Spain(AU)

Oxygen-sensing film coated photodetectors for portable instrumentation.

A sensor configuration for oxygen determination based on luminescence quenching is presented in which the measured parameter is closely related to the luminescence lifetime. The sensing film is based on the dye platinum octaethylporphyrin complex immobilised in a polystyrene membrane and stabilised with the heterocyclic amine DABCO. In this report, we study the feasibility of using photodiodes as elements to be coated by this oxygen sensing film with the aim of obtaining a sensing device whose small size makes it possible to embed it into a portable measurement system. In addition to the concomitant sensor miniaturisation, several advantages have been demonstrated such as fast response, low energy consumption, the lack of any need for optical filter elements and less tendency to photobleaching than with previous configurations. A complete study of the coated photodetector preparation was carried out in order to optimise the specifications of the portable instrument where the photodetector is included, such as: repeatability, transient response and selectivity. We propose a preparation procedure for coating photodetectors with this film that has demonstrated the capacity to produce repetitive and reliable sensing devices.

Use of light, scanning electron microscopy and bioassays to evaluate parasitism by entomopathogenic fungi of the red scale insect of palms (Phoenicococcus marlatti Ckll., 1899).

We have evaluated the parasitism of the red scale insect of the date palm (Phoenicococcus marlatti) by entomopathogenic fungi, using light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM). Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium dimorphum and Lecanicillium cf. psalliotae, were inoculated directly on the scale insects or on insect infested plant material. We found that L. dimorphum and L. cf. psalliotae developed on plant material and on scale insects, making infection structures. B. bassiana was a bad colonizer of date palm leaves (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and did not parasite the scale insects.

El pie del diabético / The diabetic foot

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Toracotomía urgente en traumatismos penetrantes y cerrados: incidencia, características demográficas y análisis de resultados en un registro hospitalario de traumatizados graves / Urgent thoracotomy in blunt and penetrating trauma: incidence, demographic characteristics and analysis of results in a hospital registry of severe trauma

Objetivo. En países de nuestro entorno europeo la necesidad de toracotomía urgente por traumatismo es escasa. Nuestro objetivo ha sido analizar la gravedad de los pacientes con traumatismo penetrante (TP) y cerrado (TC) que han necesitado toracotomía urgente, con el fin de valorar si la toracotomía por traumatismo en nuestro medio no conlleva peores resultados, en términos de supervivencia, que el estándar internacional. Métodos. Hemos analizado las características demográficas, indicaciones, tipos, escalas de gravedad (RTS, AIS, ISS y NISS) y TPS (TRISS Probability of Survival), así como las muertes potencialmente evitables y posibles errores de manejo inicial de los pacientes traumatizados que han necesitado una toracotomía dentro de las primeras 48 h. Resultados. Entre agosto de 1993 y agosto de 2002 se ha recogido en nuestro registro de traumatizados graves un abordaje torácico urgente, único o combinado con otras vía de abordaje, en 51 pacientes. En 26 y 25 pacientes la toracotomía fue por TP y TC, respectivamente. En el grupo con TP el tiempo medio de transporte fue de 49 min. Las indicaciones del abordaje torácico fueron: 3 casos por situación in extremis en el Departamento de Urgencias, 11 por shock al ingreso, 10 por lesiones específicas en pacientes que no estaban en shock y 2 por hemorragia persistente a través de un tubo de drenaje. Un 11,5 por ciento necesitaron abordaje toracoabdominal combinado. La lesión más frecuente fue la herida por arma blanca cardíaca AIS V. El RTS, ISS y NISS medios fueron de 8,2, 23 y 30, respectivamente. La mortalidad a 30 días fue de 7 casos (27 por ciento). En función del TPS dos de los fallecidos aparecen como muertes potencialmente evitables. En el grupo con TC el tiempo medio de transporte fue de 63 min. Las indicaciones de la toracotomía fueron: 3 casos por situación in extremis, 3 por shock al ingreso, 14 por lesiones especificas en pacientes que no estaban en shock y 5 por hemorragia torácica persistente. Un 32 por ciento necesitaron un abordaje toracoabdominal combinado. Hubo lesiones cardíacas o de grandes vasos en 11 pacientes (44 por ciento). El RTS, ISS y NISS medios fueron de 8,9, 34 y 41, respectivamente. La mortalidad a los 30 días fue de 12 casos (48 por ciento), y 2 aparecen como muertes potencialmente evitables en función del TPS. Conclusiones. En las toracotomías por TP los "tiempos de transporte" parecen prolongados a la luz de las recomendaciones de la bibliografía. La necesidad de reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) avanzada in situ o durante el traslado ha sido un factor de pronóstico fatal en nuestra serie. En el TC una causa muy frecuente de toracotomía urgente ha sido la rotura aórtica y de cavidades cardíacas. La necesidad de laparotomía asociada ha sido frecuente, y conlleva una alta mortalidad. La baja incidencia global de toracotomía urgente por traumatismo en nuestro medio no parece influir negativamente en los resultados de supervivencia, aunque se han detectado errores de evaluación y manejo susceptibles de corrección (AU)

Colonization of plant roots by egg-parasitic and nematode-trapping fungi.

• The ability of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora and the nematode egg parasite Verticillium chlamydosporium to colonize barley (Hordeum vulgare) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) roots was examined, together with capability of the fungi to induce cell wall modifications in root cells. • Chemotropism was studied using an agar plate technique. Root colonization was investigated with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, while compounds involved in fungus-plant interactions were studied histochemically. • Only A. oligospora responded chemotropically to roots. Colonization of barley and tomato by both fungi involved appressoria to facilitate epidermis penetration. V. chlamydosporium colonized tomato root epidermis and produced chlamydospores. Papillae, appositions and lignitubers ensheathing hyphae on tomato were also found. Phenolics (including lignin), protein deposits and callose were present in papillae in both hosts. Both fungi were still present in epidermal cells 3 months after inoculation. • Nematophagous fungi colonized endophytically monocotyledon and dicotyledon plant roots. Arthrobotrys oligospora seemed to be more aggressive than V. chlamydosporium on barley roots. Both fungi induced cell wall modifications, but these did not prevent growth. The response of root cells to colonization by nematophagous fungi may have profound implications in the performance of these organisms as biocontrol agents of plant parasitic nematodes.

Identification of goose (Anser anser) and mule duck (Anasplatyrhynchos x Cairina moschata) foie gras by multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5S RDNA gene.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the nuclear 5S rDNA gene has been used for the identification of goose and mule duck foie gras. Two species-specific reverse primers were designed and used in a multiplex reaction, together with a forward universal primer, to amplify specific fragments of the 5S rDNA in each species. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear identification of goose and mule duck foie gras samples. This genetic marker can be useful for detecting fraudulent substitution of the duck liver for the more expensive goose liver.

Identification of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus) fillets by PCR amplification of the 5S rDNA gene.

Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus) were differentiated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the nuclear 5S rDNA gene. The design of 3 species-specific primers complementary to the nontranscribed intergenic spacer region from the 5S rDNA molecule allowed amplification of clearly distinguishable gene fragments in each fish species. This approach is rapid and reliable and offers the potential to detect fraudulent or unintentional mislabeling of these species in routine seafood authentication analysis.

PCR-SSCP: a simple method for the authentication of grouper (Epinephelus guaza), wreck fish (Polyprion americanus), and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fillets.

A method of DNA analysis has been developed to verify the authenticity of grouper (Epinephelus guaza), wreck fish (Polyprion americanus), and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fillets. A short fragment (208 bp) of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism to get species-specific patterns of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). DNA strands were separated by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining. Discrimination among the three fish species studied was possible, because each one expressed a specific ssDNA pattern.

Identification of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of a 12S rRNA gene fragment.

Restriction site analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from a conserved region of the 12S rRNA gene has been used for the specific identification of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), grouper (Epinephelus guaza), and wreck fish (Polyprion americanus). Amplification of DNA isolated from muscle samples was carried out using a set of primers flanking a region of 436 bp from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Digestions of the PCR products with RsaI and Sau96I endonucleases, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis of the digested PCR products, yielded specific profiles that enabled direct identification of each species analyzed.