A temperature-dependent Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction study of K2Mo2O7·H2O and ab initio calculations of K2Mo2O7.

This study reports a temperature-dependent Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction study of K2Mo2O7·H2O. The high-temperature Raman scattering analysis shows that the material remains structurally stable, with triclinic symmetry, in a temperature range from 300 to 413 K and undergoes a structural phase transition between 413 and 418 K. This phase transition is most likely connected with the dehydration process of K2Mo2O7·H2O. The temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction patterns are measured from 30 to 573 K. The results show that the discovered phase transition occurs between 419 and 433 K, in good agreement with the Raman scattering results. According to the Raman data, with increasing temperature, the dehydrated crystal of K2Mo2O7 undergoes a new phase transformation at 603 K and melts at ~843 K. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses are performed based on the treatment of the raw spectral data to infer the phase transformations occurring in the material. Assignments of the Raman modes for the K2Mo2O7 system at ambient conditions are studied through first-principles calculations based on density functional perturbation theory. These calculations are applied to understand the electronic properties, including the band structure and the associated projected density of states, of K2Mo2O7 under the local density approximation.

Life cycle assessment, C footprint and carbon balance of virgin olive oils production from traditional and intensive olive groves in southern Spain.

Olive oil production shapes the socio-economic and environmental life of many areas of the Mediterranean basin, especially southern Spain, the highest olive oil-producing region worldwide. Olive grove cultivation is tending to intensify from traditional low-density to intensive and high-density cropping systems, which might result in higher environmental impacts. The aim of this study is to estimate the environmental impacts, carbon (C) footprint and carbon balance of producing virgin origin olive oil in Spain from four traditional rainfed, four irrigated, and three intensive olive farms, including the processing phase. Environmental impacts of producing 1 kg of unpacked virgin olive oil at the farm and industrial phases were quantified with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool and a "cradle-to-gate" approach using data from surveys at these farms and 12 olive oil mills. On average, the farming phase accounted for 76.3% of the EIs. Therefore, to reduce the impact of the virgin olive oils production, most of the efforts should be made especially in the farming phase. Despite the high variability between seasons and between independent replicates of the same farming system, intensive farming had significant higher impacts on most environmental impact categories than traditional rainfed farming, mainly due to the application of nitrogen fertilizer, plant protection products and herbicides. In terms of climate change, the environmental impact of the functional unit is in the ranges of 1.80-2.41, 1.59-2.78 and 2.28-3.26 kg of CO2 eq. for traditional rainfed, irrigated and intensive, respectively. C footprint was negative and averaged -5.5, -4.3 and -2.7 kg CO2 eq. Olive groves are efficient atmospheric CO2 sinks mainly by fixing CO2 into permanent and non-permanent trees structures. The lower intensification of the traditional rainfed groves contributed more in mitigating the increase of atmospheric CO2. Finally, the C footprint and C balance are negative, especially in traditional irrigated and intensive farming. The application of organic sources of fertilizer and the implementation of temporary spontaneous cover crops, both technically and economically feasible, are sound strategies to achieve a positive carbon balance and reduce the impacts of olive cultivation.

Effect of bovine ABCG2 polymorphism Y581S SNP on secretion into milk of enterolactone, riboflavin and uric acid.

The ATP-binding cassette transporter G2/breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2/BCRP) is an efflux protein involved in the bioavailability and milk secretion of endogenous and exogenous compounds, actively affecting milk composition. A limited number of physiological substrates have been identified. However, no studies have reported the specific effect of this polymorphism on the secretion into milk of compounds implicated in milk quality such as vitamins or endogenous compounds. The bovine ABCG2 Y581S polymorphism is described as a gain-of-function polymorphism that increases milk secretion and decreases plasma levels of its substrates. This work aims to study the impact of Y581S polymorphism on plasma disposition and milk secretion of compounds such as riboflavin (vitamin B2), enterolactone, a microbiota-derived metabolite from the dietary lignan secoisolariciresinol and uric acid. In vitro transport of these compounds was assessed in MDCK-II cells overexpressing the bovine ABCG2 (WT-bABCG2) and its Y581S variant (Y581S-bABCG2). Plasma and milk levels were obtained from Y/Y homozygous and Y/S heterozygous cows. The results show that riboflavin was more efficiently transported in vitro by the Y581S variant, although no differences were noted in vivo. Both uric acid and enterolactone were substrates in vitro of the bovine ABCG2 variants and were actively secreted into milk with a two-fold increase in the milk/plasma ratio for Y/S with respect to Y/Y cows. The in vitro ABCG2-mediated transport of the drug mitoxantrone, as a model substrate, was inhibited by enterolactone in both variants, suggesting the possible in vivo use of this enterolignan to reduce ABCG2-mediated milk drug transfer in cows. The Y581S variant was inhibited to a lesser extent probably due to its higher transport capacity. All these findings point to a significant role of the ABCG2 Y581S polymorphism in the milk disposition of enterolactone and the endogenous molecules riboflavin and uric acid, which could affect both milk quality and functionality.

Novel in vitro systems for prediction of veterinary drug residues in ovine milk and dairy products.

A new in vitro tool was developed for the identification of veterinary substrates of the main drug transporter in the mammary gland. These drugs have a much higher chance of being concentrated into ovine milk and thus should be detectable in dairy products. Complementarily, a cell model for the identification of compounds that can inhibit the secretion of drugs into ovine milk, and thus reduce milk residues, was also generated. The ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) is responsible for the concentration of its substrates into milk. The need to predict potential drug residues in ruminant milk has prompted the development of in vitro cell models over-expressing ABCG2 for these species to detect veterinary drugs that interact with this transporter. Using these models, several substrates for bovine and caprine ABCG2 have been found, and differences in activity between species have been reported. However, despite being of great toxicological relevance, no suitable in vitro model to predict substrates of ovine ABCG2 was available. New MDCKII and MEF3.8 cell models over-expressing ovine ABCG2 were generated for the identification of substrates and inhibitors of ovine ABCG2. Five widely used veterinary antibiotics (marbofloxacin, orbifloxacin, sarafloxacin, danofloxacin and difloxacin) were discovered as new substrates of ovine ABCG2. These results were confirmed for the bovine transporter and its Y581S variant using previously generated cell models. In addition, the avermectin doramectin was described as a new inhibitor of ruminant ABCG2. This new rapid assay to identify veterinary drugs that can be concentrated into ovine milk will potentially improve detection and monitoring of veterinary drug residues in ovine milk and dairy products.

Use of biogas for cogeneration of heat and electricity for local application: performance evaluation of an engine power generator and a sludge thermal dryer.

A small unit of cogeneration of energy and heat was tested at the Centre for Research and Training on Sanitation UFMG/COPASA - CePTS, located at the Arrudas Sewage Treatment Plant, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The unit consisted of an engine power generator adapted to run on biogas, a thermal dryer prototype and other peripherals (compressor, biogas storage tank, air blower, etc.). The heat from engine power generator exhaust gases was directed towards the thermal dryer prototype to dry the sludge and disinfect it. The results showed that the experimental apparatus is self-sufficient in electricity, even producing a surplus, available for other uses. The tests of drying and disinfection of sludge lasted 7 h, leading to an increase in solids content from 4 to 8% (50% reduction in sludge volume). Although the drying of sludge was not possible (only thickening was achieved), the disinfection process proved very effective, enabling the complete inactivation of helminth eggs.

Estimates of methane loss and energy recovery potential in anaerobic reactors treating domestic wastewater.

This work aimed at developing a mathematical model that could estimate more precisely the fraction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) recovered as methane in the biogas and which, effectively, represented the potential for energy recovery in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors treating domestic wastewater. The model sought to include all routes of conversion and losses in the reactor, including the portion of COD used for the reduction of sulfates and the loss of methane in the residual gas and dissolved in the effluent. Results from the production of biogas in small- and large-scale UASB reactors were used to validate the model. The results showed that the model allowed a more realistic estimate of biogas production and of its energy potential.

Sparse pre-Columbian human habitation in western Amazonia.

Locally extensive pre-Columbian human occupation and modification occurred in the forests of the central and eastern Amazon Basin, but whether comparable impacts extend westward and into the vast terra firme (interfluvial) zones, remains unclear. We analyzed soils from 55 sites across central and western Amazonia to assess the history of human occupation. Sparse occurrences of charcoal and the lack of phytoliths from agricultural and disturbance species in the soils during pre-Columbian times indicated that human impacts on interfluvial forests were small, infrequent, and highly localized. No human artifacts or modified soils were found at any site surveyed. Riverine bluff areas also appeared less heavily occupied and disturbed than similar settings elsewhere. Our data indicate that human impacts on Amazonian forests were heterogeneous across this vast landscape.

Clinical implications of acellular mucin pools in resected rectal cancer with pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

AIM: Approximately 20% of rectal cancers treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation achieve a pathological complete response (pCR), which is associated with an improved oncological outcome. However, in a proportion of patients with a pCR, acellular pools of mucin are present in the surgical specimen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical implications of acellular mucin pools in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma achieving a pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by proctectomy. METHOD: A single-centre colorectal cancer database was searched for patients with clinical Stage II and Stage III rectal adenocarcinoma who achieved a pCR (i.e. ypT0N0M0) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by proctectomy between 1997 and 2007. Patients were categorized according to the presence or absence of acellular mucin pools in the resected specimen, and groups were compared. Patient demographics, tumour and treatment characteristics, and oncological outcomes were recorded. Primary outcomes were 3-year local and distant recurrences, and disease-free and overall survivals. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-eight patients with clinical Stage II or Stage III rectal adenocarcinoma were treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Fifty-eight of these patients had a 58 pCR. Eleven of the 58 patients with a pCR had acellular mucin pools in the surgical specimen. The median follow up was 40 months. The groups were statistically similar with respect to demographics, chemoradiation regimens, distance of tumour from the anal verge, clinical stage and surgical procedure. No patient had local recurrence. Patients with acellular mucin pools had increased distant recurrence (21%vs 5%), decreased disease-free survival (79%vs 95%) and decreased overall survival (83%vs 95%) rates, although none of these differences was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The presence of acellular mucin pools in a proctectomy specimen with a pCR does not affect local recurrence, but may suggest a more aggressive tumour biology.

Analysis of the effect of the bovine adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G2 single nucleotide polymorphism Y581S on transcellular transport of veterinary drugs using new cell culture models.

In commercial dairy production, the risk of drug residues and environmental pollutants in milk from ruminants has become an outstanding problem. One of the main determinants of active drug secretion into milk is the ATP-binding cassette transporter G2/breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2/BCRP). It is located in several organs associated with drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion, and its expression is highly induced during lactation in the mammary gland of ruminants, mice, and humans. As a consequence, potential contamination of milk could expose suckling infants to xenotoxins. In cows, a SNP for this protein affecting quality and quantity of milk production has been described previously (Y581S). In this study, our main purpose was to determine whether this polymorphism has an effect on transcellular transport of veterinary drugs because this could alter substrate pharmacokinetics and milk residues. We stably expressed the wild-type bovine ABCG2 and the Y581S variant in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCKII) and MEF3.8 cell lines generating cell models in which the functionality of the bovine transporter could be addressed. Functional studies confirmed the greater functional activity in mitoxantrone accumulation assays for the Y581S variant with a greater relative V(MAX) value (P = 0.040) and showed for the first time that the Y581S variant presents greater transcellular transport of the model ABCG2 substrate nitrofurantoin (P = 0.024) and of 3 veterinary antibiotics, the fluoroquinolone agents enrofloxacin (P = 0.035), danofloxacin (P = 0.001), and difloxacin (P = 0.008), identified as new substrates of the bovine ABCG2. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the macrocyclic lactone ivermectin on the activity of wild-type bovine ABCG2 and the Y581S variant was also confirmed, showing a greater inhibitory potency on the wild-type protein at all the concentrations tested (5 µM, P = 0.017; 10 µM, P = 0.001; 25 µM, P = 0.008; and 50 µM, P = 0.003). Differential transport activity depending on the genotype together with the differential inhibition pattern might have clinical consequences, including changes in substrate pharmacokinetics (and subsequently pharmacodynamics) and more specifically, changes in secretion of ABCG2 substrates into milk, potentially implying important consequences to veterinary therapeutics.

First-year renal function predicts long-term renal allograft loss.

PURPOSE: We performed a retrospective study to examine the impact on long-term graft survival of first-year posttransplantation renal function, as evaluated by serum creatinine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 1,273 adult kidney transplants performed between 1983 and 2008. All recipients >18 years old were included if their grafts had survived beyond 1 year, excluding patients simultaneously transplanted with other organs. Cox proportional hazards multivariable analysis was used to examine the relationship between first-year posttransplantation renal function and death-censored graft loss, adjusted for other variables. Renal function in the first year was expressed as serum creatinine levels at 1, 6, and 12 months as well as the change in creatinine between those 3 periods. RESULTS: Posttransplantation 1-month serum creatinine levels and change between 1 and 6 months were independent predictors of long-term graft loss. Multivariable analysis also identified donor age (increasing), acute rejection episode occurrence, recipient age at transplantation (decreasing), and gender (female) as independently predictive of graft failure, adjusting for other factors usually associated with graft loss, namely, pretransplantation time on dialysis, HLA mismatches, and delayed graft function. The predictive effect of creatininemia was sustained at 6 and 12 months, after adjusting for these covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Posttransplantation serum creatinine levels at 1, 6, and 12 months were independent predictors of graft survival, suggesting that they could be considered as surrogate endpoints for long-term death-censored graft loss.

Characterization of end-stage renal disease after liver transplantation in transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR V30M).

Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, an autosomal-dominant disease, is characterized by peripheral and autonomic neuropathy--familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). End-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs at 10 years after the onset of neuropathy. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the usual treatment of choice. We evaluated FAP patients, ATTR V30M, before and after OLT who started dialysis within 3 months after surgery. The 11 patients had an age at the onset of neuropathy of 31.9 ± 6.3 years with a mean evolution of disease to OLT of 4.54 ± 2.5 years. The glomerular filtration rate was <60 mL/min in 2 patients, 2 displayed nephrotic range proteinuria, and 3 had microalbuminuria. Elective pacemaker implantation was necessary in 8 subjects. Post-OLT 3 patients developed proteinuria, 2 of whom showed increasing nephrotic syndrome. Dysautonomia worsened leading to bladder catheterization in 6. In patients with previous normal renal function and proteinuria <3 g/d, the evolution of neuropathy to the first dialysis was 14.6 ± 4.2 years versus 7.5 ± 1.1 among the other subjects. Overall, dialysis was implemented at 7.4 ± 4.9 years after surgery. There was no liver graft dysfunction. The heart evaluation post-OLT showed the following: 3 patients with de novo dysrhythmias requiring pacemaker implantation and 3 with N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide levels >10,000 pg/mL. Death occurred in 4 subjects at an average of 26 months after initiation of dialysis. Concerning ESRD, there was no clear benefit of transplantation in the early stages. Patients with normal renal function and lower levels of proteinuria showed slower progression to ESRD, irrespective of their duration of neuropathy.

Involvement of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in the secretion of danofloxacin into milk: interaction with ivermectin.

Danofloxacin, a veterinary fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug, is actively secreted into milk by an as yet unknown mechanism. One of the main determinants of active drug secretion into milk is the transporter (BCRP/ABCG2). The main purpose was to determine whether danofloxacin is an in vitro substrate for Bcrp1/BCRP and to assess its involvement in danofloxacin secretion into milk. In addition, the role of potential drug-drug interactions in this process was assessed using ivermectin. Danofloxacin was transported in vitro by Bcrp1/BCRP, and ivermectin efficiently blocked this transport. Experiments with Bcrp1(-/-) mice showed no evidence of the involvement of Bcrp1 in plasma pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin. However, the milk concentration and milk-to-plasma ratio of danofloxacin were almost twofold higher in wild-type compared with Bcrp1(-/-) mice. The in vivo interaction with ivermectin was studied in sheep after co-administration of danofloxacin (1.25 mg/kg, i.m.) and ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg, s.c.). Ivermectin had no significant effect on the plasma levels of danofloxacin but significantly decreased danofloxacin concentrations in milk by almost 40%. Concomitant administration of multiple drugs, often used in veterinary therapy, may not only affect their pharmacological activity but also their secretion into milk, because of potential drug-drug interactions mediated by BCRP.

Erythropoietin production by distal nephron in normal and familial amyloidotic adult human kidneys.

BACKGROUND/AIM: the kidney is the major site of erythropoietin production. Many efforts have been made to identify renal erythropoietin-producing cells. Previous studies showed conflicting results, but the predominant localization reported was the peritubular interstitial and tubular epithelial cells. This study was conducted to identify the erythropoietin-producing cells in renal biopsies from 10 cadaveric donors and 45 patients with familial amyloidosis ATTR V30M, thirteen of them with anemia. Familial amyloidosis Type I (FAP-I) is a genetic disorder caused by a transthyretin (TTR) protein variant presenting a single amino acid substitution of methionine for valine at position 30 of the polypeptide chain (TTR V30M). Anemia in FAP-I is associated with inappropriately low serum erythropoietin levels. METHODS: erythropoietin expression was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and confirmed by laser capture microdissection followed by PCR. Renal segments were identified by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: erythropoietin was mainly expressed by epithelial distal tubular cells and collecting tubules and additionally, in a few biopsies, by glomerular cells. A similar expression pattern was observed in donors and FAP-I patients. No increased mRNA erythropoietin expression was found in anemic patients, all of them presenting only a slight expression in medulla and cortex. CONCLUSIONS: these results suggest the distal nephron as the major site of erythropoietin production, and support the notion that an inappropriate erythropoietin production is the cause of anemia in familial amyloidosis ATTR V30M.

The minimum Euclidean distance principle applied to improve the modulation diffraction efficiency in digitally controlled spatial light modulators.

Digital addressing of the electrical signal in spatial light modulators, as it is the case in present liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) displays, may lead to temporal phase fluctuations in the optical beam. In diffractive optics applications a reduction in the modulation diffraction efficiency may be expected. Experimental work is done characterizing the fluctuations amplitude and phase depth for three different digital addressing sequences. We propose a diffractive model to evaluate the modulation diffraction efficiency of phase diffractive optical elements (DOEs) in the presence of phase fluctuations. Best results are obtained for the most stable electrical sequence even though its phase depth is as small as 280 degrees . The results show good agreement with the numerical calculation given by the model.

Experience with the design and start up of two full-scale UASB plants in Brazil: enhancements and drawbacks.

This paper discusses the main drawbacks and enhancements experienced with the design and start up of two full-scale UASB plants in Brazil. The topics addressed are related to blockage of inlet pipes, scum accumulation, seed sludge for the start-up, corrosion and gas leakage, odour generation and sludge management. The paper describes the main improvements achieved.

[Maternal non-diagnosed celiac disease and risk of low birth weight]. / Enfermedad celiaca materna no diagnosticada y riesgo de tener hijos con bajo peso al nacimiento.

AIMS: In order to know the prevalence of celiac disease in mothers with newborns weighing less or more than 2,500 g at birth we carried out a case-control study. PATIENTS: mothers of newborns in Cabueñes Hospital. Case group: Mothers with babies weighing less than 2,500 g at birth. CONTROLS: Mothers with babies weighing more than 2,500 g at birth. One control for each case. METHODS: epidemiological and clinical interviews, and celiac disease serology. RESULTS: We studied 1103 women: 577 cases and 526 controls. We diagnosed 4 celiac disease cases, 2 in the case group and 2 in the control group. These 4 mothers had 3 term newborns (1 case in each 235 mothers; prevalence 0.42%) and 1 preterm newborn (1 case in each 389 mothers; prevalence 0.26%). Two cases had babies with adequate birth weight for their gestational age (1 case in each 419 mothers; prevalence 0.24%) and two cases had babies with low birth weight for their gestational age (1 in each 132 mothers; prevalence 0.75%). The odds ratio for low birth weight was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.12-6.49), the odds ratio for preterm birth was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.06-5.89), ad the odds ratio for low birth weight for gestational age was 3.19 (95% CI: 0.44-22.79). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of celiac disease in fertile women in our geographic area was 0.36% (1 case in each 275 mothers), and no differences were found between study groups.

Enfermedad celiaca materna no diagnosticada y riesgo de tener hijos con bajo peso al nacimiento / No disponible

Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de enfermedad celiaca enmadres de neonatos mayores y menores de 2.500 gramos depeso al nacimiento.Pacientes: sujetos: casos: madres de neonatos menores de2.500 g al nacimiento. Controles: madres de neonatos mayoresde 2.500 g al nacimiento. Un control por cada caso. Instrumentalización:encuesta clínico-epidemiológica y serología celiaca.Métodos: estudio caso-control. Ámbito: mujeres del Área SanitariaV (Gijón) del Principado de Asturias que den a luz en elHospital de Cabueñes.Resultados: se analizaron 1.103 mujeres: 577 madres de niñosmenores de 2.500 g y 526 madres de niños mayores de 2.500 g.Se diagnosticaron 4 casos de celiaquía, 2 en cada grupo. De las 4madres, 3 dieron a luz a niños a término (1 caso cada 235 madres,prevalencia 0,42%) y 1 dio a luz a un niño prematuro (1 caso cada389 madres, prevalencia 0,26%). Dos madres dieron a luz a niñosde peso adecuado para su edad gestacional (1/419 madres, prevalencia0,24%) y 2 madres dieron a luz niños de bajo peso para suedad gestacional (1/132 madres, prevalencia 0,75%). La odds ratiopara peso menor de 2.500 g al nacimiento fue 0,91 (IC 95% 0,12-6,49), para prematuridad 0,61 (IC 95% 0,06-5,89) y para bajo pesopara su edad gestacional 3,19 (0,44-22,79).Conclusiones: la prevalencia de enfermedad celiaca en mujeresfértiles de Gijón es de un caso cada 275 madres (prevalencia0,36%), sin que hayamos encontrado diferencias entre los dosgrupos estudiados

Aims: in order to know the prevalence of celiac disease inmothers with newborns weighing less or more than 2,500 g atbirth we carried out a case-control study.Patients: mothers of newborns in Cabueñes Hospital. Casegroup: Mothers with babies weighing less than 2,500 g at birth.Controls: Mothers with babies weighing more than 2,500 g atbirth. One control for each case.Methods: epidemiological and clinical interviews, and celiacdisease serology.Results: we studied 1103 women: 577 cases and 526 controls.We diagnosed 4 celiac disease cases, 2 in the case groupand 2 in the control group. These 4 mothers had 3 term newborns(1 case in each 235 mothers; prevalence 0.42%) and 1preterm newborn (1 case in each 389 mothers; prevalence0.26%). Two cases had babies with adequate birth weight for theirgestational age (1 case in each 419 mothers; prevalence 0.24%)and two cases had babies with low birth weight for their gestationalage (1 in each 132 mothers; prevalence 0.75%). The odds ratiofor low birth weight was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.12-6.49), the odds ratiofor preterm birth was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.06-5.89), ad the odds ratiofor low birth weight for gestational age was 3.19 (95% CI: 0.44-22.79).Conclusions: the prevalence of celiac disease in fertilewomen in our geographic area was 0.36% (1 case in each 275mothers), and no differences were found between study groups