Hydrothermal carbonization of the wet fraction from mixed municipal solid waste: Hydrochar characteristics and energy balance.

Mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) may be pre-treated in a mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plant to produce an exiting stream with improved combustible characteristics. The process also produces a second waste stream, which is generally separated on a size basis by industrial sieving equipment. It contains fractions with a high moisture content such as residual food waste, soiled paper and cardboard, and small fragments of other materials. Samples of this stream, collected at an existing plant, were characterized and processed by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at laboratory scale, at various temperatures (180, 200 and 220 °C), reaction times (1, 4 and 8 h) and solid to water ratios (0.15 and 0.07). The primary energy balance, on a hypothetical industrial scale, was performed. In brief, the results confirmed that the produced hydrochar was a brittle, hydrophobic, solid carbonaceous product which gave a better combustion performance as the residence time of the HTC process was increased. Moreover, the dewaterability of the carbonized waste was greatly improved when compared to raw, wet samples. The results of the primary energy balance confirmed that the energy contained in the produced hydrochar was higher than the energy consumption for the process itself, under all the HTC working conditions. The energy consumed in the process was in the range of 40-70 % of the energy content of the produced hydrochar.

Asymmetry in genitalia does not increase the rate of their evolution.

Left-right asymmetry is a frequently encountered phenomenon in the copulation organs of insects. While various causes have been proposed for genital asymmetry, we raise the question of whether asymmetry might facilitate, or even accelerate, morphological divergence of genitalia between species. We tested this hypothesis in the scarab chafer genus Schizonycha, which comprises species with symmetric as well as asymmetric male genitalia. Morphometric analyses were conducted in the context of their phylogeny, inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data (cox1, rrnL, and 28S) for a sample of 99 South African specimens, including 34 species and 5 outgroup taxa. Trees were reconstructed with maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis. The extent of asymmetry and the variation of male copulation organs were analyzed with Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), by quantifying shape divergence of the parameres. We found a continuous transition in the degree of asymmetry among the investigated species. Ancestral state reconstruction revealed multiple origins and a high degree of evolutionary plasticity of paramere asymmetry in Schizonycha. However, no significant correlation between evolutionary rates of paramere shape divergence and the degree of paramere asymmetry was found, and so we conclude that asymmetric genitalia in Schizonycha do not increase the rate of genital shape divergence.

¿Cuál es la indicación y eficacia de la terapia quirúrgica regenerativa en el tratamiento de la periimplantitis? / What is the indication and efficacy of regenerative surgical therapy in the treatment of peri-implantitis?

OBJETIVOS: Revisar la literatura científica sobre la indicación y eficacia de la terapia quirúrgica regenerativa en el tratamiento de la periimplantitis. Estrategia de búsqueda: se llevó a cabo una búsqueda en PubMed y una búsqueda manual de los artículos publicados en idioma Inglés desde el 1990 hasta el 8 de a septiembre de 2010. RESULTADOS: Indicación de la terapia regenerativa: Los factores relacionados con el paciente y con las localizaciones parecen tener algún tipo de influencia en el delicado proceso de la regeneración peri implantaría. Sin embargo, ni los estudios en animales ni los estudios en seres humanos proporcionan datos claros sobre la importancia de cada uno de estos factores en los resultados clínicos e histológicos de la regeneración periimplantaria. Eficacia de la terapia regenerativa: a) Estudios en animales: La formación de hueso y la reosteointegración son objetivos factibles en los implantes previamente infectados. Sin embargo, la cantidad del nuevo hueso en contacto con el implante no es predecible. Las características de la superficie del implante y el diseño del implante pueden ser factores limitantes en la obtención de reosteointegración. b) Estudios en humanos: el abordaje quirúrgico asociados con los procedimientos de regeneración resultan ser eficaces en la reducción de la profundidad de sondaje, de ganancia en el nivel de inserción clínica así como también se encontró, un porcentaje moderado de relleno óseo clínico y radiográfico. Se encuentran resultados contrastante sobre el beneficio real de la colocación membranas junto con materiales de injerto óseo

OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on the indication and efficacy of regenerative surgical therapy in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Search Strategy: A search of PubMed and a hand search of articles were conducted. English language articles published up to September 8, 2010 were included. RESULTS: Indication of regenerative therapy: Sites and patient related factors seem to have some kind of influence on the sensitive process of periimplant regeneration. However, neither animal nor human studies give clear data on the weight of each individual factor on the clinical and histological outcomes of periimplant regeneration. Efficacy of regenerative therapy: a) Animal studies: Bone formation and re-osseointegration are feasible goals in previously infected implants. However, the amount of the newly formed bone in contact with the implant is not predictable. The implant surface features and implant design could be limiting factors in obtaining re-osseointegration. b) Human studies: The surgical approach associated with regenerative procedures resulted in being effective in reducing probing depth and gaining clinical attachment level. A moderate percentage of clinical and radiographic bone filling was also found. Contrasting results are found on the real adjunctive benefit of barrier membrane placement in conjunction with bone graft materials. Clinical implications: even if the tecnique involves two simultaneous surgery sites, needing an high compliance by the patient, is unquestionable the vantage to can operate without narcosis, only availing of local anesthesia

Tratamiento quirúrgico periimplantario / Surgical treatment peri-implantitis

Uno de los factores clave del éxito a largo plazo de los implantes dentales es el mantenimiento de la salud de los tejidos entorno a éstos. El biofilm bacteriano es capaz de inducir alteraciones inflamatorias en los tejidos blandos periimplantarios, lo que puede llevar a la destrucción de los mismos, produciendo finalmente el fracaso del implante. Para la prevención de esta patología se han propuesto múltiples estrategias terapéuticas, aunque no se ha evidenciado cual es la más efectiva. OBJETIVOS: Identificar el protocolo terapéutico más efectivo para el tratamiento de la patología periimplantaria en implantes osteointegrados. CONCLUSIÓN: La cirugía de acceso ha demostrado resolver un 58% de los casos de periimplantitis. Ninguno de los métodos de descontaminación de superficies ha demostrado ser superior a las demás

One of the key factors for the long-term success of oral implants is the maintenance of healthy tissues around them. Bacterial plaque accumulation induces inflammatory changes in the soft tissues surrounding oral implants and it may lead to their progressive destruction (perimplantitis) and ultimately to implant failure. Different treatment strategies for per implantitis have been suggested, however it is unclear which are the most effective. OBJECTIVES: To identify the most effective interventions for treating perimplantitis around osseointegrated dental implants. CONCLUSION: Access surgery has demonstrate that resolution occurred in 58% of the lesions. No single method of surface decontamination was found to be superior

Tratamiento periodontal regenerativo en dientes con afectación furcal / Regenerative periodontal procedure in teeth with furcation involvement

Debido a las condicionantes anatómicas y a su relativa inaccesibilidad para el control de placa por parte del paciente los dientes con afectación furcal representan un reto para los clínicos. Con el fin de tratar estas áreas de difícil manejo, se ha estudiado un amplio rango de modalidades de tratamiento entre las cuales destacan: el desbridamiento mecánico quirúrgico y no quirúrgico, la plastia furcal, la tunelización, la hemisección, la resección radicular y los tratamientos regenerativos, sin resultados concluyentes. Objetivos: revisar la evidencia disponible sobre la naturaleza de la regeneración periodontal obtenible en molares con afectación furcal y evaluar el efecto de la regeneración sobre los parámetros clínicos periodontales. Conclusión: la regeneración periodontal en lesiones furcales mediante RTG y/o EMD son técnicas efectivas y predecibles para la mejoría clínica y pronóstico de los molares con lesiones de furcación (AU)

Because of anatomical conditioners and their relative inaccessibility for plaque control by patients, teeth with furcal affectation represents a challenge for clinicians. With the purpose of dealing with these difficult handling areas, an ample rank of treatment modalities have been studied between which can be emphasized: surgical and nonsurgical mechanical debridement, furcal plastia, tunelization, tooth hemi-section, radicular resection and regenerative treatments without obtaining conclusive results. Objectives: to review the available evidence on the nature of achievable periodontal regeneration in molars with furcal affectation and to evaluate the effect of regeneration through periodontal clinical parameters. Conclusion: periodontal regeneration in furcal lesions by means of RTG and/or EMD are effective and predictable technique for the clinical and prognostic improvement of molars with furcación lesions (AU)

Tratamiento quirúrgico vs terapia periodontal básica: estudios longitudinales en periodoncia clínica / Periodontal surgery vs cause-related periodontal therapy: longitudinal study in clinical periodontology

Las enfermedades periodontales son unas graves infecciones bacterianas que destruyen las fibras de inserción y el hueso de soporte que mantienen los dientes en la boca. Sin tratar, esta enfermedad puede llevar a la pérdida dental (Medical Dictionary). Los estudios longitudinales han centrado su atención hacia la periodontitis crónica. Se ha documentado el decisivo papel de la placa bacteriana en la iniciación y en el mantenimiento de la gingivitis, y que, los efectos dañinos sobre los tejidos y la gravedad de estos efectos están regulados por una compleja interacción entre el parásito y huésped. El tratamiento de la lesión periodontal cumple, para el tratamiento periodontal básico, con el propósito de eliminar y prevenir la recurrencia de los depósitos bacterianos localizados en las superficies dentarias supra gingivales y subgingivalesy, para el tratamiento quirúrgico con el objetivo de crear acceso para el desbridamiento profesional correcto de las superficies radiculares infectadas y establecer una morfología gingival adecuada que facilite el autocontrol de la placa por parte del paciente. Diferentes técnicas se han utilizado para alcanzar el objetivo de mejorar el pronóstico de los dientes a largo plazo. Desafortunadamente no son muchos los estudios que consiguen demostrar la efectividad de las técnicas utilizadas, con una evolución a lo largo del tiempo dejando entonces algunas incertidumbres (AU)

Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibres and supporting bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss (Medical Dictionary). Longitudinal studies centred their attention on chronic periodontitis. It has been documented the decisive role played by microbiological plaque in the initiation of gingivitis and that, the harmful effect on the tissues and its severity, are controlled by the complex host-parasite interaction. Treatment of periodontal lesion can be carried out either by non-surgical treatment, to eliminate and prevent the recurrence of bacterial deposits, or by surgical treatment, to create access for professional debridment of infected root surface and establish adequate gingival morphology to facilitate self-plaque control. Different techniques are used to achieve the objective to improve teeth long term prognosis. Unfortunately no many studies have been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the used technique in a long term intervals leaving unclear some questions (AU)

Papel etiológico de los virus en la enfermedad periodontal / Etiologic role of virus in periodontal disease

El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar la evidencia disponible que relaciona la infección por virus con el desarrollo de periodontitis. Esta relación se ha visto con los virus de la familia herpes, sobretodo el citomegalovirus humano (CMV) y el virus Epstein-Barr (VEB), así como con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV). Las infecciones por herpesvirus generalmente sucede en dos fases, durante la primoinfección la clínica suele ser leve o asintomática y a esta le sigue una fase asintomática en la que el virus se encuentra en estado de latencia. Dicho estado se verá interrumpido esporádicamente por periodos de activación en los que se produce una replicación viral y posiblemente se dé una manifestación de la enfermedad que explicaría, en parte, el progreso en episodios de la enfermedad periodontal . De hecho, algunas de las causas que llevan a la reactivación del virus también se consideran factores de riesgo de la enfermedad periodontal y podrían relacionar a ambas patologías (AU)

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence supporting the hypothesis that viral infection plays a role in the development of periodontitis. This relationship has been found mainly with the herpesvirus family, especially with human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but also with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The herpesvirus infection generally involves a mild or asymptomatic primary phase followed by an asymptomatic latent phase interrupted sporadically by periods of activation, where viral replication and possibly clinical disease become manifest and which will in part, explain the episodic progressive nature of human periodontitis. In fact, herpesvirus reactivation is triggered by a number of immunosuppressing factors, some of which have also been shown to be risk indicators of periodontal disease and which could relate both pathologies (AU)

Local and/or distant recurrences in T1-2/N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Data from a series of 181 patients subjected to long-term follow-up after surgical resection for non-small cell stage I and II lung cancer were analyzed to evaluate the statistical incidence and the prognostic factors of recurrence. The recurrence rate/year was particularly high in the first 2 years after surgery: the 2-year recurrence rate was 35.1% in stage I tumors and 51.8% in stage II, whereas the 5- and 7-year recurrence rates were 46.1 and 55.9% and 65.8 and 70.7%, respectively, for the same groups. Recurrences were observed more frequently in non-epidermoid carcinomas with multiple nodules (100% at 5 years) and in carcinomas classified as stage II (70.7% at 5-7 years), particularly when defined as adenocarcinoma (100% at 3 years). In the overall recurrence rate we observed no significant difference dependent on the type of resection even though limited segmental or wedge resection appeared to be related to a higher risk rate (true recurrence rate ratio: 0.6). Over two-thirds of the first observed recurrences were located at a distant site, with a slightly higher incidence of non-epidermoid carcinoma (72.5%). Isolated local recurrence mostly occurred in epidermoid carcinoma (47.6%). The most frequent sites of recurrence were the brain, bone and mediastinum. On multivariate analysis, independently significant adverse prognostic factors regarding the recurrence incidence were: tumor size greater than 3 cm, bronchial or hilar lymph node involvement, tumor histologically defined as adenocarcinoma, and the presence of satellite nodules.

Thymostimulin effect on the immune response in neoplastic patients submitted to surgical treatment.

We selected the data from performance status, disease state, skin tests, circulating lymphocytes and relative subsets, serum immunoglobulin classes to evaluate the immune response in 29 neoplastic patients treated with surgery and undergoing Thymostimulin administration during long term follow-up. Moderate drug intolerance was observed in 3 patients. After treatment lymphocyte count increase (41% mean increase) in 61.5% of cases; CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 respectively 95-74-87-82% of cases; immunoglobulin classes in about 90% of cases. A clear-cut improvement of Karnofsky's index was observed in 34.6% of cases, worsening in 11.5%. A manifest improvement in the delayed hypersensitivity skin test resulted in 36% of cases. Most patients (85%) have shown signs of complete disease remission. Disease progression was observed only in 3 patients. There were no infections during this study.