Removal of phosphorus from wastewaters by biomass ashes.

Removal batch assays of phosphates from a synthetic wastewater (SWW) and a pulp and paper mill wastewater (PPWW) with two forestry biomass ashes were performed. The supernatants were not only chemically characterized but also the ecotoxicity was determined using two organisms: Vibrio fischeri and Artemia franciscana. The addition of fly ash and bottom ash to the SWW in solid/liquid (S/L) ratios of 3.35 and 9.05 g L(-1), respectively, achieved removal percentages of phosphates >97% for both ashes. The addition of fly ash and bottom ash to the PPWW in S/L ratios of 34.45 and 46.59 g L(-1), respectively, yield removal percentages of phosphates >90% for both ashes. According to the results of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, the removal of phosphates from the SWW was mainly explained by surface removal mechanisms, while the removal from the PPWW was partially explained by multi-layer mechanisms. The supernatants resulting from the treatment of SWW and PPWW with both biomass ashes did not present acute ecotoxicity.

Lateral evaginations from the third ventricle into the rat mediobasal hypothalamus: an amplification of the ventricular route.

In this work we report the existence of several evaginations extending out of the third ventricle within the mediobasal hypothalamus of the rat. In coronal sections, these evaginations appear as very narrow canaliculi integrating a canalicular system, which increases the contact surface between the ventricular lining and the nervous tissue. Consequently these evaginations enlarge the ventricular route for the transport of active principles present in the cerebrospinal fluid, such as (neuro)hormones and neurotransmitters. The mediobasal hypothalamus includes the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence (both involved in neuroendocrine mechanisms and in the regulation of pituitary function). A possible implication of our finding is that the neuroactive substance-containing ventricular cerebrospinal fluid may reach the intercellular spaces of the surrounding neuropil of the arcuate nucleus. According to literature these substances cross the ependyma of the lateral wall of the infundibular recess of the third ventricle. We suggest that such substances might also pass through the ependymal lining of the canalicular system, which displays the same ultrastructural characteristics as the rest of the ependyma of the lateral wall of the third ventricle. Therefore, the arcuate neurons may be influenced not only by synaptic inputs (afferent fibers) but also by non-synaptic diffusion neurotransmission (by means of neuroactive substances present in the cerebrospinal fluid).

The ependymal surface of the fourth ventricle of the rat: a combined scanning and transmission electron microscopic study.

The morphological features of the ependymal surface and supraependymal elements of the fourth ventricle of the rat were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirm the following aspects: 1) The presence of supraependymal elements and microvilli in the ependymal territories, including the sites where the cilia completely cover the ependymal surface; 2) The existence of cilia with oval or spherical thickenings together with supraependymal bulbs similar in size to those of the larger ciliary swellings; 3) Identification of the long supraependymal fibres with intermittent fusiform dilations observed under the SEM with the nerve fibres seen under the TEM; 4) The existence of intraventricular axodendritic synapses.

[Morphologic substrates of the ventricular route of secretion and transport of substances in the tubero-infundibular region of the hypothalamus. Ultrastructural study]. / Sustratos morfológicos de la vía ventricular de secreción y transporte de sustancias en la región tuberoinfundibular del hipotálamo. Estudio ultraestructural.

Ultrastructural studies of the ependyma of the tuberoinfundibular region of the rat hypothalamus have revealed the existence of intraventricular axonal endings and of cytoplasmic blebs and bulbs that project from the apical surface of the ependymal cells to the ventricular lumen. All these structures account for the processes of ependymal apocrine secretion and the neuroventriculocrinia, and hence the release of biologically active substances into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These substances contained in the CSF must act on the nervous nuclei of the tuberoinfundibular region, such as the arcuate nucleus, which is very important in the neuroendocrine regulation of the anterior pituitary gland. Dilated intercellular spaces among neighbouring ependymocytes of this region, small intraependymal cisternae and, in particular, a lateral prolongation of the infundibular recess, which courses through the nervous tissue between the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence from the vertex of the lateral angle of the infundibular recess, may be the route followed by the CSF from the third ventricle to the tissue compartment of the tuberoinfundibular region. Also studied are the cisternae of the region and the relationships of these with the lateral prolongation of the infundibular recess. Some of these cisternae may be filled by the CSF through the prolongation. In this way, the tissue compartment of CSF would be enlarged, and hence the ventricular route for the secretion and transport of biologically active substances would be potentiated.

Sustratos morfológicos de la vía ventricular de secreción y transporte de sustancias en la región tuberoinfundibular del hipotálamo: estudio ultraestructural / Morphologic substrates of the ventricular route of secretion and transport of substances in the tubero-infundibular region of the hypothalamus: ultrastructural study

Ultrastructural studies of the ependyma of the tuberoinfundibular region of the rat hypothalamus have revealed the existence of intraventricular axonal endings and of cytoplasmic blebs and bulbs that project from the apical surface of the ependymal cells to the ventricular lumen. All these structures account for the processes of ependymal apocrine secretion and the neuroventriculocrinia, and hence the release of biologically active substances into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These substances contained in the CSF must act on the nervous nuclei of the tuberoinfundibular region, such as the arcuate nucleus, which is very important in the neuroendocrine regulation of the anterior pituitary gland. Dilated intercellular spaces among neighbouring ependymocytes of this region, small intraependymal cisternae and, in particular, a lateral prolongation of the infundibular recess, which courses through the nervous tissue between the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence from the vertex of the lateral angle of the infundibular recess, may be the route followed by the CSF from the third ventricle to the tissue compartment of the tuberoinfundibular region. Also studied are the cisternae of the region and the relationships of these with the lateral prolongation of the infundibular recess. Some of these cisternae may be filled by the CSF through the prolongation. In this way, the tissue compartment of CSF would be enlarged, and hence the ventricular route for the secretion and transport of biologically active substances would be potentiated

Myelinated Herring bodies in the median eminence of the cat.

An electron-microscopic study was carried out on the median eminence of cats during post-natal development. From the moment of birth (observations performed 12 hours later) Herring bodies were seen in the fibrillary layer of the median eminence. At 45 days after birth, myelinated nerve fibres could be observed, some of them containing neurosecretory granules. The number of myelinated fibres in the median eminence increased with age and at 90 days some Herring bodies appeared surrounded by myelin sheaths; these mainly contained neurosecretory granules and a few mitochondria.

[Various aspects of the vessels of the renal glomerulus seen through the scanning electron microscope]. / Algunos aspectos de los vasos del glomerulo renal vistos con microscopio electrónico de barrido.

The kidney glomeruli of the rabbit have been examined by means of repletion with celloidin and subsequent corrosion. The observation has been done with a scanning electronic microscope. In their most general and common aspect, the glomeruli have variations in their arteries; in some cases these are homogenous whilst in others they may be different within a single glomerulus and different among each other. When the glomeruli are dissected, these differences are seen much better as there can be seen to be several collaterals, those emerging from the afferrent trunk which may have different devices and several shapes as some are more or less elongated whilst in other circumstances these arteries are spiral with numerous curls. We cannot specify whether these differences are purely morphological or different functional states. When glomeruli are observed in a single area, they present different shapes and sizes which suggests that these differences are typical of each glomerulus and never dependent upon the topography where they are located. The arteries of the glomeruli are generally arranged in lobules. These may be different in the size, length and arrangement of the vessels since, as we clearly state in this paper, the vascular lobules are different from each other within a single glomerulus.

New capillary collagen of cutaneous scars.

The capillary collagen of several human keloids was studied. In the majority of the preparations, the collagen had the appearance of an amorphous mass where the amorphous material of the intercellular component was mixed with the newly formed collagen. The vessels of these regions offered neither definite form nor structure but rather a mixture of well-formed fibers and of other fibers still in the process of formation. The principal characteristic of the newly formed vascular collagen was its distribution in the form of rings, each of which was united in turn to other rings. Fibers could be seen radiating from the periphery of these rings and served to join the rings to the surrounding intercellular amorphous substance. The vessels presented different disposition and structures depending upon their grade of development, which is never complete.

The collagen of the gingiva and of its blood vessels.

The collagen of the gingiva and that of its blood vessels of several animal species and of man were studied with the scanning electron microscope following corrosion with pancreatin at 0.3%. The gingival collagen forms fundamental cells or fasciculi that are distributed throughout the entire territory. In the interior of the cells there are small balls either detached or in clusters. Because of the contact and the fusion of these balls with the collagenic fasciculi, and due to their resistance to the pancreatin corrosion procedure, we believe them to be condensations of collagen. The approximate size of these balls was 2 micrometer. The fasciculi that surround these cells have either the form of bundles or are united in bands. There is an abundance of blood vessels in the gingiva and they are surrounded by collagen. This collagen can assume any of varied positions. The relations that exist between the vascular collagen and that of the gingiva are different in every case.

[Various aspects of renal pyramid collagen seen by scanning electron microscopy]. / Algunos aspectos del colageno de la piramide renal vistos con microscopia electronica de barrido.

In apparently normal kidneys, viewed with a scanning electromicroscope, it has been observed that the renal pyramid has a collagen arranged in cells which cover vessels and tubules. These cells vary in arrangement and structure. In spite of the apparent normality, collagen variations are observed. Sometimes as a result of the increased intensity and other times because forms of neocollagen appear with accumulations of essential substances. This fact suggests that the said changes involve two circumstances. Either this tissue changes continuously or the said kidneys have some lesion in their collagen which leads to new forms of neocollagen appearing and to the great richness of essential substances.

Morphological aspect of the skin terminal corpuscles, previous corrosion with pancreatin.

The capsulated corpuscles of the skin have been studied by pancreatin corrosion methods. With this corrosion, Meissner's corpuscles disappear while those, whose fundamental structure is collagenous, remain intact. We have observed structural differences in these collagenous corpuscles, some being formed as a fine reticulum or with longitudinal or concentric sheaths. Within the corpuscle, there is a totally vascular compartment, the 'vascular hill', which is easily differentiated from the other laminar or reticular segment which is the 'nerve hill'. We conclude that the connective tissue arrangement and the vascular content of the corpuscles contribute to the regulation of the different degrees of sensations perceived by these corpuscles. The tendency that these corpuscles show to unite may be caused because the places, where they are grouped, are the points of greatest sensory perception.