Application of a Fenton process for the pretreatment of an iron-containing oily sludge: A sustainable management for refinery wastes.

The feasibility of a Fenton-type process for the pretreatment of an oily refinery sludge has been explored taking advantage of the iron contained in the own sludge. This process reduces the content of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) accompanied by an increase in the total organic carbon concentration in the liquid phase. The effect of the temperature and the hydrogen peroxide loading was thoroughly studied in this work being the oxidant concentration the most critical parameter. Under 60 °C and 90 g/L of initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) of the liquid phase was increased up values of 1336 mg/L and with a remarkable contribution of acetic acid as final oxidized compound (396 mgC/L). Additionally, nitrogen and phosphorous compounds were also dissolved in the aqueous phase achieving values of 250 mg/L and 7 mg/L for total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorous, respectively. Respirometry assays of the aqueous phase after the Fenton pretreatment have evidenced an increase of biodegradability up to 49% which makes this phase suitable for further biological processing in the refinery scheme. The reduction of the content of TPHs (61%) of the oily sludge, has also improved the settleability of the treated effluent (reducing the capillary suction time (CST) in ca. 88%).

Comprehensive characterization of an oily sludge from a petrol refinery: A step forward for its valorization within the circular economy strategy.

Refinery treatment plants produce large quantities of oily sludge during the petroleum refining processes. The hazardousness associated with the disposal of these wastes, make necessary the development of innovative technologies to handle it adequately, linked to the concepts of circular economy and environmental sustainability. This work provides for the first time a methodology for the deep characterization of this kind of wastes and consequently new insights regarding its valorization. A review of works dealing with the characterization of this type of wastes has been addressed evidencing the complexity and variability of these effluents. The oily sludge under study contains a high concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand of 196 g COD/L, a Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen of 2.8 g TKN/kg, a phosphorous content as PO43- of 7 g/kg, as well as a great presence of heavy metals in a different range of concentrations. This sludge is composed of three different phases: oily, aqueous and solid. The oily and the solid phases present high percentages of carbon content (84 and 26%, respectively), related to the presence of alkanes ranged from n-C9 to n-C44. Therefore, it could be possible their valorization by the synthesis of catalyst and/or adsorbents. A dark fermentation process could be also proposed for the oily phase to obtain H2 as an alternative energy source. Finally, the aqueous phase contains low carbon and nutrients concentration. A previous thermal pre-treatment applied to the oily sludge might increase nutrient and organic loading in the aqueous phase due to solid destruction, making this aqueous effluent suitable for a further conventional biological treatment.

Impact of evolving greenhouse gas forcing on the warming signal in regional climate model experiments.

Variations in the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) may not be included as external forcing when running regional climate models (RCMs); at least, this is a non-regulated, non-documented practice. Here we investigate the so far unexplored impact of considering the rising evolution of the CO2, CH4, and N2O atmospheric concentrations on near-surface air temperature (TAS) trends, for both the recent past and the near future, as simulated by a state-of-the-art RCM over Europe. The results show that the TAS trends are significantly affected by 1-2 K century-1, which under 1.5 °C global warming translates into a non-negligible impact of up to 1 K in the regional projections of TAS, similarly affecting projections for maximum and minimum temperatures. In some cases, these differences involve a doubling signal, laying further claim to careful reconsideration of the RCM setups with regard to the inclusion of GHG concentrations as an evolving external forcing which, for the sake of research reproducibility and reliability, should be clearly documented in the literature.

Fluctuating periodic solutions and moment boundedness of a stochastic model for the bone remodeling process.

In this work, we model osteoclast-osteoblast population dynamics with random environmental fluctuations in order to understand the random variations of the bone remodeling process in real life. For this purpose, we construct a stochastic differential model for the interactions between the osteoclast and osteoblast cell populations using the parameter perturbation technique. We prove the existence of a globally attractive positive unique solution for the stochastically perturbed system. Also, the stochastic boundedness of the solution is demonstrated using its p-th order moments for p ≥ 1. Finally, we show that the introduction of noise in the deterministic model provides a fluctuating periodic solution. Numerical evidence supports our theoretical results and a discussion of the results is carried out.

Resultados precoces y tardíos en resecciones ampliadas en cáncer de colon T4b / Early and late results after multivisceral resections for T4b colonic cancer

Objetivos: Describir las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad postoperatorias de las resecciones ampliadas de colon en pacientes con tumor en estadio T4b. Material y métodos: Serie de casos, que incluye pacientes con adenocarcinoma colónico clínicamente con compromiso de estructuras adyacentes (T4b), intervenidos de resección multivisceral entre los años 2005 y 2014. Fueron excluidos pacientes con metástasis, con bordes macroscópicamente comprometidos y con datos clínicos incompletos. Las variables resultado fueron la morbilidad y mortalidad postoperatorias a los 30 días. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva. Para las variables categóricas se utilizaron porcentajes, y para las variables continuas se utilizaron la media y mediana como medidas de tendencia central y la desviación estándar o rango como medidas de dispersión. Se aplicó el método de Kaplan-Meier para la sobrevida, y pruebas de Chi cuadrado y log-Rank para el análisis de sobrevida por subgrupos. Resultados: De un universo de 483 pacientes intervenidos por adenocarcinoma colónico, 71 fueron T4b. Se aplicaron criterios de exclusión, resultando una muestra de 46 pacientes. Los órganos más frecuentemente comprometidos fueron: intestino delgado, epiplón, pared abdominal y otro segmento colónico. La morbilidad y mortalidad postoperatorias, de un 21,7 y un 6,5%, respectivamente. Influyeron significativamente en la sobrevida la edad, el antecedente de quimioterapia adyuvante, la presencia de inestabilidad microsatelital y la diferenciación del tumor. Conclusiones: El compromiso multivisceral de los tumores colónicos no es infrecuente, con un 9,5% para nuestra serie. La resección R0 es el tratamiento de elección. Influyen en el pronóstico el tipo histológico y el comportamiento biológico del tumor, así como la quimioterapia adyuvante y la edad del paciente.

Aims: To describe postoperative morbidity and mortality rates in multivisceral resections for T4b colon cancer. Material and methods: Case series of patients diagnosed of T4b colonic adenocarcinoma who underwent multivisceral resection between 2005 and 2014. There were excluded those patients who had metastases, R2 resection and incomplete clinical data. Result variables were morbidity and mortality at 30 days. It was performed descriptive statistic using percentage estimation for categories, average and median for continuous variables and standard deviation or rank as measures of statistical dispersion. It was used Kaplan-Meier method for survival and chi-square and log-Rank for subgroups analysis. Results: From a universe of 483 patients who underwent surgery for colonic adenocarcinoma, whom 71 were staged as T4b, after exclusion criteria were applied it resulted a sample of 46 patients. The small bowel, omentum, abdominal wall and other colonic segment were the more often compromised organs. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 21.7 and 6.5% respectively. The age, history of adjuvant chemotherapy, presence of microsatellite instability and tumor differentiation had a significant impact in survival. Conclusions: Multivisceral affection in colonic cancer is not uncommon, 9.5% in our series. R0 resection is the treatment of choice. Patient outcome depends on his age, histologic and biologic characteristics of the tumor and adjuvant treatment.

Stability analysis of a Komarova type model for the interactions of osteoblast and osteoclast cells during bone remodeling.

In order to analyze theoretically the dynamics of osteoblast and osteoclast cells in the bone remodeling process we first consider a simplified Komarova model. The existence of periodic solutions, which is consistent with the biophysical phenomenon, has been observed only numerically for the general model. By a stability analysis of the simplified model we provide sufficient conditions to obtain existence and uniqueness of positive periodic solutions. Considering recent biological evidence about the participation of another cells like osteocytes in the regulation of bone remodeling, we incorporate to the simplified model a new term as a way to model the signaling of external agents in the remodeling process. Finally, we demonstrate that this new model has stable positive non-periodic solutions. All the theoretical results are accompanied by computational simulations.

Hypercholesterolemia increases plasma saturated and n-6 fatty acids altering prostaglandin homeostasis and promotes endothelial dysfunction in rabbits.

The present study evaluated the plasma fatty acid levels and the vascular prostaglandin (PG) release in a rabbit model of early hypercholesterolemia with endothelial dysfunction. Rabbits were fed either a control diet (CD) or a diet containing 1 % cholesterol (HD) for 5-6 weeks. The level of fatty acids was measured in plasma. The levels of PG and nitric oxide (NO) released from the aorta were also determined. Vascular morphology of the aorta was characterized by intima and media thickness measurements. The rabbits fed with HD had higher levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) and lower levels of oleic acid. The linoleic acid level was unchanged. PGI(2) and NO were diminished and PGF(2α) levels, the PGI(2)/TXA(2) ratio and the intima/media ratio were increased in rabbits fed with HD. In conclusion, feeding HD for a short period increased ARA plasma levels and unbalanced release of vasodilator/vasoconstrictor PG redirected the pathway to vasoconstrictor metabolite release. These lipid metabolism alterations in addition to the reduced NO levels and the moderate changes in the vascular morphology contributed to the endothelial dysfunction in this animal model. Therefore, the present findings support the importance of early correction or prevention of high cholesterol levels to disrupt the endothelial dysfunction process that leads to cardiovascular disease.

Using molecular markers for pedigree reconstruction of the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) in the absence of parental information.

Ensuring appropriate levels of genetic diversity in captive populations is essential to avoid inbreeding and loss of rare alleles by genetic drift. Pedigree reconstruction and parentage analysis in the absence of parental genotypes can be a challenging task that relies in the assignment of sibship relationships among the offspring. Here, we used eight highly variable microsatellite markers and three different assignment methods to reconstruct the most likely genotypes of a parental group of wild Seriola dumerili fish based on the genotypes of six cohorts of their offspring, to assess their relative contributions to the offspring. We found that a combination of the four most variable microsatellites was enough to identify the number of parents and their contribution to the offspring, suggesting that the variability of the markers can be more critical than the number of markers. Estimated effective population sizes were lower than the number of breeders and variable among years. The results suggest unequal parental contribution that should be accounted for breeding programs in the future.

Compromiso vesical en síndrome de Guillain-Barré: a propósito de un caso / Bladder involvement in Guillain-Barre syndrome: a case study

Introducción: El Síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) es una enfermedad autoinmune caracterizada por debilidad muscular, arreflexia y disociación albúmino-citológica en líquido cerebroespinal, cuya incidencia clásica a nivel internacional suele uniformarse alrededor de 0,6 a 4 casos por 100.000 al año. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 45 años, sexo femenino, quien ingresó al Servicio de Urgencia del Hospital de Temuco derivada desde Lonquimay, por debilidad progresiva de las cuatro extremidades. En Lonquimay la paciente requirió sonda vesical por retención urinaria. Es diagnosticada con SGB, hospitalizándose en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, requiriendo ventilación asistida y tratada mediante plasmaféresis, presentando neumonía como complicación relacionada a la ventilación mecánica y recuperando íntegramente función vesical. Discusión: El compromiso vesical no es descrito como un factor importante en el diagnóstico, siendo controversial aquella afirmación por varios autores.

Introduction: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness, areflexia and albumin-cytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid, the incidence has been reported to be relatively uniform between 0.6 to 4 cases per 100.000 per year. Case report: Patient of 45 years old, female, admitted to the emergency department of Hospital de Temuco derived from Lonquimay by progressive weakness of four extremities. In Lonquimay the patient required bladder catheterization for urinary retention. It was diagnosed with GBS, hospitalized in intensive care unit, requiring assisted ventilation and treated with plasmapheresis, developing pneumonia as a complication related to mechanical ventilation and fully recovered bladder function. Discussion: The bladder involvement is not described as an important factor in diagnosis and remains controversial this statement by several authors.

Effects of a diet lacking HUFA on lipid and fatty acid content of intestine and gills of male gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) broodstock at different stages of the reproductive cycle.

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the effect of a diet lacking n-3 and n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on lipid and fatty acid content in intestine and gills of male gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) broodstock at different stages of the reproductive cycle: November (pre-spermatogenesis), March (spermatogenesis), and June (post-spermatogenesis). For this purpose, gilthead seabream broodstock were fed either a control diet (C) or an n-3 and n-6 HUFA-deficient diet (D). The results showed no changes in fatty acid content of polar lipids of intestine and gills from fish fed diet C at different stages of the reproductive cycle. However, significant changes were observed in the fatty acid content of neutral lipids in intestine but not in gills in this group. Thus, between November and March, saturates and n-3 HUFA decreased while monoenes increased. In June, the contents of these fatty acids had returned to their initial values (November). Moreover, in fish fed diet D, the fatty acid content of neutral lipid changed in both intestine and gills. In intestine NL, a decrease in saturates and n-3 HUFA and an increment in monoenes were observed from November to June. In gills, a decrease was also observed in n-3 HUFA from NL along the cycle. Nevertheless, n-6 HUFA content remained unchanged. These results show both tissue specificity in seasonal mobilization of fatty acids linked to reproductive processes and the influence of dietary fatty acids on body composition.

Evaluación de la exposición a elementos inorgánicos (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb) en cormoranes grandes (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) de la laguna costera del Mar Menor de Murcia / Assessment of inorganic element exposure (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb) in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) from the Mar Menor coastal lagoon

En el presente estudio, se han analizado las concentraciones de nueve elementos inorgánicos (cromo, manganeso, níquel, cobre, zinc, arsénico, selenio, cadmio y plomo) en distintos tejidos (hígado, riñón, músculo, hueso y pluma) de individuos jóvenes de cormorán grande (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), hallados en estado cadáver en los alrededores de la laguna costera del Mar Menor durante su invernada. Los análisis se realizaron mediante espectrometría de masas con fuente de plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS). El Mar Menor posee un elevado valor ecológico cuya integridad puede verse amenazada por la presión urbanística, los efluentes de la agricultura intensiva y los residuos de la actividad minera que aportan cantidades considerables de elementos contaminantes. Estos pueden incorporarse a la cadena trófica y ocasionar una biomagnificación, que puede poner en peligro tanto a la fauna como a los seres humanos. Las aves marinas son de gran utilidad en la biomonitorización de contaminantes presentes en el entorno y permiten la evaluación de su exposición y mostrar el estado ecotoxicológico de la zona estudiada. La pluma se presenta como una muestra excelente para la monitorización de la contaminación por plomo y cromo, mientras que el riñón y el hígado son las muestras más adecuadas para la monitorización de la contaminación por cadmio y el estudio de los niveles de selenio. Los niveles de plomo y cromo hallados en los principales órganos de acumulación son elevados, mientras que los niveles del resto de elementos estudiados son reducidos en comparación con la bibliografía consultada. Los resultados obtenidos permiten confirmar la utilidad en la biomonitorización de elementos inorgánicos del cormorán grande (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) en la laguna costera del Mar Menor(AU)

For this study, the levels of nine inorganic elements such as chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, cadmium and lead, have been measured in different tissues coming from liver, kidney, muscle, bone and feather in great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), which are installed in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon during the winter. We have had juvenile birds found dead on La Manga del Mar Menor coast. The analyses were made by inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Waterbirds are useful for biomonitoring contaminant exposure in aquatic ecosystems as they are on the top of food webs. The Mar Menor coastal lagoon (Murcia, Spain) has high ecological value which integrity is threatened due to impacts of mining and agricultural activities, and urban growing and touristic development that contributes with considerable quantities of contaminants, which can get into the food web joining different strata leading to biomagnification, endangering not only wildlife but also humans. Feathers are presented as an excellent sample for monitoring lead and chromium pollution. Kidney and liver are presented as the most appropriate sample for monitoring cadmium and selenium pollution. Lead and chromium levels are higher than those obtained by other authors from other geographic locations, while other element levels are lower. We have confirmed the utility in the biomonitoring of inorganic elements in great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) from the Mar Menor coastal lagoon(AU)

Diferencias de género en la exploración funcional del sistema serotoninérgico en jóvenes sanos / Gender-related differences in functional assessment of serotonergic system in healthy young subjects

Introducción. Las pruebas de estimulación de prolactina con agonistas serotoninérgicos han sido ampliamente utilizadas en el estudio de diversas patologías psiquiátricas; sin embargo, la caracterización de su respuesta en sujetos normales es aún incompleta. Objetivo. Comparar la respuesta a la estimulación serotoninérgica utilizando dexfenfluramina, un agente serotoninérgico específico, en hombres y mujeres jóvenes sanos, controlando el ciclo menstrual en estas últimas. Métodos. Se estudió a 10 mujeres y 9 hombres, a quienes se les administró 30 mg de dexfenfluramina por vía oral, midiendo los niveles de prolactina cada hora por un período de5 h. El nivel basal, el nivel máximo y la variación de prolactina fueron comparados en ambos grupos. Resultados. En los grupos etarios estudiados (edad promedio para los hombres: 19,9±2,5 años; edad promedio paral as mujeres: 20±1,5 años), el nivel máximo de prolactina y la respuesta a prolactina (Δ PRL) fueron significativamente mayores en mujeres (valor p: 0,02 y 0,04, respectivamente). Conclusiones. Las mujeres jóvenes sanas muestran una mayor respuesta a la estimulación con dexfenfluramina que los hombres jóvenes sanos. Las implicancias clínicas y biológicas de esta observación se discuten en el contexto de la literatura (AU)

Introduction. Prolactin stimulation test with serotonergic stimulants has been widely used in the study of diverse psychiatric disorders. However, the characterization of this response in normal subjects is still in complete. Objective. To compare the response to serotonin stimulation using dexfenfluramine, a specific serotonergic agent, in young healthy men and women, controlling the menstrual cycle. Methods. A total of 10 women and 9 men, who were given 30 mg of dexfenfluramine orally, were studied and their levels of prolactin were measured on an hourly basis for a five-hour period. Baseline, maximum and delta values of prolactin were compared for both groups. Results. According to the age groups studied (mean age for men: 19.9±2.5 years old; mean age for women: 20±1.5 years old), the prolactin maximum level and the response to prolactin (ΔPRL) were significantly higher in women (p-values: 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusions. Young healthy women show a greater response to stimulation with dexfenfluramine than young healthy men. Clinical and biological implications of this observation are discussed in the context of the currently available research papers (AU)

[Gender-related differences in functional assessment of serotonergic system in healthy young subjects]. / Diferencias de género en la exploración funcional del sistema serotoninérgico en jóvenes sanos.

INTRODUCTION: Prolactin stimulation test with serotonergic stimulants has been widely used in the study of diverse psychiatric disorders. However, the characterization of this response in normal subjects is still incomplete. OBJECTIVE: To compare the response to serotonin stimulation using dexfenfluramine, a specific serotonergic agent, in young healthy men and women, controlling the menstrual cycle. METHODS: A total of 10 women and 9 men, who were given 30 mg of dexfenfluramine orally, were studied and their levels of prolactin were measured on an hourly basis for a five-hour period. Baseline, maximum and delta values of prolactin were compared for both groups. RESULTS: According to the age groups studied (mean age for men: 19.9 +/- 2.5 years old; mean age for women: 20 +/- 1.5 years old), the prolactin maximum level and the response to prolactin (DPRL) were significantly higher in women (p-values: 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Young healthy women show a greater response to stimulation with dexfenfluramine than young healthy men. Clinical and biological implications of this observation are discussed in the context of the currently available research papers.

Polimorfismos del transportador de serotonina y efecto de fluoxetina sobre la impulsividad y agresividad en el trastorno límite de personalidad / Serotonin transporter polymorphism and fluoxetine effect on impulsiveness and aggression in borderline personality disorder

Introducción. La impulsividad y agresividad son características del trastorno límite de personalidad y están asociadas a una disfunción del sistema serotoninérgico. Polimorfismos del transportador de serotonina han sido vinculados a las conductas agresivas e impulsivas. En depresión el alelo corto (S) se asocia a peor respuesta a los inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina (ISRS). El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar estos polimorfismos para predecir la respuesta de las conductas agresivas e impulsivas a los ISRS en el trastorno límite de personalidad. Método. Cincuenta y nueve pacientes con trastorno límite de personalidad del DSM-IV de acuerdo al International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) y sin patología del eje I fueron tratados con fluoxetina en dosis flexibles durante 12 semanas. Los pacientes fueron evaluados mediante la Overt Aggression Scale Modified (OAS-M) al inicio y a las 2, 4, 8 y 12 semanas de tratamiento. Se determinó los polimorfismos L y S de la región promotora del transportador de serotonina. Se comparó la respuesta a fluoxetina de los portadores de LL frente a los portadores de S (LS + SS). Resultados. Los portadores de LL tuvieron mejor respuesta que los portadores de S en reducir las puntuaciones del OAS-M total y en los componentes agresividad e irritabilidad del OAS-M. Conclusiones. Los portadores del alelo L responden mejor a fluoxetina que los portadores de S, de modo similar que en depresión. El alelo S puede representar un factor común de mala respuesta a los ISRS en las patologías asociadas a disfunción del sistema serotoninérgico

Introduction. Impulsiveness and aggressiveness are characteristics of borderline personality disorder and are associated to a serotoninergic system dysfunction. Serotonin transporter polymorphisms have been linked to aggressive and impulsive behaviors. The short allele (S) in depression is associated to a worse response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). This study aims to study these polymorphisms to predict the response of aggressive and impulsive behaviors to SSRIs in borderline personality disorder. Method. Fifty-nine patients with DSM-IV borderline personality disorder in accordance with the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) and without axis 1 disease were treated with flexible doses of fluoxetine for 12 weeks. The patients were evaluated with the Overt Aggression Scale Modified (OAS-M) at the beginning and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Polymorphisms L and S of the serotonin transporter promoter region were determined. Response to fluoxetine of the LL carriers versus the S carriers (LS+SS) was compared. Results. LL carriers had a better response than S carriers in the reduction of total OAS-M scores and on the aggressiveness and irritability components of the OAS-M. Conclusions. L-allele carriers responded better to fluoxetine than S carriers, in a similar way as in depression. The S allele may represent a common factor of bad response to SSRI in diseases associated to serotoninergic system dysfunction

Serotonin transporter polymorphism and fluoxetine effect on impulsiveness and aggression in borderline personality disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Impulsiveness and aggressiveness are characteristics of borderline personality disorder and are associated to a serotoninergic system dysfunction. Serotonin transporter polymorphisms have been linked to aggressive and impulsive behaviors. The short allele (S) in depression is associated to a worse response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). This study aims to study these polymorphisms to predict the response of aggressive and impulsive behaviors to SSRIs in borderline personality disorder. METHOD: Fifty-nine patients with DSM-IV borderline personality disorder in accordance with the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) and without axis 1 disease were treated with flexible doses of fluoxetine for 12 weeks. The patients were evaluated with the Overt Aggression Scale Modified (OAS-M) at the beginning and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Polymorphisms L and S of the serotonin transporter promoter region were determined. Response to fluoxetine of the LL carriers versus the S carriers (LS+SS) was compared. RESULTS: LL carriers had a better response than S carriers in the reduction of total OAS-M scores and on the aggressiveness and irritability components of the OAS-M. CONCLUSIONS: L-allele carriers responded better to fluoxetine than S carriers, in a similar way as in depression. The S allele may represent a common factor of bad response to SSRI in diseases associated to serotoninergic system dysfunction.

Lipid and fatty acid content in wild white seabream (Diplodus sargus) broodstock at different stages of the reproductive cycle.

The lipid and fatty acid content of the gonads, liver and muscle of wild white seabream males and females was studied at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Samples were taken from mature white seabream at pre-spawning (November), mid-spawning (March) and post-spawning (June) stages. The results showed that lipid accumulates in gonads and muscle from November to March. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was also increased during this period. Male gonads showed a greater increase in polar lipid (PL) than neutral (NL), while female gonads displayed the reverse. The increase in both neutral and polar lipid was higher in the muscle of males than in females. In the same period, male livers showed no changes either in lipid content or the hepatosomatic index (HSI), while female livers registered an increase in both lipid content and HSI. Between March and June, in both males and females, total, neutral and polar lipid decreased sharply in the gonads and muscle. Muscular lipid content reduction was more pronounced in males than females. On the other hand, the lipid content of the liver in males and females remained relatively constant. In general terms, the amounts of major fatty acids (16:0, 18:1n-9, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3) in gonadal and muscular polar and neutral lipid in both males and females increased from November to March and declined thereafter. Variations of the liver fatty acid content were less extreme. In the period from mid-spawning to post-spawning, the presence of 20:4n-6 in polar and neutral lipid increased to a notable extent in all organs studied.

Envenenamientos e intoxicaciones de fauna silvestre y doméstica en la región de murcia durante el bienio 2005-2006 / Intentional and unintentional poisonings of wild and domestic fauna in the Region of Murcia during biennium 2005-2006

El presente estudio afronta la revisión y análisis de los datos obtenidos a partir de los casos sospechososde envenenamiento o intoxicación en animales silvestres (y domésticos en menor medida), recibidos duranteel bienio 2005-2006 en el Servicio de Toxicología del Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre “El Valle”(Murcia). Dicha revisión permite ofrecer información epidemiológica acerca de los principales agentes tóxicosrelacionados con envenenamientos de animales de vida silvestre en el Sureste de España, así como de las causasque conducen a provocarlos. De los 94 casos recibidos y analizados, 41 fueron positivos, con un balance totalde 122 cadáveres. Plaguicidas, sobre todo insecticidas y rodenticidas, fueron las sustancias más frecuentementeinvolucradas. En concreto, aldicarb (29,54%), fentión (25,00%), carbofurano (15,90%) y monocrotofos(9,09%) son los compuestos más utilizados en la preparación de cebos para envenenamientos. La primavera yel invierno son las épocas del año en las que los envenenamientos son más numerosos, y mayoritariamente seproducen en zonas rurales y de tradición cinegética

Data of chemical toxicological analyses carried out over a two year period (2005-2006) by the WildlifeRecovery Center “El Valle” of Murcia (Spain). These results allow to perform an epidemiologic information conclusioaboutthe main toxic agents of poisoning wildlife (and domestic animals in some cases) of Southeastern Spain.From 94 cases received and analyzed, 41 were positive to intentional poisoning (a total of 122 dead animals).Pesticides, especially insecticides and rodenticides, were frequently involved. Aldicarb (29,54%), fenthion(25,00%), carbofuran (15,90%) and monocrotophos (9,09%) were the most usual toxic agents in baits preparedfor intentional poisonings. Spring and winter are the seasons of the year in which the poisonings are morecommon, and mainly they take place in rural zones and those of hunting areas

Identificación de una variante genética de triptófano hidroxilasa 2 en población chilena / Identification of a genetic variant of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 in the Chilenan population

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Lipid dynamics and plasma level changes of 17beta-estradiol and testosterone during the spawning season of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) females of different ages.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the age of brood stock females of Sparus aurata affects the mobilization of lipids from muscle and liver towards the gonads to aid in oocyte development. Taking into account the role some hormones play in lipid mobilization the production of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) was also measured throughout the spawning season. Four groups of fish were established consisting of 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-old females (1.3, 1.5, 2.3 and 2.8 kg average weight, respectively), maintained in separate tanks together with a number of two-year-old males. The results for all four groups showed no variations in fish total length between the beginning and end of the experimental period. However, losses were recorded both of body weight and condition factor. In general terms, there were no significant differences in the plasma levels of E2, T and the gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) index among the four groups throughout the spawning season. In all groups, the plasma levels of E2, T, GSI and HSI were at their lowest at the end of spawning. Between December (pre-spawning) and March (mid-spawning), all groups suffered depletion of the lipid content of liver and muscle, while gonad lipid content remained constant. The mobilization of lipids from liver and muscle to contribute to the upkeep of the gonadal lipid involved the mobilization of all the fatty acid groups, saturates, monoenes, n-6, n-3, and n-3 HUFA. A good correlation existed between the percentage of the various fatty acid groups transferred from muscle and the age of the reproductive females. However, the greater lipid mobilization from muscle matching the greater age of the reproductive females did not result in greater lipid gonadal reserves or greater body size, suggesting that reproduction on the part of older females requires greater effort. Despite this, the results as a whole indicated that lipogenic capacity, considered as the mobilization of lipids from muscle and liver towards the gonad for the development of oocytes, is unaffected by age in reproductive 3- to 6-year-old gilthead seabream females.

[Effect of angiotensin II and alpha2 adrenergic receptor antagonists on angiotensin II-stimulated nitric oxide release]. / Efecto de antagonistas de los receptores de angiotensina II y alpha 2 adrénergicos sobre la liberación de óxido nitrico inducida por angiotensina II.

The aim of the present work was to characterize the interaction between the adrenergic system and angiotensin II-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) release in rabbit aorta. Rings of thoracic aorta were placed in an isolated organ bath. Equilibration was performed during 30 min, and after washing, angiotensin II was added at different concentrations, during 20 min. In another group two stimulations were performed with an interval of 60 min. Angiotensin II antagonists: losartan, PD 123319 and Sar1-Leu8-angiotensin II, alpha 2 adrenergic antagonist: yohimbine, all at 10(-5) M and L-NAME or D-NAME 10(-2) M, were added before stimulation with angiotensin II 10(-6) M or 5.10(-6) M. In another group, besides losartan or PD 123319, yohimbine was added. Nitrite determination was performed with Griess reagent. Angiotensin II 10(-8) to 10(-6) M increased NO metabolite production measured as nitrites referred to the control. In higher concentrations there was a diminution in relation to 10(-6) M. Angiotensin II nitrite release fell in the second stimulation with the hormone in all cases, whereas it was blocked by L-NAME. It was increased by angiotensin II antagonist only at maximal concentrations of the hormone, an effect abolished by yohimbine. Likewise, yohimbine diminished nitrite production at concentrations of angiotensin II of 5.10(-6) but not at 10(-6) M. These results allow us to postulate that NO release induced by angiotensin II would be in part mediated by alpha 2 receptors. Angiotensin II antagonists unmask these effects at maximal concentrations of the hormone, whereas at supramaximal concentrations inhibitory mechanisms would prevail, which would be balanced by alpha 2 activation.