BIODIESEL PRODUCTION BY LIPOLYTIC MICROORGANISMS FROM DAIRY FATS RICH WASTEWATERS

PhD Thesis focused on biofuels production from wastewater treatment plants sludges. The information it contains can be useful for both scientists researching in biofuels and fats derivatives useful for different applications from fine chemical synthesis to cosmetics and pharmaceutics production by green technologies; and for citizens who, honourably and without self-profit interest, are attempting to apply this kind of knowledge to improve the wastes management and the energy dependence reduction of their houses, villages or countries, but have to struggle with monopoly and industrial property problems related with biofuels production technologies

Bioresources for Third-Generation Biofuels

Modern societies’ welfare relies greatly on fossil fuels. The current energy model, based on the extensive utilization of fossil fuels, is affected by economic and environmental problems. The United States Department of Energy 2009 report estimates that, within the next two decades, global energy consumption will double (Conti, 2009). On the other hand, the European Commission 2009 report indicates that the management of climate change problems in Europe, since 2000, has been globally unfavourable. Nevertheless, there are some positive signs, such as the 1.4% reduction in 2007 of CO2 emissions with respect to the figures obtained from 2000 to 2004 in the European Union of Fifteen (E-15). However, considering the 27 European states (E-27), and paying attention to the consumption and production of renewable energy and biofuels, the reduction in emissions has not fulfilled the European Union objectives. Among the motives of this negative evaluation, the fall in the companies’ productivity, increased transport and industry emissions and the reduction in research and development areas can be cited (Radermacher, 2009). First- and secondgeneration biofuels could ameliorate or solve the associated fossil fuel depletion problems, although their recent implantation has raised some doubts. The main problems associated with biofuels are the food vs. fuel controversy; the agricultural and forestry land usage and the actual sustainability of biofuels’ production. Third-generation biofuels, based on the microbiological processing of agricultural, urban and industrial residues, could be a possible solution. However, several technical problems must be solved to make them economically viable and easily affordable for the industry (Robles-Medina et al., 2009).We thank the Junta de Andalucía (Spain) for funding this study through project reference P08-RNM-04180 and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology for funding through project reference CTM2009-09270. M. Manzanera received grants from the Programa Ramón y Cajal, (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia MEC, Spain, and ERDF, European Union)

Consenso sobre la vacunación frente a la gripe en el personal sanitario

Health care workers (HCW) are included each year among risk groups for vaccination against influenza. However, vaccination coverage among this group in our country is very low, not exceeding 25%. Convinced that one of the best tools to increase this coverage among professionals in our country are the scientific evidence, 19 scientific societies and associations professionals bringing together health professionals more directly related to influenza as an health problem, and the General Nursing Council, met to discuss and develop this consensus document in order to inform HCW about the appropriateness of their vaccination against influenza and the benefits that flow from it for themselves, for their patients and for the rest of the population. This recommendation is based on 3 pillars: argument of necessity, ethics and exemplary

Comparative Study of Batch and Fluidized Bed Bioreactors for Lipase-Catalyzed Ethyl Cinnamate Synthesis

Ethyl cinnamate, an ester known as flavor and fragrance compound, has been synthesized using two immobilized bioreactor systems, batch and fluidized bed bioreactors. The enzyme used for this synthesis is a commercial lipase B preparation, Novozyme 435. Initial kinetic studies were conducted in both employed bioreactor configurations, and kinetic constants were obtained. Several models were tried for fitting of experimental data, but the best fit, for both bioreactors, was obtained when the ping-pong bi-bi mechanism was used. Interestingly enough, ethanol inhibition occurred in batch bioreactor, but it did not exist in the fluidized bed bioreactor. Solid-liquid mass transfer coefficients were calculated for both bioreactors to determine whether mass transfer limitations existed in either of these systems. The calculation of Damkohler numbers and Thiele modulus confirmed that mass transfer limitations had no effect on the overall reaction in both bioreactors

Enzymatic Production of Bioactive Protein Hydrolysates from Egg White: Effects of Egg White Protein Pretreatment

The use of egg white hydrolysed protein has attracted particular interests as a protein source in human nutrition providing a number of benefits when compared to unhydrolysed protein ingredients. Of high importance is the production of an hydrolysate which contains bioactive peptides and does not have allergen potential to be used as the primary or only source of protein in “infant formula”, diets, or “medical food”. At present, expanded egg white hydrolysates utilization is impeded by inadequate functional properties caused by processing treatments during commercial production that alter egg white proteins` physicochemical properties and nutritional quality, among then the thermal treatment is one of the most damaging to the proteins. Thus, a lot of research works have been performed to investigate the effectiveness of replacing conventional thermal treatment with several non-thermal alternative approaches for improvement the overall process performances of egg white proteins (EWPs) hydrolysis and produce protein solutions with new functional properties. In this study, the effect of ultrasound pretreatment at 27 oC and at atmospheric pressure and of high pressure carbon dioxide processing in the range 10-30 MPa on the enzymatic hydrolysis of EWPs with alcalase has been investigated. As pH seemed to strongly affect the ultrasound induced protein denaturation, the effect of pH during sonication in the range 6.0-10.0 on the egg white susceptibilityto enzymatic hydrolysis has been studied. The functional properties, molecular weight distribution, and antioxidant activity of obtained hydrolysates were also investigated. It appeared that the ultrasound pretreatment resulted in an increase in degree of hydrolysis of the enzymatic reaction while the high pressure carbon dioxide processing showed an inhibition effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis of EWPs to some extent. Antioxidant activity of obtained hydrolysates was improved by ultrasound pretreatment of EGPs at pH 8.3. Thus, the combination of ultrasound pretreatment at pH 8.3 and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis with alcalase at 50 oC and pH 8.0 could offer a new approach to improve the functional properties of EWPs and their biological activity

Immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase B on supports with epoxy groups via covalent attachment

Immobilization of lipase B from Candida antarctica was carried out using three different immobilization methods, and two epoxy activated supports, comercial Eupergit C and synthesized macroporous copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). The synthesized polymer was proven to be better for CALB immobilization at both ionic strenghts that wrere applied, 0.1M and 1.25M. Investigation of the effect of immobilization pH on the activity of immobilized enzymes, showed that the highest activities were obtained when immobilization process was conducted in acidic enviorments. The highest immobilized enzyme activity, 30.5 IU/ g of dry support, was achieved when periodate method was employed. Glutaraldehyde activation of support did not improve activity of obtained immobilized enzymes

First scientific observations with MEGARA at GTC

On June 25th 2017, the new intermediate-resolution optical IFU and MOS of the 10.4-m GTC had its first light. As part of the tests carried out to verify the performance of the instrument in its two modes (IFU and MOS) and 18 spectral setups (identical number of VPHs with resolutions R=6000-20000 from 0.36 to 1 micron) a number of astronomical objects were observed. These observations show that MEGARA@GTC is called to fill a niche of high-throughput, intermediateresolution IFU and MOS observations of extremely-faint narrow-lined objects. Lyman-α absorbers, star-forming dwarfs or even weak absorptions in stellar spectra in our Galaxy or in the Local Group can now be explored to a new level. Thus, the versatility of MEGARA in terms of observing modes and spectral resolution and coverage will allow GTC to go beyond current observational limits in either depth or precision for all these objects. The results to be presented in this talk clearly demonstrate the potential of MEGARA in this regard

Comparative Study of Batch and Fluidized Bed Bioreactors for Lipase-Catalyzed Ethyl Cinnamate Synthesis

Ethyl cinnamate, an ester known as flavor and fragrance compound, has been synthesized using two immobilized bioreactor systems, batch and fluidized bed bioreactors. The enzyme used for this synthesis is a commercial lipase B preparation, Novozyme 435. Initial kinetic studies were conducted in both employed bioreactor configurations, and kinetic constants were obtained. Several models were tried for fitting of experimental data, but the best fit, for both bioreactors, was obtained when the ping-pong bi-bi mechanism was used. Interestingly enough, ethanol inhibition occurred in batch bioreactor, but it did not exist in the fluidized bed bioreactor. Solid-liquid mass transfer coefficients were calculated for both bioreactors to determine whether mass transfer limitations existed in either of these systems. The calculation of Damkohler numbers and Thiele modulus confirmed that mass transfer limitations had no effect on the overall reaction in both bioreactors

Variations in management of A3 and A4 cervical spine fractures as designated by the AO Spine Subaxial Injury Classification System

© 2022 The authors.OBJECTIVE Optimal management of A3 and A4 cervical spine fractures, as defined by the AO Spine Subaxial Injury Classification System, remains controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine whether significant management variations exist with respect to 1) fracture location across the upper, middle, and lower subaxial cervical spine and 2) geographic region, experience, or specialty. METHODS A survey was internationally distributed to 272 AO Spine members across six geographic regions (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East). Participants’ management of A3 and A4 subaxial cervical fractures across cervical regions was assessed in four clinical scenarios. Key characteristics considered in the vignettes included degree of neurological deficit, pain severity, cervical spine stability, presence of comorbidities, and fitness for surgery. Respondents were also directly asked about their preferences for operative management and misalignment acceptance across the subaxial cervical spine. RESULTS In total, 155 (57.0%) participants completed the survey. Pooled analysis demonstrated that surgeons were more likely to offer operative intervention for both A3 (p < 0.001) and A4 (p < 0.001) fractures located at the cervicothoracic junction compared with fractures at the upper or middle subaxial cervical regions. There were no significant variations in management for junctional incomplete (p = 0.116) or complete (p = 0.342) burst fractures between geographic regions. Surgeons with more than 10 years of experience were more likely to operatively manage A3 (p < 0.001) and A4 (p < 0.001) fractures than their younger counterparts. Neurosurgeons were more likely to offer surgical stabilization of A3 (p < 0.001) and A4 (p < 0.001) fractures than their orthopedic colleagues. Clinicians from both specialties agreed regarding their preference for fixation of lower junctional A3 (p = 0.866) and A4 (p = 0.368) fractures. Overall, surgical fixation was recommended more often for A4 than A3 fractures in all four scenarios (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The subaxial cervical spine should not be considered a single unified entity. Both A3 and A4 fracture subtypes were more likely to be surgically managed at the cervicothoracic junction than the upper or middle subaxial cervical regions. The authors also determined that treatment strategies for A3 and A4 subaxial cervical spine fractures varied significantly, with the latter demonstrating a greater likelihood of operative management. These findings should be reflected in future subaxial cervical spine trauma algorithms.N

Mortality after surgery in Europe: a 7 day cohort study

Background: Clinical outcomes after major surgery are poorly described at the national level. Evidence of heterogeneity between hospitals and health-care systems suggests potential to improve care for patients but this potential remains unconfirmed. The European Surgical Outcomes Study was an international study designed to assess outcomes after non-cardiac surgery in Europe.Methods: We did this 7 day cohort study between April 4 and April 11, 2011. We collected data describing consecutive patients aged 16 years and older undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery in 498 hospitals across 28 European nations. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 60 days. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome measures were duration of hospital stay and admission to critical care. We used χ² and Fisher’s exact tests to compare categorical variables and the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test to compare continuous variables. Significance was set at p<0·05. We constructed multilevel logistic regression models to adjust for the differences in mortality rates between countries.Findings: We included 46 539 patients, of whom 1855 (4%) died before hospital discharge. 3599 (8%) patients were admitted to critical care after surgery with a median length of stay of 1·2 days (IQR 0·9–3·6). 1358 (73%) patients who died were not admitted to critical care at any stage after surgery. Crude mortality rates varied widely between countries (from 1·2% [95% CI 0·0–3·0] for Iceland to 21·5% [16·9–26·2] for Latvia). After adjustment for confounding variables, important differences remained between countries when compared with the UK, the country with the largest dataset (OR range from 0·44 [95% CI 0·19 1·05; p=0·06] for Finland to 6·92 [2·37–20·27; p=0·0004] for Poland).Interpretation: The mortality rate for patients undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery was higher than anticipated. Variations in mortality between countries suggest the need for national and international strategies to improve care for this group of patients.Funding: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, European Society of Anaesthesiology