Photoactivation of trans diamine platinum complexes in aqueous solution and effect on reactivity towards nucleotides

We show that UVA irradiation (365 nm) of the Pt-IV complex trans,trans,trans-[(PtCl2)-Cl-IV(OH)(2)(dimethylamine) (isopropylamine)] (1), induces reduction to Pt-II photoproducts. For the mixed amine Pt-II complex, trans[(PtCl2)-Cl-II(isopropylamine)(methylamine)] (2), irradiation at 365 nm increases the rate and extent of hydrolysis, triggering the formation of diaqua species. Additionally, irradiation increases the extent of reaction of complex 2 with guanosine-5'-monophosphate and affords mainly the bis-adduct, while reactions with adenosine-5'-monophosphate and cytidine-5'-monophosphate give rise only to mono-nucleotide adducts. Density Functional Theory calculations have been used to obtain insights into the electronic structure of complexes 1 and 2, and their photophysical and photochemical properties. UVA-irradiation can contribute to enhanced cytotoxic effects of diamine platinum drugs with trans geometry

Blockade of the Interaction of Calcineurin with FOXO in Astrocytes Protects Against Amyloid-βInduced Neuronal Death

Astrocytes actively participate in neuro-inflammatory processes associated to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and other brain pathologies. We recently showed that an astrocyte-specific intracellular signaling pathway involving an interaction of the phosphatase calcineurin with the transcription factor FOXO3 is a major driver in AD associated pathological inflammation, suggesting a potential new druggable target for this devastating disease. We have now developed decoy molecules to interfere with calcineurin/FOXO3 interactions, and tested them in astrocytes and neuronal co-cultures exposed to amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity. We observed that interference of calcineurin/FOXO3 interactions exerts a protective action against A-induced neuronal death and favors the production of a set of growth factors that we hypothesize form part of a cytoprotective pathway to resolve inflammation. Furthermore, interference of the A-induced interaction of calcineurin with FOXO3 by decoy compounds significantly decreased amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) synthesis, reduced the AβPP amyloidogenic pathway, resulting in lower Alevels, and blocked the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6 in astrocytes. Collectively, these data indicate that interrupting pro-inflammatory calcineurin/FOXO3 interactions in astrocytes triggered by Aβ accumulation in brain may constitute an effective new therapeutic approach in AD. Future studies with intranasal delivery, or brain barrier permeable decoy compounds, are warranted

Gypsum to gypsum (GtoG): The European Life+ project that aims to transform the gypsum waste market

The GtoG project is working for creating a recycling culture of gypsum products, changing the way this waste is usually treated in construction, renovation and demolition works, with the aim of achieving higher gypsum recycling rates in Europe and promoting selective deconstruction practices. For this purpose and under the leadership of Eurogypsum (the European Plaster and Plasterboard Manufacturers Association) five demolition companies, one demolition consultant, two gypsum waste processors, five plasterboard manufacturers and three academic partners, from 7 European countries, work together constituting the project consortium. A preliminary study on current practices was completed in 2013. Subsequently in 2014, a set of demonstration activities on deconstruction, processing of gypsum waste and reincorporation of recycled gypsum were conducted. Finally, during this year 2015, different results have been delivered, such as the European Handbook of best practices for controlled deconstruction of gypsum systems and the Report on best practice indicators for deconstruction, recycling and reincorporation practices. The final results will include an Inventory of best practices and the Roadmap for the future implementation of a sustainable value chain

Formulación de indicadores para la monitorización del reciclaje en ciclo cerrado de productos de base yeso: deconstrucción, procesado y reincorporación

El establecimiento de un sistema de indicadores se ha configurado en los últimos años como un método simple de evaluación en los procesos de toma de decisiones. Los indicadores son medidas cuantitativas, cualitativas o descriptivas, que permiten simplificar la información disponible acerca de un elemento y/o calidad de un proceso, en una forma relativamente sencilla de utilizar y comprender. De tal manera que su información debe de ser relevante y útil para facilitar las decisiones que serán tomadas sobre la base de sus resultados, con el propósito de optimizar los procesos a medir e identificar cambios o mejoras

Gypsum recycling best practice indicators

Since January 2013, the Life+ GtoG project is working for transforming the gypsum waste market. The aim is to achieve higher gypsum recycling rates in Europe and to promote best practices in deconstruction, recycling and reincorporation processes. This paper focuses on the Best Practice Indicators (BPIs) for gypsum recycling. To this end, a set of monitoring parameters have been defined and combined in the form of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that have been tested by the three gypsum recyclers participating in the project. As a result, a group of BPIs has been obtained, which can be used to recognize and encourage best practices associated to the recycling route, from a technical, environmental, social and economic perspectiv

Gypsum plasterboard deconstruction to recycling Economic Study in Europe

Gypsum plasterboard are widely and increasingly used within the construction sector, as partitions, lining of walls, ceiling or flooring systems, representing consequently the largest proportion of the recyclable gypsum waste arisen nowadays in Europe. This paper studies the reverse logistics processes taking place in the End-of-Life (EoL) phase of the recyclable gypsum plasterboard, by analysing and discussing the existing business model for the distinct gypsum waste routes, either deconstruction or demolition, based on economic parameters and assumptions from a set of case studies where best deconstruction practices have been implemented. This analysis has been developed in the framework of the European Life+ GtoG Project ENV/BE/001039: ?From Production to Recycling, a Circular Economy for the European Gypsum Industry with the Demolition and Recycling Industry?. The study highlights the need for an effective deconstruction process to optimize the plasterboard waste recycling, as well as the impact that taxes charged to the disposal of construction and demolition waste have on the economics from deconstruction to recycling. Trabajo publicado en las Actas del Décimoquinto Congreso SGEM, Área "Energy and Clean Technologies", "Subject Area: Energy & Fuels; Geology; Nuclear Science & Technology". Indexado por ISI Web of Knowledge y Scopus. ISBN: 978-619-7105-38-4. Periodicidad: Anua

Trazabilidad y calidad de los residuos de yeso: análisis de casos de estudio

En ciertos países, como es el caso de España, los residuos de yeso provenientes de Residuos de Construcción y Demolición (RCD), son sistemáticamente enviados a vertedero. Sin embargo, este material es completamente reciclable. Es por ello que existen sistemas de reciclaje ya implantados en distintos países europeos, como es el caso de Bélgica, Dinamarca, Finlandia, Francia, Países Bajos, Reino Unido y Suecia. Forman parte de los residuos de yeso reciclables la Placa de Yeso Laminado (PYL), los bloques de yeso y las placas de escayola

Gypsum end-of-life Best Practice Indicators

The use of indicators has become in recent years as a reliable method of evaluation for the decision-making processes [1]. Indicators give quantitative, qualitative or descriptive information about an item and or process [2] , to ease the decisions that will be taken on the basis of their results, in order to optimize the processes that are being measured identifying changes and improvements [3].This study presents a set of Best Practice Indicators (BPIs) aiming to increase the amount of gypsum waste capable of being recycled, as well as to maximize the quality and percentage of recycled gypsum that can be reincorporated in the manufacturing process. Thus, the practices implemented through the whole value chain of gypsum plasterboard have been assessed. That is to say, from the deconstruction dismantling, through the gypsum waste processing, to the resulting recycled gypsum reincorporation into the manufacturing process. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are formulated and used to monitor and compare the five pilot projects conducted in the framework of the Life+ GtoG Project “ From Production to Recycling, a Circular Economy for the European Gypsum Industry with the Demolition and Recycling Industry”

Defining best practices indicators for deconstruction of gypsum based products towards an effective closed-loop

Whereas building demolition is synonym of destruction, resulting on what is usually known as debris, selective demolition or deconstruction devotes special attention to cause minimal damage on materials through on-site waste segregation, therefore increasing the re-use or recycling options. Consequently, segregation becomes essential for effectively close the loop of certain building materials, as for the case of gypsum waste. Aiming to define the best practices indicators for assessing the deconstruction of gypsum based products, five pilot projects in four European countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom) have been monitored through a set of economic, environmental, social and technical parameters. These parameters have been combined in resulting indicators that enable to assess different aspects compared to demolition practices, such as the effectiveness of the deconstruction and segregation processes, waste traceability, labour time, costs and the environmental impacts targeted. The differences arising in each country have also been underlined. The study has been conducted within the framework of the Life+ GtoG project, which from January 2013 is working for transforming the gypsum waste market, with the aim of achieving higher gypsum recycling rates and promoting deconstruction practices in Europe

Tipología circadiana y problemas de salud mental

La tipología circadiana (matutina, vespertina o intermedia) es una diferencia individual que se ha relacionado con numerosos aspectos de la salud mental. En este estudio se revisan los principales hallazgos publicados en el área. Tras la búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos se seleccionaron un total de 70 artículos publicados en castellano e inglés entre los años 1990 y 2012, recogidos en las bases de datos ISI, Scopus y Medline, donde se muestra que los individuos vespertinos presentan una mayor prevalencia de trastorno afectivo estacional, depresión mayor, trastorno bipolar, esquizofrenia, trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, trastornos del sueño, conductas adictivas, TDAH y mayores niveles de ansiedad que los matutinos. La tipología vespertina se perfila como un factor de riesgo y la matutina como un factor protector para el desarrollo de diversas psicopatologías, apuntándose como posibles causas polimorfismos de los genes reloj, el jet-lag social y algunos rasgos de personalidad. La tipología circadiana debe considerarse en la evaluación, tratamiento y prevención de las psicopatologías, pues afecta al inicio, curso, remisión y recaída de las mismas. La utilización de terapia cronobiológica es un factor a tener en cuenta en el abordaje terapéutico cuando la expresión rítmica circadiana se halla alterada