Valorización como adsorbente del carbón activado procedente de la Central Nuclear de Almaraz

El presente trabajo se enmarca dentro de las líneas de investigación que se desarrollan en el grupo de investigación GAIRBER (Grupo de Aprovechamiento Integral de Residuos Biomásicos y Energías Renovables) de la Universidad de Extremadura (UEX). El inicio de este trabajo surge a raíz del convenio que tiene la Central Nuclear deAlmaraz (CNA) con la UEX, centrado en el aprovechamiento del carbón activado (CA) residual, el cual ha sido diseñado para su empleo en los filtros de retención de materiales radiactivos, fundamentalmente en la forma de 131I. A pesar de que no se haya requerido su uso, al no haber sido expuesto a gases radiactivos, dicho carbón debe ser reemplazado periódicamente, debido a la modificación de sus características texturales y/o superficiales por el envejecimiento. En este sentido, el grupo de investigación está estudiando múltiples opciones para su aprovechamiento. Entre ellas, se contempla su aplicación como adsorbente. En este estudio, se ha utilizado el CA de la central sin tratar y tratado, tanto mediante un ciclo de lavado, como por oxidación del mismo, con el objeto de disponer de adsorbentes que presenten diferencias superficiales, las cuales condicionarán la eficacia de su posterior aplicación. En los mencionados carbones se ha llevado a cabo la adsorción de un tinte, Azul de Metileno.Los autores agradecen a la Central Nuclear de Almaraz-Trillo permitir este tipo de investigació

Hydrothermal carbonization: modeling, final properties design and applications: a review

La investigación activa sobre la carbonización hidrotermal de la biomasa (HTC) sigue demostrando sus ventajas sobre otros procesos termoquímicos, en particular los interesantes beneficios que se asocian a los productos sólidos carbonosos, llamados hidrocarburos (HC). Las esferas de aplicación del HC van desde el biocombustible hasta el material poroso dopado para la adsorción, el almacenamiento de energía y la catálisis. Al mismo tiempo, se han realizado intensas investigaciones para dilucidar mejor los mecanismos y la cinética del proceso, y la forma en que las variables experimentales (temperatura, tiempo, carga de biomasa, composición de la materia prima, así como sus interacciones) afectan a la distribución entre las fases y a su composición. En este examen se analiza el estado de la técnica en materia de HTC, principalmente en lo que respecta al efecto de las variables en el proceso, la cinética asociada y las características de la fase sólida (HC), así como algunas de las aplicaciones más estudiadas hasta ahora. El foco de atención se centra en las investigaciones realizadas en los últimos cinco años sobre estos temas.Active research on biomass hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) continues to demonstrate its advantages over other thermochemical processes, in particular the interesting benefits that are associated with carbonaceous solid products, called hydrochar (HC). The areas of applications of HC range from biofuel to doped porous material for adsorption, energy storage, and catalysis. At the same time, intensive research has been aimed at better elucidating the process mechanisms and kinetics, and how the experimental variables (temperature, time, biomass load, feedstock composition, as well as their interactions) affect the distribution between phases and their composition. This review provides an analysis of the state of the art on HTC, mainly with regard to the effect of variables on the process, the associated kinetics, and the characteristics of the solid phase (HC), as well as some of the more studied applications so far. The focus is on research made over the last five years on these topics.• Junta de Extremadura. Proyecto GR15034 • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Proyectos CTM2014-55998-R (I+D+i), CTM2016-75937-R • USDA-Agricultural Research Service National Program 212peerReviewe

MCJ: A therapeutic target in hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury

Trabajo presentado en The International Liver Congress, celebrado en Viena (Austria) del 10 al 14 de abril de 2019.[Background and aims]: Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury, a frequent pathological process during liver resection, is a leading cause of post transplantation organ dysfunction. The extent of the injury can determine the success of the procedure and the survival of the patient. Therefore, attenuation of pathology caused by the injury and improving liver function after the procedure would be critical for clinicians to diminish IR injury prevalence and improve the outcome. Mitochondria play a key role in liver homeostasis; indeed, more functional mitochondria induce hepatic regeneration. MCJ, also known as DNACJ15, is an endogenous negative regulator of complex I, located in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. While under normal conditions MCJ deficiency does not result in an altered phenotype in mice, its absence improves mitochondrial activity without increasing mitochondrial ROS. We present MCJ as a new target to minimize hepatic damage caused by IR injury and enhance the efficiency of liver regeneration during liver resection.[Method]: Partial hepatectomies (PH) and PH combined with IR injuries were performed in MCJ-KO mice and in WT mice after MCJ silencing.[Results]: We observed that the lack of MCJ reduced liver damage and induced hepatic regeneration after IR injury; MCJ-KO mice showed lower levels of Caspase 3 and a significantly higher Cyclin D1 expression. Moreover, we saw an improved metabolic response to hepatic insufficiency and an accelerated cell cycle progression during liver resection, which led to a faster recovery of the hepatic mass. In the initial phase after the PH, glucagon response was amplified in MCJ-KO mice, characterized by increased cAMP and AKT signaling, along with higher Ca+2 release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta) inhibition and nuclear factorKbeta (NFKbeta) translocation to the nucleus. In the proliferative phase, ablation of MCJ accelerated the induction of proliferative markers. Indeed, after MCJ silencing, an improved phenotype was detected in an aging mice model that underwent partial hepatectomy. Hepatic insufficiency was ameliorated, PCNA expression increased and steatosis reverted. Importantly, the combined procedure of PH and IR injury that resemble liver transplant procedure resulted in a 100% survival rate for MCJ-KO mice while just the 33% of MCJ-WT mice survived the operation. Increased levels of MCJ were found in liver biopsies from all liver donors at 60 minutes after normothermic regional perfusion (nRP) was started.[Conclusion]: Overall, MCJ silencing during liver resection emerges as a promising therapy for IR injury and restoration of hepatic mass

Mitochondrial bioenergetics boost macrophage activation, promoting liver regeneration in metabolically compromised animals

17 páginas, 6 figurasBackground and aims: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the leading cause of early posttransplantation organ failure as mitochondrial respiration and ATP production are affected. A shortage of donors has extended liver donor criteria, including aged or steatotic livers, which are more susceptible to IRI. Given the lack of an effective treatment and the extensive transplantation waitlist, we aimed at characterizing the effects of an accelerated mitochondrial activity by silencing methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) in three preclinical models of IRI and liver regeneration, focusing on metabolically compromised animal models. Approach and results: Wild-type (WT), MCJ knockout (KO), and Mcj silenced WT mice were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (Phx), prolonged IRI, and 70% Phx with IRI. Old and young mice with metabolic syndrome were also subjected to these procedures. Expression of MCJ, an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration, increases in preclinical models of Phx with or without vascular occlusion and in donor livers. Mice lacking MCJ initiate liver regeneration 12 h faster than WT and show reduced ischemic injury and increased survival. MCJ knockdown enables a mitochondrial adaptation that restores the bioenergetic supply for enhanced regeneration and prevents cell death after IRI. Mechanistically, increased ATP secretion facilitates the early activation of Kupffer cells and production of TNF, IL-6, and heparin-binding EGF, accelerating the priming phase and the progression through G1 /S transition during liver regeneration. Therapeutic silencing of MCJ in 15-month-old mice and in mice fed a high-fat/high-fructose diet for 12 weeks improves mitochondrial respiration, reduces steatosis, and overcomes regenerative limitations. Conclusions: Boosting mitochondrial activity by silencing MCJ could pave the way for a protective approach after major liver resection or IRI, especially in metabolically compromised, IRI-susceptible organs.Peer reviewe