Microplastics removal in wastewater treatment plants: A review of the different approaches to limit their release in the environment

In last 10 years, the interest about the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has strongly grown. Wastewaters function as a carrier for MPs contamination from source to the aquatic environment, so the knowledge of the fate of this emerging contaminant in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a priority. This work aims to review the presence of MPs in the influent wastewater (WW) and the effectiveness of the treatments of conventional WWTPs. Moreover, the negative impacts of MPs on the management of the processes have been also discussed. The work also focuses on the possible approaches to tackle MPs contamination enhancing the effectiveness of the WWTPs. Based on literature results, despite WWTPs are not designed for MPs removal from WW, they can effectively remove the MPs (up to 99 % in some references). Nevertheless, they normally act as “hotspots” of MPs contamination considering the remaining concentration of MPs in WWTPs’ effluents can be several orders of magnitude higher than receiving waters. Moreover, MPs removed from WW are concentrated in sewage sludge (potentially >65 % of MPs entering the WWTP) posing a concern in case of the potential reuse as a soil improver. This work aims to present a paradigm shift intending WWTPs as key barriers for environmental protection. Approaches for increasing effectiveness against MPs have been discussed in order to define the optimal point(s) of the WWTP in which these technologies should be located. The need of a future legislation about MPs in water and sludge is discussed

Strategies for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and their Cognitive Outcomes in Schizophrenia: Review of Last Five-year Studies

Background: Cognitive deficits are core features of Schizophrenia, showing poor response to antipsychotic treatment, therefore non-pharmacological rehabilitative approaches to such a symptom domain need to be identified. However, since not all patients with Schizophrenia exhibit the same cognitive impairment profile, individualized rehabilitative approaches should be set up. Objectives: We explored the last five-year literature addressing the issue of cognitive dysfunction response to rehabilitative methodologies in Schizophrenia to identify possible predictors of response and individualized strategies to treat such a dysfunction. Conclusion: A total of 76 studies were reviewed. Possible predictors of cognitive rehabilitation outcome were identified among patient-specific and approachspecific variables and a general overview of rehabilitative strategies used in the last five years has been depicted. Studies suggest the existence of multifaced and multi-domain variables that could significantly predict pro-cognitive effects of cognitive rehabilitation, which could also be useful for identifying individual-specific rehabilitation trajectories over time. An individualized rehabilitative approach to cognitive impairment in Schizophrenia is possible if taking into account both patient and approach specific predictors of outcomes

Human platelet lysate stimulates neurotrophic properties of human adipose-derived stem cells better than Schwann cell-like cells

Background: Trauma-associated peripheral nerve injury is a widespread clinical problem causing sensory and motor disabilities. Schwann cells (SCs) contribute to nerve regeneration, mainly by secreting nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In the last years, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) differentiated into SCs (SC-ASCs) were considered as promising cell therapy. However, the cell trans-differentiation process has not been effectively showed and presents several drawbacks, thus an alternative approach for increasing ASCs neurotrophic properties is highly demanded. In the context of human cell-based therapies, Good Manufacturing Practice directions indicate that FBS should be substituted with a xenogeneic-free supplement, such as Human Platelet Lysate (HPL). Previously, we demonstrated that neurotrophic properties of HPL-cultured ASCs were superior compared to undifferentiated FBS-cultured ASCs. Therefore, as following step, here we compared the neurotrophic properties of differentiated SC-like ASCs and HPL-cultured ASCs.Methods: Both cell groups were investigated for gene expression level of neurotrophic factors, their receptors and neuronal markers. Moreover, the expression of nestin was quantitatively evaluated by flow cytometry. The commitment toward the SC phenotype was assessed with immunofluorescence pictures. Proteomics analysis was performed on both cells and their conditioned media to compare the differential protein profile. Finally, neurotrophic abilities of both groups were evaluated with a functional co-culture assay, assessing dorsal root ganglia survival and neurite outgrowth.Results: HPL-cultured ASCs demonstrated higher gene expression of NGF and lower expression of S100B. Moreover, nestin was present in almost all HPL-cultured ASCs and only in one quarter of SC-ASCs. Immunofluorescence confirmed that S100B was not present in HPL-cultured ASCs. Proteomics analysis validated the higher expression of nestin and the increase in cytoskeletal and ECM proteins involved in neural regeneration processes. The co-culture assay highlighted that neurite outgrowth was higher in the presence of HPL-ASCs or their conditioned medium compared to SC-ASCs.Conclusions: All together, our results show that HPL-ASCs were more neurotrophic than SC-ASCs. We highlighted that the HPL triggers an immature neuro-induction state of ASCs, while keeping their stem properties, paving the way for innovative therapies for nerve regeneration. Graphical Abstrac

Applications of Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and characteristics of its microbial community: a review of bibliometric trend and recent findings

Interest of research on up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors is growing. The meta-analysis of bibliometric data highlighted the growing interest in four diverse topics: (i) energy recovery production; (ii) combination with other treatments; (iii) the study of processes for the removal of specific pollutants and, (iv) characterization of microbial community and granular sludge composition. In particular, the papers pub-lished in the first 6 months of 2021 on this process have been selected and critically re-viewed to highlight and discuss the results, the gaps in the literature and possible ideas for future research. Although the state of research on UASB is to be considered advanced, there are still several points that will be developed in future research such as the consoli-dation of the results obtained on a semi-industrial or real scale, the use of real matrices in-stead of synthetic ones and a more in-depth study of the effect of substances such as anti-biotics on the microbiota and microbiome of UASB granular biomass. To date, few, and conflicting data about environmental footprint of UASB are available and therefore other studies on this topic are strongly suggested

Anthers, stigmas and pollinators of two species of Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae): an evolutionary approach

La mayoría de las Malpighiaceae Neotropicales exhibe caracteres conservados en el cáliz y la corola debido a su estable sistema de polinización por abejas colectoras de aceites. Sin embargo, los ciclosfértiles presentan variaciones considerables y nunca se analizó si éstas influyen en el éxito reproductivo. Con ese objetivo, examinamos la posición, morfoanatomía y funcionamiento de las anteras y estigmas en S. bonariense y S. jatrophifolium en relación a sus polinizadores. Seleccionamos poblaciones naturales, colectamos flores en distintos estadios y medimos el éxito reproductivo por medio de experimentos manipulativos. Además, censamos, capturamos y medimos los polinizadores de ambas especies en cada población estudiada. Como resultado las especies exhibieron estambres heteromórficos, con distintos tamaños de anteras y glándulas conectivales, sugiriendo una división de labores dentro del androceo. La disposición de los estigmas resultó en un triángulo invertido (vista frontal) cuyo tamaño varió entre las especies. La eficiencia de polinización de las distintas abejas colectoras de aceite fue variable dependiendo del tamaño corporal, debido a las frecuencias de visitas y al contacto con los estigmas. Nuestros resultados indican que el tamaño de los polinizadores y la posición intrafloral de las anteras y estigmas, influyen en el éxito reproductivo de las especies focales. Se discuten los resultados en relación a las consecuencias reproductivas, genéticas y evolutivas.Fil: Avalos, Adan Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Torretta, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Marrero, Hugo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Lattar, Elsa Clorinda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Ferrucci, Maria Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaXXXVIII Jornadas Argentinas de BotánicaArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Botánic

Evidence of an interaction between FXR1 and GSK3β polymorphisms on levels of Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia and their response to antipsychotics

Introduction: Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified several genes associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) and exponentially increased knowledge on the genetic basis of the disease. Additionally, products of GWAS genes interact with neuronal factors coded by genes lacking association, such that this interaction may confer risk for specific phenotypes of this brain disorder. In this regard, FXR1 (Fragile-X mental-retardation-syndrome-related 1) gene has been GWAS associated with SCZ. FXR1 protein is regulated by Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3), which has been implicated in pathophysiology of SCZ and response to Antipsychotics (APs). rs496250 and rs12630592, two eQTLs of FXR1 and GSK3 respectively, interact on emotion stability and amygdala/PFC activity during emotion processing. These two phenotypes are associated with Negative Symptoms (NS) of SCZ suggesting that the interaction between these SNPs may also affect NS severity and responsiveness to medication. Methods: To test this hypothesis, in two independent samples of patients with SCZ, we investigated rs496250 by rs12630592 interaction on NS severity and response to APs. We also tested a putative link between APs administration and fxr1 expression, as already reported for GSK3 expression. Results: We found that rs496250 and rs12630592 interact on NS severity. We also found evidence suggesting interaction of these polymorphisms also on response to APs. This interaction was not present when looking at positive and general psychopathology scores. Furthermore, chronic olanzapine administration led to a reduction of FXR1 expression in mouse frontal cortex. Discussion: Our findings suggest that, like GSK3 , FXR1 is affected by APs while shedding new light on the role of the FXR1/GSK3 pathway for NS of SCZ

Innovative research methodologies in the EU regulatory framework: an analysis of EMA qualification procedures from a pediatric perspective

IntroductionThe European Medicines Agency (EMA) offers scientific advice to support the qualification procedure of novel methodologies, such as preclinical and in vitro models, biomarkers, and pharmacometric methods, thereby endorsing their acceptability in medicine research and development (R&D). This aspect is particularly relevant to overcome the scarcity of data and the lack of validated endpoints and biomarkers in research fields characterized by small samples, such as pediatrics.AimThis study aimed to analyze the potential pediatric interest in methodologies qualified as “novel methodologies for medicine development” by the EMA.MethodsThe positive qualification opinions of novel methodologies for medicine development published on the EMA website between 2008 and 2023 were identified. Multi-level analyses were conducted to investigate data with a hierarchical structure and the effects of cluster-level variables and cluster-level variances and to evaluate their potential pediatric interest, defined as the possibility of using the novel methodology in pediatric R&D and the availability of pediatric data. The duration of the procedure, the type of methodology, the specific disease or disease area addressed, the type of applicant, and the availability of pediatric data at the time of the opinion release were also investigated.ResultsMost of the 27 qualifications for novel methodologies issued by the EMA (70%) were potentially of interest to pediatric patients, but only six of them reported pediatric data. The overall duration of qualification procedures with pediatric interest was longer than that of procedures without any pediatric interest (median time: 7 months vs. 3.5 months, respectively; p = 0.082). In parallel, qualification procedures that included pediatric data lasted for a longer period (median time: 8 months vs. 6 months, respectively; p = 0.150). Nephrology and neurology represented the main disease areas (21% and 16%, respectively), while endpoints, biomarkers, and registries represented the main types of innovative methodologies (32%, 26%, and 16%, respectively).DiscussionOur results underscore the importance of implementing innovative methodologies in regulatory-compliant pediatric research activities. Pediatric-dedicated research infrastructures providing regulatory support and strategic advice during research activities could be crucial to the design of ad hoc pediatric methodologies or to extend and validate them for pediatrics

Mapping genomic loci implicates genes and synaptic biology in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has a heritability of 60-80%1, much of which is attributable to common risk alleles. Here, in a two-stage genome-wide association study of up to 76,755 individuals with schizophrenia and 243,649 control individuals, we report common variant associations at 287 distinct genomic loci. Associations were concentrated in genes that are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the central nervous system, but not in other tissues or cell types. Using fine-mapping and functional genomic data, we identify 120 genes (106 protein-coding) that are likely to underpin associations at some of these loci, including 16 genes with credible causal non-synonymous or untranslated region variation. We also implicate fundamental processes related to neuronal function, including synaptic organization, differentiation and transmission. Fine-mapped candidates were enriched for genes associated with rare disruptive coding variants in people with schizophrenia, including the glutamate receptor subunit GRIN2A and transcription factor SP4, and were also enriched for genes implicated by such variants in neurodevelopmental disorders. We identify biological processes relevant to schizophrenia pathophysiology; show convergence of common and rare variant associations in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders; and provide a resource of prioritized genes and variants to advance mechanistic studies

Measurement of the W+W- production cross section in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV using dilepton events

We present a measurement of the W+W- production cross section using 184 pb(-1) of p (p) over bar collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. Using the dilepton decay channel W+W-→ l(+)ν l(-)(ν) over bar, where the charged leptons can be either electrons or muons, we find 17 candidate events compared to an expected background of 5.0(-0.8)(+2.2) events. The resulting W+W- production cross-section measurement of σ(p (p) over bar → W+W-)=14.6(-5.1)(+5.8)(stat)(-3.0)(+1.8)(syst)± 0.9(lum) pb agrees well with the standard model expectation

Mapping genomic loci prioritises genes and implicates synaptic biology in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has a heritability of 60–80%1, much of which is attributable to common risk alleles. Here, in a two-stage genome-wide association study of up to 76,755 individuals with schizophrenia and 243,649 control individuals, we report common variant associations at 287 distinct genomic loci. Associations were concentrated in genes that are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the central nervous system, but not in other tissues or cell types. Using fine-mapping and functional genomic data, we identify 120 genes (106 protein-coding) that are likely to underpin associations at some of these loci, including 16 genes with credible causal non-synonymous or untranslated region variation. We also implicate fundamental processes related to neuronal function, including synaptic organization, differentiation and transmission. Fine-mapped candidates were enriched for genes associated with rare disruptive coding variants in people with schizophrenia, including the glutamate receptor subunit GRIN2A and transcription factor SP4, and were also enriched for genes implicated by such variants in neurodevelopmental disorders. We identify biological processes relevant to schizophrenia pathophysiology; show convergence of common and rare variant associations in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders; and provide a resource of prioritized genes and variants to advance mechanistic studies