Mudstones as Landfill Liner Material for Heavy Metal Removal: Equilibrium and Dynamic Sorption Study

Clay materials used as low-permeability barriers at landfill sites can also chemically attenuate inorganic contaminants (heavy metals) in leachate. In this study, Cu(II) removal capacity from aqueous media of a raw calcareous mudstone, used as a liner material, was evaluated through both batch and column tests. Batch experiments were conducted varying contact time, pH, and Cu(II) concentration. In order to simulate waste leachates composition, the effect of the presence of some organic compounds on Cu(II) uptake was also evaluated. Column tests of compacted calcareous mudstone-sand mixtures were performed to evaluate sorption in dynamic systems. The studied calcareous mudstone exhibited higher removal capacity in a wider pH range than a commercial Na-bentonite, which is a widely used heavy metal sorbent and clay liner. It was evidenced that calcite, an important component of the calcareous mudstone and found as very small and highly porous calcareous nannofossils, contributed to its sorption properties playing a significant role in the Cu(II) removal. The presence of an anionic surfactant or phenol slightly affected the removal of Cu(II). In the clay fraction (< 2 µm), Cu(II) sorption was favored by the presence of humic acids, which add new adsorption sites for this metal. The extremely high retardation factor obtained for the raw calcareous mudstone is in good agreement with the high adsorption capacity experimentally proved in batch tests and demonstrated a great ability of this material to retain heavy metal mass during the transport in solution within porous media.Fil: Musso, Telma Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Carlos, Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Parolo, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Francisca, Franco Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Ingeniería y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Avanzados en Ingeniería y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Pettinari, Gisela Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Giuliano, Valeria Noemí. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Ruffato, Marianerla. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentin

Improvement of clinical response in allergic rhinitis patients treated with an oral immunostimulating bacterial lysate: in vivo immunological effects.

Allergic rhinitis is known to be one of the most common chronic diseases in the industrialized world. According to the concept that allergic rhinitis patients generally suffer from an immune deficit, in order to stimulate specifically or aspecifically their immune system, immunomodulating agents from various sources, such as synthetic compounds, tissue extracts or a mixture of bacterial extracts, have been used. The aim of the present trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with an immunostimulating vaccine consisting of a polyvalent mechanical bacterial lysate (PMBL) in the prophylaxis of allergic rhinitis and subsequently to analyze its in vivo effects on immune responses. 41 allergic rhinitis patients were enrolled: 26 patients were randomly assigned to the group for PMBL sublingual treatment and 15 others to the group for placebo treatment. For all 26 patients blood samples were drawn just before (T0) and after 3 months of PMBL treatment (T3) to evaluate plasma IgE levels (total and allergen-specific) and the cytokine production involved in the allergic response (IL-4, IFN-γ). The results of our study indicate that PMBL is effective in vivo in the reduction or in the elimination of the symptoms in rhinitis subjects during the treatment period in comparison to a non-immunostimulating treatment. A significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in 61.5%, a stationary clinical response was registered in 38.4% and no negative side effects associated with the medication or worsening were recorded. At the end of a 3-month follow up period the clinical picture remained the same as that observed at T3. PMBL treatment did not affect the serum IgE levels (either total or allergen-specific) and did not induce significant changes in IFN-γ concentration. In contrast, PMBL therapy may be accompanied, in some patients, by a potential immunomodulating activity by decreasing IL-4 cytokine expression

An EBC/Plasma miRNA Signature Discriminates Lung Adenocarcinomas From Pleural Mesothelioma and Healthy Controls

Background: Despite significant improvement in screening programs for cancers of the respiratory district, especially in at-risk subjects, early disease detection is still a major issue. In this scenario, new molecular and non-invasive biomarkers are needed to improve early disease diagnosis. Methods: We profiled the miRNome in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and plasma samples from fourteen patients affected by lung AdCa, nine healthy subjects. miRNA signatures were then analyzed in another neoplasia of the respiratory district, i.e. pleural mesothelioma (n = 23) and subjects previously exposed to asbestos were used as controls for this cohort (n = 19). Selected miRNAs were analyzed in purified pulmonary neoplastic or normal epithelial and stromal cell subpopulation from AdCa patients. Finally, the plasmatic miRNA signature was analyzed in a publicly available cohort of NSCLC patients for data validation and in silico analysis was performed with predicted miRNA targets using the multiMiR tool and STRING database. Results: miR-597-5p and miR-1260a are significantly over-expressed in EBC from lung AdCa and are associated with AdCa. Similarly, miR-1260a is also up-regulated in the plasma of AdCa patients together with miR-518f-3p and correlates with presence of lung cancer, whereas let-7f-5p is under-expressed. Analysis of these circulating miRNAs in pleural mesothelioma cases confirmed that up-regulation of miR-518f-3p, -597-5p and -1260a, is specific for lung AdCa. Lastly, quantification of the miRNAs in laser-assisted microdissected lung tissues revealed that miR-518f-3p, 597-5p and miR-1260a are predominantly expressed in tumor epithelial cells. Validation analysis confirmed miR-518f-3p as a possible circulating biomarker of NSCLC. In silico analysis of the potentially modulated biological processes by these three miRNAs, shows that tumor bioenergetics are the most affected pathways. Conclusions: Overall, our data suggest a 3-miRNAs signature as a non-invasive and accurate biomarker of lung AdCa. This approach could supplement the current screening approaches for early lung cancer diagnosis

Epigenetic mechanisms and posttranslational Modifications in systemic lupus erythematosus

The complex physiology of eukaryotic cells is regulated through numerous mechanisms, including epigenetic changes and posttranslational modifications. The wide-ranging diversity of these mechanisms constitutes a way of dynamic regulation of the functionality of proteins, their activity, and their subcellular localization as well as modulation of the di erential expression of genes in response to external and internal stimuli that allow an organism to respond or adapt to accordingly. However, alterations in these mechanisms have been evidenced in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present review aims to provide an approach to the current knowledge of the implications of these mechanisms in SLE pathophysiology

Elaboración y venta de detalles personalizados, como ingreso económico independiente de la agrupación de madres de la comunidad de Torres de San Borja – Moche, La Libertad

RESUMEN “Elaboración y venta de detalles personalizados como ingreso económico independiente en las madres de la comunidad de las Torres de San Borja en el distrito de Moche”, proyecto social universitario desarrollado por los estudiantes de la Universidad Privada del Norte, el objetivo primordial de este proyecto es la generación de un emprendimiento como idea de negocio a través de la elaboración y comercialización de manualidades (detalles), donde se impartió el espíritu emprendedor, el trabajo en equipo y la consecución de metas. Este emprendimiento se realizó en tres etapas, la primera se realizó a través de la captación e introducción del proyecto a los posibles participantes del poblado. La segunda fue realizada a través de la primera capacitación con el apoyo de una experta en el tema. En la última etapa se concluyó la elaboración de los detalles y finalizó la última capacitación a los participantes. Se obtuvieron muy buenos resultados por parte de ellas, ya que les motivaba el hecho de que a través de ideas de negocios como está y a través del emprendimiento de la señora Silvia (experta en tema de manualidades) se generen negocios sustentables con una mínima inversión y con grandes beneficios económicos y personales

Elotuzumab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a multicenter, retrospective real-world experience with 200 cases outside of controlled clinical trials

In the ELOQUENT-3 trial, the combination of elotuzumab, pomalidomide and dexamethasone (EloPd) proved a superior clinical benefit over Pd with a manageable toxicity profile, leading to its approval in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), who had received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI). We report here a real-world experience of 200 RRMMs treated with EloPd in 35 Italian centers outside of clinical trials. In our dataset, the median number of prior lines of therapy was 2, with 51% of cases undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and 73% exposed to daratumumab. After a median follow-up of 9 months, 126 patients stopped EloPd, most of them (88.9%) because of disease progression. The overall response rate (ORR) was 55.4%, in line with the pivotal trial results. Regarding adverse events, our cohort experienced a toxicity profile similar to the ELOQUENT-3 trial, with no significant differences between younger (&lt;70 years) and older patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months, shorter than that observed in the ELOQUENT-3, probably due to the different clinical characteristics of the two cohorts. Interestingly, the ISS stage III (HR:2.55) was associated with worse PFS. Finally, our series's median overall survival (OS) was shorter than that observed in the ELOQUENT-3 trial (17.5 versus 29.8 months). In conclusion, our real-world study confirms EloPd as a safe and possible therapeutic choice for RRMM who received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a PI