Isotopic identification of natural vs. anthropogenic lead sources in marine sediments from the inner Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

San Simón Bay, the inner part of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain), an area previously identified as highly polluted by Pb, was selected for the application of Pb stable isotope ratios as a fingerprinting tool in subtidal and intertidal sediment cores. Lead isotopic ratios were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on extracts from bulk samples after total acid digestion. Depth-wise profiles of (206)Pb/(207)Pb, (206)Pb/(204)Pb, (207)Pb/(204)Pb, (208)Pb/(204)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios showed, in general, an upward decrease for both intertidal and subtidal sediments as a consequence of the anthropogenic activities over the last century, or centuries. Waste channel samples from a nearby ceramic factory showed characteristic Pb stable isotope ratios different from those typical of coal and petrol. Natural isotope ratios from non-polluted samples were established for the study area, differentiating sediments from granitic or schist-gneiss sources. A binary mixing model employed on the polluted samples allowed estimating the anthropogenic inputs to the bay. These inputs represented between 25 and 98% of Pb inputs in intertidal samples, and 9-84% in subtidal samples, their contributions varying with time. Anthropogenic sources were apportioned according to a three-source model. Coal combustion-related emissions were the main anthropogenic source Pb to the bay (60-70%) before the establishment of the ceramic factory in the area (in the 1970s) which has since constituted the main source (95-100%), followed by petrol-related emissions. The Pb inputs history for the intertidal area was determined for the 20th century, and, for the subtidal area, the 19th and 20th centuries.

Transcriptomic response of Arabidopsis thaliana after 24 h incubation with the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum

Trichoderma harzianum is a fungus used as biocontrol agent using its antagonistic abilities against phytopathogenic fungi, although it has also direct effects on plants, increasing or accelerating their growth and resistance to diseases and the tolerance to abiotic stresses. We analyzed Arabidopsis thaliana gene expression changes after 24 h of incubation in the presence of T. harzianum T34 using the Affymetrix GeneChip Arabidopsis ATH1. Because this microarray contains more than 22,500 probe sets representing approximately 24,000 genes, we were able to construct a global picture of the molecular physiology of the plant at 24 h of T. harzianum-Arabidopsis interaction. We identified several differentially expressed genes that are involved in plant responses to stress, regulation of transcription, signal transduction or plant metabolism. Our data support the hypothesis that salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-related genes were down-regulated in A. thaliana after 24 h of incubation in the presence of T. harzianum T34, while several genes related to abiotic stress responses were up-regulated. These systemic changes elicited by T. harzianum in Arabidopsis are discussed.

Complete electric dipole response and the neutron skin in 208Pb

A benchmark experiment on (208)Pb shows that polarized proton inelastic scattering at very forward angles including 0° is a powerful tool for high-resolution studies of electric dipole (E1) and spin magnetic dipole (M1) modes in nuclei over a broad excitation energy range to test up-to-date nuclear models. The extracted E1 polarizability leads to a neutron skin thickness r(skin) = 0.156(-0.021)(+0.025) fm in (208)Pb derived within a mean-field model [Phys. Rev. C 81, 051303 (2010)], thereby constraining the symmetry energy and its density dependence relevant to the description of neutron stars.

Reactor decay heat in 239Pu: solving the γ discrepancy in the 4-3000-s cooling period

The β feeding probability of (102,104,105,106,107)Tc, 105Mo, and 101Nb nuclei, which are important contributors to the decay heat in nuclear reactors, has been measured using the total absorption technique. We have coupled for the first time a total absorption spectrometer to a Penning trap in order to obtain sources of very high isobaric purity. Our results solve a significant part of a long-standing discrepancy in the γ component of the decay heat for 239Pu in the 4-3000 s range.

Poor bisphosphonate adherence for treatment of osteoporosis increases fracture risk: systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic review of adherence to bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis finds suboptimal levels of persistence and compliance. Poor bisphosphonate compliance increases fracture risk.

INTRODUCTION

The objectives of the study were to measure the persistence and compliance with bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporotic patients, and to estimate the influence of compliance on fracture risk.

METHODS

A systematic review of bisphosphonate adherence in clinical practise provided new evidence to perform a meta-analysis of the means of bisphosphonate persistence and compliance, with a subsequent meta-analysis of fracture risk comparing poorly versus highly compliant patients.

RESULTS

Fifteen articles, totalling 704,134 patients, met our inclusion criteria. Most of the patients were postmenopausal women treated with bisphosphonates. The 3.95% of the patients received hormone replacement therapy, but the rest received bisphosphonates. The meta-analysis of five articles totalling 236,540 patients, who were followed for 1 year, provided a pooled persistence mean of 184.09 days. The meta-analysis of five articles, totalling 234,737 patients, who were also followed for 1 year, provided a pooled medication possession ratio mean of 66.93%. The meta-analysis of six articles, totalling 171,063 patients, who were followed for varying periods of time between 1 and 2.5 years, provided a pooled 46% increased fracture risk in non-compliant patients versus compliant patients. The increased fracture risk was lower for non-vertebral (16%) and hip (28%) than for clinical vertebral fractures (43%).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence and compliance are suboptimal for postmenopausal women undergoing bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis. The clinical consequence of this low compliance is an increased risk of fracture, which is lower for non-vertebral than for clinical vertebral fractures.

Diagenesis and anthropogenesis of metals in the recent Holocene sedimentary record of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

To contribute to establishing a historical baseline for future evaluations of the environmental quality of the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain), we report metal contents determined in eight gravity cores obtained at representative locations in 1990 - before the installation of any wastewater treatment plants - and in fractions thereof that were obtained by the BCR sequential extraction method. The results suggest that early diagenesis had been influenced by both hydrodynamic conditions and organic matter input (the latter especially in areas devoted to mariculture), and that anthropogenic inputs had also affected the concentrations and between-fraction distribution of Cu, Pb, Zn and other metals in surficial sediments.

Coal fly ash based carbons for SO2 removal from flue gases

Two different coal fly ashes coming from the burning of two coals of different rank have been used as a precursor for the preparation of steam activated carbons. The performance of these activated carbons in the SO(2) removal was evaluated at flue gas conditions (100 degrees C, 1000 ppmv SO(2), 5% O(2), 6% H(2)O). Different techniques were used to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the samples in order to explain the differences found in their behaviour. A superior SO(2) removal capacity was shown by the activated carbon obtained using the fly ash coming from a sub-bituminous-lignite blend. Experimental results indicated that the presence of higher amount of certain metallic oxides (Ca, Fe) in the carbon-rich fraction of this fly ash probably has promoted a deeper gasification in the activation with steam. A more suitable surface chemistry and textural properties have been obtained in this case which explains the higher efficiency shown by this sample in the SO(2) removal.

Migration of nuclear shell gaps studied in the d(24Ne,pγ)25Ne reaction

The transfer of neutrons onto 24Ne has been measured using a reaccelerated radioactive beam of 24Ne to study the (d,p) reaction in inverse kinematics. The unusual raising of the first 3/2+ level in 25Ne and its significance in terms of the migration of the neutron magic number from N=20 to N=16 is put on a firm footing by confirmation of this state's identity. The raised 3/2+ level is observed simultaneously with the intruder negative parity 7/2- and 3/2- levels, providing evidence for the reduction in the N=20 gap. The coincident gamma-ray decays allowed the assignment of spins as well as the transferred orbital angular momentum. The excitation energy of the 3/2+ state shows that the established USD shell model breaks down well within the sd model space and requires a revised treatment of the proton-neutron monopole interaction.

Lifetime measurements of the neutron-rich N = 30 isotones 50Ca and 51Sc: orbital dependence of effective charges in the fp shell

The lifetimes of the first excited states of the N = 30 isotones (50)Ca and (51)Sc have been determined using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in combination with the CLARA-PRISMA spectrometers. This is the first time such a method is applied to measure lifetimes of neutron-rich nuclei populated via a multinucleon transfer reaction. This extends the lifetime knowledge beyond the f_{7/2} shell closure and allows us to derive the effective proton and neutron charges in the fp shell near the doubly magic nucleus (48)Ca, using large-scale, shell-model calculations. These results indicate an orbital dependence of the core polarization along the fp shell.

[Anaemia and neutropenia in a cohort of non-infected children of HIV-positive mothers]

INTRODUCTION

Mother-to-child HIV transmission is currently around 1% in western countries, due to prevention measures. Antiretroviral drugs do have adverse effects, anaemia and myelosupression caused by AZT being the most observed effects. In the present study, we analyse the prevalence of anaemia and neutropenia in an uninfected children cohort born to HIV-infected women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We followed up 623 uninfected children belonging to the FIPSE cohort according to standardised protocols. This cohort groups 8 hospitals from Madrid and follows up HIV infected pregnant women and their children. Anaemia and neutropenia were defined according to the ACTG (AIDS Clinical Trails Group) toxicity tables. Children were classified according to prematurity, ethnic origin, birth weight, withdrawal syndrome, in-utero treatment and neonatal prophylaxis. Categorical variables were compared with the chi2 or the Fisher tests.

RESULTS

Anaemia was observed in 188 (30.1%) children during follow-up and 161 (25.8%) had anaemia grade 2 or higher. Prematurity (p < 0.001), low birth weight (p = 0.005) and Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) with Protease Inhibitors (p = 0.016) were associated with higher percentages of anaemia in children. Nadir haemoglobin values were reached by 6 weeks of life and anaemia was transient and disappeared by six months of age. Neutropenia was present in 41.9% (261 children) and 22.7% of the children had moderate-severe neutropenia. Prematurity was again associated with neutropenia (p = 0.01) and low birth weigh was associated only with moderate-severe neutropenia (p = 0.023). African infants had a higher percentage of neutropenia than the rest of the children (50% vs. 44%), although the differences were not significant. The type of in-utero treatment did not appear to influence the neutropenia. Neutropenia was still present in 12.5% of infants at 18 months of age. The type of neonatal prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission (monotherapy, dual therapy or triple therapy) did not influence either cytopenia.

CONCLUSION

In our series, the proportion of children with anaemia is high: 30.1% Prematurity, low birth weight and HAART with IP were associated with a higher proportion of anaemia, which was transient and had little clinical relevance. The proportion of children with neutropenia was higher (41.9%) and was associated with prematurity, low birth weight and African origin. The type of neonatal prophylaxis does not seem to influence the development of cytopenias. Persistence of neutropenia (without clinical significance) was observed in a small percentage of the children 12.5%, at 18 months of age.

Redox status and heavy metal risk in intertidal sediments in NW Spain as inferred from the degrees of pyritization of iron and trace elements

Mariculture is an important economic activity in shallow marine areas of the Rías Baixas (Galicia, NW Spain). The maintenance of high product quality requires surveillance of environmental quality, including the risk of metal toxicity. In this study the redox status of intertidal sediments in the Bay of San Simón, and the risk of toxicity posed by their As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contents, were evaluated by determination of operationally defined reactive, silicate-bound, organic and pyrite-related fractions of these elements and of Fe. The large silicate-bound fractions of most of these metals indicate their lithogenic origin; the main exception is Pb, which in all respects exhibits singular behaviour associated with its predominantly anthropogenic origin in a ceramics factory. In sediments with larger fine-grained particle contents, which are oxic only in the top few centimetres, greater proportions of the trace elements are present as sulphides or associated with sulphide minerals: the degree of pyritization of Fe (DOP) is 46% overall, and the pyrite fraction of some elements doubtless increases at the expense of the reactive fraction, most overall degrees of trace metal pyritization (DTMPs) lying in the range 10-50%. A decline in pyrite genesis at depths below about 18 cm in these sediments is attributed to the exhaustion of organic matter susceptible to metabolization by sulphide-generating bacteria. In coarse-grained, oxic sediments the oxidation of sulphides makes pyrite-related fractions very small, and reactive and silicate-bound fractions are negatively correlated; reactive fractions associated with Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides are large, and DOP and DTMPs are low (generally much lower than in mud-rich sediments), except for Pb. Most of the elements studied are mainly present in forms that are neither bioavailable nor potentially bioavailable, and so do not constitute a significant environmental threat. However, the high DTMPs of Cu and Pb indicate significant potential bioavailability, which should be taken into account in evaluations of environmental quality and the risk to bivalve cultures.

Assessment of cleanup needs of oiled sandy beaches: lessons from the Prestige oil spill

Surveys of the oiled sandy beaches along the northern Atlantic coast of Spain, 2-5 years after the Prestige oil spill of November 2002, have provided new evidence regarding buried fuel and its behavior. The persistence and depth of burial of oil, and the capacity of the beach for natural regeneration, depend on beach morphodynamics, which drive a sequence of physicochemical processes that reduce subsurface tar balls to highly divided oil forms while also allowing appreciable weathering despite burial. These findings prompted reassessment of current spill evaluation strategies. A protocol is proposed that combines the modeling of beach morphodynamics, an environmentally friendly coring survey, and well-calibrated hydrocarbon analysis.

Preparation and characterization of carbon-enriched coal fly ash

Carbon-enriched fractions have been obtained from two coal fly ash (FA) samples. The FA came from two pulverized-coal fired power stations (Lada and Escucha, Spain) and were collected from baghouse filters. Sieving was used to obtain carbon-enriched fractions, which were further subjected to two beneficiation processes: acid demineralization using HCl and HF, and oil agglomeration using soya oil-water. Yield in weight after sieving, unburned carbon content, and several physicochemical characteristics of the obtained fractions were used to compare the performance of the beneficiation methods. Low carbon concentration was obtained by sieving, particularly in the case of Escucha FA. However, after acid demineralization or oil agglomeration, fractions containing unburned carbon in a range of 63% to 68% were obtained. These fractions showed differences in mineral phase composition and distribution depending on the FA and on the beneficiation method used. The textural properties of the obtained fractions varied as a function of their carbon content and the beneficiation method used. However, no significant differences in morphology of the carbonaceous particles were found.

Carbon-enriched coal fly ash as a precursor of activated carbons for SO2 removal

Carbon-enriched coal fly ash was evaluated in this work as a low-cost adsorbent for SO2 removal from stack gases. The unburned carbon in coal fly ash was concentrated by mechanical sieving and vegetal oil agglomeration. The carbon concentrates were activated with steam at 900 degrees C in order to develop porosity onto the samples. The performance of these samples in the SO2 abatement was tested in the following conditions: 100 degrees C, 1000 ppmv SO2, 5% O2, 6% water vapor. A good SO2 removal capacity was shown by some of the studied samples that can be related to their textural properties. Cycles of SO2 adsorption/regeneration were carried out in order to evaluate the possibility of thermal regeneration and re-use of these carbons. Regeneration of the exhausted carbons was carried out at 400 degrees C of temperature and a flow of 25 ml/min of Ar. After each cycle, the SO2 removal capacity of the sample decreases.

The degree of trace metal pyritization in subtidal sediments of a mariculture area: application to the assessment of toxic risk

Four 2-3m sediment cores were taken at the sites on the periphery of mussel raft concentrations in the subtidal zone of the inner Ría de Vigo (Galicia, NW Spain) with a view to evaluate the potential risk to mariculture from sediment-borne trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). The distribution of each of these elements in reactive, organic, pyrite and silicate-bound fractions was determined at 64 samples, and these data were used to calculate the degree of trace metal pyritization (DTMP) of each metal/metalloid. In the top 10-20 cm, relatively oxic conditions led to As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn having large reactive fractions due to their association with Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. At lower levels, anoxic conditions favoured by intense diagenesis led to the precipitation of trace metals and metalloids as sulphides, with or without association with pyrite. Particularly large pyrite fractions in the 20-100 cm layer are attributed to the organic matter of this layer being more marine in origin than that of deeper sediments. DTMP was greatest for Cu and As, and least for Pb, Zn and Cr. The risk of trace element toxicity in the event of disturbances instituting oxic conditions in these sediments is discussed.

Chemotherapy in gallbladder cancer: Improving survival

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Background: Since 1999 we had been studying the effect of chemotherapy in gallbladder cancer, a disease frequent in low economical income area of the world, orphan of research, traditionally considered chemotherapy-resistant. Previous studies included 5- FU regimen and communicated response rate of 10–26 %, and no changes on survival. We first conducted a phase II study with gemcitabine (Gem), and later, another study (with support of GOCCHI) using Gem and cisplatin (C). Since 2001 we had treated patients out of clinical trial. We compare median survival observed in all series. Methods: Patients file of both 2 phase II studies and clinical record of all patients treated out of clinical trial were retrieved and median survival was calculated. The both phase two trials had a similar population, and inclusion criteria, both were multicenters. The third cohort is a one center experience. The regimens used were: Gem 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1,8 and 15 every 28 days (first trial), Gem 1,250 mg/m2+C 35 mg/m2 on the 1 and 8 days every 21 days (second trial), only maximum 6 courses were planned. The third group, most frequently, received Gem 1.000 mg/m2 (10mg/m2/min)+C 40 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 21 days, until disease progression and/or toxicity; second line chemotherapy was allowed. Among whole group 7 pts, who had significant response, underwent a surgical resection. Survival was also calculated and comparison is included. The toxicity was evaluated every 2 weeks and response was assessed every two cycles using CT scan. Overall survival was calculated from beginning of chemotherapy until death or last follow up. Survival analysis was also done using Kaplan Meier’s tables Results: For Gem monotherapy (26 pts) median survival was 30 weeks, for Gem+C (44 pts) median survival was 28 weeks. For third group (29 pts) median survival was 56 weeks. Until now, for the 7 pts who underwent a surgical resection median survival is 92 weeks, with one pt alive, without evidence of disease, at 112 weeks of follow up Conclusions: Both regimens showed better efficacy than 5-FU based chemotherapy, the combination did not show better survival. The third group has better median survival, probable due to the use of second line therapies. Combining chemotherapy + surgical resection may be a better treatment for some few, well selected patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase I study of erlotinib, bevacizumab and gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

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Background: Erlotinib is an EGFR TKI active in combination with gemcitabine in p with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). The combination of gemcitabine and bevacizumab is also active in PC. A phase I of gemcitabine, bevacizumab and erlotinib in p with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic PC is being conducted. Methods: Two cohorts of 6 patients with advanced PC have been treated either with erlotinib (150 mg/day po), bevacizumab (5 mg/Kg iv, days 1 and 15, every 28 days), and either 10 mg/m2/min infusion of gemcitabine 850 mg/m2 or 1,000 mg/m2 days 1 and 15 every 28 days. P received a maximum of 6 cycles of 28 days. Cohort 1: Daily erlotinib 150 mg po + bevacizumab 5 mg/kg iv days 1 and 15 + gemcitabine 850 mg/m2 over 10 mg/m2/min infusion days 1 and 15. Cohort 2: daily erlotinib 150 mg po + bevacizumab 5 mg/kg iv days 1 and 15 + gemcitabine 100 mg/m2 over 10 mg/m2/min infusion days 1 and 15. Results: 12 p have been included in this study (6 cohort 1 and 6 cohort 2), being evaluable for toxicity. 11 p have concluded the study and 7 have received complete treatment as per protocol. Median age 62.6 yrs (range 38–71); male/female: 5/7 (42%/58%); stage III/IV: 3/9 (25%/75%); Karnofsky index 100%/80%: 2/10. 3 of 6 p in cohort 1 developed gr. 3 asthenia (50%), 2 p gr. 3 neutropenia (33.3%), whereas 1 p had grade 3 leucopenia and gr. 3 skin rash. In cohort 2, most severe adverse events were: 1 case of grade 4 GGT elevation, 1 p gr. 3 skin rash and 1 p. experienced asthenia gr. 3. No severe hematological toxicity in cohort 2 was reported. One p of each cohort required dose reduction of erlotinib, both due to skin rash. Mild diarrhea was reported in 11 of 12 p evaluated. No dose limiting toxicities has been reported. All p were available for response: 2 p reached partial response (both included in cohort 1) and 7 showed stabilization (3 and 4 in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively). No complete responses were observed. Overall disease control index was 75%. Conclusions: The combination of gemcitabine, erlotinib and bevacizumab is well tolerated. MTD has not been reached. Encouraging clinical activity in advanced pancreatic cancer has been observed. Phase I is still ongoing. Toxicity data for all the p will be presented.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Sedimentation rates and trace metal input history in intertidal sediments from San Simón Bay (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain) derived from 210Pb and 137Cs chronology

(210)Pb and (137)Cs dating methods, accompanied by a high-resolution geochemical study, were applied to intertidal sediments containing both fine and coarse-grained particles and also, anthropogenic Pb in order to establish sedimentation rates and historical trends in heavy metal input. Sedimentation rates were established according to the "Constant Flux:Constant Sedimentation" (CF:CS) (210)Pb dating model, which was preferred rather than the "Constant Rate of Supply-Minimum Variance" (CRS-MV) model. Variations in sediment grain-size were accounted for by application of several normalization procedures. Al was selected for grain-size correction. Corrected sedimentation rates obtained from (210)Pb dating were corroborated through a second independent radionuclide tracer and by comparison of peak trace metal inputs into the environment with peaks in the sediment. The Chernobyl maximum was identified in the normalized (137)Cs activity profile. Sedimentation rates of 6.2+/-1.2 mm y(-1) and 3.1+/-0.5 mm y(-1) for the upper (two muddy layers) and 6.0+/-2.0 mm y(-1) for the lower (sandy) intertidal mud flat deposits of San Simón Bay were determined. According to the established chronology, human-induced environmental changes were detected in total metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn) and in sediment grain-size and composition.

Observation of 54Ni: cross-conjugate symmetry in f7/2 mirror energy differences

Gamma decays from excited states up to Jpi=6+ in the N=Z-2 nucleus 54Ni have been identified for the first time. Level energies are compared with those of the isobars 54Co and 54Fe and of the cross-conjugate nuclei of mass A=42. The good but puzzling f7/ cross-conjugate symmetry in mirror and triplet energy differences is analyzed. Shell model calculations reproduce the new data but the necessary nuclear charge-dependent phenomenology is not fully explained by modern nucleon-nucleon potentials.