Occurrence and distribution of metals in mussels from the Cantabrian coast

From February 2004 to April 2006, the concentrations of more than 10 metals in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were measured in 10 stations from Galicia to the Basque Country in 8 different times of sampling. The mean highest concentrations are found for Zn [226.8 microg/g, dry weight (d.w.)] followed by Mn, As, Cu, and Co (between 10 and 25 microg/g d.w.). Lower mean concentrations are found for Se, Cr, Pb, V, and Ni (between 2 and 8 microg/g d.w.) and the lowest are for Cd, Sn, Hg, and Sb (between 0.05 and 1 microg/g d.w.). Among the statistical treatments used, the factor analysis showed a clustering of the mussels according to the geographical location. In addition, the temporal trend of the metal concentrations was studied by means of the Mann-Kendall test. In this sense, some stations showed a decreasing trend in the accumulation of the metallic content. However, there were some local pollution events that could be explained as a consequence of anthropogenic activities. Finally, the effects of the oil spill from the Prestige are discussed based on the experimental Ni/V ratio values obtained from this work and those of the original oil.

Balneotherapy, prevention of cognitive decline and care the Alzheimer patient and his family: outcome of a multidisciplinary workgroup

According to the latest forecasts of the INSEE - Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (National Statistics and Economic Studies Institute), ageing of the French population will increase between 2005 and 2050: whereas 20.8% of the population living in continental France reached the age of 60 years or more in 2005, this proportion would be of 30.6% in 2035 and 31.9% in 2050. In 2050, 22.3 million persons will have reached the age of 60 years or more compared to 12.6 million in 2005, increasing by 80% in a 45-year period. In line with the actual age pyramid, ageing is unavoidable, as those who will reach 60 years of age in 2050 are already born (in 1989 or before). This expansion will be most important between 2006 and 2035, when the numerous "baby-boom" generations born between 1946 and 1975, will reach these ages. In future years, lifespan improvement will only emphasize this increase. Even if life expectancy stabilizes at the 2005 level, the number of seniors reaching 60 years or more would still increase to 50% between 2005 and 2050. This issue is identical in all countries of the European Union. Ageing is a major risk factor for dementia that will considerably worsen in the next years, if no curative therapies are found. Today, 25 million persons in the world suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD). In France, it is estimated that 860,000 persons are affected and that 225,000 news cases are annually diagnosed. After 75 years of age, more than 20% of women and 13% of men are concerned. Forecasts for the coming years are frightening. Considering ageing of the population, the number of Alzheimer's disease cases should raise to 1.3 million in 2020 (20 patients for 1000 inhabitants) ant 2.1 million in 2040 (30 patients for 1000 inhabitants).

The chimerical multi-component Q protein from Leishmania in the absence of adjuvant protects dogs against an experimental Leishmania infantum infection

The protective potential against Leishmania infection of the Leishmania chimerical Q protein administered as a single (Q) or double dose (Q+Q) without adjuvant was analyzed in a double-blind placebo controlled experiment in dogs. During vaccination the protein induced an intense early anti-Q response but no reactivity against total Leishmania infantum proteins was detected. Several end-points were taken into consideration. In the vaccinated animals the amount and intensity of clinical symptoms was lower than in the control group. Pathological signs of disease were observed in liver, kidney and spleen of all dogs from the control group in contrast to the normal appearance of the organs of the vaccinated animals. Vaccination was able to induce parasite clearance in most dogs. Only 1/7 dog was parasite DNA positive in skin in the Q group in contrast to 6/7 dogs in control and 4/7 in Q+Q. Significant anti-SLA clearance was observed in the vaccinated animals at the end of the study. Differences between control and vaccinated animals were also observed at the biochemical level, DTH and nitrite oxide production.

Methanogenic toxicity in anaerobic digesters treating municipal wastewater

In upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) digesters treating raw sewage at low temperatures, the sludge progressively lost methanogenic activity, indicating the possibility of methanogenic activity inhibition caused by wastewater constituents. To check this fact, batch and semi-continuous methanogenic toxicity assays were carried out with raw and centrifuged sewage. Permanent methanogenic toxicity on anaerobic sludge of approximately 50% was found when the sludge exposure to wastewater was renewed in a semi-continuous way. A stronger methanogenic inhibition of about 70-100% was observed when an active anaerobic sludge was exposed to mixed liquor from the UASB digester treating municipal wastewater. Suspended solids removal from sewage slightly reduced methanogenic toxicity. Effective concentration of municipal wastewater that caused a 50% reduction in methanogenic activity was estimated to be in the range of 150-200 mg CODl(-1). As methanogenic inhibition appeared to be related to remaining COD, higher methanogenic toxicity in digesters operating with low conversion efficiency will be expected.

Changes in cell-type composition in digestive gland of slugs and its influence in biomarkers following transplantation between a relatively unpolluted and a chronically metal-polluted site

Changes in cell-type composition (CCTC) is a general phenomenon that takes place in the digestive gland epithelium of stressed molluscs. The aim of the present work was to determine whether CCTC is a reversible process in the digestive gland of sentinel slugs chronically exposed to metal pollution and how CCTC affects metal accumulation parameters and different cell and tissue biomarkers of exposure and effect. Slugs (Arion ater) from an abandoned zinc mine were transferred to a relatively unpolluted site and the other way around for 3, 10 and 28 d. The volume density of black silver deposits (Vv(BSD)) after autometallography, and metallothionein (MT) levels were used as biomarkers of exposure to metals and CCTC and lysosomal responses were selected as effect biomarkers. Results indicated that slugs were sensitive to recent metal pollution; however, slugs chronically exposed to metals presented some characteristic features and were less responsive to pollution cessation without signs of CCTC reversal.

Municipal wastewater treatment in an anaerobic digester-constructed wetland system

An experimental plant was constituted for an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor with an active volume of 25.5 m3 and two horizontal constructed wetlands of 75 m2 each. The first wetland was a superficial flow (SF) system and the second a subsurface flow (SSF) system. The UASB reactor was fed with 60-73 m3 d(-1) of raw domestic wastewater from the municipal treatment plant (MTP) of the city of Santiago de Compostela. Part of the effluent from the UASB reactor (15 m3 d(-1)) passed through the SF wetland and then went into the SSF. In the first ten months of operation, from July 2005 to April 2006, the hydraulic retention time for the UASB system was in the range of 7-14 hours and the organic loading rate (OLR) was between 0.3 and 1.1 g COD l(-1) d(-1). The organic load in the wetlands was in the range of 5-40 g BOD5 m(-2) d(-1). The global results achieved for total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5) removal efficiencies were 85-96%, 65-90% and 69-93%, respectively. The average monthly concentrations in the final effluent were 8-73 mg BOD5 l(-1), 25-120 mg COD l(-1) and 6-20 mg TSS l(-1). The global balance of VSS in the UASB reactor shows that purge accounted for 19.6% and hydrolysis accounted for 47.7% of influent VSS. Data from suspended solids balance in the constructed wetlands, at the end of the operation period, show a TSS and VSS accumulation of 48% and 16%, respectively.

Application of two SH-based methods for metallothionein determination in mussels and intercalibration of the spectrophotometric method: laboratory and field studies in the Mediterranean Sea

Metallothionein (MT) induction is widely used as a biomarker of exposure to metals in mussels. The aims of the present work were first to compare the suitability of spectrophotometry and differential pulse polarography (DPP) for MT detection in mussels exposed to 200 ppb cadmium for 9 days in a laboratory experiment and in mussels sampled in different seasons from expected pollution gradients along the Mediterranean Sea; second, to intercalibrate the widely used spectrophotometric method using mussels from Saronikos Gulf. In the intercalibration of the spectrophotometric method, similar results (p>0.05) were obtained by two different research teams indicating a good reproducibility of the technique. However, polarographic and spectrophotometric methods gave significantly (p<0.05) different results in laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory experiment, MT values detected with DPP were nine times higher than with spectrophotometry. The results obtained by the two methods were significantly correlated. Both methods could discriminate between control and exposed mussels. In field studies, MT values obtained by DPP were 34-38-fold higher than with spectrophotometry, and MT concentrations measured by both methods were not correlated. This discrepancy could be due to several factors, including the low levels of bioavailable metals in the studied areas and the possibility that the different methods can measure MT isoforms differentially. Further work is needed to decipher the functions of MT isoforms in mussels. This information is relevant for the application of MT as a biomarker in biomonitoring programmes.

Prevention of progression to dementia in the elderly: rationale and proposal for a health-promoting memory consultation (an IANA Task Force)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent form of dementia and according to the most recent estimation it affects nearly 27 million people in the world. The onset of the disease is generally insidious. It is becoming increasingly evident that the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are active long before the appearance of the clinical symptoms of the disease. In the current context, it is important to develop strategies to delay the onset of cognitive decline. Delaying the onset by 5 years would reduce the prevalence by half at term, and a delay of 10 years would reduce it by three-quarters. The effectiveness of currently suggested preventive approaches remains to be confirmed, but certain strategies could be applied straight away to at-risk subjects. We propose that a health-promoting memory consultation should be set up for elderly persons who have attended a specialized memory consultation and in whom the diagnosis of dementia and of AD in particular, has not been established by standardized tools. Through this consultation, they would be offered full multidimensional investigation of all aspects of their health status, follow-up could be organized, general practitioners in private practice could be made more conscious of this population and the elderly could be made more aware of the risk factors to which they are exposed. The development of an information policy for the elderly would meet a present need. In our reflection, we must take into account the question of how to give this preventive consultation its due place in the healthcare pathway of the elderly person in order to ensure coordinated follow-up with all the other health professionals involved. The principle of the health-promoting memory consultation is undergoing validation in a large French multicentre preventive trial in 1200 frail elderly persons aged 70 years followed for three years, the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT).

Anaerobic treatment of low-strength municipal wastewater by a two-stage pilot plant under psychrophilic conditions

A two-stage anaerobic treatment pilot plant was tested for the treatment of raw domestic wastewater under temperatures ranging from 21 to 14 degrees C. The plant consisted of a hydrolytic upflow sludge bed (HUSB) digester (25.5m3) followed by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) digester (20.36m3). The hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied from 5.7 to 2.8h for the first stage (HUSB digester) and from 13.9 to 6.5h for the second stage (UASB digester). Total suspended solids (TSS), total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removals ranged from 76% to 89%, from 49% to 65%, and from 50% to 77%, respectively, for the overall system. The percentage of influent COD converted to methane was 36.1%, the hydrolysis of influent volatile suspended solids (VSS) reached 59.7% and excess biomass was 21.6% of the incoming VSS. Plant performance was influenced by the wastewater concentration and temperature, yet better results were obtained for influent COD higher than 250mg/l.

Digestive cell turnover in digestive gland epithelium of slugs experimentally exposed to a mixture of cadmium and kerosene

Slugs, Arion ater (L), have been proposed as sentinel organisms to assess soil health. In slugs under the influence of pollutants, digestive cell loss and the concomitant increase of excretory cells of the digestive gland have been described. The aim of the present work was to determine up to what extent digestive cell loss affects biomarkers and whether the affectation is reversible after exposure to a mixture of metal and organic pollutants. Slugs were dosed with a mixture of cadmium and kerosene in the food for 27 days. Apart from chemical analyses, the volume density of black silver deposits (Vv(BSD)) after autometallography, and acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX) activity were used as biomarkers of exposure to metals and organic compounds, respectively. As effect biomarkers, changes in the volume density of the cell types that constitute the digestive gland epithelium were calculated. Proliferating cells were identified by means of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Results revealed that the mixture of pollutants provoked an increase in Vv(BSD) and AOX activity and a decrease in the number of digestive cells. These changes had no effect in the digestive gland accumulation capacity or in the effect and exposure biomarkers employed. BrdU-labelling showed that exposure to pollutants provoked an enhanced digestive cell proliferation.

The immunodominant T helper 2 (Th2) response elicited in BALB/c mice by the Leishmania LiP2a and LiP2b acidic ribosomal proteins cannot be reverted by strong Th1 inducers

The search for disease-associated T helper 2 (Th2) Leishmania antigens and the induction of a Th1 immune response to them using defined vaccination protocols is a potential strategy to induce protection against Leishmania infection. Leishmania infantum LiP2a and LiP2b acidic ribosomal protein (P proteins) have been described as prominent antigens during human and canine visceral leishmaniasis. In this study we demonstrate that BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major develop a Th2-like humoral response against Leishmania LiP2a and LiP2b proteins and that the same response is induced in BALB/c mice when the parasite P proteins are immunized as recombinant molecules without adjuvant. The genetic immunization of BALB/c mice with eukaryotic expression plasmids coding for these proteins was unable to redirect the Th2-like response induced by these antigens, and only the co-administration of the recombinant P proteins with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) promoted a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response. According to the preponderance of a Th2 or mixed Th1/Th2 responses elicited by the different regimens of immunization tested, no evidence of protection was observed in mice after challenge with L. major. Although alterations of the clinical outcome were not detected in mice presensitized with the P proteins, the enhanced IgG1 and interleukin (IL)-4 response against total Leishmania antigens in these mice may indicate an exacerbation of the disease.

Characteristics and anaerobic treatability of municipal and industrial estate wastewaters

Centralised treatment of domestic sewage coming from A Coruña city (250000 inhabitants) and several medium and small size villages (up to 15000 inhabitants) together with industrial estate effluents was planned. The area population is about 380000 inhabitants and the overall effluent will reach about 600000 equivalent inhabitants. The characteristics of different streams will determine the treatment alternatives and pre-treatment requirements for individual streams. Domestic sewage from A Coruña showed medium to high organic content (741 mg l(-1) of COD), while domestic sewage from small villages (Lorbé, Oleiros) and industrial estates (Sabón, A Grela) showed a high variability in organic content, with COD concentration ranging from 100 to 4000 mg L(-1) or more. About 50-65% COD corresponded to suspended solids, although some industrial effluents showed lower values. Characterized industrial effluents had lower concentration of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and higher concentration of sulphate and alkalinity than domestic sewage. Anaerobic biodegradability was about 80% for domestic sewage, and ranged from 20 to 100% for industrial estate effluents. Furthermore, some industrial streams showed high microbial toxicity. The results indicate that anaerobic treatment of these effluents is of interest. However, specific pre-treatment for some individual streams or the adoption of minimisation and prevention measures in order to reach total or partial detoxification is suggested.

Immunolocalization of metallothioneins in different tissues of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) exposed to Cd

Metallothioneins (MT) were localized by immunochemistry in different organs and cell compartments of turbot exposed to sublethal concentrations (100 ppb) of Cd for 7 days. The polyclonal rabbit anti-cod MT antibody (NIVA, Norway) applied herein exhibited positive cross-reactivity with turbot MTs. Immunoreactive MTs were localized in the branchial epithelium, in the liver and in the kidney of turbot. In Cd exposed fishes MTs were demonstrated mainly in branchial chloride cells (CC) and to a lesser extend in the area where progenitor cells are located and in the cells of the respiratory epithelium (secondary lamellae). A higher staining intensity for MTs was observed in CC of the interlamellar space of the main branchial epithelium in comparison with control CC. MT-staining was also observed in the chondroblasts of the cartilage and in the erythrocytes within blood vessels both in control and Cd-exposed specimens. MT immunoreaction was high in the liver hepatocytes and weak in the epithelium of the proximal portion of the kidney in exposed turbot. The tegument, spleen and muscle were devoid of any immunolabelling in both treatments. Ultrastructural studies at the transmission electron microscope revealed that Cd-induced MTs were mainly located in the cytoplasm of gill CC, the lysosomes and the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and in the basal labyrinth of kidney proximal nephrocytes. The differential localization/induction of MTs in different cell types described hereby suggests that the quantification of the specific expression of MT may be used in biomonitoring programs as a biomarker of Cd exposure in aquatic environments.

Tissue- and cell-specific expression of metallothionein genes in cadmium- and copper-exposed mussels analyzed by in situ hybridization and RT–PCR

Metallothioneins (MTs) are metal-inducible proteins that can be used as biomarkers of metal exposure. In mussels two families of MT isoforms (MT10 and MT20) have been characterized. In this study, mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were exposed to 200 ppb Cd and 40 ppb Cu for 2 and 9 days to characterize the tissue and isoform specificity of metal-induced MT expression. Non-radioactive in situ hybridization demonstrated that both MT isoforms were mainly transcribed in digestive tubule epithelial cells, especially in basophilic cells. Weaker MT expression was detected in non-ciliated duct cells, stomach and gill epithelial cells, haemocytes, adipogranular cells, spermatic follicles and oocytes. RT-PCR resulted in cloning of a novel M. galloprovincialis isoform homologous to recently cloned Mytilus edulis intron-less MT10B isoform. In gills, Cd only affected MT10 gene expression after 2 days of exposure while increases in MT protein levels occurred at day 9. In the digestive gland, a marked increase of both isoforms, but especially of MT20, was accompanied by increased levels of MT proteins and basophilic cell volume density (Vv(BAS)) after 2 and 9 days and of intralysosomal metal accumulation in digestive cells after 9 days. Conversely, although metal was accumulated in digestive cells lysosomes and the Vv(BAS) increased in Cu-exposed mussels, Cu exposure did not produce an increase of MT gene expression or MT protein levels. These data suggest that MTs are expressed in a tissue-, cell- and isoform-specific way in response to different metals.

Copeptin, derived from isotocin precursor, is a probable prolactin releasing factor in carp

Control of prolactin (PRL) release is of crucial importance for the multiple functions exerted by PRL in vertebrates. Recently identified hypothalamic PRL-releasing peptides displayed additional neuromodulatory activities and in fish only few could be detected close to lactotrophs. Here we describe the C-terminal peptide processed from the carp isotocin precursor as probable physiologically relevant regulator of PRL release in carp. The amino acid sequence derived from the complete isotocin precursor gene of Cyprinus carpio, predicted a C-terminal peptide uncleaved between the neurophysin (Np) and copeptin (Cp) domain. Accordingly, antibodies against synthetic Np- and Cp-specific oligopeptides both immunodetected a 13kDa protein (cNpCp) in total pituitary proteins and showed abundant immunoreaction in hypothalamic axons in direct contact with lactotrophs in the rostral pars distalis of carp pituitary gland sections. Finally, incubation of cultured carp pituitary explants with purified carp cNpCp resulted in a potent stimulation of PRL release.

Start-up alternatives and performance of an UASB pilot plant treating diluted municipal wastewater at low temperature

Different start-up procedures of an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) digester were carried out. Start-up without inoculum (experiment A) was delayed for about 120 day. The digester reached 75-85% total suspended solids (TSS) removal, 54-58% total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal and 63-73% biological oxygen demand (BOD5) removal at influent concentrations of 240-340 mg TCODil-1, temperatures of 13.5-15 degrees C and hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 10-11 h. Digested sludge was used as inoculum in experiment B. After the start-up period of 75 days, digester efficiencies were 58%, 41% and 54% for TSS, TCOD and BOD5 removal, respectively, working at 169 mg TCODil-1, temperature of 14 degrees C and HRT of 11 h. The sludge bed developed and stabilised quickly when using a hydraulically adapted inoculum (experiment C), but TCOD and BOD5 removals remained low and volatile fatty acids (VFA) accumulated in the effluent.

Immunohistological features of visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice

It has been reported that the level of protection provided by vaccines against murine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is low and that progress in research on VL may be due to the lack of appropriate models to study protective immunity. We have analysed the immunohistological features occurring in BALB/c mice after intravenous administration of 10(3), 10(5) and 10(6) parasites of Leishmania infantum. Our results show that in all cases parasite administration leads to the establishment of infection and to the development of quantifiable immunohistological features which are dependent on the inoculum size. This study demonstrates that differences in the parasite challenge result in changes in the evolution of some of the parameters associated with the degree of the infection in the BALB/c model: level of anti-Leishmania antibodies, up-regulation of spleen arginase activity, balance between IFN-gamma and IL-10, extent of lymphoid follicle depletion in the splenic white pulp and ineffective development of hepatic granulomas. Also, and depending on the initial infectious inoculum, the absence of parasites in the bone marrow and the number of mature and empty type granulomas were parameters associated with protection. We think that in this model a challenge of the order of 10(5) parasites should prove useful for vaccine studies against VL.

Recombinant leishmania antigens for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis

Serological tests with crude or recombinant Leishmania antigens are important tools for the diagnosis of leishmania infection. However, these tests are not markers of active visceral leishmaniasis (VL), since antibodies to these markers are often observed in individuals with subclinical L. chagasi infection and they do not fall shortly after therapy. In this study, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against three recombinant Leishmania antigens (rH2A, KMP11, and the "Q" protein) were evaluated in sera from individuals with subclinical L. chagasi infection and in patients with VL pre- and posttherapy. The sensitivity of the serological test for diagnosis of VL was 100% with all three antigens. The titers of IgG fell significantly after therapy. While most of the individuals with subclinical L. chagasi infection had antibodies to rH2A and the "Q" protein, only 1 out of 15 individuals had antibodies to KMP11. These data indicate that KMP11 may be used to discriminate L. chagasi infection from active VL and may serve as a marker of response to therapy.

Effect of LACK and KMP11 on IFN-gamma Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Cutaneous and Mucosal Leishmaniasis Patients

The immune modulatory properties of recombinant antigens Kinetoplasmid membrane protein-11 (KMP11) and Leishmania homologue of receptors for activated C kinase (LACK) in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) patients were evaluated. The mean levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in soluble leishmania antigen (SLA) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of ML and CL patients were 5625 +/- 2333 pg/ml and 4422 +/- 3665 pg/ml, respectively. IFN-gamma was not detected in cultures stimulated with KMP11 or LACK. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration in SLA, KMP11 and LACK-stimulated PBMC of ML patients was 13 +/- 12 pg/ml, 285 +/- 388 pg/ml and 802 +/- 483 pg/ml, respectively. Addition of KMP11 or LACK to SLA-stimulated PBMC of CL and ML patients enhanced IL-10 production (P < 0.05). Addition of KMP11 decreased IFN-gamma levels by 52% in CL patients and by 19% in ML patients. Addition of LACK to SLA-stimulated cultures decreased IFN-gamma levels by 58% in CL patients and by 30% in ML patients. Neutralization of IL-10 abrogated the downregulatory effect of LACK and KMP11. The modulatory properties of LACK and KMP11 are due to induction of IL-10 production and may be helpful for attenuating chronic inflammatory diseases. However, in some clinical conditions, as demonstrated for ML, these molecules are not able to suppress the IFN-gamma response, even inducing IL-10 production.

Adjuvant guided polarization of the immune humoral response against a protective multicomponent antigenic protein (Q) from Leishmania infantum. A CpG + Q mix protects Balb/c mice from infection

It has been shown that vaccination with three doses of the Leishmania infantum poly-protein Q containing five genetically fused antigenic determinants from the Lip2a, Lip2b, H2A and P0 proteins, mixed with BCG induces clearance of parasites in 9 out of 10 Leishmania infantum-infected Beagle dogs, in addition to clinical protection. In the present paper we analysed the immunogenic potential of the poly-protein Q and the specificity and polarization of the response against the antigenic determinants of Q when mixed with various adjuvants. The data showed that the Q protein had high intrinsic immunogenic potential and that it was able to induce a long-lasting IgG response. The IgM immunogenic potential of the poly-protein was mainly due to the LiP2a and LiP2b determinants, whereas the IgG immunogenic potential was mainly due to the LiP2a component. It was observed that the protein itself elicited a mixed IgG2a/IgG1 response and that the determinants of Q were endowed with different IgG2a/IgG1 potential. It was also observed that the adjuvants did not influence the intensity or specificity of the IgM response but that they modulated the intensity, the specificity and the polarization of the IgG response against the determinants of Q. CpG-ODN motifs or double-stranded DNA plasmids containing CpG motifs when mixed with Q induced a predominant IgG2a response mainly observed at early stages post-immunization. The data showed that a CpG + Q mix induced significant protection against L. infantum infection in Balb/c mice.

Performance of a UASB-digester system treating domestic wastewater

The anaerobic treatment of raw domestic wastewater by a novel technology consisting of an Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor combined with a completely mixed digester for the stabilisation of the UASB sludge was assessed. A pilot-scale plant of the so-called UASB-Digester system was located at the municipal wastewater treatment facility of Santiago de Compostela (Northwest of Spain). The main aim of the Digester was to enhance the biodegradation of influent solids retained in the UASB reactor at low temperatures, then increasing its specific methanogenic activity. The sludge drawn from the middle zone of the UASB entered the upper zone of the Digester and then circulated from the bottom of the Digester to the UASB bottom. Circulating in an automated semi-continuous way, the flow of this sludge stream was selected in order to set a previously defined hydraulic retention time (HRT) (16-27 d) in the digester. The Digester temperature was set at an optimum value ranging from 25 to 35 degrees C. The steady state efficiency of the UASB system, at 6-8 h of HRT, 15-16 degrees C of temperature and 330-360 mg l(-1) of influent total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) was 79% of total suspended solids (TSS) removal, 52% of TCOD removal and 60% of biological oxygen demand (BOD5) removal. The hydrolysis of retained solids reached 85%, while excess sludge generation was only 7% of influent TCOD. A stable anaerobic (pre)treatment of diluted domestic wastewater was reached as the sludge concentration in the reactor remained mainly constant and the specific methanogenic activity showed a slight increase.

Performance analysis of curvature sensors: optimum positioning of the measurement planes

Curvature sensors are used to measure wave-front aberrations in a number of different applications ranging from adaptive optics to optical testing. In practice, their performance is limited not only by the quality of the detector used for irradiance measurements but also by the separation between measurement planes used for the calculation of the axial derivative of intensity. This work resolves the problem of determining the separation between intensity measurement planes thus optimizing the variance in experimental measurements. To do this, the variance of the local curvature of the phase will be analyzed as a function of the noise level in the measurements and the separation between planes. Moreover, error bounds will be established for experimental measurements.