First Results on Dark Matter Annual Modulation from the ANAIS-112 Experiment

ANAIS is a direct detection dark matter experiment aiming at the testing of the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation result, which, for about two decades, has neither been confirmed nor ruled out by any other experiment in a model independent way. ANAIS-112, consisting of 112.5 kg of sodium iodide crystals, has been taking data at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, Spain, since August 2017. This Letter presents the annual modulation analysis of 1.5 years of data, amounting to 157.55 kg yr. We focus on the model independent analysis searching for modulation and the validation of our sensitivity prospects. ANAIS-112 data are consistent with the null hypothesis (p values of 0.67 and 0.18 for [2-6] and [1-6] keV energy regions, respectively). The best fits for the modulation hypothesis are consistent with the absence of modulation (S_{m}=-0.0044±0.0058  cpd/kg/keV and -0.0015±0.0063  cpd/kg/keV, respectively). They are in agreement with our estimated sensitivity for the accumulated exposure, which supports our projected goal of reaching a 3σ sensitivity to the DAMA/LIBRA result in five years of data taking.

Silencing of the transcriptional factor ZEB1 alters the steroidogenic pathway, and increases the concentration of testosterone and DHT in DU145 cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common type of male malignancy worldwide. The transcription factor zinc finger E‑box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is associated with epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and is also involved in regulation of androgen receptor (AR) expression, the main ligands of which are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These androgens are synthesized through the steroidogenic pathway within the prostate, and their synthesis is altered in PCa. The present study aimed to determine the ZEB1‑induced alterations in androgen synthesis and AR expression in the DU145 PCa cell line. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels, and cellular localization of steroidogenic pathway enzymes in the DU145 cell line in response to ZEB1 silencing. Furthermore, the concentrations of testosterone and DHT were detected in cell culture medium using ELISA. ZEB1‑silenced cells exhibited an increase in testosterone and DHT production, an increase in AR expression and an alteration in the steroidogenic pathway. In particular, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 5α‑reductase 2 expression levels were decreased, whereas cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1, 5α‑reductase 1, aldo‑keto reductase family 1 member D1 and aldo‑keto reductase family 1 member C2 expression levels were increased. In conclusion, the present study provided novel information regarding the regulation of intratumoral androgen production in PCa, which is relevant for the progression of the disease to a castration‑resistant form.

Abstract WP308: Low Volume of Acute Stroke Intervention in Aurora Health Care System Analysis

Introduction: Thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is an important intervention, though the majority of eligible patients do not receive it. Drawing upon data from our high volume comprehensive stroke center, we identified barriers to recognizing patients with large vessel occlusion and subsequent impediments to treatment.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with AIS within 24 hours to the 14 hospitals within the AHCS between January 2015 and December 2016. Demographic, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, vascular imaging, and thrombectomy data were collected and analyzed. Large vessel occlusion (LVO) involved the distal internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (M1), or basilar artery (BA).

Results: Three thousand five hundred ninety- five AIS patients were identified. The median age was 61 years and 1863 (52%) were female. Two thousand one hundred eighty-three patients presented within 24 hours (61%): 1105 ≤ 6 hours. More than one third of AIS patients (773) did not have acute intracranial vascular imaging. Of 1410 patients with vascular imaging, 171 patients (12 %) had LVO. The site of occlusion was: M1, 86 patients (50.3%); distal ICA, 51 (30%); and BA, 27 (16%). Only 75 LVO patients (44%) had acute stroke intervention of whom 57 (77%) had mechanical thrombectomy, additional intra-arterial thrombolysis was given in 14 (19%) and 4 (5%) had intra-arterial thrombolysis as monotherapy. Successful revascularization (mTICI 2b-3) was achieved in 53 patients (70%). The main reasons that LVO patients did not receive acute stroke intervention include: late onset or unknown onset in 32 (35%), large core infarction 25 (27%), rapid improving NIHSS in 6 (7%), and unclear reason in 25 (17%),

Conclusion: There are several reasons that LVO is under recognized: a non neurologist often evaluates the patient in the ER first and they might not be familiar with stroke protocol guidelines; some LVO patients have an atypical presentation; and some patients refuse intervention. Based on our data, there is a need for continuing education of stroke care providers, particularly in this period of changing interventional guidelines.

Abstract WP216: External Validation of Pomona Large Vessel Occlusion Scale at Aurora Health Care System (AHCS)

Background: The Pomona scale was developed to predict large-vessel occlusions (LVO) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The original study showed a high accuracy of this scale. We sought to externally validate the Pomona scale in an independent cohort.

Methods: Pomona scale includes 3 items: gaze deviation, expressive aphasia and neglect, each given 1 point when present. We retrospectively reviewed a large cohort of all acute stroke patients who presented within 24 hours after onset at AHCS ( 14 hospitals) between January 2015-December 2016. We calculated Pomona scale, the Vision Aphasia and Neglect Scale (VAN), the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity (CPSS), the Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS), the Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale (PASS) for all patients. The predictive performance of all scales and several National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) cut offs (≥4, ≥6, ≥8, ≥10) were determined and compared. LVO was defined by total occlusions involving the intracranial internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery (M1), or basilar arteries.

Results: Among 2183 AIS patients, 1410 had vascular imaging and were included in the analysis. LVO was detected in 171 (12%). Pomona scale ≥ 1 had comparable accuracy to predict LVO as Pomona scale ≥ 2, the CPSS, and NIHSS ≥6, ≥8, and ≥10. Pomona scale ≥ 1 had higher accuracy than VAN, LAMS, PASS and NIHSS ≥ 4 (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve: Pomona ≥ 1= 0.77 as a reference; VAN=0.66, P < 0.001; LAMS ≥ 4 = 0.61, P < 0.001, PASS ≥ 2= 0.68, P < 0.001 and NIHSS ≥ 4, P= 0.0025). A Pomona scale ≥ 1 had sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of 0.76 to predict LVO, positive predictive value of 0.31, and negative predictive value of 0.96 for the detection of LVO versus Pomona scale ≥ 2 of 0.57, 0.91, 0.47, and 0.94 and CPSS ≥ 2 of 0.64, 0.87, 0.41 and 0.95.

Conclusion: In our large stroke network cohort, the Pomona scale has promising sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to predict LVO. Future prospective studies in both prehospital and emergency room settings are warranted.

Foundry sands as low-cost adsorbent material for Cr (VI) removal

The potential of foundry sands, industrial waste from the iron foundry industry, was evaluated for the removal of Cr (VI) using discontinuous assays. Chemical foundry sands are composed of fine silica sand, furanic resins as binder, chemical catalyst and residual iron particles. The influence ofpH, agitation rate and metal concentration on the removal process was investigated. Kinetic and equilibrium tests were conducted to determine Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solutions at a temperature range of 25-55 degrees C. Cr (VI) removal of 40-100% for a range of pH 6-1.6 was obtained. This removal was attributed to the presence of a large number of protonated silanol and aluminol groups. Cr (VI) adsorption in foundry sands follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic reaction (Ho model, r2 > 0.999) reaching kinetic constants of 0.341, 0.551, 0.775 and 0.920 g/mg h at 25, 35, 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. The adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (r > 0.99) obtaining adsorption capacities (q(max)) of 1.99, 2.40, 2.50, and 3.14 mg Cr (VI)/g sand at 25, 35, 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. Calculated Gibbs free energy change (deltaG0), adsorption energy (E) and activation energy (E(a)) values indicate that a physisorption mechanism governs Cr (VI) adsorption process in foundry sands.

Assessment of a process to degrade metal working fluids using Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 and indigenous microbial consortia

The development of a novel biological process to treat metal working fluids (MWFs)-containing effluents at bioreactor scale was pursued in this work. The bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 was investigated for the first time as an alternative agent for MWF degradation. An adequate medium design and mixing and aeration system, as well as an appropriate microorganism proved to be crucial for reaching high levels of degradation by P. stutzeri and by an indigenous consortium (about 70% and 50% of reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon content in less than 2 wk, respectively). Additionally, as there is no information in literature trying to kinetically characterize an MWF-polluted effluent degradation process, all the experimental data were fitted to logistic and Luedeking and Piret models, that allowed to elucidate the growth-associated character of the biodegradation process.

Temporal evolution of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and heavy metals in sludge from wastewater treatment plant

Five homologues of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS)-LAS C-10, LAS C-11, LAS C-12, and LAS C-13 and total LAS-were monitored during a one-year period in primary, secondary, and digested sludge to evaluate their presence and temporal evolution. Extraction of LAS was carried out using microwaves energy, and determination was performed using high-performance liquid chromatographic- fluorescence (HPLC-FL). The results showed that concentrations of total LAS were between 9 337 mg/kg(-1) dry matter for primary sludge and 33.3 mg/kg(-1)(DM) for secondary sludge. Concentrations of total LAS were greater than 2 113 mg/kg(-1) in primary and digested sludge and were less than 260 mg/kg(-) in secondary sludge. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of LAS in primary sludge were found in summer, probably because of lack of rain during those months. Concentrations tend to be constant throughout the year in digested sludge. In addition heavy metals also were analyzed. Heavy metals, including zinc, copper, nickel, lead, and chromium are persistent environmental contaminants that cannot be destroyed. Biomagnification through the food-chain and potential accumulation in human tissues can cause both human health and environmental concerns. Concern regarding total heavy metal content of sludge limits sludge recycling for use on agricultural lands. This paper presents a comparative study of wastewater sludge that are going to be used as fertilizer based on the requirements of legislation proposed in the European Union. This research found that concentrations of total LAS in digested sludge are higher than the limits established in the proposed new draft.

Sequential extraction of metals from mixed and digested sludge from aerobic WWTPs sited in the south of Spain

The content of heavy metals is the major limitation to the application of sewage sludge in soil. However, assessment of the pollution by total metal determination does not reveal the true environmental impact. It is necessary to apply sequential extraction techniques to obtain suitable information about their bioavailability or toxicity. In this paper, sequential extraction of metals from sludge before and after aerobic digestion was applied to sludge from five WWTPs in southern Spain to obtain information about the influence of the digestion treatment in the concentration of the metals. The percentage of each metal as residual, oxidizable, reducible and exchangeable form was calculated. For this purpose, sludge samples were collected from two different points of the plants, namely, sludge from the mixture (primary and secondary sludge) tank (mixed sludge, MS) and the digested-dewatered sludge (final sludge, FS). Heavy metals, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn, were extracted following the sequential extraction scheme proposed by the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme of the European Commission and determined by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The total concentration of heavy metals in the measured sludge samples did not exceed the limits set out by European legislation and were mainly associated with the two less-available fractions (27-28% as oxidizable metal and 44-50% as residual metal). However, metals as Co (64% in MS and 52% in FS samples), Mn (82% in MS and 79% in FS), Ni (32% in MS and 26% in FS) and Zn (79% in MS and 62% in FS) were present at important percentages as available forms. In addition, results showed a clear increase of the concentration of metals after sludge treatment in the proportion of two less-available fractions (oxidizable and residual metal).

Temporal evolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants: comparison between PAHs and heavy metals

This paper presents results on the presence and temporal variability of the 16 PAHs recommended by the EPA in primary, secondary and digested sewage sludge over a year. The sewage sludges originated from the Guadalete wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz, Spain). These organic pollutants have been extracted from the sewage sludge by microwave energy. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array (HPLC-DAD) or fluorescence (HPLC-FL) detectors have been used. The results showed that total PAHs concentration varied between 1,945 ng g(-1) dry matter (DM) for primary sludges collected in March and 10,100 ng g(-1) DM for primary sludge collected in June. Generally, concentrations of PAHs were higher in compost and digested sludge than in fresh one. On the other hand, the highest concentration of PAHs were found on summer. This thing is associated to the traffic increase from inland zones to the coast (Jerez de la Frontera is very near to beaches). Finally, this paper present a comparative study of the American an European legislation concluding that the limits of concentrations established are not exceeded. In addition heavy metals were analysed. The origin of PAHs and heavy metals seems to be different.

Fractionation of heavy metals in sludge from anaerobic wastewater stabilization ponds in southern Spain

The analysis of heavy metals is a very important task to assess the potential environmental and health risk associated with the sludge coming from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, it is necessary to apply sequential extraction techniques to obtain suitable information about their bioavailability or toxicity. In this paper, a sequential extraction scheme according to the Standard, Measurements and Testing Programme of the European Commission was applied to sludge samples collected from ten anaerobic wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) located in southern Spain. Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn were determined in the sludge extracts by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. In relation to current international legislation for the use of sludge for agricultural purposes, none of the metal concentrations exceeded maximum permitted levels. Overall, heavy metals were mainly associated with the two less-available fractions (34% oxidizable metal and 55% residual metal). Only Mn and Zn showed the highest share of the available (exchangeable and reducible) fractions (25-48%).

Uncontrollable atmospheric conditions which can affect animal experimentation

In our programs of investigation into mechanisms of molecular action of toxic substances, we have had occasion to observe the appearance of anomalous values in biochemical parameters, which we put down to cyclic rhythms or coincidences with the following phenomena: meteorological (storms), geological (earthquakes), and astronomical or phenological (eclipse and lunar phases). This work reviews such observations, which suggest that besides the environmental conditions of the animal room (illumination, humidity, temperature, noise) it is necessary to consider all the external circumstances which occur at the moment of the experiment.

Inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase and adenosine-triphosphatase activity in rats treated with toxic Spanish rapeseed oil or synthetic anilides

After having demonstrated the impairment of the microsomal oxidation process in rats treated with toxic Spanish cooking oil or fatty acid anilides, we studied the possibility that the function of the cytoplasmic membrane had been affected. For this, the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and adenosintriphosphatase were determined, these being enzymes of utmost importance in transport at the liver cell membrane level. Wistar rats received disease-related toxic rapeseed oil (1 mg/kg/day) or linoleilanilide (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 days, and the animals were sacrificed immediately after the administration period and after a 4-, 8- and 12-week latency period. Enzyme activities were measured in the membrane fraction of liver and lung. The results showed considerable reduction (up to 80%) in the activity of these enzymes, confirming that transport mechanisms through cell membranes must have been impaired.

NADPH-diaphorase used to estimate alterations in the toxic rapeseed oil syndrome

The evaluation of NADPH-diaphorase in the post-mitochondrial fraction of rat liver has been shown a sensitive method to estimate alterations of microsomal oxidase systems in acute and chronic intoxications. It is also useful to demonstrate the interaction of drugs with barbiturates, which normally induce this enzyme. To study the biochemical liver damage which may occur in the toxic rapeseed oil syndrome, we measured NADPH-diaphorase in the post-mitochondrial fraction of rats given oral doses of toxic rapeseed oil (1 ml/day for 6 days), or oleil or linoleil anilide (10 mg/kg for 6 days). One-half the rats were sacrificed at the end of the dosing period and the other half were killed 4 weeks later. In both circumstances one-half the rats were treated with 2 doses of 80 mg phenobarbital/kg. NADPH-diaphorase was strongly inhibited by toxic oil and fatty acid anilides (72-93%). Phenobarbital induction was completely depressed. Enzyme activity remained depressed after a 4-week latency period.

Effect of cannabis on enzyme induction by phenobarbital

Cannabis extracts in olive oil administered s.c. to male adult rats decreases oxidizing microsomal enzymes measured as TPNH disappearance and AHH activity in liver postmitochondrial fraction (93.06% and 25.54% maximum inhibition respectively in chronic treatments). Simultaneous administration of single doses of cannabis extracts (330 mg/kg s.c.) and phenobarbital (100 mg/kg i.p.) causes impairment of total microsomal oxidases (86.83% inhibition) and decreases AHH (31.86% inhibition), thus blocking the enzyme induction by phenobarbital.