PPARα/γ-Targeting Amorfrutin Phytocannabinoids from Aerial Parts of Glycyrrhiza foetida

An LC-MS/MS-guided analysis of the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza foetida afforded new phenethyl (amorfrutin)- and alkyl (cannabis)-type phytocannabinoids (six and four compounds, respectively). The structural diversity of the new amorfrutins was complemented by the isolation of six known members and the synthesis of analogues modified on the aralkyl moiety. All of the compounds so obtained were assayed for agonist activity on PPARα and PPARγ nuclear receptors. Amorfrutin A (1) showed the highest agonist activity on PPARγ, amorfrutin H (7) selectively targeted PPARα, and amorfrutin E (4) behaved as a dual agonist, with the pentyl analogue of amorfrutin A (11) being inactive. Decarboxyamorfrutin A (2) was cytotoxic, and modifying its phenethyl moiety to a styryl or a phenylethynyl group retained this trait, suggesting an alternative biological scenario for these compounds. The putative binding modes of amorfrutins toward PPARα and PPARγ were obtained by a combined approach of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, which provided insights on the structure-activity relationships of this class of compounds.

Phytochemical profile and anti-inflammatory activity of a commercially available Rhodiola rosea root extract

Rhodiola rosea roots and rhizomes hold an important place in the folk medicines of Russia, Scandinavia, Mongolia, and China as a health supplement for stimulating the nervous system, enhancing physical and mental performances, and nowadays they constitute the active ingredient in many popular commercial preparations sold worldwide as food additives, pharmaceutical remedies, and drinks. This study was aimed at providing a detailed phytochemical characterization of the Rhodiola 5%, a commercially available extract of R. rosea roots, and resulted in the characterization of 18 secondary metabolites, including 13 polyphenols and 6 terpenoids, and in the discovery of the new rhodiosidin (5), the first R. rosea metabolite to show both terpenoid and cinnamoyl moieties. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibiting activity of the main components was characterized and disclosed that rosiridin (6), kenposide A and rosavins are mainly responsible for this activity of the extract.

Phytochemical profile of Centevita®, a Centella asiatica leaves extract, and isolation of a new oleanane-type saponin

Centella asiatica is a popular medicinal plant and several phytotherapic products in the market include its extracts as active constituents. A LC-MS guided phytochemical investigation on the commercial C. asiatica leaves extract named Centevita® allowed characterization and quantification of 24 secondary metabolites including 10 polyphenols and 14 ursane- or oleanane-type triterpenoids in the sapogenin or saponin form. This metabolomic analysis, besides confirming that the triterpenoid fraction roughly accounts for 45% of the extract weight, also resulted in the discovery of isoterminoloside, a new triglycoside saponin of the unprecedented 2α,3β,6β,23-tetrahydroxyolean-13(18)-en-28-oic acid (isoterminolic acid). The structure of isoterminoloside was characterized by a detailed ESI-MS and NMR investigation.

Isomadecassoside, a New Ursane-Type Triterpene Glycoside from Centella asiatica Leaves, Reduces Nitrite Levels in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages

A madecassoside-rich fraction obtained from the industrial purification of Centella asiatica leaves afforded a new triterpene glycoside, named isomadecassoside (4), characterized by an ursane-type skeleton and migration of the double bond at Δ²⁰⁽²¹⁾ in ring E. The structure of isomadecassoside was established by means of HR-ESIMS and detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra, which allowed a complete NMR assignment. Studies on isolated J774A.1 macrophages stimulated by LPS revealed that isomadecassoside (4) inhibited nitrite production at non-cytotoxic concentrations, thus indicating an anti-inflammatory effect similar to that of madecassoside.

Constructed wetlands for combined sewer overflow treatment: A state-of-the-art review

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are a major source of surface water pollution and degradation. This is particularly visible where sewage collection with combined sewer and centralized treatment are well established, such as in Europe and North America: an overwhelming number of surface water bodies are in insufficient status of ecology, hydrology and physico-chemical parameters. Therefore, several countries have started implementing constructed wetlands (CWs) as mainstream on-spot treatment. This paper summarizes the main design approaches that can be adopted. We identified eight different schemes for the implementation of CSO-CWs, based on our international experience and documented by a literature analysis. The performance review includes conventional water quality parameters, as well as pathogen and emergent contaminant removal. Furthermore, modelling tools for advanced design and for understanding a wide applicability of these green infrastructures are presented. This paper also provides a review on other side benefits offered by the adoption of Nature-Based Solutions for CSO treatment, such as ecosystem services, and the most common issues related to their operation and maintenance. Our analysis has produced a list of key factors for design and operation, all derived from full-scale installations in operation up to more than ten years.

Lessons learnt from a pilot study on residual dye removal by an aerated treatment wetland

Treatment wetlands (TWs) have shown good capacity in dye removal from textile wastewater. However, the high hydraulic retention times (HRTs) required by these solutions and the connected high area requirements, remain a big drawback towards the application of TWs for dye treatment at full scale. Aerated TWs are interesting intensified solutions that attempt to reduce the TW required area. Therefore, an aerated CW pilot plant, composed of a 20 m² horizontal subsurface flow TW (HF) and a 21 m² Free Water System (FWS), equipped with aeration pipelines, was built and monitored to investigate the potential reduction of required area for dye removal from the effluent wastewater of a centralized wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). During a 8 months long study, experimenting with different hydraulic retention times (HRTs - 1.2, 2.6 and 3.5 days) and aeration modes (intermittent and continuous), the pilot plant has shown a normal biological degradation for organic matter and nutrients, while the residual dye removal has been very low, as demonstrated by the absorbance measure at three wavelengths: at 426 nm (blue) the removal varies from -55% at influent absorbance of 0.010 to 41% at 0.060; at 558 nm (yellow) the removal is negative at 0.005 (-58%) and high at higher influent concentrations (72% at 0.035 of absorbance for the inlet); at 660 nm (red) -82% of removal efficiency was obtained at influent absorbance of 0.002 and 74% at 0.010. These results are a consequence of the biological oxidation processes taking place in the WWTP, so that the residual dye seems to be resistant to further aerobic degradation. Therefore, TWs enhanced by aeration can provide only a buffer effect on peak dye concentrations.

The role of constructed wetlands in a new circular economy, resource oriented, and ecosystem services paradigm

Wastewater management is included in one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 6 is dedicated to water and sanitation and sets out to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all". SDG 6 expands the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) focus on drinking water and basic sanitation to now cover the entire water cycle, including the management of water, wastewater and ecosystem resources. A UN report in 2017 states that likely over 80% of the wastewater worldwide is still discharged without adequate treatment. In several countries the wastewater management is nowadays a norm, but still there are open discussions about the kind of approach to be adopted, i.e. centralisation vs. decentralisation. The choice of the adopted technologies is strictly linked to environmental performances and economical aspects; one of the possible causes for the still enormous amount of untreated wastewater discharged into the environment can be the low "willingness to pay" for this kind of service and therefore a great focus should be given to all the technologies that are able to lower the treatment costs still maintaining reliable and robust performances in the long term. When considering wastewater as a carrier of valuable primary chemicals that can be easily converted to marketable products (fertilisers, bio-plastics, soil conditioners, biofuels, etc.), and as well as a relevant source of "new water" to be used for specific purposes, wastewater and runoff management can be highlighted as one of the most exciting challenges and occasions for a sustainable development in the near future. The paper aims to clarify the future role of CWs in circular economy, resource-oriented, and ecosystem services approaches, which want to respond to sanitation worldwide and the future research needs. We give an overview on how the conventional wastewater treatment scheme (what we call "waste paradigm") should move towards more sustainable water and biogeochemical cycles following the new resource-oriented, circular economy and ecosystem service views. On this basis, we review the potential application of CWs within this new, and needed, paradigm. Finally, a meta-analysis shows that the scientific community involved in CWs should put more effort in making CWs more suitable for these new tasks.

Microcirculation as a Novel Marker of Membrane Biocompatibility

Background

It is possible to consider microcirculation as a kind of “witness” of the complex biological reactions triggered by the dialytic treatment. The reactivity of microcirculation to the dialytic stress may represent a measure of the overall biocompatibility of the membrane. In this study we tested the hypothesis that different synthetic membranes may have different biological effects, particularly related to microcirculation.

Subjects and Methods

In this crossover study, we observed 16 chronically hemodialyzed patients. All patients were treated with the EVAL membrane; we recorded the TcPO2 during the second treatment of the week. All patients were then switched to the hf-PS membrane. During the study observation we did not change the dialytic prescription or the pharmacologic treatment.

Results

From the beginning of the session until 90', the behavior of TcPO2 is similar for both the membranes. From 120' to the end of the treatment in sessions with the EVAL membrane, the TcPO2 values come back to the starting level, whereas in the treatments with hf-PS the TcPO2, the values remain at a lower level; there was a significant difference between EVAL and hf-PS in the values recorded. Arterial blood gas values of paO2 and paCO2 are quite similar in the treatments with both the membranes, without any significant difference.

Conclusions

The analysis of microcirculation by means of TcPO2 measurement is a useful tool to obtain a “clinical” measure of biocompatibility of the dialytic treatment and different membranes may have different impacts on TcPO2.

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket and aerated constructed wetlands for swine wastewater treatment: a pilot study

Swine wastewater management is often affected by two main issues: a too high volume for optimal reuse as a fertilizer and a too high strength for an economically sustainable treatment by classical solutions. Hence, an innovative scheme has been tested to treat swine wastewater, combining a low cost anaerobic reactor, upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), with intensified constructed wetlands (aerated CWs) in a pilot scale experimental study. The swine wastewater described in this paper is produced by a swine production facility situated in North Italy. The scheme of the pilot plant consisted of: (i) canvas-based thickener; (ii) UASB; (iii) two intensified aerated vertical subsurface flow CWs in series; (iv) a horizontal flow subsurface CW. The influent wastewater quality has been defined for total suspended solids (TSS 25,025 ± 9,323 mg/l), organic carbon (chemical oxygen demand (COD) 29,350 ± 16,983 mg/l), total reduced nitrogen and ammonium (total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) 1,783 ± 498 mg/l and N-NH₄⁺ 735 ± 251 mg/l) and total phosphorus (1,285 ± 270 mg/l), with nitrates almost absent. The overall system has shown excellent performances in terms of TSS, COD, N-NH₄⁺ and TKN removal efficiencies (99.9%, 99.6%, 99.5%, and 99.0%, respectively). Denitrification (N-NO₃^- effluent concentration equal to 614 ± 268 mg/l) did not meet the Italian quality standards for discharging in water bodies, mainly because the organic carbon was almost completely removed in the intensified CW beds.

Large scale application of French reed beds: municipal wastewater treatment for a 20,000 inhabitant's town in Moldova

A two-stage vertical flow treatment wetlands system (French reed beds) was realized in 2012-2013 for the Orhei's town in Moldova. The treatment system occupies a total area of about 5 ha and operates in cold climate conditions during winter, with air temperatures below -20 °C. The first 2 years (2013-2015) of treatment performances for this system are presented here, with a particular highlight on the analysis of the commissioning phase and the operative choices taken along this period basing on the observed results. The specific classification of this application of constructed wetlands (CWs) for the primary and secondary treatment of municipal wastewater as a medium-large size system makes this technical report a relevant reference for demonstrating the possible extension to the highest numbers of inhabitants for the common application range of this family of technologies (CWs) for municipal wastewater. The observed performances for organic carbon (both as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅)), suspended solids and ammonia removals in the whole first operational period consistently satisfied the national limits for discharge in rivers, respectively, with average values of 86%, 96% and 66%. The treated daily flow was measured in the range of 1,000-2,000 m³/d.

Wineries wastewater treatment by constructed wetlands: a review

The application of wetland systems for the treatment of wineries wastewater started in the early 1990s in the USA followed a few years later by France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Various studies demonstrated the efficiency of constructed wetlands (CWs) as a low cost, low maintenance and energy-saving technology for the treatment of wineries wastewater. Several of these experiences have also shown lessons to be learnt, such as some limits in the tolerance of the horizontal subsurface flow and vertical subsurface flow classic CWs to the strength of the wineries wastewater, especially in the first stage for the multistage systems. This paper is presenting an overview of all the reported experiences at worldwide level during the last 15 years, giving particular attention and provision of details to those systems that have proven to get reliable and constant performances in the long-term period and that have been designed and realized as optimized solutions for the application of CW technology to this particular kind of wastewater. The organic loading rates (OLRs) applied to the examined 13 CW systems ranged from about 30 up to about 5,000 gCOD/m² d (COD: chemical oxygen demand), with the 80th percentile of the reported values being below 297 gCOD/m² d and the median at 164 gCOD/m² d; the highest OLR values have in all cases been measured during the peak season (vintage) and often have been linked to lower surface removal rates (SRRs) in comparison to the other periods of the year. With such OLRs the SRRs have ranged from a minimum of 15 up to 4,700 gCOD/m² d, with the 80th percentile of the reported values being below 308 gCOD/m² d and the median at 112 gCOD/m² d.

Multi-stage constructed wetland systems for municipal wastewater treatment

In the present paper the detailed design and performances of two municipal wastewater treatment plants, a four-stage constructed wetlands (CW) system located in the city of Dicomano (about 3,500 inhabitants) in Italy, and a three-stage CW system for the village of Chorfech (about 500 inhabitants) in Tunisia, are presented. The obtained results demonstrate that multi-stage CWs provide an excellent secondary treatment for wastewaters with variable operative conditions, reaching also an appropriate effluent quality for reuse. Dicomano CWs have shown good performances, on average 86% of removal for the Organic Load, 60% for Total Nitrogen (TN), 43% for Total Phosphorus (TP), 89% for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and 76% for Ammonium (NH4(+)). Even the disinfection process has performed in a very satisfactory way, reaching up to 4-5 logs of reduction of the inlet pathogens concentration, with an Escherichia coli average concentration in the outlet often below 200 UFC/100 mL. The mean overall removal rates of the Chorfech CWs during the monitored period have been, respectively, equal to 97% for TSS and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), 95% for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), 71% for TN and 82% for TP. The observed removal of E. coli by the CW system was in this case 2.5 log units.

Pain after earthquake

INTRODUCTION

On 6 April 2009, at 03:32 local time, an Mw 6.3 earthquake hit the Abruzzi region of central Italy causing widespread damage in the City of L Aquila and its nearby villages. The earthquake caused 308 casualties and over 1,500 injuries, displaced more than 25,000 people and induced significant damage to more than 10,000 buildings in the L'Aquila region.

OBJECTIVES

This observational retrospective study evaluated the prevalence and drug treatment of pain in the five weeks following the L'Aquila earthquake (April 6, 2009).

METHODS

958 triage documents were analysed for patients pain severity, pain type, and treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

A third of pain patients reported pain with a prevalence of 34.6%. More than half of pain patients reported severe pain (58.8%). Analgesic agents were limited to available drugs: anti-inflammatory agents, paracetamol, and weak opioids. Reduction in verbal numerical pain scores within the first 24 hours after treatment was achieved with the medications at hand. Pain prevalence and characterization exhibited a biphasic pattern with acute pain syndromes owing to trauma occurring in the first 15 days after the earthquake; traumatic pain then decreased and re-surged at around week five, owing to rebuilding efforts. In the second through fourth week, reports of pain occurred mainly owing to relapses of chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that pain is prevalent during natural disasters, may exhibit a discernible pattern over the weeks following the event, and current drug treatments in this region may be adequate for emergency situations.

Shelf life prediction of fresh Italian pork sausage modified atmosphere packed

The shelf life of fresh Italian pork sausages packed in modified atmosphere was studied. Samples were packed using different levels of oxygen (high and low) with different levels of carbon dioxide (high-low) in the atmospheres headspace and were stored at 4 °C for 9 days. Microbial, physiochemical and sensory parameters were analyzed during storage. A consumer test was performed to determine the critical acceptability levels. Sensory data were mathematically modelled to estimate product shelf life. A first-order kinetic model and a Weibull-type model aptly described, respectively, the changes in fresh pork sausage odor and color over storage time. These models may be used to predict the sensory shelf life of fresh pork sausage. Results showed that 20% O(2) and 70% CO(2) extend fresh pork sausage shelf life to 9 days at 4 °C. The microbial quality of the samples at the critical sensory level of acceptability was within the range of microbial acceptability.

Treatment of segregated black/grey domestic wastewater using constructed wetlands in the Mediterranean basin: the zer0-m experience

Concerns about water shortage and pollution have received increased attention over the past few years, especially in developing countries with warm climate. In order to help local water management in these countries, the Euro-Mediterranean Regional Programme (MEDA) has financed the Zer0-m project (E-mail: www.zer0-m.org). As a part of this project, several constructed wetland (CW) pilot systems with different pre-treatments have been implemented in four Technological Demonstration Centres in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. The aim of this research was to establish appropriate designs for treatment of segregated domestic black (BW) and grey water (GW). We tested several different multistage CW configurations, consisting of horizontal and vertical subsurface flow CW for secondary treatment and free water systems as tertiary stage. CW removal efficiencies of TSS, COD, BOD(5), N-NH(4)(+), N-NO(3)(-), N(tot), total coliforms (TC) were evaluated for each of the implemented systems. The results from this study demonstrate the potential of CWs as a suitable technology for treating segregated domestic wastewater. A very efficient COD reduction (up to 98%) and nitrification (92-99%) was achieved for BW and GW in all systems. CW effluent concentrations were below 15 mg/L for BOD(5), 1 mg/L for N-NO(3)(-) and 0.5 mg/L for N-NH(4)(+) together with acceptable TC counts. Based on these results, we suggest adopting the design parameters used in this study for the treatment of segregated wastewater in the Mediterranean area.

Tolerance to hydraulic and organic load fluctuations in constructed wetlands

This paper describes a two-year performance evaluation of four different constructed wetland (CW) treatment systems designed by IRIDRA Srl, located in central Italy. All four CW systems were established to treat wastewater effluent from different tourist activities: (1) one single-stage CW for secondary treatment of domestic wastewater (30 p.e.) at a holiday farm site; (2) a hybrid compact system consisting of two stages, a horizontal flow (HF) system followed by a vertical flow (VF) system for the secondary treatment of effluent from a 140 p.e. tourist resort; (3) a single-stage vertical flow (VF) CW for a 100 p.e. mountain shelter; and (4) a pair of single-stage, HF CWs for the secondary treatment of segregated grey and black water produced by an 80 p.e. camping site. These tourism facilities are located in remote areas and share some common characteristics concerning their water management: they have high variability of water consumption and wastewater flow, depending on the season, weather and weekly regularities; they have no connection to a public sewer and most sites are located in a sensitive environment. Total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonium (N-NH4+), nitrate (N-NOx), total nitrogen (Ntot), total phosphorus (Ptot), total coliform (TC), faecal coliform (FC), E. coli removal efficiencies for all four CW systems are presented. The results from this study demonstrate the potential of CWs as a suitable technology for treating wastewater from tourism facilities in remote areas. A very efficient COD reduction (83-95%) and pathogen elimination (3-5 logs) have been achieved. Furthermore, the CWs are easily maintained, robust (not sensitive to peak flows), constructed with local materials, and operate with relatively low cost.

Acquisition of a palatable-food-sustained appetitive behavior in satiated rats is dependent on the dopaminergic response to this food in limbic areas

Rats exposed to repeated unavoidable stress show decreased dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS) and do not acquire vanilla sugar (VS)-sustained appetitive behavior (VAB). Rats treated with lithium for 3 weeks also show decreased NAcS dopamine output, yet they acquire VAB. Feeding a novel palatable food increases extraneuronal dopamine levels in the NAcS and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in rats. In order to investigate the role of food-induced dopamine release in VAB acquisition, we studied by microdialysis the dopaminergic response in the NAcS and mPFC to the presentation and consumption of VS in satiated control rats, and in satiated rats exposed to repeated stress or lithium treatment. The dopaminergic response to VS was also studied in rats familiar with VS, or that had acquired VAB. In control rats, VS feeding was accompanied by increased dopamine output in the NAcS and mPFC, and one-trial habituation to this effect developed in the NAcS. Rats exposed to a 7-day stress showed reduced interest in VS pellets, and when fed VS they did not show a dopaminergic response in the NAcS and mPFC. Lithium-treated rats rapidly ate VS pellets and showed increased dopamine output in the NAcS and mPFC, with no habituation in the NAcS response. Rats familiar with VS and rats that had already learned VAB ate VS pellets. The first group showed a lower dopaminergic response to VS consumption than the control group, but the latter showed no dopaminergic response in the NAcS and mPFC. We propose that the limbic dopaminergic response to a novel palatable food plays a role in associative learning and that it is predictive of the competence to learn an appetitive behavior. Moreover, in our experimental conditions a phasic increase in mesolimbic dopamine no longer signals the VS stimulus once it has become a reinforcer in an appetitive task.

Dizocilpine infusion has a different effect in the development of morphine and cocaine sensitization: behavioral and neurochemical aspects

The stimulation of glutamate receptors plays a relevant role in the development of behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants, while less clear results have been obtained on their role in morphine sensitization. We addressed this issue by comparing the development of cocaine and morphine sensitization under a continuous s.c. infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist dizocilpine (0.1 mg/kg/24 h). Moreover, we studied the expression of NMDA and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor subunits in discrete limbic areas of rats sensitized to morphine or cocaine with or without the concomitant dizocilpine infusion. It was observed that dizocilpine infusion did not prevent the development of morphine sensitization, while it prevented the development of tolerance to morphine-induced analgesia. Finally, morphine-sensitized animals did not present any modification in the subunit expression of glutamate receptors in the brain areas examined. In agreement with previous results, we found that dizocilpine infusion prevented the development of cocaine sensitization. Moreover, we observed that rats sensitized to cocaine presented a significant increase in the levels of GLUR1, NR1 and NR2B, in the nucleus accumbens, and of NR2B in the hippocampus compared to control animals. Such modifications were absent in rats administered cocaine under dizocilpine infusion. We conclude that: (i) morphine sensitization is a neuroadaptive phenomenon which does not appear to require NMDA receptor activity in order to develop; (ii) cocaine sensitization is clearly dependent on NMDA receptor activity, as dizocilpine infusion prevented the occurrence of glutamate receptors modifications as well as the development of sensitization.

Long-term behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic stress exposure in rats

Rats exposed to acute unavoidable stress develop a deficit in escaping avoidable aversive stimuli that lasts as long as unavoidable stress exposure is repeated. A 3-week exposure to unavoidable stress also reduces dopamine (DA) output in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS). This study showed that a 7-day exposure to unavoidable stress induced in rats an escape deficit and a decrease in extraneuronal DA basal concentration in the NAcS. Moreover, animals had reduced DA and serotonin (5-HT) accumulation after cocaine administration in the medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC) and NAcS, compared with control animals. After a 3-week exposure to unavoidable stress, escape deficit and reduced DA output in the NAcS were still significant at day 14 after the last stress administration. In the mPFC we observed: (i) a short-term reduction in DA basal levels that was back to control values at day 14; (ii) a decrease in DA accumulation at day 3 followed by a significant increase beyond control values at day 14; (iii) a significant reduction in 5-HT extraneuronal basal levels at day 3, but not at day 14. Finally, a significant decrease in 5-HT accumulation following cocaine administration was present in the NAcS and mPFC at day 3, but not at day 14. In conclusion, a long-term stress exposure induced long-lasting behavioral sequelae associated with reproducible neurochemical modifications.

A study of the antidepressant activity of Hypericum perforatum on animal models

The treatment of non-selected depressed patients with a hydro-alcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum has been reported to have an efficacy similar to that of classical antidepressants. The effects of H. perforatum on three animal depression models have been studied: (a) an acute form of escape deficit (ED) induced by unavoidable stress; (b) a chronic model of ED, which can be maintained by the administration of mild stressors on alternate days; (c) a model of anhedonia based on the finding that repeated stressors prevent the development of appetitive behavior induced by vanilla sugar in satiated rats fed ad libitum. H. perforatum: (i) acutely protects animals from the sequelae of unavoidable stress; (ii) reverts the chronic escape deficit state maintained by repeated stressors and (iii) preserves the animal's capacity to acquire motivated appetitive behavior. Exposure to chronic stress not only induces escape deficit, but also decreases extraneuronal levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell; both behavioral and neurochemical effects are reverted by long-term treatment with antidepressants. Three-week treatment with H. perforatum reverted the chronic stress effect on extraneuronal dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. A consistent body of data in the literature suggests that, among the components of H. perforatum extract, hyperforin is the compound (or one of the compounds) responsible for the antidepressant activity. We compared the efficacy of the total extract with the efficacy of hyperforin after p.o. administration. In the acute-escape deficit model, hyperforin showed a potency of about ten times that of the total extract in protecting rats from the sequelae of unavoidable stress. Thus, hyperforin appears to be the most likely active component responsible for the antidepressant activity of H. perforatum.

Dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens shell is related to the acquisition and the retention of a motivated appetitive behavior in rats

Chronic stress exposure consistently impairs the reactivity to aversive and pleasurable stimuli in rats; these behavioral modifications are associated with a decrease in dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS). However, when rats that have already acquired an appetitive behavior are exposed to chronic stress, they develop an impaired reactivity to avoidable aversive stimuli while retaining the appetitive behavior. The dissociation between these two behavioral traits was used to study whether the decreased dopaminergic activity in the NAcS was connected to either of the two deficits. Dopamine output was studied through microdialysis as dopamine accumulation following re-uptake inhibition by cocaine. When rats that had previously acquired the appetitive behavior were exposed to chronic stress, they showed a dopaminergic transmission in the NAcS similar to that of controls and significantly higher than that of chronically stressed animals. Thus, dopamine output in the NAcS was consistently associated to the acquisition and maintenance of appetitive behavior, while the expression of a deficit in avoidance appeared to be independent of it.

Acquisition of an appetitive behavior reverses the effects of long-term treatment with lithium in rats

Rats exposed to a long-term treatment with lithium chloride develop a deficit of avoidance accompanied by a reduction in the basal levels of extraneuronal dopamine and in dopamine accumulation in the nucleus accumbens shell after acute uptake inhibition. Such a condition is similar to that of an experimental model of depression induced by exposing rats to a chronic stress procedure. Rats exposed to chronic stress are also unable to acquire an appetitive behavior sustained by a highly palatable food. Thus, it was studied whether rats fed a diet containing lithium would develop an appetitive behavior induced by a pure hedonic stimulus. Rats on the lithium diet developed a clear-cut escape deficit condition accompanied by a decreased dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens shell; nevertheless, they learned the appetitive behavior within a similar period to controls. The development of the appetitive behavior coincided with the recovery of the capacity to avoid a noxious stimulus and with the return of the dopaminergic transmission in the nucleus accumbens shell to values similar to those of control rats. It may be concluded that the mechanism of action underlying the behavioral and neurochemical sequelae of a chronic stress is distinct from that of the analogous effects produced by lithium.

Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in central Italy

The performance of 4 constructed wetlands designed by IRIDRA Srl and operating in Tuscany (central Italy) has been monitored during the last three years. The 4 treatment systems have different sizes and characteristics: one single stage secondary treatment (150 p.e.); two secondary treatment plants with effluent reuse: one small (60 p.e) and the other big (350 p.e.); a tertiary treatment of effluents from an activated sludge plant with high hydraulic load fluctuation (5-500 p.e.). Due to geographical and economic constraints the four systems have high hydraulic and organic loading rates, neverthless the systems show very good removal performance of COD (62-95%), especially the ones with higher inflow COD concentrations (87-95%). Interesting results concerning also removal percentage of MBAS (42-88%) and ammonium (42-85%) were obtained, even though NH4+ concentration in the outflows of some of the plants, doesn't always comply with Italian quality standards.

Long-term lithium administration abolishes the resistance to stress in rats sensitized to morphine

Morphine sensitized rats appear protected from the sequelae of an unavoidable stress: when exposed to stress (after a 7-day morphine wash-out) and then tested for escape, they perform like naive animals. This protection appears similar to that induced by chronic imipramine treatment, as it is antagonized by the inhibition of D(1)-dopamine receptors before exposure to unavoidable stress. Repeated unavoidable stress induces in rats a condition characterized by hyporeactivity to noxious stimuli and reverted by long-term antidepressant treatments, and this state is regarded as an experimental model of depression. The resistance to stress in morphine sensitized rats could be considered as the behavioral counterpart of the sensitivity to stress in control rats, i.e. as a model of mania. The aim of the present study was to validate such a putative model by studying whether the resistance to stress induced by morphine sensitization would respond to a long-term administration of lithium, the reference antimanic drug. Long-term lithium treatment induces in rats a condition of hyporeactivity to noxious stimuli, accompanied by decreased levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell. In morphine sensitized rats chronic lithium abolished the resistance to stress, but it did not modify the D(1)-dopamine receptor mediated response to morphine, nor did it modify the levels of extraneuronal dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell. Thus, lithium treatment abolished the resistance to stress in morphine sensitized rats, conferring predictive validity to the paradigm. Moreover, it did so through a mechanism which appeared to be independent of D(1)-dopamine receptor activity.

Rats sensitized to morphine are resistant to the behavioral effects of an unavoidable stress

In agreement with the results of other authors, rats sensitized to morphine and challenged with 5 mg/kg of morphine after 7 days of wash-out showed intense stereotyped movements, the expression of which was selectively antagonized by SCH 23390. Sensitized rats were exposed to an unavoidable stress (which consistently produces an escape deficit in control animals) after 3, 7 and 21 days of morphine wash-out. Twenty-four hours after the unavoidable stress, animals were tested for their capacity to escape and their performance was compared to that of control-stressed and naive rats. Morphine sensitization completely prevented the development of escape deficit. This protective effect was similar to that induced by a chronic imipramine treatment and, like the effect of imipramine, it was antagonized by the administration of SCH 23390 before the unavoidable stress. However, it was not affected by the administration of naloxone. Moreover, when rats presenting a clear-cut escape deficit, induced by a 10-day treatment with SKF 38393, were exposed to the morphine sensitization protocol, a complete recovery of their capacity to avoid a noxious stimulus was observed. Finally, the down-regulation of both the number of D(1)-dopamine receptors and of the coupled adenylyl cyclase activity in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) produced by long-term SKF 38393 administration was reverted by the superimposed morphine sensitization. Thus, the condition of morphine sensitization appears to share several common effects with chronic imipramine treatment.

The effects of long-term administration of rubidium or lithium on reactivity to stress and on dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens in rats

Rubidium and lithium are alkali metals belonging to the same periodic series as sodium, potassium and cesium. In the present report the effects of lithium and rubidium on animal reactivity to stressful stimuli and on dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens were studied. A dose-response curve with rubidium, administered acutely before exposure to unavoidable stress, showed a maximal protective activity on escape deficit development at the dose of 0. 41 mEq/kg. Rubidium injected at doses of 0.008-0.08 mEq/kg 72 h before the unavoidable stress had the same efficacy as the acute 0. 41 mEq/kg dose. Tolerance to the effect of rubidium developed after 9 days of treatment and, on day 15, rats presented a spontaneous escape deficit. The acute effect of lithium, administered for 3.5 days at the dose of 0.8 mEq/kg, i.p. twice a day before the exposure to unavoidable stress, was analogous to that of rubidium, but after repeated treatment a spontaneous escape deficit developed. Rats showing an escape deficit secondary to chronic stress also presented decreased extraneuronal dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. Accordingly, microdialysis studies showed significantly lower extracellular dopamine levels in rats chronically treated with lithium or rubidium compared to control animals. Cocaine (5 mg/kg i. p.) administered acutely increased extracellular dopamine concentrations in control rats, as well as in rats chronically stressed or chronically treated with lithium or rubidium. However, the dopamine increase was significantly higher in controls compared to the other groups. In conclusion, long-term treatment with lithium or rubidium, or the exposure to chronic stress, produced a condition of behavioral hypo-reactivity accompanied by a decreased dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens.

A chronic stress that impairs reactivity in rats also decreases dopaminergic transmission in the nucleus accumbens: a microdialysis study

Chronic stress induces in rats a decreased reactivity toward noxious stimuli (escape deficit), which can be reverted by antidepressant treatments. The present study reports that this condition of behavioral deficit is accompanied by a decreased level of extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell. To assess whether this finding was the result of a decreased release or of an enhanced removal of dopamine, we acutely administered cocaine, and 2 h later d-amphetamine, to stressed and control rats. The increases in dopamine output observed in stressed animals after cocaine administration were significantly lower than those observed in control rats; whereas the total amount of dopamine released after d-amphetamine administration was similar in both groups of rats. These data suggest a reduced activity of dopaminergic neurons as the possible mechanism underlying dopamine basal level reduction in stressed animals. It is interesting that the stress group showed a locomotor response to cocaine not different from control rats, thus suggesting a condition of sensitization to dopamine receptor stimulation. Imipramine administered daily concomitantly with stress exposure completely reverted the escape deficit condition of chronically stressed rats. Moreover, stressed rats treated with imipramine showed basal and cocaine stimulated levels of extraneuronal dopamine similar to those observed in control animals.

Lactate versus bicarbonate on-line hemofiltration: a comparative study

In this study, 6 chronic anuric uremic patients underwent lactate hemofiltration (HF) with a substitution fluid, prepared in bags, for 3 months and bicarbonate HF, with continuous on-line preparation of the substitution fluid, for 3 months. We determined Na+, Cl-, K+, total calcium (Ca), ionized calcium (Ca2+), phosphate, intact parathormone (I-PTH), pH, PCO2, PO2, and HCO3- in plasma before, during, and after the treatment, as well as Ca, Ca2+, phosphate, and I-PTH in the ultrafiltrate. Moreover, heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continually recorded during the procedure. Furthermore, the patients underwent echocardiographic study before and after the session. In comparison with lactate, bicarbonate HF caused a significant increase in HCO3- and a decrease in K+ plasma concentrations. This was detectable, with lower significance, even 44 h after the end of the treatment. At the end of the long interdialytic period (68 h after the end of the treatment), no significant difference was detectable. pH and PCO2 showed a significant but transient increase during HF. The other parameters investigated did not differ significantly between the two methods.

Improvement of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) and hemofiltration (HF) efficiency by adding hemoperfusion (HP)

Aiming to improve the efficiency of the blood purification convective methods either with spontaneous (CAVH) or with pump-assisted (HF) extracorporeal circulation we inserted after the hemofilter a cartridge containing 70 g of collodion-coated activated charcoal (CAC) microencapsulated, obtaining so hemofiltration and hemoperfusion in series (HF+HP). The obtained results show that in both methods HP addition gives a negligible increase of urea clearance and a practically null increase of phosphate clearance, whereas creatinine and uric acid clearances increase is remarkable especially, in percentage, with low blood flows (CAVH). In the HF+HP system we have also been studying B2-microglobulin (B2-M) clearance aiming at examining the possibility of increasing the removal of substances with higher molecular weight. We have been finding HP addition increases further on B2-M clearance already high in HF. Therefore we think HP addition to convective methods is an interesting step in the attempt to carry out highly efficient blood purification methods.

[Hemofiltration and hemoperfusion performed in series for the purpose of removing beta 2 microglobulin]

With the objective to develop most efficient method for Beta-2-microglobulin elimination, the authors, using extracorporeal circulation placed behind the haemofilter a capsule containing 70 g of collodion coated with activated medicinal charcoal. This combination was used in 3 haemofilters made from different membranes. The results showed polysulphon to be the highest efficiency membrane out of those tested for Beta-2 microglobulin elimination. In combination with haemoperfusion, its efficiency increases significantly. Even if haemoperfusion increases efficiency by considerable percentage, the Beta-2 microglobulin elimination using other types of membranes lasts long and the total clearance remains low.

[Hormonal, beta-endorphin and renin activity changes in man during partial immersion, as a therapeutic method, in water at 38 degrees C]

This research was carried out to define the effects on men of head-out water immersion in a bath at 38.41 +/- 0.04 degrees C (mean +/- S.E.) with a method similar to that used for therapeutical rehabilitation and time of immersion of 30 minutes. Beta-endorphin, renin activity, aldosterone, cortisol, HGH, FSH, LH, TSH, T3, T4 and prolactin haematic levels were analysed. Seventeen healthy subjects (fourteen males and three females), aged 21-65 years (mean age 29.8 +/- 2.6) were studied. Water immersion caused a decrease in FSH and LH haematic concentrations; no significant changes occurred in beta-endorphin, renin activity, aldosterone, prolactin, cortisol, HGH, TSH, T3, T4 and FTI values. Thirty minutes after the end of immersion, FSH and LH levels returned to pre-immersion values. The probable pathogenesis of these observations is suggested.

[Hemorheologic and blood cell changes in humans during partial immersion, with a therapeutic method, in 38 C water]

This research was carried out to define the effects on man during head-out water immersion in a bath at 38.41 +/- 0.04 degrees C (mean +/- S.E.) with a method similar to that used for therapeutical rehabilitation and time of immersion of 30 minutes. Hemorheological, hematic and hemodynamic parameters were analysed. Seventeen healthy subjects (fourteen males and three females), between the ages of 21-65 years and mean age of 29.8 +/- 2.6 years were studied. Head-out water immersion resulted in: 1) decrease in blood viscosity, red blood cells count, C-Hct and M-Hct, without significant changes in leukocytes and platelets count, MCV, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte filtration time and RCDI; 2) an increase in heart rate and a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thirty minutes after the end of immersion, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and blood viscosity, measured at 0.512 sec-1 shear rate, returned to pre-immersion values; systolic blood pressure showed a slight increase but was still significantly below the basal levels; erythrocytes count, C-Hct, M-Cct and blood viscosity, measured at 94.5 sec-1 shear rate, significantly exceeded pre-immersion values. The probable pathogenesis of these observations is suggested. A matter of great interest is the study of the same parameters in elderly subjects, with or without cardiovascular diseases, or in patients using drugs affecting blood pressure, blood viscosity or hemocoagulation process.

[Plasma beta endorphin in man during partial immersion in water using the therapeutic method]

The following study was designed to evaluate plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) variations in healthy volunteers during thermoneutral head-out water immersion while prevalently in the standing position. The type of immersion was similar to that currently adopted for therapeutic rehabilitation. Plasma beta-EP was evaluated by RIA previous beta-lipotropin stripping and Sep-Pack cartridge methanol extraction. Plasma beta-EP levels significantly decreased during water immersion from a value of 12.71 +/- 2.04 pmol/l to 7.46 +/- 1.09 pmol/l at 15 min (P less than 0.05) and to 6.08 +/- 1.87 pmol/l at 30 min (P less than 0.01). Thirty min after the end of immersion, plasma beta-EP levels showed a slight increase to 6.98 +/- 1.88 pmol/l but were still significantly below the basal level (P less than 0.05). These results are consistent with the previously demonstrated decrease of ACTH and prolactin and the increase of plasma dopamine and decrease of norepinephrine, suggesting that thermoneutral head-out water immersion is not a stressful condition in healthy subjects. Further studies are necessary in order to clarify the mechanism involved in beta-EP decrease in normal subjects during thermoneutral head-out water immersion.