Characterisation of clays from Alicante province (SE Spain) for use in the recovery of degraded soils

The goal of this paper is the characterisation of seven clays of the province of Alicante (SE Spain) and their possible use to improve the fertility, water absorption and contaminant-retaining capacity of degraded soils. Three soils affected by the dumping of construction debris were also studied to diagnose the problems and possible recovery strategies. Several physicochemical properties were measured, such as the water holding capacity, soil organic matter, lime, pH, EC and CEC. A high correlationship between mineralogical and elemental composition was obtained. Illite was present in all clays and soils. Some of the samples also contained kaolinite and significant amounts of lime. The CEC, as expected, was more closely related to the organic matter content. Soil organic matter was detected in the second derivative of the FTIR spectra by the signals of the CH₂ groups at 2850 and 2919. This way, the FTIR spectrum for the soils of the area would make it possible to estimate both the organic matter content and the CEC. Despite their origin, soils did not show heavy metal pollution; however, salinisation risk seemed to be the most probable cause of degradation. According to the organic matter, lime and illite content, two clays were selected as the most suitable for soil degradation recovery. Furthermore, organic matter additions may help to improve the self-depurative ability of the soil.

Mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6 hours in acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory: experience at a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCTION

Thrombectomy in the carotid artery territory was recently shown to be effective up to 24 hours after symptoms onset.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective registry of patients treated at our stroke reference centre between November 2016 and April 2019 in order to assess the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy performed beyond 6 hours after symptoms onset in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory.

RESULTS

Data were gathered from 59 patients (55.9% women; median age, 71 years). In 33 cases, stroke was detected upon awakening; 57.6% of patients were transferred from another hospital. Median baseline NIHSS score was 16, and median ASPECTS score was 8, with 94.9% of patients presenting > 50% of salvageable tissue. Satisfactory recanalisation was achieved in 88.1% of patients, beyond 24 hours after onset in 5 cases. At 90 days of follow-up, 67.8% were functionally independent; those who were not were older and presented higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, greater puncture-to-recanalisation time, and higher NIHSS scores, both at baseline and at discharge.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6 hours was associated with good 90-day functional outcomes. Age, NIHSS score, puncture-to-recanalisation time, and presence of atrial fibrillation affected functional prognosis. The efficacy of the treatment beyond 24 hours after onset merits study.

Mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6hours in acute ischaemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory: Experience at a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCTION

Thrombectomy in the carotid artery territory was recently shown to be effective up to 24hours after symptoms onset.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective registry of patients treated at our stroke reference centre between November 2016 and April 2019 in order to assess the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy performed beyond 6hours after symptoms onset in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and large vessel occlusion in the carotid artery territory.

RESULTS

Data were gathered from 59 patients (55.9% women; median age, 71 years). In 33 cases, stroke was detected upon awakening; 57.6% of patients were transferred from another hospital. Median baseline NIHSS score was 16, and median ASPECTS score was 8, with 94.9% of patients presenting>50% of salvageable tissue. Satisfactory recanalisation was achieved in 88.1% of patients, beyond 24hours after onset in 5 cases. At 90 days of follow-up, 67.8% were functionally independent; those who were not were older and presented higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, greater puncture-to-recanalisation time, and higher NIHSS scores, both at baseline and at discharge.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, mechanical thrombectomy beyond 6hours was associated with good 90-day functional outcomes. Age, NIHSS score, puncture-to-recanalisation time, and presence of atrial fibrillation affected functional prognosis. The efficacy of the treatment beyond 24hours after onset merits study.

Characterization of water dissolved organic matter under woody vegetation patches in semi-arid Mediterranean soils

Woody patches in semiarid environments favor the establishment of other plants. Facilitation may be favored by an increase in soil fertility. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), is the most active fraction of soil organic matter and may contain compounds affecting plant establishment, as allelochemicals, hormone-like substances and metal carriers. However, information on DOM contents and composition in these environments is scarce. In this paper, we study the impact of woody patches on DOM in Stipa tenacissima L. steppes and discuss its implications for community dynamics. DOM under patch- and inter-patch areas, was analyzed for elemental composition, UV-Vis indices and organic acid content. Element concentration and composition in DOM, and organic acid concentration were similar in patch- and inter-patch areas. Yet, soils under patches were richer in DOC, aromatic species and organic acids (particularly fumaric acid) than soils in inter-patch areas. Dominant species affected organic matter concentration and quality in complex ways. Thus, patches dominated by Ephedra fragilis showed higher concentrations of TOC and aromatics than those dominated by other species. Rhamnus lycioides patches showed the highest accumulation of fumaric acid, which may contribute to its successful recruitment rate and expansion in the area. Our results show substantial differences in the amount and composition of DOM and specific compounds affecting soil functionality and plant dynamics. Further studies on the effects of such changes on seedling performance are needed to increase our understanding of plant-plant interactions in semiarid environments.