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Notes: Abstract. Remediation techniques for soil pollution have been studied in the aftermath of a tailing spill from a pyrite-mine holding pond in Aznalcóllar (southwest Spain). Given the extent of the accident and the characteristics of the affected area, we conclude that, after the removal of the tailings, the only feasible remediation measure involves chemical immobilization of the pollutants. The best treatment tested proved to be liming in combination with amendment materials such as soils rich in iron oxides and clay. Monitoring for 3 years has demonstrated that the system is effective for reducing the solubility of the most mobile forms of the main pollutant elements, although further monitoring is recommended.

Notes: : Elver substitutes made from kamaboko-type fish gels have recently been introduced onto the market in Spain. Kamaboko is made by addition of 2.5 to 3.0% salt, and optionally other additives, to surimi (minced fish). The present study investigated the usefulness of microscopy techniques for characterizing the structure and composition of two elver substitutes of this type. Sensory and physicochemical analyses were also performed, with the aim of defining the organoleptic characteristics of these products. The results obtained indicate that microscopy techniques are useful for rapid identification of certain additives in products of this type. Furthermore, many of the between-brand differences in microscopic appearance showed clear correspondence with differences in physicochemical and sensory properties.

Notes: Background: The identification of ‘unknown’ allergic sensitizations may determine the prognosis and treatment of patients with respiratory airway disease. Currently, the presence in homes of ‘exotic’ animals as pets is increasing. In this article the Siberian hamster or dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) was identified as a new indoor source of aeroallergens and respiratory disease. Methods: The subjects were six outpatients who were treated for asthma and rhinitis. Siberian hamster hair extract was prepared with a standard wt/vol method, and patients were skin-prick tested with the extract. Serum-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E against the Siberian hamster, common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was determined. IgE-immunoblotting was also performed for all six sera. Specific bronchial challenge was carried out with the Siberian hamster extract. Results:  Skin prick tests (SPT) with the Siberian hamster extract, and specific IgE-antibodies against Siberian hamster, were strongly positive in all six patients. Determinations of specific IgE-antibodies against C. cricetus and M. auratus were negative in all patients. IgE-immunoblotting of the sera revealed two IgE-binding fractions (MW 18 and 32 kDa) in five of the six sera. Specific bronchial provocation tests resulted in early asthmatic responses in the two patients who were challenged. Conclusions: The present study reveals the Siberian hamster to be able to induce both sensitization and disease, and this species of hamster should be taken into consideration as a cause of respiratory disease in exposed subjects. A noteworthy finding was the lack of sensitization in our patients to common hamster allergens (M. auratus and C. cricetus) that are usually tested when hamster allergy is suspected.

Notes: The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Nar1;1 gene encodes a membrane protein involved in nitrite transport to the chloroplast and is apparently dispensable for nitrate/nitrite-dependent growth in some conditions (Rexach, Fernández & Galván, Plant Cell 12, 1441–1454, 2000). In the present study the question of when NAR1;1 is required and how it improves nitrate utilization for growth was investigated. Comparative studies were performed with strains Nar1;1+ and Nar1;1– in nitrate media under three experimental conditions. Under continuous light and high CO2 (5%), strains containing or lacking Nar1;1 showed a very similar nitrate-dependent growth. Under continuous light and low CO2 (air), Nar1;1 allowed a slightly higher growth in nitrate. However, under light/dark cycles and low CO2, the strain having Nar1;1 showed a higher nitrate-dependent growth and doubled the amount of protein and chlorophyll than the Nar1;1– strain. The activities for nitrate uptake, nitrite and ammonium excretions, nitrate and nitrite reductases, glutamine synthetase (GS), as well as the transcript levels of Nar1;1, Nrt2;1, Nar2, Nrt2;3 and GS1 and GS2 genes were determined under this third condition by trying to understand how NAR1;1 improves nitrate use efficiency. Nitrite and ammonium excretion, which was higher in the strain Nar1;1– than in Nar1;1+, results in an important deregulation in the gene expression of nitrate transporters and cytosolic GS1. These data lead to the proposal that nitrite transport to the chloroplast mediated by NAR1;1 allows a balanced expression of enzymes and transporters for nitrate assimilation, thus optimizing nitrate utilization under the natural condition of light/dark cycles and air.

Notes: Background Although immunotherapy clearly demonstrated the benefit of reducing allergic symptoms, it has the drawback of adverse events, mainly systemic reactions that could be very inconvenient for patients and even life-threatening.Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of systemic reactions to immunotherapy in a large number of patients, and its potential relationship with the characteristics of therapy, such as allergen composition or manufacturing laboratory.Methods This study analysed the administration of specific immunotherapy during a period of 5 years, involving 1212 patients affected by respiratory hypersensitivity or hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis. Commercial extracts were supplied by five different laboratories. All the patients were attended at an out-clinic immunotherapy unit by the same experienced staff. Immunotherapy was given following a conventional schedule, modified according the usual recommendations.Results A total of 250 adverse reactions have been recorded, resulting in a frequency of 0.84% over the total number of injections. Seventy-nine of them (32%) were systemic reactions (0.27% SR/injection). The 79 systemic reactions were observed in 60 patients (5% of the patients). The frequency of systemic reactions was significantly lower (P 〈 0.01) on the group of mites than on the other groups. The frequency of systemic reactions varies according to the manufacturing laboratory. In the case of mite extracts, although one of the laboratories had a lower frequency of adverse systemic reactions, it did not reach the level of statistical significance. However, in relation to pollen extracts, preparations of one of the manufacturers had a significantly lower frequency of systemic reactions. Concerning the time of occurrence, 27% of systemic reactions were delayed, thus they appeared at least 30 min after the vaccine injection, most of them due to pollen extracts.Conclusion This is a preliminary study to evaluate the factors that could facilitate the appearance of systemic reactions demonstrating that not only the composition but also the manufacturer is connected to systemic reactions. Although further studies are needed to clearly establish the influence of manufacturer on frequency and time of appearance of systemic reactions, it seems necessary to reach a wide consensus on allergen extract standardization methods.