Valorization of citrus waste for circular economy: A case study on bergamot pomace as sorbent for Cd2+ removal and source of added value compounds

The potential of bergamot pomace for the development of materials able to efficiently remove cadmium(II) from water and for the recovery of bioactive compounds has been explored. To this purpose, raw bergamot waste resulting after industrial essential oil and juice extraction was mechanically ground, desiccated, pretreated with various chemicals (e.g. NaOH, HNO3, H2O2, H2O, 2-propanol) and dried up to constant weight thus affording solid samples that were characterized by ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. The solutions recovered after the pomace pretreatments were investigated by means of HPLC in combination with PDA and MS detectors to assess the residual content of bioactive components, e.g., phenolic and oxygenated heterocyclic compounds (OHCs). Potentiometric studies were performed on suspensions at t = 25 °C, I = 0.10 mol dm−3 in NaNO3(aq) to investigate pomace acid-base properties and binding ability towards Cd2+ ions. Sorption efficiency was investigated by means of kinetic and isotherm batch experiments and resulted to be 92 ± 7 mg g−1. Once loaded, sorbent reusability was tested by performing metal stripping cycles using various desorbents (HCl, HNO3, L-GLDA, S,S-EDDS, EDTA) with an efficiency of ∼ 60% after one cycle. The equilibrium Cd2+ concentration in solution was determined by differential pulse voltammetry and ICP-OES

Characteristics of moyamoya disease in the older population: Is it possible to define a typical presentation and optimal therapeutical management?

Whereas several studies have been so far presented about the surgical outcomes in terms of mortality and perioperative complications for elderly patients submitted to neurosurgical treatments, the management of elderly moyamoya patients is unclear. This review aims to explore the available data about the clinical manifestation, characteristics, and outcome after surgery of older patients with moyamoya arteriopathy (MA). We found only two articles strictly concerning elderly patients with MA. We have also evaluated other reported adult series of moyamoya patients, including elderly cases in their analysis. Patients with MA above 50 years old may be considered a peculiar subset in which patients are often presenting with ischemic symptoms and a higher Suzuki grade. Conservative treatment may be proposed in asymptomatic or stable cases due to their fragility and possible increase of post-operative complications, while the best surgical options in symptomatic cases are still under investigation, although we believe that a minimal invasive superficial temporal artery—middle cerebral artery bypass could be considered the treatment of choice for the immediate effect on brain perfusion with a limited rate of post-operative complications

Multi-Analytical Approach for the Acid-Base, Thermal and Surface Properties Assessment of Waste Biomasses

A multi-analytical approach was used to comprehensively characterize the acid-base, thermal, and surface properties of agri-food processing wastes (i.e., original and pre-treated bergamot, grape and olive pomaces). These biomasses, often underutilised and inadequately studied in terms of their physicochemical properties, were investigated under varying ionic strength conditions at t = 25 °C. This investigation uniquely integrates multiple advanced techniques: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller porosimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared, and potentiometry to provide a holistic understanding of these biomasses potential for environmental remediation. The modelling of ionic strength-dependent acid-base behaviour, established using an extended Debye–Hückel-type equation, revealed the dominant role of carboxylic groups as active sites across all pomace types, although with variations in abundances across the different samples. Additionally, morphological analysis highlighted the presence of irregularly shaped particles, heterogeneous size distributions, and distinct thermal stability trends, with grape pomace exhibiting the highest mass loss. These findings underscore the significant potential of these biomasses for the remediation of cationic pollutants from natural waters. Moreover, this comprehensive characterisation not only advances the understanding of agri-food waste valorisation but also provides a robust framework for designing targeted strategies in environmental applications

Adsorption isotherms and kinetics of rare earth metals on multifunctional materials from various waste pomaces

This contribution presents the preliminary results obtained using waste biomasses from the industrial food chain for the preparation of multifunctional materials possibly able to detect, bind and extract, efficiently and selectively, rare earth metal ions from aqueous solutions simulating real matrices. These metals belong to the list of “Critical Raw Materials”, i.e. the group of materials whose recovery is considered strategic by the European Community. The use of food-processing industry wastes as secondary raw materials offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, that could also be useful for the rare earth metals recovery. In particular, the adsorption of neodymium and dysprosium ions in aqueous solution was studied at pH ~ 5 and t = 25°C using different waste biomasses, namely Bergamot Pomace (BP), Olive Pomace (OP) and Grape Pomace (GP), chemically pretreated at t = 30°C with H2O and HNO3 0.10 mol dm-3 . The materials were characterized employing different analytical techniques; through the FT-IR ATR spectroscopy 2, it was possible to confirm the presence of functional groups capable of interacting with the above mentioned metals. To evaluate their adsorption capacity, batch experiments were carried out on different solutions containing the metal ions (M3+ = Nd3+, Dy3+). The concentration of each M3+ was determined by ICP-OES . The results obtained from adsorption experiments show that Langmuir equation was the best isotherm fitting model for BP, OP and GP for the rare earth metals adsorption. The adsorption equilibrium was reached within 24 hours and the kinetic of adsorption was well described by the pseudo-second order model. Then the recovery of the metals adsorbed on the biomasses was carried out using HNO3, but the reused materials show lower performance than the starting ones, exception done for BP, which showed great reutilization capacitie

The Role of Bypass Surgery for the Management of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms in the Anterior Circulation in the Flow-Diverter Era: A Single-Center Series

Despite the increasing popularity of flow diverters (FDs) as an endovascular option for intracranial aneurysms, the treatment of complex aneurysms still represents a challenge. Combined strategies using a flow-preservation bypass could be considered in selected cases. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our series of patients with complex intracranial aneurysms submitted to bypass. From January 2015 to May 2022, 23 patients were selected. We identified 11 cases (47.8%) of MCA, 6 cases (26.1%) of ACA and 6 cases (26.1%) of ICA aneurysms. The mean maximal diameter was 22.73 ± 12.16 mm, 8 were considered as giant, 9 were fusiform, 8 presented intraluminal thrombosis, 10 presented wall calcification, and 18 involved major branches or perforating arteries. Twenty-five bypass procedures were performed in 23 patients (two EC–IC bypasses with radial artery graft, seventeen single- or double-barrel STA–MCA bypasses and six IC–IC bypasses in anterior cerebral arteries). The long-term bypass patency rate was 94.5%, and the total aneurysm exclusion was 95.6%, with a mean follow-up of 28 months. Median KPS values at last follow-up was 90, and a favorable outcome (KPS ≥ 70 and mRS ≤ 2) was obtained in 87% of the cases. The use of bypass techniques represents, in selected cases, a valid therapeutic option in the management of complex anterior circulation aneurysms when a simpler direct approach, including the use of FD, is considered not feasible

Morphological evaluation of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.): assessing biodiversity for applications based on tradition, innovation and sustainability

Selected cardoon cultivars established in the “Serra da Estrela” region were analysed to evaluate morphological characteristics related principally to the production of cardoon flowers, which are a compulsory ingredient for particular Mediterranean PDO cheese regions. The biodiversity of twelve cardoon cultivars installed in an experimental field were evaluated over three growing seasons using thirty-four morphological descriptors. Statistically significant differences were found between cultivars for twenty-four morphological characteristics which indicate a wide genetic diversity. The relationship among the cultivars and characteristics was analysed using principal component analysis. A three dimensional template was found to be very significant and explained 71% of the total variation. The first component is dominated positively by plant height, diameter of stalk, inflorescence characteristics and flower production, while the second component is positively dominated by leaf characteristics. Cultivars A26, D32 and D33, present a plant architecture simultaneously well adapted for flower production, ease of harvesting and plant biomass. These characterizations and understandings can be useful for a plant breeding programme to develop cultivars for innovative potential applications besides flowers, and also for application by other cheese producers in Mediterranean regions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A randomized, controlled, prospective trial to evaluate the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt versus Surgicel in arterial bypass anastomosis: "COBBANA" trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The development of suture hole bleeding at peripheral arterial bypass anastomoses using PTFE graft prostheses is a common problem in peripheral vascular surgery. Traditionally the problem is managed by compression with surgical swabs and reversal heparin or by using several haemostatic device (e.g. different forms of collagen, oxidized cellulose, gelatine sponge, ethylcyanoacrylate glue or fibrin) with various success. Preclinical data suggest that the haemostatic effect of collagen is stronger than that of oxidized cellulose, but no direct clinical comparison of their hemostatic performance has been published so far.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>This randomized, controlled, prospective trial evaluates the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt versus Surgicel in arterial bypass anastomosis. 28 patients undergoing an elective peripheral vascular reconstruction due to peripheral vascular disease will be included. Suture hole bleeding occurring at the arterial bypass anastomosis using a PTFE prostheses will be stopped by the application of Lyostypt and/or Surgicel. The proximal anastomoses will be randomized intraoperatively. The patients will be allocated into 4 different treatment groups. Group1 Lyostypt distal/Surgicel proximal; Group 2: Lyostypt proximal/Surgicel distal; Group 3: Surgicel distal and proximal; Group 4: Lyostypt distal and proximal. Primary endpoint of the study is time to haemostasis. Secondary endpoints are the number of intraoperatively used haemostatic devices, postoperative mortality within 30 days as well as the intraoperative efficacy rating of the two devices evaluated by the surgeon. As a safety secondary parameter, the local and general complication occurring till 30 ± 10 days postoperatively will also be analysed. After hospital discharge the investigator will examine the enrolled patients again at 30 days after surgery.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The COBBANA trial aims to assess, whether the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt is superior to Surgicel in suture hole bleedings of arterial bypass anastomoses.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>NCT00837954</p

Cardo - Oli e grassi fonti oleaginose per utilizzi food e non food a cura di G. Mosca. Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole 2019

differenza della maggioranza dei testi attualmente sul mercato in materia di oli vegetali e grassi animali, tutti molto specialistici, il volume si occupa di tracciare un quadro di riferimento generale che abbracci tutto il settore nelle origini e destinazioni di prodotto, food e non food, secondo una logica di filiera. Pur senza pretese di assoluta completezza, vengono prese in considerazione una serie di fonti vegetali erbacee e arboree fino alle micro-alghe, accanto a quelle di origine animale, pesci ed insetti compresi, non esclusi i grassi inutilizzati di carcasse grasse (industria del rendering). Per la parte vegetale, verranno descritte piante fornitrici di oli alimentari, oli industriali (bioenergia, lubrificazione, detergenza, fitorimedio) accanto a piante i cui oli essenziali vengono destinati anche al personal care (cosmesi, farmacopea) nella loro classica parte agronomica, nell’evoluzione varietale delle varie specie, quale risultato dell’attività di un breeding convenzionale e biotecnologico, nella produzione e qualità dell’olio e suo uso finale. Per la sua specificità, è stato consapevolmente escluso l'olivo

Cardo mariano - Oli e grassi fonti oleaginose per utilizzi food e non food a cura di G. Mosca. Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole 2019

A differenza della maggioranza dei testi attualmente sul mercato in materia di oli vegetali e grassi animali, tutti molto specialistici, il volume si occupa di tracciare un quadro di riferimento generale che abbracci tutto il settore nelle origini e destinazioni di prodotto, food e non food, secondo una logica di filiera. Pur senza pretese di assoluta completezza, vengono prese in considerazione una serie di fonti vegetali erbacee e arboree fino alle micro-alghe, accanto a quelle di origine animale, pesci ed insetti compresi, non esclusi i grassi inutilizzati di carcasse grasse (industria del rendering). Per la parte vegetale, verranno descritte piante fornitrici di oli alimentari, oli industriali (bioenergia, lubrificazione, detergenza, fitorimedio) accanto a piante i cui oli essenziali vengono destinati anche al personal care (cosmesi, farmacopea) nella loro classica parte agronomica, nell’evoluzione varietale delle varie specie, quale risultato dell’attività di un breeding convenzionale e biotecnologico, nella produzione e qualità dell’olio e suo uso finale. Per la sua specificità, è stato consapevolmente escluso l'olivo