Effects of biochar, N-enriched biochar and urea on tomato seed germination, vegetative growth, and fruit traits.

Background: Agronomic uses of biochar have been intensely explored in the last 15 years. Recently, a new generation of biochar-based fertilizers has been developed. Raw biochar (BCH), nitrogen-enriched biochar (N + BCH) or urea were added to a coir fiber-based substrate for tomato cultivation, to assess seed germination, growth and fruiting of two cultivars (Cuarenteno and Moneymaker).

Soil fertility and plant nutrition in an organic olive orchard after 5 years of amendment with compost, biochar or their blend.

The agronomic use of compost and biochar as soil amendments may exhibit contrasting results in terms of soil fertility and plant nutrition. The effects of the biennial application of biochar, compost and a blend of compost:biochar (90:10; % dw:dw) on the agronomical performance of an organically managed and well established 25-year-old olive orchard was assessed 5 years after the initial application. The agronomical evaluation was based on the assessment of the soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, and the assessment of the soil fertility by both crop production and nutritional status of the orchard, and the bioassay with olive plantlets.

Chronic administration of XBD173 ameliorates cognitive deficits and neuropathology via 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). It affects cognition and leads to memory impairment. The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and has been implicated in several neuronal disorders or neuronal injuries.

Role of dry watercourses of an arid watershed in carbon and nitrogen processing along an agricultural impact gradient.

In the Mediterranean arid region such as Southeast (SE) Spain, a considerable part of the fluvial network runs permanently dry. Here, many dry watercourses are embedded in catchments where agriculture has brought changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability due to native riparian vegetation removal and the establishment of intensive agriculture. Despite their increasing scientific recognition and vulnerability, our knowledge about dry riverbeds biogeochemistry and environmental drivers is still limited, moreover for developing proper management plans at the whole catchment scale.

Nitrogen availability in biochar-based fertilizers depending on activation treatment and nitrogen source.

Different activation and N-doping treatments were used to produce biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) with increased N concentration and slow N release. Pristine biochars were produced by pyrolysis of olive tree pruning feedstock at low and high temperatures (400 and 800 °C). These biochars were activated either by ultrasonication, or oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (HO) or nitric acid (HNO) to increase their N retention potential.

The incidence rate of pulmonary arterial hypertension and scleroderma renal crisis in systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcers on endothelin antagonist receptors (ERAs) and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i).

Introduction: Endothelin antagonist receptors (ERAs) and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) are beneficial in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and digital ulcers (DU) and prevent from DU recurrences. Our study aimed to determine the difference in the incidence rate of PAH and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) in patients with SSc and DU (SSc-DU) under ERAs/PDE5i or without treatment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including SSc-DU patients from the Spanish Scleroderma Registry (RESCLE).

[Impact of COVID-19 in spanish urology residents: Recommendations and perspective].

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted the day-to-day running of hospitals, affecting the activity of all medical and surgical departments. It has also affected urology residents, depriving them of training at their usual workplaces and forcing them to support COVID units. This has implied not only the loss of daily activities, but also the uncertainty of job opportunities for the final year residents.

Spanish scleroderma risk score (RESCLESCORE) to predict 15-year all-cause mortality in scleroderma patients at the time of diagnosis based on the RESCLE cohort: Derivation and internal validation.

A few scores predicting the short-term risk of mortality in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) have been reported to date. Our study aimed to create a predictive 15-year all-cause mortality score at the time of the diagnosis of SSc. The study was based on the Spanish Scleroderma Registry (RESCLE).

An historical ecological assessment of land-use evolution and observed landscape change in an arid aeolian sedimentary system.

Coastal areas worldwide are undergoing major changes and degradation due to a set of combined natural and anthropogenic stressors. In arid aeolian sedimentary systems these changes can be even more acute given their sensitivity to perturbances in landscape dynamics. While in many such areas recent (20 year) observations have been made regarding measurable differences in dune coverage and stability, few studies have assessed and quantified the long-term relationships of transitioning exploitation and land-use changes in order to fully evaluate their importance.

Development of a Scale Based on Nursing Outcome Classification "Dignified Life Closure" (1307) to Assess End-of-Life Dignity of Patients in Care Homes for the Elderly.

Purpose: To develop and pilot the DD-14 scale, a 14-indicator scale based on the Nursing Outcome Classification "Dignified life closure" (1307).

Methods: Sixteen experts selected 14 indicators for Spanish populations. Six care home nurses piloted the scale in 50 terminal patients without cognitive impairment.

End of life care in nursing homes in Spain: Exploratory analysis and evidences of validity of a new scale.

Quality end-of-life care is a central issue in nursing homes, requiring the assessment of individual and family needs by health professionals. Although previous instruments have been developed, they usually rely on family reports and have been adapted from other clinical contexts (hospital or primary care). It is important to consider how health care professionals working in nursing homes perceive what is necessary to achieve quality end-of-life care.

[Facilitators and barriers regarding end of life care at nursing homes: A focus group study].

Aim: To identify the facilitators and barriers experienced by professional related to end of life care in nursing homes.

Design: Descriptive qualitative research with phenomenological orientation, through content analysis.

Placement: Nursing Homes at Primary Care District in Granada (Spain).

Patterns of drug therapy in newly diagnosed Spanish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: This is the first Spanish multicentric inception lupus cohort, formed by SLE patients attending Spanish Internal Medicine Services since January 2009. We aimed to analyse drug therapy during the first year of follow-up according to disease severity.

Methods: 223 patients who had at least one year of follow-up were enrolled upon diagnosis of SLE.

Morphology and water barrier properties of nanobiocomposites of κ/ι-hybrid carrageenan and cellulose nanowhiskers.

The current study presents the development and characterization of novel carrageenan nanobiocomposites showing enhanced water barrier due to incorporation of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW). CNW, prepared by acid hydrolysis of highly purified α cellulose microfibers, were seen to have a length of around 25-50 nm and a cross section of ca. 5 nm when dispersed in the matrix.

Nanobiocomposites of carrageenan, zein, and mica of interest in food packaging and coating applications.

The present study presents the development and characterization of biocomposites of a red-algae-derived carrageenan, mica, and their blends with zein prolamine obtained by solvent casting. The morphology of the blends was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), optical microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mechanical behavior, water barrier, water uptake, and UV-vis protection of the cast films were also investigated.

[Mortality risk factors in the child of a toxemic mother].

Objective: To determine risk factors of mortality in the infant of a toxemic mother.

Material And Methods: A case-controls study, single products only, of 28-42 weeks of gestation; cases were either stillborn and neonatal deaths. Where controls were survivors.