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Water pollution, resulting from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and pharmaceutical residues, poses serious threats to ecosystems and human health, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to effective remediation, particularly for non-biodegradable emerging pollutants. This research work explores the influence of shape-controlled nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2 NC), synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, on the photodegradation efficiency of three different classes of emerging environmental pollutants: phenol, pesticides (methomyl), and drugs (sodium diclofenac). Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of the water matrix on treatment efficiency by using ultrapure water and stormwater (basic) collected from an urban drainage system as matrices. The size and shape of the nano-cuboids were accurately controlled during synthesis to assess their impact on photoactivity and selectivity. Regarding total organic carbon removal using TiO2 nano-cuboids in basic environments, the results were particularly remarkable. TiO2 nano-cuboids and truncated bipyramids synthesized in the 200–250 °C temperature range showed an enhanced photocatalytic efficiency when compared to alternative formulations. Diclofenac, methomyl, and phenol were fully mineralized from ultrapure water and basic stormwater. The TiO2 nano-cuboids/nano-bipyramids demonstrated better selectivity and photoactivity in comparison to irregular TiO2 nanoparticles. The differences in photoactivity and selectivity are explained in terms of charge carrier separation and trapping on the different crystal facets. Their performance demonstrates their potential as sustainable materials for the photodegradation of emerging pollutants in various water matrices.

Resumen: La hemodiálisis domiciliaria (HDD) con monitores de bajo flujo de líquido de diálisis ha ganado popularidad en los últimos años gracias a su sencillez de diseño, portabilidad y capacidad de desplazamiento. No obstante, existen dudas respecto a la adecuación que este tipo de técnica ofrece, pues utiliza monitores con baño a flujos bajos y lactato. El objetivo de este estudio fue demostrar los beneficios clínicos de la HDD con el monitor NxStage System One® introducido recientemente en España.Presentamos los resultados de un estudio observacional, retrospectivo que incluyó de manera no seleccionada a los primeros pacientes con HDD corta mediante este monitor en 12 centros en España. Se analizó la evolución clínica de 86 pacientes a 0, 6 y 12 meses, incluyendo datos relacionados con la prescripción, evolución de parámetros analíticos de dosis de diálisis, anemia, metabolismo óseo-mineral, evolución de la diuresis residual, utilización de fármacos y datos relacionados con permanencia en la técnica, y causas de salida a lo largo del seguimiento. Pudimos demostrar que este monitor proporcionó una adecuada dosis de diálisis, con tasa óptima de ultrafiltración, con mejoría de los principales marcadores bioquímicos de adecuación en diálisis. El uso de esta técnica se asoció con una disminución de antihipertensivos, captores del fósforo y agentes eritropoyéticos, observándose, además, muy buenos resultados de supervivencia tanto del paciente como de la técnica. La sencillez de este monitor unida a sus buenos resultados clínicos debería facilitar el crecimiento y utilización de la HDD, tanto en pacientes incidentes como prevalentes. Abstract: Home hemodialysis (HHD) with low-flow dialysate devices has gained popularity in recent years due to its simple design, portability, and ability to provide greater freedom of movement for our patients. However, there are doubts about the adequacy that this technology offers, since it uses monitors with low-flow bath and lactate. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical benefits of low-flow HHD with the NxStage System One® recently introduced in Spain. We present the results of an observational, retrospective cohort study that included the first patients who started short daily HHD with this device in 12 Spanish centers. We analyzed the evolution of 86 patients at 0, 6 and 12 months, including data related to prescription, and evolution of biochemical parameters related to dialysis dose, anemia, mineral-bone metabolism; evolution of residual renal function, medication usage, and causes of withdrawal during the followup. We were able to demonstrate that this NxStage System One® monitor, in patients with HHD, have provided an adequate dialysis dose, with optimal ultrafiltration rate, with improvement of main biochemical markers of dialysis adequacy. The usage of this technique was associated to a decrease of antihypertensive drugs, phosphate binders and erythropoietin agents, with very good results both patient and technique survival. The simplicity of the technique, together with its good clinical outcomes, should facilitate the growth and utilization of HHD, both in incident and prevalent patients.

Home hemodialysis (HHD) with low-flow dialysate devices has gained popularity in recent years due to its simple design, portability, and ability to provide greater freedom of movement for our patients. However, there are doubts about the adequacy that this technology offers, since it uses monitors with low-flow bath and lactate. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical benefits of low-flow HHD with the NxStage System One® recently introduced in Spain. We present the results of an observational, retrospective cohort study that included the first patients who started short daily HHD with this device in 12 Spanish centers. We analyzed the evolution of 86 patients at 0, 6 and 12 months, including data related to prescription, and evolution of biochemical parameters related to dialysis dose, anemia, mineral-bone metabolism; evolution of residual renal function, medication usage, and causes of withdrawal during the followup. We were able to demonstrate that this NxStage System One® monitor, in patients with HHD, have provided an adequate dialysis dose, with optimal ultrafiltration rate, with improvement of main biochemical markers of dialysis adequacy. The usage of this technique was associated to a decrease of antihypertensive drugs, phosphate binders and erythropoietin agents, with very good results both patient and technique survival. The simplicity of the technique, together with its good clinical outcomes, should facilitate the growth and utilization of HHD, both in incident and prevalent patients. Resumen: La hemodiálisis domiciliaria (HDD) con monitores de bajo flujo de líquido de diálisis ha ganado popularidad en los últimos años gracias a su sencillez de diseño, portabilidad y capacidad de desplazamiento. No obstante, existen dudas respecto a la adecuación que este tipo de técnica ofrece, pues utiliza monitores con baño a flujos bajos y lactato. El objetivo de este estudio fue demostrar los beneficios clínicos de la HDD con el monitor NxStage System One® introducido recientemente en España.Presentamos los resultados de un estudio observacional, retrospectivo que incluyó de manera no seleccionada a los primeros pacientes con HDD corta mediante este monitor en 12 centros en España. Se analizó la evolución clínica de 86 pacientes a 0, 6 y 12 meses, incluyendo datos relacionados con la prescripción, evolución de parámetros analíticos de dosis de diálisis, anemia, metabolismo óseo-mineral, evolución de la diuresis residual, utilización de fármacos y datos relacionados con permanencia en la técnica, y causas de salida a lo largo del seguimiento. Pudimos demostrar que este monitor proporcionó una adecuada dosis de diálisis, con tasa óptima de ultrafiltración, con mejoría de los principales marcadores bioquímicos de adecuación en diálisis. El uso de esta técnica se asoció con una disminución de antihipertensivos, captores del fósforo y agentes eritropoyéticos, observándose, además, muy buenos resultados de supervivencia tanto del paciente como de la técnica. La sencillez de este monitor unida a sus buenos resultados clínicos debería facilitar el crecimiento y utilización de la HDD, tanto en pacientes incidentes como prevalentes.

This work reports the preliminary results of the development of composite self-assembling membranes obtained by the combination of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with commercial Degussa P25 titanium dioxide (TiO2). The purpose is to demonstrate the possibility of combining, in the same self-standing material, the capability to treat wastewater containing both inorganic and organic pollutants by exploiting the established ability of rGO to capture metal ions together with that of TiO2 to degrade organic substances. Moreover, this study also investigates the potential photocatalytic properties of tionite (TIO), to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing commercial TiO2 with such waste-derived TiO2-containing material, fulfilling a circular economy approach. Thus, rGO–TiO2 and rGO–TIO composite membranes, 1:1 by weight, were prepared and characterized by SEM-EDX, XRD, thermogravimetry, as well as by Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopies to verify the effective and homogeneous integration of the two components. Then, they were tested towards 3-mg L−1 aqueous synthetic solutions of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions to evaluate their metal adsorption ability, with values of the order of 0.1–0.2 mmol gmembrane−1, comparable or even slightly higher than those of pristine rGO. Finally, the ability of the composites to degrade a common organic pesticide, i.e., Imidacloprid®, was assessed in preliminary photocatalysis experiments, in which maximum degradation efficiencies of 25% (after 3 h) for rGO–TiO2 and of 21% (after 1 h) for rGO–TIO were found. The result of tionite-containing membranes is particularly promising and worthy of further investigation, given that the anatase content of tionite is roughly 1/6 of the one in commercial TiO2.