Environmental contamination by fluoroquinolones

Over the past few decades, a high number of pharmaceuticals have been detected in surface, ground and drinking waters. This contamination comes from domestic sewage, livestock, hospitals and chemical-pharmaceutical industries. Typical examples of these pollutants are the fluoroquinolones - powerful antibiotics used in human and veterinary medicine. The presence of fluoroquinolones in the environment can pose a serious threat to the ecosystem and to human health due to their high consumption globally: in 1998, around 120 tons were produced. Even at low environmental concentrations, antibiotics stimulate bacterial resistance. The consequences of the presence of fluoroquinolones in the environment are not fully understood, but are known to be toxic to plants and aquatic organisms. Approximately 85% of the fluoroquinolones present in influents can be removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants, but the removed fraction is frequently accumulated in the sludge, which is sometimes used as fertilizer, representing an additional input route into the environment. The removal of fluoroquinolones by biological treatment is ineffective, and it is believed that only advanced oxidation technologies are able to destroy these emerging pollutants.Nas últimas décadas, um grande número de fármacos tem sido identificado em águas superficiais, subterrâneas e potáveis. Tal contaminação advém do esgoto doméstico, hospitais, criação de animais e das indústrias químico-farmacêuticas. Exemplos típicos desses poluentes são as fluoroquinolonas – potentes antibióticos empregados na medicina humana e veterinária. A presença de fluoroquinolonas no meio ambiente pode representar uma séria ameaça para o ecossistema e para a saúde humana devido ao alto consumo mundial: em 1998 foram produzidas, aproximadamente, 120 toneladas. Mesmo em baixas concentrações, antibióticos podem estimular a resistência bacteriana. As consequências da presença de fluoroquinolonas no ambiente não são completamente compreendidas, mas sabe-se que são tóxicas para plantas e organismos aquáticos. Aproximadamente 85% das fluoroquinolonas presentes em efluentes podem ser removidos em estações de tratamento de efluentes convencionais, porém a fração removida é frequentemente acumulada no lodo, muitas vezes usado como fertilizante, o que representa uma rota adicional de entrada desses compostos no ambiente. A remoção de fluoroquinolonas por meio de tratamento biológico não é eficiente, e acredita-se que somente as tecnologias de oxidação avançada sejam capazes de degradar esses poluentes emergentes

Photo-Fenton reaction at mildly acidic conditions: assessing the effect of bio-organic substances of different origin and characteristics through experimental design

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Arlen Mabel Lastre-Acosta, Rafael Vicente, Margarita Mora, Ulises Javier Jáuregui-Haza, Antonio Arques & Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira (2019) Photo-Fenton reaction at mildly acidic conditions: assessing the effect of bio-organic substances of different origin and characteristics through experimental design, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 54:8, 711-720 [copyright Taylor & Francis], available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10934529.2019.1585721[EN] Urban-waste bio-organic substances (UW-BOS) have been shown to be capable of extending the photo-Fenton reaction to mildly acidic conditions. In this study, the effects of pH (3-7), UW-BOS, H2O2 and iron concentrations on the photo-Fenton process were systematically assessed using a Doehlert experimental design and response surface methodology for two UW-BOS (CVT230 and FORSUD). Solutions of the model antibiotic sulfadiazine (SDZ) were irradiated in a solar simulator equipped with a 550W Xenon lamp. The results showed that for UW-BOS contents below 30mg L-1, SDZ removal proceeds at pH 5 with similar rates for both CVT230 and FORSUD, regardless of Fe(III) concentration. For 50mg L-1 of UW-BOS or higher, CVT230 performs better than FORSUD, even for low Fe(III) content (1-3mg L-1). In contrast, half-life times of 35-40min can only be achieved under mildly acidic conditions with FORSUD for iron concentrations higher than 10mg L-1. The better performance of CVT230 can be associated with its high hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio, low E2:E3, higher iron content and possibly higher yields of triplet reactive species generation upon solar irradiation. The most appropriate conditions for each UW-BOS studied are discussed for the first time, which are advantageous for possible engineered applications.The authors express their gratitude to CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) and to the European Union (PIRSES-GA-2010-269128, EnvironBOS). This study was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.Lastre-Acosta, AM.; Vicente Candela, R.; Mora Carbonell, M.; Jáuregui-Haza, UJ.; Arqués Sanz, A.; Teixeira, ACSC. (2019). Photo-Fenton reaction at mildly acidic conditions: assessing the effect of bio-organic substances of different origin and characteristics through experimental design. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A. 54(8):711-720. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2019.1585721S711720548Ikehata, K., Jodeiri Naghashkar, N., & Gamal El-Din, M. (2006). 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GRAVIMETRIA COMO FERRAMENTA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL EM UM MUNICÍPIO DA AMAZÔNIA

Gravimetry is an important information in the management of solid waste, as it assists in environmental monitoring, in understanding the process of decomposition of waste and in estimating the useful life of materials for recycling, data that are also crucial for the preparation of municipal solid waste plans. Thus, this article aimed to characterize the solid waste produced in the city of Soure, in Pará, to contribute to its solid waste management. The gravimetric characterization defined in NBR 10,004 of 2004 was used. It is noted, after gravimetry, that the largest generation of residues is concentrated in the tailings and organic matter materials, which represent 86.6% of a sample of 91.5 kg. The largest amount of recyclable material collected was 4.16 kg of colored PP film and the smallest of Tetra Pack material, with 0.21 kg. The monthly gain from recycling for each collector would be an average of R$50.00 and, therefore, it is essential that the government intervenes through the cooperative, supporting services and reducing costs. Even though the municipality has potential for recycling, there is still weakness in public policies for waste management, mainly in the adoption of municipal guidelines that encourage it as an alternative for the economy and the environment.Keywords: Solid Waste, Recycling, Management.A gravimetria constitui uma informação importante na gestão dos resíduos sólidos, pois auxilia no monitoramento ambiental, na compreensão do processo de decomposição dos resíduos e na estimativa da vida útil de materiais para reciclagem, dados esses também cruciais para elaboração dos planos de resíduos sólidos municipais. Assim, este artigo objetivou caracterizar os resíduos sólidos produzidos na cidade de Soure, no Pará, para contribuir na sua gestão de resíduos sólidos. Utilizou-se a caracterização gravimétrica definida na NBR 10.004 de 2004. Nota-se, após a gravimetria, que a maior geração de resíduos se concentra nos materiais Rejeitos e Matéria Orgânica, que representam 86,6$50,00 e, portanto, sendo essencial que o poder público intervisse pela cooperativa, apoiando os serviços e reduzindo os custos. Mesmo o município apresentando potencial para a reciclagem, existe ainda fragilidade nas políticas públicas para o gerenciamento dos resíduos, principalmente na adoção de diretrizes municipais que a incentivem como uma alternativa para a economia e o meio ambiente.Palavras-chave: Resíduos Sólidos, Reciclagem, Gerenciamento

Seroprevalence of Chikungunya virus and living conditions in Feira de Santana, Bahia-Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya is an arbovirus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which emerged in the Americas in 2013 and spread rapidly to almost every country on this continent. In Brazil, where the first cases were detected in 2014, it currently has reached all regions of this country and more than 900,000 cases were reported. The clinical spectrum of chikungunya ranges from an acute self-limiting form to disabling chronic forms. The purpose of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of chikungunya infection in a large Brazilian city and investigate the association between viral circulation and living condition. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a population-based ecological study in selected Sentinel Areas (SA) through household interviews and a serologic survey in 2016/2017. The sample was of 1,981 individuals randomly selected. The CHIKV seroprevalence was 22.1% (17.1 IgG, 2.3 IgM, and 1.4 IgG and IgM) and varied between SA from 2.0% to 70.5%. The seroprevalence was significantly lower in SA with high living conditions compared to SA with low living condition. There was a positive association between CHIKV seroprevalence and population density (r = 0.2389; p = 0.02033). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The seroprevalence in this city was 2.6 times lower than the 57% observed in a study conducted in the epicentre of the CHIKV epidemic of this same urban centre. So, the herd immunity in this general population, after four years of circulation of this agent is relatively low. It indicates that CHIKV transmission may persist in that city, either in endemic form or in the form of a new epidemic, because the vector infestation is persistent. Besides, the significantly lower seroprevalences in SA of higher Living Condition suggest that beyond the surveillance of the disease, vector control and specific actions of basic sanitation, the reduction of the incidence of this infection also depends on the improvement of the general living conditions of the population

Avaliação funcional multivariada em jogadores de futebol profissional: uma metanálise

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, de modo amplo, o comportamento de variáveis importantes para a saúde preventiva e o desempenho atlético, em jogadores de futebol profissional. Além disso, o estudo tece comentários, através de longa revisão bibliográfica, sobre os resultados de nossos atletas e os observados na literatura especializada, nessa modalidade esportiva. Os futebolistas foram submetidos a uma bateria de testes clínicos, laboratoriais e de aptidão cardiorespiratória, metabólica e muscular, pré-participação ao Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol de 1996, que constou das seguintes variáveis: consumo de oxigênio, limiar anaeróbio ventilatório, eletrocardiografia em repouso e no exercício, potência muscular ( wingate), flexibilidade, hemograma, reações sorológicas para doença de Chagas, protoparasitológico, glicose, uréia, creatinina, colesterol total e frações, hormônios, eletrólitos, minerais, composição corporal, avaliação fisioterápica, odontológica e nutricional. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o emprego de uma avaliação multifatorial, em atletas de alto rendimento, é um procedimento importante para verificar se o nível de aptidão física está adequado e/ou detectar possíveis deficiências, que possam interferir no desempenho atlético dos futebolistas, durante os treinamentos e jogos

The Importance Of Neuronal Plasticity In The Prognosis Of Cases Of Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review

Background: Neuronal plasticity is the capacity that the neurons have to make new connections and enable new ways of transmitting information. Under this context, new methodologies are being addressed in order to measure how important this neuronal capacity is in the process of full recovery of learning in subjects who suffered damage from cerebral ischemia.Methods: A systematic review was performed on the online databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Scopus, between 1998 and 2014. The MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) descriptors used in this review were: "neuronal plasticity", "brain ischemia" and "learning". We found 164 articles that, when screened, resulted in 46 articles that met the criteria of evidence and were included in this review.Results: There are several ways available in the literature to increase neuronal plasticity to keep the learning process after bad conformations resulting from cerebral ischemia. We highlighted the most elucidated: those promoted by SMe1EC2 antioxidant, which brings therapeutic benefits when neuronal plasticity is impaired; and Atorvastatin, a statin which facilitates recovery of spatial learning. It is further observed that the body has a number of intrinsic devicessuch as the endogenous compensatory mechanisms that contribute to the development of neuronal plasticity when there is brain damage caused by ischemia.Conclusion: The improvement of neuronal plasticity appears in several studies mapped as a new and still little explored possibility of treatment of damages caused by brain processes of oxygen deprivation. Multiple devices, endogenous and exogenous, that promote an increase in neuronal plasticity, are being elucidated in an attempt to promote the full recovery of the learning process, decreased by brain damage from ischemic processes. Thus, it is pointed the necessity of scientific studies that allows to define and maximize the potentials of the neuronal plasticity

Impact of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations on sustained virologic response in HCV-infected patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced 651 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with 651 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not 655. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin