Management and destination for residues from electrical discharge lamps

The use of gas discharge lamps is an important instrument to reduce energy demand and to increase efficiency at the end use of energy. It has been considered under the electrical energy reduction purposes. In this work the environment point of view was aggregated. After the bulb life time end the final destination of the harmful elements contained in it must be treated with focus on management of hazardous waste. Large data variability on the amount of Mercury (Hg) detected inside the discharge tube of the lamps were observed, particularly at fluorescent bulbs. The current situation in Brazil, where electricity generation is not based on burning coal and a greater market diffusion of bulbs based on Hg technology can induce increase in the emission of Hg during the bulb life cycle, unlike at the U.S. and other countries. Investments for the main equipments to quantify Hg content in discharge tubes from lamps were discussed and estimated.A utilização de fonte de luz elétrica eficiente tem sido uma prática crescente e atual, mesmo quando esse produto deixa de ser produzido localmente e necessita ser importado. Numa avaliação exclusivamente sob o prisma energético e quando comparada com fonte incandescente: a lâmpada a descarga em gases pode reduzir a demanda de energia elétrica e aumentar a eficiência em uso final. Neste artigo a análise que foi realizada agregou base ambiental importante. Terminada a vida útil da lâmpada a descarga, o destino final deve ser melhor considerado e com foco na gestão de resíduos perigosos. É bastante ampla a variabilidade que pode ser observada na literatura em relação á quantidade de Mercúrio (Hg) presente em lâmpadas a descarga, particularmente aquelas do tipo fluorescente. Na situação brasileira atual, cuja geração de eletricidade não tem base predominante na queima de carvão, uma maior difusão no mercado local de fonte de luz com base no Hg pode induzir uma elevação na emissão desse elemento nocivo durante o ciclo de vida da lâmpada, diferentemente dos EUA e outros países. O Hg e os resíduos potencialmente perigosos, particularmente aqueles que são encontrados nas fontes primárias de luz elétrica artificial, utilizadas localmente, deverão ser monitorados e controlados. Eles não devem continuar sendo descartados juntamente aos demais resíduos humanos e recolhidos sem qualquer cuidado especial e eficaz. Investimentos e necessidades para adequação de espaço laboratorial e aquisição dos principais equipamentos para quantificar Hg contido em tubos de descarga elétrica em lâmpadas foram discutidos e dimensionados.Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevide

Metabolic syndrome in overweight children from the city of Botucatu - São Paulo State - Brazil: agreement among six diagnostic criteria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The metabolic syndrome has been described in children; however, a standard criterion has not been established for its diagnosis. Also, few studies have been conducted to specifically observe the possible existence of agreement among the existing diagnostic criteria. The purpose of the study is to evaluate agreement concerning prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome diagnosed by six different criteria in overweight schoolchildren in the city of Botucatu - SP -Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a cross-sectional study on 128 overweight schoolchildren. Clinical examination included anthropometry, pubertal staging evaluation, and blood pressure. Triacylglycerol, glycemia, HDL-cholesterol, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR were determined. The Kappa index, the Mann-Whitney test and the chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome varied from 10 to 16.5% according to different diagnostic criteria. Results were similar for boys and girls and pubertal stage. Great agreement was observed among the six different diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Different diagnostic criteria, when adopted for subjects with similar demographic characteristics, generate similar and compatible prevalence. Results suggest that it is possible to adopt any of the analyzed criteria, and the choice should be according to the components available for each situation.</p

Quorum Sensing Signaling Molecules Produced by Reference and Emerging Soft-Rot Bacteria (Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp.)

International audienceBACKGROUND: Several small diffusible molecules are involved in bacterial quorum sensing and virulence. The production of autoinducers-1 and -2, quinolone, indole and γ-amino butyrate signaling molecules was investigated in a set of soft-rot bacteria belonging to six Dickeya or Pectobacterium species including recent or emerging potato isolates. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using bacterial biosensors, immunoassay, and chromatographic analysis, we showed that soft-rot bacteria have the common ability to produce transiently during their exponential phase of growth the N-3-oxo-hexanoyl- or the N-3-oxo-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactones and a molecule of the autoinducer-2 family. Dickeya spp. produced in addition the indole-3-acetic acid in tryptophan-rich conditions. All these signaling molecules have been identified for the first time in the novel Dickeya solani species. In contrast, quinolone and γ-amino butyrate signals were not identified and the corresponding synthases are not present in the available genomes of soft-rot bacteria. To determine if the variations of signal production according to growth phase could result from expression modifications of the corresponding synthase gene, the respective mRNA levels were estimated by reverse transcriptase-PCR. While the N-acyl-homoserine lactone production is systematically correlated to the synthase expression, that of the autoinducer-2 follows the expression of an enzyme upstream in the activated methyl cycle and providing its precursor, rather than the expression of its own synthase. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Despite sharing the S-adenosylmethionine precursor, no strong link was detected between the production kinetics or metabolic pathways of autoinducers-1 and -2. In contrast, the signaling pathway of autoinducer-2 seems to be switched off by the indole-3-acetic acid pathway under tryptophan control. It therefore appears that the two genera of soft-rot bacteria have similarities but also differences in the mechanisms of communication via the diffusible molecules. Our results designate autoinducer-1 lactones as the main targets for a global biocontrol of soft-rot bacteria communications, including those of emerging isolates

High plasma uric acid concentration: causes and consequences

High plasma uric acid (UA) is a precipitating factor for gout and renal calculi as well as a strong risk factor for Metabolic Syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The main causes for higher plasma UA are either lower excretion, higher synthesis or both. Higher waist circumference and the BMI are associated with higher insulin resistance and leptin production, and both reduce uric acid excretion. The synthesis of fatty acids (tryglicerides) in the liver is associated with the de novo synthesis of purine, accelerating UA production. The role played by diet on hyperuricemia has not yet been fully clarified, but high intake of fructose-rich industrialized food and high alcohol intake (particularly beer) seem to influence uricemia. It is not known whether UA would be a causal factor or an antioxidant protective response. Most authors do not consider the UA as a risk factor, but presenting antioxidant function. UA contributes to > 50% of the antioxidant capacity of the blood. There is still no consensus if UA is a protective or a risk factor, however, it seems that acute elevation is a protective factor, whereas chronic elevation a risk for disease