Enhanced biodegradation of phenolic wastewaters with acclimatized activated sludge – a kinetic study

This work reports the biodegradation of phenol with enhanced efficiency in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) after an acclimatization procedure with mixed culture activated sludge. The effects of temperature, initial phenol concentration and acclimatization procedure on phenol biodegradation were investigated. Acclimatization greatly favoured biodegradation rate of the phenol, while temperature showed no significant effect. After 60 days of acclimatization, the Haldane kinetic inhibition model indicated that activated sludge could degrade phenol at the maximum rate of 0.117 (g phenol/g VSS/h) at pH ~6 and phenol concentration of 400 mg/L at room temperature (T = 15–18 °C). Kinetic parameters including maximum phenol degradation rate (qmáx) of 0.521 (g phenol/g VSS/h), half-saturation constant (KS) of 692 mg/L and an inhibition constant KI of 231 mg/L were computed. The results of this study represent the highest phenol biodegradation efficiency in terms of the parameters such as time and phenol concentration, suggesting that acclimatized activated sludge exhibited a high resistant ability to phenol. In addition, inhibitory effects were identified at phenol concentrations higher than 400 mg/L. The system also showed high degree of stability and resistance to a load shock by increasing the initial concentration of phenol from 500 to 1000 mg/L.publishe

Importance of vitamin C evaluation in infant and follow-on formulas

A vitamina C tem um papel crucial no crescimento e desenvolvimento saudáveis de bebés. As fórmulas infantis são muito consumidas por esta faixa etária e como tal, é de extrema importância garantir que esta vitamina esteja presente em concentrações adequadas. No presente trabalho de investigação, determinou-se o teor de vitamina C total, ácido L-ascórbico e ácido desidroascórbico em fórmulas infantis e compararam-se os resultados obtidos com os limites estabelecidos no Regulamento Delegado (UE) 2016/127. Em 2016, foram adquiridas 7 fórmulas infantis, 4 fórmulas para lactentes e 3 fórmulas de transição. Os teores totais de vitamina C determinados variaram entre 65,4 ± 0,28 e 134 ± 1,27 mg/100 g de amostra, encontrando-se dentro dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação em vigor. Uma vez que este tipo de produtos alimentares é muito importante na alimentação de consumidores de uma faixa etária tão jovem e tão vulnerável como são os lactentes, impõe-se a sua regulamentação, segurança e controlo da qualidade.Vitamin C plays a very important role in the healthy growth and development of babies. Infant and follow-on formulas are frequently consumed by this age group and it is extremely important to ensure that this vitamin is present in adequate concentrations in this type of products. This research aimed to determine the total vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid contents in infant foods, and compare the results obtained with the limits established in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. In 2016, 7 infant foods, 4 infant formulas and 3 follow-on formulas, were acquired. All vitamin C contents obtained for the analysed samples, ranged from 65.4 ± 0.28 to 134 ± 1.27 mg/100 g of sample, and were within the established limits. Since this type of food products is very important to a group of consumers belonging to an age group as young and as vulnerable as the infants, regulation, safety and quality control of this type of products is of extreme importance.Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge no âmbito do projeto BioCOMP (2012DAN730). Tânia Gonçalves Albuquerque agradece a bolsa de doutoramento (SFRH/BD/99718/2014) financiada pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Fundo Social Europeu e Ministério da Educação e Ciência.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fiddler crabs and their above-ground sedimentary structures: a review

Fiddler crabs are abundant, semi-terrestrial crustaceans inhabiting tropical, subtropical and warm temperate coasts worldwide. Some species build above-ground sedimentary structures at or near the opening to their burrows. The functions and shapes of these constructions vary interspecifically and according to the sex of the builder. Here, we compile the dispersed reports on these structures, suggest uniform naming for different shapes, review explanations for their functions and explore associations between the attributes of builders and their structures. We found that 47 fiddler crab species build at least one type (or subtype) of structure, including chimneys, hoods, pillars, semidomes, mudballs, and rims. Sedimentary structures show a strong association with sediment type as well as builder front type, genus and sex, but not with fiddler crab clade. Experimental studies have revealed distinct, sometimes multiple functions for some of these structures (e.g., female attraction, reduction of aggressive behavior and/or landmark orientation); however, most studies have been observational leaving the proposed functions of these structures for many species untested. Both field and laboratory experiments as well as observational studies can help us to better understand these sedimentary structures and their role in fiddler crab behavior and ecology.publishedVersio

Oriented Tailoring of Plastic Antibodies for Prostate Specific Antigen and Application of the Imprinted Material as Ionophore in Potentiometric Detection

Poster, presented at Nanobio Europe, Varese, Italy, 18 - 20 June, 2012.Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is the biomarker of choice for screening prostate cancer throughout the population, with PSA values above 10 ng/mL pointing out a high probability of associated cancer1. According to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) data, prostate cancer is the commonest form of cancer in men in Europe2. Early detection of prostate cancer is thus very important and is currently made by screening PSA in men over 45 years old, combined with other alterations in serum and urine parameters. PSA is a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of approximately 32 kDa consisting of one polypeptide chain, which is produced by the secretory epithelium of human prostate. Currently, the standard methods available for PSA screening are immunoassays like Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA). These methods are highly sensitive and specific for the detection of PSA, but they require expensive laboratory facilities and high qualify personal resources. Other highly sensitive and specific methods for the detection of PSA have also become available and are in its majority immunobiosensors1,3-5, relying on antibodies. Less expensive methods producing quicker responses are thus needed, which may be achieved by synthesizing artificial antibodies by means of molecular imprinting techniques. These should also be coupled to simple and low cost devices, such as those of the potentiometric kind, one approach that has been proven successful6. Potentiometric sensors offer the advantage of selectivity and portability for use in point-of-care and have been widely recognized as potential analytical tools in this field. The inherent method is simple, precise, accurate and inexpensive regarding reagent consumption and equipment involved. Thus, this work proposes a new plastic antibody for PSA, designed over the surface of graphene layers extracted from graphite. Charged monomers were used to enable an oriented tailoring of the PSA rebinding sites. Uncharged monomers were used as control. These materials were used as ionophores in conventional solid-contact graphite electrodes. The obtained results showed that the imprinted materials displayed a selective response to PSA. The electrodes with charged monomers showed a more stable and sensitive response, with an average slope of -44.2 mV/decade and a detection limit of 5.8X10-11 mol/L (2 ng/mL). The corresponding non-imprinted sensors showed smaller sensitivity, with average slopes of -24.8 mV/decade. The best sensors were successfully applied to the analysis of serum samples, with percentage recoveries of 106.5% and relatives errors of 6.5%

Epibiosis in decapod crustaceans by stalked barnacle Octolasmis lowei (Cirripedia: Poecilasmatidae)

Stalked barnacles Octolasmis lowei Darwin, 1851 are frequently found attached to decapod crustaceans. Their epibiotic association depends on many factors, which are mainly related to characteristics of the host's biology. This study evaluated the infestation and distribution of stalked barnacles in the branchial chambers of crabs, and analyzed the data with respect to the host's sex, maturity stage, molt cycle and size. The crab species Arenaeus cribrarius Lamarck, 1818, Callinectes danae Smith, 1869, Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863, Hepatus pudibundus Herbst, 1785, Libinia ferreirae Brito Capello, 1871, and Persephona punctata Linnaeus, 1758 were sampled and found to be infested by O. lowei. No juvenile crabs were infested. The prevalence of infestation by O. lowei was significantly different among C. danae, C. ornatus, and H. pudibundus males and females. All infested hosts were in the intermolt period. The mean size of infested crabs was larger than that observed for non-infested individuals. Internally, stalked barnacles were concentrated on the central gills or walls and floor of branchial chambers, suggesting that these gills provide more favorable conditions for the settlement and development of these epibionts. These results highlight the relationship between epibiont infestation and host biology, as well as the role of decapod crustaceans as a suitable substrate for the development of stalked barnacle O. lowei.30731

Marital adjustment in the context of female breast cancer: A systematic review

Objective: Breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and subsequent treatments present significant challenges and distress for both patients and their partners. This can lead to difficulties in marital relationships and, consequently, decreases in marital adjustment and psychosocial adaptation to BC for both partners. Our objective was to systematically review studies assessing marital adjustment in the context of female BC to understand which factors are associated with marital adjustment in both patients and partners, and characterize the measures employed to assess marital adjustment within these studies. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. English, peer-reviewed articles exploring factors associated with marital adjustment in the context of female BC were considered for inclusion. Results: Fourteen studies were included. Results evidenced that psychosocial variables play an important role on marital adjustment. Specifically, open and constructive communication, more social support, and supportive dyadic coping were found to be associated with higher levels of marital adjustment. Other variables such as self-efficacy, sexual functioning, and psychological adjustment were also positively associated with marital adjustment. Conclusions: Most studies evidenced an association between psychosocial variables and marital adjustment for both women and their partners. Some important dimensions such as communication patterns, coping strategies, and social support dynamics were identified as potential targets for psychological interventions. Some variables, however, were explored only in a few studies which limit our conclusions. Future studies should explore the role these variables and other relational and emotional variables play in promoting marital adjustment after BC

Sarcosine oxidase composite screen-printed electrode for sarcosine determination in biological samples

XIX Meeting of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society - XVI Iberic Meeting of ElectrochemistryProstate Cancer (PCa) is the most common form of cancer in men in Europe with a 61.4 % incidence among all cancer cases and a 12.1 % mortality [1] and, therefore, its early detection is fundamental for increasing the survival rate. Currently, diagnosis and management of patients with PCa is only based on the determination of the biomarker Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). However, the method used for PCa detection has poor sensitivity and specificity, leading to false negative and false positive test results and many patients are sent to unnecessary biopsy procedures [2]. Therefore, there is a need to seek for new biomarkers and more effective screening. In this work, a biosensor device was developed for the quantification of sarcosine via electrochemical detection of H2O2 (at 0.6 V) generated from the catalyzed oxidation of sarcosine. The detection was carried out after the modification of carbon screen printed electrodes (SPEs) by immobilization of sarcosine oxidase (SOX) on the electrode surface. The strategies used herein included the activation of the carbon films by an electrochemical step and the formation of an NHS/EDAC layer to bond the enzyme to the electrode, the use of metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles layer previously or during the enzyme immobilization. In order to improve the sensor stability and selectivity a polymeric layer with extra enzyme content was further added. The proposed methodology for the detection of sarcosine allowed obtaining a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.6x10-5 mM, using a linear concentration range between 1x10-5 and 1x10-4 mM. The biosensor was successfully applied to the analysis of sarcosine in urine samples.

Studies in the mouse model identify strain variability as a major determinant of disease outcome in Leishmania infantum infection

Visceral leishmaniasis is a severe and potentially fatal disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. In Europe and the Mediterranean region, L. infantum is the commonest agent of visceral leishmaniasis, causing a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including asymptomatic carriage, cutaneous lesions and severe visceral disease. Visceral leishmaniasis is more frequent in immunocompromised individuals and data obtained in experimental models of infection have highlighted the importance of the host immune response, namely the efficient activation of host's macrophages, in determining infection outcome. Conversely, few studies have addressed a possible contribution of parasite variability to this outcome.No funders or funding refered in the paper

Acoustic determination of thermophysical properties and critical parameters for R404A and critical line of x CO2+(1− x) R404A

The thermophysical properties and critical parameters for the alternative refrigerant R404A (52 wt % of 1,1,1- trifluoroethane (R143a) + 44 wt % of pentafluoroethane (R125) + 4 wt % of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a)) were investigated using two different acoustic techniques. The critical behavior of the system xCO2 + (1 - x)R404A was also investigated. Experimental data of speed of sound in liquid R404A from 258 K to 338 K and pressures up to 65 MPa were measured using a pulse-echo method. Derived thermodynamic properties are calculated, combining our experimental data with density and isobaric heat capacity values published by other authors. Measurements of the critical temperature Tc and pressure pc on (R404A) and mixtures of xCO2 + (1 - x)R404A were performed using another simple ultrasonic time-delay technique. The binary critical line was determined over the whole composition range showing that this system deviates only slightly from ideality since the critical line is a continuous line. The Peng-Robinson equation of state with conventional mixing and combining rules was used to correlate the binary experimental data.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acoustic determination of thermophysical properties and critical parameters for R410A and critical line of x CO2+(1− x) R410A

The thermophysical properties and critical parameters for the alternative refrigerant R410A (a near azeotropic refrigerant mixture containing difluoromethane (R32) and pentafluoroethane (R125) (50 wt % of each)) were investigated using two different acoustic techniques. The critical behavior of the system xCO2 + (1 - x)R410A was also investigated. Experimental data of speed of sound in liquid R410A from (253 to 338) K and pressures up to 65 MPa were measured using a pulse-echo method. Derived thermodynamic properties were calculated, combining our experimental data with density and isobaric heat capacity values published by other authors. Measurements of the critical temperature Tc and pressure pc on (R410A) and mixtures of xCO2 + (1 - x)R410A were performed using another simple ultrasonic time-delay technique. The binary critical line was determined over the whole composition range, showing that this system deviates only slightly from ideality since the critical line is a continuous line. The Peng-Robinson equation of state with conventional mixing and combining rules was used to correlate the binary experimental data.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio