Soil Chemical Attributes Of A Dystroferric Red Latosol (oxisol) Treated With An Alkaline Effluent From A Pharmaceutical Industry

Effluents from different industrial supply conglomerates are often discarded in the environment without proper treatment. The concern for an economically viable industrial production line, which is both environmentally sound and socially acceptable, is increasing. Some of these effluents are alkaline in nature and may be used as an alternative to chemical conditioners for acidic soils in agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate changes in the chemical attributes of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol) after application of an effluent from a pharmaceutical industry. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using PVC tubes of 1-m length and a 0.2-m diameter filled with soil and different doses of the effluent. After 3 days, 100 mm of water was applied to each treatment. The PVC tubes were incubated for 30 days; thereafter, the tubes disassembled, and soil chemical analysis were made at different soil depths: 0-0.2, 0.2-0.4, 0.4-0.6, 0.6-0.8, and 0.8-1.0 m. The effluent applications significantly altered the soil elements in the 0-0.2 m layer, increasing the concentrations of K+, P, Mn2+, Na+, Cu2+, H+, Ca2+, Al3+ and the soil pH. In the subsurface layers, the concentration of the elements Zn2+, Cu2+, K+, and Na+ also changed significantly. In general, the application of pharmaceutical industry residue improved soil chemical attributes.3753037304

The double Caldeira-Leggett model: Derivation and solutions of the master equations, reservoir-induced interactions and decoherence

In this paper we analyze the double Caldeira-Leggett model: the path integral approach to two interacting dissipative harmonic oscillators. Assuming a general form of the interaction between the oscillators, we consider two different situations: i) when each oscillator is coupled to its own reservoir, and ii) when both oscillators are coupled to a common reservoir. After deriving and solving the master equation for each case, we analyze the decoherence process of particular entanglements in the positional space of both oscillators. To analyze the decoherence mechanism we have derived a general decay function for the off-diagonal peaks of the density matrix, which applies both to a common and separate reservoirs. We have also identified the expected interaction between the two dissipative oscillators induced by their common reservoir. Such reservoir-induced interaction, which gives rise to interesting collective damping effects, such as the emergence of relaxation- and decoherence-free subspaces, is shown to be blurred by the high-temperature regime considered in this study. However, we find that different interactions between the dissipative oscillators, described by rotating or counter-rotating terms, result in different decay rates for the interference terms of the density matrix.Comment: 42 pages, 7 figures, new discussion added, typos adde

Conjunctival Changes Induced By Prostaglandin Analogues And Timolol Maleate: A Histomorphometric Study

Purpose: To compare histological changes induced by antiglaucoma medications in the rabbit conjunctiva. Methods: Fifty New Zeland rabbits were divided in 5 groups 10 animals. The left eyes were treated daily with one drop of bimatoprost 0.03%, travoprost 0.004%, latanoprost 0.005%, timolol maleate 0.5% or artificial tears containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) for 30 days. The right eyes served as control. Superior limbic conjunctival biopsies were performed at the 8th and 30th day in 5 rabbits of each group. The conjunctive was fixed with 10% formaldehyde, followed by He and PAS staining. Morphohistometric quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the following parameters: inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial thickness number of goblet cells, diameter and number of blood vessels. Results: At the 8th and 30th posttreatment days, all groups, except one that received artificial tears, exhibited a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate, composed by lymphocytes and neutrophils, which was denser in the timolol group than in the prostaglandin (PG) analogues groups. At the 30th day, the timolol group showed an increased subepithelial collagen density and a significant increase in epithelial thickness (p=0.0035). The goblet cell density was significantly increased at the 8th day in the group treated with travoprost (p=0.0006), and at the 30th day in those treated with bimaprost (p=0.0021) and latanoprost (p=0.009). Conclusions: Although a moderate, diffuse inflammatory infiltrate was observed in PG-treated eyes, no changes in conjunctival epithelial thickness or subconjunctival collagen density were observed with these medications, suggesting that these drugs induce fewer changes than timolol maleate in the rabbit conjuctiva.706910916Gordon MO, Beiser JA, Brandt JD, Heuer DK, Higginbotham EJ, Johnson CA, et al. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study: baseline factors that predict the onset of primary open-angle glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120(6):714-20discussion 829-30. Comment in: Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122(7):1088-9author reply 1089Ritch, P., Shields, B., Krupin, T., Pharmacology The glaucomas, 3 (C1996), pp. 1375-1489. , Ritch R, Shields MB, Krupin T, editors, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby;Lindén, C., Therapeutic potential of prostoglandin analogues in glaucoma (2001) Expert Opin Investig Drug, 10 (4), pp. 679-694Noecker, R.S., Dirks, M.S., Choplin, N., Bimatoprost/Latanoprost Study Group. Comparison of latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost in patients with elevated intraocular pressure: A 12-week, randomized, masked-evaluator multicenter study (2003) Am J Ophthalmol, 137 (1), pp. 210-211Parrish RK, Palmberg P, Shen WPXLT Study Group. A comparison of latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost in patients with elevated intraocular pressure: a 12-week, randomized, masked-evaluator multicenter study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003;135(5):688-703Stewart, W.C., Kolker, A.E., Stewart, J.A., Leech, J., Jackson, A.L., Conjunctival hyperemia in healthy subjects after short-term dosing with latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost (2003) Am J Ophthalmol, 135 (3), pp. 314-320Feldman, R.M., Conjunctival hyperemia and the use of topical prostaglandins in glaucoma and ocular hypertension (2003) J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 19 (1), pp. 23-35Johnstone, M.A., Hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes and adjacent hair in the region of the ipsilateral eyelids of patients treated with unilateral topical latanoprost (1997) Am J Ophthalmol, 124 (4), pp. 544-547Kook, M.S., Lee, K., Increased eyelid pigmentation associated with use of latanoprost (2000) Am J Ophtalmol, 129 (6), pp. 804-806Pfeiffer, N., Griesrson, I., Goldsmith, H., Hochgesand, D., Winkgen-Böhres, A., Appleton, P., Histological effects in the iris after 3 months of latanoprost therapy: The Mainz 1 study (2001) Arch Ophtalmol, 119 (2), pp. 191-196Teus, M.A., Arranz-Marquez, E., Lucea-Suescun, P., Incidence of iris colour change in latanoprost treated eyes (2002) Br J Ophthalmol, 86 (10), pp. 1085-1088Arcieri, E.S., Santana, A., Rocha, F.N., Guapo, G.L., Costa, V.P., Blood-aqueous barrier changes after the use of prostaglandin analogues in patients with pseudophakia and aphakia: A 6-month randomized trial (2005) Arch Ophthalmol, 123 (2), pp. 186-192Brandt, J.D., Wittpenn, J.R., Katz, L.J., Steinmann, W.N., Spaeth, G.L., Conjunctival impression cytology in patients with glaucoma using long-term topical medication (1991) Am J Ophthalmol, 112 (3), pp. 297-301Mietz, H., Shlötzer-Schrehardt, U., Strassfeld, C., Krieglstein, G.K., Effect of latanoprost and timolol on the histopathology of the rabbit conjunctiva (2001) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 42 (3), pp. 679-687Miatz, H., Esser, J.M., Welsandt, G., Kociok, N., Hueber, A., Joussen, A., Latanoprost stimulates secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in tenon fibroblasts both in vitro and in vivo (2003) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 44 (12), pp. 5182-5188Costagliola, C., Prete, A.D., Incorvaia, C., Fusco, R., Parmeggiani, F., Di Giovanni, A., Ocular surface changes induced by topical application of latanoprost and timolol: A short-term study in glaucomatous patients with and without allergic conjunctivitis (2001) Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 239 (11), pp. 809-814Herrems JM, Pastor JC, Calonge M, Asensio VM. Ocular surface alteration after long-term treatment with antiglaucomatious drug. Ophthalmology. 199299(7):1082-8. Comment in: Ophthalmology. 1993;100(3):293-4Broadway, D.C., Grierson, I., O'Brien, C., Hitchings, R.A., Adverse effects of topical antiglaucoma medication. I. The conjunctival cell profile (1994) Arch Ophthalmol, 112 (11), pp. 1437-1445Broadway DC, Grierson I, O'Brien C, Hitchings RA. Adverse effects of topical antiglaucoma medication. II. The outcome of filtration surgery. Arch Ophthalmol. 1994;112(11):1446-54. Comment in: Arch Ophthalmol. 1995;113(7):849-50Lavin, M.J., Wormald, R.P., Migdal, C.S., Hitchings, R.A., The influence of prior therapy on the success of trabeculectomy (1990) Arch Ophthalmol, 108 (11), pp. 1543-1548Baudouin, C., Garcher, C., Haouat, N., Bron, A., Gastaud, P., Expression of inflammatory membrane markers by conjunctival cells in chronically treated patients with glaucoma (1994) Ophthalmology, 101 (3), pp. 454-460Aragona, P., Candela, V., Caputi, A.P., Micali, A., Puzzolo, D., Quintieri, M., Effects of a stable analogue of PGE2 (11-deoxy-13,14-didehydro-16 (S)- methylester methyl PGE2: FCE 20700) on the secretory processes of conjunctival globet cells of rabbit (1987) Exp Eye Res, 45 (5), pp. 647-654Baudouin, C., Side effects of antiglaucomatous drugs on the ocular surface (1996) Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 7 (2), pp. 80-86Baudouin C, Pisella PJ, Fillacier K, Goldschild M, Becquet F, De Saint Jean M. Béchetoille A. Ocular surface inflammatory changes induced by topical antiglaucoma drugs: human and animal studies. Ophthalmology. 1999106(3):556-63. Comment in: Ophthalmology. 1999106(10):1853Blondin, C., Hamard, P., Cholley, B., Haeffner-Cavaillon, N., Baudouin, C., In vitro effects of preserved or preservative-free antiglaucoma medications on human complement system (2003) Curr Eye Res, 27 (4), pp. 253-259Broadway, D., Hitchings, R., Grierson, I., The affect of topical anti-glaucomatous medications on the cell profile of the conjunctiva (1993) Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 4, pp. 51-57Addicks, E.M., Quigley, H.A., Green, W.R., Robin, A.L., Histologic characteristics of filtering blebs in glaucomatous eyes (1993) Arch Ophthalmol, 101 (5), pp. 795-798Gwynn, D.R., Stewart, W.C., Pitts, R.A., McMillan, T.A., Hennis, H.L., Conjunctival structure and cell counts and the results of filtering surgery (1993) Am J Ophthalmol, 116 (4), pp. 464-468Sherwood, M.B., Grierson, I., Millar, L., Hitchings, R.A., Long-term morphologic effects of antiglaucoma drugs on the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule in glaucomatous patients (1989) Ophthalmology, 96 (3), pp. 327-335Mietz, H., Niesen, U., Krleglstein, G.K., The effect of preservatives and antiglaucomatous medication on the histopathology of the conjunctiva (1994) Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 232 (9), pp. 561-565Bensoussan, I., Blondin, C., Baudouin, C., Hamard, P., Sabeh Afaki, G., Creuzot-Garcher, C.A., Flow cytometic analysis of HLA-DR, IL-6 and IL-8 expression by conjunctival epithelial cells from patients with prolonged topical antiglaucoma treatments] (2003) J Fr Ophtalmol, 26 (8), pp. 762-769Guenoun, J.M., Baudouin, C., Rat, P., Pauly, A., Warnet, J.M., Brignole-Baudouin, F., In vitro study of inflammatory potential and toxicity profile of latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost in conjunctiva-derived epithelial cells (2005) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 46 (7), pp. 2444-2450Moreno, M., Villena, A., Cabarga, C., Sanchez-Font, E., Garcia-Campos, J., Impression cytology of the conjunctival epithelium after antiglaucomatous treatment with latanaprost (2003) Eur J Ophthalmol, 13 (6), pp. 553-559Guglielminetti, E., Barabino, S., Monaco, M., Mantero, S., Rolando, M., HLA-DR expression in conjunctival cells after latanoprost (2002) J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 18 (1), pp. 1-9Broadway, D., Hitchings, R., Grierson, I., Topical antiglaucoma therapy: Adverse effects on the conjunctiva and implications for filtration surgery (1995) J Glaucoma, 4, pp. 136-148Oh, D.J., Martin, J.L., Williams, A.J., Peck, R.E., Pokorny, C., Russell, P., Analysis of expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in human ciliary body after latanoprost (2006) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 47 (3), pp. 953-963Young, L.T., Higginbotham, E.J., Zou, X.L., Farber, M.D., Effects of topical glaucoma drugs on fistulized rabbit conjunctiva (1990) Ophthalmology, 97 (11), pp. 1423-1427De Saint Jean, M., Brignole, F., Bringuier, A.F., Bauchet, A., Feldmann, G., Baudouin, C., Effects of benzalkonium chloride on growth and survival of Chang conjunctival cells (1999) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 40 (3), pp. 619-630Bensoussan, L., Blondin, C., Baudouin, C., Hemard, P., Sabeh Afaki, G., Creuzot-Garcher, C., (2003) Flow cytometric analysis of HLA-DR, IL-6 and IL-8 expression by conjunctival epithelial cells from patients with prolonged topical antiglaucoma treatments]J Fr Ophtalmol, 26 (8), pp. 782-789Pisella, P.J., Debbasch, C., Hamard, P., Creuzot-Garchar, C., Rat, P., Brignole, F., Baudouin, C., Conjunctival proinflammatory and proapoptotic effects of latanoprost and preserved and unpreserved timolol: An ex vivo and in vitro study (2004) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 45 (5), pp. 1360-1368Debbasch, C., De La Salle, S.B., Brignole, F., Rat, P., Warnet, M., Baudouin, C., Cytoprotective effects of hyaluronic acid and Carbomer 934P in ocular surface epithelial cells (2002) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 43 (11), pp. 3409-341

Symptom variability over the course of the day in patients with stable COPD in Brazil: a real-world observational study

Objetivo: Analisar os sintomas em diferentes momentos do dia em pacientes com DPOC. Métodos: Estudo observacional multicêntrico de corte transversal em oito centros brasileiros. Foram avaliados os sintomas matinais, diurnos e noturnos em pacientes com DPOC estável. Resultados: Foram incluídos 593 pacientes em tratamento regular, sendo 309 (52,1%) do sexo masculino e 92 (15,5%) fumantes ativos. A média de idade foi de 67,7 anos, e a média de VEF1 foi de 49,4% do valor previsto. Os pacientes com sintomas mais graves (n = 183; 30,8%), em comparação com aqueles com sintomas leves e moderados, apresentaram pior nível de atividade física (p = 0,002), maior limitação ao fluxo aéreo (p < 0,001), exacerbações ambulatoriais (p = 0,002) e hospitalares (p = 0,043) mais frequentemente e piores resultados em instrumentos específicos. Os sintomas matinais e noturnos mais frequentes foram dispneia (em 45,2% e 33,1%, respectivamente), tosse (em 37,5% e 33,3%, respectivamente) e chiado (em 24,4% e 27,0%, respectivamente). Houve forte correlação da intensidade dos sintomas diurnos com sintomas matinais (r = 0,65, p < 0,001), sintomas noturnos (r = 0,60, p < 0,001), bem como com o escore do COPD Assessment Test (r = 0,62; p < 0,001); porém, houve uma correlação fraca com VEF1 (r = −0,205; p < 0,001). Conclusões: A dispneia foi mais frequente no período matinal do que no período noturno. Ter sintomas matinais e/ou noturnos foi associado à pior gravidade dos sintomas diurnos. A intensidade dos sintomas foi fortemente associada a pior qualidade de vida e frequência de exacerbações, mas fracamente associada à limitação ao fluxo aéreo.463Objective: To analyze symptoms at different times of day in patients with COPD. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional observational study conducted at eight centers in Brazil. We evaluated morning, daytime, and nighttime symptoms in patients with stable COPD. Results: We included 593 patients under regular treatment, of whom 309 (52.1%) were male and 92 (15.5%) were active smokers. The mean age was 67.7 years, and the mean FEV1 was 49.4% of the predicted value. In comparison with the patients who had mild or moderate symptoms, the 183 (30.8%) with severe symptoms were less physically active (p = 0.002), had greater airflow limitation (p < 0.001), had more outpatient exacerbations (p = 0.002) and more inpatient exacerbations (p = 0.043), as well as scoring worse on specific instruments. The most common morning and nighttime symptoms were dyspnea (in 45.2% and 33.1%, respectively), cough (in 37.5% and 33.3%, respectively), and wheezing (in 24.4% and 27.0%, respectively). The intensity of daytime symptoms correlated strongly with that of morning symptoms (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and that of nighttime symptoms (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), as well as with the COPD Assessment Test score (r = 0.62; p < 0.001), although it showed only a weak correlation with FEV1 (r = −0.205; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dyspnea was more common in the morning than at night. Having morning or nighttime symptoms was associated with greater daytime symptom severity. Symptom intensity was strongly associated with poor quality of life and with the frequency of exacerbations, although it was weakly associated with airflow limitation

Percepção ambiental dos produtores e qualidade do solo em propriedades orgânicas e convencionais.

O sistema orgânico de produção deve resultar na utilização mais racional dos recursos naturais, sobretudo do solo. Os produtores orgânicos devem adotar práticas conservacionistas, além de atender a outros princípios deste sistema de produção. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as práticas de manejo e conservação do solo adotadas por produtores orgânicos e convencionais nas regiões dos municípios de Socorro (Serra da Mantiqueira e Mogiana) e Ibiúna, situados no Estado de São Paulo. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar o grau de adoção de práticas conservacionistas pelos produtores e avaliar a qualidade do solo na agricultura orgânica e convencional. Foi elaborado e aplicado um questionário, com visitas locais para verificação das práticas conservacionistas e ocorrência de erosão, em 30 propriedades. Os resultados foram expressos em índices indicadores de diversidade de uso do solo, atitude conservacionista, percepção de erosão e do impacto sobre os recursos hídricos. Foram também realizadas análises de atributos químicos, físicos e biológicos indicadores da qualidade do solo. Concluiu-se que os produtores orgânicos têm maior percepção quanto à atitude conservacionista e nas propriedades orgânicas há maior diversidade de cultivos, embora não haja maior diversidade geral de uso do solo. A produção orgânica de alface, em Ibiúna proporcionou maior atividade biológica no solo e maior colonização por fungos micorrízicos arbusculares. O sistema orgânico possui maiores teores de matéria orgânica e menores de potássio e não houve diferença entre os atributos físicos do solo dos sistemas orgânico e convencional