Over-the-Counter Monocyclic Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Environment—Sources, Risks, Biodegradation

Recently, the increased use of monocyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has resulted in their presence in the environment. This may have potential negative effects on living organisms. The biotransformation mechanisms of monocyclic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the human body and in other mammals occur by hydroxylation and conjugation with glycine or glucuronic acid. Biotransformation/biodegradation of monocyclic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the environment may be caused by fungal or bacterial microorganisms. Salicylic acid derivatives are degraded by catechol or gentisate as intermediates which are cleaved by dioxygenases. The key intermediate of the paracetamol degradation pathways is hydroquinone. Sometimes, after hydrolysis of this drug, 4- aminophenol is formed, which is a dead-end metabolite. Ibuprofen is metabolized by hydroxylation or activation with CoA, resulting in the formation of isobutylocatechol. The aim of this work is to attempt to summarize the knowledge about environmental risk connected with the presence of over-the-counter antiinflammatory drugs, their sources and the biotransformation and/or biodegradation pathways of these drugs

Seawater electrodialysis with preferential removal of divalent ions

In this work desalination of a ternary salt mixture and at North Sea water is studied with a lab scale electrodialysis stack, which was used in a recycling batch mode. During desalination samples were taken and the ionic composition of the dilute stream was determined. The effect of applied current density (10-300 A/m(2)) On this composition was investigated. A clear effect of applied current density was observed. A lower applied current density leads to a more complete reduction in concentration of divalent ions, in an earlier extent of desalination. This influence of the applied current density could be related to the concentration polarization effects that occur in the diffusional boundary layer and are explained with a model based on the Nernst-Planck flux equation. It was found that the lower initial ion concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+ but also of K+ and SO42- compared to respectively Na+ and Cl-, leads to stronger depletion of these ions in the transport layer adjacent the membrane. These boundary layer effects are more pronounced at higher applied current densities, resulting in reduced transport of ions with a low initial concentration. High monovalent over divalent ion ratios can be found at low applied current. (C) 2013 Elsevier By. All rights reserved

Fractioning electrodialysis:a current induced ion exchange process

In desalination often multi ionic compositions are encountered. A preferential removal of multivalent ions over monovalent ions can be of interest to prevent scaling in the desalination process. Recently, a novel fractionating electrodialysis stack is described by Zhang et al., 2012 (in Sep. purify. Technol. 88). In the present work a small modification to such a stack was made, to create a current induced ion exchange process, in which no longer desalination occurs. This was done by building a membrane stack in which monovalent-selective ion-exchange membranes and standard grade ion-exchange membranes, with similar charge sign (so either anion or cation exchange groups), were placed alternatingly between an anode and a cathode to form a membrane stack. A proof of principle of the fractioning electrodialysis technology is given. Ternary mixtures, with a divalent-monovalent ion ratio similar to seawater, were used as feed water. For a cation and an anion fractioning stack, maximum fractionations of divalent ions were obtained of approximately 90 and 60%. At higher applied current density, ions can be fractionated to a larger extent than at lower applied current density. For both stacks the water recovery was 50%. Coulombic efficiency of both processes decrease rapidly after the start of the experiment. This leads to relatively large volumetric energy consumptions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Lietuviškų pusiau aukštaūgių šilauogių agrobiologinė charakteristika

VDU Kauno botanikos sode 2002–2004 m. vykdyti Lietuvoje sukurtų pusiau aukštaūgių šilauogių selekcinių numerių 11, 16 ir 17 tyrimai. Šie selekciniai numeriai palyginti su ‘Northcountry’ šilauogėmis. Įvertintas 4–6 m. amžiaus krūmų fenologinių požymių kaitos ritmas, nustatyta uogų masė, cheminiai rodikliai, produktyvumas. Visos tirtos pusiau aukštaūgiai yra ankstyvos. Didžiausia derliaus dalis nuskinama pirmojo skynimo metu, todėl jas galima skinti mechanizuotai. Visų selekcinių numerių uogos yra puikaus skonio, geros prekinės išvaizdos ir vertingos cheminės sudėties. Geriausia prekine uogų išvaizda iš visų selekcinių numerių išsiskyrė Nr. 17, o didžiausiomis uogomis – Nr. 11 šilauogės. Derlingiausios yra Nr. 16 ir Nr. 17 šilauogės, vidutinis jų derlius net du kartus statistiškai reikšmingai didesnis už ‘Nothcountry’ derliųSeedlings of half-highbush blueberries No. 11, No. 16 and No. 17 were investigated in Kaunas Botanical Garden during 2002-04. The obtained results were compared with those of half-highbush Northcountry. Phenological traits were estimated, fruiting of 4- to 6-year-old bushes, berry size and biochemical composition of berries were determined. Seedlings No. 11, No. 16 and No. 17 can be classified as early cultivars. The main part of the blueberry yield was obtained in the first picking; due to this mechanized picking can be applied. The plants produce tasty berries, of good marketable appearance and biochemical composition. No. 17 was distinguished for the best marketable appearance, No. 11 was distinguished for the biggest berries. The most productive were No. 16 and No. 17; their mean productivity was two times higher than that of NorthcountryLietuvos sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institutasLietuvos sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institutas, [email protected] Didžiojo universiteta

Dcc orchestrates the development of the prefrontal cortex during adolescence and is altered in psychiatric patients

Adolescence is a period of heightened susceptibility to psychiatric disorders of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) dysfunction and cognitive impairment. mPFC dopamine (DA) projections reach maturity only in early adulthood, when their control over cognition becomes fully functional. The mechanisms governing this protracted and unique development are unknown. Here we identify dcc as the first DA neuron gene to regulate mPFC connectivity during adolescence and dissect the mechanisms involved. Reduction or loss of dcc from DA neurons by Cre-lox recombination increased mPFC DA innervation. Underlying this was the presence of ectopic DA fibers that normally innervate non-cortical targets. Altered DA input changed the anatomy and electrophysiology of mPFC circuits, leading to enhanced cognitive flexibility. All phenotypes only emerged in adulthood. Using viral Cre, we demonstrated that dcc organizes mPFC wiring specifically during adolescence. Variations in DCC may determine differential predisposition to mPFC disorders in humans. Indeed, DCC expression is elevated in brains of antidepressant-free subjects who committed suicide

Effect of aeration on biodegradation of petroleum waste Efeito da aeração sobre a biodegradação de resíduo de petróleo

Large amounts of oily sludge are generated as residues by the oil industry, representing a real problem for refineries. This work studied the technical viability of treating oily sludge biologically, through stimulation of native microorganisms, at bench scale. Such microorganisms were able to grow in a medium containing oily sludge as the only carbon and energy sources. Two oily sludge concentrations were studied, 5% (v/v) and 10% (v/v), with a C:N ratio of 100:1. Higher microbial populations were observed in the first case. Substrate inhibition and/or toxic effect took place in the second case. The importance of aeration on the microbial activity and on the biodegradation of the residue was ascertained. In terms of n-paraffins, pristane and phytane consumption, maximum global efficiency of 76.9% (w/w) was achieved, in a medium containing 5% (v/v) of oily sludge. Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas predominated. Two yeast species were also identified and two filamentous fungi were isolated.<br>Grandes quantidades de borra oleosa são geradas como resíduos pela indústria do petróleo, representando um problema real para as refinarias. Neste trabalho foi estudada a viabilidade técnica do tratamento biológico de borra oleosa, conduzido a partir do estímulo de microrganismos nativos, em escala de bancada. Tais microrganismos foram capazes de crescer em meio contendo borra oleosa como única fonte de carbono e de energia. Duas concentrações deste resíduo foram estudadas, 5% (v/v) e 10% (v/v), para uma relação C:N de 100:1. Maiores densidades microbianas foram observadas na primeira condição. Por outro lado, inibição pelo substrato e/ou efeito tóxico ocorreram na segunda condição. Foi comprovada a importância da aeração sobre a atividade microbiana, assim como sobre a biodegradação do resíduo. Em termos de consumo de n-parafinas, pristano e fitano, a eficiência global máxima atingida foi de 76,9% (p/p), em meio contendo 5% (v/v) de borra oleosa. O procedimento de identificação mostrou a predominância de bactérias do gênero Pseudomonas e de leveduras dos gêneros Candida e Rhodotorula. Dois fungos filamentosos também foram isolados, estando, no momento, sujeitos a procedimentos de identificação