Nationwide consensus on quality indicators to assess glaucoma care: A modified Delphi approach

Purpose Performance assessments are essential to tracking and improving quality in health care systems. Key aspects of the care process that act as indicators must be measured in order to gain an in-depth understanding of a care unit's operation. Without standardized quality indicators (QIs), it is difficult to characterize and compare the abilities of institutions to achieve excellence. The aim of this study is to reach a consensus among glaucoma specialists concerning the development of a set of QIs to assess the performance of glaucoma care units. Methods A two-round Delphi technique was performed among glaucoma specialists in Portugal, using a 7-point Likert scale. Fifty-three initial statements (comprising process, structure, and outcome indicators) were evaluated and participants had to agree on which ones would be part of the final set of QIs. Results By the end of both rounds, 28 glaucoma specialists reached consensus on 30/53 (57%) statements, including 19 (63%) process indicators (mainly relating to the proper implementation of complementary exams and the setting of follow-up intervals), 6 (20%) structure indicators, and 5 (17%) outcome indicators. Of the indicators that were part of the final list, functional and structural aspects of glaucoma progression and the availability of surgical/laser procedures were the most prevalent. Conclusions A set of 30 QIs for measuring the performance of glaucoma units was developed using a consensus methodology involving experts in the field. Their use as measurement standards would provide important information about unit operations and allow further implementation of quality improvements

Manuseio e aplicação de defensivos agrícolas em meloeiro.

O Nordeste brasileiro é responsável por 94% da produção nacional de melão (Cucumis melo L.), e grande parte dessa produção concentra-se nos pólos irrigados do Vale do Mossoró/Açu, no Rio Grande do Norte e no Baixo Jaguaribe, no Ceará. Os produtores dessas regiões praticam uma agricultura altamente tecnificada e utilizam grande quantidade de defensivos agrícolas para controlar pragas e fitopatógenos que ocorrem nas lavouras

Valorization of agro-industrial wastes towards the production of rhamnolipids

In this work, oil mill wastewater (OMW), a residue generated during olive oil extraction, was evaluated as an inducer of rhamnolipid production. Using a medium containing as sole ingredients corn steep liquor (10%, v/v), sugarcane molasses (10%, w/v) and OMW (25%, v/v), Pseudomonas aeruginosa #112 produced 4.5 and 5.1 g of rhamnolipid per liter in flasks and reactor, respectively, with critical micelle concentrations as low as 13 mg/l. Furthermore, in the medium supplemented with OMW, a higher proportion of more hydrophobic rhamnolipid congeners was observed comparing with the same medium without OMW. OMW is a hazardous waste which disposal represents a serious environmental problem; therefore, its valorization as a substrate for the production of added-value compounds such as rhamnolipids is of great interest. This is the first report of rhamnolipid production using a mixture of these three agro-industrial by-products, which can be useful for the sustainable production of rhamnolipids.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI- 01-0145-FEDER-006684). The authors also thank the FCT for the financial support under the scope of the Project RECI/BBBEBI/ 0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462). E.J. Gudiña was supported by the Post-Doctoral fellowship CEB-BPD/01/2015/07 from the project UID/BIO/04469/2013, financed by FCT. A.I. Rodrigues was supported by the doctoral Grant SFRH/BD/111600/2015 provided by FCT

Degradation of multiple peptides by microcystin-degrader Paucibacter toxinivorans (2C20).

Since conventional drinking water treatments applied in different countries are inefficient at eliminating potentially toxic cyanobacterial peptides, a number of bacteria have been studied as an alternative to biological filters for the removal of microcystins (MCs). Here, we evaluated the degradation of not only MCs variants (-LR/DM-LR/-RR/-LF/-YR), but also non-MCs peptides (anabaenopeptins A/B, aerucyclamides A/D) by Paucibactertoxinivorans over 7 days. We also evaluated the degradation rate of MC-LR in a peptide mix, with all peptides tested, and in the presence of M. aeruginosa crude extract. Furthermore, biodegradation was assessed for non-cyanobacterial peptides with different chemical structures, such as cyclosporin A, (Glu1)-fibrinopeptide-B, leucine-enkephalin, and oxytocin. When cyanopeptides were individually added, P. toxinivorans degraded them (99%) over 7 days, except for MC-LR and -RR, which decreased by about 85 and 90%, respectively. The degradation rate of MC-LR decreased in the peptide mix compared to an individual compound, however, in the presence of the Microcystis extract, it was degraded considerably faster (3 days). It was noted that biodegradation rates decreased in the mix for all MCs while non-MCs peptides were immediately degraded. UPLC–QTOF–MS/MS allowed us to identify two linear biodegradation products for MC-LR and MC-YR, and one for MC-LF. Furthermore, P. toxinivorans demonstrated complete degradation of non-cyanobacterial peptides, with the exception of oxytocin, where around 50% remained after 7 days. Thus, although P. toxinivorans was previously identified as a MC-degrader, it also degrades a wide range of peptides under a range of conditions, which could be optimized as a potential biological tool for water treatment

Qualidade da serapilheira em floresta tropical com Bertholletia excelsa.

A serapilheira é a principal via de transferência de nutrientes das plantas ao solo e vice-versa. Esta ocorre em todos os ecossistemas, mas a quantidade e qualidade do material estocado, dos nutrientes encontrados variam para cada ambiente. O processo de quantificação da biomassa viva (parte aérea e raízes) e biomassa morta (serapilheira, troncos caídos e etc.) pode possibilitar, quantificar e qualificar o material orgânico disponível neste sistema. Trabalhos relacionados com a quantificação de serapilheira acumulada fornecem subsídios para um melhor entendimento da dinâmica dos nutrientes (CALDEIRA et al., 2008). O conhecimento da ciclagem de nutrientes em florestas nativas ou implantadas é de extrema importância para que se possa manejar o sistema, seja com fins de recuperação ou produção. Porém, são poucos os conhecimentos sobre a ciclagem de nutrientes em florestas naturais, tropicais e plantações florestais com florestas nativas no Brasil (CALDEIRA et al., 2011)

Production of photocatalytic road pavements using TiO2 nanoparticles

posterMan’s activity and mismanagement of resources conducted to dangerous levels of pollution in water, air and earth and to incalculable deficiencies, harmful to the physical and social health of mankind. Industrial activities, heating systems and road traffic are the main responsibles for the emission of pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As so, its harmful impacts are observed far beyond large cities and jam-packed streets. It is important to refer that the health costs related only with road traffic air pollution represents 0.9%-2.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in France, for example. Under this context, the combination of nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) and bituminous formulations represents a tool, with considerable degree of innovation, towards the reduction of environmental impacts. In this work, conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) was produced with standard materials to play the role of a control sample. Afterwards, an aqueous solution of TiO2 nanoparticles was sprayed over sample’s surface. By another hand, a HMA samples was also modified through the volume incorporation of small quantities of TiO2 nanoparticles and recycled glass cullets. It is expected that the inclusion of glass in the asphalt formulations should promote an in-depth conduction and entrapment of light , thus enhancing the photocatalytic performance of this samples. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted in order to infer about the morphology of the modified HMA samples and the surface as well as the in-depth dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles and recycled glass cullets. The produced samples were also subjected to wearing tests using the tire-road contact method. Before and after the wearing process, the photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated via the decomposition rate of an aqueous solution of Methylene Blue (MB) under UV light irradiation

In vitro evaluation of inhibitory activity of some species of croton and piper essential oils in secreted proteases of Pseudallescheria boydii.

Poster 080. SBOE 2015