Evaluation of the rubber seed shell (hevea brasiliensis) as an adsorbent: kinetic study/Avaliação da casca da semente de borracha (hevea brasiliensis) como adsorvente: estudo cinético

This study consisted in a technical evaluation of the adsorption process as a treatment for effluents contaminated by dyes. Due to that, a methyl orange solution was used in order to simulate a textile effluent, and the rubber seed shell was used as an adsorbent. It was evaluated an untreated seed shell (CS), the calcinated seed shell (CCS) and the calcinated shell that was also submitted to a chemical treatment using a solution of HNO3 15% (CCS-T). The experiments were performed in a batch mode to evaluate the individual efficiency of each treatment. The adsorbent’s mass and the initial concentration of the solutions used were remained constant at 0.15 g and 100 mg/L, respectively. The absorbance analysis was done for all the samples obtained during 6 h of operational time. The results indicated that the CCS-T provided the best efficiency in the removal of methyl orange dye, reducing its concentration to 55.98 mg/L, whereas the use of the CCS achieved a value of only 75.53 mg/L. It was not observed adsorption using CS. The maximum adsorption capacity of methyl orange was 7.59 mg/g, through the CCS-T adsorbent. Two kinetic models were used to model the experimental data obtained with the CCS-T adsorbent, with the pseudo-first order model providing the best correlation with the experimental data

Petroleum, the commodities era and Brazilian agriculture

Depois de aumentos de preços sem precedentes na história, as principais commodities dão sinais de arrefecimento, sem, entretanto, ser homogênea a desvalorização. Os preços das commodities energéticas caíram mais do que os das minerais e das agrícolas, fat244324

Stress conditions in the host induce persister cells and influence biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A

INTRODUCTION: Studies have demonstrated that pathogens react to the harsh conditions in human tissues by inducing mechanisms that promote survival. METHODS: Persistence and biofilm-forming ability were evaluated during stress conditions that mimic those in the host. RESULTS: Carbon-source availability had a positive effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A adhesion during hypoxia, accompanied by a decrease in pH. In contrast, iron limitation led to decreased surface-adherent biomass, accompanied by an increase medium acidification and lactate levels. Interestingly, iron starvation and hypoxia induced persister cells in planktonic culture. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the role of host stress in the virulence of S. epidermidis

Phenotypic and functional features of human Th17 cells

T helper (Th) 17 cells represent a novel subset of CD4+ T cells that are protective against extracellular microbes, but are responsible for autoimmune disorders in mice. However, their properties in humans are only partially known. We demonstrate the presence of Th17 cells, some of which produce both interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ (Th17/Th1), in the gut of patients with Crohn's disease. Both Th17 and Th17/Th1 clones showed selective expression of IL-23R, CCR6, and the transcription factor RORγt, and they exhibited similar functional features, such as the ability to help B cells, low cytotoxicity, and poor susceptibility to regulation by autologous regulatory T cells. Interestingly, these subsets also expressed the Th1-transcription factor T-bet, and stimulation of these cells in the presence of IL-12 down-regulated the expression of RORγt and the production of IL-17, but induced IFN-γ. These effects were partially inhibited in presence of IL-23. Similar receptor expression and functional capabilities were observed in freshly derived IL-17–producing peripheral blood and tonsillar CD4+ T cells. The demonstration of selective markers for human Th17 cells may help us to understand their pathogenic role. Moreover, the identification of a subset of cells sharing features of both Th1 and Th17, which can arise from the modulation of Th17 cells by IL-12, may raise new issues concerning developmental and/or functional relationships between Th17 and Th1

Development and evaluation of superabsorbent hydrogels based on natural polymers

Superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) are three dimensional networks formed by polymers that can absorb aqueous solution of over 100% of their initial weight. This work aimed to develop and characterize SAHs of Chitosan/Xanthan gum (CG), Chitosan/Alginate (CA) and controlled Chitosan (C), Xanthan gum (G), and Alginate (A) produced using “onion-like” methodology. The swelling performance, the morphological structure, the crystallinity, and the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy characteristics of SAH were used for the characterization of polyelectrolytes complex. Swelling analysis showed that chitosan has a strong influence on the maintenance of hydrogels structure after swelling, mainly in the acid environment (pH=2). The chitosan hydrogel presented around 3000% of acidic fluid absorption after 24 h. The chitosan:xanthan gum (1:1 and 2:1 named as C1G1 and C2G1, respectively) hydrogels were the best combination regarding swelling performance in an acid environment, reaching 1665% and 2024%, respectively, as well at pH 7.0, presenting 1005% (C1G1) and 667% (C2G1). Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed samples with pores, and with different shapes. The X-ray diffraction showed the presence of a characteristic peak at 2θ=20° in all developed composition because of the crystalline nature of chitosan. This work shows the possibility of developing eco-friendly biopolymer-based SAHs at a low cost with a good swelling capacity and stability.The research was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES/Brazil), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sergipe (FAPITEC, MS/CNPq/FAPITEC/SE/SESN◦06/2018) e do Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas (CNPq, Apoio a Projetos de Pesquisa/MCTI/CNPQ/Universal 14/2014) for supporting funds. EBS acknowledges the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) for the funded projects M-ERA-NET/0004/2015 (PAIRED) and UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund) financed from national funds, and cofinanced education (FCT/MEC) from national funds and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. J.J. acknowledges the Ministry of Science and Technical Development of the Republic of Serbia, through Contract Number 200051 172015 OI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Essential but differential role for CXCR4 and CXCR7 in the therapeutic homingof human renal progenitor cells

Recently, we have identified a population of renal progenitor cells in human kidneys showing regenerative potential for injured renal tissue of SCID mice. We demonstrate here that among all known chemokine receptors, human renal progenitor cells exhibit high expression of both stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7. In SCID mice with acute renal failure (ARF), SDF-1 was strongly up-regulated in resident cells surrounding necrotic areas. In the same mice, intravenously injected renal stem/progenitor cells engrafted into injured renal tissue decreased the severity of ARF and prevented renal fibrosis. These beneficial effects were abolished by blocking either CXCR4 or CXCR7, which dramatically reduced the number of engrafting renal progenitor cells. However, although SDF-1–induced migration of renal progenitor cells was only abolished by an anti-CXCR4 antibody, transendothelial migration required the activity of both CXCR4 and CXCR7, with CXCR7 being essential for renal progenitor cell adhesion to endothelial cells. Moreover, CXCR7 but not CXCR4 was responsible for the SDF-1–induced renal progenitor cell survival. Collectively, these findings suggest that CXCR4 and CXCR7 play an essential, but differential, role in the therapeutic homing of human renal progenitor cells in ARF, with important implications for the development of stem cell–based therapies

CHARACTERIZATION OF PEOPLE IN CARDIAC SURGERIES: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Objetivo: Caracterizar os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca em hospital de referência da região norte do Ceará. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e documental realizado pela análise de 176 prontuários de acordo com os aspectos éticos da resolução 196/96. Resultados: Identificou-se predominância de pacientes masculinos, casados, residentes em municípios distantes do serviço de saúde com predomínio da faixa etária acima de 40 anos. A permanência hospitalar foi baixa e por isso, percebe-se redução de riscos relacionados à internação e também dos custos com estes serviços, os quais influenciam para o aumento da rotatividade e disponibilização de leitos. Discussão: Foi evidenciada grande rotatividade e efetividade do serviço, possibilitando também vislumbrar que a principal cirurgia realizada é a revascularização do miocárdio em homens com a duração de internação em torno de quatro dias. Conclusão: Apesar dos riscos de uma cirurgia cardiovascular no hospital estudado, os pacientes recuperam-se com grande sucesso

Characterization of people in cardiac surgeries: a descriptive study

Objective: To characterize patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a referral hospital in northern of Ceara. Method: This is a quantitative and descriptive study using documentary analysis carried out by 176 medical records in accordance with the ethical aspects of Resolution 196/96. Results: We identified predominantly men, married, living in distant cities of the health service and a greater tendency for people over 40 years old. The hospital stay was low, contributing to reduction of risks related to hospitalization, also reducing the cost of these services, for influencing turnover and availability of beds. Discussion: This study shows high turnover and effectiveness of the service, allowing also envision that the primary surgery is coronary artery bypass surgery in men with the duration of hospitalization in about four days. Conclusion: We found that despite the risks of a cardiovascular surgery in the studied hospital, the patients recover with a great succes

CHARACTERIZATION OF PEOPLE IN CARDIAC SURGERIES: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Objetivo: Caracterizar os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca em hospital de referência da região norte do Ceará. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e documental realizado pela análise de 176 prontuários de acordo com os aspectos éticos da resolução 196/96. Resultados: Identificou-se predominância de pacientes masculinos, casados, residentes em municípios distantes do serviço de saúde com predomínio da faixa etária acima de 40 anos. A permanência hospitalar foi baixa e por isso, percebe-se redução de riscos relacionados à internação e também dos custos com estes serviços, os quais influenciam para o aumento da rotatividade e disponibilização de leitos. Discussão: Foi evidenciada grande rotatividade e efetividade do serviço, possibilitando também vislumbrar que a principal cirurgia realizada é a revascularização do miocárdio em homens com a duração de internação em torno de quatro dias. Conclusão: Apesar dos riscos de uma cirurgia cardiovascular no hospital estudado, os pacientes recuperam-se com grande sucesso

Cultivation of Potted Sea Fennel, an Emerging Mediterranean Halophyte, Using a Renewable Seaweed-Based Material as a Peat Substitute

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), an emerging halophyte species, represents a nutritious and refined food product. In this study, the effect on yield and quality of potted sea fennel grown on three posidonia (Podisonia oceanica (L.) Delile)-based composts (a municipal organic solid waste compost, a sewage sludge compost and a green compost) and a peat-based substrate was analyzed. Composts were used both pure and mixed with peat at a dose of 50% on a volume basis. We hypothesized that the halophytic nature of this plant might overcome the limitations of high-salinity compost-based growing media. The growth parameters, color traits and trace metals content (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) of the edible parts were compared. Independently of the substrates, the average total and edible yields were 51 and 30 g plant−1, respectively, while the average waste portion was about 41%. The use of posidonia-based compost did not affect the color traits of sea fennel plants as compared with samples grown on the commercial peat-based substrate. In general, potted sea fennel grown on both posidonia-based composts and commercial peat-based substrate appeared a good source of essential micronutrients. Only a weak reduction of Fe and Mn concentrations was observed in plants grown on posidonia-based composts, especially when used at the highest dose. Independently of the growing medium, the content of potentially hazardous trace elements (Cd and Pb) in the edible parts of sea fennel was always below the maximum admissible limits fixed by the European legislation. Results indicate that posidonia-based composts can be used as a sustainable peat substitute for the formulation of soilless mixtures to grow potted sea fennel plants, even up to a complete peat replacement