Microbial community dynamics in diesel waste biodegradation using sequencing batch bioreactor operation mode (SBR)

The dynamic of molecular microbial community during diesel waste biodegradation was investigated. The waste was treated in bioreactors operated in sequencing batch operation mode (SBR) in four cycles of 72 h, using optimized setpoints (pH, initial waste load, C:N ratio, aeration). Optimal conditions allowed the system to reach biodegradation of 53.3, 96.0, 76.2 and 75.0% at the end of cycles one, two three and four, respectively. Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) indicated increases in microbial activity from cycle one to cycle two (124.9 to 252.9 mgO2/L/h) and decreases in cycles three and four (120.4 to 108.8 mgO2/L/h, respectively). Investigations of microbial diversity showed changes in the microbial community members at the end of the cycle one. Significant reductions in the relative ecotoxicity were observed beginning with cycle two, and the reductions extended until the end of process. The SBR operation mode proved to be an efficient method for treating the diesel waste, and the process allowed for relevant reductions in the hydrocarbon content of the waste along with an increase in its environmental quality. Changes in the microbial members are evidence of the synergistic action of the microbiota in the process.Key words: Microbial diversity, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, sequencing batch, biodegradation

STUDY OF FIRE BEHAVIOR ON A PART OF SEMIDECIDUOUS SEASONAL FOREST IN VI\uc7OSA, MINAS GERAIS

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o comportamento do fogo em um trecho de Floresta Estacional Semidec\ueddua, usando as vari\ue1veis: intensidade do fogo, tempo de queima, material combust\uedvel, poder calor\uedfico e calor liberado por \ue1rea. Foram instaladas 10 parcelas de 5 x 5 m interdistantes em 1 m, perfazendo um total de 250 m2, em um fragmento denominado \u201cReserva da Biologia\u201d, pertencente \ue0 Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, Minas Gerais, (20\uba35\u2019-28\uba50\u2019S e 42\uba45\u2019-43\uba00\u2019W) onde foi realizada a queima controlada utilizando a t\ue9cnica do fogo a favor do vento, obedecendo ao sentido do aclive. Determinouse a quantidade de mat\ue9ria seca, velocidade de propaga\ue7\ue3o do fogo, intensidade, calor liberado e poder calor\uedfico. O tempo de dura\ue7\ue3o da queima variou entre as parcelas de 3\u201930\u201d a 9\u201918\u201d. A velocidade do vento, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar no dia da queima permaneceram constantes em todas as parcelas, apresentando valores de 3,5 m s-1 Norte, 20\ubaC e 79%, respectivamente. Os par\ue2metros do comportamento do fogo variaram entre as parcelas em: 0,32 a 1,10 kg m-2 para material combust\uedvel, 11,94 a 75,79 Kcal s-1 m-1 para a intensidade de queima e 1111 a 3789 Kcal m-2 para o calor liberado por \ue1rea. Os valores m\ue9dios para velocidade de propaga\ue7\ue3o e poder calor\uedfico foram 0,017 m s-1 e 4411 Kcal Kg-1, respectivamente. As condi\ue7\uf5es clim\ue1ticas de Vi\ue7osa em 2005 foram at\uedpicas em rela\ue7\ue3o aos outros anos, n\ue3o apresentando nenhum m\ueas seco. Esta condi\ue7\ue3o interferiu nos par\ue2metros do comportamento do fogo, fazendo com que a queima fosse classificada como de baixa intensidade.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fire behavior on a part of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, using the variables: fire intensity, burning time, fuel, heat content and heat released. Ten plots of 5 by 5 meters were used , totalizing 250 m2, and the distance between each plot was 1 meter in a place named \u201cReserva da Biologia\u201d property of Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, Minas Gerais, (20\uba35\u2019-28\uba50\u2019S e 42\uba45\u2019-43\uba00\u2019W) . In this place a control burning was performed using strip headfire technique, obeying the slope direction. The amount of local dry matter, fire propagation velocity, intensity, heat released and heat content were measured. The time duration of the burning ranged between plots of 3\u201930 \u201cto 9\u201918\u201d. Wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity were constant in all plots, with values 3, 5 m s-1 North, 20\uba C and 79% respectively. The values found for fire behavior variables ranged between plots: from 0, 32 to 1, and 10 Kg m-2 for fuel, from 11, 94 to 75,79 Kcals-1m-1 for burning intensity and from 1111 to 3789 Kcal m-2 for heat released. The average values for rate of spread and heat released were 0,017 m s-1 and 4411 Kcal Kg-1, respectively. In the year 2005, the weather conditions were atypical comparing to another years in Vi\ue7osa, witch in every month occurs a certain amount of rain. This fact had interference in the fire behavior parameters, for that reason the burning were classified as low intensity

INFLU\ucaNCIA DO FOGO NO BANCO DE SEMENTES DO SOLO EM FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECIDUAL

This study was carried out in a fragment called "Reserva da Biologia", which belongs to the Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil (20\ub035'-28\ub050'S e 42\ub045'-43\ub000'W), where 10 plots of 5 x 5 m plots, 1m away from each other, were set up. A controlled burning was performed on the plots, following the wind-driven fire technique, according to the slope orientation. The objective was to characterize the soil seed of the tree community before and after fire, in order to verify the effects of such discontinuance on both population density and floristic composition. In the centre of each plot, one 40 x 25 cm soil sampling was collected, from the leaf litter downward 5cm deep. One day after the soil sampling the plots underwent controlled burning. New soil samplings were done immediately after burning, following the previous methodology. It was counted 528 and 429 seedlings emerging from the soil seed bank before and after the fire, respectively. Such plants were of 23 species and 14 botanical families, from which Melastomataceae, Asteraceae and Urticaceae stood out. There was no meaningful reduction in the species richness or in the density of individuals of the populations between both samplings. The floristic similarity was 34 %. Miconia cinnamomifolia and Leandra purpurascens were the most frequent/abundant species. Pioneer species stood out making up 44 and 40 % of the species found in the area before and after fire, respectively.Este estudo foi realizado no fragmento "Reserva da Biologia", situado na Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, Minas Gerais, (20\ub035'-28\ub050'S e 42\ub045'-43\ub000'W) onde foram instaladas 10 parcelas de 5 x 5 m interdistantes em 1 m. Foi realizada uma queima controlada nas parcelas instaladas, utilizando a t\ue9cnica do fogo a favor do vento, obedecendo ao sentido do aclive. O objetivo foi caracterizar o banco de sementes do solo antes e depois do fogo, para verificar os efeitos desse dist\ufarbio na densidade das popula\ue7\uf5es e na composi\ue7\ue3o flor\uedstica da comunidade vegetal. No centro de cada parcela foi coletada uma amostra de solo de 40 x 25 cm, a partir da superf\uedcie da serapilheira at\ue9 5 cm de profundidade. Um dia ap\uf3s a coleta das amostras de solos as parcelas foram submetidas \ue0 queima controlada. Imediatamente ap\uf3s a queima foram realizadas novas coletas de solo seguindo a mesma metodologia adotada anteriormente. Foram obtidas 528 e 429 sementes germinadas das amostras do banco de sementes do solo antes e ap\uf3s o fogo, respectivamente, pertencentes a 23 esp\ue9cies de 14 fam\uedlias bot\ue2nicas, sendo as mais representativas Melastomataceae, Asteraceae e Urticaceae. Entre as duas amostragens (antes e ap\uf3s o fogo) n\ue3o houve redu\ue7\ue3o significativa da riqueza de esp\ue9cies e a similaridade flor\uedstica foi de 34 %. Miconia cinnamomifolia e Leandra purpurascens foram as esp\ue9cies mais abundantes nas duas amostragens. As esp\ue9cies pioneiras se destacaram com 44 e 40 % das esp\ue9cies presentes no banco de sementes antes e ap\uf3s o fogo, respectivamente

INFLU\ucaNCIA DO FOGO NO BANCO DE SEMENTES DO SOLO EM FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECIDUAL

This study was carried out in a fragment called "Reserva da Biologia", which belongs to the Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil (20\ub035'-28\ub050'S e 42\ub045'-43\ub000'W), where 10 plots of 5 x 5 m plots, 1m away from each other, were set up. A controlled burning was performed on the plots, following the wind-driven fire technique, according to the slope orientation. The objective was to characterize the soil seed of the tree community before and after fire, in order to verify the effects of such discontinuance on both population density and floristic composition. In the centre of each plot, one 40 x 25 cm soil sampling was collected, from the leaf litter downward 5cm deep. One day after the soil sampling the plots underwent controlled burning. New soil samplings were done immediately after burning, following the previous methodology. It was counted 528 and 429 seedlings emerging from the soil seed bank before and after the fire, respectively. Such plants were of 23 species and 14 botanical families, from which Melastomataceae, Asteraceae and Urticaceae stood out. There was no meaningful reduction in the species richness or in the density of individuals of the populations between both samplings. The floristic similarity was 34 %. Miconia cinnamomifolia and Leandra purpurascens were the most frequent/abundant species. Pioneer species stood out making up 44 and 40 % of the species found in the area before and after fire, respectively.Este estudo foi realizado no fragmento "Reserva da Biologia", situado na Universidade Federal de Vi\ue7osa, Minas Gerais, (20\ub035'-28\ub050'S e 42\ub045'-43\ub000'W) onde foram instaladas 10 parcelas de 5 x 5 m interdistantes em 1 m. Foi realizada uma queima controlada nas parcelas instaladas, utilizando a t\ue9cnica do fogo a favor do vento, obedecendo ao sentido do aclive. O objetivo foi caracterizar o banco de sementes do solo antes e depois do fogo, para verificar os efeitos desse dist\ufarbio na densidade das popula\ue7\uf5es e na composi\ue7\ue3o flor\uedstica da comunidade vegetal. No centro de cada parcela foi coletada uma amostra de solo de 40 x 25 cm, a partir da superf\uedcie da serapilheira at\ue9 5 cm de profundidade. Um dia ap\uf3s a coleta das amostras de solos as parcelas foram submetidas \ue0 queima controlada. Imediatamente ap\uf3s a queima foram realizadas novas coletas de solo seguindo a mesma metodologia adotada anteriormente. Foram obtidas 528 e 429 sementes germinadas das amostras do banco de sementes do solo antes e ap\uf3s o fogo, respectivamente, pertencentes a 23 esp\ue9cies de 14 fam\uedlias bot\ue2nicas, sendo as mais representativas Melastomataceae, Asteraceae e Urticaceae. Entre as duas amostragens (antes e ap\uf3s o fogo) n\ue3o houve redu\ue7\ue3o significativa da riqueza de esp\ue9cies e a similaridade flor\uedstica foi de 34 %. Miconia cinnamomifolia e Leandra purpurascens foram as esp\ue9cies mais abundantes nas duas amostragens. As esp\ue9cies pioneiras se destacaram com 44 e 40 % das esp\ue9cies presentes no banco de sementes antes e ap\uf3s o fogo, respectivamente

EVALUATION OF COSTS OF TWO HARVESTER MODELS IN THE CUT OF Eucalyptus

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de realizar a avalia\ue7\ue3o de custos de dois modelos de harvester, na colheita de madeira de eucalipto. A pesquisa avaliou a derrubada e o processamento da \ue1rvore, com idade de 6 anos, no sistema de toras curtas, para dois modelos de harvester, em \ue1reas localizadas nos munic\uedpios de Concei\ue7\ue3o da Barra \u2013 ES e Caravelas \u2013 BA. Avaliaram-se dois modelos de harvester, PC-228 SHO e PC-200 LC, da marca Komatsu. As informa\ue7\uf5es foram coletadas durante um per\uedodo de 6 meses, que compreende os meses de mar\ue7o a agosto de 2010, pelo m\ue9todo de censo. Calcularam-se os custos operacionais dos dois modelos de harvester, pelo m\ue9todo cont\ue1bil, o qual utiliza valores estimados em reais. Realizou-se ainda a an\ue1lise de sensibilidade de custos para os elementos que mais contribuem com o custo final. Obteve-se o custo operacional para os modelos PC 200 e PC 228 de R$156,95 e R$ 168,84 por hora efetiva, respectivamente. Em rela\ue7\ue3o aos custos operacionais totais, os custos mais significativos foram: combust\uedvel, manuten\ue7\ue3o e reparos e deprecia\ue7\ue3o, com 24,41%, 22,39% e 19,08%, respectivamente. Na an\ue1lise de sensibilidade, simulando uma situa\ue7\ue3o em que a empresa consiga uma economia real de 10% em cada um desses itens, a mesma poder\ue1 obter uma redu\ue7\ue3o no custo de produ\ue7\ue3o em 7%, para as duas m\ue1quinas avaliadas.The present study aimed to carry through the evaluation of costs of two models of harvester in the wood harvesting of Eucalyptus wood. The research evaluated the 6-year old tree fallen and processing, in the cut-to-length system for two models of harvester, in areas located in the cities of Concei\ue7\ue3o da Barra, Esp\uedrito Santo state and Caravelas, Bahia state. It was evaluated the models of harvester PC-228 SHO and PC-200 LC, of the Komatsu Mark. The information was collected during a period of 6 months, from March to August 2010, by the method of census. It was calculated the operational costs of the two models of harvester, for the countable method, which uses values in \u2018Reais\u2019, the Brazilian currency. It was conducted further analysis of cost sensitivity for the elements that contribute most to the final cost. We obtained the operating cost models for PC 200 and PC 228 of R$156,95 and R$ 168,84 per effective hour, respectively. In relation with the total operational costs, the most significant costs were: fuel, maintenance, and repairs/ depreciation, with 24.41%, 22.39% and 19.08%, respectively. In the sensitivity analysis, simulating a situation where the company gets a real economy of 10% in each one of these items, the same one will be able to get a reduction in the cost of production in 7%, for the two evaluated machines

Neutrophils Reduce the Parasite Burden in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis-Infected Macrophages

Background: Studies on the role of neutrophils in Leishmania infection were mainly performed with L. (L) major, whereas less information is available for L. (L) amazonensis. Previous results from our laboratory showed a large infiltrate of neutrophils in the site of infection in a mouse strain resistant to L. (L.) amazonensis (C3H/HePas). in contrast, the susceptible strain (BALB/c) displayed a predominance of macrophages harboring a high number of amastigotes and very few neutrophils. These findings led us to investigate the interaction of inflammatory neutrophils with L. (L.) amazonensis-infected macrophages in vitro.Methodology/Principal Findings: Mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with L. (L.) amazonensis were co-cultured with inflammatory neutrophils, and after four days, the infection was quantified microscopically. Data are representative of three experiments with similar results. the main findings were 1) intracellular parasites were efficiently destroyed in the co-cultures; 2) the leishmanicidal effect was similar when cells were obtained from mouse strains resistant (C3H/HePas) or susceptible (BALB/c) to L. (L.) amazonensis; 3) parasite destruction did not require contact between infected macrophages and neutrophils; 4) tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), neutrophil elastase and platelet activating factor (PAF) were involved with the leishmanicidal activity, and 5) destruction of the parasites did not depend on generation of oxygen or nitrogen radicals, indicating that parasite clearance did not involve the classical pathway of macrophage activation by TNF-alpha, as reported for other Leishmania species.Conclusions/Significance: the present results provide evidence that neutrophils in concert with macrophages play a previously unrecognized leishmanicidal effect on L. (L.) amazonensis. We believe these findings may help to understand the mechanisms involved in innate immunity in cutaneous infection by this Leishmania species.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Alcaligenes faecalis associated with Mimosa calodendron rizhosphere assist plant survival in arsenic rich soils.

The ferruginous rupestrian grasslands (FRG) in the Iron Quadrangle (IQ) are ecosystems characterized by rocky soils with reduced availability of water and nutrients, but high levels of metals. In order to comprehend the interference of microorganisms on the adaptive process of endemic plant Mimosa calodendrum (Fabaceae), bacteria associated with its roots and rhizosphere were isolated. Fourteen isolates were obtained and subsequently grown in the presence of different concentrations of arsenic (As) species. The isolate Mc250, an Alcaligenes faecalis strain, resisted to 10 mM of As (III) and 800 mM of As (V). In the presence of this strain, atomic spectrometer detected a reduction of 55% for As (III) and 72% for As (V) respectively in 10 mM and 500 mM solution. Scanning electron microscopy of this isolate demonstrated morphological modification and EDX spectroscopy revealed the presence of both As species adsorbed on the membrane, justifying the removal observed in the in vitro assays. To validate this potential removal of As in vivo, tomato plants were used as grown model in the presence and absence of A. faecalis in soil previously contaminated with 5 mM of As (III). After 14 days, plants from contaminated soil had their growth improved when compared to untreated control plants. All these results suggest for the first time that plant-associated bacteria from FRG-IQ present potential for soil rhizoremediation and may benefit the adaptive processes of plants in extreme environments including application in recovering degraded areas

Post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome in patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine long-acting injection, I: analysis of cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An advance in the treatment of schizophrenia is the development of long-acting intramuscular formulations of antipsychotics, such as olanzapine long-acting injection (LAI). During clinical trials, a post-injection syndrome characterized by signs of delirium and/or excessive sedation was identified in a small percentage of patients following injection with olanzapine LAI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Safety data from all completed and ongoing trials of olanzapine LAI were reviewed for possible cases of this post-injection syndrome. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize incidence, clinical presentation, and outcome. Regression analyses were conducted to assess possible risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on approximately 45,000 olanzapine LAI injections given to 2054 patients in clinical trials through 14 October 2008, post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome occurred in approximately 0.07% of injections or 1.4% of patients (30 cases in 29 patients). Symptomatology was consistent with olanzapine overdose (e.g., sedation, confusion, slurred speech, altered gait, or unconsciousness). However, no clinically significant decreases in vital signs were observed. Symptom onset ranged from immediate to 3 to 5 hours post injection, with a median onset time of 25 minutes post injection. All patients recovered within 1.5 to 72 hours, and the majority continued to receive further olanzapine LAI injections following the event. No clear risk factors were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome can be readily identified based on symptom presentation, progression, and temporal relationship to the injection, and is consistent with olanzapine overdose following probable accidental intravascular injection of a portion of the olanzapine LAI dose. Although there is no specific antidote for olanzapine overdose, patients can be treated symptomatically as needed. Special precautions include use of proper injection technique and a post-injection observation period.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov ID; URL: <url>http://http//www.clinicaltrials.gov/</url>: NCT00094640, NCT00088478, NCT00088491, NCT00088465, and NCT00320489.</p

Dengue Virus Type 4 Phylogenetics in Brazil 2011: Looking beyond the Veil

Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever are diseases affecting approximately 100 million people/year and are a major concern in developing countries. In the present study, the phylogenetic relationship of six strains of the first autochthonous cases of DENV-4 infection occurred in Sao Paulo State, Parana State and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2011 were studied. Nucleotide sequences of the envelope gene were determined and compared with sequences representative of the genotypes I, II, III and Sylvatic for DEN4 retrieved from GenBank. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic approach to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Brazilian DENV-4 and we estimated evolutionary rates and dates of divergence for DENV-4 found in Brazil in 2011. All samples sequenced in this study were located in Genotype II. The studied strains are monophyletic and our data suggest that they have been evolving separately for at least 4 to 6 years. Our data suggest that the virus might have been present in the region for some time, without being noticed by Health Surveillance Services due to a low level of circulation and a higher prevalence of DENV-1 and DENV- 2