Activated Carbon Produced from Tanning Industry Residues Used to Remove Carbamazepine from Wastewater

The 8th International Conference on Energy and Environment Research - ICEER 2021According to UNESCO, emerging pollutants are posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. These compounds can be either synthetic or natural chemicals or microorganisms, that are not usually regulated, and can be found in hospital wastewater, even after conventional treatment processes. Carbamazepine is a mood stabilizing drug and an anticonvulsant. Due to its persistence, carbamazepine is one of the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in wastewater. Though there are many methods to remove such pollutants, adsorption is one of the most effective treatments. To remove carbamazepine from solution, an activated carbon prepared from leather residues and a commercial activated carbon were used as adsorbents. The adsorption tests show that the leather residue derived activated carbons have higher specific surface area (>1500 m’/g) and higher adsorption capacity (q > 300 mgcnz/g) for carbamazepine when compared to commercial activated carbon (992 m’/g and q < 180 mgcaz/g, respectively).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Travel of studies: cities of João Pessoa, Maceio, Natal and Recife: a look on the urban space and brazilian architectural production

Ponencia presentada a Session 8: Dimensiones psicosociales de la arquitectura y el urbanismo / Psycological dimensions of architecture and planningThis article aims to present the methodology and the final results of the elective course “Travel of Studies” which belongs to the new pedagogical project from the Architecture and Urbanism course at the University Federal of Pernambuco. It was offered for the first time in 2013.The discipline was organized to occur in four long weekends through visits of four capitals of the Northeast of Brazil: Recife, João Pessoa, Natal and Maceió. The purpose was to allow the students to apprehend the cities through four axis: intervention in historical center (axis 1), production of urban space (axis 2), production of coastline space (axis 3) and contemporary architecture (axis 4). After the four visits were complete, we prepared a poster with the comparison of the cities based on the identification of the similarities and differences of each axis we have studied

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of an amorphous solid polymer electrolyte

In this study the synthesis of an amorphous polymer network, poly[oxymethylene-oligo(oxyethylene)], designated as aPEO, is described. This polymer has been characterized by gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, conductivity measurements, evaluation of electrochemical stability and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The synthetic procedure developed permits partial fractionation of the product of the polymerization reaction. This linear macromolecule appears to be a promising polymer for application in batteries and electrochromic devices since it provides access to an amorphous polymer structure with good mechanical properties and promising electrochemical behavior.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Distal mummification of all limbs-an odd presentation of multiple myeloma

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Worsening of pain and swelling following triamcinolone hexacetonide intra-articular injection: a prospective study in a cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases

Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Contributions of micoteca da Universidade do Minho to food mycology

Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM) is a collection of fungi established in 1996 where research into secondary metabolites in the form of mycotoxins is paramount. An objective is to maintain and provide authentic strains for research in biotechnology, life sciences and challenge testing. Knowledge, information and training in mycology are promulgated by the biological resource centre. MUM is involved in projects which address the health and quality risks from fungal contamination of grape products (e.g. wine), apples, cheese, chillies, nuts and corn: Fungi in drinking water are of particular concern. Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansum and Fusarium graminearum especially are relevant to our work: Associated mycotoxins are ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, patulin, citrinin and zearalenone. We study the earthy off-flavours in wine from Botrytis cinearum and P. expansum. The analytical techniques employed are PCR, HPLC, GC-MS and MALDITOF MS for strain characterization. MUM participates in several European and national projects. Post-graduate studies on mycotoxigenic fungi and food security particularly are important. A key objective is international collaboration. MUM strains are well characterized for toxigenicity, making the collection relevant to its mission and industry. This presentation will describe the progress made in this innovative Portuguese laboratory over 10 years

FTA-LAMP based biosensor for a rapid in-field detection of Globodera pallida—the pale potato cyst nematode

The combination of a sensitive and specific magnetoresistive sensing device with an easy DNA extraction method and a rapid isothermal amplification is presented here targeting the on-site detection of Globodera pallida, a potato endoparasitic nematode. FTA-cards were used for DNA extraction, LAMP was the method developed for DNA amplification and a nanoparticle functionalized magnetic-biosensor was used for the detection. The combinatorial effect of these three emerging technologies has the capacity to detect G. pallida with a detection limit of one juvenile, even when mixed with other related species. This combined system is far more interesting than what a single technology can provide. Magnetic biosensors can be combined with any DNA extraction protocol and LAMP forming a new solution to target G. pallida. The probe designed in this study consistently distinguished G. pallida (∆Vacbinding/Vacsensor above 1%) from other cyst nematodes (∆Vacbinding/Vacsensor below 1%). It was confirmed that DNA either extracted with FTA-cards or Lab extraction Kit was of enough quantity and quality to detect G. pallida whenever present (alone or in mixed samples), ensuring probe specificity and sensitivity. This work provides insights for a new strategy to construct advanced devices for pathogens in-field diagnostics. LAMP runs separately but can be easily integrated into a single device

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI® L26 by extrusion in an alginate matrix

Probiotic bacteria are currently used in the development of functional food products, yet sometimes face technological challenges when incorporated in food matrices with more aggressive environments – salt, acid or oxygen concentrations. Encapsulation is an efficient technique to overcome such difficulties since encapsulation microcapsules help in their protection from both the product intrinsic properties and the gastrointestinal tract. Among the many factors influencing encapsulation efficiency, capsule size is an important issue since it can affect the textural and sensorial properties of the food product to which they are added. In this research work the microencapsulation efficiency and stability throughout storage of calcium alginate capsules (produced by extrusion) of Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI® L26 was studied. Initially, extrusion by coaxial flow was used for encapsulation. Storage in Ringer solution at 4 ºC in a 1:9 (g/mL) racio – and the effect of a protecting agent – lactose, were assessed (samples collected at 0, 3, 5, 7 and 14d). In order to reduce the capsules’ size, extrusion by aerodynamically assisted flow was also tested and two different rupture solutions (sodium citrate 2 %(w/v) and phosphate buffer (0.5 M; pH 7)) were assessed. The capsules obtained via extrusion by coaxial flow presented dimensions superior to 200 µm. The incorporation method was shown to be effective. Suspension of the L. paracasei LAFTI® L26 alginate capsules in Ringer solution and storage at 4 ºC was shown to be a good preservation method and lactose did not present a protective effect. Such encapsulation increased survival of bacteria under storage at 4 ºC for two months (samples collected at 0, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60d), reducing the decline of viable cell numbers when in comparison with free cells (3 log cycles versus 4 log cycles). The size of the capsules obtained using extrusion by aerodynamically assisted flow was smaller than 100 µm which allows the capsules to be incorporated in food products without a negative sensorial perception. The encapsulation method was also shown to be effective and no difference between rupture solutions was observed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Simple strategies for stable aqueous suspensions of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are attractive nanoparticles for biological applications due to their broad absorption of light in the UV-Vis-NIR, NIR photoluminescence, unique Raman signature, photothermal response, and large surface area for the covalent and non-covalent conjugation of contrast agents and drugs, DNA/RNA. However, pristine CNT are highly hydrophobic and not biocompatible, requiring functionalization with hydrophilic molecules in order to form stable aqueous suspensions. Here, simple functionalization methods of perylene bisimides and pyrene, to render these polyaromatic molecules amphiphilic, will be presented. Bolaamphiphilic perylene bisimides (PBI) were prepared by the reaction of perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride with -amino acids in good yield, using a simple protocol and avoiding complex purification methods. [1] Pyrene was modified by nitration followed by amination, and further reacted with maleic anhydride yielding carboxylic acid-functionalized pyrene. The CNT aqueous suspensions were studied by absorption and emission spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations were used to support the experimental observations. The possibility of CNT double functionalization (covalent and non-covalent) will be discussed based on CNT solubility studies in surfactant aqueous solutions. Pristine and covalently functionalized CNT, at different functionalization yields, were compared. The CNT were functionalized by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. [2] The ability of CNT to adsorb surfactant molecules was reduced by the covalent functionalization. Nevertheless, depending on the extent of covalent functionalization, a high concentration of CNT in water could be attained, in comparison to that of pristine CNT.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Influence of hormonal replacement therapy in lipid peroxidation levels of postmenopausal women with different cardiovascular capacity

It has been suggested that exercise has a positive impact on the prevention and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the main mechanisms is through the modification of lipoprotein levels and the risk of its oxidation, especially LDL lipoproteins. After menopause, women experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, women receiving hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) seem to be protected. The aim of this study was to infer how HRT affect lipid peroxidation levels in postmenopausal women with different levels of aerobic fitness. Design & Method: Sixty four women participate in this study, 32 of them receive HRT (group with HRT – GWHRT) (average age¼55.9 years, average weight¼ 66.9 kg and average high¼156.0 cm) and the remained 32 women didn’t receive HRT (group without HRT – GWOHRT) (average age¼61.0 years, average weight¼ 67.6 kg and average high¼154.3 cm). Total cholesterol (mg dL71), HDL-cholesterol (mg dL71), LDL-cholesterol (mg dL71) and triglycerides levels (mg dL71) have been analyzed in serum obtained from a blood sample collected after 8 hours of fasting, and measured in Dr. Lange LP20 according to the specific manufacturer instructions. Serum MDA concentration (ng L71) was determined by spectrophotometric method. Aerobic capacity (VO2max ml kg71 min71) was assessed according to an adaptation of Bruce protocol. Differences between groups were tested through Student t-test. A Spearman correlation was performed in order to test variables associations. Significance level was established at 5%.Results: Our results have found differences between groups in age (t¼3.018; p50.01), in VO2max (t¼73.774; p50.01) and in serum MDA concentration (t¼6.750; p50.01). The GWHRT were younger, had a higher VO2max (31.38 for GWHRT and 26.19 for GWOHRT), and had lower levels of serum MDA concentration (0.29 for GWHRT and 0.73 for GWOHRT) comparatively with those women from the GWOHRT. However, our results failed to find any differences between groups regarding serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or BMI. In this study, serum MDA concentration didn’t correlate with higher levels of lipid profile, as we might have expected, but correlate inversely with HRT (r¼7.726, p¼.00) and with VO2max (r¼7.287, p¼.02). Conclusion: Our results suggest that HRT should exert an antioxidant protective effect against lipid peroxidation, as well as exercise perhaps through the stimulation of antioxidant capacity