Phenol adsorption on high microporous activated carbons prepared from oily sludge: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

The purpose of this study was the preparation, characterization and application of high-performance activated carbons (ACs) derived from oily sludge through chemical activation by KOH. The produced ACs were characterized using iodine number, N2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The activated carbon prepared under optimum conditions showed a predominantly microporous structure with a BET surface area of 2263 m2g−1, a total pore volume of 1.37 cm3g−1 and a micro pore volume of 1.004 cm3g−1. The kinetics and equilibrium adsorption data of phenol ftted wellto the pseudo second order model (R2= 0.99) and Freundlich isotherm (R2= 0.99), respectively.The maximum adsorption capacity based on the Langmuir model (434 mg g−1) with a relatively fast adsorption rate (equilibrium time of 30 min) was achieved under an optimum pH value of 6.0.Thermodynamic parameters were negative and showed that adsorption of phenol onto the activated carbon was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic. Desorption of phenol from the adsorbent using 0.1 M NaOH was about 87.8% in the frst adsorption/desorption cycle and did not decrease signifcantly afterthree cycles.Overall,the synthesized activated carbon from oily sludge could be a promising adsorbent for the removal of phenol from polluted wate

Altered Plant and Nodule Development and Protein S-Nitrosylation in Lotus japonicus Mutants Deficient in S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductases

Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial signaling molecule that conveys its bioactivity mainly through protein S-nitrosylation. This is a reversible post-translational modification (PTM) that may affect protein function. S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is a cellular NO reservoir and NO donor in protein S-nitrosyla tion. The enzyme S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) degrades GSNO, thereby regulating indirectly signaling cas cades associated with this PTM. Here, the two GSNORs of the legume Lotus japonicus, LjGSNOR1 and LjGSNOR2, have been functionally characterized. The LjGSNOR1 gene is very active in leaves and roots, whereas LjGSNOR2 is highly expressed in nodules. The enzyme activities are regulated in vitro by redox-based PTMs. Reducing conditions and hydrogen sulfide-mediated cysteine persulfidation induced both activities, whereas cysteine oxidation or glutathionyla tion inhibited them. Ljgsnor1 knockout mutants contained higher levels of S-nitrosothiols. Affinity chromatography and subsequent shotgun proteomics allowed us to identify 19 proteins that are differentially S-nitrosylated in the mutant and the wild-type. These include proteins involved in biotic stress, protein degradation, antioxidant protection and photosynthesis. We propose that, in the mutant plants, deregulated protein S-nitrosylation contributes to develop mental alterations, such as growth inhibition, impaired nodulation and delayed flowering and fruiting. Our results highlight the importance of GSNOR function in leg ume biology.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness/State Research Agency-European Regional Developmental Fund [grant AGL2017-85775-R], Arag on Government (A09_17R) and Danish National Research Foundation [grant DNRF79]

The effect of air pollution on children’s health: a comparative study between La Plata and Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

We present the results of a study of outdoor air quality in two comparable regions of Buenos Aires province (Argentina), La Plata and Bahía Blanca, developed jointly by researchers of National University in both cities, and of the Hospital of Bahía Blanca, between 2009 and 2011. Both regions are characterized by a large petrochemical complex and a village with outstanding traffic. In this study, we measure levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter suspended in air (PM) in air outdoor and affectation of respiratory system in children between 6 and 12 years. Also, analysis of the effect of the air pollution exposure was done thought the calculation of potentially increased life time cancer risk (LCR) in children. In both regions, including three areas: urban, industrial and residential (reference area), 20 VOCs were sampled by passive monitoring (3M 3500), and determined by GC/FID, comprising n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, chlorinated compounds, terpenoids and ketones; particulate matter (PM10) was token using a low flow sampler MiniVol TAS, and spirometry were performed, using a portable spirometer. The collected data show higher levels of PM10 in Bahía Blanca, both in the industrial zone and urban areas, industrial area of Bahía Blanca with very bad air quality, associable with a 5% increased in mortality. The levels of total VOCs found in the residential area for both regions are comparable. Spirometry parameters of children living in industrial area evidence respiratory disease respect to urban and residential areas.Fil: Colman Lerner, Jorge Esteban. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morales, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar, M.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Fundación Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Giuliani, Daniela Silvana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Orte, Marcos Agustín. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ditondo, J.. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Dr. José Penna”; ArgentinaFil: Dodero, Veronica Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Massolo, L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Erica Yanina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Matamoros, N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingenieria; ArgentinaFil: Porta, A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentin

CALIDAD FITOSANITARIA Y DETERMINACION DE AFLATOXINAS EN GRANOS DE SORGO (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), EN ALMACEN Y CAMPO, 2005

Una de la problemática de la producción de sorgo en Nicaragua es el ideficiente manejo postcosecha del grano, como consecuencia es afectado por diferentes plagas que dañan su calidad por insectos, hongos y bacterias. Algunos hongos que afectan el grano en campo y almacén son productores de diferentes micotoxinas, que ocasionan micotoxicosis (intoxicaciones), dañinas para la salud humana y animal. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la calidad fitosanitaria y presencia de niveles de aflatoxinas en granos almacenados. Se colectaron muestras en empresas e industrias almacenadoras y de campo. A cada una se le realizó análisis organoléptico (olor, temperatura, apariencia); físico (impurezas), entomológico, patológico (hongos y bacterias) y análisis de aflatoxinas. Las plagas primarias insectiles encontradas en los granos en almacén son: el pequeño barrenador del grano (Rhizopertha dominica (F.) y el gorgojo del arroz (Sitophillus oryzae (L.)). El gorgojo plano de los granos (Cryptolestes sp.), predominó en todas las muestras de granos de almacén, considerado plaga secundaria. En granos de campo el insecto que se encontró en mayor numero fue el telarañero del sorgo (Celama sorghiella (Riley)). Los géneros de hongos Fusarium spp, Helminthosporium sp y las bacterias Pseudomonas syringae van Hall y Bacillus megaterium (De Bary) ocasionaron los mas altos porcentajes de infección en granos de almacén y campo. Se identificaron siete especies de Aspergillus de las cuales A. flavus Link y A. parasiticus Speare se asocian a la producción de aflatoxinas, sin embargo este análisis resultó por debajo de 20 partes por billón (ppb

Genome-wide association reveals host-specific genomic traits in Escherichia coli

Background Escherichia coli is an opportunistic pathogen which colonizes various host species. However, to what extent genetic lineages of E. coli are adapted or restricted to specific hosts and the genomic determinants of such adaptation or restriction is poorly understood. Results We randomly sampled E. coli isolates from four countries (Germany, UK, Spain, and Vietnam), obtained from five host species (human, pig, cattle, chicken, and wild boar) over 16 years, from both healthy and diseased hosts, to construct a collection of 1198 whole-genome sequenced E. coli isolates. We identified associations between specific E. coli lineages and the host from which they were isolated. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified several E. coli genes that were associated with human, cattle, or chicken hosts, whereas no genes associated with the pig host could be found. In silico characterization of nine contiguous genes (collectively designated as nan-9) associated with the human host indicated that these genes are involved in the metabolism of sialic acids (Sia). In contrast, the previously described sialic acid regulon known as sialoregulon (i.e. nanRATEK-yhcH, nanXY, and nanCMS) was not associated with any host species. In vitro growth experiments with a Δnan-9 E. coli mutant strain, using the sialic acids 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) as sole carbon source, showed impaired growth behaviour compared to the wild-type. Conclusions This study provides an extensive analysis of genetic determinants which may contribute to host specificity in E. coli. Our findings should inform risk analysis and epidemiological monitoring of (antimicrobial resistant) E. coli

Fate of drugs during wastewater treatment

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2013 Elsevier B.V.Recent trends in the determination of pharmaceutical drugs in wastewaters focus on the development of rapid multi-residue methods. This review addresses recent analytical trends in drug determination in environmental matrices used to facilitate fate studies. Analytical requirements for further fate evaluation and tertiary process selection and optimization are also discussed.EPSRC, Northumbrian Water, Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water, Yorkshire Water, and United Utilities

Accelerating surveillance and research of antimicrobial resistance - an online repository for sharing of antimicrobial susceptibility data associated with whole-genome sequences

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging threat to modern medicine. Improved diagnostics and surveillance of resistant bacteria require the development of next-generation analysis tools and collabor

Global phylogenetic analysis of Escherichia coli and plasmids carrying the mcr-1 gene indicates bacterial diversity but plasmid restriction

To understand the dynamics behind the worldwide spread of the mcr-1 gene, we determined the population structure of Escherichia coli and of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying the mcr-1 gene. After a systematic review of the literature we included 65 E. coli whole genome sequences (WGS), adding 6 recently sequenced travel related isolates, and 312 MLST profiles. We included 219 MGEs described in 7 Enterobacteriaceae species isolated from human, animal and environmental samples. Despite a high overall diversity, 2 lineages were observed in the E. coli population that may function as reservoirs of the mcr-1 gene, the largest of which was linked to ST10, a sequence type known for its ubiquity in human faecal samples and in food samples. No genotypic clustering by geographical origin or isolation source was observed. Amongst a total of 13 plasmid incompatibility types, the IncI2, IncX4 and IncHI2 plasmids accounted for more than 90% of MGEs carrying the mcr-1 gene. We observed significant geographical clustering with regional spread of IncHI2 plasmids in Europe and IncI2 in Asia. These findings point towards promiscuous spread of the mcr-1 gene by efficient horizontal gene transfer dominated by a limited number of plasmid incompatibility types

Comprehensive Characterization of Solar Eruptions with Remote and In-Situ Observations, and Modeling: The Major Solar Events on 4 November 2015

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) are an important product of solar activity. They are connected to solar active regions and flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), EUV waves, shocks, Type II and III radio emissions, and X-ray bursts. These phenomena are major probes of the partition of energy in solar eruptions, as well as for the organization, dynamics, and relaxation of coronal and interplanetary magnetic fields. Many of these phenomena cause terrestrial space weather, posing multiple hazards for humans and their technology from space to the ground. Since particular flares, shocks, CMEs, and EUV waves produce SEP events but others do not, since propagation effects from the low corona to 1 AU appear important for some events but not others, and since Type II and III radio emissions and X-ray bursts are sometimes produced by energetic particles leaving these acceleration sites, it is necessary to study the whole system with a multi-frequency and multi-instrument perspective that combines both in-situ and remote observations with detailed modeling of phenomena. This article demonstrates this comprehensive approach and shows its necessity by analyzing a trio of unusual and striking solar eruptions, radio and X-ray bursts, and SEP events that occurred on 4 November 2015. These events show both strong similarities and differences from standard events and each other, despite having very similar interplanetary conditions and only two flare sites and CME genesis regions. They are therefore major targets for further in-depth observational studies, and for testing both existing and new theories and models. We present the complete suite of relevant observations, complement them with initial modeling results for the SEPs and interplanetary magnetic connectivity, and develop a plausible scenario for the eruptions. Perhaps controversially, the SEPs appear to be reasonably modelled and evidence points to significant non-Parker magnetic fields. Based on the very limited modeling available, we identify the aspects that are and are not understood, and we discuss ideas that may lead to improved understanding of the SEP, radio, and space-weather events