Measuring and mapping the effectiveness of the European Air Quality Directive in reducing N and S deposition at the ecosystem level

To protect human health and the environment (namely ecosystems), international air quality protocols and guidelines, like the Gothenburg protocol (1999) and the 2001 EU Air Quality Directive (NECD), conveyed national emission ceilings for atmospheric pollutants (Directive 2001/81/EC), including the reduction of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) emissions by 2010. However, to what degree this expected reduction in emissions had reflections at the ecosystem level (i.e. pollutant levels reaching and impacting ecosystems and their organisms) remains unknown. Here, we used lichens as ecological indicators, together with reported air and precipitation pollutant concentrations, to determine and map the consequences of the S and N atmospheric emission's reduction, during the implementation of the 2001 Directive (in 2002 and 2011), due primarily to the industrial-sector. The study area is a mixed-land-use industrialized Mediterranean agroforest ecosystem, in southwest Europe. The reduction of S emissions (2002-2011) was reflected at the ecosystem level, as the same S-declining trend was observed in atmospheric measurement stations and lichens alike (-70%), indicating that most S deposited to the ecosystem had an industrial origin. However, this was not the case for N with a slight N-reduction near industrial facilities, but mostly N-deposition in lichens increased in areas dominated by agricultural land-uses. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of going beyond emissions estimation and modeling, to assess the success of the implementation of the NECD in lowering pollutant accumulation in living organisms and their environment. This can only be achieved by measuring pollutant deposition at the ecosystem level (e.g. living organisms). By doing so, we were able to show that the 2001 NECD was successful in reducing S concentrations from Industry, whereas N remains a challenge. Despite the small reduction in N-emissions, deposition into ecosystems did not reflect these changes as agriculture and transport sectors must reduce NH3 and NOx emissions. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.The research was supported by project GISA [funded by private companies: GALP, Repsol, APS, AdSA, AICEP, CARBOGAL, EDP, EuroResinas, KIMAXTRA, REN and GENERG; and managed by local authorities: CCDRA, ARSA and Municipalities of Sines, Santiago do Cacem, Grandola, Alcacer do Sal and Odemira]; article preparation was supported by project NitroPortugal [European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 692331]. NitroPortugal is a co-financer for the project Towards INMS, implemented by UN Environment. Concentration of pollutants in precipitation available in the EBAS database has largely been funded by the UN-ECE CLRTAP (EMEP) and through NILU internal resources

Meningoradiculitis Due To Cryptococcus Neofermans In An Immunocompetent Patient.

Meningoradiculitis refers to combined involvement of meninges and nerve roots. The most frequent location is the lumbosacral region. Etiology is diverse, including inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic disorders. Meningoradiculitis is a rare form of involvement in cryptococcal infection. We describe a case of subacute lower limbs flaccid paresis diagnosed as lumbosacral meningoradiculitis in view of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory changes and typical enhancement on MRI of lumbar spine. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from CSF. Extensive screening yielded no immunodeficiencies.62147-

Metal-sensitive and thermostable trypsin from the crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) pyloric caeca: purification and characterization

Background: Over the past decades, the economic development and world population growth has led to increased for food demand. Increasing the fish production is considered one of the alternatives to meet the increased food demand, but the processing of fish leads to by-products such as skin, bones and viscera, a source of environmental contamination. Fish viscera have been reported as an important source of digestive proteases with interesting characteristics for biotechnological processes. Thus, the aim of this study was to purify and to characterize a trypsin from the processing by-products of crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) fish.Results: A 27.5 kDa trypsin with N-terminal amino acid sequence IVGGFECTPHVFAYQ was easily purified from the pyloric caeca of the crevalle jack. Its physicochemical and kinetic properties were evaluated using N-alpha-benzoyl-(DL)-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BApNA) as substrate. in addition, the effects of various metal ions and specific protease inhibitors on trypsin activity were determined. Optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 50 degrees C, respectively. After incubation at 50 degrees C for 30 min the enzyme lost only 20% of its activity. K-m, k(cat), and k(cat)/K-m values using BApNA as substrate were 0.689 mM, 6.9 s(-1), and 10 s(-1) mM(-1), respectively. High inhibition of trypsin activity was observed after incubation with Cd2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ at 1 mM, revealing high sensitivity of the enzyme to metal ions.Conclusions: Extraction of a thermostable trypsin from by-products of the fishery industry confirms the potential of these materials as an alternative source of these biomolecules. Furthermore, the results suggest that this trypsin-like enzyme presents interesting biotechnological properties for industrial applications.Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP/RECARCINE)Petroleo do Brasil S/A (PETROBRAS)Secretaria Especial de Aquicultura e Pesca (SEAP/PR)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundacao de Apoio a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE)Univ Fed Pernambuco, Lab Enzimol LABENZ, Dept Bioquim CCB, BR-50670910 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, LIKA, BR-50670910 Recife, PE, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Lab Glicoprot, Dept Bioquim CCB, BR-50670910 Recife, PE, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Knowledge of cochlear implants in Federal District Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Otolaryngologists

Objetivo: descrever a auto-avaliação de otorrinolaringologistas e fonoaudiólogos do Distrito Federal acerca do conhecimento em relação ao implante coclear. Métodos: estudo transversal e analítico com coleta de dados obtidos por meio da aplicação de questionários on-line. Participaram do estudo 73 fonoaudiólogos e 33 otorrinolaringologistas que responderam questões acerca do conhecimento do Implante Coclear na cidade de Brasília-Distrito Federal. Resultados: 31% (n=22) dos fonoaudiólogos acreditam ter conhecimento suficiente no que se refere ao procedimento cirúrgico, enquanto que no grupo dos otorrinolaringologistas esse número chegou a 59,4% (n=19), apresentando significância estatística entre os grupos (p<0,01). Ambos os grupos mostraram conhecimento insatisfatório em relação ao tipos de implante, mapeamentos, ativação, acompanhamento, custos, manutenção e o IC inserido no SUS. Conclusão: os profissionais otorrinolaringologistas e fonoaudiólogas pesquisados, atuantes no Distrito Federal, não apresentaram o conhecimento satisfatório acerca do implante coclear na análise geral dos domínios pesquisados.Purpose: to describe the self-assessment of Otolaryngologists, Audiologists, and Speech-Language Pathologists from the Federal District on their knowledge concerning cochlear implants. Methods: cross-sectional and analytical study with data collection obtained by applying online questionnaires.73 Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists, and 33 Otolaryngologists participated in the study. They answered questions regarding their knowledge of Cochlear Implants in Brasília - Federal District, Brazil. Results: 31% (n=22) of the Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists believe they have sufficient knowledge regarding the surgical procedure, whereas in the group of otolaryngologists, the figure was 59.4% (n = 19). Statistical significance between groups is observed (p <0.01). Both groups showed poor knowledge regarding implant types, mappings, activation, monitoring, and maintenance costs and cochlear implantation performed by the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System). Conclusion: Otolaryngologists, Audiologists, and Speech-Language Pathologists surveyed, who work in the Federal District, did not show satisfactory knowledge of the cochlear implant in the overall analysis of the areas surveyed

From imaging to precision: low cost and accurate determination of stereotactic coordinates for brain surgery Sapajus apella using MRI

The capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella), a New World monkey species, exhibits prominent characteristics that make it an ideal model for neuroscience research. These characteristics include its phylogenetic traits, telencephalization coefficient, anatomical structures and pathways, genetic profile, immune responses, cognitive abilities, and complex behavioral repertoires. Traditionally, methodologies for stereotactic neurosurgery in research models have relied on the use of brain atlases. However, this approach can lead to errors due to the considerable variation in brain size and shape among individual monkeys. To address this issue, we developed a protocol for deriving individual coordinates for each monkey using a straightforward and relatively inexpensive method involving MRI imaging. Our protocol utilizes a specially designed, 3D-printed stereotactic head-holder that is safe to use with an MR magnet, non-invasive placement of fiducial markers, and post-processing with open-source software. This approach enhances MRI data visualization, improves anatomical targeting, and refines the design of neurosurgical experiments. Our technique could also prove beneficial in other areas of neuroscience research that require accurate calculation of stereotaxic coordinates. Furthermore, it could be useful for other nonhuman primate species for which brain atlases are typically unavailable