Optimization of estradiol monitoring in raw and treated wastewater samples by response surface methodology

The ever-increasing use of endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs), through pharmaceuticals such as synthetic estrogens, both in humans as well as in animals, are raising its concentration in the environment. Estradiol, also designed as 17β-Estradiol (see Fig. 1), belongs to the pharmaceutical class of steroid estrogens and was included in the “Watch List” since 2013 the Directive 2013/39/EU due to its potential risk to human health and environment. The low removal efficiency of estrogens by the conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), becomes a major source of their release into different aquatic matrices. Therefore, the occurrence and, more importantly, the destination of these compounds are matters of utmost importance towards a better public health. The aim of this work is the optimization of solid phase extraction/high performance liquid chromatography (SPE/HPLC) using the response surface methodology (RSM) to detect and quantify 17β-Estradiol in WWTPs effluents.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020, UIDP/00690/2020 and EXPL2021CIMO_05-REMPHARM) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021). J.L. Diaz De Tuesta acknowledges the financial support of “Comunidad de Madrid” (Spain) for the individual research grant 2020-T2/AMB-19836.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Monitoring of 17 β-Estradiol in raw and treated waters of wastewater treatment plants

Nowadays, there has been a growing concern regarding the possible consequences of exposure to estrogens through its direct or indirect consumptioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Case Report.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare genetic disease characterized by widespread soft tissue ossification and congenital stigmata of the extremities. We report on a male child followed for ten years since the age of 3 years and 9 months, when the diagnosis was made. He was born with bilateral hypoplasic hallux valgus and ventricular septal defect, corrected by trans-sternal approach when 32 months old. Restriction of neck mobility followed and foci of ectopic ossification appeared. Four crises of disease exacerbation were treated with oral prednisone and/or other antiinflammatory drugs. Sodium etidronate 5 to 10 mg/kg/day was prescribed intermittently during about six years but was discontinued due to osteopenia. The disease course has been relentless, with severe movement restriction including the chest wall. A review showed few similar case reports in the Brazilian literature. We revisit the criteria for diagnosis and the essentials of management and treatment.58342-

Iron and zinc availability in maize lines.

The aim of this study was to characterize the Zn and Fe availability by phytic acid/Zn and phytic acid/Fe molar ratios, in 22 tropical maize inbred lines with different genetic backgrounds. The Zn and Fe levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the P through colorimetry method. Three screening methods for phytic acid (Phy) analysis were tested and one, based on the 2,2’-bipyridine reaction, was select. There was significant variability in the contents of zinc (17.5 to 42 mg.kg-1), iron (12.2 to 36.7 mg.kg-1), phosphorus (230 to 400 mg.100 g-1), phytic acid (484 to 1056 mg.100 g-1), phytic acid P (140 to 293 mg.100 g-1) and available-P (43.5 to 199.5 mg.100 g-1), and in the available-P/total-P ratio (0.14 to 0.50), Phy/Zn (18.0 to 43.5) and Phy/Fe (16.3 to 45.5) molar ratios. Lines 560977, 560978 and 560982 had greater availability of Zn and lines 560975, 560977, 561010 and 5610111 showed better Fe availability. Lines 560975, 560977 and 560978 also showed better available-P/total-P ratio. Thus, the lines 560975, 560977 and 560978 were considered to have the potential for the development of cultivars of maize with high availability of Fe and/or Zn

Potencial funcional e tecnologia de processamento do sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), na alimentação humana.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de demonstrar o potencial funcional do sorgo para a alimentação humana e revisar os efeitos dos métodos de processamento sobre o teor de compostos fenólicos e a qualidade proteica do cereal. O sorgo destaca-se como o quinto cereal de maior produção no mundo e o conteúdo de fitoquímicos em seus grãos tem despertado interesse na área da saúde, por exercerem atividade antioxidante no organismo, contribuindo, assim, para a redução dos riscos de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. O processamento dos grãos viabiliza o consumo de cereais pelos humanos. Entretanto, a aplicação de térmico úmido ou seco, a decorticação e a elaboração de produtos de panificação reduzem a concentração de fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante do sorgo. A qualidade proteica do sorgo é largamente prejudicada pela cocção úmida, devido à formação de pontes de dissulfeto em suas proteínas de reserva. No entanto, a digestibilidade não foi alterada significativamente com o calor seco e aumentou com a germinação e a fermentação dos grãos. Estudos que avaliem e desenvolvam processamentos capazes de manter as características nutricionais são imprescindíveis para o incentivo da inserção do sorgo na alimentação humana. Palavras-chave: antocianinas, compostos fenólicos, doenças crônicas, qualidade proteica, taninos