Simultaneous determinations of zirconium, hafnium, yttrium and lanthanides in seawater according to a co-precipitation technique onto iron-hydroxide

Very low concentrations (pg mL 1 or sub-pg mL 1 level) along with the high salinity are the main problems in determining trace metal contents in seawater. This problem is mainly considered for investigations of naturally occurring YLOID (Y and Lanthanides) and Zr and Hf in order to provide precise and accurate results. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), both in high and low resolution, offers many advantages including simultaneous analyses of all elements and their quantitative determination with detection limits of the order of pg mL 1. However in the analysis of YLOID in seawater, a better determination needs an efficient combination of ICP-MS measurement with a preconcentration technique. To perform an ultra-trace analysis in seawater, we have validated an analytical procedure involving an improved modified co-precipitation on iron hydroxides to ensure the simultaneous quantitative recovery of YLOID, Zr and Hf contents with measurement by a quadrupole ICP-MS. The validity of the method was assessed through a series of co-precipitation experiments and estimation of several quality control parameters for method validation, namely working range and its linearity, detection limit, quantification limit, precision and spike recoveries, and the methodological blank choice, are introduced, evaluated and discussed. Analysis of NASS-6, is the first report on the latest seawater reference material for YLOID, hafnium and zirconium

Crustáceos decápodos de fondos de maërl y cascajo de la isla de Alborán (Mediterráneo occidental)

Estudio de las comunidades de crustáceos decápodos de la plataforma continental de la Isla de Alborán, asociadas a fondos de maërl o rodolitos y de "cascajo" o biclastos.El presente estudio se enmarca dentro del proyecto LIFE + INDEMARES, uno de cuyos objetivos ha sido la caracterización de las biocenosis de los hábitats esenciales o vulnerables de la plataforma submarina de la isla de Alborán (Ref.: Fundación Biodiversidad, FB 05/2011, Universidad de Málaga). Los fondos de cascajo han resultado ser más ricos, diversos y con una mayor equirrepartición que los de maërl y con agunas especies raras o muy poco frecuentes, ya sea debido al tipo de fondo - hábitat y/o características hidrológicas de la zona.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Abrasive elements and abrasion resistance tests for car seat upholstery

The weight of textile components in automobiles is expected to rise to 35 kg by 2020, and the average lifetime of a vehicle is about 12 years. Car seats are the most important part of the interior decoration, and polyester is the most widely used material in car seat covering. Abrasion resistance tests are used to quantify the duration of car seat upholstery in normal usage, and this is one of the most important requirements. Several testing methods, standards, and car producer specifications have been developed to define the abrasion resistance of specified materials, and pre-tests have been taken to identify parameters for this research. The objective of this study was to compare three abrasion tests with different abrasive elements using car seat upholstery structures. Comparison among abrasion testers and abrasive papers shows statistically significant differences. The relationship between weight loss and abrasion cycles can be modelled by regression equationsPostprint (published version

The Pressing Issue of Micro- and Nanoplastic Contamination: Profiling the Reproductive Alterations Mediated by Oxidative Stress

Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) are among the most widely distributed pollutants in the environment. It has been suggested that exposure to MPs/NPs can trigger toxicity pathways among which inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) play a pivotal role. Once absorbed, MPs/NPs may act locally or access the bloodstream and, following the translocation process, reach several organs and tissues, including the gonads. Notably, MPs/NPs can bioaccumulate in human and murine placenta, opening new scenarios for toxicological evaluations. We review recent studies on the effects of MPs/NPs on the reproductive health in aquatic and terrestrial organisms of both sexes, focusing on the role of OS and the antioxidant defence system failure as the main underlying mechanisms. Alterations in gametogenesis, embryonic and offspring development, and survival have been shown in most studies and often related to a broken redox balance. All these detrimental effects are inversely related to particle size, whereas they are closely linked to shape, plastic polymer type, superficial functionalization, concentration, and time of exposure. To date, the studies provide insights into the health impacts, but no conclusions can be drawn for reproduction toxicity. The main implication of the few studies on antioxidant substances reveals their potential role in mitigating MP-induced toxic effects

Pneumonia intersticial crônica em cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi: estudo histopatológico e morfométrico

Eighteen mongrel dogs of unknown age and naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, were obtained from the City Hall of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Four dogs were used as control. Lung samples were obtained and immediately fixed in formalin. The histopathological picture of all lung tissue sections was a chronic and diffuse interstitial pneumonitis. The thickened inter-alveolar septa were characterized by the cellular exudate (mostly macrophages, lymphocytes and plasmocytes) associated with collagen deposition. Morphometric analysis showed greater septal thickness in the infected animals than in controls. In fact, the morphometric study of collagen stained with ammoniac silver confirmed a larger deposition of collagen in the infected animals. The parasitologic method was carried out during the study of the lesions on the slides. However, we did not observe any correlation between the histopathologic and morphometric data and the clinical status of the animals. We conclude that the pulmonary lesions observed in all naturally infected dogs were correlated with the disease and that the morphometric method used was satisfactory for the analysis of septal thickness and of increased collagen deposition, confirming the presence of fibrosis.Neste estudo, foram utilizados dezoito cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, sem raça e idade definidos, cedidos pelo Centro de Contole de Zoonoses da Cidade de Belo Horizonte. Quatro cães foram utilizados como controle. Durante a necropsia, amostras do pulmão foram coletadas, e imediatamente fixadas em formalina. A histopatologia mostrou principalmente uma pneumonite intersticial crônica, produtiva, difusa e intensa. Os septos inter-alveolares espessados, eram constituídos principalmente por um infiltrado de células inflamatórias, em sua maioria, macrófagos, linfócitos e plasmócitos, além de fibroblastos e fibras colágenas. A análise morfométrica do espessamento septal mostrou diferença significativa entre animais infectados e controle. De fato, a análise morfométrica do colágeno, corado pela prata, confirmou um aumento na deposição de colágeno em todos os animais infectados. O exame parasitológico foi ralizado durante a análise histopatológica, em todos os casos estudados. Contudo neste trabalho, não observamos qualquer correlação entre os achados histopatológicos e morfométricos quando relacionados aos cães em diferentes formas clínicas. Concluímos que as lesões, encontradas nos cães naturalmente infectados, tem correlação com a doença, e que o método de análise morfométrica utilizado apresentou resultados satisfatórios quanto à análise do espessamento septal e ao aumento da deposição de colágeno, confirmando a fibrose