Biosorption of Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solutions onto Fungal Biomass

The biosorption of chromium (VI) on eighteen different natural biosorbents: Natural sediment, chitosan, chitin, Aspergillus flavus I-V, Aspergillus fumigatus I-ll, Helmintosporium sp, Cladosporium sp, Mucor rouxii mutant, M. rouxii IM-80, Mucor sp-I and 2, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans was studied in this work. It was found that the biomass of C. neoformans, natural sediment, Helmintosporium sp and chitosan was more efficient to remove chromium (VI) (determined spectrophotometrically at 540 nm using diphenylcarbazide as the complexing agent) achieving the. following percentage of removals: 98%, 98% and 63%, respectively. The highest adsorption was obtained with C. neoformans and Helmintosporium sp at pH 2.0 and 4.0 + 0.2, respectively, at 28∘C after 24 hours of incubation, with 0.2 mg/L of cellular biomass

Nivel de información médica sobre diabetes, actitud de los pacientes hacia la enfermedad y su asociación con el nivel de control glucémico

ObjetivoDeterminar el nivel de información y de actitud que sobre su enfermedad tienen pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) y su asociación con el nivel de control glucémico.DiseñoEncuesta transversal survey.EmplazamientoDos unidades de medicina familiar.PacientesDoscientos sujetos con DM2.IntervencionesSe aplicaron 2 instrumentos validados para valorar nivel de conocimientos y actitud, y se midió el promedio de las últimas 6 glucemias.Mediciones y resultadosLa calificación global del instrumento de conocimientos fue 58,6 ± 17,9 (escala 0-100). Para el instrumento de actitud fue de 18,9 ± 2,1 (escala 0-35). La calificación de conocimientos del grupo controlado fue de 55,48 ± 16,8, y la del grupo descontrolado de 59,2 ± 18,1. La calificación sobre actitud del grupo controlado fue de 17,8 ± 2,3, y la del grupo descontrolado de 19,1 ± 2 (p = 0,001). El nivel de información proporcionado por el médico familiar fue del 42,9%, por el equipo de salud del 10,2% y por otras fuentes del 6,3%. En cuanto al análisis del grado de actitud y el nivel de información, hubo una mejor actitud cuando la información fue proporcionada por otras fuentes (p < 0,05). Por lo que respecta al porcentaje de información y el control glucémico, el nivel de control fue mejor cuando la información fue proporcionada por el equipo de salud (p < 0,01).ConclusionesEl nivel de información médica sobre diabetes proporcionada por el médico familiar y el equipo de salud es bajo, y sólo en este último caso se asocia a un mejor control glucémico. La actitud es mejor cuando se recibe información sobre diabetes de otras fuentes.ObjectiveTo determine the level of information and attitude that it has more than enough their illness has patient with diabetes type 2 (DM2), and their association with level of glucemic control.DesignCross-sectional.SettingTwo units of family medicine.Patient200 subject with DM2.InterventionsTwo instruments were applied validated to measure, level of knowledge and attitude was measured the average of the last 6 glucaemias.Measurements and resultsThe qualification average of the instrument of knowledge was 58.6 ± 17.9 (it scale 0–100). For the instrument of attitude it was of 18.9 ± 2.1 (it scale 0 at 35). The qualification of knowledge of the controlled group was of 55.48 ± 16.8, and of the uncontrolled group it was of 59.2 ± 18.1. The qualification has more than enough attitude of the controlled group it was of 17.8 ± 2.3, and of the uncontrolled group of 19.1 ± 2, p = 0.001. The proportionate level of information the family doctor was of 42.9%, of the team of health of 10.2% and of other sources of 6.3%. At the analysis of the degree of attitude and the level of information, there was a better attitude when the information was provided by other sources p < 0.05. In the percentage of information and the level of glucemic control, the control level was better when the information was for the team of health p < 0.01.ConclusionsThe level of medical information on diabetes provided by the family doctor and the team of health is low and it doesn't and only this last are associate to better glucemic control. The attitude is better when one receives information of other sources

The Role of Mpas in the Development of Northwest Mexico Fisheries

The northwest coast of Mexico is accountable for almost 70 % of the country´s fishery production. This region, which includes the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula, is also extremely important in terms of biodiversity and the presence of endemic species. Consequently, eleven marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established along the region. Although conceived primarily for biodiversity conservation, natural protected areas are having increasingly important socioeconomic effects. To better understand the effects on coastal communities, we conducted an analysis of the role that MPAs are having in the development of the region´s fisheries. Six MPAs were selected for analysis using case study methodology. The main issue under investigation is the effect on fishery productivity. Main sources of information were documental research, official fishery statistics and expert consultation. Preliminary results suggest that the impact of MPAs on fishery productivity has been mixed. Better results have been achieved by the MPAs of the Pacific coast of Baja California; and that community involvement in MPA design and management has been instrumental in explaining these improvements

Morphological variability of native maize (Zea mays L.) of the west highland of Puebla and east highland of Tlaxcala, Mexico

The objective of this research was to assess the morphological variability of maize landraces native of the west highland of Puebla and east highland of Tlaxcala, México, in order to, besides define it, related it to races, commercial varieties and with the altitude of the localities of seed collection. The genetic resources evaluated were 134 accessions collected in 34 localities, along with 10 controls. Experiments were established on three localities using a Lattice 12 x 12. Thirty-two morphological traits were analyzed, 27 of them resulting with highly significant differences, reflecting the high variability at the level of morphological characters, many of them of agronomic interest. From variance analysis 16 traits were selected for use in a cluster analysis through the Modified Localization Method, which joint the populations in six groups, most of them in the group 1, with morphological traits of long cycle varieties: high plants, with greater primary branches of the tassel, greater ear diameter and length, and greater grain length and width. The conclusions indicate that the morphological variability of Landraces is not associated with the altitude of localities of seed collection and that these have more relation with Chalqueño race, small with Conico race, absent with Conico Norteño and Palomero Toluqueño races and almost absent with commercial varieties.The objective of this research was to assess the morphological variability of maize landraces native of the west highland of Puebla and east highland of Tlaxcala, México, in order to, besides define it, related it to races, commercial varieties and with the altitude of the localities of seed collection. The genetic resources evaluated were 134 accessions collected in 34 localities, along with 10 controls. Experiments were established on three localities using a Lattice 12 x 12. Thirty-two morphological traits were analyzed, 27 of them resulting with highly significant differences, reflecting the high variability at the level of morphological characters, many of them of agronomic interest. From variance analysis 16 traits were selected for use in a cluster analysis through the Modified Localization Method, which joint the populations in six groups, most of them in the group 1, with morphological traits of long cycle varieties: high plants, with greater primary branches of the tassel, greater ear diameter and length, and greater grain length and width. The conclusions indicate that the morphological variability of Landraces is not associated with the altitude of localities of seed collection and that these have more relation with Chalqueño race, small with Conico race, absent with Conico Norteño and Palomero Toluqueño races and almost absent with commercial varieties

Evidence for the absence of mutagenic activity of furfuryl alcohol in tests of germ cells in Drosophila melanogaster

Furfuryl alcohol was evaluated for mutagenic activity in D. melanogaster by means of the sex-linked recessive lethal test and the sex-chromosome loss test. Brooding was employed in order to test different stages of spermatogenesis. No evidence was found of a mutagenic effect after adult injection and larval feedin

Evaluation of tuna fishing zones in the eastern Pacific using a multicriteria method

A multicriteria assessment of fishing zones was carried out using the utility function (U) technique, considering three management objectives (maximizing tuna yield, minimizing dolphin mortality, and minimizing bycatch) and seven different weights among them. The Mexican purse-seine tuna fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean was used as case study, based on data obtained between 1998 and 2003 by the Mexican Tuna-Dolphin Program. The fishing zones were classified by trimester according to U, and 64% were identified as conflictive (U > 0.666 for some weights, but U < 0.333 for others); hence, two of every three trimestral quadrants require negotiation among the decision makers given the complex nature of the fishery. Quadrants with specific characteristics were identified in cases where, for instance, some particular sets explained the high bycatch values, or the targeting of bluefin tuna explained their classification as excellent. Even though the weights used provided a good proxy, in view of the great variability in space and time of the pelagic resources, actual preferences (weights) should be differentiated in space and time in order to be useful in the decision-making process. Particularly noteworthy is that wellstructured and efficient management schemes have already been implemented for two of the objectives (maximizing tuna yield and minimizing dolphin mortality), but not for the third (minimizing bycatch).

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Using Bi-Metallic (Ni/Pt) Na₂Ti₃O₇ Whiskers: Effect of the Deposition Order

Photocatalytic hydrogen production through ethanol photo-reforming using Na2Ti3O7 whiskers increases if the sodium titanate is decorated with well-known metallic catalysts such as Ni and Pt. Whereas wet impregnation with nickel gives only a slight increase in the activity, photo-deposition of Pt increased the H2 production by more than one order of magnitude. Through the combination of both co-catalysts (Ni and Pt) a superior performance in terms of H2 production is further observed. However, hydrogen yield is largely enhanced (almost three-fold), up to 778 &#956;mol&#183;g&#8722;1&#183;h&#8722;1, if the Pt is photo-deposited on the surface of the catalyst before wet impregnation with Ni species (NTO/Pt/Ni) compared to H2 yield (283 &#956;mol&#183;g&#8722;1&#183;h&#8722;1) achieved with the catalyst prepared in the reverse order (NTO/Ni/Pt). Structural, morphological, optical, and chemical characterization was carried out in order to correlate physicochemical properties with their photocatalytic activity. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show a higher concentration of Pt2+ species if this metallic layer is under the nickel oxide layer. Moreover, X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) show that Na2Ti3O7 surface is modified for both metal decoration processes