Chromium removal from contaminated waters using nanomaterials – a review

Current environmental policies aim to reduce the levels of toxic substances in aquatic ecosystems and to promote the water reuse after appropriate treatment of wastewater. Chromium is a hazard element present in effluents of various industries that should be reduced to achieve the objectives of those policies. Most of the results reported in the literature concern the use of nanomaterials for chromium sorption dissolved either in synthetic or mono-elemental spiked solutions. The present work reviews the results of research undertaken in the last decade on the application of various nanomaterials to decrease chromium concentrations in contaminated waters. Major factors influencing the removal efficiency were examined. Because most of the published studies are based on simple experiments with deionised water and mono contamination further studies are suggested focused on effects of natural and artificial chelators, interferences of other trace elements competing with chromium sorption, reduction the sorbent mass per water volume.publishe

Will temperature rise change the biochemical alterations induced in Mytilus galloprovincialis by cerium oxide nanoparticles and mercury?

It is known that, for marine coastal ecosystems, pollution and global warming are among the most threatening factors. Among emerging pollutants, nanoparticles (NPs) deserve particular attention as their possible adverse effects are significantly influenced by environmental factors such as salinity, pH and temperature, as well as by their ability to interact with other contaminants. In this framework, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential interactions between CeO2 NPs and the toxic classic metal mercury (Hg), under current and warming conditions. The marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis was used as biological model and exposed to CeO2 NPs and Hg, either alone or in combination, for 28 day at 17 °C and 22 °C. A suite of biomarkers related to energetic metabolism, oxidative stress/damage, redox balance, and neurotoxicity was applied in exposed and non-exposed (control) mussels. The Hg and Ce accumulation was also assessed. Results showed that the exposure to CeO2 NPs alone did not induce toxic effects in M. galloprovincialis. On the contrary, Hg exposure determined a significant loss of energetic metabolism and a general impairment in biochemical performances. Hg accumulation in mussels was not modified by the presence of CeO2 NPs, while the biochemical alterations induced by Hg alone were partially canceled upon co-exposure with CeO2 NPs. The temperature increase induced loss of metabolic and biochemical functions and the effects of temperature prevailed on mussels exposed to pollutants acting alone or combined.publishe

Testicular vasculitis: a rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis

Testicular vasculitis is a very rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe the case of a 53-year-old man diagnosed with RA for eight years, who was poorly controlled and developed rheumatoid vasculitis, which manifested as leg ulcers and peripheral polyneuropathy. The patient also had acute neutrophilic meningitis and was treated with antibiotics and intravenous pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (500 mg daily) for three days, followed by oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg daily) and prednisone. Overall improvement was observed, and the patient was discharged. But 15 days later, the meningitis recurred, and the patient was readmitted and treated again with antibiotics. Three days later, he developed pain and enlargement of his left testicle with gangrene. Unilateral orchiectomy was performed, revealing lymphocytic vasculitis. The patient died two days later due to aspiration pneumonia. This case illustrates a rare and severe manifestation of rheumatoid vasculitis.A vasculite testicular é uma manifestação extra-articular muito rara da artrite reumatoide (AR). Descrevemos o caso de um homem de 53 anos com diagnóstico de AR por oito anos, sem controle adequado da doença. O paciente desenvolveu vasculite reumatoide, manifestada por úlceras de membros inferiores e neuropatia periférica. Apresentou ainda meningite neutrofílica aguda, tendo sido tratado com antibióticos e posterior pulsoterapia endovenosa com metilprednisolona (500 mg/dia) por três dias, seguida de ciclofosfamida (2 mg/kg/ dia) e prednisona orais. O paciente apresentou melhora do quadro, mas 15 dias após a alta hospitalar, houve reativação da meningite bacteriana. O paciente foi reinternado e tratado novamente com antibióticos. Três dias depois da segunda admissão hospitalar, o paciente apresentou dor, aumento de volume do testículo esquerdo e posteriormente gangrena. Foi realizada orquiectomia unilateral e o exame anatomopatológico revelou vasculite linfocítica. O paciente faleceu dois dias após a cirurgia devido a pneumonia aspirativa. Esse caso ilustra a vasculite testicular como uma manifestação rara e grave da vasculite reumatoide.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Avaliação da curvatura dorsal em mulheres idosas pelo índice da cifose torácica

Thoracic kyphosis is a physiological convexity of the spine that may increase due to muscular-skeletal alterations or in advanced age. This study aimed at evaluating alterations of the thoracic kyphosis in women over 60, comparing results obtained with standard values pointed to by literature. The study involved 72 women over 60, divided into 5-year categories. Two examiners assessed the thoracic kyphosis by using a flexible ruler and moulding the spine curvature between the 7th cervical and 2nd sacral vertebrae. Measures taken by the two examiners were compared by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); the index of thoracic kyphosis (ITK) was calculated for each woman. Possible associations between age, kind of work and the ITK were searched for. Results showed: strong reproducibility (ICC=0.85; the 60-to-64 age group presented the largest proportion of assessed subjects (31.9%) and the greatest proportion of ITK alterations (45.1%) when compared to standard values; no relation could be established between normal and altered values, and age or work. The method proved to be non=invasive, simple and a low-cost one. Less than 50% of the sample presented ITK alterations.A cifose torácica é uma convexidade fisiológica da coluna vertebral, podendo encontrar-se aumentada devido a alterações musculoesqueléticas ou em idade mais avançada. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a cifose torácica em mulheres acima de 60 anos ecomparar os resultados obtidos com os valores padrões da literatura. O estudo envolveu 72 mulheres com mais de 60 anos agrupadas em faixas de idade a cada 5 anos. Foi utilizada para avaliação da curvatura da cifose torácica, feita por dois examinadores, uma régua flexível, moldando a curvatura vertebral entre a coluna cervical (7a vértebra) e sacral (2a vértebra). As medidas feitas pelos dois avaliadores foram comparadas pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) e foi calculado para cada mulher o índice da cifose torácica (ICT); também foi verificado se havia relação entre a idade, o tipo de trabalho e o ICT. Os resultados mostraram: forte reprodutibilidade (CCI=0,85); a categoria entre 60 e 64 anos foi a que apresentou maior proporção de participantes avaliadas (31,9%) e maior proporção de alterações do ICT (45,1%) quando comparadas com o valor padrão; não houve associação entre os valores normais e alterados quanto à idade nem ao tipo de trabalho. O método, não-invasivo, é simples e de baixo custo. Menos de 50% da amostra apresentou alterações no ICT

Can water remediated by manganese spinel ferrite nanoparticles be safe for marine bivalves?

In the last few years the use of nanoparticles (NPs) such as the manganese spinel ferrite (MnFe2O4) has been increasing, with a vast variety of applications including water remediation from pollutants as metal(oid)s. Although an increasing number of studies already demonstrated the potential toxicity of NPs towards aquatic systems and inhabiting organisms, there is still scarce information on the potential hazard of the remediated water using NPs. The present study aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological safety of Pb contaminated seawater remediated with MnFe2O4, NPs, assessing the toxicity induced in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to contaminated seawater and to water that was remediated using MnFe2O4, NPs. The results obtained demonstrated that seawater contaminated with Pb, NPs or the mixture of both (Pb + NPs) induced higher toxicity in mussels compared to organisms exposed to Pb, NPs and Pb + NPs after the remediation process. In particular, higher metabolic depression, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity were observed in mussels exposed to contaminated seawater in comparison to mussels exposed to remediated seawater.publishe

A Vaccine Encoding Conserved Promiscuous HIV CD4 Epitopes Induces Broad T Cell Responses in Mice Transgenic to Multiple Common HLA Class II Molecules

Current HIV vaccine approaches are focused on immunogens encoding whole HIV antigenic proteins that mainly elicit cytotoxic CD8+ responses. Mounting evidence points toward a critical role for CD4+ T cells in the control of immunodeficiency virus replication, probably due to cognate help. Vaccine-induced CD4+ T cell responses might, therefore, have a protective effect in HIV replication. In addition, successful vaccines may have to elicit responses to multiple epitopes in a high proportion of vaccinees, to match the highly variable circulating strains of HIV. Using rational vaccine design, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding 18 algorithm-selected conserved, “promiscuous” (multiple HLA-DR-binding) B-subtype HIV CD4 epitopes - previously found to be frequently recognized by HIV-infected patients. We assessed the ability of the vaccine to induce broad T cell responses in the context of multiple HLA class II molecules using different strains of HLA class II- transgenic mice (-DR2, -DR4, -DQ6 and -DQ8). Mice displayed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses of significant breadth and magnitude, and 16 out of the 18 encoded epitopes were recognized. By virtue of inducing broad responses against conserved CD4+ T cell epitopes that can be recognized in the context of widely diverse, common HLA class II alleles, this vaccine concept may cope both with HIV genetic variability and increased population coverage. The vaccine may thus be a source of cognate help for HIV-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by conventional immunogens, in a wide proportion of vaccinees

Remediation of Arsenic from contaminated seawater using manganese spinel ferrite nanoparticles: ecotoxicological evaluation in Mytilus galloprovincialis

In the last decade different approaches have been applied for water remediation purposes, including the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to remove metals and metalloids from water. Although studies have been done on the toxic impacts of such NPs, very scarce information is available on the impacts of water after decontamination when discharged into aquatic environments. As such, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological safety of seawater previously contaminated with arsenic (As) and remediated by using manganese-ferrite (MnFe2O4-NPs) NPs. For this, mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were exposed for 28 days to different conditions, including clean seawater (control), As (1000 μg L−1) contaminated and remediated (As 70 μg L−1) seawater, water containing MnFe2O4- NPs (50 mg L−1) with and without the presence of As. At the end of exposure, concentrations of As in mussels tissues were quantified and biomarkers related to mussels’ metabolism and oxidative stress status were evaluated. Results revealed that mussels exposed to water contaminated with As and to As + NPs accumulated significantly more As (between 62% and 76% more) than those exposed to remediated seawater. Regarding biomarkers, our findings demonstrated that in comparison to remediated seawater (conditions a, b, c) mussels exposed to contaminated seawater (conditions A, B, C) presented significantly lower metabolic activity, lower expenditure of energy reserves, activation of antioxidant and biotransformation defences, higher lipids and protein damages and greater AChE inhibition. Furthermore, organisms exposed to As, NPs or As + NPs revealed similar biochemical effects, both before and after water decontamination. In conclusion, the present study suggests that seawater previously contaminated with As and remediated by MnFe2O4-NPs presented significantly lower toxicity than As contaminated water, evidencing the potential use of these NPs to remediate seawater contaminated with As and its safety towards marine systems after discharges to these environments.publishe

Yield and quality of primocane-fruiting raspberry grown under plastic cover in southern Brazil

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is an economically important crop and its cultivation has been expanded across temperate and subtropical regions of Brazil. Growing raspberries under plastic cover has becoming more common worldwide. This study investigated the effect of plastic cover on productive and morphological performance of primocane-fruiting raspberry cultivars, in southern Brazil. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, with three raspberry cultivars, ‘Heritage’; ‘Fallgold’ and ‘Alemãzinha’; two cultivation systems, presence and absence of plastic cover; and two production cycles, fall and spring. We measured days from transplanting to flowering and harvesting. Plants were evaluated for dry mass of pruning, plant height, stem diameter, plant leaf area, fruit production, number of fruits, fruit weight, fruit longitudinal and transversal diameter, and harvesting period. Plastic cover reduced incident radiation on the canopy by 17 %. Cultivar ‘Heritage’ is early ripening in the fall cycle. The management under plastic cover prolonged the harvesting period of raspberries in the fall productive cycle for the cultivar ‘Heritage’ and, in spring, for cultivars ‘Alemãzinha’ and ‘Fallgold’. In the spring cycle, plants increased their leaf area, fruit production and number of fruits. The cultivar ‘Alemãzinha’ performed better in the spring cycle when managed under plastic cover and was more productive, with a longer productive cycle and larger fruits

Tapir - Tapirus terrestris - Linnaeus, 1758, (Perissodactyla, taperidae): anatomie osseuse et musculaire de la jambe et du pied

A espécie Tapirus terrestris, conhecida como anta brasileira, é um mamífero da ordem Perissodactyla; a única dessa ordem que ocorre de forma endêmica no Brasil é considerada a maior dos mamíferos brasileiros. Existem poucos estudos relacionados à morfologia da anta, sendo assim, com o intuito de fornecer mais dados anatômicos sobre a espécie, teve-se por objetivo com o presente trabalho descrever os ossos e os músculos da perna e pé de T. terrestris. Foram utilizados quatro exemplares de T. terrestris (Linnaeus, 1978) fixados em formaldeído a 10%. Para a descrição osteológica as peças foram radiografadas e os ossos macerados, limpos, secos, identificados e descritos. Para a descrição muscular, os músculos foram dissecados, segundo as técnicas usuais em anatomia macroscópica, identificados e descritos. O esqueleto da perna de T. terrestris é constituído pelos ossos tíbia e fíbula, o pé composto por três partes sendo o tarso, metatarso e falanges. Os músculos que compõe a perna e o pé são o gastrocnêmio, sóleo, flexor digital superficial, flexor digital profundo, tibial cranial, fibular terceiro, extensor digital longo, extensor digital lateral, poplíteo, interósseos e lumbricais. A perna e pé de T. terrestris possuem características osteológicas e musculares semelhantes a dos equinos, entretanto, algumas diferenças morfológicas são evidenciada

Farofa de casca de banana: aceitabilidade de receitas elaboradas com as partes convencionais e não convencionais na Paraíba-Brasil

O desperdício de frutas in natura no país é elevado, pois as perdas se dão durante a colheita, na conservação pós-colheita, nos processos de distribuição e comercialização e no processamento, quando resíduos como as cascas de frutas, geralmente com alto teor de nutrientes, são descartados no meio ambiente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a aceitabilidade de receitas elaboradas com as partes convencionais e não convencionais da fruta banana, por meio da análise sensorial. As preparações foram realizadas no laboratório de beneficiamento do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Paraíba, Campus Picuí - PB. Foram elaboradas 2 preparações, sendo 1 convencional: Farofa de banana e 1 não convencional: Farofa da casca da banana. A farofa de banana e a farofa da casca da banana obtiveram médias que expressam resultados bem próximos comparandose uma a outra. Para as duas formulações a aceitabilidade foi em torno de 35%, porém ambas apresentaram baixa aceitabilidade por parte dos provadores. Os resultados mostraram que, os dados da análise sensorial das farofas apresentou um percentual regular, o que caracterizou menor aceitabilidade das receitas pelos provadores.The waste of fresh fruits in the country is high, as the losses occur during harvesting, postharvest storage, the distribution and commercialization processes and processing, where waste such as fruit peel, usually with high nutrient content are discarded into the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of elaborate recipes with conventional and unconventional parts of banana fruit by means of sensory analysis. The preparations were made in the processing laboratory of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba, Campus Picuí - PB. 2 preparations were prepared, with conventional 1: 1 banana Farofa and unconventional: the banana peel Farofa. The banana farofa and Banana Peel crumbs obtained averages expressing very close results comparing each other. For the two formulations acceptability was around 35%, but both showed low acceptability of assessors. The results showed that the data of sensory analysis of farofas A regular percentage, which featured lower acceptability of revenue by the judges.Eje A5: Sistemas de conocimientoFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale