Oil spills: impacts and perspectives of treatment technologies with focus on the use of green surfactants.

Oil spills into the oceans cause irreparable damage to marine life and harms the coastal population of the affected areas. The main measures to be taken in response to an oil spill are to reduce the impact on marine life, prevent oil from reaching the shore through its recovery, and accelerate the degradation of unrecovered oil. Any environmental damage can be reduced if the spilled oil is removed from the water quickly and efficiently. Therefore, it is essential to know the treatment strategies for spilled oils. Several technologies are currently available, including booms, skimmers, in situ burning, use of adsorbents, dispersants/surfactants, and bioremediation. The selection of the type of treatment will depend not only on the effectiveness of the technique, but mainly on the type of oil, amount spilled, location, weather, and sea conditions. In this review, the characteristics of oil spills, their origin, destination, and impacts caused, including major accidents around the world, are initially addressed. Then, the main physical, chemical, and biological treatment technologies are presented, describing their advances, advantages, and drawbacks, with a focus on the use of green surfactants. These agents will be described in detail, showing the evolution of research, recent studies, patents, and commercialized products. Finally, the challenges that remain due to spills, the necessary actions, and the prospects for the development of existing treatment technologies are discussed, which must be linked to the use of combined techniques.

Removal of heavy oil from contaminated surfaces with a detergent formulation containing biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas spp.

Industrial plants powered by heavy oil routinely experience problems with leaks in different parts of the system, such as during oil transport, the lubrication of equipment and mechanical failures. The surfactants, degreasing agents and solvents that make up detergents commonly used for cleaning grease-covered surfaces are synthetic, non-biodegradable and toxic, posing risks to the environment as well as the health of workers involved in the cleaning process. To address this problem, surfactant agents of a biodegradable nature and low toxicity, such as microbial surfactants, have been widely studied as an attractive, efficient solution to replace chemical surfactants in decontamination processes. In this work, the bacterial strains Pseudomonas cepacia CCT 6659, Pseudomonas aeruginosa UCP 0992, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 were evaluated as biosurfactant producers in media containing different combinations and types of substrates and under different culture conditions. The biosurfactant produced by P. aeruginosa ATCC 10145 cultivated in a mineral medium composed of 5.0% glycerol and 2.0% glucose for 96 h was selected to formulate a biodetergent capable of removing heavy oil. The biosurfactant was able to reduce the surface tension of the medium to 26.40 mN/m, with a yield of approximately 12.00 g/L and a critical micelle concentration of 60.00 mg/L. The biosurfactant emulsified 97.40% and dispersed 98.00% of the motor oil. The detergent formulated with the biosurfactant also exhibited low toxicity in tests involving the microcrustacean Artemia salina and seeds of the vegetable Brassica oleracea. The detergent was compared to commercial formulations and removed 100% of the Special B1 Fuel Oil (OCB1) from different contaminated surfaces, demonstrating potential as a novel green remover with industrial applications.

Production of green surfactants: market prospects

Science has greatly contributed to the advancement of technology and to the innovation of production processes and their applications. Cleaning products have become indispensable in today's world, as personal and environmental hygiene is important to all societies worldwide. Such products are used in the home, in most work environments and in the industrial sectors. Most of the detergents on the market are synthesised from petrochemical products. However, the interest in reducing the use of products harmful to human health and the environment has led to the search for detergents formulated with natural, biodegradable surfactant components of biological (plant or microbiological) origin or chemically synthesised from natural raw materials usually referred to as green surfactants. This review addresses the different types, properties, and uses of surfactants, with a focus on green surfactants, and describes the current scenario as well as the projections for the future market economy related to the production of the different types of green surfactants marketed in the world.

Functional and Mass Spectrometric Evaluation of an Anti-Tick Antigen Based on the P0 Peptide Conjugated to Bm86 Protein.

A synthetic 20 amino acid peptide of the ribosomal protein P0 from ticks, when conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata and used as an immunogen against Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. species, has shown efficacies of around 90%. There is also experimental evidence of a high efficacy of this conjugate against Amblyomma mixtum and Ixodes ricinus species, which suggest that this antigen could be a good broad-spectrum anti-tick vaccine candidate. In this study, the P0 peptide (pP0) was chemically conjugated to Bm86 as a carrier protein. SDS-PAGE analysis of this conjugate demonstrated that it is highly heterogeneous in size, carrying from 1 to 18 molecules of pP0 per molecule of Bm86. Forty-nine out of the 54 lysine residues and the N-terminal end of Bm86 were found partially linked to pP0 by using LC-MS/MS analysis and the combination of four different softwares. Several post-translational modifications of Bm86 protein were also identified by mass spectrometry. High immunogenicity and efficacy were achieved when dogs and cattle were vaccinated with the pP0-Bm86 conjugate and challenged with R. sanguineus s.l. and R. microplus, respectively. These results encourage the development of this antigen with promising possibilities as an anti-tick vaccine.

Dyeing of bacterial cellulose films using plant-based natural dyes.

The aim of this work was to test the use of plant-based natural dyes on bacterial cellulose (BC) to add aesthetic value to dyed pellicles while maintaining the mechanical properties. Natural pigments from Clitoria ternatea L. and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were tested. The commercial ARAQCEL RL 500 was also used for comparison purposes. The behavior of biocellulose regarding dye fixation, rehydration, tensile strength, and elasticity was evaluated in comparison to the dried biomaterial, showing that dyeing is a process that can be performed on hydrated BC. Dyeing the BC films through an innovative process maintained the crystallinity, thermal stability and mechanical strength of the BC and confirmed the compatibility of the membrane with the dyes tested, from the observed Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) morphology of nanofibers. Dyed biomaterial can be applied to various products, as confirmed by the results of the mechanical tests. As environmental awareness and public concern regarding pollution increase, the combination of natural dyes and BC pellicles can produce an attractive new material for the textile industry.

Does planting time affect the nutritional demand and yield of potato cultivars? / Época de plantio afeta a demanda nutricional e a produtividade de cultivares de batata?

ABSTRACT: Determining the level of absorption of nutrients in the potato crop at different stages of development is important because it allows identification of the time when the elements are most required by plants. The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of nutrient absorption in cultivars after different planting times. Field experiment was conducted in Guarapuava-PR. Treatments consisted of three cultivars (Agata, BRS Clara, and BRS F63 Camila) and two planting times (October and February), in randomized blocks, with three replications in the crop season 2015/16. The total macro and micronutrient content (leaves, stems, and tubers) was quantified at 15 and 45 days after plant emergence. The total dry weight of plants was verified at 45 days after emergence. At harvest, dry weight of tubers, and total and commercial yield was recorded. It was observed that BRS F63 Camila produced a higher total dry weight of plants at 45 days after emergence, and higher dry weight of tubers at harvest because of the higher accumulation of Fe, Mn, and Zn following the October planting. The BRS Clara produced higher total dry weight and higher dry weight of tubers following February planting with higher Ca and S accumulation. Depending on the developmental period and planting time, cultivars differed in nutrient accumulation and tuber dry weight production. Greater nutritional demand and higher yield occurred following the October planting.

RESUMO: Determinar a absorção de nutrientes na cultura da batata em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento é importante pois permite identificar os tempos em que os elementos são mais exigidos pelas plantas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a absorção de nutrientes em cultivares de batata em resposta a diferentes épocas de plantio. O experimento foi conduzido a campo em Guarapuava-PR. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de três cultivares (Ágata, BRS Clara e BRS F63 Camila) e duas épocas de plantio (outubro e fevereiro), em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Foram avaliados os teores totais de macro e micronutrientes (folhas, hastes e tubérculo) aos 15 e 45 dias após a emergência das plantas. Quantificou-se a massa seca total das plantas aos 45 dias após a emergência e na colheita a massa seca de tubérculos, produtividade total e comercial. Observou-se que a BRS F63 Camila produziu maior massa seca total de plantas aos 45 dias após a emergência, e maior massa seca de tubérculos na colheita, devido ao maior acúmulo de Fe, Mn e Zn no plantio de outubro. A BRS Clara produziu maior massa seca total e maior massa seca de tubérculos no plantio de fevereiro com maior acúmulo de Ca e S. Dependendo do período de desenvolvimento e da época de plantio, as cultivares diferiram no acúmulo de nutrientes e na produção de massa seca de tubérculos, sendo observado no plantio de outubro, maior demanda nutricional e as maiores produtividades.

Dysphagia and associated clinical markers in neurologically intact children with respiratory disease.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of oropharyngeal aspiration is paramount since it can have negative consequences on a compromised respiratory status. Our hypothesis was that dysphagia in neurologically intact children with respiratory disease is associated to specific clinical markers. STUDY DESIGN: Using the medical files we conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study on children admitted to the pediatric hospital unit due to respiratory disease. We collected data on specific parameters of a clinical swallowing assessment and dysphagia was classified according to the Dysphagia Management Staging Scale. We also included the following clinical markers: age, days of hospitalization, need for orotracheal intubation (OTI), duration of orotracheal intubation (in hours), number of previous hospital admissions due to respiratory disease, number of previous hospital admissions due to other causes, and previous orotracheal intubations. RESULTS: The final study sample consisted of 102 patients (mean age of 5.88 months). For the purposes of statistical analysis, the patients were grouped according to the classification of dysphagia (ie, no dysphagia, mild dysphagia, and moderate-severe dysphagia). Data analysis indicated that the clinical markers of orotracheal intubation (P = 0.042), duration of orotracheal intubation (P = 0.025), and days of hospitalization (P = 0.037) were significant in children with moderate-severe dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that neurologically intact children with respiratory disease who were submitted to prolonged OTI (ie, over 48 h) should be prioritized for receiving a detailed swallowing assessment.

Genetic variability of Corynespora cassiicola isolates from Amazonas, Brazil / Variabilidade genética de Corynespora cassiicola isolados do Amazonas, Brasil

Corynespora cassiicola is a cosmopolitan ascomycete widely known as phytopathogen in several crops, and more recently as an emerging pathogen in humans. In this study the genetic variability of 60 isolates of Corynespora cassiicola from different hosts and cities of Amazonas was evaluated, using AFLP molecular markers. Seven genetic groups were identified according to a dendrogram obtained by the Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetical Averages, indicating significant variability among the isolates. Three isolates of different hosts (28, obtained from papaya; 55, obtained from cucumber; and 58, from tomato) remained as single individuals in distinct groups, suggesting marked genetic variation in comparison to the other isolates and possible specificity by the host.(AU)

Corynespora cassiicola é um ascomiceto cosmopolita amplamente conhecido como fitopatógeno em diversas culturas e, mais recentemente, como patógeno emergente em humanos. Na região Norte do Brasil é responsável por perdas significativas em cultivos tanto em casa de vegetação como em campo aberto. Neste estudo foi avaliada a variabilidade genética de 60 isolados de Corynespora cassiicola procedentes de diferentes hospedeiras e municípios do Amazonas, usando marcadores moleculares AFLP. Foram identificados sete grupos genéticos de acordo com dendrograma obtido pelo método de agrupamento UPGMA, indicando significativa variabilidade entre os isolados. Três isolados de diferentes hospedeiras (isolado 28, obtido de mamoeiro; isolado 55, obtido de pepineiro; e isolado 58, proveniente de tomateiro) permaneceram como indivíduos únicos em grupos distintos, sugerindo variação genética marcante em comparação com os demais e possível especificidade pela hospedeira de origem.(AU)

Production of Bacterial Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter hansenii Using Corn Steep Liquor As Nutrient Sources.

Cellulose is mainly produced by plants, although many bacteria, especially those belonging to the genus Gluconacetobacter, produce a very peculiar form of cellulose with mechanical and structural properties that can be exploited in numerous applications. However, the production cost of bacterial cellulose (BC) is very high to the use of expensive culture media, poor yields, downstream processing, and operating costs. Thus, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of industrial residues as nutrients for the production of BC by Gluconacetobacter hansenii UCP1619. BC pellicles were synthesized using the Hestrin-Schramm (HS) medium and alternative media formulated with different carbon (sugarcane molasses and acetylated glucose) and nitrogen sources [yeast extract, peptone, and corn steep liquor (CSL)]. A jeans laundry was also tested. None of the tested sources (beside CSL) worked as carbon and nutrient substitute. The alternative medium formulated with 1.5% glucose and 2.5% CSL led to the highest yield in terms of dry and hydrated mass. The BC mass produced in the alternative culture medium corresponded to 73% of that achieved with the HS culture medium. The BC pellicles demonstrated a high concentration of microfibrils and nanofibrils forming a homogenous, compact, and three-dimensional structure. The biopolymer produced in the alternative medium had greater thermal stability, as degradation began at 240°C, while degradation of the biopolymer produced in the HS medium began at 195°C. Both biopolymers exhibited high crystallinity. The mechanical tensile test revealed the maximum breaking strength and the elongation of the break of hydrated and dry pellicles. The dry BC film supported up to 48 MPa of the breaking strength and exhibited greater than 96.98% stiffness in comparison with the hydrated film. The dry film supported up to 48 MPa of the breaking strength and exhibited greater than 96.98% stiffness in comparison with the hydrated film. The values obtained for the Young's modulus in the mechanical tests in the hydrated samples indicated low values for the variable rigidity. The presence of water in the interior and between the nanofibers of the hydrated BC only favored the results for the elasticity, which was 56.37% higher when compared to the dry biomaterial.

O papel dos gestos no desenvolvimento da linguagem oral de crianças com desenvolvimento típico e crianças com síndrome de Down / The role of gestures in oral language development of typically developing children and children with Down syndrome

O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar o papel dos gestos nos estágios iniciais do desenvolvimento da linguagem oral de crianças com desenvolvimento típico e crianças com síndrome de Down (SD), a partir de amplo levantamento bibliográfico em bases de dados, abrangendo as duas últimas décadas de estudos na área. A literatura pesquisada sugere que os gestos desempenham papel importante no desenvolvimento da linguagem oral, fornecendo à criança recursos cognitivos extras para a aprendizagem de novas palavras e enunciados. É apontada também a função social dos gestos nesse processo, na medida em que sinalizam ao interlocutor que a criança já está pronta para receber determinado input linguístico, eliciando produções verbais do adulto que fornecem à criança o modelo de como expressar suas ideias inteiramente por meio da fala. Com relação às crianças com SD, os gestos também parecem ser preditivos do desenvolvimento lexical; porém, apenas em relação ao vocabulário receptivo, enquanto as dificuldades específicas relatadas em relação à transição das combinações de gesto e palavra para as combinações de duas ou mais palavras têm sido especuladas como o primeiro indício de futuros déficits no desenvolvimento da sintaxe, frequentemente observados nessa população. Além disso, os estudos na área têm sugerido que características da interação comunicativa entre mãe e criança com SD, tais como a produção de gestos de forma breve e confusa pelas crianças e menor responsividade de suas mães, também podem contribuir para as dificuldades de expressão verbal observadas nessas crianças.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the role of gestures at the initial stages of oral language development in typically developing children and children with Down syndrome (DS), based on a large bibliographic review in scientific databases, covering the past two decades of studies on this subject. The researched literature suggests that the gestures play an important role in oral language development, providing the child with extra cognitive resources for the learning of new words and utterances. It has also been pointed out the social function of gestures in this process, since they sign to the interlocutor that the child is already ready to receive a particular linguistic input, eliciting verbal productions from the adult, who provide the child with the model of how to express his or her ideas completely in speech. Concerning the children with DS, the gestures also seems to be predictive of lexical development, but only regarding receptive vocabulary, while the specific difficulties reported concerning the transition from gesture-word combinations to multi-word utterances have been speculated as an early indicative of later deficits in syntax development, frequently reported in this population. Besides that, the studies in this field have suggested that the characteristics of the parent-child communicative interaction in children with DS, such as the production of brief and unclear gestures by the child, and the lesser responsivity of their mothers, can also contribute to the deficits in expressive language presented by these children.

Cisto broncogênico: relato de dois casos / Bronchogenic cyst: report of two cases

Neste trabalho os autores relatam dois casos de cisto broncogênico. O primeiro caso é de uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 69 anos de idade, com queixa de dor torácica e dispnéia noturna. Constatou-se, à radiografia do tórax, massa no mediastino superior, que deslocava a traquéia anteriormente. A tomografia computadorizada do tórax evidenciou formaçäo expansiva cística, sem impregnaçäo pelo meio de contraste. A paciente foi encaminhada à cirurgia torácica. A formaçäo expansiva retirada apresentava características histológicas de cisto broncogênico. O outro caso é de uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 50 anos de idade, que apresentou sintomas de mal-estar generalizado, dor retroesternal, tosse seca, dispnéia e hemoptise. Realizou radiografia do tórax, que evidenciou massa no mediastino posterior, projetada medialmente ao hilo pulmonar direito. Na tomografia computadorizada do tórax observou-se formaçäo expansiva cística, sem impregnaçäo pelo meio de contraste, localizada no mediastino posterior. Foi submetida a broncoscopia, videotoracoscopia e, finalmente, toracotomia, na qual retirou-se a lesäo cística, cujo diagnóstico definitivo, após exame histopatológico, foi de cisto broncogênico

Estenose brônquica após tuberculose: relato de um caso / Bronchial stenosis after tuberculosis: a case report

Os autores relatam um caso de estenose brônquica em paciente do sexo masculino, de 46 anos de idade, que, após completar corretamente tratamento para tuberculose pulmonar, procurou o hospital apresentando sintomas relativos a atelectasia do lobo superior esquerdo, demonstrada nas radiografias do tórax. A tomografia computadorizada evidenciou estenose no brônquio-fonte esquerdo, em seu terço distal, e obliteraçäo do bronquio para o lobo superior esquerdo, que estava atelectasiado, além de bronquiectasias cilíndricas em ambas as bases pulmonares. O paciente foi submetido a toracotomia póstero-lateral, com broncoplastia do brônquio do lobo inferior esquerdo e brônquio principal, próximo à carena, e lobectomia superior esquerda

Feocromocitoma complicado com acidente vascular encefálico hemorrágico: relato de caso / Pheochromocytoma complicated by intracerebral hemorrhage: a case report

Os autores relatam um caso de feocromocitoma que teve como complicaçäo a ocorrência de acidente vascular encefálico, do tipo hemorrágico. Tratava-se de uma paciente de 17 anos de idade com quadro clínico de cefaléia, palpitaçäo, sudorese e hipertensäo. A tomografia computadorizada do abdome evidenciou massa sólida, heterogênea, na topografia da supra-renal direita. A paciente foi submetida a adrenalectomia direita. Atualmente vem sendo mantida sob controle ambulatorial, com níveis tensionais normais e apenas com uma sequela de hemiparesia bráquio-crural esquerda

Pseudocisto intra-esplênico hemorrágico como complicaçäo de pancreatite crônica agudizada: relato de um caso / Hemorrhagic intrasplenic pseudocyst as a complication of chronic pancreatitis in acute phase: a case report

Os autores relatam um caso de pseudocisto intra-esplênico hemorrágico como complicaçäo de pancreatite crônica agudizada. Tratavase de um homem de 43 anos de idade, etilista, com história de pancreatite aguda há cinco anos, cujos sintomas foram dor abdominal tipo queimaçäo na regiäo epigástrica, acompanhada de náuseas e febre. A ultra-sonografia mostrava lesäo heterogênea contígua ao baço e a tomografia computadorizada evidenciava lesäo de limites imprecisos, heterogênea, densa, ocupando a porçäo lateral e posterior do baço. O paciente foi submetido a pseudocistojejunostomia, estando atualmente assintomático, em controle ambulatorial

Coriocarcinoma metastático para a pleura: relato de um caso / Pleural metatastic choriocarcinoma: a case report

Os autores relatam um caso de coriocarcinoma metastático para a pleura, com invasäo pulmonar. Tratava-se de uma mulher de 27 anos de idade, cujos primeiros sintomas foram dispnéia leve e dor tipo pleurítica, apresentando PPD forte reator. A radiografia de tórax mostrava velamento do hemitórax direito, com desvio contralateral do mediastino. A tomografia computadorizada do tórax demonstrava volumosa massa pleural hipodensa, ocupando todo o hemitórax direito, determinando colapso do pulmäo direito e confirmando o desvio do mediastino, sem plano de clivagem definido com o fígado. A paciente foi submetida a uma toracotomia, sendo feita a exérese da massa tumoral, que se apresentava difusamente aderida à pleura parietal em toda a sua extensäo e que invadia o lobo inferior do pulmäo direito. Após o diagnóstico histopatológico e confirmaçäo laboratorial, a paciente foi encaminhada ao Instituto Nacional de Câncer para iniciar tratamento com quimioterapia combinada