Sheet, Surveillance, Strategy, Salvage and Shield in global biodefense system to protect the public health and tackle the incoming pandemics.

The pandemic of COVID-19 challenges the global health system and raises our concerns on the next waves of other emerging infectious diseases. Considering the lessons from the failure of world's pandemic warning system against COVID-19, many scientists and politicians have mentioned different strategies to improve global biodefense system, among which Sheet, Surveillance, Strategy, Salvage and Shield (5S) are frequently discussed. Nevertheless, the current focus is mainly on the optimization and management of individual strategy, and there are limited attempts to combine the five strategies as an integral global biodefense system. Sheet represents the biosafety datasheet for biohazards in natural environment and human society, which helps our deeper understanding on the geographical pattern, transmission routes and infection mechanism of pathogens. Online surveillance and prognostication network is an environmental Surveillance tool for monitoring the outbreak of pandemic diseases and alarming the risks to take emergency actions, targeting aerosols, waters, soils and animals. Strategy is policies and legislations for social distancing, lockdown and personal protective equipment to block the spread of infectious diseases in communities. Clinical measures are Salvage on patients by innovating appropriate medicines and therapies. The ultimate defensive Shield is vaccine development to protect healthy crowds from infection. Fighting against COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases is a long rocky journey, requiring the common endeavors of scientists and politicians from all countries around the world. 5S in global biodefense system bring a ray of light to the current darkest and future road from environmental and geographical perspectives.

Effective treatment of hospital wastewater with high-concentration diclofenac and ibuprofen using a promising technology based on degradation reaction catalyzed by Fe0 under microwave irradiation.

Real hospital wastewater was effectively treated by a promising technology based on degradation reaction catalyzed by Fe0 under microwave irradiation in this work. Fe0 powders were synthesized and characterized by different techniques, resulting in a single-phase sample with spherical particles. Optimum experimental conditions were determined by a central composite rotatable design combined with a response surface methodology, resulting in 96.8% of chemical oxygen demand reduction and 100% organic carbon removal, after applying MW power of 780 W and Fe0 dosage of 0.36 g L-1 for 60 min. Amongst the several organic compounds identified in the wastewater sample, diclofenac and ibuprofen were present in higher concentrations; therefore, they were set as target pollutants. Both compounds were completely degraded in 35 min of reaction time. Their plausible degradation pathways were investigated and proposed. Overall, the method developed in this work effectively removed high concentrations of pharmaceuticals in hospital wastewater.

Theoretical study and analysis of o-nitrophenol adsorption using layered double hydroxides containing Ca-Al, Ni-Al and Zn-Al.

A theoretical assessment of the o-nitrophenol adsorption on layered double hydroxides containing different metallic species (Ca-Al, Ni-Al and Zn-Al) was performed. Experimental o-nitrophenol adsorption isotherms obtained at different adsorption temperatures with these layered double hydroxides were analyzed using a statistical physics monolayer model. Model calculations showed that the o-nitrophenol aggregation could occur with a high degree. It was estimated that the o-nitrophenol adsorption implied a non-flat orientation on all adsorbent surfaces and this process was multi-molecular. It was also demonstrated that there was no significant difference on the o-nitrophenol adsorption capacities of tested adsorbents, which varied from 77 to 135, 95 to 122 and 74 and 130 mg/g for Ca-Al, Ni-Al and Zn-Al layered double hydroxides, respectively. This finding suggested that the incorporation of Ca-Al, Ni-Al and Zn-Al in the layered double hydroxide structure played a similar role to adsorb o-nitrophenol molecules from aqueous solution. Calculated adsorption energies and thermodynamic functions confirmed an exothermic adsorption with the presence of physical-based interaction forces. This paper highlights the importance of reliable theoretical calculations based on statistical physics theory to contribute in the understanding of the adsorption mechanisms of a relevant water pollutant using layered double hydroxides as promising adsorbents for industrial applications.

Adsorption of ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and paracetamol onto activated carbon prepared from effluent treatment plant sludge of the beverage industry.

The presence of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals in aquatic means presents as a serious threat, since their real consequences for the environment and human health are not well known. Therefore, this work consisted of preparing and characterize sludge-derived activated carbons (beverage sludge activated carbon - BSAC and acid-treated beverage sludge activated carbon - ABSAC) to investigate their use in the pharmaceuticals adsorption in aqueous media. The morphology study has demonstrated that ABSAC, unlike BSAC, exhibited an abundant porous structure, with smaller particles and bigger roughness. Adsorption results indicated that the ABSAC was more effective that BSAC, since it presented superior surface area (642 m2 g-1) and total pore volume (0.485 cm3 g-1) values. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model was more suitable to predict experimental data. Sips model best described the equilibrium data, with maximum adsorption capacities of 145, 105, and 57 mg g-1 for paracetamol, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen, respectively. Besides, the sludge-derived adsorbent was highly efficient in the treatment of a simulated drug effluent, removing 85.16% of the pharmaceutical compounds. Therefore, the material prepared in this work possesses intrinsic characteristics that make it a remarkable adsorbent to be applied in the treatment of pharmaceutical contaminants contained in industrial wastewater.

Environmental assessment of viticulture waste valorisation through composting as a biofertilisation strategy for cereal and fruit crops.

Composting is a solid waste management alternative that avoids the emission of methane associated with its disposal in landfill and reduces or eliminates the need for chemical fertilisers if compost is applied. The main objective of this study was to analyse the environmental burdens of composting as a way to achieve a more circular valorisation of wine waste. To do so, with the purpose of identifying optimal operational conditions and determining the "hotspots" of the process, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was used. The consumption of diesel fuel in machinery was determined to be the main critical point in the environmental effects of the system, followed by the transport and distribution of the compost. After the application of compost instead of mineral fertilisers, corn, tomato and strawberry crops would have a better environmental performance in most impact categories. In this sense, a maximum improvement of 65% in terrestrial ecotoxicity is achieved in strawberry cultivation. In light of the results obtained, it is demonstrated that composting is a suitable way of organic waste valorisation according to Circular Economy principles.

Gamma-hexalactone flavoring causes DNA lesion and modulates cytokines secretion at non-cytotoxic concentrations.

BACKGROUND: The γ-hexalactone is a flavoring agent for alcoholic beverages, teas, breads, dairy products, coffees, buttery products among others. It presents low molecular weight and exhibits sweet fruity aroma with nuances of nuts. As far as we know, both literature and government regulations have gaps regarding the safe use of the γ-hexalactone. In this context, the main objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of γ-hexalactone through in silico and in vitro approaches. METHODS: The in silico analysis was performed through four free online platforms (admetSAR, Osiris Property Explorer®, pkCSM platform and PreADMET) and consisted of comparative structural analysis with substances present in databases. The computational prediction was performed in the sense of complement and guide the in vitro tests. Regarding in vitro investigations, screening of cytotoxicity (assessed by cell proliferation and viability parameters) in lymphocytes exposed to γ-hexalactone for 72 h were carried out previously to determine non-cytotoxic concentrations. Following this screening, concentrations of 5.15, 0.515, and 0.0515 µM were selected for the study of the respective potentials: genotoxic (assessed by DNA comet assay), chromosomal mutation (analysis of micronucleus frequency) and immunomodulatory (cytokine quantification using ELISA immunoassay). The results of in vitro assays were compared by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test, conducted by statistic software. RESULTS: The platform PreADMET pointed out that γ-hexalactone is potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic. The comet assay data corroborate with these results demonstrating that γ-hexalactone at 5.15 µM caused lymphocytes DNA damage. In relation to cytokine secretion, the results indicate that lymphocytes were activated by γ-hexalactone at non-cytotoxic concentrations, involving an increase in the IL-1 levels in all tested concentrations, ranging from approximately 56 to 93%. The γ-hexalactone only at 5.15 µM induced increase in the levels of IL-6 (~ 60%), TNF-α (~ 68%) and IFN-γ (~ 29%), but decreased IL-10 (~ 46%) in comparison with the negative control (p < 0.05). No change was observed in total lymphocytes or in cell viability at the concentrations tested. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the γ-hexalactone demonstrated immunomodulatory and genotoxic effects at non-cytotoxic concentrations in healthy lymphocytes.

Structure-based design of δ-lactones for new antifungal drug development: susceptibility, mechanism of action, and toxicity.

Dermatophytes are the etiological agents of cutaneous mycoses, including the prevalent nail infections and athlete's foot. Candida spp. are opportunistic and emerging pathogens, causing superficial to deeper infections related to high mortality rates. As a consequence of prolonged application of antifungal drugs, the treatment failures combined with multidrug-resistance have become a serious problem in clinical practice. Therefore, novel alternative antifungals are required urgently. δ-Lactones have attracted great interest owing to their wide range of biological activity. This article describes the antifungal activity of synthetic δ-lactones against yeasts of the genus Candida spp. and dermatophytes (through the broth microdilution method), discusses the pathways by which the compounds exert this action (toward the fungal cell wall and/or membrane), and evaluates the toxicity to human leukocytes and chorioallantoic membrane (by the hen's egg test-chorioallantoic membrane). Two of the compounds in the series presented broader spectrum of antifungal activity, including against resistant fungal species. The mechanism of action was related to damage in the fungal cell wall and membrane, with specific target action dependent on the type of substituent present in the δ-lactone structure. The damage in the fungal cell was corroborated by electron microscopy images, which evidenced lysed and completely altered cells after in vitro treatment with δ-lactones. Toxicity was dose dependent for the viability of human leukocytes, but none of the compounds was mutagenic, genotoxic, or membrane irritant when evaluated at higher concentrations than MIC. In this way, δ-lactones constitute a class with excellent perspectives regarding their potential applications as antifungals.

Synergistic antifungal activity of the lipophilic fraction of Hypericum carinatum and fluconazole

ABSTRACT Hypericum species, Hypericaceae, are recognized as a source of therapeutical agents. Purified fractions and isolated compounds have been shown antimicrobial activity. As the indiscriminate use of antifungals and the increase of infections caused by emerging species are leading to the search of new alternative treatments, the aim of this study was to continue the study with Hypericum carinatum Griseb. lipophilic fraction, rich in phloroglucinol derivatives, investigating the effect of its association with fluconazole against emerging yeasts (Candida krusei, C. famata, C. parapsilosis and Cryptococcus neoformans). The synergistic activity between H. carinatum lipophilic fraction and fluconazole was assessed by two methodologies for multiple dose–response analysis: checkerboard and isobologram. Regarding synergistic experiments, the effect of the association was higher than the effect of fluconazole alone against Candida krusei and C. famata isolates (MIC fluconazole decreased about eight and four folds, respectively), suggesting that, somehow, H. carinatum lipophilic fraction compounds are facilitating the action of this drug. On the other hand, when tested against Cryptococcus neoformans and C. parapsilosis, fluconazole showed better results than the association. Thus, against Candida krusei and C. famata, the lipophilic fraction of H. carinatum was able to reduce the MIC values of fluconazole and could be considered as a potential alternative to be used against emerging yeast species.

Evaluation of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Euphorbia tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae) in cell cultures of human leukocytes.

Euphorbia tirucalli (L.), commonly known as aveloz, has been indiscriminately used in popular medicine to treat various illnesses. However, some components can have devastating consequences. Injury to a cell's genetic material can cause mutations, cancer, and cell death. Our main goal in this work was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of E. tirucalli extract on human leukocytes. For this purpose, we performed a phytochemical analysis to evaluate the plant's components. In the second step, we treated cultured human leukocytes with different concentrations of the dry extract of the plant and then evaluated the oxidative and genotoxic profiles of these leukocytes. We found that at 1% and 10% concentrations, the aveloz extract acted as a genotoxic agent that could damage DNA and increase oxidative damage. We conclude that despite its popular use, aveloz can act as a genotoxic agent, especially when it contains phorbol ester. Aveloz's indiscriminate use might actually promote tumors and therefore carry a considerable genetic risk for its users.

A preliminary evaluation of volcanic rock powder for application in agriculture as soil a remineralizer.

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of volcanic rock residue, from a crushing plant in the Nova Prata Mining District, State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, in this work named rock powder, were investigated in view of its potential application as soil ammendment in agriculture. Abaut 52,400 m(3) of mining waste is generated annually in the city of Nova Prata without a proper disposal. The nutrients potentially available to plants were evaluated through leaching laboratory tests. Nutrient leaching tests were performed in Milli-Q water; citric acid solution 1% and 2% (AC); and oxalic acid solution 1% and 5% (AO). The bulk and leachable contents of 57 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mining waste were made up by CaO, K2O, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and P2O5. The analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the major occurence of quartz, anorthite, cristobalite, sanidine, and augite. The water leachable concentrations of all elements studied were lower than 1.0mg/kg, indicating their low solubility. Leaching tests in acidic media yield larger leachable fractions for all elements being studied are in the leachate of the AO 1%. These date usefulness of volcanic rock powder as potential natural fertilizer in agriculture in the mining district in Nova Prata, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.