Solar photo-Fenton and persulphate-based processes for landfill leachate treatment: A critical review.

Landfilling is the most usual solid waste management strategy for solid residues disposal. However, it entails several drawbacks such as the generation of landfill leachate that seriously threaten human life and the environment due to their toxicity and carcinogenic character. Among various technologies, solar photo-Fenton and sulphate-based processes have proven to be suitable for the treatment of these polluted streams. This review critically summarises the last three decades of studies in this field. It is found that the solar homogeneous photo-Fenton process should be preferably used as a pre- and post-treatment of biological technologies and as a standalone treatment for young, medium, and mature leachates, respectively. Studies on heterogeneous solar photo-Fenton process are lacking so that this technology may be scaled-up for industrial applications. Sulphate radicals are attractive for removing both COD and ammonia. However, no study has been reported on solar sulphate activation for landfill leachate treatment. This review discusses the main advances and challenges on treating landfill leachate through solar AOPs, it compares solar photo-Fenton and solar persulphate-based treatments, indicates the future research directions and contributes for a better understanding of these technologies towards sustainable treatment of landfill leachate in sunny and not-so-sunny regions.

Maternal chronic caffeine intake impairs fertility, placental vascularization and fetal development in mice.

Caffeine is commonly consumed by pregnant women to avoid fatigue or as a habit. However, it is not clearly determined its side effects to the conceptuses. This study evaluated placental morphofunctional alterations after maternal chronic caffeine intake and the effects on fetal growth. Female Swiss mice received, via gavage, caffeine doses (either 60, 120 or 240 mg/kg/day) seven days before mating until gestational days-(GD) 11.5 or 17.5. Fetal biometrical parameters were assessed, and placentae were either submitted to histomorphometrical or molecular evaluation of angiogenesis (placental growth factor-1[PlGF-1]), apoptosis (Caspase-3) and proliferation (Ki-67) markers (evaluated in Swiss dams) and to intravital microscopy (evaluated in C57BL/6 dams). Caffeine exposed fetuses exhibited intrauterine growth restriction in a sex-dependent manner, with greater commitment of female fetuses (P < 0.05). In addition, placentae from dams that received 120 mg/kg/day showed less irrigation by maternal blood and greater development of fetal vasculature, characterized by higher number of larger vessels (P < 0.05). Although no effects on apoptosis (Caspase-3) and angiogenesis (PlGF-1) were observed, dams treated with 60 mg/kg/day showed greater placental cell proliferation (Ki-67 staining) at GD 11.5 (P < 0.05). The group treated with 240 mg/kg/day exhibited only one pregnant dam for each gestational age, suggesting that this high caffeine consumption may compromise fertility. Taken together, even in the doses currently ingested by many pregnant women, caffeine has detrimental effects on placental vasculature and fetal development in mice. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that caffeine consumption in human pregnancies greater than the recommended doses should be avoided.

Intrauterine growth restriction and its impact on intestinal morphophysiology throughout postnatal development in pigs.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compromises fetal development, leading to low birth weight, and predisposes to gastrointestinal disorders. Pigs that suffered IUGR present poor postnatal development, resulting in great economic losses to the industry. The small intestine may be involved with impaired development, but studies investigating this issue are still limited. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate small intestine morphofunctional alterations in IUGR pigs throughout the production phases (birth to 150 days). IUGR pigs presented lower body weight from birth to the finishing phase (P < 0.05). Although histomorphometrical parameters were not affected during the pre-weaning period, their commitment was observed specifically in the duodenum of the IUGR group at older ages (P < 0.05). The most detrimental effects on the small intestine, such as deeper duodenum crypts' depth, lower villus height:crypt depth ratio and absorptive area, increased apoptosis and lower proliferation of the duodenum epithelium were noticed at 70 days of age (P < 0.05). Additionally, IUGR pigs presented the lowest chymotrypsin and amylase activities at 70 and 150 days of age, respectively (P < 0.05). These findings may contribute to the elucidation of morphofunctional disorders of the small intestine in IUGR pigs throughout the different production phases, suggesting that poor postnatal development may be due to intestinal damage.

Intrauterine growth restriction: screening and diagnosis using animal models.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious condition of multifactorial origin, mainly caused by maternal malnutrition, multiple gestation associated with nutrient competition, abuse of nocive substances and infections. The diagnosis of such syndrome is complex, as its own manifestations can mask its occurrence, requiring a thorough assessment of body weight and size. Moreover, it is not responsive to any kind of treatment. There is evidence that IUGR may predispose the individual to several pathologies, such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, and it has also been linked to thrifty phenotype hypothesis. Thus, a healthy lifestyle is needed to better prevent those pathologies. Given the world high prevalence and importance of IUGR, mainly in developing countries, this review is focused on discussing how different animal models contribute to the biological screening and diagnosis of this condition.

Soluble CD30, Acute Rejection, and Graft Survival: Pre- and 6-Month Post-Transplant Determinations-When Is the Best Time to Measure?

BACKGROUND: Pretransplantation soluble CD30 (sCD30) has been shown to be a good predictor of acute rejection (AR) and graft loss. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sCD30 measured pretransplant and up to 6 months after transplantation as a predictor of AR, graft loss, and survival at 5 years post-transplantation. Subjects were patients receiving living donor renal transplants at Bonsucesso Federal Hospital (Rio de Janeiro) in 2006 and between August 2010 and May 2011. METHODS: sCD30 was analyzed in samples collected pretransplantation and 7, 14, and 21, 28 days and 3, 4, 5, and 6 months post-transplantation from 73 kidney recipients. RESULTS: Patients in the AR group did not present a positive correlation with the sCD30 levels pretransplant (P = .54); in the post-transplant period, the 7- to 14-day samples showed patients with AR had higher levels of this biomarker (P = .036). The graft survival in 5 years of follow-up was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The best time to predict AR using sCD30 is the 7- to 14-day sample; however, identifying and following the decrease of this biomarker from pre- to post-transplant seems to be better than just 1 measurement. The sCD30 post-transplant is another tool that may be used in monitoring patients after renal transplantation.

Human leukocyte antigen distribution and genomic ancestry in Brazilian patients with sickle cell disease.

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only established curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), but is limited by donor availability. Ethnicity is thought to have an impact on the complications experienced by patients that undergo HSCT and on the likelihood of identifying an human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched donor. In the present study, we investigated the genomic ancestry and the distribution of HLA allele groups in Brazilian patients with SCD, compared these HLA profiles to worldwide populations and evaluate the availability of HLA-matched donors. A broad intercontinental admixture of patients with SCD was observed, with African ancestry ranging from 6.7% to 93.4%. In a dendrogram based on HLA frequencies, Brazilian patients with SCD were included in a branch containing only populations with a significant African component. Among the 126 patients evaluated, 10 (8%) found a HLA-matched unrelated donor in a database of 18 134 donors. Self-reported white, brown and black matched donors were identified, and no significant difference in the percentage of compatible donors was observed between these ethnic groups. Our results show that Brazilian patients with SCD are very admixed, indicating that this group is a promising target for admixture mapping of genes involved in complications after HSCT. Additional studies may help to clarify the impact of the genetic diversity and admixture of these patients on the donor availability.

Desempenho reprodutivo do beijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) capturado no litoral de Pernambuco / Reproductive performance of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) captured of Pernambuco, Brazil

O desempenho reprodutivo de exemplares selvagens de beijupirá capturados no litoral de Pernambuco e aclimatados ao cativeiro foi avaliado durante 10 meses. Um plantel composto por duas fêmeas (peso de 14 a 16kg) e quatro machos (cerca de 12kg) mantidos em um único tanque de 70t produziu 48,7 milhões de ovos no período de outubro a junho. As fêmeas foram capazes de desovar 21 vezes, com uma frequência média (±DP) de uma desova a cada 11,9 dias (±2,9). Em média, cada desova produziu 2,4 milhões de ovos, com fertilização de 52,4 por cento, o que resultou em aproximadamente 1,0 milhão de larvas por desova. Os resultados demonstram a viabilidade da metodologia empregada na formação do plantel e no manejo de reprodutores e confirmam a relativa facilidade de obtenção de desovas espontâneas do beijupirá em cativeiro. Também foi confirmado que o período reprodutivo dessa espécie em cativeiro se estende além do observado na natureza. Este é o primeiro relato sobre o desempenho reprodutivo do beijupirá em cativeiro no Brasil...

The reproductive performance of wild cobia caught off the coast of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, was assessed. Six breeders (two females with 14-16kg and four males with approximately 12kg each) were maintained in a 70 ton tank from October to June and produced 48.7 million eggs. Females were able to spawn every 11.9 days (±2.9), which resulted in 21 spawns. On average each spawn produced 2.4 million eggs with a fertilization of 52.4 percent, which resulted in approximately 1.0 million larvae per spawn. The present results demonstrate the feasibility of the methodology employed here in the formation and management of a cobia breeding stock and confirm the ease of spawning cobia in captivity. It was also confirmed that the spawning season may be extended under captivity when compared to the wild stock. This is the first report on the reproductive performance of cobia in captivity in Brazil...

Estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de pacientes portadoras de sindrome de ovarios policisticos / Nutritional status and food consumption of patients with of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Estado nutricionaly consumo alimentar de pacientes portadoras de sindrome de ovarios policisticos

O objetivo com esta pesquisa foi caracterizar o estado nutricional e o consumo alimentar de pacientes com síndrome de ovários policísticos (SOPC). Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado com portadoras de SOPC atendidas pela Equipe de Nutrição em serviço de atenção secundária à saúde. Foram obtidas informações sociodemográficas e perfil de saúde, medidas antropométricas, dados bioquímicos e do consumo alimentar. Participaram do estudo 54 mulheres, com média de 31,31± 5,76 anos, sendo 63% classificadas com algum grau de obesidade, 74,1% com risco cardiovascular segundo a razão cintura-quadril e 90,8% com circunferência de cintura aumentada. Houve correlação positiva entre a resistência insulina, mensurada pelo índice HOMA-IR, e índice de massa corporal (r=0,729; p=0,028). Além disso, houve elevada prevalência de consumo insuficiente de calorias (73,6%), carboidratos (54,7%) e micronutrientes (cálcio - 96,2%; ferro - 98,1%), contrastando com 71,7% de ingestão excessiva de lipídeos. Não houve associação entre estado nutricional, parâmetros bioquímicos e consumo alimentar (p>0,05). Concluiu-se que pacientes diagnosticadas com SOPC apresentam alta prevalência de obesidade e inadequações nutricionais, denotando importância de medidas de intervenção nutricional como parte do tratamento não farmacológico.

The present study aims at characterizing the nutritional status and food intake of patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It is a cross-sectional study performed in patients with PCOStreated in secondary health care service by nutrition specialists.socio-demographic information, health profile, anthropometric measurements, biochemical and food intake data were obtained. The study included 54 women with an average age of 31.31 ±5.76 years: 63% were classified as obese at different levels; 74.1% presented cardiovascular risk according to waist-hip ratio, and 90.8% an increased waist circumference. Correlations between insulin resistance, measured by HOMA-IR index, and body mass index (r = 0.729, p = 0.028) were observed. Evaluation of nutritional intake revealed an insufficient amount of calories (73.6%), carbohydrates (54.7%), and micronutrients (calcium, 96.2%; iron, 98.1%). However 71.7% presented an excessive intake of lipids.There was no association between nutritional status, biochemical parameters and food intake (p> 0.05). PCOS patients present a high prevalence of obesity and nutritional inadequacies. Therefore, nutritional intervention strategies constitute important tools as a non-pharmacological treatment.

Este estudio buscó caracterizar el estado nutricional y consumo alimentario de las pacientes con Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico (SOPQ). Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado con pacientes con SOPQ atendidas por el Equipo de Nutrición en servicios de atención secundaria de la salud. Se obtuvieron informaciones sociodemográficas y el perfil de salud, medidas antropométricas, datos bioquímicos y del consumo alimentario. En el estudio participaron 54 mujeres con edad promedio de 31,31± 5,76 años: 63% clasificadas con algún grado de obesidad; 74,1% con riesgo cardiovascular según la relación cintura-cadera y 90,8% con aumento de la circunferencia de cintura. Hubo correlación positiva entre la resistencia a la insulina, mensurada por el índice HOMA-IR, y el índice de masa corporal (r=0,729, p=0,028). Además, hubo elevada prevalencia de consumo insuficiente de calorías (73,6%), carbohidratos (54,7% y micronutrientes (calcio - 96,2%; hierro - 98.1%, en contraste con el 71,7% de ingesta excesiva de lípidos. No hubo asociación entre el estado nutricional, parámetros bioquímicos y consumo de alimentos (p>0,05). Pacientes diagnosticadas con SOPQ presentan una alta prevalencia de obesidad y deficiencias nutricionales. Por lo tanto, las medidas de intervención nutricional son herramientas importantes como parte del tratamiento no farmacológico.

Auto-stratification in drying colloidal dispersions: a diffusive model.

The mechanism by which the particles in a drying film come into close packing during solvent evaporation has an important role to play in the final film morphology. During drying the particles can develop non-uniform concentrations across the vertical height of the film, depending on their diffusion rate. By applying the principles of classical diffusion mechanics to a hard sphere system, a theory for this novel method of stratification during drying of a two component film has been derived. The model is dependent on the particle Peclet numbers and when one is above unity and the other below, maximum stratification is observed.

Autostratification in drying colloidal dispersions: experimental investigations.

In films cast from a colloidal dispersion comprising two particle sizes, we experimentally examine the distribution of particles normal to the substrate. The particle concentrations at various positions in the film are determined through atomic force microscopy and NMR profiling. The results are compared to a previously derived diffusional model. Evidence for diffusional driven stratification is found, but the importance of other flows is also highlighted. The conditions that enhance particle stratification are found to be a colloidally stable dispersion, low initial volume fractions, a low concentration of the stratifying particle, and for the Peclet numbers of the two components to straddle unity.

Hypersensitivity to inhalants and food in balance disturbances.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of allergy in patients with Menière's disease was established as approximately 41.6% for inhalants and 26.6% for food. These are elevated values in relation to the prevalence of allergy in the general population, which varies from 9% to 30% for inhalants (in Brazil) and from 1% to 3% for food. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of type I hypersensitivity reactions to inhalants and food in the patients of the Neurotology Sector of the 'Hospital das Clinicas' of the University of São Paulo Medical School and to describe vestibular symptoms of these patients. METHOD: Seventy-five patients with imbalance due to peripheral origin were evaluated by a questionnaire for the clinical characterization of the cochleo-vestibular symptoms and underwent the prick test for 13 inhalants and 5 food stuffs. RESULTS: Twenty-five (33.3%) patients presented positive prick tests and, at least, one food allergen. Four patients presented positive prick tests without allergy symptoms. The prevalence of the complaint of rotatory dizziness was similar among the patients with positive and negative prick tests. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Type I hypersensitivity reactions to inhalants and food in the population evaluated was greater than in the general population. The vestibular symptoms did not differ among the patients with either positive or negative prick tests. However, a larger sample size should be obtained for the data to be more reliable.

Primary biliary cirrhosis and myopathy: an uncommon association.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a cholestatic liver disease, which is characterized by a chronic inflammatory destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts. It is a rare disorder whose precise etiology is still to be elucidated. Even though the liver is the principal target of PBC, other organ systems also might be affected. Muscular involvement has rarely been described in this disease, and in the majority of cases, muscular weakness has been interpreted as polymyositis. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman suffering from classic PBC, in association with a myopathy whose histological features are distinct from the cases reported before. We also performed a MEDLINE research for PBC and concomitant muscular diseases.

Measurements of OH concentration in flames at high pressure by two-optical path laser-induced fluorescence.

The two-optical path laser-induced fluorescence (TOPLIF) method was used to measure OH concentration profiles in flat, stoichiometric, premixed, methane-air flames burning at pressures ranging from 1 to 9 bars. The TOPLIF method does not require knowledge of the collisional quenching rates, which is a major advantage especially at these pressures. The population of a single rovibronic level is measured in a manner similar to many spectroscopic methods. TOPLIF measures this population at any location in flames at any pressure relative to this level's population in an arbitrary reference flame (here the 1-bar flame at 5 mm above the burner). Absolute values can therefore be obtained from the known value in the reference flame. In addition, the TOPLIF method is proposed as a technique to process standard laser-saturated fluorescence measurements. Using our approach, we can properly correct variations in the effective probe volume with pressure.

Assistência psicológica ao paciente cirúrgico

A assistência psicológica ao paciente cirúrgico nem sempre é valorizada pela equipe que tem sua atençäo mais voltada para os aspectos físicos do paciente. A cirurgia é considerada, entretanto, uma grande fonte de "stress" e o ato cirúrgico uma ocorrência importante na vida do indivíduo. Esta assistência deve ser prestada de maneira informal e perssonalíssima. O paciente será devidamente informado sobre a cirurgia proposta, o prognóstico e as ocorrências normais de um pós-operatório. A enfermagem procurará evitar que o paciente entre em contato com outros graves, presencie óbitos ou circunstâncias que possam aumentar o "stress" cirúrgico. Esta assistência se prolonga por todo o per e pós-operatório. Os tumultos devem ser evitados na sala de cirurgia, pois a audiçäo permanece alerta no início da anestesia. A capacidade de percepçäo varia de indivíduo para indivíduo e o enfermeiro deve fazer o paciente sentir que toda a equipe se preocupa com sua segurança e tranquilidade. A capacidade profissional da equipe e o valor que ela atribui ao paciente como ser humano contribuiräo para o desencadeamento de "respostas" desejáveis ao ato cirúrgico que, em geral, marca profundamente a vida do indivíduo.