Caracterización de filtros comerciales para agua a base de carbón activado para el tratamiento de agua del río Tumbes - Perú / Characterization of water commercial filters based on activated carbon for water treatment of the Tumbes river - Peru / Caracterização de carvão ativado de filtros comerciais para tratamento da água do rio Tumbes -Perú

Resumen Se caracterizaron y se evaluaron carbones activados comerciales (A, B, C y D) utilizados en filtros para el tratamiento de agua en la descontaminación de metales pesados presentes en agua de río y en la eliminacion de microorganismos coliformes; los carbones comerciales resultaron tener estructuras microporosas y mesoporosas. Se determinaron areas superficiales entre 705 y 906 m2/g. Los carbones fueron amorfos y se detectó la presencia de agentes antibacterianos, tales como Ag, Cl, Cu y Si. Se determinó que para el As y Pb, cuyas concentraciones iniciales en el agua contaminada (agua del Río Tumbes-Perú) fueron 56,7 y 224,0 μg/L, respectivamente, el porcentaje de adsorción fue cercano al 100%. También se encontró que la relación entre el pH de carga cero de los carbones y pH del agua del río durante los experimentos juega un rol determinante en la adsorción de los elementos analizados. Por otro lado, la capacidad antibacteriana fue evaluada satisfactoriamente frente a las siguientes cepas de bacterias gram negativas fecales: Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922™), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC® 14028™) y Shigella flexneri (ATCC® 12022™). Esta capacidad se basa en la presencia superficial en los carbones de los agentes antibacterianos mencionados.

Abstract Comercial activated carbon samples (A, B, C, and D) used in filters for the treatment of water were characterized and evaluated in the decontamination of heavy metals present in river water and in the elimination of coliform microorganisms. The carbon samples had microporous and mesoporous structures. Surface areas of between 705 and 906 m2/g were found. The carbon samples were amorphous and the presence of antibacterial agents such as Ag, Cl, Cu, and Si was detected. It was determined that for As and Pb, whose initial concentrations in contaminated water (water of the Tumbes river-Peru) were 56.7 and 224.0 μg/L, respectively, the percentage of adsorption was close to 100%. The relationship between point of zero charge pH of the activated carbons and pH of the river water during the experiments plays a determinant role in the adsorption of the analyzed elements. The antibacterial capacity was evaluated satisfactorily against the following strains of fecal gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922™), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC® 14028™), and Shigella flexneri (ATCC® 12022™). This ability is based on the surface presence in the carbons ofthe mentioned antibacterial agents.

Resumo Carvões ativados comerciais (A, B, C e D) usado em filtros para o tratamento de água foram caracterizados e avaliados na descontaminação de metais pesados da água do rio e para a remoção de microrganismos coliformes. Os carvões comerciais mostraram estruturas microporosas e mesoporosas. Foram determinadas as áreas superficiais entre 705 e 906 m2/g. As amostras de carvão foram amorfas e foi detectada a presença de agentes antibacterianos, tais como Ag, Cl, Cu e Si. Determinou-se que, no caso de As e Pb, cujas concentrações iniciais na água contaminada (água do rio Tumbes-Peru) foram de 56,7 e 224,0 μg/L respectivamente, a taxa de adsorção foi de quase 100%. Também foi econtrado que e a relação entre o pH de carga zero dos carvões e o pH da água do rio durante as experiências desempenha um papel decisivo na adsorção dos elementos analisados. Além disso, a capacidade antibacteriana foi avaliada com sucesso contra as seguintes variedades de bactérias gram negativas de origem fecal: Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922™), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC® 14028™) e Shigella flexneri (ATCC® 12022™). Esta capacidade esta baseada na presença de agentes bacterianos na superfície dos carvões.

Proteoliposome derived cochleate as novel adjuvant.

Cochleate structures (CS) consist in a highly stable lipid structures that have been reported to be a good antigen delivery system. The incorporation of pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) from bacterial membranes into CS became in a promising approach to develop adjuvants, particularly mucosal adjuvants. Therefore, we prepare CS from proteoliposome (PL) obtained from Neisseria meningitidis B (PLCS) and evaluated it for its capability to stimulate the immune system as well as the adjuvant activity. The ability of PLCS to induce Thl polarization was also explored. The results and the easy capability for new antigen incorporation on CS support its use as adjuvant for immunization with a large variety of pathogen derived antigens and different routes of immunization.

Novel adjuvant based on a proteoliposome-derived cochleate structure containing native lipopolysaccharide as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern.

Proteoliposomes (PL) from Neisseria meningitidis B have been widely used as a core antigen for antimeningococcal vaccination. PL contain major outer membrane proteins, LPS and phospholipids, and they induce a strong Th1 immune response, but they have low stability in solution. Attending to the need for new vaccine adjuvants, we developed a highly stable cochleate structure (CS) from PL using a technology that allows easy incorporation of new antigens. We explored the ability of PLCS to activate the immune system and its possible application as an adjuvant for parenteral and mucosal routes. Our results showed that PLCS were able to upregulate the expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules on human dendritic cells, as well as being able to stimulate the production of soluble mediators of a Th1 response, such as IL-12 and nitric oxide. High levels of anti-PL IgG were detected in serum after i.m. or mucosal (oral and nasal) administration, but also anti-PL secretory IgA was produced in saliva following nasal delivery. The immune response polarization to a Th1 pattern was confirmed by the induction of IgG2a antibodies, positive delayed type hypersensitivity reactions, and IFN-gamma production by splenocytes from immunized mice. The adjuvant potential was explored using PLCS containing ovalbumin (Ova). PLCS-Ova was able to elicit a substantial increase in anti-Ova IgG compared with Ova alone. In addition, a significant reduction in lesion size was observed in mice immunized with Leishmania major antigens in PLCS after challenge with virulent protozoa, suggesting at least partial modulation of the Th2 environment induced by this parasite. In conclusion, our results support the use of PLCS as a potent Th1 adjuvant for parenteral and mucosal vaccines.

Anti M. leprae IgM antibody determination by ultramicroimmunoenzimatic (UMELISA HANSEN) for the diagnosis and monitoring leprosy

Se analizo la relacion entre la carga antigenica y la respuesta de anticuerpos IgM, el comportamiento de dicha respuesta y la utilidad de su deteccion para el diagnostico y seguimento de la lepra. Se obtuvo un 82 por cento de coincidencia entre los resultados del UMELISA HANSEN y los de la baciloscopia. Este valor se vio afectado fundamentalmente por 16 pacientes con respuesta positiva a IgM y baciloscopia negativa. En estos pacientes de acuerdo a lo reportado, la respuesta IgM puede indicar la reaparicion de bacilos, precediendo a su deteccion en la piel. En uno de estos pacientes se demonstro la presencia de bacilos, dos meses despues de resultar positivo por el UNELISA HANSEN. Entre los pacientes coincidentes en IgM baciloscopia positivas con tratamiento quimioterapeutico...

Ultramicroelisa para la deteccion de anticuerpos IgM al Mycobacterium leprae utilizando muestras de sangre seca / Ultramicroelisa assay for the detection of IgM antibodies to Mycobacterium leprae using eluates of dried blood spots

En este trabajo se estebelecen las condiciones optimas para la deteccion de anticuerpos IgM al glicolipido fenolitico-I (GF-I) en muestras de sangre en papel de filtro utilizando el UltranicroELISA HANSEN y la tecnologia SUMA. Se estudiaron 30 doantes de sabgre y 58 pacientes leprosos. Para estas dos poblaciones se compararon los resultados de muestras de sangre seca colectadas en papel de filtro SS-2992 con los de suero, y se obtuvo una correlacion de 0.919 para doantes de sangre, 0.969 para pacientes y 0.954 para el total de las dos poblaciones....