Vertical flow wetlands as the core for the sustainable treatment of coffee wastewater in small communities in Colombia: preliminary results of the treatment of coffee wastewater in rural areas by vertical flow wetlands.

Coffee is one of the most important agricultural products in Colombia. To date, small-scale Colombian coffee growers have developed this activity with a simple infrastructure and random use of water that generates harmful by-products to the water resource mainly in the stage of separation of the mucilage. The coffee mucilage wastewater (CMW) is composed of high organic loads and its impact on water sources is due to its high load of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of over 25,000 mg/L. However, there is no consensus on what treatment can be used, especially whether it is accessible to coffee producers. Thus , the aim of this study consisted of assessing the performance of the combination of a carbon filter (CF) as pretreatment and vertical flow wetland (VFW) as a Natural-based Solution (NbS). The results show a reduction of more than 85% of COD, 96% of total solids, and UV254 close to 94%. It was remarkable that both treatments are appropriate for waters with a high concentration of solids. Finally, it can be concluded that CF + VFW is a feasible technology to treat the coffee wastewater from small communities of coffee producers.

Enhanced degradation of hydrocarbons in constructed wetlands aided with nutrients, surfactant, and aeration.

The use of constructed wetlands (CWs) is a promising approach for the remediation of hydrocarbon-polluted wastewater. The amendments of CWs with nutrients, surfactants, and aeration enhances the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The objective of the present study was to explore the effect of external stimulants, i.e., nutrients, surfactant, and aeration on hydrocarbons degradation potential of CWs. The CWs mesocosms were developed by the vegetation of Phragmites australis and amendments with nutrients (20 mg l-1 N, 2.6 mg l-1 P, and 16.4 mg l-1 K), surfactant Tween 20 (0.2%, v/v), and aeration (7 mg l-1) for the remediation of diesel-spiked water (2%, w/v). The comparative analysis showed that the addition of nutrients, surfactant, and aeration individually enhanced total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) reduction, and maximum TPHs reduction (88.4%) was achieved after 60 days in the mesocosms amended with the combination of nutrients, surfactant, and aeration. Among different individual treatments, the aeration (alone) also played a pivotal role in TPHs reduction (61%). The least (12%) reduction in TPHs was achieved in the mesocosms supplied with surfactant only. This study revealed that the combined application of nutrients, surfactant, and aeration in CWs enhanced its hydrocarbons degradation performance.

The biodegradability of crude oil-polluted wastewater is not efficient. It is mainly due to the low bioavailability of hydrocarbons, and less amount of nutrients and dissolved oxygen in the wastewater. This study explores the importance of the amendments of nutrients, surfactant, and aeration on the enhanced performance of constructed wetlands (CWs) for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated water. The application of nutrients, surfactant, and aeration in CWs not only enhanced hydrocarbon degradation and toxicity reduction but also improved plant growth.

Evaluation of Bed Depth Reduction, Media Change, and Partial Saturation as Combined Strategies to Modify in Vertical Treatment Wetlands.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of vertical subsurface flow treatment wetlands (VSSF TWs) for treating rural domestic wastewater when strategies such as bed depth reduction and media change are used in combination with bottom saturation. Two treatment wetland systems were implemented: normal (VF-N), with a bed depth of 1.0 m, and modified (VF-M), with a bed depth of 0.5 m and a bottom layer of natural zeolite. Schoenoplectus californicus was used as experimental plant. These two treatment systems were operated at a hydraulic loading rate of 120 mm/d in two phases. Phase I did not use bottom saturation, while Phase II involved a bottom saturation of the zeolite layer of the VF-M system. The results show that bed depth reduction did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) in terms of organic matter, solids, and ammonium removal. Conversely, it had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on phosphate as well as a negative effect on pathogen removal. This influence could be explained by initial media capacity for phosphorus removal and filtration importance in the case of pathogens. Partial saturation only had a positive influence on total nitrogen removal. The addition of a bottom layer of natural zeolite showed no positive effect on nutrient removal. The plant showed adaptation and positive development in both VF-N and VF-M. The water balance showed that water loss was not influenced by bed depth reduction. Therefore, according to the previous results, a combination of the proposal modifications to VSSF TWs can be introduced for treating rural domestic wastewater.

Preclinical validation of a potent γ-secretase modulator for Alzheimer's disease prevention.

A potent γ-secretase modulator (GSM) has been developed to circumvent problems associated with γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) and to potentially enable use in primary prevention of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD). Unlike GSIs, GSMs do not inhibit γ-secretase activity but rather allosterically modulate γ-secretase, reducing the net production of Aß42 and to a lesser extent Aß40, while concomitantly augmenting production of Aß38 and Aß37. This GSM demonstrated robust time- and dose-dependent efficacy in acute, subchronic, and chronic studies across multiple species, including primary and secondary prevention studies in a transgenic mouse model. The GSM displayed a >40-fold safety margin in rats based on a comparison of the systemic exposure (AUC) at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) to the 50% effective AUC or AUCeffective, the systemic exposure required for reducing levels of Aß42 in rat brain by 50%.

Characterization of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria in Constructed Wetland Microcosms Used to Treat Crude Oil Polluted Water.

Ten plant species were grown in constructed wetlands (CWs) to remediate water containing 2% (w/v) crude oil. The plant species with better growth and biomass production were Typha latifolia and Cyperus laevigatus, and they were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.91) with hydrocarbon degradation. From T. latifolia and C. laevigatus, 33 hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere, and root and shoot interiors. More diversified bacteria were found in the rhizosphere and endosphere of C. laevigatus than those of T. latifolia. The predominant cultural hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were shown to belong to the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Bacillus. In addition to genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation, most of the bacteria displayed multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) activities. This study suggests the importance of selecting suitable bacterial strains with hydrocarbon degradation and PGP activities for improving the efficacy of CWs used in remediating water contaminated with crude oil.

[Evaluation of cytotoxic effect and genetic damage of standardized extracts of Solanum nudum with antiplasmodial activity]. / Evaluación del efecto citotóxico y del daño genético de extractos estandarizados de Solanum nudumcon actividad anti- Plasmodium.

INTRODUCTION: The plant Solanum nudum (Solanaceae) is extensively used for the treatment of malaria-related symptoms in traditional medicine practices in the Colombian Pacific. Recently, it has become a significant source of promising new molecules for developing a pharmaceutical malaria treatment. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and the genetic damage of standardized extracts of S. nudumon different cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty six standardized S. nudum extracts were used, evaluating cytotoxicity in U937 and HepG2 cells and the antiplasmodial activity using both a chloroquine-sensitive (NF54) and a chloroquine-resistant (FCB2) strain. The hemolytic effect on healthy O + erythrocytes, the mutagenic effect on S.Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains and the genotoxic effect on U937 cells were evaluated. The extracts that displayed both antiplasmodial activity and low toxicity were selected. RESULTS: Five extracts were selected: 28MA1, 29MA1, 51MA1, 55MA1 and 61MA1. These extracts were active against P. falciparum with IC 50 between 9.8 and 54.8 µg/ml and selectivity indexes were calculated between 0.9 and 4.4, the latter for 29MA1. Also, no hemolytic effects in healthy O + erythrocytes were shown at a concentration of 250 µg/ml, nor did they cause mutations in the TA98 and TA100 strains or generate genotoxic effects in U937cells. CONCLUSION: The use of standardized extracts of S. nudum could contribute to the body of work aimed at developing a new pharmaceutical treatment for malaria using natural products.

Evaluación del efecto citotóxico y del daño genético de extractos estandarizados de Solanum nudumcon actividad anti- Plasmodium / Evaluation of cytotoxic effect and genetic damage of standardized extracts of Solanum nudum with antiplasmodial activity

Introducción. La planta Solanum nudum es ampliamente usada en la medicina tradicional del Pacífico colombiano para tratar las fiebres y la malaria, o paludismo, y se ha convertido en una fuente de nuevas moléculas promisorias. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto citotóxico y daño genético de extractos estandarizados de S. nudum en diferentes modelos celulares. Materiales y métodos. A 66 extractos estandarizados de S. nudum se les evaluó la actividad anti- Plasmodiumin vitro en dos cepas de Plasmodium falciparum, una sensible (NF54) y otra resistente (FCB2) a la cloroquina, y la citotoxicidad en células U937 y HepG2. Se seleccionaron los extractos que presentaron actividad anti- Plasmodium y baja toxicidad, y se les estimó su efecto hemolítico en eritrocitos sanos O + , el efecto mutagénico en las cepas TA98 y TA100 de Salmonella Typhimurium y el efecto genotóxico en células U937. Resultados. Se seleccionaron cinco extractos como promisorios (28MA1, 29MA1, 51MA1, 55MA1 y 61MA1), los cuales fueron activos en las cepas de P. falciparum con concentración inhibitoria 50 (CI 50 ) entre 9,8 y 54,8 µg/ml. El extracto 29MA1 fue el más selectivo para Plasmodium, con índice de selectividad de 4,4 y 14,5 para las células U937 y HepG2, respectivamente. En ningún extracto se observó efecto hemolítico a 250 µg/ml, no causaron mutaciones en las cepas TA98 y TA100 de S.Typhimurium, ni generaron efectos genotóxicos en células U937. Conclusiones. La utilización de extractos estandarizados de S. nudum contribuye con los trabajos encaminados al desarrollo de una nueva formulación farmacéutica para tratar la malaria a partir de productos naturales.

Introduction. The plant Solanum nudum (Solanaceae) is extensively used for the treatment of malaria-related symptoms in traditional medicine practices in the Colombian Pacific. Recently, it has become a significant source of promising new molecules for developing a pharmaceutical malaria treatment. Objective. This research aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and the genetic damage of standardized extracts of S. nudumon different cells. Materials and methods. Sixty six standardized S. nudum extracts were used, evaluating cytotoxicity in U937 and HepG2 cells and the antiplasmodial activity using both a chloroquine-sensitive (NF54) and a chloroquine-resistant (FCB2) strain. The hemolytic effect on healthy O + erythrocytes, the mutagenic effect on S.Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains and the genotoxic effect on U937 cells were evaluated. The extracts that displayed both antiplasmodial activity and low toxicity were selected. Results. Five extracts were selected: 28MA1, 29MA1, 51MA1, 55MA1 and 61MA1. These extracts were active against P. falciparum with IC 50 between 9.8 and 54.8 µg/ml and selectivity indexes were calculated between 0.9 and 4.4, the latter for 29MA1. Also, no hemolytic effects in healthy O + erythrocytes were shown at a concentration of 250 µg/ml, nor did they cause mutations in the TA98 and TA100 strains or generate genotoxic effects in U937cells. Conclusion. The use of standardized extracts of S. nudum could contribute to the body of work aimed at developing a new pharmaceutical treatment for malaria using natural products.

Sorption media for stormwater treatment--a laboratory evaluation of five low-cost media for their ability to remove metals and phosphorus from artificial stormwater.

Five sorption materials were studied with a focus on polishing pretreated stormwater: crushed limestone, shell-sand, zeolite, and two granulates of olivine. These materials are commercially available at comparatively low cost and have been subjected to a minimum of modification from their natural states. The sorbents were tested for phosphorus, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc at concentration and conditions relevant for typical stormwater. The materials were tested for sorption capacity and kinetics. Desorption was tested under neutral and alkaline conditions and in the presence of chloride. For most sorbent/sorbate combinations, significant sorption occurred within the first minutes of contact between sorbent and sorbate. Treatment to the low microgram per liter range could be achieved by contact times of less than 1 hour. The study indicated that sorption filters can be designed for long life expectancy at comparatively low cost by applying the materials tested.

Improved urban stormwater treatment and pollutant removal pathways in amended wet detention ponds.

Dissolved and colloidal bound pollutants are generally poorly removed from stormwater in wet detention ponds. These fractions are, however, the most bio-available, and therefore three wet detention ponds were amended with planted sand filters, sorption filters and addition of precipitation chemicals to enhance the removal of dissolved pollutants and pollutants associated with fine particles and colloids. The three systems treated runoff from industrial, residential and combined (residential and highway) catchments and had permanent volumes of 1,990, 6,900 and 2,680 m(3), respectively. The treatment performance of the ponds for elimination of total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (Tot-N), total phosphorous (Tot-P), PO(4)-P, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Hg were within the range typically reported for wet detention ponds, but the concentrations of most of the pollutants were efficiently reduced by the planted sand filters at the outlets. The sorption filters contributed to further decrease the concentration of PO(4)-P from 0.04 ± 0.05 to 0.01 ± 0.01 mg L(-1) and were also efficient in removing heavy metals. Dosing of iron sulphate to enrich the bottom sediment with iron and dosing of aluminium salts to the inlet water resulted in less growth of phytoplankton, but treatment performance was not significantly affected. Heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Cu) accumulated in the sediment of the ponds. The concentrations of Zn, Ni, Cu and Pb in the roots of the wetland plants were generally correlated to the concentrations in the sediments. Among 13 plant species investigated, Rumex hydrolapathum accumulated the highest concentrations of heavy metals in the roots (Concentration Factor (CF) of 4.5 and 5.9 for Zn and Ni, respectively) and Iris pseudacorus the lowest (CF < 1). The translocation of heavy metals from roots to the aboveground tissues of plants was low. Therefore the potential transfer of heavy metals from the metal-enriched sediment to the surrounding ecosystem via plant uptake and translocation is negligible.

Methods suitable for high-throughput screening of siRNAs and other chemical compounds with the potential to inhibit rotavirus replication.

Rotaviruses are an important cause of severe gastroenteritis in children under two years of age. Two vaccines have become recently available, however, there are no specific pharmacological interventions of rotavirus disease. Recently, libraries of siRNAs or libraries of chemical compounds that can be tested for their ability to inhibit biological processes have been developed. To search these libraries for drugs or siRNAs that may prevent rotavirus replication it is necessary to have methods for high-throughput screening. In this study several methods to quantify rotavirus replication in cell culture were evaluated; the cell death and viral protein expression assays were compared, and an in-cell Western method based on infrared detection that allows the simultaneous quantification of viral antigen and total protein content in the same cell culture well was developed. This is an easy, inexpensive method for detection of viral replication, and it is compatible with high-throughput screening.

Melatonin corrects reticuloendothelial blockade and iron status in haemodialysed patients.

AIM: Treatment of anaemia in haemodialysed patients in the setting of inflammation usually displays high levels of serum ferritin (>800 ng/mL) and low transferrin saturation (TSAT) (<20%) despite i.v. iron supplementation, thus proving iron trapping in the reticuloendothelial system. Melatonin has been reported to reduce cytokine production and, in dialysis patients, to prevent oxidative stress resulting from iron and erythropoietin treatment. METHOD: In this study, we evaluated a group of 10 patients undergoing haemodialysis who displayed elevated serum ferritin (981 +/- 44.6 ng/mL) and TSAT <20% (15.6 +/- 3.8%) after having received 1.2 g of i.v. iron dextran over a period of 8 weeks. These patients received oral melatonin, 6 mg/day at night for 30 days. RESULTS: After this treatment, all of them markedly increased TSAT values, reaching 35.5 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.0001 vs basal values). In addition, ferritin values decreased to 754.4 +/- 263.7 ng/mL (P < 0.05), and serum iron dramatically increased in all of the patients under study (42.4 +/- 9.4 vs 109.7 +/- 24.3 microg/dL; P < 0.0001). Values for haematocrit (28.6 +/- 2.7 vs 31.9 +/- 3.57%; P < 0.05) and haemoglobin (9.19 +/- 0.97 vs 10.04 +/- 1.29 g/dL; P < 0.05) were also improved. Measurements were then repeated 2 weeks after melatonin withdrawal, showing an impressive decrease in TSAT (16.4 +/- 5.3%; P < 0.00001) and serum iron (48 +/- 14.7 microg/dL; P < 0.0001) values and an almost significant increase in ferritin values (954.4 +/- 86 ng/mL; P < 0.054). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that melatonin may strongly correct the reticuloendothelial blockade seen in dialysis patients under an inflammatory status, thus allowing a better management of iron derangements and renal anaemia.