Chemical and ecotoxicological effects of the use of drinking-water treatment residuals for the remediation of soils degraded by mining activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of drinking-water treatment residuals (DWTR) in the amendment of a soil affected by mining activities (Aljustrel mine, Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt), considering the effects on its chemical, biochemical and ecotoxicological characteristics. The DWTR had neutral characteristics (pH 6.7) and an organic matter (OM) content of 575 g kg-1 dry matter (DM), which makes them a potential amendment for the remediation of mine degraded soils, as they may correct soil acidity and reduce the extractable metal fraction. An incubation assay, with soil and DWTR, with or without lime, was carried out to test the doses to be used in the assisted-phytostabilization experiment. Based on the results obtained, the doses of DWTR used were the equivalent to 48, 96, and 144 t DM ha-1, with and without lime application (CaCO3 11 t DM ha-1). Agrostis tenuis Sibth was used as the test plant. Some amendments doses were able to improve soil characteristics (pH and OM content), to decrease metal extractability by 0.01 M CaCl2 (especially for Cu and Zn), and to allow plant growth, that did not occur in the non-amended soil. Copper, Pb and Zn concentrations in the plant material were lower than the maximum tolerable level for cattle feed, used as an indicator of risk of entry of those metals into the human food chain. The simultaneous application of DWTR (96 and 144 t ha-1), with lime, allowed a reduction in the mine soil ecotoxicity, as evaluated by some lethal and sub-lethal bioassays, including luminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna acute immobilization test, mortality of Thamnocephalus platyurus, and 72-h growth inhibition of the green microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. However, DWTR were unable to increase soil microbial activity, evaluated by dehydrogenase activity, an important soil-health indicator. Also, OM content and NKjeldahl, concentrations increased slightly but remained low or very low (P and K extractable concentrations were not affected). In general, the bioassays highlighted a decrease in soil ecotoxicity with the presence of lime and DWTR (144 t DM ha-1). In conclusion, DWTR are recommended to amend acidic soils, with high concentrations of trace elements, but an additional application of organic or mineral fertilizers should be considered.

Ecological and ecotoxicological responses in the assessment of the ecological status of freshwater systems: A case-study of the temporary stream Brejo of Cagarrão (South of Portugal).

The objective of the study was to assess the integrated use of macroinvertebrate indexes and ecotoxicological parameters in the evaluation of the ecological status of a temporary stream with a strong agricultural influence. Water quality was analysed at two sampling sites along the stream, considering: chemical supporting parameters; hazardous substances (pesticides); benthic macroinvertebrate communities, through quality (Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party and Iberian Average Score Per Taxon) and multi-metric indices (Southern Portuguese Index of Invertebrates and Ecological Quality Ratio); and ecotoxicological responses using lethal and sub-lethal bioassays. The water chemical characterization showed high levels of organic matter and nutrients, mainly in the dry period ((biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5): 18.5-25.5mgL-1, chemical oxygen demand (COD): 60.8-193.7mgL-1; total phosphorus (TP): 0.17-0.33mgL-1)), which may compromise the support of biological life. In accordance with the physicochemical results, the stream had an ecological status less than good. Of the 25 pesticides analysed, only five, namely terbuthylazine, 2-methyl-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, bentazone, mecoprop and metolachlor were quantified. In general, the concentrations of pesticides detected were low, except at the source of the stream in January 2012 (sum of pesticides 2.29µgL-1), mainly due to the concentration of bentazone (1.77µgL-1), both values surpassing the European Commission threshold values. The analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates showed low levels of abundance and family diversity, with communities dominated by resistant groups to organic pollution and pesticides, such as the Chironomidae family. In general, the reproduction ecotoxicological results showed a very marked decrease in the number of juveniles per female. The Spearman correlation identified pesticides, namely MCPA (R=-0.89; p<0.05), as the main responsible for the observed effect. The results showed the linearity and complementarity of the two groups of biological responses, allowing to cover the interactions between the ecosystem's species and the different types of pollutants.

Interactive effect of dietary protein and dried citrus pulp levels on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and hindgut fermentation of weanling pigs.

Weanling pigs ( = 108, 21 d of age, 5.82 ± 0.16 kg initial BW) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effects of dietary levels of CP (high- and low-CP diets) and dried citrus pulp (DCP; 0% and 7.5%) on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and hindgut fermentation. Pigs were blocked by initial BW and allotted to 1 of 9 pens, each containing 3 pigs. The high-CP diets consisted of feeding 20% and 21% CP levels throughout phase 1 (0 to 14 d) and phase 2 (14 to 28 d), respectively. For the low-CP diets, CP levels were reduced by 4% units as compared with the high-CP diets in both phases. Crystalline AA were supplied to maintain an ideal AA pattern. Pig BW and pen feed disappearance were recorded weekly. On d 7 and 28 postweaning, 1 pig from each pen was euthanized for collection of small intestinal tissues and digesta from cecum and colon. There were no CP × DCP interactions for growth performance and gut morphology. Although the low-CP diet decreased ADG ( = 0.03) and G:F ( = 0.02) from d 21 to 28 postweaning, overall performance was unaffected by the treatments. On d 7 postweaning, pigs fed the low-CP diet tended to have increased ( = 0.09) crypt depth in the duodenum. Low-CP diets tended to increase ( = 0.06) crypt depth and reduce ( = 0.08) villus:crypt ratio in the jejunum on d 7. Dietary treatments did not affect ileal morphology. On d 7 postweaning, low-CP diets tended to reduce ( = 0.09) cecal total VFA, whereas dietary DCP inclusion tended to decrease ( = 0.07) colonic propionate. Including 7.5% DCP to the diet decreased ( < 0.05) colonic isovalerate and ammonia N concentrations on d 7 only for pigs fed the low-CP diet. On d 28 postweaning, DCP inclusion in low-CP diets decreased ( < 0.05) butyrate, isovalerate, and valerate concentrations in the cecum, as well as isovalerate, valerate, and ammonia N concentrations in the colon. Including 7.5% DCP to the diet increased ( < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio in the hindgut on both d 7 and 28 postweaning only for pigs fed the high-CP diet. Lactate concentration was unaffected by the treatments. These results indicate that feeding low-CP AA-supplemented diets did not compromise overall growth performance, but slightly increased damage in the gut morphology of weanling pigs. Moreover, adding 7.5% DCP to low-CP AA-supplemented diets shifted the fermentation pattern in the hindgut of weanling pigs by decreasing protein fermentation metabolites.

Recycling organic wastes to agricultural land as a way to improve its quality: A field study to evaluate benefits and risks.

A field study was established to assess the effects of a sewage sludge (SS), a mixed municipal solid waste compost (MMSWC) and a compost produced from agricultural wastes (AWC), in a Vertisol, using Lolium multiflorum L. The amendments were applied for two consecutive years: 6, 12 and 24t dry matter ha-1 for SS, and the amendment doses for MMSWC and AWC were calculated to deliver the same amount of organic matter (OM) per unit area. The amendments had significant beneficial effects on some soil properties (e.g. soil OM, NKjeldahl, extractable P and K), and on plant productivity parameters (e.g. biomass yield, chlorophyll, foliar area). For instance, soil OM increased from 0.78% to 1.71, 2.48 and 2.51%, after two consecutive years of application of 24t dry matter ha-1 of SS, MMSWC and AWC, respectively, while the plant biomass obtained increased from 7.75tha-1 to 152.41, 78.14 and 29.26tha-1, for the same amendments. On the plant, effects were more pronounced for SS than for both compost applications, a consequence of its higher capacity to provide N to the plant in a readily available form. However, after two years of application, the effects on soil properties were more noticeable for both composts, as their OM is more resistant to mineralization, which endures their beneficial effects on soil. Cadmium, Cr, Ni and Pb pseudo-total concentrations, were not affected significantly by the application of the organic wastes to soil, in all tested doses, neither their extractability by 0.01M CaCl2. On the contrary, Cu and Zn pseudo-total concentrations increased significantly in the second year of the experiment, following the application of the higher rate of MMSWC and AWC, although their extractability remained very low (<0.5% of their pseudo-total fraction). Trace elements concentrations in the aboveground plant material were lower than their maximum tolerable levels for cattle, used as an indicator of risk of their entry into the human food chain. Despite these results, it is interesting to note that the SS promoted a significant increase in the foliar concentrations of Cu, Ni and Zn that did not happen in composts application, which can be explained by the reduction of the soil pH, as a consequence of SS degradation in soil. Concluding, if this type of organic wastes were to be used in a single application, the rate could be as high as 12 or even 24tha-1, however, if they are to be applied in an annual basis, the application rates should be lowered to assure their safe application (e.g. to 6tha-1). Moreover, it is advisable to use more stable and mature organic wastes, which have longer lasting positive effects on soil characteristics.

Ecotoxicological endpoints, are they useful tools to support ecological status assessment in strongly modified water bodies?

Although man-made reservoirs represent an important water supply source in countries where water scarcity has become a problem, little work has been done on the evaluation of their ecological status. Taking this in account, the general aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of ecotoxicological endpoints in the potential ecological status characterization of water reservoirs, with the purpose of their possible integration in evaluation programs developed under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). To achieve this purpose, a group of bioassays were selected to evaluate both water and sediment compartments at the Alqueva reservoir (the biggest from the Iberian Peninsula), with representative species from different taxonomic and functional groups: Vibrio fischeri, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Daphnia magna and Heterocypris incongruens. The ecotoxicological assessment showed that sublethal endpoints (e.g., luminescence, growth or reproduction), would be more useful and sensitive to identify toxicity patterns in this type of water body. In general, the results from this ecotoxicological toolbox agreed with the potential ecological status established according to the WFD, which indicates that the bioassays complement the ecological assessment. Furthermore, the use of an ecotoxicological approach can be extremely useful, especially in cases where the biotic indices are difficult to establish, such as in man-made reservoirs. However, when pollutant concentrations are very low, and/or when nutrients and organic matter concentrations are high, the two approaches do not fit, requiring further research to determine which organisms are more sensitive and the best biotic indices to use under those conditions.

Attention network functioning in children with anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and non-clinical anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Research with adults suggests that anxiety is associated with poor control of executive attention. However, in children, it is unclear (a) whether anxiety disorders and non-clinical anxiety are associated with deficits in executive attention, (b) whether such deficits are specific to anxiety versus other psychiatric disorders, and (c) whether there is heterogeneity among anxiety disorders (in particular, specific phobia versus other anxiety disorders). METHOD: We examined executive attention in 860 children classified into three groups: anxiety disorders (n = 67), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 67) and no psychiatric disorder (n = 726). Anxiety disorders were subdivided into: anxiety disorders excluding specific phobia (n = 43) and specific phobia (n = 21). The Attention Network Task was used to assess executive attention, alerting and orienting. RESULTS: Findings indicated heterogeneity among anxiety disorders, as children with anxiety disorders (excluding specific phobia) showed impaired executive attention, compared with disorder-free children, whereas children with specific phobia showed no executive attention deficit. Among disorder-free children, executive attention was less efficient in those with high, relative to low, levels of anxiety. There were no anxiety-related deficits in orienting or alerting. Children with ADHD not only had poorer executive attention than disorder-free children, but also higher orienting scores, less accurate responses and more variable response times. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired executive attention in children (reflected by difficulty inhibiting processing of task-irrelevant information) was not fully explained by general psychopathology, but instead showed specific associations with anxiety disorders (other than specific phobia) and ADHD, as well as with high levels of anxiety symptoms in disorder-free children.

Occurrence and potential risk of currently used pesticides in sediments of the Alqueva reservoir (Guadiana Basin).

The evaluation of sediments, concerning to pesticides, constitutes an important step for the understanding of the principal sources of contamination of the surface water. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate for the first time the occurrence, distribution and risk of pesticides in sediments of the Alqueva reservoir, the largest reservoir in the Europe. For this purpose, the occurrence of 22 pesticides and some of their degradation products was determined in surficial sediments of the Alqueva reservoir. To assess the potential risk on ecosystem, the measured concentrations of pesticides were compared with regulatory and toxicological benchmarks. Of the 22 pesticides analysed, only 8 were detected. Diuron was the pesticide detected in greater concentration, followed by terbuthylazine and chlortoluron. The sediments most polluted by pesticides were from Lucefécit, constituted totally by fine particles (<0.063 mm) and with high values of organic matter, and are located nearby large agricultural fields. The risk assessment allowed us to conclude that the sediments from the Alqueva reservoir presented low risk, concerning to pesticides, for the various communities that integrate the aquatic ecosystems. However, some of the compounds detected present a high potential for bioaccumulation that may lead to their bioamplification in the trophic chain, reaching concentrations higher than their acceptable daily intake, putting, in this way the populations at risk.

Práticas de socialização maternas e problemas externalizantes de pré-escolares: um estudo longitudinal / Maternal socialization practices and externalizing behaviors in preschoolers: a longitudinal study

Este estudo avaliou a estabilidade e as mudanças nas práticas de socialização maternas, nos problemas externalizantes e o impacto das práticas, aos 18 e 36 sobre os problemas externalizantes aos 36 e 48 meses da criança. Participaram do estudo 22 mães que responderam a uma entrevista sobre práticas e ao CBCL. Verificou-se um aumento de práticas coercitivas dos 18 para os 36 meses e uma redução nos problemas externalizantes dos 36 para os 48 meses. As punições verbais e físicas estiveram positivamente correlacionadas aos problemas externalizantes, enquanto explicações e negociações estiveram negativamente correlacionadas a essas queixas. Discute-se a influência do desenvolvimento da linguagem da criança sobre as práticas de socialização maternas, e a influência dessas práticas sobre os problemas externalizantes

This study evaluated stability and changes in maternal socialization practices, in externalizing behaviors and the impact of maternal practices at 18 and 36 on externalizing behaviors at 36 and 48 months of child. Participants in the study were 22 mothers who answered an interview about practices and the CBCL. It was founded an increase of coercive practices from 18 to 36 months and a reduction in total externalizing behaviors from 36 to 48 months. Verbal and physical punishments were positively correlated with externalizing behaviors, while explanations and negotiations were negatively correlated to those complaints. The influence of language development in children on the maternal socialization practices, and the influence of these practices on externalizing problems are discussed

Práticas de socialização maternas e problemas externalizantes de pré-escolares: um estudo longitudinal / Maternal socialization practices and externalizing behaviors in preschoolers: a longitudinal study

Este estudo avaliou a estabilidade e as mudanças nas práticas de socialização maternas, nos problemas externalizantes e o impacto das práticas, aos 18 e 36 sobre os problemas externalizantes aos 36 e 48 meses da criança. Participaram do estudo 22 mães que responderam a uma entrevista sobre práticas e ao CBCL. Verificou-se um aumento de práticas coercitivas dos 18 para os 36 meses e uma redução nos problemas externalizantes dos 36 para os 48 meses. As punições verbais e físicas estiveram positivamente correlacionadas aos problemas externalizantes, enquanto explicações e negociações estiveram negativamente correlacionadas a essas queixas. Discute-se a influência do desenvolvimento da linguagem da criança sobre as práticas de socialização maternas, e a influência dessas práticas sobre os problemas externalizantes (AU)

Root biomass production in populations of six rooted macrophytes in response to Cu exposure: intra-specific variability versus constitutive-like tolerance.

Intra-specific variability of root biomass production (RP) of six rooted macrophytes, i.e. Juncus effusus, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Typha latifolia, Phalaris arundinacea, and Iris pseudacorus grown from clones, in response to Cu exposure was investigated. Root biomass production varied widely for all these macrophytes in control conditions (0.08 µM) according to the sampling site. Root biomass production of T. latifolia and I. pseudacorus in the 2.5-25 µM Cu range depended on the sampling location but not on the Cu dose in the growth medium. For P. australis, J. effusus, S. lacustris, and P. arundinacea, an intra-specific variability of RP depending on both the sampling location and the Cu-dose was evidenced. This intra-specific variability of RP depending on the sampling location and of Cu-tolerance for these last four species suggests that Cu constitutive tolerance for all rooted macrophytes is not a species-wide trait but it exhibits variability for some species.

The effect of compost treatments and a plant cover with Agrostis tenuis on the immobilization/mobilization of trace elements in a mine-contaminated soil.

A semi-field experiment was conducted to evaluate the use of mixed municipal solid waste compost (MMSWC) and green waste-derived compost (GWC) as immobilizing agents in aided-phytostabilization of a highly acidic soil contaminated with trace elements, with and without a plant cover of Agrostis tenuis. The compost application ratio was 50 Mg ha(-1), and GWC amended soil was additionally limed and supplemented with mineral fertilizers. Both treatments had an equivalent capacity to raise soil organic matter and pH, without a significant increase in soil salinity and in pseudo-total As, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations, allowing the establishment of a plant cover. Effective bioavailable Cu and Zn decreased as a consequence of both compost treatments, while effective bioavailable As increased by more than twice but remained as a small fraction of its pseudo-total content. Amended soil had higher soil enzymatic activities, especially in the presence of plants. Accumulation factors for As, Cu, Pb, and Zn by A. tenuis were low, and their concentrations in the plant were lower than the maximum tolerable levels for cattle. As a consequence, the use of A. tenuis can be recommended for assisted phytostabilization of this type of mine soil, in combination with one of the compost treatments evaluated.

Efficiency of soil organic and inorganic amendments on the remediation of a contaminated mine soil: II. Biological and ecotoxicological evaluation.

The feasibility of two organic materials (pig slurry and compost) in combination with hydrated lime for the remediation of a highly acidic trace elements (TEs) contaminated mine soil was assessed in a mesocosm experiment. The effects of the amendments on soil biochemical and ecotoxicological properties were evaluated and related with the main physicochemical characteristics of soil and soil solution. The original soil showed impaired basic ecological functions due to the high availability of TEs, its acidic pH and high salinity. The three amendments slightly reduced the direct and indirect soil toxicity to plants, invertebrates and microorganisms as a consequence of the TEs' mobility decrease in topsoil, reducing therefore the soil associated risks. The organic amendments, especially compost, thanks to the supply of essential nutrients, were able to improve soil health, as they stimulated plant growth and significantly increased enzyme activities related with the key nutrients in soil. Therefore, the use of compost or pig slurry, in combination with hydrated lime, decreased soil ecotoxicity and seems to be a suitable management strategy for the remediation of highly acidic TEs contaminated soils.

Risk assessment of pesticides detected in surface water of the Alqueva reservoir (Guadiana basin, southern of Portugal).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of the pesticides detected in the Alqueva reservoir (Guadiana Basin, South Iberian Peninsula) on the aquatic organisms belonging to this ecosystem. For this purpose, the occurrence and risk assessment of 25 pesticides and of a number of their degradation products were determined in the Alqueva surface waters. The areas (sampling stations) most polluted by pesticides were Sra. Ajuda, Lucefecit and Álamos in the northern and in the middle portions of the reservoir, respectively. The aquatic risk assessment revealed that from the various compounds analysed terbuthylazine, chlorfenvinphos and diazinon presented non-acceptable risk when maximum concentrations were used as the measured environmental concentrations (MEC). The locations that had more samples with risk quotients higher than 1 (high risk) were Sra. Ajuda followed by Lucefécit. The use of risk assessment allowed us to conclude that, despite that the pesticides' concentrations in the water column fulfil the European environmental quality standards, a number of the compounds show a high ecotoxicological risk for the aquatic organisms in the Alqueva ecosystem. The results thereby demonstrate that to have an efficient risk management process, the regulatory authorities of each country must consider an integrative chemical and ecotoxicological approach.

Specificity of basic information processing and inhibitory control in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Both inhibitory-based executive functioning (IB-EF) and basic information processing (BIP) deficits are found in clinic-referred attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) samples. However, it remains to be determined whether: (1) such deficits occur in non-referred samples of ADHD; (2) they are specific to ADHD; (3) the co-morbidity between ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) has additive or interactive effects; and (4) IB-EF deficits are primary in ADHD or are due to BIP deficits. METHOD: We assessed 704 subjects (age 6-12 years) from a non-referred sample using the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) and classified them into five groups: typical developing controls (TDC; n = 378), Fear disorders (n = 90), Distress disorders (n = 57), ADHD (n = 100), ODD/CD (n = 40) and ADHD+ODD/CD (n = 39). We evaluated neurocognitive performance with a Two-Choice Reaction Time Task (2C-RT), a Conflict Control Task (CCT) and a Go/No-Go (GNG) task. We used a diffusion model (DM) to decompose BIP into processing efficiency, speed-accuracy trade-off and encoding/motor function along with variability parameters. RESULTS: Poorer processing efficiency was found to be specific to ADHD. Faster encoding/motor function differentiated ADHD from TDC and from fear/distress whereas a more cautious (not impulsive) response style differentiated ADHD from both TDC and ODD/CD. The co-morbidity between ADHD and ODD/CD reflected only additive effects. All ADHD-related IB-EF classical effects were fully moderated by deficits in BIP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings challenge the IB-EF hypothesis for ADHD and underscore the importance of processing efficiency as the key specific mechanism for ADHD pathophysiology.

Spatial and temporal variability of the water and sediments quality in the Alqueva reservoir (Guadiana Basin; southern Portugal).

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the dynamic of the water quality from the Alqueva reservoir (Guadiana River Basin, Portugal) and identify the most important parameters that influence its ecological and chemical status. The results could indicate preventive and/or remediation actions that are necessary to improve its quality and status. Water and sediment samples were collected between 2011 and 2012, at five sampling stations, and analyzed for: (i) water - pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, chloride, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, biochemical and chemical oxygen demand, total Fe, Mn, and As; and (ii) sediments - pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, major and trace elements. The results from the water column showed that the organic descriptors exceeded the Portuguese guideline values for water quality for multiple uses at most of the sampling stations. As for nutrients, Ajuda is the station where the concentrations of the total nitrogen and total phosphorus exceeded the guideline values in most months. Ammonium achieved concentrations above the allowed, during the study, in all locations. Trace elements were more abundant in the sediments, surpassing the maximum levels for the protection of aquatic life for As, Cd and Pb, at Alcarrache, Lucefécit and Álamos, respectively. The use of multivariate analysis showed that the major parameters that explained the water quality variability were the nutrients in the water column, and trace elements in the sediments. Comparing the results from this study with results obtained since 2006, we can observe an obvious increment of the organic descriptors and nutrients in the water body. Further, several parameters and observations indicate an increase of the eutrophication process. So, it is urgent to develop preventive actions and remediation processes to stop the degradation so as to improve the quality of the water in this reservoir.

Integrated environmental assessment of freshwater sediments: a chemical and ecotoxicological approach at the Alqueva reservoir.

In order to study the pollution of an aquatic ecosystem, it is necessary to analyze not only the levels of chemical pollutants in water, but also those accumulated in the sediment matrix, as well as to assess its ecotoxicological status. The Alqueva reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Europe, was chosen as case study as it constitutes the most important water supply source in southern Portugal. It is located in the Guadiana River Basin, in a semi-arid region with high levels of water scarcity and where agriculture is one of the main activities. The evaluation of sediments comprised: (1) physical and chemical analysis (grain size, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus); (2) potentially toxic trace elements (Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Ni); and (3) ecotoxicological evaluation with Vibrio fischeri, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Daphnia magna, and Heterocypris incongruens. Total trace element concentrations indicated that As, Cd, and Pb surpassed the Canadian levels for the protection of aquatic life, in most of Alqueva's sites. The results of the toxicity assessment showed that some locations induced acute and chronic toxicity in the species used. Further, the H. incongruens was the most sensitive species as far as the contamination found in the sediment is concerned, followed by the bacteria V. fischeri. This integrative approach, together with the water column quality assessment, allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental quality of this strongly modified water body and will allow the implementation of remediation strategies to obtain a good ecological potential as proposed in the Water Framework Directive.

Maternal protein restriction affects gene expression and enzyme activity of intestinal disaccharidases in adult rat offspring.

This study investigated the consequences of intrauterine protein restriction on the gastrointestinal tract and particularly on the gene expression and activity of intestinal disaccharidases in the adult offspring. Wistar rat dams were fed isocaloric diets containing 6% protein (restricted, n = 8) or 17% protein (control, n = 8) throughout gestation. Male offspring (n = 5-8 in each group) were evaluated at 3 or 16 weeks of age. Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy produced offspring with growth restriction from birth (5.7 ± 0.1 vs 6.3 ± 0.1 g; mean ± SE) to weaning (42.4 ± 1.3 vs 49.1 ± 1.6 g), although at 16 weeks of age their body weight was similar to control (421.7 ± 8.9 and 428.5 ± 8.5 g). Maternal protein restriction also increased lactase activity in the proximal (0.23 ± 0.02 vs 0.15 ± 0.02), medial (0.30 ± 0.06 vs 0.14 ± 0.01) and distal (0.43 ± 0.07 vs 0.07 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) small intestine, and mRNA lactase abundance in the proximal intestine (7.96 ± 1.11 vs 2.38 ± 0.47 relative units) of 3-week-old offspring rats. In addition, maternal protein restriction increased sucrase activity (1.20 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) and sucrase mRNA abundance (4.48 ± 0.51 vs 1.95 ± 0.17 relative units) in the duodenum of 16-week-old rats. In conclusion, the present study shows for the first time that intrauterine protein restriction affects gene expression of intestinal enzymes in offspring.

Maternal protein restriction affects gene expression and enzyme activity of intestinal disaccharidases in adult rat offspring

This study investigated the consequences of intrauterine protein restriction on the gastrointestinal tract and particularly on the gene expression and activity of intestinal disaccharidases in the adult offspring. Wistar rat dams were fed isocaloric diets containing 6% protein (restricted, n = 8) or 17% protein (control, n = 8) throughout gestation. Male offspring (n = 5-8 in each group) were evaluated at 3 or 16 weeks of age. Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy produced offspring with growth restriction from birth (5.7 ± 0.1 vs 6.3 ± 0.1 g; mean ± SE) to weaning (42.4 ± 1.3 vs 49.1 ± 1.6 g), although at 16 weeks of age their body weight was similar to control (421.7 ± 8.9 and 428.5 ± 8.5 g). Maternal protein restriction also increased lactase activity in the proximal (0.23 ± 0.02 vs 0.15 ± 0.02), medial (0.30 ± 0.06 vs 0.14 ± 0.01) and distal (0.43 ± 0.07 vs 0.07 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) small intestine, and mRNA lactase abundance in the proximal intestine (7.96 ± 1.11 vs 2.38 ± 0.47 relative units) of 3-week-old offspring rats. In addition, maternal protein restriction increased sucrase activity (1.20 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) and sucrase mRNA abundance (4.48 ± 0.51 vs 1.95 ± 0.17 relative units) in the duodenum of 16-week-old rats. In conclusion, the present study shows for the first time that intrauterine protein restriction affects gene expression of intestinal enzymes in offspring.

Organic residues as immobilizing agents in aided phytostabilization: (I) effects on soil chemical characteristics.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three different organic residues, sewage sludge (SS), municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), and garden waste compost (GWC), as immobilizing agents in aided phytostabilization of a highly acidic metal-contaminated soil, affected by mining activities, using perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The organic residues were applied at 25, 50 and 100 Mg ha(-1) (dry weight basis), and their effects on soil chemical characteristics and on relative plant growth and metal concentrations were assessed. All the organic residues tested immobilized Cu, Pb and Zn, decreasing their mobile fractions. This was corroborated by negative correlations obtained between mobile Cu, Pb and Zn and other soil chemical characteristics, which rose as a consequence of the amendments applied (i.e., pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen content, available P and available K), and by the multivariate exploratory techniques performed that showed an inverse correlation between these groups of variables. The greatest increase in ryegrass relative growth (more than three times) was obtained in the presence of 50 MgMS WC ha(-1), followed by SS at the same application dosage. GWC did not contribute to an increase in shoot growth, due to its small capacity to correct soil acidity and to supply essential macronutrients (N, P, K). No extractant was able of demonstrating by a linear correlation the uptake of Cu, Pb and Zn by ryegrass. This plant was therefore not a good "indicator" of Cu, Pb and Zn availability in the soil. The results obtained in this study suggest that ryegrass can be used in aided phytostabilization for this type of mine contaminated soils and that MSWC, and to a minor extent SS, applied at 50Mg ha(-1), were effective in the in situ immobilization of metals, improving soil chemical properties and leading to a large increase in plant biomass.

Risk assessment of representative and priority pesticides, in surface water of the Alqueva reservoir (South of Portugal) using on-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Surface waters located in intensive agricultural areas are more vulnerable to the pesticides contamination, which is a major concern if the water is intended to be used for human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and the distribution of pesticides in the Alqueva reservoir, an important source of water supply (South of Portugal), considering their representativeness in the agricultural practice of the area. For the analysis of pesticides risk impact we used the environmental quality standards in the field of water policy proposed recently by the European Commission. The pesticides belonging to the classes of phenylureas, triazines, chloroacetanilides, organophosphorous and thiocarbamates were analysed by on-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The pesticides more frequently detected were atrazine, simazine, diuron and terbuthylazine. The highest levels of these pesticides were registered in spring, after pesticides treatment, namely in olive-tree and vine crops. The priority pesticides atrazine and diuron reached values above the annual average proposed in the European Union Legislation. The herbicide atrazine reached values that surpassed the proposed maximum allowable concentration (2,000 ng L(-1)). The sampling stations most affected by these pesticides were Sra. Ajuda, Lucefecit and Alcarrache, located in the northern part of the reservoir, closer to Spain where the agricultural activity is more intensive.