Occurrence of microplastics and metals in European seabass produced in different aquaculture systems: Implications for human exposure, risk, and food safety.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern as they may cause adverse effects and carry other contaminants, which may potentially compromise human health. Despite occurring in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, the knowledge about MP presence in different aquaculture systems and their potential impact on seafood products is still limited. This study aimed to determine the levels of MPs in water, feed, and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) from three relevant aquaculture systems and estimate human exposure to MPs and metals through seabass consumption. The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) had the highest MP occurrence in water and feed. MP levels in seabass followed the aquaculture system's levels in water and feed, with RAS-farmed fish presenting the highest MP load, both in the fish gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and muscle, followed by pond-, and cage-farmed fish. MPs' characteristics across aquaculture systems and fish samples remained consistent, with the predominant recovered particles falling within the MP size range. The particles were visually characterized and chemically identified by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (µFTIR). Most of these particles were fibres composed of man-made cellulose and PET. MP levels in GIT were significantly higher than in muscle for pond- and RAS-farmed fish, MPs' bioconcentration factors >1 indicated bioconcentration in farmed seabass. Metal concentrations in fish muscle were below permissible limits, posing low intake risks for consumers according to the available health-based guidance values and estimated dietary scenarios.

Uncovering microplastics contamination in canned seafood.

There is limited research on the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in canned seafood. All types of canned seafood investigated in the present study were contaminated. After sample digestion in 30 % hydrogen peroxide, a total of 40 MPs were recovered. Fibers were the most common type, blue was the dominant colour, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) identified polyester as the most common polymer. Considering all samples, an average of 3.5 ± 5.2 MPs/can was obtained, with octopus in tomato sauce and tuna in olive oil presenting the highest contamination (5.2 ± 7.5 MPs/can and 5.2 ± 5.1 MPs/can, respectively). Also, significant differences between the number of MPs in the seafood tissues and immersion liquids were verified. The present study demonstrates MPs occurrence in canned seafood, a potential contamination pathway for humans. More research on the different stages of the canning processing is vital for understanding MPs contamination in cans.

Metformin and lamotrigine sorption on a digestate amended soil in presence of trace metal contamination.

The antidiabetic drug metformin and antiepileptic drug lamotrigine are contaminants of emerging concern that have been detected in biowaste-derived amendments and in the environment, and their fate must be carefully studied. This work aimed to evaluate their sorption behaviour on soil upon digestate application. Experiments were conducted on soil and digestate-amended soil as a function of time to study kinetic processes, and at equilibrium also regarding the influence of trace metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn) at ratio pharmaceutical/metal 1/1, 1/10, and 1/100. Pharmaceutical desorption experiments were also conducted to assess their potential mobility to groundwater. Results revealed that digestate amendment increased metformin and lamotrigine adsorbed amounts by 210% and 240%, respectively, increasing organic matter content. Metformin adsorption kinetics were best described by Langmuir model and those of lamotrigine by Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. Trace metals did not significantly affect the adsorption of metformin in amended soil while significantly decreased that of lamotrigine by 12-39%, with exception for Cu2+ that increased both pharmaceuticals adsorbed amounts by 5 - 8%. This study highlighted the influence of digestate amendment on pharmaceutical adsorption and fate in soil, which must be considered in the circular economy scenario of waste-to-resource.

Application of a bar adsorptive microextraction based methodology for doping control of alkylamine stimulants in urine matrices.

To comply with 'World Anti-Doping Agency' (WADA) guidelines, doping control laboratories must continuously adjust their analytical procedures. Therefore, sample preparation continues to play a critical step in modern analytical strategies, namely by replacing the tedious, time and solvent consuming commonly employed (e.g. liquid-liquid extraction). The present contribution proposes, for the first time in doping control, bar adsorptive microextraction (BAµE) as an alternative analytical technique for the qualitative determination of six alkyl amine stimulants (AAs; 1,3-dimethylbutylamine, 1,4-dimethylpentylamine, heptaminol, isometheptene, octodrine and tuaminoheptane) in urine matrices followed by derivatization prior to gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, operating in the selected ion monitoring mode acquisition (GC-MS(SIM)). After selecting the most selective coating phase, i.e., a mixed-mode reversed phase/strong anion exchange sorbent (P2), assays performed under optimized experimental conditions [microextraction - BAµE(P2), 1 h (1,000 rpm), pH 11, 10 % NaCl; back-extraction - methanol (150 µL), 30 min, under sonication], allowed remarkable recoveries ranging from 48.7 % (heptaminol, 200 ng/mL) to 83.1 % (1,4-dimethylpentylamine, 200 ng/mL). The validation assessment assays of the proposed methodology showed suitable limits of identification (5.0-35.0 ng/mL), appropriate linear dynamic ranges (5.0-200.0 ng/mL) and good determination coefficients (r2 > 0.9937), as well as excellent selectivity, robustness, accuracy and precision. To check whether the methodology is fit-for-purpose, four previously analysed proficiency urine samples were successfully tested, in which were unequivocally detected and identified some of the target AAs. The present methodology showed to be a remarkable alternative in comparison to other dedicated analytical approaches to screen AAs in urine matrices, since it is cost-effective, user- and eco-friendly, requiring low volume of urine sample (1 mL). The great potential of this analytical technology in doping control lies in a very effective microextraction combined with the minimization of potential interferents, presenting itself as an added value to be applied to other types of substances and complex matrices.

Lessons for TB from the COVID-19 response: qualitative data from Brazil, India and South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Brazil, India and South Africa are among the top 30 high TB burden countries globally and experienced high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. The COVID-19 response in each country was unprecedented and complex, informed by distinct political, economic, social and health systems contexts. While COVID-19 responses have set back TB control efforts, they also hold lessons to inform future TB programming and services. METHODS: This was a qualitative exploratory study involving interviews with TB stakeholders (n = 76) in Brazil, India and South Africa 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts were analysed using an inductive coding strategy. RESULTS: Political will - whether national or subnational - enabled implementation of widespread prevention measures during the COVID-19 response in each country and stimulated mobile and telehealth service delivery innovations. Participants in all three countries emphasised the importance of mobilising and engaging communities in public health responses and noted limited health education and information as barriers to implementing TB control efforts at the community level. CONCLUSIONS: Building political will and social mobilisation must become more central to TB programming. COVID-19 has shown this is possible. A similar level of investment and collaborative effort, if not greater, as that seen during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed for TB through multi-sectoral partnerships.

CONTEXTE: Le Brésil, l'Inde et l'Afrique du Sud figurent parmi les 30 pays les plus touchés par la TB dans le monde et ont connu des taux élevés d'infection et de mortalité dus au SARS-CoV-2. La réponse au COVID-19 dans chacun de ces pays a été sans précédent et complexe, en raison de contextes politiques, économiques, sociaux et de systèmes de santé distincts. Si les réponses au COVID-19 ont fait reculer les efforts de lutte contre la TB, elles permettent également de tirer des enseignements pour les futurs programmes et services de lutte contre la TB. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude exploratoire qualitative comprenant des entretiens avec des acteurs de la lutte contre la TB (n = 76) au Brésil, en Inde et en Afrique du Sud, 2 ans après le début de la pandémie de COVID-19. Les transcriptions des entretiens ont été analysées à l'aide d'une stratégie de codage inductive. RÉSULTATS: La volonté politique ­ qu'elle soit nationale ou infranationale ­ a permis la mise en œuvre de mesures de prévention généralisées au cours de la riposte au COVID-19 dans chaque pays et a stimulé les innovations en matière de prestation de services mobiles et de télésanté. Les participants des trois pays ont souligné l'importance de la mobilisation et de l'engagement des communautés dans les réponses de santé publique et ont noté que l'éducation et l'information sanitaires limitées constituaient des obstacles à la mise en œuvre des efforts de lutte contre la TB au niveau communautaire. CONCLUSIONS: La volonté politique et la mobilisation sociale doivent occuper une place plus centrale dans les programmes de lutte contre la TB. La conférence COVID-19 a montré que c'était possible. Un niveau d'investissement et de collaboration similaire, voire supérieur, à celui observé lors de la pandémie de COVID-19 est nécessaire pour lutter contre la TB par le biais de partenariats multisectoriels.

Methodology optimization to quantify microplastic presence in planktonic copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae.

Two of the groups most impacted by microplastics (MPs) are zooplankton and fish larvae, either through MPs ingestion or absorption. Although there has been an increase of studies focusing on MPs ingestion by these organisms, there is still no standardized methodology for the quantification of MPs present in plankton. For example, some reagents normally used to digest plankton and recover MPs appear adversely to affect some plastic characteristics. This can potentially lead to underestimating the amount and types of MPs present in the organisms analyzed. Hence, this work aimed to optimize a methodology to quantify MPs present in plankton, namely zooplankton and fish larvae, and ensuring MPs integrity. Hence, the planktonic organism tissues were digested using 30% (v/v) H2O2 solution at different temperatures and incubation periods while preserving the integrity and polymer characteristics of 13 types of MPs. MPs' characteristics were register before and after the tests, by visual inspection and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, to evaluate the integrity and features of MPs. With this methodology, MPs recovery was above 85% for all types of plastic tested. The proposed methodology is a rapid protocol, with a maximum of 7 h of incubation, that ensures simultaneously the full digestion of the organism tissues and the complete preservation of all the plastic characteristics, namely color, size and polymer type.•A methodology was optimized to quantify microplastics present in zooplankton (copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae).•Thirteen types of microplastics (fibers and fragments of different polymers) were used to test the efficiency of the methodology ensuring the maintenance of the integrity of plastics.•With this methodology, microplastic recovery was above 85% for all the types of microplastic tested and no changes in their characteristics were observed.

The ultimate technique for posterior rib fractures: The parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block – A series of cases / Una técnica fundamental para las fracturas costales posteriores: el bloqueo paraescapular del plano subiliocostal. Una serie de casos

We report retrospectively a series of four cases involving the successful use of the recently described parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block (PSIP), for lateral-posterior rib fractures. The efficacy of the PSIP block may potentially depend on different mechanisms of action: (1) direct action in the fracture site by craniocaudal myofascial spread underneath the erector spinae muscle (ESM); (2) spread to deep layers through tissue disruption caused by trauma, to reach the proximal intercostal nerves; (3) medial spread below the ESM, to reach the posterior spinal nerves; and (4) lateral spread in the sub-serratus (SS) plane to reach the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves; while avoiding significant negative hemodynamic effects and other possible complications associated to other techniques leading that the PSIP may be considered an alternative in some clinical scenarios to the erector spinae plane block or the paravertebral block. (AU)

Presentamos retrospectivamente una serie de 4 casos en los que se utilizó con éxito el bloqueo paraescapular del plano subiliocostal (PSIP), descrito recientemente, para fracturas costales laterales-posteriores. La eficacia del bloqueo PSIP puede depender potencialmente de diferentes mecanismos de acción: (1) acción directa en las fractura por la extensión miofascial craneocaudal por debajo del músculo erector de la columna, (2) diseminación a capas profundas a través de la disrupción tisular causada por el traumatismo, para alcanzar los nervios intercostales proximales, (3) extensión medial por debajo del músculo erector de la columna, para alcanzar los nervios espinales posteriores y (4) extensión lateral en el plano subserrato para alcanzar las ramas cutáneas laterales de los nervios intercostales, evitando al mismo tiempo efectos hemodinámicos negativos y otras posibles complicaciones asociados a otras técnicas, lo que hace que el bloqueo PSIP pueda considerarse en algunos escenarios clínicos una alternativa al bloqueo del plano erector de la columna vertebral o al bloqueo paravertebral. (AU)

The ultimate technique for posterior rib fractures: the parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block - A series of cases.

We report retrospectively a series of four cases involving the successful use of the recently described parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block (PSIP), for lateral-posterior rib fractures. The efficacy of the PSIP block may potentially depend on different mechanisms of action: (1) direct action in the fracture site by craniocaudal myofascial spread underneath the erector spinae muscle (ESM); (2) spread to deep layers through tissue disruption caused by trauma, to reach the proximal intercostal nerves; (3) medial spread below the ESM, to reach the posterior spinal nerves; and (4) lateral spread in the sub-serratus (SS) plane to reach the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves; while avoiding significant negative hemodynamic effects and other possible complications associated to other techniques leading that the PSIP may be considered an alternative in some clinical scenarios to the Erector Spinae Plane block or the Paravertebral block.

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of butyltin compounds (TBT, DBT & MBT) in short sediment cores of the SW Portuguese Shelf (western Iberian Margin, NE Atlantic).

Spatial patterns and temporal trends of the butyltin compounds tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) were investigated in a set of sediment samples collected along the SW Portuguese continental shelf. This region did not reach the Good Environmental Status (GES) in accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) during a first evaluation carried out in 2012. Overall, MBT and DBT were the predominant organotin species detected, but high concentrations of TBT were found in and around disposal sites for dredge sludge derived from the dredging in navigation channels, harbours, and shipyard facilities of the Tagus and Sado estuaries. Although Portuguese regulations for monitoring sediment quality in relation to dredging activities consider only PAH, PCB and HCB, they also dictate that other organic contaminants such as butyltin compounds (BTs) should be monitored if suspicion of high values exists, but no action limits are defined for these (MAOTDR, 2007). Without action limits, the monitoring recommendation given in the regulations is not put into practice. Considering their toxicity, BT derivates should be integrated in the legislation, because they represent an environmental threat in the relocation of dredged material, especially when derived from harbour and shipyards areas. Based on this study, we recommend giving more attention to the amounts and impacts of BTs in sediments at dredged material disposal sites (DMDS) and their surroundings. Or even better, in order to be more efficient, monitoring should be done at the source of the dredged materials and not at the sink. In case it is not done, the monitoring of concentrations of TBT (and other BTs) in sediments and organisms, including imposex studies, at all Portuguese sites for disposal of dredged material receiving slightly to strongly contaminated dredged material must be developed.

Cadmium effects on net N2O production by the deep-sea isolate Shewanella loihica PV-4.

Deep-sea mining may lead to the release of high concentrations of metals into the surrounding seabed, which can disturb important ecosystem functions provided by microbial communities. Among these, the production of N2O and its reduction to N2 is of great relevance since N2O is an important greenhouse gas. Metal impacts on net N2O production by deep-sea bacteria are, however, currently unexplored. Here, we evaluated the effects of cadmium (Cd) on net N2O production by a deep-sea isolate, Shewanella loihica PV-4. We performed a series of Cd exposure incubations in oxic conditions and determined N2O fluxes during induced anoxic conditions, as well as the relative expression of the nitrite reductase gene (nirK), preceding N2O production, and N2O reductase gene (nosZ), responsible for N2O reduction. Net N2O production by S. loihica PV-4 exposed to Cd was strongly inhibited when compared to the control treatment (no metal). Both nirK and nosZ gene expression were inhibited in reactors with Cd, but nirK inhibition was stronger, supporting the lower net N2O production observed with Cd. The Cd inhibition of net N2O production observed in this study poses the question whether other deep-sea bacteria would undergo the same effects. Future studies should address this question as well as its applicability to complex communities and other physicochemical conditions, which remain to be evaluated.

Exploring the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from clinically ill companion animals from North of Portugal.

Klebsiella spp. is an important pathogen in humans and animals and due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, its prevalence and antibiotic resistance has increased in companion animals. The main goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella spp. isolated from clinically ill cats and dogs admitted in veterinary clinics in the North of Portugal. A total of 255 clinical specimens were collected and, after isolation, the identification of Klebsiella strains was performed using the BBL Crystal™ identification system and confirmed by PCR-based sequencing with specific primers. Antibiotic resistance profile was determined through the disc diffusion method. Beta-lactam resistance genes were screened through a multiplex PCR assay. Fifty Klebsiella strains were isolated and, 39 were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae and 11 as Klebsiella oxytoca. Thirty-one were recovered from dogs and 19 from cats. The Klebsiella isolates were recovered mainly from skin wounds, respiratory tract, and from urine. Fifty percent of K. oxytoca and K. pneumoniae isolates revealed to be Multidrug Resistant (MDR) strains, with most of them positive for the presence of blaTEM-like and blaSHV genes. This data shows that MDR Klebsiella are highly disseminated in companion animals and that extended-spectrum beta-lactamases can be easily found among these isolates. This highlights the potential role of dogs and cats as a reservoir of resistant Klebsiella spp. that have the potential to be transmitted to humans.

xButyagrus nabonnandii (Prosch.) Vorster (Arecaceae): a sterile and rare palm with variable morphology?

×Butyagrus nabonnandii (Prosch.) Vorster is known as mule palm due to sterility, but recently, its pollen has been successfully used in backcrosses. It was first described as an artificial cross between Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman and Butia odorata (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick in 1890. It has been considered rare in nature, and its morphology has been little studied. Thus, we aimed to verify if ×B. nabonnandii is sterile by studying its morphology and seed germination from different natural populations. The hybrid was sampled in four municipalities and is new to three of these. In one of the visited cities, 20 specimens were counted. The vegetative morphology showed less variation than the reproductive. However, part of the vegetative characters differed from previous descriptions relying solely on cultivated specimens. Contrary to previous reports, our data indicate that ×Butyagrus nabonnandii is neither rare nor infertile. Seed germination rates of ×B. nabonnandii are low due to seed predation by beetle larvae and seedless fruit production, which is also observed in the genera of the parental species. Furthermore, as in its parents, the morphology of the hybrid is complex, and future anatomical and molecular approaches are important for a better delimitation and understanding of the biology of ×B. nabonnandii.

Tailoring of Mesoporous Silica-Based Materials for Enhanced Water Pollutants Removal.

The adsorptive performance of mesoporous silica-based materials towards inorganic (metal ions) and organic (dyes) water pollutants was investigated. Mesoporous silica materials with different particle size, surface area and pore volume were prepared and tailored with different functional groups. These materials were then characterised by solid-state techniques, namely vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, allowing the successful preparation and structural modifications of the materials to be confirmed. The influence of the physicochemical properties of the adsorbents towards the removal of metal ions (Ni2+, Cu2+ and Fe3+) and organic dyes (methylene blue and methyl green) from aqueous solutions was also investigated. The results reveal that the exceptionally high surface area and suitable ζ-potential of the nanosized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) seem to favour the adsorptive capacity of the material for both types of water pollutants. Kinetic studies were performed for the adsorption of organic dyes by MSNPs and large-pore mesoporous silica (LPMS), suggesting that the process follows a pseudo-second-order model. The recyclability along consecutive adsorption cycles and the stability of the adsorbents after use were also investigated, showing that the material can be reused. Current results show the potentialities of novel silica-based material as a suitable adsorbent to remove pollutants from aquatic matrices with an applicability to reduce water pollution.

Manejo anestésico de las pacientes embarazadas tetrapléjicas durante el parto: una revisión sistemática / Anaesthetic management of tetraplegic pregnant patients during child delivery: A systematic review

Introducción: El embarazo en pacientes con lesión de la médula espinal tiene unas características específicas. Sin embargo, las guías para orientar su manejo son escasas. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre el manejo anestésico durante el parto de pacientes embarazadas con lesión de la médula espinal cervical. Resultados: Se observó una mayor incidencia de parto prematuro y cesárea. El manejo anestésico fue diverso, aunque la mayoría de las pacientes embarazadas recibieron analgesia epidural. Los síntomas de disreflexia autónoma se observaron en el 51% de las mujeres. Conclusión: El manejo adecuado de estas pacientes podría reducir posiblemente la tasa de cesáreas y partos prematuros, y minimizar las complicaciones comunes, reduciendo al mismo tiempo los costes. Se recomienda una derivación precoz a la consulta de anestesiología y un enfoque multidisciplinario.(AU)

Introduction: Pregnancy in spinal cord injured patients has specific issues that must be carefully addressed. However, guidelines for their management are scarce. Methods: A systematic review of the literature regarding the anaesthetic management during delivery of pregnant patients with cervical spinal cord injury was performed on the electronic databases of PubMed (Medline) and Cochrane. Results: A higher incidence of preterm birth and caesarean delivery were seen. Anaesthetic management was diverse, although most pregnant patients received epidural analgesia. Autonomic dysreflexia symptoms were present in 51% of pregnancies. Conclusion: Timely management of these patients could possibly reduce caesarean and preterm delivery rates, avoid or minimize common complications, as well as reduce costs. An early reference to anaesthesiology consultation and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.(AU)

Buried and surface oil degradation - Evaluating bioremediation to increase PAHs removal through linear mathematical models.

A bioremediation approach with tide simulation for buried and surface oil degradation was tested for removal of two, three and four rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Linear models depicted degradation constants of individual PAH as simple additive function of their initial concentrations (C0) in contaminated sand, hydrophobicity, sampling layer and treatment conditions. For all PAHs and treatment conditions, the degradation of oil in buried layers was faster than at the surface. Naturally-occurring microorganisms proved to be efficient for bioremediation of PAHs and were stimulated by fertilizer addition (biostimulation, BS). Bioaugmentation (BA) by addition of a slurry of a native oil-degraders pre-stimulated consortium did not show faster PAH degradation than BS. Degradation was more rapid for PAH present at low C0 and with intermediate hydrophobicity. Bioremediation of beach sand either with surface or buried crude oil is a cost-effective strategy to clean-up different hydrocarbon families, including persistent ones, such as PAHs.

Anaesthetic management of tetraplegic pregnant patients during child delivery: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in spinal cord injured patients has specific issues that must be carefully addressed. However, guidelines for their management are scarce. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature regarding the anaesthetic management during delivery of pregnant patients with cervical spinal cord injury was performed on the electronic databases of PubMed (Medline) and Cochrane. RESULTS: Twenty-two papers were included. A higher incidence of preterm birth and caesarean delivery were seen. Anaesthetic management was diverse, although most pregnant patients received epidural analgesia. Autonomic dysreflexia symptoms were present in 51% of pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Timely management of these patients could possibly reduce caesarean and preterm delivery rates, avoid or minimize common complications, as well as reduce costs. An early reference to anaesthesiology consultation and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.

Microplastic contamination in large migratory fishes collected in the open Atlantic Ocean.

Fishes are one of the most important components of the oceans and are exposed to several anthropogenic pressures, namely microplastic (MP), contaminants that are now ubiquitous worldwide. Taking advantage of the 2020 Circumnavigation Expedition carried by the NRP Sagres tall ship of the Portuguese Navy, fish samples from the southern Atlantic ocean were collected to evaluate possible MP contamination. In a total of 14 weeks of campaign, seven large migratory fishes of commercial interest were collected across the middle Atlantic Ocean and along the South American Atlantic coast. All individuals were contaminated with MPs, with an average of 18 ± 11 MPs/fish. In all fish sampled, both the gastrointestinal tract and gills presented MPs, indicating different contamination pathways including via their preys and from surrounding water, respectively. A total of 124 MPs were observed, where 72 % were fibers and 28 % particles, mostly of blue color (85 %), and with rayon and nylon as the most abundant polymers. This study is an important contribution to increase the scientific knowledge of MP contamination in mesopelagic fishes used for human consumption and collected in the open waters, reinforcing the need for further research regarding MP contamination in top predatory species from high trophic levels.

Removing chemical and biological pollutants from swine wastewater through constructed wetlands aiming reclaimed water reuse.

Reusing reclaimed wastewater is needed to fight water scarcity, reduce freshwater consumption and conserve water resources, but one must ensure that hazardous substances are fully removed/eliminate before that reuse. The potential of lab-scale constructed wetlands (CWs) for the removal of chemical and biological contaminants from livestock wastewater, while maintaining nutrient levels for fertilization, was assessed, evaluating changes in microbial communities, with particular focus on potential pathogens. CW microcosms with two different substrates (lava rock or light expanded clay aggregate), both planted with Phragmites australis, were tested. After 15 days of treatment, removal rates were higher than 80% for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, in general with no significant differences between the two different substrates. Organic matter and nutrients were also removed but their levels still allowed the used of the treated wastewater as a fertilizer Removal of bacterial contamination was estimated through enumeration of cultivable bacteria. High removal rates of fecal indicator bacteria were observed, reaching >95% for enterococci and >98% for enterobacteria after 15 days of treatment, decreasing hazardous biological contaminants initially present in the wastewater. In addition, the microbial communities in the initial and treated wastewater, and in the plant roots bed substrate, were characterized by using 16SrRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Microbial communities in the CW systems showed a clear shift comparatively with the initial wastewater showing system adaptation and removal potentialities. This also revealed an important removal of the most represented potential pathogenic genus, Clostridium, which relative abundance decreased from 33% to 1% through the treatment. Overall, CWs showed potential to be efficient in removing chemical and biological contaminants, while maintaining moderated levels of nutrients, allowing the reuse of reclaimed water in agriculture, namely as fertilizer. Current results will contribute for the optimization and use of CWs for a sustainable treatment of liquid wastes, promoting the circular economy.

How has the sustainability of countries changed after COVID-19? Evidence from the pandemics' first year.

The Covid-19 crisis has caused several social-related issues; the sanitary is, perhaps, the most significant one. Lockdowns and vaccination were implemented to fight the Covid-19 virus. From a sustainability perspective, Covid-19 has been considered a meaningful crisis driver that has affected nations' economies and social and natural capitals. The literature presents clues that effects appear to be different among countries. Recognizing its importance as public policies for sustainability, this study aims to assess how the sustainability of countries has changed after Covid-19, focusing on countries' economic power that reflects their capacity to face the crisis. A sample of 89 countries is considered, and 2019-2020 are set as base years for data gathering, which covers the first year of the Covid-19 crisis. Sustainability is conceptually supported and represented by a 3-D cube. The natural environment is expressed by the ecological footprint (EF) method, the economic capital by the gross domestic product (GDP), and the social capital by the happiness index. Results show that sustainability of economies was negatively affected after first year of Covid-19 crisis, but in different magnitudes, according to nations' economic power. While the sustainability of the wealthiest economies was slightly changed during 2019-2020 but maintained within the named 'useful-order' world (environmentally unsustainable, productive, and happy), the poorest economies pushed about 169 million people into the worst performance, reaching the 'ineffective' world (environmentally unsustainable, unproductive, and unhappy). Numbers highlight the inequalities of sustainability performance among countries, according to their capacity to face the Covid-19 crisis. The shield of the richest evaluated countries comprising 5 % of the world population is more powerful than the shield of the poorest evaluated countries carrying 67 % of the world population. Results claims for efforts to make different policies and provide economic support differently for countries, since although we are all under the same storm, but in different boats.