Potential of vermicomposting with mixtures of animal manure and vegetable leaves in the development of Eisenia foetida, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activity under semi-arid conditions.

Vermicomposting is the bio-oxidation and stabilization of organic matter involving relationships between the action of earthworms and microorganisms and the activation and dynamics of several enzyme activities. Semi-arid farmers to make (extra) money and organic production, produce their vermicompost using plant residues and animal manure, but there is no information about the final product generated. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the potential of vermicomposting with mixtures of animal manure and vegetable leaves in the development of Eisenia foetida, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activity in the semi-arid region, Brazil. The experimental design applied was randomized block in a 6 × 4 factorial scheme with four replicates, with six treatments (mixtures of cattle manure, goat manure, cashew leaves, and catanduva leaves) and evaluated at four-time intervals (30, 60, 90, and 120 days of vermicomposting). The treatments were placed in polyethylene pots in the same site, environmental conditions, and residues proportions as used by farmers. The characteristics analyzed were the number of earthworms (NE), total earthworm biomass (TEB) and earthworm multiplication index (MI), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and activities of enzymes ß-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline and acid phosphatases. The cattle manure vermicomposted shows the highest average values observed for NE, MI, TEB, MBC, and enzymatic activity, regardless of the plant leaves mix. In general, the enzymes activities were found in the descending order of ß-glucosidase > alkaline phosphatase > dehydrogenase > acid phosphatase. The maturation dynamics of vermicompost were characterized by a decline in the microbial population and number and biomass of earthworms in the substrate and consequently a decrease in new enzyme synthesis and degradation of the remaining enzyme pool. Microbial biomass and enzymatic activity were indicators for changes in the quality of vermicompost.

Histological Evaluation of the Skin After Fat Grafting: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat graft is often employed to treat body contour defects. There is currently increased interest in the regenerative properties of fat grafting. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the histological changes of fat grafting in a blinded randomized controlled trial of staged fat grafting-abdominoplasty. METHODS: Ten women between 24 and 55 years of age with a body mass index <30 kg/m2 and previous cesarean scar were submitted to fat grafting followed by staged abdominoplasty. The C-section scar served as a landmark for standardization of fat grafting site and control. One side of the abdomen was fat grafted and the other was left intact (control). At the time of abdominoplasty, 4 months later, a full-thickness skin sample from each hemi abdomen (fat-grafted area and control) was collected and sent to histological analysis. RESULTS: All of the fat-grafted samples showed extracellular lipids and signs of fat graft viability, whereas no such changes occurred in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in fat-grafted vs control samples regarding skin inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.582), dermis thickness (P = 0.973), vascular density (P = 0.326), and amount of elastic fibers (P = 1). CONCLUSIONS: The histological evaluation of women's abdominoplasty surgical site skin after 4 months of fat grafting showed signs of fat graft in 100% of the grafted sides but no change in skin inflammatory infiltrate, dermis thickness, vascularity density, or elastic fiber quantity.

Phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils in patients with periodontitis, whether or not associated to type 2 diabetes.

Phagocytic functions by neutrophils/ monocytes and biochemical parameters were assessed in peripheral blood of patients with periodontitis, whether or not associated to type 2 diabetes, or patients with type 2 diabetes, or systemically healthy people. Fifty-eight participants were divided into four groups: Control - systemically and periodontally healthy patients (C, n=16), Periodontitis (P, n=14), Type 2 Diabetes (DM, n=11) and Periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes (DMP, n=17). Blood samples were used to analyze phagocytic activity and the production of superoxide anion using optical microscopy. Significantly lower phagocytic activity of neutrophils was observed in non-opsonized samples (p = 0.008, Kruskal- Wallis) of the periodontitis group and in opsonized samples (p = 0.029, Kruskal-Wallis) of the periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes group when these groups were compared to the healthy individuals when a 20:1 yeast: phagocyte stimulus was used. Periodontitis patients, whether associated (p = 0.0007, sensitized; Kruskal-Wallis, 20:1) or not with diabetes (p = 0.018 and 0.0007, in the proportions 5:1 and 20:1 yeast: monocyte respectively in sensitized samples; Kruskal-Wallis) also showed lower phagocytic function of monocytes compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the production of superoxide anion among the evaluated groups. Severe clinical attachment loss was associated with lower levels of HDL in periodontitis patients and a higher percentage of A1C in diabetes with periodontitis patients (p<0.05; Pearson and Spearman correlations, respectively). Patients with both associated diseases had higher levels of triglycerides and CRP (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis) compared to patients with diabetes only. The results of the present study suggest that periodontitis negatively interferes with the innate immune response and may represent a major risk of systemic complications such as cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients or even in healthy individuals.

As funções fagocíticas de neutrófilos/monócitos e parâmetros bioquímicos foram avaliados no sangue periférico de pacientes com periodontite com ou sem diabetes do tipo 2, ou em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2, ou em pessoas saudáveis sistemicamente. 58 participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos: Controle - pacientes sistemicamente e periodontalmente saudáveis (C, n = 16), Periodontite (P, n = 14), Diabetes Tipo 2 (DM, n = 11) e Periodontite associada a diabetes tipo 2 (DMP, n = 17). Amostras de sangue foram usadas para analisar a atividade fagocítica e a produção de ânion superóxido por microscopia óptica. Observou-se menor atividade fagocítica dos neutrófilos em amostras não opsonizadas (p = 0,008, Kruskal-Wallis) do grupo periodontite e em amostras opsonizadas (p = 0,029, Kruskal-Wallis) do grupo periodontite associada ao diabetes tipo 2 quando esses grupos foram comparados aos indivíduos saudáveis sob um estímulo de levedura:monócito de 20:1. Pacientes com periodontite associada (p = 0,0007, sensibilizados; Kruskal-Wallis, 20: 1) ou não com diabetes (p = 0,018 e 0,0007, nas proporções 5: 1 e 20: 1 de levedura: monócito, respectivamente, em amostras sensibilizadas; Kruskal- Wallis) também demonstraram menor função fagocítica dos monócitos em comparação com o grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa na produção de ânion superóxido entre os grupos avaliados. A perda de inserção clínica grave foi associada a níveis mais baixos de HDL na periodontite e maior percentual de A1C nos pacientes com periodontite associada ao diabetes (p<0,05; correlações de Person e Spearman, respectivamente). Os pacientes com ambas as doenças associadas apresentaram níveis mais altos de triglicerídeos e PCR (p<0,001, Kruskal- Wallis) em comparação aos pacientes com somente diabetes. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a periodontite interfere negativamente na resposta imune inata e pode representar um risco maior para complicações sistêmicas, como a doença cardiovascular, em pacientes com diabetes ou mesmo em indivíduos saudáveis.

Quantification of lipid bodies in monocytes from patients with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: For the first time in the history of periodontics, the production of lipid bodies by monocytes was assessed from blood of patients with periodontitis in comparison to systemically healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare the lipid body frequency within monocytes between healthy patients and those with periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 participants (11 males and 19 females), were divided between orally healthy control subjects (C, n = 16) and periodontitis subjects (P, n = 14), in a cross-sectional study. Both groups were systemically healthy. The following clinical periodontal parameters were assessed: probing depth, clinical attachment level, visible plaque index and gingival bleeding on probing index. Blood samples were collected to obtain monocytes containing lipid bodies, which were analyzed by light microscopy. RESULTS: The periodontitis group demonstrated a higher corpuscular index than the control group (nonopsonized p = .0296 or opsonized p = .0459; Mann-Whitney). The frequency of monocyte cells containing lipid bodies (basal p = .0147, opsonized p = .0084 or nonopsonized, p = .026; Mann-Whitney) was also higher compared to those observed in healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that periodontitis may contribute to a higher production of lipid bodies. It was also hypothesized that a major production of lipid bodies by monocytes in severe periodontitis, compared to orally healthy subjects, could interfere with the innate immune response or represents a higher reservoir of cholesterol esters within macrophages and a major risk to systemic implications, such as atherosclerosis.

Combined use of coagulation (M. oleifera) and electrochemical techniques in the treatment of industrial paint wastewater for reuse and/or disposal.

In this work, water-based paint (WBP) wastewater was treated using a natural coagulant, Moringa oleifera aqueous extract (MOAE), fortified with Ca2+ (from nitrate and chloride salts). In order to improve the quality of the treated wastewater and render it suitable for disposal, an electrolytic flow process was associated with the wastewater treatment using a filter-press reactor with a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode. The feasibility of the treatment was evidenced by the reuse of the treated wastewater in the production of a new paint (manufactured by the company supplying the raw wastewater), whose quality was compatible with the water used by the manufacturer. The best conditions for the coagulation-flocculation process involved the use of 80 mL of MOAE (50 g/L of MO and 0.125 mol/L of Ca2+) for every 1.0 L of wastewater at pH 6.5. The limiting current density (35 mA/cm2) and an electrolysis time of 90 min (charge passed of 3.68 A h/L) were used in the electrochemical treatment. Biotoxicity assays using the brine shrimp Artemia salina revealed that the mortality (in %) of microcrustaceans was reduced from 100% (raw wastewater) to only 11% at the end of the electrolysis process, in addition to eliminating the strong odor and 85% of the organic load. Moreover, microbiological tests showed that the number of mesophiles decreased by more than six orders of magnitude and there was no growth of thermotolerant coliforms (TC).

Treatment of paint manufacturing wastewater by coagulation/electrochemical methods: Proposals for disposal and/or reuse of treated water.

This paper describes and discusses an investigation into the treatment of paint manufacturing wastewater (water-based acrylic texture) by coagulation (aluminum sulfate) coupled to electrochemical methods (BDD electrode). Two proposals are put forward, based on the results. The first proposal considers the feasibility of reusing wastewater treated by the methods separately and in combination, while the second examines the possibility of its disposal into water bodies. To this end, parameters such as toxicity, turbidity, color, organic load, dissolved aluminum, alkalinity, hardness and odor are evaluated. In addition, the proposal for water reuse is strengthened by the quality of the water-based paints produced using the wastewater treated by the two methods (combined and separate), which was evaluated based on the typical parameters for the quality control of these products. Under optimized conditions, the use of the chemical coagulation (12 mL/L of Al2(SO4)3 dosage) treatment, alone, proved the feasibility of reusing the treated wastewater in the paint manufacturing process. However, the use of the electrochemical method (i = 10 mA/cm(2) and t = 90 min) was required to render the treated wastewater suitable for discharge into water bodies.

Phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils in patients with periodontitis, whether or not associated to type 2 diabetes / Atividade fagocítica de monócitos e neutrófilos em pacientes com periodontite, associada ou não ao diabetes tipo 2

ABSTRACT Phagocytic functions by neutrophils/ monocytes and biochemical parameters were assessed in peripheral blood of patients with periodontitis, whether or not associated to type 2 diabetes, or patients with type 2 diabetes, or systemically healthy people. Fifty-eight participants were divided into four groups: Control - systemically and periodontally healthy patients (C, n=16), Periodontitis (P, n=14), Type 2 Diabetes (DM, n=11) and Periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes (DMP, n=17). Blood samples were used to analyze phagocytic activity and the production of superoxide anion using optical microscopy. Significantly lower phagocytic activity of neutrophils was observed in non-opsonized samples (p = 0.008, Kruskal- Wallis) of the periodontitis group and in opsonized samples (p = 0.029, Kruskal-Wallis) of the periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes group when these groups were compared to the healthy individuals when a 20:1 yeast: phagocyte stimulus was used. Periodontitis patients, whether associated (p = 0.0007, sensitized; Kruskal-Wallis, 20:1) or not with diabetes (p = 0.018 and 0.0007, in the proportions 5:1 and 20:1 yeast: monocyte respectively in sensitized samples; Kruskal-Wallis) also showed lower phagocytic function of monocytes compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the production of superoxide anion among the evaluated groups. Severe clinical attachment loss was associated with lower levels of HDL in periodontitis patients and a higher percentage of A1C in diabetes with periodontitis patients (p<0.05; Pearson and Spearman correlations, respectively). Patients with both associated diseases had higher levels of triglycerides and CRP (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis) compared to patients with diabetes only. The results of the present study suggest that periodontitis negatively interferes with the innate immune response and may represent a major risk of systemic complications such as cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients or even in healthy individuals.

RESUMO As funções fagocíticas de neutrófilos/monócitos e parâmetros bioquímicos foram avaliados no sangue periférico de pacientes com periodontite com ou sem diabetes do tipo 2, ou em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2, ou em pessoas saudáveis sistemicamente. 58 participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos: Controle - pacientes sistemicamente e periodontalmente saudáveis (C, n = 16), Periodontite (P, n = 14), Diabetes Tipo 2 (DM, n = 11) e Periodontite associada a diabetes tipo 2 (DMP, n = 17). Amostras de sangue foram usadas para analisar a atividade fagocítica e a produção de ânion superóxido por microscopia óptica. Observou-se menor atividade fagocítica dos neutrófilos em amostras não opsonizadas (p = 0,008, Kruskal-Wallis) do grupo periodontite e em amostras opsonizadas (p = 0,029, Kruskal-Wallis) do grupo periodontite associada ao diabetes tipo 2 quando esses grupos foram comparados aos indivíduos saudáveis sob um estímulo de levedura:monócito de 20:1. Pacientes com periodontite associada (p = 0,0007, sensibilizados; Kruskal-Wallis, 20: 1) ou não com diabetes (p = 0,018 e 0,0007, nas proporções 5: 1 e 20: 1 de levedura: monócito, respectivamente, em amostras sensibilizadas; Kruskal- Wallis) também demonstraram menor função fagocítica dos monócitos em comparação com o grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa na produção de ânion superóxido entre os grupos avaliados. A perda de inserção clínica grave foi associada a níveis mais baixos de HDL na periodontite e maior percentual de A1C nos pacientes com periodontite associada ao diabetes (p<0,05; correlações de Person e Spearman, respectivamente). Os pacientes com ambas as doenças associadas apresentaram níveis mais altos de triglicerídeos e PCR (p<0,001, Kruskal- Wallis) em comparação aos pacientes com somente diabetes. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a periodontite interfere negativamente na resposta imune inata e pode representar um risco maior para complicações sistêmicas, como a doença cardiovascular, em pacientes com diabetes ou mesmo em indivíduos saudáveis.