Performance of constructed wetland system for public water supply

The project is being conducted in the town of Analândia, São Paulo, Brazil. The constructed wetlands system for water supply consists of a channel with floating aquatic macrophytes, HDS system (Water Decontamination with Soil - Patent PI 850.3030), chlorinating system, filtering system and distribution. The project objectives include investigating the process variables to further optimize design and operation factors, evaluating the relation of nutrients and plants development, biomass production, shoot development, nutrient cycling and total and fecal coliforms removal, comparing the treatment efficiency among the seasons of the year; and moreover to compare the average values obtained between February and June 1998 (Salati et al., 1998) with the average obtained for the same parameters between March and June 2000. Studies have been developed in order to verify during one year the drinking quality of the water for the following parameters: turbidity, color, pH, dissolved oxygen, total of dissolved solids, COD, chloride, among others, according to the Ministry of Health's Regulation 36. This system of water supply projected to treat 15 L s-1 has been in continuous operation for 2 years, it was implemented with support of the National Environment Fund (FNMA), administered by the Center of Environmental Studies (CEA-UNESP), while the technical supervision and design were performed by the Institute of Applied Ecology. The actual research project is being supported by FAPESP.

Assessment of anaerobic sewage sludge quality for agricultural application after metal bioleaching

The effects of metal bioleaching on nutrient solubilization, especially nitrogen and phosphorous, from anaerobically-digested sewage sludge were investigated in this work. The assessment of the sanitary quality of the anaerobic sludge after bioleaching was also carried out by enumerating indicator (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci) and total heterotrophic bacteria. The experiments of bioleaching were performed using indigenous sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus spp.) as inoculum and samples of anaerobically-digested sludge. Nitrogen and phosphorous solubilization from sewage sludge was assessed by measuring, respectively, the concentration of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, and soluble and total phosphorous before and after the bioleaching assays. At the end of the experiment, after 4 days of incubation (final pH of 1.4), the following metal solubilization yields were obtained: zinc, 91%; nickel, 87%; copper, 79%; lead, 52%; and chromium, 42%. As a result of sludge acidification, the viable counts of selected indicator bacteria were decreased to below the detection limit (4 × 103 cfu 100 ml-1), followed by an increase in the mineral fraction of nitrogen (from 6 to 10%) and in the soluble fraction of phosphorous (from 15 to 30%). Although some loss of sludge nutrients can occur during solid-liquid separation following bioleaching, its beneficial effects as metal removal and reduction of pathogenic bacteria are sufficient to consider the potential of this treatment before sludge disposal onto agricultural fields.

Isolamento de fungos produtores de enzimas pectinolíticas

Soil samples collected in the campus, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, were employed to isolate and characterize fungi strains with potential pectinolytic enzymes. These enzymes have arisen great interest due to its increasing application in the food industry. Two hundred forty six strains were isolated based on the appearance of colony on PDA medium, morphology (septate mycelia, nonseptate conidiophore, black conidia, and clublike spore-bearing head), after 48 h of growth at 30°C. Strains were selected in solid medium containing pectin citrus as sole carbon source and 0.5% rutenium red. The characterization of pectinolytic production was performed in solid culture and batch fermentation medium containing pectin citrus. The enzyme pectinolytic production was evaluated at 30°C, without agitation in 100 mL of medium containing 2% pectin citrus, 0.2% ammonium sulphate, 0.2% magnesium sulphate, and 0.05% potassium phosphate. The maximum pectinolytic activity (15U/mL) was observed in the medium after Aspergillus sp CFCF-0492 growth, while Aspergillus sp CFCF-CC1 showed the higher level of the final biomass. The pectinolytic activity is more preserved when the fungi-spores were maintained in agar-Czapeck medium.

Fatty acid production by four strains of Mucor hiemalis grown in plant oil and soluble carbohydrates

Four Mucor hiemalis strains (M1, M2, M3 and M4), isolated from soil at a depth of 0 - 15 cm in the Juréia-Itatins Ecology Station (JIES), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and were evaluated for the production of γ-linolenic (GLA) and other unsaturated fatty acids. Five growth variables (temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and vegetable oils) were studied. Liquid media containing 2% vegetable oil (palm oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil) or 2% carbohydrate (fructose, galactose, glycerol, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, sorbitol or xylose) and 1% yeast extract as a nitrogen source were used. The greatest biomass production was observed with M3 and M4 strains in palm oil (91.5 g l -1) and sunflower oil (68.3 g l -1) media, respectively. Strain M4 produced greater quantities of polyunsaturated acids in medium containing glucose. The GLA production in the M4 biomass was 1,132.2 mg l -1 in glucose medium. Plant oils were inhibitors of fatty acid production by these strains. © 2007 Academic Journals.

Ophthalmic patterns of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) were manually restrained to assess tear production by the Schirmer tear test I to measure intraocular pressure by applanation tonometry, to examine ocular conjunctival epithelial cells via cytologic and histologic samples, and to survey ocular conjunctival microflora by microbiologic culture. The mean value for the Schirmer tear test I was 8.9 ± 1.8 mm/min, and the mean intraocular pressure was 15.3 ± 3.1 mm Hg. Conjunctival epithelium contained stratified pavimentous layers of cells, and the microflora consisted of predominantly gram-positive bacteria. Copyright 2007 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Ozone therapy in medicine and dentistry

Aim: The purpose of this review is to present the potential for the incorporation of ozone therapy into the practice of dentistry. Background: Ozone gas has a high oxidation potential and is 1.5 times greater than chloride when used as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It also has the capacity to stimulate blood circulation and the immune response. Such features justify the current interest in its application in medicine and dentistry and have been indicated for the treatment of 260 different pathologies. It can be used for the treatment of alveolitis as a replacement for antibiotic therapy, as a mouthwash for reducing the oral microflora, as well as the adherence of microorganisms to tooth surfaces. Ozone has been shown to stimulate remineralization of recent caries-affected teeth after a period of about six to eight weeks. Conclusion: The future of ozone therapy must focus on the establishment of safe and well-defined parameters in accordance with randomized, controlled trials to determine the precise indications and guidelines in order to treat various medical and dental pathologies. Scientific support, as suggested by demonstrated studies, for ozone therapy presents a potential for an atraumatic, biologically-based treatment for conditions encountered in dental practice.

Morfologia do intestino delgado de capivara - Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766)

The high potential for the exploitation of capybara requires information about its digestory morphophysiology, to improve nutritional handling. In the present study, gross anatomy, light microscopy and body and intestine lengths of 25 capybaras were evaluated. The minimum and maximum small intestine lengths for females and males were, respectively, 441 cm and 1734 cm, and 355 cm and 1123 cm. These values position the capybara between canine and swine intestinal lengths. The ratio between small intestine and body length was 12:1, without differences between sexes. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes for each part of small intestine. Correlation between length of each small intestine segment and body length was positive, and statistically significant only for the duodenum. The small intestine wall was formed by mucosa, submucosa, muscular and serosa. The mucosa presented intestinal and duodenal glands, of mucosal and serosal types, respectively. The mucosa muscular layer consisted of two distinct layers in the jejunum and ileum, and a thin and single layer in the duodenum. The submucosa, formed by moderate dense connective tissue, didn't show glands. The fiber bundles of the internal layer of muscular tunic were helicoidally arranged. The gross anatomy of the capybara small intestine was similar to canine and swine intestines. Microscopically, however, subtle differences can be identified in the submucosa and internal muscular tunics.

Influência de fontes de nitrogênio no consumo e digestibilidade aparente total e parcial de novilhos alimentados com cana- deaçúcar

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen sources, using sugarcane supplemented with urea, corn gluten meal-60 or soybean meal. It was evaluated Intake, total and partial apparent digestibility were evaluated using four rumen and duodenal cannulated crossbred steers. The treatments were evaluated in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The total feces were collected to determine the apparent digestibility on the total intestinal tract. The indigestible acid detergent fiber (iADF) was used as marker of duodenal flux to determine ruminal and intestinal digestibility and dry matter daily flux. The DM, OM, CP, EE, DE, NDF, ADF and TC intakes and digestibility rates were influenced by nitrogen sources, and lower intake was observed in animals fed exclusively with cane sugar compared to animals fed the other experimental diets. Meanwhile the sources of nitrogen did not affect the total digestible nutrients (TDN) values. The RDP sources did not affect the total, ruminal, and intestinal nutrients apparent digestibility. However, the total, ruminal, and intestinal dry matter, and protein apparent digestibility were affected by the RDP sources.

Detecção de Escherichia coli e Salmonella spp. em microbiota intestinal de Psittaciformes em fase de reabilitação para soltura

Escherichia coli is a bacteria of the Enterobacteriacea family and it is part of the enterical microflora of mammals and of many species of birds. Salmonella spp. also belongs to the family Enterobacteriacea, it is responsible for human feed toxinfection outbreaks and usually isolated from domestic and wild birds. The present study analyzed the frequency of both agents in Psittaciformes in rehabilitation process for wildlife reintroduction. In 89 birds analyzed, 19% were infected with E. coli and 1,12% with Salmonella spp. It was carried out an analysis of the profile of antibiotic resistance in which was observed the efficiency of estreptomicin, tetraciclin, trimetoprim and gentamicin over the samples. The samples of E. coli were submitted to the Congo Red Binding test and to the Hemolisis test and 70,6% of positive samples for the first test and 53% for the second one were observed.

Bactérias e resposta inflamatória no útero de cadelas, após inseminação artificial

The present study aimed to obtain information about the uterine inflammatory response (number of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes - PMNs) in bitches after artificial insemination (AI) and identify the uterine microflora present after the following treatments: insemination using semen with extender (n=6), insemination with fresh semen (n=6) and no inseminated (n=6). The percentage of PMNs on the endometrial surface and within histological sections was evaluated together with the presence of aerobic bacteria in the uterine lumen. For endometrial cytology, there was no significative difference on the number of inflammatory cells between bitches not inseminated (3.05 ± 1.74 PMNs) and those inseminated with fresh semen (3.55 ± 1.51 PMNs); There was a significative difference in both groups compared to the inseminated with semen plus extender (7.80 ± 1.67 PMNs) (p<0.05). Histology showed that there was no significative difference on the number of inflammatory cells between bitches not inseminated (87.72 ± 35.2 PMNs) and those inseminated with fresh semen (122.97 ± 43.31 PMNs); however, it was observed differences in both groups compared to those inseminated with semen plus extender (171.94 ± 42.74 PMNs) (p<0.05). Eight animals, randomly distributed in the groups, showed the presence of Staphylococcus sp and Proteus sp., in the microbiological exam. The extender for semen, with Tris, is a potent inducer of uterine inflammation, and positive uterine cultures may be obtained during estrus without inflammation or uterine infection.

Indicadores na estimativa do fluxo de digesta em bovinos de corte

single and double marker methods were compared in seven Nellore steers with average body weight 250 kg, and previously canullated in the rumen and duodenum. The animals were fitted with continuous-infusion pump that administered CoEDTA solutions intraruminally. In addition, a capsule containing Cr 2O 3, and other, containing external n-alkanes C 32, C 36 were inserted into the rumen of each steer. Internal markers indigestible neutral-detergent fiber and acid-detergent fiber (iNDF and iADF after 144 h in situ incubation) and internal n-alkanes C 31, C 33, C 35 were components of the diet. Steers were fed with palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu) in two age of regrowth, 30 and 60 days. The duodenal flow experimental design was a factorial 2×2×12 while omasal experimental design was a factorial 2×2×4. Markers iNDF, CoEDTA and the combination Co+iNDF were efficacious to estimate duodenal dry matter flow whereas iNDF, iADF and the Co+iADF combination were all efficacious to predict omasal dry matter flow. In conclusion, the double marker method for estimation of omasal and duodenal dry matter flow was the most appropriate considering the ruminal fiber digestibility.

Indicadores bioquímicos séricos e do líquido peritoneal de equinos submetidos à obstrução intestinal

Twenty-four horses were distributed into four different groups, instrumented control (GI), duodenum obstruction (GII), ileum obstruction (GIII) and large colon obstruction (GIV). Serum and peritoneal fluid analysis of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus and lactate were measured. Samples were collected one hour before the surgical procedure (T0); 3 hours after the obstruction (T3ob), 1, 3, 12, 24, 120 and 168 hours after the beginning of reperfusion/deobstruction. Duodenal (GII) and ileum (GIII) obstructions changed serum and peritoneal fluid biochemical analysis. However, only lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and inorganic phosphorus concentrations were abnormal in peritoneal fluid three hours after the obstruction. The biochemical analysis of peritoneal fluid allowed a faster diagnostic of intestinal alterations than the serum analysis; hence it should be prioritized when pre-operatory colic assessment is carried out.

Connective tissue graft plus resin-modified glass ionomer restoration for the treatment of gingival recession associated with non-carious cervical lesions: Microbiological and immunological results

Objectives: It was previously reported the clinical results of placing subgingival resin-modified glass ionomer restoration for treatment of gingival recession associated with non-carious cervical lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of this treatment on the subgingival biofilm and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory markers. Materials and methods: Thirty-four patients presenting the combined defect were selected. The defects were treated with either connective tissue graft plus modified glass ionomer restoration (CTG+R) or with connective tissue graft only (CTG). Evaluation included bleeding on probing and probing depth, 5 different bacteria targets in the subgingival plaque assessed at baseline, 45, and 180 days post treatments, and 9 inflammatory mediators were also assessed in the GCF. Results: The levels of each target bacterium were similar during the entire period of evaluation (p > 0. 05), both within and between groups. The highest levels among the studied species were observed for the bacterium associated with periodontal health. Additionally, the levels of all cyto/chemokines analyzed were not statistically different between groups (p > 0. 05). Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that the presence of subgingival restoration may not interfere with the subgingival microflora and with GCF inflammatory markers analyzed. Clinical relevance: This approach usually leads to the placement of a subgingival restoration. There is a lack of information about the microbiological and immunological effects of this procedure. The results suggest that this combined approach may be considered as a treatment option for the lesion included in this study. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Digestibility, fermentation and rumen microbiota of crossbred heifers fed diets with different soybean oil availabilities in the rumen

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of different soybean oil availabilities on the intake and partial and total digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients, rumen fermentation parameters, efficiency of microbial synthesis, and the rumen microbiota of crossbred beef heifers. Nine crossbred heifers fitted with rumen and duodenal cannulae were evaluated in a triple 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatments and three periods in three simultaneous repetitions. Heifers approximately 18 months old, with mean initial and final body weights of 316.3±28.8 and 362.6±34.4 kg, respectively, were fed a diet containing 600. g/kg of corn silage and 400. g/kg concentrate with a 58.0. g/kg fat content in the total diet. The sources of lipids included soybean grain, rumen-protected fat, and soybean oil. The statistical analyses were conducted using PROC MIXED from SAS, and the means were compared using Tukey's test (P<0.05). Dietary lipid sources did not affect nutrient intake (P>0.05). Except the apparent digestibility of organic matter (P=0.024), the apparent digestibility of the other nutrients did not differ among the treatment groups. Regarding body nitrogen retention, the soybean grain treatment was more effective than the rumen-protected fat treatment (P=0.045); however, the soybean oil treatment did not differ from the other two treatments. In relation to the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (g. N/kg of organic matter apparently digested in the rumen corrected for microbial organic matter), the soybean oil and soybean grain treatments were more efficient than the rumen-protected fat treatment (P=0.001). Animals fed rumen-protected fat had larger numbers of protozoa (P<0.001) and fungi (P<0.001) than those supplemented with soybean grain and soybean oil. The dietary lipid sources did not affect pH, the molar concentration of propionate and total volatile fatty acids (P>0.05), whereas the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and acetate were higher in animals fed with rumen-protected fat than in those submitted to the other treatments. The use of different soybean oil availabilities did not affect nutrient intake; however, treatments with soybean oil and soybean grain were more efficient regarding nutrient intake than rumen-protected fat because they reduced the numbers of fungi and protozoa and consequently improved the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis in a mini pony

Background: Intraperitoneal adhesions are common in equines, especially following exploratory celiotomy. Adhesiolysis is the treatment of choice for patients presenting postsurgical adhesions. Laparoscopic approach for adhesiolysis presents several advantageous aspects in human patients. The aim of the current study was to report a case of successful laparoscopic adhesiolysis in a mini pony horse. Case: A male Shetland Pony, weighing 140 kg, was admitted under complaint of right hind limb trauma and treated surgically for metatarsal fracture reduction. The patient has also had intermittent episodes of colic and was always treated clinically without major complications. The pony had no history of previous abdominal surgery and no episodes of acute abdomen were seen during hospital stay. Three months following ostheosynthesis, an exploratory laparoscopic approach was carried out to assess the possible cause or consequences of the episodes of acute abdomen. The patient was submitted to general anesthesia, positioned in dorsal recumbency and the abdomen was clipped and aseptically prepared for surgery. During the laparoscopic inspection, there were adhesions involving the ventral abdominal wall and a ventral mesogastric segment of duodenum. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed using a two-port approach, by gently breaking the adhesion bands using meticulous traction with a 10-mm laparoscopic atraumatic Babcock forceps. Afterwards, the intestinal loop was rinsed with heparin sodium solution diluted in normal saline. The pneumoperitoneum was completely drained and the trocars sequentially withdrawn from the abdominal wall. The synthesis of the muscular layer was carried out using an interrupted cross mattress pattern, followed by synthesis of the skin with an interrupted cushion pattern. Total surgical time was 58 min. the patient was able to recover without complications. In the early postoperative period, the surgical recovery was considered excellent. No apparent adhesion involving the previously affected intestinal loop was found during the ultrasound exam following 15 days of surgery. Furthermore, the surgical wounds had healed completely, with no complications. Discussion: In the current case report, the primary cause of the acute abdomen episodes was not determined since the patient had never undergone abdominal surgery. It was hypothesized that an acute inflammation of the duodenal loop that was involved by the adhesion bands may have triggered the adhesiogenesis. Laparoscopy was efficient and presented a short operative time, due to magnification of image and adequate observation of structures surrounded by adhesion bands. Although the use of Babcock forceps is not usually recommended for adhesiolysis in the current literature, it was both effective in manipulating the bowel and performing the adhesiolysis. The heparin solution diluted in normal saline was effective in preventing the recurrence of new adhesions, which was evidenced by ultrasonography following 15 days. The laparoscopic approach usually minimizes the new formation of adhesions as trauma to the peritoneal surfaces is minimized by the use of delicate instruments, as observed in the current study. In addition, laparoscopy reduces the possibility of contact among the peritoneal surfaces and foreign bodies, such as gauze, glove powder and room air particles. Moreover, it maintains the abdominal surfaces in adequate humidity environment.