Processos degenerativos do tecido cutâneo

Os processos degenerativos do tecido cutâneo estão amplamente associados ao seu envelhecimento natural, onde se verifica perda de tecido fibroso, renovação celular mais lenta e redução da rede vascular e glandular da pele. Alguns fatores externos ao organismo podem contudo acelerar estes processos, como por exemplo a exposição solar, consumo excessivo de álcool e tabaco, poluição ambiental e aumento de peso. De entre estes processos destacam-se o processo descamativo, um fenómeno natural do mecanismo de diferenciação dos queratinócitos. É um processo complexo que envolve essencialmente a degradação da coesão entre células da pele. A lipodistrofia ginóide é outro destes processos, comummente denominado de celulite, e que se caracteriza como uma distrofia celular complexa, com alterações do metabolismo hídrico que conferem uma aparência de "casca de laranja" à pele. A flacidez é um processo resultante da atrofia tecidular, onde se verifica a perda progressiva de massa muscular que é substituída por tecido adiposo. Está diretamente relacionada com a redução da produção de fibras de colagénio e fibras elásticas no tecido subcutâneo. Por fim, insuficiência venosa é um termo utilizado para caracterizar um processo que afeta o sistema venoso dos membros inferiores, que se desenvolve por aumento da pressão venosa em combinação com um retorno venoso ineficiente. Embora ainda não exista compreensão total destes mecanismos, já é possível encontrar uma série de tratamentos que visam minimizar ou mesmo tratá-los, de modo a que não se agravem e representem um risco sério para a saúde.

Comparison of indoor and outdoor fungi and particles in poultry units

A descriptive study was developed in order to compare indoor and outdoor air contamination caused by fungi and particles in seven poultry units. Twenty eight air samples of 25 litters were collected through the impaction method on malt extract agar. Air sampling and particles concentration measurement were done in the interior and also outside premises of the poultries’ pavilions. Regarding the fungal load in the air, indoor concentration of mold was higher than outside air in six poultry units. Twenty eight species / genera of fungi were identified indoor, being Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (40.5%) the most commonly isolated species and Rhizopus sp. (30.0%) the most commonly isolated genus. Concerning outdoor, eighteen species/genera of fungi were isolated, being Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (62.6%) also the most isolated. All the poultry farms analyzed presented indoor fungi different from the ones identified outdoors. Regarding particles’ contamination, PM2.5, PM5.0 and PM10 had a statistically significant difference (Mann-Whitney U test) between the inside and outside of the pavilions, with the inside more contaminated (p=.006; p=.005; p=.005, respectively). The analyzed poultry units are potential reservoirs of substantial amounts of fungi and particles and could therefore free them in the atmospheric air. The developed study showed that indoor air was more contaminated than outdoors, and this can result in emission of potentially pathogenic fungi and particles via aerosols from poultry units to the environment, which may post a considerable risk to public health and contribute to environmental pollution.

Interaction between mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) affects the activity of glutathione S-transferase in breast milk: possible relationship with fish and shellfish intake

Breast milk is regarded as an ideal source of nutrients for the growth and development of neonates, but it can also be a potential source of pollutants. Mothers can be exposed to different contaminants as a result of their lifestyle and environmental pollution. Mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) could adversely affect the development of fetal and neonatal nervous system. Some fish and shellfish are rich in selenium (Se), an essential trace element that forms part of several enzymes related to the detoxification process, including glutathione S-transferase (GST). The goal of this study was to determine the interaction between Hg, As and Se and analyze its effect on the activity of GST in breast milk. Milk samples were collected from women between day 7 and 10 postpartum. The GST activity was determined spectrophotometrically; total Hg, As and Se concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. To explain the possible association of Hg, As and Se concentrations with GST activity in breast milk, generalized linear models were constructed. The model explained 44% of the GST activity measured in breast milk. The GLM suggests that GST activity was positively correlated with Hg, As and Se concentrations. The activity of the enzyme was also explained by the frequency of consumption of marine fish and shellfish in the diet of the breastfeeding women.

Avaliação do potencial da macrófita Pistia stratiotes na exposição de íon cromo (VI): biossorção e tolerância

The environmental pollution caused by industries has increased the concentration of pollutants in the environment, especially in water. Among the most diverse contaminants, there is the metals, who may or may not to be heavy/toxic, causing effluent of difficult treatment when in low concentrations. The search for alternative measures of wastewater effluent treatment has led to studies using phytoremediation technique through the various matrices (plant, fungi, bacteria) as means of polishing treatment to remove contaminants by means of biosorption/bioaccumulation. In order to use the phytoremediation technique for removing metals of the environmental, it have been performed bioassay with the macrophyte Pistia stratiotes. The bioassays were realized with healthy plants of P. stratiotes acclimatized in a greenhouse, at room temperature and lighting conditions during 28 days of cultivate. The cultivations were performed in glass vessels containing 1 L of the hydroponic solution with chromium (VI) in the potassium dichromate form with concentration range 0.10 to 4.90 mg L-1. The experiments were performed by Outlining Central Composite Rotational (OCCR), where the kinetics of bioaccumulation and chlorophyll a fluorescence were monitored in plants of P. stratiotes during cultivation. The collections of the samples and cultive solution were performed according to the OCCR. The chromium levels were measured in samples of P. stratiotes and the remaining solutions by the methodology of atomic absorption spectrometry by flame. The tolerance of P. stratiotes in relation to exposure to chromium (VI) was analyzed by parameters of physiological activity by means of chlorophyll a fluorescence, using the portable fluorometer PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation). The development of P. stratiots and their biomass were related to the time factor, while bioaccumulation capacities were strongly influenced by factors of time and chromium concentration (VI). The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were affected by chromium and the exposure time at the bioassays. It was obtained an higher metal removal from the root in relation to the sheet, reaching a high rate of metal removal in solution. The experimental data removal kinetics were represented by kinetic models Irreversibly Langmuir, Reversible Langmuir, Pseudo-first Order and Pseudo-second Order, and the best fit for the culture solution was the Reversible Langmuir model with R² 0.993 and for the plant the best model was Pseudo-second order with R² 0.760.

Metal measurement in aquatic environments by passive sampling methods: Lessons learning from an in situ intercomparison exercise

Passive sampling devices (PS) are widely used for pollutant monitoring in water, but estimation of measurement uncertainties by PS has seldom been undertaken. The aim of this work was to identify key parameters governing PS measurements of metals and their dispersion. We report the results of an in situ intercomparison exercise on diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) in surface waters. Interlaboratory uncertainties of time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations were satisfactory (from 28% to 112%) given the number of participating laboratories (10) and ultra-trace metal concentrations involved. Data dispersion of TWA concentrations was mainly explained by uncertainties generated during DGT handling and analytical procedure steps. We highlight that DGT handling is critical for metals such as Cd, Cr and Zn, implying that DGT assembly/dismantling should be performed in very clean conditions. Using a unique dataset, we demonstrated that DGT markedly lowered the LOQ in comparison to spot sampling and stressed the need for accurate data calculation.

Características químicas do solo e desempenho de culturas após quatro anos de aplicações de cama de aviário em diferentes épocas e níveis

Due to the high supply and its attractive cost, the poultry litter has been used in the southwestern region of Parana to the improvement of soil fertility seeking greater production of grains and pastures. However, the use without technical knowledge can minimize the benefits of poultry litter or even cause undesirable effects on soil, environmental pollution and also productivity losses in the used crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different times of poultry litter application, predating the winter crop, associated with increasing levels, about soil chemical properties, release of nutrients and crop performances in four consecutive years (2011-2014). In the first three years the experimental design was randomized blocks with a split plot system and four replications. In the main plots were tested four poultry litter application times preceding the wheat production: 0, 15, 30 and 45 days before sowing (DAS); in the subplots were applied four poultry litter levels (wet basis): 0, 4, 8 and 12 Mg ha-1. Last year one more subdivision of plots was done, evaluating the use or not of nitrogen in coverage in wheat, at a dose of 100 kg N ha-1. The wheat cultivar used in the four years was the BRS 220. In three years it was evaluated the residual effect on soybean production (cultivar - BMX Turbo RR) and in one year on the beans. The chemical soil attributes were evaluated at four depths 0-2,5cm, 2,5-5cm, 5-10cm and 10-20cm, and also the rate of decomposition and nutrient release of poultry litter and the crop productivity. The different times of application concerning the poultry litter had little influence on the studied variables, demonstrating that the producer does not need to have a specific date (before planting) to the application of poultry litter. Potassium was fully released 60 days after the allocation of litter bags into the field; for nitrogen and phosphorus the release was slower. The use of increasing levels of poultry litter increased the levels of various soil elements, highlighting the potassium which reached 20 cm deep in the second year of evaluation. The increase in pH and in the base saturation occurred only in the upper layers, while the phosphorus reached 10 cm deep in the third year of the study. It was observed increased pH and base saturation. The use of increasing doses of poultry litter contributed to the wheat plant nutrition, significantly increasing the weight of a thousand grains, and the grain yield of wheat in all the evaluated years; the nitrogen fertilization in coverage also had significant effect for the fourth evaluated year. Also there was a significant response from the residual effect of poultry litter for crops planted in summer for both soybeans and beans.

Natural antifouling compound production by microbes associated with marine macroorganisms — A review

In the marine environment, all hard surfaces including marine macroorganims are colonized by microorganisms mainly from the surrounding environment. The microorganisms associated with marine macroorganisms offer tremendous potential for exploitation of bioactive metabolites. Biofouling is a continuous problem in marine sectors which needs huge economy for control and cleaning processes. Biotechnological way for searching natural product antifouling compounds gained momentum in recent years because of the environmental pollution associated with the use of toxic chemicals to control biofouling. While, natural product based antifoulants from marine organisms particularly sponges and corals attained significance due to their activities in field assays, collection of larger amount of organisms from the sea is not a viable one. The microorganisms associated with sponges, corals, ascidians, seaweeds and seagrasses showed strong antimicrobial and also antifouling activities. This review highlights the advances in natural product antifoulants research from microbes associated with marine organisms.

Determination of biodiesel quality parameters for optimization of production process conditions

According to many scientists third industrial revolution has already began and this primarily means the transition to renewable energy sources. Energy requirements are increasing rapidly due to fast industrialization and the increased number of vehicles on the roads. Massive consumption of fossil fuels leads to environmental pollution, therefore, biofuels are offered as an alternative. For example, the application of biodiesel in diesel engines instead of diesel results in the proven reduction of harmful exhaust emissions. One of the most important technologies, which has been already explored at the commercial level, is the production of a liquid biofuel applicable in compression-ignition engines (or diesel engines), from biomass rich in fats and oils. This biofuel is generically referred as biodiesel, and consists essentially of a mixture of FAME's (fatty acid methyl esters). This current work describes modern approaches of biodiesel production from vegetable oil and subsequent analysis of produced biodiesel main characteristics such as density, acidity, iodine value and FAME content.

Dephosphorization of Iron Ore through Bioleaching

Phosphorus, as phosphate, is frequently found as a constituent of many of the world iron resources. Phosphorus is an extremely harmful element found in iron ore used as a raw material in the steelmaking process because it will affect the quality of iron and steel products. Allowable phosphorus concentration in high quality steel is usually less than 0.08%. Dephosphorization of iron ore has been studied for a long time. Although there are described physical beneficiation and chemical leaching processes, involving inorganic acids, to reduce phosphorus content of iron ores, these processes have several limitations such as poor recovery, require high energy quantity, capital costs and cause environmental pollution. Use of microorganisms in leaching of mineral ores is gaining importance due to the implementation of stricter environmental rules. Microbes convert metal compounds into their water soluble forms and are biocatalysts of leaching processes. Biotechnology is considered as an eco-friendly, promising, and revolutionary solution to these problems. Microorganisms play a critical role in natural phosphorus cycle and the process of phosphate solubilization by microorganisms has been known for many years. This study was performed to analyze the possibility of using bioleaching as a process for the dephosphorization of an iron ore from Northeast of Portugal. For bioleaching, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans bacterium were used. For this study two experiments were done with different conditions, which lasts 6 weeks for first experiment and 5 weeks for second experiment. From the result of these preliminary studies, it was observed that for first experiment 6.2 % and for second experiment 3.7 % of phosphorus was removed from iron ore.

Caracterização de crime ambiental de poluição por meio de abordagem multiparamétrica e incorporando incerteza de amostragem

Tese (Doutorado em Tecnologia Nuclear)

Adsorção de cobre e cromo utilizando fibra de sisal visando o tratamento da água produzida pela indústria petrolífera

Currently, the oil industry is the biggest cause of environmental pollution. The objective was to reduce the concentration of copper and chromium in the water produced by the oil industry. It was used as adsorbent natural sisal fiber Agave sp treated with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide. All vegetable fibers have physical and morphological properties that enablies the adsorption of pollutants. The basic composition of sisal is cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The features are typically found in the characterization of vegetable fibers, except the surface area that was practically zero. In the first stage of adsorption, it was evaluated the effect of temperature and time skeeking to optimize the execution of the factorial design. The results showed that the most feasible fiber was the one treated with acid in five hours (30°C). The second phase was a factorial design, using acid and five hours, this time was it determined in the first phase. The tests were conducted following the experimental design and the results were analyzed by statistical methods in order to optimize the main parameters that influence the process: pH, concentration (mol / L) and fiber mass/ metal solution volume. The volume / mass ratio factor showed significant interference in the adsorption process of chromium and copper. The results obtained after optimization showed that the highest percentages of extraction (98%) were obtained on the following operating conditions: pH: 5-6, Concentration: 100 ppm and mass/ volume: 1 gram of fiber/50mL solution. The results showed that the adsorption process was efficient to remove chromium and copper using sisal fibers, however, requiring further studies to optimize the process.

Uso da glicerina oriunda da síntese do biodiesel em sistemas microemulsionados visando aplicação de herbicidas

The program PROBIODIESEL from the Ministry of Science and Technology has substantially increased glycerine, obtained as a sub-product of biodiesel production process, making it necessary to seek alternatives for the use of this co-product. On the other hand, herbicides although play a role of fundamental importance in the agricultural production system in force, have been under growing concern among the various segments of society because of their potential environmental risk. In this work, we used glycerin in microemulsion systems for application of herbicides, to improve efficiency and lower environmental pollution caused by the loss of those products to the environment. To obtain the systems of microemulsinados were used Unitol L90 NP and Renex 40 as surfactants, butanol as co-surfactant, coconut oil as oil phase and aqueous phase as we used solutions of glycerin + water. Through the determination of phase diagrams, the microemulsion region was found in the system E (L90 Unitol, coconut oil and glycerin + water 1:1). Three points were chosen to the aqueous phase rich in characterization and application in the solubilization of glyphosate and atrazine. Three experiments were performed in Horta, Department of Plant Sciences, Plant Science Sector, UFERSA, Mossoró-RN. The first experiment was conducted in randomized complete blocks with 20 treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of five doses of the herbicide glyphosate (0.0, 0.45, 0.9, 1.35 and 1.8 L ha-1) diluted with four sauces: C1, C2, C3 (microemulsions) and C4 (water). The phytotoxicity of Brachiaria brizantha was measured at 7, 14, 28 and 60 DAA (days after application). At 60 DAA, we evaluated the biomass of plants. The second experiment was developed in randomized complete blocks with 20 treatments and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of five doses of the herbicide atrazine (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 L ha-1) diluted with four sauces: C1, C2, C3 (microemulsions) and C4 (water). The phytotoxicity on Zea mays and Talinum paniculatum was evaluated at 2, 7, 20 DAA. The experiment III was developed in randomized complete blocks with 16 treatments and three repetitions. The treatments consisted of 16 combinations among the constituents of the microemulsion: Unitol L90 surfactant (0.0, 1.66, 5.0, 15 %) and glycerin (0.0, 4.44, 13.33 and 40.0 %). The phytotoxicity on Zea mays was evaluated at 1, 7 and 14 DAA. At 14 DAA, we evaluated the biomass of plants. The control plants using the microemulsions was lower than in the water due to the poisoning caused by the initial microemulsions in the leaves of the plants, a fact that hinders the absorption and translocation of the herbicide. There was no toxicity in Zea mays plants caused by the herbicide, however, were highly intoxicated by microemulsions. T. paniculatum was better controlled in spraying with the microemulsions, regardless of the dose of the herbicide. The glycerine did not cause plant damage. Higher poisoning the plants are caused by tensoactive Unitol L90 and higher rates occur with the use of higher concentrations of surfactant and glycerin, or microemulsion. The microemulsions used hampered the action of glyphosate in controlling B. brizantha and caused severe poisoning in corn, and these poisonings attributed mainly to the action of surfactant

Histopathological and molecular effects of microplastics in Eisenia andrei Bouché

The ocean has been assumed as the main sink of microplastics (MPs), however, soils may also receive MPs from different sources and through different pathways, which may affect the biota and their role in soil functions. To the best of our knowledge, only one study, until now, reported the effects of MPs on the survival and fitness of soil organisms (Lumbricus terrestris). In our study, epigeic earthworms, of the species E. andrei, were exposed to different concentrations of MPs (0, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg soildw) in an OECD artificial soil and tested for reproduction, survival and growth of adults, following a standard protocol. The size of the polyethylene MPs to which earthworms were exposed ranged between 250 and 1000 μm. No significant effects were recorded on survival, number of juveniles and, in the final weight of adult earthworms after 28d of exposure, to the different concentrations of MPs. Nevertheless, FTIR-ATR of earthworms and histopathological analysis of the gut provided evidences of damages and immune system responses to MPs.

Relatos de violencia ambiental : el caso de Doña Juana

Investigación que identifica la contaminación ambiental que han experimentado las comunidades de Mochuelo Alto y Mochuelo Bajo a raíz de su convivencia con el basurero de Doña Juana (ubicado en la ciudad de Bogotá). Proyecto con enfoque cualitativo desarrollado a partir de una metodología de relatos de vida y perspectiva biográfica que describe la forma como las comunidades han hecho frente al sufrimiento ambiental y algunas de las implicaciones que conlleva la contaminación en sus relaciones sociales.