Seed germination and removal of Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in eucalypt stands: the influence of the aril

We tested the influence of the aril on seed germination in controlled conditions and on the removal of M. champaca seeds in natural environment. Germination assays were kept at 25 ± 2 °C under continuous white light. Removal experiments were carried out in three "old" (39 to 62-years old) and three "new" (15-years old) eucalypt stands in Horto Florestal Navarro de Andrade, Rio Claro, SP. The results show that the aril inhibits the germination and the seeds exhibit a positively photoblastic reaction. We found higher seed removal in old eucalypt stands than the new ones, probably due to the higher density of rodents in the old stands. In the new stands, we found higher seed removal of arillated seeds by ants. Ants are important to remove the aril of seeds dropped by birds, not only enhancing seed germination but also preventing seed predation by rodents.

Removal of cyanobacterial toxins by strains of probiotic bacteria

Nedbrytning av blågrönalgtoxiner med hälsobefrämjande mjölksyrebakterier Blomningar av cyanobakterier (blågrönalger) har blivit ett världsomfattande fenomen i eutrofierade vattenmiljöer. Cyanobakterier producerar toxiner, både levergifter och nervgifter, vilka utgör en hälsorisk för människan. Exponeringsrutter omfattar både dricksvatten och förorenade matvaror. Rening av dricksvatten från dessa toxiner är således av hög prioritet. Konventionella vatttenreningsprocesser är inte alltid tillräckligt effektiva mot cyanotoxiner. Därför behövs utveckling av nya effektiva biologiska metoder för vattenrening, vilka kunde komplettera de redan existerande metoderna. FM Sonja Nybom har i sin doktorsavhandling undersökt eliminering av cyanotoxiner från dricksvatten med hjälp av probioter. Probiotiska bakterier, såsom mjölksyrebakterier och bifidobakterier, finns i den naturliga tarmfloran och har även visats ha gynnsamma effekter för människans hälsa. I avhandlingen visades flera olika stammar av probiotiska mjölksyrebakterier och bifidobakterier effektivt eliminera cyanotoxiner, såsom levergiftiga microcystiner, från vatten. Elimineringen undersöktes under olika omständigheter och visades vara beroende av bland annat vattentemperatur, pH, celldensitet och närvaro av kolkälla (glukos) för bakterierna. Metaboliskt aktiva, levande bakterier krävdes för effektiv toxineliminering. En kombination av flera probiotstammar resulterade i effektivare nedbrytning av toxiner i jämförelse med enskilda bakteriestammar. Även reaktionstiden var av betydelse för effektiviteten; efter ett dygns inkubering åstadkoms nästan total nedbrytning. Sammanfattningsvis tyder resultaten på att metoder utnyttjande dessa hälsobefrämjande probiotiska bakterier kunde utvecklas till att användas vid rening av dricksvatten från cyanotoxiner samt användas som en personlig skyddsmekanism mot cyanotoxiner i mag-tarmkanalen.

Removal of organic matter and nutrients from slaughterhouse wastewater by using Eichhornia crassipes and evaluation of the generated biomass composting

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes applied in situ in a slaughter house treatment system, located in the west of the Paraná state, Brazil, regarding the nutrients removal and organic matter. Moreover, it aimed to obtain data from the production, management and composting practices of the biomass generated in the system. During 11 months of macrophytes development, physic and chemical parameters were monitored and plant density was controlled by periodical removal of excess biomass, which was weekly monitored and it is expressed in kg of aquatic plant per m² covered area. The degradation of the macrophytes removed from the treatment system was evaluated at the pilot scale in eight composting piles of 0.60 m³ that underwent four different treatments and two repetitions: T1 - water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); T2 - water hyacinth and swine excrement (7:1), T3 - water hyacinth, swine excrement and earth (7:1:0,67), and T4 - water hyacinth, swine excrement and cellulosic gut (7:1:0,67), for a period of 90 days. The results indicated maximum removal efficiencies of 77.2% for COD; 77.8% for BOD, 87.9% for total nitrogen, 47.5% for ammonia nitrogen and 38.9% for total phosphorus for a five-day retention time. For biomass stabilization by composting, considering the C:N ratio as an indicator of compost maturity, it was observed that treatment T4 resulted in the shortest stabilization period (60 days). No difference was verified in the biostabilization rates at 5% level by the F test.

Selection of microorganisms producer of lipase for fat removal from biodiesel purification water

The objective this study has been the selection of lipase productor microorganism, for removal of oils and grease, in the pre-treatment of biodiesel wastewater washing. For this, analyses of the physicist-chemistries characteristics had been made with the wastewater of the biodiesel washing, and then it had been isolated and chosen, by means of determinations of the lipase activity. Following, it was made a test of fat biodegradation, in the conditions: pH (5.95), temperature (35 ºC), rotation (180 rpm) and ammonium sulfate as nitrogen source (3 g L-1) and establishing as variable the two microorganism preselected and the time (24; 48; 72; 96 and 120 h). The biodiesel purification wastewater had presented high potential of environmental impact, presenting a concentration of O of 6.76 g L-1. From the six isolated microbiological cultures, two microorganisms (A and B) had been selected, with enzymatic index of 0.56 and 0.57, respectively. The treatment of the wastewater using the isolated microorganism (Klebsiella oxytoca) had 80% of the fatty removal in 48 h.

Isolation of microorganisms of cheese whey with lipolytic activity for removal of COD

The aim of this study was to isolate microorganisms that produce lipase and to assess the efficiency of COD removal intreatment of cheese whey under different operating conditions. The microorganisms were isolated from cheese whey and a commercial product; it was selectedthreemicroorganisms that obtained the best response to the lipolytic activity test through the enzyme index. Then, the microorganisms were inoculated in sterilized cheese whey samples, for two pH values (6.2 and 7.0), incubated at 35 °C and 150 rpm in shaker and the lipolityc activity and the efficiency of COD removal were measured in two time periods (24 and 48h). After incubation, it was observed that the treatments showed a good removal efficiency of COD for the pre-treatment and the isolated microorganism (S1) from the cheese whey showed the highest lipase production. Regarding the pH and time variables, there was not significant effect between the two evaluated factors. Among all treatments, T2 (S1, pH 7.0 and 24h) obtained more enzyme production (4.87 U mL-1).

Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and zinc from swine breeding waste water by bermudagrass and cattail in constructed wetland systems

This work aimed to study the agronomic performance and capacity of nutrient removal by bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and cattail (Typha sp.) when grown in constructed wetlands systems (CWSs) of vertical and horizontal flow, respectively, used in the post-treatment of swine breeding wastewater (ARS). The average yield of dry matter (DM) of bermudagrass in sections of 60-day interval ranged from 14 to 43 t ha-1, while the cultivated cattail produced in a single cut after 200 days of cultivation between 45 and 67 t ha-1 of DM. Bermudagrass extracted up to 17.65 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.76 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 6.67 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 54.75 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail extracted up to 5.10 kg ha-1 d-1 of nitrogen, 1.07 kg ha-1 d-1 of phosphorus, 1.41 g ha-1 d-1 of copper and 16.04 g ha-1 d-1 of zinc. Cattail and bermudagrass were able to remove, respectively, 5.0 and 4.6% of the nitrogen and 11.2 and 5.4% of the phosphorus applied via ARS, being less efficient in extracting N and P when the initial intake of these nutrients is evaluated.

Performance of an anaerobic-aerobic reactor and kinetic study of organic matter removal of cattle slaughterhouse effluent

This paper sought to evaluate the behavior of an upflow Anaerobic-Aerobic Fixed Bed Reactor (AAFBR) in the treatment of cattle slaughterhouse effluent and determine apparent kinetic constants of the organic matter removal. The AAFBR was operated with no recirculation (Phase I) and with 50% of effluent recirculation (Phase II), with θ of 11h and 8h. In terms of pH, bicarbonate alkalinity and volatile acids, the results indicated the reactor ability to maintain favorable conditions for the biological processes involved in the organic matter removal in both operational phases. The average removal efficiencies of organic matter along the reactor height, expressed in terms of raw COD, were 49% and 68% in Phase I and 54% and 86% in Phase II for θ of 11h and 8h, respectively. The results of the filtered COD indicated removal efficiency of 52% and k = 0.0857h-1 to θ of 11h and 42% and k = 0.0880h-1 to θ of 8h in the Phase I. In Phase II, the removal efficiencies were 59% and 51% to θ of 11h and 8h, with k = 0.1238h-1 and k = 0.1075 h-1, respectively. The first order kinetic model showed good adjustment and described adequately the kinetics of organic matter removal for θ of 11h, with r² equal to 0.9734 and 0.9591 to the Phases I and II, respectively.

Application of response surface methodology to study the biological removal of nitrogen from effluent of cattle slaughterhouse in a sequencing batch reactor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) on biological removal of nitrogen from cattle slaughterhouse wastewater by nitrification/denitrification processes. The effects of initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen were investigated at 100; 150 and 200 mg L-1 and air flow rate at 0.125; 0.375 and 0.625 L min¹ Lreactor-1 on the nitrogen compounds removal, by a Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) configuration. There were variations from 9.2 to 94.9%, 4.0 to 19.6% and 20.8 to 92.0% in the conversion of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate and nitrite concentration and removal of total nitrogen, respectively. The increase of air flow rate and decrease of the initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen resulted in higher efficiencies of total nitrogen removal, as well as the conversion of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate. During the pre-established intervals of this study, the removal and conversion efficiencies of nitrogen compounds above 85% were achieved in air flow rate variations from 0.375 to 0.725 L min-1 Lreactor-1 and initial concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen from 80 to 200 mg L-1. On denitrification process, we obtained efficiencies from 91.5 to 96.9% on the removal of nitrite/nitrate and from 78.3 to 87.9% on the removal of organic matter.

Effect of cycle time and airflow in biological nitrogen removal from poultry slaughterhouse wastewater using sequencing batch reactor

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of airflow (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 L.L-1.min-1) and cycle time (10.45 h, 14.25 h and 17.35 h) on a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) performance in promoting nitrification and denitrification of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. The operational stages included feeding, aerobic and anoxic reactions, sedimentation and discharge. SBR was operated in a laboratory scale with a working volume of 4 L, keeping 25% of biomass retained inside the reactor as inoculum for the next batch. In the anoxic stage, C: N ratio was maintained between 5 and 6 by adding cassava starch wastewater. A factorial design (22) with five repetitions was designed at the central point to evaluate the influence of cycle time and airflow on total inorganic nitrogen removal (N-NH4++N-NO2-+N-NO3-) and in the whole process (nitrification and denitrification). The highest total inorganic nitrogen removal (93.3%) was observed for airflow of 0.25 L.L-1.min‑1 and a cycle time of 14.25 h. At the end of the experiment, the sludge inside the reactor was characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), indicating the presence of ammonia and nitrite oxidizing bacteria.

Conduta terapêutica atual no adenocarcinoma da cárdia e da junção esofagogástrica

Adenocarcinomas of the cardia and gastroesophageal junction are peculiar entities with three different origins, which differ somewhat from other adenocarcinomas of the stomach in their clinical presentation and pathogenesis, and have a poorer prognosis. In this article the authors reviewed definitions, incidence and epidemiology, etiologic factors, genetic implications, clinical presentation, diagnosis, staging and treatment, with emphasis on the surgical approach, discussing the current management of these cancers. The prognostic factors related specifically to the cardia cancers are: esophageal invasion greater than 3cm, microscopic residual tumor and wall penetration (>T2). Preoperative workup should include computed tomography, and endoscopic ultrasonography and laparoscopy when available. Preoperative recognition of T3/ T4/N2 lesions should indicate inclusion in neo-adjuvant protocols whenever possible. The authors present the results of 46 resected cases of adenocarcinomas of the cardia and GE junction of the Instituto Nacional do Câncer- Brazil (1981-1995). Cure was intended in 29 and palliation in 17 patients. The most common type of resection was total gastrectomy with abdominal esophagectomy (28 cases). Morbidity (major and minor) occurred in 50% of the patients. The main causes were of respiratory origin and fistulas (19.6% each). Death occurred in 44% of the patients with fistula. Postoperative death until the 30th day occurred in 17.24% of the curative cases and in 23.52% of the palliative ones. The median survival time was 68.5 months for stage I, 25 months for stage II, 31 months for stage III and 12.5 months for stage IV diseases. The median survival time was 8 months for palliation and 28.5 months for cure. No long-term survival was obtained with the palliative group, whereas 25% survived five years of more in the curative group. The authors conclude that the surgical approach should be the one the surgeon feels more comfortable with. Complete removal of the disease proved by frozen section, splenectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy should be the standard therapy with curative intent.

Migração de clipe metálico para úlcera duodenal após colecistectomia videolaparoscópica: Ligaclip migration into a duodenal ulcer following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We report a rare cause of pyloric stenosis caused by migration of surgical clips into a duodenal ulcer following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Even after endoscopic removal of the clips the inflammatory reaction during the healing process caused a stenosis of the pylorus that eventually required a truncal vagotomy and gastroenterostomy.

Extração de fitobezoar gástrico por videolaparoscopia: considerações técnicas originais

Videolaparoscopic surgery has been used for treatment of almost all surgical abdominal diseases, mainly where there are no large ressections, or operative field is limited. In these situations, laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of less morbidity, quick recovery and good cosmetic results. Bezoars removal, or its mobilization, is probably included in these possible proceedings. Three non-laparotomic procedures were described: 1. endoscopic-laparoscopic; 2. videolaparoscopy and mobilization of intestinal bezoar to the cecum; 3. laparoscopy and gastrotomy for bezoar removal, through suprapubic incision or the umbilical punction. There have been only two publications describing the videolaparoscopic method for bezoar removal, and the methods applied can be complications or morbidity related. We describe one case where the applied technique is simple and easy to perform, time saving and probably less complications-related. This technique, with four trocars, utilized a plastic bag besides the stomach to be opened, followed by gastrotomy, bezoar removal and immediate introduction in the plastic bag, suture of gastrotomy and removal through the left subcostal trocar. This technique was feasible and easy to perform, with short operative time, and there were no intra or post-operative complications; the patient was discharged in the second post-operative day, and is without further problems after one year follow-up. We believe that this could be an adequate technique to perform laparoscopic gastric bezoar removal, and the rigid sequence of operative events allows a quick procedure, with minimal contamination. The videolaparoscopy seems to be an adequate access to surgical treatment of gastro-intestinal bezoars, with or without obstruction, and should be the ellected the procedure of choice to begin the surgical treatment, with convertion to laparotomy in case of any intra-operative adversity.

Vesícula residual

Our objective is to report three patients with recurrent severe upper abdominal pain secondary to residual gallbladder. All patients had been subjected to cholecystectomy from 1 to 20 years before. The diagnosis was established after several episodes of severe upper abdominal pain by imaging exams: ultrasonography, tomography, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Removal of the residual gallbladder led to complete resolution of symptoms. Partial removal of the gallbladder is a very rare cause of postcholecystectomy symptoms.

Closure of large wounds using rubber bands in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: to verify the effectiveness of the rubber elastic band in the treatment of large wounds of the body wall of rabbits by means of traction of its edges. METHODS: we studied 30 New Zealand rabbits, divided into three groups (n=10): Group 1- healing by secondary intention; Group 2- removal and eutopic repositioning of skin as full thickness skin graft; Group 3- Approximation of wound edges with elastic rubber band. In all animals, we removed a segment of the back skin and subcutaneous tissue down to the fascia, in accordance with an acrylic mold of 8cm long by 12cm wide. All animals were observed for 21 days. RESULTS: two animals of groups 1 and 2 had wound abscess. In Group 2, there was partial or total graft loss in 90% of animals. The complete closure of the wounds was observed in four animals of Group 1, six of Group 2 and eight of Group 3. There was no difference between the scar resistance values of groups 2 and 3, which were higher than those in Group 1. The scars of the three groups were characterized by the presence of mature connective tissue mixed with blood vessels and inflammatory infiltration, predominantly polymorphonuclear. CONCLUSION: the tensile strength of the wound edges with rubber elastic band is as efficient as the skin graft to treat rabbits' large body wounds.