Radium-226 in sugar cane, Saccharum officinarum, products in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

The objective of this study was to determine the 226Ra concentrations in samples of sugar cane juice, which is sold for human consumption in the city of Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The sample collections were carried out in seventeen commercial establishments where high quantities of the juice are usually sold. The methodology used to determine the concentrations of 226Ra in the juice was based on 222Rn emanation classical technique. Concentrations of 226Ra in the samples varied from 18 to 89 mBqL(-1).

Unicystic ameloblastoma in a child: a differential diagnosis from the dentigerous cyst and the inflammatory follicular cyst

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor of the jaws with an aggressive potential that commonly occurs in children. This cystic odontogenic neoplasm is generally asymptomatic and found during routine radiographs. The purposes of this report were to describe a case of UA involving the crown of the unerupted right mandibular second premolar in an 11-year-old girl under orthodontic treatment, and discuss its diagnosis and radiographic and microscopic findings, emphasizing its distinction from the dentigerous cyst and the inflammatory follicular cyst.

Determination of 226Ra in cheese produced in the rural area of Pernambuco-Brazil

This work is aimed at determining (226)Ra concentration in cheese produced by dairy manufacturers from Pedra and Venturosa, which are two districts in the rural region of Pernambuco-Brazil. Analyses showed concentrations of (226)Ra in cheese samples varying from 54 to 2,080 mBq kg(-1) (wet matter). Using the cumulated risk method, the excess carcinoma and bone sarcoma were estimated for chronic ingestion of cheese containing this radioisotope. In this context, this report discusses the methodology of sample analyses as well as possible consequences of the (226)Ra intake for human health.

Potential for enhancement of aerobic biological removal of recalcitrant organic matter in bleached pulp mill effluents

Increasingly stringent effluent quality limits for bleached kraft pulp mills pose a great challenge to mill wastewater system managers since these limits can require levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency rarely reported for biological treatment of these types of effluents. The present study was therefore undertaken to better understand the nature of recalcitrant COD in bleached kraft pulp effluents that persists through the biological treatment system. Bleaching effluents from a Brazilian eucalypt bleached kraft pulp mill were collected and treated in a bench-scale sequencing batch reactor. Organic matter in raw and treated effluents was characterized before and after separation into low and high molecular mass fractions. Biological treatment removed 71% of the COD, with 83% removal of the low molecular mass COD but only 36% removal of the high molecular mass COD. Microorganisms capable of degrading the recalcitrant COD were isolated from enrichment cultures of the original activated sludge fed on fractions of the bleaching effluent that presented low biodegradabilities. Use of a microbial consortium composed of ten of these isolates to treat the biologically treated effluent removed a further 12% of the effluent COD, all from the high molecular mass fraction. Results of this research indicate that microorganisms with potential for degrading recalcitrant COD are present in activated sludge, but that these are not metabolically active during normal activated sludge treatment of mill effluents. The use of biological selectors in the treatment system to promote growth of such microorganisms may enhance removal of recalcitrant organic matter.

Effect of hot acid hydrolysis and hot chlorine dioxide stage on bleaching effluent biodegradability

The hot acid hydrolysis followed by chlorine dioxide (A/D*) and hot chlorine dioxide (D*) technologies have proven very useful for bleaching of eucalyptus kraft pulp. Although the characteristics and biodegradability of effluents from conventional chlorine dioxide bleaching are well known, such information is not yet available for effluents derived from hot acid hydrolysis and hot chorine dioxide bleaching. This study discusses the characteristics and biodegradability of such effluents. Combined whole effluents from the complete sequences DEpD, D*EpD, A/D*EpD and ADEpD, and from the pre-bleaching sequences DEp, D*Ep, A/D*Ep and ADEp were characterized by quantifying their colour, AOX and organic load (BOD, COD, TOC). These effluents were also evaluated for their treatability by simulation of an activated sludge system. It was concluded that treatment in the laboratory sequencing batch reactor was efficient for removal of COD, BOD and TOC of all effluents. However, colour increased after biological treatment, with the greatest increase found for the effluent produced using the AD technology. Biological treatment was less efficient at removing AOX of effluents from the sequences with D*, A/D* and AD as the first stages, when compared to the reference D stage; there was evidence of the lower treatability of these organochlorine compounds from these sequences.

The responsibility of the pulp and paper sector with regard to sustainable development: how much is enough?

Pulp and paper companies all over the world certify their environmental management systems assuming public commitments for the continuous improvement of their relationship with the environment. Once certified, they consider themselves having done their part. But is this enough? This work has been carried out with the clear intention of provoking the professionals who can give the much needed answers for the construction of environmental sustainability in the pulp and paper sector.

Application of ultrafiltration in the pulp and paper industry: metals removal and whitewater reuse

In the pulp and paper industry, the water use minimization is a constant target. One way to reduce water use is to recycle the effluent in a closed-cycle concept. In paper mills, the main source of liquid effluent is the so-called whitewater, which is the excess water, originated from pulp stock dewatering and other fibre contaminated water. This research studied the reuse of paper mill whitewater after membrane ultrafiltration (UF) in the paper machine and in the pulp bleach plant of an integrated mill. Contaminant removal and flux behaviour of the UF system were evaluated. The treatment by ultrafiltration was technically feasible and the treated whitewater had good potential to be reused in some processes in the paper machine. The reuse of ultrafiltered whitewater in the bleaching plant was not recommended because of the high level of soluble calcium present in this stream. Therefore, a combined treatment of the whitewater using the principle of precipitation and ultrafiltration was proposed showing good results and enabling the use of the treated whitewater in the bleach plant.

A tank-to-wheel analysis tool for energy and emissions studies in road vehicles

Currently, oil based fuels are the primary energy source of road transport. The growing need for oil independence and CO(2) mitigation has lead to the increasing importance of alternative fuel usage. CO(2) is produced not only as the fuel is used in the vehicle (tank-to-wheel contribution), but also upstream, from the fuel extraction to the refueling station (well-to-tank contribution), and the life cycle of the fuel production (well-to-wheel contribution) must be considered in order to analyse the global impact of the fuel utilization. A road vehicle tank-to-wheel analysis tool that may be integrated with well-to-tank models was developed in the present study. The integration in a demonstration case study allowed to perform a life cycle assessment concerning the utilization of diesel and natural gas fuels in a specific network line of a bus transit company operating in the city of Porto, Portugal.

Co-occurrence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 in Brazilian corn

Two hundred and fourteen unprocessed corn samples (1997-98 harvest), collected at wholesale markets in different regions in Brazil, were surveyed for the occurrence of mycotoxins. The samples were analysed for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 using in-house validated methods. The occurrence of aflatoxin B1, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 was found in 38.3, 30.4 and 99.1% of the samples, respectively. Aflatoxin B1, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 contamination levels varied from 0.2 to 129, 36.8 to 719, and 200 to 6100 microg/kg, respectively. The co-occurrence of the two carcinogenic mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 was observed in 100% of the aflatoxin-contaminated samples (82 samples). Co-occurrences of aflatoxin B1: zearalenone: fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1: aflatoxin B2: fumonisin B1 were found in 18 and 43 samples, respectively.

Long-term prognosis of cirrhosis after spontaneous bacterial peritonitis treated with ceftriaxone

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent infection in cirrhotic patients with ascites, with a poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to determine the long-term survival of cirrhotic patients with SBP treated with ceftriaxone and to identify predictive factors related to survival. We studied 47 first episodes of SBP treated with ceftriaxone with a mean follow-up of 272 days. Nineteen variables were recorded to evaluate their relation to survival. The most frequent organism that caused SBP was Escherichia coli (40%). Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis resolution was achieved in 67% of patients. After resolution, SBP recurrence was observed in 44% of patients. The cumulative probability of survival was 68.1% at 1 month and 30.8% at 6 months. After uni-and multivariate analyses of all cases, SBP resolution ( p = 0.0001) and international normalized ratio (INR) ( p = 0.0057) were found to be related to survival. Another analysis performed after SBP resolution and SBP recurrence showed that ascitic fluid-positive culture ( p = 0.0344) and INR ( p = 0.0218) had statistical significance as variables predictive of long-term survival. We conclude that the survival of cirrhotic patients is very short after the first episode of SBP, a fact probably related to advanced liver disease, as liver dysfunction (INR) is the most important factor related to long-term patient survival.

[Predictive value of reactive strips in urinary infection]

The microbiologic method to confirm or not the diagnosis of urinary tract infection is usually the culture and Gram-stain of the clean-catch midstream urine. Nevertheless, this is a costly and time-consuming method. We tried to evaluate the positive and negative predictive value of the nitrite and leucocyte-esterase reactive strips as an alternative method. When both the two parameters are negative it is fairly safe to exclude the urinary tract infection.

Action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on aggressive behavior in adult rat submitted to the neonatal malnutrition

The effect of the malnutrition during suckling on the aggressiveness was investigated in adult rats treated or not with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The animals were divided into two groups according to the diet used: nourished group - the rats received the control diet with 23% protein during the life; and malnourished group - the rats had its mothers submitted to diet with 7.8% protein during suckling. At 120 days of age, each group was sub-divided according to the treatment: acute - consisting a single i.p. injection of saline solution or 20-mg/Kg citalopram; chronic - consisting the single injections (1 per day during 14 days) of saline or 20 mg/Kg citalopram. The acute or chronic treatment with SSRI reduces aggressive response in nourished rats, but not in malnourished ones. Thus, the malnutrition during the critical period of brain development seems to induce durable alterations in the function of the serotoninergic neurotransmission

A survey of zearalenone in corn using Romer Mycosep 224 column and high performance liquid chromatography

A survey of zearalenone (ZEA) in corn from various regions of Brazil was carried out by the analysis of 380 corn samples, of which 30 samples (7.8%) were found to be contaminated in the range of 46.7-719 micrograms/kg. ZEA was extracted with acetonitrile-water (84:16, v/v), cleaned-up on a Romer Mycosep 224 column, separated, detected and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The in-house method characteristics of linearity, accuracy, precision, and detection limit were defined by means of recovery tests with spiked corn samples in the range of 35.8-716 micrograms/kg and the analysis of a naturally-contaminated sample (n = 7). The mean recovery for ZEA was 99.4% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) varied from 0.7 to 26.6% in the range studied. The method has been shown to be accurate, quick and reliable for determination of zearalenone in corn.

Antioxidants in medicinal plant extracts. A research study of the antioxidant capacity of Crataegus, Hamamelis and Hydrastis

The antioxidant capacity of extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha, Hamamelis virginiana, Hydrastis canadensis, plants native to Europe and North America which have long been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of cardiac and circulatory functions, has been investigated. The total antioxidant potential conferred by all hydrogen donating antioxidants present in these extracts has been assessed by the ABTS assay and the relative order of antioxidant potential has been established. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used for the chemical identification of the antioxidant volatile compounds present in the extracts. The GC-MS data were related to the results obtained using the ABTS assay.

Anticonvulsant activity of essential oils and active principles from chemotypes of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown

In the present work we studied the anticonvulsive effects of the essential oils (EOs) from three chemotypes of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Brown (Verbenaceae). Animals (female Swiss mice, 25 g) were treated with the EO and, 30 or 60 min after intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral (p.o.) administration, respectively, injected with pentylenetetrazole (80 mg/kg, i.p.) and observed for 30 min. The results showed that EO I (200 and 400 mg/kg), EO II (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and EO III (400 mg/kg), i.p., produced an increased latency time for the first convulsion as related to controls. Death latency was greater in the groups receiving EO I (50 and 100 mg/kg), EO II (100 and 200 mg/kg), and EO III (200 mg/kg), i.p. Orally, while no effect was demonstrated with EOs at doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg, significant increases in the latency of convulsion and latency of death were observed with EO I at the highest dose (800 mg/kg). Similarly, EO III at this dose was also effective as far as latency of convulsion is concerned. Animals treated with citral (100 mg/kg, i.p.), beta-myrcene or limonene (200 mg/kg, i.p.), EOs chemical constituents, presented significant increases in the latency of convulsion and percentage of survival as compared to controls. After oral administration these effects were observed only with a higher dose (400 mg/kg). The association of EOs with diazepam significantly potentiated their effects, suggesting a similar mechanism of action and indicating that citral, beta-myrcene, and limonene are probably the EOs active compounds.

Available pathways database (APD): an essential resource for combinatorial biology

A relational database, the Available Pathways Database (APD), has been constructed of microbial natural products, their producing strains, and their biosynthetic pathways. The database allows the ready selection of donor strains for combinatorial biology experiments. It provides the same type of resource for combinatorial biology as the Available Chemicals Directory (ACD) does for combinatorial chemical library generation. Its cataloging ability can also provide insight into novel aspects of biosynthetic routes. In particular, no 10-unit Type I polyketides were found in the compilation of this edition of the APD (Version I).

Six novel beta-galactosidase gene mutations in Brazilian patients with GM1-gangliosidosis

GM1-gangliosidosis is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of acid beta-galactosidase. Three clinical forms are recognized-infantile, juvenile, and adult-based on age of onset and severity of the symptoms. We have performed molecular analysis of a large cohort of GM1 patients (19 Brazilian and one Uruguayan), using nonradioactive single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA. Six novel mutations (R121S, V240M, D491N, 638-641insT, 895-896insC, 1622-1627insG) and two previously described point mutations (R59H, R208C) were identified. Together they accounted for 90% of the disease alleles of the patients. Two mutations, 1622-1627insG and R59H, were present in 18 of 20 patients. In addition, four polymorphisms (L10P, L12L, R521C, S532G) were identified. All cases reported are infantile GM1 gangliosidosis. This report constitutes the most comprehensive molecular study to date of this disorder in infantile patients. Since GM1-gangliosidosis is the most common lysosomal storage disorder in Southern Brazil, molecular diagnosis will be important for genetic counseling, carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in index families.

[Characterization of the cases of domestic violence against women assisted in 2 public hospitals of Rio de Janeiro]

This paper aims at: (a) to analyze the distribution of the cases of domestic violence against women (adolescent and adult) in relation to emergency care due to external causes; (b) to characterize the victims and the rendered care; (c) to analyze the circumstances in which events happened. In methodological terms, it tries to articulate the quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was developed in two public hospitals of reference placed in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Of the 72 assisted women, most referred to the husband, the partner or the boyfriend as the aggressor (69.4%) and were beaten (70.4%) especially on the face and on the head. The study comes to the conclusion that the health services should provide a good clinical care and promote prevention's actions.

Genetic and environmental influences on atopic immune response in early life

The purpose of our study was to carry out a prospective follow-up of 114 newborns at term (including three pairs of twins), regarding clinical manifestations for atopy during the first year of life. Their IgE levels in cord blood samples, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were measured and the influence of race, sex, breast-feeding, maternal smoking, family income, month of birth, family history and personal manifestations of atopic disease were evaluated. Total serum immunoglobulin E was quantified by microparticle enzyme immuno-assay (MEIA). The study group consisted of 60 (53%) male neonates, 67 (59%) Caucasians and 47 (41%) blacks. In the clinical follow-up, 32 (28.1%) infants developed obvious atopic disease: 29 infants presented recurrent wheezing, two had cow's milk allergy and one had atopic dermatitis. Probable atopic disease developed in 12 (10.5%) infants, whereas 70 (61.4%) infants showed no manifestations. Cord blood IgE levels in infants with obvious atopic disease was higher when compared to those without (p = 0.024), with 70.97% sensitivity and 46.2% specificity. IgE levels were also significantly different up to 12 months in these groups (p = 0.0001), when the sensitivity was 82.1% and the specificity 54.1%. At this age, the IgE levels were higher in infants with obvious atopy than nonatopic disease in relation to male sex (p = 0.015), black race (p = 0.009), breast-feeding for less than 6 months (p = 0.011) and when the family income was less than three times the minimum wage (about US $300) (p = 0.006). There was no association between IgE levels and family history of atopy. We concluded that immune response for atopy was in a large degree influenced by environmental factors and serum IgE at 12 months was a good marker for identifying infants with risk of atopic disease in early life.

[Evaluation of outpatient care for people with HIV/AIDS in Rio de Janeiro, from the user's perspective]

This article analyzes perceptions by people with HIV/AIDS towards five specialized units under the State Health Department, Rio de Janeiro, concerning the care provided there. The research was based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data from 228 questionnaires and 19 semi-structured interviews were analyzed. The results generally indicated a positive evaluation on the part of this group of health care users. One conclusion was that the positive evaluation was actually related to the quality of the services available to them. However, users seem to have low expectations toward the level of services public clinics generally provide.

Copper and iron interactions with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. A study by fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

Fast atom bombardment, combined with high-energy collision-induced tandem mass spectrometry, has been used to investigate gas-phase metal-ion interactions with captopril, enalaprilat and lisinopril, all angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Suggestions for the location of metal-binding sites are presented. For captopril, metal binding occurs most likely at both the sulphur and the nitrogen atom. For enalaprilat and lisinopril, binding preferably occurs at the amine nitrogen. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of growth hormone and induced IGF-I release on germ cell population and apoptosis in the bovine testis

Bovine growth hormone has been used in dairy cattle to increase milk production,but it also increases the twin parturition rate. This effect is mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), which prevents follicular atresia by hindering apoptosis of granulosa cells. The action of GH and IGF-I on testicular function remains unclear. The goal of this study, therefore, was to verify the effects of short-term administration of GH and induced IGF-I release on the number of testicular germ cells, testicular morphology, and apoptosis in the bovine testis. Twenty Zebu bulls were split into 2 groups. The bulls in Group 1 (n = 10) were treated with 2 subcutaneous injections of bovine GH (500 mg/bull) 7 d apart. Group 2 bulls (n = 10) received placebos under the same protocol. All of the bulls were slaughtered 14 d after the start of treatment. Fragments of the testis were collected, fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin, and the sections stained with hematoxilin and eosin. The paraffin-embedded sections were also used for in situ detection of apoptotic cells. Blood samples were collected at slaughter to measure serum levels of IGF-I, FSH and LH. Neither the number of Stage I seminiferous epithelium germ cells and the morphometric parameters (tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelium height, and volumetric proportions of structural components) nor the blood levels of FSH and LH showed a significant difference between the 2 groups. However, the treated animals showed an increase in serum IGF-I (P<0.01). Apoptotic germ cells were detected in the testis of both groups, showing the same pattern and a stage-specific apoptosis pattern. Most of the labeled cells were spermatocytes. The localization of apoptotic germ cells did not differ between groups. These results suggest that short-term administration of GH does not affect bovine spermatogenesis in adult bulls.

Signal transduction defects in growth hormone insensitivity

Growth hormone (GH) insensitivity is a heterogeneous condition that can result from mutations within the GH receptor (GHR) and that can be inherited as both an autosomal recessive and a dominant trait. However, evidence from a small number of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP)-positive families indicates that their GH insensitivity is independent of GHR mutations. Two of these families appear to have distinct abnormalities in GH signal transduction. Studies suggest that one family (classic Laron syndrome phenotype; designated family H) have a signalling defect close to the GHR, preventing activation of both the STAT and MAPK pathways, whereas the other family (less marked phenotype; family M) have a defect in activating MAPK but not the STAT pathway. The children studied here are specifically insensitive to GH and their defect must be exclusive to this signalling system. Thus, families with GHBP-positive GH insensitivity without GHR mutations are likely to be important models in which to study the specificity of GH signal transduction and the relationship between GH insensitive phenotype and signalling defect.