Assessment of Douro and Ave River (Portugal) lower basin water quality focusing on physicochemical and trace element spatiotemporal changes

Water quality of Douro and Ave lower basin was evaluated regarding physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature), nutrient compounds (nitrates, nitrites, ammonium and orthophosphates), chlorophyll a and occurrence of trace elements (Li, Be, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th and U). To study spatiotemporal variations and possible anthropogenic sources, estuarine samples were collected at nine sampling sites in Douro and five in Ave distributed along the estuaries at four sampling campaigns (spring, summer, fall and winter). According to the water quality standards for aquatic life and recreation, Douro and Ave river water quality was found out of safe limits regarding several parameters. Nitrate levels were systematically high (> 50 mg L^-1 in a significant number of samples) and mean levels of trace elements were higher than the established values of Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines for aquatic life protection for Al, Cu, Se, Ag, Cd and Pb in Douro and Ave, and also Zn in Ave. Significant spatial differences were found in Ave river estuary for trace elements with a clear trend for higher values from upstream to downstream found. Seasonal differences were also observed particularly in Douro river estuary with higher levels in spring for most elements.

Illegitimate Villin Transcripts in Normal Bone Marrow Precludes Detection of Colon Cancer Micrometastases

Villin is a specific marker for normal and tumoral colon tissue. We have developed a highly sensitive assay using reverse transcription (RT) and real-time PCR to detect villin transcripts. The sensitivity of detection is one colon cancer cell. However, high levels of illegitimate villin transcripts were observed in normal bone marrow, precluding the use of villin RT-PCR for routine detection of colon cancer cells in bone marrow of patients with colon cancer.

Possible Utility of Serum Determinations of CA 125 and CA 27.29 in Breast Cancer Management

The utility of measurement of serum levels of the tumor associated antigens CA 125 and CA 27.29 in detecting the presence of disease and in monitoring changes in disease status was examined in 63 patients with breast cancer. In patients with clinically detectable disease the CA 125 level was elevated in 59%, the CA 27.29 level in 59.5% and one or both markers in 84.6%. Specificity for presence of disease was 83.6% for CA 125, 88% for CA 27.29, and 69.1% for the two markers combined. Changes in marker levels of more than 50% correlated with clinical changes in disease status in 58% of cases for either CA 125 or CA 27.29 alone. In 87.5% of cases with clinically progressive disease one or both marker levels increased by more than 50% from the previous levels. In no case with greater than 50% increase in a marker level was there regression of disease. Thus, the use of these markers in combination might have utility in cases where diagnosis of recurrent disease is difficult or where monitoring of response to treatment is hampered by lack of measurable disease.

The mechanism producing initial transients on the clarinet

In self-sustained instruments, starting transients are important timbral characteristics that help identify the instrument and the playing style. Often, the oscillation starts as a growing exponential. This study investigates the starting amplitude of this exponential for the clarinet. After a rapid tongue release, the reed quickly returns to its equilibrium position. The sudden change in aperture produces an abrupt change in both the airflow into the mouthpiece and the mouthpiece pressure. This perturbation travels along the bore and reflects at the open end. Returning to the mouthpiece with slight attenuation, the perturbation can be amplified by the reed acting as an active element-effectively a negative resistance. When the reed release time exceeds the time for sound to travel twice the bore length, the airflow and pressure wave into the bore via the aperture are superposed over their own returning reflection. Measurements of reed motion and mouthpiece pressures during reed release yield values that are used in a model to calculate waveforms showing similarities to those observed experimentally. The initial amplitude decreases with increasing reed release time, though not always monotonically. It can become very small in special cases due to synchronisation between the initial pulse and its reflection.

Antimicrobial activity of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole released from environmentally friendly nanostructured layered double hydroxides

AIMS

The objective of this work was to assess the antibacterial effect of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), used as model-biocide, immobilized in a layered double hydroxide (LDH) structure, under different conditions of pH and salinity, envisaging possible applications of the system in active antifouling and anticorrosion coatings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Biological effects of MBT immobilized in LDH were assessed by monitoring bacterial bioluminescence of cell suspensions of either Allivibrio fischeri or a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli, as a proxy for bacterial activity. Salinity (1, 2 and 3% NaCl) and pH (4, 5, 6 and 7) of the suspension media were experimentally manipulated and biocide release tests were performed in parallel. The release profiles obtained by UV-visible spectrophotometry indicated a fast release of biocide from MBT@LDH, slightly enhanced in 3% NaCl and under alkaline conditions. However, biological effects were more pronounced at 1% NaCl and at neutral pH.

CONCLUSIONS

The release and toxic effect of MBT immobilized in LDH is dependent on the concentration of solutes in the suspension medium.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results confirm LDH as a biologically compatible material with potential to be used for biocide delivery.

A biomolecular recognition approach for the functionalization of cellulose with gold nanoparticles

Materials with new and improved functionalities can be obtained by modifying cellulose with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via the in situ reduction of a gold precursor or the deposition or covalent immobilization of pre-synthesized AuNPs. Here, we present an alternative biomolecular recognition approach to functionalize cellulose with biotin-AuNPs that relies on a complex of 2 recognition elements: a ZZ-CBM3 fusion that combines a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) with the ZZ fragment of the staphylococcal protein A and an anti-biotin antibody. Paper and cellulose microparticles with AuNPs immobilized via the ZZ-CBM3:anti-biotin IgG supramolecular complex displayed an intense red color, whereas essentially no color was detected when AuNPs were deposited over the unmodified materials. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a homogeneous distribution of AuNPs when immobilized via ZZ-CBM3:anti-biotin IgG complexes and aggregation of AuNPs when deposited over paper, suggesting that color differences are due to interparticle plasmon coupling effects. The approach could be used to functionalize paper substrates and cellulose nanocrystals with AuNPs. More important, however, is the fact that the occurrence of a biomolecular recognition event between the CBM-immobilized antibody and its specific, AuNP-conjugated antigen is signaled by red color. This opens up the way for the development of simple and straightforward paper/cellulose-based tests where detection of a target analyte can be made by direct use of color signaling.

Analysis of the use of microcystin-contaminated water in the growth and nutritional quality of the root-vegetable, Daucus carota

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are often observed in freshwaters and may reflect the increased eutrophication of these environments and alterations in climate. Cyanotoxins, such as microcystins (MCs), are an effective threat to many life forms, ranging from plants to humans. Despite the research conducted to date on cyanotoxins, the risks associated to the use of contaminated water in agriculture require further elucidation. To tackle this aim, a research was conducted with the root-vegetable Daucus carota. The specific aims of this work were the following: (i) to evaluate the effects of MC-LR on the plant growth and photosynthesis; (ii) to evaluate the nutritional quality of carrot roots; and (iii) to measure bioaccumulation. To this purpose, young carrots were grown in soil during 1 month in natural conditions and exposed to Mycrocystis aeruginosa aqueous extracts containing environmentally realistic concentrations of MC-LR (10 and 50 MC-LR μg/L). The results showed that MC-LR may decrease root growth after 28 days of exposure to 50 μg/L and increase photosynthetic efficiency. We also observed changes in mineral and vitamin content in carrots as a result of the exposure to contaminated water. Moreover, MC-LR was detected in carrot roots by ELISA at very low concentration 5.23 ± 0.47 ng MC eq./g FW. The soil retained 52.7 % of the toxin potentially available for plants. This result could be attributed to MC-LR adsorption by soil particles or due to microbial degradation of the toxin. We conclude that the prolonged use of MC-LR-contaminated water may affect crop growth, alter the nutritional value of vegetable products, and potentiate contamination.

Gestural praxis in young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Praxis functioning in the population with intellectual disabilities (ID) has been poorly studied. The goal of this research was to look for a starting point to study the praxic functioning in young adults with mild to moderate ID.

METHOD

Thirty young adults with ID and 30 young adults without ID, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, participated in this study. All participants completed tests that assessed gestural praxis.

RESULTS

It was possible to observe similar praxis behaviour in the group with ID in almost all domains studied, albeit showing statistical values lower than those of the group without ID.

DISCUSSIONS

Despite the high number of errors committed, the sample of participants with ID was able to reach the goal of praxic tasks performed; such errors may be associated with a deficit in the development of various brain functions and not only with praxis functioning, mainly related to a lower yield in terms of planning, monitoring and correcting intentional movement.

Think Fast, Treat Faster – A Case of a Treatable Rapidly Progressive Dementia

Introduction

Rapidly progressive dementias (RPD) are conditions that develop over days, weeks or months, which could be treatable if diagnosed in the acute phase.

Clinical case

A 62-year-old man with personal history of type 2 diabetes, started complaining of fronto-temporal headache, nausea and sub-febrile temperature. He went to his family doctor who prescribed ciprofloxacin 500 mg bid. Later on, he had difficulty to sleep and referred complex visual hallucinations. His family noted involuntary movements of the left upper limb and that he became more clumsy needing help for daily life activities. He went to our hospital one week later. He was apyretic and hemodynamically stable. On neurological examination, he had executive and visuospecial dysfunction, left limbs bradykinesia and ipsilateral limb ataxia. Involuntary movements of his left upper limb resembled alien limb phenomena. Complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, anti-neuronal antibodies were normal. HIV, hepatitis B and C serologies were negative. Cerebrospinal fluid study showed 4 cells (100% mononuclear), normal glucose and protein levels, negative bacteriological exam but positive Herpes Simplex-1 Virus (HSV) DNA. Brain CT and MRI showed signs of ischemic microangiopathic leukoencephalopathy. He started treatment with acyclovir 30 mg/kg/d IV and quetiapine 100 mg id. His symptoms improved but he remained with a mild mnesic cognitive deficit and bradykinesia that stayed stable 3 years later.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies atypical HSV-1 encephalitis, one cause of RPD, that an early recognition is essential to reduce its associated morbidity.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Familial multiple cavernomatosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms: Is there any relation?

Introduction

Cavernomas are clusters of abnormal blood vessels found in the brain and spinal cord. The familiar form is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with the presence of multiple cavernomas in both locations.

Clinical Case

A 84-year-old man was admitted in our neurologic department for a sudden onset of difficulty in walking associated with loss of urinary sphincter control. Past history included a major depressive disorder with psychotic features since youth, epilepsy since 33 years old and, at 77 years old, he had a hemorrhagic stroke resulting from cavernous malformation haemorrhage. Medication consisted of clopidogrel 75 mg id, risperidone 3 mg id, venlafaxine 37.5 mg bid and clobazam 10 mg id. On neurological examination, he showed psychomotor slowing, dysexecutive syndrome, paraparesis and hypoesthesia with sensitive level by D10. Blood test was normal. Dorsolumbar spine-TC showed intradural hyperdensity by D12-L1, probably because of a hemorrhage lesion, that MRI revelled to be a cavernoma. Brain-MRI demonstrated 3 massive cavernomas in cortical-subcortical right occipital lobe, left lenticular nucleus and left pre-central gyrus and countless small infratentorial and supratentorial cavernomas. We inquired his family and we found out that one of his daughters also had multiple brain cavernomas, diagnosed after a hemorrhagic stroke when she was 55 years old.

Conclusion

Familiar multiple cavernomatosis is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. We enhance the impact that such a diffuse form of the disease has on the brain network causing atypical psychocognitive symptoms. In all cases a detailed neuropsychiatric family history should be sought and all should be followed regularly clinically and by MRI.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Tardive dyskinesia: When one should suspect of another diagnosis?

Introduction

Tardive dyskinesia is a collection of symptoms related to the side effects of neuroleptic medications that can mimic other types of disorders. Accurate diagnosis can be challenging, as there is no single test for tardive dyskinesia.

Case report

Female patient, 64 years old, with personal history of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and psychosis since forth decade, currently medicated with quetiapine 350 mg/day, risperidone IM 50 mg 15/15 days and trazodone 150 mg/day (previously medicated with haloperidol, amisulpride and olanzapine). She started with involuntary movements interpreted as tardive dyskinesia after 2 years on neuroleptic treatment. The difficult control of involuntary movements motivated the reference to ambulatory Neurology department. The review of personal history suggested a family history of involuntary movements and psychiatric illness. Physical examination showed generalized choreic movements. The analytical and imagiologic study was unremarkable. The presence of family history and involuntary movements atypical to be classified as tardive dyskinesia supported a genetic test for Huntington's disease who detected a CAG expansion with 43 repetitions in HTT gene. Despite treatment with amantadine and riluzole she maintains disease progression and evident cognitive deterioration.

Conclusion

The diagnostic process of involuntary movements may involve more than one physician and requires the review of a detailed medical history, a physical examination and a neuropsychological evaluation in order to determine whether one is indeed suffering from tardive dyskinesia or a different neurological disorder.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.