Analysis of genotoxic effects on plants exposed to high traffic volume in urban crossing intersections

A biological assessment of environmental quality was performed using the tropical plant species Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt. var. purpurea exposed to different levels of air contamination in urban intersections with high volume of vehicle traffic. Air quality (average daily levels of particulate material in the PM_{1, 2.5, 10} fractions) and traffic volume in crossing intersections were monitored for 30 days before the collection of plants. Frequency of micronuclei and pollen abortivity in inflorescences collected at different intersections with gradual levels of traffic volume were evaluated as biomarkers of genotoxicity. In addition, the concentrations of bioaccumulated heavy metals in the leaves of the collected plants were also investigated. The proposed biological assessment model found a positive association between the environmental variables (traffic volume; concentration of particulate material) and biological effects (leaf concentration of Cr and Cd; micronucleus frequencies and pollen abortivity).

Assessment of the genotoxic potential of water courses impacted by wastewater treatment effluents using micronucleus assay in plants from the species Tradescantia

Water pollution and the increase in genotoxic consequences in aquatic environments are well documented indicating the necessity and importance of biomonitoring programs. The objective of the present study was to determine the environmental quality of water resources and genotoxic potential of materials present within water samples obtained from the Perdizes River and the Mumbuca Stream, located in a region of discharge of wastewater treatment effluents using Tradescantia micronucleus assay (Trad - MCN). Water samples were collected from different locations up and downstream of the wastewater treatment plant during rainy season and subsequently submitted to physico-chemical analysis and Trad-MCN bioassay. The spatial distribution of the physico-chemical parameters assessed suggested that discharges of wastewater treatment effluents reduced water quality at all sites examined. Further, exposure to wastewater treatment effluents produced genotoxic effects on tetrads of Tradescantia pallida. These results reinforce the sensitivity of the Trad-MCN bioassay and its potential application in water quality monitoring programs concomitant with physicochemical evaluation.

Adapted optimization model for planning regional wastewater systems: case study

Wastewater systems are of crucial importance to the promotion of sustainable development. Through an integrated planning approach, the costs can be minimized and the resulting benefits maximized. A planning approach at regional level exploits the economies of scale, while achieving a better environmental performance. In this paper we set out a decision support approach for the planning of regional wastewater systems. Optimization models are used, aimed at finding optimal configurations for the location, type and size of the system's infrastructure: sewers, pump stations, and wastewater treatment plants. Solutions are evaluated in terms of the cost of installing, operating and maintaining the infrastructure, and the water quality in the river that receives the treated wastewater. The river water quality varies in accordance with the effluent discharges, and is assessed using environmental parameters. The models are solved with a simulated annealing algorithm complemented by a local improvement procedure. Its application is illustrated through a case study in the Una river basin region, in Brazil.

Abatement vs. treatment for efficient diffuse source water pollution management in terrestrial-marine systems

Marine ecosystems are affected by water pollution originating from coastal catchments. The delivery of water pollutants can be reduced through water pollution abatement as well as water pollution treatment. Hence, sustainable economic development of coastal regions requires balancing of the marginal costs from water pollution abatement and/or treatment and the associated marginal benefits from marine resource appreciation. Water pollution delivery reduction costs are, however, not equal across abatement and treatment options. In this paper, an optimal control approach is developed and applied to explore welfare maximizing rates of water pollution abatement and/or treatment for efficient diffuse source water pollution management in terrestrial-marine systems. For the case of diffuse source dissolved inorganic nitrogen water pollution in the Tully-Murray region, Queensland, Australia, (agricultural) water pollution abatement cost, (wetland) water pollution treatment cost and marine benefit functions are determined to explore welfare maximizing rates of water pollution abatement and/or treatment. Considering partial (wetland) treatment costs and positive water quality improvement benefits, results show that welfare gains can be obtained, primarily, through diffuse source water pollution abatement (improved agricultural management practices) and, to a minor extent, through diffuse source water pollution treatment (wetland restoration).

A two steps solution approach to solving large nonlinear models: application to a problem of conjunctive use

This article describes a solution method of solving large nonlinear problems in two steps. The two steps solution approach takes advantage of handling smaller and simpler models and having better starting points to improve solution efficiency. The set of nonlinear constraints (named as complicating constraints) which makes the solution of the model rather complex and time consuming is eliminated from step one. The complicating constraints are added only in the second step so that a solution of the complete model is then found. The solution method is applied to a large-scale problem of conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources. The results obtained are compared with solutions determined with the direct solve of the complete model in one single step. In all examples the two steps solution approach allowed a significant reduction of the computation time. This potential gain of efficiency of the two steps solution approach can be extremely important for work in progress and it can be particularly useful for cases where the computation time would be a critical factor for having an optimized solution in due time.

Optimal estuarine sediment monitoring network design with simulated annealing

An objective function based on geostatistical variance reduction, constrained to the reproduction of the probability distribution functions of selected physical and chemical sediment variables, is applied to the selection of the best set of compliance monitoring stations in the Sado river estuary in Portugal. These stations were to be selected from a large set of sampling stations from a prior field campaign. Simulated annealing was chosen to solve the optimisation function model. Both the combinatorial problem structure and the resulting candidate sediment monitoring networks are discussed, and the optimal dimension and spatial distribution are proposed. An optimal network of sixty stations was obtained from an original 153-station sampling campaign.

Optimal space-time coverage and exploration costs in groundwater monitoring networks

A method to determine the optimal subset of stations from a reference level groundwater monitoring network is proposed. The method considers the redundancy of data from historical time series, the times associated with the total distance required to run through the entire monitoring network, and the sum of the times for each monitoring station. The method was applied to a hypothetical case-study consisting of a monitoring network with 32 stations. Cost-benefit analysis was performed to determine the number of stations to include in the new design versus loss of information. This optimisation problem was solved with simulated annealing. Results showed that the relative reduction in exploration costs more than compensates for the relative loss in data representativeness.

Anterior stromal puncture in the treatment of bullous keratopathy: six-month follow-up

PURPOSE

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of anterior stromal puncture to treat patients with symptomatic bullous keratopathy.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with bullous keratopathy who had decreased vision and were or were not awaiting penetrating keratoplasty were evaluated before and 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after anterior stromal punctures with a 25-gauge needle. The patients were questioned about pain intensity, foreign-body sensation, and photophobia. Biomicroscopy, esthesiometry, and pachymetry results were evaluated. The results before and after the punctures were compared using the McNemar test, Friedman test, and multiple comparison tests.

RESULTS

The comparisons among before and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the anterior stromal puncture of pain (p = 0.00000556), photophobia (p = 0.0252), foreign-body sensation (p = 0.0000743), and esthesiometry (p = 0.0243) showed significant statistical differences in terms of decreasing symptoms and corneal sensitivity. The average pachymetry did not show statistical difference among before and 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the procedure (p = 0.956). We did not find important differences in terms of corneal neovascularization.

CONCLUSION

Anterior stromal puncture is an effective, simple, and low-cost alternative for treating patients with symptomatic bullous keratopathy.

[Sport as integration factor of the physically handicapped in our society]

The objective of this study was to make use of sports as a rehabilitation method, as well as to assess the physical, psychological, and social aspects of those present some physical handicap, particularly those who have some kind of chronic disease and are no longer taking part in any rehabilitation program. Thirty handicapped people were evaluated: fifteen started with basketball and fifteen with swimming, according either to the specific preference of each one of them or to the degree and kind of physical impairment. They were submmited to the following evaluations: clinical examination, physiotherapy assessment, social interview and use of the Rivermead Social Scale, functional classification of the sport, use of the Barthel and Rivermead Functional Scales, and the psychological profile test (POMS). After two years, no relevant change in the moving evolution of the athletes were reported. Concerning the POMS psychological test, both basketball and swimming groups presented with high vigor and low depression levels. Considering the social aspects, both groups presented substantial improvement, specially regarding their relationship to one person or more people and also in the everyday activities (be it social, leisure, or domestic), thus leading them to better social integration. This essay shows that sport can bring people who are physically impaired a better social integration and physical conditions.

Spinal muscular atrophy type II (intermediary) and III (Kugelberg-Welander). Evolution of 50 patients with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in a swimming pool

We added hydrotherapy to 50 patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who were being treated with individual conventional physiotherapy. Hydrotherapy performed at an approximate temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, twice a week, for thirty minutes in children and forty-five minutes in adults during a 2-year period. The outcome derived from this combined modality of treatment was rated according to physiotherapeutic evaluations, the MMT (Manual Muscular Test), and the Barthel Ladder. Patients were reevaluated at 2-month intervals. After two years of ongoing treatment, we were able to observe that the deformities in hip, knee and foot were progressive in all SMA Type II patients, and in some Type III. Muscle strength stabilized in most SMA Type III patients, and improved in some. MMT was not done in SMA Type II. In all patients we were able to detect an improvement in the Barthel Ladder scale. This study suggests that a measurable improvement in the quality of daily living may be obtained in patients with SMA Types II and III subjected to conventional physiotherapy when associated with hydrotherapy.

Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct by Ascaris lumbricoides

Although Ascaris lumbricoides infestation is extremely prevalent in some populations, the nematode is an extremely rare cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct in a 4-year-old Brazilian girl by a young adult A. lumbricoides is reported. In contrast to previously reported cases, the nematode involved the inferior, rather than superior, canaliculus and punctum.

Epibulbar tumors in children: a survey of 282 biopsies

The histopathology of 282 consecutive clinically diagnosed epibulbar tumors excised from children age 15 years and younger was reviewed at a major ophthalmic hospital over a 20-year period. The most common epibulbar tumors of childhood are nevi, choristomas, epithelial inclusion cysts, and papillomas. There was only one malignant tumor among the 282 orbital tumors of childhood.