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The present study investigated the degradation of levonorgestrel (LNG) and gestodene (GES) through an anodic oxidation process mediated by active chlorine species. The independent variables [LNG]0 and [GES]0, current density (mA cm−2), and [NaCl]0 (mol L−1) were optimized through a response surface methodology (RSM) based on a four-level central composite design (CCD). Specific energy consumption allowed CCD-RSM analysis and optimization. The decay of progestins was followed to verify the kinetics of the anodic degradation process. Chlorine monitoring showed that excess Cl− concentration did not mean high hormones removal, as well as the excess of current density. Central point conditions ([NaCl]0 = 0.07 mol L−1, j = 32.5 mA cm−2, [LNG]0, and [GES]0 1.0 mg L−1) proved to be the best operational option. The performance with real pharmaceutical wastewater confirmed model optimization (2.2 ± 0.2 kWh g−1, with removals of 83.1 ± 0.9% and 75.1 ± 2.8% for LNG and GES, respectively). The selected condition was used for estrogenic activity and acute toxicity assays. The first allowed the identification of the initial estrogenic activity for the mixture of LNG and GES (924 E2-EQ ng L−1). Additionally, the electrochemical process could decrease this environmental parameter by 74.6%. The progestin mixture was classified as acute toxicity to Daphnia similis, with a toxicity unit (TU) of 2.5 100/EC50%. After electrolysis, the hormone solutions reached a fourfold increase in TU value, classified as high acute toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, the effects of the heavy metal cadmium on the stress protein HSP70 are investigated in freshwater mollusks Biomphalaria glabrata . Adult snails were exposed for 96 h to CdCl 2 at concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 0.7 mg L −1 (LC 50/96 h =0.34 (0.30–0.37). Time and concentration-dependent increases in the expression of HSP70 were observed at sub-lethal levels in the immunoblotting assay. Further, an increased survival to a lethal heat shock was observed in animals pre-exposed to a nonlethal concentration of cadmium, evidencing the induction of acquired tolerance. The present study demonstrated the inducibility of B. glabrata HSP70 by cadmium, a relevant environmental contaminant, at non-lethal levels, providing evidences that the assessment of HSP70 in B. glabrata can be regarded as a suitable biomarker for ecotoxicological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol combining acute toxicity, developmental toxicity and mutagenicity analysis in freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata for application in ecotoxicological studies is described. For acute toxicity testing, LC 50 and EC 50 values were determined; dominant lethal mutations induction was the endpoint for mutagenicity analysis. Reference toxicant potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7 ) was used to characterize B. glabrata sensitivity for toxicity and cyclophosphamide to mutagenicity testing purposes. Compared to other relevant freshwater species, B. glabrata showed high sensitivity: the lowest EC 50 value was obtained with embryos at veliger stage (5.76 mg/L). To assess the model applicability for environmental studies, influent and effluent water samples from a wastewater treatment plant were evaluated. Gastropod sensitivity was assessed in comparison to the standardized bioassay with Daphnia similis exposed to the same water samples. Sampling sites identified as toxic to daphnids were also detected by snails, showing a qualitatively similar sensitivity suggesting that B. glabrata is a suitable test species for freshwater monitoring. Holding procedures and protocols implemented for toxicity and developmental bioassays showed to be in compliance with international standards for intra-laboratory precision. Thereby, we are proposing this system for application in ecotoxicological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of wastewater is one of the biggest problems faced by textile and dyestuff manufacturers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the suitability of using zeolitic materials as low cost media for removal of color from dye effluents. Zeolite synthesized from cyclone ash (ZCA) was modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and the adsorption efficiencies for unmodified and surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZCA) were studied using a batch equilibration method. SMZCA presented higher color removal efficiency than ZCA, removing 60-100% of color for textile effluents and around 39% for effluent of dyestuff manufacturing industry. The effects of dilution on color removal were evaluated. The pH values of the treated effluent were according to the Brazilian legislation. It can be concluded that surfactant modified-zeolite from cyclone ash is a promising low-cost adsorbent for color removal from textile wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most significant diseases in tropical countries and affects almost 200 million people worldwide. The application of molluscicides to eliminate the parasite's intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata, from infected water supplies is one strategy currently being used to control the disease. Previous studies have shown a potent molluscicidal activity of crude extracts from Piper species, with extracts from Piper tuberculatum being among the most active. Methods and Findings: The molluscicidal activity of P. tuberculatum was monitored on methanolic extracts from different organs (roots, leaves, fruit and stems). The compounds responsible for the molluscicidal activity were identified using 1H NMR and ESIMS data and multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis and partial least squares. These results indicated that the high molluscicidal activity displayed by root extracts (LC50 20.28 µg/ml) was due to the presence of piplartine, a well-known biologically-active amide. Piplartine was isolated from P. tuberculatum root extracts, and the molluscicidal activity of this compound on adults and embryos of B. glabrata was determined. The compound displayed potent activity against all developmental stages of B. glabrata. Next, the environmental toxicity of piplartine was evaluated using the microcrustacean Daphnia similis (LC50 7.32 µg/ml) and the fish Danio rerio (1.69 µg/ml). The toxicity to these organisms was less compared with the toxicity of niclosamide, a commercial molluscicide. Conclusions: The development of a new, natural molluscicide is highly desirable, particularly because the commercially available molluscicide niclosamide is highly toxic to some organisms in the environment (LC50 0.25 µg/ml to D. similis and 0.12 µg/ml to D. rerio). Thus, piplartine is a potential candidate for a natural molluscicide that has been extracted from a tropical plant species and showed less toxic to environment. Author Summary: Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms of several species of genus Schistosoma that affects almost 200 million people mostly common in Asia, Africa and South America. The transmission is carried out by the parasitic larvae hosted in fresh water snails of the genus Biomphalaria. Considering the socioeconomic importance of this disease, the management of the snail population in the lakes and fresh water sources is one strategy to control the schistosomiasis. Nowadays, one synthetic compound, niclosamide, is available, but it is considered toxic to other organisms in the environment. Thus in this work piplartine was evaluated as a new active natural molluscicide extracted from a tropical plant. In addition a fish Danio rerio and a microcrustacean Daphnia similis were used as model organisms to evaluate the environmental toxicity risk of piplartine that was less toxic compared to niclosamide in the experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most significant diseases in tropical countries and affects almost 200 million people worldwide. The application of molluscicides to eliminate the parasite's intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata, from infected water supplies is one strategy currently being used to control the disease. Previous studies have shown a potent molluscicidal activity of crude extracts from Piper species, with extracts from Piper tuberculatum being among the most active. Methods and Findings: The molluscicidal activity of P. tuberculatum was monitored on methanolic extracts from different organs (roots, leaves, fruit and stems). The compounds responsible for the molluscicidal activity were identified using 1H NMR and ESIMS data and multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis and partial least squares. These results indicated that the high molluscicidal activity displayed by root extracts (LC50 20.28 µg/ml) was due to the presence of piplartine, a well-known biologically-active amide. Piplartine was isolated from P. tuberculatum root extracts, and the molluscicidal activity of this compound on adults and embryos of B. glabrata was determined. The compound displayed potent activity against all developmental stages of B. glabrata. Next, the environmental toxicity of piplartine was evaluated using the microcrustacean Daphnia similis (LC50 7.32 µg/ml) and the fish Danio rerio (1.69 µg/ml). The toxicity to these organisms was less compared with the toxicity of niclosamide, a commercial molluscicide. Conclusions: The development of a new, natural molluscicide is highly desirable, particularly because the commercially available molluscicide niclosamide is highly toxic to some organisms in the environment (LC50 0.25 µg/ml to D. similis and 0.12 µg/ml to D. rerio). Thus, piplartine is a potential candidate for a natural molluscicide that has been extracted from a tropical plant species and showed less toxic to environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity of materials containing packaging (natural or synthetic polymers) is essential to keep the aseptic condition of commercialized products (health care products, food and pharmaceuticals). The objective of this paper was to study gamma radiation effects (25 kGy, 40 kGy and 50 kGy) on the main properties of paper and multilayer films (polyester and polyethylene). Paper and multilayer films are components of packaging (pouches) for radiation sterilization containing medical equipment or products. Paper was the more radiation sensitive among the studied materials and radiation effects were more pronounced at brightness, pH, tearing resistance, bursting strength and tensile strength. Concerning plastic film, no pinholes were induced by radiation and the effects on the tensile strength were not significant. Although the seal strength packaging (pouches) decreased according to increasing dose, the sealing integrity was preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals have increasingly received attention from the scientific community due to their growing intake, improved detection and potential ecological risks. Several pharmaceuticals, including antidepressants, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic compounds and antibiotics, have been described as contaminants in different water matrices. In this context, the aim of the present study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of four classes of pharmaceuticals (acetylsalicylic acid, fluoxetine, metformin and ciprofloxacin) individually and in binary and quartenary mixture. Furthermore, the toxicity of binary mixtures containing the antidepressant fluoxetine was also evaluated. The results of the single acute and chronic toxicity assays indicate lower acetylsalicylic acid and higher fluoxetine toxicity towards Daphnia similis. Regarding the evaluated mixture toxicity, the nature of potential toxicological interactions was predicted by applying mathematical concentration addition and independent action models. The findings revealed both antagonistic and synergistic features, depending on the applied amounts and doses. Finally, the chronic assays performed with the quaternary mixture indicated the presence of a hormetic effect at low concentrations. In sum, the present study demonstrated that the effects of individual pharmaceuticals can underestimate the risk level of these contaminants in the environment. [Display omitted] • Acute and chronic toxicity of four single pharmaceuticals was evaluated to Daphnia similis. • Potential adverse effects of mixtures containing the fluoxetine and other pharmaceuticals from distinct classes were also demonstrated. • Chronic assays were also performed for the quaternary mixture at lower concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]