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This investigation evaluated the impact of the azo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5) (50 mg·L−1) on the formation and stability of aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Additionally, the effects of the reactor configuration (conventional and simultaneous fill/draw), use of pre-granulated sludge, and addition of the redox mediator anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) (25 and 50 µM) on the removal of C, N, P, and color were assessed. Although granulation was achieved, the AGS grown in the presence of RB5 showed lower concentration, worse settleability, and smaller size. Nevertheless, the dye did not compromise C, N, and P removals (above 90 %, 75 %, and 35 %, respectively). However, color removal was considered low (∼50 %). Neither the reactor configuration nor the use of pre-granulated sludge significantly affected N, P, and color removals. Therefore, except for C removal, using an AGS previously grown in dye presence is not a prerequisite. Finally, AQDS addition increased RB5 decolorization (from 48 % to 64 % at 50 µM). However, unexpectedly, it had a slight negative impact on N removal.

AbstractLantana camaraL. (Verbenaceae), commonly called lead cambará, has often been used in folk medicine as antiseptic, antispasmodic, against hemorrhages, flu, colds, and diarrheic. This plant is considered a weed and an ornamental and medicinal plant and is an essential source of natural organic compounds, mainly flavonoids. This work aims to investigate the chemical composition and evaluate the biological properties such as antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase of the constituents from L. camaraflowers. In addition, the computational simulation was carried out with the constituents identified. The results showed that methanolic extract of the flowers of L. camarapresents toxicity, antioxidant activity with 97.8% inhibition percentage in the concentration of 0.25 mg mL−1against the DPPH radical, and acetylcholinesterase activity. The phytochemical study of extract from L. camaraflowers resulted in LC-MS identification of 18 polyphenolic compounds, such as phenolic acid derivatives, phenylethanoid glycosides, and flavonoids. In the in silicostudy, flavonoid isoverbascoside showed affinity energy of −9.9 kcal.mol−1with the AChE enzyme. Their phytochemical content, mainly the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in L. camaraextracts, may be related to the antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential observed.

Due to the exploration and production of oil in new oil fields, significant volumes of produced water are being extracted. In maritime platforms, seawater is used as injection water, due to its availability. However, the mixing of seawater and formation water might create fouling. In this study, quantitative investigations into the relationships among 14 chemical properties in different oil fields were carried out. With the aim to correlate the variables measured in produced water samples and the corrosive process regarding them. For this, the multivariate analysis statistical methods principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) were used. The results show that chemical properties such as sulfate are inversely correlated to formate, bicarbonate, and acetate. Furthermore, the PCA results indicated that, the most influential chemical properties in the produced water samples were chloride, bromide, sulfate, calcium, and strontium. However, it was not possible to visualize the division of clusters. Only, the separation of clusters was observed, in the combination of PCA with HCPC. Where the different dominant factors in the characteristic of interest were showed. The samples, therefore, are classified into three clusters, namely: cluster 1, cluster 2, and cluster 3, for the purpose of discussion.

Chikungunya fever has become an important public health problem in countries where epidemics occur because half of the cases progress to chronic, persistent and debilitating arthritis. Literature data on specific therapies at the various phases of arthropathy caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection are limited, lacking quality randomized trials assessing the efficacies of different therapies. There are a few studies on the treatment of musculoskeletal manifestations of chikungunya fever, but these studies have important methodological limitations. The data currently available preclude conclusions favorable or contrary to specific therapies, or an adequate comparison between the different drugs used.

A febre chikungunya tem se tornado um importante problema de saúde pública nos países onde ocorrem as epidemias, visto que metade dos casos evolui com artrite crônica, persistente e incapacitante. Os dados na literatura sobre terapêuticas específicas nas diversas fases da artropatia ocasionada pela infecção pelo vírus chikungunya (CHIKV) são limitados, não existem estudos randomizados de qualidade que avaliem a eficácia das diferentes terapias. Há algumas poucas publicações sobre o tratamento das manifestações musculoesqueléticas da febre chikungunya, porém com importantes limitações metodológicas. Os dados atualmente disponíveis não permitem conclusões favoráveis ou contrárias a terapêuticas específicas, bem como uma adequada avaliação quanto à superioridade entre as diferentes medicações empregadas.

A febre chikungunya tem se tornado um importante problema de saúde pública nos países onde ocorrem as epidemias. Até 2013, as Américas haviam registrado apenas casos importados quando, em outubro desse mesmo ano, foram notificados os primeiros casos na Ilha de Saint Martin, no Caribe. No Brasil, os primeiros relatos autóctones foram confirmados em setembro de 2014 e até a semana epidemiológica 37 de 2016 já haviam sido registrados 236.287 casos prováveis de infecção pelo chikungunya vírus (CHIKV), 116.523 confirmados sorologicamente. As mudanças ambientais causadas pelo homem, o crescimento urbano desordenado e o número cada vez maior de viagens internacionais têm sido apontados como os fatores responsáveis pela reemergência de epidemias em grande escala. Caracterizada clinicamente por febre e dor articular na fase aguda, em cerca de metade dos casos existe evolução para a fase crônica (além de três meses), com dor persistente e incapacitante. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar recomendações para diagnóstico e tratamento da febre chikungunya no Brasil. Para isso, foi feita revisão da literatura nas bases de dados Medline, SciELO e PubMed, para dar apoio às decisões tomadas para definir as recomendações. Para a definição do grau de concordância foi feita uma metodologia Delphi, em duas reuniões presenciais e várias rodadas de votação on line. Foram geradas 25 recomendações, divididas em três grupos temáticos: (1) diagnóstico clínico, laboratorial e por imagem; (2) situações especiais e (3) tratamento. Na primeira parte estão os dois primeiros temas e o tratamento na segunda.

Chikungunya fever has become a relevant public health problem in countries where epidemics occur. Until 2013, only imported cases occurred in the Americas, but in October of that year, the first cases were reported in Saint Marin island in the Caribbean. The first autochthonous cases were confirmed in Brazil in September 2014; until epidemiological week 37 of 2016, 236,287 probable cases of infection with Chikungunya virus had been registered, 116,523 of which had serological confirmation. Environmental changes caused by humans, disorderly urban growth and an ever-increasing number of international travelers were described as the factors responsible for the emergence of large-scale epidemics. Clinically characterized by fever and joint pain in the acute stage, approximately half of patients progress to the chronic stage (beyond 3 months), which is accompanied by persistent and disabling pain. The aim of the present study was to formulate recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Chikungunya fever in Brazil. A literature review was performed in the MEDLINE, SciELO and PubMed databases to ground the decisions for recommendations. The degree of concordance among experts was established through the Delphi method, involving 2 in-person meetings and several online voting rounds. In total, 25 recommendations were formulated and divided into 3 thematic groups: (1) clinical, laboratory and imaging diagnosis; (2) special situations; and (3) treatment. The first 2 themes are presented in part 1, and treatment is presented in part 2.

Topical ophthalmic formulations prepared with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) exhibit low bioavailability. Specific physicochemical properties of the ocular tissues, namely, temperature, pH and electrolyte composition of the pre-corneal region, can be exploited to enhance the bioavailability of colloidal nanocarriers using in situgelling systems. The aim of this study was to enhance the ophthalmic bioavailability of NLC dispersions through the addition of a thermoresponsive polymer (Pluronic®F-127) and a mucoadhesive polymer (chitosan). Simulating the physiological conditions, the addition of Pluronic®F 127 (PF 127) caused the sol-gel transition of the colloidal dispersion upon contact with the ocular surface temperature, while the addition of chitosan (CS) led to the establishment of electrostatic interactions with the mucin present in the ocular tissues. The results also suggested that NLC–based hydrogels were biocompatible with no significant cytotoxicity observed in the Y-79 human retinoblastoma cell line. The addition of PF 127 and CS to NLC dispersions can enhance the bioavailability and the therapeutic efficacy of topical ophthalmic formulations.

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Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important cause of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the main modifiable risk factors. We prospectively investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis of SSI in a cohort of 167 OLT. Two different schedules of antibiotic SSI prophylaxis were compared. Fifty-six episodes of SSI were included (0.34 episodes/patient). The SSI incidence among patients who received cefazolin and amoxicillin-clavulanate did not differ. Bacteria caused all episodes. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli(21.25%), among which 47% were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. The only risk factor for SSI was antibiotic therapy before OLT. Patients with SSI had a longer hospital and intensive care unit stay (P<0.05), but survival did not differ. In conclusion, SSI has a high incidence despite antibiotic perioperative prophylaxis; therefore, an integral perspective of SSI and a multifactorial approach other than antimicrobial prophylaxis are needed to prevent it.

Redbelly snakes Storeria occipitomaculata have a characteristic agonistic display involving conspicuous lip-curling and head distortion. The lip-curling and head distortion display is similar to head shape-changes during feeding. Storeria occipitomaculata produced mouth secretions while displaying. Micrographs of maxillae and observation of changes in head configuration showed that the lip-curling behaviour of S. occipitomaculata is related to the presence of carina-bearing maxillary teeth, which are protruded from the mouth during the display. I compared the behaviour and morphology of this species to other gastropod-eating snakes and suggest that these behavioural and morphological characteristics have a two-fold role: in prey capture they aid the capture, the handling, and perhaps the digestion of prey; in predator deterrence they may act as delivery agents for mouth secretions.