Electrokinetic-Fenton for the remediation low hydraulic conductivity soil contaminated with petroleum.

The use of electrokinetic Fenton (EK Fenton) process, as promising soil remediation approach, was investigated by using an iron electrode with different supporting electrolytes (tap water, H2O2, and citric acid) to depollute soil spiked with petroleum where kaolin was selected as low hydraulic conductivity. The results clearly confirm that, the combination of electrokinetic remediation (EK) and Fenton technologies, is an efficient oxidizing approach for removing hydrocarbons from this kind of soil. In fact, the electrokinetic Fenton reactions and the control of the soil pH conditions by adding citric acid enhanced the oxidation process because the addition of the H2O2 with iron electrode resulted in higher removal efficiencies (89%) for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). These figures allowed to confirm that EK Fenton process with pH control contributed for the transport of H2O2 and Fe2+ ions in the soil by electromigration and eletro-osmotic phenomena. Conversely, no control of pH conditions when only EK was applied, achieved lower hydrocarbons removal (27%) after 15 d of treatment due to the precipitation of iron ions. Finally, the efficiency of the EK Fenton remediation prevented the generation of secondary effluent with higher organic content, avoiding its treatment by other advanced oxidation process.

Effect of ractopamine and conjugated linoleic acid on performance of late finishing pigs.

The dietary inclusion of feed additives to improve the carcass characteristics of the final product is of great importance for the pork production chain. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of the association of ractopamine (RAC) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the performance traits of finishing pigs during the last 26 days prior to slaughter. In total, 810 commercial hybrid barrows were used. Animals were distributed among treatments according to a randomised block design in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, with three RAC levels (0, 5 or 10 ppm) and three CLA levels (0, 0.3 or 0.6%). Pigs fed the diet with 5 ppm RAC had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) (2.83 kg; P < 0.05) when compared with those fed 10 ppm RAC and the control diet (2.75 and 2.74 kg, respectively). Lower ADFI values (P < 0.01) were observed with the diets containing CLA compared with the control diet with no CLA (2.73 and 2.75 v. 2.85 kg/day, respectively). The average daily weight gain of pigs fed 5 and 10 ppm RAC was +148 and +173 g/dayhigher (P < 0.001), respectively, than those fed the control diet. Dietary RAC levels influenced (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR), which was reduced as RAC levels increased, with the pigs fed 10, 5 and 0 ppm RAC presenting FCR values of 2.57, 2.71 and 3.05, respectively. FCR also improved (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of 0.6% CLA relative to the control diet (2.70 v. 2.84, respectively). There was a significant interaction between CLA × RAC levels (P < 0.01) for final BW, loin eye area (LEA) (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness (BT) (P < 0.05). The treatments containing 10 ppm RAC + 0.6% or 0.3% CLA increased LEA and reduced BT. In conclusion, the level of 10 ppm inclusion of RAC increased the overall performance parameters of pigs and therefore improved production efficiency. The combined use of RAC and CLA promoted a lower feed conversion ratio as well as better quantitative carcass traits, as demonstrated by the higher LEA and lower BT. The dietary inclusion of CLA at 0.3% improved feed efficiency, however, without affecting LEA or BT yields.

Steroid metabolism gene polymorphisms and their implications on breast and ovarian cancer prognosis.

A role for estrogen in the etiology of breast and ovarian cancers has been suggested; therefore, genetic polymorphisms in steroid metabolism genes could be involved in the carcinogenesis of these tumors. We have aimed to investigate the role of GSTP1 and CYP17 polymorphisms and their correlation with MSI (microsatellite instability) and LOH (loss of heterozygosity) in AR, ERß and CYP19 genes in women from Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The study population consisted of 107 female breast and 24 ovarian tumors. GSTP1 and CYP17 polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis while MSI and LOH were analyzed by PCR. GSTP1 and CYP17 polymorphisms alone were not associated with an increased risk for breast or ovarian tumors. However, when combined with MSI/LOH in AR, ERß and CYP19 genes, we were able to detect significant associations with the GSTP1 wild-type genotype in PR (progesterone receptor) negative breast cancers or the CYP17 wild-type genotype in ER (estrogen receptor) and PR-negative breast tumors. No associations with ovarian tumors were detected. Our results suggest that wild-type GSTP1 or CYP17 genes when combined with LOH/MSI in steroid metabolism genes may play a role in ER and/or PR negative breast cancers. These data support the hypothesis that genes related to steroid metabolism are important in the characterization of breast cancer and that the analysis of single polymorphisms may not be sufficient.

Comparative analysis of short tandem repeat data obtained by automated and gel electrophoresis techniques.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are commonly used as genetic markers. The detection and analysis of STRs can be used to gather information on polymorphisms of interest to forensic geneticists. Denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) is an affordable method for the detection of minor sequence changes in DNA, while capillary electrophoresis (CE) is the gold standard for genotyping analysis. This appears to be the first study to directly compare data obtained using the two electrophoretic techniques. We analyzed genomic DNA from 209 individuals to compare genotyping results from seven Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) STR markers obtained by both techniques. The automated electrophoresis was carried out using a MegaBACETM 1000 DNA analysis system. Full concordance was found in 1297 of 1308 STR allele calls. Kappa and McNemar-Bowker tests indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the results from the two methods. There was no statistically significant difference in precision between denaturing PAGE followed by silver nitrate staining, despite a longer protocol, compared with CE when applied to population studies. STR allele frequency data from non-automated genotyping techniques seem to be just as reliable as from automated genotyping methods.

Molecular epidemiology of HFE gene polymorphic variants (C282Y, H63D and S65C) in the population of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to progressive iron accumulation and may cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, and heart failure. Most cases of HH have been linked to mutations in genes associated with iron homeostasis. There have been three major variants in the high Fe (HFE) gene associated with the disease: C282Y, H63D and S65C. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the polymorphic variants (C282Y, H63D and S65C) of the HFE gene in the population of the Espírito Santo State (ES), Brazil by analyzing three different groups: general population (N = 120), Pomeranian descendants (N = 59), and patients with HH (N = 20). Using genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood, polymorphic variant identification was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistically significant differences were observed for genotype distribution of C282Y (P < 0.001) and H63D (P = 0.013) between the general population and the patients diagnosed with HH. This is the first study to analyze HFE gene allele frequencies for the general population, Pomeranian subpopulation, and patients with HH of ES, Brazil.

In silico characterization of three two-component systems of Ehrlichia canis and evaluation of a natural plant-derived inhibitor.

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) are important elements in the interaction of endobacteria with host cells. They are basically composed of two proteins, an environmental signal sensor and a response regulator, which activate genes involved in a wide range of bacterial responses to their environment. We analyzed three sets of genes corresponding to TCS of Ehrlichia canis, a common tick-borne canine pathogen and the etiologic agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, in order to identify the characteristic domains of the sensor and response regulator components. Analysis of sequence alignments of the corresponding proteins indicated a high degree of similarity to other members of the Anaplasmataceae TCS proteins, demonstrating that they could be useful as universal targets for development of new drugs against these bacteria. We also evaluated by quantitative PCR inhibition of E. canis by (2H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (BOA), the core compound of the plant phenolic compound DIMBOA, which shows inhibitory action against TCS of the phytopathogen Agrobacterium tumefasciens. This bacterium exerts its pathogenicity by transferring oncogenic DNA (T-DNA) into plant cells; this transfer is mediated through a type-IV secretion system, which is regulated by the VirA/VirG TCS. The process of infection and pathogenesis of E. canis is associated with the secretion of effector proteins into the host cell cytoplasm through a T4SS system, which blocks the cell defense response. We suggest that BOA, and possibly other plant phenolic compounds that are TCS inhibitors, can be exploited in the search for new antiehrlichial drugs to be used alone or as complements in the treatment of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.

A glass bead protocol for recovery of host cell free Ehrlichia canis and quantification by Sybr-green real-time PCR.

E. canis infection of the canine cell line DH82 is a routine in studies with this bacteria. A protocol for isolation of host cell free bacteria was developed based on the use of glass beads. Improvement of infection with E. canis isolated by this method was detected by real-time PCR.

A glass bead protocol for recovery of host cell free Ehrlichia canis and quantification by Sybr-green real-time PCR

E. canis infection of the canine cell line DH82 is a routine in studies with this bacteria. A protocol for isolation of host cell free bacteria was developed based on the use of glass beads. Improvement of infection with E. canis isolated by this method was detected by real-time PCR.

Molecular analysis of the rRNA genes of Babesia spp and Ehrlichia canis detected in dogs from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil / Análise dos genes rRNA de Babesia spp e Ehrlichia canis detectados em cães de Ribeirão Preto, Brasil

The partial DNA sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia canis and the 16S rRNA gene of Ehrlichia canis detected in dogs from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, were compared to sequences from other strains deposited in GenBank. The E. canis strain circulating in Ribeirão Preto is identical to other strains previously detected in the region, whereas the subspecies Babesia canis vogeli is the main Babesia strain circulating in dogs from Ribeirão Preto.

As sequências parciais dos genes RNAr 18S de Babesia canis e RNAr 16S e Ehrlichiacanis detectados em cães de Ribeirão Preto, Brasil, foram comparadas à sequências de outras linhagens depositadas no GeneBank. A linhagem de E. canis circulando em Ribeirão Preto é idêntica a outras detectadas previamente na região, enquanto a sub-espécie B. canis vogeli é a principal linhagem de Babesia circulando em cães de Ribeirão Preto.

Molecular analysis of the rRNA genes of Babesia spp and Ehrlichia canis detected in dogs from RibeirÃo Preto, Brazil.

The partial DNA sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia canis and the 16S rRNA gene of Ehrlichia canis detected in dogs from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, were compared to sequences from other strains deposited in GenBank. The E. canis strain circulating in Ribeirão Preto is identical to other strains previously detected in the region, whereas the subspecies Babesia canis vogeli is the main Babesia strain circulating in dogs from Ribeirão Preto.

[Evolution of the demand for the undergraduate nursing course at the Federal University of San Carlos]. / Evolução da demanda ao curso de graduação em enfermagem da Universidade Federal de São Carlos.

This study analyzes the evolution of demand for the nursing undergraduate course of Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), from the first entrance examination in 1977 to 1996. The economic crises and the crises in health social programs affected significantly the demand for this entrance examination which declined abruptly 1980. During 1990, the demand for this nursing program was two candidates per chair, the lowest level since its foundation in 1977. From 1991, the recovery of the Brazilian economy associated with a change in the health care system were responsible for the increasing in the demand of nursing professionals. In 1990 the entrance examination started to be done by another institution (FUVEST, one state foundation responsible for this examination). The FUVEST was already responsible for the entrance examination for two others são Paulo State Universities. Starting in 1990 the candidates could compete simultaneously for the nursing program at the three universities through the same entrance examination. The UFSCar always was the last option for the candidates among those universities. However, the candidate demand for that program at UFSCar, as the first option, increased to six candidates per chair in 1995 with a small decrease in 1996 (4, 6 candidates/chair). During 1982 and 1986, respectively three and six chairs, out of 30 offered by UFSCar, were not taken, this number increased to 15 during 1990. This great decrease in the interest for this nursing program, during 1990 could be attributed to three factors: First, the decrease in the candidate numbers that applied for this examination (around 2/1). Second, the degree of difficulty of the examination requirement. Third, the bureaucratic procedures that the candidates had to fulfill, after being approved, to get enrolled in the program.

[Proposal for a procedure for the detection of ophthalmic disorders in school children]. / Proposição de procedimento de detecção sistemática de perturbações oftalmológicas em escolares.

The proposal for a visual acuity test (A.V.) arose from a survey conducted among School Children of the "Ciclo Básico (C.B.)" i.é., the first two years of Elementary School in S. Carlos, S. Paulo State, Brazil. Nine schools participated in this study. The teachers were properly trained to apply the A. V. and squinting tests according to a standardized procedure. Of 2,025 children tested, 88.1% showed levels of A. V. higher than 0.8, and a squinting prevalence of 2.17%. When the application of the test was over, each school presented its proposals for the systematical application of such tests. These proposals had a common point: the test should be applied by the teachers themselves under the supervision of the coordinators of the C. B. The school nurse would be responsible for giving overall assistance to all the activities of the program at all levels.