Evaluation of total phenol pollution in water of San Martin Canal from Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

Santiago del Estero is a province located in northwestern Argentina. The Dulce River is used for irrigation through a vast network of channels and ditches, including the San Martin Canal (SMC), which crosses the capital city of Santiago del Estero. This canal's water is used for drinking, as well as recreational use for the general population. However, this river has been seriously polluted for several decades. The present study focuses on the identification and the quantification of the water pollution levels of total phenols in the SMC according to the seasonal periods. Water samples from various areas of the canal in different months of the year, extending from December to September, were collected for analysis. Additionally, the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorides, sulphates, nitrites and organic matter, as well as water hardness and alkalinity, were analysed in order to conduct a more complete study of the contamination of this area. The results showed a worrying total phenol concentration that exceeded the limit set by Argentine legislation for drinking water, as well as water for recreational use (5 µg/L). The total phenol (TP) concentration was directly determined by a molecular absorption spectroscopy method based on a new flow injection analysis system (FIA). Under the selected experimental conditions, the detection and quantification limits were 0.0490 and 0.1633 µg/mL, respectively. The developed method provides a number of improvements related to the speed of analysis, the restricted consumption of the reagents and sample volumes and the unnecessary sample treatment that contribute to environmentally friendly analytical chemistry. The results showed that TP make a significant contribution in the SMC pollution, especially during the months of April (400 ±â€¯110 µg/L) and September (240 ±â€¯20 µg/L). A high sulphate concentration that was higher than the limit allowed by the legislation was also found.

Análisis de la presencia de TGF-Beta1, BMP-7, MMP-2 y PEDF en distintas matrices óseas desmineralizadas / Analysis of TGF-Beta1, BMP-7, MMP-2 and PEDF presence in different demineralized bone matrices

Objetivo: Estudiar las proteínas de la matriz ósea desmineralizada, obtenidas de distintos donantes humanos y zonas óseas. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron matrices óseas desmineralizadas procedentes de hueso esponjoso granulado, cortical con esponjoso, cortical de tibia, cortical de fémur, cortical de peroné y de hueso esponjoso fragmentado. Se realizó un extracto de proteínas totales que fueron analizadas mediante western blot del factor de crecimiento transformante o TGF-Beta1, la proteína morfogénica ósea BMP-7, la metaloproteasa MMP-2 y el factor antiangiogénico PEDF (factor derivado del epitelio pigmentado). Resultados: Todas las matrices óseas resultaron positivas para la presencia de las 4 proteínas estudiadas, no obstante los niveles de éstas resultaron diferentes en las matrices empleadas. La matriz de hueso cortical presentó menor cantidad de TGF-Beta1, BMP-7 y PEDF. Conclusión: La presencia de proteínas inhibidoras (PEDF) o que favorecen la angiogénesis (MMP-2), apoya la hipótesis de la participación del proceso de formación de vasos en la osteoinducción por parte de este tipo de matrices. Así mismo, el tipo de matriz puede ser determinante en la inducción de la reparación de defectos óseos utilizando matrices óseas desmineralizadas

Aim: To study the osteoinduction capacity of different demineralized bone matrices obtained from different human bone fragments. Material and methods: Demineralized bone matrices obtained from trabecular granulated bone, trabecular and cortical bone, cortical bone from tibia, cortical bone from femur, cortical bone from fibula, and chips from trabecular bone, were used. We performed a total protein extract by digesting the matrix with collagenase, and used it in western blot experiments to analyze the presence of transforming growth factor TGF-Beta1, bone morphogenetic protein BMP-7, metaloproteinase MMP-2 and antiangiogenic factor PEDF or Pigment epithelium-derived factor. Results: All bone matrices were positive for the presence of the 4 proteins studied, nevertheless, the level of these proteins was different in the matrices employed. Conclusion: The presence of proteins that inhibit (PEDF) or facilitate (MMP-2) angiogenesis supports the participation of the process of new vessel formation in the osteoinduction exerted by these kind of matrices. In addition, the type of matrix may be a key factor in the repairing of bone defects using demineralized bone matrices