Leachates from solid wastes: chemical and eco(geno)toxicological differences between leachates obtained from fresh and stabilized industrial organic sludge.

The chemical and ecotoxicological characteristics of fresh and stabilized industrial organic sludge leachates were compared to obtain information regarding how the stabilization process can influence the ecotoxic potential of this industrial waste, which could be used for the amendment of degraded soil. Physicochemical analysis of the sludge leachates, as well as a battery of eco(geno)toxicity tests on bacteria, algae, daphnids, and higher plants (including Vicia faba genotoxicity test) and the determination of hydrolytic enzyme activity, was performed according to standard methods. The chemical comparison of the two types of leachate showed that the samples obtained from stabilized sludge had a lower organic content and higher metal content than leachates of the fresh sludge. The eco(geno)toxicological results obtained with aquatic organisms showed that the stabilized sludge leachate was more toxic than the fresh sludge leachate, both originating from the same industrial organic sludge sample. Nevertheless, phytotoxicity tests carried out with a reference peat soil irrigated with stabilized sludge leachate showed the same toxicity as the fresh sludge leachate. In the case of the industrial solid organic sludge studied, stabilization through a biodegradation process promoted a higher metal mobility/bioavailability/eco(geno)toxicity in the stabilized sludge leachate compared to the fresh sludge leachate.

Arsenate (As V) in water: quantitative sensitivity relationships among biomarker, ecotoxicity and genotoxicity endpoints.

It is useful to test ecotoxicity and genotoxicity endpoints in the environmental impact assessment. Here, we compare and discuss ecotoxicity and genotoxicity effects in organisms in response to exposure to arsenate (As V) in solution. Eco(geno)toxicity responses in Aliivibrio fischeri, Lytechinus variegatus, Daphnia magna, Skeletonema costatum and Vicia faba were analyzed by assessing different endpoints: biomass growth, peroxidase activity, mitotic index, micronucleus frequency, and lethality in accordance with the international protocols. Quantitative sensitivity relationships (QSR) between these endpoints were established in order to rank endpoint sensitivity. The results for the QSR values based on the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) ratios varied from 2 (for ratio of root peroxidase activity to leaf peroxidase activity) to 2286 (for ratio of higher plant biomass growth to root peroxidase activity). The QSR values allowed the following sensitivity ranking to be established: higher plant enzymatic activity>daphnids≈echinoderms>bacteria≈algae>higher plant biomass growth. The LOEC values for the mitotic index and micronucleus frequency (LOEC=0.25mgAsL(-1)) were similar to the lowest LOEC values observed in aquatic organisms. This approach to the QSR of different endpoints could form the basis for monitoring and predicting early effects of pollutants before they give rise to significant changes in natural community structures.

Avaliaçäo psicológica de pacientes com doença de Graves / Psychological investigation in patients with Graves Disease

Já é conhecida na literatura médica a correlaçäo entre distúrbios hormonais, especialmente os da glândula tireóide, e alteraçöes de comportamento. Vários pesquisadores procuraram investigar uma possível associaçäo entre a ocorrência de um evento estressor e o aparecimento da doença de Graves. Com os objetivos de fazer uma revisäo sobre esse tema e uma avaliaçäo psicológica nos pacientes com doença de Graves, os autores submeteram 62 deles a um questionário elaborado pelo Serviço de Psicologia Médica e Saúde Mental em conjunto com o Serviço de Endocrinologia do HUCFF. Os resultados apontam para a dificuldade de considerar o fator psíquico, embora presente em um grande número de casos, como único agente desencadeador da doença de Graves. Também mostram a necessidade de se oferecer a esses pacientes a possibilidade de um tratamento psíquico associado ao endocrinológico

Avaliacao psicologica de pacientes com doenca de Graves

Ja e conhecida na literatura medica a correlacao entre disturbios hormonais, especialmente os da glandula tireoide, e alteracoes de comportamento. Varios pesquisadores procuraram investigar uma possivel associacao entre a ocorrencia de um evento estressor e o aparecimento da doenca de Graves. Com os objetivos de fazer uma revisao sobre esse tema e uma avaliacao psicologica nos pacientes com doenca de Graves, os autores submeteram 62 deles a um questionario elaborado pelo Servico de Psicologia Medica e Saude Mental em conjunto com o Servico de Endocrinologia do HUCFF. Os resultados apontaram para a dificuldade de considerar o factor psiquico, embora presente em um grande numero de caos, como unico agente desencadeador da doenca de Graves. Tambem mostram a necessidade de se oferecer a esses pacientes a possibilidade de um tratamento psiquico associado ao endocrinologico.