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.

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.

[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.