The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible methods to enhance the rate of aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons (ex-situ treatments). In this work, the bioremediation processes were applied to a sandy soil with a high level of contamination originated from the leakage of a diesel oil underground storage tank at a petrol station. Laboratory scale experiments (Bartha biometer flasks) were used to evaluate the biodegradation of the diesel oil. Enhancement of biodegradation was carried out through biostimulation (addition of nitrogen and phosphorus solutions or Tween 80 surfactant) and bioaugmentation (bacterial consortium isolated from a landfarming system). To investigate interactions between optimizing factors, and to find the right combination of these agents, the study was based on full factorial experimental design. Efficiency of biodegradation was simultaneously measured by two methods: respirometric (microbial CO2 production) and gas chromatography. Acute toxicity tests with Daphnia similis were applied for examination of the efficiency of the processes in terms of the generation of less toxic products. Results showed that all bioremediation strategies enhanced the natural bioremediation of the contaminated soil and the best results were obtained when treatments had nutritional amendment. Respirometric data indicated a maximum hydrocarbon mineralization of 19.8%, obtained through the combination of the three agents, with a total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) removal of 45.5% in 55 days of treatment. At the end of the experiments, two predominant bacteria species were isolated and identified (Staphylococcus hominis and Kocuria palustris).
The serological proportion reported in this paper in a large numbers of individuals indicates that the rabies virus circulates quite actively in the study region, but, because of the production of antibodies, the expression of the disease in these individuals is low.
Introduction: Bats are one of the most important reservoirs and vectors of the rabies virus in the world. Methods: From 1988 to 2003, the Zoonosis Control Center in São Paulo City performed rabies diagnosis on 5,670 bats by direct immunofluorescent test and mouse inoculation test. Blood samples were collected from 1,618 bats and the sera were analyzed using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test to confirm rabies antibodies. Results: Fortyfour (0.8%) bats were positive for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 5.9% using 0.5IU/ml as a cutoff. Insectivorous bats (69.8%) and bats of the species Molossus molossus (51.8%) constituted the majority of the sample; however, the highest prevalence of antibodies were observed in Glossophaga soricina (
<p>A total of 168 finishing pigs were used to investigate the effects of gender (barrows and gilts) and transport densities for slaughter (236, 251, and 275 kg/m²) on stress indicators and carcass and pork quality. The animals transported at 251 kg/m² (T251) presented cortisol values below those at 236 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (T236), but no different from those at 275 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (T275). The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values in pigs transported at T236 were the lowest. The blood components did not differ between T236 and T275. The pH values at 45 min (pH<sub>45</sub>) and at 24 h (pH<sub>24</sub>) <em>postmortem </em>were higher for pigs subjected to T236. However, the pH<sub>45 </sub>was higher at T251 than at T275, but pH<sub>24</sub> was lower at T251 than at T275. The lightness values in the muscles of the pigs transported at T236 and T251 were higher than those at T275. Lower drip loss values were observed in the muscle of animals at T251. Carcasses of pigs at T236 contained more 1–5 cm lesions while those at T275 contained more 5–10 cmlesions in sections of loin. No significant effects of gender were found on the stress indicators, blood components, pH<sub>45</sub>, pH<sub>24</sub>, color, drip loss or carcass lesions in general. These results indicate that the pre-slaughter transport of pigs at densities of 251 kg/m² generates less physiological damage and smaller losses on carcass and pork quality irrespective of gender.</p>
Calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced high molecular weight (HMW) and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation were investigated in human leukemia cell lines. An apoptosis-sensitive cell line, HL-60, showed HMW, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and morphological changes of apoptosis by A23187. MOLT-4, which is resistant to apoptosis, exhibited only HMW DNA fragmentation and died of necrosis under the same conditions. Autodigestion experiments suggested the endonucleolytic activity to cause HMW fragmentation in the cytoplasm of both cell lines. The activity was more dependent on Mg 2÷ than Ca 2÷ in HL-60, whereas it was Ca2+-dependent in MOLT-4. These results suggest that HMW DNA fragmentation is not specific to apoptosis.
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