The dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 in aquatic environments via the discharge of domestic and hospital sewage has been confirmed in different locations. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible impacts of zebrafish (Danio rer...
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The dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 in aquatic environments via the discharge of domestic and hospital sewage has been confirmed in different locations. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible impacts of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposure to SARS-CoV-2 peptide fragments (PSPD-2001, 2002, and 2003) alone and combined with a mix of emerging pollutants. Our data did not reveal the induction of behavioral, biometric, or mutagenic changes. But we noticed an organ-dependent biochemical response. While nitric oxide and malondialdehyde production in the brain, gills, and muscle did not differ between groups, superoxide dismutase activity was reduced in the "PSPD", "Mix", and "Mix+PSPD" groups. An increase in catalase activity and a reduction in DPPH radical scavenging activity were observed in the brains of animals exposed to the treatments. However, the "Mix+PSPD" group had a higher IBRv2 value, with NO levels (brain), the reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity (muscles), and the DPPH radical scavenging activity (brain and muscles), the most discriminant factors for this group. The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis indicated a clear separation of the "Mix+PSPD" group from the others. Thus, we conclude that exposure to viral fragments, associated with the mix of pollutants, induced more significant toxicity in zebrafish adults than in others.
The input of SARS-CoV-2 or its fragments into freshwater ecosystems (via domestic or hospital sewage) has raised concerns about its possible impacts on aquatic organisms. Thus, using mayfly larvae [Cloeon dipterum (L....
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The input of SARS-CoV-2 or its fragments into freshwater ecosystems (via domestic or hospital sewage) has raised concerns about its possible impacts on aquatic organisms. Thus, using mayfly larvae [Cloeon dipterum (L.), Ephemeroptera: Baetidae] as a model system, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of the combined short exposure of SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides (named PSPD-2001, PSPD-2002, and PSPD-2003 - at 266.2 ng/L) with multiple emerging pollutants at ambient concentrations. After six days of exposure, we observed higher mortality of larvae exposed to SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides (alone or in combination with the pollutant mix) and a lower-body condition index than those unexposed larvae. In the "PSPD" and "Mix+PSPD" groups, the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the total thiol levels were also lower than in the "control" group. In addition, we evidenced the induction of nitrosative stress (inferred by increased nitrite production) and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity by SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides. On the other hand, malondialdehyde levels in larvae exposed to treatments were significantly lower than in unexposed larvae. The values of the integrated biomarker response index and the principal component analysis (PCA) results confirmed the similarity between the responses of animals exposed to SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides (alone and in combination with the pollutant mix). Although viral peptides did not intensify the effects of the pollutant mix, our study sheds light on the potential ecotoxicological risk associated with the spread of the new coronavirus in aquatic environments. Therefore, we recommend exploring this topic in other organisms and experimental contexts.
Although numerous drugs are practiced to control malaria and its vectors, more recently, eco-friendly control tools have been proposed to battle its etiologic agents. Thus, using green bionanotechnology approaches, we...
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Although numerous drugs are practiced to control malaria and its vectors, more recently, eco-friendly control tools have been proposed to battle its etiologic agents. Thus, using green bionanotechnology approaches, we aimed to synthesize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) from the macroalgae Sargassum fusiforme (Sf), its potential antiparasitic activity against P. falciparum, as well as its possible cytotoxicity, in HeLa cells. After the biosynthesis of the PdSf NPs, their characterization was carried out by UV-Vis, FESEM, and EDX analyses, and their hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, and surface area were determined. Furthermore, the functional groups of the PdSf NPs were analyzed by FT-IR and GC-MS. While PdSf NPs had an IC of 7.68 μg/mL (Chloroquine (CQ)-s) and 16.42 μg/mL, S. fusiforme extract had an IC of 14.38 μg/mL (CQ-s) and 35.27 μg/mL (CQ-r). With an IC value of 94.49 μg/mL, PdSf NPs exhibited the least toxic effect on the HeLa cells. The Lipinski rule of five and ADMET prediction were used to assess the in silico models of caffeine acid hexoside and quercetin 7-O-hexoside for the presence of drug-like properties. Pathogenic proteins, primarily responsible for motility, binding, and disease-causing, were the target of the structurally based docking studies between plant-derived compounds and pathogenic proteins. Thus, our study pioneered promising results that support the potential antiplasmodial activity of eco-friendly synthesized PdSf NPs using S. fusiforme extract against P. falciparum, opening perspectives for further exploration into the use of these NPs in malaria therapy.
The growing use of synthetic chemical compounds/substances in vector control of mosquitoes, associated with their adverse effects on the environment and non-target organisms, has demanded the development of eco-friend...
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The growing use of synthetic chemical compounds/substances in vector control of mosquitoes, associated with their adverse effects on the environment and non-target organisms, has demanded the development of eco-friendly alternatives. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal action of different cellulose microcrystalline (CMs) concentrations and investigate their toxicity mechanisms in Culex quinquefasciatus fourth instar larvae as a model species. Probit analysis revealed that the median lethal concentrations (LC) for 24 h and 36 h exposure were 100 and 58.29 mg/L, respectively. We also showed that such concentrations induced a redox imbalance in the larvae, marked by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as a reduction in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, different alterations in the external morphology of the larvae were associated with the ingestion of CMs. On the other hand, exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to LC24h and LC36h for seven days did not induce any behavioral changes or alterations mutagenic, genotoxic, biochemical, or in the production of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-10. Thus, taken together, our study demonstrates for the first time that the use of CMs can constitute a promising strategy in the control of C. quinquefasciatus larvae, combining insecticidal efficiency with an "eco-friendly" approach in the fight against an important mosquito vector of several human diseases.
The paper was monitored the conductivity (g.L"l of NaCI), the absorbances values (Abs) and the amount of TOC (total organic carbon), before and after five consecutive dyeings made with reuse water, obtained fro...
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The paper was monitored the conductivity (g.L"l of NaCI), the absorbances values (Abs) and the amount of TOC (total organic carbon), before and after five consecutive dyeings made with reuse water, obtained from treated effluent by UV/H202 photocatalysis. All rates of decolorization were above 92%, the removal of total organic carbon was above 89% in all treatments and the economy of NaCI was from 3.10 in the first recipe, 3.17 in the second, 3.49 in the third, 3.79 in the fourth and 4.05 in the fifth recipe. The five dyeings compared with same dyeings made with deionized water presented a color deviation (AE*) below 1. The conventional dyeings would consume 80 L/kg against 40 L/kg used in the dyeing process proposed in this study, representing a great economy of water, with no discharge of effluents.
This study aimed to determine how the activities of recycling impact on health, safety and the environment also raising questions related to social accountability, especially on the compliance with regulatory standard...
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This study aimed to determine how the activities of recycling impact on health, safety and the environment also raising questions related to social accountability, especially on the compliance with regulatory standards, and the legislation on health, safety and the environment. A questionnaire was developed and was applied directly to a group of recyclers, all located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil being three from the Polyethylene segment and one from ethylene polyterephthalate. It was found that only 24% of the items evaluated were complied with in their entirety, demonstrating a low rate of compliance with issues related to health, safety, environment and social accountability. Ultimately, this study shows that there is a need for greater attention by the government to create an infrastructure for training in order to permeate information on health, safety, environment and social accountability to the professionals who operate in this sector.
A proposed cost effective alternative to current U.S. Navy structurally configured hulls is presented in this paper. This proposed design for producibility concept involves the elimination of structural stanchions and...
A proposed cost effective alternative to current U.S. Navy structurally configured hulls is presented in this paper. This proposed design for producibility concept involves the elimination of structural stanchions and transverse web frames. The potential impact of this “no frame” concept on structural design, weight and construction and material costs for naval surface frigates and destroyers is reflected in 1) reduced costs for the installation of distributive systems and 2) a reduced number and complexity of structural details providing a more reliable and less costly structure. This study was performed in three parts: 1) Determine the most feasible length between bulkheads without frames; 2) Using this length perform detail weight studies and construction and material costs analysis comparison on a 72-foot long hull module, with and without frames, for a FFG-7, and 3) Estimate the saving in man hours of labor on the installation of distributive systems and shipfitting for an FFG-7. For the feasible length studies on the “no frame” structural configuration, thirty-seven strength, weight and vertical center of gravity studies were performed on two ship classes; twenty-two on the FFG-7 class and fifteen on the DD-963 class. The detailed weight studies and construction and material cost analyses were conducted for FFG-7 “no frame” and “as built” modules. Results indicating the “no frame” concept module was 6.8% heavier and 14.8% less costly than the “as built” module. For the impact of an FFG-7 “no frame” structurally configured hull on the cost of labor required for the installation of distributive systems and for other functional work such as ship fitting, welding, and electrical, this study indicated a reduction of 169,206 labor hours per ship, representing 7.12% of the total required man hours to fabricate an FFG-7 class ship. With the employment of the “no frame” concept, certain areas of significant concern and potential risk were addressed. These include: 1) t
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