Leachate from a composting plant was characterized and applied as a biofertilizer in lettuce crops. Characteristics of untreated (UE) and anaerobically treated (TE) leachate samples were compared. The pH of TE (8.2) increased in relation to the UE (5.2) due to an increase in ammonia nitrogen in TE (1197 mg L-1) compared to UE (859 mg L-1). Anaerobic treatment was efficient in the removal of organic matter from the leachate, evaluated by the decrease of dissolved organic carbon, biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon and total solids. K presented the highest concentration (1743 mg L-1) in TE, followed by Mg (135 mg L-1). Cd, Pb and Cr were present at low concentrations in the samples, 0.047, 0.206 and 0.081 mg L-1, respectively. Salmonella, thermotolerant coliforms and viable helminth eggs were not present in TE, which was applied as a biofertilizer in a lettuce crop and compared to mineral fertilization based on fresh matter and dry matter production. Lettuce production using TE was statistically equivalent to mineral fertilization. Toxic metals were not detected in the lettuce shoots. It was concluded that the anaerobically treated leachate from the composting company has the potential to be used as a biofertilizer.

Essential oils (EO) have diverse applications, such as antibacterial and antifungal activity. However, they are susceptible to oxidation in the presence of air, light, and moisture. In addition, they are thermally unstable. In this sense, it is necessary to develop techniques to increase the lifespan of EO. In this work, EO was obtained from cloves and characterized by different techniques. The major compounds found were eugenol (83%), eugenol acetate (9%), and β-caryophyllene (8%). The EO was encapsulated by extrusion using a microfluidic device. The sodium alginate was used as wall material, and the CaCl2 solution was used as a crosslinking agent. The microcapsule presented sizes of 164.7 ± 0.3 μm, with an encapsulation yield of 64 ± 14%. Functional characteristic groups of EO were observed in the microcapsule by infrared and Raman spectroscopies. The microcapsule increased the thermal decomposition of the EO from 162 to 230 °C. Release kinetics of the capsule was performed, with an equilibrium time of 72 h and release of 54% of the EO. Finally, the pure EO and encapsulated EO-microcapsules were applied in the Aedes aegypti larvae control, showing mean lethal concentration necessary to eliminate 50% (LC50) values of 74.4 and 96.9 μg mL-1 and lethal concentration necessary to eliminate 90% (LC90) of 106.2 and 133.3 μg mL-1 for pure EO and encapsulated EO, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that these microcapsules have the potential for application in the Aedes aegypti larvae control.

In this work, cellulose-based composite biofilms doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been produced by eco-friendly process. The AgNPs were synthesized from Ilex paraguariensis with an average size of 45 nm, a characteristic plasmon band at 450 nm and zeta potential of -23 mV. The biofilm has been synthesized by casting method, using different volumes of AgNPs suspension with glycerol plasticizing agent (T6-T10) or not (T1-T5). The AgNPs were successfully incorporated into the biofilms, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical and optical structural and the antimicrobial properties of the biofilms have been determined. In the presence of AgNPs, the mechanical properties, thermal stability and water vapor barrier of the biofilms have not been altered. However, the addition of glycerol decreased the tensile strength and the modulus of elasticity, in addition to increasing the elongation of the biofilms and the water vapor barrier. The biofilm T10 showed a transmittance of ca. 10%, with high potential to be used as a UV light blocker. Finally, the biofilms doped with AgNPs showed activity against the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. Given the above, this work presented a new biofilm with activity against the bacterium Pseudomonus fluorescens obtained by eco-friendly process.

In this work, an iron/biochar composite was evaluated as a catalyst for 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) herbicide degradation by heterogeneous Fenton-like process. The biochar was produced from pyrolysis of coffee husks. After FeII adsorption by biochar, the material was submitted to chemical reduction, via borohydride, producing zero-valent iron nanoparticles (BIO-Fe0). The material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, among other techniques. The BIO-Fe0 is a heterogeneous material, and the main constituent elements are carbon (C), oxygen (O), silicon (Si), sulfur (S) and iron (Fe). The dicamba degradation was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and biological assays using beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) as indicator species. The commercial dicamba (500 mL; 250 mg L 1) was submitted to Fenton-like process (initial pH 3.20; BIO-Fe0: 3 or 5 g; 1.00 mL H2O2 at 3.00 mmol L 1; 1.00 mL Al2(SO4)3 at 1.00 mol L 1; 25 ºC and 5 h of reaction), presenting ca. 100% of degradation. These treated solutions were used in a biological assay. The intoxication levels were less 30%. These results show that BIO-Fe0 has the potential to be used in the dicamba degradation by Fenton-like processes.

ABSTRACT Objective Investigate pulse wave velocity and central systolic blood pressure among pediatric population with chronic kidney disease. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 57 patients (61.4% male) aged 6.2 to 17.5 years old, 44 with nondialysis chronic kidney disease and 13 on chronic dialysis, were included in the analysis. The pulse wave velocity and the central systolic blood pressure were measured with an oscillometric device with an inbuilt ARC SolverⓇ algorithm and were compared with previously established percentiles. Results The prevalence of elevated pulse wave velocity was 21.1% (95%Cl: 11.4-33.9) and elevated central systolic blood pressure was 28.1% (95%CI: 17.0-41.5). According to the generalized linear model, there was a higher risk of elevated pulse wave velocity in patients undergoing chronic dialysis treatment than nondialysis chronic kidney disease patients (adjPR=4.24, 95%CI: 1.97-9.13, p=<0.001). Hypertensive patients (stage 2) had a higher risk of elevated pulse wave velocity than normotensive ones (adjPR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.05-6.95, p=0.040), as did patients younger than 12 years than the older patients (adjPR=2.95, 95%CI: 1.05-8.40, p=0.041). Hypertensive patients had a higher risk of elevated central systolic blood pressure than normotensives (adjPR=3.29, 95%Cl: 1.36-7.94), as did patients undergoing chronic dialysis treatment when comparing to nondialysis chronic kidney disease patients (adjPR=2.08, 95%Cl: 1.07-4.02). Conclusion Younger age, dialysis, and hypertension in children are independently associated with higher pulse wave velocity. Hypertension and dialysis are independently associated with higher central systolic blood pressure.

In this work, a method for food dyes determination in fibrous fruit pulps was developed. The analytes Tartrazine, Twilight Yellow FCF, Erythrosine, Orange G and Allura Red were analyzed by reverse phase chromatography with diode array (DAD) detection. The sample preparation consisted of a simple procedure, based on initial pH adjustment of the sample (pH = 10.0), followed by an extraction with acetonitrile (5.0 mL and agitation for 30 s), ultrasonic (5 min) and centrifugation (4000 rpm, 20 ºC, for 20 min). The supernatant had its pH adjusted to 3.0, followed by filtration. The method was validated, with the analytical curves prepared in a matrix, in the range of 50to150mg kg-1 for all the analytes studied (determination coefficients (R2) > 0.99). The method veracity was evaluated in terms of recovery, obtaining recoveries of 93-110%. The repeatability was less than 13.7%, while the intermediate precision was less than 19.0%. The limits of detection and quantification were determined, being 15 and 30 mg kg-1, respectively. The combined relative uncertainties were less than 13.8%. Therefore, it can be concluded that a simple method was developed, suitable for monitoring the presence of dyes in fruit pulps in routine analyzes.

The biomass use is of considerable ecological and economical interest and here, biochar, a by-product of biomass carbonization, is magnetized with Fe3O4 for its use as gold nanoparticle (NP) support towards catalysis of p-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction. Biochar was synthesized from coffee straw biomass via pyrolysis, while magnetite functionalization was obtained using the precipitation method. The magnetite was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The material had a specific surface area of 30 m2 g-1 and a zero point charge of 7.5. The gold NPs were deposited via reduction with NaBH4, which yielded Au and Fe3O4 NP of 4.61 and 10.9 nm, respectively. The materials were applied in the 4-NP reduction, Fe3O4Fe 3 O 4 NPs was observed. Remarkably, comparison with graphene oxide to which biochar resembles showed similar behavior, and the material was reused in several catalytic cycles.

In this work, alkaline and nickel-metal hydride spent batteries were used as precursors of metals for the synthesis of polymetallic materials. These materials were synthesized via chemical reduction. Materials produced from nickel-metal hydride spent batteries (PM-NiMH) have a nanometric size, whereas the alkaline spent batteries (PM-Alk) have a micrometric size. PM-NiMH consists mainly of Ni, Co, and Cu and the PM-Alk consists mainly of Mn and Zn. The surface areas of PM-NiMH and PM-Alk were 82 m2g-1 and 109 m2 g-1, respectively. The synthesized materials were applied in the removal of reactive blue dye 4 (RB4). Parameters such as initial pH of the system, dose of the materials, and initial concentration of the dye were optimized. For both materials, the removal capacity of RB4 was constant over a wide pH range of (4-10). The removal capacity increases with the decrease of the materials dose and increase of the dye concentration until saturation of the active sites. The RB4 removal by PM-NiMH occurs by adsorption and degradation processes, whereas PM-Alk occurs only by adsorptive processes. The RB4 removal process follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with maximum removal capacities of 331 and 127 mg g-1 for PM-NiMH and PM-Alk, respectively.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with glutathione (GSH) were used as nanosensors for the determination of fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR) and enrofloxacin (ENRO) in aqueous systems. The AgNPs were stabilized with GSH (Ag-GSH NPs), whereas the decrease of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 400 nm and the bathochromic shift of the absorption band were monitored. The method was validated and the analytical performance was verified. The results were satisfactory, with recoveries between 83.7 and 110% in almost all the experimental conditions and the repeatability and intermediate accuracy of less than 20%. The limits of detection were 0.397, 0.437 and 0.398 µmol L-1, and the limits of quantification were 1.203, 1.323 and 1.205 µmol L-1 for ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin, respectively. The method was selective in a group of drugs and applied in the determination of fluoroquinolones in potable water samples.

Resumo Este estudo investiga relações entre otimismo disposicional, afetos e traços de personalidade em pacientes com doença renal crônica que aguardam por um transplante renal (grupo pré-transplante) e em pacientes que já fizeram o procedimento (grupo pós-transplante). Teve como objetivos específicos: verificar se houve diferença nos escores desses três constructos nas duas amostras; se houve diferenças de desempenho no teste de otimismo e na escala de afetos em função do tempo de transplante; e se houve diferenças de desempenho no teste de otimismo e na escala de afetos em função do tempo de espera em lista. A pesquisa contou com quinze participantes em cada grupo sendo usados quatro instrumentos para coleta de dados: questionário sociodemográfico, Teste para avaliar o Otimismo (LOT-R), Inventário dos Cinco Grandes Fatores (NEO-FFI-R) e Escala de Afetos Positivos e Afetos Negativos (Panas). Os resultados indicaram maior otimismo nos participantes do grupo Pré-transplante (Md = 29; IIQ = 2) comparado com os do grupo Pós-transplante (Md = 26; IIQ = 1). Conclui-se que no grupo pré-transplante, o otimismo disposicional não se associou de maneira significativa com nenhum fator de personalidade, o que pode indicar que o otimismo esteja voltado para um objetivo-alvo, mais do que para expectativas gerais de que coisas boas aconteçam e se evidencia como fator de proteção da personalidade, ou como mecanismo de ajustamento à condição crítica de hemodiálise. O tempo passado em lista de espera e de realização do transplante não tiveram associação significativa às demais variáveis.

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between dispositional optimism, affects and personality traits in patients with Chronic Renal Disease who are waiting for a renal transplant (Pre-Transplant Group) and in patients who have already undergone the procedure (Post-Transplant Group). The specifics aims were to evaluate differences in construct scores between the groups, differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the waiting time in list, and differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the time of transplantation. Thirty people participated in the survey (fifteen in each group) and four instruments were used for data collection: sociodemographic questionnaire, Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The results indicated greater optimism among the participants in the pre-transplant group (Md = 29, IQR = 2) compared to those in the post-transplant group (Md = 26, IQR = 1). In the pre-transplant group, dispositional optimism was not significantly associated with any personality factor, which may indicate that optimism in this group is focused on a target objective rather than to general expectations that good things happen. Optimism overlaps with the general characteristics of the subject and is evidenced as a personality protection factor, or as a mechanism of adjustment to the critical condition of hemodialysis. The waiting list time, as well as the time of transplantation, did not show a significant association with the other variables.

Resumen Este estudio objetivó investigar relaciones entre optimismo disposicional, afectos y rasgos de personalidad en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica que esperan un trasplante renal (grupo pretrasplante) y en pacientes que ya fueron sometidos al procedimiento (grupo postrasplante). Los objetivos específicos fueron: evaluar si hay diferencia de puntuaciones de los constructos entre los grupos; si hay diferencias de desempeño en la prueba de optimismo y la escala de afectos en función del tiempo de trasplante; y si hay diferencias de desempeño en el test de optimismo y en la escala en función del tiempo de espera en la lista. La investigación tuvo quince participantes en cada grupo y se utilizaron cuatro instrumentos para recopilar los datos: cuestionario sociodemográfico, Test de Optimismo (LOT-R), Inventario de los Cinco Grandes Factores (NEO-FFI-R) y Escala de Afectos Positivos y Afectos Negativos (PANAS). Los resultados mostraron mayor optimismo en el grupo pretransplante (Md = 29, IIQ = 2) en comparación con el grupo postransplante (Md = 26, IIQ = 1). Se concluye que, en el grupo pretrasplante, el optimismo disposicional no se asoció de manera significativa con ningún factor de personalidad, lo que puede indicar que el optimismo esté más orientado hacia un objetivo que hacia expectativas generales de que cosas buenas pueden suceder y se evidencia como un factor de protección de la personalidad, o como un mecanismo de ajuste a la condición crítica de hemodiálisis. El tempo en la lista de espera y de realización de trasplante no mostraron asociación significativa con las demás variables.

ABSTRACT Tropical diseases are mainly found in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They are a major Public Health problem in these regions, most of them are considered neglected diseases and remain as important contributors to the development of AKI (Acute Kidney Injury), which is associated with increased patients’ morbidity and mortality. In most countries, kidney disease associated to tropical diseases is attended at health services with poor infrastructure and inadequate preventive measures. The long-term impacts of these infections on kidney tissue may be a main cause of future kidney disease in these patients. Therefore, the investigation of novel kidney injury biomarkers in these tropical diseases is of utmost importance to explain the mechanisms of kidney injury, to improve their diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the assessment to health systems by these patients. Since 2011, our group has been studying renal biomarkers in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, leptospirosis and leprosy. This study has increased the knowledge on the pathophysiology of kidney disease in the presence of these infections and has contributed to the early diagnosis of kidney injury, pointing to glomerular, endothelial and inflammatory involvement as the main causes of the mechanisms leading to nephropathy and clinical complications. Future perspectives comprise establishing long-term cohort groups to assess the development of kidney disease and the patients’ survival, as well as the use of new biomarkers such as urinary exosomes to detect risk groups and to understand the progression of kidney injuries.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a espessura médio-intimal da carótida e os fatores associados à doença cardiovascular em crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica. Material e métodos: Estudo observacional transversal feito na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (ambulatórios de doença renal crônica) com 55 pacientes (60% do sexo masculino) com mediana de 11,9 anos (I25-I75: 9,2-14,8). Dos 55 pacientes, 43 estavam em tratamento conservador e 12 em terapia dialítica. Foram avaliados os parâmetros laboratoriais séricos (creatinina, ácido úrico, proteína C-reativa, colesterol total e frações e triglicérides), estado nutricional (escore z de índice de massa corpórea, escore z de estatura/idade), gordura corporal (percentual de gordura e circunferência abdominal) e pressão arterial. A medida da espessura médio-intimal da carótida foi avaliada por um único ultrassonografista e comparada com percentis estabelecidos de acordo com o sexo e a estatura. A coleta de dados foi feita entre maio de 2015 e março de 2016. Resultados: Das crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica, 74,5% (IC 95%: 61,0; 85,3) apresentaram aumento (> P95) da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Nos pacientes com hipertensão arterial estágios I e II, 90,9% apresentaram aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. O estado nutricional, a gordura corporal e os exames laboratoriais não apresentaram associação com o aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Após ajuste multivariado, apenas a puberdade (RP = 1,30; p = 0,037) e a hipertensão arterial estágios I e II (RP = 1,42; p = 0,011) mostraram-se independentemente associados à alteração da espessura médio-intimal da carótida. Conclusão: A prevalência do aumento da espessura da carótida foi elevada em crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica. A puberdade e a hipertensão arterial mostraram-se independentemente associadas ao aumento da espessura médio-intimal da carótida.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the carotid intima-media thickness and factors associated with cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics) with 55 patients (60% males) with a median age of 11.9 years (I25-I75: 9.2-14.8 years). Of the 55 patients, 43 were on conservative treatment and 12 were on dialysis. Serum laboratory parameters (creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol and fractions, and triglycerides), nutritional status (z-score of body mass index, z-score of height/age), body fat (fat percentage and waist circumference), and blood pressure levels were evaluated. The carotid intima-media thickness measure was evaluated by a single ultrasonographer and compared with percentiles established according to gender and height. Data collection was performed between May 2015 and March 2016. Results: Of the children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease, 74.5% (95% CI: 61.0; 85.3) showed an increase (>P95) in carotid intima-media thickness. In patients with stages I and II hypertension, 90.9% had increased carotid intima-media thickness. Nutritional status, body fat and laboratory tests were not associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness. After multivariate adjustment, only puberty (PR = 1.30, p = 0.037) and stages I and II arterial hypertension (PR = 1.42, p = 0.011) were independently associated with carotid intima-media thickness alterations. Conclusion: The prevalence of increased carotid thickness was high in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Puberty and arterial hypertension were independently associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness.

The cobalt nanoparticles (NPs-Co) were synthesized and applied in the removal of Cr(VI). The obtained nanomaterials presented magnetic properties and were characterized by the techniques of Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The NPs-Co, with a diameter of less than 50 nm, had a composition based on metallic cobalt and cobalt oxide. The NPs-Co were applied in the removal of Cr(VI) being evaluated different parameters such as time of equilibrium, initial pH, dose of NPs-Co, concentration of Cr(VI), and system temperature. The removal of Cr(VI) was favored at lower pH values, being about 100% at pH 2.0. With the increase of Cr(VI) concentration from 40.0 to 300.0 mg L-1 the removal decreased from 80 to 15%. The NPs-Co dose promoted an increase in removal reaching 90% at a dose of 1.0 g L-1. The removal process was spontaneous and endothermic, and the Langmuir isotherm model fit better to experimental data. The maximum removal capacity was approximately 70.0 mg g-1. The removal kinetics followed the pseudo-second order model. The mechanism of Cr(VI) removal occurred through adsorption by electrostatic interactions between CrO42- anion and Co-NPs, followed by reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and, lastly, co-precipitation of Cr(III) as Cr(OH)3 on the NPs-Co.

ABSTRACT Kinetic studies of sulfentrazone herbicide dechlorination by Fe/Ni nanoparticles were performed in the presence of different electrolytes such as: Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, Cu2+, Na+ and Zn2+. In the presence of Cl- and SO42- the reaction occurred efficiently, reaching approximately 100% of dechlorination after 30 minutes of reaction. In the presence of NO3- and Cu2+ ions the sulfentrazone dechlorination was significantly inhibited, because these ions tend to compete with the substrate for the electrons donated by Fe0. In the presence of Na+ ions, the dechlorination efficiency remained approximately 100%, however, this electrolyte provided an increase on the reaction rate, due to the increase of the ionic strength in the system. The Zn2+ ions has no influence on the dechlorination efficiency, but the reaction rate was reduced due to the formation of a protective layer formed by the sorption of Zn2+ ions on the surface of the nanoparticles.