Changes in lipid metabolism in acute diseases. Introduction. Abnormalities in lipid metabolism have been described in critically ill patients repeatedly. While triglycerides behave unpredictably, decrease of cholesterol levels is a typical finding. Further, low levels of cholesterol in critically ill patients have been found to be associated not only with poor prognosis but also increased mortality. Cholesterol is derived in two ways: via de novo synthesis and via dietary absorption. Both the modalities can be monitored by the determination of CH synthesis markers (lathosterol, squalene in blood plasma), and cholesterol absorption markers (sitosterol and campesterol in blood plasma) Material and method: In the first project sixty patients with acute internal disease were involved and their lipid profile was evaluated. Second and third projects have solved the same problem in the group of patients with active Cohn's disease (n=24) and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=24). Serum concentrations of total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in an enzymatic automated system. Non-cholesterol sterols (lathosterol, squalene, sitosterol, campesterol) were analysed using gas chromatography - mass spektrometry. The data were statistically analysed by the statistical software Sigma Stat 3,1....

No description available.

No description available.

<p>Greywater is domestic household wastewater without inputfrom the toilet, i.e. wastewater from sinks, the shower,washing machine and dishwasher in a home. Source separation ofgreywater can be a strategy to enhance recirculation of plantnutrients and/or improve water use. The risk for transmissionof disease when reusing greywater is largely dependent on thecross-contamination by faeces. High levels of faecalindicators, mainly thermotolerant coliform bacteria, have beenreported in greywater, indicating substantial faecal pollution.However, growth of indicator bacteria within the system leadsto an overestimation of thefaecal input and thus the hygienerisk. The faecal input of the greywater in Vibyåsen,Sollentuna, North of Stockholm, was estimated to be 0.04 ±0.02 g faeces person-1 day-1 from the quantification of thefaecal sterol coprostanol, compared to 65 g, 5.2 g and 0.22 gp-1 d-1 using E. coli, enterococci and cholesterolrespectively.</p><p>Prevalence of pathogens in the population and the faecalload based on coprostanol concentrations were used to form thebasis of a screening-level quantitative microbial riskassessment (QMRA) that was undertaken for rotavirus, Salmonellatyphimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia intestinalis andCryptosporidium parvum, looking at the treatment required to bebelow an acceptable level of risk (10-3) for reuse or dischargeof the greywater. The different exposure scenarios simulated–groundwater recharge, direct contact, irrigation andrecreational water–showed that a reduction of 0.7–3.7 log was needed for rotavirus, with the measured level offaecal load in Vibyåsen. The other pathogen of concern wasCampylobacter, where a 2.2 log reduction was needed forgroundwater recharge. The infectious dose of Salmonella is highand the excretion numbers of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidiumoocysts low, resulting in no treatment requirements for theseorganisms under these circumstances. Pathogen input fromcontaminated food via the kitchen sink had a minor effect onthe microbiological quality of the greywater. Studies on virusoccurrence in greywater as well as validation of the faecalload of greywater at another site would give valuable input forfuture QMRAs.</p><p>Greywater treatment efficiency studies, especially on virusremoval, are scarce and more investigations are warranted.Active sludge may not be a suitable technique for greywater dueto the low carbon content in this flow. Chemical precipitationhas the advantage of removing phosphorus as well as virusesefficiently and it is suggested as one possible method fortreating greywater. Otherwise the most common practice forgreywater treatment in Sweden is soil infiltration. However, itis suggested that the recommendations for wastewaterinfiltration also be observed for greywater, despite the lowfaecal load, due to the simulated results on virus reductionneeded.</p><p><b>Key words:</b>greywater, greywater reuse, greywatertreatment, microbial risk assessment, groundwater recharge,irrigation, recreational water, faecal contamination, indicatorbacteria, index organisms, faecal sterols, bacteriophages,enteric pathogens, rotavirus, Salmonella, Campylobacter,Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Legionella</p>

Atherosclerosis, one major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is a complex and multifactorial disease that involves three mainly conditions: chronic inflammation, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Although statins are the first-line therapy for LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, the efficacy of cardiovascular events prevention is limited to 30-40%. This residual risk brought attention to the need of new therapies and clinical targets beyond LDL-C, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, suboptimal treatment and/or statin discontinuation due to adverse effects have also been a very challenging clinical problem. Complementary diet therapy can be an effective and safe approach to support pharmacological treatment, especially when drugs alone are insufficient to attenuate risk factors and/or the recommended dose is not well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three bioactive components, namely omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols and polyphenols, on markers of dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in patients treated with statins. A randomized, crossover clinical study was carried out, with the participation of 53 subjects. At each intervention period, study participants received a packaged for the functional or control treatment. Functional treatment consisted of fish oil (1.7 g of EPA+DHA/day), chocolate containing plant sterols (2.2 g/day) and green tea (two tea sachets/day). Control treatment consisted of soy oil softgels, regular chocolate and anise tea. After 6 weeks of intervention, functional treatment reduced plasma LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) and C-reactive protein (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Plasma triacylglycerol (-15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) and MDA (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) were reduced in subgroups of patients (n=23) with baseline values above the median (93 mg/dL and 2.23 umol/L, respectively). Analysis of lathosterol and campesterol in plasma suggested that intensity of LDL-C reduction was influenced by cholesterol absorption rate rather than its endogenous synthesis. After multivariate analysis, patients identified as \"good responders\" to supplementation (n=10) were recruited for a pilot protocol of statin dose reduction with complementary diet therapy. Responders received the functional treatment for 12 weeks: standard statin therapy was kept during the first 6 weeks and reduced by 50% from weeks 6 to 12. No difference was observed for plasma lipids and inflammation biomarkers, cholesterol efflux capacity or HDL particle number after statin dose reduction when compared to standard therapy. Although limited by the small sample size, our study demonstrates the potential for a new therapeutic approach combining lower statin dose and specific dietary compounds. This may be particularly helpful for the many patients with, and at risk for, CVD who cannot tolerate high-dose statin therapy. / A aterosclerose, uma importante causa mundial de morbidade e mortalidade, é uma doença complexa e multifatorial que envolve três principais condições: inflamação crônica, dislipidemia e estresse oxidativo. Embora as estatinas sejam fármacos de primeira linha para redução de LDL colesterol (LDL-C), sua eficácia na prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares é limitadada a 30-40%. Este risco cardiovascular residual evidencia a necessidade de novas terapias e marcadores clínicos que vão além do LDL-C, como inflamação e estresse oxidativo. Não obstante, tratamento subótimo e/ou interrupção do uso de estatinas devido à ocorrencia de efeitos adversos também é um grave obstáculo na clínica médica. Neste contexto, a terapia dietética complementar representa uma abordagem efetiva e segura para o suporte do tratamento farmacológico, especialmente quando as drogas são insuficientes para atenuar fatores de risco e/ou quando a dose recomendada não é bem tolerada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de três compostos bioativos - ácidos graxos ômega 3, fitosteróis e polifenóis - sobre marcadores de inflamação, lipemia e estresse oxidativo em indivíduos tradados com estatinas. Foi realizado um estudo clínico randomizado, de delineamento crossover, com a participação de 53 voluntários. A cada período de intervenção, os participantes receberam um tratamento funcional ou controle. O tratamento funcional foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de peixe (1.7 g/dia de EPA+DHA), chocolate contendo fitosteróis (2.2 g/dia) e chá verde (dois sachês/dia). O tratamento controle foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de soja, chocolate sem adição de fitosteróis e chá de anis. Após 6 semanas de intervenção, o tratamento funcional reduziu a concentração plasmática de LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) e proteína C-reativa (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Triglicerídeos (- 15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) e malondialdeído (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) foram reduzidas apenas em subgrupos de indivíduos que apresentavam valores basais acima da mediana (93 mg/dL e 2.23 umol/L, respectivamente). A análise de latosterol e campesterol no plasma sugeriu que a intensidade da redução de LDL-C não foi influenciada pela síntese endógena de colesterol, mas sim pela taxa de absorção. Após análise multivariada dos resultados, pacientes identificados como \"good responders\" à suplementação (n=10) foram recrutados para um estudo piloto de redução da dosagem da estatina, aliado à terapia dietética complementar. Estes pacientes receberam o tratamento funcional por 12 semanas: durante as 6 primeiras semanas mantevese a dosagem de estatina, que em seguida foi reduzida em 50% das semanas 6 a 12. Não foram observadas diferenças para os marcadores plasmáticos de lipídeos, inflamação, capacidade de efluxo de colesterol ou número de partículas de HDL após a redução da dose de estatina, quando comparada à terapia convencional. Embora limitado pelo reduzido número de pacientes, o estudo demonstra o potencial para uma nova abordagem terapêutica, combinando reduzida dose de estatina com específicos compostos bioativos. Esta pode ser uma importante alternativa para muitos pacientes em risco cardiovascular e que são intolerantes à terapia com altas doses de estatina.

Human excreta contain plant nutrients and have the potentialto be used as a fertiliser in agriculture. Urine contributesthe major proportion of the nutrients (N, P and K) in domesticwastewater whereas faeces contribute a smaller amount andinvolves greater health risks if reused due to the possiblepresence of enteric pathogens. Human urine does not generallycontain pathogens that can be transmitted through theenvironment. Source-separation of urine and faeces is possible by usingurine-separating (or urine-diverting) toilets, available assimple dry toilets or porcelain flush toilets with dividedbowls. The risk for transmission of disease when handling andreusing the urine is largely dependent on thecross-contamination by faeces. In this research, the presenceof human faeces in urine samples was successfully determined byanalysing for faecal sterols. Cross-contamination was evidentin 22% of the samples from urine collection tanks, and in thesequantified to an average (± SD) of 9.1 ± 5.6 mgfaeces per litre urine. Testing for indicator bacteria wasshown to be an unsuitable method for determining faecalcontamination in human urine sinceE. colihad a rapid inactivation in the urine and faecalstreptococci were found to grow within the system. The fate of any enteric pathogens present in urine iscrucial for the risk for transmission of infectious diseases.Gram-negative bacteria (e.g.SalmonellaandE. coli) were rapidly inactivated (time for 90%reduction, T90&lt;5 days) in source-separated urine at itsnatural pH-value of 9. Gram-positive faecal streptococci weremore persistent with a T90of approximately 30 days. Clostridia sporenumbers were not reduced at all during 80 days. Similarly,rhesusrotavirus andSalmonella typhimuriumphage 28B were not inactivated inurine at low temperature (5°C), whereas at 20°C theirT90-values were 35 and 71 days, respectively.Cryptosporidiumoocysts were less persistent with a T90of 29 days at 4°C. Factors that affect thepersistence of microorganisms in source-separated human urineinclude temperature, pH, dilution and presence of ammonia. By using Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), therisks for bacterial and protozoan infections related tohandling and reuse of urine were calculated to be&lt;10-3for all exposure routes independent of the urinestorage time and temperature evaluated. The risk for viralinfection was higher, calculated at 0.56 for accidentalingestion of 1 ml of unstored urine. If the urine was stored at20°C for 6 months the risk for viral infection was reducedto 5.4 × 10-4. By following recommendations for storage and reuse, whichare dependent on the type of crop to be fertilised, it ispossible to significantly decrease the risk for infections. Sofar, the level of risk that is acceptable is unknown. Theacceptable risk will be one of the main factors determining thefuture utilisation of source-separated human urine inagriculture. <b>Keywords:</b>urine-separation, urine, wastewater systems,wastewater reuse, recycling, enteric pathogens, faecal sterols,indicator bacteria, hygiene risks, microbial persistence,microbial risk assessment, QMRA, fertiliser, crop.

This work focuses on wood extractives in effluents from the CTMP plant at Skoghall Mill. Pulp and paper industry effluents contain mostly natural compounds which are part of the trees. They are toxic to aquatic life but harmless in nature, as they are present in low concentrations. Processing tons of wood, such as in a pulp mill, strongly increases the concentrations of the toxic compounds (Ali, M. and Sreekrishnan, T., 2001) which have to be treated before transferring to the aquatic environment.Extractives can be found in different forms, as micelles soluble in water, unprocessed in fibers or absorbed on the surface of fibers. It is important to know in which forms extractives are mostly present in the effluent, so that they can be treated more efficiently. It is desired to have extractives absorbed on the fibers and fibrils present in the waste water, so they can be separated from the water and treated separately, e.g. burned for energy recovery. Dissolved extractives complicate the oxygen transfer in an aerated biological treatment step with their surface active properties (Sandberg, 2012).The aim of this study is quantification of extractives on the fibers suspended in the waste water and extractives dissolved in the water. The distribution between the two forms is an important input when designing future effluent treatment. Wood extractives itself are a wide group with different compounds. This work focuses on the main groups present in waste water: resin acids, free and esterified fatty acids and, free and esterified sterols. These groups are analyzed in different process waters and waste water before the waste water treatment plant. The measured concentrations of extractives were as expected, higher in process and effluent waters, lower in white water. Most of the extract was dissolved in the water and unfortunately fiber samples contained very low concentration from the total extract in the samples.

<p>Human excreta contain plant nutrients and have the potentialto be used as a fertiliser in agriculture. Urine contributesthe major proportion of the nutrients (N, P and K) in domesticwastewater whereas faeces contribute a smaller amount andinvolves greater health risks if reused due to the possiblepresence of enteric pathogens. Human urine does not generallycontain pathogens that can be transmitted through theenvironment.</p><p>Source-separation of urine and faeces is possible by usingurine-separating (or urine-diverting) toilets, available assimple dry toilets or porcelain flush toilets with dividedbowls. The risk for transmission of disease when handling andreusing the urine is largely dependent on thecross-contamination by faeces. In this research, the presenceof human faeces in urine samples was successfully determined byanalysing for faecal sterols. Cross-contamination was evidentin 22% of the samples from urine collection tanks, and in thesequantified to an average (± SD) of 9.1 ± 5.6 mgfaeces per litre urine. Testing for indicator bacteria wasshown to be an unsuitable method for determining faecalcontamination in human urine since<i>E. coli</i>had a rapid inactivation in the urine and faecalstreptococci were found to grow within the system.</p><p>The fate of any enteric pathogens present in urine iscrucial for the risk for transmission of infectious diseases.Gram-negative bacteria (e.g.<i>Salmonella</i>and<i>E. coli</i>) were rapidly inactivated (time for 90%reduction, T₉₀<5 days) in source-separated urine at itsnatural pH-value of 9. Gram-positive faecal streptococci weremore persistent with a T₉₀of approximately 30 days. Clostridia sporenumbers were not reduced at all during 80 days. Similarly,<i>rhesus</i>rotavirus and<i>Salmonella typhimurium</i>phage 28B were not inactivated inurine at low temperature (5°C), whereas at 20°C theirT₉₀-values were 35 and 71 days, respectively.<i>Cryptosporidium</i>oocysts were less persistent with a T₉₀of 29 days at 4°C. Factors that affect thepersistence of microorganisms in source-separated human urineinclude temperature, pH, dilution and presence of ammonia.</p><p>By using Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), therisks for bacterial and protozoan infections related tohandling and reuse of urine were calculated to be<10^-3for all exposure routes independent of the urinestorage time and temperature evaluated. The risk for viralinfection was higher, calculated at 0.56 for accidentalingestion of 1 ml of unstored urine. If the urine was stored at20°C for 6 months the risk for viral infection was reducedto 5.4 × 10^-4.</p><p>By following recommendations for storage and reuse, whichare dependent on the type of crop to be fertilised, it ispossible to significantly decrease the risk for infections. Sofar, the level of risk that is acceptable is unknown. Theacceptable risk will be one of the main factors determining thefuture utilisation of source-separated human urine inagriculture.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>urine-separation, urine, wastewater systems,wastewater reuse, recycling, enteric pathogens, faecal sterols,indicator bacteria, hygiene risks, microbial persistence,microbial risk assessment, QMRA, fertiliser, crop.</p>

[pt] Sistemas de ressurgência costeira têm grande interesse científico, pois por sequestrarem nutrientes, controlam a biologia e a pesca em áreas oceânicas vastas. O ecossistema de Cabo Frio (RJ) representa a principal área de ressurgência costeira no Brasil e uma exceção no oceano global já que a maioria das zonas de ressurgência localiza-se em sistemas de correntes da borda Leste do Oceano Atlântico. Esta ressurgência sazonal e regida pelos padrões de vento da região causa intermitente, mas significativa resposta biológica na coluna de água de Cabo Frio, propiciando o aumento das comunidades de fito e zooplânctônicas. O enriquecimento das águas é responsável pela proliferação de microorganismos no sedimento. Este acoplamento dos processos físicos e biológicos controla a transferência de material planctônico para os sedimentos, visto que não há uma fonte relevante de material terrestre para a região. Para averiguação de alterações nos processos de transferência ao longo da parte do Holoceno, possivelmente ligados a mudanças climáticas, foram utilizados biomarcadores moleculares lipídicos em sedimentos coletados em outubro/2002 em 3 pontos entre a latitude 23 graus 11 S e longitude 41 graus 47 W, sendo utilizados para este estudo 2 pontos denominados CF02-01A e CF02-02A. Além dos marcadores moleculares quantificados no presente estudo foram também utilizados os marcadores isotópicos e a composição elementar obtidos por outros autores para auxiliar na interpretação dos resultados. Os marcadores utilizados foram os hidrocarbonetos alifáticos, os esteróis, os álcoois graxos e os ácidos graxos em CG-EM. O método empregado permitiu quantificar e identificar 31 compostos na fração de ácidos graxos e 67 na fração neutra. No testemunho CF02-01A foram obtidos as seguintes concentrações médias: 97,40 mais ou menos 99,15 ug g-1 COT para os n-alcanos; 93,39 mais ou menos 37,00 ug g-1 COT para os esteróis; 81,32 mais ou menos 40,65 ug g-1 COT para os álcoois graxos e 129,70 mais ou menos 132,41 ug g-1 COT para os ácidos graxos. Para o testemunho CF02-02A foram verificadas as seguintes concentrações médias: 128,7 mais ou menos 213,11 ug g-1 COT para os n-alcanos; 68,25 mais ou menos 30,02 ug g-1 COT para os esteróis; 119,20 mais ou menos 96.65ug g-1 COT para os álcoois graxos e 100,13 mais ou menos 176,88 ug g-1 COT para os ácidos graxos. Essas concentrações são inferiores às observadas nos sistemas de ressurgência africana ou da costa peruana. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a matéria orgânica presente na região de Cabo Frio é fortemente influenciada por material autóctone altamente lábil derivado de diatomáceas e dinoflagelados, entretanto há também influência de matéria orgânica alóctone advinda, mais provavelmente, de transporte eólico. Observa-se um incremento na taxa de acumulação de marcadores autótones e alóctones no período entre cerca de 3600 BP e 2100 BP superposto a oscilações a intervalos de tempos da ordem de 300 anos. Tais variações devem estar associadas à variabilidade na circulação atmosférica regional ou semihemisférica, as quais podem controlar o fenômeno da ressurgência. É importante ressaltar que foi observada neste estudo a presença de elevada MCNR, que é utilizada como indicativo da presença de hopanos maturados na maioria das amostras isto demonstra a incidência de percolação de material oleoso a partir de reservatórios presentes na área. / [en] Upwelling coastal systems are of great interesting for Science, since they provide nutrientes and control the biology, the chemistry and fisheries in vast ocean areas. Cabo Frio ecosystem (RJ – located on the southwestern margin of the South Atlantic Ocean) is the main coastal upwelling zone in Brazil and it is an exception in global ocean, as major upwelling zones are located in ocean current systems of East margins. This seasonal upwelling is governed by winds pattern prevailing in the area and it causes intermittent but significant biological responses in the water column of Cabo Frio. Besides generating rather intense phytoplankton and zooplankton surges the enriched waters are responsible for proliferation of microorganisms in the sediments. As long as there are no relevant sources of land derived nutrients to the region, the coupling of physical and biological ocean processes control the transfer of organic material of planktonic origin to the sediments. In this work, lipid biomarkers analyzed in sediments sampled in two stations (CF02-01A and CF02-02A), located between 23 degree 11 S and 41 degree 47 W and collected in October/2002, were used to evaluate possible changes in the upwelling system during the late Holocene. Organic compounds were obtained through Soxhlet extraction technique, following saponification and the division in neutral and acid fractions. Neutral fraction was concentrated and then passed through a chromatographic column to separate n-alkanes from sterols and fatty alcohols and acids by CG-MS. In fatty acid fraction 31 compounds were identified and quantified while in neutral fraction 67 compounds were investigated. CF02-01A core was characterized by the average concentrations of 90,40 more or less 99,15 ug g-1 TOC for n-alkanes; 93,39 more or less 37,00 ug g-1 TOC for sterols; 81,32 more or less 40,65 ug g-1 TOC for fatty alcohols and 129,70 more or less 132,41 ug g-1 TOC for fatty acids. In CF-02A core the average concentrations obtained were: 128,7 more or less 213,11 ug g-1 TOC for n-alkanes; 68,25 more or less 30,02 ug g-1 TOC for sterols; 119,20 more or less 96,65 ug g-1 TOC for fatty alcohols and 100,13 more or less 176,88 ug g-1 TOC for fatty acids. These concentrations are smaller than the reported for upwelling systems in Africa and Peru. The results indicate that the organic matter in the Cabo Frio region is strongly influenced by highly labile autochthonous material derived from diatoms and dinoflagellates, although there is a significant influence of allochthonous organic matter possibly driven by eolic processes. An increase is observed in the accumulation rates of both autochthonous and allochthonous markers in the period between 3600 BP and 2100 BP, superimposed by oscillations with time intervals of about 300 years. Such trends are probably bound to variability of regional or semi-hemispheric circulation of the atmosphere, which are controlling the upwelling processes. It is important to highlight the presence of substantive UCM in many sample, which allied to the occurrence of maturated hopanes indicate presence of degraded oil residues. This is a strong evidence of oil seepage from reservoirs abundantly present in the region.

Les plantes produisent une grande diversité de produits naturels parmi lesquels les isoprénoïdes prédominent. Ces molécules ont des fonctions essentielles pour la croissance et le développement : hormones végétales, régulateurs de croissance comme les brassinostéroïdes, pigments photosynthétiques, tous agissant sur des processus biologiques majeurs. Ainsi, la germination, la floraison, la tolérance aux stress thermiques et hydriques, ou la production de semences, sont contrôlées par l’action d’isoprénoïdes. Le but de mon projet est d’identifier par une sélection génétique les éléments régulateurs de l’homéostasie des isoprénoïdes. Pour cela, j’ai réalisé le criblage de suppresseurs de défaut de croissance dans deux mutants de biosynthèse d’isoprénoïdes chez Arabidopsis thaliana et un mutant de signalisation de brassinostéroïdes chez Hordeum vulgare. J’ai par ailleurs étudié la voie de biosynthèse de stérols spécifique ayant lieu dans un type cellulaire particulier, le tube pollinique en croissance. / Plants produce a great diversity of natural compounds, among which isoprenoids prevail. These molecules have essential functions for growth and development: plant hormones, growth regulators as brassinosteroids, photosynthetic pigments, acting on major biological processes. Thus, germination, flowering, heat and draught stress tolerance, or seed production are controlled by the action of isoprenoids. The aim of my project is to identify by genetic selection the regulators of isoprenoid homeostasis. For this, I carried out genetic screens for suppressors of growth defects in two isoprenoid biosynthesis deficient Arabidopsis thaliana mutants and a brassinosteroid signaling Hordeum vulgare mutant. The second part of my project was focused on the specific sterol biosynthetic pathway occurring in a specialized cell type, the germinating pollen tube.