Long-Range Atmospheric Transport and Local Pollution Sources on PAH Concentrations in a South European Urban Area. Fulfilling of the European Directive

A 12 months study on urban atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contained in the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM10) was carried out in Zaragoza (Spain) from July 12th, 2001 to July 26th, 2002 by using a high-volume air sampler able to collect the PAH supported on a Teflon-coated fibre glass filter. Samples were analysed by using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). PAH of high molecular weight, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IcdP), benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BghiP) and coronene (Co) were the most abundant compounds. The concentrations of benz[a]pyrene equivalent carcinogenic power (BaP-eq) showed a mean value of 0.7 ng/m³ with 22.5% of the samples exceeding the 1.0 ng/m³ guide value established by the European Directive. These episodes were mainly produced during cold season. Regarding meteorological variables, a positive effect of the prevalent wind “cierzo” (NW direction) over the Zaragoza city was confirmed from the environmental point of view. The NE, E and S directions, corresponding to highway and industrial areas were the directions showing the high PAH atmospheric concentrations. Despite the proximity of a high-level traffic highway, stationary sources related to industry were the dominant source of PAH in the sampled area. Vehicular emissions and natural gas home heating also contributed to PAH concentrations. The predominance of local pollution sources versus long-range transport on PAH concentrations was shown. However, the contribution of long-range transport of anthropogenic origin from other European areas was reflected for specific dates on PAH concentrations and PM10 levels.     

Assessment of the production of antioxidants from winemaking waste solids

Winemaking waste solids (WS, resulting from red grapes after fermentation and distillation to recover spirits) were subjected to various processing schemes for isolating fractions with antioxidant activity. The liquors entrapped in WS as received were separated by pressing and freeze-dried to yield a fraction with antioxidant activity (measured as DPPH radical scavenging capacity) comparable to those of synthetic antioxidants. A second approach based on the direct processing of raw WS in sulfuric acid medium under fixed operational conditions and further extraction of hydrolysis liquors with ethyl acetate enabled the isolation of a fraction with higher antioxidant ability at an improved yield. The most favorable approach started with a washing stage leading to liquors (which were directly freeze-dried to yield 1.20 g of extract/100 g of oven-dry WS and presented an EC50 of 0.41 g of extract/L) and washed solids, which were dried and subjected to hydrolytic processing (i) with water as a reactive in an autocatalyzed reaction (autohydrolysis) or (ii) with sulfuric acid solutions to give an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction with improved antioxidant properties (EC50 in the range of 0.18-0.40 g/L). Samples from washing liquors and processing of washed solids in aqueous medium were subjected to chromatographic fractionation and analysis to give isolates with remarkable antioxidant activity (with EC50 as low as 0.07 g/L) and to identify their major components.     

Effect of red grapes co-winemaking in polyphenols and color of wines

The red grapes co-winemaking effect on phenolic fraction and wine color has been studied for the first time, where Monastrell was comacerated and cofermentated with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Changes in the relative abundance of anthocyanins were observed as well as hyperchromic shifts at 530 and 620 nm; these effects remain constant after aging. Co-winemaking also favored copigmentation, giving way to more stable anthocyanins and facilitating their polymerization. With regard to color evolution, the mixture of Monastrell with Merlot grapes was more appropriate than with Cabernet Sauvignon for aging wines in oak barrels. The extent of copigmentation was more important in young wines than in aged wines. This is mainly due to the self-anthocyanin monomer reactions in the case of young wines, whereas in aged wines copigmentation is mainly due to the reaction between the anthocyanins and other polyphenolic cofactors. Discriminant analysis showed the possibility of differentiating wines according to the aging time and the type of wine, with color parameters (color intensity, OD 620 nm, and OD 520 nm) being the most important discrimination variables in the first case and petunidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside contents in the second case.     

Direct observation of the femtosecond excited-state cis-trans isomerization in bacteriorhodopsin

Femtosecond optical measurement techniques have been used to study the primary photoprocesses in the light-driven transmembrane proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin was excited with a 60-femtosecond pump pulse at 618 nanometers, and the transient absorption spectra from 560 to 710 nanometers were recorded from -50 to 1000 femtoseconds by means of 6-femtosecond probe pulses. By 60 femtoseconds, a broad transient hole appeared in the absorption spectrum whose amplitude remained constant for about 200 femtoseconds. Stimulated emission in the 660- to 710-nanometer region and excited-state absorption in the 560- to 580-nanometer region appeared promptly and then shifted and decayed from 0 to approximately 150 femtoseconds. These spectral features provide a direct observation of the 13-trans to 13-cis torsional isomerization of the retinal chromophore on the excited-state potential surface. Absorption due to the primary ground-state photoproduct J appears with a time constant of approximately 500 femtoseconds.     

Light-enhanced free radical formation and trypanocidal action of gentian violet (crystal violet)

Transmission of Chagas' disease by transfusion of blood containing Trypanosoma cruzi has often been reported, and gentian violet, a triarylmethane dye, is widely used by blood banks in attempts to eliminate such transmission. In a study of intact trypanosomes, gentian violet was found to undergo a one-electron reduction to produce a carbon-centered free radical as demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or the reduced dinucleotide phosphate could serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of this free radical by homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi. The formation of this free radical, and the trypanocidal action of gentian violet, were enhanced by light. The enhanced free radical formation may be the basic cause of the selective toxicity of gentian violet to Trypanosoma cruzi.     

Management, breeding, and health records from a captive colony of pekin robins (Leiothrix lutea), 2001 - 2010

Pekin robins (Leiothrix lutea) were once the most widely kept softbills in captivity. As a result of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES-1997), the worldwide trade of wild-caught pekin robins has been prohibited due to the depletion of native populations of this species. In Brazil, as in other countries, pekin robins imported prior to the enactment of the CITES have disappeared from aviaries because the end of the birds' natural life span has passed, and only very few captive-bred pekin robins now exist. While captive propagation fails to address the primary causes of wild bird population decline, it might help the recovery of populations of this species. This article presents records made over a 10-yr period of a captive colony of pekin robins. Emphasis is placed on the management of the flock, the ailments affecting the birds, and the findings associated with bird losses. The main causes of bird losses included rearing management failures and age-related disorders.     

Mercury contamination in the Brazilian Amazon. Environmental and occupational aspects

Mercury (Hg) contamination of miners, riparian and Indian populations and fish in the Amazon region, due to gold extracting activities, has been studied. Samples of hair, urine, and blood of Indians and prospectors, and hair from riparian fish-eating population and fishes from Madeira river, respectively, were collected and analyzed by Cold Vapor, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) techniques. The results obtained showed that the aquatic food chains in the Amazonian ecosystems are contaminated by methylmercury (MeHg), exposing Indians, prospectors and riverines to thr risk of severe health hazard. The highest levels of contamination, based upon hair analysis, were found in riparian of the Madeira river, followed by Cuniã Lake population, Indians (Fresco river) and prospectors, in that order. Blood analysis showed 59% of the samples from Indians and 33% from prospectors with Hg contents above 10 ng mL^?1. Analysis of urine, on the other hand, showed 44% of Indians with Hg levels below the detection limit (d.l.), and 30% above 20 ng mL^?1, whereas 38% of the prospectors presented Hg concentrations over 20 ng mL^?1, and 20% below the d.l. These results prove that prospectors, who hardly ever eat fish but are badly exposed to inorganic Hg vapor, are ocupationally contaminated, while the rest of the populations under survey are exposed to environmental contamination by Hg, through polluted fish ingestion.     

Adaptive strategies of Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae,Oligochaeta), a peregrine geophagous earthworm of the humid tropics

Summary Pontoscolex corethrurus is a medium-sized geophagous earthworm species which has invaded most cultivated land in the humid tropics. It is generally found in gardens, cropland and fallowland, where it has been introduced accidentally by man. The species has quite narrow microclimatic requirements. Reproduction only occurs at 23°–27°C, and the worms are fully active only where soil moisture is well above field capacity (pF 2.5). This limitation is balanced by the ability to live in a great Variety of soils differing in pH, organic matter content and texture. The demographic profile is typically of the r type, which gives populations a colonization capacity greater than that of comparable native species. This can be explained by the limited size of individuals and the great efficiency of their mutualist digestion system, in association with the free soil microflora. As a result, growth is fast and a great amount of energy may be invested in reproduction, which is made even more efficient by parthenogenesis.