LTA and FAU-X Iron-Enriched Zeolites: Use for Phosphate Removal from Aqueous Medium

Hydrothermally synthesized Linde type A (LTA) and faujasite X (FAU-X) zeolites are low-cost and environmentally benign inorganic carriers for environmental applications. In this study, (oxy)hydroxides were incorporated onto LTA and FAU-X zeolites to promote the phosphate adsorption. The performance of LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe was evaluated through batch adsorption assays. A complete evaluation was performed to recover phosphate from synthetic wastewater. The effect of pH, concentration, equilibrium, and kinetic parameters on phosphate adsorption and its further reuse in sorption–desorption cycles were evaluated. LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe are effective for adsorption of phosphate at neutral (e.g., pH 7.0 ± 0.2) and in a broad range of phosphate concentrations. Higher ratios of adsorption capacities were obtained by synthetic zeolites enriched with iron in comparison to their parent forms. The phosphate adsorption occurred through hydrogen bonding and complexation reactions between protonated iron hydroxyl groups and phosphate anions. The phosphate monolayer adsorption was followed by diffusion through the internal pores and 80% of the equilibrium adsorption was reached within 50 min. The LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe can be used for phosphate recovery from wastewater treatment plants. The use of LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe in a tertiary wastewater treatment stage could allow to reduce the phosphate–phosphorous content, reaching the regulatory levels (equal 1 mg L⁻¹ total phosphorous). The phosphate adsorption using LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe does not require pH adjustment, and it is endothermic. The reusability of both iron zeolites is limited, and they can be finally disposed for soil amendment applications.     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery in locally advanced cervical cancer during pregnancy: a case report

Management of cervicocarcinoma during pregnancy is influenced by gestational age, stage of disease, and patient's desire to maintain her pregnancy. We report a case of a pregnant patient with locally advanced cervicocarcinoma successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by caesarean section and radical surgery.     

Reactive vaccination as control strategy for an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis C:P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6:ST-11(cc11), Bergamo province,Italy, December 2019 to January 2020

In Italy, serogroup C meningococci of the clonal complex cc11 (MenC/cc11) have caused several outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) during the past 20 years. Between December 2019 and January 2020, an outbreak of six cases of IMD infected with MenC/cc11 was identified in a limited area in the northern part of Italy. All cases presented a severe clinical picture, and two of them were fatal. This report is focused on the microbiological and molecular analysis of meningococcal isolates with the aim to reconstruct the chain of transmission. It further presents the vaccination strategy adopted to control the outbreak. The phylogenetic evaluation demonstrated the close genetic proximity between the strain involved in this outbreak and a strain responsible for a larger epidemic that had occurred in 2015 and 2016 in the Tuscany Region. The rapid identification and characterisation of IMD cases and an extensive vaccination campaign contributed to the successful control of this outbreak caused by a hyperinvasive meningococcal strain.     

How Diet and Physical Activity Modulate Gut Microbiota: Evidence,and Perspectives

Gut microbiota plays a significant role in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis, contributing to human health. Nevertheless, some factors (sex, age, lifestyle, physical activity, drug-based therapies, diet, etc.) affect its composition and functionality, linked to pathologies and immunological diseases. Concerning diet, it interacts with microorganisms, leading to beneficial or detrimental outcomes for the health of host. On the other hand, physical activity is known to be useful for preventing and, sometimes, treating several diseases of cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, respiratory, and muscular systems. This paper focuses on diet and physical activity presenting the current knowledge about how different diets (Western, ketogenic, vegan, gluten free, Mediterranean) as well as different types of exercise (intensive, endurance, aerobic) could shape gut microbiota.     

Buccal micronucleus cytome assay in primary school children: A descriptive analysis of the MAPEC_LIFE multicenter cohort study

Background

Recent data support the hypothesis that genetic damage occurring early in life during childhood can play an important role in the development of chronic diseases in adulthood, including cancer.

Nutritional risk among Brazilian children 2 to 6 years old: A multicenter study

ObjectiveTo estimate the nutritional risk in children 2 to 6 y old.MethodsThe sample consisted of 3058 children enrolled in public and private schools in nine Brazilian cities. The assessment of nutrient intake was based on 1-d data combining direct individual weighing of foods and a food diary. A second evaluation of food consumption was conducted in a subsample to estimate the usual intake.ResultsThere was low prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin B6 (<0.001%), riboflavin (<0.001%), niacin (<0.001%), thiamin (<0.001%), folate (<0.001%), phosphorus (<0.1%), magnesium (<0.1%), iron (<0.5%), copper (<0.001%), zinc (<0.5%), and selenium (<0.001%). However, 22% of children younger than 4 y and 5% of children older than 4 y consumed fiber quantities larger than the adequate intake. Approximately 30% of the sample consumed more saturated fat than recommended. The prevalence of inadequate vitamin E intake ranged from 15% to 29%. More than 90% of the children had an inadequate vitamin D intake. In children older than 4 y, the prevalence of inadequate calcium intake was approximately 45%. Sodium intake was higher than the upper intake level in 90% of children younger than 4 y and 73% of children older than 4 y.ConclusionsThe prevalence of inadequate dietary intake was low for most nutrients. However, fiber, calcium, and vitamin D and E intakes were lower than recommended. Moreover, children consumed large amounts of sodium and saturated fat.     

Quantitative real time PCR assays for the detection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in animals and humans

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is a neglected disease of humans in the New World that may also cause irreversible skin and eventually mucocutaneous lesions. This parasite can also infect dogs and represents a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians. Methods currently available for the diagnosis of ACL have a low sensitivity and may be time-consuming, representing a limit for treatment expedition of ACL. Quantitative real time PCR assays (qPCR) for the detection of L. (V.) braziliensis in canine blood samples were developed herein, and the detection limit and specificity of different molecular targets (kDNA and rDNA) evaluated. Of the protocols assessed, two qPCR assays, one targeting the kDNA and other the SSU rDNA of L. (V.) braziliensis, performed better, with detection limits of 100 fg and 10 pg, respectively. These assays were also used to test skin samples from humans with suspected ACL. The results indicate that the qPCR protocols developed represent an advance for the diagnosis of ACL in dogs and humans from this region, and provide a rapid and non-invasive diagnosis of the infection by L. (V.) braziliensis. Considering the quantitative nature of the assays, they will also be useful for monitoring treatment efficacy and preventing relapses in human patients in Brazil, although further studies are needed to critically evaluate the specificity of the qPCRs for their capacity to distinguish different Leishmania species and subspecies (represented by zymodemes) in other countries. Finally, molecular assays established may represent new tools for future basic and applied research focused on species identification, host–parasite associations, and infection dynamics in host and vector populations.     

Symptomatic pulmonary embolism and the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND: In patients with a first symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), the risk of recurrence is unknown. We therefore investigated the risk of recurrence among patients with spontaneous symptomatic PE and among those with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) without symptoms of PE. METHODS: After discontinuation of secondary thromboprophylaxis for a first venous thromboembolism (VTE), we prospectively observed 436 patients for an average of 30 months. Patients with secondary VTE, natural inhibitor deficiencies, lupus anticoagulant, cancer, long-term antithrombotic therapy, vena cava filters, or pregnancy were excluded. The study outcome was objectively documented recurrent symptomatic VTE. RESULTS: Recurrent VTE was seen among 28 (17.3%) of 162 patients with symptomatic PE and among 26 (9.5%) of 274 patients with DVT without symptoms of PE. Compared with patients with DVT, the relative risk of recurrent VTE among patients with symptomatic PE was 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7; P =.005). The relative risk was not affected by age, sex, presence of factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A, hyperhomocysteinemia, or high factor VIII levels. Compared with patients with DVT without symptoms of PE, patients with symptomatic PE had an adjusted relative risk of PE at recurrence of 4.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-12.3; P =.03). CONCLUSION: Patients with a first symptomatic PE not only have a higher risk of recurrent VTE than those with DVT without symptoms of PE, but are also at high risk of symptomatic PE at recurrence.