ABSTRACT Objective: Feeding restriction in rats alters the oscillators in suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, and arcuate nuclei, hypothalamic areas involved in food intake. In the present study, using the same animals and experimental protocol, we aimed to analyze if food restriction could reset clock genes ( Clock, Bmal1 ) and genes involved in lipid metabolism ( Pgc1a, Pparg, Ucp2 ) through nutrient-sensing pathways ( Sirt1, Ampk, Nampt ) in peripheral tissues. Materials and methods: Rats were grouped according to food access: Control group (CG, food ad libitum ), Restricted night-fed (RF-n, food access during 2 h at night), Restricted day-fed (RF-d, food access during 2 h in the daytime), and Day-fed (DF, food access during 12 h in the daytime). After 21 days, rats were decapitated at ZT3 (0900-1000 h), ZT11 (1700-1800 h), or ZT17 (2300-2400 h). Blood, liver, brown (BAT) and peri-epididymal (PAT) adipose tissues were collected. Plasma corticosterone and gene expression were evaluated by radioimmunoassay and qPCR, respectively. Results: In the liver, the expression pattern of Clock and Bmal1 shifted when food access was dissociated from rat nocturnal activity; this phenomenon was attenuated in adipose tissues. Daytime feeding also inverted the profile of energy-sensing and lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver, whereas calorie restriction induced a pre-feeding increased expression of these genes. In adipose tissues, Sirt1 expression was modified by daytime feeding and calorie restriction, with concomitant expression of Pgc1a , Pparg , and Ucp2 but not Ampk and Nampt . Conclusion: Feeding restriction reset clock genes and genes involved in lipid metabolism through nutrient-sensing-related genes in rat liver, brown, and peri-epididymal adipose tissues.

This study evaluated the environmental occurrence of fifty-one pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in surface and drinking water samples collected in southern Brazil over a 4-year period. The method used involved a stage based on solid-phase extraction, followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Thirty compounds were detected (22 different pesticides and 8 PPCPs) and at least four compounds were identified in more than 50% of the samples. Atrazine was the most frequently detected pesticide and it was found at concentrations between 5 and 49 ng L-1. From PPCPs, glibenclamide, methylparaben and nimesulide were the most commonly detected in both drinking water and surface water samples. Results showed the extent to which traces of pesticides and PPCPs were present in water samples from this region.

An investigation was conducted into the production of xylose by acid hydrolysis of rice husks and its subsequent bioconversion to xylitol. The parameters were optimised using the response surface methodology. The fermentation stage took place with the aid of the yeast species Candida guilliermondii and Candida tropicalis. An evaluation of the influence of several biomass pre-treatments was also performed. The effects of the acid concentration and hydrolysate pH on xylitol global yield were also assessed, and the highest yield of xylitol was 64.0% (w/w). The main products, xylose and xylitol, were identified and quantified by means of liquid chromatography.

O presente estudo avalia, preliminarmente, o risco da exposição ambiental a β-bloqueadores em efluente de um hospital universitário (Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM), Rio Grande do Sul). Propranolol mostrou o maior quociente de risco (0,56). A ocorrência de β-bloqueadores foi avaliada com auxílio de metodologia de SPE-HPLC-FLD (extração por fase sólida-cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção por fluorescência) otimizando-se multivariadamente as variáveis pH da amostra, pH da água e a razão entre metanol:acetonitrila:ácido fórmico. As concentrações médias de atenolol, metoprolol e propranolol medidas durante o período de uma semana foram de 2,45 ± 1,14, 4,67 ± 1,63 e 0,70 ± 0,88 μg L-1 no efluente do pronto atendimento, 0,95 ± 0,68, 0,70 ± 0,33 e 0,315 ± 0,62 μg L-1 no efluente geral do hospital e 1,26 ± 0,47, 1,27 ± 0,35 e 0,56 ± 0,47 μg L-1 no córrego receptor, respectivamente. Propranolol mostrou razão MEC/PNEC > 1 (MEC: concentração ambiental mensurada e PNEC: concentração predita que não causa efeito), exigindo maior atenção em termos de toxicidade. A ocorrência de β-bloqueadores e o risco ambiental associado demonstram a necessidade de um sistema mais eficiente de tratamento do efluente hospitalar.

This preliminary study evaluated an assessment of the risks arising from environmental exposure to β-blockers from wastewater of an university hospital (University Hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil). Propranolol showed the highest risk quotient (0.56). The occurrence of β-blockers was evaluated using an analytical procedure SPE-HPLC-FLD (solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection), optimizing the variables sample pH, water pH, and methanol:acetonitrile:formic acid ratio of the elution stage. The average concentrations of atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol for a sampling period of one week were 2.45 ± 1.14, 4.67 ± 1.63 and 0.70 ± 0.88 μg L-1 in the 'Emergence' sewage; 0.95 ± 0.68, 0.70 ± 0.33 and 0.315 ± 0.62 μg L-1 in the 'HUSM general' sewage and 1.26 ± 0.47, 1.27 ± 0.35 and 0.56 ± 0.47 μg L-1 in the 'Receiving waters', the receptor stream of the effluents, respectively. Propranolol showed an MEC/PNEC ratio > 1, and thus requires more attention in terms of toxicity. The occurrence of β-blockers and the associated environmental risks demonstrate the need of a more efficient treatment system for the hospital wastewater.

This study proposes the low temperature pyrolysis as an alternative conversion process for residual biomass and for obtaining gaseous, liquid and solid chemical feedstocks. Using a bench electrical pyrolysis oven, four product fractions from eucalyptus sawdust were obtained: a gaseous one, two liquid (aqueous and oily), and a solid residue (char). These products were characterized by different analytical methods. The liquid fractions showed themselves as potential sources for input chemicals. The residual char revealed appreciable adsorption capability. The process demonstrated good efficiency, generating at least two fractions of great industrial interest: bio oil and char.

RESUMO Estudos anteriores demonstraram uma considerável contaminação de pastagens da região carboelétrica de Candiota - RS. Neste trabalho, 21 espécies de pastagens nativas desta região foram identificadas e analisadas quanto a seus teores de flúor. A determinação deste elemento foi feita por meio da técnica de eletrodo íon-seletivo em soluções resultantes da decomposição de amostras de pastagens com mistura HNO3 + H2O2. Amostras coletadas em três pontos das vizinhanças da usina termoelétrica (UTPM) acusaram valores entre 2,17 e 15,18 ppm de F-. A concentração de flúor nas pastagens de Candiota é superior à das amostras de referência. A diferenciada capacidade de absorção e de retenção deste elemento pelas espécies estudadas fica evidenciada pela variabilidade dos níveis de concentração medidos.

ABSTRACT Previous studies showed that native pasture in the “coal energetic” region of Candiota, RS state/Brazil was considerably contaminated by fluorine. In this work 21 different species of native pasture plants were identificated and their fluorine concentrations evaluated. The determinations were performed by ion-selective electrode technique into the resulting solutions of pasture sample decomposition with a H2O2 + HNO3 mixture. Pasture samples collected at three different sites from the vicinity of the coal-fired power plant (UTPM) showed values between 2.17 and 15.18 ppm of F-. The fluorine concentrations of the pastures from Candiota were higher than the measured levels in reference samples. The different absorption and retention ability of this element by the studied species is evidenced by the variability of measured concentration levels.