OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre as atividades (total e banda específica) da butirilcolinesterase (BChE) e diabetes melito. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: As atividades da BChE (BChEA, AC4/5, AC OF e RC5) foram analisadas em 101 pacientes diabéticos do tipo 1 (DM1) e 145 do tipo 2 (DM2) em relação aos fenótipos, ao peso e à incidência da síndrome metabólica. Os complexos C4/5 e C5 foram separados das outras formas moleculares (C OF), usando gel de ágar ácido. RESULTADOS: A atividade da BChE (BChEA) e as atividades absolutas de C4/5 (AC4/5) e de C OF (AC OF) mostraram altos coeficientes de correlações positivos com peso no grupo de CHE2 C5-, enquanto a atividade relativa do complexo C5 (RC5) mostrou correlação negativa com o peso. CONCLUSÕES: O presente estudo sugere que as correlações positivas das atividades da BChE com diabetes melito e com a resistência à insulina podem depender da variabilidade do loco CHE2. Altos valores nas atividades da BChE estão associados com a resistência à insulina somente nos pacientes diabéticos CHE2 C5-, enquanto nos pacientes diabéticos CHE2 C5+ a presença do complexo C5, especialmente em alta proporção relativa, leva a um menor estoque de gordura e à maior proteção contra a síndrome metabólica.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (total and band specific) and diabetes mellitus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: BChE activities (BChEA, AC 4/5, AC OF and RC5) were analyzed in 101 type 1 (DM1) and in 145 type 2 (DM2) diabetic patients, in relation to phenotype, weight and incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in these patients. The C4/5 and C5 complex were separated from other molecular forms (C OF) using an acid agar gel. RESULTS: The BChE activity (BChEA) and the absolute activities of C4/5 (AC4/5) and C OF (AC OF) showed a high positive correlation coefficient to weight in the CHE2 C5- group, while the relative activity of C5 complex (RC5) showed a negative correlation to weight. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that the positive correlation of the BChE activities to diabetes mellitus and to insulin resistance may depend on the CHE2 locus variability. High values of BChE activities were associated with insulin resistance only in CHE2 C5- diabetic patients, while in CHE2 C5+ diabetic patients, the presence of C5 complex, especially in a relatively high proportion, leads to less fat storage and better protection against metabolic syndrome.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de reduções de emissão de carbono, em tCO2 eq ano-1, e estimar o valor financeiro obtido anualmente para o total de suínos da granja e o valor médio anual por animal em suinocultura, em sistema de recria e engorda, com capacidade instalada para 600 animais. O sistema de tratamento dos dejetos é realizado de forma integrada, possibilitando a reciclagem dos nutrientes, em que o biodigestor anaeróbio tubular estabiliza a matéria orgânica, produzindo metano e biofertilizante no processo. A estimativa foi efetuada baseando-se na metodologia AM0006, aprovada pelo Conselho Executivo do Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo do IPCC. O potencial de redução de emissão de CO2 equivalente por ano foi de 325,16 t, correspondendo à redução de emissão de 0,54 tCO2 eq animal-1 ano-1, e a possibilidade de ganho financeiro com a comercialização desses créditos de carbono de aproximadamente R$ 5,31 animal-1 ano-1.

Greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2 eq year-1) and the money earned annually with the total amount of pigs and the average per pig were evaluate. The pig farm has about 600 animals. The waste treatment sistem is integrated making possible the nutrients recycling. The tubular anaerobic digestor degrade organic matter producing methane and fertilizer. The estimation made was based on the methodology AM0006 approved by Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board. The mitigation potential calculated was 325.16 tCO² eq year-1, or 0.54 tCO² eq year-1. The financial income was approximately R$ 5.31 animal-1 year-1.

Trace element concentrations in water from São Francisco River using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Synchroton Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (STXRF) techniques are measured. The main objective of this work was to characterize and to monitor the trace elements in the water of São Francisco River, as well as to provide valuable information about the levels of metallic ions pollutants. Water samples were collected monthly at five locations along the course of the river from July 2003 to April 2004. As an internal standard, 11.6 ppm of Yttrium was added to 10 ml of the water sample. The PIXE and TXRF measurements were performed at the Ion Beams and Materials Laboratory (LAMFI) and the Brazilian National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), using a proton beam and a polychromatic X-ray beam, respectively. Si(Li) detectors were used to collect the X-ray spectra. Due to the excellent detection limits of the PIXE and STXRF analysis, up to 15 elements were quantified. The highest total content of Cr, As, Cu and Zn detected in river water are above the limits recommended by the environmental legislation.

Concentrations of trace metallic element as well as macronutrients were measured in water and plants from pond water. The aquatic macrophyte Salvinia sp. was evaluated for its trace metals removal potential in river water under laboratory conditions. The experiment were performed using several healthy acclimatized plants Salvinia sp. The water and grown plants were collected from ponds. For the trace element removal´s test, 30-35 grams of fresh aquatic plants were grown in river water into a greenhouse for ten weeks. Control plants were also grown during the experiment. Every two weeks, both plants and water samples were collected. After the end of each experiment, the growth rate was calculated. Trace element concentrations in plants and pond water were obtained using TXRF techniques. Values for the elements (K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn and Sr) concentrations in plant dry weight have been obtained after deducting metal contents of control plants. For each trace element, the aquatic Salvinia sp. plant showed to possess different affinity for the incorporation of the metals in its biomass. Results suggest the use of aquatic macrophytes Salvinia sp. for metal abatement in dilute wastewaters.