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Four parallel biofilters were tested for treatment of ozonated humicwater. Two of them contained Kaldnes plastic cylinders (KMT media), one marble and one expanded clay aggregates (Filtralite NC) as biofilm media. Dual-media filter was used for removal of bacteria from biofilter effluents. After four months of operation, average TOC removal was 37-38% and CODMn removal was 43-45% in the ozonation/biofiltration process. Ozonation removed 83% of colour from the raw water. Over 83% removal of ozonation by-products (aldehydes and ketoacids) was also achieved. Biofiltration increased the levels of heterotrophic bacteria in the water but they were reduced by 88% in the dual-media filter. The biofilter media did not have significant effect on treatment efficiency at the empty bed contact time of 30-40 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transparency, heterogeneity and hypotheses considered in the calculation of the environmental impacts of roads are still barriers to the identification of low-carbon solutions. To overcome this problem, this study presents an analysis of 94 papers obtained in a systematic literature review of the Scopus, Science Direct, Mendeley, Springer Link, and Web of Science databases. From a total of 417 road case studies, only 18% were found to be fully transparent, reproducible, and likely to present reliable results. The road design parameters of the speed limit were provided in 11% of the cases, and the average annual daily traffic data were provided in 42%. Limited data were found for the dimensions of road elements such as the number (77%) and width of lanes (33%), shoulders (15%), footpaths (5%), berms (1%) and foreslope (4%). The source of the life cycle inventory was presented in 57% of the case studies, impact assessment method was indicated in 22%, and the software utilized was listed in 50%. A lack of information was noted in the description of the types of materials employed in road projects. In addition, the large heterogeneity in the definitions of the functional unit, system boundary and in the reference study period of repair, replacement, rehabilitation or end-of-life for both flexible and rigid pavement does not support the identification of the most environmentally friendly solutions. Based on the results of the analysis, several recommendations for design parameters and life cycle assessment aspects are proposed to support a harmonized calculation of the environmental impacts of road projects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We acknowledge that the submission declaration of “Science of the Total Environment” journal has been complied with. We also confirm that all necessary permissions have been obtained. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) technology was used to examine aggrecan metabolites and the role of aggrecanases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in proteolysis of the interglobular domain (IGD) and C-terminus of aggrecan. An in vitro model of progressive cartilage degradation characterized by early proteoglycan loss and late stage collagen catabolism was evaluated in conjunction with a broad-spectrum inhibitor of MMPs. We have for the first time demonstrated that IGD cleavage by MMPs occurs during this late stage cartilage degeneration, both as a primary event in association with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release from the tissue and secondarily in trimming of aggrecanase-generated G1 metabolites. Additionally, we have shown that MMPs were responsible for C-terminal catabolism of aggrecan and generation of chondroitin sulfate (CS) deficient aggrecan monomers and that this aggrecan truncation occurred prior to detectable IGD cleavage by MMPs. The onset of this later stage MMP activity was also evident by the generation of MMP-specific link protein catabolites in this model culture system. Recombinant MMP-1, -3 and -13 were all capable of C-terminally truncating aggrecan with at least two cleavage sites N-terminal to the CS attachment domains of aggrecan. Through analysis of aggrecan metabolites in pathological synovial fluids from human, canine and equine sources, we have demonstrated the presence of aggrecan catabolites that appear to have resulted from similar C-terminal processing of aggrecan as that induced in our in vitro culture systems. Finally, by developing a new MAb recognizing a linear epitope in the IGD of aggrecan, we have identified two novel aggrecan metabolites generated by an as yet unidentified proteolytic event. Collectively, these results suggest that C-terminal processing of aggrecan by MMPs may contribute to the depletion of cartilage GAG that leads to loss of tissue function in aging and disease. Furthermore, analysis of aggrecan metabolites resulting from both C-terminal and IGD cleavage by MMPs may prove useful in monitoring different stages in the progression of cartilage degeneration.

Objective: To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in retinoic acid (RetA)-induced degradation of type II collagen in cartilage., Methods: Bovine nasal cartilage explants were cultured with 1 microM RetA or in 3 nM interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). Release of proteoglycan and type II collagen into the medium was measured by colorimetric assay and immunoassay, respectively. MMP activity in the medium was determined using a quenched fluorescent substrate assay, while specific collagenases were identified by Western immunoblotting. In some cases the effects of low molecular mass synthetic MMP inhibitors and serum on collagen degradation were studied., Results: RetA promoted maximal breakdown of type II collagen after 4 or 5 weeks in culture, compared with 3 weeks in culture with IL-1alpha. In IL-1alpha-stimulated cultures, collagen degradation was coincident with a large increase in MMP activity in the culture medium, whereas in RetA-stimulated cultures, there was only a small increase. In Western immunoblots of culture media containing RetA, prointerstitial collagenase and active collagenase 3 were sometimes detected, but not in all experiments. In IL-1alpha cultures, active interstitial collagenase was always detected, and active collagenase 3 was detectable in some experiments. Neutrophil collagenase was not detected in any cultures. IL-1alpha-stimulated collagen degradation was effectively inhibited by a potent, broad-spectrum inhibitor of MMPs, whereas it was poorly inhibited by a weak MMP inhibitor. The same 2 compounds were both only weak inhibitors of RetA-induced collagen degradation. When fetal calf serum was included in cartilage cultures, MMP activity in the culture medium was reduced to low levels. This resulted in a marked inhibition of IL-1alpha-induced type II collagen degradation, whereas there was no inhibition of RetA-induced collagen degradation., Conclusion: Unlike IL-1alpha, RetA induces degradation of type II collagen in cartilage explants by a mechanism that is mainly independent of those MMPs that can be detected in the culture medium.

Thirty cysticercous patients were treated with metrifonate in doses of 7.5 mg/kg given for five consecutive days, with intervals of two weeks until completion of six series. The symptoms originated by drug reaction were mild and transitory. The results obtained after treatment demonstrated the effectivity in cerebral ocular and musculocutaneous cysticercosis, corroborated by clinical evaluations like: neurological, ophtalmological and psychiatric examinations; routine laboratory tests; special examinations like indirect immunofluorescence and hemagglutination, immunoglobulin quantitation and cholinesterase activity and by special cabinet studies like electroencephalogram, retinal fluorangiography, axial computerized tomography. The postreatment observation time varied from six months to nine years; in no case reactivation was observed.

NE-19550, N-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl)oleamide, is a capsaicin analogue that has been shown to possess oral activity in the 55 degrees C rat hot-plate and mouse phenylquinone abdominal constriction analgesia tests. The compound also displayed anti-inflammatory activity orally in the carrageenan-inflamed rat-paw test and topically in the croton oil-inflamed mouse-ear test. NE-19550 activity in the thermal analgesia assay was not blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone, and no inhibition of prostanoid synthesis in rat platelets or tissues was seen following a high analgesic and anti-inflammatory oral dose (300 mg/kg). A wide variety of known neuronal antagonists (adrenergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic, GABA-ergic, histaminergic) were found not to inhibit NE-19550 analgesia, further indicating a lack of involvement of known drug receptors mediating analgesic responses. Analgesic doses of NE-19550 were also found to lack the acute toxicity and thermoregulatory desensitization characteristics of the parent natural product capsaicin. It appears to represent a new class of potent-acting, non-narcotic, anti-inflammatory analgesic agents.