Determination of faecal pollutants in Torrens and Patawalonga catchment waters in South Australia using faecal sterols

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Suprihatin ◽  
H. Fallowfield ◽  
R. Bentham ◽  
N. Cromar
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Sources Of Pollution ◽  
Steroid Profiles ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Faecal Sterols

This research investigated faecal pollution by sterol profiling in two Adelaide metropolitan catchments in winter 2000 and summer 2001. Water was sampled from five sites on the River Torrens and two sites on Patawalonga river catchment. The steroids detected were coprostanol, epicoprostanol, cholesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, betasitosterol, and stigmastanol. The concentrations range from 5 ng/L (of coprostanol) to 34 μmg/L (of stigmasterol), with cholesterol detected more frequently at relatively high concentrations (approximately 2 μmg/L). Sterol profiling suggested two sites on two occasions may have been impacted by human faecal contamination. Other steroid profiles suggested that sources of pollution consistently included dogs and birds. The steroid concentrations in the Torrens catchment were higher in winter, however, this was not observed in the Patawalonga catchment.

XII.—The Quality of the Forth Estuary (2)

1972 ◽  
Vol 71 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 143-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Covill
Keyword(s):  
Biological Data ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Sources Of Pollution ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Legal Position ◽  
Inshore Waters ◽  
High Concentrations

SynopsisThe introduction indicates the legal position relative to the control of discharges to the Forth estuary. Details are given of the volumes of the known sources of pollution, in 1958; chemical, bacteriological and biological data then follow relative to a survey carried out in August and September of that year. The conclusions, drawn from the 1958 Survey, emphasised the gross pollution existing at that time, and suggested methods whereby the pollution might be reduced. Section 4 of the paper discusses the results of chemical, biological, bacteriological and hydrographical surveys carried out since 1962. The results stress the deterioration in conditions in the estuary compared with the earlier survey, and in particular, the lower dissolved oxygen concentration in inshore waters and the increase in the Coliform and Escherichia coli counts in certain areas. Isolation of Salmonella species implies the possible health hazards existing at the present time. Work so far carried out in respect of the determination of heavy metal concentrations in core samples taken in the intertidal zone along the shore has indicated relatively high concentrations of certain metals and their effect on the ecology of the estuary has yet to be fully assessed. Float tests made over a period emphasise the tendency for the sewage discharges to be confined to inshore waters, resulting in the gross pollution of certain beaches. Present information stresses the need for the continuance of the monitoring programme.

Discriminating faecal pollution: a case study of stormwater entering Port Phillip Bay, Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Leeming ◽  
N. Bate ◽  
R. Hewlett ◽  
P. D. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Indicators ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Thermotolerant Coliforms ◽  
Environment Protection Authority ◽  
Faecal Sterols

This investigation was designed to provide preliminary information to the Environment Protection Authority concerning the input of faecal matter to stormwater drains in the Rippleside area of Geelong, Victoria. Results derived from the combined use of sterol biomarkers (e.g. coprostanol and 24-ethylcoprostanol) and four sub-groups of bacterial indicators (e.g. thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, faecal streptococci and enterococci) indicated that during wet weather, all sites sampled were affected by significant human faecal contamination. Ratios of coprostanol to bacterial indicators were similar to those for samples collected from nearby sewer mains. During dry weather, there were still severely elevated levels of faecal contamination based on bacterial indicators, but correspondingly low concentrations of faecal sterols suggesting minimal human or herbivore faecal contamination. The origin of the majority of the faecal pollution in dry weather therefore remains to be fully explained. It is clear from this and related studies that the combined measurement of faecal sterols and bacterial indicators can greatly assist distinguishing sources of faecal pollution. It is also shown for aquatic environments that the measurement of coprostanol or other single indicators alone, is inadequate to fully discern faecal contamination from human sources.

Methods for the Determination of the Purity of Exosomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (42) ◽  
pp. 4464-4485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kluszczyńska ◽  
Liliana Czernek ◽  
Wojciech Cypryk ◽  
Łukasz Pęczek ◽  
Markus Düchler
Keyword(s):  
Drug Transport ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Drug Carriers ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Isolation And Purification ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Targeted Release

Background: Exosomes open exciting new opportunities for advanced drug transport and targeted release. Furthermore, exosomes may be used for vaccination, immunosuppression or wound healing. To fully utilize their potential as drug carriers or immune-modulatory agents, the optimal purity of exosome preparations is of crucial importance. Methods: Articles describing the isolation and purification of exosomes were retrieved from the PubMed database. Results: Exosomes are often separated from biological fluids containing high concentrations of proteins, lipids and other molecules that keep vesicle purification challenging. A great number of purification protocols have been published, however, their outcome is difficult to compare because the assessment of purity has not been standardized. In this review, we first give an overview of the generation and composition of exosomes, as well as their multifaceted biological functions that stimulated various medical applications. Finally, we describe various methods that have been used to purify small vesicles and to assess the purity of exosome preparations and critically compare the quality of these evaluation protocols. Conclusion: Combinations of various techniques have to be applied to reach the required purity and quality control of exosome preparations.

Identification of N-Substituted Triazolo-azetidines as Novel Antibacterials using pDualrep2 HTS Platform

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 346-354
Author(s):  
Yan A. Ivanenkov ◽  
Renat S. Yamidanov ◽  
Ilya A. Osterman ◽  
Petr V. Sergiev ◽  
Vladimir A. Aladinskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Mic Value

Aim and Objective: Antibiotic resistance is a serious constraint to the development of new effective antibacterials. Therefore, the discovery of the new antibacterials remains one of the main challenges in modern medicinal chemistry. This study was undertaken to identify novel molecules with antibacterial activity. Materials and Methods: Using our unique double-reporter system, in-house large-scale HTS campaign was conducted for the identification of antibacterial potency of small-molecule compounds. The construction allows us to visually assess the underlying mechanism of action. After the initial HTS and rescreen procedure, luciferase assay, C14-test, determination of MIC value and PrestoBlue test were carried out. Results: HTS rounds and rescreen campaign have revealed the antibacterial activity of a series of Nsubstituted triazolo-azetidines and their isosteric derivatives that has not been reported previously. Primary hit-molecule demonstrated a MIC value of 12.5 µg/mL against E. coli Δ tolC with signs of translation blockage and no SOS-response. Translation inhibition (26%, luciferase assay) was achieved at high concentrations up to 160 µg/mL, while no activity was found using C14-test. The compound did not demonstrate cytotoxicity in the PrestoBlue assay against a panel of eukaryotic cells. Within a series of direct structural analogues bearing the same or bioisosteric scaffold, compound 2 was found to have an improved antibacterial potency (MIC=6.25 µg/mL) close to Erythromycin (MIC=2.5-5 µg/mL) against the same strain. In contrast to the parent hit, this compound was more active and selective, and provided a robust IP position. Conclusion: N-substituted triazolo-azetidine scaffold may be used as a versatile starting point for the development of novel active and selective antibacterial compounds.

scholarly journals Electroanalytical Techniques for the Detection of Selenium as a Biologically and Environmentally Significant Analyte—A Short Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1768
Author(s):  
Miroslav Rievaj ◽  
Eva Culková ◽  
Damiána Šandorová ◽  
Zuzana Lukáčová-Chomisteková ◽  
Renata Bellová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Electroanalytical Methods ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Speed Of Analysis

This short review deals with the properties and significance of the determination of selenium, which is in trace amounts an essential element for animals and humans, but toxic at high concentrations. It may cause oxidative stress in cells, which leads to the chronic disease called selenosis. Several analytical techniques have been developed for its detection, but electroanalytical methods are advantageous due to simple sample preparation, speed of analysis and high sensitivity of measurements, especially in the case of stripping voltammetry very low detection limits even in picomoles per liter can be reached. A variety of working electrodes based on mercury, carbon, silver, platinum and gold materials were applied to the analysis of selenium in various samples. Only selenium in oxidation state + IV is electroactive therefore the most of voltammetric determinations are devoted to it. However, it is possible to detect also other forms of selenium by indirect electrochemistry approach.

scholarly journals Spatial Variation of Water Chemistry in Aries River Catchment Western Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6592
Author(s):  
Ana Moldovan ◽  
Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia ◽  
Anamaria Iulia Török ◽  
Marius Roman ◽  
Ionut Cornel Mirea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.

scholarly journals The Double Face of Ketamine—The Possibility of Its Identification in Blood and Beverages

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 813
Author(s):  
Magdalena Świądro ◽  
Paweł Stelmaszczyk ◽  
Irena Lenart ◽  
Renata Wietecha-Posłuszny
Keyword(s):  
Date Rape ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Heroin Addiction ◽  
Assisted Extraction ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Rosé Wine ◽  
Tof Ms

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a high-sensitivity methodology for identifying one of the most used drugs—ketamine. Ketamine is used medicinally to treat depression, alcoholism, and heroin addiction. Moreover, ketamine is the main ingredient used in so-called “date-rape” pills (DRP). This study presents a novel methodology for the simultaneous determination of ketamine based on the Dried Blood Spot (DBS) method, in combination with capillary electrophoresis coupled with a mass spectrometer (CE-TOF-MS). Then, 6-mm circles were punched out from DBS collected on Whatman DMPK-C paper and extracted using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The assay was linear in the range of 25–300 ng/mL. Values of limits of detection (LOD = 6.0 ng/mL) and quantification (LOQ = 19.8 ng/mL) were determined based on the signal to noise ratio. Intra-day precision at each determined concentration level was in the range of 6.1–11.1%, and inter-day between 7.9–13.1%. The obtained precision was under 15.0% (for medium and high concentrations) and lower than 20.0% (for low concentrations), which are in accordance with acceptance criteria. Therefore, the DBS/MAE/CE-TOF-MS method was successfully checked for analysis of ketamine in matrices other than blood, i.e., rose wine and orange juice. Moreover, it is possible to identify ketamine in the presence of flunitrazepam, which is the other most popular ingredient used in DRP. Based on this information, the selectivity of the proposed methodology for identifying ketamine in the presence of other components of rape pills was checked.

The use of chemical and molecular microbial indicators for faecal source identification

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gilpin ◽  
T. James ◽  
F. Nourozi ◽  
D. Saunders ◽  
P. Scholes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Pcr ◽  
Animal Group ◽  
Faecal Pollution ◽  
Molecular Assays ◽  
Chemical Indicators ◽  
Fluorescent Whitening Agents ◽  
Feral Animals ◽  
Oxidation Ponds ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
Faecal Sterols

Identifying the source of faecal pollution is important to enable appropriate management of faecal pollution of water. We are developing and evaluating a combination of these microbial and chemical indicators better able to identify the source of faecal pollution. These assays make use of a combination of direct PCR, culturing, and colony hybridisation to identify source specific species of Bifidobacterium, Rhodococcus and Bacteroides. In conjunction with assays for (a) fluorescent whitening agents and (b) faecal sterols and stanols, these indicators were able to identify human derived faecal pollution in river water containing inputs from septic tanks, municipal oxidation ponds, farmed animals and feral animals. Differentiating amongst the animal sources was more difficult and will require development of molecular assays for organisms specific to each animal group.

scholarly journals Effects of Macronutrients in the Physiological Quality of Soybean Seeds

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Geliandro Anhaia Rigo ◽  
Luis Osmar Braga Schuch ◽  
Willian Silva Barros ◽  
Rodrigo Lamaison de Vargas ◽  
Vinícius Jardel Szareski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Program ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Soybean Seeds ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Physiological Quality ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

The aim of this work was to correlate macronutrient content of soybean seeds to physiological quality of different cultivars. The work was developed in the Federal University of Pelotas, in the facilities of the Seed Science and Technology Graduate Program. The experimental design was randomized blocks in arranged in four replicates. The following soybean cultivars were used: BMX Apolo RR (12 lots), BMX Ativa RR (13 lots), BMX Energia RR (26 lots), BMX Força RR (24 lots), BMX Impacto RR (35 lots), BMX Magna RR (16 lots), BMX Turbo RR (44 lots), BMX Potência RR (82 lots) and NA 5909 RR (28 lots), with seeds produced in northwest Rio Grande do Sul. The determination of nutritional contents found in plant tissues of soybean seeds, were measured: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S). The macronutrient contents of the seeds vary according to genetic characteristics of the cultivars, with higher oscillations of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur contents present in soybean seeds. Potassium and calcium are defined as the most stable nutrients for the cultivars and seed lots analyzed. High concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium are determinants for the physiological quality of soybean seeds.

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