Biomedical subjects

J A Barrios

Publications and source records attributed to J A Barrios.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Characterization and evaluation of potential reuse options for wastewater sludge and combined sewer system sediments in Mexico.

Combined sewer systems generate sediments that have characteristics similar to those of primary sludge. Mexico City has such a system composed of a network of pipes, regulation structures (dams, basins) and open channels. The annual generation of sediments is estimated at 2.8 Mm3, which includes 0.41 Mm3 of sludge. As a result, the total capacity for transporting water is reduced considerably, making it necessary to extract yearly an approximate 0.85 Mm3 of those materials and to send them to a final disposal site with a capacity that is being exhausted. As part of the local Governmental effort, this project evaluates the quality of sediments from 6 dams, 4 regulation basins, 2 open channels, and 3 transfer stations. Also, sludge from 20 wastewater treatment plants was sampled. The results showed an important presence of lead and hydrocarbons in some sediments, and some sludge samples contained arsenic and nickel above the limits. Moreover, microbial levels exceeded the limits in all the sediments and sludge samples. Erosion was linked to the generation of an important amount of sediments based on lead concentration. A classification was established to determine the degree of contamination of the sediments as well as the required treatment to allow their potential reuse.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2004

Sustainable sludge management in developing countries.

Worldwide, unsanitary conditions are responsible for more than three million deaths annually. One of the reasons is the low level of sanitation in developing countries. Particularly, sludge from these regions has a high parasite concentration and low heavy metal content even though the available information is limited. Different issues needed to achieve a sustainable sludge management in developing nations are analysed. Based on this analysis some conclusions arise: sludge management plays an important role in sanitation programs by helping reduce health problems and associated risks; investments in sanitation should consider sludge management within the overall projects; the main restriction for reusing sludge is the high microbial concentration, which requires a science-based decision on the treatment process, while heavy metals are generally low; adequate sludge management needs the commitment of those sectors involved in the development and enforcement of the regulations as well as those that are directly related to its generation, treatment, reuse or disposal; current regulations have followed different approaches, based mainly on local conditions, but they favour sludge reuse to fight problems like soil degradation, reduced crop production, and the increased use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper summarises an overview of these issues.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2004

Effect of the application of acid treated biosolids on marigold (Tagetes erecta) development.

The use of biosolids for land restoration and crop production is a potential solution to improve food production worldwide. However, the microbial content usually restricts its application in crops that are consumed uncooked. An alternative practice is their use in floriculture. In this study, the effects of acid treated sludge on the development of marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants were evaluated under green house conditions. Biosolids were applied at the agronomic rate (AR) based on nitrogen requirements of the marigold. In addition, higher rates (10 and 20xAR) were applied to study their effect on the plants. Biosolids were mixed with tepetate (hard volcanic indurate layers). Due to its origin, tepetate lacks nutrients and organic matter to adequately support plant development. The best treatment for marigold development was 10xAR, as plants reached an average height of 107 cm, with a growing speed of 1.01 cm/d, which is 20 times more than the control. Plants that received no biosolids produced 0.25 buds and 0.5 flowers per plant. In contrast, AR and 10xAR showed a production that ranged from 2 to 29 buds/plant and 4 to 15 flowers/plant, respectively. These results indicate the viability of reusing acid treated biosolids to improve marigold development.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of the quantity and quality of the microbiological content of sludge in countries with low and high content of pathogens.

The parasites present in the residual sludge generate by the diverse treatment processes of residual water vary, depending on the socioeconomic and epidemiological conditions of different communities. And although data exist at the global level regarding the microbiological quality of sludge, these data are practically nonexistent in developing countries. Therefore, this project compares the content of the four principal groups of parasites in residual sludge from the United States and Mexico. The marked differences between the orders of magnitude found in the two countries (coliphages 10(3)-10(6) and 1.3 x 10(5) PFU/gTS, fecal coliforms 10(7)-10(10) and 10(7), Salmonella typhi 10(6)-10(8) and 10(3) MPN/gTS, Giardia lamblia 10(2)-10(4) and 10(2) cysts/gTS and helminth ova from 73-177 and <1 to 10 viable HO/gTS, respectively) will permit proposing real, effective and economical stabilization processes (undoubtedly different from those of industrialized countries), and will thus take advantage of the benefits represented by the reuse and disposal of sludge, in addition to developing regulations in agreement with the conditions of each region.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Improved alkaline stabilization of municipal wastewater sludge.

In Mexico, physicochemical sludge contains high levels of pathogens; and alkaline stabilization is an alternative for their control. However, the odours caused mainly by ammonia generation represent a disadvantage. On the other hand, the ammonia is known as an effective disinfectant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the disinfectant properties of ammonia in sludge, and use it in a closed alkaline stabilization system, which, not only copes with odours but also increases the efficiency of the process. Raw sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant using a physicochemical process was used. Ammonia was applied in doses from 10 to 50% w/w; also, doses from 5 to 40% of CaO were applied in open and closed systems and raw and treated sludge quality was evaluated. Results showed that ammonia removed 6 and 5 logs of faecal coliforms and Salmonella spp., respectively and up to 94% of viable helminth ova. The closed system was more efficient than the open system when applying doses from 5 to 20% of CaO. Finally, the results indicate that the ammonia represents an alternative to disinfecting wastewater sludge and it can be used to enhance alkaline stabilization processes.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2001

Growth of faecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. in physicochemical sludge treated with acetic acid.

The use of advanced primary treatment (APT) to remove helminth ova from wastewater has raised the issue of treating the generated sludge to allow its reuse or disposal. Several studies have been performed in Mexico in order to treat the sludge with the main goal of destroying helminth ova and bacteria, one of them analysing the acid treatment. Previous research has demonstrated the feasibility of applying such a process using acetic acid to disinfect the sludge, but the potential for bacterial growth was still to be proved. The results of a growth study of faecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. in sludge treated with acetic acid are presented in this paper. Physicochemical sludge generated in a semi-rural area of Mexico City was treated using acetic acid in 6 different doses ranging from 3,700 to 22,000 ppm (w/w) and the concentrations of faecal coliforms, Salmonella spp., and total and volatile solids, were monitored after 30 minutes, and 8, 21 and 35 days. Average initial concentrations in sludge were 1.1 x 10(8) MPN/g TS and 1.5 x 10(5) MPN/g TS for faecal coliforms and Salmonella spp., while pH, total and volatile solids were 5.4, 5.0% and 73% respectively. Apparently, some acidified samples presented anaerobic activity, observed as a change in sludge coloration, as well as bacterial growth. pH of the treated samples with less than 18,400 ppm raised from the initial value of approximately 4.0 up to 5.9 units, while samples with 18,400 and 22,000 ppm maintained the pH close to 4. Total and volatile solids did not present important changes except in the untreated sample where they were reduced by 0.3 and 3.4% respectively. Samples treated with more than 14,700 ppm of acetic acid did not present any increase in bacterial density. Additionally, concentrations of faecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. in untreated sludge were reduced throughout the time, in contrast to samples treated with doses lower than 14,700 ppm that showed some growth, which suggests that the use of acetic acid in doses lower than 15,000 ppm stimulates in some way the growth of these bacteria.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Oxyphillic adenoma as a cause of primary hyperparathyroidism].

We describe three cases of women who developed symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism originated by a parathyroid functional tumor. Ostoporosis, arterial hypertension and nefrolitiasis were the most frequent antecedents. The PTH and calcium levels in bood and urine were elevated. The CT and ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid tumor, which was identified histopathology as oxifilic adenoma. All patients underwent surgical treatment. We consider these cases of clinical interest because this kind of adenoma hardly ever produces hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Technique and function of an experimental multiorgan transplant model in pigs].

En bloc transplantation of the liver, duodenum and pancreas has been successful in humans for the treatment of tumors requiring exenteration of the upper abdomen. We have developed an experimental model in 40 pigs of en bloc transplantation of the liver, duodenum and pancreas. The surgical technique for organ harvesting and preservation has been correct as the early graft function was excellent. We describe in detail the surgical technique in the recipient animal, the anesthetic model and the autopsy findings. Liver function was excellent and endocrine pancreatic function was normal within 8 hours after transplantation. Absorption and insulin-secreting response was normal in a few animals studied with an oral glucose overdose and with the intravenous glucagon test.

Animals↗