Period Of Days Research Articles

Assessing the physicochemical and bioactivity properties of vinegar derived from ‘Phulae’ pineapple fruitlets during inoculated fermentation: A comparative study

Abstract This study investigated the changes in physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds of vinegar produced from 'Phulae' pineapple waste, a byproduct of fresh-cut pineapple processing in Thailand. A two-stage fermentation process incorporating both alcoholic and acetic acid fermentation was employed. The results showed that acetic acid concentration increased along with the fermentation period to its maximum at 7.84 ± 0.09 g/100 mL over a 16-day period. On the other hand, phenolic acid compositions determined by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) were highest after 40 days of fermentation. These were in agreement with the highest antioxidant activity. The fermentation duration significantly influenced the concentrations of flavonoids, fructose, and glucose, while phenolic acids remained consistently abundant throughout the fermentation process. The bioactivities of pineapple vinegar (PAV) were comparable to those of commercial apple cider vinegar (AV) and demonstrated superior activity relative to pineapple juice (PAJ), particularly in inhibiting enzymes, namely α-amylase, α-glucosidase, cholesterol esterase, and pancreatic lipase. Besides, PAV exhibited lower cytotoxicity than AV and displayed significant antibacterial activity against a range of pathogenic microorganisms. This study suggests that acetic acid fermentation of pineapple waste may serve as a promising functional beverage with potential health benefits for diabetes and cholesterol regulation.

Life history data derived from the dental histological analysis of Giraffa camelopardalis: Implications for the palaeohistology of extinct giraffids.

The analysis of incremental marks in the enamel, dentine and cementum of extant and extinct species provides important information about the rate and pattern of tooth growth, which permits inferences about key life history traits. Traditionally, such research has mainly focused on primates, while other mammalian groups have remained relatively unexplored. In some cases, this has led to the misidentification of incremental markings and the miscalculation of dental growth parameters in non-primate taxa, which has highlighted the importance of obtaining more reliable comparative frameworks. Here, we partially fill this gap by providing a detailed analysis of the dental microstructure in the extant giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis. We specifically studied the histology of the different cusps (i.e. protoconid, metaconid, hypoconid, entoconid and hypoconulid) of two first lower molars and two third lower molars with different degree of wear to identify the different incremental markings and to calculate dental growth parameters such as daily secretion rate and enamel formation front angle for each cusp and tooth. Our results show that incremental markings in enamel were more apparent as compared to those in dentine and/or cementum and have permitted a deeper analysis of the former tissue. Enamel laminations, which had a daily periodicity, were the most common incremental lines in all teeth. Supradaily Retzius lines and subdaily cross-striations and laminations were also recognised in dental enamel, revealing multiple secretory pulses of the ameloblasts in the giraffe. Generally, values of enamel growth parameters (i.e. daily secretion rate and enamel formation front angle) obtained for the first lower molar were comparable to those reported for closely related taxa, while those calculated for the third lower molar present a higher degree of variation that may be linked to differences in general somatic rates of growth. Nevertheless, enamel growth parameters were highly variable within each tooth, suggesting caution when making general (palaeo)biological inferences from dental histology. The giraffe dentine and cementum also register incremental lines. In the dentine, most of these features were classified as daily von Ebner's lines and their counting and measurement revealed values of secretion rates that agree with those previously reported in other artiodactyls. The age calculated from the incremental lines in the dental cementum matches that deduced from dental wear, suggesting that the counting of yearly lines in this tissue is a reliable tool to estimate individual age in giraffids. This study further suggests ways to refine future analyses of dentine and cementum and sets the stage for dental palaeohistology of extinct giraffids and closely related ungulates for which life history information is still unknown.

Changes in Circadian Rhythm in Chronically-Starved Mice Are Associated With Glial Cell Density Reduction in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by severe weight loss and associated with hyperactivity and circadian rhythm disruption. However, the cellular basis of circadian rhythm disruption is poorly understood. Glial cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the principal circadian pacemaker, are involved in regulating circadian rhythms. We hypothesize that the circadian rhythm disruption in AN patients is associated with glial cell changes in the SCN. In the starvation-induced hyperactivity mouse model, mice had free access to a running wheel and received a restricted amount of food once a day, until a 25% body weight loss was reached and maintained their weight loss for two weeks. This was followed by a refeeding phase. Different daily periods of running wheel activity were defined, such as food anticipatory activity up to 4 h before feeding. Circadian rhythmicity was analyzed using the cosinor method. Gene expression was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Starvation induced changes in circadian rhythm, as indicated by changes in cosinor-based characteristics. Refeeding reversed these effects. Additionally, there was an increase in cryptochrome circadian regulator 1 expression and a decrease in the density of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the SCN after chronic starvation. Starvation-induced alterations in circadian rhythms are associated with molecular, and cellular changes in the hypothalamus. Reduced astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the SCN in a mouse model of AN suggest that glial pathophysiology may play a role in circadian rhythm disruption.

S&P-500 vs. Nasdaq-100 price movement prediction with LSTM for different daily periods

S&P-500 vs. Nasdaq-100 price movement prediction with LSTM for different daily periods

How does lime and rice straw compost application affect arsenic uptake in rice after a century of cropping under flooded conditions?

ABSTRACT Arsenic (As) uptake by rice is mainly controlled by the redox potential, amount of iron- and aluminum-bearing minerals and silicon (Si) availability in paddy soil. These soil properties are altered upon long-term continuous rice cultivation, and differences in soil properties arising from different agricultural management practices can influence As behavior in soils. This study aimed to clarify how long-term soil management with and without liming and rice straw compost application influences As uptake by rice. Soil and rice samples were collected from plots with continuous application of NPK mineral fertilizer with and without lime and from plots applied with NPK mineral fertilizer and lime with 750 and 2250 g m−2 straw compost in a long-term experimental paddy field established in 1926. Concentrations of As in rice shoots and panicles from the 92nd to 97th cropping seasons were determined. Hydrochloric acid (1 mol L−1 HCl)-extractable As and pseudototal As concentrations were also determined in select archived soil samples collected from the 52nd to 97th cropping seasons and for the 97th cropping season, respectively. Arsenic uptake by rice was lowest in the plots with lime and 2250 g m−2 rice straw compost application because application of excess organic amendments induced strong reducing conditions, which resulted in a loss of As and Fe minerals from the soil. In this plot, As uptake was lower in the year when no precipitation occurred over a longer period of days during the mid-summer drainage. Despite the increase in the uptake of Si with the application of rice straw compost, the ability of Si to mitigate As uptake was not apparent. The uptake of As by rice in the plot without liming was lower although this plot had a higher concentration of HCl-extractable As in the soil, possibly because As dissolution under flooded conditions was suppressed by the presence of low-crystalline Al minerals. In conclusion, As uptake in rice decreased with the long-term application of excess rice straw compost and in the absence of liming.

Validation of otolith daily increment formation and early growth analysis of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The Japanese flounder is a vital economic species among East Asian released and cultured fish. Here, we sought to validate daily increment formation and analyze the early morphological development of sagittal otoliths and lapillus in Japanese flounder larvae and juveniles over 50 days. Our analysis focused on the otolith shapes, the number of daily rings present, and their length and width measurements. The results revealed that sagittal otoliths and lapillus formed before the fertilized eggs hatched. During the larval and juvenile stages, sagittae evolved gradually, transforming from nearly round to oval structures, eventually adopting arrow- or pear-shaped forms. Similarly, lapillus transformed from nearly round to mussel-shaped structures. The first daily ring became evident on the 5th-day post-hatching, demonstrating a daily periodicity during the larval phase. We observed a direct relationship between incubation days (D) and the number of daily otolith increments (n), expressed as D = n + 5. This deposition trend exhibited a daily periodicity for both sagittae and lapillus. We also noted exponential correlations between the length (Ls, μm) and width (Ws, μm) of the sagittae and the total length (TL, mm). Contrastingly, the lapillus measurements demonstrated linear correlations. Furthermore, a linear relationship emerged between the sagittae and lapillus lengths: Ll = 0.3028Ls + 28.534 (R2 = 0.9366). Additionally, we found a similar linear relationship between the sagittae and lapillus widths: Wl = 0.3791Ws + 21.508 (R2 = 0.9426). The formation pattern of daily increments in lapillus was notably more distinct than that in sagittae, making it highly suitable for age identification and group recognition. This study not only contributes to the field of fish ecology but also provides a foundational understanding for future research. It can assist in reconstructing early life histories and inferences about the spawning periods and grounds of stocked Japanese flounder.

Seasonal and daily use of canal culverts by mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates

AbstractLandscape connectivity is critical to the long‐term conservation of wildlife populations. Although anthropogenic linear infrastructures (ALI), including roads and canals, provide important resources to humans, they can affect wildlife through habitat fragmentation and reduced movement through landscapes. To increase landscape connectivity, crossing structures, including underpasses, can facilitate wildlife movement across landscapes experiencing ALI. However, little is known about how a suite of small‐ to medium‐sized species use underpasses across seasonal and daily time periods, especially for some ALI such as major canals. We used specialized camera technology (i.e., the Hobbs Active Light Trigger [HALT] camera) to evaluate use of culvert underpass crossing structures (hereafter culverts) along the Central Arizona Project canal, Arizona, by a suite of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Specifically, we evaluated (1) which wildlife species used culverts, (2) how the frequency of use varied across seasons (i.e., hot‐dry, hot‐wet, cool‐wet) and (3) daily activity patterns of wildlife using culverts. We detected 31 species of wildlife using culverts, which included small‐ to medium‐sized mammals (56.4% of crossings), reptiles (21.0% of crossings), amphibians (19.0% of crossings), and invertebrates (3.6% of crossings), including some species of conservation concern, such as the Sonoran Desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) and Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). However, crossings by larger mammal species were less effectively detected with the HALT cameras. Reptile crossing frequency was similar between the 2 seasons that they were active during the hot‐dry (May–June) and hot‐wet (July–October) seasons and crossing frequency by some species of amphibians and invertebrates was higher in the hot‐wet season. Throughout the entire year, small mammals used culverts more frequently in hot seasons (i.e., hot‐wet and hot‐dry) compared to the cool‐wet (November‐March) season. In addition, daily activity patterns varied by species, where species crossed culverts during diurnal (e.g., desert spiny lizards, Sceloporus magister and coachwhip snakes, Masticophis flagellum), crepuscular (e.g., cottontail rabbits, Sylvilagus audubonii and western diamondback rattlesnakes, Crotalus atrox), and nocturnal (e.g., deer mouse species, heteromyid species, woodrat species, desert stink beetle species) time periods. Our information can be used to manage wildlife crossing areas and increase landscape connectivity in relation to ALI.

Sexual Assault-Related Interactions and Social Reactions in the Initial Months Following Assault: A Daily Diary Study.

Most sexual assault survivors disclose to informal supporters and receive both negative and positive social reactions. Converging evidence suggests that the first months after sexual assault are a period of increased support-seeking that may be uniquely important to survivors' recovery, especially among survivors at risk of chronic post-traumatic stress and alcohol misuse. However, no research has examined when and how often survivors talk about their assault and what social reactions they receive during this time. As such, the goal of this study was to characterize the day-to-day assault-related interactions and social reactions received by a high-risk group of survivors during the first months following sexual assault. Adult female survivors of past-10-week sexual assault with elevated assault-related post-traumatic stress and alcohol use (N = 41) completed a baseline assessment and daily diaries over 21 days as part of a larger mHealth clinical trial. Results demonstrated that assault-related interactions occurred on an average of 24.4% of days (range: 1-14 days), were more likely to occur earlier in the daily dairy period, and decreased in frequency over time. Across days, most survivors (75%) received both positive and negative reactions in these interactions, whereas fewer (20%) received only positive reactions and no one received only negative reactions. These findings suggest that survivors commonly have assault-related interactions with their supporters in the initial aftermath of the assault and that receiving both positive and negative social reactions is typical. Findings could inform future early interventions aiming to improve supporter reactions and better support survivors' recovery.

Pollen Composition from Coexisting Melipona scutellaris and Tetragonisca angustula Nests in a Semi-urban Meliponary Setting.

The Meliponini tribe is the most diverse group of social bees, thriving across tropical regions. Breeding stingless bees (meliponiculture) holds significant ecological and economic value. In meliponaries, multiple species often share small foraging areas, a scenario less common in natural environments. Due to deforestation, stingless bees face a diminishing availability of natural nesting sites, which are often found in hollow tree trunks. Consequently, meliponaries serve as a crucial nesting resource. In this study, we examined whether Melipona scutellaris and Tetragonisca angustula share pollen resources when reared closely together in high-density nest environment at the RCCO Meliponary in Aldeia, Camaragibe, and Pernambuco, which could potentially lead to competition. Our findings indicate that these bee species utilize different pollen sources, being Araceae type 1, Mimosoideae type 1, Asteraceae type 1, and Myrtaceae type 1 the most important for differentiating between groups. Their daily activity periods outside the nest differ, leading to varying responses to changes in temperature and humidity. The results suggest that competition for pollen resources may not be a significant issue between the two bee species in such situations.

A New and Easy Method to Determine the Energy Stored in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Mexico City

Urban areas present different climates from those of their rural surroundings. Energy balance and especially energy storage play important roles in the resulting climate since more than 50% of the net radiation is absorbed in densely urbanized areas. A simple model of energy storage in the urban fabric is presented, fed with the air temperature of a given area and its thermal properties; it can estimate heat storage (QS) with good results. The proposed QST energy storage model was compared with QS results obtained from two sites in Mexico City, Escandón (objective hysteresis model, QSOHM) and ENP7 (residual, QSRES), and one site in Marseille, France (thermal mass scheme, QSTMS). The comparison between QST and QSOHM showed that r2 = 0.71, while in ENP7 (QN > 0), QSRES and QST were 116.5 Wm−2 and 142 Wm−2, corresponding to 49% and 60% of the QN, respectively. The results obtained using the QSTMS model in Marseille and QST in Escandón showed similar behavior, with RMSEs of 109 and 101 Wm−2, respectively, in a daily period. Although it is difficult to discern which method is better, it is possible to affirm that the presented method is quite accurate, easier to use, and inexpensive.

Predicting and Explaining Customer Response to Upselling in Telecommunications: A Malaysian Case Study

This research explores the predictive capabilities of XGBoost (XGB) and Random Forest (RF) models for customer upsell responses, emphasizing the use of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques to gain insights. Initially trained without hyperparameter tuning, both models were later optimized using 5-fold cross-validation. While RF consistently achieved high accuracy (0.99), XGB exhibited lower accuracy (0.85) yet demonstrated superior precision and recall. Post-tuning, XGB maintained its competitive edge despite a slight decrease in ROC-AUC scores (0.76 and 0.75 versus RF's 0.67 and 0.72), indicating proficiency in classifying positive cases. XAI techniques complemented XGB’s prediction, revealing significant predictors such as inactive duration in days, race (Chinese), total communication count, age, and active period in days. Lesser predictive value was attributed to factors such as race (Indian), gender (female), and region (northern). While the feature importance plot provided a broad overview, it did not detail specific attribute relationships to predictions. To address this, a summary violin plot was employed to illustrate how feature importance varies with actual values, enhancing the understanding of each feature's impact. Results indicated that longer inactivity periods negatively influenced predictions, while non-Chinese ethnicity, higher communication frequency, and younger age were associated with positive outcomes. Dependence plots further elucidated these relationships, highlighting how older non-Chinese customers and those with shorter inactive periods and frequent communication were more likely to accept offers. Local explanations using Shapley's force plot and LIME offered deeper insights into specific instances. Overall, the study underscores the complementary use of XAI techniques to understand a model’s predictions.

DASH Diet Versus Intermittent Fasting on Insulin Resistance in NAFLD Patients

objectives: To compare between intermittent fasting and DASH diet on glycemic profile in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. Methods:60 (men and women) prediabetic nonalcoholic fatty liver patients participated in this study; assigned randomly to three groups: Group (A): intermittent fasting time-restricted feeding (TRF) subjects consumed 100 % of their energy needs in an 8 hours period of time each day, with their caloric intake divided into three meals consumed at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. schedule (8-hr daily eating period, the remaining 16 hours per 24-hour period made up the fasting period). Group (B): the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) subjects consumed 100 % of their energy needs divided into three meals consumed at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8 p.m. (12-hr eating period). Group (C): control group; all subjects didn’t follow any diet regimen or calorie deficit. all participants subjected to 30 minutes moderate aerobic exercise on treadmill. Subjects tested before and after 8 weeks of the study. Results: The nonalcoholic fatty liver patients in Group B received DASH diet program more improved fasting glucose reduction percentage (18.25%), followed by patients in Group A (14.79%) received intermittent fasting program, and then those in Group C (2.55%) control group & Group B received DASH diet program more improved HOMA IR reduction percentage (62.88%), followed by patients in Group A (45.23%) received intermittent fasting program, and then those in Group C (6.77%) received control group. Conclusion; both Dash & IF are effective therapeutic approach to control insulin resistance in NAFLD patients, prevention strategy for diabetes type 2.

Phycoremediation of rice bran oil processing wastewater and biodiesel production using green microalgae, Scenedesmus obliquus: a green approach to environmental protection and remediation.

The current study investigated the enhancement of biomass in S. obliquus, using rice bran oil processing (RBOP) wastewater in different RBOP wastewater concentrations, while also aiming to produce biofuel and treat the wastewater simultaneously. The strain was grown in Blue Green-11 (BG11) media as well as RBOP wastewater at different wastewater concentrations with distilled water at 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% under controlled experimental settings. The study findings demonstrated a notable enhancement in the characteristics of RBOP wastewater during a 16-day growth period. The 75% RBOP wastewater concentration demonstrated superior efficacy as a growth medium for producing biomass as well as lipids, among other wastewater concentrations. Accordingly, physicochemical parameters and heavy metal percent of the RBOP wastewater were assessed. The collected biomass was employed in the production of biodiesel, and the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were measured, along with an assessment of its characteristics. Physicochemical analysis indicated that S. obliquus was able to effectively decrease levels of nitrate, phosphate, sulfur, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in RBOP wastewater. The heavy metal reduction percentages for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As) were 69.43%, 72.94%, 72.99%, 90.49%, and 91.5%, respectively, following treatment with S. obliquus. FTIR indicated the existence of various functional groups (including alcohol, carboxylic acid) on the surface of the microalgal biomass. The FAME profile of S. obliquus exhibited a moderate level of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content. S. obliquus demonstrated significant phycoremediation capabilities and potential for lipid production. This study has indicated that S. obliquus is a potential candidate for the treatment of wastewater.

Droga pisarska Heleny Filochowskiej

The article reconstructs the biography of a writer, journalist, and caretaker of soldiers in the Foreign Legion. It traces her life journey: Łomża – Kraków – travels across Europe – stay in Oran. It describes Filochowska’s connections with daily newspapers (“Goniec Krakowski”, “Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny”) and periodicals (“Świat Kobiecy”). The author’s novels (Sztylet, Macierzyństwo, Alarm, Sierżant Szarota, Kariera panny Maniusi) addressed women’s issues from an aesthetic-somatic perspective. Filochowska wrote novellas and short stories – the article identifies their first press publications and their critical reception. Collections of novellas (Nasz kruk, Czarne łabędzie, Historia jednej nocy, Kobieta w masce, Kobra) were recognized by literary critics as interesting portrayals of women’s psychology, though somewhat one-sided in their emphasis on eroticism. From today’s perspective, the courage with which the author wrote about the issues of gender biology, as well as the subordination of women at home and in public spaces, justifies a renewed appreciation of her work.

Yield Available for Tourism from Short-Term Investments: Evidence from Angola

The present study aimed to contribute to a more informed view of the investment alternatives available in the Angolan financial market, which allow the realization of yields that can be channeled to consumer expenses such as those incurred in the context of tourism. To this end, a survey was carried out of the main valid alternatives for the investment of funds in the Angolan financial market, considering two possible alternatives: term deposits, with maturity of up to one year, and the purchase of securities: bonds and shares, also with maturity of up to one year. The main results indicate that in the short term, the alternatives that can provide the highest expected returns to potential tourists, who wish to use them for expenses related to tourism activities, are: term bank deposits at BIC, at an annual effective interest rate of 11.54% considering a daily capitalization period, and the purchase of shares in BODIVA.

Gastrointestinal Helminth Infections in Dogs in Sheep and Goat Farms in Greece: Prevalence, Involvement of Wild Canid Predators and Use of Anthelmintics.

The objectives of the present work were the investigation of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in dogs in small ruminant farms in Greece, the elucidation of potential predictors for these infections and the description of practices related to administration of anthelmintics to dogs. This study was carried out in 444 small ruminant farms in Greece. Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of the dogs in the farms. The samples were processed by means of conventional parasitological techniques, specifically, a combined sedimentation flotation technique. There were dogs in 92.8% of the farms, with a median number of four dogs per farm. The following variables were associated with the presence of dogs in the farms: the presence of wild mammal predators near the farms, the increased daily period of farmers' presence at the farm, goats as the livestock species at the farm and the management system applied in the farm. Helminth eggs were detected in samples from 72.6% of the farms. The main helminth eggs detected were those of hookworms (Uncinaria/Ancylostoma) and Toxocara canis, in 68.6% and 51.3% of the farms, respectively. In our multivariable analyses, an association emerged between the presence of canid predators near a farm and the detection of these helminths in faecal samples: in 76% and 60% of the samples, respectively, versus in 58% and 39% of the samples from farms with no canid presence. Of farmers with dogs, 16.0% reported that they omitted the administration of anthelmintics to the animals. In multivariable analysis, the semi-extensive or extensive management system applied in the farm, the lower annual milk production per animal and the lack of collaboration with a veterinary practice were the significant predictors for the omission of anthelmintic administration to the farm dogs. There was also a clear association in the omission of anthelmintic administration to the dogs and to the livestock on the farm. The most frequently administered anthelmintic was praziquantel, which was used in 93.6% of the farms.

Aperiodic Optimal Chronotherapy in Simple Compartment Tumour Growth Models Under Circadian Drug Toxicity Conditions

Cancer cells typically divide with weaker synchronisation with the circadian clock than normal cells, with the degree of decoupling increasing with tumour maturity. Chronotherapy exploits this loss of synchronisation, using drugs with circadian-clock-dependent activity and timed infusion to balance the competing demands of reducing toxicity toward normal cells that display physiological circadian rhythms and of efficacy against the tumour. We analysed optimal chronotherapy for one-compartment nonlinear tumour growth models that were no longer synchronised with the circadian clock, minimising a cost function with a periodically driven running cost accounting for the circadian drug tolerability of normal cells. Using Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle (PMP), we show, for drugs that either increase the cell death rate or kill dividing cells, that optimal solutions are aperiodic bang–bang solutions with two switches per day, with the duration of the daily drug administration increasing as treatment progresses; for large tumours, optimal therapy can in fact switch mid treatment from aperiodic to continuous treatment. We illustrate this with tumours grown under logistic and Gompertz dynamics conditions; for logistic growth, we categorise the different types of solutions. Singular solutions can be applicable for some nonlinear tumour growth models if the per capita growth rate is convex. Direct comparison of the optimal aperiodic solution with the optimal periodic solution shows the former presents reduced toxicity whilst retaining similar efficacy against the tumour. We only found periodic solutions with a daily period in one-compartment exponential growth models, whilst models incorporating nonlinear growth had generic aperiodic solutions, and linear multi-compartments appeared to have long-period (weeks) periodic solutions. Our results suggest that chronotherapy-based optimal solutions under a harmonic running cost are not typically periodic infusion schedules with a 24 h period.

Multifunctional Temporary Dental Nanofillers Enhanced with Synergistically Active Chlorine-Containing Molecules against Streptococcus mutans and Its Effects on Oral Epithelial Cells.

Temporary dental fillers are critical for safeguarding teeth during the period between caries removal and permanent restoration. However, conventional fillers often lack sufficient antimicrobial properties to prevent bacterial colonization. To address this issue, the study researches on the development of antimicrobial Temporary Dental Nano-Fillers (TDNF) capable of targeting multiple cariogenic pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Candida albicans, and mixed-species planktonic cells/biofilms, which play a significant role in the progression of dental caries. The TDNF was formulated using a combination of Chloramine-T (CRT) and Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), both known for their antimicrobial efficacy, and embedded in a nanoparticle matrix of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). The synergistic antimicrobial effect of CRT and CPC, with MIC90 values of 12.5 and 6.25 ppm, respectively, displayed potent activity against S. mutans. Proteomic analysis, including gene ontology and protein-protein interaction network evaluations, further confirmed significant disruptions in S. mutans metabolic and stress response pathways, highlighting the bactericidal effectiveness of the formulation against S. mutans. Additionally, the formulation demonstrated sustained antimicrobial efficacy against other cariogenic pathogens such as L. casei, C. albicans and mixed-species planktonic cells and biofilms over a 16-day period. The TDNF (HAP+SiO2+CRT+CPC matrix) exhibited superior mechanical properties with a compressive strength of 237.7 MPa, flexural strength of 124.3 MPa, and shear bond strength of 52 MPa. Biocompatibility tests conducted on human oral squamous carcinoma cells (OECM-1) indicated over 95% cell viability, affirming its safety for preclinical or clinical applications. The multifunctional TDNF developed in this study successfully combines mechanical reinforcement with broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, offering a promising interim solution in dental restorations. Its ability to protect against microbial colonization, while maintaining structural stability, positions it as an effective temporary material that enhances patient outcomes during the period before permanent restoration.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor activation attenuates cisplatin-induced CKD in C57BL/6 mice: An insight into sex-related differences

Gender contributes to differences in incidence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) post-cisplatin therapy. This study aims at investigating the potential effect of G1 compound, a GPER agonist, on attenuating cisplatin-induced CKD. To induce CKD in male, intact female, and ovariectomized (OVX) mice, CKD was induced by injecting two cycles of 2.5 mg/kg cisplatin with a 16-day recovery period between cycles). G1 (50 or 100 μg/kg was administered daily for 6 weeks. Severity of renal damage was more pronounced in males than females. Interestingly, OVX resulted in renal damage that is non-significant compared to males and significantly higher than females. G1 improved renal function and blood flow as evidenced by reduction of serum creatinine and elevation of creatinine clearance, NO production, and reduction of ET1. This renoprotective effect could be attributed to its immunomodulatory effect regulated by TGF-β that shifted the balance to favor anti-inflammatory cytokine production (increased IL-10) rather than pro-inflammatory cytokines (decreased Th17 expression). Reduction of TGF-β activation also inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition that eventually ameliorated CKD development. Antioxidant potential of G1 has been demonstrated by upregulation of Nrf2 and subsequent antioxidant enzymes. These data suggest that G1 could be a promising therapeutic tool to attenuate CP-induced CKD.

Investigating the spatiotemporal distribution of fine particulate matter sources during persistent cold air pools in Salt Lake County

Persistent cold air pools (PCAP), also referred to colloquially as inversions, are responsible for some of the greatest enhancements in air pollution in Utah’s Wasatch Front. PCAPs, which can last for a period of days or weeks, trap warm air beneath a layer of colder air, which results in the accumulation of particulates during the inversion. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sampling occurred in seven field sites across Salt Lake County (SLCo) during Wintertime (November–April). Concentrations of the organic mass of PM2.5 increased during inversion events (μinv = 4.0 μg/m3) when compared to the wintertime baseline (μbaseline = 3.5 μg/m3). However, organic mass enhancements during PCAPs were most pronounced at lowest-altitude field sites situated near potential PM2.5 sources. Four sources of organic carbon were identified, comprised of industrial, abrasive, wood burning, and onroad sources. During PCAP events, PM2.5 species profiles exhibited greater spatial heterogeneity, due to lower wind speeds and caps on vertical mixing (Coefficient of Determinationinv = 0.51, Coefficient of Determinationbaseline = 0.43). These results indicate both elevation and local source emissions may be of increased importance in understanding PM2.5 concentrations during PCAP events.