7-day Period Research Articles

Effects of Oral Application of Bacteriophage Cocktails to Treat Aeromoniasis Caused by Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila is a prominent pathogen of freshwater fish. Antimicrobials can be used to treat Motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) caused by A. hydrophila. However, bacteria may become resistant to these drugs, and antimicrobials could pollute water. Innovative eco-friendly approaches must be developed to avoid and address MAS. The present study used bacteriophage cocktails to treat rainbow trout infected with MAS. Fish were administered an oral cocktail of Aquaneticvirus APT65, AP-Y28, AP-T5, and AP-ATCC phages to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of phage therapy against A. hydrophila-induced fish mortality. The survival of Aquaneticvirus APT65 phage in fish organs was also evaluated over an 8-day study period. Aquaneticvirus APT65 phage was found in fish internal organs, demonstrating that the phage may cross the intestinal barrier. In challenge trials with the LD70 dosa of A. hydrophila, phage cocktail doses of lx108 PFU/g feed reduced mortality in rainbow trout by 32-44.8%. Phage treatment prior to infection significantly increased fish survival compared to treatment after one day of infection. Relative percent survival results showed that oral phage cocktails protected fish against A. hydrophila mortality in a time-dependent way. This study is valuable for fanner-level application because it includes simple, practical procedures for phage cocktail formulation, medicated feed preparation, and oral administration, as well as data on phage survival and protection data.

Improving the functional components and biological activities of navel orange juice through fermentation with an autochthonous strain Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum M23

The fermentation of navel orange juice with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has rarely been investigated. In this study, an autochthonous LAB strain isolated from navel orange, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum M23, was found to effectively ferment navel orange juice, producing a juice with enhanced functional activities and organoleptic quality. The viable bacterial count in the fermented orange juice remained consistently above 8.51 log CFU/mL throughout the entire 7-day fermentation period. The content of vitamin C (VC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and hesperidin in the fermented orange juice increased by a maximum of 28.88, 1.21, 1.13, and 1.16 times, respectively, compared to the unfermented orange juice. The fermented juice exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than the unfermented juice, with an increase of up to 255 % and 347 % based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. This may be attributed to the increase in VC and flavonoids, as demonstrated by Pearson's correlation analysis. Additionally, the fermented orange juice demonstrated improved α-glucosidase inhibition, anti-MRSA, and anti-glycation activities compared to the unfermented juice. Furthermore, the fermented juice notably reduced the levels of NO and ROS in Raw 264.7 cells without any negative impact on cell viability. The findings of this study may help in the development of nutritious and healthy fermented navel orange juice products, and serve as a reference for the production of fermented beverages from other fruits using autochthonous strains.

Evaluation of Different Anti-Browning Treatments on the Quality of Four Colombian Potato Varieties

The increasing demand for fresh and convenient foods has led to the production of Minimally Processed Products (MPPs), which are suitable for culinary and industrial uses. However, cutting potatoes can trigger browning, negatively impacting their sensory and nutritional quality. This study aimed to evaluate different anti-browning methods on Colombian potato varieties (Diacol Capiro, Pastusa, Nevada, and Sabanera) as raw materials for the development of MPPs. The physicochemical properties evaluated included moisture, pH, acidity, enzymatic activity, total phenolic content, vitamin C, and browning index. The anti-browning treatments involved immersing the potatoes in citric acid, ascorbic acid, and garlic extract. Evaluations were carried out over a 15-day storage period in refrigerated conditions. The results indicated that the Sabanera variety had the highest browning index, followed by Nevada, while Diacol Capiro and Pastusa showed lower browning indices, even without the use of technological coadjuvants. Among the treatments, citric acid proved to be the most effective across all varieties, with Diacol Capiro exhibiting the least browning after 15 days. Garlic extract was the least effective against browning. The sensory analysis indicated that an acidic descriptor was noted for both treated (with citric acid) and untreated (control) Diacol Capiro potatoes at similar intensities, suggesting that citric acid did not negatively affect the sensory quality and/or was masked during cooking, enhancing overall quality. In conclusion, the Diacol Capiro variety treated with 1% citric acid is the most appropriate choice for use as a raw material for MPPs without compromising sensory quality.

Evaluation of the Effect of “Honey Zufa” Herbal Syrup on Cough in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Cough is one of the most prevalent symptoms of COVID-19, affecting over 60% of patients. This symptom significantly diminishes quality of life, causing fatigue, insomnia, dysphonia, musculoskeletal pain, and urinary incontinence. Honey Zufa herbal syrup is a well-known antitussive remedy in the Iranian market and was evaluated for its potential to alleviate this symptom. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Honey Zufa herbal syrup in treating acute cough resulting from mild to moderate COVID-19. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 200 patients assigned to either the treatment group, receiving Honey Zufa herbal syrup, or the placebo group, receiving a placebo. Both groups also received standard cough control medications. Cough severity was measured using three different scoring systems. The impact of Honey Zufa on cough severity, the influence of other medications, and changes in laboratory parameters were monitored over a 14-day period. Honey Zufa herbal syrup significantly reduced cough severity compared to the placebo across all scoring systems. The treatment group experienced a greater reduction in cough severity than the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of antitussive medication regimens. Laboratory parameters remained stable, and no significant side effects were observed. Honey Zufa herbal syrup effectively reduces cough severity in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, suggesting it could serve as a useful complementary and alternative treatment option for COVID-19-induced cough.

Study on the biosafety and targeting efficiency of Escherichia coli outer membrane vesicles in breast tumor.

To seek out the targeting of Escherichia coli outer membrane vesicles (E. coli OMVs) in breast tumor-bearing mice and their biosafety in healthy mice. Ultrafiltration in conjunction with ultracentrifugation was utilized to concentrate E. coli OMVs, and characterize them. Subcutaneous breast tumors were induced in BALB/c mice to serve as an experimental model, and the biodistribution of E. coli OMVs in both tumor-bearing and healthy mice was monitored using an in vivo fluorescence imaging system. Utilizing frozen sections, the infiltration of E. coli OMVs in tumor tissues was appraised at the 24-hour post-injection. Healthy BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group and vesicles group. Following the intravenous injection of E. coli OMVs, monitoring encompassed variations in body weight, blood routine indices, serum levels of AST, ALT, and BUN, organ indices (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney), along with tissue histopathology over a 14-day period. The spherical E. coli OMVs had a diameter of (155.8 ± 3.1) nm and exhibited the expression of outer membrane proteins OmpA and OmpC. Upon assessment, it was evident that the E. coli OMVs persisted in the tumor tissues even 24h post-injection. An evident decrease in the body weight of the vesicles group, distinct from the control group, was observed on the second day after injection (P < 0.001); in contrast, no considerable differences were noted at subsequent time points (P > 0.05). Following the injection, the vesicles group displayed notable reductions in WBC and PLT as relative to the control group (P < 0.0001) on the initial day, however, there were no noteworthy distinctions as opposed to the control group for other hematological indices; No notable variances in hematological indices between the two groups were observed on the seventh and fourteenth day (P > 0.05). Over the 14 days, no substantial differences were observed in the serum levels of BUN, AST, ALT, and organ indices within the vesicles group as opposed to the control group (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no obvious abnormal changes in tissue morphology. 0.5mg/kg of E. coli OMVs can safely and effectively target 4T1 breast tumor in mice.

The effects of prosocial video games on empathy and prosocial behavior in athletes: evidence from cross-sectional survey and experimental studies

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of prosocial video games (PVG) on the empathy and prosocial behavior of athletes, as well as comparing the intervention effects with non-athletes. In Study 1, questionnaires were used to assess video game exposure, empathy levels, and prosocial-related indicators among both athletes and non-athletes. Study 2 employed a mixed design with a 2 (prosocial/neutral video game group) × 2 (pre/post-test) factorial design, with participants engaging in a 30-min daily video game intervention over a 14-day period. The results showed that in Study 1, PVG exposure in both groups exhibited a positive correlation with levels of positive empathy, and PVG exposure was also found to predict certain prosocial indicators. In Study 2, compared to the neutral video game group, athletes in the PVG group demonstrated an improvement in positive empathy levels as well as sports prosocial behavior towards opponents following the intervention; the PVG non-athlete group showed higher levels of empathy. Overall, prosocial video games can improve athletes’ positive empathy and sports prosocial behavior, and similar effects are also observed in non-athletes. These findings suggest that increasing PVG exposure is a promising way to promote prosocial behavior in athletes and can be used in their daily routines and training settings.

Examining the network dynamics of daily movement and dietary behaviors among college students: A diary study.

Promoting individuals' overall health and well-being is important, and understanding the interconnections between daily movement and dietary behaviors may provide insights for developing effective health behavior interventions. In the current study, we therefore adopted a network approach to investigate the complex relationships among movement and dietary behaviors within a daily diary study. Data were collected from 101 college students over a 28-day period, assessing movement (i.e., physical exercise and sedentary behavior) and dietary (i.e., overeating, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and snack consumption) behaviors. We employed a multilevel vector autoregressive model to analyze the within-person (temporal and contemporaneous) and between-person networks of movement and dietary behaviors. Our findings unveiled a negative association between physical exercise and sedentary behavior at both contemporaneous and between-person levels, while the interconnections among dietary behaviors displayed nuanced variations across different levels. We also found intricate relationships between movement and dietary behaviors, with sedentary behavior and sugar-sweetened beverage intake emerging as central nodes in the behavior networks. This exploratory study underscores the complex interconnections of daily health behaviors, particularly highlighting the potential roles of sedentary behavior and sugar-sweetened beverage intake in multiple behavior interventions. These preliminary findings have yet to be validated through theory-driven studies with experimental designs.

Solarplast® Demonstrates Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Activity In Vivo and Positively Modulates Perceived Anti-Ageing Quality of Life Questionnaire and Skin Analogue Scale.

Solarplast® is an organic, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) dietary supplement from an enzymatically treated spinach preparation containing numerous active components that exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 45-day supplementation period in adult men and women (Total n = 84), some of whom were classified as "everyday smokers". The main outcomes include metabolic readouts, oxidative stress, inflammation, and secondary subjective assessments, including skin, physical, and mental health questionnaires. Solarplast® attenuated some markers associated with smoking-induced increases in inflammatory tone and oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, Solarplast® administration improved anti-ageing quality of life mental scores associated with depression-related symptoms, loss of self-confidence, and some anxiety-related symptoms and exhibited positive effects in some readouts of anti-ageing quality of life physical scores and skin visual analogue scores. In summary, Solarplast® is safe, well-tolerated, may reduce circulating inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and may positively impact some mental and physical quality-of-life parameters as well as skin quality.

A Multi-ingredient Supplement Reduced Markers of Muscle Damage after a Rugby Match in Collegiate Male Players.

Eccentric exercise and collisions that lead to muscle damage are common place among athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a multi-ingredient supplement (MIS), containing the extracts of turmeric, chicken meat, and apple and ancient peat, on markers of muscle damage in collegiate male players following a rugby match. A position-matched, double-blind, randomized, and crossover design was employed in this study. Each trial consisted of a 14-day supplementation period, followed by a 15-a-side rugby match. A total of 13 participants, eight forward and five backs, with a mean height of 1.76 ± 0.08 m and a mean weight of 86.0 ± 22.8 kg, were included. Blood samples were collected before, immediately, 24 h, and 48 h after the match. Both the MIS (P < 0.001, d = 1.86) and placebo trials (P = 0.002, d = 1.97) exhibited a significant increase in plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations from the baseline immediately after the match. However, plasma creatine kinase concentration in the MIS trial was significantly lower at 24 h postmatch compared to the placebo trial (P = 0.029, d = 0.90). Moreover, plasma LDH concentration returned to the baseline level 24 h after the match in the MIS trial, while it remained elevated in the placebo trial (P = 0.001, d = 1.07). In either trials, the plasma tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde concentrations were not significantly different. In conclusion, the MIS can alleviate muscle damage markers after a rugby match without changes in inflammation and oxidative stress markers.

Immersion frozen storage combined with silver carp muscle hydrolysate: Effects on freshness, protein properties and microstructure of cryopreserved grass carp

This study highlighted the combined effects of immersion frozen storage (IFS) and silver carp muscle hydrolysate (SCMH) on the quality of cryopreserved grass carp. The fish fillets were pretreated with SCMH and stored at −18 °C using an indirect IFS method (SCMH + IFS), which offered rapid freezing and reduced temperature fluctuations (±0.4 °C), and changes in freshness, protein properties and muscle structure were evaluated over a 60-day storage period. Compared to IFS alone or traditional air frozen storage (AFS), samples treated with SCMH + IFS showed lower increases in K value (from 10.4% to 33.9%), TVB-N (from 7.3 mg/100g to 15.1 mg/100g), as well as retarded changes in the solubility, Ca2+-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, and sulfhydryl content of myofibrillar protein. Furthermore, the ice formation and recrystallization as well as the physical damages to fish muscle myofibril structure were markedly mitigated in the SCMH + IFS samples. Therefore, SCMH + IFS was a promising approach for enhancing the quality of cryopreserved fish products.

Discrepancies in walking speed measurements post-bed-rest: a comparative analysis of real-world vs. laboratory assessments

Abstract Objectives Understanding differences between real-world walking speed (RWS) and laboratory-measured walking speed (LWS) is crucial for comprehensive mobility assessments, especially in context of prolonged immobilization. This study aimed to investigate disparities in walking speed following a 60-day bed-rest period. Methods In 11 male participants, RWS was continuously monitored using a tri-axial accelerometer worn on the waist, while LWS was assessed via a 10-m walk test at preferred speed, on three different study days after immobilization. Statistical analyses included Bland–Altman and Pearson’s correlation to evaluate agreement between RWS and LWS, alongside paired-sample t-tests and univariate linear regression models to assess significance of differences and temporal effects on gait speed. Results Results of Bland-Altman analysis showed no agreement between RWS and LWS (mean difference 0.77 m/s) and nonsignificant correlation (r=0.19, p-value=0.3). Paired-sample t-tests indicated significantly lower RWS compared to LWS for all study days (p-value &lt;0.001). Univariate linear regression models demonstrated a significant effect of test day on RWS (p-value &lt;0.001) but not on LWS (p-value=0.23). Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of integrating both assessments to capture comprehensive mobility changes following prolonged periods of inactivity. Particularly significant is that RWS is constantly lower than LWS, with the former being more representative as it reflects what normally participants would do when not under observation. Lastly, understanding discrepancies between RWS and LWS would allow for more appropriate rehabilitation programs to speed up recovery while simultaneously keeping the rehabilitation safe and tailored.

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence Evaluation of Trazodone Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Tablets in Healthy Chinese Volunteers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, bioequivalence, and safety of generic trazodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablet and its reference listed product in healthy Chinese subjects. An open, randomized, single-dose, and 2-period crossover study was involved under fasting and fed conditions, with a 7-day washout period. A single oral dose of 150mg of 2 trazodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets was administered to 84 healthy volunteers, with 36 in the fasting group and 48 consuming a high-fat diet, respectively. The plasma concentrations of trazodone were analyzed using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, and pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from concentration-time profiles. The geometric mean ratio with 90% confidence intervals of the maximum trazodone concentration, area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last measurable concentration, and AUC from time 0 to infinity were within the bioequivalence acceptance criteria (80%-125%) under fasting and fed conditions, which indicated that the test and reference formulations were bioequivalent. Compared with the fasting study, the concomitant administration of trazodone with a high-fat diet had a negligible influence on the drug pharmacokinetic behavior. Adverse events were recorded, and no serious adverse events were observed during either fasting or fed conditions. Trazodone has proven to have an acceptable safety profile in the Chinese population, with bioequivalence successfully established under both fasting and fed conditions.

Influence of wildfire ash concentration on development, survival, and skin and gut microbiota of Rana dybowskii

Climate changes can increase wildfires and thereby endanger the habitats and survival of amphibians, but relevant research is limited. The gut and skin microbiota plays a critical role in amphibian protection. Wildfire ash may negatively impact amphibians, causing inflammation and microbiota disruption, but the impact on microbial communities is still uncertain. In this study, the impact of wildfire ash on the cutaneous and gut microbiota of Rana dybowskii was investigated over a 28-day period using five groups with aqueous extracts of ash. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the ash were analyzed. Body mass, development, survival rates, and microbiota diversity were tested. Significant differences in body mass, development rates, and survival rates among the treatment groups were observed. The survival and development rates at lower concentrations of ash (T0 and T0_75) were more similar to those under control conditions. Analyses of alpha and beta diversity revealed significant changes in microbiota composition across ash concentrations, with specific phyla and genera affected. Linear discriminant analysis effect analysis identified distinct microbiota associated with each treatment group, demonstrating the specific influence of ash concentrations on the microbiota composition of tadpoles. BugBase analysis revealed significant differences in the same phenotypes in gut microbiota, but not in nine skin microbiota phenotypes across groups. This research underscores the sensitivity of amphibian microbiota to environmental changes and provides insights into the ecological consequences of wildfires on aquatic ecosystems.

The pharmacokinetics of brensocatib in participants with renal impairment following a single oral administration.

Brensocatib is an oral, selective, competitive and reversible dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor in development for the treatment of bronchiectasis. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs), safety and tolerability of brensocatib in participants with varying degrees of renal impairment and normal renal function. In this phase 1, multicentre, open-label study, 28 participants with mild, moderate or severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 60 to <90, 30 to <60 and 15 to <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively) or normal renal function (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2) received a single oral 25-mg dose of brensocatib. Blood samples were collected to measure brensocatib PKs at predetermined time points over the 14-day study period. PK parameters were derived using noncompartmental methods. Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar across groups. There were no significant differences between groups in brensocatib PK parameters. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) of elimination half-life of brensocatib was 37.0 (15.3), 42.8 (21.7), 36.3 (22.9) and 39.1 (17.8) h for mild, moderate, severe and normal renal function groups, respectively. Single-dose brensocatib was quickly absorbed; all groups had a median time to maximum observed plasma concentration of 1h. Regression model analyses indicated no significant relationships between selected brensocatib PK parameters and eGFR. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported during the study. Single-dose brensocatib was well tolerated. The study data do not indicate a significant effect of renal impairment on brensocatib elimination and systemic exposure, suggesting that dose adjustment of brensocatib is not necessary in participants with renal impairment. NCT05673603.

Comparative Analysis of Lactobacillus Starter Cultures in Fermented Camel Milk: Effects on Viability, Antioxidant Properties, and Sensory Characteristics.

This research evaluated the impact of Lactobacillus starter cultures on post-acidification, viable cell counts (VCC), antioxidant activities (such as DPPH radical scavenging, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Ferrous Ion Chelating (FIC) activity), and sensory attributes of fermented camel milk (FCM) over a 21-day period at 4 °C. FCM was prepared with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis (control), as well as with three different Lactobacillus starter cultures individually: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in co-cultures with S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis. The findings indicated that FCM with L. rhamnosus experienced the most significant pH decrease (p < 0.05) throughout the storage period. L. plantarum-FCM maintained the highest VCC (p < 0.05) compared with the other samples. Additionally, all three Lactobacillus strains showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP compared with the control by the end of the storage. However, L. casei exhibited the greatest FIC activity. Among the samples, L. plantarum was rated highest in taste, flavor, and overall preference. In conclusion, the incorporation of these Lactobacillus strains into camel milk during fermentation improved bacterial viability, enhanced antioxidant properties, and boosted sensory qualities, especially for flavor and texture, positioning it as a promising functional food product.

Effect of electro-stimulated Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus casei on ensiling quality, anti-nutrients, and bacterial community of mulberry leaf silage.

There are few studies on the effects of electrically stimulated bacteria on anti-nutritional factors and microbial communities in mulberry leaf silage. This study aimed to examine the impact of the combined use of electrically stimulated Bacillus subtilis (EB) and Lactobacillus casei (LC) on the quality and degradation of anti-nutritional factors in mulberry leaf silage. The results revealed that the synergistic effect of EB and LC significantly enhanced the nutritional value of mulberry leaves, as evidenced by the promotion of lactic acid synthesis, the reduction of anti-nutritional factors, and the augmentation of lactic acid bacteria following a 60-day silage period. Moreover, the EB + LC co-inoculation resulted in the highest quality of mulberry leaf silage, with the degradation rates of tannin and phytic acid at 38.8% and 47.1%, respectively. The combination of EB + LC also enhanced lactic acid content, along with significant reductions in ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), soluble protein, and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Lactobacillus in the silage was significantly positively correlated with crude protein (CP) and lactic acid, while negatively correlated with water-soluble carbohydrates, pH and NPN (P < 0.05). In contrast, Weissella was significantly negatively correlated with CP and lactic acid. This study represents a pioneering application of electro-stimulation in the field of feed silage, offering a scientifically substantiated approach to degrading anti-nutritional factors in mulberry leaves for livestock feeding. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Oat Hay as a Substitute for Alfalfa Hay on the Gut Microbiome and Metabolites of Yak Calves.

To evaluate the impact of different roughages on the intestinal microbiota of yak calves, we fed them oat hay in substitution of alfalfa hay, in addition to milk replacer and starter powder. Twenty-one 45-day-old male yak calves were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: the milk replacer + starter + alfalfa hay group (AH), the milk replacer + starter + oat hay group (OH), and the milk replacer + starter + mixed hay group (AO), in which the alfalfa hay and oat hay were administered in a 1:1 ratio. All calves in the three groups were fed the same milk replacer and an equivalent amount of dry matter. The formal experiment commenced after a 21-day pre-test period and lasted for 120 days. Following the experiment, the contents of the jejunum and colon were collected to investigate the intestinal microbiota and metabolites using 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics. The result showed that the AO group had greater final body weights overall than the AH group and OH group (p < 0.05). The AH group and OH group had considerably greater feed-to-gain ratios than the AO group (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the OH group exhibited an increased relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in the colon was increased in the AO group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the AO group exhibited a decreased abundance of Clostridium sensu_stricto_1 (p < 0.05), and the OH group showed an increased abundance UCG-005 and Alistipes in the jejunum. There were many differential metabolites in the OH group and AO group compared to the AH group, and the different metabolites of the OH group were associated with the metabolic pathways of the nervous system, sensory system, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism in the jejunum and with lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and the nervous system in the colon. In the AO group, these metabolites were associated with the digestive system and the translation and metabolism of cofactors in the jejunum and with the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins in the colon. In summary, it is feasible to replace alfalfa hay with oat hay based on milk replacer and starter. The combination of the two forages enhanced nutrient absorption, improved immune function, maintained the internal homeostasis of yak calves, and was more beneficial to their growth and development.

Impact of COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccinations on hospital admissions for neurological diseases in the Lombardia over-12 population. Data from a self-controlled case series analysis.

The influence of COVID19 vaccination on the risk of different neurological diseases has been subject of intense investigation. No large scale results have been published so far in the population of around 10 million people of Lombardia in Italy. Linkable administrative health databases from the Lombardia region were used. By using the adapted self controlled case series (SCCS) method for event dependent exposures, we estimated the relative incidence of different neurological diseases following pre-specified windows at risk after vaccination and after COVID-19 infection in the over-12 population of Lombardia. Follow-up time before vaccination (Pre-Vax period) was compared with follow-up time 0-28days (high-risk period) from the day of vaccination as well as for COVID infection. The SCCS model was fitted using a conditional Poisson regression model to estimate the relative incidences (RI) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). The 28-day post-vaccination period was associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of ischemic stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, TIAs and myelitis (IRR 1.44, 1.50, 1.67 and 2.65 respectively). When the risk conferred by COVID19 infection was assessed in the same cohort, significant IRR were greater in the occurrence of ischemic stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, and TIAs (IRR 5.6, 3.62, 6.83) and includes also Multiple Sclerosis, neuromyelitis, and polymyositis (5.25, 8.81, 5.67). Our data suggest that the increased risk of non-inflammatory CNS disorders following COVID-19 vaccination is lower than the risk conferred by COVID-19 infection, and that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of some inflammatory and non inflammatory neurological disorders.

The Study of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal Efficiency in Urbanized River Systems Using Artificial Wetland Systems with Different Substrates

This study evaluated the effectiveness of five commercial substrates (zeolite, volcanic rock, gravel, magic rack, and ceramic pellets) in removing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from urban river systems using constructed wetlands. By employing X-ray CT and NGS technologies, we analyzed the physical structure of the substrates and the microbial communities they harbor. The results indicated that volcanic rock and ceramic pellets, due to their high porosity and specific surface area, performed exceptionally well in nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Specifically, the microbial systems with these two substrates achieved ammonia nitrogen removal rates of 89.86% and 88.45%, total nitrogen removal rates of 78.78% and 74.97%, and total phosphorus removal rates of 92.67% and 80.82%, respectively, within a 7-day period. Furthermore, the microbial communities on volcanic rock and ceramic pellets were more diverse, which correlated with their high pollutant removal efficiency. The study further elucidated the synergistic role of substrate characteristics and microbial community structure and function in nitrogen and phosphorus removal, enhancing the understanding of the purification mechanisms in constructed wetlands. These findings provide a scientific basis for the ecological restoration of urban rivers and are significant for improving the quality of urban water environments.

Microalgae-Assisted Treatment of Wastewater Originating from Varied Sources, Particularly in the Context of Heavy Metals and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

The increasing prevalence of heavy metals and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater (WW) raises serious environmental and public health concerns. This study investigates the efficiency of the microalgal strain Chlorella vulgaris EV-465 in treating wastewater and evaluates the antibiotic resistance profile of bacterial strains obtained from WW samples. Chlorella vulgaris EV-465 was used to treat four types of wastewater—domestic, municipal, hospital, and industrial wastewater—through 21 days of incubation. The findings demonstrated pH stabilization and significant decreases in nutrients (total nitrogen—TN, total phosphorus—TP), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), heavy metal (HM) concentrations, and bacterial count. Copper (Cu) showed the highest reduction, decreasing by 80% in industrial wastewater within 14 days, while lead (Pb) proved more resistant to removal, with only a 50% decrease by day 21. Additionally, the algae decreased bacterial counts, lowering colony-forming units (Log CFU/mL) from 9.04 to 4.65 in municipal wastewater over the 21-day period. Antibiotic susceptibility tests for isolated bacterial strains revealed high levels of resistance, with seven out of nine bacterial strains exhibiting multidrug resistance. Notably, Enterococcus faecium (PBI08), Acinetobacter baumannii (YBH19), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NBH16) displayed resistance to all nine antibiotics tested. Among the tested antibiotics, Ciprofloxacin showed the highest efficacy, with 66% susceptibility of tested bacterial strains. Cluster and phylogenetic analyses showed that the majority of the isolated bacterial strains belonged to the genera Pseudomonas and Escherichia, highlighting their genetic diversity and varied resistance mechanisms.