Changes In Composition Research Articles

Experimental and numerical investigations on phase change thermal storage foam concrete based on CaCl2∙6H2O/silica aerogel composite phase change material

A new type of phase change thermal storage foam concrete was developed by effectively incorporating a composite phase change material (CPCM) into foam concrete. The CPCM was obtained by using 75 wt% CaCl2∙6H2O as PCM and 25 wt% silica aerogel as carrier, with a phase change temperature of 27.0 °C and an enthalpy value of 110.9 J/g. The mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained phase change thermal storage foam concrete blocks were investigated experimentally, along with a numerical analysis of their heat transfer characteristics. The experimental results demonstrated that after adding CPCM, the thermal performances of foam concrete blocks significantly increased, under the condition of their dry densities and compressive strengths met the specification requirements. Adding 20 wt% CPCM, the enthalpy value, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal inertia of foam concrete block respectively reached 37.0 J/g, 1782.0 J/(kg∙K), 0.131 W/(m·K) and 770.9, with appropriate phase change temperature (27.2 °C). Numerical analysis for the heat transfer characteristics of the phase change thermal storage foam concrete wall revealed that optimal thermal insulation and thermal storage performances were achieved when the wall contained 20 wt% CPCM and thickness of 80 mm. In this case, the model exhibited a temperature wave attenuation factor of 6.66, the temperature amplitude of 5.84 K and a decline of 9.87 K for the highest temperature of the wall as well as delay time of 198,000 s, effectively regulating indoor temperature and saving energy. Therefore, the as-prepared phase change thermal storage foam concrete had great potential for application in building energy conservation.

Zooming in on the temporal dimensions of plant–soil feedback: Plant sensitivity and microbial dynamics

Abstract The magnitude of plant–soil feedback (PSF) can depend on the time of conditioning as well as the length of feedback. Understanding the temporal variation in PSF requires insight in the response of both soil characteristics and the plant. We examined how conspecific PSF varies with the length of conditioning and the size of the response plant using Jacobaea vulgaris, a species known to experience negative conspecific PSF. Together with reanalysis of an existing microbial sequence dataset, we tested whether the temporal variation in PSF is due to size‐dependent plant sensitivity to conditioned soil or due to compositional changes in microbial communities of conditioned soil. Further, by reanalysing another existing dataset, we examined temporal dynamics of the relative growth rates (RGR) of J. vulgaris during the feedback phase. Testing varying conditioning lengths, uncovered that J. vulgaris exhibited the strongest negative PSF at 5 weeks of conditioning, after which PSF gradually attenuated. Plant sensitivity to conditioned soil decreased with increasing plant age/size of the response plant. In the feedback phase, the RGR of J. vulgaris was first higher, then lower and at the end similar in ‘away’ soil compared to ‘home’ soil. The dissimilarity in bacterial and fungal communities in ‘home’ and ‘away’ soil significantly decreased during the feedback phase. When J. vulgaris grew in ‘away’ soil, the relative abundance of 10 (out of 80) bacterial OTUs that positively correlated with plant growth decreased over time, while 5 (out of 86) OTUs that negatively correlated with plant growth the relative abundance increased over time. Additionally, only one (out of 10) fungal OTU that negatively associated with plant growth increased over time in ‘away’ soil. Synthesis. Our findings illustrate that PSF varies with the duration of soil conditioning and of the feedback phase. During the feedback phase, changes in PSF can be attributed to both the size‐dependent plant sensitivity to conditioned soil and temporal changes in the microbial community of conditioned soil. This highlights the importance of considering the reconditioning of soil microbial communities by the test plants during the feedback phase for understanding temporal variation in PSF.

Examining the Influence of Season Phase, Age, and Anthropometrics on Body Composition Trends in National Basketball Association Athletes.

Russell, JL, Baker, BS, Mercer, RA, and McLean, BD. Examining the influence of season phase, age, and anthropometrics on body composition trends in NBA athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study aimed to describe seasonal body composition changes in NBA athletes using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and to explore the relationship between these changes and factors such as age and anthropometrics. A retrospective analysis was conducted using 402 DXA scans from 62 professional male basketball players, obtained from one NBA team between 2012 and 2023. Seasonal phases were defined as preseason, pre all-star, post all-star, and offseason. A custom region of interest (ROI) method was used to ensure consistent scan areas for taller athletes who exceeded the DXA bed length. Linear mixed models analyzed the influence of seasonal phases, age, and height on lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), and bone mineral content (BMC). In-season phases (pre all-star and post all-star) showed small increases in LM and decreases in FM compared with the preseason, with no significant BMC changes. Chronological age was associated with increases in LM but not FM. Taller athletes exhibited increases in LM, FM, and BMC. Significant random variance across players and seasons indicated that additional unmeasured factors might influence body composition. NBA athletes generally gain LM and lose FM during the season, with older players showing increased LM gain. The study's novel ROI method provide reliable data for athletes exceeding standard DXA limits, highlighting the importance of tailored body composition assessments in professional basketball. These findings can inform strength and conditioning, nutrition, and player development strategies across different seasonal phases and ages.

Impacts of Light Exposure and Soil Covering on Sweet Potato Storage Roots in a Novel Soilless Culture System

Soilless culture systems, which promote plant growth and enable the precise control of the root-zone environment, have yet to be fully established for sweet potatoes. In this study, we developed a soilless culture system and examined the effects of soil covering and light exposure on the storage roots of sweet potatoes. Sweet potato seedlings with induced storage roots were transplanted into five systems: a previously developed pot-based hydroponics system (Pot), an improved version with storage roots enclosed in a plastic box and covered with a soil sheet (SS), the SS system without the soil sheet (SD), the SD system with light exposure to storage roots after 54 days (SL), and a deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponics system. Our study enabled the time-course observation of storage root enlargement in the SS, SD, and SL systems. In the SL system, light exposure suppressed the storage root enlargement and reduced epidermal redness. No storage root enlargement was observed in the DFT system, even at 151 days after transplantation. Light exposure in the SL system increased the chlorophyll and total phenolic contents in the cortex beneath the epidermis, while the starch content was the lowest in this system. These findings indicate that the developed system can induce normal storage root enlargement without soil. Additionally, the observed changes in growth and composition due to light exposure suggest that this system is effective for controlling the root-zone environment of sweet potatoes.

Imaging mass cytometry-based characterisation of fibroblast subsets and their cellular niches in systemic sclerosis

ObjectivesTranscriptomic data demonstrated that fibroblasts are heterogeneous with functionally diverse subpopulations. Although fibroblasts are key effector cells of fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), they have not yet been...

Strong nestedness and turnover effects on stand productivity in a long-term forest biodiversity experiment.

Multispecies planting is an important approach to deliver ecosystem functions in afforestation projects. However, the importance of species richness vs specific species composition in this context remains unresolved. To estimate species or functional group richness and compositional change between two communities, we calculated nestedness, where one community contains a subset of the species of another, and turnover, where two communities differ in species composition but not in species richness. We evaluated the effects of species/functional group nestedness and turnover on stand productivity using 315 mixed plots from a pool of 40 tree species in a large forest biodiversity experiment in subtropical China. We found that the greater the differences in species or functional group nestedness and turnover, the greater the differences in stand productivity between plots. Additionally, the strong effects of both nestedness and turnover on stand productivity developed over the 11-yr observation period. Our results indicate that selection of specific tree species is as important as planting a large number of species to support the productivity function of forests. Furthermore, the selection of specific tree species should be based on functionality, because beneficial effects of functional group composition were stronger than those of species composition.

Tailoring Interlayer Microenvironment of 2D Layered Double Hydroxides for CO2 Reduction with Enhanced C2+ Production.

Both the physicochemical properties of catalytic material and the structure of loaded catalyst layer (CL) on gas diffusion electrode (GDE) are of crucial importance in determining the conversion efficiency and product selectivity of carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the highly reducing reaction condition of CO2RR will lead to the uncontrollable structural and compositional changes of catalysts, making it difficult to tailor surface properties and microstructure of the real active species for favored products. Herein, the interlayer microenvironment of copper-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is rationally tuned by a facile ink solvent engineering, which affects both the surface characters and microstructure of CL on GDE, leading to distinct catalytic activity and product selectivity. According to series of in situ and ex situ techniques, the appropriate surface wettability and thickness of porous CL are found to play critical roles in controlling the local CO2 concentration and water dissociation steps that are key for hydrogenation during CO2RR, leading to a high Faradaic efficiency of 75.3% for C2+ products and a partial current density of 275mAcm-2 at -0.8V versus RHE. This work provides insights into rational design of efficient electrocatalysts toward CO2RR for multi-carbon generation.

Metagenomic time-series reveals a western English Channel viral community dominated by members with strong seasonal signals.

Marine viruses are key players of ocean biogeochemistry, profoundly influencing microbial community ecology and evolution. Despite their importance, few studies have explored continuous inter-seasonal viral metagenomic time-series in marine environments. Viral dynamics are complex, influenced by multiple factors such as host population dynamics and environmental conditions. To disentangle the complexity of viral communities, we developed an unsupervised machine learning framework to classify viral contigs into "chronotypes" based on temporal abundance patterns. Analysing an inter-seasonal monthly time-series of surface viral metagenomes from the Western English Channel, we identified chronotypes and compared their functional and evolutionary profiles. Results revealed a consistent annual cycle with steep compositional changes from winter to summer and steadier transitions from summer to winter. Seasonal chronotypes were enriched in potential auxiliary metabolic genes of the ferrochelatases and 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase orthologous groups compared to non-seasonal types. Chronotypes clustered into four groups based on their correlation profiles with environmental parameters, primarily driven by temperature and nutrients. Viral contigs exhibited a rapid turnover of polymorphisms, akin to Red Queen dynamics. However, within seasonal chronotypes, some sequences exhibited annual polymorphism recurrence, suggesting that a fraction of the seasonal viral populations evolve more slowly. Classification into chronotypes revealed viral genomic signatures linked to temporal patterns, likely reflecting metabolic adaptations to environmental fluctuations and host dynamics. This novel framework enables the identification of long-term trends in viral composition, environmental influences on genomic structure, and potential viral interactions.

Cosmic-Ray Radiation Effects on Ibuprofen Tablet Formulation Inside and Outside of the International Space Station.

In extreme environments people will have different needs for medicine(s), making it crucial to understand how such environments affect drug efficacy. Ibuprofen, commonly used in tablet formulation on Earth, could fail in space despite standard pharmaceutical packaging. We introduce the concept of 'space medicines', where solid-dosage forms protect the pharmaceutical from accelerated degradation in spaceflight. We simulate dose(s) in International Space Station (ISS) through radionuclide and photon experiments, and establish the impact of alpha, beta and gamma rays. We demonstrate that tablet formulation protects from impact of alpha and beta rays; however, gamma rays decompose ibuprofen even when 'masked'. We systematically analyse 19 tablet compositions inside and outside the ISS to determine the effect of compositional changes in the tablet matrix. We confirm that the iron oxide-shielded tablets show minimal degradation (〈10%) inside the ISS, compared to moderate reductions (〉10%) for other formulations, with one exception. The tablets exhibited significantly greater ibuprofen degradation (〉 30-50%) outside ISS, due to harsh conditions. Significantly, we found that flavour have shielding potential by scavenging free radicals. We conclude that ibuprofen efficacy is adversely affected in space, and these effects are expected to worsen on missions to deeper space destinations.

The Potential of Silver Diamine Fluoride in Non-Operative Management of Dental Caries in Primary Teeth: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: Dental caries has seen an increase in untreated cases, leading to significant health and quality-of-life impacts, necessitating innovative approaches like the promising non-operative management with silver diamine fluoride. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of action of silver diamine fluoride on arresting dental caries in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library, including both in vivo and in vitro studies published from 1 January 2017 to 16 October 2022. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool assessed bias in in vivo studies, while the Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies evaluated the methodological quality of in vitro studies. Results: Nineteen publications met the inclusion criteria. Two studies indicated that silver diamine fluoride application significantly alters oral microflora, contributing to caries arrest. Additionally, two studies reported increased mineral density and mineral content in demineralised primary teeth, emphasising silver diamine fluoride’s role in promoting remineralisation. Three studies demonstrated significant improvements in surface microhardness, enhancing tooth resistance. However, no significant qualitative changes in bacterial species composition were noted. Modified silver diamine fluoride application techniques, including light curing or laser irradiation, enhanced efficacy, with light curing notably increasing surface microhardness. Based on a limited number of studies, no statistically significant differences in clinical effectiveness were observed with higher silver diamine fluoride concentrations or extended application durations. Conclusions: Silver diamine fluoride effectively induces quantitative changes in oral microflora and enhances the microhardness and mineral density of enamel and dentine in primary teeth, with modified application methods showing potential for improved outcomes.

Fire and salvage logging increased recalcitrant soil organic matter and reduced soil functionality in Mediterranean pine forests.

Postfire management actions are used to mitigate damage caused by wildfires. Salvage logging, often employed to restore ecosystem functions in burnt stands, plays an essential role in reducing economic losses and the burn severity of future wildfires. However, its ecological implications for soil functionality still need to be understood, especially in the Mediterranean basin, which is prone to erosion and desertification. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fire on (i) soil organic matter (SOM) quality and composition using differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSC-TG) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CPMAS NMR) and (ii) phosphorus (P) forms using solid-state 31P NMR spectroscopy in a wildfire that affected 3200 ha in southeastern Spain in July 2017. One year after the fire, we monitored four Pinus halepensis Mill. stand categories based on soil burn severity (SBS): unburnt, low SBS, high SBS and high SBS areas with salvage logging (n=36, nine plots per SBS level). We collected soil samples and analysed soil pH, SOM content and SOM quality, along with biological activity indicators (carbon biomass, basal respiration, β-glucosidase, phosphatase activities) and P forms. We ran ANOVA statistical tests to identify significant differences in soil properties among SBS levels. We also established general linear regressions of thermo-recalcitrance values and aromaticity with biological soil quality indices to compare both techniques for detecting changes in SOM quality and composition. The results indicated that fire increased soil pH (up to 0.3), particularly in the plots with higher SBS levels. SOM decreased significantly with increasing SBS level (down to < 5 % at the high SBS level), with a shift from labile compounds (carbohydrates) to more recalcitrant ones (aromatics). Organic P forms were depleted, while orthophosphate levels rose, increasing the risk of irreversible fixation. This study also highlights that DSC-TG is a cost-effective technique for assessing SOM quality changes. Understanding these effects is essential for developing policies to conserve and restore fire-affected areas and to promote practices that enhance soil functionality and resilience.

Yeast β-glucan supplementation lowers insulin resistance without altering microbiota composition compared to placebo in subjects with Type II diabetes: a phase I exploratory study.

The increased global prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with consumption of low fibre "Western diets". Characteristic metabolic parameters of these individuals include insulin resistance, high fasting and postprandial glucose, as well as low-grade systemic inflammation. Gut microbiota composition is altered significantly in these cohorts suggesting a causative link between diet, microbiota and disease. Dietary fibre consumption has been shown to alleviate these changes and improve glucose parameters in individuals with metabolic disease. We previously reported that yeast β-glucan (yeast beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan; Wellmune) supplementation ameliorated hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in a murine model. Here we conducted a randomised, placebo-controlled, two-armed dietary fibre phase I exploratory intervention study in patients with T2DM. The primary outcome measure was alteration to microbiota composition while the secondary outcome measures included markers of glycaemic control, inflammation as well as metabolomics. Patients were supplemented with 2.5g/day of maltodextrin (placebo) or yeast β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan (treatment). Yeast β-glucan (Wellmune) lowered insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to the placebo maltodextrin after 8 weeks of consumption. TNFα was significantly lower after 4 weeks of β-glucan supplementation. Significantly higher faecal concentrations of several bile acids were detected in the treatment group when compared to the placebo after 8 weeks. These included tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) which was previously shown to improve glucose control and lower insulin resistance. Interestingly, the hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effect of yeast β-glucan was independent of any changes in faecal microbiota composition or short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Our findings highlight the potential of yeast β-glucan to lower insulin resistance in patients with T2DM.

Investigation of in-field heterogeneities in the development of soybean according to remote sensing data and properties of the plow horizon (on the example of the south of the Far East)

Assessment of crop heterogeneities is one of the key conditions for predicting crop yield and increasing the economic efficiency of farming. The aim of the study is to develop methods for assessing in-field heterogeneities of soybean based on remote sensing data and to determine the relationship between soybean productivity indicators and soil characteristics. The work was carried out on meadow-brown heavy loamy soil, 10 plots of soybean field with a total area of 36.9 ha (Khabarovsk Krai) were selected for sampling in May and August 2023. The research was based on the results of remote sensing data processing (Sentinel-2 satellite, DJI Mavic3M quadrocopter), assessment of soybean productivity indicators, agrochemical, physical and chemical characteristics of soils and micro- and macroelement composition. The spatial distribution of NDVI modeled from Sentinel-2 data (early August) corresponded to the distribution of NDVI from DJI Mavic3M data. NDVI index values in August 2023 were found to be significantly correlated with soybean height (R = 0.64) and number of beans (R = 0.64). Soil moisture has a positive correlation with NDVI (R = 0.87) and soybean height (R = 0.68) for the entire growing season of the crop. NDVI was positively correlated with Hg (R = 0.79) and negatively correlated with pH (R = –0.79). The content of N-NO3 ranged from 2.51 to 6.84 mg/kg (V = 35.12 %), mobile forms of Р2О5 – from 2.47 to 6.07 mg/100 g (V = 33.13 %), К2О – from 4.98 to 9.37 mg/100 g (V = 20.07 %). The variability of N-NO3 and Р2О5 content decreased to 11.61 % and 21.99 % by August. No significant changes in soil bulk composition were observed between the first and second sampling. Variation of content of rare-earth elements (Sc, Y, lanthanides) in the selected sites did not exceed 5 %. By the date of the second sampling a significant decrease by 4–10.5 % (p 0.05) in the content of rare earth elements in soil was noted.

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbiota dynamics across developmental stages of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus exposed to urban pollutants

Aedes albopictus mosquitoes face numerous anthropic stressors in urban areas. These xenobiotics not only impact mosquito physiology but also shape the composition of their microbiota, which play important roles in host physiological traits. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants known to alter mosquito metabolism, but no studies have yet investigated their impact on microbiota. Using a bespoke indoor mesocosm tailored for Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, we investigated the dynamics of bacterial communities in both mosquitoes and their larval breeding sites following chronic exposure to a cocktail of PAHs consisting of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[b]fluoranthene. Our findings showed that PAHs have a stage-specific effect on mosquito microbiota, with a higher impact in larvae than in adults, contributing to 12.5 % and 4.5 % of the PAHs-induced variations, respectively. The presence of PAHs in the treated mesocosm led to the enrichment of bacterial families and genera known for their ability to catabolize PAHs, such as Comamonadaceae and Raoultella (increasing from 19 % to 30 % and from 1.2 % to 5.6 %, respectively). Conversely, prevalent taxa found in mosquito microbiota like Wolbachia and Cedecea exhibited a reduction (decreasing from 4 % to 0.8 % and from 12.8 % to 6.4 %, respectively). This reduction could be attributed to the competitive advantage gained by PAH-degrading taxa, or it could reflect a direct sensitivity to PAH exposure. Overall, this indicates a shift in microbiota composition favoring bacteria that can thrive in a PAH-contaminated environment. PAHs persisted in the water of breeding sites only the first 45 days of the experiment. Benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene were more susceptible to bioaccumulation in larval tissues over time. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the impact of pollution on mosquitoes and could facilitate future research on the importance of symbiosis in urban-dwelling insect disease vectors. Given the recent advancements in the generation of axenic (microbe-free) and gnotobiotic (mosquitoes with a defined or specific microbiota) mosquitoes, further studies are needed to explore how changes in microbiota composition could influence mosquito responses to pollution, particularly in relation to host fitness, immunity, and vector competence.

Limited Variation in Bacterial Communities of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Across European Populations and Different Life Stages

The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the primary vector of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis’, the causative agent of Flavescence doreé in Europe. Although microorganisms play an important role in the ecology and behavior of insects, knowledge about the interaction between S. titanus and microbes is limited. In this study, we employed an amplicon metabarcoding approach for profiling the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of S. titanus across several populations from four European localities. Additionally, we investigated changes in bacterial communities between nymphal and adult stages. In total, we identified 7,472 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in adults from the European populations. At the genus level, ‘Candidatus Karelsulcia’ and ‘Candidatus Cardinium’ were the most abundant genera, with both being present in every individual. While we found significant changes in the microbial composition of S. titanus across different European populations, no significant differences were observed between nymphal and adult stages. Our study reveals new insights into the microbial composition of S. titanus and highlights the role of geography in influencing its bacterial community.

Underplating-induced trans-crustal melting and maturation of Neoarchean continental crust in the North China Craton

A global change in granitoid compositions from early predominantly sodic tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites (TTGs) to later TTGs and more potassic granites occurred during the late Archean, coupled with a major period of crustal maturation. However, the detailed relationship between granitoid chemical evolution and the maturing crustal process remains enigmatic. Successive granitoid magmatism including late Neoarchean TTGs and high-K granites occurred in the Western Shandong Province granite-greenstone belt (WSP) of the North China Craton and thus preserves crucial clues of the crustal maturation process. In this study, petrology, whole-rock geochemistry, and zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes are reported for the late Neoarchean TTG gneisses, monzogranites, and minor metabasaltic to andesitic rocks from the WSP. The ca. 2560−2540 Ma TTG gneisses show low MgO, K2O/Na2O, but high (La/Yb)N, Sr/Y, and absence of Eu anomalies, indicating their derivation from partial melting of the thickened lower mafic crust. The ca. 2530−2500 Ma monzogranites are characterized by systematically high SiO2 and K2O/Na2O, but low MgO and Sr/Y, and moderately negative Eu anomalies, revealing they were formed by intracrustal reworking of local TTGs and sedimentary rocks in the middle to upper crust. Geochemical variations of these crustal-derived granitoids suggest that they were formed by melting at gradually higher crustal levels with the melt zone moved gradationally from the eclogite stability field into the plagioclase stability field. The ca. 2530−2500 Ma calc-alkaline metabasaltic to andesitic rocks sourced from metasomatized mantle outline roles of mantle-derived magma underplating in contributions of heating and trans-crustal melting magmatism. The long-term melting processes facilitated the upward movement of volatiles and heat-producing elements from deep to shallow crustal levels, and introduced K-enriched monzogranites into the upper crust, leaving a refractory, strengthening, and tectonically stable lower crust. Secular compositional evolution of crustal-derived granitoids reveals that continuous crustal reworking drove lithosphere differentiation and paved the way for the maturation of the Archean continental crust.

Allergy to aquatic biological resources as food

The review reveals the problem of allergies to fish and other highly allergenic foods. First of all, the products obtained from aquatic organisms are considered. The world production of fish of various species is discussed with the presentation of FAO statistics for recent years in this article. The role of aquaculture in the production of fish, shellfish and crustaceans is considered. In particular, the trends of fishing in the Black Sea and the growth of aquaculture production in Russia are analyzed. Generalized data indicate an increase in the importance of aquatic biological resources (ABR) in a balanced human diet. The study demonstrates the role of parvalbumin in the mechanism of development of allergies to products from ABR. Examples of other allergenic proteins that contain epitopes that trigger allergic reactions in the human body are given. The mechanism of these reactions is briefly described. Attention is drawn to cross-allergic reactions. Anthropogenic factors that can exacerbate allergies to fish products are discussed. These are pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, detergent components, changes in chemical composition, and food storage conditions. Pseudoallergens with the ability to cause allergic reactions are also mentioned. Allergy symptoms can range from skin rashes and itching to respiratory problems and anaphylaxis. Treatment of fish allergy is similar to treatment for allergies to other foods. It includes the use of antihistamines, corticosteroids and sorbents. Heredity plays a major role in the development of allergic reactions. It is important to pay attention to the purity and quality of products, cooking methods, and also follow a diet. Due to the potentially higher cumulative toxicity of freshwater species, it is recommended that marine fish be preferred.

Shift of bacterial and fungal communities upon soil amelioration is driven by carbon degradability of organic amendments

The structural response of bacterial and fungal soil communities to four carbon-rich organic amendments of increasing recalcitrance was investigated. Wheat straw, green compost, a mixed product based on biogas residues, and a fermented biochar were applied to a sandy agricultural soil of low organic carbon content. After laboratory incubation for 6 months, the community structure was investigated via DNA sequencing. All amendments caused changes in the communities of bacteria and fungi, but to different extents, with the communities exposed to more recalcitrant amendments showing the least variation compared to the non-amended soil. Changes in species composition as well as their relative abundances were observed. While the straw had a pronounced effect on bacteria (e.g., the highest number of indicator species), effects of the composted, fermented, or pyrolyzed materials were minor. Hierarchical clustering showed that the fungal communities were more different from each other than the bacterial ones with the straw-soil being most different and the biochar-soil least different from the non-amended soil. While the abundant fungal species in biochar-soil and non-amended soil were very alike, especially rare fungal species shifted upon addition of biochar. An indicator species analysis identified specific taxonomic groups which were triggered by the different organic materials. We conclude that bacterial and fungal communities strongly change upon input of degradable carbon (straw), while fungi in particular respond to the application of processed organic materials. With this study, we report the consequences of applying organic materials for the microbial community in one soil. We provide these data for meta-analyses that are required to unravel all relevant interactions across different soils, organic materials, and time. This will allow to better understand and predict the effects of organic soil amelioration measures on soil microorganisms.

MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle

Disorders affecting the neurological and musculoskeletal systems represent international health priorities. A significant impediment to progress in trials of new therapies is the absence of responsive, objective, and valid outcome measures sensitive to early disease changes. A key finding in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders is the compositional changes to muscles, evinced by the expression of fatty infiltrates. Quantification of skeletal muscle composition by MRI has emerged as a sensitive marker for the severity of these disorders; however, little is known about the composition of healthy muscles across the lifespan. Knowledge of what is ‘typical’ age-related muscle composition is essential to accurately identify and evaluate what is ‘atypical’. This innovative project, known as the MuscleMap, will achieve the first important steps towards establishing a world-first, normative reference MRI dataset of skeletal muscle composition with the potential to provide valuable insights into various diseases and disorders, ultimately improving patient care and advancing research in the field.

Physicochemical Characterization of Nanohydroxyapatite Powder in Simulated Body Fluid Immersion: A Pilot Study

Nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA) has been widely used as a bone graft material. In contact with biological fluids, n-HA should be reactive, resorbable, form an bone-like apatite layer on their surfaces, and enhance osseointegration. The release of Ca, P, and O in SBF predicted the formation of bone-like apatite layer. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of nano-HA powder during the SBF immersion in vitro. The n-HA powder was immersed in SBF for 24, 48 hours, 7, 14, and 28 days. The swelling ratio, pH, FTIR, and SEM-EDX were analyzed pre- and post-SBF immersion. The n-HA powder showed excellent hydrophilicity and a stable pH, even though there was a pH decrease in 28 days. The carbonate and phosphate functional groups were found through FTIR, in line with the ion composition changes and increase of the Ca/P ratio shown on EDX. Both mean weight percentages (%) of Ca and P increased during 14 days of SBF immersion (16.15 to 27.27; and 8.57 to 11.68, respectively). The other functional groups on the n-HA are PO3 −, CO2 −, O-H, C=H, and COO. In conclusion, the n-HA powder presents good physicochemical properties that indicate the formation of an apatite bonelike layer and is promising as a bone graft material.