Increase In Concentrations Research Articles

Correlations between the increase in atmospheric CO2 and temperature, and the subsequent increase in silica, and groundwater organisms

Rising atmospheric temperature and CO2 impact all freshwater systems. In groundwater, one such impact is CO2- and temperature-induced weathering, which leads to more intense weathering of silicate rocks. Here, we tested whether the increased CO2 levels, the weathering, or rather the increasing temperature, impacted on fauna and prokaryotes in the groundwater ecosystem. We also conducted the analyses separately for two groups of wells, one of which contained wells that were secluded from the surface (and often rather deep), and wells tapping the quaternary aquifers (often rather shallow) which exchange with the surface more intensely. Organism abundances and relative composition did not correlate with temperature or CO2 levels. While many organisms rely on silica, in contrast, we found negative correlations between silica concentrations and fauna. The increases in silica concentrations over time, i.e. temporal trends, also partly correlated negatively with organisms. We hypothesize that the unexpected negative correlations are not direct effects, but indirectly indicate that groundwater communities do not adapt rapidly enough to changes in silica concentrations, but also more generally to changes for which silica might only be a proxy. Groundwater fauna take part in the ecosystem service of water self-cleaning and are thus considered beneficial for sustainable raw water for drinking water production. The propensity of groundwater fauna to decrease with increases in silica, jeopardizes future drinking water production.

Pigs Can Detect Multiple Amino Acid Deficiencies in a Choice Feeding Setting

BackgroundIt is unknown whether pigs can detect deficiencies in multiple amino acids (AAs) and consequently change their feed choice. ObjectivesWe investigated whether pigs compensate for a diet deficient in 3 AAs (Thr, Trp, and Val) by selecting multiple diets and whether this compensation is affected by the supplemented AA concentration. MethodsPair-housed 5-wk-old pigs (n = 96) were exposed to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) AA-adequate: offered a low-protein (LP) diet adequate in AA for growth (LP+); 2) AA-deficient: offered LP diet deficient in Thr, Trp, and Val by 20% (LP–); 3) 2-choice between LP+ and LP–; and 4) 4-choice between LP– and 3 diets supplemented with Thr, Trp, Val at +40% (n = 12 pens/treatment) from d0 to d21 (phase 1). From d21 to d28, AA concentration of supplemented diets increased to +60% (phase 2). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain (ADG) were recorded. ResultsDietary treatment did not affect ADFI and ADG in phase 1 (P > 0.05). In phase 2, ADFI and ADG were higher in AA-adequate and 2-choice treatments than in AA-deficient treatment with 4-choice in between (P < 0.05). In both phases, Thr, Trp, and Val intake was lower in AA-deficient treatment than in other treatments. For the 2-choice treatment, consumption of LP– was higher than LP+ in both phases (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Four-choice treatment consumed more LP– and Trp-supplemented than Thr- and Val-supplemented diets in phase 1 (P < 0.001); in phase 2, consumption of the Trp-supplemented diet was the highest (P < 0.01). ConclusionsPigs can detect multiple AA deficiencies and compensate by consuming AA-supplemented diets. In a 2-choice setting, pigs proportionally decrease consumption of a supplemented diet with increased dietary AA concentration. However, when given the choice between individual AA-supplemented diets, pigs proportionally decrease consumption of a highly concentrated Val diet and increase preference for a highly concentrated Trp diet.

Variance in the composition and number of VLDL and LDL particles with increasing triglyceride or increasing ApoB concentrations

ObjectiveThe importance of any enhanced atherogenicity of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) will depend on the relative abundance of these particles compared with LDL or total apolipoprotein (apo)B. Accordingly, we determined the contribution that TRLs make to total apoB as TG or apoB concentrations increase. We also describe compositional changes in TRLs as TG or apoB increase to assess whether VLDL-C is a valid proxy for VLDL-apoB. MethodsWe used sequential ultracentrifugation to separate lipoprotein fractions in plasma samples from 1940 dyslipidemic patients not on lipid-lowering medication, and measured apoB, cholesterol and TG in the plasma and in each subfraction. We analyzed this data in quartiles of TG or apoB. ResultsThere was wide variance in all parameters in all quartiles of both TG and apoB. Although VLDL-apoB accounted for almost all the increase in total apoB across TG quartiles, LDL-apoB still accounted for 80 % of the total in TG quartile 4. In contrast, LDL-apoB accounted for 90 % of the increase in apoB across apoB quartiles. As TG increases, the increase in VLDL-C is explained more by increased VLDL-C/apoB when TG is moderately elevated, and more by increased VLDL-apoB when TG is very high. ConclusionsIn conclusion, VLDL-apoB only becomes a substantial component of total apoB with extreme hypertriglyceridemia and VLDL-C is not an appropriate proxy for VLDL-apoB.

Association of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with liver function biomarkers in the highly exposed population of the veneto region

IntroductionEpidemiological studies highlight the presence of associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure with liver damage. In 2013, PFAS contamination was discovered in Veneto (Italy), leading to the implementation of a Surveillance Program (SP). Our objective is to investigate the association between PFAS exposure and biomarkers of liver function using single-pollutant and mixture approaches, while exploring the sex-specific differences and the mediating role of obesity in the association. MethodsThe study included 42,094 subjects aged ≥20 years participating in the SP. We used generalized additive models to investigate the association between several PFAS and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, adjusting for possible confounders and stratifying by sex. Results were back-transformed to show predicted percentage changes in outcomes per ln-unit increase in PFAS levels; furthermore, we explored the role of BMI in the abovementioned causal pathway, considering it as a potential confounder or mediator PFAS joint effect was investigated using Quantile G-computation. ResultsOne ln-unit increase in PFHxS concentrations was associated with a 1.49% (95%CI: 0.87, 2.12) and a 0.84% (95% CI: 0.27, 1.40) increase in ALT levels, in males and females respectively; one ln-unit increase in PFOA concentrations was associated with a 1.03% (95%CI: 0.50, 1.55) increase in ALT levels in males, and a 0.52% (95% CI: 0.22, 0.82) and a 0.60% (95% CI: 0.25, 0.96) increase in AST levels in females and males. PFOS showed no association with ALT and AST levels. Quantile G-computation revealed that an interquartile increase in the PFAS mixture was associated with a 3.02% increase (95% CI: 1.65, 4.43) and a 1.65% (95% CI: 0.77, 2.5) increase in ALT levels, in females and males. Mediation analysis suggested that BMI suppressed the association between PFAS and ALT levels, with positive direct effects higher than the total effects. ConclusionOur findings suggest sex-specific associations between PFAS exposure and liver function biomarkers and underscore the need for additional studies on potential mediators.

Impact of Urbanization on Air Quality in Largest Сities of Kazakhstan

In the context of the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization of Kazakhstan, the air pollution problem in large cities is becoming increasingly urgent. It is essential to assess the impact of economic growth on the environmental situation, as this allows us to develop strategies to improve air quality and ensure sustainable development. Thus, this study examines the impact of urbanization and economic growth on air pollution across four major cities in Kazakhstan from 2016 to 2022. Statistical methods were used to analyze the relationship between pollution levels and economic indicators, including gross regional product (GRP) and industrialization. The study covers the period from 2016 to 2022 and is based on data on concentrations of critical pollutants collected from the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. National monitoring sources collected air quality data, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO concentrations. Statistical analyses, as correlation and regression models, were applied to establish relationships between pollution levels and economic growth indicators. The study found significant correlations between economic activities and air pollution levels. In Almaty, a 10% increase in GRP corresponds to a 5% increase in pollutant concentrations. Almaty experienced the highest average PM2.5 concentration at 42 µg/m³, exceeding permissible norms by 20%. Other cities showed varied levels of pollution influenced by specific economic and industrial profiles. The results underscore the pressing need for effective urban management and strategic policy-making to mitigate the adverse effects of economic development on air quality.

Sub-chronic Toxicological Evaluation of Drinking Water from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Wassa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps has increased recently in Nigeria due to insurgency and natural disasters such as floods. This study aimed to evaluate the sub-chronic toxicological effects of the source of the drinking water in Wassa camp, Abuja, Nigeria. Forty-eight (48) mice were randomized into four (4) groups of twelve (12) mice each and orally administered different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mL/kg body weight respectively) of the water sample from Wassa IDP for fourteen (14) days. The alteration was noticed in the liver and kidney indices of mice by a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in kidney-body weight ratio, kidney, liver and plasma protein concentrations, and a considerable decrease (p&lt;0.05) in albumin, creatinine, uric acid and total bilirubin concentrations, 14-days post-treatment, particularly at a higher dose. Gamma-glutamyl transaminase in the liver and aspartate transaminase in both liver and kidney significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased in mice with a resultant significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the serum, 14 days post-treatment at 20 mL/kg bwt. There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) observed in serum triglycerides, very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations at all doses 14-days post-treatment compared with the control but the concentrations of serum low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol significantly reduced (p&lt;0.05) at 20 mL/kg bwt 14-days post-treatment. The drinking water altered some liver-function indices while the cardiac-function indices were less affected. Therefore, prolonged consumption of the water may not be relatively safe. The provision of clean drinking water for the Wassa IDP camp will prevent adverse biochemical reaction reactions from prolonged water consumption.

Antioxidant and antimalarial properties of hot aqueous leaf extracts of Setaria megaphylla, Ageratum conyzoides and Chromolaena odorata

This study investigated the antioxidant and antimalarial properties of leaf extracts of Setaria megaphylla, Ageratum conyzoides Linn, and Chromolaena odorata Linn, plants used in folkloric treatment of malaria. The plants were assessed for phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging activities using standard methods. Single, binary and ternary combinations of the processed leaves were subjected to hot aqueous extraction, and evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial efficacy against Plasmodium berghei NK 65 using Swiss albino mice. The plants’ total phenolic profile varied as S. megaphylla (Sm; 118.06 µg/ml) &gt; C. odorata (Co; 116.58 µg/ml) &gt; A. conyzoides (Ac; 73.01 µg/ml), with catechin, dihydrocytisine and tannin being the most abundant phenolics. Total antioxidant capacities (TAC) and reducing power potentials (RPP) of the plants increased with increase in extract concentrations with Sm showing highest TAC (1.49 ± 0.02 mgAAE/g) and RPP (0.47 ± 0.01 mgAAE/g) values. A similar trend was observed for the hydroxyl, nitric oxide and DPPH radicals scavenging potentials, showing dose-dependent increases in scavenging potentials but with no observed significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in activities at the highest extract dose of 400 µg/ml. The in vivo antimalarial study demonstrated that the combination of A. conyzoides and S. megaphylla was the most effective, significantly reducing parasitemia without causing mortality in the mice. This research highlights the potential of S. megaphylla, A. conyzoides, and C. odorata, especially the combination of their extracts as source of effective anti-malarial agents, and further confirms the folkloric use of hot aqueous extracts of the plants in malaria treatment.

Assessment of Specific Biomarkers' Profile and Structural, Functional Parameters of the Left Ventricle in Patients With Lymphomas Undergoing Antitumor Therapy.

To evaluate the dynamics of specific biomarkers for cardiotoxicity, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, systemic inflammation, and morpho-functional alterations in the left ventricular (LV) myocardium in patients with newly diagnosed lymphomas during 6 courses of polychemotherapy (PCT). The study included 30 patients with newly diagnosed lymphomas. All patients were evaluated for laboratory markers of cardiotoxicity at baseline and after 6 courses of chemotherapy (6 months), including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI), endothelin-1 (ET-1), circulating cardiac biomarker ST-2, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and LV structural and functional echocardiographic (EchoCG) parameters. The changes in NT-proBNP and hsTnI concentrations during 6 courses of PCT were not statistically significant. Comparison of the baseline values with those after 6 courses of PCT showed increases in the median concentrations of ET-1 (3.38 and 5.5 pg/ml, respectively; p=0.438) and ST-2 (12.21 and 26.75 ng/ml, respectively; p=0.687). Markers of systemic inflammation were significantly decreased after 6 courses of PCT: the median CRP decreased from 15.2 to 0.72 mg/ml (p=0.006), and the median IL-6 decreased from 12.2 to 5.1 pg/ml (p=0.034). EchoCG data revealed a statistically significant impairment of the LV diastolic function parameters (E/A; E/e' lateral; E/e' average; left atrial volume index; isovolumic relaxation time). A moderate direct correlation was found between the ET-1 concentration and the isovolumic relaxation time at baseline and after 6 courses of PCT, respectively (r1 = 0.387, p=0.047 and r2 = 0.391, p=0.035). No changes in the LV systolic function were observed. The study showed that patients with lymphoproliferative diseases had no signs of cardiotoxicity during PCT according to the accepted criteria. This study described and highlighted for the first time the interrelation of endothelial dysfunction, profibrotic status, and LV diastolic dysfunction as manifestations of cardiovascular toxicity in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases. It is advisable to supplement the integrated strategies for the prevention and monitoring of PCT cardiovascular toxicity with a thorough evaluation of instrumental parameters of diastolic dysfunction for timely initiation/correction of cardioprotective therapy.

Improvement of the hydrogen evolution reaction and photocatalyst activity of ZiF-8 coated with RGO

The need for sustainable energy production is critical because of the considerable impact on the environment associated with the use of fossil fuels. In this study, we examine the physicochemical properties, photocatalytic performance, and electrochemical hydrogen evaluation of ZiF-8 coated with RGO, which were prepared using the ultrasonication method. All samples were examined with x-ray diffraction and exhibited a cubic phase. With an increase in RGO concentrations, the direct optical bandgap transition experienced a decline from 5.6 to 3.62 eV. As the concentration of RGO increased, a higher quantity of RGO was added resulting in the formation of a single layer of amorphous RGO on the surface. This layer of amorphous RGO played a key role in enhancing the electronic conductivity of the samples. The RGO coating effect on the photocatalytic performance since the efficiency of dye removal increased from 67% to 99% in 120 minutes. ZiF-8 combined with 8% RGO (ZiF-8@8%RGO) has a noticeably smaller arc radius compared to pure ZIF-8 and ZIF-8 with 4% RGO. The pure ZiF-8 is a typical n-type semiconductor. The ZiF-8@8%RGO demonstrated the highest rate of hydrogen evolution. These results suggest the feasibility of using ZiF-8@8%RGO for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

Time Course of Reversal of Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression in Healthy Subjects by Intramuscular Nalmefene and Intramuscular and Intranasal Naloxone.

The increase in opioid overdose deaths, particularly involving potent, long-acting synthetic opioids, has led to calls for stronger, longer-acting opioid-overdose-reversal agents. Using an opioid-induced respiratory depression model, we investigated the onset and time course of action of naloxone and a long-acting opioid antagonist, nalmefene, in reversing the effects of an ongoing intravenous fentanyl infusion over a period of up to 100 min. Healthy, moderately experienced opioid users received intramuscular (IM) nalmefene 1 mg, IM naloxone 2 mg, or intranasal (IN) naloxone 4 mg after fentanyl-induced respiratory depression was established based on reduction in respiratory minute volume (MV). Each participant received each opioid antagonist twice per a randomized crossover schedule. Reversal of respiratory depression, pharmacokinetics, and safety were investigated. Participants showed rapid increases in plasma opioid antagonist concentrations, and meaningful reversal of depressed MV tended to occur earlier with IM nalmefene and IM naloxone than with IN naloxone. Compared to naloxone, nalmefene provided extended exposure, and mean MV was maintained at a higher level. All participants experienced treatment-related adverse events, but none were severe, serious, or led to study drug discontinuation. This study provides evidence that IM nalmefene 1 mg achieves reversal of fentanyl-induced respiratory depression similar to or better than that achieved with standard-of-care naloxone treatments. No new safety concerns were raised for IM nalmefene at the tested dose. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of IM nalmefene position it as an important treatment option in opioid overdose reversal, particularly given the increasing prevalence of overdoses involving potent, long-acting synthetic opioids.

Cause of nocturnal surface ozone enhancement in the North China Plain

The North China Plain (NCP), known for its dense population, extensive urbanization, and developed industry and agriculture, faces one of the foremost ozone (O3) pollution issues nationwide and even globally. Currently, most studies focus on daytime peak O3 levels, with insufficient understanding of the increase in nighttime O3 concentrations. Based on data from 204 national atmospheric composition monitoring sites in the NCP from 2015 to 2023, we investigated the characteristics of nocturnal surface O3 enhancement (NSOE) events and explored potential formation mechanisms. The mean annual frequencies of single-site and regional NSOE event in the NCP between 2015 and 2023 are 42 % and 21 %, respectively. The daytime peak O3 concentrations before and after NSOE events exceeded those during the corresponding periods of non-NSOE events by 84 ± 19 and 32 ± 15 μg/m3, respectively. The overall effect of the NSOE events was to decelerate the rate of decline in nighttime O3 concentrations and resulted in a reduction of NO2 and CO concentrations from 22:00 onwards. Low level jet (LLJ) and vertical mixing were the main factors affecting NSOE events in the NCP. The proportion of NSOE events affected by LLJ in four representative cities ranged from 57.6 % to 79.5 %. Furthermore, the high concentration of O3 in the residual layer before the NSOE event and the reduction of atmospheric stability during the NSOE event favored downward mixing of upper layer O3. The primary weather systems influencing the four most severe regional NSOE events were LLJ, typhoon, and cold fronts. The first two events were dominated by vertical mixing of O3, while the latter two events were mainly affected by horizontal transport. Our findings provide the first overview of NSOE events in the NCP from characteristics to mechanisms, emphasizing the necessity for future detailed studies based on nocturnal vertical O3 observations.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of highly concentrated substrates obtained from Miscanthus giganteus

This work is the first to study the enzymatic hydrolysis of four types of substrates obtained from Miscanthus giganteus of the KAMIS variety of Russian breeding. The study was conducting using the authors’ methodology based on a chemical pretreatment of substrates at atmospheric pressure with HNO3 and NaOH dilute solutions. A one-stage pretreatment of Miscanthus giganteus allows the polysaccharide content to be increased up to 90.4–90.8%, compared to 98.3–99.4% following a two-stage treatment. The experimental results of enzymatic hydrolysis of the four obtained substrates in the range of initial concentrations from 30 to 120 g/l are approximated using fractal kinetics approaches. An increase in the initial substrate concentrations in the specified range leads to an increase in the initial hydrolysis rate by 2.8–3.3 times and a decrease in the yield of reducing sugars by 12.4–13.1%. All four pretreatment types turned out to be extremely effective for Miscanthus giganteus, ensuring an increase in the reactivity to enzymatic hydrolysis by 34–36 times compared to the starting raw material. Lowered yields of reducing sugars are observed during enzymatic hydrolysis of the alkaline delignification product of Miscanthus giganteus, which is associated with the resistance of Miscanthus giganteus to treatment with sodium hydroxide. An increase in the initial concentration of substrates from 60 to 90 g/l does not lead to a significant decrease in the yield of reducing sugars. Therefore, enzymatic hydrolysis of highly concentrated substrates can be successfully used to produce biofuels and biochemicals.

Comparison of aerosol number size distribution and new particle formation in summer at alpine and urban regions in the Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China

Ultrafine particles play a crucial role in understanding climate change, mitigating adverse health effects, and developing strategies for air pollution control. However, the factors influencing the occurrence and development of new particle formation (NPF) events, as well as the underlying chemical mechanisms, remain inadequately explained. This study compared number concentrations and size distributions of atmospheric ultrafine particles at Xi'an (urban area) and the summit of Mt. Hua (alpine region) in summer to investigate the NPF mechanism and particle growth in both clean and polluted areas of the Guanzhong Plain. The average particle number concentration in Xi'an was significantly higher than that at Mt. Hua. The diurnal variation of total particle number concentration differed between Xi'an and Mt. Hua indicating a divergence in influencing factors. The size distributions in Xi'an varied across different timescales and weather conditions, whereas Mt. Hua exhibited little variation. This stability at Mt. Hua is attributed to its cleaner background atmosphere and the steady influx of aging particles with larger diameters transported from the free atmosphere. In both areas, geometric mean diameters (GMDs) were inversely proportional to particle number concentrations suggesting that increase in particle numbers were primarily due to the generation of smaller particles. The potential governing factors for NPF events differed somewhat between the urban and mountainous stations. In the urban area, intense local stationary and mobile emission sources promoted the growth of newly formed nanoparticles, with ozone-oxidized condensable vapors serving as key precursors. In contrast, at the mountainous station, NPF process were significantly influenced by anthropogenic precursors from long-range transport and locally emitted biogenic organics. The rapid increase in ultrafine particle concentrations primarily poses serious health risks and degrades air quality in urban areas, while also contributing to climate-related effects in alpine regions.

Sulfamethoxazole removal and ammonium conversion in microalgae consortium: Physiological responses and microbial community changes

Microalgae (Mychonastes sp.) consortium was investigated for nutrient and antibiotics removal and its responses to varying sulfamethoxazole (SMX) concentrations (0–1000 μg/L) in ammonia-rich wastewater. The results showed that the introduction of SMX (100–1000 μg/L) slightly improved ammonium nitrogen removal efficiency instead of inhibition. Swift SMX degradation was observed across all SMX-treated systems, with the highest SMX removal efficiency (96 %) at an SMX concentration of 100 μg/L. Biodegradation remained the dominant SMX removal mechanism, contributing 78 % of SMX removal at an SMX concentration of 800 μg/L, while adsorption and photolysis played minor roles. Addition of SMX augmented biomass and lipid productivity, but decreased chlorophyll contents in the microalgae consortium. Furthermore, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production correlated positively with SMX input concentration, with the microalgae consortium exposed to 800 μg/L SMX displaying the most pronounced stimulation of protein production (51.5 ± 2.0 mg/g DCW) and polysaccharides production (74.8 ± 3.9 mg/g DCW). In response to an increase in SMX concentrations, enzyme activities associated with antioxidant defense, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased, the catalase (CAT) decreased, indicating an initial defense mechanism. Concurrently, the relative abundance of Mychonastes sp. within the consortium rose from 87 % at 300 μg/L SMX to 99.9 % at 800 μg/L SMX. while Shannon indices of the bacterial community increased from 1.415 to 2.867. This shift inhibited the initially dominant Saprospiraceae bacteria, facilitating the profound increase of adapted Aquimonas. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of the simultaneous removal of antibiotics and nutrients from wastewater with a microalgae consortium system.

The influence of Ag2O/NbO2 nanocomposites on the optical properties of PVA/PVP lend in biomedical applications.

To study the optical properties of nanocomposites as well as antibacterial activity. The experimental study was conducted at the University of Babylon, College of Science and College of Education for Pure Sciences, Babylon, Iraq, from September 2021 to February 2022. Impregnation of transparent matrix polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone nanocomposites was done by silver oxide and niobium oxide nanoparticles. The nanostructures were created using different ratios of polymer matrix, silver oxide nanoparticles and niobium oxide nanoparticles. The optical features of these nanocomposites were examined, whereby the latter type of properties was tested within the wavelength range of 220-820nm. The determination of the anti-microbial activity was done by disc diffusion method. The anti-bacterial activity involved gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Different bacteria were cultured with Muller-Hinton medium. Absorbance, absorption coefficients and optical conductivity of the nanocomposites increased with the increase in nanocomposite concentrations. The energy gap for silver oxide and niobium oxide nanoparticles decreased when the concentrations of the nanoparticles increased. Promising outcomes may be achieved for the nanocomposites in anti-bacterial applications as the inhibition zones increased along with increased ratio of silver oxide and niobium oxide nanoparticles.

Kynurenines in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an influence of type 2 diabetes.

Given their association with inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, tryptophan metabolites involved in the kynurenine pathway (KP) play a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study aimed to examine the relationship between the parameters of HFpEF, as determined by transthoracic echocardiography, and metabolites of the KP. We prospectively included 120 patients with HFpEF, 60 with and 60 without T2D, and 55 controls. High‑performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the serum metabolites of KP. Echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. The patients with HFpEF and T2D showed an increase in tryptophan, kynurenine, and anthranilic acid concentrations (P = 0.001, P <0.001, and P <0.001, respectively) with a concomitant decrease in 3‑hydroxykynurenine (P <0.001) and quinolinic acid (P = 0.003), as compared with those with HFpEF without T2D. Left ventricular and left atrial remodeling was more pronounced in the group with T2D, but differences between these parameters did not reach statistical significance. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain was lower in the subgroup of patients with HFpEF and T2D than in the subgroup without T2D (P = 0.003). The study showed altered tryptophan metabolism in patients with HFpEF, highlighting a possible connection. The findings suggest potential implications for targeted therapeutic strategies focusing on tryptophan metabolism and cardiac function in patients with HFpEF and T2D.

Prenatal and childhood exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and early thelarche in 8-year-old girls: A prospective study using Bayesian kernel regression

BackgroundStudies on the combined effects of persistent and non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on puberty are insufficient. To date, no studies have analyzed breast development at age 8 years, a key criterion for determining precocious puberty. We investigated the relationship between prenatal or childhood exposure to EDC mixtures and early thelarche, defined as breast development before age 8 years in girls. MethodsThis prospective study included 211 girls with data on prenatal and 8-year-old exposure of cadmium (Cd), lead, mercury, bisphenol-A (BPA), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, and three phthalate metabolites from the Environment and Development of Children cohort. Prenatal exposure was assessed through samples from pregnant women at 14–27th weeks of gestation. Tanner staging was assessed by a pediatric endocrinologist. The relationship between single and mixed chemical exposures and outcomes was assessed using logistic regression, generalized additive models (GAM), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. ResultsEarly thelarche was observed in 42 (19.9%) girls at age 8 years. In the logistic regression models, the risk of early thelarche increased with increased exposure to Cd in their mothers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per interquartile range [IQR] = 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.65) but decreased with prenatal BPA exposure (aOR per IQR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.92). None of the 8-year-old chemical exposures was associated with early thelarche. In the GAM, early thelarche was positively correlated with prenatal Cd and inversely associated with prenatal BPA exposure (p = 0.004 for Cd and p = 0.036 for BPA). In the BKMR models, an increase in log-transformed prenatal Cd concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with an increase in the estimated probability of early thelarche at age 8 years (risk difference: 0.46 [95% credible interval: 0.04–0.88]) when other chemicals were set at their median values. ConclusionsConsidering the combined effects of persistent and non-persistent chemical mixtures, maternal Cd exposure during the second trimester may be associated with early thelarche in 8-year-old girls.

Innovative high-performance and energy-positive Co-treatment of organic kitchen waste and domestic wastewater using a fluidized bed ceramic membrane bioreactor

The aim of the study was to efficiently treat organic kitchen waste (FW) and domestic wastewater (DWW) together in an anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactor equipped with a ceramic membrane (AnFCMBR) through a sustainable approach considering energy recovery. The system operated continuously for 519 days at room temperature, and different filtration fluxes (1.7 and 5 L/m2/h), hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (22 h and 7 h), and organic loading rate (OLRs) (0.46, 1.52, 3.42, 6.08 kg/m3.d) were tested. The amount of organic matter in DWW may be insufficient for feasible gas production, but this challenge can be resolved through the addition of food waste. Influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 500 ± 143 mg/L gradually increased to 2000 ± 196 mg/L by increasing the portion of FW. The COD removal ranged from 92 to 98% throughout the study, with the membrane and the cake layer contributing 5–8% to the performance. Average supernatant SMP and EPS concentrations increased from 5 ± 1 to 45 ± 5 mg COD/L and from 54 ± 7 to 254 ± 26 mg COD/g VSS, respectively, when the highest amount of FW was added to the synthetic wastewater. This significant increase in SMP and EPS concentrations due to the addition of FW negatively impacted the filtration performance. SRF and CST values also increased with rising OLR, especially with the supplementation of synthetic wastewater with FW.After FW started to be mixed with DWW, the methane production increased approximately 5.5 times. With the use of AnFCMBR for the co-treatment of FW and DWW, it is possible to achieve energy-positive treatment with high-quality effluent that can be reused for various applications, such as irrigation. The methane produced provided 12 times more energy than was needed to operate the bioreactor.This is the first study evaluating the co-treatment of FW and DWW in AnFCMBR under varying operational parameters.

Differential responses of soil CO2 dynamics along soil depth to rainfall patterns in the Chinese Loess Plateau

Soil surface carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux not only originates from topsoils, but also significantly involves contributions from deeper soil layers. Soil surface CO2 efflux significantly fluctuated with rainfall patterns in arid and semiarid regions. However, how soil CO2 dynamics respond at different soil depths to varying rainfall patterns remains largely unclear. To address this gap, we continuously monitored soil CO2 concentrations, temperature, and moisture content at 10 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm depths in situ under cropland and orchards located in the semiarid Loess Plateau over a full year. Rainfall events were meticulously recorded, categorizing them into light (<10 mm), moderate (10 mm–40 mm), and heavy (>40 mm) to discern their impact on soil CO2 dynamics. Specifically, soil CO2 flux was not affected during light rainfall. Moderate and heavy rainfall decreased soil CO2 flux at 0–10 cm by an average of 70% and 83%, respectively. This decrease was associated with reduced gas diffusivity across rainfall patterns. For instance, heavy rainfall reduced gas diffusivity by an average of 83% and 53% at 10 cm and 50 cm soil depths, respectively. Furthermore, soil CO2 concentrations slightly dropped as soil temperature decreased at 10 cm depth during light rainfall. Soil CO2 concentrations at 10 cm and 50 cm depths initially decreased by up to 15% and subsequently increasing by up to 52% during moderate and heavy rainfall. This response was likely influenced by temperature reductions and subsequent rises in moisture content, with a hysteretic response of soil CO2 concentrations to temperature. The rapid increase in soil CO2 concentrations was mainly due to a substantial decrease in gas diffusivity. Notably, heavy rainfall induced a delayed increase in soil moisture content at 50 cm depth and a significant decrease in CO2 concentration by 16% at 100 cm depth. A substantial decrease in soil CO2 concentrations in deep soil layers was primarily related to decreased soil temperature. Additionally, the observed soil CO2 dynamics were partly attributed to biotic factors (microbial biomass carbon and root density) mainly on cropland, but mainly abiotic factors (soil organic carbon and bulk density) under orchards. Overall, these results suggest that reduced gas diffusivity triggered by increased soil moisture content in topsoils and weakened biological processes caused by decreased soil temperature in deep soils typically drive the differential responses of soil CO2 dynamics to rainfall patterns.

Roles of Prostaglandins and Hydrogen Sulfide in an Outflow Model of the Porcine Ocular Anterior Segment Ex Vivo

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing compounds can reduce intraocular pressure in normotensive rabbits by increasing aqueous humor (AH) outflow through the trabecular meshwork. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of endogenous H2S and the role of intramurally generated prostaglandins in the observed increase in AH outflow facility in an ex vivo porcine ocular anterior segment model. Material and Methods: Porcine ocular anterior segment explants were perfused with Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium maintained at 37 °C and gassed with 5% CO2 and 95% air under an elevated pressure of 15 mmHg for four hours. Perfusates from the anterior segment explants were collected and immediately assayed for their H2S and prostaglandin E2 content. Results: Elevating perfusion pressure from 7.35 to 15 mm Hg significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased H2S concentration in the perfusate from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 67.6 ± 3.6 nM/µg protein. In the presence of an inhibitor of cystathionine ß-synthase/cystathionine γ-lyase, aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 30 µM), or an inhibitor of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, α-ketobutyric acid (KBA, 1 mM), the effects of elevated pressure on H2S levels in the perfusate was significant (p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, flurbiprofen (30 µM) and indomethacin (10 µM) attenuated the elevated pressure-induced increase in H2S levels in the perfusate. Interestingly, elevating perfusion pressure had no significant effect on PGE2 concentrations in the perfusate. While the inhibition of H2S biosynthesis by AOAA or KBA did not affect PGE2 levels in perfusate, flurbiprofen (30 µM) caused a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in the concentration of PGE2 under conditions of elevated perfusion pressure. Conclusions: We conclude that the elevated perfusion pressure-induced increase in H2S concentrations depends upon the endogenous biosynthesis of H2S and intramurally produced prostaglandins in the porcine anterior segment explants. While the concentration of PGE2 in the perfusate under elevated perfusion pressure was unaffected by pretreatment with inhibitors of H2S biosynthesis, it was reduced in the presence of an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase.