Degradation Of Compounds Research Articles

Tailored Metal-Organic Frameworks for Water Purification: Perfluorinated Fe-MOFs for Enhanced Heterogeneous Catalytic Ozonation.

An industrially viable catalyst for heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) in water purification requires the characteristics of good dispersion of active species on its surface, efficient electron transfer for ozone decay, and maximum active species utilization. While metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent an attractive platform for HCO, the metal nodes in the unmodified MOFs exhibit low catalytic activity. Herein, we present a perfluorinated Fe-MOF catalyst by substituting H atoms on the metalated ligands with F atoms (termed 4F-MIL-88B) to induce structure evolution. The Lewis acidity of 4F-MIL-88B was enhanced via the formation of Fe nodes, tailoring the electron distribution on the catalyst surface. As a result of catalyst modification, the rate constant for degradation of the target compounds examined increased by ∼700% compared with that observed for the unmodified catalyst. Experimental evidence and theoretical calculations showed that the modulated polarity and the enhanced electron transfer between the catalyst and ozone molecules contributed to the adsorption and transformation of O3 to •OH on the catalyst surface. Overall, the results of this study highlight the significance of tailoring the metalated ligands to develop highly efficient and stable MOF catalysts for HCO and provide an in-depth mechanistic understanding of their structure-function evolution, which is expected to facilitate the applications of nanomaterial-based processes in water purification.

Optimum Condition for the Formation of β-ionone by Thermal Decomposition of Carotenoids Extract from Orange Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.)

Introduction The need for rose aromatic compounds is very high globally, where the beta-ionone compound as a precursor for rose aroma can be produced through the oxidation process of carotenoids, especially beta carotene. Therefore, Beta-ionone is the compound responsible for the rose fragrance, which is needed industrially. Carotenoids are easily degraded by various factors, namely heat, oxygen, light and enzymatic. This research has carried out heat degradation of carotene compounds extracted from orange sweet potato to determine the effect of heating time on forming aromatic compounds such as Beta-ionone and dihydroactinidiolide (dhA). Methodology Thermal degradation of carotene was carried out at 140°C for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. The constant oxygen concentration of 7 l.h-1 was used to induce the oxidation. The spectrophotometric analysis of total carotene and the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry analysis of volatile compounds were conducted to clarify the efficiency of the carotene degradation process and aromatic compounds' formation, respectively. Results Orange sweet potatoes contain 1.2% of carotenoids on a dry weight basis. Beta-ionone and dihydroactinidiolide compounds increased along with decreased total carotene value during heating. The results showed that heating sweet potato carotene at 140°C for 4 h caused carotene degradation of up to 93%. Therefore, the optimum thermal degradation treatment for the formation of β-ionone and dhA compounds was the heating condition at a temperature of 140°C for 4 h. Conclusion This research has shown the potential of sweet potatoes as a non-aromatic raw material that can be used to produce aromatic compounds. The use of the crude extract in this research means that the beta-ionone content in the product after oxidation is still low due to the presence of other components; this needs to be a concern for further research.

Effect of the Oligosaccharid Fraction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on the Activity of Phenolic Metabolism Enzymes in Cotton Leaves

The synthesis of secondary metabolites, notably phenolic compounds, is part of the plant's defense reactions. The enzymes of phenolic metabolism can constitute a parameter of measurement of the defense of the plants. The aim of this work is to evaluate the activity of phenolic metabolism enzymes and an antioxidant enzyme after treatment of cotton plants with a fungal elicitor. Cotton plants obtained from the cultivar Y764AG3 were treated with the oligosaccharide fraction (FOS) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Vasinfectum (FOV). The extraction of the enzymes is carried out cold by grinding the leaves in extraction buffer in the presence of PVP (0.5 %) and 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer. The supernatant obtained after centrifugation of the filtrate was purified with Dowex-2 in order to obtain the purified enzymatic fraction. This fraction was used for the determination of enzyme activity by reading the absorbances. The results showed that the activity of ammonia-lyase activity was higher in the treated plants than in the control. This reflects an increase in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in the treated plants. On the other hand, oxidoreductase activity was higher in control plants than in treated plants. This indicates a decrease in the degradation of phenolic compounds in the treated plants. This study revealed the existence of an active phenolic metabolism in the FOS-treated plants. Thus defence mechanisms are activated in plants treated with the oligosaccharide fraction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Vasinfectum.

The biotechnological potential of the Chloroflexota phylum.

In the next decades, the increasing material and energetic demand to support population growth and higher standards of living will amplify the current pressures on ecosystems and will call for greater investments in infrastructures and modern technologies. A valid approach to overcome such future challenges is the employment of sustainable bio-based technologies that explore the metabolic richness of microorganisms. Collectively, the metabolic capabilities of Chloroflexota, spanning aerobic and anaerobic conditions, thermophilic adaptability, anoxygenic photosynthesis, and utilization of toxic compounds as electron acceptors, underscore the phylum's resilience and ecological significance. These diverse metabolic strategies, driven by the interplay between temperature, oxygen availability, and energy metabolism, exemplify the complex adaptations that enabled Chloroflexota to colonize a wide range of ecological niches. In demonstrating the metabolic richness of the Chloroflexota phylum, specific members exemplify the diverse capabilities of these microorganisms: Chloroflexus aurantiacus showcases adaptability through its thermophilic and phototrophic growth, whereas members of the Anaerolineae class are known for their role in the degradation of complex organic compounds, contributing significantly to the carbon cycle in anaerobic environments, highlighting the phylum's potential for biotechnological exploitation in varying environmental conditions. In this context, the metabolic diversity of Chloroflexota must be considered a promising asset for a large range of applications. Currently, this bacterial phylum is organized into eight classes possessing different metabolic strategies to survive and thrive in a wide variety of extreme environments. This review correlates the ecological role of Chloroflexota in such environments with the potential application of their metabolisms in biotechnological approaches.

Effect of the component and the concentration ratio on the removal of volatile organic compound mixtures by non-thermal plasma

Abstract The feasibility and efficiency of the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by non-thermal plasmas(NTP) has been extensive investigated and proved in laboratory experiments with single target component. In practical, multicomponent VOCs are emitted during industrial production. It is urgent need to study the abatement of multicomponent VOCs to evaluate the effectiveness of NTP technology in application, and explore the impact of interactions between VOCs components on degradation efficiency. This study focused on the degradation of VOCs mixtures composed of toluene (TOL), acetone (AC), and ethyl acetate (EA) by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in room temperature. Through changing the target gas in turn and the concentration ratio of additive gas in binary mixture, the influence of the composition and the concentration ratio of the additive gases on the target gas degradation have been investigated by comparing the decomposition of the single compound. The results showed that AC and EA had little or no inhibitory effect on degradation of TOL. When AC was added and degraded together with TOL, the degradation rate of TOL remained almost unchanged with slight fluctuations in the range of 75.3 ± 1.0% as the ratio of added AC increased. However, TOL significantly inhibited the degradation of EA, and AC, and more seriously on AC. When the ratio of added TOL increased, the degradation rates of EA or AC changed from 41.1% or 34.5% to 29.8% or 12.2%, which were 11.3% or 22.3% reduced respectively. It’s indicated that there was a mutual inhibitory effect between the AC and EA when they were degraded together, and a stronger inhibitory effect of EA on AC was observed. When the ratio of added AC to EA changed from 0:1 to 3:1, the degradation rate of EA decreased by 9.5%, from 49.8% to 40.3%. When the ratio of added EA to AC changed from 0:1 to 3:1, the degradation rate of AC decreased by 16.0%, from 37.9% to 21.9%.

Plasma driven exsolution of Ca as the adjacent dechlorinated site in La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 perovskite: a highly mineralization chlorobenzene oxidation catalyst

The degradation of chlorine-containing volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) utilizing catalytic combustion technology is subject to the catalyst chlorine poisoning, which is resulted from the chlorination of active phases, even though the structural stable perovskite. The reaction between Ca species and dissociated chlorine species is demonstrated as an efficient way to inhibited chlorine poisoning of the active phase. Herein, a Ca substituted partial La prepared La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 (named as L8C2MO) perovskite was treated by 5% H2/Ar plasma driven route (the treated sample was denoted as L8C2MO-P), which was applied for the chlorobenzene oxidation removal. The integrated characterization results of XRD, XPS, HRTEM, etc. confirmed that Ca (mainly exhibited as CaCO3) was successfully exsolved from La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 and simultaneously leaved oxygen vacancies on the surficial layers. The continuous catalytic oxidation experiments illustrated that the conversion efficiency of L8C2MO was unexpectedly decreased compared with that of LaMnO3 (LMO in short) sample, while that of L8C2MO-P was nearly maintained the oxidation capacity, with approximately 12°C of 90% chlorobenzene conversion temperature (T90) higher than that of LMO. Importantly, the CO2 and inorganic chlorine species yields were significantly enhanced for L8C2MO and L8C2MO-P. The characteristic of used samples showed a possible chlorinated Ca species formation while the status of Mn phases was hardly changed, suggesting the exsolved Ca could inhibited the poison of Mn sites by binding with dissociative chlorine species. Additionally, oxygen vacancies that generated along with Ca exsolution process was definitely contributed to the deep oxidation of chlorobenzene. The possible reaction route was also studied by in situ DRITS and GCMS. The work provides a potential route as in situ growth of adjacent sites to protect active phases from chlorine poison in CVOCs catalytic oxidation process.

Development of an internal two-stage upflow anaerobic reactor integrating biostimulation strategies to enhance the degradation of aromatic compounds in wastewater from purified terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate manufacturing processes

In this study, we aimed to establish high-rate biological treatment of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) wastewater that minimizes the inhibitory effects of high concentration benzoate and acetate. To achieve this, we developed a novel bioreactor system and biostimulation strategy. An internal two-stage upflow anaerobic (ITUA) reactor was operated with (i) a packed bed containing green tuff medium underlying (ii) a compartment seeded with anaerobic granular sludge. Ethylene glycol was amended to stimulate syntrophic interactions. Continuous operation of the system for 1,026 days achieve an organic removal rate of 11.0 ± 0.6 kg COD/m3/d. The abundance of aromatic degraders significantly increased during operation. Thus, we successfully developed a high-rate treatment system to treat wastewater from the PTA/DMT manufacturing processes by activating syntrophs in an ITUA reactor.

Identification of active main metabolites of anti-infective inhibitors of the macrophage infectivity potentiator protein by liquid chromatography using mass detection.

Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, the development of anti-infectives with new mechanisms of action is crucial. Virulence factors such as the "macrophage infectivity potentiator" (Mip) protein, which catalyzes the folding of proline-containing proteins by means of their cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity, have come into focus as a potential new target. Since the inhibition of Mip by small molecules has been shown to lead to reduced virulence and survival in vitro, especially of Gram-negative bacteria such as Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), or Coxiella burnetii (Cb), among many others, a library of Mip inhibitors was developed. As drug metabolism has a significant impact on the overall therapeutic outcome, this report describes the biotransformation of the most potent Mip inhibitors. Therefore, the anti-infectives were treated using human liver microsomes in vitro. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) methods were applied to identify the metabolites and quantify the metabolic degradation of the hit compounds. Active metabolites, N-oxides, were found, leading to new opportunities for further drug development.

One-Step Synthesis of Alkali Metal-Hydroxyl Double Modified Graphite Phase Carbon Nitride and Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenolic Compounds

In this work, potassium ion-hydroxyl double modified graphite phase carbon nitride (KCN–OH) was synthesized in one step by alkali hydrothermal (AH) method. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV–Vis, N2 adsorption, SEM, XPS, PL, ESR, TPD and EIS. The introduction of potassium ion causes the reduced crystal size, increased specific surface area and promoted electron–hole separation efficiency of as-prepared catalyst. The hydroxyl group not only further improves the electron–hole separation efficiency but, as the electron donor group, can also make stronger interaction between catalyst and acidic phenolic compounds. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol was investigated under visible light. The results show that the phenol degradation rate constant of KCN–OH is 0.22 h[Formula: see text] under visible light, which is over 3.7 and 2.0 times higher than that of neat g-C3N4 and single hydroxyl-modified g-C3N4. KCN–OH also displays outstanding catalytic and structural stability. The possible reaction mechanism is discussed in this paper.

The Carbon Isotopic Composition of Archean Kerogen and Its Resilience Through the Rock Cycle

The Archean rock record is limited and there is minimal organic matter available to understand the origin and evolution of life on early Earth. Low carbon isotope ratios have been measured in organic and reduced carbon phases in Archean rocks and have been invoked as biosignatures. However, it can be challenging to distinguish whether these low values reflect biotic formation, abiotic reactions, or post-depositional processes. To re-address this long-standing question, we compiled a comprehensive dataset of carbon isotope ratio measurements from organic carbon phases from Archean units that were analyzed using a variety of geochemical techniques. Our compilation also includes available descriptions and measurements of the stratigraphy, mineralogy, elemental ratios, and metamorphic grade for each data point. Our statistical analyses re-enforce a result that has been noted by prior compilations, that the carbon isotopic composition of Archean organic matter (OM) is broadly more 13C-deplete than the composition of Phanerozoic OM: The median δ13C values ( ±SD) of Archean total organic carbon and kerogen were −30.5±8‰ (n=2421) and −33.7±11.3‰ (n=556; Phanerozoic OM δ13C ±SD = −26.7±4.6‰ with n=449 from a prior compilation). Our study also identifies a previously unrecognized bimodality within the δ13C values of Archean OM that is observed even with subsampling of the data to account for geographic and stratigraphic sampling bias. We describe and model the isotopic and structural changes associated with the transformation of marine Type II kerogen from formation through diagenesis, catagenesis and metagenesis, and metamorphism, as described by trends on a van Krevelin diagram. Empirically, early maturation of organic matter during diagenesis results in shifts up to a few per-mille, which can occur in either direction depending on selective preservation and degradation of compounds. Thermal cracking that occurs during catagenesis can drive increases in δ13C of 5–12‰. At temperatures above greenschist metamorphism, carbon atoms exchange with other reactive carbon pools, driving increases in δ13C of up to 20‰. Together, our analyses suggest that the most metamorphosed graphitic samples from the earliest Archean are likely signatures of alteration, while low and multimodal ranges of δ13C values may preserve records of Archean ecology.

Numerical Simulation of the Thermal Destruction of Organophosphorous

The organophosphorus class of compounds has several usages nowadays. Some halogenated organophosphorus are used as flame retardants, and others are used as pesticides worldwide. In the last case, those compounds are subject to law regulation. They are now used as chemical weapons in many wars and terrorist attacks. Due to this variety of usages and the high toxicity of such compounds, the study of the proper treatment for residues containing those substances is significant to prevent the degradation of soil, water, and the atmosphere. For these reasons, the present study conducted numeric simulations of the incineration of organophosphorus compounds using kinetic models of combustion and pyrolysis found in the literature. The study of the degradation of this class of substances and the pollutant formation was made by simulating a homogeneous zeroth-order reactor and a continuous stirred tank reactor model. Due to the results of the simulations, the degradation made with the batch mode operation is efficient in the degradation of the substances considered in this work. The stream-containing process products have CO2, CO, HF, HOPO, and HOPO2. The three last cited have no determination about the emission ranges in the legislation, but their concentrations indicate the necessity of treatment for them. Furthermore, it was possible to evaluate the negative influence of the hydrocarbon used as fuel and the presence of CO2 in the degradation of the organophosphate compounds.

Research progress of persulfate activation technology.

Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) have been widely investigated by academia and industry due to their high efficiency and selectivity for the removal of trace organic pollutants from complex water substrates. PS-AOPs have been extensively studied for the degradation of pesticides, drugs, halogen compounds, dyes, and other pollutants. Utilizing bibliometric statistics, this review presents a comprehensive overview of persulfate-based advanced oxidation technology research over the past decade. The number of published articles about persulfate activation has steadily increased during this time, reflecting extensive international collaboration. Furthermore, this review introduces the most widely employed strategies for persulfate activation reported in the past 10years, including carbon material activation, photocatalysis, transition metal activation, electrochemical activation, ultrasonic activation, thermal activation, and alkali activation. Next, the potential activation mechanisms and influencing factors, such as persulfate dosage during activation, are discussed. Finally, the application of PS-AOPs in wastewater treatment and in situ groundwater treatment is examined. This review summarizes the previously reported experiences of persulfate-based advanced oxidation technology and presents the current application status of PS-AOPs in organic pollution removal, with the aim of avoiding misunderstandings and providing a solid foundation for future research on the removal of organic pollutants.

Metagenomic analysis of soil microbial communities associated with Poa alpigena Lindm in Haixin Mountain, Qinghai Lake.

To investigate the impact of Poa alpigena Lindm on rhizosphere and bulk soil microorganisms in Haixin Mountain, Qinghai Lake, this study employed metagenomics technology to analyze the microbial communities of the samples. Results showed that 65 phyla, 139 classes, 278 orders, 596 families, 2376 genera, and 5545 species of soil microorganisms were identified from rhizosphere and bulk soil samples. Additionally, a microbial gene library specific to Poa alpigena Lindm was established for Qinghai Lake. Through α-diversity analysis, the richness and diversity of bulk microorganisms both significantly had a higher value than that in rhizosphere soil. The indicator microorganisms of rhizosphere and bulk soil at class level were Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that Carotenoid biosynthesis, Starch and sucrose metabolism, Bacterial chemotaxis, MAPK signaling pathway, Terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, and vancomycin resistance were the key differential metabolic pathways of rhizosphere soil microorganisms; in contrast, in bulk soil, the key differential metabolic were Benzoate degradation, Glycolysis gluconeogenesis, Aminobenzoate degradation, ABC transporters, Glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, Degradation of aromatic compounds, Methane metabolism, Pyruvate metabolism and Microbial metabolism diverse environments. Our results indicated that Poa alpigena Lindm rhizosphere soil possessed selectivity for microorganisms in Qinghai Lake Haixin Mountain, and the rhizosphere soil also provided a suitable survival environment for microorganisms.

Harnessing tobacco stem biomass for eco-friendly xylo-oligomers production via hydrothermal treatment and succinic acid via fermentation

The integration of processes offers promising avenues for valorization of the tobacco waste, enabling the production of commercially significant compounds beyond traditional tobacco leaves designation. This research delves into the feasibility of extracting xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) from tobacco stems via hydrothermal pretreatment. Emphasis was laid on XOS release kinetics from high solid loads (20% w/v) during pretreatment. The optimal conditions, which facilitated maximum oligomer recovery with minimal degradation compounds and reducing sugar solubilization, were then scaled up. The resultant solid fraction underwent enzymatic hydrolysis at varied solid loads (5%, 10%, and 15% w/v). Subsequent to this, succinic acid production was targeted, propelling the optimal enzymatic hydrolysate towards fermentation using the bacterium Actinobacillus succinogenes. Key findings revealed that a temperature of 190 °C during 8-min emerged as the most effective pretreatment conditions, yielding XOS at 49.54% with a concentration of 11.11 g.L−1. Enzymatic hydrolysis remained relatively uninfluenced by variations in solid loads, thereby permitting the use of high solid loads (15% w/v) to obtain concentrated hydrolysates at 49.37 g.L−1 with a conversion yield of 62.90%. Markedly, this study pioneered the demonstration of tobacco waste as a viable precursor for biosuccinic acid synthesis. Succinic acid concentration stood at 16.88 g.L−1, achieving a yield of 42%. A comprehensive mass balance evaluation spotlighted the potential to derive 56 kg of XOS and 78 kg of succinic acid per 1000 kg of tobacco raw biomass by the process developed herein.

Treatment of two-phase olive mill waste and degradation of phenolic compounds with simultaneous bio-electrochemical conversion of CO2 to CH4 using a microbial electrolysis cell

This study deals with the treatment of a two-phase olive mill waste (TPOMW), with simultaneous bio-electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CH4 using a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC). For this purpose, a dual-chamber MEC was constructed using carbon felt as anodic and cathodic electrodes. The performance was assessed in terms of COD removal, the degradation of the phenolic compounds as well as the electromethanosynthesis potential of the MEC bio-cathode. The MEC operated for 120 days and the results showed that increasing the concentration from 3 to 7 and 38 gCOD/L led to an increase of the COD removal from 74%, to 77% and to 87%, respectively, of the total phenolic content removal from 73%, to 76% and to 79%, respectively, as well as of the produced CH4 from 0.04, to 0.09 and to 0.07 mmols/gCODconsumed, respectively. Increasing the applied potential from 0.5 V to 1 V, while the TPOMW was employed in the anode with no dilution, resulted in further increase of both the COD and the total phenolic content removal from 87% to 79%, respectively, to 91%, while the produced CH4 further increased from 0.07 to 0.08 mmols/gCODconsumed. The results indicate that the MEC technology can be potentially exploited for the treatment of the TPOMW and produce CH4 as a waste-to-energy source.

Oomycete metabolism is highly dynamic and reflects lifestyle adaptations.

The selective pressure of pathogen-host symbiosis drives adaptations. How these interactions shape the metabolism of pathogens is largely unknown. Here, we use comparative genomics to systematically analyse the metabolic networks of oomycetes, a diverse group of eukaryotes that includes saprotrophs as well as pathogens of animal- and plant pathogens, the latter causing devastating diseases with significant economic and/or ecological impact. In our analyses of 44 oomycete species, we uncover considerable variation in metabolism that can be linked to lifestyle differences. Comparisons of metabolic gene content reveal that plant pathogenic oomycetes have a bipartite metabolism consisting of a conserved core and an accessory set. The accessory set can be associated with the degradation of defence compounds produced by plants when challenged by pathogens. Obligate biotrophic oomycetes have smaller metabolic networks, and taxonomically distantly related biotrophic lineages display convergent evolution by repeated gene losses in both the conserved as well as the accessory set of metabolism. When investigating to what extent the metabolic networks in obligate biotrophs differ from those in hemibiotrophic plant pathogens, we observe that the losses of metabolic enzymes in obligate biotrophs are not random and that gene losses predominantly influence the terminal branches of the metabolic networks. Our analyses represent the first metabolism-focused comparison of oomycetes at this scale and will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of oomycete metabolism in relation to lifestyle adaptation.

Microbiomic association between the saliva and salivary stone in patients with sialolithiasis

Salivary stones, known as sialoliths, form within the salivary ducts due to abnormal salivary composition and cause painful symptoms, for which surgical removal is the primary treatment. This study explored the role of the salivary microbial communities in the formation of sialoliths. We conducted a comparative analysis of microbial communities present in the saliva and salivary stones, and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene in samples obtained from patients with sialoliths and from healthy individuals. Although the diversity in the saliva was high, the essential features of the microbial environment in sialoliths were low diversity and evenness. The association of microbial abundance between stones and saliva revealed a positive correlation between Peptostreptococcus and Porphyromonas, and a negative correlation for Pseudomonas in saliva. The functional potential differences between saliva and stones Bacterial chemotaxis and the citrate cycle were negatively correlated with most genera found in salivary stone samples. However, the functions required for organic compound degradation did not differ between the saliva samples. Although some microbes were shared between the sialoliths and saliva, their compositions differed significantly. Our study presents a novel comparison between salivary stones and salivary microbiomes, suggesting potential preventive strategies against sialolithiasis.

Quantification of Irgafos P-168 and Degradative Profile in Samples of a Polypropylene/Polyethylene Composite Using Microwave, Ultrasound and Soxhlet Extraction Techniques

In polypropylene/polyethylene composite (C-PP/PE) production, stabilizing additives such as Irgafos P-168 are essential as antioxidant agents. In this study, an investigation was carried out that covers different solid–liquid extraction methods (Soxhlet, ultrasound, and microwaves); various variables were evaluated, such as temperature, extraction time, the choice of solvents, and the type of C-PP/PE used, and the gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used to quantify the presence of Irgafos P-168 in the C-PP/PE samples. The results revealed that microwave extraction was the most effective in recovering Irgafos P-168. A recovery of 96.7% was achieved when using dichloromethane as a solvent, and 92.83% was achieved when using limonene as a solvent. The ultrasound technique recovered 91.74% using dichloromethane and 89.71% using limonene. The Soxhlet extraction method showed the lowest recovery percentages of 57.39% using dichloromethane as a solvent and 55.76% with limonene, especially when the C-PP/PE was in the form of pellets. The degradation products that obtained the highest degradation percentages were Bis (di-test-butyl phenyl) phosphate and Mono (di-test-butyl phenyl) phosphate using the microwave method with dichloromethane as a solvent and PP in film. Finally, the possible mechanisms for forming the degradation compounds of Irgafos P-168 were postulated.

Impacts of o-cresol spill on composition and function of river sediment and soil microbial communities.

o-Cresol is a toxic substance with strong irritating and corrosive effects on skin and mucous membranes. To date, information on the effects of o-cresol on microbial communities in the natural environment is very limited. In the present study, 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic technique were carried out to elucidate the effects of the o-cresol spill on microbial communities in river sediments and nearby soils. o-Cresol spill induced the increase in the relative abundance of phyla Planctomycetes and Gemmatimonadetes, suggesting their resilience to o-cresol-induced stress. Uncultured Gemmatimonadetes genera and the MND1 genus exhibited enrichment, while the Pseudomonas genus dominated across all samples, indicating their potential pivotal roles in adapting to the o-cresol spill. Moreover, o-cresol spill impaired the metabolic functions of microbes but triggered their defense mechanisms. Under o-cresol pressure, microbial functions related to carbon fixation were upregulated and functions associated with sulfur metabolism were downregulated. In addition, the o-cresol spill led to an increase in functional genes related to the conversion of o-cresol to 3-methylcatechol. Several genes involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds were also identified, potentially contributing to the biodegradation of o-cresol. This study provides fresh insights into the repercussions of an abrupt o-cresol spill on microbial communities in natural environments, shedding light on their adaptability, defense mechanisms, and biodegradation potential.

[Correlation between insulin resistance and coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion].

To explore the impact of diabetes on collateral circulation (CC) development in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) and the underlying regulatory mechanism. This study was conducted among 87 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), who had CTO in at least one vessel as confirmed by coronary angiography. Among them 42 patients were found to have a low CC level (Cohen-Rentrop grades 0-1) and 45 had a high CC level (grades 2-3). In the 39 patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus and 48 non-diabetic patients, insulin resistance (IR) levels were compared between the subgroups with different CC levels. The steady-state mode evaluation method was employed for calculating the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) using a mathematical model. During the interventional procedures, collateral and peripheral blood samples were collected from 22 patients for comparison of the metabolites using non-targeted metabolomics analysis. NT-proBNP levels and LVEF differed significantly between the patients with different CC levels (P<0.05). In non-diabetic patients, HOMA-IR was higher in low CC level group than in high CC level groups. Compared with the non-diabetic patients, the diabetic patients showed 63 upregulated and 48 downregulated metabolites in the collateral blood and 23 upregulated and 14 downregulated metabolites in the peripheral blood. The differential metabolites in the collateral blood were involved in aromatic compound degradation, fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid degradation pathways; those in the peripheral blood were related with pentose phosphate metabolism, bacterial chemotaxis, hexanoyl-CoA degradation, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and lysine degradation pathways. The non-diabetic patients with a low level of CC had significant insulin resistance. The degradation pathways of aromatic compounds, fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid degradation are closely correlated with the development of CC.