Biological Elements Research Articles

Genetic dissection of maize (Zea maysL.) trace element traits using genome-wide association studies

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food and feed crop worldwide and serves as a a vital source of biological trace elements, which are important breeding targets. In this study, 170 maize materials were used to detect QTNs related to the content of Mn, Fe and Mo in maize grains through two GWAS models, namely MLM_Q + K and MLM_PCA + K. The results identified 87 (Mn), 205 (Fe), and 310 (Mo) QTNs using both methods in the three environments. Considering comprehensive factors such as co-location across multiple environments, strict significance threshold, and phenotypic value in multiple environments, 8 QTNs related to Mn, 10 QTNs related to Fe, and 26 QTNs related to Mo were used to identify 44 superior alleles. Consequently, three cross combinations with higher Mn element, two combinations with higher Fe element, six combinations with higher Mo element, and two combinations with multiple element (Mn/Fe/Mo) were predicted to yield offspring with higher numbers of superior alleles, thereby increasing the likelihood of enriching the corresponding elements. Additionally, the candidate genes identified 100 kb downstream and upstream the QTNs featured function and pathways related to maize elemental transport and accumulation. These results are expected to facilitate the screening and development of high-quality maize varieties enriched with trace elements, establish an important theoretical foundation for molecular marker assisted breeding and contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory network governing trace elements in maize.

Effects of copper and cadmium on stream leaf decomposition: evidence from a microcosm study.

We seek to understand how copper and cadmium act on leaf litter decomposition by their effects on microbial conditioning and litter fragmentation by invertebrates. In this study, we evaluated, in an integrated manner, different biological elements responsible for functioning of streams. Thus, we performed a microcosm assay with different concentrations for the two metals and their combination, evaluating their effects on fungi sporulation rate, consumption rate by shredders, and, consequently, the leaf litter decomposition rates. Sporulation rates were affected by all copper concentrations tested 10 × = 16µg L-1 and 25 × = 40µg L-1) but significantly reduced only at the highest concentration of cadmium (25 × = 22.5µg L-1). Increased copper and cadmium concentrations reduced the consumption of leaf litter by Phylloicus at 60%. The concentrations (10 × and 25 ×) of both metals resulted in a reduction in decomposition rates. When combined, copper and cadmium negatively affected microbial conditioning, consumption by shredders, and leaf litter decomposition. Increases in concentrations of copper and cadmium directly affected organic matter decomposition in aquatic environments. Thus, the presence of a high concentration of heavy metals in aquatic environments alters the functioning of ecosystems. As trace-elements occur in a combined manner in environments, our results show that the combined effects of different metals potentiate the negative effects on ecosystem processes.

A Bibliometric Study of Trends, Indicators, and Characteristics in the Global Scientific Production on Fluorosis.

To perform an analysis of the trends, indicators, and characteristics of the world scientific production on fluorosis, and to evaluate its impact on scientific research in this field. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a bibliometric approach of the worldwide scientific production on fluorosis published during the years 2018-2023. All metadata were extracted from the Scopus database. The articles were exported in .csv format to SciVal (Elsevier). Of the collected articles, 69 were original, 17 were reviews, 2 were conference papers, 6 were book chapters, among others. It was found that among the journals with the highest number of articles were Biological Trace Element, Caries Research, Children, Fluoride, and Indian Journal of Forensics. In addition, the highest percentage of authors have published between 1 and 2 articles, with a smaller proportion having 3-4 publications. Among the journals with the highest number of articles are Biological Trace Element, Caries Research, Children, Fluoride, and Indian Journal of Forensics. The Universidade de São Paulo has the most publications, although it is also one of those with the lowest citation-weighted impact in relation to the global average (FWCI: 0.9). The collaboration map shows a wide international cooperation network, with an active participation of Brazil among Latin American countries. Scientific production in fluorosis has a negative trend from 2018 to 2023 and is mainly concentrated in high-impact scientific journals. The study shows a wide network of international cooperation on fluorosis, so the results provide important information to guide future clinically focused research on fluorosis and its impact on public health.

Medical and biological justification for the use of venison in special food products

Data on the biological and nutritional value of venison have been studied. Justification for the use of venison and the development of meat cream using it has been carried out in KubSAU named after I.T. Trubilin. As a result of the research, the venison market in Russia has been analyzed, and to substantiate the biotechnological requirements for the composition and quality of meat cream intended for feeding residents of the Far North have been substantiated; quality characteristics of the main raw material – venison and additional raw materials have been selected and assessed. Using the method of calculating quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the selected ingredients, the combination of formulation components that enrich the developed product with natural biological elements has been determined. The recipe composition of meat cream based on venison has been modeled. Pilot batch of meat cream has been developed with subsequent assessment of nutritional and biological value. A study conducted on the Daily supply of the main nutrients of the developed special-purpose meat cream, provided for the social group of people (residents of the Far North) has been studied and it has been revealed that the body’s energy costs are 15% higher, and the need for protein and fat consumption also increases to 140 g. Moreover, it has been revealed that the product is rich in vitamin B, which fully meet the daily requirement, vitamin A, which provides up to 29.3%, and vitamin C, up to 38% of the daily requirement. The developed meat cream meets the protein content requirements of 15.3%; fat of 19%; salt of 2%.

Reports on the sensitivity enhancement in interferometric based biosensors by biotin-streptavidin system

Antibody biotinylation is a process of attaching biotin molecules to antibodies by chemically modifying specific functional groups on the antibodies without altering their antigen recognition specificity. Biotin, a small vitamin, forms a strong and specific interaction with the protein streptavidin, resulting in a stable biotin-streptavidin (biotin-STV) complex. This biotin-STV interaction is widely exploited in various biotechnological applications, including biosensors. Biosensors are analytical devices that employ biological recognition elements, such as antibodies, enzymes, or nucleic acids, to detect and quantify target analytes in a sample. Antibodies are commonly used as recognition elements in biosensors due to their high specificity and affinity. In this study, the antibody anti-Bovine Serum Albumin (αBSA) has been biotinylated at different antibody:biotin ratios, and the stability of this labeling over time has been investigated. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the biosensor for detecting the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein has been compared using the biotinylated antibody and the non-biotinylated form, showing a four-fold improvement in detection. This system was also compared with the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The advantages of using biotinylated antibodies in biosensors include increased stability and reproducibility of the biorecognition layer, as well as flexibility in sensor design, as different biotinylated antibodies can be utilized for diverse target analytes without altering the sensor's architecture.

Development of spiral square coils for magnetic labelling detection in microfluidic systems

Due to the development of microfluidic systems biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) for magnetic labelling detection by magnetic microbeads circling in microfluidic channels, we used the magnetic field created by microcoils. The magnetic field associated with the electric current, but with negatively affects if its value increases too much. Handling bio-species in the microfluidic chip requires that the temperature maintained to keep the cells to prevent their destruction. In this paper we have described the spiral square coil design of different structures to produce an effective magnetic flux density. The simulation of the magnetic flux density is carried out with the help of the COMSOL software. We have presented an optimization of the geometric parameters of the microcoil for a better performance and a miniaturization of the structure with copper wire section S=25 µm<sup>2</sup> and inter-wire space a=5 µm. We have also developed this microcoil by adding a ferromagnetic core to the inner center, the results obtained in this work shown that the magnetic flux density increases around 1.07 times in Bx and 1.45 times in Bz. This new approach in designing a microcoil allows to obtaining a fast trapping of the microbeads and a highly sensitive biological element detection and avoiding increase heat ratio in microfluidic systems.

Resilience and functional redundancy of methanogenic digestion microbiome safeguard recovery of methanogenesis activity under the stress induced by microplastics.

Microplastics and nanoplastics are emerging pollutants that substantially influence biological element cycling in natural ecosystems. Plastics are also prevalent in sewage,and they accumulate in waste-activated sludge (WAS). However, the impacts of plastics on the methanogenic digestion of WAS and the underpinning microbiome remain underexplored, particularly during long-term operation. In this study, we found that short-term exposure to individual microplastics and nanoplastics (polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polylactic acid) at a low concentration (10 particles/g sludge) slightly enhanced methanogenesis by 2.1%-9.0%, whereas higher levels (30-200 particles/g sludge) suppressed methanogenesis by 15.2%-30.1%. Notably, thecoexistence of multiple plastics, particularly at low concentrations, showed synergistic suppression of methanogenesis. Unexpectedly, methanogenesis activity completely recovered after long-term exposure to plastics, despite obvious suppression of methanogenesis by initial plastic exposure. The inhibition of methanogenesis by plastics could be attributed to the stimulated generation of reactive oxygen species. The stress induced by plastics dramatically decreased the relative abundance of methanogens but showed marginal influence on putative hydrolytic and fermentation populations. Nonetheless, the digestion sludge microbiome exhibited resilience and functional redundancy, contributing to the recovery of methanogenesis during the long-term operation of digesters. Plastics also increased the complexity, modularity, and negative interaction ratios of digestion sludge microbiome networks, but their influence on community assembly varied. Interestingly, a unique plastisphere was observed, the networks and assembly of which were distinct from the sludge microbiome. Collectively, the comprehensive evaluation of theinfluence of microplastics and nanoplastics on methanogenic digestion, together with the novel ecological insights, contribute to better understanding and manipulating this engineered ecosystem in the face of increasing plastic pollution.

ICT-based fluorescent probes for intracellular pH and biological species detection.

Fluorescent probes, typically based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism, have received considerable research attention in cell detection due to their non-invasiveness, fast response, easy regulation, high sensitivity, and low damage tolerance for in vivo bio-samples. Generally, intracellular pH and biological species such as various gases, metal ions, and anions constitute the foundation of cells and participate in the basic physiological processes, whose abnormal level can lead to poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in living organisms. Therefore, monitoring of their quantity plays an essential role in understanding the status of organisms and preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. In the last decades, remarkable progress has been made in developing ICT probes for the detection of biological elements. In this review, we highlight the recent ICT probes focusing primarily on the detection of intracellular pH, various gases (H2S, CO, H2O2, and NO), metal ions (Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and Al3+), and anions (ClO-, CN-, SO3 2-, and F-). In addition, we discuss the issues and limitations of ICT-based fluorescent probes for in vivo detection and explore the clinical translational potential and challenges of these materials, providing valuable guidance and insights for the design of fluorescent materials.

Correlation Between Water Quality and the Diversity Index of the Bosna River in the Zenica Region (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract Using the Shannon-Weaver index (H’), the link between the physical and chemical components of the biological component in the Bosnia River was examined. The results showed that pH and H’ had a strong link (rs = 0.59), while total nitrogen and H’ had a poor relationship (rs = 0.44), and COD-Cr had a weak relationship (rs = 0.34). KPK-Cr (I water class) had the lowest parameter concentrations, whereas electrical conductivity (IV-V water class) showed the highest. The values of the biological elements range from a poor 0.267 to a high state of 2.26.

CRITICAL REVIEW ON व्याहतगति OF VATA DOSHA WSR TO VATAVYADHI

The science of life based on natural principle of climatic change, atmospheric heat, rainfall, humidity etc is defined as Ayurveda. Principle of Pancha Mahabhuta, Tridosha Siddhanta and their Vriddhi Kshyaya are the different fundamental concepts to understand health & diseases. Classifies the biological elements of the body as Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Tridoshas begin their role from the beginning of their lives. These Tridoshas maintain the body in a normal and balanced state called Sukha and when there is imbalance and abnormality in these three Doshas, the person develops a disease called Dukha. Sensory & motor responsibility governed by Vata Dosha; hence Vata Dosha is dominant to other two Dosha. Na+Na+ Atmaja=Nanatmaja. Diseases which are executed by one single Dosha is called Nanatmaja Vyadhi. There are 80 numbers of Vatika Nanatmaja Vikara, 40 Paittika & 20 Kaphaja Nanatmaja Vikara. These all classifications has described in Charaka Samhita 20th chapter (Maharoga Adhyaya). The group of Vatika Nanatmaja Vyadhi are called Vata Vyadhi. An attempt has been made to review the various types of Vata Vyadhi of the Charak Samhita. After critical analysis, one can come to the conclusion that vitiated Vata can cause different types of diseases depending on the Hetu, Ashaya, Avayava, Dhatu, Indriya affected. Vatavyadhi Hetu, Samprapti, types and prognostic factors etc are discussed here in detail.

Setting nutrient boundaries to protect aquatic communities: The importance of comparing observed and predicted classifications using measures derived from a confusion matrix

Defining nutrient thresholds that protect and support the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems is a fundamental step in maintaining their natural biodiversity and preserving their resilience. With increasing catchment pressures and climate change, it is more important than ever to develop clear methods to establish thresholds for status classification and management of waters. This must often be achieved using complex data and should be robust to interference from additional pressures as well as ameliorating or confounding conditions. We use both artificial and real data to examine challenges in setting nutrient thresholds in unbalanced and skewed data. We found significant advantages to using binary logistic regression over other techniques. However, one of the key challenges is objectively selecting a probability from which to derive the nutrient threshold. For this purpose, the examination of the proportions of matching and mismatching status classifications of nutrients and a biological quality element using a confusion matrix is a key step that should be more widely adopted in threshold selection. We examined a large array of statistical measures of classification accuracy and their performance over combinations of skewness and imbalance in the data. The most appropriate threshold probability is a compromise between maximising overall classification accuracy and reducing mismatches expressed as commission (false positives) without excessive omission (false negatives). An application to a lake type indicated total phosphorus thresholds that would be around 50 μg l−1 lower than the threshold achieved by an ‘unguided’ approach, indicating that this approach is a very significant development meriting attention from national authorities responsible for water management.

LHYMO: A new Water Framework Directive‐compliant multimetric index to assess lake hydromorphology and its application to French lakes

Abstract Hydromorphology provides a physical framework for aquatic biocenoses. Its condition directly affects the quality of habitats available for fauna and flora, and its assessment is therefore useful for biodiversity and water quality conservation, as well as for restoration programmes required by European and national directives. In this study, a site‐specific index of Lake HYdroMOrphology, LHYMO, was developed to provide a quantitative assessment of the hydromorphological status of natural and non‐natural lakes that is consistent with European Committee for Standardization (CEN) standards and that can be used for different purposes, including the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and of the Habitats Directive. This new LHYMO index includes nine metrics related to the morphological WFD quality elements (QEs) and six metrics related to the hydrological WFD QEs, all of which are considered to support biological elements. The reference conditions were defined for each metric using an original approach: the degree of alteration is measured in relation to the natural characteristics of each lake, relative to a state that ‘would be expected in the absence of disturbances’. Besides its use for regulatory purposes, this index is also a suitable tool for monitoring the efficacy of hydromorphological restoration projects or to help target effective conservation measures on lakes. Application of this index to 72 French lakes provides the first quantitative and homogeneous assessment of the hydromorphological quality of lakes over a whole territory and gives the first overview of the hydromorphological status of lakes in France, with classification into five classes ranging from ‘high’ to ‘bad’. LHYMO is already operational for large French lakes as it relies mostly on reference datasets available at a national scale, and it may also be used in a wider scope through gathering or completing data from other sources.

THE VALUE OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFPs) IN PROMOTING INDIA'S RURAL LIVELIHOODS

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are biological elements other than wood that are usually collected from forests for human and animal use and have both a consumptive and an exchange value. NTFPs provide a major contribution to the livelihood and health of the poor. The article aims to describe the present condition of NTFPs and marketing issues for NTFPs in India, as well as their importance in improving rural livelihoods. A systematic research review approach was used to get the desired results. The study retrieved approximately 238 articles from different databases and filtered 191, highlighting 51 articles related to the keywords, published between 1988 and 2022 were included in the analysis. During the investigation, forty-one numbers of NTFPs were identified and documented, and numerous potential NTFPs for enterprise growth have been identified according to the different zones of India. Rural people are using NTFPs for a wide range of uses, including food, fodder, fibre, traditional medicine, domestic items, agricultural equipment, and construction materials, and many of them are linked to cultures. Promotion and domestication of NTFPs, as well as suitable policy frameworks for harvesting and better processing techniques, are all required for increased food security, poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods. Site-specific and species-specific strategies may be created for the preservation, management, and exploitation of NTFP resources. NTFPs play a significant role in improving rural livelihoods in India, as well as providing a valuable source of employment for rural residents, though it has a complex marketing system.

Assessment of Nanoscale Configuration of Dentin in Non-carious Cervical Lesions.

Introduction Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are structural deformities or tissue loss in the cervical region of teeth, which are closer to the gum linethat do not result from caries (tooth decay). On the tooth enamel at the gingival margin, these lesions are frequently seen as V- or U-shaped notches. The causes of NCCLs are multifaceted and involve intricate relationships between chemical, mechanical, and biological elements. The slow loss of enamel and dentin in the cervical area occurs due to mechanical causes like abrasive toothbrushing and occlusal tension, as well as chemical variables such as erosive acidic food components. As NCCLs advance, dental discomfort, aesthetic issues, and impaired tooth function may result. The aim of this study was to assess the nanoscale configuration of dentin in non-carious cervical lesions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Methodology Sterilized teeth samples were selected from the extracted tooth repository of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai. Tooth samples were thinly sliced using a diamond bur. The sliced teeth were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Ionic configuration was assessedusing EDS and elemental analysis. Results The findings showed the nanoscale morphology and elemental configurations present. Elemental mapping showed specific elemental localization in the affected area. Conclusion NCCLs can be attributed as a predominant factor leading to gingival recession causing dentin exposure and hypersensitivity. NCCLs can also threaten the integrity of dentin; therefore, early diagnosis of non-carious cervical lesions is crucial to ensure proper treatment plan and therapeutic regimens.

Association of Blood Trace Elements Levels with Cardiovascular Disease in US Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2016.

We aimed to explore the overall association between trace elements and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its types in humans. A total of 5101 participants' blood samples from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Biochemical data were collected from laboratory tests conducted at mobile screening centers. After assessing linearity, weighted logistic regression estimated the association between trace elements and various CVD types. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile-based g-computation (Qgcomp) evaluated the overall relationship between biological trace elements and CVD types. After fully adjusting for confounding factors, the odds ratios of overall CVD morbidity corresponding to the second, third, and fourth quartiles of higher selenium (Se) concentration were 0.711 (95% CI, 0.529-0.956, p = 0.024), 0.734 (95% CI, 0.546-0.987, p = 0.041), and 0.738 (95% CI, 0.554-0.983, p = 0.038), respectively. Moreover, an increase in the concentration of copper (Cu) was associated with an increased risk of stroke (95% CI, 1.012-1.094, p = 0.01), heart failure (95% CI, 1.001-1.095, p = 0.046), and heart attack (95% CI, 1.001-1.083, p = 0.046). As the concentration of trace elements in the body increased, there was a significant positive association between Cu and CVD prevalence. On the other hand, Se and zinc were negatively associated with CVD prevalence. A nonlinear relationship between Se and CVD was found, and an appropriate Se intake may reduce the risk of CVD. Cu levels positively correlated with CVD risk. However, prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm the causal effects of the micronutrients on CVD and its types.

Application and progress of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of pathogenic viruses

Viruses, with high fatality rates, have posed significant threat to global public health recent decades, necessitating rapid and accurate diagnostic methods to cut off their transmission effectively. To meet with this ongoing demand, electrochemical biosensors have emerged as powerful tools for virus detection due to their high sensitivity, good selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid response. In this review, the fundamental components in the design of electrochemical biosensors, including biological recognition elements, nanomaterials, and signal outputs are introduced and their respective advantages and limitations are discussed. Furthermore, the employment of emerging innovative techniques, such as electrochemical collision technique and artificial intelligence technology and their combination with electrochemical biosensors for virus detection are discussed, which will provide valuable insights into the future prospects of electrochemical biosensors in virus detection.

Advancements in wearable technology for monitoring lactate levels using lactate oxidase enzyme and free enzyme as analytical approaches: A review

Lactate is a metabolite that holds significant importance in human healthcare, biotechnology, and the food industry. The need for lactate monitoring has led to the development of various devices for measuring lactate concentration. Traditional laboratory methods, which involve extracting blood samples through invasive techniques such as needles, are costly, time-consuming, and require in-person sampling. To overcome these limitations, new technologies for lactate monitoring have emerged. Wearable biosensors are a promising approach that offers non-invasiveness, low cost, and short response times. They can be easily attached to the skin and provide continuous monitoring. In this review, we evaluate different types of wearable biosensors for lactate monitoring using lactate oxidase enzyme as biological recognition element and free enzyme systems.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the colleterial glands in Myzinum flower wasps (Tiphiidae, Hymenoptera)

The strategies used by females to ensure the survival of their offspring are one of the key elements in insect reproductive biology. Ectoparasitoid hymenopterans, such as tiphiid wasps, use their ovipositor to deliver a single egg on the host body, where the larva develops. Here we describe the colleterial glands in females of two species of Myzinum and discuss the homology with other glands among Hymenoptera. The glands appear as two large opaque round sac-like structures that are connected to the oviduct. Histological sections revealed a compound gland, with a single layer of class-1 epithelial cells surrounded by a layer of class-3 gland cells, which is uncommon in Hymenoptera. Ultrastructure points to active protein synthesis, consistent with the role of colleterial glands. Despite the consensus that colleterial glands in Hymenoptera evolved with two distinct forms, the venom gland and Dufour’s gland, the three glands were present in both Myzinum species. The few studies regarding the structure, function, and homology among the female accessory glands in Hymenoptera do not allow to make conclusive statements about the evolution of these glands. Therefore, the finding in Myzinum is probably the reflection of a lack of information, rather than an exception within Aculeata.

The role of epigenetics in anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders (ADs) are extremely common psychiatric conditions that frequently co-occur with other physical and mental disorders. The pathophysiology of ADs is multifaceted and involves intricate connections among biological elements, environmental stimuli, and psychological mechanisms. Recent discoveries have highlighted the significance of epigenetics in bridging the gap between multiple risk factors that contribute to ADs and expanding our understanding of the pathomechanisms underlying ADs. Epigenetics is the study of how changes in the environment and behavior can have an impact on gene function. Indeed, researchers have found that epigenetic mechanisms can affect how genes are activated or inactivated, as well as whether they are expressed. Such mechanisms may also affect how ADs form and are protected. That is, the bulk of pharmacological trials evaluating epigenetic treatments for the treatment of ADs have used histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), yielding promising outcomes in both preclinical and clinical studies. This review will provide an outline of how epigenetic pathways can be used to treat ADs or lessen their risk. It will also present the findings from preclinical and clinical trials that are currently available on the use of epigenetic drugs to treat ADs.

Comment on: Magnesium Depletion Score Predicts Diabetic Retinopathy Risk Among Diabetes: Findings from NHANES 2005-2018.

I read the work by Yuan Chen et al.Biol Trace Elem Res 201(6):2750-2756 2023 entitled "Magnesium depletion score predicts diabetic retinopathy risk among diabetes: findings from NHANES 2005-2018" which was published in the Biological Trace Element Research (volume 201, issue 6, June 2023), with great interest. The authors specified that magnesium depletion score was associated with diabetic retinopathy. However, there are some limitations that should be addressed properly: first, the correct diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy; second, the consideration for statistical method; and third, the conclusion drawn from this study. I believe there are a few points regarding study design and conclusion that, if addressed, would improve the quality of this article.