Elevated pH Research Articles

Unlocking sustainable power: advances in aqueous processing and water-soluble binders for NMC cathodes in high-voltage Li-ion batteries

This review addresses the aqueous processing of high-nickel NMC materials and its challenges, including pH elevation and lithium leaching. Tailored binder selection is crucial, offering a strategic pathway for sustainable battery manufacturing.

Investigation into struvite precipitation: A commonly encountered problem during fermentations on chemically defined media.

Chemically defined mineral media are widely used in bioprocesses, as these show less batch to batch variation compared with complex media. Nonetheless, the recommended media formulations often lead to the formation of precipitants at elevated pH values. These precipitates are insoluble and reduce the availability of macronutrients to the cells, which can result in limiting growth rates and lower productivity. They can also damage equipment by clogging pipes, hoses, and spargers in stirred tank fermenters. In this study, the observed precipitate was analyzed via X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and identified as the magnesium ammonium phosphate salt struvite (MgNH4 PO4 × 6H2 O). The solubility of struvite crystals is known to be extremely low, causing the macronutrients magnesium, phosphate, and ammonium to be bound in the struvite crystals. Here, it was shown that struvite precipitates can be redissolved under common fermentation conditions. Furthermore, it was found that the struvite particle size distribution has a significant effect on the dissolution kinetics, which directly affects macronutrient availability. At a certain particle size, struvite crystals rapidly dissolved and provided unlimiting growth conditions. Therefore, struvite formation should be considered during media and bioprocess development, to ensure that the dissolution kinetics of struvite are faster than the growth kinetics.

Does vaping increase the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection? Paradoxically yes and no.

Data on the relationship between electronic cigarettes (ECs) and SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited and contradictory. Our objectives were to investigate the impact of EC aerosols on SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells and identify the causative chemical(s). Fully differentiated human bronchial epithelial tissues (hBETs) were exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI) to aerosols produced from JUUL "Virginia Tobacco" and BLU ECs, as well as nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and benzoic acid, and infection was then evaluated with SARS-CoV-2 pseudoparticles. Pseudoparticle infection of hBETs increased with aerosols produced from PG/VG, PG/VG plus nicotine, or BLU ECs; however, JUUL EC aerosols did not increase infection compared with controls. Increased infection in PG/VG alone was due to enhanced endocytosis, whereas increased infection in PG/VG plus nicotine or in BLU ECs was caused by nicotine-induced elevation of the aerosol's pH, which correlated with increased transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) activity. Notably, benzoic acid in JUUL aerosols mitigated the enhanced infection caused by PG/VG or nicotine, offering protection that lasted for at least 48 h after exposure. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that EC aerosols can impact susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection depending on their specific ingredients. PG/VG alone or PG/VG plus nicotine enhanced infection through different mechanisms, whereas benzoic acid in JUUL aerosols mitigated the increased infection caused by certain ingredients. These findings highlight the complex relationship between ECs and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, emphasizing the importance of considering the specific aerosol ingredients when evaluating the potential effects of ECs on infection risk.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Data on the relationship between electronic cigarettes (ECs) and SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited and contradictory. We investigated the impact of EC aerosols and their ingredients on SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells. Our data show that specific ingredients in EC aerosols impact the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Propylene glycol (PG)/vegetable glycerin (VG) alone or PG/VG plus nicotine enhanced infection through different mechanisms, whereas benzoic acid in JUUL aerosols mitigated the increased infection caused by these ingredients.

Coarse-Grained Monte Carlo Simulations with Octree Cells for Geopolymer Nucleation at Different pH Values.

Geopolymers offer a potential alternative to ordinary Portland cement owing to their performance in mechanical and thermal properties, as well as environmental benefits stemming from a reduced carbon footprint. This paper endeavors to build upon prior atomistic computational work delving deeper into the intricate relationship between pH levels and the resulting material's properties, including pore size distribution, geopolymer nucleate cluster dimensions, total system energy, and monomer poly-condensation behavior. Coarse-grained Monte Carlo (CGMC) simulation inputs include tetrahedral geometry and binding energy parameters derived from DFT simulations for aluminate and silicate monomers. Elevated pH values may can alter reactivity and phase stability, or, in the structural concrete application, may passivate the embedded steel reinforcement. Thus, we examine the effects of pH values set at 11, 12, and 13 (based on silicate speciation chemistry), investigating their respective contributions to the nucleation of geopolymers. To simulate a larger system to obtain representative results, we propose the numerical implementation of an Octree cell. Finally, we further digitize the resulting expanded structure to ascertain pore size distribution, facilitating a comparative analysis. The novelty of this study is underscored by its expansion in both system size, more accurate monomer representation, and pH range when compared to previous CGMC simulation approaches. The results unveil a discernible correlation between the number of clusters and pores under specific pH levels. This links geopolymerization mechanisms under varying pH conditions to the resulting chemical properties and final structural state.

Polyhydroxy Fullerene for Synthesizing Noble Metal Nanoparticles

The redox properties of fullerene and its derivatives enable them to function as electron relays through either oxidation or reduction. Polyhydroxy fullerene (PHF), also known as fullerol or fullerenol, is highly water-soluble derivative and a well-known antioxidant. We have found that PHF is also very effective in reducing noble metal precursors and stabilizing metal nanoparticles by forming covalent M-O bonds. Traditionally, noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold are synthesized using a reducing agent like sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or sodium citrate at elevated temperatures and alkaline pH, with stabilizers added during nucleation to control the size and dispersion of the nanoparticles. While sodium citrate is sometimes used as a single reducing and stabilizing agent, it is not an effective stabilizer and is often replaced with polymers to improve colloidal dispersion. In contrast, PHF can be used as a single reducing and stabilizing agent for metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized by simply mixing the metal precursors with PHF in an aqueous phase and stirring at room temperature. The size and morphology of synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, aberration corrected TEM, and dynamic light scattering. These nanoparticles were monodisperse with size ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm in diameter, which could be controlled by changing the concentration of the two reactants. We utilized multiple tools to investigate the mechanism of reduction and nanoparticle formation. We propose a kinetic agglomerate-dissociation mechanism to describe the formation of gold nanoparticles using PHF. Kinetic agglomerates form instantaneously upon mixing the two reactants due to electrostatic interactions. During the reduction process reactive carbonyl peaks were observed with electron energy loss spectroscopy. The carbonyl moieties were observed only after agglomerate formation and subsequently changed to Au-O bonds between PHF and synthesized gold nanoparticles, which was confirmed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Further, we demonstrated that the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using PHF can be affected by pH due to changes in hemiketal structure of PHF. Compared to citrate ions, PHF-coated gold nanoparticles are more stable, remaining so for over two years. The novel PHF-mediated synthesis method can also be applied to other noble metals like platinum, palladium, and silver and create bimetallic nanoparticles. The surface PHF coating on noble metal nanoparticles integrates the properties of both metal and carbon nanoparticles, resulting in superior functional applications. Our findings open up new opportunities for metallic nanoparticle preparation methods, properties, and applications.

Study of the Properties of Iron/Iron Redox Flow Batteries

New energy storage technologies are needed to offset the erratic power supply of renewable energy sources due to the rising global energy demand and the urgency of climate change action. Even if there are still concerns with operational parameters and efficiency, the Iron/Iron redox flow battery is a viable contender for large-scale energy storage. Iron is a highly affordable active material, making it possible to create inexpensive energy storage systems and possibly batteries with very low initial investment costs due to the positive electrode's moderate pH and relatively low voltage, maintaining minimal toxicity and aggression. Many challenges have been faced in the experiments on iron/iron redox flow batteries. For example, hydrogen formation and its impacts on the system must be minimized to ensure long-term use as an energy storage device. Iron hydroxides quickly form in response to elevated pH levels or contact with ambient oxygen, which restricts the battery's effectiveness.For each series, various iron/iron redox flow batteries were assembled, and their functional properties were studied as a sustainability factor. The functional properties of the battery, such as an increase in electrolyte volume, an increase in charge/discharge times, the addition of a break time between charge/discharge cycles, varied charge cut-off voltages, varied discharge cut-off voltages and IU charge/discharge were investigated. It was also possible to complete more than 50 cycles with 8 hours of charging time and calculate and compare efficiencies and other performance values. The 8 hours of charge/discharge parameter proved to be the most suitable for conducting long-term cycling experiments because of the increased CE and EE trendline over 25 cycles. The 60 minutes rest time recorded a delay of charge voltage with a maximum of 35 minutes starting from the third cycle because of the blockage of the membrane and polarization effects. An optimized battery achieved up to 62% energy efficiency at 25 mA/cm2 with 4 hours of charging time and 8.01 Ah maximum theoretical capacity. Figure 1

Use of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to understand the effect of omeprazole administration on the pharmacokinetics of oral extended-release nifedipine.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can affect the release of drugs from their dosage forms invivo by elevating the gastric pH. Our recent clinical study has demonstrated that drug-drug interactions (DDIs) exist between a PPI, omeprazole, and nifedipine extended-release formulations, where systemic exposure of nifedipine was increased in subjects after multiple-dose pretreatment of omeprazole. However, the mechanism of the observed DDIs between omeprazole and nifedipine has not been well-understood, as the DDI may also be mediated through CYP3A4 enzyme inhibition in addition to the elevated gastric pH caused by omeprazole. This study used physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulations to investigate the underlying mechanism of these complex DDIs. A formulation exhibiting differences in invitro dissolution across physiological pH range and another formulation where pH does not impact dissolution appreciably (e.g., an osmotic pump) were chosen to characterize the potential impact of pH. The PBPK models incorporated two-stage invitro release profiles via US Pharmacopeia 2 apparatus. PBPK simulations suggest that the elevated gastric pH following multiple-dose administration of omeprazole has a minimal effect on nifedipine pharmacokinetics (PKs), whereas CYP3A4-mediated DDI is likely the main driver to the observed change of nifedipine PKs in the presence of omeprazole. Compared to the osmotic formulation, the slightly increased exposure of nifedipine can be accounted for by the enhanced drug release in the pH-dependent formulation. The reported model-based approach may be useful in DDI risk assessments, product formulation designs, and bioequivalence evaluations.

HPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of Polygonum maritimum aerial parts extract and focus on the therapeutic potential against ethylene glycol-induced lithiasis in rats

The present study examined the antilithiasic activity of the hydromethanolic extract of Polygonum maritimum aerial parts (Pm). The chromatographic analysis made it possible to identify 30 compounds, namely gallic acid, (+)-catechin, three isomers of myricetin deoxyhexoside, quercetin pentoside, and quercitrin as the major molecules. The microscopic and macroscopic observations together with the plasma and urinary parameters as well as the histological analysis revealed that the use of Pm extracts (37.5 and 50 mg/kg) during 15 days significantly improved the elevated pH, hyperoxaluria, hypercalcemia, and decreased the urinary volume, when compared to the ethylene glycol group (EG-group). In addition, the microscopic examination revealed that the large crystals and oxalic aggregates detected in urinary, induced by EG (ethylene glycol), were mitigated by Pm-administration. Furthermore, the Pm supplement significantly restored the levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine, and also led to a strong diuresis which helped remove crystal debris. These results were reinforced by the histological study. The current study highlighted the potential use of Pm for its remarkable beneficial effect during the various lithogenic stages as well as for improving kidney function.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) expansion enhances soil pH and alters soil nutrients and microbial communities

Amid global environmental concerns, the issue of bamboo expansion has garnered significant attention due to its extensive and profound impacts on the ecosystems. Bamboo expansion occurs in native and introduced habitats worldwide, particularly in Asia. However, the effects of bamboo expansion on soil pH, nutrient levels, and microbial communities are complex and vary across different environments. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a meta-analysis with 2037 paired observations from 81 studies. The results showed that soil pH increased by 6.99 % (0-20 cm) and 4.49 % (20-40 cm) after bamboo expansion. Notably, soil pH increased more in the coniferous forest with bamboo expansion than in the broadleaf forest. Soil pH progressively increased over time since the establishment of bamboo stands. The extent of soil pH elevation was significantly positively correlated with the proportion of bamboo within the forest stand and mean annual solar radiation. In contrast, it was significantly negatively correlated with the mean annual temperature. The elevation of pH is closely related to expansion stage and expanded forest type rather than primarily shaped by climatic factors across a large scale. We also found that bamboo expansion into coniferous forests brought about a notable 14.14 % reduction in total nitrogen (TN). Varied expansion stages resulted in TN reductions of 6.88 % and 7.99 % for mixed forests and bamboo stands, respectively, compared to native forests. Pure bamboo stands exhibited a remarkable 30.39 % increase in ammonium nitrogen and a significant 21.12 % decrease in nitrate nitrogen compared to their native counterparts. Furthermore, bamboo expansion contributed to heightened soil fungal diversity. Taken together, our findings highlight that bamboo expansion leads to an increase in soil pH and alters soil N components and fungal microbial communities, providing valuable insights for future ecological conservation and resource management.

Visualizing small-scale subsurface NH3 and pH dynamics surrounding nitrogen fertilizer granules and impacts on nitrification activity

In agricultural soils, nitrogen (N) fertilizer is typically applied as ammonium salts or urea, and undergoes microbially mediated oxidation. However, insights regarding substrate concentrations nitrifiers are exposed to in the zones immediately surrounding N fertilizer granules remain unexamined, as well as how this affects the activity or inhibition of nitrifier groups adapted to different ranges of ammonia (NH3) concentrations. To examine millimeter scale changes in soil chemistry after sub-surface fertilizer granule application with high spatiotemporal resolution, we applied a newly developed NH3 and pH planar optical sensor (optode) system. With this system, we visualized in situ subsurface NH3 production, diffusion, and associated pH shifts in an agricultural soil following the application (from 5 min up to 65.5 h) of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or urea granules in a laboratory study. Ammonia from both NH4Cl and urea granules diffused up to 1.5 and 2 cm and reached maximum concentrations of >49 and >130 ppmv, respectively. Spatially informed destructive subsampling (0.5–2 cm from granules) revealed that nitrate accumulation was greatest closest (0.5–1 cm) to the ammonium chloride granules, while nitrite was not detected. In contrast, urea application resulted in both nitrite and nitrate accumulation, with the highest concentrations detected furthest (1.5–2 cm) from urea granules. Urea hydrolysis also caused a significant localized pH increase, while ammonium chloride caused a circular elevated pH zone migrating outwards leaving a decreased pH at the center. Transcription of the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial amoA gene was highest in areas furthest (1.5–2 cm) from the urea granules, while there were no significant differences in amoA transcription with increasing distance from the NH4Cl granules. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and comammox amoA transcripts were not detected. This study is the first to directly visualize small-scale subsurface changes in NH3 concentration and pH after fertilizer granule application and relate these to nitrification activity.

Ammonia-selective recovery from anaerobic digestate using electrochemical ammonia stripping combined with electrodialysis

An electrodialysis (ED)-electrochemical ammonia stripping (EAS) hybrid process is used for the quick and efficient recovery of ammonia from anaerobic digestate. A series of EAS experiments using synthetic ammonia solutions was conducted to determine the optimal operating conditions for the ED-EAS hybrid process with actual anaerobic digestate. These parameters included the feeding modes (anodic vs. cathodic), applied currents, anolyte composition, and capture chemicals, with a focus on their impact on ammonia recovery. As a result, cathodic feeding showed advantages over anodic feeding because of its benefit in converting NH4+ to NH3 through successful pH elevation in the cathode compartment. High current density provided sufficient OH− to increase the cathode compartment's pH, and using Na2HPO4, a salt of triprotic acid, as an anolyte resulted in a rapid pH increase due to pH buffering, resulting in a better ammonia recovery. Through three cycles of ED operation (8 h), the ED-EAS hybrid process experiment for actual anaerobic digestate concentrated ammonia to 3.775 g/L, three times higher than the initial concentration. Ammonia was recovered to 90.5 ± 0.4 % with 11.6 kWh/kg-NH3 energy consumption from the ED concentrate in 5 h using the EAS. This study demonstrated the possibility of ammonia-selective recovery from anaerobic digestate using an integrated ED-EAS system.

Mineral trioxide aggregate in membrane form as a barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration

Background/purposeIn the field of conservative dentistry and endodontics, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), commonly used, possesses advantages such as biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties and osteogenic potential. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing membrane form mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures. Materials and methodsMembranes were electrospun from three different formulations: 15 w/v% Polycaprolactone (PCL), 13 w/v% PCL + 2 w/v% MTA (2MTA), and 11 w/v% PCL + 4 w/v% MTA (4MTA). Physicochemical and mechanical properties of the electrospun membrane were compared, encompassing parameters such as surface morphology, fiber diameter distribution, chemical composition, phase identification, tensile stress, pH variation, and water contact angle. Moreover, the antimicrobial properties against of the electrospun membranes were assessed through direct exposure to streptococcus aureus (S. aureus) and candida albicans (C. albicans). Additionally, on the 7th day, biocompatibility and cell attachment were investigated with respect to L929 (fibroblast) and MC3T3 (pre-osteoblast) cells. Inhibition of L929 cell infiltration and the expression of osteogenic related genes including osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in MC3T3 cells on 7th and 14th days were also investigated. ResultsPCL, 2MTA, and 4MTA exhibited no statistically differences in fiber diameter distribution and tensile stress. However, as the MTA content increased, wettability and pH also increased. Due to the elevated pH, 4MTA demonstrated the lowest viability S.aureus and C.albicans. All membranes were highly biocompatibility and promoted cell attachment, while effectively preventing L929 cell infiltration. Lastly 4MTA showed increase in OCN, ALP, and RUNX2 expression on both 7th and 14th day. ConclusionThe membrane form MTA possessed characteristics essential for a novel barrier membrane.

On the origin and processes controlling the elemental and isotopic composition of carbonates in hypersaline Andean lakes

The Altiplano-Puna Plateau of the Central Andes hosts numerous lakes, playa-lakes, and salars with a great diversity and abundance of carbonates forming under extreme climatic, hydrologic, and environmental conditions. To unravel the underlying processes controlling the formation of carbonates and their geochemical signatures in hypersaline systems, we investigated coupled brine-carbonate samples in a high-altitude Andean lake using a wide suite of petrographic (SEM, XRD) and geochemical tools (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C, δ11B, major and minor ion composition, aqueous modelling). Our findings show that the inflow of hydrothermal springs in combination with strong CO2 degassing and evaporation plays an important role in creating a spatial diversity of hydro-chemical sub-environments allowing different types of microbialites (microbial mounds and mats), travertines, and fine-grained calcite minerals to form. Carbonate precipitation occurs in hot springs triggered by a shift in carbonate equilibrium by hydrothermal CO2 degassing and microbially-driven elevation of local pH at crystallisation. In lakes, carbonate precipitation is induced by evaporative supersaturation, with contributions from CO2 degassing and microbiological processes. Lake carbonates largely record the evaporitic enrichment (hence salinity) of the parent water which can be traced by Na, Li, B, and δ18O, although other factors (such as e.g., high precipitation rates, mixing with thermal waters, groundwater, or precipitation) also affect their signatures. This study is of significance to those dealing with the fractionation of oxygen, carbon, and boron isotopes and partitioning of elements in natural brine-carbonate environments. Furthermore, these findings contribute to the advancement in proxy development for these depositional environments.

Coral Reef Carbonate Chemistry Reveals Interannual, Seasonal, and Spatial Impacts on Ocean Acidification Off Florida

AbstractOcean acidification (OA) threatens coral reef persistence by decreasing calcification and accelerating the dissolution of reef frameworks. The carbonate chemistry of coastal areas where many reefs exist is strongly influenced by the metabolic activity of the underlying benthic community, contributing to high spatiotemporal variability. While characterizing this variability is difficult, it has important implications for the progression of OA and the persistence of the ecosystems. Here, we characterized the carbonate chemistry at 38 permanent stations located along 10 inshore‐offshore transects spanning 250 km of the Florida Coral Reef (FCR), which encompass four major biogeographic regions (Biscayne Bay, Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys) and four shelf zones (inshore, mid‐channel, offshore, and oceanic). Data have been collected since 2010, with approximately bi‐monthly periodicity starting in 2015. Increasing OA, driven by increasing DIC, was detected in the mid‐channel, offshore, and oceanic zones in every biogeographic region. In the inshore zone, however, increasing TA counteracted any measurable OA trend. Strong seasonal variability occurred at inshore sites and included periods of both exacerbated and mitigated OA. Seasonality was region‐dependent, with greater variability in the Lower and Middle Keys. Elevated pH and aragonite saturation states (ΩAr) were observed in the Upper and Middle Keys, which could favor reef habitat persistence in these regions. Offshore reefs in the FCR could be more susceptible to global OA by experiencing open‐ocean‐like water chemistry conditions. By contrast, higher seasonal variability at inshore reefs could offer a temporary OA refuge during periods of enhanced primary production.

Benchmarking the impact of nickel filler addition, weld hardness, environmental pH, and corrosion inhibitors on A333 carbon steel pipe weld corrosion

This study addresses the challenge of preferential weld corrosion in ASTM A333 carbon steel piping, investigating the intricate interplay of various factors. The welding process induces microstructural alterations, making affected areas more prone to corrosion, resulting in Preferential Weld Corrosion (PWC). While the addition of 1 % nickel filler shifts the galvanic potential of Weld Metal (WM), its impact on PWC is marginal due to the high rates of its intrinsic corrosion. Notably, nickel filler addition accelerates corrosion in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). In carbon dioxide (CO2) environments, the presence of acetic acid (HAc) intensifies corrosion; yet, the application of morpholine as pH neutralizer effectively counters its effects. Imidazoline based corrosion inhibitor prove successful in PWC mitigation, particularly at elevated pH levels. Furthermore, Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) significantly reduces hardness, aligning with a decrease in corrosion. Of paramount importance, this study not only examining the effects of individual factors, including microstructure, pH adjustment, corrosion inhibitors, and PWHT, but also scrutinizing their combined impacts. The integration of PWHT with pH adjustment and inhibitor injection yields corrosion rates below 0.1 mm/y, ensuring a remarkable 30-year service life even under challenging conditions. This study underscores the necessity of a comprehensive strategy, combining these factors, to effectively manage preferential weld corrosion in carbon steel weldments.

Effect of Fermented Concentrate on Ruminal Fermentation, Ruminal and Fecal Microbiome, and Growth Performance of Beef Cattle

The impact of fermented concentrate on the growth and rumen health of beef cattle remains an area of emerging research. This study aimed to assess the influence of a fermented concentrate (TRT) compared to a conventional concentrate (CON) on the growth, rumen fermentation characteristics, and microbiota composition in Korean cattle. Using a crossover design, eight cattle were alternately fed TRT and CON diets, with subsequent analysis of feed components, rumen fermentation parameters, and microbial profiles. TRT and CON diets did not differ significantly in their effect on animal growth metrics. However, the TRT diet was associated with reduced digestibility of rapidly degradable carbohydrates and modified rumen fermentation patterns, as evidenced by an elevated pH and increased acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the TRT diet increased the abundance of lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus, and yeast and organic acid levels in the rumen (p < 0.05). Moreover, Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroidales populations in the rumen and fecal Akkermansia abundance increased in the TRT group compared to the CON group. These microbial changes suggest a potential enhancement of the immune system and overall health of the host. Further research on the long-term implications of incorporating fermented concentrate into cattle diets is warranted.

Increases in Cellular Immune Responses Due to Positive Effect of CVC1302-Induced Lysosomal Escape in Mice.

This study found a higher percentage of CD8+ T cells in piglets immunized with a CVC1302-adjuvanted inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine. We wondered whether the CVC1302-adjuvanted inactivated FMDV vaccine promoted cellular immunity by promoting the antigen cross-presentation efficiency of ovalbumin (OVA) through dendritic cells (DCs), mainly via cytosolic pathways. This was demonstrated by the enhanced levels of lysosomal escape of OVA in the DCs loaded with OVA and CVC1302. The higher levels of ROS and significantly enhanced elevated lysosomal pH levels in the DCs facilitated the lysosomal escape of OVA. Significantly enhanced CTL activity levels was observed in the mice immunized with OVA-CVC1302. Overall, CVC1302 increased the cross-presentation of exogenous antigens and the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells by alkalizing the lysosomal pH and facilitating the lysosomal escape of antigens. These studies shed new light on the development of immunopotentiators to improve cellular immunity induced by vaccines.

Influence of solution and operating conditions on the treatment of aquaculture wastewater using direct contact membrane distillation: Ammonia rejection and membrane fouling

In the context of recirculating aquaculture, the timely and efficient treatment of ammonia nitrogen, which is a key factor influencing the survival of aquaculture organisms, has become a critical issue that must be addressed. This study aimed to comparatively investigate the interactive effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) concentration, ammonia concentration, pH, temperature, and flow rate on the efficiency and membrane fouling during ammonia rejection by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) in the presence or absence of BSA. The results showed that the elevation of ammonia nitrogen concentration, regardless of the presence of BSA in the solution, led to an increase in concentration polarization, resulting in elevated rejection for ammonia nitrogen and aggravated membrane fouling. Moreover, the conditions of ammonia rejection that were found to be more favorable included lower temperature, pH, and flow rate. Among them, temperature and pH change primarily impacted ammonia solubility, which were the two factors with the significant influence on DCMD's ability to reject ammonia. In the presence of BSA, significant alterations were observed in the rejection of ammonia nitrogen and membrane fouling. The inclusion of 5 mg/L BSA resulted in a remarkable 97.5 % rejection of ammonia through hydration force. The elevation of pH led to a notable mitigation of membrane fouling owing to the augmentation of electrostatic force. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between ammonia concentration, BSA concentration, and DCMD's rejection of ammonia. This study provides valuable insights for the future implementation of DCMD in treating actual ammonia wastewater and mitigating membrane fouling.

Contribution of the Dynamic Intestinal Absorption Model (Diamod) to the Development of a Patient-Centric Drug Formulation.

Compound X is a weak basic drug targeting the early stages of Parkinson's disease, for which a theoretical risk assessment has indicated that elevated gastric pH conditions could potentially result in reduced plasma concentrations. Different in vitro dissolution methodologies varying in level of complexity and a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) absorption model demonstrated that the dissolution, solubility, and intestinal absorption of compound X was indeed reduced under elevated gastric pH conditions. These observations were confirmed in a crossover pharmacokinetic study in Beagle dogs. As a result, the development of a formulation resulting in robust performance that is not sensitive to the exposed gastric pH levels is of crucial importance. The dynamic intestinal absorption MODel (Diamod), an advanced in vitro gastrointestinal transfer tool that allows to study the gastrointestinal dissolution and interconnected permeation of drugs, was selected as an in vitro tool for the formulation optimization activities given its promising predictive capacity and its capability to generate insights into the mechanisms driving formulation performance. Different pH-modifiers were screened for their potential to mitigate the pH-effect by decreasing the microenvironmental pH at the dissolution surface. Finally, an optimized formulation containing a clinically relevant dose of the drug and a functional amount of the selected pH-modifier was evaluated for its performance in the Diamod. This monolayer tablet formulation resulted in rapid gastric dissolution and supersaturation, inducing adequate intestinal supersaturation and permeation of compound X, irrespective of the gastric acidity level in the stomach. In conclusion, this study describes the holistic biopharmaceutics approach driving the development of a patient-centric formulation of compound X.

Degradation of ciprofloxacin using magnetite nanoparticle-activated periodate: Kinetic, mechanistic and toxicity evaluation

In this study, the activation mechanisms of periodate (IO4−) by magnetite (Fe3O4) were investigated for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP). Compared to standalone IO4− (PI) and Fe3O4, the combined Fe3O4/IO4− system exhibited superior degradation efficiency, especially at elevated pH levels, such as 11. Scavenger experiments revealed IO3· and IO4· as critical radicals at pH 6.5, while ·OH was the key reactive species at pH 11. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identified electron transfer between Fe(II)/Fe(III) species as the main mechanism resulting in the partial reduction of Fe3O4. The study confirmed the high thermal stability of periodate and found that N2 purging reduced the degradation efficiency of the Fe3O4/PI system. High degradation efficiency was maintained in real wastewater and tap water, with Fe3O4 showing minimal structural and performance changes during repeated oxidation processes. Its magnetic properties allow for easy collection and reuse, thus minimizing costs and environmental harm. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) identified CIP degradation products and degradation pathways at different pH values (i.e., 3, 6.5, and 11), with piperazine ring opening and decarboxylation as the main mechanisms. Ecological Structure Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) predicted low acute and chronic toxicity to fish, daphnids and green algae for most CIP degradation products. Overall, the Fe3O4/IO4− systemoffers an efficient alternative for treating effluents containing CIPacross various water media.