Fresh Ones Research Articles

Bioactive matrix scaffold of oxidized sacchachitin via green catalyst of siliacat tempo for enhancing bone regeneration

Bone regeneration remains a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine. Extracellular matrix proteins play important roles in bionic mineralization and osteogenesis. Sacchachitin nanofibers (SCNFs) oxidized via TEMPO have shown great potential as biomaterial scaffolds due to the introduction of carboxylic groups that mimic the natural extracellular matrix. However, TEMPO is harmful to the environment, which calls for greener and sustainable alternatives. Therefore, this study explored the green fabrication of oxidized-SCNFs through SiliaCat-TEMPO (STEMPO) as a renewable catalyst with various amount of oxidation agents to evaluate their bone regeneration ability. We developed an optimal STEMPO oxidation process, enabling efficient removal of most STEMPO particles through centrifugation with minimal residue. The oxidation efficiency of recovered STEMPO particles remained comparable to fresh ones. STEMPO-oxidized SCNFs, oxidized at increasing NaClO levels, showed an increase in carboxylate content, from 0.1360 mmol/g to 3.2415 mmol/g. Additionally, STEMPO-oxidized SCNFs exhibited excellent biocompatibility with MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, facilitating calcium precipitation, cell migration, and osteogenic differentiation. Mixed composites of β-tricalcium phosphate (BCP) and STEMPO-oxidized SCNFs with higher oxidation levels further enhanced osteogenic differentiation. In vivo studies using a rat femur defect model showed that SCNFs at the highest oxidation level (ST100SC) significantly promoted bone regeneration to full recovery, achieving a bone volume to total tissue volume (BV/TV) ratio of 75.6 %, compared to 48.3 % in the control. These results demonstrated that STEMPO-oxidized SCNFs with higher oxidation levels can be used as a bioactive matrix scaffold to achieve full recovery of bone regeneration.

Comparative motility assessment of sperm retrieved from micro-testicular sperm extraction: A single-centre study comparing fresh and frozen-thawed sperm.

Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) is crucial for treating non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), offering both 'fresh' and 'frozen' options. This study evaluates the impact of fresh versus frozen microTESE on the progression to intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, focusing on sperm motility. We conducted a retrospective analysis of microTESE procedures at a major medical centre from 2007 to 2021, excluding cases of obstructive azoospermia and cryptozoospermia. Patients were divided into two groups: fresh microTESE (Group FR) and frozen microTESE (Group FZ). Sperm motility was assessed, and ICSI outcomes were compared between groups. Out of 128 microTESE procedures on 113 NOA patients, 31 were fresh and 97 were frozen. Sperm was found in 67.7% of fresh cases and 45.3% of frozen cases. In fresh cases, 85.7% had motile sperm for ICSI, whereas in frozen cases, 81.8% had motile sperm initially, but only 52.7% retained motility post-thaw. Our findings indicate a significant drop in motile sperm availability for ICSI in frozen microTESE cases compared to fresh ones. This suggests a potential advantage of fresh microTESE for certain couples, despite the logistical challenges, highlighting the need for careful patient selection and counselling.

Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation for Farmer Decision Making

Shallots are a highly demanded, perishable commodity whose fluctuating prices pose significant risks to farmers, affecting their income stability. This research aims to model and simulate the selling decisions of shallot farmers using Agent-Based Modeling (ABM). The model represents the individual behaviors of farmers and buyers, focusing on decisions to either delay or immediately sell harvested shallots. Key variables such as market prices, inventory levels, and profit expectations were incorporated into the model. Primary data were collected from observations of shallot farmers in Nganjuk, East Java. In contrast, secondary data were sourced from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The simulation results indicate farmers maximize their profits by selling shallots when the minimum sales profit margin reaches 20%. Farmers tend to postpone sales when market prices fall by drying the shallots, reducing market supply, and elevating prices. The study concludes that delaying sales can be an effective strategy to stabilize prices and enhance profitability, particularly when dried shallots command higher prices than fresh ones. These findings offer valuable insights for developing agricultural policies to optimize farmers' income while mitigating price volatility risks.

Effect of Poor Post-Slaughter Handling on Physicochemical and Microbial Quality of Fresh Broiler in Bangladesh

The slaughtering method and post-handling play an important role in meat processing. Countries followed different slaughtering methods, post-handling, and preservation techniques for post-slaughtered meat. Stress-oriented slaughtering, unhygienic handling, processing, and improper preservation are triggering factors of rapid oxidation and microbial proliferation in meat during storage. Bangladesh is a Muslim-oriented country but many vendors do not follow the halal slaughtering, and handling of meat in an unhygienic way due to a lack of food safety knowledge. Thus, the study aims to assess the effect of poor post-slaughtering handling practices on the physiochemical properties which include moisture, ash, protein content, fat content, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity, pH, fat oxidation, color, heme iron, mineral content, and microbial qualities of fresh samples by total plate count during 0 days, 15 days and 30 days frozen storage at -18ºC. The live broiler was purchased randomly and slaughtered instantly from different slaughter shops in Jashore City, Bangladesh. The laboratory analysis was performed following the standard method of meat sample analysis. The outcome of this study revealed that heme iron content, minerals like Ca, Fe, Zn, and lightness values decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during 30 days of storage at -18 ºC. Post-handling had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on protein and ash content at 0 and 15 days of storage but slowly decreased with increasing storage time. The continuous increase in pH, cooking loss, and TBARS value indicate rises in lipid oxidation noticed in all samples, especially during 16-30 days of frozen storage (p < 0.05). The total viable count significantly raised (p < 0.05) and reached the highest value of 7.27 log10 CFU/g and 7.44 log10 CFU/g respectively after 15 days and 30 days of frozen storage compared to fresh condition. Bacteriologically meat samples were of very poor quality during storage compared to fresh ones.

Effects of Cryoprotectant Concentration and Exposure Time during Vitrification of Immature Pre-Pubertal Lamb Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes on Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Maturation.

Oocyte vitrification allows for the storing of endangered breed female gametes. Cryoprotectant (CPA) concentration and exposure time should ensure cell protection with minimal toxicity. In the present study, a high concentration-rapid exposure (HC-RE) and a low concentration-slow exposure (LC-SE) vitrification protocol, using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) as permeating CPAs, were evaluated on meiotic competence and bioenergetic-oxidative status of pre-pubertal lamb immature COCs after in vitro maturation (IVM). For each protocol, COCs vitrified through a traditional protocol and fresh ones were used as controls. Both protocols allowed COC morphology preservation after vitrification-warming (V-W) and cumulus expansion after IVM. The maturation rate (7% and 14%) was comparable to the vitrified control (13% and 21%) but not satisfactory compared to fresh ones (58% and 64%; p < 0.001). The rate of mature oocytes displaying a perinuclear/subcortical (P/S) mitochondrial distribution pattern, an index of cytoplasmic maturity, was comparable between vitrified and fresh oocytes. The LC-SE vitrification protocol did not affect quantitative bioenergetic-oxidative parameters compared to both controls whereas HC-RE protocol significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, indicating cell viability loss. In conclusion, to improve pre-pubertal lamb immature COC vitrification, the combination of low CPA concentrations with prolonged exposure time could be more promising to investigate further.

Comparison of DNA damage in fresh and frozen blood samples: implications for the comet assay in human biomonitoring studies.

The use of the comet assay in large biomonitoring studies may present logistical and technical challenges because of the processing of numerous samples. Proper sample preservation becomes imperative to prevent spurious DNA breakage. Previous research has shown the feasibility of conducting the comet assay on frozen blood samples, highlighting the potential of freezing at - 80°C in preserving DNA integrity. Nonetheless, this approach presents challenges, including potential DNA damage during freezing and thawing, variability in processing, and the need for standardized protocols. Our objective was to evaluate whether there are comparable results in DNA migration assessed by the comet assay between fresh and frozen blood samples on a larger scale (N = 373). In our findings, elevated DNA migration was evident in frozen samples relative to fresh ones. Additionally, smoking, alcohol consumption, and season were linked to increased DNA damage levels in whole blood cells. Based on our results and available literature, conducting the comet assay on frozen blood samples emerges as a practical and efficient approach for biomonitoring and epidemiological research. This method enables the assessment of DNA damage in large populations over time, with samples, if properly cryopreserved, that may be used for years, possibly even decades. These observations hold significant implications for large-scale human biomonitoring and long-term epidemiological studies, particularly when samples are collected during fieldwork or obtained from biobanks. Continued method optimization and validation efforts are essential to enhance the utility of this approach in environmental and occupational health studies, emphasizing caution when comparing data obtained between fresh and frozen blood samples.

Heterospecific visual cues and trophic facilitation processes used by a solitary bone‐eating vulture

AbstractWhile the influence of public information sharing on foraging strategies is of growing interest, empirical studies exploring intraguild social information use and facilitation roles between individuals with different trophic specializations remain scarce. Heterospecific facilitation should be more common in specialist foragers, for example, the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, a solitary bone‐eating scavenger. We monitored 133 carcasses of different types/sizes in open and shrubland landscapes in the Spanish Pyrenees to explore bearded vulture foraging in relation to social information transfer and adaptive trophic behavior. We hypothesized that they might (1) feed on carcasses after initial heterospecific exploitation; (2) use heterospecifics to locate and/or exploit carcasses; and (3) prefer old carcasses over fresh ones. We recorded bearded vultures scavenging at 44 carcasses; 95.5% had been previously exploited by heterospecifics (93.2% by griffon vultures Gyps fulvus and 2.3% by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos) while only two small‐sized carcasses were scavenged without previous heterospecific exploitation. Bearded vultures were not observed scavenging at carcasses used only by mammals. Both griffon and bearded vultures took longer to find carcasses in shrublands than in open landscapes. However, bearded vulture arrival times between landscapes after carcass discovery by griffon vultures were similar. Bearded vultures were more likely to discover a carcass the greater the number of griffon vultures exploiting it. Only 10.4% bearded vulture scavenging events occurred after the third week following heterospecific exploitation, suggesting that recently opened carcasses were preferred. Clearly, heterospecifics play an essential role in bearded vultures foraging success, and griffon vultures are fundamental facilitators for specialist foragers, both in providing visual cues to food location and in opening up carcasses to enable access to food.

Optimised phycoerythrin extraction method from Porphyridium sp. combining imidazolium-based ionic liquids

Phycoerythrin (PE) extraction from Porphyridium sp. was studied employing ultrasound-assisted extraction combined with aqueous mixtures of two imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) simultaneously, marking a significant novelty. A face-centred central composite design and response surface optimised PE yield (EPE), considering the effects of ionic liquid concentration (IL), [Emim][EtSO4]/[Bmim][EtSO4] mass ratio (E/B), biomass concentration (BM), and time (t). Improvements in EPE by 300 % and 115 % were achieved compared to a phosphate buffer solution and the freeze-thaw method, respectively. Temperature and pH effects were examined independently, leading to the determination of optimal operating conditions: BM = 10 mg mL−1, IL = 18.6 wt%, E/B = 0.78/0.22, t = 10 min, T = 35 °C, and pH = 7.5. Results indicated the potential for reusing the ILs for at least five consecutive extraction cycles, maintaining an EPE of 94.2 % compared to fresh ones. This underscores the success and innovation of the developed technology in enhancing PE extraction from Porphyridium sp.

Использование данных дистанционного зондирования Земли для анализа межгодовой динамики площади Тениз-Коргалжынских озер

The Teniz-Korgalzhyn lake system has the status of an international Ramsar site and is the most important ornithological center in Central Asia. It includes more than 60 shallow fresh- and salt water bodies among which the largest salt ones are Big and Small Teniz and a group of fresh Korgalzhyn lakes. Fluctuations in water levels there and changes in their area determine the degree of favorable habitat conditions for key ornithological species. A quantitative assessment of the water levels’ interannual dynamics in 2006–2019 was carried out using remote sensing and geoinformation mapping methods. The choice of the methodology to use multispectral data for water surface area study is substantiated. Calculations are made, and a corresponding map of the bodies’ water surface area dynamics is compiled. Four periods with multidirectional dynamics of changes in it were identified. They are caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors and differ in intensity for fresh and salt lakes. Fluctuations of fresh Korgalzhyn ones are mostly associated with natural and climatic impact. Salty Big and Small Teniz are characterized by more significant changes in water surface the area, caused primarily by human activities, including periodic breakthroughs of retaining dams. Maximum deviations towards the increase were noted for fresh ones in 2016–2019, and for saline in 2014–2019. The observed decrease in the total area of the water surface in the period from 2006 to 2013 was mainly associated with the Small and Big Teniz

Studies of certain parameters affecting two parasitoid species, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), on egg host, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera)

BackgroundTwo Trichogramma spp., Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), were studied to control one of the most cereal pests attacking various grains, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera). Experiments were carried out to evaluate S. cerealella egg-ages, parasitoids’ emergence time and cold storage host eggs on rearing the two tested parasitoids’ spp.ResultsThe age of S. cerealella eggs had significantly influenced the parasitization and adult emergence rates of the two parasitoid species. Parasitism rate resulted from old host eggs (32 h old) (44.93%) decreased than those of the fresh ones (2 h old) (95.85%). Emergence rate ranged between (62.64–97.85%) for T. evanescens and (62.90–95.54%) for T. bactrae from different S. cerealella egg-ages (0–32 h). Regardless to late emerged parasitoids, their population affected. T. evanescens parasitized rate ranged (73.79–95.06%), which comparatively lower than those of T. bactrae (88.81–96.90%), at parasitoid emerging times (0–64 h), respectively. Emergence times had significantly differences in the emergence rate of T. evanescens and/or T. bactrae. On the other hand, percentage of parasitism of the non-stored S. cerealella eggs was higher than the other cold-stored ones. The emergence rate of adult parasitoids, T. evanescens (66.00–91.16%) and T. bactrae (71.16–94.11%), was decreased at the cold storage durations (5–40 days) increased. In comparison to the tested biological aspects between the two parasitoid species, non-significant differences were recorded, at the three assessment parameters, which include host egg-ages, parasitoid emergence time and cold-stored eggs. Meanwhile, there were significant differences between F1 emerged rates for T. evanescens and T. bactrae obtained at each of the three tested parameters.ConclusionIt was concluded that low emergence time of the parasitoids, T. evanescens and T. bactrae, was relatively more effective when they parasitized the fresh egg-age and less cold storage periods of S. cerealella.

An analysis combining proteomics and transcriptomics revealed a regulation target of sea cucumber autolysis

Sea cucumber is a valuable seafood product and autolysis is the main concern for the aquaculture industry. This study employed proteomics and transcriptomics to investigate the autolysis mechanism of sea cucumbers. The fresh sea cucumber was exposed to UV light to induce autolysis. The body wall samples were cut off to analyze by proteomics and transcriptomics. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor of teprotide and the activator of imatinib were gastric gavage to live sea cucumbers, respectively, to identify the regulation target. Autolysis occurrence was evaluated by appearance, soluble peptide, and hydroxyproline content. Four gene-protein pairs were ACE, AJAP10923, Heme-binding protein 2-like, and Ficolin-2-like. Only the ACE protein and gene changed synchronously and a significant down-regulation of ACE occurred in the autolysis sea cucumbers. Teprotide led to a 1.58-fold increase in the TCA-soluble protein content and a 1.57-fold increase in hydroxyproline content. No significant differences were observed between imatinib-treated sea cucumbers and fresh ones regarding TCA-soluble protein content or hydroxyproline levels (P > 0.05). ACE inhibitor accelerated the autolysis of sea cucumber, but ACE activator inhibited the autolysis. Therefore, ACE can serve as a regulatory target for autolysis in sea cucumbers.

Application of corn stover derived pyrolyzed hydrochars for efficient phosphorus removal from water: Influence of pyrolysis temperature

Excessive phosphorus load to surface water is undesirable since it can cause eutrophication. In this study, three different pyrolyzed hydrochars from corn stover were synthesized by applying hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at 260 °C and then eventual pyrolysis at 400°, 600°, and 800 °C, respectively, and finally were used for phosphorus removal from aqueous solution. By linking the physicochemical properties of these pyrolyzed hydrochars investigated here, we tried to comprehend the effect of HTC and pyrolysis temperature on the hydrochar structure and phosphorus adsorption. Results show that high pyrolysis temperatures (600 °C and 800 °C) enhanced the hydrochar's phosphorus adsorption compared to low pyrolysis temperature (400 °C). HTC260P800 type hydrochar showed a fast phosphorus adsorption kinetics, while the HTC260P600 showed an overall high adsorption capacity, with the maximum phosphate adsorption capacity of 5090 mg/kg calculated using isotherm model. Three different adsorption isotherm models (Langmuir, Fruendlich, and Redlich-Peterson) were used to fit the isotherm data; among them, the Redlich-Peterson isotherm model fit the data best for all three hydrochars. pH was found to be a critical factor in terms of phosphorus removal, and the optimum pH was found to be 5, probably due to the enhanced electrostatic interaction between positively charged hydrochar and negatively charged phosphate ions. The desorption experiment showed that a small fraction of the adsorbed phosphate (15.6 % to 24.4 %) was released from the spent hydrochar samples, which might be due to the strong attachment of phosphate ions to the sorption sites. Reusing the spent pyrolyzed hydrochar showed lower phosphate adsorption capacity than the fresh ones, ranging from 423 mg/kg to 903 mg/kg.

Ecology and methodology of comparing traits and decomposition rates of green leaves versus senesced litter across plant species and types

Abstract Variation in leaf traits is critical for carbon gains and losses during leaf life and drives litter carbon and nutrient losses via decomposition. Accurately quantifying litter decomposition parameters is essential for assessing ecosystem carbon and nutrient dynamics. Leaf litterbags have commonly been employed to measure effects of environmental drivers, decomposers, and plant traits on decomposition rates. There has been much debate regarding the suitability of substituting senesced dead leaves with fresh (green) leaves in litterbags, which has been common practice for mimicking green leaf fall or for practical reasons. Therefore, we tested the null hypothesis that replacement of dead leaves with fresh leaves in litterbag experiments is justified, based on similarities in structural and chemical traits between fresh and dead leaves across plant species and growth forms. We conducted a paired litterbag decomposition experiment with both fresh and dead leaves of 26 common species in subtropical China, in each of five contrasting ecosystems. While fresh leaves generally decomposed faster than dead leaves, this deviation varied among species and growth forms, based on their traits. Overall, there was significant but rather weak correlation between dead leaf decomposition rate k and fresh leaf k, across species and ecosystem types; the deviation between fresh and dead leaf k was larger for fast‐decomposing, mostly herbaceous species. The different decomposition patterns for fresh versus dead leaves were underpinned by key underlying traits integrated in leaf resource economics spectra (LES) for fresh and dead leaves. The dead leaf LES exhibited a greater predictive capability for dead leaf k while the fresh leaf LES had higher explanatory value for the fresh leaf k values. Our findings partly reject the null hypothesis and ask for caution in inferring leaf litter decomposition rates based on green leaf litterbags or traits data. We suggest follow‐up research on substituting senesced roots and stems with fresh ones in decomposition experiments. Synthesis. Human activities and extreme weather events are leading to increasing pulse inputs of fresh plant parts and our study contributes to knowledge on how they contribute to overall decomposition rates besides senesced litter inputs.

Food web structures of irrigated rice fields estimated from carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes: Special reference to the role of filamentous green algae as a food resource of aquatic consumers

AbstractRice fields are characterized by high algal production and dense mats of filamentous green algae, and they function as habitats for various aquatic organisms. However, how algal production supports the secondary production of aquatic consumers in rice fields has not been assessed. Herein, aquatic food web structures in two adjacent rice fields in northeastern Japan were examined using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses. Filamentous algae often showed higher δ13C values (mean, −23.1‰ to −21.4‰) than other organic matter sources, including particulate organic matter, benthic microalgae, and soil organic matter (−30.1‰ to −25.4‰). A δ13C‐based isotopic mixing model estimated that among 19 taxa of herbivores and omnivores, most taxa depended on filamentous algae‐derived carbon (ca. &gt;30%). Particularly, Peltodytes intermedius larvae, a specialist feeder for filamentous algae, showed the highest reliance (mean, 66.7%–80.0%). The microcrustacean, Ostracoda sp. also utilized a diet consisting of a substantial proportion of filamentous algae‐derived carbon (57.6%). Seven out of 10 carnivorous taxa showed reliance on filamentous algae‐derived carbon by &gt;30%. Particularly, larvae of beetles (Berosus sp., Enochrus sp., and Hydrochara affinis) showed the highest reliance (40.2%–44.3%). They could assimilate filamentous algae‐based carbon by consuming herbivores, such as P. intermedius. Because fresh filamentous green algae were eaten less by aquatic consumers, the herbivores could consume decomposed filamentous algae rather than fresh ones. Our results suggest that filamentous algae are one of the major organic matter sources supporting secondary production in rice field food webs.

Rna Buffering Fluorogenic Probe for Nucleolar Morphology Stable Imaging And Nucleolar Stress-Generating Agents Screening.

In the realm of cell research, membraneless organelles have become a subject of increasing interest. However, their ever-changing and amorphous morphological characteristics have long presented a formidable challenge when it comes to studying their structure and function. In this paper, a fluorescent probe Nu-AN is reported, which exhibits the remarkable capability to selectively bind to and visualize the nucleolus morphology, the largest membraneless organelle within the nucleus. Nu-AN demonstrates a significant enhancement in fluorescence upon its selective binding to nucleolar RNA, due to the inhibited twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) and reduced hydrogen bonding with water. What sets Nu-AN apart is its neutral charge and weak interaction with nucleolus RNA, enabling it to label the nucleolus selectively and reversibly. This not only reduces interference but also permits the replacement of photobleached probes with fresh ones outside the nucleolus, thereby preserving imaging photostability. By closely monitoring morphology-specific changes in the nucleolus with this buffering fluorogenic probe, screenings for agents are conducted that induce nucleolar stress within living cells.

Cryopreservation with DMSO affects the DNA integrity, apoptosis, cell cycle and function of human bone mesenchymal stem cells

Cryopreservation (CP) enables pooling and long-term banking of various types of cells, which is indispensable for the cell therapeutics. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is universally used as a cryoprotectant in basic and clinical research. Although, the use of DMSO has been under serious debate due to significant clinical side effects correlated with infusions of cellular therapy products containing DMSO, the effect of CP with DMSO on the cell properties and functions remains unknown. Here, we experimentally found that the CP of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) with 10 % DMSO results 10–15 % of cells apoptosis upon immediate freeze-thaw, ca. 3.8 times of DNA damage/repair relative to the fresh ones after post-thaw cultured in 48 h, and cell cycle arrests at G0/G1 after post-thaw cultured in 24 h. Moreover, CP with 10 % DMSO significantly increases the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of the frozen-thawed MSCs which may be one of the causes impair cellular properties and functions. Indeed, we found that the differentiation and migration ability of post-thaw cultured hBMSCs decrease as the expression of adipogenic, osteogenic genes and F-actin reduces in the comparison with those of the fresh cells.

Differences in ultrasonic cavitation damage between new and used engine coolants with varying time in operation

This study investigates the cavitation erosion performance of heavy-duty engine coolants before and after operation in trucks using an ultrasonic test rig based on ASTM G32. Fresh coolants with 35% and 50% v/v glycol were compared with used coolants. One coolant was obtained from a gasoline-fueled vehicle with a mileage of 27000 km, and two from diesel-fueled vehicles with mileages of 16000 and 180 000 km, respectively. Surface tension and boiling point at atmospheric pressure were measured, a chemical analysis was carried out, and suspended particles were quantified by dynamic image analysis. The results showed that the used coolants caused a lower mass loss in ultrasonic cavitation testing than the fresh ones, and that they had higher boiling points, lower pH and a higher number of suspended particles, especially of those smaller than 30μm. Surface tension was higher for the used coolants from Diesel engines.The lower mass loss caused by all three used coolants can be attributed mainly to their high boiling point and high particle count. The presence of particles is believed to promote the heterogeneous nucleation of smaller, more stable bubbles, which may protect the exposed surface by shockwave absorption and microjet deflection. Some dissolved ions in the used coolants may help reduce their aggressivity by inhibiting bubble coalescence, reducing bubble collapse energy, despite increasing surface tension. Surface tension has complex interactions with the solutes, particles and bubble formation and cannot, in isolation, explain the differences in performance of the coolants.

The Impact of Cryopreservation on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment and Post-transplant Outcome During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the current management of allotransplanted patients in whom fresh hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were replaced by cryopreserved ones. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of cryopreserved HSCs when compared with the fresh ones. A retrospective analysis of 254 allogeneic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) procedures performed between 2020-2021 included the following donors: matched related (MRD; n=68), matched unrelated (MUD; n=148) and haploidentical (HID; n=38). 50% of patients (non-cryo group) received fresh grafts, whereas the remaining patients (cryo group) were transplanted with cryopreserved cells. No differences in terms of median days to neutrophil [MRD/MUD/HID cryo- and non-cryo groups: 17 vs. 16 (p=0.27), 19 vs. 18 (p=0.83), 22 vs. 22 (p=0.83) days, respectively] and platelet [MRD/MUD/HID cryo- and non-cryo groups: 14 vs. 14 (p=0.25), 17 vs. 17 (p=0.33), 21 vs. 19 (p=0.36) days, respectively] engraftments were demonstrated. Among MUD graft recipients, platelet engraftment rates were 81% in the cryo- and 96% in the non-cryo group (p=0.01). OS rates were comparable at 1 year after HSCT between MRD/MUD/HID cryo- and non-cryo groups: 53% vs. 60% (p=0.54), 60% vs. 66% (p=0.5), 50% vs. 41% (p=0.56), respectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cryopreserved HSCs did not have a negative impact on median engraftment time and OS when compared to fresh HSCs. In the MUD group, platelet engraftment rate was lower in cryopreserved HSC recipients.

Adaptable strategy for reactivation and recycling of spent S-Zorb adsorbents at the laboratory and pilot scale

The spent S-Zorb adsorbents containing Ni and Zn elements are hazardous wastes. It would generate significant economic and environmental benefits to reactivate and recycle these solid wastes through a reactivation strategy. Furthermore, adaptability investigation of this strategy is also indispensable before its industrial application. Herein, the spent S-Zorb adsorbents (Spent-TJ/MM/QD) from different plants were reactivated at laboratory and pilot scale in 3 m3 reactor via an acid-base coupling reactivation strategy. The spent adsorbents exhibit distinct phase compositions and microstructures of active components. Formation of ZnSi2O4 and ZnS is the primary reason for abandonment of the Spent-TJ (Spent-MM) and Spent-QD, respectively. The nickel species also exhibit different aggregation extent. Fortunately, the inert zinc and nickel species are respectively converted into ZnO and NiO during the reactivation process. Higher surface area (1.7–4.0 times that of the spent adsorbents) and more acid sites are generated over the reactivated adsorbents. Besides, all the reactivated adsorbents possess similar phase compositions and microstructures. Both the adsorbents reactivated at pilot and laboratory scale exhibit comparable desulfurization activity to fresh ones. The sulfur content of the gasoline desulfurized by the reactivated adsorbents is below 10 μg g−1, meeting the Euro V legislations. All the results indicate the excellent adaptability and commercial potential of the reactivation strategy. The possible mechanism for the excellent adaptability of the reactivation method was proposed.

Effect of litter management systems on incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis among broilers at finisher stage.

Pododermatitis, or footpad dermatitis (FPD), is a welfare concern affecting broiler chickens globally. In the humid tropics, where high temperatures and humidity prevail, the impact of pododermatitis on broiler performance characteristics and behavior becomes even more significant hence this investigation. One hundred and eighty male broilers were used for this experiment out of 200 birds initially procured at day old. They were brooded and reared on deep litter and at 21 days of age, they were randomly allotted to the experimental unit. There were three treatments each with three replicates in a completely randomized design. The three litter management systems constituted the treatment groups. In the first treatment (t-A), litter materials were changed on a weekly basis and replaced with fresh ones while in the second treatment (t-B), the litter materials were turned or raked once a week, and in the third treatment (t-C), the litter materials were left untouched. The litter material used across all treatments was wood shavings and t-C served as control. The experimental birds were fed ad libitum during the trial. Data on daily feed intake, incidence and severity of paw lesions, and weekly body weights were taken while the experiment lasted 35 days. Test of mobility and aggression were carried out on the birds from each group on the last day of the experiment. The moisture content and pH of litter materials of each replicate were taken weekly from day 21 till the end of the experiment. Data were later subjected to analysis of variance statistically. The results revealed that broilers on t-A performed better (P < 0.05) than those on t-B and t-C for feed intake, live weight, weight gain, and feed utilization. However, FPD was pronounced among broilers on t-C and much more severe. A positive correlation was observed between the values of litter moisture content, litter pH, and incidence and severity of FPD. Birds on t-C were dull in appearance and inactive. In conclusion, FPD has a detrimental impact on the performance characteristics and behavior of broiler chickens in the humid tropics. However, the severity depends on the management system adopted. By adopting appropriate management practices such as weekly replacement of litter with fresh ones, it is possible to alleviate the negative consequences of FPD, improve broiler welfare, and enhance the sustainability of the poultry industry in these regions.