High Activity Research Articles

Landscape of the Peripheral Immune Response Induced by Intraoperative Radiotherapy Combined with Surgery in Early Breast Cancer Patients.

A comprehensive analysis of the immune response triggered by intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) remains incomplete. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell T cell receptor sequencing are conducted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patient with early-stage breast cancer before and after IORT. Following IORT combined with surgery (defined as IORT+Surgery), PBMC counts remained stable, with increased proportions of T cells, mononuclear phagocytes, and plasma cells, and a reduction in neutrophil proportions. The cytotoxic score of CD8Teff_GZMK cells increased significantly post-IORT. Communication between CD8Teff_GZMK cells and other immune cells via MIF_CD74 and MIF_TNFRSF14 is decreased after IORT. cDCs showed an upregulation of the MCH II signaling pathway, while memory B cells exhibited enhanced activation of the B cell pathway. T cell clones expanded significantly after treatment. IORT+Surgery demonstrated the ability to partially suppress the anti-tumor effects of neutrophils. Flow cytometry analysis and co-culture experiments are utilized to delve deeper into the functional alterations in T cells. IORT+Surgery significantly enhanced T cell cytotoxic activity. Blockade of PD-1 of post-IORT PBMCs shows higher T-cell activity than that of pre-IORT PBMCs. This research highlights IORT's impact on immune cells, offering insights for targeting immune responses in breast cancer.

Autophagy is essential for somatic embryogenesis in citrus through regulating amyloplast degradation and lipid homeostasis.

Autophagy is a conserved degradation pathway that regulates the clearance of paternal substrate at the early embryogenesis stage of animals. However, its mode of action is likely different in plants, which can regenerate through apomixis without fertilisation. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a unique plant process widely used for plant propagation and germplasm utilisation. Here, we studied citrus as an example and found a higher autophagic activity after SE initiation. Interestingly, amyloplasts were frequently found inside autophagosomes, whereas the inhibition of autophagy blocks amyloplasts/starch degradation and hinders somatic embryo formation. Furthermore, the consumption of storage lipids was faster in autophagy mutants, suggesting lipid metabolism is activated when starch utilisation is blocked. Exogenous application of autophagy-inducing chemicals (e.g. spermidine) significantly promoted the formation of autophagosomes and increased SE efficiency, indicating a positive correlation between autophagy, energy metabolism, and somatic embryo formation in citrus. Taken together, our study unveils a pathway for the degradation of plant-specific organelles and provides an effective approach for plant propagation.

Sex Differences in Response to Diet Enriched with Glutathione Precursors in the Aging Heart.

Common features of the aging heart are dysregulated metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Elevated oxidative stress is another hallmark of cardiac aging that can exacerbate each of these conditions. We hypothesize that by increasing natural antioxidant levels (glutathione), we will improve cardiac function. Twenty-one-month-old mice were fed Glycine and N-Acetyl Cysteine (GlyNAC) (glutathione precursors)-supplemented or control diets for 12 weeks. Heart function was monitored longitudinally, and the exercise performance was determined at the end of the study. We found that the GlyNAC diet was beneficial for old male but not old female mice, leading to an increase of Ndufb8 expression (a subunit of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex), and higher enzymatic activity for CPT1b and CrAT, two carnitine acyltransferases that are critical to cardiomyocyte metabolism. Although no quantifiable change of collagen turnover was detected, hearts from GlyNAC-fed old males exhibited a slight but significant enrichment in Fmod, a protein that can inhibit collagen fibril formation, possibly reducing extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and thus improving diastolic function. Cardiac diastolic function was modestly improved in males but not females, and surprisingly GlyNAC-fed female mice showed a decline in exercise performance. In summary, our work supports the concept that aged male and female hearts are phenotypically different. These basic differences may affect the response to pharmacological and diet interventions, including antioxidants.

Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Bi2MoO6 Nanosheet-Decorated Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 Type II Heterojunction and the Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics

This article successfully synthesized a series of Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 heterojunctions using a two-step solvothermal method followed by calcination, and the photocatalytic activity by degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) was investigated. Compared with pure Bi4O5Br2 and Bi2MoO6, a series of Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 heterojunctions exhibit higher photocatalytic activity, which can be attributed to the heterostructures with strong interfacial interaction, improving the charge separation. The 2% Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 heterojunction shows the best photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, which is 1.9 times and 1.8 times that of Bi2MoO6 and Bi4O5Br2, respectively. In addition, cyclic experiments have shown that 2% Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 heterojunction has high stability, with a degradation efficiency only decreasing by 3% after 5 cycles. From the capture agent experiment and ESR test, it can be seen that ·O2− and h+ are the main active species. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of 2% Bi2MoO6/Bi4O5Br2 heterojunction under visible light irradiation was proposed.

Changes in the physicochemical properties of yellow pitahaya (Hylocereus megalanthus) during storage

Fresh fruits are essential for their flavor and nutritional value, and storage is one factor that decreases their shelf life. Low temperature or cold storage is a strategy to prolong the shelf life and maintain quality. Yellow pitahaya (Hylocereus megalanthus) was collected during the 2023 season, during May in the district of Magdalena (Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Peru). This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of yellow pitahaya stored at different conditions (room temperature, 2°C, and 4°C) every 15 days: Water activity, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index, antioxidant activity (by DPPH and ABTS) were also determined. The results showed significant changes in the physicochemical properties of pitahaya stored at different temperatures. The pitahaya stored at room temperature had higher water activity than samples stored at 2°C and 4°C, decreasing their solid content. The color of pitahaya also varied with the storage temperature, being 2°C ideal for maintaining the color. Therefore, storage at low temperatures slows down the degradation of the fruit, although precautions should be taken due to its susceptibility to physiological changes. Proper storage of pitahaya is essential to maintain its freshness and nutritional value.

Effects of Bacillus spp. inoculation on suggested shoot tolerance mechanisms in lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown under iron toxicity

AbstractBackgroundIn areas of lowland rice production, high iron concentrations in the soil often lead to yield reductions. Local adapted varieties possess different adaptation mechanisms, which, however, are not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that endophytic bacteria can influence plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, including iron toxicity.AimThis study aims at analyzing the effects of different Bacillus isolates on distinct shoot tolerance mechanism in different rice cultivars grown under iron toxicity.MethodsThree lowland rice cultivars, varying in their tolerance against iron toxicity (IR31785‐58‐1‐2‐3‐3, Sahel 108, Suakoko 8), were inoculated with three Bacillus strains (two of B. pumilus and one of B. megaterium). One week after Bacillus inoculation plants were subjected to high iron levels (1000 ppm) for 7 days. Leaf symptom scoring was used to assess tolerance levels. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (PRX) were measured by spectrophotometric assays. Transcription of genes related to iron toxicity (OsFER, OsFRO1, OsNRAMP6) was determined by RT‐qPCR. Bacterial production of NO was evaluated by measuring nitrite levels in the culture supernatants.ResultsIn general, iron toxicity affected the activities of APX, GR, CAT, and PRX but not SOD activity. Only PRX activity in response to iron differed between cultivars with a significantly stronger increase in IR31785‐58‐1‐2‐3‐3. Inoculation with B. pumilus Ni9MO12 led to higher activity of CAT in the leaf sheaths of all cultivars and an increase in GR activity in the sheaths that was significantly higher in Suakoko 8. In the young leaf blades of IR31785‐58‐1‐2‐3‐3, transcription of OsFRO1 and OsNRAMP6 was not significantly affected by Bacillus inoculation, whereas accumulation of OsFER mRNA was significantly higher in iron‐stressed, B. pumilus Ni9MO12 inoculated plants compared to non‐inoculated, non‐iron‐stressed plants. Nitrite concentration as an indicator for NO production was increased in B. pumilus Ni9MO12 culture supernatants.ConclusionOur results show that in the sensitive cultivar IR31785‐58‐1‐2‐3‐3 tolerance to iron toxicity increases when inoculated with B. pumilus Ni9MO12, coinciding with higher levels of ferritin transcription. NO production by the Bacillus isolate might confer the promotion of OsFER gene transcription in the inoculated plants.

Enhanced catalytic efficiency and ionic liquid tolerance of entrapped cellulase for single-step mixed cabbage residue saccharification

This study explores the enhancement of catalytic efficiency and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][OAc]) tolerance in the single-step saccharification of mixed cabbage residue (MCR) biomass using entrapped cellulase. Entrapping cellulase in calcium alginate hydrogel beads achieved an entrapment efficiency of 75.90 ± 1.83 %. In hydrolysis systems with 2 % and 10 % [Emim][OAc], the entrapped cellulase demonstrated 5.3 % and 6.5 % higher activity than free cellulase, respectively. After five cycles, the entrapped cellulase retained 93 % and 87 % of its initial activity in 0 % and 2 % [Emim][OAc] hydrolysis systems, respectively. Remarkably, cumulative glucose yields with entrapped cellulase were 3.51 and 3.10 times greater than those with free cellulase in 0 % and 2 % [Emim][OAc] hydrolysis systems, respectively. These results highlight the superior performance of entrapped cellulase in maintaining enzyme activity and improving glucose yields. Notably, while [Emim][OAc] is effective in separate pretreatment stages, its addition is unnecessary for the single-step saccharification of MCR biomass. This study underscores the promising potential of entrapped cellulase as a catalyst in enhancing the efficiency of biomass saccharification processes.

Photocatalytic performance of Ni-Al LDH @Ag2XO4 (X = Cr, Mo, and W) nanocomposites under visible light

The contamination of water sources from dye discharge poses a significant environmental challenge. This study addresses this issue by synthesizing binary composites of Ni-Al LDH@Ag2XO4 (with X=Cr, Mo, and W). The main goal is to increase the separation of charge carriers to boost the efficiency of photocatalysis. The prepared samples were analyzed using FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDS, FE-TEM, XRD, UV–Vis DRS, and XPS techniques. Observations revealed a notable increase in MB degradation through photocatalysis under a 150 W mercury lamp in presence of Ni-Al LDH@Ag2CrO4 compared to individual samples, Ni-Al LDH and Ag2CrO4. At pH= 11, 0.5 g of Ni-Al LDH@Ag2CrO4 shows the highest activity (100 %) for the photodegradation of MB. The absorption edge of Ni-Al LDH@Ag2CrO4 (1.69 eV) has increased compared to that of Ni-Al LDH (2.53 eV), which increases the light absorption capacity. Moreover, the synergistic effect of Ni-Al LDH and Ag2CrO4 increases photocatalytic activity by reducing electron-hole recombination. The proposed Z-Scheme mechanism confirms effective charge separation and increased photocatalytic efficiency.

Unveiling the potential of Au cocatalysts to induce SPR charges on CuO/CdS system for sunlight driven hydrogen production†

Atmospheric pollution and increasing costs of the fossil fuels have compelled the researchers to explore the alternative sources. The objective of current project is to discover the stable catalysts that can drive water splitting reaction with sunlight. To the purpose, visible light active catalysts i.e. CdS, CuO/CdS, and Au@CuO/CdS have been synthesized and evaluated for hydrogen generation activities. Gold cocatalysts have been employed to enhance the surface stability and catalytic efficiencies. Whereas, CuO/CdS heterojunction have been synthesized to improve charge separation ability. The optical characteristics, structural properties, and morphology of catalysts have been evaluated by UV‒Vis/DRS, XRD, Raman, BET, SEM, AFM, PL and FTIR techniques. Chemical compositions, photocurrent or charge transfer have been verified with XPS, EDX and EIS results. Catalytic reactions were performed in photoreactor (150mL/Pyrex), whereas hydrogen production activities were predicted via online GC-TCD (Shimadzu-2010/Japan). Results depict that catalyst with 0.8% of Au on CuO/CdS exhibit relatively higher activity (i.e. 32.13 mmolg‒1h‒1) than the other catalysts of the series. Higher activities were attributed to the presence of Au cocatalysts. It has been predicted that coexistence of gold develops Schottky junctions that progressively rectify the surface charges (i.e. movement of electrons). Additionally, gold induces the SPR charges and enhances activity of electrons. Schottky junctions formed by Au cocatalysts on CuO/CdS system restrict the charge recombination i.e. back reactions. In this study, various factors like temperature, pH, light intensity and dose of catalysts have been assessed and discussed. On the basis of activities, it has been concluded that work reported herein hold promise to replace the conventional catalysts used for hydrogen energy technologies.

Multi-functional polysaccharides composite film containing cashew and jik leaf carbon dots: Properties and bioactivities

Carbon dots (CDs) from the leaf powders of cashew (C-CDs), jik (J-CDs) and the mixed cashew/jik (1:1) (CJ-CDs) using hydrothermal method were synthesized and characterized. All three CDs were incorporated into chitosan/starch composite (CS) film at the level of 3 % (w/w). Microstructure images revealed that all films had slight differences in surface and internal structure. Thickness of the CS film increased with the inclusion of fillers (CDs). Inclusion of CDs slightly reduced the tensile and water vapor barrier properties of the CS film. CS film containing C-CDs exhibited the improved elasticity, UV barrier and antioxidant activity among all the films tested. Color and opaqueness of the resulting films were governed by the yellowish CDs. Distinctive peaks of resulting CS film were detected in FTIR spectra, while all CDs had no marked effect on the spectra. The release of CDs from films was more pronounced in water than in alcoholic solutions (10–95 % ethanol). Strongest antibacterial activities against Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were recorded for CDs added film, in which the highest activities were found for CS/CJ-CDs film. Thermal stability was also enhanced in CS/CJ-CDs film. Thus, the CS film loaded with CDs, especially from the mixture of cashew and jik leaf powders could serve as a promising active packaging for inactivation of some pathogens in food products.

Enhanced activity of split trehalase biosensors by interspecies domain combineering.

The split trehalase biosensor has potential as a versatile diagnostic technology. Split enzymes are engineered proteins, divided into inactive fragments, which can reassemble and regain activity when brought together by an analyte. The split TreA biosensor requires no sample processing and produces stable signals (in the form of glucose). Split trehalase reagents can function in blood, but periplasmic trehalase of E.coli requires blood acidification for maximal activity. The objective of this study was to obtain split trehalase with near physiological pH optimum. For this purpose, periplasmic trehalases of Cellvibrio spp. with higher activity at neutral pH, were split in analogy with the E. coli TreA into hood and catalytic domains. However, these split trehalases displayed self-complementation due to spontaneous reassembly. In contrast, when catalytic domains of Cellvibrio trehalases were combined with E.coli hood domains, these hybrids displayed conditional complementation capacity when split trehalase fragments fused to immunoglobulin-binding protein G (STIGA) were used to quantify immunoglobulin concentrations. Other hybrid combinations of Cellvibrio spp. had increased activity compared to the cognate pairs, albeit with strong self-complementation. A mutagenesis analysis of residues responsible for self-complementation led to uncoupling of self-complementation from allostery. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics of Cellvibrio enzymes and fragment pairs confirmed improved activity of a mutated hybrid pair of Cellvibrio hood and catalytic domains at physiological pH. In conclusion, the improvements in pH optimum and activity, demonstrated with STIGA, can now be leveraged to enhance other variations of the split trehalase biosensor platform, broadening its utility for testing clinical samples.

Comparison of muscle activation during quadrupedal movement training and traditional bodyweight exercises

Quadrupedal movement training (QMT) is a unique form of bodyweight training shown to improve flexibility, FMS scores, and proprioception, however, little is known about its muscle activation characteristics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare surface EMG (sEMG) activity of muscles of the trunk, upper, and lower extremity during QMT movements and common traditional bodyweight exercises (TRA). Twenty (males n = 9) participants (age: 27.5 ± 10.8 yrs, height: 169.0 ± 7.0 cm, mass: 66.6 ± 10.9 kg) were prepped and fitted with sEMG electrodes on their right-side bicep brachii, medial deltoid, triceps brachii, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominus, rectus femoris and bicep femoris. Following completion of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) tests for normalization, participants performed 4 repetitions of 8 QMT exercises (from the Animal Flow™ system) and 3 TRA exercises (pushup, squat and forearm plank) in random order. The pooled peak muscle activations of all QMT exercises resulted in moderate (21–40% MVIC) to very high (>60% MVIC) peak muscle activation levels for each muscle group with significantly higher (p > 0.05) muscle activation for the biceps (47.72 ± 21.41%), deltoid (66.58 ± 11.39%), and latissimus dorsi (62.81 ± 18.14%) than the pushup (23.31 ± 16.95, 45.63 ± 18.59, 29.17 ± 20.58% respectively) and significantly higher activation of the bicep femoris (41.89 ± 13.83%) than the squat (17.79 ± 11.12%). TRA (pushup) showed significantly higher activation of the triceps and pectoralis. There were no differences in rectus femoris or rectus abdominus. Muscle activation levels during QMT are comparable to or higher than common traditional bodyweight exercises and therefore may be an appealing strategy for training multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

Self-catalytic enhancement of Cu-EDTA decomplexation and simultaneous Cu recovery via a dual-cathode electrochemical process

Heavy metals that are readily chelated with coexisting organic ligands in industrial wastewaters impose threats to environment and human health but are also valuable metal resources. Traditional treatment methods generally require additional chemicals and generate secondary contaminants. Here, a reagent-free dual-cathode electrochemical system was proposed for the efficient destruction of Cu-organic complexes and synchronous cathodic recovery of Cu, whereby in situ production of H2O2 at carbon aerogel (CA) cathode was coupled with the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and finally to Cu(0) at Ti cathode. The intermediate Cu(II) complexes enabled the self-reinforced degradation owing to their higher activities toward •OH generation by activating H2O2 in contrast to initial Cu-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Cu-EDTA). The enhanced production of Cu(I) by Ti cathode facilitated both •OH and Cu(III) formation, and the copper redox cycle was realized in the self-reinforced system, maintaining its sustainable catalytic activity. The energy cost of the dual-cathode system is 0.011 kWh/g for decomplexation and 0.057 kWh/g for Cu recovery, which is much lower than single Ti or CA cathode system. This established process provides a prospective approach for cost-effective destruction of chelating metal complexes and metal resources recovery from heavy metal wastewaters.

Impacts of shifting from single-species pine forests to distinct agroforestry models on soil fertility, exchangeable cations, and microbial functions

The transition from monoculture to mixed-species agroforestry systems affects soil organic matter and microbial activity. However, the specific dynamics of these changes, particularly within medicinal plant-based agroforestry, remain underexplored. This study investigates the impact of monoculture Pine (Pinus massoniana) forests and four agroforestry models: (M1) Pinus massoniana and Alpina oxyphylla, (M2) Pinus massoniana and Ficus simplicissima, (M3) Pinus massoniana and Amomum villosum, and (M4) Pinus massoniana and Curcuma longa on soil properties and microbial activity in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere environments. Our results showed significantly higher pH (4.80) and total nitrogen (N) content (1.77 g kg−1) in the rhizosphere of model (M4) compared to (CK). Total organic carbon (TOC) and carbon fractions (POC, DOC, and MBC) also differed significantly across monoculture and agroforestry models, with highest TOC concentrations (31.70 g kg⁻1) in rhizosphere of CK. Exchangeable cations, including Ca2⁺, and Mg2⁺ were significantly higher in the rhizosphere of agroforestry models compared to CK, particularly in M4, where Ca2⁺ was recorded at 12.03 cmol kg−1 with the highest percent base saturation (PBS) at 90.17%. Enzymes leucine aminopeptidase and polyphenol oxidase varied significantly, with higher activity in the rhizosphere of agroforestry models and greater activity in non-rhizosphere of monoculture. Soil microbial respiration (MRes) revealed substantial differences, with an average 17% decrease in rhizosphere soil for models M2 and M4 and a 20.83% reduction in non-rhizosphere soil for model M1 compared to CK. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) demonstrated a significant positive correlation between TOC and MRes (R2 = 0.885, p < 0.01), indicating that higher TOC levels are linked with increased MRes. In conclusion, model M4 most effectively enhanced soil fertility and nutrient availability followed by the other agroforestry models tested. This suggests that integrating medicinal plants into agroforestry systems is a viable strategy for improving ecosystem functioning compared to monoculture practices.

Recruitment of the diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid muscle during increasing inspiratory pressure loads in healthy young adults

BackgroundInspiratory muscle training (IMT) is often employed to enhance improvement in inspiratory muscle strength. However, the relationship between inspiratory muscle recruitment patterns and increasing inspiratory load remains unclear. Furthermore, the effect of breathing instructions on diaphragm activity at various inspiratory loads is unknown. ObjectiveTo investigate the recruitment activity of the diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles under increased inspiratory pressure loading, with and without diaphragmatic breathing instructions, in healthy young adults. MethodsParticipants were invited to breathe, in random order, 6 sets of 10 breaths at inspiratory loads of 30% to 80% maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), in 10% increments. The measurement process was repeated with a specific focus of diaphragmatic descent during inspiration. Concurrent recorded surface electromyography of the right SCM muscle and right hemi-diaphragm thickness measured by ultrasonography during each targeted breath. ResultsSixty-two adults (31 males, age: 23±3 years) participated in the study. Irrespective of breathing instructions, computed diaphragm thickening fraction (DTf) increased with increasing inspiratory load but peaked at 50%MIP and declined with increasing load to 80%MIP. SCM recruitment increased with increasing inspiratory load to 80%MIP. Forced inspiration with diaphragmatic breathing was associated with a higher DTf and lower SCM muscle activity. The above pattern was similar for both male and female participants. Female participants produced higher SCM activity compared with males but only at inspiration loads below 50%MIP. ConclusionsIn a cohort of young healthy adults, magnitude of diaphragmatic effort was greatest at 50% MIP but declined with increasing inspiratory load to 80%MIP. Forced inspiration combined with focused diaphragmatic breathing accentuated diaphragm contraction and reduced SCM muscle contribution. Our findings show that diaphragmatic muscle recruitment is non-linear and that the generic clinical prescription of an IMT program may need to be reconfigured.

Fe (II)/Fe (III) regulated adaptive biofilm responses and microbial metabolic mechanisms for enhanced cycloalkane biodegradation

Oxidation of organic contaminants by iron-cycling microorganisms is an effective remediation strategy for contaminated environments. However, studies on the removal of cycloalkane using this method have been limited, and little is known about how microbes adapt to iron concentrations and how the latter stimulates contaminant degradation. Here, we investigated the biodegradation of cyclohexane (CyH) in three sequencing batch bioreactors (SBRs) with different iron concentrations (SBRs are named: Low 2.5 μM, Suit 7.5 μM, High 75 μM). The Suit reactor showed a more efficient CyH removal performance (average 98.61 ± 0.62 %) than the Low reactor (average 55.75 ± 3.38 %), which was associated with more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) release and improved biofilm structure. The High reactor exhibited a gradual adaptation process due to the apparent accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under iron stress, with an average removal efficiency of (86.83 ± 18.81 %). However, the High reactor had a higher microbial activity (1.08-fold increase in ATPase activity) and electron transport system activity (1.18-fold increase) to facilitate direct electron transfer in the presence of insoluble iron compared to the Suit one, largely due to the dominant genus Novosphingobium. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics analyses revealed lactone (a key intermediate) formation as a potential degradation pathway across three SBRs in our study under iron regulation. Notably, there were differences in the key functional genes expressed under different iron concentrations: genes related to anti-oxidative stress and iron-driven pathways, biofilm regulation-related pathways, and encoding protein complexes III and IV were found in the High, Suit, and Low reactors, respectively. This study enhances understanding of microbiota adaptation mechanisms to iron-disturbed conditions and provides a new insight into iron-cycling mediated biofilm formation and inhibition.

Enhancement of CO2 adsorption and oxygen transfer properties on γ-Al2O3 support through surface modification with MgO-ZrO2 for coke suppression over Ni catalyst in CO2 reforming of methane

This work focuses on employing commercial γ-Al2O3 for surface modification with MgO-ZrO2 mixed oxide to enhance the potential of CO2 adsorption and oxygen mobility. This enhancement facilitates its application as a support in catalysts for CO2 utilization such as CO2 reforming of methane (CRM). To achieve this perspective, γ-Al2O3 was modified with 10 wt.% of various MgO and ZrO2 contents (MgO:ZrO2= 10:0, 9:1,7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 1:9 and 0:10) using the impregnation method. All samples including unmodified γ-Al2O3 (Al) were characterized. Due to the increase in basicity and oxygen transfer around the surface, the improvement of the CO2 adsorption was observed on γ-Al2O3 modified with 9 wt.% MgO-1 wt.% ZrO2 (9Mg1ZrAl) and 10 wt.% MgO (10MgAl), respectively. An application of these two superior samples as a support of 10 wt.% Ni (10Ni) catalysts for CRM was investigated and compared with an unmodified γ-Al2O3. Characterization results suggest the formation of NiO-MgO solid solution at the surface due to the decrease in metal-support interaction and the increase in metal dispersion. The Ni catalysts with the surface-modified support show higher CO2 activity that raises carbon deposition resistance. The greatest coke prevention was observed on 10Ni/9Mg1ZrAl that lowers the coke deposition by 42% compared to 10Ni/Al. It indicates that the composition of this modification allowed very low ZrO2 portion to merge with MgO and MgO to form solid solution with NiO. This enables the 10Ni/9Mg1ZrAl catalyst to generate labile oxygens which can be conveyed to the Ni metal sites on the catalyst.

Eating increases disease activity in pediatric patients with symptomatic dermographism.

Background: Symptomatic dermographism (SD) is the most common form of chronic inducible urticaria. SD disease activity increases with food intake in adult patients. Whether this is also so in children with SD is currently unknown. Objective: To assess children with SD for their disease activity by standardized provocation testing before and after eating. Methods: We subjected 44 children with SD (29 girls; median [interquartile range] age 12.5 years [8.3-15 years]), before and after eating, to standardized skin provocation testing with a dermographometer. Dermographometer scores were calculated based on responses evaluated at 1-minute intervals for 10 minutes and recorded as negative (-) or positive (+ to ++++). Clinical characteristics and urticaria control test scores were documented. Results: Dermographometer scores before eating were 2.3 of 4 on average and inversely correlated with urticaria control test scores. Dermographometer scores were higher after eating than before eating. Of 44 children with SD, 35 had increased dermographometer scores after eating and 9 patients had a postprandial increase of ≥1 point. Eating-induced increases in dermographometer scores were linked to earlier whealing in 17 of 35 patients, and differences in preprandial versus postprandial dermographometer responses were more pronounced at earlier than later time points after testing. Conclusion: Disease activity, as assessed by provocation testing, is increased in most pediatric patients with SD after eating. Future studies should explore the prevalence of food-exacerbated SD in larger pediatric SD populations. Most pediatric patients with symptomatic dermographism have higher disease activity, assessed by provocation testing, after eating as compared to before eating. Standardized provocation testing and trigger threshold assessments in children with symptomatic dermographism should be performed before and after eating. Knowledge of food-exacerbated disease may help patients with the management of their symptomatic dermographism.

Impact of storage period on hatching egg quality, extra-embryonic structures, embryo morphometry, hatchability, and Rosa 1 chick quality

Storage duration affects the biological value of hatching eggs. The study evaluated the composition and characteristics of hatching eggs from Rosa 1 hens, the morphometric traits of embryos and chicks, and hatching results based on storage time. A total of 1200 hatching eggs were divided into three groups: NS (control, non-stored), S4 (stored up to day 4), and S7 (stored up to day 7). Storage conditions were 17°C and approx. 60% relative humidity. Each group’s egg quality was measured for 30 eggs. Weight loss during storage was monitored. Lysozyme activity and viscosity were analyzed from fresh eggs and incubated eggs on days 7 and 14, using thin and thick albumen or amniotic fluid. Embryo morphometry was measured on days 7, 10, 14, and 18, and post-hatching results and the quality of one-day-old chicks were assessed. Eggs stored for 7 days (S7) had higher (P<0.05) weight loss compared to the NS group. The proportions of eggshell and yolk increased (P<0.05) after storage, and the yolk index decreased. Vitelline membrane strength was lower (P<0.001) in the S4 and S7 groups than in the NS group. The lowest (P<0.05) pH levels of thin, thick albumen and yolk were observed in the NS group. Lysozyme activity increased (P<0.001) in the thin albumen of eggs in the NS and S4 groups and the thick albumen from the NS group than in others. On day 7 of incubation, group S7 showed higher (P<0.05) lysozyme activity in thick albumen, with no activity in amniotic fluid. By day 14, lysozyme activity increased (P<0.001) in group S7’s thick albumen and S4 and S7 groups’ amniotic fluid. Viscosity was highest (P<0.05) in fresh eggs’ thin and thick albumen from group S7, but on day 7, thick albumen viscosity was lowest. On day 14, amniotic fluid viscosity was higher (P=0.009) in group S4 than in NS. Seven-day-old embryos in group S7 had lower (P=0.004) weight than others. Eye diameter in S7 embryos was also smaller on days 7 and 18. On day 10, NS group embryos had shorter body diagonal lengths. Storage up to 7 days adversely affected hatching efficiency. Storage affected the navel area of one-day-old chicks, with the highest neck length in male chicks from group S4 and the lowest in females from group S4. It is concluded that egg storage at 17°C and 60% relative humidity could be limited to 4 days to maintain hatchability and qualitative features.

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Enhancing optimization reaction, characterization, and antimicrobial properties with Lantana camara from geothermal area

Green synthesis methods for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant attention for their potential in medical applications. Despite the known potential of Lantana camara in AgNP synthesis, there is a lack of studies investigating its application when grown in extreme geothermal environments, which may influence the properties and efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles. This research aimed to fabricate AgNPs utilizing aqueous extract from L. camara, a plant growing in an extreme geothermal manifestation area. Another aim of this study is to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses of the plant's leaves were also conducted. Reaction optimization was performed using response surface methodology (RSM), employing a central composite design (CCD) approach. The characterization of AgNPs involved UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and PSA. The antimicrobial testing was conducted against Gram-positive bacterium (S. aureus), Gram-negative bacterium (E. coli), and the fungus (C. albicans). The phytochemicals analysis revealed that the L. camara leaf extract contains flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, and steroids, lacking alkaloids and terpenoids, with total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 11.94 mg (GAE/g) and 6.70 mg (QE/g), respectively. The AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at a wavelength of 417 nm, and the smallest particle size measured was 44 nm. Based on FTIR analysis, AgNPs have functional groups such as OH, NH, CC, and CH that were identified as groups involved in the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0 during the green synthesis of AgNPs. The AgNPs demonstrated the lowest antifungal activity against C. albicans. In summary, the aqueous leaf extract of L. camara from geothermal manifestation areas can serve as a bioreductant for AgNPs, exhibiting higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative ones.