High Concentrations Research Articles

Monosodium glutamate disrupts zebrafish sleep-like state likely through activation of peripheral nervous system glutamate receptors

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely used flavor enhancer, has raised concerns about its effects on behavior and sleep. This study investigates how MSG influences zebrafish sleep-like state (SLS) and interacts with other substances affecting neurobehavioral responses. Adult zebrafish were exposed to MSG at concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg/L, and their swimming speeds and SLS durations were recorded over a 14-hour night period. The results indicated that higher MSG concentrations increased swimming speeds and decreased SLS duration, suggesting heightened excitability and reduced sleep recovery. The study further evaluated how MSG impacts anesthesia sensitivity induced by 2-phenoxyethanol (POE) compared to alcohol and nicotine. Zebrafish were pre-treated with 50 mg/L MSG, 0.5% alcohol, or 0.5 mg/L nicotine before being anesthetized with POE. Nicotine decreased anesthesia sensitivity in a concentration-dependent manner by enhancing neurotransmitter release. In contrast, MSG and alcohol had minimal effects on anesthesia. The limited impact of MSG on anesthesia sensitivity suggests that MSG primarily affects peripheral nervous system functions rather than central nervous system functions, likely due to its poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Overall, the findings demonstrate that MSG disrupts zebrafish behavior through peripheral mechanisms, affecting both swimming activity and sleep patterns. Nicotine, on the other hand, influences behavior through central nervous system interactions. These results highlight the need for further research to better understand how dietary additives like MSG impact neurobehavioral functions in aquatic models, offering insights into their broader implications for sleep and behavior.

GC–MS metabolomics of French lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L. var capitata) leaves exposed to bisphenol A via the hydroponic media

IntroductionBisphenol A (BPA), an organic compound used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, has become a ubiquitous contaminant due to its high-volume production and constant release to the environment. Plant metabolomics can trace the stress effects induced by environmental contaminants to the variation of specific metabolites, making it an alternative way to study pollutants toxicity to plants. Nevertheless, there is an important knowledge gap in metabolomics applications in this area.ObjectiveEvaluate the influence of BPA in French lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L. var capitata) leaves metabolic profile by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) using a hydroponic system.MethodsLettuces were cultivated in the laboratory to minimize biological variation and were analyzed 55 days after sowing (considered the plant’s adult stage). Hexanoic and methanolic extracts with and without derivatization were prepared for each sample and analyzed by GC–MS.ResultsThe highest number of metabolites was obtained from the hexanoic extract, followed by the derivatized methanolic extract. Although no physical differences were observed between control and contaminated lettuce leaves, the multivariate analysis determined a statistically significant difference between their metabolic profiles. Pathway analysis of the most affected metabolites showed that galactose metabolism, starch and fructose metabolism and steroid biosynthesis were significantly affected by BPA exposure.ConclusionsThe preparation of different extracts from the same sample permitted the determination of metabolites with different physicochemical properties. BPA alters the leaves energy and membrane metabolism, plant growth could be affected at higher concentrations and exposition times.

LC-MS-Based Targeted Metabolite Profiling and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotmeter Based Mineral Analysis of Methanol Extract of Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Leaves

Aim: Natural products in medicinal plants are one of the important sources for modern drug discovery. Plant-based formulations play an important role in management of numerous diseases. To discover the medical potential of natural products, it is important to understand the bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants. Hence the aim of the study is to identify the volatile compounds by LC –MS analysis and minerals by AAS assay present in the leaves of Terminalia bellerica. Study Design: This study investigates metabolites present in leaves of Terminalia bellerica have been studied by AAS and LC-MS techniques. Results: The AAS assay showed that the leaves of T. bellerica are particularly rich in iron (260 mg/kg) compared to their zinc, manganese, and copper content. Meanwhile, the LC-MS analysis identified chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, punicafolin, myricetin, rutin, and galloyl punicalagin as being present in the highest concentrations. Conclusion: Results highlighted presence of considerable amount of iron and other minerals in methanolic extract of the leaves of T. bellerica, it may be used in the development of health supplements. The results also revealed that bioactive compounds in the methanolic extracts of T. bellerica leave used for drug design and making it safe to human health.

In which common chronic conditions can (or cannot) obesity and lifestyle factors explain higher concentrations of C‐reactive protein?

In which common chronic conditions can (or cannot) obesity and lifestyle factors explain higher concentrations of C‐reactive protein?

The impact of maternal vulnerability on stress biomarkers and first-trimester growth: the Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort (Predict Study)

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is the degree of maternal vulnerability positively associated with stress biomarkers (stress hormones, C-reactive protein, tryptophan metabolites, and one-carbon metabolites), and does long-term exposure to stress hormones reduce first-trimester growth? SUMMARY ANSWER The maternal vulnerability risk score is positively associated with concentrations of hair cortisol and cortisone and negatively with tryptophan, while higher hair cortisol concentrations are associated with reduced first-trimester growth without mediation of tryptophan. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A high degree of maternal vulnerability during the periconception period is associated with impaired first-trimester growth and pregnancy complications, with consequences for long-term health of the child and future life course. However, due to the challenges of early identification of vulnerable women, the uptake of periconception care is low in this target group. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Between June 2022 and June 2023, this study was conducted in a sub-cohort of 160 pregnant women participating in the Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort (Predict Study), an ongoing prospective tertiary hospital-based cohort. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS One hundred and thirty-two women with ongoing pregnancies and available stress biomarker data were included in the analysis. Data on periconceptional social, lifestyle, and medical risk factors were collected via self-administered questionnaires, and these factors were used for the development of a composite maternal vulnerability risk score. Stress biomarkers, including stress hormones (hair cortisol and cortisone) and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers (C-reactive protein, total homocysteine, and tryptophan metabolites) were determined in the first trimester of pregnancy. First-trimester growth was assessed by crown–rump length (CRL) and embryonic volume (EV) measurements at 7, 9, and 11 weeks gestation by making use of an artificial intelligence algorithm and virtual reality techniques using 3D ultrasound data sets. The associations between the maternal vulnerability risk score and stress biomarkers were identified using linear regression models, and between stress hormones and CRL- and EV-trajectories using mixed models. A mediation analysis was performed to assess the contribution of tryptophan. All associations were adjusted for potential confounders, which were identified using a data-driven approach. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to check the robustness of the findings. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The maternal vulnerability risk score was positively associated with concentrations of hair cortisol and cortisone (pg/mg) (β = 0.366, 95% CI = 0.010–0.722; β = 0.897, 95% CI = 0.102–1.691, respectively), and negatively with tryptophan concentrations (µmol/L) (β = –1.637, 95% CI = –2.693 to –0.582). No associations revealed for C-reactive protein and total homocysteine. Higher hair cortisol concentrations were associated with reduced EV-trajectories (3√EV: β = –0.010, 95% CI = –0.017 to –0.002), while no associations were found with CRL-trajectories. Mediation by tryptophan was not shown. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Residual confounding cannot be ruled out, and the external validity may be limited due to the study’s single-center observational design in a tertiary hospital. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS There is mounting evidence that a high degree of maternal vulnerability negatively affects maternal and perinatal health, and that of the future life course. The results of our study emphasize the need to identify highly vulnerable women as early as possible, at least before conception. Our findings suggest that the chronic stress response and alterations of the maternal tryptophan metabolism are involved in maternal vulnerability, affecting first-trimester growth, with potential impact on the long-term health of the offspring. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Clinical Chemistry of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the Junior Award granted by the De Snoo—van ’t Hoogerhuijs Foundation in March 2022. There are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

Exploring Natural Convection and Entropy Generation in a Closed Water Tank Utilizing Nanofluid: a Computational Study

Theoretical framework: This study presents a comprehensive investigation into three-dimensional natural convection within a confined cavity filled with an alumina-water nanofluid. Objective: Utilizing numerical simulations, we explore the influence of nanoparticles' volume fraction and Rayleigh number () on entropy generation, heat transfer efficiency, and fluid behavior within the water tank. Method: The study delves into the conservation equations governing mass, momentum, and energy within the context of three-dimensional laminar natural convection. It focuses on steady, incompressible flow, employing the Boussinesq approximation to account for variations in fluid density due to temperature gradients. Results and conclusion: Our findings indicate that increasing Rayleigh numbers lead to heightened entropy generation, with values ranging from to, primarily driven by intensified buoyant flow. However, the presence of nanoparticles significantly mitigates entropy generation, enhancing the overall thermal performance of the system. Moreover, nanofluids demonstrate superior heat transfer capabilities compared to pure fluids, with higher nanoparticle concentrations resulting in increased heat transfer rates, ranging from to alumina. Research implications: As a result of such thorough research, qualitative examinations of velocity fields and entropy generation patterns further highlight the role of nanofluids in improving heat transfer efficiency while reducing irreversible processes within the cavity.

Effects of grapevine canopy leaning on grape composition and wine quality of ‘Bobal’

Exploring new field strategies for adapting winegrowing regions to the adverse effects of climate change becomes imperative. This study focuses on the effects of canopy architecture through the trellis systems leaning of North–South oriented vineyard’s rows vertical shoot positioned (VSP) system by 30° towards either the East (ESP) or the West (WSP) as a possible adaptation technique. The trial was conducted over two seasons in a Vitis vinifera L. cv. Bobal vineyard located in Requena (Valencia), eastern Spain, under a temperate-warm climate. The canopy leaning was considered to affect the radiation load and its timing with potential effects on vine physiology and grape metabolism and, consequently, on grape and wine quality. Leaning treatments affected vegetative growth, likely due to slight differences in vine water status. In comparison to VSP and ESP, WSP intercepts more light in the morning, when the photosynthetic capacity of the vines is at its highest. However, this results in a more negative vine water potential, which in turn leads to a reduction in vigour with no impact on yield. Musts from the WSP showed a tendency to increase total acidity compared to VSP, while ESP tended to decrease it. This was likely due to the reduction in temperature within the cluster microclimate in WSP in comparison to the ESP and VSP treatments. In addition, musts from the WSP treatment showed higher colour intensity, anthocyanins and polyphenols, potentially attributable to its more negative potentials, likely due to its more negative potentials, which may have prompted the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Consequently, wines from the WSP treatment displayed higher total acidity and lower pH, as well as higher colour intensity, anthocyanins, and polyphenolic content. In addition, WSP wines had higher concentrations of esters and higher alcohols. The improvements in grape and wine composition are likely due to an increased cluster radiation interception in the morning and reduced heating in the afternoon when VPD is higher. Our findings demonstrate that canopy management by leaning VSP vines towards the West can be a useful technique for adapting grape and wine composition to climate change and provide insights into its physiological basis.

Functional characterization of malate dehydrogenase, HcMDH1, gene in enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)

Drought and salt stress are two important environmental factors that significantly restrict plant growth and reproduction. Malate dehydrogenase is essential to life as it is engaged in numerous physiological processes in cells, particularly those related to abiotic stress reactions. However, a complete understanding of MDH family members in kenaf is not clear yet. In this study, subcellular localization analysis and a yeast transcriptional activation assay revealed that HcMDH1 was localized in chloroplasts but had no transcriptional activation activity. When exposed to salt or drought stress, yeast cells expressing the HcMDH1 gene exhibit an increased survival rate. Overexpression of HcMDH1 in Arabidopsis increased seed germination rate and root growth when transgenic lines were exposed to varying concentrations of mannitol and NaCl. Subsequent physiological studies revealed that transgenic lines had higher concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, proline, and chlorophyll and lower concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, inhibiting HcMDH1 in kenaf using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) decreased salt and drought tolerance due to elevated ROS and MDA levels. In these silenced lines, the expression of six essential genes engaged in stress-resistance and photosynthesis, namely HcGAPDH, HcGLYK, HcFBA, HcFBPase, HcPGA, and HcLSD, is significantly altered under salt and drought stress. In summary, HcMDH1 is a complex and positive regulatory gene that plays a key role in regulating chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity and osmotic regulation under salt and drought stress, which may have implications for kenaf transgenic breeding.Graphical

Exploring the oral processing mechanisms for saltiness enhancement with NaCl nanocrystals in oleogel systems based on black pepper oleoresin and sunflower seed oil

Reducing salt content in processed foods while maintaining flavor is crucial for human health. This study investigates the sensory interaction between the pungency of black pepper oleoresin and saltiness within an oleogel matrix by incorporating NaCl nanocrystals into a black pepper oleoresin formulated with glyceryl monostearate and soy lecithin (G-L-P). Psychophysical results revealed that the salt content in the G-L-P and G-L systems (G-L-P without black pepper oleoresin) was reduced by up to 66.77 % and 37.08 % compared to the G system (G-L without soy lecithin), respectively. During oral processing, the G-L and G-L-P systems formed oil-in-water emulsions with smaller and more numerous oil droplets. Within 5 s, the Na+ concentration was lowest in the G system (2.2 g/L), while the G-L and G-L-P systems showed higher concentrations (3.1 g/L and 3.0 g/L, respectively). This research provides a theoretical basis for the food industry to develop low-salt products without compromising flavor.

Neonatal hyperinsulinism: a retrospective study of presentation and management in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in the UK

ObjectiveReports of hyperinsulinism typically focus on infants managed by highly specialised services. However, neonates with hyperinsulinism are initially managed by neonatologists and often not referred to specialists. This study aimed...

Metabolic Phenotyping from Whole-Blood Responses to a Standardized Exercise Test May Discriminate for Physiological, Performance, and Illness Outcomes: A Pilot Study in Highly-Trained Cross-Country Skiers

BackgroundThis study used metabolic phenotyping to explore the responses of highly-trained cross-country skiers to a standardized exercise test, which was part of the athletes’ routine testing, and determine whether metabolic phenotyping could discriminate specific physiological, performance, and illness characteristics.MethodsTwenty-three highly-trained cross-country skiers (10 women and 13 men) participated in this study. Capillary whole-blood samples were collected before (at rest) and 2.5 min after (post-exercise) a roller-ski treadmill test consisting of 5–6 × 4-min submaximal stages followed by a self-paced time trial (~ 3 min) and analyzed using mass spectrometry. Performance level was defined by International Ski Federation distance and sprint rankings. Illness data were collected prospectively for 33 weeks using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analyses (OPLS-DA) followed by enrichment analyses were used to identify metabolic phenotypes of athlete groups with specific physiological, performance, and illness characteristics.ResultsBlood metabolite phenotypes were significantly different after the standardized exercise test compared to rest for metabolites involved in energy, purine, and nucleotide metabolism (all OPLS-DA p < 0.001). Acute changes in the metabolic phenotype from rest to post-exercise could discriminate athletes with: (1) higher vs. lower peak blood lactate concentrations; (2) superior vs. inferior performance levels in sprint skiing, and (3) ≥ 2 vs. ≤ 1 self-reported illness episodes in the 33-week study period (all p < 0.05). The most important metabolites contributing to the distinction of groups according to (1) post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, (2) sprint performance, and (3) illness frequency were: (1) inosine, hypoxanthine, and deoxycholic acid, (2) sorbitol, adenosine monophosphate, and 2-hydroxyleuroylcarnitine, and (3) glucose-6-phosphate, squalene, and deoxycholic acid, respectively.ConclusionMetabolic phenotyping discriminated between athlete groups with higher vs. lower post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, superior vs. inferior sprint skiing performance, and more vs. less self-reported illnesses. While the biological relevance of the identified biomarkers requires validation in future research, metabolic phenotyping shows promise as a tool for routine monitoring of highly-trained endurance athletes.

Cellulase gene expression in the thermophilic Thermomyces lanuginosus isolated from compost

Thermophilic fungi are superlative microorganisms for enzyme production, especially cellulase, and their using in biotechnological applications is due to their stability at utmost temperatures. In the current investigation, we isolated six genera encompassing six fungal species and one species variety from 30 samples of compost at 45 °C and 55 °C. Thermomyces lanuginosus was the most rampant species. The colony diameter of T. lanuginosus ranged from 2.8 to 4.3 cm at 45 °C on yeast-starch agar (YpSs) medium with white or greyish-brown mycelia. Fifteen isolates of T. lanuginosus were cellulase producers with variable competencies with a C/Z range of 1.09–1.38 cm. Fascinatingly, the clear zone diameter was much bigger when using Iodine than those obtained using Congo red. T. lanuginosus isolate no. 33 produced substantial amounts of cellulase on the four used media: Corncob (CC), Corncob treated with NaOH (C-NA), Yeast Peptone Dextrose (YPD), and CarboxyMethyl Cellulose (CMC) with the highest activity on CC; 143.9 μg/min, also cellulase gene expression levels of cel6Aq, cel7Aq, and bgl3Aq genes exhibited higher fold changes in the CC condition (7.26-fold, 11.51-fold, and 3.39-fold, respectively). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed the presence of 11 minerals with higher concentrations in CC than in C-NA. Supplementation of corncob medium with rosemary essential oil (CR) completely inhibited cellulase production. It adversely affected the growth, and changes in conidia, which were depicted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Interestingly, the conidia appeared much bigger than other media, and the large conidia diameter was 10.2–12.1 μm.

The Influence of Quercus alba Geographical Location and Aging Time on the Chemical and Sensory Quality of Tempranillo Wines

The changes produced during the aging of wines in oak barrels are strongly dependent on the oak’s geographical origin and aging time. This paper analyzes the effect of Quercus alba oak from four different geographical locations in four states in the USA, namely Missouri (Mo), Ohio (Oh), Kentucky (Kt), and Pennsylvania (Py), during 24 months of aging. Oak origin had a higher effect on the wine’s aromatic composition than the polyphenolic one. Mo and Oh barrels enhanced coconut, spicy, and sweet notes for 12 months of aging, while Kt barrels achieved higher extraction of wood-related compounds at longer aging (24 months). Py wines showed the lowest contents of most volatile compounds at both aging times, as well as hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, and ellagitannins, attributed to their higher porosity. At 12 months of aging, Kt wines showed the highest content of ellagitannins, and Mo wines had the highest content of anthocyanins, but Oh wines had the highest concentrations at 24 months. In the sensory analysis, Kt wines were preferred at both aging times. Kt and Mo wines achieved the highest punctuations for the olfactory phase at 12 months of aging and Kt wines kept it after 24 months. These findings are essential for producers to achieve the sensory characteristics of their wines through strategic barrel aging.

ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN APPLES AND PEARS FROM THE SUBURBS OF MITROVICA, KOSOVO

Intake of heavy metals through the food is a food safety problem that seriously affects consumer health. Therefore, information is needed on the intake of food contaminated with heavy metals and their concentrations, to assess the potential risk for human health. This paper aims to determine the accumulation of metals in apples and pears grown in the surroundings of Kosovska Mitrovica (Republic of Kosovo) and the bioconcentration factor (BF). With the help of the ICP-MS technique, were determined the amounts of Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Ni, and Cr in apples and pears grown in three regions - Zvečan , Frashër, and Polski. From the conducted tests, the highest concentrations in apples and pears were determined for iron (on average 100.67 mg/kg for apples and 107.4 mg/kg for pears) and the lowest concentrations for cobalt (on average 0.13 mg/kg for apples and 0.18 mg/kg for pears). The lowest bioconcentration factor in apples is 0.01 (for Fe, Co, and Mn in all three regions), and the highest is 0.32 (for Cr in Zvečan). When determining the bioconcentration factor in pears, the lowest (0.01) was determined for iron (in all three regions) and manganese (in Zvečan and Frashër regions), and the highest bioconcentration factor was determined for copper – 0.46 (Polski region). There is a very high correlation between the values obtained for the analyzed metals in apples and pears. According to BF values, pears extract twice as much Cu and Co from the soil compared to apples, and the extraction of other metals from the soil is the same for both types of fruit.

Study of Avian Colibacillosis and Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli from Chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Bioethanol is a renewable, colorless, less toxic, and readily biodegradable form of fuel from biological sources; that can be used for heat, electricity, and fuel. In this research study, an alternative feedstock known as microalgae was used. Bioethanol was produced from microalgae using enzymatic hydrolysis. The microalgae was pretreated with acid and alkaline. Hydrolysis was carried out by Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used for fermentation. The concentration of the Bioethanol produced was determined using acid Potassium Dichromate. After hydrolysis, the reducing sugar concentration was determined using Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method. Results showed that there was significant difference at p&lt;0.05 in the yields of the reducing sugar produced between acid and alkaline pretreated samples after microbial hydrolysis. Microbial hydrolysis of alkaline pretreated samples was higher in yield. Also, the results showed that the highest bioethanol yield of 0.142ml/l was obtained after alkaline pretreated hydrolysates were fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 40°C and pH of 6.0. The highest bioethanol yield of 0.116ml/l was obtained from the acid pretreated hydrolysates at 35°C and pH of 5.5. The volatile compounds produced by alkaline pre-treated samples using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS) shows that Ethanol and Di-n-decylsulfone were the highest volatile compounds with peak areas of 30.70% and 41.87% respectively while 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (linolenic acid) was found to be least volatile compound with peak area of 3.34%.Tthe volatile compounds produced by acid pre-treated samples shows that 2-ethyl-2-methyltridecanol was the highest volatile compound with peak area of 23.00% while Heptacosane was found to be the least volatile compound with peak area of 1.90%. Therefore bioethanol production using alkaline pretreated samples produced a large quantity of bioethanol and may be a preferred method. This study concluded that Microalgae is a suitable substrate for bioethanol production and hydrolyzing with Aspergillus niger and optimization of fermentation conditions at pH 6.0 and 40oC yielded higher bioethanol concentration.

Pension Insurance Contribution and Corporate Maturity Mismatch of Investment and Financing: Evidence from Contribution Rate Reduction in China

ABSTRACT Pension insurance contribution is an important factor affecting corporate financial decision-making. This study investigates the influence of the pension insurance contribution rate reduction policy on the corporate maturity mismatch between investment and financing. We found that the pension contribution reduction policy reduces actual contribution burden of firms, and the average actual contribution rate decreases by 0.26% after the nominal rate is reduced by 1%. However, the policy also significantly aggravates the corporate maturity mismatch of investment and financing, which survives a battery of robustness tests. The positive effect of pension insurance contribution rate reduction on the maturity mismatch of investment and financing is more apparent in private, smaller-scale firms and in firms with higher ownership concentration and lower management incentive levels. The pension contribution reduction policy strengthens long-term investment tendency by reducing the actual contribution burden of companies and shortens debt maturity by increasing principal-agent costs. The results of this study provide a new perspective for understanding the mismatch between corporate investment and financing.

Higher Plasma Copper Exposure was Adversely Associated with Skeletal Muscle Indicators in Chinese Children Aged 6-9 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

It is unclear whether blood concentrations of copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) influence skeletal muscle mass and strength in children. We aimed to explore the associations between plasma Cu, Mg, and Ca and skeletal muscle indicators in Chinese children. A total of 452 children aged 6 to 9 years old were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Whole body lean soft tissue mass (WLSTM), trunk lean soft tissue mass (TLSTM), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Parameters of these indicators divided by Height2 (Ht2) and Weight (Wt) at the corresponding sites were calculated. Handgrip strength was also measured. Parameters of skeletal muscle indicators and handgrip strength that were below the sex-specific 20th percentile were considered low levels. Plasma concentrations of Cu, Mg, and Ca were measured using ICP-MS. After adjusting for several potential covariates, among the total subjects, for every one standard deviation increase in Cu concentrations, there was a 0.939% decrease in WLSTM/Wt, a 0.415% decrease in TLSTM/Wt, and a 0.47% decrease in ASMM/Wt. For every one standard deviation increase in Cu concentrations, there was a higher odd (OR: 1.36, 95%CI 1.06, 1.75) of low WLSTM/Wt, TLSTM/Wt (OR: 1.33, 95%CI 1.03, 1.71), ASMM/Ht2 (OR: 1.32, 95%CI 1.02, 1.69), as well as ASMM/Wt (OR: 1.56, 95%CI 1.23, 1.99). No significant associations were found between Mg, Ca, and most skeletal muscle indicators. Higher plasma Cu concentrations were adversely associated with skeletal muscle indicators at multiple sites in Chinese children.

Modelling the recovery time from peak loads in a full-scale horizontal flow wetland in Sicily

The aim of this study was to simulate the water flow and reactive transport of pollutants in a horizontal flow (HF) wetland to better understand the recovery time of the treatment performance for peak load events. For the simulation, the processes-based model HYDRUS and its Wetland Module is used. The system under investigation is the first stage of the 9-years old hybrid treatment wetland of a large retail store, located in Catania, Italy. For the calibration of the hydraulic model, the data of a tracer test was used. The data set of the systems is available for a seven year period including organic matter and ammonia nitrogen. The data was split into a standard event representing low loading conditions and determined peak load events with high loadings. The results show that the response time of the model correlates with the hydraulic retention time from the tracer experiment and indicates that higher peak load concentrations at the inlet of the system lead to a longer recovery time of the wetland.

Exploring Metabolic Aberrations after Intracerebral Hemorrhage In Vivo with Deuterium Metabolic Spectroscopy Imaging.

Aberrations in metabolism after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), particularly lactate metabolism, play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and patient outcome. To date, the evaluation of metabolism relies heavily on invasive methods such as microdialysis, restricting a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic mechanisms associated with ICH. This study proposes a noninvasive metabolic imaging method based on 2H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging (2H-MRS/MRSI) to detect metabolic changes after ICH in vivo. To overcome the low-sensitivity limitation of 2H, we designed a new 1H-2H double-resonance coil with 2H-channel active detuning and proposed chemical shift imaging based on the balanced steady-state free precession method (CSI-bSSFP). Compared with the volume coil, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the new coil was increased by 4.5 times. In addition, the SNR of CSI-bSSFP was 1.5 times higher than that of conventional CSI. These two technologies were applied to measure lactate metabolic flux at different phases of ICH. The results show a higher lactate concentration in ICH rats than in control rats, which is in line with the increased expression of lactate dehydrogenase measured via immunohistochemistry staining (AUCLac_area/Glc_area: control, 0.08 ± 0.02 vs ICH-3d, 0.39 ± 0.05 vs ICH-7d, 0.18 ± 0.02, P < 0.01; H-score: control, 126.4 ± 5.03 vs ICH-3d, 168.4 ± 5.71 vs ICH-7d,133.6 ± 7.70, P < 0.05). A higher lactate signal also appeared near the ICH region than in normal brain tissue. In conclusion, 2H-MRS/MRSI shows potential as a useful method for in vivo metabolic imaging and noninvasive assessment of ICH.

Trace metal distribution in seagrass-vegetated sediments of an urbanized estuary in Queensland, Australia

Seagrasses increase sediment complexity by trapping particulates and influencing biogeochemical cycles via root oxygen loss and organic matter exudation. However, their impact on trace metal sequestration is poorly studied. We found significantly higher trace metal concentrations in seagrass sediments compared to adjacent bare sediments, correlating with total organic carbon, iron, and fine sediments. Sequential extractions showed that most trace metals were dominated by recalcitrant fractions (oxidizable and residual fractions), representing phases such as organic matter, iron sulfides, and crystalline iron oxides. Depth-dependent trends in trace metal partitioning were evident. For example, arsenic in the oxidizable fraction only weakly correlated with Fe in surface sediments (rsp = 0.55) but correlated strongly in deeper sediments (rsp = 0.87), consistent with iron sulfides being a dominant host-phase. Overall, these results suggest that the unique geochemical conditions facilitated by seagrasses play an important role in sequestering trace metals in urban estuarine sediments.