Ammonia Levels Research Articles

Sulfonated reduced graphene oxide-doped polypyrrole film prepared by in situ electropolymerization and coating in fabrication of ammonia gas sensor for exhaled breath analysis of patients with kidney failure.

Detection of the level of ammonia gas in exhaled breath provides non-invasive and fast diagnosis of kidney failure. Here, we fabricated room temperature and sensitive chemiresistive ammonia gas sensor by in situ electropolymerization and deposition of polypyrrole/sulfonated graphene oxide (PPy/SRGO) on/between gold interdigitated electrodes (Au-IDEs). The prepared sensors were characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The fabricated ammonia gas sensor was tested at different operating temperatures (26-50°C) and we selected room temperature for simplifying operation (26°C). At this temperature, the sensor showed two linear ranges of 5-40 ppb (R2 = 0.99) and 40-5000 ppb (R2 = 0.98) with the detection limit of 2.7 ppb. The fabricated gas sensor showed good selectivity toward ammonia in comparison withdifferent interfering gases like acetone, dibutylamine, ethanol, methanol, and humid air (RH = 86%). According to the exhaled breath analysis, the fabricated sensor can determine ammonia level in the patient with kidney failure compared withthe healthy persons. The results are with a good linear correlation to the clinical blood test. So this study presents the facile, rapid, and sensitive measurement of ammonia gas in human exhaled breath as a non-invasive diagnosis of kidney disease.

Effects of Glucose and Lime Levels on the Growth and Water Quality of Chlorella ellipsoidea Cultivation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of glucose and lime concentrations in the culture medium on growth of Chlorella ellipsoidea and water quality during the cultivation. The experiment included seven treatment groups: a control group (0.5 g/L glucose, 0.4 g/L lime) and groups with reduced glucose concentrations (0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 g/L) and lime concentrations (0.2, 0.1 g/L). Cultivation lasted for 15 days, with algal growth assessed by cell counting, and water quality parameters such as alkalinity, pH, and ammonia levels analyzed daily. The results showed that the G20 (0.1 g/L glucose) group achieved highest cell density of 7.15±0.92 × 107 cells/mL on day 10, which was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the G40, G60, and L50 groups, but higher than the control and other treatment groups. Furthermore, alkalinity in the G20 group remained within the range of 130-187 mg/L, which is suitable for cultivation and subsequent use as feed for Moina sp. The pH values of all groups remained consistent, ranging from 7.2-8.8 throughout the experiment. Total ammonia levels remained below 1 mg/L during the first 9 days, increasing in the later period, with no significant differences between the treatment groups. In conclusion, reducing the glucose concentration to 0.1 g/L in the culture medium promoted maximum growth of C. ellipsoidea, while maintaining water quality at an optimal level. This approach offers potential for developing cost-effective algal culture media and scaling up cultivation for commercial production.

Hepatic encephalopathy: risk identification and prophylaxis approaches.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a debilitating neurological condition associated with cirrhosis, characterized by cognitive impairment ranging from minimal to overt symptoms. It significantly impacts patients' quality of life and substantially burdens healthcare systems. This review examines current prophylactic strategies for HE, focusing on established treatments, emerging therapies, and predictive tools to identify high-risk patients. Traditional treatments such as lactulose and rifaximin remain the cornerstone of HE management, effectively reducing ammonia levels and preventing recurrence. However, novel approaches like L-ornithine L-aspartate, albumin infusions, and antioxidants like resveratrol show promise in further improving outcomes by addressing underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Developing predictive models, such as the AMMON-OHE score and clinical-genetic risk assessments, enhances the ability to tailor preventive interventions to individual patient profiles. These advancements are crucial in mitigating the incidence of overt HE, reducing hospital admissions, and improving patient survival rates. The future of HE management lies in personalized medicine, targeting specific inflammatory and metabolic pathways, with the potential integration of genetic manipulation. Continued research is essential to refine these strategies, ultimately aiming to improve the prognosis and quality of life for cirrhotic patients at risk of HE.

Digestion characteristics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) polysaccharide in vitro and its relieving effect on ability to relieve exercise fatigue in mice

The characteristics of Ipomoea batatas polysaccharide (IBP) in vitro and its anti-fatigue effects on exercise fatigue in mice were investigated. The dynamic division of IBP was simulated in vitro, and the structural changes in IBP were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that no free monosaccharides were produced after simulated division in vitro. The CH2 signal gradually disappeared in the gastric juices after digestion, and the peak attributed to COO asymmetric vibration shifted to the longwave strength in the gastrointestinal juices after digestion. The mean exhaustive swimming time of each IBP dose group was significantly different from that of the blank control group (P < 0.05); in particular, the exhaustive swimming time of the high-dose group increased by 81%, the contents of muscle glycogen and liver glycogen were significantly greater than those of the blank control group (P < 0.05), the MDA equivalents for Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) of exhaustive swimming mice in each IBP dose group decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx in the high-dose group increased by 61%, 89%, and 72%, respectively, compared with those in the blank control group. IBP could effectively relieve exercise fatigue and provide new raw materials for use as dietary supplements.Graphical Note: Gastrodigestive products were from Ipomoea batatas polysaccharide after dynamic simulated gastric digestion in vitro; gastrointestinal digestive products were from Ipomoea batatas polysaccharide after dynamic simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. Blank Control group (BC), Taurine Control group (TC), Low dose Ipomoea Batatas Polysaccharide (IBPL), middle dose Ipomoea Batatas Polysaccharide (IBPM) and high dose Ipomoea Batatas Polysaccharide (IBPH). Analysis of the digestive infraredspectra of gastric juice (A), gastrointestinal juice (B) and effects of Ipomoea batatas polysaccharide on the levels of serum ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and lactic acid in exhaustive swimming mice

The neuroprotective power of artificial liver therapy: reversing cognitive impairment in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Alteration of functional connectivity in brain regions is one of the potential neuropathological mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Artificial liver therapy has been shown to improve cognitive impairment in patients, suggesting a potential neuroprotective effect on the brain. This study investigates the impact of artificial liver therapy (AL) on cognitive impairment in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) by examining alterations in brain functional connectivity. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data was collected from healthy controls and MHE patients before and after therapy. The MHEpost-AL group showed improved memory, reaction time, and executive function compared to the MHEpre-AL group. Functional connectivity analysis revealed increased connectivity in specific brain regions in the MHEpre-AL group compared to healthy controls, with subsequent decreased connectivity after therapy. Lower MoCA scores, higher blood ammonia levels, and lower cholinesterase levels were associated with higher functional connectivity in the MHEpre-AL group. The study suggests that artificial liver therapy improves cognitive impairment in MHE patients, with changes in blood biochemistry mediating the link between functional connectivity and cognitive function. Correcting blood biochemistry levels may reverse abnormal brain connectivity and enhance cognitive function in MHE patients.

The Effect of Beetroot Extract with Silver Nano Particles on Rumen Parameters in Awassi Lambs

Abstract Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable with deep red color, rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, having numerous health benefits. The current study aimed to determine the effect of beetroot extract with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the rumen pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), total bacterial and protozoal count in Awassi lambs. The beetroot extract was obtained by Soxhlet apparatus. The AgNPs were synthesized from the aqueous beetroot extract. Ten lambs aged (3-6 months) were reared in similar environmental and feeding conditions and were divided into two groups: G1 – fed with AgNPs-Beetroot (AgNPs-BR), orally (3 mg/kg/Bw), daily for 8 weeks; and G2, fed with normal saline. Rumen samples were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after administering AgNPs-BR. Rumen pH was significantly lower in G1 than in G2. The ammonia levels were non-significantly different in the 2nd and the 4th week. However, significant differences were observed at the 6th week. The VFAs, total bacterial, and protozoal count were significantly higher in G1. AgNPs-BR improved rumen function by altering its pH, ammonia, and VFAs concentration, as well as the total bacteria and protozoa count. Therefore, it can be concluded that AgNPs-BR may yield increased economic efficiency in sheep farming.

Ammonia-Induced Cell Death: A Novel Frontier to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment paradigms, but its efficacy is often curtailed by T-cell exhaustion and the suppressive tumour microenvironment. Recent studies reveal a novel mechanism of T-cell demise termed ammonia-induced cell death (AICD), which significantly impacts effector CD8+ T-cell survival and function. This phenomenon arises from metabolic reprogramming during immune activation, wherein heightened glutamine metabolism leads to the accumulation of toxic ammonia levels. Ammonia damages lysosomes and mitochondria, disrupting cell balance and causing apoptosis. These insights provide a unique metabolic perspective on T-cell attrition, underscoring the critical interplay between metabolic byproducts and immune regulation. Targeting AICD offers promising therapeutic avenues to bolster immunotherapy. Strategies such as inhibiting ammonia transport, enhancing autophagic pathways and employing ammonia scavengers may extend T-cell longevity and improve antitumor efficacy. Moreover, integrating ammonia modulation with established immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, could yield synergistic benefits. Addressing this metabolic bottleneck is particularly compelling in immune 'cold' tumours resistant to conventional therapies. However, further research is essential to refine these interventions, evaluate safety profiles and explore broader applications across cancer types. Ammonia metabolism thus represents a transformative frontier in advancing cancer immunotherapy and precision oncology.

Veverimer, a Non-Absorbed Gastrointestinal Tract HCl Binder, Decreases Renal Ammoniagenesis and Mitigates Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis.

Increased tubular ammoniagenesis is an adaptive response to progressive kidney disease, facilitating net acid excretion. However, excess ammonia production can also exacerbate kidney disease progression, in part, by activating the alternative complement cascade. Oral Na bicarbonate therapy can decrease the systemic H+ burden, limiting ammonia production. However, poor compliance limits bicarbonate's efficacy. Veverimer is an oral, Na+ free, non-absorbed polymer that binds H+ within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This stimulates GI carbonic anhydrase-mediated bicarbonate production and systemic bicarbonate uptake. Hence, the goals of this study were to: test whether GI HCl binding decreases renal tubular ammoniagenesis; assess whether decreased complement activation results; and determine whether these changes can mitigate nephrotoxic serum (NTS) nephritis in which complement activation may play a role. A normal diet ± veverimer (4.5% w/w) was fed to normal mice for ∼1 week. Veverimer's impact on plasma bicarbonate, blood/urinary pH, urinary ammonia excretion, and tubular H+ transporter, NHE3, density were assessed. Additional mice were fed the normal or veverimer diet following NTS injection. Urine protein, albumin, ammonia, C5b-9 excretion, and plasma C3a levels were measured at 1 and/or 2 weeks post NTS injection. Renal histologic changes (H/E stain; C5b-9, CD45 immunohistochemistry), and selected injury mediators/biomarkers (NGAL, IL-6, MCP-1, TGF beta 1, endothelin-1 mRNAs) were also assessed. Veverimer increased plasma bicarbonate/urinary pH, reduced urinary ammonia, and decreased NHE3 in normal mice. Veverimer also reduced NTS-induced proteinuria/albuminura, urinary ammonia, and C5b-9 excretion (by ∼60%, ∼75%, ∼50%, respectively). Significant reductions in NTS-induced glomerular/ tubulointerstitial injury, inflammatory/profibrotic gene expression, renal C5b-9 deposition, and suppressed plasma C3a levels were observed. Oral bicarbonate also conferred protection, implicating bicarbonate in veverimer's beneficial effect. Veverimer-mediated bicarbonate generation can suppress renal ammoniagenesis and complement activation. These findings suggest a potential benefit of veverimer/ bicarbonate therapy in selected complement-mediated renal diseases.

Biochar and Ammonium Nitrate Synergies: Enhancing Nitrogen Availability and Maize Growth in Oxisols

Effective nitrogen (N) management and the development of novel N fertilizers are essential for enhancing maize growth in tropical soils. One strategy to increase N use efficiency is the use of organic matrices as a source of N or their combination with the application of mineral N sources. Among these organic matrices, biochar emerges as a highly promising option for optimizing N use efficiency. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different feedstocks, their respective biochars, and their combination with N on the dynamics and uptake of N by maize plants in two contrasting Oxisols. A 30-day greenhouse experiment was conducted using maize grown under treatments with four feedstocks (bamboo, sunflower cake, chicken manure, and shrimp carcass) and their respective biochars. The biochars were applied with or without ammonium nitrate (AN), alongside negative (no N) and positive (AN-only) controls. Ammonium and nitrate levels were analyzed in the soil solution at 1 and 15 days and in the whole soil before and after cultivation. Maize biomass production and shoot N accumulation were also evaluated at the end of the experiment. Among the main results, it was observed that soil type played a key role in available N, maize nutrition, and growth. In the medium-textured Oxisol studied, native soil organic matter partially met maize N requirements due to high content of available N observed. Biochars influenced N availability by increasing nitrate-N prevalence in the soil solution. Although whole-soil N levels were sufficient for robust maize growth, post-cultivation residual N remained low (&lt;75 mg kg−1), indicating the need for supplemental N fertilization for plants grown in pots. In the medium-textured Oxisol, bamboo or sunflower cake biochar combined with AN increased biomass production by ~12% compared with AN alone. Similarly, in the clayey Oxisol, maize fertilized with sunflower cake or shrimp carcass biochar—regardless of AN addition—outperformed AN-fertilized plants by 19–30%. Thus, this study highlights the potential of integrating biochar with N fertilization to improve soil and solution N availability and increase N use efficiency by maize plants.

Practical Utility of Serum Ammonia in Children With Acute Liver Failure: A Biomarker of Outcome.

Hyperammonemia is a recognized biochemical abnormality in acute liver failure (ALF). Our aim was to determine a cutoff value for serum ammonia in children with ALF to predict their outcomes while conventional UK liver transplant (LT) listing criteria were applied. We reviewed and analyzed the data of 68 patients with ALF who presented to our center from January 2014 to December 2018; inherited defects of ammonia metabolism were excluded. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Gr 1, LT (30 patients); Gr2, native liver survival (27 patients); and Gr 3, mortality (11 patients). Highest ammonia levels during admission before intervention were higher in the LT and mortality group than in the native liver survival group (P = 0.011) with levels of 140 µmol/L showing a specificity of 100% as a predictor for LT/mortality. Sixty-two percent of patients with ALF developed encephalopathy; grades 3 and 4 in almost one-third. Encephalopathy was more common in Gr1 patients, followed by Gr3, whereas Gr2 were the least likely to develop encephalopathy. Ammonia levels were significantly higher in encephalopathic patients than in nonencephalopathic (P = 0.001). Serum ammonia of 80.5 µmol/L predicted encephalopathy with 80% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Serum ammonia level of >80 µmol/L can be used as an alert to ongoing encephalopathy although encephalopathy signs may be missing or subtle and a surrogate marker for earlier interventions for extracorporeal therapies. Moreover, levels >140 µmol/L predict the need for LT or death.

Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemia with encephalopathy in adults: A meta-analysis.

Valproic acid, frequently prescribed for neurological and psychiatric disorders, can cause hyperammonemia (HA). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association among the basic characteristics, comorbidities, co-medications, and risk of HA in patients receiving valproic acid. We compared groups with and without HA using data collected from the medical records of adults undergoing valproic acid monitoring between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors for HA and a comprehensive systematic literature review to identify factors significantly associated with valproic acid-related HA. In total, 247 patients were included, with 37 in the HA group (serum ammonia level >150 mcg/dL); almost all of them eventually developed hyperammonemic encephalopathy (HE). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that valproic acid levels (odds ratio (OR): 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.03), epilepsy (OR: 3.82, 95% CI: 1.52-9.62), congestive heart failure (OR: 32.3, 95% CI: 4.09-255.4), and concomitant phenytoin use (OR: 6.4, 95% CI: 1.07-38.12) are independently associated with HA development during valproic acid therapy. Our data and those of previous studies demonstrate significant associations of valproic acid-related HA with concomitant phenytoin and topiramate use; serum valproic acid concentrations were also significantly positively correlated with serum ammonia levels. The results suggest that serum ammonia and valproic acid levels should be monitored during valproic acid treatment, particularly with concurrent use of phenytoin or topiramate, to prevent further deterioration of HE.

Microplastics in Cuban freshwaters: Diversity, temporal changes, and effects on extracellular enzymatic activity.

Microplastics in Cuban freshwaters: Diversity, temporal changes, and effects on extracellular enzymatic activity.

Regulation of anaplerotic enzymes by melatonin enhances resilience to cadmium toxicity in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek.

Regulation of anaplerotic enzymes by melatonin enhances resilience to cadmium toxicity in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek.

Single centre retrospective review of plasma branched-chain amino acid levels in children with urea cycle disorders: Impact of treatment modalities and disease severity.

Single centre retrospective review of plasma branched-chain amino acid levels in children with urea cycle disorders: Impact of treatment modalities and disease severity.

Effects of High-Protein Concentrates with Different Rumen Undegradable-to-Degradable Protein Ratios on Performance and Carcass Traits in 26-Month-Slaughtered Hanwoo Steers.

This study investigated the effects of high-protein concentrates with two different rumen undegradable protein (RUP)-to-degradable protein ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers reared for 26 months. Thirty-two Hanwoo steers (217 ± 13 kg) were randomly allocated to eight pens (four animals/pen) and assigned to one of two concentrate treatments (four pens/treatment), low-RUP concentrate (LRUP; RUP ratio of 37:63) or high-RUP concentrate (HRUP; RUP ratio of 47:53), with a dietary crude protein (CP) content of 20% dry matter (DM) during the growing stage (8-17 months) and 18% DM during the fattening stage (18-26 months). Increasing the RUP ratio in the concentrate reduced (p = 0.062) rumen ammonia (NH3-N) levels during the growing stage. A decrease (p < 0.05) in the molar proportions of acetate and valerate, and an increase (p = 0.097) in the proportions of iso-valerate, was observed in the HRUP group. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) in the average daily gain and the feed conversion ratio were observed in the HRUP group during the fattening stage. Although there were no significant group differences in carcass yield or characteristics in steers slaughtered at 26 months, a trend (p = 0.081) toward an increased rib-eye area was observed in the HRUP group. Relative mRNA expression profiling revealed higher lipid biosynthesis and lipolysis in the HRUP group at slaughter. However, no effects on intramuscular fat content or fatty acid profiles were detected. Raising the RUP level improved performance and intramuscular fat metabolism in Hanwoo steers. The final body weight of the steers in the HRUP group was comparable to that of Hanwoo steers raised under the conventional 30-month fattening period. Overall, feeding a high-CP concentrate with a higher RUP proportion (47% CP) may be a beneficial strategy to shorten the feeding period.

Retrospective assessment of hepatic involvement in patients with inherited metabolic disorders: nine-year single-center experience.

This study aimed to identify clinical, laboratory, and radiological features that could serve as red flags for diagnosing inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) with hepatic involvement in childhood. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,237 children from a pediatric metabolism department, with suspected or diagnosed IMDs. Patients with hepatic involvement were divided into two groups: Group 1 (diagnosed with IMDs) and Group 2 (undiagnosed). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were compared between the groups. Hepatic involvement was observed in 415 patients (33.5 %), with 206 (49.2 %) diagnosed with IMDs. Group 1 had higher rates of consanguineous marriage and affected siblings. Complex molecule disorders (20.4 %), mitochondrial (16.0 %), and lipid metabolism disorders (16.0 %) were the most common IMDs. Dysmorphic findings were more frequent in Group 1 (28.2 vs. 16.3 %, p=0.004), while diarrhea was less common (4.4 vs. 12.0 %, p=0.005). Ammonia and lactate levels were higher in Group 1 (p<0.001 and p=0.032, respectively). Hepatomegaly was more frequent in Group 1 (53.3 vs. 22.6 %, p<0.001). Pathological abdominal ultrasonography was the only significant multivariate predictor (OR: 89.377, p=0.026). Overall survival was 87.7 %, with no difference between groups. Consanguineous marriage, affected siblings, dysmorphic findings, absence of diarrhea, and pathological abdominal USG are key predictors of IMDs in hepatic involvement cases.

Integrating Machine Learning with Causal Inference to Improve Prediction of Ammonium Wet Deposition in the Pearl River Delta

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is a vital component of the global nitrogen cycle, with significant implications for ecosystem health, pollution mitigation, and sustainable development. In the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China, high levels of ammonium (NHx) wet deposition, driven by abundant precipitation and intensive anthropogenic activities, pose significant challenges to ecological balance and environmental sustainability. However, accurately estimating NHx wet deposition flux is hindered by the complexity of nitrogen deposition processes and spatial heterogeneity in observational data. This study integrates machine learning and causal inference techniques to identify the spatial distribution patterns of NHx wet deposition and key drivers of its spatial heterogeneity. Based on these findings, four machine learning models were developed to estimate NHx wet deposition flux in the PRD region for the period 2012–2017. The results indicated that the integrated models significantly outperformed standard machine learning models (MSE = 0.486, R = 0.564), the FGCNN deep learning model (MSE = 0.454, R = 0.592), and the WRF-EMEP numerical model (MSE = 0.975, R = 0.334), achieving the highest average accuracy (MSE = 0.379, R = 0.610). This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating causal factors and spatial heterogeneity into estimation frameworks to improve the accuracy and stability of NHx wet deposition flux estimates. The findings provide actionable insights for targeted mitigation strategies, contributing to sustainable ecosystem management and pollution reduction in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Chemical and Biochemical Mechanisms of Purple Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment: Optimization and Resource Recovery

Given the environmental concerns arising from industrial wastewater pollution and the need for sustainable treatment solutions, this study investigates the performance of the purple bacterial strain Rhodobacter capsulatus Z08 in wastewater treatment and resource recovery through its chemical and biochemical reactions. The primary aim was to determine the effects of optimal conditions—including pH = 7.5, temperature of 30°C, and continuous illumination (500–1000 lux)—as well as various light conditions (natural light, darkness, and infrared) combined with different sulfate concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g S/L) on pollutant removal efficiency and biomass enhancement. The methodology involved conducting controlled experiments to measure the reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD), changes in biomass, and heavy metal removal, alongside assessing the impact of sulfate-induced stress on the system’s performance. Results demonstrated that under optimal conditions, COD was reduced by up to 88%, biomass increased by 38%, and heavy metal removal reached 90%; additionally, natural light under microaerobic conditions yielded a 74% COD reduction, while dark aerobic conditions achieved a 62% reduction. In sulfate stress tests, a concentration of 0.1 g S/L resulted in nearly zero effluent COD, whereas increasing sulfate to 0.5 and 1 g S/L produced effluent COD values of 100–200 mg/L and approximately 600 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, switching the light source to infrared led to complete COD removal (0 mg/L) and stabilization of ammonium levels between 10 and 15 mg N/L. Overall, these findings underscore that precise optimization of operational parameters, particularly light exposure and sulfate concentration, is essential for achieving higher efficiency in industrial wastewater treatment and effective biomass recovery, thereby advancing sustainable and economically viable technologies.

An Internet of Things Framework for Monitoring Environmental Conditions in Livestock Housing to Improve Animal Welfare and Assess Environmental Impact

Devices for assessing the quality of animal environments are important for maintaining production animals, thus improving animal well-being and mitigating pollutant emissions. Therefore, an IoT system was developed and preliminarily assessed across various livestock housing types, including those for pigs, dairy cows, and rabbits. This system measures and transmits key parameters, such as ambient temperature; relative humidity; light intensity; sound pressure; levels of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide; and particulate matter and volatile organic compound concentrations. These data are sent from the sensors to a gateway and then displayed on a dashboard for monitoring. A preliminary evaluation of the system’s performance in controlled conditions revealed that the device’s accuracy and precision were within 2.7% and 3.3% of the measured values, respectively. The system was deployed in three case studies involving rabbit, pig, and dairy cow farms. The results demonstrated its effectiveness in assessing pollutant emissions and identifying critical situations where gas concentrations exceeded threshold levels, thus posing a risk to the animals. By systematically applying this technology on livestock farms to obtain a detailed understanding of the microclimatic and air quality conditions in which the animals live, animal welfare can be significantly improved.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Is a Predictor of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Objective: Liver cirrhosis (LC) progression induces intestinal microbiota abnormalities, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and these changes lead to the inflow of gut pathogens and their degradation products into the vessels, causing cirrhotic complications such as hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Methods: To clarify the relationship between the development of overt HE and SIBO, we conducted a three-year observation after assessment of SIBO in patients with LC. Results: In the analysis of 107 patients, with a mean follow-up duration of 29.4 months, 31 were diagnosed with SIBO and 30 with covert HE. In the Cox multivariate regression analysis for prognosis, the Child–Pugh score, blood urea nitrogen level, and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage of hepatocellular carcinoma were derived using the following five factors: white blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen level, Child–Pugh score, UICC stage, and serum aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels (p = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR] 3.733, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.592–8.754, p = 0.001, HR 1.076, 95% CI 1.030–1.123, and p &lt; 0.001, HR 2.767, 95% CI 1.780–4.302, respectively). Furthermore, in the Cox multivariate regression analysis for overt HE development, covert HE and methane-producing SIBO were derived using the following four factors: methane-producing SIBO, UICC stage, covert HE, and serum ammonia levels (p = 0.038, HR 5.008, 95% CI 1.096–22.892 and p = 0.006, HR 8.597, 95% CI 1.881–39.291, respectively). Conclusions: M-SIBO positivity was a significant predictor of overt HE.