Min Of Exposure Research Articles

Brain Monoamine Dysfunction in Response to Predator Scent Stress Accompanies Stress-Susceptibility in Female Rats.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in women; however, preclinical research on PTSD has predominantly been conducted in male animals. Using a predator scent stress (PSS) rodent model of PTSD, we sought to determine if stress-susceptible female rats show altered monoamine concentrations in brain regions associated with PTSD: the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and dorsal (dHIPP) and ventral (vHIPP) hippocampus. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single, 10-min PSS exposure and tested for persistent anhedonia, fear, and anxiety-like behavior over four weeks. Rats were phenotyped as stress-Susceptible based on sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference task and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. Brain tissue was collected, and norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Stress-susceptibility in female rats was associated with increased dopamine and serotonin turnover in the mPFC. Susceptibility was also associated with elevated dopamine turnover in the NAc and increased norepinephrine in the vHIPP. Our findings suggest that stress-susceptibility after a single stress exposure is associated with long-term effects on monoamine function in female rats. These data suggest interventions that decrease monoamine turnover, such as MAOIs, may be effective in the treatment of PTSD in women.

Five-minute exposure to a novel appetitive food substance is sufficient time for a microRNA-dependent long-term memory to form.

The Garcia effect is a unique form of conditioned taste aversion which requires that a novel food stimulus be followed sometime later by a sickness state associated with the novel food stimulus. The long-lasting associative memory resulting from the Garcia effect ensures that organisms avoid toxic foods in their environment. Considering its ecological relevance, we sought to investigate whether a brief encounter (5min) with a novel, appetitive food stimulus can cause a persisting long-term memory (LTM) to form that would in turn block the Garcia effect in Lymnaea stagnalis. Furthermore, we wanted to explore whether that persisting LTM could be modified by the alteration of microRNAs via an injection of poly-L-lysine (PLL), an inhibitor of Dicer-mediated microRNA biogenesis. The Garcia effect procedure involved two observations of feeding behavior in carrot separated by a heat stress (30°C for 1h). Exposing snails to carrot for 5min caused a LTM to form and persist for 1week, effectively preventing the Garcia effect in snails. In contrast, PLL injection following the 5-min carrot exposure impaired LTM formation, allowing the Garcia effect to occur. These results provide more insight into LTM formation and the Garcia effect, an important survival mechanism.

Influence of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Treatment on Corn Starch Properties

This study evaluated the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology on some physicochemical and structural properties of corn starch. Amylose content, solubility, water absorption index, turbidity, structural relationships, and surface morphology were measured at 100, 200, and 300 Hz excitation frequencies and at 10 and 20 min exposure times. The plasma treatment at 200 Hz and 20 min promoted the most significant modifications in amylose content, solubility, the water absorption index, and surface morphology. Turbidity did not change significantly. The surface of the granule became smoother with the presence of pores. Slight changes were observed in the ordered structure of starch. Plasma changed several physicochemical properties, significantly decreasing the amylose to amylopectin ratio. Plasma treatment at 200 Hz is recommended to increase the amylopectin content in starches.

Effect of tunable femtosecond laser pulses on the sporulation of Eimeria species oocysts of chickens: An in vitro study

Parasitic Eimeria species infection is a severe disease in the poultry industry and a major cause of coccidiosis and disease-engendered financial losses. Increasing resistance to drug-based treatment presents a significant problem, as does the use of disinfectants to sanitize poultry farms, because of increasing oocyst resistance to chemical interventions and contamination of poultry products. Reducing the rate of sporulation of Eimeria species oocysts can minimize the spread of the disease. Therefore, we studied the effect of femtosecond laser pulses on oocysts sporulation rate with the goal of developing an effective light-based treatment for coccidiosis, as an alternative to pharmaceutical intervention. Eimeria species oocysts were harvested from the intestines of infected broiler chickens. Unsporulated oocysts obtained were distributed over 96 well plates and irradiated with pulsed femtosecond laser at various wavelengths and exposure times. Irradiation of the oocysts with pulsed 360 to 390 nm femtosecond laser significantly reduced their sporulation rate and altered their morphology compared to untreated controls. Compared to other wavelengths within the 360 to 390 nm spectra, treatment with pulsed 370 nm wavelength was most effective in decreasing oocyst sporulation rate, reducing sporulation to 17%, 15%, and 11%, after 5-, 10-, and 15-min exposure times, respectively. In contrast, irradiation with infrared 720 nm and 800 nm wavelengths had no significant effect on oocysts sporulation rate. These findings clearly show that irradiation with a pulsed 370 nm femtosecond laser effectively reduces Eimeria species oocyst sporulation and that it is possible to develop an effective light-based treatment for coccidiosis.

Ovicidal effectiveness of Hermecid-VS disinfectant against Trichuris spp. nematode eggs isolated from cattle

The genus Trichuris is a well-known group of nematodes whose species parasitize humans and many domestic animals, including carnivores, cattle, small ruminants and pigs. These parasites in the embryonic stages of development are quite resistant to adverse environmental conditions, which poses a threat of significant spread of trichurosis in livestock farms. The aim of the work was to determine the ovicidal effectiveness of the Hermecid-VS disinfectant (Vetsintez LLC, Ukraine) on the eggs of Trichuris spp. nematodes isolated from cattle under experimental conditions. To determine the densivasive activity, the disinfectant was used in 0.1 %, 0.25 % and 0.5 % concentrations for different exposures – 10, 30 and 60 minutes. The test-culture of trichurises eggs was obtained from the feces of sick animals using the flotation method and subsequent washing in a physiological solution. According to the research results, it was established that the Hermecid-VS preparation has a high level of ovicidal efficiency against the eggs of Trichuris spp., which parasitize cattle, at a concentration of 0.25 % for exposure of 60 minutes and 0.5 % for exposures of 10–60 minutes . Under these regimes, the disinfectant ensured 100 % death of trichurises eggs at various stages of their development in vitro. Also, a high level of ovicidal efficiency was found when using Hermecid-VS at a concentration of 0.25 % for 10 min (90.91 %) and 30 min (96.59 %) exposures. A satisfactory level of ovicidal efficiency was obtained using the agent at a concentration of 0.1 % for exposures of 10, 30 and 60 minutes, where the indicators of disinfestation activity were at the level of 63.64 %, 68.18 % and 76.14 %, respectively. The obtained research results allow us to recommend the Hermecid-VS disinfectant in 0.25 % concentration for 60-minute exposure and 0.5 % concentration for 10-minute exposure for disinfestation as a component of measures to combat and prevent cattle trichurosis, as well as with for the purpose of maintaining veterinary-sanitary and epizootic well-being in livestock farms.

Ovicidal effect of the modern disinfectant on exogenous stages of development of nematodes Trichuris skrjabini

Epizootiological monitoring studies on parasitoses of domestic ruminants indicate that one of the most common causes of nematodes of the digestive tract in large and small cattle are helminths of the genus Trichuris. Those helminths develop directly – without intermediate hosts, and their embryonic stages became invasive in the environment under favorable conditions. The eggs of those parasites are incredibly resistant and can be infective for a long time contaminating environmental objects. So, to improve the parasitological situation in livestock farms, we have to look for the most effective methods of disinfestation of environmental objects. This study aimed to establish the ovicidal effect of the modern disinfectant “Arquadez-plus” on eggs of nematodes Trichuris skrjabini parasitizing sheep. This product's high level of ovicidal efficiency was seen in experimental cultures of nematodes' eggs at 1.5 % concentration and 60 min exposure (94.2 %) and 2.0 % concentration and 10–60 min exposure (98.3–100.0 %). The ovicidal effect of “Arquadez-plus” on eggs of T. skrjabini was seen as a cessation of development; shrinking embryo plugs destruction, the release of underdeveloped larvae from eggs, and their death. During the use of this disinfectant, the changes in morphometric data of Trichuris eggs in test cultures were noticeable. At the most effective disinfectant concentrations and exposures, the dimensions of eggs were changed significantly: length smaller by 3.8–3.9 % (71.9–72.0 μm) and width more significant by 5.0–5.2 % (34.9–35.0 μm) as compared to those parameters in control (74.8 and 33.2 μm). This is evidence of the violations in nematodes' egg development. The data obtained allow us to recommend the disinfectant of domestic production, “Arquadez-plus”, for effectively controlling and preventing trichurosis in sheep on livestock farms.

Oxidative homeostasis in germinating pea seeds (isum sativum) depending on ultrasonic exposure duration

The effects of ultrasonic exposure durations (5, 10 and 20 min) with intensity of 25 kW/m2 and the frequency of 26.1 kHz on the extent of lipid peroxidation, oxidative modification of proteins, the activity of cysteine proteinases, and gene expression in germinating pea seeds were studied. It has been shown that the intensity in the area that had seeds planted (just over the central ultrasound generator) was rather uniformly distributed, but at the same time gave rise to diffuse reflection. A range of tendencies in changes of the indicators under study were seen after ultrasound exposure. The level of malonic dialdehyde increased with increasing duration of ultrasound exposure. This study revealed the increased amount of oxidized proteins in germinating pea seeds after a 10 min-exposure to ultrasound, and a decrease in the level of oxidative modification of proteins present in seeds subjected to ultrasound for a period of 20 min. The activity of cysteine proteinases was higher in pea seeds after a 5-min exposure to ultrasound, but the amount of mRNA transcripts increased in all experimental samples.

In vitro comparison of the effectiveness of various antimicrobial locks with taurolidine in the treatment and prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving parenteral nutrition

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of various taurolidine solutions in the prevention and treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) caused by the entire spectrum of microbes in patients receiving parenteral nutrition in a shorter period of time. MethodsThe in vitro method was used to test for eradication of biofilm. Different locks were used: TauroSept (2%), TauroLock (1.35%), TauroLock half concentration, and 3.5% taurolidine and tested on Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis, S. aureus, S. hominis, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa (PSAE), multidrug‐resistant P. aeruginosa (MR PSAE), vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae producing carbapenemase (KPC), Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (KLPN ESBL), Candida (C.) albicans, and C. glabrata. Broviac catheters were incubated for growth of each organism and then incubated in lock solutions. Colony forming units (CFUs) were then counted after 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min of incubation. ResultsA statistically significant decrease in CFUs was observed after 30 min of taurolidine exposure for S. hominis, PSAE, KLPN ESBL, KLPN KPC, C. albicans, and C. glabrata; after 60 min of exposure for S. epidermidis, PSAE, MR PSAE, KLPN ESBL, KPC, C. albicans, and C. glabrata; and after 120 min of exposure for S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. aureus, PSAE, MR PSAE, KLPN ESBL, KPC, C. albicans, C. glabrata. ConclusionsThe application of taurolidine is effective in the treatment of CRBSIs. Taurolidine proved to be more effective against Gram-negative microorganisms during a 30-min exposure. Using 0.675% taurolidine is still effective. To achieve the required antimicrobial effect, the catheter must be sanitized for at least 2 h.

Anthelmintic effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita), lemon (Citrus limon), and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oils against Monogenean parasite (Dactylogyrus sp.) on carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Dactylogyrus sp. (Monogenea) is one of the most dangerous pathogens causing parasitic infections in carp (Cyprinus carpio) and other freshwater fish. Due to the adverse effects of conventional chemical treatments on the environment and fish, the use of herbal products in aquaculture against various diseases has increased. In the present study, anthelmintic effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita), lemon (Citrus limon), and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oils against Dactylogyrus sp. found on the gills of carp were studied using in vitro and in vivo experiments. In in vitro experiments, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 μl/ml concentrations of these essential oils were tested on the parasites and cumulative mortalities were observed to reach 100 % after treatment with peppermint, lemon, and tea tree essential oils of 1 μl/ml concentration in approximately 15, 10 and 2 min, respectively. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the cumulative mortality of the parasites increased with essential oil concentration and exposure duration. As the concentration of essential oil used increased, the observed mean time to death of parasites decreased. In in vivo experiments, median effective concentrations (EC50) as assessed by in vitro tests for peppermint and lemon essential oils in 5 min exposure and EC50 concentration for tea tree essential oil in 2 min exposure was applied on fish as a single bath and there was a significant decrease in the mean parasite intensities (p<0.05). Antiparasitic efficacies of peppermint, lemon, and tea tree essential oils were determined as 28.23 %, 30.95 %, and 35.31 %, respectively. The tea tree oil was the most effective and peppermint oil was the least effective in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. All three herbal essential oils tested in this study have weak antiparasitic potential against monogenean infections in fish.

Lung Ultrasound Induction of Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage in Rats With Consideration of Exposimetric Relationships to Previous Similar Observations in Neonatal Swine.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) has become an essential clinical tool for pulmonary evaluation. LUS has been found to induce pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) in animal models, posing a safety issue. The induction of PCH was investigated in rats, and exposimetry parameters were compared with those of a previous neonatal swine study. Female rats were anesthetized and scanned in a warmed water bath with the 3Sc, C1-5 and L4-12t probes from a GE Venue R1 point-of-care ultrasound machine. Acoustic outputs (AOs) of sham, 10%, 25%, 50% or 100% were applied for 5-min exposures with the scan plane aligned with an intercostal space. Hydrophone measurements were used to estimate the in situ mechanical index (MIIS) at the lung surface. Lung samples were scored for PCH area, and PCH volumes were estimated. At 100% AO, the PCH areas were 73 ± 19 mm2 for the 3.3 MHz 3Sc probe (4 cm lung depth), 49 ± 20 mm2 (3.5 cm lung depth) or 96 ± 14 mm2 (2 cm lung depth) for the 3.0 MHz C1-5 probe and 7.8 ± 2.9 mm2 for the 7 MHz L4-12t (1.2 cm lung depth). Estimated volumes ranged from 378 ± 97 mm3 for the C1-5 at 2 cm to 1.3 ± 1.5 mm3 for the L4-12t. MIIS thresholds for PCH were 0.62, 0.56 and 0.48 for the 3Sc, C1-5 and L4-12t, respectively. Comparison between this study and previous similar research in neonatal swine revealed the importance of chest wall attenuation. Neonatal patients may be most susceptible to LUS PCH because of thin chest walls.

Effect of pre-chlorination on Microcystis aeruginosa cell integrity and microcystins removal

ABSTRACT High nutrient input into waterbodies increases potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms. Pre-chlorination treatment is excellent for cyanobacterial cell inactivation and dissolved cyanotoxins removal in water supply sources. This study aims to evaluate the pre-chlorination effect treatment on Microcystis aeruginosa cell integrity and its hepatotoxins (microcystins, MC) release and degradation on a laboratory scale. Loss of cell integrity is observed with increasing chlorine concentration. The maximum cell permeability without cell disintegration occurs at 2.5 mg Cl2 L−1. Degradations up to 70% and chlorophyll-a reductions over 70% are observed after 60 min exposure, with complete degradation at 2.5 and 3 mg Cl2 L−1. However, chlorine (Cl2) exposure over 40.66 mg min L−1 is required for microcystins MC-LR (i.e. radicals: leucine (L) and arginine (R)) and MC-RR (i.e. radicals: arginine and arginine) oxidation oxidation to concentrations below the legislation value for water potability.

Prototype for rapid test devices to detect residues of sulfonamides in chicken carcasses from traditional breeders in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Sulfadiazine, one of the sulfonamide group's active compounds, is widely used for therapeutic production against several diseases. Veterinary drug residues can have a significant impact on human health conditions. This study aimed to develop a prototype of rapid test devices (RTDs) for detecting sulfadiazine residues on chicken carcasses based on the color indication. Seven samples of carcasses collected from traditional breeders in Surabaya-Indonesia were prepared and tested using RTDs. This sample represents the population considering that in the last report, the use of antibiotics was more than 40%, while the ability to monitor RTDs was estimated at 100. The standard color of purple by Hex code standard color or decimal code color was used to compare the positive samples. A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp was used to observe purple color. Analysis of sulfonamides resulting from RTDs was compared using a ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Sulfonamides contamination levels of 50% and 100% were detected at concentrations of 0.472 μg/mL and 0.642 μg/mL, respectively. Sulfonamides contamination that was <0.395 μg/mL did not appear purple. The study's findings showed that RTDs can be used to detect sulfonamides residues at a limit of detection 0.5 mg/mL after a 45 min exposure to an LED operating at a wavelength of 980 nm (p < 0.05). The limitation of RTDs was not being able to monitor the presence of residues bound in fat samples. Rapid test devices can be developed for commonly monitoring devices due to the limited technology available in the market.

Successful vitrification of embryos ≤500µm without puncture or aspiration of the blastocoele

To achieve good pregnancy rates following vitrification, embryos >300µm require micromanipulator-assisted puncture and blastocoele collapse. Without using a micromanipulator, Wilsher et al (Equine Veterinary Journal.2021;53:1227-1233) reported high pregnancy rates following vitrification of embryos 300-560µm using manual puncture but failed to achieve any pregnancies with non-punctured embryos. These manually punctured embryos were exposed to an equilibration medium (EM; HEPES culture medium + 7.5% DMSO + 7.5% ethylene glycol [EG]) for 6min. Extending the time to 8min in the non-puncture group did not improve results. The aim of this study was to determine if non-punctured embryos, exposed to considerably longer in EM (i.e.,15min) would, upon warming and transfer to recipients, result in acceptable pregnancy rates. Thirty, Grade 1 embryos were recovered on Day 7-8 post ovulation and divided into three groups based on size, G1 (≤300 µm; n = 8), G2 (>300 to ≤500µm; n=16) and G3 (>500µm; n=6). Median (range) embryo diameters for Groups 1 to 3 were 237.5 (180–280), 410 (310–500) and 575 (510–660) µm, respectively. Embryos were vitrified with a commercial human vitrification kit (Kitazato) utilising 2-step concentrations of DMSO and EG (7.5-15% v:v) in a HEPES culture medium containing gentamycin, trelahose and hydroxypropyl cellulose. At room temperature (RT) embryos were placed in EM for 15min prior toa vitrification solution for ≤90 sec, during which time they were loaded onto a Cryolock device, capped and plunged into LN2. Embryos were warmed in 1M sucrose solution of holding media (HM; H199 + 20% FBS + antibiotics) at 42°C for 1min before being transferred to HM + 0.5M sucrose at RT for 4min, then into Vigro Hold for a further 4min. Within 15min, embryos were transferred to recipient mares 6 days post ovulation. Mares were checked thrice for pregnancy and to ensure continuing embryonic development before administration of prostaglandin. Two mares were left pregnant until the heartbeat and expanding allantois stage in groups achieving pregnancies. G1 and G2 embryos achieved a higher pregnancy rate than G3 in which no embryos survived (87.5% [7/8] vs. 75% [12/16] vs. 0% [0/6], respectively; P<0.001). One early embryonic death (EED) occurred in G2 (350µm) between Days 12-14. The four embryos in G2 that did not result in a pregnancy were 330, 380, 425 and 500µm. This study shows that non-punctured embryos <500µm can survive vitrification and result in excellent pregnancy rates (19/24 [79%]) following a 15min exposure to equilibration medium containing 7.5%EG and 7.5%DMSO. Larger numbers of pregnancies are required to ensure that the longer exposure time to cryoprotectants does not increase the risk of EED. Nevertheless, this protocol negates the need to puncture embryos <500µm providing an easy and successful way to vitrify them.

Effect of ventilation mode and rate on airborne transmission of respiratory disease in indoor environments

Ventilation might play an important role in airborne transmission. By using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, ventilation modes, ventilation rates, and infection source’s face direction were considered in a multi-person indoor environment (10 m*10 m*3 m). The airflow patterns, virus concentration distribution, and infection probability were studied. The results showed that the virus concentration was lower with displacement ventilation (DV, lower in, upper out) than mixing ventilation (MV, top-centre in, upper out) or natural ventilation (NV, upper in, upper out). In 2 air changes per hour (ACH), the infection risk of susceptible persons in MV and NV might be about 2.43-fold and 1.30-fold more than that in DV. Increased ventilation usually reduces viral concentrations and the risk of infection. For the height of breathing zones, the average virus concentration at 12ACH was 49.78%-78.72% lower than that at 2ACH. For susceptible persons at a distance of about 2.8-4.2 m to a COVID-19 infector with 30 min exposure time, the long-range airborne infection probability might be 11.53% (±5.86) (2ACH), 4.96% (±1.82%) (6ACH), and 2.96% (±1.91%) (12ACH).

2D–2D g-C3N5/Bi24O31Br10 S-scheme nanostructures with increased photocatalytic efficiency for crystal violet removal

Significant ecosystem damage and severe environmental issues have surfaced due to unplanned exploitation of resources and industrial expansion. The water bodies are continuously polluted by numerous organic dyes released from industrial effluents. In this work, we report construction of new g-C3N5/Bi24O31Br10 S-scheme heterojunction for UV–visible light driven superior organic dye degradation. The integrated heterojunction with high interfacial charge transfer exhibited excellent 99.08% (∼100%) within 60 min exposure which is manifolds higher than bare g-C3N5 and Bi24O31Br10. The mechanistic investigations showed that the key active radicals in photocatalytic CV degradation are the •O2- and h+. Building an S-scheme model with favourable energy band structure encourages efficient separation of charges while maintaining the inherent redox capacity of the g-C3N5/Bi24O31Br10 catalyst, which is highly beneficial for superior photocatalytic performance. This work offers a fresh viewpoint for creating organic-inorganic hybrid new S-scheme heterojunctions for high performance photocatalytic waste-water treatment.

0314 Late Evening Room Light and Sleep Restriction Reverses the Phase Advancing Effect of Bright Morning Light in Adolescents

Abstract Introduction Late bedtimes and sleep restriction are common during adolescence, particularly on school nights. We examined circadian phase advancing effects of bright morning light (ML) with increasing doses of evening room light exposure and sleep restriction due to late bedtimes. Methods Adolescents (n=38, 21 girls) aged 14.1 to 18.0 years completed a 14-day protocol during summer vacation. On days 1-7, they slept at home on individualized 10-h sleep/dark schedules. On days 8-14, they lived in the laboratory. On day 8, we measured their Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO). On days 9 and 10, they were put to bed 1.5h (n=9), 3.0h (n=12), or 4.5h (n=8) later and kept awake in room light (104±11 lux at the angle of gaze). Wake time was unchanged; thus, sleep opportunity was shortened to 8.5h, 7h, and 5.5h, respectively. The fourth group (n=9) kept their baseline bedtime, were not exposed to any additional evening light (EL) and were not sleep restricted. On day 11, all groups were put to bed and awakened 1.5 h earlier and were exposed to intermittent bright ML (three 30-min exposures; 8599±885 lux). On each subsequent day (12 and 13), sleep and ML were advanced 1h. Thus, there were 3 days of a gradually advancing sleep schedule and bright ML. Final DLMO was measured on day 14. Results The 0h EL group showed a large DLMO advance (2.2±1.0 h), but the advance was reduced in the 1.5h EL group (0.5±0.6 h). DLMO delayed in the 3h EL group (-0.9±1.1 h). There was a large phase delay in the 4.5h EL group (-2.6±1.2 h). Phase shifts differed among all groups [F(3,34)=36.7, p&amp;lt;.001]. Conclusion Circadian rhythms of adolescents were advanced when they were exposed to bright ML and a gradually advancing sleep schedule, as shown in many studies of adults. However, when kept up later in ordinary room light, the same advancing sleep schedule and bright ML did not produce as much of an advance. Phase delay shifts occurred when bedtimes were 3h or 4.5h later. EL and sleep restriction can reverse the advancing effect of bright ML. Support (if any) R01 HL146772 (Crowley)

Feasibility of tracked ultrasound registration for pelvic-abdominal tumor navigation: a patient study.

Surgical navigation techniques can guide surgeons in localizing pelvic-abdominal malignancies. For abdominal navigation, accurate patient registration is crucial and is generally performed using an intra-operative cone-beam CT (CBCT). However, this method causes 15-min surgical preparation workflow interruption and radiation exposure, and more importantly, it cannot be repeated during surgery to compensate for large patient movement. As an alternative, the accuracy and feasibility of tracked ultrasound (US) registration are assessed in this patient study. Patients scheduled for surgical navigation during laparotomy of pelvic-abdominal malignancies were prospectively included. In the operating room, two percutaneous tracked US scans of the pelvic bone were acquired: one in supine and one in Trendelenburg patient position. Postoperatively, the bone surface was semiautomatically segmented from US images and registered to the bone surface on the preoperative CT scan. The US registration accuracy was computed using the CBCT registration as a reference and acquisition times were compared. Additionally, both US measurements were compared to quantify the registration error caused by patient movement into Trendelenburg. In total, 18 patients were included and analyzed. US registration resulted in a mean surface registration error of 1.2 ± 0.2mm and a mean target registration error of 3.3 ± 1.4mm. US acquisitions were 4 × faster than the CBCT scans (two-sample t-test P < 0.05) and could even be performed during standard patient preparation before skin incision. Patient repositioning in Trendelenburg caused a mean target registration error of 7.7 ± 3.3mm, mainly in cranial direction. US registration based on the pelvic bone is accurate, fast and feasible for surgical navigation. Further optimization of the bone segmentation algorithm will allow for real-time registration in the clinical workflow. In the end, this would allow intra-operative US registration to correct for large patient movement. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05637359).

Photocatalytic degradation of atrazine and abamectin using Chenopodium album leaves extract mediated copper oxide nanoparticles

Abstract The study focusses on the ecofriendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using aqueous extract of Chenopodium album leaves. The prepared NPs were characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). UV–Vis spectroscopy exhibited absorption maximum (λ max) at 271 nm for CuO NPs. The average size of crystallite was observed as 17 ± 3 nm using XRD. SEM illustrated that the shape of fabricated NPs was spherical. Elemental composition was further supported by EDX. The photocatalytic nature of prepared NPs was assessed by degradation of atrazine and abamectin. Maximum degradation 53.61 % and 57 % of abamectin and atrazine was observed in presence of these particles after the 180 min exposure time. The pesticides removal followed the zero-order kinetics. It may be concluded that CuO NPs synthesized from C. album could behave as suitable candidate for the degradation of toxic pollutants in wastewater.

Behavioral, biochemical, and endocrine responses of zebrafish to 30-min exposure with environmentally relevant concentrations of imidacloprid-based insecticide.

The imidacloprid-based insecticides (IBIs) are among the most used insecticides worldwide, and chronic and acute toxic effects (days exposure protocols) have been reported in several species in studies of IBIs at lethal concentrations. However, there is little information on shorter time exposures and environmentally relevant concentrations. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 30-min exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of IBI on the behavior, redox status, and cortisol levels of zebrafish. We showed that the IBI decreased fish locomotion and social and aggressive behaviors and induced an anxiolytic-like behavior. Furthermore, IBI increased cortisol levels and protein carbonylation and decreased nitric oxide levels. These changes were mostly observed at 0.013 and 0.0013µg·L-1 of IBI. In an environmental context, these behavioral and physiological disbalances, which were immediately triggered by IBI, can impair the ability of fish to evade predators and, consequently, affect their survival.

Energy level mediation of Bi2O2CO3 cooperates with the noble metal-like catalysis of Bi for enhancing the photodegradation activity of organic pollutants

The photocatalytic efficiency of Bi2O2CO3 is greatly limited by rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers. This is due to the fact that the conduction potential cannot meet the generation potential of superoxide radical, the accumulation of electrons accelerates its recombination with holes. Hence, I- doping strategy is used to regulate the energy band of Bi2O2CO3 to improve the reduction ability of valence band electrons to molecular oxygen, promote the efficient use of superoxide radicals and photogenerate holes in the degradation of pollutants. In addition, the solvent ethylene glycol in-situ reduces Bi3+ to Bi0, the tiny Bi0 particles are deposited onto BOC sheets, serving as cocatalysts similar to precious metals and enhancing the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. The results indicate that I-doping leads to a decrease in the work function of Bi2O2CO3 and an upward shift of the conduction band, which enhances the activation of molecular oxygen and the generation of superoxide radicals. The formation of Bi0/5I-Bi2O2CO3 not only promotes surface reaction, but also expands light absorption. The Bi0/5I-Bi2O2CO3 shows excellent photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of organism. After 60 min exposure to simulated sunlight, the UV–vis absorption peak of lignin at 280 nm disappeares completely, and the mineralization rate reaches 48.9 %. Rhodamine B only needs 1 min to completely fade. Where, vanillin is used as a lignin model, its degradation intermediates are determined by LCMS, and the possible photodegradation pathway is proposed in detail.