Natural Processing Research Articles

Environmental impact of phytobiotic additives on greenhouse gas emission reduction, rumen fermentation manipulation, and performance in ruminants: an updated review.

Ruminal fermentation is a natural process involving beneficial microorganisms that contribute to the production of valuable products and efficient nutrient conversion. However, it also leads to the emission of greenhouse gases, which have detrimental effects on the environment and animal productivity. Phytobiotic additives have emerged as a potential solution to these challenges, offering benefits in terms of rumen fermentation modulation, pollution reduction, and improved animal health and performance. This updated review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific benefits of phytobiotic additives in ruminant nutrition by summarizing existing studies. Phytobiotic additives, rich in secondary metabolites such as tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and essential oils, have demonstrated biological properties that positively influence rumen fermentation and enhance animal health and productivity. These additives contribute to environmental protection by effectively reducing nitrogen excretion and methane emissions from ruminants. Furthermore, they inhibit microbial respiration and nitrification in soil, thereby minimizing nitrous oxide emissions. In addition to their environmental impact, phytobiotic additives improve rumen manipulation, leading to increased ruminant productivity and improved quality of animal products. Their multifaceted properties, including anthelmintic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects, further contribute to the health and well-being of both animals and humans. The potential synergistic effects of combining phytobiotic additives with probiotics are also explored, highlighting the need for further research in this area. In conclusion, phytobiotic additives show great promise as sustainable and effective solutions for improving ruminant nutrition and addressing environmental challenges.

Integrated monitoring and modeling to disentangle the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of urbanized streams under drought stress

We have a poor understanding of how urban drainage and other engineered components interact with more natural hydrological processes in green and blue spaces to generate stream flow. This limits the scientific evidence base for predicting and mitigating the effects of future development of the built environment and climate change on urban water resources and their ecosystem services. Here, we synthesize > 20 years of environmental monitoring data to better understand the hydrological function of the 109-km2 Wuhle catchment, an important tributary of the river Spree in Berlin, Germany. More than half (56%) of the catchment is urbanized, leading to substantial flow path alterations. Young water from storm runoff and rapid subsurface flow provided around 20% of stream flow. However, most of it was generated by older groundwater (several years old), mainly recharged through the rural headwaters and non-urban green spaces. Recent drought years since 2018 showed that this base flow component has reduced in response to decreased recharge, causing deterioration in water quality and sections of the stream network to dry out. Attempts to integrate the understanding of engineered and natural processes in a traditional rainfall-runoff model were only partly successful due to uncertainties over the catchment area, effects of sustainable urban drainage, adjacent groundwater pumping, and limited conceptualization of groundwater storage dynamics. The study highlights the need for more extensive and coordinated monitoring and data collection in complex urban catchments and the use of these data in more advanced models of urban hydrology to enhance management.

Instant clot forming and antibacterial wound dressings: Achieving hemostasis in trauma injuries with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine-tranexamic acid-propolis formulation.

Wound infection and excessive blood loss are the two major challenges associated with trauma injuries that account for 10% of annual deaths in the United States. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gasotransmitter cell signaling molecule that plays a crucial role in the natural wound healing process due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling abilities. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a prothrombotic agent, has been used topically and systemically to control blood loss in reported cases of epistaxis and combat-related trauma injuries. Its properties could be incorporated in wound dressings to induce immediate clot formation, which is a key factor in controlling excessive blood loss. This study introduces a novel, instant clot-forming NO-releasing dressing, and fabricated using a strategic bi-layer configuration. The layer adjacent to the wound was designed with TXA suspended on a resinous bed of propolis, which is a natural bioadhesive possessing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The base layer, located furthest away from the wound, has an NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), embedded in a polymeric bed of Carbosil®, a copolymer of polycarbonate urethane and silicone. Propolis was integrated with a uniform layer of TXA in variable concentrations: 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 vol % of propolis. This design of the TXA-SNAP-propolis (T-SP) wound dressing allows TXA to form a more stable clot by preventing the lysis of fibrin. The lactate dehydrogenase-based platelet adhesion assay showed an increase in fibrin activation with 7.5% T-SP as compared with control within the first 15 min of its application. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed the presence of a dense fibrin network stabilizing the clot for fabricated dressing. The antibacterial activity of NO and propolis resulted in a 98.9 ± 1% and 99.4 ± 1% reduction in the colony-forming unit of Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, respectively, which puts forward the fabricated dressing as an emergency first aid for traumatic injuries, preventing excessive blood loss and soil-borne infections.

Mechanism controlling groundwater chemistry in the hyper-arid basin with intermittent river flow: insights from long-term observations (2001–2023) in the lower Heihe River, Northwest China

The geochemical processes of groundwater in arid regions are generally influenced by both natural hydrological processes and human activities. However, impacts of water-rock interactions on groundwater recharge via hydrological processes, controlled by both intermittent river water flow and groundwater withdrawals, is still poorly understood. In this study, 327 groundwater chemistry datasets collected from the upper, middle (including Gobi and riparian zones), and lower regions of the Ejina Delta in Northwest China from 2001 to 2023 were analyzed. Our results revealed that the total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of groundwater in Ejina Delta ranged from approximately 881.5 ± 331.6 mg/L in the upper regions to 1,953.6 ± 1,208.5 mg/L in the lower regions, with an increasing trend observed. Ecological water conveyance (EWC), recharging aquifer through intermittent river water flow, resulted in a decrease in TDS concentrations from 2001 to 2023 mainly in the upper region. While irrigation notably affected groundwater chemistry in the lower region, resulting in a substantial increase in groundwater salinity. Groundwater chemistry in the Middle Gobi region remained relatively stable over the study period. Generally, the hydrochemical composition shifted from the Na-Mg-SO4-HCO3 and Na-Mg-Ca-SO4-HCO3 types in the upper region to Na-Mg-SO4-HCO3 and Na-Mg-SO4-Cl types in the lower region, with Na-SO4-Cl predominant in the Middle Gobi. These shifts were likely be attributed to the interplay of water-rock interactions, coupled with evaporation-crystallization processes. Inverse modeling using PHREEQC revealed that in the upper-middle region, primary water-rock interactions involved calcite dissolution and the precipitation of dolomite, gypsum, halite, and sylvite salts, as well as cation exchange reactions (2NaX+Ca2+→CaX2+2Na+). In contrast, the hydrogeological system in the middle-lower region exhibited an opposite pattern of water-rock interactions. Overall, ecological water conveyance partially facilitated water-rock interactions during lateral groundwater flow, while irrigation disrupted the natural hydrogeochemical equilibrium, involving halite dissolution and opposite cation exchange reactions compared to other regions.

Developing an integrated framework for Marine Cultural Heritage (MCH) and Marine Protected Areas (MPA) across Africa and the Middle East

There is currently a significant imbalance in existing marine resource management frameworks. Across Africa and the Middle East there is a developing network of marine protected areas focused on natural heritage but with very limited engagement with area-based management for cultural heritage. Yet both natural and cultural heritage resources are subject to the same considerable threat levels from both natural and anthropogenic processes of change. The MarEA project is engaged in an extensive programme of mapping and documentation of endangered cultural heritage sites and landscapes across the MENA region. During the course of this and aligned work, its engagement with coastal communities and international practice has identified a clear need for more informed and holistic approaches to marine resource management. This study presents a model for the integrated management of natural and cultural heritage and proposes a framework for the future identification and designation of Marine Cultural Heritage in Protected Areas.

Markov Chains and Kinetic Theory: A Possible Application to Socio-Economic Problems

A very important class of models widely used nowadays to describe and predict, at least in stochastic terms, the behavior of many-particle systems (where the word “particle” is not meant in the purely mechanical sense: particles can be cells of a living tissue, or cars in a traffic flow, or even members of an animal or human population) is the Kinetic Theory for Active Particles, i.e., a scheme of possible generalizations and re-interpretations of the Boltzmann equation. Now, though in the literature on the subject this point is systematically disregarded, this scheme is based on Markov Chains, which are special stochastic processes with important properties they share with many natural processes. This circumstance is here carefully discussed not only to suggest the different ways in which Markov Chains can intervene in equations describing the stochastic behavior of any many-particle system, but also, as a preliminary methodological step, to point out the way in which the notion of a Markov Chain can be suitably generalized to this aim. As a final result of the discussion, we find how to develop new very plausible and likely ways to take into account possible effects of the external world on a non-isolated many-particle system, with particular attention paid to socio-economic problems.

Exploring Rajaswala Paricharya: A Holistic Ayurvedic Perspective on Women's Well-being

Within Ayurveda, menstruation is viewed as a natural physiological process regulated by Doshas, necessitating specific lifestyle adjustments known as Rajaswala Paricharya to maintain women's health and potentially safeguard the well-being of future generations. Despite its intrinsic importance, contemporary awareness and adherence to Rajaswala Paricharya have waned, partly due to the dissemination of misinformation by media and menstrual product manufacturers. While global health initiatives prioritize adolescent reproductive health and sanitation, they often overlook the traditional practices advocated by Ayurveda. Ayurvedic practitioners play a crucial role in advocating for Rajaswala Paricharya to fortify female reproductive health, aiming to prevent Dosha imbalances, Ama formation, and fortify Agni. By encouraging adherence to these guidelines, women may experience reduced menstrual symptoms and better navigate the physiological and psychological changes associated with menstruation. Furthermore, the integration of modern scientific research could provide empirical validation for the efficacy of Rajaswala Paricharya, reinforcing its significance in contemporary women's health practices. Thus, fostering a positive perception and adherence to Rajaswala Paricharya is paramount for empowering women and promoting holistic well-being.

Dispersal restriction and facilitation in species with differing tolerance to development: A landscape genetics study of native and introduced lizards

AbstractAimThe development of natural habitats into urban land uses has greatly accelerated in the recent past due to human activities. This habitat development disrupts species' natural dispersal processes and can lead to both direct and indirect impacts on dispersal. Whether human activities result in restricted or facilitated dispersal may depend on a species' development tolerance; however, this premise has not been tested. We examined the impact of urbanization and road networks on the dispersal of three lizard species in the context of their development tolerance.LocationCuraçao.MethodsTo quantify species' development tolerance, we modelled three lizard species abundances at sites based on surrounding landscape development. Using microsatellite genotypes, we conducted individual‐based resistance surface analyses and modelled the effect of habitat development on genetic admixture to assess indirect dispersal restriction and facilitation. We explored direct facilitation of dispersal using network analysis of mitochondrial haplotypes.ResultsPhyllodactylus martini, a native gecko species, was the least tolerant of development and experienced indirect dispersal restriction due to roads, according to resistance surface analyses. Anolis lineatus, a native anole species, exhibited a neutral relationship with development. Resistance surfaces and Structure analyses showed that A. lineatus faced indirect dispersal restrictions from roads and developed areas, while mitochondrial haplotype networks suggested they benefited from occasional human‐facilitated long‐distance dispersal events. Hemidactylus mabouia, an introduced gecko species, was the most tolerant of development, and experienced no dispersal restriction, but mitochondrial haplotypes suggest direct long‐distance dispersal facilitation.Main ConclusionsOur findings highlight development tolerance as a key predictor of dispersal impact for these species and future work should test whether these patterns are upheld in other systems. Understanding how human activities affect species' dispersal will aid in managing introduced species while promoting connectivity for native species navigating dispersal challenges in dynamic landscapes.

Water quality assessment of Bheemasandra Lake, South India: A blend of water quality indices, multivariate data mining techniques, and GIS.

An integrated approach combining water quality indices (WQIs), multivariate data mining, and geographic information system (GIS) was employed to examine the water quality of Bheemasandra Lake, located adjacent to a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Tumakuru city, India. The analysis of 22 lake water samples, examined before and after the monsoons, revealed that the physicochemical parameters namely - electrical conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, turbidity, total dissolved solids, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrates, phosphates, magnesium, total hardness, total alkalinity, and calcium - exceeded the acceptable limits stipulated by national and international standards. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment WQI (pre-monsoon: 25.3; post-monsoon: 33.9) and weighted arithmetic WQI (pre-monsoon: 3398; post-monsoon: 2093) designated the water as unsafe for drinking. Irrigation WQIs (sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium hazard, permeability index, and potential salinity) implied water's suitability for irrigation. However, electrical conductivity indicated otherwise. Industrial WQIs (Larson-Skold Index, Langelier Index, Aggressive Index, and Puckorius Scaling Index) illustrated scaling propensity and the chloride sulfate mass ratio alluded galvanic corrosion potential. Hierarchical cluster analysis gathered 22 sampling points into two clusters (cluster 1: relatively lower polluted regions; cluster 2: highly polluted regions) for each season based on similarities in water features. Principal component analysis extracted four (79.07% cumulative variance) and six (87.14% cumulative variance) principal components before and after the monsoons, respectively. These components identified the primary pollution sources as urban sewage and natural lithological processes. WQI maps, created using the inverse distance weighted interpolation technique, enhanced the visualization of spatial-temporal variations. This study highlights the dire consequences of urbanization, STP pollution, and sewage management failures, necessitating that concerned authorities should implement policies and measures to curb the negative impacts on the environment and public health.

Passive well monitoring systems and carbon, capture and storage (CCS) application

With an increasing number of ageing subsea wells and a tightening of global regulations for well management, assuring well integrity is a key feature of risk management for oil and gas operators. Baker Hughes, in collaboration with Sentinel Subsea, has successfully deployed patented passive well monitoring systems able to detect a range of subsea emissions and alert well owners. This early detection and warning technology harnesses the natural forces and processes of chemistry and physics but does not use any electrical power for the monitoring and detection of fluids. Static mechanical structures and the natural buoyancy of escaping fluids of interest are used to gather fluids in the subsea environment where they are detected chemically using specially developed Triggers. By using fluid-specific Triggers, systems respond only to the fluid(s) of interest, not to other fluids typically encountered around subsea assets. When the target fluid has been detected passively, a coded signal beacon (previously dormant) is mechanically released to the ocean surface using self-buoyancy where an alarm is transmitted via satellite and the responsible party alerted. Systems are currently supporting multiple major and independent operators mitigate the risks associated with subsea wells globally. Based on these experiences, this paper discusses the development process of a passive well integrity monitoring system with application for carbon, capture and storage (CCS) sites.

Aerosols in the central Arctic cryosphere: satellite and model integrated insights during Arctic spring and summer

Abstract. The central Arctic cryosphere is influenced by the Arctic amplification (AA) and is warming faster than the lower latitudes. AA affects the formation, loss, and transport of aerosols. Efforts to assess the underlying processes determining aerosol variability are currently limited due to the lack of ground-based and space-borne aerosol observations with high spatial coverage in this region. This study addresses the observational gap by making use of total aerosol optical depth (AOD) datasets retrieved by the AEROSNOW algorithm over the vast cryospheric region of the central Arctic during Arctic spring and summer. GEOS-Chem (GC) simulations combined with AEROSNOW-retrieved data are used to investigate the processes controlling aerosol loading and distribution at different temporal and spatial scales. For the first time, an integrated study of AOD over the Arctic cryosphere during sunlight conditions was possible with the AEROSNOW retrieval and GC simulations. The results show that the spatial patterns observed by AEROSNOW differ from those simulated by GC. During spring, which is characterized by long-range transport of anthropogenic aerosols in the Arctic, GC underestimates the AOD in the vicinity of Alaska in comparison with AEROSNOW retrieval. At the same time, it overestimates the AOD along the Bering Strait, northern Europe, and the Siberian central Arctic sea-ice regions, with differences of −12.3 % and 21.7 %, respectively. By contrast, GC consistently underestimates AOD compared with AEROSNOW in summer, when transport from lower latitudes is insignificant and local natural processes are the dominant source of aerosol, especially north of 70° N. This underestimation is particularly pronounced over the central Arctic sea-ice region, where it is −10.6 %. Conversely, GC tends to overestimate AOD along the Siberian and Greenland marginal sea-ice zones by 19.5 % but underestimates AOD along the Canadian Archipelago by −9.3 %. The differences in summer AOD between AEROSNOW data products and GC-simulated AOD highlight the need to integrate improved knowledge of the summer aerosol process into existing models in order to constrain its effects on cloud condensation nuclei, on ice nucleating particles, and on the radiation budget over the central Arctic sea ice during the developing AA period.

Senescence in common octopus, Octopus vulgaris: Morphological, behavioural and functional observations

Understanding senescence in semelparous species not only deepens our knowledge of the evolution of aging but also highlights the diversity of life strategies that have evolved in the natural world. This terminal phase occurs at the end of the lifecycle and is particularly evident in the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, Cuvier 1797, a semelparous species with terminal reproduction. The aim of the present work was to document the natural process of senescence in specimens raised in captivity for two consecutive generations and the differences in morphology, behaviour and functional traits between the two sexes. Both sexes showed similar affections in the skin, with unhealed wounds, paler colors, and white lesions. At the same temperature males lived longer (six to seven months) than females, and showed extensive arm tip damage, with the exception of the hectocotylus that was fully functional until the very last day. Females, contrarily to males, lose 35.4–46.8% of their body weight during brooding and senescence. Uncommon behaviours were registered during this terminal phase like egg laying outside of the den, egg ingestion or copulation between males. These observations provide new data that will help to better understand this terminal phase and the natural processes occurring in both sexes at the end of their life cycle.

Planning for the future: Grasslands, herbivores, and nature‐based solutions

Abstract Global interest and investment in nature‐based solutions (NbS) are rapidly increasing because of the potential of this approach to concurrently counter biodiversity loss, provide cost‐effective measures for climate change adaptations, and maintain natural processes that underpin human health and wellbeing. Recognition is growing that grasslands in many regions will protect carbon stores more effectively than forests in the warmer, drier, more fire‐prone conditions of the future while also serving as hotspots for biodiversity. Yet grasslands have received less attention for their NbS potential. Despite the wide‐ranging goals of this approach, many investments in nature‐based solutions also have focused narrowly on using plants to meet climate pledges, often without considering plant interactions with herbivores and the abiotic environment that jointly control ecosystem functioning and underpin the success of nature‐based solutions. Here, we review the roles that large and small vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores play in the ability of the world's grasslands to provide nature‐based solutions, with a focus on wild herbivore impacts on biodiversity and carbon storage. Synthesis. Planning for nature‐based solutions with a holistic, ecologically informed view that includes the role of herbivores and their interaction with plants and the environment will allow NbS investments to more likely achieve successful, sustainable outcomes.

Opinion: A research roadmap for exploring atmospheric methane removal via iron salt aerosol

Abstract. The escalating climate crisis requires rapid action to reduce the concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases and lower global surface temperatures. Methane will play a critical role in near-term warming due to its high radiative forcing and short atmospheric lifetime. Methane emissions have accelerated in recent years, and there is significant risk and uncertainty associated with the future growth in natural emissions. The largest natural sink of methane occurs through oxidation reactions with atmospheric hydroxyl and chlorine radicals. Enhanced atmospheric oxidation could be a potential approach to remove atmospheric methane. One method proposes the addition of iron salt aerosol (ISA) to the atmosphere, mimicking a natural process proposed to occur when mineral dust mixes with chloride from sea spray to form iron chlorides, which are photolyzed by sunlight to produce chlorine radicals. Under the right conditions, lofting ISA into the atmosphere could potentially reduce atmospheric methane concentrations and lower global surface temperatures. Recognizing that potential atmospheric methane removal must only be considered an additive measure – in addition to, not replacing, crucial anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon dioxide removal – roadmaps can be a valuable tool to organize and streamline interdisciplinary and multifaceted research to efficiently move towards understanding whether an approach may be viable and socially acceptable or if it is nonviable and further research should be deprioritized. Here we present a 5-year research roadmap to explore whether ISA enhancement of the chlorine radical sink could be a viable and socially acceptable atmospheric methane removal approach.

Modeling of nanoblood flow in an artery in presence of eco-friendly and biocompatible hybrid nanoparticles

Transferring biological fluid through arteries is a topic that has garnered serious interest in recent times, especially when it pertains to applications such as drug delivery. In our body, arteries serve as the primary conduits for blood flow and this study aims to model the blood flow in this situation. The working fluid is essentially pure blood, which acts as a base fluid, supplemented with nanoparticles of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Gold (Au). Nanoparticles could change the thermal and rheological properties of blood which might be particularly advantageous for ensuring smoother flow or optimal distribution of drug molecules within the bloodstream. In the present work, a porous channel is considered with parallel walls that exhibit varying permeability on boundaries. Such a design enables the nanoblood to enter and exit the channel, mimicking certain natural processes like transvascular fluid exchange. Additionally, the variable height of the channel that expands and squeezes uniformly could be reminiscent of the pulsatile nature of blood flow seen in our arteries due to heartbeats. To understand the dynamics of this hybrid nanoblood flow, the governing equations are converted into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using the similarity transformation approach. For solving these transformed equations, the research harnesses the BVP4C built-in function in MATLAB software. Through this computational approach, the research provides insights into the velocity and temperature profile of the fluid, the distribution of normal pressure, wall shear stress, and the Nusselt number concerning various parameters. The findings of the present study can be significant and useful in biological sciences and technologies and the detailed results are presented completely in the article’s body.

Trace elements in an adjacent channel of an anthropized area: a case study of Baixada Santista, Southeastern Brazil

In recent decades, due to intensive industrialization, the Baixada Santista has undergone an intense process of environmental degradation. The metals are toxic and persistent in varying concentrations and oxidation states and may be incorporated in sediments and biota. Thus, understanding the importance of this contamination is necessary for coastal planning. This study provides a basis for understanding the levels of metal and As contamination in the Bertioga Channel (SP). The levels of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, V and Zn in superficial sediment samples were determined by ICP-OES. The degree of sediment contamination was evaluated according to the sediment quality standards set by the Canadian environmental agency (ISQG and PEL) and by statistical tests. All values were below PEL, and most of the sample values were below ISQG, except for As, Cu and Pb. From a cluster analysis, it was possible to differentiate eastern and western parts of the channel due to their distinct hydrodynamic patterns. Furthermore, it was possible to separate the trace elements by geochemical behavior, in which Cu, Pb and Zn were linked to a small anthropogenic contribution. Thus, this study detected small anthropogenic contributions from an adjacent channel of an anthropized area, but most of the results were linked to natural geochemical processes.

Histone H3 posttranslational modified enzymes defined neutrophil plasticity and their vulnerability to IL-10 in the course of the inflammation

BackgroundNeutrophils are a heterogeneous population capable of antimicrobial functions associated with pre-activation/activation and tissue regeneration. The specific polarisation of immune cells is mediated by the modification of ‘chromatin landscapes’, which enables differentiated access and activity of regulatory elements that guarantee their plasticity during inflammation No specific pattern within histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) controlling this plasticity has been identified.MethodsUsing the in vitro model of inflammation, reflecting different states of neutrophils from resting, pre-activated cells to activated and reducing tissue regeneration, we have analysed 11 different histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), PTM enzymes associated with remodelling neutrophil chromatin, and H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq Gene Ontology analysis focusing on the processes related to histone PTMs. These findings were verified by extrapolation to adequate clinical status, using neutrophils derived from the patients with sepsis (systemic septic inflammation with LPS-stimulated neutrophils), neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorders (aseptic inflammation with pre-activated neutrophils) and periodontitis (local self-limiting septic inflammation with IL-10-positive neutrophils).ResultsPhysiological activation of neutrophils comprises a pre-activation characterised by histone H3K27ac and H3K4me1, which position enhancers; direct LPS exposure is induced explicitly by H3K4me3 which marked Transcription Start Site (TSS) regions and low-level of H3K9me3, H3K79me2 and H3K27me3 which, in turn, marked repressed genes. Contrary to antimicrobial action, IL-10 positively induced levels of H3S10p and negatively H3K9me3, which characterised processes related to the activation of genes within heterochromatin mediated by CHD1 and H3K9me3 specific demethylase JMJD2A. IL-10 protects changes within histone PTMs induced by TNF or LPS that affected H3K4me3-specific methyltransferase SETD1A and MLL1. Neutrophils previously exposed to inflammatory factors become unvulnerable to IL-10 because previous LPS stimulation interrupts TSS regions marked by H3K4me3 of CHD1 and JMJD2A genes. Therefore, LPS-activated neutrophils are disabled to induce CHD1/JMJD2A enzymes by IL-10, making this process irreversible. Because transcription of JMJD2A and CHD1 also depends on TSS positioning by H3K4me3, neutrophils before LPS stimulation become insensitive to IL-10.ConclusionNeutrophils, once pre-activated by TNF or directly stimulated by LPS, become insensitive to the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-10, and vice versa; IL-10 protects neutrophils against these proinflammatory stimuli. This phenomenon is responsible for disturbing the natural process of resolving inflammation and tissue regeneration.Graphical

Optimization of excitation and emission wavelengths for the UHPLC fluorescence detector for priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are widely distributed in the environment and cause significant environmental damage. Furthermore, they endanger human health by polluting food from the natural environment and food processing. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately detect PAHs in various sample matrices, which requires precise, practical, and rapid detection methods. The purpose of this research is to develop a high sensitivity analysis method by analyzing the optimum excitation and emission wavelengths of EPA's 15 priority polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the UHPLC fluorescence detector (Acenaphthene, Anthracene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Chrysene, Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, and Pyrene). An average of 17–25 analyses were performed for each polyaromatic hydrocarbon, and optimized excitation and emission wavelengths were obtained. LOD levels between 2 and 90 ppt were obtained with the method created in this direction. It is worth mentioning that the limits achieved for some PAH parameters are lower than those reported in the literature after pre-concentration steps.

A study of the effect of organic acids (gallic acid and ascorbic acid) on the coloration and functionalization of wool yarns with Millettia laurentii sawdust natural dye

Wastewater from the textile industry, especially the dyeing sector, is a major contaminant for aquatic ecosystems. Synthetic dye compounds and metal salts from leftover mordant and dyeing baths are washed into rivers, endangering aquatic life and the environment. In regards to the current study’s examination of Millettia laurentii sawdust’s potential as a natural color source, eco-friendly organic acids (gallic acid and ascorbic acid) were studied in conjunction with small amounts of metal salts (aluminum sulfate, stannous chloride, copper sulfate, and ferrous sulfate) for enhancing the color shade palette with simultaneous functionalization (antimicrobial and UV-protection) of wool yarns. The effects of metal salts up to ecologically permissible concentration limits on the dyeing and functional properties were assessed in combination with organic acids. The study focused on optimizing dyeing variables including pH (2–8), temperature (65–95 °C), dye concentration (25–125% o.w.f.), and dyeing time (15–90 min) using a one-factor-at-a-time (OFT) optimization by determining the color depth (K/S) values on the wool yarns. The optimized dyeing conditions were pH of 4, temperature of 95 °C, dye concentration of 75.0% (o.w.f.), and dyeing time of 60 min. The color characteristics (CIEL*a*b*c*ho) and fastness (Wash, rub, and light) properties are evaluated comparatively against control dyed wool yarns using standard methods. The antimicrobial activity of control dyed and mordanted dyed wool yarns was evaluated in terms of the percentage microbial reduction of bacterial colonies. Metal salts especially ferrous sulfate in conjunction with gallic acid (Fe/GA) provided the highest average color strength (13.50) with a maximum percentage microbial reduction of 96.67%. UV protection ability was assessed by an Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 4399: 1996) method in terms of UPF values. UV protection levels were significantly improved by using binary combinations of organic acids and metal salts with the maximum protection offered by Fe/GA (97.66) and Sn/GA (97.90). Dyeing outcomes were significantly impacted by the chemical structure of organic acids (gallic acid and ascorbic acid) and the type of metal salts; the research proposes a more environmentally friendly natural dyeing process for the textile industry.

Nutrient dynamics in small west-flowing tropical mountainous rivers of India

In this study, the distribution of dissolved inorganic nitrate (DIN), phosphorus (DIP), and silicate (DSi) in surface waters of 70 coastal rivers in India's Western Ghats (WG) has been determined. The nutrient concentrations in individual rivers appear to be influenced by catchment geology, land use, and climate. The entire WG region contributes 0.31 Tg of DIN, 0.03 Tg of DIP, and 5.65 Tg of DSi annually to the coastal Arabian Sea. The annual ratios of N:P, Si:N, and Si:P suggest that most of these rivers are limited by P rather than N, and there is an excess supply of Si, primarily from natural sources. P limitation is severe during monsoon periods, while N limitation is observed in the Deccan Traps region. The annual export of 0.31 Tg of DIN from WG rivers could support 2.05 Tg of carbon (new production) on the Arabian Sea coast, indicating that the riverine export of DIN can significantly remove atmospheric CO2 through biological pumps in the Arabian Sea. The study also confirms that the excess input of Si from natural processes relative to the anthropogenic supply of limited P and N further supports the idea that riverine nutrient inputs from small west-flowing tropical mountainous rivers do not contribute to coastal eutrophication along the Eastern Arabian Sea coast.