Production Concentration Research Articles

Long-term effect of oral cannabidiol administration to healthy adult dogs on tear production, intraocular pressure, and tear concentrations.

To determine the chronic effects of oral cannabidiol (CBD) use on tear production, intraocular pressure (IOP), and concentration of CBD in tears of healthy dogs. Eighteen healthy research Beagles. This was a masked, placebo-controlled, randomized prospective study. Eighteen dogs were randomly assigned to three groups (six dogs per group) based on daily dosage of oral MCT oil (placebo), CBD 5 mg/kg, and CBD 10 mg/kg. Schirmer tear test (STT-1) and IOP were measured twice daily (7 am and 7 pm) every 4 weeks for 36 weeks. Week 36 tears were collected and analyzed for CBD concentrations (ng/mL) using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. A mixed linear model was used as the statistical method and p-value <.05 was considered significant. No significant differences were found between placebo vs. 5 mg/kg vs. 10 mg/kg for STT-1 or IOP (AM and PM). CBD was detected in 10 out of 11 (91%) viable tear samples receiving 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg dosages. One sample in the 5 mg/kg group had inadequate tear volume for analysis. The CBD concentration in tears was at or below the lower limit of quantification in placebo group, 4.12-11.2 ng/mL for the 5 mg/kg group, and 6.22-152 ng/mL for the 10 mg/kg group. Long-term administration of oral CBD in healthy research beagles demonstrates a favorable safety profile regarding ocular tolerability. Oral CBD administration does not appear to affect tear production or IOP over a 36-week period. This is the first canine study positively identifying concentrations of CBD in tears following oral administration.

The impact of Fe2+ and Na+ concentrations on hydrogen production with three different fermenter bacteria

Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of Fe2+ and Na+ on the hydrogen (H2) production performance from three different metabolic type hydrogen-producing bacterial strains. The appropriate amount of Fe2+ significantly promoted the H2 production of all three hydrogen-producing bacteria. The combination of H2 production and liquid products showed that Fe2+ was more suitable for the H2 production and metabolism of E. harbinense ZGX4. When the Fe2+ concentration was 0.05 g/L, the H2 production and liquid products concentrations were 2170 mL/L-medium and 6530 mg/L, respectively. Na+ enhanced the H2 production of E. harbinense ZGX4 and C. butyricum 1.209 but inhibited the H2 production of E. cloacae 1.2022. Na+ made C. butyricum 1.209 exhibit the best H2 production and metabolic performance when the Na+ concentration was 2 g/L, while the H2 production, and liquid products concentration were 2460 mL/L-medium and 5350 mg/L, respectively. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the addition of Fe2+ could change the type of fermentation in C. butyricum 1.209. Therefore, further exploration of the effects of other metal ions on model hydrogen-producing strains has great potential for achieving high hydrogen production rates, among other things.

Exploring the factors influencing the low temperature CO gas production characteristics of low-metamorphic coal

CO as an important indicator gas for predicting early spontaneous combustion of coal mainly comes from the oxidation of residual coal in goaf. Low-metamorphic coal has a stronger tendency for spontaneous combustion and is more prone to oxidation to produce CO gas at low temperatures. For example, there are no signs of natural combustion in certain goaf areas of mines, but the CO concentration in the working face continues to exceed the limit, which misleads early natural combustion prediction and warning work. Therefore, taking low metamorphic coal as the main research object, the CO gas production characteristics of different coal samples at low temperatures were determined through temperature-programmed experiments. It was found that the CO gas production rate and concentration of CYM at low temperatures were much higher than those of the other two metamorphic coal samples (approximately 2 times RNM and 3–10 times QM); Determination of content and proportion changes of hydroxyl, aliphatic, Aromatic hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing functional groups in different coal samples before and after heating by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on the analysis of CO gas production characteristics of different coal samples, it was found that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the hydroxyl groups of CYM and the C-O bonds in the oxygen-containing functional groups decreased significantly. The strongest correlation between intermolecular hydrogen bonds in hydroxyl groups and C-O bonds in oxygen-containing functional groups and the low-temperature CO gas production characteristics of coal is demonstrated; Finally, scanning electron microscopy was used to study the differences in apparent characteristics of different coal samples before and after heating, to determine more complex apparent structures that increase oxygen adsorption sites and promote low-temperature oxidation and CO production of coal during the low-temperature stage. Further guidance will be given to the research on the suppression of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C-O bonds, as well as the sealing of coal micro pores and crack structures, to improve the targeted application and fire prevention efficiency of fire prevention materials.

Responses of a common tropical epiphyte, Asplenium nidus, to changes in water and nutrient availability.

Epiphytes are highly dependent on atmospheric inputs of water and nutrients. Reductions in water availability associated with warming and climate change and continual atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can affect plant growth but few studies have evaluated the effects of changes in both water and nutrient availabilities on epiphytes. We experimentally tested whether epiphyte growth is more water- or nutrient-limited, if nutrient limitation was stronger for nitrogen or phosphorus, and whether nutrient limitation interacts with water availability. We applied watering (high and low) and nutrient addition (control, +N, +P, +N+P) treatments to greenhouse-grown Asplenium nidus, a common epiphytic fern found in many tropical and subtropical wet forests. We measured leaf area production and leaf elemental concentrations to assess how A. nidus growth and physiology respond to changes in water and nutrient availabilities. We found that leaf growth of A. nidus was more affected by water availability than nutrient addition and the effect of adding nutrients was not fully realized under low-water availability. Among the different nutrient treatments, +N+P had the greatest effects on A. nidus growth and physiology in both watering treatments. Watering treatment changed leaf elemental concentrations but not their ratios (i.e. C:N and N:P). Nutrient addition altered C:N and N:P ratios and increased the concentration of the added elements in leaves, with more pronounced increases in the high-watering treatment. We conclude that the growth of A. nidus is more water- than nutrient-limited. When nutrient limitation occurs (i.e. under high-water availability), nutrient co-limitation is stronger than limitation by N or P alone. This result taken together with studies of other epiphytes suggests greater water than nutrient limitation is likely widespread among epiphytic plants. The limited effects of nutrient addition in the low-water treatment suggest that the effect of atmospheric N deposition on epiphyte growth will be limited when water availability is low.

Inositol-requiring enzyme 1α and c-Jun N-terminal kinase axis activation contributes to intracellular lipid accumulation in calf hepatocytes

During the perinatal period, dairy cows undergo negative energy balance, resulting in elevated circulating levels of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Although increased blood NEFA concentrations are a physiological adaptation of early lactation, excessive NEFA in dairy cows is a major cause of fatty liver. Aberrant lipid metabolism leads to hepatic lipid accumulation and subsequently the development of fatty liver. Both inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) have been validated for their association with hepatic lipid accumulation, including their regulatory functions in calf hepatocyte insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Meanwhile, both IRE1α and JNK are involved in lipid metabolism in nonruminants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how IRE1α and JNK regulate lipid metabolism in bovine hepatocytes. An experiment was conducted on randomly selected 10 healthy cows (hepatic triglyceride [TG] content <1%) and 10 cows with fatty liver (hepatic TG content >5%). Liver tissue and blood samples were collected from experimental cows. Serum concentrations of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were greater, whereas serum concentrations of glucose and milk production were lower in cows with fatty liver. The western blot results revealed that dairy cows with fatty liver had higher phosphorylation levels of JNK, c-Jun, and IRE1α in the liver tissue. Three in vitro experiments were conducted using primary calf hepatocytes isolated from 5 healthy calves (body weight: 30-40 kg; 1 d old). First, hepatocytes were treated with NEFA (1.2 mM) for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12 h, which showed that the phosphorylated levels of JNK, c-Jun, and IRE1α increased in both linear and quadratic effects. In the second experiment, hepatocytes were treated with high concentrations of NEFA (1.2 mM) for 12 h with or without SP600125, a canonical inhibitor of JNK. Western blot results showed that SP600125 treatment could decrease the expression of lipogenesis-associated proteins (PPARγ and SREBP-1c) and increase the expression of fatty acid oxidation (FAO)-associated proteins (CPT1A and PPARα) in NEFA-treated hepatocytes. The perturbed expression of lipogenesis-associated genes (FASN, ACACA, and CD36) and FAO-associated gene ACOX1 were also recovered by JNK inhibition, indicating that JNK reduced excessive NEFA-induced lipogenesis and FAO dysregulation in calf hepatocytes. Third, short hairpin RNA targeting IRE1α (sh-IRE1α) was transfected into calf hepatocytes to silence IRE1α, and KIRA6 was used to inhibit the kinase activity of IRE1α. The blockage of IRE1α could at least partially suppressed NEFA-induced JNK activation. Moreover, the blockage of IRE1α downregulated the expression of lipogenesis genes and upregulated the expression of FAO genes in NEFA-treated hepatocytes. In conclusion, these findings indicate that targeting the IRE1α-JNK axis can reduce NEFA-induced lipid accumulation in bovine hepatocytes by modulating lipogenesis and FAO. This may offer a prospective therapeutic target for fatty liver in dairy cows.

Regional import substitution policy amid economic sanctions: The case of the Republic of Tatarstan

The exhaustion of the traditional raw material export model, which results in a growing dependence of the core economic industries on imported goods and components, makes it increasingly relevant to develop tools for finding promising areas of import substitution. The paper proposes a methodology for assessing imported commodity groups to identify the priority areas for import substitution in a region. The theoretical framework of the study includes comparative and competitive advantage theories, as well as the concepts of production concentration, clusters, and industrial complexes. The research methods of economic-statistical, structural analyses and clustering were applied. The statistical data were retrieved from the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), and the Unified Interdepartmental Statistical Information System (EMISS). The proposed methodology was tested using the case of imports and exports in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2013–2021. We identified four key commodity clusters for import substitution, which account for more than 40 % of the region’s current imports, these are 1) the important localized import-dependent commodity groups a) having potential for import substitution in the region (tools, petroleum products), b) promising for import substitution in the RF (equipment and mechanical devices, furniture), as well as 2) the important non-specific import-dependent commodities a) having potential for import substitution (paints, electrical machines), and b) promising for import substitution (milk, clothing). The largest producers of the Republic of Tatarstan were identified for each cluster. Matrix modeling showed that some commodity groups are positioned in the area of the region’s low specialization, low localization and share of imports, which are typically grouped into three additional clusters that do not require enhanced policy on import substitution: growing import-dependent goods (grain, etc.), goods requiring no particular attention (silk, wool, etc.), and significant import-dependent goods (essential oils, etc.). The research findings can be used by regional ministries and departments when making strategic decisions on import substitution.

340 Ruminal Protozoa Viability Under Diverse Additives Using Trypan Blue Exclusion Method as an Alternative Counting Methodology

Abstract Beef cattle are a major contributor to methane (CH4) emissions. Enteric CH4 is produced by archaea, mostly hosted by ruminal protozoa, thus, changes in protozoa counts have been associated with CH4 production. Therefore, reliable ruminal protozoa count (PROT) is essential to evaluate CH4-mitigation strategies. Typically, PROT are done by fixation with methyl-green-formalin-saline solution (MFS), which reveals ciliate numbers but not ruminal protozoa viability (VIAB). The Trypan Blue Exclusion Method (TBEM) involves an intracellular probe that dyes the cytoplasm of apoptotic eukaryotic cells with membrane damage, but few studies report its use for PROT. Therefore, our objectives were to establish culture conditions to use the TBEM for PROT and VIAB under different diets (Exp. 1) and feed additives. In Exp. 1 ruminal fluid was collected from 4 Angus-crossbred ruminally cannulated steers receiving a high-grain diet (NOYE) alone or supplemented with 28 g /d of a product of yeast fermentation (YEAST). Filtered and diluted ruminal fluid was incubated (39ºC, 95% CO2) with (SUB) or without (NOSUB) the substrate diet in three types of containers; 125 mL bottles (BOT), Erlenmeyer (ERL), or 16 × 125 mm Hungate tubes (TUB). After 8, 12, 24, and 48 h PROT and VIAB were determined using the TBEM, gas production, and CH4 concentration were measured. Exp. 2 involved in vitro batch culture incubations with a silage-based substrate (CON), plus a 50:50% mix of condensed and hydrolysable tannins (TAN), cashew nutshell extract (CNSE), or citral (CIT) at 0.3, 0.02, and 0.2% of substrate DM, respectively. At 0 and 48 h PROT, VIAB, volatile fatty acids (VFA), CH4, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and gas were determined. In Exp-1, PROT and VIAB were greater in TUB (P = 0.01) at 24 h and in BOT at 48 h (P &amp;lt; 0.01), particularly with SUB (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Supplementation of YEAST reduced VIAB in BOT and TUB compared with ERL (P &amp;lt; 0.01). In Exp. 2, TAN (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and CIT (p 0.05) reduced PROT and VIAB at 24 and 48 h (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Additionally, TAN reduced gas production (P &amp;lt; 0.01), and IVOMD (P &amp;lt; 0.01) coinciding with previous studies reporting protozoa reduction. Protozoa/mL were similar to previous reports with MFS in cows (1.5 × 104) and steers (3.7 × 103). In both experiments, PROT and VIAB reductions by YEAST, TAN and CIT coincided with a reduction of CH4, gas, and IVOMD. Differences in PROT with some studies using MFS might be associated with losses of small Entodinium during initial filtrations. When cultured in BOT with substrate, TBEM is a viable, simple, rapid, and cost-effective methodology to evaluate PROT and VIAB after a nutritional challenge. The ability to assess membrane disruptions associated with protozoa apoptosis in the TBEM is one its greatest advantages.

PSVII-30 Effect of mineral mixture containing HMTBa in hay-based substrate on methane production.

Abstract In grazing systems, cattle produce a high molar ratio of acetate, resulting in greater methane production and greater energy loss via gas production. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro gas production and methane concentration using a mineral mixture containing 0.4% HMTBa in a Tifton hay-based substrate. The experiment was carried out under anaerobic conditions using ANKOM Gas Pressure Monitor bottles kept at 39 ºC containing artificial saliva, ruminal fluid, and two grams of a substrate from each treatment: (FE) Control, 1.75 g of Tifton hay and 0.25 g of mineral mixture; and (FM) 1.75 g of Tifton hay and 0.25 g of Suplemax mineral mixture (Suplemento Nutrição Animal) containing 0.4% of HMTBa. Duplicate substrates and duplicate blanks were fermented for each treatment in two runs, with a total of four repetitions per treatment. The accumulated pressure resulting from the fermentation was measured automatically over 48 hours using the Gas Monitor software connected to the ANKOM modules of each bottle. The conversion of pressure to gas volume was calculated as follows: Volume (mL) = 2.3932 + 3.4053 × pressure (R2 = 0.9146; n = 1.151). At the end of each run, a gas sample was collected from each bottle to measure methane concentration using gas chromatography. To obtain the methane production for every 100 mL of gas produced, the total volume of methane produced was multiplied by 100 and divided by the total gas production. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at α = 0.05. Gas production was not affected by the inclusion of HMTBa (P = 0.3938), with an average of 54.14 mL (Table 1). There was a reduction in methane production from 25.41 to 20.05 mL with the addition of HMTBa (P = 0.0034), representing a decrease of 21.09%. There was a tendency to reduce methane production for each 100 mL of gas produced from 46.01 to 37.86 mL (P = 0.0889). Although HMTBa reduces the molar proportion of propionate, it is considered to be one of the main hydrogen users. In environments with a high concentration of H2 (above 1 mmol) and the presence of an anti-methanogen, the most favored path for using hydrogen is acetogenesis, which reduces methane production. Thus, the use of a mineral mixture containing 0.4% HMTBa in a Tifton-hay-based substrate reduced methane production in an in vitro assay.

PSXIII-24 Effect of Inclusion of Hay and Concentrate Containing Monensin and Methionine on in Vitro Methane Production

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of hay and Suplemento Total concentrate as a substitute for corn on gas production and methane concentration in vitro. The experiment was conducted under anaerobic conditions using bottles that simulate the ruminal environment (ANKOM Gas Pressure Monitor) containing artificial saliva, rumen liquid, and two g of substrates from each treatment: (MI) Control, 1.62 g of corn containing 9% of crude protein and 0.38 g of mineral mix and; (FMM) 1.02 g of Tifton 85 hay and 0.98 g of Suplemento Total concentrate (Suplemento Nutrição Animal) containing 13.5% of crude protein, 0.32% of monensin and 0.63% of methionine. Duplicate substrates and duplicate blanks were fermented for each treatment in two runs, with a total of four repetitions per treatment. The accumulated pressure resulting from the fermentation was measured automatically over 48 h using the Gas Monitor software connected to the ANKOM modules of each bottle. The conversion of the pressure to gas volume was calculated as follows: Volume (mL) = 2.3932 + 3.4053 × pressure (R2 = 0.9146; n = 1.151). At the end of each run, a gas sample was collected from each bottle to measure methane concentration using gas chromatography. To obtain the methane production for every 100 mL of gas produced, the total volume of methane produced was multiplied by 100 and divided by the total gas production. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at α = 0.05. Was observed 23.86% of increase in gas production (64.79 vs 80.25 mL, P = 0.0072), 45.53% reduction in total methane production (46.50 vs 25.33 mL, P &amp;lt; 0.001), and 56.07% reduction in methane production for every 100 mL of gas produced (71.96 vs 31.61 mL, P &amp;lt; 0.001) in the FMM treatment compared with the MM, respectively (Table 1). Improvement in the quality of the diet, as well as the use of monensin and methionine, increases the fermentation rate, which explains the increase in gas production. Linked to this, there is also a reduction in methane production by reducing the population of gram-positive bacteria, which are precursors of methanogenesis. Therefore, the inclusion of hay and Suplemento Total concentrate containing 0.32 percent of monensin and 0.63 percent of methionine in place of corn with mineral mixture increased gas production and reduced methane production in vitro.

The Anthropogenic Salt Cycle.

Increasing salt production and use is shifting the natural balances of salt ions across Earth systems, causing interrelated effects across biophysical systems collectively known as freshwater salinization syndrome. In this Review, we conceptualize the natural salt cycle and synthesize increasing global trends of salt production and riverine salt concentrations and fluxes. The natural salt cycle is primarily driven by relatively slow geologic and hydrologic processes that bring different salts to the surface of the Earth. Anthropogenic activities have accelerated the processes, timescales and magnitudes of salt fluxes and altered their directionality, creating an anthropogenic salt cycle. Global salt production has increased rapidly over the past century for different salts, with approximately 300 Mt of NaCl produced per year. A salt budget for the USA suggests that salt fluxes in rivers can be within similar orders of magnitude as anthropogenic salt fluxes, and there can be substantial accumulation of salt in watersheds. Excess salt propagates along the anthropogenic salt cycle, causing freshwater salinization syndrome to extend beyond freshwater supplies and affect food and energy production, air quality, human health and infrastructure. There is a need to identify environmental limits and thresholds for salt ions and reduce salinization before planetary boundaries are exceeded, causing serious or irreversible damage across Earth systems.

Enhancing Ecological Efficiency in Biological Wastewater Treatment: A Case Study on Quality Control Information System

This study aimed to improve the control system of the biological stage of wastewater treatment using the quality control information system to support the concept of environmental efficiency management. In this case, the object of the study was the treatment facilities of Sumy city (Ukraine). For automatic control of wastewater quality, pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), electrical conductivity, and temperature indicators were taken, as well as hydrobiological analysis of activated sludge and mathematical modelling. The pH of wastewater at the input system has systematically unacceptable values (above 8.5 were recorded). Unacceptable concentrations of sulphur-containing toxicants arrive at the entrance of treatment facilities (0.22–1.3 mg/L). The response of activated sludge biocenosis to increasing concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in wastewater was analysed. Furthermore, a mathematical model of monoculture population growth, with two factors that affect population growth (nutrient concentration and monoculture production concentration), was implemented for the initial assessment of possible negative effects on wastewater treatment. The differential equation of the population dynamics of the i-th species of microorganisms in activated sludge was described. The applied system of automated monitoring of wastewater parameters with expert assessment of activated sludge and a unified mathematical model of approaches allows for a complex system of decision-making support to be realised. However, this requires the construction of mathematical models that would take into account the cause–effect relations that operate under conditions of incomplete technological information and the potential presence of emergencies due to natural disasters and military activities.

Human urine electrolysis for simultaneous green hydrogen and liquid fertilizer production for a circular economy: A proof of concept

This study explores a novel process for hydrogen production and urine concentration using water electrolysis, employing a hydrophobic membrane and hydrogel electrolyte. The process utilizes a hydrophobic membrane to provide pure water from human urine, while simultaneously producing hydrogen through electrolysis, and concentrating urine for liquid fertilizer production. A suitable hydrogel electrolyte was developed, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels and varying potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration, showing efficient ion conductivity. The PVA-KOH 30 wt % hydrogel incorporating melamine exhibited promising performance in cell testing, achieving a current density of 204.35 mA/cm2 at 2 V. Long-term electrolysis tests indicated sustained efficiency, although a decline in current density during 96 h was attributed to hydrophobic membrane fouling. Nonetheless, the hydrogel electrolyte demonstrated minimal fouling, successfully concentrating the urine about 5 times. This concentrated urine serves as liquid fertilizer, while the produced hydrogen acts as an energy source, and the oxygen can be recycled for use in a membrane bioreactor (MBR), establishing a sustainable energy cycle system.

Numerical study on thermal stress of solid oxide electrolyzer cell with various flow configurations

Development of solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) is of great significance for hydrogen energy utilization. In order to have a better understanding of the multiphysics field processes in SOEC, numerical simulation is a necessary means to be adopted. In this study, a complete three-dimensional model of a planar SOEC short stack with three flow configurations (co-flow, cross-flow, counter-flow) was built. Multiple physical fields, including electron(ion), momentum, mass, and heat transfer, and thermal stress as well, were considered. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing with the experimental results, with the maximum relative error less than 5%. The performances of SOEC with variant flow configurations were compared in detail. Due to the difference of flow configurations, the distribution of temperature, current density, hydrogen mole fraction, and stress present different characteristics. The effects of the operating voltage and the inlet gas temperature on hydrogen production and stress concentration in SOEC were also studied. The results show that compared with co-flow and counter-flow, the hydrogen production rate of cross-flow increases by about 15%, while the stress concentration decreasing by about 70%. All results show the better performance of cross-flow configuration, which provides guidance for design and application of SOEC.

Substantial heterogeneity of inflammatory cytokine production and its inhibition by a triple cocktail of toll-like receptor blockers in early sepsis.

Early sepsis is a life-threatening immune dysregulation believed to feature a "cytokine storm" due to activation of pattern recognition receptors by pathogen and danger associated molecular patterns. However, treatments with single toll-like receptor (TLR) blockers have shown no clinical benefit. We speculated that sepsis patients at the time of diagnosis are heterogeneous in relation to their cytokine production and its potential inhibition by a triple cocktail of TLR blockers. Accordingly, we analyzed inflammatory cytokine production in whole blood assays from early sepsis patients and determined the effects of triple TLR-blockade. Whole blood of 51 intensive care patients sampled within 24h of meeting Sepsis-3 criteria was incubated for 6h without or with specific TLR2, 4, and 7/8 stimuli or suspensions of heat-killed S. aureus or E. coli bacteria as pan-TLR challenges, and also with a combination of monoclonal antibodies against TLR2 and 4 and chloroquine (endosomal TLR inhibition), subsequent to dose optimization. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1α and IL-1β were measured (multiplex ELISA) before and after incubation. Samples from 11 sex and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls and for dose-finding studies. Only a fraction of sepsis patient samples revealed ongoing cytokine production ex vivo despite sampling within 24h of first meeting Sepsis-3 criteria. In dose finding studies, inhibition of TLR2, 4 and endosomal TLRs reliably suppressed cytokine production to specific TLR agonists and added bacteria. However, inflammatory cytokine production ex vivo was only suppressed in the high cytokine producing samples but not in the majority. The suppressive response to TLR-blockade correlated both with intraassay inflammatory cytokine production (r=0.29-0.68; p<0.0001-0.04) and cytokine baseline concentrations (r=0.55; p<0.0001). Upon meeting Sepsis-3 criteria for less than 24h, a mere quarter of patient samples exhibits a strong inflammatory phenotype, as characterized by increased baseline inflammatory cytokine concentrations and a stark TLR-dependent increase upon further ex vivo incubation. Thus, early sepsis patient cohorts as defined by Sepsis-3 criteria are very heterogeneous in regard to inflammation. Accordingly, proper ex vivo assays may be useful in septic individuals before embarking on immunomodulatory treatments.

Human and Nature in the History of Agricultural Management in the Central Black Earth Region of Russia

The article discusses the history of the Research Institute of Economics and Management of Industrial Agriculture in the Central Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation, which was merged with Dokuchaev Research Institute of Agriculture of the Central Black Earth Region in 2020. Long-term cooperation between these research institutions involved the efficient synthesis of economic, natural, and legal sciences. Consolidated scientific creativity allowed creating a set of programmes, monographs, and recommendations which became a guiding light for specialists and practitioners of all levels who contribute to the development of the agricultural industry in Russia. Land and soil are the main actors in the arena of life. The state of the Russian agriculture reflects the socio-economic state of its society. Similar to a barometer, not only does it allow us to determine the effectiveness of production forces and production relations, but also to suggest what is needed to support the development processes. Sustainable land management is the right approach to the production of competitive and environmentally friendly food and to the management of a socially beneficial rural area, whose sustainability depends on the existing potential, production concentration and specialisation, and acceptable living standards for people engaged in agriculture. Only such integrity and rational land management can ensure the productivity and efficiency of economic mechanisms.

Impact of adding tannins or medium-chain fatty acids in a dairy cow diet on variables of in vitro fermentation using a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of including 2 functional feed ingredients in a diet with a high proportion of pasture silage on in vitro ruminal fermentation, nutrient disappearances, and ruminal microbiomes. In a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system (6 fermentation units), 4 treatments were evaluated: 1) CONTROL: a diet based on corn and grass silage, regular soybean meal (SBM), and corn; 178 g/kg of crude protein (CP) (used as negative control), 2) TSBM: Replacement of SBM by Mervobest® (used as positive control), 3) PHY (phytogenic mixture (tannins from quebracho and chestnut) at 10 g/kg dry matter (DM) replacing SBM) and 4) MCFA (mixture of medium-chain fatty acids, Aromabiotic Cattle® at 10 g/kg DM replacing SBM). Four runs were performed with 3 diets incubated simultaneously in duplicate using a balanced incomplete block design, lasting 17 days each. The inoculum was obtained from 3 rumen fistulated cows, and artificial saliva was infused at 650 mL/day. Samples were taken from each fermentation unit to determine the gas production, pH, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acids concentrations. The apparent digestibility of diet compounds was determined. Microbial protein synthesis and microbial community diversity were estimated using 15N as an external isotopic marker and by sequencing part of the 16 S rDNA gene, respectively. The TSBM and PHY treatments decreased NH3-N concentrations (P < 0.001) and the DM disappearance (P = 0.004). The crude protein disappearance was the lowest for TSBM followed by PHY (P < 0.001). The true protein disappearance was lower for TSBM and PHY than for CONTROL and MCFA (P < 0.001). The isovaleric acid proportion was lower for TSBM, MCFA, and PHY than for CONTROL. Treatments TSBM and MCFA registered lower neutral detergent fibre disappearance (P < 0.001) than the other diets but without changes in the quantified fibrolytic genera in the ruminal microbiota. The PHY treatment increased the relative abundance of Succinivibrio spp. and reduced that of Methanobrevibacter relative to that of CONTROL and TSBM, which could be linked to lower methanogenesis. The MCFA treatment increased Succinivibrio compared with TSBM and Succiniclasticum spp. compared with CONTROL. These results indicate that PHY inclusion at 10 g/kg DM decreased rumen protein degradation, similar to TSBM; while MCFA decreased rumen protein degradation to a lesser extent. Furthermore, both additives generated changes in the ruminal microbiota that would be associated with lower methane production.

Condicionamento de sementes com peróxido de hidrogênio melhora a tolerância da alface hidropônica ao estresse salino

ABSTRACT Brackish waters has been increasingly used in hydroponic systems for the cultivation of vegetables. However, its use can cause significant losses in crop production. Therefore, new alternatives to enhance the tolerance of plants to salt stress are being studied, including seed priming with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Thus, this study aimed to assess the seed priming with H2O2 at different periods of exposure for enhancing the production, water status and pigments concentration of crisp lettuce grown under salt stress. The experiment was carried out under protected conditions, in a completely randomized design, with four replicates. The plants were cultivated in a floating hydroponic system, containing nutrient solution. Five treatments were tested: control (absence of H2O2 and absence of NaCl); salt control (absence of H2O2 and presence of 100 mM NaCl); 0.1 mM H2O2 (12 hours) + 100 mM NaCl; 0.1 mM H2O2 (24 hours) + 100 mM NaCl, and 0.1 mM H2O2 (36 hours) + 100 mM NaCl. In general, salinity reduced the height, production of the fresh and dry mass of the shoot, relative water content, and chlorophylls concentration of lettuce plants. However, the application of 0.1 mM H2O2 for 12 and 36 hours on the seeds, enhanced the growth, water status, and chlorophylls concentration of the plants. Seed priming with H2O2 at a 0.1 mM concentration for 12 hours can be recommended to increase tolerance of lettuce plants grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress.

CircAGFG1 absence decreases PKM2 expression to enhance oxaliplatin sensitivity in colorectal cancer in a miR-7-5p-dependent manner

Circular RNA (circRNA) ArfGAP with FG repeats 1 (circAGFG1) contributes to colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, whether circAGFG1 regulates the resistance of CRC to oxaliplatin (L-OHP) remains unknown. CircAGFG1, microRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) RNA expression were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression was detected by western blot assay and immunohistochemistry assay. Glycolysis was analyzed through glucose uptake, lactate production and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration assays. 50% inhibitory concentration of L-OHP was determined by cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell proliferation and apoptotic rate were analyzed by cell colony formation and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the relationship among circAGFG1, miR-7- 5p and PKM2. The effect of circAGFG1 on L-OHP sensitivity in vivo was further evaluated by a xenograft model assay. CircAGFG1 and PKM2 expression were significantly increased, while miR-7-5p was decreased in L-OHP-resistant CRC tissues and cells. High circAGFG1 expression predicted a poor prognosis of CRC. CircAGFG1 knockdown or PKM2 depletion decreased glycolysis and cell proliferation and increased L-OHP sensitivity and cell apoptosis. PKM2 introduction rescued circAGFG1 silencing-induced effects in CRC cells. In terms of mechanism, circAGFG1 bound to miR-7-5p, which was identified to target PKM2. Also, circAGFG1 regulated PKM2 expression by interacting with miR-7-5p. Further, circAGFG1 knockdown improved the sensitivity of tumors to L-OHP in vivo. CircAGFG1 depletion inhibited L-OHP resistance by regulating the miR-7-5p/PKM2 pathway.

Zinc Foliar Application Mitigates Cadmium-Induced Growth Inhibition and Enhances Wheat Growth, Chlorophyll Contents, and Yield.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that significantly threatens plants and the environment. Its toxicity in plants can result in various adverse effects, including reduced growth, altered metabolism, and cell damage. Cadmium can also interfere with nutrient uptake, particularly zinc (Zn), leading to Zn deficiency and further exacerbating Cd toxicity. On the other hand, foliar application of zinc might be a useful strategy to mitigate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants. Hence, a pot experiment was conducted with three replications. The wheat plants were treated with various concentrations of Zn as a foliar spray (control, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5%) in Cd-spiked soil in pots. The results showed that foliar use of Zn at 0.4 or 0.5% resulted in higher plant height, grain yield, and dry matter yield than the control group. Using Zn as foliar spray enriched shoot and grain Zn content while reducing Cd content in the shoot and grain. The leaf's electrolyte leakage (EL) decreased by 15.4, 29.8, 40.7, and 45.9% in the Zn 0.1%, Zn 0.2%, Zn 0.4%, and Zn 0.5% treatments, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Regarding superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, Zn 0.5% treatment showed a decrease of 42.9% over control. Specifically, the Zn 0.1% showed a 27.2%, Zn 0.2% showed a 56.8%, Zn 0.4% showed a 91.1%, and Zn 0.5% showed a 133.7% increase in total chlorophyll content than control. Based on the results, it is recommended that 0.4% Zn solution may be used for foliar application for enhancing crop productivity and Zn concentration in plants under high Cd stress. Additionally, continued research on the mechanisms of cadmium uptake, transport, and detoxification in plants may lead to the identification of new targets for intervention.

In vitro fermentation characteristics of fruit and vegetable juicing wastes using human fecal inoculum are determined by cell wall architecture

Fruit and vegetable juicing wastes are a promising source of hydrocolloids with potential gut fermentation benefits for applications in foods. The aim of this study was to investigate the fermentation characteristics of juicing wastes from apple, beetroot, carrot, celery, orange and pineapple to characterise fermentation rates, gas production and end-products. All juicing wastes had high dietary fibre content (70–90%) and high water-holding capacity (9–12 g H2O per gram dry matter) consistent with food application potential but had diverse fermentation rates and extents over a 48h period. Apple, carrot and orange waste were well-fermented, beetroot and celery waste were less well fermented and pineapple waste was the least fermented as indicated by gas production and short chain fatty acid concentrations. Variations in fermentability were determined by cell wall architecture more than polymer chemistry. Apple, carrot and orange waste were primarily parenchymal fleshy tissue with loosely packed cell walls and readily fermentable. Beetroot and celery waste had more compact cell walls, while pineapple waste had the most densely packed cell walls and the highest cellulose content. The molecular composition of unfermented material also changed during fermentation, with pectin the fastest fermenting, followed by hemicelluloses such as (arabino)xylan, xyloglucan, and mannan while cellulose was the slowest. The results show the potential for unrefined juicing wastes to provide sustained fermentation throughout the large intestine.