Stable Composition Research Articles

Perineuronal net deglycosylation associates with tauopathy-induced gliosis and neurodegeneration.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by clinical symptoms of memory and cognitive deficiencies. Postmortem evaluation of AD brain tissue shows proteinopathy that closely associate with the progression of this dementing disorder, including the accumulation of extracellular beta amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) with neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Current therapies targeting Aβ have limited clinical efficacy and life-threatening side effects and highlight the need for alternative treatments targeting pTau and other pathophysiologic mechanisms driving AD pathogenesis. The brain's extracellular matrices (ECM), particularly perineuronal nets (PNNs), play a crucial role in brain functioning and neurocircuit stability, and reorganization of these unique PNN matrices has been associated with the progression of AD and accumulation of pTau in humans. We hypothesize that AD-associated changes in PNNs may in part be driven by the accumulation of pTau within the brain. In this work, we investigated whether the presence of pTau influenced PNN structural integrity and PNN chondroitin sulfate-glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) compositional changes in two transgenic mouse models expressing tauopathy-related AD pathology, PS19 (P301S) and Tau4RTg2652 mice. We show that PS19 mice exhibit an age-dependent loss of hippocampal PNN CS-GAGs, but not the underlying aggrecan core protein structures, in association with pTau accumulation, gliosis, and neurodegeneration. The loss of PNN CS-GAGs were linked to shifts in CS-GAG sulfation patterns to favor the neuroregenerative isomer, 2S6S-CS. Conversely, Tau4RTg2652 mice exhibit stable PNN structures and normal CS-GAG isomer composition despite robust pTau accumulation, suggesting a critical interaction between neuronal PNN glycan integrity and neighboring glial cell activation. Overall, our findings provide insights into the complex relationship between PNN CS-GAGs, pTau pathology, gliosis, and neurodegeneration in mouse models of tauopathy, and offer new therapeutic insights and targets for AD treatment.

Early life exposure of infants to benzylpenicillin and gentamicin is associated with a persistent amplification of the gut resistome

BackgroundInfant gut microbiota is highly malleable, but the long-term longitudinal impact of antibiotic exposure in early life, together with the mode of delivery on infant gut microbiota and resistome, is not extensively studied.MethodsTwo hundred and eight samples from 45 infants collected from birth until 2 years of age over five time points (week 1, 4, 8, 24, year 2) were analysed. Based on shotgun metagenomics, the gut microbial composition and resistome profile were compared in the early life of infants divided into three groups: vaginal delivery/no-antibiotic in the first 4 days of life, C-section/no-antibiotic in the first 4 days of life, and C-section/antibiotic exposed in first 4 days of life. Gentamycin and benzylpenicillin were the most commonly administered antibiotics during this cohort’s first week of life.ResultsNewborn gut microbial composition differed in all three groups, with higher diversity and stable composition seen at 2 years of age, compared to week 1. An increase in microbial diversity from week 1 to week 4 only in the C-section/antibiotic-exposed group reflects the effect of antibiotic use in the first 4 days of life, with a gradual increase thereafter. Overall, a relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroides was significantly higher in vaginal delivery/no-antibiotic while Proteobacteria was higher in C-section/antibiotic-exposed infants. Strains from species belonging to Bifidobacterium and Bacteroidetes were generally persistent colonisers, with Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium bifidum species being the major persistent colonisers in all three groups. Bacteroides persistence was dominant in the vaginal delivery/no-antibiotic group, with species Bacteroides ovatus and Phocaeicola vulgatus found to be persistent colonisers in the no-antibiotic groups. Most strains carrying antibiotic-resistance genes belonged to phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, with the C-section/antibiotic-exposed group presenting a higher frequency of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs).ConclusionThese data show that antibiotic exposure has an immediate and persistent effect on the gut microbiome in early life. As such, the two antibiotics used in the study selected for strains (mainly Proteobacteria) which were multiple drug-resistant (MDR), presumably a reflection of their evolutionary lineage of historical exposures—leading to what can be an extensive and diverse resistome.31ajk8a-14RKZLdCXmKHuwVideo

DOP43 Histologic improvement, attenuation of inflammation and microbiome modulation by engineered high acetate producing Saccharomyces boulardii in DSS-induced colitis

Abstract Background The probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (Sb) may be optimized for therapeutic use in ulcerative colitis by enhancing its acetate production, as acetate is a key factor for its probiotic efficacy and was shown to have anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective effects in vitro (Deleu, 2023). Therefore, higher acetate producing Sb strains have been engineered which were preclinically evaluated in an acute DSS mice model of colitis. Methods Nine-week-old female C57/Bl6 mice (N=120) were allocated to 12 treatment groups receiving drinking water or 2.75% DSS in combination with PBS (control), Baker’s yeast (non-probiotic control), SDH1 (no-acetate Sb), ENT (transient acetate strain-probiotic Enterol control), SbP (high acetate Sb) and ENT3 (extra high acetate Sb). Disease activity including weight loss, diarrhoea and the presence of occult blood were scored daily. On day 7, the DSS groups were transferred to regular drinking water and on day 14 mice were sacrificed. Colonic tissue and faeces (0, 9, 14d) were collected for resp. histology, RNA, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Results Disease activity in DSS subgroups (Fig.A), determined by the area under the curve, was lower for SbP compared to PBS and Baker’s yeast (both p<0.05). Sb SDH1 showed higher disease activity compared to the Sb strains ENT, SbP and ENT3 (all p<0.05). At sacrifice, the macroscopic damage score in DSS was lower for SbP and ENT3 (both p<0.05) compared to Sb SDH1, and the colon weight/length-ratio was decreased for ENT and SbP compared to Sb SDH1 (resp. p=0.06 and p=0.08). Higher histologic inflammation was noted in the non- or transient-acetate producing strains on DSS compared to healthy PBS control (all p<0.05), whereas this increase was not observed for both high-acetate producing strains SbP and ENT3 on DSS (p=NS) indicating a production dependent response. Anti-inflammatory findings were confirmed by transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes e.g. decreased expression of Tnf, Il1b and S100a8/9, predominantly expressed as calprotectin, upon stimulation with the highest acetate producing strain ENT3 (all adj.p<0.1; except PBS adj.p=0.16). Subsequent, microbial analysis showed a superior effect of ENT3 in maintaining a stable alpha diversity (p=0.58, Fig.E), which was not observed for the other strains. Conclusion Engineered high acetate producing Sb strains attenuated DSS-induced colitis, with its anti-inflammatory effects further supported by transcriptomic analysis and superiority in maintaining a stable microbiome composition. Together with our previous in vitro work in patient-derived organoids, these data indicate a role for high-acetate producing Sb- in attenuating intestinal inflammation.

Juniperus communis L. essential oils in the Natura 2000 site ‘Serranía de Cuenca’ (Central Spain)

Terminal branches from single male plants of Juniperus communis L. were collected in the Natura 2000 site ‘Serranía de Cuenca’, an environmentally valuable but depopulated area in the Iberian Peninsula, with the aim of studying the yield and composition of their essential oils. The results showed significant differences in terms of essential oil yield (0.15–0.53%) and composition of the collected samples. Unexpectedly, this variability was not related to the geographical origin of the plants. The main compounds detected were α-pinene (12.3–56.4%), β-phellandrene (10.0–29.8%) and limonene (3.4–25.7%). Samples stood out from those in other European areas because of their high content of β-phellandrene. Plant breeding programs could be useful in obtaining chemotypes and cultivars that ensure an adequate and stable essential oil composition. On the other hand, given that bioactivities depend on this composition, their high variability a priori enlarges their potential applications. This work is a starting point for identifying potential uses of common juniper that may enable economic, social and environmental alternatives for the development of this area.

Study of the Sustainability of Ecological and Chemical Indicators of Soils in Organic Farming

Organic farming is often seen as a sustainable alternative to intensive agricultural systems. The studies conducted in this direction analyze various factors, as well as their assemblies, and show contradictory results. In order to assess the impact of the organic method of soil cultivation on the stable composition of the most important mineral and organic substances in the production process, the organic agriculture procedure was implemented with an agrochemical analysis for 12 years. The content of mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and humus in the soil was determined. An elemental analysis of soil samples was conducted for a more in-depth analysis of its composition. It was established that the soils of the farm contained a sufficient amount of exchangeable potassium and humus. The content of these components remained stable during the study period. It was discovered that the soils of the farm have a low content of mobile phosphorus, which also remained stable during the study period. In the studied farm, the applied farming technologies contribute to the stable content of the main nutrient components of the soil. But to correct the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, additional agrotechnical measures are required.

Species diversity and network diversity in the human lung cancer tissue microbiomes.

This study explores the relationship between microbial diversity and disease status in human lung cancer tissue microbiomes, using a sample size of 1212. Analysis divided the data into primary tumour (PT) and normal tissue (NT) categories. Differences in microbial diversity between PT and NT were significant in 57% of comparisons, although dataset dependence was a factor in the diversity levels. Shared species analysis (SSA) indicated no significant differences between PT and NT in over 90% of comparisons. Network diversity assessments revealed significant differences between NT and PT regarding species relative abundances and network link abundances for q=0-3. Additionally, significant variations were found between NT and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) at q=0. in network link probabilities, illustrating the diversity in species interactions. Our findings suggest a stable overall microbiome diversity and composition in lung cancer patients' lung tissues despite patients with diagnosed lung tumours, indicating modified microbial interactions within the tumour. These results highlight an association between altered microbiome interaction patterns and lung tumours, offering new insights into the ecological dynamics of lung cancer microbiomes.

Taxonomic and functional stability overrules seasonality in polar benthic microbiomes.

Coastal shelf sediments are hot spots of organic matter mineralization. They receive up to 50% of primary production, which, in higher latitudes, is strongly seasonal. Polar and temperate benthic bacterial communities, however, show a stable composition based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing despite different microbial activity levels. Here, we aimed to resolve this contradiction by identifying seasonal changes at the functional level, in particular with respect to algal polysaccharide degradation genes, by combining metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and glycan analysis in sandy surface sediments from Isfjorden, Svalbard. Gene expressions of diverse carbohydrate-active enzymes changed between winter and spring. For example, β-1,3-glucosidases (e.g. GH30, GH17, GH16) degrading laminarin, an energy storage molecule of algae, were elevated in spring, while enzymes related to α-glucan degradation were expressed in both seasons with maxima in winter (e.g. GH63, GH13_18, and GH15). Also, the expression of GH23 involved in peptidoglycan degradation was prevalent, which is in line with recycling of bacterial biomass. Sugar extractions from bulk sediments were low in concentrations during winter but higher in spring samples, with glucose constituting the largest fraction of measured monosaccharides (84% ± 14%). In porewater, glycan concentrations were ~18-fold higher than in overlying seawater (1107 ± 484 vs. 62 ± 101μg C l-1) and were depleted in glucose. Our data indicate that microbial communities in sandy sediments digest and transform labile parts of photosynthesis-derived particulate organic matter and likely release more stable, glucose-depleted residual glycans of unknown structures, quantities, and residence times into the ocean, thus modulating the glycan composition of marine coastal waters.

Seasonal and Root-Specific Metabolomic Profiles of Panax Ginseng Meyer by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA)

The chemical composition of ginseng varies by several factors such as age, harvest season, and region. Each part of fresh ginseng contains certain valuable bioactive compounds; however, chemical studies of ginseng have focused on the ginsenoside content. In this study, we examine the chemical composition of Panax ginseng Meyer as related to harvest season and specific root parts via untargeted metabolomics using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis such as partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to select significant metabolites distinguishing ginseng harvested in different seasons and various ginseng parts. The selected thirteen metabolites were identified as amino acids, ginsenosides, and fatty acid amides through MS fragment pattern analysis. Additional chemometric analysis revealed chemical consistency between main and fine roots regardless of harvest time, indicating a stable chemical composition in P. ginseng among seasons. Furthermore, most ginsenosides among the thirteen selected metabolites had higher abundance in fine roots than in main roots, while primary metabolites were more abundant in main roots, highlighting a unique chemical composition dependent on the specific root parts.

MORPHOSTRUCTURE OF MOEHRINGIA HYPANICA GRYNJ & KLOKOV IN THE NATIONAL NATURE PARK «BUZKY GARD»

The ecological, edaphic and morphological features and population status of the endemic species Moehringia hypanica Grynj & Klokov were studied within the steppe zone of Ukraine. For the first time, soil analysis, which was taken directly from the places of growth of individuals of the studied species, was carried out. The highest soil content was found in niches under stones (25%), and the lowest in microcracks of granite rocks (5%) of the total volume. The levels of soil supply with mobile nutrients and humus were analysed. The analysis of the cationic and anionic composition of the water extract of the soil showed that M. hypanica belongs to the non-saline soils (the amount of salts does not exceed 0.1%). The content of all salts does not exceed the toxicity thresholds. The results of the soil analysis showed that in order to preserve the populations of these endemic plants, it is necessary to maintain a stable chemical composition of the substrate and prevent human interference. For the first time, it was found that during flowering and fruiting, M. hypanica lacks moisture in the air and substrate. The ability of the plants to grow and develop fruit formation under drought and heat conditions indicates their drought tolerance and thermophilicity. During the expeditionary research, we noted that the populations are dominated by young generative and medium generative plants, with a small number of old generative and virgin individuals. The presence of these aged individuals indicates sufficient seed reproduction. The morphological characteristics of seeds, fruits and age states of M. hypanica plants were determined for the first time.

Development of anti-corrosive coating on AZ31 Mg alloy modified by MOF/LDH/PEO hybrids

The self-assembly of hybrid inorganic-organic materials on stationary platforms plays a critical role in improving their structural stability and wide usability. In this work, a novel two-step hydrothermal approach is proposed for synthesizing stable and advanced hybrid coatings on metal-oxide platforms through the surface modification of layered double hydroxide (LDH) films using novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Initially, Mg-Al LDH nanocontainers, grown on a magnesium oxide layer produced through plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of AZ31 Mg alloy substrate, were intercalated with cobalt via an oxidation route, providing the metallic coordination center for the MOF formation. In the subsequent step, a pioneering technique is introduced, utilizing tryptophan as the organic linker for the first time at a pH of 10. The self-assembly of cobalt- tryptophan complex, driven by the strong bonding between electrophilic sites of monomers and nucleophilic sites, facilitated the formation of a MOF network having a cloud-like structure on the surface of MgAl LDH's film. The resulting MOF-LDH encapsulation containers demonstrate exceptional electrochemical stability when exposed to a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, surpassing the performance of PEO and pure LDH coatings. This enhanced stability is attributed to the development of a dense top layer and a stable composition within the self-assembled MOF, effectively sealing flaws and preventing the infiltration of corrosive ions into the underlying metallic substrate. The formation mechanism of MOFs on LDH galleries is investigated using density functional theory calculations.

Dynamics of changes in cadmium levels in environmental objects and its impact on the bio-elemental composition of living organisms.

As a result of intensive anthropogenic impact in the biosphere there is a rapid process of accumulation of heavy metal salts. They have led to the aggravation of problems associated with the pollution of ecosystems and basic food products of plant and animal origin. Environmental pollution by these compounds is caused by their persistence in environmental objects, migration ability, accumulation by plants. This contributes to their accumulation in the human environment. A number of studies have shown that heavy metals have mutagenic, toxic effects and affect the intensity of biochemical processes. Therefore, the presence of heavy metals in the environment is extremely undesirable. Moreover, the ecological state of the environment is directly related to changes in the human internal environment. Deficiency or excess of certain bioelements in soils and drinking water or non-compliance with its stable chemical composition causes the development of dysmicroelementosis. The ecological situation of the Carpathian region is closely related to the state of soils and water resources. In this regard, it is advisable to study and control the level of cadmium compounds in the environment of the region. The study of the effect of cadmium intoxication on the macro- and microelement composition of the brain and myocardium of experimental animals is also worthwhile. Materials and methods. Soils and drinking water of the plain, foothill and mountainous zones of the region, as well as organs and tissues of experimental animals served as the object of research. Cadmium levels in drinking water and myocardial tissues and brain of experimental animals have been measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results and discussion. The study of soils in the Prykarpattia region has revealed an increase in the toxic element cadmium. Its content is 1.1-1.5 times higher than background levels. The analysis of drinking water allowed to establish that a significant number of people living in the plain and foothill zone of the region consume water with a high content of cadmium. The main stages of cadmium intake and accumulation in plants have been analyzed. Significant disorders in the body of experimental animals under conditions of excessive intake of cadmium compounds have been revealed. It was accompanied by the accumulation of cadmium in the myocardium and brain, on the background of redistribution of vital macronutrients calcium and magnesium along with micronutrients copper and zinc. Thus, excessive intake of cadmium salts causes the development of dysmicroelementosis, which is accompanied by a violation of the homeostasis of a living organism. It is suggested to conduct continuous monitoring of the level of toxicants in the ecosystem as an integral component of environmental monitoring.

Stable pharmaceutical composition of cryo-protected non-pyrogenic isotonic chains of magnetosomes for efficient tumor cell destruction at 45 ± 1 °C under alternating magnetic field or ultrasound application.

We report a method to prepare biocompatible, stable, and highly pure iron oxide nano-minerals by following the steps consisting of: (i) amplifying magnetotactic bacteria in non-toxic minimal growth media; (ii) extracting magnetosomes from magnetotactic bacteria under alkaline lysis; (iii) heating magnetosomes above 400 °C to yield sterile magnetosome minerals, M-uncoated, devoid of active non-denatured bacterial organic material; (iv) coating M-uncoated with biocompatible carboxymethyl-dextran (CMD) compounds to yield stable M-CMD; (v) adding 5% sorbitol to M-CMD; and (vi) lyophilizing these mixtures, resulting in formulated nano-minerals in powder forms, designated as (M-CMD)F. The long-term stability of the final products is demonstrated by re-suspending (M-CMD)F in water after 12 months of storage, and by showing that these formulated magnetosomes have preserved their stability in suspension, chain arrangement, carbon content, surface charge, and surface composition. Furthermore, the formulation is optimized to yield an isotonic magnetosome suspension with an osmolality of between 275 and 290 mOsm kg-1 H2O upon reconstitution. On one hand, these formulated magnetosomes are fully biocompatible, i.e. sterile, non-pyrogenic, and non-cytotoxic towards 3T3, L929, and V79 healthy cells up to 1 mg mL-1 NP concentration iron. On the other hand, when they are brought into the presence of PC3-Luc prostate tumor cells and heated moderately at ∼41-46 °C for 20-30 minutes under low-intensity ultrasound or alternating magnetic field conditions, they efficiently destroy these tumor cells.

Exploring the multiple therapeutic mechanisms and challenges of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, and the current treatment options are limited. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have garnered significant attention due to their unique biological properties, showcasing tremendous potential as an acellular alternative therapy for AD. MSC-Exos exhibit excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, enabling them to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and deliver therapeutic molecules directly to target cells. They are highly efficacious in delivering nucleic acid-based drugs. Moreover, the production process of MSC-Exos benefits from a high proliferation capacity and multilineage differentiation potential, allowing for production while maintaining a stable composition. Despite the significant theoretical advantages of MSC-Exos, their clinical use still faces multiple challenges, including cross-contamination during isolation and purification processes, the complexity of their components, and the presence of potential adverse paracrine factors. Future research needs to focus on optimizing separation and purification techniques, enhancing delivery methods to improve therapeutic efficacy, and performing detailed analyses of the components of MSC-Exos. In summary, MSC-Exos hold promise as an effective option for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, driving their clinical research and use in related fields.

Navigating the unknown with AI: multiobjective Bayesian optimization of non-noble acidic OER catalysts

This study highlighted the effectiveness of AI-driven multiobjective Bayesian optimization for electrocatalysis, accelerating the search for active and stable compositions for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction by 17x.

Geographic Profiling and Geographic Information Systems in the Study and Investigation of Crime

The research of a criminal’s movements and the identification of his key locations is a complex task for both criminology and criminalistics. The analysis of publications shows that geographical profiling can be viewed simultaneously as an interdisciplinary field of knowledge, as a method for obtaining orienting diagnostic information about the criminal, and as a process of corresponding analytical activity; besides, the number of geographical profiling objects grows with time: the place of residence is supplemented by other anchor points where the criminal might spend time. The author states that in some cases geographical profiling methods might be effective for identifying the criminal who committed a single crime, and not necessarily a series of crimes. The theoretical foundations of geographical profiling are examined, they include the theory of routine activities, rational choice, crime patters, circle, and also attenuation with an increase of distance. Normative and criminalistic approaches to geoinformation systems are analyzed. The author presents a description of key software complexes that have geographical profiling as their dominant or one of their dominant features, including Rigel, Dragnet, Crimestat, Predator and Gemini. Main drawbacks of these programs are examined: an orientation at a large number of similar crimes, supposed stable composition of a criminal group, a small number of different groups of criminals and a small area of the territory under analysis, region-based linking to databases. It is also possible to use non-core geoinformation services for modelling a criminal’s movements, for instance, for determining the direction of pursuit while the trail is still hot or for verifying evidence. This information includes a criminal’s access to private or public transport, characteristics of outdoor surveillance systems, the volume and weight of a criminal’s assets, including stolen assets, dirt on their face or clothes, their emotional condition. The author concludes that it is necessary to simultaneously develop state-owned geoinformation systems reflecting data on crime in general as well as specific crimes, and similar private special-purpose projects.

Endophytic fungus Penicillium steckii DF33 promoted tanshinones biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza by regulating the expression of CYP450 genes

Salvia miltiorrhiza, a prominent traditional Chinese medicinal resource, has been extensively employed in the management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ailments. Ensuring the consistency of S. miltiorrhiza raw materials revolves around the imperative task of maintaining stable tanshinones content and composition. An effective approach in this regard involves the utilization of endophytic fungi as inducers. Within this context, our study spotlights an endophytic fungus, Penicillium steckii DF33, isolated from the roots of S. miltiorrhiza. Remarkably, this fungus has demonstrated a significant capacity to boost the biosynthesis and accumulation of tanshinones. The primary objective of this investigation is to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism by which DF33 enhances and regulates the biosynthesis and accumulation of tanshinones. This is achieved through its influence on the differential expression of crucial CYP450 genes within the S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots system. The results revealed that the DF33 elicitor not only promotes the growth of hairy roots but also enhances the accumulation of tanshinones. Notably, the content of cryptotanshinone was reached 1.6452 ± 0.0925 mg g−1, a fourfold increase compared to the control group. Our qRT-PCR results further demonstrate that the DF33 elicitor significantly up-regulates the expression of most key enzyme genes (GGPPS, CPS1, KSL1, CYP76AH1, CYP76AH3, CYP76AK1, CYP71D411) involved in the tanshinone biosynthesis pathway. This effect is particularly pronounced in certain critical CYP450 genes and Tanshinone ⅡA synthase (SmTⅡAS), with their expression levels peaking at 7 days or 14 days, respectively. In summary, endophytic P. steckii DF33 primarily enhances tanshinone biosynthesis by elevating the expression levels of pivotal enzyme genes associated with the modification and transformation stages within the tanshinone biosynthesis pathway. These findings underscore the potential of employing plant probiotics, specifically endophytic and root-associated microbes, to facilitate the biosynthesis and transformation of vital constituents in medicinal plants, and this approach holds promise for enhancing the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

High prevalence of Enterovirus E, Bovine Kobuvirus, and Astrovirus revealed by viral metagenomics in fecal samples from cattle in Central Colombia

Livestock plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and driving the global economy. However, viral infections can have far-reaching consequences beyond economic productivity, affecting the health of cattle, as well as posing risks to human health and other animals. Identifying viruses present in fecal samples, a primary route of pathogen transmission, is essential for developing effective prevention, control, and surveillance strategies. Viral metagenomic approaches offer a broader perspective and hold great potential for detecting previously unknown viruses or uncovering previously undescribed agents. Ubaté Province is Colombia's dairy capital and a key center for livestock production in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize viral communities in fecal samples from cattle in this region. A total of 42 samples were collected from three municipalities in Ubaté Province, located in central Colombia, using a convenient non-probabilistic sampling method. We utilized metagenomic sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), combined with diversity and phylogenetic analysis. The findings revealed a consistent and stable viral composition across the municipalities, primarily comprising members of the Picornaviridae family. At the species level, the most frequent viruses were Enterovirus E (EVE) and Bovine Astrovirus (BoAstV). Significantly, this study reported, for the first time in Colombia, the presence of viruses with veterinary importance occurring at notable frequencies: EVE (59%), Bovine Kobuvirus (BKV) (52%), and BoAstV (19%). Additionally, the study confirmed the existence of Circular replicase-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) Virus in animal feces. These sequences were phylogenetically grouped with samples obtained from Asia and Latin America, underscoring the importance of having adequate representation across the continent. The virome of bovine feces in Ubaté Province is characterized by the predominance of potentially pathogenic viruses such as BoAstV and EVE that have been reported with substantial frequency and quantities. Several of these viruses were identified in Colombia for the first time. This study showcases the utility of using metagenomic sequencing techniques in epidemiological surveillance. It also paves the way for further research on the influence of these agents on bovine health and their frecuency across the country.

First principles-based design of lightweight high entropy alloys

Recently, the design of lightweight high entropy alloys (HEAs) with a mass density lower than 5 g/cm3 has attracted much research interest in structural materials. We applied a first principles-based high-throughput method to design lightweight HEAs in single solid-solution phase. Three lightweight quinary HEA families were studied: AlBeMgTiLi, AlBeMgTiSi and AlBeMgTiCu. By comprehensively exploring their entire compositional spaces, we identified the most promising compositions according to the following design criteria: the highest stability, lowest mass density, largest elastic modulus and specific stiffness, along with highest Pugh’s ratio. We found that HEAs with the topmost compositions exhibit a negative formation energy, a low density and high specific Young’s modulus, but a low Pugh’s ratio. Importantly, we show that the most stable composition, Al0.31Be0.15Mg0.14Ti0.05Si0.35 is energetically more stable than its metallic compounds and it significantly outperforms the current lightweight engineering alloys such as the 7075 Al alloy. These results suggest that the designed lightweight HEAs can be energetically more stable, lighter, and stiffer but slightly less ductile compared to existing Al alloys. Similar conclusions can be also drawn for the AlBeMgTiLi and AlBeMgTiCu. Our design methodology and findings serve as a valuable tool and guidance for the experimental development of lightweight HEAs.

Influence of microwave heating on grain growth behavior and phase stability of nano Y2O3/La2O3 co-doped ZrO2 ceramics

Y2O3-doped ZrO2 (YSZ) is a significant structural material and excellent functional material, it has been widely used in fields such as ceramics, thermal barrier coatings, and medical, etc. The disadvantage of YSZ is that it undergoes phase transition occurs during high-temperature cooling, leading to cracks in zirconia. It is worth mentioning that the failure phase transition of YSZ can be suppressed by the addition of rare earth oxide such as lanthanum oxide. In this paper, ZrO2 nano-powders with 0.2 mol% La2O3-2.8 mol% Y2O3 were prepared by a high-energy ball milling method. The comparison of microwave sintering and conventional sintering temperatures (800 °C–1300 °C) on the phase transition transformation of La2O3-doped Y2O3-stabilized zirconia powders was investigated by the control variable method. Meanwhile, the effects of microwave sintering technology on the microstructure and grain growth behavior of the sintered powders were further analyzed. The results show that microwave sintering is superior to conventional sintering technology. Microwave sintering promotes the rate of conversion of zirconia from monoclinic to tetragonal phase. Furthermore, the average grain size of the samples increased linearly with increasing temperature, and the grain growth further contributed to the presence of stable phases. Adding La3+ and Y3+ can reduce the grain growth activation energy and increase the contents of both the t-ZrO2 and c-ZrO2 in the sample. In this experiment, we find that the samples sintered best at 1200 °C with stable phase composition, well-defined morphology and uniform particle distribution. It is well known that the synthesis of high-quality zirconia materials is essential for good zirconia raw materials in practical production. This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the synthesis of zirconia powder with excellent performance.

INFLUENCE OF THE GRANULATION PROCESS ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROBIOTIC FEED SUPPLEMENT

The modern development of animal husbandry and poultry farming is impossible without compound feed, which is balanced in terms of energy indicators, nutrients and biologically active substances. The presence of biologically active substances in the rations of animals leads to an increase in the cost of compound feed, which affects the cost of livestock products. However, an insufficient amount of biologically active substances leads to the occurrence of diseases that exclude the possibility of further effective use of animals. Probiotic feed products based on live cultures of microorganisms are used to ensure the body's need for biologically active substances of farm animals. Probiotic feed supplement EnzActive based on active yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used in feeding farm animals. This supplement is able to increase the assimilation of nutrients by blocking the negative impact of harmful microorganisms on the condition of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, on the processes of digestion and removal of the end products of metabolism. Based on theoretical and experimental data, a structural scheme for the production of granulated compound feed using EnzActive probiotic feed additive is proposed, which involves stepwise dosing and mixing of microcomponents with EnzActive probiotic feed additive, further mixing with prepared and dosed components of compound feed to ensure high uniformity of EnzActive distribution in the finished product. The technology for the production of granulated combined feed products using the EnzActive probiotic feed additive has been developed, which allows for the production of highly homogeneous finished products with a fixed stable composition that meets the physiological needs of farm animals. The physical properties of loose and granulated compound feed with the EnzActive probiotic feed additive were experimentally determined, which indicate that, compared to loose, granular compound feed with the EnzActive probiotic feed additive, it has a smaller angle of natural slope, better flowability, and greater volume, which leads to space saving during transportation and storage. The main quality indicator of the granulated compound feed is the fragility of the granules, which was 27%. It has been established that the introduction of probiotic feed additive EnzActive into the compound feed does not affect the change in the physical properties of the finished compound feed products. Microbiological indicators were determined, which indicate that the number of yeast cells in the granulated compound feed with the EnzActive probiotic feed additive is 51.6% compared to the number of yeast cells in the loose compound feed with the EnzActive probiotic feed additive.