Substances Of Different Origin Research Articles

Local Conservation of Nature Heritage as an Important Component in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach. A Case Study of Srebarna Lake, Bulgaria

Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are gaining more and more weight on the world political agenda and are attracting the attention of national governments at the highest level. The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) approach helps to understand the interrelationship between natural resources and human activities such as planning, managing, or consuming water, energy, or agricultural products. The world is currently facing the challenge of providing water, energy, and food for all. Scarce natural resources and the environment are increasingly being exploited, while at the same time the demand for fresh water, agricultural products, and energy increases. In this context, the protection of the quality of the available water resources becomes even more important. The preservation of the quality status of water resources is compromised by excessive exploitation, the introduction of polluting substances of different origins, hydromorphological changes in aquatic habitats, and climate changes. The main aim of this article is to clarify the Water-Energy-Food relationship and determine the current physico-chemical state of Lake Srebarna, which is a protected natural site in Bulgaria, a wetland of international importance, a biosphere reserve, and part of the list of world cultural heritage monuments and natural sights of UNESCO.

СОРБЦИЯ КАДМИЯ И СВИНЦА ВЕЩЕСТВАМИ, ПЕРСПЕКТИВНЫМИ ДЛЯ СОЗДАНИЯ КОМПОЗИЦИОННЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ НА ОСНОВЕ ГЕКСАЦИАНОФЕРРАТОВ

The development of new drugs and feed additives to reduce the accumulation of anthropogenic and natural toxicants (heavy metals, radionuclides, mycotoxins, pesticides, etc.) in the body of farm animals and livestock products remains an urgent task. One of the ways to solve it is to create multifunctional products containing ferrocyanides (hexacyanoferrates) of transition metals as active substances. In medicine and veterinary medicine, enterosorbents based on compounds of this class are used as independent pharmacological agents, and in the form of composite preparations, which are obtained by fixing ferrocyanides on carrier substances of different origin and chemical composition. To study the possibility of using certain substances as carriers in the creation of new composite preparations and to assess their effect on the detoxification properties of ferrocyanides, the sorption efficiency of a number of mineral and organic substances with respect to Cd and Pb was studied. It was found that the background content of Cd and Pb in the tested substances does not exceed the maximum permissible levels of these toxicants in feed, feed additives and veterinary preparations. Under in vitro conditions, the biomass of the fungus Inonotus obliquus (chaga), the preparations ferrocin, bifezh and KhZh-90, zeolite tuff shivyrtuin, smectite dioctahedral, white soot and chitosan succinate have the greatest efficiency of Cd and Pb sorption (with respect to Cd – 50.4-89.0%, Pb – 58.3-95.1%). The combined presence of Cd and Pb reduces the sorption capacity of most of the tested substances by 1.6-63.6%.

Unexpected air pollutants with potential human health hazards: Nitrification inhibitors, biocides, and persistent organic substances

To better understand the influence of land use and meteorological parameters on air pollutants, we deployed passive air samplers in 15 regions with different land use in eastern Austria. The samplers consisted of polyurethane PUF and polyester PEF filter matrices, which were analyzed for 566 substances by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. In a previous article, we highlighted a widespread contamination of ambient air with pesticides that depends on the surrounding land use and meteorological parameters. Here we report that, in addition to agricultural pesticides, eight other substances were frequently detected in ambient air: Nitrapyrin, a nitrification inhibitor used to increase nitrogen use efficiency of fertilizers and banned in Austria since 1993; biocides against insects (DEET and transfluthrin) used mainly outside agriculture; piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a synergist mixed into pesticide formulations; and four industrially used polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), long banned worldwide. Concentrations of the detected substances were positively related to air temperature, but only slightly related to agricultural land use in the sampler's vicinity. The city center showed the highest concentrations of biocides, PCBs and PBO, but also medium concentrations of nitrapyrin. Four sites had no air contamination with these substances; including two national parks dominated by grassland or forest, but also two sites with mixed land use. The potential human toxicity of the detected substances based on globally harmonized hazard classifications was high: seven substances had specific organ toxicity, six were cancerogenic, and two were acutely toxic; however, several substances had incomplete information of hazard profiles. Moreover, all substances were acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic life. We recommend that substances of different origins be included in the air pollution monitoring portfolio to comprehensively assess the potential hazards to humans and the environment.

Wasteosomes (corpora amylacea) of human brain can be phagocytosed and digested by macrophages

BackgroundCorpora amylacea of human brain, recently renamed as wasteosomes, are granular structures that appear during aging and also accumulate in specific areas of the brain in neurodegenerative conditions. Acting as waste containers, wasteosomes are formed by polyglucosan aggregates that entrap and isolate toxic and waste substances of different origins. They are expelled from the brain to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and can be phagocytosed by macrophages. In the present study, we analyze the phagocytosis of wasteosomes and the mechanisms involved in this process. Accordingly, we purified wasteosomes from post-mortem extracted human CSF and incubated them with THP-1 macrophages. Immunofluorescence staining and time-lapse recording techniques were performed to evaluate the phagocytosis. We also immunostained human hippocampal sections to study possible interactions between wasteosomes and macrophages at central nervous system interfaces.ResultsWe observed that the wasteosomes obtained from post-mortem extracted CSF are opsonized by MBL and the C3b complement protein. Moreover, we observed that CD206 and CD35 receptors may be involved in the phagocytosis of these wasteosomes by THP-1 macrophages. Once phagocytosed, wasteosomes become degraded and some of the resulting fractions can be exposed on the surface of macrophages and interchanged between different macrophages. However, brain tissue studies show that, in physiological conditions, CD206 but not CD35 receptors may be involved in the phagocytosis of wasteosomes.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that macrophages have the machinery required to process and degrade wasteosomes, and that macrophages can interact in different ways with wasteosomes. In physiological conditions, the main mechanism involve CD206 receptors and M2 macrophages, which trigger the phagocytosis of wasteosomes without inducing inflammatory responses, thus avoiding tissue damage. However, altered wasteosomes like those obtained from post-mortem extracted CSF, which may exhibit waste elements, become opsonized by MBL and C3b, and so CD35 receptors constitute another possible mechanism of phagocytosis, leading in this case to inflammatory responses.

Assessment of biosafety and toxicity of hydrophilic gel for implantation in experimental in vitro and in vivo models.

BackgroundThe assessment of biosafety of pharmacologically active substances is crucial for determining the feasibility of their medical use. There are controversial issues regarding the use of substances of different origins as implants.MethodsWe have conducted the comprehensive studies to determine the in vivo toxicity and in vitro genotoxicity of new generation of hydrophilic gel for implantation (production name of the substance “Activegel”) to detail its characteristics and assess its biosafety.ResultsIn vivo studies have shown the absence of clinical manifestations of intoxication in animals and no abnormalities in their physiological condition, general and biochemical blood tests. Evaluation of the site of the gel application showed no inflammatory reaction and evidenced on normal state of tissues of animal skin. The results of the genotoxicity test indicated that the gel did not affect the parameters of DNA comets and the formation of micronuclei, accordingly, had no genotoxic effect on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. When studying the effect of the gel on malignantly transformed cells in vitro, it was found that the gel for implantation did not change the proliferative activity and viability of human breast cancer cells.ConclusionsComprehensive in vitro and in vivo study using various experimental model systems showed that the hydrophilic gel for implantation “Activegel” is non-toxic.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-022-00577-3.

Probing Small-Angle Molecular Motions with EPR Spectroscopy: Dynamical Transition and Molecular Packing in Disordered Solids

Disordered molecular solids present a rather broad class of substances of different origin—amorphous polymers, materials for photonics and optoelectronics, amorphous pharmaceutics, simple molecular glass formers, and others. Frozen biological media in many respects also may be referred to this class. Theoretical description of dynamics and structure of disordered solids still does not exist, and only some phenomenological models can be developed to explain results of particular experiments. Among different experimental approaches, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) applied to spin probes and labels also can deliver useful information. EPR allows probing small-angle orientational molecular motions (molecular librations), which intrinsically are inherent to all molecular solids. EPR is employed in its conventional continuous wave (CW) and pulsed—electron spin echo (ESE)—versions. CW EPR spectra are sensitive to dynamical librations of molecules while ESE probes stochastic molecular librations. In this review, different manifestations of small-angle motions in EPR of spin probes and labels are discussed. It is shown that CW-EPR-detected dynamical librations provide information on dynamical transition in these media, similar to that explored with neutron scattering, and ESE-detected stochastic librations allow elucidating some features of nanoscale molecular packing. The possible EPR applications are analyzed for gel-phase lipid bilayers, for biological membranes interacting with proteins, peptides and cryoprotectants, for supercooled ionic liquids (ILs) and supercooled deep eutectic solvents (DESs), for globular proteins and intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), and for some other molecular solids.

Mixture toxicity prediction of substances from different origin sources in Daphnia magna

Due to several anthropogenic activities, water bodies have been heavily impacted by contaminants identified in aquatic ecosystems, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural and industrial chemicals. Risk assessment based on chemical mixtures is still default in many monitoring studies, with decisions being based solely on a chemical-by-chemical basis. The present study aimed to improve risk assessment procedures in water bodies by focusing on mixtures of chemical substances of different origins. The goal was to analyze potential interactions occurring at different complexity levels (binary and quaternary mixtures) using standardised toxicity assays. Mixture toxicity effects were assessed using Daphnia magna as the model organism and the compounds sodium fluoride, boric acid, ammonium hydroxide and acetaminophen as general representatives of contaminants in the aquatic ecosystem. The results revealed interactions between the compounds, mainly showing antagonism but also dose level and dose ratio-dependent deviations. Overall antagonism was the dominant deviation pattern, particularly at low doses, though synergism was also detected at higher doses or specific ratios. Synergism at low doses was found for the binary mixture of ammonium hydroxide and acetaminophen, two common pollutants, which denotes an enhanced risk to aquatic ecosystems. Independent Action provided more accurate predictions for the quaternary mixture, whereas Concentration Addition overestimated the toxicity of the mixture. Regarding the environmental risk assessment of water bodies, the interaction between chemicals in a mixture should not be neglected. The complexity of the mixture interactions found in the present study highlights the importance of complementing chemical screenings of water bodies with mixture toxicity data, particularly when considering chemicals of multiple origins whose joint action remains unknown.

Effects of Nitrogen, Azoxystrobin and a Biostimulant Based on Brown Algae and Yeast on Wild Rocket Features at Harvest and During Storage

Recently, the use of biostimulant substances of different origins has been affirmed. They act differently on the physiological processes of the plant, helping to improve its productive response and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Therefore, the response of the wild rocket to two substances known to have biostimulating activity (Azoxystrobin, and a fluid extract of brown algae and yeast), was evaluated. Two experimental trials (Exp 1 and Exp 2) were carried out in the greenhouse. The collected product, in addition to being evaluated from a qualitative point of view, was used for evaluation of shelf life. Exp 1 involved the comparison of two N levels with two Azoxystrobin levels (treated–Azo+, and untreated control). Exp 2 involved the comparison of two N levels, and two biostimulating substances based on Azoxystrobin (Azo+) and on fluid extracts of yeast and brown algae (YBA+), in addition to untreated control. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was used. Azo+ increased marketable yield of wild rocket by 16.8% and enhanced some qualitative features at harvest as the increase in chlorophyll (+17.8%) and carotenoids (+13.5%), and decrease in nitrates (−10.6%), regardless of the nitrogen level. Furthermore, Azo+ increased the shelf life (+2.5 days) of wild rocket stored at 3.5 °C. In particular, Azo+ slowed the loss of chlorophyll (yellowing) and the worsening of odor and visual appearance. As Azoxystrobin is a fungicide effective for the control of some diseases of wild rocket, its use should be promoted as it would offer not only the benefit of disease control but also improved production and shelf life. YBA+ caused an increase in the chlorophyll content (+12.5%) at harvest of wild rocket, but reduced its antioxidant activity (−40%). YBA+ did not cause substantial variations in shelf life with the exception of a slowdown in the degradation of carotenoids. Further research is desirable to evaluate other variables such as the dose and time of application.

Effect of Infection and Injections of Substances of Different Origin on Lysozyme in Cyprinids (Family Cyprinidae) (Review)

This paper provides a review of literature published in 2000–2016 on the responses of lysozyme in cyprinids, which was experimentally obtained based on substances of different origin. Ten species, representing objects of aquaculture, are studied. The effects of pathogenic and parasitic infection, vaccination, and immunization, as well as immunostimulants, including endotoxins, secondary metabolites, components of plant origin, and hormones administered by injection, are considered. The pathogenic challenge of carp Cyprinus carpio L. by Aeromonas hydrophila (Chester) shows multidirectional changes and their absence in the activity of lysozyme. The parasitic infection of different fish species usually has an immunosuppressive effect. Vaccination and immunization increase serum lysozyme activity, which is 7–8 times higher than that in the control fish. However, the immune responses differ in time and depend on some factors, including the structure of the active substance and composition of the vaccine. Most immunostimulants contribute to different growths in the activity and content of lysozyme in carp serum and organs. Immune responses can reverse, depending on the dose of the active substance. The diversity of units of lysozyme activity makes it difficult to systematize immune responses even within a single fish species. The range of variation in the serum lysozyme activity of Cyprinus carpio and Labeo rohita (Hamilton) is very wide in studies conducted by different researchers, which probably cannot correspond to adequate physiological values. There are data indicating the highest mortality among experimental fish that have the highest serum lysozyme activity.

Historical perspective of Algerian pharmacological knowledge

Many studies have initiated the use of plant species in traditional Algerian medicine taking into consideration that the Algerian flora is the main source of traditional remedies. In fact, Algerian ethnopharmacology was a combination of ancient knowledge inherited from Islamic civilization and purely empirical uses of substances of different origins; plant, animal and inorganic. The study showed the existence of non-systematic knowledge of plants oriented by knowledge in classical medicine and the use of a large number of ingredients separately or in mixture according to very diverse therapeutic formulas. This study presented the different uses of 134 substances of plant origin, 13 of animal origin and 12 of inorganic origin; these substances have enriched among others the Algerian pharmacopoeia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Spectral characteristics and biological activity of synthetic humic-like substances on the basis of carbohydrates

The study of the structure and properties of synthetic analogues of humic substances is an important research task. This paper presents the results of studying the structural and group composition of the products of water-soluble fractions synthesized in the D-glucose - m-aminobenzoic acid and D-glucose - p-toluidine reaction systems using electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. The IR-Fourier transform spectroscopic study shows the similarity of the structural-group composition of the selected products with those for humic and humic-like substances of different origin. The study of growth-regulating ability confirms its presence for the products of both systems, while the aromatic fragments of m-aminobenzoic acid impart higher stimulating activity to the substances. Analysis of the structural-group composition of the products obtained in the framework of computer modelling suggests their potentially non-toxic nature, which makes further research in this direction promising.

Photo-Fenton reaction at mildly acidic conditions: assessing the effect of bio-organic substances of different origin and characteristics through experimental design

Urban-waste bio-organic substances (UW-BOS) have been shown to be capable of extending the photo-Fenton reaction to mildly acidic conditions. In this study, the effects of pH (3–7), UW-BOS, H2O2 and iron concentrations on the photo-Fenton process were systematically assessed using a Doehlert experimental design and response surface methodology for two UW-BOS (CVT230 and FORSUD). Solutions of the model antibiotic sulfadiazine (SDZ) were irradiated in a solar simulator equipped with a 550 W Xenon lamp. The results showed that for UW-BOS contents below 30 mg L−1, SDZ removal proceeds at pH 5 with similar rates for both CVT230 and FORSUD, regardless of Fe(III) concentration. For 50 mg L−1 of UW-BOS or higher, CVT230 performs better than FORSUD, even for low Fe(III) content (1–3 mg L−1). In contrast, half-life times of 35–40 min can only be achieved under mildly acidic conditions with FORSUD for iron concentrations higher than 10 mg L−1. The better performance of CVT230 can be associated with its high hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio, low E2:E3, higher iron content and possibly higher yields of triplet reactive species generation upon solar irradiation. The most appropriate conditions for each UW-BOS studied are discussed for the first time, which are advantageous for possible engineered applications.

Effects of biochar on the dynamics of aggregate stability in clay and sandy loam soils

SummaryRecent advances suggest that organic substances of different origins might have different aggregate stability dynamics. We investigated the extent to which contrasting soil types affect the dynamics of aggregation after the addition of crop residues (R) and of biochar at two doses (BC20, 20 Mg ha−1; BC40, 40 Mg ha−1) in a 2‐year experiment. To evaluate disaggregation, we measured a set of physical–chemical and structure‐related properties of clay and sandy loam aggregates sieved to 1–2 mm, including wet aggregate stability after different pretreatments combined with laser diffraction analysis. The electrochemical properties of the colloidal suspension were also analysed to identify changes in soil chemistry affected by organic inputs. Different amounts of added biochar and soil types produced contrasting effects on wet aggregate stability. In sandy loam, the increased soil surface area from added biochar (at either dose) offset the initial small soil organic carbon (SOC) content and subsequently promoted SOC‐controlled aggregation. Conversely in clay soil, the larger biochar dose (BC40) strengthened the repulsive forces between particles with the same charge and monovalent cations, which led to chemical perturbation and some aggregate breakdown not found with BC20. Pore structure also changed in clay aggregates. A shift towards more micropores (30–5 μm, + 29% more than in the control) and ultramicropores (5–0.1 μm, + 22% more than in the control), which contributed to aggregate stabilization, resulted when biochar was added, but not for residue. Our results suggest that biochar promotes aggregate stability, which, in turn, improves the physical fertility of soil, especially if it has a coarse texture and small organic carbon content. Further study is needed of the physical–chemical interactions between added biochar and surface‐charged clay‐rich soils.Highlights Aggregate dynamics are poorly understood because of complex interactions between organic inputs and soil type. A multidisciplinary approach was used to study aggregation dynamics. Large biochar input changed soil chemical properties that weakened stability in clay aggregates. Aggregate stability depended on biochar dose and soil type.

КРИТЕРИИ ОТБОРА ПРЕПАРАТОВ ПРИ РАЗРАБОТКЕ СОРБЦИОННО-ДЕТОКСИЦИРУЮЩИХ КОМПЛЕКСОВ ДЛЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ ЖИВОТНЫХ

Negative impact on the environment as a result of economic activity of man increasingly becomes the character of combined pollution of ecotoxicants, including xenobiotics of radiation and chemical nature. In animal husbandry in ecologically unfavorable regions, sorbtion-detoxication technologies based on the complex application of bioprotective substances of different origin are used to reduce the intake and accumulation of xenobiotics, to normalize the physiological state of animals and to obtain safe products. It is necessary to observe certain principles ensuring compatibility of components, a wide range of bioprotective action, efficiency and safety at their use in developing the compositions of such sorption-detoxifying complexes. The article substantiates the criteria that should be followed in creating sorption-detoxifying complexes and presents groups of drugs with different mechanisms of action (sorbents, antioxidants, immunomodulators, adaptogens and other biologically active substances) for inclusion in the formulations of combined compositions.

Silver-containing nanocomposites with antioxidant activity based on humic substances of different origin

Humic substances isolated from curative mud, brown coal, and shale of the Mongolian deposits were used for the synthesis of water-soluble silver-containing nanocomposites. The humic substances from curative mud have the highest reducing and stabilizing ability among the studied objects. The compositions and structures of the obtained nanocomposites were characterized in detail by a complex of modern physicochemical methods. The humic substances and related nanocomposites were found to exhibit high antioxidant activity comparable with that of the known antioxidants.

Features of gold nanoparticle formation in matrices of humic substances of different origin

Features of gold nanoparticle formation in matrices of humic substances of different origin

Determination of Dynamic Metal Complexes and their Diffusion Coefficients in the Presence of Different Humic Substances by Combining Two Analytical Techniques

The combined use of a competing ligand exchange (CLE) method and a diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) technique in a quasi-labile system provides a better understanding of dynamic metal (Cu and Ni) complexes in the presence of humic substances of different origins. The CLE and DGT techniques provide total labile (dynamic) metal complexes (Cu and Ni) and their dissociation rate constants in environmental systems. DGT was found to estimate lower concentrations of labile metal complexes than CLE. These discrepancies were caused by diffusion controlled metal flux (towards the binding resin gel) in the diffusive gel of DGT. The interactions of Cu and Ni with humic acids are stronger than their interactions with fulvic acid and natural organic matter. Changes in the lability of Ni and Cu complexes (complexed with humic substances of different origins) with the changing analytical detection window indicate that the complexes of these metals were formed with different binding sites with diverse binding energies in the humic substances. The combination of these two techniques was found to be very useful in determining diffusion coefficients of labile metal-humate complexes in quasi-labile systems. The values of diffusion coefficients of labile Ni and Cu complexes determined in this study are in good agreement with limited results from the literature. This finding is novel and can be very useful in further improving our understanding of the metal-humate interactions in natural environments.

Intercomparison of Eu3+ speciation with humic substances of different origins by Time-Resolved Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Parallel Factor Analysis

Intercomparison of Eu3+ speciation with humic substances of different origins by Time-Resolved Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Parallel Factor Analysis

Behaviour of Nanomaterials in the Environment: A Study of Interaction between Humic Acids and Fullerene C60

Interaction between buckminsterfullerene and humic substances of different origin was investigated using fluorescence spectrometry as function of concentration of humic substances, pH and ionic strength. Binding constants of humic substances and buckminsterfullerene were calculated. It can be suggested that the complexation was driven by hydrophobic interaction depending on properties of the interacting compounds. Hydrophobic interaction model was indicated by linear Stern–Volmer plot, and high Kd values characterized interaction between buckminsterfullerene and humic acids. The results of this study support the development of understanding of fate of nanomaterials in environment as well as development of analytical techniques for nanomaterials in water and wastewater treatment approaches.

Photoinduced Degradation of the Herbicide Clomazone Model Reactions for Natural and Technical Systems

The photodegradation of the herbicide clomazone in the presence of S(2)O(8) (2-) or of humic substances of different origin was investigated. A value of (9.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(8) m(-1) s(-1) was measured for the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of sulfate radicals with clomazone in flash-photolysis experiments. Steady state photolysis of peroxydisulfate, leading to the formation of the sulfate radicals, in the presence of clomazone was shown to be an efficient photodegradation method of the herbicide. This is a relevant result regarding the in situ chemical oxidation procedures involving peroxydisulfate as the oxidant. The main reaction products are 2-chlorobenzylalcohol and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde. The degradation kinetics of clomazone was also studied under steady state conditions induced by photolysis of Aldrich humic acid or a vermicompost extract (VCE). The results indicate that singlet oxygen is the main species responsible for clomazone degradation. The quantum yield of O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) generation (lambda = 400 nm) for the VCE in D(2)O, Phi(Delta) = (1.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(-3), was determined by measuring the O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) phosphorescence at 1270 nm. The value of the overall quenching constant of O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) by clomazone was found to be (5.7 +/- 0.3) x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1) in D(2)O. The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of clomazone with singlet oxygen was k(r) = (5.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1), which means that the quenching process is mainly reactive.