Substantial Risk Research Articles

Diffusive solubility of nitrogen in Propane: Measurement from 96 K to 227 K at 0.1 MPa

The burgeoning demand for large-scale energy storage has catalyzed the advancement of Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) technology. However, the liquid-phase propane cold storage process in LAES systems encounters a significant challenge: the dissolution of nitrogen protection gas in propane poses a substantial risk to both operational safety and performance. Given the dearth of data on the diffusive solubility of nitrogen in propane under constant atmospheric pressure and low-temperature conditions, this study constructed a testbench and conducted experiments within a temperature range of 96–227 K at a pressure of 0.1 MPa. The molar diffusive solubilities at 227 K, 176 K, 139 K, and 96 K are 0.030 %, 0.177 %, 0.297 %, and 0.962 %, respectively. Besides, this study also fits a calculation equation for the diffusive solubility of nitrogen in propane, which applies to the propane cold storage process in LAES systems.

Telephone lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus attending the national health system: the LINDA-Brasil clinical trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate a postpartum telephone-based lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes in high-risk women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).DesignMulticentre parallel randomised clinical trial.SettingSpecialised antenatal clinics in the Brazilian National System.MethodsLifestyle...

Prospective Observational Study Of Surgical Site Infections In Obstetrics And Gynaecological Operations In Teaching Hospital

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are defined as infections occurring upto 30 days after surgery or (upto one year in patients receiving implants) and affecting either the incision or deep tissue at the operative site. SSIs are potential complications associated with any type of surgical procedure. Even though SSIs are among the most preventable hospital acquired infections, they still symbolize a significant burden in terms of patient’s morbidity and mortality leading to prolonged hospital stay and increase the patient susceptibility to other nosocomial infections affecting the financial condition of patients. Risk factors for SSIs are grouped as patient related, preoperative or pre pregnancy, intraoperative or intrapartum, and postoperative. SSI causes a substantial risk to patients and financial loses for health system because the multi-factorial causes achieving a measurable and sustained reduction in SSIs. In this context it becomes important to determine the prevalence of SSI, assess the magnitude of problem and provide a rationale to set priorities in infection control in the hospitals. Materials and Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted on 200 patients in the Department of Obstetrics and gynaecology, at Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital for a period of 12 months. Prior to the initiation of the study, Ethical and Research Committee clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethical Committee. Results: There was a significant statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the body mass index of subjects (pvalue:<0.001). SSI incidence was high in morbidly obese subjects. There was a highly significant statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the history of previous surgeries of subjects (p-value: <0.0001). SSI incidence was low in subjects with no history of previous surgeries. There was a highly significant statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the type of surgery (p-value: 0.48). SSI incidence was high in caesarean and low in tubectomy surgeries. There was a significant no statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the type of incision (p-value: 0.70). There was a highly significant statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the methods of skin closure (p-value: 0.002). SSI incidence was high in mattress method of skin closure and low in subcuticular method of skin closure. There was a highly significant statistical difference in the incidence of SSIs basing on the class of wound (p-value: 0.00001). SSI incidence was high in dirty wounds and low in clean wounds of skin closure. Conclusion: Although several preoperative risk factors (e.g., age, morbid obesity, ability to pursue a minimally invasive approach, type of gynaecologic surgery, type of incision, methods of skin closure, class of wound) may not be within the surgeon’s control, several evidence based interventions can limit the incidence of SSIs.

Improving H2S remediation efficiency through metal-free biochar modification: Nitrogen introduction and mesopore formation

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) poses substantial risks to human safety and infrastructure due to its toxicity and corrosive properties. In this study, we present a novel approach to enhance the selective catalytic oxidation of H₂S by synthesizing a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon catalyst (denoted as M/B-X-PZ-T) through pyrolysis at 600–800 °C. Our catalyst, derived from commercial biochar, incorporates melamine as a nitrogen source and employs KCl and ZnCl₂ as porogens via the salt-templating method. The resulting catalyst, M/B-1-PZ-700, exhibits an impressive specific surface area of up to 1269.77 m²/g and a high mesopore ratio, with effective nitrogen doping reaching up to 15.35 at%. Remarkably, M/B-1-PZ-700 demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 100 % H₂S conversion and 94 % sulfur selectivity at 170 °C, surpassing previous nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts. Furthermore, our optimized catalyst maintained over 95 % H₂S conversion and superior sulfur yield for 36 h, indicating excellent long-term stability. This metal-free catalyst derived from biochar offers a promising, sustainable, and eco-friendly solution for effectively mitigating hazardous H₂S emissions.

A qualitative study of older adults: The difficulties and needs of returning home after hip fractures

BackgroundFalls and consequent fractures are an increasing problem among older adults, with low rates of return to previous functional condition and a substantial risk of subsequent falls. This scenario points to the need for an improved response to this population's needs. ObjectiveTo define the difficulties and needs felt by older adults with hip fractures when returning home. MethodsThis was a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with hip fracture patients who had been submitted to surgery and who were treated at a hospital in the central region of Portugal. Bardin's content analysis was used to analyze the data. Content analysis was carried out with the support of MAXQDA® Analytic pro 2022 software. ResultsThe analysis of the results of the 15 interviews yielded three categories related to the difficulties perceived by hip fracture patients on returning home: functional limitations; pain; and emotional management. Regarding the needs felt, the following categories emerged: resources/help with activities of daily living; capacity-building for the return home; and information. ConclusionsThe needs and difficulties of older adults with hip fractures on returning home are multiple and variable. Knowledge of these aspects can significantly enhance the standardized actions of nurses in this area of intervention, contributing to the improvement of continuity of care and ensuring a safe transition.

Fracture Patterns, Outcomes, and Complications of Terrible Triad Injury in Elderly Patients

AimsThe aim of this study was to describe the fracture patterns of terrible triad elbow injury (TTEI) and to evaluate complications, functional and radiographic outcomes in mid-term follow-up in patients older than 65 years. MethodsA retrospective study of 29 patients, mean follow-up of 48.7±4.6 months (range 65-78). Fractures were classified according to the Mason and Regan-Morrey classifications. All patients were evaluated by the Mayo Elbow Performance Scale (MEPS), Quick-Dash, EQVAS, EQ5D scores, and ROM measurement. ResultsThe mean age was 72.3 years and 79% were women. Mason Type III (72%) and Reagan-Morrey type II (69%) were the most frequent fracture type. All patients were managed with a lateral approach consisting of repair or replacement of the radial head and repair of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL); of these patients, 19 underwent re-attachment of the coronoid process or anterior capsule. Mean functional scores were MEPS 90.3±7.5, Quick-DASH 18.4±4.6, EQ5D .89± 0.33, EQ-VAS 86.2 ± 21, and VAS 2.2± 1.5. Mean postoperative flexo-extension arc of elbow motion was 105º (range, 65º-145º). Two patients (7%) required revision surgery. We did not observe any joint instability in the elbow after surgery. ConclusionsPatients over 65 years old with a terrible triad elbow injury (TTEI) are at substantial risk of complex fracture patterns, particularly Mason type III radial head fractures and Regan-Morrey type II coronoid fractures. Complications such as joint stiffness and heterotopic ossification are infrequent, while associated capitellum fractures are not rare and should be considered in the assessment as they can impact elbow stability. Despite these challenges, surgical management generally achieves favorable functional outcomes with low complication and reoperation rates.

A genome-wide gene-environmental interaction study identified novel loci for the relationship between ambient air pollution exposure and depression, anxiety

BackgroundGenetic factors and environmental exposures, including air pollution, contribute to the risk of depression and anxiety. While the association between air pollution and depression and anxiety has been established in the UK Biobank, there has been limited research exploring this relationship from a genetic perspective. MethodsBased on individual genotypic and phenotypic data from a cohort of 104,385 participants in the UK Biobank, a polygenic risk score for depression and anxiety was constructed to explore the joint effects of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of ⩽2.5 μm (PM2.5) and 2.5–10 μm (PMcoarse) with depression and anxiety by linear and logistic regression models. Subsequently, a genome-wide gene-environmental interaction study (GWEIS) was performed using PLINK 2.0 to identify the genes interacting with air pollution for depression and anxiety. ResultsA substantial risk of depression and anxiety development was detected in participants exposed to the high air pollution concomitantly with high genetic risk. GWEIS identified 166, 23, 18, and 164 significant candidate loci interacting with NO, NO2, PM2.5, and PMcoarse for Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score, and detected 44, 10, 10, and 114 candidate loci associated with NO, NO2, PM2.5, and PMcoarse for General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score, respectively. And some significant genes overlapped among four air pollutants, like TSN (rs184699498, PNO2 = 3.47 × 10−9; rs139212326, PPM2.5 = 1.51 × 10−8) and HSP90AB7P(rs150987455, PNO2 = 1.63 × 10−11; rs150987455, PPM2.5 = 7.64 × 10−11), which were common genes affecting PHQ-9 score for both NO2 and PM2.5. ConclusionOur study identified the joint effects of air pollution with genetic susceptibility on the risk of depression and anxiety, and provided several novel candidate genes for the interaction, contributing to an understanding of the genetic architecture of depression and anxiety.

Minor strokes: Addressing the challenges of recanalization therapies and secondary prevention

Minor strokes, which account for about 50 % of all ischemic strokes are not necessarily benign and carry a substantial risk of long-term disability. Due to persisting uncertainties regarding optimal recanalization strategies mild strokes may represent a therapeutical challenge for clinicians. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge and questions remaining to be answered.

Operative Times and Outcomes of Complex Endovascular Repairs of Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

IntroductionOwing to the significant morbidity and mortality of open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, complex endovascular repairs (eTAAA) have become increasingly common, but still carry substantial risk. These repairs require large bore access, with resultant pelvic and lower extremity ischemia. We therefore hypothesized that operative timing would be associated with outcomes, as efficient surgery would limit the ischemic time as well as anesthesia time. MethodsWe studied all eTAAA repairs (Crawford Types 1-3, 5) incorporating at least one branch vessel from 2014 to 2021 in the Vascular Quality Initiative, and categorized them into quartiles of total operating time. To account for variations in case complexity and intraoperative events, we performed a sub-analysis stratifying each surgeon by their median operating time. Multilevel logistic regression was employed to compare perioperative outcomes including mortality, thoracoabdominal life altering events (TALE:composite of perioperative death, stroke, permanent paralysis and/or dialysis), spinal cord ischemia (SCI), acute kidney injury (AKI), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), myocardial infarction, and dialysis. ResultsThere were 2,925 eTAAA repairs during the study period. Procedure times ranged from <204 minutes in the first quartile to >365 minutes in the fourth. Longer cases more commonly involved older patients who were more often female, and higher rates of prior stroke, and preoperative anemia. They involved larger, more extensive aneurysms, with higher rates of prior aortic surgery, and more commonly employed PMEGs or parallel grafting to incorporate more branch vessels. In addition, they were less often staged procedures, and used more spinal drains, femoral cutdowns, and upper extremity access. Operating time decreased as experience increased. In adjusted analyses, the odds of mortality and every morbidity studied increased stepwise with operating time, with 4 to 13-fold higher odds in the highest quartiles. Spinal cord ischemia had the strongest association with procedure times, with seven-fold higher odds (OR 7.2 [2.9-17.9], P<.001) of any SCI in the highest quartile compared to the lowest, and 13-fold higher odds of permanent SCI (OR 13.1 [3.9-44.7], P<.001). These results were consistent when surgeons were grouped into quartiles by their median operating times. Medium-term mortality was also higher in the upper quartile of operating time (HR 2.7 [1.4-5.1], P=.002). ConclusionLonger operating times for complex eTAAA repairs were associated with markedly higher rates of morbidity and mortality, especially spinal cord ischemia. These results emphasize the importance of expeditious repairs by experienced teams.

Sleep Disturbance in Perimenopausal Women

Female sex hormones are involved in various physiological processes including sleep and the circadian cycle. During menopausal transition, various symptoms caused by hormonal changes can occur. Among various perimenopausal symptoms, sleep disturbance is one of the most common and important health issues. More than 40% of perimenopausal women report sleep problems, which not only lower quality of life but also pose substantial health risks including increased cardiovascular risk. Factors contributing to sleep disturbances during perimenopause include direct changes in sleep due to decline of female sex hormones and indirect changes resulting from perimenopausal symptoms. This article will address the influence of female sex hormones on sleep and circadian rhythm, sleep changes in perimenopausal women and their possible mechanisms, prevalent sleep disorders during perimenopause, and their treatments.

Epidemiological profile for type 2 diabetic patients in Babylon City: Across sectional study

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a multifaceted and enduring metabolic disorder that has become a prominent global health concern. The global impact of this issue is significant, affecting a large population and presenting substantial health risks, thereby placing a considerable strain on healthcare systems. Type 2 diabetes is a significant public health problem responsible for several macro and microvascular complications. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of type 2 diabetic patients how attending to the specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes in Babylon City. Methodology: A sectional study was conducted between 25th of September 2023 to the 18th of April 2024 to determine the epidemiological characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes who was attending to the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes in Marjan Teaching Hospital, it's a referral center for diabetes and other endocrinology diseases and received diabetes patients of different ages and both sexes from the different health facilities as Public Hospitals, PHC, and Private Clinics. Result: - The study included 751 patients; 58.7% were females, and 41.3% were male. 30.8% were in the age group (60-69) years with an average age of 54.2±14.0 for all involved age (18-90) years. The majority, 47.1%, had diabetes duration of less than 10 years. On admission, 87.6 % of patients suffer from a chronic disease other than diabetes, 30.1 % were overweight, and 48.4 % were obese, with the non-significant difference between percentages using the person chi-square test (2-test) at 0.05 level (P= 0.970). On the other hand, 98.8 % of patients had at least one complication on admission: 81.9% had peripheral neuritis, 85 % had eye fatigue, 84.2 % had severe hypoglycemia, 41.3% had high blood pressure, 35.2% had a diabetic foot and lowest percentage 10.1% had brain strokes. Conclusion: - The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an extremely high risk of disease complications.

Survey on the use of nasal tamponades in sinunasal surgery

Currently, there is an intensive discussion about enhancing and expanding outpatient rhinosurgical procedures. Many questions about how to stratify into out- and inpatient procedures are still not sufficiently clarified. Particularly, the use of nasal packing materials is not adequately discussed. We performed a Germany-wide survey among otorhinolaryngologists regarding the use of nasal packing materials in sinonasal surgery. Additionally, we asked for any complication in relation to nasal packing. In 85,6% nasal packing was used for septal and turbinate surgery at least occasionally, in 44,2% always. In sinus surgery these numbers are 94,1% and 49%, respectively. Non-resorbable nasal packing materials were predominantly used.Most frequent complications were bleeding with nasal packing in situ (> 50% of respondents) and posterior dislocation (24% of respondents), requiring emergency treatment. Death was listed in 5 patients. One patient suffered from permanent brain damage due to hypoxia. Application of non-resorbable nasal packing materials with occlusion of the nasal cavity carry a substantial risk of complications, which necessitate emergency treatment, thus requiring inpatient care.

Low-dose spironolactone and cardiovascular outcomes in moderate stage chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal disease and vascular events. The nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), finerenone, offers cardiorenal protection for people with CKD and diabetes, but there is uncertainty if the steroidal MRA, spironolactone, provides the same protection. In this prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint trial, we assessed the effectiveness of 25 mg spironolactone in addition to usual care or usual care alone for reducing cardiovascular outcomes in stage 3b CKD among an older community cohort (mean age = 74.8 years and s.d. = 8.1). We recruited 1,434 adults from English primary care, of whom 1,372 (96%) were included in the primary analysis. The primary outcome was time from randomization until the first occurrence of death, hospitalization for heart disease, stroke, heart failure, transient ischemic attack or peripheral arterial disease, or first onset of any condition listed not present at baseline. Across 3 years of follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred in 113 of 677 participants randomized to spironolactone (16.7%) and 111 of 695 participants randomized to usual care (16.0%) with no significant difference between groups (hazard ratio = 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.81-1.37). Two-thirds of participants randomized to spironolactone stopped treatment within 6 months, predominantly because they met prespecified safety stop criteria. The most common reason for stopping spironolactone was a decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate that met prespecified stop criteria (n = 239, 35.4%), followed by participants being withdrawn due to treatment side effects (n = 128, 18.9%) and hyperkalemia (n = 54, 8.0%). In conclusion, we found that spironolactone was frequently discontinued due to safety concerns, with no evidence that it reduced cardiovascular outcomes in people with stage 3b CKD. Spironolactone should not be used for people with stage 3b CKD without another explicit treatment indication. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: ISRCTN44522369 .

PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY

Background:Peripartum cardiomyopathy(PPCM) is characterized by the onset of heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction in late pregnancy or shortly after delivery. The incidence of PPCM varies widely globally, with reports ranging from 1 in 100-15000 pregnancies This study aims to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of PPCM in a cohort of women at Basaweshwara General and Teaching Hospital, Kalaburgi. Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted over one year (January 1 to December 31, 2023). Inclusion criteria were based on NHLBI standards for diagnosing PPCM, while patients with preexisting cardiac conditions, liver disorders, and malignancies were excluded. Data were collected from hospital records, focusing on demographics, clinical presentations,echocardiographic findings, complications, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version22. Results:Among 2,200 deliveries, 12 cases of PPCM were identified, yielding an incidence of 0.55%. The mean age of affected women was 26.33 years, with 66% being primigravida. A significant proportion (58.33%) presented with hypertensive disorders.Maternal outcomes included a 25% mortality rate and high rates of cesarean delivery (83.33%).Neonatal outcomes were concerning, with 58.33% of infants requiring NICU admission and 16.66% experiencing intrauterine death. Conclusion:PPCM poses substantial risks to maternal and fetal health, particularly in younger and first-time mothers. Identifying women with risk factors such as hypertensive disorders and anemia is crucial for optimizing care and improving outcomes. Enhanced monitoring and intervention strategies are necessary to address the complexities of PPCM in pregnancy.

Development of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Prediction Models for PM2.5 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The application of machine learning and deep learning in air pollution management is becoming increasingly crucial, as these technologies enhance the accuracy of pollution prediction models, facilitating timely interventions and policy adjustments. They also facilitate the analysis of large datasets to identify pollution sources and trends, ultimately contributing to more effective and targeted environmental protection strategies. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), a major metropolitan area in southern Vietnam, has experienced a significant rise in air pollution levels, particularly PM2.5, in recent years, creating substantial risks to both public health and the environment. Given the challenges posed by air quality issues, it is essential to develop robust methodologies for predicting PM2.5 concentrations in HCMC. This study seeks to develop and evaluate multiple machine learning and deep learning models for predicting PM2.5 concentrations in HCMC, Vietnam, utilizing PM2.5 and meteorological data over 911 days, from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2023. Six algorithms were applied: random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), and convolutional neural network (CNN). The results indicated that the ANN is the most effective algorithm for predicting PM2.5 concentrations, with an index of agreement (IOA) value of 0.736 and the lowest prediction errors during the testing phase. These findings imply that the ANN algorithm could serve as an effective tool for predicting PM2.5 concentrations in urban environments, particularly in HCMC. This study provides valuable insights into the factors that affect PM2.5 concentrations in HCMC and emphasizes the capacity of AI methodologies in reducing atmospheric pollution. Additionally, it offers valuable insights for policymakers and health officials to implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing air pollution and improving public health.

High-Throughput Single-Cell Metabolic Labeling, Sorting, and Sequencing of Active Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Environment.

Active antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) play a major role in spreading antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment; however, they have remained largely unexplored. Herein, we coupled bio-orthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging with high-throughput fluorescence-activated single-cell sorting (FACS) and sequencing to characterize the phenome and genome of active ARB in complex environmental matrices. Active ARB, conferring resistance to six antibiotics throughout wastewater treatment, were distinguished and quantified. The percentage and concentration of active ARB ranged from 0.28% to 45.3% and from 1.1 × 104 to 2.09 × 107 cells/mL, respectively. Notably, the final effluents retained up to 4.79 × 104 cells/mL of active ARB. Targeted FACS and genomic sequencing revealed a distinct taxonomic composition of active ARB compared with that of the overall population. The coexistence of antibiotic resistome and mobilome in active ARB was also identified, including three high-quality metagenomic assembly genomes assigned to pathogenic bacteria, highlighting the substantial health risks due to their activity, phenotypic resistance, mobility, and pathogenicity. This study advances our understanding of previously overlooked active ARB in the environment by linking their resistance phenotype to their genotype. This high-throughput method will enable efficient quantitative surveillance of active AMR, providing valuable insights into risk control and management.

Unraveling the complex interplay between abnormal hemorheology and shape asymmetry in flow through stenotic arteries

Background and Objective:Stenosis or narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of plaque is a common occurrence in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), limiting blood flow to the heart and posing substantial cardiovascular risk. While the role of geometric irregularities in arterial stenosis is well-documented, the complex interplay between the abnormal hemorheology and asymmetric shape in flow characteristics remains unexplored. Methods:This study investigates the influence of varying hematocrit (Hct) levels, often caused by conditions such as diabetes and anemia, on flow patterns in an idealized eccentric stenotic artery using computational fluid dynamics simulations. We consider three physiological levels of Hct, 25%, 45%, and 65%, representing anemia, healthy, and diabetic conditions, respectively. The numerical simulations are performed for different combinations of shape eccentricity and blood rheological parameters, and hemodynamic indicators such as wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), are relative residence time (RRT) are calculated to assess the arterial health. Results:Our results reveal the significant influence of Hct level on stenosis progression. CAD patients with anemia are exposed to lower WSS and higher OSI, which may increase the propensity for plaque progression and rupture. However, for CAD patients with high Hct level—as is often the case in diabetes—the WSS at the minimal lumen area increases rapidly, which may also lead to plaque rupture and cause adverse events such as heart attacks. These disturbances promote endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and thrombus formation, thereby intensifying cardiovascular risk. Conclusions:Our findings underscore the significance of incorporating hemorheological parameters, such as Hct, into computational models for accurate assessment of flow dynamics. We envision that insights gained from this study will inform the development of tailored treatment strategies and interventions in CAD patients with common comorbidities such as diabetes and anemia, thus mitigating the adverse effects of abnormal hemorheology and reducing the ever-growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Designing a biochar-based pretreatment method for distillery effluents entering constructed wetlands

Spent lees is an important distillation waste by-product created during whisky production, characterised by low pH and high dissolved copper (dissCu) content. Constructed wetland systems (CWs) are used in some Scotch whisky distilleries to treat spent lees prior to surface water discharge to prevent substantial environmental risks of spent lees in aquatic ecosystems, by buffering the acidic nature and decreasing the dissCu and organics content. However, as these wetland systems are biological communities (containing bacteria, fungi, plants, etc.), direct disposal of spent lees into CW ecosystems presents a challenge given its nature. This study investigates the efficacy of modified biochar (waste) sourced from whisky cask cooperage operations, as an effluent pretreatment method. The aim is to transform this raw biochar into NaOH-modified biochar, which will be capable of buffering the effluent pH and removing dissCu from spent lees before it enters CWs. To enhance raw biochar, NaOH modification and additional heat treatment were utilised which increased the alkalinity, heavy metal removal capacity and pH buffering potential. Experiments with 0.2% and 2% NaOH treated biochar demonstrated its treatment performance using a diverse range of spent lees samples with varying characteristics, including pH (4.1–4.4), dissCu concentrations (33.8–59.5 mg/L), and total organic carbon (685–754 mg/L). Column studies further supported the efficacy of the modified biochars, showing significant pH elevation and efficient dissCu removal (of 5.72 mg of Cu per g of biochar) when treating spent lees. This dissCu removal capacity compares favorably with other wood-derived biochars studied in the literature, which have reported between 2.75 and 7.44 mg/g. Surface characterisation techniques (EDX, XPS, FTIR, XRD) showed how the Cu ions microprecipitated on the modified biochar surface, validating its remediation potential. This study highlights the potential of biochar as a sustainable pretreatment solution for distillery effluents, paving the way for enhanced and more circular waste management practices within the Scotch whisky industry.

PRR promotes hypertensive renal injury by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inflammation infiltration in mice

Hypertension stands out as a substantial independent risk factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease; however, the exact pathological mechanisms remain elusive. Our preliminary studies find that Wnt/β-catenin control renin-angiotensin system (RAS) expression, thus playing an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and renal fibrosis. As an integral component of the RAS, the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) plays a crucial role in the activation of the RAS and hypertension. Recent studies suggest a reciprocal relationship between PRR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, potentially contributing to hypertensive renal fibrosis development. To assess the role of PRR in mediating hypertensive nephropathy, we manipulated this signaling by over expression of PRR ligand or blockade of PRR by siPRR. In vivo, PRR induction promoted hypertension, proteinuria, renal fibrosis, inflammatory response and β-catenin activation in Ang II induced hypertension mice. Conversely, blockade of PRR inhibited Ang II mediated hypertension, renal fibrosis and inflammation. In vitro, PRR over expression renal tubular cells exacerbated the Ang II induced fibrotic response and inflammation. Moreover, PRR was upregulated in hypertensive nephropathy patients, and correlated with renal function and renal fibrosis. These results indicate that PRR interact with Wnt/β-catenin signaling promote the progression of hypertensive nephropathy. PRR could be served as a biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive renal fibrosis.

A Holistic Approach to Bovine Brucellosis: Serological Tests, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Evaluation, and Risk Factor Identification on Dairy Farms of Ethiopia

Brucellosis, a contagious bacterial disease affecting animals globally presents a substantial zoonotic risk that is frequently underestimated, hinders animal trade, and endangers livestock and human health. The present study was conducted from November 2023 to June 2024 in Central and North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. The current cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of brucellosis and to explore the related knowledge, attitudes, and practices within the specified region. A total of 384 serum samples were collected via random sampling from 20 dairy farms located in Ethiopia. Both local and cross-breed samples screened using the Rose Bengal Plate test and confirmed through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis for both tests was 17.71% overall, with 9.62% for Central Gondar and 27.27% for North Gondar. Extensive farms exhibited notably higher odds of brucellosis compared to intensive farms, with unadjusted crude odds ratios of 3.01 and adjusted odds ratios of 2.37, respectively. Medium-sized herds also demonstrated increased odds in the multivariate analysis compared with small herds. Young respondents displayed the highest awareness levels, followed by adults and older individuals, with statistically significant differences observed across all categories. Regarding a semi-structured survey from 150 farmers on the association between sociodemographic data and knowledge, females exhibited higher awareness levels, with 117 (80.14%) responding positively. Young respondents showed a higher positive response rate of 58% compared to adults (52.7%) and the elderly (36.54%). In conclusion, these results emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to address the factors influencing bovine brucellosis prevalence and respondent awareness.