Total Content Research Articles

Spatial patterns, source apportionment, and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surface sediments of eastern China lakes along a latitudinal gradient: Insights guided by full-congener analysis

Understanding the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are universal persistent organic pollutants, is critical for improving the sustainability and ecological safety of lake systems. Herein, to determine PCB contamination levels and formulate control strategies in lake sediments, 210 sediment samples were collected from 21 lakes along a latitudinal gradient (18–45°N, ∼3000 km) across eastern China and were analyzed for all 209 PCB congeners. The results showed that the total PCB concentration varied greatly from 0.26 to 163.82 ng/g dry weight and exhibited a latitudinal trend of central > north/south. Spatial variations were affected mainly by the organic carbon fraction and local population density. Most lakes had similar PCB profiles, with lower chlorinated PCBs dominating. Notably, non-Aroclor PCB 11 was the most abundant congener. Moreover, unintentionally produced PCBs (UP-PCBs) accounted for ∼31 % of all PCBs. These findings highlight that the significance of UP-PCBs has been overlooked in past studies and that full-congener analysis is necessary for future monitoring. According to the ecological risk assessment of PCBs, zero to moderate risk existed in lake sediments. Therefore, effective strategies are needed to mitigate the impact of PCBs (especially UP-PCBs) from multiple sources on lakes.

Automated prediction of phosphorus concentration in soils using reflectance spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms

A method is presented for predicting total phosphorus concentration in soils from Santander de Quilichao, Colombia, using a UV-VIS V-750 Spectrophotometer and machine learning techniques. A total of 152 soil samples, prepared with varying proportions of P2O5 fertilizer and soil, were analyzed, obtaining reflectance spectra in the 200 to 900 nm range with 3501 wavelengths. Additionally, 152 laboratory results of total phosphorus concentration were used to train the prediction model. The spectra were filtered using a Savitzky-Golay filter. Key wavelengths were identified using Variable Importance in Projection - Partial Least Squares (VIP-PLS) and Random Forest (RF), reducing the spectral bands to 1085. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further reduced data dimensionality. A feedforward artificial neural network was then trained to predict phosphorus concentration. This method is faster than traditional lab tests by leveraging advanced data analysis and machine learning, offering results in less time. While sample preparation remains consistent with standard spectroscopic analysis, the value added by the proposed method lies in its data processing and interpretation. Currently applied to a single soil type, future improvements will include more soil types and other macronutrients, enhancing nutrient management in agriculture. Accurate macronutrient measurements aid in better fertilizer uses planning.• Filtering spectra and determining relevant wavelengths using VIP-PLS and RF.• Dimensionality reduction with PCA.• Training feedforward artificial neural networks.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Combretum micranthum Leaves and Decoctions: Implications for Human Health

Combretum micranthum is a well-known medicinal plant in Africa and the decoction of its leaves is used as a drink or to treat various diseases such as malaria, high blood pressure and liver disorders, among others. Due to its high consumption by all sections of the Senegalese population, we felt that its heavy metal intake should be examined to see its impact on health. Leaves of two species of Combretum micranthum produced in the central (I) and southern (II) regions of Senegal and their decoctions in ultrapure water (Ii) and (IIi) were analyzed for 12 elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Pb, Bi) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The concentrations of heavy metals (μg/g) are in the ranges 2.55 – 84.19 for Cr, 5.21 – 379.72 for Mn, 0.00 – 317.80 for Fe, 0.08 – 1.08 for Co, 1.54 – 8.88 for Ni, 1.75 – 8.08 for Cu, 0.91 – 9.70 for Zn, 0.00 – 0.16 for Cd, 0.46 – 0.84 for Pb. As, Ag and Bi are below detectable limits in any of the samples by ICP-OES analysis. Among all samples, manganese content was highest and represented 46.85% for I , 64.18% for II , 86.88% for Ii and 46.27% for IIi , of the total heavy metal concentrations. The results showed that the leaves of both varieties of Combretum micranthum and decoctions made from these leaves contain heavy metal levels lower than the values recommended by the WHO for consumed medicinal plants. Overall, Variety I harvested from peri-urban areas contains more metals than Variety II harvested from forest.

Sevelamer Treatment for Hyperphosphatemia in a Saudi Arabian Chronic Renal Disease Patient

Abstract Introduction/Objective Introduction: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) often require phosphate binders to manage elevated serum phosphorus levels due to phosphorus-restricted diets being insufficient. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of sevelamer in lowering serum phosphorus and improving the serum lipid profile in a hemodialysis patient. Methods/Case Report A prospective study was conducted on a 59-year-old hemodialysis man with CKD. Sevelamer was administered orally as 800 mg tablets, with the dosage adjusted based on washout serum phosphorus levels (WSPL). Blood samples were collected every two weeks before dialysis, and all samples were analyzed using standard clinical laboratory methods. Sevelamer treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum phosphorus levels from 6.9 mmol/l to 4.3 mmol/l. No major adverse events were observed during the trial period, and there was no evidence of negative consequences associated with sevelamer therapy. Additionally, sevelamer treatment led to a decrease in hemoglobin levels to 10.5 g/dl and a substantial reduction in total cholesterol concentration from 5.22 mmol/l to 4.26 mmol/l. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Conclusion: Sevelamer, a non-absorbable aluminum and calcium-free phosphate binder, effectively lowered serum phosphorus levels in dialysis patients while improving lipid profiles. It was well tolerated with no instances of hypercalcemia and resulted in significant reductions in intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and total and LDL cholesterol. Sevelamer may serve as a valuable therapeutic option for managing hyperphosphatemia in patients with CKD.

Pollution of organophosphorus pesticides in the Dongting Lake, China and its relationship with dissolved organic matter: Occurrence, source identification and risk assessment

The escalating global demand for food and industrialization has placed significant pressure on the integrity and management of inland lake ecosystems. Herein, the organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) pollution status and their relationship with dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Dongting Lake were investigated to identify the ecological risks and potential sources of OPPs. The total concentrations of 18 detected OPPs were in the range of 13.49–375.24 ng/L, with higher concentration observed in east and west lake regions. Among these, fenthion was the dominant contributor, accounting for 64% of total OPPs, posing significant ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Nearly all of sites showed high combined risk of total OPPs. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) technique showed that DOM was mainly composed of terrestrial humic-like and tryptophan-like substances. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed a close association between DOM optical parameters and OPP concentrations. Specifically, OPPs exhibited a significantly positive correlation with tyrosine-like substances, while displaying a negative correlation with fulvic acid-like substances. These results indicated that OPP concentrations may decrease with increasing humification levels and declining tyrosine-like substance contents. This study underscores the critical role of DOM in assessing the occurrence and sources of OPPs in aquatic environments, providing valuable insights for effective environmental management strategies.

Optimizing macroalgal biochar-based catalysts for monophenols recovery during wood dust catalytic pyrolysis: A comparative study using response surface methodology and artificial neural network

This study aimed to explore the optimization of macroalgal biochar-based catalysts (MBBCs) for enhanced monophenolic production in biomass pyrolysis. By utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN), key variables in the activation process during preparation of MBBCs were identified including activation temperature, activator ratio, and CO2 residence time. The results showed that the ANN model, with an R2 of 0.9816, accurately predicted optimal catalyst activation conditions, closely matching the experimentally determined optimal conditions (ENPC800-1:2–30). The bio-oil yield decreased under ENPC800-1:2–30 catalyst, but the monophenolic content increased significantly, reaching a relative content of 60 %, with a total concentration of phenol, cresols, and ethylphenol amounting to 35.54 mg/gbio-oil. The present study revealed significant changes in non-condensable gas composition, including increased hydrogen and carbon monoxide which aid in enhancing their energy applications. Thus, the optimized MBBCs greatly help in improving the bio-oil and non-condensable gas quality and thereby providing vital insights over sustainable chemical production through biomass pyrolysis.

Effect of droplet charge density on stabilization of oil‐in‐dispersion emulsions co‐stabilized by binary mixed surfactants and nanoparticles

AbstractIonic surfactant and similarly charged nanoparticles can co‐stabilize oil‐in‐dispersion (OID) emulsions at extremely low concentrations (0.001 cmc/0.001 wt%), in which particles do not adsorb at the oil/water interface but distribute in the aqueous phase forming a dispersion. In this paper, the effect of droplet charge density on stabilization of the n‐decane‐in‐water OID emulsion was examined by using a cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)/C12B (dodecyl dimethyl carboxyl betaine) binary mixture at a low fixed total concentration (0.01 mM) with varying molar fractions of CTAB. A model based on the Derjaguin‐Landau‐Verwey‐Overbeek (DLVO) theory is proposed to calculate interaction energies between droplets and between droplets and particles. It is found that the droplet charge density can be well compensated by particle concentration along the stabilization boundary, and the OID emulsion still follows the DLVO stabilization. Particles tend to surround droplets at large distances but may form a monolayer between approaching droplets at shorter distances, which significantly reduces the van der Waals attraction between droplets. In addition, the induced auxiliary droplet–particle repulsion is proportional to the number of particles per unit area of droplet surfaces, which together with the droplet–droplet repulsion ensures a large total repulsion preventing droplets from flocculation and coalescence. This work explains quantitatively the stabilization of OID emulsions, which have potential applications in emulsion products such as foods, cosmetics, pesticides, and various industrial emulsion systems. Moreover, the development of the OID emulsions represents an important advancement in green chemistry as it substantially reduces the required amounts of emulsifiers and their environmental impact after use.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional and Emerging Maceration Techniques for Enhancing Bioactive Compounds in Aronia Juice.

Ultrasound and microwave maceration techniques have been utilised to lower production costs and reduce processing time, while also preventing the degradation of nutrients like phenolics and vitamin C and preserving physical properties such as colour and viscosity. In this study, the effects of several traditional (cold, enzymatic, and thermal) and innovative (ultrasonic and microwave) maceration methods on some quality parameters of aronia juice were investigated. Microwave maceration significantly impacted the soluble solids content of the analysed juices and resulted in noticeably darker juice samples compared to the controls, with lower L*/lightness (20.1) and b*/blue-yellowness (-3.2) values and an increased a*/redness value (1.7). Different maceration methods also significantly impacted the rheological properties of the treated juices, among which MW treatment consistently showed a higher viscosity. Sorbitol and fructose were the main sugars identified, while malic acid and quinic acid accounted for 85% of the total acid content. Significant increases in the total sugar and acid concentrations were obtained in the juice samples from ultrasonic, microwave, and enzymatic maceration, while thermomaceration had no significant effect. The concentration of total phenolics ranged from 6.45 g/L in the thermomaceration samples to 9.86 and 14.07 g/L in the ultrasonic and microwave samples, respectively. The obtained results suggest that ultrasonic and microwave technologies were superior in terms of colour improvement and the extraction of sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds compared to traditional maceration methods. Ultrasound and microwave technologies present possible approaches to the improvement of aronia juice production in comparison to traditional methods.

Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in fixed bed anion exchange reactors: Factors determining PFAS uptake capacity and models predicting PFAS breakthrough

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants with adverse environmental and public health effects. Anion exchange (IX) processes can effectively remove many PFAS from water. Objectives of this research were to (1) quantify the effects of PFAS structure and background water matrix constituents [dissolved organic matter (DOM) and major inorganic anions (bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate)] on PFAS uptake capacity of IX resins (KIX), and (2) develop models that predict PFAS breakthrough in packed bed IX columns from PFAS structure and background water matrix characteristics. Rapid small-scale column tests were conducted with two IX resins and 18 water matrices to determine breakthrough curves and KIX values for 23 PFAS. A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) was developed that predicts KIX for different PFAS from a newly developed concept, the normalized chain length (NCL). NCL for each PFAS was calculated using a group contribution method, in which the contributions of PFAS structural fragments to NCL were normalized to that of -CF2-, which was assigned a value of 1.00. Relative to -CF2-, contributions of the structural fragments -O-, -CH2-, >CF-CF3, -CHF-, and -SO3H to NCL for the purposes of KIX prediction were 0.34, -1.87, 1.70, 0.00, and 3.65, respectively. DOM and nitrate adversely impacted PFAS removal, while chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate, when added at concentrations of up to 3 meq/L above native background levels, had negligible effects on KIX. Based on the obtained water matrix effects, pseudo-single solute models were developed for the two tested IX resins, with which PFAS breakthrough curves for fixed bed IX columns can be predicted using only the NCL and the total organic carbon and nitrate concentrations of the influent water.

Effects of chicken slurry inclusion on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, palatability, and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of healthy adult dogs.

"Premium" pet foods are often formulated with meat slurries. Meat slurries are believed to be of higher quality than rendered meals, but inadequate research has been performed to test how their inclusion affects palatability, digestibility, or indicators of gastrointestinal health. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine how chicken slurry inclusion affected the palatability and apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility (ATTD) of dog foods and to assess their effects on the fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of dogs. A replicated 3x3 Latin square design digestibility study was conducted using 9 healthy adult dogs (age = 5.44 ± 0.53 yr) to test diets containing 0% (control; CON), 8% (low inclusion; LOW), and 16% (high inclusion; HIGH) chicken slurry. The experiment comprised three 21-day experimental periods (14 days of adaptation, 5 days of total fecal collection (used for ATTD calculations), and 2 days of blood collection). On the first day of fecal collections, one fresh sample was collected for measurement of pH, dry matter (DM) content, fermentative metabolite concentrations, and microbiota populations. A 2-day palatability study (n=20 dogs) was also conducted to compare CON vs. HIGH. Data were analyzed statistically by Mixed Models using SAS 9.4, with P<0.05 being significant. In the palatability study, dogs were shown to prefer (P<0.05) the HIGH diet by a ratio of 2:1. In the digestibility study, fecal output, scores, pH, and DM percentage were not different among diets. The ATTD of protein was higher (P<0.05) for the HIGH diet (84.6%) than for the LOW (82.7%) or CON (82.6%) diets. The ATTD of other nutrients and energy were not different among diets (all over 80%). Fecal propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in dogs fed the LOW diet (122.0, 67.4, and 408.2 βmol/g, respectively) than those fed the HIGH diet (89.0, 46.9, and 338.2 βmol/g, respectively). The other fecal metabolites (acetate, branched-chain fatty acids, ammonia, phenol, and indole) were not different among treatments. Few changes to the fecal microbiota were noted. However, the relative abundance of fecal Fusobacterium was higher (P<0.05) in dogs fed the CON diet than those fed the HIGH diet (25.% vs. 20.0% relative abundance). In summary, chicken slurry inclusion improved palatability but had minimal effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota.

Urine Extracellular Vesicles Size Subsets as Lupus Nephritis Biomarkers.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that often leads to kidney injury, known as lupus nephritis (LN). Although renal biopsy is the primary way to diagnose LN, it is invasive and not practical for regular monitoring. As an alternative, several groups have proposed urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) as potential biomarkers for LN, as recent studies have shown their significance in reflecting kidney-related diseases. As a result, we developed a flow cytometry approach that allowed us to determine that LN patients exhibited a significantly higher total uEV concentration compared to SLE patients without kidney involvement. Additionally, an analysis of different-sized uEV subsets revealed that microvesicles ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 μm showed the most promise for distinguishing LN. These findings indicate that evaluating uEV concentration and size distribution could be a valuable diagnostic and monitoring tool for LN, pending further validation in more comprehensive studies.

Ambient smoke exposure and indoor air quality in eastern Massachusetts during the 2023 wildfire season

ABSTRACT Widespread North American wildfires in 2023 led to exposure to ambient wildfire smoke outside of traditionally wildfire-prone regions. The objective was to evaluate levels of indoor air pollutants in relation to ambient wildfire smoke exposure in eastern Massachusetts. Using a real-time multipollutant sensor system in five Boston area households, this study assessed indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total volatile organic compound concentrations (TVOC) two days before and during days of hazardous wildfire smoke exposure (smoke days). The relationship between ambient PM2.5 from regulatory monitors and indoor PM2.5 before and during smoke days was investigated by mixed effects linear regression. During smoke days and the preceding non-smoke days, median indoor PM2.5 was 9.9 µg/m3 and 3.5 µg/m3 (p < 0.001), respectively; median NO2 was 20.5 ppb and 18.4 ppb (p = 0.11); median TVOC was 6,715 µg/m3 and 5,361 µg/m3 (p = 0.35). A 1% increase in ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 0.93% increase in indoor PM2.5 on smoke days (95% CI, 0.54%–1.32%) and a 0.34% increase on non-smoke days (95% CI, 0.17%–0.66%), though interaction testing of smoke day status was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). In Northeastern US homes, indoor PM2.5 increased significantly during ambient wildfire smoke exposure, which may reflect increased infiltration and increased indoor particle-generating activities during smoke days. Implications: This study reports on household exposure to wildfire smoke in eastern Massachusetts, finding that indoor PM2.5 more than doubled compared to preceding non-smoke days, while indoor NO2 and TVOC did not significantly rise. Though the generalizability of this study is limited by the small number of homes studied, the findings suggest that more investigation is needed to understand indoor air pollution during future wildfire smoke exposure in regions not traditionally wildfire-prone and to inform mitigation efforts.

Long-Term Halocarbon Observations in an Urban Area of the YRD Region, China: Characteristic, Sources Apportionment and Health Risk Assessment

To observe the long-term variations in halocarbons in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, this study analyzes halocarbon concentrations and composition characteristics in Shanxi from 2018 to 2020, exploring their origins and the health effects. The total concentration of halocarbons has shown an overall increasing trend, which is driven by both regulated substances (CFC-11 and CFC-113) and unregulated substances, such as dichloromethane, chloromethane and chloroform. The results of the study also reveal that dichloromethane (1.194 ± 1.003 to 1.424 ± 1.004 ppbv) and chloromethane (0.205 ± 0.185 to 0.666 ± 0.323 ppbv) are the predominant halocarbons in Shanxi, influenced by local and northwestern emissions. Next, this study identifies that neighboring cities in Zhejiang Province and other YRD areas are potentially affected by backward trajectory models. Notably, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane have consistently surpassed acceptable thresholds, indicating a significant carcinogenic risk associated with solvent usage. This research sheds light on the evolution of halocarbons in the YRD region, offering valuable data for the control and reduction in halocarbon emissions.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of imatinib: is there a rationale for also quantifying its active metabolite ?

Therapeutic drug monitoring of imatinib is widely performed to individualize imatinib dosage. While N-desmethyl imatinib is an active metabolite of imatinib, its concentrations are not routinely determined. Imatinib and N-desmethyl imatinib trough plasma concentrations at steady-state were obtained from 295 patients with either chronic myeloid leukemia or gastrointestinal stromal tumor to see whether N-desmethyl imatinib provided additional information. Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed effect approach. Correlations between several pharmacokinetic metrics of drug exposure were evaluated. The mean value of the N-desmethyl imatinib/imatinib ratio of trough concentrations was 0.31 with half of the values between 0.23-0.37. N-desmethyl imatinib and total (i.e., N-desmethyl imatinib plus imatinib) trough plasma concentrations or area-under-the curve values were closely correlated with imatinib values. The distribution of imatinib or total concentrations between patients requiring imatinib dosage adjustment, or not, were similar. These results do not clearly support routine N-desmethyl monitoring since it does not provide additional information to imatinib data.

Hydroxyapatite‐spent cathode carbon block modified asphalt and molecular dynamics simulation study

AbstractThe highly toxic substances contained in spent cathode carbon blocks (SCCB) pose a serious threat to human health and the ecological environment, and are difficult to recycle. To address this issue, we utilize H2O2 to oxidize cyanides and grow hydroxyapatite (HAP) on spent cathode carbon blocks to adsorb fluoride ions, achieving controlled removal of cyanides and fluorides. Subsequently, the hydroxyapatite‐spent cathode carbon block composite material (H‐SCCB) is applied to modified asphalt, and simulations of the interaction between hydroxyapatite interfaces and asphalt components are conducted. The results indicate that the total cyanide and fluoride ion concentrations in the experimental wastewater meet the discharge standards for industrial wastewater in China. Hydroxyapatite successfully grows on SCCB, presenting a rich porous structure and significantly increased surface area. Mechanical testing shows that 4% H‐SCCB exhibits optimal performance, with a 23.28% increase in complex modulus (G*) compared to the matrix asphalt. Creep recovery capability (R) increases by 54.32% and 7%, respectively. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the interface adsorption between hydroxyapatite and asphalt binder is primarily influenced by electrostatic forces. Under the influence of hydroxyapatite, the diffusion abilities of asphalt four components are as follows: resin &gt; aromatic &gt; saturate &gt; asphaltene.

Biochemical composition of three Opuntia species O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii var. lidheimeri. Prospects of their utilization

Relevance. Opuntia distinguished by high adaptability is widespread in many countries of the world. Tolerance to water deficiency and high biological activity provide prospects of its cultivation for food and pharmaceutical industry. In Russia Opuntia is grown in the Crimea, Caucasus, Donbass, Astrakhan region and even in the Central Russia. Evaluation of the Opuntia cultivation efficiency in the Crimea for various utilization supposes the importance of its biochemical characteristics which variability greatly depends on the place of habitat. Materials and Methods. Total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were determined using titration methods, polyphenol content –using spectrophotometric method, monosaccharide and total sugar concentrations were assessed via reaction with ferricyanide, mucilage levels were determined gravimetrically.Results. Investigation of cladode, inflorescence and fruit biochemical parameters of three Opuntia species: O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii, – gathered at the Southern and South-Eastern part of the Crimean peninsular revealed wide variability of fruit mucilage (4.3-16.56% d.w.), sugar and total antioxidant activity. Polyphenol content decreased according to: inflorescence (18.4-21.0) &gt; fruit (11.7-18) &gt; cladodes (10.2-20.0). Fruit monosaccharide content reached (6.2-31) % while in cladodes these values were in the range of 8.1-16.0%. Total sugar content was equal to 32.6-95% in fruit and 15.5-29.7% in cladodes. Concentration of selenium as a natural antioxidant was higher in the cladodes (102-176 µg/kg d.w.) than in fruit (46.8-72 µg/kg d.w.). The highest levels of the total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were registered in O. engelmannii while the highest sugar, mucilage and taste index were typical for O. humifusa. Nevertheless, O. humifusa was characterized by the lowest fruit mass (6.0-6.3 g) contrary to O. engelmannii (36-40 g). The results suppose prospects of fruit, cladode and inflorescence utilization in food industry, cosmetics and pharmacology with the preference to O. humifusa.

Unveiling the Potential of Silymarin, Spirulina platensis, and Chlorella vulgaris towards Cardiotoxicity via Modulating Antioxidant Activity, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Rats

This study assessed the possible pharmacological effects of Chlorella vulgaris (Cg), Spirulina platensis (St), and silymarin (Sl) against thioacetamide (TA)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats, with a focus on their antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. The following is the random grouping of sixty male rats into six groups of ten animals each: the control (negative control), TA-intoxicated group (positive control; 300 mg/kg body weight (BW)), Sl + TA group (100 mg Sl/kg BW + TA), St + TA group (400 mg St/kg BW + TA), Cg + TA (400 mg Cg/kg BW + TA), and St + Cg + TA group (400 St + 400 Cg mg/kg BW + TA) were all administered for 30 days. At the start of the study, groups 2 through 6 were administered TA intraperitoneally at a dosage of 300 mg/kg BW for two consecutive days, with a 24 h gap between each dose, to induce cardiac damage. Blood samples were obtained to measure hematological parameters and perform biochemical assays, including lipid profiles and cardiac enzymes. For histopathology and immunohistochemistry determination, tissue samples were acquired. The current findings showed that TA injection caused hematological alterations and cardiac injury, as evidenced by greater serum levels of troponin I, creatine kinase-MB, and total creatine kinase (p &lt; 0.05), as well as significantly elevated serum malondialdehyde and decreased serum total antioxidant capacity (p &lt; 0.05) concentrations. Moreover, an increase in blood low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol concentration (p &lt; 0.05) was recorded in the TA group. There were alterations in the heart tissue’s histological structure of the TA group compared to the control ones. These alterations were characterized by vacuolar degeneration of myocytes, loss of cross striation, coagulative necrosis, and fibrosis of interstitial tissue, which was ameliorated by the supplementation of SI, St, and Cg. The TA-intoxicated group showed weak expression of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (p &lt; 0.05) and strong immunoreactivity of tumor necrosis factor-α and B-cell lymphoma protein 2-associated X (p &lt; 0.05). However, the groups receiving Sl, St, and Cg experienced the opposite. The administration of Sl, St, Cg, and St + Cg along with TA significantly improved and restored (p &lt; 0.05) erythrogram indices, including RBCs, hemoglobin, total leukocytic count, lymphocytes, and monocyte, to the normal control values. The administration of Sl, St, and Cg alleviated the cardiotoxicity caused by TA via reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and apoptosis in heart tissue. In summary, the current findings suggest that the treatment with Sl, St, and Cg was beneficial in ameliorating and reducing the cardiotoxicity induced by TA in rats.

Effects of Chitosan-Based Additive on Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Community, Nutrients Digestibility and Lactation Performance in Goats.

Recently, the potential of using chitosan (CHI) as a feed additive to enhance ruminal fermentation and improve animal performance has gained increasing attention in ruminant nutrition. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI on rumen fermentation attributes and microbial composition, digestibility and milk performance in Dhofari goats. Twenty-four lactating goats (27 ± 1.8 kg of initial live body weight) were fed a control diet comprising of Rhodes grass hay plus a concentrate feed mixture. Goats were assigned to one of three experimental treatments (n = 8 per treatment) as: (1) control diet with no supplement (CTRL), (2) control diet with 0.300 g/day CHI (CHI0.3) and (3) control diet supplemented with 0.600 g/day CHI (CHI0.6) for a 45-day experimental period. Dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI decreased (p < 0.05) linearly ruminal pH (p = 0.023), total short chain fatty acids concentrations (p = 0.011), acetate (p = 0.013) and butyrate (p = 0.042) proportions, acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.001), estimated methane (CH4) production (p < 0.001), ammonia nitrogen concentrations (p = 0.003) and protozoa abundance (p = 0.003). However, the ruminal propionate proportion augmented (p = 0.002) linearly with increasing doses of CHI in the diet. Increasing doses of CHI linearly increased the abundance of the ruminal propionate-producing bacteria, while diminished acetate and CH4-producing bacteria (p < 0.05). Serum total protein (p = 0.037) and glucose (p = 0.042) levels linearly increased as CHI doses increased in the diet. However, serum UREA levels decreased linearly (p = 0.002) by 21% with increasing CHI amounts in the diet. The digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre increased linearly with the increasing CHI doses (p < 0.05). Neither linear nor quadratic responses (p > 0.05) were observed in daily milk yield and feed efficiency by supplementing the diet with CHI. In conclusion, supplementing the diet with CHI at a dose of 0.600 g/day as a feed additive for dairy goats reduced estimated CH4 generation and improved fibre and protein digestion, with no influence on feed intake, milk yield or composition.

Structural Build-Up and Stability of Hybrid Monoglyceride-Triglyceride Oleogels.

Oleogelation is an alternative oil structuring route to formulate (semi-)solid fats with a reduced amount of saturated fats. Monoglycerides have been identified as effective gelators; however, their application potential can be limited due to challenges regarding mechanical strength and long-term stability. Therefore, the formulation of hybrid fat blends is a promising way to improve the functionality of oleogels. This research focuses on the interaction between mono- and triglycerides (MAGs and TAGs) in hybrid oleogels. A total gelator concentration of 10% (w/w) with changing MAGs-TAGs ratios (increase by 25% on a molar basis; M0-T100, M25-T75, M50-T50, M75-T25, M100-T0) was used. First, the oleogels were produced without shear to unravel the crystallization behavior (DSC, SAXS, WAXS). Next, the oleogels were crystallized with shear to assess the interactions between MAGs and TAGs on macroscale properties (rigidity, oil binding capacity) during storage of 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks. A clear distinction could be made between the MAG crystals and TAG crystals in the blends M50-T50 and M75-T25 based on WAXS, SAXS, and phase contrast microscopy. This indicates that both gelators crystallize separately. During the follow-up study of the dynamically produced samples, a synergistic effect was found for Dy-M50-T50 and Dy-M75-T25; however, it was not maintained upon storage. The initial rigidity of 2.4 × 104 Pa and 2.0 × 104 Pa decreased to 1.5 × 104 Pa and 1.0 × 104 Pa for Dy-M50-T50 and Dy-M75-T25, respectively.

Unveiling the Behavior of an Endangered Facultative Cuprophyte Coincya Species in an Abandoned Copper Mine (Southeast Portugal).

Plant-soil interactions of endangered species with a high-priority conservation status are important to define in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration projects. The threatened endemic Coincya transtagana, thriving in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, can grow in metalliferous soils. The main goal of this study was to investigate the behavior of this species in soils rich in potentially toxic elements in the abandoned Aparis Cu mine. Soil samples were characterized for physicochemical properties and multielemental composition, as well as biological activity, through an analysis of enzymatic activities. Plant biomass was assessed, and multielemental analysis of the plants was also performed. The mine soils had slightly basic pH values and were non-saline and poor in mineral N-NH4, with medium-to-high organic matter concentration and medium cation-exchange capacity. In these soils, dehydrogenase had the highest activity, whereas protease had the lowest activity. The total concentrations of Cu (1.3-5.9 g/kg) and As (37.9-118 mg/kg) in soils were very high, and the available fraction of Cu in the soil also had high concentration values (49-491 mg/kg). Moreover, this study shows for the first time that C. transtagana had high uptake and translocation capacities from roots to shoots for Cu, Ni, and Cr. Although Cu in the plants' aerial parts (40-286 mg/kg) was considered excessive/toxic, no signs of plant toxicity disorders or P uptake reduction were detected. This preliminary study revealed that C. transtagana is Cu-tolerant, and it could be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements, while also contributing to its conservation.