Total Fluorescence Research Articles

Identification of Goat Milk Adulterated with Cow Milk Based on Total Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy Combined with CNN

Identification of Goat Milk Adulterated with Cow Milk Based on Total Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy Combined with CNN

Lithium lanthanum zirconate thin films investigated using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques

ABSTRACT In this work, thin film growth of lithium lanthanum zirconate (LLZO) on p-type Si substrate was carried out using radio frequency (RF) sputtering and was characterized using microscopic and various spectroscopic techniques including X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Films were deposited at a sputtering power of 70 W at a based pressure of 4 × 10−5 Torr. Deposited films were annealed at 700°C for 1 h. The as-deposited films were amorphous and no transition to a crystalline phase was observed after annealing. Although films are amorphous Raman spectroscopic measurements exhibit the bands that are characteristics of LLZO. The thickness of the as-deposited film estimated from Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) was 100 nm and remained unchanged after annealing. The thickness of the annealed films as determined from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was 48 ± 21 nm. The composition of these films determined from RBS is almost analogues to that estimated from SEM-energy-dispersive spectroscopic measurements. However, O K-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra showed slight modification with annealing but a drastic change was observed in the spectra measured in total electron yield and total fluorescence yield measurements. This change is due to the difference like the interaction of oxygen ions with its neighbouring atoms on the surface and in the bulk of the films.

Effects of a Serotonergic Psychedelic on the Lipid Bilayer.

Serotonergic psychedelics, known for their hallucinogenic effects, have attracted interest due to their ability to enhance neuronal plasticity and potential therapeutic benefits. Although psychedelic-enhanced neuroplasticity is believed to require activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs), serotonin itself is less effective in promoting such plasticity. Also, the psychoplastogenic effects of these molecules correlate with their lipophilicity, leading to suggestions that they act by influencing the intracellular receptors. However, their lipophilicity also implies that a significant quantity of lipids is accumulated in the lipid bilayer, potentially altering the physical properties of the membrane. Here, we probe whether the serotonergic psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) can affect the properties of artificial lipid bilayers and if that can potentially affect processes such as membrane fusion. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy shows that the DOI strongly induces disorder in the lipid acyl chains. Atomic force microscopy shows that it can shrink the ordered domains in a biphasic lipid bilayer and can reduce the force needed to form nanopores in the membrane. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy shows that DOI can promote vesicle association, and total internal fluorescence microscopy shows that it enhances vesicle fusion to a supported lipid bilayer. While serotonin has also recently been shown to cause similar effects, DOI is more than two orders of magnitude more potent in evoking these. Our results suggest that the receptor-independent effects of serotonergic psychedelics on lipid membranes may contribute to their biological actions, especially those that require significant membrane remodeling, such as neuronal plasticity.

Monitoring small-scale bioreactor studies for media development using polarized total synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (pTSFS) and synchronous light scattering (SyLS)

Biopharmaceutical process development often involves the use of small-scale bioreactors (SSBR) for optimizing media formulations and process conditions during scale up to commercial scale production. Two key process parameters (CPP) used in SSBR studies are protein titre and viable cell density (VCD). Here, we explore the efficacy of parallel polarized total synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (TSFS||) and Synchronous Light Scattering (SyLS||) to qualitatively monitor these CPPs and quantitatively predict titre and VCD for a large-scale cell culture media optimization SSBR study. The study involved 71 different media formulations (50+ components each), and the bioprocess was run for 13 days or more. Samples were extracted at set times (Day 0, 3, 9, and 13) and clarified by centrifugation. TSFS|| spectra showed significant emission changes along with increased light scatter over the course of the bioprocess. SyLS|| measurements strongly correlated with particle size data obtained from Dynamic Light Scattering but did not correlate well with VCD probably because of the centrifugation-based sample preparation. Statistical and principal component analysis (PCA) of the pTSFS data showed that spectral variation was greater between media formulations than due to the evolving bioprocess. This prevented the development of accurate global prediction models for media performance (e.g., predicting product titre at day 9 from media spectra measured at day 0). However, classification methods were successfully used to select media subsets with better quantitative prediction accuracy based on spectral similarities. A practical binary (high/low performance) classification model based on Support Vector Machines was generated for media formulation screening. Combining emission and scatter measurements with multivariate data analysis provides a more holistic, multi-attribute bioprocess monitoring method that minimizes the need to use different offline analytical methods. This methodology can be used to monitor process trajectories and deviations, and ultimately be used to predict bioprocess CPPs when implemented on production scale processes where there is much less compositional variation in the media. We believe this SSBR-pTSFS/SyLS approach will provide a valuable resource to develop the design/parameter space for in-process monitoring at production scale from early-stage process/media development studies.

Effect of primary copper metabolism disturbance on elemental, protein, and lipid composition of the organs in Jackson toxic milk mouse.

Toxic milk (txJ) is an autosomal recessive mutation in the Atp7b gene in the C3H/HeJ strain, observed at The Jackson Laboratory in Maine, USA. TxJ mice exhibit symptoms similar to those of human Wilson's disease (WD). The study aimed to verify organ involvement in a mouse model of WD. TxJ mice and control animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 14months of age. Total X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TXRF) was used to determine the elemental concentration in organs. Tissue chemical composition was measured by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, hybrid mapping of FTIR and microXRF was performed. Elevated concentrations of Cu were observed in the liver, striatum, eye, heart, and duodenum of txJ mice across age groups. In the striatum of the oldest txJ mice, there was lower lipid content and a higher fraction of saturated fats. The secondary structure of striatum proteins was disturbed in txJ mice. In the livers of txJ mice, higher concentrations of saturated fats and disturbances in the secondary structure of proteins were observed. The concentration of neurofilaments was significantly higher in txJ serum. The distribution of Cu deposits in brains was uniform with no prevalence in any anatomic structure in either group, but significant protein structure changes were observed exclusively in the striatum of txJ. In this txJ animal model of WD, pathologic copper accumulation occurs in the duodenum, heart, and eye tissues. Increased copper concentration in the liver and brain results in increased saturated fat content and disturbances in secondary protein structure, leading to hepatic injury and neurodegeneration.

Tracing rate and extent of human-induced hypoxia during the last 200 years in the mesotrophic lake, Tiefer See (NE Germany)

Abstract. The global spread of lake hypoxia, [O2] < 2 mg L−1, during the last 2 centuries has had a severe impact on ecological systems and sedimentation processes. While the occurrence of hypoxia was observed in many lakes, a detailed quantification of hypoxia spread at centennial timescales remained largely unquantified. We track the evolution of hypoxia and its controls during the past 200 years in a lake, Tiefer See (TSK; NE Germany), using 17 gravity cores recovered from between 10 and 62 m water depth in combination with lake monitoring data. Lake hypoxia was associated with the onset of varve preservation in the TSK and has been dated by varve counting to 1918 ± 1 at 62 m water depth and reached a lake floor depth of 16 m in 1997 ± 1. This indicates that oxygen concentration fell below the threshold for varve preservation at the lake floor (> 16 m). Sediment cores at 10–12 m depth do not contain varves indicating good oxygenation of the upper-water column. Monitoring data show that the threshold for hypoxia, and the intensity and duration of hypoxia which are sufficient for varve preservation, is a period of 5 months of [O2] < 5 mg L−1 and 2 months of [O2] < 2 mg L−1. Detailed total organic carbon (TOC), δ13Corg, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning analyses of the short cores indicate that the decline in dissolved oxygen (DO) started several decades prior to the varve preservation. This proves a change in the depositional conditions in the lake, following a transition phase of several decades during which varves were not preserved. Furthermore, varve preservation does occur at seasonal stratification and does not necessarily require permanent stratification.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Sulfur Ion in Water by Four-Color Fluorescence Based on Cu-Containing Metal-Organic Framework.

In this paper, a highly sensitive method for sulfur ion (S2-) detection was developed based on a four-color fluorescence probe constructed from copper-containing metal-organic framework (CuBDC) and four dye-labeled single-strand DNA (ssDNA). In the absence of S2-, dye-labeled ssDNA can be adsorbed on the surface of CuBDC, and the dyes are close to copper ion on the CuBDC surface, their fluorescence is quenched by copper ion, and their fluorescence signals are weak. In the presence of S2- in the system, S2- reacts with copper ion in CuBDC to form CuS, which has a more stable structure than complex CuBDC, resulting in the decomposition of CuBDC. In this case, dye-labeled ssDNA are detached from the CuBDC surface and dissolved in the solution, and the fluorescence of the dyes is restored. Under the optimized conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the total fluorescence intensity of four dyes and the concentration of S2- in the range of 2 × 10-9 to 5 × 10-8 mol/L; the detection limit is 2.2 × 10-10 mol/L. The method has a good selectivity and accuracy, and it can be applied to the analysis and detection of S2- in actual water samples.

Effects of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-tea polyphenols ice coating on the quality degradation of frozen-thawed beef due to changes in protein structure and fat and protein oxidation

During freeze-thaw (FT) cycles, protein structural degradation, lipid and protein oxidation can lead to quality deterioration of beef samples. To address this issue, we developed a cost-effective and easy-to-operate carboxymethyl cellulose sodium-tea polyphenol (CMC-TP) ice coating to inhibit quality deterioration caused by these factors. The beef samples were characterized for various quality attributes, lipid and protein oxidation, and protein structure. The results demonstrated that the CMC-TP ice coating significantly inhibited the deterioration in water-holding capacity (WHC) and tenderness of the beef samples (P < 0.05). Analysis of peroxide value (POV), thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and carbonyl content revealed that the CMC-TP ice coating significantly suppressed lipid and protein oxidation during FT cycles (P < 0.05). Additionally, assessments of total sulfhydryl content, fluorescence intensity, and surface hydrophobicity indicated that the CMC-TP ice coating effectively mitigated protein structural degradation through antioxidant and cryoprotective effects (P < 0.05). Therefore, the CMC-TP ice coating can enhance the FT stability of beef.

Testing the sensitivity of the medaka Transgenic Eleuthero-embryonic THYroid-Specific assay (TETHYS) to different mechanisms of action

There are many concerns about the impacts of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on both wildlife and human populations. A plethora of chemicals have been shown to interfere with the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Thyroid (HPT) axis in vertebrates. Disruption of the HPT axis is one of main endocrine criteria considered for the regulation of chemicals, along with the estrogen axis, androgen axis and steroidogenesis (EATS). In response to these concerns, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) initiated the validation of test guidelines (TGs) covering the EATS modalities. Regarding thyroid activity and/or disruption assessment, three OECD TGs are validated, all of them using amphibians. To date, no OECD TGs based on fish are available for the detection of Thyroid Active Chemicals (TACs). To fill this gap, we developed a new test for the detection of TACs, the TETHYS assay (Transgenic Eleuthero-embryonic THYroid-Specific assay). This assay uses a medaka (Oryzias latipes) transgenic line Tg(tg:eGFP) expressing Green Fluorescent Protein in the thyroid follicles, under the control of the thyroglobulin promoter. This assay is performed at eleuthero-embryonic life-stages with an exposure length of 72 h. In the present study, the following reference chemicals with known thyroid hormone system mechanism of action have been tested: methimazole, sodium perchlorate, sodium tetrafluoroborate, diclofenac, iopanoic acid, sobetirome, NH-3 and 1–850. Except for the thyroid receptor antagonists, all chemicals tested were identified as thyroid active, modifying the total fluorescence and the size of the thyroid follicles. To investigate the test specificity, we tested three chemicals presumed to be inert on the HPT axis: cefuroxime, abamectin and 17α-ethinylestradiol. All were found to be inactive in the TETHYS assay. This promising New Approach Methodology can serve as a foundation for the development of a new OECD TG in the frame of regulatory assessment of chemicals for thyroid activity.

Computed Tomography and Fluorescence Spectroscopy Blood Plasma Analysis Study for Kynurenic Acid as a Diagnostic Approach to Chronic Coenurosis in Sheep.

Coenurosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps, Coenurus cerebralis, typically found in the central nervous system of different livestock such as sheep and goats. The blood plasma from fifteen clinically healthy sheep and six sheep with neurological symptoms was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy in order to establish the contribution of kynurenic acid (KYNA), the neuroprotective metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, to the total fluorescence of the plasma. CT scans were used to confirm the presence of cysts in the central nervous system of sheep with neurological symptoms. The fluorescence spectroscopy analysis and further spectra deconvolution process revealed some significantly lower KYNA contributions to the total plasma fluorescence in sheep with coenurosis compared to healthy controls. Our results indicate that KYNA emission parameters could serve as valuable diagnostic markers, particularly for detecting preclinical cases of coenurosis, thus allowing for improved farm management practices.

Characteristics of water dissolved organic matter in Zoige alpine wetlands, China

BackgroundDissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a significant role in the biogeochemical cycle of crucial elements in aquatic ecosystem. However, it is still not clear on the spectral characteristics of water DOM in different types of alpine wetlands, which have less anthropogenic influences and intensive ultraviolet radiation. Here, we collected 107 water samples from marsh, lake, and river wetlands in the Zoige plateau, China, and analyzed the chemical characteristics, compositions, and potential sources of chromophoric DOM by combining UV–vis spectroscopy and excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEMs-PARAFAC).ResultsUVC and UVA fulvic-like substances were the prevailing fluorescence components in water DOM, which accounted for 23.74–71.59% and 16.76–30.01% of the total fluorescence intensity, respectively. Compared with the lake and river wetlands, fluoresce intensities of UVC and UVA fulvic-like substances in DOM were higher in marsh wetland. Marsh wetlands possessed the highest SUVA254, E2/E3, E2/E4, and E4/E6 of DOM, suggesting higher humification degree, higher relative molecular nominal size, and higher aromaticity. And the E2/E4 ratios in most water samples were higher than 12, indicating water DOM was mainly derived from autochthonous sources in alpine wetlands.ConclusionsWetland types strongly affected the spectral characteristics of water DOM in Zoige plateau. These findings may be beneficial for sustainable management of alpine wetlands.Graphical

Increased vascular deposition of oxidized LDL in untreated juvenile dermatomyositis

BackgroundJuvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a systemic vasculopathy associated with metabolic derangements and possible increased risk for premature atherosclerosis. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the endothelium is an early step in atherosclerotic plaque formation. It is not known if oxidized LDL is altered in children with untreated JDM. The deposition of oxidized LDL in the vasculature of muscle biopsies (MBx) from patients with untreated JDM and pediatric controls was assessed.FindingsFrozen tissue sections of MRI-directed MBx from 20 female children with untreated JDM and 5 female controls were stained with DAPI and fluorescently labeled antibodies against von Willebrand factor (vWF) and LDL oxidized by copper (oxLDL). Blood vessels were identified by positive vWF staining, and total fluorescence of oxLDL within the vessel walls was measured. Children with untreated JDM had increased deposition of oxLDL in the walls of muscle vasculature compared to healthy children (difference in means ± SEM = 19.86 ± 8.195, p = 0.03). Within the JDM cohort, there was a trend towards increased oxLDL deposition with longer duration of untreated disease (r = 0.43, p = 0.06). There was no significant correlation found between oxLDL deposition and markers of acute JDM disease activity including disease activity scores or muscle enzymes.ConclusionsThis study found increased deposition of oxLDL within blood vessels of children with untreated JDM supporting the concern that these children are at increased risk for premature atherosclerosis from chronic exposure to vascular oxLDL. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment initiation to ameliorate cardiovascular damage.

Impact of Different Inoculum Levels of Cereal Cyst Nematode (Heterodera avenae) on the Physiological Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

This study aimed to examine the effects of various inoculum levels of H. avenae on wheat physiology. The experiments were conducted in the screenhouse at the Department of Nematology, CCSHAU, Hisar, with inoculum levels set at 5, 10, and 15 eggs and juveniles per gram of soil. Observations on physiological parameters were made 30 days post-sowing. It was found that increasing inoculum levels led to significant decreases in total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. The highest inoculum level showed the most pronounced reductions, with respective decreases of 39.71%, 30.55%, 7.90%, 39.75%, 51.58%, and 64.86%. Highest nematode inoculum level also resulted in the highest reduction in gaseous exchange parameters, biomass and leaf pigments concentrations and maximum increment in nematode population density.

Microbial nitrogen nutrition links to dissolved organic matter properties in East African lakes

East African lakes, especially soda lakes, are home habitats for massive numbers of wildlife such as flamingos, mammals, and fishes. These lakes are known for their high primary production due to local high temperatures, light intensities, and alkalinity (inorganic carbon). However, these lakes, normally within remote areas, receive low nutrient inputs. Ammonium (NH4+) recycling and/or nitrogen fixation can become the major N supply mechanisms for phytoplankton. However, the driving forces on microbial N nutrition in lakes with minimal anthropogenic disturbance remain poorly understood. Using stable isotope tracer techniques, NH4+ recycling rates were measured in 18 lakes and reservoirs in East Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) during the dry season in early 2020. Three functional genes (nifH, gdh, and ureC) relating to microbial N nutrition were also measured. The regeneration of NH4+ supported up to 71 % of the NH4+ uptake. Positive community biological NH4+ demands (CBAD) for all lakes and reservoirs indicate an obvious N demand from microbial community. Our study provides clear evidence that microbial NH4+ uptake rates linked closely to the dissolved organic matter (DOM) properties (e.g., the absorption coefficient at 254 nm, percents of total fluorescence intensity contributed by microbial humic-like and protein-like components) and that water residence time drives microbial NH4+ recycling by regulating the duration of in-lake DOM processing and influencing algal growth. Phytoplankton, especially those of Cyanophyceae, showed maximum biomass and higher NH4+ recycling rates at a certain range of water residence time (e.g., 5–8 years). However, CBAD showed a decreasing trend with longer water residence time, which may be influenced by changes in the algal community composition (e.g., % Cyanophyceae vs. % Bacillariophyceae). These results indicate that DOM dynamics and the water residence time have the potential to facilitate the understanding of microbial nitrogen supply status in East African lakes.

Detecting Entanglement from Macroscopic Measurements of the Electric Field and Its Fluctuations.

To address the outstanding task of detecting entanglement in large quantum systems, entanglement witnesses have emerged, addressing the separable nature of a state. Yet optimizing witnesses, or accessing them experimentally, often remains a challenge. We here introduce a family of entanglement witnesses for open quantum systems. Based on the electric field, it does not require state tomography or single-site addressing, but rather macroscopic measurements of the field quadratures and of the total fluorescence. Its efficiency is demonstrated by detecting, from almost any direction, the entanglement of collective single-photon states, such as long-lived states generated by cooperative spontaneous emission. Able to detect entanglement in large open quantum systems, and through a single continuous measurement if operating in the stationary regime, these electric-field-based witnesses can be used on any set of emitters described by the Pauli group, such as atomic systems (cold atoms and trapped ions), giant atoms, color centers, and superconducting qubits.

Supramolecularly-Cross-Linked Nanogel Assemblies for On-Demand, Ultrasound-Triggered Chemotherapy.

Stimulating the release of small nanoparticles (NPs) from a larger NP via the application of an exogenous stimulus offers the potential to address the different size requirements for circulation versus penetration that hinder chemotherapeutic drug delivery. Herein, we report a size-switching nanoassembly-based drug delivery system comprised of ultrasmall starch nanoparticles (SNPs, ∼20-50 nm major size fraction) encapsulated in a poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) nanogel (POEGMA, ∼150 nm major size fraction) cross-linked via supramolecular PEG/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) interactions. Upon heating the nanogel using a non-invasive, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) trigger, the thermoresponsive POEGMA-CD nanoassemblies are locally de-cross-linked, inducing in situ release of the highly penetrative drug-loaded SNPs. HIFU triggering increased the release of nanoassembly-loaded DOX from 17 to 37% after 3 h, a result correlated with significantly more effective tumor killing relative to nanoassemblies in the absence of HIFU or drug alone. Furthermore, 1.5× more total fluorescence was observed inside a tumor spheroid when nanoassemblies prepared with fluorophore-labeled SNPs were triggered with HIFU relative to the absence of HIFU. We anticipate this strategy holds promise for delivering tunable doses of chemotherapeutic drugs both at and within a tumor site using a non-invasive triggering approach.

Disinfection-residual bacteria (DRB) after chlorine dioxide treatment: Microbial community structure, regrowth potential, and secretion characteristics

This study investigates the effects of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) disinfection on the community structure, regrowth potential, and metabolic product secretion of disinfection-residual bacteria (DRB) in secondary effluent (SE), denitrification filter effluent (DFE), and ultrafiltration effluent (UE). Results show that ClO2 effectively reduces bacteria in SE and UE, achieving log removal values exceeding 3 at 1 mg/L within 30 min. A salient positive correlation (R2 > 0.95) exists between changes in total fluorescence intensity and disinfection efficacy. Post-treatment, Acinetobacter abundance increased in SE, while Pseudomonas decreased in DFE and UE. At lower ClO2 concentrations, Staphylococcus, Mycobacterium, Aeromonas, and Lactobacillus increased in DFE, but decreased at higher concentrations. After storage, bacterial counts in disinfected samples exceeded those in the control group, surpassing 105 CFU/mL. Despite an initial decline, species richness and evenness partially recovered but remained lower than control levels. Culturing DRB for 72 h showed elevated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion, quantified as total organic carbon (TOC), ranging from 5 to 27 mg/L, with significantly higher EPS in the disinfection group. Parallel factor analysis with self-organizing maps (PARAFAC-SOM) effectively differentiated water sample types and EPS fluorescent substances, underscoring the potential of three-dimensional fluorescence as an indirect measure of ClO2 disinfection efficacy.

Anthelmintic activity and pathophysiological effect of anthelmintic drugs against carcinogenic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini.

Human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini poses a significant risk for development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in Thailand, primarily attributed to consumption of undercooked cyprinoid fishes. The current use of anthelmintic drug treatment such as praziquantel (PZQ), as the main therapeutic agent against O. viverrini. There is a need to explore the efficacy of alternative anthelmintic drugs for O. viverrini treatment. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs, which are commonly use in endemic areas of Southeast Asian countries; PZQ, albendazole (AL), niclosamide (NI), and mebendazole (ME) at concentrations of 600, 400, 500, and 500 mg/ml. The study included a negative and positive control group treated with roswell park memorial institute (RPMI) and PZQ. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, indicative of oxidative stress, were quantified using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining. Morphological changes were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, motility assessments were conducted at various time points (0, 5, 30 minutes, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours), calculating relative motility (RM) and survival index (SI). The results revealed a significant increase of ROS levels with the intensity and corrected total worm fluorescence (CTWF) mostly observed in order of PZQ, followed by NI, ME, and AL, respectively. Morphological damage was presented the tegumental swelling, papillae changes, and disruption of microvilli (Mv), particularly in the group treated with the most effective anthelmintics PZQ, NI, ME, and AL, while negative control group did not exhibit such alterations. Also, the most efficacy for suppressing the motility of adult worms were displayed in PZQ treatment group, followed by NI, ME, and AL, respectively. Overall, first novel findings suggest that apart from NI, ME, and AL demonstrate potential as alternative therapeutic options for O. viverrini infection. Furthermore, animal model is needed to investigate the efficacy of NI, ME, and AL compare with standard treatment.

Effect of baicalin on eradicating biofilms of bovine milk derived Acinetobacter lwoffii

BackgroundAcinetobacter lwoffii (A.lwoffii) is a serious zoonotic pathogen that has been identified as a cause of infections such as meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia. In recent years, the infection rate and detection rate of A.lwoffii is increasing, especially in the breeding industry. Due to the presence of biofilms, it is difficult to eradicate and has become a potential super drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, eradication of preformed biofilm is an alternative therapeutic action to control A.lwoffii infection. The present study aimed to clarify that baicalin could eradicate A.lwoffii biofilm in dairy cows, and to explore the mechanism of baicalin eradicating A.lwoffii.ResultsThe results showed that compared to the control group, the 4 MIC of baicalin significantly eradicated the preformed biofilm, and the effect was stable at this concentration, the number of viable bacteria in the biofilm was decreased by 0.67 Log10CFU/mL. The total fluorescence intensity of biofilm bacteria decreased significantly, with a reduction rate of 67.0%. There were 833 differentially expressed genes (367 up-regulated and 466 down-regulated), whose functions mainly focused on oxidative phosphorylation, biofilm regulation system and trehalose synthesis. Molecular docking analysis predicted 11 groups of target proteins that were well combined with baicalin, and the content of trehalose decreased significantly after the biofilm of A.lwoffii was treated with baicalin.ConclusionsThe present study evaluated the antibiofilm potential of baicalin against A.lwoffii. Baicalin revealed strong antibiofilm potential against A.lwoffii. Baicalin induced biofilm eradication may be related to oxidative phosphorylation and TCSs. Moreover, the decrease of trehalose content may be related to biofilm eradication.

Deep understanding of LiCoO2 electrode degradation for optimized recycling strategies

Empowered by a synergistic combination approach of Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) imaging and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy, a quantitative analysis on the composition and spatial distribution of the cathode in a failed 18650 LiCoO2 (LCO) battery was conducted. Distinct compositional differences between the central and peripheral cathode regions in the failed LCO battery were discerned by utilizing bulk XANES in Total Electron Yield (TEY) and Fluorescence Yield (FY) modes. The central region shows more severe degradation in terms of LCO reduction and excess cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) buildup. Meanwhile, the STXM technique precisely imaged a specific region of interest in the center of the cathode, covering C, O, and F K-edges, and Co L2,3-edge, to deeply investigate the degradation. Quantitative chemical mapping with spatially resolved XANES spectroscopy, facilitate an in-depth understating of the interfacial reactions on battery electrodes and battery failure fundamentals.