-
Nutrients Sep 2023Observational studies have investigated the impact of calcium homeostasis on psychiatric disorders; however, the causality of associations is yet to be established....
Observational studies have investigated the impact of calcium homeostasis on psychiatric disorders; however, the causality of associations is yet to be established. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of calcium homeostasis hormones was conducted on nine psychiatric disorders. Calcium, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 are the major calcium homeostasis hormones. The causality was evaluated by the inverse variance weighted method (IVW) and the MR Steiger test, while Cochran's Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, funnel plot, and the leave-one-out method were used for sensitivity analyses. Bonferroni correction was used to determine the causative association features ( < 6.94 × 10). Schizophrenia (SCZ) was significantly associated with decreased 25OHD concentrations with an estimated effect of -0.0164 ( = 2.39 × 10). In the Multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis adjusting for potentially confounding traits including body mass index, obesity, mineral supplements (calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D) and outdoor time (winter and summer), the relationship between SCZ and 25OHD remained. The genetically predicted autism spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder were also nominally associated with decreased 25OHD. This study provided evidence for a causal effect of psychiatric disorders on calcium homeostasis. The clinical monitoring of 25OHD levels in patients with psychiatric disorders is beneficial.
Topics: Humans; Calcium; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Mental Disorders; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium, Dietary; Hormones; Homeostasis
PubMed: 37764834
DOI: 10.3390/nu15184051 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024The collection is dedicated to the conversion of biomass wastes into value-added bioproducts and bioactive compounds, with a focus on their applications in the...
The collection is dedicated to the conversion of biomass wastes into value-added bioproducts and bioactive compounds, with a focus on their applications in the agro-energy sector. Of particular relevance were three studies evaluating the effects of livestock waste, rice straw and biochar on soil properties, crops and productivity. Of note were two articles on the bioconversion of aquaculture sludge by insects and the production of biofuel from seed oil as an alternative to overcoming the depletion of fossil fuels. Finally, one article analysed the potential for recovering organic and mineral compounds from gastropod shells. The articles provided insights into the management and use of biomass wastes, as well as suggestions for future research to promote sustainability in agriculture.
Topics: Biomass; Waste Management; Biofuels
PubMed: 38671185
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59623-1 -
Journal of Separation Science Oct 2023Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an important technique in analytical chemistry. It offers several advantages over traditional extraction methods, such as improved... (Review)
Review
Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an important technique in analytical chemistry. It offers several advantages over traditional extraction methods, such as improved extraction efficiency, shorter extraction times, reduced solvent consumption, and enhanced analyte recovery. Using microwaves, heat is directly applied to the sample, leading to rapid and efficient extraction of target compounds by enhancing the solubility and diffusion of the target compounds, thus requiring lower solvent volume. Therefore, MAE can be considered a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option facilitating the transition toward greener and more sustainable analytical chemistry workflows. This contribution systematically reviews the application of MAE to a selection of target compounds/compounds classes of relevance for food quality and safety assessment. As inclusion criteria, MAE active temperature control and molecularly-resolved characterization of the extracts were considered. Contents include a brief introduction of the principles of operation, available systems characteristics, and key parameters influencing extraction efficiency and selectivity. The application section covers functional food components (e.g., phenols, diterpenes, and carotenoids), lipids, contaminants (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and mineral oil hydrocarbons), pesticides, veterinary drug residues, and a selection of process contaminants and xenobiotics of relevance for food safety.
Topics: Microwaves; Food Analysis; Phenols; Solvents; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PubMed: 37654060
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300390 -
Environmental Science. Processes &... Sep 2023After an oil spill, the formation of oil-particle aggregates (OPAs) is associated with the interaction between dispersed oil and marine particulate matter such as...
After an oil spill, the formation of oil-particle aggregates (OPAs) is associated with the interaction between dispersed oil and marine particulate matter such as phytoplankton, bacteria and mineral particles. Until recently, the combined effect of minerals and marine algae in influencing oil dispersion and OPA formation has rarely been investigated in detail. In this paper, the impacts of a species of flagellate algae on oil dispersion and aggregation with montmorillonite were investigated. This study has found that oil coalescence is inhibited due to the adhesion of algal cells on the droplet surface, causing fewer large droplets to be dispersed into the water column and small OPAs to form. Due to the role of biosurfactants in the algae and the inhibition of algae on the swelling of mineral particles, both the oil dispersion efficiency and oil sinking efficiency were improved, which reached 77.6% and 23.5%, respectively at an algal cell concentration () of 1.0 × 10 cells per mL and a mineral concentration of 300 mg L. The volumetric mean diameter of the OPAs decreased from 38.4 μm to 31.5 μm when increased from 0 to 1.0 × 10 cells per mL. At higher turbulent energy, more oil tended to form larger OPAs. The findings may add knowledge about the fate and transport of spilled oil and provide fundamental data for oil spill migration modelling.
Topics: Petroleum; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Particulate Matter; Geologic Sediments; Petroleum Pollution; Minerals
PubMed: 37424387
DOI: 10.1039/d3em00092c -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023The unavailability of biodegradable preservatives is one of the major setbacks in the construction industry. With this in mind, our study focused on the analysis and...
The unavailability of biodegradable preservatives is one of the major setbacks in the construction industry. With this in mind, our study focused on the analysis and comparison of two hydrophobic liquids, one vegetable oil-based (VOA) and the other mineral oil-based (MOA), and subsequently applying the same on three types of wood. The comparison of the vegetable oil-based (VOA) and mineral oil-based (MOA) revealed that VOA was characterized by an 83.4% susceptibility to aerobic biodegradation, while MOA was considerably more resistant (47.80%). Based on the conducted contact angle measurements, it was observed that the wettability of pine and oak wood decreased after the application of both VOA (for pine-twice; for oak-by 38%) and MOA (for pine-more than two times; for oak-by 49%), while in the case of aspen, the same was increased (after the application of VOA-by 20%; after the application of MOA-by 2%). The observed depth of penetration into the structure of the impregnated wood was lower for the VOA impregnant as compared to the MOA impregnant. This result persisted in all types of wood used in the experiment. Observations of the process of water absorption during soaking revealed that VOA was more beneficial in terms of lowering water absorption into the material, regardless of wood type. The overall results were better for VOA, which lowered the mass of soaked wood by between 19.73 and 66.90%.
PubMed: 37512249
DOI: 10.3390/ma16144975 -
Biomedical Chromatography : BMC Aug 2023This innovative study was carried out to determine the presence of the mineral oil Arbofine in apple and soil at four locations. Arbofine kills the vast majority of...
Method validation and residue determination of mineral oil Arbofine in apple and soil using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection under temperate conditions of Kashmir, India.
This innovative study was carried out to determine the presence of the mineral oil Arbofine in apple and soil at four locations. Arbofine kills the vast majority of dormant insects and mites (mite and asphid eggs, scales and psyllids) on fruit trees (cherry, apple, plum and peach) and thus reduces the plant diseases in summer. In this study, the mineral oil was sprayed at recommended doses of 2.0 and 0.75%, and the doses were doubled to 4.0 and 1.5% in dormant and summer seasons, respectively. The soil samples were taken for observation during the dormant season, whereas both soil and apple samples were taken during the summer season after treatment for 0, 1, 3 and 5 days. The recovery study of all the 11 paraffinic constituents (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, n-undecane, n-dodecane, n-tridecane, n-tetradecane and n-pentadecane) in soil and apple samples which constitutes 60% of mineral oil in soil and apple was carried out at the fortification level of 1.0 μg/ml, which was found to be between 72.1% and 99.0%. No residue of all the 11 paraffinic compounds of Arbofine mineral oil was detected in soil and apple samples at day 0 after the recommended doses, and the recommended doses were doubled in both seasons at four locations. Therefore, mineral oil can be used on apples without any risk.
Topics: Malus; Mineral Oil; Soil; Chromatography, Gas; Fruit
PubMed: 37002804
DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5635 -
Heliyon Sep 2023Integrating nanotechnology in dielectric fluid significantly inhibits losses and boosts overall dielectric fluid performance. There has been research done on the effects...
Integrating nanotechnology in dielectric fluid significantly inhibits losses and boosts overall dielectric fluid performance. There has been research done on the effects of introducing various nanoparticles, such as titania, alumina, silica nanodiamonds, etc. In this paper, a novel nanoparticle, Ceria (CeO), has been used, and its properties were examined using the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrum, the XRD (X-ray Diffraction) spectrum, the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and the TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). This paper illustrates an efficient dielectric fluid prepared by the successful dispersion of Cerium Oxide (CeO) nanoparticles in various concentrations into four commercial oils, namely mineral oil, rapeseed oil, synthetic ester oil, and soybean oil, to enhance and improve their dielectric characteristics. The performance investigation emphasises breakdown strength enhancement and other dielectric properties of the colloidal solution comprising different nanoparticle (NP) concentrations. Various commercial oils are used as a base in nano-oil to diversify their applicability as dielectric fluids by measuring the correlation in dielectric parameters and statistically assessing their applicability with normal and Weibull distributions. The obtained experimental data sets were analyzed using the Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox in MATLAB. The aging measurement has been done only on mineral oil, and results were matched using a predictive model of statistics and the Machine Learning Toolbox in MATLAB. Well-dispersed CeO NPs in the insulating oils lead to a significant increase in AC breakdown strength. The effect of ageing on the dielectric properties of nano oils yields better results than conventionally aged oil. It has been observed that the breakdown voltage is enhanced by up to 30% for mineral oil at an optimal concentration of 0.01 g/L, 9% for synthetic ester oil at 0.03 g/L, 18% for rapeseed oil at 0.02 g/L, and 19% for soybean oil at 0.03 g/L nanoparticle concentration. Following the dispersion of CeO nanoparticles, the dielectric constant of all insulating oils has also significantly improved. The overall experimental results are promising and show the potential of the CeO NPs-based nano oil as an efficient and highly performing dielectric oil for different power applications.
PubMed: 37662719
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19264 -
Environmental Science & Technology Dec 2023Metamorphosis is a critical process in the life cycle of most marine benthic invertebrates, determining their transition from plankton to benthos. It affects dispersal...
Metamorphosis is a critical process in the life cycle of most marine benthic invertebrates, determining their transition from plankton to benthos. It affects dispersal and settlement and therefore decisively influences the dynamics of marine invertebrate populations. An extended period of metamorphic competence is an adaptive feature of numerous invertebrate species that increases the likelihood of finding a habitat suitable for settlement and survival. We found that crude oil and residues of burnt oil rapidly induce metamorphosis in two different marine invertebrate larvae, a previously unknown sublethal effect of oil pollution. When exposed to environmentally realistic oil concentrations, up to 84% of tested echinoderm larvae responded by undergoing metamorphosis. Similarly, up to 87% of gastropod larvae metamorphosed in response to burnt oil residues. This study demonstrates that crude oil and its burned residues can act as metamorphic inducers in marine planktonic larvae, short-circuiting adaptive metamorphic delay. Future studies on molecular pathways and oil-bacteria-metamorphosis interactions are needed to fully understand the direct or indirect mechanisms of oil-induced metamorphosis in marine invertebrates. With 90% of chronic oiling occurring in coastal areas, this previously undescribed impact of crude oil on planktonic larvae may have global implications for marine invertebrate populations and biodiversity.
Topics: Animals; Petroleum; Invertebrates; Metamorphosis, Biological; Ecosystem; Life Cycle Stages; Larva
PubMed: 37963269
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05194 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Mediterranean diets (MedDiets) are linked to substantial health benefits. However, there is also growing evidence that the intensification of food production over the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Mediterranean diets (MedDiets) are linked to substantial health benefits. However, there is also growing evidence that the intensification of food production over the last 60 years has resulted in nutritionally relevant changes in the composition of foods that may augment the health benefits of MedDiets.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize, summarize, and critically evaluate the currently available evidence for changes in food composition resulting from agricultural intensification practices and their potential impact on the health benefits of MedDiets.
METHODS
We summarized/synthesized information from (i) systematic literature reviews/meta-analyses and more recently published articles on composition differences between conventional and organic foods, (ii) desk studies which compared food composition data from before and after agricultural intensification, (iii) recent retail and farm surveys and/or factorial field experiments that identified specific agronomic practices responsible for nutritionally relevant changes in food composition, and (iv) a recent systematic literature review and a small number of subsequently published observational and dietary intervention studies that investigated the potential health impacts of changes in food composition resulting from agricultural intensification.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
There has been growing evidence that the intensification of food production has resulted in (i) lower concentrations of nutritionally desirable compounds (e.g., phenolics, certain vitamins, mineral micronutrients including Se, Zn, and omega-3 fatty acids, α-tocopherol) and/or (ii) higher concentrations of nutritionally undesirable or toxic compounds (pesticide residues, cadmium, omega-6 fatty acids) in many of the foods (including wholegrain cereals, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, dairy products and meat from small ruminants, and fish) that are thought to contribute to the health benefits associated with MedDiets. The evidence for negative health impacts of consuming foods from intensified conventional production systems has also increased but is still limited and based primarily on evidence from observational studies. Limitations and gaps in the current evidence base are discussed. There is now substantial evidence that the intensification of agricultural food production has resulted in a decline in the nutritional quality of many of the foods that are recognized to contribute to the positive health impacts associated with adhering to traditional MedDiets. Further research is needed to quantify to what extent this decline augments the positive health impacts of adhering to a traditional MedDiet.
PubMed: 37893672
DOI: 10.3390/foods12203779