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The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024In an increasingly dry environment, it is crucial to understand how tree species use soil water and cope with drought. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding...
In an increasingly dry environment, it is crucial to understand how tree species use soil water and cope with drought. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the relationships between species-specific stomatal behaviour, spatial root distribution, and root water uptake (RWU) dynamics. Our study aimed to investigate above- and below-ground aspects of water use during soil drying periods in four temperate tree species that differ in stomatal behaviour: two isohydric tracheid-bearing conifers, Scots pine and Norway spruce, and two more anisohydric deciduous species, the diffuse-porous European beech, and the ring-porous Downy oak. From 2015 to 2020, soil-tree-atmosphere-continuum parameters were measured for each species in monospecific forests where trees had no access to groundwater. The hourly time series included data on air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, soil water potential, soil hydraulic conductivity, and RWU to a depth of 2 m. Analysis of drought responses included data on stem radius, leaf water potential, estimated osmotically active compounds, and drought damage. Our study reveals an inherent coordination between stomatal regulation, fine root distribution and water uptake. Compared to conifers, the more anisohydric water use of oak and beech was associated with less strict stomatal closure, greater investment in deep roots, four times higher maximum RWU, a shift of RWU to deeper soil layers as the topsoil dried, and a more pronounced soil drying below 1 m depth. Soil hydraulic conductivity started to limit RWU when values fell below 10 to 10 cm/d, depending on the soil. As drought progressed, oak and beech may also have benefited from their leaf osmoregulatory capacity, but at the cost of xylem embolism with around 50 % loss of hydraulic conductivity when soil water potential dropped below -1.25 MPa. Consideration of species-specific water use is crucial for forest management and vegetation modelling to improve forest resilience to drought.
PubMed: 38944298
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174346 -
Microbial Pathogenesis Jun 2024Close contact between cats and humans increases the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens, through bites and scratches due to the complexity of microorganisms in...
Close contact between cats and humans increases the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens, through bites and scratches due to the complexity of microorganisms in the oral and nail microbiotas of felines. This study investigated the presence of bacteria and fungi in the oral cavity and claws of 100 apparently healthy cats using conventional and selective microbiological culture media, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria isolates was performed by disc diffusion method. In total, 671 bacteria and 33 yeasts were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Neisseria animaloris (10.8%), Staphylococcus felis (8.5%), and Pasteurella multocida (7%) were the most prevalent bacteria in oral cavity samples (n=343), while the most common yeast (n=19) was Candida albicans (68.4%). Staphylococcus pettenkoferi (13.4%), Staphylococcus felis (6.4%), and Staphylococcus simulans (5.8%) were the prevalent bacteria identified in the claw samples (n=328), while Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (57.2%) was the most common yeast (n=14). NGS predominantly identified the genera Moraxella, Neisseria, Pasteurella, and Fusobacterium in oral cavity samples, whereas enterobacteria and staphylococci were prevalent in nail bed samples. In addition, the genera Capnocytophaga and Bartonella were identified, which have been described in serious human infections secondary to feline aggressions. Levofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were the most effective drugs against the main groups of bacteria identified. Multidrug resistance was observed in 17% of the bacterial isolates. Furthermore, three staphylococci harboring the methicillin resistance gene mecA were identified. We highlight the complexity of microorganisms inhabiting the oral/claw microbiotas of cats, the high resistance rate of the isolates to conventional antimicrobial agents, and the zoonotic risk of aggressions caused by bites and scratches from domestic cats.
PubMed: 38944215
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106765 -
Biological Psychiatry Jun 2024Insomnia disorder is the most common sleep disorder. A better understanding of insomnia-related deviations in the brain could inspire better treatment. Insufficiently...
OBJECTIVE
Insomnia disorder is the most common sleep disorder. A better understanding of insomnia-related deviations in the brain could inspire better treatment. Insufficiently recognized heterogeneity within the insomnia population could obscure detection of involved brain circuits. The present study investigated whether structural brain connectivity deviations differ between recently discovered and validated insomnia subtypes.
METHODS
Structural and diffusion weighted 3-Tesla MRI data of four independent studies were harmonized. The sample consisted of 73 controls without sleep complaints and 204 participants with insomnia grouped into five subtypes based on their fingerprint of mood and personality traits assessed with the Insomnia Type Questionnaire. Linear regression correcting for age and sex evaluated group differences in structural connectivity strength, indicated by fractional anisotropy, streamline volume density and mean diffusivity, and evaluated within three different atlases.
RESULTS
Insomnia subtypes showed differentiating profiles of deviating structural connectivity which concentrated in different functional networks. Permutation testing against randomly drawn heterogeneous subsamples indicated significant specificity of deviation profiles in four of the five subtypes: highly distressed, moderately distressed reward sensitive, slightly distressed low reactive and slightly distressed high reactive. Connectivity deviation profile significance ranged from p= 0.001 to p=0.049 for different resolutions of brain parcellation and connectivity weight.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide a first indication that different insomnia subtypes exhibit distinct profiles of deviations in structural brain connectivity. Subtyping of insomnia could be essential for a better understanding of brain mechanisms that contribute to insomnia vulnerability.
PubMed: 38944140
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.014 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Composite bio-based hydrogels have been obtaining a significant attention in recent years as one of the most promising drug delivery systems. In the present study, the...
Composite bio-based hydrogels have been obtaining a significant attention in recent years as one of the most promising drug delivery systems. In the present study, the preparation of composite chitosan-starch hydrogel using maleic acid as a cross-linker was optimized with the help of response surface methodology. The synthesized hydrogel was fluorescent owing to clustering of large number of functional groups. Different analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM, XPS, fluorescence and BET were utilized to characterize the prepared hydrogel. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of non-crystalline hydrogel with random arrangement of macromolecular chains. The composite hydrogel exhibited good swelling percentage with pH sensitivity, hemocompatibility and degradability. BET analysis confirmed that the variation in concentration of crosslinker significantly influences the pore volume of the hydrogel. The synthesized composite chitosan-starch hydrogel was utilized as a prospective candidate for controlling drug release. Cefixime as a model drug was loaded onto the synthesized hydrogel utilizing the swelling diffusion method. SEM micrographs showed uniform distribution of drug molecules in the drug loaded hydrogel. In vitro drug release experiments indicated the swelling dependent drug release behaviour of chitosan-starch hydrogel with higher drug release at pH 7.4 (93.08 %) compared to pH 1.2 (67.85 %). The composite chitosan-starch hydrogel was able to prolong and control the drug release up to 12 h. The drug release from the hydrogel followed Korsmeyer-Peppas and Makoid-Banakar model with Fickian diffusion mechanism. Further, the composite hydrogel displayed excitation dependent fluorescence emission with most intense blue emission band at 425 nm with an excitation wavelength of 350 nm. The inclusion of cefixime drug in the hydrogel matrix significantly reduced the fluorescence intensity; the decrease was linearly correlated to the concentration of the drug. Moreover, the fluorescence emission the chitosan-starch hydrogel was found to be dependent upon pH. The synthesized hydrogel is expected to be a potential candidate for controlled drug release as well as for fluorescent sensing applications.
PubMed: 38944079
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133486 -
Journal of Food Protection Jun 2024The study determined the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Listeria spp. (L. monocytogenes, L. innocua and L. welshimeri) recovered from beef and beef products...
The study determined the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Listeria spp. (L. monocytogenes, L. innocua and L. welshimeri) recovered from beef and beef products sold at retail outlets in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A total of 112 isolates of Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes (37), L. innocua (65), and L. welshimeri (10), were recovered from beef and beef products collected from 48 retail outlets. Listeria spp. was recovered by direct selective plating following selective enrichment, and PCR was used to confirm and characterize recovered isolates. The disc diffusion method determined the resistance to 16 antimicrobial agents. All 112 isolates of Listeria spp. exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics (P<0.05). The prevalence of AMR in Listeria isolates was high for nalidixic acid (99.1%) and cefotaxime (80.4%) but low for gentamycin (2.7%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (3.6%), azithromycin (5.4%), and doxycycline (6.3%). Overall, for the three species of Listeria, the prevalence of resistance varied significantly only for streptomycin (P=0.016) and tetracycline (P=0.034). Multidrug-resistant isolates were detected in 75.7% (28/37), 61.5% (40/65), and 80% (8/10) isolates of L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, and L. welshimeri, respectively. The prevalence of AMR was significantly affected by the location and size of retail outlets, type of beef and beef products, and serogroups of L. monocytogenes. The high prevalence of AMR, particularly among the L. monocytogenes isolates, poses potential therapeutic implications for human consumers of contaminated beef products. There is, therefore, a need to regulate and enforce the use of antimicrobial agents in humans and animals in South Africa.
PubMed: 38944055
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100322 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Studies have highlighted a possible link between air pollution and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) imaging markers. However, the exact association and effects of...
Studies have highlighted a possible link between air pollution and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) imaging markers. However, the exact association and effects of polygenic risk score (PRS) defined genetic susceptibility remains unclear. This cross-sectional study used data from the UK Biobank. Participants aged 40-69 years were recruited between the year 2006 and 2010. The annual average concentrations of NO, NO, PM, PM, PM absorbance, and PM, were estimated, and joint exposure to multiple air pollutants was reflected in the air pollution index (APEX). Air pollutant exposure was classified into the low (T1), intermediate (T2), and high (T3) tertiles. Three CSVD markers were used: white matter hyper-intensity (WMH), mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA). The first principal components of the MD and FA measures in the 48 white matter tracts were analysed. The sample consisted of 44,470 participants from the UK Biobank. The median (T1-T3) concentrations of pollutants were as follows: NO, 25.5 (22.4-28.7) μg/m; NOx, 41.3 (36.2-46.7) μg/m; PM, 15.9 (15.4-16.4) μg/m; PM, 9.9 (9.5-10.3) μg/m; PM absorbance, 1.1 (1.0-1.2) per metre; and PM, 6.1 (5.9-6.3) μg/m. Compared with the low group, the high group's APEX, NO, and PM levels were associated with increased WMH volumes, and the estimates (95 %CI) were 0.024 (0.003, 0.044), 0.030 (0.010, 0.050), and 0.032 (0.011, 0.053), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. APEX, PM, PM absorbance, and PM exposure in the high group were associated with increased FA values compared to that in the low group. Sex-specific analyses revealed associations only in females. Regarding the combined associations of air pollutant exposure and PRS-defined genetic susceptibility with CSVD markers, the associations of NO, NO, PM, and PM with WMH were more profound in females with low PRS-defined genetic susceptibility, and the associations of PM, PM, and PM absorbance with FA were more profound in females with higher PRS-defined genetic susceptibility. Our study demonstrated that air pollutant exposure may be associated with CSVD imaging markers, with females being more susceptible, and that PRS-defined genetic susceptibility may modify the associations of air pollutants.
PubMed: 38944013
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116638 -
Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jun 2024A numerical simulation method, namely, SDNMR-WEBFIT, is reported for simulating proton spin diffusion NMR based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and a pseudo-2D...
A numerical simulation method, namely, SDNMR-WEBFIT, is reported for simulating proton spin diffusion NMR based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and a pseudo-2D diffusion model. This method is used for the precise quantification of dynamics heterogeneity of the interphase within multiphase polymer systems. The numerical simulation method provides measurements of spin-lattice relaxation time (T), proton density (ρ), lamellar thickness (d), and spin diffusion coefficient (D) for each component. The pseudo-2D diffusion model is employed to simulate the proton spin diffusion build-up/decay curves, simultaneously calculating the lateral fraction of island-like structures (x-ratio). Such approach was successfully applied to various polymer systems, such as semi-crystalline polymer (Poly(ε-caprolactone), PCL), block copolymers (Styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer, SBS), and plasticized semi-polymers (Polvinyl alcohol, PVA).
PubMed: 38943921
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssnmr.2024.101946 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jun 2024Constructing unique heterostructures is a highly effective approach for enhancing the K storage capability of transition metal selenides. Such structures generate...
Constructing unique heterostructures is a highly effective approach for enhancing the K storage capability of transition metal selenides. Such structures generate internal electric fields that significantly reduce the charge transfer activation energy. However, achieving a flawless interfacial region that maintains the optimal energy level gradient and degree of lattice matching remains a considerable challenge. In this study, we synthesised Setaria-like NiTe/MoS@C heterogeneous interfaces at which three-dimensional MoS nanosheets are evenly embedded in NiTe nanorods to form stabilised heterojunctions. The NiTe/MoS heterojunctions display distinctive electronic configurations and several active sites owing to their low lattice misfits (δ = 13 %), strong electric fields, and uniform carbon shells. A NiTe/MoS@C anode in a potassium-ion battery (KIB) exhibited an impressive reversible capacity of 125.8 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at a rate of 500 mA g and a stable reversible capacity of 111.7 mAh/g even after 3000 cycles at 1000 mA g. Even the NiTe/MoS@C//perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride full battery configuration maintained a significant reversible capacity of 92.4 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 200 mA g, highlighting its considerable potential for application in KIBs. Calculations further revealed that the well-designed NiTe/MoS heterojunction significantly promotes K ion diffusion.
PubMed: 38943913
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.193 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024As well known, surface discharge cold plasma has efficient inactivation ability and a variety of RONS are main active particles for inactivation, but their synergistic...
Insight into the surface discharge cold plasma efficient inactivation of Pseudomonas fluorescens in water based on exogenous reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: Synergistic mechanism and energy benefits.
As well known, surface discharge cold plasma has efficient inactivation ability and a variety of RONS are main active particles for inactivation, but their synergistic mechanism is still not clear. Therefore, surface discharge cold plasma system was applied to treat Pseudomonas fluorescens to study bacterial inactivation mechanism and energy benefit. Results showed that energy efficiency was directly proportional to applied voltage and inversely proportional to initial concentration. Cold plasma treatment for 20 min was inactivated by approximately > 4-logPseudomonas fluorescens and application of •OH and O scavengers significantly improved survival rate. In addition, •OH and O destroyed cell membrane structure and membrane permeability, which promoted diffusion of RONS into cells and affecting energy metabolism and antioxidant capacity, leading to bacterial inactivation. Furthermore, accumulation of intracellular NO and ONOOH was related to infiltration of exogenous RNS, while accumulation of •OH, HO, O, O was the result of joint action of endogenous and exogenous ROS. Transcriptome analysis revealed that different RONS of cold plasma were responsible for Pseudomonas fluorescens inactivation and related to activation of intracellular antioxidant defense system and regulation of genes expression related to amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism, which promoting cellular process, catalytic activity and other biochemical pathways.
PubMed: 38943891
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134984 -
Comprehensive Psychiatry Jun 2024Several studies have explored the relationship between personality and work addiction, suggesting that individuals with certain mental disorders, including personality...
BACKGROUND
Several studies have explored the relationship between personality and work addiction, suggesting that individuals with certain mental disorders, including personality disorders such as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), may be more prone to work addiction. However, the characterization of personality organization (PO) among workaholics and its contribution to the persistence of work addiction remains unclear.
METHODS
In this longitudinal study of a representative sample of young adults (N = 1748), we applied the Bergen Work Addiction Scale and the Inventory of Personality Organization.
RESULTS
We found significant correlations between work addiction and identity diffusion, primitive psychological defenses, reality testing, and overall personality disorganization across three waves. A latent class growth analysis revealed three profiles: no work addiction, increasing work addiction, and constant moderate work addiction. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of personality disorganization in wave 1 and increases in personality disorganization between waves 1 and 3 were associated with higher odds of belonging to the increasing work addiction group. Similarly, higher overall personality disorganization in wave 1 was associated with higher odds of belonging to the constant moderate work addiction group.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that individuals with chronic work addiction have lower levels of PO, and PO declines as work addiction persists. Screenings for work addiction are recommended to prevent potential mental health issues. Future research should explore the influence of workplace characteristics and work motivations on the association between work addiction and personality disorders.
PubMed: 38943714
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152513