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Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2024The phycosphere is an essential ecological niche for the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, how ARGs' potential hosts change and the driving...
The phycosphere is an essential ecological niche for the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, how ARGs' potential hosts change and the driving mechanism of metabolites under antibiotic stress in the phycosphere have seldom been researched. We investigated the response of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and the structure and abundance of free-living (FL) and particle-attached (PA) bacteria, ARGs, and metabolites under sulfadiazine by using real-time quantitative PCR, 16 S rRNA high-throughput. The linkage of key bacterial communities, ARGs, and metabolites through correlations was established. Through analysis of physiological indicators, Chlorella pyrenoidosa displayed a pattern of "low-dose promotion and high-dose inhibition" under antibiotic stress. ARGs were enriched in the PA treatment groups by 117 %. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria as potential hosts for ARGs. At the genus level, potential hosts included Sphingopyxis, SM1A02, Aquimonas, Vitellibacter, and Proteiniphilum. Middle and high antibiotic concentrations induced the secretion of metabolites closely related to potential hosts by algae, such as phytosphingosine, Lysophosphatidylcholine, and α-Linolenic acid. Therefore, changes in bacterial communities indirectly influenced the distribution of ARGs through alterations in metabolic products. These findings offer essential details about the mechanisms behind the spread and proliferation of ARGs in the phycosphere.
Topics: Chlorella; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Sulfadiazine; Genes, Bacterial; Bacteria; Microalgae; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Microbiota
PubMed: 38795485
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134679 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2024In order to gain a profound understanding of the fate of pollutants in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), this study analyzed the electron contribution of pollutants...
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of electrons donated by pollutants in electron transfer-based oxidation system: Electrochemical measurement and theoretical calculations.
In order to gain a profound understanding of the fate of pollutants in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), this study analyzed the electron contribution of pollutants qualitatively and quantitatively which rarely reported before. The rich electron transfer system was constructed by mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) coupling with persulfate (PS) driven by visible light and the sulfanilamide antibiotics (SULs) were used as target contaminants. Firstly, the qualitative analysis of electron transfer in the system was confirmed systematically. The electron flow direction tested by i-t curves indicated that PS absorbed electrons, while SULs released electrons. The flow rate of electrons was also accelerated after the addition of SULs. The fitting curve between the kinetics and the peak potential difference tested by CV curve showed that the larger potential difference, the slower rate of oxidative degradation. Secondly, the quantification of electron transfer was achieved through theoretical calculations to simulate the interactions of the 'catalyst-oxidant-antibiotic' system. After the addition of SULs, the adsorption energy of the 'catalyst-oxidant-antibiotic' system was enhanced and the bond length of the peroxide bond was stretched. Notably, the electron transfer analysis results showed that the charge of SULs was around 0.032-0.056e, indicating that SULs pollutants played the role of electron contributors in the system. The oxidative degradation pathway included the direct cracking of S-N bond, shedding of marginal groups, ring-opening and hydroxyl addition reaction. This study clarified the electronic contribution of SULs in the oxidation system, providing necessary theoretical supplement for the analysis of the transformation of pollutants in AOPs.
PubMed: 38795478
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134720 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are an innovative technology for the efficient degradation of antibiotics. () MR-1 plays a pivotal role in degrading sulfamethoxazole...
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are an innovative technology for the efficient degradation of antibiotics. () MR-1 plays a pivotal role in degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in BESs. Our study investigated the effect of BES conditions on SMX degradation, focusing on microbial activity. The results revealed that BESs operating with a 0.05 M electrolyte concentration and 2 mA/cm current density outperformed electrolysis cells (ECs). Additionally, higher electrolyte concentrations and elevated current density reduced SMX degradation efficiency. The presence of nutrients had minimal effect on the growth of MR-1 in BESs; it indicates that MR-1 can degrade SMX without nutrients in a short period of time. We also highlighted the significance of mass transfer between the cathode and anode. Limiting mass transfer at a 10 cm electrode distance enhanced MR-1 activity and BES performance. In summary, this study reveals the complex interaction of factors affecting the efficiency of BES degradation of antibiotics and provides support for environmental pollution control.
Topics: Sulfamethoxazole; Shewanella; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Electrodes; Biodegradation, Environmental; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Electrolysis; Electrochemical Techniques
PubMed: 38792137
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102276 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Nov 2023Sulfadiazine (SDZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in aquaculture and animal husbandry and it is easy to remain in the water system to damage the human body....
Sulfadiazine (SDZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in aquaculture and animal husbandry and it is easy to remain in the water system to damage the human body. Therefore, detection and removal of sulfadiazine in water systems become critical. Nowadays, catalysts and visible light are used to degrade sulfadiazine into smaller molecules containing N and S to reduce toxicity. However, these small molecules are easily released into water and the atmosphere to be the acid rain. Therefore, it is urgent to design a sensor with the ability to detect and remove SDZ at the same time. (96) RESULTS: We designed a novel composite catalyst sensor (SbO@LTA GCE) with the ability to simultaneously monitor and remove sulfadiazine. The catalyst is generated by introducing SbCl into the reactive gel of LTA (Linde Type A) structure zeolite. In the hydrothermal reaction, the corrosive SbCl is transferred into nanosized SbO nanoparticle which is highly dispersed in the opening nano-scaled windows of the zeolite through redox and self-assembled progress. In the selected electrochemical overpotential range, the SbO@LTA composited modified electrode could complete adsorption and desorption of SDZ through the electron transfer from Sb to Sb. As the catalyst is in high stability, the only loss in the whole process of recovering SDZ is a small amount of electric energy. The extra-low detection limit and the removal efficiency of SbO@LTA GCE have been achieved 4.0 pM and 19.3 mg/20 mg (136) SIGNIFICANCE: The prepared novel sensor has low detection limit, high removal efficiency and high selectivity for sulfadiazine. The SbO@LTA GCE sensor, which is low-cost and has a simple preparation method, exhibits good reproducibility in both seawater and cell fluid. This provides the possibility for wide application in detecting and removing SDZ in water system. (53).
Topics: Sulfadiazine; Antimony; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Oxidation-Reduction; Electrochemical Techniques; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Limit of Detection; Electrodes; Catalysis; Oxides
PubMed: 38783737
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341891 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Aug 2024The presence and accumulation of both, plastics and antibiotics in soils may lead to the colonization, selection, and propagation of soil bacteria with certain metabolic...
The presence and accumulation of both, plastics and antibiotics in soils may lead to the colonization, selection, and propagation of soil bacteria with certain metabolic traits, e.g., antibiotic resistance, in the plastisphere. However, the impact of plastic-antibiotic tandem on the soil ecosystem functioning, particularly on microbial function and metabolism remains currently unexplored. Herein, we investigated the competence of soil bacteria to colonize plastics and degrade C-labeled sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Using single-cell imaging, isotope tracers, soil respiration and SMX mineralization bulk measurements we show that microbial colonization of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) surfaces takes place within the first 30 days of incubation. Morphologically diverse microorganisms were colonizing both plastic types, with a slight preference for PE substrate. CARD-FISH bacterial cell counts on PE and PS surfaces formed under SMX amendment ranged from 5.36 × 10 to 2.06 × 10, and 2.06 × 10 to 3.43 × 10 hybridized cells mm, respectively. Nano-scale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry measurements show that C enrichment was highest at 130 days with values up to 1.29 atom%, similar to those of the CO pool (up to 1.26 atom%, or 22.55 ‰). Independent Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the control plastisphere samples incubated without SMX and those in C-SMX incubations (P < 0.001). Our results provide direct evidence demonstrating, at single-cell level, the capacity of bacterial colonizers of plastics to assimilate C-SMX from contaminated soils. These findings expand our knowledge on the role of soil-seeded plastisphere microbiota in the ecological functioning of soils impacted by anthropogenic stressors.
Topics: Sulfamethoxazole; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants; Soil; Single-Cell Analysis; Bacteria; Carbon Isotopes; Plastics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion
PubMed: 38782163
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124197 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2024Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) are effective in removing persistent contaminants from groundwater. However, their practical applicability depends...
Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) are effective in removing persistent contaminants from groundwater. However, their practical applicability depends significantly on various site-specific characteristics. Therefore, the primary objective of this investigation was to study the feasibility of EAOPs and pyrite, which is a sulfide mineral, to effectively remove the mixture of arsenic (As (III)), chromium (Cr (VI)), and sulfanilamide in groundwater. We conducted a comparison of three systems: (1) EAOP alone, (2) pyrite alone, and (3) a combined EAOP and pyrite system. In EAOP alone, sulfanilamide was effectively oxidized (80%), while the electrochemical transformation of As(III)/Cr(VI) into As(V)/Cr(III) was limited. In just the pyrite system, As(III), Cr(VI), and sulfanilamide were adsorbed onto the surface of pyrite (60%, 20%, and 18%). Neither the EAOP nor the pyrite system alone could effectively treat the contaminants mixture. Nonetheless, the combined system completely removed As(III), Cr(VI), and sulfanilamide by the synergistic reaction. This could be attributed to the formation of green rust, a natural adsorbent mineral produced as a reaction of dissolved iron, generated via electrochemical pyrite oxidation, with the groundwater electrolyte (e.g., CO or SO). This system harmonized the combined approach of EAOP and pyrite to effectively eliminate both organic and inorganic contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: A paper proposed electrochemical oxidation (EO) with pyrite to remove both organic and inorganic contaminants from groundwater. The removal performance of the combined system was evaluated, and the synergistic mechanism was revealed. The combination of EO and pyrite with synergistic removal effectively removed the mixture of both contaminants. This could be attributed by the formation of green-rust by electrochemical activation for pyrite. Compared to the single system of EO and pyrite alone, the combined system with EO and pyrite improved removal performance. Results suggested that the combined system could be used for green groundwater remediation.
PubMed: 38781853
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134648 -
PloS One 2024Silk fibroin nanoparticles (FNP) have been increasingly investigated in biomedical fields due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. To widen the FNP...
Silk fibroin nanoparticles (FNP) have been increasingly investigated in biomedical fields due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. To widen the FNP versatility and applications, and to control the drug release from the FNP, this study developed the Eudragit S100-functionalized FNP (ES100-FNP) as a pH-responsive drug delivery system, by two distinct methods of co-condensation and adsorption, employing the zwitterionic furosemide as a model drug. The particles were characterized by sizes and zeta potentials (DLS method), morphology (electron microscopy), drug entrapment efficiency and release profiles (UV-Vis spectroscopy), and chemical structures (FT-IR, XRD, and DSC). The ES100-FNP possessed nano-sizes of ∼200-350 nm, zeta potentials of ∼ -20 mV, silk-II structures, enhanced thermo-stability, non-cytotoxic to the erythrocytes, and drug entrapment efficiencies of 30%-60%, dependent on the formulation processes. Interestingly, the co-condensation method yielded the smooth spherical particles, whereas the adsorption method resulted in durian-shaped ones due to furosemide re-crystallization. The ES100-FNP adsorbed furosemide via physical adsorption, followed Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. In the simulated oral condition, the particles could protect the drug in the stomach (pH 1.2), and gradually released the drug in the intestine (pH 6.8). Remarkably, in different pH conditions of 6.8, 9.5, and 12, the ES100-FNP could control the furosemide release rates depending on the formulation methods. The ES100-FNP made by the co-condensation method was mainly controlled by the swelling and corrosion process of ES100, and followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas non-Fickian transport mechanism. Whereas, the ES100-FNP made by the adsorption method showed constant release rates, followed the zero-order kinetics, due to the gradual furosemide dissolution in the media. Conclusively, the ES100-FNP demonstrated high versatility as a pH-responsive drug delivery system for biomedical applications.
Topics: Fibroins; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Nanoparticles; Furosemide; Drug Delivery Systems; Polymethacrylic Acids; Drug Liberation; Drug Carriers; Particle Size; Animals; Humans; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 38781182
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303177 -
Malaria Journal May 2024Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) aims to protect children at risk from severe malaria by the administration of anti-malarial drugs to children of defined ages... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) aims to protect children at risk from severe malaria by the administration of anti-malarial drugs to children of defined ages throughout the year. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been widely used for chemoprevention in Africa and a child-friendly dispersible tablet formulation has recently become available.
METHODS
This qualitative non-interventional observational study was conducted in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mozambique between February and June 2022. Prototype blister packs, dispensing boxes and job aids designed to support dispersible SP deployment for PMC were evaluated using focus group discussions (FGD) and semi-structured in-depth individual interviews (IDI) with health authorities, health personnel, community health workers (CHWs) and caregivers. The aim was to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of malaria and chemoprevention, test understanding of the tools and identify gaps in understanding, satisfaction, user-friendliness and acceptability, and assess the potential role of CHWs in PMC implementation. Interviews were transcribed and imported to ATLAS.ti for encoding and categorization. Thematic content analysis used deductive and inductive coding with cross-referencing of findings between countries and participants to enrich data interpretation. Continuous comparison across the IDI and FGD permitted iterative, collaborative development of materials.
RESULTS
Overall, 106 participants completed IDIs and 70 contributed to FGDs. Malaria was widely recognised as the most common disease affecting children, and PMC was viewed as a positive intervention to support child health. The role of CHWs was perceived differently by the target groups, with caregivers appreciating their trusted status in the community, whereas health authorities preferred clinic-based deployment of PMC by health professionals. Empirical testing of the prototype blister packs, dispensing boxes and job aids highlighted the context-specific expectations of respondents, such as familiar situations and equipment, and identified areas of confusion or low acceptance. A key finding was the need for a clear product identity reflecting malaria.
CONCLUSION
Simple modifications profoundly affected the perception of PMC and influenced acceptability. Iterative quantitative investigation resulted in PMC-specific materials suited to the local context and socio-cultural norms of the target population with the aim of increasing access to chemoprevention in children most at risk of severe malaria.
Topics: Mozambique; Benin; Malaria; Antimalarials; Chemoprevention; Humans; Cote d'Ivoire; Drug Combinations; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadoxine; Child, Preschool; Female; Male; Drug Packaging; Infant; Child; Adult
PubMed: 38773567
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04977-0 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2024Malaria during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal, foetal, and neonatal outcomes. To prevent malaria infection during pregnancy, the World Health Organization...
Spatial distribution and determinants of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy: a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ghana malaria indicators survey.
BACKGROUND
Malaria during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal, foetal, and neonatal outcomes. To prevent malaria infection during pregnancy, the World Health Organization recommended the use of intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in addition to vector control strategies. Although Ghana's target is to ensure that all pregnant women receive at least three (optimal) doses of SP, the uptake of SP has remained low; between 2020 and 2022, only 60% of pregnant women received optimal SP during their most recent pregnancy. This study sought to map the geospatial distribution and identify factors associated with SP uptake during pregnancy in Ghana.
METHODS
Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey dataset. The data analysed were restricted to women aged 15-49 years who reported having a live birth within the two years preceding the survey. A modified Poisson regression model was used to determine factors associated with SP uptake during pregnancy. Geospatial analysis was employed to map the spatial distribution of optimal SP uptake across the ten regions of Ghana using R software.
RESULTS
The likelihood that pregnant women received optimal SP correlated with early initiation of first antenatal care (ANC), number of ANC contacts, woman's age, region of residence, and family size. Overall, the greater the number of ANC contacts, the more likely for pregnant women to receive optimal SP. Women with four or more ANC contacts were 2 times (aPR: 2.16; 95% CI: [1.34-3.25]) more likely to receive optimal SP than pregnant women with fewer than four ANC contacts. In addition, early initiation and a high number of ANC contacts were associated with a high number of times a pregnant woman received SP. Regarding spatial distribution, a high uptake of optimal SP was significantly observed in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, whereas the lowest was observed in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
CONCLUSIONS
In Ghana, there were regional disparities in the uptake of SP during pregnancy, with the uptake mainly correlated with the provision of ANC services. To achieve the country's target for malaria control during pregnancy, there is a need to strengthen intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy by prioritizing comprehensive ANC services.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Ghana; Adult; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadoxine; Antimalarials; Adolescent; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Malaria; Young Adult; Prenatal Care; Middle Aged; Spatial Analysis; Drug Combinations; Data Analysis; Secondary Data Analysis
PubMed: 38769513
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06566-0 -
Crystal Growth & Design May 2024The dapsone/flavone cocrystal system served as a benchmark for both experimental and virtual screening methods. Expanding beyond this, two additional active...
The dapsone/flavone cocrystal system served as a benchmark for both experimental and virtual screening methods. Expanding beyond this, two additional active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), sulfanilamide and sulfaguanidine, structurally related to dapsone were chosen to investigate the impact of substituents on cocrystal formation. The experimental screening involved mechanochemical methods, slurry experiments, hot-melt extrusion, and the contact preparation method. The virtual screening focused on crystal structure prediction (CSP), molecular complementarity, hydrogen-bond propensity, and molecular electrostatic potentials. The CSP studies not only indicated that each of the three APIs should form cocrystals with flavone but also reproduced the known single- and multicomponent phases. Experimentally, dapsone/flavone cocrystals , , , and were reproduced, was identified as a nonstoichiometric hydrate, and a fifth cocrystal (), a -butanol solvate, was discovered. The cocrystal polymorphs and are enantiotripically related, and , exhibiting a different stoichiometric ratio, is enthalpically stabilized over the other cocrystals. For the sulfaguanidine/flavone system, two novel, enantiotripically related cocrystals were identified. The crystal structures of two cocrystals and a flavone polymorph were solved from powder X-ray diffraction data, and the stability of all cocrystals was assessed through differential scanning calorimetry and lattice energy calculations. Despite computational indications, a diverse array of cocrystallization techniques did not result in a sulfanilamide/flavone cocrystal. The driving force behind dapsone's tendency to cocrystallize with flavone can be attributed to the overall strength of flavone interactions in the cocrystals. For sulfaguanidine, the potential to form strong API···API and API···coformer interactions in the cocrystal is a contributing factor. Furthermore, flavone was found to be trimorphic.
PubMed: 38766642
DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.4c00293