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Clinical and Experimental Reproductive... Apr 2024This study investigated the metabolic status of the spent culture media from embryos of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro...
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the metabolic status of the spent culture media from embryos of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in comparison with the embryos from healthy fertile women.
METHODS
Metabolite levels in spent culture media were assessed and compared between embryos from RIF patients (n=35) and oocyte donors as controls (n=15). Protein levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were determined using Western blotting. Concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate were measured using spectrophotometry. Ionic colorimetric assay kits were utilized to analyze the concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium ions. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the concentrations of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methionine, phenylalanine, and histidine.
RESULTS
Glucose consumption and lactate secretion were higher in the control group than in the RIF group. The magnesium concentration was significantly higher in the control group than in the RIF group, but glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations were lower in the control group than in the RIF patients (p<0.05). The levels of IGF-1, sodium, calcium, chloride, methionine, histidine, and phenylalanine did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The metabolic profile of the culture medium of the embryos in the RIF group differed from that of the control group. These findings suggest potential factors that may affect implantation capacity in RIF patients and provide a new perspective on embryo selection.
PubMed: 38599889
DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2023.06429 -
Environmental Research Jul 2024Groundwater is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and overall well-being as a pivotal resource for plants and animals. The increasing public consciousness of the...
Groundwater is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and overall well-being as a pivotal resource for plants and animals. The increasing public consciousness of the deterioration of groundwater quality has emphasized the significance of undertaking extended evaluations of groundwater water quality, particularly in regions undergoing substantial hydrological alterations. This study primarily aims to investigate the spatio-temporal variations in groundwater quality and evaluate its suitability for potable purposes in the region of Madhya Pradesh. The study combines the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Sen's Slope (SS) to analyze the changes in groundwater quality of all 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, utilizing 12 water quality indices using MATLAB. Data was sourced from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in India from the year 2001-2021. The data was then tested for homogeneity at all 1154 sampling stations using the software XLSTAT. Piper plot clustering characterized the state's groundwater as bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium (HCO-Ca-Mg) type. The study found that the groundwater in the area is heavily impacted by high levels of nitrate and hardness, which is caused by an increase in multivalent cations. The water was classified as ranging from hard to extremely hard, and approximately 25.49% of the state's groundwater has nitrate levels that exceed the acceptable limits. The MK test showed a significant increasing correlation in trends for parameters such as nitrate, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, bicarbonate, total hardness, and electrical conductivity. It also showed a significant decreasing correlation for calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These results were observed at a confidence level of 95%. The analysis of trends has shown that human-related factors have a considerable effect on the characteristics of groundwater quality. It is therefore recommended that such human-related factors be taken into consideration when developing policies for managing groundwater resources. Consequently, these policies should emphasize the strict enforcement of rules and standards that limit the overuse of fertilizers, ensure the appropriate disposal of municipal solid and liquid wastes, and regulate industrial pollutants.
Topics: Groundwater; India; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring; Water Quality; Nitrates
PubMed: 38588910
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118887 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with devastating effects on patients and results in numerous healthcare challenges in terms of its management and...
INTRODUCTION
type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with devastating effects on patients and results in numerous healthcare challenges in terms of its management and the cost burden among the affected. Successful management involves maintaining optimal glycemic control to prevent complications, with adherence to antidiabetic medications playing a crucial role in achieving this objective. Additionally, maintaining a healthy electrolyte balance is key for overall well-being and physiological function. However, the correlation between glycated hemoglobin and electrolyte balance remains under investigated, particularly in patients with suboptimal adherence. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between glycated hemoglobin and electrolytes among diabetic patients with poor adherence to antidiabetic medications.
METHODS
this study was conducted at Samburu County Referral Hospital in Samburu County, Kenya. We employed a descriptive cross-sectional design focusing on adult diabetic patients aged 18 years and above who had visited the diabetic clinic over a three-month period. To evaluate their adherence levels, we employed a Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8. Seventy-two diabetic patients who got adherence level scores of < 6 were categorized as having low adherence and their blood samples were collected for measuring glycated hemoglobin levels and electrolytes levels particularly potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and chloride. Relationship between electrolytes and glycated hemoglobin among diabetic patients with poor adherence to antidiabetics was determined using Karl Pearson correlation.
RESULTS
among the study participants, the lowest hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) level recorded was 5.1% while the highest was 15.0% and the majority (41.7%) fell within the HbA1c range of 5-7%. A high proportion of individuals (58.3%) with poor adherence to antidiabetics had elevated HbA1c levels, indicating poor glycemic control. The correlations observed between glycated hemoglobin and electrolytes which included magnesium, sodium, chloride, calcium and phosphorus was r= -0.07, -0.32, -0.05 -0.24 and -0.04 respectively.
CONCLUSION
this study concluded that there is a relationship between electrolytes and glycated hemoglobin among diabetic patients with poor adherence to antidiabetics. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between glycated hemoglobin and calcium level (r=-0.2398 P ≤0.05) and also sodium (r=-0.31369 P≤0.05). A negative correlation (P≥0.05) was observed between phosphorus, magnesium, chloride and potassium with HbA1c levels though not statistically significant.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Glycated Hemoglobin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Cross-Sectional Studies; Calcium; Magnesium; Chlorides; Blood Glucose; Hypoglycemic Agents; Electrolytes; Sodium; Potassium; Phosphorus
PubMed: 38586073
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.37.41815 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Jun 2024Little is known about the structures and catalytic mechanisms of sesterterpene synthases (StTSs), which greatly hinders the structure-based engineering of StTSs for...
Little is known about the structures and catalytic mechanisms of sesterterpene synthases (StTSs), which greatly hinders the structure-based engineering of StTSs for structural diversity expansion of sesterterpenes. We here report on the crystal structures of the terpene cyclization (TC) domains of two fungal StTSs: sesterfisherol synthase (NfSS) and sesterbrasiliatriene synthase (PbSS). Both TC structures contain benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTAC), pyrophosphate (PPi), and magnesium ions (Mg), clearly defining the catalytic active sites. A combination of theory and experiments including carbocationic intermediates modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and isotope labeling provided detailed insights into the structural basis for their catalytic mechanisms. Structure-based engineering of NfSS and PbSS resulted in the formation of 20 sesterterpenes including 13 new compounds and four pairs of epimers with different configurations at C18. These results expand the structural diversity of sesterterpenes and provide important insights for future synthetic biology research.
Topics: Sesterterpenes; Cyclization; Terpenes; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; Protein Engineering; Catalytic Domain; Models, Molecular; Crystallography, X-Ray
PubMed: 38584136
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405140 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB May 2024The peanut plant is one of the most economically important crops around the world. Abiotic stress, such as drought, causes over five hundred million dollars in losses in...
Water-deficit stress induces prenylated stilbenoid production and affects biomass in peanut hairy roots: Exploring the role of stilbenoid prenyltransferase downregulation.
The peanut plant is one of the most economically important crops around the world. Abiotic stress, such as drought, causes over five hundred million dollars in losses in peanut production per year. Peanuts are known to produce prenylated stilbenoids to counteract biotic stress. However, their role in abiotic stress tolerance has not been elucidated. To address this issue, hairy roots with the capacity to produce prenylated stilbenoids were established. An RNA-interference (RNAi) molecular construct targeting the stilbenoid-specific prenyltransferase AhR4DT-1 was designed and expressed via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation in hairy roots of peanut cultivar Georgia Green. Two transgenic hairy roots with the RNAi molecular construct were established, and the downregulation of AhR4DT-1 was validated using reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR. To determine the efficacy of the RNAi-approach in modifying the levels of prenylated stilbenoids, the hairy roots were co-treated with methyl jasmonate, hydrogen peroxide, cyclodextrin, and magnesium chloride to induce the production of stilbenoids and then the stilbenoids were analyzed in extracts of the culture medium. Highly reduced levels of prenylated stilbenoids were observed in the RNAi hairy roots. Furthermore, the hairy roots were evaluated in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) assay to assess the role of prenylated stilbenoids on water-deficit stress. Upon PEG treatment, stilbenoids were induced and secreted into the culture medium of RNAi and wild-type hairy roots. Additionally, the biomass of the RNAi hairy roots decreased by a higher amount as compared to the wild-type hairy roots suggesting that prenylated stilbenoids might play a role against water-deficit stress.
Topics: Arachis; Plant Roots; Stilbenes; Biomass; Down-Regulation; Plants, Genetically Modified; Dimethylallyltranstransferase; Plant Proteins; Dehydration; Droughts; Stress, Physiological; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; RNA Interference; Oxylipins; Water; Prenylation
PubMed: 38579541
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108596 -
Environmental Science & Technology May 2024Carbon neutral or negative mining can potentially be achieved by integrating carbon mineralization processes into the mine design, operations, and closure plans. Brucite...
Carbon neutral or negative mining can potentially be achieved by integrating carbon mineralization processes into the mine design, operations, and closure plans. Brucite [Mg(OH)] is a highly reactive mineral present in some ultramafic mine tailings with the potential to be rapidly carbonated and can contain significant amounts of ferrous iron [Fe(II)] substituted for Mg; however, the influence of this substitution on carbon mineralization reaction products and efficiency has not been thoroughly constrained. To better assess the efficiency of carbon storage in brucite-bearing tailings, we performed carbonation experiments using synthetic Fe(II)-substituted brucite (0, 6, 23, and 44 mol % Fe) slurries in oxic and anoxic conditions with 10% CO. Additionally, the carbonation process was evaluated using different background electrolytes (NaCl, NaSO, and NaSiO). Our results indicate that carbonation efficiency decreases with increasing Fe(II) substitution. In oxic conditions, precipitation of ferrihydrite [FeO(OH)] and layered double hydroxides {e.g., pyroaurite [MgFe(OH)CO·4HO]} limited carbonation efficiency. Carbonation in anoxic environments led to the formation of Fe(II)-substituted nesquehonite (MgCO·3HO) and dypingite [Mg(CO)(OH)·∼5HO], as well as chukanovite [FeCO(OH)] in the case of 23 and 44 mol % Fe(II)-brucite carbonation. Carbonation efficiencies were consistent between chloride- and sulfate-rich solutions but declined in the presence of dissolved Si due to the formation of amorphous SiO·HO and Fe-Mg silicates. Overall, our results indicate that carbonation efficiency and the long-term fate of stored CO may depend on the amount of substituted Fe(II) in both feedstock minerals and carbonate products.
Topics: Iron; Magnesium Hydroxide; Carbon; Mining; Solutions
PubMed: 38578665
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08708 -
Urolithiasis Apr 2024Urolithiasis is a prevalent urological disorder that contributes significantly to global morbidity. This study aimed to assess the anti-urolithic effects of Cymbopogon...
Cymbopogon proximus and Petroselinum crispum seed ethanolic extract/Gum Arabic nanogel emulsion: Preventing ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in rats.
Urolithiasis is a prevalent urological disorder that contributes significantly to global morbidity. This study aimed to assess the anti-urolithic effects of Cymbopogon proximus (Halfa Bar) and Petroselinum crispum (parsley) seed ethanolic extract /Gum Arabic (GA) emulsion, and its nanogel form against ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium chloride (AC)-induced experimental urolithiasis in rats. Rats were divided into four groups: group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 received EG with AC in drinking water for 14 days to induce urolithiasis, groups 3 and 4 were orally administered emulsion (600 mg/kg/day) and nanogel emulsion (600 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, followed by co-administration with EG and AC in drinking water for 14 days. Urolithiatic rats exhibited a significant decrease in urinary excreted magnesium, and non-enzymic antioxidant glutathione and catalase activity. Moreover, they showed an increase in oxalate crystal numbers and various urolithiasis promoters, including excreted calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and uric acid. Renal function parameters and lipid peroxidation were intensified. Treatment with either emulsion or nanogel emulsion significantly elevated urolithiasis inhibitors, excreted magnesium, glutathione levels, and catalase activities. Reduced oxalate crystal numbers, urolithiasis promoters' excretion, renal function parameters, and lipid peroxidation while improving histopathological changes. Moreover, it decreased renal crystal deposition score and the expression of Tumer necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cleaved caspase-3. Notably, nanogel emulsion showed superior effects compared to the emulsion. Cymbopogon proximus (C. proximus) and Petroselinum crispum (P. crispum) seed ethanolic extracts/GA nanogel emulsion demonstrated protective effects against ethylene glycol induced renal stones by mitigating kidney dysfunction, oxalate crystal formation, and histological alterations.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Petroselinum; Ammonium Chloride; Cymbopogon; Gum Arabic; Emulsions; Catalase; Drinking Water; Magnesium; Nanogels; Urolithiasis; Kidney Calculi; Seeds; Antioxidants; Ethanol; Glutathione; Oxalates; Ethylene Glycols; Plant Extracts; Polyethylene Glycols; Polyethyleneimine
PubMed: 38564033
DOI: 10.1007/s00240-024-01559-2 -
Journal of Environmental Management Apr 2024The traditional solidification/stabilization (S/S) technology, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), has been widely criticized due to its poor resistance to chloride and...
Medical waste incineration fly ash-based magnesium potassium phosphate cement: Calcium-reinforced chlorine solidification/stabilization mechanism and optimized carbon reduction process strategy.
The traditional solidification/stabilization (S/S) technology, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), has been widely criticized due to its poor resistance to chloride and significant carbon emissions. Herein, a S/S strategy based on magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) was developed for the medical waste incineration fly ash (MFA) disposal, which harmonized the chlorine stabilization rate and potential carbon emissions. The in-situ XRD results indicated that the Cl was efficiently immobilized in the MKPC system with coexisting Ca by the formation of stable Ca(PO)Cl through direct precipitation or intermediate transformation (the Cl immobilization rate was up to 77.29%). Additionally, the MFA-based MKPC also demonstrated a compressive strength of up to 39.6 MPa, along with an immobilization rate exceeding 90% for heavy metals. Notably, despite the deterioration of the aforementioned S/S performances with increasing MFA incorporation, the potential carbon emissions associated with the entire S/S process were significantly reduced. According to the Life Cycle Assessment, the potential carbon emissions decreased to 8.35 × 10 kg CO-eq when the MFA reached the blending equilibrium point (17.68 wt.%), while the Cl immobilization rate still remained above 65%, achieving an acceptable equilibrium. This work proposes a low-carbon preparation strategy for MKPC that realizes chlorine stabilization, which is instructive for the design of S/S materials.
Topics: Coal Ash; Magnesium; Calcium; Potassium; Chlorine; Medical Waste; Carbon; Chlorides; Incineration; Metals, Heavy; Solid Waste; Particulate Matter; Refuse Disposal; Phosphates; Magnesium Compounds; Potassium Compounds
PubMed: 38552517
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120749 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Compelling evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) exerts a significant influence on the central nervous system, participates in the modulation of neurotransmitter...
Compelling evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) exerts a significant influence on the central nervous system, participates in the modulation of neurotransmitter release, contributes to the regulation of cognitive functions, and plays a crucial role in modulating various aspects of neural activity. We aimed to explore the influence of two NO donors, molsidomine (MSD) and V-pyrro/NO, on the innate spontaneous psychomotor abilities and short-term memory in rats. Using an actimeter test, the locomotor activity, stress-sensitive behavior, and anxiety level were investigated. The influence on the animal`s cognitive functions was evaluated usingthe Y-maze test to assess the spontaneous alternation percentage, number of arms visited, number of alternations, and the preference index. Four distinct groups of five white male Wistar rats were exposed to the intraperitoneal treatments as follows: Control batch-0.3 mL/100 g of body weight saline solution, Mg batch-200 mg/kbwof magnesium chloride, MSD batch-1 mg/kbw of molsidomine, and V-pyrro/NO batch-5 mg/kbwof V-pyrro/NO. The intraperitoneal administration of MSD resulted in a significant reduction in spontaneous behavior and exploratory skills but was less pronounced than the positive control drug, magnesium chloride. Conversely, treatment with V-pyrro/NO led to only a slight decrease in horizontal movements during the actimeter test. MSD administration, but not V-pyrro/NO, notably increased the rate of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test. Additionally, the use of MSD resulted in an increase in the blood level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the intensification of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity. In our experimental setup, we demonstrated that MSD exposure led to a decrease in spontaneous behavior, showed anxiolytic effects and antioxidant activity, and improved spatial memory acquisition in rats.
PubMed: 38541632
DOI: 10.3390/life14030306 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Apr 2024In this study, highly efficient fluoride removal of nano MgO was successfully synthesized using a simple hydrothermal precipitation method. Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium...
In this study, highly efficient fluoride removal of nano MgO was successfully synthesized using a simple hydrothermal precipitation method. Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTMAB) was utilized as a surfactant. Its long-chain structure tightly wrapped around the precursor crystal of basic magnesium chloride, inhibiting the growth of precursor crystals, reducing their size, and improving crystal dispersion. This process enhanced the adsorption capacity of nano MgO for fluoride. The adsorption performance of nano MgO on fluoride was investigated. The results indicate that pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model can describe the adsorption behavior for fluoride, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 122.47 mg/g. Methods such as XRD, SEM, XPS, and FTIR were employed to study the adsorption mechanisms of the adsorbent. Additionally, factors potentially affecting adsorption performance in practical applications, such as pH and competing ions, were examined. This study enhances our profound understanding of the defluorination effectiveness and mechanisms of nano MgO.
Topics: Fluorides; Magnesium Oxide; Adsorption; Kinetics; Water Purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 38538999
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33083-6