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Heliyon Jun 2024This study aimed to optimise metal extraction from secondary hazardous sources, such as basic oxygen steelmaking dust (BOS-D). Initially, three batch systems approaches,...
This study aimed to optimise metal extraction from secondary hazardous sources, such as basic oxygen steelmaking dust (BOS-D). Initially, three batch systems approaches, including bioleaching using , chemical leaching using choline chloride-ethylene glycol (ChCl-EG) and a combined approach were compared. Then, scaling up was evaluated through a semi-continuous bioleaching column system with varied leachate recirculation over 21 days, focusing on Y, Ce, Nd, Li, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Al. Bioleaching outperformed the control experiments within 3 days in the batch, demonstrating the key role of . Chemical leaching conducted with a solid concentration of 12.5 % (w/v) successfully dissolved over 50 % of all metals within 2 h. For rare earth elements (REE), both bioleaching and hybrid leaching outperformed chemical leaching. However, considering factors such as process duration, overall efficiency, and ease of extraction, chemical leaching was the most effective method. Leachate recirculation reached a plateau after 11 days, resulting in extraction efficiency of 39 % when semi-continuous column set-up was used. Interestingly, variations in recirculation rates did not influence the extraction efficiency. Overall, this study emphasizes the considerable potential of bioleaching for metal recovery, but also highlights the need for further studies for enhancing permeability for percolation methods and optimisation, particularly in parameters such as aeration rate, when transitioning to larger scale systems.
PubMed: 38933961
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32437 -
Vaccines Jun 2024Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an allergic, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disease associated with the production of IgE antibodies against environmental allergens...
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an allergic, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disease associated with the production of IgE antibodies against environmental allergens and mainly house dust mite allergens. This complex dermatological pathology involves Interleukin 31 (IL-31) as a central itch mediator. One of the most effective CAD treatments is a caninized monoclonal antibody (mAb) called Lokivetmab. It is produced in CHO cells and targets specifically canine IL-31 (cIL-31) and blocks its cellular messaging. This treatment has undoubtedly contributed to a breakthrough in dermatitis-related pruritus. However, its production in mammalian cells requires time-consuming procedures, high production costs, and investment. Plants are considered an emerging protein production platform for recombinant biopharmaceuticals due to their cost-effectiveness and rapidity for production. Here, we use transient expression in plants to produce recombinant canine Interleukin 31 (cIL-31) and an anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody (M1). First, we describe the production and characterization of M1 and then its activity on an IL-31-induced pruritic model in dogs compared to its commercial homolog. Dogs treated with the plant-made M1 mAb have shown similar improvements to Lokivetmab-treated ones after different challenges using canine IL-31. Furthermore, M1 injections were not associated with any side effects. These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this plant-made Lokivetmab biosimilar to control dogs' pruritus in a well-established model. Finally, this study shows that the plant-production platform can be utilized to produce rapidly functional mAbs and bring hope to the immunotherapy field of veterinary medicine.
PubMed: 38932349
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060620 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024The anti-fungal properties of the probiotic bacterium have been studied extensively in agriculture and ecology, but their applications in the built environment remain...
The anti-fungal properties of the probiotic bacterium have been studied extensively in agriculture and ecology, but their applications in the built environment remain to be determined. Our work aims to utilize this biological component to introduce new diverse anti-mold properties into paint. "Mold" refers to the ubiquitous fungal species that generate visible multicellular filaments commonly found in household dust. The development of mold leads to severe health problems for occupants, including allergic response, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asthma, which have significant economic and clinical outcomes. We here demonstrate the robust effect of a commercial paint enhanced with Bacillus subtilis cells against the common mold agent, , and identify three biosynthetic clusters essential for this effect. Our results lay the foundation for bio-convergence and synthetic biology approaches to introduce renewable and environmentally friendly bio-anti-fungal agents into the built environment.
PubMed: 38930607
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061226 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Microbial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the...
Microbial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting visible microbial colonization and staff health concerns. Dust samples from book surfaces and the storage environment were analysed using culturing methods, qPCR, Next Generation Sequencing, and mycotoxin, cytotoxicity, and azole resistance assays. sp., sp., and sp. were the most common fungi identified, with some potentially toxic species like sp., sp., and section Fungal resistance to azoles was not detected. Only one mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, was found in a heavily contaminated book. Dust extracts from books exhibited moderate to high cytotoxicity on human lung cells, suggesting a potential respiratory risk. The collection had higher contamination levels compared to the storage environment, likely due to improved storage conditions. Even though overall low contamination levels were obtained, these might be underestimated due to the presence of salt (from cod preservation) that could have interfered with the analyses. This study underlines the importance of monitoring microbial communities and implementing proper storage measures to safeguard cultural heritage and staff well-being.
PubMed: 38930597
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061215 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This paper describes a study of the chloride content in the concrete lagging of prestressed concrete elements of the roof structure of an aluminium foundry building....
This paper describes a study of the chloride content in the concrete lagging of prestressed concrete elements of the roof structure of an aluminium foundry building. Sources of chloride pollution in industrial facilities are discussed. Methods for collecting dust deposited on the structure and sampling concrete for chloride concentration testing are presented in detail. The test methods used and the apparatus used to assess the chloride content at the thickness of concrete reinforcement lagging are presented. Investigations of the chloride content in the concrete of the reinforcement cover showed a very high concentration of chloride in the near-surface layer, depending on the location of the element in relation to the source of chloride emission into the environment. In contrast, the concrete of the deeper layers of the lagging contained very small amounts of Cl chlorides. The results of the chloride content of the lagging concrete were plotted against the distance from the surface of the specimen and approximated by the function (,) based on Fick's second law and its solution. A satisfactory fit of the course of this function to the experimental results was obtained. Based on the obtained (,) function, the durability of the main structural components of an aluminium foundry industrial hall operating in a chloride environment was estimated.
PubMed: 38930354
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122985 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Specific immunotherapy represents the only potentially curative treatment for allergic asthma. Allergens can be administered subcutaneously (SCIT) or sublingually...
Specific immunotherapy represents the only potentially curative treatment for allergic asthma. Allergens can be administered subcutaneously (SCIT) or sublingually (SLIT). The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of SCIT and SLIT for the treatment of allergic asthma in children. Our study included 69 children with allergic asthma who underwent immunotherapy for house dust mites or pollen for at least 3 consecutive years. After 3 years of SCIT and SLIT, the median number of asthma exacerbations in the last three months decreased from 2 to 0 ( < 0.01) and from 1 to 0 ( < 0.01), respectively. When comparing the efficacy of SCIT and SLIT, our study revealed a significantly better efficacy of SCIT only in terms of increasing lung function. The median increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after 3 years was 8% with SCIT and -1% with SLIT ( < 0.01). Daily controller therapy could be withdrawn or reduced in 9 out of 16 (56.3%) children who received it before SCIT ( < 0.01) and in 19 of 29 (65.6%) children who received it before SLIT ( < 0.01), but the difference in efficacy was not significant ( = 0.88). Both SCIT and SLIT are effective treatments for allergic asthma in children.
PubMed: 38929271
DOI: 10.3390/children11060692 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024On 11 September 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) killed nearly three thousand people and exposed hundreds of thousands of rescue and recovery workers,...
On 11 September 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) killed nearly three thousand people and exposed hundreds of thousands of rescue and recovery workers, passersby, area workers, and residents to varying amounts of dust and smoke. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani ordered the emergency evacuation of Lower Manhattan below Canal Street, but not all residents evacuated. Previous studies showed that those who did not evacuate had a higher incidence of newly diagnosed asthma. Among the 71,424 who enrolled in the WTC Health Registry in 2003-2004, we evaluated the bivariate association of educational attainment, household income, and race or ethnicity with reported evacuation on or after 9/11/01. We used log binomial regression to assess the relative risks of not evacuating from their home following the 9/11 attacks, adjusting for age, gender, and marital status. Out of a total of 11,871 enrollee residents of Lower Manhattan, 7345 or 61.79% reported evacuating their home on or after 9/11. In a fully adjusted model, the estimated relative risk for not evacuating was elevated for those who identified as non-Hispanic Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic residents compared to non-Hispanic White residents. Residents with a high school diploma/GED had an elevated estimated risk compared to those with at least a bachelor's degree. Those with lower household incomes had an elevated estimated risk compared to those with the highest income category. These significant inequities will need to be prevented in future disasters.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Ethnicity; New York City; September 11 Terrorist Attacks; Social Class; Racial Groups; Emergency Shelter
PubMed: 38929049
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060803 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Engineered stone (ES) is a popular building product, due to its architectural versatility and generally lower cost. However, the fabrication of organic resin-based ES... (Review)
Review
Engineered stone (ES) is a popular building product, due to its architectural versatility and generally lower cost. However, the fabrication of organic resin-based ES kitchen benchtops from slabs has been associated with alarming rates of silicosis among workers. In 2024, fifteen years after the first reported ES-related cases in the world, Australia became the first country to ban the use and importation of ES. A range of interacting factors are relevant for ES-associated silicosis, including ES material composition, characteristics of dust exposure and lung cell-particle response. In turn, these are influenced by consumer demand, work practices, particle size and chemistry, dust control measures, industry regulation and worker-related characteristics. This literature review provides an evidence synthesis using a narrative approach, with the themes of product, exposure and host. Exposure pathways and pathogenesis are explored. Apart from crystalline silica content, consideration is given to non-siliceous ES components such as resins and metals that may modify chemical interactions and disease risk. Preventive effort can be aligned with each theme and associated evidence.
Topics: Silicosis; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Construction Materials; Dust
PubMed: 38928930
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060683 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024This paper presents the work performed to transition a lab-scale synthesis (1 g) to a large-scale (400 g) synthesis of the 3-5-diamino-1H-Pyrazole Disperazol, a new...
This paper presents the work performed to transition a lab-scale synthesis (1 g) to a large-scale (400 g) synthesis of the 3-5-diamino-1H-Pyrazole Disperazol, a new pharmaceutical for treatment of antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections. The potentially hazardous diazotisation step in the lab-scale synthesis was transformed to a safe and easy-to-handle flow chemistry step. Additionally, the paper presents an OSHA-recommended safety assessment of active compound , as performed by Fauske and Associates, LLC, Burr Ridge, IL, USA.
Topics: Pyrazoles; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Humans; Pseudomonas Infections; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 38928443
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126737 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This...
The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This study investigated environmental factors influencing the survival of airborne bacteria, focusing on the effects of different carbon dioxide (CO) and dust concentrations. The experiments were conducted in an atmospheric simulation chamber using the non-resistant wild-type K12 (JM109) and a multi-resistant variant (JM109-pEC958). Different CO (100 ppm, 800 ppm, 3000 ppm) and dust concentrations (250 µg m, 500 µg m, 2000 µg m) were tested to encompass a wide range of CO and dust levels. The results revealed that JM109-pEC958 exhibited greater resilience to high CO and dust concentrations compared to its non-resistant counterpart. At 3000 ppm CO, the survival rate of JM109 was significantly reduced, while the survival rate of JM109-pEC958 remained unaffected. At the dust concentration of 250 µg m, JM109 exhibited significantly reduced survival, whereas JM109-pEC958 did not. When the dust concentration was increased to 500 and 2000 µg m, even the JM109-pEC958 experienced substantially reduced survival rates, which were still significantly higher than those of its non-resistant counterpart at these concentrations. These findings suggest that multi-resistant strains possess mechanisms enabling them to endure extreme environmental conditions better than non-resistant strains, potentially involving regulatory genes or efflux pumps. The study underscores the importance of understanding bacterial adaptation strategies to develop effective mitigation approaches against antibiotic-resistant bacteria in atmospheric environments. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between environmental stressors and bacterial survival, serving as a foundational step towards elucidating the adaptation mechanisms of multi-resistant bacteria and informing strategies for combating antibiotic resistance in the atmosphere.
PubMed: 38927224
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060558