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Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2022Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb,...
Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se) from honey samples were analyzed from 80 different locations of Punjab and ten floras. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality and quantity of minerals and Physico-chemical analysis in honey. A flame photometer was used to measure the concentration of major minerals (K, Ca and Na). The concentration of micro minerals (Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Se) was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The concentration of macro-elements obtained was as follow (in ppm): K (166-1732), Na (107-418) and Ca (07-99), while the concentration of microelements (in ppm) Co (1-2), Cr (>1), Mn (<1), Mo (1.818), Ni (1.911), Pb (<1) and Se (1.968). The most abundant minerals were potassium, calcium and sodium, ranging between 396-810.5, 17.5-640.63 and 169.88-238.62 ppm, respectively. However, the trace mineral elements of honey were obtained in the order of decreasing Se > Co > Ni > Pb > Cr > Mo > Mn. The findings showed that all the heavy metals like Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were present in trace amounts and close to International Honey Quality Standard. The result of given honey samples represented highest value of moisture (31.23%), color (80 mm pfund), pH (8.23), acidity (72.02 meq/kg), electrical conductivity (0.85 ms/cm) and ash contents (0.83%).
Topics: Animals; Bees; Honey; Lead; Metals, Heavy; Minerals; Trace Elements
PubMed: 35857954
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.263534 -
Data in Brief Aug 2022A Sky Quality Meter (SQM) is a photometer designed to measure night sky brightness. SQMs have been used to interpret light fields for various purposes, including studies...
A Sky Quality Meter (SQM) is a photometer designed to measure night sky brightness. SQMs have been used to interpret light fields for various purposes, including studies of relationships between directional light brightness and sea turtle hatchling orientation. This article reports SQM data collected on a sea turtle nesting beach at Delray Beach, Florida (USA) on 17 August 2020. Three hundred-and-sixty light brightness data were collected by eight consecutive readings in each of the four horizontal directions and the zenith at nine sites. The data also include landward photographic images captured at the nine light-measurement sites. The dataset supports the usefulness of the instrument for biological light-field measurements and refute blanket criticisms on inconsistent measurements that would justify discarding initial readings and averaging over a time series.
PubMed: 35855964
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108430 -
Bio-protocol May 2022Bacterial studies based on growth curves are common in microbiology and related fields. Compared to the standard photometer and cuvette based protocols, bacterial growth...
Bacterial studies based on growth curves are common in microbiology and related fields. Compared to the standard photometer and cuvette based protocols, bacterial growth curve measurements with microplate readers provide better temporal resolution, higher efficiency, and are less laborious, while analysis and interpretation of the microplate-based measurements are less straightforward. Recently, we developed a new analysis method for evaluating bacterial growth with microplate readers based on time derivatives. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for this development and provide the homemade program for the new analysis method.
PubMed: 35800461
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.4410 -
Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao = Journal... May 2022To prepare an injectable hydrogel/staple fiber composite loaded with combretastain A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P) and doxorubicin (DOX) and evaluate its antitumor...
OBJECTIVE
To prepare an injectable hydrogel/staple fiber composite loaded with combretastain A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P) and doxorubicin (DOX) and evaluate its antitumor efficacy via intratumoral injection.
METHODS
DOX-loaded PELA staple fibers (F) were prepared using electro-spinning and cryo-cutting, and the drug distribution on the surface of the fibers was observed using a fluorescence microscope, and the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of F were determined with a fluorospectro photometer. The fibers were then dispersed in CA4P-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA tri-block polymer solution at room temperature to obtain the hydrogel/staple fiber composite (G/F). The thermo-sensitivity of this composite was determined by a test tube inverting method. An ultraviolet spectrophotometer and a fluorospectrophotometer were used to detect the release profile of CA4P and DOX, respectively. We observed gel formation of the composite after subcutaneous injection in mice. The cytotoxicity of G/F composite in MCF-7 and 4T1 cells was assessed using cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) reagent. In a mouse model bearing breast tumor 4T1 cell xenograft, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of the composite by monitoring tumor growth within 30 days after intratumoral injection of the composite. HE staining, immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and immunofluorescence (TUNEL) assay were used for pathological examination of the tumor tissues 21 days after the treatments.
RESULTS
The average length of F was 4.0±1.3 μm, and its drug loading capacity was (2.69±0.35)% with an encapsulation efficiency of (89.70±0.12)%. DOX was well distributed on the surface of the fibers. When the temperature increased to 37 ℃, the composite rapidly solidified to form a gel . Drug release behavior test showed that CA4P was completely released from the composite in 5 days and 87% of DOX was released in 30 days. After subcutaneous injection, the composite solidified rapidly without degradation at 24 h after injection. After incubation with G/F for 72 h, only 30.6% of MCF-7 cells and 28.9% of 4T1 cells were viable. In the tumor-bearing mice, the tumor volume was 771.9±76.9 mm in G/F treatment group at 30 days. Pathological examination revealed obvious necrosis of the tumor tissues and tumor cell apoptosis induced by intratumoral injection of G/F.
CONCLUSION
As an efficient dual drug delivery system, this hydrogel/staple fiber composite provides a new strategy for local combined chemotherapy of solid tumors.
Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Delayed-Action Preparations; Doxorubicin; Female; Heterografts; Humans; Hydrogels; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Phosphates
PubMed: 35673904
DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.05.01 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022This study aimed to assess the physicochemical, microbiological and toxicological hazards at an illegal landfill in central Poland. The research included the analysis of...
This study aimed to assess the physicochemical, microbiological and toxicological hazards at an illegal landfill in central Poland. The research included the analysis of airborne dust (laser photometer), the number of microorganisms in the air, soil and leachate (culture method) and the microbial diversity in the landfill environment (high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina Miseq); the cytotoxicity () and genotoxicity (alkaline comet assay) of soil and leachate were tested. Moreover, an analysis of UHPLC-Q-ToF-UHRMS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry) was performed to determine the toxic compounds and microbial metabolites. The PM dust fraction constituted 99.89% and 99.99% of total dust and exceeded the threshold of 0.025 mg m at the tested locations. In the air, the total number of bacteria was 9.33 × 10-1.11 × 10 CFU m, while fungi ranged from 1.17 × 10 to 4.73 × 10 CFU m. Psychrophilic bacteria were detected in the largest number in leachates (3.3 × 10 to 2.69 × 10 CFU mL) and in soil samples (8.53 × 10 to 1.28 × 10 CFU g). Bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria (42-64.7%), Bacteroidetes (4.2-23.7%), Actinobacteria (3.4-19.8%) and Firmicutes (0.7-6.3%) dominated. In the case of fungi, Basidiomycota (23.3-27.7%), Ascomycota (5.6-46.3%) and Mortierellomycota (3.1%) have the highest abundance. Bacteria (, , , , ) and fungi (, , , , , , , , , ) that are potentially hazardous to human health were detected in samples collected from the landfill. Tested leachates and soils were characterised by varied cyto/genotoxins. Common pesticides (carbamazepine, prometryn, terbutryn, permethrin, carbanilide, pyrethrin, carbaryl and prallethrin), quaternary ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chlorides), chemicals and/or polymer degradation products (melamine, triphenylphosphate, diphenylphtalate, insect repellent diethyltoluamide, and drugs (ketoprofen)) were found in soil and leachate samples. It has been proven that the tested landfill is the source of the emission of particulate matter; microorganisms (including potential pathogens) and cyto/genotoxic compounds.
Topics: Air Microbiology; Bacteria; Dust; Fungi; Humans; Poland; Soil; Waste Disposal Facilities
PubMed: 35457694
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084826 -
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &... Nov 2022Simulated daylight photodynamic therapy (SDL-PDT) is a new treatment alternative for actinic keratosis. The aim of this study was to show how the illuminance that...
BACKGROUND
Simulated daylight photodynamic therapy (SDL-PDT) is a new treatment alternative for actinic keratosis. The aim of this study was to show how the illuminance that reaches the target skin area during SDL-PDT depends on the spatial positioning of the patient.
METHODS
In this technical validation study, illuminance from the SDL-PDT system IndoorLux© was measured at different angles, directions, and distances from the light sources corresponding to potential target skin areas. Using two different photometers, data from 63 measuring points at seven specific distances from the ceiling were collected at 0°, 45°, and 90° angles, respectively. Illuminance levels ≥12,000 lux were regarded as adequate. Hotspots were defined as adequate measurements in all directions at a specific measuring point at distances of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 m from the light sources (i.e., the most common patient treatment positions).
RESULTS
Adequate illuminance levels were more common with photometer 1 (73%) than photometer 2 (57%). Almost all illuminance levels were adequate at a 0° angle with both photometers. Adequate illuminance levels were observed at 82-93% of the measuring points at a 45° angle and 22-47% at a 90° angle. Hotspots were registered with both photometers at all measuring points at 0°; 59-79% of the measuring points at 45°; and 0-21% at 90°.
CONCLUSION
Patient positioning is important during SDL-PDT. Adequate illuminance is achieved if target skin areas are positioned at 0°-45° angles relative to the light sources, but not at 90° angles.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Aminolevulinic Acid; Photosensitizing Agents; Keratosis, Actinic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35437865
DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12792 -
Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju Apr 2022We investigated the influence of local meteorological conditions and number of visitors on ambient particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations and particle fraction...
Influence of number of visitors and weather conditions on airborne particulate matter mass concentrations at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia during summer and autumn.
We investigated the influence of local meteorological conditions and number of visitors on ambient particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations and particle fraction ratios at the Plitvice Lakes National Park between July and October 2018. Outdoor mass concentrations of particles with aerodynamic diameters of less than 1, 2.5, and 10 μm (PM, PM, and PM, respectively) and indoor PM were measured with two light-scattering laser photometers set up near the largest and most visited Kozjak Lake. Our findings suggest that the particles mainly originated from background sources, although some came from local anthropogenic activities. More specifically, increases in both indoor and outdoor mass concentrations coincided with the increase in the number of visitors. Indoor PM concentrations also increased with increase in outdoor air temperature, while outdoor PMs exhibited U-shaped dependence (i.e., concentrations increased only at higher outdoor air temperatures). This behaviour and the decrease in the PM/PM ratio with higher temperatures suggests that the production and growth of particles is influenced by photochemical reactions. The obtained spectra also pointed to a daily but not to weekly periodicity of PM levels.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Croatia; Environmental Monitoring; Lakes; Parks, Recreational; Particle Size; Particulate Matter; Weather
PubMed: 35390243
DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3610 -
Cureus Jan 2022Background Anemia continues to be a major public health problem in India despite multiple initiatives to address it among various vulnerable groups including...
Background Anemia continues to be a major public health problem in India despite multiple initiatives to address it among various vulnerable groups including adolescents. Aim This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anemia among rural adolescent girls who had attained menarche. Methods The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 28 villages of Ballabgarh Block of district Faridabad, Haryana. From the computerized Health Management Information System data (HMIS), a random list of 363 adolescent girls was generated. Adolescent girls who had attained menarche were included in the study. Hemoglobin level was measured for all the consented or assented participants using a digital hemoglobinometer (HemoCue201+ photometer, HemoCue AB, Angelholm, Sweden). Results A total of 272 participants were enrolled in the study. Mean (SD) age at menarche was 13.2 (1.2) years. Prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls who had attained menarche was observed to be 71.7% (95% CI: 66.3 - 77.1) as per the WHO classification. Among the 195 anemic adolescent girls, severe, moderate, and mild anemia was observed in 4.8%, 41.2%, and 25.7%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, after adjusting for the age, the mother's education was significantly associated with anemia (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22 - 0.96, p-value = 0.04). Conclusion The prevalence of anemia among rural adolescent girls who had attained menarche was high. Mother's education status had a protective effect on anemia among adolescent girls.
PubMed: 35165551
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21091 -
Polymers Jan 2022A small, low-cost, self-produced photometer is implemented into a synthesis robot and combined with a modified UV chamber to enable automated sampling and online...
A small, low-cost, self-produced photometer is implemented into a synthesis robot and combined with a modified UV chamber to enable automated sampling and online characterization. In order to show the usability of the new approach, two different reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymers were irradiated with UV light. Automated sampling and subsequent characterization revealed different reaction kinetics depending on polymer type. Thus, a long initiation time (20 min) is required for the end-group degradation of poly(ethylene glycol) ether methyl methacrylate (poly(PEGMEMA)), whereas poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is immediately converted. Lastly, all photometric samples are characterized via size-exclusion chromatography using UV and RI detectors to prove the results of the self-produced sensor and to investigate the molar mass shift during the reaction.
PubMed: 35160352
DOI: 10.3390/polym14030361 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2021Optical density (OD) measurement is the gold standard to estimate microbial cell density in aqueous systems. Recording microbial growth curves is essential to assess...
Optical density (OD) measurement is the gold standard to estimate microbial cell density in aqueous systems. Recording microbial growth curves is essential to assess substrate utilization, gauge sensitivity to inhibitors or toxins, or determine the perfect sampling point. Manual sampling for cuvette-photometer-based measurements can cause disturbances and impact growth, especially for strictly anaerobic or thermophilic microbes. For slow growing microbes, manual sampling can cause data gaps that complicate analysis. Online OD measurement systems provide a solution, but are often expensive and ill-suited for applications such as monitoring microbial growth in custom or larger anaerobic vessels. Furthermore, growth measurements of thermophilic cultures are limited by the heat sensitivity of complex electronics. Here, we present two simple, low-cost, self-assembled photometers-a "TubeOD" for online measurement of anaerobic and thermophilic cultures in Hungate tubes and a "ClampOD" that can be attached to virtually any transparent growth vessel. Both OD-meters can be calibrated in minutes. We detail the manufacturing and calibration procedure and demonstrate continuous acquisition of high quality cell density data of a variety of microbes, including strict anaerobes, a thermophile, and gas-utilizing strains in various glassware. When calibrated and operated within their detection limits (ca. 0.3-90% of the photosensor voltage range), these self-build OD-meters can be used for continuous measurement of microbial growth in a variety of applications, thereby, simplifying and enhancing everyday lab operations.
PubMed: 35095803
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.790576