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Environmental Microbiology Reports Aug 2024Copper homeostasis is a fundamental process in organisms, characterised by unique pathways that have evolved to meet specific needs while preserving core resistance...
Copper homeostasis is a fundamental process in organisms, characterised by unique pathways that have evolved to meet specific needs while preserving core resistance mechanisms. While these systems are well-documented in model bacteria, information on copper resistance in species adapted to cold environments is scarce. This study investigates the potential genes related to copper homeostasis in the genome of Bizionia argentinensis (JUB59-T), a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from Antarctic seawater. We identified several genes encoding proteins analogous to those crucial for copper homeostasis, including three sequences of copper-transport P1B-type ATPases. One of these, referred to as BaCopA1, was chosen for cloning and expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. BaCopA1 was successfully integrated into yeast membranes and subsequently extracted with detergent. The purified BaCopA1 demonstrated the ability to catalyse ATP hydrolysis at low temperatures. Structural models of various BaCopA1 conformations were generated and compared with mesophilic and thermophilic homologous structures. The significant conservation of critical residues and structural similarity among these proteins suggest a shared reaction mechanism for copper transport. This study is the first to report a psychrotolerant P1B-ATPase that has been expressed and purified in a functional form.
Topics: Copper; Cold Temperature; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Bacterial Proteins; Antarctic Regions; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Genome, Bacterial; Seawater; Copper-Transporting ATPases; Sulfolobaceae
PubMed: 38943264
DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13278 -
Maternal & Child Nutrition Jun 2024Approximately half of pregnant women in India are anemic, representing over 7.5 million women. Few studies have assessed the relationship between multiple micronutrient...
Approximately half of pregnant women in India are anemic, representing over 7.5 million women. Few studies have assessed the relationship between multiple micronutrient deficiencies and anemia during pregnancy or the trajectory of hemoglobin (Hb) during pregnancy in low-resource settings. We enrolled 200 pregnant women from the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) registry, a population-based pregnancy and birth registry in Eastern Maharashtra, India to address these gaps. The women provided capillary (finger-prick) and venous blood specimens at enrollment (<15 weeks), and a second capillary specimen in the 3rd trimester (>27 weeks). Capillary specimens were analyzed at the time of collection with a HemoCue Hb 201+; venous specimens were shipped on dry ice to a laboratory for cyanmethemoglobin assessment. In the 1st trimester, mean Hb concentration and anemia (Hb<11.0 g/dL) prevalence using capillary specimens were 10.9 ± 1.5 g/dL and 51.1%; mean Hb concentration using venous blood specimens was estimated to be 11.3 ± 1.3 g/dL and anemia prevalence was 37.5%. The prevalence of iron, vitamin B and folate deficiencies were 40%, 30% and 0%, respectively. Among women with anemia in the 1st trimester (venous blood), 56% had concurrent iron deficiency (inflammation-adjusted serum ferritin <15 µg/L) indicating that their anemia may be amenable to iron supplementation. In total, 21% of women had ID and anemia, 19% ID in the absence of anemia, 16.5% anemia in the absence of ID and 43.5% had neither. By the 3rd trimester, mean Hb from capillary specimens had declined to 10.1 ± 1.35 g/dL and anemia prevalence increased to 70.7%, despite 99.4% mothers reporting receipt of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements during her current pregnancy, and 83.9% reporting IFA consumption the previous day. Significant predictors of anemia in the 1st trimester (both venous and capillary) included the number of weeks gestation at the time of Hb assessment and inflammation-adjusted serum ferritin. For 3rd trimester anemia, significant predictors included 1st trimester height, BMI and IFA consumption during the 3rd trimester (but not 1st trimester micronutrient biomarkers), indicating that IFA supplementation over the course of pregnancy may have influenced micronutrient status and anemia risk. Our findings highlight the severity of the burden of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in Eastern Maharashtra, but also highlight that in many cases, ID and anemia affect different individuals. Preventing and managing anemia in pregnancy in India will require strengthening both clinical and community-based strategies targeting iron deficiency, as well as other causes of anemia.
PubMed: 38943254
DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13684 -
Trials Jun 2024Vitamin D is necessary to develop healthy lungs and other organs early in life. Most infants born before 28 weeks' gestation have low vitamin D levels at birth and a...
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is necessary to develop healthy lungs and other organs early in life. Most infants born before 28 weeks' gestation have low vitamin D levels at birth and a limited intake during the first month. Enteral vitamin D supplementation is inexpensive and widely used. The appropriate supplementation regimen for extremely preterm infants is controversial, and the effect of different regimens on their blood levels and outcomes is unclear.
METHODS
Randomized, blinded comparative effectiveness trial to compare two vitamin D supplementation regimens for inborn infants <28 weeks gestation or <1000 g birth weight at a large academic center in the United States. Infants are stratified by birth weight and randomized within 96 h after birth to either routine supplementation (400 IU/day with established feedings) or increased supplementation (800 IU/day with any feedings) during the first 28 days after birth. We hypothesize that the higher and early vitamin D dose (800 IU/day with early feeding) compared to placebo plus routine dose (400 IU/day with established feeding) will substantially increase total 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels measured as state-of-art at 1 month, reduce respiratory support at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (on an ordinal scale predictive of later adverse outcomes), and improve or at least not worsen other important secondary outcomes. The infants in the study will follow up at 22-26 months' corrected age (~2 years) with blinded certified examiners to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes. The sample size of a minimum of 180 infants provides >90% power to detect a >95% posterior probability of a 33% increase in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and >80% power to detect a >80% posterior probability of a relative risk decrease of 20% of reducing respiratory support by intention-to-treat Bayesian analyses using a neutral prior probability.
DISCUSSION
Our study will help clarify the uncertain relationship of vitamin D supplementation and its associated serum metabolites to clinical outcomes of extremely preterm infants. Confirmation of our hypotheses would prompt reconsideration of the supplementation regimens used in extremely preterm infants and justify a large multicenter study to verify the generalizability of the results.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05459298. Registered on July 14, 2022.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Gestational Age; Dietary Supplements; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vitamin D; Birth Weight; Enteral Nutrition; Vitamin D Deficiency; Treatment Outcome; Infant, Extremely Premature; Time Factors; Female; Vitamins; Calcifediol; Male
PubMed: 38943179
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08274-8 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Jun 2024Despite global public health organizations endorsing breastfeeding or human milk (HM) as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, detailed knowledge of how HM...
BACKGROUND
Despite global public health organizations endorsing breastfeeding or human milk (HM) as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, detailed knowledge of how HM composition influences infant growth is lacking. In this commentary we summarize and interpret the key findings of a large systematic review on HM components and child growth (N = 141 articles included). We highlight the most consistent associations, discuss study quality issues, explore socio-economic and time trends in this body of research, and identify gaps and future research directions.
KEY FINDINGS OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
We grouped HM components into three categories: micronutrients (28 articles), macronutrients (57 articles), and bioactives (75 articles). Overall, we struggled to find consistent associations between HM components and infant growth. The majority of studies (85%) were of moderate or low-quality, with inconsistent HM collection and analysis strategies being identified as the most substantial quality concerns. Additional quality issues included failing to account for potential confounding by factors such as breastfeeding exclusivity and maternal body mass index.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE HUMAN MILK RESEARCH
Many opportunities exist for the future of HM research. Using untargeted metabolomics will expand our understanding of HM components beyond previously defined and well-understood components. Machine learning will allow researchers to investigate HM as an integrated system, rather than a collection of individual components. Future research on HM composition should incorporate evidence-based HM sampling strategies to encompass circadian variation as well as infant consumption. Additionally, researchers need to focus on developing high quality growth data using consistent growth metrics and definitions. Building multidisciplinary research teams will help to ensure that outcomes are meaningful and clinically relevant.
CONCLUSION
Despite a large body of literature, there is limited quality evidence on the relationship between HM composition and infant growth. Future research should engage in more accurate collection of breastfeeding data, use standardized HM collection strategies and employ assays that are validated for HM. By systematically evaluating the existing literature and identifying gaps in existing research methods and practice, we hope to inspire standardized methods and reporting guidelines to support robust strategies for examining relationships between HM composition and child growth.
Topics: Humans; Milk, Human; Infant; Breast Feeding; Infant, Newborn; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Anthropometry; Female; Child Development
PubMed: 38943170
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-024-00652-x -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Tissue conditioners are used for treating and improving the tissues supporting complete dentures. On the other hand, recent advances in nanotechnology have...
BACKGROUND
Tissue conditioners are used for treating and improving the tissues supporting complete dentures. On the other hand, recent advances in nanotechnology have revolutionized various fields of science, including dentistry. The present study aimed to investigate novel antimicrobial applications of copper oxide nanoparticle-based tissue conditioner used in complete prostheses.
METHODS
The present experimental study included 126 tissue conditioner samples with different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (20%, 10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%, and 0% w/w). The samples were incubated with Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in 24-well plates for 24 h. Then, samples from the wells were re-incubated for 24 h, and the microorganisms were counted.
RESULTS
The culture media containing E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa showed significantly different growth between different nanoparticle concentrations following 24 h (P < 0.001), showing a reduction in bacterial growth with increased nanoparticle concentration. Both bacteria did not show any growth at the 20% concentration. However, C. albicans showed significant differences in growth between different nanoparticle concentrations following 48 h (P < 0.001), showing a reduction in growth with increased nanoparticle concentration. Also, the least growth was observed at the 20% concentration.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the CuO nanoparticles were prepared using a green synthesis methon in the suitable sizes. Moreover, the tissue conditioners containing CuO nanoparticles showed acceptable antimicrobial properties against E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans.
Topics: Copper; Enterococcus faecalis; Candida albicans; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Anti-Infective Agents; Denture, Complete; Nanoparticles; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38943115
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04534-w -
BMC Medical Genomics Jun 2024Iodine deficiency-induced goiter continues to be a global public health concern, with varying manifestations based on geography, patient's age, and sex. To gain insights...
Exploring the potential of genetic analysis in historical blood spots for patients with iodine-deficient goiter and thyroid carcinomas in Switzerland and Germany (1929-1989).
Iodine deficiency-induced goiter continues to be a global public health concern, with varying manifestations based on geography, patient's age, and sex. To gain insights into clinical occurrences, a retrospective study analyzed medical records from patients with iodine deficiency-induced goiter or thyroid cancer who underwent surgery at the Community Hospital in Riehen, Switzerland, between 1929 and 1989. Despite today's adequate iodine supplementation, a significant risk for iodine-independent goiter remains in Switzerland, suggesting that genetic factors, among others, might be involved. Thus, a pilot study exploring the feasibility of genetic analysis of blood spots from these medical records was conducted to investigate and enhance the understanding of goiter development, potentially identify genetic variations, and explore the influence of dietary habits and other environmental stimuli on the disease.Blood prints from goiter patients' enlarged organs were collected per decade from medical records. These prints had been made by pressing, drawing, or tracing (i.e., pressed and drawn) the removed organs onto paper sheets. DNA analysis revealed that its yields varied more between the prints than between years. A considerable proportion of the samples exhibited substantial DNA degradation unrelated to sample collection time and DNA mixtures of different contributors. Thus, each goiter imprint must be individually evaluated and cannot be used to predict the success rate of genetic analysis in general. Collecting a large sample or the entire blood ablation for genetic analysis is recommended to mitigate potential insufficient DNA quantities. Researchers should also consider degradation and external biological compounds' impact on the genetic analysis of interest, with the dominant contributor anticipated to originate from the patient's blood.
Topics: Humans; Switzerland; Thyroid Neoplasms; Goiter; Iodine; Male; Female; Germany; History, 20th Century; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Adult
PubMed: 38943113
DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01947-y -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024Solar Fenton is an important and extensively used advanced oxidation process (AOP) to degrade pharmaceutical pollutants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the...
Solar Fenton is an important and extensively used advanced oxidation process (AOP) to degrade pharmaceutical pollutants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of simultaneous degradation of the mixed pollutants (amoxicillin, acetaminophen, and ciprofloxacin) for an aqueous solution using the solar Fenton process. Operating parameters such as pH, iron doses, HO doses, pollutant concentrations, and time were studied. From the experimental results, the ideal conditions were obtained for the removal of mixed pollutants such as pH 3, Fe 0.04 mM, HO 4 mM, the concentration of the mixed pollutants 5 mg/L, solar radiation 400 W/m, and time 10 min, respectively. The pseudo-first-order kinetics were utilized to investigate the degradation efficacy of the mixed pollutants. The result of the study indicates that the degradation efficiency was > 99% for the mixed pollutants. A maximum of 63% mineralization was observed, and hydroxyl radical scavenger effects were studied. The best optimal conditions were applied to assess the spiked wastewater (municipal wastewater (MWW) and hospital wastewater (HWW)). The highest elimination rates for AMX, ACET, and CIP were observed as 65%, 89%, and 85% for MWW and 76%, 92%, and 80% for HWW, respectively. The degraded by-products were detected by LC-ESI-MS in the water matrix (aqueous solution and spiked wastewater), and ECOSAR analysis was performed for the transformed products. The study concluded that the solar Fenton technique is promising and effective for the removal of mixed pollutants from the water matrix.
Topics: Water Pollutants, Chemical; Hydrogen Peroxide; Kinetics; Iron; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Sunlight; Wastewater; Oxidation-Reduction; Ciprofloxacin; Acetaminophen; Amoxicillin
PubMed: 38942963
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12837-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The increasing water contamination by toxic heavy metals, particularly hexavalent chromium, has become a significant environmental concern. This study explores the...
The increasing water contamination by toxic heavy metals, particularly hexavalent chromium, has become a significant environmental concern. This study explores the pyrolysis of termite-processed biomass, specifically Pinus elliottii particleboard and its termite droppings (TDs), to produce biochar and its application for chromium (VI) adsorption. Termite droppings, rich in lignin, and particleboard, rich in cellulose, were pyrolyzed at various temperatures to assess the effect of biomass composition on biochar properties. The study found that lignin-rich termite droppings produced biochar with higher fixed carbon content and specific surface area than cellulose-rich particleboard biochar. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy revealed significant molecular structure changes during pyrolysis, which influenced the adsorption capabilities of the biochar. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that TD biochar exhibited significantly higher chromium (VI) adsorption capacity, attributed to its distinct chemical composition and enhanced surface properties due to higher lignin content. These findings underscore the crucial role of lignin in producing efficient biochar for heavy metal adsorption, highlighting the practical applicability of termite-processed biomass in water purification technologies.
Topics: Charcoal; Lignin; Chromium; Animals; Cellulose; Biomass; Adsorption; Isoptera; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Pyrolysis; Pinus; Water Purification; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 38942919
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65959-5 -
Methods in Enzymology 2024Vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases (VHPOs) are a unique family of enzymes that utilize vanadate, an aqueous halide ion, and hydrogen peroxide to produce an electrophilic...
Vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases (VHPOs) are a unique family of enzymes that utilize vanadate, an aqueous halide ion, and hydrogen peroxide to produce an electrophilic halogen species that can be incorporated into electron rich organic substrates. This halogen species can react with terpene substrates and trigger halonium-induced cyclization in a manner reminiscent of class II terpene synthases. While not all VHPOs act in this capacity, several notable examples from algal and actinobacterial species have been characterized to catalyze regio- and enantioselective reactions on terpene and meroterpenoid substrates, resulting in complex halogenated cyclic terpenes through the action of single enzyme. In this article, we describe the expression, purification, and chemical assays of NapH4, a difficult to express characterized VHPO that catalyzes the chloronium-induced cyclization of its meroterpenoid substrate.
Topics: Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; Terpenes; Cyclization; Vanadium; Substrate Specificity; Peroxidases; Enzyme Assays
PubMed: 38942514
DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.03.024 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jun 2024Volcanic eruption is associated with the release of large volumes of pollutants in the environment, which can pose a risk to humans and other living organisms. The...
Volcanic eruption is associated with the release of large volumes of pollutants in the environment, which can pose a risk to humans and other living organisms. The elemental and radioisotope composition of ash released during the Shiveluch Volcano eruption in 2023 was analyzed using ICP-MS and low-background gamma spectrometry. The ash consisted of 59% SiO, 16.7% AlO, 5.3% CaO, 4.6 % NaO, 4.5% FeO, 1.4% KO, 0.48% TiO, 0.17% PO, 0.15% S, 0.078% MnO and 44 trace elements. Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index were calculated in order to evaluate the potential health risks to children and adults due to exposure to contaminants via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. All values were below the unit, indicating a low probability of non-carcinogenic and cancerogenic risk occurrence in target groups. The average activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were 350, 12.4 and 4.84 Bq/kg for K, Ra and Th. Radiological indices, including external and internal risk assessment, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, gamma index, and excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated to estimate the radiological hazard for the population. The values of all indices were below the recommended safety limits, indicating a low level of hazard for the exposed population.
PubMed: 38941854
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121616