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World Journal of Microbiology &... Jun 2024Biocementation, driven by ureolytic bacteria and their biochemical activities, has evolved as a powerful technology for soil stabilization, crack repair, and...
Biocementation, driven by ureolytic bacteria and their biochemical activities, has evolved as a powerful technology for soil stabilization, crack repair, and bioremediation. Ureolytic bacteria play a crucial role in calcium carbonate precipitation through their enzymatic activity, hydrolyzing urea to produce carbonate ions and elevate pH, thus creating favorable conditions for the precipitation of calcium carbonate. While extensive research has explored the ability of ureolytic bacteria isolated from natural environments or culture conditions, bacterial synergy is often unexplored or under-reported. In this study, we isolated bacterial strains from the local eutrophic river canal and evaluated their suitability for precipitating calcium carbonate polymorphs. We identified two distinct bacterial isolates with superior urea degradation ability (conductivity method) using partial 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Molecular identification revealed that they belong to the Comamonas and Bacillus genera. Urea degradation analysis was performed under diverse pH (6,7 and 8) and temperature (15 °C,20 °C,25 °C and 30 °C) ranges, indicating that their ideal pH is 7 and temperature is 30 °C since 95% of the urea was degraded within 96 h. In addition, we investigated these strains individually and in combination, assessing their microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in silicate fine sand under low (14 ± 0.6 °C) and ideal temperature 30 °C conditions, aiming to optimize bio-mediated soil enhancement. Results indicated that 30 °C was the ideal temperature, and combining bacteria resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.001) superior carbonate precipitation (14-16%) and permeability (> 10 m/s) in comparison to the average range of individual strains. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of combining ureolytic bacteria for future MICP research on field applications including soil erosion mitigation, soil stabilization, ground improvement, and heavy metal remediation.
Topics: Urea; Bacillus; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Soil Microbiology; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Biodegradation, Environmental; Sand; Calcium Carbonate; Temperature; Phylogeny; Chemical Precipitation
PubMed: 38825655
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04038-3 -
Cureus Apr 2024This case report presents a comprehensive analysis of a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with pituitary macroadenoma, detailing the clinical presentation, surgical...
This case report presents a comprehensive analysis of a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with pituitary macroadenoma, detailing the clinical presentation, surgical intervention, and postoperative management. The patient exhibited a complex array of symptoms, including persistent headaches, insomnia, and anemia, with a history of trauma and blood transfusion. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) confirmed the presence of a large, lobulated pituitary macroadenoma, prompting a trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal endoscopic excision. The surgical procedure was successful, but postoperative complications, revealed by a CT scan, included hyperdense lesions and mixed-density collections. Incorporating antibiotics, analgesics, antacids, and anti-emetics, vigilant postoperative care addressed these complications. This case underscores the challenges and successes in managing pituitary macroadenomas, highlighting the importance of individualized care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing research for optimizing patient outcomes. The insights gained from this case contribute to the evolving understanding and refinement of strategies for addressing these complex tumors.
PubMed: 38817533
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59387 -
Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The shift of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) from prescription to nonprescription (nonRx) status in Canada has altered pharmacist treatment options for heartburn. This...
The shift of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) from prescription to nonprescription (nonRx) status in Canada has altered pharmacist treatment options for heartburn. This report examines pharmacist approaches to therapy based on case severity; pharmacist confidence and consult duration were also explored. A 2022 online survey gathered data from Ontario and Québec pharmacists regarding their therapeutic approaches for two hypothetical heartburn cases. A total of 715 pharmacists participated, with most having 1-10 years of experience. In Ontario, common choices for the milder case included a solo histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) (21.2%), combination H2RA + antacid (29.4%), and nonRx PPI (22.3%). For the more severe case, common choices for Québec were switches to nonRx H2RA (22.1%), combination H2RA + antacid (13.4%), a nonRx PPI (24.9%), or prescription PPI (22.5%). Pharmacists often recommended switching medications or referring patients with recurring symptoms after seven days. The approaches varied significantly between cases and provinces. The Ontario pharmacists favoured a combination H2RA + antacid for the milder case, while the Québec pharmacists preferred a solo H2RA. For the more severe case, both groups often chose nonRx H2RA followed by nonRx PPI. Despite the differences, the pharmacists demonstrated confidence in managing these situations. These findings highlight potential debates regarding optimal therapeutic approaches and the impact of drug scheduling on patient care.
PubMed: 38804473
DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12030081 -
Chemosphere Jul 2024Bismuth (Bi) is a minor metal whose abundance on Earth is estimated at 0.025 ppm. Known since ancient times for its medical properties, its use in many industrial... (Review)
Review
Bismuth (Bi) is a minor metal whose abundance on Earth is estimated at 0.025 ppm. Known since ancient times for its medical properties, its use in many industrial applications has increased significantly in recent years due to its physical and chemical properties. Considered less toxic than other metals, Bi has been defined as a "green metal" and has been suggested as a replacement for lead in many industrial processes. Although the occurrence of Bi in the environment is predicted to increase, there is still a lack of information on its interaction with biota. Even though it is absorbed by many organisms, Bi has not been directly implicated in the regulation of fundamental metabolic processes. This review summarises the fragmentary knowledge on the interaction between Bi and plants. Toxic effects at the growth, physiological and biochemical levels have been described in Bi-treated plants, with varying degrees and consequences for plant vitality, mostly depending on the chemical formulation of Bi, the concentration of Bi, the growth medium, the time of exposure, and the experimental conditions (laboratory or outdoor conditions). Bismuth has been shown to be readily absorbed and translocated in plants, interfering with plant growth and development, photosynthetic processes, nutrient uptake and accumulation, and metal (especially iron) homeostasis. Like other metals, Bi can induce an oxidative stress state in plant cells, and genotoxic effects have been reported in Bi-treated plants. Tolerance responses to the excess presence of Bi have been poorly described and are mostly referred to as the activation of antioxidant defences involving enzymatic and non-enzymatic molecules. The goal of this review is to offer an overview of the present knowledge on the interaction of Bi and plants, highlighting the gaps to be filled to better understand the role of Bi in affecting key physiological processes in plants. This will help to assess the potential harm of this metal in the environment, where its occurrence is predicted to increase due to the growing demand for medicinal and industrial applications.
Topics: Bismuth; Plants; Oxidative Stress; Biological Transport; Soil Pollutants; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38789054
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142414 -
PloS One 2024Swine atrophic rhinitis is a disease caused by Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica that affects pigs. Inactivated vaccines containing the toxins produced...
Swine atrophic rhinitis is a disease caused by Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica that affects pigs. Inactivated vaccines containing the toxins produced by Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica have been widely used for the prevention of swine atrophic rhinitis. The efficacy of a vaccine is correlated with the amount of antigen present; however, the protective toxin of P. multocida bound to aluminum hydroxide, which is used as an adjuvant, can hinder the monitoring of the antigen concentration in the vaccine. This study assessed the applicability of a dot immunoassay as an antigen quantification method using monoclonal antibodies. This quantification method was able to detect the antigen with high specificity and sensitivity even when the antigen was bound to the adjuvant, and its application to vaccine products revealed a correlation between the amount of antigen present in the vaccine and the neutralizing antibody titers induced in pigs. The antigen quantification method presented in this study is a simple and sensitive assay capable of quantifying the amount of antigen present in a vaccine that can be used as an alternative quality control measure.
Topics: Animals; Pasteurella multocida; Swine; Rhinitis, Atrophic; Bacterial Vaccines; Aluminum Hydroxide; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Antigens, Bacterial; Swine Diseases; Bordetella bronchiseptica; Antibodies, Bacterial; Pasteurella Infections; Antibodies, Neutralizing
PubMed: 38768145
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301688 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024The committed differentiation fate regulation has been a difficult problem in the fields of stem cell research, evidence showed that nanomaterials could promote the...
PURPOSE
The committed differentiation fate regulation has been a difficult problem in the fields of stem cell research, evidence showed that nanomaterials could promote the differentiation of stem cells into specific cell types. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles possess the regulation function of stem cell fate, while the underlying mechanism needs to be investigated. In this study, the process of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) differentiate to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by magnesium aluminum LDH (MgAl-LDH) was investigated.
METHODS
MgAl-LDH with diameters of 30, 50, and 100 nm were synthesized and characterized, and their effects on the cytotoxicity and differentiation of NPCs were detected in vitro. Dot blot and MeRIP-qPCR were performed to detect the level of mA RNA methylation in nanoparticles-treated cells.
RESULTS
Our work displayed that LDH nanoparticles of three different sizes were biocompatible with NPCs, and the addition of MgAl-LDH could significantly promote the process of ESCs differentiate to NPCs. 100 nm LDH has a stronger effect on promoting NPCs differentiation compared to 30 nm and 50 nm LDH. In addition, dot blot results indicated that the enhanced NPCs differentiation by MgAl-LDH was closely related to mA RNA methylation process, and the major modification enzyme in LDH controlled NPCs differentiation may be the mA RNA methyltransferase METTL3. The upregulated METTL3 by LDH increased the mA level of mRNA, enhancing its stability.
CONCLUSION
This work reveals that MgAl-LDH nanoparticles can regulate the differentiation of ESCs into NPCs by increasing mA RNA methylation modification of .
Topics: Cell Differentiation; Animals; Neural Stem Cells; Mice; Nanoparticles; Methylation; Hydroxides; Methyltransferases; Particle Size; Embryonic Stem Cells; Adenosine; Aluminum Hydroxide; Magnesium Hydroxide
PubMed: 38766656
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S463141 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2024Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may affect the upper digestive tract; up to 20% of population in Western nations are affected by GERD. Antacids, histamine...
BACKGROUND
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may affect the upper digestive tract; up to 20% of population in Western nations are affected by GERD. Antacids, histamine H2-receptor antagonists, and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are considered the referring medications for GERD. Nevertheless, PPIs must be managed carefully because their use, especially chronic, could be linked with some adverse effects. An effective and safe alternative pharmacological tool for GERD is needed. After the identification of potentially new medications to flank PPIs, it is mandatory to revise and improve good clinical practices even through a consensus process.
AIM
To optimize diagnosis and treatment guidelines for GERD through a consensus based on Delphi method.
METHODS
The availability of clinical studies describing the action of the multicomponent/multitarget medication Nux vomica-Heel, subject of the consensus, is the basic prerequisite for the consensus itself. A modified Delphi process was used to reach a consensus among a panel of Italian GERD specialists on the overlapping approach PPIs/Nux vomica-Heel as a new intervention model for the management of GERD. The Voting Consensus group was composed of 49 Italian Medical Doctors with different specializations: Gastroenterology, otolaryngology, geriatrics, and general medicine. A scientific committee analyzed the literature, determined areas that required investigation (in agreement with the multiple-choice questionnaire results), and identified two topics of interest: (1) GERD disease; and (2) GERD treatment. Statements for each of these topics were then formulated and validated. The Delphi process involved two rounds of questioning submitted to the panel experts using an online platform.
RESULTS
According to their routinary GERD practice and current clinical evidence, the panel members provided feedback to each questionnaire statement. The experts evaluated 15 statements and reached consensus on all 15. The statements regarding the GERD disease showed high levels of agreement, with consensus ranging from 70% to 92%. The statements regarding the GERD treatment also showed very high levels of agreement, with consensus ranging from 90% to 100%. This Delphi process was able to reach consensus among physicians in relevant aspects of GERD management, such as the adoption of a new approach to treat patients with GERD based on the overlapping between PPIs and Nux vomica-Heel. The consensus was unanimous among the physicians with different specializations, underlying the uniqueness of the agreement reached to identify in the overlapping approach between PPIs and Nux vomica-Heel a new intervention model for GERD management. The results support that an effective approach to deprescribe PPIs through a progressive decalage timetable (reducing PPIs administration to as-needed use), should be considered.
CONCLUSION
Nux vomica-Heel appears to be a valid opportunity for GERD treatment to favor the deprescription of PPIs and to maintain low disease activity together with the symptomatology remission.
Topics: Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Delphi Technique; Consensus; Italy; Treatment Outcome; Antacids; Drug Combinations
PubMed: 38764766
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i18.2467 -
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of... Jul 2024Living organisms form complex mineralized composite architectures that perform a variety of essential functions. These materials are commonly utilized for load-bearing...
Living organisms form complex mineralized composite architectures that perform a variety of essential functions. These materials are commonly utilized for load-bearing purposes such as structural stability and mechanical strength in combination with high toughness and deformability, which are well demonstrated in various highly mineralized molluscan shell ultrastructures. Here, the mineral components provide the general stiffness to the composites, and the organic interfaces play a key role in providing these biogenic architectures with mechanical superiority. Although numerous studies employed state-of-the-art methods to measure and/or model and/or simulate the mechanical behavior of molluscan shells, our understanding of their performance is limited. This is partially due to the lack of the most fundamental knowledge of their mechanical characteristics, particularly, the anisotropic elastic properties of the mineral components and of the tissues they form. In fact, elastic constants of biogenic calcium carbonate, one of the most common biominerals in nature, is unknown for any organism. In this work, we employ the ultrasonic pulse-echo method to report the elasticity tensor of two common ultrastructural motifs in molluscan shells: the prismatic and the nacreous architectures made of biogenic calcite and aragonite, respectively. The outcome of this research not only provides information necessary for fundamental understanding of biological materials formation and performance, but also yields textbook knowledge on biogenic calcium carbonate required for future structural/crystallographic, theoretical and computational studies.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Elasticity; Animal Shells; Animals; Materials Testing; Mollusca; Biomechanical Phenomena; Nacre
PubMed: 38762971
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106570 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024This current study assessed the impacts of morphology adjustment of perovskite BiFeO (BFO) on the construction and photocatalytic activity of P-infused g-CN/U-BiFeO...
This current study assessed the impacts of morphology adjustment of perovskite BiFeO (BFO) on the construction and photocatalytic activity of P-infused g-CN/U-BiFeO (U-BFO/PCN) heterostructured composite photocatalysts. Favorable formation of U-BFO/PCN composites was attained via urea-aided morphology-controlled hydrothermal synthesis of BFO followed by solvosonication-mediated fusion with already synthesized P-g-CN to form U-BFO/PCN composites. The prepared bare and composite photocatalysts' morphological, textural, structural, optical, and photocatalytic performance were meticulously examined through various analytical characterization techniques and photodegradation of aqueous rhodamine B (RhB). Ellipsoids and flakes morphological structures were obtained for U-BFO and BFO, and their effects on the successful fabrication of the heterojunctions were also established. The U-BFO/PCN composite exhibits 99.2% efficiency within 20 min of visible-light irradiation, surpassing BFO/PCN (88.5%), PCN (66.8%), and U-BFO (26.1%). The pseudo-first-order kinetics of U-BFO/PCN composites is 2.41 × 10 min, equivalent to 2.2 times, 57 times, and 4.3 times of BFO/PCN (1.08 × 10 min), U-BFO, (4.20 × 10 min), and PCN, (5.60 × 10 min), respectively. The recyclability test demonstrates an outstanding photostability for U-BFO/PCN after four cyclic runs. This improved photocatalytic activity exhibited by the composites can be attributed to enhanced visible-light utilization and additional accessible active sites due to surface and electronic band modification of CN via P-doping and effective charge separation achieved via successful composites formation.
Topics: Catalysis; Bismuth; Photolysis; Rhodamines; Light; Ferric Compounds; Nitrogen Compounds; Titanium; Photochemical Processes; Nitriles; Kinetics; Graphite; Oxides; Calcium Compounds
PubMed: 38732166
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094948 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials May 2024Antimicrobial coatings provide protection against microbes colonization on surfaces. This can prevent the stabilization and proliferation of microorganisms. The...
Antimicrobial coatings provide protection against microbes colonization on surfaces. This can prevent the stabilization and proliferation of microorganisms. The ever-increasing levels of microbial resistance to antimicrobials are urging the development of alternative types of compounds that are potent across broad spectra of microorganisms and target different pathways. This will help to slow down the development of resistance and ideally halt it. The development of composite antimicrobial coatings (CACs) that can host and protect various antimicrobial agents and release them on demand is an approach to address this urgent need. In this work, new CACs based on microsized hybrids of calcium carbonate (CaCO) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were designed using a drop-casting technique. Polyvinylpyrrolidone and mucin were used as additives. The CaCO/AgNPs hybrids contributed to endowing colloidal stability to the AgNPs and controlling their release, thereby ensuring the antibacterial activity of the coatings. Moreover, the additives PVP and mucin served as a matrix to (i) control the distribution of the hybrids, (ii) ensure mechanical integrity, and (iii) prevent the undesired release of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to characterize the 15 μm thick CAC. The antibacterial activity was determined against , methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and , three bacteria responsible for many healthcare infections. Antibacterial performance of the hybrids was demonstrated at concentrations between 15 and 30 μg/cm. Unloaded CaCO also presented bactericidal properties against MRSA. cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the hybrids at bactericidal concentrations did not affect human dermal fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cell viability. In conclusion, this work presents a simple approach for the design and testing of advanced multicomponent and functional antimicrobial coatings that can protect active agents and release them on demand.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Silver; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Metal Nanoparticles; Humans; Materials Testing; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Particle Size; Cell Survival; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Escherichia coli; Surface Properties; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 38721671
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01228