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Membranes May 2024Addressing the characterization of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) removal by functionalized membranes in water treatment, this study evaluates the effectiveness of two...
Addressing the characterization of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) removal by functionalized membranes in water treatment, this study evaluates the effectiveness of two commercial ion-exchange membrane adsorbers: Sartobind Q (with quaternary amines) and D (with tertiary amines). Using Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) as a surrogate, Langmuir adsorption isotherms revealed maximum capacities (Q) of 2966 ± 153 mg C/m and 2888 ± 112 mg C/m, respectively. Variations in flux from 50 to 500 LMH had a minimal impact on breakthrough times, proving low diffusion limitations. The macroporous (3-5 µm) functionalized cellulose-based membranes exhibited high permeabilities of 10,800 L/(h m bar). Q maintained positive zeta potential vs. pH, while D's zeta potential decreased above pH 7 due to amine deprotonation and turning negative above an isoelectric point of 9.1. Regeneration with 0.01 M NaOH achieved over 95% DOC regeneration for Sartobind D, characterizing reversibility through a pH-swing. Cyclic adsorption showed that Q maintained its capacity with over 99% DOC regeneration, while D required acidic conditioning after the first regeneration cycle to mitigate capacity reduction and re-deprotonate the adsorber. These results have demonstrated the potential suitability of adsorber membranes, designed originally for biotechnological purposes, for the possible removal of disinfection byproduct precursors in drinking water treatment.
PubMed: 38921491
DOI: 10.3390/membranes14060124 -
Insects May 2024Tropical and subtropical crops are being increasingly cultivated in South Korea, leading to an increase in damage by exotic insect pests. Consequently, ethyl formate...
Tropical and subtropical crops are being increasingly cultivated in South Korea, leading to an increase in damage by exotic insect pests. Consequently, ethyl formate (EF) is currently being considered for quarantine and pre-shipment fumigation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of EF fumigation for controlling Patch and Glover, two representative quarantine pests on passion fruit ("Pink Bourbon") during greenhouse cultivation and post-harvest storage. The efficacy of EF against both aphids in terms of the lethal concentration causing 50% mortality (LCt) and LCt was 1.36-2.61 g h/m and 3.73-7.55 g h/m under greenhouse conditions (23 °C), and 1.37-2.02 g h/m and 3.80-14.59 g h/m post-harvest (5 °C), respectively. EF at 4 g/m for 4 h resulted in 100% mortality of , which was more resistant to EF, without causing phytotoxic damage to the trees in a 340 m greenhouse. Post-harvest fruit fumigation at 10 g/m for 4 h in a mid-size (0.8 m) fumigation chamber resulted in complete disinfection. Moreover, the EF level decreased below the EF threshold within 10 min after natural ventilation in the greenhouse. Therefore, our results suggest EF fumigation as an effective method for controlling . and . .
PubMed: 38921101
DOI: 10.3390/insects15060386 -
BMC Research Notes Jun 2024Asthma is an airways inflammatory disease and the most common chronic disease of childhood, which causes most hospital visits and placing a heavy financial burden on...
Asthma is an airways inflammatory disease and the most common chronic disease of childhood, which causes most hospital visits and placing a heavy financial burden on families and communities. Interleukins 4, 5 and 13, play a central role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Given the importance of oral hygiene in asthmatic patients and IL-4 and 5 are involved in the inflammatory process of periodontitis, the effect of chlorhexidine as mouthwash on asthma attacks in children on serum cytokines is necessary. In this study, 375 children with asthma were divided into two groups using or non-using chlorhexidine. Blood samples were taken and cytokines were measured by ELISA. From 375 patients, 17 patients were excluded. In this study, 171 males and 187 females participated and there were 180 patients in asthma group and 178 patients in asthma/Chlorhexidine group. The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 had no significant difference (p > 0.05) between Asthma and Asthma/Chlorhexidine groups. Using chlorhexidine as mouthwash in children with asthma had no effect on the type 2 cytokines and may not trigger an asthma attack via allergo-inflammatory mechanism.
Topics: Humans; Chlorhexidine; Asthma; Mouthwashes; Female; Male; Child; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-5; Cytokines; Child, Preschool; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Adolescent
PubMed: 38918842
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06831-7 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Colon cancer ranks as the third most prevalent form of cancer globally, with chemotherapy remaining the primary treatment modality. To mitigate drug resistance and...
Colon cancer ranks as the third most prevalent form of cancer globally, with chemotherapy remaining the primary treatment modality. To mitigate drug resistance and minimize adverse effects associated with chemotherapy, selection of appropriate adjuvants assumes paramount importance. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a naturally occurring compound derived from propolis, exhibits a diverse array of biological activities. We observed that the addition of CAPE significantly augmented the drug sensitivity of colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin. In SW480 and HCT116 cells, oxaliplatin combined with 10 µM CAPE reduced the IC of oxaliplatin from 14.24 ± 1.03 and 84.16 ± 3.02 µM to 2.11 ± 0.15 and 3.92 ± 0.17 µM, respectively. We then used proteomics to detect differentially expressed proteins in CAPE-treated SW480 cells and found that the main proteins showing changes in expression after CAPE treatment were p62 (SQSTM1) and LC3B (MAP1LC3B). Gene ontology analysis revealed that CAPE exerted antitumor and chemotherapy-sensitization effects through the autophagy pathway. We subsequently verified the differentially expressed proteins using immunoblotting. Simultaneously, the autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1 and the mCherry-EGFP-LC3 reporter gene were used as controls to detect the effect of CAPE on autophagy levels. Collectively, the results indicate that CAPE may exert antitumor and chemotherapy-sensitizing effects by inhibiting autophagy, offering novel insights for the development of potential chemosensitizing agents.
Topics: Humans; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Autophagy; Oxaliplatin; Caffeic Acids; Colonic Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Agents; HCT116 Cells; Drug Synergism; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
PubMed: 38918541
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65409-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are metabolites pivotal in determining the aroma of various products. A well-known VOC producer of industrial importance is...
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are metabolites pivotal in determining the aroma of various products. A well-known VOC producer of industrial importance is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, partially responsible for flavor of beers and wines. We identified VOCs in beers produced by yeast strains characterized by improved aroma obtained in UV-induced mutagenesis. We observed significant increase in concentration of compounds in strains: 1214uv16 (2-phenylethyl acetate, 2- phenylethanol), 1214uv31 (2-ethyl henxan-1-ol), 1214uv33 (ethyl decanoate, caryophyllene). We observed decrease in production of 2-phenyethyl acetate in strain 1214uv33. Analysis of intracellular metabolites based on H NMR revealed that intracellular phenylalanine concentration was not changed in strains producing more phenylalanine related VOCs (1214uv16 and 1214uv33), so regulation of this pathway seems to be more sophisticated than is currently assumed. Metabolome analysis surprisingly showed the presence of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, a product of valine degradation, which is considered to be absent in S. cerevisiae. Our results show that our knowledge of yeast metabolism including VOC production has gaps regarding synthesis pathways for individual metabolites and regulation mechanisms. Detailed analysis of 1214uv16 and 1214uv33 may enhance our knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of VOC synthesis in yeast, and analysis of strain 1214uv31 may reveal the pathway of 2-ethyl henxan-1-ol biosynthesis.
Topics: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Beer; Volatile Organic Compounds; Metabolome; Mutation; Odorants; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Fermentation; Phenylalanine; Metabolomics; Acetates
PubMed: 38918455
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64899-4 -
Poultry Science Jun 2024This systematic review aimed at investigating the role that biosecurity can have in preventing or controlling colibacillosis in broiler production. Primary studies with...
This systematic review aimed at investigating the role that biosecurity can have in preventing or controlling colibacillosis in broiler production. Primary studies with natural or experimental exposure to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli, evaluating any biosecurity measure to prevent or control colibacillosis in broiler chickens with at least one of the following outcomes: feed conversion ratio (FCR), condemnations at slaughter, and mortality due to colibacillosis, were included. A systematic search was carried out in 4 databases according to the Cochrane handbook and reported following the PRISMA 2020 directions. Studies (n = 3,886) were screened in a 2-phase process and data matching the inclusion criteria were extracted. Risk of bias assessment was performed. Four studies reporting biosecurity measures to prevent or control colibacillosis in broiler production were included. In all studies, only disinfection during either the pre-hatching period (n = 3) or the post-hatching period (n = 1) was evaluated as biosecurity measure in broiler production, as well as its effect on FCR (n = 2) and mortality (n = 4) due to colibacillosis. No studies with effects on condemnations at slaughter were found. Due to the heterogeneity of studies in regard to interventions and outcomes, meta-analysis was not carried out. The limited findings of this systematic review do not provide a comprehensive evidence to statistically evaluate the efficacy of biosecurity to prevent or control colibacillosis in broiler production. The scarcity of evidence found suggests that further and deeper investigations on the topic are needed, considering the variety of interventions related to biosecurity.
PubMed: 38917608
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103955 -
Plant Disease Jun 2024The Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne), belongs to the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Asia, including Republic of Korea. It is used...
The Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne), belongs to the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Asia, including Republic of Korea. It is used as a traditional treatment for asthma, common cold, and dry pharynx. Numerous recent pharmacological studies on antiinfluenza, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties have confirmed the medicinal properties of the Chinese quince fruit (Chun et al., 2012). In March 2022, leaf spots on Chinese quince, resulting in defoliation, were observed in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Korea (Fig. 1A). The disease symptoms are dark brown spots on leaves. Later, the chlorophyll is lost, causing the entire leaf to become wilted and fell off (Fig. 1B). To identify the pathogen, symptomatic leaves were brought to the laboratory, cut into small pieces, and surface-disinfected in 70% ethanol for 15 s and rinsed with sterile distilled water (SDW). The specimens were then treated with 1% NaOCl for 15 s, followed by rinsing with SDW. Thus, surface-disinfected tissues were placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25°C for 7 d. A total of four isolates were obtained from the infected leaves. The colonies were transferred onto freshly prepared PDA plates by the single spore method for further purification. GYUN-10746 isolate was selected as the representative strain among the four isolates and deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC 410367). They initially produced white mycelia, which turned dark brown or pale brown at the center and beige at the periphery after 7 d (Fig. 1C and D). Conidiophores were pyriform, sometimes ovoid, or ellipsoidal and brown, measuring 30.8 ± 0.49 × 12.9 ± 0.26 µm (length × width) (n=100) (Fig. 1E). The morphological characteristics were consistent with those of Alternaria alternata (Woudenberg et al. 2015). For molecular identification, DNA was amplified using the following primers: ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone et al. 1999), Gpd-R/Gpd-F (Berbee et al. 1999), Alt a1-F/Alt a1-R (Hong et al. 2005) and rpb2F/rpb2R (Liu et al. 1999) by PCR. DNA sequences from all 4 isolates (GYUN-10746, GYUN-11193, GYUN-11194 and GYUN-11195) were identical. The ITS (OP594615), TEF1-α (OR327062), GAPDH (OR372157), Alt a 1 (OR327061), and RPB2 (OR352741) sequences from the representative isolate GYUN-10746 were 100% identical to those of previously identified A. alternate isolates. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using sequences of ITS, TEF1-α, GAPDH, Alt a l, and RPB2 to illustrate their relationship with A. alternata and related Alternaria species (Fig. 2). For the pathogenicity test, healthy Chinese quince branch containing leaves were inoculated with 7-day-old mycelial plugs of A. alternata, while leaves on a branch inoculated with PDA plugs alone served as a control group. Thus inoculated branches were incubated at 25°C for 7 d. Disease symptoms were developed on leaves of the branches inoculated with mycelial plugs of the fungal pathogen (Fig. 1F), while no symptoms developed on control group. The resulting leaf spots resembled those on the original infected plants. To confirm Koch's postulates, the pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated leaves with identical morphological and molecular characteristics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by A. alternata in C. sinensis in Korea. The identification of the pathogen may provide pertinent information for the development of disease controlling strategies.
PubMed: 38916907
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-24-0984-PDN -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its derivatives exhibit considerable effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with unquestioned safety. Here we...
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its derivatives exhibit considerable effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with unquestioned safety. Here we investigated CAPE derivative 1' (CAPE 1') monotherapy to HCC, compared with sorafenib. HCC Bel-7402 cells were treated with CAPE 1', the IC50 was detected using CCK-8 analysis, and acute toxicity testing (5 g/kg) was performed to evaluate safety. In vivo, tumor growth after CAPE 1' treatment was evaluated using an subcutaneous tumor xenograft model. Five groups were examined, with group 1 given vehicle solution, groups 2, 3, and 4 given CAPE 1' (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively), and group 5 given sorafenib (30 mg/kg/day). Tumor volume growth and tumor volume-to-weight ratio were calculated and statistically analyzed. An estimated IC50 was 5.6 µM. Acute toxicity tests revealed no animal death or visible adverse effects with dosage up to 5 g/kg. Compared to negative controls, CAPE 1' treatment led to significantly slower increases of tumor volume and tumor volume-to-weight. CAPE 1' and sorafenib exerted similar inhibitory effects on HCC tumors. CAPE 1' was non-inferior to sorafenib for HCC treatment, both in vitro and in vivo. It has great potential as a promising drug for HCC, based on effectiveness and safety profile.
Topics: Sorafenib; Caffeic Acids; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Animals; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Proliferation; Mice, Nude; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Male
PubMed: 38914695
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65496-1 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Having been successfully bred in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems, oval squids of the Sepioteuthis lessoniana species complex are emerging as promising...
Having been successfully bred in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems, oval squids of the Sepioteuthis lessoniana species complex are emerging as promising candidates for research and industry. Nevertheless, information about pathogens and diseases that may affect squid aquaculture remains sparse. In this study, we identify new parasitic copepod species that causes squid mortality and decreases squid hatching rates, and we also offer a solution to eliminate the pathogen during incubation of squid eggs. The newly discovered copepod Ikanecator primus gen. et sp. nov. was identified on oval squid eggs for the first time using both morphological and molecular diagnostic markers. In the genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome, we identified multiple genes for enzymes involved in cephalopod eggshell degradation in genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome. Furthermore, we conducted experiments to assess efficacy of peracetic acid in inhibiting the I. primus gen. et sp. nov. both in vitro and in vivo using immersion treatment. We established that a 2-min exposure to a concentration of 250 μl/L of peracetic acid containing product (PAA-product; 35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L HO) inhibited the development of nauplii in vitro. All parasites exposed to a concentration of 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L HO) were eliminated within two minutes. On top of this, the immersion treatment with 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L HO) improved survival of squid embryos and increased size of squid hatchlings compared with control and the immersion treatment with 125 μl/L of PAA-product (17.5 mg/L PAA and 7.5 mg/L HO) and the immersion treatment with 250 μl/L of PAA-product (35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L HO). These findings suggest that PAA holds a great potential as inhibitor and controller of parasitic copepod infections and for overall health management in cephalopod culture.
Topics: Animals; Decapodiformes; Copepoda; Peracetic Acid; Ovum; Aquaculture
PubMed: 38914681
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65290-z -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Ethylene oxide (EO) is an organic compound known for its high reactivity and negative impact on human health, but its adverse effects on depression remain poorly...
Ethylene oxide (EO) is an organic compound known for its high reactivity and negative impact on human health, but its adverse effects on depression remain poorly understood. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2884 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2013 and 2016. Participants were classified into four groups according to quartiles of log10-transformed hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO) levels. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between EO exposure and the risk of depression. Finally, we evaluated whether the association was mediated by inflammatory factors. Individuals with depression exhibited higher levels of hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide (HbEO) compared to those without depression. After adjusting for all covariates, patients in the highest quartile of HbEO (Q4 group) had a higher risk of depression, using the lowest quartile (Q1 group) as the reference group [odds ratio (OR) = 2.21, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): (1.47, 3.40)]. Additionally, the relationship between EO levels and the prevalence of depression followed a non-linear U-shaped pattern. Furthermore, inflammatory cells showed a positive correlation with EO levels. Moreover, white blood cells and neutrophils significantly mediated the relationship between HbEO and the risk of depression with mediated proportions of 14.70 and 12.55%, respectively. Exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of depression. Inflammatory factors partially mediated the observed association between EO exposure and depression.
Topics: Humans; Ethylene Oxide; Male; Depression; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; United States; Nutrition Surveys; Environmental Exposure; Hemoglobins; Aged
PubMed: 38914612
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64908-6