bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Gut Microbial Genera with Heart Rate Variability in the General Japanese Population: The Iwaki Cross-Sectional Research Study
Authors: Tsubokawa Masaya , Nishimura Miyuki , Mikami Tatsuya , Ishida Mizuri , Hisada Takayoshi , Tamada Yoshinori
Published: August 2022

The gut microbiota has become a significant factor associated with health and disease. Although many studies have reported the implications of changes in the gut microbiota on cardiovascular diseases, there are no reports on the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and the gut microbiota. Therefore, we investigated the association between gut microbiota abundance and HRV parameters in this cross-sectional study of the general Japanese population. This study included 950 participants of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project who underwent a medical examination in 2019 that included HRV and gut microbiota measurements. At the genus level, multivariate regression analysis showed that higher gut microbial diversity was associated with a higher standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN). Moreover, a higher SDNN was associated with a higher relative count of Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis. L. incertae sedis abundance was associated with higher HRV parameters such as SDNN, coefficient of variation of RR intervals, low-frequency component power (LF)/high-frequency component power, and LF. In the general Japanese population, higher gut microbial diversity and L. incertae sedis abundance were associated with higher HRV parameters.
The Effect of 3-Week Betaine Supplementation on Blood Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Young Physically Active Males
Authors: Zawieja Emilia , Durkalec-Michalski Krzysztof , Muzsik-Kazimierska Agata , Chmurzynska Agata
Published: August 2022

Betaine (BET) supplementation decreases homocysteine concentration in plasma, but it may also have an adverse effect on health by increasing blood lipid concentrations, at least in overweight and obese individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BET supplementation on the lipid profile and concentrations of homocysteine, inflammatory cytokines, and liver enzymes in physically active, healthy males. This was a randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled, double-blinded, crossover trial. BET (2.5 or 5.0 g/d) was administered for 21 days. Before and after supplementation with BET or PL, anthropometric measurements and blood were collected in a fasted state. Our results show that BET supplementation significantly decreased homocysteine concentration (from 17.1 ± 4.0 μmol/L before BET to 15.6 ± 3.5 μmol/L after BET, p = 0.009, η2 = 0.164). However, the intervention had no effect on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, interleukins 1β and 6, and tumour necrosis factor α concentrations, or alanine and aspartate activities. In addition, there were no interactions between the MTHFR genotype and BET dose. In conclusion, BET supplementation may be beneficial for homocysteine concentration in healthy, physically active males, with no detrimental effect on lipid profile.
Molecular Approach for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Gatti Giulia , Taddei Francesca , Brandolini Martina , Mancini Andrea , Denicolò Agnese , Congestrì Francesco , Manera Martina , Arfilli Valentina , Battisti Arianna , Zannoli Silvia , Marino Maria Michela , Marzucco Anna , Morotti Manuela , Grumiro Laura , Scalcione Agata , Dirani Giorgio , Cricca Monica , Sambri Vittorio
Published: August 2022

The incidence of total joint arthroplasty is increasing over time since the last decade and expected to be more than 4 million by 2030. As a consequence, the detection of infections associated with surgical interventions is increasing and prosthetic joint infections are representing both a clinically and economically challenging problem. Many pathogens, from bacteria to fungi, elicit the immune system response and produce a polymeric matrix, the biofilm, that serves as their protection. In the last years, the implementation of diagnostic methodologies reduced the error rate and the turn-around time: polymerase chain reaction, targeted or broad-spectrum, and next-generation sequencing have been introduced and they represent a robust approach nowadays that frees laboratories from the unique approach based on culture-based techniques.
Bacterial Diversity and Potential Functions in Response to Long-Term Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Semiarid Loess Plateau
Authors: Xu Aixia , Li Lingling , Xie Junhong , Zhang Renzhi , Luo Zhuzhu , Cai Liqun , Liu Chang , Wang Linlin , Anwar Sumera , Jiang Yuji
Published: August 2022

Bacterial diversity and its functions are essential to soil health. N fertilization changes bacterial communities and interferes with the soil biogeochemical N cycle. In this study, bacterial community and soil physicochemical properties were studied in 2018 after applying N fertilizers (0, 52.5, 105, 157.5, and 210 kg N ha−1) for a long (2003–2018) and a short (2003–2004) duration in a wheat field on the Loess Plateau of China. Soil bacteria were determined using 16S rRNA Illumina-MiSeq®, and the prediction function was analyzed through PICRUSt. The study showed that N fertilizer significantly changed the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities. The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi were most abundant, accounting for 74–80% of the bacterial community abundance. The optimum rates of N fertilizer application (N105) maintain soil health by promoting soil microbial diversity and abundance. The bacterial population abundance was higher after short-term N application than after N application for a long duration and lowest with the high N-fertilizer treatment (N210). High N enrichment led to more heterotrophic N-fixing microorganisms (Alphaproteobacteria), in which metabolism and genetic information processing dominated, while cellular processes, genetic information processing, metabolism, and organismal systems were the main functional categories under low N. The phyla Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi were the key bacteria in the co-occurrence network. The genus Saccharimonadales of the superphylum Patescibacteria has a more significant impact under low N treatment. Long-term N fertilization affected the soil pH, NO3-N, and other physicochemical properties, and soil NO3-N was the highest indicator, contributing 81% of the bacterial community function under different N fertilizer treatments.
Antiscalants Used in Seawater Desalination: Biodegradability and Effects on Microbial Diversity
Authors: Al-Ashhab Ashraf , Sweity Amer , Al-Hadidi Luna , Herzberg Moshe , Ronen Zeev
Published: August 2022

Antiscalants are organic polymers widely used for scale inhibition in seawater desalination. While they are susceptible to biodegradation, they provide nutrients for bacterial cell growth and energy for the microbes that assimilate and degrade them. This paper shows the biodegradability of three commercial antiscalants (polyacrylate—CA, polyphosphonate—PP, and carboxylated dendrimers—DN) applied in seawater reverse osmosis desalination (SWRO) as well as analyzing the antiscalant’s effects on microbial diversity using microbial cultures grown in seawater, under semi-continuous batch conditions. Nutritional uptake and contribution of the antiscalants to microbial growth were investigated by measuring DOC, TDN, NO3−, NO2−, PO4−, NH4+, and TP of the filtered samples of the incubated batch, twice a month, for twelve months. The microbial community was estimated by 16S rRNA sequencing. The main changes in the microbial communities were determined by the incubation period. However, bacterial orders of the antiscalant treatments differed significantly from the control treatment, namely Planctomycetales, Clostridiales, Sphingobacteriales, Rhodobacterales, and Flavobacteriales, and other unclassified bacterial orders, which were found in various relative abundances dependent on incubation times. The results showed the PP antiscalant to be the least biodegradable and to have the least effect on the bacterial community composition compared to the control. This result emphasizes the need to reassess the suitability criteria of antiscalants, and to further monitor their long-term environmental effects.
Effect of Periodontal Interventions on Characteristics of the Periodontal Microbial Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nath Sonia , Pulikkotil Shaju Jacob , Weyrich Laura , Zilm Peter , Kapellas Kostas , Jamieson Lisa
Published: August 2022

Our systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of periodontal interventions on the diversity and composition of periodontal microbiota assessed by high throughput sequencing (HTS) metagenomics analysis. An electronic search was conducted from database inception to November 2021. All clinical trials that evaluated the effect of periodontal interventions on the gingival microbiota through HTS were selected. The measures of alpha diversity, richness, Shannon diversity index, and the Chao1 index, were used as the primary outcome, whereas relative abundances of bacterial genera were considered as the secondary outcome. Overall, 24 studies were eligible for the systematic review, of which 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Periodontal intervention for the test group decreased Shannon diversity, richness, and Chao1 index (alpha diversity), as observed from baseline to post-treatment. The most common genera that increased after periodontal therapy were Rothia, Actinomyces, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Hemophilus, whilst Porphyromonas, Tannerella, Fusobacterium, and Treponema decreased after periodontal therapy. Periodontal interventions may decrease the bacterial diversity and richness and alter the composition of oral microbiota in the short term. Periodontal microbiota signatures could potentially be used for the assessment of periodontal disease development, progression, and success of the intervention.
Assays for Identification and Differentiation of Brucella Species: A Review
Authors: Kurmanov Berzhan , Zincke Diansy , Su Wanwen , Hadfield Ted L. , Aikimbayev Alim , Karibayev Talgat , Berdikulov Maxat , Orynbayev Mukhit , Nikolich Mikeljon P. , Blackburn Jason K.
Published: August 2022

Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the genus Brucella. Globally, Brucella melitensis, primarily hosted by domestic sheep and goats, affects large proportions of livestock herds, and frequently spills over into humans. While some species, such as Brucella abortus, are well controlled in livestock in areas of North America, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem supports the species in native wild ungulates with occasional spillover to livestock. Elsewhere in North America, other Brucella species still infect domestic dogs and feral swine, with some associated human cases. Brucella spp. patterns vary across space globally with B. abortus and B. melitensis the most important for livestock control. A myriad of other species within the genus infect a wide range of marine mammals, wildlife, rodents, and even frogs. Infection in humans from these others varies with geography and bacterial species. Control in humans is primarily achieved through livestock vaccination and culling and requires accurate and rapid species confirmation; vaccination is Brucella spp.-specific and typically targets single livestock species for distribution. Traditional bacteriology methods are slow (some media can take up to 21 days for bacterial growth) and often lack the specificity of molecular techniques. Here, we summarize the molecular techniques for confirming and identifying specific Brucella species and provide recommendations for selecting the appropriate methods based on need, sensitivity, and laboratory capabilities/technology. As vaccination/culling approaches are costly and logistically challenging, proper diagnostics and species identification are critical tools for targeting surveillance and control.
Shewanella sp. T2.3D-1.1 a Novel Microorganism Sustaining the Iron Cycle in the Deep Subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt
Authors: Mateos Guillermo , Bonilla Adrián Martínez , de Francisco de Polanco Sofía , Martínez José M. , Escudero Cristina , Rodríguez Nuria , Sánchez-Andrea Irene , Amils Ricardo
Published: August 2022

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) is one of the largest deposits of sulphidic minerals on Earth. Río Tinto raises from its core, presenting low a pH and high metal concentration. Several drilling cores were extracted from the IPB’s subsurface, and strain T2.3D-1.1 was isolated from a core at 121.8 m depth. We aimed to characterize this subterranean microorganism, revealing its phylogenomic affiliation (Average Nucleotide Identity, digital DNA-DNA Hybridization) and inferring its physiology through genome annotation, backed with physiological experiments to explore its relationship with the Fe biogeochemical cycle. Results determined that the isolate belongs to the Shewanella putrefaciens (with ANI 99.25 with S. putrefaciens CN-32). Its genome harbours the necessary genes, including omcA mtrCAB, to perform the Extracellular Electron Transfer (EET) and reduce acceptors such as Fe3+, napAB to reduce NO3− to NO2−, hydAB to produce H2 and genes sirA, phsABC and ttrABC to reduce SO32−, S2O32− and S4O62−, respectively. A full CRISPR-Cas 1F type system was found as well. S. putrefaciens T2.3D-1.1 can reduce Fe3+ and promote the oxidation of Fe2+ in the presence of NO3− under anaerobic conditions. Production of H2 has been observed under anaerobic conditions with lactate or pyruvate as the electron donor and fumarate as the electron acceptor. Besides Fe3+ and NO3−, the isolate also grows with Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Trimethyl N-oxide, S4O62− and S2O32− as electron acceptors. It tolerates different concentrations of heavy metals such as 7.5 mM of Pb, 5 mM of Cr and Cu and 1 mM of Cd, Co, Ni and Zn. This array of traits suggests that S. putrefaciens T2.3D-1.1 could have an important role within the Iberian Pyrite Belt subsurface participating in the iron cycle, through the dissolution of iron minerals and therefore contributing to generate the extreme conditions detected in the Río Tinto basin.
Molecular Typing Reveals Distinct Mycoplasma genitalium Transmission Networks among a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men and a Cohort of Women in France
Authors: Guiraud Jennifer , Helary Marion , Le Roy Chloé , Elguero Eric , Pereyre Sabine , Bébéar Cécile
Published: August 2022

Mycoplasma genitalium causes sexually transmitted infecti.ons in men and women. Treatment failures to macrolides and fluoroquinolones have been reported worldwide. Although the mgpB typing method has often been used in M. genitalium-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), limited typing data are available for M. genitalium-infected women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic relationship between M. genitalium strains and their antibiotic resistance profile in a cohort of MSM (86.2% on HIV preexposure prophylaxis [PrEP], 13.8% HIV positive) and a large cohort of women using mgpB/MG309 typing. The mgpB types were determined in 374 samples from 305 women and 65 MSM. Three MSM and one woman had two concurrent or subsequent samples. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were searched in the 23S rRNA as well as parC and gyrA genes. The mgpB phylogenetic construction revealed three large clusters that differed according to sexual practices and geographical origin of patients. The prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance was significantly higher in MSM compared with women (95.4% vs. 14.1% and 30.6% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). The macrolide resistance spread was polyclonal in both populations, but clonal diffusion of two dual-resistant types was observed in PrEP users in association with high antibiotic pressure and dense connectivity in this population.
High Prevalence of Beta-Lactam-Resistant Escherichia coli in South Australian Grey-Headed Flying Fox Pups (Pteropus poliocephalus)
Authors: McDougall Fiona , Boardman Wayne , Power Michelle
Published: August 2022

The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in wildlife is concerning—especially resistance to clinically important beta-lactam antibiotics. Wildlife in closer proximity to humans, including in captivity and in rescue/rehabilitation centres, typically have a higher prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli compared to their free-living counterparts. Each year, several thousand Australian fruit bat pups, including the grey-headed flying fox (GHFF; Pteropus poliocephalus), require rescuing and are taken into care by wildlife rescue and rehabilitation groups. To determine the prevalence of beta-lactam-resistant E. coli in rescued GHFF pups from South Australia, faecal samples were collected from 53 pups in care. A combination of selective culture, PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis was used to identify and genetically characterise beta-lactam-resistant E. coli isolates. The prevalence of amoxicillin-, amoxicillin-plus-clavulanic-acid-, and cephalosporin-resistant E. coli in the 53 pups was 77.4% (n = 41), 24.5% (n = 13), and 11.3% (n = 6), respectively. GHFF beta-lactam-resistant E. coli also carried resistance genes to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim plus sulphonamide, and tetracyclines in 37.7% (n = 20), 35.8% (n = 19), and 26.4% (n = 14) of the 53 GHFF pups, respectively, and 50.9% (n = 27) of pups carried multidrug-resistant E. coli. Twelve E. coli strain types were identified from the 53 pups, with six strains having extraintestinal pathogenic traits, indicating that they have the potential to cause blood, lung, or wound infections in GHFFs. Two lineages—E. coli ST963 and ST58 O8:H25—were associated with human extraintestinal infections. Phylogenetic analyses determined that all 12 strains were lineages associated with humans and/or domestic animals. This study demonstrates high transmission of anthropogenic-associated beta-lactam-resistant E. coli to GHFF pups entering care. Importantly, we identified potential health risks to GHFF pups and zoonotic risks for their carers, highlighting the need for improved antibiotic stewardship and biosafety measures for GHFF pups entering care.
Interactions between Jumbo Phage SA1 and Staphylococcus: A Global Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Bingyan , Xu Jiayi , He Xiaoqi , Tong Yigang , Ren Huiying
Published: August 2022

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious health concern to humans and cattle worldwide. Although it has been proven that lytic phages may successfully kill S. aureus, the interaction between the host and the phage has yet to be thoroughly investigated, which will likely limit the clinical application of phage. Here, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to examine the transcriptomics of jumbo phage SA1 and Staphylococcus JTB1-3 during a high multiplicity of infection (MOI) and RT-qPCR was used to confirm the results. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that phage SA1 took over the transcriptional resources of the host cells and that the genes were categorized as early, middle, and late, based on the expression levels during infection. A minor portion of the resources of the host was employed to enable phage replication after infection because only 35.73% (997/2790) of the host genes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the phage infection mainly affected the nucleotide metabolism, protein metabolism, and energy-related metabolism of the host. Moreover, the expression of the host genes involved in anti-phage systems, virulence, and drug resistance significantly changed during infection. This research gives a fresh understanding of the relationship between jumbo phages and their Gram-positive bacteria hosts and provides a reference for studying phage treatment and antibiotics.
Ultrasonic Activated Biochar and Its Removal of Harmful Substances in Environment
Authors: Wang Juanjuan , Li Wenshu , Zhao Zhirui , Musoke Florence Sharon Nabukalu , Wu Xiaoge
Published: August 2022

Biochar has been widely used in the fields of environment and energy, and green preparation can make biochar-based materials more environmentally friendly. Particularly, in the low-temperature pyrolysis of biochar, labile C with low biological toxicity is the main influencing factor of bacteria in soil. Therefore, it is worth studying to develop the fabrication technology of low-temperature pyrolysis biochar with rich pore structure. The mechanical effect of ultrasonic cavitation is considered to be an effective strategy for the preparation of biochar. However, the sonochemical effects on biochar remain to be studied. In this review, ultrasonic modification and ultrasonic-chemical modification on biochar has been reviewed. Metal oxide/biochar composites can also be obtained by an ultrasonic-chemical method. It is worth mentioning that there have been some reports on the regeneration of biochar by ultrasound. In addition to ultrasonic preparation of biochar, ultrasound can also trigger the sonocatalytic performance and promote the adsorption ability of biochar for the removal of harmful substances. The catalytic mechanism of ultrasound/biochar needs to be further investigated. For application, biochar prepared by ultrasound has been used for the removal of heavy metals in water, the adsorption of carbon dioxide, and soil remediation.
Unveiling the Occupational Exposure to Microbial Contamination in Conservation–Restoration Settings
Authors: Viegas Carla , Cervantes Renata , Dias Marta , Gomes Bianca , Pena Pedro , Carolino Elisabete , Twarużek Magdalena , Kosicki Robert , Soszczyńska Ewelina , Viegas Susana , Caetano Liliana Aranha , Pinheiro Ana Catarina
Published: August 2022

Assuring a proper environment for the fulfillment of professional activities is one of the Sustainable Development Goals and is contemplated in the One Health approach assumed by the World Health Organization. This particular study is applied to an often neglected sector of our society—the conservators/restorers—despite the many health issues reported by these professionals. Three different specialties (textiles, paintings and wood sculpture) and locations were selected for evaluation by placement of electrostatic dust cloths. After treatment of the samples, bacterial and fungal contamination were assessed, as well as mycotoxin determination, the presence of azole-resistant strains and cytotoxicity of the microorganisms encountered. Bacteria were only present in one of medias used and showed relatively low numbers. The highest level of contamination by fungi was identified in one of the textiles settings. The textile area also showed the highest variability for fungi. Aspergillus sp. are one indicator of possible environmental issues, and A. sections Fumigati and Circumdati were particularly relevant in two of the settings and identified in all of them. No mycotoxins were detected and the large majority of the fungi identified were non-cytotoxic. Overall, these can be considered low-contaminated environments but attention should be given to the Aspergillus sp. contamination. Additional studies are needed not only to make these results more robust, but also to test if the environmental sampling alone is the best approach in a setting where there is very little movement and dust displacement and where professionals are in very close proximity to the artefacts being treated, which may suggest the existence of a micro-atmosphere worth evaluating and comparing to the obtained results.
Polysiloxane Coatings Biodeterioration in Nature and Laboratory
Authors: Danilaev Maxim , Yakovleva Galina , Karandashov Sergey , Kuklin Vladimir , Le Hong Quan , Kurdy William , Ilinskaya Olga
Published: August 2022

Objects and structures made of organic glass require protection from damage caused by external factors. Light, humidity, temperature, dust pollution and, undoubtedly, microorganisms lead to the deterioration of optical and mechanical properties. Polysiloxane-based protective coatings, consisting of silicon–oxygen backbones linked together with organic side groups attached to the silicon atoms, are widely used. However, the polysiloxane coatings themselves also cannot avoid deterioration during operation that implies the constant development of new protective materials. Here, we created a new cross-linked polysiloxane that covers organic glasses to enhance their resistance to aggressive external factors, and investigated its own resistance to damage induced by micromycetes in natural tropical conditions and in the laboratory. It has been established that the surface of coatings in the tropics is prone to fouling with micromycetes, mainly of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, which produce oxalic, malic, lactic, and citric acids contributing to the biodeterioration of polysiloxane. The testing of monolithic polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and triplex coated with polysiloxane showed that they retained significant resistance to abrasion and transparency at a level of more than 90% under aggressive natural conditions. Under artificial laboratory conditions, the infection of samples with micromycete spores also revealed their growth on surfaces and a similar trend of damage.
Acute Otitis Media in Children—Challenges of Antibiotic Resistance in the Post-Vaccination Era
Authors: Gavrilovici Cristina , Spoială Elena-Lia , Miron Ingrith-Crenguţa , Stârcea Iuliana Magdalena , Haliţchi Codruţa Olimpiada Iliescu , Zetu Irina Nicoleta , Lupu Vasile Valeriu , Pânzaru Carmen
Published: August 2022

Acute otitis media (AOM) is a leading cause of antibiotic prescriptions in children worldwide, even in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. We aimed to assess the bacterial spectrum of AOM in children and to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile in culture-positive cases. We performed a retrospective, tympanocentesis-based analysis of antimicrobial resistance patterns in children with AOM hospitalized in “St Mary” Emergency Hospital for Children Iasi, Romania, between January 2013 and December 2021. A total of 147 samples have been assessed, 97 (65.98%) of which had positive cultures, with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae as the most common microorganisms. A worrying proportion, 82.85% (58/70), of the Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were multidrug-resistant. The World Health Organization included Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae on the medium priority group due to penicillin non-susceptibility and ampicillin-resistant strains, respectively. Consequently, strategies to address the threats of antimicrobial resistance are needed to reduce the potential negative effects on hospitalization costs.
Honey Quality and Microplastic Migration from Food Packaging: A Potential Threat for Consumer Health?
Authors: Katsara Klytaimnistra , Kenanakis George , Alissandrakis Eleftherios , Papadakis Vassilis
Published: August 2022

In ancient Greece, people said that “honey is the Food of the Gods”, and they were right. They believed that honey fell from the sky, with the morning dew, on the flowers and leaves, and from this point, the bees collected it. Honey is one of the most nutritious food products, which can be found in most homes. A lot of honey products are stored in different types of packaging materials, including plastics. Plastic packaging has been studied for the migration of plasticizers, chemical compounds, and MPs and NPs in foodstuffs. Most of them have been achieved through food simulations, while some studies managed to detect and isolate MPs/NPs. Recent studies presented evidence for the presence of MPs/NPs in honey products but not directly connected to food packaging or to the different types of honey and their properties (viscosity, pH value, and moisture content) or their storing conditions (temperature, humidity, light, and time). Spectroscopic and analytical techniques like Raman, FTIR, HPLC, and GC-MS are in the foreground for MP/NP detection and identification, but a universal way of isolation, detection, characterization, and quantification has not yet been found. This leaves an open field for more work to be done to clarify the factors affecting the migration of plastic packaging material in honey.
Genesis of the Wuzhutang Granite and Associated W–Sn–Be Mineralization in the Xuebaoding Mining Area, Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Dai Hongzhang , Wang Denghong , Li Xin , Liu Shanbao , Wang Chenghui , Sun Yan
Published: August 2022

The Xuebaoding W–Sn–Be mining area, located in the Songpan–Garze orogenic belt in western China, is known for producing large, colorful, euhedral crystals of scheelite, cassiterite, and tabular beryl. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of the Wuzhutang granite yields a concordia age of 218.96 ± 2.1 Ma, and a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 218.98 ± 1.12 Ma. Cassiterite LA-MC-ICPMS dating of the quartz vein bearing beryl, cassiterite, and scheelite, yields a concordant age of 213.5 ± 1.7 Ma. These observations indicate that magmatic activities and mineralization on the western side of the Zibaishan dome occurred during the late Indosinian, prior to their occurrence on the eastern side of the dome, reflecting the fact that the granite may have undergone two epochs of magmatic evolution and metallogenic processes. Geochemical analysis revealed that the Wuzhutang granite has relatively high A/CNK (average: 1.05) and differentiation index (DI; 81.16~85.88) values, and that they are enriched in W, Sn, Be, Li, and Cs. Unlike the Pukouling and Pankou granites, the Wuzhutang granite contains a certain amount of plagioclase and relatively high contents of Ba (633~1007 ppm) and Sr (334~411 ppm). Sr–Nd–Pb isotope values (87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0.70747–0.70865, εNd(t) = −6.35 to –4.34, 206Pb/204Pb = 18.186–18.3, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.556–15.592, and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.268–38.432) indicate a Mesoproterozoic basement origin for the Wuzhutang granite. We suggest the three granites belong to a peraluminous magma system and were derived by partial melting of the upper crust, the magma of the Wuzhutang granite originated from a deeper source and exhibits a lower degree of differentiation than that of the Pankou and Pukouling granites.
Effect of Calcium Ion on the Flotation of Fluorite and Calcite Using Sodium Oleate as Collector and Tannic Acid as Depressant
Authors: Qian Yupeng , Qiu Xuan , Shen Tiewei , Huai Yangyang , Chen Bin , Wang Zhen
Published: August 2022

In the flotation of semi-soluble minerals such as calcite and fluorite, Ca2+ is one of the common dissolved components influencing the collector adsorption behaviors on the mineral surfaces. However, there is very limited research focusing on how the dissolved Ca2+ affects the separation of fluorite and calcite. In the study, with sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector and tannic acid (TA) as a depressant, a flotation test, zeta potential measurement, and adsorption experiment in the presence of Ca2+ were conducted. Flotation tests indicated that in the presence of Ca2+, fluorite and calcite were both significantly depressed by TA, leading to difficulty in the separation of the two minerals. It was also found that the depression effect on fluorite flotation was minimized with a high concentration of NaOL. Zeta potential measurement and the adsorption experiment results are consistent with the flotation results, revealing that it is only in the low concentration of NaOL that the flotation of fluorite was depressed by TA in the presence of Ca2+. Specifically, in the low concentration of NaOL, TA adsorbed on the fluorite surface and depressed the flotation of fluorite due to the preferential interaction between NaOL and Ca2+ in the solution leading to a shortage in the effective NaOL in the solution. In the high concentration of NaOL, the adsorbed TA on the fluorite surface was displaced by the excessive NaOL in the solution; hence, the flotation of fluorite was recovered. In contrast, TA always hinders the interaction of NaOL with calcite regardless of the presence and absence of Ca2+ and NaOL, hence, depressing the flotation of calcite. The study presented that a high concentration of NaOL may mitigate the negative effect of Ca2+ on the fluorite surface and improve the separation of fluorite from calcite.
Pervasive Listwaenitization: The Role of Subducted Sediments within Mantle Wedge, W. Chalkidiki Ophiolites, N. Greece
Authors: Sideridis Alkiviadis , Koutsovitis Petros , Tsikouras Basilios , Karkalis Christos , Hauzenberger Christoph , Zaccarini Federica , Tsitsanis Pavlos , Lazaratou Christina , Skliros Vasilios , Panagiotaras Dionisios , Papoulis Dimitrios , Hatzipanagiotou Konstantin
Published: August 2022

Listwaenitization processes have significantly altered the mantle section of the West Chalkidiki ophiolites, generating the second largest magnesite deposit in Greece. Although research studies have been conducted in the region, the post-magmatic processes, and especially the geotectonic settings under which listwaenitization took place, remain unclear. In this study, minerals and rocks were studied applying XRD, clay fraction, SEM, EMPA, ICP-MS, INAA, LA-ICP-MS, and thermodynamic modeling. The results revealed that alteration processes significantly affected the mantle wedge peridotite protoliths leading to the following chemical changes (a) SiO2 increase with decreasing MgO, (b) Cs, Pb, As, and V enrichments, (c) limited alteration of magnesiochromite hosted within listwaenitized chromitites and (d) enrichment in PPGE and Au in listwaenitized chromitites and desulfurized laurite. Alteration was induced by fluids deriving from subducted Mesozoic sediments, represented by the Prinochori Formation or chemically similar formations. The final product of completely silicified peridotite (silica listwaenite) is thermodynamically stable in Earth-surface conditions, with dolomite and phyllosilicates transforming into clay minerals. Based on detailed petrographical observations, peridotites were subjected to serpentinization, and subsequently, serpentine interacted with CO2, silica and calcium-bearing fluids, leading to its transformation into amorphous rusty-silica mass and/or tremolite.
Chemical Sensor Nanotechnology in Pharmaceutical Drug Research
Authors: Thobakgale Lebogang , Ombinda-Lemboumba Saturnin , Mthunzi-Kufa Patience
Published: August 2022

The increase in demand for pharmaceutical treatments due to pandemic-related illnesses has created a need for improved quality control in drug manufacturing. Understanding the physical, biological, and chemical properties of APIs is an important area of health-related research. As such, research into enhanced chemical sensing and analysis of pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for drug development, delivery and monitoring has become immensely popular in the nanotechnology space. Nanomaterial-based chemical sensors have been used to detect and analyze APIs related to the treatment of various illnesses pre and post administration. Furthermore, electrical and optical techniques are often coupled with nano-chemical sensors to produce data for various applications which relate to the efficiencies of the APIs. In this review, we focus on the latest nanotechnology applied to probing the chemical and biochemical properties of pharmaceutical drugs, placing specific interest on several types of nanomaterial-based chemical sensors, their characteristics, detection methods, and applications. This study offers insight into the progress in drug development and monitoring research for designing improved quality control methods for pharmaceutical and health-related research.
Probing the Conductive and Tribological Behaviors of Solid Additives in Multiply Alkylated Cyclopentanes for Sliding Electrical Contact
Authors: Cao Zhengfeng , Shi Qiuyu , Ge Xiangyu , Liu Shuliang , Wei Bo , Wang Ting
Published: August 2022

Sliding electrical contacts need to be lubricated by conductive lubricants to perform low energy dissipation, high reliability, and long service life. This work studied the thermal stability, anti-corrosion capacity, and conductive, and tribological behaviors of several solid additives in multiply alkylated cyclopentanes (MACs), including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), multilayer graphene (MG), and silver microparticles. The results showed that all the additives possessed favorable thermal stability and corrosion resistance; in particular, CNTs and MG exhibited lower and more stable electrical contact resistance (ECR) and better lubricity abilities than Ag microparticles. Moreover, based on the characterization of the worn surfaces and the film thickness calculation, the favorable conductive and tribological properties of CNTs and MG were related to the high conductivity and specific structure of the additives and the good chemical inertness of MACs.
Nanosized Calcium Phosphates as Novel Macronutrient Nano-Fertilizers
Authors: Carmona Francisco J. , Guagliardi Antonietta , Masciocchi Norberto
Published: August 2022

The need for qualitatively and quantitatively enhanced food production, necessary for feeding a progressively increasing World population, requires the adoption of new and sustainable agricultural protocols. Among them, limiting the waste of fertilizers in the environment has become a global target. Nanotechnology can offer the possibility of designing and preparing novel materials alternative to conventional fertilizers, which are more readily absorbed by plant roots and, therefore, enhance nutrient use efficiency. In this context, during the last decade, great attention has been paid to calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP), particularly nanocrystalline apatite and amorphous calcium phosphate, as potential macronutrient nano-fertilizers with superior nutrient-use efficiency to their conventional counterparts. Their inherent content in macronutrients, like phosphorus, and gradual solubility in water have been exploited for their use as slow P-nano-fertilizers. Likewise, their large (specific) surfaces, due to their nanometric size, have been functionalized with additional macronutrient-containing species, like urea or nitrate, to generate N-nano-fertilizers with more advantageous nitrogen-releasing profiles. In this regard, several studies report encouraging results on the superior nutrient use efficiency showed by CaP nano-fertilizers in several crops than their conventional counterparts. Based on this, the advances of this topic are reviewed here and critically discussed, with special emphasis on the preparation and characterization approaches employed to synthesize/functionalize the engineered nanoparticles, as well as on their fertilization properties in different crops and in different (soil, foliar, fertigation and hydroponic) conditions. In addition, the remaining challenges in progress toward the real application of CaP as nano-fertilizers, involving several fields (i.e., agronomic or material science sectors), are identified and discussed.
Evaluation and Design of Colored Silicon Nanoparticle Systems Using a Bidirectional Deep Neural Network
Authors: Zhou Yan , Hu Lechuan , Wang Chengchao , Ma Lanxin
Published: August 2022

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) with lowest-order Mie resonance produce non-iridescent and non-fading vivid structural colors in the visible range. However, the strong wavelength dependence of the radiation pattern and dielectric function makes it very difficult to design nanoparticle systems with the desired colors. Most existing studies focus on monodisperse nanoparticle systems, which are unsuitable for practical applications. This study combined the Lorentz–Mie theory, Monte Carlo, and deep neural networks to evaluate and design colored SiNP systems. The effects of the host medium and particle size distribution on the optical and color properties of the SiNP systems were investigated. A bidirectional deep neural network achieved accurate prediction and inverse design of structural colors. The results demonstrated that the particle size distribution flattened the Mie resonance peak and influenced the reflectance and brightness of the SiNP system. The SiNPs generated vivid colors in all three of the host media. Meanwhile, our proposed neural network model achieved a near-perfect prediction of colors with high accuracy of the designed geometric parameters. This work accurately and efficiently evaluates and designs the optical and color properties of SiNP systems, thus accelerating the design process and contributing to the practical production design of color inks, decoration, and printing.
Breaking and Connecting: Highly Hazy and Transparent Regenerated Networked-Nanofibrous Cellulose Films via Combination of Hydrolysis and Crosslinking
Authors: Aburabie Jamaliah , Hashaikeh Raed
Published: August 2022

High optical transparency combined with high optical haze are essential requirements for optoelectronic substrates. Light scattering caused by haze is responsible for increasing light harvesting in photon-absorbing active materials, hence increasing efficiencies. A trade-off between transparency and haze is common in solar substrates with high transparency (~90%) and low optical haze (~20%), or vice versa. In this study, we report a novel, highly transparent film fabricated from regenerated cellulose after controlled acid-hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The developed networked-nanofibrous cellulose was chemically crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) and vacuum-cured to facilitate the fabrication of mechanically stable films. The effects of crosslinker concentration, crosslinking time, and curing temperature were investigated. Optimum conditions for fabrication unveils high optical transparency (~94%) and high haze (~60%), using 25% GA for 24 hr with a curing temperature of 25 °C; therefore, conveying an optimal substrate for optoelectronics applications. The high haze arises primarily from the crystalline, networked crystals of cellulose II structure formed within the regenerated cellulose upon hydrolysis. Moreover, the developed crosslinked film presents high thermal stability, water resistance, and good mechanical resilience. This high-performance crosslinked cellulose film can be considered a potential material for new environmentally-friendly optical substrates.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Carbides/Carbon Nanocomposites by Laser Pyrolysis
Authors: Caroff Théo , Badaki Pitalinani , Herbert Nathalie , Tessier Franck , Berthebaud David , Ohashi Naoki , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Lonchambon Pierre , Herlin-Boime Nathalie , Grasset Fabien
Published: August 2022

This short communication reports on the facile and scalable synthesis and characterization of molybdenum carbides/carbon nanocomposites prepared by laser pyrolysis in a one-step process. Water and commercial molybdenum oxide were used as low-cost environmentally friendly precursors. The nanocomposites are mainly composed of two types of carbides with different apparent crystallite sizes, 21 ± 1 nm and 9 ± 1 nm for Mo2C and MoC1−x, respectively. Thanks to a simple annealing at 500 °C under argon, it was possible to increase the specific surface area around 50 m2/g without changing the morphology of the nanocomposite.
Encoding of Race Categories by Single Neurons in the Human Brain
Authors: Valdez André B. , Papesh Megan H. , Treiman David M. , Goldinger Stephen D. , Steinmetz Peter N.
Published: August 2022

Previous research has suggested that race-specific features are automatically processed during face perception, often with out-group faces treated categorically. Functional imaging has illuminated the hemodynamic correlates of this process, with fewer studies examining single-neuron responses. In the present experiment, epilepsy patients undergoing microwire recordings in preparation for surgical treatment were shown realistic computer-generated human faces, which they classified according to the emotional expression shown. Racial categories of the stimulus faces varied independently of the emotion shown, being irrelevant to the patients’ primary task. Nevertheless, we observed race-driven changes in neural firing rates in the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and hippocampus. These responses were broadly distributed, with the firing rates of 28% of recorded neurons in the amygdala and 45% in the anterior cingulate cortex predicting one or more racial categories. Nearly equal proportions of neurons responded to White and Black faces (24% vs. 22% in the amygdala and 26% vs. 28% in the anterior cingulate cortex). A smaller fraction (12%) of race-responsive neurons in the hippocampus predicted only White faces. Our results imply a distributed representation of race in brain areas involved in affective judgments, decision making, and memory. They also support the hypothesis that race-specific cues are perceptually coded even when those cues are task-irrelevant.
Food Security, Fruit and Vegetable Intake, and Chronic Conditions among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Participants Attending Free Food and Produce Events
Authors: Saxena Priyanka , Caldwell Julia , Ramos Amy , Flores Daniela , Shah Dipa , Kuo Tony
Published: August 2022

Non-traditional settings, such as schools, early childhood education programs, and healthcare clinics, can play a critical role in preventing obesity by providing free and nutritious food outside of food pantries to households that are experiencing low or very low food security, particularly during emergency situations. This evaluation study describes a low-income population that attended free food and produce distribution events during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a cross-sectional survey was administered to this group (n = 1498) to assess their food security status, fruit and vegetable (F+V) consumption, and prevalence of chronic disease condition(s). Program and event assessments were carried out using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. More than a quarter (26%) of the participants attended the free food events for the first time. Approximately 70% reported some level of low food security, 57% to 64% did not meet F+V intake recommendations, and 37% had a diet-related chronic disease condition. In the adjusted models, households with very low food security had lower odds of meeting F+V recommendations (aOR, 0.41, 95% CI, 0.28, 0.58 and aOR, 0.27, 95% CI, 0.19, 0.39, respectively) and higher odds of having a chronic condition (aOR, 3.49, 95% CI, 2.34, 5.20) than those with high or marginal food security. Given these experiences, future research should examine how safety net food assistance programs can incorporate alternative service/distribution models to improve the nutritional value of the foods they offer.