Search

Emerging pharmaceutical micropollutant: ampicillin-degradation in water using atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) is examined, and its environmental impact is evaluated. To this end, comprehensive plasma characterization techniques, including electrical and optical analyses, are used, to supplement existing research that primarily focused on degradation outcomes. The results of these techniques provide deeper insights into the degradation process. Additionally, the solution properties are assessed by examining the treated liquids and quantifying the corresponding hydrogen peroxide and nitrite concentrations, clarifying the role of reactive species in the degradation process. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis provides essential insights into degradation kinetics and rate constants. A comprehensive framework is developed for understanding the degradation of ampicillin by APPJs, combining plasma diagnostics, solution characterization, chemical assays, degradation kinetics, and toxicity analysis. Our study, grounded in these multidisciplinary approaches, contributes to both the fundamental understanding of plasma-based degradation and optimization of plasma plume length. Our findings highlight the potential of plasma jet technologies in addressing pharmaceutical pollution and promoting sustainable wastewater management practices. This research can advance efforts to enhance the efficiency of pharmaceutical waste treatment, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of aquatic ecosystems and human populations. [Display omitted] • Longer atmospheric pressure plasma jet (J L) offers enhanced treatment efficiency. • J L can promote green management of pharmaceutical waste. • J L treatment shows minimize energy consumption, promoting economic viability. • J L treatment demonstrates minimal toxicity, ensuring effective ampicillin removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to measure the mediation effect of plasma proteins and to clarify their mediating role in the relationship between stroke risk and particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) exposure. The possible mediating role of plasma proteins on the causative link between PM 2.5 exposure and stroke incidence were examined using a two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) approach based on two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR). The findings revealed a significant positive causal relationship between PM 2.5 exposure and stroke, with an inverse variance weighted odds ratio of 1.219 (95 % CI: 1.002 – 1.482, P < 0.05). Additionally, a positive causal association was identified between PM 2.5 exposure and several plasma proteins, including FAM134B, SAP, ITGB7, Elafin, and DCLK3. Among these, FAM134B, ITGB7, Elafin, and DCLK3 also demonstrated a positive causal association with stroke, whereas only SAP was found to be negatively causally associated with stroke. Remarkably, four plasma proteins, namely DCLK3, FAM134B, Elafin, and ITGB7, were identified as mediators, accounting for substantial proportions (14.5 %, 13.6 %, 11.1 %, and 9.9 %) of the causal association between PM 2.5 and stroke. These results remained robust across various sensitivity analyses. Consequently, the study highlights the significant and independent impact of PM 2.5 on stroke risk and identifies specific plasma proteins as potential targets for preventive interventions against PM 2.5 -induced stroke. [Display omitted] • Significant positive causal relationship found between PM 2.5 exposure and stroke. • Two-step Mendelian randomization shows plasma proteins mediate PM 2.5 -stroke risk link. • LDSC reveals genetic correlation between PM 2.5 and stroke. • Proteins DCLK3, FAM134B, Elafin, ITGB7 mediate PM 2.5 -stroke link significantly. • Identified plasma proteins as potential targets for preventing PM 2.5 -induced stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers is among the techniques to control insect pests and fungal pathogens. However, the technique is the major contributor to severe environmental implications in terms of air, water and soil pollution. Besides, variable inconsistency becomes an important issue in the implementation of inclined bed dryers, leading to significant rice grain loss. Cold plasma technology has been widely proposed as a potential alternative for rice grain postharvest treatment management due to the presence of generated ionised gas that eventually produces reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species. These species are used to decontaminate foodborne pathogens, mycotoxins and bacterial diseases. This review explores the current literature regarding cold plasma treatment technology, focusing on its efficiency as the microbial decontamination medium and insect pest mortality medium, and on the enhancement functional, nutritional and cooking properties, especially in rice grains. Previous studies have successfully demonstrated the ability of cold plasma treatment to significantly reduce the microbial count of foodborne pathogens, detoxify mycotoxins, and control seedborne rice seedling bacterial diseases. Previous studies have also proved that the implementation of cold plasma technology in postharvest management should be seriously considered for improving rice grain quantity and quality in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are considered as potential biomarkers for Yin-Yang disharmony in traditional Chinese medicine. However, phosphodiesterase-mediated ex vivo degradation of these molecules in biological samples may result in their underestimation. In the present study, a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for determination of cAMP and cGMP in rat plasma, with special consideration of their stability ex vivo. Following precipitation of proteins from plasma samples with 0.4 M perchloric acid, the analytes were chromatographed on a Shimadzu Shim-pack-XR-ODS II column with 2.5 mM ammonium acetate and methanol in gradient mode. The MS/MS detection was performed using multiple reaction monitoring in the positive electrospray ionization mode. The lower limit of quantification was 0.27 ng/mL for cAMP and 0.37 ng/mL for cGMP. The method was used to determine the plasma cAMP and cGMP levels in normal and Yin deficiency diabetic rats treated with or without Rehmannia glutinosa. The developed method may be useful for evaluating the regulatory effects of Chinese herbal medicine on the levels of cAMP and cGMP in the body. [Display omitted] • Detailed investigation of ex vivo stability of cAMP and cGMP in rat blood and plasma. • First recommendation of effective strategies to stabilize cAMP and cGMP across pre-analytical procedures. • First application of UHPLC–MS/MS method to the analysis of plasma cAMP and cGMP levels in Yin deficiency diabetic rats. • First demonstration of the feasibility for evaluating the regulation effects of TCM on cAMP and cGMP levels in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were evaluated using the fish plasma model (FPM) for juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to effluent from a large urban wastewater treatment plant. The FPM compares fish plasma concentrations to therapeutic values determined in human plasma as an indication of potential adverse effects. We used human C max values, which are the maximum plasma concentration for a minimum therapeutic dose. Observed and predicted plasma concentrations from juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to a dilution series of whole wastewater effluent were compared to 1%C max values to determine Response Ratios (RR) ([plasma]/1%C max) for assessment of possible adverse effects. Several PPCPs were found to approach or exceed an RR of 1, indicating potential effects in fish. We also predicted plasma concentrations from measured water concentrations and determined that several of the values were close to or below the analytical reporting limit (RL) indicating potential plasma concentrations for a large number of PPCPs that were below detection. Additionally, the 1%C max was less than the RL for several analytes, which could impede predictions of possible effect concentrations. A comparison of observed and predicted plasma concentrations found that observed values were frequently much higher than values predicted with water concentrations, especially for low log 10 Dow compounds. The observed versus predicted values using the human volume of distribution (Vd), were generally much closer in agreement. These data appear to support the selection of whole-body concentrations to predict plasma values, which relies more on estimating simple partitioning within the fish instead of uptake via water. Overall, these observations highlight the frequently underestimated predicted plasma concentrations and potential to cause adverse effects in fish. Using measured plasma concentrations or predicted values from whole-body concentrations along with improved prediction models and reductions in analytical detection limits will foster more accurate risk assessments of pharmaceutical exposure for fish. [Display omitted] • Fish Plasma Model was used to assess risk based on water and tissue levels. • Several plasma values exceeded 1%C max indicating increased risk of adverse effects. • Predicted plasma for many compounds was below detection limit but likely present. • 1%C max levels often less than detection limit for predicted plasma pharmaceuticals. • Predicted plasma value from tissue usually closer to observed than water predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industria Textila is the property of Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Textile si Pielarie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used in regenerative dentistry for over 2 decades. Nevertheless, previous studies have shown that its growth factor content is released over a short time period, and the application of anticoagulants limits its regenerative potential. Therefore, a second-generation platelet concentrate (liquid platelet-rich fibrin [PRF]) was developed without the use of anticoagulants and with shorter centrifugation times. The purpose of the present study was to compare the cellular regenerative activity of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) when cultured with either liquid PRF or traditional PRP. The regenerative potential of hDPCs isolated from healthy human third molars (18–22 years, n = 5) was investigated in both normal and inflammatorylike conditions (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and assessed for their potential for dentin repair. The effects of liquid PRF and PRP were assessed for cellular migration, proliferation, and odontoblastic differentiation using a transwell assay, scratch assay, proliferation assay, alkaline phosphatase assay, alizarin red staining, and real-time polymerase chain reaction for genes encoding collagen type 1 alpha 1, dentin sialophosphoprotein, and dentin matrix protein 1, respectively. The effects of both platelet concentrates were also assessed for their ability to influence nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (p65) by immunofluorescence, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for genes encoding interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and nuclear factor kappa B (p65) during an inflammatory condition. Both PRP and liquid PRF increased the migration and proliferation of hDPCs when compared with the control group, whereas liquid PRF showed a notable significant increase in migration when compared with PRP. Furthermore, liquid PRF induced significantly greater alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red staining, and a messenger RNA expression of genes encoding collagen type 1 alpha 1, dentin sialophosphoprotein, and dentin matrix protein 1 when compared with PRP. When hDPCs were cultured with LPS to stimulate an inflammatory environment, a marked decrease in dentin-related repair was observed. When liquid PRF was cultured within this inflammatory environment, the reduced regenerative potential in this LPS-produced environment was significantly and markedly improved, facilitating hDPC regeneration. The messenger RNA expression of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and p65 were all significantly decreased in the presence of liquid PRF, and, furthermore, liquid PRF also inhibited the transport of p65 to the nucleus in hDPCs (suggesting a reduced inflammatory condition). The findings from the present study suggest that liquid PRF promoted greater regeneration potential of hDPCs when compared with traditional PRP. Furthermore, liquid PRF also attenuated the inflammatory condition created by LPS and maintained a supportive regenerative ability for the stimulation of odontoblastic differentiation and reparative dentin in hDPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, pure and safe biocomposites were synthesized via solution plasma process (SPP) that employed Ag electrodes as the precursor for AgNPs, which replaced AgNO 3 and tungsten electrodes studied previously. In order to synthesize pure and medical grade biocomposites with AgNPs, Ag electrode was used. Plasma was discharged in 0.5% (w/v) or 0.75% (w/v) alginate solution at 800 voltages, 30 kHz for 2–7 min using a unipolar power supply and a reactor equipped with Ag electrodes. UV–Vis spectroscopy of the biocomposites showed a unique peak at 405.5 - 411 nm, indicating the synthesis of AgNPs. FTIR analysis indicated no change in the chemical bonds of alginate during the plasma discharge. SEM/TEM analyses showed that the biocomposites had micro-porous and micro-fibril structures with spherical AgNPs well dispersed in the alginate matrix. The average sizes of AgNPs were 12.5 ± 9.9 - 14.5 ± 6.9 nm and the size range of 2–41 nm. Dispersion stability of the biocomposites (0.75%, w/v, alginate) was excellent with zeta-potential values of −72.86 to −75.78 mV. Among them, 0.75% (w/v) alginate/AgNP discharged for 5 min showed the highest antimicrobial activity. The MICs of AgNPs in the biocomposites were 12.5–25.0 μg mL-1 for Gram-negative bacteria (E.coli, P.aeruginosa, V.vulnificus), 30.0–35.0 μg mL-1 for Gram-positive bacteria (S.aureus, B.cereus), and 265.0 μg mL-1 for C. albicans. The biocomposite did not exhibited significant toxicity against the HEK293 cells up to 300 μg/ml with LC 50 of 419.2 ± 29.9 μg mL-1. Therefore, SPP using Ag electrodes is an improved and efficient way to produce pure and safe antimicrobial agents. • Alginate/AgNPs biocomposites were synthesized via plasma discharge. • Ag electrodes were used instead of silver nitrate as precursor. • The biocomposites had porous and micro-fibril structures with spherical AgNPs. • Alginate/AgNPs biocomposites was effective antibacterial biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the potential oscillations near a hollow cathode for ring-type anode configuration and planar disc anode configuration using diagnostic tools. The waveform of potential oscillations, amplitude of plasma potential and ion density were measured. The plasma potential oscillations show rapid rising but slow decrease. The results show that ionization in a ring-type anode is more effective than that in a planar disc anode and the amplitude of plasma potential in a ring-type anode is much larger than that in a planar disc anode at the same operating conditions. The highest amplitude of plasma potential that occurred corresponds to the area where the highest ion density appeared for both anode configurations, which shows that xenon ions in space play an important role for this kind of plasma potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of PM 2.5 exposure on lung function reduction has been well-documented, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. MiR-4301 may be involved in regulating pathways related to lung injury/repairment, and this study aimed to explore the potential role of miR-4301 in PM 2.5 exposure-associated lung function reduction. A total of 167 Wuhan community nonsmokers were included in this study. Lung function was measured and personal PM 2.5 exposure moving averages were evaluated for each participant. Plasma miRNA was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A generalized linear model was conducted to assess the relationships among personal PM 2.5 moving average concentrations, lung function, and plasma miRNA. The mediation effect of miRNA on the association of personal PM 2.5 exposure with lung function reduction was estimated. Finally, we performed pathway enrichment analysis to predict the underlying pathways of miRNA in lung function reduction from PM 2.5 exposure. We found that each 10 μg/m3 increase in the 7-day personal PM 2.5 moving average concentration (Lag0-7) was related to a 46.71 mL, 1.15%, 157.06 mL/s, and 188.13 mL/s reductions in FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, PEF, and MMF, respectively. PM 2.5 exposure was negatively associated with plasma miR-4301 expression levels in a dose‒response manner. Additionally, each 1% increase in miR-4301 expression level was significantly associated with a 0.36 mL, 0.01%, 1.14 mL/s, and 1.28 mL/s increases in FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, MMF, and PEF, respectively. Mediation analysis further revealed that decreased miR-4301 mediated 15.6% and 16.8% of PM 2.5 exposure-associated reductions in FEV 1 /FVC and MMF, respectively. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested that the wingless related-integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway might be one of the pathways regulated by miR-4301 in the reduction of lung function from PM 2.5 exposure. In brief, personal PM 2.5 exposure was negatively associated with plasma miR-4301 or lung function in a dose‒response manner. Moreover, miR-4301 partially mediated the lung function reduction associated with PM 2.5 exposure. [Display omitted] • MiR-4301 may play a role in PM 2.5 exposure-related lung function reduction. • PM 2.5 exposure was negatively associated with miR-4301 or lung function. • Pathway regulated by miR-4301 in PM 2.5 -related lung injury was predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn-based catalysts present enormous potential for plasma oxidation of toluene in air. Bimetallic Mn-M (M= Cu Co Ce Sm) active components were loaded on the ZSM-5 zeolites to prepare new catalysts for toluene degradation. These new catalysts were characterized using SEM, XRD, XPS, H 2 -TPR, N 2 adsorption-desorption, etc. They were also evaluated in terms of the catalytic activity and the critical operating factors using a plasma reactor. It shows that adding the auxiliary metal to Mn/ZSM-5 can substantially enhance the degradation efficiency. Taking the most active catalyst Mn-Ce/ZSM-5 as an example, the toluene conversion and CO 2 selectivity could reach 94.5 % and 96.1 % at an initial concentration of 1000 ppm and specific input energy of 9 kJ/L. When compared to the Mn/SZM-5, the bimetallic catalyst's toluene conversion and CO 2 selectivity increased by 11 % and 4.5 %, respectively. Theoretical simulation of density functional theory was employed to reveal that the charge is rearranged after introducing oxygen vacancy by doping, and the adsorption of toluene on the catalyst becomes easier. It is worth mentioning that in the simulation process, a new Y-type ZSM-5 model is used in this work. This is an aperiodic model closer to reality. The combination of plasma and catalyst could have a stabilizing effect on the existence of oxygen vacancy. [Display omitted] • A new Y-type ZSM-5 model is used in the DFT simulation process in this work. • Long term stable catalyst oxygen vacancy in NTP atmosphere. • Auxiliary metals adding to the active components increased O vacancy concentration. • Illustrating the effects of SIE, residence time and concentration on C 7 H 8 removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]