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Domestic dishwashers have become an integral part of modern households, offering convenience and effective cleaning. However, efforts to reduce energy and water consumption have resulted in longer wash programmes, which, despite their high cleaning performance, are not well accepted by consumers due to their long durations. While these eco‐programmes are presumed to be well‐optimized in terms of their structural components, the role of detergents has been somewhat overlooked, despite their significant contribution to both the cleaning and hygiene performance of domestic dishwashers. Beyond machine parameters, the chemical composition of detergents is crucial in improving the cleaning, drying and hygiene performance of household dishwashers, as they contain various components ‐ such as surfactants, enzymes, and bleaching agents ‐ that interact with soil residues to improve cleaning effectiveness. This review will focus on recent scientific efforts to optimize programme structures concerning cycle durations and energy consumption and the role of detergents in this interrelationship between cleaning, drying and hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best practice for cleaning wrestling mats is using a residual disinfectant with continued antibacterial action. Recently available wash-in silver additives claim to confer a residual effect to fabric. To test the efficacy of laundering with a wash-in silver additive in reducing athletes' exposure to potentially infectious microbes on apparel. A 4-part controlled laboratory study/parallel group comparison study. (1) To test whether fabrics in athletic clothing would be affected differently, we applied bacteria to control fabrics washed in detergent alone and test counterparts washed in detergent plus wash-in silver additive. Bacteria were applied to fabrics, extracted, plated, incubated, and counted. (2) To see if wash-in silver affected various bacteria differently, we washed cotton t-shirts with detergent alone or with detergent plus wash-in silver. We applied 4 bacterial species commonly found in the wrestling environment. Bacteria were extracted, plated, incubated, and counted. (3) To see if wash-in silver was effective in reducing bacterial contamination during practice, 32 collegiate wrestlers paired off with one wearing a test silver-treated t-shirt and their partner wearing a control shirt. Wrestler rotations exposed shirts to 2, 4, or 8 wrestlers. Identical swatches of fabric were cut from the t-shirts. Bacteria were extracted, plated, incubated, and counted. (4) We simulated prolonged/repeated bacterial exposure as occurs during tournaments by applying bacteria directly to silver-treated and untreated singlet material repeatedly over time. Test samples were taken at regular intervals to see if bacterial growth was inhibited by the presence of the silver nanoparticles. Bacteria were extracted, plated, incubated, and counted. Laboratory and practice. Collegiate Division III wrestling team. Wash-in silver would be considered effective if a statistically significant reduction in bacterial count was observed at 95% confidence. Wash-in silver reduced bacterial growth at low levels of contamination but did not significantly reduce bacterial growth at levels seen during contact sport competitions. This was true for all bacterial species and all fabrics tested. The environmental and potential health risks in using a wash-in silver nanoparticle laundry additive in the wash cycle for clothing worn by wrestlers outweigh any potential infection control benefits to these athletes. We do not currently recommend adopting wash-in silver treatment as part of the laundering regimen for wrestling programs until further testing of alternate methods of silver impregnation into sports fabrics has been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosurfactants are a group of environmentally friendly amphiphilic molecules that are applicable in numerous industries as essential biotechnology products, such as food production, cleaning products, pharmacology, cosmetics, pesticides, textiles and oil and gas fields. In this sense, and knowing the potential of these biomolecules, the aim of this work was to produce a biosurfactant, characterize it regarding its chemical and surfactant properties and investigate its potential in the removal of contaminants and in the cleaning of cotton fabrics. The biosurfactant was initially obtained from the cultivation of the microorganism Candida glabrata UCP 1002 in medium containing distilled water with 2.5% residual frying oil, 2.5% molasses and 2.5% corn steep liquor agitated at 200 rpm for 144 h. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water from 72 to 29 mN/m. The toxicity potential of the biosurfactant was evaluated using Tenebrio molitor larvae and demonstrated non-toxicity. The biosurfactant was applied as a degreaser of engine oil on cotton fabric, and showed 83% (2× CMC), 74% (1× CMC) and 78% (1/2× CMC) oil removal. Therefore, the biosurfactant produced in this work has promising surfactant and emulsifying properties with potential for application in various industrial segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the rapid spread among humans, on a global scale, of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Although international authorities have recommended the use of common detergents known to be effective against coronaviruses, one of the practices implemented to control the expansion of the virus has been the massive use of disinfectants on indoor and outdoor surfaces, a modality that has raised concern in the scientific community because of its impact on the aquatic environment. Considering possible future scenarios related to ongoing global change, in which further public health emergencies may become more frequent, and given the need to contribute to the identification of eco-friendly alternatives or strategies to mitigate the environmental and human health impacts of the massive use of disinfectants, the aim of this study was to quantify the effects of a liquid surface detergent based on exhausted edible oils of vegetable origin (eco-product). This was done by exposing organisms representing the main trophic levels of the marine and freshwater environment to the eco-detergent before and after a five-day biodegradation process, together with studies on biological oxygen demand and microbiology. The results indicated that the eco-product has potential antimicrobial activity and can be considered as a suitable alternative, although the use of a standardized agent for the production phase of the eco-product in liquid form is recommended to further reduce the impact on the aquatic environment. However, massive and indiscriminate use is a behavior to be discouraged, and limited and restricted use to appropriate areas and contexts is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdered laundry detergents, encompassing a diverse blend of organic and inorganic compounds, are crucial in efficiently removing dirt in household cleaning. This study investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of commonly used powdered laundry detergents in Sri Lanka using the Allium cepa bioassay. Five detergents (four branded A, B, C, and D, and one non-branded E) were selected for assessment. Toxicity evaluations were conducted across a range of predetermined aqueous detergent concentrations (0–2500 mg/L) using the A. cepa bioassay, with all experiments being triplicated and following standard protocols. Exposure to detergent concentrations up to 500 mg/L resulted in mitosis suppression, nuclear aberrations, and chromosomal abnormalities in A. cepa, indicating concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Condensed nuclei were notably prevalent among nuclear abnormalities, while vagrant chromosomes and chromosomal adherence were the most frequent chromosomal aberrations observed. At higher concentrations (> 500 mg/L), the selected detergents induced necrotic cell death in A. cepa root meristematic cells. This study warns to avoid the unnecessary use of detergents as they cause significant ecological risks and advocates for further research to comprehensively assess detergent toxicity across diverse organisms within ecosystems to safeguard ecosystem health effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acellular nerve grafts (ANGs) are a promising therapeutic for patients with nerve defects caused by injuries. Conventional decellularization methods utilize a variety of detergents and enzymes. However, these methods have disadvantages, such as long processing times and the presence of detergents that remain on the graft. In this study, we aimed to reduce process time and minimize the risks associated with residual detergents by replacing them with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and compared the effectiveness to Hudson's decellularization method, which uses several detergents. The dsDNA and the expression of MHC1 and 2 were significantly reduced in both decellularized groups, which confirmed the effective removal of cellular debris. The extracellular matrix proteins and various factors were found to be better preserved in the scCO2 ANGs compared to the detergent-ANGs. We conducted behavioral tests and histological analyses to assess the impact of scCO2 ANGs on peripheral nerve regeneration in animal models. Compared with Hudson's method, the scCO2 method effectively improved the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration. Therefore, the decellularization method using scCO2 is not only beneficial for ANG synthesis, but it may also be helpful for therapeutics by enhancing the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native mass spectrometry of membrane proteins relies on non‐ionic detergents which protect the protein during transfer from solution into the gas phase. Once in the gas phase, the detergent micelle must be efficiently removed, which is usually achieved by collision‐induced dissociation (CID). Recently, infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) has emerged as an alternative activation method for the analysis of membrane proteins, which has led to a growing interest in detergents that efficiently absorb infrared light. Here we investigate whether the absorption properties of synthetic detergents can be tailored by merging structural motifs of existing detergents into new hybrid detergents. We combine gas‐phase infrared ion spectroscopy with density functional theory to investigate and rationalize the absorption properties of three established detergents and two hybrid detergents with fused headgroups. We show that, although the basic intramolecular interactions in the parent and hybrid detergents are similar, the three‐dimensional structures differ significantly and so do the infrared spectra. Our results outline a roadmap for guiding the synthesis of tailored detergents with computational chemistry for future mass spectrometry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For membrane proteins, ab initio modelling based on a single curve of small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) is precluded by the presence of detergent molecules bound to the hydrophobic region of the protein. MEMPROT was developed for the modelling of protein–detergent complexes based on the SAXS curve of the complex, and on an a priori representation of the detergent corona by an elliptical semi‐torus surrounding the protein. In previous studies, MEMPROT has succeeded in modelling several membrane proteins solubilized in n‐dodecyl‐β‐maltopyranoside (DDM). However, it has never been tested on proteins solubilized in other detergents. To understand whether the geometrical shape currently parametrized in MEMPROT could be applied to a broader catalogue of protein–detergent complexes, here, MEMPROT was used to model the detergent corona around the multi‐hydrophobic substrate transporter from Bacillus halodurans solubilized in four different detergents, namely DDM, n‐decyl‐β‐maltopyranoside (DM), 4‐cyclohexyl‐1‐butyl‐β‐d‐maltoside (Cymal4) and decyl‐maltose‐neopentyl‐glycol (DMNG). The study indicates a significant variation in detergent shapes, depending on the type of detergent. The modelling results suggest that the elliptical semi‐torus with a circular closure is an excellent approximation for long‐tailed detergents (DDM and DM) but leads to a slightly poorer agreement with the data for DMNG and Cymal4, which have a shorter hydrophobic tail, smaller than the half‐width of the protein hydrophobic region. Here, for the latter, it is hypothesized that a corona with a flatter closure would be a better shape descriptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleaning is a weekly or even daily household chore for many consumers globally. It is bound to rank low on most people's list of great leisure-time activities. Transforming cleaning into an experience while offering sustainable technologies is nowadays a differentiating factor that triggers consumers' purchasing intent. Household care consumers' demand for safer, non-toxic, bio-sourced, and sustainable products is increasing. This growing interest is coupled with stringent ecolabel schemes promoting more sustainable solutions. These trends have led to increased interest in recycled carbon surfactants, based on recycled carbon having targeted performance. Surfactants are a critical ingredient of many household cleaning and laundry products. The new process now allows surfactants to be made using recycled carbon. Recycled carbon is a key form of renewable carbon and is essential to eliminating the use of fossil fuels. Dow is expanding its portfolio of sustainable surfactants by adding recycled carbon technology to help brand owners meet the sustainability and performance goals for their formulations. In addition to this recycled carbon surfactants also enables good primary cleaning at low temperatures which further reduces the in-use carbon footprint during wash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For manufacturers and users of detergents and cleaning agents, the focus of their efforts is on efficiency in use while at the same time ensuring environmental compatibility and thus protecting our natural resources. Phosphonic acids and their salts have been an indispensable component of such formulations in many cases for several decades but are considered to be difficult to biodegrade and are therefore subject to critical assessment with regard to their environmental behaviour. Current research work is looking at the various pathways of the natural degradation of these substances and shows that phosphonates are both completely degraded abiotically and biologically metabolized as a sole source of phosphorous. The microorganisms capable of doing this are ubiquitous and require an adaptation time of a few days. The conditions under which rapid biodegradation of phosphonates is observed are surprisingly simple and only require the maintenance of an adapted nutrient supply necessary for growth. These findings are groundbreaking for a critical evaluation of the ecological testing standards currently in use and provide further arguments for a holistic view on natural degradation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two things consumers look for in household cleaning applications are a well-defined viscosity and good foaming properties. These attributes are achieved by optimising the combination of surfactants and thickeners. Jungbunzlauer's xanthan gum is a safe, odourless and bio-based product and therefore represents an excellent thickening and stabilising agent for such applications. Since it is of natural origin it fits well with the recent trend towards more sustainable household cleaning products. This study examined the compatibility of three different xanthan gum grades with two different surfactants at various pH levels. For this purpose regular viscosity and pH measurements were taken over a period of six months. All xanthan gum grades performed exceptionally well in neutral and alkaline pH ranges, whereas the best performance in the acidic pH range was achieved with a special grade. In a second step, the study investigated the foam formation, decay and structure of xanthan gum/surfactant combinations at different pH levels. No differences were observed among the xanthan gum grades tested, although higher concentrations resulted in more and finer foam bubbles. Xanthan gum demonstrated very good foam stability throughout the pH range. Hence, because of its excellent compatibility, stabilisation and foam properties, xanthan gum is a great choice for household cleaning applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory and consumer driven needs, impact future detergent formulation development and drive manufacturers towards reformulation. As the global liquid detergent market is increasing, the relevance of sustainable performance enablers, such as enzymes, increases. However, the stability of enzymes in liquid detergent formulations still poses a challenge. In this study, we want to investigate the effects of different surfactants that are often used in liquid detergent formulations on the stability of a protease. BASF has the tools, capabilities and know-how to identify enzyme stability solutions and guide customers in their formulation efforts on their journey to more sustainable and even better performing detergents. Design of experiment in combination with high throughput technologies supports the development of high performing detergent formulations in a fast and cost-effective way. The chosen approach results in detergents that are optimized for the use of enzymes. In addition, the approach can also be used to uncover benefits and potential synergies between individual ingredients and enzymes. The interactions between enzymes and formulation components can be investigated by molecular dynamics simulation of the atoms and improve the understanding of the conformational stability of the enzyme at the molecular level. The know-how described, combined with access to future innovations, makes it possible to further explore the potential of enzymes and develop new detergents to achieve maximum value for customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers today seek laundry products that care equally for their fabrics, the environment, and their well-being, and around this new interpretation of the growing trend for self-care, consumers want their clothes to feel as enriched and sensual as their well-cared-for skin. This new post-pandemic self-care trend coincides with the desire to focus on things in life that matter, while limiting the time spent on household care. This translates into an increasing demand for multifunctional detergents that simplify chores, conserve resources and align with consumers expectations around wellbeing. With Sunfloweroyl Methylglucamide (GlucoPure® Sense) Clariant provides laundry detergent brands a unique, multifunctional sugar surfactant that address these needs. It serves as a versatile ingredient for X-in-1 detergents, merging robust cleaning power with superior secondary fabric care benefits. This innovative surfactant technology leads to noticeable long-lasting softness of textiles, eliminating the need for the use of additional fabric softeners and for intense ironing of clothes, which allows consumers to save time, energy, and resources while caring for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triterpenoid saponins, which are glycosidic derivatives of oleanolic acid, demonstrate numerous pharmacological properties. The hairy root cultures of marigold accumulate these phytoanticipins mainly in vacuoles, which may contain up to 40% of the triterpene glycosides synthesized in the cytoplasm. Dimethyl sulfoxide, Tween 20 (T20), Tween 80 (T80), and Triton X-100 (Tx100) were used as potential surfactants, allowing for an increase in the release of saponin into the culture medium. T20 at concentrations of 0.3–1.0% (v/v) caused a higher saponin content in the liquid medium, from 52 to 61 times for CH9, 15 to 22 times higher for CC16, and seven to twelve times higher for CH2, compared to the respective control cultures. DMSO was efficient toward the CC16 line, providing a 3–7 times higher saponin content for 0.5% and 1.0% (v/v) surfactant concentrations, respectively. The suitability of Triton X-100 for triterpenoid saponin could not be determined with the method used in this experiment, and there was a serious contamination of the analyzed samples. The ultrasound method accelerated surfactant action, and only for the CH9 line did it result in an increase in the secretion of glycosides to almost three-fold in the case of T80 and over two-fold in the case of T20. The conditions that were least harmful for the roots were: ultrasound, Tween 80, and T80 interacting with US. The permeabilized cultures, after 30 days of growth in the new medium, obtained fresh biomasses similar to the control or a reduction by the maximum of one-fifth for CH9. For the second line (CC16), the growth parameters were reduced twice. Polyoxoethylene sorbitan monolaurate was found to be the most powerful surfactant, and a proposed concentration and time of action allowed for culture viability only for the CC16 line. The young parts of the root tips generated a new culture, with the growth being reduced by 77% (FW) and 82% (DW).Key message: Polysorbates and ultrasounds allow to increase by 22-61 times triterpenic saponins content in medium of marigold hairy root cultures. Tween20 was powerful, while Tween80 did not weaken cultures regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly used in the formulation of detergents, which is typically disposed of in wastewater treatment plants. The current study describes the effectiveness of bacteria isolated from Iraqi wastewater to remove SLES. 16S rRNA genetic analysis revealed that this strain is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three temperatures (30, 35, and 40oC) and pH values (5,7, and 9) were chosen for this study, and three concentrations of SLES (25, 50, and 100 mg/L) were used. The SLES anionic surfactant showed that the best biodegradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was at a temperature of 30oC and both pH 7 and 9, while the removal percentages for them were 98.44% and 96.36%, respectively, at 25 mg/L of SLES. The outcomes of this study revealed the potential and significance of SLES removal in actual effluents by aerobic biodegradation. The ability of this bacterium to degrade SLES makes the bacterium an important tool for bioremediation.

Background: The adulteration of milk is an important issue that needs to be addressed because of its deleterious effects on health. Detection of adulterants in milk can be done in laboratories or by purchasing adulteration detection kits. There are few home-based rapid tests to detect common milk adulterants, which are less known by our community. Objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of milk adulteration and to identify common adulterants, to determine the association of milk adulteration with gastrointestinal and renal diseases; and also to validate rapid home-based tests by comparing its result with standard milk adulteration detection kit. Materials and Methods: A community-based study was conducted on 330 medical and paramedical staff. Collected milk samples during family visits were tested by standard milk adulteration detection tests and rapid home-based tests. Results: Among 330 tested milk samples, 233 samples were adulterated with one or more than one adulterant. The most common adulteration observed was the addition of water to milk, followed by detergent, urea, and neutralizer. The specificity of the rapid tests was found to be almost 100% in the detection of water and detergent in milk and accuracy was above 80%; with "substantial agreement" (kappa = 0.7) between rapid tests and standard tests on kappa statistics. Conclusion: The present study has identified a large extent of milk adulteration and common adulterants, which may have harmful effects on health. The utility of home-based rapid tests is clearly proven to detect common adulterants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐input proteomics, also referred to as micro‐ or nanoproteomics, has become increasingly popular as it allows one to elucidate molecular processes in rare biological materials. A major prerequisite for the analytics of minute protein amounts, e.g., derived from low cell numbers, down to single cells, is the availability of efficient sample preparation methods. Digital microfluidics (DMF), a technology allowing the handling and manipulation of low liquid volumes, has recently been shown to be a powerful and versatile tool to address the challenges in low‐input proteomics. Here, an overview is provided on recent advances in proteomics sample preparation using DMF. In particular, the capability of DMF to isolate proteomes from cells and small model organisms, and to perform all necessary chemical sample preparation steps, such as protein denaturation and proteolytic digestion on‐chip, are highlighted. Additionally, major prerequisites to making these steps compatible with follow‐up analytical methods such as liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic detergents enable applications and cause harm in biospheres due to cell toxicity. The utility of covalent combinations between ionic and non‐ionic detergent headgroups in modulating cell toxicity remains speculative due to the yet rarely explored synthesis. We close this gap and establish the modular synthesis of ionic/non‐ionic hybrid detergents. We restructure a combinatorial methallyl dichloride one‐pot coupling into a two‐step coupling, which reduces by‐products, improves product yields, and enables the gram‐scale preparation of asymmetric, cationic/non‐ionic and anionic/non‐ionic hybrid detergents. Our modular synthesis delivers new modalities for the design of ionic detergents, including an unprecedented scaling of properties that determine applications, such as charge, critical micelle concentration, solubilizing properties, hard water tolerance, and cell compatibility. We uncover that shielding the charge in ionic headgroups can switch the detergent species that is toxic to cells from monomers to mixtures of monomers and micellar assemblies. Establishing the chemistry of ionic/non‐ionic hybrid detergents provides a missing evolutionary link in the structural comparison of ionic and non‐ionic detergents, enables an easy synthesis access to yet unexplored chemical spaces of asymmetric hybrid materials, and delivers new modalities for designing the toxicity of supramolecular nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold‐adapted, alkali‐stable lipases with surfactant tolerance are highly sought after in the detergent industry. In this study, we recombinantly expressed and characterized a novel lipase from Marinobacter nanhaiticus (MNL). The purified MNL exhibited high stability within a temperature range of 10–30°C and pH values of 8–10, demonstrating optimal activity at 20°C and pH 8. MNL has a preference for substrates with medium chains with the best activity being 3768.6 U/mg using p‐nitrophenyl decanoate as a substrate. Remarkably, MNL showed enhanced enzymatic activity in the presence of ionic surfactants and displayed notable resilience when exposed to proteases. Washing performance analysis further revealed MNL's high proficiency in removing oil‐based stains from fabrics. Collectively, these results suggest that MNL holds significant promise as a valuable component in laundry detergent formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to delve deeper into the relationship between the professional activities carried out in restaurant kitchens and some key air pollutants. The ultrafine particles (UFPs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) indoor air concentrations were determined using real-time monitors. Simultaneously, the kitchen environment was characterized using video recordings with the aim to retrieve information pertaining to cooking, cookware washing and surface cleaning activities. Statistical analysis was carried out separately for the winter and summer campaigns. The obtained results confirmed that the professional activities carried out in restaurant kitchens had a significant impact on the concentrations of all the selected pollutants. Specifically, this study revealed the following key results: (i) indoor UFPs and NO2 concentrations were significantly higher during cooking than during washing activities (e.g., about +60% frying vs. handwashing and dishwasher running), mainly in the winter; (ii) washing activity had a statistically significant impact on the TVOC (+39% on average) and HCHO (+67% on average) concentrations compared to other activities; (iii) some specific sources of short-term pollutant emissions have been identified, such as the different types of cooking and opening the dishwasher; and (iv) in some restaurants, a clear time-dependent relationship between O3 and UFP, TVOC and HCHO has been observed, underlining the occurrence of ozonolysis reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial effect of Softsoap and Efferdent used as solutions to disinfect Lucitone 199 poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin used for dentures. Methods: S. inuta-is and plague bacteria were grown for 24 hours, and suspended to a concentration of Ix 106 cells/ml. Bacterial suspensions (0.2 mL) were added to the decontaminated PMMA discs placed in a 48-well culture plate and incubated for 3 days at 37°C. The discs were rinsed to remove the unbound bacterial cells and then incubated for 60 minutes with 5% and 1% dilutions (triplicates) of each of the detergent solutions (0.3 mi). Discs were rinsed and then MTT reagent (0.2 ml) was added and incubated for 2 hours, then overnight with a solubilizing agent. An aliquot from each well (0.1 mi) was transferred to a 96-well flat bottom plate and absorbance was measured to OD @ 595 nin (MTT) of four samples for each data point. Normalized data was compared and statistically analyzed using a three-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls on Rank data with P< 0.05 for significance. Additionally, data were double-checked with the Holm-Sidak test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between testing media for C albicans and mixed plague (P= 0 .078) or testing duration in time at 24 hours and 21 days (P= 0.07). Statistically significant differences were found between all treatment solutions group combinations (P< 0. 001) except for 30 % Softsoap versus Efferdent (P = 0. 056). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes face many physical, chemical, and biological insults from their environments. In response, cells adapt, but whether they do so cooperatively is poorly understood. Here, we use a model social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, to ask whether adapted traits are transferable to naïve kin. To do so we isolated cells adapted to detergent stresses and tested for trait transfer. In some cases, strain-mixing experiments increased sibling fitness by transferring adaptation traits. This cooperative behavior depended on a kin recognition system called outer membrane exchange (OME) because mutants defective in OME could not transfer adaptation traits. Strikingly, in mixed stressed populations, the transferred trait also benefited the adapted (actor) cells. This apparently occurred by alleviating a detergent-induced stress response in kin that otherwise killed actor cells. Additionally, this adaptation trait when transferred also conferred resistance against a lipoprotein toxin delivered to targeted kin. Based on these and other findings, we propose a model for stress adaptation and how OME in myxobacteria promotes cellular cooperation in response to environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the production of a novel biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Bacillus invictae UCP1617 cultivated using an alternative substrate and its use in the formulation of an eco‐friendly detergent. A factorial design was used to optimize agitation, temperature, and inoculum size in a mineral medium containing 1.5% corn steep liquor in 100‐mL shake flasks. The best conditions (175 rpm, 28°C, and 4% inoculum) were used to scale up biosurfactant production in a 50‐L bioreactor. Surface tension of the fermentation medium decreased from 69.5 to 30.2 mN/m within 72 h. The biosurfactant exhibited a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.900 ± 0.08 g/L. The biosurfactant formed stable oil‐in‐water emulsions of motor oil and petroleum, achieving emulsification indices of 90.80% and 99.00%, respectively. An eco‐friendly detergent was formed that included biosurfactant at several different concentrations, 0.2 (wt) % hydroxyethyl cellulose and 0.2% potassium sorbate. The detergent remained stable under extreme conditions of pH, temperature, and salinity when stored for 90 days. The detergent was nontoxic to cabbage, cherry tomato plants, and the microcrustacean Artemia salina. A detergent formulation containing biosurfactant at the CMC completely dispersed motor oil in seawater at a 1:1 surfactant/oil (vol/vol) ratio and removed 99.21% of motor oil (20 mL) contained in 60 g of clayey soil. The detergent removed 98.42% of the oil adhered to a glass surface and removed 75.00% of motor oil adsorbed to a porous surface. The application of this biosurfactant as an environmentally friendly additive for remediation processes is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detergent packets are common household products; however, they pose a risk of injuries and poisonings, especially among children. This study examined the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets in Canada using emergency department (ED) data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database. Methods: The CHIRPP database was searched for ED visit records for injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023 (N = 2,021,814) using variable codes and narratives. Data for individuals aged 17 years and younger were analyzed descriptively. Temporal trends in the number of detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases were assessed using Joinpoint regression and annual percent change (APC). A proportion ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP during two 34-months periods, pre-COVID-19 pandemic and after the beginning of the pandemic. Results: There were 904 detergent packet-related cases among children and youth aged 17 years and younger identified in CHIRPP between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023, representing 59.9 cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases. The majority (86.5%) of cases were among children aged 4 years and younger. Poisonings (58.8%) and eye injuries (30.6%) were the most frequent primary diagnoses. Unintentional ingestion (56.9%) and squeezing/breaking a detergent packet (32.3%) were the most frequent exposure mechanisms. Sixty-five patients (7.2%) were admitted to hospital. The number of detergent packet-related cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases increased by 5.0% (95% CI 0.8, 10.2) annually between 2012 and 2022. The number of detergent packet-related poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases decreased by 15.3% (95% CI − 22.3, − 10.6) annually between 2015 and 2022, whereas eye injuries showed an average annual percent increase of 16.6% (95% CI 11.2, 23.0) between 2012 and 2022. The proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP after the beginning of the pandemic (79.9/100,000 CHIRPP cases) was 1.43 (95% CI 1.20, 1.71) times greater than pre-pandemic (55.7/100,000 CHIRPP cases). Conclusions: Detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings are a persisting issue. Continued surveillance and prevention efforts are needed to reduce detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings in Canada, particularly among children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities, such as production and consumption, generate waste that pollutes environment. This pollution creates unfavorable conditions for humans and other living beings. Microorganisms, however, offer potential solutions. These tiny can be both beneficial and harmful to humans. While their negative aspects, like pathogenicity or corrosion, have been exclusively studied, this review focuses on the positive potential of these often-threatened bacteria. Here, we explore their ability to clean and biodegrade environmental pollutants. The review draws on research conducted by the authors and other researchers, examining how bacteria responsible for corrosion can biodegrade and purify various pollutants such as PCP, pesticides, detergents, and even bioplastics. Since the biodegradation pathways for these pollutants have been identified and their safety for living organisms considered, the use of such bacteria for environmental cleaning is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional detergent formulations contain either petroleum‐derived or synthetic chemicals. Hence, the replacement of these chemicals with natural products such as enzymes is considered a green technology. Among these enzymes, protease is renowned in detergent formulations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore and characterize a new protease from Phytolacca dodecandra, because the plant is traditionally known for detergency purposes. Enzyme extraction was performed with Glycine/NaOH buffer, pH = 10.0. Gelatin hydrolysis and agar well diffusion tests were implemented as qualitative assays, whereas the enzyme assay technique was applied for the quantitative investigation of the new protease from plant extracts. The crude enzyme was partially characterized concerning temperature and pH tolerance, washing performance, detergent compatibility, and stability. The finding of this study revealed that Phytolacca dodecandra contains protease and is characterized by 1418.84 U/mL of enzyme activity, where 1 unit (U) of enzyme activity refers to the amount of enzyme required to liberate 1 μg of tyrosine/mL/min under the defined assay conditions. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 10.5 and 45°C. The enzyme was stable and maintained 99.52% activity at 40°C and 91.73% at pH 10.0 after 2 h pre‐incubation. The enzyme showed excellent wash performance and could potentially remove blood stains completely within 3 min. After 2 h of pre‐incubation the enzyme maintained 69.06% and 54.88% of its activity in the presence of Azzy and Sunlight, respectively. The enzyme maintained 71.99% of its residual activity after 60 days of storage. If further studies are conducted, all these properties of the newly investigated protease can make the enzyme applicable in detergent formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly used in the formulation of detergents, which is typically disposed of in wastewater treatment plants. The current study describes the effectiveness of bacteria isolated from Iraqi wastewater to remove SLES. 16S rRNA genetic analysis revealed that this strain is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three temperatures (30, 35, and 40oC) and pH values (5,7, and 9) were chosen for this study, and three concentrations of SLES (25, 50, and 100 mg/L) were used. The SLES anionic surfactant showed that the best biodegradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was at a temperature of 30oC and both pH 7 and 9, while the removal percentages for them were 98.44% and 96.36%, respectively, at 25 mg/L of SLES. The outcomes of this study revealed the potential and significance of SLES removal in actual effluents by aerobic biodegradation. The ability of this bacterium to degrade SLES makes the bacterium an important tool for bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For detection of crime in Forensic medicine blood group studies& its application plays an important role. The study of blood grouping gives important information regarding identification and details of Crime Investigation. The most common trace evidence is blood which is obtained from the crime scene. Blood grouping & typing can point to a group of people that have the same blood type rather than pointing particular person. When blood is properly collected and preserved, blood as an evidence can establish a strong link between a criminal and the criminal act. We can trust the blood grouping of blood stains in detection of crime. Randomly A, B, AB, Rh positive blood samples were taken in duplicates and rusted pins, dust particles, detergent, staphylococci are added to it respectively. The common contaminants in blood stains are dust, rust, bacteria and detergent. So an effect of these on blood groups was studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk has been an indispensable part of our diet because of its rich content of vital nutrients. The demand and supply gap in milk production along with its perishable nature have resulted in the increased menace of milk adulteration. Various adulterants such as detergents, urea, ammonium salts, sodium chloride, nitrates, sulphates, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, boric acid, neutralisers and melamine present in the milk give rise to serious health problems such as nausea, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, renal failure, heart problems, asthma, pneumonia, cancer and allergic reactions. This paper describes the adverse health effects of consuming adulterated milk.

This study aims to produce an active lipase detergent additive dry powder using spray drying. Staphylococcus aureus HA25, growing at a pH range of 5.0–8.5, was isolated from Erzurum gogermis cheese and purified using a three‐phase partitioning technique. Optimal immobilization processing conditions were determined for 0.1% wt/wt chitosan, alginate, and chitosan/alginate concentrations of pure lipase enzyme. Morphological features of the immobilized enzyme structure were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and structural characterizations were determined using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results showed that the natural structure of the lipase was largely restored upon reconstitution of the spray‐dried immobilized lipase structures in water. While the free enzyme removed 52.6% of the oil added to the cotton fabric, the immobilized lipase@alginate enzyme removed ~98% of the oil added to the cotton fabric at the highest rate when used as a detergent additive. It was found that the reusability activity of chitosan@lipase, alginate@lipase, and chitosan/alginate@lipase enzymes remained at 86.4%, 92.8%, and 88.6% of their original activity, respectively. The study suggests that immobilized variations of the lipase enzyme within chitosan, alginate, and chitosan/alginate matrices may serve as a natural, secure, and efficient substitute for conventional chemical detergents, offering a non‐toxic alternative for additive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), a predominant component in detergents, requires an evaluation of its toxicological potential due to its hazardous environmental levels. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicological effects of SDBS on the liver and kidney of male D. rerio. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicological effects of SDBS on the liver and kidney of male D. rerio. The fish were divided into three groups: 0.0 (control), 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L of SDBS with exposure for up to 96 hours. After exposure, histopathological, histochemical (hepatic glycogen content), and biochemical analyses (SOD and CAT enzyme analysis) were performed on both organs. The results showed significant histopathological effects, such as circulatory disturbances and progressive and regressive alterations, leading to an altered histopathological alteration index. SOD and CAT enzymes exhibited prominent changes. Thus, it became clear that the surfactant SDBS can cause serious hepatic and renal problems in D. rerio fish, even with short-term exposure, necessitating more stringent control and regulation in the disposal of this surfactant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipases are important biocatalysts and ubiquitous in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The high growth rates of microorganisms with low production costs have enabled the wide application of microbial lipases in detergent, food, and cosmetic industries. Herein, a novel lipase from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (Lac-Rh) was isolated and its activity analyzed under a range of reaction conditions to evaluate its potential industrial application. The isolated Lac-Rh showed a molecular weight of 24 kDa and a maximum activity of 3438.5 ± 1.8 U/mg protein at 60 °C and pH 8. Additionally, Lac-Rh retained activity in alkaline conditions and in 10% v/v concentrations of organic solvents, including glycerol and acetone. Interestingly, after pre-incubation in the presence of multiple commercial detergents, Lac-Rh maintained over 80% of its activity and the stains from cotton were successfully removed under a simulated laundry setting. Overall, the purified lipase from L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 has potential for use as a detergent in industrial applications. Key points: • A novel lipase (Lac-Rh) was isolated from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 • Purified Lac-Rh exhibited its highest activity at a temperature of 60 °C and a pH of 8, respectively • Lac-Rh remains stable in commercial laundry detergent and enhances washing performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial communities from extreme environments are largely understudied, but are essential as producers of metabolites, including enzymes, for industrial processes. As cultivation of most microorganisms remains a challenge, culture‐independent approaches for enzyme discovery in the form of metagenomics to analyse the genetic potential of a community are rapidly becoming the way forward. This study focused on analysing a metagenome from the cold and alkaline ikaite columns in Greenland, identifying 282 open reading frames (ORFs) that encoded putative carbohydrate‐modifying enzymes with potential applications in, for example detergents and other processes where activity at low temperature and high pH is desired. Seventeen selected ORFs, representing eight enzyme families were synthesized and expressed in two host organisms, Escherichia coli and Aliivibrio wodanis. Aliivibrio wodanis demonstrated expression of a more diverse range of enzyme classes compared to E. coli, emphasizing the importance of alternative expression systems for enzymes from extremophilic microorganisms. To demonstrate the validity of the screening strategy, we chose a recombinantly expressed cellulolytic enzyme from the metagenome for further characterization. The enzyme, Cel240, exhibited close to 40% of its relative activity at low temperatures (4°C) and demonstrated endoglucanase characteristics, with a preference for cellulose substrates. Despite low sequence similarity with known enzymes, computational analysis and structural modelling confirmed its cellulase‐family affiliation. Cel240 displayed activity at low temperatures and good stability at 25°C, activity at alkaline pH and increased activity in the presence of CaCl2, making it a promising candidate for detergent and washing industry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the expression levels of membrane proteins (MPs) is crucial for understanding cell differentiation and tissue specificity, defining disease characteristics, identifying biomarkers, and developing therapeutics. While bottom-up proteomics addresses the need for accurately surveying the membrane proteome, the lower abundance and hydrophobic nature of MPs pose challenges in sample preparation. As MPs normally reside in the lipid bilayer, conventional extraction methods rely on detergents, introducing here a paradox - detergents prevent aggregation and facilitate protein processing, but themselves become contaminants that interfere with downstream analytical applications. Various detergent removal methods exist to mitigate this issue, including filter-aided sample preparation, SP3, suspension trapping, and membrane mimetics. This review delves into the fundamentals of each strategy, applications, merits, and limitations, providing insights into their effectiveness in MP research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to industrialization and urbanization, the use of detergents inadvertently led to contamination of aquatic environments, thus posing potential threat to aquatic organisms and human health. One of the main components of detergents is linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which can cause toxic effects on living organisms, particularly aquatic life in the environment. In this study, floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) mesocosms were developed and augmented with LAS-degrading bacteria. The plant species, Brachiaria mutica (Para grass), was vegetated to establish FTWs and bacterial consortium (1:1:1:1) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PJRS20, Bacillus sp. BRRH60, Acinetobacter sp. strain CYRH21, and Burkholderia phytofirmans Ps.JN was augmented (free or immobilized) in these mesocosms. Results revealed that the FTWs removed LAS from the contaminated water and their augmentation with bacteria slightly increased LAS removal during course of the experiment. Maximum reduction in LAS concentration (94%), chemical oxygen demand (91%), biochemical oxygen demand (93%), and total organic carbon (91%) was observed in the contaminated water having FTWs augmented with bacterial consortium immobilized on polystyrene sheet. This study highlights that the FTWs supported with immobilized bacteria on polystyrene sheets can provide an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for the remediation of LAS-bearing water, especially for developing countries like Pakistan. This pilot-scale study provided insights to resolve the detergent-contaminated wastewater issue, using floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) augmented with bacteria. The FTWs augmented with bacteria immobilized on a polystyrene sheet and vegetated with Brachiaria mutica led to high degradation of LAS, a toxic compound of detergent, from the contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to decellularized caprine pericardium tissue with varied non-ionic surfactant and anionic detergent concentrations. Methods: Protocol A consists of 1%, 0.5%, and 0.25% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Protocol B uses 1%, 0.5%, and 0.25% (w/v) Triton X-100. Protocol C comprised 0.5% SDS + 0.5% Triton X-100, 0.5% + 0.25%, and 0.25% SDS + 0.5% Triton X-100. Results: Protocol B left a few countable cells in the pericardium tissue, but treatments A and C removed all cells. DNA quantification also demonstrated that protocol B had the most leftover DNA after decellularization. The pericardium tissue treated with an equal combination of anionic detergent and non-ionic surfactant preserves the matrix. However, changing the anionic detergent-non-ionic surfactant ratio disrupted the microstructure. Protocol A decreased pericardium tissue secant modulus (p < 0.05). Protocol B-treated pericardium tissue matched native tissue secant modulus and ultimate tensile stress. Protocol C strengthened pericardium tissue. Conclusion: The intact extracellular matrix and biomechanical properties like native tissues require optimal chemical doses and combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been in the center of attention for several years as an opportunistic human pathogen implicated in many severe acute and chronic infections particularly in immunocompromised patients. Its high persistence and resistance against many antimicrobial agents are mostly attributed to biofilm formation. Biofilms are microbial communities mainly consisting of extracellular polymeric substances that encapsulate bacteria together and protect them from extracellular stresses. This cell aggregation is a stress response that P. aeruginosa employes as a survival strategy during growth with the toxic detergents. This process has shown to involve several operons such as psl, pel, and alg. Here we used P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 in control group, 40 P. aeruginosa strains from sink and 40 strains from surface of public places. Biofilm formation and gene expression were measured before and after exposure to sub minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of biocides chlorhexidine diacetate and benzalkonium chloride. The qRT-PCR and biofilm formation results demonstrated an increase in biofilm formation ability and gene expression of pslA/B and pelA/B in two groups collected from sink and surface in contrast to the control group. A remarkable increase was observed in the biofilm formation and expression of pslA in the bacterial strain collected from the sink after exposure to biocides chlorhexidine diacetate. Both Pel and Psl appeared to have redundant functions as structural scaffolds in biofilms. Sub-MIC levels of detergents can improve biofilm formation ability of P. aeruginosa and therefore trigger resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In flaviviruses such as Dengue or Zika, non-structural (NS) NS4A protein forms homo-oligomers, participates in membrane remodelling and is critical for virulence. In both viruses, mature NS4A has the same length and three predicted hydrophobic domains. The oligomers formed by Dengue NS4A are reported to be small (n = 2, 3), based on denaturing SDS gels, but no high-resolution structure of a flavivirus NS4A protein is available, and the size of the oligomer in lipid membranes is not known. Herein we show that crosslinking Zika NS4A protein in lipid membranes results in oligomers at least up to hexamers. Further, sedimentation velocity shows that NS4A in mild detergent C14-betaine appears to be in fast equilibrium between at least two species, where one is smaller, and the other larger, than a trimer or a tetramer. Consistently, sedimentation equilibrium data was best fitted to a model involving an equilibrium between dimers (n = 2) and hexamers (n = 6). Overall, the large, at least hexameric, oligomers obtained herein in liposomes and in mild detergent are more likely to represent the forms of NS4A present in cell membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epithelial barrier theory links the recent rise in chronic non-communicable diseases, notably autoimmune and allergic disorders, to environmental agents disrupting the epithelial barrier. Global pollution and environmental toxic agent exposure have worsened over six decades because of uncontrolled growth, modernization, and industrialization, affecting human health. Introducing new chemicals without any reasonable control of their health effects through these years has led to documented adverse effects, especially on the skin and mucosal epithelial barriers. These substances, such as particulate matter, detergents, surfactants, food emulsifiers, micro- and nano-plastics, diesel exhaust, cigarette smoke, and ozone, have been shown to compromise the epithelial barrier integrity. This disruption is linked to the opening of the tight-junction barriers, inflammation, cell death, oxidative stress, and metabolic regulation. Consideration must be given to the interplay of toxic substances, underlying inflammatory diseases, and medications, especially in affected tissues. This review article discusses the detrimental effect of environmental barrier-damaging compounds on human health and involves cellular and molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clean surfaces contaminated by petrochemicals, industries use products formulated with substances harmful to the environment and the health of workers. Nesse sense, the development of degreasers and non-toxic detergents formulated from natural sources can be a solution. Based on these needs, many companies offer products claiming to be biodegradable, non-toxic and environmentally compatible. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out comparative tests between a biodegradable and non-toxic biodetergent, produced from vegetable inputs and a commercial degreaser with the same purpose. In this sense, the efficiency of the products was evaluated in of tin removing OCB1 fuel oil from smooth and metallic surfaces, the destabilization capacity of heavy oil in was determined in relation to a time of 5 minutes and its toxicity using cabbage seeds (Brassica oleracea) and microcrustacean larvae (Artemia salina) as indicators. The comparative tests between the two formulations demonstrated very satisfactory results in favor of the biodetergent. Regarding the evaluation of the products for OCB1 removal efficiency, the biodetergent showed satisfactory results, with 100% removal of the oil impregnated on smooth and metallic surfaces and 90% for the commercial product. For the destabilization capacity in relation to time, the biodetergent demonstrated total destabilization of the petroderivative in just 2 minutes, whereas the commercial product required twice as long for partial destabilization of the oil. The ecotoxicological tests demonstrated the absence of toxicity of the detergent formulated with biosurfactant and for the commercial degreaser and a mortality rate of 100% was observed for the indicator organisms. Therefore, the biodetergent demonstrates superior efficiency in relation to commercial degreaser and safer and more reliable chemical and toxicological characteristics for human health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detergents are highly produced pollutants with environmental problems like foam generation and toxic effects in biota. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are efficient, economical, and versatile surfactants, used in detergents for more than 40 years due to their detergency capacity. In the environment, NPE biodegrades into the metabolite nonylphenol (NP), classified as an endocrine disruptor. The identification and quantification of 4-NP in a designed detergent and 30 commercially available detergents were performed to prove the degradation of NPE into 4-NP during storage time. This investigation introduces the first evidence of NPE degradation during storage in commercially available detergents, demonstrating a novel exposure pathway in humans that has not been explored before, representing potential human health risks. Therefore, simple, easy, low-cost, and available approaches to remove and substitute NP is paramount. Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) was assessed as a substitute, and the feasibility of this substitution was proven according to physical and chemical properties, cleaning performance, and antimicrobial properties. NPE substitution in detergents is demonstrated as a viable strategy to minimize exposure risks in humans and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane proteins constitute about 20% of the human proteome and play crucial roles in cellular functions. However, a complete understanding of their structure and function is limited by their hydrophobic nature, which poses significant challenges in purification and stabilization. Detergents, essential in the isolation process, risk destabilizing or altering the proteins' native conformations, thus affecting stability and functionality. This study leverages single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structural nuances of membrane proteins, focusing on the SLAC1 bacterial homolog from Haemophilus influenzae (HiTehA) purified with diverse detergents, including n-dodecyl β-D-maltopyranoside (DDM), glycodiosgenin (GDN), β-D-octyl-glucoside (OG), and lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG). This research not only contributes to the understanding of membrane protein structures but also addresses detergent effects on protein purification. By showcasing that the overall structural integrity of the channel is preserved, our study underscores the intricate interplay between proteins and detergents, offering insightful implications for drug design and membrane biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalation in Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) is indicative of a rise in poor mental health and/or a failure of social and health services. The phenomenon of DSH exacerbates mental illness sequela, while being an essential indicator of suicide risk. Globally, about 800 000 people commit suicide yearly, averaging almost one suicide every 40 s. Based on a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, the aim sought to establish the scope of the DSH, suicidality and suicide case-load from a Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) prehospital perspective. A census of 3 years of EMS Incident Management Records (IMR) from a large rural district with seven local municipalities was undertaken using a novel data collection instrument. The 2976 (N) mental health-related incidents that met the inclusion criteria (from 413 712 cases) suggest a presentation rate of 7 per 1000 EMS calls. Sixty percent (n = 1776) were regarded to have deliberately self-harmed, attempted suicide or committed suicide. Overdose/deliberate self-poisoning accounted for 52% (n = 1550) of all the DSH caseload of the study. Attempted suicide accounted for 2.7% (n = 83) and Suicide for 3.4% (n = 102) of the suicidality case-load from the study, respectively. Suicide averaged 2.8. suicides per month in the Garden Route District over the 3-year period. Men were five times more likely to commit suicide than women, commonly using strangulation, while women mostly ingested household detergents and poison, and overdosed on chronic medication. Understandably, the EMS needs to assess its own capability to respond, treat, and transport health-care users with DSH and suicidality. This study demonstrates the EMS 'everyday' exposure to DSH, suicidality and suicide case-load. It represents a critical first step in the problem-space definition upon which a determination of the need for EMS responses can be based, to interrupt suicidality by removing methods of harm and strengthening the mental health economy through social capital investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-speed rail has been operating in more than 25 countries (mainly in Asia, Europe and North America), and has become an important part of global economic development. However, the cleaning and maintenance of high-speed rail is a comprehensive task, which may easily cause environmental pollution. This study aims to analyze and improve the sustainability of the formulation and production process of a concentrated complex enzyme detergent used as the maintenance agent for high-speed trains via the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The eFootprint software system with built-in China, European and Swiss Ecoinvent databases was used to establish the LCA model with the system boundary being from cradle to gate. The LCA model showed that the production of 1 kg of concentrated detergent generates the global warming potential of 2.53 kg CO2 eq, and other environmental emissions including acidification potential of 0.01 kg SO2 eq, eutrophication potential of 3.76E-03 kg PO43−eq, inhalable inorganic matter of 3.17E-03 kg PM2.5 eq, ozone depletion potential of 5.3E-06 kg CFC-11 eq, photochemical ozone formation potential of 3.44E-03 kg NMVOC eq, primary energy demand of 3.17 MJ, abiotic depletion potential of 4.97E-6 kg antimony eq, and water use of 0.84 kg. LCA results are not strongly dependent to the assumptions of the research, and the uncertainties of LCA results are between 8 and 16%, which is mainly due to the regional differences in technology sources, the year of technical data collection, and the representativeness of technology collection companies. Carbon footprint analysis showed that the production processes of enzyme stabilizer (glycerol) and surfactants contributed the most, while changes in power consumption during production and transportation distance of raw materials had limited effect on total carbon emissions. Therefore, the formulation of the concentrated complex enzymatic detergent was improved based on the LCA results. The new formulations with less enzyme stabilizer showed similar detergency to the original formulation. The new formulations could reduce carbon emissions by 5,500–9,200 tons per year and save between $4.4 and $7.4 million in annual production of 10,000 tons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]