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Based on a systematic review of convolutional neural networks (CNN), this study explores the efficacy of small imaging sensors in monitoring the real-time presence of cyanotoxins and hazardous contaminants in urban ecosystems. To develop a machine learning-based CNN, this study first investigated the relationships between the prevalence of hazardous algal blooms (HABs) and faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in waterways and aquifers of certain semi-arid zones of Sri Lanka, Sweden and New York (United States). By incorporating a popularly known AbspectroscoPY framework to effectively process the spectrophotometric data of the obtained samples, the formulation subsequently reveals strong positive correlations between FIB coliforms and nutrient loads (particularly nitrate and phosphate). A corroborative association with the incidence of chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) among the residents of the studied regions further affirms the reliability of the methodology. These findings underline the need for policymakers to consider the geographical and land-use traits of urban habitats in strategies aimed at reducing water-borne health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrheal diseases remain a leading factor behind child mortality in Pakistan. Children residing in households with unimproved sanitation and water facilities suffer more from diarrheal illness. One of the important pathways that has not been well investigated in Pakistan is the household floor, which carries significant fecal contamination. For this purpose, the present study assesses the impact of household flooring on the incidence of diarrhea among children aged 6–59 months. Data for this cross-sectional study has been taken from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2017–18). Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression were employed. The results revealed that improved household flooring leads to a substantial reduction in childhood diarrhea. Also, well-educated mothers through better hygiene and correct dietary practices reduce diarrheal illness among children even in an unhygienic environment. Policies focused on household level factors will lower the likelihood of diarrhea and subsequently improve the health of a child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current methods for obtaining fecal egg counts in horses are often inaccurate and variable depending on the analyst's skill and experience. Automated digital scanning of fecal sample slides integrated with analysis by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is a viable, emerging alternative that can mitigate operator variation compared to conventional methods in companion animal fecal parasite diagnostics. Vetscan Imagyst is a novel fecal parasite detection system that uploads the scanned image to the cloud where proprietary software analyzes captured images for diagnostic recognition by a deep learning, object detection AI algorithm. The study describes the use and validation of Vetscan Imagyst in equine parasitology. Methods: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system in terms of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in testing equine fecal samples (n = 108) for ova from two parasites that commonly infect horses, strongyles and Parascaris spp., compared to reference assays performed by expert parasitologists using a Mini-FLOTAC technique. Two different fecal flotation solutions were used to prepare the sample slides, NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solution. Results: Diagnostic sensitivity of the Vetscan Imagyst algorithm for strongyles versus the manual reference test was 99.2% for samples prepared with NaNO3 solution and 100.0% for samples prepared with Sheather's sugar solution. Sensitivity for Parascaris spp. was 88.9% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Diagnostic specificity for strongyles was 91.4% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Specificity for Parascaris spp. was 93.6% and 99.9%, respectively, for samples prepared with NaNO3 and Sheather's sugar solutions. Lin's concordance correlation coefficients for VETSCAN IMAGYST eggs per gram counts versus those determined by the expert parasitologist were 0.924–0.978 for strongyles and 0.944–0.955 for Parascaris spp., depending on the flotation solution. Conclusions: Sensitivity and specificity results for detecting strongyles and Parascaris spp. in equine fecal samples showed that Vetscan Imagyst can consistently provide diagnostic accuracy equivalent to manual evaluations by skilled parasitologists. As an automated method driven by a deep learning AI algorithm, VETSCAN IMAGYST has the potential to avoid variations in analyst characteristics, thus providing more consistent results in a timely manner, in either clinical or laboratory settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pressure sores significantly affect elderly patients, with the sacrum being especially vulnerable, often due to its proximity to the anus and potential for fecal contamination. Despite preventive measures such as frequent repositioning and specialized cushions, some sores still necessitate surgical intervention. Postoperative care focuses on monitoring, hygiene, and pressure alleviation. This study assessed the efficacy of Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (CI-NPWT) for postoperative wound management in patients with sacral pressure sores treated with local flaps. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on sacral sore patients who underwent reconstructive surgery from March 2019 through April 2023. Surgical procedures involved debridement and wound coverage using gluteal artery perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps, followed by postoperative monitoring. Patients were grouped into conventional monitoring or NPWT management, with the latter utilizing the INFOV.A.C. The therapy unit was calibrated to 125 mmHg. Data on patient demographics, flap metrics, fluid drainage amounts, and six-month postoperative outcomes were collected, and then analyzed with SPSS Statistics. Results: In this study of 52 patients with sacral pressure sores, the NPWT group (n = 25) showed significantly fewer flap complications and a lower drainage volume on the seventh postoperative day (mean 17.2 cc) compared to the conventional dressing group (mean 27.8 cc, P < 0.05). No postoperative complications were observed in the NPWT group, whereas the conventional group (n = 27) experienced one infection and three cases of dehiscence. Both groups achieved a 100% flap survival rate. Conclusion: Closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (CI-NPWT) shows promise in reducing wound dehiscence and infection rates in elderly patients undergoing sacral pressure sore reconstruction with local flaps. However, further research with larger, randomized studies is needed to confirm its effectiveness as an alternative to conventional postoperative care. Trial registration. The study was retrospectively registered by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center (No. 20–2023–25, Date: Mar. 24 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbial dysbiosis, especially bacteriome, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, nonbacterial members of the gut microbiome in AD, such as the mycobiome, archaeome, and virome, are unexplored. Here, we perform higher-resolution shotgun metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples collected longitudinally from a mouse model of AD to investigate longitudinal and multi-kingdom gut microbiome profiling. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples from AD mice and healthy mice returns 41,222 bacterial, 414 fungal, 1836 archaeal, and 1916 viral species across all time points. The ecological network pattern of the gut microbiome in AD mice is characterized by more complex bacterial–bacterial interactions and fungal–fungal interactions, as well as simpler archaeal–archaeal interactions and viral–viral interactions. The development of AD is accompanied by multi-kingdom shifts in the gut microbiome composition, as evidenced by the identification of 1177 differential bacterial, 84 differential fungal, 59 differential archaeal, and 10 differential viral species between healthy and AD mice across all time points. In addition, the functional potential of the gut microbiome is partially altered in the development of AD. Collectively, our findings uncover longitudinal and multi-kingdom gut microbiome alterations in AD and provide a motivation for considering microbiome-based therapeutics during the prevention and treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases in recreational beaches has been evaluated through the quantification of fecal indicator bacteria in water samples using culture methods. The analyses of sand samples have recently been developed as a complement to the monitoring of recreational waters in beach quality assessments. The growing use of molecular techniques for environmental monitoring allows for the rapid detection of pathogenic genes, thus providing more accurate information regarding the health risk of exposure to contaminated sand. The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between the fecal indicators abundance in water and sand and the presence of Shiga toxin-producer Escherichia coli (STEC) in sand by analyzing samples from touristic beaches using culture-dependent (fecal coliforms assay) and culture-independent (real-time PCR of stx1, stx2, and eae genes) techniques. We found a high concentration of coliform bacteria in water and sand in several beaches in eastern Uruguay, with different levels of sanitation networks and levels of urbanization. The presence of STEC virulence genes (mainly stx1) was confirmed in 8 out of 20 sand samples. The recreational use of sandy beaches may imply a risk to the health of its users, especially near streams and creek outflows, thus highlighting the need of monitoring sand bacteriological quality and pathogens using molecular tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface waters within the basin of the Laurentian Great Lakes are impacted by microbial contamination from municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff, as well as from other sources. In particular, microbial contamination of drinking water is an ongoing problem within many Indigenous communities located in the basin. However, it is difficult to identify the sources of microbial contamination using the traditional monitoring approaches with fecal indicator bacteria, such as total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this study, we evaluated whether surface waters in the basin are contaminated with fecal bacteria of human origin using chemical indicators of domestic wastewater (i.e., caffeine and sucralose) and with Bacteroidales 16S rRNA markers. Study areas included the Grand River watershed within the Lake Erie basin and three nearshore locations within the Great Lakes basin. Two of these sites are sources of drinking water for Indigenous communities. We assessed whether there were relationships between the concentrations of fecal indicator microorganisms and chemical indicators of domestic wastewater at selected study locations. Analysis of genetic markers indicated that about 30% of the Bacteroidales bacteria present at a site in the Grand River were of human fecal origin and the balance were of bovine or general animal origin. The presence of caffeine and sucralose in surface waters indicated that there was upstream contamination by domestic wastewater. However, in the drinking water treatment plant operated by Six Nations of the Grand River, the levels of these chemical indicators and fecal bacteria were reduced by the advanced water treatment technologies. The concentrations of sucralose and caffeine collectively were strongly correlated with the levels of total coliforms in samples from the Grand River (R2 = 0.75) and with levels of E. coli in samples from the Great Lakes basin (R2 = 0.97), but there appeared to be an upper threshold for this relationship. These data indicate that analysis of caffeine and sucralose and genetic markers for strains of Bacteroidales fecal bacteria may be useful tools for identifying the sources of microbiological contamination of surface waters and drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface water contamination by fecal matter threatens human health due to human and biological processes within a watershed, making socioeconomic development crucial for predicting and improving microbiological water quality. Consequently, climate change alters climatic parameters that affect flow regimes and the movement and fate of microorganisms. This study assessed the fate and transport of microbial Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations and their sources in the Tano River Basin in Ghana. Additionally, the study predicted future E. coli concentrations using climate change scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s most recent representative concentration pathways (RCPs) and shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). Scenario_1 featured planned urbanization, enhanced manure and wastewater treatment, moderate population, livestock density growth, and climate change. Scenario_2 involved higher population growth, minimal improvements in wastewater management, zero manure treatment, higher livestock population, urbanization, and substantial climate change. Calibration and validation using E. coli data from June 2022 to April 2023 showed good agreement with observed concentrations (R2, 0.75 and 0.89; NSE, 0.69 and 0.68; PBIAS, 3.4 and 1.9, respectively). The measured and modeled E. coli concentrations were high, with the highest recording at 2.39 log cfu/100 ml during the rainy season. The study finds that the main causes of E. coli concentrations (44%) are point sources, primarily from human feces and livestock manure, followed by upstream pollution (34%) and non-point sources (22%). Non-point sources became the predominant contributors during periods of maximum discharge due to runoff from land and the dilution of point sources. Again Scenario_1 E. coli dropped to 68% and 97% of reference point levels by the 2050s and 2100s, respectively. E. coli concentrations decrease even more with subsequent treatment, such as tertiary treatment, manure treatment, or both. The scenario analysis demonstrates the potential for E. coli reduction through wastewater and manure treatment, driven by socioeconomic and climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro during the dry season under low flow conditions. Fifty-one samples covering eight different water sources (i.e., stream water from natural and anthropogenic impacted streams, domestic water, spring water, rainfall, groundwater, lake water and water from irrigation canals) were collected in a snapshot sampling campaign over 10 days in February 2023. First, physical, chemical and biological parameters were analysed and compared with Tanzanian and international drinking and irrigation water quality requirements. The samples were then ranked according to their suitability for drinking and/or irrigation using water quality indices (WQI). All drinking water quality parameters except for E. coli and turbidity were within the permissible limits. A generalised problem of faecal contamination was found in the study area, including in domestic water, highlighting the need to identify sources of contamination and remediate them before distribution. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) classified 89% of the samples as unsuitable and 11% as excellent for drinking. Irrigation water quality parameters were within the guidelines of restriction of use except for pH in 5 samples. In contrast to the DWQI, the vast majority of the water samples (88%) can be used for irrigation without restrictions according to the irrigation water quality index (IWQI). The suitability of water for irrigation was also assessed using three indices, i.e., Kelley's Index, Soluble Sodium Percentage and Magnesium Ratio, which indicated potential problems with excess of sodium (about 30% of the samples) and magnesium (about 20%). Further studies combining suitability indices, soil characteristics and crop types are recommended to assess water quality for irrigation use. Article Highlights: The southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro act as a water tower, providing drinking water and irrigation resources for surrounding communities. The drinking water quality was found to be compromised by a widespread presence of E. coli bacteria, which indicates faecal contamination. The irrigation water quality was generally good, although there were indications of sodium and magnesium excess in the central and eastern parts of the study area, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to safe drinking water sources and appropriate sanitation facilities remains a dream in low and middle-income countries including South Africa. This study identified the origin of faecal pollution by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting host-specific Bacteroidales genetic markers to track the distribution of human-specific (BacHum) and animal-specific (cattle—BacCow, chicken—Cytb, pig—Pig-2-Bac, dog—BacCan) markers in water sources used by rural communities of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). Results revealed the prevalence of BacHum, BacCow, and BacCan in all surface water sources in Thulamela Local Municipality (TLM) and Collins Chabane Local Municipality (CLM) during wet (100%) and dry seasons (50–75%). Cytb was not detected in untreated spring water in TLM and CLM, and Pig-2-Bac was not detected in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM during both seasons. Household-level analysis detected Cytb (28.8% wet, 17.5% dry), BacHum (34.4% wet, 25% dry for Pig-2-Bac) in stored untreated spring water in CLM, and Cytb (42.9% wet, 28.5% dry) in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM. Despite differences in detection frequencies of host-specific Bacteroidales, the study highlights the public health concern of faecal pollution in rural VDM households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate taxonomic species identification is essential to the study of mammals. Despite this necessity, rapid and accurate identification of cryptic, understudied, and elusive mammals remains challenging. Traditional barcoding of mitochondrial genes is standard for molecular identification but requires time-consuming wet-lab methodologies. Recent bioinformatic advancements for nanopore sequencing data offer exciting opportunities for noninvasive and field-based identification of mammals. Nanopore adaptive sampling (NAS), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-free method, selectively sequences regions of DNA according to user-specified reference databases. Here, we utilized NAS to enrich mammalian mitochondrial genome sequencing to identify species. Fecal DNA extractions were sequenced from 9 mammals, several collected in collaboration with Minnesota Tribal Nations, to demonstrate utility for NAS barcoding of noninvasive samples. By mapping to the entire National Center for Biotechnology Information mammalian mitochondrial reference genome database and bioinformatically analyzing highly similar matches, we successfully produced species identifications for all fecal samples. Eight of 9 species identifications matched previous PCR or animal/fecal appearance-based identifications. For the ninth species, our genetic data indicate a misidentification stemming from the original study. Our approach has a range of applications—particularly in field-based wildlife research, conservation, disease surveillance, and monitoring of wildlife trade. Of importance to Minnesota tribes is invasive species monitoring, detections, and confirmation as climate impacts cause changes in biodiversity and shifts in species distributions. The rapid assessment techniques described here will be useful as new introductions and range expansions of native and invasive species may first be detected by the presence of signs such as scat rather than direct observations and will be helpful for chronically understaffed tribal natural resources agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ensuring the availability of safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria and, geographical, children availability, and seasonal exposure assessment through a meta-analysis. Methods: Two independent review groups extensively searched internet databases for English-language research articles published between 2013 and 2023. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of each included study was evaluated using the STROBE guidelines. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of a funnel plot and then tested by the Egger regression test, and meta-analysis was performed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse variance weighting. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to explore heterogeneity. Results: Out of 48 potentially relevant studies, only 21 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli was 64% (95% CI: 56.0–71.0%, I2 = 95.8%) and 54% (95% CI: 45.7–62.3%, I2 = 94.2%), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of fecal coliform bacteria increased during the wet season (70%) compared to the dry season (60%), particularly in households with under-five children (74%) compared to all households (61%), in rural (68%) versus urban (66%) areas, and in regions with high prevalence such as Amhara (71%), Gambela (71%), and Oromia (70%). Similarly, the prevalence of E. coli was higher in households with under-five children (66%) than in all households (46%). Conclusions: The analysis highlights the higher prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli within households drinking water, indicating that these bacteria are a significant public health concern. Moreover, these findings emphasize the critical need for targeted interventions aimed at improving drinking water quality to reduce the risk of fecal contamination and enhance public health outcomes for susceptible groups, including households with under-five children, in particular geographical areas such as the Amhara, Gambela, and Oromia regions, as well as rural areas, at point-of-use, and during the rainy season. Registration: This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration ID - CRD42023448812). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded animals and is routinely used as an indicator of fecal contamination in recreational waters. While most E. coli are commensal, some can harbor pathogenic potential, posing a major public health risk. This study investigated the sources of fecal contamination in recreational waters through the characterization of E. coli isolates. Presumptive E. coli detection was performed using selective and differential media, confirmed by PCR, and followed by characterization. E. coli were detected in all studied aquatic environments, with most isolates belonging to phylogenetic groups D1 (24%, non-human mammals) and B1 (20%, birds), suggesting animals as primary contaminants sources. Among E. coli isolates, 35% were identified as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), with enterotoxigenic (34%) and enterohemorrhagic (26%) being the most prevalent pathotypes. Furthermore, 85% of all isolates and 86.5% of DEC isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance, with highest rates displayed in phylogenetic subgroups A1 (human and non-human mammals) and B1. This study highlights the importance of the One Health approach encompassing a human, animal, and environmental holistic health perspective to effectively manage public health strategies and ensure the safety of beachgoers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer and its precancerous lesions can significantly improve patients' survival rates. The purpose of this research is to identify methylation markers specific to colorectal cancer tissues and validate their diagnostic capability in colorectal cancer and precancerous changes by measuring the level of DNA methylation in stool samples. Method: We analyzed samples from six cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues and fecal samples from 758 participants, including 62 patients with interfering diseases. Bioinformatics databases were used to screen for candidate biomarkers for CRC, and quantitative methylation-specific PCR methods were applied for identification. The methylation levels of the candidate biomarkers in fecal and tissue samples were measured. Logistic regression and random forest models were built and validated using fecal sample data from one of the centers, and the independent or combined diagnostic value of the candidate biomarkers in fecal samples for CRC and precancerous lesions was analyzed. Finally, the diagnostic capability and stability of the model were validated at another medical center. Results: This study identified two colorectal cancer CpG sites with tissue specificity. These two biomarkers have certain diagnostic power when used individually, but their diagnostic value for colorectal cancer and colorectal adenoma is more significant when they are used in combination. Conclusion: The results indicate that a DNA methylation biomarker combined diagnostic model based on two CpG sites, cg13096260 and cg12587766, has the potential for screening and diagnosing precancerous lesions and colorectal cancer. Additionally, compared to traditional diagnostic models, machine learning algorithms perform better but may yield more false-positive results, necessitating further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine Teschoviruses (PTVs) are ubiquitous enteric viral pathogens that infect pigs and wild boars worldwide. PTVs have been responsible for causing the severe clinical disease (Teschen disease) to asymptomatic infections. However, to date, limited information is available on large-scale epidemiological data and molecular characterization of PTVs in several countries. In this study, we report epidemiological data on PTVs based on screening of 534 porcine fecal samples from different states of India and a RT-PCR based detection of PTVs shows a percent positivity of 8.24% (44/534). The PTV prevalence varied among different regions of the country with the highest detection rates observed in the state of Karnataka (38.1%). Phylogenetic analysis based on VP1 gene reveals the presence of PTV genotype 6 and 13 along with some unassigned novel genotypes which did not cluster with any of the established PTV genotypes (PTV 1–PTV 13). Indian PTV 6 strains are genetically closest to the Spanish strains (85.7–94.4%) whereas PTV 13 and novel genotype strains were found to be more similar to the Chinese strains (88.1–99.1%). Using recombination detection software, no Indian PTVs found to be recombinant on VP1 gene and selection pressure analysis revealed the purifying selection in the several sites of the VP1 gene of PTVs. The Bayesian analysis of Indian PTVs shows 1.16 × 10–4 substitution/site/year as the mean evolutionary rate. Further, isolation of the novel PTV strains from India and more detailed investigation much needed to know the evolutionary history of PTV strains circulating in porcine populations in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of stream water quality is a key element of water resource management worldwide, but methods that are commonly used in temperate habitats may not be appropriate in humid tropical systems. We assessed the influence of four land uses on microbial water quality in 21 streams in the Panama Canal Watershed over a one-year period, using a common culture-based fecal indicator test and 16S rDNA metabarcoding. Each stream was located within one of four land uses: mature forest, secondary forest, silvopasture, and traditional cattle pasture. Culturing detected total coliforms and Escherichia coli across all sites but found no significant differences in concentrations between land uses. However, 16S rDNA metabarcoding revealed variability in the abundance of coliforms across land uses and several genera that can cause false positives in culture-based tests. Our results indicate that culture-based fecal indicator bacteria tests targeting coliforms may be poor indicators of fecal contamination in Neotropical oligotrophic streams and suggest that tests targeting members of the Bacteroidales would provide a more reliable indication of fecal contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micropollutants also known as "emerging micropollutants" (EMPs) have gained significant attention in research, with a particular emphasis on the ocean, marine water, and river pollution. The interest arises from the impact of EMPs on aquatic ecosystems, often originating from sources such as wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and septic tanks leakage. However, EMPs pollution in surface water can also be caused by leakage of septic tanks. In Indonesia, where septic tanks maintenance is generally neglected, there is a potential risk of EMPs contamination. The outcome and transformation of EMPs, as well as their potential transport pathways, are influenced by sanitary conditions and the effectiveness of existing septic tanks. This concern has escalated to the point of causing fecal contamination in drinking water sources. Therefore, this research focuses on EMPs, specifically pharmaceutical EMPs, leakage from septic tanks, and their possible fate and transport. It also discusses related perspectives of previous research related to EMPs contamination due to leakage of septic tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to understand the extent of microplastic contamination in Pekalongan waters, Central Java, and its potential impact on fishing grounds, aligning with Indonesia's National Action Plan for Handling Marine Debris 2018–2025. The study employs a 2D hydrodynamics modelling approach with Mike 21 Software to map the spatial distribution of microplastic movement concerning fishing areas during the west and east monsoon seasons. The results showed that microplastic particles follow tidal currents in Pekalongan waters, with their movement influenced by factors such as current, wind, and tidal conditions. The trajectory of microplastics entering fishing ground areas poses potential contamination risk for fish caught by fishermen, threatening the health of marine ecosystems and the stability of their structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal material is one of the principal components in domestic wastewater (DWW). In this sense, Escherichia coli is a recognized indicator of fecal pollution due to its low-cost monitoring in DWW. Moreover, DWW are a pathogen reservoir that become a health hazard when its discharges are poured to water bodies without treatment. In this study, a simple and low-cost method was developed to functionalize the leaves (LC), peel (PC), and seeds (SC) of Moringa oleifera (MO), with an saline extract (NaCl 0.35 M), to obtain coagulants capable to reduce the presence of bacteria indicating fecal contamination and other pollution indicators in Guerrero, Mexico. The optimal doses were determined with a surface response using Sigma Plot® 8.10 software through a factor design of mixed levels. The optimal conditions for the reduction of the microbiological and physicochemical parameters were PC and SC, with concentrations of 70 g/l of the grinded material used to prepare the MO-coagulants, with doses of 1 and 6 mL, respectively, evaluated for the pollutant's removal in the wastewater samples. The results showed the removal of fecal coliforms (99.3%), E. coli (92%), nitrates (47.9%), total dissolved solids (63%), turbidity (90%) and a dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) of 7.1 g/l in the treated wastewater. The developed method, using MO, is a simple and efficient tool for the reduction of bacteria indicating fecal contamination and other pollution indicators present in DWW. Highlights: The Moringa oleifera (MO) coagulants eliminated 99.3% of fecal coliforms and 92% of E. coli from wastewater discharged into the Huacapa River. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the coagulation process of wastewater using MO-coagulants. The methodology developed in this study could be applied to treatment of surface water in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes present in the vermicompost plays a major role in exhibiting the beneficiary effect which results in significant plant growth and yield. In this study, we aim to analyze the microbial load present in the vermicompost which is prepared from different medicinal plants including Phyllanthus emblica, Senna auriculata, Justicia adhatoda, Annona squamosa at two different ratios of preparation with cow dung. To perform this, microbial load was evaluated before and after vermicompost formation. After completion, it was observed that fungal and actinomycetes loads were significantly higher in vermicompost samples prepared from Phyllanthus emblica plant samples. Concerning bacterial load, it was observed that vermicompost samples prepared from Senna auriculata showed the maximum load. These data provide us the information about the importance of the vermicompost with different medicinal plants in increasing the microbial load concentration which further enables plant growth and yield. It is also noted that the ratio of 1:2 gave better microbial load results than the 1:1 ratio sample. These datasets provide us with the basic knowledge to improvise the field of the vermicomposting process with the potential usage of medicinal plants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to safe drinking water sources and appropriate sanitation facilities remains a dream in low and middle-income countries including South Africa. This study identified the origin of faecal pollution by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting host-specific Bacteroidales genetic markers to track the distribution of human-specific (BacHum) and animal-specific (cattle—BacCow, chicken—Cytb, pig—Pig-2-Bac, dog—BacCan) markers in water sources used by rural communities of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). Results revealed the prevalence of BacHum, BacCow, and BacCan in all surface water sources in Thulamela Local Municipality (TLM) and Collins Chabane Local Municipality (CLM) during wet (100%) and dry seasons (50–75%). Cytb was not detected in untreated spring water in TLM and CLM, and Pig-2-Bac was not detected in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM during both seasons. Household-level analysis detected Cytb (28.8% wet, 17.5% dry), BacHum (34.4% wet, 25% dry for Pig-2-Bac) in stored untreated spring water in CLM, and Cytb (42.9% wet, 28.5% dry) in untreated hand-dug well water in TLM. Despite differences in detection frequencies of host-specific Bacteroidales, the study highlights the public health concern of faecal pollution in rural VDM households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Fiji, 90% of the population has access to basic sanitation; however, there are still persistent health risks from endemic faecal-oral diseases such as typhoid fever. There is a need to assess the contribution of existing sanitation facilities in the faecal pathogen transmission pathway. This study was conducted as part of a larger planetary health study across 29 rural communities within five river catchments. This specific research aimed to characterise latrine front-ends, both infrastructure and usage behaviour, and to assess the faecal contamination levels on various frequently contacted latrine surfaces in rural Fiji. A sanitation survey, along with observation and latrine swab sampling, was conducted in households over three phases: baseline (n = 311) (Aug–Dec 2019), endline (n = 262) (Jun–Sep 2022) and an in-depth front-end study (n = 12) (Oct–Nov 2022). Of 311 households, almost all had pedestal-type latrines, predominately cistern-flush (83%), followed by pour-flush (13%), and then hole-type (pit) latrines (4%). Washable latrine floors had significantly higher E. coli densities (6.7 × 102 CFU/25 cm2) compared to non-washable floors (1.3 × 102 CFU/25 cm2) (p = 0.05), despite washable floors indicating improved latrines. The in-depth front-end analysis found that moist latrine surfaces had significantly elevated E. coli densities (1.2 × 103 CFU/25 cm2) compared to the dry ones (14.3 CFU/25 cm2) (p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of maintaining dry latrine surfaces. Latrine floors and mid-walls were the most frequently contaminated surfaces, emphasising the need to clean and disinfect these surfaces. Only 46% of the households reported always using soap for handwashing after defecation, exacerbating the risk of transmitting faecal pathogens. This study highlights that latrine cleanliness and hygiene are as crucial as latrine infrastructures for the effective disruption of faecal pathogens transmission during latrine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe drinking water access is a human right, but data on safely managed drinking water services (SMDWS) is lacking for more than half of the global population. We estimate SMDWS use in 135 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) at subnational levels with a geospatial modeling approach, combining existing household survey data with available global geospatial datasets. We estimate that only one in three people used SMDWS in LMICs in 2020 and identified fecal contamination as the primary limiting factor affecting almost half of the population of LMICs. Our results are relevant for raising awareness about the challenges and limitations of current global monitoring approaches and demonstrating how globally available geospatial data can be leveraged to fill data gaps and identify priority areas in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of water faecal contamination on highly threatened European brook lamprey larvae (Lampetra planeri). Water samples and the midgut contents of lampreys collected from a small lowland river upstream (site 1) and downstream from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge (site 2) were analysed to check how the faecal microbial load of the habitat is reflected in the intestines of larval lampreys. The counts of viable mesophiles, psychrophiles, Escherichia coli and faecal streptococci as bacterial indicators of microbial (including faecal) water contamination were estimated. Microbial composition and abundance in larval midgut contents depended on the numbers of various microorganisms in the water environment. At site 2, the water was heavily microbiologically contaminated throughout the year by sewage inflow from the WWTP, and the amounts of studied bacteria were also high in the midgut of lampreys inhabiting site 2 regardless of the season. At site 1, water quality was better, and the levels of tested microbial indicators were lower in the intestines of the lampreys living there. The numbers of bacteria dependent on water temperature were growing in warmer seasons both in water and in intestines. Sewage pollution negatively influenced the condition of lampreys in site 2, where they exhibited lower body condition than in site 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the relationship between handler hygiene and the content of coliform bacteria in drinking water depots in the former Maospati District, Magetan Regency in 2024. Coliform bacteria are used as an indicator of fecal contamination in drinking water, which can pose serious health risks for consumers. The research method used is analytical observational with a cross-sectional approach. Sampling was carried out at simple random from 52 drinking water depots, with a total of 19 samples analyzed using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method to determine the concentration of coliform bacteria. The research results showed that the majority of drinking water depots (59%) had poor handler hygiene, while the remaining 41% had good hygiene. Microbiologically, 51.3% of water samples did not meet the requirements because they contained coliform bacteria, while 48.7% met the requirements. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between poor handler hygiene and high levels of coliform content (p = 0.001), with a relative risk 12.2 times higher. This study makes an important contribution to knowledge about drinking water safety in the region, highlighting the importance of sanitation and hygiene monitoring in drinking water depots to reduce public health risks. Recommendations from this research include increased supervision and training for drinking water depot managers, as well as the need to strengthen regulations and implement stricter sanitation hygiene standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal infections caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. along with antimicrobial resistance spread are a major food safety concern worldwide. Here, we evaluate the potential of competitive exclusion products developed by anaerobic or aerobic conditions to control systemic infection, cecal colonization, fecal excretion, and improve the intestinal health in broilers challenged by Salmonella Heidelberg (SH). A total of 105 day-old chickens were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: A (untreated control), B (treated with anaerobic culture), and C (treated with aerobic culture). During 21 days, morphometric parameters of the small intestine were analyzed using microscopy, fecal excretions by cloacal swabs, systemic infection, and cecal colonization by colony-forming unit counts (CFU/g). The results indicated the lowest number of positive swabs (45.33%) recovered from Group C, followed by Group B (71.8%) and Group A (85.33%). The bacterial enumeration revealed the lowest amounts in Group C at the necropsy realized in 5-, 7-, and 14-days post-infection (DPI) (P  = 0.0010, P  = 0.0048, and P  = 0.0094, respectively). Statistical differences between intestinal morphometrics were observed in the Group C at 21 DPI. Our results suggest that the product developed under aerobic conditions can improve intestinal health, protecting birds against SH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-week trial was conducted to compare the effects of a conventional flow-through system diet (FTS) and an experimental RAS diet (ERAS) on fish performance, water quality and general system implication in a replicated recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). Six identical RAS, each with a total system water volume of 1500 L and cylindrical rearing tanks of 1000 L were stocked with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts with an average weight of 199.7 ± 28 g, to an average stocking density of 30 kg/m3 and reaching approximately 49 kg/m3 at the trial end. The ERAS diet were composed to inhabit typical RAS feed characteristics compared with the FTS diet, such as a higher fecal stability and reduced protein levels (−12%), but at the same time increased fat content (+8%) to secure similar gross energy levels (22–23 MJ kg−1) between the two diets. Water quality parameters were measured individually. The total accumulation of minerals and metals was analyzed in water from different parts of the system at the start and end of the trial period for both diets. No differences in growth, condition factor, feed conversion rate (FCR), or survival of fish fed the two dietary adaptations were observed. The system using the ERAS diet showed significantly higher pH (+1.2%) and alkalinity (+17%) and lower total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (−18%) and NO2− (−46%) compared with the FTS diet. The count of drum filter activations was also significantly lower (−13%) with the ERAS diet. Compared with the FTS diet, the ERAS diet had a lower probability (−4%) of generating particles smaller than 50 μm, and that the RAS was also more effective in removing particles from the drum filter, prompting a lower daily activation of the filter of 22.1 ± 3.0 counts compared with 25.5 ± 3.5 for the FTS diet. Mineral analysis showed a significantly lower accumulation of total phosphorus (TP) (−90%) and dissolved phosphorus (DP) (−92%) in the RAS units using the ERAS diet compared with those using the FTS diet. Compared with a traditional flow-through diet, these results highlight the benefits of using an RAS-adapted diet that matches the energy requirement of flow-through diets regarding water quality, system performance, satisfactory growth, and condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New Mexico Jumping Mouse (Zapus luteus) is a federally endangered granivore active for only 3 to 5 months annually. Knowledge of diet can help guide habitat recovery and yet despite calls for restoration of its riparian habitat, the diet of Z. luteus remains largely unknown. To date, only 8 plant species have been described in the diet—whereas insectivory, mycophagy, and dietary shifts have only been hypothesized. In the late summer, Z. luteus rapidly accumulates fat for a 9-month hibernation and restoration may fail if seasonal variation in the diet is overlooked. We used DNA metabarcoding on fecal DNA (n = 165) to resolve dietary taxa within multiple trophic levels of the diet and investigate monthly patterns of consumption. Seldom studied in metabarcoding frameworks, we also investigated exogenous contamination in Sherman live-capture traps. Potential contamination among feces, pelage, and trap surfaces was detectable but low (median = 0% to 2%), with fecal communities distinct from exogenous sources. The diet of Z. luteus was varied and most frequently (frequency of occurrence) of graminoids, forbs, lepidopterans, dipterids, and false-truffles. For plant foods, dietary diversity increased throughout their season of activity, shifting from sedges and woody vegetation in the early season (June to July) to forbs and grasses in the late season (August to September). Insect consumption was consistently detected throughout the season, whereas mycophagy was more frequently detected in August, when hypogeous fungi are typically more abundant. The breadth of dietary taxa suggests plasticity in resource use, potentially accommodating diverse patterns of seed availability throughout their active period. Shifts in plant consumption may reflect a dietary adaptation to the phenological patterns of their plant communities, a synchrony that might benefit both pre- and post-hibernation survival. Our work substantially improves our understanding of the diet of Z. luteus (241 dietary taxa) and will be useful for guiding habitat recovery. It also offers scalable methods to further investigate the diet under disturbance contexts (e.g. grazing, wildfire, drought). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During adaptive laboratory evolution experiments, any unexpected interruption in data monitoring or control could lead to the loss of valuable experimental data and compromise the integrity of the entire experiment. Most homemade mini-bioreactors are built employing microcontrollers such as Arduino. Although affordable, these platforms lack the robustness of the programmable logic controller (PLC), which enhances the safety and robustness of the control process. Here, we describe the design and validation of a PLC-controlled morbidostat, an innovative automated continuous-culture mini-bioreactor specifically created to study the evolutionary pathways to drug resistance in microorganisms. This morbidostat includes several improvements, both at the hardware and software level, for better online monitoring and a more robust operation. The device was validated employing Escherichia coli, exploring its adaptive evolution in the presence of didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), a quaternary ammonium compound widely used for its antimicrobial properties. E. coli was subjected to increasing concentrations of DDAC over 3 days. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in DDAC susceptibility, with evolved populations exhibiting substantial changes in their growth after exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the poultry industry, the evisceration stage often sees the highest microbial load on chicken carcasses. While manual trimming has traditionally been employed to remove gastrointestinal contamination, Brazilian legislation allows the use of a carcass washing system as an alternative. This study aimed to establish and validate a protocol for the use of a chicken carcass washing system as a replacement for manual trimming in a major poultry processing facility in southern Brazil. The methodology followed international standards for microbial analysis such as total mesophilic counts and Enterobacteriaceae. Comparing contamination levels before and after treatments, significant reductions are seen. Manual trimming reduced contamination by 39.43% (gastric), 53% (fecal), and 50% (biliary). Washing achieved greater reductions, with a 96.37% drop in gastric contamination and complete elimination (100%) of fecal contamination. These results met statistical significance. Both procedures reduced contamination levels. Manual trimming maintained 50% of samples below the mean value without exceeding upper control limits (UCL). Washing increased the percentage of samples below the mean value from 46% to 54%, demonstrating its superior efficiency. For Enterobacteriaceae, trimming maintained 44% of samples below the mean value, and washing increased it from 46% to 48%. In conclusion, the carcass washing system effectively removes visible gastrointestinal contents, meeting regulatory standards and receiving authorization from the Federal Inspection Service for use in the facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This year-long research analyzed emerging risks in influent, effluent wastewaters and biosolids from six wastewater treatment plants in Spain's Valencian Region. Specifically, it focused on human enteric and respiratory viruses, bacterial and viral faecal contamination indicators, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli, and antibiotic-resistance genes. Additionally, particles and microplastics in biosolid and wastewater samples were assessed. Human enteric viruses were prevalent in influent wastewater, with limited post-treatment reduction. Wastewater treatment effectively eliminated respiratory viruses, except for low levels of SARS-CoV-2 in effluent and biosolid samples, suggesting minimal public health risk. Antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics were persistently found in effluent and biosolids, thus indicating treatment inefficiencies and potential environmental dissemination. This multifaced research sheds light on diverse contaminants present after water reclamation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in wastewater management. It underscores the need for a One Health approach to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small water supply systems (SWSSs) are often more vulnerable to waterborne disease outbreaks. In Japan, many SWSSs operate without regulation under the Waterworks Law, yet there is limited investigation into microbial contamination and the associated health risks. In this study, the microbiological water quality of four SWSSs that utilize mountain streams as water sources and do not install water treatment facilities were monitored for over 2 years. In investigated SWSSs, the mean heterotrophic plate counts were below 350 CFU/mL, and the total bacterial loads (16S rDNA concentration) ranged from 4.71 to 5.35 log10 copies/mL. The results also showed the consistent presence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), i.e., Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, suggesting the potential of fecal pollution. E. coli was then utilized as an indicator to assess the health risk posed by E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni. The results indicated that the estimated mean annual risk of infection and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) exceeded acceptable levels in all SWSSs for the two reference pathogens. To ensure microbial water safety, implementing appropriate water treatment facilities with an estimated mean required reduction of 5–6 log10 was necessary. This study highlighted the potential microbial contamination and health risk level in SWSSs that utilize mountain streams as water sources, even though the water sources were almost not affected by human activities. Furthermore, this study would also be helpful in supporting risk-based water management to ensure a safe water supply in SWSSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the application of green microbiology to promote sustainability in water management, agriculture, and energy production. Topics include microbial pollutant degradation in water, the use of microbes as biofertilizers and biostimulants in agriculture, and advancements in microbial fuel cells for energy generation.

The article focuses on evaluating the physicochemical and microbiological quality of multi-village drinking water sources in North Shoa zone, Ethiopia. Topics include the assessment of temperature and turbidity levels, bacteriological contamination with coliforms, and the impact of inadequate water source handling on public health.

The article focuses on evaluating the seasonal changes in groundwater quality in the Al Hoceima region of northern Morocco, with an emphasis on physicochemical parameters and indicators of fecal contamination. Topics include seasonal variations in groundwater quality, analysis of physicochemical and bacteriological data, and the impact of environmental factors on water contamination.

As bioindicators, freshwater bivalves are crucial for the assessment of the contamination impact on different levels of biological integration. Escherichia coli is used as a bioindicator of water fecal contamination, representing a critical global concern, especially with the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Phylogenetic diversity, pathotypic characterization, and antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolated from freshwater bivalves (Anodonta anatina) were assessed. Samples were collected from the Tua River in Northern Portugal, from two different sites, Chelas and Barcel, representing different degrees of contamination. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method, and characterizations of the phylogenetic groups and pathotypes were assessed by PCR-multiplex and real-time PCR-multiplex, respectively. Results showed that 60% of isolates were characterized as MDR, including resistance to carbapenems, considered the last resort against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Within this study, it was also possible to verify the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile differences between the two sampling sites, with bivalve isolates from the Chelas site showing a higher percentage of antibiotic resistance. Among the E. coli isolates, the highest prevalence (55%) was observed in group B1, followed by group D or E (15%), group A (10%), and group E or Clade I (10%). None of the isolates were classified as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). This work highlights the potential transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through bivalves in the food chain. The 'One Health' approach is crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance, namely in edible freshwater species, emphasizing active surveillance to protect human, animal, and environmental health against the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering metabolism to efficiently produce chemicals from multi-step pathways requires optimizing multi-gene expression programs to achieve enzyme balance. CRISPR-Cas transcriptional control systems are emerging as important tools for programming multi-gene expression, but poor predictability of guide RNA folding can disrupt expression control. Here, we correlate efficacy of modified guide RNAs (scRNAs) for CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) in E. coli with a computational kinetic parameter describing scRNA folding rate into the active structure (rS = 0.8). This parameter also enables forward design of scRNAs, allowing us to design a system of three synthetic CRISPRa promoters that can orthogonally activate (>35-fold) expression of chosen outputs. Through combinatorial activation tuning, we profile a three-dimensional design space expressing two different biosynthetic pathways, demonstrating variable production of pteridine and human milk oligosaccharide products. This RNA design approach aids combinatorial optimization of metabolic pathways and may accelerate routine design of effective multi-gene regulation programs in bacterial hosts. Guide RNA folding affects functionality of CRISPR-Cas transcriptional control systems. Here, the authors report computational gRNA design together with creation of synthetic CRISPRa promoters for orthogonal expression control and demonstrate the application in pteridine and human milk oligosaccharide production in E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water pollution in densely populated urban areas, mainly from municipal wastewater, poses a significant threat. Pathogenic bacteria, such as Vibrio spp. and fecal coliform, endanger public health and the environment. Additionally, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater complicate treatment and heighten public health concerns. Methods: The study sampled municipal wastewater from ten Dhaka neighborhoods, selecting treatment plants, sewage outlets, and various collection points using meticulous techniques for representative samples. Bacteriological and biochemical analyses were conducted using standardized methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed with the disk diffusion method against 13 widely used antibiotics. Results: All sampled areas exhibited positive results for Vibrio spp., fecal coliform, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. Varying bacterial concentrations were observed, with the highest concentration of TVC, total vibrio spp., and total fecal coliform, total E. coli count, and total Salmonella spp. were found in Uttara (1.9 × 104 CFU/ml), Bangshal (1.8 × 102 CFU/ml), and Lalbag (2.1 × 103 CFU/ml), Mirpur (3.70 × 102 CFU/ml), and Lalbag (6 × 102 CFU/ml) respectively. AST results revealed significant resistance among all bacterial species to various antibiotics. Specifically, Vibrio spp. showed 100% resistance to cefuroxime, fecal coliform exhibited 90% resistance to cephradine, E. coli demonstrated 60% resistance to cephradine, and Salmonella spp. displayed 90% resistance to ampicillin. Conclusion: The study highlights the existence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Dhaka's wastewater. Addressing antibiotic resistance is essential to manage the risks of multiple antibiotic-resistant infections and maintain antibiotic effectiveness. These implications are critical for various stakeholders, including public health officials, policymakers, environmentalists, and urban planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhaustive exercise is known to induce muscle damage characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. Although "regular" and "weekend warrior" exercise regimens have been shown to confer comparable health benefits in human studies, such as reduced risks of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality, their differential impacts on muscle damage post-exhaustive exercise remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of long-term, moderate-intensity (LTMI) and short-term, high-intensity (STHI) training modalities, matched for total exercise volume, on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and exhaustive exercise-induced muscle damage in mice, as well as to evaluate the correlation between these factors. LTMI is considered a regular exercise regimen, while STHI shares some similarities with the "weekend warrior" pattern, such as promoting exercise intensity and condensing training sessions into a short period. Our findings indicate that LTMI training significantly enhanced the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, including Akkermansia, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Odoribacter, Alistipes, and Lactobacillus, thereby increasing SCFA levels and attenuating muscle damage following exhaustive swimming. In contrast, STHI training increased the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Bilophila, without altering SCFA levels, and was associated with exacerbated muscle damage. Moreover, we observed a significant negative correlation between the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and SCFA levels with the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle of mice post-exhaustive exercise. Conversely, the abundance of Staphylococcus and Bilophila showed a notable positive correlation with these cytokines. Additionally, the effects of LTMI and STHI on exhaustive exercise-induced muscle damage were transmissible to untrained mice via fecal microbiota transplantation, suggesting that gut microbiota changes induced by these training modalities may contribute to their contrasting impacts on muscle damage. These results underscore the significance of selecting an appropriate training modality prior to engaging in exhaustive exercise, with implications for athletic training and injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irrigation with low-quality water without considering the acceptable levels negatively impacts not only humans, but also extends to the whole surrounding ecosystem. The current research is a comprehensive-integrated appraisal of the irrigation water quality gathered from El-Batts drain in Fayoum Governorate, from September 2021 to June 2022, together with the drain sediments and the soils adjacent to it. The characteristics (physical, chemical and biological), and the risk fate of some heavy metals (As, B, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe and Mn) were measured. Moreover, the risks of the studied pollutants were assessed using many indices: irrigation water quality index (IWQI), contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), Salinity indices and Zn equivalent (ZE). Additionally, kinetic studies of the inorganic pollutants were evaluated to determine their availability and impact on the surrounding environment. Results: Data from IQWI showed that water in all five sites was assumed to be very bad and unsuitable for usage with a general average (14.62 and 25.35) in all four seasons. ZE exceeds the critical level of 250, which means there is a risk of soil contamination. Conclusions: The elevated levels of heavy metals, microbial enzymes, pathogenic fecal coliform and Salmonella reflect bad and direct risk of dealing with such water in irrigation and its effect on the soil ecosystem and the growing crops. Most of the tested parameters exceeded the acceptable levels of the Egyptian Governmental Law Guidelines, WHO and FAO, which may threaten aquatic life. Best managements practices and remediation techniques should be applied to minimize the hazards in such waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A safe water supply is a necessity, but it remains one of the backlogs of services rendered in rural areas of developing countries. This leads to vulnerable communities using water from available sources that is unsafe as it is contaminated with faecal matter. Microbial source tracking (MST) methods are gold-standard techniques that detect the exact sources of faecal contamination. This study, therefore, tracked and identified the exact sources of faecal contamination from the catchment to the point of use in rural areas of Vhembe District Municipality. Collected water samples (n = 1048) were concentrated by membrane filtration for the enumeration and detection of E. coli, followed by DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was subjected to a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to track target host-specific Bacteroidales genetic markers from the water source to the point of use. Rivers and dams exhibited maximum E. coli counts of up to 90 CFU/100 mL during the wet season and up to 50 CFU/100 mL during the dry season. Due to the effective treatment of these water sources, no E. coli bacteria were detected in any of the sampled municipal drinking water treatment plants at the point of treatment, while this indicator bacterium was detected at the point of use (households), with a maximum of 4 CFU/100 mL recorded during both the wet and dry seasons. Overall, the most prevalent MST marker exhibited during the wet season was BacCan (dog-associated, 6.87%), followed by BacCow (cow-associated, 5.53%), while Pig-2-Bac (pig-associated, 2.48%) was the least prevalent. The most prevalent marker exhibited during the dry season was BacCan (5.34%), followed by BacCow, with Pig-2-Bac (1.72%) being the least prevalent. A positive correlation (r = 0.31, p = 0.001) was established between the presence of the MST markers and detected E. coli from water sources to the point of use. The knowledge of the faecal contamination attributes in both public and domestic domains will assist in developing prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the increasing importance of rainwater harvesting pump systems as a solution to the global water shortage. It highlights the water shortages experienced by billions of people worldwide and the worsening situation in cities. The article emphasizes the need to harness rainwater as a sustainable option and calls for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings and commercial developments. It also provides insights from experts in Australia, where rainwater harvesting has become ingrained due to government mandates, incentives, and water shortages. The article discusses the benefits and challenges of rainwater harvesting systems, including the need for strong foundations, proper maintenance, and addressing potential issues such as pump failures and mosquito infestation. It also mentions the potential for using rainwater for indoor purposes, such as toilets and washing machines, to save even more mains water. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of learning from the experiences of countries like Australia and ensuring that rainwater harvesting systems meet the expectations of consumers. [Extracted from the article]

Karst groundwater, which is one of most important drinking water sources, is vulnerable to be polluted as its closed hydraulic relation with surface water. Thus, it is very important to identify the groundwater source to control groundwater pollution. The Pearson correlation coefficient among major ions (Na + K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, SO42−, and Cl−) was employed to deduce the groundwater types in Zhong Liang Mountain, Southwest China. Then, the combined method of principal component analysis and cluster analysis were employed to identify the groundwater sources in a typical karst region of southwest China. The results shown that (1) the high positive correlation between cations and anions indicated the water–rock reaction of Ca‐HCO3, Ca‐SO4, (Na + K)‐Cl, and Mg‐SO4. (2) The major two principal components that would represent water–rock reaction of CaSO4 and Ca‐HCO3 would, respectively, explain 60.41% and 31.80% of groundwater information. (3) Based on the two principal components, 33 groundwater samples were clustered into eight groups through hierarchical clustering, each group has similar water–rock reaction. The findings would be employed to forecast the surge water, that was an important work for tunnel construction and operation. Practitioner Points: The components of groundwater was highly correlated with water–rock reaction.The principal component analysis screens the types of groundwater.The cluster analysis identifies the groundwater sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is altering rainfall patterns resulting in increasing variability and intensity of rainfall events worldwide. Increases to short duration, intense rainfall (i.e., convective rainfall), will lead to increases in sewage overflow and run‐off from agricultural land. Such events generate spikes in micro‐organisms from feces and manure, especially Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, that temporarily end up in bathing waters posing serious health risks to bathers. Forecasting of bathing water quality associated with convective rainfall presents a distinctive forecasting challenge due to high uncertainties associated with predicting the timing, location, and impact of such events. In this article, we review examples of bathing water quality forecasting practices, with a focus on the United Kingdom where convective rainfall in the summer bathing water season is a particular concern, and question whether the current approach is robust in a changing climate. We discuss potential upgrades in bathing water forecasting and identify the main challenges that must be addressed before an improved framework for bathing water forecasting can be achieved. Although developments in meteorological and hydrological short‐range forecasting capabilities are promising, convective rainfall forecasting has significant predictability limits. We suggest taking full advantage of short‐range forecasts to provide sub‐daily bathing water forecasts, focusing on targeted bathing water monitoring regimes to improve model accuracy with the ultimate goal of providing improved information and guidance for beach users. This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Water and Environmental ChangeHuman Water > Water GovernanceScience of Water > Water Quality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial source tracking leverages a wide range of approaches designed to trace the origins of fecal contamination in aquatic environments. Although source tracking methods are typically employed within the laboratory setting, computational techniques can be leveraged to advance microbial source tracking methodology. Herein, we present a logic regression-based supervised learning approach for the discovery of source-informative genetic markers within intergenic regions across the Escherichia coli genome that can be used for source tracking. With just single intergenic loci, logic regression was able to identify highly source-specific (i.e., exceeding 97.00%) biomarkers for a wide range of host and niche sources, with sensitivities reaching as high as 30.00%-50.00% for certain source categories, including pig, sheep, mouse, and wastewater, depending on the specific intergenic locus analyzed. Restricting the source range to reflect the most prominent zoonotic sources of E. coli transmission (i.e., bovine, chicken, human, and pig) allowed for the generation of informative biomarkers for all host categories, with specificities of at least 90.00% and sensitivities between 12.50% and 70.00%, using the sequence data from key intergenic regions, including emrKY-evgAS, ibsB-(mdtABCD-baeSR), ompC-rcsDB, and yedS-yedR, that appear to be involved in antibiotic resistance. Remarkably, we were able to use this approach to classify 48 out of 113 river water E. coli isolates collected in Northwestern Sweden as either beaver, human, or reindeer in origin with a high degree of consensus--thus highlighting the potential of logic regression modeling as a novel approach for augmenting current source tracking efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the operation of a novel installation for treating the outflow from a hybrid constructed wetland system and the possibility of domestic wastewater reuse. The study was carried out in 2022-2023 at a facility located in the Polesie National Park (PNP) in Poland. The analyzed installation for the treatment of wastewater discharged from the constructed wetland system is located in the basement of a single-family building and consists of a filtration system including: yarn, spun and carbon filters, and a UV lamp. In turn, the hybrid constructed wetland system from which the treated wastewater is recycled to the building consists of a 2-chamber primary settling tank and a system of two VF-HF type beds with common reed and willow. During the study period (October 2022 to December 2023), 14 series of analyses were performed, during which the values of selected physico-chemical and microbiological indicators were determined in the collected samples of treated wastewater. On the basis of the performed tests, it was found that the analyzed system provided an average efficiency of reduction of total suspended solids and BOD5 at 46.8 and 45.8%, respectively. Smaller effects were obtained for the reduction of COD (22.7%), total nitrogen (4.9%) and total phosphorus (16.3%). In contrast, the average reduction effects of microbiological indicators were very high, amounting to 92.7 and 97.1% for Escherichia coli and enterococcus bacteria, respectively. The study showed that the effluent flowing out of the hybrid constructed wetland system after treatment in the analyzed installation could be reused for toilet flushing or green watering, as it usually did not contain microbiological contaminants. It was determined that the recycled treated wastewater could replace, on average, 18.7% of the good-quality water supplied by the mains water supply in the studied household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater contamination source recognition is an important prerequisite for subsequent remediation efforts. To overcome the limitations of single inversion methods, this study proposed a two-stage inversion framework by integrating two primary inversion approaches—simulation-optimization and simulation-data assimilation—thereby enhancing inversion accuracy. In the first stage, the ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation method (a type of simulation-data assimilation) conducted a global broad search to provide better initial values and ranges for the second stage. In the subsequent stage, a collective decision optimization algorithm (a type of simulation-optimization) was used for a refined deep search, further enhancing the final inversion accuracy. Additionally, a deep learning method, the multilayer perceptron, was utilized to establish a surrogate of the simulation model, reducing computational costs. These theories and methods were applied and validated in a hypothetical scenario for the synchronous identification of the contamination source and boundary conditions. The results demonstrated that the proposed two-stage inversion framework significantly improved search accuracy compared to single inversion methods, with a mean relative error and mean absolute error of just 4.95% and 0.1756, respectively. Moreover, the multilayer perceptron surrogate model offered greater approximation accuracy to the simulation model than the traditional shallow learning surrogate model. Specifically, the coefficient of determination, mean relative error, mean absolute error, and root mean square error were 0.9860, 9.72%, 0.1727, and 0.47, respectively, highlighting its significant advantages. The findings of this study can provide more reliable technical support for practical case applications and improve subsequent remediation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to safe drinking water is a critical public health challenge, especially in developing nations like India. Pathogenic microorganisms contaminating potable water pose serious health risks. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive microbiological and physiochemical examination of various drinking water sources in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Water samples were collected from urban households, rural households, public taps, borewells, canals, rivers, ponds, and other sources across Bikaner. Standard microbiological and analytical chemistry techniques were employed to isolate, identify and characterize microorganisms present, as well as analyze key physiochemical parameters. The microbiological analysis revealed high levels of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Citrobacter and Aeromonas across all water samples. Surface water sources like rivers and ponds showed the highest microbial contamination, exceeding WHO limits by over 1000-fold. Groundwater from borewells had comparatively lower but still unacceptable microbiological quality. Tap water also contained coliforms indicating inadequate treatment and post-supply contamination. In-depth comparative studies were conducted on the isolated bacterial strains to characterize their physiological, biochemical, genetic and pathogenic properties. Antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, biofilm formation and environmental persistence of these waterborne pathogens were investigated. Molecular microbiology techniques like PCR genotyping were used to identify species and strain types. The physiochemical analysis examined parameters like pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residuals, toxic metals and other chemicals. Most sources violated drinking water standards for multiple parameters. Surface waters showed high turbidity, low dissolved oxygen and presence of heavy metals. Even groundwater sources had physicochemical quality issues due to geogenic and anthropogenic contamination. This multi- dimensional study provides comprehensive baseline data on the microbiological and chemical quality of drinking water available to communities in Bikaner region. The findings confirm widespread contamination by fecal bacteria, other pathogens and unsafe physiochemical traits across all sources tested. This information will guide efforts to mitigate public health risks through proper treatment interventions, water safety plans, and other preventive measures for ensuring access to potable water in this water-stressed area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few contaminants have been linked to more devastating human health and environmental impacts than carcinogenic arsenic (As). Geogenic As contamination of groundwater used as a drinking water source continues to threaten hundreds of millions of lives worldwide, with the As crisis in South and Southeast Asia often called "the largest mass poisoning in history." In addition, anthropogenic As pollution derived from industrial activities (e.g., mining and smelting processes, wood preservation, and historic pesticide use) has created large sites of intensely contaminated soils and water bodies that urgently require remediation. Because of its profound negative impacts on environmental quality, As has also been the focus of considerable scientific research. In particular, vadose zone research, which aims to understand fluid flow and contaminant transport in variably saturated porous media, has been critical to identify sources of As contamination, predict the fate of As in natural and engineered systems, and help guide regulatory agencies, policymakers, and practitioners to minimize As impacts. In this work, we review several key topics in global As research that have been advanced by vadose zone knowledge. These topics include the release of geogenic As to groundwater, the remediation of anthropogenic As contamination, and the design and operation of As treatment systems. We end this review by highlighting urgent and important knowledge gaps in As research that can benefit from a more rigorous understanding of vadose zone processes. Core Ideas: Vadose zone processes feature prominently in many distinct areas of global As research.Geogenic As pollution is linked to flooded, saturated soils that favor reductive dissolution of As‐bearing solids.In situ magnetite formation can remediate vadose zone soils with intense anthropogenic As pollution.Household biosand As treatment systems can be improved by maintaining zero valent iron layers in saturated conditions.Vadose zone research is needed to better understand the long‐term disposal of As‐rich groundwater treatment waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]