NaK alloy as a versatile reagent for template-free synthesis of porous metal- and metalloid-based nanostructures.

Using the strong reduction potential of the liquid NaK-78 alloy, we present a new versatile template-free approach to the synthesis of porous metal- and metalloid-based nanomaterials. With this novel approach, NaK can be simultaneously used as an agent for reduction, structure directing, and pore formation without the use of additional reagents.

Fecal Microbiota Characteristics in Constipation-Predominant and Mixed-Type Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the lifestyle of patients. It is associated with significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, but the underlying microbial mechanisms remain to be fully understood. We study the fecal microbiome of patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) and mixed-type IBS (IBS-M). METHODS: We sequenced the V3 region of the 16S rRNA on the Ion Torrent PGM sequencing platform to study the microbiome. RESULTS: In the patients with IBS-C and IBS-M, an increase in alpha diversity was found, compared to the healthy group, and differences in beta diversity were also noted. At the phylum level, both IBS subtypes showed an increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, as well as an increase in the abundance of Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota. Changes in some types of bacteria were characteristic of only one of the IBS subtypes, while no statistically significant differences in the composition of the microbiome were detected between IBS-C and IBS-M. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to demonstrate the association of Turicibacter sanguinis, Mitsuokella jalaludinii, Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, Senegalimassilia anaerobia, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Bacteroides faecichinchillae, Leuconostoc carnosum, and Parabacteroides merdae with IBS subtypes.

Effect of Probiotic Bacteria on the Gut Microbiome of Mice with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation.

The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the development of diseases is clear, but the specific mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the microbiome aberrations in the guts of mice against the background of LPS, as well as the anti-inflammatory effect of probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum from the gut, a mix of commercial probiotic lactic acid bacteria, and Weissella confusa isolated from milk using next-generation sequencing. LPS injections were found to induce inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa. These morphological changes were accompanied by a shift in the microbiota. We found no significant changes in the microbiome with probiotic supplementation compared to the LPS group. However, when Lactobacillus plantarum and a mix of commercial probiotic lactic acid bacteria were used, the intestinal mucosa was restored. Weissella confusa did not contribute to the morphological changes of the intestinal wall or the microbiome. Changes in the microbiome were observed with probiotic supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum and a mix of commercial probiotic lactic acid bacteria compared to the control group. In addition, when Lactobacillus plantarum was used, we observed a decrease in the enrichment of the homocysteine and cysteine interconversion pathways with an increase in the L-histidine degradation pathway.

DeepMIP-Eocene-p1: multi-model dataset and interactive web application for Eocene climate research.

Paleoclimate model simulations provide reference data to help interpret the geological record and offer a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of current models under diverse boundary conditions. Here, we present a dataset of 35 climate model simulations of the warm early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO; ~ 50 million years ago) and corresponding preindustrial reference experiments. To streamline the use of the data, we apply standardised naming conventions and quality checks across eight modelling groups that have carried out coordinated simulations as part of the Deep-Time Model Intercomparison Project (DeepMIP). Gridded model fields can be downloaded from an online repository or accessed through a new web application that provides interactive data exploration. Local model data can be extracted in CSV format or visualised online for streamlined model-data comparisons. Additionally, processing and visualisation code templates may serve as a starting point for advanced analysis. The dataset and online platform aim to simplify accessing and handling complex data, prevent common processing issues, and facilitate the sharing of climate model data across disciplines.

Characteristics of the Fecal Microbiome of Piglets with Diarrhea Identified Using Shotgun Metagenomics Sequencing.

Diarrhea in piglets is one of the most common diseases leading to high mortality and, as a result, to economic losses. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on the DNBSEQ-G50, MGI system to study the role of the fecal microbiome in the development of diarrhea in newborn piglets. Analysis of the study data showed that the composition of the fecal microbiome at the level of bacteria and fungi did not differ in piglets with diarrhea from the healthy group. Bacteria belonging to the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria were the most abundant. However, a higher level of bacterial alpha diversity was observed in the group of piglets with diarrhea, which may be due to dysbacteriosis and inflammation. The study of the virome showed the difference between the two types of phages: Bacteroides B40-8 prevailed in diseased piglets, while Escherichia virus BP4 was found in greater numbers in healthy piglets. The results of our study suggest that the association between the fecal microbiome and susceptibility to diarrhea in suckling piglets may have been previously overestimated.

Association of milk microbiome with bovine mastitis before and after antibiotic therapy.

Background and Aim: Mastitis is recognized as the most common disease in cattle and causes economic losses in the dairy industry. A number of opportunistic bacterial taxa have been identified as causative agents for this disease. Conventionally, antibiotics are used to treat mastitis; however, most bacteria are resistant to the majority of antibiotics. This study aimed to use molecular methods to identify milk microbiome patterns characteristic of mastitis that can help in the early diagnosis of this disease and in the development of new treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the microbiome composition, we performed NGS sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the V3 region. Results: An increase in the abundance of the bacterial genera Hymenobacter and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group is associated with the development of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cows. These bacteria can be added to the list of markers used to detect mastitis in cows. Furthermore, a decrease in the abundance of Ralstonia, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Acetitomaculum, Massilia, and Atopostipes in cows with mastitis may indicate their role in maintaining a healthy milk microbiome. Antibiotics reduced the levels of Streptococcus in milk compared to those in the healthy group and cows before antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic therapy also contributed to an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria of the genus Asticcacaulis. Conclusion: This study expands our understanding of the association between milk microbiota and mastitis.

Development of vanadium-based polyanion positive electrode active materials for high-voltage sodium-based batteries.

Polyanion compounds offer a playground for designing prospective electrode active materials for sodium-ion storage due to their structural diversity and chemical variety. Here, by combining a NaVPO4F composition and KTiOPO4-type framework via a low-temperature (e.g., 190 °C) ion-exchange synthesis approach, we develop a high-capacity and high-voltage positive electrode active material. When tested in a coin cell configuration in combination with a Na metal negative electrode and a NaPF6-based non-aqueous electrolyte solution, this cathode active material enables a discharge capacity of 136 mAh g-1 at 14.3 mA g-1 with an average cell discharge voltage of about 4.0 V. Furthermore, a specific discharge capacity of 123 mAh g-1 at 5.7 A g-1 is also reported for the same cell configuration. Through ex situ and operando structural characterizations, we also demonstrate that the reversible Na-ion storage at the positive electrode occurs mostly via a solid-solution de/insertion mechanism.

African Hydroclimate During the Early Eocene From the DeepMIP Simulations.

The early Eocene (∼56-48 Myr ago) is characterized by high CO2 estimates (1,200-2,500 ppmv) and elevated global temperatures (∼10°C-16°C higher than modern). However, the response of the hydrological cycle during the early Eocene is poorly constrained, especially in regions with sparse data coverage (e.g., Africa). Here, we present a study of African hydroclimate during the early Eocene, as simulated by an ensemble of state-of-the-art climate models in the Deep-time Model Intercomparison Project (DeepMIP). A comparison between the DeepMIP pre-industrial simulations and modern observations suggests that model biases are model- and geographically dependent, however, these biases are reduced in the model ensemble mean. A comparison between the Eocene simulations and the pre-industrial suggests that there is no obvious wetting or drying trend as the CO2 increases. The results suggest that changes to the land sea mask (relative to modern) in the models may be responsible for the simulated increases in precipitation to the north of Eocene Africa. There is an increase in precipitation over equatorial and West Africa and associated drying over northern Africa as CO2 rises. There are also important dynamical changes, with evidence that anticyclonic low-level circulation is replaced by increased south-westerly flow at high CO2 levels. Lastly, a model-data comparison using newly compiled quantitative climate estimates from paleobotanical proxy data suggests a marginally better fit with the reconstructions at lower levels of CO2.

The rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of NASICON-structured Na3V2O2x (PO4)2F3-2x (0 < x ≤ 1) cathode materials for Na-ion batteries.

NASICON-structured Na3V2O2x (PO4)2F3-2x (0 < x ≤ 1) solid solutions have been prepared using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MW-HT) technique. Well-crystallized phases were obtained for x = 1 and 0.4 by reacting V2O5, NH4H2PO4, and NaF precursors at temperatures as low as 180-200 °C for less than 15 min. Various available and inexpensive reducing agents were used to control the vanadium oxidation state and final product morphology. The vanadium oxidation state and O/F ratios were assessed using electron energy loss spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. According to electron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction, the Na3V2O2x (PO4)2F3-2x solid solutions crystallized in a metastable disordered I4/mmm structure (a = 6.38643(4) Å, c = 10.62375(8) Å for Na3V2O2(PO4)2F and a = 6.39455(5) Å, c = 10.6988(2) Å for Na3V2O0.8(PO4)2F2.2). With respect to electrochemical Na+ (de)insertion as positive electrodes (cathodes) for Na-ion batteries, the as-synthesized materials displayed two sloping plateaus upon charge and discharge, centered near 3.5-3.6 V and 4.0-4.1 V vs. Na+/Na, respectively, with a reversible capacity of ∼110 mA h g-1. The application of a conducting carbon coating through the surface polymerization of dopamine with subsequent annealing at 500 °C improved both the rate capability (∼55 mA h g-1 at a discharge rate of 10C) and capacity retention (∼93% after 50 cycles at a discharge rate of C/2).