Interlaboratory Comparison of Extractable Organofluorine Measurements in Groundwater and Eel (Anguilla rostrata): Recommendations for Methods Standardization.

Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could support a class-based approach to regulation. However, standardized methods for organofluorine analysis in a broad suite of matrices are currently unavailable, including a method for extractable organofluorine (EOF) measured using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Here, we report the results of an international interlaboratory comparison. Seven laboratories representing academia, government, and the private sector measured paired EOF and PFAS concentrations in groundwater and eel (Anguilla rostrata) from a site contaminated by aqueous film-forming foam. Among all laboratories, targeted PFAS could not explain all EOF in groundwater but accounted for most EOF in eel. EOF results from all laboratories for at least one replicate extract fell within one standard deviation of the interlaboratory mean for groundwater and five out of seven laboratories for eel. PFAS spike mixture recoveries for EOF measurements in groundwater and eel were close to the criterion (±30%) for standardized targeted PFAS methods. Instrumental operation of the CIC such as replicate sample injections was a major source of measurement uncertainty. Blank contamination and incomplete inorganic fluorine removal may introduce additional uncertainties. To elucidate the presence of unknown organofluorine using paired EOF and PFAS measurements, we recommend that analysts carefully consider confounding methodological uncertainties such as differences in precision between measurements, data processing steps such as blank subtraction and replicate analyses, and the relative recoveries of PFAS and other fluorine compounds.

Frequency and impact of enteric hyperoxaluria in pediatric short bowel syndrome: a retrospective single centre study.

Objectives: The survival of pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome has improved in recent years. Enteric hyperoxaluria as a pathophysiological consequence has been hardly addressed so far. It can be associated with nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis or even renal insufficiency. We assessed the prevalence of hyperoxaluria and its pathogenic consequences in a retrospective single centre study over the last 12 years. Methods: We conducted an internal database search for all pediatric patients suffering from short bowel syndrome treated from 2010 to 2022 in the department of pediatric gastroenterology as well as the pediatric nephrology and dialysis unit. Out of 56 patients identified, 26 patients were analysed for etiology of short bowel syndrome, renal excretion of oxalate (24/26), remaining short bowel and large intestinal length as well as further clinical parameters such as eGFR, nephrocalcinosis/urinary stone formation or stool frequency. Results: Hyperoxaluria was detected in 14/26 patients (54%). Nephrocalcinosis was present in four patients. Out of these four patients, hyperoxaluria could be proven (21% of all hyperoxaluric patients) in three cases, one hyperoxaluric patient had nephrolithiasis (7%). In one patient hyperoxaluria lead to end stage renal disease. We found that 80% of patients with volvulus developed enteric hyperoxaluria. None of the investigated factors had an effect on oxalate excretion. Conclusion: Enteric hyperoxaluria is a relevant pathophysiological finding in patients with short bowel syndrome occurring in about 50% of our cohort with multiple pathogenic complications. Regular screening for hyperoxaluria may be implemented in medical care for patients with short bowel syndrome. If necessary, prophylaxis, e.g., dietary advice or metaphylaxis should be initiated.

Pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation in two recently deceased human recipients.

Genetically modified xenografts are one of the most promising solutions to the discrepancy between the numbers of available human organs for transplantation and potential recipients. To date, a porcine heart has been implanted into only one human recipient. Here, using 10-gene-edited pigs, we transplanted porcine hearts into two brain-dead human recipients and monitored xenograft function, hemodynamics and systemic responses over the course of 66 hours. Although both xenografts demonstrated excellent cardiac function immediately after transplantation and continued to function for the duration of the study, cardiac function declined postoperatively in one case, attributed to a size mismatch between the donor pig and the recipient. For both hearts, we confirmed transgene expression and found no evidence of cellular or antibody-mediated rejection, as assessed using histology, flow cytometry and a cytotoxic crossmatch assay. Moreover, we found no evidence of zoonotic transmission from the donor pigs to the human recipients. While substantial additional work will be needed to advance this technology to human trials, these results indicate that pig-to-human heart xenotransplantation can be performed successfully without hyperacute rejection or zoonosis.

Cognitive tasks and combined statistical methods to evaluate, model, and predict mental workload.

Mental workload (MWL) is a concept that is used as a reference for assessing the mental cost of activities. In recent times, challenges related to user experience are determining the expected MWL value for a given activity and real-time adaptation of task complexity level to achieve or maintain desired MWL. As a consequence, it is important to have at least one task that can reliably predict the MWL level associated with a given complexity level. In this study, we used several cognitive tasks to meet this need, including the N-Back task, the commonly used reference test in the MWL literature, and the Corsi test. Tasks were adapted to generate different MWL classes measured via NASA-TLX and Workload Profile questionnaires. Our first objective was to identify which tasks had the most distinct MWL classes based on combined statistical methods. Our results indicated that the Corsi test satisfied our first objective, obtaining three distinct MWL classes associated with three complexity levels offering therefore a reliable model (about 80% accuracy) to predicted MWL classes. Our second objective was to achieve or maintain the desired MWL, which entailed the use of an algorithm to adapt the MWL class based on an accurate prediction model. This model needed to be based on an objective and real-time indicator of MWL. For this purpose, we identified different performance criteria for each task. The classification models obtained indicated that only the Corsi test would be a good candidate for this aim (more than 50% accuracy compared to a chance level of 33%) but performances were not sufficient to consider identifying and adapting the MWL class online with sufficient accuracy during a task. Thus, performance indicators require to be complemented by other types of measures like physiological ones. Our study also highlights the limitations of the N-back task in favor of the Corsi test which turned out to be the best candidate to model and predict the MWL among several cognitive tasks.

Usability of an exosuit in domestic and community environments.

BACKGROUND: Exosuits have been shown to reduce metabolic cost of walking and to increase gait performance when used in clinical environment. Currently, these devices are transitioning to private use to facilitate independent training at home and in the community. However, their acceptance in unsupervised settings remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate end-user perspectives and the adoption of an exosuit in domestic and community settings. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-method study to investigate the usability and user experience of an exosuit, the Myosuit. We leveraged on a cohort of seven expert users, who had the device available at home for at least 28 days. Each participant completed two standardized questionnaires (SUS and QUEST) and one personalized, custom questionnaire. Furthermore, a semi-structured interview with each participant was recorded, verbatim transcribed and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. Data collected from device sensors quantified the frequency of use. RESULTS: A mean SUS score of 75.4 out of 100 was reported. Five participants scored above the threshold for above-average usability. Participants also expressed high satisfaction with most of the technical features in the QUEST with an average score of 4.1 (3.86-4.71) out of 5. Participants used the Myosuit mainly for walking outside and exercising at home. However, the frequency of use did not meet the recommendations for physical activity established by the World Health Organization. Five participants used the Myosuit approximately once per week. The two other participants integrated the device in their daily life and used the Myosuit to a greater extent (approx. five times per week). Major factors that prevented an extensive use of the technology were: (i) difficulties in donning that led to (ii) lack of independence and (iii) lack of motivation in exercising. CONCLUSIONS: Although usable for various activities and well perceived, the adoption of the exosuit in domestic and community settings is yet limited. Use outside the clinic poses further challenges that should be considered when developing new wearable robots. Primarily, design should meet the users' claim for independence and increased adjustability of the device.

Chemical Profiling and Biological Activity of Extracts from Nine Norwegian Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

There is an increased interest in identifying beneficial compounds of plant origin that can be added to animal diets to improve animal performance and have a health-promoting effect. In the present study, nine herb species of the Norwegian wild flora or which can be cultivated in Norway were selected for phytogenic evaluation (hops, maral root, mint, oregano, purslane, rosemary, roseroot, sweet wormwood, yarrow). Dried herbs were sequentially extracted with dichloromethane (DCM), ethanol (EtOH) and finally water (H2O) by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The UAE protocol was found to be more rational than conventional Soxhlet with respect to DCM extraction. Total extraction yield was found to be highest for oregano (Origanum vulgare) with 34.4 g 100-1 g dry matter (DM). H2O-extracts gave the highest yields of the three solvents, with up to 25 g 100-1 g DM for purslane (Portulaca oleracea ssp. sativa) and mint (Mentha piperita). EtOH- and H2O-extracts were the most efficient extracts with respect to free radical scavenging capacity (ABTS (=2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and oregano, mint, hops (Humulus lupulus) and maral root-leaves (Leuzea carthamoides) were found to be the most efficient antioxidant sources. Hops (EtOH-extract) contained α- and ß-acids, xanthohumols, chlorogenic acid and the hitherto unreported 3-O-glucosides of kaempferol and quercetin. Maral root-leaves contained among other compounds hexosides of the 6-hydroxy- and 6-methoxy-kaempferol and -quercetin, whereas roseroot (Rosea rhodiola) revealed contents of rosavin, rhodiosin and rhodionin. Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) contained chlorogenic acid and several derivatives thereof, scopoletin and poly-methylated flavones (eupatin, casticin, chrysoplenetin). Antimicrobial potential of different plant extracts was demonstrated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the indicator organisms Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, and the Atlantic salmon bacterial pathogens Moritella viscosa, Tenacibaculum finnmarkense and Aliivibrio wodanis. DCM extracts possessed the highest activities. Data demonstrate the potential ability of herb extracts as natural antimicrobials. However, future safety studies should be performed to elucidate any compromising effect on fish health.

Effect of Citric Acid Cross Linking on the Mechanical, Rheological and Barrier Properties of Chitosan.

In this study, acetic acid (AA-2% w/v), a combination of acetic acid and citric acid (AA-1% w/v + CA-1% w/w), and three different concentrations of citric acid (CA-2, 4 and 6% w/w) were used to create chitosan solution. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of residual CA in all the CA-containing samples where no trace of AA was observed. The tensile strengths of the CA-containing samples were lower than the AA samples. Whereas the values for the elongation at break of the CA samples were higher than the AA samples, which kept increasing with an increasing CA content due to the plasticizing effect from residual citric acid. The elongation at break values for 4 and 6% CA-containing samples were 98% higher than the AA samples. The samples prepared with CA showed shorter LVE regions that reduced with an increasing CA concentration compared to the AA samples. Different acid concentrations did not have a large effect on the gelation time. However, CA-containing samples showed higher viscosities as compared to the AA-containing solution, which increased with an increasing CA content. The water vapour transmission rates of the CA-containing samples were lower than the others. All the chitosan solutions suppressed the growth of the two test strains, and none of the variants reached an abs 600 nm at 0.2.

Dietary inclusion of anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate reduces oxidative stress and promotes tender meat production in goats.

Pre-treating anthocyanin-rich black cane with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FSH) produces high-quality silage with anthocyanin and nutritional losses. However, it's unclear how to apply this to studies on how FSH-treated silage affects animal performance and meat quality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a standard total mixed ration (TMR) containing anthocyanin-rich black cane silages either with or without dilutions of FSH on animal performance, blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial community, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Forty healthy crossbred Thai-native Anglo-Nubian male goats (14.42 ± 1.4 kg) were used to compare the feasibility of using anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (ABS) as a functional feed resource as opposed to anthocyanin-rich black cane treated with 0.030% commercial FSH silage (ABSF). All goats received a 90-day routine feeding of two isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets: the control group received TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (ABS; n = 20), and one group received TMR containing 50% FSH-treating anthocyanin-rich black cane (ABSF; n = 20). As performance indicators, average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured. Samples of meat, blood, and rumen were taken at the end of the experiment. There were no differences in final body weight, ADG, DMI, or ADG/DMI between the two groups. The ABSF group did not differ from the ABS group in terms of rumen pH, but the ABSF had a tendency to lower rumen ammonia N levels, and to higher total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Individual VFA concentrations differed, with the ABSF group having more Ruminococcus albus and the ABS group having more methanogenic bacteria. Blood biochemical indices differed, with the ABSF group having lower TBARS concentrations and the ABS group having lower TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH-Rx concentrations. In comparison to goat meat from the ABS group, goat meat from the ABSF group contained more intramuscular fat and was more tender. The current results indicate that the feeding of a TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane, along with FSH pre-treatment prior to ensiling, reduces oxidative stress and promotes the production of tender meat without affecting animal performance.

Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indices, Rumen Bacterial Community, and Carcass Characteristics in Goats Fed Anthocyanin-Rich Black Cane Silage.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a standard total mixed ration (TMR) with containing anthocyanin-rich plants on animal performance, blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Thirty-six healthy crossbred Thai-native Anglo-Nubian male goats (14.42 ± 0.6 kg) were used to compare the possibility of using anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (AS) in place of Napier grass silage (NS) as a functional feed resource. All goats received a 90-d routine feeding consisting of two experimental diets that were isocaloric and isonitrogenous: the control group received TMR containing 50% NS (NS; n = 18), and one group received TMR containing 50% AS (AS; n = 18). Average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured as indicators of performance. At the end of the experiment, meat, blood, and rumen samples were collected. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of final body weight, ADG, DMI, or ADG/DMI. There were no differences in rumen pH or total volatile fatty acids (VFAs); however, rumen ammonia N concentrations were lower in the AS group than in the NS group. Individual VFA concentrations varied, with AS group containing more Ruminococcus albus and NS group containing more methanogenic bacteria. Blood biochemical indices varied, with NS group having higher TBARS concentration and AS group having higher concentrations of TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH-Rx. Goat meat from the AS group had higher levels of intramuscular fat and was more tender compared to goat meat from the NS group. The feeding of anthocyanin-rich black cane appears to be an attractive alternative for Napier grass in the nutrition of meat goats. The current results indicate that the feeding of a TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane alleviates oxidative stress and promotes the production of tender meat.

Intention Detection Strategies for Robotic Upper-Limb Orthoses: A Scoping Review Considering Usability, Daily Life Application, and User Evaluation.

Wearable robotic upper limb orthoses (ULO) are promising tools to assist or enhance the upper-limb function of their users. While the functionality of these devices has continuously increased, the robust and reliable detection of the user's intention to control the available degrees of freedom remains a major challenge and a barrier for acceptance. As the information interface between device and user, the intention detection strategy (IDS) has a crucial impact on the usability of the overall device. Yet, this aspect and the impact it has on the device usability is only rarely evaluated with respect to the context of use of ULO. A scoping literature review was conducted to identify non-invasive IDS applied to ULO that have been evaluated with human participants, with a specific focus on evaluation methods and findings related to functionality and usability and their appropriateness for specific contexts of use in daily life. A total of 93 studies were identified, describing 29 different IDS that are summarized and classified according to a four-level classification scheme. The predominant user input signal associated with the described IDS was electromyography (35.6%), followed by manual triggers such as buttons, touchscreens or joysticks (16.7%), as well as isometric force generated by residual movement in upper-limb segments (15.1%). We identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of IDS with respect to specific contexts of use and highlight a trade-off between performance and complexity in selecting an optimal IDS. Investigating evaluation practices to study the usability of IDS, the included studies revealed that, primarily, objective and quantitative usability attributes related to effectiveness or efficiency were assessed. Further, it underlined the lack of a systematic way to determine whether the usability of an IDS is sufficiently high to be appropriate for use in daily life applications. This work highlights the importance of a user- and application-specific selection and evaluation of non-invasive IDS for ULO. For technology developers in the field, it further provides recommendations on the selection process of IDS as well as to the design of corresponding evaluation protocols.

An analysis of usability evaluation practices and contexts of use in wearable robotics.

BACKGROUND: User-centered design approaches have gained attention over the past decade, aiming to tackle the technology acceptance issues of wearable robotic devices to assist, support or augment human capabilities. While there is a consensus that usability is key to user-centered design, dedicated usability evaluation studies are scarce and clear evaluation guidelines are missing. However, the careful consideration and integration of user needs appears to be essential to successfully develop an effective, efficient, and satisfactory human-robot interaction. It is primarily the responsibility of the developer, to ensure that this users involvement takes place throughout the design process. METHODS: Through an online survey for developers of wearable robotics, we wanted to understand how the design and evaluation in actual daily practice compares to what is reported in literature. With a total of 31 questions, we analyzed the most common wearable robotic device applications and their technology maturity, and how these influence usability evaluation practices. RESULTS: A total of 158 responses from a heterogeneous population were collected and analyzed. The dataset representing contexts of use for augmentation (16.5%), assistance (38.0%), therapy (39.8%), as well as few other specific applications (5.7%), allowed for an insightful analysis of the influence of technology maturity on user involvement and usability evaluation. We identified functionality, ease of use, and performance as the most evaluated usability attributes and could specify which measures are used to assess them. Also, we could underline the frequent use of qualitative measures alongside the expected high prevalence of performance-metrics. In conclusion of the analysis, we derived evaluation recommendations to foster user-centered design and usability evaluation. CONCLUSION: This analysis might serve as state-of-the-art comparison and recommendation for usability studies in wearable robotics. We believe that by motivating for more balanced, comparable and user-oriented evaluation practices, we may support the wearable robotics field in tackling the technology acceptance limitations.

Microbiological Food Safety of Seaweeds.

The use of seaweeds in the human diet has a long history in Asia and has now been increasing also in the western world. Concurrent with this trend, there is a corresponding increase in cultivation and harvesting for commercial production. Edible seaweed is a heterogenous product category including species within the green, red, and brown macroalgae. Moreover, the species are utilized on their own or in combinatorial food products, eaten fresh or processed by a variety of technologies. The present review summarizes available literature with respect to microbiological food safety and quality of seaweed food products, including processing and other factors controlling these parameters, and emerging trends to improve on the safety, utilization, quality, and storability of seaweeds. The over- or misuse of antimicrobials and the concurrent development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a current worldwide health concern. The role of seaweeds in the development of AMR and the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes is an underexplored field of research and is discussed in that context. Legislation and guidelines relevant to edible seaweed are also discussed.

Effects of simulated environmental discharges of the salmon lice pesticides deltamethrin and azamethiphos on the swimming behaviour and survival of adult Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis).

Swimming behaviour was investigated in adult egg-carrying northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) exposed to dilute concentrations of the pesticides Alpha Max® (active ingredient deltamethrin) and Salmosan® (active ingredient azamethiphos) used to control parasitic copepods in salmon aquaculture. These treatments are applied topically within fish nets or well boats. Following a short treatment period, the pesticides are directly discharged to sea, exposing non-target organisms such as P. borealis to diluted concentrations of these chemicals. Locomotor activity was measured continuously in individual shrimp over several days within which they were exposed to treatments of diluted AlphaMax® or Salmosan®. Dilutions were based on modelling and dispersion studies from the literature and were considered environmentally realistic for greater than 1 km from point of discharge. 24 h continuous flow treatments were delivered within a 3.5-day monitoring period to observe the timeline of events following the release of treatment water, addressing questions of temporal responses in locomotor activity, recognising key time points of significant events and assessing the survival capacity of the shrimp. Exposure of shrimp to 1 ng l-1 deltamethrin triggered an immediate increase in swimming activity which reduced in intensity over the following 22 h leaving all shrimp either moribund or dead. A further exposure trial exposing shrimp to 0.2 ng l-1 deltamethrin (nominal) showed an increase in activity at the start of exposure that continued throughout the 24 h delivery, returning to previous levels by the end of the 3.5-day monitoring period. All these shrimps survived for at least four weeks after exposure, putting the threshold concentration of deltamethrin leading to immobility or death in adult P. borealis within this study at greater than 0.2 ng l-1 (nominal) and less than 1 ng l - 1 (measured). Exposure of P. borealis to azamethiphos at 30 ng l-1 induced several periods of significantly increased activity within the first 10 h of exposure and an extended period of reduced activity during post exposure, though no morbidity was observed with this treatment. No significant increase in activity or morbidity was observed in shrimp during a water vehicle control assessment. Shrimps exposed to a combination of 30 ng l-1 azamethiphos and 1 ng l-1 deltamethrin broadly followed the response pattern shown by shrimp exposed to 1 ng l-1 deltamethrin alone. Pesticide residues were not detected in post exposure tissue analyses for either chemical. The potential ecological significance of increased swimming activity at the start of pesticide exposures is discussed.

Effects on Life-History Traits of Hypogastrura viatica (Collembola) Exposed to Imidacloprid Through Soil or Diet.

Collembola (springtails) are important members of soil communities worldwide by contributing to degradation of organic matter. In nature, Collembola might be exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, which is fairly persistent in soil. We exposed the widespread Hypogastrura viatica to imidacloprid through soil or food and monitored the animals during exposure and a post exposure period. We recorded effects on life-history traits affecting individual fitness, that is, mortality, behavioral activity, several reproduction traits, and molting frequency. Exposure through soil led to a concentration-dependent mortality, while the mortality from dietary exposure possibly reflected reduced feeding activity. The body burden of imidacloprid in the Collembola did not differ between treatments. We found no sign of recovery in behavioral activity following exposure in either experiment. The egg production of H. viatica was not significantly affected by imidacloprid at 0.01 mg/kg dry soil but showed a tendency to reduce number of eggs per batch and reduced hatching success. At higher concentrations, reproduction was close to, or completely, stopped. The molting frequency decreased during exposure, while in the post exposure period, we saw milder effects at the highest concentrations, suggesting elimination through molting or reduced toxic response as a result of reduced feeding activity. Overall, H. viatica was more sensitive to imidacloprid than previously studied Collembola, which highlights the importance of considering species sensitivities when risk-assessing soil environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3111-3122. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Efficiency in COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns-A Comparison across Germany's Federal States.

Vaccination programs are considered a central pillar of the efforts to stop COVID-19. However, vaccine doses are scarce and several organizational and logistical obstacles, such as the timing of and reserves for second shots and delivery failures, apparently slow down vaccination roll-outs in several countries. Moreover, it is an open question as to where vaccines are administered as efficiently as possible (vaccination centers, hospitals, doctor's offices, pharmacists, etc.). The first aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the efficiency of a country's vaccination campaign. The second aim was to analyze how the integration of doctors' offices into a campaign that formerly relied only on vaccination centers affected the speed of that campaign. Using data on vaccine deliveries and vaccinations given in Germany, we find considerable differences across federal states in terms of efficiency, defined as the ability to administer the most vaccinations out of a given number of available doses. Back-of-the-envelope calculations for January to May 2021 show that vaccinations would have been 3.4-6.9% higher if all federal states had adopted a similar ratio between vaccinations given and vaccines stored, as the most efficient states did. This corresponds to 1.7-3.3% of Germany's total population. In terms of our second research goal, we find evidence that the integration of doctors' offices into the vaccination campaign significantly increased the ratio of vaccinations administered out of a given stock of vaccine doses. On average, there appears to be a structural break in this ratio after doctors' offices were integrated into the vaccination campaign on 5 April 2021. On average, an additional 11.6 out of 100 available doses were administered each week compared to the period prior to that date. We conclude that there are considerable regional differences in the efficiency of the vaccination roll-out. Systematic efficiency analyses are one step to detecting inefficiencies and to identify best practices that can be adopted to eventually speed up the vaccination roll-out in a country.

Selective Thermotolerant Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Fermented Juice of Epiphytic Lactic Acid Bacteria and Their Effects on Fermentation Quality of Stylo Silages.

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fermented juice of tropical crops such as Napier grass, Ruzi grass, Purple guinea grass, Stylo legume, and Leucaena and their application to improve the quality of tropical crop silage. Fifteen strains of LAB were isolated. The LAB strains were Gram-positive and catalase-negative bacteria and could be divided into three groups, i.e., Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactiplantibacillus (para)plantarum, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum according to the biochemical API 50CH test. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA sequence, the strains isolated in the group L. (para)plantarum were distinguished. Two isolates (N3 and G4) were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Three isolates (St1, St2, and St3) were identified as L. paraplantarum. In addition, the identification of other isolates was confirmed in the group P. pentosaceus (R1, R4, R5, R8, R11, and L1) and the group L. fermentum (N4, G6, G7, and N4). All selected strains were able to grow at 50°C. All LAB strains showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Shigella sonnei ATCC 25931, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778. Four selected LAB strains (St1, St3, N4, and R4) were tested for their capacity to successfully ensile Stylo legume (Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT184). Stylo silages treated with LAB were well preserved, the NH3-N and butyric acid contents were lower, and the lactic acid content was higher than those in the control (p < 0.05). The acetic acid content was the highest in R4-treated silage among the treatments (p < 0.05). The crude protein (CP) content of St1-silage was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the others. The inoculation of thermotolerant LAB selected from fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) was found to be highly instrumental to obtain well-preserved silage from the Stylo legume.

Within-Body Distributions and Feeding Effects of the Neonicotinoid Insecticide Clothianidin in Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris).

Bumblebees can be exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides through nectar and pollen collected from treated crops, which can cause lethal and sublethal effects in these nontarget pollinators. However, the body distribution of the compound after exposure to neonicotinoids in bumblebees is not well studied. Bumblebee colonies (Bombus terrestris, n = 20) were exposed to field-realistic concentrations of clothianidin through artificial nectar (3.6-13 µg/L) for 9 d. Comparison of the nominal with the measured exposure in nectar indicated good compliance, confirming the applicability of the method. When quantified, clothianidin showed a concentration-dependent occurrence in the head and body of workers (head: <0.2-2.17 µg/kg; body: <0.2-3.17 µg/kg), and in the body of queens (<0.2-2.49 µg/kg), although concentrations were below those measured in the nectar (bioaccumulation factor = 0.2). Exposure to clothianidin did not affect mortality nor brood production, nor did it have a statistically significant effect on nectar consumption and size of food storage. However, visual inspection suggests higher nectar consumption of nectar with low clothianidin content compared with nectar with no or high clothianidin content. Our results show that dietary clothianidin is taken up in bumblebees, but does not bioaccumulate to elevated levels compared with exposure. Still, clothianidin may elicit responses that affect feeding behavior of the pollinator B. terrestris, although our endpoints were not significantly affected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2781-2790. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

PLA-Based Materials Containing Bio-Plasticizers and Chitosan Modified with Rosehip Seed Oil for Ecological Packaging.

Several recipes based on PLA, bio-plasticizers, and active agents such as vitamin E and cold-pressed rosehip seed oil encapsulated into chitosan by the emulsion method named here as chitosan modified (CS-M) were elaborated by melt compounding for food packaging applications. Resulted biocomposites have been investigated from the point of view of physical-mechanical, thermal, barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties to select the formulations with the optimum features to produce food trays and films for packaging applications. The obtained results showed that the elaborated formulations exhibit tensile strength and flexibility dependent on their composition being either rigid or flexible, as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, which will potentially lead to prolonged use for food packaging. The recipe with PLA matrix and 40:60 Lapol®108 as masterbarch/polyethylene glycol (MB/PEG) bio-plasticizers ratio was distinguished by an improvement of over 100 times in terms of flexibility compared with neat PLA, while the highest antioxidant activity (36.27%) was recorded for the sample containing a CS-M and MB/PEG ratio of 60:40. An enhancement of ~50% for the water vapor barrier was recorded for PLA/CS-M_100:0 material. By modulating the MB and PEG bio-plasticizers ratio, the design of new eco-friendly food packaging materials with antimicrobial/antioxidant characteristics by using the existing technologies for processing synthetic polymers (melt mixing, compounding, pressing, thermoforming) has been successfully realized.