Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate enhances the adverse effects of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on the mussel Mytilus coruscus.

Microplastics (MPs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have recently become ubiquitous and cumulative pollutants in the oceans. Since OPFRs are added to or adsorbed onto MPs as additives, it is necessary to study the composite contamination of OPFRs and MPs, with less focus on bio-based PLA. Therefore, this study focused on the ecotoxicity of the biodegradable MP polylactic acid (PLA) (5 µm, irregular fragments, 102 and 106 particles/L), and a representative OPFRs tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP, 0.5 and 50 µg/L) at environmental and high concentrations. The mussel Mytilus coruscus was used as a standardised bioindicator for exposure experiments. The focus was on examining oxidative stress (catalase, CAT, superoxide dismutase, SOD, malondialdehyde, MDA), immune responses acid (phosphatase, ACP, alkaline phosphatase, AKP, lysozyme, LZM), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, AChE), energy metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH, succinate dehydrogenase, SDH, hexokinase, HK), and physiological indices (absorption efficiency, AE, excretion rate, ER, respiration rate, RR, condition index, CI) after 14 days exposure. The results of significantly increased oxidative stress and immune responses, and significantly disturbed energy metabolism and physiological activities, together with an integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis, indicate that bio-based PLA MPs and TCPP could cause adverse effects on mussels. Meanwhile, TCPP interacted significantly with PLA, especially at environmental concentrations, resulting in more severe negative impacts on oxidative and immune stress, and neurotoxicity. The more severe adverse effects at environmental concentrations indicate higher ecological risks of PLA, TCPP and their combination in the real marine environment. Our study presents reliable data on the complex effects of bio-based MP PLA, TCPP and their combination on marine organisms and the environment.

Effects of Citrobacter freundii on sturgeon: Insights from skin mucosal immunology and microbiota.

Skin mucus analysis has recently been used as a non-invasive method to evaluate for fish welfare. The present research study was conducted to examine the skin mucosal immunity and skin microbiota profiles of sturgeons infected with Citrobacter freundii. Our histology results showed that the thickness of the epidermal layer of skin remained thinner, and the number of mucous cells was significantly decreased in sturgeons after infection (p < 0.05). Total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, and creatine kinase levels in the mucus showed biphasic pattern (decrease and then increase). Lactate dehydrogenase, lysozyme, and acid phosphatase activities in the mucus showed an increasing trend after infection. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing also revealed that C. freundii infection also affected the diversity and community structure of the skin mucus microbiota. An increase in microbial diversity (p > 0.05) and a decrease in microbial abundance (p < 0.05) after infection were noted. The predominant bacterial phyla in the skin mucus were Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Specifically, the relative abundance of Fusobacteria increased after infection. The predominant bacterial genera in the skin mucus were Cetobacterium, Pelomonas, Bradyrhizobium, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas. The relative abundance of Cetobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium increased after infection. Our current research findings will provide new insights into the theoretical basis for future research studies exploring the mechanism of sturgeon infection with C. freundii.

Two-dimensional material assisted-growth strategy: new insights and opportunities.

The exploration and synthesis of novel materials are integral to scientific and technological progress. Since the prediction and synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) materials, it is expected to play an important role in the application of industrialization and the information age, resulting from its excellent physical and chemical properties. Currently, researchers have effectively utilized a range of material synthesis techniques, including mechanical exfoliation, redox reactions, chemical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor transport, to fabricate two-dimensional materials. However, despite their rapid development, the widespread industrial application of 2D materials faces challenges due to demanding synthesis requirements and high costs. To address these challenges, assisted growth techniques such as salt-assisted, gas-assisted, organic-assisted, and template-assisted growth have emerged as promising approaches. Herein, this study gives a summary of important developments in recent years in the assisted growth synthesis of 2D materials. Additionally, it highlights the current difficulties and possible benefits of the assisted-growth approach for 2D materials. It also highlights novel avenues of development and presents opportunities for new lines of investigation.

Ultra-High-Efficiency Corrosion Protection of Metallic Surface Based on Thin and Dense Hexagonal Boron Nitride Coating Films.

Quest for ultrathin and highly effective anticorrosion coating films is critical for both fundamental community of materials science and industrial economics. A two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) film is a newly developed effective anticorrosion material due to its superior impermeability, thermal stability, and chemical stability. However, research in growth and anticorrosion properties of large-area dense h-BN coating films still lies in its infancy. Here, we report on the synthesis of a large-area and continuous dense few-layer (∼4) h-BN coating film onto a metal surface by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and its anticorrosion properties both in air and seawater environments. Cu coated in h-BN, which functions as an anticorrosive coating, exhibits an impressively reduced corrosion rate (CR) in a 3.5% NaCl solution (which mimics a seawater environment) when compared to bare Cu (approximately 27 times). At 200 °C, the h-BN coating can prevent Cu foil's surface from oxidizing, although doing so will cause a significant amount of oxide particles to simultaneously form on the bare Cu surface. In the meantime, the performance of the h-BN film remains unaltered after 100 days in an atmospheric environment, demonstrating the ultrahigh stability and corrosion resistance of the as-grown h-BN film.

Combined effects of pentachlorophenol and nano-TiO2 with different sizes on antioxidant, digestive, and immune responses of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus.

Marine nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) pollution are escalating concerns in coastal areas. This study investigated the combined effects of continuous exposure to nano-TiO2 (25 nm, 100 nm) and PCP (0, 1, 10 µg/L) for 28 days on the antioxidant, digestive, and immune abilities of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Compared with the control group, the interaction between nano-TiO2 and PCP was significantly higher than exposure to a single stressor, with a pronounced decrease in amylase activity observed due to the reducing nano-TiO2 particle sizes. Resulting in increased MDA and SOD activity. The expression levels of Toll4, CSP3, and SER genes in crab hemolymph showed perturbations following exposure to nano-TiO2 and PCP. In summary, according to the results of CAT, GPX, PES and AMS enzyme activities, it was concluded that compared to the larger particle size (100 nm), the single stress of nano-TiO2 at a smaller particle size (25 nm) and co-stress with PCP have more significant impacts on P. trituberculatus. However, the potential physiological regulation mechanism of the interaction between these pollutants remains elusive and requires further study.

Seroprevalence and Molecular Evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels of Pakistan.

Coxiellosis is a zoonosis in animals caused by Coxiella burnetii. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 920 (591 female and 329 male) randomly selected camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age groups from 13 districts representative of the three different ecological zones in the Province Punjab, Pakistan to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis. The blood samples were collected and tested for anti-C. burnetti antibodies using indirect multispecies ELISA. Real-time PCR was used for the detection of C. burnetii DNA to determine the prevalence in heparinized blood pools. Out of 920 investigated camels, anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 288 samples (31.3%) (95% CI: 28.3-34.4%). The highest (78.6%) and lowest (1.8%) seroprevalence were detected in Rahimyar Khan (southern Punjab) and in Jhang (central Punjab), respectively. Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity of the Q fever in camels included desert area (42.5%; OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.12-3.21) summer season (35.7%; OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.31-3.2), sex (female) (39.1; OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.34-2.98), tick infestation (51.3%;OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.34-3.02), age (>10 years; 46.4%; OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.33-2.05) and herd size (38.5%; OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.76-1.54). Coxiella burnetii DNA was amplified in 12 (20%) and 1 (10%) of 60 ELISA-negative and 10 suspected camels, respectively. DNA could not be detected in ELISA positive blood pools. This study emphasizes the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis as well as its potential to spill over to animals and humans in contact with these camel herds.

Cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy and targeted agents.

The evolution of cancer treatment and development of new classes of anticancer therapies have continued to revolutionize the field of oncology. New therapies including targeted agents, immunotherapies, and adoptive cell transfer have allowed for exciting survival benefit progress for patients. However, the novel nature of these therapies as well as the longer survival periods of patients receiving them has highlighted the various side effects of anticancer therapies. Cardiotoxicity has emerged as a major side effect of anticancer treatment and can present both acutely during treatment and chronically even years after treatment has been completed. This work compiles the cardiotoxic side effects of various chemotherapeutic and targeted anticancer therapies and their management.

Locally Advanced Osteosarcoma of the Ethmoid Sinus: A Report of Successful Management.

Osteosarcoma of the skull has poor outcomes. This case report describes the presentation and clinical course of a patient who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the skull involving the cribriform plate. After her initial diagnosis, she developed esotropia with severe unremitting headaches. She received palliative radiation, followed by chemotherapy, and responded well. Her initial symptoms involving the cranial nerves subsided, and her response was sustained. This report illustrates the need to effectively treat osteosarcoma of the skull despite its reported poor outcomes.

Weather the Cytokine Storm: A Report of Successful Management of a Colon Cancer Survivor and a Critically Ill Patient with COVID-19.

Patients with novel corona virus infection (COVID-19) can develop acute respiratory failure secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Cytokine storm is suggested as one of underlying mechanisms for the rapid clinical decline. Immunocompromised patients and cancer patients are at particular risk for poor outcomes due to COVID-19 infection. This case report describes the presentation and clinical course of a cancer survivor who became critically ill and required mechanical ventilation. The patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone; however, he remained febrile, hypoxemic, continued to require full mechanical ventilator support and his chest X-ray showed increased bilateral infiltrates. The patient was treated with tocilizumab, after which he improved and was successfully extubated. This report illustrates a possible role of tocilizumab in management of cytokine storm in critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection.

Antihyperglycemic effect of methanol extract of Tamarix aphylla L. Karst (Saltcedar) in streptozocin–nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

Objective To evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of Tamarix aphylla (T. aphylla) leaves in STZ–NIC induced diabetes in Wister Albino rats. Methods Acute toxicity study was done to check the toxicity of T. aphylla (L. Karst) methanol extract. T. aphylla leaves extract was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg, 250 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight per day) to diabetic Wister rats for 21 days. The various parameters were studied including fasting blood glucose levels, haemoglobin and glycosylated haemoglobin. Results The treatment groups with the extract at three dose levels expressively abridged the intensities of blood glucose and Glycosylated Haemoglobin. The earlier detected reduced level of plasma haemoglobin of the diabetic rats was raised to near normalcy with treatment of extract. Conclusions The results of the current study confirm that the leaves extract of T. aphylla are nontoxic and have antidiabetic nature.

Removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution by using micellar enhanced ultrafiltration.

To explore the potential of micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process for the treatment of industrial effluent, herein, we report the surfactant-based separation of a metal ion [Ni(II)] from the aqueous solution using two different anionic surfactants viz. dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). By following a systematic investigation, we utilized two membranes with different pore sizes viz. 10,000 MWCO (molecular weight cutoff) and 30,000 MWCO and determined the rejection coefficient and permeate flux of the Ni(II) from aqueous at 1.5 bar trans-membrane pressure. The experimental results showed higher percentage of Ni(II) retention upon using the micellar solution of SDS compared with the solution containing DSS surfactant. In addition, the retention of Ni(II) ions incorporated in the micelles of surfactants was also found to be higher upon using 10,000 MWCO membrane compared with 30,000 MWCO membrane. Hence, we suggest that the combination of SDS surfactant and 10,000 MWCO membrane is a potent solution for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions via MEUF process.