Urea intercalated encapsulated microalgae composite hydrogels for slow-release fertilizers.

In agriculture, hydrogels can be addressed for effective operation of water and controlled-release fertilizers. Hydrogels have a significant ability for retaining water and improving nutrient availability in soil, enhancing plant growth while reducing water and fertilizer usage. This work aimed to prepare a hydrogel composite based on microalgae and biopolymers including chitosan and starch for use as a soil conditioner. The hydrogel composite was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. All hydrogel properties were studied including swelling degree, biodegradability, water-holding capacity, water retention, and re-swelling capacity in soil and water. The urea fertilizer loading and releasing behavior of the prepared hydrogels were investigated. The results revealed that the range of the maximal urea loading was between 99 and 440%, and the kinetics of loading was fitted with Freundlich model. The urea release % exhibited 78-95%, after 30 days, and the kinetics of release was fitted with zero-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. Furthermore, the prepared hydrogels obtained a significant water-holding capacity, after blending soil (50 g) with small amount of hydrogels (1 g), the capacity increased in the range of 99.4-101.5%. In sum, the prepared hydrogels have the potential to be applied as a soil conditioner.

Optimizing water relations, gas exchange parameters, biochemical attributes and yield of water-stressed maize plants through seed priming with iron oxide nanoparticles.

Drought poses significant risks to maize cultivation by impairing plant growth, water uptake and yield; nano priming offers a promising avenue to mitigate these effects by enhancing plant water relations, stress tolerance and overall productivity. In the current experiment, we tested a hypothesis that seed priming with iron oxide nanoparticles (n-Fe2O3) can improve maize performance under water stress by improving its growth, water relations, yield and biochemical attributes. The experiment was conducted on a one main plot bisected into two subplots corresponding to the water and drought environments. Within each subplot, maize plants were raised from n-Fe2O3 primed seeds corresponding to 0 mg. L- 1 (as control treatment), 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg. L- 1 (as trial treatments). Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 at a concentration of 75 mg. L- 1 improved the leaf relative water content, water potential, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and leaf intrinsic water use efficiency of maize plants by 13%, 44%, 64% and 17%, respectively compared to control under drought stress. The same treatments improved plant biochemical attributes such as total chlorophyll content, total flavonoids and ascorbic acid by 37%, 22%, and 36%, respectively. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 accelerated the functioning of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and POD and depressed the levels of leaf malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide significantly. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 at a concentration of 75 mg. L- 1 improved cob length, number of kernel rows per cob, and 100 kernel weight by 59%, 27% and 33%, respectively, under drought stress. Seed priming with n-Fe2O3 can be used to increase maize production under limited water scenarios.

Pump up the volume.

An influx of water molecules can help immune cells called neutrophils to move to where they are needed in the body.

Rapidly and simply detecting Cr (VI) in aqueous media via a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based chemosensor with both high selectivity and low LOD.

BACKGROUND: The high toxicity of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] could not only cause harmful effects on humans, including carcinogenicity, respiratory issues, genetic damage, and skin irritation, but also contaminate drinking water sources, aquatic ecosystems, and soil, impairing the reproductive capacity, growth, and survival of organisms. Due to these harmful effects, detecting toxic Cr (VI) is of great significance. However, the rapid, simple, and efficient detection at a low Cr (VI) concentration is extremely challenging, especially in an acidic condition (existing as HCrO4-) due to its low adsorption free energy. RESULTS: A diketopyrrolopyrrole-based small molecule (DPPT-PhSMe) is designed and characterized to act as a chemosensor, which allows a high selectivity to Cr (VI) at an acidic condition with a low limit of detection to 10-8 M that is two orders of magnitude lower than the cut of limit (1 µM) recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Mechanism study indicates that the rich sulfur atoms enhance the affinity to HCrO4-. Combining with favorable features of diketopyrrolopyrrole, DPPT-PhSMe not only allows dual-mode detection (colorimetric and spectroscopic) to Cr (VI), but also enables disposable paper-based sensor for naked-eye detection to Cr (VI) from fully aqueous media. The investigation of DPPT-PhSMe chemosensor for the quantification of Cr (VI) in real life samples demonstrates a high reliability and accuracy with an average percentage recovery of 102.1 % ± 4 (n = 3). SIGNIFICANCE: DPPT-PhSMe represents the first diketopyrrolopyrrole-derived chemosensor for efficient detection to toxic Cr (VI), not only providing a targeted solution to the bottleneck of Cr (VI) detection in acidic conditions (existing as HCrO4-) caused by its low adsorption free energy, but also opening a new scenario for simple, selective, and efficient Cr (VI) detection with conjugated dye molecules.

A spectrophotometric analysis of extracted water-soluble phenolic metabolites of lichens.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Rainwater most probably constitutes a relatively effective solvent for lichen substances in nature which have the potential to provide for human and environmental needs in the future. The aims were (i) to test the hypothesis on the potential solubility of lichen phenolic compounds using rainwater under conditions that partly reflect the natural environment and (ii) to propose new and effective methods for the water extraction of lichen substances. The results of spectrophotometric analyses of total phenolic metabolites in rainwater-based extracts from epigeic and epiphytic lichens, employing the Folin-Ciocalteu (F.-C.) method, are presented. The water solvent was tested at three pH levels: natural, 3, and 9. Extraction methods were undertaken from two perspectives: the partial imitation of natural environmental conditions and the potential use of extraction for economic purposes. From an ecological perspective, room-temperature water extraction ('cold' method) was used for 10-, 60-, and 120-min extraction periods. A variant of water extraction at analogous time intervals was an 'insolation' with a 100W light bulb to simulate the heat energy of the sun. For economic purposes, the water extraction method used the Soxhlet apparatus and its modified version, the 'tea-extraction' method ('hot' ones). The results showed that those extractions without an external heat source were almost ineffective, but insolation over 60- and 120-min periods proved to be more effective. Both tested 'hot' methods also proved to be effective, especially the 'tea-extraction' one. Generally, an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in water extracts resulted from an increasing solvent pH. The results show the probable involvement of lichen substances in biogeochemical processes in nature and their promising use for a variety of human necessities.

Effects of dispersing media on the rheological and tribological properties of basil seed mucilage-based thickened liquids.

The development of thickening powders for the management of dysphagia is imperative due to the rapid growth of aging population and prevalence of the dysphagia. One promising thickening agent that can be used to formulate dysphagia diets is basil seed mucilage (BSM). This work investigates the effects of dispersing media, including water, milk, skim milk, and apple juice, on the rheological and tribological properties of the BSM-thickened liquids. Shear rheology results revealed that the thickening ability of BSM in these media in ascending order is milk < skim milk ≈ apple juice < water. On the other hand, extensional rheology demonstrated that the longest filament breakup time was observed when BSM was dissolved in milk, followed by skim milk, water, and apple juice. Furthermore, tribological measurements showed varying lubrication behavior, depending on the BSM concentration and dispersing media. Dissolution of BSM in apple juice resulted in the most superior lubrication property compared with that in other dispersing media. Overall, this study provides insights on BSM's application as a novel gum-based thickening powder in a range of beverages and emphasizes how important it is for consumers to have clear guidance for the use of BSM in dysphagia management.

Acute warming tolerance (CTmax) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) appears unaffected by changes in water salinity.

Tolerance against acute warming is an essential trait that can determine how organisms cope during heat waves, yet the mechanisms underlying it remain elusive. Water salinity has previously been suggested to modulate warming tolerance in fish and may therefore provide clues towards these limiting mechanisms. Here, using the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) test, we investigated whether short (2 hours) and long (10 days) term exposure to different water salinities (2 hours: 0-5 ppt, 10 days: 0-3 ppt) affected acute warming tolerance in zebrafish (N = 263). We found that water salinity did not affect the warming tolerance of zebrafish at either time point, indicating that salinity does not affect the mechanism limiting acute warming tolerance in zebrafish at these salinity ranges, and that natural fluctuations in salinity levels might not have a large impact on acute warming tolerance in wild zebrafish.

Influence of leaf inclination angle and tillering on population transpiration, soil evaporation, and yield in winter wheat near-isogenic lines.

Leaf inclination angle (LIA) and tillering impact the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) population canopy structure. Understanding their effects on water use (WU) parameters and yield can guide water-saving strategies through population control. In this study, six near-isogenic lines (NILs) and their parents were selected as materials. These special materials were characterized by varying tillering at the current sowing density, a similar genetic background, and, particularly, a gradient in mean flag leaf LIA. The investigation focused on the jointing to early grain-filling stage, the peak water requirement period of wheat crops. Population-scale transpiration (PT) and evaporation from the soil surface (E) were partitioned from total evapotranspiration (ET) by the means of micro-lysimeters. The results showed decreased PT, E, and ET with increased population density (PD) within a narrow density range derived from varying tillering across genotypes. Significant correlations existed between PD and ET, E, and PT, especially in the wettest 2017-2018 growing season. Within such narrow PD range, all the correlations between WU parameters and PD were negative, although some correlations were not statistically significant, thereby suggesting the population structure's predominant impact. No significant correlation existed between LIA and both ET and PT within the LIA range of 35°-65°. However, significant correlations occurred between LIA and E in two growing seasons. Genotypes with similar LIA but different PD produced varied ET; while with similar PD, the four pairs of genotypes with different LIA each consumed similar ET, thus highlighting PD's more crucial role in regulating ET. The yield increased with higher LIA, and showed a significant correlation, emphasizing the LIA's significant effect on yield. However, no correlation was observed with PD, indicating the minor effect of tillering at the current sowing density. Therefore these results might offer valuable insights for breeding water-saving cultivars and optimizing population structures for effective field water conservation.

Investigating extrusion impact on functional, textural properties, morphological structure, and molecular interactions in hulless barley-based extruded snacks supplemented with mung bean.

The effect of varying extrusion conditions on the functional properties of hulless barley-mung bean (70:30) extruded snacks was investigated using response surface methodology with feed moisture (FM), barrel temperature (BT), and screw speed (SS) as process variables. Results revealed significant impacts on functional characteristics with varying extrusion conditions. Bulk density (BD) of extruded snacks ranged from 0.24 to 0.42 g/cm3, showing that lower FM and higher BT results in lower BD while it increased with increasing FM, SS, and BT. The expansion ratio (ER) of extruded snacks ranged between 2.03 and 2.33, showing BT and SS had a desirable positive effect, whereas increasing FM led to decreased ER. Increasing BT and SS depicted a negative effect on water absorption index, whereas FM showed positive effect, which ranged between 4.21 and 4.82 g/g. A positive effect on water solubility index was depicted by BT and SS, which ranges between 9.01% and 13.45%, as higher SS and BT led to starch degradation and increased solubility suggesting better digestibility. The hardness of extruded snacks ranged from 32.56 to 66.88 Newton (N), showing increasing FM increased hardness, whereas higher SS and BT resulted in lowering the hardness. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis revealed structural changes in extrudates in comparison with nonextruded flour, indicating starch gelatinization and pore formation affected by varying processing parameters. Shifts in absorption bands were observed in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), suggesting structural changes in starch and protein. Understanding the effects of extrusion parameters on product properties can help tailored production to meet consumers' preferences and the development of functional snacks with improved nutritional quality.

Spinal histamine H4 receptor mediates chronic pruritus via p-ERK in acetone-ether-water (AEW)-induced dry skin mice.

Dry skin is common to many pruritic diseases and is difficult to improve with oral traditional antihistamines. Recently, increasing evidence indicated that histamine H4 receptor (H4R) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of pruritus. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation activation in the spinal cord mediates histamine-induced acute and choric itch. However, whether the histamine H4 receptor regulates ERK activation in the dry skin itch remains unclear. In the study, we explore the role of the histamine H4 receptor and p-ERK in the spinal cord in a dry skin mouse model induced by acetone-ether-water (AEW). q-PCR, Western blot, pharmacology and immunofluorescence  were applied in the study. We established a dry skin itch model by repeated application of AEW on the nape of neck in mice. The AEW mice showed typically dry skin histological change and persistent spontaneous scratching behaviour. Histamine H4 receptor, instead of histamine H1 receptor, mediated spontaneous scratching behaviour in AEW mice. Moreover, c-Fos and p-ERK expression in the spinal cord neurons were increased and co-labelled with GRPR-positive neurons in AEW mice. Furthermore, H4R agonist 4-methyhistamine dihydrochloride (4-MH)induced itch. Both 4-MH-induced itch and the spontaneous itch in AEW mice were blocked by p-ERK inhibitor U0126. Finally, intrathecal H4R receptor antagonist JNJ7777120 inhibited spinal p-ERK expression in AEW mice. Our results indicated that spinal H4R mediates itch via ERK activation in the AEW-induced dry skin mice.

Molecular localization and exchange kinetics in pharmaceutical liposome and mRNA lipoplex nanoparticle products determined by small angle X-ray scattering and pulsed field gradient NMR diffusion measurements.

We have used pulsed field gradient (PFG)-NMR diffusion experiments, also known as DOSY, in combination with small angle X-ray scattering measurements to investigate structure and molecular exchange dynamics between pharmaceutical lipid nanoparticles and the bulk phase. Using liposomes and lipoplexes formed after complexation of the liposomes with messenger mRNA as test systems, information on dynamics of encapsulated water molecules, lipids and excipients was obtained. The encapsulated fraction, having a diffusivity similar to that of the liposomes, could be clearly identified and quantified by the NMR diffusion measurements. The unilamellar liposome membranes allowed a fast exchange of water molecules, while sucrose, used as an osmolyte and model solute, showed very slow exchange. Upon interactions with mRNA a topological transition from a vesicular to a lamellar organization took place, where the mRNA was inserted in repeating lipid bilayer stacks. In the lipoplexes, a small fraction of tightly bound water molecules was present, with a diffusivity that was influenced by the additional presence of sucrose. This extended information on dynamic coherencies inside pharmaceutical nanoparticle products, provided by the combined application of SAXS and PFG-NMR diffusion measurements, can be valuable for evaluation of quality and comparability of nanoscaled pharmaceuticals.

Edible Bite Force Sensor: A Novel Approach to Measuring Bite Force in Biomedical and Dental Applications.

BACKGROUND Measurement of bite force plays a crucial role in assessment of the masticatory system. With a growing interest in detecting occlusal irregularities, bite force sensors have garnered attention in the biomedical field. This study aimed to introduce a hydrogel bite force sensor, based on hydroxyethyl-cellulose-fructose-water (HEC-F-water), for premolar and molar teeth, and to evaluate it using optical profilometry, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Instron Tension testing system, with 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins at top, bottom, right, and left. MATERIAL AND METHODS We fabricated 20 HEC-F-water hydrogel samples sized with surface of 1×1 cm, with 2 different widths - 1 mm and 5 mm. The samples were characterized using optical profilometry and FTIR and their electrical characteristics were determined using an impedance analyzer. Aluminum (Al) electrodes, fabricated using Cutting Plotter, were used to form a HEC-F-water-based transducer, which was used for bite force sensing. The Instron tensile testing system was employed, utilizing 3D printed models of the upper and lower jaw, to simulate biting. Forces in the range between 40 N and 540 N were exerted upon the transducer, and the output change in the electrical signal was measured. RESULTS The study determined the transfer function between bite force and capacitance. The fabricated sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 3.98 pF/N, an input range of 500 N, output range of 2 nF, and accuracy of 95.9%. CONCLUSIONS This study introduces an edible bite force sensor employing an edible hydrogel as a dielectric, presenting a novel avenue in the development of edible sensorics in dentistry.

GWAS elucidated grain yield genetics in Indian spring wheat under diverse water conditions.

KEY MESSAGE: Underpinned natural variations and key genes associated with yield under different water regimes, and identified genomic signatures of genetic gain in the Indian wheat breeding program. A novel KASP marker for TKW under water stress was developed and validated. A comprehensive genome-wide association study was conducted on 300 spring wheat genotypes to elucidate the natural variations associated with grain yield and its eleven contributing traits under fully irrigated, restricted water, and simulated no water conditions. Utilizing the 35K Wheat Breeders' Array, we identified 1155 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs), with 207 QTNs exhibiting stability across diverse conditions. These QTNs were further delimited into 539 genomic regions using a genome-wide LD value of 3.0 Mbp, revealing pleiotropic control across traits and conditions. Sub-genome A was significantly associated with traits under irrigated conditions, while sub-genome B showed more QTNs under water stressed conditions. Favourable alleles with significantly associated QTNs were delineated, with a notable pyramiding effect for enhancing trait performance. Additionally, allele of only 921 QTNs significantly affected the population mean. Allele profiling highlighted C-306 as a most potential source of drought tolerance. Moreover, 762 genes overlapping significant QTNs were identified, narrowing down to 27 putative candidate genes overlapping 29 novel and functional SNPs expressing (≥ 0.5 tpm) relevance across various growth conditions. A new KASP assay was developed, targeting a gene TraesCS2A03G1123700 regulating thousand kernel weight under severe drought condition. Genomic selection models (GBLUP, BayesB, MxE, and R-Norm) demonstrated an average prediction accuracy of 0.06-0.58 across environments, indicating potential for trait selection. Retrospective analysis of the Indian wheat breeding program supported a genetic gain in GY at the rate of ca. 0.56% per breeding cycle, since 1960, supporting the identification of genomic signatures driving trait selection and genetic gain. These findings offer insight into improving the rate of genetic gain in wheat breeding programs globally.

Candesartan Attenuates Vasculitis in a Mouse Model of Kawasaki Disease Induced by Candida albicans Water-Soluble Fraction.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for Kawasaki disease is immunoglobulin therapy, but the high frequency of coronary sequelae in immunoglobulin-refractory cases indicates a need for further improvement in treatment. METHODS: Kawasaki disease-like vasculitis was induced in 5-week-old DBA/2 mice by intraperitoneal administration of 0.5 mg Candida albicans water-soluble fraction (CAWS) daily for 5 days followed by daily administration of candesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker. The vasculitis suppression effect was confirmed histologically and serologically in mice sacrificed at 28 days after the start of candesartan. RESULTS: The area of inflammatory cell infiltration at the aortic root was 2.4±1.4% in the Control group, 18.1±1.9% in the CAWS group, and 7.1±2.3%, 5.8±1.4%, 7.6±2.4%, and 7.9±5.0% in the CAWS+candesartan 0.125-mg/kg, 0.25-mg/kg, 0.5-mg/kg, and 1.0-mg/kg groups, respectively (p=0.0200, p=0.0122, p=0.0122, and p=0.0200 vs. CAWS, respectively). The low-dose candesartan group also showed significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. A similar trend was confirmed by immunostaining of macrophages and TGFß receptors. Measurement of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α confirmed the anti-vasculitis effect of candesartan. CONCLUSIONS: Candesartan inhibited vasculitis even at clinical doses used in children, making it a strong future candidate as an additional treatment for immunoglobulin-refractory Kawasaki disease.

A Seed Storage Protocol to Determine Longevity.

The longevity of seeds, also known as storability, is the period of time for which a seed lot maintains its viability during storage. The method aims to determine longevity of a seed lot during storage in a controlled environment. Seeds are first rehydrated to a preset water content (or relative humidity, RH) and then incubated under controlled conditions for various periods of time to allow for deterioration to occur. At increasing intervals during storage, seeds are retrieved and viability is tested by scoring germination of the seed lot (i.e., radicle protrusion). From these data, a survival curve can be drawn depicting loss of germination during time of storage from which different parameters estimating longevity can be inferred. These parameters can be used to compare longevity between different seed lots, genotypes, or species at similar storage conditions. This test can also be used as a proxy to measure seed vigor or physiological seed quality.

Description of a Non-Canonical AsPt Blue Species Originating from the Aerobic Oxidation of AP-1 in Aqueous Solution.

The peculiar behavior of arsenoplatin-1, ([Pt(µ-NHC(CH3)O)2ClAs(OH)2], AP-1), in aqueous solution and the progressive appearance of a characteristic and intense blue color led us to carry out a more extensive investigation to determine the nature of this elusive chemical species, which we named "AsPt blue". A multi-technique approach was therefore implemented to describe the processes involved in the formation of AsPt blue, and some characteristic features of this intriguing species were revealed.

Pinpointing Moisture: The Capacitive Detection for Standing Tree Health.

BACKGROUND: the feasibility of the capacitance method for detecting the water content in standing tree trunks was investigated using capacitance-based equipment that was designed for measuring the water content of standing tree trunks. METHODS: In laboratory experiments, the best insertion depth of the probe for standing wood was determined by measurement experiments conducted at various depths. The bark was to be peeled when specimens and standing wood were being measured. The actual water content of the test object was obtained by specimens being weighed and the standing wood being weighed after the wood core was extracted. RESULTS: A forecast of the moisture content of standing wood within a range of 0 to 180% was achieved by the measuring instrument. The feasibility of the device for basswood and fir trees is preliminarily studied. When compared to the drying method, the average error of the test results was found to be less than 8%, with basswood at 7.75%, and fir at 7.35%. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the measuring instrument has a wide measuring range and is suitable for measuring wood with low moisture content, as well as standing timber with high moisture content. The measuring instrument, being small in size, easy to carry, and capable of switching modes, is considered to have a good application prospect in the field of forest precision monitoring and quality improvement.

Effect of Biomass Water Dynamics in Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor Observations: A Long-Term Analysis of Maize-Soybean Rotation in Nebraska.

Precise soil water content (SWC) measurement is crucial for effective water resource management. This study utilizes the Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor (CRNS) for area-averaged SWC measurements, emphasizing the need to consider all hydrogen sources, including time-variable plant biomass and water content. Near Mead, Nebraska, three field sites (CSP1, CSP2, and CSP3) growing a maize-soybean rotation were monitored for 5 (CSP1 and CSP2) and 13 (CSP3) years. Data collection included destructive biomass water equivalent (BWE) biweekly sampling, epithermal neutron counts, atmospheric meteorological variables, and point-scale SWC from a sparse time domain reflectometry (TDR) network (four locations and five depths). In 2023, dense gravimetric SWC surveys were collected eight (CSP1 and CSP2) and nine (CSP3) times over the growing season (April to October). The N0 parameter exhibited a linear relationship with BWE, suggesting that a straightforward vegetation correction factor may be suitable (fb). Results from the 2023 gravimetric surveys and long-term TDR data indicated a neutron count rate reduction of about 1% for every 1 kg m-2 (or mm of water) increase in BWE. This reduction factor aligns with existing shorter-term row crop studies but nearly doubles the value previously reported for forests. This long-term study contributes insights into the vegetation correction factor for CRNS, helping resolve a long-standing issue within the CRNS community.

A Novel Apparatus for the Fully Automated Extraction and Online Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Solid Environmental Samples: Application to the Pressurized Hot Water Extraction of Pharmaceuticals in Soil.

A new self-assembled apparatus for the extraction of solid samples was designed and implemented to perform a recirculated pressurized hot water extraction (R-PHWE) directly coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. To investigate the potential of this new extraction apparatus, 34 target pharmaceutical compounds were analyzed in loam, silt-loam, and silty-clay-loam soils. The target analytes were characterized by heterogeneous physicochemical properties (e.g., -1.60 ≤ log D ≤ 5.91 at pH = 7.2, i.e., at the mean pH values of the three soils). Design of experiments (DoE) was used to identify the best extraction conditions for the target analytes by studying temperature, pressure, and number of extraction cycles. The results of DoE optimization pointed out the significant influence of the number of cycles on recovery. The application of DoE set point to the three reference soils provided recoveries ≥60% for 21-25 out the 34 target analytes, depending on soil. Good recovery precision (<25%) and moderate suppressive matrix effect (≤40%) were found for most target analytes, regardless of the soil considered. The optimized R-PHWE procedure evidenced statistically higher recoveries for 16 out of 34 target analytes when compared to conventional off-line dynamic PHWE.