The soil microbiota exhibits an important function in the ecosystem, and its response to climate change is of paramount importance for sustainable agroecosystems. The macronutrients, micronutrients, and additional constituents vital for the growth of plants are cycled biogeochemically under the regulation of the soil microbiome. Identifying and forecasting the effect of climate change on soil microbiomes and ecosystem services is the need of the hour to address one of the biggest global challenges of the present time. The impact of climate change on the structure and function of the soil microbiota is a major concern, explained by one or more sustainability factors around resilience, reluctance, and rework. However, the past research has revealed that microbial interventions have the potential to regenerate soils and improve crop resilience to climate change factors. The methods used therein include using soil microbes' innate capacity for carbon sequestration, rhizomediation, bio-fertilization, enzyme-mediated breakdown, phyto-stimulation, biocontrol of plant pathogens, antibiosis, inducing the antioxidative defense pathways, induced systemic resistance response (ISR), and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the host plant. Microbial phytohormones have a major role in altering root shape in response to exposure to drought, salt, severe temperatures, and heavy metal toxicity and also have an impact on the metabolism of endogenous growth regulators in plant tissue. However, shelf life due to the short lifespan and storage time of microbial formulations is still a major challenge, and efforts should be made to evaluate their effectiveness in crop growth based on climate change. This review focuses on the influence of climate change on soil physico-chemical status, climate change adaptation by the soil microbiome, and its future implications.
OBJECTIVES: Stability of concentrations of urinary stone-related metabolites was analyzed from samples of recurrent urinary stone formers to assess necessity and effectiveness of urine acidification during collection and storage. METHODS: First-morning urine was collected from 20 adult calcium-stone forming patients at Tomas Bata Hospital in the Czech Republic. Urine samples were analyzed for calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphate, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, citrate, oxalate, and urine particles. The single-voided specimens were collected without acidification, after which they were divided into three groups for storage: samples without acidification ("NON"), acidification before storage ("PRE"), or acidification after storage ("POST"). The analyses were conducted on the day of arrival (day 0, "baseline"), or after storage for 2 or 7 days at room temperature. The maximum permissible difference (MPD) was defined as ±20 % from the baseline. RESULTS: The urine concentrations of all stone-related metabolites remained within the 20 % MPD limits in NON and POST samples after 2 days, except for calcium in NON sample of one patient, and oxalate of three patients and citrate of one patient in POST samples. In PRE samples, stability failed in urine samples for oxalate of three patients, and for uric acid of four patients after 2 days. Failures in stability often correlated with high baseline concentrations of those metabolites in urine. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed procedures are needed to collect urine specimens for analysis of urinary stone-related metabolites, considering both patient safety and stability of those metabolites. We recommend specific preservation steps.
- MeSH
- Urinalysis methods MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MeSH
- Uric Acid urine MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Urinary Calculi * urine MeSH
- Specimen Handling methods MeSH
- Recurrence * MeSH
- Urine Specimen Collection methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite strong evidence for improved preservation of donor livers by machine perfusion, longer post-transplant follow-up data are urgently needed in an unselected patient population. We aimed to assess long-term outcomes after transplantation of hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE)-treated donor livers based on real-world data (i.e., IDEAL-D stage 4). METHODS: In this international, multicentre, observational cohort study, we collected data from adult recipients of HOPE-treated livers transplanted between January 2012 and December 2021. Analyses were stratified by donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD), sub-divided by their respective risk categories. The primary outcome was death-censored graft survival. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of primary non-function (PNF) and ischaemic cholangiopathy (IC). RESULTS: We report on 1,202 liver transplantations (64% DBD) performed at 22 European centres. For DBD, a total number of 99 benchmark (8%), 176 standard (15%), and 493 extended-criteria (41%) cases were included. For DCD, 117 transplants were classified as low risk (10%), 186 as high risk (16%), and 131 as futile (11%), with significant risk profile variations among centres. Actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year death-censored graft survival rates for DBD and DCD livers were 95%, 92%, and 91%, vs. 92%, 87%, and 81%, respectively (log-rank p = 0.003). Within DBD and DCD strata, death-censored graft survival was similar among risk groups (log-rank p = 0.26, p = 0.99). Graft loss due to PNF or IC was 2.3% and 0.4% (DBD), and 5% and 4.1% (DCD). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows excellent 5-year survival after transplantation of HOPE-treated DBD and DCD livers with low rates of graft loss due to PNF or IC, irrespective of their individual risk profile. HOPE treatment has now reached IDEAL-D stage 4, which further supports its implementation in routine clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05520320. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates the excellent long-term performance of hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) treatment of donation after circulatory and donation after brain death liver grafts irrespective of their individual risk profile in a real-world setting, outside the evaluation of randomised-controlled trials. While previous studies have established safety, feasibility, and efficacy against the current standard, according to the IDEAL-D evaluation framework, HOPE treatment has now reached the final IDEAL-D stage 4, which further supports its implementation in routine clinical practice.
- MeSH
- Tissue Donors statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Cohort Studies MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Perfusion * methods instrumentation MeSH
- Graft Survival * MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Hypothermia, Induced methods MeSH
- Liver Transplantation * methods adverse effects MeSH
- Organ Preservation * methods MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Observational Study MeSH
Azo dyes are used as coloring agent in textile industries at larger scale. As a result, large quantity of dye-enriched waste water is generated which subsequently poses environmental problems. Biological tool involving bacteria having azoreductase enzyme has proved to be more effective and efficient in dye effluent treatment. Current work focuses on Staphylococcus caprae (S. caprae) for degradation and decolorization of Reactive Red-195 (RR-195) azo dye. For this purpose, factors such as pH, temperature, inoculums, carbon and nitrogen sources, and dye concentrations have been optimized for maximum decolorization and degradation. S. caprae (4 mg/mL) efficiently resulted into 90% decolorization of RR-195 dye under static condition at 100 μg/mL concentration, 30 °C and pH 7.0 at a 12-h contact period. FTIR analysis has revealed the formation of new functional groups in the treated dye such as O-H stretch at 3370 cm-1, C-H band stretching at 2928 cm-1, and new band at 1608 cm-1 which specify the degradation of aromatic ring, 1382 and 1118 cm-1 represents desulfonated peaks. Biodegraded metabolites of RR-195 dye such as phenol, 3, 5-di-tert-butylphenol, and phthalic acid have been identified respectively that find industrial applications. Phytotoxicity test has shown non-toxic effects of treated dye on germination of Vigna radiata and Triticum aestivum seeds. Further, antibiotic diffusion assay has confirmed the biosafety of S. caprae.
- MeSH
- Azo Compounds * metabolism toxicity MeSH
- Coloring Agents * metabolism MeSH
- Biodegradation, Environmental * MeSH
- Water Pollutants, Chemical metabolism MeSH
- Nitrogen metabolism MeSH
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MeSH
- Wastewater * microbiology chemistry MeSH
- Industrial Waste MeSH
- Staphylococcus capitis metabolism isolation & purification MeSH
- Staphylococcus metabolism MeSH
- Temperature MeSH
- Textiles MeSH
- Textile Industry MeSH
- Carbon metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Východiská: Na význam stresu pri nádorových chorobách poukazovali lekári už od čias Galéna. Avšak až v posledných dvoch desaťročiach umožnil kombinovaný onkologický a neurovedný výskum exaktne preskúmať tento vzťah a popísať dráhy a mechanizmy, ktoré sprostredkúvajú stimulačný vplyv stresu na nádorový proces. Tento nepriaznivý účinok stresu je sprostredkovaný hlavne mediátormi sympatikoadrenálneho systému, noradrenalínom a adrenalínom. Tieto katecholamíny aktiváciou adrenergických receptorov v nádorovom mikro- a makroprostredí stimulujú proliferáciu nádorových buniek a neoangiogenézu a inhibujú protinádorovú imunitu a znižujú účinnosť štandardnej protinádorovej liečby. Zistilo sa tiež, že intervencie obmedzujúce pôsobenie stresu na organizmus nie len že zlepšujú kvalitu života onkologických pacientov, ale môžu zlepšovať aj ich prežívanie. Vzhľadom na komplexnosť vplyvu stresu na organizmus sa experimentálne a klinické štúdie v prevažnej väčšine zameriavajú na skúmanie účinku jednej intervencie obmedzujúcej stimulačný vplyv sympatikoadrenálneho systému na nádorový proces. Cieľ: Zámerom tohto názorového článku je poukázať na možnosť synergického účinku kombinácie viacerých intervencií obmedzujúcich aktiváciu sympatikoadrenálneho systému a na základe dostupných údajov navrhnúť takú kombináciu týchto intervencií, ktorá je aplikovateľná v podpornej liečbe onkologických pacientov už aj v súčasnosti. Záver: Protokol Synergy, ktorý zahŕňa nefarmakologické intervencie zamerané na obmedzenie pôsobenia stresu, má potenciál zlepšiť kvalitu života a u určitých pacientov aj prognózu ich choroby. Zavedenie tohto protokolu do bežnej klinickej praxe síce bude vyžadovať vyriešenie personálnych a finančných aspektov, ktoré s jeho implikáciou súvisia, výsledkom ale môže byť významné zvýšenie úrovne starostlivosti o onkologických pacientov.
Background: The importance of stress in cancer has been noted by physicians since the time of Galen. However, it is only in the last two decades that combined oncological and neuroscientific research has allowed to explore this relationship in an exact way and to describe the pathways and mechanisms that mediate the stimulatory effect of stress on cancer. This adverse effect of stress is mediated mainly by the mediators of the sympathoadrenal system, norepinephrine and epinephrine, which, by activating adrenergic receptors in the tumor micro- and macro-environment, stimulate tumor cell proliferation and neoangiogenesis and inhibit antitumor immunity, reducing the efficacy of standard anticancer therapies. It has also been found that interventions reducing the effects of stress on the body not only improve the quality of life of cancer patients but may also improve their survival. Given the complexity of the impact of stress on the organism, experimental and clinical studies have overwhelmingly focused on investigating the effect of a single intervention reducing the stimulatory influence of the sympathoadrenal system on the cancer process. Purpose: The aim of this opinion article is to highlight the possibility of a synergistic effect of a combination of several interventions limiting the activation of the sympathoadrenal system and, based on the available data, to propose a combination of these interventions that is applicable in the supportive treatment of cancer patients even nowadays. Conclusion: The Protocol Synergy, which includes non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing the effects of stress on the cancer patient, has the potential to improve the quality and, in certain patients, the prognosis of their disease. Although the introduction of this protocol into routine clinical practice will require addressing the personnel and financial aspects associated with its implementation, it has the potential to significantly improve the level of care for cancer patients.
- MeSH
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists therapeutic use MeSH
- Exercise MeSH
- Clinical Protocols * MeSH
- Quality of Life psychology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neoplasms * etiology psychology MeSH
- Cold Temperature adverse effects MeSH
- Stress, Psychological * MeSH
- Psychotherapy methods MeSH
- Relaxation Therapy MeSH
- Heart Rate MeSH
- Self-Help Groups MeSH
- Sympathoadrenal System MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
The behavior of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) on urban materials, such as concrete, significantly impacts forensic and military responses to chemical incidents. This study examined the persistence and degradation mechanisms of sarin (GB), soman (GD), and sulfur mustard (HD) on three types of commonly used concrete with varying water-cement ratios. Over two months, we evaluated the effects of concrete composition, temperature, and fragment size on CWA behavior. Half-lives and activation energies for CWA dissipation were calculated under various conditions. Results showed that concrete properties and external temperature strongly influenced dissipation rates. G-series agents underwent rapid hydrolysis, forming methylphosphonates, while HD degradation involved elimination, nucleophilic substitution, and oxidation, producing several previously unreported byproducts. Smaller concrete fragments increased recovery values and accelerated degradation due to greater surface area exposure, and higher temperatures further enhanced dissipation rates, particularly for volatile agents. Differences in dissipation among concrete types were linked to their physical and chemical properties, notably water-cement ratios. This study highlights the challenges of detecting CWAs due to their rapid penetration and transformation in concrete and provides insights for improving sampling, identification, and decontamination strategies under realistic conditions.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Background/Objectives: Elevated body temperature is a well-established biomarker of infection, increased disease risk, and adverse health outcomes. However, the relationship between resting body temperature and long-term survival in older individuals is complex. Emerging evidence suggests that higher basal body temperature is associated with reduced survival and accelerated aging in non-obese older adults. This study aimed to compare body temperatures across different age groups in hospitalized older adults. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 367 physically healthy residents of a mental health center. Longitudinal data from 142 individuals (68 men and 74 women), aged 45 to 70 years and monitored continuously over 25 years, were compared with cross-sectional data from 225 individuals (113 men and 112 women) who underwent periodic clinical examinations with temperature measurements. The cross-sectional sample was stratified into four survival categories. Resting oral temperatures were measured under clinical conditions to ensure protocol consistency. Age-related changes in both sexes were evaluated using standard regression analysis, Student's t-tests, ANOVA, and Generalized Linear Models. Results: Longitudinal analysis revealed an increase in body temperature with age among women, while cross-sectional analysis showed that long-lived residents generally had lower body temperatures compared to their shorter-lived counterparts. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that lower lifetime steady-state body temperature is associated with greater longevity in physically healthy older adults. However, further research is needed to determine whether the lower body temperature observed in long-lived individuals is linked to specific health advantages, such as enhanced immune function, absence of detrimental factors or diseases, or a reduced metabolic rate potentially influenced by caloric restriction.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Copper radioisotopes can be used for imaging as well as for therapy and, thus, can form ideal theranostic pairs. The Cu(II) complexes of cross-bridged cyclam (cb-cyclam) derivatives are considered to be highly stable in vivo. However, the complexes are mostly formed under harsh conditions not compatible with sensitive biomolecules. Here, a new class of cb-cyclam derivatives, cross-bridged bis(phosphinate)cyclams ("cb-BPC"), were investigated. Ligands with one or two methylene-bis(phosphinate) -CH2-PO2H-CH2-PO2H(R) (R = H, OH, substituted alkyl) pendant arms were synthesized. Bifunctionalization on the distant phosphorus atom was carried out by employing P-nitrobenzyl (R = CH2-Ph-4-NO2) precursors and/or, for cb-BPC with two bis(phosphinate) pendant arms, by reactions of silyl-phosphites obtained by silylation of their P(O)-H fragments. The reactive bifunctional groups include amine, carboxylate, azide, isothiocyanate, maleimide and/or tetrazine, and also their orthogonally reactive combination in a single molecule of chelator. The cb-BPCs with one bis(phosphinate) arm were not efficiently radiolabelled with 64Cu. The cb-BPCs with two pendant arms were radiolabelled even at room temperature and with only a small excess of chelator, leading to a high specific activity. Radiolabelling was fully comparable with that of analogous bis(phosphinate) derivatives of cyclam and identical radiolabelling of cyclam and cb-cyclam derivatives was observed for the first time. The cb-BPCs with two bis(phosphinate) pendant arms represent a new class of rigid chelators for copper radioisotopes that are easily synthetically modifiable, highly hydrophilic and radiolabelled under mild conditions.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
David Ashton-Cleary -- Basic physics and electronics / Emma Foster and Hozefa Ebrahim -- Heat, temperature
xii, 266 pages : illustrations
- MeSH
- Asphyxia Neonatorum diagnosis etiology therapy MeSH
- Case Reports as Topic MeSH
- Contraindications, Procedure MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain * diagnosis therapy MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Hypothermia, Induced * classification methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH