Search

This paper focuses on using a novel approach to assess the statistical variability of management data from an aerobic thermophilic biological plant (AWTP) utilizing a fluidized bed biological reactor. A proper statistical characterization of full-scale thermophilic biological systems, in fact, may inform process optimization in the light of a future automation of treatment plants. We present a case study that spans the period from 2018 to 2023 and encompasses various high-strength aqueous waste (AW) in continuous mode. Key aspects of the proposed analytical approach include: (i) utilizing advanced descriptive statistics, such as violin graphs, to depict the variability of monitored parameters over five years; (ii) conducting correlation analyses (Spearman and Pearson correlation matrices) specifically focusing on nitrogenous forms within the AW; (iii) applying multivariate statistical analysis to assess the correlation between pollutants released and the plant's energy and oxygen consumption; and (iv) reconstructing parameter trends by considering periodic and random components, thus enhancing the understanding of the system's behavior over time. The findings presented in this paper offer valuable insights into the performance and optimization of AWTPs, potentially leading to a proper planning of the loads and consequent feeding of the plants. If properly enacted, our approach may provide a significant contribution to the field of aqueous waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a DNA virus belonging to the Asfivirus genus and Asfarviridae family. In recent years, ASF has grown to be a significant concern for the pig industry worldwide. The ever-growing handling of ASFV pathological material in laboratories, for either diagnostic or research activities, requires particular caution to avoid accidental virus release from laboratories with consequent detrimental economic and environmental effects. This paper aims to describe the Italian National Reference Laboratory (NRL) efforts to develop a biological containment tool for ASF laboratories and animal facilities. The easy-to-apply recommendations focusing on the risk assessment system and internal audits used for enhancing Italian biosafety and biosecurity measures are reported. The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family, Asfivirus genus. It is responsible for massive losses in pig populations and drastic direct and indirect economic impacts. The ever-growing handling of ASFV pathological material in laboratories, necessary for either diagnostic or research activities, requires particular attention to avoid accidental virus release from laboratories and its detrimental economic and environmental effects. Recently, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 repealed the Commission Decision of 26 May 2003 reporting an ASF diagnostic manual (2003/422/EC) with the minimum and supplementary requirements for ASF laboratories. This decision generated a regulatory gap that has not been addressed yet. This paper aims to describe the Italian National Reference Laboratory (NRL) efforts to develop an effective and reliable biological containment tool for ASF laboratories and animal facilities. The tool consists of comprehensive and harmonized structural and procedural requirements for ASF laboratories and animal facilities that have been developed based on both current and repealed legislation, further entailing a risk assessment and internal audit as indispensable tools to design, adjust, and improve biological containment measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the integration of biotechnology and information technology within the pharmaceutical industry, developing a multidimensional digital health framework tailored for this sector. Utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) research model, we design a health service platform that amalgamates biotechnology, information technology, and digital technology to enhance the capacity building of pharmaceutical associations in Anhui Province. This platform facilitates the efficient collection, analysis, and application of biological data, enabling precise health management services tailored to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. The architecture of this information system is crafted to cater to the digital health requirements of the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on improving performance and user satisfaction within industry associations. Experimental validation of the platform reveals an average response time of 145.125ms, ensuring rapid user feedback. The platform achieves a satisfaction rate of 98.3% regarding the richness of health concept knowledge, with high satisfaction rates across other evaluative metrics as well. The results confirm that the multidimensional digital health service platform is effectively applicable to the pharmaceutical sector within Anhui's industry associations. It demonstrates significant potential to support the development of personnel capacities within member enterprises, proving its value in fostering a more informed and capable pharmaceutical industry workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many sources of contamination in chemical and biological laboratories are well understood and known, some are less so. To quantify the magnitude of the potential contamination of solutions by zinc in common laboratory syringes, a study was conducted on solutions stored in rubber-containing syringes in which the rubber was catalyzed by zinc. This study identified specific factors contributing to contamination from laboratory syringes, including the syringe brand, time, solution type, and pH. Two common syringe brands, Covidien and BD, were tested, and three time durations, 0 days, 1 day, and 14 days, were examined. The solutions tested included sucrose and tartaric acid, representing both covalent and ionic species. Additionally, this study employed a pH range of 2 to 13 to further explore zinc contamination across a wide range of conditions and factors. The zinc concentration from the syringes was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results, which ranged from less than 20 to over 600 μg L−1, revealed increased zinc concentration at both extreme pH values, while remaining lower but measurable at neutral pH levels. Zinc contamination is important to study because its contamination in laboratory syringes could interfere with the detection of other elements, further skew laboratory data, unexpectedly catalyze reactions, and lead to inconsistencies in experimental conditions. This study further emphasizes the broader significance of understanding pollutants within laboratory settings. The findings highlight the intricate dynamics of zinc contamination, stressing the need for the control of environmental factors and the broad dissemination of lesser-known sources. Recognizing the potential impact of contaminants like zinc is crucial, as it not only influences analytical accuracy, but also mirrors the wider concern of pollutants compromising scientific integrity in diverse experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arachnology Letters / Arachnologische Mitteilungen is the property of Arachnologische Gesellschaft e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. B, Zoology is the property of Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plants produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites, including compounds with biological activities that could be used for the treatment of human diseases. In the present study, we examined the putative production of bioactive molecules in the legume plant Lotus japonicus, which engages into symbiotic relationships with beneficial soil microorganisms. To monitor the production of secondary metabolites when the plant develops beneficial symbiotic relationships, we performed single and double inoculations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria. Plant extracts from non-inoculated and inoculated plants were chemically characterized and tested for anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects on human HEK-293 cells. Both shoot and root extracts from non-inoculated and inoculated plants significantly reduced the HEK-293 cell viability; however, a stronger effect was observed when the root extracts were tested. Shoot and root extracts from Rhizobium-inoculated plants and shoot extracts from AMF-inoculated plants showed apoptotic effects on human cells. Moreover, both shoot and root extracts from AMF-inoculated plants significantly reduced TNFα-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity, denoting anti-inflammatory activity. These results suggest that symbiotic L. japonicus plants are enriched with metabolites that have interesting biological activities and could be further explored for putative future use in the pharmaceutical sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]