Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in a full-scale drinking water treatment plant.

Antibiotic resistance in drinking water has received increasing attention in recent years. In this study, the occurrence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) was comprehensively investigated using metagenomics. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 381 ARG subtypes belonging to 15 ARG types were detected, and bacitracin had the highest abundance (from 0.

Detection of Serogroup G Using Real-Time PCR for Novel Target Genes Identified Through Comparative Genomics.

Accurate serotyping is essential for effective infection control. serogroup G is one of the most common serogroups found in water. Conventional serotyping methods are not standardized and have several shortcomings.

Quantitative detection of aflatoxin B using quantum dots-based immunoassay in a recyclable gravity-driven microfluidic chip.

To achieve rapid and sensitive detection of aflatoxin B (AFB), we developed a polydimethylsiloxane gravity-driven cyclic microfluidic chip using the two-signal mode strategy. The structural design of the chip, together with the two-wavelength quantum dot ratio fluorescence, effectively eliminates the influence of environmental factors, improves the signal stability, and ensures that the final detection result positively correlates with the target concentration. Moreover, the theoretical analysis performed for the established physical model of the three-dimensional reaction interface inside the chip confirmed the improved reaction rate of immune adsorption in the microfluidic strategy.

Identification of Novel Sensitive and Reliable Serovar-Specific Targets for PCR Detection of Serovars Hadar and Albany by Pan-Genome Analysis.

The accurate and rapid classification of serovars is an essential focus for the identification of isolates involved in disease in humans and animals. The purpose of current research was to identify novel sensitive and reliable serovar-specific targets and to develop PCR method for C2 serogroups (O:8 epitopes) in food samples to facilitate timely treatment. A total of 575 genomic sequences of 16 target serovars belonging to serogroup C2 and 150 genomic sequences of non-target serovars were analysed by pan-genome analysis.

Mining of novel target genes through pan-genome analysis for multiplex PCR differentiation of the major Listeria monocytogenes serotypes.

The abundant information provided by the pan-genome analysis approach reveals the diversity among Listeria monocytogenes serotypes. The objective of this study was to mine novel target genes using pan-genome analysis for multiplex PCR detection and differentiation of the major L. monocytogenes serotypes present in food.

Rapid trace element analysis of microgram soft materials with cryogenic milling and laser ablation spectroscopy.

Trace element analysis of soft materials, to determine the content of low concentration elements, is important in many industries such as food quality control and medical biopsy analysis. Many of these applications would benefit from faster analysis with smaller sample requirements. Further, some natural samples are soft and have high water content, which brings challenges to element analysis.

The effect of crystal phase of manganese oxide on the capacitive deionization of simple electrolytes.

MnO is a common material for the fabrication and design of capacitive deionization (CDI) devices but there is little information on the role of MnO crystal phase on CDI performance. A series of MnO (α, β, γ, and δ phase) were synthesized and fabricated as cathodes for studying the CDI performance as affected by pH in simple batch mode experiments. Our results revealed that the deionization efficiency decreased with increased negative surface charge as a result of the deprotonated surface.

Enhancing Boron Uptake in Brain Glioma by a Boron-Polymer/Microbubble Complex with Focused Ultrasound.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising radiotherapy for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, the penetration of drugs (e.g.

Effect of Surface Ionization of Doped MnO on Capacitive Deionization Efficiency.

Associating MnO with carbonaceous supports profoundly enhances capacitive deionization (CDI) efficiency. A fundamental question of how the surface chemistry of MnO itself influences CDI efficiency is not yet fully understood. In this study, the effect of surface ionization on the CDI efficiencies of Fe-, Co-, and Ni-doped α-MnO (<0.

Enhanced Metal Ion Rejection by a Low-Pressure Microfiltration System Using Cellulose Filter Papers Modified with Citric Acid.

Energy consumption is always a major issue hindering the universal application of membrane-based filtration system. We herein demonstrated a low-energy-consumption microfiltration system that can be operated under ambient pressure while a great metal ion rejection rate (>95%) accompanied by a high permeate flux (100 L/mh) was concurrently reached. This achievement was closely correlated to the enhanced metal ion adsorption by grafted carboxyl groups at the cellulose filter paper through esterification.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on the interactions of neuron- and glia-like cells: Toxicity, uptake mechanisms, and lysosomal tracking.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are commonly used nanomaterials in consumer products. Previous studies focused on its effects on neurons; however, little is known about their effects and uptake mechanisms on glial cells under normal or activated states. Here, ALT astrocyte-like, BV-2 microglia and differentiated N2a neuroblastoma cells were directly or indirectly exposed to 10 nm AgNPs using mono- and co-culture system.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency of hematite electrodes with aqueous metal ions as in situ homogenous surface passivation agents.

Passivation of surface states is known to reduce the onset photocurrent potential by removing the Fermi level pinning effect at the Helmholtz layer and enhance the photocurrent plateau by suppressing recombination loss in the space charge region. We report for the first time that metal ions can effectively passivate surface states in situ that improves the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of hematite electrodes. Among metal ions studied, Cr(iii), Mn(ii), Fe(ii), Co(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) were found to enhance the photocurrent by 30-300%; whereas photocurrent density significantly dropped by 90% in Ni(ii) solution after 90 min of illumination.

Indirect effects of TiO2 nanoparticle on neuron-glial cell interactions.

Although, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are nanomaterials commonly used in consumer products, little is known about their hazardous effects, especially on central nervous systems. To examine this issue, ALT astrocyte-like, BV-2 microglia and differentiated N2a neuroblastoma cells were exposed to 6 nm of 100% anatase TiO2NPs. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was pre-treated to activate glial cells before NP treatment for mimicking NP exposure under brain injury.

Element distribution over the surface of fish scales and its connection to the geochemical environment of habitats: a potential biogeochemical tag.

The elemental content of fish scales is known to be a reliable biogeochemical tag for tracing the origin of fishes. In this study, this correlation is further confirmed to exist on the surface of fish scales using a novel environmental analytical method, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), which bypasses several complicated sample preparation procedures such as acid digestion and pre-concentration. The results suggest that the elemental ratios of Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, and Mn/Ca on the surface of fish scales are strongly correlated with the geochemical environment of their original habitat.

Effect of interactions between Co(2+) and surface goethite layer on the performance of α-FeOOH coated hollow fiber ceramic ultrafiltration membranes.

The consideration of water energy nexus inspires the environmental engineering community to pursue a more sustainable strategy in the wastewater treatment. One potential response would be to enhance the performance of the low-pressure driven filtration system. To reach this objective, it is essential to have a better understanding regarding the surface interaction between the target substance and the surface of membrane.

Improving distillation method and device of tritiated water analysis for ultra high decontamination efficiency.

It is important that monitoring environmental tritiated water for understanding the contamination dispersion of the nuclear facilities. Tritium is a pure beta radionuclide which is usually measured by Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC). The average energy of tritum beta is only 5.

Trojan-horse mechanism in the cellular uptake of silver nanoparticles verified by direct intra- and extracellular silver speciation analysis.

The so-called "Trojan-horse" mechanism, in which nanoparticles are internalized within cells and then release high levels of toxic ions, has been proposed as a behavior in the cellular uptake of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). While several reports claim to have proved this mechanism by measuring AgNPs and Ag ions (I) in cells, it cannot be fully proven without examining those two components in both intra- and extracellular media. In our study, we found that even though cells take up AgNPs similarly to (microglia (BV-2)) or more rapidly than (astrocyte (ALT)) Ag (I), the ratio of AgNPs to total Ag (AgNPs+Ag (I)) in both cells was lower than that in outside media.

Silver nanoparticles affect on gene expression of inflammatory and neurodegenerative responses in mouse brain neural cells.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have antibacterial characteristics, and currently are applied in Ag-containing products. This study found neural cells can uptake 3-5 nm AgNPs, and investigated the potential effects of AgNPs on gene expression of inflammation and neurodegenerative disorder in murine brain ALT astrocytes, microglial BV-2 cells and neuron N2a cells. After AgNPs (5, 10, 12.

CO₂ uptake performance and life cycle assessment of CaO-based sorbents prepared from waste oyster shells blended with PMMA nanosphere scaffolds.

In this paper, we demonstrate a means of simultaneously solving two serious environmental issues by reutilization of calcinated mixture of pulverized waste oyster shells blending with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanospheres to prepare CaO-based sorbents for CO2 capture. After 10 cycles of isothermal carbonation/calcination at 750°C, the greatest CO2 uptake (0.19 g CO2/g sorbent) was that for the sorbent featuring 70 wt% of PMMA, which was almost three times higher than that (0.

Establishing a mobile environmental survey system for real-time emergency response.

After the 9/11 incident, the needs of environmental survey mobility were increased because the time and place of terrorism attacks are more unpredictable than traditional radiological and nuclear accident. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the radiation protection of the survey workers in the field. The Institute of Nuclear Energy Research has established a Mobile Environmental Survey System (MESS) for real time emergency response by using network communication.

Influence of sodium halides (NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI) on the photocatalytic performance of hydrothermally synthesized hematite photoanodes.

It has been suggested that a high concentration of Fe(3+) in solution, a low pH, and noncomplexing ions of high ionic strength are all essential for developing a high-quality hematite array. Our curiosity was piqued regarding the role of the electrolyte ions in the hydrothermal synthesis of hematite photoanodes. In this study, we prepared hematite photoanodes hydrothermally from precursor solutions of 0.

Spatial distributions of inorganic elements in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and possible relationships to dietary habits and surrounding environmental pollutants.

In this study, the laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was adopted to determine the distribution of inorganic elements, including Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, S, P, Pb, and Zn, in honeybees (Apis melifera L.). Two features are particularly noteworthy.

An innovative distillation device for tritiated water analysis with high decontamination factor.

Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) has designed an air-cooling distillation device and got a US patent. The decontamination factor (60)Co and (137)Cs is above 23,000. Tritium loss rate is one of testing items in ASTM D4107 Standard Test Method for Tritium in Drinking Water.

The in vivo biodistribution and fate of CdSe quantum dots in the murine model: a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry study.

Understanding the cytotoxicity of quantum dots strongly relies upon the development of new analytical techniques to gather information about various aspects of the system. In this study, we demonstrate the in vivo biodistribution and fate of CdSe quantum dots in the murine model by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). By comparing the hot zones of each element acquired from LA-ICP-MS with those in fluorescence images, together with hematoxylin and eosin-stained images, we are able to perceive the fate and in vivo interactions between quantum dots and rat tissues.