Preparation and optimization of sulfur ferrous inorganic carbon composite filler for autotrophic denitrification nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) occurs without organic carbon sources, offering advantages in removing nitrogen pollutants from water with low carbon to nitrogen ratio. However, ensuring nitrate-reducing sulfide-oxidizing bacteria ability to access the necessary sulfur and inorganic carbon sources is a challenge. Therefore, this study investigated the feasibility of utilizing a SAD composite filler to mitigate nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants concentrations in secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and reduce eutrophication risk in the receiving water.

Targeting Hydrogel for Intelligent Recognition and Spatiotemporal Control in Cell-Based Therapeutics.

Smart drug platforms based on spatiotemporally controlled release and integration of tumor imaging are expected to overcome the inefficiency and uncertainty of traditional theranostic modes. In this study, a composite consisting of a thermosensitive hydrogel (polyvinyl alcohol-carboxylic acid hydrogel (PCF)) and a multifunctional nanoparticle (FeO@Au/Mn(Zn)-4-carboxyphenyl porphyrin/polydopamine (FAMP)) is developed to combine tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD)/immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy under the guidance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging (FI). It can not only further recognize the target cells through the folate receptor of tumor cells, but also produce thermal dissolution after exposure to near-infrared light to slowly release FAMP in situ, thereby prolonging the treatment time and avoiding tumor recurrence.

Hepatitis E Virus RNA Detection in Liver and Muscle Tissues Sampled from Home Slaughtered Domestic Pigs in Central Italy.

Hepatitis E virus is a worldwide emerging foodborne pathogen; raw or undercooked meats and liver pork products can cause infection through the orofecal route. In Central-Southern Italy, small traditional farming method, associated with the possibility of environmental sharing with wild species, can facilitate HEV diffusion and persistence. The aim of this study was to determine HEV genotype and subtype in Marche region from home slaughtered domestic pigs involved in small and traditional food chains.

Endogenous HS-activated Ag nanoparticles embedded in programmed DNA-cubes for specific visualization of colorectal cancer cells.

To avoid the unexpected aggregation and reduce the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials as optical probes in cell imaging applications, we propose a programmed DNA-cube as a carrier for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to construct a specific hydrogen sulfide (HS) responsive platform (Ag NP@DNA-cube) for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) in this study. The DNA-cube maintains good dispersion of Ag NPs while providing excellent biocompatibility. Based on the characteristic overexpression of endogenous HS in CRC cells, the Ag NPs are etched by HS within target cells into silver sulfide quantum dots, thereby selectively illuminating the target cells.

Comprehensive assessment of health and ecological risk of cadmium in agricultural soils across China: A tiered framework.

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination has been increasingly serious in agricultural land across China, posing unexpected risks to human health concerning crop safety and terrestrial ecosystems. This study collected Cd concentration data from 3388 soil sites in agricultural regions. To assess the Cd risk to crop safety, a comprehensive sampling investigation was performed to develop reliable Soil Plant Transfer (SPT) model.

Sludge-derived iron-carbon material enhancing the removal of refractory organics in landfill leachate: Characteristics optimization, removal mechanism, and molecular-level investigation.

Mature landfill leachate is a refractory organic wastewater, and needs physical and chemical pretreatments contemporaneously, e.g. iron-carbon micro-electrolysis (IC-ME).

Antimony Isotope Fractionation Revealed from EXAFS during Adsorption on Fe (Oxyhydr)oxides.

A lack of knowledge about antimony (Sb) isotope fractionation mechanisms in key geochemical processes has limited its environmental applications as a tracer. Naturally widespread iron (Fe) (oxyhydr)oxides play a key role in Sb migration due to strong adsorption, but the behavior and mechanisms of Sb isotopic fractionation on Fe (oxyhydr)oxides are still unclear. Here, we investigate the adsorption mechanisms of Sb on ferrihydrite (Fh), goethite (Goe), and hematite (Hem) using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and show that inner-sphere complexation of Sb species with Fe (oxyhydr)oxides occurs independent of pH and surface coverage.

Assembly processes of eukaryotic plankton communities in the world's largest drinking water diversion project.

The largest engineered water diversion project-the Middle Route of the South to North Water Diversion Project (MRP), is of strategic importance in solving the problem of the northern water shortage in China. Eukaryotic plankton are important to the water quality stability in the MRP, but little has been reported about their dynamics and assembly processes, especially for abundant and rare communities. In this study, amplicon sequencing was used to investigate the eukaryotic plankton communities.

Ecological stoichiometry of soil and microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in tea plantations with different ages.

The implementation of ecological engineering projects such as "Green for Grain" causes great changes in the cycling and stoichiometry of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), with consequences on soil microbial biomass stoichiometric characteristics. However, the temporal dynamics and coordination of soil-microbial C:N:P stoichiometry are still unclear. In this study, we examined the variations of soil-microbial biomass C, N, and P with the tea plantation ages (<5 a, 5-10 a, 10-20 a, 20-30 a, and >30 a) in a small watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

Co-exposure to toxic metals and phthalates in pregnant women and their children's mental health problems aged four years - Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS).

Background: Childhood and adolescent mental health problems may increase the global burden of disease. Neurotoxic metals are associated with inflammation and cytotoxicity in the brain. In addition, prenatal phthalate ester (PAE) exposure is associated with cognitive function deficits.

Occurrence, Risk, and Source of Heavy Metals in Lake Water Columns and Sediment Cores in Jianghan Plain, Central China.

Heavy metal pollution in lakes is an issue that endangers ecosystems worldwide; however, the vertical properties of heavy metals in the water columns and sediment cores of lakes have been rarely evaluated simultaneously. This study revealed the pollution, risks, and sources of heavy metals from surface water to deep sediments in four typical shallow lakes located in central China. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals, except Hg, had insignificant stratification in the water column.

Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) and clinical implication for safe use of primaquine in malaria-endemic areas of Hainan Province, China.

Primaquine, the only licensed antimalarial drug for eradication of and malaria, may cause acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) during treatment. The different prevalence and distribution patterns of G6PDd in Hainan, the ancient malaria-endemic area, are unclear. This study included 5,622 suspected malaria patients between 2009 and 2011 in 11 counties of Hainan.

[Effects of moss biocrust on soil water infiltration in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China].

We examined the effects of moss-dominated biocrusts on soil infiltration properties in Wangjiaqiao watershed of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Five levels of coverage (1%-20%, 20%-40%, 40%-60%, 60%-80% and 80%-100%) were set, with a nearby bare land as the control. We collected soil samples and conducted infiltration process observation by double cutting ring method.

[Effects of moss biocrusts on soil-microbe-ectoenzyme stoichiometric characteristics in a subtropical area].

The formation and development of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) potentially affect the cycles and stoichiometric characteristics of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). However, it is still unclear how soil microbes adapt to such changes. In this study, we examined the effects of moss-dominated biocrusts coverage (0, 1%-20%, 20%-40%, 40%-60%, 60%-80%, and 80%-100%) on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial biomass, and ectoenzyme activities [β-1, 4-glucosidase (BG), β-1, 4-N-acetyl glucosidase (NAG), acid phosphatase (AP)] in two soil layers (0-5 and 5-10 cm) in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, as well as the covariations of soil-microbe-ectoenzyme C:N:P stoichiometry.

Predicting environmental concentrations and the potential risk of Plant Protection Products (PPP) on non-target soil organisms accounting for regional and landscape ecological variability in european soils.

Plant Protection Products (PPP) raise concerns as their application may cause effects on some soil organisms considered non-target species which could be highly sensitive to some pesticides. The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA), in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, has developed guidance and a software tool, Persistence in Soil Analytical Model (PERSAM), for conducting soil exposure assessments. EFSA PPR Panel has published recommendations for the risk assessment of non-target soil organisms.

Endotherapic treatment to control Toumeyella parvicornis Cockerell infestations on Pinus pinea L.

Background: The pine tortoise scale, Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897), is a damaging insect pest native to North America. Its accidental introduction into Europe, where it was first reported in central-southern Italy, is leading to severe infestations among stone pine trees, Pinus pinea L. causing severe infestations and generating a major risk to the health and safety of the citizens as well.

Soil contamination with cadmium and potential risk around various mines in China during 2000-2020.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in mining areas is the most important challenge for soil environment management in China. Assessing the actual Cd pollution risk in various mining areas and identifying the core areas requiring supervision can provide a basis for government departments and industries to carry out detailed further investigations in key areas. In this study, we collated published data on metal mine circumjacent soil contaminated by Cd in China from 2002 to 2020 to conduct a comprehensive study on soil cadmium pollution and ecological and health risks in mining areas.

Case study of the in-situ restoration of black-odorous water by combined process of forced aeration and biological contact oxidation.

Black and odorous water bodies are an extreme phenomenon that impair ecological integrity, adversely affect the lives of residents and the town's image, and cause unpleasant sensory experiences. Herein, we consider a black and smelly river in Heshan City, Guangdong Province, as a case study. The proposed comprehensive governance process combines the use of pollution control and interception, sediment remediation, aeration oxygenation, a high-efficiency biological contact oxidation/denitrification pond, and ecosystem construction.

Mineral and Botanical Composition of Honey Produced in Chile's Central-Southern Region.

The chemical composition and quality of honey depend on the floral and geographical origin, extraction techniques, and storage, resulting in a unique product for each area. Currently, consumers are not only concerned about the chemical composition, quality, and food safety of honey, but also about its origin. The objective of this study was to characterize honeys produced in Chile's central-southern region from a mineral and botanical perspective, thus adding value through differentiation by origin.

Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Metals and Atopic Dermatitis Among Children Aged 4 Years in Taiwan.

Importance: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has substantially increased in recent decades, and atopic dermatitis could lead to allergic airway inflammation later in life. A previous study found that inorganic arsenic exposure was associated with allergic airway inflammation in children aged 8 to 14 years. However, the association between prenatal exposure to arsenic and other metals and the risk of atopic dermatitis among young children remains unknown.

Precipitation Mediates the Distribution but Not the Taxonomic Composition of Phytoplankton Communities in a Tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir.

Precipitation is a driver of changes in the spatiotemporal distribution of phytoplankton communities. The ecological consequence of precipitation is important, but the underlying processes are not clear. Here we conducted an immediate prior- and after-event short-interval investigation in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, to test whether the short-term changes in the phytoplankton communities and functional groups could be predicted based on the precipitation level.

Passivation of multiple heavy metals in lead-zinc tailings facilitated by straw biochar-loaded N-doped carbon aerogel nanoparticles: Mechanisms and microbial community evolution.

Heavy metal (HM) soil pollution has become an increasingly serious problem with the development of industries. Application of biochar in HMs remediation from contaminated environment has attracted considerable research attention during the past decade. Although the mechanism of HMs passivation with biochar has been investigated, effects and mechanisms of interaction among soil-indigenous microbes and novel carbon matrix composites for HMs adsorption and passivation are still unclear.

[The covid-19 emergency in the words of the nurses].

. The covid-19 emergency in the words of the nurses . This special issue of AIR is dedicated to the direct professional experiences and personal testimonies of a sample of the nursing personnel during the most dramatic phase of the covid-19 pandemia in the most severely affected regions of Northern Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Friuli, Trentino, Emilia Romagna Regions).

The perceived neighborhood environment is associated with health-enhancing physical activity among adults: a cross-sectional survey of 13 townships in Taiwan.

Background: Many environmental factors have been associated with physical activity. The environment is considered a key factor in terms of the rate of engagement in physical activity. This study examined the perceived effect of environmental factors on different levels of health-enhancing physical activity among Taiwanese adults.

Crack Detection of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Beam Using Embedded Piezoceramic Smart Aggregates.

In this paper, the authors present a stress wave-based active sensing method to detect the crack in FRP-reinforced concrete beams. The embedded smart aggregates (SAs), which utilize Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) as transducers, are employed in this research to generate and sense the stress wave. Three specimens are involved in the experimental program and each is made of concrete, longitudinal distributed reinforcement, steel stirrups, main bar (FRP bar or steel bar), and four SAs.