Three-dimensional virtual cystoscopy: non invasive approach for the assessment of urinary tract in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction

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Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions

This paper introduces a protocol for the preparation of hemi-larynx specimens facilitating a multi-dimensional view of vocal fold vibration, in order to investigate various biophysical aspects of voice production in humans and non-human mammals.

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Residues and health risk assessment of typical antibiotics in aquatic products from the Dongting Lake, China—“Did you eat “Antibiotics” today?”

Abstract

The contamination level of 12 antibiotics in 8 species of fish and shrimp from the Dongting Lake, China, was firstly studied. In total, the concentrations of antibiotics in fish and shrimp were lower, which were far lower than the maximum residue limits. The most abundant compound was enrofloxacin followed by sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sarafloxacin, and sulfadimidine with the highest content from 0.37 to 1.06 ng g⁻¹. The concentrations in Silurus asotus, Cyprinus carpio, and Palinuridae were higher. Concentrations in fish and shrimp from different water layers showed spatial difference, with the order of benthos and middle-lower species > middle-upper species. In addition, the antibiotic content could be affected by the diet, which showed the concentration level of antibiotics decreased in the order of carnivorous > omnivorous > phytophagous species. Human health risk assessment based on potential fish consumption indicates that main antibiotic risk factors were enrofloxacin and sarafloxacin, and main risk species were Silurus asotus and Palinuridae. The daily risk quotient of these antibiotics to rural residents was lower than townsmen. This study is the first report of antibiotic content in fish and shrimp from the Dongting Lake, which could enrich the research of emerging pollutants in aquatic products.

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Performance and biofilm characteristics of biotrickling filters for ethylbenzene removal in the presence of saponins

Abstract

Saponins were applied to enhance ethylbenzene removal in biotrickling filters (BTFs), and comparison experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of saponins on ethylbenzene removal and biofilm characteristics at various saponin concentrations. Results showed that the optimum concentration of saponins was 40 mg/L and a maximum removal efficiency (RE) of ethylbenzene reached 84.3%. When the inlet ethylbenzene concentration increased, ranging from 750 to 2300 mg/m³, the RE decreased from 92.1 to 60.8% and from 69.4 to 44.2% for BTF1 and BTF2 in which saponin was and was not added, respectively. The corresponding RE declined from 91.1 to 40.8% and from 71.5 to 35.8% with a decreased empty bed residence time ranging from 45 to 7.5 s. Additionally, significant differences existed between both BTFs not only in the contents of polysaccharide and proteins but also in the surface charge of biofilms, and the ratio of protein to polysaccharide increased with the increase of saponin concentration, which indicated the presumable effect of saponins on liquid-biofilm transfer rates of ethylbenzene. Mechanisms for the enhanced removal of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds at the presence of surfactants were also discussed.

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Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals and histopathological and hematobiochemical alterations in backyard chickens reared in an industrial area, India

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of four heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co), and histopathological lesions in tissues of chickens reared in an industrial area of West Bengal, India. In particular, Mejhia Block was selected as a heavy metal-exposed area and Vatar Block (120 km away from industrially polluted areas) as a reference site. Samples were collected from the backyard chickens in these areas. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil, water, feedstuffs, tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, lung, and muscle), and droppings were greater (p < 0.05) in the polluted site than in the reference site. The greatest tissue concentrations of Cd and Pb were noted in the kidney, followed by the liver, lung, spleen, and muscle, whereas Cu and Co concentrations accumulated in these tissues resulted in the following: liver > kidney > lung > spleen > muscle. Heavy metal concentrations were greater in older chickens (> 1 year) than in young chickens (< 1 year). Packed cell volume, total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, total protein, and total leucocyte counts were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the blood picture of chickens in the exposed area. Different serum enzymes and biochemical profiles were altered due to heavy metal exposure. Histological changes revealed necrotic lesions and tubulitis in the kidney, degeneration and necrosis in liver parenchyma, and periarteriolitis, peribronchiolitis, and presence of hemosiderin pigment in the lung of chickens in the exposed site. Results indicated that backyard chickens in heavy metal-exposed site may show pathological lesions in different tissues due to accumulation of heavy metals, and thus, the consumption of chicken meat from the industrially exposed site may pose a potential health risk to local residents of polluted sites.

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BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas

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BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas

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