Preparation and Evaluation of Berberine-Excipient Complexes in Enhancing the Dissolution Rate of Berberine Incorporated into Pellet Formulations.

Berberine is used in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and its low solubility and very poor oral bioavailability of berberine was one of the primary hurdles for its market approval. This study aimed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of berberine by preparing pellet formulations containing drug-excipient complex (obtained by solid dispersion). Berberine-excipient solid dispersion complexes were obtained with different ratios by the solvent evaporation method. The maximum saturation solubility test was performed as a key factor for choosing the optimal complex for the drug-excipient. The properties of these complexes were investigated by FTIR, DSC, XRD and dissolution tests. The obtained pellets were evaluated and compared in terms of pelletization efficiency, particle size, mechanical strength, sphericity and drug release profile in simulated media of gastric and intestine. Solid-state analysis showed complex formation between the drug and excipients used in solid dispersion. The optimal berberine-phospholipid complex showed a 2-fold increase and the optimal berberine-gelucire and berberine-citric acid complexes showed more than a 3-fold increase in the solubility of berberine compared to pure berberine powder. The evaluation of pellets from each of the optimal complexes showed that the rate and amount of drug released from all pellet formulations in the simulated gastric medium were significantly lower than in the intestine medium. The results of this study showed that the use of berberine-citric acid or berberine-gelucire complex could be considered a promising technique to increase the saturation solubility and improve the release characteristics of berberine from the pellet formulation.

Multi-scale thermal degradation of wood pellets under low heating rates: Experiments and modeling.

Pyrolysis and combustion experiments were carried out on a single wood pellet in a drop tube furnace, under a heating rate of 5 °C/min. Kinetic modeling was done using the Extended Independent Parallel Reaction model. Three reactions were considered in the pyrolysis case and only one in the combustion case. In the pyrolysis case, a thermal model was proposed which is coupled with the kinetic model to correct the temperature inside the pellet. In the combustion case, the mass rate curve was compared to that of the main gaseous emissions. The mass and mass rate curves between the combustions of a pellet in the drop tube furnace and of pellet sawdust in a thermobalance under the same heating rate were compared.

Microplastic from beach sediment to tissue: a case study on burrowing crab Dotilla blanfordi.

Background: Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exhibiting persistence in coastal sediment over extended periods. However, the mechanism of their uptake by marine organisms and distribution in habitat is less understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of MP contamination in burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue of Dotilla blanfordi in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat State. Methods: A total of 500 g of burrow sediment, 100 g of feeding pellets, and body tissue of 10 resident D. blanfordi were pooled as one replica. Such seven replicas from each site were analyzed for MP extraction from three sites, including Asharmata, Mandvi, and Serena, located in the Gulf of Kachchh. The standard protocol was used during the analysis of the collected samples in order to isolate MPs. Results: The abundance of MP was found higher in burrow sediment, feeding pellets and tissue of D. blanfordi at study site Mandvi, followed by Serena and Asharmata. The abundance of MP was found higher in D. blanfordi tissue, followed by burrow sediment and feeding pellet. A significant variation was observed in MP abundance among burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue. MPs with various shapes (fiber, film, and fragment), sizes (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 mm), and colors (blue, green, black, pink, purple, red transparent) were recorded from all the study sites. Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride were recognized as the chemical profile of the extracted MPs. The current investigation revealed greater accumulation of MPs in D. blanfordi's tissues compared to sediment and pellets, suggesting a risk of MP contamination in marine benthic fauna with a greater rate of bioaccumulation. D. blanfordi plays a significant role as a structuring agent for MP distribution in the intertidal flat through burrowing activity.

Evaluation of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of solvent fraction of the roots of Echinops kebericho Mesfin (Asteraceae) in mice model.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at investigating the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the solvent fractions of the roots of Echinops kebericho Mesfin in rodent models of pain and inflammation. METHODS: Successive maceration was used as a method of extraction using solvents of increasing polarity: methanol and water. Ethyl acetate, chloroform and distilled water were used as solvents of the fraction process. Swiss albino mice models were used in acetic acid induced writhing, hot plate, carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The test groups received different doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of the three fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous). The positive control groups received ASA (150 mg/kg) for the writing test, morphine (10 mg/kg) for the hot plate method, diclofenac Na for carrageenan-induced paw edema, and dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) for granuloma, while the negative control group received distilled water. RESULTS: EA fraction at all test doses employed (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) showed statistically significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001 respectively) analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in a dose-dependent manner. The AQ fraction on the other hand produced statistically significant (p<0.05, p<0.012) analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, while the CH fraction exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 400 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the data obtained from the present study elucidated that the solvent fractions of the study plant possessed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and were recommended for further investigations.

Evaluation of Scatterer Parameters From Ultrasound Scattering Models Taking Into Account Scattering From Nuclei and Cells of Cell-Pellet Biophantoms and Ex Vivo Tumors.

The Quantitative Ultrasound backscatter coefficient provides the capability to evaluate tissue microstructure parameters. Tissue-based scatterer parameters are extracted using ultrasound scattering models. It is challenging to correlate ultrasound scatterer parameters of tissue structures from optical-measured histology, possibly because of inappropriate scattering models or the presence of multiple scatterers. The objective of this study is to pursue the quantification of pertinent scatterer parameters with scattering models that consider ultrasound scattering from nuclei and cells. The concentric sphere model (CSM) and the structure factor model adapted for two types of scatterers (SFM2) are evaluated for cell-pellet biophantoms and ex vivo tumors of four cell lines: 4T1, JC, LMTK, and MAT. The structure factor model (SFM) was used for comparison. CSM and SFM2 provided scatterer parameters closer to histology (lower relative errors) for nucleus and cell radii and volume fractions than SFM but were not always accompanied by lower dispersion of the scatterer distribution (lower coefficient of variation). CSM and SFM2 quantified cell and nucleus radius and volume fraction parameters with lower relative error compared to SFM. For tumors, CSM provided better results than SFM2.

Feasibility of Matrix-Matched Material for Determining Elements in Rice Flour by SN-ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS.

The preparation of matrix-matched material for elemental quantitative analysis in rice flour matrix is proposed here for the first time as part of a feasibility study using the SN-ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS methods. It was prepared via the spiking process in colloidal solution of rice flour with different levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), followed by drying in a climatic chamber. Comparative studies of the results on external calibration and gravimetric standard addition ICP-MS approaches through the use of calibration standard solutions were discussed. Method bias from the external calibration method was investigated, demonstrating the systematic effect arising from the sample matrix. Characterizing the concentration of measurands was then reasonably proposed using the gravimetric standard addition ICP-MS. Using powdered rice matrix reference material for ICP-MS calibration following acid digestion, the study showed a good agreement of recovery studies. A feasibility study of the LA-ICP-MS method as a direct solid analysis performed on the matrix-matched standard was then discussed. In the study, large fluctuation of signals was found for constructing calibration curve, generating poor linearity, especially for As and Pb, although yttrium (Y) as internal standard was applied. This might be ascribed to a limited microscale of homogeneity, and particularly laser-induced preferential evaporation of volatile elements. Using a number of measured data points, the mean and median were statistically recommended to improve precision. An attempt to use of similar matrix in both standard and sample is a critical point to consider to minimize the elemental fractionation effect. The proposed approach to prepare matrix-matched material could be a potential means for achieving elemental quantitation.

Suitability of frozen cell pellets from cytology specimens for the Amoy 9-in-1 assay in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The AmoyDx Pan lung cancer PCR panel (AmoyDx PLC panel) has been approved as a companion diagnostic tool for multiple anticancer agents in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the suitability of cytology specimens as samples for the AmoyDx PLC panel remains unclear. We evaluated the performance of frozen cell pellets from cytology specimens (FCPs) in the Amoy 9-in-1 assay, a preapproval assay of the AmoyDx PLC panel. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of NSCLC patients enrolled in LC-SCRUM-Asia from the Shizuoka Cancer Center between September 2019 and May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 49 cases submitted FCPs for evaluation of oncogenic driver alterations and were assessed using Amoy 9-in-1 and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays. The success rates of DNA and RNA analyses using the Amoy 9-in-1 were both 100%, compared with 86% and 45%, respectively, using NGS assays. Oncogenic driver alterations were detected in 27 (55%) and 23 (47%) patients using Amoy 9-in-1 and NGS, respectively. No inconsistent results were observed among 19 cases in which both assays showed successful detection. In the remaining 30 cases, 10 had inconsistent results: nine oncogenic driver alterations (3 MET, 2 ALK, 2 ROS1, and 2 KRAS) were detectable only in Amoy 9-in-1, and one epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation was detectable only in NGS. CONCLUSION: FCPs can be successfully used in the AmoyDx PLC panel, with higher success rate compared with the NGS assay. The AmoyDx PLC panel may be an option in cases when insufficient tissue sample is available for the NGS assay.

3D imaging and analysis to unveil the impact of microparticles on the pellet morphology of filamentous fungi.

Controlling the morphology of filamentous fungi is crucial to improve the performance of fungal bioprocesses. Microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) increases productivity, most likely by changing the fungal morphology. However, due to a lack of appropriate methods, the exact impact of the added microparticles on the structural development of fungal pellets is mostly unexplored. In this study synchrotron radiation-based microcomputed tomography and three-dimensional (3D) image analysis were applied to unveil the detailed 3D incorporation of glass microparticles in nondestructed pellets of Aspergillus niger from MPEC. The developed method enabled the 3D analysis based on 375 pellets from various MPEC experiments. The total and locally resolved volume fractions of glass microparticles and hyphae were quantified for the first time. At increasing microparticle concentrations in the culture medium, pellets with lower hyphal fraction were obtained. However, the total volume of incorporated glass microparticles within the pellets did not necessarily increase. Furthermore, larger microparticles were less effective than smaller ones in reducing pellet density. However, the total volume of incorporated glass was larger for large microparticles. In addition, analysis of MPEC pellets from different times of cultivation indicated that spore agglomeration is decisive for the development of MPEC pellets. The developed 3D morphometric analysis method and the presented results will promote the general understanding and further development of MPEC for industrial application.

Effects of hand-press pellet on pain and daily life of elders with chronic lower back pain: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: For elderly people with chronic lower back pain who need long-term management, there is a need for a nursing intervention study that is effective, is easy to perform, and applies complementary and alternative therapies to manage pain without repulsion. Hand pressure therapy is a treatment indigenous to Korea used to reduce pain and improve functions of daily life by applying acupuncture, pressure sticks, and moxibustion to parts of the hand as they relate to parts of the body. This research is to identify the effects of pellet pressed on the hand on pain and the daily lives of elders with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). METHODS: The hand pressed-pellet intervention period was six weeks long. Twenty-seven patients in the intervention group and twenty-four patients in the placebo control group were recruited from elderly over sixty-five who used welfare centers. In the intervention group, hand pressed-pellet therapy was conducted in eleven acupressure response zones related to CLBP, and the placebo control group was provided with similar therapy and zones, but unrelated to CLBP. The research tool measured the intensity of CLBP using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Korean Owestry Disability Index (K-ODI), which are subjective indicators, and the Compact Digital Algometer, which is an objective indicator. RESULT: The pain intensity (VAS) measured after six weeks of hand pressed-pellet therapy showed significant difference between the two groups compared to their pain before the experiment (F = 60.522, p < .001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the pain pressure threshold using pressure statistics (F = 8.940, p < .001), and in CLBP dysfunction evaluation index (K-ODI) after applying pressed pellet to the hand (Z = - 3.540, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Subjective indicators were measured to verify the effect of hand pressed-pellet therapy on CLBP, and the result confirmed that the hand pressed-pellet therapy was effective in alleviating CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered retrospectively with reference number KCT0008024 on 23/12/2022.

Quality assessment of biomass pellets available on the market; example from Poland.

This study evaluates the quality of 30 biomass pellets sold for residential use in Poland. It provides data on their physical, chemical, and petrographic properties and compares them to existing standards and the information provided by the fuel producers. The results reveal considerable variations in the quality of the pellets and show that some of the purchased samples are not within the DINplus and/or ENplus certification thresholds. Among all 30 purchased samples, only one passes the quality thresholds set by the PL-US BIO, a newly established quality certification in Poland that combines quality assessment following DINplus with optical microscopy analysis. The primary issues causing a decrease in pellet quality include elevated ash and fines content, compromised mechanical durability, too low ash melting temperature, and additions of undesired additions like bark, inorganic matter, and petroleum products. Our research highlights the need for improved fuel quality control measures, and transparent and accurate product labeling, as well as the need for a comprehensive and publicly available national database of solid biomass fuel producers and fuels sold. These are essential steps toward increasing customers' awareness and trust, encouraging them to embrace biomass fuels as reliable and sustainable sources of energy.

Pressing of Functionalized Polymer Composite Materials to Improve Mössbauer Measurement Signals.

Coordination compounds, like iron(II) triazole complexes, exhibit spin crossover (SCO) behavior at around room temperature. Therefore, they are interesting for a variety of possible applications, and it is convenient to integrate them into polymers. Due to a reduction of the iron content and thus also 57Fe content in the sample through integration in polymers, Mössbauer measurements are only possible with greater difficulty or very long measurement times without expensive enrichment of the samples with 57Fe. So, other ways of improving the Mössbauer signal for these composite materials are necessary. Therefore, we pressed these composite materials to improve the Mössbauer spectra. In this study, we synthesized an iron(II) triazole spin crossover complex and an electrospun polymer complex composite nanofiber material including the same complex. For both products, Mössbauer measurements were performed at room temperature before and after using a press to show that the complex composite is not harmed through pressing. We investigate the influence of the pressing impact on the Mössbauer measurements in the context of measurement statistics and the measured signals. We show that pressing is not connected to any changes in the sample regarding the spin and oxidation state. We present that pressing improves the statistics of the Mössbauer measurements significantly. Furthermore, we use SEM measurements and PXRD to investigate whether or not the obtained fiber mats are destroyed in the pressing process.

The effect of supplementation with rubber seed kernel pellet on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid profiles in swamp buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Rubber seed kernel is a by-product derived from rubber tree plantations. It is rich in C18 unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and has the potential to be used as a protein source for ruminant diets. This investigation has been conducted to determine the influence of rubber seed kernel pellet (RUSKEP) supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid profiles in swamp buffalo. Using a completely randomized design (CRD) and supplementation of RUSKEP at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% dry matter (DM) of substrate. RESULTS: The supplementation with RUSKEP had no effect on gas kinetics, cumulative gas production, or degradability. Ruminal pH decreased linearly (P < 0.01) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) by RUSKEP supplementation. The proportion of acetate (C2) decreased linearly (P < 0.01), but propionate (C3) and butyrate (C4) increased linearly (P < 0.01), resulting in a decrease in the acetate to propionate ratio (C2:C3) (P < 0.01) by RUSKEP supplementation. With an increasing level of dietary RUSKEP, there was a slight increase in UFA in the rumen by increasing the oleic acid (OA; C18:1 cis-9 + trans-9), linoleic acid (LA; C18:2 cis-9,12 + trans-9,12), and α-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3 cis-9,12,15) concentrations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adding up to 10% of RUSKEP could improve in vitro rumen fermentation and C18 unsaturated fatty acids, especially ALA, in swamp buffalo.

Cholecystokinin facilitates motor skill learning by modulating neuroplasticity in the motor cortex.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an essential modulator for neuroplasticity in sensory and emotional domains. Here, we investigated the role of CCK in motor learning using a single pellet reaching task in mice. Mice with a knockout of Cck gene (Cck-/-) or blockade of CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) showed defective motor learning ability; the success rate of retrieving reward remained at the baseline level compared to the wildtype mice with significantly increased success rate. We observed no long-term potentiation upon high-frequency stimulation in the motor cortex of Cck-/- mice, indicating a possible association between motor learning deficiency and neuroplasticity in the motor cortex. In vivo calcium imaging demonstrated that the deficiency of CCK signaling disrupted the refinement of population neuronal activity in the motor cortex during motor skill training. Anatomical tracing revealed direct projections from CCK-expressing neurons in the rhinal cortex to the motor cortex. Inactivation of the CCK neurons in the rhinal cortex that project to the motor cortex bilaterally using chemogenetic methods significantly suppressed motor learning, and intraperitoneal application of CCK4, a tetrapeptide CCK agonist, rescued the motor learning deficits of Cck-/- mice. In summary, our results suggest that CCK, which could be provided from the rhinal cortex, may surpport motor skill learning by modulating neuroplasticity in the motor cortex.

Soft Self-Regulating Heating Elements for Thermoplastic Elastomer-Based Electronic Skin Applications.

Resistive heating elements can be of particular interest for many applications, such as e-skin. In this study, soft heating elements were developed by combining thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with carbon black. In contrast to previous studies on thermoplastic polymer-based thermistors, the heating elements could endure elongations above 100%. Due to the high melting point of the TPU and the carbon filler, the thermistors could be heated up to 180°C without significant deformation. The heating elements were extruded on TPU substrates using material extrusion additive manufacturing in one-step process. Self-regulating behavior to control the maximum temperature was achieved with the application of two different voltages (20 and 25 V) and different current thresholds, between 100 and 800 mA. The heating performance was adjusted by changing the geometry of the sensing elements; an increase in cross section resulted in a lower current density and lower temperature. For the heating elements, variation of the additive manufacturing parameters such as offset, layer height, nozzle speed, and extrusion multiplier resulted in a different width/height aspect ratio of the cross section of the extruded lines, affecting the initial resistivity of the thermistor. Orientation of the carbon filler during extrusion process is one reason for the small change of the longitudinal conductivity of the heating elements. The resulting skin with the integrated heating elements allowed the possibility to perform the in situ heating for the localized healing of structural damage, while maintaining the softness required for the application of soft robotic electronic skin.

Key fuel characteristics and techno-economic aspects of torrefied rubberwood biomass pellets produced by incorporating various cassava-based binders at varied doses.

Improving energy content and hydrophobic nature of woody biomass can be pursued through torrefaction. This gives torrefied biomass with a low bulk density, potentially increasing storage and transport costs. To overcome this issue, densifying the torrefied biomass is necessary. However, poor binding of particles makes densification challenging without using a binder. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and techno-economic aspects of torrefied rubberwood biomass (TRWB) when pelletized using various cassava-based binders at different blending ratios. The selected binders included cassava starch (CS), cassava pulp (CP), and cassava chip (CC). Each binder at 5%, 10%, or 15% (wt.) was mixed with TRWB and water before pelletizing using a flat die machine. The results revealed that pelletizing TRWB with different cassava-based binders at various blending ratios influenced the physicochemical characteristics of the TRWB pellets, particularly dimensions, bulk density, fuel and atomic ratios, and energy content. The TRWB pellets demonstrated energy densities in the range of 7.95-11.39 GJ/m3, and their mechanical durability and fine content fell within acceptable ranges. The TRWB pellets maintained their shape during 120 min of water soaking, with water absorption levels varying by binder dose. The pelletizing ability, material, and energy costs of TRWB pellets depend on binder type and dose. CP can be applied as a binder for pelletizing torrefied rubberwood biomass. However, the mechanical durability of the product needs to be above the user requirement or standard.

Hydrostatic pressure impedes the degradation of sinking copepod carcasses and fecal pellets.

Fast-sinking zooplankton carcasses and fecal pellets appear to contribute significantly to the vertical transport of particulate organic carbon (POC), partly because of low temperature that decreases microbial degradation during the descent into the deep ocean. Increasing hydrostatic pressure could further reduce the degradation efficiency of sinking POC, but this effect remains unexplored. Here, the degradation of carcasses and fecal pellets of the abundant marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus was experimentally studied as a function of pressure (0.1-100 MPa). Samples were either exposed to elevated pressure in short 1-day incubations or a gradual pressure increase, simulating continuous particle sinking during a 20-day incubation. Both experiments revealed gradual inhibition of microbial respiration in the pressure range of 20-100 MPa, corresponding to 2-10-km depth. This suggests that hydrostatic pressure impedes carbon mineralization of fast-sinking carcasses and fecal pellets and enhances the deep-sea deposition rate of zooplankton-derived organic material.

Maintaining the physical quality and digestibility of pellet feed through the use of plant-based pellet binder.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effects of the use of binders on the physical quality and digestibility of Alabio ducks (Anas platyrinchos Borneo). Materials and Methods: Pellet binders used tapioca meal (TM) (Manihot utilissima), sago meal (SM) (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.), and sweet potato meal (SPM) (Ipomoea batatas) pelleted feed. Laying Alabio ducks, around 120 birds, aged 20 weeks with an average body weight of 1,426 ± 113.5 gm, were used. A fully randomized design with 4 treatments and 15 repeats was used in this study. The variables measured include the physical quality and digestibility of pellet feed. Data analysis used a Fisher test. For the distinction between treatments, the Duncan multiple-range test was conducted. Results: The finding showed that the plant-based pellet binder had a natural effect on physical properties, including pellet durability index, moisture content, threshold power, stack density, and stack compacted density. The strength of the pellet binder is seen in the durability index of TM 98.12%, SM 97.64%, and SPM 97.35%, respectively. However, these variables did not differ significantly in terms of specific gravity and stack angle. Pellet binders considerably affect the consumption of feed and vary markedly in dry matter, organic matter, and metabolizable energy digestibility. Conclusion: Plant-based pellet binders influence the physical quality and digestibility of pelleted feed in Alabio ducks. TM can maintain physical quality and digestibility compared to SM and SPM as plant-based pellet binders.

Effects of oral administration of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on anxiety-related behaviors and colonic hypercontractility in repeated stress-induced mice.

PURPOSE: Chronic psychological stress develops and exacerbates irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) via activation of intestinal 5-HT3 receptors involves impairment of intestinal functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on locomotor activity, anxiety-related behaviors, and colonic functions in repeated water avoidance stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Food intake and fecal pellet output (FPO) of sham stress (SS), water avoidance stress (WS), and water avoidance stress with oral administration of ondansetron (1 mg/kg BW) (WA) groups were monitored along the water avoidance stress protocol for 10 consecutive days. On day 11, locomotor activity and anxiety-related behaviors were determined using an open field test. Contractile properties of colonic tissues in response to KCl and a cumulative dose of carbachol (CCh) were determined using in vitro organ bath technique. RESULTS: FPO was significantly increased in the WS group after 7 days of water avoidance stress, which was reversed in WA group. WS group decreased unsupported rearing behavior compared to WS group, which was not altered in the WA group. The colon of the WS group had a higher tonic contraction in response to CCh than the SS and WA groups, which was reversed with ondansetron pre-incubation. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of ondansetron prevented increased FPO but did not affect anxiety-related behavior in repeated stress model. Colonic hypercontractility in the stressed mice was related to increased responses to cholinergic-induced contractions, which involved 5-HT3 receptors. Our findings suggest the modulatory roles of 5-HT3 receptors to mediate stress-induced colonic dysfunction.

Effects of pellet starch levels in automatic milking systems on rumen fermentation, plasma metabolites, and milk production in mid-lactation cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the starch levels in pellets fed to cows in automatic milking systems (AMS) affect subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) occurrence and metabolite parameters. Twenty-four lactating cows (124.4 ± 49.9 days in milk) were studied in a crossover design with two periods of 21 days each and two treatment groups-a control group fed AMS pellets containing 30.0% of starch dry matter (DM) and an experimental group fed AMS pellets containing 23.5% of starch DM. All cows received the same partial mixed ration (PMR). The 1-hr mean ruminal pH in both groups decreased over 4 hr after feeding on PMR but recovered by the next morning. The ruminal pH was unaffected by either treatment, and both groups developed SARA. The groups had no significant differences in the concentrations of ruminal volatile fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, plasma acute-phase proteins, other metabolites, and hormones. The milk yield and composition were not different in both groups. Feeding low-starch pellets in the AMS did not contribute to the risk of SARA occurrence in cows and had no additive effects on rumen fermentation, plasma metabolites, or milk production.

Stratified control of chemical crystallization in a pellet fluidized bed for pH-Adjusted fluoride and phosphate reduction: An experimental study.

Chemical crystallization granulation in a fluidized bed offers an environmentally friendly technology with significant promise for fluoride removal. This study investigates the impact of stratified pH control in a crystallization granulation fluidized bed for the removal of fluoride and phosphate on a pilot scale. The results indicate that using dolomite as a seed crystal, employing sodium dihydrogen phosphate (SDP) and calcium chloride as crystallizing agents, and controlling the molar ratio n(F):n(P):n(Ca) = 1:5:10 with an upflow velocity of 7.52 m/h, effectively removes fluoride and phosphate. Stratified pH control-maintaining weakly acidic conditions (pH = 6-7) at the bottom and weakly alkaline conditions (pH = 7-8) at the top-facilitates the induction of fluoroapatite (FAP) and calcium phosphate crystallization. This approach reduces groundwater fluoride levels from 9.5 mg/L to 0.2-0.6 mg/L and phosphate levels to 0.1-0.2 mg/L. Particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction physical characterizations reveal significant differences in crystal morphology between the top and bottom layers, with the lower layer primarily generating high-purity FAP crystals. Further analysis shows that dolomite-induced FAP crystallization offers distinct advantages. SDP not only dissolves on the dolomite surface to provide active sites for crystallization but also, under weakly acidic conditions, renders both dolomite and FAP surfaces negatively charged. This allows for the effective adsorption of PO43-, HPO42-, and F- anions onto the crystal surfaces. This study provides supporting data for the removal of fluoride from groundwater through induced FAP crystallization in a chemical crystallization pellet fluidized bed.