Thermally-activated cation ordering in ZnGa2Se4 single crystals studied by Raman scattering, optical absorption, and ab initio calculations

Order-disorder phase transitions induced by thermal annealing have been studied in the ordered-vacancy compound ZnGa2Se4 by means of Raman scattering and optical absorption measurements. The partially disordered as-grown sample with tetragonal defect stannite (DS) structure and I (4) over bar 2m space group has been subjected to controlled heating and cooling cycles. In situ Raman scattering measurements carried out during the whole annealing cycle show that annealing the sample to 400 degrees C results in a cation ordering in the sample, leading to the crystallization of the ordered tetragonal defect chalcopyrite (DC) structure with I (4) over bar space group. On decreasing temperature the ordered cation scheme of the DC phase can be retained at ambient conditions. The symmetry of the Raman-active modes in both DS and DC phases is discussed and the similarities and differences between the Raman spectra of the two phases emphasized. The ordered structure of annealed samples is confirmed by optical absorption measurements and ab initio calculations, that show that the direct bandgap of DC-ZnGa2Se4 is larger than that of DS-ZnGa2Se4.This study was supported by the Spanish government MEC under grants MAT2010-21270-C04-01/03/04 and MAT2010-19837-C06-06, by MALTA Consolider Ingenio 2010 project (CSD2007-00045), and by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion y Desarrollo of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV2011-0914 PAID-05-11 and UPV2011-0966 PAID-06-11). EP-G, AM, and PR-H acknowledge computing time provided by Red Espanola de Supercomputacion (RES) and MALTA-Cluster. Finally, the authors would also like to acknowledge M C Moron for stimulating discussions and revision of the present manuscript.Vilaplana Cerda, RI.; Gomis Hilario, O.; Pérez-González, E.; Ortiz, HM.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Rodríguez-Hernández, P.; Muñoz, A.... (2013). Thermally-activated cation ordering in ZnGa2Se4 single crystals studied by Raman scattering, optical absorption, and ab initio calculations. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 25(16):165802-1-165802-11. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/16/165802S165802-1165802-112516Bernard, J. E., & Zunger, A. (1988). Ordered-vacancy-compound semiconductors: PseudocubicCdIn2Se4. Physical Review B, 37(12), 6835-6856. doi:10.1103/physrevb.37.6835Jiang, X., & Lambrecht, W. R. L. (2004). Electronic band structure of ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrite compounds with formulaII−III2−VI4. Physical Review B, 69(3). doi:10.1103/physrevb.69.035201Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., & Shenouda, S. S. (2010). Memory switching of ZnGa2Se4 thin films as a new material for phase change memories (PCMs). Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 507(2), 551-556. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.08.021Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., Yakuphanoglu, F., Shenouda, S. S., & Farooq, W. A. (2011). Analysis of current–voltage characteristics of Al/p-ZnGa2Se4/n-Si nanocrystalline heterojunction diode. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 509(12), 4414-4419. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.01.068Hahn, H., Frank, G., Klingler, W., St�rger, A. D., & St�rger, G. (1955). Untersuchungen �ber tern�re Chalkogenide. VI. �ber Tern�re Chalkogenide des Aluminiums, Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Zeitschrift f�r anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 279(5-6), 241-270. doi:10.1002/zaac.19552790502Errandonea, D., Kumar, R. S., Manjón, F. J., Ursaki, V. V., & Tiginyanu, I. M. (2008). High-pressure x-ray diffraction study on the structure and phase transitions of the defect-stannite ZnGa2Se4 and defect-chalcopyrite CdGa2S4. Journal of Applied Physics, 104(6), 063524. doi:10.1063/1.2981089Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2003). Order-disorder phase transition inZn1−xMnxGa2Se4: Long-range order parameter versusx. Physical Review B, 67(12). doi:10.1103/physrevb.67.125208Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2005). Effect of magnetic dilution in Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 (0<x<0.5). Journal of Applied Physics, 98(1), 013904. doi:10.1063/1.1944220Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2007). The influence of magnetic dilution in the Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 series with 0.5<x⩽1. Journal of Applied Physics, 102(3), 033919. doi:10.1063/1.2767273Antonioli, G., Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1989). The structure of the defect chalcopyrite ZnGa2Se4 studied by EXAFS. physica status solidi (b), 152(1), 39-49. doi:10.1002/pssb.2221520104Haeuseler, H. (1978). FIR- und Ramanspektren von ternären Chalkogeniden des Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 26(4), 367-376. doi:10.1016/0022-4596(78)90171-8Eifler, A., Krauss, G., Riede, V., Krämer, V., & Grill, W. (2005). Optical phonon modes and structure of ZnGa2Se4 and ZnGa2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 66(11), 2052-2057. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2005.09.049Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1983). A comparison of the raman spectra of ZnGa2Se4 and other gallium defect chalcopyrites. Solid State Communications, 46(9), 681-684. doi:10.1016/0038-1098(83)90506-9Razzetti, C., Lottici, P. P., & Antonioli, G. (1987). Structure and lattice dynamics of nonmagnetic defective AIIBIII2XIV4 compounds and alloys. Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization, 15(1), 43-73. doi:10.1016/0146-3535(87)90009-8Attolini, G., Bini, S., Lottici, P. P., & Razzetti, C. (1992). Effects of Group III Cation Substitution in the Raman Spectra of Some Defective Chalcopyrites. Crystal Research and Technology, 27(5), 685-690. doi:10.1002/crat.2170270519Takahashi, Y., Namatsu, H., Machida, K., & Minegishi, K. (1993). Measurements of Diffusion Coefficiens of Water in Electron Cryclotron Resonance Plasma SiO2. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 32(Part 2, No. 3B), L431-L433. doi:10.1143/jjap.32.l431Ursaki, V. V., Burlakov, I. I., Tiginyanu, I. M., Raptis, Y. S., Anastassakis, E., & Anedda, A. (1999). Phase transitions in defect chalcopyrite compounds under hydrostatic pressure. Physical Review B, 59(1), 257-268. doi:10.1103/physrevb.59.257Allakhverdiev, K., Gashimzade, F., Kerimova, T., Mitani, T., Naitou, T., Matsuishi, K., & Onari, S. (2003). Raman scattering under pressure in ZnGa2Se4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 64(9-10), 1597-1601. doi:10.1016/s0022-3697(03)00077-5Alonso-Gutiérrez, P., Sanjuán, M. L., & Morón, M. C. (2009). Thermally activated cation ordering in Zn0.5Mn0.5Ga2Se4single crystals studied by Raman scattering. physica status solidi (c), 6(5), 1182-1186. doi:10.1002/pssc.200881218Caldera, D., Morocoima, M., Quintero, M., Rincon, C., Casanova, R., & Grima, P. (2011). On the crystal structure of the defective ternary compound. Solid State Communications, 151(3), 212-215. doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2010.11.031Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Pérez-González, E., López-Solano, J., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., … Ursaki, V. V. (2012). 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Lett. 77, 3865 (1996)]. Physical Review Letters, 78(7), 1396-1396. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.78.1396Manjón, F. J., Gomis, O., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., Pérez-González, E., Muñoz, A., Errandonea, D., … Ursaki, V. V. (2010). Nonlinear pressure dependence of the direct band gap in adamantine ordered-vacancy compounds. Physical Review B, 81(19). doi:10.1103/physrevb.81.195201Santamaría-Pérez, D., Amboage, M., Manjón, F. J., Errandonea, D., Muñoz, A., Rodríguez-Hernández, P., … Tiginyanu, I. M. (2012). Crystal Chemistry of CdIn2S4, MgIn2S4, and MnIn2S4 Thiospinels under High Pressure. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 116(26), 14078-14087. doi:10.1021/jp303164kBaroni, S., de Gironcoli, S., Dal Corso, A., & Giannozzi, P. (2001). Phonons and related crystal properties from density-functional perturbation theory. Reviews of Modern Physics, 73(2), 515-562. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.73.515Giannozzi, P., Baroni, S., Bonini, N., Calandra, M., Car, R., Cavazzoni, C., … Wentzcovitch, R. M. (2009). QUANTUM ESPRESSO: a modular and open-source software project for quantum simulations of materials. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 21(39), 395502. doi:10.1088/0953-8984/21/39/395502Kroumova, E., Aroyo, M. I., Perez-Mato, J. M., Kirov, A., Capillas, C., Ivantchev, S., & Wondratschek, H. (2003). Bilbao Crystallographic Server : Useful Databases and Tools for Phase-Transition Studies. Phase Transitions, 76(1-2), 155-170. doi:10.1080/0141159031000076110Loudon, R. (1964). The Raman effect in crystals. Advances in Physics, 13(52), 423-482. doi:10.1080/00018736400101051Alonso-Gutiérrez, P., & Sanjuán, M. L. (2008). Ordinary and extraordinary phonons and photons: Raman study of anisotropy effects in the polar modes ofMnGa2Se4. Physical Review B, 78(4). doi:10.1103/physrevb.78.045212Manjón, F. J., Marí, B., Serrano, J., & Romero, A. H. (2005). Silent Raman modes in zinc oxide and related nitrides. Journal of Applied Physics, 97(5), 053516. doi:10.1063/1.1856222Garbato, L., Ledda, F., & Rucci, A. (1987). Structural distortions and polymorphic behaviour in ABC2 and AB2C4 tetrahedral compounds. Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization, 15(1), 1-41. doi:10.1016/0146-3535(87)90008-6Grzechnik, A., Ursaki, V. V., Syassen, K., Loa, I., Tiginyanu, I. M., & Hanfland, M. (2001). Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Cadmium Thiogallate CdGa2Se4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 160(1), 205-211. doi:10.1006/jssc.2001.9224Marquina, J., Power, C., Grima, P., Morocoima, M., Quintero, M., Couzinet, B., … González, J. (2006). Crystallographic properties of the MnGa2Se4 compound under high pressure. Journal of Applied Physics, 100(9), 093513. doi:10.1063/1.2358826Meenakshi, S., Vijayakumar, V., Eifler, A., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2010). Pressure-induced phase transition in defect Chalcopyrites HgAl2Se4 and CdAl2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 71(5), 832-835. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.02.007Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Santamaría-Pérez, D., Errandonea, D., Pérez-González, E., … Ursaki, V. V. (2013). High-pressure study of the structural and elastic properties of defect-chalcopyrite HgGa2Se4. Journal of Applied Physics, 113(7), 073510. doi:10.1063/1.4792495Lowe-Ma, C. K., & Vanderah, T. A. (1991). Structure of ZnGa2S4, a defect sphalerite derivative. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 47(5), 919-924. doi:10.1107/s0108270190011192Roa, L., Chervin, J. C., Chevy, A., Davila, M., Grima, P., & Gonzáez, J. (1996). Optical Absorption and Raman Scattering Measurements in CuAlSe2 at High Pressure. physica status solidi (b), 198(1), 99-104. doi:10.1002/pssb.222198011

High-pressure Raman scattering study of defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite ZnGa2Se4

High-pressure Raman scattering measurements have been carried out in ZnGa2Se4 for both tetragonal defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite structures. Experimental results have been compared with theoretical lattice dynamics ab initio calculations and confirm that both phases exhibit different Raman-active phonons with slightly different pressure dependence. A pressure-induced phase transition to a Raman-inactive phase occurs for both phases; however, the sample with defect chalcopyrite structure requires slightly higher pressures than the sample with defect stannite structure to fully transform into the Raman-inactive phase. On downstroke, the Raman-inactive phase transforms into a phase that could be attributed to a disordered zincblende structure for both original phases; however, the sample with original defect chalcopyrite structure compressed just above 20¿GPa, where the transformation to the Raman-inactive phase is not completed, returns on downstroke mainly to its original structure but shows a new peak that does not correspond to the defect chalcopyrite phase. The pressure dependence of the Raman spectra with this new peak and those of the disordered zincblende phase is also reported and discussed. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLCThis study was supported by the Spanish government MEC under Grants No. MAT2010-21270-C04-01/03/04, by MALTA Consolider Ingenio 2010 project (CSD2007-00045), and by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion y Desarrollo of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV2011-0914 PAID-05-11 and UPV2011-0966 PAID-06-11). E.P.-G., A.M., and P.R.-H. acknowledge computing time provided by Red Espanola de Supercomputacion (RES) and MALTA-Cluster.Vilaplana Cerda, RI.; Gomis Hilario, O.; Pérez-González, E.; Ortiz, HM.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Rodríguez-Hernández, P.; Muñoz, A.... (2013). High-pressure Raman scattering study of defect chalcopyrite and defect stannite ZnGa2Se4. Journal of Applied Physics. 113:2335011-23350110. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4810854S233501123350110113A. MacKinnon, Tables of Numerical Data and Functional Relationships in Science and Technology, Landolt-Börnstein New Series, Group III, Vol. 17, pt. h, edited by O. Madelung, M. Schulz, and H. Weiss, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1985), p. 124.Bernard, J. E., & Zunger, A. (1988). Ordered-vacancy-compound semiconductors: PseudocubicCdIn2Se4. Physical Review B, 37(12), 6835-6856. doi:10.1103/physrevb.37.6835Jiang, X., & Lambrecht, W. R. L. (2004). Electronic band structure of ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrite compounds with formulaII−III2−VI4. Physical Review B, 69(3). doi:10.1103/physrevb.69.035201Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., & Shenouda, S. S. (2010). Memory switching of ZnGa2Se4 thin films as a new material for phase change memories (PCMs). Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 507(2), 551-556. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.08.021Yahia, I. S., Fadel, M., Sakr, G. B., Yakuphanoglu, F., Shenouda, S. S., & Farooq, W. A. (2011). Analysis of current–voltage characteristics of Al/p-ZnGa2Se4/n-Si nanocrystalline heterojunction diode. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 509(12), 4414-4419. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.01.068Hahn, H., Frank, G., Klingler, W., St�rger, A. D., & St�rger, G. (1955). Untersuchungen �ber tern�re Chalkogenide. VI. �ber Tern�re Chalkogenide des Aluminiums, Galliums und Indiums mit Zink, Cadmium und Quecksilber. Zeitschrift f�r anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 279(5-6), 241-270. doi:10.1002/zaac.19552790502Errandonea, D., Kumar, R. S., Manjón, F. J., Ursaki, V. V., & Tiginyanu, I. M. (2008). High-pressure x-ray diffraction study on the structure and phase transitions of the defect-stannite ZnGa2Se4 and defect-chalcopyrite CdGa2S4. Journal of Applied Physics, 104(6), 063524. doi:10.1063/1.2981089Hanada, T., Izumi, F., Nakamura, Y., Nittono, O., Huang, Q., & Santoro, A. (1997). Neutron and electron diffraction studies of ZnGa2Se4. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 241-243, 373-375. doi:10.1016/s0921-4526(97)00592-9Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2003). Order-disorder phase transition inZn1−xMnxGa2Se4: Long-range order parameter versusx. Physical Review B, 67(12). doi:10.1103/physrevb.67.125208Morón, M. C., & Hull, S. (2005). Effect of magnetic dilution in Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 (03.0.co;2-2Bilz, H., & Kress, W. (1979). Phonon Dispersion Relations in Insulators. Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-81347-4Grzechnik, A., Ursaki, V. V., Syassen, K., Loa, I., Tiginyanu, I. M., & Hanfland, M. (2001). Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions in Cadmium Thiogallate CdGa2Se4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 160(1), 205-211. doi:10.1006/jssc.2001.9224Meenakshi, S., Vijyakumar, V., Godwal, B. K., Eifler, A., Orgzall, I., Tkachev, S., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2006). High pressure X-ray diffraction study of CdAl2Se4 and Raman study of AAl2Se4 (A=Hg, Zn) and CdAl2X4 (X=Se, S). Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 67(8), 1660-1667. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2006.02.015Meenakshi, S., Vijayakumar, V., Eifler, A., & Hochheimer, H. D. (2010). Pressure-induced phase transition in defect Chalcopyrites HgAl2Se4 and CdAl2S4. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 71(5), 832-835. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2010.02.007Gomis, O., Vilaplana, R., Manjón, F. J., Santamaría-Pérez, D., Errandonea, D., Pérez-González, E., … Ursaki, V. V. (2013). Crystal structure of HgGa2Se4 under compression. Materials Research Bulletin, 48(6), 2128-2133. doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.02.037A̧lvarez-Garcı́a, J., Pérez-Rodrı́guez, A., Barcones, B., Romano-Rodrı́guez, A., Morante, J. R., Janotti, A., … Scheer, R. (2002). Polymorphism in CuInS2 epilayers: Origin of additional Raman modes. Applied Physics Letters, 80(4), 562-564. doi:10.1063/1.1435800Stanbery, B. J., Kincal, S., Kim, S., Chang, C. H., Ahrenkiel, S. P., Lippold, G., … Crisalle, O. D. (2002). Epitaxial growth and characterization of CuInSe2 crystallographic polytypes. Journal of Applied Physics, 91(6), 3598-3604. doi:10.1063/1.1446234Su, D. S., & Wei, S.-H. (1999). Transmission electron microscopy investigation and first-principles calculation of the phase stability in epitaxial CuInS2 and CuGaSe2 films. Applied Physics Letters, 74(17), 2483-2485. doi:10.1063/1.12301

Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: The HELENA cross-sectional study

Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented. Objectives: To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers). Methods: The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis. Results: Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein. Conclusions: This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases

Genetics of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura): An updated review

Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) is classically a childhood small-sized blood vessel vasculitis with predominant involvement of the skin. Gastrointestinal and joint manifestations are common in patients diagnosed with this condition. Nephritis, which is more severe in adults, constitutes the most feared complication of this vasculitis. The molecular bases underlying the origin of IgAV have not been completely elucidated. Nevertheless, several pieces of evidence support the claim that genes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region is, until now, the main genetic factor associated with IgAV pathogenesis. Besides a strong association with HLA class II alleles, specifically HLA-DRB1 alleles, HLA class I alleles also seem to influence on the predisposition of this disease. Other gene polymorphisms located outside the HLA region, including those coding cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules as well as those related to T-cells, aberrant glycosylation of IgA1, nitric oxide production, neoangiogenesis, renin-angiotensin system and lipid, Pyrin and homocysteine metabolism, may be implicated not only in the predisposition to IgAV but also in its severity. An update of the current knowledge of the genetic component associated with the pathogenesis of IgAV is detailed in this review.Acknowledgements: RL-Mis supported by the Miguel Servet I programme of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the grant CP16/ 00033. FG is recipient of a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship from the “Instituto Carlos III de Salud” at the Spanish Ministry of Health (Spain) (CD15/00095). SR-M is supported by funds from the RETICS Program (RIER) (RD16/0012/0009). FDC is supported by the Ramón y Cajal programme of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the grant RYC-2014-16458

Personal non-commercial use only

ABSTRACT. Objective. The 2012 International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference on the Nomenclature of Vasculitides defined drug-associated immune complex vasculitis as a distinct entity included within the category of vasculitis associated with probable etiology. In the present study we assessed the clinical spectrum of patients with drug-associated cutaneous vasculitis (DACV). Methods. Case records were reviewed of patients with DACV treated at a tertiary referral hospital over a 36-year period. A diagnosis of DACV was considered if the drug was taken within a week before the onset of the disease. Results. From a series of 773 unselected cutaneous vasculitis cases, 239 patients (30.9%; 133 men and 106 women; mean age 36 yrs) were diagnosed with DACV. Antibiotics (n = 149; 62.3%), mainly β-lactams and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID; n = 24; 10%) were the most common drugs. Besides skin lesions (100%), the most common clinical features were joint (51%) and gastrointestinal (38.1%) manifestations, nephropathy (34.7%), and fever (23.8%). The most remarkable laboratory data were increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (40.2%), presence of serum cryoglobulins (26%), leukocytosis (24.7%), positive antinuclear antibodies (21.1%), anemia (18.8%), and positive rheumatoid factor (17.5%). Despite drug discontinuation and bed rest, 108 patients (45.2%) required medical treatment, mainly corticosteroids (n = 71) or immunosuppressive drugs (n = 7). After a median followup of 5 months, relapses occurred in 18.4% of patients, and persistent microhematuria or renal insufficiency in 3.3% and 5%, respectively. Conclusion. DACV is generally associated with antibiotics and NSAID. In most cases it has a favorable prognosis, although a small percentage of patients may develop residual renal damage

Metagenomic comparison of the faecal and environmental resistome on Irish commercial pig farms with and without zinc oxide and antimicrobial usage

peer-reviewedAbstract Background Antimicrobials and heavy metals such as zinc oxide (ZnO) have been commonly used on Irish commercial pig farms for a 2-week period post-weaning to help prevent infection. In 2022, the prophylactic use of antimicrobials and ZnO was banned within the European Union due to concerns associated with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and contamination of the environment with heavy metals. In this study, faecal and environmental samples were taken from piglets during the weaning period from ten commercial farms, of which five farms used antimicrobial or ZnO prophylaxis (AB-ZnO farms) and five which had not used antimicrobials or ZnO for the previous 3 years (AB-ZnO free farms). A total of 50 samples were compared using a metagenomic approach. Results The results of this study showed some significant differences between AB-ZnO and AB-ZnO free farms and suggested positive selection for AMR under antimicrobial and ZnO treatment. Moreover, strong differences between environmental and faecal samples on farms were observed, suggesting that the microbiome and its associated mobile genetic elements may play a key role in the composition of the resistome. Additionally, the age of piglets affected the resistome composition, potentially associated with changes in the microbiome post-weaning. Conclusions Overall, our study showed few differences in the resistome of the pig and its environment when comparing AB-ZnO farms with AB-ZnO free farms. These results suggest that although 3 years of removal of in-feed antimicrobial and ZnO may allow a reduction of AMR prevalence on AB-ZnO farms, more time, repeated sampling and a greater understanding of factors impacting AMR prevalence will be required to ensure significant and persistent change in on-farm AMR

Additional file 1 of Metagenomic comparison of the faecal and environmental resistome on Irish commercial pig farms with and without zinc oxide and antimicrobial usage

Additional file 1: List of total MAGs and associated antimicrobial, heavy metal, and biocide resistance genes. The excel tables include sample IDs, binned MAGs per sample, taxonomic assignment, and found resistance genes on binned MAGs