Explorations on Solute–Solvent Interactions of Tripotassium Citrate and Sodium Benzoate in Aqueous 1‑Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Ethyl Sulfate Solutions: Physicochemical, Spectroscopic, and Computational Approaches

The present research work is concerned with the thermophysical properties of tripotassium citrate and sodium benzoate in aqueous (0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) mol·kg–1 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate solutions at temperatures ranging (293.15–313.15) K and 101.3 kPa pressure. The experimentally acquired density, sound speed, and viscosity data have been employed to determine numerous densimetric, acoustic, and viscometric parameters including the apparent molar volumes (Vϕ), partial molar volumes at infinite dilution (Vϕ0), limiting apparent molar expansibilities (Eϕ0), apparent molar isentropic compressibilities (Kϕ,s), transfer properties, hydration number (nH), viscosity B-coefficients, and thermodynamic parameters of viscous flow (Δμ10, Δμ20, ΔH20, and TΔS20). The above-mentioned parameters have been evaluated for the examination of interactions that are prevailing among tripotassium citrate/sodium benzoate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate in an aqueous medium. In addition, UV spectral analysis was used for the examination of interactions existing among the considered systems. Furthermore, the band gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital for the studied systems and the interaction characteristics have been calculated using density functional theory. The obtained results inferred the predominance of the hydrophilic–hydrophilic interactions in the systems under investigation

Synthesis, self-assembly and surface-active properties of alkyl halide mediated imidazolium monomeric surfactants

Two imidazolium monomeric surfactants, that is, 1-tetradecyl-1H-imidazole [14IM] and 1-hexadecyl-1H-imidazole [16IM] has been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR,13C NMR, FTIR, HRMS spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for number and types of protons and carbon, functional groups, estimation of molecular weight and thermal stability of these compounds. The conductivity was measured in double distilled water at four different temperatures, 288, 293, 298, and 303 K. The results showed that these surfactants behave as weak electrolytes. The density and viscosity data have shown the existence of strong interactions between imidazolium surfactants and solvent (water) molecules. The results obtained from Root’s equation indicate that surfactant–solvent interactions are important than surfactant–surfactant interactions in dilute solutions, that is, below critical micellar concentration. The values of constants obtained from Einstein and Moulik equations have revealed that there was stronger and significant interaction between imidazolium surfactants and water molecules below critical micellar region. The surface tension parameters have indicated that these surfactants are good contenders to lower the surface tension of air/water interface. The results obtained from surface tension data have shown that standard change in free energy of micellization (ΔG°mic) and adsorption (ΔG°ads) were negative, indicating that these surfactants molecules have spontaneous tendencies to form micelles in solution at higher concentration and to get adsorb at the air/water interface at lower concentration. The TGA has indicated good thermally stability and activation energy for thermal decomposition was found in the range of 37.26.26–98.20.20 kJ/mol.</p

Situation sanitaire des bovins des sous-systemes agropastoraux du riz et du mil pendant la saison des pluies. Resultat d'enquete parasitologique

Compte rendu des resultats de l'enquete parasitologique effectuee en saison humide chez les bovins des sous-systemes agropastoraux du riz et du mil de la zone de Niono, Mali, en vue de determiner la situation du parasitisme et d'evaluer son incidence sur l'etat sanitaire des troupeaux, avec indication d'une nette augmentation des taux d'infestation par rapport a la saison seche, avec proposition sur le besoin d'attention sur la fasciolose dans le sous-systeme riz

Effect of antibiotic withdrawal in feed on chicken gut microbial dynamics, immunity, growth performance and prevalence of foodborne pathogens

<div><p>Development of antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Campylobacter</i>, is a public health concern. Public demand to reduce the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry feeding has resulted in greater adoption of antibiotic-free poultry production systems. There is a need to understand the effects of AGP removal from poultry feed on gut microbiota and its impact on prevalence of foodborne pathogens. The effect of antibiotic withdrawal from poultry feed on gut microbial community, host performance and immunity, and prevalence of <i>Salmonella</i> and <i>Campylobacter</i> was evaluated. Birds were raised on three phase diets (starter [d0-22], grower [d23-35] and finisher [d36-42]) with and without bacitracin dimethyl salicyclate (BMD). At early growth stage, bird performance was improved (P ≤ 0.05) with BMD treatment, whereas performance was better (P ≤ 0.05) in control group (no BMD in the feed) at the time of commercial processing. Acetate and butyrate production was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by age, whereas propionate production was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by both the treatment and age. The bacterial communities in the cecum were more diverse (P ≤ 0.001) and rich compared to the ileal communities, and they shifted in parallel to one another as the chicks matured. Differences in diversity and species richness were not observed (P > 0.05) between the BMD-fed and control groups. Comparing all ages, treatments and diets, the composition of cecal and ileal bacterial communities was different (P ≤ 0.001). Inclusion of BMD in the feed did not affect the bacterial phyla. However, predictable shift in the ileal and cecal bacterial population at lower taxonomic level was observed in control vs BMD-fed group. Cytokines gene expression (IL-10, IL-4, IFN-γ, beta-defensin, and TLR-4) was affected (P≤ 0.05) in the BMD-fed group at early stages of growth. The prevalence of foodborne pathogens, <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. showed higher abundance in the ilea of BMD-fed chicks compared to control group. Overall, this study provided insight of the impact of AGP supplementation in the feed on gut microbial modulations, bird performance, host immunity and pathogen prevalence. This information can assist in designing alternative strategies to replace antibiotics in modern poultry production and for food safety.</p></div

Prevalence of food borne pathogens in cecum, ileum, litter and feed collected at different time points (d0, 7, 14, 22, 35, 42) from BMD-free and BMD supplemented groups.

<p>(A) Prevalence (in %) of <i>Salmonella</i> and (B) Prevalence (in %) of <i>Campylobacter</i>.</p

Nutrient composition of the basal starter, grower and finisher diets.

<p>Nutrient composition of the basal starter, grower and finisher diets.</p

Volatile acid production in the cecum in BMD-fed and no BMD-fed group birds at different ages.

<p>Volatile acid production in the cecum in BMD-fed and no BMD-fed group birds at different ages.</p

DataSheet_2_Identification and characterization of extracellular vesicles from red cells infected with Babesia divergens and Babesia microti.xlsx

Babesiosis is a zoonosis and an important blood-borne human parasitic infection that has gained attention because of its growing infection rate in humans by transfer from animal reservoirs. Babesia represents a potential threat to the blood supply because asymptomatic infections in man are common, and blood from such donors can cause severe disease in certain recipients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicles released by cells that contain a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, glycans, and genetic information that have been shown to play important roles in disease pathogenesis and susceptibility, as well as cell–cell communication and immune responses. In this article, we report on the identification and characterization of EVs released from red blood cells (RBCs) infected by two major human Babesia species—Babesia divergens from in vitro culture and those from an in vivo B. microti mouse infection. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis, we show that there is a range of vesicle sizes from 30 to 1,000 nm, emanating from the Babesia-infected RBC. The study of these EVs in the context of hemoparasite infection is complicated by the fact that both the parasite and the host RBC make and release vesicles into the extracellular environment. However, the EV frequency is 2- to 10-fold higher in Babesia-infected RBCs than uninfected RBCs, depending on levels of parasitemia. Using parasite-specific markers, we were able to show that ~50%–60% of all EVs contained parasite-specific markers on their surface and thus may represent the specific proportion of EVs released by infected RBCs within the EV population. Western blot analysis on purified EVs from both in vivo and in vitro infections revealed several parasite proteins that were targets of the host immune response. In addition, microRNA analysis showed that infected RBC EVs have different microRNA signature from uninfected RBC EVs, indicating a potential role as disease biomarkers. Finally, EVs were internalized by other RBCs in culture, implicating a potential role for these vesicles in cellular communication. Overall, our study points to the multiple functional implications of EVs in Babesia–host interactions and support the potential that EVs have as agents in disease pathogenesis.</p

DataSheet_1_Identification and characterization of extracellular vesicles from red cells infected with Babesia divergens and Babesia microti.xlsx

Babesiosis is a zoonosis and an important blood-borne human parasitic infection that has gained attention because of its growing infection rate in humans by transfer from animal reservoirs. Babesia represents a potential threat to the blood supply because asymptomatic infections in man are common, and blood from such donors can cause severe disease in certain recipients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicles released by cells that contain a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, glycans, and genetic information that have been shown to play important roles in disease pathogenesis and susceptibility, as well as cell–cell communication and immune responses. In this article, we report on the identification and characterization of EVs released from red blood cells (RBCs) infected by two major human Babesia species—Babesia divergens from in vitro culture and those from an in vivo B. microti mouse infection. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis, we show that there is a range of vesicle sizes from 30 to 1,000 nm, emanating from the Babesia-infected RBC. The study of these EVs in the context of hemoparasite infection is complicated by the fact that both the parasite and the host RBC make and release vesicles into the extracellular environment. However, the EV frequency is 2- to 10-fold higher in Babesia-infected RBCs than uninfected RBCs, depending on levels of parasitemia. Using parasite-specific markers, we were able to show that ~50%–60% of all EVs contained parasite-specific markers on their surface and thus may represent the specific proportion of EVs released by infected RBCs within the EV population. Western blot analysis on purified EVs from both in vivo and in vitro infections revealed several parasite proteins that were targets of the host immune response. In addition, microRNA analysis showed that infected RBC EVs have different microRNA signature from uninfected RBC EVs, indicating a potential role as disease biomarkers. Finally, EVs were internalized by other RBCs in culture, implicating a potential role for these vesicles in cellular communication. Overall, our study points to the multiple functional implications of EVs in Babesia–host interactions and support the potential that EVs have as agents in disease pathogenesis.</p

Real-time quantitative RT-PCR primers for the chicken pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

<p>Real-time quantitative RT-PCR primers for the chicken pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.</p