Article
Engineering, Environmental
Linpeng Yu, Dan He, Eryi Zhang, Qiuxiang He, Jibing Li, Zhiyong Jason Ren, Shungui Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates the electricity generation using Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) driven by the single methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri, revealing its electrogenic mechanism. The findings suggest that M. barkeri can directly donate electrons to electrodes and secrete redox-active compounds to facilitate indirect extracellular electron transfer (EET).
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabella Casini, Tim Mccubbin, Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo, Guillermo G. Luque, Daria Evseeva, Christian Fink, Sebastian Beblawy, Nicholas D. Youngblut, Ludmilla Aristilde, Daniel H. Huson, Andreas Draeger, Ruth E. Ley, Esteban Marcellin, Largus T. Angenent, Bastian Molitor
Summary: This study investigates the metabolic mechanism of methane-producing archaea and reveals the impact of formate anabolism on carbon conversion, providing guidance for their application in power-to-gas technology and value-added chemical production.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sean F. Jordan, Ioannis Ioannou, Hanadi Rammu, Aaron Halpern, Lara K. Bogart, Minkoo Ahn, Rafaela Vasiliadou, John Christodoulou, Amandine Marechal, Nick Lane
Summary: Iron-sulfur (FeS) proteins are ancient and fundamental to life, being involved in electron transfer and CO2 fixation. The study demonstrates that FeS clusters can spontaneously form in the presence of the amino acid cysteine under conditions similar to Hadean alkaline hydrothermal vents, suggesting a plausible mechanism for their emergence at the origin of life.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul Villain, Violette da Cunha, Etienne Villain, Patrick Forterre, Jacques Oberto, Ryan Catchpole, Tamara Basta
Summary: Research shows that expressing bacterial gyrase from Thermotoga maritima in the archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis can induce negative supercoiling and impact gene expression and chromosomal topology. However, this artificially introduced supercoiling activity did not significantly affect the growth rate of the archaeon.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Geer An, Rong Yan, Zhimin Fu, Zepeng Chen, Yaru Guo, Jun Yang, Yongheng Zhou
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the tolerance mechanism of anammox consortia in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) system at low temperature. The data showed that a total nitrogen removal of nearly 80% was achieved after the temperature dropped from 30°C to 15°C. The nitrogen removal rate of the system decreased by 26.3% at 15°C, indicating the impact of low temperature on the performance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuan Jiang, Zhixue Wang, Hui Du, Runlong Dong, Yaping Yuan, Jian Hua
Summary: This study analyzed the functional relevance of gene variants associated with local temperature variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, and found that genes associated with maximum temperature are more likely to function at higher temperatures, while genes associated with minimum temperature are more likely to function at lower temperatures. The research also showed that gene variants are distributed more frequently at geographic locations where they offer enhanced growth or tolerance.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Jiahong Feng, Ting Jia, Zhengkun Wang, Wanlong Zhu
Summary: Global warming has a significant impact on small mammals, and they adapt at the physiological levels by reducing energy expenditure and increasing body temperature. A study on Tupaia belangeri found that in warmer areas, energy metabolite concentrations in the liver decreased, indicating a reduction in energy metabolism intensity. This research provides insights into the physiological adaptation strategies of small mammals to cope with climate change and their possible fate under future global warming.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yao Wang, Hua Wei, Zhengtai Li, Xiangyong Zhang, Zhiquan Wei, Ke Sun, Hongfei Li
Summary: Aqueous rechargeable batteries (ARBs) are promising for grid-scale applications due to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, the freezing of electrolytes at low temperatures hampers their performance. This review discusses the principles of anti-freezing mechanisms and presents strategies to optimize electrolytes for low-temperature ARBs. Challenges and promising routes for further development are also highlighted.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sabrina Chapuis-de-Andrade, Carmen Moret-Tatay, Tassiane Amado de Paula, Tatiana Quarti Irigaray, Ivan Carlos Ferreira Antonello, Bartira Ercilia Pinheiro da Costa
Summary: This study found distinct differences in mental health and coping strategies among pregnant women with hypertension, particularly with higher depression symptoms and worse coping strategies for those with gestational hypertension. Cluster analysis revealed two subgroups of hypertensive women, one with poorer coping strategies and more vulnerability to negative affective states, and another with better coping and greater resilience to mental health problems.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcus C. Sarofim, Jeremy Martinich, James E. Neumann, Jacqueline Willwerth, Zoe Kerrich, Michael Kolian, Charles Fant, Corinne Hartin
Summary: This study aims to characterize future risks of climate change using temperature binning to analyze sector-specific impacts based on downscaled climate projections from six global models. Results show estimated damages for nine climate impact sectors within the contiguous United States at different levels of warming, and demonstrate potential for adaptive measures to decrease damages, with significant differences in damages across adaptation response scenarios within some sectors.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
V. Kouba, Ch. Bachmannova, T. Podzimek, P. Lipovova, M. C. M. van Loosdrecht
Summary: This study reviewed the mechanisms of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria adaptation to low temperatures, which include synthesizing molecular chaperones and chemical chaperones, reducing biosynthesis, and preserving energy for core metabolism. The study proposed biomarkers to assess the extent of bacteria adaptation and predict the decomposition of biofilms/granules or slower growth.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoran Gu, Songtao Li, Haoyu Wang, Shudang Zhu, Dengyue Yuan, Zhijian Wang
Summary: This study aimed to understand the interspecific differences in ultraviolet radiation (UVR) tolerance among fishes. It compared skin histology between high-altitude fishes and their low-altitude relatives, assessed the skin histological changes of 22 fish species after UVR exposure, and studied the factors affecting the difference in UVR tolerance. The results showed that high-altitude and cold water fishes exhibited stronger UVR tolerance, and low-temperature adaptation may play an important role in organismal adaptation to UVR.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuanyuan Cao, Quanzhong Ren, Rongzhang Hao, Zhiwei Sun
Summary: In recent years, there has been significant growth in the development of photothermal agents for photothermal therapy (PTT) in eradicating solid tumors. However, the effectiveness of PTT is hindered by challenges such as tumor thermotolerance, which can lead to inflammation, damage to normal organs, and tumor recurrence. This review explores innovative strategies to enhance PTT at mild temperatures, focusing on the apoptotic pathway. It also discusses recent advances in regulating heat shock proteins expression, autophagy level, free radical generation, and organelle targeting to overcome tumor thermotolerance, as well as combining mild-temperature PTT with other therapies for a superadditive effect. The review concludes with a discussion on the scientific and technical challenges of mild-temperature PTT for clinical translation.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xuejing Zhang, Tai Wang, Dongdong Zhai, Hongyan Liu, Fei Xiong, Ying Wang
Summary: The research plays an important role in enriching gene database resources and exploring the environmental adaptation of T. yarkandensis. Through transcriptome sequencing and de novo assembly, the researchers collected 15 tissues from three adult T. yarkandensis and annotated them using nine major international gene annotation databases. The study also identified candidate genes involved in salinity-alkalinity and low temperature adaptation, and analyzed the gene structure and important amino acid sites of mapk1 and acox1 genes. The transcriptome information obtained in this study is significant for further molecular level research and exploration of the environmental adaptation of T. yarkandensis.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Kunjie Zhu, Zhiqin Sun, Zhaopeng Li, Pei Liu, Haixia Li, Lifang Jiao
Summary: Due to the higher freezing point of conventional aqueous electrolytes, the development and practical applications of aqueous rechargeable energy storage (ARES) at low temperature are limited. In this paper, the design principles for low-temperature ARES with excellent performance are discussed, especially in terms of electrode modification and electrolyte regulation. The related studies on low-temperature ARES are comprehensively summarized, and suggestions for addressing the current challenges are provided.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alma Siggins, Camilla Thorn, Mark G. Healy, Florence Abram
Summary: This study investigated the potential for environmental micro-organisms to establish a TCE-dechlorinating biofilm on biochar, using a packed column system containing herbal pomace and spruce biochar. The results showed that biochar was capable of supporting a dechlorinating biofilm to promote bioremediation of TCE, with TCE removal rates greater than 99.7% observed.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anna Christine Trego, Paul G. McAteer, Corine Nzeteu, Therese Mahony, Florence Abram, Umer Zeeshan Ijaz, Vincent O'Flaherty
Summary: The study utilized null-model approaches to investigate community assembly mechanisms in the built environment, focusing on biological wastewater treatment. Significant differences in diversity were observed between floating and settled granules, with both stochastic and deterministic processes playing important roles in community assembly. Homogeneous selection was identified as the primary mechanism, with dispersal processes also contributing. The analysis highlighted changes in microbial community composition during process disturbances, emphasizing the importance of certain groups for process stability.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bernardino Machado-Moreira, Brijesh K. Tiwari, Karl G. Richards, Florence Abram, Catherine M. Burgess
Summary: This study evaluated the disinfecting ability of plasma activated water (PAW) on alfalfa and mung bean seeds, showing that PAW can effectively reduce pathogenic microorganisms while not affecting the germination and growth rate of the sprouts. Additionally, combining PAW treatment with ultrasound can enhance antimicrobial activity, presenting potential for improving produce safety.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rajat Nag, Bryan K. Markey, Paul Whyte, Vincent O'Flaherty, Declan Bolton, Owen Fenton, Karl G. Richards, Enda Cummins
Summary: The study in Ireland collected data on prevalence estimates of various pathogens in different animal species, revealing the highest mean P for Cryptosporidium spp., MAP, and Campylobacter spp. in cattle. The study also calculated the initial concentration of pathogens in animal feces and slurry, providing a basis for future farm-to-fork risk assessment models.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rajat Nag, Ciaran Monahan, Paul Whyte, Bryan K. Markey, Vincent O'Flaherty, Declan Bolton, Owen Fenton, Karl G. Richards, Enda Cummins
Summary: This study developed a quantitative risk assessment model for Escherichia coli transmission through the air exposure route, predicting human exposure levels and emphasizing the importance of maintaining distance and waiting time to ensure occupational safety.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rajat Nag, Lauren Russell, Stephen Nolan, Agathe Auer, Bryan K. Markey, Paul Whyte, Vincent O'Flaherty, Declan Bolton, Owen Fenton, Karl G. Richards, Enda Cummins
Summary: Farmyard manure and slurry, as well as anaerobic digestate, are valuable soil conditioners providing essential nutrients for plant growth, but they may also pose microbial health risks to humans. A quantitative microbial risk assessment model was developed to investigate potential human exposure to pathogens post-application, revealing low risk probabilities in most scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rajat Nag, Agathe Auer, Stephen Nolan, Lauren Russell, Bryan K. Markey, Paul Whyte, Vincent O'Flaherty, Declan Bolton, Owen Fenton, Karl G. Richards, Enda Cummins
Summary: This study developed an exposure assessment model to predict the final microorganism count in digestate using a combination of primary laboratory data and secondary literature-based data. Results show that digestate can meet EU standards under certain temperature and retention time conditions; storage of digestate can decrease microorganism levels; the Irish pasteurisation process is more effective for certain pathogens.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Corine Orline Nzeteu, Fabiana Coelho, Anna Christine Trego, Florence Abram, Javier Ramiro-Garcia, Lara Paulo, Vincent O'Flaherty
Summary: The efficient production of caproic acid can be achieved by manipulating the inoculum and adjusting the concentration and ratio of lactic acid and butyric acid. A threshold concentration of lactic acid to butyric acid was found, above or below which the selectivity for caproic acid is reduced.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
C. Deveautour, P. A. Rojas-Pinzon, M. Veloso, J. Rambaud, A. M. Duff, D. Wall, R. Carolan, L. Philippot, K. G. Richards, V O'Flaherty, F. Brennan
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of abiotic and biotic factors on potential denitrification and identified soil physico-chemical properties and prokaryotic community composition as key factors in predicting potential denitrification. Soil phosphorus content was equally important in predicting potential denitrification.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kevin McDonnell, Florence Abram, Enda Howley
Summary: This study focuses on using machine learning models to identify amino acids in mass spectrometry spectra and proposes a new encoding module. By evaluating the proposed model in real and artificial data with different noise and missing peptide peaks, it is found that the model performs best among others. The study also discusses the inclusion of additional features and the issue with using AUC as a metric in the encoding modules.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Parvin Hasani Zadeh, Fernando G. Fermoso, Gavin Collins, Antonio Serrano, Simon Mills, Florence Abram
Summary: Harnessing microbial capabilities for metal recovery from secondary waste sources is an eco-friendly and sustainable approach. Soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are important for remediation and recovery of metals. Microorganisms can regulate the content and composition of EPS and SMP in response to metal stress to increase their capacity for metal binding. Investigating the metal binding affinity of these compounds under metal stress conditions is crucial for selective metal recovery applications.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Matthias Waibel, Kevin McDonnell, Maria Tuohy, Sally Shirran, Sylvia Synowsky, Barry Thornton, Eric Paterson, Fiona Brennan, Florence Abram
Summary: Soil organic matter (SOM) is complex and important for providing nutrients to plants. Understanding SOM utilisation processes can improve fertiliser management for plant growth and reduce environmental losses. Metaproteomics can characterise protein profiles and provide insights into SOM microbial decomposition mechanisms. This study applied different extraction methods to recover SOM with different characteristics in two soil types and analysed peptide identification using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed contrasting protein and humic substance content in different extracts, and diverse peptide hits associated with Proteobacteria and derived taxa. This work suggests areas for optimisation in chromatography and mass spectrometry to characterise SOM-associated metaproteomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin McDonnell, Enda Howley, Florence Abram
Summary: Proteins are crucial for living cells and proteomics, the study of their expression, has diverse applications. Peptide identification is typically done by matching mass spectra to a protein database, but de novo methods can also be used. This study critically analyzes the use of artificial data for training and evaluating de novo peptide identification algorithms.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin McDonnell, Enda Howley, Florence Abram
Summary: Proteomics is a technique used to study system-wide protein expression, which has wide ranging applications and impacts every area of biology. De novo peptide sequencing, a popular method, is improving with the integration of machine learning. This research evaluates two algorithms for de novo peptide sequencing and explores the characteristics of tandem mass spectra. The study highlights the challenges of missing cleavage sites and noise, and provides recommendations for algorithm improvements.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lauren Russell, Paul Whyte, Annetta Zintl, Stephen V. Gordon, Bryan Markey, Theo de Waal, Stephen Nolan, Vincent O'Flaherty, Florence Abram, Karl Richards, Owen Fenton, Declan Bolton
Summary: This study examined the survival of various bacteria in sandy and clay loam soils when applied in bovine slurry or digestate, finding that soil texture and application material did not significantly affect survival rates for most bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)