The Effects of Physical Exercise on Saliva Composition. A Comprehensive Review

Saliva consists of organic and inorganic constituents. During exercise, analysis of the saliva can provide valuable information regarding training stress, adaptation and exercise performance. The objective of the present article was to review the effect of physical exercise on saliva composition. The shift in the composition of the saliva, during and after a workout, reflects the benefits of exercise, its potential risks and the capability of the saliva to serve as a health indicator. The type and the frequency of training, the physical condition and the athletes’ general health influence the hormones, immunoglobulins and saliva enzymes. The correlation between saliva and physical exercise has to be further investigated and the available knowledge to be applied for the benefit of the athletes during sports activities.

Forward Osmosis for Produced Water Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

During crude oil and natural gas extraction from a reservoir, a large amount of water is also produced. The water fraction contains oil, grease, organic and inorganic constituents, called produced water (PW). Over the years, efficient treatment of PW has been concerned. PW has been treated with various technologies, namely floatation, filtration, coagulation/flocculation, or biological processes. Those technologies were assembled to achieve discharge standards while minimizing the cost. Exploration of membrane-based technologies for the treatment of PW has recently been reported, including the emerging forward osmosis (FO) process. This paper reviews the research progress on the FO process for PW treatment. A brief introduction to the traditional treatment technologies is first provided. Next, the basics of the FO process and research progress on the application of FO on PW treatment are discussed. Finally, techniques for fouling control in FO are reviewed, namely osmotic backwashing, ultrasound, chemical cleaning, and air sparging.

Maceral Association in Coal-bearing Formation of Mae Than Coal Mine in Lampang, Thailand - Implication for Depositional Environment

The Mae Than Basin in Lampang Province contains low-ranked coal reserves of northern Thailand. Coal seams and ball clays were mined in the southern part of the basin. This study focuses on the coal petrography of coal samples collected from the upper coal seam in the Mae Than Coal Mine. Both the organic and inorganic constituents provide information on the nature and characteristics of the coal, reflecting the physical and chemical behaviors of coal. Petrological analysis reveals that the Mae Than coals contain more huminite than liptinite macerals, while inertinite is negligible. Huminite occurs mainly in the form of texto-ulminite, textinite, densinite, and gelinite. Liptinite consists of sporinite, cutinite, resinite, suberinite, liptodetrinite, and terpenite. The morphology of cutinite, sporinite, and the presence of terpenite indicate that the peat-forming vegetation may consist of conifers. In addition to the macerals, the coal samples contain a small to moderate amount of mineral matter. Silica and clay minerals are the main minerals found in the cavities and between the cracks of the coals. The assemblage of macerals and mineral matter indicates that the Mae Than coals were formed mainly from common peat-forming vegetation, possibly conifers, in a freshwater forest swamp or mire in a warm temperate climate. In addition, the high degree of preservation of the macerals indicates a high water table and suggests rheotrophic, anoxic, limnotelmatic to telmatic conditions during deposition.

Impact of municipal solid waste on the water quality of Otamiri River in Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria

This research aimed at assessing the influence of Municipal Waste on Otamiri River by comparing the levels of the contaminants against the set limit by regulating agencies. Stream samples were collected at five different points along the stream using the conventional WHO (2004) methods. The Physico-chemical of the samples collected were analyzed. The results were compared against the standards of regulating agencies. Spatial variations in Physicochemical parameter variations were observed in the levels of the physicochemical parameters measured across the sampling locations. Maximum levels of pH, water temperature and K+ ions were recorded in sampling Locations (SL) 5 (7.12, 29.00C and 2.73mg/L respectively). Maximum levels of TSS, TDS and Turbidity were recorded in sampling locations 4 and 5 (568.60mg/L, 67mg/L, and 110.24 NTU respectively). Maximum levels of EC, Alkalinity and Acidity were recorded in SL 4, 5 and 1 respectively (154.30mg/L, 37.33mg/L, and 32.44mg/L respectively). Maximum levels of DO, BOD, and Chlorides (5.60 mg/L, 3.53 mg/L, and 120.60 mg/L respectively) were recorded in SL 1 and 2. Maximum levels of Ca+, Mg+ and Na+ ions (64.24 mg/L, 3.60 mg/L, and 5.27 mg/L respectively) were recorded in SL 4 and 5. Maximum levels of Ammonia and Total Hardness were recorded in SL 5 (0.100 and 98.27 respectively). The constant dumping of refuse at the site has increased the concentration of organic and inorganic constituents of the river water, even though some remain within established standards. Water from Otamiri River requires elaborate treatment before it could be suitable for domestic purposes.

COMPOSITE SORBENTS BASED ON DIATOMITE-BENTONITE AND PAPER-PULP FOR THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS

The sorption properties of organomineral composite sorbents have been investigated by ICP-MS method. The diatomite of the Jradzor deposit and bentonite of the Sarigyuh deposit (Armenia) were used as inorganic constituents. Diatomite serves as a structure-forming component and provides mass transfer due to its high porosity (V = 2.0 cm3/g) and large pore sizes (150–200 nm). Bentonite is responsible for the functionality of the sorbents. The organic component is also responsible for the functionality of the obtained sorbents. Paper pretreated with acids (nitric and phosphoric) was used as an organic component. A synthetic solution containing cations of heavy metals was used as an object of study. The experiments were carried out in static mode on a Jar-Test device.

Single and Binary Fe- and Al-hydroxides Affect Potential Phosphorus Mobilization and Transfer from Pools of Different Availability

Phosphorus (P) fixation is a global problem for soil fertility and negatively impacts agricultural productivity. This study characterizes P desorption of already fixed P by using KCl, KNO3, histidine, and malic acid as inorganic and organic compounds, which are quite common in soil. Goethite, gibbsite, and ferrihydrite, as well as hydroxide mixtures with varying Fe- and Al-ratio were selected as model substances of crystalline and amorphous Fe- and Al-hydroxides. Especially two- and multi-component hydroxide systems are common in soils, but they have barely been included in desorption studies. Goethite showed the highest desorption in the range from 70.4 to 81.0%, followed by gibbsite with values in the range from 50.7 to 42.6%. Ferrihydrite had distinctive lower desorption in the range from 11.8 to 1.9%. Within the group of the amorphous Fe-Al-hydroxide mixtures, P desorption was lowest at the balanced mixture ratio for 1 Fe: 1 Al, increased either with increasing Fe or Al amount. Precipitation and steric effects were concluded to be important influencing factors. More P was released by crystalline Fe-hydroxides, and Al-hydroxides of varying crystallinity, but desorption using histidine and malic acid did not substantially influence P desorption compared to inorganic constituents.

CITRIC ACID CROSSLINKED NANOFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE FROM BANANA (MUSA ACUMINATA X BALBISIANA) PSEUDOSTEM FOR ADSORPTION OF Pb2+ AND Cu2+ IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

"Nanofibrillated cellulose was isolated from banana pseudostem, a common agricultural waste, using acid hydrolysis and ultrasound irradiation and was thermochemically crosslinked with citric acid and used for the adsorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in an aqueous solution. The synthesized nanofibrillated cellulose was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the analysis of the point of zero charges (PZC). The SEM data showed that nanofibrillated cellulose has a width of around 69 nm and the EDX spectra depicted the successful removal of inorganic constituents. The linkage of citric acid to cellulose was confirmed by FTIR and the analysis of the PZC revealed that citric acid modification imparted negatively charged carboxyl groups to the cellulose surface. The optimization of the solution pH and adsorbent dosage showed that 99% of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions were removed under optimum conditions of pH 5 and 2.5 g/L of adsorbent, with high recyclability and following the Freundlich isotherm model. In addition, it was found that the adsorption process is exothermic, reversible, and driven by physisorption. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 205.42 mg/g for Pb2+ and 56.04 mg/g for Cu2+, which makes CA-NFC comparable to existing citric acid modified agricultural wastes."

Do organic substances act as a degradable binding matrix in calcium oxalate kidney stones?

Background Calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones are considered to be highly resistant to chemolysis. While significant organic matter has been identified within these stones, which is presumed to bind (inorganic) CaOx particles and aggregates, most chemolysis efforts have focused on methods to attack the CaOx components of a stone. We examine the feasibility of inducing chemolysis of CaOx kidney stones, within hours, by specifically attacking the organic matrix present in these stones. Methods In contrast to previous studies, we focused on the possible “brick and mortar” stone configuration. We systematically tested, via in vitro experiments, the ability of an extensive range of 26 potential chemolysis agents to induce relatively fast disintegration (and/or dissolution) of a large set of natural CaOx stone fragments, extracted during endourological procedures, without regard to immediate clinical application. Each stone fragment was monitored for reduction in weight and other changes over 72 h. Results We find that agents known to attack organic material have little, if any, effect on stone chemolysis. Similarly, protein and enzymatic agents, and oral additive medical treatments, have little immediate effect. Conclusions These findings suggest that the organic and inorganic constituents present in CaOx stones are not structured as “brick and mortar” configurations in terms of inorganic and organic components.

Physical and chemical constraints on transformation and mass-increase of fine aerosols in northeast Asia

Over the past few decades, northeast Asia has suffered from the extreme levels of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm). Despite extensive efforts and the scientific advances in understanding PM2.5 pollution, the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of high PM2.5 concentrations have not been comprehensively understood. In this study, we investigated the physical and chemical drivers for the formation and transformation of atmospheric particles using a four-year dataset of nanoparticle number size distributions, PM2.5 chemical composition, gaseous precursors, and meteorological variables in northeast Asia outflows. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses of size-separated particle numbers extracted two modes representing a burst of nanoparticles (EOF1) and an increase in PM2.5 mass (EOF2) associated with persistent anticyclone and synoptic-scale stagnation, respectively. The vertical structure of the particles demonstrated that the synoptic conditions also affected the daily evolution of boundary layer, promoting either the formation of nanoparticles through deep mixing or conversion into accumulation-mode particles in shallow mixed layers. In the haze-development episode equivalent to EOF2 during the KORUS-AQ (KORea-US Air Quality) campaign, the PM2.5 mass reached 63 μg m−3 with the highest contribution from inorganic constituents, which was accompanied by a thick coating of refractory black carbon (rBC) that linearly increased with condensation-mode particles. This observational evidence suggests that the thick coating of rBC resulted from an active conversion of condensable gases into particle-phase on the BC surface, thereby increasing the mass of the accumulation-mode aerosol. Consequently, this result complies with the strategy to reduce black carbon as a way to effectively mitigate haze pollution as well as climate change in northeast Asia.

Utilization of Isoflavones in Soybeans for Women with Menopausal Syndrome: An Overview

Based on their nutrient composition, soybeans and related foods have been considered to be nutritious and healthy for humans. Particularly, the biological activity and subsequent benefits of soy products may be associated with the presence of isoflavone in soybeans. As an alternative treatment for menopause-related symptoms, isoflavone has gained much popularity for postmenopausal women who have concerns related to undergoing hormone replacement therapy. However, current research has still not reached a consensus on the effects of isoflavone on humans. This overview is a summary of the current literature about the processing of soybeans and isoflavone types (daidzein, genistein, and S-equol) and supplements and their extraction and analysis as well as information about the utilization of isoflavones in soybeans. The processes of preparation (cleaning, drying, crushing and dehulling) and extraction of soybeans are implemented to produce refined soy oil, soy lecithin, free fatty acids, glycerol and soybean meal. The remaining components consist of inorganic constituents (minerals) and the minor components of biologically interesting small molecules. Regarding the preventive effects on diseases or cancers, a higher intake of isoflavones is associated with a moderately lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. It may also reduce the risks of breast and colorectal cancer as well as the incidence of breast cancer recurrence. Consumption of isoflavones or soy foods is associated with reduced risks of endometrial and bladder cancer. Regarding the therapeutic effects on menopausal syndrome or other diseases, isoflavones have been found to alleviate vasomotor syndromes even after considering placebo effects, reduce bone loss in the spine and ameliorate hypertension and in vitro glycemic control. They may also alleviate depressive symptoms during pregnancy. On the other hand, isoflavones have not shown definitive effects regarding improving cognition and urogenital symptoms. Because of lacking standardization in the study designs, such as the ingredients and doses of isoflavones and the durations and outcomes of trials, it currently remains difficult to draw overall conclusions for all aspects of isoflavones. These limitations warrant further investigations of isoflavone use for women’s health.