The prolonged start-up period of high-rate anaerobic anaerobic reactors represents a critical techno-economic bottleneck, and this study demonstrates that targeted bioadditive conditioning offers an effective strategy to accelerate granulation while simultaneously enhancing methane yields at laboratory and pilot scales in two 2 L lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (R1: multivalent cation addition, R2: chitosan addition) and subsequently, a 20 L pilot-scale reactor, respectively. Laboratory-scale experiments demonstrated that chitosan-based conditioning shortened granulation time by approximately 15 days compared with conventional operation, whereas multivalent cations primarily improved microbial diversity and structural stability. When these strategies were combined and evaluated in a 20 L pilot-scale reactor, biomass concentration increased by 126% and methane content reached 74.5% within 52 days, indicating accelerated commissioning and earlier energy recovery. The confirmation of this hypothesis is economically relevant, as reduced start-up periods directly translate into faster cash-flow generation, lower financial risk during early operation, and improved feasibility of capital-intensive anaerobic treatment facilities. Beyond process intensification, the results reveal an overlooked interdisciplinary connection between polymer-assisted microbial aggregation, granule-scale ecology, and reactor-scale techno-economic performance. Metagenomic analysis revealed that chitosan favored the dominance of extracellular polymeric substance-producing genera such as Methanobacterium and Clostridium, while multivalent ions supported greater microbial diversity. Overall, this work provides a scalable and cost-effective framework for improving anaerobic digester start-up performance, offering clear industrial relevance and a basis for future integration with digital twin-based optimization and investment decision-support tools. Last but not least, this study highlights the synergistic impact of bioadditives and reactor scale on anaerobic sludge granulation and system performance.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a dual-drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticle system incorporating quercetin (QUE) and chlorhexidine (CHX) for localized, sustained delivery, with potential application in biofilm-associated pathologies. Single- and dual-drug systems containing CHX and QUE at different concentrations (1.5

Water sources associated with ancient healing centres were historically believed to possess therapeutic properties, yet their physicochemical, microbiological, and radiological characteristics remain insufficiently documented. In this study, the Sacred Spring and the adjacent Roman-period Immersion Pool at the Pergamene Asklepieion (Bergama, Türkiye) were investigated through a comprehensive integrated assessment. Water samples were collected during two critical hydrological periods (Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025) to evaluate seasonal variability and environmental influences on water quality as part of a pilot initiative for long-term monitoring. Arsenic and selected elemental concentrations were determined using ICP-MS, while microbiological quality was assessed based on ISO standards for Escherichia coli, total coliforms, intestinal enterococci, and total viable counts. To evaluate radiological characteristics, radon (Rn-222) and total alpha activity were measured in the water. Main findings revealed a significant seasonal increase in arsenic concentrations in both water sources, with the Immersion Pool reaching 9.49 ppb in Spring 2025, closely approaching the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 10 ppb. While major ions exhibited similar distributions, microbiological analyses indicated a clear distinction: the Sacred Spring remained free of fecal indicators (E. coli and intestinal enterococci) across both seasons, suggesting a well-protected groundwater source. In contrast, the Immersion Pool showed elevated microbial loads, including detectable E. coli in spring, reflecting higher environmental exposure. Radiological measurements demonstrated that both gross alpha activity (0.010–0.022 Bq/L) and radon concentrations (1.02–5.95 Bq/L) remained consistently below the WHO screening level (0.1 Bq/L) and the EPA regulatory limit (11 Bq/L for radon), indicating no regulatory concern under current conditions. Overall, this research highlights clear differences between the protected Sacred Spring and the environmentally vulnerable Immersion Pool. While the sacred spring maintains a stable profile, the findings establish an essential baseline for the preservation of historical water systems. This study serves as a foundation for future longitudinal research aimed at developing predictive models for the sustainable management of ancient healing waters under changing environmental and climatic conditions. These findings lay groundwork for ongoing monitoring of such heritage waters, stressing the need to safeguard their health and cultural roles amid shifting conditions.

This study investigates the microbial degradation of phenolic compounds using environmental bacterial isolates obtained from refinery wastewater and petroleum-contaminated soil. Phenolic pollutants are highly toxic and persistent, posing significant challenges for biological wastewater treatment systems. To address this issue, microorganisms were enriched under increasing phenolic loads using Bushnell Haas Yeast (BHY) medium supplemented with phenol and mixed phenolic derivatives as the sole carbon source. Through adaptive passaging, two phenol-tolerant isolates were obtained and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as Microbacterium arabinogalactanolyticum (PKN7) and Brevundimonas diminuta (VGT4). Time-resolved HPLC analyses demonstrated that both isolates completely degraded phenol within 120 h in BHY medium containing 20 mg/L phenol and 30 mg/L mixed phenolic compounds. While the strains exhibited only partial degradation of chlorophenols and cresols, consortium experiments showed enhanced performance in the mixed culture: the mixed culture achieved complete degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol within 12 h and complete phenol removal within 60 h, while removing 73–78

Ethnographic textile artifacts are highly susceptible to fungal biodeterioration due to their organic composition and continuous exposure to microfungi in museum environments. This study aimed to assess the extent of microfungal contamination in the exhibition and storage areas of the Ege University Ethnography Museum and to evaluate the enzymatic activities (cellulase and protease) of the isolated fungal species to determine their biodeterioration potential. Air and surface samples were collected from display halls, storage rooms, and outdoor reference points during two seasons (spring and autumn) using a portable air sampler on DG-18, PCA, and MEA media. Fungal isolates were identified through macroscopic and microscopic examination supported by standard mycological keys, and their enzymatic activity was assessed using CMC agar for cellulase and skim milk agar for protease production. Microclimatic influences and seasonal differences were statistically evaluated using a two-sample independent t-test. Fungal load ranged from 120-450 CFU/m³ on DG-18 and 300-1000 CFU/m³ on PCA, with the highest values recorded inside display cases and storage zones. A total of 58 fungal isolates were obtained, predominantly belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Rhizopus. Enzymatic assays showed that several isolates exhibited strong cellulase and protease activities, particularly A. sydowii, P. citrinum, A. flavus, and P. chrysogenum, indicating a high biodeterioration risk for cellulose- and protein-based textiles. Seasonal differences were statistically insignificant, highlighting the greater importance of microclimatic conditions and ventilation patterns. These findings underscore the need for integrated biological risk management and continuous microbial monitoring to protect ethnographic textile heritage from fungal deterioration.

Although caries is known to be influenced by diet and oral hygiene factors, susceptibility to the disease may be reduced by host factors, such as saliva antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, the relationship between salivary AMPs and early childhood caries (ECC) remains limited. Among the AMPs, cathelicidin LL-37 is mentioned in the literature for its bactericidal activity against oral pathogens, while statherin is recognized for its mechanism of reducing hydroxyapatite demineralization on the tooth surface. Cathelicidin LL-37 is a significant class of proteins within the immune system, and statherin prevents the precipitation of calcium phosphate in saliva, maintaining high levels of calcium for enamel remineralization and high phosphate levels for buffering. This study aimed to compare the salivary levels of statherin, cathelicidin LL-37, and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), as well as the oral hygiene and dietary habits, of children with and without early childhood caries (ECC). A total of 24 children with ECC and 34 children without ECC were selected to participate in this study. The levels of S. mutans in unstimulated saliva collected from the children were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the levels of statherin and cathelicidin LL-37 in saliva were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was no statistically significant difference in salivary statherin levels between the two groups, but salivary cathelicidin LL-37 levels were significantly higher in the ECC group (p = 0.024). The ECC group had significantly elevated S. mutans levels compared to the non-ECC group (p < 0.05). The frequency of sugar-containing foods and/or beverages consumed more than three times a day between meals was statistically significantly higher in the ECC group compared to the non-ECC group (p = 0.021). The statistical analysis also revealed a positive correlation between the dmfs score and age (p = 0.022).

The aims of this study were twofold: first, to investigate the surface roughness of different abutment materials prepared using various manufacturing methods; and, second, to evaluate colonization by Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans according to abutment material and manufacturing method. Six material/manufacturing method combinations were investigated in this study, namely chromium-cobalt (Cr-Co) (prepared using casting, milling, and laser sintering) and titanium, zirconia, and anodized titanium (all prepared using milling); titanium (stock) abutments were used as the control group. Surface roughness of seven specimens from each group was evaluated using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Laser-sintered Cr-Co had the lowest values of Ra (mean ± SD = 4.8 ± 0.8  nm), Rq (mean ± SD = 7.0 ± 1.2 nm), and Rmax (mean ± SD = 133.5 ± 31.7 nm), whereas milled zirconia had the highest values of Ra (mean ± SD = 112.9 ± 44.2 nm), Rq (mean ± SD = 142.8 ± 54.0 nm), and Rmax (mean ± SD = 1,035.7 ± 350.4 nm). Three specimens from each group were infected with S. mutans and three with C. albicans, and microbial counts were evaluated after culture. Colonization of Streptococcus mutans was highest on milled zirconia (mean log10 count ± SD = 5.87 ± 0.08) and lowest on milled Cr-Co (mean log10 count ± SD = 4.04 ± 0.11). For C. albicans, colonization was highest on milled titanium stock (mean log10 count ± SD = 6.62 ± 0.03) and lowest on milled anodized titanium (mean log10 count ± SD = 6.13 ± 0.03). Differences in surface roughness and microbial colonization among groups can aid clinicians in selecting materials based on clinical relevance, considering their potential impact on outcomes.

Objective: Thiols, or mercaptans, are highly toxic and odorous chemicals commonly found in industrial and agricultural settings. Among these, 2-furanmethanethiol is particularly concerning due to its strong odor and toxicity. This study investigates the degradation of 2-furanmethanethiol using microbial strains isolated from natural environments. Methods: Samples were collected from pig feces (adult and infant) and activated sludge. Six bacterial strains were isolated and identified, including Bacillus toyonensis, Shewanella sp., Myroides injenensis, Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Proteus vulgaris. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were used to evaluate their degradation efficiency. Results: P. vulgaris, Pseudomonas sp., and Acinetobacter sp. degraded nearly 100% of 2-furanmethanethiol within 48 hours, while the other strains achieved similar efficiency within 72 hours. The results highlight the potential of these bacterial strains for targeted biodegradation. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of optimizing microbial activity under controlled conditions to ensure effective large-scale bioremediation. The findings provide insights into the role of microbial communities in reducing environmental pollution and improving air quality.

Industrial wastewater treatment is essential for environmental sustainability, yet conventional activated sludge systems often struggle with recalcitrant petrochemical pollutants such as p-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, and terephthalic acid. This study explores an economic and sustainable bioremediation approach utilizing localized microbial isolates and sunflower meal as a biodegradable carrier for lyophilized microbial consortia. The research focuses on three key objectives: (1) isolating and characterizing microorganisms capable of degrading recalcitrant petrochemical compounds, (2) evaluating the efficacy of different carrier and protectant combinations in biodegradation performance, and (3) assessing the long-term viability and biodegradation capacity of lyophilized microbial products. Sunflower meal, chosen for its affordability and biocompatibility, was tested in combination with silica, skim milk, and polyvinyl alcohol to enhance microbial viability. Biodegradation performance was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography, and microbial viability was assessed over 18 months under different storage conditions (+4 degrees C and +27 degrees C). The results demonstrated that lyophilized microbial consortia stored at +4 degrees C achieved up to 100% degradation of p-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, and terephthalic acid, while samples stored at +27 degrees C exhibited significantly reduced biodegradation efficiency. Notably, the combination of sunflower meal with silica proved the most effective in preserving microbial viability and bioremediation potential. These findings highlight the feasibility of using localized microbial isolates and cost-effective carriers to optimize bioremediation processes in industrial wastewater treatment. The study underscores the potential of sunflower meal as a sustainable alternative, aligning with environmental and economic sustainability principles. Future research should focus on scaling up this technology for broader industrial applications

PURPOSE:To evaluate the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and glutaraldehyde in disinfecting dental impression materials; alginate, polyether, condensation silicone and polyvinyl siloxane. The objectives include comparing the microbial reduction (Log R values) and assessing the interaction between microorganisms and disinfectants on these materials. METHODS:Common dental pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae, and Streptococcus mutans) were used to contaminate the impression materials. Each contaminated sample was disinfected using hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, or glutaraldehyde. Microbial reduction was measured as Log R values. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis tests and Bonferroni post hoc analyses. RESULTS:Significant differences in Log R values were observed among the impression materials and disinfectants. Alginate exhibited lower Log R values (4.63 ± 1.56) compared to polyether and polyvinyl siloxane. Sodium hypochlorite showed superior microbial reduction (5.38 ± 0.84) compared to hydrogen peroxide (4.84 ± 1.44). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans had higher Log R values, indicating greater susceptibility to the disinfectants. Glutaraldehyde demonstrated effective microbial reduction (5.51 ± 0.69), with Log R values comparable to sodium hypochlorite (5.38 ± 0.84), making it a potent disinfectant for dental impression materials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:The study demonstrates that sodium hypochlorite and glutaraldehyde are highly effective in reducing microbial load on dental impression materials. While sodium hypochlorite and glutaraldehyde are recommended for their higher efficacy, hydrogen peroxide offers a safer, less toxic alternative, making it a viable option in specific clinical situations.

Arthrospira platensis is becoming increasingly popular as a nutraceutical. As a safe and high-quality food, it is used as a substitute for animal or plant foods due to its nutritional ingredients and high protein content. Among the phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin (C-PC) is one of the most important bioactive products produced by A. platensis, with a wide range of applications in food, cosmetics and medical fields. In response to the growing global interest in replacing synthetic compounds with natural alternatives, optimizing the production processes of phycocyanin from A. platensis and developing efficient extraction and purification methods to achieve high purity for various industrial applications have become crucial areas of research. This study aimed to determine the purity, protein quality, biological activity and toxicity of C-PC obtained from A. platensis EGE MACC38 (isolated from Paracas Lake, Peru) cultivated under specified greenhouse conditions to evaluate the pigment's usability for different purposes. The C-PC content was 67 mg g(-1) protein, and its purity index (PI) was >3.9. HPLC analysis indicated that the quality of C-PC was high due to the presence of a higher proportion (20.21%) of essential amino acids (EAA). DPPH radical inhibition capacity of C-PC was measured as 28.24% for 0.1 mg ml(-1) protein (IC50 value is 0.386 mg ml(-1) protein). It did not show genotoxicity even at 2 mg per plate concentration on Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 strains. Also, no computable IC50 value and cytotoxic effects of C-PC were detected. These findings indicated that C-PC is a valuable protein source due to its antioxidant properties and high EAA content, without exhibiting toxicity. In this study, we demonstrated an efficient purification method for obtaining high-purity C-PC from bulk culture biomass of A. platensis.

Dual-drug delivery systems offer a novel approach to overcoming the complex challenges of periodontal disease treatment. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel incorporating doxycycline and atorvastatin for local delivery in periodontal therapy. The hydrogel formulations were characterized through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and electron microscopy to assess their structural and physicochemical properties. The hydrogels were evaluated for drug loading efficiency and drug release profiles, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity. The optimized formulation, containing 25 % atorvastatin and 75 % doxycycline, demonstrated a sustained and controlled release profile over 72 h, ensuring prolonged therapeutic effects. It exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy, particularly against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen in periodontal disease, with inhibition zones reaching 54 ± 1.53 mm. Cytotoxicity assays on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) confirmed high biocompatibility, with over 97 % cell viability for the optimized formulation, whereas formulations with higher atorvastatin content exhibited increased cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of this dual-drug hydrogel system as a promising localized treatment strategy for periodontal disease, offering controlled drug release, potent antimicrobial activity, and favorable biocompatibility. Future in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic efficacy and translational potential.

BACKGROUND:Subgingival dental plaque is an ecosystem playing a key role in supporting both oral health and systemic health. Menopause-related changes have the potential to disrupt its balance, which is crucial to postmenopausal well-being. Our study explored how circulating estradiol levels correlate with subgingival microbial composition using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. We also demonstrated that combining this method with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing insights remains valuable for examining subgingival ecology. METHODS:We assessed 40 bacterial species in 77 premenopausal and 81 postmenopausal women using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization and measured serum estradiol with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Women were categorized by subgingival dysbiosis severity using a modified Subgingival Microbial Dysbiosis Index (mSMDI). Six women from each normobiotic and dysbiotic subgroup across premenopausal and postmenopausal women underwent 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS:DNA checkerboard analysis revealed that most observed variability in individual bacterial proportions is associated with periodontitis. Two species, Leptotrichia buccalis and Streptococcus constellatus, exhibited differences related to estradiol levels within the premenopausal group (p = 0.055 and p = 0.009, respectively). 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed the mSMDI's validity in categorizing normobiotic and dysbiotic states. Menopausal status was not associated with a dysbiotic shift in the subgingival microbiome despite significantly more attachment loss in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicate that decreased estradiol levels or increased attachment loss during menopause are not associated with changes in species abundance or dysbiotic shifts in women. The mSMDI may be a useful tool for classifying subgingival ecology based on its normobiotic or dysbiotic inclination. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY:The microorganisms in the oral cavity, particularly those around the teeth and gums, form a complex community known as subgingival plaque. This ecosystem is crucial for maintaining both gum health and systemic health. While disease-related (dysbiotic) subgingival plaque causes gum disease (periodontitis), periodontitis further sustains a dysbiotic subgingival plaque microbial environment. Factors such as hormone levels can potentially influence the balance between health and disease-related subgingival plaque microorganisms. We investigated whether blood estradiol levels in women affect the abundance of specific bacteria in subgingival plaque and whether menopause alters the microbial balance in this community. We found that two bacterial species, Leptotrichia buccalis and Streptococcus constellatus, were positively associated with estradiol levels, but only in premenopausal women. Despite postmenopausal women having more severe periodontitis, their subgingival microbiome did not exhibit more dysbiotic characteristics than that of premenopausal women.

AIM or PURPOSE The aim of this study was to analyze abutment surface roughness by Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), comparing different abutment manufacturing materials/methods and evaluation of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans adhesion via microbiological analysis. MATERIALS and METHOD The material/technique combinations used in the study were; Cr-Co Alloy (casting), Cr-Co Alloy (CAD-CAM milling), Titanium (CAD-CAM milling), Zirconia (CAD-CAM milling), Anodized Titanium (CAD-CAM milling), Laser Sintered Cr-Co Alloy, and factory stock Titanium abutments as control group.A total of 49 samples (7 per group, 5 mm x 2 mm) were analyzed using AFM and SEM. Surface characteristic values were recorded and statistically evaluated with Kruskal-Wallis and non-parametric tests. Each group had 3 samples inoculated with S. mutans and C. albicans, with microorganism counts recorded. The obtained data were recorded and statistically evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. RESULTS Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rmax) among groups. Cr-Co Laser Sinter had the lowest Ra (0.004±0.001 μm), and Zirconia Milling had the highest (0.112±0.055 μm). S. mutans accumulated most in Zirconia Milling (5.87±0.08) and least in Milling Cr-Co (4.04±0.11). For C. albicans, highest accumulation was in Milling Ti Grade 5 Stock (6.41±0.03), and least in Milling Ti Grade 5 Anodization (6.13±0.03). CONCLUSION(S) The statistical significance of both surface roughness and microbial adhesion in each group can give information for clinicians in material selection according to the cases.

Rapid population growth and consumption lead to an increased demand for energy. Fossil fuels as the most dominant resources used for energy production are depleting, and more importantly, their combustion leads to the release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), triggering global warming and climate change. Therefore, recent studies have been focusing intensively on increasing the production of green hydrogen as a clean alternative [1- 2].Parallel to these efforts, bio-hydrogen has also been gaining significant attention. In this study, high temperature (110°C for 10 minutes), acidic conditions (pH 2-5.5), and nanoparticle addition (magnetite nanoparticle; obtained from Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry) methods were tested for enhancing the biohydrogen production. For this purpose, initially, the sludge was autoclaved at 110°C for 10 minutes. Following these pretreatment steps, four different trial sets (R1: pH 5.5, R2: pH 5.5 + 5mg/L Fe 3 O 4 NP, R3: pH 7, R4: pH 7 + 5mg/L Fe 3 O 4 NP) were established to investigate biohydrogen production. The reactors were operated under static conditions at 38°C with fed- batch using 2-4 g COD/day substrate load. The volumetric contents of the produced biogas were determined by sampling of headspace gases and analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). According to the results, while reactors R1 and R2 produced a maximum volumetric percentage of biohydrogen of 10-15%, reactors R3 and R4 reached levels of 30% (on day 11) and 32% (on day 7), respectively. These results indicated that the acidification pretreatment did not increase hydrogen yield; however, the addition of nanoparticles under neutral conditions significantly improved biohydrogen production (compared to the control group) at earlier stages.

The aim of this study is to compare the bacterial load in the guts of honey bees supported and unsupplemented with probiotic supplements. To investigate the effects of a commercial bee probiotic containing different Lactobacillus species and different spice extracts on the composition of the gut microbiota of honey bees, QPCR counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Firmicutes phylum gene copies in gut mixtures from 12 different bee groups with and without probiotic supplementation were performed. There was a significant difference between the levels of Lactobacillus spp. in the guts of both groups. When Lactobacillus spp. levels in the guts of honey bees not given probiotics were compared to the Lactobacillus spp. levels in the guts of honey bees given probiotics, it was determined that there was an approximately 5.5-fold difference. However, it was observed that there was no significant difference in the Firmicutes load in the bee guts of both groups. These findings show that the applied probiotic formulation significantly affects the intestinal microbiome of healthy individuals and provides a proportional change in microbial abundance, especially in terms of Lactobacillus spp.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was anaerobically digested with waste sludge in a batch system at varying total solid (TS) contents (3.3-8.3%) and temperatures (35-55 degrees C). Then, the high organic content of digested biomass was utilized for hydrothermal liquefaction/gasification in the batch reactor system at different temperatures (200-600 degrees C) to yield biofuels and biochemicals. Hydrothermal liquefaction/gasification was performed in sub-and super-critical water (above 374 degrees C and 221 bar) conditions. Prevailing products are some biochemical compounds (carboxylic acids, furfurals, aldehyde/ketones, phenols etc.) at lower temperatures (200-300 degrees C) while biohythane (total of hydrogen and methane) gaseous fuel are produced at higher temperatures (400-600 degrees C). The highest carbon gasification efficiency (73 g C in product/g C in feed) was obtained at 600 degrees C with the sample that has a high anaerobic digestion efficiency (digested at 6.3 TS% at 35 degrees C). The highest carbon liquefaction efficiency (37.2 g C in product/g C in feed) was obtained at 200 degrees C with the sample which has a low anaerobic digestion yield (digested at 8.3 TS% at 35 degrees C).(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effectiveness of the local treatment depends on the ability of the release system to deliver drugs efficiently as well as control of both infection and inflammation component of the disease. The present study aimed to develop an atorvastatin (AS) and doxycycline (DS) dual drug loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CSNP) delivery system for the local treatment of periodontal disease. For this purpose, AS and DS loaded CSNPs at different drug weights were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique to improve the oral bioavailability of the drug. Particle size, encap-sulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), zeta potential and in vitro drug release properties were determined in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C. The AS/DS drug-loaded CSNPs exhibited good encapsulation efficiency from 81.6 +/- 1.8% to 90.4 +/- 2.4%. Particle size of prepared AS, DS or AS/DS loaded CSNPs was ranged from 60.66 +/- 4.97 nm to 87.44 +/- 6.41 nm with a low polydispersity index (PI) value. AS drug loaded nanocarriers showed a slow and sustained release of approximately 85% in a span of 4 or 6 h and decreased to 50% at 216 h (9 days), while DS drug loaded nanocarriers exhibited sustained release of maximum 35% in 24 h and decreased to 1% at 120 h (5 days). In vitro antimicrobial study showed that AS/DS loaded chitosan nanoparticles were more effective against Staphylococcus aureus than Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity experiments showed that AS/DS loaded CSNP systems had no cytotoxic effects. In conclusion, a dual drug loaded CSNP was successfully developed which might be a promising formulation for the local drug delivery of DS and AS into the periodontal pocket as adjunctive therapy.

The impact of Candida sp. in the development of oral cancer remains uncertain and requires sensitive analytical approaches for clarification. Given the invasive capabilities of these microorganisms in penetrating and invading host tissues through hyphal invasion, this study sought to detect the presence of five Candida sp. in oral biopsy tissue samples from non-smoker patients. Samples were obtained from patients at varying stages of oral carcinogenesis, including dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, OSCC, and histologically benign lesions, and analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Oral tissue samples from 80 patients (46 males and 34 females) were included. Significantly higher C. albicans presence was detected in the mild/moderate dysplasia group compared to the healthy (p = 0.001), carcinoma in situ (p = 0.031) and OSCC groups (p = 0.000). Similarly, C. tropicalis carriage was higher in tissues with mild/moderate dysplasia compared to healthy (p = 0.004) and carcinoma in situ (p = 0.019). Our results showed a significant increase in the presence of C. albicans and C. tropicalis within the mild/moderate dysplasia group compared to other cohorts. Coexistence of these two microorganisms was observed, suggesting a potential transition from a commensal state to an opportunistic pathogen, which could be particularly linked to the onset of oral neoplasia.

In this study, optimum operating conditions for anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with waste sludge was investigated at varying total solid (TS) content of the digestion solution (3.3%, 4.3%, 5.3%, 6.3%, 7.3% and 8.3%) and digestion temperature (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 degrees C) to produce methane with high yield. The highest biogas yield reached experimentally was 163.2 mL/g TVS (with high CH4 content of 81.1 vol%) at 6.3% of TS content and digestion temperature of 35 degrees C. Kinetic parameters were estimated by using modified Gompertz, Cone and first-order kinetic models in which modified Gompertz model gave the lowest fitting errors (-1.0 to 3.7%). The effect of temperature on methane production rate was simulated by Ratkowsky model and optimum digestion temperature was found between 41.5 and 44 degrees C for maximum methane production at 6.3% TS. The experimental methane yields were 61.9-132.3 mL CH4/g TVS. The metagenomic sequencing was used to characterize microbial community structure of the anaerobic digestate at varying conditions and acetoclastic/hydrogenothrophic methanogenesis was equally dominated methane-producing pathways. The most abundant bacterial populations were found to be Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria. Based on alpha diversity indices, it can be concluded that effect of digestion temperature on microbial richness and diversity was higher than the effect of TS content.