scholarly journals Effects of Atmospheric Plasma Corona Discharge on Agrobacterium tumefaciens Survival

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Yulia Lazra ◽  
Bharath Gandu ◽  
Irina Dubrovin Amar ◽  
Efrat Emanuel ◽  
Rivka Cahan
Keyword(s):  
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽  
Corona Discharge ◽  
Membrane Permeability ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Bacterial Eradication ◽  
Liquid Environment ◽  
Initial Concentration ◽  
Plasma Corona ◽  
The Impact

Soil-borne pathogenic microorganisms are known to cause extensive crop losses. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a member of the Proteobacteria, causes the neoplastic crown gall disease in plants. Plant protection is mainly based on toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment. The use of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma is an attractive method for microbial eradication. Its antimicrobial mechanism includes the formation of large quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The advantages of eradicating bacteria using cold plasma are not needed for chemicals, short treatment, and environmental temperatures. This study examined the impact of plasma corona discharge exposure on A. tumefaciens viability, membrane permeability, relative cell size, and ROS formation. The results showed that 90 s of plasma exposure led to a reduction by four orders of magnitude when the initial concentration was 1 × 107 CFU/mL and in a dry environment. When the initial concentration was 1 × 106 CFU/mL, 45 s of exposure resulted in total bacterial eradication. In a liquid environment, in an initial concentration of 2.02 × 106 CFU/mL, there was no complete bacterial eradication even at the most prolonged examined exposure (90 s). The influence of plasma treatment on the membrane permeability of A. tumefaciens, and their possible recovery, were analyzed using flow cytometer analysis using propidium iodide (PI). When the plasma-treated bacteria were suspended in Luria–Bertani (LB) (rich medium), the PI-positive count of the plasma-treated bacteria after two hours was 12 ± 3.9%. At the 24th hour, this percentage was only 1.74 ± 0.6%, as the control (0.7 ± 0.1%). These results may indicate the repair of the plasma-treated bacteria that were suspended in LB. At the 24th hour, the relative cell size of the treated bacteria shifted to the right, to ~3 × 104 forward side scatter (FSC), about 0.5-fold higher than the untreated cells. Measurement of the ROS showed that the intracellular fluorescence of the 90-s plasma-treated cells led to significant fluorescence formation of 32 relative fluorescence units (RFU)/cell (9 × 104 fold, compared to the nontreated cells). This study showed that cold plasma is a useful method for A. tumefaciens eradication. The eradication mechanism involves ROS generation, membrane permeability, and changes in cell size.

Use of Cold Plasma To Inactivate Escherichia coli and Physicochemical Evaluation in Pumpkin Puree

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 1897-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. O. SANTOS ◽  
A. L. V. CUBAS ◽  
E. H. S. MOECKE ◽  
D. H. B. RIBEIRO ◽  
E. R. AMANTE
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Corona Discharge ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Process Gas ◽  
Total Carotenoid Content ◽  
Plasma Corona

ABSTRACT This work aimed to study the pumpkin puree processing by cold plasma corona discharge as an alternative to heat treatment to reduce Escherichia coli contamination and evaluate physicochemical alterations, using argon (Ar) as the process gas. The treatment time to verify E. coli inactivation was between 2 and 20 min, while physicochemical alterations were analyzed at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. Cold plasma corona discharge technology to inactivate E. coli proved to be promising, reaching 3.62 log cycles of reduction at 20 min of treatment. The inactivation kinectics showed a tendency of higher decrease with time. Physicochemical characteristics indicate that plasma induces a decrease of pH; however, there is an indication that process gases have an important role and react with the environment and procedure reactive species. This technology may reduce the total carotenoid content of pumpkin puree and in color, mainly the a* parameter, which showed great reduction.

Cold Plasma Inactivation of Salmonella in Prepackaged, Mixed Salads Is Influenced by Cross-Contamination Sequence

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2132-2136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Hertrich ◽  
Glenn Boyd ◽  
Joseph Sites ◽  
Brendan A. Niemira
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Corona Discharge ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Plastic Container ◽  
Peptone Water ◽  
Plasma Corona ◽  
Cherry Tomatoes

ABSTRACT Customer demand for convenient food products has led to an increased production of prepackaged and ready-to-eat food products. Most of these products rely mainly on surface disinfection and other traditional approaches to ensure shelf life and safety. Novel processing techniques, such as cold plasma, are currently being investigated to enhance the safety and shelf life of prepacked foods. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cold plasma corona discharge on the inactivation of Salmonella on prepackaged, tomato-and-lettuce mixed salads. Two different inoculation methods were evaluated to address cross-contamination of Salmonella from cherry tomatoes to lettuce and vice versa. In separate studies, a sample of either cherry tomatoes (55 g) or romaine lettuce (10 g) was inoculated with a Salmonella cocktail (6.93 ± 0.99 log CFU/mL), placed into a commercial polyethylene terephthalate plastic container, and thoroughly mixed together with its noninoculated counterpart. Mixed salads were allowed to dry in a biosafety cabinet for 1 h. Samples were treated with 35 kV cold plasma corona discharge inside plastic containers for 3 min. Samples were stomached and serially diluted in buffered peptone water and then were plated onto aerobic plate count Petrifilm and incubated for 18 h at 37°C. When lettuce was the inoculated counterpart, log kill of Salmonella was significantly greater on tomatoes (0.75 log CFU/g) compared with lettuce (0.34 log CFU/g) (P = 0.0001). Salmonella was reduced on mixed salad only when lettuce was the inoculated counterpart (0.29 log CFU/g) (P = 0.002). Cold plasma can kill Salmonella in a prepackaged mixed salad, with efficacy dependent on the nature of contamination, direction of transfer, and the surface topography of the contaminated commodity.

scholarly journals Optimizing Adsorption of 17α-Ethinylestradiol from Water by Magnetic MXene Using Response Surface Methodology and Adsorption Kinetics, Isotherm, and Thermodynamics Studies

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3150
Author(s):  
Mengwei Xu ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Jing Lu ◽  
Zihan Wu ◽  
Xianxin Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Surface Methodology ◽  
Response Surface ◽  
Quadratic Model ◽  
Adsorption Efficiency ◽  
Process Variables ◽  
Adsorption Time ◽  
Initial Concentration ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adsorbent Dose

Magnetic MXene composite Fe3O4@Ti3C2 was successfully prepared and employed as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) adsorbent from water solution. The response surface methodology was employed to investigate the interactive effects of adsorption parameters (adsorption time, pH of the solution, initial concentration, and the adsorbent dose) and optimize these parameters for obtaining maximum adsorption efficiency of EE2. The significance of independent variables and their interactions were tested by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test statistics. Optimization of the process variables for maximum adsorption of EE2 by Fe3O4@Ti3C2 was performed using the quadratic model. The model predicted maximum adsorption of 97.08% under the optimum conditions of the independent variables (adsorption time 6.7 h, pH of the solution 6.4, initial EE2 concentration 0.98 mg L−1, and the adsorbent dose 88.9 mg L−1) was very close to the experimental value (95.34%). pH showed the highest level of significance with the percent contribution (63.86%) as compared to other factors. The interactive influences of pH and initial concentration on EE2 adsorption efficiency were significant (p < 0.05). The goodness of fit of the model was checked by the coefficient of determination (R2) between the experimental and predicted values of the response variable. The response surface methodology successfully reflects the impact of various factors and optimized the process variables for EE2 adsorption. The kinetic adsorption data for EE2 fitted well with a pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium data followed Langmuir isotherms. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. Therefore, Fe3O4@Ti3C2 composite present the outstanding capacity to be employed in the remediation of EE2 contaminated wastewaters.

scholarly journals Reduced beta cell number rather than size is a major contributor to beta cell loss in type 2 diabetes

Diabetologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironobu Sasaki ◽  
Yoshifumi Saisho ◽  
Jun Inaishi ◽  
Yuusuke Watanabe ◽  
Tami Tsuchiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Beta Cell ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Major Contributor ◽  
Islet Morphology ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Type 2 diabetes is characterised by reduced beta cell mass (BCM). However, it remains uncertain whether the reduction in BCM in type 2 diabetes is due to a decrease in size or number of beta cells. Our aim was to examine the impact of beta cell size and number on islet morphology in humans with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods Pancreas samples were obtained from 64 Japanese adults with (n = 26) and without (n = 38) type 2 diabetes who underwent pancreatectomy. Using pancreatic tissues stained for insulin, we estimated beta cell size based on beta cell diameter. Beta cell number was estimated from the product of fractional beta cell area and pancreas volume divided by beta cell size. The associations of beta cell size and number with islet morphology and metabolic status were examined. Results Both beta cell size (548.7 ± 58.5 vs 606.7 ± 65.0 μm3, p < 0.01) and number (5.10 × 108 ± 2.35 × 108 vs 8.16 × 108 ± 4.27 × 108, p < 0.01) were decreased in participants with type 2 diabetes compared with those without diabetes, with the relative reduction in beta cell number (37%) being greater than for beta cell size (10%). Beta cell number but not size was positively correlated with BCM in participants with and without type 2 diabetes (r = 0.97 and r = 0.98, both p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with HbA1c (r = −0.45, p < 0.01). Conclusions/interpretation Both beta cell size and number were reduced in participants with type 2 diabetes, with the relative reduction in beta cell number being greater. Decrease in beta cell number appears to be a major contributor to reduced BCM in type 2 diabetes. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Deregulation of Ca2+-Signaling Systems in White Adipocytes, Manifested as the Loss of Rhythmic Activity, Underlies the Development of Multiple Hormonal Resistance at Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5109
Author(s):  
Egor A. Turovsky ◽  
Maria V. Turovskaya ◽  
Vladimir V. Dynnik
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Ryanodine Receptors ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Ip3 Receptors ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
White Adipocytes ◽  
Inhibitory Analysis ◽  
Hormonal Resistance ◽  
The Impact

Various types of cells demonstrate ubiquitous rhythmicity registered as simple and complex Ca2+-oscillations, spikes, waves, and triggering phenomena mediated by G-protein and tyrosine kinase coupled receptors. Phospholipase C/IP3-receptors (PLC/IP3R) and endothelial NO-synthase/Ryanodine receptors (NOS/RyR)–dependent Ca2+ signaling systems, organized as multivariate positive feedback generators (PLC-G and NOS-G), underlie this rhythmicity. Loss of rhythmicity at obesity may indicate deregulation of these signaling systems. To issue the impact of cell size, receptors’ interplay, and obesity on the regulation of PLC-G and NOS-G, we applied fluorescent microscopy, immunochemical staining, and inhibitory analysis using cultured adipocytes of epididumal white adipose tissue of mice. Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, atrial natriuretic peptide, bradykinin, cholecystokinin, angiotensin II, and insulin evoked complex [Ca2+]i responses in adipocytes, implicating NOS-G or PLC-G. At low sub-threshold concentrations, acetylcholine and norepinephrine or acetylcholine and peptide hormones (in paired combinations) recruited NOS-G, based on G proteins subunits interplay and signaling amplification. Rhythmicity was cell size- dependent and disappeared in hypertrophied cells filled with lipids. Contrary to control cells, adipocytes of obese hyperglycemic and hypertensive mice, growing on glucose, did not accumulate lipids and demonstrated hormonal resistance being non responsive to any hormone applied. Preincubation of preadipocytes with palmitoyl-L-carnitine (100 nM) provided accumulation of lipids, increased expression and clustering of IP3R and RyR proteins, and partially restored hormonal sensitivity and rhythmicity (5–15% vs. 30–80% in control cells), while adipocytes of diabetic mice were not responsive at all. Here, we presented a detailed kinetic model of NOS-G and discussed its control. Collectively, we may suggest that universal mechanisms underlie loss of rhythmicity, Ca2+-signaling systems deregulation, and development of general hormonal resistance to obesity.

scholarly journals Experimental-numerical studies of the effect of cell structure on the mechanical properties of polypropylene foams

e-Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 713-723
Author(s):  
Wei Gong ◽  
Tuan-Hui Jiang ◽  
Xiang-Bu Zeng ◽  
Li He ◽  
Chun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Structure Parameters ◽  
Cell Size Distribution ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Polypropylene Foam ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe effects of the cell size and distribution on the mechanical properties of polypropylene foam were simulated and analyzed by finite element modeling with ANSYS and supporting experiments. The results show that the reduced cell size and narrow size distribution have beneficial influences on both the tensile and impact strengths. Decreasing the cell size or narrowing the cell size distribution was more effective for increasing the impact strength than the tensile strength in the same case. The relationship between the mechanical properties and cell structure parameters has a good correlation with the theoretical model.

Stimulation of melanin synthesis in melanoma cells by cold plasma

2018 ◽  
Vol 400 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sybille Hasse ◽  
Marie-Christine Müller ◽  
Karin Uta Schallreuter ◽  
Thomas von Woedtke
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Reactive Nitrogen Species ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Melanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Melanin Contents ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Skin color is derived from epidermal melanocytes that contain specialized organelles in which melanin is formed. The formation of melanin is a well-orchestrated process, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in numerous enzymatic conversions, such as the reactions catalyzed by tyrosinase and tyrosine hydroxylase. Currently, there is ample evidence that cold plasma exerts biological effects on cells through the impact of ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Modulation of melanin biosynthesis by cold plasma has not yet been investigated. This study investigated melanin biosynthesis of human melanoma cell lines with different endogenous melanin contents (SK-Mel 28, G-361, FM-55-P and MNT-1) in response to cold plasma-derived reactive species. Initially, the distribution of melanosomes, via immunofluorescence, and the influence of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF), as a key transcription factor, was investigated. In our experimental setup, all of the tested cell lines had an elevated melanin content after exposure to cold plasma. These promising results suggest a novel potential application of cold plasma for the regulation of melanogenesis and may be a useful tool for influencing skin color in the future.

scholarly journals Removal of tetracyclines in wastewater : accumulation and distribution of chlortetracycline in bulk water and biomass compartments in activated sludge

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruba F. Farkh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Bulk Water ◽  
Microbial Cells ◽  
Initial Concentration ◽  
Anoxic Conditions ◽  
Polymeric Substance ◽  
The Impact

A study was conducted to examine the removal of chlortetracycline and its distribution and accumulation in three compartments; bulk water, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and the microbial cells in activated sludge. Also the effect of different environmental conditions on the distribution and accumulation in the three compartments was investigated. Effluent samples collected from a municipal activated sludge treatment system were set up in bath experiments to test the distribution and accumulation of chlortetracycline under aerobic and anoxic conditions for 14 days. In addition, the impact of the activity of the microbial community on the amassing of the antibiotic in the biomass was examined. The effect of divalent cations on import and accumulation of chlortetracycline was tested. Sorption in believed to be the main removal pathway in wastewater treatment systems for tetracyclines in general and chlortetracycline in particular. In this study that notion was confirmed, and it was found that the removal via sorption under anoxic condition (43.2%) is almost double of that under aerobic conditions (27.0%). The amount of what accumulated in the cells compared to that sorbed in the EPS is twice as much in the former and triple as much in the latter. These findings suggest that changes in the structure and charge of the EPS could be the reason of higher accumulation in the polymeric substance. The impact of microbial activity on the sorption and distribution of the chlortetracycline in the three compartments showed almost a similar behaviour to that under aerobic and anoxic conditions. It was clear that the more viable the microbial community, the less the antibiotic accumulated in the [sic] both biomass compartments; the EPS and microbial cells. Biomass with inhibited respiration accrued 90% of the initial concentration; where as the active microbial community was more resistant and only 24.2% of the initial concentration accumulated within the cells. The findings suggest that the antibiotic makes its way to the cells thus bypassing the EPS, and is trapped in the EPS as it is pumped out of the cells in an energy dependent mechanism. The presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) which is a strong chelator had no import effect. Nevertheless it did indicate that the accumulation in the EPS could be attributed to the presence of cations since there was a high negative correlation (-0.98) between the disappearance of the antibiotic from the EPS compartment and the EDTA concentration used in incubation.

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