Project description:Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are designed for the removal of pathogens and nutrients from septic effluent. However, many other contaminants are widespread in wastewater, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other trace organic chemicals. We analyzed per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in residential septic effluent and investigated their fate in nitrogen-removing biofilters (NRBs), an innovative and alternative type of OWTS. We measured concentrations of 23 targeted PFASs in septic effluent pre- and post-NRB treatment in nine residential OWTSs. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates were generally enriched in NRB effluent versus influent while perfluoroalkyl sulfonates appeared to be partially removed during NRB treatment. Grab sampling results were highly variable but passive sampling (microporous polyethylene tubing containing WAX sorbent) consistently showed greater PFAS levels post-NRB treatment. High-resolution mass spectrometry screening of composited grab samples using two different workflows (suspect screening and untargeted analysis with ion mobility spectrometry) resulted in tentative identifications of 40 additional PFASs not included on the target list. The average mass defect of features identified as potential PFASs was significantly lower (p = 0.014) in post-NRB samples. This, along with increasing concentrations of PFCAs in effluent, suggest transformation of polyfluorinated precursors to more highly fluorinated end products in the NRB.
2025-05-21 | MSV000097952 | MassIVE
Project description:The effect of six-weeks advanced oral care on oral microbiome and mycobiome composition in people with dementia living in aged-care facilities
Project description:Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in long-term care facilities. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) has been used in fold medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we surveyed the effect of roselle drink on the prevention of UTI in long-term care facilities and analyzed the anti-inflammatory potential of roselle on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal inflammation. By survey questionnaires, we found that roselle drink was the most commonly used treatment for the routine care of residents. In addition, taking roselle drink in residents with urinary catheters reduced the incidence of UTI by 36%. Roselle suppressed LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximal inhibition (73.75±4.11%) was observed at 100 μg/ml roselle drink. Roselle also suppressed LPS-induced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in mice. Gene expression profile of roselle in kidney showed that roselle downregulated the expression of inflammatory genes, and NF-κB was the main transcription factor involved in the regulation of roselle-regulated gene expression. Immunohistochemical staining further showed that roselle inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cell infiltration in kidney. In conclusion, our findings suggested that roselle drink might be a potent benefit herbal supplement for UTI. Moreover, roselle ameliorated LPS-induced renal inflammation via regulating inflammatory gene expression and NF-κB pathway.