Authors:Michelle Sackey-Ansah et al. Abstract: Pharmaceuticals are increasingly detected in water bodies, and their presence can negatively impact aquatic organisms. This effect can be amplified when combined with increasing salinity in freshwater ecosystems. Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic that is commonly found in river, streams, and waters where it is discharged directly. Therefore, organisms present in these locations (e.g., insects, snails, amphibians, and fish) are likely to be affected by acetaminophen. In this study, we determined the effects of elevated salinity (0.68 g/L), acetaminophen (500 µg/L) and combined elevated salinity (0.68 g/L) and acetaminophen (500 µg/L), on the growth, reproduction, and movement of the freshwater snail Physa acuta. There were no effects on growth or reproduction. No changes were observed on movement in individual treatments groups; however, there was a significant effect in the combined treatment of salinity and acetaminophen. It is likely that an energetic trade-off between physiological mechanisms resulted in a synergistic negative effect on snails. PubDate: Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:27:39 PST
Authors:Drew Budner et al. Abstract: The BooZi is a commercially available flavor-modifying device that claims to remove the negative flavor agents (congeners) from a number of different types of distilled spirits and wines. SPME was utilized for the extraction of the volatile and semi-volatile compounds within each sample. The analysis of the compounds found in the samples following exposure to the BooZi device were analyzed using a GC-MS. The most significant changes regarding the aroma profile of the distilled spirits were noticeable following 96 hours of exposure. The BooZi device was shown to be effective in reducing the concentration of a number of compounds, including 21 compounds having statistically significant changes. It was determined that the reduction of the compounds is associated with the mass of the product and the exposure time. This study has shown the effectiveness of the BooZi device in reducing the negative congeners within the distilled spirts samples tested. PubDate: Sat, 07 Jan 2023 08:22:30 PST
Authors:Stephanie A. Babinec Abstract: Light pollution at night is a growing issue in many suburban and urban settings, commonly referred to as artificial light at night (ALAN). Many studies have been conducted as to how the intensity or wavelength of this lighting can disrupt the circadian rhythm but none have evaluated how the timing of this light could affect it. It is hypothesized that those that chronically experience dim artificial light at night (dALAN) after biological day will lead to a more pronounced disruption in the metabolic system and therefore will cause an increased level of weight gain. Mice were used as test subjects and were split into four groups: 1) 12 light, 12 dark (L:N); 2) 12 light, 4 dim, 8 off (L:D:N); 3) 12 light, 4 off, 4 dim, 4 off (L:N:D:N); and 4) 12 light, 8 off, 4 dim (L:N:D). The weight of these mice was tracked weekly to obtain the necessary data. This data were then analyzed for percent body weight increase and an ANOVA was run, obtaining a p-value of 0.000053. A Scheffe test was then run, finding a significant difference between L:N and L:D:N, L:N and L:N:D, and L:D:N and L:N:D:N. These results support that chronic dALAN exposure can lead to increased percent body weight changes. Future studies can further examine the possibilities as to why this is. PubDate: Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:32:02 PDT
Authors:Korinne M. Swanson et al. Abstract: Bacteriophages are viruses, whose unique ability to infect and lyse bacterial cells may provide valuable insight for evading the repercussions of a post-antibiotic era in medicine. This study isolated and characterized Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage on students and faculty at Coastal Carolina University as a means to understand the viability of human bacteriophage reservoirs for bacteriophage therapy. From September 2021 to March 2022, nasal and postauricular swab samples and a behavioral survey were collected from ninety-three randomly selected participants. Additionally, sixteen participants contributed nasal and postauricular swab samples and a behavioral survey on a monthly basis in a longitudinal study. The purpose of this study was to establish insight into behavioral factors, namely face mask wearing, handwashing/ sanitizing, and perceived stress levels, that potentially contribute to the E. coli and S. aureus bacteriophage dynamics. During the current collection cycle, 2021-2022, there has been a reemergence of bacteriophage since their disappearance the previous collection year. Results indicate participant engagement in mask wearing or handwashing/ sanitizing does not affect coliphage presence, but participants with coliphage presence generally had lower perceived stress levels than those lacking coliphage. Data was limited and correlations could not be made between S. aureus bacteriophage presence and the aforementioned behavioral factors. However, limited data suggests face mask wearing may be correlated to a lack of S. aureus bacteriophage presence on a host. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:42:40 PDT
Authors:Sarah E. Knisely et al. Abstract: Xanthones are tricyclic aromatic compounds that have multiple pharmacological uses due to their anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and potentially chemopreventive properties. The target of this research was to optimize a two-step synthesis of 3,6-dimethoxyxanthone (3) from 2,2’,4,4’-tetrahydroxy-benzophenone (1) via microwave-assisted (200 °C, 30-40 min., 150 W) sodium acetate-catalyzed annulation. The product, 3,6-dihydroxyxanthone (2), was then methylated to (3) using dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and sodium carbonate in acetone at reflux. The product yields were 93% (>99% purity) for (2) and 94% (>99% purity) for (3). Characterization was accomplished using 1H NMR, FTIR, melting point, TLC, HPLC, and GCMS. The product (3) was made available for additional screening and research, such as synthesizing dyes like fluorescein and its derivatives. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:42:32 PDT
Authors:Mackenzie L. Jenkins et al. Abstract: Sea level rise is causing an increase in salt water encroachment and flooding in many coastal habitats, and increasing salinity can have negative impacts on plant communities. The objective of our research was to determine the impact of salinity on salt marsh plant community structure on Horse Island, South Carolina. We investigated variation in plant cover and height with distance from a tidal creek and the effect of increasing salinity on seedling emergence from the seed bank. We established three transects in the salt marsh habitat and recorded plant species presence, percent cover of each species, and height of the tallest individual of each species in 11 plots along each transect. Total plant cover was consistent from 0 to 24 m and increased from 24 to 40 m from the tidal creek; several species only occurred 36-40 m from the tidal creek. Percent cover of Spartina alterniflora, the dominant species, increased from 24 to 36 m from the tidal creek. The height of S. alterniflora was negatively correlated with percent cover of S. alterniflora and distance from the tidal creek. To assess the seed bank, we established 12 plots in the salt marsh-maritime forest ecotone, and soils collected from plots were assigned to each of four salinity treatments (0, 6, 12, and 26 ppt). Across all treatments, only one seedling emerged from the soil. The cover, height, and distribution of salt marsh species on Horse Island are likely to change as sea level continues to rise, but the role of the seed bank in affecting plant community structure remains unclear. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:42:27 PDT