The Impact of Treated Wastewater Irrigation on the Metabolism of Barley Grown in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Medicinal plant ashwagandha in hydroponics: Pioneering greywater remediation using response surface methodology along with plants' physiological and phytochemical attributes for sustainable resource recovery

This study aimed to investigate greywater treatment through hydroponically growing ashwagandha, often referred to as "Indian Ginseng," which is rich in secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds that enhance its medicinal properties. The research examines the effect of input parameters, such as initial chemical oxygen demand (300-1500 mg/L), phosphate (0-120 mg/L), and nitrate (15-75 mg/L) and their optimization utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The interactive effects are analysed with model fit through analysis of variance. The optimized parameters are investigated as 600 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD), 37 mg/L phosphate, and 35 mg/L nitrate, with maximum removal efficiencies of 97.74% COD, 93.62% total phosphorus, and 89.68% nitrate-nitrogen while preserving ashwagandha's medicinal qualities. The study assesses growth improvements through physiological traits, showing increase of 72.2% in wet biomass, 20% in plant height, 60% in leaf number, and total chlorophyll content of 45.45 μmol m-2. It also examines phytochemical characteristics, including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (-OH peaks within 3500-3000 cm-1) and total phenolic content of leaf and root extracts, measuring 7.14 mg gallic acid equivalents for leaves and 2.155 mg GAE for roots. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated radical scavenging activities of 73.26% for leaves and 83.74% for roots after treatment, highlighting ashwagandha's adaptability and resilience in greywater conditions. Lastly, scanning electron microscopy analysis to assess the impact of wastewater on the root structure. This research presents significant economic potential of the greywater treatment within 6 days by cultivating ashwagandha with the preservation of its medicinal properties.

Associations of number and position of tooth loss and quality of life in the Chilean population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have demonstrated the association between Quality of Life (QoL) and the prevalence of caries, periodontitis, and tooth loss. However, the role of the position and location of tooth loss in impacting QoL remains unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the association of tooth loss, including anterior losses, with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Chileans aged 15 years and older who participated in the ENS 2016-2017.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study we included 5473 individuals enrolled in the last Chilean National Health Survey (ENS 2016-2017). HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire, while OHRQoL was assessed through a general question (GQ/ENS) and five specific questions (SQ/ENS). An analysis of variance test was performed to determine how difference or variation in the number(s) of teeth affected their HRQoL. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to determine how and to what degree anterior tooth loss was associated both with HRQOL and OHRQOL in the study sample.

RESULTS

The number of remaining teeth was significantly higher in the 'No problems' group across all EQ-5D dimensions, except Anxiety/Depression. The largest difference was in Self-care, where 'No problems' had a mean of 20.18 compared to 6.43 teeth in the 'Problematic' group. Anxiety/Depression showed higher odds of 'Some problems' with upper anterior tooth loss, while 'Usual Activities' showed higher odds of 'problematic' with lower anterior tooth loss. Participants with an 'Excellent' OHRQoL perception had a mean of 24.32 teeth. Also, upper and lower anterior tooth loss increased the odds of OHRQoL self-perception.

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth loss was associated with lower HRQoL and OHRQoL in some groups, with more remaining teeth associated with better outcomes, while anterior tooth loss was- linked to worse self-perceived oral health.

Modelling the impacts generated by reclaimed wastewater reuse in agriculture: From literature gaps to an integrated risk assessment in a One Health perspective

The reuse of reclaimed wastewater is increasingly recognized as a viable alternative water source for irrigation. Its application, whether direct or indirect, impacts several interconnected compartments, including groundwater, surface water, soil, crops, and humans. Reclaimed wastewater provides essential resources for crops, like water and nutrients. However, it also introduces pathogens, and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), defined as chemicals that may pose risks to human health and ecosystems but are not yet fully regulated, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, among others. Additionally, reclaimed wastewater may contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and disinfection by-products (DBPs), all of which present potential health and environmental risks. Therefore, regulatory bodies stress the need for preventive risk assessments to ensure safe reuse. This paper critically reviews available models for assessing the impacts of reclaimed wastewater reuse in agriculture. It identifies gaps in current modelling approaches and outlines future research directions. Key areas requiring further investigation include the fate and transfer of CECs, ARBs and DBPs, and the co-occurrence of multiple risks in such interconnected systems, especially in the indirect reuse. To address these gaps, we proposed a simplified approach to integrate three types of risk associated with CECs in indirect reuse, focusing on risks posed by antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals: human health risk, environmental risk and risk from antibiotic resistance development. This approach aids in identifying the most critical endpoints within the One Health approach, supporting (i) CECs prioritization in regulations based on their critical endpoints and (ii) the adoption of CEC-specific mitigation measures.