Photovoltaic (PV) wastewater features high ammonium (NH4[+]-N) and multiple pollutants such as silica (SiO2), fluoride ions (F[-]), and aluminum (Al), creating barriers to autotrophic nitrogen removal. An aluminum-modified sludge biochar (Al-SBC) supplemented single-stage sludge-biofilm coupled partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) reactor was established in this work for real PV wastewater treatment. Experimental findings illustrated that Al‑SBC markedly boosted the PN/A reactor's treatment performance for PV wastewater. Under low PV wastewater proportion conditions, Al-SBC rapidly promoted biofilm formation and sludge granulation. Under 100% PV wastewater conditions, the Al-SBC enhanced system still maintained excellent nitrogen removal performance, together with good removal of SiO2, F[-], and total Al (TAl). In contrast, the control system lost its nitrogen removal function and exhibited virtually no removal capacity for SiO2, F[-], and TAl. These outcomes stemmed from Al‑SBC's strong sequestration of SiO2, F[-] and TAl, promotion of robust biofilm and compact small sludge granule formation, and modulation of hydrophobic amino acid (HAA) synthesis within tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances. Furthermore, in the Al-SBC-enhanced system, Candidatus Brocadia dominated the biofilm (30%), while Nitrosomonas was the predominant genus in the granular sludge (28%), indicating that Al-SBC facilitated functional microbial niche differentiation between aggregates. Metatranscriptomic analysis showed that Al-SBC upregulated the transcriptional activity of key pathways such as nitrogen metabolism and HAA biosynthesis, and the transcription of functional genes. This study facilitates the application and advancement of PN/A processes for photovoltaic wastewater treatment.

Streptococcus species, particularly Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus anginosus, are recognized globally for their role in causing dental caries and other dental issues. Current treatments using fluoride products and conventional antibiotics are often ineffective due to the resilience of biofilms on tooth surfaces. To overcome these challenges, novel approaches that eliminate these pathogens are much needed. In this regard, we have prepared CFS (cell-free supernatant), a postbiotic preparation of our probiotic strain Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4, and investigated the anticariogenic properties of its lyophilized form (LCFS). A quantity of LCFS (400 mg/mL) demonstrated bactericidal, antibiofilm, and anti-caries properties against S. mutans and S. anginosus. The physiological effectiveness of the LCFS was assessed in a simulated artificial salivary fluid (ASF), which showed biofilm inhibition of more than and around 65% for single-pathogen biofilms and above 60% for both-species biofilms, whereas the biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 65% and 60%, respectively, in the growth medium (BHIB). Again, mature biofilm disruption was higher in ASF than in the growth medium. These observations were confirmed by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy. Additionally, LCFS reduced the cariogenic properties of these pathogens by lowering acid tolerance, reducing EPS production, and increasing sensitivity to H2O2. These findings suggest that such a simple, functional postbiotic preparation could be a promising anticariogenic agent for treating dental caries.

According to a recent study, integrating amyloid-PET, structural MRI, carotid Doppler ultrasound, cognitive testing, and APOE genotyping improves estimation of dementia progression in patients with mild cognitive impairment, with carotid plaque burden emerging as a dominant predictor in amyloid-β-negative cases. We agree that vascular pathology is crucial but suggest that future models consider supplementing amyloid-PET with FDG-PET, a well-validated functional marker of neuronal injury, and carotid Doppler with [18]F-sodium fluoride (NaF)-PET which can detect and quantify early, active microcalcification. This could further improve risk stratification while facilitating detection of potentially modifiable disease processes.

Dental caries is defined as a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by the demineralization of dental hard tissues resulting from the acid production by oral microbial communities metabolizing dietary sugars. The ingestion of sugars is a pivotal ecological factor in the progression of caries, with mechanisms that extend beyond merely providing substrates for cariogenic bacteria. This review explores the influence of sugars on the metabolism, adhesion, biofilm formation, and interspecies interactions of oral microorganisms, with a particular focus on species such as Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, Actinomyces, and Candida albicans. The disruption of the oral microbiome balance by these sugars initiates and promotes the process of caries. The review comprehensively summarizes contemporary public health strategies for caries prevention based on microbial ecological theories, including the limitations of sugar intake, fluoride application, probiotics, and ecological management, assessing their effectiveness and challenges. The objective of this study is to establish a theoretical framework and practical guidelines for the precise prevention of dental caries.

The application of modified phosphogypsum (MPG) as a soil amendment has emerged as a promising strategy for its large-scale utilization, yet the potential environmental risk of fluoride (F[-]) release during this process has been largely overlooked. This study systematically demonstrated that MPG-amended soils pose a persistent F[-] leaching hazard, with leachate contents reaching up to 3.0 mg L[-1], which was three times the Class III limit of Chinese Groundwater Quality Standards. To address this risk, Nocardia sp. X10 was isolated and its efficient F[-] immobilization mechanisms were elucidated. Direct quantification of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) embedded within the biominerals (30.7-67.7 mg L[-1]) provided evidence that EPS served as nucleation templates for fluorine-containing minerals. Comprehensive characterization identified the biominerals as a co-precipitated assemblage of Ca5(PO4)3F, CaF2, and CaCO3, intimately associated with EPS. Quantitative analysis of contributions revealed that microbially mediated mineralization dominated F[-] immobilization. Calcium (Ca[2+]) and phosphate (PO4[3-]) acted as essential mineral precursors, with F[-] immobilization efficiency increasing from 8.6% (F[-] alone) to 67.9% and 77.1% (Supplement Ca[2+] and PO4[3-] successively). Soil column validation confirmed that strain X10 achieved superior F[-] immobilization (65.7%) compared to chemical passivators (57.2% and 61.8%), consistently maintaining leachate F[-] below regulatory limits. The findings will help reveal the potential environmental risks and the biological immobilization mechanisms involved in the resource utilization of industrial by-products.

Sodium-ion batteries are promising energy storage devices due to abundant sodium, inherent safety, and low cost, but irreversible sodium loss during initial cycles limits their reversible capacity and long-term stability. Cathode sodium-supplemented additives offer a simple and fabrication-compatible strategy. Herein, an organic sodium-supplemented additive, sodium squarate (Na2C4O4, NCO), is introduced into the high-capacity Prussian white (PW) cathodes to achieve efficient sodium compensation. During the first charge, NCO undergoes decomposition, releasing additional Na+ ions to compensate for irreversible sodium consumption associated with SEI formation and other interfacial side reactions. Meanwhile, the generated CO2 participates in interfacial reactions, leading to the formation of a carbonate-rich cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) on the PW cathode, while its diffusion toward the anode promotes the construction of a robust SEI enriched with carbonate species and sodium fluoride (NaF) on the hard-carbon anode. As a result, the PW-10% NCO||HC full cell delivers an enhanced discharge capacity of 100 mAh g-1, compared to 53 mAh g-1 for the pristine PW||HC full cell. Moreover, a multilayer pouch cell obtained a capacity retention of 80.1% after 100 cycles. Overall, this work highlights NCO as an effective cathode sodium-supplemented additive and provides insights into the interfacial regulation for sodium-ion full cells.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a key preservation-based intervention in pediatric dentistry. It can arrest many cavitated lesions, reduce treatment burden, and expand access for children who cannot receive conventional restorative care. This viewpoint article offers a reasoned, heuristic framework for calibrating SDF guidance to the strength of the underlying evidence. It does not present a systematic review or formal policy standards. Foundational trials support the clinical usefulness of 38% SDF. The 2017 AAPD guidelines provided conditional recommendations based on low-quality evidence. The current challenge is no longer whether to endorse SDF but how to calibrate guidance on its implementation. Later studies addressing intervals and implementation often have open-label designs, small samples, single centers, or overlapping data sources. Mechanistic and microbiome studies support biological plausibility, but policy should not treat them as definitive evidence. We propose a hypothesis-generating framework that separates claims about the existence of an effect (for which there is stronger directional support) from claims about its optimal conditions (which remain more uncertain), highlights dataset overlap, and matches recommendation strength to study quality. The framework supplements GRADE and provides illustrative upgrade pathways. The goal is to preserve SDF access while making guidelines more transparent, credible, and precise.