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Cureus Sep 2023This case report reveals a rare incident of unintended Jimson weed () exposure within a family in the United States. In this narrative, a pregnant 36-year-old Asian...
This case report reveals a rare incident of unintended Jimson weed () exposure within a family in the United States. In this narrative, a pregnant 36-year-old Asian woman and her family unknowingly ingested homemade soup infused with Jimson weed leaves. This led to symptoms such as vomiting, dry mouth, blurred vision, flushed skin, breathing difficulties, and hallucinations. While the woman and her daughter quickly recovered, the husband's severe hallucinations required intensive care. The episode underscores the vital importance of accurate plant identification, particularly in homegrown produce. Recognizing and understanding anticholinergic poisoning symptoms becomes crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention, preventing such occurrences. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the potential risks concealed within our everyday environments.
PubMed: 37868440
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45604 -
Toxins Dec 2023This study investigated two outbreaks of spontaneous poisoning by (Asteraceae) in early-weaned beef calves in Tacuarembó, Uruguay. A total of 34 affected calves showed...
This study investigated two outbreaks of spontaneous poisoning by (Asteraceae) in early-weaned beef calves in Tacuarembó, Uruguay. A total of 34 affected calves showed signs of salivation, anorexia, apathy, marked dehydration, and diarrhea. Deaths occurred 36-72 h after consumption and mortality varied from 37.5% to 43.3% for outbreak 1 and outbreak 2, respectively. The main pathological findings include diffuse severe necrosis of the prestomachs and lymphoid tissues. Ultrastructurally, epithelial cells of the rumen showed swelling, lysis of the organelles, degradation of intercellular attachments, and degradation of the nuclear chromatin. Using LC-MS with diagnostic fragmentation filtering, 56 macrocyclic trichothecenes including glycosyl and malonyl conjugates were identified. The total concentration of macrocyclic trichothecenes, including conjugates, was estimated to be 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/g plant material. This is the first report of these malonyl-glucose conjugates from .
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Baccharis; Trichothecenes; Diarrhea; Cell Death
PubMed: 38133185
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120681 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Oct 2023DNA barcoding is widely used in toxic species authentication, but due to serious DNA degradation of forensic materials, the application of full-length barcode sequences...
DNA barcoding is widely used in toxic species authentication, but due to serious DNA degradation of forensic materials, the application of full-length barcode sequences in food poisoning diagnosis is greatly limited. Nucleotide signature, a shorter specific molecular marker, derived from traditional DNA barcoding has been proposed as an emerging tool of toxic species detection in deeply processed materials. In this study, to resolve the frequent food poisoning accidents with unknown origin, we envisioned developing a nucleotide signature data set of common poisonous organisms and combining high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to reveal the poisoning cause. Ninety-three individuals and 1093 DNA barcode sequences of twelve common poisonous plants, fish, mushrooms and their related species were collected. Through sequence alignment and screening, the nucleotide signatures were respectively developed and validated as their specific molecular markers. The sequence length varied from 19 bp to 38 bp. These fragments were conserved within the same species or genera, and the specificity between related species has been also demonstrated. To further evaluate the application potential of nucleotide signature in forensic diagnosis, simulated forensic specimens (SFS) containing different poisonous ingredients were sequenced by HTS with PCR-free libraries. As a result, the nucleotide signature was successfully captured from original HTS data without assembly and annotation, accompanied by a high detection sensitivity of 0.1 ng/µl in mixture system. Therefore, this method was suitable for the assay of forensic materials with serious DNA degradation. The present study undoubtedly provides a new perspective and strong support for the detection of toxic ingredients and the diagnosis of food poisoning.
Topics: Animals; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; Poisons; DNA; Biomarkers; Foodborne Diseases; Nucleotides
PubMed: 37776823
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115529 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical...
Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical and food-poisoning bacteria. However, the role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of plant pathogenic bacteria remains almost entirely unknown. Furthermore, bacterial transmission from a mushroom species to agricultural plants has rarely been recorded in the literature. In September 2021, a creamy-white Gram-negative bacterial strain was isolated from the sporocarp of (slippery jack) growing in Bermuda grass () lawn in Southern Iran. A similar strain was isolated from the same fungus in the same area in September 2022. Both strains were identified as based on phenotypic features as well as phylogeny of 16S rRNA and three housekeeping genes. The strains were not only pathogenic on white button mushrooms () but also induced hypersensitive reaction (HR) on tobacco and common bean leaves and caused soft rot on a set of diverse plant species, that is, chili pepper, common bean pod, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, gladiolus, narcissus, onion, potato, spring onion, okra, kohlrabi, mango, and watermelon. Isolation of plant pathogenic strains from sporocarp of in two consecutive years in the same area could be indicative of the role of this fungus in the preservation of the bacterium in the natural environment. associated with naturally growing could potentially invade neighboring agricultural crops, for example, vegetables and ornamentals. The potential role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of phytopathogenic bacteria is further discussed.IMPORTANCEThe bacterial genus contains biologically heterogeneous strains that can be isolated from diverse habitats, that is, soil, water, diseased plant material, and clinical specimens. In this study, two Gram-negative pectinolytic bacterial strains were isolated from the sporocarps of in September 2021 and 2022. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that both strains belonged to the complex species , while the pathovar status of the strains remained undetermined. Biological investigations accomplished with pathogenicity and host range assays showed that strains isolated from in two consecutive years were pathogenic on a set of diverse plant species ranging from ornamentals to both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous vegetables. Thus, could be considered an infectious pathogen capable of being transmitted from wild mushrooms to annual crops. Our results raise a hypothesis that wild mushrooms could be considered as potential reservoirs for phytopathogenic .
Topics: Burkholderia gladioli; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Agaricus; Burkholderia; Vegetables; Basidiomycota
PubMed: 38380912
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03395-23 -
Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. Journal of... 2024Assuming food poisoning caused by toxic plants, an LC-TOF-MS-based method for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of 16 plant toxins was established. After adding...
Assuming food poisoning caused by toxic plants, an LC-TOF-MS-based method for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of 16 plant toxins was established. After adding water-methanol (1 : 9) and n-hexane, the samples were homogenized and extracted, and then subjected to centrifugal separation. Without any purification procedures, LC-TOF-MS measurements were performed, and qualitative and quantitative analyses using monoisotopic ion [M+H]+ (m/z) were conducted. The addition-recovery test using curry showed that qualitative analysis was possible under a setting with a retention time of ±0.2 minutes or less and mass accuracy of 5 ppm or lower and that quantitative analysis was possible with a recovery rate of 68-142% and a repeatability of 1.4-10.1%. Furthermore, measurements of the amount of plant toxins in the boiled plants and broths of cooked toxic plants demonstrated the transfer of plant toxins to broths. These suggest that in the event of food poisoning, broths may be used as an analysis sample, even when plants are not available.
Topics: Humans; Alkaloids; Cooking; Foodborne Diseases; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Methanol; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 38432899
DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.65.7 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Rice () is the primary crop for nearly half of the world's population. Groundwater in many rice-growing parts of the world often has elevated levels of arsenite and...
Rice () is the primary crop for nearly half of the world's population. Groundwater in many rice-growing parts of the world often has elevated levels of arsenite and arsenate. At the same time, rice can accumulate up to 20 times more arsenic compared to other staple crops. This places an enormous amount of people at risk of chronic arsenic poisoning. In this study, we investigated whether Raman spectroscopy (RS) could be used to diagnose arsenic toxicity in rice based on biochemical changes that were induced by arsenic accumulation. We modeled arsenite and arsenate stresses in four different rice cultivars grown in hydroponics over a nine-day window. Our results demonstrate that Raman spectra acquired from rice leaves, coupled with partial least squares-discriminant analysis, enabled accurate detection and identification of arsenic stress with approximately 89% accuracy. We also performed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-analysis of rice leaves to identify the key molecular analytes sensed by RS in confirming arsenic poisoning. We found that RS primarily detected a decrease in the concentration of lutein and an increase in the concentration of vanillic and ferulic acids due to the accumulation of arsenite and arsenate in rice. This showed that these molecules are detectable indicators of biochemical response to arsenic accumulation. Finally, a cross-correlation of RS with HPLC and ICP-MS demonstrated RS's potential for a label-free, non-invasive, and non-destructive quantification of arsenic accumulation in rice.
PubMed: 38590750
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1371748 -
International Journal of Emergency... Feb 2024Monkshood, a toxic plant containing a potent cardio- and neurotoxin called aconitine, can lead to a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures,...
BACKGROUND
Monkshood, a toxic plant containing a potent cardio- and neurotoxin called aconitine, can lead to a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Mortality associated with this intoxication are due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias which are difficult to treat and often refractory in nature.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a case of a 17-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department after intentionally ingesting a monkshood plant and developed atrioventricular dissociation and frequent ventricular ectopy. The patient was successfully treated with activated charcoal, supportive care, and cardiac monitoring.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the importance of early recognition of aconitine poisoning and the need for prompt supportive care, cardiac rhythm monitoring, and preemptive antiarrhythmic treatment planning.
PubMed: 38331724
DOI: 10.1186/s12245-024-00588-3 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Al (Aluminum) poisoning is a significant limitation to crop yield in acid soil. However, the physiological process involved in the peanut root response to Al poisoning...
Al (Aluminum) poisoning is a significant limitation to crop yield in acid soil. However, the physiological process involved in the peanut root response to Al poisoning has not been clarified yet and requires further research. In order to investigate the influence of Al toxicity stress on peanut roots, this study employed various methods, including root phenotype analysis, scanning of the root, measuring the physical response indices of the root, measurement of the hormone level in the root, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). This research aimed to explore the physiological mechanism underlying the reaction of peanut roots to Al toxicity. The findings revealed that Al poisoning inhibits the development of peanut roots, resulting in reduced biomass, length, surface area, and volume. Al also significantly affects antioxidant oxidase activity and proline and malondialdehyde contents in peanut roots. Furthermore, Al toxicity led to increased accumulations of Al and Fe in peanut roots, while the contents of zinc (Zn), cuprum (Cu), manganese (Mn), kalium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) decreased. The hormone content and related gene expression in peanut roots also exhibited significant changes. High concentrations of Al trigger cellular defense mechanisms, resulting in differentially expressed antioxidase genes and enhanced activity of antioxidases to eliminate excessive ROS (reactive oxygen species). Additionally, the differential expression of hormone-related genes in a high-Al environment affects plant hormones, ultimately leading to various negative effects, for example, decreased biomass of roots and hindered root development. The purpose of this study was to explore the physiological response mechanism of peanut roots subjected to aluminum toxicity stress, and the findings of this research will provide a basis for cultivating Al-resistant peanut varieties.
PubMed: 38276782
DOI: 10.3390/plants13020325 -
Veterinary Research Communications Jun 2024Poisoning is often suspected to be the origin of disease in South American camelids (SACs) by owners, but only in a few cases this assumption can be confirmed. In small...
Poisoning is often suspected to be the origin of disease in South American camelids (SACs) by owners, but only in a few cases this assumption can be confirmed. In small ruminants, rhododendron poisoning is a common emergency for livestock veterinarians. However, this condition has rarely been reported in SACs so far. This paper provides information regarding clinical findings, hematology, clinical chemistry, and treatment of four alpacas after presumed intake of rhododendron leaves including pathological findings of one of the animals. Rhododendron leaves contain grayanatoxins that lead to hyperpolarization of excitable cells. Clinical signs that were observed in the presented alpacas comprised: salivation, dehydration, decreased motility of compartment 1, uncoordinated regurgitation, and cardiac arrhythmia. Clinical chemistry revealed that rhododendron poisoning was associated with metabolic acidosis and azotaemia, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Most striking macroscopic and histopathological findings included gastric ulceration, and renal infarcts along with inflammatory changes. Leaves of Rhododendron spp. were identified in the forestomach content of this animal. Affected animals were treated symptomatically as there is no specific antidote in rhododendron poisoning. This included parenteral rehydration, treatment of metabolic acidosis (infusion of sodium bicarbonate solution), and oral administration of activated charcoal to bind potential toxins. In addition, antibiotic treatment might be necessary to prevent aspiration pneumonia in case of uncoordinated regurgitation. Of the four animals, the worst affected alpaca was euthanized, one had minimal signs and two responded to supportive care and recovered. In conclusion, rhododendron poisoning might be fatal for alpacas in individual cases and therefore rhododendron bushes should not be placed in the habitat of SACs.
Topics: Animals; Rhododendron; Camelids, New World; Plant Poisoning; Germany; Male; Plant Leaves; Female
PubMed: 38483734
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10334-y -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024The current study was conducted on the inhabitants living in the area adjacent to the Hudiara drain using bore water and vegetables adjacent to the Hudiara drain. Toxic...
The current study was conducted on the inhabitants living in the area adjacent to the Hudiara drain using bore water and vegetables adjacent to the Hudiara drain. Toxic heavy metals badly affect human health because of industrial environmental contamination. Particularly hundreds of millions of individuals globally have faced the consequences of consuming water and food tainted with pollutants. Concentrations of heavy metals in human blood were elevated in Hudiara drainings in Lahore city, Pakistan, due to highly polluted industrial effluents. The study determined the health effects of high levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cr) on residents of the Hudiara draining area, including serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and creatinine levels. An absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine heavy metals in wate water, drinking water, soil, plants and human beings blood sampleas and ELISA kits were used to assess the level of 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, 8-Isoprostane in plasma serum creatinine level. Waste water samples, irrigation water samples, drinking water samples, Soil samples, Plants samples and blood specimens of adult of different weights and ages were collected from the polluted area of the Hudiara drain (Laloo and Mohanwal), and control samples were obtained from the unpolluted site Sheiikhpura, 60 km away from the site. Toxic heavy metals in blood damage the cell membrane and DNA structures, increasing the 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, creatinine, and 8-Isoprostane. Toxic metals contaminated bore water and vegetables, resulting in increased levels of creatinine, MDA, Isoprostane, and 8-hydroxy-2-guanosine in the blood of inhabitants from the adjacent area Hudiara drain compared to the control group. In addition,. This study also investigated heavy metal concentrations in meat and milk samples from buffaloes, cows, and goats. In meat, cow samples showed the highest Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations. In milk also, cows exhibited elevated Cu and Fe levels compared to goats. The results highlight species-specific variations in heavy metal accumulation, emphasizing the need for targeted monitoring to address potential health risks. The significant difference between the two groups i.e., the control group and the affected group, in all traits of the respondents (weight, age, heavy metal values MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, and serum creatinine level). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. The study has shown that the level of serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, or creatinine has not significantly correlated with age, so it is independent of age. This study has proved that in Pakistan, the selected area of Lahore in the villages of Laloo and Mohanwal, excess of heavy metals in the human body damages the DNA and increases the level of 8-Isoprostane, MDA, creatinine, and 8-hydroxyguaniosine. As a result, National and international cooperation must take major steps to control exposure to heavy metals.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Animals; Cattle; Creatinine; Soil Pollutants; Pakistan; Drinking Water; Cadmium; Environmental Monitoring; Metals, Heavy; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Soil; Vegetables; DNA Damage; DNA; Goats; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 38600156
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58655-x