-
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jun 2024This study developed a novel selenium-doped metal nitride carbon, Fe-NC-Se, via pyrolysis and impregnated hydrothermal methods for elemental mercury removal from...
This study developed a novel selenium-doped metal nitride carbon, Fe-NC-Se, via pyrolysis and impregnated hydrothermal methods for elemental mercury removal from coal-fired flue gas. The Fe-NC-Se demonstrated a remarkable mercury removal performance, achieving an average efficiency of 96.98% within 60 min at an optimal Se/Fe ratio of 2:1 and temperature of 110 °C, which was 2.5 times higher than that of the pristine Fe-NC (iron nitride carbon). Notably, Fe-NC-Se maintained an 84% efficiency in a high SO environment (1600 ppm), indicating strong resistance to SO poisoning. Long-term testing over 24 h showed a consistent removal efficiency of 84.75%, suggesting potential for recyclability. Advanced characterization techniques, including TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectrometer), along with Density Functional Theory calculations, were employed to explore the removal mechanism. Results indicated that selenium doping enhanced surface charge transfer and the reactivity of surface atoms, facilitating mercury oxidation and sequestration. The oxidized Hg was anchored by Se and partially stabilized by C, N, and Fe atoms, enhancing the catalyst's effectiveness. This work not only advances the design of mercury abatement catalysts but also supports the industrial applicability of Fe-NC-Se in flue gas treatment.
PubMed: 38925065
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.150 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Mercury (Hg) contamination poses a global threat to the environment, given its elevated ecotoxicity. Herein, we employed the lepidopteran model insect, silkworm (), to...
Mercury (Hg) contamination poses a global threat to the environment, given its elevated ecotoxicity. Herein, we employed the lepidopteran model insect, silkworm (), to systematically investigate the toxic effects of Hg-stress across its growth and development, histomorphology, antioxidant enzyme activities, and transcriptome responses. High doses of Hg exposure induced evident poisoning symptoms, markedly impeding the growth of silkworm larvae and escalating mortality in a dose-dependent manner. Under Hg exposure, the histomorphology of both the midgut and fat body exhibited impairments. Carboxylesterase (CarE) activity was increased in both midgut and fat body tissues responding to Hg treatment. Conversely, glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels increased in the fat body but decreased in the midgut. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the response induced by Hg stress involved multiple metabolism processes. Significantly differently expressed genes (DEGs) exhibited strong associations with oxidative phosphorylation, nutrient metabolisms, insect hormone biosynthesis, lysosome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, and ribosome pathways in the midgut or the fat body. The findings implied that exposure to Hg might induce the oxidative stress response, attempting to compensate for impaired metabolism. Concurrently, disruptions in nutrient metabolism and insect hormone activity might hinder growth and development, leading to immune dysfunction in silkworms. These insights significantly advance our theoretical understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying Hg toxicity in invertebrate organisms.
PubMed: 38919158
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1405541 -
Toxicology Letters Jun 2024Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) treatment for manganese (Mn) intoxication has shown efficacy in experimental and clinical studies, giving rise to additional...
Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) treatment for manganese (Mn) intoxication has shown efficacy in experimental and clinical studies, giving rise to additional studies on its efficacy for lead (Pb) neurotoxicity and its associated mechanisms of neuroprotection. The difference between PAS-Na and other metal complexing agents, such as edetate calcium sodium (CaNa-EDTA), is firstly that PAS-Na can readily pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and complex and facilitate the excretion of manganese and lead. Secondly, PAS-Na has anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies have broadened the understanding on the mechanisms associated with efficacy of PAS-Na. The latter has been shown to modulate multifarious manganese- and lead- induced neurotoxicity, via its anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to inhibit pyroptosis, and regulate abnormal autophagic processes. These observations provide novel scientific bases and new concepts for the treatment of lead, mercury, copper, thallium, as well as other toxic encephalopathies, and implicate PAS-Na as a compound with greater prospects for clinical medical application.
PubMed: 38909920
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.06.009 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2024Mercury is a well-known neurotoxicant for humans and wildlife. The epidemic of mercury poisoning in Japan has clearly demonstrated that chronic exposure to methylmercury... (Review)
Review
Mercury is a well-known neurotoxicant for humans and wildlife. The epidemic of mercury poisoning in Japan has clearly demonstrated that chronic exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) results in serious neurological damage to the cerebral and cerebellar cortex, leading to the dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), especially in infants exposed to MeHg in utero. The occurrences of poisoning have caused a wide public concern regarding the health risk emanating from MeHg exposure; particularly those eating large amounts of fish may experience the low-level and long-term exposure. There is growing evidence that MeHg at environmentally relevant concentrations can affect the health of biota in the ecosystem. Although extensive in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that the disruption of redox homeostasis and microtube assembly is mainly responsible for mercurial toxicity leading to adverse health outcomes, it is still unclear whether we could quantitively determine the occurrence of interaction between mercurial and thiols and/or selenols groups of proteins linked directly to outcomes, especially at very low levels of exposure. Furthermore, intracellular calcium homeostasis, cytoskeleton, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter release, and DNA methylation may be the targets of mercury compounds; however, the primary targets associated with the adverse outcomes remain to be elucidated. Considering these knowledge gaps, in this article, we conducted a comprehensive review of mercurial toxicity, focusing mainly on the mechanism, and genes/proteins expression. We speculated that comprehensive analyses of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics could enhance interpretation of "omics" profiles, which may reveal specific biomarkers obviously correlated with specific pathways that mediate selective neurotoxicity.
Topics: Humans; Methylmercury Compounds; Gene Expression Regulation; Mercury; Animals; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 38852866
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173577 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Mercury poisoning is a rare yet critical toxicological emergency, typically associated with chronic exposure. This case report details the unusual presentation of acute...
Mercury poisoning is a rare yet critical toxicological emergency, typically associated with chronic exposure. This case report details the unusual presentation of acute parkinsonism in a 66-year-old woman who had been ingesting black pills, an unidentified kind of traditional Chinese medicine, obtained from a pirate radio source. The patient displayed symptoms such as acute onset frequent falls, unsteady gait, and slow movements, prompting a detailed medical examination. The patient's neurological assessment revealed classic parkinsonian features, including mask face, cogwheel rigidity, and bradykinesia. Subsequent laboratory investigations disclosed an elevated blood mercury level (47 μg/L), and imaging studies, including 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT, confirmed bilateral putamina dysfunction consistent with secondary parkinsonism. Traditional medications of Parkinsonism provided minimal relief, leading to the introduction of chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), resulting in a significant improvement in symptoms following a 20-day course. The discussion emphasizes the distinctive clinical manifestations of organic and inorganic mercury poisoning, underscoring the delayed onset and central nervous system involvement in organic mercury toxicity. The unidentified black pills, known to exceed mercury standards, were identified as the likely source of mercury poisoning in this case. This report acknowledges the potential reversibility of certain causes of acute parkinsonism and highlights the importance of a thorough drug history and toxicology assessment in patients presenting with acute parkinsonism. This report also contributes to the existing understanding of mercury-induced parkinsonism and emphasizes the significance of timely intervention in managing similar cases.
PubMed: 38845905
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31628 -
Chonnam Medical Journal May 2024Ayurveda is one of the oldest and most widely practiced traditional medical systems in the world. The ancient knowledge in this traditional medical system has yet to be... (Review)
Review
Ayurveda is one of the oldest and most widely practiced traditional medical systems in the world. The ancient knowledge in this traditional medical system has yet to be fully explored. The interaction of rich knowledge from various traditional systems of medicine can open new pathways in the herbal drug discovery process. Apart from other hurdles in discovering plant-based medicines, the lack of knowledge of the differences and similarities between the theoretical doctrines of these systems is the greatest impediment to their convergence. is an Ayurvedic medicine section that deals with formulations that include minerals/metals, particularly (mercury). According to the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, the most widely used heavy metals are mercury, arsenic, and lead. However, contemporary scientists are concerned about the use of heavy metals in Ayurvedic preparation. In this review article, we will discuss Ayurvedic medicine and the toxic effects of heavy metals.
PubMed: 38841605
DOI: 10.4068/cmj.2024.60.2.97 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Oct 2024Mercury ion (Hg) is one of the most threatening substances to human health, and the mercury poisoning can damage physiological homeostasis severely in human, even cause...
Mercury ion (Hg) is one of the most threatening substances to human health, and the mercury poisoning can damage physiological homeostasis severely in human, even cause death. Intriguingly, Sulfur dioxide (SO), a gas signal molecule in human, can specifically interact with Hg for relieving mercury poisoning. However, the dynamic interaction of Hg with SO at the tempospatial level and the correlation between Hg and SO in the pathological process of mercury poisoning are still elusive. Herein, we rationally designed a reversible and dual color fluorescent probe (CCS) for dynamically visualizing Hg and SO and deciphering their interrelationship in mercury poisoning. CCS held good sensitivity, selectivity and reversibility to Hg and SO, that enabled CCS to specifically detect SO and Hg via cyan fluorescence channel (centered around 485 nm) and red fluorescence channel (centered around 679 nm), respectively. Notably, the separate fluorescence signal changes of CCS realized the dynamic tracing of Hg and SO in living cells, and presented the potential for exploring the correlation between SO and Hg in mercury poisoning.
Topics: Mercury; Humans; Sulfur Dioxide; Fluorescent Dyes; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; HeLa Cells; Color; Fluorescence
PubMed: 38805990
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124530 -
BMC Oral Health May 2024The use of artificial intelligence in the field of health sciences is becoming widespread. It is known that patients benefit from artificial intelligence applications on...
Evaluating the accuracy of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer version 4 (ChatGPT-4) responses to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) frequently asked questions about dental amalgam.
BACKGROUND
The use of artificial intelligence in the field of health sciences is becoming widespread. It is known that patients benefit from artificial intelligence applications on various health issues, especially after the pandemic period. One of the most important issues in this regard is the accuracy of the information provided by artificial intelligence applications.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to the frequently asked questions about dental amalgam, as determined by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is one of these information resources, to Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer version 4 (ChatGPT-4) and to compare the content of the answers given by the application with the answers of the FDA.
METHODS
The questions were directed to ChatGPT-4 on May 8th and May 16th, 2023, and the responses were recorded and compared at the word and meaning levels using ChatGPT. The answers from the FDA webpage were also recorded. The responses were compared for content similarity in "Main Idea", "Quality Analysis", "Common Ideas", and "Inconsistent Ideas" between ChatGPT-4's responses and FDA's responses.
RESULTS
ChatGPT-4 provided similar responses at one-week intervals. In comparison with FDA guidance, it provided answers with similar information content to frequently asked questions. However, although there were some similarities in the general aspects of the recommendation regarding amalgam removal in the question, the two texts are not the same, and they offered different perspectives on the replacement of fillings.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate that ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence based application, encompasses current and accurate information regarding dental amalgam and its removal, providing it to individuals seeking access to such information. Nevertheless, we believe that numerous studies are required to assess the validity and reliability of ChatGPT-4 across diverse subjects.
Topics: Dental Amalgam; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38789962
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04358-8 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Psoriasis, characterized as a chronic relapsing disease with a protracted course, often drives patients to seek relief through Chinese folk remedies (CFR). Nonetheless,...
Psoriasis, characterized as a chronic relapsing disease with a protracted course, often drives patients to seek relief through Chinese folk remedies (CFR). Nonetheless, the complex compositions of these remedies frequently result in unintended adverse effects, notably various types of heavy metal poisoning. Our study involved an exhaustive collection and analysis of clinical data from psoriasis patients who developed heavy metal poisoning due to CFR usage, admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from January 2011 to October 2023. Our analysis identified 44 cases of mercury poisoning, 17 of lead poisoning, 21 of arsenic poisoning, and 4 instances of mixed heavy metal poisoning. The folk remedies used ranged from fumigation and inhalation to skin application and oral administration. Distinct pathogenic characteristics were observed in each poisoning type. After treatment with metal chelating agents, all patients experienced a reduction in heavy metal levels in their bodies, accompanied by varying degrees of symptom alleviation. This study underscores the vital necessity of opting for formal, medically approved treatments for psoriasis, thereby avoiding the hazardous consequences of unregulated folk remedies that may lead to severe heavy metal poisoning.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Chelating Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Metals, Heavy; Psoriasis; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38783149
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62653-4 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jul 2024Numerous edible mushrooms accumulate Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE), such as cadmium, mercury, and lead, within their sporocarps. This accumulation poses a potential...
Numerous edible mushrooms accumulate Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE), such as cadmium, mercury, and lead, within their sporocarps. This accumulation poses a potential risk of poisoning for humans and is influenced by factors such as the mushroom species, type of element, and the level of industrialization in the region. In our study, we investigated how soil and tree stand characteristics, including C/N ratio, pH, tree diversity, canopy cover, and the proportion of deciduous trees, influence PTE concentration in mushrooms. We collected edible mushrooms from 20 plots situated in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, one of Europe's best-preserved lowland forests. Plots varied in terms of tree species composition, with other factors minimized. We used ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry) technique to analyze the concentration of eight PTE (Ag, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, Tl) in eight edible mushroom species (M.procera, L.perlatum, R. butyracea, R.cyanoxantha, R.heterophylla, L.vellereus, A.mellea, and Xerocomellus chrysenteron). Our research revealed that the presence of the effect of specific factors on concentration of PTE and its direction depends on mushroom species and type of PTE. The proportion of deciduous tree species and pH of the topsoil layer emerged as the most influential factors affecting PTE concentration in mushroom samples. Tree species richness in the canopy layer did not affect PTE concentration in mushrooms, except for the concentration of Pb in X. chrysenteron. We observed a consistent profile of PTE concentration in mushrooms with similar ecological roles (ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic, parasite mushrooms) and from comparable phylogenetic affinities.
Topics: Agaricales; Soil Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; Soil; Poland; Trees; Forests
PubMed: 38754693
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124152