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International Journal of Environmental... May 2024PAHs are pervasive pollutants known to bioaccumulate in environmental matrices, plants, and humans. Dr. Iguedo Goko Cleanser® is a polyherbal drug with unsubstantiated...
PAHs are pervasive pollutants known to bioaccumulate in environmental matrices, plants, and humans. Dr. Iguedo Goko Cleanser® is a polyherbal drug with unsubstantiated claims to treat various diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. PAHs were measured following EPA-16 PAHs guidelines using Gas Chromatography (Agilent-6890N, USA). The drug's exposure-associated public health concerns was determined using suitable mathematical paradigms. PAHs present were acenaphthene (2.74 × 10), pyrene (2.7598 × 10), and chrysene (5.1277 × 10) ppm. Dietary intake of chrysene, acenaphthene and pyrene for adults, and children ranged from 2.466-4.615 × 10 and 1.215-2.308 × 10 ppm/mg/kg, respectively. B[α]Peq, EDB[α]Peq, and incremental lifetime cancer risk were determined to be 5.6777 × 10, 5.109912 × 10 and 5.3289 × 10, respectively. Our results suggest a high risk of non-carcinogenic adverse health effects, especially on chronic exposure among adolescents and adults, necessitating caution and/or avoidance of its chronic use. Therefore, policy formulation and implementation as regards the safety of plant-based remedies and allied products before their distribution among end-users must be ensured.
PubMed: 38720620
DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2350591 -
Pediatric Emergency Care May 2024Datura stramonium, jimsonweed, is a toxic plant with hallucinogenic properties. Although there are many studies on Datura poisoning, none reported cases in Jordan. This...
OBJECTIVES
Datura stramonium, jimsonweed, is a toxic plant with hallucinogenic properties. Although there are many studies on Datura poisoning, none reported cases in Jordan. This study offers a comprehensive review on D. stramonium ingestion, covering its epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. We aimed to provide better understanding of the factors for Datura ingestion, identify prevention and management strategies, and address research challenges.
METHODS
This study adopted a retrospective review design to evaluate the cases of Datura poisoning in Al Karak, province of Jordan during the spring of 2022. Data collected from medical records, toxicology databases, and consultation records were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
The common symptoms of Datura poisoning included agitation, mydriasis, and tachycardia. The management approaches comprised supportive care, administration of Diazepam for agitation, and, in some cases, neostigmine to counteract anticholinergic effects.
CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the risks associated with D. stramonium poisoning and implementing effective prevention and management strategies are crucial. This study highlights the importance of recognizing Datura poisoning as a potential diagnosis in children presenting with unexplained anticholinergic symptoms or agitation to the emergency room.
PubMed: 38718809
DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003189 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Substantial previous studies have reported that fulvic acid (FA) application plays an important role in Chinese agricultural production. However, little is known about...
INTRODUCTION
Substantial previous studies have reported that fulvic acid (FA) application plays an important role in Chinese agricultural production. However, little is known about the mechanisms for using FA to increase apple trees resistance to Cd toxicity. In order to clarify the mechanism underlying FA alleviation in Cd-induced growth inhibition in apple seedlings.
METHODS
Herein, we treated M9T337 seedlings to either 0 or 30 µM/L Cd together with 0 or 0.2 g/L FA and analyzed the root growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, carbon (C) assimilation, nitrogen (N) metabolism, and C and N transport.
RESULTS
The results presented that, compared with CK (without Cd addition or FA spraying application), Cd poisoning significantly inhibited the root growth of apple seedlings. However, this Cd-induced root growth inhibition was significantly alleviated by FA spraying relative to the Cd treatment (Cd addition alone). On the one hand, the mitigation of inhibition effects was due to the reduced oxidative damage by enhancing antioxdiant enzyme (SOD, POD, and CAT) activities in leaves and roots. On the other hand, this growth advantage demonstrated compared to the Cd treatment was found to be associated with the strengthen of photosynthetic performance and the elevation of C and N metabolism enzymes activities. Meanwhile, we also found that under Cd stress condition, the distribution of C and N nutrients in apple seedlings was optimised by FA spraying application relative to the Cd treatment, according to the results of C and N tracing.
CONCLUSION
Conclusively, our results suggested that the inhibitory effect of Cd on apple seedlings root growth was alleviated by FA through regulating antioxdiant capacities and C and N metabolism.
PubMed: 38711608
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1370637 -
Brain Injury May 2024Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning can lead to severe brain damage, but the specific mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Our research aims to elucidate the...
BACKGROUND
Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning can lead to severe brain damage, but the specific mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Our research aims to elucidate the function of the TRPV4 ion channel in the development of brain injury induced by paraoxon (POX).
METHODS
, we examined the survival rate, behavioral seizures, histopathological alterations, NMDA receptor phosphorylation, as well as the expression of the NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1 complex and downstream inflammatory factors in the POX poisoning model following intervention with the TRPV4 antagonist GSK2193874. , we investigated the effects of GSK2193874 on NMDA-induced inward current, cell viability, cell death rate, and Ca accumulation in primary hippocampal neurons.
RESULTS
The treatment with the TRPV4 antagonist increased the survival rate, suppressed the status epilepticus, improved pathological damage, and reduced the phosphorylation level of NMDA receptors after POX exposure. Additionally, it inhibited the upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory cytokines expression after POX exposure. Moreover, the TRPV4 antagonist corrected the NMDA-induced increase in inward current and cell death rate, decrease in cell viability, and Ca accumulation.
CONCLUSION
TRPV4 participates in the mechanisms of brain injury induced by POX exposure through NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity and NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response.
PubMed: 38711413
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2351104 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) May 2024species are commonly used as medicinal herbs, with a wide range of implications for medical conditions. The injudicious use of this plant has been known to cause...
INTRODUCTION
species are commonly used as medicinal herbs, with a wide range of implications for medical conditions. The injudicious use of this plant has been known to cause devastating side effects, including cardiac arrhythmias.
CASE PRESENTATION
Here, the authors present an 80-year-old male with incessant ventricular tachycardia after ingestion of this herb. The sinus rhythm was restored after electrical cardioversion and aggressive intravenous antiarrhythmics.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
To the best knowledge of the authors, no case of a ventricular storm following ingestion of has been reported till now, probably rendering this case the first one.
CONCLUSION
This report aims to present the rare case using theoretical concepts from the discipline and to share our approach in the hope of achieving a better understanding of similar cases.
PubMed: 38694277
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001892 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Water sources have become extremely scarce and contaminated by organic and inorganic industrial and agricultural pollutants as well as household wastes. Poisoning water... (Review)
Review
Water sources have become extremely scarce and contaminated by organic and inorganic industrial and agricultural pollutants as well as household wastes. Poisoning water resources by dyes and metals is a problem because contaminated water can leak into subsurface and surface sources, causing serious contamination and health problems. Therefore, developing wastewater treatment technologies is valuable. Today, hydrogels have attracted considerable attention owing to their broad applications. Hydrogels are polymeric network compositions with significant water-imbibing capacity. Hydrogels have potential applications in diverse fields such as biomedical, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biosensors. They can be prepared by using natural (biopolymers) and synthetic polymers. Synthetic polymer-based hydrogels obtained from petrochemicals are not environmentally benign; thus, abundant plant-based polysaccharides are found as more suitable compounds for making biodegradable hydrogels. Polysaccharides with many advantages such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, availability, inexpensiveness, etc. are widely employed for the preparation of environmentally friendly hydrogels. Polysaccharides-based hydrogels containing chitin, chitosan, gum, starch (St), etc. are employed to remove pollutants, metals, and dyes. Among these, St has attracted a lot of attention. St can be mixed with other compounds to make hydrogels, which remove dyes and metal ions to variable degrees of efficiency. Although St has numerous advantages, it suffers from drawbacks such as low stability, low water solubility, and fast degradability in water which limit its application as an environmental adsorbent. As an effective way to overcome these weaknesses, various modification approaches to form starch-based hydrogels (SBHs) employing different compounds have been reported. The preparation methods and applications of SBH adsorbents in organic dyes, hazardous materials, and toxic ions elimination from water resources have been comprehensively discussed in this review.
Topics: Hydrogels; Starch; Water Purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Adsorption; Coloring Agents; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 38692526
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131956 -
Open Veterinary Journal Mar 2024Food poisoning caused by bacterial agents is a worldwide problem, usually accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and may be severe leading to death. Natural compounds from...
BACKGROUND
Food poisoning caused by bacterial agents is a worldwide problem, usually accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and may be severe leading to death. Natural compounds from marine algae namely flavonoids may play a role in the remedy of this condition.
AIM
This research aims to assess the potency of flavonoids extracted from and as antibacterial agents.
METHODS
was collected from Western Libyan Coast and was collected from Farwa Island. The antimicrobial activity and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration of algal flavonoid-containing extracts was performed against some positive and negative Gram bacteria.
RESULTS
Crude extract containing flavonoids from was more effective than extract against with antimicrobial essay (25-28 + 1 and 14.5-37.5 + 0.5-1.5), MIC (50 and 50-250 µg/ml), MBC (75 and 75-250 µg/ml). In the antimicrobial assay (19-24.5 + 0.5-1.5: 24 + 1), MIC (50-250 + 100 µg/ml), and MBC (250 and 125 µg/ml). On the other hand, flavonoids containing extract from were more effective than against Enterohemorrhagic O157 EHEC O157 (25-28 + 1: 14-18.5 + 0.5-1.5), MIC (100-250:100-500 µg/ml), and MBC (150-250 and 250-500 µg/ml). qualitatively combat by flavonoid from (13.5-14 + 0.5-1: 10.5-13.5 + 0.5-1.5), MIC (100-250: 250 µg/ml), and MBC (100-250: 250 µg/ml). Flavonoids from (4 strains: 2 strains) were effective against Crude flavonoids from both algae were not effective against
CONCLUSION
Data from this study could conclude that flavonoid extracts from could be used against foodborne bacterial agents.
Topics: Flavonoids; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Caulerpa; Ulva; Plant Extracts; Foodborne Diseases; Animals
PubMed: 38682138
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i3.3 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024The utilization of fauna and fauna-based byproducts in ethnomedicinal usages has been a longstanding human activity, practiced across various cultures worldwide. This...
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of fauna and fauna-based byproducts in ethnomedicinal usages has been a longstanding human activity, practiced across various cultures worldwide. This study focuses on investigating the utilization of animal-based traditional medicine by the people of Pakistan, specifically in the Gujranwala area.
METHODS
Data collection took place from January to September 2019 through interviews with local communities. Ethnomedicinal applications of animal products were analyzed using several indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), Folk Use Value (FL), and Relative Occurrence Percentage (ROP).
RESULTS
The study identified the use of different body parts of 54 species of animals in treating various diseases and health issues. These include but are not limited to skin infections, sexual problems, pain management (e.g., in the backbone and joints), eyesight issues, immunity enhancement, cold, weakness, burns, smallpox, wounds, poisoning, muscular pain, arthritis, diabetes, fever, epilepsy, allergies, asthma, herpes, ear pain, paralysis, cough, swelling, cancer, bronchitis, girls' maturity, and stomach-related problems. Certain species of fauna were noted by informers with high "frequency of citation" (FC), ranging from 1 to 77. For instance, the black cobra was the most frequently cited animal for eyesight issues (FC = 77), followed by the domestic rabbit for burn treatment (FC = 67), and the Indus Valley spiny-tailed ground lizard for sexual problems (FC = 66). Passer domesticus and were noted to have the highest ROP value of 99.
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study provide valuable preliminary insights for the conservation of fauna in the Gujranwala region of Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, screening these animals for medicinally active compounds could potentially lead to the development of novel animal-based medications, contributing to both traditional medicine preservation and modern pharmaceutical advancements.
PubMed: 38681848
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1351693 -
Bioresources and Bioprocessing Nov 2023Fermentation is thought to be born in the Fertile Crescent, and since then, almost every culture has integrated fermented foods into their dietary habits. Originally... (Review)
Review
Fermentation is thought to be born in the Fertile Crescent, and since then, almost every culture has integrated fermented foods into their dietary habits. Originally used to preserve foods, fermentation is now applied to improve their physicochemical, sensory, nutritional, and safety attributes. Fermented dairy, alcoholic beverages like wine and beer, fermented vegetables, fruits, and meats are all highly valuable due to their increased storage stability, reduced risk of food poisoning, and enhanced flavor. Over the years, scientific research has associated the consumption of fermented products with improved health status. The fermentation process helps to break down compounds into more easily digestible forms. It also helps to reduce the amount of toxins and pathogens in food. Additionally, fermented foods contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help the body to digest food and absorb nutrients. In today's world, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and allergies have increased. In this regard, scientific investigations have demonstrated that shifting to a diet that contains fermented foods can reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, in the last decade, there has been a growing interest in fermentation technology to valorize food waste into valuable by-products. Fermentation of various food wastes has resulted in the successful production of valuable by-products, including enzymes, pigments, and biofuels.
PubMed: 38647968
DOI: 10.1186/s40643-023-00702-y -
BMC Public Health Apr 2024Pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Thailand and is the result of intensive inappropriate and unsafe use of pesticides. This analytical...
BACKGROUND
Pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Thailand and is the result of intensive inappropriate and unsafe use of pesticides. This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors affecting safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists in northeastern Thailand.
METHODS
The study sample included 427 farm plant agriculturists in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. Individuals were randomly selected by a multistage random sampling technique. The following data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 8 parts: (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) knowledge about pesticide use, (3) perceived severity of impact from pesticide use among farm plant agriculturists, (4) perceived susceptibility to pesticide use, (5) perceived self-efficacy in the modification of safe pesticide-use behaviors, (6) perceived outcome of the modification of safe pesticide-use behaviors, (7) social support, and (8) safe pesticide-use behaviors. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and multiple regression analyses were employed for data analysis.
RESULTS
The majority of participants (79.4%) had high scores for safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists (scores of 112-150). Factors that significantly affected safe pesticide-use behaviors included knowledge about pesticide use (β = 0.282), social support (β = 0.217), reading information from pesticide labels before pesticide use (β = 0.207), perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.186), female sex (β = -0.140), rice farmer status (β = 0.129), corn farmer status (β = 0.127), perceived susceptibility (β = 0.126), having received information from the internet (β = -0.124), and perceived severity (β = -0.098). Together, these 10 factors were found to explain 32.5% of the safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that there is a need to increase the number of promotional activities related to the safe use of pesticides through social support and training, with the aim of increasing the overall level of knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and modification of the perceived impact severity of pesticide use. Thus, relevant agencies should promote and support the safe use of pesticides by farm plant agriculturists. This study revealed that the factors affecting safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists included knowledge about pesticide use, social support, reading pesticide container labels, perceived self-efficacy in the modification of pesticide-use behaviors, sex, rice farmer status, corn farmer status, perceived susceptibility to pesticide use, having received information from the internet, and perceived severity of impact from pesticide use.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Farms; Agriculture; Thailand; Cross-Sectional Studies; Occupational Exposure; Farmers; Zea mays; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 38643084
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18662-z