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Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This...
The airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens poses a significant challenge to public health, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This study investigated environmental factors influencing the survival of airborne bacteria, focusing on the effects of different carbon dioxide (CO) and dust concentrations. The experiments were conducted in an atmospheric simulation chamber using the non-resistant wild-type K12 (JM109) and a multi-resistant variant (JM109-pEC958). Different CO (100 ppm, 800 ppm, 3000 ppm) and dust concentrations (250 µg m, 500 µg m, 2000 µg m) were tested to encompass a wide range of CO and dust levels. The results revealed that JM109-pEC958 exhibited greater resilience to high CO and dust concentrations compared to its non-resistant counterpart. At 3000 ppm CO, the survival rate of JM109 was significantly reduced, while the survival rate of JM109-pEC958 remained unaffected. At the dust concentration of 250 µg m, JM109 exhibited significantly reduced survival, whereas JM109-pEC958 did not. When the dust concentration was increased to 500 and 2000 µg m, even the JM109-pEC958 experienced substantially reduced survival rates, which were still significantly higher than those of its non-resistant counterpart at these concentrations. These findings suggest that multi-resistant strains possess mechanisms enabling them to endure extreme environmental conditions better than non-resistant strains, potentially involving regulatory genes or efflux pumps. The study underscores the importance of understanding bacterial adaptation strategies to develop effective mitigation approaches against antibiotic-resistant bacteria in atmospheric environments. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between environmental stressors and bacterial survival, serving as a foundational step towards elucidating the adaptation mechanisms of multi-resistant bacteria and informing strategies for combating antibiotic resistance in the atmosphere.
PubMed: 38927224
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060558 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... Jun 2024To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) using dust mites in children with allergic asthma. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) using dust mites in children with allergic asthma.
METHODS
In a prospective randomized controlled study, 98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group (=49) and an SCIT group (=49). The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment, while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen. The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, visual analogue score (VAS), total medication score, Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and lung function before treatment, and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after treatment. Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT.
RESULTS
Compared with pre-treatment levels, the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils, VAS, total medication score, and FeNO, while lung function significantly improved, and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment (<0.05). Compared with the control group, the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment (<0.05). A total of 2 744 injections were administered, resulting in 157 cases (5.72%) of local adverse reactions and 4 cases (0.15%) of systemic adverse reactions, with no severe systemic adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS
SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Male; Child; Female; Animals; Prospective Studies; Injections, Subcutaneous; Pyroglyphidae; Child, Preschool; Desensitization, Immunologic; Adolescent
PubMed: 38926371
DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2309137 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2024Asthma is a widespread airway disorder where GATA3-dependent Type-2 helper T (Th2) cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play vital roles. Asthma-associated...
Asthma is a widespread airway disorder where GATA3-dependent Type-2 helper T (Th2) cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play vital roles. Asthma-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are enriched in a region located 926-970 kb downstream from GATA3 in the 10p14 (hG900). However, it is unknown how hG900 affects the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. To investigate the roles of the asthma-associated GATA3 enhancer region in experimental allergic airway inflammation, we first examined the correlation between GATA3 expression and the activation of the hG900 region was analyzed by flow cytometry and ChIP-qPCR. We found that The activation of enhancers in the hG900 region was strongly correlated to the levels of GATA3 in human peripheral T cell subsets. We next generated mice lacking the mG900 region (mG900KO mice) were generated by the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and the development and function of helper T cells and ILCs in mG900KO mice were analyzed in steady-state conditions and allergic airway inflammation induced by papain or house dust mite (HDM). The deletion of the mG900 did not affect the development of lymphocytes in steady-state conditions or allergic airway inflammation induced by papain. However, mG900KO mice exhibited reduced allergic inflammation and Th2 differentiation in the HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. The analysis of the chromatin conformation around by circular chromosome conformation capture coupled to high-throughput sequencing (4C-seq) revealed that the mG900 region interacted with the transcription start site of with an influencing chromatin conformation in Th2 cells. These findings indicate that the mG900 region plays a pivotal role in Th2 differentiation and thus enhances allergic airway inflammation.
Topics: GATA3 Transcription Factor; Animals; Th2 Cells; Mice; Cell Differentiation; Asthma; Enhancer Elements, Genetic; Humans; Mice, Knockout; Inflammation; Hypersensitivity; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38923989
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320727121 -
Toxics May 2024As an antioxidant and antiozonant, -(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-'-phenyl--phenylenediamine (6PPD) is predominantly used in the rubber industry to prevent degradation. However,...
As an antioxidant and antiozonant, -(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-'-phenyl--phenylenediamine (6PPD) is predominantly used in the rubber industry to prevent degradation. However, 6PPD can be ozonated to generate a highly toxic transformation product called -(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-'-phenyl--phenylenediamine quinone (6PPD-quinone), which is toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Thus, 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone, two emerging contaminants, have attracted extensive attention recently. This review discussed the levels and distribution of 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone in the environment and investigated their toxic effects on a series of organisms. 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone have been widely found in air, water, and dust, while data on soil, sediment, and biota are scarce. 6PPD-quinone can cause teratogenic, developmental, reproductive, neuronal, and genetic toxicity for organisms, at environmentally relevant concentrations. Future research should pay more attention to the bioaccumulation, biomagnification, transformation, and toxic mechanisms of 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone.
PubMed: 38922074
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12060394 -
Cells Jun 2024Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a highly aggressive tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure and lacks effective therapeutic regimens. Current procedures for PM diagnosis...
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a highly aggressive tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure and lacks effective therapeutic regimens. Current procedures for PM diagnosis are invasive and can take a long time to reach a definitive result. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been identified as important communicators between tumor cells and their microenvironment via their cargo including circular RNAs (circRNAs). CircRNAs are thermodynamically stable, highly conserved, and have been found to be dysregulated in cancer. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for PM diagnosis by investigating the expression of specific circRNA gene pattern (hsa_circ_0007386) in cells and sEVs using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). For this reason, 5 PM, 14 non-PM, and one normal mesothelial cell line were cultured. The sEV was isolated from the cells using the gold standard ultracentrifuge method. The RNA was extracted from both cells and sEVs, cDNA was synthesized, and dPCR was run. Results showed that hsa_circ_0007386 was significantly overexpressed in PM cell lines and sEVs compared to non-PM and normal mesothelial cell lines ( < 0.0001). The upregulation of hsa_circ_0007386 in PM highlights its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. This study underscores the importance and potential of circRNAs and sEVs as cancer diagnostic tools.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Circular; Extracellular Vesicles; Biomarkers, Tumor; Mesothelioma; Cell Line, Tumor; Pleural Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Mesothelioma, Malignant
PubMed: 38920665
DOI: 10.3390/cells13121037 -
ACS Earth & Space Chemistry Jun 2024The interaction of free cationic silicon oxide clusters, Si O ( = 2-5, ≥ ), with dilute water vapor, was investigated in a flow tube reactor. Product mass...
The interaction of free cationic silicon oxide clusters, Si O ( = 2-5, ≥ ), with dilute water vapor, was investigated in a flow tube reactor. Product mass distributions indicate cluster size-dependent dissociative water adsorption. To probe the structure and vibrational spectra of the resulting Si O H ( = 2-4) clusters, we employed infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The planar rhombic cluster core of the disilicon oxides ( = 2) appears to be retained upon dissociative adsorption of one HO unit, whereas a significant structural transformation of the tri- and tetra-silicon oxides ( = 3 and 4) is induced, resulting in an increased coordination of the Si atoms and more 3D cluster structures. In an astronomical context, we discuss the potential relevance of Si O H clusters as seeds for dust nucleation and catalysts for carbon-based chemistry in diffuse or translucent interstellar clouds, where all the necessary conditions for producing these species are found. In the produced clusters, the frequency of the isolated silanol Si-OH stretching vibrational mode is considerably blue-shifted compared to that in hydroxylated bulk silica and small inorganic compounds. This mode has a characteristic frequency range between 1200 cm (8.3 μm) and 1090 cm (9.2 μm) and is associated with the anomalously small Si-OH bond lengths in these ionised species. In infrared observations such high frequency Si-O stretching modes are usually associated with a pure bulk silica component of silicate cosmic dust. The presence of Si O H clusters in low silica astrophysical environments could thus potentially be detected via their signature Si-O band using the James Webb space telescope.
PubMed: 38919856
DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00346 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Mar 2024Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic hematologic disorder caused by the excessive proliferation of plasma cells and leads to bone lesions, anemia, and kidney failure.... (Review)
Review
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic hematologic disorder caused by the excessive proliferation of plasma cells and leads to bone lesions, anemia, and kidney failure. No definite etiology has been proposed for MM, but several environmental and genetic risk factors have been implicated so far. Exposure to pesticides, benzene, and organic solvents like methyl chloride have been considered a potential risk factor. Asbestos, ionizing radiation, and wood dust exposure have also been associated with MM. As MM is a relatively rare condition, the number of studies is insufficient, and in many studies, only a few study participants recall exposure to any agents. Therefore, establishing a definite risk factor is cumbersome and further studies with large study samples are needed. By recognizing these occupational risk factors, clinicians can encourage employees to reduce their exposure as more as possible and implement precautionary measures. In this review, we highlighted the current research on the potential association between occupational exposures and MM. Because of these studies, new regulations with the goal of occupational exposure reduction are anticipated in the future.
PubMed: 38919290
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i3.15137 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jun 2024To understand the prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in workers exposed to silica dust and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide reference for the...
OBJECTIVE
To understand the prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in workers exposed to silica dust and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide reference for the formulation of diagnostic criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational dust.
METHODS
Data collection and structured questionnaire were used to collect the data of 2064 workers exposed to silica dust who underwent health examination in Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital and Yuanling Second People's Hospital from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was analyzed and the risk factors were analyzed.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (FEV1/FVC < 70%) was 2.3% in 2064 silica dust exposed workers. The prevalence of restrictive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (FVC/Pre < 80%) was 8.1%. The prevalence of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the high level exposure group was higher than that in the low level exposure group, 8.2 vs0.9% (P < 0.05). The rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in female group was higher than that in male group (5.3% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.00). Workers with obstructive pulmonary dysfunction were older and worked longer than workers without obstructive pulmonary dysfunction, but there was no statistical difference. Multivariate regression analysis showed that high exposure level was a risk factor for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in silica dust exposed workers (P < 0.05). Females were the risk factors for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Silica dust exposure can cause obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction and lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. High level of exposure is a risk factor for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction. Women exposed to dust are more prone to obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction than men. Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by silica dust and timely intervention measures are very important to delay the decline of lung function and protect the health of workers.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Silicon Dioxide; Risk Factors; Dust; Cross-Sectional Studies; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; Middle Aged; Adult; China; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Occupational Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Multivariate Analysis
PubMed: 38918735
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03106-6 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study compares the adsorption behavior of both Methylene Blue (MB) and Congo Red (CR) dyes on the surfaces of cement kiln dust (CKD) powder from the experimentally...
This study compares the adsorption behavior of both Methylene Blue (MB) and Congo Red (CR) dyes on the surfaces of cement kiln dust (CKD) powder from the experimentally simulated wastewater solution. The cement kiln dust powder was characterized using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N adsorption-desorption Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) tests. The adsorption for such dyes was studied under varying mixing contact times, temperatures, and pH as well as various initial concentrations of both dyes and adsorbent using the batch mode experiments. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were applied, and the results revealed that the pseudo-second-order fitted well to the kinetic data. Thermodynamic parameters stated that the adsorption process was endothermic. Studying Linear and nonlinear forms of Langmuir and Freundlich's adsorption isotherms revealed that the adsorption process was followed by both homogeneous mono-layer and heterogeneous multilayer coverage on the active sites of cement kiln dust particles. The data showed that the adsorption capacities of the methylene blue and Congo red dyes were 58.43 and 123.42 mg/g, respectively and cement kiln dust is an adsorbent with little cost for the treatment of wastewater.
PubMed: 38918519
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64191-5 -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jul 2024Overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause severe lung disease including progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Field emission scanning electron microscopy with...
In Situ Lung Dust Analysis by Automated Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy: A Method for Assessing Inorganic Particles in Lung Tissue From Coal Miners.
CONTEXT.—
Overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause severe lung disease including progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) has been used for in situ lung dust particle analysis for evaluation of disease etiology. Automating such work can reduce time, costs, and user bias.
OBJECTIVE.—
To develop and test an automated FESEM-EDS method for in situ analysis of inorganic particles in coal miner lung tissue.
DESIGN.—
We programmed an automated FESEM-EDS procedure to collect particle size and elemental data, using lung tissue from 10 underground coal miners with PMF and 4 control cases. A statistical clustering approach was used to establish classification criteria based on particle chemistry. Data were correlated to PMF/non-PMF areas of the tissue, using corresponding brightfield microscopy images. Results for each miner case were compared with a separate corresponding analysis of particles recovered following tissue digestion.
RESULTS.—
In situ analysis of miner tissues showed higher particle number densities than controls and densities were generally higher in PMF than non-PMF areas. Particle counts were typically dominated by aluminum silicates with varying percentages of silica. Compared to digestion results for the miner tissues, in situ results indicated lower density of particles (number per tissue volume), larger size, and a lower ratio of silica to total silicates-probably due to frequent particle clustering in situ.
CONCLUSIONS.—
Automated FESEM-EDS analysis of lung dust is feasible in situ and could be applied to a larger set of mineral dust-exposed lung tissues to investigate specific histologic features of PMF and other dust-related occupational diseases.
Topics: Humans; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Dust; Lung; Coal Mining; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Occupational Exposure; Male; Particle Size
PubMed: 38918006
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2024-0002-OA