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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a defense against insects. These can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. Therefore,...
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a defense against insects. These can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. Therefore, avoiding potential poisoning from the consumption of tea and culinary plants contaminated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), pyrrolizidine alkaloids N-oxides (PANOs), and tropane alkaloids (TAs) is important for human health and food safety. Therefore, it is important to determine the levels of these substances with reliable and highly accurate methods. In this study, the PAs, PANOs, and TAs in herbal teas and culinary herbs sold in Turkish markets were identified and their levels were determined. Thus, the general profiles of herbal teas and culinary herbs in Turkey were revealed, and the compliance of the total amounts of PA and TA with the regulations was examined. The identification and quantification of 25 PAs and N-oxides and 2 TAs (atropine and scopolamine) in the samples was performed with a liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer (LC-Q-ToF/MS). At least a few of these substances were detected in all of the tested herbal teas and culinary herbs. The total contents of the black tea, green tea, mixed tea, flavored tea, chamomile tea, sage tea, linden tea, fennel tea, rosehip tea, peppermint, and thyme samples ranged from 4.6 ng g to 1054.5 ng g. The results obtained shed light on the importance of analyzing the total dehydro PA, PANO, and TA amounts in plant-based products consumed in diets with sensitive and accurate methods, and they highlight the necessity of performing these analyses routinely in terms of food safety.
PubMed: 37835225
DOI: 10.3390/foods12193572 -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Dec 2023Inquiries about fruit plants are a frequent reason for consultation with poison information centers, although it should be emphasized that there are no large systematic...
BACKGROUND
Inquiries about fruit plants are a frequent reason for consultation with poison information centers, although it should be emphasized that there are no large systematic studies on toxicity based on exposure data. The aim of this work is to determine the risk of poisoning by fruit plants in Germany.
METHODS
Retrospective study of data from the Erfurt Joint Poison Information Center on poisoning inquiries regarding fruit plants (2010-2019) with a detailed presentation of interim results, a tabular handout, plant photos as identification aids, and trend analyses.
RESULTS
From 16,088 plant exposures with 16,700 plants, 214 different fruit plant species were identified. Forty-five fruit plant species (21%) turned out to be relevant (≥ 30 inquiries) and of these, 6 (2.8%) turned out to be highly relevant (≥ 300 inquiries). All relevant plants were assigned a defined risk category (RC): RC 0 (2; 4.4%), RC 1 (26; 57.8%), RC 2 (12; 26.7%), and RC 3 (5; 11.1%). Regarding the inquiries, 6% (459/7607) were related to RC 0; 47.9% (3645/7607) to RC 1; 39.3% to RC 2 (2986/7607); and 6.8% (517/7607) to RC 3. Of the inquiries, 69.5% (5284/7607) were related to young children (1 to < 6 years). Exposure outcomes for all age groups were asymptomatic in 82%, mild in 14.7%, moderate in 3%, and severe in 0.3%, with severe poisoning caused by seven plant species. Interventions were initiated in 66.8% (5079) of the inquiries. Inquiries were most frequently related to Taxus baccata, Ligustrum vulgare, Physalis alkekengi, Prunus laurocerasus, Convallaria majalis, Mahonia spec., Sambucus spec., Lonicera spec., Sorbus aucuparia, Thuja spec., Hedera helix, and Cotoneaster spec.
DISCUSSION
Poisoning by fruit plants in Germany is rare. However, there is a great need for information and education.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Poisons; Fruit; Retrospective Studies; Germany; Poison Control Centers; Information Centers; Poisoning
PubMed: 37828294
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03780-7 -
The Lancet. Public Health Nov 2023Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is a largely preventable cause of death that has received insufficient attention. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive global...
BACKGROUND
Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is a largely preventable cause of death that has received insufficient attention. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive global analysis of the demographic, temporal, and geographical patterns of fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from 2000 to 2021.
METHODS
As part of the latest Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning mortality was quantified using the GBD cause of death ensemble modelling strategy. Vital registration data and covariates with an epidemiological link to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning informed the estimates of death counts and mortality rates for all locations, sexes, ages, and years included in the GBD. Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated by multiplying deaths by remaining standard life expectancy at age of death. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) for unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning deaths due to occupational injuries and high alcohol use were estimated.
FINDINGS
In 2021, the global mortality rate due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning was 0·366 per 100 000 (95% uncertainty interval 0·276-0·415), with 28 900 deaths (21 700-32 800) and 1·18 million YLLs (0·886-1·35) across all ages. Nearly 70% of deaths occurred in males (20 100 [15 800-24 000]), and the 50-54-year age group had the largest number of deaths (2210 [1660-2590]). The highest mortality rate was in those aged 85 years or older with 1·96 deaths (1·38-2·32) per 100 000. Eastern Europe had the highest age-standardised mortality rate at 2·12 deaths (1·98-2·30) per 100 000. Globally, there was a 53·5% (46·2-63·7) decrease in the age-standardised mortality rate from 2000 to 2021, although this decline was not uniform across regions. The overall PAFs for occupational injuries and high alcohol use were 13·6% (11·9-16·0) and 3·5% (1·4-6·2), respectively.
INTERPRETATION
Improvements in unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning mortality rates have been inconsistent across regions and over time since 2000. Given that unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is almost entirely preventable, policy-level interventions that lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning events should be prioritised, such as those that increase access to improved heating and cooking devices, reduce carbon monoxide emissions from generators, and mandate use of carbon monoxide alarms.
FUNDING
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Global Burden of Disease; Cause of Death; Occupational Injuries; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Carbon Monoxide
PubMed: 37813118
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00185-8 -
Bioinformation 2023Yellow oleander (), which belongs to the Apocyanaceae family, is a common shrub seen throughout the tropics. All parts of the plant contain high concentrations of...
Yellow oleander (), which belongs to the Apocyanaceae family, is a common shrub seen throughout the tropics. All parts of the plant contain high concentrations of cardiac glycosides, which are toxic to cardiac muscle and the autonomic nervous system. The main objective of this study was to socio-clinical, biochemical and electrocardiographic changes of yellow oleander seed poisoning. This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 6 months (March 2022 to September 2022). Oleander seed poison in most prevalent in the 21-40 years age. More the crushed seeds consumed and the delay to admission to the hospital for treatment poorer was the outcome. The most common GI symptoms of yellow oleander poisoning were vomiting (58 %), abdominal pain (28%), diarrhoea (9%), and palpitations (20%), dizziness (18%).Serum potassium levels that were measured during the admission were directly related to the ECG changes. ECG changes were more observed with patients those who consumed seeds in crushed form and this difference is statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Higher incidence of cardiotoxicity was noted with patients those who consumed poison on empty stomach compare to who consumed after food. The Electrocardiographic manifestations was found even with consumption of one seed, number of seeds consumptions independent of cardiotoxicity.Additonally higher mean Potassium value observed in patients who had cardiotoxicity when compared to patient who had no cardiotoxicity. Death of the patients in yellow oleander seed poisoning was independent of quantity of the seeds they have ingested.
PubMed: 37808385
DOI: 10.6026/97320630019 -
BMC Neurology Oct 2023Neurolathyrism is an upper motor neuron disorder characterized by spastic paraparesis, which is caused by the prolonged over-consumption of grass pea. It is a...
Prevalence of Neurolathyrism and its associated factors in Grass pea cultivation areas of Dawunt District, North-eastern Ethiopia; 2022: a community based multilevel analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Neurolathyrism is an upper motor neuron disorder characterized by spastic paraparesis, which is caused by the prolonged over-consumption of grass pea. It is a devastating disease with great impacts on physical, social, mental, and economical health.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of neurolathyrism and its associated factors in grass pea cultivation areas of Dawunt wereda.
METHODS
Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from February 01- March 30, 2021 on 631 Households with a total of 3,350 individuals. Two-stage random sampling technique was used to select participants. Multilevel binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with neurolathyrism. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05; and AOR with 95% CI was used to interpret the results.
RESULTS
The household and population level prevalence of neurolathyrism in Dawunt district were 9.2% (7.2-11.7%) and 2.4% (2.0-2.3.0%) respectively. Age (AOR = 7.4 ( 2.6-20.6)), male sex (AOR = 7.8 (3.9, 15.4)), and marital status (AOR = 4.0 (1.3-12.8)) were the individual level variables; family size (AOR = 12.6 (3.0-52.8)), annual grass pea production (AOR = 5.0 (2.3-11.0)), ever feeding only grass pea (AOR = 8.8(3.5-22.2)), ever feeding immature seeds of grass pea (AOR = 6.28 (2.80, 14.08)), high grass pea to other cereals mixing ratio (> 3:1) (AOR = 6.1 (1.1, 33.5)) were the household level variables found to have significant association with neurolathyrism.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of neurolathyrism was found to be high. Ever feeding only grass pea, Grass pea to other cereals mixing ratio (using ratio of 1:1 or more), and Ever feeding immature grass pea seeds were the modifiable risk factors for neurolathyrism.
Topics: Humans; Male; Lathyrism; Lathyrus; Pisum sativum; Multilevel Analysis; Ethiopia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prevalence
PubMed: 37798732
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03379-0 -
Food Science and Biotechnology Oct 2023Biofilms are a major concern within the food industry since they have the potential to reduce productivity in situ (within the field), impact food stability and storage,... (Review)
Review
Biofilms are a major concern within the food industry since they have the potential to reduce productivity in situ (within the field), impact food stability and storage, and cause downstream food poisoning. Within this review, predatory bacteria as potential biofilm control and eradication agents are discussed, with a particular emphasis on the intraperiplasmic -and-like organism (BALO) grouping. After providing a brief overview of predatory bacteria and their activities, focus is given to how BALOs fulfill four attributes that are essential for biocontrol agents to be successful in the food industry: (1) Broad spectrum activity against pathogens, both plant and human; (2) Activity against biofilms; (3) Safety towards humans and animals; and (4) Compatibility with food. As predatory bacteria possess all of these characteristics, they represent a novel form of biofilm biocontrol that is ripe for use within the food industry.
PubMed: 37780591
DOI: 10.1007/s10068-023-01310-4 -
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 -
Toxins Sep 2023Pimelea poisoning of cattle is a unique Australian toxic condition caused by the daphnane orthoester simplexin present in native Pimelea pasture plants. Rumen...
Pimelea poisoning of cattle is a unique Australian toxic condition caused by the daphnane orthoester simplexin present in native Pimelea pasture plants. Rumen microorganisms have been proposed to metabolise simplexin by enzymatic reactions, likely at the orthoester and epoxide moieties of simplexin, but a metabolic pathway has not been confirmed. This study aimed to investigate this metabolic pathway through the analysis of putative simplexin metabolites. Purified simplexin was hydrolysed with aqueous hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid to produce target metabolites for UPLC-MS/MS analysis of fermentation fluid samples, bacterial isolate samples, and other biological samples. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified predicted hydrolysed products from both acid hydrolysis procedures with MS breakdown of these putative products sharing high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) fragmentation ions with simplexin. However, targeted UPLC-MS/MS analysis of the biological samples failed to detect the HSO degradation products, suggesting that the rumen microorganisms were unable to produce similar simplexin degradation products at detectable levels, or that metabolites, once formed, were further metabolised. Overall, in vitro acid hydrolysis was able to hydrolyse simplexin at the orthoester and epoxide functionalities, but targeted UPLC-MS/MS analysis of biological samples did not detect any of the identified simplexin hydrolysis products.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Hydrolysis; Chromatography, Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Australia; Toxins, Biological; Thymelaeaceae; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
PubMed: 37755977
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090551 -
Chemical Science Sep 2023Two-dimensional (2D) Pd nanosheet-based catalysts have recently garnered widespread attention due to their high atom utilization efficiency. However, their catalytic...
Two-dimensional (2D) Pd nanosheet-based catalysts have recently garnered widespread attention due to their high atom utilization efficiency. However, their catalytic ability and structural stability still require significant enhancement before they can be widely applied. In this study, we presented the rational design and controllable fabrication of a novel 2D/2D heterojunction, which consists of ultrathin Pd nanosheets (NSs) grown on the TiCT MXene surface (Pd NSs/MXene). This heterostructure was achieved through a robust and convenient stereo-assembly strategy. The newly developed Pd NSs/MXene heterojunction not only provides numerous exposed active Pd atoms with an optimized electronic structure but also enables an intimate Pd/MXene interfacial interaction, ensuring a stable hybrid configuration. Consequently, the resulting Pd NSs/MXene heterojunction exhibits exceptional methanol oxidation properties. It possesses a large electrochemically active surface area, high mass and specific activities, and a long operating life, which are significantly superior to those of traditional Pd nanoparticle/carbon and Pd nanosheet/carbon catalysts. Theoretical simulations further reveal strong electronic interactions between the Pd nanosheet and MXene, which dramatically enhance the adsorption energy of the Pd component and simultaneously lower its d-band center. As a result, the Pd NSs/MXene heterojunction is less susceptible to CO poisoning. This work introduces a new 2D/2D heterojunction based on MXene and noble metallic materials and holds significance for the development of other novel heterojunctions, particularly within the realm of 2D material nanoarchitectonics.
PubMed: 37736638
DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03735e -
Nutrients Aug 2023We previously found that the continuous feeding of ethanol caused mice dysbiosis, in which the cecal microbiota were significantly altered, as compared with those in the...
We previously found that the continuous feeding of ethanol caused mice dysbiosis, in which the cecal microbiota were significantly altered, as compared with those in the non-feeding control group, especially in some bacterial genera involved in gut inflammation. In the present study, we have found that the fermented extract of stevia () leaves with plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LABs), LY45, improves the trimethylamine (TMA) productivity of cecal content, which can be used as an indicator of dysbiosis. The following animal experiment also shows that the LY45-fermented stevia extract represses the typical increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, which decreased from 1106 to 210 IU/L ( < 0.05) and from 591 to 100 IU/L ( < 0.05), respectively, together with the simultaneously latent TMA productivity (from 1356 to 745 μM, < 0.05) of cecal content in the ethanol-fed mice. The microbiota analyses have shown that the observed increased alterations in pro-inflammatory genera putative (family Clostridiaceae) and are restored by the fermented stevia extract. Our result indicates that the preliminary bioconversion of herbal medicinal precursors by fermentation with safe microorganisms like LABs is expected to be a hopeful method of producing specific metabolites that may contribute to the reconstruction of gut microbiota.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Stevia; Dysbiosis; Ethanol; Clostridiaceae; Lactobacillales; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37686739
DOI: 10.3390/nu15173708