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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study investigates the process of long-term (bio)degradation of polyethylene (PE) in an old municipal waste landfill (MWL) and its implications for environmental...
This study investigates the process of long-term (bio)degradation of polyethylene (PE) in an old municipal waste landfill (MWL) and its implications for environmental and human health. Advanced techniques, such as ICP-ES/MS and IC-LC, were used to analyze heavy metals and anions/cations, demonstrating significant concentration deviations from control samples. The soil's chemical composition revealed numerous hazardous organic compounds, further indicating the migration of additives from PE to the soil. Toxicological assessments, including Phytotoxkit F, Microtox bioassay, and Ostracodtoxkit, demonstrated phytotoxicity, acute toxicity, and high mortality in living organisms (over 85% for ). An unusual concentration of contaminants in the MWL's middle layers, linked to Poland's economic changes during the 1980s and 1990s, suggests increased risks of pollutant migration, posing additional environmental and health threats. Moreover, the infiltration capability of microorganisms, including pathogens, into PE structures raises concerns about potential groundwater contamination through the landfill bottom. This research underscores the need for vigilant management and updated strategies to protect the environment and public health, particularly in older landfill sites.
Topics: Polyethylene; Waste Disposal Facilities; Humans; Soil Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; Biodegradation, Environmental; Metals, Heavy; Soil
PubMed: 38893375
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112499 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Six ionone glycosides (- and -), including three new ones, named capitsesqsides A-C (-), together with an eudesmane sesquiterpenoid glycoside () and three known...
Six ionone glycosides (- and -), including three new ones, named capitsesqsides A-C (-), together with an eudesmane sesquiterpenoid glycoside () and three known triterpenoid saponins (-) were isolated from . The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic techniques (MS, UV, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the experimental and theoretically calculated ECD curves and LC-MS analyses after acid hydrolysis and derivatization. The anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Molecular docking demonstrated that has a favorable affinity for NLRP3 and iNOS.
Topics: Rhododendron; Mice; Glycosides; RAW 264.7 Cells; Animals; Molecular Docking Simulation; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Norisoprenoids; Molecular Structure; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Lipopolysaccharides; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38893339
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112462 -
Nutrients Jun 2024: Dietary quality and the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods have been shown to protect against memory decline. Therefore, this double-blind, randomized,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
An Examination into the Effects of a Nutraceutical Supplement on Cognition, Stress, Eye Health, and Skin Satisfaction in Adults with Self-Reported Cognitive Complaints: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
: Dietary quality and the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods have been shown to protect against memory decline. Therefore, this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to investigate the effects of a nutritional supplement on changes in cognitive performance. : In adults aged 40 to 70 years with subjective memory complaints, participants were randomly allocated to take a supplement containing vitamin E, astaxanthin, and grape juice extract daily for 12 weeks or a matching placebo. The primary outcomes comprised changes in cognitive tasks assessing episodic memory, working memory, and verbal memory. Secondary and exploratory measures included changes in the speed of information processing, attention, and self-report measures of memory, stress, and eye and skin health. Moreover, changes in plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, malondialdehyde, tumor-necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were measured, along with changes in skin carotenoid concentrations. : Compared to the placebo, nutritional supplementation was associated with larger improvements in one primary outcome measure comprising episodic memory ( = 0.037), but not for working memory ( = 0.418) or verbal learning ( = 0.841). Findings from secondary and exploratory outcomes demonstrated that the nutraceutical intake was associated with larger improvements in the Everyday Memory Questionnaire ( = 0.022), increased plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( = 0.030), decreased plasma malondialdehyde ( = 0.040), and increased skin carotenoid concentrations ( = 0.006). However, there were no group differences in changes in the remaining outcome measures. : Twelve weeks of supplementation with a nutritional supplement was associated with improvements in episodic memory and several biological markers associated with cognitive health. Future research will be essential to extend and validate the current findings.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Middle Aged; Double-Blind Method; Male; Female; Cognition; Adult; Aged; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Vitamin E; Xanthophylls; Skin; Antioxidants; Interleukin-6; Self Report; Carotenoids; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Memory, Short-Term; Memory, Episodic; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Malondialdehyde; Eye
PubMed: 38892705
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111770 -
Nutrients Jun 2024There is increasing evidence suggesting that serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels can be used as biomarkers for axonal injury. Retinol is recognized for its...
BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence suggesting that serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels can be used as biomarkers for axonal injury. Retinol is recognized for its significant involvement in nervous system function, but the precise connection between dietary retinol and sNfL levels remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between dietary retinol intake and sNfL, and to find an optimal retinol intake level for neurological health.
METHODS
In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted from 2013 to 2014, a cohort of 1684 participants who met the criteria were selected for the study. sNfL levels were measured from stored serum samples using a novel high-throughput immunoassay platform from Siemens Healthineers. Assessment of dietary retinol intake was performed by a uniformly trained interviewer through a 24 h dietary recall method. A generalized linear model was evaluated to assess the correlation between dietary retinol intake and sNfL concentrations. Furthermore, the nonlinear association between the two is further explored using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis.
RESULTS
Upon adjusting for potential confounders, a 10% increase in dietary retinol intake was associated with a 3.47% increase in sNfL levels (95% CI: 0.54%, 6.49%) across all participants. This relationship was more pronounced in specific subgroups, including those under 60 years of age, non-obese, impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and non-diabetic. In subgroup analysis, among those younger than 60 years of age (percent change: 3.80%; 95% CI: 0.43%, 7.28%), changes were found in non-obese participants (percent change: 6.28%; 95% CI: 2.66%, 10.02%), those with impaired eGFR (percent change: 6.90%; 95% CI: 1.44%, 12.65%), and non-diabetic patients (percentage change: 4.17%; 95% CI: 1.08%, 7.36%). RCS analysis showed a linear relationship between dietary retinol intake and sNfL levels. Furthermore, the positive correlation between the two was more significant after the inflection point, according to piecewise linear analysis.
CONCLUSION
This current investigation uncovered a J-shaped relationship between dietary retinol and sNfL levels, suggesting that axonal damage can occur when dietary retinol intake increases more than a specific threshold. These findings need to be further confirmed in future prospective studies to determine the precise intake level that may trigger axonal injury.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Neurofilament Proteins; Vitamin A; Adult; Biomarkers; Diet; Aged; United States; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 38892696
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111763 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant found in marine organisms such as microalgae and krill, may offer ergogenic benefits to endurance athletes. Originally used in fish... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant found in marine organisms such as microalgae and krill, may offer ergogenic benefits to endurance athletes. Originally used in fish feed, astaxanthin has shown a greater ability to mitigate various reactive oxygen species and maintain the structural integrity of mitochondria compared to other exogenous antioxidants. More recent work has shown that astaxanthin may improve: (1) cycling time trial performance, (2) cardiorespiratory measures such as submaximal heart rate during running or cycling, (3) recovery from delayed-onset muscle soreness, and (4) endogenous antioxidant capacity such as whole blood glutathione within trained populations. In this review, the history of astaxanthin and its chemical structure are first outlined before briefly describing the various adaptations (e.g., mitochondrial biogenesis, enhanced endogenous antioxidant capacity, etc.) which take place specifically at the mitochondrial level as a result of chronic endurance training. The review then concludes with the potential additive effects that astaxanthin may offer in conjunction with endurance training for the endurance athlete and offers some suggested practical recommendations for athletes and coaches interested in supplementing with astaxanthin.
Topics: Xanthophylls; Humans; Dietary Supplements; Physical Endurance; Adaptation, Physiological; Athletes; Antioxidants; Mitochondria; Endurance Training; Athletic Performance; Animals
PubMed: 38892683
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111750 -
Nutrients May 2024Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as...
Lycopene in Combination with Insulin Triggers Antioxidant Defenses and Increases the Expression of Components That Detoxify Advanced Glycation Products in Kidneys of Diabetic Rats.
BACKGROUND
Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as strategies to mitigate diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lycopene combined with a reduced insulin dose is able to control glycemia and to oppose glycoxidative stress in kidneys of diabetic rats.
METHODS
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 45 mg/kg lycopene + 1 U/day insulin for 30 days. The study assessed glycemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity in plasma. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the protein levels of advanced glycation end-product receptor 1 (AGE-R1) and glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) in the kidneys were also investigated.
RESULTS
An effective glycemic control was achieved with lycopene plus insulin, which may be attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity. The combined therapy decreased the dyslipidemia and increased the PON-1 activity. In the kidneys, lycopene plus insulin increased the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of AGE-R1 and GLO-1, which may be contributing to the antialbuminuric effect.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that lycopene may aggregate favorable effects to insulin against diabetic complications resulting from glycoxidative stress.
Topics: Animals; Lycopene; Kidney; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Antioxidants; Male; Insulin; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Blood Glucose; Superoxide Dismutase; Catalase; Aryldialkylphosphatase; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Insulin Resistance; Lactoylglutathione Lyase; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hypoglycemic Agents; Diabetic Nephropathies
PubMed: 38892513
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111580 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Spinach ( L.) is a dioecious, diploid, wind-pollinated crop cultivated worldwide. Sex determination plays an important role in spinach breeding. Hence, this study aimed...
Spinach ( L.) is a dioecious, diploid, wind-pollinated crop cultivated worldwide. Sex determination plays an important role in spinach breeding. Hence, this study aimed to understand the differences in sexual differentiation and floral organ development of dioecious flowers, as well as the differences in the regulatory mechanisms of floral organ development of dioecious and monoecious flowers. We compared transcriptional-level differences between different genders and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to spinach floral development, as well as sex-biased genes to investigate the flower development mechanisms in spinach. In this study, 9189 DEGs were identified among the different genders. DEG analysis showed the participation of four main transcription factor families, MIKC_MADS, MYB, NAC, and bHLH, in spinach flower development. In our key findings, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) signal transduction pathways play major roles in male flower development, while auxin regulates both male and female flower development. By constructing a gene regulatory network (GRN) for floral organ development, core transcription factors (TFs) controlling organ initiation and growth were discovered. This analysis of the development of female, male, and monoecious flowers in spinach provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of floral organ development and sexual differentiation in dioecious and monoecious plants in spinach.
Topics: Spinacia oleracea; Flowers; Gene Regulatory Networks; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Transcription Factors; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling; Abscisic Acid; Gibberellins
PubMed: 38892313
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116127 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to...
Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to industry reluctance to invest in new technologies and equipment. Therefore, modifications to the current materials are easier to implement than adopting whole new solutions. Antibacterial activity can be induced in low-density polyethylene films only by adding antimicrobial agents. ZnO nanoparticles are well known for their strong antimicrobial activity, coupled with low toxicity and UV shielding capability. These characteristics recommend ZnO for the food industry. By incorporating such safe and dependable antimicrobial agents in the polyethylene matrix, we have obtained composite films able to inhibit microorganisms' growth that can be used as packaging materials. Here we report the obtaining of highly homogenous composite films with up to 5% ZnO by a melt mixing process at 150 °C for 10 min. The composite films present good transparency in the visible domain, permitting consumers to visualize the food, but have good UV barrier properties. The composite films exhibit good antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity from the lowest ZnO composition (1%), against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The homogenous dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles into the polyethylene matrix was assessed by Fourier transform infrared microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The optimal mechanical barrier properties were obtained for composition with 3% ZnO. The thermal analysis indicates that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles has increased thermal stability by more than 100 °C. The UV-Vis spectra indicate a low transmittance in the UV domain, lower than 5%, making the films suitable for blocking photo-oxidation processes. The obtained films proved to be efficient packaging films, successfully preserving plum (Rome) tomatoes for up to 14 days.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Food Packaging; Polyethylene; Solanum lycopersicum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms
PubMed: 38892267
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116073 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the...
Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the diet of humans and animals, such as pigs, broilers, and fish, where its addition is related to its pigmenting properties. Moreover, AST's ability to reduce free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage finds application during the weaning period, when piglets are exposed to several stressors. To better elucidate the mechanisms involved, here we generate ad hoc pig and rainbow trout in vitro platforms able to mimic the intestinal mucosa. The morphology is validated through histological and molecular analysis, while functional properties of the newly generated intestinal barriers, both in porcine and rainbow trout models, are demonstrated by measuring trans-epithelial electrical resistance and analyzing permeability with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. Exposure to AST induced a significant upregulation of antioxidative stress markers and a reduction in the transcription of inflammation-related interleukins. Altogether, the present findings demonstrate AST's ability to interact with the molecular pathways controlling oxidative stress and inflammation both in the porcine and rainbow trout species and suggest AST's positive role in prevention and health.
Topics: Animals; Xanthophylls; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Swine; Intestinal Mucosa; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Intestines; Models, Biological; Permeability
PubMed: 38892151
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115966 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024The NAC family of transcription factors includes no apical meristem (NAM), transcription activator 1/2 (ATAF1/2), and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC2) proteins, which are...
The NAC family of transcription factors includes no apical meristem (NAM), transcription activator 1/2 (ATAF1/2), and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC2) proteins, which are unique to plants, contributing significantly to their adaptation to environmental challenges. In the present study, we observed that the PvNAC52 protein is predominantly expressed in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Overexpression of in strengthened plant resilience to salt, alkali, osmotic, and ABA stresses. PvNAC52 significantly ( < 0.05) reduced the degree of oxidative damage to cell membranes, proline content, and plant water loss by increasing the expression of , , , , , , and . Moreover, the expression of genes associated with abiotic stress responses, such as , , , , , , and , was enhanced by overexpression. A yeast one-hybrid assay showed that PvNAC52 specifically binds to the cis-acting elements ABRE (abscisic acid-responsive elements, ACGTG) within the promoter. This further suggests that PvNAC52 is responsible for the transcriptional modulation of abiotic stress response genes by identifying the core sequence, ACGTG. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the further analysis of the targeted cis-acting elements and genes downstream of PvNAC52 in the common bean.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plants, Genetically Modified; Transcription Factors; Abscisic Acid; Stress, Physiological; Phaseolus; Plant Proteins; Osmotic Pressure; Alkalies; Up-Regulation; Promoter Regions, Genetic
PubMed: 38892008
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115818