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International Journal For Parasitology.... Jun 2024Leishmania major is responsible for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therapy is mainly based on the use of antimony-based drugs; however, treatment failures and illness...
Leishmania major is responsible for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therapy is mainly based on the use of antimony-based drugs; however, treatment failures and illness relapses were reported. Although studies were developed to understand mechanisms of drug resistance, the interactions of resistant parasites with their reservoir hosts and vectors remain poorly understood. Here we compared the development of two L. major MON-25 trivalent antimony-resistant lines, selected by a stepwise in vitro Sb(III)-drug pressure, to their wild-type parent line in the natural vector Phlebotomus papatasi. The intensity of infection, parasite location and morphological forms were compared by microscopy. Parasite growth curves and IC values have been determined before and after the passage in Ph. papatasi. qPCR was used to assess the amplification rates of some antimony-resistance gene markers. In the digestive tract of sand flies, Sb(III)-resistant lines developed similar infection rates as the wild-type lines during the early-stage infections, but significant differences were observed during the late-stage of the infections. Thus, on day 7 p. i., resistant lines showed lower representation of heavy infections with colonization of the stomodeal valve and lower percentage of metacyclic promastigote forms in comparison to wild-type strains. Observed differences between both resistant lines suggest that the level of Sb(III)-resistance negatively correlates with the quality of the development in the vector. Nevertheless, both resistant lines developed mature infections with the presence of infective metacyclic forms in almost half of infected sandflies. The passage of parasites through the sand fly guts does not significantly influence their capacity to multiply in vitro. The IC values and molecular analysis of antimony-resistance genes showed that the resistant phenotype of Sb(III)-resistant parasites is maintained after passage through the sand fly. Sb(III)-resistant lines of L. major MON-25 were able to produce mature infections in Ph. papatasi suggesting a possible circulation in the field using this vector.
PubMed: 38941845
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100554 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index (SII) is a novel indicator of inflammation. However, no studies have reported the effect of SII on the association between metals and...
Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index (SII) is a novel indicator of inflammation. However, no studies have reported the effect of SII on the association between metals and total fat (TOFAT). We aim to investigate the mediated effect of SII on the relationship between urinary metals and TOFAT in a US adult population. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with complete information on SII, urine metal concentrations, and TOFAT from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multifactorial logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to explore the association between urine metal levels and TOFAT. Furthermore, serial mediation analyses were used to investigate the mediating effect of SII on metals and TOFAT. A total of 3324 subjects were included in this study. After adjusting for confounders, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), cesium (Cs), inorganic mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and thallium(Tl) had negative decreased trends of odds ratios for TOFAT (all P for trend < 0.05). In the total population, we found that Cd, Co, and Tu were positively associated with SII (β = 29.70, 79.37, and 31.08), whereas As and Hg had a negative association with SII. The mediation analysis showed that SII mediated the association of Co with TOFAT, with the β of the mediating effect being 0.9% (95%CI: 0.3%, 1.6%). Our findings suggested that exposure to As, Cd, and Hg would directly decrease the level of TOFAT. However, Co would increase TOFAT, completely mediated by SII, mainly exerted in females rather than males.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Nutrition Surveys; Inflammation; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Metals
PubMed: 38942999
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65925-1 -
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England... Jun 2024The reactions of the frustrated Lewis pair (FC)SbCHP(Bu) with oxygen, sulphur, selenium and tellurium led to the mono-oxidation products (FC)SbCHP(E)(Bu) (E = O, S, Se,...
The reactions of the frustrated Lewis pair (FC)SbCHP(Bu) with oxygen, sulphur, selenium and tellurium led to the mono-oxidation products (FC)SbCHP(E)(Bu) (E = O, S, Se, Te). Further oxidation of these chalcogen adducts with tetrachloro--benzoquinone (-chloranil) gave (FC)Sb(CH)(μ-E)P(Bu)·Cat (Cat = -OCCl) with a central four-membered ring heterocycle for E = O, S, and Se. For E = Te the elimination of elemental tellurium led to an oxidation product with two equivalents of -chloranil, (FC)SbCHP(Bu)·2Cat, which is also accessible by reaction of (FC)SbCHP(Bu) with -chloranil. The synthesised compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analyses, and the structural properties were analysed in the light of the altered Lewis acidity due to the oxidation of the antimony atoms.
PubMed: 38938114
DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01591f -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Inorganic metal sulfides have received extensive investigation as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, applications of crystalline organic hybrid...
Inorganic metal sulfides have received extensive investigation as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, applications of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides as anode materials in LIBs are quite rare. In addition, combining the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides with conductive materials is expected to enhance the electrochemical lithium storage performance. Nevertheless, due to the difficulty of harvesting the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides, this approach has never been tried to date. Herein, nanoparticles of a crystalline organic hybrid cadmium antimony sulfide (1,4-DABH)CdSbS (DCAS) were prepared by a top-down method, including the procedures of solvothermal synthesis, ball milling, and ultrasonic pulverization. Thereafter, the nanoparticles of DCAS with sizes of ∼500 nm were intercalated into graphene oxide nanosheets through a freeze-drying treatment and a DCAS@GO composite was obtained. Compared with the reported SbS- and CdS-based composites, the DCAS@GO composite exhibited superior electrochemical Li ion storage performance, including a high capacity of 1075.6 mAh g at 100 mA g and exceptional rate tolerances (646.8 mAh g at 5000 mA g). In addition, DCAS@GO can provide a high capacity of 705.6 mAh g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA g. Our research offers a viable approach for preparing the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides and proves that intercalating organic hybrid metal sulfide nanoparticles into GO nanosheets can efficiently boost the electrochemical Li ion storage performance.
PubMed: 38935758
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c05438 -
ACS Catalysis May 2024Electrochemical ozone production (EOP), a six-electron water oxidation reaction, offers promising avenues for creating value-added oxidants and disinfectants. However,...
Electrochemical ozone production (EOP), a six-electron water oxidation reaction, offers promising avenues for creating value-added oxidants and disinfectants. However, progress in this field is slowed by a dearth of understanding of fundamental reaction mechanisms. In this work, we combine experimental electrochemistry, spectroscopic detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen-anion chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and computational quantum chemistry calculations to determine a plausible reaction mechanism on nickel- and antimony-doped tin oxide (Ni/Sb-SnO, NATO), one of the most selective EOP catalysts. Antimony doping is shown to increase the conductivity of the catalyst, leading to improved electrochemical performance. Spectroscopic analysis and electrochemical experiments combined with quantum chemistry predictions reveal that hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a critical reaction intermediate. We propose that leached Ni cations catalyze hydrogen peroxide into solution phase hydroperoxyl radicals (OOH); these radicals are subsequently oxidized to ozone. Isotopic product analysis shows that ozone is generated catalytically from water and corrosively from the catalyst oxide lattice without regeneration of lattice oxygens. Further quantum chemistry calculations and thermodynamic analysis suggest that the electrochemical corrosion of tin oxide itself might generate hydrogen peroxide, which is then catalyzed to ozone. The proposed pathways explain both the roles of dopants in NATO and its lack of stability. Our study interrogates the possibility that instability and electrochemical activity are intrinsically linked through the formation of ROS. In doing so, we provide the first mechanism for EOP that is consistent with computational and experimental results and highlight the central challenge of instability as a target for future research efforts.
PubMed: 38933735
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.4c01317 -
China CDC Weekly Jun 2024Antimony (Sb) has been identified as a new neurotoxicant that impacts neurological functions in animal studies. However, its effects on the human population remain...
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?
Antimony (Sb) has been identified as a new neurotoxicant that impacts neurological functions in animal studies. However, its effects on the human population remain unknown.
WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?
The study reveals that there is an association between exposure to Sb and a higher incidence of cognitive impairment in older adults. The dose-response curve demonstrates that the risk of cognitive impairment consistently increased with higher levels of Sb exposure without a discernible threshold.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?
Reducing exposure to Sb may have a beneficial effect in delaying or preventing the onset of cognitive impairment. This intervention has the potential to significantly decrease the disease burden associated with cognitive impairment, ultimately contributing to social development.
PubMed: 38933661
DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2024.104 -
World Journal of Nuclear Medicine Jun 2024The purpose of a parallel-hole collimator in a scintillation camera system is to transmit only those photons that have an emission angle close to the direction of...
The purpose of a parallel-hole collimator in a scintillation camera system is to transmit only those photons that have an emission angle close to the direction of the hole. This makes it possible to receive spatial information about the origin of the emission, that is, radioactivity decay. The dimension, shape, and intrahole thickness determine the spatial resolution and, by a tradeoff, sensitivity. The composition of the collimator material also plays an important role in determining a proper collimator. In this study, we compared tungsten alloys as a potential collimator material replacement for the conventional lead antimony material used in most of the current camera systems. Monte Carlo simulations of a commercial scintillation camera system with low energy high resolution (LEHR), medium-energy (ME), and high-energy (HE) collimators of lead, tungsten, and tungsten-based alloy were simulated for different I-131, Lu-177, I-123, and Tc-99m sources, and a Deluxe rod phantom using the SIMIND Monte Carlo code. Planar images were analyzed regarding spatial resolution, image contrast in a cold source case, and system sensitivity for each collimator configuration. The hole dimensions for the three collimators were those specified in the vendor's datasheet. Using Pb, W, and tungsten alloy (Wolfmet) as collimator materials, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) measures for total counts (T) for LEHR with Tc-99m source (6.9, 6.8, and 6.8 mm), for ME with Lu-177 source (11.7, 11.5, and 11.6 mm), and for HE with I-131 (6.2, 13.1, and 13.1 mm) were obtained, and the system sensitivities were calculated as 89.9, 86.1, and 89.8 cps /MBq with Tc-99m source; 42.7, 17.4, and 20.9 cps /MBq with Lu-177 source; and 40.1, 69.7, and 77.4 cps /MBq with I-131 source. The collimators of tungsten and tungsten alloy (97.0% W, 1.5% Fe, 1.5% Ni) provided better spatial resolution and improved image contrast when compared with conventional lead-based collimators. This was due to lower septal penetration. The results suggest that development of a new set of ME and HE tungsten and tungsten alloy collimators could improve imaging of I-131, Lu-177, and I-123.
PubMed: 38933066
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786165 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid...
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid elements [boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb)].
METHODS
A total of 72 MDD cases and 75 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Zhumadian Second People's Hospital in Henan Province, China. The levels of four metallic elements (B, Ge, As, and Sb) in the serum and urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
RESULTS
In comparison to the HCs, the B, As, and Sb levels were considerably lower in the MDD group ( < 0.05) in the serum; the MDD group had significantly higher ( < 0.05) and significantly lower ( < 0.001) B and Sb levels in the urine. After adjusting for potential confounders, serum B (OR = 0.120; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.300; < 0.001) and Sb (OR = 0.133; 95% CI, 0.055, 0.322; < 0.001) showed a negative correlation with MDD. Urine B had a negative correlation (OR = 0.393; 95% CI, 0.193, 0.801; = 0.01) with MDD, while urine Sb had a positive correlation (OR = 3.335; 95% CI, 1.654, 6.726; = 0.001) with MDD.
CONCLUSION
Our current research offers insightful hints for future investigation into the function of metalloids in connection to MDD processes.
PubMed: 38932939
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1403852 -
Headache Jun 2024The aim of the study was to determine the heavy metal and trace element (HMTE) profile in patients with migraine (PwM) and to compare it to that of healthy individuals...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the heavy metal and trace element (HMTE) profile in patients with migraine (PwM) and to compare it to that of healthy individuals without migraine.
BACKGROUND
Migraine is a universal disease that affects more than 10% of the world's population; however, its pathophysiology is still obscure.
METHODS
A total of 100 participants were included in this prospective matched case-control study (50 PwM during acute attack and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls). The study was conducted in the university hospital in Yozgat, Turkey, where the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system was used to measure the HMTE profile. The calibration curve was created with 11 points for heavy metals (arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], cobalt [Co], lead [Pb], mercury [Hg], nickel [Ni], and tin [Sn]) and trace elements (antimony [Sb], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], magnesium [Mg], manganese [Mn], molybdenum [Mo], and zinc [Zn]).
RESULTS
The median age was 27 (23-37) years, and the female/male ratio was 37/13 for both groups. The PwM group had significantly higher As, Co, Pb, and Ni levels among the heavy metals (p = 0.033, 0.017, 0.022, and 0.021, respectively). Also, PwM had significantly lower Cr, Mg, and Zn levels among the trace elements (p = 0.007, 0.024, and < 0.001, respectively). The only trace element that was elevated in the PwM group was Mn (p = 0.001). The PwM and control groups did not differ in terms of Cd, Sn, Sb, Cu, Fe, and Mo (p = 0.165, 0.997, 0.195, 0.408, 0.440, and 0.252, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Some HMTE parameters are altered in PwM, which may provide additional insight into understanding migraine etiology.
PubMed: 38932625
DOI: 10.1111/head.14748 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Antimony (Sb) contamination poses significant environmental and health concerns due to its toxic nature and widespread presence, largely from anthropogenic activities....
Antimony (Sb) contamination poses significant environmental and health concerns due to its toxic nature and widespread presence, largely from anthropogenic activities. This study addresses the urgent need for an accurate speciation analysis of Sb, particularly in water sources, emphasizing its migration from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic materials. Current methodologies primarily focus on total Sb content, leaving a critical knowledge gap for its speciation. Here, we present a novel analytical approach utilizing frontal chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FC-ICP-MS) for the rapid speciation analysis of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in water. Systematic optimization of the FC-ICP-MS method was achieved through multivariate data analysis, resulting in a remarkably short analysis time of 150 s with a limit of detection below 1 ng kg. The optimized method was then applied to characterize PET leaching, revealing a marked effect of the plastic aging and manufacturing process not only on the total amount of Sb released but also on the nature of leached Sb species. This evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of the FC-ICP-MS approach in addressing such an environmental concern, benchmarking a new standard for Sb speciation analysis in consideration of its simplicity, cost effectiveness, greenness, and broad applicability in environmental and health monitoring.
Topics: Antimony; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Mass Spectrometry; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38930935
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122870