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Journal of Agricultural and Food... Jul 2024Liver disease has become an important risk factor for global health. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural polyphenol which is widely found in foods and has a variety of...
Liver disease has become an important risk factor for global health. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural polyphenol which is widely found in foods and has a variety of biological activities. This study investigated the role of the microbiota-gut-liver axis in the Res relieving the liver fibrosis induced by inorganic mercury exposure. Twenty-eight mice were divided into four groups ( = 7) and treated with mercuric chloride and/or Res for 24 weeks, respectively. The results showed that Res mitigated the ileum injury induced by inorganic mercury and restrained LPS and alcohol entering the body circulation. Network pharmacological and molecular analyses showed that Res alleviated oxidative stress, metabolism disorders, inflammation, and hepatic stellate cell activation in the liver. In conclusion, Res alleviates liver fibrosis induced by inorganic mercury via activating the 1/-1α signaling pathway and regulating the microbial-gut-liver axis, particularly, increasing the relative enrichment of in the intestinal tract.
PubMed: 38959496
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02349 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jul 2024Monoelemental atomic sheets (Xenes) and other 2D materials offer record electronic mobility, high thermal conductivity, excellent Young's moduli, optical transparency,...
Monoelemental atomic sheets (Xenes) and other 2D materials offer record electronic mobility, high thermal conductivity, excellent Young's moduli, optical transparency, and flexural capability, revolutionizing ultrasensitive devices and enhancing performance. The ideal synthesis of these quantum materials should be facile, fast, scalable, reproducible, and green. Microwave expansion followed by cryoquenching (MECQ) leverages thermal stress in graphite to produce high-purity graphene within minutes. MECQ synthesis of graphene is reported at 640 and 800 W for 10 min, followed by liquid nitrogen quenching for 5 and 90 min of sonication. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the chemical identity and phase purity of monolayers and few-layered graphene sheets (200-12 µm). Higher microwave power yields thinner layers with enhanced purity. Molecular dynamics simulations and DFT calculations support the exfoliation under these conditions. Electrostatic droplet switching is demonstrated using MECQ-synthesized graphene, observing electrorolling of a mercury droplet on a BN/graphene interface at voltages above 20 V. This technique can inspire the synthesis of other 2D materials with high purity and enable new applications.
PubMed: 38958089
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202404337 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024Hypertension is the most significant global risk factor for mortality and morbidity, making standardized blood pressure measurement crucial.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is the most significant global risk factor for mortality and morbidity, making standardized blood pressure measurement crucial.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether the location of blood pressure monitors and the positioning of cuffs yield differing results in blood pressure measurements.
METHODS
Patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang College between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023 were enrolled in this study and randomly allocated into four groups. These groups were defined based on the positioning of monitoring equipment as follows: varied placements of cuffs on automatic blood pressure monitors, different heights for mercury column blood pressure monitors, varied heights for automatic blood pressure monitors, and different orientations for the cuff airbag tubes on electrocardiogram monitors. Blood pressure was measured and recorded for each group, followed by an analysis of the variations in readings across the different setups.
RESULTS
In the first cohort of 763 individuals, mean systolic blood pressure measured at the standard upper arm site was 128.8 ± 10.5 mmHg, compared to 125.3 ± 10.4 mmHg at the elbow fossa. The corresponding diastolic pressures were 79.2 ± 10.7 and 75.0 ± 10.6 mmHg, respectively. The difference in systolic pressure between these positions was significant at 3.48 ± 3.22 mmHg (₁ = 29.91, ₁ < 0.001) and for diastolic pressure at 4.23 ± 1.31 mmHg (₂ = 88.98, ₂ < 0.001). For the subsequent groups, involving 253, 312, and 225 individuals, respectively, blood pressure measurements were analyzed and compared across different methods within each group. All -values exceeded 0.05, indicating no statistically significant differences.
CONCLUSIONS
Blood pressure values measured at the elbow fossa position using an upper arm-type automatic sphygmomanometer were found to be lower than those measured at the upper arm position, with a difference of 3.48 mmHg for systolic and 4.23 mmHg for diastolic pressures. It is therefore essential to position the cuff correctly, specifically 2-3 cm above the elbow fossa, when utilizing an upper arm-type automatic sphygmomanometer for blood pressure monitoring. Conversely, the placement of the mercury column sphygmomanometer and the automated sphygmomanometer at varying heights had no significant effect on blood pressure readings. Similarly, the orientation of the electrocardiogram's cuffed balloon tube, whether facing upward or downward, did not influence blood pressure measurement outcomes.
PubMed: 38957328
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1388313 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Several steps in the abattoir can influence the presence of microbes and associated resistance genes (ARGs) on the animal carcasses used for further meat processing. We...
Several steps in the abattoir can influence the presence of microbes and associated resistance genes (ARGs) on the animal carcasses used for further meat processing. We investigated how these processes influence the resistome-microbiome of groups of pigs with different on-farm antimicrobial exposure status, from the moment they entered the abattoir until the end of carcass processing. Using a targeted enrichment metagenomic approach, we identified 672 unique ARGs conferring resistance to 43 distinct AMR classes from pooled skin (N = 42) and carcass swabs (N = 63) collected sequentially before, during, and after the slaughter process and food safety interventions. We observed significant variations in the resistome and microbial profiles of pigs before and after slaughter, as well as a significant decline in ARG counts, diversity, and microbial DNA load during slaughter and carcass processing, irrespective of prior antimicrobial treatments on the farm. These results suggest that existing interventions in the abattoir are effective in reducing not only the pathogen load but also the overall bacterial burden, including ARGs on pork carcasses. Concomitant with reductions in microbial and ARG counts, we observed an increase in the relative abundance of non-drug-specific ARGs, such as those conferring resistance to metals and biocides, and in particular mercury. Using a strict colocalization procedure, we found that most mercury ARGs were associated with genomes from the Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that slaughter and processing practices within the abattoir can shape the microbial and ARG profiles of pork carcasses during the transition from living muscle to meat.
PubMed: 38955276
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174394 -
Biological Trace Element Research Jul 2024This study investigated heavy metal contamination in dried fish sold in Guangzhou, China, and evaluated the resultant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks....
This study investigated heavy metal contamination in dried fish sold in Guangzhou, China, and evaluated the resultant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Dried fish samples were purchased from Baiyun, Tianhe, Panyu, and Yuexiu districts in Guangzhou, where the population is substantial. They were randomly acquired in bustling supermarkets and farmers' markets, targeting the most popular dried fish in these areas. Sixty samples from five dried fish types (Stolephorus chinensis, Thamnaconus modestus, Nemipterus-virgatus, river fish, Ctenopharyngodon idella) were analyzed for chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) content. Quantification of the heavy metals were carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Cr, As, Cd, and Pb, and an automatic mercury analyzer for Hg. The median concentration of these heavy metals in dried fish were 0.358 mg/kg, 2.653 mg/kg, 0.032 mg/kg, 0.083 mg/kg, and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. Pollution severity was ranked as dried Nemipterus-virgatus > dried Stolephorus chinensis > dried Thamnaconus modestus > dried river fish > dried Ctenopharyngodon idella, with As being the most predominant pollutant. All fish types showed severe As pollution. Non-carcinogenic risks were identified in the consumption of dried Nemipterus-virgatus and dried Stolephorus chinensis for both genders, while potential carcinogenic risks were associated with four of the fish types. Women faced higher health risks than men from dried fish consumption. Consequently, we advise consumers to minimize their intake of dried fish and regulatory agencies conduct regular monitoring of heavy metal levels in commercially available dried fish to avert potential health risks.
PubMed: 38954322
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04291-5 -
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Jul 2024This study addresses the development and validation of an analytical method for speciation analysis of mercury (inorganic/Hg and methylmercury/CHHg) in fishery products....
This study addresses the development and validation of an analytical method for speciation analysis of mercury (inorganic/Hg and methylmercury/CHHg) in fishery products. The Hg species are separated by reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The effective separation of Hg and CHHg was achieved in <8 min using a peptide mapping RP column and a mobile phase containing 2-mercaptoethanol at 0.25% (v/v) and methanol at 1% (v/v). The optimization was carried out using an experimental design through response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD), addressing both the HPLC separation and the sample extraction. The method validation was carried out based on the accuracy profile approach. For this purpose, six series of measurements were carried out in duplicate over a time span of 2 months. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 2.5 µg/kg (wet weight, ww) for CHHg and 1.2 µg/kg (ww) for Hg. The intermediate reproducibility in terms of coefficient of variation (CV) was <6%. The bias (%) obtained for the analysis of four certified reference materials (CRMs), namely TORT-3 (lobster hepatopancreas), SRM 1566-b (oyster tissue), SQID-1 (cuttlefish) and NMIJ CRM 7402-a (cod fish tissue) was <7%. This demonstrates the method robustness and suitability for routine speciation analysis of CHHg and Hg in fishery products. The method is intended to be applied for the analysis of the panel of fishery products and fish-based foods in the framework of the (ongoing) third French Total Diet Study.
PubMed: 38953918
DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05371-0 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Jul 2024Gestational exposure to toxic environmental chemicals and maternal social hardships are individually associated with impaired fetal growth, but it is unclear whether the...
BACKGROUND
Gestational exposure to toxic environmental chemicals and maternal social hardships are individually associated with impaired fetal growth, but it is unclear whether the effects of environmental chemical exposure on infant birth weight are modified by maternal hardships.
METHODS
We used data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a pan-Canadian cohort of 1982 pregnant females enrolled between 2008 and 2011. We quantified eleven environmental chemical concentrations from two chemical classes - six organochlorine compounds (OCs) and five metals - that were detected in ≥ 70% of blood samples collected during the first trimester. We examined fetal growth using birth weight adjusted for gestational age and assessed nine maternal hardships by questionnaire. Each maternal hardship variable was dichotomized to indicate whether the females experienced the hardship. In our analysis, we used elastic net to select the environmental chemicals, maternal hardships, and 2-way interactions between maternal hardships and environmental chemicals that were most predictive of birth weight. Next, we obtained effect estimates using multiple linear regression, and plotted the relationships by hardship status for visual interpretation.
RESULTS
Elastic net selected trans-nonachlor, lead, low educational status, racially minoritized background, and low supplemental folic acid intake. All were inversely associated with birth weight. Elastic net also selected interaction terms. Among those with increasing environmental chemical exposures and reported hardships, we observed stronger negative associations and a few positive associations. For example, every two-fold increase in lead concentrations was more strongly associated with reduced infant birth weight among participants with low educational status (β = -100 g (g); 95% confidence interval (CI): -215, 16), than those with higher educational status (β = -34 g; 95% CI: -63, -3). In contrast, every two-fold increase in mercury concentrations was associated with slightly higher birth weight among participants with low educational status (β = 23 g; 95% CI: -25, 71) compared to those with higher educational status (β = -9 g; 95% CI: -24, 6).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that maternal hardships can modify the associations of gestational exposure to some OCs and metals with infant birth weight.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Birth Weight; Maternal Exposure; Adult; Environmental Pollutants; Canada; Infant, Newborn; Young Adult; Metals; Socioeconomic Factors; Cohort Studies; Male
PubMed: 38951908
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01095-x -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition initiated by the assimilation of β-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and tau tangles, leading to neurodegeneration. It involves frequently... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition initiated by the assimilation of β-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and tau tangles, leading to neurodegeneration. It involves frequently cognitive decline as well as memory impairment in patients. Efforts in therapeutic interventions are currently facing challenges in identifying targets within this scaffold that can significantly alter the clinical course for individuals with AD. Moreover, in AD, neurons release a protein called endostatin, which accumulates in Aβ plaques and enhances AD. This accumulation of Aβ in the triggers a cascade of events leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and ultimately neuronal death. Environmental factors nowadays increase the risk of AD with prolonged exposure of heavy metals such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and other pesticides. It has been observed that these factors can cause the aggregation of Aβ and tau which initiates the plaque formation and hence leads to enhanced pathogenesis of AD. This review summarizes the interlinking between heavy metals, environmental factors, pesticides, endostatin, and progression of AD has been deliberated with recent findings.
PubMed: 38951391
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34113-z -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jun 2024The potential effect of hydrological conditions on distribution and loadings of Hg species was investigated in the microtidal Hyeongsan River Estuary (HRE). Dissolved Hg...
The potential effect of hydrological conditions on distribution and loadings of Hg species was investigated in the microtidal Hyeongsan River Estuary (HRE). Dissolved Hg (DHg) and dissolved methylmercury (DMeHg) from the creek receiving industrial wastes were effectively settled to sediment during the post-typhoon period, while persistent input from the Hg-contaminated creek without settling was observed during the dry periods. The event-based mean approach was applied to explore the hydrological effects on the annual flux of Hg. The largest inputs of DHg and particulate Hg (PHg) were found in the Hg-contaminated creek, and DHg input was higher in the dry than wet periods whereas PHg input was higher in the wet than dry periods. In sediment, Hg and MeHg concentrations decreased after the typhoon, attributed to erosion of surface sediments. Overall, the HRE serves as an effective sink of Hg that reduces the degree of Hg contamination in coastal water.
PubMed: 38950512
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116602 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Jun 2024Metal-organic gels (MOGs) are a type of metal-organic colloid material with a large specific surface area, loose porous structure, and open metal active sites. In this...
Metal-organic gels (MOGs) are a type of metal-organic colloid material with a large specific surface area, loose porous structure, and open metal active sites. In this work, FeNi-MOGs were synthesized by the simple one-step static method, using Fe(III) and Ni(II) as the central metal ions and terephthalic acid as the organic ligand. The prepared FeNi-MOGs could effectively catalyze the chemiluminescence of luminol without the involvement of HO, which exhibited good catalytic activity. Then, the multifunctional detected platform was constructed for the detection of GSH and Hg, based on the antioxidant capacity of GSH, and the strong affinity between mercury ion (Hg) and GSH which inactivated the antioxidant capacity of GSH. The experimental limits of detection (LOD) for GSH and Hg were 76 nM and 210 nM, and the detection ranges were 2-100 μM and 8-4000 μM, respectively. The as-proposed sensor had good performance in both detection limit and detection range of GSH and Hg, which fully met the needs of daily life. Surprisingly, the sensor had low detection limits and an extremely wide detection range for Hg, spanning five orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the detection of mercury ions in actual lake water and GSH in human serum showed good results, with recovery rates ranging from 90.10 % to 105.37 %, which proved that the method was accurate and reliable. The as-proposed sensor had great potential as the platform for GSH and Hg detection applications.
PubMed: 38950475
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124696