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European Journal of Pharmacology Jun 2024The use of NPS compounds is increasing, and impairment in spatial learning and memory is a growing concern. Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) consumption, as a...
The use of NPS compounds is increasing, and impairment in spatial learning and memory is a growing concern. Alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) consumption, as a commonly used NPS, can impair spatial learning and memory through brain mitochondrial dysfunction mechanisem. Liraglutide, one of the most well-known Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist used as an anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drug. According to current research, Liraglutide likely ameliorate cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative conditions and also substance use disorders. Hence, the purpose of this study is examining the effect of Liraglutide on α-PVP induced spatial learning and memory problems due to brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Wistar rats (8 in each group) received α-PVP (20 mg/kg/d for 10 consecutive days, intraperitoneally (I.P.)). Then, Liraglutide was administered at 47 and 94 μg/kg/d, I.P., for 4 weeks following the α-PVP administration. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) task evaluated spatial learning and memory 24 hours after Liraglutide treatment. Bedside, brain mitochondrial activity parameters including reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, mitochondrial outer membrane damage and swelling, and brain ADP/ATP ratio were studied. Our results showed Liraglutide ameliorated α-PVP induced spatial learning and memory impairments through alleviating brain mitochondrial dysfunctions (which is indicated by increasing ROS formation, collapsed MMP, mitochondrial outer membrane damage, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial swelling, and brain ADP/ATP ratio) in rats. This study could be used as a starting point for future studies about the possible role of Liraglutide in mitochondrial dysfunction related to cognitive impairments due to substance use disorder.
PubMed: 38936451
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176776 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jun 2024Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are gaining popularity in clinical settings owing to their improved analgesia when combined with either traditional regional anesthesia or... (Review)
Review
Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are gaining popularity in clinical settings owing to their improved analgesia when combined with either traditional regional anesthesia or general anesthesia during the perioperative phase. The scope of study on FPBs has substantially increased over the past 20 years, yet the exact mechanism, issues linked to the approaches, and direction of future research on FPBs are still up for debate. Given that it can be performed at all levels of the spine and provides analgesia to most areas of the body, the erector spinae plane block, one of the FPBs, has been extensively studied for chronic rational pain, visceral pain, abdominal surgical analgesia, imaging, and anatomical mechanisms. This has led to the contention that the erector spinae plane block is the ultimate Plan A block. Yet even though the future of FPBs is promising, the unstable effect, the probability of local anesthetic poisoning, and the lack of consensus on the definition and assessment of the FPB's success are still the major concerns. In order to precisely administer FPBs to patients who require analgesia in this condition, an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence is required. This algorithm will assist healthcare professionals in practicing precision medicine.
Topics: Humans; Nerve Block; Pain Management; Anesthetics, Local; Pain, Postoperative; Fascia
PubMed: 38935829
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001282 -
Journal of Water and Health Jun 2024We characterized concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), a measure of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), in tap water samples collected from households with...
We characterized concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), a measure of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), in tap water samples collected from households with utility-supplied water in two rural counties in Appalachian Virginia, and assessed associations with pH, free chlorine, and metal ions which can impact THM formation. Free chlorine concentrations in all samples ( = 27 homes) complied with EPA drinking water guidelines, though 7% ( = 2) of first draw samples and 11% ( = 3) of 5-min flushed-tap water samples exceeded the US Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) for THM (80 ppb). Regression analyses showed that free chlorine and pH were positively associated with the formation of THM levels above SDWA MCLs (OR = 1.04, = 0.97 and OR = 1.74, = 0.79, respectively), while temperature was negatively associated (OR = 0.78, = 0.38). Of the eight utilities serving study households, samples from water served by three different utilities exceeded the EPA MCL for THM. Overall, these findings do not indicate substantial exposures to DBPs for rural households with utility-supplied water in this region of southwest Virginia. However, given the observed variability in THM concentrations between and across utilities, and established adverse health impacts associated with chronic and acute DBP exposure, more research on DBPs in rural Central Appalachia is warranted.
Topics: Virginia; Chlorine; Rural Population; Drinking Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Supply; Trihalomethanes; Water Purification; Disinfection; Humans; Disinfectants; Appalachian Region; Family Characteristics
PubMed: 38935457
DOI: 10.2166/wh.2024.054 -
Mikrochimica Acta Jun 2024Proteins from different species have been docked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and identified 3 proteins (prostaglandin-E(2)9-reductase from Oryctolagus uniculus,...
Proteins from different species have been docked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and identified 3 proteins (prostaglandin-E(2)9-reductase from Oryctolagus uniculus, proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 and human immunoglobulin G (hIgG)) as potential candidates to develop an electrochemical sensor. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments have confirmed the interaction of hIgG with AFB1 with an affinity constant of 4.6 × 10 M. As a proof-of-concept, hIgG was immobilized on carbon nanocomposite (carbon nanotube-nanofiber, CNT-F)-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). FT-IR spectra, HR-TEM and BCA assay have confirmed successful immobilization of hIgG on the electrode (hIgG@CNT-F/GCE). The preparation of this protein electrochemical sensor requires only 1 h 36 min, which is fast as compared with preparing an electro immunosensor. hIgG@CNT-F/GCE has displayed an excellent AFB1 limit of detection (0.1 ng/mL), commendable selectivity in the presence of two other mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and patulin) and the detection of AFB1 in spiked peanuts and corn samples.
Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Humans; Electrochemical Techniques; Nanotubes, Carbon; Immunoglobulin G; Limit of Detection; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Electrodes; Biosensing Techniques; Molecular Docking Simulation; Arachis
PubMed: 38935329
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06495-x -
Journal of Medical Toxicology :... Jun 2024The Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) was launched as a prospective multi-center registry of cases who receive medical toxicology consultations. Now, with over...
The Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) was launched as a prospective multi-center registry of cases who receive medical toxicology consultations. Now, with over 100,000 cases, the Core Registry continues to address many medical toxicology research questions and has served as the foundation for multiple sub-registries, including the North American Snakebite Registry and the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder sub-registry. ToxIC also has evolved a portfolio of non-registry-based projects utilizing medical toxicology physician site principal investigators who enroll patients through emergency departments, irrespective of whether they received a medical toxicology consultation. These studies include the FDA-ACMT COVID-19 ToxIC Pharmacovigilance Project, which identifies adverse drug reactions related to the treatment of COVID-19, the Fentalog Study a toxico-surveillance study of suspected opioid overdose cases, the Drug Overdose Toxico-Surveillance Reporting Program which enrolls either suspected stimulant or opioid overdose cases, and the just being launched Real-World Examination of Naloxone for Drug Overdose Reversal project. Given ToxIC's experience in multi-center studies and its well-developed infrastructure, it is well-positioned to provide a nimble response on the part of the medical toxicology community to addressing evolving toxicological threats, drug and chemical toxicosurveillance, and other important medical toxicology priorities.
PubMed: 38935267
DOI: 10.1007/s13181-024-01020-1 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Oct 2023A prospective observational study was conducted in a rural tertiary health-care hospital in the Maval region to analyze sociodemographic contributors, clinical profile,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
A prospective observational study was conducted in a rural tertiary health-care hospital in the Maval region to analyze sociodemographic contributors, clinical profile, and outcomes in snake envenomation. Fifty-eight patients with confirmed snakebites admitted to the hospital from November 2019 to August 2021 were studied. Snakebite was found to be the most common in middle-aged adult male agricultural population while working outdoors in the daytime. Bleeding from the bite site and other areas such as the oral cavity, swelling, and bluish discoloration of the affected limb were the clinical features observed. Complications such as cellulitis and acute kidney injury were detected in 81% of patients. Despite this, there was no mortality or permanent disability in any of the patients. The knowledge of risk factors can help the vulnerable agrarian population to protect themselves from snakebites. Good medical facilities such as intensive care units, laboratory support, and availability of antisnake venom and blood products are important determinants in final patient outcome.
Topics: Snake Bites; Humans; Male; India; Adult; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Female; Tertiary Care Centers; Young Adult; Adolescent; Risk Factors; Antivenins; Aged
PubMed: 38934808
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1337_22 -
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis Jun 2024Aflatoxin B, a major global food safety concern, is produced by toxigenic fungi during crop growing, drying, and storage, and shows increasing annual prevalence. This...
Aflatoxin B, a major global food safety concern, is produced by toxigenic fungi during crop growing, drying, and storage, and shows increasing annual prevalence. This study aimed to detect aflatoxin B in chili samples using ATR-FTIR coupled with machine learning algorithms. We found that 83.6% of the chili powder samples were contaminated with Aspergillus and Penicillium species, with aflatoxin B levels ranging from 7.63 to 44.32 μg/kg. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in the fingerprint region (1800-400 cm) showed peak intensity variation in the bands at 1587, 1393, and 1038 cm, which are mostly related to aflatoxin B structure. The PCA plots from samples with different trace amounts of aflatoxin B could not be separated. Vibrational spectroscopy combined with machine learning was applied to address this issue. The logistic regression model had the best F1 score with the highest %accuracy (73%), %sensitivity (73%), and %specificity (71%), followed by random forest and support vector machine models. Although the logistic regression model contributed significant findings, this study represents a laboratory research project. Because of the peculiarities of the ATR-FTIR spectral measurements, the spectra measured for several batches may differ, necessitating running the model on multiple spectral ranges and using increased sample sizes in subsequent applications. This proposed method has the potential to provide rapid and accurate results and may be valuable in future applications regarding toxin detection in foods when simple onsite testing is required.
Topics: Capsicum; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Aflatoxin B1; Food Contamination; Aspergillus; Powders; Penicillium
PubMed: 38934688
DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3497 -
Analytical Chemistry Jun 2024O157:H7 is one of the most susceptible foodborne pathogens, easily causing food poisoning and other health risks. It is of great significance to establish a...
O157:H7 is one of the most susceptible foodborne pathogens, easily causing food poisoning and other health risks. It is of great significance to establish a quantitative method with higher sensitivity and less time consumption for foodborne pathogens analysis. The Raman-silent signal has a good performance for avoiding interference from the food matrix so as to achieve accurate signal differentiation. In this work, we presented a preparation-mapping all-in-one method for digital mapping analysis. We prepared a functionalized Raman-silent polymer label of O157:H7, which was captured on a porous 4-mercaptophenylboric acid@Ag foam chip. To improve accuracy and widen the detection range, a digital mapping quantitative strategy was employed in data extraction and processing. By transfer mapping information into digitized statistical results, the limitation of obtaining reproducible intensity values just by randomly selected spots on the substrate can be addressed. With a wide linear range of 1.0 × 10-1.0 × 10 CFU mL and a limit of detection of 4.4 CFU mL, this all-in-one method had good sensitivity performance. Also, this method achieved good precision and selectivity in a series of experiments and was successfully applied to the analysis of beverage samples.
PubMed: 38934556
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01804 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Jun 2024Cannabis is the most common recreational drug worldwide and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists are currently the largest group of new psychoactive substances. The...
Clinical effects of cannabis compared to synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs): a retrospective cohort study of presentations with acute toxicity to European hospitals between 2013 and 2020.
INTRODUCTION
Cannabis is the most common recreational drug worldwide and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists are currently the largest group of new psychoactive substances. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features and outcomes of lone acute cannabis toxicity with lone acute synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist toxicity in a large series of presentations to European emergency departments between 2013-2020.
METHODS
Self-reported drug exposure, clinical, and outcome data were extracted from the European Drug Emergencies Network Plus which is a surveillance network that records data on drug-related emergency department presentations to 36 centres in 24 European countries. Cannabis exposure was considered the control in all analyses. To compare the lone cannabis and lone synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist groups, univariate analysis using chi squared testing was used for categorical variables and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U- testing for continuous variables. Statistical significance was defined as a value of < 0.05.
RESULTS
Between 2013-2020 there were 54,314 drug related presentations of which 2,657 were lone cannabis exposures and 503 lone synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist exposures. Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist presentations had statistically significantly higher rates of drowsiness, coma, agitation, seizures and bradycardia at the time of presentation. Cannabis presentations were significantly more likely to have palpitations, chest pain, hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, vomiting and headache.
DISCUSSION
Emergency department presentations involving lone synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist exposures were more likely to have neuropsychiatric features and be admitted to a psychiatric ward, and lone cannabis exposures were more likely to have cardiovascular features. Previous studies have shown variability in the acute toxicity of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists compared with cannabis but there is little comparative data available on lone exposures. There is limited direct comparison in the current literature between lone synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist and lone cannabis exposure, with only two previous poison centre series and two clinical series. Whilst this study is limited by self-report being used to identify the drug(s) involved in the presentations, previous studies have demonstrated that self-report is reliable in emergency department presentations with acute drug toxicity.
CONCLUSION
This study directly compares presentations with acute drug toxicity related to the lone use of cannabis or synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. It supports previous findings of increased neuropsychiatric toxicity from synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists compared to cannabis and provides further data on cardiovascular toxicity in lone cannabis use.
PubMed: 38934347
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2346125 -
Environmental Science & Technology Jun 2024Environmentally benign cerium-based catalysts are promising alternatives to toxic vanadium-based catalysts for controlling NO emissions via selective catalytic reduction...
Environmentally benign cerium-based catalysts are promising alternatives to toxic vanadium-based catalysts for controlling NO emissions via selective catalytic reduction (SCR), but conventional cerium-based catalysts unavoidably suffer from SO poisoning in low-temperature SCR. We develop a strongly sulfur-resistant Ce/TiO catalyst by spatially confining Ce atom pairs to different anchoring sites of anatase TiO(001) surfaces. Experimental results combined with theoretical calculations demonstrate that strong electronic interactions between the paired Ce atoms upshift the lowest unoccupied states to an energy level higher than the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of SO so as to be catalytically inert in SO oxidation but slightly lower than HOMO of NH so that Ce/TiO has desired ability toward NH activation required for SCR. Hence, Ce/TiO shows higher SCR activity and excellent stability in the presence of SO at low temperatures with respect to supported single Ce atoms. This work provides a general strategy to develop sulfur-resistant catalysts by tuning the electronic states of active sites for low-temperature SCR, which has implications for practical applications with energy-saving requirements.
PubMed: 38934332
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02997