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Poultry Science Jun 2024The aim of this study was to examine the effects of NH variations across different positions within a cage-reared duck house on the egg production performance and fecal...
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of NH variations across different positions within a cage-reared duck house on the egg production performance and fecal microbiome in Muscovy ducks. Totals of 3,168 female Muscovy ducks (180 ± 2 d) were randomly assigned to 1,056 cages. From d 293 to 300, the egg production rate and levels of NH, HS, CO, temperature, humidity, light intensity, and dust particles were recorded. Two spatial distribution-based experimental classification methods were applied, one grouping ducks into Front, Middle, and End categories, and the other into First, Second, and Third layers. On d 300, serum and feces samples were collected for further analysis. The result showed that both the egg production rate and serum PROG level in the Front were higher than End (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found among the First, Second, and Third groups. Among the environmental factors, ammonia (NH) is a major harmful gas in cage-reared duck houses, with observed concentrations showing a gradient from lower levels in the Front group to higher levels in the Middle group (P < 0.05), and even higher levels in the End group (P < 0.05). Gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes in both the Front and Middle groups compared to the End group (P < 0.05). Specifically, within the Firmicutes phylum, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Romboutsia was notably higher in the Front group compared to both the Middle and End groups (P < 0.05). What's more, the abundance of Lactobacillus had a negative correlation with NH concentration and positive correlation with egg production rate. In conclusion, NH concentrations showed variations across different areas of the cage-reared duck house, with higher levels detected at the rear. The elevated NH level was identified as the main factor negatively impacting egg production in Muscovy ducks and contributing to a decline in the abundance of Firmicutes, specifically Lactobacillus.
PubMed: 38908123
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103938 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Mononuclear phagocytes (MNP), including macrophages and dendritic cells form an essential component of primary responses to environmental hazards and toxic exposures....
Mononuclear phagocytes (MNP), including macrophages and dendritic cells form an essential component of primary responses to environmental hazards and toxic exposures. This is particularly important in disease conditions such as asthma and allergic airway disease, where many different cell types are present. In this study, we differentiated CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells towards different populations of MNP in an effort to understand how different cell subtypes present in inflammatory disease microenvironments respond to the common allergen house dust mite (HDM). Using single cell mRNA sequencing, we demonstrate that macrophage subtypes MC and MLC display different patterns of gene expression after HDM challenge, noted especially for the chemokines CXCL5, CXCL8, CCL5 and CCL15. MLC alternatively activated macrophages displayed the greatest changes in expression, while neutrophil and monocyte populations did not respond. Further work investigated how pollutant diesel exhaust particles could modify these transcriptional responses and revealed that CXC but not CC type chemokines were further upregulated. Through the use of diesel particles with adsorbed material removed, we suggest that soluble pollutants on these particles are the active constituents responsible for the modifying effects on HDM. This study highlights that environmental exposures may influence tissue responses dependent on which MNP cell type is present, and that these should be considerations when modelling such events in vitro. Understanding the nuanced responsiveness of different immune cell types to allergen and pollutant exposure also contributes to a better understanding of how these exposures influence the development and exacerbation of human disease.
Topics: Animals; Pyroglyphidae; Humans; Phagocytes; Macrophages; Allergens; Vehicle Emissions; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Dendritic Cells; Gene Expression Regulation
PubMed: 38902328
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64783-1 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Jun 2024Respirable crystalline silica is a well-known cause of silicosis but may also be associated with other types of interstitial lung disease. We examined the associations...
BACKGROUND
Respirable crystalline silica is a well-known cause of silicosis but may also be associated with other types of interstitial lung disease. We examined the associations between occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the risk of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis.
METHODS
The total Danish working population was followed 1977-2015. Annual individual exposure to respirable crystalline silica was estimated using a quantitative job exposure matrix. Cases were identified in the Danish National Patient Register. We conducted adjusted analyses of exposure-response relations between cumulative silica exposure and other exposure metrics and idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis.
RESULTS
Mean cumulative exposure was 125 µg/m-years among exposed workers. We observed increasing incidence rate ratios with increasing cumulative silica exposure for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, pulmonary sarcoidosis and silicosis. For idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and pulmonary sarcoidosis, trends per 50 µg/m-years were 1.03 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.03) and 1.06 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.07), respectively. For silicosis, we observed the well-known exposure-response relation with a trend per 50 µg/m-years of 1.20 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.23).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that silica inhalation may be related to pulmonary sarcoidosis and idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, though these findings may to some extent be explained by diagnostic misclassification. The observed exposure-response relations for silicosis at lower cumulative exposure levels than previously reported need to be corroborated in analyses that address the limitations of this study.
PubMed: 38902031
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2023-108964 -
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Jun 2024An important aspect of geochemical studies is determining health hazard of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Key information on PTEs behaviour in the human body in case...
An important aspect of geochemical studies is determining health hazard of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Key information on PTEs behaviour in the human body in case of their ingestion is provided with the use of in vitro bioaccessibility tests. We analysed and compared oral bioaccessibility of a wide range of PTEs (As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, Hg, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn), including some that are not often studied but might pose a human health hazard, in soil, attic dust, street dust, and household dust, using Unified BARGE Method (UBM). Additionally, feasibility of usage of scanning electron microscope techniques in analyses of solid residuals of UBM phases was tested. Results show that bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) of PTEs vary significantly between individual samples of the same medium, between different media and between the gastric and gastro-intestinal phases. In soil, attic dust and street dust, bioaccessibility of individual PTE is mostly higher in gastric than in gastro-intestinal phase. The opposite is true for PTEs in household dust. In all four media, with the exception of Pb in household dust, among the most bioaccessible PTEs in gastric phase are Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. During the transition from the stomach to small intestine, the mean BAFs of most elements in soil, attic dust, and street dust decreases. The most bioaccessible PTEs in gastro-intestinal phase are Cu, Cd, Ni, and As. Micromorphological and chemical characterisation at individual particle level before and after bioaccessibility test contribute significantly to the understanding of oral bioaccessibility.
Topics: Dust; Humans; Biological Availability; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Soil Pollutants; Cities; Environmental Exposure; Soil; Metals, Heavy; Hazardous Substances
PubMed: 38900276
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02073-5 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Jun 2024The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) is essential for airway remodeling during asthma. Wnt5a has been implicated in...
BACKGROUND
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) is essential for airway remodeling during asthma. Wnt5a has been implicated in various lung diseases, while its role in the EMT of HBECs during asthma is yet to be determined. This study sought to define whether Wnt5a initiated EMT, leading to airway remodeling through the induction of autophagy in HBECs.
METHODS
Microarray analysis was used to investigate the expression change of WNT5A in asthma patients. In parallel, EMT models were induced using 16HBE cells by exposing them to house dust mites (HDM) or interleukin-4 (IL-4), and then the expression of Wnt5a was observed. Using in vitro gain- and loss-of-function approaches via Wnt5a mimic peptide FOXY5 and Wnt5a inhibitor BOX5, the alterations in the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and the mesenchymal marker protein were observed. Mechanistically, the Ca/CaMKII signaling pathway and autophagy were evaluated. An autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was used to examine Wnt5a in the regulation of autophagy during EMT. Furthermore, we used a CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 to determine whether Wnt5a induced autophagy overactivation and EMT via the Ca/CaMKII signaling pathway.
RESULTS
Asthma patients exhibited a significant increase in the gene expression of WNT5A compared to the healthy control. Upon HDM and IL-4 treatments, we observed that Wnt5a gene and protein expression levels were significantly increased in 16HBE cells. Interestingly, Wnt5a mimic peptide FOXY5 significantly inhibited E-cadherin and upregulated α-SMA, Collagen I, and autophagy marker proteins (Beclin1 and LC3-II). Rhodamine-phalloidin staining showed that FOXY5 resulted in a rearrangement of the cytoskeleton and an increase in the quantity of stress fibers in 16HBE cells. Importantly, blocking Wnt5a with BOX5 significantly inhibited autophagy and EMT induced by IL-4 in 16HBE cells. Mechanistically, autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 reduced the EMT of 16HBE cells caused by FOXY5, as well as the increase in stress fibers, cell adhesion, and autophagy.
CONCLUSION
This study illustrates a new link in the Wnt5a-Ca/CaMKII-autophagy axis to triggering airway remodeling. Our findings may provide novel strategies for the treatment of EMT-related diseases.
Topics: Humans; Wnt-5a Protein; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Autophagy; Asthma; Epithelial Cells; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; Bronchi; Male; Cell Line; Female; Middle Aged; Signal Transduction; Adult
PubMed: 38898476
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00862-3 -
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy 2024Standard precautions are crucial for infection control in healthcare. Studies show public hospitals' adherence, but data on private hospitals are scarce. Understanding...
INTRODUCTION
Standard precautions are crucial for infection control in healthcare. Studies show public hospitals' adherence, but data on private hospitals are scarce. Understanding this disparity is vital for safety, policy, and better patient outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to assess precautions and associated factors among healthcare workers at public and private hospitals in Northeast Ethiopia.
METHODS
A comparative cross-sectional study compared healthcare institutions. A total of 470 workers participated via stratified random sampling. Data collection used a pre-tested questionnaire and observation checklist. Epi data managed entry, while STATA analyzed. Binary logistic regression determined significance (P<0.05) for variables.
RESULTS
The overall adherence to standard precautions was 51.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 46.9-56.2). At public and private hospitals, it was 52.2% (95% CI: 45.6-58.6) and 60.4% (95% CI: 53.9-66.9), respectively. In public hospitals adherence was affected by female sex [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.58; 95% CI: 1.32-5.02], availability of written guidelines [AOR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.62-5.94], having good knowledge [AOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.03-4.11] and favorable attitude towards standard precautions [AOR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.14-4.27]. In private hospitals, it was affected by the availability of running tape water [AOR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.10-5.04], personal protective equipment (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI; 1.01-4.93), color-coded dust bins [AOR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.04-5.21], having good knowledge [AOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.07-4.13] and favorable attitude [AOR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.39-4.97].
CONCLUSION
The adherence to standard precautions was higher among private than public hospital healthcare workers in Dessie City, Ethiopia. Thus, ensuring adequate availability of personal protective equipment, safety materials, and running tap water in working rooms, particularly in public hospitals is highly recommended. The initiatives aimed at promoting adherence to standard precautions should be designed and put into action for public hospitals.
PubMed: 38894815
DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S453735 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024With the steady increase in allergy prevalence worldwide, there is a strong need for novel diagnostic tools for precise, fast, and less invasive testing methods. Herein,...
With the steady increase in allergy prevalence worldwide, there is a strong need for novel diagnostic tools for precise, fast, and less invasive testing methods. Herein, a miniatured fluorescence-based biosensing system is developed for the rapid and quantitative detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin-E. An antibody-based fluorescence assay in a microfluidic-patterned slide, combined with a custom-made portable fluorescence reader for image acquisition and user-friendly software for the data analysis, enables obtaining results for multiple allergens in just ~1 h with only 80 μL of blood serum. The multiplexed detection of common birch, timothy grass, cat epithelia, house dust mite, and dog epithelia shows quantitative IgE-mediated allergic responses to specific allergens in control serum samples with known total IgE concentration. The responses are verified with different control tests and measurements with a commercial fluorescence reader. These results open the door to point-of-care allergy screening for early diagnosis and broader access and for large-scale research in allergies.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Allergens; Point-of-Care Systems; Immunoglobulin E; Animals; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Fluorescence; Dogs; Cats
PubMed: 38894075
DOI: 10.3390/s24113280 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Permeable pavement is a technology that allows rainwater to infiltrate into the pavement. Permeable pavements not only help reduce surface runoff by allowing rainwater...
Permeable pavement is a technology that allows rainwater to infiltrate into the pavement. Permeable pavements not only help reduce surface runoff by allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the pavement, but also improve water quality with the filter layer that removes particulate matter pollutants. This study evaluated the particulate matter removal efficiency of bottom ash-sand mixtures as filter layers for removing fine (≤10 μm) or ultrafine (≤2.5 μm) particulate matter in the laboratory. Five filter media were tested: silica sand, bottom ash, and bottom ash-sand mixtures with 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 ratios. The mixed filters exhibited more consistent and stable particulate matter removal efficiency over time than either the uniform sand or bottom ash filter. The 50:50 bottom ash-sand mixture demonstrated removal rates of 58.05% for 1.8 μm particles, 93.92% for 10 μm particles, and 92.45% for 60 μm particles. These findings highlight the potential of bottom ash-sand mixtures as effective filter media for removing PM10 road dust, although field validation with actual pavement systems is necessary.
PubMed: 38894014
DOI: 10.3390/ma17112749 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of death worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify and demonstrate correlations between mortality data and...
Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of death worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify and demonstrate correlations between mortality data and etiological factors in EU countries. The relationships presented could thus provide a better understanding of etiological factors and possible points for interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The focus was on the following diseases: hypertensive heart disease, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and ischemic heart disease, as well as heart failure. The data in this study come from WHO databases. Connections between the mortality rates and the possible influencing factors were analyzed. The significant factors from the correlation analysis were simultaneously evaluated using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Analysis of hypertensive heart disease in women reveals the following factors to be significant: drug expenses, health expenses on gross domestic product, and smoking. For men, population density, first admission to a drug treatment center, and drug expenses per person emerged as important factors. Admission to drug treatment centers and length of hospitalization were significant factors for atrial fibrillation and flutter. Fine dust pollution was the most important factor in heart failure. The most important influencing factor for myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease is nitrogen dioxide concentration. For women, the second highest value is health expenses, followed by the number of outpatient contacts per year. For men, outpatient contacts are in second place. Prevention measures must be taken by the government. The extent to which population density has an influence on cardiovascular diseases should be examined in more detail. In order to reduce the number of initial admissions to drug treatment centers, behavioral prevention related to drug use could be improved.
PubMed: 38893019
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113308 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Obese patients with asthma present with aggravated symptoms that are also harder to treat. Here, we used a mouse model of allergic asthma sensitised and challenged to...
Obese patients with asthma present with aggravated symptoms that are also harder to treat. Here, we used a mouse model of allergic asthma sensitised and challenged to house dust mite (HDM) extracts to determine whether high-fat-diet consumption would exacerbate the key features of allergic airway inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally sensitised and challenged with HDM extracts over a duration of 3 weeks. The impact of high-fat-diet (HFD) vs. normal diet (ND) chow was studied on HDM-induced lung inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration as well as cytokine production. HFD-fed mice had greater inflammatory cell infiltration around airways and blood vessels, and an overall more severe degree of inflammation than in the ND-fed mice (semiquantitative blinded evaluation). Quantitative assessment of HDM-associated Th2 responses (numbers of lung CD4 T cells, eosinophils, serum levels of allergen-specific IgE as well as the expression of Th2 cytokines ( and )) did not show significant changes between the HFD and ND groups. Interestingly, the HFD group exhibited a more pronounced neutrophilic infiltration within their lung tissues and an increase in non-Th2 cytokines (, , , ). These findings provide additional evidence that obesity triggered by a high-fat-diet regimen may exacerbate asthma by involving non-Th2 and neutrophilic pathways.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Obesity; Disease Models, Animal; Mice; Diet, High-Fat; Th2 Cells; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cytokines; Pyroglyphidae; Lung; Inflammation; Immunoglobulin E; Female; Allergens
PubMed: 38892358
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116170