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Scientific Reports Jun 2024Morbidity and mortality from several diseases are increased on days of higher ambient air pollution. We carried out a daily time-series analysis with distributive lags...
Morbidity and mortality from several diseases are increased on days of higher ambient air pollution. We carried out a daily time-series analysis with distributive lags to study the influence of short-term air pollution exposure on COVID-19 related hospitalization in Santiago, Chile between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Analyses were adjusted for temporal trends, ambient temperature, and relative humidity, and stratified by age and sex. 26,579 COVID-19 hospitalizations were recorded of which 24,501 were laboratory confirmed. The cumulative percent change in hospitalizations (95% confidence intervals) for an interquartile range increase in air pollutants were: 1.1 (0.2, 2.0) for carbon monoxide (CO), 0.30 (0.0, 0.50) for nitrogen dioxide (NO), and 2.7 (1.9, 3.0) for particulate matter of diameter ≤ 2.5 microns (PM). Associations with ozone (O), particulate matter of diameter ≤ 10 microns (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO) were not significant. The observed effect of PM was significantly greater for females and for those individuals ≥ 65 years old. This study provides evidence that daily increases in air pollution, especially PM, result in a higher observed risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. Females and the elderly may be disproportionately affected.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Chile; Hospitalization; Female; Male; Air Pollution; Aged; Middle Aged; Particulate Matter; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Adult; Carbon Monoxide; SARS-CoV-2; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Sulfur Dioxide; Young Adult
PubMed: 38902344
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64668-3 -
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of No-Ozone Cold Plasma in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Periodontitis Rats.International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by () in the oral cavity. This periodontal disease causes damage to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone and can...
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by () in the oral cavity. This periodontal disease causes damage to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone and can cause tooth loss, but there is no definite treatment yet. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using no-ozone cold plasma to safely treat periodontitis in the oral cavity. First, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were treated with -derived lipopolysaccharide (PG-LPS) to induce an inflammatory response, and then the anti-inflammatory effect of NCP was examined, and a study was conducted to identify the mechanism of action. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effect of NCP was verified in rats that developed an inflammatory response similar to periodontitis. When NCP was applied to PG-LPS-treated HGFs, the activities of inflammatory proteins and cytokines were effectively inhibited. It was confirmed that the process of denaturing the medium by charged particles of NCP is essential for the anti-inflammatory effect of NCP. Also, it was confirmed that repeated treatment of periodontitis rats with NCP effectively reduced the inflammatory cells and osteoclast activity. As a result, this study suggests that NCP can be directly helpful in the treatment of periodontitis in the future.
Topics: Animals; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Periodontitis; Lipopolysaccharides; Rats; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Gingiva; Fibroblasts; Ozone; Plasma Gases; Male; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Nitric Oxide; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38892350
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116161 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Currently, treatment with medical ozone (MO) is considered one of the most interesting and safe integrative options that can effectively complement many conventional...
Currently, treatment with medical ozone (MO) is considered one of the most interesting and safe integrative options that can effectively complement many conventional medical therapies, mainly, but not exclusively, involving aging and pain [...].
Topics: Ozone; Humans; Animals
PubMed: 38892336
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116148 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important... (Review)
Review
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important etiological factors of lower respiratory tract infections, and exposure to air pollution appears to be additionally associated with higher RSV incidence and disease severity. We aimed to systematically review the existing literature to determine which molecular mechanisms mediate the effects of NAC in an RSV infection and air pollution, and to identify the knowledge gaps in this field. A search for original studies was carried out in three databases and a calibrated extraction grid was used to extract data on the NAC treatment (dose, timing), the air pollutant type, and the most significant mechanisms. We identified only 28 studies conducted in human cellular models ( = 18), animal models ( = 7), and mixed models ( = 3). NAC treatment improves the barrier function of the epithelium damaged by RSV and air pollution, and reduces the epithelial permeability, protecting against viral entry. NAC may also block RSV-activated phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which promotes endocytosis and facilitates cell entry. EGFR also enhances the release of a mucin gene, MUC5AC, which increases mucus viscosity and causes goblet cell metaplasia; the effects are abrogated by NAC. NAC blocks virus release from the infected cells, attenuates the cigarette smoke-induced shift from necrosis to apoptosis, and reverses the block in IFN-γ-induced antiviral gene expression caused by the inhibited Stat1 phosphorylation. Increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines is induced by both RSV and air pollutants and is mediated by the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways that are activated in response to oxidative stress. MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, expressed and secreted by normal T cells) partially mediate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and therapeutic (but not preventive) NAC administration reduces the inflammatory response and has been shown to reduce ozone-induced AHR. Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and cellular senescence, observed during RSV infection and exposure to air pollution, can be partially reversed by NAC administration, while data on the emphysema formation are disputed. The review identified potential common molecular mechanisms of interest that are affected by NAC and may alleviate both the RSV infection and the effects of air pollution. Data are limited and gaps in knowledge include the optimal timing or dosage of NAC administration, therefore future studies should clarify these uncertainties and verify its practical use.
Topics: Humans; Acetylcysteine; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Animals; Air Pollution; ErbB Receptors
PubMed: 38892239
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116051 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that causes negative effects on vegetation, leading to significant losses in crop productivity. It is generated by chemical...
BACKGROUND
Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that causes negative effects on vegetation, leading to significant losses in crop productivity. It is generated by chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight between primary pollutants resulting from human activity, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Due to the constantly increasing emission of ozone precursors, together with the influence of a warming climate on ozone levels, crop losses may be aggravated in the future. Therefore, the search for solutions to mitigate these losses becomes a priority. Ozone-induced abiotic stress is mainly due to reactive oxygen species generated by the spontaneous decomposition of ozone once it reaches the apoplast. In this regard, compounds with antioxidant activity offer a viable option to alleviate ozone-induced damage. Using enzymatic technology, we have developed a process that enables the production of an extract with biostimulant properties from okara, an industrial soybean byproduct. The biostimulant, named as OEE (Okara Enzymatic Extract), is water-soluble and is enriched in bioactive compounds present in okara, such as isoflavones. Additionally, it contains a significant fraction of protein hydrolysates contributing to its functional effect. Given its antioxidant capacity, we aimed to investigate whether OEE could alleviate ozone-induced damage in plants. For that, pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) exposed to ozone were treated with a foliar application of OEE.
RESULTS
OEE mitigated ozone-induced damage, as evidenced by the net photosynthetic rate, electron transport rate, effective quantum yield of PSII, and delayed fluorescence. This protection was confirmed by the level of expression of genes associated with photosystem II. The beneficial effect was primarily due to its antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the lipid peroxidation rate measured through malondialdehyde content. Additionally, OEE triggered a mild oxidative response, indicated by increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and guaiacol peroxidase) and the oxidative stress index, providing further protection against ozone-induced stress.
CONCLUSIONS
The present results support that OEE protects plants from ozone exposure. Taking into consideration that the promotion of plant resistance against abiotic damage is an important goal of biostimulants, we assume that its use as a new biostimulant could be considered.
Topics: Ozone; Glycine max; Stress, Physiological; Antioxidants; Capsicum; Photosynthesis; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38890606
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05290-3 -
Journal of Environmental Health Science... Jun 2024Air pollution is a major cause of specific deaths worldwide. This review article aimed to investigate the results of cohort studies for air pollution connected with the... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Air pollution is a major cause of specific deaths worldwide. This review article aimed to investigate the results of cohort studies for air pollution connected with the all-cause, cardio-respiratory, and lung cancer mortality risk by performing a meta-analysis. Relevant cohort studies were searched in electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus). We used a random effect model to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and their 95% CIs (confidence intervals) of mortality. The risk of bias for each included study was also assessed by Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) checklists. We applied statistical tests for heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. The registration code of this study in PROSPERO was CRD42023422945. A total of 88 cohort studies were eligible and included in the final analysis. The pooled relative risk (RR) per 10 μg/m increase of fine particulate matter (PM) was 1.080 (95% CI 1.068-1.092) for all-cause mortality, 1.058 (95% CI 1.055-1.062) for cardiovascular mortality, 1.066 (95%CI 1.034-1.097) for respiratory mortality and 1.118 (95% CI 1.076-1.159) for lung cancer mortality. We observed positive increased associations between exposure to PM, PM, black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO) with all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and lung cancer mortality, but the associations were not significant for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO) and ozone (O). The risk of mortality for males and the elderly was higher compared to females and younger age. The pooled effect estimates derived from cohort studies provide substantial evidence of adverse air pollution associations with all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and lung cancer mortality.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-024-00900-6.
PubMed: 38887768
DOI: 10.1007/s40201-024-00900-6 -
Digital Health 2024This study aimed to estimate the variation in disease burden associated with air pollutants and other respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to estimate the variation in disease burden associated with air pollutants and other respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
We adopted a machine learning approach to calculate the excess mortality attributable to air pollutants and influenza, during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period.
RESULTS
In the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 8762 (95% confidence interval, 7503-9993), and 12,496 (11,718-13,332) excess all-cause deaths in Hong Kong. These figures correspond to 117.4 and 167.9 per 100,000 population, and 12.6% and 8.5% of total deaths in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Compared to the period before the pandemic, excess deaths from all-causes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, pneumonia and influenza attributable to influenza A and B significantly decreased in all age groups. However, excess deaths associated with ozone increased in all age-disease categories, while the relative change of nitrogen dioxide (NO) and particular matters less than 10 µm (PM) associated burden showed a varied pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
A notable shift in disease burden attributable to influenza and air pollutants was observed in the pandemic period, suggesting that both direct and indirect impacts shall be considered when assessing the global and regional burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PubMed: 38882249
DOI: 10.1177/20552076241261892 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study explores the modification of silk fibroin films for hydrophilic coating applications using various sugar alcohols. Films, prepared via solvent casting,...
This study explores the modification of silk fibroin films for hydrophilic coating applications using various sugar alcohols. Films, prepared via solvent casting, incorporated glycerol, sorbitol, and maltitol, revealing distinctive transparency and UV absorption characteristics based on sugar alcohol chemical structures. X-ray diffraction confirmed a silk I to silk II transition influenced by sugar alcohols. Glycerol proved most effective in enhancing the β-sheet structure. The study also elucidated a conformational shift towards a β-sheet structure induced by sugar alcohols. Silk fibroin-sugar alcohol blind docking and sugar alcohol-sugar alcohol blind docking investigations were conducted utilizing the HDOCK Server. The computer simulation unveiled the significance of size and hydrogen bonding characteristics inherent in sugar alcohols, emphasizing their pivotal role in influencing interactions within silk fibroin matrices. Hydrophilicity of ozonized silicone surfaces improved through successful coating with silk fibroin films, particularly glycerol-containing ones, resulting in reduced contact angles. Strong adhesion between silk fibroin films and ozonized silicone surfaces was evident, indicating robust hydrogen bonding interactions. This comprehensive research provides crucial insights into sugar alcohols' potential to modify silk fibroin film crystalline structures, offering valuable guidance for optimizing their design and functionality, especially in silicone coating applications.
Topics: Fibroins; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Sugar Alcohols; Hydrogen Bonding; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; X-Ray Diffraction; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 38877138
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64450-5 -
Environment International Jul 2024Previous studies of air pollution and respiratory disease often relied on aggregated or lagged acute respiratory disease outcome measures, such as emergency department...
Previous studies of air pollution and respiratory disease often relied on aggregated or lagged acute respiratory disease outcome measures, such as emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations, which may lack temporal and spatial resolution. This study investigated the association between daily air pollution exposure and respiratory symptoms among participants with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using a unique dataset passively collected by digital sensors monitoring inhaled medication use. The aggregated dataset comprised 456,779 short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) puffs across 3,386 people with asthma or COPD, between 2012 and 2019, across the state of California. Each rescue use was assigned space-time air pollution values of nitrogen dioxide (NO), fine particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) and ozone (O), derived from highly spatially resolved air pollution surfaces generated for the state of California. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear mixed models and random forest machine learning. Results indicate that daily air pollution exposure is positively associated with an increase in daily SABA use, for individual pollutants and simultaneous exposure to multiple pollutants. The advanced linear mixed model found that a 10-ppb increase in NO, a 10 μg m increase in PM, and a 30-ppb increase in O were respectively associated with incidence rate ratios of SABA use of 1.025 (95 % CI: 1.013-1.038), 1.054 (95 % CI: 1.041-1.068), and 1.161 (95 % CI: 1.127-1.233), equivalent to a respective 2.5 %, 5.4 % and 16 % increase in SABA puffs over the mean. The random forest machine learning approach showed similar results. This study highlights the potential of digital health sensors to provide valuable insights into the daily health impacts of environmental exposures, offering a novel approach to epidemiological research that goes beyond residential address. Further investigation is warranted to explore potential causal relationships and to inform public health strategies for respiratory disease management.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollution; California; Particulate Matter; Air Pollutants; Longitudinal Studies; Ozone; Environmental Exposure; Asthma; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Female; Middle Aged; Environmental Monitoring; Aged; Adult; Digital Health
PubMed: 38875815
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108810 -
Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy :... Jun 2024Autologous blood transfusion techniques are well applied in surgery, but the red blood cells (RBCs) collected during laparoscopic surgery may forfeit their ability to...
Ozone Improves Oxygenation and Offers Organ Protection after Autologous Blood Transfusion in a Simulated Carbon Dioxide Pneumoperitoneal Environment in a Rabbit Hemorrhagic Shock Model.
OBJECTIVES
Autologous blood transfusion techniques are well applied in surgery, but the red blood cells (RBCs) collected during laparoscopic surgery may forfeit their ability to oxygenate. O is a potent oxidation gas. This study investigates whether O could improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of RBCs, reduce inflammatory reactions, and offer organ protection.
METHODS
We established a hemorrhagic shock model in rabbits, and simulated CO pneumoperitoneum and O were applied before autologous blood transfusion. Perioperative mean arterial pressure and arterial blood gas were recorded, blood gas and RBC morphology of collected blood were analyzed, plasma IL-6, ALT, AST, CRE, and lung histopathology POD0 and POD3 were tested, as well as postoperative survival quality.
RESULTS
Autologous blood that underwent simulated CO pneumoperitoneum had a lower pH and SaO and a higher PaCO than the control group. After O treatment, PaO and SaO increased significantly, with unchanged pH values and PaCO. RBCs in autologous blood were drastically deformed after CO conditioning and then reversed to normal by O treatment. Rabbits that received CO-conditioned autologous blood had a compromised survival quality after surgery, higher plasma IL-6 levels, higher lung injury scores on POD0, higher ALT and AST levels on POD3, and O treatment alleviated these adverse outcomes.
CONCLUSION
O can restore RBC function, significantly improve blood oxygenation under simulated CO pneumoperitoneum, offer organ protection, and improve the postoperative survival quality in the rabbit hemorrhage shock model.
PubMed: 38867809
DOI: 10.1159/000527934