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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Endotoxin is a general term for toxic substances in Gram-negative bacteria, whose damaging effects are mainly derived from the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the cell... (Review)
Review
Endotoxin is a general term for toxic substances in Gram-negative bacteria, whose damaging effects are mainly derived from the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria, and is a strong pyrogen. Obesity is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory condition, and LPS are thought to trigger and exacerbate it. The gut flora is the largest source of LPS in the body, and it is increasingly believed that altered intestinal microorganisms can play an essential role in the pathology of different diseases. Today, the complex axis linking gut flora to inflammatory states and adiposity has not been well elucidated. This review summarises the evidence for an interconnection between LPS, obesity, and gut flora, further expanding our understanding of LPS as a mediator of low-grade inflammatory disease and contributing to lessening the effects of obesity and related metabolic disorders. As well as providing targets associated with LPS, obesity, and gut flora, it is hoped that interventions that combine targets with gut flora address the individual differences in gut flora treatment.
Topics: Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Obesity; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Animals; Inflammation
PubMed: 38673890
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084305 -
Environmental Analysis, Health and... Mar 2024The research determined the anthropogenic source and risk evaluation of total petroleum hydrocarbons of some ground water sources within Orji auto repair workshops,...
The research determined the anthropogenic source and risk evaluation of total petroleum hydrocarbons of some ground water sources within Orji auto repair workshops, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons in different groundwater samples within this vicinity were determined by selecting samples from five sampling locations using the liquid-liquid extraction process and gas chromatography fitted with a flame ionization detector. The concentrations of TPHs were determined with C15 (Pentadecane) and C30 (Triaconate) having the highest total concentrations in all sample locations of 29.67μg/mL and 23.17 μg/mL respectively while C13 (Tridecane) had the lowest combined concentration of 0.13 μg/mL with the presence of both low molecular weight and high molecular weight TPHs, an indication that the water samples had significant levels of carcinogens. Diagnostic ratio and correlation analyses of the samples analyzed showed contamination of the groundwater sources were both of petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. TPHs concentrations found in this study also revealed considerable amount of pollution with respect to contamination factors, pollution load index and degree of contamination. Elevated hazard index was equally observed for adults and children indicating a potential harm to the health of children and adults suggesting a higher risk of cancer from interaction with the polluted water. These results indicate that in remediation actions needs to be carried out before consumption to avoid fatal long term heath consequences.
PubMed: 38631400
DOI: 10.5620/eaht.2024008 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials May 2024Clay minerals (CMs) and pyrogenic carbons (PCs) often co-exist in the environment and participate in the redox cycling of pollutants. This study unveiled the dual role...
Clay minerals (CMs) and pyrogenic carbons (PCs) often co-exist in the environment and participate in the redox cycling of pollutants. This study unveiled the dual role of PCs in CM-dominated chromium transformation in both aqueous and agar solidification media. The findings showed that CMs and PCs adsorbed minimal Cr(VI), while reduced CMs and PCs displayed a substantial difference by directly reducing Cr(VI) to solid/dissolved Cr(III) through reactive structural Fe(II) and functional groups, respectively. Moreover, dissolved PCs were found to mediate electron transfer from reduced CMs to Cr(VI) in aqueous and solid media. Interestingly, the effect of solid PCs on Cr(VI) reduction by reduced CMs was concentration-dependent. At lower concentrations, solid PCs dispersed reduced CMs, acting as electron mediators and facilitating both direct and indirect Cr(VI) reduction, resulting in solid Cr(III) rather than dissolved Cr(III). Conversely, at higher concentrations, solid PCs served as redox buffers, storing electrons transferred from reduced CMs to Cr(VI). In either case, the transformed chromium was primarily immobilized on the surface of CMs rather than PCs. These findings offer valuable insights into pollutant transformations associated with CMs and PCs, deepening our understanding of their geochemical processes.
PubMed: 38615645
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134290 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2024Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) - a large group of organic chemicals naturally present in petroleum deposits (i.e., petrogenic) or released into the environment by...
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) - a large group of organic chemicals naturally present in petroleum deposits (i.e., petrogenic) or released into the environment by incomplete combustion of organic materials (i.e., pyrogenic) - represent a potential risk to the health of aquatic ecosystems. In high latitude freshwater ecosystems, concentrations of PACs may be increasing, yet there are limited studies in such systems to assess change and to understand threats. Using 10 years of contemporary data from passive samplers deployed across five regions (n = 43 sites) in the Mackenzie River Basin, we (i) describe baseline levels of PACs, (ii) assess spatiotemporal patterns, and (iii) evaluate the extent to which environmental factors (fire, snowmelt, and proximity to oil infrastructure) influence concentrations in this system. Measured concentrations were low, relative to those in more southern systems, with mixtures primarily being dominated by non-alkylated, low molecular weight compounds. Concentrations were spatially consistent, except for two sites near Norman Wells (an area of active oil extraction) with increased levels. Similarly, observed annual variation was minimal, with 2014 having generally higher levels of PACs. We did not detect effects of fire, snowmelt, or oil infrastructure on concentrations. Taken together, our findings suggest that PACs in the Mackenzie River are currently at low levels and are primarily petrogenic in origin. They further indicate that ongoing monitoring and testing of environmental drivers (especially at finer spatial scales) are needed to better predict how ecosystem change will influence PAC levels in the basin and in other northern systems.
Topics: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Rivers; Fresh Water
PubMed: 38614424
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123962 -
Environmental Science & Technology Apr 2024Increasing wildfire frequency, a consequence of global climate change, releases incomplete combustion byproducts such as aquatic pyrogenic dissolved organic matter (DOM)...
Increasing wildfire frequency, a consequence of global climate change, releases incomplete combustion byproducts such as aquatic pyrogenic dissolved organic matter (DOM) and black carbon (DBC) into waters, posing a threat to water security. In August 2022, a series of severe wildfires occurred in Chongqing, China. Samples from seven locations along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers revealed DBC, quantified by the benzene poly(carboxylic acid) (BPCA) method, comprising 9.5-19.2% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). High concentrations of BPCA-DBC with significant polycondensation were detected near wildfire areas, likely due to atmospheric deposition driven by wind. Furthermore, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) revealed that wildfires were associated with an increase in condensed aromatics, proteins, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, along with a decrease in lignins. The condensed aromatics primarily consisted of dissolved black nitrogen (DBN), contributing to abundant high-nitrogen-containing compounds in locations highly affected by wildfires. Meanwhile, wildfires potentially induced the input of recalcitrant sulfur-containing protein-like compounds, characterized by high oxidation, aliphatic nature, saturation, and low aromaticity. Overall, this study revealed the appearance of recalcitrant DBC and dissolved organic sulfur in river waters following wildfire events, offering novel insights into the potential impacts of wildfires on water quality and environmental biogeochemistry.
PubMed: 38597176
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00492 -
Regenerative Therapy Dec 2024Endotoxin is a typical pyrogen derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. In fabricating cell-based medicinal products, it is necessary to control...
INTRODUCTION
Endotoxin is a typical pyrogen derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. In fabricating cell-based medicinal products, it is necessary to control endotoxin in the process and the products. In the quality control tests of our clinical study, endotoxin concentration in the culture supernatant of autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets exceeded the criterion value. Therefore, endotoxin measurements were conducted to clarify the cause of the endotoxin contamination.
METHODS
The reagents used to prepare the culture medium, the unused culture medium, and the culture supernatants were diluted with pure water. Endotoxin concentrations in the diluted samples were measured.
RESULTS
Endotoxin was detected in both the unused culture medium and the culture supernatant of the epithelial cell sheets at higher concentrations than the criterion value. Therefore, endotoxin concentrations in the reagents used to prepare the culture medium were measured and were found to be below the criterion value, except for cholera toxin. On the other hand, three lots of cholera toxin products were used for the measurement, and the endotoxin concentrations were higher than the criterion value. The results indicate that the endotoxin contamination is caused by the cholera toxin product.
CONCLUSIONS
To prevent endotoxin contamination in cell-based medicinal products, endotoxin concentrations in reagents used for the fabrication should be measured in the facility conducting clinical research or confirmed by an adequate certificate of analysis from the manufacturers of the reagents.
PubMed: 38596824
DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.03.022 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024The Danube is a significant transboundary river on a global scale, with several tributaries. The effluents from industrial operations and wastewater treatment plants...
The Danube is a significant transboundary river on a global scale, with several tributaries. The effluents from industrial operations and wastewater treatment plants have an impact on the river's aquatic ecosystem. These discharges provide a significant threat to aquatic life by deteriorating the quality of water and sediment. Hence, a total of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds were analyzed at six locations along the river, covering a period of 12 months. The objective was to explore the temporal and spatial fluctuations of these chemicals in both water and sediment. The study revealed a significant fluctuation in the concentration of PAHs in water throughout the year, with levels ranging from 224.8 ng/L during the summer to 365.8 ng/L during the winter. Similarly, the concentration of PAHs in sediment samples varied from 316.7 ng/g in dry weight during the summer to 422.9 ng/g in dry weight during the winter. According to the Europe Drinking Water Directive, the levels of PAHs exceeded the permitted limit of 100 ng/L, resulting in a 124.8% rise in summer and a 265.8% increase in winter. The results suggest that the potential human-caused sources of PAHs were mostly derived from pyrolytic and pyrogenic processes, with pyrogenic sources being more dominant. Assessment of sediment quality standards (SQGs) showed that the levels of PAHs in sediments were below the Effect Range Low (ERL), except for acenaphthylene (Acy) and fluorene (Fl) concentrations. This suggests that there could be occasional biological consequences. The cumulative Individual Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) exceeds 1/10 for both adults and children in all sites.
Topics: Child; Humans; China; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Hungary; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Risk Assessment; Rivers; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Adult
PubMed: 38594356
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58793-2 -
Toxicology Letters Mar 2024High concentrations of low-density particles may cause effects in acute inhalation toxicity studies which can be easily underestimated or misinterpreted following...
High concentrations of low-density particles may cause effects in acute inhalation toxicity studies which can be easily underestimated or misinterpreted following strictly the OECD TG 436, i.e., limited parameters as mortality and gross lesions will be evaluated only. Seven particle types (synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) HMDZ-SAS, silica gel, pyrogenic SAS, and precipitated SAS, calcium carbonate, aluminum oxide pyrogenic alumina, organic red pigment) were chosen at the highest technically feasible concentration of approximately 500 mg/m for acute inhalation studies with an expanded endpoint setup. Therefore additional parameters and a thorough histopathological evaluation of an extensive set of organs, including the respiratory tract emphasizing the nasal cavities were added. Six Crl:WI rats per study were exposed for four hours from which three animals were sacrificed after 24 hours and three animals after 14 days. HMDZ-SAS caused early death in all animals due to blockage of the nasal passages caused by its hydrophobicity. For all other Si-containing compounds, histology revealed minor inflammatory and reactive lesions in lungs after 24 hours that were still present after 14 days, except in silica gel-treated animals. After 14 days, for pyrogenic SAS, precipitated SAS, and pyrogenic alumina, granulomas formed in the BALT and lung-associated lymph nodes. In contrast, the calcium carbonate induced almost no findings, and the red pigment (also tested for the additional dose of 1000 mg/m) stuck partially to the nasal mucosa without causing pathological damage and partly entered the lungs without showing any adverse effects. The results of the present study highlight the advantage of improving the rather simple study design of acute inhalation studies by implementing an extended study design.
PubMed: 38518988
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.03.006 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Urban trees' biomonitoring of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) yields pertinent and useful data for air pollution management. The aim of this...
Urban trees' biomonitoring of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) yields pertinent and useful data for air pollution management. The aim of this study was to biomonitor PAHs in pine (Pinus eldarica Medw.) trees in the city of Isfahan and identify their sources. In total, 34 samples of outer bark of the trees were collected and their contents of 16 EPA PAHs were analyzed. With a median value of 136.3 ng/g, the total PAH contents in tree barks varied from 53.4 to 705.2 ng/g. The average values of the diagnostic ratios for Ant/(Ant + Phe), Flu/(Flu + Py), BaA/(BaA + Chr) and IP/(IP + BP) were 0.19, 0.49, 0.45 and 0.49, respectively, revealing the PAHs majority source of pyrogenic. Meanwhile, principal component analysis showed two major types of PAHs sources including pyrogenic (fossil fuel combustion and industrial activities) and petrogenic (uncombusted) sources. The average ratio An/(An + Phe) and Flu/(Flu + Py) in bark samples was close to their relevant ratios in ambient air which demonstrated the potential use of this approach for biomonitoring of PAHs.
Topics: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Biological Monitoring; Plant Bark; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Pinus; China; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 38491054
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56182-3 -
Physiological Research Mar 2024To explore the mechanism whereby cGAS-STING pathway regulates the pyroptosis of cryptorchidism cells, with a view to finding a new strategy for clinically treating...
To explore the mechanism whereby cGAS-STING pathway regulates the pyroptosis of cryptorchidism cells, with a view to finding a new strategy for clinically treating cryptorchidism-induced infertility. Spermatogonial GC-1 cells were heat stimulated to simulate the heat hurt microenvironment of cryptorchidism. The cell viability was assayed by CCK-8, and cellular DNA damage was detected by gamma-H2AX immunofluo-rescence assay. Flow cytometry was employed to assess pyroptosis index, while western blot, ELISA and PCR were used to examine the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins (Caspase-1, IL-1beta, NLRP3) and cGAS-STING pathway proteins (cGAS, STING). After STING silencing by siRNA, the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins were determined. Pyroptosis occurred after heat stimulation of cells. Morphological detection found cell swelling and karyopyknosis. According to the gamma-H2AX immunofluorescence (IFA) assay, the endonuclear green fluorescence was significantly enhanced, the gamma-H2AX content markedly increased, and the endonuclear DNA was damaged. Flow cytometry revealed a significant increase in pyroptosis index. Western blot and PCR assays showed that the expressions of intracellular pyrogenic proteins like Caspase-1, NLRP3 and GSDMD were elevated. The increased STING protein and gene expressions in cGAS-STING pathway suggested that the pathway was intracellularly activated. Silencing STING protein in cGAS-STING pathway led to significantly inhibited pyroptosis. These results indicate that cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in heat stress-induced pyroptosis of spermatogonial cells. After heat stimulation of spermatogonial GC-1 cells, pyroptosis was induced and cGAS-STING pathway was activated. This study can further enrich and improve the molecular mechanism of cryptorchidism.
Topics: Male; Humans; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Pyroptosis; Cryptorchidism; Spermatogonia; Heat Stroke; Nucleotidyltransferases; Chromogranin A; Caspase 1; Signal Transduction; Acetates; Phenols
PubMed: 38466010
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935163