-
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2023Franch (RC), has historically been used for the treatment of "Xiao Ke" and "Xia Li" symptoms in China. "Xia Li" is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea, which...
Franch (RC), has historically been used for the treatment of "Xiao Ke" and "Xia Li" symptoms in China. "Xia Li" is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea, which are similar to the clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC). For the first time, this study aims to compare the anti-colitis effects of berberine (BBR) and total RC alkaloids (TRCA) and investigate the underlying metabolites and gut microbiota biomarkers. Metabolomics results showed that several colitis-related biomarkers, including lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, scopolamine-methyl-bromide, N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, 4-hydroxyretinoic acid, and malic acid, were significantly improved in model mice after BBR and TRCA treatments. High-dose BBR and TRCA treatments reversed the mouse colon shortening caused by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), alleviated bowel wall swelling, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. BBR and TRCA restored the damaged mucosa integrity in colitis mice by upregulating claudin 1 and occludin, preventing colon epithelium apoptosis by inhibiting the cleavage of caspase 3. Additionally, BBR and TRCA significantly decreased the richness of the pathogenic bacteria but increased the abundance of the probiotic . Notably, TRCA exhibited superior anti-colitis effects to those of BBR. Thus, this agent warrants further study and application in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in the clinic.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Colitis, Ulcerative; Berberine; Coptis chinensis; Colitis; Microbiota; Colon; Biomarkers; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 37930330
DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X23500945 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Oct 2023The storage mite infests a wide range of food products including pet food. Control of this mite depends on chemical methods such as fumigation and spraying with...
The storage mite infests a wide range of food products including pet food. Control of this mite depends on chemical methods such as fumigation and spraying with insecticides. Methyl bromide was used as a fumigant for high-value stored products, especially to control mite infestation in dry-cured hams and cheeses, but it is now banned for most uses in many countries because of its atmospheric ozone-depleting effects. Effective alternatives to methyl bromide are needed to develop integrated pest management programs for this pest. Liquid smoke is a naturally derived flavoring and preservative with known antimicrobial properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of liquid smoke preparations, with varying phenol and carbonyl concentrations and pH, on the survivability and orientation behavior of in a model semi-moist pet food. The mite survivability assays using liquid smoke-treated and untreated semi-moist pet food samples indicated that there was no difference among treatments ( > 0.05) for mite infestation and survival. Two-choice behavioral assays using semi-moist pet food cubes dipped in varying concentrations (0%, 0.3%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, or 100% /) of liquid smoke preparations found that some of the liquid smoke preparations containing medium to high carbonyl content repelled the mites. In conclusion, liquid smoke did not kill or inhibit the mite population growth in semi-moist pet food. However, some liquid smoke fractions containing medium to high carbonyl content were repellent to mites and may retard mite infestation in stored semi-moist foods.
PubMed: 37893912
DOI: 10.3390/ani13203188 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Salt marshes are sensitive highly productive habitats crucial for carbon cycling. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of organic geochemical indicators and...
Salt marshes are sensitive highly productive habitats crucial for carbon cycling. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of organic geochemical indicators and geochronology in the Mira salt marsh (SW Portugal) over eight centuries. The closely intertwined carbon and bromine (Br) biogeochemical cycles in these environments can influence the fluxes of volatile compounds such as ozone-depleting methyl bromide, emphasizing the importance of understanding sediment organic matter (OM) origin, budget, and composition in salt marshes. To characterize the strong Br-OM relationship, we used n-alkane signatures, bulk elemental data (total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio), and stable isotopes (δN, δC) from a sediment core. Findings revealed a mixed composition of terrestrial and marine OM, posing challenges in distinguishing ex situ higher plant sources from in situ production by marsh vegetation. n-Alkanes (C to C) were found in all the sediment samples, predominantly C-C. Changes in their presence were linked to marsh succession, evolving from a vegetation-free tidal flat to a C halophyte-dominated high marsh ecosystem. Despite the area's low industrial and population impact, regulation of water flow through the dam affected the balance between continental and marine waters. This study aimed to create a cost-effective predictive model for total Br, enhancing paleoclimatic studies using sedimentary samples. The n-alkane model had limited resolution, but an alternative infrared (IR) spectroscopy-based model, requiring less time and smaller sample sizes, was developed. Combining FT-IR spectra with statistical analysis enabled the creation of a reliable total Br concentration prediction model (mean absolute error = 14.39). These findings have implications for controlling Br enrichment in marsh environments and can be applied in various coastal wetlands with different mineralogical and organic characteristics.
PubMed: 37863236
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167931 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jan 2024Photocatalytic nitrate (NO) reduction is considered a promising green and non-polluting technology to solve the nitrate pollution of groundwater and surface water....
Photocatalytic nitrate (NO) reduction is considered a promising green and non-polluting technology to solve the nitrate pollution of groundwater and surface water. Herein, a novel Br-substituted BiWO ultrathin nanosheets were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method in a strong acid environment containing sixteen alkyl three methyl bromide (CTAB). The catalytic system solves the problems of low carrier separation efficiency, poor performance under alkaline conditions, and a hard-to-activate N = O bond, achieving efficient NO removal under alkaline conditions along with high N selectivity. It was confirmed that Br-substituted BiWO produced the [WO] units with a strong electron-withdrawing property by changing the polarity of the O-W-O bond. As a result, the effective space charge separation caused by the change of the W valence state and the spontaneous fracture behavior of the N = O bond improved the carriers utilization efficiency and distinctly reduced the reaction energy consumption, synergistically achieving excellent performance.
PubMed: 37832434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132683 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Methyl bromide (MB) is worldwide the only effective fumigant heavily used for quarantine pre-shipment treatment and has a critical use exemption for soil fumigations due...
Methyl bromide (MB) is worldwide the only effective fumigant heavily used for quarantine pre-shipment treatment and has a critical use exemption for soil fumigations due to its excellent permeability and insecticidal effect. However, MB should be replaced as it is an an ozone-depleting substance and also highly toxic to humans. Recently, MB has been shown to be hazardous even for asymptomatic workers, affecting their central and autonomic nervous systems. However, the effects of MB exposure on vascular health have not been explored. This study aimed to determine whether MB affects the arterial system of asymptomatic workers. We measured the second derivative of the photoplethysmogram (SDPTG) indices, which are indicators of vascular load and aging, and urinary bromide ion (Br) concentrations in 44 fumigators (study group) and 20 inspectors (control group) before and after fumigation. In fumigators, the mean values of post-work SDPTG indices (b/a, c/a, d/a, e/a, and SDPTG aging index) and Br levels were significantly changed compared to their pre-work values ( < 0.05), indicating a negative effect on their cardiovascular health. In contrast, SDPTG indices and Br levels in inspectors did not show any differences before and after work. All SDPTG indices except c/a showed significant correlations with Br levels in all individuals ( < 0.05). In conclusion, the Br levels and SDPTG indices of fumigators varied after MB work, and they experienced negative effects on their health despite being asymptomatic.
Topics: Humans; Photoplethysmography; Aging; Hydrocarbons, Brominated; Insecticides
PubMed: 37818301
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1224143 -
Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi = Journal of... Mar 2024A new system for the regulation of chemical substances was introduced in Japan in April 2023. Unlike delineated rules, the new system does not specify any specific...
OBJECTIVE
A new system for the regulation of chemical substances was introduced in Japan in April 2023. Unlike delineated rules, the new system does not specify any specific measures for individual substances, but is rather based on the management of health through the voluntary implementation of measures in order to reduce exposure to all dangerous/hazardous chemical substances. Regarding specific methods, exposures will be mainly elucidated through the measurement of a work environment. However, the necessity of biological monitoring should also be considered. This study aimed to identify the importance of biological monitoring by reviewing changes made over time in biological monitoring methods used for occupational poisoning.
METHOD
The study presents occupational poisoning by several compounds (methyl bromide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and MOCA) and the corresponding biological monitoring methods utilized, as researched by the author. Changes in biological monitoring based on the history of the Study Group on Occupational Poisoning and Biological Monitoring of the Japan Society for Occupational Health are also introduced.
RESULTS
The areas of occupational poisoning at different times and cases of occupational cancer caused by exposure to chemical substances were presented in lectures held by the Study Group on Occupational Poisoning and Biological Monitoring. These lectures showed that although biological monitoring was previously implemented primarily by measuring the urinary metabolites of the exposed substance, the monitoring methods used have changed as the nature of exposure has changed, leading to the development of new tools that detect trace, low concentration, and mixed exposures.
CONCLUSION
The health management of workers handling chemical substances at occupational sites will be shifted to autonomous management. However, it should be noted that only biological monitoring can detect and prove true exposure. Particularly, risk assessment by biological monitoring is necessary for substances that are suspected to be absorbed through the skin, and the measurement methods used should continue to be developed and refined. The significance of biological monitoring will continue to increase.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Exposure; Biological Monitoring; Hazardous Substances; Occupational Health; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 37766566
DOI: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-026-A -
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Dec 2023Due to the phaseout of methyl bromide (MeBr), there is a need for broad-spectrum soil fumigation alternatives for pest management. Little is known about the impact of...
Due to the phaseout of methyl bromide (MeBr), there is a need for broad-spectrum soil fumigation alternatives for pest management. Little is known about the impact of fumigation alternatives on foodborne pathogens, such as , in agricultural soils. This study investigated the effect of MeBr alternative fumigants on reduction in soil. Sandy loam soil was collected from a conventional farmed vegetable field and inoculated with either Newport J1892 or Typhimurium ATCC 14028 (5.9 ± 0.3 log colony-forming unit [CFU]/g). Each of the four fumigants labeled for pest management (1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, dimethyl disulfide, and metam sodium) was applied at labeled maximum application field levels to soil in pots and stored for a 2-week period. Sterile water was used as a control. Following the 2-week period, concentrations in soil samples were enumerated at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days postfumigation. The mean concentration of Newport was significantly higher than that of Typhimurium 1 day after fumigation ( = 0.015). Fumigation using 1,3-dichloropropene or dimethyl disulfide significantly reduced Newport and Typhimurium concentrations, compared with the sterile water control. The rate of reduction in soil treated with dimethyl disulfide was higher (0.17 ± 0.02 log CFU/g/day), compared with soil treated with the other fumigants (0.10-0.12 log CFU/g/day). Due to the reduction of , alternative fumigation treatments may mitigate potential contamination in soil within farm environments.
Topics: Soil; Salmonella enterica; Fumigation; Pesticides; Water
PubMed: 37738333
DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0031 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Sep 2023The application of microfluidic techniques in experimental and environmental studies is a rapidly emerging field. Water-in-oil microdroplets can serve readily as...
The application of microfluidic techniques in experimental and environmental studies is a rapidly emerging field. Water-in-oil microdroplets can serve readily as controllable micro-vessels for studies that require spatial structure. In many applications, it is useful to monitor cell growth without breaking or disrupting the microdroplets. To this end, optical reporters based on color, fluorescence, or luminescence have been developed. However, optical reporters suffer from limitations when used in microdroplets such as inaccurate readings due to strong background interference or limited sensitivity during early growth stages. In addition, optical detection is typically not amenable to filamentous or biofilm-producing organisms that have significant nonlinear changes in opacity and light scattering during growth. To overcome such limitations, we show that volatile methyl halide gases produced by reporter cells expressing a methyl halide transferase (MHT) can serve as an alternative nonoptical detection approach suitable for microdroplets. In this study, an MHT-labeled reporter strain was constructed and characterized. Protocols were established for the encapsulation and incubation of in microdroplets. We observed the complete life cycle for including the vegetative expansion of mycelia, mycelial fragmentation, and late-stage sporulation. Methyl bromide (MeBr) production was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from gas reporters incubated in either liquid suspension or microdroplets and used to quantitatively estimate bacterial density. Overall, using MeBr production as a means of quantifying bacterial growth provided a 100- to 1,000-fold increase in sensitivity over optical or fluorescence measurements of a comparable reporter strain expressing fluorescent proteins. IMPORTANCE Quantitative measurement of bacterial growth in microdroplets is desirable but challenging. Current optical reporter systems suffer from limitations when applied to filamentous or biofilm-producing organisms. In this study, we demonstrate that volatile methyl halide gas production can serve as a quantitative nonoptical growth assay for filamentous bacteria encapsulated in microdroplets. We constructed an gas reporter strain and observed a complete life cycle for encapsulated in microdroplets, establishing microdroplets as an alternative growth environment for spp. that can provide spatial structure. We detected MeBr production from both liquid suspension and microdroplets with a 100- to 1,000-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio compared to optical assays. Importantly, we could reliably detect bacteria with densities down to 10 CFU/mL. The combination of quantitative gas reporting and microdroplet systems provides a valuable approach to studying fastidious organisms that require spatial structure such as those found typically in soils.
Topics: Emulsions; Fluorescence; Gases; Transferases
PubMed: 37699129
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00764-23 -
Insects Aug 2023is a highly polyphagous invasive pest that poses a significant quarantine threat to tropical and subtropical countries. Infested commodities in international trade...
is a highly polyphagous invasive pest that poses a significant quarantine threat to tropical and subtropical countries. Infested commodities in international trade should undergo phytosanitary treatment, and irradiation is recommended as a viable alternative to replace methyl bromide fumigation. Dose-response tests were conducted on the 2-, 4-, and 6-day-old eggs and gravid females of . using the X-ray radiation doses of 15-105 Gy with an interval of 15 Gy. Radiotolerance was compared using ANOVA, fiducial overlapping and lethal dose ratio (LDR) test, resulting in no significant difference among treatments, except for the overall mortality and LDR at LD (a dose causing 90% mortality at 95% confidence level). The estimated dose for LD was 176.5-185.2 Gy, which was validated in the confirmatory tests. No nymphs emerged from a total of 60,386 gravid females exposed to a gamma radiation dose range of 146.8-185.0 Gy in the confirmatory tests. The largest dose in confirmatory tests should be the minimum threshold for phytosanitary treatment, consequently, a minimum dose of 185 Gy is recommended for the phytosanitary irradiation treatment of papaya mealybug-infested commodities, ensuring a treatment efficacy of ≥99.9950% at 95% confidence level.
PubMed: 37623392
DOI: 10.3390/insects14080682 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aug 2023Phosphine, as per several reports, is considered to be an ideal and effective alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigant, phased out globally honouring 'Montreal...
Phosphine, as per several reports, is considered to be an ideal and effective alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigant, phased out globally honouring 'Montreal Protocol'. The food grains fumigated with phosphine are perceived to be residue-free; however, estimation of its residues is imperative. In the present study, the phosphine residues were estimated in grains of wheat, rice, green gram, chickpea and yellow pea fumigated with different formulations of phosphine under 7 and 10 days exposure periods at various locations in India. For efficacy studies, the conventional aluminium phosphide (AlP) tablet (56% @2 and 3 tablet/MT) and granular AlP (77.5% @1.0 and 1.5 g phosphine/m) formulations were applied. Each treatment including untreated control was replicated thrice. The concentration was monitored every 24 h until the end of exposure periods. Food grain samples were drawn before and post fumigation following a certain waiting period for estimation of phosphine residues using gas chromatography equipped with FPD detector. Residues in fumigated food grains were observed in traces in all the experimental stacks, but below the MRL (0.1 ppm), fixed by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Phosphine can be considered safe for use as an alternate fumigant in quarantine and long-term storage of food grains leaving residues below MRL.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Chromatography, Gas; Aluminum; Edible Grain; Pesticides
PubMed: 37589729
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11645-4