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Journal of Biomedical Research May 2024Circadian clock plays a vital role in the pathological progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous studies showed that acrolein, an environmental...
Circadian clock plays a vital role in the pathological progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous studies showed that acrolein, an environmental pollutant, promoted atherosclerosis by reducing CLOCK/BMAL1 and disturbing circadian rhythm. Whereas, intermittent fasting (IF), a diet pattern, was able to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis. , mice were fed acrolein 3 mg/kg/day drinking water and IF for 18h (0:00-18:00). We observed that IF decreased acrolein-accelerated the formation of aortic lesion in mice. Up-regulation of and levels were found in liver and heart tissue upon acrolein exposure, while was down-regulated by IF. Interestingly, IF treatment exhibited higher AMPK, p-AMPK and SIRT1and lower MAPK expression which was caused by acrolein. Besides, circadian genes expression were suppressed and disturbed treated with acrolein, while were reversed by IF. Furthermore, consistent with that , short-term starvation as a fasting cell model could improve the disorders of CLOCK/BMAL1 and raised SIRT1 regulating AMPK, as well as ROS-MAPK induced by acrolein. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IF repressed ROS-MAPK while activated AMPK to elevate the expression of circadian clock genes to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherogenesis, which shed a novel light to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
PubMed: 38807423
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.38.20240025 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS May 2024Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated increases in the hepatic levels of the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor (VLDLR) promote hepatic steatosis by...
BACKGROUND
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated increases in the hepatic levels of the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor (VLDLR) promote hepatic steatosis by increasing the delivery of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to the liver. Here, we examined whether the NAD()-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) regulates hepatic lipid accumulation by modulating VLDLR levels and the subsequent uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
METHODS
Rats fed with fructose in drinking water, Sirt1 mice, mice treated with the ER stressor tunicamycin with or without a SIRT1 activator, and human Huh-7 hepatoma cells transfected with siRNA or exposed to tunicamycin or different inhibitors were used.
RESULTS
Hepatic SIRT1 protein levels were reduced, while those of VLDLR were upregulated in the rat model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) induced by fructose-drinking water. Moreover, Sirt1 mice displayed increased hepatic VLDLR levels that were not associated with ER stress, but were accompanied by an increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-target genes. The pharmacological inhibition or gene knockdown of SIRT1 upregulated VLDLR protein levels in the human Huh-7 hepatoma cell line, with this increase abolished by the pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1α. Finally, SIRT1 activation prevented the increase in hepatic VLDLR protein levels in mice treated with the ER stressor tunicamycin.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, these findings suggest that SIRT1 attenuates fatty liver development by modulating hepatic VLDLR levels.
Topics: Animals; Sirtuin 1; Humans; Liver; Receptors, LDL; Mice; Male; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Rats; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice, Knockout; Fatty Liver; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Tunicamycin; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 38807218
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01666-y -
BMC Public Health May 2024Antibiotics have been widely used in feed and drinking water for food animals to prevent them from getting sick. Such preventive use of antibiotics has become a...
The effect of information provision on consumers' risk perceptions of, support for a ban, and behavioral intention towards the preventive use of antibiotics in food animals.
BACKGROUND
Antibiotics have been widely used in feed and drinking water for food animals to prevent them from getting sick. Such preventive use of antibiotics has become a contributor to increasing antibiotic resistance and thus poses threats to human health. However, consumers have little knowledge about this practice and the associated health risks of increasing transmission of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study aimed to examine the effect of information provision on consumers' risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention regarding the preventive use of antibiotics in food animals. Especially, the study sought to test two competing hypotheses which were informed by two theoretical perspectives of fear appeal theory - the linear model and the plateau effect model. The former suggested that providing information on the health risks of both antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistant bacteria would have a stronger effect compared to providing information on only one of them, while the latter posited that providing information on both risks might not have additional influence, as the effect of information on either risk could reach the plateau.
METHODS
An experimental study with four conditions was conducted where participants read different information on the health risks associated with the preventive use first and then answered questions regarding consumers' risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention regarding the preventive use. Condition 1 was the control condition, where basic information about antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and the preventive use was provided. Condition 2 and Condition 3 further added information on the health risk of antibiotic residues (Condition 2) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (Condition 3) due to the preventive use, respectively. Condition 4 provided all information contained in the first three conditions.
RESULTS
The results showed that compared to participants in the control condition, participants in Conditions 2-4 reported higher risk perceptions, stronger support for a ban on the preventive use, and a higher intention to buy meat produced without the preventive use of antibiotics. However, there were no significant differences in these factors between Conditions 2-4, indicating that providing information on the health risk of either antibiotic residues, or antibiotic resistant bacteria, or both, has similar effect on these variables. That is, the hypothesis based on the plateau effect model was supported.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggested that informing the public with the health risk of either antibiotic residues or antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with the preventive use is effective enough to reach plateau effect in increasing risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention, which has important implications for policymakers and livestock industries to develop effective communication strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use in food animals.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Male; Female; Animals; Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Intention; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Consumer Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent
PubMed: 38807103
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18859-2 -
Heliyon May 2024The quality of drinking water has recently become of utmost concern to consumers worldwide, especially in areas where Water Service Authorities (WSAs) failed to provide...
BACKGROUND
The quality of drinking water has recently become of utmost concern to consumers worldwide, especially in areas where Water Service Authorities (WSAs) failed to provide safe water. To combat this challenge, government entities regulate water to ensure that safe water is provided. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has experienced cases of water contamination by human excretion, whereby communities were affected. As a result, there was a sharp increase in bottled water (BW) use, which however gave rise to unregulated and counterfeit versions of popular brands. This situation poses threats to public health.
AIM
This study sought to determine the regulation of drinking water and to assess whether environmental health practitioners (EHPs) monitor the quality of water sources (BW and tap water) in ELM as outlined by the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards (NEHNS).
SETTINGS
The study was conducted in the Emfuleni Local Municipality in South Africa.
METHODS
A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed in this research. Fifteen online questionnaires using a Google Forms survey were distributed amongst all EHPs servicing ELM. Secondary data that included the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Service Delivery Budget Implentation Plan (SDBIP) for the 2017-2020 financial years were also evaluated, specifically for water quality monitoring (tap and bottled water). The dataset was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.
RESULTS
Due to complexity in the legislation and NEHNS in relation to Municipal Health Services (MHS), bottled water was not sampled at all. A number of EHPs were also not conversant with the regulations governing BW. Moreover, NEHNS consider bottled water as food, which does not fall under the MHS.
CONCLUSION
There should be clarity in the legislation to ensure that bottled water monitoring is intensified to protect public health within the WSAs.
CONTRIBUTION
The findings of this study could assist policy-makers to make informed decisions on water quality monitoring, as well as clarify legislative issues on bottled water.
PubMed: 38803936
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31543 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2024Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex and widespread disease with limited pharmacotherapies. Preclinical animal models of AUD use a variety of voluntary alcohol...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex and widespread disease with limited pharmacotherapies. Preclinical animal models of AUD use a variety of voluntary alcohol consumption procedures to recapitulate different phases of AUD, including binge alcohol consumption and dependence. However, voluntary alcohol consumption in mice is widely variable, making it difficult to reproduce results across labs. Accumulating evidence indicates that different brands of commercially available rodent chow can profoundly influence alcohol intake. In this study, we investigated the effects of three commercially available and widely used rodent diet formulations on alcohol consumption and preference in C57BL/6 J mice using the 24 h intermittent access procedure. The three brands of chow tested were LabDiet 5,001 (LD5001), LabDiet 5,053 (LD5053), and Teklad 2019S (TL2019S) from two companies (Research Diets and Envigo, respectively). Mice fed LD5001 and LD5053 displayed higher levels of alcohol consumption and preference compared to mice fed TL2019S. We also found that alcohol consumption and preference could be rapidly switched by changing the diet 48 h prior to alcohol administration. Sucrose, saccharin, and quinine preferences were not altered, suggesting that the diets did not alter sweet and bitter taste perception. We also found that mice fed LD5001 displayed increased quinine-resistant alcohol intake compared to mice fed TL2019S, suggesting that diets could influence the development of compulsive behaviors such as alcohol consumption. We profiled the gut microbiome of water- and alcohol-drinking mice that were maintained on different diets and found significant differences in bacterial alpha- and beta-diversities, which could impact the gut-brain axis signaling and alcohol consumption.
PubMed: 38803684
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1383181 -
Conservation Physiology 2024Thermoregulation is critical for endotherms living in hot, dry conditions, and maintaining optimal core body temperature () in a changing climate is an increasingly...
Thermoregulation is critical for endotherms living in hot, dry conditions, and maintaining optimal core body temperature () in a changing climate is an increasingly challenging task for mammals. Koalas () have evolved physiological and behavioural strategies to maintain homeostasis and regulate their but are thought to be vulnerable to prolonged heat. We investigated how weather, behaviour and disease influence for wild, free-living koalas during summer in north-west New South Wales. We matched with daily behavioural observations in an ageing population where chlamydial disease is prevalent. Each individual koala had similar rhythms (average = 36.4 ± 0.05°C), but male koalas had higher amplitude and more pronounced daily rhythm than females. Disease disrupted the 24-hr circadian pattern of . Koala increased with ambient temperature (). On the hottest day of the study (maximum = 40.8°C), we recorded the highest ( = 40.8°C) but also the lowest ( = 32.4°C) ever documented for wild koalas, suggesting that they are more heterothermic than previously recognized. This requires individuals to predict days of extreme from overnight and early morning conditions, adjusting regulation accordingly, and it has never been reported before for koalas. The large diel amplitude and low minimum observed suggest that koalas at our study site are energetically and nutritionally compromised, likely due to their age. Behaviour (i.e. tree hugging and drinking water) was not effective in moderating . These results indicate that and koala are strongly interconnected and reinforce the importance of climate projections for predicting the future persistence of koalas throughout their current distribution. Global climate models forecast that dry, hot weather will continue to escalate and drought events will increase in frequency, duration and severity. This is likely to push koalas and other arboreal folivores towards their thermal limit.
PubMed: 38803425
DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae032 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jun 2024species are potential zoonotic pathogens classified as either enterohepatic or gastric. infection can be transmitted through wastewater from households and livestock...
species are potential zoonotic pathogens classified as either enterohepatic or gastric. infection can be transmitted through wastewater from households and livestock and through water from irrigation and streams. In this study, the distribution and source of species in the Donggang and Yenshui rivers, two natural water bodies with different characteristics, were analyzed. A total of 44 water samples were collected over the four seasons. The samples were subjected to 16 s rRNA gene PCR, followed by sequencing and comparison for identification and analysis. The detection rate of species in both rivers was 79.55%, with (10/35, 28.57%) being the most common species. Analysis of the environment around the sampling sites showed a high detection rate in the livestock-rich area, and the results of BLAST for species identification and comparison indicated feces as the contamination source. The area around the Donggang River was developed for animal husbandry, led to a high detection rate of species. Many species were identified to have a risk of zoonotic transmission, especially if the stream is used as a source of drinking, agricultural, or even aquacultural water. The high presence of species in natural water bodies suggests that wastewater treatment is an effective strategy to control pathogen spread. Therefore, investigation and monitoring of pathogens in wastewater are highly important. However, methods for the isolation and culture of species in natural waters have yet to be developed. Hence, future research should focus on developing such methods.
PubMed: 38803321
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100757 -
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2024Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities is crucial for health and human rights, impacting nutrition and weight.
BACKGROUND
Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities is crucial for health and human rights, impacting nutrition and weight.
METHODS
Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017-18 has been used in this study to examine the association between WASH and underweight, alongside other factors. Analysis included descriptive statistics, association tests, logistic regression, and population-attributable fractions (PAF).
RESULTS
According to results child were 1.8, 1.1 and 1.04 times less likely to be underweight if they had access to improved source of drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene facilities respectively. The likelihood of child being underweight reduces by 1.4, 1.89, 2.01 and 2.55 times if the household wealth status increases from poorest to second, middle, fourth and richest wealth quintiles, respectively. As the mothers' education level increases from no schooling to primary, middle, secondary, and higher level, the possibility of child being underweight reduces by 1.22, 1.24, 1.60 and 2.01 times, respectively. Moreover, the likelihood of a child being underweight decreases as the education level of the household head improves. If maternal age is less than 20 or more than 35 years the likelihood of the child being underweight is increased by 1.074 and 1.121 times, respectively. A child is 1.1 times more likely to be underweight if birth spacing is less than 2 years. A child's risk of being underweight decreases by 1.1 times if they have not experienced diarrhea. A child who has never been breastfed has 1.3 times higher risk of being underweight. The results of Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) indicate that holding the other factors constant, approximately 36.46% burden of underweight was preventable by access to improved drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene practices.
CONCLUSION
Comprehensive strategy is needed that focuses on improving access to safe drinking water, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene behaviors.
PubMed: 38799016
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S461986 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... May 2024Over 10% of the US population over 12 years old meets criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), yet few effective, long-term treatments are currently available. Glycogen...
Over 10% of the US population over 12 years old meets criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), yet few effective, long-term treatments are currently available. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) has been implicated in ethanol behaviors and poses as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AUD. Here we investigate the role of tideglusib, a selective GSK3β inhibitor, in ethanol consumption and other behaviors. We have shown tideglusib decreases ethanol consumption in both a model of daily, progressive ethanol intake (two-bottle choice, intermittent ethanol access) and binge-like drinking behavior (drinking-in-the-dark) without effecting water intake. Further, we have shown tideglusib to have no effect on ethanol pharmacokinetics, taste preference, or anxiety-like behavior, though there was a transient increase in total locomotion following treatment. Additionally, we assessed liver health following treatment via serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase and showed no effect on aminotransferase levels though there was a decrease in alkaline phosphatase. RNA sequencing studies revealed a role of GSK3β inhibition via tideglusib on the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, suggesting tideglusib may carry out its effects on ethanol consumption through effects on β-catenin binding to the transcription factors TCF3 and LEF1. The data presented here further implicate GSK3β in alcohol consumption and support the use of tideglusib as a potential therapeutic in the treatment of AUD.
PubMed: 38798478
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593949 -
Environment International May 2024Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in industry and have been linked to various adverse health effects. Communities adjacent to sites where PFAS...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in industry and have been linked to various adverse health effects. Communities adjacent to sites where PFAS are manufactured, stored, or used may be at elevated risk. In these impacted communities, significant exposure often occurs through contaminated drinking water, yet less is known about the role of other pathways such as residential exposure through house dust. We analyzed a paired serum and house dust dataset from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's PFAS Exposure Assessments, which sampled eight United States communities with a history of drinking water contamination due to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) use at nearby military bases. We found that serum PFAS levels of residents were significantly positively associated with the dust PFAS levels in their homes, for three of seven PFAS analyzed, when accounting for site and participant age. We also found that increased dust PFAS levels were associated with a shift in the relative abundance of PFAS in serum towards those chemicals not strongly linked to AFFF contamination, which may suggest household sources. Additionally, we analyzed participant responses to exposure questionnaires to identify factors associated with dust PFAS levels. Dust PFAS levels for some analytes were significantly elevated in households where participants were older and had lived at the home longer, cleaned less frequently, used stain resistant products, and had carpeted living rooms. Our results suggest that residential exposure to PFAS via dust or other indoor pathways may contribute to overall exposure and body burden, even in communities impacted by AFFF contamination of drinking water, and the magnitude of this exposure may also be influenced by demographic, behavioral, and housing factors.
PubMed: 38795657
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108756