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Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Global climate change stress has greatly influenced agricultural crop production which leads to the global problems such as food security. To cope with global climate...
Global climate change stress has greatly influenced agricultural crop production which leads to the global problems such as food security. To cope with global climate change, nature based solutions (NBS) are desirable because these lead to improve our environment. Environmental stresses such as drought and salinity are big soil problems and can be eradicated by increasing soil organic matter which is directly related to soil organic carbon (SOC). SOC is one of the key components of the worldwide carbon (C) cycle. Different types of land use patterns have shown significant impacts on SOC stocks. However, their effects on the various SOC fractions are not well-understood at the global level which make it difficult to predict how SOC changes over time. We aim to investigate changes in various SOC fractions, including mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC), mineral associated organic matter (MAOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) under various types of land use patterns (NBS), including cropping pattern, residue management, conservation tillages such as no tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT) using data from 97 studies on a global scale. The results showed that NT overall increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 16.2%, 26.8%, 24.1%, 16.2%, 27.9% and 33.2% ( < 0.05) compared to CT. No tillage with residue retention (NTR) increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 38.0%, 29.9%, 47.5%, 33.1%, 35.7% and 49.0%, respectively, compared to CT ( < 0.05). RT overall increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 36.8%, 14.1%, 25.8%, 25.9, 18.7% and 16.6% ( < 0.05) compared to CT. Reduced tillage with residue retention (RTR) increased MAOM, SOC and POC by 14.2%, 36.2% and 30.7%, respectively, compared to CT ( < 0.05). Multiple cropping increased MAOC, MBC and EOC by 14.1%, 39.8% and 21.5%, respectively, compared to mono cropping ( < 0.05). The response ratios of SOC fractions (MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC) under NT and RT were mostly influenced by NBS such as residue management, cropping pattern along with soil depth, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature and soil texture. Our findings imply that when assessing the effects of conservation tillage methods on SOC sequestration, SOC fractions especially those taking part in driving soil biological activities, should be taken into account rather than total SOC. We conclude that conservation tillages under multiple cropping systems and with retention of crop residues enhance soil carbon sequestration as compared to CT in varying edaphic and climatic conditions of the world.
PubMed: 36212308
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1007222 -
Preventive Medicine Dec 2014To provide a systematic review of the existing literature on health consequences of vaporing of electronic cigarettes (ECs). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To provide a systematic review of the existing literature on health consequences of vaporing of electronic cigarettes (ECs).
METHODS
Search in: PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Original publications describing a health-related topic, published before 14 August 2014. PRISMA recommendations were followed. We identified 1101 studies; 271 relevant after screening; 94 eligible.
RESULTS
We included 76 studies investigating content of fluid/vapor of ECs, reports on adverse events and human and animal experimental studies. Serious methodological problems were identified. In 34% of the articles the authors had a conflict of interest. Studies found fine/ultrafine particles, harmful metals, carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, carcinogenic carbonyls (some in high but most in low/trace concentrations), cytotoxicity and changed gene expression. Of special concern are compounds not found in conventional cigarettes, e.g. propylene glycol. Experimental studies found increased airway resistance after short-term exposure. Reports on short-term adverse events were often flawed by selection bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to many methodological problems, severe conflicts of interest, the relatively few and often small studies, the inconsistencies and contradictions in results, and the lack of long-term follow-up no firm conclusions can be drawn on the safety of ECs. However, they can hardly be considered harmless.
Topics: Animals; Conflict of Interest; Cytotoxins; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Glycols; Humans; Metals, Heavy; Mice; Particulate Matter; Steam; Volatilization
PubMed: 25456810
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.10.009 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Morels are valuable mushrooms being used as foods and medical substances for a long history. The commonly cultivated morel species include , and . sextelata in China,... (Review)
Review
Morels are valuable mushrooms being used as foods and medical substances for a long history. The commonly cultivated morel species include , and . sextelata in China, and in the US. Morels' nutritional profile mainly consists of carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, which are also responsible for its complex sensory attributes and health benefits. The bioactive compounds in morels including polysaccharides, phenolics, tocopherols, and ergosterols contribute to the anti-oxidative abilities, anti-inflammation, immunoprotection, gut health preservation, and anti-cancer abilities. This review depicted on the cultivation of morels, major bioactive compounds of different morel species both from fruit bodies and mycelia, and their health benefits to provide a comprehensive understanding of morels and support the future research and applications of morels as high-value functional food sources.
PubMed: 37006947
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1159029 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023: More than a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic periodontitis. The primary etiological factor of periodontal diseases is dental plaque and the bacteria it... (Review)
Review
: More than a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic periodontitis. The primary etiological factor of periodontal diseases is dental plaque and the bacteria it contains, particularly , , , , and . Zinc, owing to its antibacterial properties, can be employed in periodontology. The objective of this review was to analyze scientific literature that examines the effects of zinc on periopathogens. : A systematic review protocol of scientific literature was designed following PRISMA recommendations. Data search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. Full-text articles in English that examine the effects of zinc on periopathogens and were published between 2011 and 2021 were included. Fifteen articles were included in the analysis based on inclusion criteria. ZnO exhibited antibacterial activity against and ( < 0.001). The minimum inhibitory concentration against was 10 μg/mL. ZnO demonstrated a significant antibacterial effect, as evidenced by inhibition zones of 15.10 mm for , 13.36 mm for , 12.98 mm for , and 14.01 mm for Zn (II)-based polymers inhibited the and genes of . Titanium dental implants coated with ZnO effectively disrupted the cell walls of and . ZnO inhibited the growth of within 2 h and the growth of and within 3 h. ZnO exhibited nontoxic effects, and concentrations up to 0.8 mg/L increased cell survival rates by up to 90%. The analysis of the literature confirms the antibacterial action of zinc against periodontal pathogenic bacteria. At low concentrations, these substances do not exhibit cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Chronic Periodontitis; Organic Chemicals; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Zinc; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 38138191
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122088 -
Journal of Environmental Health Science... Jun 2021Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate insecticide, due to its high efficiency and low cost is widely used in the agricultural industry. CPF may lead to lung deficiency,... (Review)
Review
Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate insecticide, due to its high efficiency and low cost is widely used in the agricultural industry. CPF may lead to lung deficiency, central nervous system damage, developmental and autoimmune disorders. In recent decades, the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been considered in water and wastewater treatment due to their high efficiency in decomposition of organic and inorganic compounds, specially hardly biodegradable or non-biodegradable compounds. In the present review study, the most common AOPs (such as Fenton and Photo-Fenton processes, UV/HO photolysis, UV/TiO heterogeneous photo catalysis, electrochemical processes, sonolysis technology, gamma irradiation technology and sulfate-based AOPs) applied for CPF removal from aqueous matrices has been investigated. It can be concluded that the use of AOPs are effective for CPF removal from aqueous media. In addition, Fenton and photocatalytic processes appear to be the most common techniques for CPF degradation.
PubMed: 34150308
DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00674-1 -
Poultry Science Apr 2023Particulate matter (PM) is one of the essential environmental stressors for the poultry industry in the world. Given its large specific surface area, PM can adsorb and... (Review)
Review
Particulate matter (PM) is one of the essential environmental stressors for the poultry industry in the world. Given its large specific surface area, PM can adsorb and carry a variety of pollutants, including heavy metal ions, ammonia, and persistent organic pollutants such as pathogenic microorganisms. High concentrations of PM induce poultry respiratory inflammation and trigger various diseases. However, the pathogenic mechanism of PM in poultry houses on respiratory diseases has not been clarified due to its complexity and lack of accurate assays. In terms of pathogenesis, there are 3 ways to explain this phenomenon: Inhaled PM irritates the respiratory tract, decreases immune resistance, and causes a respiratory disease; respiratory tract irritation by compounds presents in PM; infections with pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms attached to PM. The latter 2 modes of influence are more harmful. Specifically, PM can induce the respiratory disease through several toxic mechanisms, including ammonia ingestion and bioaccumulation, lung flora dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, this review summarizes the characteristics of PM in the poultry house and the impact of poultry PM on respiratory disease and proposes potential pathogenic mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Particulate Matter; Poultry; Air Pollutants; Ammonia; Chickens; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Inflammation
PubMed: 36848758
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102556 -
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 2023Previous studies focused on investigating particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) have shown the risk of disease development, and association... (Review)
Review
Previous studies focused on investigating particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) have shown the risk of disease development, and association with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The current review investigate epidemiological and experimental findings from 2016 to 2021, which enabled the systemic overview of PM's toxic impacts on human health. The Web of Science database search used descriptive terms to investigate the interaction among PM exposure, systemic effects, and COVID-19 disease. Analyzed studies have indicated that cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been extensively investigated and indicated as the main air pollution targets. Nevertheless, PM reaches other organic systems and harms the renal, neurological, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Pathologies onset and/or get worse due to toxicological effects associated with the exposure to this particle type, since it can trigger several reactions, such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress generation and genotoxicity. These cellular dysfunctions lead to organ malfunctions, as shown in the current review. In addition, the correlation between COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM exposure was also assessed to help better understand the role of atmospheric pollution in the pathophysiology of this disease. Despite the significant number of studies about PM's effects on organic functions, available in the literature, there are still gaps in knowledge about how this particulate matter can hinder human health. The current review aimed to approach the main findings about the effect of PM exposure on different systems, and demonstrate the likely interaction of COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM.
PubMed: 37250231
DOI: 10.1007/s11270-023-06278-9 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neurodegenerative inherited disorders. The resulting motor incoordination and... (Review)
Review
Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neurodegenerative inherited disorders. The resulting motor incoordination and progressive functional disabilities lead to reduced lifespan. There is currently no cure for ARCAs, likely attributed to the lack of understanding of the multifaceted roles of antioxidant defense and the underlying mechanisms. This systematic review aims to evaluate the extant literature on the current developments of therapeutic strategies that target oxidative stress for the management of ARCAs. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct Scopus for relevant peer-reviewed articles published from 1 January 2016 onwards. A total of 28 preclinical studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. We first evaluated the altered cellular processes, abnormal signaling cascades, and disrupted protein quality control underlying the pathogenesis of ARCA. We then examined the current potential therapeutic strategies for ARCAs, including aromatic, organic and pharmacological compounds, gene therapy, natural products, and nanotechnology, as well as their associated antioxidant pathways and modes of action. We then discussed their potential as antioxidant therapeutics for ARCAs, with the long-term view toward their possible translation to clinical practice. In conclusion, our current understanding is that these antioxidant therapies show promise in improving or halting the progression of ARCAs. Tailoring the therapies to specific disease stages could greatly facilitate the management of ARCAs.
PubMed: 35745683
DOI: 10.3390/ph15060764 -
Environmental Research Nov 2023This systematic review aimed to evaluate the status of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and provide recommendations for future... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the status of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and provide recommendations for future research, considering the increased environmental contaminants that pose a threat to human health in this rapidly industrializing area.
METHODS
A thorough search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to February 2023 to identify biomonitoring studies on human exposure and levels in the GCC region. Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility, conducted data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The NIH Quality Assessment Tools and PRISMA guidelines were utilized for quality evaluation and reporting of results.
RESULTS
A total of 38 eligible articles were included in this systematic review out of 662 articles screened. The majority of the publications were from Saudi Arabia (n = 24) and Kuwait (n = 10), while limited representation was found from Qatar (n = 3) and the UAE (n = 1). No articles were identified from Oman and Bahrain. The studies focused on metals, organohalogen compounds, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and phthalates. The findings revealed elevated levels of metals and established correlations between metal exposure and adverse health effects, including infant neurodevelopmental issues, vitamin D deficiency, and oxidative stress. The presence of organohalogen compounds and pesticides was prevalent in the GCC region, with significant associations between exposure to these compounds and negative health outcomes. Notably, high levels of perchlorate were observed in the Kuwaiti population, and a study from Saudi Arabia found an association between per- and polyfluorinated substances and increased odds of osteoporosis.
CONCLUSIONS
This review emphasizes the need to address environmental health challenges in the GCC region through improved HBM research methods and strategies. Implementing biomonitoring programs, conducting cohort studies, investing in tools and expertise, promoting collaboration, and engaging the community are crucial for reliable HBM data in the GCC.
Topics: Humans; Biological Monitoring; Saudi Arabia; Kuwait; Oman; Pesticides
PubMed: 37479209
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116650 -
BMC Anesthesiology 2014In critically ill patients, glucose control with insulin mandates time- and blood-consuming glucose monitoring. Blood glucose level fluctuations are accompanied by... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In critically ill patients, glucose control with insulin mandates time- and blood-consuming glucose monitoring. Blood glucose level fluctuations are accompanied by metabolomic changes that alter the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are detectable in exhaled breath. This review systematically summarizes the available data on the ability of changes in VOC composition to predict blood glucose levels and changes in blood glucose levels.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in PubMed. Studies were included when an association between blood glucose levels and VOCs in exhaled air was investigated, using a technique that allows for separation, quantification and identification of individual VOCs. Only studies on humans were included.
RESULTS
Nine studies were included out of 1041 identified in the search. Authors of seven studies observed a significant correlation between blood glucose levels and selected VOCs in exhaled air. Authors of two studies did not observe a strong correlation. Blood glucose levels were associated with the following VOCs: ketone bodies (e.g., acetone), VOCs produced by gut flora (e.g., ethanol, methanol, and propane), exogenous compounds (e.g., ethyl benzene, o-xylene, and m/p-xylene) and markers of oxidative stress (e.g., methyl nitrate, 2-pentyl nitrate, and CO).
CONCLUSION
There is a relation between blood glucose levels and VOC composition in exhaled air. These results warrant clinical validation of exhaled breath analysis to monitor blood glucose levels.
Topics: Blood Glucose; Breath Tests; Exhalation; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 24963286
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2253-14-46