Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

The Impact of Air Pollution on Atopic Dermatitis. Literature review

Introduction and purpose The rising level of air pollution is currently a serious worldwide problem. Airborne pollutants, such as PM, O3, CO, NOx, SO₂, and heavy metals, negatively impact the entire body, contributing to the dysfunction of many systems. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the impact of selected air pollutants on the development or exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this. Materials and methods The literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was reviewed using the keywords: “air pollution”, “atopic dermatitis”, “skin lesions”. Description of the state of knowledge Available studies have provided information on the significant impact of air pollution on the development and exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Air pollutants can induce skin changes through various mechanisms, such as damage to the epidermal barrier, disruption of skin microflora, oxidative stress, initiation of inflammatory responses, or activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway. Conclusions Reducing air pollution is crucial for improving overall public health and decreasing the incidence of many diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of the relationship between air pollution and atopic dermatitis, as well as the mechanisms responsible for it, and to develop effective strategies for protecting the skin from pollutants.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in environmentally induced cervical cancer: A Narrative review

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in cellular responses to various environmental pollutants, including several known carcinogens. As a ligand-activated transcription factor, AhR activation modulates the expression of genes involved in critical cellular processes, including detoxification pathways, cell proliferation and differentiation, and immune system regulation. The AhR exhibits pleiotropic effects under normal physiological conditions, contributing to the development and function of various organ systems. AhR activity is important in angiogenesis, cardiomyocyte differentiation, oocyte maturation, oculomotor nerve formation, and hematopoietic stem cell maintenance. Additionally, AhR plays a role in regulating immune cell differentiation and function, maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and its associated immune system, and mediating UVB-induced DNA damage repair responses in the skin. It acts as a critical environmental sensor, mediating cellular responses to various exogenous ligands. Importantly, activation or inhibition of AhR affects distinct signaling pathways depending on the specific ligand and cellular context. Ligands for the AhR are divided into exogenous or endogenous and have agonistic or antagonistic activity. Recently, the AhR role was determined in cancer development. It can exert both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effects depending on factors such as the specific ligand, cell type, and tissue microenvironment. Emerging evidence suggests that AhR may represent a promising target for immunotherapy and serve as a potential biomarker for cervical cancer. AhR interacts with apoptotic pathway, immune checkpoint system, steroid hormones, and immune cell regulation process in cervical cancer. Despite its potential significance, the precise role of AhR in cervical cancer development and progression is still unknown. In this review, we describe significant roles of AhR in gynecological cancers; e.g., in cervical cancer.

Bacteroides uniformis degrades β-glucan to promote Lactobacillus johnsonii improving indole-3-lactic acid levels in alleviating colitis

BackgroundIntake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease. β-Glucan (BG), a bioactive dietary fiber, has potential health-promoting effects on intestinal functions; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we explore the role of BG in ameliorating colitis by modulating key bacteria and metabolites, confirmed by multiple validation experiments and loss-of-function studies, and reveal a novel bacterial cross-feeding interaction.ResultsBG intervention ameliorates colitis and reverses Lactobacillus reduction in colitic mice, and Lactobacillus abundance was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of colitis. It was confirmed by further studies that Lactobacillus johnsonii was the most significantly enriched Lactobacillus spp. Multi-omics analysis revealed that L. johnsonii produced abundant indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) leading to the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) responsible for the mitigation of colitis. Interestingly, L. johnsonii cannot utilize BG but requires a cross-feeding with Bacteroides uniformis, which degrades BG and produces nicotinamide (NAM) to promote the growth of L. johnsonii. A proof-of-concept study confirmed that BG increases L. johnsonii and B. uniformis abundance and ILA levels in healthy individuals.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the mechanism by which BG ameliorates colitis via L. johnsonii–ILA–AhR axis and reveal the important cross-feeding interaction between L. johnsonii and B. uniformis.BsYQ6kaZHXkFsG8eqgZ27EVideo Graphical

Metagenomic survey reveals hydrocarbon biodegradation potential of Canadian high Arctic beaches

BackgroundDecreasing sea ice coverage across the Arctic Ocean due to climate change is expected to increase shipping activity through previously inaccessible shipping routes, including the Northwest Passage (NWP). Changing weather conditions typically encountered in the Arctic will still pose a risk for ships which could lead to an accident and the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons onto NWP shorelines. We performed a metagenomic survey to characterize the microbial communities of various NWP shorelines and to determine whether there is a metabolic potential for hydrocarbon degradation in these microbiomes.ResultsWe observed taxonomic and functional gene evidence supporting the potential of NWP beach microbes to degrade various types of hydrocarbons. The metagenomic and metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) taxonomy showed that known hydrocarbon-degrading taxa are present in these beaches. Additionally, we detected the presence of biomarker genes of aerobic and anaerobic degradation pathways of alkane and aromatic hydrocarbons along with complete degradation pathways for aerobic alkane degradation. Alkane degradation genes were present in all samples and were also more abundant (33.8 ± 34.5 hits per million genes, HPM) than their aromatic hydrocarbon counterparts (11.7 ± 12.3 HPM). Due to the ubiquity of MAGs from the genus Rhodococcus (23.8% of the MAGs), we compared our MAGs with Rhodococcus genomes from NWP isolates obtained using hydrocarbons as the carbon source to corroborate our results and to develop a pangenome of Arctic Rhodococcus. Our analysis revealed that the biodegradation of alkanes is part of the core pangenome of this genus. We also detected nitrogen and sulfur pathways as additional energy sources and electron donors as well as carbon pathways providing alternative carbon sources. These pathways occur in the absence of hydrocarbons allowing microbes to survive in these nutrient-poor beaches.ConclusionsOur metagenomic analyses detected the genetic potential for hydrocarbon biodegradation in these NWP shoreline microbiomes. Alkane metabolism was the most prevalent type of hydrocarbon degradation observed in these tidal beach ecosystems. Our results indicate that bioremediation could be used as a cleanup strategy, but the addition of adequate amounts of N and P fertilizers, should be considered to help bacteria overcome the oligotrophic nature of NWP shorelines.

Mechanism of coal pitch pre-hydrogenation catalyzed by metal-free catalytic system and preparation of mesophase pitch

Coal pitch (CP) molecules have high aromaticity, planarity and condensation degree, usually requiring hydrogenation to prepare high-quality mesophase pitch (MP). However, current hydrogenation methods often face challenges such as harsh conditions, residual ash or insufficient hydrogenation. Here, with 5 wt% tetrahydronaphthalene (THN) as the hydrogen donor, hydrogenated CP (HCP) with low ash content and high H/C was prepared at low temperature and pressure via a metal-free catalytic system with boron trifluoride ether (BF3·Et2O) as catalyst and p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) as co-catalyst and 5 wt%. Subsequently, MP was prepared from the HCP, and the mechanisms of catalytic hydrogenation and the formation of mesophase macromolecules were elucidated. The characterization results indicated that CP achieved optimal hydrogenation when the molar ratio of BF3 to TsOH was 1:1. The HCP obtained under this condition can further prepare a wide-area streamlined MP. During the hydrogenation process, TsOH provided proton hydrogen to BF3, forming a complex acid that facilitated carbocation reactions between THN and CP molecules, thereby enhancing hydrogenation efficiency. However, when the molar amount of TsOH exceeded that of BF3, it would catalyze the polymerization of HCP molecules to a certain extent, reducing the hydrogenation effect. Meanwhile, it could introduce more sulfonic acid groups into the molecular structure, causing cross-linking of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and excessive system viscosity during the preparation of the MP, resulting in a mosaic optical texture. This work is of significant importance for promoting the efficient hydrogenation of CP and the preparation of high-quality MP.

Novel, active, and uncultured hydrocarbon-degrading microbes in the ocean.

Given the vast quantity of oil and gas input to the marine environment annually, hydrocarbon degradation by marine microorganisms is an essential ecosystem service. Linkages between taxonomy and hydrocarbon degradation capabilities are largely based on cultivation studies, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the intrinsic ability of uncultured marine microbes to degrade hydrocarbons. To address this knowledge gap, metagenomic sequence data from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill deep-sea plume was assembled to which metagenomic and metatranscriptomic reads were mapped. Assembly and binning produced new DWH metagenome-assembled genomes that were evaluated along with their close relatives, all of which are from the marine environment (38 total). These analyses revealed globally distributed hydrocarbon-degrading microbes with clade-specific substrate degradation potentials that have not been reported previously. For example, methane oxidation capabilities were identified in all Cycloclasticus. Furthermore, all Bermanella encoded and expressed genes for non-gaseous n-alkane degradation; however, DWH Bermanella encoded alkane hydroxylase, not alkane 1-monooxygenase. All but one previously unrecognized DWH plume member in the SAR324 and UBA11654 have the capacity for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. In contrast, Colwellia were diverse in the hydrocarbon substrates they could degrade. All clades encoded nutrient acquisition strategies and response to cold temperatures, while sensory and acquisition capabilities were clade specific. These novel insights regarding hydrocarbon degradation by uncultured planktonic microbes provides missing data, allowing for better prediction of the fate of oil and gas when hydrocarbons are input to the ocean, leading to a greater understanding of the ecological consequences to the marine environment.IMPORTANCEMicrobial degradation of hydrocarbons is a critically important process promoting ecosystem health, yet much of what is known about this process is based on physiological experiments with a few hydrocarbon substrates and cultured microbes. Thus, the ability to degrade the diversity of hydrocarbons that comprise oil and gas by microbes in the environment, particularly in the ocean, is not well characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize non-cultivation-based 'omics data to explore novel genomes of uncultured marine microbes involved in degradation of oil and gas. Analyses of newly assembled metagenomic data and previously existing genomes from other marine data sets, with metagenomic and metatranscriptomic read recruitment, revealed globally distributed hydrocarbon-degrading marine microbes with clade-specific substrate degradation potentials that have not been previously reported. This new understanding of oil and gas degradation by uncultured marine microbes suggested that the global ocean harbors a diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, which can act as primary agents regulating ecosystem health.

Stepwise One-Shot Borylation Reactions for Intersecting DABNA Substructures Exhibiting Bright Yellow‒Green Electroluminescence with EQE Beyond 40% and Mild Roll-Off.

Boron/nitrogen (B/N)-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the multiple resonance (MR) effect are promising for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) because of their narrowband emission and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics. Nevertheless, exploring the variety of such emitters is challenging because of the tricky and limited synthetic protocols. Herein, we designed a novel B/N-doped PAH, L-DABNA-1, whose backbone (L-DABNA) could not be achieved via conventional routes (e.g., one-pot borylation or one-shot borylation). We successfully synthesized it through stepwise one-shot borylations with precisely introducing decorations. The unique MR backbone with intersecting DABNA substructures sharing an aniline group, avoiding any para-N-π-B motif, allows L-DABNA-1 to maintain narrowband TADF emission while significantly redshifting to the yellow-green region with a reverse intersystem crossing rate (kRISC) of 1.28 × 105 s-1. An L-DABNA-1-based OLED device achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of over 40% and maintained a high EQE of 36.3% at 1000 cd m-2, with a current efficiency reaching ~170 cd A-1. This work not only demonstrated the great potential of stepwise borylations in synthesizing B/N-doped PAH backbones, expanding their chemical space, but also provided a promising pathway for exploring MR-TADF emitters at longer wavelengths.

SOURCE APPORTIONMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND SEDIMENTARY PAHS FROM KOLKATA, INDIA USING COMPOUND-CLASS-SPECIFIC RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS (CCSRA)

ABSTRACT Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major air pollutants that are ubiquitously produced by the combustion of organic materials, and it is extremely important to identify their pollution sources. In this study, molecular fingerprinting and compound class-specific radiocarbon dating (CCSRA) were performed on PAHs from canal sediments and air samples collected in Kolkata, India’s third largest city (population approximately 16 million), where PAHs pollution has been a serious problem. Average PAH (Σ12-parent PAHs) concentrations in air samples were 65.1 ng m–3 in summer and 70.9 ng m–3 in winter and in canal sediments were 32.7 µg g–1, which are classified as “very high-level” pollution. Molecular fingerprinting using methyl-PAH/PAH (MPAHs/PAHs) ratios and isomer pair ratios with molecular weights of 178, 202, 228, and 276 suggested that wood and coal combustion were the dominant sources of PAHs in the sediment, and that atmospheric PAHs were influenced by oil combustion in addition to them. The fraction of contemporary carbon (ƒC) of sedimentary PAHs (0.056–0.100), together with the extremely low MPAHs/PAHs ratio results, lead to the conclusion that the major source of the high concentration of PAHs in the canals is from coal combustion. On the other hand, the ƒC of atmospheric PAHs (0.272–0.369) was close to the share of biomass fuels in India’s domestic fuel consumption in 2011 (about 35%). Furthermore, the observed ƒC-discrepancy between atmospheric and sedimentary PAHs in the same urban environment was interpreted to give an insight into the loading pathway of PAHs to canal sediments in Kolkata.

Experimental study on emissions and particulate characteristics of diesel engine fueled with plastic waste oil, acetone-butanol-ethanol and diesel blends

Plastic waste poses a significant environmental challenge due to its non-biodegradable nature and accumulation in landfills. Converting plastic waste into usable fuel could offer a promising solution for mitigating these issues while addressing the emission-related challenges of diesel engines. This study investigates the impact of plastic waste oil (WPO) obtained through pretreatment and catalytic pyrolysis, blended with acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) and diesel fuel, on diesel engine. The aim was to evaluate how these blends affect gaseous emissions, organic compounds, and particle-bound carbon, focusing on their potential to reduce harmful pollutants compared to pure diesel fuel. The results indicated that the ABE5W15D blend significantly reduced smoke and CO emissions by 35.7 % and 17.43 %, respectively, with a slight decrease in HC emissions. However, the ABE20W blend showed elevated NOx levels due to higher ignition delay and increased cylinder pressure. Compared to pure diesel (D100), ABE10W10D and ABE5W15D blends reduced total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions by 26.8 % and 37.4 %, respectively. Naphthalene was the dominant PAH, remarkably increasing with W20D use, while longer-chain alkanes associated with lubricant oil had higher W20D emissions. The ABE5W15D blend notably reduced organic carbon (OC) emissions by approximately 38.26 % compared to D100. ABE20D exhibited lower elemental carbon (EC) emissions than D100, although it had higher EC than OC. The W20D blend resulted in larger particle diameters, whereas ABE10W10D showed lower particle counts in the 7–15 nm range. In conclusion, blending plastic waste oil with ABE and diesel fuel can effectively mitigate certain pollutants, depending on the blend composition.

Production of Bio-Oil from Sugarcane Bagasse through Hydrothermal Liquefaction Processes with Modified Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 Catalyst

In response to the increasing global demand for sustainable energy alternatives, this research explores the efficient conversion of sugarcane bagasse to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) processes with modified Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 catalysts (ZSM-5). The study systematically investigates the impact of feedstock quantity, reaction temperature, duration, and catalyst loading on bio-oil yield and quality. Optimisation experiments revealed that a feedstock amount of 10 grammes, an HTL temperature of 340 °C for 60 min and a ZSM-5 catalyst loading of 3 grammes resulted in the highest bio-oil yield. Furthermore, the introduction of Ni and Fe metals to ZSM-5 exhibited enhanced catalytic activity without compromising the structure of the zeolites. Comprehensive characterisation of modified catalysts using SEM-EDS, XRD, TGA, TEM, and FTIR provided insight into their structural and chemical properties. The successful incorporation of Ni and Fe into ZSM-5 was confirmed, highlighting promising applications in hydrothermal liquefaction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of bio-oils demonstrated the effectiveness of the 2% Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst, highlighting a significant increase in hydrocarbon content. FTIR analysis of the produced bio-oils indicated a reduction in functional groups and intensified aromatic peaks, suggesting a shift in chemical composition favouring aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provides valuable information on HTL optimisation, catalyst modification, and bio-oil characterisation, advancing the understanding of sustainable biofuel production. The findings underscore the catalytic prowess of modified ZSM-5, particularly with iron incorporation, in promoting the formation of valuable hydrocarbons during hydrothermal liquefaction.

Stepwise One‐Shot Borylation Reactions for Intersecting DABNA Substructures Exhibiting Bright Yellow‒Green Electroluminescence with EQE Beyond 40% and Mild Roll‐Off

Boron/nitrogen (B/N)‐doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the multiple resonance (MR) effect are promising for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) because of their narrowband emission and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics. Nevertheless, exploring the variety of such emitters is challenging because of the tricky and limited synthetic protocols. Herein, we designed a novel B/N‐doped PAH, L‐DABNA‐1, whose backbone (L‐DABNA) could not be achieved via conventional routes (e.g., one‐pot borylation or one‐shot borylation). We successfully synthesized it through stepwise one‐shot borylations with precisely introducing decorations. The unique MR backbone with intersecting DABNA substructures sharing an aniline group, avoiding any para‐N‐π‐B motif, allows L‐DABNA‐1 to maintain narrowband TADF emission while significantly redshifting to the yellow–green region with a reverse intersystem crossing rate (kRISC) of 1.28 × 105 s−1. An L‐DABNA‐1‐based OLED device achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of over 40% and maintained a high EQE of 36.3% at 1000 cd m−2, with a current efficiency reaching ~170 cd A−1. This work not only demonstrated the great potential of stepwise borylations in synthesizing B/N‐doped PAH backbones, expanding their chemical space, but also provided a promising pathway for exploring MR‐TADF emitters at longer wavelengths.

Assembly and functional profile of rhizosphere microbial community during the Salix viminalis-AMF remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polluted soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are positive to the phytoremediation by improving plant biomass and soil properties. However, the role of AM plants to the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is yet to be widely recognized, and the impact of AM plants to indigenous microbial communities during remediation remains unclear. In this work, a 90-day study was conducted to assess the effect of AMF-Salix viminalis on the removal of PAHs, and explore the impact to the microbial community composition, abundance, and function. Results showed that AMF-Salix viminalis effectively enhanced the removal of benzo[a]pyrene, and enriched more PAH-degrading bacteria, consisting of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Sphingomonas, and Stenotrophobacter, as well as fungi including Basidiomycota, Pseudogymnoascus, and Tomentella. For gene function, AM willow enhanced the enrichment of genes involved in amino acid synthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways. F. mosseae inoculation had a greater effect on alpha- and beta-diversity of microbial genes at 90 d. Additionally, AMF inoculation significantly increased the soil microbial biomass carbon and organic matter concentration. All together, the microbial community assembly and function shaped by AM willow promoted the dissipation of PAHs. Our results support the effectiveness of AM remediation and contribute to reveal the enhancing-remediation mechanism to PAHs using multi-omics data.

Assessment of Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Induced by Diesel Exhaust Particles (DEPs) on Cell Line A549 and the Potential Role of Amide-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as Fuel Additive

Epidemiological studies have consistently linked air pollution to severe health risks. One strategy to reduce the impact of combustion products from engines is adding additives to the fuel. Potential benefits have been observed in terms of performance and emissions, as well as in decreasing fuel consumption. However, the associated emission of particulate matter into the environment may have unforeseen health effects. This study examines the effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) from diesel fuel mixed with amide-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTF). The aim is to analyze the properties of DEPs and determine their toxic effects on lung cells. The DEPs were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, while the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed through gas chromatography. Various assays were conducted to assess cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The addition of CNTF to diesel fuel altered the morphology and size of the particles, as well as the quantity and composition of PAHs. At the cellular level, diesel DEPs induce higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity compared to both CNTF and diesel–CNTF DEPs. These findings suggest that the nano-additives enhance energy efficiency by reducing pollutants without significantly increasing cell toxicity.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Yogurt: Levels, Compositions, and Risks

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Yogurt: Levels, Compositions, and Risks

Microcrystalline Engineering of Anthracite-Based Carbon Via Salt-Assisted Ball Milling for Enhanced Sodium Storage Performance.

Coal-based carbon material, characterized by abundant resources and low cost, has gained considerable interests as a promising anode candidate for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the coal-based carbon generally shows inferior Na-storage performance due to its highly-ordered microstructure with narrow interlayer spacing. Herein, a salt-assisted mechanical ball-milling strategy is proposed to disrupt the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structure in anthracite molecules, thereby reducing the microcrystalline regularity of the derived carbon during following pyrolysis process. In addition, the induced C─O─C bonds during ball-milling process can alter the pyrolysis behavior of anthracite and restrain the formation of surface defects. Consequently, in contrast to pristine anthracite-based pyrolytic carbon, which exhibits a Na-storage capacity of 198.4 mAh g-1 with a low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 65.1%, the ball-milling modified carbon assisted by NaCl salt (NAC), with enhanced structural disordering and reduced surface defects, demonstrate significantly improved Na-storage capacity of 332.1 mAh g-1 and ICE value of 82.0%. The NAC electrode also realizes excellent cycle and rate performance, retaining a capacity of 196.0 mAh g-1 at 1 C after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, when coupled with NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode, the assembled Na-ion full cell deliveres an exceptional electrochemical performance, highlighting its promising prospect as high-performance anode for SIBs.

Polymorphism of pyrene on compression to 35 GPa in a diamond anvil cell

Structural studies of pyrene have been limited to below 2 GPa. Here, we report on investigations of pyrene up to ~35 GPa using in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction in diamond anvil cells and ab initio calculations. They reveal the phase transitions from pyrene-I to pyrene-II (0.7 GPa), and to the previously unreported pyrene-IV (2.7 GPa), and pyrene-V (7.3 GPa). The structure and bonding analysis shows that gradual compression results in continuous compaction of molecular packing, eventually leading to curvature of molecules, which has never been observed before. Large organic molecules exhibit unexpectedly high conformational flexibility preserving pyrene-V up to 35 GPa. Ab initio calculations suggest that the phases we found are thermodynamically metastable compared to pyrene-III previously reported at 0.3 and 0.5 GPa. Our study contributes to the fundamental understanding of the polymorphism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and calls for further theoretical exploration of their structure–property relationships.

Integrated evaluation of workplace exposures and biomarkers of bladder cancer among textile dyeing workers

BackgroundThe textile industry is the second risk factor for bladder cancer, after smoking. Previous studies focused on the impact of exposure to high concentrations of bladder carcinogenic chemicals in the textile dyeing industry on the elevation of bladder cancer biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate bladder carcinogenic air pollutants in a textile dyeing factory and investigate its role and the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vit. D) on cancer bladder biomarkers in exposed workers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Particulate and vapor forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in the printing, dyeing, and preparing sections of a textile factory. Bladder tumor antigen (BTA), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP-22), and 25-OH vit. D were estimated in all the exposed workers (147 exposed workers) and in workers not occupationally exposed to chemicals (130 unexposed workers).ResultsAromatic bladder carcinogenic compounds were either in low concentrations or not detected in the air samples of working areas. BTA and NMP-22 of exposed workers were not significantly different from the unexposed. However, 25-OH vit. D was significantly lower in the exposed than unexposed workers. There was a significant inverse correlation between 25-OH vit. D and duration of exposure in exposed workers.ConclusionThe mean levels of PAHs and VOCs were within the safe standard levels in the working areas. The non-significant difference in BTA and NMP-22 between the exposed and unexposed groups suggests the presence of occupational exposures to safe levels of bladder carcinogenic aromatics, while the significantly lower 25-OH vit. D levels among the exposed than the unexposed groups could suggest the potential association of 25-OH vit. D with occupational exposures to low levels of PAHs and VOCs, and this association was found to be inversely correlated with the duration of exposures. Accordingly, more specific predictor tests must be applied for early diagnosis of bladder cancer among the exposed workers.

Exploring Newer Topical Therapies for Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Guide for Rheumatologists

Understanding the pathogenesis of many inflammatory skin diseases and their associated signalling pathways has revealed multiple promising therapeutic targets. Given the chronic nature of many of these conditions, products with long-term safety and efficacy are desired. While topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay of topical therapies for years, they are burdened by concerns over long-term safety (i.e., atrophy, striae, telangiectasias), risk of absorption with systemic glucocorticoid side effects, and patient apprehension regarding steroid use. Similarly, topical calcipotriol and retinoids may be ineffective and can cause irritation. Although topical calcineurin inhibitors (i.e., pimecrolimus, tacrolimus) have been approved for atopic dermatitis, their off-label use for many inflammatory conditions may be limited by tolerability issues such as stinging and burning, and lack of effectiveness. The emergence of newer targeted small molecules for topical application, including topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (PDE4i), topical Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), and a therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon modulating agent (TAMA), offer promising new options and will be reviewed here and summarized in Table 1.

Geniposidic Acid Attenuates Chronic Tubulointerstitial Nephropathy Through Regulation of the NF-ƙB/Nrf2 Pathway Via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling.

Renal fibrosis is an outcome of chronic kidney disease, independent of the underlying etiology. Renal fibrosis is caused primarily by oxidative stress and inflammation. We identified the components of Plantaginis semen and elucidated their anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The renoprotective components and underlying molecular mechanisms of P. semen were investigated in rats with adenine-induced chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy (TIN) and in idole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-stimulated NRK-52E cells. Acetate and n-butanol extracts were found to be the bioactive fractions of P. semen. A total of 65 compounds including geniposidic acid (GPA), apigenin (APG), and acteoside (ATS) were isolated and identified. Among the seven main extract components, treatment with GPA, APG, and ATS reduced the serum levels of creatinine and urea in TIN rats. Mechanistically, GPA ameliorated renal fibrosis through repressing aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling and regulating redox signaling including inhibiting proinflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ƙB) and its target gene products as well as activated antioxidative nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target gene products in both TIN rats and IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells. The inhibitory effect of GPA on AHR, NF-Ƙb, and Nrf2 signaling were partially abolished in IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells treated with CH223191 compared with untreated IAA-stimulated NRK-52E cells. These data demonstrated that GPA alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation partly by suppressing AHR signaling.

Predicting structure-targeted food bioactive compounds for middle-aged and elderly Asians with myocardial infarction: insights from genetic variations and bioinformatics-integrated deep learning analysis.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant global health issue. Despite the advances in genome-wide association studies, a complete genetic and molecular understanding of MI is elusive and needs to be fully explored. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic framework of MI and explore the potential health benefits of natural compounds (NCs). The genetic architecture of MI was explored using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. We pinpointed crucial protein-coding genes related to MI by multi-marker analysis of genomic annotation for gene-based analysis. The bioinformatics-integrated deep neural analysis of NCs (BioDeepNat), a novel disease discovery application, was utilized to assess the influence of NCs on MI-related target proteins and validated with molecular docking analysis. The BioDeepNat application revealed significant NCs on MI-related target proteins, such as E-resveratrol, epicatechin 3-gallate, and kaempferol. The E3 region of RNF213 protein with a point mutation (Arg4810Lys) had different binding energies with NCs, such as ursolic acid and olean-12-en-28-oic acid, compared to the wild type. However, ginsenosides, eleutheroside, oleanolic acid, and hederagenin showed similar binding energies to wild and mutated types of RNF213 protein. The predicted NCs were primarily sourced from foods such as common grapes and teas. Aromatic hydrocarbons are frequently observed as the prevalent functional groups with high binding affinity for NCs in a molecular docking analysis. In conclusion, the proteins encoded by these genes identified by gene-based analysis interacted with several NCs with health promotion found in day-to-day foods, particularly E-resveratrol and kaempferol. This understanding offers promising directions for precision nutrition strategies in MI.