Aspects Of Toxicity Research Articles

Nontarget screening based on molecular networking strategy to identify transformation products of citalopram and sertraline in wastewater

Citalopram (CIT) and sertraline (SER) are highly consumed antidepressants worldwide and have been extensively detected in wastewater. Due to the incomplete mineralization, transformation products (TPs) of them can be detected in wastewater. Comparing with parent compounds, knowledge on TPs are limited. To fill these research gaps, lab-scale batch experiments, WWTPs sampling and in silico toxicity prediction were implemented to investigate the structure, occurrence and toxicity of TPs. Based on molecular networking nontarget strategy, 13 TPs of CIT and 12 TPs of SER were tentatively identified. Among them, 4 TPs from CIT and 5 TPs from SER were newly found in present study. TPs identification results compared with results obtained from previous nontarget strategies demonstrated that the excellent performances for molecular networking strategy on candidate TPs prioritizing and new TPs finding, especially for low abundance TPs. Further, transformation pathways for CIT and SER in wastewater were proposed. Newly identified TPs provided insights on defluorination, formylation and methylation for CIT and dehydrogenation, N-malonylation and N-acetoxylation for SER transformed in wastewater. Nitrile hydrolysis and N-succinylation were found to be the dominant transformation pathways for CIT and SER in wastewater, respectively. WWTPs sampling results shown the concentrations of SER and CIT ranged from 0.46 to 28.66 ng/L and 17.16 to 58.36 ng/L. In addition, 7 TPs of CIT and 2 TPs of SER found in lab-scale wastewater samples were found in WWTPs. In silico results suggested 2 TPs of CIT may be more toxic than CIT toward all three trophic levels organisms. Present study provides new insights into the transformation processes of CIT and SER in wastewater. In addition, the necessity of paying more attention on TPs was further highlighted from the aspects of toxicity for TPs of CIT and SER in effluent of WWTPs.

Reduced genotoxicity of lignin-derivable replacements to bisphenol A studied using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods

Bisguaiacols, lignin‐derivable bisphenols, are considered promising and possibly safer alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), but comprehensive toxicity investigations are needed to ensure safety. Most toxicity studies of BPA and its analogues have focused on potential estrogenic activity, and only limited toxicological data are available on other toxicity aspects, such as genotoxicity at low exposure levels. In this study, the genotoxicity of six lignin-derivable bisguaiacols with varying regioisomer contents and degrees of methoxy substitution was investigated using a multi-tiered method, consisting of in silico simulations, in vitro Ames tests, and in vivo comet tests. The toxicity estimation software tool, an application that predicts toxicity of chemicals using quantitative structure-activity relationships, calculated that the majority of the lignin-derivable bisguaiacols were non-mutagenic. These results were supported by Ames tests using five tester strains (TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, and TA1537) at concentrations ranging from 0.5 pmol/plate to 5 nmol/plate. The potential genotoxicity of bisguaiacols was further evaluated using in vivo comet testing in fetal chicken livers, and in addition to the standard alkaline comet assay, the formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase enzyme-modified comet assay was employed to investigate oxidative DNA damage in the liver samples. The oxidative stress analyses indicated that the majority of lignin-derivable analogues showed no signs of mutagenicity (mutagenic index < 1.5) or genotoxicity, in comparison to BPA and bisphenol F, likely due to the methoxy groups on the lignin-derivable aromatics. These findings reinforce the potential of lignin-derivable bisphenols as safer alternatives to BPA.

Evaluation of parking-related financial toxicity associated with cancer treatments in Western Canada

Introduction/BackgroundPatients and their caregivers incur numerous out-of-pocket costs while receiving oncologic treatments. These expenses are often overlooked by clinicians, even in countries with publicly funded healthcare systems. Parking fees are one such category of expenses that contribute to financial toxicity in cancer care. Patients with cancer often have protracted treatment courses, especially if they are receiving external beam radiation therapy. It is not clear if cancer center parking fees influence city-specific indices such as city-specific cost of living. The aim of this study was to evaluate cancer center parking fees in Western Canada and to elucidate any correlation between daily cost of parking and the city-specific indices. MethodsThis was a cross sectional study conducted from February 1st, 2022, to March 1st, 2022. An online search was undertaken to obtain the publicly available parking information for the regional and community cancer centers in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Telephone calls were made with parking offices or switchboards to obtain this information for the cancer centers that did not have online information on parking. Cancer center address transit scores, median city household income, and city-specific cost of living scores were obtained online for the cities where the cancer centers were located. Pearson correlation and a zero-inflated negative binomial model were used for statistical analysis. ResultsData was collected from 115 community and regional cancer centers distributed across the 4 provinces. The median hourly parking fee across all provinces was 2.00 Canadian Dollars (CAD) (Interquartile range (IQR), 0-4.25), whereas the median daily cost of parking was 9.50 CAD (IQR, 0-13.13). The median cancer center address transit score was 41.00 (IQR, 12.00-50.50). There was a statistically significant (p=0.029) positive correlation between the daily cost of parking and city cost of living. The correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.412. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between daily cost of parking and cancer center address transit score. The correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.676. In addition, there was a strong negative correlation between the cancer center address transit score and the presence of free parking with a correlation coefficient of -0.613 (p<0.001). There was a nonsignificant (p=0.88) negative correlation between cost of living and the presence of free parking with a correlation coefficient of -0.028. DiscussionThe results of this study demonstrate that daily cost of parking for community and regional cancer centers in Western Canada significantly influences city-specific cost of living and cancer center address transit scores to a varying degree. This demonstrates that the influence of parking fees on patients with cancer is multilayered with significant direct and indirect effects. This can contribute to loss of wage and added financial burden on patients and their caregivers in higher-cost provinces. The presence of free parking at community and regional cancer centers had a statistically significant negative correlation with the cancer center address transit score. This suggests that cities with more free parking also have less robust public transit systems. Conversely, the presence of an extensive public transit system leads to a lower likelihood of free parking being available at cancer centers. ConclusionThe presence of a strong public healthcare system does not necessarily address all aspects of cancer-related financial toxicity. There is strong evidence of both positive and negative correlations between city specific indices and cancer center parking fees in Western Canada. Policy makers and stakeholders should be cognizant of this interplay between the various city specific indices and parking fees for patients with cancer. Policies on provincial and federal levels should be implemented to address this increasingly problematic burden on oncologic patients.

Alkylphenols cause cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by oxidative stress in RTG-2 cell line

Alkylphenols ethoxylates are industrial surfactants, and the release in the environmental matrices produces degraded products, of which nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP) were the most common. They can be classified as endocrine disruptors since the estrogenic potential is widely recognized, but some others toxic aspects are in discussion. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of NP, OP, and mixtures of both through cellular, biochemical and genetic biomarkers in fish gonadal cell line RTG-2 exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.05; 0.5; 5; 50, and 100 μg mL−1 of each chemical and their mixtures of 0.05, 0.5; 5 μg mL−1 concentrations. After 24 h, the cells were collected for cytotoxic (neutral red – NR; crystal violet - CV, resazurin assay – RA and lactate-dehydrogenase - LDH), antioxidant system (glutathione-s-transferase – GST; superoxide-dismutase – SOD; glutathione-peroxidase – GPx and malondialdehyde – MDA) and genotoxic assays (alkaline comet assay and Fpg-modified alkaline comet assay). The chemicals and their mixtures were cytotoxic at 50 and 100 μg mL−1, in general aspect, but LDH showed cytotoxicity since 0.05 μg mL−1. The GST and SOD showed an activity increase trend in most tested groups, while GPx decreased at 5 μg mL−1 of the mixture. The MDA increase in all groups resulted in lipid peroxidation. The reactive oxygen species caused DNA damage for all groups. The tested chemicals and concentrations have been found in the freshwater systems. They can induce cell toxicity in several parameters that could impair the gonadal tissues considering the RTG-2 responses.

Financial toxicity in prostate cancer survivors: A national cross-sectional assessment of subjective financial burden

BackgroundIn prostate cancer (CaP) survivorship, subjective financial burden (SFB), an aspect of financial toxicity, has not been studied using a national sample. Our goal was to explore and identify factors associated with patient-reported SFB in CaP survivors. Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 264 adult individuals with a history of CaP that completed the AHRQ - Medical Expenditures Panel Survey - Household Component and Cancer Self-Administered Questionnaire Supplement in 2016 or 2017. Primary outcomes were the presence of cancer-related SFB and the severity of this burden. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the severity of SFB and different domains of burden. ResultsMost participants were non-Hispanic white, had 3 or more comorbidities and had a median age of 72 years. 62.1% of survivors indicated SFB associated with their CaP care and long-term effects. 49.2% of CaP survivors indicated coping SFB, 27.7% psychological, and 29.2% material. Older (OR: 0.95, 95%CI 0.92–0.98) was associated with less SFB. Low-income level (OR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.01–4.36) was associated with higher SFB. Hispanic survivors (OR: 2.8 95%CI 1.1–7.4) indicated more psychologic SFB. Presence of a caregiver was noted as a predictor of material (OR 2.6, 95%CI 1.45–4.49) and psychological (OR: 2.2, 95%CI 1.13–3.91) SFB. ConclusionsMany CaP survivors experience SFB and associated factors differ in domain of financial burden. This provides evidence and groundwork for understanding financial burden and improving the quality of counseling and care for this population.

Inherently safer process route ranking index (ISPRRI) for sustainable process design

The growth of process industries has escalated the probability of loss containment scenarios of hazardous materials that can be tackled via process safety schemes. For preliminary design stage, the inherent scheme is more promising to generate sustainable process designs. For this purpose, various process routes are typically compared to recognize the safer one via numerous indexing methods to eliminate routes with hazardous materials. However, these indices lack in accommodating the equipment characteristics and the underutilization of process and chemical characteristics. Specifically for chemical characteristics, the toxicity aspect has not been engaged for process route selection in conjuction with other aspects. Consequently, an advanced indexing method is consolidated in the present work for the mentioned gaps named as inherently safer process route ranking index (ISPRRI). This method utilizes the equipment, chemical, and process aspects for ranking purposes. MMA process routes have been studied with the proposed method, and the obtained results validate the applicability to identify the less hazardous route and are in agreement with previous indices. The technique would facilitate the design engineers to rigorously compare the process routes to highlight the inherently safer route with less hazardous materials for the desired chemical product.

Environmental chemicals induced toxicity and behavioural aspects

Toxicity is a measure of toxic substances that effects the life of humans, plants and animals. In the present paper the effect of toxicity is explored and their effect on the behaviour of human society and all other living organism has been discussed. In human toxicity a large consumption of chemicals is being taken up by human beings in the form of air, water and food which is a major cause of health issues in terms of diseases like cancer, skin problems and cardiac arrest. Another form of toxicity which is very much seen is the industrial toxicity. A huge amount of toxic substances arises due to chemicals being used in the synthesis, processing and testing of industrial goods. Life cycle assessment of the product will play a very vital role to control the amount of toxicity by recycling of constituents of any product with the help of proper planning and strategies.

Role of solid lipid nanoparticle for the delivery of Lipophilic Drugs and Herbal Medicines in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an uncommon condition marked by elevated pulmonary artery pressure that leads to right ventricular failure. The majority of drugs are now been approved by FDA for PAH, however, several biopharmaceutical hindrances lead to failure of the therapy. Various novel drug delivery systems are available in the literature from which lipid-based nanoparticles i.e. solid lipid nanoparticle is widely investigated for improving the solubility and bioavailability of drugs. In this paper, the prototype phytoconstituents used in pulmonary arterial hypertension have limited solubility and bioavailability. We highlighted the novel concepts of SLN for lipophilic phytoconstituents with their potential applications. This paper also reviews the present state of the art regarding production techniques for SLN like High-Pressure Homogenization, Micro-emulsion Technique, and Phase Inversion Temperature Method, etc. Furthermore, toxicity aspects and in vivo fate of SLN are also highlighted in this review. In a nutshell, safer delivery of phytoconstituents by SLN added a novel feather to the cap of successful drug delivery technologies.

Antagonism Between DUX4 and DUX4c Highlights a Pathomechanism Operating Through β-Catenin in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.

Aberrant expression of the transcription factor DUX4 from D4Z4 macrosatellite repeats on chromosome 4q35, and its transcriptome, associate with pathogenesis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Forced DUX4 expression halts skeletal muscle cell proliferation and induces cell death. DUX4 binds DNA via two homeodomains that are identical in sequence to those of DUX4c (DUX4L9): a closely related transcriptional regulator encoded by a single, inverted, mutated D4Z4 unit located centromeric to the D4Z4 macrosatellite array on chromosome 4. However, the function and contribution of DUX4c to FSHD pathogenesis are unclear. To explore interplay between DUX4, DUX4c, and the DUX4-induced phenotype, we investigated whether DUX4c interferes with DUX4 function in human myogenesis. Constitutive expression of DUX4c rescued the DUX4-induced inhibition of proliferation and reduced cell death in human myoblasts. Functionally, DUX4 promotes nuclear translocation of β-CATENIN and increases canonical WNT signalling. Concomitant constitutive expression of DUX4c prevents β-CATENIN nuclear accumulation and the downstream transcriptional program. DUX4 reduces endogenous DUX4c levels, whereas constitutive expression of DUX4c robustly suppresses expression of DUX4 target genes, suggesting molecular antagonism. In line, DUX4 expression in FSHD myoblasts correlates with reduced DUX4c levels. Addressing the mechanism, we identified a subset of genes involved in the WNT/β-CATENIN pathway that are differentially regulated between DUX4 and DUX4c, whose expression pattern can separate muscle biopsies from severely affected FSHD patients from healthy. Finally, blockade of WNT/β-CATENIN signalling rescues viability of FSHD myoblasts. Together, our study highlights an antagonistic interplay whereby DUX4 alters cell viability via β-CATENIN signalling and DUX4c counteracts aspects of DUX4-mediated toxicity in human muscle cells, potentially acting as a gene modifier for FSHD severity. Importantly, direct DUX4 regulation of the WNT/β-CATENIN pathway informs future therapeutic interventions to ameliorate FSHD pathology.

Methotrexate toxicity in psoriasis-A multicentric retrospective study.

Even today methotrexate (MTX) remains the backbone of psoriasis management in dermatological practice. The widespread usage as well as over the counter availability of drug in India has led to frequent incidents of overdosing, resulting in toxicity. However, there is a lack of large size, comprehensive study in literature emphasizing upon reasons behind drug toxicity, clinical manifestations, and various management aspects. The present study aims to evaluate risk factors, clinical features, and suggest best management protocol based upon our experience in the management of MTX toxicity. A multicentric, retrospective study was conducted including all cases of psoriasis who were treated for MTX toxicity in the last 5 years. Complete information including demographic details, drug history, detailed clinical evaluation, laboratory parameters, management protocol, and outcome were studied and analyzed. A total of 21 patients of psoriasis with MTX toxicity were included, of which 20 had mucocutaneous ulcerations and hematological abnormalities were found in 76% patients. All cases were treated with folinic acid and 85% patients recovered within 7-14 days. Three out of 21 patients succumbed to their illness despite the best possible treatment. Overdosing was found to be the most common cause (66%) of drug toxicity, either inadvertent or due to self-medication. Patients must be counseled regarding course of the disease, drug regimen, and dreaded side effects prior to initiating the drug. In case the symptoms of toxicity appear, a prompt medical advice must be sought.

Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Related Lung Toxicity: A Multicentre Real-Life Retrospective Portrait from Six Italian Centres.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the therapeutic horizons of various cancers. However, immune-related adverse events have been reported, including interstitial lung diseases. Our aim was to describe the clinical and radiological features and survival of a multicentre cohort of patients who developed ICI-related lung toxicity. Methods: Six Italian centres were involved in the study. Patients who were treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 mAbs and developed ICI-related lung toxicity were recruited retrospectively to study clinical, radiological, immunological and survival data. Results: A total of 41 patients (25 males, 66.8 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled. Lung toxicity occurred after 204.3 ± 208.3 days of therapy, with ground glass opacities being the most common HRCT pattern (23 cases). Male sex, lung cancer and acute respiratory failure were associated with a shorter latency of toxicity (p = 0.0030, p = 0.0245 and p = 0.0390, respectively). Patients who required high-flow oxygen therapy showed significantly worse survival (p = 0.0028). Conclusions: Our cohort showed heterogeneous clinical and radiological aspects of ICI-related lung toxicity, with a latency not limited to the first year of treatment. Severity was mainly mild to moderate, although life-threatening events did occur. Our data indicate that strict long-term follow-up is needed to enable early diagnosis and appropriate management.

Property-based quantitative risk assessment of hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and propane considering explosion, combustion, toxicity, and environmental impacts

In this study, a quantitative risk assessment of decarbonized new fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, and conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane and propane, is conducted. The assessment focuses on the aspects of explosion, combustion, toxicity and environment to find answers for the questions “Which fuel is more dangerous?” and “How much?”. To assess the risk of each fuel, not for specific applications, but for general purposes, risk related fuel properties are used to calculate the risk intensity and risk frequency. Considering the risk frequency, the degree of risk is calculated as hydrogen > propane > methane > ammonia. In terms of the risk intensity, the degree of risk is changed as propane > methane > hydrogen > ammonia. The total risk score, which is a multiple of the risk frequency and intensity, is derived as propane (47.6 pts) > methane (31.5 pts) > hydrogen (31.2 pts) > ammonia (15.4 pts). Hydrogen shows high risks in the flammability limit, minimum ignition energy, adiabatic flame temperature and laminar burning velocity while ammonia shows high risks in toxicity. The results obtained from the risk assessment are expected to reinforce the weak points of decarbonized alternative fuels for their safe use in energy conversion systems.

The potential exposure and hazards of zirconia nanoparticles: A review

Zirconia is upon nanoparticles widely used in various fields due to its adequate properties, making it an inherent element in nanotechnology. The enhanced expansion of their usage is not harmonized at the same level with toxicological investigations, and little interest has been given to their potential toxicity. Some studies considered using zirconia nanoparticles as a biomedical material as safe, while others considered them unsafe and harmful for living organisms; indeed, toxicity mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species production were reported. Such ambiguous points refer to the critical need for more related studies. The contradictions in the published works require a detailed review to understand the toxicity aspects and mechanisms of ZrO2 NPs, including their implications associated with human and environmental exposure. This review aims to summarize mainly all published studies on Zirconia and its potentials harmful effects on living organisms; and likewise contributes to the accession of knowledge and a better understanding of the subject.

An overview of the natural antimicrobial alternatives for sheep meat preservation.

Sheep meat is consumed and appreciated all over the world for its nutritional value and flavor. However, this meat is very perishable and easily subjected to the action of both spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. For this reason, in combination with cold storage, effective preservation techniques are required. There is increasing interest in the application of natural antimicrobials, such as essential oils, extracts, spices, and by-products of the food industry. This review analyses the studies on natural antimicrobials in sheep meat and sheep meat products and gathers evidence about the encouraging results achieved on the reduction and/or elimination of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. The use of these natural antimicrobial alternatives might open up important perspectives for industrial application, considering that this specific meat is often traded over long distances. In fact, on the basis of scientific literature, natural antimicrobials can be considered a sustainable and affordable alternative to extend the shelf life of sheep meat and guarantee its safety, although many factors need to be further investigated, such as the sensory impact, potential toxicity, and economic aspects. For all these issues, investigated in some of the studies reviewed here, it is fundamental to obtain the antimicrobial effect with the minimum amount of effective substance to avoid sensory modifications, toxic effects, and unbearable costs. This study sets foundations for the possible direction of future studies, which will contribute to identify effective solutions for industrial applications of natural antimicrobials in the sheep meat industry.

Assessing the Morphological and Behavioral Toxicity of Catechol Using Larval Zebrafish.

Catechol is a ubiquitous chemical used in the manufacturing of fragrances, pharmaceuticals and flavorants. Environmental exposure occurs in a variety of ways through industrial processes, during pyrolysis and in effluent, yet despite its prevalence, there is limited information regarding its toxicity. While the genotoxicity and gastric carcinogenicity of catechol have been described in depth, toxicological studies have potentially overlooked a number of other effects relevant to humans. Here, we have made use of a general and behavioral larval zebrafish toxicity assay to describe previously unknown catechol-based toxicological phenomena. Behavioral testing revealed catechol-induced hypoactivity at concentrations an order of magnitude lower than observable endpoints. Catechol exposure also resulted in punctate melanocytes with concomitant decreases in the expression of pigment production and regulation markers mitfa, mc1r and tyr. Because catechol is converted into a number of toxic metabolites by tyrosinase, an enzyme found almost exclusively in melanocytes, an evaluation of the effects of catechol on these cells is critical to evaluating the safety of this chemical. This work provides insights into the toxic nature of catechol and highlights the benefits of the zebrafish larval testing platform in being able to dissect multiple aspects of toxicity with one model.

Graphene-based porous nanohybrid architectures for adsorptive and photocatalytic abatement of volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent a considerable threat to humans and ecosystems. Strategic remediation techniques for the abatement of VOCs are immensely important and immediately needed. Given a unique set of optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics, inimitable surface functionalities, porous structure, and substantial specific surface area, graphene and derived nanohybrid composites have emerged as exciting candidates for abating environmental pollutants through photocatalytic degradation and adsorptive removal. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) containing oxygenated function entities, i.e., carbonyl, hydroxyl, and carboxylic groups, provide anchor and dispersibility of their surface photocatalytic nanoscale particles and adsorptive sites for VOCs. Therefore, it is meaningful to recapitulate current state-of-the-art research advancements in graphene-derived nanostructures as prospective platforms for VOCs degradation. Considering this necessity, this work provides a comprehensive and valuable insight into research progress on applying graphene-based nanohybrid composites for adsorptive and photocatalytic abatement of VOCs in the aqueous media. First, we present a portrayal of graphene-based nanohybrid based on their structural attributes (i.e., pore size, specific surface area, and other surface features to adsorb VOCs) and structure-assisted performance for VOCs abatement by graphene-based nanocomposites. The adsorptive and photocatalytic potentialities of graphene-based nanohybrids for VOCs are discussed with suitable examples. In addition to regeneration, reusability, and environmental toxicity aspects, the challenges and possible future directions of graphene-based nanostructures are also outlined towards the end of the review to promote large-scale applications of this fascinating technology.

Immunomodulatory effects of selected medicinal herbs and their essential oils: A comprehensive review

Medicinal herbs and their essential oils are used in human health promotion and disease prevention since ancient times. In the last two decades, many studies have been carried out to both identify bioactive compounds in medicinal herbs and derived essential oils and to examine their biological effects in experimental models; clinical trials, however, have been scant. This review discusses in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence supporting the immunomodulatory role of eleven medicinal herbs (bay laurel, black cumin, clove, fennel, lemon balm, lemongrass, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and thyme) and their essential oils and bioactive components. Safety and toxicity aspects for consumption as well as future perspectives are also covered. Relevant data from the existing literature have been compiled and summarized. These herbs and oils, which are increasingly consumed, can be considered as valuable dietary supplements due to their health-promoting bioactive constituents. Well-design clinical trials are warranted to better ascertain the immunomodulatory effects of these herbal products.

Multimodal Potentials of Gold Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Avenues and Prospects.

Osseous tissue repair has advanced due to the introduction of tissue engineering. The key elements required while engineering new tissues involve scaffolds, cells, and bioactive cues. The macrostructural to the nanostructural framework of such complex tissue has engrossed the intervention of nanotechnology for efficient neo-bone formation. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have recently gained interest in bone tissue regeneration due to their multimodal functionality. They are proven to modulate the properties of scaffolds and the osteogenic cells significantly. GNPsalso influence different metabolic functions within the body, which directly or indirectly govern the mechanism of bone regeneration. Therefore, this review highlights nanoparticle-mediated osteogenic development, focusing on different aspects of GNPsranging from scaffold modulation to cellular stimulation. The toxic aspects of gold nanoparticles studied so far are critically explicated, while further insight into the advancements and prospects of these nanoparticles in bone regeneration is also highlighted.

Ultrasound-assisted nanoemulsion of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and its constituent thymol on toxicity and biochemical aspect of Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue worldwide and is managed by using chemical insecticides. Though effective, their indiscriminate use brings in associated problems on safety to non-target and the environment. This supports the use of plant-based essential oil (EO) formulations as they are safe to use with limited effect on non-target organisms. Quick volatility and degradation of EO are a hurdle in its use; the present study attempts to develop nanoemulsions (NE) of Trachyspermum ammi EO and its constituent thymol using Tween 80 as surfactant by ultrasonication method. The NE of EO had droplet size ranging from 65 ± 0.7 to 83 ± 0.09nm and a poly dispersity index (PDI) value of 0.18 ± 0.003 to 0.20 ± 0.07 from 1 to 60days of storage. The NE of thymol showed a droplet size ranging from 167 ± 1 to 230 ± 1nm and PDI value of 0.30 ± 0.03 to 0.40 ± 0.008 from 1 to 60days of storage. The droplet shape of both NEs appeared spherical under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The larvicidal effect of NEs of EO and thymol was better than BEs (Bulk emulsion) of EO and thymol against Ae. aegypti. Among the NEs, thymol (LC50 34.89ppm) had better larvicidal action than EO (LC50 46.73ppm). Exposure to NEs of EO and thymol causes the shrinkage of the larval cuticle and inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Ae. aegypti. Our findings show the enhanced effect of NEs over BEs which facilitate its use as an alternative control measure for Ae. aegypti.

Machine Learning-Based Emotion Factor Analysis of Sport Fan Community

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. As the popularity of football continues to grow worldwide, so does the number of incidents of violence on the pitch. Today, doping, match fixing, black whistles, and football hooliganism are ranked as the four most toxic aspects of sport. How to study the factors that cause aggressive behaviour of fans from a psychological perspective has become a key issue in the field of sports. Therefore, this study proposes a method for mining the psychological factors of sport fan community members based on machine learning clustering. Firstly, three different members of a large fan community, i.e., university students, office workers, and unemployed people, are used as research subjects to investigate the psychological factors influencing fans’ aggressive behaviour using a questionnaire method. Secondly, the data obtained were mined and analysed using the K-means clustering algorithm in machine learning techniques. At the same time, a K-means initial clustering centre optimization algorithm based on principal component analysis (PCA) was proposed for the data characteristics of the interaction of psychological factors. The results show that the new algorithm significantly improves the quality of clustering compared with other optimization algorithms and accurately identifies the multiple factors that contribute to the occurrence of fan attacks.