Chronic Poisoning Research Articles

Analysis and Detection of Heavy Metals Content in Some Selected Packaged Fruit Juices of Kathmandu City by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

The determination of level of heavy metals in packaged fruit juices is crucial, as extended exposure to even small quantities of these toxic element can cause severe health issues and chronic poisoning. Hence, it is essential to gather comprehensive data on the presence of heavy metals in packaged fruit juice samples. The objective of this research work is to determine heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb) in four different types of packaged fruit juice samples viz Apple, Mango, Orange and Lychee of four different popular brands bought from retail market of Kathmandu city by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and compare with acceptable limit set by WHO/FAO. Wet acid digestion method was used for digestion process of packaged fruit juice samples. The concentration of Iron were ranged from 0.572-0.762mg/L in Orange juices; 0.362-0.624mg/L in Mango juices; 0.277-3.649mg/L in Apple juices; 0.279-1.770mg/L in Lychee juices respectively. Copper concentration were ranged from not detected (ND)-0.574mg/L in Orange juices; ND for all selected samples in Mango juices; ND- 0.023mg/L in Apple juices; ND-0.041mg/L in Lyclee juices. Similarly Zinc concentration were ranged from 0.0511-0.2026mg/L in Orange juices; ND-0.0700mg/L in Mango juices; ND for all selected samples in Apple juices; ND-0.0287mg/L in Lychee juices. The concentration of hazardous element Lead was found below detection limit in all selected packaged fruit juice samples. The heavy metals concentration in selected brand of packaged fruit juice samples was in following order: Fe>Zn>Cu> Pb. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 12(3): 158-165.

Association of PPARGC1A gene polymorphism and mtDNA methylation with coal-burning fluorosis: a case–control study

BackgroundCoal-burning fluorosis is a chronic poisoning resulting from the prolonged use of locally available high-fluoride coal for heating and cooking. Prolonged fluoride exposure has been demonstrated to decrease PPARGC1A levels. Therefore, this case-control aims to evaluate the genetic association of PPARGC1A gene polymorphisms and methylation of the mitochondrial D-loop region with coal-burning fluorosis.ResultThe results showed that the TT genotype at rs13131226 and the AA genotype at rs1873532 increased the risk of coal-burning fluorosis (OR = 1.84, P = 0.004; OR = 1.97, P = 0.007), the CT and CC genotypes at rs7665116 decreased the risk of coal-burning fluorosis (OR = 0.54, P = 0.003). The TT genotype at the rs2970847 site and the AA genotype at the rs2970870 site increase the risk of developing skeletal fluorosis (OR = 4.12, P = 0.003; OR = 2.22, P = 0.011). Haplotype AG constructed by rs3736265-rs1873532 increased the risk of the prevalence of coal-burning fluorosis (OR = 1.465, P = 0.005); CG decreased the risk of the prevalence of coal-burning fluorosis (OR = 0.726, P = 0.020). Haplotype CGGT constructed by rs6821591-rs768695-rs3736265-rs2970847 increased the risk of the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis (OR = 1.558, P = 0.027). A 1% increase in CpG_4 methylation levels in the mtDNA D-loop region is associated with a 2.3% increase in the risk of coal-burning fluorosis. Additionally. There was a significant interaction between rs13131226 and rs1873532; CpG_4 and CpG_8.9; rs13131224,rs6821591 and rs7665116 were observed in the occurrence of fluorosis in the Guizhou population (χ2 = 16.917, P < 0.001; χ2 = 21.198, P < 0.001; χ2 = 36.078, P < 0.001).ConclusionPPARGC1A polymorphisms rs13131226 and rs1873532 and the mitochondrial DNA D-loop methylation site CpG_4 have been associated with an increased risk of fluorosis, conversely polymorphism rs7665116 was associated with a decreased risk of fluorosis. Polymorphisms rs2970870 were associated with increased risk of skeletal fluorosis, and polymorphism rs2970847 was associated with decreased risk of skeletal fluorosis. These SNPs and CpG can be used as potential targets to assess fluorosis risk.

Suitability of Hair Testing in Medical Dispensing Errors: A Fatal Case of Gliclazide Poisoning

ABSTRACTA patient was prescribed a new treatment, 40 mg furosemide. Her pharmacist mistakenly dispensed 40 mg gliclazide instead. After 3 weeks of treatment, the patient was found in a coma, was hospitalised and died after a week. Hair sample was collected during post‐mortem examination and tested for gliclazide on three 2 cm sections, starting at the root end. Hair strands were decontaminated, segmented and incubated in the presence of diazepam‐d5, and a solid–liquid extraction has been performed. Finally, toxicological analyses were performed by UFLC Shimadzu Prominence ‐ MS/MS Sciex 6500 QTRAP. Gliclazide was found on the proximal (238 pg/mg), median (77 pg/mg) and distal (69 pg/mg) segments. The concentration in the proximal segment was largely higher than in the other two, which demonstrates repeated intake of gliclazide by the patient during at least the last 2 months before death. The lower concentrations in the medial and distal segments, as well as a part of the concentration in the proximal segment, may be linked to external hair contamination. These could be due to either radial sweat diffusion, possibly occurring in the last week hospitalisation of the patient, or to biological fluids contamination during post‐mortem examination. This case illustrates the opportunity to confirm slow and fatal chronic poisoning by gliclazide using hair analysis and shows the benefit of hair testing for the investigation of medical or dispensing errors.

Low concentrations of the food contaminant Deoxynivalenol trigger apoptosis and impair GnRH-induced LH secretion in pituitary gonadotrope-like cells.

AbstractTheFusariummycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most frequently occurring food contaminants. Nearly all individuals are exposed to DON, due to it widespread presence in grains and grain-based products. Chronic DON poisoning is associated with growth retardation, immunotoxicity as well as impaired reproduction and fetal development. At the molecular level, DON alters intracellular signaling by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that modulate cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Of note, these MAPKs are also critical mediators of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by pituitary gonadotrope cells. So far, no research has explored the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of DON on pituitary gonadotropins production. Herein, we show the first evidence that DON affects LH production by the immortalized gonadotrope-like cell line LβT2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, our experiments demonstrated that low concentrations of DON affect GnRH-induced signaling through a mechanism that, at least in part, involves apoptosis and inhibition of GnRH-induced phosphorylation of ERK-MAPK. Consequently, DON also affects the GnRH-induced expression ofCgaandLhb, two critical genes for LH synthesis and secretion by gonadotrope cells in mammals. This research broadens our knowledge of the toxicity of DON and brings a new depth to the potential neuroendocrine implications for reproduction.Graphical abstract

Three cases of occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning

Chronic chloropropene poisoning is a disease mainly caused by peripheral nerve damage due to close contact with chloropropene in industrial production, its clinical manifestations include varying degrees of sensory, motor, or tendon reflex disorders in the distal limbs, and neuromyography can show neurogenic damage. This article analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment methods of three patients with occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning, in order to enhance the clinical understanding of occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The mitigating effects and mechanisms of Bacillus cereus on chronic cadmium poisoning in Litopenaeus vannamei based on histopathological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses

Shrimp are non-negligible victims of cadmium (Cd) contamination, and there is still a lack of strategies for mitigating Cd toxicity in shrimp. Bacillus cereus, with its significant heavy metal (HM) tolerance and chelating effects, is a representative beneficial bacterium to be investigated for mitigating the toxicity of Cd exposure. This study revealed the effects and potential mechanisms of B. cereus in mitigating chronic Cd toxicity in shrimp by analyzing growth performance, hepatopancreatic Cd accumulation, pathology, as well as comprehensive hepatopancreatic transcriptomics and metabolomics in Litopenaeus vannamei. The results showed that shrimp's growth inhibition, hepatopancreatic Cd accumulation and physiological structure damage in B. cereus+chronic Cd group were effectively alleviated compared with the chronic Cd treatment group. The pathways related to amino acid metabolism, glycolipid metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant stress were significantly activated in the B. cereus+chronic Cd group, including glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, biosynthesis of amino acids, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathways. The key differentially expressed genes (e.g., macrophage migration inhibitory factor, glycine cleavage system H protein, glycine dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase-2, asparaginase, ATP synthase subunit, cytochrome c, and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase) and metabolites (e.g., L-leucine, D-ribose, gluconic acid, 6-Phosphogluconic acid, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate, 1-Kestose, glyceric acid, arachidic acid, prostaglandins, 12-Keto-tetrahydro-leukotriene B4, and gamma-glutamylcysteine) associated with the above pathways were significantly altered. This study demonstrated that B. cereus is an effective mitigator for the treatment of chronic Cd poisoning in shrimp. B. cereus may play a role in alleviating the toxicity of Cd by enhancing the antioxidant performance, immune defense ability, metabolic stability, and energy demand regulation of shrimp. The study provides reference materials for the study of B. cereus in alleviating Cd toxicity of shrimp and broadens the application of probiotics in treating HM toxicity.

Construction of magnetic bimetallic oxide‐decorated attapulgite‐based adsorbents for arsenic ion adsorption

AbstractBACKGROUNDArsenic contamination can exert severe detrimental effects on the ecological environment and human health. It can cause acute or chronic poisoning, resulting in cell distortion or cancer when humans come into contact with or consume arsenic‐containing water. Adsorption technology is one of the effective methods for arsenic removal. In this study, using attapulgite (ATP) as a support for bimetallic iron–manganese oxides, a series of adsorbents (Fe‐Mn/ATP) with different manganese‐to‐iron molar ratios were prepared via the coprecipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy mapping, X‐ray diffraction and zeta potential measurements were used to analyze the structure and properties of Fe‐Mn/ATP. In addition, the adsorption performance of the material for arsenic ions was investigated by static adsorption and dynamic adsorption experiments.RESULTSA novel Fe‐Mn/ATP adsorbent was prepared using ATP as the raw material and manganese‐to‐iron molar ratio was 1:3 by coprecipitation at 60 °C for 1 h. The adsorption efficiency of arsenic ions was optimal at an Fe‐Mn/ATP dosage of 2 g L−1, pH 4 and a contact time of 10 min, reaching a maximum adsorption capacity of 38.27 mg g−1 at room temperature. The adsorption process followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model, indicating that arsenic ion adsorption by Fe‐Mn/ATP was mainly monolayer chemical adsorption. Furthermore, Fe‐Mn/ATP showed a removal rate for arsenic ions of over 80% after four cycles of regeneration, revealing a great potential for practical application.CONCLUSIONThis study offers a promising Fe‐Mn/ATP adsorbent for removal of arsenic ions from wastewater. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Chronic copper poisoning in cattle: can you have too much of a good thing?

Chronic copper poisoning in cattle: can you have too much of a good thing?

INFLUENCE OF A COMPLEX ANTI-TOXICANT FROM THE FLO-RA OF AZERBAIJAN ON HEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS DURING NICKEL IN-TOXICATION IN CONDITIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Purpose of the study: The effect of an antitoxicant from the flora of Azerbaijan on hemato-logical parameters during nickel intoxication against the background of experimental atheroscle-rosis was studied. Materials and methods: The studies were conducted on male rats, which, after modeling atherosclerosis, were exposed to nickel through drinking water for 60 days at a dose of 2 mg/kg. In the experimental group, after poisoning against the background of experimental atherosclero-sis, rats received an antitoxicant, which was added to drinking water at a dose of 8 mg/kg for a month. The obtained results: The results of the study showed that after nickel intoxication against the background of experimental atherosclerosis, there was a decrease in the number of most blood elements: mainly granulocytes, hemoglobin and the average hemoglobin content in eryth-rocytes. Only the platelet count continued to increase during all periods of the study. After using the herbal antitoxicant were detected an increase in the level of hemoglobin, the average hemo-globin content in erythrocytes and a decrease in platelet content. Results: The obtained data indicate the corrective effect of this plant complex on hematolog-ical disorders and the feasibility of its testing in the clinic of chronic nickel poisoning.

Targeting IGF2BP1 alleviated benzene hematotoxicity by reprogramming BCAA metabolism and fatty acid oxidation

Benzene is the main environmental pollutant and risk factor of childhood leukemia and chronic benzene poisoning. Benzene exposure leads to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) dysfunction and abnormal blood cell counts. However, the key regulatory targets and mechanisms of benzene hematotoxicity are unclear. In this study, we constructed a benzene-induced hematopoietic damage mouse model to explore the underlying mechanisms. We identified that Insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) was significantly reduced in benzene-exposed mice. Moreover, targeting IGF2BP1 effectively mitigated damages to hematopoietic function and hematopoietic molecule expression caused by benzene in mice. On the mechanics, by metabolomics and transcriptomics, we discovered that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism and fatty acid oxidation were key metabolic pathways, and Branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A) were critical metabolic enzymes involved in IGF2BP1-mediated hematopoietic injury process. The expression of the above molecules in the benzene exposure population was also examined and consistent with animal experiments. In conclusion, targeting IGF2BP1 alleviated hematopoietic injury caused by benzene exposure, possibly due to the reprogramming of BCAA metabolism and fatty acid oxidation via BCAT1 and CPT1A metabolic enzymes. IGF2BP1 is a potential regulatory and therapeutic target for benzene hematotoxicity.

#3073 Should we expand the indications for hemodialysis in lithium intoxications beyond the EXTRIP recommendations?

Abstract Background and Aims EXTRIP Workgroup (EW) recommends renal replacement therapy (RRT) in lithium poisoning when serum lithium levels &amp;gt;4 mmol/l in cases of impaired kidney function, decreased consciousness, seizures or dysrhythmias, and suggests RRT in cases of serum lithium &amp;gt;5 mmol/l or when there is confusion or the expected time to obtain lithium levels &amp;lt;1 mmol/l with optimal management exceeds 36 hours. The aim of this study was to assess the benefit of RRT in the conditions recommended and suggested by the EW, and evaluate the benefit from RRT in other conditions of lithium poisoning. Method We conducted a retrospective mutli-centre observational study that included patients with a diagnosis of lithium poisoning from January 2006 to December 2022. Demographic data, kidney function and comorbidities, clinical presentation including neurologic, cardiac and renal manifestations, type of intoxication, previous poisonings or concomitant intake of other toxic substances and treatments used were registered. In patients receiving RRT, the type of RRT, duration and number of sessions were registered. Lithium levels during hospitalization were recorded, and time for lithium levels &amp;lt;1 mmol/l was calculated. The primary outcomes were death from lithium poisoning and persistent neurologic deficits (syndrome of irreversible lithium-effectuated neurotoxicity, SILENT). Results The study included 179 cases of lithium poisoning (62.6% chronic lithium poisoning, 34.6% acute on chronic and 2.8% acute poisoning),with a mean age of 56.3 ± 15.4 years, and patients were predominantly females (57%). 130 patients (72.6%) presented neurological manifestations, out of which 33 patients (18.4%) presented a decreased conscious level or generalized convulsions, and 40 patients (22.3%) presented confusion. 98 patients (54.7%) presented acute kidney injury (AKI) and 21 patients (11.7%) presented life-threatening dysrhythmias. 68 patients (38%) were treated with RRT. 31 patients (17.3%) developed persistent neurological deficits (SILENT) and only 2 patients (1.1%) died of lithium poisoning during hospitalization. Concerning patients in whom hemodialysis was recommended according to EW guidelines, only 34 out of 53 patients (64.2%) received RRT. In this group of patients, those who received RRT developed less frequently SILENT (11.8% vs 36.8%, p = 0.031) Regarding patients in whom hemodialysis is suggested according to EW, only 34 out of 106 patients (32.1%) received RRT. Overall, combining patients in whom dialysis is recommended or suggested according to EW, SILENT developed less frequently in those who received RRT (13.2% vs 20.4%) Beyond the recommendations by the EW, we found that patients with lithium levels &amp;gt; 2 mEq/l with AKI and any neurological manifestations presented less frequently SILENT when receiving RRT (7% vs 26%, p = 0.033). We also observed that patients who received RRT had a shorter in-hospital stay (3.3 [IQR 2-7] days vs 9.4 [IQR 5-11] days, p = 0.01). Conclusion Patients presenting with lithium poisoning and impaired kidney function or any neurological manifestations who received RRT presented less frequently persistent neurologic deficits (SILENT) after discharge, regardless of lithium levels or type of poisoning. We suggest that EXTRIP should recommend RRT in any patient with lithium poisoning who presents with neurological symptoms or impaired kidney function, regardless of lithium levels.

Customizable Zr-MOF nanoantidote-based multieffective arsenic detoxification and its extended low-toxic therapy

Arsenic (As) poisoning has become a global public problem threatening human health. Chelation therapy (CT) is the preferred treatment for arsenic poisoning. Nevertheless, efficient and safe arsenic removal in vivo remains a daunting challenge due to the limitations of chelators, including weak affinity, poor cell membrane penetration, and short half-life. Herein, a mercapto-functionalized and size-tunable hierarchical porous Zr-MOF (UiO-66-TC-SH) is developed, which possesses abundant arsenic chemisorption sites, effective cell uptake ability, and long half-life, thereby efficiently removing toxic arsenic in vivo. Moreover, the strong binding affinity of UiO-66-TC-SH for arsenic reduces systemic toxicity caused by off-target effects. In animal trials, UiO-66-TC-SH decreases the blood arsenic levels of acute arsenic poisoning mice to a normal value within 48 h, and the efficacy is superior to clinical drugs 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid sodium salt (DMPS). Meanwhile, UiO-66-TC-SH also significantly mitigates the arsenic accumulation in the metabolic organs of chronic arsenic poisoning mice. Surprisingly, UiO-66-TC-SH also accelerates the metabolism of arsenic in organs of tumor-bearing mice and alleviates the side effects of arsenic drugs antitumor therapy. Statement of significanceArsenic (As) contamination has become a global problem threatening public health. The present clinical chelation therapy (CT) still has some limitations, including the weak affinity, poor cell membrane permeability and short half-life of hydrophilic chelators. Herein, a metal−organic framework (MOF)-based multieffective arsenic removal strategy in vivo is proposed for the first time. Mercapto-functionalized and size-tunable hierarchical porous Zr-MOF nanoantidote (denoted as UiO-66-TC-SH) is accordingly designed and synthesized. After injection, UiO-66-TC-SH can form Zr−O−As bonds and As−S bonds with arsenic, thus enhancing arsenic adsorption capacity, cycling stability and systemic safety simultaneously. The acute arsenic poisoning model results indicate that UiO-66-TC-SH shows superior efficacy to the clinical drug sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS). More meaningfully, we find that UiO-66-TC-SH also accelerates the metabolism of arsenic in organs of tumor-bearing mice and alleviates side effects of arsenic drugs anti-tumor therapy.

Chronic lead poisoning–induced budgerigar liver damage, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and metabolic disorder

Birds are sensitive to heavy metal pollution, and lead (Pb) contamination can negatively affect their liver and gut. Therefore, we used budgerigars to examine liver and gut toxicosis caused by Pb exposure in bird, and the possible toxic mechanisms. The findings showed Pb exposure increased liver weight and decreased body weight. Moreover, histopathological and immunofluorescence assay results demonstrated obvious liver damage and cell apoptosis increased in Pb- treated budgerigars. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results also showed Pb caused an increase in apoptosis by inhibiting the PPAR-γ/PI3K/Akt pathway. The gut microbe analyses indicated Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were dominant microbial phyla, and Network analysis results shown Arthrobacter, Bradyrhizobium and Alloprevotella as the hubs of Modules I, II, and III, respectively. Phenylpropanoids and polyketides, Organoheterocyclic compounds, Organic oxygen compounds, and Organic nitrogen compounds were dominant metabolite superclasses. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid (sodium salt), and 2-[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridyl)diaz-1-enyl]-5-(diethylamino)phenol were significantly enriched in the Pb-treated group. It showed that 41 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologues and 183 pathways differed between the Pb-treated and control budgerigars using microbial and metabolomic data. Moreover, orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) based on microbial and metabolite indicated distinct clusters in the Pb-treated and control groups. Additionally, the correlation analysis results indicated that a positive correlation for the Pb-treated and control groups between gut microbiota and metabolomic data, respectively. Furthermore, the microenvironment of the gut and liver were found to affect each other, and this study demonstrated heavy metal especially Pb may pose serious health risks to birds through the “gut–liver axis” too.

Toxicity of Cadmium (Cd) on Artemia salina

Cd is a non-essential metal and a widespread micropollutant that has physiological effects on aquatic organisms. Cd heavy metal poisoning can be acutely caused by contamination at high doses, while chronic poisoning is generally caused by low levels of contamination and long exposure time. This research was conducted in June 2022 at the Marine Chemistry Laboratory Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Riau, which aims to determine the value of LC50 (Lethal Concentration) for 24 hours after being given a toxicant in the form of Cd and to determine the level of Cd toxicity in A. salina. The method used in this research is the experimental method with the experimental unit A. salina. The LC50 of Cd on A. salina revealed 11.7109 mg/L. This concentration is capable of causing the death of 50% of the test animals. Furthermore, the water quality in the acute toxicity test, P0 (control), was classified as good to support the life of A. salina, while at P1 (3.13 mg/L) - P5 (50 mg/L), it was classified as polluted.

Chronic Arsenic Poisoning: A Problem of Contaminated Drinking Water

Chronic Arsenic Poisoning: A Problem of Contaminated Drinking Water

Estimated inorganic arsenic from total arsenic in fishery products and its health risk to the Indonesian population

The present study is the first assessment of inorganic arsenic exposure from various fishery products to the Indonesian population based on a national total diet study (TDS). Based on the TDS report on food chemical contaminants, fish and processed fishery products are among the foodstuffs significantly contributing to total arsenic (t-As) exposure in Indonesia. However, there is no assessment yet for the Indonesian population to inorganic arsenic (i-As), which is known as the most harmful of arsenic compounds as it potentially promotes acute and chronic poisoning. The present assessment is aimed to estimate the exposure to i-As from fish and processed fishery products as well as the level of health risks in different age groups in Indonesia, based on the available t-As concentration data. The results showed that the mean exposure to t-As and i-As from fish and processed fishery products in various age groups were 1.19–2.67 μg/kg bw/day and 0.04–0.08 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Exposure in various age groups revealed that the highest arsenic exposure was in toddlers (0–4 years) and the lowest in the age group of 19–55 years. Wet seasonings and marine fish consumption led to the most contributors to i-As exposure. The carcinogenic risk of i-As exposure based on the margin of exposure (MOE) demonstrated a low to moderate risk. However, a particular concern to the toddler group is required as the cancer risk (CR) value is higher than the acceptable threshold (>10−4). Additionally, the hazard quotient (HQ) of i-As exposure was determined as a low possibility of chronic risk.

Testicular degeneration due to suspect CHROnic theobromine poisoning in two rescued coatis (Nasua spp)

Testicular degeneration due to suspect CHROnic theobromine poisoning in two rescued coatis (Nasua spp)

Detection of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Famous Edible Molluscs in Can Gio Biosphere Reserve of Vietnam

Can Gio, designated in 2000, is the first Biosphere Reserve of Vietnam. In recent years, local agriculture, tourism, households, nearby industrial zones, and maritime transport have released substances into rivers flowing through Can Gio Mangrove to the East Sea and transported into creatures. This study aims to investigate microplastics and heavy metals in the famous seafood of Can Gio. A Raman microscope was used to identify microplastics from the tissue of oysters, grease snails, and clams after enzymatic treatment with trypsin. Heavy metals were quantified with ICP-MS after acidic treatment. As a result, microplastics were found in almost all samples, even up to 10 in a random individual of bivalve. Fibers dominated, especially from 30 to 150 µm long. The metal with the highest content was zinc, followed by copper, especially in oysters. Non-essential metals were also present in the soft tissue in the order As &gt; Pb &gt; Cd. The accumulation of metals in Can Gio’s molluscs was generally lower than in other regions and still in the allowed range for consumption of Vietnamese Standard. Although there have not been any Vietnamese regulations on the permissible level of microplastics for consumption, regular seafood intake will increase the risk of chronic poisoning and unknown disorders caused by the accumulation of microplastics and heavy metals.

Diagnosing arsenic-mediated biochemical responses in rice cultivars using Raman spectroscopy.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the primary crop for nearly half of the world's population. Groundwater in many rice-growing parts of the world often has elevated levels of arsenite and arsenate. At the same time, rice can accumulate up to 20 times more arsenic compared to other staple crops. This places an enormous amount of people at risk of chronic arsenic poisoning. In this study, we investigated whether Raman spectroscopy (RS) could be used to diagnose arsenic toxicity in rice based on biochemical changes that were induced by arsenic accumulation. We modeled arsenite and arsenate stresses in four different rice cultivars grown in hydroponics over a nine-day window. Our results demonstrate that Raman spectra acquired from rice leaves, coupled with partial least squares-discriminant analysis, enabled accurate detection and identification of arsenic stress with approximately 89% accuracy. We also performed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-analysis of rice leaves to identify the key molecular analytes sensed by RS in confirming arsenic poisoning. We found that RS primarily detected a decrease in the concentration of lutein and an increase in the concentration of vanillic and ferulic acids due to the accumulation of arsenite and arsenate in rice. This showed that these molecules are detectable indicators of biochemical response to arsenic accumulation. Finally, a cross-correlation of RS with HPLC and ICP-MS demonstrated RS's potential for a label-free, non-invasive, and non-destructive quantification of arsenic accumulation in rice.

Optimasi Penggunaan Bio-Pestisida sebagai Pengganti Pestisida Kimia pada Pertanian di Kec. Percut Sei Tuan, Kab. Deli Serdang

Deli Serdang is an agricultural center in North Sumatra where farming activities are still done conventionally using chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. The frequent use of synthetic pesticides continuously leads to negative impacts such as the emergence of pest resistance and resurgence. Because the pests have become resistant, farmers will continue to use synthetic pesticides by increasing the dosage and application time so that production can be achieved. The purpose of this research is to understand the actual impact, identify sustainable solutions, and promote agriculture that is safer, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. By analyzing the impact of pesticide use in agriculture considering various aspects. The method used is qualitative descriptive through interviews and observations. The excessive use of pesticides in agricultural ecosystems pollutes the soil and water and kills beneficial non-target organisms, which can disrupt the ecosystem balance and reduce agricultural biodiversity. Meanwhile, the impact on the health of farmers includes health risks, including acute and chronic poisoning. Farmers and agricultural workers may experience respiratory problems, skin irritation, nervous system damage, and long-term risks such as cancer.