Harmful Substances Research Articles

Interaction between roadway and sewer/water pipes

Sewage pipes and drinking water pipes as well as all other pipes such as gas, district heating, electricity, internet, telephone, cable TV, etc. in densely populated areas are located in the road space. Over time, the traffic loads as well as the road structure can change. In addition, the materials of the pipelines are subject to ageing processes. The consequences of leaking drinking water and wastewater pipes that lie in the body of the road can have extremely negative effects. Firstly, the wastewater contains harmful substances that must not be allowed to enter the groundwater under any circumstances. Secondly, the leaking drinking water pipes, especially a water pipe burst, cause the soil mechanical changes in the subsoil and the traffic surface pavements and can cause immense damage in the road surface or in the road body itself.

Harm reduction for addictive consumption: When does it improve health and when does it backfire?

Some harm reduction strategies encourage individuals to switch from a harmful addictive good to a less harmful addictive good; examples include e-cigarettes (substitutes for combustible cigarettes) and methadone and buprenorphine (substitutes for opioids). These have proven to be controversial. Advocates argue that people struggling with addiction benefit because they can switch to a less harmful substance, but opponents argue that this could encourage abstainers to begin using the harm-reduction method or even, eventually, the original addictive good. This paper builds on theories of addiction to model the introduction of a harm reduction method, and demonstrates the conditions under which each side is correct.

Profile of Green Chemistry on Chemistry Education Students: Study on Developing Green Chemistry Practical Module to Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Society 5.0 era emphasizes production efficiency by transitioning from conventional to renewable energy sources. Thus, the Society 5.0 Era aligns with one of the goals of the SDGs, which is that industrial processes become more environmentally friendly and more efficient in using energy resources while increasing their value. Green chemistry is a comprehensive approach that designs safe chemicals ranging from environmentally friendly chemical products and processes to reducing the formation of harmful chemical substances. The type of research is descriptive and aimed at describing the student's early understanding of green chemistry. The subject of this study is a student of Prodi Education Chemistry at the University of Muhammadiyah Cirebon. The test instrument consists of 4 description questions compiled to measure the student's initial understanding of green chemistry. The analysis results show that the students understood the terminology for green chemistry. However, students still need to understand the 12 principles of green chemistry and their applications in everyday life.

The environmental impact on aging: Insights from buccal mucosa and molecular biomarkers

Buccal epithelial cells serve as a primary barrier against the inhalation and ingestion of harmful substances, working alongside immune system cells such as natural killer cells to protect the body from health-damaging factors. These epithelial cells can also be used as an alternative tissue source for monitoring the genotoxic effects of external factors such as chemical exposure. This assessment can be performed using molecular biomarkers of aging, which reflect biological age and indicate cellular aging acceleration due to internal and external damage factors, such as environmental hazards. In contrast to chronological age, which merely reflects the passage of time, biological age accounts for individual variation in aging processes. Molecular biomarkers are crucial for distinguishing between normal and pathological processes in the body and for identifying the effects of external factors such as chemical exposures. The identification of specific biomarkers enhances the ability to detect and monitor adverse biological responses and accelerated aging. This review aims to highlight the routes through which environmental hazards enter the body, the application of buccal epithelial cells in assessing genetic modifications, and the introduction of potential molecular biomarkers. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the roles of these biomarkers in determining aging rates and individual variability. Understanding their implications may also help identify new therapeutic targets for preventing premature aging, treating age-related diseases, and developing potential treatments.

04 Care for adolescents with substance use: A national survey of paediatric hospitals

Abstract Background Substance use is a recognized Paediatric health care issue. More than 9 in 10 individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders report that their first use of substances occurred by young adulthood. The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that 5% of hospital stays among Canadian youth in 2017-2018 were related to harmful substance use. In a study of youth with a first-time emergency department visit for a mental health problem between 2010 and 2014, most visits were due to substance related disorders. Despite this, little is known about practices relating to substance use in children's hospitals. Objectives 1. To describe how adolescents who present to Paediatric hospitals with substance use disorders or substance-related health issues are identified, assessed, and treated. 2. To identify best-practices that can inform national standards of care. Design/Methods An online questionnaire was utilized to obtain information on: 1. Clinical practices in the emergency department, inpatient services and ICU; 2. Hospital policies and practice guidelines; and 3. Hospital and community programs and resources. Recruitment emails were sent to hospital leaders (CEO or equivalent) at all 13 Paediatric hospitals. Leaders were asked to identify one individual to complete the survey on behalf of their hospital with input from relevant stakeholders in the various clinical areas. The survey was developed iteratively by a national group of 9 adolescent medicine clinicians and 2 Paediatric trainees. The survey was piloted at a single Paediatric hospital and refined. The survey was administered via RedCap technology. Results Survey response rate was 70% (9/13 hospitals). The mean number of contributors to each survey was 9 (range of 1-35). Overall, few hospitals utilized best practices consistently. There was inconsistency in the use of validated screening tools, use of clinical practice guidelines for monitoring and ongoing care and prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy and opioid agonist therapy. These inconsistencies were noted within each clinical setting (emergency department, inpatient services, and ICU), across services in each hospital, and between hospitals. With respect to hospital services, 5/9 had some type of consult team related to substance use (e.g., adolescent medicine), 4/9 had specialized substance use outpatient services, and 2/9 offered partial hospitalization/day treatment for patients with substance use issues. Local community-based substance use resources were identified as insufficient to address needs by 8/9 hospitals. Conclusion Inconsistencies in the care of adolescents with substance use disorders or substance-related health issues highlights the need for national guidelines for Paediatric hospital-based assessment and care, and enhanced coordination between services and systems of care for this patient population.

Individual and combined effects of sodium dichloroisocyanurate and isothiazolinone on the cyanobacteria-Vallisneria natans-microbe aquatic ecosystem

The use of algaecides to control high-density cyanobacterial blooms is often complicated by secondary pollution and the toxicity to non-target organisms. This study investigates the individual and combined effects of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC, 5, 50, and 100 mg/L) and isothiazolinone (0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 mg/L) on a cyanobacteria-Vallisneria natans-microbe aquatic ecosystem, focusing on their interactions and ecological impacts. Results indicate that NaDCC could achieve a higher algae removal rate than isothiazolinone within 15 days, but has a greater negative effect on Vallisneria natans. Both algaecides disrupt nutrient and secondary metabolite balances at low and high concentrations, increasing nutrient loads and harmful substances. Optimal results were obtained with low concentrations of NaDCC (5 mg/L) and isothiazolinone (0.1 mg/L), effectively controlling cyanobacteria while minimizing harm to Vallisneria natans and reducing nutrient loads and microcystin accumulation. Algaecide application enhanced microbial diversity in water and leaves, shifting the dominant community from cyanobacteria to organisms adapted to the post-cyanobacterial decay environment. Metabolomic analysis indicated increased secretion of lipids and organic acids by cyanobacteria in response to algaecide stress. High concentrations of NaDCC and isothiazolinone disrupted nitrogen metabolism in cyanobacteria and induced ROS overproduction, affecting unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and other metabolic pathways. These findings highlight the importance of exploring different combinations of algaecides to reduce their concentrations, balance algal control with ecological stability, and offer insights for effective eutrophication management.

Dynamically cultured, differentiated bovine adipose-derived stem cell spheroids as building blocks for biofabricating cultured fat

Cultured or cultivated meat, animal muscle, and fat tissue grown in vitro, could transform the global meat market, reducing animal suffering while using fewer resources than traditional meat production and no antimicrobials at all. To ensure the appeal of cultured meat to future customers, cultured fat is essential for achieving desired mouthfeel, taste, and texture, especially in beef. In this work we show the establishment of primary bovine adipose-derived stem cell spheroids in static and dynamic suspension culture. Spheroids are successfully differentiated using a single-step protocol. Differentiated spheroids from dynamic cultures maintain stability and viability during 3D bioprinting in edible gellan gum. Also, the fatty acid composition of differentiated spheroids is significantly different from control spheroids. The cells are cultured antibiotic-free to minimize the use of harmful substances. This work presents a stable and bioprintable building block for cultured fat with a high cell density in a 3D dynamic cell culture system.

The AI-assisted Traditional Design Methods for the Construction Sustainability: A Case Study of the Lisu Ethnic Minority Village

In recent decades, economic and technical advancements have surged tremendously, accompanied by non-regulatory and unsustainable use of non-renewable assets. The ecological field of toxicology has garnered considerable focus on elucidating the impact of harmful substances on people's wellness. Environmental hazardous chemicals induce many illnesses, posing a heightened danger to youngsters, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with preexisting health conditions. Air pollution adversely impacts human health, leading to heightened morbidity and death, necessitating intensified toxicological investigations on industrial air pollution affecting the general populace. It is necessary to develop a computerized Ecological Toxicology-based Air Pollution Management System. Constructive social development is driven by cultural education. It can guarantee a sustainable future, protect national history, and unleash community potential. This study examines Chinese architects' perspectives and understanding of sustainability in village revitalization and conservation. It incorporates traditional Lisu building techniques and materials in Hunan, China. To close research gaps, this study looks at the contributions made by architects to traditional practice integration and environmentally conscious architectural design. This study proposes an IoT-enabled Environmental Toxicology platform for air pollution surveillance, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to mitigate the limits of standard monitoring systems and lower total costs, enhancing human wellness. The research examined the intricate interaction between architects' understanding of sustainability, Lisu building techniques and materials, and sustainable architectural designs in village preservation and revitalization programs using path analysis on data from 326 architects in Hunan Province. Lisu building practices and materials strongly correlate with architects' awareness of and attitudes toward sustainability. According to the research, these characteristics are necessary for sustainable architectural solutions that support village revival and preservation. This study has significant theoretical and practical ramifications for academics, lawmakers, and architects. To evaluate the air quality monitoring efficacy of the suggested approach, a comprehensive series of simulation analyses is conducted, and the results are assessed at durations of 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The experimental results demonstrate the superior efficacy of the suggested model compared to current methodologies. These findings could lead to the creation of sustainable design solutions that advance rural development. A thorough overview of upcoming studies on sustainable design approaches in Chinese contexts rounds out this talk.

Best practices for expansion of smoke-free and aerosol-free environments in Europe: Protocol for the consultation to experts.

Smoke-free legislation has been shown to positively impact reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, especially in countries that have implemented comprehensive legislation rather than partial bans. Also, secondhand aerosols (SHA) that come from the heating of tobacco or liquids, with or without nicotine, in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have been proven to increase levels of harmful substances in the air. Therefore, protection against SHS and SHA exposure and expansion of smoke- and aerosol-free environments (SAFE) should be taken into account when creating or trying to expand or enforce clean air policies. This article aims to present the protocol for a consultation with experts on tobacco and nicotine control in order to identify best practices, barriers, and opportunities for the expansion of SAFE in Europe. We identified experts among policymakers, researchers, and tobacco regulators in European countries and invited them to participate in the consultation by completing an online survey designed, programmed, and pilot-tested using Survey Monkey. The responses to the questionnaire contained quantitative and qualitative information that was thematically analyzed. The experts' consultation allowed us to produce a report on barriers and opportunities for SAFE, a report and a position paper on SAFE best practices, a web-based repository of best practices, and a weight of evidence paper that assembles evidence supporting the expansion of SAFE on indoor and outdoor spaces.

A critical review of wastewater-based epidemiology as a tool to evaluate the unintentional human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a powerful tool to gather epidemiological insights at the community level, providing objective data on population exposure to harmful substances. A considerable portion of the human exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals occurs unintentionally, unlike substances such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, or alcohol. In this context, this comprehensive review analyzes WBE studies focused on classes of organic chemicals to which humans are unintentionally exposed, namely organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles, phthalates and terephthalates, benzophenones, pesticides, bisphenols, and parabens. The review highlights some advantages of WBE for public health surveillance, e.g., non-invasive analysis, predictive capability, nearly real-time data, population-wide insights, no ethical approval, and unbiased sampling. It also discusses challenges and future research directions in WBE regarding exposure to harmful chemicals from various sources. The review emphasizes the critical role of wastewater sampling, sample preparation, quality control, and instrumental analysis in achieving accurate and reliable results. Furthermore, it examines the selection of human biomarkers for WBE studies and explores strategies to link WBE with human biomonitoring (HBM), which together enhance both the precision and effectiveness of exposure assessments.

FORMATION OF A SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF LOGISTICS ACTIVITIES OF MOTOR TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES ENGAGED IN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The article discusses the importance of implementing innovations at road transport enterprises in the context of achieving the region's sustainable development goals. The author emphasizes that road transport enterprises are significant sources of harmful emissions and environmental pollution, so using innovative technologies, such as electric vehicles, hybrid cars, and alternative fuels, is an important tool for reducing the negative environmental impact. In particular, these technologies help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful substances, which is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 7 (access to modern energy), 13 (combating climate change), and 15 (protecting terrestrial ecosystems). In addition, innovations in transport technologies, such as automated driving systems, help to improve road safety and reduce the number of road accidents, which is in line with Goal 3 (good health and well-being). The creation of new jobs and infrastructure development through the construction of electric charging stations and the introduction of intelligent transport systems (smart cities) are also linked to Sustainable Development Goals 9 (sustainable infrastructure) and 11 (sustainable urban development). The author analyses the performance indicators of innovations at motor transport enterprises, taking into account economic, social, and environmental aspects. Particular emphasis is placed on the adaptation of these indicators to the current realities of Ukraine. Using game theory, the article develops a model for the selection of optimal strategies for motor transport enterprises and the region. This model allows us to find the Nash equilibrium - a situation where both parties achieve the optimal result. Enterprises that implement innovations not only improve their own performance indicators, but also contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals of the region. The article also presents two sets of strategies: for the development of logistics activities of a motor transport enterprise and the sustainable development of the region. Both approaches aim to comprehensively improve the region's environmental, economic, and social situation. The conclusions emphasize the importance of implementing innovation development assessment systems as a tool for making strategic decisions and improving the efficiency of logistics operations.

Exploring the Performance Impact of Neural Network Optimization on Energy Analysis of Biosensor

With the popularization of new energy vehicles, lithium battery systems, as the main components of new energy vehicles, have the characteristics of short life cycles and harmful substances inside. The green treatment of lithium battery systems has become a research hotspot. Disassembly and recycling are essential means of reusing waste in lithium battery systems. Due to the wide variety of lithium battery systems, the lack of unified design standards, and the high flexibility requirements for disassembly, manual disassembly is currently the primary method used. However, this method can cause health hazards to oneself when dismantling some harmful components. The optimization of the dismantling process route for lithium batteries is a crucial step before dismantling, which directly determines the economic benefits of dismantling. However, unlike general electromechanical products, lithium batteries have prominent safety issues during the dismantling process, so the safety requirements for their dismantling process route are relatively high. Given the substantial absence of parametric evaluation and modification in prior research, this work investigates the influence of the most significant factors on the power density of biosensors. A conduction-based framework was employed to ascertain these variables, and the calculations were performed utilizing a neural network. The neural network was developed with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Based on this, this article considers studying the optimization method of the lithium battery safety disassembly process to maximize safety and economic benefits comprehensively. Based on the essential characteristics of lithium-ion battery systems, an analysis is conducted on the allocation method of difficulty level for human-machine cooperation tasks and the impact indicators of task allocation. Then, a product disassembly hybrid diagram is established, and on this basis, multiple sets of human-machine cooperation disassembly sequences are generated. Finally, a multi-objective optimization model for disassembly cost, difficulty, and time is established. Finally, taking the Tesla Model 1sPBS waste lithium battery as an example, the safety prediction model for dismantling the waste lithium battery and the optimization model for the safety dismantling process route were solved to verify the effectiveness of the above optimization method.

Transport characteristics and dispersion evolution of CO-NOx mixture exhaust for shuttle movement emission in short-wall continuous mining face.

To investigate the evolution of CO and NOx pollution in the exhaust gas from diesel-powered shuttles under the double lane ventilation system of short-walled continuous mining face, this article uses a combination of numerical simulation and field tests to numerically simulate and analyze the pollution transport law of CO and NOx emitted from the shuttles at three locations: heading tunnel, contact alley and supporting tunnel. The results show that when the shuttle car in heading tunnel, the CO and NOx discharged from the shuttle discharge port move toward the exit of the tunnel at an average speed of 1.25m/s. The high CO and NOx concentration area appears at the discharge port, with the highest CO volume fraction of 82.5ppm and the highest NOx volume fraction of 28.25ppm. When the shuttle car at the contact alley, by the two walls of the alleyway on the gas diffusion space extrusion effect, CO and NOx in X = 37.5m ~ 42.5m range gathered, appear high CO and NOx concentration band. When the shuttle car in supporting tunnel, it is hindered by the belt conveyor within the range of X = 63m ~ 64.5m, so CO and NOx fail to spread to the outlet of the roadway in time and pile up at the bottom of the roadway. The highest CO volume fraction is 76.25ppm and the highest NOx volume fraction is 28.28ppm.According to the different positions of the car, the pollution areas of CO and NOx exceeding the specified threshold (24ppm, 2.5ppm) were divided, and the distribution characteristics of CO and NOx pollution were obtained by quantitative analysis through curve fitting, which provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of harmful substances emitted by fuel power equipment in underground environment.

Species Checklist and Diversity of the Herpetofauna of Tun Razak Agricultural Research Center, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Herpetofauna represents a significant portion of global biodiversity. Understanding their distribution, ecology, and behavior is essential for conservation efforts. Many reptile and amphibian species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease. A study was conducted to explore the herpetofauna in Tun Razak Agricultural Research Centre from 22 February 2023 to 17 March 2023 through Visual Encounter Survey (VES), covering four types of habitats; ponds, forest, oil palm and residential. A total of 23 species of herpetofauna were recorded, representing 14 amphibians and nine reptiles. Hylarana erythraea emerged as the most dominant species, followed by Fejervarya limnocharis. These species were found abundantly in ponds due to its suitability for breeding and ample food sources. The presence of these species indicates that the ecosystem has various habitat niches. Most of the species found were globally classified as Least Concern. However, the survey also recorded Ophiophagus Hannah and Cuora amboinensis, listed as Vulnerable and Endangered respectively. The study highlighted the importance of clean water in ponds for frog breeding, as it ensures proper oxygenation and minimizes exposure to harmful substances. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the potential of herpetofauna as a bioindicator, with changes in their populations reflecting environmental changes or disturbances. The species rank abundance curves showed that the oil palm habitat exhibited the highest species evenness, suggesting a balanced distribution of species within the ecosystem. However, further surveys are needed in the area to determine the full extent of herpetofauna composition. Overall, the findings emphasise the necessity of preserving various habitats to support herpetofauna populations while also maintaining ecosystem health and balance for human-animal coexistence.

Histopathological changes in the human tissues in various types of poisoning: A cross-sectional autopsy study

BackgroundPoisoning is a critical health issue caused by exposure to harmful substances, leading to a range of biological effects from mild irritation to severe organ damage and death. Acute poisoning is particularly prevalent in developing countries reliant on agriculture, where agricultural poisons such as organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and aluminum/zinc phosphide are common. This study aims to analyze the histopathological changes in various organs in autopsy of poisoning cases to understand the extent and nature of organ damage. MethodsAutopsies were performed on cases with an established or suspected history of poison ingestion. Tissue samples from the stomach, intestine, liver, spleen, kidneys, brain, and lungs were examined for histopathological changes. ResultsOut of 52 cases analyzed, aluminum phosphide was the predominant poison, accounting for 76.92 % of cases. Histopathological findings in poisoning cases included significant pulmonary edema (55.77 %), intra-alveolar hemorrhage (48.08 %), liver ballooning degeneration (48.08 %), acute tubular necrosis (51.92 %) in kidney, and universal brain and spleen congestion (100 %). Stomach findings showed partial loss of rugosity (80.77 %), congestion (51.92 %), necrosis of the mucosa (30.77 %), congestion (71.15 %), denudation of the epithelium (48.08 %), and mucosal inflammation (48.08 %) as predominant findings. Aluminum phosphide caused severe histopathological changes across all examined organs. ConclusionThe study highlights the critical role of histopathological examination in diagnosing and understanding organ damage in poisoning cases. Forensic pathologists can use these histopathological patterns as reference points to differentiate poisoning from other causes of death, aiding in accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Dietary titanium dioxide nanoparticles impair intestinal epithelial regeneration by perturbating the function of intestinal stem cells

Intestinal health is closely linked to intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which are highly sensitive to the harmful substances in the lumen. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of food additives on ISCs. This study aims to investigate the impact of dietary titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) compared with titanium dioxide microparticles (TiO2 MPs) on intestinal health associated with ISCs in response to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced enteritis in mice, as well as the related mechanism. We found that exposure to 1% (w/w) TiO2 NPs aggravated DSS-induced enteritis in mice, while this effect could not be observed under exposure to TiO2 MPs. Additionally, 1% (w/w) TiO2 NPs exposure under DSS-induced enteritis worsened the ISC-mediated regeneration of intestinal epithelium by decreasing the epithelial cell proliferation and epithelial turnover rate while increasing epithelial cell death. Meanwhile, using a 3D intestinal organoid model, we discovered that 20 μg/mL TiO2 NPs impaired ISC function and disrupted ISC fate specification both ex vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs hindered the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, reducing the overall output of Wnt signaling. Together, TiO2 NPs deteriorated the intestinal epithelial regeneration of mice with DSS-induced enteritis by perturbating ISC function and fate specification through a mechanism involving Wnt signaling. These findings highlight the adverse effect of dietary TiO2 NPs on ISCs and shed light on the particle size optimization of TiO2 food additive.

The Tan-Re-Qing Capsule mitigates acute lung injury by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

ObjectiveThe Tan-Re-Qing Capsule (TRQC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation, has been historically utilized in treating acute lung injury (ALI) and COVID-19-induced pulmonary diseases. This study aimed to explore the effect and underlying mechanisms of TRQC in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI models. MethodsThe changes of acute lung injury and inflammatory response were observed after TRQC treatment of the LPS-induced ALI mouse model. Based on active compounds in TRQC and network pharmacology analysis, potential targeting signals were identified. The effects of TRQC on signaling in LPS-stimulated BMDMs were investigated. Additionally, the defecatory status of mice and the mechanism of Cl− secretion in HBE cells and T84 colonic epithelial cells were examined. ResultsTRQC exhibited a notable amelioration of inflammatory injuries in ALI mice. Utilizing a systems-pharmacology approach based on active chemical compounds, TRQC was found to regulate inflammation-related pathways, including NF-κB, NOD-like signaling, and MAPK signaling. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TRQC effectively suppressed LPS-induced activation of macrophages and the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome induced by LPS and Nigericin. These effects were attributed to the suppression of NF-κB and NOD-like signaling pathways. Furthermore, TRQC blocked MAPK signaling, thereby mitigating the inhibitory effects of LPS and Nigericin on Ca2+-dependent Cl− efflux across colonic epithelial cells. This mechanism generated a cathartic effect, potentially aiding in the removal of harmful substances and pathogenic bacteria. ConclusionOur study demonstrates that TRQC significantly mitigates ALI by effectively suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways. These findings suggest that TRQC could serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for inflammatory lung diseases, offering a novel approach to managing conditions like ALI and potentially extending to other inflammatory diseases.

Resistance physical exercise modulates metabolic adipokines, decreases body weight, and improves glomerular filtration in patients with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by abnormalities in kidney structure and function that persist for more than 3months. It is estimated that more than 800 million people in the world have a diagnosis of CKD. To remove the harmful metabolic substances from the body, people with CKD need to perform hemodialysis. Due to their beneficial effects against a wide range of clinical conditions, physical exercise is considered a non-pharmacological therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of resistance exercise during hemodialysis on metabolic adipokines, myokines, body weight, and glomerular filtration rate in patients living with CKD. Briefly, the blood samples were collected in two moments: immediately before the start of the resistance exercise protocol and 1week after the end of the protocol. Resistance exercise protocol was performed thrice a week for 12weeks and applied during hemodialysis sessions. Here, resistance exercise increases the circulating irisin (14.56%; p = 0.0112), handgrip strength (5.70%; p = 0.0036), glomerular filtration rate (25.9%; p = 0.022) and significantly decreases adiponectin (- 55.7%; p = 0.0044), body weight (- 3.7%; p = 0.0001), glucose (- 22%; p = 0.009), and albumin levels (- 9.55%; p = 0.0001). Conversely, leptin levels (- 10.9%; p = 0.38), iron (3.05%; p = 0.705), ferritin (3.24%; p = 0.880), hemoglobin (- 0.52%; p = 0.75), total cholesterol (7.9%; p = 0.19), LDL (- 9.99%; p = 0.15) and HDL (- 4.8%; p = 0.45), did not change after resistance exercise. Interestingly, 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly increased (14.5%; p = 0.01) following resistance exercise. Considering the effect of sex (males vs. females), we found that irisin levels increased in females but not in males after the resistance exercise protocol. Furthermore, handgrip strength and body weight were different, indicating that males had the highest strength and weight. We demonstrated that both males and females had lower albumin levels after the resistance exercise protocol. In conclusion, we suggest that resistance exercise has beneficial effects in the CKD population by modulating adipokines and metabolic myokines and therefore can be used as a non-pharmacological adjunctive therapy in CKD patients undergoing HD.

Electron beam irradiation shortened the processing cycle of Chinese solo-bulb black garlic: Changes in critical physicochemical properties

Electron beam irradiation (EBI) was used to pretreat the solo-bulb fresh garlic (SBFG) to shorten the production cycle of solo-bulb black garlic (SBBG). The critical physicochemical indicators were analyzed and compared between EBI pretreated and commercial SBBG in this study. The results showed that EBI pretreatment significantly accelerated the browning reactions by destroying the cell structure of SBFG, and obviously shortened the production cycle of SBBG to 9 days. The total acid (TA), total polyphenol (TP), and total flavonoid (TF) contents in the EBI pretreated SBBG were all obviously increased compared with those of the control without EBI pretreatment, which were beneficial to improving the quality of SBBG. Meanwhile, the 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) and acrylamide contents as potentially harmful substances to human health were also significantly increased within the safe levels. The alliin content was more affected by the EBI pretreatment than other amino acids in SBBG as the irradiation dose exceeded 6 kGy. These results indicate that EBI pretreatment can be an alternative technology to improve the production efficiency of SBBG and apply in industrial production.

WO3@MOF heterostructure in-situ transformed and deposited on La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx composite with enhanced photocatalytic performance for degradation of harmful and toxic substances produced by tobacco

Nowadays, tobacco is widely cultivated, and there are millions of people who smoke around the world. The cultivation of tobacco, along with the handling of cigarettes and the consumption of tobacco products, can produce numerous harmful and toxic substances. Many researchers are working diligently to eliminate these harmful and toxic substances. However, the results have been minimal. In this paper, we successfully prepared a novel La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF using hydrothermal and in-situ transformation methods. All samples were thoroughly investigated using various characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–Vis absorption spectra, transient photocurrent responses, and electron spin resonance. Furthermore, La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF was utilized as a catalyst for the degradation of harmful and toxic substances produced by tobacco, including phenol, nicotine, benzopyrene, and nitrosamines. The results indicate that La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF exhibits efficient separation and transfer of photo-generated electron-hole pairs under visible light irradiation. La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF also exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity, efficiently degrading phenol (98.62%), nicotine (92.41%), benzopyrene (81.74%), and nitrosamine (98.23%). Furthermore, the effects of varying catalyst dosage, phenol concentration, and pH values, as well as the degradation of nicotine, benzopyrene, and nitrosamine by La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF, were also investigated. The main active radicals are ·OH and ·O2– during the degradation process. Finally, a potential degradation mechanism for phenol, nicotine, benzopyrene, and nitrosamine by La-Bi2WO6-BiFeWOx-WO3@MOF is proposed.