Toxic Levels Research Articles

Antiparasitic Collars: Concentration Levels of Imidacloprid and Flumethrin in Dog Fur Suggest Low Toxicity Risks for Adult Humans.

Seresto by Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health) is a collar for cats and dogs that provides long-lasting antiparasitic protection through the gradual release of imidacloprid and flumethrin onto the animal's skin. Although the EPA has deemed Seresto safe, their assessment is based on laboratory data, which may not fully reflect real-world exposure. Furthermore, recent reports of over 900 adverse human health events between 2012 and 2022 underscore the need for further safety investigations. We measured these chemicals' concentrations from the fur of eight dogs over 9 months to evaluate how daily interactions with pets could expose humans to toxic levels. Flumethrin was mostly undetectable, and imidacloprid levels were well below the toxicity threshold, suggesting low risks. However, factors like cumulative exposure and individual characteristics warrant consideration. Concentration levels were highest right after collar application, potentially reaching up to 11.6% of an 8 kg child's acceptable daily intake. We recommend limiting prolonged contact with pets, especially for young children, in the first 48 h post-application. We detected residual imidacloprid prior to collar application and 1 month after removal, raising questions as to the potential contamination risks that roaming pets could pose to ecosystems, given the known environmental impacts of these chemicals.

Remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated groundwater with the use of surfactants and biosurfactants.

Remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated groundwater with the use of surfactants and biosurfactants.

Trajectories and predictors of financial toxicity in breast cancer patients: A multicenter longitudinal study in China.

Trajectories and predictors of financial toxicity in breast cancer patients: A multicenter longitudinal study in China.

Liposomal formulation co-encapsulating α-tocopheryl succinate and α-tocopherol ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Liposomal formulation co-encapsulating α-tocopheryl succinate and α-tocopherol ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Osteogenesis Potential of Polymethylmethacrylate-Hydroxyapatite and Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth as Alveolar Bone Graft: An In Silico Study.

The goal is to analyze the osteogenesis potential of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-hydroxyapatite (HA) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) as a biomaterial candidate for alveolar bone defect therapy through a bioinformatic approach within an in silico study. Three-dimensional (3D) ligand structures consisting of HA, PMMA, and target proteins of SHED were obtained from the PubChem database. STITCH was used for SHED target protein analysis, STRING was utilized for analysis and visualization of protein pathways related to osteogenesis, PASS Online was employed to predict biological functions supporting osteogenesis potential, PyRx 0.8 was used for molecular docking analysis, and PyMol was utilized to visualize the 3D structures resulting from the molecular docking analysis. PMMA ligand was found to support osteogenesis through several biological functions, while interaction of HA ligand with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 20, DSPP, IBSP, SPP1, CD44, and MMP7 protein was revealed to play a role specifically in extracellular matrix organization. The interaction of all these proteins played a role in various pathways of osteogenesis. Toxicity level predictions of PMMA and HA were at class V and class III, respectively, which means that both ligands were shown to be neither hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic, nor cytotoxic. However, the ligand of PMMA had a lower binding affinity to SHED's protein (MMP7, MMP20, CD44, BMP7, and COL1A1) than the control ligand. The interaction between HA-PMMA ligands and several SHED proteins showed biological process and osteogenesis pathways supporting the osteogenesis potential of PMMA-HA and SHED for alveolar bone defect therapy.

Clinical Insights into Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

Medications with a narrow therapeutic index (NTI), such as phenytoin, warfarin, and vancomycin, require precise dosing to avoid adverse effects and ensure they remain effective. This is particularly important for at-risk groups like elderly individuals or those with multiple health conditions. The therapeutic index (TI) is a key measurement that indicates the range between a drug’s therapeutic and toxic levels. NTI drugs need careful management because even small changes in their concentration can lead to significant risks and impact their therapeutic benefits. Factors unique to each patient, such as age, existing health conditions, and genetic differences, can affect how NTI drugs are metabolized and their overall effectiveness. As a result, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is crucial for tailoring dosing strategies and minimizing the risk of harm. Interactions between NTI drugs and other medications, especially those that involve cytochrome P450 enzymes, can influence drug concentrations, making treatment more complex. The growing field of personalized medicine, which includes pharmacogenomics, aims to improve outcomes by customizing drug therapies based on individual genetic characteristics. Proper management of NTI drugs requires teamwork among healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses. Continued research, along with advancements in drug delivery systems and artificial intelligence, holds potential to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NTI medications.

Spatial and Seasonal Water Quality and Heavy Metal Pollution for Irrigation Use in Awash River, Ethiopia

Irrigation water quality impacts the agro-ecosystem, human health, and the overall well-being of the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate upstream municipal and industrial pollution impacts on irrigated farming and ecosystem health. The suitability indices and Heavy Metal Pollution Index methods have been used to identify the contamination extent and corresponding spatial and seasonal variability. Samples were collected twice per annum, i.e., during the low-flow season and high-flow season (rainy season) in the 2022/23 year. Results showed that during the low-flow season, the salinity hazard was 0.7 dS/m to 2.5 dS/m and medium to high. Sodicity hazards were obtained below <10 for the low-flow season, and for the rainy season, medium (16.63), high (18–26), and very high (>26). The toxic level of chloride for low-flow season showed slight to moderate at 3.6 mg/L and 6.07 mg/L, and toxicity was severe at Deho (14.6 mg/L), slight to moderate at Ambash (4 mg/L), Ertaale Lake (5 mg/L), and Gewanie (4.6 mg/L) in high-flow seasons. No heavy metal contamination was observed for low-flow periods except at Werer Research, which had a Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) > 100. But, during the rainy season, Kesem Dam, Sedi Weir, WARC Pumping, WARC Offtake, and Ambash had a HPI > 100, which implied contamination by metals. Cadmium (Cd) was at moderate to ecological risk at low flow in sites Kesem factory, WARC Offtake, Ertaale, Meteka, and Gewanie, whereas Sedi Weir (Cd and Hg) and WARC Offtake (Cd) were at moderate risk during high flow. To conclude, metal pollution is a serious concern that needs upstream quality monitoring.

Coastal Environments: LiDAR Mapping of Copper Tailings Impacts, Particle Retention of Copper, Leaching, and Toxicity

Tailings generated by mining account for the largest world-wide waste from industrial activities. As an element, copper is relatively uncommon, with low concentrations in sediments and waters, yet is very elevated around mining operations. On the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, USA, jutting out into Lake Superior, 140 mines extracted native copper from the Portage Lake Volcanic Series, part of an intercontinental rift system. Between 1901 and 1932, two mills at Gay (Mohawk, Wolverine) sluiced 22.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of copper-rich tailings (stamp sands) into Grand (Big) Traverse Bay. About 10 MMT formed a beach that has migrated 7 km from the original Gay pile to the Traverse River Seawall. Another 11 MMT are moving underwater along the coastal shelf, threatening Buffalo Reef, an important lake trout and whitefish breeding ground. Here we use remote sensing techniques to document geospatial environmental impacts and initial phases of remediation. Aerial photos, multiple ALS (crewed aeroplane) LiDAR/MSS surveys, and recent UAS (uncrewed aircraft system) overflights aid comprehensive mapping efforts. Because natural beach quartz and basalt stamp sands are silicates of similar size and density, percentage stamp sand determinations utilise microscopic procedures. Studies show that stamp sand beaches contrast greatly with natural sand beaches in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Dispersed stamp sand particles retain copper, and release toxic levels of dissolved concentrations. Moreover, copper leaching is elevated by exposure to high DOC and low pH waters, characteristic of riparian environments. Lab and field toxicity experiments, plus benthic sampling, all confirm serious impacts of tailings on aquatic organisms, supporting stamp sand removal. Not only should mining companies end coastal discharges, we advocate that they should adopt the UNEP “Global Tailings Management Standard for the Mining Industry”.

Ammonia-Induced Cell Death: A Novel Frontier to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment paradigms, but its efficacy is often curtailed by T-cell exhaustion and the suppressive tumour microenvironment. Recent studies reveal a novel mechanism of T-cell demise termed ammonia-induced cell death (AICD), which significantly impacts effector CD8+ T-cell survival and function. This phenomenon arises from metabolic reprogramming during immune activation, wherein heightened glutamine metabolism leads to the accumulation of toxic ammonia levels. Ammonia damages lysosomes and mitochondria, disrupting cell balance and causing apoptosis. These insights provide a unique metabolic perspective on T-cell attrition, underscoring the critical interplay between metabolic byproducts and immune regulation. Targeting AICD offers promising therapeutic avenues to bolster immunotherapy. Strategies such as inhibiting ammonia transport, enhancing autophagic pathways and employing ammonia scavengers may extend T-cell longevity and improve antitumor efficacy. Moreover, integrating ammonia modulation with established immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, could yield synergistic benefits. Addressing this metabolic bottleneck is particularly compelling in immune 'cold' tumours resistant to conventional therapies. However, further research is essential to refine these interventions, evaluate safety profiles and explore broader applications across cancer types. Ammonia metabolism thus represents a transformative frontier in advancing cancer immunotherapy and precision oncology.

Assessing trace elements in soils and rice: insights from the Baixo Vouga Lagunar (Portugal)

Paddy soils undergo wet-dry cycles that greatly influence the behaviour and availability of nutrients, but also of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). This study assessed the quality of paddy soils (actively cultivated and abandoned) and rice (white, brown, and wild) produced in the Baixo Vouga Lagunar (BVL) region, central-north Portugal. Surface soils were analysed for physicochemical parameters and chemical compositions, alongside sequential selective chemical extraction to evaluate metal(loid) availability. Chemical analyses were also performed on interstitial- and irrigation waters, and rice grains. The BVL soils are very strongly to moderately acidic (pH = 4.4–5.8), with organic matter contents reaching up to 34%, and exhibit a wide range of electrical conductivity values. Abandoned rice fields generally show higher values of these parameters and evidence of saline water intrusion. Several sites showed As, Cu, Pb, and U concentrations exceeding Portuguese thresholds for agricultural soils. While Cu levels were similar in both cultivated and abandoned fields, the latter had higher contents of As, Pb, and U. A geogenic origin is envisaged for these metal(loid)s, though anthropogenic contributions cannot be excluded. Sequential selective chemical extraction showed that Pb and U are strongly associated with available fractions, whereas amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxides primarily support As and Cu. Nevertheless, porewaters and irrigation waters showed low concentrations of these PTEs, suggesting minimal mobilisation to water. Furthermore, translocation to rice grains was low, with concentrations well below European Commission limits, indicating that elevated PTEs in soils do not necessarily lead to toxic levels in rice, providing reassurance regarding food safety.

Removal of Methylene Blue from Simulated Wastewater Based upon Hydrothermal Carbon Activated by Phosphoric Acid

Cationic dyes pose potential health risks to humans due to their higher toxicity levels. Most current research focuses on the utilization of biomass waste in the preparation of multifunctional materials to mitigate the adverse impact of cationic dye wastewater on the environment. However, conventional methods of biochar preparation require elevated pyrolysis temperatures and greater energy consumption. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the removal of methylene blue (MB) from simulated wastewater using a one-step phosphoric acid activation hydrothermal carbonization technique. SEM, BET, XRD, FTIR, and XPS analyses were conducted to investigate the surface morphology and chemical composition of pine sawdust (PS) biomass as a raw material, pine sawdust with hydrothermal carbon (HTC-PS), and pine sawdust with phosphoric acid-activated hydrothermal carbon (PHTC-PS). The results demonstrate that PHTC-PS exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 268.4 mg/g for MB at 298 K. The experimental data demonstrate its consistency through both the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting that its adsorption mechanism predominantly involves monolayer formation through chemical interactions. Additionally, thermodynamic parameters reveal that the MB adsorption of PHTC-PS is a spontaneous endothermic reaction. Thus, this study demonstrates that the one-step phosphoric acid activation hydrothermal carbonization method can achieve satisfactory adsorption efficiency with the advantages of lower energy consumption, simplicity to the operation, and mild preparation conditions.

Widespread environmental contamination from relic munitions in the southwestern Baltic Sea.

Widespread environmental contamination from relic munitions in the southwestern Baltic Sea.

Effect of increasing dietary fat by feeding 15% whole cottonseed on milk production, total-tract digestibility, and methane emission in dairy cows.

Whole cottonseed (WCS) is fed as a source of fat, protein, and fiber. Cottonseed is high in unsaturated fatty acids (FA) but is considered lower risk for biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression because it is slowly released in the rumen. Unsaturated FA have been reported to decrease methane emissions in some experiments, but the effect of FA source is unclear. The objective of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of FA from WCS on milk and methane production and total-tract nutrient digestibility. Sixteen multiparous cows were arranged in a crossover design with 21-d periods. Treatments were 15% WCS substituted for a mixture of cottonseed hulls and soybean meal. Cottonseed had no effect on DMI and milk yield (MY) but increased milk fat concentration (0.2 percentage units) and yield (110 g/d). Cottonseed also decreased the concentration of FA <16 C and 16 C in milk fat and increased FA >16 C and trans-10 18:1 and trans-11 18:1. Increasing dietary fat had no effect on the efficiency of transfer of 18 C FA to milk. There was no effect on milk protein concentration and yield. Whole cottonseed decreased apparent total-tract digestibility of OM and DM due to a decline in NDF digestibility, but less than 3% of seeds consumed were recovered intact in the feces. Whole cottonseed increased digestibility of 16 C FA, but the digestibility of total and 18 C FA were not changed. The production (g/d), yield (g/kg of DMI), and intensity (g/kg of MY or ECM) of H2, CH4, and CO2 were not changed with WCS. Plasma total gossypol and the positive and negative isomers increased with WCS but were below toxic levels. In conclusion, increasing dietary UFA by feeding 15% WCS increased milk fat yield through an increased supply of preformed FA and did not affect methane production under these dietary conditions.

Pollution profiles, pathogenicity, and toxicity of bioaerosols in the atmospheric environment of urban general hospital in China.

Pollution profiles, pathogenicity, and toxicity of bioaerosols in the atmospheric environment of urban general hospital in China.

The Effect of the Combination of Probiotics and Heavy Metals From Various Aspects in Humans: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trial Studies.

Probiotics usually have beneficial effects on the absorption of trace elements and detoxification of toxic metals in human. Hence, the aim of the systematic review was to evaluate various aspects of the effect of the combination of probiotics and heavy metals in human clinical trial studies. Nine databases were searched for clinical trials up to June 2024 investigating probiotics for heavy metal exposure in humans. Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data on study characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and results. Risk of bias was assessed. The analysis included 31 clinical trials with a total of 4,611 participants, focusing on the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Among the trials, 23 investigated probiotics, five looked at prebiotics, and three explored synbiotics, with probiotic doses ranging from 107 to 2.5 × 1010 CFU/day. Results indicated that probiotics combined with zinc significantly reduced the time to resolution of vomiting and diarrhea compared to zinc alone, improved the treatment efficacy of antibiotic-associated diarrhea linked to pneumonia, and shortened hospital stays relative to probiotics alone. Probiotics did not show significant effects on blood parameters compared to placebo; however, prebiotic galactooligosaccharides enhanced iron absorption in women and children. The addition of probiotics to bismuth quadruple therapy did not improve Helicobacter pylori eradication rates but reduced side effects like diarrhea and vomiting. One trial reported a decrease in toxic metal levels in pregnant women due to probiotics, but no similar effects were observed in children. Probiotics are one of the new methods employed to improve or eliminate the adverse effects of heavy metals in the body. Although many studies have investigated the effects of probiotics on heavy metals, there is still a need for more in-depth and extensive studies.

Cyclic vinyl sulfones activate NRF2 to protect from oxidative stress-induced programmed necrosis

Cyclic vinyl sulfones activate NRF2 to protect from oxidative stress-induced programmed necrosis

Biomonitoring of toxic metal exposure in New Jersey adults in 2015-2018.

Biomonitoring of toxic metal exposure in New Jersey adults in 2015-2018.

A comparative hydrochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes using different statistical and ML models in lower gangetic alluvial plain, eastern India.

A comparative hydrochemical assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes using different statistical and ML models in lower gangetic alluvial plain, eastern India.

A streamlined cloning and toxicity evaluation strategy of toxin-antitoxin systems in insect cells.

A streamlined cloning and toxicity evaluation strategy of toxin-antitoxin systems in insect cells.

Few-layer graphene-hybrid sulfonate hydrogels for high-efficient adsorption of heavy metal (Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+) in water treatment.

Few-layer graphene-hybrid sulfonate hydrogels for high-efficient adsorption of heavy metal (Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+) in water treatment.