Public Health Hazard Research Articles

Motonormativity: how social norms hide a major public health hazard

Motonormativity: how social norms hide a major public health hazard

Motonormativity: how social norms hide a major public health hazard

Motonormativity: how social norms hide a major public health hazard

Utilization Of Antibiotics In Rural Communities Of Sub- Saharan Africa: Challenges And Resistances

In the last seven decades, antibiotics have greatly influenced the remarkable advancement in world health by becoming the standard therapy for infectious diseases. Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a significant worldwide human health issue, having notably negative effects in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). What were once fatal illnesses are now beaten by millions of people. But since there are only so many antibiotics available, misusing them has resulted in antibiotic resistance and decreased efficacy within a few years after the release of every lifesaving antibiotic. The WHO claims that the threat of antibiotic resistance to global health and development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be attained urgently through multi-sectoral approach. One of the ten leading worldwide public health hazards to civilization, according to WHO, is ABR. The major causes of the emergence of infections that are resistant to antibiotics are their improper usage and excessive use. The spread of bacteria, some of which may be antibiotic-resistant, is encouraged by a lack of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and effective infection control and prevention measures. Antibiotic resistance is as significant a threat to international security, food and nutrition security, and industrialization, according to the WHO, as terrorist attacks and global warming. ABR has a huge cost to the economy. Long-term disease not only increases the risk of mortality and incapacity but also lengthens hospital stay, necessitates the use of more expensive medications, and puts a strain on the finances of those affected. In the absence of powerful antibiotics, contemporary medicine's ability to cure infections, including those that arise following extensive surgeries and invasive procedures, would be compromised. Due to the lack of adequate mass surveillance, it is difficult to determine the scope of the ABR issue in LMICs, although considerable progress has been made in recent years since the WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) initiative was launched in 2015. One of the main factors influencing the choice of ABR in LMICs is the widespread and frequently improper use of antibiotics in people, animals, and crops. This, combined with the insufficient control of pharmacological byproducts at the centers of manufacturing, must be quickly addressed. ABR spreads more quickly in LMICs because a number of factors including poor sanitation and hygiene insufficient exposure to sufficient health facilities, and a lack of legislation. The aim is to review to predisposing factors that influence the use of antibiotics aimed at informing policy decision on antibiotics use.

Significance of Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio, Neutrophil-platelet Ratio, and Neutrophil-tolymphocyte and Platelet Ratio in Predicting Outcomes in Dengue Patients on Admission in Wardha, Maharashtra, India: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Dengue is an important viral infectious disease, mostly seen in tropical countries during the rainy season, and is emerging as a public health hazard for healthcare facilities. The most common parameters used to assess the severity of dengue are platelet count and haematocrit. However, new haematological parameters have emerged to predict the severity of dengue fever and assist clinicians, especially in resource-limited settings. Aim: To highlight the significance of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Neutrophil-Platelet Ratio (NPR), and Neutrophil-toLymphocyte and Platelet Ratio (NLPR) in predicting outcomes in patients with dengue infection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in rural central India in the Department of Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. A total of 540 patients infected with the dengue virus between June 2021 and December 2021. Data analysis was conducted from January to April 2022. Neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts were used to calculate NLR, NPR, and NLPR, and their roles in predicting the final outcome were studied. The final analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 21.0. The p-value<0.05 than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.85±13.40 years, ranging from 18 to 85 years, with a median age of 25 years. A total of 331 (61.7%) patients below 30 years of age were significantly higher than patients aged 30 years or older (38.3%) (Z=3.39; p=0.0007). The Area Under Curve (AUC) for NLR (0.852) was higher than that for NLPR (0.828) and NPR (0.708). Therefore, NLR was more effective in predicting adverse outcomes compared to NLPR and NPR. However, the efficacies of NLR and NLPR seemed to be more or less equal. Conclusion: The NLR was a better predictor of outcome or severity in dengue fever when compared to NPR and NLPR. Hence, it can be a cost-effective tool used by physicians working in rural hospitals with limited resources.

English

Widespread aflatoxin contamination of maize is a public health hazard in Sub-Saharan Africa and its management requires strategies which are implemented both at pre- and post-harvest stages of cereal production. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and practices for aflatoxin contamination of maize and factors associated with adoption of artisanal aflatoxin control technologies. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 315 household heads that were practicing subsistence maize farming in Kitui, Kenya. Data were analyzed to determine farm level factors which were associated with aflatoxin contamination. Farmers in uplands areas had partial knowledge on occurrence of aflatoxin at pre-harvest stages of maize growth and effects of aflatoxins on animal health and productivity. Adoption of aflatoxin control technologies was higher in farms located in lowland areas as compared to uplands. There was evidence of association between adoption of control technologies and farm level factors including farmer’s knowledge on aflatoxin contamination, farmer’s level of education and location of farm. The results demonstrate a knowledge gap on aflatoxin contamination and farm level barriers for adoption of aflatoxin control technologies. The findings call for enhanced capacity building activities through extension to influence change on farming practices for farms with high risk of aflatoxin contamination. Key words: Pre-harvest and post-harvest aflatoxin control methods, barriers for adoption, knowledge, effects of aflatoxins.

Biofilm Production in Borehole Water Sources and their Susceptibility to Antibiotics and Antibiofilm Effect of Noni Foliar Extracts

Background: Bacteria produce biofilm in a variety of systems; water, implant devices in humans and living tissues. They can be persistent and express virulent factors, increased resistance to antimicrobials and human immunity. Plant-based extracts have shown promising outcomes in inhibiting quorum sensing system and modulation of biofilm formation with lesser side effects. Thus, foliar extracts of Noni plant was the subject of such trial as an antibiofilm/antibacterial agent. 
 Objective: Investigate borehole water sources from three communities in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA) for biofilm producers (BPs), antibiogram as well as antibiofilm effect of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) foliar extracts.
 Method: Microbiological protocols were adopted to isolate and identify bacteria whereas Congo red agar was used to detect biofilm producers (BPs). Antibiogram of BPs were done (with various antibiotics) as well as antibiofilm/antibacterial effect of Noni foliar extracts.
 Results: Bioassays detected the biofilm producers (BPs) as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus and Serratia species. The bioburden were 55.0±2.5CFU/mL and 51.0±0.2CFU/mL for total heterotrophic bacteria and coliform counts from Ọbaziolu and Rumuelechi communities respectively. Rumuelechi borehole water had the highest percentage relative abundance of S. aureus (80%) and Bacillus (66.7%) whereas Ọbaziolu had Serratia (66.7%) and negative/zero for S. aureus and Ọrora had the least of all the isolated BPs. Antibiogram data revealed that all the BPs were 100% resistant to Cloxacillin and Cotrimoxazole but showed high rate of varying susceptibility to other antimicrobials; S. aureus depicted (100%) susceptibility to Gentamicin and Streptomycin; Bacillus to Tetracycline; Serratia to Augmentin and K. pneumoniae to Gentamicin. All the BPs showed multidrug resistance (MDR) with Serratia and K. pneumoniae being resistant to 6 and Bacillus and S. aureus 5-antibiotics respectively. Furthermore, susceptibility test on these BPs indicated that inhibitory activity of Noni foliar extracts were concentration-dependent. At a concentration of 3000mg/mL methanolic extract (MtE) showed the largest inhibition zone of 20.00mm against B. subtilis and aqueous extract (AqE) 15.00mm on Serratia species and such phenomenon is indicative of broad spectrum activity. Chloramphenicol (control) had the overall largest inhibition zones on the BPs except on B. subtilis. The susceptibility of these crude phytocompounds to BPs promises to be a novel and an alternative natural agent to synthetic antibiofilm products.
 Conclusion: Biofilm producers were detected in borehole water supply in three communities in Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The predominant BPs were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus and Serratia species. The BPs showed multi-antibiotic resistance with the Gram negative bacteria being resistant to more drug-types. Crude phytocompounds of Noni foliar extracts demonstrated broad spectrum activity with promising prospects as likely therapeutic option against biofilm-based infections. Additionally, the degree of multidrug resistance (MDR) depicted by these BPs to conventional antimicrobials is worrisome and demands regular monitoring, environmental sanitation and good hygienic measures to mitigate public health hazards.

Stability evaluation of lyophilized probiotic bacteria

The unregulated use of antibiotics has emerged as a major driving force of antibiotic resistance and public health hazard, particularly in developing countries. This necessitates to find out a solution that benefits humans and animals. Probiotics are one such alternative; they are simply known as beneficial bacteria that exert health benefits to living beings. Probiotic microorganisms are crucial for the biotechnology and food industries. They are frequently employed as starters for the production of probiotic goods, food (such as yogurt, cheese and fermented meats), and food as well as for green chemistry uses. Bacteria can be conveniently preserved using lyophilization. It permits long-term storage and inexpensive distribution at suprazero temperatures while limiting viability and functionality losses by lowering water activity to values below 0.2. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of lyophilized probiotic after lyophilization. All the lyophilized isolates were found to be Gram positive and showed no catalase activity. The isolates fermented the sugars viz. D-glucose, Lactose, and Sucrose. Lyophilized bacteria showed tolerance against 2% and 4% NaCl concentrations. The bacteria also showed tolerance against 0.3% bile salt and pH 3. The isolates were able to inhibit the growth of enteric pathogens viz. Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholera and resistant to commercially available antibiotics viz. gentamicin, and tetracycline. It is possible to conclude that lyophilization does not affects the efficacy of probiotic bacteria. The study's findings could open up new avenues for the application of probiotic-based feeds and foods as an alternative to antibiotic among stakeholders.

Bacterial Occurrence in Wild And Cultured Clarias Gariepinus From Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

An important cause of contamination in fisheries and aquaculture products is bacteria. They continue to be a major impediment towards obtaining sustainable fisheries and aquaculture production. They cause several public health hazards that producers, marketers, and consumers of food fish are deeply concerned about. The current study assessed the occurrence of bacteria in Clarias gariepinus from Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Thirty (30) C. gariepinus were collected from the wild and a fish farm. Physicochemical measurements of the water were made at the time of the fish collection. The fish samples collected were transported to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis. Tissues were collected from the stomach, liver, and gills of the sampled fish and isolated for the occurrence of bacteria in them. The isolated bacteria were identified and characterized. The data that were collected were subjected to descriptive statistics analysis. The tissues of the examined C. gariepinus contained bacterial species including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter cloacae, Streptococcus iniae, Citrobacter diversus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas mallei, and Yersinia entrocolitica. The occurrence of these bacteria in the tissues of the fish samples examined raises possible public health concerns about fish and fish products from the lake and fish farm under investigation.

ASSESSMENT OF BIOCONCENTRATION FACTOR FOR SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN Talinum triangulare (WATER LEAF) GROWN IN THE VICINITY OF AUTOMOBILE WORKSHOP IN OLUKU, BENIN CITY

Sensitive vegetables grown in heavy metals polluted soils tend to accumulate heavy metals which are harmful to the human body even at low concentrations. In this study, the bioconcentration factor (Transfer Factor) was used to assess the accumulation of some heavy metals in Talinum triangulare grown in the vicinity of an automobile workshop in Oluku, Benin City. Physical and chemical parameters found to affect the interactions and mobility of heavy metals in the soil mass were also examined. A pH of 6.17±0.2 was obtained for the topsoil while the middle and bottom soil samples were 5.93±0.4 and 6.00±0.1 respectively, The values of CEC obtained for top, middle, and bottom soil samples were 5.58±0.54, 4.56±0.11, and 3.65±0.14 meq/100g respectively. Soil samples were randomly collected from three depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm with the aid of a soil auger; and T. triangulare were collected within the soil sampling locations. The concentrations of heavy metal were evaluated through the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometer after the samples were subjected to tri-acid digestion techniques. Particle size analysis showed that the soil is a sandy loam texture. High Transfer factor values were ascertained for some metals but none was greater than one. Therefore T. triangulare cannot be considered a hyperaccumulator of heavy metals investigated in this study. However, all metals found in T. triangulare were highly significant (p<0.05), and higher than the permissible limits recommended by FAO/WHO/EC/CODEX. Consumption of T. triangulare harvested from the vicinity of automobile workshops should be highly discouraged to avoid public health hazards.

COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF PM2.5 EXPOSURE FROM MID-LIFE TO EARLY OLD AGE

Abstract Air pollution exposure is a notable public health hazard with adverse effects on multiple health outcomes as well as with increased risk of developing cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias. Few studies examine associations between air pollution exposure in midlife or the transition from midlife to old age. We examined associations between exposure in midlife and cognitive functioning in early old age in ~800 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Measures included PM2.5 and NO2 exposure in the three years prior to the time 1 (mean age 56; range 51-61) assessment, and cognitive performance in 5 domains at time 1 and time 2 (mean age 68; range 65-72). Analyses adjusted for multiple health and lifestyle covariates. Cognitive performance in all domains was worse at age 68 than at age 56. There was a main effect of midlife PM2.5 on verbal fluency; greater PM2.5 exposure was associated with worse fluency. This association was at a trend level for NO2. In addition, we found significant PM2.5-by-APOE genotype interactions. Increased exposure to PM2.5 in midlife was related to lower executive function and working memory performance in APOE-ε4 carriers, but not non-carriers. Both early executive deficits and APOE-ε4 status have been associated with increased risk for progression to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The present results indicate that midlife PM2.5 exposure in men is an additional factor contributing to poorer frontal-executive function, and that APOEε4 carriers are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of PM2.5.

Review of major meat-borne zoonotic bacterial pathogens.

The importance of meat-borne pathogens to global disease transmission and food safety is significant for public health. These pathogens, which can cause a variety of diseases, include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The consumption of pathogen-contaminated meat or meat products causes a variety of diseases, including gastrointestinal ailments. Humans are susceptible to several diseases caused by zoonotic bacterial pathogens transmitted through meat consumption, most of which damage the digestive system. These illnesses are widespread worldwide, with the majority of the burden borne by developing countries. Various production, processing, transportation, and food preparation stages can expose meat and meat products to bacterial infections and/or toxins. Worldwide, bacterial meat-borne diseases are caused by strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella, Campylobacter, Brucella, Mycobacterium bovis, and toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium species, and Bacillus cereus. Additionally, consuming contaminated meat or meat products with drug-resistant bacteria is a severe public health hazard. Controlling zoonotic bacterial pathogens demands intervention at the interface between humans, animals, and their environments. This review aimed to highlight the significance of meat-borne bacterial zoonotic pathogens while adhering to the One Health approach for creating efficient control measures.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure triggers hepatic lipotoxicity via p53 and perilipin 2 interaction-mediated mitochondria-lipid droplet contacts: An in vitro and in vivo assessment

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins widely found in food contaminants, and its target organ is the liver. It poses a major food security and public health threat worldwide. However, the lipotoxicity mechanism of AFB1 exposure-induced liver injury remains unclear and requires further elucidation. Herein, we investigated the potential hepatic lipotoxicity of AFB1 exposure using in vitro and in vivo models to assess the public health hazards of high dietary AFB1 exposure. We demonstrated that low-dose of AFB1 (1.25 μM for 48 h, about one-fifth of the IC50 in HepG2 and HepaRG cells, IC50 are 5.995 μM and 5.266 μM, respectively) exposure significantly induced hepatic lipotoxicity, including abnormal lipid droplets (LDs) growth, mitochondria-LDs contacts increase, lipophagy disruption, and lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, we showed that AFB1 exposure promoted the mitochondrial p53 (mito-p53) and LDs-associated protein perilipin 2 (PLIN2) interaction-mediated mitochondria-LDs contacts, resulting in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Mito-p53-targeted inhibition, knockdown of PLIN2, and rapamycin application efficiently promoted the lysosome-dependent lipophagy and alleviated the hepatic lipotoxicity and liver injury induced by AFB1 exposure. Overall, our study found that mito-p53 and PLIN2 interaction mediates three organelles-mitochondria, LDs, and lysosomal networks to regulate lipid homeostasis in AFB1 exposure-induced hepatotoxicity, revealing how this unique trio of organelles works together and provides a novel insight into the targeted intervention in inter-organelle lipid sensing and trafficking for alleviating hazardous materials-induced hepatic lipotoxicity.

BACTERIAL FLORA OF CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) FROM FISH PONDS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Fish is a very important component of human diet. A total of 64 samples of Clarias gariepinus were collected from two fish ponds each in Yaba, Ijegun, Ikorodu and Epe in Lagos State, Nigeria. The bacterial flora of the fishes were determined quantitatively and qualitatively. The mean total viable count ranged from log10 7.6 cfu/g to log10 7.9 cfu/g. The bacterial load on the skin and in the intestine were generally higher than in the gills. Salmonella count ranged between log10 7.2 cfu/g and log10 7.6 cfu/g and it was highest in the intestine, followed by skin and gills. Coliform count was higher in the intestine and on the skin than the gills with range values of log10 7.6 cfu/g) to log10 7.9 cfu/g. Staphylococcal count was highest on the skin than the intestine and gills. The range of count was log10 7.2 cfu/g in the gills to log10 7.6 cfu/g on the skin. The bacteria isolated were identified based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization using Analytical Profile Index and they include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Vibrio fluvialis, Serratia odorifera, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus penneri, Burkholderia cepacia, Enterobacter pyrinus, Salmonella enteritidis, Edwardsiella tarda, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus mycoides, Corynebacterium pilosum, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus roseus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus polymyxa, Micrococcus leteus and Corynebacterium kutscheri. The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria may constitute public health hazard

DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA RECOVERED FROM COCKROACHES (PERIPLANETA AMERICANA L. DICTYOPTERA; BLATTIDAE) IN HOUSEHOLD BENIN CITY

In the present study we assessed the presence of bacteria pathogen fromcockroaches (Periplaneta americana) in different household and their surroundingsin Benin City, Nigeria. A total of seventy-five cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)were collected randomly from 10 different household between June and July, 2013.Standard culture-based procedures were used for the isolation and identification ofthe bacterial pathogen. The bacterial pathogen was isolated from the externalsurfaces of the cockroaches examined. The external surface of the homogenaterevealed that cockroaches are potential carriers of Bacillus spp., 10(13.33%),Citrobacter freundii 8(10.66%), Proteus spp., 5(6.66%), Escherichia coli 10(13.33%),Salmonella spp., 8(10.66%), Streptococcus spp., 10(13.33%), Pseudomonasaeruginosa 25(33.33%), Enterobacter spp., 15(20.00%), Klebsiella pneumonia25(33.33%), and Staphylococcus spp., 15(20.00%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa andKlebsiella pneumonia were the most recovered bacteria from cockroaches. Proteusspp. was the least prevalent bacteria recovered on their external surface. Weconclude that cockroaches are potential reservoir and can transmit pathogenicbacteria within the community. Thus their presence in houses may be considered apotential public health hazard and a sanitation challenge.

Clarithromycin-, and metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori isolated from raw and ready-to-eat meat in Mansoura, Egypt

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), classified as a class-I carcinogen, is one of the leading medical pathogens of global concern associated mainly with the development of gastric adenocarcinomas and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas; nevertheless, its prevalence in food especially meat and meat products is not fully covered. Additionally, the resistance of H. pylori towards clarithromycin is increasing worldwide and consider the leading cause of H. pylori treatment failure. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the prevalence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of clarithromycin-, and metronidazole-resistant H. pylori isolated from raw and ready-to-eat meat samples retailed in Mansoura city, Egypt. Among the 250 samples tested, H. pylori were molecularly confirmed in 40.8 % (49/120) of raw meat products and in 29.2 % (38/130) of ready-to-eat meat products. Precisely, 53.3 % (32/60), 56.7 % (17/30), 40 % (8/20), 55 % (11/20), 60 % (12/20), 13.3 % (4/30), and 15 % (3/20) of raw ground beef, beef burger, beef burger sandwiches, beef shawarma sandwiches, beef kofta sandwiches, beef luncheon, and beef sausage sandwiches, respectively were positive for H. pylori. Of the 204 biochemically-identified H. pylori isolates, 53.9 % (110/204) were molecularly confirmed by PCR through the detection of glmM, cagA, or vacA genes, which were detected at an incidence of 95.5 % (105/110), 77.3 % (85/110), and 20.9 % (23/110) among the isolates, respectively. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed that all of the 110 (100 %) molecularly-confirmed H. pylori isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR; resistant to four or more antibiotics). Interestingly, 100 % and 61.8 % of H. pylori isolated from raw and ready-to-eat meat were resistant to metronidazole and clarithromycin, respectively which consider alarming results as metronidazole and clarithromycin are the mainstay antibiotics in the treatment of H. pylori infections. Additionally, 94.5 %, 94.5 %, 24.5 %, 23.6 %, and 13.6 % of isolates were resistant to vancomycin, sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim, imipenem, levofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin, respectively. The widespread contamination of examined raw and ready-to-eat meat product samples with MDR H. pylori isolates could constitute a tremendous public health hazard. Further studies concerning the prevalence and possible methods of elimination of H. pylori in different food categories distributed in the various provinces in Egypt as well as in other countries is required for a better understanding the H. pylori as an emerging foodborne pathogen.

Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals the antibacterial mechanism of rosemary essential oil against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Rosemary essential oil (REO) shows various biological functions and is widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection treated by antibiotics leads to serious drug resistance and public health hazard . REO as an antibiotic alternative has become the focus of considerable research efforts. However, knowledge regarding the S. Typhimurium growth characteristics and proteomic responses to REO exposure remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the commonalities and differences in chemical compositions of REOs extracted from Salvia rosmarinus cultivars, ‘Algarve’ (AL), ‘Dutch Mill’ (DM), and ‘Majorca Pink’ (MP) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The three REOs displayed distinct chemical composition profiles, and the DM-REO, predominantly composed of 1,8-cineole and α-pinene, had the highest antibacterial activity. Sublethal levels of DM-REO caused irreversible cell membrane damage, longer lag phases, decreased growth rates, and lower maximum optical densities of S. Typhimurium. The underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms of S. Typhimurium under sublethal DM-REO treatment were investigated using label-free quantitative proteomics. Four hundred thirty-six differentially expressed proteins mainly involved in metabolism, ABC transporters , two-component system, quorum sensing , bacterial chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly were identified. The phenotypic observation test showed that DM-REO significantly inhibited S. Typhimurium motility and quorum sensing. These results increase our understanding of the antibacterial mechanism of REO inhibition in S. Typhimurium. • The chemical compositions and antibacterial properties of three REOs were assessed. • The 1/2MIC REO caused longer lag phases and lower growth rates of S. Typhimurium. • The REO was found to damage the cell membrane integrity of S. Typhimurium. • The antibacterial mechanism of REO was explored by Laber-free quantitative proteomics. • The REO inhibited S. Typhimurium motility and quorum sensing.

APOE‐e4 Status Moderates Associations between Executive Function and Air Pollution Exposure in Older Men

AbstractBackgroundAir pollution, which includes exposure to tiny particulate matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a notable public health hazard. Exposure has adverse effects on multiple health outcomes as well as with increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Although the primary cognitive focus in Alzheimer’s disease is memory, there is growing recognition of the importance of early executive function (EF) deficits as a risk indicator. In addition, there is some evidence of genetic susceptibility to pollution‐related cognitive decline. Few studies have strong measures of air pollution, EF, as well as APOE genotyping. We recently showed that APOE genotype was associated with significant decline in EF from middle to early old age among individuals who were cognitively unimpaired at baseline (Gustavson et al, 2022). Here we tested the hypothesis that the impact of air pollution on executive functions would be greater in APOE‐ε4+ carriers compared with APOE‐ε4‐ individuals.MethodWe examined associations between exposure in midlife and EF from midlife to early old age in ∼800 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Measures included average PM2.5 and NO2 exposure in the three years prior to the time 1 (mean age 56; range 51‐61) assessment, and an executive function factor score at time 1 and time 2 (mean age 68; range 65‐72). GEE analyses adjusted for multiple health and lifestyle covariates, as well as the random effect of family.ResultCognitive performance declined over time from age 56 to age 68 (F = 439.38, p<0.0001). There were no main effects of air pollution on EF. Overall APOE‐ε4+ carriers had higher EF performance than non‐carriers (F = 5.43, p = 0.02). In addition, we found a significant PM2.5‐by‐APOE genotype interaction (F = 8.80, p = 0.003). Increased exposure to PM2.5 in midlife was related to lower executive function in APOE‐ε4 carriers, but not non‐carriers. The interaction with NO2 did not reach significance (F = 2.83, p = 0.09).ConclusionThese results indicate that midlife PM2.5 exposure in men is associated with poorer frontal‐executive function, and APOEε4 carriers are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of PM2.5.

Street-level heat and air pollution exposure informed by mobile sensing

Heat and air pollution persist as major public health hazards in urban environments. Yet there are gaps in the quality of information about the hazards as conditions tend to be informed by limited stationary sensors providing information at large geographic scales. Here we present the results of a study that took place in Phoenix, Arizona, to assess the efficacy of low-cost mobile sensors on public transportation vehicles to monitor fine-scale on-road heat and PM 10 concentrations. The goal of the study is to uncover the spatial and temporal variations of excessive heat and air pollution experienced by transit commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The results show that the sensors on the buses complement the readings from stationary sensors and low-cost mobile sensors are effective for gaining fine-grained heat and air quality readings at different locations, thereby creating new insights into pockets of heat and air pollution that should be targeted for intervention.

IS711 sequencing of Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus strains, and use of microchip-based real-time PCR for rapid monitoring

In animal production systems around the world, brucellosis is a serious zoonotic disease that creates public health hazards and losses in economic terms. The aim of the study is to genotype and molecularly characterize Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) and Brucella abortus (B. abortus) collected from different animal species and humans. A total of 50 isolates of Brucella species (16B. melitensis and 34B. abortus) were isolated from 1081 animal and human samples using a culture technique, followed by biochemical identification using the Vitek 2 compact system and proteomic identification using mass spectrometry technology. Molecular genotyping was performed on all isolates using multiplex real-time PCR. Six isolates from each genotype of Brucella species were selected and genetically evaluated by IS711 insertion sequences. Microchips-based real-time PCR for Brucella species identification was performed on twelve genetically characterized isolates as a first attempt. Forty-four (88%) isolates of Brucella species were detected using multiplex real-time PCR. Based on IS711 nucleotide sequencing, twelve isolates were phylogenetically clustered into their specific clusters. The results of the comparative analysis of conventional real time and microchips-based real time indicated that the later is faster and qualitatively more sensitive than conventional real time; however, further studies are needed to ensure that it is capable of serving as a gold standard alternative for Brucella species monitoring.

Computational Bioprospecting Guggulsterone against ADP Ribose Phosphatase of SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the disease a as global public health hazard on 11 March 2020. Currently, there are no adequate measures to combat viral infections, including COVID-19, and the medication guidelines for the management of COVID-19 are dependent on previous findings from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV research. Natural products have achieved widespread acceptance around the world as a means of enhancing healthcare and disease prevention. Plants are a potential source of antiviral factors such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and others. Some of these agents exhibit a broad spectrum of antiviral activity. This study aimed to screen herbal leads for possible inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 ADP Ribose Phosphatase enzyme (ARP). Guggulsterone was found to be highly stabilized within the active site of the viral ARP enzyme by molecular dynamic simulation with very little fluctuation throughout the simulation timeframe of 100 ns. Thus, guggulsterone can be further used to develop a safe and competent medication for evolving therapy against SARS-CoV-2 in post-preclinical and clinical trials.