Toxic Constituents Research Articles

Pioneering technologies over time to rehabilitate crude oil-contaminated ecosystems: a review.

The unremitting pollution of our environment induced by crude oil spillage and drilling site accidents has jeopardized every living species in the biological ecosystem. Removing heavy crude oil constituents with the help of traditional and mainstream oil sorbents because of their ingrained raised viscosities is a strenuous venture. Lighter distillates of crude oil, like condensate, do not aggregate with tremulous shine on the aquatic surface nor settle at the bottom sediment of the water bodies like the heavier components do with time. Fabricating optimally designed materials capable of capturing, degrading, or removing toxic chemical constituents of this fossil fuel is critical in this modern era. This review comprehensively discusses the evolution of scientific technologies developed to separate these constituents from land and aquatic bodies. We provide an overview of the latest physical and chemical strategies and prevalent biological remediation schemes for removing these pollutants from soils and water for environmental protection. The article highlights the urgency of preventing oil spill accidents, whose anticipation is challenging to harness. A spectrum of advanced functional methodologies is also discussed to adequately treat discharged hydrocarbon contaminants, establish public safety, and pave the path to enhancing the circular economy metrics linked with oil industries.

Health risk assessment of toxic metals and DNA damage in somatic and germ cells by soil and groundwater of a major cement factory in Nigeria.

The waste generated from cement manufacturing is an important source of heavy metal contamination of groundwater and soil. This study investigated the concentration of toxic metals in the soil of a major cement factory and nearby groundwater. Ecological and carcinogenic risks of the metals were calculated. Potential reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects of the samples were assessed in sex and somatic cells of male mice using sperm abnormalities and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) assays, respectively. Also, the serum ALP, ALT, AST, Total Testosterone (TT), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); and liver SOD and CAT activities were measured in the treated mice. Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb levels in the soil and groundwater exceeded the allowable maximum standard. Ingestion and dermal contact were the most probable routes of human exposure with children having about three times higher probability of exposure to the metals than the adults. Ni, Pb, and Cr presented carcinogenic risks in children and adults. In the MN result, nuclear abnormalities in the studied mice especially micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes increased significantly (p < 0.05). Compared to the negative control, the ratio of PCE/NCE showed the cytotoxicity of the two samples. Data further showed a significant increase in the serum ALP, AST, and ALT while the liver CAT and SOD activities concomitantly decreased in the exposed mice. Sperm morphology result showed that the samples contained constituents capable of inducing reproductive toxicity in exposed organisms, with alterations to the concentrations of TT, LH, and FSH. Toxic metal constituents of the samples were believed to induce these reported reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effect. These results showed the environmental pollution caused by cement factory and the potential effects the pollutants might have on exposed eukaryotic organisms.

A Review on: Advances in Membrane Technologies for Heavy Metal Removal from contaminated Water

Abstract The contamination of water by various toxic constituents, particularly heavy metals, exerts deleterious effects on both flora and fauna, with potential repercussions for human well-being. Consequently, there exists a pressing imperative to explore methodologies aimed at the elimination of hazardous substances from polluted water. Among the array of extant approaches, membrane-based techniques emerge as notably efficacious for mitigating pollutants, specifically heavy metals, in water systems. The elimination of mineral contaminants from water holds paramount significance for fostering a hygienic environment and safeguarding human health. Polymeric membranes offer an energy-efficient approach to water purification, yet they encounter fouling issues during filtration. Surface modification of the membrane is one avenue for mitigating fouling, aiding in the maintenance of elevated water productivity levels. The present investigation undertakes a comprehensive examination of outcomes derived from diverse experiments conducted over the preceding two decades, with the objective of identifying the most pertinent membrane filtration processes, accounting for varied contaminant profiles.

Exploring the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of licochalcone B against psoralidin-induced liver injury

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHerb-induced liver injury (HILI) represents an exacerbated inflammatory response, with Psoraleae fructus (PF) and its preparations recently associated with hepatotoxicity. Licorice, historically recognized as a detoxifying herbal remedy, is considered to possess hepatoprotective properties. Our previous research identified bavachin, bakuchiol, and psoralidin (PSO) as potential toxic constituents in PF, while licochalcone B (LCB) and echinatin were identified as bioactive components in licorice. However, evidence regarding the interactions of active compounds in herbs and their underlying mechanisms remains limited. Aim of the studyThe objective of this study is to assess the potential mechanisms through which LCB modulates immunological and anti-inflammatory responses to treat PSO-induced liver injury by using human hepatocyte cells (L02) and LPS-primed mice. MethodsThe ameliorative effects of LCB and echinatin on bavachin, bakuchiol, and PSO-induced liver injury were demonstrated in L02 cells. Subsequently, the efficacy of LCB on PSO-induced idiosyncratic liver injury was further validated in C57BL/6 mice under moderate inflammatory stress induced by LPS priming. The mechanisms were preliminarily explored with an integrated strategy of molecular docking, RT-PCR verification, and untargeted metabolomics. ResultsThe study shows that LCB significantly reduced cell injury induced by the three chemicals in PF and provided substantial protection against PSO-induced hepatic damage, as indicated by the levels of ALT, AST, and LDH. LCB normalized liver function and remarkedly alleviated hepatic lesions and inflammation caused by PSO in mice under moderate inflammatory stress. The mRNA profiles of both L02 cells and mice liver tissue revealed that LCB mitigated PSO-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1B and TNF, as well as immunoinflammatory genes PIK3CA, AKT1, NFKB1, and NLRP3. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics of liver tissue indicated that LCB could reverse the abnormal expression of 11 discriminatory metabolites, with the interrelationship between differential metabolites and target genes primarily clustering in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and phosphatidylinositol signaling system. ConclusionLCB demonstrated a superior anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect on PSO-induced hepatotoxicity by modulating the inflammatory response and metabolic signaling system. Key interactive targets included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, and subunit isoforms of PI3K.

Integrating metabolomics and network toxicology to reveal the mechanism of hypoaconitine-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Hypoaconitine (HA), a major secondary metabolite of aconite (a plant-derived rodenticide), is a highly toxic di-ester alkaloidal constituent. The toxicity of HA is intense with a low LD50. However, studies on its toxicity mechanism have mainly focused on cardiotoxicity, with few reports on the mechanism of hepatotoxicity. In this study, we combined metabolomics and network toxicology to investigate the effects of HA on the liver and analyzed the mechanisms by which it causes hepatotoxicity. The results of metabolomics studies indicated diethylphosphate, sphingosine-1-phosphate, glycerophosphorylcholine, 2,8-quinolinediol, guanidinosuccinic acid, and D-proline as differential metabolites after HA exposure. These metabolites are involved in eight metabolic pathways including arginine and proline metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Network toxicology analysis of HA may affect the HIF-1 signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and so on by regulating the targets of ALB, HSP90AA1, MMP9, CASP3, and so on. Integrating the results of metabolomics and network toxicology, it was concluded that HA may induce hepatotoxicity by triggering physiological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and inducing apoptosis in hepatocytes.

Shallow groundwater quality and health risk assessment of fluoride and arsenic in Northwestern Jiangsu Province, China

Assessing groundwater quality is critical to regional water resource conservation and human health safety, especially in areas with co-existence of toxic constituents fluoride (F−) and arsenic (As). In this study, fourteen groundwater samples were collected in Feng County, Northwestern Jiangsu Province to identify dominant contaminants and their spatial distribution and health risk. The composition and variation characteristics of major ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, and NO3−) and trace elements (F−, As, and Mn) were analyzed. The hydrochemical results revealed that high F− groundwater was mainly distributed in the northern areas whereas As-riched groundwater was primarily distributed in southern areas. Notably, over 85.7% and 21.4% of the shallow groundwater samples exceeded the drinking water quality standard of 1.5 mg/L for F− and 10 µg/L for As, respectively. Based on the water quality index (WQI) appraisal result, 71.4% of the groundwater in the study area is classified as “poor”, and thus unsuitable for drinking directly. We assessed the human non-carcinogenic health risk of F− (HQFluoride) and As (HQArsenic) and the carcinogenic health risk of As (CRArsenic). The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) for F− indicated nearly all groundwater samples have an unacceptable risk (HQ > 1) for each age group. However, HQArsenic values revealed that 28.6%, 21.4%, 21.4%, and 21.4% of groundwater samples posed potential non-carcinogenic health risks for infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The calculated results of CRArsenic showed that 0%, 21.4%, 28.6%, and 28.6% of groundwater samples posed unacceptable health risks (CR > 1.0 × 10−4) to infants, children, females, and males, respectively. The groundwater irrigation suitability assessment results showed that 21.4% of samples were doubtful to unsuitable for irrigation, and 85.7% owed magnesium hazards. The findings of this study will assist policymakers in formulating proper remedial policies and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of drinking and irrigation water.

Antifertility potential of the extracts of &lt;i&gt;Aloe barbadensis&lt;/i&gt; Miller on the testes and reproductive hormones of male rats

There is a plethora of effective female contraceptives with varied efficacy, usability, and acceptability levels but not for males, who have condoms with a high failure rate and vasectomy with poor reversibility. This study was to determine the antifertility potential of the extracts of Aloe barbadensis as a herbal contraceptive for males. Gel and aqueous leaf extracts of Aloe barbadensis were administered orally to thirty-five sexually matured albino male rats for 30 days, to determine their effects on the reproductive hormones and histopathology of the testes. The animals were divided into 7 groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Each group was for a treatment regimen having 5 rats. Group A, the Control, was given a normal ration and water. Groups B, C, and D were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of fresh A. barbadensis gel daily for 30 days while groups E, F, and G were administered 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg, and 70mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract respectively. A significant reduction in testosterone levels (p&lt;0.05), insignificant reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and an increase in luteinizing hormone levels that were also not significant (p&gt;0.05) were observed. Histopathological alterations of disrupted cytoarchitecture, absence of Leydig cells, and scanty spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules were observed in the tissues of the testes of the treated groups of rats, and as such the extracts may be possible effective natural antifertility agents for males although, toxic constituents of the plant extracts should be screened out before it is allowed for consumption.

Variability in Crithmum maritimum L. Essential Oils’ Chemical Composition: PCA Analysis, Food Safety, and Sustainability

In this study, four accessions of Crithmum maritimum L., not previously studied, collected in Isola delle Femmine (Italy) (S43), Croatia (S44), Montenegro (S45), and Israel (S46) were investigated. The volatile profile of essential oils was evaluated using GC–MS and 38 compounds were identified. All the analyzed samples show a composition characterized essentially by monoterpene hydrocarbons (94.0–97.6%), with limonene, γ-terpinene, β-phellandrene, α-pinene, and p-cymene as the principal compounds. In addition, a comprehensive review of the composition of C. maritimum essential oils that have been studied thus far was conducted. To evaluate the similarity between samples, principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were utilized. To evaluate the possibility of addressing food value to natural species that can strengthen sustainable food policies, it appears necessary to consider the previous safety of the dietary intake of C. maritimum. A matrix plot analysis of the content of dillapiole, a toxic constituent, in the samples was performed. The results of the statistical analysis show the presence of six clusters indicating some differences between C. maritimum accessions from different locations. Regarding dillapiole content, the four accessions discussed in this paper showed dillapiole values of less than 2%, suggesting the healthiness of sea fennel from these locations, while the highest values were found in samples from France, Portugal, and Tunisia.

A retrospective study of clinical profile of para-phenylenediamene poisoning (hair dye poisoning) in cases admitted in medical college

India has a high suicide rate and a large proportion of these suicides occur through poisoning. Poisoning by Hair dye has been increasing and constitutes a large proportion of the poisoning cases. The principle toxic constituent of Hair dye poisoning is Paraphenylenediamine (PPD).Present study was done by analyzing the demographic profile, clinical presentation, biochemical profile, life saving interventions and mortality in cases of PPD poisoning. This study was conducted on 80 cases. Angioedema, pain in oral cavity, dark coloured urine, oro-facial edema were main clinical features. Raised TLC count, elevated liver enzymes (sgpt, sgot), elevated serum creatinine, hypocalcemia, elevated bilirubin, low haemoglobin.Paraphenylene diamine poisoning is developing now days due to easy obtainability and low cheap price. It is more common in poor, illiterate, married females of younger age group living in rural areas. Aggressive treatment and Tracheostomy can save life of Patients.

Effect of Air Pollutants on Allergic Inflammation in Structural Cells of the Nasal Mucosa.

Air pollution is an increasing global concern, and its effect on allergic inflammation has attracted the attention of many researchers. Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of ambient air pollution, and heavy metals are the primary toxic constituents of PM. As previous studies on the impact of air pollutants on allergic inflammation did not adequately mimic real-world atmospheric exposure, we developed an experimental model to investigate the effects of aerosolized air pollutants on nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. We collected particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) samples from ambient 24-hour air samples obtained in Seoul from August 2020 to August 2022, and then conducted component analysis for metallic constituents. Primary nasal epithelial cells and nasal fibroblasts, obtained and cultured from the turbinate tissues of human participants, were treated with PM2.5. The associations of heavy metals identified from the component analysis with cytokine expression were investigated. A three-dimensional (3D)-hybrid culture model, consisting of co-culture of an air-liquid interface and nasal fibroblast spheroids, was constructed to observe the impact of aerosolized air pollutants. Among the heavy metals, Si was the predominant component of PM2.5, and Zn showed the highest correlation with the concentration of PM2.5 in Seoul. PM2.5, Zn, and Si increased the production of epithelial cell-derived cytokines, and PM2.5 and Zn exhibited similar trends with one another. Exposure of the 3D-hybrid model to aerosolized PM2.5 and Zn resulted in elevated periostin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and fibronectin expression in fibroblast spheroids, and those without an epithelial barrier exhibited a similar increase in periostin expression. Ambient air pollutants in the form of aerosols increase the expression of allergic inflammatory cytokines in both nasal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Regulations on air pollution will help reduce the global burden of allergic diseases in the future.

Lactic Acid Salts of Nicotine Potentiate the Transfer of Toxic Metals into Electronic Cigarette Aerosols.

The designs and liquid formulations of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) devices continue to rapidly evolve. Thus, it is important to monitor and characterize ENDS aerosols for changes in toxic constituents. Many ENDS liquid formulations now include the addition of organic acids in a 1 to 1 molar ratio with nicotine. Metal concentrations in aerosols produced by ENDS devices with different nicotine salt formulations were analyzed. Aerosols from devices containing lactic acid had higher nickel, zinc, copper, and chromium concentrations than aerosols produced by devices containing benzoic acid or levulinic acid. Our scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analytical findings showed that the metals determined in the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analytical results were consistent with the metal compositions of the ENDS device components that were exposed to the liquids and that nickel is a major constituent in many ENDS internal components. As a result of the exposure of the nickel-containing components to the ENDS liquids, resulting aerosol nickel concentrations per puff were higher from devices that contained lactic acid in comparison to devices with benzoic or levulinic acid. The aerosol nickel concentrations in 10 puffs from ENDS-containing lactic acid were, in some cases, hundreds of times higher than cigarette mainstream smoke nickel deliveries. Thus, the design of an ENDS device in terms of both physical construction components and the liquid chemical formulations could directly impact potential exposures to toxic constituents such as metals.

JiaGaSongTang improves chronic cholestasis via enhancing FXR-mediated bile acid metabolism

BackgroundBile acid (BA) enterohepatic circulation disorders are a main feature of chronic cholestatic diseases. Promoting BA metabolism is thus a potential method of improving enterohepatic circulation disorders, and treat enterohepatic inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis due to cholestasis. PurposeTo investigate the effect of JiaGaSongTang (JGST) and its blood-absorbed ingredient 6-gingerol on α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced chronic cholestasis, as well as elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsChronic cholestasis was induced in mice via subcutaneous injection of ANIT (50 mg/kg) every other day for 14 d. Treatment groups were administered JGST orally daily. Damage to the liver and intestine was observed using histopathological techniques. Biochemical techniques were employed to assess total BA (TBA) levels in the serum, liver, and ileum samples. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze fecal BA components. Bioinformatic methods were adopted to screen the core targets and pathways. The blood-absorbed ingredients of JGST were scrutinized via LC-MS/MS. The effects of the major JGST ingredients on farnesoid X receptor (FXR) transactivation were validated using dual luciferase reporter genes. Lastly, the effects of the FXR inhibitor, DY268, on JGST and 6-gingerol pharmacodynamics were observed at the cellular and animal levels. ResultsJGST ameliorated pathological impairments in the liver and intestine, diminishing TBA levels in the serum, liver and gut. Fecal BA profiling revealed that JGST enhanced the excretion of toxic BA constituents, including deoxycholic acid. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that JGST engaged in anti-inflammatory mechanisms, attenuating collagen accumulation, and orchestrating BA metabolism via interactions with FXR and other pertinent targets. LC-MS/MS analysis identified six ingredients absorbed to the bloodstream, including 6-gingerol. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and dual luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed the abilities of 6-gingerol to bind to FXR and activate its transactivation. Ultimately, in both cellular and animal models, the therapeutic efficacy of JGST and 6-gingerol in chronic cholestasis was attenuated in the presence of FXR inhibitors. ConclusionThe findings, for the first time, demonstrated that 6-gingerol, a blood-absorbed ingredient of JGST, can activate FXR to affect BA metabolism, and thereby attenuate ANIT-induced liver and intestinal injury in chronic cholestasis mice model via inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress, and liver fibrosis, in part in a FXR-dependent mechanism.

Effect of vacuum UV and UV-C treatment on degradation and ecotoxicity of tire wear microrubber leachates.

Tire wear microrubber particles (TWMP) are a major source of environmental contamination. Degradation of TWMP is slow and leachates contain toxic constituents including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic additives. Few studies have addressed methods to mitigate the potential ecotoxicity of TWMP leachates. This study investigated the effects of UV-C (254 nm) and combined UV-C and vacuum UV (185 nm) treatment (VUV-UV-C) of TWMP leachates on degradation and ecotoxicity. VUV-UV-C treatment mitigated dissolved zinc and degraded the TWMP constituents fluoranthene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene by up to 90%, and the additives benzothiazole and phthalates by up to 70%. The potential ecotoxicity and genotoxicity of TWMP constituents were examined before and after UV treatment in bioassays with Escherichia coli, the luminescent bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the crustacean Daphia magna. VUV-UV-C treatment decreased the potential ecotoxicity up to five-fold as indicated by changes in median effective concentrations (EC50). This was likely due to the formation of less toxic and less bioavailable transformation products. The VUV-UV-C treatment did not require the addition of oxidants or catalysts, and the study indicated a potential of VUV-UV-C as an advanced oxidation process to mitigate toxic compounds in TWMP leachates from urban or industrial sources.

Thermoelectric properties of Gd and Se double substituted tetrahedrite.

The compound Cu12Sb4S13, known as tetrahedrite, is an eco-friendly p-type thermoelectric material with earth-abundant, low-cost, and less toxic constituents. This contemporary work studied the thermoelectric properties of Gd and Se double-substituted tetrahedrites. The samples with nominal composition Cu11.95Gd0.05Sb4S13-xSex (where x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) were prepared using the solid-state synthesis and sintered using high vacuum hot pressing. The structural analysis using X-ray diffraction revealed a successful tetrahedrite phase formation, and the systematic increase of lattice parameters with the selenium content (x) indicated successful Se substitution. The electron probe microanalysis revealed the presence of secondary phases Cu3SbS4, CuSbS2, and CuGdS2. The Raman spectroscopy showed a weakening Sb-S/Se bond with increased Se content in the samples. The +3 and -2 oxidation states of Gd and Se, respectively, were confirmed from the XPS study. Gd3+, a higher valence substituent at the Cu+/Cu2+ tetrahedral site, helped reduce the carrier concentration. On the other hand, the isoelectronic substitution of Se2- for S2- enhanced the thermopower and power factor by introducing resonant energy states near the Fermi level. Consequently, a maximum power factor of ∼1.35 (±0.08) mW m-1 K-2 at ∼729 K was obtained for the sample x = 0.4. The sample x = 0.4 also exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity ∼ 1.18 (±0.04) W m-1 K-1 at 729 K. The Callaway model indicates that the lowering in the lattice thermal part of conductivity of this sample is due to the combined effect of point defect and Umklapp scattering. The simultaneous improvement of carrier concentration and thermal conductivity resulted in a relatively high zT of ∼0.83 (±0.09) in the x = 0.4 sample.

Effect Of Zinc And Ingredients Of Protein Supplement On Sperm Parameters And Male Reproductive Hormones- An RCT Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of zinc against injury to sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones brought on by toxic protein supplement constituents. Methods: 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study, of which 10 were in Group 1 (given standard laboratory food), 10 were in Group 2, fed standard laboratory food nutritional supplement powder and 10 were in Group 3, fed standard laboratory food, nutritional supplement powder and zinc. Semen Analysis of Male Sprague Dawley rats of all 3 groups was evaluated after 8 weeks. Sperm parameters and serum levels of Male Reproductive Hormones were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Results: There was a significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) in Mean ± SEM of sperm count millions /ml, sperm motility (%), and normal sperm morphology (%) in Group 2 rats when compared with Group 1. Zinc supplement in Group 3 caused a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in Mean ± SEM of sperm parameters including sperm count millions /ml, sperm motility (%) and normal sperm morphology (%) as compared to Group 2 rats. Mean ± SEM of serum level of testosterone Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone(LH) of Group 2 rats showed a significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease when compared with Group 1 rats. However, the use of Zinc in Group 3 rats significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased serum Testosterone, FSH, and LH levels when compared to Group 2. No significant difference was noted between serum levels of Testosterone, in Group 1 and Group 3. Serum levels of FSH and LH in Group 3 rats (484.81+ 78.17 ng/ml) were significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) as compared to Group 1 rats. Conclusion: Regular addition of antioxidant Zinc with protein supplements has the potential to restore normal functions of the male reproductive system. Keywords: Protein supplements, Soy Protein, Silicon dioxide, Zinc, Sperm parameters, Testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone.

(Invited) Electrochemical Deionization for Water Desalination and Direct Lithium Extraction

Electrochemical deionization based on carbonaceous and intercalation electrodes has been proposed as a promising candidate for desalinating saline water and for selectively separating toxic or valuable ionic constituents from water. In this talk, I will first introduce our work on the performance evaluation and techno-economic assessment for electrochemical desalination of brackish water. Parametric models were established to estimate the unit cost of water desalination and energy efficiency in electrochemical desalination with different configurations, and results were compared against brackish water reverse osmosis. In the second part of the talk, I will present our work on the development of selective electrochemical separation systems, focusing on the recovery of lithium from water streams. We investigated the selectivity of lithium separation in electrolyte solutions with different cation concentration ratios as well as in simulated brines. Results show that lithium chloride with a purity of >95% can be extracted from high-salinity brines in the presence of competing monovalent and divalent cations.

Heterogeneity of Harmful Constituent Profiles in Smokeless Tobacco Products from Five African Countries.

Addictive, toxic, and carcinogenic constituents present in smokeless tobacco (SLT) products are responsible for the harmful effects associated with SLT use. There are limited data on levels of such constituents in SLT products used in Africa, a region with high prevalence of SLT use and the associated morbidity and mortality. Manufactured and custom-made SLT products were purchased from five African countries (South Africa, Uganda, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Zambia) using a standard approach for sample collection, labeling, and storage. Moisture content, pH, total and unprotonated (biologically available) nicotine, five tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), five metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb), nitrate, and nitrite were analyzed. A total of 54 samples representing 15 varieties of manufactured SLT products and 13 varieties of custom-made SLT products were purchased and analyzed. In all samples, the total nicotine ranged from 1.6 to 20.5 mg/g product and unprotonated nicotine accounted for 5.3-99.6% of the total nicotine content. The sum of all five TSNA ranged from 1.6 to 100 μg/g product, with significant within-country variations observed across both the manufactured and custom-made varieties. Significant variations were also found for PAH, metals and metalloids, nitrates, and nitrites. This is the most comprehensive report on the chemical profiling of products from African countries. This is also the first study illustrating the variability of harmful constituents within the same types and brands of African SLT. Our findings emphasize the need for consumer education and interventions to reduce SLT use in Africa. The data reported here can be useful to regulators in considering measures to prevent the occurrence of high levels of known toxicants and carcinogens in manufactured products.

Evaluating the health impact of increased linseed consumption in the Danish population

Consumption of linseeds has been suggested to have beneficial effects on human health. However, toxic constituents of linseed may compromise these benefits. We conducted a quantitative risk-benefit assessment to evaluate the overall health impact of increasing linseed intake up to 45 g/day in the Danish population (15–74 years). We quantified the risks associated with increased cadmium exposure and the benefits associated with increased intake of dietary fibre. Increased intakes of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) were included in a sensitivity analysis. The overall health impact of different linseed intake scenarios was estimated in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). We found that the beneficial effects of linseed due to increased intake of dietary fibre outweighed the adverse health effects due to increased cadmium exposure in all scenarios. Up to 670 DALYs/100,000 individuals could be averted per year by increasing linseed consumption in the Danish population. The estimated beneficial health impact increased further when including ALA in the assessment. Different sources of uncertainty might affect the results, and more research is needed on both the health effects associated with intake of linseed and its constituents, and the bioavailability of ALA and cadmium from linseed to further improve the risk-benefit assessment.

Characterization of physiochemical parameters & their effect on microbial content of smokeless tobacco products marketed in north India.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) product consumption has profound public health implications for its users. The p H and moisture of SLTs determine the bioavailability of nicotine, the microbial structure dynamics and the amount of microbial conversion of tobacco alkaloids to carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines. This study aimed to characterize and compare the p H, moisture and alkaloid content of various SLT products. Thirty-seven SLT samples including khaini , snus, moist snuff, gul , pan masala , zarda , Mainpuri kapoori and qiwam were collected from the retail market around the National Capital Region in north India and their p H, moisture, nicotine and alkaloid content were measured. The p H and total nicotine were used to calculate the amount of free nicotine, the readily absorbed form, for each product by applying the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The investigation showed that the SLTs varied drastically in their p H (5.36 to 10.27), moisture content (4.7 to 51.7%) and alkaloid content (0.82 to 35.87 mg/g). The p H and free nicotine levels of a product were found to be positively correlated, and the highest free nicotine content was reported in snus samples. Further, the moisture content was seen to impact the bacterial and fungal diversity in these samples. Studies to detect the presence of pathogenic microbiological genera as well as potentially toxic constituents are warranted. The use of SLTs as an alternative to cigarette smoking should be discouraged, and cessation programmes must call attention to their detrimental effects and emphasize on benefits of quitting SLT consumption.

Chemical profiling of principle active and toxic constituents in herbs containing aristolochic acids

ObjectiveTo clear the amounts of the principal active/toxic components in herbs containing aristolochic acids (HCAAs), which are still used as medicine and/or seasoning in many ethnic minority areas of China. MethodsIn this study, six major active and toxic components in HCAAs were extracted with ultrasonic extraction. With 6-O-methyl guanosine as internal standard, the target compounds were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced production ion scanning mode (MRM-IDA-EPI) combined with dynamic background subtraction (DBS) function. ResultsThe method showed good linearity in the linear range of the six analytes. The limit range of detection was from 0.01 ng/mL to 0.27 ng/mL. All of the detection repeatability, extraction repeatability and accuracy of the method were good. After extraction, the samples remained stable at 15 °C within 24 h. Six analytes were all found in samples except aristolactam (AL) in sample 2, and the contents varied greatly. The contents of these compounds decreased in fruits, leaves and stems of Aristolochia delavayi successively. ConclusionThis method has the advantages of less sample dosage, simple operation, short analysis cycle, high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. It laid a good foundation for guiding the safety of HCAAs, the in-depth study of pharmacological and toxicological effects and the scientific and standardized processing and compatibility of HCAAs.