Toxicants Research Articles

Determinant Factors of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Java, Indonesia

IntroductionLead poisoning contributes to a significant burden of disease as a toxic substance found in air, soil, and water. In Indonesia, the risk of exposure is high due to the inappropriate recycling of used lead batteries. The objective was to investigate the factors that influence lead levels in children's blood. MethodsThis cross-sectional study assessed blood lead levels (BLLs) in children aged 12–59 months in four communities exposed to used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) recycling activities, comparing them to a control area. The study employed a threshold level of 20 μg/dL to identify high BLLs and utilized a sample size of 324 children from exposed sites and 240 from control sites. Questionnaires, blood lead tests and a home-based assessment for environmental exposures were applied. ResultsThe study participants comprised 295 boys and 269 girls, with an average age of 35 months. Significant disparities in soil lead concentrations median: Q1-Q3 were found between exposed (6581.7 : 2432.6–16647.1) ppm and control areas (253.5 : 158.8–417.1) ppm. Children in exposed areas had 3.9 times higher odds of BLL ≥20 μg/dL. Fathers with BLL ≥20 μg/dL had children with similarly elevated BLLs. Multivariate analysis identified socioeconomic status, study areas, environmental factors (cookware, food ware, spices, house cleaning), and children's behavior (breastfeeding duration) as determinants of elevated BLLs. Reported environmental factors had notable impact on BLLs, with aluminum cookware (aOR = 1.4, 95%CI [1.2–1.6]), food ware materials (aOR = 1.15, 95%CI [1.0–1.3]), type of spices (aOR = 2.7, 95%CI [1.7–48.0]), and house cleaning method (aOR = 2.9, 95%CI [1.2–7.1]). ConclusionThis study highlighted key risk factors affecting children's blood lead levels (BLL) and emphasized the urgency of employing effective strategies to remediate lead-contaminated soils in exposed regions. The findings underscore the need for prompt medical intervention and monitoring for children in these areas, with additional research essential to fully understand lead poisoning pathways in the environment.

Phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI) by Desmodesmus subspicatus: Impact on growth and biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, chlorophyll and lipid) - A dual mode investigation.

Microalgae are under research focus for the simultaneous production of biomolecules (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, pigments and lipids) and bioremediation of toxic substances from wastewater. The current study explores the capability of indigenously isolated microalgae (Desmodesmus subspicatus) for the phycoremediation of As(III) and Cr(VI). Variation of biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein, lipid and chlorophyll) was investigated during phycoremediation. D. subspicatus survived up to the toxicity level of 10mg/L for As(III) and 0.8mg/L for Cr(VI). A 70% decline in carbohydrate accumulation was observed at 10mg/L of As(III). An increased content of proteins (+ 28%) and lipids (+ 32%) within the cells was observed while growing in 0.5 and 0.2mg/L of As(III) and Cr(VI) respectively. A decrease in carbohydrate accumulation was noted with increasing Cr(VI) concentration, and the lowest (- 44%) was recorded at 0.8mg/L Cr(VI). D. subspicatus showed an excellent maximum removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and As(III) as 77% and 90% respectively.

Natural mercury exposure of European insectivorous bats may exceed a recognized toxicity threshold.

Heavy metals are an important group of toxic substances harmful for many organisms. Of these, mercury is one of the most monitored in the environment. Several matrices are used for the monitoring of environmental load, including a range of organisms; bats, however, have only been examined rarely. Insectivorous bats are apex predators threatened by several human interventions in their natural environment, including heavy metal pollution. The aim of this study was to analyze the content of total mercury in the fur, flight membrane, and pectoral muscle of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis). Total mercury concentrations were also measured in carabid beetles from the catch locality Zastávka u Brna. Samples were obtained from 43 bat carcasses at two different localities in the Czech Republic (Zastávka u Brna, Malá Morávka). Total mercury content varied between 1.76-72.20 µg/g in fur, 0.04-0.14 µg/g in skin, and 0.05-0.20 µg/g in muscle. Total mercury values in the fur of some individuals from Malá Morávka exceeded the recognized toxicity limit. Furthermore, there was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in content of total mercury in fur between localities, and there was a clear effect of age on concentrations in fur, skin, and muscle, the concentrations being significantly correlated (fur and skin rs = 0.783; fur and muscle rs = 0.716; skin and muscle rs = 0.884). These findings confirm the usefulness of fur samples from living bats for biomonitoring mercury burden in the environment.

Acute poisoning in children in Chengdu, China: a retrospective study (2019–2022)

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of children with acute poisoning admitted to emergency departments in the southwestern region of China.MethodsData were retrospectively collected from the hospital information system in Chengdu, West China Second Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 and the frequency and substance of pediatric poisoning, clinical management and outcome were described in this study.ResultsA total of 2036 cases with acute poisoning aged from 0–14 years were included, of these, 272 were hospitalized, with 40 admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The incidence was slightly higher in boys than girls (51.2% vs. 48.8%). The most common route of poisoning was the digestive system (99.3%), and the majority were accidental poisonings (92.7%). Medications were the most common toxic substances (62.1%), followed by pesticides (12.4%) and household cleaners (8.8%). The proportion of toxic substances varied among different age groups, with household cleaners being the most common in infants, and pesticides in other age groups, excluding medications.ConclusionChildren in early childhood accounted for most acute poisoning cases, mostly due to unintentional ingestion of a single substance. Female adolescents were the most common patients intentionally ingested toxic substances, mainly psychotropic drugs.

Risk of myeloproliferative neoplasms among U.S. Veterans from Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War eras.

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expanded U.S. Veterans' health care and benefits for conditions linked to service-connected exposures (e.g., Burn Pits, Agent Orange). However, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are not recognized as presumptive conditions for Veterans exposed to these toxic substances. This study evaluated the development of MPN among U.S. Veterans from the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War eras. This retrospective cohort study included 65 425 Korean War era Veterans; 211 927 Vietnam War era Veterans; and 214 007 Persian Gulf War era Veterans from January 1, 2006, to January 26, 2023. Veterans with MPN, thrombosis, bleeding, and cardiovascular risk factors were identified through ICD-9 and -10 codes. Veterans from the Persian Gulf War era had the highest risk of developing MPN compared with Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras, hazard ratio (HR) 4.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.20-5.75 and HR 2.49, 95% CI 2.20-2.82, both p < .0001, respectively. Vietnam War era Veterans also had a higher risk of MPN development compared with Korean War era Veterans, HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.77-2.21, p < .0001. Persian Gulf War era Veterans were diagnosed with MPN at an earlier age, had higher risks of thrombosis and bleeding, and had lower survival rates compared with Korean War and Vietnam War era Veterans. This study reinforces evidence that environmental and occupational hazards increase the risk of clonal myeloid disorders and related complications, impacting overall survival with MPN. Limitations include the inability to confirm clonality and fully verify deployment and exposure status.

Highly sensitive response to the toxicity of environmental chemicals in transparent casper zebrafish

The response sensitivity to toxic substances is the most concerned performance of animal model in chemical risk assessment. Casper (mitfaw2/w2;mpv17a9/a9), a transparent zebrafish mutant, is a useful in vivo model for toxicological assessment. However, the ability of casper to respond to the toxicity of exogenous chemicals is unknown. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to five environmental chemicals, chlorpyrifos, lindane, α-endosulfan, bisphenol A, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and an antiepileptic drug valproic acid. The half-lethal concentration (LC50) values of these chemicals in casper embryos were 62–87 % of that in the wild-type. After TBBPA exposure, the occurrence of developmental defects in the posterior blood island of casper embryos was increased by 67–77 % in relative to the wild-type, and the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) in casper was 73 % of that in the wild type. Moreover, the casper genetic background significantly increased the hyperlocomotion caused by chlorpyrifos and lindane exposure compared with the wild type. These results demonstrated that casper had greater susceptibility to toxicity than wild-type zebrafish in acute toxicity, developmental toxicity and neurobehavioral toxicity assessments. Our data will inform future toxicological studies in casper and accelerate the development of efficient approaches and strategies for toxicity assessment via the use of casper.

Nontarget Analysis of Legacy and Emerging PFAS in a Lithium-Ion Power Battery Recycling Park and Their Possible Toxicity Measured Using High-Throughput Phenotype Screening.

Driven by the global popularity of electric vehicles and the shortage of critical raw materials for batteries, the spent lithium-ion power battery (LIPB) recycling industry has exhibited explosive growth in both quantity and scale. However, relatively little information is known about the environmental risks posed by LIPB recycling, in particular with regards to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In this work, suspect screening and nontarget analysis were carried out to characterize PFAS in soil, dust, water and sediment from a LIPB recycling area. Twenty-five PFAS from nine classes were identified at confidence level 3 or above, including 13 legacy and 12 emerging PFAS, as well as two ultrashort-chain PFAS. Based on the target analysis of 16 PFAS, at least nine were detected in each environmental sample, indicating their widespread presence in a LIPB recycling area. Perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonamide showed significant differences in the four phenotypic parameters (growth, movement, survival and fecundity) of Caenorhabditis elegans and were the most toxic substances in all target PFAS at an exposure concentration of 200 μM. Our project provides first-hand information on the existence and environmental risk of PFAS, facilitating the formulation of regulations and green development of the LIPB recycling industry.

Grating-Integrated Gold Nanograsses Encapsulated with ZIF-8: A Quantitative and Ultrasensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate.

We proposed and demonstrated highly sensitive hybrid surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, which are grating-integrated gold nanograsses (GIGN) that are tip-selectively encapsulated by ZIF-8 nanospheres (GIGN/tip-ZIF). This unique structure is realized through the tip-selective modification of GIGN by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and then, the tips of the GIGN were encapsulated by ZIF-8 nanospheres. The ZIF-8 nanospheres can adsorb analyte molecules, resulting in the spatial overlap between the analyte molecules and the "hotspots" on the tips of GIGN. Such a unique GIGN/tip-ZIF hybrid SERS substrate exhibits high sensitivity and quantitative detection ability. The detection limits can reach as low as 10-11 M, and the relative standard deviation is 5.59% for 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP). In a wide range of concentrations from 10-5 to 10-11 M, the SERS intensity and concentration relationship can be fitted as a sigmoidal curve with R2 = 0.988. These indicate that the GIGN/tip-ZIF hybrid SERS substrates have broad applications in detecting toxic and harmful substances in food safety, disease diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.

Analysis of glycoalkaloid distribution in the tissues of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor)

Solanine (SOL) and chaconine (CHA) are glycoalkaloids (GAs) produced mainly by Solanum plants. These plant secondary metabolites affect insect metabolism; thus, they have the potential to be applied as natural plant protection products. However, it is not known which GA concentration induces physiological changes in animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis of SOL and CHA in the larvae of Tenebrio molitor using LC‒MS to assess how quickly they are eliminated or metabolised. In this experiment, the beetles were injected with 2 μL of 10−5 M SOL or CHA solution, which corresponds to a dosage range of 0.12–0.14 ng/mg body mass. Then, 0.5, 1.5, 8, and 24 h after GA application, the haemolymph (H), gut (G), and the remainder of the larval body (FB) were isolated. GAs were detected in all samples tested for 24 h, with the highest percentage of the amount applied in the FB, while the highest concentration was measured in the H sample. The SOL and CHA concentrations decreased in the haemolymph over time, while they did not change in other tissues. CHA had the highest elimination rate immediately after injection, while SOL slightly later. None of the GA hydrolysis products were detected in the tested samples. One possible mechanism of the detoxification of GAs may be oxidation and/or sequestration. They may be excreted by Malpighian tubules, with faeces or with cuticles during moulting. The results presented are significant because they facilitate the interpretation of studies related to the effects of toxic substances on insect metabolism.

Proximate composition, some phytochemical constituents, potential uses, and safety of neem leaf flour: A review

AbstractGlobally, there is a growing concern about avoiding using artificial compounds in food ingredients, food preservation, and packaging. Among the parts of the neem tree, leaf flour is one of the most commonly used parts in some countries for food and medicinal purposes and is known for containing several nutrients and phytochemicals. In this review, the proximate composition, phytochemical constituents, potential uses, and safety issues of neem leaf flour are discussed. Neem leaf flour contains high levels of crude protein, total carbohydrate, crude fat, and fiber and moderate amounts of crude fat and ash. In addition, it contains numerous health‐promoting phytochemical constituents. Some phytochemicals, such as ascorbic acid, saponin, total alkaloids, carotenoids, total phenols, total flavonoids, and the total antioxidant capacity of neem leaf flour, have been critically discussed. Neem leaf flour has various potential applications in food science, such as preserving foods and preparing food packaging materials. However, researchers' perspectives on its safety are not yet in agreement. In general, the proximate compositions, phytochemical constituents, potential uses, and safety issues of neem leaf flour were compiled and critically reviewed. In addition, research is needed to identify all the toxic substances found in neem leaves and develop methods to eliminate them that hinder their use for various purposes in food. Further research is needed to develop food products from neem leaf flour and evaluate its nutritional value and phytochemical constituents.

Harm Reduction in Tobaccoism : What Does the Scientific Evidence Say?

Smoking is considered a chronic disease caused by chemical dependence of nicotine. This is highly addicting, it in the brain system it influences our emotions, increases the feeling of pleasure/humor and reduces the anxiety. In a planet with about 8 billion people, around 1,36 billion are smokers. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, around 8 million people die every year. A global public health problem, and those who smoke are vulnerable to 50 tobacco-related diseases, several kinds of cancer, lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, female infertility and pregnancy complications. In 2020, according to data from the World Health Organization, 22,3% of the world population consumed tobacco, 36,7% of men and 7,8%of women. In Brazil, due to policies implemented to smoking control, we had a significant drop in the of period (1989 to 2019) from 34,8% of smokers to 12,6% and in 2021, the total percentage of smokers age 18 or over was 9.1%. All forms of tobacco consumption are harmful to health and there is no safe level. Cigarette smoke 4.720 different toxic substances such as nicotine, irritants, tar and carbon monoxide. In the last 15 years, new heated tobacco devices have arrived on the market with promises of less harm to health. In 78 countries this products are available, including Japan, The United States, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Italy and The United Kingdom. As they do not cause tobacco combustion, they created significantly lower levels of toxic substances, which is the strongest arguments made by defenders of those products. A systematic review of the literature in 2018 on heated tobacco products identified 31 studies randomly and blind over those devices, 11 independent and 20 funded by the products manufacturers, needing further long-term research. Another systematic review (relevant studies from 2015 to February 2021), both “in vitro” as alive has shown that the benefits of heated tobacco are controversial and more research is needed to the short-and-long term health effects. Another large concern is that availability of these smokeless products may encourage cigarette consumption, especially among young people and often with the combined use of traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Study of the adsorption mechanism of certain dyes from wastewater on commercial activated carbon using the Langmuir and Freundlich methods

In today's society, there is significant emphasis on environmental protection, with research focused on reducing pollution and developing effective depollution techniques. A growing concern is the presence of colored discharges in wastewater, which contain high levels of toxic substances that pose substantial risks to ecosystems. To mitigate these risks, various methods are employed to remove pollutants from industrial effluents, with adsorption being one of the most effective. Among the adsorbents used, activated carbon is the most commonly utilized due to its high surface area and adsorption capacity. This study aims to enhance the understanding of how two organic dyes, Methyl Red and Methylene Blue, can be removed from aqueous media through adsorption onto commercial activated carbon. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were employed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the elimination of these dyes from water. The kinetics were investigated using a stirred reactor, with experiments designed to vary parameters such as the initial dye concentration, the mass of the adsorbent, and the contact time. The experimental data were modeled using kinetic equations of first and second order. The results indicated that the adsorption of both Methyl Red and Methylene Blue onto activated carbon followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, as evidenced by large regression coefficients, signifying a good fit. This suggests that the adsorption process is likely controlled by chemisorption, involving valency forces through sharing or exchange of electrons between adsorbent and adsorbate. Additionally, the adsorption isotherms were analyzed to further understand the adsorption mechanisms and capacity. The results showed that the adsorption of both dyes onto commercial activated carbon conformed well to the Freundlich isotherm model. This model implies that adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface with a non-uniform distribution of adsorption heat over the surface. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the adsorption behavior of Methyl Red and Methylene Blue on activated carbon, highlighting the effectiveness of this adsorbent in removing organic dyes from wastewater. The findings underscore the potential of using commercial activated carbon in the treatment of industrial effluents, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable water purification methods.

Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and environmental exposure in athletes.

Exposure to toxic substances, introduced into our daily lives during industrialization and modernization, can disrupt the epithelial barriers in the skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, leading to microbial dysbiosis and inflammation. Athletes and physically active individuals are at increased risk of exposure to agents that damage the epithelial barriers and microbiome, and their extreme physical exercise exerts stress on many organs, resulting in tissue damage and inflammation. Epithelial barrier-damaging substances include surfactants and enzymes in cleaning products, laundry and dishwasher detergents, chlorine in swimming pools, microplastics, air pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and diesel exhaust. Athletes' high-calorie diet often relies on processed foods that may contain food emulsifiers and other additives that may cause epithelial barrier dysfunction and microbial dysbiosis. The type of the material used in the sport equipment and clothing and their extensive exposure may increase the inflammatory effects. Excessive travel-related stress, sleep disturbances and different food and microbe exposure may represent additional factors. Here, we review the detrimental impact of toxic agents on epithelial barriers and microbiome; bring a new perspective on the factors affecting the health and performance of athletes and physically active individuals.

Enhancing the stress resistance of nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus ruber via SpyTag/SpyCatcher-mediated α- and β- subunits ligation.

Nitrile Hydratase (NHase) is one of the most important industrial enzyme widely used in the petroleum exploitation field. The enzyme, composed of two unrelated α- and β-subunits, catalyzes the conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide, releasing a significant amount of heat and generating the organic solvent product, acrylamide. Both the heat and acrylamide solvent have an impact on the structural stability of NHase and its catalytic activity. Therefore, enhancing the stress resistance of NHase to toxic substances is meaningful for the petroleum industry. To improve the thermo-stability and acrylamide tolerance of NHase, the two subunits were fused in vivo using SpyTag and SpyCatcher, which were attached to the termini of each subunit in various combinations. Analysis of the engineered strains showed that the C-terminus of β-NHase is a better fusion site than the N-terminus, while the C-terminus of α-NHase is the most suitable site for fusion with a larger protein. Fusion of SpyTag and SpyCatcher to the C-terminus of β-NHase and α-NHase, respectively, led to improved acrylamide tolerance and a slight enhancement in the thermo-stability of one of the engineered strains, NBSt. These results indicate that in vivo ligation of different subunits using SpyTag/SpyCatcher is a valuable strategy for enhancing subunit interaction and improving stress tolerance.

Forensic Characterisation of Complex Suicides: A Literature Review

Complex suicides refer to using two or more suicide modes. In the literature, complex suicides are distinguished into planned and unplanned. Using multiple methods is related to ensuring a fatal result or because the first method appears too painful, time-consuming, or ineffective. The review aims to provide an overview of the critical features of complex suicides in the forensic context. The review was conducted by searching online databases (PubMed Central and Scopus) up to March 2023. We identified 52 articles that met the inclusion criteria, describing 261 cases. Suicides were classified as planned in 136 cases (52.1%); 105 cases (40.2%) were defined as unplanned, while in the remaining 20 cases (7.7%), the authors did not propose any classification. In 2/261 (0.8%) cases, four modes were indicated, three modes were observed in 34/261 cases (13%), and in 224/261 (85.8%) cases the suicides were carried out using a combination of two distinct methods. The method most frequently employed in the first instance in unplanned suicides were sharp-force injuries and stabbing, followed by mechanical asphyxia (hanging, self-strangulation, plastic bag suffocation) and a fall from height. Regarding planned suicide, the most frequent suicide methods were asphyxia, intoxication (drugs, substances of abuse, or alcohol), and poisoning via toxic substances. Complex suicides represent a relatively rare entity in forensic pathology; nevertheless, they can be challenging for the forensic pathologist in terms of differential diagnosis compared to homicides, due to the sometimes multifaceted presentation.

Electronic cigarettes - harmful substances contained in e-cigarette liquids and smoke

Electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarette liquids are increasingly popular in society, especially among young people. However, despite the widespread belief that they are a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, many scientific studies confirm that electronic cigarettes can be equally, if not more, harmful to health. There are many chemicals in electronic cigarette liquids, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol, flavors and fragrances. Some of these substances are toxic and can cause a number of negative health effects, such as irritation of the respiratory tract, the onset of lung disease, neurological disorders and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, electronic cigarettes can be harmful to the environment due to the emission of toxic substances into the air and improper disposal of used batteries. Therefore, an informed approach to the use of electronic cigarettes and an understanding of the potential health risks associated with them is necessary. Further scientific research and education of the public about the harms of electronic cigarettes are key to preventing the negative consequences associated with their use.

In-vivo metabolic profiling of the Natural products Emodin and Emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside in rats using liquid chromatography quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Emodin (EM) and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) were found in various medicinal plants such as Rheum palmatum, Aloe vera, Polygonum multiflorum, and Polygonum cuspidatum. They have different pharmacological properties and are considered potentially toxic substances. It is necessary to identify the metabolites and their distribution in the body. In this study, a comprehensive analytical strategy was developed to characterize the metabolites of EM and EG in vivo using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS. 190 metabolites were identified in the bio-samples, in addition to the commonly reported glycoside hydrolysis, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, glucuronide conjugation, and sulfation conjugation. We also discovered new pathways such as formylation, acetylation, glycol acylation, lactation, glycerolization, malonylation, glycerol acid acylation, hydroxyvalerylation, erythrosylation, glutaric acidfication, hydroxybenzoylation, glutamylation, hydroxyglutamylation, ascorbylation, aspartylglycylation, dihydroxyphenylglycylation, trihydroxyphenylglycylation, dihydroxymethoxyphenylglycylation, and ring-opening of EM. Cluster analysis revealed that each tissue in the EM and EG groups exhibited a high degree of similarity in their metabolic pathway preferences and bodily distributions, as they clustered together. Interestingly, the presence of glycol acylation, glycerolization, and glycerol acid acylation in the liver may be related to the lipid-lowering effects of EM and EG. These findings offer valuable insights for a more comprehensive understanding of the safety and efficacy of EM and EG, as well as valuable methods for metabolic characterization.

Proteomic Methods to Study Autophagy in Skin Exposed to Pollutants.

Autophagy refers to the natural cellular process by which cells degrade and recycle their own damaged or dysfunctional cellular components. It is an essential mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis removing toxic substances and providing energy during times of stress or nutrient deprivation. When autophagy is dysregulated or impaired, it can have detrimental effects on cell function and overall health. Studying autophagy in skin exposed to pollutants can provide valuable insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying pollutant-induced skin damage. Proteomic methods, which involve the large-scale analysis of proteins, can be employed to investigate the changes in protein expression associated with biological processes including autophagy. Here, we thus describe a method where LC-MS/MS was applied to identify the deregulated proteins in pollutant exposed-skin. Using bioinformatics and statistical analysis, we extracted the qualitative and quantitative information for proteins involved in autophagy. These deregulated proteins were then validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). These methods help to understand how the pollutants affect the autophagy process.

A comparative study of in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos synthesized CuO nanoparticles characterized from Salacia reticulata.

The Salacia reticulata, a medicinal woody climbing shrub, was utilized for our study, the green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles, which were analyzed through SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and UV‒Vis spectroscopy. This study assessed the toxicity to zebrafish embryos and explored the antibacterial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. In results, the UV absorption of the CuO NPs showed that the intensity of nanoparticle green colloidal suspension changed from blue to green, which also confirmed that the spectrum of the green CuO NPs changed from colorless to black. in FT-IR and XRD spectral analysis to identify functional groups and determine the particle size of CuO NPs prepared by green and chemical methods. Its showed that CuO NPs (green) had a size of approximately 42.2nm, while CuO NPs (chemical) had a size of approximately 84nm. The morphology of these NPs was analyzed using SEM-EDX. Compared with their chemically prepared counterparts, the green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles demonstrated superior dispersion. Additionally, both green and chemical CuO nanoparticles at a concentration of 200 µL/mL caused developmental anomalies and increased mortality in zebrafish embryos and larvae. The green and chemical CuO NPs inhibited α-glucosidase enzyme activity at concentrations between 10 and 50 µL/mL, with IC50 values of 22 µL/mL and 26 µL/mL, respectively. The extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values of 274 and 109 µL/mL. The authors concluded that this green nanoparticle method has potential as a more eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional synthetic methods. NPs are widely used in human contact fields (medicine and agriculture), hence synthesis methods that do not involve toxic substances are becoming increasingly important.

Harmful health effects of flavors in e-cigarettes

Almost all e-cigarettes contain flavorings that make the product more attractive. In the evaluation of e-cigarettes on health, flavors have so far played a subordinate role. Selective literature search in PubMed, supplemented by legal regulations on the use of flavors in e-cigarettes. Flavors make it easier to start using e-cigarettes and have a consumption-promoting effect. Deeper inhalation increases nicotine uptake and the absorption of toxic substances from the e-cigarette liquid. For some flavors, pathological effects have been demonstrated in addition to other toxic components of the e-cigarette. To date, no toxicological analyses are available for the vast majority of flavors contained in e-cigarettes. The proven consumption-promoting effect and the health risks that can be extrapolated from preclinical data are significant for the political discussion of a ban on flavors for e-cigarettes, analogous to the ban on flavors in tobacco products already in force.