scholarly journals Microplastics induce transcriptional changes, immune response and behavioral alterations in adult zebrafish

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Limonta ◽  
Annalaura Mancia ◽  
Assja Benkhalqui ◽  
Cristiano Bertolucci ◽  
Luigi Abelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Energy Stores ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Tissue Alterations

Abstract Microplastics have become pervasive environmental pollutants in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. The presence of microplastics have been recorded in the tissues of many wild fish species, and laboratory studies have demonstrated that microplastics can exert adverse health effects. To further investigate the biological mechanisms underlying microplastics toxicity we applied an integrated approach, analyzing the effects of microplastics at transcriptomic, histological and behavioral level. Adult zebrafish have been exposed to two concentrations of high-density polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics for twenty days. Transcriptomic results indicate alterations in the expression of immune system genes and the down-regulation of genes correlated with epithelium integrity and lipid metabolism. The transcriptomic findings are supported by tissue alterations and higher occurrence of neutrophils observed in gills and intestinal epithelium. Even the daily rhythm of activity of zebrafish appears to be affected, although the regular pattern of activity is recovered over time. Considering the transcriptomic and histological findings reported, we hypothesize that the effects on mucosal epithelium integrity and immune response could potentially reduce the organism defense against pathogens, and lead to a different utilization of energy stores.

Environmental exposures impact the nervous system in a life stage-specific manner

Neuroforum ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Tigges ◽  
Tamara Schikowski ◽  
Ellen Fritsche
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

Abstract Exposure to environmental pollutants like chemicals or air pollution is major health concern for the human population. Especially the nervous system is a sensitive target for environmental toxins with exposures leading to life stage-dependent neurotoxicity. Developmental and adult neurotoxicity are characterized by specific adverse outcomes ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The risk assessment process for human health protection is currently undergoing a paradigm change toward new approach methods that allow mechanism-based toxicity assessment. As a flagship project, an in vitro battery of test methods for developmental neurotoxicity evaluation is currently supported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A plethora of stem cell-based methods including brain spheres and organoids are currently further developed to achieve time- and cost-saving tools for linking MoA-based hazards to adverse health effects observed in humans.

ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN COVID VACCINE EFFICACY IN ELDERLY IN INDIAN POPULATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 55-56
Author(s):  
Gujjarlapudi Deepika ◽  
Duvuru Nageshwar Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Indian Population ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Inclusion

Background: Aim of this study is to summarise the role of Vitamin D in supporting the immune system,in covid vaccinated recipients. This is a observational study done between April 2021 t Methods: o June 2021 in Indian population. We compared anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBDIgG antibody & antispike antibodies following vaccination of non-hospitalized participants along with vitamin D levels in recipients above 60 years. They were tested after vaccination after two doses between 15-45 days. Before study inclusion criteria is, we have checked whether they were as seropositive or seronegative based on nucleocapsid total antibody results. of 310 Results vaccine recipients, 46 reported a prior COVID-19 diagnosis and we have excluded them from the study of the 264 with no history of Covid-19, 70 were vitamin d decient (50M;20 F) & 194 (130 M:64 F) were vitamin d Sufcient. Responses were evaluated after two doses on an average post-vaccine RBD IgG concentration and Spike antibodies were each signicantly higher among the Vit d sufcient recipients compared to the vitamin D Decient recipients. An integrated approach is required to bett Conclusions: er understand aging and how vaccines work in elderly which will help in improving the immune response in older adults after vaccination.

scholarly journals Brain Structural and Functional Alterations in Mice Prenatally Exposed to LPS Are Only Partially Rescued by Anti-Inflammatory Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Aria ◽  
Sara A. Bonini ◽  
Valentina Cattaneo ◽  
Marika Premoli ◽  
Andrea Mastinu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Maternal Immune System ◽  
Behavioral Impairments ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
First Time

Aberrant immune activity during neurodevelopment could participate in the generation of neurological dysfunctions characteristic of several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Numerous epidemiological studies have shown a link between maternal infections and NDDs risk; animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) have confirmed this association. Activation of maternal immune system during pregnancy induces behavioral and functional alterations in offspring but the biological mechanisms at the basis of these effects are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in peripheral and central inflammation, cortical cytoarchitecture and behavior of offspring (LPS-mice). LPS-mice reported a significant increase in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) serum level, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive cells in the cortex. Furthermore, cytoarchitecture analysis in specific brain areas, showed aberrant alterations in minicolumns’ organization in LPS-mice adult brain. In addition, we demonstrated that LPS-mice presented behavioral alterations throughout life. In order to better understand biological mechanisms whereby LPS induced these alterations, dams were treated with meloxicam. We demonstrated for the first time that exposure to LPS throughout pregnancy induces structural permanent alterations in offspring brain. LPS-mice also present severe behavioral impairments. Preventive treatment with meloxicam reduced inflammation in offspring but did not rescue them from structural and behavioral alterations.

Immune response induced by major environmental pollutants through altering neutrophils in zebrafish larvae

2018 ◽  
Vol 201 ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Xu ◽  
Xiaoyan Zhang ◽  
Hankun Li ◽  
Caixia Li ◽  
Xiao-Jing Huo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Zebrafish Larvae

scholarly journals Characterization of immune response against Mycobacterium marinum infection in the main hematopoietic organ of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 103523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna-Kaisa E. Harjula ◽  
Anni K. Saralahti ◽  
Markus J.T. Ojanen ◽  
Tommi Rantapero ◽  
Meri I.E. Uusi-Mäkelä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Mycobacterium Marinum ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Hematopoietic Organ

A Review on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as Environmental Pollutants: Fate and Distribution

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (02) ◽  
pp. 14-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puneeta Pandey ◽  
Radheshyam Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Contaminated Groundwater ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Household Products ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Concentration Levels

VOCs include a variety of organic chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids. The nature and extent of these health effects depend on the concentration levels of these VOCs and the duration of their exposure and pose adverse health effects to humans. Although VOCs are found in a variety of industrial, commercial and household products; it is their concentration in wells and groundwater that has gained attention in recent years. When VOCs are spilled or improperly disposed of, a portion of it after evaporation are soaked on the ground, which eventually reaches wells and groundwater. Drinking of inadequately treated VOCs contaminated groundwater is potentially harmful to human beings. Trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride are most toxic and carcinogenic among all VOCs. The present paper reviews the sources, health risks, transport and fate of these VOCs in groundwater. Besides, analytical methods for the detection of VOCs in groundwater and techniques for mitigation of VOCs from groundwater have also been discussed.

scholarly journals Single-cell immunophenotyping of the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Matute ◽  
Benjamin Finander ◽  
David Pepin ◽  
Xinbin Ai ◽  
Neal Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Genes ◽  
Tcr Repertoire ◽  
Transcriptional Changes

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pregnant women have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal and childhood well-being are unknown. We aimed to characterize the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from newborns of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third-trimester (cases) or without SARS-CoV-2 infection. We identified widespread gene expression changes in CBMC from cases, including upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes and Major Histocompatibility Complex genes in CD14 + monocytes; transcriptional changes suggestive of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and activation and exhaustion of NK cells and CD8 + T-cells. Lastly, we observed fetal TCR repertoire expansion in cases. As none of the infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 maternal infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission.

scholarly journals Nutrition and Other Protective Behaviors Motivated by Environmental Health Risk Awareness

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth W. Jones ◽  
Limin Feng ◽  
Jane K. Dixon ◽  
John P. Dixon ◽  
Carolyn R. Hofe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Hazardous Waste ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Hazardous Waste Sites ◽  
Adverse Health Effects

Background: Research findings have suggested that exposure to environmental pollutants contributes to increased health risks, which may be modulated by certain nutrition and other protective health behaviors. Nutrition professionals play an important role in effectively disseminating this information and in devising specific community-based nutrition education programs for audiences located in areas with environmental health issues. Objective: To assess awareness of environmental health problems and motivation to adopt protective health behaviors for use in planning nutrition education programs for communities exposed to environmental pollutants. Method: Data were collected from a modified, validated Environmental Health Engagement Profile (EHEP) survey instrument administered to adults (n=774) participating in community events in Kentucky based on location relative to hazardous waste sites. Results: The modified EHEP survey instrument showed good internal consistency reliability, and demographic characteristics were evaluated. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlations in all groups, separately and combined, between awareness of environmental pollution in an individual’s surroundings and the extent of concern that pollutants cause adverse health effects (P < 0.01) and between concern that pollutants cause adverse health effects and taking personal actions to protect against such environmental insults (P < 0.01). The groups having the highest level of awareness posed by pollution are those residing near federally designated hazardous waste sites. Conclusion: These results suggest that determining and expanding an audience’s knowledge and perceptions of environmental health risks will enhance effective nutrition education program planning.

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