Assessing the Potential Value and Mechanism of Kaji-Ichigoside F1 on Arsenite-Induced Skin Cell Senescence

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic is a major environmental public health issue worldwide affecting more than 220 million of people. Previous studies have shown the correlation between arsenic poisoning and cellular senescence; however, knowledge regarding the mechanism and effective prevention measures has not been fully studied. First, the associations among the ERK/CEBPB signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and arsenic-induced skin cell senescence were confirmed using the HaCaT cell model. In the arsenic-exposed group, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of ERK/CEBPB signaling pathway indicators (ERK1, ERK2, and CEBPB), cell cycle-related genes (p21, p16INK4a), and the secretion of SASP (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1, MMP-1, MMP-3, EGF, and VEGF) and the lipid peroxidation product (MDA) were significantly increased in cells ( P < 0.05 ), while the activity of antioxidant enzyme (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) was significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 ), and an increased number of cells accumulated in the G1 phase ( P < 0.05 ). Further Kaji-ichigoside F1 intervention experiments showed that compared to that in the arsenic-exposed group, the expression level of the activity of antioxidant enzyme was significantly increased in the Kaji-ichigoside F1 intervention group ( P < 0.05 ), but the indicators of ERK/CEBPB signaling pathway, cell cycle-related genes, and SASP were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 ), and the cell cycle arrest relieved to a certain extent ( P < 0.05 ). Our study provides some limited evidence that the ERK/CEBPB signaling pathway is involved in low-dose arsenic-induced skin cell senescence, through regulating oxidative stress. The second major finding was that Kaji-ichigoside F1 can downregulate the ERK/CEBPB signaling pathway and regulate the balance between oxidation and antioxidation, alleviating arsenic-induced skin cell senescence. This study provides experimental evidence for further understanding of Kaji-ichigoside F1, a natural medicinal plant that may be more effective in preventing and controlling arsenic poisoning.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Vaccinated Children and Adolescents with HBsAg-positive Parents: Is Routine Vaccination Sufficient?

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a severe public health problem in Iran. This study was conducted to investigate the intrafamilial transmission of HBV in vaccinated children whose one or both parents were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Methods: In a study with retrospective cohort design, 110 exposed cases with HBsAg-positive parent(s) were compared with 110 unexposed controls of the same sex and age groups. The participants were directly asked about demographic characteristics, medical history, and vaccinations. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for HBV infection markers using the ELIZA method. Results: Overall, 1.8% HBsAg (P = 0.15) and 13.6% hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) (P < 0.0001) positivity rates were detected in the exposed group. The hepatitis B surface antibody titer (HBsAb) showed that 34.5% of cases and 56.3% of controls had HBsAb levels > 10 IU/L. There was a significant difference in the protective HBsAb level between the two groups (P < 0.0001). There were significant associations between HBsAb level and gender in the exposed group and decreased HBsAb levels and age. Conclusions: The high rate of positive HBcAb and HBsAg and decreasing HBsAb levels with age in this study indicate that routine childhood vaccination programs are inadequate in preventing HBV transmission and vaccine routes changing or further booster vaccination is essential. Effective case finding in vaccinated children with HBsAg-positive parents, intradermal vaccination, and hepatitis B immunoglobulin in newborns with HBsAg-positive fathers are suggested.

The Impact of Study-at-Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Myopia Progression in Chinese Children

Background: To assess the impact of study-at-home during the COVID-19 pandemic on myopia development in Chinese schoolchildren.Methods: This historical cohort involved two groups with a total of 154 children. The exposed group was formed from 77 children aged 8 to 10 years who studied at home in the 7-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic (follow-up period: January – August 2020) and did not study at home in the 7-month period before the COVID-19 outbreak (baseline period: July 2019 – January 2020). Seventy-seven children who did not undergo study-at-home (baseline period: 7 months in 2015, follow-up period: 7 months in 2016) were included in the control group. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length and uncorrected visual acuity were measured 3 times. The questionnaire mainly focused on collecting visual habits.Results: Myopia progression was similar between the two groups in the baseline period. However, in the follow-up period the exposed group had a greater change in refraction toward myopia (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than the control group (−0.28 ± 0.54 D; p &lt; 0.001). In addition, the exposed group exhibited a significantly greater change in refraction toward myopia in the follow-up period (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than in the baseline period (−0.33 ± 0.46 D; p &lt; 0.001). Difference-in-difference analysis indicated that study-at-home accelerated the change in refraction toward myopia (t = −0.567; p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic study-at-home accelerated the change of refraction toward myopia in children.

Evaluation of total and differential white blood cell counts in workers exposed to lead

Introduction: Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has adverse health effects on blood parameters. About 80% of lead produced is used in batteries, especially vehicle batteries. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the hematological changes, including total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in battery workers exposed to lead, and compare with the non-exposed group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a battery industry in Semnan city. The study population consisted of 78 battery workers and 78 healthy non-exposed office workers. A hematology cell counter was used to determine the total, and differential WBC counts. Blood lead level was measured in accordance with the NIOSH method 8003. Results: Blood lead levels were about two times higher than the TLV recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for this compound (20 µg/dl). The level of WBC (8.07± 2.55 mm3 blood×103 vs. 7.27 ± 1.58 mm3 blood×103) was significantly higher, while the level of monocyte was significantly lower (6.96 ± 1.72 % vs. 7.67 ± 1.87 %) in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. After adjustment for potential confounders such as age and work history, a significant association between exposure to lead and WBC and monocyte levels was reported. Conclusion: The present study's findings indicated that exposure to lead was associated with total and differential white blood cells changes in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group.

Investigation of changes in rat’s blood metabolomic profile, caused by lead exposure

Introduction. The prevalence of lead in the environment, due to human production and economic activities, and the xenobiotic nature of the element substantiate the relevance of studying the changes caused by the action of this metal. Materials and methods. A non-target metabolomic screening of the blood of rats exposed to intraperitoneal administration of lead acetate by HPLC-mass spectrometry was carried out. The expression of the selected masses was compared with those for the control group of animals. The masses that significantly changed the intensity compared to the control were subjected to fragmentation to obtain characteristic fragments. The annotation of metabolites was performed by searching in MS/MS databases and by comparison with in silico fragmentation spectra. The involvement of annotated metabolites in metabolic processes was established by literature analyzing. Results. Non-target metabolomic screening revealed 37 m/z values for the exposed group, significantly changing the intensity compared to the control. Annotation using fragmentation spectra and in silico fragmentation allows establishing the structure of eight metabolites, including an epoxy derivative of linolic acid, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, four oxo- and hydroxyacylcarnitine derivatives of long-chain fatty acids, one acylcarnitine derivatives of medium-chain fatty acids and one lysophosphoserine. Conclusion. Analyzing the literature, the known functions of the identified metabolites were established and attributed to the known metabolic processes. So, oxo- and hydroxyacylcarnitines are derivatives for intermediate products of β-oxidation fatty acids - it is increased concentration compared to the control indicates a violation of this process under the influence of oxidative stress caused by lead. Epoxy and 15-hydroxy derivatives of fatty acids (increased content relative to the control group) act as regulatory metabolites (vasodynamic activity), on the one hand, and markers of lead-induced hypoxia on the other hand. The increase of the concentration for the lysophosphatidylserine derivative indicates the intensification of apoptotic processes in the organism of the exposed group in contrast to the control.

Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Examinations and Subsequent Risk of Neoplasm: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Objective: To evaluate the association between radiation exposure from repeated nuclear medicine (NM) examinations and the subsequent risk of neoplasm in pediatric patients.Methods: From 2000 to 2017, participants under 18 years of age who underwent NM scanning were identified using the Health and Welfare Data Science Center (HWDC) dataset, which was extracted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Both the exposed cohort and unexposed subjects were followed up with until the presence of any malignancy arose, including malignant brain, lymphoid and hematopoietic tumors and benign brain or other central nervous tumors.Results: There were 35,292 patients in the exposed cohort and 141,152 matched subjects in the non-exposed group. The exposed cohort had an overall higher IR (IR: incidence rate, per 100,000 person-years) of any malignancy and benign central nervous tumor than the non-exposed group [IR, 16.9 vs. 1.54; adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 10.9; 95% CI, 6.53–18.2]. Further stratifying the number of NM examinations into 1-2, 3-4, and 5 or more times revealed that the IR of pediatric neoplasms increased gradually with the increased frequency of NM examinations (IR, 11.5; adjusted HR, 7.5; 95% CI, 4.29–13.1; IR, 25.8; adjusted HR, 15.9; 95% CI, 7.00–36.1; IR, 93.8; adjusted HR, 56.4; 95% CI, 28.8–110.3).Conclusion: NM examination is significantly associated with a higher risk of pediatric neoplasms, according to our population-based data. Thorough radiation protection and dose reduction in pediatric NM procedures should be an issue of concern.

Preterm Infant Outcomes Following COVID-19 Lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia

Background Community lockdowns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may influence preterm birth rates, but mechanisms are unclear. Methods We compared neonatal outcomes of preterm infants born to mothers exposed to community lockdowns in 2020 (exposed group) to those born in 2019 (control group). Main outcome studied was composite of significant neonatal morbidity or death. Results Median gestational age was 35 + 4 weeks (295 infants, exposed group) vs. 35 + 0 weeks (347 infants, control group) (p = 0.108). The main outcome occurred in 36/295 (12.2%) infants in exposed group vs. 46/347 (13.3%) in control group (p = 0.69). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, jaundice requiring phototherapy, hypoglycaemia requiring treatment, early neonatal white cell and neutrophil counts were significantly reduced in the exposed group. Conclusions COVID-19 community lockdowns did not alter composite neonatal outcomes in preterm infants, but reduced rates of some common outcomes as well as early neonatal inflammatory markers.

Occupational Toxicity and Health Hazards of the Healthcare Providers at Healthcare Facilities in Sulaimani City, Iraq

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the occupational health hazards that face health care providers in Sulaimani City. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted utilizing quantitative data collection methods. It involved 159 respondents including Physicians, Pharmacists, Medical assistants, Laboratory Instructors and Nurses who worked in 8 major health facilities in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Results: Nurses were the most susceptible group to sharp related injuries 13.84%, cuts and wounds 10.69% than the others and they were more experiencing verbal abuse in the workplace 15%. Laboratory instructors represent the most exposed group to contaminated specimens/biohazards 17.6% and blood borne pathogens 13.84, while the physicians represent the most prone group to acquire infectious diseases 15.1% and both the physicians and the nurses were equally exposed to airborne diseases 11.32%. Furthermore, physicians were the most group that suffered from work related stress 13.8%; and medical assistants were the most susceptible to radiation 3.1%. Meanwhile, Laboratory instructors were the most exposed group to physical distress 15.1%, falls 5%, unsafe staffing 13.8%, chemical spills 8.8% and noise 5.4%. Conclusion: Healthcare providers in these settings experienced various types of occupational hazards in their workplaces, which became a dominant issue among the health care providers. Interventions should be established to alleviate these hazards.

Effect of occupational co-exposure to lead and cadmium on selected immunomodulatory cytokines

Occupational exposure to heavy metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is associated with the development of several diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd on the blood levels of selected immune-modulatory cytokines related to T helper (Th), that is, Th1, interleukin-2 (IL-2), Th2, (IL-4 and IL-10), and Th17, (IL-17) cells. The study comprised 207 individuals divided into two groups: exposed ( n = 110) and nonexposed ( n = 97). Blood Pb and Cd were determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, and serum levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study revealed significantly higher blood Pb and Cd levels in the exposed group. A significant decrease in Th1 cytokine-IL-2 and Th2 cytokine-IL-10 was found, while IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) and IL-17 (Th17) levels were higher in the exposed group. In the mixed exposure analysis, among all the selected cytokines, IL-4 levels were significantly different between individuals having higher levels of both Pb and Cd versus lower levels of Pb and Cd. While IL-2 levels were highest among the low Pb and Cd group, the IL-17 levels were highest among individuals with higher Cd levels. The study demonstrated that co-exposure to low levels of Pb and Cd might have an immune-modulatory effect. The data suggested a metal-induced pro-inflammatory immune response.

Efficacy of a multidisciplinary care protocol for the treatment of operated hip fracture patients

To assess the effects of a multidisciplinary care protocol on cost, length of hospital stay (LOS), and mortality in hip-fracture-operated patients over 65 years. Prospective cohort study between 2011 and 2017. The unexposed group comprised patients who did not receive care according to the multidisciplinary protocol, while the exposed group did. Variables analyzed were demographics, medical comorbidities, treatment, blood parameters, surgical delay, LOS, re-admissions, mortality, and a composite outcome considering in-hospital mortality and/or LOS > 10 days. We performed a Poisson regression and cost analysis. The cohort included 681 patients: 310 unexposed and 371, exposed. The exposed group showed a shorter surgical delay (3.0 vs. 3.6 days; p < 0.001), and a higher proportion received surgery within 48 h (46.1% vs. 34.2%, p = 0.002). They also showed lower rates of 30-day readmission (9.4% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.012), 30-day mortality (4.9% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.021), in-hospital mortality (3.5% vs. 7.7%; p = 0.015), and LOS (8.4 vs. 9.1 days, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed a protective effect of the protocol on the composite outcome (risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.48–0.80, p < 0.001). Hospital costs were reduced by EUR 112,153.3. A multidisciplinary shared care protocol was associated with a reduction in the LOS, surgical delay, 30-day readmissions, and in-hospital and 30-day mortality, in hip-fracture-operated patients.