Preliminary Study to Investigate the Distribution and Effects of Certain Metals After Inhalation of Welding Fumes in Mice

The most important welding processes used are the Gas Metal Arc (GMA) welding, the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, and the Manual Metal Arc (MMA) welding processes. The goal of our investigation was to monitor the distribution of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney of mice after inhalation exposure of different welding methods using different steel base materials. The treatment groups were the following: MMA-mild steel, MMA-molybdenum-manganese (MoMn) alloy, TIG-mild steel, and TIG-stainless steel. The samples were taken 24- and 96 hours after the treatments.Most importantly, it was found that the Mn concentration in the lung’ samples of the MMA-mild steel and the MMA-MoMn groups was increased extremely at both sampling times and in the spleen’ samples also. In the TIG groups, the rise of the Mn concentration was only considerable in the lungs and spleens at 24h, and emerged concentration was found in the liver in 96h samples. Histopathology demonstrated emerged siderin content in the spleens of the treated animals and in siderin filled macrophages in the lungs mostly in all treated groups. Traces of high-level glycogen retention was found in the MMA groups at both sampling times. Similar glycogen retention in TIG-Ms and TIG stainless group’s liver samples and emerged number of vacuoles, especially in the hepatocytes of the TIG-stainless steel 96h group were also found.The mentioned results raise the consequence that there is a considerable difference in the kinetics of the Mn distribution between the MMA- and the TIG-fume treated groups. Hence, the result suggests that manganese has a particle-size dependent toxico-kinetics property. The anomaly of the glycogen metabolism indicates the systemic effect of the welding fumes. Also, the numerous vacuoles mentioned above show a possible liver-specific adverse effect of some components of the TIG-stainless steel welding fumes.

Pocket Mercury-Vapour Detection System Employing a Preconcentrator Based on Au-TiO2 Nanomaterials

In environments polluted by mercury vapors that are potentially harmful to human health, there is a need to perform rapid surveys in order to promptly identify the sources of emission. With this aim, in this work, a low cost, pocket-sized portable mercury measurement system, with a fast response signal is presented. It consists of a preconcentrator, able to adsorb and subsequently release the mercury vapour detected by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor. The preconcentrator is based on an adsorbing layer of titania/gold nanoparticles (TiO2NP/AuNPs), deposited on a micro-heater that acts as mercury thermal desorption. For the detection of the released mercury vapour, gold electrodes QCM (20 MHz) have been used. The experimental results, performed in simulated polluted mercury-vapour environments, showed a detection capability with a prompt response. In particular, frequency shifts (−118 Hz ± 2 Hz and −30 Hz ± 2 Hz) were detected at concentrations of 65 µg/m3 Hg0 and 30 µg/m3 Hg0, with sampling times of 60 min and 30 min, respectively. A system limit of detection (LOD) of 5 µg/m3 was evaluated for the 30 min sampling time.

Serial measurement of cytokines strongly predict COVID-19 outcome

Purpose Cytokines are major mediators of COVID-19 pathogenesis and several of them are already being regarded as predictive markers for the clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 cases. A major pitfall of many COVID-19 cytokine studies is the lack of a benchmark sampling timing. Since cytokines and their relative change during an infectious disease course is quite dynamic, we evaluated the predictive value of serially measured cytokines for COVID-19 cases. Methods In this single-center, prospective study, a broad spectrum of cytokines were determined by multiplex ELISA assay in samples collected at admission and at the third day of hospitalization. Appropriateness of cytokine levels in predicting mortality were assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for both sampling times in paralel to conventional biomarkers. Results At both sampling points, higher levels of IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-15, IL-27 IP-10, MCP-1, and GCSF were found to be more predictive for mortality (p<0.05). Some of these cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-7 and GCSF, had higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality. AUC values of IL-6, IL-10, IL-7 and GCSF were 0.85 (0.65 to 0.92), 0.88 (0.73 to 0.96), 0.80 (0.63 to 0.91) and 0.86 (0.70 to 0.95), respectively at hospital admission. Compared to hospital admission, on the 3rd day of hospitalization serum levels of IL-6 and, IL-10 decreased significantly in the survivor group, unlike the non-survivor group (IL-6, p = 0.015, and IL-10, p = 0.016). Conclusion Our study results suggest that single-sample-based cytokine analyzes can be misleading and that cytokine levels measured serially at different sampling times provide a more precise and accurate estimate for the outcome of COVID-19 patients.

From Sampling to Analysis: How to Achieve the Best Sample Throughput via Sampling Optimization and Relevant Compound Analysis Using Sum of Ranking Differences Method?

The determination of an optimal volatile sampling procedure is always a key question in analytical chemistry. In this paper, we introduce the application of a novel non-parametric statistical method, the sum of ranking differences (SRD), for the quick and efficient determination of optimal sampling procedures. Different types of adsorbents (Porapak Q, HayeSep Q, and Carbotrap) and sampling times (1, 2, 4, and 6 h) were used for volatile collections of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) samples. SRD identified 6 h samplings as the optimal procedure. However, 1 or 4 h sampling with HayeSep Q and 2 h sampling with Carbotrap are still efficient enough if the aim is to reduce sampling time. Based on our results, SRD provides a novel way to not only highlight an optimal sampling procedure but also decrease evaluation time.

In Vitro Adventitious Regeneration of Artemisia annua L. Influencing Artemisinin Metabolism

Artemisia annua L. is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, known for producing, although at low levels, the sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin (AN), which is highly effective against malaria. In this study, an in vitro regeneration process of A. annua L. using ‘Artemis’ progeny was established and the potential of tissue culture for inducing new variability in terms of AN metabolism of in vitro regenerated plants was investigated. Among the plant growth regulators tested, the cytokinin 6-benzyladenine (BA) at 4.4 μM in combination with the auxin indole-butyric acid (IBA) at 0.35 μM yielded the greatest frequency of shoot induction. The optimal multiplication medium contained BA at 0.9 μM and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 0.05 μM. Regenerated plants (RPs), after transferring to the greenhouse and subsequently to the field, were analyzed during the growth cycle at different sampling times, showing a peak of AN content 20 days before blossom. Variability among different RPs and sampling times, in terms of AN and its precursors dihydroartemisinic acid (DHAA) and artemisinic acid (AA) was observed. This suggests that adventitious shoot induction could provide a useful strategy to induce variability influencing artemisinin metabolism as a consequence of in vitro manipulation.

Evaluation of Complete Fertilizer in the Aspect of the Antioxidant Enzyme System of Maize Hybrids

Studies on physiological and biochemical processes in crops are highly relevant for breeders to produce hybrids with high yield. Two different maturity groups of maize hybrids were tested in this study. The research site was located at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen and the experiment lasted for 2 years. The examined nitrogen ranges were separated into two parts. Firstly, the effects of nitrogen fertilizer ranging from 120–300 kg ha−1 were examined, supplemented with a constant, high-level P2O5 and K2O. Secondly, the optimal ratio of N:P:K was measured. In order to monitor the health status of maize hybrids, stress indicators including the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the rate of lipid peroxidation (LP), and grain yield were measured. The samples were taken in five phenological stages. Variance analysis based on nitrogen fertilizer showed variation in sampling times and fertilizers on APX, LP, and SOD. Variance analysis based on NPK indicated variation in sampling times, years, and fertilizer levels on APX, LP, and SOD. Correlation analysis showed that yield correlated negatively with SOD during the use of NPK fertilizer, as the use of nitrogen fertilizer cannot make corrections to yield with SOD but phosphorus and potassium can correlate with yield, and SOD. Principal component analysis showed that NPK5 and N5 had maximum stability and effect on yield. The activity of APX had the highest value during silking, and LP was in the V14 leaf stage. The correlation and principal component analysis showed that silking and the V14 leaf stage are the most important stages for yield, thus, higher attention must be paid to these stages in the LP and the activation of APX to achieve maximum yield.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Evaluation of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Leaf and Bark Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha in Murine Model

Crataegus oxyacantha has been mainly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its safety profile has not been fully established, since only the genotoxic effects of C. oxyacantha fruit have been described. Therefore, the objective of this work was evaluating the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf and bark extracts of C. oxyacantha by means of the micronucleus test in a murine model. Doses of 2000, 1000, and 500 mg/kg of both extracts were administered orally for 5 days in mice of the Balb-C strain. Peripheral blood smears were performed at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after each administration. The number of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs), and micronucleated erythrocytes (MNEs) was determined at the different sampling times. Our results showed that the leaf and bark of C. oxyacantha increase the number of MNEs at the 2000 mg/kg dose, and only the aqueous leaf extract decreases the number of PCEs at the same dose. Therefore, the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf and bark extracts of C. oxyacantha showed genotoxic effects, and only the aqueous leaf extract exhibited cytotoxic effects.

Growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in veal tartare

In the present study the growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in veal tartare was evaluated. A challenge test was performed on three tartare batches at 8°C, aiming to evaluate the growth potential of the pathogen. The data indicated the absence of a significant growth (δ<0.5 log cfu/g) during the entire period. When considering intermediate sampling times, an increase of 0.56 log cfu/g was detected after five days of storage in one of the batches. Microflora of veal tartare was dominated by lactic acid bacteria, that increased gradually during the trial, reaching counts up to 7 Log CFU/g in two of the three batches considered. Spoilage bacteria were present (especially Pseudomonas spp., yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae) but in very low counts and with a limited increase during the period considered. Finally, daily maximum tolerable L. monocytogenes counts were calculated to highlight the maximum acceptable load to avoid the overcoming of the legal limit of 100 CFU/g: a total increase of 0.95 log cfu/g in 12 days of shelf-life was estimated, obtaining a “safety initial concentration” at t0 of 10 CFU/g of the pathogen.

Endophytic Bacterial Communities of Ginkgo biloba Leaves During Leaf Developmental Period

Plant-specialized secondary metabolites have ecological functions in mediating interactions between plants and their entophytes. In this study, high-throughput gene sequencing was used to analyze the composition and abundance of bacteria from Ginkgo leaves at five different sampling times. The results indicated that the bacterial community structure varied during leaf developmental stage. Bacterial diversity was observed to be the highest at T2 stage and the lowest at T1 stage. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were found as the dominant phyla. The major genera also showed consistency across sampling times, but there was a significant variation in their abundance, such as Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Staphylococcus. Significant correlations were observed between endophytic bacteria and flavonoids. Especially, Staphylococcus showed a significant positive correlation with quercetin, and changes in the abundance of Staphylococcus also showed a strong correlation with flavonoid content. In order to determine the effect of flavonoids on endophytic bacteria of Ginkgo leaves, an extracorporeal culture of related strains (a strain of Staphylococcus and a strain of Deinococcus) was performed, and it was found that the effect of flavonoids on them remained consistent. The predicted result of Tax4Fun2 revealed that flavonoids might lead to a lower abundance of endophytic microorganisms, which further proved the correlation between bacterial communities and flavonoids. This study provided the first insight into the bacterial community composition during the development of Ginkgo leaves and the correlation between the endophytic bacteria and flavonoids.