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Demissie S, Mekonen S, Awoke T, Mengistie B. Assessing Acute and Chronic Risks of Human Exposure to Arsenic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia Employing Body Biomarkers. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241257365. [PMID: 38828044 PMCID: PMC11141224 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241257365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Arsenic, a widely recognized and highly toxic carcinogen, is regarded as one of the most hazardous metalloids globally. However, the precise assessment of acute and chronic human exposure to arsenic and its contributing factors remains unclear in Ethiopia. Objective The primary goal of this study was to assess the levels of acute and chronic arsenic exposure, as well as the contributing factors, using urine and nail biomarkers. Methods A community-based analytical cross-sectional study design was employed for this study. Agilent 7900 series inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure the concentrations of arsenic in urine and nail samples. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis to assess the relationships between multiple predictors and outcome variables. Results The concentration of arsenic in the urine samples ranged from undetectable (<0.01) to 126.13, with a mean and median concentration of 16.02 and 13.5 μg/L, respectively. However, the mean and median concentration of arsenic in the nails was 1.01, ranging from undetectable (<0.01 μg/g) to 2.54 μg/g. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant positive correlation between arsenic concentrations in urine and nail samples (r = 0.432, P < .001). Also, a positive correlation was observed between urinary (r = 0.21, P = .007) and nail (r = 0.14, P = .044) arsenic concentrations and the arsenic concentration in groundwater. Groundwater sources and smoking cigarettes were significantly associated with acute arsenic exposure. In contrast, groundwater sources, cigarette smoking, and the frequency of showers were significantly associated with chronic arsenic exposure. Conclusions The study's findings unveiled the widespread occurrence of both acute and chronic arsenic exposure in the study area. Consequently, it is crucial to prioritize the residents in the study area and take further measures to prevent both acute and chronic arsenic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Demissie
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | - Seblework Mekonen
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Awoke
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Bezatu Mengistie
- Department of Water and Public Health, Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
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Gracia-Rodriguez C, Lopez-Ortiz C, Flores-Iga G, Ibarra-Muñoz L, Nimmakayala P, Reddy UK, Balagurusamy N. From genes to ecosystems: Decoding plant tolerance mechanisms to arsenic stress. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29140. [PMID: 38601600 PMCID: PMC11004893 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Arsenic (As), a metalloid of considerable toxicity, has become increasingly bioavailable through anthropogenic activities, raising As contamination levels in groundwater and agricultural soils worldwide. This bioavailability has profound implications for plant biology and farming systems. As can detrimentally affect crop yield and pose risks of bioaccumulation and subsequent entry into the food chain. Upon exposure to As, plants initiate a multifaceted molecular response involving crucial signaling pathways, such as those mediated by calcium, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and various phytohormones (e.g., auxin, methyl jasmonate, cytokinin). These pathways, in turn, activate enzymes within the antioxidant system, which combat the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) generated by As-induced stress. Plants exhibit a sophisticated genomic response to As, involving the upregulation of genes associated with uptake, chelation, and sequestration. Specific gene families, such as those coding for aquaglyceroporins and ABC transporters, are key in mediating As uptake and translocation within plant tissues. Moreover, we explore the gene regulatory networks that orchestrate the synthesis of phytochelatins and metallothioneins, which are crucial for As chelation and detoxification. Transcription factors, particularly those belonging to the MYB, NAC, and WRKY families, emerge as central regulators in activating As-responsive genes. On a post-translational level, we examine how ubiquitination pathways modulate the stability and function of proteins involved in As metabolism. By integrating omics findings, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the complex genomic landscape that defines plant responses to As. Knowledge gained from these genomic and epigenetic insights is pivotal for developing biotechnological strategies to enhance crop As tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Gracia-Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Biorremediación, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
- Gus R. Douglass Institute and Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, Dunbar, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Carlos Lopez-Ortiz
- Gus R. Douglass Institute and Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, Dunbar, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Gerardo Flores-Iga
- Laboratorio de Biorremediación, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
- Gus R. Douglass Institute and Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, Dunbar, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Lizbeth Ibarra-Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Biorremediación, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Padma Nimmakayala
- Gus R. Douglass Institute and Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, Dunbar, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Umesh K. Reddy
- Gus R. Douglass Institute and Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, Dunbar, WV 25112-1000, USA
| | - Nagamani Balagurusamy
- Laboratorio de Biorremediación, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
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Chen F, Zhu J, Yu L, Zhang Q, Guo M, Tian F, Zhai Q. Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCFM8661 on serum metabolites and gut microbiota in a lead-exposed population. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129815. [PMID: 38296122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) CCFM8661 on the gut microbiota, and the serum and fecal metabolomes in lead (Pb)-exposed individuals. The volunteers recruited for this study were divided into two treatment groups, (i) the placebo (control) and (ii) the L. plantarum CCFM8661 treatment groups. The analysis revealed that probiotic intervention reversed some of the changes in Pb exposure-induced intestinal bacterial abundance, including the abundance of Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, Clostridiaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae. An analysis of the fecal metabolome identified 26 differential metabolites involved in purine metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, and other pathways. Serum metabolite analysis showed that L. plantarum CCFM8661 treatment altered the serum metabolite levels of various metabolic pathways, such as the glycerophospholipid, amino acid, and glutathione metabolism pathways. These results suggest that L. plantarum CCFM8661 may have beneficial effects on Pb-exposed populations by modulating the gut microbiota, host serum metabolism, and the metabolism of the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jiamin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Leilei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Qingsong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Min Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Fengwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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Yao H, Zhuang C, Li C, Xiang S, Li X, Yang G, Zhang Z. Study on the Effect of Calcium Alloy on Arsenic Removal from Scrap-Based Steel Production. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:3113. [PMID: 37109949 PMCID: PMC10143923 DOI: 10.3390/ma16083113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Scrap steel is a kind of resource that can be recycled indefinitely. However, the enrichment of arsenic in the recycling process will seriously affect the performance of the product, making the recycling process unsustainable. In this study, the removal of arsenic from molten steel using calcium alloys was investigated experimentally, and the underlying mechanism was explored based on thermodynamic principles. The results show that the addition of calcium alloy is an effective means of reducing the arsenic content in molten steel, with the highest removal percentage of 56.36% observed with calcium aluminum alloy. A thermodynamic analysis revealed that the critical calcium content required for arsenic removal reaction is 0.0037%. Moreover, ultra-low levels of oxygen and sulfur were found to be crucial in achieving a good arsenic removal effect. When the arsenic removal reaction occurs in molten steel, the oxygen and sulfur concentrations in equilibrium with calcium were wO=0.0012% and wS=0.00548%, respectively. After successful arsenic removal, the arsenic removal product of the calcium alloy is Ca3As2, which usually does not appear alone. Instead, it is prone to combining with alumina, calcium oxide, and other inclusions to form composite inclusions, which is beneficial for the floating removal of inclusions and the purification of scrap steel in molten steel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yao
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Changling Zhuang
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Metallurgical Engineering and Process Energy Saving of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Changrong Li
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Metallurgical Engineering and Process Energy Saving of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Song Xiang
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Guizhou Institute of Technology, College of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Guangkai Yang
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zezhong Zhang
- College of Material and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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