Toxicological assessment of bromoxynil and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide in combination on Cirrhinus mrigala using multiple biomarker approach

The widespread application of herbicides raises concerns about their impact on non-target aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of a commercially available herbicide formulation containing Bromoxynil+MCPA (2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) on Cirrhinus mrigala (economically significant fish). A total of 210 juvenile fish were subjected to a triplicate experimental setup, with 70 fish allocated to each replicate, exposed to seven different concentrations of herbicide: 0 mg/L, 0.133 mg/L, 0.266 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 0.66 mg/L, and 0.8 mg/L, respectively, for a duration of 96 h. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined to be 0.4 mg/L. Significant hematological alterations were observed, including decreases in RBC counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and lymphocyte counts, along with an increase in erythrocyte indices. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated levels of neutrophils, WBCs, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP, and glucose in treated groups. Morphological abnormalities in erythrocytes and histopathological changes in gills, liver, and kidneys were noted. Pathological alterations in gills, liver and kidneys including epithelial cell uplifting, lamellar fusion, hepatolysis, and renal tubule degeneration were observed. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance), ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), and POD (Peroxides) activity increased, while antioxidant enzymatic activities decreased as toxicant doses increased from low to high concentrations. The study reveals that Bromoxynil+MCPA significantly disrupts physiological and hematobiochemical parameters in Cirrhinus mrigala, which highlights the substantial aquatic risks. In conclusion, the herbicide formulation induced significant alterations in various fish biomarkers, emphasizing their pivotal role in assessing the environmental impact of toxicity. This multi-biomarker approach offers valuable insights regarding the toxicological effects, thereby contributing substantially to the comprehensive evaluation of environmental hazards.

Chronic cypermethrin induced toxicity and molecular fate assessment within common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using multiple biomarkers approach and its novel therapeutic detoxification

Cypermethrin (CYP) is a chemical of emerging concern which has persistent and bioaccumulating impacts as it can be found extensively in freshwater ecosystem and agricultural products. It has exposure risk and toxic effects over human edible fish, as common carp. Four groups were designed for toxicity assessment and detoxification approach: control group (CL), CYP exposure group (CYP), CYP + 10% M. oleifera leaves and 10% M. oleifera seeds (CMO group), 10% M. oleifera leaves and 10% M. oleifera seeds (MO group). Trial period was forty days during which cohort of 240 fish in CYP and CMO group was exposed to 1/5 of 96h LC50 of CYP (0.1612 μg/L). CYP-exposed carp exhibited lower growth parameters, but carp fed with 10% M. oleifera seeds and leaves showed significant improvement in growth rate (SGR, RGR) and weight gain (WG) as compared to the control group. CYP exposure negatively affected haemato-biochemical parameters. Moreover, CYP exposure also led to oxidative stress, damaged immunological parameters, genotoxicity and histopathological damage in liver and intestinal cells. Whereas, M. oleifera supplementation has ameliorated these conditions. Thereby, supplementation with M. oleifera is potential and novel therapeutic detoxication approach for common carp and human health against persistent and bioaccumulating emerging chemicals.

Novel protective aspects of dietary polyphenols against pesticidal toxicity and its prospective application in rice-fish mode: A Review

The rice fish system represents an innovative and sustainable approach to integrated farming, combining rice cultivation with fish rearing in the same ecosystem. However, one of the major challenges in this system is the pesticidal pollution resulting from various sources, which poses risks to fish health and overall ecosystem balance. In recent years, dietary polyphenols have emerged as promising bioactive compounds with potential chemo-preventive and therapeutic properties. These polyphenols, derived from various plant sources, have shown great potential in reducing the toxicity of pesticides and improving the health of fish within the rice fish system. This review aims to explore the novel aspects of using dietary polyphenols to mitigate pesticidal toxicity and enhance fish health in the rice fish system. It provides comprehensive insights into the mechanisms of action of dietary polyphenols and their beneficial effects on fish health, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification properties. Furthermore, the review discusses the potential application methods of dietary polyphenols, such as direct supplementation in fish diets or through incorporation into the rice fields. By understanding the interplay between dietary polyphenols and pesticides in the rice fish system, researchers can develop innovative and sustainable strategies to promote fish health, minimize pesticide impacts, and ensure the long-term viability of this integrated farming approach. The information presented in this review will be valuable for scientists, aqua-culturists, and policymakers aiming to implement eco-friendly and health-enhancing practices in the rice fish system.

The organism fate of inland freshwater system under micro-/nano-plastic pollution: A review of past decade

Micro- and nano-plastics (MPs/NPs) are characterized by their small size and extensive surface area, making them global environmental pollutants with adverse effects on organisms at various levels, including organs, cells, and molecules. Freshwater organisms, such as microalgae, emerging plants, zooplankton, benthic species, and fish, experience varying impacts from MPs/NPs, which are prevalent in both terrestrial and aquatic inland environments. MPs/NPs significantly impact plant physiological processes, including photosynthesis, antioxidant response, energy metabolism, and nitrogen removal. Extended exposure and ingestion to MPs/NPs might cause metabolic and behavioral deviations in zooplankton, posing an extinction risk. Upon exposure to MPs/NPs, both benthic organisms and fish display behavioral and metabolic disturbances, due to oxidative stress, neural toxicity, intestinal damage, and metabolic changes. Results from laboratory and field investigations have confirmed that MPs/NPs can be transported across multiple trophic levels. Moreover, MPs/NPs-induced alterations in zooplankton populations can impede energy transfer, leading to food scarcity for filter-feeding fish, larvae of benthic organism and fish, thus jeopardizing aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, MPs/NPs can harm the nervous systems of aquatic organisms, influencing their feeding patterns, circadian rhythms, and mobility. Such behavioral alterations might also introduce unforeseen ecological risks. This comprehensive review aims to explore the consequences of MPs/NPs on freshwater organisms and their interconnected food webs. The investigation encompasses various aspects, including behavioral changes, alterations in physiology, impacts on metabolism, transgenerational effects, and the disruption of energy transfer within the ecosystem. This review elucidated the physiological and biochemical toxicity of MPs/NPs on freshwater organisms, and the ensuing risks to inland aquatic ecosystems.

Chronic hypoxia and Cu2+ exposure induce gill remodeling of largemouth bass through endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis

Hypoxia and Cu²⁺ pollution often occur simultaneously in aquatic ecosystems and jointly affect physiology of fish. As the respiratory and ion exchange tissue of fish, how gill responds to the stress induced by these two abiotic environmental factors is still unclear. We have conducted a study by exposing largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to hypoxia (2.0 mg·L^-1) and/or Cu²⁺ (0.5 mg·L^-1) for 28 days to answer this question. We subsequently studied respiratory rate, Cu²⁺ transport, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial damage, and morphology in gill tissue on day 7, 14, 21 and 28. We found that hypoxia exposure increased the respiratory rate of largemouth bass, reflecting the response of largemouth bass to cope with hypoxia. Of note, Cu²⁺ entered gill by specifically binding to CTR1 and its accumulation dramatically in gill disrupted the response of largemouth bass to hypoxia. Hypoxia and/or Cu²⁺ exposure led to ER stress and mitochondrial damage in gills of largemouth bass. ER stress and mitochondrial damage induced apoptosis by activating caspase-8 and caspase-9 signaling pathways, respectively. Apoptosis induced by hypoxia and Cu²⁺ exposure had a positive and synergistic effect on gill remodeling by reducing interlamellar cell masses. In addition, Cu²⁺ exposure induced hypoxia-like remodeling to gill morphology through mechanisms similar to hypoxia exposure. Most of gene expression changed mainly within 21 days and recovered to the control level on day 28, reflecting the acclimation of largemouth bass to hypoxia and/or Cu²⁺ exposure at gene expression level. Overall, our research suggests that chronic hypoxia and Cu²⁺ exposure could induce gill remodeling of largemouth bass through ER stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. The outcomes could provide an insight for fish environmental adaptation and environmental toxicology.

Enhance energy supply of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in gills during acute hypoxia exposure

Gills are the location of gas exchange and also the first target organ of fish response for environmental stress. As a multifunctional organ, its energy supply, when faced with insufficient dissolved oxygen in the water, remains unclear. In this study, largemouth bass was subjected to hypoxia stress (1.2 mg/L) for 24 h and 12 h reoxygenation (R12) to evaluate energy supply strategy of gills. Under hypoxia exposure, the respiratory rate of largemouth bass increased by an average of 20 breaths per minute. A total of 2026, 1744, 1003, 579, 485, and 265 differentially expressed genes (DGEs) were identified at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, and R12h in gills after hypoxia exposure. KEGG functional analysis of DEGs revealed that the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway was enriched across all the sampling points (0, 4, 8, 12, 24 h, R12). The gene expression and enzyme activity of three rate-limiting enzymes (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase-6, pyruvate kinase) in glycolysis pathway were significantly increased. Increased levels of glycolysis products pyruvate and lactic acid, as well as the number of mitochondria (1.8-fold), suggesting an enhancement of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of glucose in gills. These results suggest that the gill of largemouth bass enhanced the energy supply during acute exposure to hypoxia stress.

Single-Molecule Mechanochemical Sensing

Single-molecule mechanochemical sensing (SMMS) is a novel biosensing technique using mechanical force as a signal transduction mechanism. In the mechanochemical sensing, the chemical binding of an analyte molecule to a sensing template is converted to mechanical signals, such as tensile force, of the template. Since mechanical force can be conveniently monitored by single-molecule tools, such as optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, or Atomic Force Microscopy, mechanochemical sensing is often carried out at the single molecule level. In traditional format of ensemble sensing, sensitivity can be achieved via chemical or electrical amplifications, which are materials intensive and time-consuming. To address these problems, in 2011, we used the principle of mechanochemical coupling in a single molecular template to detect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in DNA fragments. The single-molecule sensitivity in such SMMS strategy allows to removing complex amplification steps, drastically conserving materials and increasing temporal resolution in the sensing. By placing many probing units throughout a single-molecule sensing template, SMMS can have orders of magnitude better efficiency in the materials usage (i.e., high Atom Economy) with respect to the ensemble biosensing. The SMMS sensing probes also enable topochemical arrangement of different sensing units. By placing these units in a spatiotemporally addressable fashion, single-molecule topochemical sensors have been demonstrated in our lab to detect an expandable set of microRNA targets. Because of the stochastic behavior of single-molecule binding, however, it is challenging for the SMMS to accurately report analyte concentrations in a fixed time window. While multivariate analysis has been shown to rectify background noise due to stochastic nature of single-molecule probes, a template containing an array of sensing units has shown ensemble average behaviors to address the same problem. In this so-called ensemble single-molecule sensing, collective mechanical transitions of many sensing units occur in the SMMS sensing probes, which allows accurate quantification of analytes. For the SMMS to function as a viable sensing approach readily adopted by biosensing communities, the future of the SMMS technique relies on the reduction in the complexity and cost of instrumentation to report mechanical signals. In this account, we first explain the mechanism and main features of the SMMS. We then specify basic elements employed in SMMS. Using DNA as an exemplary SMMS template, we further summarize different types of SMMS which present multiplexing capability and increased throughput. Finally, recent efforts to develop simple and affordable high throughput methods for force generation and measurement are discussed in this Account for potential usage in the mechanochemical sensing.

Pharmacotherapy of impulse control disorders: A systematic review

There are currently no evidence-based treatment recommendations for impulse control disorders, which include intermittent explosive disorder (IED), kleptomania and pyromania. Therefore, this systematic review sought to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated pharmacological treatments for impulse control disorders, to evaluate their efficacy and tolerability. Searches were conducted within MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Eight studies were included, six investigated pharmacotherapies for IED, while two investigated management for kleptomania. For the treatment of IED, oxcarbazepine and fluoxetine were the most efficacious. Importantly, divalproex was not superior to placebo in decreasing IED symptoms and was associated with significant adverse effects. In the treatment of kleptomania, only naltrexone was effective. The existing data suggest that the pharmacological treatment for impulse control disorders is an understudied area of psychiatry. Much of the current research on impulse control disorders focuses on management with anticonvulsants and antidepressants. Further studies conducted on these interventions in this population may yield promising results.

First observation on emergence of strong room-temperature ferroelectricity and multiferroicity in 2D-Ti3C2Tx free-standing MXene film

Two-dimensional (2D) multiferroics are key candidate materials towards advancement of smart technology. Here, we employed a simple synthesis approach to address the long-awaited dream of developing ferroelectric and multiferroic 2D materials, especially in the new class of materials called MXenes. The etched Ti₃C₂T_x MXene was first synthesized after HF-treatment followed by a delamination process for successful synthesis of free-standing Ti₃C₂T_x film. The free-standing film was then exposed to air at room-temperature and heated at different temperatures to form a TiO₂ layer derived from the Ti₃C₂T_x MXene itself. The ferroelectric measurement showed a clear polarization hysteresis loop at room-temperature. Also, due to the reported ferromagnetic behavior of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene, our composite could show multiferroic properties at room-temperature. The magnetoelectric coupling test was also performed that showed a clear, switchable spontaneous polarization under applied magnetic field. TiO₂ is reported to be an incipient ferroelectric that assumes a ferroelectric phase in composite form. The structural and morphological analysis confirmed successful synthesis of free-standing film and the Raman spectroscopy revealed the formation of different phases of TiO₂ and the observed ferroelectricity could be due to structural deformation as a result of the formation of this new phase. The measured value of remanent polarization is 0.5 μC cm⁻². This is the first report on the existence of a ferroelectric phase and multiferroic coupling in 2D free-standing MXene film at room-temperature which opens-up the possibility of 2D material-based electric and magnetic data storage applications at room-temperature.

Two-dimensional (2D) multiferroics are key candidate materials towards advancement of smart technology.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Mammography-Based Breast Cancer Screening in Canada

Background: The current literature on female breast cancer screening is largely focused on the health out-comes that result from screening. There is comparatively little data on the cost-effectiveness of the screening. Methods: This systematic review sought to identify all studies published within the last 10 years that analyzed the cost-effectiveness of mammography-based female breast cancer screening policies in Canada. Results: Seven studies were included, and four were applicable to the average-risk Canadian women. Triennial screening for average-risk women aged 50–69 years was the most cost-effective in terms of cost per QALY. The use of MRI with mammography for women with the BRCA1/2 mutation was cost-effective, while annual mammography-based screening for women with dense breasts was cost-ineffective. Conclusion: Analyses of the cost-effectiveness of mammography-based screening within Canadian populations are few in numbers and have heterogeneous methodologies. The existing data suggest that Canada’s current screening policy to screen average-risk women aged 50–74 years, biennially or triennially is cost-effective. RésuméContexte : La documentation actuelle sur le dépistage du cancer du sein chez la femme est principalement axée sur les résultats cliniques qui découlent du dépistage. Il existe relativement peu de données sur le rapport coût/efficacité du dépistage. Méthodologie  : Cette revue systématique a tenté de repérer toutes les études publiées au cours des dix dernières années qui ont analysé la rentabilité des politiques de dépistage du cancer du sein par mammogra-phie chez la femme au Canada. Résultats : Sept études ont été retenues, et quatre d’entre elles s’appliquent aux femmes canadiennes à risque moyen. Le dépistage triennal chez les femmes à risque moyen âgées de 50 à 69 ans est le plus rentable en ce qui concerne le coût par AVAQ. L’utilisation de l’IRM couplée à la mammographie chez les femmes présentant la mutation BRCA1/2 est rentable, tandis que le dépistage annuel par mammographie chez les femmes aux seins denses ne l’est pas. Conclusion : Les analyses du rapport coût/efficacité du dépistage par mammographie au sein des populations canadiennes sont peu nombreuses et leurs méthodologies sont hétérogènes. D’après les données existantes, la politique actuelle du Canada en matière de dépistage, qui consiste à faire subir une mammographie de dépi-stage aux femmes à risque moyen âgées de 50 à 74 ans tous les deux ou trois ans, est rentable.

Logical Topology Inference via CPGCN Joint Optimizing With Pedestrian Re-Id

With the rise of artificial intelligence, deep learning has become the main research method of pedestrian recognition re-identification (re-id). However, most of the existing researches usually just determine the retrieval order based on the geographical location of cameras, which ignore the spatio-temporal logic characteristics of pedestrian flow. Furthermore, most of these methods rely on common object detection to detect and match pedestrians directly, which will separate the logical connection between videos from different cameras. In this research, a novel pedestrian re-identification model assisted by logical topological inference is proposed, which includes: 1) a joint optimization mechanism of pedestrian re-identification and multicamera logical topology inference, which makes the multicamera logical topology provides the retrieval order and the confidence for re-identification. And meanwhile, the results of pedestrian re-identification as a feedback modify logical topological inference; 2) a dynamic spatio-temporal information driving logical topology inference method via conditional probability graph convolution network (CPGCN) with random forest-based transition activation mechanism (RF-TAM) is proposed, which focuses on the pedestrian's walking direction at different moments; and 3) a pedestrian group cluster graph convolution network (GC-GCN) is designed to measure the correlation between embedded pedestrian features. Some experimental analyses and real scene experiments on datasets CUHK-SYSU, PRW, SLP, and UJS-reID indicate that the designed model can achieve a better logical topology inference with an accuracy of 87.3% and achieve the top-1 accuracy of 77.4% and the mAP accuracy of 74.3% for pedestrian re-identification.

The cost-effectiveness of mammography-based female breast cancer screening in Canadian populations: a systematic review.. [DOI: 10.1101/2020.01.18.20018044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Introduction

Mammography-based breast cancer screening is an important aspect of female breast cancer prevention within the Canadian healthcare system. The current literature on female breast cancer screening is largely focused on the health outcomes that result from screening. There is comparatively little data on the cost-effectiveness of the screening. Therefore, this paper sought to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the cost effectiveness of mammography-based breast cancer screening within female Canadian populations.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was performed in the PubMed database to identify all studies published within the last 10 years that addressed breast cancer screening and evaluate cost-effectiveness in a Canadian population.

Results

The search yielded five studies for inclusion, only three of which were applicable to average-risk Canadian women. The benefits of mortality reduction rose approximately linearly with costs, while costs were linearly dependent on the number of lifetime screens per woman. Moreover, triennial screening for average-risk women aged 50-69 years was found to be the most cost-effective in terms of cost per quality adjusted life year. The use of MRI in conjunction with mammography for women with the BRCA 1/2 mutation was found to be cost-effective while annual mammography-based screening for women with dense breasts was found to be cost-ineffective.

Conclusion

In spite of the growing interest to enhance breast cancer screening programs, analyses of the cost-effectiveness of mammography-based screening within Canadian populations are scarcely reported and have heterogeneous methodologies. The existing data suggests that Canada’s current breast cancer screening policy to screen average-risk women aged 50-74, biennially or triennially is cost-effective. These findings could be of interest to health policy makers when making decisions regarding resource allocation; however, further studies in this field are required in order to make stronger recommendations regarding cost-effectiveness.

Cohort event monitoring of patients treated for uncomplicated malaria with artemisinin-based combination therapies in selected hospitals and community pharmacies in Nigeria

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The study was designed with the broad objective of determining the safety profile of artemisinin-based combination therapies amongst Nigerian population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a cohort event monitoring (CEM) programme involving monitoring adverse events (AEs) in malaria patients treated with either artemether-lumefantrine (AL) or artesunate-amodiaquine (AA) in healthcare facilities in Nigeria. The study involved continuous enrolment of patients with malaria and treated with either AL or AA at the various sites until a total cohort of 600 patients were enrolled at each site. Patients were monitored from the onset of therapy, and on days 3 and 7 from the first day of treatment to identify AEs that may occur.

RESULTS

A total of 6102 AEs were recorded in 10,259 patients monitored during the programme. Of 4896 patients who received AA, 4233 (86.5%) patients reported at least one AE while 1869 (34.8%) AEs out of 5363 patients who received AL were reported (P = 0.010). The predominant incidence of each specific AE reported in each group among the patients who received AA and AL includes body weakness 30.8%/7.5%, dizziness 10.3%/3.9%, restlessness 5.02/1.12%, vomiting 3.5/1.03% and drowsiness 3.1/1.5% for AA and AL, respectively. There were more AEs among patients with co-morbid conditions and patients in the younger age groups (9-<15 years), P = 0.000.

CONCLUSIONS

Various types of AEs were seen and documented during the CEM programme. The findings suggested that the AA/AL monitored during this programme was generally safe and remarkably well tolerated among the Nigerian populations.

Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Calcium Absorption, Bone Resorption, and Risk of Hip Fracture

Objective:

To review the influence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on calcium absorption, bone remodeling, and fracture risk.

Data Sources:

A search via MEDLINE (1966–April 2007) was performed using the search terms proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole, calcium absorption, calcium malabsorption, bone resorption, and fracture risk.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

English-language literature, including abstracts, preclinical and clinical trials, and review articles, were identified from the data sources and reviewed.

Data Synthesis:

Data on the effect of PPIs on calcium absorption are conflicting; however, the majority of data indicate that PPIs decrease intestinal calcium absorption, which could negatively affect bone strength. In particular, calcium carbonate may be more difficult to absorb in an environment with elevated pH due to PPI use. Data on the role of PPIs in osteoclast function are also conflicting, with one human study indicating decreased bone resorption due to inhibition of osteoclast function and another human study indicating no association between PPIs and osteoclast function. The risk of fracture with PPI use was evaluated in 2 studies, and both studies found an increased risk of fracture of 14–44% after PPI use.

Conclusions:

PPI use may increase a patient's risk of fracture. Additional studies are needed before causality can be established.