Journal of Chemical Health Risks
Volume:13 Issue: 4, Autumn 2023

Infection with the COVID-19 virus has a wide range of adverse effects on the metabolic and endocrine systems, and in fact, one of the main ways of influencing this new virus has been through these systems. This is why people with chronic underlying diseases such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension show more severe symptoms and higher mortality rates. On the other hand, exercise can reduce the symptoms resulting from disease and reduce its lasting effects by improving metabolic health and modulating hormonal mechanisms. Due to the new and unknown nature of COVID-19, clinical trials and experimental studies have not been performed to investigate the effect of exercise on mortality or severity and persistence of symptoms in patients with COVID-19, but exercise with modifications can improve insulin resistance, reduce the amount of mass, improve fat and anti-inflammatory properties, and increase the expression of ACE2 receptors, intracellular metabolism and other pathways that all can play a positive role in combating the virus. Due to the unknown aspects of the mechanism of COVID-19 and exercise, more studies need to be done on the dose-response relationship of exercise before and after the infection in different age groups and specific groups.

Cold plasma is a high-end technology that offers favorable opportunities for microorganism inactivation in contaminated food. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cold plasma treatment to reduce different pathogen and spoilage microorganisms in various foods. In addition, the effect of influential factors related to plasma processing, including microorganism type, gas type, treatment time, and treatment voltage, on the reduction rate of microorganisms was assessed using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The extracted data showed that most researcher investigated plasma efficiency on the inactivation of Escherichia coli in different food samples. Also in most studies the plasma was generated using air as plasma gas. The microorganism inactivation rate obtained by cold plasma treatments was raging from -0.90 to 8.00 log CFU. The plasma voltage (0.7) and plasma gas (0.66) had a significant correlation with principal component 1 and had a negative correlation coefficient with treatment time (-0.76). The reduction rate (0.68) and microorganism (0.7) were positively correlated with principal components 2. The findings indicated that cold plasma has an excellent potential to decontaminate hazardous organisms in different food. Besides, plasma treatment conditions should be considered to optimize the effective inactivation rates. The reduction rate of microorganisms in different foods is strongly influenced by microbial factors and technical plasma performance factors. Regarding the crucial damage to microorganism cell components using plasma, this novel technology could efficiently apply for preservation and also promote the shelf life of food products.

The organic compound imidazole has the chemical formula C3N2H4. Numerous significant biological compounds contain imidazole. The amino acid histidine is the most prevalent. The substituted imidazole derivatives have great potential for treating a variety of systemic fungi infections. Thiourea is an organosulfur compound with the formula SC(NH2)2. It is a reagent in organic synthesis. In this paper, some new imidazole and thiourea derivatives are synthesized, characterized, and studied for their biological activity. These new compounds were synthesized from the starting material terephthalic acid, which was transformed to corresponding ester [I] by the refluxing of diacid with methanol in the presence of H2SO4 as a catalyst, compound [I] condensation with hydrazine hydrate 80% to yielded acid hydrazide [II], which was refluxed with 2 moles of various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of few drops of glacial acetic acid as a catalyst to yielded Schiff bases . Refluxing of chosen derivative  with acetyl chloride in dry benzene gave new acetyl compounds  which were reacted with thiourea and anhydrous sodium carbonate with acetone as a solvent to give new thiourea derivatives . Compounds  were used to synthesize new imidazole derivatives  by the reaction of appropriate compound  with 2 moles of benzoin in dry DMF under cyclization reaction. FTIR, 1HNMR, and mass spectroscopy are used to characterize the synthesized compounds.

Nowadays, antibiotic residues as a global concern pose a threat not only to public health, but also to the food industry all around the world. There have been many studies on contamination sources of bee products, which the most important of them is evaluation of honey contamination extent with various antibiotics used in colonies. Antibiotic residues have a relatively long half life and may have direct toxic effects on consumers. Considering the adverse effects of this residues, we decided to measure the residual erythromycin in different samples of honey consumes in Qazvin, Iran. The present study is a cross-sectional study which conducted in different regions of Qazvin, Iran, in 2019. 80 samples of honey were collected from different regions in Qazvin. Using semi-quantitative ELISA, honey samples were evaluated for the presence of residual erythromycin. Based on the results obtained by ELISA, residual erythromycin was detected only in 8 samples (10.66%), of which, 5 samples (6.66%) and 3 samples (4%) had between 10-120 ng g-1 erythromycin and higher than 120 ng g-1 erythromycin (higher than detection limit of kit), respectively. According to the results, more than 96 percent of our honey samples lacked any erythromycin or had erythromycin concentration lower than allowable limit. The present study demonstrated that most of the honey samples collected from different regions of Qazvin lacked erythromycin residues, but due to the importance of drug residues on community health, annual screening of produced honey for the presence of drug residues by competent authorities.

Many contaminants can enter the environment via dentistry. Some of the materials including heavy metals may present some problems to the environment. Amalgam waste in dental clinics is the main source of mercury pollution in the environment. Apart from mercury, other amalgam constituents such as Ag, Sn, Co, Cu, and Zn in dental clinics’ wastewater have just been reported in a few previous kinds of literature. This study aimed to measure the concentrations of mercury, cobalt, zinc, copper, tin, silver, chromium, and nickel in the influent and effluent of dental units of some dental clinics. Samples were collected over 6-month period from 5 dental clinics and three samples were collected from each clinic at the end of the working day, within a week as the effluent sample. Metal concentration was also detected in the influent of the dental units and samples were analysed for metals using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) technique for statistical analysis. Data were analysed with Wilcoxon and Kruskal – Wallis tests within SPSS 18 software. The concentration of all the metals in influent water was at the level of the national standard in all samples. In comparing influent and effluent values, the P-values for Hg, Zn, Cu, and Sn (0.001), Cu (0.003), Ag (0.028), Cr (0.007), and Ni (0.016) as shown significant differences between influent and effluent values for all the sample. Based on the obtained findings from the study, wastewater has an undesirable level in terms of heavy metals. Thus, dental clinic wastewater might be considered hazardous waste that should be properly treated before it discharges into the environment.

Infection of pistachio nuts with Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin is one of the serious and important threats in the process of production, export, and consumption of pistachios in the world. Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites that are mainly produced by A. flavus and A. parasiticus. Aflatoxins are generally produced before harvesting and under horticultural conditions. Early-splitting pistachios are one of the most significant sources of contamination to aflatoxigenic fungi in the orchard. In the present study, the population density of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin content were investigated in early-splitting, irregular cracking, and intact pistachios of the Shahpasand cultivar. Sampling was done from the pistachio orchard of Damghan Pistachio Research Station in the first half of August, and pistachio kernel contamination and population density of the fungus were investigated. Pistachio samples were cultured on an AFPA medium using a serial dilution method (completely randomized design with three repetitions). Aspergillus section Flavi colonies were identified and counted and after three days at 28°C and dark. Aflatoxin contents of pistachio kernels were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The results were statistically analyzed by SPSS statistical software and the means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that the highest and the lowest contamination rates for Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin have belonged to early-splitting and intact nuts, respectively (P≤0.05). The contamination rate in early splitting pistachios is much higher than in irregular cracking and intact kernel pistachios.

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in epileptic seizures. Several studies have shown the protective effect of Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) against neuronal damage and oxidative stress. In the current research, the effect of A. absinthium on oxidative stress indicators in an animal model of seizure provoked by injecting pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was estimated in mice. The mice were allocated into the following groups: a control group in which vehicle was administered; PTZ group (a single dose of 100 mg kg-1, ip); and other groups, which daily received 6.25-200 mg kg-1 of the A. absinthium extract during 3 consecutive days before PTZ. The first recorded MCS and minimal clonic seizure and the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) latencies were analyzed. The brain segments, including the cortex and hippocampus of the animals, were then removed and harvested for oxidative stress evaluation. The extract significantly postponed the onsets of the MCS and GTCS when injected before PTZ. The seizure attacks provoked by PTZ also increased MDA in the cortex and hippocampus to levels greater than the control (P<0.001). In addition, the extract had an ameliorative effect on MDA concentration in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05-P<0.001). A lower concentration of total thiol was observed in the brain of the PTZ injected mice than the control ones (P<0.01- P<0.001). Pretreatment with the extract corrected the thiol level in the brain tissue (P<0.05- P<0.001). The current research shows that A. absinthium hydro-ethanolic extract has considerable anti-oxidant properties in a PTZ-induced seizure model in mice.

Eutrophication caused by high nitrate levels in surface and subsurface water bodies is a major ecological concern. This process leads to the proliferation of algae and aquatic plants, which results in a reduction of dissolved oxygen and harm to aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to explore effective methods to remove nitrate ions from wastewater. In this study, the efficacy of Sargassum polycystum macroalgae as a biosorbent for nitrate ion removal was examined. The experiment investigated the impact of pH variations, initial biomass of S. polycystum algae, initial concentration of nitrate ions (50-300 mg L-1), and contact duration on the nitrate removal process. The dried powder of S. polycystum algae was used in the experiment. The findings indicate that the seaweed S. polycystum has a high capacity to absorb nitrate ions from wastewater, with a maximum absorption capacity of 545.70 mg g-1 of seaweed. The optimal test conditions for nitrate removal were found to be pH of 6, initial biomass of 0.02 g L-1, initial concentration of 300 mg L-1 nitrate ions, and contact duration of 60 minutes. Under these conditions, the nitrate removal rate was 52.8%. The results of this study suggest that S. polycystum macroalgae has a high potential for removing nitrate ions from wastewater. Overall, the use of S. polycystum as a biosorbent for nitrate removal can offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient solution for mitigating eutrophication.

This study aimed at investigating how treatment of basil seedlings with green synthesized AgNPs affects their Ag content, oxidative damage and antioxidant enzymes activity. This research was studied as a completely randomized design in four replications. Four levels of silver nanoparticles (0, 4, 10 and 40 mg L-1) were used. After germination, the seedlings were treated for 7 days and then seedlings were harvested for analysis. Findings showed that AgNP treatment increased Ag content O2•−, H2O2, MDA, and ion leakage in basil seedlings. The use of AgNPs caused a significant increase in the activities of SOD, APX, CAT, and GR enzymes in plants. However, at high levels (40 mg L-1) of AgNPs, enzymes activity decreased significantly. These findings suggest that the application of green synthesized AgNPs to basil seedlings led to oxidative stress. Moreover, the observed changes in radical scavenging enzyme activity indicate that synthetic green nanoparticles have a harmful effect on basil seedlings. This toxicity is more pronounced at higher concentrations.

The Hantzsch reaction created a new series comprising 1,4-dihydropyridine pyrazoles and oxa diazoles (DHP) by initially synthesizing DHP esters, then its carbohydrates, and subsequent treatment with hydrazine. Pyrazole derivatives (Am1 and Am2) were obtained via the reaction of hydrazines with acetylacetone or ethyl acetoacetate, whereas the oxadiazole derivative (Am3) was prepared via reaction with carbon disulfide in an alkaline medium. The prepared compounds were identified using spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry). The anti-breast cancer activity of new compounds was evaluated. This cytotoxicity activity afforded that compound (AS) was the strongest in this group together with an IC50 = 100.24µg mL-1, whereas compound (AT) demonstrated the lowest potency, with an IC50 value of 300 µg mL-1. The Hantzsch reaction was used in the synthesis of a new 1,4-dihydropyridine that has pyrazole and oxadiazole moieties. The activity of in vitro cytotoxicity (MTT cell viability assay) was determined. In vitro MCF7 cells were used in the evaluation of the cytotoxicity activity (MTT cell viability assay) of new compounds. This cytotoxicity activity meant that compound (AS) was the strongest in this group, with an IC50 of 100.24 µg mL-1, while compound (AT) had the least potency, with an IC50 value of 300 µg mL-1. Based on our findings, we can infer that 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives (DHPs) are noteworthy heterocyclic compounds with pharmacological potential.  This cytotoxicity activity meant that compound (AS) was the strongest in this group, with an IC50 of 100.24 µg mL-1, while compound (AT) had the least potency, with an IC50 value of 300 µg mL-1.

Diazinon (DNZ) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus poisons, which plays an important role in chemical pest control by controlling a wide range of chewing and sucking pests in gardens and fields. Diazinon causes death in living organisms by reducing cholinesterase and disrupting nerve cells. In this research, the effect of Rosa damascena extract against DNZ toxicity and oxidative damage induced by DZN in mice was studied. The mice toxified with DNZ (32.5 mg kg-1, intraperitoneally) and treated by pralidoxime (PM) (20 mg kg-1, intraperitoneally) or R. Damascena extract (50, 100, 200 mg kg-1, orally) daily for two weeks. In the end, the acetylcholinesterase (AchE), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin were assayed. DZN administration significantly lowered the AchE, and FRAP and increased the MDA (P < 0.05). However, R. Damascena extracts treatment caused a significant reduction in MDA level and restored the levels of AchE and FRAP as well as significantly prevented the DZN-induced increase in liver aminotransferases, ALP, and total bilirubin. We found that R. Damascena administration nearly eliminated DZN-induced toxicity by preventing oxidative stress in mice.

In our work, a process for levofloxacin (LVO) digestion using the microwave digester was proposed. Simultaneous examination of fourteen metal elemental impurities (lithium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium, antimony, mercury, and lead) in digested LVO sample was done by ICP-MS system. Quantification limits vary between 2.7 ppb to 3000 ppb for all studied metal elemental impurities.  Linear regression analysis proved linearity from LOQ quantity level to 200% of respective metal specification quantity limitations. The slope and coefficient correlation findings for fourteen metal elemental impurities were reported to be within permissible limit values. These outcomes demonstrated that the recommended ICP-MS methodology is capable of detecting 14 metal elemental impurities. Percentage recoveries for all studied metal elemental impurities were revealed to be satisfactory with recommended ICP-MS methodology conditions. The fully validated ICP-MS technique was finally adopted for batch studies of six different LVO parenteral for the selected fourteen metal elemental impurities.

One of the most effective methods to report organ dose in CT scan (Computed Tomography scan) is to report effective dose. This study aimed to investigate the actual dose during head and neck CT scans using an anthropomorphic head phantom. In this study, an anthropomorphic phantom was constructed with natural bone and paraffin wax. Then, we considered several sites in the phantom to investigate the dose. These sites include the Brain, Thyroid, Parotid, and Lens, which were filled by Gafchromic films. Finally, we irradiated the phantom using several CT protocols. Our findings indicate that the dose of the considered organs was in the different ranges according to the protocol used. The highest dose range was related to the ten-slice spiral, ranging from 0.75 to 15.8 mGy (Mean). We showed the lowest dose range in SPECT-CT which was in the range of 0.55 to 0.1 mGy (Mean). The absorbed dose of the eyes was much higher in most protocols compared to the other organs. There is also the most significant difference between the lens and the other organs in the ten-slice spiral CT. Comparing the 10 and 256 slice scanners; we showed that the organ dose in the 256 slice is less than ten slices. The lowest mean organ dose (mGy) and SD (Standard Deviation)  are related to the SPECT CT, which are 0.76±0.03, 0.95±0.02, 0.78±0.02, and 0.71±0.02 for the brain, parotid, lens, and thyroid, respectively.

Cataract is a leading cause of vision loss in the world. Several factors are involved in the development of cataracts, of them; diabetes and uncontrolled plasma glucose have great importance. Therefore, controlling glycemic reduces the risk of related to microvascular complications of diabetes diseases such as cataract. This study aimed to compare fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HgbA1c, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between Diabetic patients with and without cataract in comparison with the healthy group as control. Among 150 subjects, 50 diabetic patients, 50 diabetic cataracts, and 50 healthy individuals without a history of specific disease were compared with each other. Fasting plasma glucose, OGTT, and HgbA1c were measured by colorimetric methods. SPSS23 software was used to analyze data. P-values ​​less than 5% or lower were considered to be statistically significant. In this study, the mean fasting plasma glucose, HgbA1c, and OGTT in the group of diabetic patients, diabetic with cataract, and healthy groups fasting plasma glucose were as follow, 162.46 mg dL-1 and 184.76 mg dL-1, 92.88 mg dL-1 (P˂0.05), HgbA1c: 7.8, 8.0, 5.8% (P˂0.05) and OGTT: 228 mg dL-1, 246.12 mg dL-1 and 114.32 mg dL-1 (P˂0.05) respectively. Our findings showed that in diabetic patients with and without cataract, fasting plasma levels, HgbA1C, and OGTT are higher than the healthy group. There was a significant relationship between the studied factors and cataracts. As a result, high blood glucose has a definitive role in the development of cataracts.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, and xylene are toxic air pollutants which are released into the atmosphere by various human activities such as gasoline production and use, chemical manufacturing and incineration of certain waste. These pollutants are also harmful to the environment, causing harm to plants, aquatic life, and soil quality. Therefore, it is important to implement measures to reduce emissions from these substances. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the air pollutants caused by benzene, toluene, and xylene at Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP in 2021–2022. In order to calculate the sample size for this cross-sectional study, the preliminary evaluation findings from a related study that measured the concentration of hydrocarbons in petrochemical facilities were employed. 281 samples were gathered between the winter and summer of 2022. The national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH) methods of 1501 was applied to conduct the sampling and analysis of pollutants. The air was sampled using a charcoal tube sampler that was attached to a pump. The chemicals were then extracted using the solvent carbon disulfide (CS2), and samples were then analyzed using a capillary-equipped gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23.0. The findings demonstrated that benzene concentrations in the sampling areas throughout the winter and summer were higher than the recommended value advised by the American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH).

Drug resistance has limited the synthesis of new antibiotics. Therefore, the use of compounds that do not have drug resistance has been considered. Antimicrobial peptides are among the compounds for which drug resistance has not been reported. On the other hand, it has been found that the activity of these compounds is less than that of antibiotics. Therefore, the design of appropriate antimicrobial peptides is challenging. To address this challenge, efforts have been made to understand their mechanism of action. However, their mechanism of action is not well understood. In this work, the interaction of two cyclic and linear antimicrobial peptides with sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles as cell membrane mimetics method has been studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The micellar radius of gyration shows good agreement with the experimental results and the results of other simulations performed. Calculation of the conformational factor shows that cyclic antimicrobial peptide has a greater affinity for interaction with micelles. Charged and aromatic residues are involved in the interaction of cyclic antimicrobial peptides with micelles. Whereas, only charged residues are effective in the interaction of the linear antimicrobial peptides with micelle.