Search

This study evaluated the food safety of the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) found in Shandong Province, China and obtained information on possible edible parts and gender differences. White and brown muscle samples from 108 swimming crabs were collected from seven cities along the eastern coastline of Shandong Province and analyzed for levels of Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, Cd, and Pb. There were significant differences in the metal concentrations among different edible muscles. High concentrations of Zn, Mn, and Cr were found in leg and claw meat while Fe, Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Se were predominantly found in the hepatopancreas and gonads. Gender differences were found only for Fe and Zn. Based on the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and the permissible safety limits prescribed by various agencies, consumption of the swimming crab is considered safe. [Display omitted] • Highest concentrations of Zn, Mn, and Cr were in the leg and claw meat. • The hepatopancreas and gonads had the highest levels of Fe, Cu, Ni, As, Se, Cd, and Pb. • Except for Fe and Zn, the metal concentration does not depend on the gender of the crab. • Consumption of brown meat is a potential health risk due to high Cd levels. • Values were within safe limits except for As, which is of less health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used as flame retardants (FRs) in China for decades, even after they were identified as persistent organic pollutants. In this study, serum samples were collected from 172 adults without occupational exposure who were residents of a well-known FR production region (Laizhou Bay, north China), and PBDE congeners were measured to assess their occurrence, congener profile and influencing factors in serum. Moreover, the relationships between serum concentrations of PBDEs and thyroid/liver function indicators were analyzed to evaluate whether human exposure to PBDEs would lead to thyroid/liver injury. All 8 PBDE congeners were detected at higher frequencies and serum concentrations than those found in general populations. The median levels of ∑PBDEs, BDE-209 and ∑ 3-7 PBDEs (sum of tri-to hepta-BDEs) were 64.5, 56.9 and 7.2 ng/g lw (lipid weight), respectively, which indicated that deca-BDE was the primarily produced PBDE in Laizhou Bay and that the lower brominated BDEs were still ubiquitous in the environment. Gender was a primary influencing factor for some BDE congeners in serum; their levels in female serum samples were significantly lower than those in male serum samples. Serum PBDE levels showed a downward trend with increased body mass index (BMI), which might reflect the increasing serum lipid contents. Serum levels of some BDE congeners were significantly positively correlated with certain thyroid hormones and antibodies, including free triiodothyronine (fT3), total triiodothyronine (tT3), total thyroxine (tT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab). Levels of some congeners were significantly negatively correlated with some types of serum lipid, including cholesterol (CHOL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total triglyceride (TG). Other than serum lipids, only two liver function indicators, total protein (TP) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), were significantly correlated with certain BDE congeners (BDE-100 and BDE-154). Our results provide new evidence on the thyroid-disrupting and hepatotoxic effects of PBDEs. Image 1 • PBDEs were determined in serum collected from residents of a BFR production region. • All PBDE congeners presented high detection frequencies and serum concentrations. • Gender and BMI were main influencing factors on serum PBDE concentrations. • BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100 might disturb thyroid homeostasis in human being. • Serum BDE-100 and -154 were significantly correlated with some liver biomarkers. Main finding: High levels of PBDEs were found in serum samples from residents of a brominated flame retardant production region and were significantly correlated with thyroid/liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smilax glabra Roxb., the dry rhizome of Sarsaparilla, which is also known as Tu fuling (TFL) in China, is a well-known traditional CHINESE medicine that is widely used for detoxication, relieving dampness and as a diuretic. We have previously shown that the extracted TFL flavonoids (designated TFLF) possess anti-cardiac hypertrophy effects in vitro. However, the anti-cardiac hypertrophy effects of TFLF in vivo and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. To reveal the underlying therapeutic mechanism of TFLF on cardiac hypertrophy by using transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model and cellular assays in vitro. Cardiac hypertrophy was replicated by TAC surgery in rats or by isoprenaline treatment of rat H9C2 myocardial cells in vitro. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiographic and hemodynamic examinations in vivo and histological analysis of tissues ex vivo. Biochemical kits and quantitative PCR were used to analyze markers of cardiac hypertrophy. Expression and phosphorylation of key proteins in the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway were quantified by Western blotting. We further confirmed our findings in H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes treated with isoprenaline and the ERK inhibitor in vitro. TFLF attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and improved cardiac dysfunction in TAC rats. TFLF treatment induced a strong reduction in serum NT-proBNP levels. Cardiac hypertrophy marker gene (ANP , BNP and β-MHC) expression and the phosphorylation levels of c-Raf and ERK1/2 were decreased by TFLF treatment. TFLF also protected H9C2 cells from isoprenaline-induced hypertrophy in vitro via a similar molecular mechanism as that observed in the rat heart. Moreover, pretreatment with TRLF and the ERK inhibitor further inhibited the mRNA overexpression of hypertrophic genes in vitro. TFLFs may protect against pathological cardiac hypertrophy via negative regulation of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Thus, TFLFs are implicated as a potential pharmacological agent for treating cardiac hypertrophy in clinical practice. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion poses serious challenge to the sustainable utilization of soil and water resources worldwide. Vegetation restoration can sufficiently improve the environment and reduce soil erosion. It is important to evaluate the effects of vegetation coverage and position on surface runoff and sediment yield. Therefore, this study simulated four vegetation coverage rates (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) and two vegetation distribution positions (downslope and upslope) to study the runoff and sediment yield under three rain intensities (60, 90, and 120 mm h−1). The results showed that the runoff decreased as vegetation coverage increased: 0% > 20% > 40% > 60%. The minimum total runoff occurred at 60% vegetation coverage rate under 60 mm h−1 rain intensity (57.5 L), and the maximum at 0% vegetation coverage rate under 120 mm h−1 rain intensity (172.2 L). The process of sedimentation was similar to that of runoff. As the rate of vegetation coverage increased, the sediment yield decreased. The total sediment yields under 40% and 60% vegetation coverage rates were significantly lower than that under 0%. In addition, the runoff volume and sediment yield of the upslope vegetation pattern were considerably higher than those of the downslope pattern. Under 60 mm h−1 rainfall intensity, the total runoff volume and sediment yield of upslope pattern were 70.6 L and 261.1 g, as opposed to 61.6 L and 174.9 g of downslope pattern, respectively. By analyzing the correlations of runoff and sediment yield with vegetation coverage, the interception effect on runoff and sediment yield increased with the increase in vegetation coverage. Moreover, the downslope pattern contributed more in reducing runoff and sediment yield than the upslope pattern. The results can provide scientific basis for vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau. • The higher vegetation coverage resulted in higher runoff and sediment yields reduction. • Vegetation on downslope had lower runoff and sediment yields than upslope. • Vegetation coverage rate of 40–60% is suggested in the vegetation restoration. • The location of vegetation is suggested to be at the lower part of the slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are persistent organic pollutants, affect thyroid function. Human exposure to decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), which has a similar structure to PBDEs, has recently increased, and the health effects of DBDPE have not been well studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether human exposure to DBDPE was associated with thyroid hormone levels in adults from a DBDPE manufacturing area. Three hundred-two blood samples were collected from two populations in the largest DBDPE manufacturing area located in North China: 133 DBDPE occupationally exposed workers from a DBDPE manufacturing plant and 169 non-DBDPE occupationally exposed residents from a nearby food processing plant. The levels of DBDPE, and thyroid function parameters [total thyroxine (TT4), free T4 (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free T3 (FT3), thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab)] were measured in serum samples. Serum concentrations of DBDPE ranged from 3.148 to 54,360 ng g−1 lipid weight (lw), with a geometric mean of 332.6 ng g−1 lw. A 10-fold increase in the DBDPE concentration was associated with increase of 4.73 nmol L−1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75, 6.71] TT4 and 0.046 nmol L−1 TT3 [95% CI: 0.012, 0.081], corresponding to increases of approximately of 4.73% (95% CI: 2.75%–6.71%) and 2.38% (95% CI: 0.62%–4.20%), respectively. DBDPE in serum was also significantly and positively associated with the concentrations of TG-Ab and TPO-Ab. Our study found that exposure to DBDPE was associated with changes in thyroid activity in adults exposed to a high concentration of DBDPE, mainly increases of TT4, TT3, TPO-Ab, and TG-Ab. The association between DBDPE exposure and thyroid homeostasis requires further investigation because increasing DBDPE exposure has emerged in recent years. • DBDPE and thyroid hormones were measured in serum from Chinese adults living in a DBDPE manufacturing area. • High level of DBDPE was detected in serum and considerably higher than those in other studies to date. • DBDPE in serum was significantly and positively associated with total thyroxine and total triiodothyronine. • Exposure to DBDPE could disrupt thyroid hormone function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]