Maternal exposure to nanoplastic induces transgenerational toxicity in the offspring of rotifer Brachionus koreanus.

Nanoplastics have received a great deal of attention as evidence of their potential harmful effects on aquatic biota. In zooplankton, ingestion is known as a major uptake route of nanoplastics due to the low feeding selectivity of filter-feeding organisms. In this study, we propose maternal transfer as an alternative uptake route of nanoplastic in the rotifer Brachionus koreanus. Exposure to nanoplastics in parental rotifers induced maternal transfer in offspring, as revealed by fluorescence in rotifer eggs. We further verified that egg shells are not permeable to nanoplastics, and the observed fluorescence was associated with nanoplastic particles, not leached fluorescent dye, supporting the idea that nanoplastics can be transferred through an intrinsic maternal transfer route. This maternal transfer induced adverse effects on life-cycle parameters, including development and reproduction, in offspring rotifers, and was associated with oxidative stress. The results of this study shed light on the ecological impacts of nanoplastics in marine environments.

Toxicological effects of tire rubber-derived 6PPD-quinone, a species-specific toxicant, and dithiobisbenzanilide (DTBBA) in the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus.

The ingredients of tire-rubber products include a complex range of chemicals additives, most of which are leached into surrounding water as unmeasured toxicants with unexplored ecotoxicological impacts. The present study summarizes the reported species-specific acute toxicity of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-Q), the ozonation product of anti-oxidant 6PPD used in tire rubber. Also, chronic toxicity and oxidative response of 6PPD-Q and another tire-rubber derivative, 2',2'''-dithiobisbenzanilide (DTBBA), in rotifer Brachionus koreanus were investigated. Although 6PPD-Q has been reported to be highly toxic to several species of salmonids, only moderate chronic toxicity was observed in B. koreanus. In contrast, DTBBA significantly retarded the population growth and fecundity. The varying toxicity of 6PPD-Q and DTBBA was linked to the level of reactive oxygen species in which DTBBA exposure caused a significant concentration-dependent increase. Our results imply unanticipated risks to aquatic species posed by chemical additives in tire-rubber which may be considered emerging contaminants of toxicological concern.

Pharmacopuncture and joint movement manual therapy for post-traumatic phalangeal osteoarthritis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a type of osteoarthritis that develops after ligament injury, meniscus injury, or fracture. Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for PTOA. This report describes the case of a 38-year-old man who suffered from PTOA of the right second distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint after practicing judo. PATIENT CONCERNS: He visited the author's clinic at 3 months after the onset of symptoms. Symptoms included pain, limited motion, and joint enlargement of the right second DIP joint. DIAGNOSIS: Partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the DIP was revealed by magnetic resonance imaging. As the symptoms appeared after the traumatic event, PTOA was diagnosed. INTERVENTIONS: Intra-articular hominis placenta pharmacopuncture and joint movement manual therapy were performed on each visit. Altogether, 10 sessions were performed until the symptoms improved remarkably. OUTCOMES: Visual analogue scale score (VAS) for pain; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (QuickDASH); joint circumference; and range of motion showed improvements at the end of the treatment. VAS decreased from 8.4 to 0.4, QuickDASH decreased from 44 to 13, joint circumference decreased from 5.5 to 5.4 cm, and range of motion was almost recovered, which was measured by the photographs. LESSONS: There are not enough studies on phalangeal joint PTOA and its treatment. This case suggests pharmacopuncture and joint movement manual therapy as treatment options for phalangeal PTOA.

Comparison of electroacupuncture frequency-related effects on heart rate variability in healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial.

This study aimed to compare the effects of high frequency electroacupuncture (EA) and low-frequency EA on the autonomic nervous system by using a heart rate variability measuring device in normal individuals. Fourteen participants were recruited and each participated in the high-frequency and low-frequency sessions (crossover design). The order of sessions was randomized and the interval between the two sessions was over 2 weeks. Participants received needle insertion with 120-Hz stimulation during the high-frequency session (high-frequency EA group), and with 2-Hz stimulation during the low-frequency session (low-frequency EA group). Acupuncture needles were directly inserted perpendicularly to LI 4 and LI 11 acupoints followed by delivery of electric pulses to these points for 15 minutes. Heart rate variability was measured 5 minutes before and after EA stimulation by a heart rate variability measuring system. We found a significant increase in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval in the high-frequency EA group, with no change in the low-frequency EA group. Both the high-frequency and low-frequency EA groups showed no significant differences in other parameters including high-frequency power, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power. Based on these findings, we concluded that high-frequency EA stimulation is more effective than low-frequency EA stimulation in increasing autonomic nervous activity and there is no difference between the two EA frequencies in enhancing sympathovagal balance.