Spatio-temporal distribution and source contributions of the ambient pollutants in Lucknow city, India.

Clean air is imperative to the survival of all life forms on the planet. However, recent times have witnessed enormous escalation in urban pollution levels. It is therefore, incumbent upon us to decipher measures to deal with it. In perspective, the present study was carried out to assess PM10 and PM2.5 loading, metallic constituents, gaseous pollutants, source contributions, health impact and noise level of nine-locations, grouped as residential, commercial, and industrial in Lucknow city for 2019-21. Mean concentrations during pre-monsoon for PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 were: 138.2 ± 35.2, 69.1 ± 13.6, 8.5 ± 3.3 and 32.3 ± 7.4 µg/m3, respectively, whereas post-monsoon concentrations were 143.0 ± 33.3, 74.6 ± 14.5, 12.5 ± 2.1, and 35.5 ± 6.3 µg/m3, respectively. Exceedance percentage of pre-monsoon PM10 over National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) was 38.2% while that for post-monsoon was 43.0%; whereas corresponding values for PM2.5 were 15.2% and 24.3%. Post-monsoon season showed higher particulate loading owing to wintertime inversion and high humidity conditions. Order of elements associated with PM2.5 is Co < Cd < Cr < Ni < V < Be < Mo < Mn < Ti < Cu < Pb < Se < Sr < Li < B < As < Ba < Mg < Al < Zn < Ca < Fe < K < Na and that with PM10 is Co < Cd < Ni < Cr < V < Ti < Be < Mo < Cu < Pb < Se < Sr < Li < B < As < Mn < Ba < Mg < Al < Fe < Zn < K < Na < Ca. WHO AIRQ + ascertained 1654, 144 and 1100 attributable cases per 0.1 million of population to PM10 exposure in 2019-21. Source apportionment was carried out using USEPA-PMF and resolved 6 sources with highest percent contributions including road dust re-entrainment, biomass burning and vehicular emission. It is observed that residents of Lucknow city regularly face exposure to particulate pollutants and associated constituents making it imperative to develop pollution abetment strategies.

Postnatal zinc or paraquat administration increases paraquat or zinc-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons: insight into augmented neurodegeneration.

Epidemiological evidences have shown an association of exposure to pesticides or heavy metals with increased incidences of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans. Exposure to pesticides or metals during the decisive period of the brain development increases the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons upon re-exposure in adult rodents. However, the effect of early life exposure to pesticide on the heavy metal-induced neurodegeneration or heavy metal on pesticide-induced neurodegeneration is not yet explored. The current study explored the effect of developmental exposure to zinc (Zn), a metal or paraquat (PQ), a pesticide on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons of rats challenged to Zn or PQ during adulthood. Exposure of Zn or PQ during adulthood alone exhibited marked reduction in motor activities, striatal dopamine and metabolites, glutathione content and number of dopaminergic neurons. However, the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, superoxide dismutase activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines and 4-hydroxynonenal-protein adducts were increased. While the expression of vesicular monoamine transporter-2 and tyrosine hydroxylase were attenuated, dopamine transporter and microglial marker Iba-1 expression, activated microglia, nuclear factor-kappa B activation, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3/9 activation were augmented following Zn or PQ exposure. Albeit postnatal alone exposure did not alter any of the studied parameters, the developmental administration of Zn/PQ in re-challenged adult rats produced more pronounced changes in the aforementioned variables as compared with adulthood Zn or PQ alone intoxicated animals. The results demonstrate that postnatal Zn/PQ intoxication dents the oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and dopamine metabolism and storage regulating machineries, which speed up the toxicant-induced degeneration during adulthood.

Correction to: CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress regulates HO-1 and GST expression in maneb- and paraquat-treated rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

In the original publication of the article, the wrong ß-actin blots were pasted in Figs. 1b and 2c. The correct versions of Figs. 1b and 2c are given in this correction.

Alpha-synuclein aggregation, Ubiquitin proteasome system impairment, and L-Dopa response in zinc-induced Parkinsonism: resemblance to sporadic Parkinson's disease.

Alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) aggregation and impairment of the Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) are implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. While zinc (Zn) induces dopaminergic neurodegeneration resulting in PD phenotype, its effect on protein aggregation and UPS has not yet been deciphered. The current study investigated the role of α-synuclein aggregation and UPS in Zn-induced Parkinsonism. Additionally, levodopa (L-Dopa) response was assessed in Zn-induced Parkinsonian model to establish its closeness with idiopathic PD. Male Wistar rats were treated with zinc sulfate (Zn; 20 mg/kg; i.p.) twice weekly for 12 weeks along with respective controls. In few subsets, animals were subsequently treated with L-Dopa for 21 consecutive days following Zn exposure. A significant increase in total and free Zn content was observed in the substantia nigra of the brain of exposed groups. Zn treatment caused neurobehavioral anomalies, striatal dopamine decline, and dopaminergic neuronal cell loss accompanied with a marked increase in α-synuclein expression/aggregation and Ubiquitin-conjugated protein levels in the exposed groups. Zn exposure substantially reduced UPS-associated trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and caspase-like activities along with the expression of SUG1 and ß-5 subunits of UPS in the nigrostriatal tissues of exposed groups. L-Dopa treatment rescued from Zn-induced neurobehavioral deficits and restored dopamine levels towards normalcy; however, Zn-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss, reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase expression, and increase in oxidative stress were unaffected. The results suggest that Zn caused UPS impairment, resulting in α-synuclein aggregation subsequently leading to dopaminergic neurodegeneration, and that Zn-induced Parkinsonism exhibited positive L-Dopa response similar to sporadic PD.

Dispersion-assisted quick and simultaneous extraction of 30 pesticides from alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with the aid of experimental design.

The presence of pesticides in food items and beverages is a big threat to humankind, and their quantitative estimation with high precision and accuracy is always a challenge for analytical chemists. Hence, a simple and rapid method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of 30 pesticides in beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks). The proposed method hyphenated with triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometry has only 2 min chromatographic runtime for the analysis of all the pesticides. All the factors affecting the extraction yield have been optimized using an experimental design; and under optimized conditions, the developed method has been validated. The detection limits for all the pesticides were in the range of 0.001-0.348 µg/L with good linearity in the concentration range of 0.01-80.0 µg/L. The coefficient of determination was in the range of (R2 ) ≥ 0.977 to 0.999 for all the pesticides. The method was also checked for the precision of the relative standard deviation, which was below 4.75 (intra-day) and 8.96% (inter-day). The recovery of the method was 92-138%.

Characterization and Identification of Recalcitrant Organic Pollutants (ROPs) in Tannery Wastewater and Its Phytotoxicity Evaluation for Environmental Safety.

Tannery wastewater (TWW) is of serious environmental concern to pollution control authorities, because it contains highly toxic, recalcitrant organic and inorganic pollutants. The nature and characteristics of recalcitrant organic pollutants (ROPs) are not fully explored to date. Hence, the purpose of this study was to characterize and identify the ROPs present in the treated TWW. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data analysis showed the presence of a variety of ROPs in the treated TWW. Results unfolded that benzyl chloride, butyl octyl phthalate, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3TMS, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl butyl phthalate, 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol, phthalic acid, 2'6'-dihydroxyacetophenone, diisobutyl phthalate, 4-biphenyltrimethylsiloxane, di-(-2ethy hexyl)phthalate, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibenzyl phthalate, and nonylphenol were present in the treated TWW. Due to endocrine disrupting nature and aquatic toxicity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified many of these as "priority pollutants" and restricted their use in leather industries. In addition, the physicochemical analysis of the treated TWW also showed very high BOD, COD, and TDS values along with high Cr and Pb content beyond the permissible limits for industrial discharge. Furthermore, phytotoxicity assessment unfolds the inhibitory effects of TWW on the seed germination, seedling growth parameters, and α-amylase activity in Phaseolus aureus L. This indicates that the TWW discharged even after secondary treatment into the environment has very high pollution parameters and may cause a variety of serious health threats in living beings upon exposure. Overall, the results reported in this study will be helpful for the proper treatment and management of TWW to combat the environmental threats.

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction based on a solidified floating organic droplet for the rapid determination of 19 antibiotics as environmental pollutants in hospital drainage and Gomti river water.

Antibiotics that are used excessively and disposed of improperly are categorized as emerging pollutants. The determination of micropollutants in water with an accurate and precise method is always a big challenge. Hence, a simple, rapid, sensitive, economical and almost eco-friendly method is proposed for the quantitative determination of 19 antibiotics. The proposed method, ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction and solidified floating organic droplet coupled with liquid chromatography and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, has only a 3 min chromatographic run time for the determination of the 19 antibiotics. We report for the first time the use of the developed method for the quantitative determination of the antibiotics in waste water samples with better results in terms of higher sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, better detection limits and a greener approach compared to the earlier reported methods. The limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.003-0.236 and 0.013-0.834 µg/L, respectively, with good linearity in the concentration range of 0.01-64.0 µg/L. The correlation coefficient was ≥0.987-0.99 for each analyte. The developed method has been successfully applied for the determination of antibiotics in water samples.

CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress regulates HO-1 and GST expression in maneb- and paraquat-treated rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1), glutathione-S-transferase A4-4 (GSTA4-4), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are implicated in maneb- and paraquat-induced toxicity leading to various pathological conditions. The study aimed to investigate the role of CYP2E1 in maneb- and paraquat-induced oxidative stress in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and its crosstalk with iNOS-mediated nitrosative stress and GSTA4-4-linked protective effect, if any and their consequent links with the nuclear factor erythoid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Rats were treated with/without maneb and/or paraquat for 1, 2, and 3 weeks along with vehicle controls. Subsets of rats were also treated with diallyl sulfide (DAS) or aminoguanidine (AG) along with the respective controls. Maneb and paraquat augmented the reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and 4-hydroxy nonenal (4-HNE) contents, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the PMNs. However, maneb and paraquat attenuated the reduced glutathione (GSH) level and the expression/activity of total GST and GST-pi. Maneb and paraquat increased the expression/activity of CYP2E1, GSTA4-4, iNOS, Nrf2 and HO-1, and nitrite content. CYP2E1 inhibitor, DAS noticeably alleviated maneb- and paraquat-induced ROS, LPO, 4-HNE, SOD, Nrf2 and HO-1, GST, GSH, and GST-pi while iNOS, nitrite content and GSTA4-4 levels were unchanged. Conversely, AG, an iNOS inhibitor, attenuated maneb- and paraquat-directed changes in nitrite, LPO, iNOS but it did not alter ROS, GSH, SOD, GST, GST-pi, Nrf2, HO-1, CYP2E1, and GSTA4-4. The results demonstrate that CYP2E1 induces iNOS-independent free radical generation and subsequently modulates the Nrf2-dependent HO-1 and 4-HNE-mediated GST expression in maneb- and paraquat-treated PMNs.

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases of terpenoid biosynthesis in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens).

The essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented geranium), an important aromatic plant, comprising mainly mono- and sesqui-terpenes, has applications in food and cosmetic industries. This study reports the characterization of isoprenyl disphosphate synthases (IDSs) involved in P. graveolens terpene biosynthesis. The six identified PgIDSs belonged to different classes of IDSs, comprising homomeric geranyl diphosphate synthases (GPPSs; PgGPPS1 and PgGPPS2), the large subunit of heteromeric GPPS or geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases (GGPPSs; PgGGPPS), the small subunit of heteromeric GPPS (PgGPPS.SSUI and PgGPPS.SSUII), and farnesyl diphosphate synthases (FPPS; PgFPPS).All IDSs exhibited maximal expression in glandular trichomes (GTs), the site of aroma formation, and their expression except PgGPPS.SSUII was induced upon treatment with MeJA. Functional characterization of recombinant proteins revealed that PgGPPS1, PgGGPPS and PgFPPS were active enzymes producing GPP, GGPP/GPP, and FPP respectively, whereas both PgGPPS.SSUs and PgGPPS2 were inactive. Co-expression of PgGGPPS (that exhibited bifunctional G(G)PPS activity) with PgGPPS.SSUs in bacterial expression system showed lack of interaction between the two proteins, however, PgGGPPS interacted with a phylogenetically distant Antirrhinum majus GPPS.SSU. Further, transient expression of AmGPPS.SSU in P. graveolens leaf led to a significant increase in monoterpene levels. These findings provide insight into the types of IDSs and their role in providing precursors for different terpenoid components of P. graveolens essential oil.

Detection, quantification and degradation kinetic for five benzodiazepines using VAUS-ME-SFO/LC-MS/MS method for water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Benzodiazepines can make victims more docile, they are frequently used in drug-facilitated crimes, such as robberies and sexual assaults. Therefore, it is essential to develop techniques for determining whether these chemicals are present in relation with illegal activity is crucial. Therefore, to determine the presence of five benzodiazepines (alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and oxazepam) in water, alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic beverages, a simple and direct, miniaturized, and effective vortex assisted ultrasound based microextraction using solidification of floating organic droplets (VAUS-ME-SFO) in combination with LC-MS/MS was developed. 1-Undecanol and acetonitrile, respectively, served as the extractant and disperser solvents. Many other parameters affect the efficiency of the developed analytical procedure VAUS-ME-SFO/LC-MS/MS. These parameters were optimized using Plackett Burman Design and Central Composite Design to obtain reliable results. The optimum conditions for the extraction were: 10.0 mL of sample; 180 µL acetonitrile, as a dispersive solvent; 200 µL of 1-undecanol, as an extraction solvent; pH 7; 105 s of vortex agitation; 120 s of ultrasonication application and 3 min of centrifugation at 7000 rpm. The benzodiazepines were separated by a chromatographic separation technique carried out by a UPLC system consisting of a binary mobile phase. The solvent system comprises of 0.1% Formic acid in Milli-Q (Solvent A) and 0.1% Formic acid in ACN (Solvent B) with a gradient flow of 3.5 min total analysis time. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve was studied in the range of 0.124-7.810 ng mL-1. The regression correlation coefficient (R2) value of all targeted analytes ranges from 0.993 to 0.999. The LOD and LOQ of VAUS-ME-SFO methods using LC-MS/MS analysis range from 0.316 to 0.968 ng mL-1 and 1.055-3.277 ng mL-1 respectively. The repeatability within a day varied from 0.6 to 3.5%, and the reproducibility across days varied from 2.2 to 6.3%. The recoveries ranges for water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from 70.77 to 114.53%, 63.20-102.21% and 66.23-113.28% respectively. Further, the degradation kinetics was studied to establish the half-life of each targeted analyte in the matrix undertaken in the study. The water samples were classified based on their BDZs residues. This implies that the more health care and anthropogenic activity, the more the BDZs residue will be in water samples.

ß-triketone herbicide exposure cause tyrosine and fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ß-triketone herbicides have been efficiently employed as an alternate to atrazine. Triketones are 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) enzyme inhibitors and exposure is reported to cause significant increase in plasma tyrosine levels. In this study, we have employed a non-target organism Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the impact of ß-triketone exposures at recommended field doses (RfD). Our results indicate sulcotrione and mesotrione, negatively influence the survival, behavior, and reproduction of the organism at RfD. Additionally, we have traced the parallels regarding the impact of triketones on the tyrosine metabolism pathway, in C. elegans to those in mammalian models, wherein the expression of the tyrosine metabolism pathway genes are altered, directly influencing tyrosine catabolism leading to significant tyrosine accumulation in exposed organism. Further, we investigated the impact of sulcotrione and mesotrione exposure on fat deposition (triglyceride levels, Oil-Red-O staining and lipidomics) and the fatty acid metabolism pathway. In the exposed worms, the expression of enlongases and fatty acid desaturases were up-regulated along with an increase in the levels of triglycerides. Thus, the data indicates a positive association of ß-triketone exposure to mis-regulation of the fatty acid metabolism pathway genes leading to fat accumulation in worms. Therefore, ß-triketone might be a potential obesogen.

Deferoxamine Ameliorates Cypermethrin-Induced Iron Accumulation and Associated Alterations.

Iron is widely linked with the onset and development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Accumulation of iron induces free radical generation and promotes α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, and autophagy impairment. Deferoxamine, an iron chelator, is shown to ameliorate iron dyshomeostasis in rodents and humans. However, the role of deferoxamine in cypermethrin-induced iron accumulation is not yet known. Although an iron accumulation and impaired chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) contribute to PD, a link between the two is not yet widely understood. Current study is undertaken to explore the possible association between an iron accumulation and CMA in cypermethrin model of PD in the presence of deferoxamine. Level of iron, iron transporter proteins, oxidative stress, and CMA proteins along with indicators of Parkinsonism were measured. Deferoxamine attenuated cypermethrin-induced iron accumulation and number of iron-positive cells and ameliorated the demise of dopaminergic cells and dopamine content. Deferoxamine significantly normalizes cypermethrin-induced changes in iron transporter proteins, α-synuclein, lysosome-associated membrane protein-2A, and oxidative stress. The results demonstrate that deferoxamine ameliorates cypermethrin-induced iron dyshomeostasis and impairment in CMA.

Dyshomeostasis of Iron and Its Transporter Proteins in Cypermethrin-Induced Parkinson's Disease.

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is highly complex and is still indefinable. However, a number of studies have indicated the involvement of pesticides and transition metals. Copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc have emerged as important metal contributors. Exposure to pesticides causes an accumulation of transition metals in the substantia nigra (SN) region of the brain. The cypermethrin model of PD is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment, oxidative stress, etc. However, the effect of cypermethrin on metal homeostasis is not yet explored. The study was designed to delineate the role of metals and their transporter proteins in cypermethrin-induced animal and cellular models of PD. The level of copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc was checked in the nigrostriatal tissue and serum by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Since cypermethrin consistently increased iron content in the nigrostriatal tissue and serum after 12 weeks of exposure, the level of iron transporter proteins, such as divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1), ceruloplasmin, transferrin, ferroportin, and hepcidin, and their in silico interaction with cypermethrin were checked. 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine-enhanced Perl's staining showed an elevated number of iron-positive cells in the SN of cypermethrin-treated rats. Molecular docking studies revealed a strong binding affinity between cypermethrin and iron transporter protein receptors of humans and rats. Furthermore, cypermethrin increased the expression of DMT-1 and hepcidin while reducing the expression of transferrin, ceruloplasmin, and ferroportin in the nigrostriatal tissue and human neuroblastoma cells. These observations suggest that cypermethrin alters the expression of iron transporter proteins leading to iron dyshomeostasis, which could contribute to dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of heavy metal contaminants in prepared noodles: source allocation and health risk assessment.

In recent years, special attention has been given to emission research that led to the deposition of toxicants from road traffic. Thus, it is imperative to focus on heavy metal (HM) stressors in food items, their source contribution, and health risk assessment providing insight into their spatial role at the population level. In this study, heavy metal in the street vended noodles was studied while correlating the quality of noodle with different environmental origins. The samples were prepared using acid digestion and analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, except Hg which was analysed by direct mercury analyser. The results showed that some heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Mn, Cd, and Hg exceed their permissible limits established by the international legislation for food products. In the noodle samples, the concentration of heavy metal ranged from < 0.1 to 0.904 mg/kg for Pb, < 0.09 to 0.843 mg/kg for Ni, < 0.004 to 0.201 mg/kg for Cd, < 0.0001 to 0.004 mg/kg for Hg, < 0.01 to 1.388 mg/kg for Cu, < 0.015 to 8.049 mg/kg for Mn, and < 0.02 to 16.514 mg/kg for Cr. Noodle samples vended on high traffic density streets are directly associated with increased HM content due to atmospheric deposition from the surrounding. Source apportionment study determines that HM contamination belongs to the same source of origin, except Cr. Based on the cluster analysis, these samples fall into three major groups that were further validated by the canonical discriminant function. Health risk prediction by Monte Carlo simulation revealed an elevated non-carcinogenic health hazard risk to consumers with a hazard index (HI) shift from 71 to 75%. Health hazard analysis showed that consumers of high traffic density street vended food are at higher risk of developing health-related issues. This study is important to evaluate the health risk of the population exposed to heavy metals due to ingestion of street vended food.

Hsp27 over expression protect against cadmium induced nephrotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Cadmium (Cd) exposure to the animals including humans is reported as nephrotoxic compounds i.e., disturbing redox status (increase oxidative stress), mitochondrial dysfunction, renal cell death and altered transporters in the renal system. Hsp27 (a small heat shock protein) has been shown as one of the modulators in the renal dysfunction and increased against the Cd induced toxicity. However, no studies are reported on the genetic modulation of stress protein against the Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. The current study aimed to examine the protective role of hsp27 overexpression against the Cd-induced nephrotoxicity using Drosophila melanogaster as an animal model. D. melanogaster renal system includes nephrocytes and Malpighian tubules (MTs) that show the functional similarity with mammalian kidney nephron. Overexpression of the hsp27 was found to reduce the Cd induced oxidative stress, rescue cell death in MTs of Cd exposed D. melanogaster larvae. The rescued GSH level, NADPH level and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity were also observed in the MTs of the Cd exposed organism. Function (efflux activity and fluid secretion rate) of the MTs was restored in Cd exposed hsp27 overexpressed larvae. Further, results were confirmed by restored brush border microvilli density and reduced uric acid level. Tissue specific knockdown of hsp27 developed Cd like phenotypes in MTs and the phenotypes enhanced in Cd exposed condition. The present study clearly shows the role of hsp27 overexpression in restoration of the MTs function and protection against the Cd induced renal toxicity.

Single and combined effect of bisphenol A with high sucrose diet on the diabetic and renal tubular dysfunction phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster.

In the present study, effect of exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) and combined exposure of BPA + HSD has been investigated on the glucose homeostasis and associated renal complications in Drosophila. Exposure of 1.0 mM BPA alone induced type 2 diabetes like condition (T2D) in adult male D. melanogaster via oxidative stress. Elevated TGF-ß signaling was evident by increased expression of baboon (babo) in BPA exposed organism that stimulated the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) component collagen IV resulting in the fibrosis of the Malpighian tubules (MTs). Combined exposure of BPA + HSD (high sucrose diet) resulted in the increased magnitude of T2D and MTs dysfunction parameters. Taken together, the study illustrates that BPA has diabetogenic potential in exposed Drosophila that caused adverse effects on their MTs and combined exposure with BPA and HSD could aggravate the renal tubular dysfunction. The study further suggests the use of Drosophila model to study the environmental chemicals induced diabetes mediated renal dysfunction.

Modified DLLME-GC-TQMS determination of pesticide residues in Gomti River, Lucknow, India: ecological risk assessment and multivariate statistical approach.

This research article aims to establish an easy and well-defined analytical method for detection and quantification of multiclass pesticides in Gomti river water samples because the increased agricultural activities, industrialization, and urbanization had increased the presence of pesticides in the ecosystem which causes the depletion of water quality making it a global concern. The analytical method, vortex-assisted ultrasonication-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction-solidification of floating organic droplets (VAUS-DLLME-SFO) was optimized using one parameter at a time approach which gave the recovery between 69.45 and 114.15%, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) 0.0011-0.0111 µg/L and 0.0033-0.0368 µg/L, respectively, and RSD in the range of 0.75-1.29 which shows sensitivity and accuracy better than earlier reported methods. The data obtained were subjected to measurement uncertainty, risk assessment, and multivariate statistical analysis to establish the robustness of the developed analytical method. The measurement uncertainty found was concluded to be in the acceptable range for analytical results. Furthermore, the real samples were analyzed and the associated value of the risk quotient was found to be less than 1, except for aquatic invertebrates, establishing the fact that the current concentration of pesticides has no such negative threat to flora and fauna. The possible source of pesticides in the Gomti river system was established by multivariate analysis. It was thus concluded that anthropogenic activity is responsible for the variable concentration of pesticides found in the sample.

Chemical characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 combusted firecracker particles during Diwali of Lucknow City, India: air-quality deterioration and health implications.

Urban air pollution is a growing menace leading to human discomfort, increased hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. This study deals with deteriorated air quality due to firecracker bursting during Diwali in Lucknow. Inhalable particulates and gaseous pollutants were monitored during Diwali 2020 using air samplers. Elements, ions, and surface morphology of particles were analyzed using ICP-MS, ion chromatograph, and SEM-EDX, respectively. PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were 558, 352, 44, and 86 µg/m3 during Diwali night and 233, 101, 17, and 40 µg/m3 on pre-Diwali night while 241, 122, 24, and 43 µg/m3 on Diwali day. Concentrations surged for PM10: 139% and 132%, PM2.5: 249% and 189%, SO2: 159% and 83%, and NO2: 115% and 100% on Diwali night compared to pre-Diwali night and corresponding Diwali day, respectively. Al, K, Ba, and B showed dominance in PM10 whereas Zn, Al, Ba, and K in PM2.5 on Diwali night. The order of metal abundance in PM2.5 was Cd < Co < Ag < As < Cr < Ni < Cu < Bi < Pb < Mn < Sr < Fe < B < Zn < Al < Ba < K. Cations NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and anions F-, Cl-, NO3-, Br-, NO2-, SO4-2, PO43- showed a 2-8 fold increase on Diwali night relative to pre-Diwali night. Average metal concentrations varied by 2.2, 1.6, and 0.09 times on Diwali than pre-Diwali in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, respectively. PM10 concentration increased by 458% and 1140% while PM2.5, 487%, and 2247% than respective NAAQS and WHO standards. Tiny firecracker particles vary in toxicity as compared to vehicular emissions and have enhanced bioavailability leading to severe threat in terms of LRI, COPD, and atherosclerosis for city dwellers. It is imperative to recognize the present status of ambient air quality and implement regulatory strategies for emission reduction.

Sudden deaths due to accidental leakage of Lindane from a storage tank in a village, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2020: A field epidemiological investigation.

Background: Chemical leakages cause devastating health effects on humans. On 6 February 2020, seven deaths were reported following a hazardous chemical leakage in a village in Uttar Pradesh, India. We investigated the event to identify the cause and propose recommendations. Methods: We defined a case as sudden onset of breathlessness, headache, or death in the village, 6-7 February 2020. We conducted a house-to-house case search and calculated attack rate (AR) and case-fatality rate (CFR) by age and gender. We conducted an environmental investigation at the leakage site and sent the chemicals for forensic analysis. We obtained the cause of death through autopsy reports. Results: Out of 2,942 residents, we identified 23 cases (AR = 8/1,000) and seven deaths (CFR = 30%). The median age of the case was 42 years (range, 2-64 years). The AR was higher among males (14/1,000 [19/1,402]). All the 23 case-patients who were sleeping at the chemical leakage site or visited to witness the event developed symptoms, and all seven cases who were sleeping within 150 meters of the leakage site died. The environmental investigation revealed leakage of hazardous substances from the storage tank. Toxicology analysis confirmed the leaked chemical as Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), and autopsy reports confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia. Conclusions: Asphyxia following the leakage of Lindane from the storage tank possibly led to sudden deaths. We recommend using leak-proof tanks to ensure safe storage and disposal, law enforcement, and regulations to prevent people from staying close to chemical storage sites.

Melatonin or silymarin reduces maneb- and paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease phenotype in the mouse.

Oxidative stress is reported as one of the most widely accepted mechanisms of maneb (MB)- and paraquat (PQ)-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration leading to the Parkinson's disease (PD) phenotype. The study investigated the effects of silymarin, an antioxidant of plant origin, and melatonin, an indoleamine produced in all species, in MB- and PQ-induced mouse model of PD. The mice were treated intraperitoneally daily with silymarin (40mg/kg) or melatonin (30mg/kg) along with respective controls for 9wk. Subsets of these animals were also treated with MB (30mg/kg) and PQ (10mg/kg), twice a week, for 9wk, 2hr after silymarin/melatonin treatment. Locomotor activities along with striatal dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, number of degenerating neurons, lipid peroxidation and nitrite content were estimated. Additionally, mRNA expression of vesicular monoamine transporter, cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and glutathione-S-transferase A4-4 (GSTA4-4), catalytic activities of CYP2E1 and GSTA4-4 and protein expressions of unphosphorylated and phosphorylated p53 (p53 and P-p53), Bax and caspase 9 were measured in control and MB- and PQ-treated mice with either silymarin or melatonin treatments. Silymarin/melatonin significantly offset MB- and PQ-mediated reductions in locomotor activities, dopamine content, TH immunoreactivity, VMAT 2 mRNA expression and the expression of p53 protein. Silymarin/melatonin attenuated the increases in lipid peroxidation, number of degenerating neurons, nitrite content, mRNA expressions of cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and GSTA4-4, catalytic activities of CYP2E1 and GST and P-p53, Bax and caspase 9 protein expressions. The results demonstrate that silymarin and melatonin offer nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuroprotection against MB- and PQ-induced PD by the modulation of oxidative stress and apoptotic machinery.