Spatial distribution, ecological risk and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soil from Ankang basin, Shaanxi Province.

In order to assess the heavy metal pollution features, ecological dangers, and health risk status posed to human beings by soils in the Ankang Basin, a study was conducted. This involved the collection of 38 surface soil samples, followed by the determination of elemental levels of arsenic, mercury, copper, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and zinc. The concentrations of arsenic, mercury, copper, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, and zinc were quantified through the collection of 38 surface soil samples. The data obtained from the study was subjected to analysis and evaluation utilizing various academic methodologies, including the geo-accumulation index method, potential ecological risk assessment method, human health risk assessment model, and Monte Carlo simulation method. The findings indicated that the concentrations of the eight heavy metals in the soil above the background levels, with only Cadmium (Cd) marginally surpassing the threshold set for controlling soil pollution risks. The ground accumulation index revealed a higher degree of soil pollution with mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc components. According to the possible ecological risk index, the presence of mercury and cadmium elements poses significant ecological hazards. The geographical distribution analysis suggests that these risks mostly stem from the combined impacts of human activities and the topographical and geomorphological characteristics of the river valley. The findings of the human health risk assessment indicated that the non-carcinogenic risk fell within acceptable limits. Additionally, it was observed that the carcinogenic risk associated with arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and nickel was comparatively greater for children as compared to adults. The results of the Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the non-carcinogenic hazards have a negligible effect on human health. However, it was seen that arsenic and nickel have a greater likelihood of presenting a substantial carcinogenic risk to humans, particularly in relation to the pediatric population, hence exerting a more pronounced impact on their health. In general, it is observed that conventional deterministic risk assessments tend to overstate the potential health risks associated with a given situation. Conversely, the utilization of Monte Carlo simulations has been found to effectively mitigate uncertainties in health risk assessments. It has been observed that children exhibit a higher vulnerability to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts resulting from exposure to heavy metals present in soil, in comparison to adults. It is recommended that residents prioritize the surveillance of soil heavy metals in relation to potential impacts on human health.

Effects of Compound Elicitors on the Biosynthesis of Triterpenoids and Activity of Defense Enzymes from Inonotus hispidus (Basidiomycetes).

Inonotus hispidus has various health-promoting activities, such as anticancer effects and immune-stimulating activity. The commercialization of valuable plant triterpenoids faces major challenges, including low abundance in natural hosts and costly downstream purification procedures. In this work, orthogonal design was used to compound methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), oleic acid, and Cu2+, and the effects of combinations on the total triterpenes biosynthesized were studied. The optimal combination was screened out and its effect on the activity of PAL, CAT, and SOD was studied. The optimal concentration of oleic acid was 2% when MeJA was 100 mol/L, and the total triterpenoid content and mycelia production were 3.918 g and 85.17 mg/g, respectively. MeJA treatment induced oxidative stress, and at the same time increased the activity of related defense enzymes. Oleic acid is thought to regulate cell permeability by recombining cell membranes. It promotes the material exchange process between cells and the environment without affecting cell growth. When oleic acid was used in combination with MeJA, a synergistic effect on triterpene production was observed. In conclusion, our findings provide a strategy for triterpenoid enrichment of I. hispidus.

Dietary Supplementation With Chinese Herbal Residues or Their Fermented Products Modifies the Colonic Microbiota, Bacterial Metabolites, and Expression of Genes Related to Colon Barrier Function in Weaned Piglets.

To explore the feasibility of dietary Chinese herbal residue (CHR) supplementation in swine production with the objective of valorization, we examined the effects of dietary supplementation with CHR or fermented CHR products on the colonic ecosystem (i.e., microbiota composition, luminal bacterial metabolites, and expression of genes related to the intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets). We randomly assigned 120 piglets to one of four dietary treatment groups: a blank control group, CHR group (dose of supplement 4 kg/t), fermented CHR group (dose of supplement 4 kg/t), and a positive control group (supplemented with 0.04 kg/t virginiamycin, 0.2 kg/t colistin, and 3000 mg/kg zinc 0.04 kg/t virginiamycin, 0.2 kg/t colistin, and 3000 mg/kg zinc oxide). Our results indicate that dietary supplementation with CHR increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA level corresponding to E-cadherin compared with that observed in the other three groups, increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA level corresponding to zonula occludens-1, and decreased (P < 0.05) the quantity of Bifidobacterium spp. When compared with the blank control group. Dietary supplementation with fermented CHR decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of indole when compared to the positive control group; increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids compared with the values measured in the CHR group, as well as the mRNA levels corresponding to interleukin 1 alpha, interleukin 2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. However, supplementation with fermented CHR decreased (P < 0.05) interleukin 12 levels when compared with the blank control group. Collectively, these findings suggest that dietary supplementation with CHR or fermented CHR modifies the gut environment of weaned piglets.