Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Three-Dimensional Strategies In The Quantitative Resolution Of Kinetic Uv Absorbance Measurements For Monitoring The Oxidation Of Quercetin By Oxidant Agents And Analyzing Dietary Supplement Product, Erdal Di̇nç, Asiye Üçer, Nazangül Ünal

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Three-dimensional strategies involving the application of parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to the kinetic UV absorbance measurements were elaborated to monitor the oxidation of quercetin with oxidant agents (K₂Cr₂O₇ and KIO₃) and to quantify analyte in a dietary supplement product. Loadings (spectral, kinetic and concentration profiles) were obtained by the PARAFAC deconvolution. Spectral identification, kinetics and quantification of the relevant analyte in the presence of interferent(s) were performed. The elaborated chemometric strategies were carefully validated to demonstrate the capability of the method. Assay results of the PARAFAC strategies were statistically compared to that of …

Resveratrol Stimulates Star Expression And Progesterone Production By Gper-Mediated Downregulation Of Snail Expression In Human Granulosa Cells, Tinglin Song, Jiaye Chen, Sizhu Yang, Boqun Liu, Lingling Zhang, Qian Zhang, Jung-Chien Cheng, Lanlan Fang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) plays a critical role in the regulation of progesterone (P4) production. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural polyphenol, has beneficial effects on reproductive function. However, its effects on StAR expression and P4 production in human granulosa cells remain undetermined. In this study, we showed the treatment of RSV upregulated StAR expression in human granulosa cells. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and ERK1/2 signaling were involved in RSV-stimulated StAR expression and P4 production. In addition, the expression of a transcriptional repressor, Snail, was downregulated by RSV, which contributed to the RSV-induced induction of StAR expression and P4 production.

Selective Detection Of Tricyclazole By Optical Technique Using Thiomalic Acid–Modified Au And Ag Nanoparticle Mixtures, Yu-Shu Pan, Tsunghsueh Wu, Cho-Chun Hu, Tai-Chia Chiu, Chen-Hao Yeh, Yang-Wei Lin

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

This study proposes the use of thiomalic acid–modified Au and Ag nanoparticle mixtures (TMA-Au/AgNP mixes) for the selective detection of tricyclazole. Upon the addition of tricyclazole, the color of TMA-Au/AgNP mixes solution changes from orange-red to lavender (red-shift). According to the density-functional theory calculations, tricyclazole-induced aggregation of TMA-Au/AgNP mixes through electron donor–acceptor interactions was proved. The sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed method are affected by the amount of TMA, volume ratio of TMA-AuNPs to TMA-AgNPs, pH value, and buffer concentration. The ratio of absorbance (A₆₅₄/A₅₂₀) of TMA-Au/AgNP mixes solution is proportional to the concentration of …

Development Of A Lateral Flow Immunoassays-Based Method For The Screening Of Ractopamine In Foods And Evaluation Of The Optimal Strategy In Combination Of Screening And Confirmatory Tests, Yuan-Chih Chen, Jen-Yi Hsu, Chien-Sheng Chen, Yi-Ting Chen, Pao-Chi Liao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Ractopamine has been authorized as a feed additive and permitted in animal husbandry. With the establishment of the regulation to limit the concentration of ractopamine, a rapid screening method for ractopamine is urgently needed. Additionally, how to combine the screening and confirmatory tests of ractopamine is also critical to maximizing the efficiency of testing. Here, we developed a lateral flow immunoassays-based method for the screening of ractopamine in foods and proposed a cost-benefit analysis approach to optimize cost allocation between screening and confirmatory tests. After verifying the analytical and clinical performance of the screening method, a mathematical model was established …

Sleep-Promoting Activity Of Amylase-Treated Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera L. Dunal) Root Extract Via Gaba Receptors, Chun Woong Park, Ki-Bae Hong, Hyung Joo Suh, Yejin Ahn

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal), an Indian medicinal plant that has been used for centuries to treat insomnia, exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as improving cognitive function, immunity and anxiety. In this study, the effect of enzyme-treated Ashwagandha root extract (EA) and on sleep was evaluated using rodent models. Starch contained in the Ashwagandha root extract was removed by amylase treatment to prepare EA. To evaluate the sleep-promoting activity of EA, a pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram analysis were performed. In addition, the sleep-promoting mechanism of EA was elucidated by analyzing the expression of sleep-related receptors. In …

The Inhibitory Effect Of Quercetin-3-Glucuronide On Pulmonary Injury In Vitro And In Vivo, Pei-Rong Yua, Jen-Ying Hsu, Chiao-Yun Tseng, Jing-Hsien Chen, Hui-Hsuan Lin

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Pulmonary injury is defined as a progressive inflammation. Extensive pro-inflammatory cytokines are secreted from alveolus, associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. The model of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lung cells has been applied to mimic the pulmonary injury. Some antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can be used as chemopreventive agents of pulmonary injury. Quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) has been showed to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-hypertension effects. The aim of the study is to examine the inhibitory potential of Q3G on pulmonary injury and inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, human lung fibroblasts MRC-5 cells pre-treated …

Electrochemically Synthesized Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots For Quantitation Of Hypochlorite And Carbendazim, Kuan-Min Lo, Yu-Shen Lin, Je-Wen Liou, Tai-Chia Chiu, Cho-Chun Hu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Green emission carbon dots (CDs) electrochemically prepared from 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and o-phenylenediamine were applied separately for the quantitation of hypochlorite and carbendazim. The characteristic and optical properties of the CDs were studied through fluorescence, UV–vis absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized CDs were mainly 0.8–2.2 nm in size, with an average size of 1.5 nm. The CDs exhibited green luminescence centered at 520 nm when excited by 420 nm light. The green emission of the CDs is quenched after the addition of hypochlorite, mainly through the redox reaction between hypochlorite and hydroxyl groups on the CDs …

Preparation Procedures Of Food And Beverage Samples For Oxygen Bomb Calorimetry: A Scoping Review And Reporting Checklist, Zane Hopper, Ben Desbrow, Shelley Roberts, Chris Irwin

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Standardised bomb calorimetry methods are essential to accurately quantify the gross energy within food and beverages, yet no accepted protocols exist. The objective of this review was to synthesise literature on food and beverage sample preparation methods used for conducting bomb calorimetry. This synthesis enhances our understanding of the extent to which methodological variances may currently affect estimates of the caloric values of dietary items. Five electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed literature on food and beverage energy measurement via bomb calorimetry. Data were extracted on seven identified methodological themes, including: (1) initial homogenisation, (2) sample dehydration, (3) post-dehydration …

What Nature Has To Offer: Opportunities For Immuno-Oncology, Rubina Kousar, Cheng-Han Lin, Bbumba Patrick, Miao He, Dong-Chuan Wu, Xing-Guo Li

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Recent rapid development of cancer therapy has come about with the paradigm shift from the traditional goal of targeting cancer cells themselves, to reprograming the immune tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence shows that compounds that target epigenetic regulation, called epidrugs, play a crucial role in mediating the immunogenicity of cancer cells and in reshaping antitumor immunity. A large body of literature has recognized natural compounds as epigenetic modulators for their immunomodulatory effects and anticancer potential. Unifying our understanding of the role of these biologically active compounds in immuno-oncology may open new avenues for more effective cancer therapies. In this review, we …

The Therapeutic Potential Of Curcumin And Its Related Substances In Turmeric: From Raw Material Selection To Application Strategies, Kai-Yu Hsu, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a medicinal plant used extensively in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine as a home remedy for various diseases. It has been used for medical purposes for centuries. Today, turmeric has become one of the most popular medicinal herbs, spices, and functional supplements worldwide. Curcuminoids are linear diarylheptanoids from the rhizomes that include curcumin and two related compounds: demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, which are the active components of the C. longa plant, play a crucial role in numerous functions. This review summarises the composition of turmeric and the properties of curcumin regarding its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, …

Hydromethanolic Extract Of Ipomoea Cairica Leaf Extract Ameliorate The Oxidative Activity Of Cadmium Chloride In The Hearts And Testes Of Male Wistar Rats, Omotayo Babatunde Ilesanmi, Toyin Binang, Ridwan Abiodun Lawal

Al-Bahir

Background: Ipomoea cairica (L.) sweet Convolvulaceae also known as morning glory or ‘Railway creeper’ is a traditional herb that has been used in treating various diseases throughout the world. Some of the reported pharmacological activities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral. Cadmium is a toxic metal that can cause both hearts and testicular damage and its major mechanism is oxidative stress. Objective: Therefore, this study was done to investigate the effect of I. cairica leaf extract (ICE) against cadmium chloride-induced hearts and testicular damage in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 …

Reintroducing Hemp (Rongony) In The Material Palette Of Madagascar: A Study On The Potential Of Hemp Clay Components And Its Impact On Social And Ecological Communities., Henintsoa Thierry Andrianambinina

Masters Theses

When mentioning the word hemp, especially in the local language of Madagascar, the literal translation does not set it apart from marijuana, as they are both called “rongony” - creating the stigma around hemp as the negative stereotype of marijuana. However, the material has been used by the ancestors of Madagascar, as well as across cultures, in its fibrous form to produce fabrication like textile goods and packaging. During colonization, the prohibition of hemp intensified, and since then, any activity related to either of these plants is prohibited and will end in severe punitive measures. This thesis explores the strengths …

Data To Action: Community-Based Participatory Research To Address Concerns About Metal Air Pollution In Overburdened Neighborhoods Near Metal Recycling Facilities In Houston, Elaine Symanski, Heyreoun An Han, Sheryl Mccurdy, Loren Hopkins, Juan Flores, Inkyu Han, Mary Ann Smith, James Caldwell, Cecelia Fontenot, Bobbie Wyatt, Christine Markham

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Exposures to environmental contaminants can be influenced by social determinants of health. As a result, persons living in socially disadvantaged communities may experience disproportionate health risks from environmental exposures. Mixed methods research can be used to understand community-level and individual-level exposures to chemical and nonchemical stressors contributing to environmental health disparities. Furthermore, community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches can lead to more effective interventions.

OBJECTIVES: We applied mixed methods to identify environmental health perceptions and needs among metal recyclers and residents living in disadvantaged neighborhoods near metal recycling facilities in Houston, Texas, in a CBPR study, Metal Air Pollution Partnership …

Maternal Polychlorinated Biphenyl 126 (Pcb 126) Exposure Modulates Offspring Gut Microbiota Irrespective Of Diet And Exercise, Manisha Agarwal, Jessie Hoffman, Sara Y. Ngo Tenlep, Sara Santarossa, Kevin J. Pearson, Alexandra R. Sitarik, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, Michael C. Petriello

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The gut microbiota plays an important role throughout the lifespan in maintaining host health, and several factors can modulate microbiota composition including diet, exercise, and environmental exposures. Maternal microbiota is transferred to offspring during early life; thus, environmental exposures before gestation may also modulate offspring microbiota. Here we aimed to investigate the effects of maternal exposure to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the microbiota of aged offspring and to determine if lifestyle factors, including maternal exercise or offspring high-fat feeding alter these associations. To test this, dams were exposed to PCB 126 (0.5 μmole/kg body weight) or vehicle oil by …

The Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist 16-Bromo Salvinorin A Has Anti-Cocaine Effects Without Significant Effects On Locomotion, Food Reward, Learning And Memory, Or Anxiety And Depressive-Like Behaviors, Ross Van De Wetering, Amy Ewald, Susan Welsh, Lindsay Kornberger, Samuel E. Williamson, Bryan D. Mcelroy, Eduardo R. Butelman, Thomas E. Prisinzano, Bronwyn M. Kivell

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists have preclinical antipsychostimulant effects; however, adverse side effects have limited their therapeutic development. In this preclinical study, conducted in Sprague Dawley rats, B6-SJL mice, and non-human primates (NHPs), we evaluated the G-protein-biased analogue of salvinorin A (SalA), 16-bromo salvinorin A (16-BrSalA), for its anticocaine effects, side effects, and activation of cellular signaling pathways. 16-BrSalA dose-dependently decreased the cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in a KOR-dependent manner. It also decreased cocaine-induced hyperactivity, but had no effect on responding for cocaine on a progressive ratio schedule. Compared to SalA, 16-BrSalA had an improved side effect profile, with …

Comparison Of Hydrolysis Efficiency And Performance Of Four Recombinant Β- Glucuronidase Enzymes For The Detection Of Opioids In Urine Samples By Lc-Ms/Ms, Christina Fernandez

Student Theses

The United States has been experiencing a nationwide public health crisis since introducing prescription opioids in the 1990s. A central problem with opioids is their highly addictive nature causing a dose-dependent respiratory depression leading to overdoses and deaths. Drug overdose deaths have risen in the past two decades, with opioids being the dominant driver of this epidemic. Given the circumstances, accurate and efficient confirmatory analysis of opioids in urine is essential to monitoring patients’ compliance and preventing drug diversion in clinical and forensic settings. The development of recombinant β-glucuronidases allows for the hydrolysis of glucuronidated opioids using a shorter incubation …

Climate Change Imperils Pediatric Health: Child Advocacy Through Fossil Fuel Divestment., Sandra H. Jee, Elizabeth Friedman, Ruth A. Etzel, Vi T. Nguyen, Todd L. Sack, Kathi J. Kemper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Climate change poses an existential threat to children's health. Divestment of ownership stakes in fossil fuel companies is one tool available to pediatricians to address climate change. Pediatricians are trusted messengers regarding children's health and therefore bear a unique responsibility to advocate for climate and health policies that affect children. Among the impacts of climate change on pediatric patients are allergic rhinitis and asthma; heat-related illnesses; premature birth; injuries from severe storms and fires; vector-borne diseases; and mental illnesses. Children are disproportionately affected as well by climate-related displacement of populations, drought, water shortages, and famine. The human-generated burning of fossil …

Toxicological Evaluation Of A Polyherbal Formulation On Testicular Function And Gonadal Histomorphology In Exposed Wistar Rats, Godswill James Udom, Uduak Peter Ise, Omoirri Moses Aziakpono, Ayodeji Aturamu, Mba Ogbonnaya, Israel Kevin Umana, Jude Efiom Okokon

BioMedicine

Introduction: Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® is a herbal formulation (HF) widely marketed in southern Nigeria and purported to be very efficacious for the management of various diseases including giardiasis, toilet infections, hypertension, diabetes, ulcer, impotence, low libido, low sperm count amongst others. Medicinal plants reportedly produce an array of adverse reactions capable of inducing harmful conditions, including death. Aim: This study evaluated the subchronic toxicity concern of HF on testicular function and gonadal histoarchitecture in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into six groups (5/group) and were orally administered HF for 60 days. The …

Migratory Material: Epigenetics & Weaving At The Us-Mexico Border, Valerie Navarrete

Masters Theses

Discourse often sutures the body shut, disallowing representations of identity to outgrow sociopolitical interests. This issue may originate from borders, but also from the unnamable pathology that generational colonial trauma transmits to the mind, body, and environment. Without a direct form of translatability, this thesis proposes a new materialism that deviates from any object-oriented ontology. Untethered and intra-active, epigenetics and weaving represent objects that transform typical ways of knowing and seeing. Their sensitivity to the environment, in addition to their mobility across generations of time, broaden the spatiotemporal loci of the body and its embodiment. Proposing new materials that expand …

Validation Of Monitoring Septic Thymus Involution In Mice Using Ultrasound., Jianyao Xue, Xiang-An Li

Journal of Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences

Sepsis is a dangerous condition commonly seen in the intensive care unit (ICU) of hospitals. It causes the thymus, a crucial immune organ, to shrink. This process is known as thymus involution. Although thymus involution is a natural process that occurs as we age, it is accelerated during sepsis. This process is associated with poor outcomes in septic patients, yet it had never been studied using ultrasonography in a septic mouse model. Researchers from the University of Kentucky have validated a non-invasive ultrasound imaging approach to monitor septic thymus involution in a cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis mouse model. …