Plastic use for food and drinks and related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among a sample of Egyptians

IntroductionPlastic is extensively used in everyday life, particularly for food and beverage containers. The inappropriate use of these containers may lead to the leaching of various chemicals from plastic, such as bisphenol A, phthalate, and styrene, which cause numerous adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward using plastic for food and drinks among a sample of the Egyptian population.Materials and methodsA questionnaire was designed based on scientific literature to assess sociodemographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the use of plastic for food and drinks. A total of 639 participants were recruited by employing the convenience sampling technique.ResultsMore than half of the participants (347, 54%) had poor knowledge scores. Personal experiences, social media, and web pages represented the most common knowledge sources. A comparison between plastic-related knowledge scores and the studied sociodemographic characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in age, gender, education, marital status, residence, working, and socioeconomic standard. A good attitude was reported by the majority (515, 80.6%) of participants. The majority (493, 77.2%) were occasional and frequent plastic users and the practice scores were significantly associated with age, education, residence, and socioeconomic standard. Higher educational level, gender (women), and rural residence were predictors of good participants knowledge, while lower socioeconomic status and urban residence were predictors of bad participants practice in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ConclusionThe observed unsatisfactory knowledge and practice scores vs. the high attitude indicates a knowledge gap that can help direct future improvements. We call for public awareness programs about safe plastic use and the related health hazards of plastic chemicals. We also stress upon the urgent need for a collaboration between health authorities and the plastic and food industry to guarantee that information about proper plastic use is conveyed to consumers

Medical prospects of cryptosporidiosis in vivo control using biofabricated nanoparticles loaded with Cinnamomum camphora extracts by Ulva fasciata

Background and Aim: Global efforts are continuing to develop preparations against cryptosporidiosis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of biosynthesized Ulva fasciata loading Cinnamomum camphora oil extract on new zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs shorten to ZnNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as alternative treatments for Cryptosporidium parvum experimental infection in rats. Materials and Methods: Oil extract was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, loaded by U. fasciata on ionic-based ZnO and NPs, and then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Biosafety and toxicity were investigated by skin tests. A total of 105 C. parvum oocysts/rat were used (n = 81, 2–3 W, 80–120 g, 9 male rats/group). Oocysts shedding was counted for 21 d. Doses of each preparation in addition to reference drug were administered daily for 7 d, starting on post-infection (PI) day (3). Nitazoxanide (100 mg) was used as the reference drug. After 3 weeks, the rats were sacrificed for postmortem examination and histopathological examination. Two blood samples/rat/group were collected on the 21st day. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood samples were also used for analysis of biochemistry, hematology, immunology, micronucleus prevalence, and chromosomal abnormalities. Results: C. camphora leaves yielded 28.5 ± 0.3 g/kg oil and 20 phycocompounds were identified. Spherical and rod-shaped particles were detected at 10.47–30.98 nm and 18.83–38.39 nm, respectively. ZnNPs showed the earliest anti-cryptosporidiosis effect during 7–17 d PI. Other hematological, biochemical, immunological, histological, and genotoxicity parameters were significantly fruitful; hence, normalized pathological changes induced by infestation were observed in the NPs treatments groups against the infestation-free and Nitazoxanide treated group. Conclusion: C. camphora, U. fasciata, ZnNPs, and AgNPs have refluxed the pathological effects of infection as well as positively improved host physiological condition by its anticryptosporidial immunostimulant regenerative effects with sufficient ecofriendly properties to be proposed as an alternative to traditional drugs, especially in individuals with medical reactions against chemical commercial drugs

Phytochemical studies and anti-ulcerative colitis effect of Moringa oleifera seeds and Egyptian propolis methanol extracts in a rat model

Objective: To analyze the phytochemical constituents, and to explore potential protective effect of the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds and Egyptian propolis, each alone or concurrently administered on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Eight groups of 5 rats each were used: normal control group with distilled water, model group, two groups with M. oleifera seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg), two groups with propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg), one group with concurrent administration of both, and one group with prednisolone (reference drug). Macro-and microscopic picture, ulcer index and lesion scores, oxidative markers, inflammatory mediators, in vitro activity of the inflammatory enzymes and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals scavenging activity were evaluated. The phytochemical constituents of both extracts were explored by GC-MS analysis. Results: Both treatments modulated the macro-and microscopic picture, decreased the ulcerative index, lesion score, oxidative markers and inflammatory mediators, and inhibited the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Propolis appeared to be powerful free radicals scavenger. A powerful synergistic effect of both treatments in modulating the course of the disease was reported. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of M. oleifera seeds and propolis revealed the presence of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. Conclusions: M. oleifera seeds and propolis methanol extracts have modulated the course of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Moreover, both treatments induce a good synergistic effect against the disease. Isolation of the active constituents is recommended

Evaluating the Effect of Lignocellulose-Derived Microbial Inhibitors on the Growth and Lactic Acid Production by Bacillus coagulans Azu-10

Effective lactic acid (LA) production from lignocellulosic biomass materials is challenged by several limitations related to pentose sugar utilization, inhibitory compounds, and/or fermentation conditions. In this study, a newly isolated Bacillus coagulans strain Azu-10 was obtained and showed homofermentative LA production from xylose with optimal fermentation conditions at 50 °C and pH 7.0. Growth of strain Azu-10 and LA-fermentation efficiency were evaluated in the presence of various lignocellulose-derived inhibitors (furans, carboxylic acids, and phenols) at different concentrations. Furanic lignocellulosic-derived inhibitors were completely detoxified. The strain has exhibited high biomass, complete xylose consumption, and high LA production in the presence of 1.0–4.0 g/L furfural and 1.0–5.0 g/L of hydroxymethyl furfural, separately. Moreover, strain Azu-10 exhibited high LA production in the presence of 5.0–15.0 g/L acetic acid, 5.0 g/L of formic acid, and up to 7.0 g/L of levulinic acid, separately. Besides, for phenolic compounds, p-coumaric acid was most toxic at 1.0 g/L, while syringaldehyde or p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and vanillin at 1.0 g/L did not inhibit LA fermentation. The present study provides an interesting potential candidate for the thermophilic LA fermentation from lignocellulose-derived substrates at the industrial biorefinery level

Phytochemical, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves methanol extract against liver injury in animal model

Objective: To evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane(DCM), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats. Methods: These fractions were prepared from the M. oleifera leaves methanol extract by solubilization in water and partitioning in n-hexane, EtOAc, DCM and n-butanol. Their phyto-components were identified by GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant effect of these fractions was carried out by assessment of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity. A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into 8 equal groups: group 1 given olive oil (1 mL/kg b.wt.), group 2 injected with CCl4, group 3 to 7 administered with n-hexane, DCM, EtOAc, n-butanol and aqueous fractions, respectively after CCl4, group 8 administered with silymarin after CCl4. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, total proteins and albumin in serum were determined spectrophotometrically. Glutathione reduced, lipid peroxide by-products levels, glutathione-s-transferase and catalase enzyme activities in the liver homogenate were determined by spectrophotometer. Liver specimens were also examined for histopathological alterations under light microscope. Results: The GC-MS analysis of different fractions of the M. oleifera leaves methanol extract revealed that n-hexane, DCM, EtOAc, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions contained 17, 22, 23, 19 and 32 compounds, respectively. The percent and the molecular structure of each component in each fraction were identified. The n-butanol and EtOAc fractions exhibited the strongest in vitro antioxidant activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. CCl4 significantly decreased glutathione reduced and total proteins concentration and glutathione-s-transferase and catalase activities but increased lipid peroxide by-products and total cholesterol levels. The n-hexane followed by aqueous and DCM fractions were the most potent to regulate serum enzyme activities and lipid peroxide by-products levels in the liver homogenate. Conclusions: n-hexane, DCM, and aqueous fractions have the highest effectiveness against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Isolation and purification of the active constituents require further experiments

Age–sex differences in the global burden of lower respiratory infections and risk factors, 1990–2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: The global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRI) and corresponding risk factors in children older than five years and adults has not been studied as comprehensively as in children under five years old. We assessed the burden and trends of LRI and risk factors across all age groups by sex for 204 countries and territories. Methods: We used clinician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis as our case definition for lower respiratory infections. We included ICD9 codes 073.0-073.6, 079.82, 466-469, 480-489, 513.0, and 770.0 and ICD10 codes A48.1, J09-J22, J85.1, P23-P23.9, and U04. We used the Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to analyse 23,109 site-years of vital registration data, 825 site-years of sample vital registration data, 1766 site-years of verbal autopsy data, and 681 site-years of mortality surveillance data. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to analyse age-sex-specific incidence and prevalence data identified via systematic review, population-based surveys, and claims and inpatient data. Additionally, we estimated age-sex-specific LRI mortality that is attributable to the independent effects of 14 risk factors.Results: Globally, we estimated LRI episodes of 257 million (95% UI 240–275) for males and 232 million (217–248) for females in 2019. In the same year, LRI accounted for 1.3 million (1.2–1.4) deaths among males and 1.2 million (1.1–1.3) deaths among females. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were 1.2 times and 1.3 times greater in males than in females in 2019. Between 1990 and 2019, LRI incidence and mortality rates declined at different rates across age groups while an increase in LRI episodes and deaths was estimated among all adult age groups, with males aged 70 years and older experiencing the highest increase in LRI episodes (126.0% [121.4–131.1]) and deaths (100.0% [83.4–115.9]). During the same period, LRI episodes and deaths in children younger than 15 years were estimated to have decreased, and the greatest decline was observed for mortality among males under the age of five (70.7% [61.8–77.3]). The leading risk factors for LRI mortality varied across age groups and sex. More than half of global LRI deaths among males and females younger than five years were attributable to child wasting, and more than a quarter of LRI deaths among those aged 5–14 years were attributable to household air pollution in 2019. For males aged 15–49, 50–69, and 70 years and older, 20.4 (15.4-25.2), 30.5% (24.1–36.9), and 21.9% (16.8–27.3), respectively, of estimated LRI deaths were attributable to smoking in the same year. For females aged 15–49 and 50–69 years, 21.1% (14.5–27.9) and 7.9% (5.5–10.5) of estimated LRI deaths were attributable to household air pollution in 2019. For females aged 70 years and older, the leading risk factor, ambient particulate matter, was responsible for 11.7% (8.2–15.8) of LRI deaths in the same year.Interpretation: The patterns and progress in reducing the burden of LRI and key risk factors varied across age groups and sexes.. The progress seen in under five children was clearly a result of targeted interventions, such as vaccination and reduction of exposure to risk factors. Similar interventions for other age groups could contribute to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals targets, including promoting well-being at all ages and reducing inequalities. Interventions, including addressing risk factors such as child wasting, smoking, ambient particulate matter pollution, and household air pollution, would mean preventable deaths and millions of lives saved, as well as reduced health disparities