Data on (+)-usnic acid: A new application to treat toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii pathogen is a threat to human health that results in economic burden. Unfortunately, there are very few high-efficiency and low-toxicity drugs for toxoplasmosis in the clinic. (+)-Usnic acid derived from lichen species has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-parasitology, and even anti-cancer activities. In associated with the published article “Effects of (+)-Usnic Acid and (+)-Usnic Acid–Liposome on Toxoplasma gondii” [1], this dataset article provided the detailed information of experimental designing, methods, features as well as the raw data of (+)-usnic acid and (+)-usnic acid–liposome on toxoplasma in vivo and vitro. (+)-Usnic acid may be a potential agent for treating toxoplasmosis. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Tachyzoite, (+)-Usnic acid, (+)-Usnic acidliposome, Liposom

Environmental Risk Assessment of Metals in the Volcanic Soil of Changbai Mountain

Tianchi volcano is a dormant active volcano with a risk of re-eruption. Volcanic soil and volcanic ash samples were collected around the volcano and the concentrations of 21 metals (major and trace elements) were determined. The spatial distribution of the metals was obtained by inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation. The metals’ sources were identified and their pollution levels were assessed to determine their potential ecological and human health risks. The metal concentrations were higher around Tianchi and at the north to the west of the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) calculations, Zn pollution was high in the study area. Pearson’s correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that with the exception of Fe, Mn and As, the metals that were investigated (Al, K, Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Ba, Ga, Li, Co, Cd, Sn, Sr) were mostly naturally derived. A small proportion of Li, Pb and Zn may have come from vehicle traffic. There is no potential ecological risk and non-carcinogenic risk because of the low concentrations of the metals; however, it is necessary to pay attention to the carcinogenic risk of Cr and As in children