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Zhang TT, Xu X, Lv M. Measurement and prediction of the Aspergillus niger spore detachment from a vesicle unit subjected to air-blowing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168714. [PMID: 38007138 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Detachment of fungal spores from growing colonies results in human exposure. Thus far, the distribution of the binding forces of the spores in a fungal unit is unknown, so that precise prediction of the spores detachment is quite challenging. This investigation used centrifugal separation to measure the binding forces of the spores. Aspergillus niger (A. niger) colonies on a culture plate were placed in a centrifuge, the detached spores were counted, and this number was used to obtain the distribution of binding forces. Next, the air-blowing of an A. niger unit was modeled by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A spore was judged to be detached if the air-imposed drag force was greater than the binding force. For model validation, the predicted spore detachment ratios were compared with the ratios measured in a wind tunnel test. The results revealed that the binding forces of the spores obeyed the log-normal distribution. The binding forces of the distal spores from colonies with a growth age of 66 h ranged from 0 nN to 4.0 nN and had a mean of 0.65 nN. The CFD modeling predicted the detachment ratios of the distal spores with good accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Tim Zhang
- Tianjin Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Xinzi Xu
- Tianjin Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengqiang Lv
- Tianjin Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
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2
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Loukou E, Jensen NF, Rohde L, Andersen B. Damp Buildings: Associated Fungi and How to Find Them. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:108. [PMID: 38392780 PMCID: PMC10890273 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of buildings experiencing humidity problems and fungal growth appears to be increasing as energy-saving measures and changes in construction practices and climate become more common. Determining the cause of the problem and documenting the type and extent of fungal growth are complex processes involving both building physics and indoor mycology. New detection and identification methods have been introduced, and new fungal species have been added to the list of building-related fungi. However, the lack of standardised procedures and general knowledge hampers the effort to resolve the problems and advocate for an effective renovation plan. This review provides a framework for building inspections on current sampling methods and detection techniques for building-related fungi. The review also contains tables with fungal species that have been identified on commonly used building materials in Europe and North America (e.g., gypsum wallboard, oriented strand board (OSB), concrete and mineral wool). The most reported building-associated fungi across all materials are Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus versicolor. Chaetomium globosum is common on all organic materials, whereas Aspergillus niger is common on all inorganic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Loukou
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nickolaj Feldt Jensen
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Rohde
- Division of Energy and Sustainability in Buildings, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Andersen
- Division of Building Technology, Management and Indoor Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Ruiz-Jimenez J, Raskala S, Tanskanen V, Aattela E, Salkinoja-Salonen M, Hartonen K, Riekkola ML. Evaluation of VOCs from fungal strains, building insulation materials and indoor air by solid phase microextraction arrow, thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and machine learning approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 224:115494. [PMID: 36804318 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Solid phase microextraction Arrow and thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed the collection and evaluation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by fungal cultures from building insulation materials and in indoor air. Principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis and supported vector machine were used for visualization and statistical assessment of differences between samples. In addition, a screening tool based on the soft independent modelling of class analogies (SIMCA) was developed for identification of fungal contamination of indoor air. Ten different fungal strains, incubated under ambient and microaerophilic conditions, were analyzed for time period ranging from 5 to 29 days after inoculation resulting in a total of 140 samples. In addition, the effect of additives on the fungal growing media was studied. The total number of compounds and concentration values were used for the evaluation of the results. Clear differences were observed for VOC profiles emitted by different fungal strains by exploiting long chain alcohols (3-octanol, 1-hexanol and 2-octen-1-ol) and sesquiterpenes (farnesene, cuprene). The analysis of glass-wool and cellulose based building insulation materials (3 samples) gave clear differences, mainly for oxygenated compounds (ethyl acetate and hexanal) and benzenoids (benzaldehyde). Moreover, the comparison of indoor air and insulation materials collected from a house with fungal indoor air problems indicated that 42% of the VOCs were found in both samples. The analysis of 52 indoor air samples demonstrated clear differences in their VOC profiles, especially for hydrocarbons, and between control (44 samples) and indoor air problem houses (8 samples). Finally, the SIMCA model enabled to recognize differences between control and fungi contaminated houses with a prediction capacity over 84%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Ruiz-Jimenez
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland; Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sanni Raskala
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Ville Tanskanen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland
| | | | - Mirja Salkinoja-Salonen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland; Aalto University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Kari Hartonen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland; Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marja-Liisa Riekkola
- University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, Finland; Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Miller JD. Fungal bioaerosols as an occupational hazard. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 23:92-97. [PMID: 36752376 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Over the past 40 years, the circumstances where fungal bioaerosols are major issues have shifted because of changes in the industrial sector from mainly agriculture to operations, including composting, cannabis production and forestry in hot humid conditions. Changes in the design and operation of nonindustrial workplaces meant that mould and dampness became major issues that are just being reduced. This review attempts to frame that history offers a perspective on the current thinking on mechanisms and provide potentially useful sources of information for physicians and their patients. RECENT FINDINGS The major impact of fungal exposures is not only from their allergens but also from an array of Danger-Associated Molecular Pattern molecules, possibly the most important of which is the type of glucan found in moulds that grow in damp buildings, wood chips and crops, that is beta 1, 3 D glucan in triple helical form. Located in lung epithelia, the dectin receptor is exquisitely sensitive to this compound. Except in some agricultural workplaces, low molecular weight secondary metabolites often mischaracterized as mycotoxins play little, if any, role on population health. SUMMARY There has been a convergence in thinking between the allergy and industrial hygiene communities as well as government agencies on mould and occupational health. This has led to some useful strategies for better managing these issues as well as increasing consumer awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- J David Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Combined Toxicity of the Most Common Indoor Aspergilli. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030459. [PMID: 36986381 PMCID: PMC10058518 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common Aspergilli isolated from indoor air samples from occupied buildings and a grain mill were extracted and analyzed for their combined (Flavi + Nigri, Versicolores + Nigri) cytotoxic, genotoxic and pro-inflammatory properties on human adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and monocytic leukemia cells induced in macrophages (THP-1 macrophages). Metabolite mixtures from the Aspergilli series Nigri increase the cytotoxic and genotoxic potency of Flavi extracts in A549 cells suggesting additive and/or synergistic effects, while antagonizing the cytotoxic potency of Versicolores extracts in THP-1 macrophages and genotoxicity in A549 cells. All tested combinations significantly decreased IL-5 and IL-17, while IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 relative concentrations were increased. Exploring the toxicity of extracted Aspergilli deepens the understanding of intersections and interspecies differences in events of chronic exposure to their inhalable mycoparticles.
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Park JH, Lemons AR, Croston TL, Park Y, Roseman J, Green BJ, Cox-Ganser JM. Mycobiota and the Contribution of Yeasts in Floor Dust of 50 Elementary Schools Characterized with Sequencing Internal Transcribed Spacer Region of Ribosomal DNA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11493-11503. [PMID: 35901271 PMCID: PMC10183301 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The assemblage of fungi including unicellular yeasts in schools is understudied. We conducted an environmental study to characterize fungal communities in classroom floor dust. We collected 500 samples from 50 elementary schools in Philadelphia, PA, and evaluated room dampness/mold conditions. Genomic DNA from dust was extracted for internal transcribed spacer 1 Illumina MiSeq sequencing to identify operational taxonomic units (OTUs) organized from DNA sequences. Differential abundance analyses were performed to examine significant differences in abundance among groups. We identified 724 genera from 1490 OTUs. The genus Epicoccum was not diverse but the most abundant (relative abundance = 18.9%). Fungi were less diverse but most dissimilar in composition in the most water-damaged classrooms compared to the least water-damaged, indicating differential effects of individual classroom water-damage on fungal compositions. We identified 62 yeast genera, representing 19.6% of DNA sequences. Cyberlindnera was the most abundant (6.1%), followed by Cryptococcus, Aureobasidium, Rhodotorula, and Candida. The average relative abundance of yeasts tended to increase with increasing dampness and mold score and was significantly (p-value = 0.048) higher in the most water-damaged classrooms (22.4%) than the least water-damaged classrooms (18.2%). Our study suggests the need for further research on the potential health effects associated with exposures to yeasts in schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Angela R Lemons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Tara L Croston
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Yeonmi Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Jerry Roseman
- Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health & Welfare Fund & Union, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, United States
| | - Brett J Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
| | - Jean M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, United States
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Abstract
The composition of airborne microflora in sawmills may vary to a great degree depending on the kind of timber being processed and the technology of production being used. Cases of allergy alveolitis and asthma have been reported in woodworkers who were exposed to wood dust largely infected with microorganisms. The aim of this review article is to identify studies where the microbial occupational exposure assessment was performed in sawmills and the characteristics of the contamination found, as well as to identify which sampling methods and assays were applied. This study reports the search of available data published regarding microbial occupational exposure assessment in environmental samples from sawmills, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) methodology. The most used sampling method was air sampling, impaction being the most common method. Regarding analytical procedures for microbial characterization, morphological identification of fungi and bacteria was the most frequent approach. Screening for fungal susceptibility to azoles was performed in two studies and four studies applied molecular tools. Regarding microbial contamination, high fungal levels were frequent, as well as high bacteria levels. Fungal identification evidenced Penicillium as the most frequent genera followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins were not assessed in any of the analyzed studies. Microbial occupational exposure assessment in sawmills is crucial to allow this risk characterization and management.
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The Toxicity of Wiped Dust and Airborne Microbes in Individual Classrooms Increase the Risk of Teachers' Work-Related Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111360. [PMID: 34832514 PMCID: PMC8624243 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of building-related symptoms (BRS) remain open. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between teachers’ individual work-related symptoms and intrinsic in vitro toxicity in classrooms. This is a further analysis of a previously published dataset. Methods: Teachers from 15 Finnish schools in Helsinki responded to the symptom survey. The boar sperm motility inhibition assay, a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction, was used to measure the toxicity of wiped dust and cultured microbial fallout samples collected from the teachers’ classrooms. Results: 231 teachers whose classroom toxicity data had been collected responded to the questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, smoking, and atopy showed that classroom dust intrinsic toxicity was statistically significantly associated with the following 12 symptoms reported by teachers (adjusted ORs in parentheses): nose stuffiness (4.1), runny nose (6.9), hoarseness (6.4), globus sensation (9.0), throat mucus (7.6), throat itching (4.4), shortness of breath (12.2), dry cough (4.7), wet eyes (12.7), hypersensitivity to sound (7.9), difficulty falling asleep (7.6), and increased need for sleep (7.7). Toxicity of cultured microbes was found to be associated with nine symptoms (adjusted ORs in parentheses): headache (2.3), nose stuffiness (2.2), nose dryness (2.2), mouth dryness (2.8), hoarseness (2.2), sore throat (2.8), throat mucus (2.3), eye discharge (10.2), and increased need for sleep (3.5). Conclusions: The toxicity of classroom dust and airborne microbes in boar sperm motility inhibition assay significantly increased teachers’ risk of work-related respiratory and ocular symptoms. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms of BRS are discussed.
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9
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Sánchez Espinosa KC, Rojas Flores TI, Davydenko SR, Venero Fernández SJ, Almaguer M. Fungal populations in the bedroom dust of children in Havana, Cuba, and its relationship with environmental conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:53010-53020. [PMID: 34021890 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The study of the fungal community composition in house dust is useful to assess the accumulative exposure to fungi in indoor environments. The objective of this research was to characterize the fungal diversity of house dust and its association with the environmental conditions of bedrooms. For this, the dust was collected from 41 bedrooms of children between the ages of 8 and 9 with a family history of asthma, residents of Havana, Cuba. The fungal content of each sample was determined by two methods: plate culture with malt extract agar and by direct microscopy. An ecological analysis was carried out from the fungal diversity detected. To describe the factors associated with the fungi detected, bivariate logistic regression was used. Through direct microscopy, between 10 and 2311 fragments of hyphae and spores corresponding mainly to Cladosporium, Coprinus, Curvularia, Aspergillus/Penicillium, Xylariaceae, and Periconia were identified. Through the culture, 0-208 CFU were quantified, where Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium predominated. The culturability evidenced the differences between the quantification determined by both methods. A positive relationship was found between the type of cleaning of the furniture, the presence of trees in front of the bedroom, indoor relative humidity, indoor temperature, the presence of air conditioning, and natural ventilation with specific spore types and genera. The use of two different identification methods allowed to detect a greater fungal diversity in the residences evaluated. Monitoring the exposure to these fungal allergens in childhood can help to prevent sensitization in the allergic child, the development of asthma, and other respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenia C Sánchez Espinosa
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Teresa I Rojas Flores
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Sonia Rodríguez Davydenko
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba
| | - Silvia J Venero Fernández
- National Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Infanta n. 1158 e/Llinás & Clavel, Cerro, 10300, Havana, Cuba
| | - Michel Almaguer
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 n. 455 e/I & J, Vedado, 10400, Havana, Cuba.
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Vishnu Sreejith M, Aradhana KS, Varsha M, Cyrus MK, Aravindakumar CT, Aravind UK. ATR-FTIR and LC-Q-ToF-MS analysis of indoor dust from different micro-environments located in a tropical metropolitan area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:147066. [PMID: 34088116 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Indoor dust is an important matrix that exposes humans to a broad spectrum of chemicals. The information on the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), their metabolites, and re-emerging contaminants in indoor dust is rather limited. As the indoor environment is exposed to various chemicals from personal care products, furniture, building materials, machineries and cooking/cleaning products, there is a high chance of the presence of hazardous contaminants in indoor dust. In the present study, dust samples were collected from four different micro indoor environments (photocopying centres, residential houses, classrooms, and ATM cabins) located in an urban environment located in India's southwestern part. The collected samples were subjected to ATR - FTIR and LC-Q-ToF-MS analyses. The ATR - FTIR analysis indicated the presence of aldehydes, anhydrides, carboxylic acids, esters, sulphonic acids, and asbestos - a re-emerging contaminant. A total of 19 compounds were identified from the LC-Q-ToF-MS analysis. These compounds belonged to various classes such as plasticisers, plasticiser metabolites, photoinitiators, personal care products, pharmaceutical intermediates, surfactants, and pesticides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the presence of CECs in indoor environments in Kerala and also the suspected occurrence of pesticides (metaldehyde and ethofumesate) in classroom dust in India. Another important highlight of this work is the demonstration of ATR-FTIR as a complementary technique for LC-Q-ToF-MS in the analysis of indoor pollution while dealing with totally unknown pollutants. These results further highlight the occurrence of probable chemically modified metabolites in the tropical climatic conditions in a microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vishnu Sreejith
- Schoool of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - K S Aradhana
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
| | - M Varsha
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
| | - M K Cyrus
- Inter University Instrumentation Centre (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - C T Aravindakumar
- Schoool of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India; Inter University Instrumentation Centre (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India.
| | - Usha K Aravind
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India..
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Dabelić S, Kifer D, Jakšić D, Kopjar N, Klarić MŠ. Sterigmatocystin, 5-Methoxysterigmatocistin, and Their Combinations Are Cytotoxic and Genotoxic to A549 and Hepg2 Cells and Provoke Phosphorylation of Chk2, but Not Fancd2 Checkpoint Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:464. [PMID: 34209435 PMCID: PMC8309960 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterigmatocystin (STC) and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin (5-M-STC) are structurally related mycotoxins with cytotoxic and genotoxic properties. In the present study, we hypothesized that DNA damage induced by non-cytotoxic concentrations of single and combined mycotoxins could alter the phosphorylation of the checkpoint proteins Chk2 and FANCD2 (ELISA) in HepG2 and A549 cells. The cytotoxic potential (MTT test) of single and combined STC and 5-M-STC, the nature of their interaction (additivity, antagonism, or synergy) and DNA damage level (alkaline comet assay) in HepG2 and A549 cells were also investigated. All experiments were performed after 24 h of mycotoxin treatment. 5-M-STC was 10-folds more cytotoxic than STC to both HepG2 and A549 cells. Both mycotoxins are genotoxic to HepG2 and A549 cells by inducing both double and single DNA strand breaks that activate Chk2 (especially in HepG2 cells) but not the FANCD2 protein. STC exerted higher genotoxic potential than 5-M-STC in HepG2 and A549 cells when both toxins were applied individually at the same concentration. Dual combinations of non-cytotoxic mycotoxin concentrations showed additive to antagonizing cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The absence and low activation of checkpoint proteins during prolonged exposure to non-cytotoxic concentrations of STC and 5-M-STC could support cell proliferation and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Dabelić
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Domagoj Kifer
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Daniela Jakšić
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nevenka Kopjar
- Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Šegvić Klarić
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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12
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Jakšić D, Sertić M, Kifer D, Kocsubè S, Mornar Turk A, Nigović B, Šarkanj B, Krska R, Sulyok M, Šegvić Klarić M. Fungi and their secondary metabolites in water-damaged indoors after a major flood event in eastern Croatia. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:730-744. [PMID: 33314413 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In winter and summer of 2016 and 2017, airborne fungi and house dust were collected in indoors of the village Gunja, which had been flooded, and the control village Gornji Stupnik (Croatia) in order to explore variations of fungal indoor levels, particularly Aspergilli section Nidulantes series Versicolores, as well as fungal metabolites in dust. Levels of airborne Aspergilli (Versicolores) were three times as high in winter and summer in Gunja than in the control village, while dustborne isolates were equally present in both locations. Sequencing of the calmodulin gene region revealed that among Aspergilli (Versicolores), A. jensenii and A. creber were dominant and together with A. puulaauensis, A. tennesseensis and A. venenatus produced sterigmatocystin and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin (HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry); A. amoenus, A. fructus, A. griseoaurantiacus, A. pepii, and A. protuberus produced sterigmatocystin but not 5-methoxysterigmatocystin; A. sydowii did not produce any of these toxins. A total of 75 metabolites related to Penicillium (29), Aspergillus (22), Fusarium (10), Alternaria (5), Stachybotrys (2), and other fungi (7) were detected in dust by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The majority of metabolites including sterigmatocystin and 5-methoxysterigmatocystin exhibited a higher prevalence in winter in Gunja.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Jakšić
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miranda Sertić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Kifer
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandor Kocsubè
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ana Mornar Turk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Biljana Nigović
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bojan Šarkanj
- Department of Food Technology, University North, Koprivnica, Croatia
| | - Rudolf Krska
- Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Michael Sulyok
- Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
| | - Maja Šegvić Klarić
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Loading Rates of Dust and Bioburden in Dwellings in an Inland City of Southern Europe. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12030378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sampling campaigns indoors have shown that occupants exposed to contaminated air generally exhibit diverse health outcomes. This study intends to assess the deposition rates of total settleable dust and bioburden in the indoor air of dwellings onto quartz fiber filters and electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs), respectively. EDC extracts were inoculated onto malt extract agar (MEA) and dichloran glycerol (DG18) agar-based media used for fungal contamination characterization, while tryptic soy agar (TSA) was applied for total bacteria assessment, and violet red bile agar (VRBA) for Gram-negative bacteria. Azole-resistance screening and molecular detection by qPCR was also performed. Dust loading rates ranged from 0.111 to 3.52, averaging 0.675 μg cm−2 day−1. Bacterial counts ranged from undetectable to 16.3 colony-forming units (CFU) m−2 day−1 and to 2.95 CFU m−2 day−1 in TSA and VRBA, respectively. Fungal contamination ranged from 1.97 to 35.4 CFU m−2 day−1 in MEA, and from undetectable to 48.8 CFU m−2 day−1 in DG18. Penicillium sp. presented the highest prevalence in MEA media (36.2%) and Cladosporium sp. in DG18 (39.2%). It was possible to observe: (a) settleable dust loadings and fungal contamination higher in dwellings with pets; (b) fungal species considered indicators of harmful fungal contamination; (c) Aspergillus section Candidi identified in supplemented media with voriconazole and posaconazole; (d) specific housing typologies and (e) specific housing characteristics influencing the microbial contamination.
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14
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Shinohara N, Woo C, Yamamoto N, Hashimoto K, Yoshida-Ohuchi H, Kawakami Y. Comparison of DNA sequencing and morphological identification techniques to characterize environmental fungal communities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2633. [PMID: 33514828 PMCID: PMC7846767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture-independent DNA sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region was compared to a culture-dependent morphological identification technique to characterize house dust-borne fungal communities. The abundant genera were Aspergillus, Wallemia, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Statistically significant between-method correlations were observed for Wallemia and Cladosporium (Spearman's ρ = 0.75 and 0.72, respectively; p < 0.001). Penicillium tended to be detected with much higher (averaged 26-times) relative abundances by the culture-based method than by the DNA-based method, although statistically significant inter-method correlation was observed with Spearman's ρ = 0.61 (p = 0.002). Large DNA sequencing-based relative abundances observed for Alternaria and Aureobasidium were likely due to multicellularity of their spores with large number of per-spore ITS2 copies. The failure of the culture-based method in detectiing Toxicocladosporium, Verrucocladosporium, and Sterigmatomyces was likely due to their fastidiousness growth on our nutrient medium. Comparing between the two different techniques clarified the causes of biases in identifying environmental fungal communities, which should be amended and/or taken into consideration when the methods are used for future fungal ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohide Shinohara
- Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8569, Japan.
| | - Cheolwoon Woo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Naomichi Yamamoto
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kazuhiro Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, FCG Research Institute Inc., 1-1-20Koto-ku, Aomi, 135-0064, Japan
| | - Hiroko Yoshida-Ohuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Yuji Kawakami
- Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, FCG Research Institute Inc., 1-1-20Koto-ku, Aomi, 135-0064, Japan
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Viegas S, Viegas C, Martins C, Assunção R. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins-Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012-2020). Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E513. [PMID: 32796626 PMCID: PMC7472215 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In occupational settings where exposure to organic dust occurs (e.g., intensive animal production, waste management, farming and many others) workers can also be exposed to mycotoxins. However, recognizing exposure to mycotoxins in workplace environments does not happen commonly and, consequently, remains as a not identified occupational risk factor. In the last decade, work developed in different occupational settings, using different sampling approaches reported that occupational exposure to mycotoxins occurs and it's of upmost importance to be seen as an occupational concern that needs to be tackled. This paper intends to discuss the several possibilities available for assessing and characterizing the occupational exposure to mycotoxins through the description of the advantages and limitations of the different sampling strategies. Overviewing the approaches and the main achievements used in several field campaigns developed in Portugal, the knowledge obtained will be used to support the identification of the main aspects to consider when designing new occupational studies. The need for additional research work will also be discussed where new directions to follow will be debated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.V.); (C.M.); (R.A.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.V.); (C.M.); (R.A.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Martins
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.V.); (C.M.); (R.A.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
- Food and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal
- CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Assunção
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.V.); (C.M.); (R.A.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
- Food and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal
- CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Jaderson M, Park JH. Effect of storage temperature and duration on concentrations of 27 fungal secondary metabolites spiked into floor dust from an office building. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2020; 17:220-230. [PMID: 32275482 PMCID: PMC7255075 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1734205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are ubiquitous in environments and produce secondary metabolites that are usually low-molecular-weight organic compounds during growth processes. Dust samples containing these fungal secondary metabolites collected from study sites are often stored in certain temperature conditions for an extended period until laboratory analysis resources are available. However, there is little information on how stable fungal secondary metabolites are over time at different storage temperatures. We examined the stability of 27 fungal secondary metabolites spiked into floor dust samples collected from a moisture-damaged office building. Ninety-five dust aliquots were made from the spiked dust; five replicates were randomly assigned to a baseline (time = 0) and each of the 18 combinations of three temperatures (room temperature, 4 °C, or -80 °C) and six time points (2, 12, 25, 56, 79, and 105 weeks). At the baseline and each subsequent time point, we extracted and analyzed the fungal secondary metabolites from the spiked dust using ultra-performance liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer. To estimate change in concentration over storage time at each temperature condition, we applied multiple linear regression models with interaction effect between storage temperature and duration. For 10 of the 27 fungal secondary metabolites, the effect of time was significantly (p-values <0.05) or marginally (p-values <0.1) modified by temperature, but not for the remaining 17 metabolites. Generally, for most fungal secondary metabolites, storage at room temperature was significantly (p-values <0.05) associated with a larger decline in concentration (up to 83% for 3-nitropropionic acid at about 11 months) than storing at 4 °C (up to 55% for emodin) or -80 °C (55% for asperglaucide). We did not observe significant differences between storage at 4 °C, or -80 °C. Storage temperature influenced degradation of fungal secondary metabolites more than storage time. Our study indicates that fungal secondary metabolites, including mycotoxins in floor dust, quickly degrade at room temperature. However, storing dust samples at 4 °C might be adequate given that storing them at -80 °C did not further reduce degradation of fungal secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ju-Hyeong Park
- Corresponding author: Ju-Hyeong Park, ; mailing address: Field Studies Branch, Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
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Hashimoto K, Yamazaki F, Kohyama N, Kawakami Y. Analysis of Fungal Flora in the Dust of Bedding in Japanese Houses and Genetic Identification of Yeasts Isolated from the Dust. Biocontrol Sci 2020; 25:193-202. [PMID: 33281177 DOI: 10.4265/bio.25.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the fungal flora contained in the dust of bedding used in 50 houses in Japan. The result showed that the mycoflora having the largest isolation rate was yeasts, which were isolated by 42 out of 50 houses (84%), and exceeded the isolation rate of Cladosporium spp. (80%) and Aspergillus spp. (66%). In addition, the isolation rate of Alternaria, which was an important fungus causing asthma, 66% was being considered as a high isolation rate, and this result was very interesting. The isolation rate of xerophilic fungi such as Aspergillus restrictus and Wallemia often found in house dust on the floor, was not very high. Forty-one strains of yeasts isolated from each dust sample were identified, and Naganishia diffluens species complex and Filobasidium magnum had a larger number of 13 strains, respectively. Since N. diffluens was the yeasts often isolated from human skin, it was thought to be an association between the fungal skin flora and fungal flora of bed dust. Meanwhile, there was no report of isolation of F. magnum from house dust previously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing its isolation from bedding with relatively high frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yuji Kawakami
- Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, FCG Research Institute, Inc
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Cummings KJ, Johns DO, Mazurek JM, Hearl FJ, Weissman DN. NIOSH's Respiratory Health Division: 50 years of science and service. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2019; 74:15-29. [PMID: 30501580 PMCID: PMC6490691 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2018.1532387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The year 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of NIOSH's Respiratory Health Division (RHD). RHD began in 1967 as the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases (ALFORD), with a focus on coal workers' pneumoconiosis. ALFORD became part of NIOSH in 1971 and added activities to address work-related respiratory disease more generally. Health hazard evaluations played an important role in understanding novel respiratory hazards such as nylon flock, diacetyl, and indium-tin oxide. Epidemiologic and laboratory studies addressed many respiratory hazards, including coal mine dust, silica, asbestos, cotton dust, beryllium, diesel exhaust, and dampness and mold. Surveillance activities tracked the burden of diseases and enhanced the quality of spirometry and chest radiography used to screen workers. RHD's efforts to improve scientific understanding, inform strategies for prevention, and disseminate knowledge remain important now and for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Doug O. Johns
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jacek M. Mazurek
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Frank J. Hearl
- Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David N. Weissman
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
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