Neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and parkinsonism, are due to the gradual and progressive loss of neural cells, leading to nervous system dysfunction. Increasing epidemiological and toxicological evidence has demonstrated the possible association between neurological diseases and particulate air pollution. Chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM) of <2.5 μm in aerodynamic size (PM_2.5) is related to reductions in white matter and gray matter in brains of older women. Alterations of the structural integrity of the brain were reported for particulate air pollution-induced neurological disorders. Clinically, intraneuronal accumulation of tau proteins is considered to be an important hallmark of the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease brains, for example, hyperphosphorylated levels of tau are around 3–4 times higher than levels in normal adult brains. Tau overexpression in neuroblastoma cells can lead to tau aggregations and the appearance of smaller proteolytic fragments. Degradative mechanisms, such as autophagy that remove tau from cells are considered essential functions for maintaining the brain's health. Notably, increasing numbers of reports have indicated that autophagy dysfunction occurs due to particulate air pollution in vitro and in vivo. Dysfunction of autophagy can lead to tau accumulation in the brain. We reviewed the effects of particulate air pollution on neurological diseases and the underlying mechanisms (i.e., tau and autophagy). Further toxicological evidence is required to fill in the gaps between epidemiological and clinical observations.

Background: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is linked with neurobehavioral disorders in children. This study evaluated the SHS exposure and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children in the United States. Materials and Methods: Parent-reported postnatal SHS exposure and ASD diagnosis were examined in children age 2 to 12 years using the 2011–2012 National Survey on Children's Health. The physician diagnosis of current ASD as reported by the parents was used as the outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of ASD with SHS after adjusting for risk factors. Results: Of the 56,710 children, 24% had SHS exposure, 2% had ASD, and the mean age was 7 years. SHS exposure was associated with 47% greater odds of ASD in male children (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.05, 2.07; P = 0.025). In contrast, SHS was not significantly associated with ASD in female children (adjusted OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.40, 1.29; P = 0.266). Other significant factors associated with ASD diagnosis in male children were age, income, mother's education, and mental health status. Conclusions: SHS is significantly associated with ASD in male children. Sociodemographic factors, natal and prenatal characteristics are important etiologic influences for ASD. Targeted efforts to change the smoking behavior of parents and caregivers of children could reduce ASD.

Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases affect a large part of the population. Peptic ulcer (PU) which is very common disease affects the stomach and duodenum. Many microbial species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus tubingensis etc are responsible for PU directly or indirectly. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to find out the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Quisqualis indica, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and Prosopis cineraria on PU-associated microorganism. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the synergistic effects of selected plant extracts with renowned standards (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ketoconazole, and fluconazole) were estimated. Disc diffusion and solid dilution methods were used for the determination of antimicrobial effects and MIC. Results: Studies revealed that the plant extracts were highly effective against selected microbes. Escherichia coli was found to be the least affected microbial species. Different infectious diseases of GI tract might be cured using formulations having these selected plant extracts. The zone of inhibitions (ZOI) was observed ranging from 2.3 ± 0.57 to 12.3 ± 0.59 mm. The maximum ZOI was observed (12.3 ± 0.59 mm) for ethanolic extract of Elaeocarpus ganitrus against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: The herbal extracts were found to be highly promising against selected microbial species associated with PU.