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Effects of Rock Dust Particles on Airway Mucus Viscosity

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Abstract

Limestone can absorb heat thermal energy from heated gases and release carbon dioxide that has been applied in mines to prevent coal dust explosions. However, the effect of various rock dust particles on altering mucin exocytosis and its rheological properties, leading to concomitant pathological responses, is still unclear. Our research investigated the difference among common rock dusts used in the industry (unmodified limestone (UCRD) and surface modified limestone (MTRD)), their effects on mucin swelling kinetics and airway mucin viscoelastic properties of A549 cells. Our data showed no obvious cytotoxicity on A549 cells with modified and unmodified dust particle exposures. MTRD (modified particles) also demonstrate less harmful effects with less calcium leaching out and cause less disturbance on mucus viscosity compared with UCRD (unmodified particles). Based on the results obtained from this study, modified dust particles provide a better possibility with less interference with airway mucus viscosity and clearance. These findings will provide much needed knowledge and understanding to establish the selection criteria/consideration of rock dusts for the coal industry practical applications.

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Acknowledgements

This study was sponsored by the Alpha Foundation for the Improvement of Mine Safety and Health, Inc. (ALPHA FOUNDATION). The views, opinions, and recommendations expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not imply any endorsement by the ALPHA FOUNDATION, the directors, or staff. We also would like to thank Dr. Liying Zhao from the Environmental Analytical Laboratory, UC Merced for help with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer.

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Author notes

  1. These authors are contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, California, 95343, USA

    Yi-Yen Tsai, Carlos I. Vazquez, Ashely K. Garcia, Clarence Le & Wei-Chun Chin

  2. Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology & Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, 20224, Taiwan

    Ruei-Feng Shiu

  3. Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Co., Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland

    Priyanka Patel

  4. NSF-CREST Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines, University of California at Merced, Merced, California, 95343, USA

    Mourad Sadqi

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  1. Yi-Yen Tsai
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Contributions

Y. T. designed the research, performed experiments, analyzed data and drafted the manuscript, C. I. V. performed experiments, analyzed data and drafted the manuscript. R. S. designed the research, performed experiments, analyzed data and drafted/edited the manuscript. A. K. G. performed experiments and drafted the manuscript. C. L. and P. P. performed experiments. M. S. performed experiments, analyzed data and wrote a section of the manuscript. W. C. helped in providing the ideas, funds, and conceived and designed the research and edited the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Wei-Chun Chin.

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Declaration of Competing Interest

Dr. Wei-Chun Chin (corresponding author) is a member of the editorial board of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, this does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering policies on sharing data and materials. Other authors declare no competing interests.

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Tsai, YY., Vazquez, C.I., Shiu, RF. et al. Effects of Rock Dust Particles on Airway Mucus Viscosity. Biotechnol Bioproc E 26, 427–434 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-020-0236-x

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