scholarly journals The Coffee–Acrylamide Apparent Paradox: An Example of Why the Health Impact of a Specific Compound in a Complex Mixture Should Not Be Evaluated in Isolation

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3141
Author(s):  
Astrid Nehlig ◽  
Rodrigo A. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Individual Molecule ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Dietary Acrylamide ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Species Specific

The health implications of acrylamide in food are a matter of concern based on toxicological studies in rodents, which showed that doses of acrylamide more than 100 times higher than those estimated to result from dietary exposure in humans are carcinogenic; however, the cancer types reported in rodents are species-specific, and whether these results can be extrapolated to humans is still in question. In fact, human epidemiological studies revealed a general lack of association between dietary acrylamide exposure and the incidence of different cancer types. Even occupational exposure to acrylamide, resulting in acrylamide exposure nearly 10 times higher than dietary exposure, did not increase tumor occurrence. Furthermore, the consumption of coffee, which is a main contributor of dietary acrylamide exposure, actually decreases the overall incidence of cancer in humans and afford global health benefits, increasing both lifespan and healthspan on ageing. This paradox clearly illustrates the risk of evaluating an individual molecule independently of its complete food matrix, which may have other components that completely override the effects of the considered molecule.

Risk assessment of dietary exposure to methylmercury in fish in the UK

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
B J Maycock ◽  
D J Benford
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Human Data ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Nutritional Data ◽  
The Uk

Risk assessment of chemicals in food is generally based upon the results of toxicological studies in laboratory animals, allowing for uncertainties relating to interspecies differences, human variability, and gaps in the database. Use of quantitative human data is preferable if available, as in the example of methylmercury. Methylmercury is a neurotoxic environmental contaminant, for which fish is the main source of dietary exposure. Human data from poisoning incidents and epidemiological studies have been used by expert committees to derive a guideline intake level for methylmercury, based on the susceptibility of the most sensitive lifestage, the developing fetus. In the UK, an expert group of nutritionists and toxicologists was formed to review the benefits and risks associated with fish consumption. A formal risk–benefit analysis was not possible because the nutritional data were not sufficiently quantitative. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), therefore, modified the risk assessment approach to derive different guideline intake levels for different subgroups of the population. The COT opinion was used to provide targeted advice on how much fish can be consumed without undue risk from the contaminants. Consumption by adults of one weekly portion (140 g) of shark, swordfish or marlin, would lead to an exceedance of the guideline intake for methylmercury of 40–90%, set to protect the developing fetus, without considering intake from the rest of the diet. Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant within 1 year were, therefore, advised to avoid consumption of these species. Intakes in other adults would be within a higher guideline intake, set to protect groups of the population other than the developing fetus. However, consumption by children of one weekly portion of these species could lead to an exceedance of this guideline intake by up to 60%, without considering intake from the rest of the diet. It was, therefore, advised that consumption of these species by children should be avoided.

Ultrafine Particles Penetrate Human Airway Epithelium Resulting in Increased Expression of Genes Causally Related to Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 580-581
Author(s):  
K. BeruBe ◽  
C. Timblin ◽  
A. Shukla ◽  
A. Churg ◽  
B. Mossman
Keyword(s):  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Airborne Particulate Matter ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Human Airway Epithelium ◽  
Natural Minerals ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Insoluble Particles ◽  
Toxicological Studies

Epidemiological studies have associated exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns, especially the finer fraction PM2.5, with increases in morbidity and mortality in persons with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease. However, whether exposures to PM10 cause lung disease in uncompromised individuals is a topic of debate, especially since mechanistic and toxicological studies have failed to define cause and effect relationships between exposures to PM10 and phenotypic changes associated with the development of pulmonary diseases. PM10 is a complex mixture of soot and natural minerals, metal oxide particles, sea salt grains and aeroallergens (Fig. 1). Our interest lies with the carbonaceous components (Fig. 2), since insoluble particles may be more efficiently retained in the peripheral lung and be potentially more bioreactive due to their accumulation over time. We are interested in the ultrafine (UF) fraction (<1.0um diameter) since the number of particles in this size range are known to increase during pollution episodes and they have a greater reactive surface area per unit weight.

scholarly journals A New Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Avian Bornaviruses

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1358
Author(s):  
Brigitte Sigrist ◽  
Jessica Geers ◽  
Sarah Albini ◽  
Dennis Rubbenstroth ◽  
Nina Wolfrum
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Virus Species ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Avian bornaviruses were first described in 2008 as the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). To date, 15 genetically highly diverse avian bornaviruses covering at least five viral species have been discovered in different bird orders. Currently, the primary diagnostic tool is the detection of viral RNA by conventional or real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). One of the drawbacks of this is the usage of either specific assays, allowing the detection of one particular virus, or of assays with a broad detection spectrum, which, however, do not allow for the simultaneous specification of the detected virus. To facilitate the simultaneous detection and specification of avian bornaviruses, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay was developed. Whole-genome sequences of various bornaviruses were aligned. Primers were designed to recognize conserved regions within the overlapping X/P gene and probes were selected to detect virus species-specific regions within the target region. The optimization of the assay resulted in the sensitive and specific detection of bornaviruses of Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, and aquatic birds. Finally, the new rRT-PCR was successfully employed to detect avian bornaviruses in field samples from various avian species. This assay will serve as powerful tool in epidemiological studies and will improve avian bornavirus detection.

scholarly journals High-Risk Human Papillomavirus and Tobacco Smoke Interactions in Epithelial Carcinogenesis

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Aguayo ◽  
Juan P. Muñoz ◽  
Francisco Perez-Dominguez ◽  
Diego Carrillo-Beltrán ◽  
Carolina Oliva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Tobacco Smoke ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Oncogenic Viruses ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
Physical Environmental Factors

Cervical, anogenital, and some head and neck cancers (HNC) are etiologically associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, even though additional cofactors are necessary. Epidemiological studies have established that tobacco smoke (TS) is a cofactor for cervical carcinogenesis because women who smoke are more susceptible to cervical cancer when compared to non-smokers. Even though such a relationship has not been established in HPV-related HNC, a group of HPV positive patients with this malignancy are smokers. TS is a complex mixture of more than 4500 chemical compounds and approximately 60 of them show oncogenic properties such as benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) and nitrosamines, among others. Some of these compounds have been evaluated for carcinogenesis through experimental settings in collaboration with HR-HPV. Here, we conducted a comprehensive review of the suggested molecular mechanisms involved in cooperation with both HR-HPV and TS for epithelial carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we propose interaction models in which TS collaborates with HR-HPV to promote epithelial cancer initiation, promotion, and progression. More studies are warranted to clarify interactions between oncogenic viruses and chemical or physical environmental factors for epithelial carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals The association between rs16917496 T/C polymorphism of SET8 gene and cancer risk in Asian populations: a meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Xia Wei ◽  
Guo-Xiang Tian ◽  
Ju-Kun Song ◽  
Lian-Jie Yang ◽  
Yu-Pei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Diversity Control

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated close associations between SET8 rs16917496 T/C polymorphism and cancer risk, but the results of published studies were not consistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the associations between rs16917496 T/C polymorphism and cancer risk. Five online databases were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the association between rs16917496 T/C polymorphism and cancer risk. In addition, heterogeneity, accumulative, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were conducted to check the statistical power. Overall, 13 publications involving 5878 subjects were identified according to included criteria. No significant cancer risk was observed in genetic model of SET8 rs16917496 T/C polymorphism in Asian populations (C vs. T: OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.88–1.23, P = 0.63%; TC vs. TT: OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 0.96–1.24, P = 0.11%; CC vs. TT: OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.60–1.37, P = 0.63; TC+CC vs. TT: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.90–1.38, P = 0.33; CC vs. TT+TC: OR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.65–1.30, P = 0.63). Furthermore, similar associations were found in the subgroup analysis of race diversity, control design, genotyping methods, and different cancer types. In summary, our meta-analysis indicated that the SET8 rs16917496 T/C polymorphism may not play a critical role in cancer development in Asian populations.

A simple approach to manage dosages in drug-epidemiology research

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Nosè ◽  
Corrado Barbui
Keyword(s):  
Psychotropic Drugs ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Specific Drug ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotics ◽  
Drug Utilization Studies ◽  
Drug Epidemiology

In the study of the beneficial and adverse effects of psychotropic drugs, in addition to experimental studies (Barbui et al., 2007), epidemiological studies may provide interesting insights. A key methodological aspect in drug utilization studies is how drug consumption should be measured. Specifically, the need is to end up with a single variable that may be reliably used to indicate the overall consumption, for each patient included in a certain survey, of one specific drug (for example one antipsychotic, say haloperidol) or a specific drug class (for example second-generation antipsychotics) or a group of drugs (for example psychotropic drugs, including antipsychotics plus antidepressants plus benzodiazepines). Not only such a variable has to accommodate the problem that actual doses cannot be directly compared, but also that many patients often receive more than one drug, belonging to different or to the same pharmacological class. A methodology is therefore needed to convert each medication dosage into a standardised measure that allows to calculate, for each patient, a cumulative index of drug consumption. Standardised measures of drug consumption are also beneficial for national and international comparisons, for the evaluation of time trends in drug use, and for assessing the public health impact of specific events (for example a change in reimbursement status).

scholarly journals Quantifying the Health Benefits of Urban Climate Mitigation Actions: Current State of the Epidemiological Evidence and Application in Health Impact Assessments

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria D. Castillo ◽  
Susan C. Anenberg ◽  
Zoe A. Chafe ◽  
Rachel Huxley ◽  
Lauren S. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Current State ◽  
The World ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Health Impact Assessments

While ambitious carbon reduction policies are needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, the costs of these policies can be balanced by wide ranging health benefits for local communities. Cities, responsible for ~70% of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and home to a growing majority of the world's population, offer enormous opportunities for both climate action and health improvement. We aim to review the current state of knowledge on key pathways leading from carbon mitigation to human health benefits, and to evaluate our current ability to quantify health benefits for cities around the world. For example, because GHGs and air pollutants are both released during fuel combustion, reducing fuel burning can reduce both GHGs and air pollutants, leading to direct health benefits. Air quality improvements may be particularly important for city-scale climate action planning because the benefits occur locally and relatively immediately, compared with the global and long-term (typically, decades to centuries) benefits for the climate system. In addition to improved air quality, actions that promote active transport in cities via improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure can reap large cardiovascular health benefits via increased physical activity. Exposure to green space has been associated with beneficial health outcomes in a growing number of epidemiological studies and meta-analyses conducted around the world. Finally, noise is an underappreciated environmental risk factor in cities which can be addressed through actions to reduce motor vehicle traffic and other noise sources. All of these environmental health pathways are supported by well-conducted epidemiological studies in multiple locales, providing quantitative exposure–response data that can be used as inputs to health impact assessments (HIAs). However, most epidemiologic evidence derives from studies in high-income countries. It is unclear to what extent such evidence is directly transferable for policies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This gap calls for a future focus on building the evidence based in LMIC cities. Finally, the literature suggests that policies are likely to be most effective when they are developed by multidisciplinary teams that include policy makers, researchers, and representatives from affected communities.

scholarly journals Impacts of dietary exposure to sodium or potassium salts of nitrate and nitrite on the development of Drosophila melanogaster

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashim Kumar Basak ◽  
Tridip Chatterjee ◽  
Swapan Kumar Ghosh ◽  
Amit Chakravarty
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Developmental Outcomes ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Nitrate And Nitrite ◽  
Third Instar Larvae

AbstractThe effects of four food additives, namely sodium nitrite (NaNO2), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), potassium nitrite (KNO2), and potassium nitrate (KNO3), on animal development were evaluated by using Drosophila melanogster, a model organism. Adult male and female flies were allowed to breed in culture medium, each containing one of 4 concentrations,i.e.10, 20, 30 or 40 mM of the above mentioned salts. The concentration of 40 mM, NaNO2and KNO2 completely arrested the development of the flies. Of the different concentrations of the four salts tested, exposure of flies to 30 mM NaNO2exhibited only significant delays in the initial appearances of third instar larvae, pupae and young adults, along with huge reduction in the number of pupae and young adults compared to controls. Rearrangements like inversions, deletion looping, regional shrinking, as well as highly enlarged puffing,etc.were also observed in the polytene chromosomes of the third instar larvae exposed to 30 mM NaNO2. Developmental outcomes of the flies exposed to varying concentrations of NaNO3and KNO3 did not differ significantly from the controls. Owing to the extensive genetic homology between Drosophila and human and the successful uses of this fly as models in developmental and toxicological studies, we speculate that the experimental results exhibited by this organism in our study strongly advocate for abstaining from the dietary use of NaNO2and KNO2 during human pregnancies to avoid possible negative developmental outcomes.

scholarly journals Obesity-associated cancer: an immunological perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Conroy ◽  
Margaret R. Dunne ◽  
Claire L. Donohoe ◽  
John V. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Immune Balance ◽  
Immune Cell Subsets ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Endocrine Factors

Epidemiological studies have established an association between obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and a number of cancer types. Research has focused predominantly on altered endocrine factors, growth factors and signalling pathways, with little known in man about the immune involvement in the relevant pathophysiological processes. Moreover, in an era of exciting new breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, there is also a need to study the safety and efficacy of immunotherapeutics in the complex setting of inflammatory-driven obesity-associated cancer. This review addresses key immune cell subsets underpinning obesity-associated inflammation and describes how such immune compartments might be targeted to prevent and treat obesity-associated cancer. We propose that the modulation, metabolism, migration and abundance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cells and tumour-specific T cells might be therapeutically altered to both restore immune balance, alleviating pathological inflammation, and to improve anti-tumour immune responses in obesity-associated cancer.

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