Health Effects Research Articles

The Effects of Peanut Consumption on Human Health: A Mini Review

Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) is one of the most consumed oilseeds worldwide. The composition of peanuts can vary depending on genotypes, developmental stages, and environmental factors. Peanuts contain nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins-minerals, fiber, insoluble polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), and soluble oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose). Additionally, they are rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, polyphenols, and resveratrol. Peanuts are thought to provide potential health benefits due to their rich nutritional value. This study aimed to examine the possible health effects of peanuts on cognitive functions, memory, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.

Dual fluorescence-colorimetric sensing platform based on the peroxidase-mimetic performance of the Fe2AlB2 MAX phase for the quantification of acetamiprid and imidacloprid pesticides

The extensive use of pesticides in modern agriculture has raised concerns about environmental contamination and adverse human health effects. Therefore, developing highly sensitive detection methods to identify pesticide residues is crucial for food safety and ecosystem protection. In this study, the Fe2AlB2 MAX phase was synthesized and characterized. After evaluating its peroxidase-mimetic performance using a colorimetric method, a new, sensitive, and simple dual fluorescence-colorimetric sensor was developed for the quantification of two common pesticides, acetamiprid (ACP) and imidacloprid (IMP), using fluorescein (FL). The developed method is based on the inhibitory impact of ACP and IMP on the enzymatic performance of the Fe2AlB2 MAX phase, specifically the inhibition of hydroxyl radical (OH) generation, which enhances the absorption and emission intensities of FL. The results confirmed that OH generated through the breakdown of H2O2 via the catalytic activity of the MAX phase can decrease the intrinsic absorption and emission intensities of FL. However, ACP and IMP inhibit the peroxidase-like activity of the MAX phase, leading to increased absorption and emission intensities of FL. The limit of detection values calculated for spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric quantifications were 2.8 μM and 0.051 μM for ACP and 1.72 μM and 0.013 μM for IMP, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully utilized to accurately and reliably determine ACP and IMP in spiked real samples with satisfactory accuracy and precision. These developed methods offer several advantages, making them promising candidates for the direct, rapid screening of pesticide residues.

Hubungan Antara Stres Kerja dan Keluhan Nyeri Punggung Bawah Pekerja Las Industri Pembuatan Kapal

Low Back Pain (LBP) is a widespread health issue that profoundly impacts workers' productivity and quality of life. In addition to non-specific health effects, LBP can result in long-term disability and considerable economic losses. Globally, LBP affects 619 million individuals, with projections suggesting an increase to 843 million by 2050, particularly Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs) in Asia and Africa. The shipbuilding industry, known for its physically strenuous tasks and stringent deadlines, presents unique ergonomic challenges that can exacerbate job-related stress and precipitate the onset of LBP. This study examines Project X PT Y, a pivotal entity in Indonesia's shipbuilding sector. Utilizing a quantitative methodology and a cross-sectional research design, the study encompasses all 26 workers from the welding workshop at Project X PT Y. The analysis, conducted using the Spearman test, reveals a robust monotonic relationship between work-related stress and LBP complaints, indicating that the incidence of LBP increases concomitantly with elevated work stress.

The Effects of Platoon Leader Mental Health and Resilience Training on Soldier Problematic Anger.

The DoD has prioritized programs to optimize readiness by enhancing resilience of its service members. Problematic anger in the military is an issue that impacts psychological well-being and resilience. Leader support is a potential tactic for reducing anger and its effects. Currently military resilience training is focused on individual level resilience. A gap exists in such training and there is a need to train leaders to provide mental health and resilience support to their subordinates. The present study developed and tested a theory-based training aimed at platoon leaders that focused on how to engage in proactive and responsive mental health and resilience-supportive behaviors through guided discussion, scenarios, and computer-based training with embedded quizzes. We conducted an Institutional Review Board-approved cluster randomized controlled trial to test the effects of a leadership training with Army platoon leaders (n = 99) and soldiers (n = 276) in 2 brigades at an active duty military installation in the USA. Training was conducted in person with a computer-based component. Soldiers completed online surveys 1 month prior and again 3 months after the leader training. Post-training results demonstrated significant leader learning effects (Cohen's d = 1.56) and leader positive reactions to the training information, with leaders reporting the information as useful and relevant to their work. Service members in the treatment group reported significantly lower levels of anger at time 2 (b = -0.18, SE = 0.06, P = .002, pseudo ΔR2 = 0.01; d = 0.27) compared to the control group. We also found an indirect effect of the intervention on increased life satisfaction at time 2 via decreased anger (b = 0.035, SE = 0.023, 95% CI = [0.004-0.24]). This study provides an initial evaluation of training for platoon leaders that educates them on proactive and responsive behavioral strategies to support the mental health and resilience of their service members via decreased problematic anger and increased well-being. Further adaptations and evaluations should be conducted with other military branches and civilian occupations, as the benefits of the relatively brief and noninvasive training could be widespread.

The public health and economic burden of long COVID in Australia, 2022-24: a modelling study.

To estimate the number of people in Australia with long COVID by age group, and the associated medium term productivity and economic losses. Modelling study: a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model to estimate the number of people with long COVID over time following single infections, and a labour supply model to estimate productivity losses as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP). Australia, 2022-2024. Estimated number of people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during 2022-2023 (based on serosurvey data) who have longCOVID, 2022-2024, by age group; estimated GDP loss during 2022 caused by reduced labour supply attributable to long COVID. Our model projected that the number of people with long COVID following a single infection in 2022 would peak in September 2022, when 310 341-1 374 805 people (1.2-5.4% of Australians) would have symptoms of long COVID, declining to 172 530-872 799 people (0.7-3.4%) in December 2024, including 7902-30 002 children aged 0-4 years (0.6-2.2%). The estimated mean labour loss attributable to long COVID in 2022 was projected to be 102.4million (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.4-162.2 million) worked hours, equivalent to 0.48% (95% CI, 0.24-0.76%) of total worked hours in Australia during the 2020-21 financial year. The estimated mean GDP loss caused by the projected decline in labour supply and reduced use of other production factors was $9.6 billion (95% CI, $4.7-15.2 billion), or 0.5% of GDP. The estimated labour loss was greatest for people aged 30-39 years (27.5 million [95% CI, 16.0-41.0 million] hours; 26.9% of total labour loss) and people aged 40-49 years (24.5 million [95% CI, 12.1-38.7 million] hours; 23.9% of total labour loss). Widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections in Australia mean that even a small proportion of infected people developing long COVID-related illness and disability could have important population health and economic effects. A paradigm shift is needed, from a sole focus on the immediate effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to preventing and treating COVID-19 and treating long COVID, with implications for vaccine and antiviral policy and other mitigation of COVID-19.

An Analysis of the Health Effects of Physical Activity due to Active Travel Policies in Rennes, France.

Rennes, a midsize city in France, features many opportunities for active travel. City officials seek to increase walking and cycling by 2030 to improve public health. Physical inactivity, a leading risk factor for premature mortality around the globe, has been shown to be associated with many chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Using the 2018 household travel survey of Rennes residents, we apply the Health-Oriented Transportation statistical model to assess health impacts associated with population-level rates of walking and cycling. We consider two proposed mobility and climate objectives which outline sustainable transportation goals by 2030. These include a shift in transportation mode share to increase walking and cycling trips, as well as a broad reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across the metropolitan area. Our regression analysis demonstrated that factors of household car access and inner-city residency were predictors of prevalence (observed one-day proportion engaging in walking or cycling), participation (weekly proportion), and intensity (mean individual physical activity achieved through walking/cycling) of active travel. Age and education were additionally associated with prevalence. The 2030 mobility objective (mode share: 9% cycle, 35% walk) was associated with a reduction of 1,051 DALYs (disability-adjusted life-years), translating to $73 million USD ($23-$177) in averted costs. The climate objective (10% reduction in VMT) was associated with a reduction of 369 DALYs when replaced entirely by walking and 714 DALYs with cycling, translating to $26 million ($8-$62) and $50 million ($15-$121) saved, respectively. Rennes residents experience high participation in active travel, particularly those in the inner city. If residents achieve the city's active travel goals for 2030, there is potential for a large reduction in health burden and subsequent costs. Reaching these goals may require significant investment in transportation programming and infrastructure to improve active travel opportunities.

Application and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Fe-MIL-101 Nanozyme in Milk.

In this study, we used Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme to convert lactose into lactitol, and it was proved that Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme has lactase-like activity. Due to the potential health effects of nanomaterials, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme. To reduce the potential toxicity of the nanozyme, we applied centrifugation and membrane filtration. When the membrane aperture size was 100nm, the residual content of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme was 14.09μg/mL. The residual content of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme was reduced by optimizing time, temperature, and Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme-to-substrate ratio. It was showed that the concentration of Fe was 38.47mg/kg and the concentration of H2BDC was 0mg/kg under optimized conditions (110℃, 2h of reaction and the ratio of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme to substrate is 1:20). The result met the national standard of China. Experiments measuring cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell membrane damage revealed that less than 20μg/mL Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme had no significant cytotoxicity. Our study findings showed that Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme reduced lactose content in milk.

Use of Olives-derived Phytochemicals for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: An Update.

Mediterranean diet is frequently associated with longevity and a lower incidence of adverse cardiovascular events because of the biological activities and health effects of olives - its key component. Olive oil, olive leaf extract, fruits and different by-products contain many bioactive components that exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. In this review, we focus on the recent studies exploring molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective properties of different olive oils, olive leave extracts, and specific micro-constituents (such as oleuropein, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and others) in vitro on rodent models and in clinical trials on human subjects. Particularly, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein were identified as the major bioactive compounds responsible for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-atherogenic activities of olive oil. In total, the discussed results demonstrated a positive association between the consumption of olive oil and improvement in outcomes in atherosclerosis, diabetes, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension and obesity.

Ventilation heterogeneity is increased in adults exposed to coal mine fire-related PM2.5.

The Hazelwood Health Study was set up to study long-term health effects of a mine fire that blanketed residents of the Latrobe Valley with smoke for 45 days in 2014. The Respiratory Stream specifically assessed the impact of fine particulate matter <2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) exposure from mine fire smoke on lung health. The multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBW) test assesses ventilation heterogeneity, which may detect sub-clinical airways dysfunction not identified using standard tests such as spirometry. This analysis assessed the association of PM2.5 exposure with measures of ventilation heterogeneity. Exposed (Morwell) and unexposed (Sale) participants were recruited 3.5-4 years after the fire from those who had participated in an Adult Survey. MBW was performed to measure lung clearance index (LCI), functional residual capacity (FRC), acinar (Sacin) and conductive (Scond) ventilation heterogeneity. PM2.5 exposure was estimated with emission and chemical transport models. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted controlling for confounders. We recruited 519 participants. MBW tests were conducted on 504 participants with 479 acceptable test results (40% male; 313 exposed, 166 unexposed). Exposure to mine fire-related PM2.5 was associated with increasing Scond (β = 1.57/kL, 95%CI: 0.20-2.95, p = 0.025), which was comparable to the estimated effect on Scond of 4.7 years of aging. No other MBW outcomes were statistically different. Increasing exposure to PM2.5 was associated with increased ventilation heterogeneity in the conductive region of the lungs 4 years after the event.

Investigating the impact of extreme weather events and related indicators on cardiometabolic multimorbidity

BackgroundThe impact of weather on human health has been proven, but the impact of extreme weather events on cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) needs to be urgently explored.ObjectivesInvestigating the impact of extreme temperature, relative humidity (RH), and laboratory testing parameters at admission on adverse events in CMM hospitalizations.DesignsTime-stratified case-crossover design.MethodsA distributional lag nonlinear model with a time-stratified case-crossover design was used to explore the nonlinear lagged association between environmental factors and CMM. Subsequently, unbalanced data were processed by 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) and conditional logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between laboratory indicators and unplanned readmissions for CMM. Finally, the previously identified environmental factors and relevant laboratory indicators were incorporated into different machine learning models to predict the risk of unplanned readmission for CMM.ResultsThere are nonlinear associations and hysteresis effects between temperature, RH and hospital admissions for a variety of CMM. In addition, the risk of admission is higher under low temperature and high RH conditions with the addition of particulate matter (PM, PM2.5 and PM10) and O3_8h. The risk is greater for females and adults aged 65 and older. Compared with first quartile (Q1), the fourth quartile (Q4) had a higher association between serum calcium (HR = 1.3632, 95% CI: 1.0732 ~ 1.7334), serum creatinine (HR = 1.7987, 95% CI: 1.3528 ~ 2.3958), fasting plasma glucose (HR = 1.2579, 95% CI: 1.0839 ~ 1.4770), aspartate aminotransferase/ alanine aminotransferase ratio (HR = 2.3131, 95% CI: 1.9844 ~ 2.6418), alanine aminotransferase (HR = 1.7687, 95% CI: 1.2388 ~ 2.2986), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (HR = 1.4951, 95% CI: 1.2551 ~ 1.7351) were independently and positively associated with unplanned readmission for CMM. However, serum total bilirubin and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) showed negative correlations. After incorporating environmental factors and their lagged terms, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) demonstrated a more prominent predictive performance for unplanned readmission of CMM patients, with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.767 (95% CI:0.7486 ~ 0.7854).ConclusionsExtreme cold or wet weather is linked to worsened adverse health effects in female patients with CMM and in individuals aged 65 years and older. Moreover, meteorologic factors and environmental pollutants may elevate the likelihood of unplanned readmissions for CMM.

Determination of Cannabinoids in Meat Products and Animal Feeds in Singapore Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

There has been a growing interest in the use of hemp as an animal feed ingredient considering its economic value and nutritional properties. However, there is a paucity of research regarding the safety of hemp-based animal feed currently. Thus, this raises safety concerns on the potential transfer of cannabinoids from hemp-based animal feed to animal products intended for human consumption and its health effects. As such, the detection and quantification of cannabinoids in meat and animal feeds would be desirable for monitoring purposes. In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous quantification of four major cannabinoids (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) in meat and animal feeds by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was successfully developed and validated. The method was selective and sensitive, achieving limits of detection and quantification for the four cannabinoids from 5 to 7 µg/kg and 15 to 21 µg/kg, respectively. The overall recovery with matrix-matched calibration curves for the cannabinoids ranged from 87-115%. The coefficients of variation were between 2.17-13.38% for intraday precision and 3.67-12.14% for inter-day precision. The method was subsequently applied to monitor cannabinoids in 120 meat and 24 animal feed samples. No cannabinoid was detected, suggesting no imminent food safety concerns arising from the potential incorporation of hemp and by-products in animal feed and nutrition under the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

Health effects of using popular alternatives to smoking - a review of the literature

Health effects of using popular alternatives to smoking - a review of the literature

Elevated airborne radioactivity downwind of a colorado oil refinery

ABSTRACT Airborne radioactivity from fossil fuel production systems is poorly characterized, but a recent study showed elevated ambient levels with proximity to oil and gas production wells. Here, we report year-long, high temporal resolution monitoring results of airborne alpha radioactivity from both radon gas and radon progeny attached to particulates immediately northeast of an oil refinery in Commerce City, Colorado, USA, in an environmental justice community of concern. Gas and particle-associated radioactivity contributed nearly evenly to the total alpha radioactivity. Total radioactivity levels of 30–40 Bq m−3 were 2–3 times higher than background levels (~10–15 Bq m−3) when winds were light and southwesterly, suggesting the refinery as the geographic origin. Furthermore, elevated airborne radioactivity tracked most closely with the light hydrocarbon and natural gas tracer ethane. Thus, the data imply natural gas as the radon emission carrier, possibly from flaring. However, this could not explain all our particle-associated radioactivity observations. Our findings are unique and suggest a need for further investigations of radon emissions from oil and gas infrastructure such as natural gas processing plants, compressor stations, petrochemical plants, and oil refineries that process oil and natural gas from unconventional production. Implications Statement: Regulatory agencies currently do not mandate or conduct monitoring of radioactivity releases and public exposure from petroleum industry air emissions. This study reports elevated radioactivity from radon gas and nonvolatile radon decay products attached to particulate matter, at about 2-3 times above background levels in proximity to Colorado’s largest oil refinery. Observations were within an environmental justice community of concern that experiences well above-average exposure to many other harmful atmospheric pollutants, suggesting potential adverse health effects from this cumulative exposure. Our findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and affected communities alike.

A 19-year analysis of hot and cold temperature burdens on mortality in Amman, Jordan

BackgroundMost studies on climate-induced health effects have primarily focused on developed countries. Jordan, in particular, has seen limited research in quantifying the differential impacts of temperature on mortality. Jordan's unique demographic composition, characterized by significant refugee population influxes, necessitates research in this area to identify vulnerable populations. This study aims to: 1) quantify the mortality burden of hot and cold temperature in Amman, Jordan, and 2) identify vulnerable groups within the population. MethodsWe collected 19 years of daily all-cause mortality records from 2000 to 2018 in Amman, Jordan, aggregated by sex and nationality. We used a time series design in a distributed lag non-linear model for temperature to estimate non-linear associations and lagged effects of temperature on mortality across sex and nationality. We calculated attributable mortality for temperatures above (heat) and below (cold) the minimum mortality temperature for each category. ResultsWe analyzed 184,166 all-cause mortalities; 106,977 were males, and 22,118 were non-Jordanians. Amman's calculated minimum mortality temperatures were 23.2 °C for males, 21.5 °C for females, 22.3 °C for Jordanians, and 24.7 °C for non-Jordanians. Our findings reveal that females exhibited greater vulnerability to heat, with a 2.59 % (1.54 %, 3.59 %) heat attributable mortality fraction compared to 1.17 % (0.53 %, 1.80 %) for males, while non-Jordanians were susceptible to cold, with an 8.36 % (2.83 %, 14.66 %) cold attributable mortality fraction compared to 5.91 % (4.37 %, 7.41 %) for Jordanians. ConclusionThis study highlights the increased vulnerability of marginalized communities in Amman to temperature extremes. It emphasizes the need for further research to identify at-risk groups not only in Amman but also in other cities across Jordan. Such research is crucial for developing targeted protective strategies to safeguard these populations.

Pollution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in PM1 and Source-Specific Health Risks in the Tianjin Airport Community, China.

The airport and its surrounding areas are home to a variety of pollution sources, and air pollution is a recognized health concern for local populated regions. Submicron particulate matter (PM1 with an aerodynamic diameter of <1 mm) is a typical pollutant at airports, and the enrichment of heavy metals (HMs) in PM1 poses a great threat to human health. To comprehensively assess the source-specific health effects of PM1-bound HMs in an airport community, PM1 filter samples were collected around the Tianjin Binhai International Airport for 12 h during the daytime and nighttime, both in the spring and summer, and 10 selected HMs (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed. The indicatory elements of aircraft emissions were certified as Zn and Pb, which accounted for more than 60% of the sum concentration of detected HMs. The health risks assessment showed that the total non-cancer risks (TNCRs) of PM1-bound HMs were 0.28 in the spring and 0.23 in the summer, which are lower than the safety level determined by the USEPA, and the total cancer risk (TCR) was 2.37 × 10-5 in the spring and 2.42 × 10-5 in the summer, implying that there were non-negligible cancer risks in the Tianjin Airport Community. After source apportionment with EF values and PMF model, four factors have been determined in both seasons. Consequently, the source-specific health risks were also evaluated by combining the PMF model with the health risk assessment model. For non-cancer risk, industrial sources containing high concentrations of Mn were the top contributors in both spring (50.4%) and summer (44.2%), while coal combustion with high loads of As and Cd posed the highest cancer risk in both seasons. From the perspective of health risk management, targeted management and control strategies should be adopted for industrial emissions and coal combustion in the Tianjin Airport Community.

Farnesol attenuates cadmium-induced kidney injury by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation and necroptosis and upregulating cytoglobin and PPARγ in rats

Heavy metals are environmental pollutants that can harm animals and humans even at low concentrations. Cadmium (Cd) is known for its serious health effects on different organs and its toxicity is associated with oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. Farnesol (FAR), a sesquiterpene alcohol found in many vegetables and fruits, possesses promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the effect of FAR on Cd-induced kidney injury, pinpointing its effect of the redox status, inflammation, fibrosis and necroptosis. Rats in this study received FAR for 14 days and Cd on day 7. Elevated serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, and several kidney histopathological alterations were observed in Cd-administered rats. Cd increased MDA, decreased antioxidants, downregulated PPARγ and upregulated NF-κB p65, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Necroptosis mediators (RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and caspase-8) and α-SMA were upregulated, and collagen deposition was increased in Cd-administered rats. FAR ameliorated kidney injury markers and tissue damage, attenuated OS, suppressed NF-κB and inflammatory mediators, and enhanced antioxidants. In addition, FAR suppressed RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, caspase-8, and α-SMA, and enhanced kidney cytoglobin and PPARγ. In conclusion, FAR protects against Cd nephrotoxicity by suppressing OS, inflammatory response and necroptosis, effects associated with enhanced antioxidants, cytoglobin, and PPARγ.

Metabolomic Prediction of Cadmium Nephrotoxicity in the Snail Helix aspersa maxima.

The decontamination of polluted soils is a major socioeconomic issue in many industrialized countries. In situ remediation approaches are nowadays preferred to ex situ techniques, but they require among others the use of bioindicators, which are sensitive to the progressive depollution on health effects. Animal species have been mainly used so far to monitor aquatic and air pollution. Current research focuses on the development of living indicators of soil pollution. In this study, the garden snail Helix aspersa maxima was acutely exposed to cadmium, one major soil contaminant causing severe health effects, including nephrotoxicity. Kidney and hemolymph were sampled and analyzed by a 1H-NMR-based metabonomic approach. Shortly after Cd exposure, numerous metabolic changes occurred in the hemolymph and kidney extracts. Altogether, they were indicative of a switch in energy sources from the Krebs cycle towards b-oxidation and the utilization of stored galactogen polysaccharides. Then, the activation of antioxidant defenses in the renal cells was suggested by the alteration in some precursors of glutathione synthesis, such as glutamate, and by the release of the antioxidant anserin. Cell membrane damage was evidenced by the increased levels of some osmolytes, betaine and putrescine, as well as by a membrane repair mechanism involving choline. Finally, the development of metabolic acidosis was suggested by the elevation in 3-HMG in the hemolymph, and the more pronounced lysine levels were consistent with acute excretion troubles. Cd-induced renal damage was objectified by the increased level of riboflavin, a recognized biomarker of nephrotoxicity.

Economic evaluations of pancreatic cancer screening: a systematic review protocol

IntroductionThe early detection of pancreatic cancer is an important step in reducing mortality by offering patients curative treatment. Screening strategies in risk populations and by means of different detection methods...

Evaluating the embryotoxicity of benzophenone-based photoinitiators in stem cells and zebrafish embryos

Benzophenones (BPs) are widely used as photoinitiators (PIs) or printing inks in food packaging, which may migrate into foods. However, the toxicity information of some BP analogues, such as 4,4′-bis(diethylamino)-benzophenone (DEAB), 4-phenylbenzophenone (4-PBP), 4 (hydroxymethyl)benzophenone (4-HMBP), those are used as PIs is lacking. Developmental toxicity is a health concern associated with PIs exposure. Recently, alternative non-in vivo methods have been proposed to evaluate the concerned chemicals or better understand the modes of action of certain toxicological endpoints. In this study, using in silico methods, we predicted that BP, DEAB, 4-PBP and 4-HMBP might exhibit developmental toxicity. However, we found that only DEAB is strong embryotoxic and disturbs the early differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into three germ layers and cardiomyocytes. DEAB treatment also prevented cardiomyocyte differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) on day 10. However, BP, 4-PBP and 4-HMBP had no similar effects on cardiomyocyte differentiation on day 10. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that treatment with DEAB significantly decreased the mRNA levels of differentiation-related transcription factors SOX17 and FOXA1, in hiPSCs on day 4. Furthermore, DEAB treatment caused tail malformations and yolk sac edema in zebrafish embryos. To conclude, DEAB may be embryotoxic because it disturbs the early differentiation of stem cells. Further studies are warranted to better understand the health effects of DEAB exposure.

Projected health and economic effects of a pan-tuberculosis treatment regimen: a modelling study

A pan-tuberculosis regimen that could be initiated without knowledge of drug susceptibility has been proposed as an objective of tuberculosis regimen development. We modelled the health and economic benefits of such a regimen and analysed which of its features contribute most to impact and savings. We constructed a mathematical model of tuberculosis treatment parameterised with data from the published literature specific to three countries with a high tuberculosis burden (India, the Philippines, and South Africa). Our model simulated cohorts of newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients, including drug susceptibility testing if performed, regimen assignment, discontinuation, adherence, costs, and resulting outcomes of durable cure (microbiological cure without relapse), need for retreatment, or death. We compared a pan-tuberculosis regimen meeting the WHO 2023 target regimen profile against the standard of care of separate rifampicin-susceptible and rifampicin-resistant regimens. We estimated incremental cures; averted deaths, secondary cases, and costs; and prices below which a pan-tuberculosis regimen would be cost saving. We also assessed scenarios intended to describe which mechanisms of benefit from a pan-tuberculosis regimen (including improved characteristics compared with the current rifampicin-susceptible and rifampicin-resistant regimens and improved regimen assignment and retention in care for patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis) would be most impactful. Results are presented as a range of means across countries with the most extreme 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) from the three UI ranges. Compared with the standard of care, a pan-tuberculosis regimen could increase the proportion of patients durably cured after an initial treatment attempt from 69-71% (95% UI 57-80) to 75-76% (68-83), preventing 30-32% of the deaths (20-43) and 17-20% of the transmission (9-29) that occur after initial tuberculosis diagnosis. Considering savings to the health system and patients during and after the initial treatment attempt, the regimen could reduce non-drug costs by 32-42% (22-49) and would be cost saving at prices below US$170-340 (130-510). A rifamycin-containing regimen that otherwise met pan-tuberculosis targets yielded only slightly less impact, indicating that most of the benefits from a pan-tuberculosis regimen resulted from its improvements upon the rifampicin-susceptible standard of care. Eliminating non-adherence and treatment discontinuation, for example via a long-acting injectable regimen, increased health impact and savings. In countries with a high tuberculosis burden, a shorter, highly efficacious, safe, and tolerable regimen to treat all tuberculosis could yield substantial health improvements and savings. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.