Substances In Human Body Research Articles

Association between high uric acid and the risk of Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis.

Uric acid, as an important antioxidant substance in human body, has attracted much attention in relation to the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the causal relationship between them is still controversial. We perform a meta-analysis to summarize the available evidence from cohort studies on the association between high uric acid and the risk of PD. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, and Embase to obtain the Odds Ratio (OR) of high uric acid and PD and pooled the data using RevMan software (v5.4; Cochrane library). A total of 18 studies involving more than 840,774 participants were included. Overall, we found a significant association (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.77-0.91) between high uric acid and PD. Subgroup analysis was stratified by gender, indicating more statistically significant protective effects of serum urate in men (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.54-0.81) than that of in women (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). People under the age of 60 (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33-0.86) are more likely to benefit from high uric acid than people over age of 60 (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.86). The resistance of high uric acid to PD in LRRK2 mutation carriers (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.11-0.45) is stronger than that in non-manifesting LRRK2 mutation carriers (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.16-0.85). In addition, a dose-response trend of serum urate to reduce PD risk was also observed (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48-0.93). Our study confirms a significant association between high uric acid and the risk of PD, especially in men under 60 years old, and a dose-response trend of uric acid to reduce PD risk was also observed. Furthermore, LRRK2 mutation carriers are more likely to benefit from high uric acid than non-manifesting LRRK2 mutation carriers.

Identifying relationships between disposal behavior, purchase pattern, price, and awareness with the e-waste management systems

E-waste contains toxic materials which require a special treatment for avoiding environmental pollution and accumulation of harmful substances in human body. According to BTRC there are 173.357 million mobile phone subscribers up to February 2021 in Bangladesh. Among all ICT appliances mobile phone has shortest average lifespan of 2 years. Due to increasing availability of e-services in public and private sector, the use of computer and laptop and internet is growing hurriedly during covid-19. Although Bangladesh has policies and instructions to develop ICT, there are no proper instructions and guidelines for management of the waste of technology. If government doesn’t take proper initiatives to control e-waste the toxic substances of these technological appliances spread over everywhere and pollute the environment, the development project of Digital Bangladesh turns into in development hazard. The aim of this paper was to identify the factors influencing towards the e-waste management system in Bangladesh. Through analyzing 250 questionnaires by SmartPLS software, we documented a positive relationship (p 0.05) between price and e-waste management system in Bangladesh.

NLRP3 Inflammasome in Metabolic-Associated Kidney Diseases: An Update.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of complex metabolic disorders syndrome, which refers to the pathological state of metabolism disorder of protein, fat, carbohydrate and other substances in human body. The kidney is an important organ of metabolism, and various metabolic disorders can lead to the abnormalities in the structure and function of the kidney. The recognition of pathogenesis and treatment measures of renal damage in MS is a very important part for the renal function preserve. Inflammatory response caused by various metabolic factors is a protective mechanism of the body, but persistent inflammation will become a harmful factor and aggravate kidney damage. Inflammasomes are sensors of the innate immune system that play crucial roles in initiating inflammation in response to acute infections and chronic diseases. They are multiprotein complex composed of cytoplasmic sensors (mainly NLR family members), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC or PYCARD) and pro-caspase-1. After receiving exogenous and endogenous stimuli, the sensors begin to assemble inflammasome and then promote the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, resulting in a special way of cell death named pyroptosis. In the kidney, NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by a variety of pathways, which eventually leads to inflammatory infiltration, renal intrinsic cell damage and renal function decline. This paper reviews the function and specific regulatory mechanism of inflammasome in kidney damage caused by various metabolic disorders, which will provide a new therapeutic perspective and targets for kidney diseases.

A novel dual-excitation and dual-emission fluorescent probe (CQDs-O-NBD) based on carbon quantum dots for detection and discrimination of Cys/Hcy and GSH/H2S in living cells

Cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are essential active substance in human body. The identification and detection of biothiols and H2S are of great significance for the early diagnosis of certain diseases. In this paper, a new dual excitation and dual emission fluorescent probe, carbon quantum dot-O-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (CQDs-O-NBD), for the detection of biothiols and H2S was synthesized. The carbon quantum dots (CQDs-OH) (λex/em maxima = 377 nm/467 nm) were synthesized by a microwave-assisted method using hydroquinone as the carbon source. Through the reaction of the phenolic hydroxyl group of the carbon quantum dots and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl), the CQDs-O-NBD was synthesized. Due to the static quenching (SQ) and the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) from CQDs to NBD, the fluorescence of the CQDs-O-NBD is very weak. After adding biothiols and H2S, the ether bond of the CQDs-O-NBD was broken through nucleophilic substitution reaction, which led to the release of the CQDs-OH (channel 1 is turned on) and generation of a new compound NBD-thiols (channel 2). The CQDs-O-NBD as a probe shows the high selectivity and sensitivity for Cys/Hcy/GSH/NaHS (LOD of 0.24 μM/0.21 μM/0.19 μM/0.18 μM) over other aminos and ions by channel 1. The new formed compounds from NBD and Cys/Hcy have strong fluorescence under 470 nm wavelength light excitation (channel 2 is turned on), while the formed compounds from NBD and GSH/NaHS have no fluorescence (no channel 2), so the CQDs-O-NBD can discriminate Cys/Hcy (LOD: 0.07 μM/0.06 μM) from GSH/NaHS. In addition, the CQDs-O-NBD shows low toxicity and can be applied to the detection of Cys in fetal bovine serum and imaging in living cells.

Evidence of Natural GHB Presence in Energy Drinks: Caution in Data Interpretation in Suspected DFSA Cases.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), usually reported as rape drug in drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA), is an endogenous substance in human body and is also found in many beverages. This may lead to data misinterpretation in forensic cases. Herein, we aimed to collect evidence about natural GHB presence in 13 energy drinks (ED). After a liquid-liquid extraction with acidic ethyl acetate, samples were derivatized with BSTFA 1% TMCS. Analyses were carried out by a GC-MS system in SIM mode (GHB, 233, 234, 143 and 147 m/z; GHB-d6, 239, 240, 120 and 206m/z). GHB was present in all the samples at very low concentrations ranging from 98 to 197ng/mL. Thus, GHB presence in ED is not exclusively related to exogenous addition. Since the GHB levels are far lower than the minimum active dose (i.e., 0.5g), it is not expected to induce any effect.

Age, home and school involvements, and home–school communication in alcohol use among secondary school students

ABSTRACT Abuse of alcohol is one of the risk-taking behaviours that is prominent among adolescents in secondary schools despite global awareness on misuse and adverse effects of psychoactive substances in human body. The study investigates age, home-based involvement, school-based involvement and home–school communication as predictors of alcohol use among secondary school students. In a school-based cross-sectional approach, a convenience sample of 323 (50.8% males & 49.2% females) secondary school students currently taking alcohol aged 10 to 22 years (M = 14.19, SD = 2.29) completed self-report questionnaires. Bivariate correlations analysis was done as a preliminary statistics, while multiple regression was computed to analyse the data and provides answers to the research question. Results of four-model hierarchical multiple regression showed that all predictor variables jointly contributed to alcohol use with home–school communication recording highest score. Independently, age, home-based involvement, school-based involvement and home–school communication predicted alcohol use. It is concluded that intervention through either home-based involvement or school-based involvement alone may not have much impact in reducing levels of alcohol use in secondary school student population. Combined efforts of both parents/guardians and school teachers are passionately recommended for effective alcohol-use/risk reduction intervention.

Obtaining of bread with the use of mixtures of wheat flour of the highest grade and wholemeal from the grain pigmented barley varieties Granal 32

In the production technology of bakery products for the enrichment of products useful for the human body substances use a number of components. Many of them significantly increase the nutritional and consumer value of bread. An important area of research should be the identification of optimal ratios of wheat flour with other components to obtain products with increased antioxidant activity. Studies have been conducted with the aim of determining the rational composition of a mixture of wheat flour of the highest grade and flour made from grain of naked pigmented barley of the variety Granal 32, which has increased antioxidant activity, for use in the production of bread. For research used options with the addition of wheat flour of the highest grade barley in the amount of 10, 20, 30, 40%. The results showed that in flour mixtures as the barley flour component increased, the gluten content decreased. The quality of gluten was characterized by a tendency to increase elasticity. In mixtures with the maximum content of barley flour (30 and 40%), the protein content is reduced relative to the control and the previous variants. The strength of the flour decreased, starting with the variant with the amount of barley flour of 20%. The tendency to decrease in the values ??of indicators in the variants with the barley flour component was also observed when evaluating the physical properties of dough on the farinograph. The quality number of the farinograph decreased in the variant with the inclusion of 10% barley flour by 35, and in the subsequent ones - by 56–67. The volume of bread and the total bakery grade were less reduced in the variant with the addition of barley flour in the amount of 10%. Indicators of moisture and acidity of bread in this embodiment were slightly different from those of the control (without the addition of barley flour). The variant with the addition to wheat flour of the highest grade of 10% wholemeal flour from grain of naked pigmented barley of variety Granal 32 is recommended for use in breadmaking with the aim of enriching wheat flour with highly nourishing barley flour with enhanced antioxidant activity.

The O1/H3-preferred 1:1 H-bonding and the electron-cloud migration induced by H-bonding or non-specific interactions: A systematic study on the interactions between dimethyl phthalate and 1-, 2- or 3-alkanol (C2-C6)

H-bonding and non-specific interactions between dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and different human body substances were considered to be mainly responsible for various health dysfunctions. However, the manner of H-bonding and the adaptability of the structure of DMP that may underpin the H-bonding/non-specific interactions have been difficult to assess and remain elusive. In this study, we set out to gain an insight into the subjects above through a systematic investigation on the interactions between DMP and 1-, 2- or 3-alkanol (C2 - C6). We calculated the H-bond distances, the CO and CO bond lengths and other selected structural essentials at B3LYP 6-311G(d) level. We recorded the infrared spectra Band I and Band II of CO of DMP when dissolving DMP into 11 different alkanol/n-Hexane binary solvent systems. We created and fit the equations to delineate the dependence of the absorption intensity ratio of Band II to Band I (AII/AI) on the volume-ratio of the alkanol component (x). Based on the equations, we obtained the percent of the major alkanol associates (−p), the binding constant of the 1:1 and 1:2 DMP-alkanol complexes (K1 and K2) and the ratio of the molar absorptivity of H-bonded CO to the molar absorptivity of non-bonded CO (εhb/εns). The −p, K1, K2 and εhb/εns values confirmed the calculated results. It can be concluded that H-bonds mainly form the 1:1 complexes at O1 and H3, leading to species O5-H1⋯O1 = C1 for 3-alkanols and species O5-H1⋯O1 = C1 and Ph-H3⋯O5 for 2-alkanols. The differences of the affinity of H-bonding were mainly attributed to the steric hindrance and to a lesser extent to the hydrophobic interactions and the multi-H-bond cooperativity. The electron-cloud of the DMP molecule was supposed to migrate mainly in the E1 or E4 mode to adapt to the H-bonding or non-specific interactions, respectively.

Stopping Powers of Protons in Biological Human Body Substances

In this paper we present a simple method for the calculation of mass stopping power (in MeV cm 2 /g) of protons from 0.5 Mev to 200 MeV energy range in biological human body substances such as water, bone, muscle and tissue. The proposed relations have been described in terms of energy of proton and mean ( ) of atomic number (Z) and atomic weight (A). A fairly good agreement has been found between our simplified values for mass stopping power of protons for water, bone, muscle and tissue and that of Mukherjee calculated values.

New anti-neoplastic drug test using in vitro model: what to be concern?

An important medical disorder that is common but not successfully managed in the present day is cancer. In fact, cancer has been known in medicine for many centuries. Continuous attempt to find anti-neoplastic drug leads to several ant-cancer drugs at present. However, as noted, the actual effective drug is still not available. Hence, cancer is still a deadly disease. Finding for new anti-neoplastic drug is the focus in cancer research at present. In the process, after developing of new drug alternatives, the next step is to study on its efficacy. Basically, the evaluation on pharmacological and toxicological effects has to be done for confirming the effectiveness and safety of the new drug. To serve this purpose, the in vitro model study is generally gone as the pioneer step. It is also the basic requirement for further drug registration [1]. Focusing on the vitro model study, there are some facts to be addressed. First, the model is not an actual thing. It is only the attempt to simulate the real phenomenon. Second, the study is generally in vitro. This is for the safety reason. In vitro study means the experiment outsides the living things. Hence, an in vitro study is totally not the real case in human beings. In general, the better study can be done based on in vivo study only if the safety is completely confirmed. It should be further noted that in vivo study can also be either in animal model or real human subjects. The best interpretation has to be based on finding for human study. Nevertheless, the human study has the highest risk comparing to the other techniques. Focusing on the new anti-neoplastic drug, it is perceived as a dangerous chemical agent. Hence, it is rarely studied in human subjects. Also, it is very hard to include cancerous patients to enroll in such study and it should be unethical to perform such experiment in normal subjects. Furthermore, any studies have to follow the good research guideline. The use of randomized control trial is usually preferable for final acceptance on registration process [2]. Finally, the present in vitro model study also poses the pitfall. Most in vitro model for the novel anti-neoplastic drug test is based on the cell culture, which is usually transformed neoplastic cell type [3]. Those transformed cell is not normal physiological cells, hence, the normal physiological response to the studied chemical agent cannot be expected. Those cancerous cells might not respond well or tolerate to side effect [3]. Considering the present in vitro cell culture study for new anti-neoplastic agent, several facts should be discussed. First, as already noted, the observation on the drug study is derived from abnormal transformed cells which usually passed several biomedical modification and sub-culture process. This cannot directly and totally imply the normal cells and non transformed, non sub-cultured cancerous cells. To refer for effectiveness and safety for further human study or usage must be careful. Second, in vitro model cannot include any biotransformation that might occur in vivo. Drug distribution, drug elimination and interference from other biochemical substances in human body are all not studied in the vitro test. Third, it should be noted that several new anti-neoplastic alternative are developed with advanced biomedical engineering technology [4], such as recombinant protein technology and nanopharmacology. Since the medical society still has few information on the side effect of those new substances (new recombinants, new nanomaterials, etc.). The complete study on the toxicological effect is required. For the new nano-anti-neoplastic drug, the drug in vitro might totally not reflect the actual action in human body. Since the nanomaterial is highly sensitive, it might aggregate to form larger molecule in vivo or it might interact with several substances, especially for proteins, in human body. For sure, if such scenario occur, the change in pharmacological and toxicological properties is possible. The development of new drug test system for nanomaterial – based anti-neoplastic drug is required and the test must be performed within certified nanotechnology laboratory. Fourth, it must be repeatedly noted that anti-neoplastic agent is chemical hazardous. The safety concern should be for not only the patients but also on the medical personnel who develop and perform drug test. The safety of the practitioners seems to be the forgotten issue. Finally, the new alternative mean to test the new drug should be mentioned. With advanced computational technology, the use of bioinformatics tool to help simulate and study on the drug pharmacology and toxicology is possible.

New Halogenated Disinfection Byproducts in Swimming Pool Water and Their Permeability across Skin

Chlorine is widely used for disinfecting public swimming pool water. The disinfectant chlorine, protecting swimmers from pathogenic infection in swimming, may be responsible for some adverse effects on swimmers' skin and health. In this study, numerous new halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in chlorinated pool water were detected with a powerful precursor ion scan method using electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, with or without preseparation with ultra performance liquid chromatography. These new pool DBPs were demonstrated to be mainly halo(nitro)phenols, resulting from chlorination of human body substances (such as urine) in the presence of bromide. Among these new DBPs, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2-bromophenol, 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol, 2-bromo-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol were fully identified or confirmed. For 2,4-dibromophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2-bromophenol with pure standard compounds available, their permeability values across human skin were measured to be 0.031, 0.021, and 0.023 cm/h, respectively. The effects of chlorine on human skin were also investigated. The interaction of chlorine with epidermis was found to generate many new halogenated DBPs as well as common DBPs; the corneous layer was observed to become rough and even form larger pores after chlorine interaction. It is recommended that swimmers should avoid urinating in pools, and avoid prolonged swimming to reduce chlorine contact and prevent accelerated permeation of DBPs across skin.

Chapitre 5. Les implications éthiques de la conservation des échantillons biologiques

The conservation and use of biological samples become more and more frequent all around the world. Biobanks of human body substances (blood, urine, DNA, tissues, cells, etc.), and personal data associated with them are created. They have a double character as they are collections of both human biological samples and personal data. In some cases, the gametes, reproductive tissues, embryos, foetal tissue after abortion or even specimens of dead donors are collected and conserved. Although biobanks raise hopes in both the development of new therapies, new drugs and their integration into clinical medicine, they also point to concerns related to ethical questions such as: the principles of information, the consent of the persons concerned, the confidentiality about the personal data, and in some cases discrimination and stigmatisation. Other ethical aspects could raise gradually as research advance. Research being carried out on human sample requires informed free consent from the person who should be able to consent. The donor must be sufficiently informed about the process of research, the purpose, benefits and the risks involved in participating in this research. In the case of persons unable to give consent such minors or persons with mental disabilities, special measures are undertaken. Once the consent was given, the right of withdrawal has been consistently supported by the various declarations and regulations, but some oppose this right for a number of reasons particularly in the case of research on the samples without risk of physical exposure. In this case the notion of human body integrity is different than in research involving therapeutic or clinical intervention. In the case of withdrawal of consent, the samples should be destroyed, but the anonymous results arising from them and their analysis are not affected. What is the case for future uses? Should the researcher obtain again the consent from the donor for a secondary use of the samples? This is a matter of debate in the public and scientific communities. In Morocco, research activities on humans are undertaken in the absence of legal framework. Among the ethical issues, the most frequent in Morocco are related to the informed and explicit consent. Illiteracy, which concerns half of the population, and the economic vulnerability of the largest proportion of the patient make the informed and explicit consent questionable. In this paper we aimed to describe the use and conservation of human biological samples in Morocco and to determine the ethical questions raised in this context. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to biologists working in the different laboratories. The response rate was only 59.2%. The human biological samples are generally used for diagnosis and clinical follow-up. The storage period ranged from 3 months to 1 year, it does not exceed one year. The percentage of conservation of biological samples in the laboratory for one year is 67% and no basic criterion is maintained in the selection of samples. All laboratories obtained their samples directly from patients; no exchange or duplicate samples were undertaken between institutions. The analyses performed on the stored samples are biochemical and immunological. The genetic analyses accounted for only 35% of the total samples. The laboratories involved a researcy activity accounted for only 13.6%. Some of them answered they had not obtained in a systematic manner the consent of the persons concerned. These results indicated a lack of information and guidance on bioethics in Morocco.

Composites comprising cholesterol and carboxymethyl cellulose

Whereby cholesterol presents one of the major fatty substances in human body, carboxymethyl cellulose is a water-soluble derivative of cellulose, the most abundant dietary fiber. Whereas on one hand in vivo precipitation of cholesterol is the major cause of atherosclerosis, dietary fibers are on the other hand known for their ability to clean the fatty plaque deposited on intestinal pathways, and prevent its build-up in other critical areas within the organism. In this work, a method for the preparation of a composite material comprising cholesterol and carboxymethyl cellulose from 1-hexanol/water biphase mixtures is reported. Specificity of the interaction between the composite components in the given conditions of synthesis inhibits the tendency of solid cholesterol to adopt typical plate- or needle-shaped morphologies. Instead, control of the thixotropic behavior of the constituent polymer phase leads to the formation of bubbling, multi-layered cholesteric films. In view of the major illnesses that involve biological precipitation of cholesterol crystals, these findings may be considered as pointing towards the interactional specificity of potential chemotherapeutic and/or nutritional significance. Scanning electron microscopy, thermal and diffractometric analyses were performed as parts of the characterization of the prepared material.

Drowning in Disinfection Byproducts? Assessing Swimming Pool Water

Disinfection is mandatory for swimming pools: public pools are usually disinfected by gaseous chlorine or sodium hypochlorite and cartridge filters; home pools typically use stabilized chlorine. These methods produce a variety of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as trihalomethanes (THMs), which are regulated carcinogenic DBPs in drinking water that have been detected in the blood and breath of swimmers and of nonswimmers at indoor pools. Also produced are halogenated acetic acids (HAAs) and haloketones, which irritate the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes; trichloramine, which is linked with swimming-pool-associated asthma; and halogenated derivatives of UV sun screens, some of which show endocrine effects. Precursors of DBPs include human body substances, chemicals used in cosmetics and sun screens, and natural organic matter. Analytical research has focused also on the identification of an additional portion of unknown DBPs using gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS with derivatization. Children swimmers have an increased risk of developing asthma and infections of the respiratory tract and ear. A 1.6-2.0-fold increased risk for bladder cancer has been associated with swimming or showering/bathing with chlorinated water. Bladder cancer risk from THM exposure (all routes combined) was greatest among those with the GSTT1-1 gene. This suggests a mechanism involving distribution of THMs to the bladder by dermal/inhalation exposure and activation there by GSTT1-1 to mutagens. DBPs may be reduced by engineering and behavioral means, such as applying new oxidation and filtration methods, reducing bromide and iodide in the source water, increasing air circulation in indoor pools, and assuring the cleanliness of swimmers. The positive health effects gained by swimming can be increased by reducing the potential adverse health risks.