Toxic Substance Exposure Research Articles

Refractory gastroduodenal ulcers: investigating non-peptic etiologies.

This article presents two clinical cases of gastroduodenal peptic ulcers refractory to medical treatment. In both cases, malignancy was excluded following persistent lesions observed in repeated endoscopies, leading to the use of surgery as both a diagnostic and therapeutic approach. These refractory cases require a multidisciplinary approach with a broad differential diagnosis, including etiologies such as toxic substance exposure, persistent Helicobacter pylori infection, or poor adherence to medical treatment, along with less common conditions such as malignancy, acid hypersecretion syndromes, vascular disorders, or immune-mediated diseases.

Morphological and clinical findings in placentas and newborns with a history of tobacco, alcohol, and other substance abuse during pregnancy.

Exposure to toxins during pregnancy is the main modifiable behavior that affects the placenta and, consequently, the fetus. In particular, smoking is a recognized risk factor for negative outcomes. Our study pretended to examine gross and microscopic placental features in women who reported exposure to tobacco, alcohol, or other psychoactive substances. In this observational case-control study, we collected 706 placentas to assess precise substance exposure histological-interaction features of in the placenta. We examined gross and microscopic placental features, and then recorded maternal and newborn clinical conditions. We found that 4.8% of mothers admitted to consumption of some type of (harmful) substance. The most common pre-existing maternal condition was obesity (20.3%); predominant complications included amniotic infection (32.3%), urinary tract infection (14.5%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (14.5%). In newborns, we discovered positive associations as respiratory distress syndrome. Macroscopically, exposed mothers had heavier placentas, more true knots, and single umbilical artery; microscopically, they were more likely to exhibit fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). Until our present study, no research linked umbilical cord defects to toxic substance exposure; our study results do confirm association with adverse outcomes in neonates and alterations in the neuro-cardio-placental circuit through FVM. The results are confirming the importance of this modifiable risk factor and how its presence may potentially affect the course of pregnancy, as well as the health of both mother and child.

Increasing public knowledge and Skill in Emergency Response to enhance proficiency in handling emergencies at home

Abstract. Medical emergencies are not limited to hospitals, roads, or public facilities but frequently arise within households and families. Typical emergencies in residential and nearby settings include physical injuries, loss of consciousness, toxic substance exposure, and open wounds. According to the 2019 poisoning case report, incidents of poisoning that transpire within residential settings constitute Indonesia's second most prevalent form of poisoning cases across diverse categories of poisoning incidents. The prevalence of emergency incidents in such households underscores the significance of leveraging alertness and caution. Furthermore, fast and accurate handling is also requisite. Acquiring knowledge of first aid within the community is imperative for effectively managing emergencies that may arise in a domestic setting. Acquiring emergency first aid knowledge is crucial for the community as unanticipated emergencies can occur indiscriminately and anywhere.
 An intervention was implemented via community service at PCPM Ngaglik Sleman to address the issue mentioned earlier. The community service was being executed to impart knowledge on emergency management through a two-pronged strategy. The initial phase involved imparting knowledge on emergency medical care for conditions such as injuries, syncope, nosebleeds, toxic exposure, and open wounds. During the second phase, a Forum Group Discussion was conducted to simulate managing injuries, syncope, and open wounds. One or two instructors facilitated each group. The efficacy of education was evaluated by administering pre-test and post-test assessments utilizing the quizz.com platform. The simulation's efficacy was evaluated using a rubric to make observations.
 The outcome of this community service initiative led to a noticeable augmentation in the participants' comprehension of emergency response procedures. The study observed that the average pre-test and post-test scores of the 26 participants increased. Additionally, the proportion of participants who demonstrated good knowledge increased from 11.5% to 50%. Furthermore, there was an observed improvement in the participants' ability to handle emergencies. In assessing this approach, it was imperative to incorporate the time duration for stage 2 activities, specifically the emergency handling simulation. Furthermore, the intended collaborators aspire for this undertaking to be conducted regularly.

Update on cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is a form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that results from the pulmonary reaction to various unidentified injuries. Secondary organizing pneumonia is diagnosed when the triggering factor has been identified; it is mainly caused by infections, toxic substance exposure, drugs, connective tissue diseases, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, bone marrow, or organ transplantation, and radiotherapy. There has been an increase in the number of reports of drug-induced organizing pneumonia (OP). New biological therapies, interferon, monoclonal antibodies, anti-interleukin antibodies, and PD1/PDL-1 inhibitors may induce this specific pulmonary reaction. The classical form of COP is usually subacute and does not manifest as severe disease. Patients maintain sufficient respiratory function, and treatment with steroids is usually effective. Several specific forms of OP (e.g., the cicatricial variant or acute fibrinous type) have distinct clinical and histological features, require higher doses of immunosuppressive drugs, and have a worse prognosis. In the era of administering steroid-sparing therapies for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases, connective tissue dases, and other conditions, it is important to emphasize this type of therapy for patients with COP.

Retraction Note to: Electrophysiological Follow-Up of Patients with Chronic Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Occupational Intoxication with n-Hexane.

The aim of this study is to characterize and dynamically monitor the progress of peripheral neuropathy induced by n-hexane by electromyography and nerve conduction velocity (NCV-EMG). Twenty-five patients with n-hexane poisoning from an electronic company were investigated in the year 2009. The occupational history of these workers was collected, and toxic substance exposure was identified. Neurologic inspection and regular NCV-EMG inspection were performed for all patients upon hospital admission and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. NCV-EMG results shown that patients with n-hexane poisoning have simultaneous damage on motor and sensory nerves, of which sensory nerve damage was more severe. Motor nerves of the lower limbs were severe damaged than those of the upper limbs; whereas injury of sensory nerve in the upper limbs was more severe than that of the lower limbs. After treatment, clinical signs and symptoms of the patients were significantly improved. NCV-EMG result showed a delayed worsening at 3 months then gradually recovered after 12 months. Recovery of the motor nerve was better compared with sensory nerve, with upper limbs faster than that of the lower limbs.

The chemical changes in the total antioxidant status and biological activity of GSTP1 polymorphism on nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Oxidative stress is associated with cancer, including NPC, which is developed by the relation of genetic alteration, EBV infection, and environmental risk. Ile/Val genotype of GSTP1 polymorphism decrease enzyme functions and result in lower total antioxidant status. This study aimed to identify the association of GSTP1 polymorphism and the TAS level. This was a cross-sectional design study. There were 29 NPC patients with their blood as the samples of the study. Blood as the samples for identifying GSTP1 polymorphism by PCR-RFLP-electrophoresis method and measurement of TAS using the ELISA method. There were 21 (72.4%) NPC patients with Ile/Val polymorphism and lower TAS. We found there was no significant association of GSTP1 polymorphism and TAS. Future research with larger samples and adding data about environmental risk such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and toxic substances exposure or multivitamin consumption of the patients can reveal more definitive results. The study may be used as references for determining antioxidant therapy in NPC as well as prevention. The identifying genetic risk factor may help the prevention of NPC.

A Review on Targeted Cell Therapy for Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer and Lung Cancer

Cancer mainly defined as a group of diseases lead to growth of abnormal cells anywhere in the body. Anything that potentially leads to the growth of abnormal cells in the body is called cancer. Cancer cells grow with potential to invade or spread in any parts of the body. Cancer can be caused by various agents and factors depending upon the type of cancer developed in the particular region. Chemical and toxic substance exposure, ionizing agents and genetic factors are majorly responsible for developing cancer cells in the body state or degree of disease is determined by medical uses such as biopsy which helps in diagnosis of cancer and determining its types and extent of cancer cells spread throughout the body. The molecular targets such as VEGF, oestrogen, protease activated receptor, BRAF has become major innovations towards drug discovery both naturally and chemically.Symptoms of cancer varies according to the types and extent of disease developed in body symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, change in bowel and bladder function, cough and skin tone are some of the early signs of developing cancerous cells in the body. In this study, we focussed the targets of leading cancers among male and female like breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer in drug discovery and development.

Psychogenic pseudoptosis: Case report with review of literature

BackgroundConversion disorder or functional neurological disorder is a psychiatric condition in which the body’s emotional and psychological stressors are converted to physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a neurological or medical condition. Psychogenic pseudoptosis is a rare manifestation of conversion disorder that present a major challenge in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Case descriptionA 36-year-old woman presented with acquired left ptosis and longstanding generalized weakness. She denied any toxic substance exposure, insect bites, recent travel or family history of neurological disease. The neurological examination was normal except for an atypical left ptosis with eyebrow droop and inability to walk. However, electrophysiological investigations were normal. The presence of dissociative symptoms and the improvement after starting pharmacotherapy in combination with psychotherapy led to the diagnosis of conversion disorder. ConclusionAfter the exclusion of organic causes, the conversion disorder must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acquired ptosis, especially when accompanied by eyebrows droop sign and a suggestive psychological context.

Bioassay of Seawater Using the Saltwater Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller

A method of assessing the quality of seawater using the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Muller is described. Relevance of developing a new bioassay of marine aquatic environment is emphasized, and the choice of the saltwater rotifer B. plicatilis as a test organism is justified considering its biological characteristics, specific structural features, reproduction, and development. A detailed protocol of maintaining rotifer cultures under laboratory conditions is presented, including feeding, breeding, and testing their sensitivity to standard toxicants; the list of necessary materials, reagents, and equipment is provided, and the procedures of biotesting and assessing seawater quality are described. Application of this bioassay is illustrated on several samples of seawater contaminated with heavy metals (copper and zinc) and organic compounds (ethanol and isopropanol). Some specific features of chronic and acute seawater pollution were determined. In particular, continuous contamination with a small concentration of a toxic substance and short-term exposure to high concentrations of pollutants can have different consequences. The results of the bioassay substantiate the need for laboratory experiments simulating different modes of contamination of aquatic environments with toxic pollutants.

Wybrane czynniki środowiskowe a ryzyko niepłodności mężczyzn

Niepłodność mężczyzn jest obecnie znaczącym problemem klinicznym. Pomimo coraz większej ilości badań, przyczyny niepłodności nie są w pełni poznane. Celem niniejszego opracowania było wskazanie modyfikowalnych czynników związanych ze stylem życia (np. higieną pracy, snu, aktywnością fizyczną) i innymi czynnikami środowiskowymi (ekspozycją na substancje toksyczne, takie jak metale ciężkie czy nanocząstki), które w istotny sposób mogą wpływać na płodność mężczyzn. Wykazano, że różne elementy stylu życia i środowiska mogą być przyczyną stanu zapalnego i stresu oksydacyjnego, co leży u podstaw zaburzeń funkcjonowania męskiego układu rozrodczego.
 Słowa kluczowe: niepłodność mężczyzn, styl życia, czynniki środowiskowe, stan zapalny, stres oksydacyjny

Primary Teeth Bite Marks Analysis on Various Materials: A Possible Tool in Children Health Risk Analysis and Safety Assessment.

Background: All objects put into a child’s mouth could be hazardous in terms of trauma and toxic substance exposure. The aims of this study were to evaluate morphological characteristics of the primary teeth bite marks inflicted on various materials and to assess material wear using experimental model. Methods: Bite marks were analyzed on five materials: rubber, plastic, foil, wood, and silicone. In order to mimic children mouthing behavior an experimental setup has been designed using primary teeth placed in dentures and children’s equipment specimens. Results: Deciduous teeth make visible and recognizable traces when using physiological forces on all investigated materials. The most significant material loss was revealed in silicone samples, but it has been observed in all material groups, while mouthing with incisors using higher mastication forces were identified as significant predictors for material wear. There were no significant differences between type, species, and morphological-morphometric characteristics of the bite marks which are made by incisors, canines, and molars. Conclusions: In the range of physiological bite forces, deciduous teeth lead to wear of material from which toys are made while the analysis of bite marks in children equipment could give some information regarding the risk of trauma and exposure.

Combination effects of airborne particulate matter exposure and high-fat diet on hepatic fibrosis through regulating the ROS-endoplasmic reticulum stress-TGFβ/SMADs axis in mice

BackgroundHepatic fibrosis, characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, is associated with toxic substance exposure, chronic infections, mechanical injury, airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and metabolic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of long-term, real-world airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure on hepatic fibrosis and further explored whether combination treatment of PM exposure and high-fat diet (HFD) aggravate the adverse effects in mice. Methods and resultsSix-week-old male C57BL/6J mice fed with either a standard chow diet (STD) or an HFD were treated with either filtered air (FA) or PM for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, histological examination, gene expression analysis, and Western blot analysis were utilized to measure the effect and mechanism of PM exposure on hepatic fibrosis and to further analyze the synergistic effect of HFD. Subchronic airborne PM exposure induces hepatic fibrosis in mice, and combination treatment of PM exposure and HFD accelerate the adverse effect. Meanwhile, subchronic exposure to real-world PM increased the level of hepatic ROS, and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (GRP78 and CHOP), p-SMAD2 and p-SMAD3, as well as up-regulated TGFβ and collagen 1 in liver tissues. Furthermore, PM exposure and HFD displayed the synergistic effects on these changes in liver. ConclusionOur findings indicate that airborne PM exposure aggravates HFD -induced hepatic fibrosis. The ROS-ER stress-TGFβ/SMADs regulatory axis mediates the effects of airborne PM exposure on accelerating hepatic fibrosis.

Environment and Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update on miRNA Role.

The importance of neurodegenerative diseases on the management of public health is growing and the real role of the environment and miRNA in their occurrence is still unclear. miRNA can significantly affect the regulatory network. The complex variety and gene-regulatory capacity of miRNAs are particularly valuable in the brain, being a very complex organ with a functional specialization of neurons highly adaptable to environmental stimuli. In particular, an miRNAs role is demonstrated in neurological diseases as an effect to toxic and mutagenic substances exposure by the environment. The focus was on the three most important neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer, Parkinson and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A brief critical review on scientific papers of the last ten years using PuBMED, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases was carried out. Several studies have shown that miRNAs may contribute to neurodegeneration process in response to environmental risks. The miRNAs are known to play a dynamic role in many biochemical pathways of mammalian's brain, including neuroplasticity, stress responses, cellular signaling, etc. miRNAs have a role in neurodegenerative phenotype of AD, PD and ALS. The environmental chemicals such as metals and pesticides and then behavior can cause miRNA alterations via increasing oxidative stress and/or triggering inflammatory responses. A discussion with theoretical and possible future research directions is provided and it is clear that the need is not only of longitudinal population studies and of better knowledge of epigenetics markers but, especially, of environmental policy interventions based on the green economy.

Obesogens and Nuclear Receptors

Obesity is so common within the world’s population and prevalence has increased markedly over. And we know that toxic chemical substance exposure increased that both of obesity prevalence and formation of health problems related with obesity. Nuclear receptors that are sensors of exposure to xenobiotics. In addition recent studies have proposed a first set of obesogens that target nuclear hormone receptor signaling pathways with relevance to adipocyte biology and the developmental origins of health and disease. In this paper assesses the information about a huge puclic helath problem that is obesity and its relationship also evaluated that nuclear receptor signaling pathways of obesogens.

P345 Another brick in the wall: Is hexane neuropathy a ‘nodo-paranodopathy’?

Objectives To discuss electrophysiological follow-up of patients with n-hexane neuropathy and to remark overlaps with new concept nodo-paranodopathy. Methods 3 males, aged between 18–39 years, working in shoe manufactory were evaluated. Occupational history, toxic substance exposures, neurologic examinations were noted and NCV-EMG were performed upon hospital admission and during clinical follow-up (1., 3., 4., 6. months; 1., 3., 9. months; 3., 4., 5. months, respectively). Results Motor nerve conduction studies, performed in 1–4 months of clinical paresia initiation, revealed focal conduction blocks. Electrophysiological follow-up showed decreased distal CMAP amplitudes and denervation potentials supporting axonal degeneration in some; whereas increment in some other distal CMAP amplitudes, supporting early reversed conduction failures. This different patterns of conduction block resolution were documented both in different nerves of different patients and also in different nerves of the same patient. SNAPs were either decreased or preserved. Urine 2,5-hexandion concentrations were between 1.45–4.52 mg. Discussion n-Hexane gives cause to one of the most common toxic polyneuropathies seen in poorly ventilated factories. It is a sensory-motor polyneuropathy ending up with axonal degeneration. Nerve biopsy reveals paranodal axonal swelling and secondary myelin retraction in early stages. Myelin retraction imitates demyelination causing focal conduction block and failure before axonal degeneration emerges. This brings to mind the new category of nodo-paranodopathy described firstly for anti-ganglioside antibody mediated neuropathies, which can be proved by electrophysiological reevaluations. Significance n-Hexane neuropathy may have a pathogenic mechanism of dysfunction/disruption at the node of Ranvier as another example of nodo-paranodopathy.

Exposure to toxics during pregnancy and childhood and asthma in children: A pilot study

Environmental factors, pesticides, alcohol and smoking are linked to asthma in children. The association of toxic substances exposure with asthma has not been evaluated. Our objective is to assess such associations among children aged less than 16 years old. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2015, using a sample of Lebanese students from private schools in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Out of 700 distributed questionnaires, 527 (75.2%) were returned to us. Verbal informed consent was also obtained from all parents prior to participating in the study. A significant association was found between waterpipe smoking and diagnosed asthma (p = 0.003; ORa = 13.25; 95% CI 2.472– 71.026). Alcohol during pregnancy, waterpipe smoking during pregnancy and parents respiratory problems significantly increased the risk of respiratory problems by approximately 5 times, 6 times and 2 times respectively (p = 0.016; ORa = 4.889; 95% CI 1.339–17.844, p = 0.021; ORa = 6.083; 95% CI 1.314– 28.172, p = 0.004; ORa = 1.748; 95% CI 1.197–2.554 respectively). Waterpipe smoking, alcohol during pregnancy, recurrent otitis and humidity at home seem to be significantly correlated with asthma in children. Spreading awareness by health care professionals is needed to permit a reduction of the prevalence of these allergic diseases, especially asthma, in children.

Exposure to toxics during pregnancy and childhood and asthma in children: A pilot study

Environmental factors, pesticides, alcohol and smoking are linked to asthma in children. The association of toxic substances exposure with asthma has not been evaluated. Our objective is to assess such associations among children aged less than 16years old. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2015, using a sample of Lebanese students from private schools in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Out of 700 distributed questionnaires, 527 (75.2%) were returned to us. Verbal informed consent was also obtained from all parents prior to participating in the study. A significant association was found between waterpipe smoking and diagnosed asthma (p=0.003; ORa=13.25; 95% CI 2.472–71.026). Alcohol during pregnancy, waterpipe smoking during pregnancy and parents respiratory problems significantly increased the risk of respiratory problems by approximately 5 times, 6 times and 2 times respectively (p=0.016; ORa=4.889; 95% CI 1.339–17.844, p=0.021; ORa=6.083; 95% CI 1.314–28.172, p=0.004; ORa=1.748; 95% CI 1.197–2.554 respectively). Waterpipe smoking, alcohol during pregnancy, recurrent otitis and humidity at home seem to be significantly correlated with asthma in children. Spreading awareness by health care professionals is needed to permit a reduction of the prevalence of these allergic diseases, especially asthma, in children.

Can imprinting play a role in the response ofTetrahymena pyriformisto toxic substance exposure?

Among protozoa, Tetrahymena pyriformis is the most commonly ciliated model used for laboratory research. All living organisms need to adapt to ever changing adverse conditions in order to survive. This article focuses on the phenomenon that exposure to toxic doses of the toxicants protects against a normally harmful dose of the same stressor. This first encounter by toxicant provokes the phenomenon of epigenetical imprinting, by which the reaction of the cell is quantitatively modified. This modification is transmitted to the progeny generations. The experiments demonstrate the possibility of epigenetic effects at a unicellular level and call attention to the possibility that the character of unicellular organisms has changed through to the present day due to an enormous amount of non-physiological imprinter substances in their environment. The results point to the validity of epigenetic imprinting effects throughout the animal world. Imprinting in Tetrahymena was likely the first epigenetic phenomenon which was justified at cellular level. It is very useful for the unicellular organisms, as it helps to avoid dangerous molecules more easily or to find useful ones and by this contributes to the permanence of the population’s life.

The Air Force Health Study Data and Specimens as a Resource for Researchers.

The Air Force Health Study (AFHS) is perhaps the most thorough longitudinal examination of both the health of military personnel and the health effects of herbicide exposure ever conducted. Data were collected through comprehensive physical examinations, questionnaires, and other records at six time points over a 20-year period; 2,758 subjects participated in at least one examination cycle. Data collected during physical examinations included indices of health status overall and specific endpoints for each organ system. Questionnaire data included sociodemographic information, marital and fertility history, health habits, recreation activities, toxic substances exposure, and military experience. Biospecimens were collected at each examination cycle; serum was collected at all six examinations while other biospecimens, such as semen and whole blood, were collected at one time. More than 200 clinical laboratory tests and measures were performed, with more than 60 of these measured at all six cycles. The vast amount of electronic data and the more than 91,000 unaliquoted biospecimens contained in the repository offer unique opportunities for new research on understanding determinants of health. The Institute of Medicine is the custodian of the AFHS materials and conducted a pilot research program to facilitate new research using the materials. An expert committee issued requests for proposals, created a Web-based form for submissions, reviewed and evaluated potential research studies, and made data and biospecimens available to qualified researchers. This article summarizes the experience of this initiative.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Electrophysiological Follow-Up of Patients with Chronic Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Occupational Intoxication with n-Hexane

The aim of this study is to characterize and dynamically monitor the progress of peripheral neuropathy induced by n-hexane by electromyography and nerve conduction velocity (NCV-EMG). Twenty-five patients with n-hexane poisoning from an electronic company were investigated in the year 2009. The occupational history of these workers was collected, and toxic substance exposure was identified. Neurologic inspection and regular NCV-EMG inspection were performed for all patients upon hospital admission and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. NCV-EMG results shown that patients with n-hexane poisoning have simultaneous damage on motor and sensory nerves, of which sensory nerve damage was more severe. Motor nerves of the lower limbs were severe damaged than those of the upper limbs; whereas injury of sensory nerve in the upper limbs was more severe than that of the lower limbs. After treatment, clinical signs and symptoms of the patients were significantly improved. NCV-EMG result showed a delayed worsening at 3 months then gradually recovered after 12 months. Recovery of the motor nerve was better compared with sensory nerve, with upper limbs faster than that of the lower limbs.