Comprehensive Study on the Acrylamide Content of High Thermally Processed Foods

Acrylamide (AA) formation in starch-based processed foods at elevated temperatures is a serious health issue as it is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. However, the formation of more AA entangles with modern-day fast food industries, and a considerable amount of this ingredient is being consumed by fast food eaters inadvertently throughout the world. This article reviews the factors responsible for AA formation pathways, investigation techniques of AA, toxicity, and health-related issues followed by mitigation methods that have been studied in the past few decades comprehensively. Predominantly, AA and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) are produced via the Maillard reaction and can be highlighted as the major heat-induced toxins formulated in bread and bakery products. Epidemiological studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between AA accumulation in the body and the increased risk of cancers. The scientific community is still in a dearth of technology in producing AA-free starch-protein-fat-based thermally processed food products. Therefore, this paper may facilitate the food scientists to their endeavor in developing mitigation techniques pertaining to the formation of AA and HMF in baked foods in the future.

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Cannabis Use and Risk of Schizophrenia: A Literature Review

International Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.33140/ijp.06.02.01 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Positive Association ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

The Body ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Normal Brain ◽

Brain Functioning ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Study Designs

Background and Objective: Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. The similarity in the chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol to the brain chemical anandamide allows the body to recognize it and alter normal brain functioning. The objective of this review article is to summarize the evidence for the association between cannabis and schizophrenia. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database and other sources. The keywords used were “cannabis” and “psychosis” and “schizophrenia.” Fifty-two articles relevant to our topic have been selected for this review. Results: Evidence from observational epidemiological studies has shown a positive association between regular cannabis use and schizophrenia risk. Meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization studies support the evidence from observational study designs. Discussion and Conclusions: The association between cannabis and schizophrenia is biologically plausible. Moreover, there has been emerging evidence of genes interacting with cannabis use to confer a higher risk for schizophrenia. There are enough reason and sufficient epidemiological evidence to warn people about the risk of developing schizophrenia with cannabis use. Scientific Significance: The increasing legalization of cannabis for recreational use is of significant concern. Long-term cannabis use might predispose people to increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Health professionals have a major role to play by taking maximum advantage of social and psychological interventions to educate people about the potential danger associated with cannabis and avoid its use.

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Ultra-processed food consumption and obesity in the Australian adult population

Nutrition and Diabetes ◽

10.1038/s41387-020-00141-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Priscila Pereira Machado ◽

Eurídice Martinez Steele ◽

Renata Bertazzi Levy ◽

Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽

Anna Rangan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Adult Population ◽

The Body ◽

Activity Level ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Rapid simultaneous increases in ultra-processed food sales and obesity prevalence have been observed worldwide, including in Australia. Consumption of ultra-processed foods by the Australian population was previously shown to be systematically associated with increased risk of intakes of nutrients outside levels recommended for the prevention of obesity. This study aims to explore the association between ultra-processed food consumption and obesity among the Australian adult population and stratifying by age group, sex and physical activity level. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric and dietary data from 7411 Australians aged ≥20 years from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012 was performed. Food consumption was evaluated through 24-h recall. The NOVA system was used to identify ultra-processed foods, i.e. industrial formulations manufactured from substances derived from foods and typically added of flavours, colours and other cosmetic additives, such as soft drinks, confectionery, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, microwaveable frozen meals and fast food dishes. Measured weight, height and waist circumference (WC) data were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and diagnosis of obesity and abdominal obesity. Regression models were used to evaluate the association of dietary share of ultra-processed foods (quintiles) and obesity indicators, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, physical activity and smoking. Results Significant (P-trend ≤ 0.001) direct dose–response associations between the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and indicators of obesity were found after adjustment. In the multivariable regression analysis, those in the highest quintile of ultra-processed food consumption had significantly higher BMI (0.97 kg/m2; 95% CI 0.42, 1.51) and WC (1.92 cm; 95% CI 0.57, 3.27) and higher odds of having obesity (OR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.27, 2.04) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.10, 1.72) compared with those in the lowest quintile of consumption. Subgroup analyses showed that the trend towards positive associations for all obesity indicators remained in all age groups, sex and physical activity level. Conclusion The findings add to the growing evidence that ultra-processed food consumption is associated with obesity and support the potential role of ultra-processed foods in contributing to obesity in Australia.

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Circadian Rhythms of the Hypothalamus: From Function to Physiology

Clocks & Sleep ◽

10.3390/clockssleep3010012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 189-226

Author(s):

Rachel Van Drunen ◽

Kristin Eckel-Mahan

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythms ◽

Energy Homeostasis ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Internal Clock ◽

The Body ◽

Hypothalamic Nuclei ◽

Increased Risk

The nearly ubiquitous expression of endogenous 24 h oscillations known as circadian rhythms regulate the timing of physiological functions in the body. These intrinsic rhythms are sensitive to external cues, known as zeitgebers, which entrain the internal biological processes to the daily environmental changes in light, temperature, and food availability. Light directly entrains the master clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which lies in the hypothalamus of the brain and is responsible for synchronizing internal rhythms. However, recent evidence underscores the importance of other hypothalamic nuclei in regulating several essential rhythmic biological functions. These extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei also express circadian rhythms, suggesting distinct regions that oscillate either semi-autonomously or independent of SCN innervation. Concurrently, the extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei are also sensitized to fluctuations in nutrient and hormonal signals. Thus, food intake acts as another powerful entrainer for the hypothalamic oscillators’ mediation of energy homeostasis. Ablation studies and genetic mouse models with perturbed extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei function reveal their critical downstream involvement in an array of functions including metabolism, thermogenesis, food consumption, thirst, mood and sleep. Large epidemiological studies of individuals whose internal circadian cycle is chronically disrupted reveal that disruption of our internal clock is associated with an increased risk of obesity and several neurological diseases and disorders. In this review, we discuss the profound role of the extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei in rhythmically regulating and coordinating body wide functions.

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Assessment of Ergonomical and Occupational Health Related Problems Among VDT Workers of West Bengal, India

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v1i2.2992 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 26-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Banibrata Das ◽

Tirthankar Ghosh

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

The Body ◽

Upper Extremities ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Male And Female ◽

Lower Back ◽

Visual Stress ◽

Health Related ◽

Back Problem

Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among computer users. The main aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal and visual disorders among the VDT workers. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in the different office premises in Kolkata. After selections of the locations, 100 VDT workers are selected randomly comprising 50 male and 50 female. A detailed study based on a modified Nordic questionnaire was performed among these VDT workers for study period to measure the outcome of epidemiological studies on musculoskeletal disorders. Results: The main finding of this study was that the Lower back problem is the main problem among VDT workers. The both male and female VDT workers also suffered pain in neck, shoulder, fore arm, wrist, elbow and the different parts of the upper extremities. This study revealed that the female VDT workers suffer more discomfort feeling than male VDT workers. In this study it was clearly indicated that the discomfort feeling was relatively high among the aged VDT workers. Prolonged period of work in an awkward posture mainly lead to discomfort feeling among the VDT workers. Another finding of this study was that both male and female VDT workers suffered from visual stress due to prolonged period of work and without using of antiglare screen in a monitor. Conclusion: The VDT workers suffered pain mainly in the upper extremities and lower back of the body. They also suffered from visual stress. Females have a higher discomfort feeling than male VDT workers. Key Words: VDT workers; Discomfort feeling; Visual stress; Gender difference DOI: 10.3126/ajms.v1i2.2992Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 1 (2010) 26-31

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Hepatitis C Virus and Nonliver Solid Cancers: Is There an Association between HCV and Cancers of the Pancreas, Thyroid, Kidney, Oral Cavity, Breast, Lung, and Gastrointestinal Tract?

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2017/8349150 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Saad Qadwai ◽

Tayyaba Rehman ◽

Jonathan Barsa ◽

Zeeshan Solangi ◽

Edward Lebovics

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Oral Cavity ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

The Body ◽

Lung Cancers ◽

Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known for its oncogenic potential and has been found to be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has also been postulated that HCV may play a role in the development of other extrahepatic solid tumors of other organs of the body since it has been isolated from the vessel wall, kidney, and oral mucosa. In this article, we have reviewed epidemiological studies that have been done to look into the relationship of HCV with nonliver solid cancers of the pancreas, thyroid, renal, oral cavity, breast, and lung and nonpancreatic gastrointestinal cancers. Based on this review, HCV might be associated with an increased risk of renal cell and lung cancers.

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Women’s Health

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199797004.013.034 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melissa M. Buttner ◽

Michael W. O'Hara

Keyword(s):

Medical Condition ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Chronic Medical Condition ◽

Future Research ◽

Chronic Medical Conditions ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Poor Treatment ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant mental health problem with deleterious effects, including poor health related quality of life and long-term disability. Epidemiological studies suggest that women in particular are more vulnerable to an increased risk of depression, relative to men, beginning at the time of menarche through the menopausal transition. Depression comorbid with chronic medical conditions can often exacerbate the risk of depression, as well as complicate its recognition and treatment. Depression comorbidity can lead to negative outcomes, including progression of the chronic medical condition, poor treatment adherence, and mortality. In this chapter, we explore chronic medical conditions that are associated with a greater prevalence of depression in women relative to men, including type 2 diabetes, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. An overview of epidemiology is followed by a discussion of theories explaining depression comorbidity and approaches to recognizing and treating depression in the context of these chronic medical conditions. Finally, we discuss future research directions with the goal of informing clinical research and practice.

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Oral Health and Heart Disease

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576102322481947 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol os9 (4) ◽

pp. 125-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Robin A Seymour ◽

Philip M Preshaw ◽

James G Steele

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Oral Health ◽

Periodontal Disease ◽

Single Species ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

The Body ◽

General Interest ◽

Chronic Infections ◽

Increased Risk ◽

H Pylori

Over the past ten years, a body of evidence has accumulated to suggest that aspects of oral health, particularly the extent and severity of periodontal disease, may be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This evidence should be seen against the background of a more general interest in the role of chronic infections in vascular disease. There have, for example, been suggestions of associations between CHD and a range of bacterial and viral agents, including H. pylori, C. pneumoniae, and cyto-megalovirus, which are involved in persistent infections at various sites around the body. Reviews of the evidence for the causality of these relationships between CHD and specific organisms have been inconclusive. By comparison, periodontal disease is related to a wide and complex range of organisms rather than a single species and although the nature of the relationship is still inconclusive, the evidence for its validity still persists to some degree. A brief synopsis of the epidemiological studies to date and their outcomes is shown in Table 1.

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Voids in Irradiated Tungsten and Molybdenum

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100062865 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 190-191

Author(s):

Robert C. Rau ◽

Robert L. Ladd

Keyword(s):

Melting Point ◽

Fast Neutron ◽

Neutron Irradiation ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Irradiation Temperature ◽

The Body ◽

Face Centered Cubic ◽

Body Centered Cubic ◽

Cubic Metals ◽

Face Centered

Recent studies have shown the presence of voids in several face-centered cubic metals after neutron irradiation at elevated temperatures. These voids were found when the irradiation temperature was above 0.3 Tm where Tm is the absolute melting point, and were ascribed to the agglomeration of lattice vacancies resulting from fast neutron generated displacement cascades. The present paper reports the existence of similar voids in the body-centered cubic metals tungsten and molybdenum.

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Epidemiological Trends in Attempted Suicide in Adolescents and Young Adults Between 1996 and 2004

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.30.3.115 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 115-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Stephanie De Munck ◽

Gwendolyn Portzky ◽

Kees Van Heeringen

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

University Hospital ◽

International Studies ◽

Suicide Attempters ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Epidemiological Trends

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.

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