scholarly journals Asbestiform Amphiboles and Cleavage Fragments Analogues: Overview of Critical Dimensions, Aspect Ratios, Exposure and Health Effects

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 525
Author(s):  
Gaia M. Militello ◽  
Laura Gaggero ◽  
Sebastiano La Maestra
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
Hazard Scenario ◽  
Geometric Length

The term asbestos refers to a group of serpentine (chrysotile) and amphibole (amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite) minerals with a fibrous habit. Their chemical-physical properties make them one of the most important inorganic materials for industrial purposes and technological applications. However, the extraction, use and marketing of these minerals have been prohibited due to proven harmful effects, mainly involving the respiratory system. In addition to the known six minerals classified as asbestos, the natural amphiboles and serpentine polymorphs antigorite and lizardite, despite having the same composition of asbestos, do not have the same morphology. These minerals develop chemical and geometric (length > 5 μm, width < 3 μm and length: diameter > 3:1), but not morphological, analogies with asbestos, which is regulated by the WHO. The debate about their potential hazardous properties is open and ongoing; therefore, their morphological characterization has a key role in establishing a reliable asbestos hazard scenario. This review focuses on evaluating the most relevant papers, evidencing the need for a reappraisal. Different in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies report information about cleavage fragments with critical dimensions similar to asbestos fibres, but very few works target fragments below 5 µm in length. Breathable smaller fibres could have deleterious effects on human health and cannot be disregarded from the risk assessment process. Furthermore, a few studies suggest that the carcinogenic nature of short fibres is not excluded. This review highlights that it is worth investigating the effects of this size range of elongated mineral particles and fibres.

scholarly journals Antidiabetic Properties of Naringenin: A Citrus Fruit Polyphenol

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danja J. Den Hartogh ◽  
Evangelia Tsiani
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia and is associated with personal health and global economic burdens. Current strategies/approaches of insulin resistance and T2DM prevention and treatment are lacking in efficacy resulting in the need for new preventative and targeted therapies. In recent years, epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in vegetables and fruits are associated with health benefits including protection against insulin resistance and T2DM. Naringenin, a citrus flavanone, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic properties. The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo animal studies examining the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin.

scholarly journals Lankesterella (Apicomplexa, Lankesterellidae) Blood Parasites of Passeriform Birds: Prevalence, Molecular and Morphological Characterization, with Notes on Sporozoite Persistence In Vivo and Development In Vitro

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1451
Author(s):  
Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Vytautas Preikša ◽  
Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽  
Mikas Ilgūnas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Serinus Canaria ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Development In Vitro

Recent studies confirmed that some Hepatozoon-like blood parasites (Apicomplexa) of birds are closely related to the amphibian parasite Lankesterella minima. Little is known about the biology of these pathogens in birds, including their distribution, life cycles, specificity, vectors, and molecular characterization. Using blood samples of 641 birds from 16 species, we (i) determined the prevalence and molecular diversity of Lankesterella parasites in naturally infected birds; (ii) investigated the development of Lankesterella kabeeni in laboratory-reared mosquitoes, Culex pipiens forma molestus and Aedes aegypti; and (iii) tested experimentally the susceptibility of domestic canaries, Serinus canaria, to this parasite. This study combined molecular and morphological diagnostic methods and determined 11% prevalence of Lankesterella parasites in Acrocephalidae birds; 16 Lankesterella lineages with a certain degree of host specificity and two new species (Lankesterella vacuolata n. sp. and Lankesterella macrovacuolata n. sp.) were found and characterized. Lankesterella kabeeni (formerly Hepatozoon kabeeni) was re-described. Serinus canaria were resistant after various experimental exposures. Lankesterella sporozoites rapidly escaped from host cells in vitro. Sporozoites persisted for a long time in infected mosquitoes (up to 42 days post exposure). Our study demonstrated a high diversity of Lankesterella parasites in birds, and showed that several avian Hepatozoon-like parasites, in fact, belong to Lankesterella genus.

scholarly journals Attenuation of Carcinogenesis and the Mechanism Underlying by the Influence of Indole-3-carbinol and Its Metabolite 3,3′-Diindolylmethane: A Therapeutic Marvel

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. L. Maruthanila ◽  
J. Poornima ◽  
S. Mirunalini
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cruciferous Vegetables ◽  
Brussels Sprouts ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Dimeric Product ◽  
Indole Glucosinolate

Rising evidence provides credible support towards the potential role of bioactive products derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips, kohlrabi, bok choy, and radishes. Many epidemiological studies point out thatBrassicavegetable protects humans against cancer since they are rich sources of glucosinolates in addition to possessing a high content of flavonoids, vitamins, and mineral nutrients. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) belongs to the class of compounds called indole glucosinolate, obtained from cruciferous vegetables, and is well-known for tits anticancer properties. In particular, I3C and its dimeric product, 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), have been generally investigated for their value against a number of human cancersin vitroas well asin vivo. This paper reviews an in-depth study of the anticancer activity and the miscellaneous mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenicity thereby broadening its therapeutic marvel.

scholarly journals Implications of environmental toxicants on ovarian follicles: how it can adversely affect the female fertility?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keerthi Priya ◽  
Manjunath Setty ◽  
Uddagiri Venkanna Babu ◽  
Karkala Sreedhara Ranganath Pai
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Sanitary Product

AbstractThe pool of primordial follicles formed in the ovaries during early development determines the span and quality of fertility in the reproductive life of a woman. As exposure to occupational and environmental toxicants (ETs) has become inevitable, consequences on female fertility need to be established. This review focuses on the ETs, especially well-studied prototypes of the classes endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), heavy metals, agrochemicals, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals used in plastic, cosmetic and sanitary product industries etc that adversely affect the female fertility. Many in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies have indicated that these ETs have the potential to affect folliculogenesis and cause reduced fertility in women. Here, we emphasize on four main conditions: polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, multioocytic follicles and meiotic defects including aneuploidies which can be precipitated by ETs. These are considered main causes for reduced female fertility by directly altering the follicular recruitment, development and oocytic meiosis. Although substantial experimental evidence is drawn with respect to the detrimental effects, it is clear that establishing the role of one ET as a risk factor in a single condition is difficult as multiple conditions have common risk factors. Therefore, it is important to consider this as a matter of public and wildlife health.

scholarly journals PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bonato ◽  
Francesca Corrà ◽  
Marta Bellio ◽  
Laura Guidolin ◽  
Laura Tallandini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Antioxidant Defense System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
The Impact

Due to their unique properties, perfluorinated substances (PFAS) are widely used in multiple industrial and commercial applications, but they are toxic for animals, humans included. This review presents some available data on the PFAS environmental distribution in the world, and in particular in Europe and in Veneto region of Italy, where it has become a serious problem for human health. The consumption of contaminated food and drinking water is considered one of the major source of exposure for humans. Worldwide epidemiological studies report the negative effects that PFAS have on human health, due to environmental pollution, including infertility, steroid hormone perturbation, thyroid, liver and kidney disorders and metabolic disfunctions. In vitro and in vivo researches correlated PFAS exposure to oxidative stress effects (in mammals as well as in other vertebrates of human interest), produced by a PFAS-induced increase of reactive oxygen species formation. The cellular antioxidant defense system is activated by PFAS, but it is only partially able to avoid the oxidative damage to biomolecules.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Plant Phenolic Metabolites as a Source of Alzheimer's Drug Leads

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Hassaan ◽  
Heba Handoussa ◽  
Ahmed H. El-Khatib ◽  
Michael W. Linscheid ◽  
Nesrine El Sayed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Beta ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Aqueous Alcohol ◽  
Alcohol Extract ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Pharmacological Screening

Epidemiological studies have proven an association between consumption of polyphenols and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid beta plaques. The aim of this study is pharmacological screening of the aqueous alcohol extract ofMarkhamia platycalyxleaves,Schotia brachypetalaleaves and stalks, and piceatannol compared to aqueous alcohol extract ofCamellia sinensisleaves as potential Alzheimer’s disease drugs. LC-HRESI(-ve)-MSnwas performed to identify phenolics’ profile ofSchotia brachypetalastalks aqueous alcohol extract and revealed ten phenolic compounds as first report: daidzein, naringin, procyanidin isomers, procyanidin dimer gallate, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, quercetin hexose gallic acid, quercetin hexose protocatechuic acid, and ellagic acid. Alzheimer’s disease was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into groups of 8–10 mice each receiving treatment for six days.In vivobehavioral tests (Y maze and object recognition) andin vitroestimation of amyloid beta 42 by ELISA showed significant differences between results of treated and nontreated animals.

scholarly journals Estrogen Protects Lenses against Cataract Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ)

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Hales ◽  
Coral G. Chamberlain ◽  
Christopher R. Murphy ◽  
John W. McAvoy
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
World Population ◽  
Damaging Effects

Cataract, already a major cause of visual impairment and blindness, is likely to become an increasing problem as the world population ages. In a previous study, we showed that transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) induces rat lenses in culture to develop opacities and other changes that have many features of human subcapsular cataracts. Here we show that estrogen protects against cataract. Lenses from female rats are more resistant to TGFβ-induced cataract than those from males. Furthermore, lenses from ovariectomized females show increased sensitivity to the damaging effects of TGFβ and estrogen replacement in vivo, or exposure to estrogen in vitro, restores resistance. Sex-dependent and estrogen-related differences in susceptibility to cataract formation, consistent with a protective role for estrogen, have been noted in some epidemiological studies. The present study in the rat indicates that estrogen provides protection against cataract by countering the damaging effects of TGFβ. It also adds to an increasing body of evidence that hormone replacement therapy protects postmenopausal women against various diseases.

Green tea for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment: A systematic review of the in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Trudel ◽  
David P. Labbé ◽  
Isabelle Bairati ◽  
Vincent Fradet ◽  
Laurent Bazinet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Prevention ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

scholarly journals Morphological characterization of pre- and peri-implantation in vitro cultured, somatic cell nuclear transfer and in vivo derived ovine embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Tveden-Nyborg ◽  
T T Peura ◽  
K M Hartwich ◽  
S K Walker ◽  
P Maddox-Hyttel
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Embryonic Disc ◽  
Transmission Electron

The processes of cellular differentiation were studied in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), in vitro cultured (IVC) and in vivo developed (in vivo) ovine embryos on days 7, 9, 11, 13, 17 and 19. SCNT embryos were constructed from in vitro matured oocytes and granulosa cells, and IVC embryos were produced by in vitro culture of in vivo fertilized zygotes. Most SCNT and IVC embryos were transferred to recipients on day 6 while some remained in culture for day 7 processing. In vivo embryos were collected as zygotes, transferred to intermediate recipients and retransferred to final recipients on day 6. All embryos were processed for examination by light and transmission electron microscopy or immunohistochemical labelling for alpha-1-fetoprotein and vimentin. Overall, morphological development of in vivo embryos was superior to IVC and SCNT embryos. Day 7 and particularly day 9 IVC and SCNT embryos had impaired hypoblast development, some lacking identifiable inner cell masses. On day 11, only in vivo and IVC embryos had developed an embryonic disc, and gastrulation was evident in half of in vivo embryos and one IVC embryo. By day 13, all in vivo embryos had completed gastrulation whereas IVC and SCNT embryos remained retarded. On days 17 and 19, in vivo embryos had significantly more somites and a more developed allantois than IVC and SCNT embryos. We conclude that IVC and particularly SCNT procedures cause a retardation of embryo development and cell differentiation at days 7–19 of gestation.

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