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Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde Jan 2022Hair analysis has been known for its role in forensic science. However, it may also have an important role in the clinical approach of various exposures, for example... (Review)
Review
Hair analysis has been known for its role in forensic science. However, it may also have an important role in the clinical approach of various exposures, for example drugs and heavy metals. In the Netherlands, it is used infrequently probably because clinicians are not familiar with this diagnostic possibility. In this article, we present two cases in which hair analysis proved to be crucial in the diagnosis of two different exposures (tobacco smoking and arsenic). We provide an overview of the various clinical applications of hair analysis and important factors affecting the results of hair analysis.
Topics: Arsenic; Hair; Hair Analysis; Humans; Metals, Heavy; Netherlands
PubMed: 35129898
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Separation Science Jun 2021Green chemistry is the use of chemistry to reduce or eliminate the use of generation of feedstocks, products, by-products, solvents, reagents, etc. that are hazardous to... (Review)
Review
Green chemistry is the use of chemistry to reduce or eliminate the use of generation of feedstocks, products, by-products, solvents, reagents, etc. that are hazardous to human health or the environment. One of the branches of green chemistry is micellar liquid chromatography. Micellar liquid chromatography is a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic mode with mobile phases containing a surfactant above its critical micellar concentration. The applications of micellar liquid chromatography for the determination of numerous compounds in pharmaceutical formulation, biological samples, food, environmental samples, and feeds have been growing rapidly. Micellar liquid chromatography technique has several advantages over other chromatographic techniques. Its main advantage is the small amount of organic modifiers used such as acetonitrile and methanol and the safety and recyclability of the mobile phase. In our work, we discuss the development of "green chemistry" and present what micellar liquid chromatography is. This article presents application methods with the use of micellar liquid chromatography for analysis on antibacterial substances, melamine, biogenic amines, plant protection products, flavonoids, as well as peptides in biological matrices such as milk, eggs, tissues, honey, and feed.
Topics: Amines; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chromatography, Liquid; Flavonoids; Micelles; Peptides; Triazines
PubMed: 33811781
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202001261 -
Journal of Separation Science Mar 2021Safety analysis of aquatic products has been a challenge in recent years due to the serious matrix interference, complex characteristics, and ultra-low content of... (Review)
Review
Safety analysis of aquatic products has been a challenge in recent years due to the serious matrix interference, complex characteristics, and ultra-low content of analytes. Introducing advanced materials to sample preparation technique can greatly improve the extraction, enrichment, and separation for further qualification and quantification of target analytes by coupling with consequent analytical technologies. Based on this scope, this review is mainly introducing advanced materials on the sample preparation for safety analysis of aquatic products in the past decade. After introducing the importance of the corresponding advanced materials, advanced materials are used for the sample preparation and in the improvement of safety analysis result of aquatic products. Advanced materials for sample preparation of aquatic products were reviewed including carbon materials, metal organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, molecularly/ions imprinted polymers, etc. Then, applications of the advanced materials for the analysis of specific fishery analytes (antibiotics, anesthetic, preservatives, etc.) were briefly introduced. Conclusions and perspectives on advanced materials for sample preparation and safety analysis of aquatic products were also presented.
Topics: Carbon; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Molecular Imprinting; Organic Chemicals; Polymers; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33034412
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202000955 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Apr 2023The Lafayette River comprises a tidal sub-estuary constrained by an urban watershed that is bounded by residential areas at its upper reaches and port activity at its...
The Lafayette River comprises a tidal sub-estuary constrained by an urban watershed that is bounded by residential areas at its upper reaches and port activity at its mouth. We determined the concentrations and distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic n-alkanes across 19 sites from headwaters to river mouth in surface sediments (0-2 cm). Potential atmospheric sources were investigated through the analysis of wet and dry deposition samples and intact coals from a major export terminal nearby. The potential consequences for human consumption were examined through analysis of native oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and blue crab tissues (Callinectes sapidus). A suite of up to 66 parent and alkyl-substituted PAHs were detected in Lafayette sediments with total concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 39.00 µg g dry wt. Concentrations of aliphatic n-alkanes (n-C - n-C) ranged from 4.94 to 40.83 μg g dry wt. Source assignment using diagnostic ratios and multivariate source analysis suggests multiple sources contribute to the hydrocarbon signature in this metropolitan system with automotive and atmospheric transport of coal dust as the major contributors. Oyster tissues showed similar trends as PAHs observed in sediments indicating similar sources to water column particles which ultimately accumulate in sediments with crabs showing altered distributions as a consequence of metabolism.
Topics: Humans; Rivers; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Hydrocarbons; Alkanes; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Biota; Coal; China
PubMed: 36740615
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25563-y -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Aug 2022Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental health problems in the world; accumulative studies have shown that air pollution was closely related to metabolism... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental health problems in the world; accumulative studies have shown that air pollution was closely related to metabolism disorders. HbA1c is a stable indicator for blood glucose level monitoring. However, studies on the impact of ambient air pollution on HbA1c have inconsistent conclusions. The objective of the study is to explore the influence of ambient air pollution on HbA1c. By searching keywords, a systematic literature retrieval was carried out on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to April 2022. Pooled percentage change (%-change) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using random effect models for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO). A subgroup analysis of body mass index (BMI), study region, exposure period, sample size, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias detection was also performed. There were 8, 12, and 6 studies included in this meta-analysis to explore the association between PM, PM, NO, and HbA1c, respectively. The results showed that for every increase of 10 μg/m in PM, PM, and NO, the %-changes in HbA1c were 0.13%, 0.814%, and 0.02%, respectively. The subgroup analysis showed that exposure period, sample size, and BMI were associated with HbA1c in response to air pollution. PM, PM, and NO exposure were significantly associated with increased HbA1c levels.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Glycated Hemoglobin; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 35622285
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20728-7 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jan 2021The presence of xenobiotic compounds especially organic micro-pollutants in municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) is a major concern worldwide. The occurrence and...
The presence of xenobiotic compounds especially organic micro-pollutants in municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) is a major concern worldwide. The occurrence and removal of trace organic pollutants in a MWWTP by a combined analysis using GC-MS with spectral analysis and acute toxicity were studied in this work. Non-target screening and toxicity analysis of organic compounds were conducted to understand the types of toxic and refractory pollutants in municipal wastewater and evaluated the toxicity removal efficiency of MWWTP. The results showed that most of the effects were significantly reduced or completely eliminated during the wastewater treatment process, while some compounds, such as antioxidants, drugs, and organic plasticizers, had detection rates of up to 100% at each site, indicating that these harmful substances remained throughout wastewater treatment process. Based on Pearson correlation analysis, paired correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between UV, humification index, conventional parameters, and organic acute toxicity, while acute toxicity was negatively correlated with biological index and fluorescence index. The results indicated that the composition of MWWTP had a similar influence law in different locations, and the combination of spectral analysis provided a new insight to qualitatively and quantitatively showed the distribution of organic pollutants in the wastewater treatment system.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Organic Chemicals; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewater; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 32905934
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111237 -
Nutrition Journal Dec 2020Chitosan supplementation has been shown to modulate glycemic levels; however, studies have reported conflicting results. The present meta-analysis with trial sequential... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Chitosan supplementation has been shown to modulate glycemic levels; however, studies have reported conflicting results. The present meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis was conducted to verify the overall influence of chitosan on glycemic levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
The PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled studies of chitosan intake and glycemic levels.
RESULTS
A total of ten clinical trials including 1473 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes were determined by random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze the sources of heterogeneity and their influence on the overall results. The results revealed a significant reduction in fasting glucose levels (SMD: - 0.39 mmol/L, 95% CI: - 0.62 to - 0.16) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (SMD: -1.10; 95% CI: - 2.15 to - 0.06) following chitosan supplementation but no effect on insulin levels (SMD: - 0.20 pmol/L, 95% CI: - 0.64 to 0.24). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated significant reductions in fasting glucose levels in subjects administered 1.6-3 g of chitosan per day and in studies longer than 13 weeks. Trial sequential analysis of the pooled results of the hypoglycemic effect demonstrated that the cumulative Z-curve crossed both the conventional boundary and trial sequential monitoring boundary for glucose and HbA1c.
CONCLUSIONS
The glucose level of patients who are diabetic and obese/overweight can be improved by supplementation with chitosan for at least 13 weeks at 1.6-3 g per day. Additional clinical research data are needed to confirm the role of chitosan, particularly in regulating glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin.
Topics: Blood Glucose; Chitosan; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Insulin; Metabolic Syndrome
PubMed: 33261597
DOI: 10.1186/s12937-020-00647-4 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022is a woody plant with economic and medicinal value. As the pharmacological qualities and properties of the wood from this plant primarily depend on its extractives, in...
is a woody plant with economic and medicinal value. As the pharmacological qualities and properties of the wood from this plant primarily depend on its extractives, in this study, the metabolomic analysis of extractives from its stems was carried out using UPLC-MS/MS. A total of 735 metabolites were detected from two groups of samples, heartwood and sapwood, with the largest number of terpenoids in type and the largest number of flavonoids in quantity. The PCA and cluster analysis showed significant differences in the metabolite composition between the two groups. The differential metabolites were mainly organic oxygen compounds, flavonoids, and isoflavones. Among the 105 differential metabolites, 26 metabolites were significantly higher in relative content in sapwood than in heartwood, while the other 79 metabolites were significantly higher in relative content in heartwood than in sapwood. KEGG metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differential metabolites were mainly enriched in three metabolic pathways: Flavonoid biosynthesis, isoflavonoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis. This study provides a reference for metabolomics studies in and other woody plants.
Topics: Chromatography, Liquid; Dalbergia; Metabolomics; Plant Extracts; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 35335342
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061982 -
Computational Biology and Chemistry Oct 2020Cloud computing revolutionized many fields that require ample computational power. Cloud platforms may also provide huge support for microRNA analysis mainly through... (Review)
Review
Cloud computing revolutionized many fields that require ample computational power. Cloud platforms may also provide huge support for microRNA analysis mainly through disclosing scalable resources of different types. In Clouds, these resources are available as services, which simplifies their allocation and releasing. This feature is especially useful during the analysis of large volumes of data, like the one produced by next generation sequencing experiments, which require not only extended storage space but also a distributed computing environment. In this paper, we show which of the Cloud properties and service models can be especially beneficial for microRNA analysis. We also explain the most useful services of the Cloud (including storage space, computational power, web application hosting, machine learning models, and Big Data frameworks) that can be used for microRNA analysis. At the same time, we review several solutions for microRNA and show that the utilization of the Cloud in this field is still weak, but can increase in the future when the awareness of their applicability grows.
Topics: Big Data; Cloud Computing; Humans; Machine Learning; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 32906056
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107365 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2021The objective of this paper is to provide an estimation of air emissions (CO, NOx, SOx and PM) released by port assistant vessels at port level. The methodology is based...
The objective of this paper is to provide an estimation of air emissions (CO, NOx, SOx and PM) released by port assistant vessels at port level. The methodology is based on the "full bottom-up" approach and starts by assessing the fuel consumed by each tug ship during its individual port exercises (movements during docking and undocking of merchant vessels). The scenario selected for the analysis and measurements is one of the most significant Port of the Mediterranean Sea, where seven auxiliary vessels were monitored for 407 calls. The analysis also gathers real-time data from the Automatic ship Identification System (AIS), tug ship particulars from IHS sea-web database ( www.maritime.ihs.com ) and emission factors established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The research findings show that the key indicators are inventory emissions per dock, types of towed vessels and docking and undocking manoeuvres. This paper also presents an action protocol for the assessment of the inventory of emissions produced by the main engines of tug ships operating inside ports, which can be extrapolated to other ports operating with tug ships of the same technical characteristics. Evaluating, therefore, the amounts emitted of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon dioxide and particulate matter.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Carbon Dioxide; Environmental Monitoring; Mediterranean Sea; Particulate Matter; Ships; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 34061261
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09145-4