-
EJIFCC Mar 2020Urinalysis is one of the most important tests in the clinical laboratory. In this study we assessed the use of chemical preservative in urinalysis during preanalytical...
Urinalysis is one of the most important tests in the clinical laboratory. In this study we assessed the use of chemical preservative in urinalysis during preanalytical phase. Fifty first morning urine samples from medical laboratory patients were collected and stored with and without chemical preservative. Difference between medians were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test for glucose, bilirubin, ketones, specific gravity, erythrocytes, pH, proteins, nitrites, leukocytes using urine strips; and on leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, and bacteria in the urinary sediment, at 90 minutes after sampling. Our results showed that the specific gravity and the pH values increased in samples with chemical preservative in urine strip tests. Concerning urinary sediment analysis no differences were observed in the studied parameters between samples with and without chemical preservative. We suggest that the effect on urine pH is due to the chemical nature of the substances in the preservative. Thus, we caution about the use of chemical preservatives in samples to be analyzed within short time (i.e. less than 1.5 - 2 hours) after sample collection. Avoid chemical preservatives, in this situation, could help avoid changes in the pH and specific gravity, which could eventually help in maintaining quality in the preanalytical phase of urinalysis.
PubMed: 32256289
DOI: No ID Found -
La Clinica Terapeutica 2023Whole grains play a crucial role in the human diet. Despite being cultivated in distinct regions, they are shipped everywhere, therefore making biosafety and security... (Review)
Review
Whole grains play a crucial role in the human diet. Despite being cultivated in distinct regions, they are shipped everywhere, therefore making biosafety and security essential throughout the grain industry, from harvest to distribution. Phytopathogens, which have an impact on crop yield, induce grain spoiling and reduce grain quality in a number of ways, providing a constant danger to crop storage and distribution. Chemical control approaches, such as the use of pesticides and fungicides, are detrimental to the environment and hazardous to human health. The development of alternative, environmentally friendly, and generally acceptable solutions to ensure increased grain yield, biosafety, and quality during storage is crucial in order to guarantee sufficient food and feed supplies. As a means of self-defense against microbial infection and spoilage, plant matrices feature antimicrobial natural chemicals, which have led to their widespread usage as food preservatives in recent decades. Olive tree extracts, known for their high polyphenol content, have been widely used in the food preservation industry with great success, and are highly welcomed by people all over the world. In addition to their well-known health advantages, polyphenols are a valuable plant secondary metabolite because of their great antibacterial capabilities as natural preservatives. This article discusses the promising usage of polyphenols from olive trees as a natural alternative preservative, while also highlighting the future of olive eaves in the food industry.
Topics: Humans; Olea; Polyphenols; Food Preservatives
PubMed: 37994759
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2023.2482 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2021Arsenic is a key environmental toxicant having significant impacts on human health. Millions of people in developing countries such as Bangladesh, Mexico, Taiwan, and... (Review)
Review
Arsenic is a key environmental toxicant having significant impacts on human health. Millions of people in developing countries such as Bangladesh, Mexico, Taiwan, and India are affected by arsenic contamination through groundwater. Environmental contamination of arsenic leads to leads to various types of cancers, coronary and neurological ailments in human. There are several sources of arsenic exposure such as drinking water, diet, wood preservatives, smoking, air and cosmetics, while, drinking water is the most explored route. Inorganic arsenic exhibits higher levels of toxicity compared its organic forms. Exposure to inorganic arsenic is known to cause major neurological effects such as cytotoxicity, chromosomal aberration, damage to cellular DNA and genotoxicity. On the other hand, long-term exposure to arsenic may cause neurobehavioral effects in the juvenile stage, which may have detrimental effects in the later stages of life. Thus, it is important to understand the toxicology and underlying molecular mechanism of arsenic which will help to mitigate its detrimental effects. The present review focuses on the epidemiology, and the toxic mechanisms responsible for arsenic induced neurobehavioral diseases, including strategies for its management from water, community and household premises. The review also provides a critical analysis of epigenetic and transgenerational modifications, mitochondrial oxidative stress, molecular mechanisms of arsenic-induced oxidative stress, and neuronal dysfunction.
Topics: Aging; Air; Animals; Arsenic; Arsenic Poisoning; Bangladesh; Cosmetics; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Groundwater; Humans; Myelin Sheath; Neural Conduction; Neurons; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Neurotransmitter Agents; Oxidative Stress; Public Health; Smoking; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 34576240
DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810077 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Food preservation is one of the strategies taken to maintain the level of public health. Oxidation activity and microbial contamination are the primary causes of food... (Review)
Review
Food preservation is one of the strategies taken to maintain the level of public health. Oxidation activity and microbial contamination are the primary causes of food spoilage. For health reasons, people prefer natural preservatives over synthetic ones. is widely spread throughout Asia and is utilized as a spice by the community. has been found to be rich in phenols, hydroquinones, tannins, and flavonoids, which are potential antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Consequently, presents a tremendous opportunity as a natural preservative. This paper reviews recent articles about dating back to the year 2000. This review summarizes the findings of natural compounds presented in and their functional properties as antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, and natural preservatives in various types of food.
PubMed: 37372486
DOI: 10.3390/foods12122275 -
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and... Apr 2022Data are presented from ophthalmology clinics in Spain participating in the VISIONARY study, examining the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Treatment of Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension with Preservative-Free Tafluprost/Timolol Fixed-Dose Combination Therapy: Results from the VISIONARY Study Population in Spain.
Data are presented from ophthalmology clinics in Spain participating in the VISIONARY study, examining the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of the preservative-free tafluprost (0.0015%) and timolol (0.5%) fixed-dose combination (PF tafluprost/timolol FC) in the treatment of OAG and OHT. An observational, multicenter prospective study examined treatment outcomes following a switch to PF tafluprost/timolol FC in adult OAG/OHT patients demonstrating insufficient response to beta-blocker or prostaglandin analog (PGA) monotherapy. Primary end point was mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline at month 6. Changes in the severity of ocular signs and symptoms were also assessed. Overall, 92 patients (51.1% female) were included. Mean (standard deviation) age was 68.3 (12.1) years. Mean IOP was reduced from 21.9 mmHg at baseline to 16.7 mmHg at month 6 (22.3% decrease; < 0.0001). Significant IOP reductions were observed at weeks 4 and 12 ( < 0.0001). Baseline PGA and beta-blocker users demonstrated mean month 6 IOP reductions of 5.5 mmHg (23.5%; < 0.001) and 3.5 mmHg (14.6%; = 0.029), respectively. Severity of conjunctival hyperemia, dry eye, irritation, itching, foreign body sensation, and eye pain was significantly reduced. Three treatment-related adverse events were reported, all were nonserious and mild/moderate in severity. In real-world clinical practice, PF tafluprost/timolol FC treatment provided significant IOP reductions over 6 months and was well tolerated among OAG/OHT patients showing poor response to PGA or beta-blocker monotherapy. IOP-lowering efficacy and improvements in ocular signs and symptoms were evident from week 4 and maintained over the 6-month study period. Trial Registration: European Union electronic Register of Post-Authorisation Studies (EU PAS) register number EUPAS22204.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Drug Combinations; Female; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Ocular Hypertension; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Prospective Studies; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins A; Prostaglandins F; Prostaglandins, Synthetic; Spain; Timolol
PubMed: 35230148
DOI: 10.1089/jop.2021.0099 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2021Chitosan-based edible coatings represent an eco-friendly and biologically safe preservative tool to reduce qualitative decay of fresh and ready-to-eat fruits during... (Review)
Review
Chitosan-based edible coatings represent an eco-friendly and biologically safe preservative tool to reduce qualitative decay of fresh and ready-to-eat fruits during post-harvest life due to their lack of toxicity, biodegradability, film-forming properties, and antimicrobial actions. Chitosan-based coatings modulate or control oxidative stress maintaining in different manner the appropriate balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fruit cells, by the interplay of pathways and enzymes involved in ROS production and the scavenging mechanisms which essentially constitute the basic ROS cycle. This review is carried out with the aim to provide comprehensive and updated over-view of the state of the art related to the effects of chitosan-based edible coatings on anti-oxidant systems, enzymatic and non-enzymatic, evaluating the induced oxidative damages during storage in whole and ready-to-eat fruits. All these aspects are broadly reviewed in this review, with particular emphasis on the literature published during the last five years.
Topics: Antioxidants; Chitosan; Crops, Agricultural; Edible Films; Food Preservation; Food Preservatives; Fruit
PubMed: 33807862
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052633 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis Jun 2022The cyanobacterium , spirulina, is a source of pigments such as phycobiliprotein and phycocyanin. Phycocyanin is used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical... (Review)
Review
The cyanobacterium , spirulina, is a source of pigments such as phycobiliprotein and phycocyanin. Phycocyanin is used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The different steps involved in extraction and purification of this protein can alter the final properties. In this review, the stability of phycocyanin (pH, temperature, and light) is discussed, considering the physicochemical parameters of kinetic modeling. The optimal working pH range for phycocyanin is between 5.5 and 6.0 and it remains stable up to 45 °C; however, exposure to relatively high temperatures or acidic pH decreases its half-life and increases the degradation kinetic constant. Phycobiliproteins are sensitive to light; preservatives such as mono- and di-saccharides, citric acid, or sodium chloride appear to be effective stabilizing agents. Encapsulation within nano- or micro-structured materials such as nanofibers, microparticles, or nanoparticles, can also preserve or enhance its stability.
PubMed: 35811624
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2021.12.005 -
Acta Ophthalmologica Nov 2020Preservatives contained in glaucoma eye drops have been shown to have a deleterious impact on the ocular surface. We aimed to assess the association between preservative...
Preservative-free versus preserved glaucoma eye drops and occurrence of glaucoma surgery. A retrospective study based on the French national health insurance information system, 2008-2016.
PURPOSE
Preservatives contained in glaucoma eye drops have been shown to have a deleterious impact on the ocular surface. We aimed to assess the association between preservative exposure and the occurrence of further glaucoma surgery among patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension in France.
METHODS
The study concerned all patients who first received glaucoma eye drop treatments in a French medical-administrative database (EGB) between 2008 and 2015. Three groups were created according to the level of preservative exposure during the whole follow-up: '0% preservatives', 'mixed' and '100% preservatives'. The occurrence of glaucoma surgery was estimated according to preservative exposure indicators in Cox multivariate models adjusted on age, sex, number of glaucoma eye drops simultaneously used, systemic antihypertensive treatment and duration of treatment.
RESULTS
The sample consisted of 12 454 patients. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 4.1 (1.7-6.1) years. A total of 231 (1.9%) patients underwent glaucoma surgery during follow-up. On multivariable analysis, the risk of glaucoma surgery was increased for the 'mixed' group (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.94 [95% CI, 1.54-10.05]) and for the '100% preservative' group (HR = 7.97 [95% CI, 3.07-20.67]) when compared with the 0% preservative group.
CONCLUSION
We found an association between exposure to glaucoma eye drop preservatives and the prevalence of further glaucoma surgery. While these data might be used to support the consideration of routine use of preservative-free drops, in the absence of a randomized clinical trial, they cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between preservative-free glaucoma eye drops and further glaucoma surgery.
Topics: Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Female; Filtering Surgery; Follow-Up Studies; France; Glaucoma; Humans; Incidence; Intraocular Pressure; Male; National Health Programs; Ophthalmic Solutions; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32232968
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14410 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by an impaired skin barrier. The prolonged use of topical preparations containing medications,...
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by an impaired skin barrier. The prolonged use of topical preparations containing medications, emollients, fragrances and preservatives may increase the risk of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). In the Allergy Outpatient Unit of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology of Semmelweis University, 5790 adult patients were patch tested between 2007-2021 with the European Environmental Baseline Series according to international standards. Among all the tested adult patients, 723 had preservative CHS (PCHS) and 639 had AD. Among the 723 PCHS patients, 68 (9.4%) had AD; the female to male ratio was 3:1 in this group. Out of 639 AD patients, 68 had PCHS (10.6%). In the AD-PCHS group, 83.8% had CHS to methylisothiazolinone (MI) (tested from 2014), 36.8% to Kathon CG, 16.2% to methyldibromo-glutaronitrile, 11.8% to paraben, 7.4% to formaldehyde, 4.4% to para-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin and 1.5% to Quaternium-15. The most common concomitant PCHS combination was Kathon CG + MI. Most patients (32.4%) belonged to the age group of 21-30, and skin symptoms affected mostly the limbs and face. The most common other concomitant allergens were nickel, lanolin alcohol and balsam of Peru. Preservatives (especially MI and Kathon CG) are important contact allergens in adult AD, mostly among young women. The rate of AD in the PCHS group and the rate of PCHS in the AD group is remarkable; thus, the role of PCHS should be highlighted in the topical therapy and in the prevention of possible AD exacerbations.
PubMed: 35629382
DOI: 10.3390/life12050715 -
Environmental Chemistry Letters 2021Cyclodextrins are glucose macrocycles whose inclusional capabilities towards non-polar solutes can be modulated with the help of other macrostructures. The incorporation... (Review)
Review
Cyclodextrins are glucose macrocycles whose inclusional capabilities towards non-polar solutes can be modulated with the help of other macrostructures. The incorporation of cyclodextrin moieties into larger structures produces five types of new materials: crosslinked networks, functionalized chains, amphiphilic cyclodextrins, polyrotaxanes and nanocomposites. This review presents crosslinking and grafting to prepare covalently-attached cyclodextrins, and applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, from an historical point of view. In food science, applications include debittering of juices, retention of aromas and release of preservatives from packaging. In biomedical science, cyclodextrin polymers are applied classically to drug release, and more recently to gene delivery and regenerative medicine. The remarkable points are: 1) epichlorohydrin and diisocyanates have been extensively used as crosslinkers since the 1960s, but during the last two decades more complex cyclodextrin polymeric structures have been designed. 2) The evolution of cyclodextrin polymers matches that of macromolecular materials with regard to complexity, functionality and capabilities. 3) The use of cyclodextrin polymers as sorbents in the food sector came first, but smart packaging is now an active challenge. Cyclodextrins have also been recently used to design treatments against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
PubMed: 33907537
DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01244-5