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Neurochemical Research Oct 2017Pediatric immunization is essential to prevent, control and eradicate children`s infectious diseases. Newborns and infants in less developed countries have a... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Pediatric immunization is essential to prevent, control and eradicate children`s infectious diseases. Newborns and infants in less developed countries have a concentrated schedule of Thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs); pregnant mothers are also immunized with TCVs. Metabolic changes during early development are demonstrably an important risk factor for ethylmercury (EtHg) effects on neurodevelopment, while exposure to Thimerosal sensitizes susceptible individuals to life-long contact dermatitis. Concerns regarding toxicity of Hg have moved rich nations to withdraw it from medicines and, in particular, Thimerosal from pediatric vaccines; it has been more than 20 years since rich countries started using Thimerosal-free vaccines. TCVs and Thimerosal-free vaccines show dissimilar profiles of adverse effects. Thimerosal-free vaccines have shown a decrease in contact dermatitis, while TCVs showed a significant association with increased risk of tic disorders; in some circumstances, EtHg in combination with other neurotoxic substances negatively impacted neurobehavioral tests. In studies that explored vaccines and risk of tics, Thimerosal was a necessary factor. However, when the binary exposure to organic Hg forms (TCV-EtHg and fish-MeHg) was considered, effects on neurobehavioral tests were inconsistent.
CONCLUSIONS
(a) The indiscriminate use of pediatric-TCVs in less developed countries carries an unjustifiable and excessive EtHg exposure with an unnecessary risk of neurotoxicity to the developing brain; (b) measurable benefits (of Thimerosal-free) and measurable risks of tic disorders have been associated with the (Thimerosal-containing) type of vaccine;
Topics: Child; Humans; Immunization; Mercury; Methylmercury Compounds; Thimerosal; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 28439753
DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2277-x -
Preventive Veterinary Medicine Apr 2021
SVEPM 2020 - Resilience and community support in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: The Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Annual Conference, extraordinarily held online.
PubMed: 33933917
DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105368 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT Aug 2013Ethylmercury (etHg) is derived from the metabolism of thimerosal (o-carboxyphenyl-thio-ethyl-sodium salt), which is the most widely used form of organic mercury. Because... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Ethylmercury (etHg) is derived from the metabolism of thimerosal (o-carboxyphenyl-thio-ethyl-sodium salt), which is the most widely used form of organic mercury. Because of its application as a vaccine preservative, almost every human and animal (domestic and farmed) that has been immunized with thimerosal-containing vaccines has been exposed to etHg. Although methylmercury (meHg) is considered a hazardous substance that is to be avoided even at small levels when consumed in foods such as seafood and rice (in Asia), the World Health Organization considers small doses of thimerosal safe regardless of multiple/repetitive exposures to vaccines that are predominantly taken during pregnancy or infancy. We have reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies that compare the toxicological parameters among etHg and other forms of mercury (predominantly meHg) to assess their relative toxicities and potential to cause cumulative insults. In vitro studies comparing etHg with meHg demonstrate equivalent measured outcomes for cardiovascular, neural and immune cells. However, under in vivo conditions, evidence indicates a distinct toxicokinetic profile between meHg and etHg, favoring a shorter blood half-life, attendant compartment distribution and the elimination of etHg compared with meHg. EtHg's toxicity profile is different from that of meHg, leading to different exposure and toxicity risks. Therefore, in real-life scenarios, a simultaneous exposure to both etHg and meHg might result in enhanced neurotoxic effects in developing mammals. However, our knowledge on this subject is still incomplete, and studies are required to address the predictability of the additive or synergic toxicological effects of etHg and meHg (or other neurotoxicants).
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fishes; Half-Life; Humans; Infant; Meat; Methylmercury Compounds; Nervous System; Pregnancy; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Thimerosal; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 23401210
DOI: 10.1002/jat.2855 -
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine... Sep 2018In developing countries, Thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCV) are the main causes of organic Hg exposure for newborns, neonates, and infants immunized with TCV. This... (Review)
Review
In developing countries, Thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCV) are the main causes of organic Hg exposure for newborns, neonates, and infants immunized with TCV. This article addresses early-life exposure to this unique organic mercury compound (ethylmercury-EtHg) and the risks of its exposure. English language studies pertaining to Thimerosal/EtHg toxicity and exposure during early life were searched in PubMed; and, those publications judged to be relevant to the topic of this review were selected. The risk from the neurotoxic effects of pre- and post-natal Hg exposures depend, in part, on aggravating or attenuating environmental and/or genetic-associated factors. Health authorities in charge of controlling infectious disease dismiss the toxicology of mercury (immunological and subtle neurological effects as insignificant) related to low-dose Thimerosal. The review addresses the evidence that brings into question the safety of Thimerosal that is still present in vaccines given to pregnant women, infants, and children in developing countries, and recognizes the ethical imperative to extend the use of Thimerosal-free vaccines to developing countries, not just developed countries.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Ethylmercury Compounds; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Thimerosal; Vaccines
PubMed: 29895363
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.05.010 -
Preventive Veterinary Medicine Aug 2011This paper reviews recent progress in the development of syndromic surveillance systems for veterinary medicine. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched in order... (Review)
Review
This paper reviews recent progress in the development of syndromic surveillance systems for veterinary medicine. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched in order to identify surveillance systems that explicitly address outbreak detection based on systematic monitoring of animal population data, in any phase of implementation. The review found that developments in veterinary syndromic surveillance are focused not only on animal health, but also on the use of animals as sentinels for public health, representing a further step towards One Medicine. The main sources of information are clinical data from practitioners and laboratory data, but a number of other sources are being explored. Due to limitations inherent in the way data on animal health is collected, the development of veterinary syndromic surveillance initially focused on animal health data collection strategies, analyzing historical data for their potential to support systematic monitoring, or solving problems of data classification and integration. Systems based on passive notification or data transfers are now dealing with sustainability issues. Given the ongoing barriers in availability of data, diagnostic laboratories appear to provide the most readily available data sources for syndromic surveillance in animal health. As the bottlenecks around data source availability are overcome, the next challenge is consolidating data standards for data classification, promoting the integration of different animal health surveillance systems, and also the integration to public health surveillance. Moreover, the outputs of systems for systematic monitoring of animal health data must be directly connected to real-time decision support systems which are increasingly being used for disease management and control.
Topics: Animals; Bioterrorism; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Data Collection; Databases, Factual; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Public Health Practice; Sentinel Surveillance
PubMed: 21640415
DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.05.004 -
International Journal of Biological... Aug 2023The polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula (AAPs), containing a large number of O-acetyl groups that are related to the physiological and biological properties, seem...
The polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula (AAPs), containing a large number of O-acetyl groups that are related to the physiological and biological properties, seem to be potential prebiotics like other edible fungus polysaccharides. In the present study, therefore, the alleviating effects of AAPs and deacetylated AAPs (DAAPs, prepared from AAPs by alkaline treatment) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diet combined with carbon tetrachloride were investigated. The results revealed that both AAPs and DAAPs could effectively relieve liver injury, inflammation and fibrosis, and maintain intestinal barrier function. Both AAPs and DAAPs could modulate the disorder of gut microbiota and altered the composition of gut microbiota with enrichment of Odoribacter, Lactobacillus, Dorea and Bifidobacterium. Further, the alteration of gut microbiota, especially enhancement of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, was contributed to the changes of bile acids (BAs) profile with increased deoxycholic acid (DCA). Farnesoid X receptor could be activated by DCA and other unconjugated BAs, which participated the BAs metabolism and alleviated the cholestasis, then protected against hepatitis in NAFLD mice. Interestingly, it was found that the deacetylation of AAPs negatively affected the anti-inflammation, thereby reducing the health benefits of A. auricula-derived polysaccharides.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Liver; Polysaccharides; Bile Acids and Salts; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 37399869
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125662 -
American Journal of Perinatology Nov 2012Neonates and nursing infants are special with regard to immune development and vulnerability to infectious diseases. Although breast-feeding is essential to modulate and... (Review)
Review
Neonates and nursing infants are special with regard to immune development and vulnerability to infectious diseases. Although breast-feeding is essential to modulate and prime immune defenses, vaccines (an interventional prophylaxis) are crucial to prevent and control infectious diseases. During nursing, the type of feeding influences infants' natural defenses (including gut colonization) and their response to vaccines, both through cell-mediated immunity and specific antibody production. Given the variety and combination of vaccine components (antigens and excipients, preservative thimerosal, and aluminum adjuvants) and route of administration, there is a need to examine the role of infant feeding practices in intended and nonintended outcomes of vaccination. Maternal factors related to milk constituents (nutrients and pollutants) and feeding practices can affect response to vaccines. Collectively, studies that compared type of feeding (or used breast-feeding-adjusted statistical models) showed significant influence on some vaccines taken during infancy. Nurslings deprived of the full benefit of breast-feeding could have altered immune responses affecting vaccine outcome. In the absence of studies elucidating neurodevelopment (including excitoxicity) and immunotoxicity issues, vaccination practices should promote and support breast-feeding.
Topics: Antibody Formation; Breast Feeding; Child Development; Communicable Diseases; Drug Contamination; Environmental Pollutants; Food-Drug Interactions; Health Promotion; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Infant, Newborn; Infection Control; Milk, Human; Nervous System; Vaccination; Vaccines
PubMed: 22773284
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1316442 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Western diet (WD) intake, aging, and inactivation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) are risk factors for metabolic and chronic inflammation-related health issues ranging...
Western diet (WD) intake, aging, and inactivation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) are risk factors for metabolic and chronic inflammation-related health issues ranging from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to dementia. The progression of MASLD can be escalated when those risks are combined. Inactivation of FXR, the receptor for bile acid (BA), is cancer prone in both humans and mice. The current study used multi-omics including hepatic transcripts, liver, serum, and urine metabolites, hepatic BAs, as well as gut microbiota from mouse models to classify those risks using machine learning. A linear support vector machine with -fold cross-validation was used for classification and feature selection. We have identified that increased urine sucrose alone achieved 91% accuracy in predicting WD intake. Hepatic lithocholic acid and serum pyruvate had 100% and 95% accuracy, respectively, to classify age. Urine metabolites (decreased creatinine and taurine as well as increased succinate) or increased gut bacteria (, , and ) could predict FXR deactivation with greater than 90% accuracy. Human disease relevance is partly revealed using the metabolite-disease interaction network. Transcriptomics data were also compared with the human liver disease datasets. WD-reduced hepatic (cytochrome P450 family 39 subfamily a member 1) and increased (GRAM domain containing 1B) were also changed in human liver cancer and metabolic liver disease, respectively. Together, our data contribute to the identification of noninvasive biomarkers within the gut-liver axis to predict metabolic status.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Liver; Fatty Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Inflammation; Biomarkers; Bile Acids and Salts; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 37571345
DOI: 10.3390/nu15153406 -
Multiple low-level exposures: Hg interactions with co-occurring neurotoxic substances in early life.Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. General... Dec 2019All chemical forms of Hg can affect neurodevelopment; however, low levels of organic Hg (methylmercury-MeHg and ethylmercury-EtHg in Thimerosal-containing vaccines,... (Review)
Review
All chemical forms of Hg can affect neurodevelopment; however, low levels of organic Hg (methylmercury-MeHg and ethylmercury-EtHg in Thimerosal-containing vaccines, hereafter 'TCV') exposures during early life (pregnancy and lactation) co-occur with other environmental neurotoxic substances. These neurotoxicants may act in parallel, synergistically, or antagonistically to Hg. Nevertheless, the risks of neurotoxicity associated with multiple neuro-toxicants depend on type, time, combinations of exposure, and environmental and/or genetic-associated factors. Neurological developmental disorders, delays in cognition and behavioral outcomes associated with multiple exposures (which include Hg) may show transient or lasting outcomes depending on constitutional and/or environmental factors that can interact to neutralize, aggravate or attenuate these effects; often these studies are challenging to interpret. During pregnancy and lactation, fish-MeHg exposure is frequently confounded with the opposing effects of neuroactive nutrients (in fish) that lead to positive, negative, or no effects on neurobehavioral tests. In infancy, exposures to acute binary mixtures (TCV- EtHg and Al-adjuvants in infant immunizations) are associated with increased risks of tics and other developmental disorders. Despite the certitude that promulgates single environmental neurotoxicants, empirical comparisons of combined exposures indicate that Hg-related outcome is uneven. Hg in combination with other neurotoxic mixtures may elevate risks of neurotoxicity, but these risks arise in circumstances that are not yet predictable. Therefore, to achieve the goals of the Minamata treaty and to safeguard the health of children, low levels of mercury exposure (in any chemical form) needs to be further reduced whether the source is environmental (air- and food-borne) or iatrogenic (pediatric TCVs).
Topics: Child; Child Development; Developmental Disabilities; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fetus; Humans; Mercury; Nervous System; Neurotoxins; Pregnancy; Vaccines
PubMed: 30385391
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.10.015 -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Jun 2023Although the presence of micro-organisms in the blood of healthy humans is a relatively new concept, there is a growing amount of evidence that blood might have its own...
Although the presence of micro-organisms in the blood of healthy humans is a relatively new concept, there is a growing amount of evidence that blood might have its own microbiome. Previous research has targeted the taxonomic composition of the blood microbiome using DNA-based sequencing methods, while little information is known about the presence of microbial transcripts obtained from the blood and their relation to conditions connected with increased gut permeability. To detect potentially alive and active micro-organisms and investigate differences in taxonomic composition between healthy people and patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), we used the metatranscriptomics approach. We collected blood samples from 23 IBS patients and 26 volunteers from the general population, and performed RNAseq on the isolated RNA. Reads corresponding to microbial genomes were identified with Kraken 2's standard plus protozoa and fungi database, and re-estimated at genus level with Bracken 2.7. We looked for trends in the taxonomic composition, making a comparison between the IBS and control groups, accounting for other different factors. The dominant genera in the blood microbiome were found to be , , , , , , , , and . Some of these are typical environmental bacteria and could partially represent contamination. However, analysis of sequences from the negative controls suggested that some genera which are characteristic of the gut microbiome (, , , , , , , , , , , , ) are less likely to be a result of contamination. Differential analysis of microbes between groups showed that some taxa associated with the gut microbiome (, , , , , ) are more prevalent in IBS patients compared to the general population. No significant correlations with any other factors were identified. Our findings support the existence of the blood microbiome and suggest the gut and possibly the oral microbiome as its origin, while the skin microbiome is a possible but less certain source. The blood microbiome is likely influenced by states of increased gut permeability such as IBS.
Topics: Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Bacteria; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Klebsiella; Case-Control Studies; Feces; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 37335601
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001719