-
Environmental Health Perspectives Aug 2008Pentachlorophenol, a fungicide widely used as a wood preservative, was classified in 1999 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible human... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Pentachlorophenol, a fungicide widely used as a wood preservative, was classified in 1999 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible human carcinogen. We reviewed currently available data to determine the extent to which recent studies assist in distinguishing the effect of pentachlorophenol from that of its contaminants (e.g., dioxins and other chlorophenols).
DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION
We performed a systematic review of published studies pertaining to cancer risk in relation to pentachlorophenol exposure, focusing on results pertaining specifically to all cancer sites and specific hematopoietic cancers, and data pertaining to risks associated with other types of chlorophenols, dioxins, or furans.
SYNTHESIS
The pentachlorophenol studies presented considerable evidence pertaining to hematopoietic cancers, with strong associations seen in multiple studies, in different locations, and using different designs. There is little evidence of an association between these cancers and chlorophenols that contain fewer than four chlorines. The extension of a large cohort study of sawmill workers, with follow-up to 1995, provided information about risks of relatively rare cancers (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma), using a validated exposure assessment procedure that distinguishes between exposures to pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol. In contrast with dioxin, pentachlorophenol exposure has not been associated with total cancer incidence or mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
The updated cohort study focusing on pentachlorophenol provides increased statistical power and precision, and demonstrates associations between hematopoietic cancer and pentachlorophenol exposure not observed in earlier evaluations of this cohort. Contaminant confounding is an unlikely explanation for the risks seen with pentachlorophenol exposure.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinogens; Case-Control Studies; Child; Chlorophenols; Cohort Studies; Dioxins; Environmental Exposure; Female; Fungicides, Industrial; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Pentachlorophenol; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 18709150
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11081 -
Journal of Diabetes Science and... Nov 2013We review and summarize the literature on the safety and stability of rapid-acting insulin analogs used for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in patients... (Review)
Review
AIM
We review and summarize the literature on the safety and stability of rapid-acting insulin analogs used for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in patients with diabetes.
METHODS
Two predefined search strategies were systematically implemented to search Medline and the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials for publications between 1996 and 2012.
RESULTS
Twenty studies were included in the review: 13 in vitro studies and 7 clinical studies. In vitro studies investigated the effects of extreme CSII conditions (high temperature and mechanical agitation) on the risk of catheter occlusions and insulin stability factors, such as potency, purity, high molecular weight protein content, pH stability, and preservative content (m-cresol, phenol). Under these conditions, the overall stability of rapid-acting insulin analogs was similar for insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine, although insulin glulisine showed greater susceptibility to insulin precipitation and catheter occlusions. A limited number of clinical trials were identified; this evidence-based information suggests that the rate of catheter occlusions in patients with type 1 diabetes using CSII treatment may vary depending on the rapid-acting analog used.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on a limited amount of available data, the safety, stability, and performance of the three available rapid-acting insulin analogs available for use with CSII were similar. However, there is limited evidence suggesting that the risk of occlusion may vary with the insulin preparation under certain circumstances.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Drug Stability; Humans; Infusions, Subcutaneous; Insulin; Insulin Aspart; Insulin Infusion Systems; Insulin Lispro; Insulin, Short-Acting; Molecular Sequence Data; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24351186
DOI: 10.1177/193229681300700620 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Aug 2021Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are related to hydroxytyrosol or oleic acid contents, or the combination of them as olive oil, and how powerful is this effect.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE via Pubmed, Web of Science (WOS) core collection, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) via LILACS and IBECS (Spain). MeSH terms used were "obesity", "body weight", "body mass index", "adipose tissue", "lipid metabolism", "LDL", "HDL", "VLDL", "insulin resistance", "glucose", "insulin", "hypertension", "arterial pressure", "olive oil", "oleic acid", and other (non-MeSH) terms: "total antioxidant capacity", "total antioxidant status", "hydroxytyrosol" (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021247614). Results of the included studies were meta-analyzed with the RevMan 5.3 program, assuming a random effects model.
RESULTS
76 articles (67 different trials) were identified. Hydroxytyrosol had no effect on MetS [combined standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.23, 0.25], I = 83%; p = 0.920)]. Oleic acid had no significant beneficial effect on MetS [SMD = 0.03 (CI 95%: [-0.01, 0.07], I = 0%); p = 0.150], but it improved lipid profile [SMD = 0.06 (CI 95%: [-0.00, 0.12], I = 0%); p = 0. 050]. Olive oil had no effect on MetS [SMD = -0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.05, 0.03]), I = 55%; p = 0.550)]. The supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, oleic acid or olive oil showed a beneficial effect on antioxidant capacity related to components of MetS [SMD = 0.31 (CI 95%: [-0.34, 0.95], I = 81%)]; p = 0.35).
CONCLUSION
Most articles compared olive oil and oleic acid with other strategies specially designed for MetS management. Our findings suggest that olive oil or oleic acid consumption are as good as the other strategies to manage MetS.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Oleic Acid; Olive Oil; Phenylethyl Alcohol
PubMed: 34153478
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.06.017 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Natural antimicrobials (NA) have stood out in the last decade due to the growing demand for reducing chemical preservatives in food. Once solubility, stability, and...
A Systematic Review on Nanoencapsulation Natural Antimicrobials in Foods: In Vitro versus In Situ Evaluation, Mechanisms of Action and Implications on Physical-Chemical Quality.
Natural antimicrobials (NA) have stood out in the last decade due to the growing demand for reducing chemical preservatives in food. Once solubility, stability, and changes in sensory attributes could limit their applications in foods, several studies were published suggesting micro-/nanoencapsulation to overcome such challenges. Thus, for our systematic review the Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pub Med databases were chosen to recover papers published from 2010 to 2020. After reviewing all titles/abstracts and keywords for the full-text papers, key data were extracted and synthesized. The systematic review proposed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy between nanoencapsulated NA (nNA) and its free form in vitro and in situ studies, since although in vitro studies are often used in studies, they present characteristics and properties that are different from those found in foods; providing a comprehensive understanding of primary mechanisms of action of the nNA in foods; and analyzing the effects on quality parameters of foods. Essential oils and nanoemulsions (10.9-100 nm) have received significant attention and showed higher antimicrobial efficacy without sensory impairments compared to free NA. Regarding nNA mechanisms: (i) nanoencapsulation provides a slow-prolonged release to promote antimicrobial action over time, and (ii) prevents interactions with food constituents that in turn impair antimicrobial action. Besides in vitro antifungal and antibacterial, nNA also demonstrated antioxidant activity-potential to shelf life extension in food. However, of the studies involving nanoencapsulated natural antimicrobials used in this review, little attention was placed on proximate composition, sensory, and rheological evaluation. We encourage further in situ studies once data differ from in vitro assay, suggesting food matrix greatly influences NA mechanisms.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Food Microbiology; Food Preservatives; In Vitro Techniques; Liposomes; Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 34769485
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222112055 -
Toxins Feb 2022The study presents a systematic review of published scientific articles investigating the effects of interventions aiming at aflatoxin reduction at the feed production...
The study presents a systematic review of published scientific articles investigating the effects of interventions aiming at aflatoxin reduction at the feed production and animal feeding phases of the milk value chain in order to identify the recent scientific trends and summarize the main findings available in the literature. The review strategy was designed based on the guidance of the systematic review and knowledge synthesis methodology that is applicable in the field of food safety. The Web of Science and EBSCOhost online databases were searched with predefined algorithms. After title and abstract relevance screening and relevance confirmation with full-text screening, 67 studies remained for data extraction, which were included in the review. The most important identified groups of interventions based on their mode of action and place in the technological process are as follows: low-moisture production using preservatives, acidity regulators, adsorbents and various microbiological additives. The results of the listed publications are summarized and compared for all the identified intervention groups. The paper aimed to help feed producers, farmers and relevant stakeholders to get an overview of the most suitable aflatoxin mitigation options, which is extremely important in the near future as climate change will likely be accompanied by elevated mycotoxin levels.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Animal Feed; Animals; Dairying; Food Contamination; Zea mays
PubMed: 35202142
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020115 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020Glucosinolates (GSs) are common anionic plant secondary metabolites in the order Brassicales. Together with glucosinolate hydrolysis products (GSHPs), they have recently...
Glucosinolates (GSs) are common anionic plant secondary metabolites in the order Brassicales. Together with glucosinolate hydrolysis products (GSHPs), they have recently gained much attention due to their biological activities and mechanisms of action. We review herein the health benefits of GSs/GSHPs, approaches to improve the plant contents, their bioavailability and bioactivity. In this review, only literature published between 2010 and March 2020 was retrieved from various scientific databases. Findings indicate that these compounds (natural, pure, synthetic, and derivatives) play an important role in human/animal health (disease therapy and prevention), plant health (defense chemicals, biofumigants/biocides), and food industries (preservatives). Overall, much interest is focused on in vitro studies as anti-cancer and antimicrobial agents. GS/GSHP levels improvement in plants utilizes mostly biotic/abiotic stresses and short periods of phytohormone application. Their availability and bioactivity are directly proportional to their contents at the source, which is affected by methods of food preparation, processing, and extraction. This review concludes that, to a greater extent, there is a need to explore and improve GS-rich sources, which should be emphasized to obtain natural bioactive compounds/active ingredients that can be included among synthetic and commercial products for use in maintaining and promoting health. Furthermore, the development of advanced research on compounds pharmacokinetics, their molecular mode of action, genetics based on biosynthesis, their uses in promoting the health of living organisms is highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Brassicaceae; Glucosinolates; Humans
PubMed: 32806771
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163682 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2018Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by obstetricians. Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery can have a tremendous impact on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by obstetricians. Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery can have a tremendous impact on the postpartum woman's return to normal function and her ability to care for her baby. Despite the widespread use of prophylactic antibiotics, postoperative infectious morbidity still complicates cesarean deliveries. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2010 and subsequently updated in 2012, and twice in 2014.
OBJECTIVES
To determine if cleansing the vagina with an antiseptic solution before a cesarean delivery decreases the risk of maternal infectious morbidities, including endometritis and wound complications. We also assessed the side effects of vaginal cleansing solutions to determine adverse events associated with the intervention.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (10 July 2017), and reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized trials and one quasi-randomized trial assessing the impact of vaginal cleansing immediately before cesarean delivery with any type of antiseptic solution versus a placebo solution/standard of care on post-cesarean infectious morbidity. Cluster-randomized trials were eligible for inclusion but none were identified. We excluded trials that utilized vaginal preparation during labor or that did not use antibiotic surgical prophylaxis. We also excluded any trials using a cross-over design.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least three of the review authors independently assessed eligibility of the studies. Two review authors were assigned to extract study characteristics, quality assessments, and data from eligible studies.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 11 trials reporting results for 3403 women evaluating the effects of vaginal cleansing (eight using povidone-iodine, two chlorhexidine, one benzalkonium chloride) on post-cesarean infectious morbidity. Additionally, some trials used vaginal preparations using sponge sticks, douches, or soaked gauze wipes. The control groups were typically no vaginal preparation (eight trials) or the use of a saline vaginal preparation (three trials). The risk of bias in the studies reduced our confidence in the results for endometritis outcomes.Vaginal preparation with antiseptic solution immediately before cesarean delivery probably reduces the incidence of post-cesarean endometritis from 8.7% in control groups to 3.8% in vaginal cleansing groups (average risk ratio (RR) 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 0.63, 10 trials, 3283 women, moderate quality of evidence). Subgroup analysis could not rule out larger reductions in endometritis with antiseptics in women who were in labor or in women whose membranes had ruptured when antiseptics were used. Risks of postoperative fever and postoperative wound infection may be slightly lowered by antiseptic preparation, but the confidence intervals around the effects for both outcomes are consistent with a large reduction in risk and no difference between groups (fever: RR 0.87 (0.72 to 1.05; wound infection: RR 0.74 (95% CI 0.49 to 1.11), both moderate-quality evidence). Two trials reported a lower risk of a composite outcome of wound complication or endometritis in women receiving preoperative vaginal preparation (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.82, two trials, 499 women, moderate-quality evidence). No adverse effects were reported with either the povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine vaginal cleansing.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine solution compared to saline or not cleansing immediately before cesarean delivery probably reduces the risk of post-cesarean endometritis. Subgroup analysis could not rule out larger reductions in endometritis with antiseptics in women who were in labor or in women whose membranes had ruptured when antiseptics were used.The quality of the evidence using GRADE was moderate for all reported outcomes. We downgraded the outcome of post-cesarean endometritis and composite of wound complications or endometritis for risk of bias and postoperative fever and postoperative wound infections for wide CIs.As a simple, generally inexpensive intervention, providers may consider implementing preoperative vaginal cleansing with povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine before performing cesarean deliveries.
Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Benzalkonium Compounds; Cesarean Section; Chlorhexidine; Disinfection; Endometritis; Female; Fever; Humans; Povidone-Iodine; Pregnancy; Preoperative Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Surgical Wound Infection; Vagina
PubMed: 30016540
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007892.pub6 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2014Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, has been attracting the attention of different medical and pharmaceutical disciplines in recent... (Review)
Review
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, has been attracting the attention of different medical and pharmaceutical disciplines in recent years because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, cytotoxic, antiviral, antifungal, and antineoplastic properties. One of the most studied organs for the effects of CAPE is the kidney, particularly in the capacity of this ester to decrease the nephrotoxicity induced by several drugs and the oxidative injury after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated the current knowledge regarding the protective effect of CAPE in nephrotoxicity induced by several special medicines such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclosporine, gentamycin, methotrexate, and other causes leading to oxidative renal injury, namely, I/R models and senility.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Caffeic Acids; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Phenylethyl Alcohol
PubMed: 25003138
DOI: 10.1155/2014/561971 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jan 2016Urinary tract infection (UTI) in the United States is the most common bacterial infection, and urine cultures often make up the largest portion of workload for a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness of Preanalytic Practices on Contamination and Diagnostic Accuracy of Urine Cultures: a Laboratory Medicine Best Practices Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Urinary tract infection (UTI) in the United States is the most common bacterial infection, and urine cultures often make up the largest portion of workload for a hospital-based microbiology laboratory. Appropriately managing the factors affecting the preanalytic phase of urine culture contributes significantly to the generation of meaningful culture results that ultimately affect patient diagnosis and management. Urine culture contamination can be reduced with proper techniques for urine collection, preservation, storage, and transport, the major factors affecting the preanalytic phase of urine culture.
OBJECTIVES
The purposes of this review were to identify and evaluate preanalytic practices associated with urine specimens and to assess their impact on the accuracy of urine culture microbiology. Specific practices included collection methods for men, women, and children; preservation of urine samples in boric acid solutions; and the effect of refrigeration on stored urine. Practice efficacy and effectiveness were measured by two parameters: reduction of urine culture contamination and increased accuracy of patient diagnosis. The CDC Laboratory Medicine Best Practices (LMBP) initiative's systematic review method for assessment of quality improvement (QI) practices was employed. Results were then translated into evidence-based practice guidelines.
SEARCH STRATEGY
A search of three electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL), as well as hand searching of bibliographies from relevant information sources, for English-language articles published between 1965 and 2014 was conducted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The search contained the following medical subject headings and key text words: urinary tract infections, UTI, urine/analysis, urine/microbiology, urinalysis, specimen handling, preservation, biological, preservation, boric acid, boric acid/borate, refrigeration, storage, time factors, transportation, transport time, time delay, time factor, timing, urine specimen collection, catheters, indwelling, urinary reservoirs, continent, urinary catheterization, intermittent urethral catheterization, clean voided, midstream, Foley, suprapubic, bacteriological techniques, and microbiological techniques.
MAIN RESULTS
Both boric acid and refrigeration adequately preserved urine specimens prior to their processing for up to 24 h. Urine held at room temperature for more than 4 h showed overgrowth of both clinically significant and contaminating microorganisms. The overall strength of this body of evidence, however, was rated as low. For urine specimens collected from women, there was no difference in rates of contamination for midstream urine specimens collected with or without cleansing. The overall strength of this evidence was rated as high. The levels of diagnostic accuracy of midstream urine collection with or without cleansing were similar, although the overall strength of this evidence was rated as low. For urine specimens collected from men, there was a reduction in contamination in favor of midstream clean-catch over first-void specimen collection. The strength of this evidence was rated as high. Only one study compared midstream collection with cleansing to midstream collection without cleansing. Results showed no difference in contamination between the two methods of collection. However, imprecision was due largely to the small event size. The diagnostic accuracy of midstream urine collection from men compared to straight catheterization or suprapubic aspiration was high. However, the overall strength of this body of evidence was rated as low. For urine specimens collected from children and infants, the evidence comparing contamination rates for midstream urine collection with cleansing, midstream collection without cleansing, sterile urine bag collection, and diaper collection pointed to larger reductions in the odds of contamination in favor of midstream collection with cleansing over the other methods of collection. This body of evidence was rated as high. The accuracy of diagnosis of urinary tract infection from midstream clean-catch urine specimens, sterile urine bag specimens, or diaper specimens compared to straight catheterization or suprapubic aspiration was varied.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
No recommendation for or against is made for delayed processing of urine stored at room temperature, refrigerated, or preserved in boric acid. This does not preclude the use of refrigeration or chemical preservatives in clinical practice. It does indicate, however, that more systematic studies evaluating the utility of these measures are needed. If noninvasive collection is being considered for women, midstream collection with cleansing is recommended, but no recommendation for or against is made for midstream collection without cleansing. If noninvasive collection is being considered for men, midstream collection with cleansing is recommended and collection of first-void urine is not recommended. No recommendation for or against is made for collection of midstream urine without cleansing. If noninvasive collection is being considered for children, midstream collection with cleansing is recommended and collection in sterile urine bags, from diapers, or midstream without cleansing is not recommended. Whether midstream collection with cleansing can be routinely used in place of catheterization or suprapubic aspiration is unclear. The data suggest that midstream collection with cleansing is accurate for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in infants and children and has higher average accuracy than sterile urine bag collection (data for diaper collection were lacking); however, the overall strength of evidence was low, as multivariate modeling could not be performed, and thus no recommendation for or against can be made.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Bacteriological Techniques; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Specimen Handling; United States; Urinary Tract Infections; Urine
PubMed: 26598386
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00030-15 -
Food Science & Nutrition May 2024Recently, the use of D-amino acids as food preservatives has attracted considerable attention because these natural compounds do not have adverse effects on human... (Review)
Review
Recently, the use of D-amino acids as food preservatives has attracted considerable attention because these natural compounds do not have adverse effects on human health. In addition, D-amino acids such as D-tryptophan can reduce the harmful effects of other treatments. For instance, the use of D-tryptophan in food reduces the requirement for high temperatures and their damaging effects on nutrients such as proteins and vitamins. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of D-tryptophan on food-borne pathogens in vitro and in food models. To identify related studies, scientific digital databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2000 to February 2023. The results of the studies showed that when D-tryptophan was used with other stresses such as using different salt concentrations, refrigeration, or high temperatures, it showed significant antimicrobial effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative food-borne pathogens, and antibiofilm impacts were also observed with D-tryptophan. Since studies have shown that the antimicrobial activity of D-tryptophan depends on several factors, including the pathogen strain, the type of stress, and the concentration of D-tryptophan, and every article has focused on one of these factors, there is a need for a systematic review that summarizes and concludes the effect of all these factors on the antimicrobial activity of D-tryptophan against food-borne pathogens.
PubMed: 38726420
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3987