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Potential Health Risks (potential + health_risk)
Selected AbstractsDNA damage in leukocytes of workers occupationally exposed to arsenic in copper smeltersENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 2 2005Jadwiga Palus Abstract Inorganic arsenic (i-As) is a known human carcinogen; however, humans continue to be exposed to i-As in drinking water and in certain occupational settings. In this study, we used the Comet assay to evaluate DNA damage in the somatic cells of workers from three Polish copper smelters who were occupationally exposed to i-As. Blood samples were collected from 72 male workers and 83 unexposed male controls and used for the detection of DNA damage, oxidative DNA damage, and DNA damage after a 3-hr incubation in culture. Urine samples were collected to assess the level of exposure. The mean concentration of arsenic metabolites in urine [the sum of arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsenate (MMA) and dimethylarsenate (DMA)] and the concentrations of DMA (the main metabolite in urine) were higher in workers than in controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. By contrast, the level of DNA damage, expressed as the median tail moment, was significantly higher in the leukocytes of workers than in the controls. Comet assays conducted with formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) digestion to detect oxidative DNA damage indicated that oxidative lesions were present in leukocytes from both the exposed and control groups, but the levels of damage were significantly higher among the workers. Incubation of the cells in culture resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of DNA damage, especially among leukocytes from the workers, suggesting that the DNA damage was subject to repair. Our findings indicate that copper smelter workers have increased levels of DNA damage in somatic cells, suggesting a potential health risk for the workers. Although i-As was present in air samples from the smelters and in urine samples from workers, no clear association could be made between i-As exposure and the DNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Brain and hypophyseal acetylcholinesterase activity of pubertal boars fed dietary fumonisin B1JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5 2010F. A. Gbore Summary The effects of dietary fumonisin B1 (FB1) on regional brain and hypophyseal activities of AChE (EC 3117), the enzyme which catalyses the hydrolysis of acetylcholine, were studied using 24 male Large White weanling pigs divided into four groups. Each group received one of the four diets containing 0.2, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg FB1/kg in a 6-month feeding trial. All animals were slaughtered at the end of the feeding trial; the brains and the hypophyses obtained were carefully dissected out. Significant (p < 0.05) influence of dietary FB1 on regional brain and hypophyseal AChE activities were observed. The AChE activities in the pons, amygdala, hypothalamus and the medulla oblongata declined significantly (p < 0.05) with increased dietary FB1 concentrations. The findings of this study suggest that diets containing 5.0 mg FB1/kg and above significantly (p < 0.05) altered regional brain and hypophyseal AChE activities in the animals. Dietary exposure to FB1 at a concentration of approximately 5.0 mg/kg or more for a 6-month period is a potential health risk that may induce adverse physiological response resulting from altered brain neurochemistry in growing pigs. [source] Hydroquinone and its analogues in dermatology , a potential health riskJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005W Westerhof Summary Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin lightening agent. Since January 1, 2001, its use in cosmetics has been banned. This ban is as a result of mid-term effects such as leukoderma-en-confetti/occupational vitiligo and exogenous ochronosis. However, a recent literature search on hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent suggests that possible long-term effects such as carcinogenesis may be expected as well. Metabolites of hydroquinone formed in the liver, e.g., p-benzoquinone and glutathione conjugates of hydroquinone, are mainly responsible for this. In the bone marrow, hydroquinone is oxidized into p-benzoquinone because of the high myeloperoxidase activity. Topically applied hydroquinone-containing creams may give rise to accumulation of these compounds, which can cause DNA damage and mutations. They also have the capability to disrupt protective mechanisms, whereby they facilitate further development of cancer. In the bone marrow, long-term effects such as aplastic anemia and acute myeloid leukemias may occur. Most of the evidence stems from research on benzene toxicity, which appears to arise via its metabolite hydroquinone. There is no report yet demonstrating carcinogenesis resulting from the application of hydroquinone-containing creams. However doctors should be aware of these potential health risks which were up until now disregarded. [source] Diversity of streptomycetes in water-damaged building materials based on 16S rDNA sequencesLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002H. Rintala Aims:,The diversity of streptomycetes in two different types of water-damaged building materials was investigated. Methods and Results:,Direct PCR amplification of 16S rDNA from DNA isolated from building materials, cloning of the fragments and sequence analysis were used. In the phylogenetic analysis of the variable , region of the PCR amplification products, the sequences affiliated with five groups. Conclusions:,Several different sequences were found in both materials, suggesting the presence of several species. Also, previously unknown sequences were detected, although all the sequences clustered together with sequences of known species. Significance and Impact of the Study:,Streptomycetes are known as indicators for moisture and mould damage in buildings and potential health risk, but their diversity in indoor environments is still unknown. [source] Cover Picture , Mol.MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 4 2009Nutr. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by various fungi which are frequently found in a wide variety of food items, thus causing a potential health risk. This Special Issue focuses on how mycotoxins act on a molecular level, including a range of toxic effects, and also discusses in which regard these toxic effects may be useful for the development of new chemical compounds in cancer therapy. [source] Summer changes in cyanobacterial bloom composition and microcystin concentration in eutrophic Czech reservoirsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Petr Znachor Abstract In mid-July and August 2003 and 2004, 18 reservoirs in the Czech Republic were sampled for phytoplankton species composition and concentration of intracellular microcystins (MCs). As a consequence of high nutrient loading, most of the reservoirs experienced cyanobacterial blooms of various intensities, with the prevalence of cyanobacteria increasing markedly in August, along with a conspicuous shift in species composition toward dominance of Microcystis spp. Microcystins were detected in 90% of the samples, and their amount also increased considerably in August, reflecting the cyanobacterial biomass. In Microcystis -dominated samples, a significantly higher amount of MCs (p < 0.001) occurred than in samples in which other taxa prevailed. Microcystins were positively correlated with chlorophyll a and cyanobacterial biovolume (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.61 and 0.66, respectively), with the strongest correlation found for Microcystis spp. biovolume (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.87). This taxon was the most important producer of MCs in Czech reservoirs. The main structural variants of MCs were MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR. This study's data also indicate that the relative share of MC variants (MC-LR and MC-RR) varies considerably with time, most likely as a consequence of different species and strain compositions during the summer. This study clearly demonstrates a high prevalence of MC-producing cyanobacteria in Czech reservoirs. Therefore, regular monitoring of these reservoirs is highly desirable in an effort to minimize potential health risks to the human population. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 236,243, 2006. [source] The european union risk assessment on zinc and zinc compounds: The process and the factsINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2005Charles W.M. Bodar Abstract A risk assessment on zinc and zinc compounds was carried out within the framework of Council Regulation 793/93/EEC on Existing Chemicals. This risk assessment basically followed the European Union (EU) technical guidance documents (TGDs). These TGDs are built on the current knowledge on quantitative risk assessments, mainly for organic chemicals. This article describes the tailor-made approach for the zinc risk assessment. This work lasted almost a decade and involved the contributions of all EU member states and industry, who discussed the risk assessment during technical meetings. The risk assessment is initially based on scientific findings but is interrelated with pragmatic considerations. It follows a comprehensive approach, covering both environmental and human health. In the environmental part, new methodologies were developed to deal with the natural background of zinc, essentiality, speciation, and the use of species sensitivity distributions. The major results and the process of drawing conclusions of the risk assessment are outlined: potential environmental risks of zinc and zinc compounds may occur at local and regional scales in surfacewater, sediment, and soil. No potential health risks were identified for consumers and man indirectly exposed via the environment. For workers, potential health risks were identified only for zinc oxide and zinc chloride. [source] Prevalence, quantification and typing of adenoviruses detected in river and treated drinking water in South AfricaJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005J. van Heerden Abstract Aims:, Human adenoviruses (HAds), of which there are 51 serotypes, are associated with gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract and eye infections. The importance of water in the transmission of HAds and the potential health risks constituted by HAds in these environments are widely recognized. Adenoviruses have not previously been quantified in river and treated drinking water samples. In this study, HAds in river water and treated drinking water sources in South Africa were detected, quantified and typed. Methods and Results:, Adenoviruses were recovered from the water samples using a glass wool adsorption-elution method followed by polyethylene glycol/NaCl precipitation for secondary concentration. The sensitivity and specificity of two nested PCR methods were compared for detection of HAds in the water samples. Over a 1-year period (June 2002 to July 2003), HAds were detected in 5·32% (10/188) of the treated drinking water and 22·22% (10/45) of river water samples using the conventional nested PCR method. The HAds detected in the water samples were quantified using a real-time PCR method. The original treated drinking water and river water samples had an estimate of less than one copy per litre of HAd DNA present. The hexon-PCR products used for typing HAds were directly sequenced or cloned into plasmids before sequencing. In treated drinking water samples, species D HAds predominated. In addition, adenovirus serotypes 2, 40 and 41 were each detected in three different treated drinking water samples. Most (70%) of the HAds detected in river water samples analysed were enteric HAds (serotypes 40 and 41). One HAd serotype 2 and two species D HAds were detected in the river water. Conclusions:, Adenoviruses detected in river and treated drinking water samples were successfully quantified and typed. The detection of HAds in drinking water supplies treated and disinfected by internationally recommended methods, and which conform to quality limits for indicator bacteria, warrants an investigation of the risk of infection constituted by these viruses. The risk of infection may have implications for the management of drinking water quality. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study is unique as it is the first report on the quantification and typing of HAds in treated drinking water and river water. This baseline data is necessary for the meaningful assessment of the potential risk of infection constituted by these viruses. [source] Herbal product use in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15 2009Belgüzar Kara Aim., To examine herbal product use among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis. Background., Herbal therapy is a very popular choice for many patients. However, little information is available about herbal product use in renal patients. Design., The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. The data were obtained from 114 end-stage renal disease patients in two haemodialysis centres in Ankara, Turkey between June,August 2007. Methods., Data were collected through face-to-face structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were conducted. Results., Approximately one-third of the patients (28·1%) used a herbal product after the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Of these, 13·2% reported currently taking herbal products. A minority of participants (12·5%) informed their physician of herbal product use. Marital status was the only variable significantly associated with herbal product use. Conclusions., The results of this study showed that many patients used herbal products, but most did not disclose this use to their physician. Herbal product use was more prevalent among the participants who were married. Relevance to clinical practice., Understanding the patterns and reasons of herbal use is beneficial in efforts to improve the care of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nurses should be aware of the potential health risks caused by herbal products and should educate the patient and the family. [source] Hydroquinone and its analogues in dermatology , a potential health riskJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005W Westerhof Summary Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin lightening agent. Since January 1, 2001, its use in cosmetics has been banned. This ban is as a result of mid-term effects such as leukoderma-en-confetti/occupational vitiligo and exogenous ochronosis. However, a recent literature search on hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent suggests that possible long-term effects such as carcinogenesis may be expected as well. Metabolites of hydroquinone formed in the liver, e.g., p-benzoquinone and glutathione conjugates of hydroquinone, are mainly responsible for this. In the bone marrow, hydroquinone is oxidized into p-benzoquinone because of the high myeloperoxidase activity. Topically applied hydroquinone-containing creams may give rise to accumulation of these compounds, which can cause DNA damage and mutations. They also have the capability to disrupt protective mechanisms, whereby they facilitate further development of cancer. In the bone marrow, long-term effects such as aplastic anemia and acute myeloid leukemias may occur. Most of the evidence stems from research on benzene toxicity, which appears to arise via its metabolite hydroquinone. There is no report yet demonstrating carcinogenesis resulting from the application of hydroquinone-containing creams. However doctors should be aware of these potential health risks which were up until now disregarded. [source] Variations in the contents of heavy metals in arable soils of a major urban wetland inlet drainage system of Lake Victoria, UgandaLAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2010Jolocam Mbabazi Abstract Little is known about the effects of urbanization on the chemical quality of soils in suburban wetland inlet drainage systems to the Uganda side of Lake Victoria, on which food crops are extensively grown. It is feared that pollution in the soils might eventually enter food chains through such crops being consumed by urban populations unaware of their occurrence. Soil samples were collected from cultivated areas of a major wetland drainage system (Nakivubo Channel), at Kampala, Ubanda, near Lake Victoria and from a rural control wetland site (Senge). The soil from this site had similar properties as those from the urban test site (i.e., soil texture; porosity; humus content). Analysis of heavy metals with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) yielded the following soil concentration ranges: manganese (190,780), cadmium (<0.001,1.0), zinc (6.0,10.0) and lead (10,20 mg kg,1) dry weight for the control site, and 450,900, 1.0,2.0, 131,185, 40,60 mg kg,1 dry weight, respectively, for the urban wetland, indicative of relatively heavy metal pollution in the suburban drainage system. Heavy metal levels in cocoyam (Colocasia Esculenta) and sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum) grown on both wetland soils also were evaluated via AAS with a modified wet-acid-digestion technique. The results highlighted high cadium and lead levels (P , 0.0003) in the crops from urban wetland cultivation. Cadmium and lead concentrations in cocoyam from urban wetland soils exceeded those from the control site by 0.17 and 3.54 mg kg,1, respectively. The corresponding results for sugarcane indicated a similar increase of 0.56 and 2.14 mg kg,1 of juice extract. Cadmium and lead levels in both urban wetland crops were higher than the maximum permissible limits of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, indicating that these concentrations pose potential health risks to urban consumers, and call for early counter-measures to combat urban pollution entering the lake. [source] Sex Redefined: The Reclassification Of Oral-Genital ContactPERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, Issue 2 2010Jason D. Hans CONTEXT: Although partially anecdotal, some evidence suggests that oral-genital contact is increasingly excluded from young people's notions of what behaviors constitute sex. Such a shift may have implications for STD prevention. METHODS: In 2007, a convenience sample of 477 university students participated in a survey that included the question "Would you say you ,had sex' with someone if the most intimate behavior you engaged in was" each of 11 behaviors. Chi-square tests and independent samples t tests were used to assess gender differences, and chi-square analyses were used to compare the data with similar data collected in 1991. Predictors of beliefs concerning the classification of oral-genital contact were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of respondents indicated that penile-vaginal intercourse and penile-anal intercourse constitute sex (98% and 78%, respectively), but only about 20% believed the same was true of oral-genital contact. The proportion classifying oral-genital contact as sex in 2007 was about half that in 1991. This difference was consistent for both sexes and for both giving and receiving oral-genital stimulation. Responses did not vary by respondents' sexual experience or demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Sociocultural conceptualizations of oral-genital contact have shifted in a way that may leave people who engage in this activity unmindful of its potential health risks. Sex education programs, which generally focus on penile-vaginal contact, could help STD prevention efforts by explaining the risks associated with oral-genital stimulation and the measures that can be taken to minimize those risks. [source] Long-term field studies: positive impacts and unintended consequencesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2010Karen B. Strier Abstract Long-term field studies of wild primates can have far-reaching impacts that transcend their contributions to science. These impacts can benefit not only the study animals, study areas, and local human communities, but they can also have unintended, potentially negative consequences. Examples of some of the positive impacts from the Northern Muriqui Project of Caratinga, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, include contributions to conservation efforts on behalf of this critically endangered species, capacity building through the training of Brazilian students, and employment opportunities for local people through our collaboration with a locally administered NGO that is facilitating ecotourism, education, and reforestation programs. Some concerns about unintended consequences of the research include the effects of our trails and trail traffic on surrounding vegetation and other aspects of the environmental "footprints" that both long-term researchers and short-term visitors may leave. In addition, although precautions against potential health risks from routine exposure to human observers are now standard protocol, little is known about the other ways in which our long-term research presence can affect the primates' experiences or alter their perceptions of their social and ecological environments. Risk analysis, which weighs both the positive and negative impacts can provide useful perspectives for addressing the ethical considerations that can arise during long-term field studies. Am. J. Primatol. 72:772,778, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Social influences for smoking in pregnancy in south western Sydney antenatal clinic attendeesAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Mohammed MOHSIN Abstract This study examined the needs of and barriers to smoking cessation of 677 women who attended antenatal clinics in south-west Sydney. More than a quarter (26.3%) of the mothers reported smoking at their first antenatal visit. Smokers were more likely to be teenagers, single mothers and less likely to have formal education or employment. They were less aware of the potential health risks of smoking in pregnancy (SIP). High levels of SIP remain a public health problem, and effective interventions are needed. [source] | ||||||||||||||||