Therapeutic potential of dopamine agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Diabetes is a global health concern that has affected almost 415 million people globally. Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2 agonist, which is a Food and...     

Evaluation of ABC efflux transporters genes expression in kidney of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed with melamine and cyanuric acid diets

Gene expression experiments were targeted in order to monitor the ABC efflux transporters, which is potentially involved in cellular detoxification/defense. Changes in expression levels of different ABC genes in kidney of Oncorhynchus mykiss fed with melamine and melamine + cyanuric acid enriched diets were recorded in both treated groups by mRNA ΔΔ_CT relative quantification method. Expression profiles of eight different ABC genes basically showed low alterations in melamine group and more consistent changes in melamine + cyanuric acid treated fish, compared with own control. In the last group ABCC2 gene over expression was the more evident alteration. These results suggest that ABC efflux system could be involved in mobilization of hydrophilic molecules in the forcing condition of chronic exposure.     

Assessment of medication adherence among type-2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care hospital of North India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Study was conducted utilizing a confirmed medication adherence scale to measure the socio-demographic profile, self-care, and medication...     

Antibiotic exposure and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To investigate the association between antibiotic exposure and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Four electronic databases, including PubMed,...     

Association between air pollution exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study

The global prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing annually, and previous research reports on the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and GDM are not completely consistent. We investigated the association between air pollutant exposure and GDM in pregnant women in a retrospective cohort study in Guangzhou. We found that in the first trimester, exposure to PM_2.5 and CO showed a significant association with GDM. In the second trimester, exposure to PM₁₀ was significantly associated with GDM. In the third trimester, exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and CO at IQR4 (odds ratio [OR]?=?1.271, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.179–1.370; OR?=?1.283, 95% CI: 1.191–1.383; OR?=?1.230, 95% CI: 1.145–1.322; OR?=?1.408, 95% CI: 1.303–1.522; OR?=?1.150, 95% CI: 1.067–1.240, respectively) compared with IQR1 was positively associated with GDM. However, exposure to NO₂ was negatively associated with GDM in the first and second trimesters, and O₃ was negatively associated with GDM in the second and third trimesters. We found that the correlation between air pollutants and GDM in different trimesters of pregnancy was not completely consistent in this retrospective cohort study. During pregnancy, there may be an interaction between air pollutant exposure and other factors, such as pregnant women’s age, occupation, anemia status, pregnancy-induced hypertension status, and pregnancy season.

     

Ambient air pollution exposure during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus in Shenyang,China: a prospective cohort study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. Reports of the association between air pollution exposure and GDM have...     

Increased urinary arsenic concentration in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: a gender-independent,smoking-dependent exposure biomarker in older adults in Tehran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Arsenic is ranked in the top ten environmental toxicants but its impact on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with other human health...     

Enhanced resistance of yeast mutants deficient in low-affinity iron and zinc transporters to stannous-induced toxicity

Tin or stannous (Sn²⁺) compounds are used as catalysts, stabilizers in plastic industries, wood preservatives, agricultural biocides and nuclear medicine. In order to verify the Sn²⁺ up-take and toxicity in yeast cells we utilized a multi-elemental analysis known as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) along with cell survival assays and quantitative real-time PCR. The detection of Sn²⁺ by PIXE was possible only in yeast cells in stationary phase of growth (STAT cells) that survive at 25 mM Sn²⁺ concentration. Yeast cells in exponential phase of growth (LOG cells) tolerate only micro-molar Sn²⁺ concentrations that result in intracellular concentration below of the method detection limit. Our PIXE analysis showed that STAT XV185-14c yeast cells demonstrate a significant loss of intracellular elements such as Mg, Zn, S, Fe and an increase in P levels after 1 h exposure to SnCl₂. The survival assay showed enhanced tolerance of LOG yeast cells lacking the low-affinity iron and zinc transporters to stannous treatment, suggesting the possible involvement in Sn²⁺ uptake. Moreover, our qRT-PCR data showed that Sn²⁺ treatment could generate reactive oxygen species as it induces activation of many stress-response genes, including SOD1, YAP1, and APN1.     

The role of halogen species in the troposphere

While the role of reactive halogen species (e.g. Cl, Br) in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer is well known, their role in the troposphere was investigated only since their destructive effect on boundary layer ozone after polar sunrise became obvious. During these 'Polar Tropospheric Ozone Hole' events O(3) is completely destroyed in the lowest approximately 1000 m of the atmosphere on areas of several million square kilometres. Up to now it was assumed that these events were confined to the polar regions during springtime. However, during the last few years significant amounts of BrO and Cl-atoms were also found outside the Arctic and Antarctic boundary layer. Recently even higher BrO mixing ratios (up to 176 ppt) were detected by optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the Dead Sea basin during summer. In addition, evidence is accumulating that BrO (at levels around 1-2 ppt) is also occurring in the free troposphere at all latitudes.In contrast to the stratosphere, where halogens are released from species, which are very long lived in the troposphere, likely sources of boundary layer Br and Cl are autocatalytic oxidation of sea salt halides (the 'Bromine Explosion'), while precursors of free tropospheric BrO and coastal IO probably are short-lived organo-halogen species. At the levels suggested by the available measurements reactive halogen species have a profound effect on tropospheric chemistry: In the polar boundary layer during 'halogen events' ozone is usually completely lost within hours or days. In the free troposphere the effective O(3)-losses due to halogens could be comparable to the known photochemical O(3) destruction. Further interesting consequences include the increase of OH levels and (at low NO(X)) the decrease of the HO(2)/OH ratio in the free troposphere.     

Uncertainties in the role of land vegetation in the carbon cycle

Since the late 1950s the CO2 concentration of the atmosphere has been increasing by around 0.5-3 ppm per year. Understanding of carbon sinks is vital to understanding this trend and its future behaviour. Here we examine some of the factors which may affect the proportion of anthropogenic CO2 ending up in the atmosphere in the present and in the future, and variability in the CO2 increase from one year to another. We also examine the evidence for the potential of terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks to take up or release CO2. In some cases, a careful re-examination of the research methods used to deduce present and future feedbacks may be necessary. The most advanced technology and the most complex models do not necessarily produce reliable results. They should be carefully checked against a general background knowledge of ecological processes before their results are accepted.     

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin) causes reduction in glucose uptake through glucose transporters on the plasma membrane of the guinea pig adipocyte.

A single dose of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (1 micrograms/kg, i.p. injection) resulted in a significant decrease in cellular 3-O-methyl-[3H]-glucose uptake by guinea pig adipose tissue and pancreas after 24 hours. An in situ tissue culture study in which pieces of adipose tissue were incubated with 10(-8)M TCDD showed a time-dependent decrease in glucose uptake. Reconstitution of adipocyte plasma membrane from tested or control animals into artificial liposomes also resulted in this difference in glucose uptake. Binding of [3H]-cytochalasin B, a specific inhibitor of glucose transporter proteins, was significantly lower in acetone-ether powder preparations of TCDD-treated adipose tissue than from controls, suggesting that the total titer of these proteins is decreased by TCDD. Finally, the relevance of these results to glucose or lipid metabolism was tested. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity of guinea pig adipose tissue was decreased after 8 hours of in situ incubation with TCDD indicating that glucose uptake was depressed at an earlier time point. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of dioxin-induced "wasting syndrome".     

Determining the role of humic substances in the fate of pesticides in the environment

Abstract

The data presented in this paper emphasize that the behavior and fate of pesticides in the environment is influenced by humic substances. Various methods most frequently used for the characterization of humic substances are discussed. Both humic acid and fulvic acid can solubilize in water certain organic compounds and are important carriers of some pesticides in soil. Humic substances have the potential for promoting the nonbiological degradation of many pesticides. Several methods of bleaching humus color from drinking water, including chlorination, ozonation, and UV‐radiation, are described. Finally, the photochemical stability to UV‐radiation of certain pesticides in aqueous fulvic acid solution is discussed.     

Determining the role of human substances in the fate of pesticides in the environment

The data presented in this paper emphasize that the behavior and fate of pesticides in the environment is influenced by humic substances. Various methods most frequently used for the characterization of humic substances are discussed. Both humic acid and fulvic acid can solubilize in water certain organic compounds and are important carriers of some pesticides in soil. Humic substances have the potential for promoting the nonbiological degradation of many pesticides. Several methods of bleaching humus color from drinking water, including chlorination, ozonation, and UV-radiation, are described. Finally, the photochemical stability to UV-radiation of certain pesticides in aqueous fulvic acid solution is discussed.     

A review of the role of plastics in energy recovery

This report reviews the major scientific investigations that have been reported world wide over the last ten years on the effect of plastics on the process and emission performance of energy from waste (EFW) facilities. Concentrations of contaminants in air emissions and other process residues measured during tests with added plastics are compared with concentrations during normal operations and with the stringent emission limits stipulated in municipal waste combustor standards and guidelines in Canada, the United States and the European Union. The emission limits in these standards and guidelines are based on the use of the best technology available (Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards in North America and Best Available Technology (BAT) standards in Europe) and are amongst the most stringent in the world.     

The role of the national recycling utility in the Korean economy

As the Korean national economy has continued to grow and the industrial structure has become increasingly advanced, the amount of wastes being generated is rapidly on the rise. Recycling to cope with the environmental problems caused by wastes has become an increasingly important policy issue in developing countries such as Korea, as well as in developed countries. To provide policy-makers with practical and responsible analysis regarding the role of the national recycling utility in the economy, this study employed input–output (I–O) analysis with specific application to Korea. The major goal was the development of a static I-O framework for examining the role of the national recycling utility in the short run. The second goal was to obtain at least a preliminary indication of the role of the national recycling utility. This paper also discusses the role of a public firm that was established with an objective of promoting and facilitating the reuse of recyclable wastes. The overall results indicate that the national recycling utility may have a significant influence on the standard of living and industrial production.     

The role of toxicology in the evaluation of new agrochemicals

Abstract

The use of agrochemicals like crop protecting agents, veterinary disinfectants, and wood preservatives may result in (un)intentional exposure of the environment, animals and man. This paper deals with current testing strategies to assess the potential health risks for humans exposed to these chemicals during production or application or via consumption of foods containing pesticide residues.

Principles and procedures for safety assessment of pesticide residues in food as developed by WHO/FAO are described. Different types of toxicity studies in mammalian test animal species are discussed and a strategy is outlined in order to characterize the toxicity profile of a compound and the relationship between applied doses and adverse effects. Safety testing of agrochemicals should be carried out in relation to its intended use, and in particular attention will be paid to toxicity testing of residues of pesticides in food. Extrapolation of results from animal studies to humans and the use of safety factors is discussed.

Besides the use of animal protocol studies for safety testing of agrochemicals, the potential use of in‐vitro models derived from organs and tissues of animals is discussed. Data on the in‐vitro metabolism of thiabendazole, aldicarb and alachlor are discussed in order to demonstrate that such data may complement or partly substitute whole animal experimentation.

Principles and procedures for safety testing of residues of agrochemicals in food as applied during the last three decades, constitute a ‘safety‐first’ approach, providing sufficient safety margins for the consumer of foods which may contain low levels of residues of agrochemicals.     

Examining the role of financial inclusion towards CO2 emissions: presenting the role of renewable energy and globalization in the context of EKC

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To achieve sustainable development, the role of financial inclusion has been discussed in limited studies. Therefore, this work aims to investigate...     

On the possible role of acetylene in gas-phase dioxin formation

The slow combustion of benzene/phenol gives rise to dibenzofuran (DBF) as major product of incomplete combustion, with negligible proportions of dibenzo-p-dioxin (DBD), or benzofuran (BF). Contrary to a recent proposal that acetylene growth reactions, e.g. BF-->DBF, are important in dioxin formation, co-combustion of benzene/phenol with acetylene--around 550 degrees C--did not alter this product pattern. Also, BF was identified as a product from degradation of DBF.