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PMID: 

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013 ;14(1):523-8. PMID: 23534787

Abstract Title: 

Electromagnetic field exposure and male breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 18 studies.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The possibility that electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure may increase male breast cancer risk has been discussed for a long time. However, arguments have been presented that studies limited by poor quality could have led to statistically significant results by chance or bias. Moreover, data fo the last 10 years have not been systematically summarized.
METHODS AND RESULTS: To confirm any possible association, a meta-analysis was performed by a systematic search strategy. Totals of 7 case-control and 11 cohort studies was identified and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were used as the principal outcome measures. Data from these studies were extracted with a standard meta-analysis procedure and grouped in relation to study design, cut-off point, exposure assessment method, adjustment and exposure model. A statistical significant increased risk of male breast cancer with EMF exposure was defined (pooled ORs = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.14 -1.52, P<0.001), and subgroup analyses also showed similar results.
CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that EMF exposure may be associated with the increase risk of male breast cancer despite the arguments raised.

PMID: 

Drug Target Insights. 2019 ;13:1177392819866412. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31391778

Abstract Title: 

, a Neuroprotective Lead in Alzheimer Disease: A Review on Its Properties, Mechanisms of Action, and Preclinical and Clinical Studies.

Abstract: 

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is signified by cognitive decline, memory loss, and erratic behavior. Till date, no cure for Alzheimer exists and the current Alzheimer medications have limited effectiveness. However, herbal medicines may slow down the disease's progression, which may hopefully reduce the number of cases in the years to come. Numerous studies have been done on characterizing the neuroprotective properties from plants belonging to Scrophulariaceae family, particularlyand its polyphenolic compounds known as bacosides. This review presents the findings on bacosides in therapeutic plants and their impact on Alzheimer disease pathology. These reports present data on the clinical, cellular activities, phytochemistry, and biological applications that may be used in new drug treatment for Alzheimer disease.

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PMID: 

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2019 May 30 ;173:131-141. Epub 2019 Feb 13. PMID: 30771656

Abstract Title: 

Melatonin alleviates aluminium chloride-induced immunotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Abstract: 

The present study aimed to investigate whether melatonin (MT) treatment can attenuate immunotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl) in rat spleen. Forty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated and treated with AlCland/or MT. Rats were orally administered with AlClfor 90 days, from 61st days, rats were injected intraperitoneally with MT for 30 days. Firstly, we found that MT relieved the AlCl-induced immunosuppression by improving spleen structural damage, CD3and CD4T lymphocyte subsets, IL-2 and TNF-α mRNA expressions and decreasing CD8T lymphocyte subsets. Secondly, MT attenuated the AlCl-induced oxidative stress in rat spleen by decreasing the levels of ROS and MDA, while increasing the activities of SOD and CAT. Thirdly, MT relieved the AlCl-induced apoptosis in rat spleen by increasing the MMP and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expressions, while decreasing apoptosis rates, activity of Caspase-3 and pro-apoptotic gene expression. Finally, MT increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and Nrf2 target genes (HO-1, NQO1, SOD1 and CAT) mRNA expressions in the spleen of AlCl-exposed rat. These results suggest that MT may alleviate AlCl-induced immunotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway, which could lay the foundation for the treatment of AlClimmunotoxicity.

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PMID: 

Molecules. 2019 May 3 ;24(9). Epub 2019 May 3. PMID: 31058813

Abstract Title: 

Increased Aluminum Content in Certain Brain Structures is Correlated with Higher Silicon Concentration in Alcoholic Use Disorder.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol overuse may be related to increased aluminum (Al) exposure, the brain accumulation of which contributes to dementia. However, some reports indicate that silicon (Si) may have a protective role over Al-induced toxicity. Still, no study has ever explored the brain content of Al and Si in alcoholic use disorder (AUD).MATERIALS AND METHODS: To fill this gap, the present study employed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to investigate levels of Al and Si in 10 brain regions and in the liver of AUD patients (= 31) and control (= 32) post-mortem.RESULTS: Al content was detected only in AUD patients at mean± SD total brain content of 1.59 ± 1.19 mg/kg, with the highest levels in the thalamus (4.05 ± 12.7 mg/kg, FTH), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (3.48 ± 9.67 mg/kg, ILF), insula (2.41 ± 4.10 mg/kg) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (1.08 ± 2.30 mg/kg). Si content displayed no difference between AUD and control, except for FTH. Positive inter-region correlations between the content of both elements were identified in the cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and ILF.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that AUD patients may potentially be prone to Al-induced neurodegeneration in their brain-although this hypothesis requires further exploration.

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PMID: 

J Med Microbiol. 2019 Aug 16. Epub 2019 Aug 16. PMID: 31419210

Abstract Title: 

Restoring the activity of the antibiotic aztreonam using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of.

Abstract: 

.is an important Gram-negative pathogen that is intrinsically multidrug-resistant (MDR) and frequently associated with healthcare-associated outbreaks. With increasing resistance to antibiotics and with very few novel drugs under development, clinicians often use combinations to treat critically ill patients.. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of epigallocatechin (EGCG) to restore the activity of aztreonam against clinical MDR strains of.. Checkerboard and time-kill kinetic assays were performed to assess synergyand themodel of infection was used to test the efficacy of the combination. Accumulation assays were performed to gain insight into the mechanism of action.. The results demonstrate that synergy between aztreonam and EGCG exists [fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs) 0.02-0.5], with the combination affording significantly (=3 logreduction in colony-forming units mlat 24 h. EGCG was able to restore susceptibility to aztreonam to a level equal to or below the breakpoint set by the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. In, the combination was superior to monotherapy, with increased larval survival observed (94 % vs≤63 %). We also demonstrated the relatively low toxicity of EGCG to human keratinocytes andlarvae. Accumulation assay data suggest that the mechanism of synergy may be due to EGCG increasing the uptake of aztreonam.. EGCG was able to restore the activity of aztreonam against MDR. The data presented support further evaluation of the aztreonam-EGCG combination and highlight its potential for use in clinical medicine.

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PMID: 

Oncotarget. 2017 May 23 ;8(21):35412-35424. PMID: 28423681

Abstract Title: 

Sulforaphane for the chemoprevention of bladder cancer: molecular mechanism targeted approach.

Abstract: 

The clinical course for both early and late stage Bladder Cancer (BC) continues to be characterized by significant patient burden due to numerous occurrences and recurrences requiring frequent surveillance strategies, intravesical drug therapies, and even more aggressive treatments in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. For these reasons, BC is also the most expensive cancer to treat. Fortunately, BC offers an excellent platform for chemoprevention interventions with potential to optimize the systemic and local exposure of promising agents to the bladder mucosa. However, other than smoking cessation, there is a paucity of research that systematically examines agents for chemoprevention of bladder cancers. Adopting a systematic, molecular-mechanism based approach, the goal of this review is to summarize epidemiological, in vitro, and preclinical studies, including data regarding the safety, bioavailability, and efficacy of agents evaluated for bladder cancer chemoprevention. Based on the available studies, phytochemicals, specifically isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane, present in Brassicaceae or"cruciferous"vegetables in the precursor form of glucoraphanin are: (a) available in standardized formulations; (b) bioavailable- both systemically and in the bladder; (c) observed to be potent inhibitors of BC carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms; and (d) without toxicities at these doses. Based on available evidence from epidemiological, in vitro, preclinical, and early phase trials, phytochemicals, specifically isothiocyanates (ITCs) such as sulforaphane (SFN) represent a promising potential chemopreventitive agent in bladder cancer.

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PMID: 

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2017 11 4 ;493(1):521-527. Epub 2017 Sep 4. PMID: 28870814

Abstract Title: 

Curcumin inhibits bladder cancer stem cells by suppressing Sonic Hedgehog pathway.

Abstract: 

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for the recurrence of human cancers. Thus, targeting CSCs is considered to be a valid way for human cancer treatment. Curcumin is a major component of phytochemicals that exerts potent anticancer activities. However, the effect of curcumin on bladder cancer stem cells (BCSCs) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of curcumin suppressing bladder cancer stem cells. In this study, UM-UC-3 and EJ cells were cultured in serum-free medium (SFM) to form cell spheres that was characterized as BCSCs. Then cell spheres were separately treated with different concentrations of curcumin and purmorphamine. Cell cycle analysis were used to determine the percentage of cells in different phases. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis were used to detect the expression of relative molecules. Immunofluorescence staining analysis were also utilized to measure the protein level of CD44. We found that CSC markers, including CD44, CD133, ALDH1-A1, OCT-4 and Nanog, were obviously highly expressed in cell spheres. Moreover, we observed that curcumin reduced the cell spheres formation, decreased the expression of CSC markers, suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. We also found that curcumin inhibited the activation of Shh pathway, while the inhibitory effects of curcumin on BCSCs could be weakened by upregulation of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway. Altogether, these data suggested that curcumin inhibited the activities of BCSCs through suppressing Shh pathway, which might be an effective chemopreventive agent for bladder cancer intervention.

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PMID: 

J Clin Sleep Med. 2019 Sep 15 ;15(9):1365-1367. PMID: 31538608

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin BDeficiency: A Rare Cause of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.

Abstract: 

None: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is one of the leading reasons that patients present to sleep clinics. Approximately 10% to 14% of the adults report that excessive sleepiness interferes with their daily lives. Common causes of EDS include obstructive sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disorders, medication effects, psychiatric conditions especially depression, and primary hypersomnia such as narcolepsy or central idiopathic hypersomnia. Vitamin Bdeficiency is a rare cause of EDS. We are presenting a case of severe vitamin Bdeficiency as an unusual and rare cause of hypersomnia.CITATION: Khawaja I, Yingling K, Bukamur H, Abusnina W. Vitamin Bdeficiency: a rare cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(9):1365-1367.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2015 ;10(6):e0127665. Epub 2015 Jun 4. PMID: 26042788

Abstract Title: 

Bumblebee pupae contain high levels of aluminium.

Abstract: 

The causes of declines in bees and other pollinators remains an on-going debate. While recent attention has focussed upon pesticides, other environmental pollutants have largely been ignored. Aluminium is the most significant environmental contaminant of recent times and we speculated that it could be a factor in pollinator decline. Herein we have measured the content of aluminium in bumblebee pupae taken from naturally foraging colonies in the UK. Individual pupae were acid-digested in a microwave oven and their aluminium content determined using transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Pupae were heavily contaminated with aluminium giving values between 13.4 and 193.4μg/g dry wt. and a mean (SD) value of 51.0 (33.0) μg/g dry wt. for the 72 pupae tested. Mean aluminium content was shown to be a significant negative predictor of average pupal weight in colonies. While no other statistically significant relationships were found relating aluminium to bee or colonyhealth, the actual content of aluminium in pupae are extremely high and demonstrate significant exposure to aluminium. Bees rely heavily on cognitive function and aluminium is a known neurotoxin with links, for example, to Alzheimer's disease in humans. The significant contamination of bumblebee pupae by aluminium raises the intriguing spectre of cognitive dysfunction playing a role in their population decline.

PMID: 

J Food Biochem. 2019 Sep 9:e13038. Epub 2019 Sep 9. PMID: 31502254

Abstract Title: 

Improvement of vitamin Bstatus with Spirulina supplementation in Wistar rats validated through functional and circulatory markers.

Abstract: 

Spirulina evaluated as a source of vitamin Bthrough the modulation of vitamin Bdeficiency mediated physiological and biochemical changes in experimental animals. The Bdeficient male weanling Wistar rats were fed with Spirulina-supplemented diet for 10 weeks. An increase in urinary methylmalonic acid (22.70 ± 4.08 µmol/moles of creatinine) and plasma homocysteine (16.55 ± 0.48 µmol/L) levels in the Bdeficient group was observed, while these were equal to control in the Spirulina fed group (8.71 ± 0.48 µmol/mol of creatinine and 6.88 ± 1.18 µmol/L, respectively). The vitamin Blevels in serum (874.27 ± 89.69), plasma (615.53 ± 26.5 pg/ml), kidney (10.19 ± 1.066 ng/g), and liver tissues (6.37 ± 0.62 ng/g) in the Spirulina fed group were similar to control. Severe atrophic changes in the testes and altered tissue architecture in lung and spleen as seen in the Bdeficient group were normalized in the Spirulina fed group. The study validates that Spirulina can improve the vitamin Bstatus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The present study showed that the supplementation of Spirulina in the diet of vitamin Bdeficient rats leads to the normalization of vitamin Bdeficiency-induced circulatory and functional biomarkers along with biochemical and histological changes. Vegetarian sources for vitamin Bare limited and the results presented here provide scientific validation for the use of Spirulina as a potential vegetarian source of bioavailable vitamin B.

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