Determination and risk assessment of toxic metals in lipsticks from Europe and China.

BACKGROUND: The presence of toxic toxic metals in lipstick can pose a health risk to many consumers of this type of cosmetics, especially for women. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess consequences attributed to dermal and oral exposure to toxic metals in lipsticks manufactured in China and Europe as determined by non-cancer and cancer risks assessment models from SCCS and USEPA, respectively. METHOD: The treatment of the samples was carried out by calcination using muffle furnaces and the determination of Al, Cd and Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). CONCENTRATIONS: The concentration of Cd and Pb in the study samples does not exceed the limits stablished for the FDA (00,228 mg kg-1·day-1 for Cd and 000,343 mg kg-1·day-1 for Pb, respectively) but they do not comply with the Regulation of the European Parliament, which prohibits the presence of these two metals in cosmetics. Neither European Union nor United States have established maximum levels for Al in cosmetics. CONCLUSIONS: The cancer risk assessment of Cd and Pb metals resulted in a total cancer risk less than 1. The results of non-cancer oral risk assessment for Pb had a MoS result of 88 for China and 62 for Europe, suggesting that Pb poses a risk for the human health, especially in samples manufactured in Europe.

Associations of Semen Quality with Seminal Non-essential Heavy Metals in Males from the Canary Islands.

Semen quality and levels of non-essential metals such as strontium (Sr), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V) were measured. Metals were determined by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry) in semen samples from 102 men who were recruited in a Reproduction Unit in the Canary Islands. The presence of each metal was as follows: Sr: 56.9%, Al: 73.5%, Pb: 45.1%, Ni: 15.7%, and V: 79.4% of the samples. No significant differences were found in the relationship between the spermiogram, the sperm motility, and the concentration of spermatozoa levels of non-essential metals. It is noteworthy that Ni levels tend to be lower in patients with oligozoospermia (t (46.4) = 1.84; p = 0.070). Between lifestyle and non-essential metals, there was a significant relationship between the level of occupational exposure to metals and Ni (χ2(2) = 13.91; p = 0.001). We did not find significant differences in non-essential seminal metal content and smoking status but, there were differences between drinkers and the concentration of V in semen (t (100) = -1.99; p = 0.050). The occupational exposure to metals and place of residence have effects on Al and V levels in semen. Regarding obesity, significant differences were found in Pb levels (t (18.0) = 2.34; p = 0.031). Obese patients have a lower Pb level, and the percentage of progressive sperm motility was lower in obese men (t (98) = 2.14; p = 0.035). The detection of metals in semen opens a new field in the study of male infertility with the possibility of performing treatments aimed at correcting these possible anomalies.

Human exposure to fluoride from tea (Camellia sinensis) in a volcanic region-Canary Islands, Spain.

Fluoride is highly present in the environment, especially in water and its derivatives. Excessive fluoride contribution to diet poses a health risk. Tea leaves accumulate fluoride and the consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis) could pose a risk to human by the excessive fluoride intake. Ninety tea samples were analyzed by potentiometry using a selective fluoride ion electrode. Mixed tea samples (2.82 ± 1.11 mg/L) and black tea samples (2.28 ± 0.79 mg/L) recorded the highest fluoride levels. The contribution of drinking water is important for increasing fluoride levels in teas. The daily consumption of two cups (250 mL per cup) of mixed and black teas prepared with La Laguna tap water does pose a health risk for children (4-8 years old) because of the high contribution percentages (74.4% and 63.6%, respectively) of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level set in 2.5 mg/day by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). A minor consumption in children (4-8 years old) and adults during pregnancy is advisable.

Macroelement, trace element, and toxic metal levels in leaves and infusions of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis).

Mate is an infusion made from the dried leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Yerba mate may be an important source of essential elements but could contain toxicologically relevant metals. Macroelements (Ca, Mg, Na, K), trace elements (B, Ba, Sr, V, Li, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Mo), and toxic metals (Al, Cd, Pb) content have been determined in 32 samples of yerba mate by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) with the aim of determining the element content of yerba mate leaves and the influence of temperature in the extraction of these elements from the plant to the infusion, and estimating the dietary intake for each element studied. The highest element contents have been found in infusions prepared with hot distilled water (70-75 °C); the most noteworthy are K (303 mg/L), Mn (4.85 mg/L), and Al (4.52 mg/L). The consumption recommended by the producers (500 mL infusion/day) contributes significantly to the daily intake of essential elements such as Mn, Mg, and Cu. This consumption does not pose a health risk, although it is necessary to assess the risk/benefit of Ni intake from mate consumption for people with impaired renal function (500 mL/day accounts for 52.2% of the TDI).

Metal Contents in the Most Widely Consumed Commercial Preparations of Four Different Medicinal Plants (Aloe, Senna, Ginseng, and Ginkgo) from Europe.

Medicinal plants like Aloe barbadensis, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Cassia angustifolia are being increasingly used but self-medication is a major public health challenge because of their numerous interactions. Furthermore, dietary exposure to metals through the consumption of these commercial preparations should be evaluated. Some of these metals may have a nutritional interest but others are metals of toxicological relevance. The content of essential and toxic metals has been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in 80 samples of both organically and conventionally grown aloe, senna, ginseng, and ginkgo pharmaceutical formats to establish their metallic profile, to evaluate their nutritional value and to assess the toxic metal risk resulting from their consumption. Ca (9181 mg/kg ww) in senna, Fe (30.0 mg/kg ww) in ginseng, and Al (15.7 mg/kg ww) in ginseng are noteworthy. The consumption of 9 g/day of ginkgo represents 6.44% of the RDI set for Ca. The consumption of 25 mL/day of aloe syrup is 3.06% (men) and 1.52% (women) of the RDI of Fe. Al exposure from 25 mL/day of aloe consumption is 2.71% of its TDI. Considering the dosages recommended by the manufacturers, the intake of toxic metals does not pose a health risk but the intake of essential metals is worth mentioning.

Factors associated with reporting of abuse against children and adolescents by nurses within Primary Health Care / Fatores associados à notificação de maus-tratos em crianças e adolescentes realizada por enfermeiros na Atenção Primária à Saúde / Factores asociados a la notificación del maltrato en niños y adolescentes realizada por enfermeros en la Atención Primaria a la Salud

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the factors associated with the underreporting on the part of nurses within Primary Health Care of abuse against children and adolescents. METHOD: cross-sectional study with 616 nurses. A questionnaire addressed socio-demographic data, profession, instrumentation and knowledge on the topic, identification and reporting of abuse cases. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used. RESULTS: female nurses, aged between 21 and 32 years old, not married, with five or more years since graduation, with graduate studies, and working for five or more years in PHC predominated. The final regression model showed that factors such as working for five or more years, having a reporting form within the PHC unit, and believing that reporting within Primary Health Care is an advantage, facilitate reporting. CONCLUSION: the study's results may, in addition to sensitizing nurses, support management professionals in establishing strategies intended to produce compliance with reporting as a legal device that ensures the rights of children and adolescents. .

OBJETIVO: analisar os fatores associados à notificação de maus-tratos em crianças e adolescentes, realizada por enfermeiros que atuam na Atenção Primária à Saúde. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, realizado com 616 enfermeiros. Foi utilizado um questionário contendo dados sociodemográficos, formação profissional, instrumentação e conhecimento sobre o tema, identificação e notificação de casos de maus-tratos. Análises bivariada e multivariada por regressão logística foram realizadas. RESULTADOS: predominaram enfermeiros do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 21 e 32 anos, não casados, com cinco ou mais anos de formado, com pós-graduação e com cinco ou mais anos de trabalho. O modelo logístico final evidenciou que fatores como tempo de trabalho de cinco ou mais anos, a unidade de saúde possuir a ficha de notificação, saber para onde encaminhar os casos, não ter medo de envolvimento legal e achar vantajosa a notificação na atenção primária facilitam a efetivação do ato notificatório. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados desta pesquisa, além de sensibilizar os enfermeiros para o problema, poderão ser utilizados pelos profissionais da gestão na orientação de estratégias para o cumprimento da notificação como dispositivo legal de garantia dos direitos de crianças e adolescentes. .

OBJETIVO: analizar los factores asociados a la notificación de maltrato en niños y adolescentes realizado por enfermeros que actúan en la Atención Primaria a la Salud. MÉTODO: estudio transversal realizado con 616 enfermeros. Fue utilizado un cuestionario conteniendo datos sociodemográficos, formación profesional, instrumentación y conocimiento sobre el tema, identificación, y notificación de casos de maltrato. Análisis bivariado y multivariado por regresión logística. RESULTADOS: predominaron enfermeros del sexo femenino, en la franja etaria de 21 a 32 años, no casados, con cinco o más años de graduación, con postgraduación y con cinco o más años de trabajo. El modelo logístico final evidenció que factores como tiempo de trabajo de cinco o más años, la unidad de salud poseer ficha de notificación, saber para donde encaminar los casos, no tener miedo de involucramiento legal y encontrar ventaja en la notificación en la atención primaria, son aspectos que facilitan la efectividad del acto de la notificación. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados de esta investigación, además de sensibilizar a los enfermeros para el problema, podrán ser utilizados por profesionales de la gestión en la orientación de estrategias para el cumplimiento de la notificación como dispositivo legal de garantía de los derechos de niños y adolescentes. .

Inactivating mutations block the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme in the early secretory pathway.

The ectodomain of different transmembrane molecules is released by a proteolytic event known as shedding. The metalloprotease disintegrin proTNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) is responsible for the shedding of various proteins, including protransforming growth factor-alpha (proTGF-alpha) and amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP). Inactive TACE accumulates in the early secretory pathway of cell mutants (M1 and M2) defective in proTGF-alpha and APP shedding. Although previous evidences indicated that the component mutated in M1 and M2 cells is different from TACE, recent results show the existence of two heterozygous point mutations in TACE from M2 cells. Here, we show that wild-type TACE stably transfected in M2 cells is processed, transported to the cell surface, and rescues the proTGF-alpha and APP shedding-defective phenotype. Furthermore, M1 cells also express mutant TACE and transfection with wild-type TACE restores the wild-type phenotype. Therefore, different inactivating mutations result in the accumulation of TACE in the early secretory pathway, emphasizing the importance of the initial steps in the biosynthesis of TACE.

Impaired trafficking and activation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme in cell mutants defective in protein ectodomain shedding.

Protein ectodomain shedding is a specialized type of regulated proteolysis that releases the extracellular domain of transmembrane proteins. The metalloprotease disintegrin tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) has been convincingly shown to play a central role in ectodomain shedding, but despite its broad interest, very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate its activity. An analysis of the biosynthesis of TACE in mutant cell lines that have a gross defect in ectodomain shedding (M1 and M2) shows a defective removal of the prodomain that keeps TACE in an inactive form. Using LoVo, a cell line that lacks of active furin, and alpha1-Antitrypsin Portland, a protein inhibitor of proprotein convertases, we show that TACE is normally processed by furin and other proprotein convertases. The defect in M1 and M2 cells is due to a blockade of the exit of TACE from the endoplasmic reticulum. The processing of other zinc-dependent metalloproteases, previously suggested to participate in activated ectodomain shedding is normal in the mutant cells, indicating that the component mutated is highly specific for TACE. In summary, the characterization of shedding-defective somatic cell mutants unveils the existence of a specific mechanism that directs the proteolytic activation of TACE through the control of its exit from the ER.