Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metal(loids) Consumed Through Plant-Based Anti-diabetic Therapeutics Collected in the Northern Divisional City of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

The present study investigates human health risks upon consumption of herbal medicines in terms of ten toxic metalloids in 20 plant-based anti-diabetic therapeutics. The analysis of metalloids was determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer after microwave-assisted digestion. The computation of hazard quotients (HQ) and hazard indexes (HI) of metalloids leads to the assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks. Carcinogenic risk was assessed based on cancer slope factor (CSF) and chronic daily intake (CDI) values. Comparison with WHO regulatory cut-off points for each metalloid: seven samples for Mn, 12 samples for Hg, three samples for Cu, eight samples for Ni, four samples for Cd, two samples for Pb, one sample for Cr, and eight samples for Zn are unsafe to consume. Non-carcinogenic human health risk is predicted for Mn in seven samples, Fe in one sample, Hg in ten samples, Cu in three samples, Ni in one sample, and Pb in two samples. HI values greater than 1 predict non-carcinogenic health risk in thirteen samples. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) remains for As (inorganic) in 12 samples, Cr (+ 6) in one sample, and Pb in no samples. To guarantee consumer safety, the implementation of strict monitoring is suggested.

Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Antidiabetic Herbal Preparations: A Safety Screening.

The present study evaluates the human health risk of metals in locally consumed herbal preparations used to treat diabetes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used after microwave-assisted digestion to mineralize the samples. Toxic metal assessment was done by adopting mathematical modeling for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in the exposed population and comparing the raw results with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by regulatory authorities. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Zn were recorded above 1. Noncarcinogenic health risks remain in 29% of samples for Fe, 67% of samples for Hg, 17% of samples for Cu, 33% of samples for Pb, and 4% of samples for Zn. Hazard index (HI) values in 33% of samples were above 1. Carcinogenic risks for Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni were higher than the acceptable limit (1 × 10-6). Carcinogenic health risks exist in 54% of samples for Pb, 58% of samples for Cr, 46% of samples for Cd, and 58% of samples for Ni. MRLs for metals were crossed in samples in varying degrees. This is a harrowing account and may put public health safety at risk. Considering these facts, there should be more investigation into toxic metals in other frequently marketed herbal drugs in the antidiabetic and other therapeutic classes. Pre- and postmarket monitoring strategies for the preparations should also be in place to ensure safe consumption.

Laser-Induced Electrochemical Biosensor Modified with Graphene-Based Ink for Label-Free Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein and 17ß-Estradiol.

In this research, a novel electrochemical biosensor is proposed based on inducing graphene formation on polyimide substrate via laser engraving. Graphene polyaniline (G-PANI) conductive ink was synthesized by planetary mixing and applied to the working zone of the developed sensor to effectively enhance the electrical signals. The laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensor was used to detect alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and 17ß-Estradiol (E2) in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) buffer and human serum. The electrochemical performance of the biosensor in determining these biomarkers was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA). In a buffer environment, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and 17ß-Estradiol detection range were 4-400 ng/mL and 20-400 pg/mL respectively. The experimental results showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.15 ng/mL and 0.96 pg/mL for AFP and estrogen, respectively, with an excellent linear range (R2 = 0.98 and 0.99). In addition, the designed sensor was able to detect these two types of biomarkers in human serum successfully. The proposed sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility, repeatability, and good stability (relative standard deviation, RSD = 0.96%, 1.12%, 2.92%, respectively). The electrochemical biosensor proposed herein is easy to prepare and can be successfully used for low-cost, rapid detection of AFP and E2. This approach provides a promising platform for clinical detection and is advantageous to healthcare applications.

How to Prevent Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in 2024: Theory and Evidence.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. We review emerging concepts and clinical evidence addressing the pathogenesis and prevention of AD. We examine several interventions ranging from skin barrier enhancement strategies to probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics; and conversely, from antimicrobial exposure to vitamin D and omega fatty acid supplementation; breastfeeding and hydrolyzed formula; and house dust mite avoidance and immunotherapy. We appraise the available evidence base within the context of the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We also contextualize our findings in relation to concepts relating AD and individual-patient allergic life trajectories versus a linear concept of the atopic march and provide insights into future knowledge gaps and clinical trial design considerations that must be addressed in forthcoming research. Finally, we provide implementation considerations to detect population-level differences in AD risk. Major international efforts are required to provide definitive evidence regarding what works and what does not for preventing AD.

Graphene Nanocomposite Ink Coated Laser Transformed Flexible Electrodes for Selective Dopamine Detection and Immunosensing.

Novel and flexible disposable laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensors modified with graphene conductive inks have been developed for dopamine and interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection. The LIG sensors exhibit high reproducibility (relative standard deviation, RSD = 0.76%, N = 5) and stability (RSD = 4.39%, N = 15) after multiple bendings, making the sensors ideal for wearable and stretchable bioelectronics applications. We have developed electrode coatings based on graphene conductive inks, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (G-PEDOT:PSS) and polyaniline (G-PANI), for working electrode modification to improve the sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD). The selectivity of LIG sensors modified with the G-PANI ink is 41.47 times higher than that of the screen-printed electrode with the G-PANI ink modification. We have compared our fabricated bare laser-engraved Kapton sensor (LIG) with the LIG sensors modified with G-PEDOT (LIG/G-PEDOT) and G-PANI (LIG/G-PANI) conductive inks. We have further compared the performance of the fabricated electrodes with commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) and screen-printed electrodes modified with G-PEDOT:PSS (SPE/G-PEDOT:PSS) and G-PANI (SPE/G-PANI). SPE/G-PANI has a lower LOD of 0.632 µM compared to SPE/G-PEDOT:PSS (0.867 µM) and SPE/G-PANI (1.974 µM). The lowest LOD of the LIG/G-PANI sensor (0.4084 µM, S/N = 3) suggests that it can be a great alternative to measure dopamine levels in a physiological medium. Additionally, the LIG/G-PANI electrode has excellent LOD (2.6234 pg/mL) to detect IL-6. Also, the sensor is successfully able to detect ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) in their ternary mixture. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) result shows peak potential separation of 229, 294, and 523 mV for AA-DA, DA-UA, and UA-AA, respectively.

The genetic basis and the diagnostic yield of genetic testing related to nonsyndromic hearing loss in Qatar.

Hearing loss is the most predominant sensory defect occurring in pediatrics, of which, 66% cases are attributed to genetic factors. The prevalence of hereditary hearing loss increases in consanguineous populations, and the prevalence of hearing loss in Qatar is 5.2%. We aimed to investigate the genetic basis of nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) in Qatar and to evaluate the diagnostic yield of different genetic tests available. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 59 pediatric patients with NSHL referred to the Department of Adult and Pediatric Medical Genetics at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, and who underwent at least one genetic test. Out of the 59 patients, 39 were solved cases due to 19 variants in 11 genes and two copy number variants that explained the NSHL phenotype. Of them 2 cases were initially uncertain and were reclassified using familial segregation. Around 36.8% of the single variants were in GJB2 gene and c.35delG was the most common recurrent variant seen in solved cases. We detected the c.283C > T variant in FGF3 that was seen in a Qatari patient and found to be associated with NSHL for the first time. The overall diagnostic yield was 30.7%, and the diagnostic yield was significantly associated with genetic testing using GJB2 sequencing and using the hearing loss (HL) gene panel. The diagnostic yield for targeted familial testing was 60% (n = 3 patients) and for gene panel was 50% (n = 5). Thus, we recommend using GJB2 gene sequencing as a first-tier genetic test and HL gene panel as a second-tier genetic test for NSHL. Our work provided new insights into the genetic pool of NSHL among Arabs and highlights its unique diversity, this is believed to help further in the diagnostic and management options for NSHL Arab patients.