A field survey on elution of lead and nickel from taps used in homes and analysis of product test results

The elution of lead, and nickel from water supply devices into water is a potential health concern. This study was performed to examine the actual concentrations of nickel and lead in the water from taps in homes and offices, focusing on the differences between first flush and fully flushed water. The water quality management target value and water quality standard in Japan specify nickel and lead concentrations in drinking water  20 μg/L, while the fully flushed water satisfied the standard after running 5000 mL of water. The nickel concentration decreased gradually in sequential sampling of each 100 mL from the taps. Lead concentration in the first flush water exceeded the standard in 32 cases (29%), while the fully flushed water was below the target value. The concentration in the first flush water tended to decrease with time since the tap installation, and this was significant after 10 years for nickel but not significant for lead. It is important to flush retained water out of the tap after several hours without use. No significant correlation was found with the volume of the test faucet in the market, but bronze-based products showed higher nickel concentrations than brass and plastic products

The Efficacy of Device Designs (Mono-block or Bi-block) in Oral Appliance Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Oral appliance (OAm) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this systematic review was to clarify the efficacy of device designs (Mono-block or Bi-block) in OAm therapy for OSA patients. We performed a meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Two studies (Mono-block OAm versus Bi-block OAm) remained eligible after applying the exclusion criteria. When comparing Mono-block OAm and Bi-block OAm, Mono-block OAm significantly reduced the apnea–hypopnea index (2.92; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.26 to 4.58; p = 0.0006), and patient preference for Mono-block OAm was significantly higher (2.06; 95%CI, 1.44 to 2.06; p < 0.0001). Lowest SpO2, arousal index, non-REM stage 3, sleep efficiency, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Snoring Scale, and side effects were not significantly different between the two groups (lowest SpO2: −11.18; 95%CI, −26.90 to 4.54; p = 0.16, arousal index: 4.40; 95%CI, −6.00 to 14.80; p = 0.41, non-REM stage 3: −2.00; 95%CI, −6.00 to 14.80; p = 0.41, sleep efficiency: −1.42, 95%CI, −4.71 to 1.86; p = 0.40, ESS: 0.12; 95%CI, −1.55 to 1.79; p = 0.89, Snoring Scale: 0.55; 95%CI, −0.73 to 1.83, p = 0.55, side effects: 1.00, 95%CI, 0.62 to 1.61, p = 1.00). In this systematic review, the use of Mono-block OAm was more effective than Bi-block OAm for OSA patients

Evaluation of the risk of metachronous multiple squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after transoral surgery based on the genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase 1B and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2

Patients with superficial head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can be completely treated by techniques of transoral surgery (TOS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of metachronous multiple HNSCC arising after TOS based on alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). We registered patients who underwent TOS for superficial HNSCC. Buccal cell samples were obtained by using a cotton swab to examine two single nucleotide polymorphisms in ADH1B and ALDH2 genotyping. We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the risk of metachronous HNSCC. A total of 198 patients who underwent TOS for HNSCC were evaluated. In multivariate analysis, risks for second HNSCC were ADH1B*1/*1 [hazard ratio (HR), 1.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-3.19; P = 0.02], ALDH2*1/*2 (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.00-5.16; P = 0.048) and alcohol consumption before TOS (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.27; P = 0.01). The 5-year incidence rates of second primary HNSCC in the temperance group and the non-temperance group were 20.8 and 46.5%, respectively (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.92; P = 0.02). Cumulative development rates of third HNSCC in the temperance group and non-temperance group at 10 years were 11.3 and 36.1%, respectively (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.03-0.65; P = 0.006). ADH1B*1/*1, ALDH2*1/*2 and moderate or heavy alcohol consumption before treatment are independent risk factors of metachronous HNSCC. Since it was shown that temperance decreased the incidences of second and third metachronous HNSCC, advice to discontinue alcohol drinking is necessary

Image5_Hypoxia and lactate influence VOC production in A549 lung cancer cells.tif

Introduction: Cancer cells emit characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are potentially generated from ROS-based lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The metabolism of such VOCs and their regulation remain to be fully investigated. In fact, the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these VOCs have not been described yet.Methods: In this study, we firstly conducted in vitro enzyme assays and demonstrated that recombinant alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converted Trans 2-hexenal into Trans 2-hexenol. The latter has previously been reported as a cancer VOC. To study VOC metabolism, 14 different culture conditions were compared in view of Trans 2-hexenol production.Results and discussion: The data indicate that hypoxia and the addition of lactate positively influenced Trans 2-hexenol production in A549 cancer cells. The RNAseq data suggested certain gene expressions in the VOC pathway and in lactate signaling, parallel to VOC production. This implies that hypoxia and lactate signaling with a VOC production can be characteristic for cancer in vitro.</p

Image2_Hypoxia and lactate influence VOC production in A549 lung cancer cells.tif

Introduction: Cancer cells emit characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are potentially generated from ROS-based lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The metabolism of such VOCs and their regulation remain to be fully investigated. In fact, the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these VOCs have not been described yet.Methods: In this study, we firstly conducted in vitro enzyme assays and demonstrated that recombinant alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converted Trans 2-hexenal into Trans 2-hexenol. The latter has previously been reported as a cancer VOC. To study VOC metabolism, 14 different culture conditions were compared in view of Trans 2-hexenol production.Results and discussion: The data indicate that hypoxia and the addition of lactate positively influenced Trans 2-hexenol production in A549 cancer cells. The RNAseq data suggested certain gene expressions in the VOC pathway and in lactate signaling, parallel to VOC production. This implies that hypoxia and lactate signaling with a VOC production can be characteristic for cancer in vitro.</p

Image6_Hypoxia and lactate influence VOC production in A549 lung cancer cells.tiff

Introduction: Cancer cells emit characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are potentially generated from ROS-based lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The metabolism of such VOCs and their regulation remain to be fully investigated. In fact, the enzymes involved in the synthesis of these VOCs have not been described yet.Methods: In this study, we firstly conducted in vitro enzyme assays and demonstrated that recombinant alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converted Trans 2-hexenal into Trans 2-hexenol. The latter has previously been reported as a cancer VOC. To study VOC metabolism, 14 different culture conditions were compared in view of Trans 2-hexenol production.Results and discussion: The data indicate that hypoxia and the addition of lactate positively influenced Trans 2-hexenol production in A549 cancer cells. The RNAseq data suggested certain gene expressions in the VOC pathway and in lactate signaling, parallel to VOC production. This implies that hypoxia and lactate signaling with a VOC production can be characteristic for cancer in vitro.</p