ABSTRACT
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a growing public health concern worldwide. Consumption of foodstuffs is currently thought to be one of the principal exposure routes to EDCs. However, alternative ways of human exposure are through inhalation of chemicals and dermal contact. These compounds in food products such as canned food, bottled water, dairy products, fish, meat, egg, and vegetables are a ubiquitous concern to the general population. Therefore, understanding EDCs' properties, such as origin, exposure, toxicological impact, and legal aspects are vital to control their release to the environment and food. The present paper provides an overview of the EDCs and their possible disrupting impact on the endocrine system and other organs.
ABSTRACT
Acrylamide, a food-borne chemical toxicant, has raised global concern in recent decades. It mainly originated from reducing sugar and free amino acid interactions in the carbohydrate-rich foodstuffs heated at high temperatures. Due to the neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity of AA, the mechanism of formation, toxic effects on health, and mitigation strategies, including conventional approaches and innovative technologies, have been of great interest since its discovery in food. Potato products (especially French fries and crisps), coffee, and cereals(bread and biscuit) are renowned contributors to AA's daily intake. The best preventive methods discussed in the literature include time/temperature optimization, blanching, enzymatic treatment, yeast treatment, additives, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, vacuum roasting, air frying, and irradiation, exhibiting a high efficacy in AA elimination in food products.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leishmaniasis has an annual incidence of 0.5-1.5 million new cases and is endemic in 88 countries throughout the world. About 90% of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are reported from seven countries including Iran. Evidence suggests the increased annual incidence of this disease in Iran. Intracellular protozoan parasite, Leishmania, is an obligatory parasite. Sandflies transfer infectious forms of the parasite or its metacyclic promastigotes to its vertebrate hosts such as humans by biting. In order to review the epidemiology of CL in Isfahan, Iran, factors such as incidence, disease causes, geographic features, age, and sex distribution, nationality, and occupation of patients, and the clinical spectrum of disease were evaluated. METHODS: During the study, 1315 patients with CL, who referred to the Dermatology and Leishmaniasis Research Center at Isfahan, were evaluated. RESULTS: The highest prevalence of CL was observed in fall (54%) and in northern areas of Isfahan (60.9%). Although CL was prevalent in both men and women, it had higher incidence in men (61.8%). The majority of patients (31.2%) aged 21-30 yr old. Most lesions were nodule-shaped (36.5%) and in upper extremities (48.3%) particularly in men (32.4%). While 81.2% of the subjects were Iranian, others were Afghani or with other nationalities. Most patients had multiple lesions on their bodies and 141 individuals (10.7%) had a previous history of disease. Among all occupations, the highest prevalence of CL was detected in students (18.1%). The response to treatment with compounds of meglumine antimoniate (glucantime) was better than other treatments. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Unfortunately, the results showed that the prevalence of CL has been increasing annually in some provinces of Iran, especially in Isfahan Province. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine the vectors, reservoirs, and species of disease and to design appropriate strategies to control the disease.
