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Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2023
Revati Phalkey, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, John O’Hagan, Mutahir Ahmad, Darren Addison, Tracy Gooding, Timothy W Gant, Emma L Marczylo, Caryn L Cox
Cell Division – During the formation of the 30 trillion cells in the human body, from the basic fertilised egg following conception at least 30 trillion cell divisions must occur. During the duplication of genetic material, errors may occur and any alteration in the genetic message carried by DNA is referred to as a mutation. Factors in the environment (e.g. some chemicals, ionising radiation and X-rays) that increase the rate of mutations are called mutagens. Inherited diseases due to gene mutation are referred to as inborn errors of metabolism.
Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2016
David J. Baker, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, Jill R. Meara, John O’Hagan, Neil P. McColl, Caryn L. Cox
During the formation of the 40 trillion cells in the human body, from the basic fertilised egg following conception at least 40 trillion cell divisions must occur. During the duplication of genetic material, errors may occur and any alteration in the genetic message carried by DNA is referred to as a mutation. Factors in the environment (e.g. some chemicals, ionising radiation and X-rays), that increase the rate of mutations are called mutagens. Inherited diseases due to gene mutation are referred to as inborn errors of metabolism.
Metabolomics profiling of valproic acid-induced symptoms resembling autism spectrum disorders using 1H NMR spectral analysis in rat model
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 2022
Hyang Yeon Kim, Yong-Jae Lee, Sun Jae Kim, Jung Dae Lee, Suhkmann Kim, Mee Jung Ko, Ji-Woon Kim, Chan Young Shin, Kyu-Bong Kim
There have been many studies on neurotoxicity and its causal factors (Li and Li 2021; Tsai et al. 2021; Wilson et al. 2021). Although many etiologies for ASD have been proposed, the precise causal mechanism for this disorder remains unknown. In addition, single-gene disorders, inborn errors in metabolism, heavy metals, and maternal drug exposure are known to increase the risk of ASD development (Ghaziuddin and Al-Owain 2013; Hill et al. 2015; Rossignol and Frye 2014; Shin et al. 2021). Exposure to drugs, such as valproic acid (VPA), may also be associated with ASD development (Williams et al. 2001). Clinical investigators reported that administration of VPA during pregnancy increased the risk of incidence of neural tube defects, including ASD (Christensen et al. 2013; Williams et al. 2001). Valproic acid is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, as well as modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission and preventing migraine headaches. In a follow-up study of children exposed to VPA during pregnancy, the rate of ASD was elevated approximately 8-fold concomitant with reduction in number of eye motor neurons, shortened tail regions in the facial nucleus, and decreased number of Purkinje cells (Baker et al. 2015). It is of interest that several investigators noted treatment with VPA during pregnancy led to fetal valproate syndrome (FVS), which results in abnormal and delayed development, organ malformations, and deficits in social function or communication ASD (Christensen et al. 2013; Williams et al. 2001).