University of Bahrain

About: University of Bahrain is a education organization based out in Madīnat ‘Īsá, Bahrain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Doping. The organization has 1650 authors who have published 3405 publications receiving 48162 citations. The organization is also known as: Bahrain University & UoB.

Volatile Organic Compounds as Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Diseases and Nutritional Status

Abstract: Purpose. The purpose of this review was to identify the best solution for rapid and noninvasive diagnosis and long-term monitoring of patients affected by inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, colon and gastric cancer, obesity in correlation to diet, and breast milk to evaluate exposure to VOCs in women and infants. Methods. This review included 20 previously published eligible studies. VOC analysis has allowed us to highlight differences in lifestyles, intestinal microbiota, and metabolism. New innovative methods have been described that allow the detection and quantification of a broad spectrum of metabolites present in exhaled breath even at very low levels, some of which have been shown to be indicators of pathological conditions. Results. Five studies were analyzed that involved VOC analysis in relation to type of diet. All of them showed that the type of diet can have an impact on metabolites excreted and therefore can be a useful tool in the nutritional studies related to metabolism and health and disease status. Two studies concerned VOC analysis in inflammatory bowel diseases, and the results showed that VOCs can distinguish active disease from remission; VOC profile is clearly different in patients. In particular, C15H30 1-pentadecene, 3-methyl-1-butanal, octane, acetic acid, alpha-pinene, and m-cymene are elevated in active ulcerative colitis. Four studies examined VOCs in gastric and colorectal tumors showing a change in metabolic biomarkers of cancer patients compared to the control group. Finally, the study of VOCs in breast milk has improved the understanding of the potential health risks of exposure of children to chemical pollutants. Conclusions. VOC analysis allowed to highlight differences in behavior, lifestyle, and metabolism of individuals. Analytical methods are continuously developed to allow for better detection and quantification of metabolites, thus enabling the detection of a broader spectrum of pathophysiology and disease biomarkers.

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Challenges and Threats to Aquatic Organisms

Abstract: Micro- and nanoplastics are emerging contaminants of international concern that cannot be ignored as future environmental threats. New studies are being carried out to determine the critical challenges posed by the presence of these plastics in the ecosystem. In this review, the sources of micro- and nanoplastic contamination are described, highlighting their abundance and their environmental fate after being released. Moreover, their role in affecting aquatic organisms and the mechanisms involved are clarified. Some insights into their impacts on human health and the challenges faced by researchers in measuring both types of plastics extracted from biota are also presented. Assessing the toxicological impact of these plastics on sediment and aquatic organisms is an emerging issue, as they have been found in microalgae, brine shrimp larvae, bivalves, fish and shellfish. The amount of plastic waste in the seas is continuing to increase and part of that waste is degraded to produce microplastics and nanoplastics. Therefore, exposure to these materials will inevitably increase, resulting in an emerging food safety issue. Micro- and nanoplastics contamination might cause damage to metabolic, morphological, physiological, food uptake, and behavioral processes, and as a consequence, their impacts may be significant at both the cellular and ecosystem levels. Research output concerning the source, fate, and toxicological impact of micro- and nanoplastics on marine organisms has increased dramatically, but there are still gaps in knowledge about the molecular alterations that they cause.