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Chemosphere 2021 Jun 14;283:131199. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Science and Technology Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.

Structure, reactivity and physico-chemical properties of polyhalogenated compounds determine their up-take, transport, bio-accumulation, transformation and toxicity and their environmental fate. In technical mixtures of chlorinated paraffins (CPs), these properties are distributed due to the presence of thousands of homologues. We hypothesized that roles of CP dehalogenation reactions, catalyzed by the haloalkane dehalogenase LinB, depend on structural properties of the substrates, e. Read More

Chemosphere 2021 Jun 14;283:131090. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institute, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil.

Although the toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) is recognized at different trophic levels, our know-how about their effects on amphibians is limited. Thus, we present and discuss the current state on studies involving amphibians and plastic particles, based on a broad approach to studies published in the last 5 years. To search for the articles, the ISI Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were consulted, using different descriptors related to the topic of study. Read More

Chemosphere 2021 Jun 11;283:131156. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a widely distributed emerging contaminant, which will bring serious harm to ecology and human health. Herein, evaluation of ozone (O) coupled with calcium peroxide (CaO) for SMX elimination was carried out. The results showed that CaO could promote SMX elimination in O system. Read More

Seizure 2021 Jun 6;91:117-131. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Senior Resident, Department of Neurology, Smt. B. K. Shah Medical institute and research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Waghodia, Vadodara Gujarat, 391760, India. Electronic address:

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a drug‑induced, potentially fatal, clinical syndrome resulting from drugs that have serotonergic properties. Several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are known to have serotonergic properties and it can be hypothesized that such AEDs can cause SS. This study aims to review the literature on SS in patients receiving AEDs. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2021 Jun 15;166:376-392. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address:

Salinity stress negatively affects the plant's developmental stages through micronutrient imbalance. As an essential micronutrient, ZnO can substitute Na absorption under saline conditions. Therefore, nanoparticles as technological innovation, improve the plant growth efficiency under biotic and abiotic stresses. Read More

Mar Pollut Bull 2021 Jun 18;170:112619. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

UMR6539 LEMAR-Laboratory of Environmental Marine Sciences, CNRS/University of Brest/Ifremer/IRD, European Institute for Marine Studies (IUEM), Plouzané, France; UMR7266 LIENSs-Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés, CNRS/University of La Rochelle, Institute for Coastal and Environmental Research (ILE), La Rochelle, France. Electronic address:

The effects of herbicide diuron on photosynthesis and vertical migration of intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB) assemblages were investigated using chlorophyll fluorometry. The results shown diuron ≤ 60 μg L had no obvious effect on MPB vertical migration during 24 h indicated by consistent rhythm. Low concentration of 10 μg L diuron had no significant influence on MPB photosynthesis throughout, however, high concentrations of 40, 50, and 60 μg L had significant impacts exhibited by decreased parameters of maximum relative electron transport rate (rETR), maximal PS II quantum yield (F/F) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Read More

Cancer Treat Rev 2021 Jun 12;99:102242. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute for Urology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia; Research Division of Urology, Department of Special Surgery, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Karl Landsteiner Institute of Urology and Andrology, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:

Background: The programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway is important in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, some dissimilarities between anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 inhibitors have emerged. We aimed to assess differences between anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 combination immunotherapies as first-line treatments in mRCC patients. Read More

Biomaterials 2021 Jun 10;275:120968. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA. Electronic address:

A major medical problem is the persistent lack of approved therapeutic methods to prevent postoperative intimal hyperplasia (IH) which leads to high-rate failure of open vascular reconstructions such as bypass grafting. Hydrogel has been widely used in preclinical trials for perivascular drug administration to mitigate postoperative IH. However, bulky hydrogel is potentially pro-inflammatory, posing a significant hurdle to clinical translation. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 8;792:148361. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Guangxi Normal University, Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China.

The influences of polyether sulfone (PES) microplastics and different structures aromatic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid (BA), phthalic acid (PA), hemimellitic acid (HA), and 1-naphthoic acid (1-NA) on the performances and characteristics of anaerobic granular sludge as well as the microbial community were investigated. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was the highest in the experimental group with 40 mg/L BA, reaching 90.1%. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 16;792:148437. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address:

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) induced impairment to male reproductive system and revealed the effects of transgenerational toxicity on offspring. But very little is known about the inheritance of these effects to offspring and the mechanisms involved. Here, we used methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-Seq) and microarray to characterize whole-genome DNA methylation and mRNA expression patterns in zebrafish testis after 6-week exposure to 5 and 20 μg/L MCLR. Read More

ESMO Open 2021 Jun 18;6(4):100191. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Thoracic and Breast Surgery, Oita University, Oita, Japan.

Background: The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) induction coupled with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is unclear in unresectable, stage III, EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, a phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib induction followed by CRT in this disease setting.

Patients And Methods: Patients with unresectable, EGFR-mutant, stage III NSCLC were administered gefitinib monotherapy (250 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem 2021 Jun 5;42:116252. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), P.O. CIMAP, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow 226 015, U.P., India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi 110001, India. Electronic address:

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women with significant morbidity and mortality. Present study describes design, synthesis and detailed pharmacology of indole derivatives exhibiting remarkable broad spectrum antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells. Detailed mechanistic evaluations confirmed induction of G0/G1 arrest, apoptosis induction, loss of mitochondrial integrity, enhanced ROS generation, autophagy, estrogen receptor β-transactivation and increased tubulin polymerization. Read More

Environ Pollut 2021 Jun 16;287:117591. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, China; Department of Clinical & Translational Medicine, Jining Life Science Center, Jining, 272000, China. Electronic address:

Acrylamide (ACR) is a widely used environmentally hazardous compound that is known to be neurotoxic, genotoxic, carcinogenic, and reproductive toxicity. It is widely present in soil, water, agents used in chemical industries, and food. It can be distributed to all organs and tissues, and can cause damage to various human systems and those of other animals. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021 Jun 18;221:112437. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Guangjin-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Agricultural soils are receiving higher inputs of trace elements (TEs) from anthropogenic activities. Application of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture as nano-pesticides and nano-fertilizers has gained rapid momentum worldwide. The NPs-based fertilizers can facilitate controlled-release of nutrients which may be absorbed by plants more efficiently than conventional fertilizers. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021 Jun 18;221:112434. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.

The inevitable consequence of the operation of landfills is the emission of leachate, which is considered to be one of the main polluters of the ground and water environment. The leachate contains soluble organic compounds, inorganic contaminants, suspended solids, heavy metals and dangerous substances. The selection of the leachate disposal method requires a comprehensive assessment of its properties. Read More

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2021 Jun 18:103691. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Aquatic Environment and Health Management Division, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, 400 061, India.

In recent times, carbamazepine (CBZ) as an anticonvulsants drug has raised attention because of its safety concern in the aquatic environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the sub-lethal effects of CBZ (1%, 0.1 % and 0. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021 Jun 18:109115. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. Electronic address:

To examine the relationship between heavy metal accumulation in mitochondria and their respiration function in fish during in vivo exposure, juvenile Spinibarbus sinensis were exposed to different waterborne cadmium (Cd) concentrations for up to 28 days. We measured the state III respiration rate and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity of mitochondria in hepatopancreas and kidney and the accumulated Cd concentrations in mitochondria and heat-stable protein (HSP) fractions. Dose- and time-dependent Cd accumulation occurred at different levels in both organs, but was lower in hepatopancreas. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021 Jun 18:109113. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address:

Protective effects of Cassia fistula, in Catla catla exposed to synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin were evaluated. Fish, after chronic exposure to environmentally relevant sub-lethal concentration 0.41 μg/l of the pesticide were assessed for antioxidant activity, histopathological and ultrastructural alterations. Read More

Neurobiol Dis 2021 Jun 18:105430. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Departments of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Neurology and Psychology, The Dell Medical School and the College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address:

While traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children, we have yet to identify those pathogenic events that determine the extent of recovery. Neutrophils are best known as "first responders" to sites of infection and trauma where they become fully activated, killing pathogens via proteases that are released during degranulation. However, this activational state may generate substantial toxicity in the young brain after TBI that is partially due to developmentally regulated inadequate antioxidant reserves. Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021 Jun 18:107087. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Kovaciceva 1, Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address:

The aim of the study was to develop fast and accurate method for assessment of intracellular level of cadmium (Cd) and thallium (Tl), and to establish accumulation of the metals in the cells. HepG2 cells were treated with Cd or Tl (1.0 or 10. Read More

Semin Cancer Biol 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPS) represent one of the most studied classes of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, especially in the field of cancer research. In fact, due to their unique properties and high versatility, they can be exploited under all aspects connected to cancer management, from early detection to diagnosis and treatment. AuNPs have thus been tested with amazing results as biosensors, contrast agents, therapeutics. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address:

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compound is considered as a common environmental and occupational pollutant due to widespread application in industry and agriculture. Cr(VI) as a carcinogen poses a serious threat to human health and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation. Previous studies had demonstrated the characteristic expression profiling after Cr(VI) treatment in vitro and in vivo at the levels of gene and protein. Read More

Biochimie 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Endocrinology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France. Electronic address:

The infectious power of coronaviruses is dependent on cholesterol present in the membranes of their target cells. Indeed, the virus enters the infected cell either by fusion or by endocytosis, in both cases involving cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains. These membrane domains can be disorganized in-vitro by various cholesterol-altering agents, including statins that inhibit cell cholesterol biosynthesis. Read More

Toxicology 2021 Jun 18:152839. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany; SIGNATOPE GmbH, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany. Electronic address:

Toxicological effects of chemicals are mostly tested individually. However, consumers encounter exposure to complex mixtures, for example multiple pesticide residues, by consuming food such as crops, fruits or vegetables. Currently, more than 450 active substances are approved in the European Union, and there is little data on effects after combined exposure to several pesticides. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden. Electronic address:

Hemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) have long been pursued to meet clinical needs by using native hemoglobin (Hb) from human or animal blood, or recombinantly produced Hb, but the development has been impeded by safety and toxicity issues. Herewith we report the successful production of human fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in Nicotiana benthamiana through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transient expression. HbF is a heterotetrameric protein composed of two identical α- and two identical γ-subunits, held together by hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridges. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2021 Jun 18:112352. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Louvain centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Avenue Hippocrate 57, 1200, Brussels, Belgium.

Background: Nanotechnologies provide new opportunities for improving the safety, quality, shelf life, flavor and appearance of foods. The most common nanoparticles (NPs) in human diet are silver metal, mainly present in food packaging and appliances, and silicon and titanium dioxides used as additives. The rapid development and commercialization of consumer products containing these engineered NPs is, however, not well supported by appropriate toxicological studies and risk assessment. Read More

Environ Res 2021 Jun 18:111488. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) and animal manure are two significant reservoirs of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the environment. However, GC degradation during anaerobic digestion (AD) of WAS or animal manure has rarely been investigated. In this study, co-fermentation of WAS and animal manure was conducted to investigate the performance of AD in controlling GC dissemination. Read More

J Chem Inf Model 2021 Jun 21. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen am Rhein 67063, Germany.

Computational methods such as machine learning approaches have a strong track record of success in predicting the outcomes of in vitro assays. In contrast, their ability to predict in vivo endpoints is more limited due to the high number of parameters and processes that may influence the outcome. Recent studies have shown that the combination of chemical and biological data can yield better models for in vivo endpoints. Read More

Hum Mutat 2021 Jun 21. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138671, Singapore.

Next generation sequencing technology has afforded discovery of many novel variants that are of significance to inheritable pharmacogenomics (PGx) traits but a large proportion of them have unknown consequences. These include missense variants resulting in single amino acid substitutions in cytochrome P450 (CYP) proteins that can impair enzyme function leading to altered drug efficacy and toxicity. While most unknown variants are rare, an overlooked minority are variants that are collectively rare but enriched in specific populations. Read More

Sci Prog 2021 Apr-Jun;104(2):368504211026162

Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.

The aim of this study is to compare the elemental composition among different coffee varieties consumed in Jordan. Levels of different metallic elements in coffee samples; green and roasted coffee beans from five origins; Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Columbia, and India, collected from the Jordanian market were investigated. Twenty-two elements, including essential and toxic elements such as potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), gallium (Ga), uranium (U), cadmium (Cd), silver (Ag), lithium (Li), indium (In), bismuth (Bi), thorium (Th), and thallium (Ti), were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Read More