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Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019 Apr 19;178:211-220. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100035, PR China. Electronic address:

Due to similar aerodynamic and micro-nano sized properties between airborne particles and synthetic nanoparticles, a large number of studies have been conducted using carbon-based particles, such as carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes and graphite, in order to achieve deeper understandings of their adverse effects on human health. It has been reported that particulate matters can aggravate morbidity of patients suffering from bone and joint diseases, e.g. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2019 Apr 16;173:274-281. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address:

Antibiotics are commonly used to fight against bacterial infections, but bacteria have already been resistant to almost all antibiotics due to abuse of antibiotics. 1,2,4-Triazole derived compounds possess chemotherapeutic effects including potential antibacterial activities against drug-sensitive as well as drug-resistant pathogens. Hybridization displays a high potential to develop novel drugs with the capacity to overcome drug resistance, reduce toxicity and improve pharmacokinetic profiles. Read More

Biosens Bioelectron 2019 Apr 16;135:160-165. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, PR China. Electronic address:

In the present work, a double photoelectrode system has been constructed for photoelectrochemically driven enzymatic bioconversion and determination of nifedipine. In which, the TiO nanotube arrays in-situ assembled with g-CN (TNA/g-CN) was used as a photoanode, and a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme was immobilized in the porous ITO/CuO films to fabricate an ITO/CuO/CYP3A4 photocathode. The constructed double photoelectrode system had a significant photocurrent response compared to the single ITO/CuO/CYP3A4 or TNA/g-CN under visible light irradiation. Read More

J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019 Apr 8;171:212-217. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. Electronic address:

Arsenic trioxide [AsO, arsenite (As) in solution] has been applied successfully for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The arsenic speciation analysis of urine is critical to reveal the metabolic mechanism and the relationship between arsenic species and the clinical response. To characterize the arsenic species in urine, a simple and robust HPLC-HG-AFS method was developed and validated to quantify the levels of arsenic species [As and its metabolites, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and arsenate (As)] in urine samples from 66 patients with APL. Read More

Leuk Res 2019 Apr 13;81:43-49. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

University of Colorado Division of Hematology, Aurora, CO, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have limited treatment options. Genomically-defined personalized therapies are only applicable for a minority of patients. Therapies without identifiable targets can be effective but patient selection is challenging. Read More

Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Preclinical Neuroscience, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Today neuroscience is dominated by the perspective that microglia are essential elements in any integrated view of the nervous system. A number of different neuroinflammatory conditions affect the CNS where microglia involvement, and particularly microgliosis, is not only a prominent feature, but also a pathogenic key mechanism of disease. On the other side, microglia can also constitute an important trigger of neuronal protection during neurodegenerative disorders. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Contrary to the safe usage of probiotics for years, their threat is still worthy of attention. Several risks have been explained or mentioned in the case reports, clinical trials and experimental studies. Due to a large number of probiotic products worldwide, the certainty of the safety of such products is a matter of concern. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2019 Apr 19:111897. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Pharmacen™, Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark; Celvivo IVS, Blommenslyst, Denmark. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: Traditional herbal medicines are utilized by 27 million South Africans. Xysmalobium undulatum (Uzara) is one of the most widely used traditional medicinal plants in Southern Africa. A false belief in the safety of herbal medicine may result in liver injury. Read More

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Institute of Chemicals Safety, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

As the main toxic component of aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid I (AAI) is primarily found in Aristolochiaceae plants such as Aristolochia, Aristolochia fangchi and Caulis aristolochiae manshuriensis. AAI has been proven to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and nephrotoxic. Although the role of AAI in testicular toxicity has been reported, its mechanism of action is unknown. Read More

Neurochem Int 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a glucosamine-nitrosourea commonly used to induce long-lasting models of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. Direct toxicity of STZ on the pancreas and kidneys has been well characterized, but the acute effect of this compound on brain tissue has received less attention. Herein, we investigated the acute and direct toxicity of STZ on fresh hippocampal slices, measuring changes in BDNF and S100B secretion (two widely-used peripheral markers of brain injury), as well as glucose metabolism. Read More

Toxicology 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Many psychoactive substances affect the human dopamine (DA) reuptake transporter (hDAT). Polymorphisms in the encoding gene could affect the functionality of the transporter and consequently alter effects of psychotropic and recreational drugs. Recently, a T356 M single nucleotide polymorphism in the human SLC6A3 gene was described, which resulted in functional impairments of DA uptake. Read More

Nucleic Acid Ther 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

1 Université de Versailles St- Quentin, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Montigny le Bretonneux, France.

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) hold promise for therapeutic splice switching correction for genetic diseases, in particular for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), for which ASO-exon skipping represents one of the most advanced therapeutic strategies. We have previously reported the therapeutic potential of tricyclo-DNA (tcDNA) in mouse models of DMD, highlighting the unique pharmaceutical properties and unprecedented uptake in many tissues after systemic delivery, including the heart and central nervous system. TcDNA-ASOs demonstrate an encouraging safety profile and no particular class-related toxicity, however, when administered in high doses for several months, mild renal toxicity is observed secondary to predictable phosphorothioate (PS)-ASO accumulation in kidneys. Read More

Drug Test Anal 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Analytical Services International, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK.

MDMA ('ecstasy') tablets are widely used recreationally, and not only vary in their appearance, but also in MDMA content. Recently, the prevalence of high-content tablets is of concern to public health authorities. To compare UK data with other countries, we have evaluated MDMA content of 412 tablets collected from the UK, 2001-2018, and have investigated within-batch content variability for a sub-set of these samples. Read More

Equine Vet J 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Background: A recent study demonstrated that enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin cross the equine placenta without causing gross cartilage or tendon lesions in the 9-month foetus; however, long-term effects of in utero fluoroquinolone exposure are unknown.

Objectives: To assess effects of foetal exposure to enrofloxacin on the resulting foal's cartilage and tendon strength.

Study Design And Methods: Healthy mares at 280 days' gestation were allocated into four groups: untreated (n = 5), therapeutic treatment (7. Read More

Brain 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.

Herein we present a consanguineous family with three children affected by foveal hypoplasia with infantile nystagmus, following an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The patients showed normal electroretinography responses, no signs of albinism, and no anterior segment or brain abnormalities. Upon whole exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous mutation (c. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(16):e15341

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Medical Oncology, Paul Brousse Hospital.

FOLFIRINOX is one of the most effective reference regimens in the 1st line treatment of locally advanced (LA) and metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC), despite its high toxicity. We evaluated our real-life experience with "patient-tailored intent to treat FOLFIRINOX" in patients with LA or mPC compared to other reports along with the pivotal phase III trial.We analyzed data from all consecutive patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treated with dose-modified FOLFIRINOX in 2016 at Paul Brousse University Hospital. Read More

Am J Ther 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Division of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.

Background: Immunotherapy is a significant breakthrough in cancer therapy in the last decade. Immunotherapy is better tolerated compared with chemotherapy. However, it does have side effects, and one of the rare and serious side effects of immunotherapy is cardiotoxicity. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019 Apr 22:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

a Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine , University of Colorado , Aurora , CO , USA.

Background: Cyanide is a metabolic poison used in multiple industries and is a high threat chemical agent. Current antidotes require intravenous administration, limiting their usefulness in a mass casualty scenario. Sodium tetrathionate reacts directly with cyanide yielding thiosulfate and the non-toxic compound thiocyanate. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019 Apr 22:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

b Center for Health Equity and Quality Research, UF Health - Jacksonville , Jacksonville , FL , USA.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to characterize the frequency, reasons for exposure, clinical manifestations, treatments, duration of effects, and medical outcomes of pediatric guanfacine exposures reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from 2000 to 2016.

Methods: Data extracted from poison control center call records for pediatric (0-5 years, 6-12 years, and 13-19 years), single-substance guanfacine ingestions reported to NPDS between 2000 and 2016 was retrospectively analyzed.

Results: A total of 10927 cases were identified for analysis. Read More

Comput Toxicol 2019 Feb;9:61-72

School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK.

The fields of toxicology and chemical risk assessment seek to reduce, and eventually replace, the use of animals for the prediction of toxicity in humans. In this context, physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling based on and kinetic data has the potential to a play significant role in reducing animal testing, by providing a methodology capable of incorporating human data to facilitate the development of to extrapolation of hazard information. In the present article, we discuss the challenges in: 1) applying PBK modelling to support regulatory decision making under the toxicology and risk-assessment paradigm shift towards animal replacement; 2) constructing PBK models without animal kinetic data, while relying solely on or methods for model parameterization; and 3) assessing the validity and credibility of PBK models built largely using non-animal data. Read More

Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2019 Mar 15;5(1):2-5. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

Aluminum (Al) is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust and is omnipresent in our environment, including our food. However, with normal renal function, oral and enteral ingestion of substances contaminated with Al, such as antacids and infant formulae, do not cause problems. The intestine, skin, and respiratory tract are barriers to Al entry into the blood. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2019 Apr 5;5(4):346-347. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Dermatology Department, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin.

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 8;27:100836. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Biochemisry Department, Benha University, Egypt.

inhalation of benzene vapours promote various and dangerous health problems. Fuel station workers are most susceptible to benzene inhalation toxicity. Samples were collected twice, at beginning of the study and 6 months later from 40 fuel station workers from different egyptian governorates and 10 control healthy volunteers. Read More

Respir Med Case Rep 2019 6;27:100834. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are known to cause a variety of immune-related adverse events, including pneumonitis. When symptomatic, treatment typically consists of temporary or permanent cessation of the checkpoint inhibitor and several weeks of corticosteroid therapy. However, a subset of patients may suffer from severe pneumonitis, and the optimal treatment for this group is not known. Read More

Case Rep Transplant 2019 17;2019:9839780. Epub 2019 Mar 17.

Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplant Medicine, Augusta University Health, Augusta, GA, USA.

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Our patient, a 79-year-old male, presented with severe dysphagia and odynophagia about 2 weeks after receiving a renal transplant. An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy revealed esophagitis and gastric ulceration, the cultures from which grew Rhizopus species. Read More

Ther Adv Hematol 2019 11;10:2040620719841735. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Division of Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

The thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are a class of platelet growth factors commonly used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). There are three agents that have been investigated for the treatment of chronic ITP: the peptide agent romiplostim and the small molecule agents eltrombopag and avatrombopag. These agents offer a higher clinical response rate than most other ITP therapies but may require indefinite use. Read More

Heart Views 2018 Jul-Sep;19(3):109-113

Department of Pulmonology, Alexis Multispeciality Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Pulmonary complications of long-term amiodarone use are well known. However, acute pneumonitis causing respiratory distress with short-term administration of amiodarone although rare is associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment with glucocorticoids significantly decrease associated mortality and morbidity. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 26;17(5):4285-4288. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Department of Central Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China.

As an essential component of consolidation and maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), mercaptopurine (6-MP) causes critical myelosuppression. The current study aimed to clarify the reasons for severe myelosuppression and significant hyperpigmentationin a patient with ALL that received consolidation therapy. The present study performed patient NUDT15 testing with fluorescence hybridization and whole-exome sequencing. Read More

J Clean Prod 2019 Apr;216:382-393

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Via Enrico Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra, VA, Italy.

Sustainable Consumption and Production is one of the leading principle towards reducing environmental impacts globally. This study aims at combining Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Analysis (using EXIOBASE 3) with up-to-date impact assessment models to quantify the environmental impacts induced by final consumption in the EU Member States in 2011. The environmental extensions are characterized in 14 environmental impact categories out of the 16 used in the Environmental Footprint life cycle impact assessment method. Read More

J Clean Prod 2019 Apr;215:634-649

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, Energy Storage Unit, Westerduinweg 3, NL-1755 LE, Petten, the Netherlands.

Traction batteries are a key factor in the environmental sustainability of electric mobility and, therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their environmental performance to allow a comprehensive sustainability assessment of electric mobility. This article presents an environmental assessment of a lithium-ion traction battery for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, characterized by a composite cathode material of lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide Li(NiCoMn)O. Composite cathode material is an emerging technology that promises to combine the merits of several active materials into a hybrid electrode to optimize performance and reduce costs. Read More

J R Stat Soc Ser C Appl Stat 2019 Feb 15;68(2):347-367. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Lancaster University UK.

For many years phase I and phase II clinical trials have been conducted separately, but there has been a recent shift to combine these phases. Although a variety of phase I-II model-based designs for cytotoxic agents have been proposed in the literature, methods for molecularly targeted agents (TAs) are just starting to develop. The main challenge of the TA setting is the unknown dose-efficacy relationship that can have either an increasing, plateau or umbrella shape. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 May;67(5):630-633

Retina and Uvea Services, Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Purpose: To report a series of central retinal artery occlusions (CRAO) following cataract surgery complicated by posterior capsular rupture (PCR).

Methods: Data from 14 patients with acute CRAO following cataract surgery was collected for this study including subject demographics, initial and final best-corrected visual acuity, systemic investigations, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) findings.

Results: Mean subject age was 59. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019 May 3;1865(5):1031-1039. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. Electronic address:

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) presents unique challenges for consumers, clinicians, and regulators. It is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the US. It is also one of the most common reasons for termination of new drugs during pre-clinical testing and withdrawal of new drugs post-marketing. Read More

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2019 Dec;47(1):1543-1558

d Recombinant Vaccine Research Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.

Mannosylation of nanovaccine is an appropriate strategy for targeting the mannose receptors on DCs. Here, HBsAg and mannose loaded on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles to increases HBsAg vaccine potency. Nanoparticles are made by co-precipitation method and bonded to the HBsAg and mannose by chemical bonding. Read More

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2019 Dec;47(1):1533-1542

c Centre national de la recherche scientifique, LAGEP-UMR 5007, University Claude Bernard Lyon-1 , University of Lyon , Lyon , France.

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is basically biocompatible polyester with high resistance to chemical hydrolysis, and high drug permeability and the most important characteristics of PMMA is that it does not produce any toxicity. There is not much information about PMMA action on the colon cancer cells. In the present study, we have synthesized PMMA nanoparticles. Read More

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2019 Dec;47(1):1321-1325

b Department of Pharmacy , Luoyang Center for Women & Children Health Care , Luoyang , PR China.

In the process of natural precursors examining for the carbon dots (CDs) synthesis, a bio-friendly and highly luminescent CDs synthesis is being reported herein. For the first time, we are reporting CDs synthesis using Selenicereus grandiflorus plant materials without any use of additional oxidizing agents like ethanol which was used in the earlier mentioned reports. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron (HR-TEM) microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Read More

Andrologia 2019 Apr 21:e13285. Epub 2019 Apr 21.

Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow MSC-derived factors on gonadotropic toxicity induced by busulfan in vivo. The conditioned media (CM) was obtained from MSCs in serum-free incubation for 48 hr and concentrated ~25-fold by ultrafiltration. The CM of HEK 293 cells was treated as control (293-CM). Read More

Anal Chem 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) are promising alternatives for biological imaging applications owing to the increasing concerns over the potential toxicity and poor degradability of inorganic particles-based probes. However, synthesis of stable, small-sized FONs in aqueous media remains challenging. Inspired by the self-polymerization chemistry of phenolic compounds, we demonstrate ultrafast synthesis of FONs (phenolic compounds-derived FONs, PhFONs) from a variety of molecular building blocks including dopamine, norepinephrine, pyrogallol, and gallic acid, simply by plasma treatment at the aqueous interface. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019 Apr 22. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

The study of multifunctional polymer micelles combined with chemotherapy due to reduced systemic toxicity and enhanced efficacy has attracted intensive attention. Herein, a multifunctional core cross-linked hybrid micelle system based on mPEG-b-PGu(BA-TPE) and OCT-PEG-b-PGu(DA-TPE) with pH- and redox-triggered drug release and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active imaging has been developed for active targeting of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), especially neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) with poor prognosis. These micelles showed excellent biocompatibility and stability. Read More

Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019 Apr 21. Epub 2019 Apr 21.

Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, efavirenz, is widely used to treat HIV-1 infection. Efavirenz is predominantly metabolized into inactive metabolites by CYP2B6, and patients with certain CYP2B6 genetic variants may be at increased risk for adverse effects, particularly central nervous system toxicity and treatment discontinuation. We summarize the evidence from the literature and provide therapeutic recommendations for efavirenz prescribing based on CYP2B6 genotypes. Read More

Arch Toxicol 2019 Apr 20. Epub 2019 Apr 20.

Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.

The characteristics of wildland fire smoke exposures which initiate or exacerbate cardiopulmonary conditions are unclear. We previously reported that, on a mass basis, lung toxicity associated with particulate matter (PM) from flaming smoke aspirated into mouse lungs is greater than smoldering PM. In this study, we developed a computer-controlled inhalation system which can precisely control complex biomass smoke emissions from different combustion conditions. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Apr 11;674:374-382. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

School of Environmental and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.

In this study, an internal circulation-anoxic/aerobic (IC-A/O) process followed by ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) system was applied for paper wastewater reclamation. The IC-AO system presented a stable and efficient performance, achieving high removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) with methane production rate of 132.8 mL/d. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Dec 10;59:152787. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, PR China; Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, PR China.

Background: Elemene injection is an anticancer Chinese patent medicine that is widely used for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. Its active ingredients are β-, γ- and δ-elemene, which are extracted from Curcumaaromatica Salisb. (Curcumawenyujin Y. Read More

Aquat Toxicol 2019 Apr 12;211:193-201. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, Rende, Cosenza, 87036, Italy. Electronic address:

Lead is one of the most alarming toxic pollutants for the environment due to its acute toxicity and high bioaccumulation tendency. Despite legislative efforts, world lead production has more than doubled since the early 1970s to 2016. Due to extensive exploitation and human activity, the coastal and estuarine regions belong to marine environments that are mostly and more rapidly deteriorated by pollutants including lead. Read More

Blood Cells Mol Dis 2019 Mar 31;77:88-94. Epub 2019 Mar 31.

Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Myelodysplastic Syndromes Diagnosis and Therapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address:

Decitabine and low-dose chemotherapy are common treatments for intermediate and high risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In this study, we retrospectively assessed the efficacy and toxicity of the two regimens for MDS-refractory anemia with excess blasts (MDS-RAEB) patients. A total of 112 patients with a diagnosis of MDS-RAEB are included. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Nov 12;58:152748. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Several species of Salvia are used as medicinal plants around the world. Biological activities of isolated compounds have been described, being diterpenes frequently responsible for the effects.

Purpose: Isolation of diterpenes from Salvia uliginosa Benth. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Nov 20;58:152762. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Science, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea; Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: We have previously reported the functional anti-cancer effects of the products of enzymatic hydrolysis of Citrus unshiu peel (εCUP) and fermented extraction of Citrus unshiu peel (ƒCUP) in human pancreatic cancer. Despite their different characteristics and effects, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Purpose: In this study, we further demonstrate the impact of ingredient contents of Citrus unshiu peel on the cancer's natural features. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Apr 13;227:489-495. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

State Key Laboratory Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control / Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture / Laboratory (Hangzhou) for Risk Assessment of Agricultural Products of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China.

The contaminants, instead of single contaminants, are usually found as chemical mixtures in terrestrial environment. However, little information is now available about the joint effects of heavy metals and farm chemicals on the soil organism. Our current study aimed to assess the combined toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and four pesticides (atrazine, chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin and abamectin) to the earthworm (Eisenia fetida) with binary, ternary, quaternary and quinquenary mixtures. Read More

J Geriatr Oncol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Background: The majority of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are older and have multiple comorbidities, including other cancer diagnoses. These patients are routinely excluded from participation in clinical trials.

Objective: In this phase II study, we determined the activity and toxicity of ofatumumab, a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in older patients with CLL, poor performance status and comorbidities. Read More

Toxicology 2019 Apr 18. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

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

Quinolones (QNs)-induced cartilaginous lesions in juvenile animals by chondrocyte apoptosis is an important toxic effect, which results in the restriction of their use in pediatrics. However, limited data about QNs chondrotoxicity are available for evaluation of the potential toxicity in both animals and human cartilage. To explore whether tumor necrosis factor/its receptor (TNF/TNFR1) signaling pathway is involved in the early apoptosis of marbofloxacin-induced chondrocytes, canine juvenile chondrocytes were treated with 0, 20, 50 and 100 μg/mL marbofloxacin. Read More