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Pharmacology 2021 Jun 15:1-9. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department for Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Insel Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have a substantial role in maintaining immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation (SOT). These drugs have a narrow therapeutic window, and individual doses and drug treatment monitoring are necessary. Still, a substantial proportion of patients suffer from short- or long-term calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNT), including kidney function impairment, hypertension, neurotoxicity, and metabolic disturbances. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2021 Jun 12;153:40-50. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Aim: Few studies have explored the association between baseline characteristics and the occurrence of early toxicities in patients treated with first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Patients And Methods: Individual patient data of 2190 patients enrolled in 10 prospective FFCD (Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive) trials were analysed. Severe early toxicity was defined as the occurrence of grade ≥III toxicity within 3 months after initiation of chemotherapy (ET3). Read More

Eur J Cancer 2021 Jun 12;153:27-39. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Centre Groningen, The University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Background: Chemotherapy is well documented to disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to poor treatment outcomes and a heightened risk of adverse toxicity. Although strong associations exist between its composition and gastrointestinal toxicity, its causal contribution remains unclear. Our inability to move beyond association has limited the development and implementation of microbial-based therapeutics in chemotherapy adjuncts with no clear rationale of how and when to deliver them. Read More

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021 Jun 8;205:111915. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Recently, natural exosomes have attracted attention as an ideal drug carrier to overcome the limitations of existing drug delivery systems which are toxicity induction and low cancer-targeting performance. In this study, we propose an exosome-based hybrid nanostructure (EHN) with improved targeting ability and therapeutic efficacy against colorectal cancer by using exosomes isolated from the tumor cell line as a drug carrier. The proposed EHN can have high biocompatibility by using exosomes, a biologically derived material, and show improved targeting performance by adding a tumor-targeting ligand (folic acid). Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2021 Jun 12;140:111732. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Phytochemistry Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Nerol, a monoterpene is evident to possess diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anthelmintic, and anti-arrhythmias. This study aims to evaluate its hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in a rat model. Five groups of rats (n = 7) were orally treated (once daily) with 0. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021 Sep 12;220:112405. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China. Electronic address:

Hazardous substances, such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and phenanthrene (Phe) are ubiquitous co-contaminants in eutrophic freshwaters, which cause harms to aquatic organisms. However, the risks associated with the co-exposure of aquatic biota to these two chemicals in the environment have received little attention. In this study, the single and mixture toxic effects of MC-LR and Phe mixtures were investigated in Daphnia magna after acute and chronic exposure. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2021 Jun 6;418:126307. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI), CONICET, Av. Belgrano y Pasaje Caseros, 4000 Tucumán, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo 205, 4000 Tucumán, Argentina. Electronic address:

A restoration strategy was developed for the treatment of two artificial liquid systems (Minimal Medium, MM, and Water Carbon Nitrogen, WCN) contaminated with Cr(VI), lindane (γ-HCH), phenanthrene (Phe), and reactive black 5 (RB5), through the use of an actinobacteria consortium, coupled with a physicochemical treatment using a column filled with nano-scale zero valent iron particles immobilized on dried Macrocystis pyrifera algae biomass. The Sequential Treatment A (ST: physicochemical followed by biological method) removed the three organic compounds with different effectiveness; however, it was very ineffective for Cr(VI) removal. The Sequential Treatment B (ST: biological followed by the physicochemical method) removed the four compounds with variable efficiencies. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2021 Jun 9;418:126354. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China.

The continuous release of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) to environments raised concerns on their combined toxicological risks with co-existing contaminants, since MNMs might severely alter the environmental behavior and fate of the contaminants. In this study, the combined toxicity of nano-sized titanium dioxide (nTiO) and cadmium (Cd) to the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus and the underlying physicochemical mechanisms were investigated for the first time at different concentration ratios of Cd to nTiO to closely mimic the realistic environment scenarios where the concentration ratios of nTiO to other contaminants are constantly changing. Our results suggested that under the co-exposure to different concentration ratios of Cd to nTiO, the co-exposure contaminants exhibited three different combined toxicity modes (antagonistic, partially additive, and synergistic). Read More

Eur J Cancer 2021 Jun 11;152:215-222. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology Division, BC Cancer, Vancouver Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) disproportionately affects the elderly. There is limited data assessing the efficacy and tolerability of abiraterone acetate (AA) versus enzalutamide in this population.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of AA versus enzalutamide in patients ≥ 80 years with mCRPC. Read More

Biomaterials 2021 Jun 5;275:120955. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address:

Prodrugs are designed to improve pharmaceutical properties of potent compounds and represent a central approach in drug development. The success of the prodrug strategy relies on incorporation of a reversible linkage facilitating controlled release of the parent drug. While prodrug approaches enhance pharmacokinetic properties over their parent drug, they still face challenges in absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADMET). Read More

Biomaterials 2021 Jun 7;275:120958. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address:

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play an important role in the development of tumors by secreting a variety of cytokines or directly communicating with tumor cells, making TAMs-targeted therapeutic strategies very attractive. It has been reported that oncogene c-Myc is related to every aspect of the oncogenic process of tumor cells and the alternative activation of macrophages. Hence, we constructed a glycolipid nanocarrier containing ROS-responsive peroxalate linkages (CSOPOSA) for ROS-triggered release of drugs and further modified it with Ex 26 (Ex 26-CSOPOSA), a selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) antagonist, to achieve the dual-targeted delivery of the c-Myc inhibitor JQ1 via S1PR1, which is overexpressed on both tumor cells and TAMs, thereby inducing apoptosis of tumor cells, and blocking M2 polarization of macrophages. Read More

Bioorg Chem 2021 Jun 8;114:105068. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, Ghal Kalan, Ferozpur G.T. Road MOGA-142001, Punjab, India. Electronic address:

There are several potential side and adverse effects are found to be associated with the anti-inflammatory drugs in clinical practice. The long-term use of these clinical agents highly unsafe. It encouraged the development of novel heterocyclic compounds with potential anti-inflammatory activity and low to no toxicity. Read More

Bioorg Chem 2021 May 31;114:105041. Epub 2021 May 31.

Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador. Electronic address:

Cationic peptides bio-inspired by natural toxins have been recognized as an efficient strategy for the treatment of different health problems. Due to the specific interaction with substrates from biological membranes, snake venom phospholipases (PLAs) represent valuable scaffolds for the research and development of short peptides targeting parasites, bacteria, and cancer cells. Considering this, we evaluated the in vitro therapeutic potential of three biomimetic peptides (pCergo, pBmTxJ and pBmje) based on three different amino acid sequences from Asp49 PLAs. Read More

Water Res 2021 Jun 2;201:117319. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address:

Nanoplastics (NPs) are plastic particles with sizes ranging between 1 and 1000 nm, exhibiting exceptional qualities such as large surface area, lightweight, durability; therefore, are widely used in cosmetics, paints, electronics, etc. NPs are inevitability released into the aquatic environment where they tend to interact with both, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and other fractions of natural organic matter (NOM), respectively secreted by organisms (e.g. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021 Jun 12;248:109103. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Excessively used pesticides in agricultural areas are spilled into aquatic environments, wherein they are suspended or sedimented. Owing to climate change, herbicides are the fastest growing sector of the pesticide industry and are detected in surface water, groundwater, and sediments near agricultural areas. In freshwater, organisms, including mussels, snails, frogs, and fish, are exposed to various types and concentrations of herbicides. Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2021 Jun 15:e14533. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

William Beaumont Hospital, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Royal Oak.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the US. The use of precision medicine in the past 10 years has significantly changed the therapeutic landscape of lung cancer. Management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has transitioned from a chemotherapeutic approach to targeted treatments and immunotherapeutic agents. Read More

Biochem J 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Universitat de Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.

The ABC transporters are membrane proteins that can act as putative receptors for Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in the midgut of different insects. For the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, ABCC2 and ABCC3 have been found to interact with Cry1A proteins, the main insecticidal proteins used in Bt-crops, as well as Bt-based pesticides. The ABCC2 has shown to have specific binding towards Cry1Ac and is involved in the toxic process of Cry1A proteins, but the role of this transporter and how it relates with the Cry1A proteins is still unknown. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2021 Jun 15;22:e931731. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

BACKGROUND Nocardia infections have rarely been reported in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, who usually receive the prophylactic use of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (ST) against Pneumocystis jiroveci. However, the ST prophylaxis, sensitive to Nocardia species, sometimes induces renal toxicities. Therefore, alternative prophylactic or therapeutic drugs are required for nocardiosis in HSCT patients. Read More

Biol Bull 2021 Jun 12;240(3):191-199. Epub 2021 May 12.

AbstractThe production and use of plastic over many decades has resulted in its accumulation in the world's oceans. Plastic debris poses a range of potential risks to the marine environment and its biota. Especially, the potential hazards of small plastic debris and chemicals associated with plastic have not been extensively studied. Read More

Int J Radiat Biol 2021 Jun 15:1-24. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Purpose: This extraordinary woman worked her professional way from a radiation protection engineer to become the successful principal investigator of a prestigious international European project for a new radiation therapy (ERC Synergy grant, HORIZON 2020). The evaluation of the submitted proposal was very positive. The panel proposed that it be funded. Read More

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2021 Jun 15:1-10. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.

Hg toxicity is one of the most common chemical poisonings that occurs mainly from drinking polluted water. In the current work, Phycocyanin (PC) was exploited as a fluorescent sensor for sensitive and selective detection of Hg in an aqueous system. PC-Hg interaction was monitored using a spectro-fluorometer under different buffered solutions at pH values of 6,7,8,9, or 10 above the isoelectric point of PC (5. Read More

J Med Chem 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have become promising therapeutic targets in various types of cancers. In fact, several selective irreversible inhibitors capable of covalently reacting with the conserved cysteine of FGFRs are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this article, we optimized and discovered a novel lead compound with remarkable inhibitory effects against FGFR (1-3), which is a derivative of 2-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine. Read More

Environ Sci Technol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.

Given the persistence and toxic potencies of metal contaminants in ecosystems, animals, and human beings, they are considered to be hazardous global pollutants. While the lethality of metal toxicities (e.g. Read More

Reprod Sci 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Many child cancer patients endure anticancer therapy containing alkylating agents before sexual maturity. Busulfan (BU), as an alkylating agent, is a chemotherapy drug, causing DNA damage and cytotoxicity in germ cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of astaxanthin (AST), as a potent antioxidant and powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, on BU-induced toxicity in human spermatogonial stem cells. Read More

Neurochem Res 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, 900, rue Saint-Denis Pavillon R, R08.422, Montreal, QC, H2X-0A9, Canada.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome of both acute and chronic liver disease. As a metabolic disorder, HE is considered to be reversible and therefore is expected to resolve following the replacement of the diseased liver with a healthy liver. However, persisting neurological complications are observed in up to 47% of transplanted patients. Read More

AAPS PharmSciTech 2021 Jun 15;22(5):181. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

In this study, two hydrophilic polymers hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) are used to synthesize highly responsive and spongy polymeric matrices. Porous and stimulus-responsive polymeric network was developed to improve the solubility of acyclovir (ACV) at significant level. Grafting was successfully carried out by free radical polymerization technique. Read More

Toxicol Sci 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-inducible poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (TIPARP/PARP7), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) target gene and mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, acts as part of a negative feedback loop to repress AHR signaling. This process is prevented by a single H532A mutation in TIPARP that destroys its catalytic activity. We hypothesized that the loss of TIPARP catalytic activity would increase sensitivity to TCDD-induced toxicity in vivo. Read More

J Registry Manag 2020 ;47(3):135-145

Background And Objective: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with a median age of diagnosis of 66 years. Anthracycline-containing regimens are the most common treatments, but toxicity concerns can limit their use in patients older than 80 years. Understanding treatment patterns and associated survival in adults older than 80 years (vs adults aged 65-80 years) can help determine effective management strategies in this population. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

: Paclitaxel is a microtubule stabilizer that is currently one of the most utilized chemotherapeutic agents. Its efficacy in breast, uterine, lung and other neoplasms made its safety profile enhancement a subject of great interest. Neurotoxicity is the most common paclitaxel-associated toxicities. Read More

J Appl Toxicol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Peripheral biomarkers are important tools for detecting occupational exposures to prevent the onset and/or progression of diseases. Studies that reveal early peripheral biomarkers are highly important to preserve the health of workers and can potentially contribute to diagnosing and/or prognosing occupational pathologies. Exposure to crystalline silica is a problem in several workplaces because it increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis, clinically defined as silicosis. Read More