Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Pestic Biochem Physiol 2018 Oct 6;151:10-17. Epub 2018 Apr 6.

Louisiana State University AgCenter, Department of Entomology, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States. Electronic address:

The majority of commercialized insecticides target the insect nervous system and therefore, neural proteins are well-validated targets for insecticide development. Considering that only a few neural targets are exploited for insecticidal action and the development of insecticide resistance has reduced the efficacy of current insecticidal classes, we sought to test the toxicological potential of the potassium-chloride cotransporter (KCC). In mammals, KCC proteins have seminal roles in shaping GABAergic signaling and inhibitory neurotransmission, thus ion transport through KCC is critical for proper neurotransmission. Read More

Skin Appendage Disord 2018 Oct 5;4(4):245-260. Epub 2018 Jan 5.

University of California, Irvine, Department of Dermatology, Irvine, California, USA.

Importance/objective: There are a number of toxic agents that can cause alopecia. In this review we summarize the known substances that cause alopecia as one of the clinical signs of overdose or toxicity.

Evidence Review: A search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for studies describing hair loss of any type as a result of exposure to or ingestion of a toxic agent. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Dec 5;243(Pt B):1833-1845. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

CONACyT - Department of Mineral Processing, Institute of Metallurgy, UASLP, 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P, Mexico. Electronic address:

Thallium (Tl) and its compounds are non-essential and highly toxic for living organisms, even at low concentrations. In this paper, we analyzed the presence and geochemical distribution of Tl in different mining-metallurgical and sediment samples collected from several mining zones of Mexico. A modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was also applied to the samples to investigate the geochemical behavior and potential environmental risk of Tl according to types of ore deposit and mineral processing method applied. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Dec 15;243(Pt B):1781-1790. Epub 2018 Sep 15.

Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

Potentially toxic elements are widespread soil contaminants, whose occurrence could entail a concern for human health upon ingestion of fruit and vegetables harvested in a polluted area. This work set out to evaluate the concentrations of lead and cadmium as well as the levels of thirteen heavy metals for which a limit value is yet to be established by the food safety authorities, in order to perform a risk characterization related to the dietary intake of these metals and to provide a scientific opinion with wider relevance in the light of current worldwide regulatory issues. The sampling consisted of fruit and vegetables grown in a potentially contaminated area of southern Italy due to the illegal dump of hazardous wastes. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Feb 19;216:103-109. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan, 250014, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

An online monitoring and assessment system of metabolism to measure oxygen consumption rate (OC) and carbon dioxide (CO) excretion rate (CR) of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used to illustrate changes in stressful states in 15 days' (360 h) 0.1 μg/L Tl exposure. Tl had a significant inhibition on zebrafish OC and CR (p < 0. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 4;212:1085-1094. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan, 250014, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

The electrocardiogram (ECG) has been widely used to objectively address the physical condition as an index of stress. Though a numerous accounts of investigations on aquatic organisms' ECGs have been made, differentiation of ECG parameters in responding to specific toxic chemicals has not been extensively studied. In this research, it is hypothesized that zebrafish (Danio rerio) ECG parameters would differently respond to different types of pollutants, a heavy metal, thallium (Tl, 0. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Feb 21;651(Pt 1):1058-1066. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, the environment is exposed to many chemicals from natural or anthropogenic sources. The contaminants impact eco-system and human health via food chain. Animals, including humans, are likely to accumulate contaminants in their bodies from direct exposure or feeding behavior, resulting in toxicity. Read More

Pak J Pharm Sci 2018 Jul;31(4(Supplementary)):1463-1467

Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, KPK, Pakistan.

Thallium has been shown to significantly influence various tissues of living organisms; Exposure to Thallium can disturb mitochondrial function, degenerate neurons, and interfere with the function of critical metabolic enzymes and co-enzymes. Glutathione (GSH) an essential biomarker is considered a key factor in harnessing the thallium toxicity. In the present study the interaction of Thallium (Thallium Chloride) and glutathione was investigated spectro-photo-metrically in aqueous media. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Oct 15;241:626-635. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Camda New Energy Equipment Co., Ltd., China.

Thallium (Tl), a rare metal, is universally present in the environment with high toxicity and accumulation. Thallium's behavior and fate require further study, especially in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), where severe Tl pollution incidents have occurred. One hundred two pairs of soil and flowering cabbage samples and 91 pairs of soil and lettuce samples were collected from typical farmland protection areas and vegetable bases across the PRD, South China. Read More

Toxicol Rep 2018 6;5:390-395. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Canada.

Prenatal vitamins are often consumed daily during gestation and postnatally for up to 18-24 months with the belief that supplementation achieves better outcomes. Detrimental effects of gestational exposure to adverse chemical agents are gathering increasing attention. This study was designed to assess toxic element contamination in prenatal supplements. Read More

Front Public Health 2018 16;6:103. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.

Introduction: Environmental toxins, such as lead and other heavy metals, pesticides, and other compounds, represent a significant health concern within the USA and around the world. Even in the twenty-first century, a plethora of cities and towns in the U.S. Read More

Neurotox Res 2018 04 8;33(3):634-640. Epub 2018 Jan 8.

Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Insurgentes Sur 3877, 14269, Mexico City, Mexico.

The mechanisms by which the heavy metal thallium (Tl) produces toxicity in the brain remain unclear. Herein, isolated synaptosomal/mitochondrial P2 crude fractions from adult rat brains were exposed to Tl (5-250 μM) for 30 min. Three toxic endpoints were evaluated: mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, and Na/K-ATPase activity inhibition. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Apr 28;196:1-8. Epub 2017 Dec 28.

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici, via G.Moruzzi, 56124 Pisa, Italy.

The abandoned mining area of Valdicastello Carducci (Tuscany, Italy) is characterized by the massive presence of thallium in the acid mine drainages and in the valley stream crossing the region. We previously found that Tl(III), generally considered the less stable oxidation state of thallium, is present both in the stream and in tap water distributed in the area, whereas acid mine drainages only contain Tl(I). These findings posed some concern related to the reactivity and dispersion of this toxic element in the environment. Read More

Environ Int 2018 03 22;112:198-206. Epub 2017 Dec 22.

State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. Electronic address:

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing health problem worldwide. Recent studies have suggested the potential associations between exposure to metals and CKD events, particularly in participants with hypertension. However, relevant studies are limited. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Mar 5;194:562-569. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277160, China.

As a common pollutive metal element, Tl is very biotoxic. The potential ecological risk index (RI) proposed by Håkanson is one of the commonest methods for evaluation of ecological risk of a metal in sedimentary environment of a water body. According to the calculation principle proposed by Håkanson, the toxicity coefficient of Tl was calculated, and determined as 10 in this paper. Read More

Curr Med Chem 2018 ;25(19):2198-2214

Department of Environmental and Integrative Medicine, Medical Center, Konstanz, Germany.

Genetic background accounts for only 5 to 10% of the reported cases of Parkinson's disease (PD), while the remaining cases are of unknown etiology. It is believed that environmental factors may be involved in the causality of a large proportion of PD cases. Several PD genes are activated by xenobiotic exposure, and a link between pesticide exposure and PD has been demonstrated. Read More

Toxicol Res 2017 Oct 15;33(4):299-304. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Department of Chemistry, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of Science, Mashhad 91775-1436, Iran.

Thallium and its compounds are a class of highly toxic chemicals that cause wide-ranging symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances; polyneuritis; encephalopathy; tachycardia; skin eruptions; hepatic, renal, cardiac, and neurological toxicities; and have mutagenic and genotoxic effects. The present research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the chelating agents deferasirox (DFX) and deferiprone (L1) in reducing serum and tissue thallium levels after the administration of thallium (III), according to two different dosing regimens, to several groups of Wistar rats for 60 days. It was hypothesized that the two chelators might be more efficient as a combined therapy than as monotherapies in removing thallium (III) from the rats' organs. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Feb 13;233:971-976. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China. Electronic address:

Thallium (Tl) is a well-recognized hazardous toxic heavy metal that has been reported to have embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. However, little is known about its association with preterm birth (PTB) in humans. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of Tl exposure and assessed its relation with PTB. Read More

Environ Pollut 2017 Dec 20;231(Pt 2):1398-1411. Epub 2017 Sep 20.

Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA. Electronic address:

Toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, thallium) are a group of contaminants that are known to elicit developmental, reproductive, general health, and immune system effects in reptiles, even at low concentrations. Reptiles, including marine turtles, are susceptible to accumulation of toxic elements due to their long life span, low metabolic rate, and highly efficient conversion of prey into biomass. The objectives of this study were to (1) document concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, and thallium in whole blood and keratin from nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Casey Key, Florida and document correlations thereof and (2) correlate whole blood toxic element concentrations to various hematological and plasma biochemistry analytes. Read More

Chemosphere 2017 Dec 12;189:1-9. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

Thallium (Tl) has drawn wide concern due to its high toxicity even at extremely low concentrations, as well as its tendency for significant accumulation in the human body and other organisms. The need to develop effective strategies for trace Tl removal from drinking water is urgent. In this study, the removal of trace Tl (0. Read More

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2017 Nov 14;99(5):574-581. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510655, People's Republic of China.

Thallium is a rare-earth element, but widely distributed in water environments, posing a potential risk to our health. This study was designed to investigate the chronic effects of thallium based on physiological responses, gene expression, and changes in the activity of relevant enzymes in adult zebra fish exposed to thallium at low doses. The endpoints assessed include mRNA expression of metallothionein (MT)2 and heat shock protein HSP70; enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Na/K-ATPase; and the histopathology of gill, gonad, and liver tissues. Read More

Adv Neurobiol 2017 ;18:345-353

Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Insurgentes Sur 3877, Mexico City, 14269, Mexico.

Thallium (Tl) is a ubiquitous natural trace metal considered as the most toxic among heavy metals. The ionic ratio of Tl is similar to that of potassium (K), therefore accounting for the replacement of the latter during enzymatic reactions. The principal organelle damaged after Tl exposure is mitochondria. Read More

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2018 Jan 18;122(1):56-64. Epub 2017 Oct 18.

Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

Adulteration of drugs with poisonous substances during production or consumption has caused numerous health problems. Among contaminants that have the potential of producing poisonous effects are the heavy metals lead, arsenic and thallium that make up an important group of toxic substances. The emergence of these new health problems related to opioid abuse has precipitated this MiniReview on the status of the most hazardous and common opioid adulterants. Read More

Environ Res 2017 10 17;158:625-648. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Environmental chemical exposures have been implicated in pediatric kidney disease. No appraisal of the available evidence has been conducted on this topic.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the epidemiologic studies that assessed association of environmental exposures with measures of kidney function and disease in pediatric populations. Read More

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017 10 14;79(Pt B):340-368. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that affects cognitive and higher cognitive functions. Increasing prevalence of ASD and high rates of related comorbidities has caused serious health loss and placed an onerous burden on the supporting families, caregivers, and health care services. Heavy metals are among environmental factors that may contribute to ASD. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2017 Dec 6;605-606:967-979. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.

Natural biotoxins and anthropogenic toxicants pose a significant risk to sea turtle health. Documented effects of contaminants include potential disease progression and adverse impacts on development, immune function, and survival in these imperiled species. The shallow seagrass habitats of Florida's northwest coast (Big Bend) serve as an important developmental habitat for Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles; however, few studies have been conducted in this area. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2017 Oct 6;144:1-10. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Fluorine (F) is a topic of great interest in coal-combustion related endemic fluorosis areas. However, little extent research exists regarding the environmental geochemistry of toxic elements that are enriched in coals and coal wastes in traditional endemic fluorosis areas, particularly focusing on their occurrences and mobilities during the weathering-leaching processes of coals and coal wastes in the surface environment. This paper addressed the issue of toxic elements in coals and coal wastes in the Three Gorges Region, Southwest (SW) China, where endemic fluorosis has historically prevailed, and investigated the distribution, occurrence, mobility features, and associated potential health risks. Read More

Chemosphere 2017 Aug 24;181:447-460. Epub 2017 Apr 24.

Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), C/ José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid 28026, Spain.

In the frame of a research project on microscopic distribution and speciation of geogenic thallium (Tl) from contaminated mine soils, Tl-bearing pyrite ore samples from Riotinto mining district (Huelva, SW Spain) were experimentally fired to simulate a roasting process. Concentration and volatility behavior of Tl and other toxic heavy metals was determined by quantitative ICP-MS, whereas semi-quantitative mineral phase transitions were identified by in situ thermo X-Ray Diffraction (HT-XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses after each firing temperature. Sample with initial highest amount of quartz (higher Si content), lowest quantity of pyrite and traces of jarosite (lower S content) developed hematite and concentrated Tl (from 10 up to 72 mg kg) after roasting at 900 °C in an oxidizing atmosphere. Read More

Chemosphere 2017 Jul 16;178:268-276. Epub 2017 Mar 16.

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

To our knowledge, this is the first work to mechanistically study the impact of the redox potential (E) and principal factors, such as pH, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), chlorides (Cl) and sulfates (SO), on the release dynamics of thallium (Tl) in periodically flooded soil. We simulated flooding using an automated biogeochemical microcosm system that allows for systematical control of pre-defined redox windows. The E value was increased mechanistically at intervals of approximately 100 mV from reducing (-211 mV) to oxidizing (475 mV) conditions. Read More

Environ Int 2017 05 24;102:87-96. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: This study aims at identifying metabolic changes linking external exposure to industrial air toxics with oxidative stress biomarkers.

Methods: We classified 252 study subjects as 111 high vs. 141 low exposure subjects by the distance from their homes to the two main emission sources, oil refineries and coal-fired power plants. Read More

Environ Monit Assess 2017 Feb 13;189(2):56. Epub 2017 Jan 13.

U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd, Madison, WI, 53711, USA.

The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This study characterizes the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), thallium (Tl), U, and zinc (Zn); radiation levels; and histopathology in biota (vegetation, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals) at the Canyon Mine. Read More

PLoS One 2017 9;12(1):e0169526. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States of America.

Introduction: A number of previous studies examined a possible association of toxic metals and autism, and over half of those studies suggest that toxic metal levels are different in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Additionally, several studies found that those levels correlate with the severity of ASD.

Methods: In order to further investigate these points, this paper performs the most detailed statistical analysis to date of a data set in this field. Read More

Life Sci 2017 Jan 15;168:65-76. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Division of CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Brig. S. K. Mazumdar Road, Delhi 110054, India. Electronic address:

Aims: p-tertbutylcalix[4]arene loaded nanoemulsion has been designed, characterized and evaluated for skin decontamination of radionuclides of interest in nuclear and radiological emergencies. Further, nanoemulsion was evaluated for Ex-vivo complexation, skin permeation, interaction and cytodermal toxicity.

Materials And Methods: Ex-vivo skin complexation studies were conducted using High-resolution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (HR-SF-ICPMS). Read More

Chemosphere 2017 Feb 24;168:264-271. Epub 2016 Oct 24.

Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, China.

Thallium (Tl) is an element of high toxicity and significant accumulation in human body. There is an urgent need for the development of appropriate strategies for trace Tl removal in drinking water treatment plants. In this study, the efficiency and mechanism of trace Tl (0. Read More

Environ Monit Assess 2016 Nov 26;188(11):640. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Berdychowo 4, 61-138, Poznan, Poland.

Thallium is released into the biosphere from both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased its content. Atmospheric emission and deposition from industrial sources have resulted in increased concentrations of thallium in the vicinity of mineral smelters and coal-burning facilities. Read More

Environ Geochem Health 2017 Oct 4;39(5):1133-1143. Epub 2016 Oct 4.

Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, USA.

Though most childhood lead exposure in the USA results from ingestion of lead-based paint dust, non-paint sources are increasingly implicated. We present interdisciplinary findings from and policy implications of a case of elevated blood lead (13-18 mcg/dL, reference level <5 mcg/dL) in a 9-month-old infant, linked to a non-commercial Malaysian folk diaper powder. Analyses showed the powder contains 62 % lead by weight (primarily lead oxide) and elevated antimony [1000 parts per million (ppm)], arsenic (55 ppm), bismuth (110 ppm), and thallium (31 ppm). Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016 Dec 24;23(24):24912-24921. Epub 2016 Sep 24.

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Waihuan Xi Road 230, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China.

The objective of this paper is to assess the influence of irritating paddy fields with acid mine drainage containing thallium (Tl) to rice plant-soil system and potential health risks for local residents. Vertical distribution of Tl, pH, organic matter (OM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in 24 paddy soil profiles around Yunfu pyrite mine area was investigated. Rice plant samples were collected from the corresponding soil sampling site. Read More

BMC Plant Biol 2016 09 2;16(1):191. Epub 2016 Sep 2.

Laboratory of Chromatography and Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Heavy metal exposure affect plant productivity by interfering, directly and indirectly, with photosynthetic reactions. The toxic effect of heavy metals on photosynthetic reactions has been reported in wide-ranging studies, however there is paucity of data in the literature concerning thallium (Tl) toxicity. Thallium is ubiquitous natural trace element and is considered the most toxic of heavy metals; however, some plant species, such as white mustard (Sinapis alba L. Read More

Arch Toxicol 2017 Mar 13;91(3):1157-1174. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We have reported recently that the proliferation of PC12 cells exposed to micromolar concentrations of Tl(I) or Tl(III) has different outcomes, depending on the absence (EGF cells) or the presence (EGF cells) of epidermal growth factor (EGF) added to the media. In the current work, we investigated whether EGF supplementation could also modulate the extent of Tl(I)- or Tl(III)-induced cell apoptosis. Tl(I) and Tl(III) (25-100 μM) decreased cell viability in EGF but not in EGF cells. Read More

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2016 Jul 21;97(1):37-43. Epub 2016 May 21.

Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, ul.Berdychowo 4, 61-138, Poznan, Poland.

Volcanic ash contains thallium (Tl), which is highly toxic to the biosphere. The aim of this study was to determine the Tl concentration in fractions of volcanic ash samples originating from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. A sequential extraction scheme allowed for a study of element migration in the environment. Read More

Environ Pollut 2016 Jul 29;214:608-617. Epub 2016 Apr 29.

Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre - Eau Terre Environnement (INRS-ETE), Université du Québec, 490 rue de la Couronne, Quebec City, G1K 9A9, QC, Canada.

Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) collected from 11 lakes in the Canadian mining regions of Sudbury (Ontario) and Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec) display wide ranges in the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and thallium (Tl) in their livers. To determine if these trace elements, as well as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), are causing oxidative stress in these fish, we measured three biochemical indicators (glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)) in their livers. We observed that 44% of the yellow perch that we collected were at risk of cellular oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Read More

Sci Rep 2016 Mar 9;6:22769. Epub 2016 Mar 9.

Centre for Research and Training in Medicine for Aging, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V Tiberio", University of Molise, Via De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.

Element profiling is an interesting approach for understanding neurodegenerative processes, considering that compelling evidences show that element toxicity might play a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aim of this study was to profile 22 serum elements in subjects with or at risk of AD. Thirtyfour patients with probable AD, 20 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 24 with subjective memory complaint (SMC) and 40 healthy subjects (HS) were included in the study. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016 May 19;23(9):8484-91. Epub 2016 Jan 19.

Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitor, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.

Many trace heavy elements are carcinogenic and increase the incidence of cancer. However, a comprehensive study of the correlation between multiple trace elements and DNA oxidative damage is still lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between the body burden of multiple trace elements and DNA oxidative stress in college students in Guangzhou, China. Read More

Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2015 ;36(4):311-5

1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University in Bratislava and University Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia.

We report a rare case of serious voluntary intoxication by laboratory thallium monobromate combined with alcohol intake by a 24-years old man. The diagnosis of thallium intoxication was based on history, nonspecific but typical clinical symptoms including gastrointestinal complaints, painful polyneuropathy, alopecia, and confirmed by the finding of increased thallium concentration in the urine. The treatment, performed at the due time, consisted of decontamination of the stomach by irrigation, administration of active charcoal and Prussian blue, correction of water and mineral dysbalance, symptomatic treatment, and led to complete recovery. Read More

Int J Toxicol 2015 Nov-Dec;34(6):505-13. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Mexico City, Mexico

Thallium (Tl(+)) is a toxic heavy metal capable of increasing oxidative damage and disrupting antioxidant defense systems. Thallium invades the brain cells through potassium channels, increasing neuronal excitability, although until now the possible role of glutamatergic transmission in this event has not been investigated. Here, we explored the possible involvement of a glutamatergic component in the Tl(+)-induced toxicity through the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) in rats. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2015 Dec 28;536:382-390. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

School of Biological Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.

The acute toxicity of Tl(I) to the microalga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, the planktonic crustaceans, Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex, and early-life stage of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been studied according to OECD protocols. Toxicological end-point concentrations for the microalga ranged from 17 μg l(-1) for a 72 h EyC25 (yield inhibition) to 80 μg l(-1) for a 72 h ErC50 (growth inhibition). Daphnia were less sensitive to Tl, with 48 h EC50s of about 1000 μg l(-1) and 1200 μg l(-1) for D. Read More

Cell J 2015 11;17(2):379-88. Epub 2015 Jul 11.

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Thallium acetate (TI) is a cumulative poison intimately accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation that represents an important risk factor for tissue injury and malfunction. This study aims to determine the possible hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of diallyl sulfide (DAS) from garlic and curcumin from turmeric against TI-induced liver injury and oxidative stress (OS) in rats. This in vivo animal study divided rats into six groups of 8 rats per group. Read More

Biol Trace Elem Res 2016 Feb 1;169(2):359-64. Epub 2015 Jul 1.

College of Wildlife Resource, Northeast Forestry University, PRC, 26 Hexing Rd, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150040, People's Republic of China.

This study assessed the impacts of dietary arsenic trioxide on the contents of 26 elements in the pectoral muscle of chicken. A total of 100 Hy-line laying cocks were randomly divided into two groups (n = 50), including an As-treated group (basic diet supplemented with arsenic trioxide at 30 mg/kg) and a control group (basal diet). The feeding experiment lasted for 90 days and the experimental animals were given free access to feed and drinking water. Read More

J Res Med Sci 2015 Apr;20(4):420-1

Department of Geology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.