The occurrence and human health risk assessment of total and aflatoxin B in selected food commodities in Bhutan.

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that contaminate staple foods globally and pose a significant health risk. To the best of our knowledge, information on the occurrence of aflatoxins in Bhutanese diets is scarce. This study aimed to estimate the aflatoxin levels in selected foodstuffs in Bhutan and determine the health risk associated with aflatoxin exposure.

Assessment of exposure to pesticides and the knowledge, attitude and practice among farmers of western Bhutan.

An estimated 69% of the population of Bhutan is engaged in agriculture. Farmers are exposed to a wide variety of pesticides during the preparation, transport, storage, mixing and application of pesticides posing a significant health risk. A controlled cross-sectional study of farmers in selected sites of Bhutan was conducted to characterize the level of exposure to pesticides and assess their knowledge attitude and practice on the safe handling of pesticides.

Lead and Mercury Exposure and Related Health Problems in Metal Artisan Workplaces and High-Risk Household Contacts in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Background: Metal artisans have been using lead and mercury in their settings for centuries. Exposure to these toxic heavy metals causes adverse health effects. We assessed the occupational exposure of metal artisans and their high-risk household contacts at Thimphu, Bhutan.

Precursor-Directed Generation of Indolocarbazoles with Topoisomerase IIα Inhibitory Activity.

One new indolocarbazole, 3-hydroxy-K252d (), together with the recently reported 3-hydroxyholyrine A () and 3'--acetyl-3-hydroxyholyrine A (), were obtained by feeding a culture of the marine-derived strain OUCMDZ-3118 with 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compound potently induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting topoisomerase IIα enzyme activity and reducing the expression of antiapoptosis protein level.

Inhibition of Topoisomerase IIα and Induction of Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cells by 19-Triisopropyl Andrographolide.

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer in Eastern Asia. Increasing chemoresistance and general systemic toxicities have complicated the current chemotherapy leading to an urgent need of more effective agents. The present study reported a potent DNA topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity of an andrographolide analogue (19-triisopropyl andrographolide, analogue-6) in gastric cancer cells; MKN-45, and AGS cells.