Molecular architecture and function of the bacterial stressosome.

The bacterial stressosome is a supramolecular multiprotein complex that acts as a critical signal integration and transduction hub, orchestrating cellular responses to environmental stimuli. Recent studies have resolved near-atomic stressosome structures from various bacterial species, revealing assemblies that should be capable of altering their configuration in response to external changes. Further genetic, biochemical, and cell biology research has elucidated interactions and phosphorylation status within the stressosome complex as well as its subcellular localization and mobility within living cells.

Linking pesticide exposure to neurodegenerative diseases: An in vitro investigation with human neuroblastoma cells.

Although many organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been banned or restricted because of their persistence and linkage to neurodegenerative diseases, there is evidence of continued human exposure. In contrast, registered herbicides are reported to have a moderate to low level of toxicity; however, there is little information regarding their toxicity to humans or their combined effects with OCPs. This study aimed to characterize the mechanism of toxicity of banned OCP insecticides (aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, and lindane) and registered herbicides (trifluralin, triallate, and clopyralid) detected at a legacy contaminated pesticide manufacturing and packing site using SH-SY5Y cells.

Herbicides and pesticides synergistically interact at low concentrations in complex mixtures.

Assessing a complex mixture of pesticides at the impacted sites has been challenging for risk assessors for 50 years. The default assumption is that at low concentrations, pesticides interact additively with one another; thus, the risk posed by each component of a complex mixture could be simply added up. The EPA interaction-based hazard index (HI) modifies this assumption using a binary weight-of-evidence (BINWOE).

Correlation between in vitro toxicity of pesticides and in vivo risk guidelines in support of complex operating site risk management: A meta-analysis.

In vitro cell systems can support hazard characterization and identify mechanisms involved in toxicity; however, using in vitro data for risk assessment still is challenging. As part of an effort to develop approaches for a complex operating site used for biocide packaging and distribution, we evaluated in vitro assays that could be used in a site management format. Across 66 studies, 108 pesticides were assessed on ten human-derived cell types at four endpoints.

Health risk assessment of process-related contaminants in bread.

Bread constitutes a popular and even daily component of human diet world-wide, Iran included. However, there are concerns that various processing methods such as frying and baking could result in the production of potentially a source of known carcinogens such as acrylamide (AA) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). The present study tried to perform a risk assessment on seven categories of bread consumers, based on age and gender, calculating the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR), and Margin of Exposure (MOE) related to the dietary intake of AA and BaP.

Treasures old and new: what we can learn regarding the macrocyclic problem from past and present efforts in natural product total synthesis.

In this review the strategies leading to successful macrocyclization, in the context of total synthesis are discussed. These synthetic endeavors will be discussed paying particular attention to the methods employed, and including the type of reactive intermediates that could play a key role in key cyclization steps. In many cases "simple" macrocyclization methods were found to be inadequate, and alternative creative approaches were required.

Effect of intracerebroventricular injection of GABA receptors antagonists on morphine-induced changes in GABA and GLU transmission within the mPFC: an microdialysis study.

Objectives: Many studies have focused on ventral tegmental area than of other mesocorticolimbic areas, and implicated a key role for the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the development of addictive behaviors. So far, the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the discriminative properties of morphine has received little attention and few studies evaluated the role of these receptors in drug dependence. Hence, we investigated the role of this receptor on morphine- induced GABA/ glutamate (GLU) changes in the mPFC following morphine administration using microdialysis.

Biological Monitoring of Healthcare Workers Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs: Urinary Assessment of Cyclophosphamide and Ifosfamide.

Exposure of health care workers to antineoplastic drugs and subsequent adverse health effects is still an open issue. Very little has been studied on the extent of occupational exposure and handling conditions of antineoplastic drugs in Iran. We aimed to determine cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide concentrations in the urine samples of oncology healthcare workers.

Important exposure controls for protection against antineoplastic agents: Highlights for oncology health care workers.

Background: A great number of antineoplastic drugs (ANPDs) are used globally in cancer treatment. Due to their adverse health effects, occupational exposure to ANPDs is considered a potential health risk to health care workers.

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate safe-handling practices of ANPDs, exposure controls, and adverse health implications for health care providers exposed to ANDPs.

The synthesis of some novel stilbene dimers incorporating diamide tethers: studies in single electron transfer oxidation (FeCl).

The FeCl oxidative cascade reaction of the acetamido stilbene 1 which we reported some years ago produced the first atropodiastereomeric indolostilbene hybrid 3. By contrast, recent investigation of the oxidation of the stilbene succinamide dimer 72 (FeCl/CHCl) appears, on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, to have produced the bridged macrocyclic indoline 73.

Item Selection and Content Validity of the Risk Factors of Post-Intubation Tracheal Stenosis Observation Questionnaire for ICU-Admitted Patients.

Background: Laryngotracheal stenosis as a late complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation is a life-threatening event. In order to determine the related risk factors for this complication, which may vary among different countries, designing a valid questionnaire is necessary. The aim of this study was to select the items and evaluate the face and content validities of a questionnaire developed for assessment of risk factors of post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS) in patients admitted in the intensive care unit.

Prevalence of HLA-B*5701 and Its Relationship with Abacavir Hypersensitivity Reaction in Iranian HIV-Infected Patients.

Background: Hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) is a major adverse effect of abacavir (ABC), which occurs in 5-8% of Caucasians. The relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and ABC HSR has been reported in various populations. It has been proposed to administer ABC only to HLA-B*5701 negative patients to avoid this reaction.

Important drug classes associated with potential drug-drug interactions in critically ill patients: highlights for cardiothoracic intensivists.

Background: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are more prone to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The software and charts that indicate all interactions may not be proper for clinical usage. This study aimed to identify the main drug classes associated with clinically significant DDIs in cardiothoracic ICU and categorize DDIs to make cardiothoracic intensivists aware of safe medication usage.

Potential drug-drug interactions in cardiothoracic intensive care unit of a pulmonary teaching hospital.

Little is known about clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in respiratory settings. DDIs are more likely to occur in critically ill patients due to complex pharmacotherapy regimens and organ dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of potential DDIs (pDDIs) occurring in cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) of a pulmonary hospital.

Heavy metal contamination of vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.

Vegetables are an inevitable and important part of a healthy and balanced diet. They could be contaminated by heavy metals in many ways including irrigation by sewage water and industrial effluents sewage sludge, vehicular emissions, industrial waste and atmospheric deposition. In this study, we sought to determine if some vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, potatoes, onions, carrots, persian leeks, dill, spinach, coriander, parsley) grown locally in the suburban of Isfahan city and sold in the urban markets are contaminated with cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb).