Metals on the Menu-Analyzing the Presence, Importance, and Consequences.

Metals are integral components of the natural environment, and their presence in the food supply is inevitable and complex. While essential metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper are crucial for various physiological functions and must be consumed through the diet, others, like lead, mercury, and cadmium, are toxic even at low concentrations and pose serious health risks. This study comprehensively analyzes the presence, importance, and consequences of metals in the food chain.

Pesticide Use and Degradation Strategies: Food Safety, Challenges and Perspectives.

While recognizing the gaps in pesticide regulations that impact consumer safety, public health concerns associated with pesticide contamination of foods are pointed out. The strategies and research directions proposed to prevent and/or reduce pesticide adverse effects on human health and the environment are discussed. Special attention is paid to organophosphate pesticides, as widely applied insecticides in agriculture, veterinary practices, and urban areas.

A new acetylcholinesterase allosteric site responsible for binding voluminous negatively charged molecules - the role in the mechanism of AChE inhibition.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are important in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Two inhibitors, 12-tungstosilicic acid (WSiA) and 12-tungstophosphoric acid (WPA), which have polyoxometalate (POM) type structure, have been shown to inhibit AChE activity in nM concentration. Circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that the AChE inhibition was not accompanied by significant changes in the secondary structure of the enzyme.

Conjugates of Gold Nanoparticles and Antitumor Gold(III) Complexes as a Tool for Their AFM and SERS Detection in Biological Tissue.

Citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were functionalized with three distinct antitumor gold(III) complexes, e.g., [Au(N,N)(OH)][PF], where (N,N)=2,2'-bipyridine; [Au(C,N)(AcO)], where (C,N)=deprotonated 6-(1,1-dimethylbenzyl)-pyridine; [Au(C,N,N)(OH)][PF], where (C,N,N)=deprotonated 6-(1,1-dimethylbenzyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, to assess the chance of tracking their subcellular distribution by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) techniques.

Copper-polyaniline nanocomposite: Role of physicochemical properties on the antimicrobial activity and genotoxicity evaluation.

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) have proven to own excellent antimicrobial efficacy, but the problems of easy oxidation and aggregation limit their practical application. Here, nanocomposite based on polyaniline (PANI) and Cu NPs solved this problem and brought additional physicochemical properties that are markedly advantageous for antimicrobial applications. Current work exploits this potential, to examine its time- and concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity, employing E.

UV-C light irradiation enhances toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and its formulations.

UV-C irradiation is widely used in the food industry. However, the health effects from dietary exposure to the irradiated pesticide residues retained in foodstuffs are underestimated. In this study, technical chlorpyrifos (TCPF) and its oil in water (EW) and emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations were irradiated by UV-C, and their photodegradation products were subjected to toxicity assessment, including determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress using human blood cells as a model system.

Ruthenium(II)-N-alkyl phenothiazine complexes as potential anticancer agents.

In recent years, the search for effective anticancer compounds based on transition metal complexes has been the focus of medical investigations. The synergy between the ruthenium(II) and N-alkylphenothiazine counter-ions (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, thioridazine hydrochloride and trifluoperazine dihydrochloride, respectively) through the formation of three different complexes (1-3) was investigated. We explored whether the selected counter-ions and complexes might affect redox homeostasis and genome integrity of normal human blood cells, and induce an inhibition of Na/K-ATPase and AChE at pharmacologically relevant doses.

Modulators of Acetylcholinesterase Activity: From Alzheimer's Disease to Anti-Cancer Drugs.

Background: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is involved in the termination of impulse transmission by rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in numerous cholinergic pathways in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The enzyme inactivation leads to acetylcholine accumulation, hyperstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, and disrupted neurotransmission. Hence, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, interacting with the enzyme as their primary target, are applied as relevant drugs for different neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) as well as toxins.

The impact of concentration and administration time on the radiomodulating properties of undecylprodigiosin in vitro.

Undecylprodigiosin pigment (UPP) is reported to display cytotoxic activity towards various types of tumours. Nevertheless, its efficacy in modifying the cellular response to ionising radiation is still unknown. In this study, the radiomodulating effects of UPP were investigated.

Biological effects of bacterial pigment undecylprodigiosin on human blood cells treated with atmospheric gas plasma in vitro.

It is known that some bacterial species are more resilient to different kinds of irradiation due to the naturally developed protective mechanisms and compounds such as pigments. On the other hand, reasoned tissue engineering using plasma remains a critical task and requires very precise control of plasma parameters in order to mitigate its potential detrimental effects. Here we isolated a natural protective agent, microbially produced undecylprodigiosin ((5'Z)-4'-methoxy-5'-[(5-undecyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene]-1H,5'H-2,2'-bipyrrole), and investigated its effects on human blood cells independently and in combination with plasma.

Biological activity and binding properties of [Ru(II)(dcbpy)2Cl2] complex to bovine serum albumin, phospholipase A2 and glutathione.

Ruthenium compounds are highly regarded as metallo-drug candidates. Many studies have focused their attention on the interaction between ruthenium complexes with their possible biological targets. The interaction of ruthenium complexes with transport proteins, enzymes and peptides is of great importance for understanding their biodistribution and mechanism of action, therefore, the development of an anti-cancer therapy involving ruthenium complexes has recently shifted from DNA targeting towards protein targeting.

Myeloperoxidase Inhibitors as Potential Drugs.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important member of the haem peroxidase - cyclooxygenase superfamily. This enzyme is physiologically expressed in circulating neutrophils, monocytes and some tissue macrophages including microglia. MPO plays an essential role in the antimicrobial and antiviral system of humans.

BAC-probes applied for characterization of fragile sites (FS).

Genomic instability tends to occur at specific genomic regions known as common fragile sites (FS). FS are evolutionarily conserved and generally involve late replicating regions with AT-rich sequences. The possible correlation between some FS and cancer-related breakpoints emphasizes on the importance of understanding the mechanisms of chromosomal instability at these sites.

Standing at the gateway to Europe--the genetic structure of Western balkan populations based on autosomal and haploid markers.

Contemporary inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula belong to several ethnic groups of diverse cultural background. In this study, three ethnic groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosniacs, Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Serbs - as well as the populations of Serbians, Croatians, Macedonians from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegrins and Kosovars have been characterized for the genetic variation of 660 000 genome-wide autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms and for haploid markers. New autosomal data of the 70 individuals together with previously published data of 20 individuals from the populations of the Western Balkan region in a context of 695 samples of global range have been analysed.

Radiation-induced mitotic catastrophe in FANCD2 primary fibroblasts.

Purpose: As the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway is required for appropriate cell cycle progression through mitosis and the completion of cell division, the aim of the present study was to determine the destiny of FA cells after irradiation in vitro and to elucidate any difference in radiosensitivity between FA and control cells.

Materials And Methods: Analyses of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) foci, micronuclei formation and cell cycle analysis were performed in unirradiated (0 min) and irradiated primary FA fibroblasts and in a control group at different post-irradiation times (30 min, 2 h, 5 h and 24 h).

Results: The accumulation of γ-H2AX foci in irradiated FA fibroblasts was observed.

Genotoxic assessment of carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes are unique one-dimensional macromolecules with promising application in biology and medicine. Since their toxicity is still under debate, here we describe an investigation of genotoxic properties of purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and amide-functionalized purified SWCNT. We used two different cell systems: cultured human lymphocytes where we employed cytokinesis-block micronucleus test and human fibroblasts where we investigate the induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) employing H2AX phosphorylation assay.

Dysfunctional telomeres in primary cells from Fanconi anemia FANCD2 patients.

Background: Fanconi anemia (FA) is characterized by sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents, mild cellular, and marked clinical radio sensitivity. In this study we investigated telomeric abnormalities of non-immortalized primary cells (lymphocytes and fibroblasts) derived from FA patients of the FA-D2 complementation group, which provides a more accurate physiological assessment than is possible with transformed cells or animal models.

Results: We analyzed telomere length, telomere dysfunction-induced foci (TIFs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), telomere sister chromatid exchanges (T-SCE), apoptosis and expression of shelterin components TRF1 and TRF2.

Gender-related differences in the oxidant state of cells in Fanconi anemia heterozygotes.

Abstract Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare cancer-prone genetic disorder characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, chromosomal instability and redox abnormalities. There is much biochemical and genetic data, which strongly suggest that FA cells experience increased oxidative stress. The present study was designed to elucidate if differences in oxidant state exist between control, idiopathic bone marrow failure (idBMF) and FA cells, and to analyze oxidant state of cells in FA heterozygous carriers as well.

Fanconi anemia is characterized by delayed repair kinetics of DNA double-strand breaks.

Among patients with bone marrow failure (BMF) syndrome, some are happened to have underlying Fanconi anemia (FA), a genetically heterogeneous disease, which is characterized by progressive pancytopenia and cancer susceptibility. Due to heterogeneous nature of the disease, a single genetic test, as in vitro response to DNA cross-linking agents, usually is not enough to make correct diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether measuring repair kinetics of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can distinguish Fanconi anemia from other BMF patients.

Toxic effects of diazinon and its photodegradation products.

The toxic effects of diazinon and its irradiated solutions were investigated using cultivated human blood cells (lymphocytes and erythrocytes) and skin fibroblasts. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)-UV/VIS system was used to monitor the disappearance of starting diazinon during 115-min photodegradation and formation of its by-products (diazoxon and 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (IMP)) as a function of time. Dose-dependent AChE and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition by diazinon was obtained for all investigated cells.

Using carbon nanotubes to induce micronuclei and double strand breaks of the DNA in human cells.

Carbon nanotubes are unique one-dimensional macromolecules with promising applications in biology and medicine. Since their toxicity is still under debate, here we present a study investigating the genotoxic properties of purified single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and amide functionalized purified SWCNTs on cultured human lymphocytes employing cytokinesis block micronucleus assay and enumeration of gamma H2AX foci as a measure of double strand breaks (DSBs) of the DNA in normal human fibroblasts. SWCNTs induce micronuclei (MN) formation in lymphocytes and decrease the proliferation potential (CBPI) of cells.

Biological effects of Echinacea purpurea on human blood cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate radioprotective properties of Echinacea purpurea tablets in vivo. We analysed lymphocyte chromosome aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN), apoptosis of leukocytes and haematological parameters in a group of radiation workers who were identified as carrying dicentric chromosomes in their lymphocytes. All radiation workers were taking two 275 mg Echinacea tablets b.

Radioprotective effects of Gentianella austriaca fractions and polyphenolic constituents in human lymphocytes.

The aim of this study was to identify active principles of Gentianella austriaca responsible for the reduction of the incidence of micronuclei in irradiated lymphocytes in vitro. The radioprotective effects of ether (EF) and methanolic (MeF) fractions, water-soluble xanthones demethylbellidifolin (1), demethylbellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (2), bellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (3), and flavonoid swertisin (4) against chromosomal damage induced by gamma-rays were determined using the micronucleus test. EF and MeF showed better protection in treatment of human lymphocytes after gamma-irradiation than did isolated compounds.