Toxicity Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Photosynthetic Pigment Content, Growth, ROS Production and Ultrastructural Changes of Microalgae .

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) exhibit antibacterial activity and are extensively used in numerous applications. The aim of this study was to examine the toxic effect of Ag NPs on the marine microalga, The microalgae, at the exponential growth phase, were treated with different concentrations of Ag NPs (50 and 100 nm) for 96 h. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the used NPs are single and pure Ag phase with a mean crystallite size of 21 and 32 nm.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides and risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in an older population: a prospective analysis from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Background: Little attention has been paid to neurotoxicants on the risk of dementia. Exposure to known neurotoxicants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides is suspected to have adverse cognitive effects in older populations.

Objective: To assess whether plasma concentrations of PCBs and OC pesticides are associated with the risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and of all-cause dementia in the Canadian older population.

4TM-TRPM8 channels are new gatekeepers of the ER-mitochondria Ca transfer.

Calcium (Ca) release from the endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in many cell-fate defining cellular processes. Traditionally, this Ca release was associated with the ER Ca release channels, inositol 1,4,5‑triphosphate receptor (IPR) and ryanodine receptor (RyR). Lately, however, other calcium conductances have been found to be intracellularly localized and to participate in cell fate regulation.

Arctic berry extracts target the gut-liver axis to alleviate metabolic endotoxaemia, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese mice.

Aims/hypothesis: There is growing evidence that fruit polyphenols exert beneficial effects on the metabolic syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the effects of polyphenolic extracts from five types of Arctic berries in a model of diet-induced obesity.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet and orally treated with extracts of bog blueberry (BBE), cloudberry (CLE), crowberry (CRE), alpine bearberry (ABE), lingonberry (LGE) or vehicle (HFHS) for 8 weeks.

Source identification of human exposure to lead in nine Cree Nations from Quebec, Canada (Eeyou Istchee territory).

While policies to decrease lead in the environment have been implemented to reduce human exposure to various lead sources, the use of lead ammunition to harvest wild game may continue to contribute significantly to human blood lead levels (BLLs). As part of a multi-community environment-and-health study, BLLs representing all age groups were evaluated in the nine Cree Nations located in the James and Hudson Bay regions of Quebec, Canada. Personal, market food, traditional food and 24-h recall questionnaires were administered.

Ferroquine, the next generation antimalarial drug, has antitumor activity.

Despite the tremendous progress in medicine, cancer remains one of the most serious global health problems awaiting new effective therapies. Here we present ferroquine (FQ), the next generation antimalarial drug, as a promising candidate for repositioning as cancer therapeutics. We report that FQ potently inhibits autophagy, perturbs lysosomal function and impairs prostate tumor growth in vivo.

Synergistic cellular effects including mitochondrial destabilization, autophagy and apoptosis following low-level exposure to a mixture of lipophilic persistent organic pollutants.

Humans are exposed to multiple exogenous environmental pollutants. Many of these compounds are parts of mixtures that can exacerbate harmful effects of the individual mixture components. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), is primarily produced via industrial processes including incineration and the manufacture of herbicides.

Body burdens, sources and interrelations of selected toxic and essential elements among the nine Cree First Nations of Eeyou Istchee, James Bay region of northern Quebec, Canada.

Background: this article constitutes a report on the comprehensive Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii multi-community environment-and-health study conducted among the Cree peoples (Eeyouch) of northern Quebec, Canada.

Objectives: to interpret observed concentrations of a suite of chemical elements in a multi-media biological monitoring study in terms of sources and predictors.

Methods: the concentrations of 5 essential and 6 toxic chemical elements were measured in whole blood, and/or in urine or hair by ICP-MS.

Activation of mutated TRPA1 ion channel by resveratrol in human prostate cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF).

Previous studies showed the effects of resveratrol (RES) on several cancer cells, including prostate cancer (PCa) cell apoptosis without taking into consideration the impact of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is composed of cancer cells, endothelial cells, blood cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), the main source of growth factors. The latter cells might modify in the TME the impact of RES on tumor cells via secreted factors.

Activation of TRPA1 Channel by Antibacterial Agent Triclosan Induces VEGF Secretion in Human Prostate Cancer Stromal Cells.

Accruing evidence indicates that exposure to environmental compounds may adversely affect human health and promote carcinogenesis. Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent widely used as a preservative in personal care products, has been shown to act as an endocrine disruptor in hormone-dependent tissues. Here, we demonstrate a new molecular mechanism by which TCS stimulates the secretion by human prostate cancer stromal cells of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a factor known to promote tumor growth.

Health effects associated with measured levels of contaminants in the Arctic.

The Human Health Assessment Group has over the past decade recommended that effect studies be conducted in the circumpolar area. Such studies examine the association between contaminant exposure in the Arctic populations and health effects. Because foetuses and young children are the most vulnerable, effect studies are often prospective child cohort studies.

Toxicity effect of graphene oxide on growth and photosynthetic pigment of the marine alga Picochlorum sp. during different growth stages.

Graphene oxide (GO), a recently discovered material, has been investigated for many applications in various fields. Thus, an immense awareness should be paid on the potential effects of the material on the environment as huge quantities of GO may get to the environment. Aquatic organisms, marine algae as an example, are exposed to such material when disposed to the environment.

Altered fine motor function at school age in Inuit children exposed to PCBs, methylmercury, and lead.

Background: Motor deficits have frequently been reported in methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning in adults. However, whether exposure to neurotoxic contaminants from environmental sources early in life is associated with neuromotor impairments has received relatively little attention. This study examines the relation of developmental exposure to MeHg, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and lead to motor function in school-age Inuit children exposed through their traditional diet.

Fatty acid composition of birds and game hunted by the Eastern James Bay Cree people of Québec.

Background: Indigenous peoples have traditionally relied on foods hunted and gathered from their immediate environment. The Eastern James Bay Cree people consume wild game and birds, and these are believed to provide health as well as cultural benefits.

Objective: To determine the fatty acid (FA) composition of traditional game and bird meats hunted in the Eastern James Bay area.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles and relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in Cree (Eeyouch) of Northern Québec.

Background: n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) from fish are known modulators of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Objective: To examine fatty acids (FAs) status and the relationship between n-3 LC-PUFA and cardiometabolic risk factors in Cree participants.

Design: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study (n=829) conducted in Cree adults (aged 18-74 years) from 7 communities of the James Bay territory of Quebec (Canada) in 2005-2009.

Epidermal TRPM8 channel isoform controls the balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation in a cold-dependent manner.

Deviation of the ambient temperature is one of the most ubiquitous stimuli that continuously affect mammals' skin. Although the role of the warmth receptors in epidermal homeostasis (EH) was elucidated in recent years, the mystery of the keratinocyte mild-cold sensor remains unsolved. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a new functional epidermal isoform of the transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) mild-cold receptor, dubbed epidermal TRPM8 (eTRPM8), which is localized in the keratinocyte endoplasmic reticulum membrane and controls mitochondrial Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]m).

What Is in the Caribbean Baby? Assessing Prenatal Exposures and Potential Health Outcomes to Environmental Contaminants in 10 Caribbean Countries.

Objective: To assess prenatal exposures and potential health outcomes to environmental toxicants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), commonly used pesticides, and two heavy metals--mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb)--in 10 Caribbean countries.

Subjects And Methods: For each participating Caribbean island, approximately 50 maternal blood and urine samples were collected and analysed for POPs such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), other common classes of pesticides used in the Caribbean such as organophosphates (OP), carbamates, chlorophenols and pyrethroids, and for Hg and Pb. Data obtained from the participating countries were compared with those from the United States of America and Canada.

Prenatal and early-life polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels and behavior in Inuit preschoolers.

Background: Whereas it is well established that prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can disrupt children's behavior, early postnatal exposure has received relatively little attention in environmental epidemiology.

Objectives: To evaluate prenatal and postnatal exposures to PCB-153, a proxy of total PCB exposure, and their relation to inattention and activity in 5-year-old Inuits from the Cord Blood Monitoring Program.

Methods: Prenatal exposure to PCBs was informed by cord plasma PCB-153 levels.

Iodine status of Eeyou Istchee community members of northern Quebec, Canada, and potential sources.

A multi community environment-and-health study among six of the nine communities of Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec, Canada provided greater insight into iodine intake levels among these Cree First Nation communities. Using data from this large population-based study, descriptive statistics of measured urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) and iodine-creatinine ratios (stratified by age, sex, community of residence, and water consumption) were calculated, and the associations between independent variables and iodine concentration measures were examined through a general linear model. Traditional food consumption contributions were examined through Pearson partial correlation tests and linear regression analyses; and the importance of water sources through ANOVA.

Relation of Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure from Environmental Sources to Childhood IQ.

Background: Although prenatal methylmercury exposure has been linked to poorer intellectual function in several studies, data from two major prospective, longitudinal studies yielded contradictory results. Associations with cognitive deficits were reported in a Faroe Islands cohort, but few were found in a study in the Seychelles Islands. It has been suggested that co-exposure to another contaminant, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), may be responsible for the positive findings in the former study and that co-exposure to nutrients in methylmercury-contaminated fish may have obscured and/or protected against adverse effects in the latter.

Household crowding and food insecurity among Inuit families with school-aged children in the Canadian Arctic.

Objectives: We examined the relation of household crowding to food insecurity among Inuit families with school-aged children in Arctic Quebec.

Methods: We analyzed data collected between October 2005 and February 2010 from 292 primary caregiver-child dyads from 14 Inuit communities. We collected information about household conditions, food security, and family socioeconomic characteristics by interviews.

Curcumin induces crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis mediated by calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomal destabilization and mitochondrial events.

Curcumin, a major active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa, L.), has anticancer effects. In vitro studies suggest that curcumin inhibits cancer cell growth by activating apoptosis, but the mechanism underlying these effects is still unclear.