Isolated nuclei from mammalian cells contain a calcium-dependent endonuclease. The produced DNA fragmentation is a necessary step in the sequence of events resulting in apoptosis (programmed cell death). We report here that zinc and cadmium inhibit the calcium-dependent endonuclease. The essential metal ion zinc may counterbalance the calcium-mediated apoptosis. In contrast to zinc, cadmium alone stimulates the endonuclease by replacing calcium. Thus cadmium exerts a dual effect: micromolar concentrations inhibit the apoptotic endonuclease in the presence but activate the enzyme in the absence of calcium.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.94102s3269 | DOI Listing |
Environ Manage
January 2025
Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavík, Iceland.
This research assesses heavy metal contamination within the riparian zone of the Danro River, a tributary of the Ganges River basin in India, particularly impacted by sand mining activities. The study conducted analyses on major and trace elements in soil samples, focusing on those identified as ecologically hazardous by the Water Framework Directive of India. Utilizing a combination of indices (Enrichment Factor, Pollution Load Index, and Index of geo-accumulation) and statistical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the investigation aimed to evaluate contamination severity, ecological risks, and pollution sources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Chem
January 2025
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding / Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory / Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. Electronic address:
The fortification of aleurone cells represents a promising avenue for enhancing the nutritional quality of cereal. This study investigated dorsal aleurone thickness (DAT) in a rice diversity panel comprising 180 varieties, revealing that DAT of the Geng subspecies is typically greater than that of the Xian subspecies. The minerals and primary metabolites accumulated in the brown grains of ten rice varieties exhibiting distinct DAT were subjected to analysis using spectrometry-based technologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Applied Plant Biology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) and salinity poses a significant challenge, affecting crop health and productivity. This study explores the combined application of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to mitigate the toxic effects of Cd and salinity in wheat plants. Field experiments conducted in Cd-contaminated saline soils revealed that the application of SCB (0, 5, and 10 t ha) and ZnO NPs (0, 12.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
January 2025
Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco.
This study comprehensively analyzes the mineral and heavy metal profiles of seven honey types, focusing on the contents of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), with particular emphasis on honey produced in eastern Morocco. Multifloral honey was found to have the highest total mineral content (661 mg/kg), while rosemary honey had the lowest (201.31 mg/kg), revealing the strong influence of floral and botanical origin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
Objective: The study aims to assess the overall safety of cultured tilapias in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia by assessing the impact of infection and anthropogenic pollution on farmed tilapias based on fish sex, body weight, length, and heavy metals contamination.
Materials And Methods: A total of 111 fish were collected from an aquaculture farm in Hada Al-Sham, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Physicochemical parameters of water from the culture system were evaluated.
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