Synthesis,Characterization, Speciation,and Biological Studies on Metal Chelates of Carbohydrates with Molecular Docking Investigation

The role of starch aerogel (St-AG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as biolgical active compounds, when they subjected for complexation with metal ions, is assessed in this work. The complexation is carried out with palladium(II) and copper(II) ions, in solid state. Different tools of analysis are carried out to characterize and elucidate the structures of these complexes, namely: elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis, magnetic measurement and molar conductance techniques. All synthesized complexes are formed with 1:2 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry except the case of aerogel starch 1:1 (Pd:starch). All isolated complexes show a satisfactory cytotoxic effect results against colon cancer cell lines HCT11. Additionally, these complexes are screened for their antibacterial activities against two types of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Molecular docking investigation confirmed the cytotoxicity and antibacterial results. Proton–ligands association constants and their complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions, using potentiometric method show that the complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 [metal:ligand]. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3D transition metals followed the order Mn²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺.     

Ordinary Gasoline Emissions Induce a Toxic Response in Bronchial Cells Grown at Air-Liquid Interface

Gasoline engine emissions have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and represent a significant health risk. In this study, we used MucilAir™, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human airway, and BEAS-2B, cells originating from the human bronchial epithelium, grown at the air-liquid interface to assess the toxicity of ordinary gasoline exhaust produced by a direct injection spark ignition engine. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), production of mucin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and adenylate kinase (AK) activities were analyzed after one day and five days of exposure. The induction of double-stranded DNA breaks was measured by the detection of histone H2AX phosphorylation. Next-generation sequencing was used to analyze the modulation of expression of the relevant 370 genes. The exposure to gasoline emissions affected the integrity, as well as LDH and AK leakage in the 3D model, particularly after longer exposure periods. Mucin production was mostly decreased with the exception of longer BEAS-2B treatment, for which a significant increase was detected. DNA damage was detected after five days of exposure in the 3D model, but not in BEAS-2B cells. The expression of CYP1A1 and GSTA3 was modulated in MucilAir™ tissues after 5 days of treatment. In BEAS-2B cells, the expression of 39 mRNAs was affected after short exposure, most of them were upregulated. The five days of exposure modulated the expression of 11 genes in this cell line. In conclusion, the ordinary gasoline emissions induced a toxic response in MucilAir™. In BEAS-2B cells, the biological response was less pronounced, mostly limited to gene expression changes.     

Hydrogen desorption from alloys Mg–Cu(–KCl): Cu catalysis in detail

Effect of chemical composition of Mg-xCu based alloys (x = 9.94–58.00 wt %) modified by KCl upon their hydrogen storage performance was studied. Kinetic curves and pressure-concentration isotherms were measured in the ranges up to 60 bar and 388 °C, respectively. It was observed that desorption rate dc/dt is not significantly influenced by the composition. Unknown Cu-rich phase was detected that has shown a catalytic effect on desorption from a mixture with other phases. Activation energy of hydrogen desorption decreased with increasing x from 180 kJ/mol down to 98 kJ/mol. Average hydride dissociation enthalpy, ΔH, for the lowest plateau was 75 kJ/mol which is equal to literature value for pure Mg. Slightly lover average value, 67 kJ/mol was obtained for the second plateau and ΔH for the third one decreased from 70 kJ/mol for the lowest to 49 kJ/mol for the highest x.     

Mycotoxin exposure and human cancer risk: A systematic review of epidemiological studies

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in investigating the carcinogenicity of mycotoxins in humans. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of data linking exposure to different mycotoxins with human cancer risk. Publications (2019 and earlier) of case–control or longitudinal cohort studies were identified in PubMed and EMBASE. These articles were then screened by independent reviewers and their quality was assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Animal, cross‐sectional, and molecular studies satisfied criteria for exclusion. In total, 14 articles were included: 13 case–control studies and 1 longitudinal cohort study. Included articles focused on associations of mycotoxin exposure with primary liver, breast, and cervical cancer. Overall, a positive association between the consumption of aflatoxin‐contaminated foods and primary liver cancer risk was verified. Two case–control studies in Africa investigated the relationship between zearalenone and its metabolites and breast cancer risk, though conflicting results were reported. Two case–control studies investigated the association between hepatocellular carcinoma and fumonisin B1 exposure, but no significant associations were observed. This systematic review incorporates several clear observations of dose‐dependent associations between aflatoxins and liver cancer risk, in keeping with IARC Monograph conclusions. Only few human epidemiological studies investigated the associations between mycotoxin exposures and cancer risk. To close this gap, more in‐depth research is needed to unravel evidence for other common mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A. The link between mycotoxin exposures and cancer risk has mainly been established in experimental studies, and needs to be confirmed in human epidemiological studies to support the evidence‐based public health strategies.     

Ultrathin hydroxyapatite coating on pure magnesium substrate prepared by pulsed electron ablation technique

Magnesium (Mg) as a potential material for biodegradable implants is attractive due to its mechanical similarity to the bone tissue and nontoxic corrosion products. However, the rapid corrosion rate of bare magnesium is associated with hydrogen release, which may complicate the healing process. The corrosion rate may be reduced by suitable alloying, but concurrently the biocompatibility of such alloy might be deteriorated. Another way of reduction of the corrosion rate is coating. Hydroxyapatite (HA)-based coating is considered to improve biocompatibility as well as decrease the corrosion rate by the barrier effect. In this study, ultrathin (150 nm) HA and HA containing Sr coatings are deposited via pulsed electron ablation technique on pure Mg. The microstructure of the coating was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical methods were used to investigate the corrosion properties of prepared coatings. The materials covered by this layer were characterized by superior corrosion behavior, with corrosion rates of coated samples up to five times lower as compared with the uncoated ones. Such coating is the thinnest coating found in the literature sources.     

Interaction of Cucurbit[7]uril with Oxime K027, Atropine,and Paraoxon: Risky or Advantageous Delivery System?

Antidotes against organophosphates often possess physicochemical properties that mitigate their passage across the blood–brain barrier. Cucurbit[7]urils may be successfully used as a drug delivery system for bisquaternary oximes and improve central nervous system targeting. The main aim of these studies was to elucidate the relationship between cucurbit[7]uril, oxime K027, atropine, and paraoxon to define potential risks or advantages of this delivery system in a complex in vivo system. For this reason, in silico (molecular docking combined with umbrella sampling simulation) and in vivo (UHPLC—pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics; acetylcholinesterase reactivation and functional observatory battery) methods were used. Based on our results, cucurbit[7]urils affect multiple factors in organophosphates poisoning and its therapy by (i) scavenging paraoxon and preventing free fraction of this toxin from entering the brain, (ii) enhancing the availability of atropine in the central nervous system and by (iii) increasing oxime passage into the brain. In conclusion, using cucurbit[7]urils with oximes might positively impact the overall treatment effectiveness and the benefits can outweigh the potential risks.     

Combined exposure to cyanobacterial biomass, lead and the Newcastle virus enhances avian toxicity

Under environmental conditions, wild birds can be exposed to multiple stressors including natural toxins, anthropogenic pollutants and infectious agents at the same time.This experimental study was successful in testing the hypothesis that adverse effects of cyanotoxins, heavy metals and a non-pathogenic immunological challenge combine to enhance avian toxicity. Mortality occurred in combined exposures to naturally occurring cyanobacterial biomass and lead shots, lead shots and Newcastle vaccination as well as in single lead shot exposure. Mostly acute effects around day 10 were observed. On day 30 of exposure, there were no differences in the liver accumulation of lead in single and combined exposure groups. Interestingly, liver microcystin levels were elevated in birds co-exposed to cyanobacterial biomass together with lead or lead and the Newcastle virus. Significant differences in body weights between all Pb-exposed and Pb-non-exposed birds were found on days 10 and 20. Single exposure to cyanobacterial biomass resulted in hepatic vacuolar dystrophy, whereas co-exposure with lead led to more severe granular dystrophy. Haematological changes were associated with lead exposure, in particular. Biochemical analysis revealed a decrease in glucose and an increase in lactate dehydrogenase in single and combined cyanobacterial and lead exposures, which also showed a decreased antibody response to vaccination.The combined exposure of experimental birds to sub-lethal doses of individual stressors is ecologically realistic. It brings together new pieces of knowledge on avian health. In light of this study, investigators of wild bird die-offs should be circumspect when evaluating findings of low concentrations of contaminants that would not result in mortality on a separate basis. As such it has implications for wildlife biologists, veterinarians and conservationists of avian biodiversity.     

Problem of the reference height of the projectile trajectory as a reduced meteo-ballistic weighting factor

This paper deals with the issue of preparation of the aiming angles with the use of tabular firing tables and needed determination of the ballistic elements μB （ballistic wind wB Wxm WzB, ballistic （virtual） temperature τB, ballistic density ρB） from the standardized met messages. The weighting factors are used for the calculation of ballistic elementsμB that are incorporated into the trajectory calculations characteristics of weapon and ammunition. Two different methodologies practically used in the praxis are analysed and compared. For the comparison of the two methodologies the reference height of trajectory determined from the weighting factor functions is employed. On the basis of the analyses conducted, the potential for further increase in accuracy of these aiming angles preparation methods is pointed out.     

Indene epoxidation over immobilized methyltrioxorhenium on MCM-41 silica,fumed silica and aluminosilicate materials

The presented report focuses on the testing of heterogenized methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) in indene epoxidation. A range of mesoporous materials with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios, namely aluminosilicates type Siral and MCM-41 silica and fumed silica, were used as supports for immobilization of MTO. The tested support materials and prepared catalytic systems exhibited high surface area, well-defined regular structure and narrow pore size distribution of mesopores and therefore represent good quality catalysts for various reactions. The immobilized MTO on various supports was tested for the preparation of 1,2-epoxyindane using two forms of hydrogen peroxide as oxidation agents, namely aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and its anhydrous form, urea-hydrogen peroxide. The prepared catalysts were successfully used for the preparation of 1,2-epoxyindane with achieved 100 % selectivities to the desired product at high conversions of indene.     

Eucalyptol is an Attractant of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle,Xyleborus Glabratus

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is an invasive wood-boring beetle that has become established in the southeastern United States. The beetle transmits the causal pathogen of lethal laurel wilt to susceptible host trees, which include redbay, an important forest community species, and avocado, a valuable food crop. By examining odors of redbay wood, we developed an artificial lure that captured X. glabratus in redbay forests. Eucalyptol was a critical component of the blend for beetle attraction, and eucalyptol alone in large quantities attracted X. glabratus. Furthermore, eucalyptol stimulated boring by X. glabratus into paper arenas. The results suggest that eucalyptol contributes to host selection behavior of X. glabratus and may be useful for management of this pathogen vector.