Carcinogenic Agents Research Articles

The Parasitism and Tumors Carcinogenesis: A Review Subject.

Multi-factorial reasons are an induction to cause cancer. Different infections and infestations with viruses, bacteria, and parasites have been detected for many years to be related to human carcinogenesis. The study aimed to review all ideas of tumor carcinogenesis and its associations with parasitic infections and infestations. We reviewed several articles (published and imprinted) by selecting, extracting, and synthesizing data about the relationship between cancers and parasites. Several helminths infections as schistosomiasis, are highly carcinogenic agents for bladder cancer, whereas trypanosomiasis has a bi-model role in cancer development. Leishmaniasis may be a cause of hepatocarcinoma, skin cancer, and lymphomas. In addition, malaria appears to be causative in the carcinogenesis of some cancers; as Burkitt lymphoma. Also, data from previous studies suggested that Strongyloides stercoralis may be a relevant co-factor in lymphomas. There are different mechanisms of parasitic infection to be enhancing in carcinogenesis of cancer in human.

Potential of gaseous ozone to inhibit Aspergillus flavus and detoxify aflatoxin B1 in agar and broth media (solid and liquid food states) at different growth phases

Agricultural food crops are prone to Aspergillus flavus contamination during post-harvest and storage stages. Their consumption is toxic due to aflatoxin production, a potent carcinogenic and immunosuppressive agent. Present study explored the ozone's effect as a function of food media states (solid and liquid) to inhibit Aspergillus flavus under three modes of treatment (0th-day, Every-day and Nth-day ozone treatment), that adds novelty to the work. Results showed that ozone concentration to treat Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins is higher in liquid than solid food state. Further, ozone treatment affected the intactness of fungal spores and inhibited 100% conidial growth. It also exhibited 88 %% inhibition and 90% reduced biomass in solid and liquid food states. Effectiveness of ozone towards inhibiting Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin was in the following order: Nth -day treatment > Every-day treatment > 0th -day ozone treatment. Further, growth studies showed ozone treated cultures exhibit delayed sporulation and aflatoxin production by 72 h. when cultured on fresh media. Additionally, ozone purging into extracted aflatoxin led to > 99% degradation. The above results show the significance of ozone technology in increasing the shelf-life of post-harvested food crops. Further, it can be used as a disinfectant in the food industry to treat contaminated food crops/liquid products by detoxifying aflatoxins.

Role of the Microbiome in the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Cancers.

Stomach and esophageal cancers are among the highest mortality from cancers worldwide. Microbiota has an interplaying role within the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dysbiosis occurs when a disruption of the balance between the microbiota and the host happens. With this narrative review, we discuss the main alterations in the microbiome of gastroesophageal cancer, revealing its potential role in the pathogenesis, early detection, and treatment. Helicobacter pylori plays a major role the development of a cascade of preneoplastic conditions ranging from atrophic gastritis to metaplasia and dysplasia, ultimately culminating in gastric cancer, while other pathogenic agents are Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli, and Lactobacillus. Campylobacter species (spp.)'s role in the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma may parallel that of Helicobacter pylori in the context of gastric cancer, with other esophageal carcinogenic agents being Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Moreover, gut microbiome could significantly alter the outcomes of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The gut microbiome can be modulated through interventions such as antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics intake. Fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as a therapeutic strategy as well. Nowadays, it is widely accepted that changes in the normal gut microbiome causing dysbiosis and immune dysregulation play a role gastroesophageal cancer. Different interventions, including probiotics and prebiotics intake are being developed to improve therapeutic outcomes and mitigate toxicities associated with anticancer treatment. Further studies are required in order to introduce the microbiome among the available tools of precision medicine in the field of anticancer treatment.

Toward Cancer Chemoprevention: Mathematical Modeling of Chemically Induced Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention

Cancer, which is currently rated as the second-leading cause of mortality across the globe, is one of the most hazardous disease groups that has plagued humanity for centuries. The experiments presented here span over two decades and were conducted on a specific species of mice, aiming to neutralize a highly carcinogenic agent by altering its chemical structure when combined with certain compounds. A plethora of growth models, each of which makes use of distinctive qualities, are utilized in the investigation and explanation of the phenomena of chemically induced oncogenesis and prevention. The analysis ultimately results in the formalization of the process of locating the growth model that provides the best descriptive power based on predefined criteria. This is accomplished through a methodological workflow that adopts a computational pipeline based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with pioneering and conventional metrics as well as a ruleset. The developed process simplifies the investigated phenomena as the parameter space of growth models is reduced. The predictability is proven strong in the near future (i.e., a 0.61% difference between the predicted and actual values). The parameters differentiate between active compounds (i.e., classification results reach up to 96% in sensitivity and other performance metrics). The distribution of parameter contribution complements the findings that the logistic growth model is the most appropriate (i.e., 44.47%). In addition, the dosage of chemicals is increased by a factor of two for the next round of trials, which exposes parallel behavior between the two dosages. As a consequence, the study reveals important information on chemoprevention and the cycles of cancer proliferation. If developed further, it might lead to the development of nutritional supplements that completely inhibit the expansion of cancerous tumors. The methodology provided can be used to describe other phenomena that progress over time and it has the power to estimate future results.

Effects of unburned tobacco smoke on inflammatory and oxidative mediators in the rat prefrontal cortex

Although the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the marketing of “heat-not-burn” (HnB) electronic cigarettes as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP), toxicological effects of HnB smoke exposure on the brain are still unexplored. Here, paramagnetic resonance of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of HnB-exposed rats shows a dramatic increase in reactive radical species (RRS) yield coupled with an inflammatory response mediated by NF-κB-target genes including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and the downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and gamma expression. The PFC shows higher levels of 8-hydroxyguanosine, a marker of DNA oxidative damage, along with the activation of antioxidant machinery and DNA repair systems, including xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) protein complex and 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1. HnB also induces the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes such as CYP1A1, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP2E, particularly involved in the biotransformation of nicotine and several carcinogenic agents such as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons here recorded in the HnB stick smoke. Taken together, these effects, from disruption of redox homeostasis, inflammation, PPAR manipulation along with enhanced bioactivation of neurotoxicants, and upregulation of cMYC protooncogene to impairment of primary cellular defense mechanisms, suggest a possible increased risk of brain cancer. Although the HnB device reduces the emission of tobacco toxicants, our findings indicate that its consumption may carry a risk of potential adverse health effects, especially in non-smokers so far. Further studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of these devices.

Genotoxic effects and mitosis aberrations of chromium (VI) on root cells of Vicia faba and its molecular docking analysis

Like other heavy metals, Cr (VI) is a powerful carcinogen and mutagen agent. Its toxic effects on plants are well considered. In order to elucidate its adverse effects, the present work aims to study the mitosis aberrations of Cr (VI) on the Vicia faba root-cells and its molecular docking analysis to understand the genotoxicity mechanisms. In-vivo, Vicia faba plants were exposed to 50 and 100 μM Cr (VI) for 48 h. In-silico, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to study the interactions between dichromate and tubulin tyrosine ligase T2R-TTL (PDBID: 5XIW) with reference to Colchicine (microtubule inhibitor). According to our results, Cr (VI) affects growth and cell division and also induces many mitosis aberrations such as chromosome sticking, anaphase/telophase bridges, lagging chromosomes and fragmentation during all phases of mitosis. On the one hand, Cr (VI) reduces mitotic index and promotes micronuclei induction. The in-silico results showed that dichromate establishes very strong bonds at the binding site of the tubulin tyrosine ligase T2R-TTL, with a binding affinity of −5.17 Kcal/Mol and an inhibition constant of 163.59 μM. These interactions are similar to those of colchicine with this protein, so dichromate could be a very potent inhibitor of this protein's activity. TTL plays a fundamental role in the tyrosination/detyrosination of tubulin, which is crucial to the regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Its inhibition leads to the appearance of many morphogenic abnormalities such as mitosis aberrations. In conclusion, our data confirm the highest genotoxicity effects of Cr (VI) on Vicia faba root-cells.

A systematic review on multipotent carcinogenic agent, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), its major risk assessment, and precautions.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) as a possible carcinogen and mutagenic substances, placing it in category 2A of compounds that are probably harmful to humans. It is found in nature and tobacco smoke, along with its precursors, and is also synthesized endogenously in the human body. The oral or parenteral administration of a minimal quantity of NDEA results in severe liver and kidney organ damage. The NDEA required bioactivation by CYP450 enzyme to form DNA adduct in the alkylation mechanism. Thus, this bioactivation directs oxidative stress and injury to cells due to the higher formation of reactive oxygen species and alters antioxidant system in tissues, whereas free radical scavengers guard the membranes from NDEA-directed injury in many enzymes. This might be one of the reasons in the etiology of cancer that is not limited to a certain target organ but can affect various organs and organ systems. Althoughthere are various possible approaches for the treatment of NDEA-induced cancer, their therapeutic outcomes are still very dismal. However, several precautions were considered to be taken during handling or working with NDEA, as it considered being the best way to lower down the occurrence of NDEA-directed cancers. The present review was designed to enlighten the general guidelines for working with NDEA, possible mechanism, to alter the antioxidant line to cause malignancy in different parts of animal body along with its protective agents. Thus, revelation to constant, unpredictable stress situations even in common life may remarkably augment the toxic potential through the rise in the oxidative stress and damage of DNA.

Developing a Rapid and Sensitive Colorimetric Sensor for Detection of Food Adulterant Rhodamine‐B in Real Samples

AbstractRhodamine B (Rh−B) is a well‐known carcinogenic agent with potential health risks, yet it is frequently used as a food adulterant in developing countries. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of a Broussonetia Zeylanica extract (BZ‐EXT) from a plant for the rapid, efficient, and sensitive colorimetric sensing of Rh−B. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.41 μg/mL and 1.31 μg/mL, respectively. We demonstrating superior sensitivity compared to conventional methods using DI water as a solvent. Furthermore, the practical applicability of the developed material was successfully tested in real samples, yielding estimated values of Rh−B are 0.76 μg/mL and 0.52 μg/mL, respectively. The pH dependent colorimetric sensing performance of the BZ‐EXT for Rh−B detection was found more efficient at aqueous pH value of 9.2. These results highlight the potential of the BZ‐EXT as a promising tool for rapid and sensitive detection of Rh−B food adulteration in real samples.

Black soybean extract inhibits rat mammary carcinogenesis through BRCA1 and TNF-α expression: In silico and in vivo study.

Mammary gland carcinoma is a malignant type of cancer that occurs in mammae tissue. Dimethylbenzene (α) anthracene (DMBA) is a carcinogenic agent that causes mammary cancer by damaging cellular DNA. Flavonoids found in the black soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) exhibit anti-carcinogenic effects. This study evaluated the anticarcinogenic effects of black soybean extract. The activity of flavonoid compounds in black soybean was determined in silico. Five groups of rats, four in each group, were established, consisting of a negative control, a positive control, and three treatment groups. Treatment included black soybean extract administration (i.e., T1 = 200, T2 = 400, and T3 = 800 mg of black soybean extract/kg body weight for 10 days). The observed parameters included the immunohistochemical analysis of Breast Cancer 1(BRCA1) and TNF-α. Based on an in silico study, compounds from black soybeans are non-toxic. Functional annotation analysis revealed that most of the target proteins have a role in biological processes associated with cancer development. An in vivo analysis using an animal mammae cancer model indicated that black soybean extracts inhibited mammae cancer progression by attenuating TNF-α and BRCA1 expression. The most effective dosage of black soybean extract was 200 mg/kg body weight. An increase in BRCA1 and TNF-α expression may be related to the effects of catechin, daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, which are present in black soybeans.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of areca nut and betel quid chewing among the adult population – A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: The use of areca nut also known as supari or chaali is an age-old tradition and very popular in people living in South Asian countries. However, in general, people know very little about its ill effects. Aims: This study aimed to examine knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the health risks associated with chewing areca nuts and betel quid among the adult population and to evaluate the knowledge about its possible role as a contributing factor in oral cancer among the adult population. Materials and Methods: The unicentric cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1644 adult subjects belonging to the adult population of Aligarh and nearby places between March 2021 and December 2021. We analyzed the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Results: The overall average age of the participants was 39.32 ± 14.18. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Among the study subjects, 54% were betel nut or betel quid chewers. Only 30.8% knew that areca nut may cause oral cancer and with low knowledge related to its systematic effect. Conclusion: Areca nut is a known carcinogenic agent and carries the risk of cancer even if it is used alone. However, information about the systemic ill effect especially its carcinogenic effect is very low among the general population.

Identification of acetaldehyde based on plasmonic patterns of a gold nanostructure conjugated with chromophore and H2O2: a new platform for the rapid and low-cost analysis of carcinogenic agents by colorimetric affordable test strip (CATS).

Acetaldehyde, a prevalent carbonyl compound in fermented foods, poses challenges in various applications due to its reactivity. This study addresses the need for efficient acetaldehyde detection methods across biotechnological, environmental, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. Herein, we present a novel colorimetric/UV spectrophotometric approach utilizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), particularly gold nano-flowers (AuNFs), for sensitive acetaldehyde identification. The method exhibits a notable sensitivity, detecting acetaldehyde at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. The mechanism involves the interaction of acetaldehyde molecules with AuNFs, leading to a significant change in the absorbance spectrum, which serves as the basis for detection. Moreover, its applicability extends to human biofluids, notably urine samples. Integration with a cost-effective one-drop microfluidic colorimetric device (OD-μPCD) enables the development of an affordable test strip (CATS). This semi-analytical device, employing a multichannel OD-μPCD, facilitates real-time analysis of acetaldehyde in human samples. Our findings demonstrate the pioneering utilization of AuNPs for selective and sensitive acetaldehyde detection, promising advancements in environmental and occupational safety standards, and laying a foundation for enhanced detection and monitoring of related volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Forensic Analysis of Lung Cancer from Secondhand Smoke Exposure of a Motel Worker

Background: In July 2018, Ms. PJM, a 50-year-old lifelong nonsmoker, was diagnosed with primary Stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with secondary metastasis to the brain, after being hospitalized for a fall in the motel where she worked, in Los Angeles, California. She had been employed as a maid cleaning rooms in this motel for 20 years, where she was exposed to secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke daily. Her death certificate, dated June 2021, declared metastatic lung cancer to be the cause of her death at age 53. Occupational disability and death claims filed by her attorney were contested by her employer. Aims: To conduct a forensic analysis using mathematical modeling to quantify Ms. PJM’s toxic secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposures, in order to estimate her risk of lung cancer from exposure to tobacco combustion products and other potential carcinogenic agents to which she might have been exposed. Methods: A quantitative analysis employing assessment of Hazard, Exposure, Dose, Dose-Response, and Risk plus a Discussion of Uncertainty. It is routinely used by U.S. federal regulatory agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Results: Ms. PJM’s modeled exposure to fine particulate matter from secondhand smoke ranged from the Hazardous to Significant Harm Levels of the EPA Air Quality Index for fine particles (PM2.5). Her modeled dose of serum cotinine ranged from the 90th to beyond the 95th percentile of nonsmokers’ dose, measured in a statistical sample of the U.S. nonsmoking population. Her estimated risk exceeds OSHA’s Significant Risk of Material Impairment of Health Level by a factor of three. She is estimated to have been exposed to the thirdhand smoke of at least 1.4 million cigarettes outgassing from room surfaces during her 20 years of labor. As for potential confounders, there were no known carcinogens in any of the cleaning agents she used; there is no evidence that she was exposed to asbestos, and she resided in a low-radon area of Los Angeles. Conclusions: As a result of her occupational exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke, Ms. PJM lost an estimated 33 years of life expectancy. The State of California has been remiss in failing to extend its workplace smoking ban to hotels and motels, leaving their workstaff at grave risk of the manifold diseases of passive smoking.

Occupational carcinogens and mutagens in Poland - occurrence and workers' exposure in the years 2018-2021 based on the data from Central register of carcinogenic or mutagenic agents

Central register of data on exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes (CRCR) conducted by Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) enables monitoring of such agents occurrence in working environment in Poland. The NIOM conducts CRCR based on the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 24 July 2012 on chemical substances, their mixtures, agents or technological processes with carcinogenic or mutagenic effects in the work environment. The work summarizes the information reported to CRCR in 2018-2021. The data were extracted from CRCR, to which it was transferred by sanitary inspections. The data were extracted from CRCR. Data in this register is gathered based on employers' notifications to sanitary inspection. The study includes the number of reported agents (chemical substances and technological processes), the number of enterprises and the number of persons exposed to particular groups of agents (chemical substances, technological processes, ionizing radiation). The number of substances notified to the CRCR increases, from 382 reported substances in 2018 to 444 in 2021. Significant increase in the number of enterprises reporting technological processes (from 981 in 2018 to 5422 in 2021) and the number of exposed persons results from the law amendments extending the list of carcinogenic or mutagenic processes. The CRCR is a unique database on the occurrence and exposure to occupational carcinogens and mutagens, in which data from over 20 years has been collected. The increase in the number of reports to the register was mainly influenced by legislative changes regarding carcinogenic or mutagenic agents. Due to amount and complexity of data, they can be used for analysis in projects and programs aimed at raising awareness and reducing risk of occupational exposure to carcinogens and also during legislative works in Poland and in the EU. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(5):399-407.

Cigarro eletrônico e suas implicações na saúde bucal

Electronic cigarettes were commercially introduced in the United States and Europe in 2006, and their usage has dramatically increased in recent years. Also known as e-cigarettes, vapes, or pods, these portable devices heat liquids to produce inhalable vapor, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and often nicotine. These devices can pose health risks as they contain lead derivatives, carcinogenic agents, and cytotoxic substances. However, there is emerging evidence that vaping devices can introduce high levels of dangerous chemicals into the body and cause severe lung injuries. The involvement of smoking in the progression of periodontal diseases and its impact on the periodontal ligament and gum cells result in detrimental effects on oral health, making them the primary targets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a literature review on the implications of electronic devices on oral health. It is crucial for dentists to stay updated on this information so that they can guide their patients in the care and prevention of avoiding or minimizing the damage caused by the use of these devices. In conclusion, electronic cigarettes are harmful to oral health and are not considered safe

Aderência da higienização das mãos pelos profissionais da saúde que atuam na linha de frente da Covid-19 em unidades de terapia intensiva

Objective: To annalise the health professional’s accession that act in Intensive Cares Units (ICU’s) in a private hospital of Grande Vitoria/ES, Brazil, as to the cleaning process of the hands and the time of May, June and July, 2019 and during the beginning of the pandemic of COVID-19 in May, June and July, 2020; Methodology: Describing study, explanatory with documental analysis in which was perform through the search and analysis of the documents of a Private Hospital of Grande Vitoria/ES, Brazil. The data collected has occurred between May and July, 2019 and May and July, 2020; Results: The tax of adhesion between the months of May, June and July, 2019 was 86% (153 conformity of 177 opportunities) and in the months of May, June and July, 2020 was 55% (2002 conformity and 3652 opportunity); Conclusion: In 2020 there was a fall in the adhesion of hand hygiene compared with the year of 2019.

Bioactive nutraceuticals as G4 stabilizers: potential cancer prevention and therapy-a critical review.

G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical, four-stranded, nucleic acid secondary structures formed in the guanine-rich sequences, where guanine nucleotides associate with each other via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding. These structures are widely found near the functional regions of the mammalian genome, such as telomeres, oncogenic promoters, and replication origins, and play crucial regulatory roles in replication and transcription. Destabilization of G4 by various carcinogenic agents allows oncogene overexpression and extension of telomeric ends resulting in dysregulation of cellular growth-promoting oncogenesis. Therefore, targeting and stabilizing these G4 structures with potential ligands could aid cancer prevention and therapy. The field of G-quadruplex targeting is relatively nascent, although many articles have demonstrated the effect of G4 stabilization on oncogenic expressions; however, no previous study has provided a comprehensive analysis about the potency of a wide variety of nutraceuticals and some of their derivatives in targeting G4 and the lattice of oncogenic cell signaling cascade affected by them. In this review, we have discussed bioactive G4-stabilizing nutraceuticals, their sources, mode of action, and their influence on cellular signaling, and we believe our insight would bring new light to the current status of the field and motivate researchers to explore this relatively poorly studied arena.

Ambient air formaldehyde levels during skinbiopsies.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic agent regularly used in dermatology clinics to prepare skin biopsy specimens for histopathology. The objective of this study was to measure formaldehyde concentrations using an air quality meter in an examination room during exposure to open formaldehyde-containing skin biopsy specimen containers. Formaldehyde concentration in the examination room remained low throughout the 60 min of exposure to both one and five opened formaldehyde-containing specimen containers, at levels below the short-term exposure limits imposed by the World Health Organization, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Seasonal Variation in Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Aniba canelilla (Lauraceae): A Reliable Source of 1-Nitro-2-phenylethane.

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez essential oil has many biological activities due to its main compound 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1N2F), followed by methyleugenol, a carcinogenic agent. This study analyzed the influence of seasonality on yields, antioxidant capacity, and 1N2F content of A. canelilla leaf and twig essential oils. Essential oils (EOs) were extracted with hydrodistillation and analyzed with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and a flame ionization detector. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the free radical scavenging method (DPPH). Chemometric analyses were carried out to verify the influence of climatic factors on the production and composition of EOs. 1-Nitro-2-phenylethane was the major constituent in A. canelilla EOs throughout the seasonal period (68.0-89.9%); methyleugenol was not detected. Essential oil yields and the 1N2F average did not show a statistically significant difference between the dry and rainy seasons in leaves and twigs. Moderate and significant correlations between major compounds and climate factor were observed. The twig oils (36.0 ± 5.9%) a showed greater antioxidant capacity than the leaf oils (20.4 ± 5.0%). The PCA and HCA analyses showed no statistical differences between the oil samples from the dry and rainy seasons. The absence of methyleugenolin in all months of study, described for the first time, makes this specimen a reliable source of 1N2F.

Characterization of Green synthesised Iron nanoparticles and application of synthesised Iron nanoparticles as an effective catalyst for the removal of Carcinogenic metals in aqueous solution

The heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are considered as serious toxicants and act as carcinogenic agents that cause serious cancers to humans. The use of these heavy metals drastically increased in various industrial applications and subsequently increased the risk of contamination of these heavy metals in soil, water etc. To minimize the negative effects of these heavy metals, there is a need to reduce these heavy metals concentrations in environment samples. Hence this study focused to fabricate iron nanoparticles using Diospyros chloroxylon (Roxb.) for the removal of carcinogenic metals in water. The crystal structure, size and morphology of the nanoaprticles were evaluated and it was found that the particles were of rod shape with smooth surface and rhombohedral phase structure with an average particle size of 24 nm that contains 71.91 % of elemental iron. The heavy metal sorption experiments was conducted using selected concentration of heavy metal solution at various pH ranges, time and agitation rate. The maximum adsorption removal was 95.36 %, 98.42 % and 92.80 % within 120 min equilibrium time for Cr, Pb and Cd respectively suggesting that the nanoparticles possess high adsorption efficiency. The adsorption process follows pseudo-first order reaction kinetics with correlation coefficient of 0.978, 0.994 and 0.994 with rate constant (K) of 0.140, 0.280 and 0.108 respectively for Cr, Pb and Cd. The results suggest that the synthesized iron nanoparticles were biocompatible, stable and reusable that can be effectively utilized as promising agents for the removal of carcinogenic heavy metals in polluted water.

Resveratrol Attenuates 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-Mediated Induction of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) and Their Functions.

Previously, we showed that 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand and a potent and persistent toxicant and carcinogenic agent, induces high levels of murine myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) when injected into mice. In the current study, we demonstrate that Resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene; RSV), an AhR antagonist, reduces TCDD-mediated MDSC induction. RSV decreased the number of MDSCs induced by TCDD in mice but also mitigated the immunosuppressive function of TCDD-induced MDSCs. TCDD caused a decrease in F4/80+ macrophages and an increase in CD11C+ dendritic cells, while RSV reversed these effects. TCDD caused upregulation in CXCR2, a critical molecule involved in TCDD-mediated induction of MDSCs, and Arginase-1 (ARG-1), involved in the immunosuppressive functions of MDSCs, while RSV reversed this effect. Transcriptome analysis of Gr1+ MDSCs showed an increased gene expression profile involved in the metabolic pathways in mice exposed to TCDD while RSV-treated mice showed a decrease in such pathways. The bio-energetic profile of these cells showed that RSV treatment decreased the energetic demands induced by TCDD. Overall, the data demonstrated that RSV decreased TCDD-induced MDSC induction and function by altering the dynamics of various myeloid cell populations involving their numbers, phenotype, and immunosuppressive potency. Because MDSCs play a critical role in tumor growth and metastasis, our studies also support the potential use of RSV to attenuate the immunosuppressive properties of MDSC.