Carcinogenic Effects Research Articles

The potential carcinogenicity of orthopaedic implants – a scoping review

BackgroundEvery year, hundreds of thousands of patients receive an orthopaedic or dental implant containing metals such as cobalt, chromium and titanium. Since the European Chemicals Agency (2020) classified pure cobalt metal as a Category 1B carcinogen, manufacturers of products containing ≥ 0.1% of this metal must perform a risk assessment and justify that there are no viable alternatives. The up-classification of cobalt metal to a carcinogen without good evidence that its use in implants is carcinogenic may cause unnecessary concern to the many patients who have, or may require such implants. Although in vitro and animal studies have shown such metals to be carcinogenic, human epidemiological studies have not been definitive. In addition, although many advances have been made in the past few decades with regard to the materials used in implant metals, no recent review of their carcinogenic effects have been published.MethodsThis scoping review aims to summarise epidemiological studies conducted in recent years (from 2010 to present) to outline the carcinogenic effects of orthopaedic metal implants that have been published. This encompasses implants of different materials and surfaces, including metal, polyethylene and ceramic orthopaedic implants, cemented and cementless joint replacement surgeries, and surgical techniques such as resurfacing and total joint replacements that are currently in use and the potential carcinogenicity related to their use. Research papers with various study designs published in the English language were included. Studies were excluded if participants had a prior history of cancer before receiving orthopaedic implants and if they focused solely on the carcinogenicity of metals or materials not related to orthopaedic implants.ResultsA total of 16 studies, encompassing over 700,000 implant patients, were identified through PubMed and have been included in this review. In long term follow-up of up to 17.9 years, no increased risk of all-site cancer was seen in these patients. However, an increase in site-specific cancers, namely prostate, melanoma and haematological cancers have been identified. Specifically, an increase in prostate cancer was identified in three studies.ConclusionBased on the summarised evidence, there is no consistent evidence to show that patients with any type of orthopaedic implant has an increased risk of cancer, although slight (non-statistically significant) increases in prostate cancer was observed and this, in particular, deserves longer-term surveillance.

Effects of Gestational Exposure to Potassium Bromate as Food Additive on Reproductive and Immunological Parameters in Mouse Offspring

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is used as a food additive because of its high oxidizing characteristics, which have been linked to carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The study looked into how KBrO3 exposure during gestation affected the growth, reproductive performance, and immune cells of parental mice and their F1 generation. Thirty Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) aged 27±3 days were collected from ICDDR'B in Dhaka, with 10 males and 20 females. When the mice reached 45 days of age, they were randomly separated into two groups, each with ten females and five males. Group A mice served as the untreated control, while group B mice were given KBrO3 at 400 mg/liter in drinking water. Body weights were obtained at 2-week intervals. The results revealed that KBrO3 reduced growth in both male and female parental mice. The KBrO3-treated group showed considerably reduced amounts of estradiol, testosterone, and T4 (P<0.01). Male mice treated with KBrO3 showed significant (P<0.05) reductions in sperm count and motility. The KBrO3-treated mice offspring weighed less and grew slowly. Neutrophil counts were somewhat higher in mice born in the KBrO3-treated group. The F1 offspring of mice in this group had decreased sperm count, motility, and testis weight (P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol levels were lower in F1 mice born from the KBrO3 group than in F1 mice from the control group. The findings of the study suggested that KBrO3 may have multigenerational effects on growth and reproduction. However, more research on KBrO3 is required to get clear understanding of its mechanism. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(1): 109-116, 2024

Toward Global Sediment Management: Lessons Learned From a Multidimensional Risk Assessment

ABSTRACTSediment from the Serbian Great Bačka Canal (GBC), which has long been classified as toxic waste due to high pollutant concentrations, exemplifies the sediment management challenges in Europe, where regulations vary by country. Serbian legislation primarily focuses on total metal concentrations relative to prescribed limits. Our study addresses this limitation by using an integrated approach to assess sediment pollution's detrimental effects at the ecosystem level. This approach is particularly relevant for the GBC, an environmental hotspot historically impacted by severe pollution from untreated industrial wastewater and population growth. Although previous research on the GBC has predominantly focused on chemical analyses, often overlooking broader environmental and health impacts, our study aims to evaluate whether ecotoxicological tests provide a more comprehensive assessment of sediment quality compared to traditional methods. Although only copper concentrations surpassed national limits, multiple metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exceeded international sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Sequential extraction revealed that 50% of copper was immobilized in the residual fraction, and ecotoxicological tests with Myriophyllum aquaticum indicated potential toxicity. Human health risk assessments showed a low risk of carcinogenic effects from PAHs, but a higher risk associated with zinc and copper. These findings highlight the urgent need for pollution reduction and ecological restoration in the GBC and similar river systems.

Investigating the Potential Effects of 6PPDQ on Prostate Cancer Through Network Toxicology and Molecular Docking

(1) Background: N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPDQ), as a newly discovered environmental toxin, has been found more frequently in our living conditions. The literature reports that damage to the reproductive and cardiovascular system is associated with exposure to 6PPDQ. However, the relationship between 6PPDQ and cancer still requires more investigation. This research aims to investigate the association between 6PPDQ and prostate cancer. (2) Methods and Results: Based on the data retrieved from the Pharmmapper, CTD, SEA, SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCard, and OMIM databases, we summarized 239 potential targets utilizing the Venn tool. Through the STRING network database and Cytoscape software, we constructed a PPI network and confirmed ten core targets, including IGF1R, PIK3R1, PTPN11, EGFR, SRC, GRB2, JAK2, SOS1, KDR, and IRS1. We identified the potential pathways through which 6PPDQ acts on these core targets using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Ultimately, through molecular docking methods, 6PPDQ binds closely with these ten core targets. These findings indicate that 6PPDQ may influence the proteins related to prostate cancer and may be linked to prostate cancer via several known signaling pathways. (3) Conclusions: This article employs innovative network toxicology to elucidate the prostate carcinogenic effects of 6PPDQ through its modulation of specific vital genes and signaling pathways, thereby establishing a foundational platform for future investigations into the impact of 6PPDQ on prostate cancer and potentially other tumors.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risk of lotus root in major producing areas of China

AbstractLotus root is a popular vegetable known for its nutritional value and unique taste. However, it can be susceptible to heavy metal contamination, which has raised concerns about its safety for consumption. This study aimed to analyse the extent of heavy metal contamination in lotus roots and assess the potential health risks associated with their consumption. The results showed that all measured heavy metal concentrations were below the maximum allowable limits, with contamination indices for all metals across nine provinces remaining below 1.0, classifying the lotus roots as “safe” for consumption. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment using the THQ showed values below 1.0 for all heavy metals in both adults and children, indicating negligible health risks. The HI was calculated as 0.107 for adults and 0.126 for children, with arsenic contributing significantly to these values at 47.76% for adults and 39.55% for children. The carcinogenic risk assessment revealed Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values of 8.37 × 10−8 for Pb, 2.04 × 10−5 for Cr, and 2.30 × 10−5 for As in adults, and 9.86 × 10−8 for Pb, 2.40 × 10−5 for Cr, and 2.71 × 10−5 for As in children. All CR values were within the acceptable range, indicating no apparent carcinogenic effects from lotus root consumption at current intake levels. However, it was noted that increased consumption could elevate risks associated with As, with limits of 174 and 93 g for adults and children, respectively, to maintain safety.

Gd(III)-Doped ZnO Nanorods on Chalcogenide-Modified Graphene for Enhanced Voltammetric Detection of Methyl Carbamate

Ronidazole (RNZ) is an essential veterinary antibiotic with potential carcinogenic effects. It can persist in the environment, contaminating water sources and entering the human food chain, posing significant health risks. Hence in this study, we synthesized gadolinium-doped zinc oxide (Gd@ZnO) nanorods embedded in sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor, designed to address these concerns. Furthermore, the as-prepared samples were characterized and analyzed using various analytical techniques. As per voltammetric result our proposed Gd@ZnO/S-rGO sensor demonstrates excellent LOD (0.0071 μM, 0.0023 μM), exceptional sensitivity (0.9270 μA μM–1 cm–2, 0.4941 μA μM–1 cm–2) and selectivity towards RNZ, with a wide linear range of detection (0.001 μM - 576.18 μM and 0.001 μM – 438.80 μM). Its efficacy in practicable applicability is further validated through testing with biological (bovine and chicken meat serum) and environmental samples (river water), demonstrating a satisfactory recovery rate of 97 to 101 %. All of the study’s findings show that the proposed sensor’s application is targeted toward monitoring RNZ in environmental water samples and food products, ensuring regulatory compliance and safeguarding public health.

Lack of WDFY4 leads to impaired immune response and poor cancer prognosis.

WDFY4 plays an essential role in the immune system by regulating B-cell growth and development and participating in antigen processing during cross-presentation. WDFY4 is closely related to asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus; however, its role in cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to use bioinformatics to determine whether abnormal expression of WDFY4 is a risk factor for cancer and to preliminarily analyze the ways in which WDFY4 affects cancer through experiments. R language packages and bioinformatic database were used to mine the potential carcinogenic effect of WDFY4 and analyze the differential WDFY4 expression in cancer, gene mutations, different tumor prognoses, immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment, and DNA methylation correlation. H1975 and A549 cell lines were infected with lentiviruses to overexpress WDFY4, and the effect of WDFY4 on the activity, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of lung cancer cells was analyzed. WDFY4 was differentially expressed in human tumors in unpaired and paired samples. The differential expression of WDFY4 in unpaired and paired or protein samples from the Clinical Proteome Tumor Analysis Consortium of eight cancers was consistent. WDFY4 methylation was downregulated in 17 cancer types and caused prognostic differences in different directions in some cancers. WDFY4 overexpression significantly inhibited the activity and proliferation of lung cancer cell lines, promoted apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest. Differential WDFY4 expression in cancers leads to differences in the prognosis of various cancers. WDFY4 can be an independent prognostic factor for glioma, KIRC, and LUSC.

Identification of ETV5 as a prognostic marker related to epigenetic modification in pan-cancer and facilitates tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

ETS variant transcription factor 5 (ETV5), a master transcription factor during development, exerts vital function on the occurrence and progression of various cancers. In order to systematically analyze and explore ETV5 potential specific regulatory mechanisms in pan-cancer, RNA sequencing data and clinicopathological features of patients with various tumors were obtained through the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, and an integrated data mining analysis was carried out, including the association of ETV5 expression with patient prognosis, drug sensitivity and epigenetic modification. The results revealed that abnormally highly expressed ETV5 resulted in unfavorable prognosis and differential drug sensitivity in multiple malignancies, and its expression was associated with epigenetic modification modulators including EZH2. ETV5 related genes were enriched in tumorigenesis biological processes and signaling pathways. In hepatocellular carcinoma, ETV5 expression was correlated with patients’ tumor pathological stage and resulted in adverse outcome of patients. Our further experiments evidences indicated that ETV5 facilitated cell proliferation and reduced sensitivity to GSK126 via regulating EZH2. Collectively, this study comprehensively elucidates the carcinogenic effects and molecular mechanisms of ETV5 in tumorigenesis and development, and provides theoretical basis and guidance for tumor diagnosis, targeted therapy for ETV5 and clinical epigenetic drug research.

Voltammetric method for determining hydrazine at a composite polymer-carbon electrode modified with gold particles

Relevance. Hydrazine and its derivatives are used in the production of corrosion inhibitors, medicines, pesticides, dyes, polymers, components of energy production and storage systems, rocket fuels. The prospect of replacing carbon fuels with hydrazine is associated with its high calorific value and the formation of environmentally friendly oxidation end products (nitrogen, water). A serious disadvantage limiting the widespread use of hydrazine is its high toxicity. When exposed to the human and animal body, hydrazine and its compounds have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, affect the central nervous system, and cause anemia. In this regard, the development of new and improvement of existing methods for the determination of hydrazine and its compounds in environmental objects, technological and biological environments is an urgent task. Aim. To establish the possibility of voltammetric determining hydrazine in solutions using a composite polymer-carbon electrode modified with gold particles. Objects. Solutions of hydrazine salts; aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis and salts. Methods. DC voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray spectral microanalysis, computational modeling of ion-molecular equilibria. Results. The oxidation of hydrazine in solutions of N2H4×H2SO4+0.1 М KNO3 on a polymer-carbon electrode modified with gold particles under conditions of voltammetry with linear potential sweep proceeds at potentials E>0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl electrode) with a pronounced maximum current of anodic oxidation in the range of 0.5...0.9 V. Hydrazine oxidation on a modified electrode proceeds at low potentials due to the manifestation of the effect of electrocatalysis. It is established that the delayed stage of the electrode process is single-electron transfer. The reaction is of the first order in terms of hydrazine, is irreversible and is controlled by the diffusion of the substrate to the electrode surface. Based on the results of the analysis of the dependence of the maximum value of the hydrazine oxidation current on the modified electrode on the conditions of voltammetry (solution concentration, potential sweep rate, pH), a method for determining hydrazine in solutions is proposed. The following conditions for recording voltammograms are optimal: nitrogen deaerated background electrolyte 0.1 M KNO3, pH=5...7, the potential range for recording an analytical signal is 0.2...1.0 V, the potential sweep rate is 50 mV/s. Under these conditions, the dependence of the maximum value of the anodic oxidation current on the hydrazine concentration is described by linear regression equations in the ranges of 1×10–5…1×10–4 and 1×10–4…1.5×10–3 M N2H4 (the detection limit is 2.1×10–6 M). In comparison with the electrodes known from the literature, the modified electrode used in the work does not require a costly preparation and storage procedure, according to its analytical characteristics, the proposed method is not inferior to the most highly sensitive electrochemical methods for determining hydrazine.

Acute and Chronic Health Risk Assessment for Automobile Users Due to Inhalation Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Carbonyl Compounds

Since automobiles are the primary means of transportation in modern society, the assessment of health effects from acute and chronic exposure to pollutants in automobiles is crucial. In this study, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyl compounds, and odor-including substances in newly manufactured automobiles were analyzed, and exposure factors reflecting automobile user characteristics were selected for health risk assessment. Toluene exhibited the highest concentration (203.5 ± 379.3 μg/m3) among all measured pollutants. The acute and chronic non-carcinogenic health risk assessments indicated that the pollutants did not exceed their standards in any of the automobiles, suggesting no immediate health risks. However, in the chronic carcinogenic health risk assessment, acrylonitrile exceeded its standard value in all automobiles, indicating potential carcinogenic effects from long-term exposure. The findings suggest that careful estimation of lifetime exposure effects to pollutants inside new automobiles is required. Future studies should investigate specific pollutants generated by automotive materials and manufacturing processes to identify pollutant sources and reduce health risks to automobile users.

Review of the Integrated Approaches for Monitoring and Treating Parabens in Water Matrices.

Due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties, parabens are commonly used as biocides and preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Parabens have been reported to exist in various water matrices at low concentrations, which renders the need for sample preparation before their quantification using analytical techniques. Thus, sample preparation methods such as solid-phase extraction (SPE), rotating-disk sorptive extraction (RDSE), and vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid extraction (VA-DLLE) that are commonly used for parabens extraction and preconcentration have been discussed. As a result of sample preparation methods, analytical techniques now detect parabens at trace levels ranging from µg/L to ng/L. These compounds have been detected in water, air, soil, and human tissues. While the full impact of parabens on human health and ecosystems is still being debated in the scientific community, it is widely recognized that parabens can act as endocrine disruptors. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that parabens may have carcinogenic effects. The presence of parabens in the environment is primarily due to wastewater discharges, which result in widespread contamination and their concentrations increased during the COVID-19 pandemic waves. Neglecting the presence of parabens in water exposes humans to these compounds through contaminated food and drinking water. Although there are reviews that focus on the occurrence, fate, and behavior of parabens in the environment, they frequently overlook critical aspects such as removal methods, policy development, and regulatory frameworks. Addressing this gap, the effective treatment of parabens in water relies on combined approaches that address both cost and operational challenges. Membrane filtration methods, such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO), demonstrate high efficacy but are hindered by maintenance and energy costs due to extensive fouling. Innovations in anti-fouling and energy efficiency, coupled with pre-treatment methods like adsorption, help mitigate these costs and enhance scalability. Furthermore, combining adsorption with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) or biological treatments significantly improves economic and energy efficiency. Integrating systems like O₃/UV with activated carbon, along with byproduct recovery strategies, further advances circular economy goals by minimizing waste and resource use. This review provides a thorough overview of paraben monitoring in wastewater, current treatment techniques, and the regulatory policies that govern their presence. Furthermore, it provides perspectives that are critical for future scientific investigations and shaping policies aimed at mitigating the risks of parabens in drinking water.

Heavy metal(loid)s pollution in soils of a typical agricultural and rural area: Source apportionment and derived risk quantification.

In light of the pervasive contamination of soils with heavy metals (HMs) on a global scope, the precise identification and assessment of sources and areas of contamination are crucial for the effective management and utilization of land. This study combines several models to quantitatively apportion possible sources of HMs and environmental risks in agricultural and rural areas of Langfang City, Hebei Province. The findings indicate that the accumulation of HMs is influenced by human activities, with varying degrees of accumulation observed. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model identified five sources, with the order of magnitude of their contributions to the soil HMs content being as follows: coal combustion source (24.9%), industrial activities source (23.1%), agricultural activities source (19.2%), natural source (16.6%), and traffic emissions source (16.3%). The ecological risks present in the study area are not significant; however, the human health risks exceed the acceptable limits. The primary sources of pollution that pose a risk to human health are industrial, followed by natural source. As, Cr and Ni were responsible for the non-carcinogenic risk, while Cr was the dominant factor in the carcinogenic effect. The risk distribution map indicates that the areas exhibiting the highest risk are situated in the east-central region of the study area. This study had identified the priority control factors (including HMs, sources of pollution and high-risk areas) for the use and management of the land.

State of the Art and Challenges in Complete Benzene Oxidation: A Review.

Increased levels and detrimental effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on air quality and human health have become an important issue in the environmental field. Benzene is classified as one of the most hazardous air pollutants among non-halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons with toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects. Various technologies have been applied to decrease harmful emissions from various sources such as petrochemistry, steel manufacturing, organic chemical, paint, adhesive, and pharmaceutical production, vehicle exhausts, etc. Catalytic oxidation to CO2 and water is an attractive approach to VOC removal due to high efficiency, low energy consumption, and the absence of secondary pollution. However, catalytic oxidation of the benzene molecule is a great challenge because of the extraordinary stability of its six-membered ring structure. Developing highly efficient catalysts is of primary importance for effective elimination of benzene at low temperatures. This review aims to summarize and discuss some recent advances in catalyst composition and preparation strategies. Advantages and disadvantages of using noble metal-based catalysts and transition metal oxide-based catalysts are addressed. Effects of some crucial factors such as catalyst support nature, metal particle size, electronic state of active metal, redox properties, reactivity of lattice oxygen and surface adsorbed oxygen on benzene removal are explored. Thorough elucidation of reaction mechanisms in benzene oxidation is a prerequisite to develop efficient catalysts. Benzene oxidation mechanisms are analyzed based on in situ catalyst characterization, reaction kinetics, and theoretical simulation calculations. Considering the role of oxygen vacancies in improving catalytic performance, attention is given to oxygen defect engineering. Catalyst deactivation due to coexistence of water vapor and other pollutants, e.g., sulfur compounds, is discussed. Future research directions for rational design of catalysts for complete benzene oxidation are provided.

Measurement of Health Services Vocational School Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors About Radon: Van Province Example

Almost 50% of the natural radiation that is constantly present in our environment is caused by radon gas and its short-lived decay products. Radon (222Rn) is a gas and can become trapped in closed spaces and rise to dangerous levels. Because 222Rn is colorless, odorless and tasteless, it is impossible to detect without special equipment and may not be perceived as a health risk by the public due to these properties. It is important to investigate individual risk perception in order to prevent the negative health effects of radon. In this study, which aimed to determine the knowledge and awareness of students studying in Radiotherapy and Medical Imaging Programs regarding radon gas, a survey consisting of 15 questions was applied to the participants. According to the findings, 54.2% of the participants stated that they had heard of radon and 51.1% stated that radon was harmful. The rate of those who responded that school was their source of information was 33.3%, and most of them were 2nd grade students. The rate of those who did not know the causes of radon in residences was 47%. Although the proportion of those who think that radon testing should be done in homes is high (86.3%), there are many who do not know how to test (94%). The study showed that the level of knowledge about radon among the participants is not high enough. Considering the carcinogenic effect of radon, there is a need to create more awareness among the members of the society.

SLC1A3 is a novel prognostic biomarker associated with immunity and EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma

PurposeSolute carrier family 1 member 3(SLC1A3), a member of the glutamate transporter family, is implicated in the progression of gastric carcinoma and the renewal of thyroid carcinoma stem cells. The purpose of this work is to use experimental validation and bioinformatics analysis to look at the possible involvement of SLC1A3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and methodsWe examined the levels of SLC1A3 within HCC and its implications on immunological and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) features using the TCGA, ImmPort, and Molecular Signatures databases. The relationship between drug sensitivity and SLC1A3 expression was investigated using the GDSC database. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and cellular function assays were performed to assess SLC1A3 expression and its carcinogenic effects in HCC.ResultsAccording to our research, SLC1A3 overexpression in HCC is associated with a poor prognosis. Elevated levels of SLC1A3 promote HCC cell motility and invasion and can affect the prognosis of HCC by modifying immune responses and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. SLC1A3 has emerged as a novel prognostic marker in HCC and is associated with resistance to certain antitumor drugs.ConclusionSLC1A3 functions as a cancer-promoting factor contributing to poor HCC prognosis by affecting immune cell infiltration and regulating the EMT process. Elevated SLC1A3 expression may also serve as a predictor of treatment response to specific antitumor drugs.

Radiological follow-up in patients with resected pulmonary carcinoids: Should we reduce radiation exposure?

IntroductionAfter primary resection of pulmonary carcinoids, the recurrence rate is low (approximately 10 %). However, long-term radiological follow-up is generally recommended due to the risk of late recurrence. This must be weighed against risk of radiation-induced cancer, particularly in young patients. MethodsThe frequency and modality of radiological follow-up according to the ENETS, ESMO, and CommNETs-NANETS guidelines were assessed. Cumulative radiation exposure per guideline and subsequent increased lifetime cancer risk were estimated using sex- and age-dependent risk factors. Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (2003–2012) of adults with resected pulmonary carcinoids were used as a reference. ResultsOf 706 reference patients, 32 (4.5 %) were 18–30 years (y). After median follow-up of 127 months, none of the patients aged 18-30y at diagnosis developed recurrence. For these patients, the additional radiation exposure at the age of 40y due to follow-up ranges from 140-308 mSv following ENETS and 35–42 mSv following ESMO guidelines. The additional risk of death due to carcinogenic effects ranged from 0.7 % (male 30y) to 3.1 % (female 18y) following ENETS and 0.2 % (male) to 0.4 % (female) following ESMO guidelines. ConclusionsIndividualised, less extensive follow-up for young patients with resected carcinoids and a low risk of recurrence are worth exploring to decrease radiation exposure and the corresponding risk of cancer induction. The use of predictive biomarkers to personalise follow-up is warranted.

Diamine-functionalized zirconium metal-organic cage ZrT-1-(NH2)2: A ratiometric fluorescent probe for the rapid and sensitive detection of malachite green

Malachite green (MG), a cost-effective triphenylmethane dye known for its insecticidal and germicidal properties in aquaculture, unfortunately poses significant environmental and human health-related risks due to its mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects. Herein, a novel diamine-functionalized zirconium-based metal organic cage (Zr-MOC), abbreviated as ZrT-1-(NH2)2, was synthesized through microwave-assisted method, serving as a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the precise detection of MG in aquaculture water. When the pH value was adjusted to 3.0, the probe solution exhibited two distinct characteristic emission bands centered at 454 nm and 582 nm, upon excitation at 365 nm. With the addition of MG, the emission intensity at 582 nm was significantly quenched, whereas the fluorescence intensity at 454 nm was gradually increased. The related experimental data and DFT calculations revealed that the quenching process is predominantly governed by the inner filter effect and static quenching mechanisms. Notably, the ratiometric fluorescence probe exhibited a good linear correlation with the MG concentration within the range of 1.37–17.81 nM, boasting a remarkably low detection limit of 1.05 nM. Furthermore, the proposed ZrT-1-(NH2)2 ratiometric fluorescence probe features high recoveries (95.37–104.93 %) and low relative standard deviations (RSD<3.5 %) for the detection of trace MG in aquaculture water, indicating its feasibility and practicality for MG detection.

Circ_0001068 accelerates the development of ovarian cancer by promoting FXYD5 expression through inhibiting mir-149-5p activity

BackgroundOvarian cancer (OC) is one of the common malignancies of the female reproductive organs. Microarray analysis shows that circ_0001068 is upregulated in OC patients, however, its carcinogenic effect on OC development has not yet been revealed.MethodsIn this study, qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to determine the expression of circ_0001068, microRNA-149-5p (miR-149-5p) and domain containing ion transport regulator 5 (FXYD5). Clone formation was used to assess cell proliferation, and transwell assays were performed to analyze cell migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter and pull down assays were used to verify the binding relationship between circ_0001068 and miR-149-5p or FXYD5. Mouse xenograft tumor formation was performed to validate the role of circ_0001068 in vivo.ResultsWe found that the expression levels of circ_0001068 and FXYD5 were significantly increased in OC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0001068 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, glycolysis, and glutamine metabolism. Circ_0001068 directly interacted with miR-149-5p, and the introduction of miR-149-5p mimics in OC cells partially reversed circ_0001068 knockdown-mediated effects. MiR-149-5p directly interacted with the 3’untranslated region (3’UTR) of FXYD5, and FXYD5 overexpression partially counteracted circ_0001068 knockdown-mediated effects in OC cells. Circ_0001068 knockdown inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionOur findings suggest that circ_0001068 promotes the malignant properties of OC cells by targeting the miR-149-5p/FXYD5 axis.

Role of SiO2, TiO2, and Fe3O4 adsorbed on glycine for remediation of heavy metals and antibacterial activity in water

Metals have a tendency to accumulate in the environment and can have carcinogenic effects. Accordingly, this study used density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the adsorption of different metal ions on the glycine surface. Glycine has attracted a lot of research interest because of its remarkable metal-binding properties and cost effectiveness. Accordingly, to improve glycine’s adsorption capacity, it has been combined with SiO2, TiO2, and Fe3O4, creating a glycine-metal oxide nanocomposite through hydrogen bonding. After optimizing the structures at their energy minima at the B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) level of theory, the following analyses were carried out: total dipole moment (TDM), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), reactivity indexes, and molecular electrostatic potential (MESPs). The study of TDM, FMOs, reactivity indexes, density of states (DOS), and UV-Vis absorption analysis demonstrated the improved reactivity of glycine due to functionalization with SiO2. Additionally, the results showed that, compared to the glycine, the glycine/SiO2 surface experiences a greater degree of charge redistribution as a result of more hydrogen bonds being formed with adsorbate molecules. Thus, the study successfully extracted Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb from wastewater by demonstrating their selectivity for the glycine/SiO2 nanocomposite. The findings show that Ni had a stronger adsorption for glycine/SiO2 than the others as TDM increased (34.040 Debye), band gap energy decreased significantly (0.249 eV), and reactivity indices got improved. Additionally, the IR spectra were calculated and compared to the experimental data, which revealed remarkable frequency changes due to intermolecular interactions. HR-TEM scans validated the dispersion of SiO2 NP on the glycine surface with minimal aggregation. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of glycine-amino acid-based surfactants was assessed, and the results show that glycine/SiO2 nanocomposites exhibited antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. These findings highlight the glycine/SiO2 nanocomposites for remediation of heavy metals and have antibacterial activity for treating pathogenic bacteria.

Pathological changes on the skin due to the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ultraviolet radiation

Introduction. In the National Healthcare Project, one of the key areas is the federal project "Fight against oncological diseases for 2019-2024". The influence of the nature of work activities of workers in contact with industrial carcinogens — polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) significantly increases the risk of skin neoplasms, as evidenced by differences in the frequency of their occurrence among representatives of different labor categories. The leading factor in the development of skin neoplasms is ultraviolet radiation (UV) of the A and B spectrum. There is literature evidence of a possible mutual enhancement of the combined effects of PAHs and UV in the occurrence of skin neoplasms and their malignancy. The study aims to evaluate the role of the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the occurrence of pigmented skin tumors in workers engaged in the construction of highways and highways and in housing and communal services. Materials and methods. During periodic medical examinations (PMEs) in 2022–2024, specialists have examined 140 people who formed 4 study groups. The researchers have conducted a physical examination of skin tumors; examination in the rays of a Wood lamp; dermatoscopy of skin tumors using a Heine Delta 20 dermatoscope. Hyperpigmentation was assessed according to the hyperpigmentation area and severity index (NASI). Results. During the clinical examination, the authors assessed the presence of pigmentation and skin neoplasms (lentigo, ephelides, seborrheic keratomas). The most frequent localizations of pigmentation and skin neoplasms were open areas of the body: face, hands, upper third of the back. At the same time, in asphalt concrete workers — group I, working under the influence of PAHs and solar insolation (spectrum A and B, in the range of 320–400 nm and 280–320 nm), specialists revealed pigmented neoplasms in a larger number of individuals compared with the population control for all skin localizations. The HASI index (in the surveyed groups) showed that the highest rates (24–48) of HASI were observed in a larger number of individuals — 57.1% — from group I (UV+PAHs), compared with groups of individuals (II, III, IV) who do not work under conditions of exposure to solar insolation (spectra A and B, in the range of 320–400 nm and 280–320 nm). The authors noted that the intensity of pigmentation is higher and the lesion area is larger when assessing the foci of hyperpigmentation in the rays of the Wood lamp compared with the clinical examination in all the examined groups. Limitations. The study is limited by the number of subjects examined, corresponding to the design of the study and the time interval of the study. Conclusion. To obtain objective results of the study of the role of the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV) in the occurrence of pigmented skin tumors, scientists used a method for determining the hyperpigmentation area index and severity index (HASI) in the rays of a Wood's lamp. When comparing the results obtained, experts revealed an increase in the area of hyperpigmentation and its intensity with localization in open areas of the body in workers engaged in the construction of highways and housing and communal services, in contact with the combined effects of carcinogens (PAHs) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV A and B). Further in-depth studies are needed to study the etiopathogenesis of photogenotoxicity depending on the dose-effect ratio. Ethics. The work was performed in accordance with the ethical standard set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association of 1964 (as amended and supplemented in 2013). The authors conducted all the studies after receiving informed consent and a decision of the Local Ethics Committee (extract from Protocol No. 7 dated 10/21/2020).