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Topic Review
Effects of Biologically Active Compounds of Animal Origin
Envenomation by animal venoms remains a serious medical and social problem, especially in tropical countries. On the other hand, animal venoms are widely used as a source of biologically active compounds for the development of novel drugs. Numerous derivatives of animal venoms are already used in clinical practice. Current research data point to the possibility of using animal venoms and their components in the development of various potential therapeutic agents; however, before their possible clinical use the route of injection, molecular target, echanism of action, exact dosage, possible side effects and other fundamental parameters should be her investigated.
  • 117
  • 30 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Aerogel Compounds
Aerogels have started to be considered as “advanced materials”; therefore, as a general consideration, aerogels’ toxicity testing should focus on their functionality which resides in their nanoscale open internal porosity. 
  • 486
  • 28 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Toxicities of AFB1 and FB1 In Vitro
Mycotoxins stand out as some of the most threatening natural contaminants in food. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are prominent fungal metabolites, representing significant food safety risks due to their widespread co-occurrence in various food commodities and their profound toxic effects on humans.
  • 348
  • 23 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Lead, Barium, Nickel and Cardiovascular Health
Lead (Pb) is a natural part of our environment. In urban areas, lead is predominantly found in housepaint but is also found in the air due to the burning of gasoline with lead additives. Barium (Ba) is ubiquitous in nature in a water-insoluble state as either barium sulfate or barium carbonate. Common exposures include ingestion of barium-containing materials and barium-contaminated water. Human exposure to nickel (Ni) occurs primarily via contamination of drinking water and food; nickel is highly mobile in soil and is, therefore, able to readily contaminate water and food supplies. Environmental pollution from nickel can also occur secondary to industrial processes, fuel burning, and inappropriate disposal of waste products.
  • 154
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Pharmaceuticals and Pollution
Environmental pollution is a growing threat to natural ecosystems and one of the world’s most pressing concerns. The increasing worldwide use of pharmaceuticals has elevated their status as significant emerging contaminants. Pharmaceuticals enter aquatic environments through multiple pathways related to anthropogenic activity.
  • 223
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Ciguatera Fish Poison
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CP)-related toxins (CTXs) are closely related structural congeners with a polyether backbone similar to brevetoxins. CTXs are classified based on their geographic origin into Pacific Ocean ciguatoxins (P-CTXs), Caribbean Sea ciguatoxins (C-CTXs), and Indian Ocean ciguatoxins (I-CTXs). I-CTX-1 and -2 have the same molecular weight of 1140.6 Da as C-CTX-1 and -2 and are pharmacologically related, but they do not co-elute, and there are no structures available for I-CTX due to poor chromatographic recoveries. 
  • 243
  • 31 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Cholinergic Mechanisms of Organophosphate Toxicity
Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) have applications in agriculture (e.g., pesticides), industry (e.g., flame retardants), and chemical warfare (nerve agents). The main target of OPs is AChE, the enzyme that breaks down ACh into acetic acid and choline, terminating synaptic signal transmission mediated by ACh in neuromuscular junctions, in the autonomic (mainly parasympathetic) nervous system, and in the brain. The OP binds to and phosphorylates a nucleophilic serine at the catalytic site of the enzyme, thus preventing the hydrolysis of ACh and resulting in excessive elevation of ACh in cholinergic synapses. Insects, whose central nervous system utilizes ACh as the major excitatory neurotransmitter, are killed instantly by OPs, primarily due to hyperstimulation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors, which are the most abundant in their central nervous system.
  • 167
  • 25 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins in Senescence and Kidney Fibrosis
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition of kidney dysfunction due to diverse causes of injury. In healthy kidneys, protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) are cleared from the systemic circulation by proximal tubule cells through the concerted action of plasma membrane transporters that facilitate their urinary excretion, but the endogenous metabolites are hardly removed with kidney dysfunction and may contribute to CKD progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that senescence of kidney tubule cells influences kidney fibrosis, the common endpoint for CKD with an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Senescence is a special state of cells characterized by permanent cell cycle arrest and limitation of proliferation, which promotes fibrosis by releasing senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. The accumulation of PBUTs in CKD causes oxidative stress and increases the production of inflammatory (SASP) factors that could trigger fibrosis. Studies gave some clues that PBUTs may also promote senescence in kidney tubular cells. 
  • 129
  • 25 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Impact of Carcinogenic Chromium on the Stress Response
Chromium (Cr) industries (metallurgical, chemical and refractory) employ several million workers worldwide. These workers may suffer from a variety of adverse health effects produced by airborne dusts, mists and fumes containing Cr in the hexavalent oxidation state, Cr(VI). Of major importance, occupational exposure to Cr(VI) compounds has been firmly associated with the development of lung cancer. Counterintuitively, Cr(VI) is largely unreactive towards most biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins. Yet, once inside cells, Cr(VI) undergoes reduction producing several species that react extensively with biomolecules. The diversity and chemical versatility of these species add great complexity to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying Cr(VI) toxicity and carcinogenicity, which remain poorly understood. One such mechanism may involve the cellular stress response (also known as heat shock response), an intricate cellular system that combats proteotoxic stress, which is increasingly viewed as playing a critical role in carcinogenesis. Several studies, while not constituting a direct proof of a link between the cellular stress response and Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis, have shown the ability of Cr(VI) to modulate the expression of several components of this response under biologically relevant conditions.
  • 241
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Contaminants in Tattoo Inks
Tattooing has been an enduring form of body art since ancient times, but it carries inherent health risks, primarily due to the complex composition of tattoo inks. These inks consist of complex mixtures of various ingredients, including pigments, solvents, impurities and contaminants. 
  • 341
  • 19 Oct 2023
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