scholarly journals Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals as Sources of POPs

2021 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Eric P. Vejerano ◽  
◽  
Jeonghyeon Ahn ◽  
Junaid Latif ◽  
Mustafa M amun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Radicals ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Short Review ◽  
New Class ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Organic Precursors ◽  
Natural Emission ◽  
Reactive Processes

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are a new class organic pollutant sharing some of the attributes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This opinion/short review aims to describe the properties of EPFRs that merit their recognition as an additional and potentially significant source of POPs. EPFRs are ubiquitous in diverse environments because of multiple factors: (1) organic precursors from anthropogenic, biogenic, and other natural emission sources are abundant; multiple mechanisms in PM and soils form (2) EPFRs; and (3) EPFRs are stable and persist for a long time, thereby, accumulate in the environment and potentially transported long range. The hazards of EPFRs arise from their ability to induce oxidative stress and the formation of hazardous byproducts. EPFRs are ultimately deactivated by reactive processes, yielding molecular recombination byproducts that are structurally similar to those classified as POPs. It is plausible that EPFRs may form POPs in vivo in organisms; therefore, they are potential additional sources of exogenous POPs. Understanding the formation of EPFRs and extensive investigation of the pollutants generated from their recombination will add to the growing body of knowledge on their environmental and health hazards.

scholarly journals Boron Chemistry for Medical Applications

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayaz Ali ◽  
Narayan S Hosmane ◽  
Yinghuai Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Chemistry ◽  
Organometallic Compounds ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Boron Compounds ◽  
New Class ◽  
Clinical Potential

Boron compounds now have many applications in a number of fields, including Medicinal Chemistry. Although the uses of boron compounds in pharmacological science have been recognized several decades ago, surprisingly few are found in pharmaceutical drugs. The boron-containing compounds epitomize a new class for medicinal chemists to use in their drug designs. Carboranes are a class of organometallic compounds containing carbon (C), boron (B), and hydrogen (H) and are the most widely studied boron compounds in medicinal chemistry. Additionally, other boron-based compounds are of great interest, such as dodecaborate anions, metallacarboranes and metallaboranes. The boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been utilized for cancer treatment from last decade, where chemotherapy and radiation have their own shortcomings. However, the improvement in the already existing (BPA and/or BSH) localized delivery agents or new tumor-targeted compounds are required before realizing the full clinical potential of BNCT. The work outlined in this short review addresses the advancements in boron containing compounds. Here, we have focused on the possible clinical implications of the new and improved boron-based biologically active compounds for BNCT that are reported to have in vivo and/or in vitro efficacy.

Conjugates of Classical DNA/RNA Binder with Nucleobase: Chemical, Biochemical and Biomedical Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (30) ◽  
pp. 5609-5624
Author(s):  
Dijana Saftić ◽  
Željka Ban ◽  
Josipa Matić ◽  
Lidija-Marija Tumirv ◽  
Ivo Piantanida
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
New Class ◽  
Rna Targets ◽  
Covalently Linked ◽  
Structural Aspects

: Among the most intensively studied classes of small molecules (molecular weight < 650) in biomedical research are small molecules that non-covalently bind to DNA/RNA, and another intensively studied class is nucleobase derivatives. Both classes have been intensively elaborated in many books and reviews. However, conjugates consisting of DNA/RNA binder covalently linked to nucleobase are much less studied and have not been reviewed in the last two decades. Therefore, this review summarized reports on the design of classical DNA/RNA binder – nucleobase conjugates, as well as data about their interactions with various DNA or RNA targets, and even in some cases protein targets are involved. According to these data, the most important structural aspects of selective or even specific recognition between small molecule and target are proposed, and where possible related biochemical and biomedical aspects were discussed. The general conclusion is that this, rather new class of molecules showed an amazing set of recognition tools for numerous DNA or RNA targets in the last two decades, as well as few intriguing in vitro and in vivo selectivities. Several lead research lines show promising advancements toward either novel, highly selective markers or bioactive, potentially druggable molecules.

The Application of the Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Activated Solutions in Cancer Treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayun Yan ◽  
Jonathan H. Sherman ◽  
Michael Keidar
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Atmospheric Plasma ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Key Topics ◽  
The Common

Background: Over the past five years, the cold atmospheric plasma-activated solutions (PAS) have shown their promissing application in cancer treatment. Similar as the common direct cold plasma treatment, PAS shows a selective anti-cancer capacity in vitro and in vivo. However, different from the direct cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment, PAS can be stored for a long time and can be used without dependence on a CAP device. The research on PAS is gradually becoming a hot topic in plasma medicine. Objectives: In this review, we gave a concise but comprehensive summary on key topics about PAS including the development, current status, as well as the main conclusions about the anti-cancer mechanism achieved in past years. The approaches to make strong and stable PAS are also summarized.

scholarly journals Attacins: A Promising Class of Insect Antimicrobial Peptides

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Francesco Buonocore ◽  
Anna Maria Fausto ◽  
Giulia Della Pelle ◽  
Tomislav Roncevic ◽  
Marco Gerdol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Physiological Importance ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Large Repertoire

Insects produce a large repertoire of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. These peptides are produced from a large precursor that contains a signal domain, which is cleaved in vivo to produce the mature protein with antimicrobial activity. At present, AMPs from insects include several families which can be classified as cecropins, ponericins, defensins, lebocins, drosocin, Metchnikowin, gloverins, diptericins and attacins according to their structure and/or function. This short review is focused on attacins, a class of glycine-rich peptides/proteins that have been first discovered in the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia). They are a rather heterogeneous group of immunity-related proteins that exhibit an antimicrobial effect mainly against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we discuss different attacin and attacin-like AMPs that have been discovered so far and analyze their structure and phylogeny. Special focus is given to the physiological importance and mechanism of action of attacins against microbial pathogens together with their potential pharmacological applications, emphasizing their roles as antimicrobials.

scholarly journals The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. T. Blaskovich ◽  
Angela M. Kavanagh ◽  
Alysha G. Elliott ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Soumya Ramu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
New Class ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Excellent Activity ◽  
Induce Resistance ◽  
First Time

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance threatens the viability of modern medicine, which is largely dependent on the successful prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. Unfortunately, there are few new therapeutics in the clinical pipeline, particularly for Gram-negative bacteria. We now present a detailed evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of cannabidiol, the main non-psychoactive component of cannabis. We confirm previous reports of Gram-positive activity and expand the breadth of pathogens tested, including highly resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Clostridioides difficile. Our results demonstrate that cannabidiol has excellent activity against biofilms, little propensity to induce resistance, and topical in vivo efficacy. Multiple mode-of-action studies point to membrane disruption as cannabidiol’s primary mechanism. More importantly, we now report for the first time that cannabidiol can selectively kill a subset of Gram-negative bacteria that includes the ‘urgent threat’ pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrate the potential to advance cannabidiol analogs as a much-needed new class of antibiotics.

scholarly journals Oxidized LDLs as Signaling Molecules

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1184
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Zingg ◽  
Adelina Vlad ◽  
Roberta Ricciarelli
Keyword(s):  
Free Radicals ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Scavenger Receptors ◽  
Physiological Relevance ◽  
Reactive Radicals ◽  
Accumulation Of Lipids

Levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) are usually low in vivo but can increase whenever the balance between formation and scavenging of free radicals is impaired. Under normal conditions, uptake and degradation represent the physiological cellular response to oxLDL exposure. The uptake of oxLDLs is mediated by cell surface scavenger receptors that may also act as signaling molecules. Under conditions of atherosclerosis, monocytes/macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells highly exposed to oxLDLs tend to convert to foam cells due to the intracellular accumulation of lipids. Moreover, the atherogenic process is accelerated by the increased expression of the scavenger receptors CD36, SR-BI, LOX-1, and SRA in response to high levels of oxLDL and oxidized lipids. In some respects, the effects of oxLDLs, involving cell proliferation, inflammation, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, senescence, and gene expression, can be seen as an adaptive response to the rise of free radicals in the vascular system. Unlike highly reactive radicals, circulating oxLDLs may signal to cells at more distant sites and possibly trigger a systemic antioxidant defense, thus elevating the role of oxLDLs to that of signaling molecules with physiological relevance.

scholarly journals Inhibition of CCL7 derived from Mo-MDSCs prevents metastatic progression from latency in colorectal cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoli Ren ◽  
Jianbiao Xiao ◽  
Wanning Zhang ◽  
Feifei Wang ◽  
Yongrong Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Metastatic Progression ◽  
Ht29 Cells ◽  
Metastatic Cells ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Mice Liver ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Related Proteins

AbstractIn colorectal cancer (CRC), overt metastases often appear after years of latency. But the signals that cause micro-metastatic cells to remain indolent, thereby enabling them to survive for extended periods of time, are unclear. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to explore the co-localization of CCL7 and CCR2. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were employed to detect the characters of metastatic HT29 cells in mice liver. Flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the immune cells. Bruberin vivo MS FX Pro Imager was used to observe the liver metastasis of CRC in mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were employed to detect the expressions of related proteins. Trace RNA sequencing was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in MDSCs from liver micro-M and macro-M of CRC in mice. Here, we firstly constructed the vitro dormant cell models and metastatic dormant animal models of colorectal cancer. Then we found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were increased significantly from liver micro-metastases to macro-metastases of CRC in mice. Moreover, monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSC) significantly promoted the dormant activation of micro-metastatic cells compared to polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSC). Mechanistically, CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs bound with membrane protein CCR2 of micro-metastatic cells and then stimulated the JAK/STAT3 pathway to activate the dormant cells. Low-dose administration of CCL7 and MDSCs inhibitors in vivo could significantly maintain the CRC metastatic cells dormant status for a long time to reduce metastasis or recurrence after radical operation. Clinically, the level of CCL7 in blood was positively related to the number of Mo-MDSCs in CCR patients, and highly linked with the short-time recurrence and distant metastasis. CCL7 secreted by Mo-MDSCs plays an important role in initiating the outgrowth of metastatic latent CRC cells. Inhibition of CCL7 might provide a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of metastasis recurrence.

scholarly journals Environmentally persistent free radicals are ubiquitous in wildfire charcoals and remain stable for years

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Sigmund ◽  
Cristina Santín ◽  
Marc Pignitter ◽  
Nathalie Tepe ◽  
Stefan H. Doerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Pyrogenic Carbon ◽  
Spin Resonance ◽  
Long Time ◽  
High Concentrations

AbstractGlobally landscape fires produce about 256 Tg of pyrogenic carbon or charcoal each year. The role of charcoal as a source of environmentally persistent free radicals, which are precursors of potentially harmful reactive oxygen species, is poorly constrained. Here, we analyse 60 charcoal samples collected from 10 wildfires, that include crown as well as surface fires in forest, shrubland and grassland spanning different boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical climate. Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, we measure high concentrations of environmentally persistent free radicals in charcoal samples, much higher than those found in soils. Concentrations increased with degree of carbonization and woody fuels favoured higher concentrations. Moreover, environmentally persistent free radicals remained stable for an unexpectedly long time of at least 5 years. We suggest that wildfire charcoal is an important global source of environmentally persistent free radicals, and therefore potentially of harmful reactive oxygen species.

Optically pumped magnetometers enable a new level of biomagnetic measurements

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 247-251
Author(s):  
Tilmann Sander ◽  
Anna Jodko-Władzińska ◽  
Stefan Hartwig ◽  
Rüdiger Brühl ◽  
Thomas Middelmann
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Interference ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Optically Pumped ◽  
New Class ◽  
Magnetic Shields ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Electric And Magnetic Fields ◽  
Auditory Evoked Fields

AbstractThe electrophysiological activities in the human body generate electric and magnetic fields that can be measured noninvasively by electrodes on the skin, or even, not requiring any contact, by magnetometers. This includes the measurement of electrical activity of brain, heart, muscles and nerves that can be measured in vivo and allows to analyze functional processes with high temporal resolution. To measure these extremely small magnetic biosignals, traditionally highly sensitive superconducting quantum-interference devices have been used, together with advanced magnetic shields. Recently, they have been complemented in usability by a new class of sensors, optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). These quantum sensors offer a high sensitivity without requiring cryogenic temperatures, allowing the design of small and flexible sensors for clinical applications. In this letter, we describe the advantages of these upcoming OPMs in two exemplary applications that were recently carried out at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB): (1) magnetocardiography (MCG) recorded during exercise and (2) auditory-evoked fields registered by magnetoencephalography.

scholarly journals Lankesterella (Apicomplexa, Lankesterellidae) Blood Parasites of Passeriform Birds: Prevalence, Molecular and Morphological Characterization, with Notes on Sporozoite Persistence In Vivo and Development In Vitro

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1451
Author(s):  
Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Vytautas Preikša ◽  
Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽  
Mikas Ilgūnas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characterization ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Serinus Canaria ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Development In Vitro

Recent studies confirmed that some Hepatozoon-like blood parasites (Apicomplexa) of birds are closely related to the amphibian parasite Lankesterella minima. Little is known about the biology of these pathogens in birds, including their distribution, life cycles, specificity, vectors, and molecular characterization. Using blood samples of 641 birds from 16 species, we (i) determined the prevalence and molecular diversity of Lankesterella parasites in naturally infected birds; (ii) investigated the development of Lankesterella kabeeni in laboratory-reared mosquitoes, Culex pipiens forma molestus and Aedes aegypti; and (iii) tested experimentally the susceptibility of domestic canaries, Serinus canaria, to this parasite. This study combined molecular and morphological diagnostic methods and determined 11% prevalence of Lankesterella parasites in Acrocephalidae birds; 16 Lankesterella lineages with a certain degree of host specificity and two new species (Lankesterella vacuolata n. sp. and Lankesterella macrovacuolata n. sp.) were found and characterized. Lankesterella kabeeni (formerly Hepatozoon kabeeni) was re-described. Serinus canaria were resistant after various experimental exposures. Lankesterella sporozoites rapidly escaped from host cells in vitro. Sporozoites persisted for a long time in infected mosquitoes (up to 42 days post exposure). Our study demonstrated a high diversity of Lankesterella parasites in birds, and showed that several avian Hepatozoon-like parasites, in fact, belong to Lankesterella genus.

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