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Environmental Science & Technology Dec 2023Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals with several applications. Multiple adverse health effects are reported for longer carbon...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals with several applications. Multiple adverse health effects are reported for longer carbon chain (≤C8) PFAS. Shorter carbon chain PFAS, [e.g., hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA; GenX) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)] were introduced as alternatives. Past studies indicate that longer-chain PFAS are neurotoxic targeting the dopamine pathway, but it is not known if shorter-chain PFAS act similarly. This study aimed to evaluate developmental neurotoxicity and tissue uptake of GenX and PFBS using the zebrafish (). First, acute toxicity was assessed by measuring LC50 at 120 h postfertilization (hpf). Body burden was determined after embryonic exposure (1-72 hpf) to sublethal concentrations of GenX or PFBS by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Locomotor activity using a visual motor response assay at 120 hpf and dopamine levels at 72 hpf was assessed after embryonic exposure. PFBS was more acutely toxic and bioaccumulative than GenX. GenX and PFBS caused hyperactivity at 120 hpf, but stronger behavioral alterations were observed for PFBS. An increase in whole organism dopamine occurred at 40 ppb of GenX, while a decrease was observed at 400 ppb of PFBS. Differences detected in dopamine for these two PFAS indicate differential mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Dopamine; Fluorocarbons; Carbon; Alkanesulfonic Acids
PubMed: 37943624
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05023 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Jun 2024Carbene-based bioadhesives have favourable attributes for tissue adhesion, including non-specific bonding to wet and dry tissues, but suffer from relatively weak...
Carbene-based bioadhesives have favourable attributes for tissue adhesion, including non-specific bonding to wet and dry tissues, but suffer from relatively weak fracture strength after photocuring. Light irradiation of carbene-precursor (diazirine) also creates inert side products that are absent under thermal activation. Herein, a dual activation method combines light irradiation at elevated temperatures for the evaluation of diazirine depletion and effects on cohesive properties. A customized photo/thermal-rheometer evaluates viscoelastic properties, correlated to the kinetics of carbene:diazoalkane ratios via F NMR). The latter exploits the sensitive -CF functional group to determine joule-based light/temperature kinetics on trifluoroaryl diazirine consumption. The combination of heat and photoactivation produced bioadhesives that are 3× tougher compared to control. Dual thermal/light irradiation may be a strategy to improve viscoelastic dissipation and toughness of photo-activated adhesive resins.
Topics: Methane; Diazomethane; Viscosity; Tissue Adhesives; Light; Materials Testing
PubMed: 38431774
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303666 -
European Review For Medical and... Oct 2023Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a collection of degenerative conditions impacting the body's bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. MSDs affect... (Review)
Review
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a collection of degenerative conditions impacting the body's bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. MSDs affect approximately 1.71 billion individuals worldwide and are a significant cause of disability. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. In this review, we will discuss the research progress of structural analogs, derivatives, and nanomaterials that can improve the bioavailability of this natural drug. Curcumin may potentially retard the progression of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These effects may be related to curcumin's targeting of multiple signalling pathways.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Osteoarthritis; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 37916332
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202310_34139 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2023Bio-wastes treatment and disposal has become a challenge because of their increasing output. Given the abundant organic matter in bio-wastes, its related resource... (Review)
Review
Bio-wastes treatment and disposal has become a challenge because of their increasing output. Given the abundant organic matter in bio-wastes, its related resource treatment methods have received more and more attention. As a promising strategy, anaerobic digestion (AD) has been widely used in the treatment of bio-wastes, during which not only methane as energy can be recovered but also their reduction can be achieved. However, AD process is generally disturbed by some internal factors (e.g., low hydrolysis efficiency and accumulated ammonia) and external factors (e.g., input pollutants), resulting in unstable AD operation performance. Recently, hydrochar was wildly found to improve AD performance when added to AD systems. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress on the performance of hydrochar-mediated AD, such as increased methane yield, improved operation efficiency and digestate dewatering, and reduced heavy metals in digestate. Subsequently, the underlying mechanisms of hydrochar promoting AD were systematically elucidated and discussed, including regulation of electron transfer (ET) mode, microbial community structure, bio-processes involved in AD, and reaction conditions. Moreover, the effects of properties of hydrochar (e.g., feedstock, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) temperature, HTC time, modification and dosage) on the improvement of AD performance are systematically concluded. Finally, the relevant knowledge gaps and opportunities to be studied are presented to improve the progress and application of the hydrochar-mediated AD technology. This review aims to offer some references and directions for the hydrochar-mediated AD technology in improving bio-wastes resource recovery.
Topics: Anaerobiosis; Temperature; Methane
PubMed: 37121315
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163829 -
Nutrition and Health Mar 2024Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the L (turmeric) plant and has gained attention through its perceived anti-inflammatory characteristics. The potential... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the L (turmeric) plant and has gained attention through its perceived anti-inflammatory characteristics. The potential interaction with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has led to investigation of curcumin as a post-exercise strategy that may have the potential to lessen acute reductions in functional strength (FS) following physical activity. The purpose of this review is to assess the evidence examining curcumin in relation to four outcome measures: FS, EIMD, DOMS and inflammation. A Medline, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL database search was undertaken with no publication date limit. Sixteen papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three meta-analyses were completed for EIMD, DOMS and inflammation, respectively, with FS being excluded due to limited research. Effect sizes were as follows: EIMD (0.15, -0.12, -0.04, -0.2 and -0.61 corresponding to 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exercise, respectively), DOMS (-0.64, -0.33, 0.06, -0.53 and -1.16 corresponding to 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exercise, respectively) and inflammation (-0.10, 0.26, 0.15 and 0.26 corresponding to 0, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exercise, respectively). A 96 h post-exercise inflammation meta-analysis was not conducted due to limited data. No effect sizes were statistically significant for EIMD ( = 0.644, 0.739, 0.893, 0.601 and 0.134), DOMS ( = 0.054, 0.092, 0.908, 0.119 and 0.074) and inflammation ( = 0.729, 0.603, 0.611 and 0.396). Further research is needed to thoroughly examine whether an effect exists.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Dietary Supplements; Myalgia; Inflammation; Muscles; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 37408367
DOI: 10.1177/02601060231186439 -
Nature Sep 2023Methane (CH) is a potent greenhouse gas and its concentrations have tripled in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. There is evidence that global warming has...
Methane (CH) is a potent greenhouse gas and its concentrations have tripled in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. There is evidence that global warming has increased CH emissions from freshwater ecosystems, providing positive feedback to the global climate. Yet for rivers and streams, the controls and the magnitude of CH emissions remain highly uncertain. Here we report a spatially explicit global estimate of CH emissions from running waters, accounting for 27.9 (16.7-39.7) Tg CH per year and roughly equal in magnitude to those of other freshwater systems. Riverine CH emissions are not strongly temperature dependent, with low average activation energy (E = 0.14 eV) compared with that of lakes and wetlands (E = 0.96 eV). By contrast, global patterns of emissions are characterized by large fluxes in high- and low-latitude settings as well as in human-dominated environments. These patterns are explained by edaphic and climate features that are linked to anoxia in and near fluvial habitats, including a high supply of organic matter and water saturation in hydrologically connected soils. Our results highlight the importance of land-water connections in regulating CH supply to running waters, which is vulnerable not only to direct human modifications but also to several climate change responses on land.
Topics: Ecosystem; Lakes; Methane; Rivers; Wetlands; Global Warming; Human Activities
PubMed: 37587344
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06344-6 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Due to the progressive ageing of the human population, the number of cancer cases is increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need for new treatments that can... (Review)
Review
Due to the progressive ageing of the human population, the number of cancer cases is increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need for new treatments that can prolong the lives of cancer patients or ensure them a good quality of life. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of cancer in recent years and the survival rate of patients is increasing, limitations in the use of conventional therapies include the frequent occurrence of side effects and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. These limitations are prompting researchers to investigate whether combining natural agents with conventional drugs could have a positive therapeutic effect in cancer treatment. Several natural bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, have been shown to be effective against cancer progression and do not exert toxic effects on healthy tissues. Many studies have investigated the possibility of combining polyphenols with conventional drugs as a novel anticancer strategy. Indeed, this combination often has synergistic benefits that increase drug efficacy and reduce adverse side effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the studies describing the synergistic effects of curcumin, a polyphenol that has been shown to have extensive cytotoxic functions against cancer cells, including combined treatment. In particular, we have described the results of recent preclinical and clinical studies exploring the pleiotropic effects of curcumin in combination with standard drugs and the potential to consider it as a promising new tool for cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Quality of Life; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Polyphenols; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37628772
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612587 -
A carrier-free nano-drug assembled via π-π stacking interaction for the treatment of osteoarthritis.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Aug 2023Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be the most common joint disorder. Exogenous drug intervention is one of the effective means for OA treatment. Clinical applications...
Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be the most common joint disorder. Exogenous drug intervention is one of the effective means for OA treatment. Clinical applications of numerous drugs are restricted owing to the short retention as well as rapid clearance in the joint cavity. A wide variety of carrier-based nanodrugs have been developed, but additional carriers may bring unexpected side effects or even toxicity. Herein, by exploiting the spontaneous fluorescence of Curcumin, we designed a new carrier-free self-assembly nanomedicine Curcumin (Cur)/icariin (ICA) nanoparticles with adjustable particle size, which is composed of two small-molecule natural drugs assembled via π-π stacking interaction. Experimental results revealed that Cur/ICA NPs endowed with little cytotoxicity, high cellular uptake and sustained drug release, could inhibit secretion of inflammatory cytokines and reduce cartilage degeneration. Moreover, both the in vitro and in vivo experiments showed the NPs exerted superior synergism effects in anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection than either Cur or ICA alone, and self-monitored its retention by autofluorescence. Thus, the new self-assembly nano-drug combining Cur and ICA represents a new strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles; Osteoarthritis; Particle Size
PubMed: 37210895
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114881 -
Biomaterials Jun 2024The excessive intracellular Ca can induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis, which has been extensively explored for tumor therapy. However, the...
The excessive intracellular Ca can induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis, which has been extensively explored for tumor therapy. However, the low Ca accumulation originated from Ca-based nanosystems substantially weakens the therapeutic effect. Herein, a functional plant polyphenol-appended enzyodynamic nanozyme system CaFeO@BSA-curcumin (abbreviation as CFO-CUR) has been rationally designed and engineered to achieve magnified Ca accumulation process, deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction through enzyodynamic-Ca overload synergistic effect. The exogenous Ca released by CaFeO nanozymes under the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment and Ca efflux inhibition by curcumin boost mitochondria-dominant antineoplastic efficiency. The presence of Fe components with multivalent characteristic depletes endogenous glutathione and outputs the incremental ROS due to the oxidase-, peroxidase-, glutathione peroxidase-mimicking activities. The ROS burst-triggered regulation of Ca channels and pumps strengthens the intracellular Ca accumulation. Especially, the exogenous ultrasound stimulation further amplifies mitochondrial damage. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental results affirm the ultrasound-augmented enzyodynamic-Ca overload synergetic tumor inhibition outcomes. This study highlights the role of ultrasound coupled with functional nanozyme in the homeostasis imbalance and function disorder of mitochondria for highly efficient tumor treatment.
Topics: Humans; Reactive Oxygen Species; Curcumin; Oxidative Stress; Apoptosis; Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38432005
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122513 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Although identical in molecular formula and weight, curcumin and cyclocurcumin show remarkable differences in their reactivity. Both are natural compounds isolated from... (Review)
Review
Although identical in molecular formula and weight, curcumin and cyclocurcumin show remarkable differences in their reactivity. Both are natural compounds isolated from the rhizome of turmeric, the former is involved in the diketo/keto-enol tautomerism through the bis-α,β-unsaturated diketone unit according to the polarity of the solvent, while the latter could react by - isomerization due to the presence of the α,β-unsaturated dihydropyranone moiety. Even if curcumin is generally considered responsible of the therapeutical properties of L. due to its high content, cyclocurcumin has attracted great interest over the last several decades for its individual behavior and specific features as a bioactive compound. Cyclocurcumin has a hydrophobic nature characterized by fluorescence emission, solvatochromism, and the tendency to form spherical fluorescent aggregates in aqueous solution. Molecular docking analysis reveals the potentiality of cyclocurcumin as antioxidant, enzyme inhibitor, and antiviral agent. Promising biological activities are observed especially in the treatment of degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Despite the versatility emerging from the data reported herein, the use of cyclocurcumin seems to remain limited in clinical applications mainly because of its low solubility and bioavailability.
Topics: Curcumin; Molecular Docking Simulation; Antioxidants; Antiviral Agents; Pyrans
PubMed: 38611731
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071451