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Lipids in Health and Disease Nov 2023Lipin family members in mammals include lipins 1, 2, and 3. Lipin family proteins play a crucial role in lipid metabolism due to their bifunctionality as both... (Review)
Review
Lipin family members in mammals include lipins 1, 2, and 3. Lipin family proteins play a crucial role in lipid metabolism due to their bifunctionality as both transcriptional coregulators and phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) enzymes. In this review, we discuss the structural features, expression patterns, and pathophysiologic functions of lipins, emphasizing their direct as well as indirect roles in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Elucidating the regulation of lipins facilitates a deeper understanding of the roles of lipins in the processes underlying CVDs. The activity of lipins is modulated at various levels, e.g., in the form of the transcription of genes, post-translational modifications, and subcellular protein localization. Because lipin characteristics are undergoing progressive clarification, further research is necessitated to then actuate the investigation of lipins as viable therapeutic targets in CVDs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Organic Chemicals; Lipid Metabolism; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Phosphatidate Phosphatase; Mammals
PubMed: 37964368
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01961-6 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2023Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination polymers that comprise metal ions/clusters and organic ligands. MOFs have been extensively employed in different fields... (Review)
Review
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are coordination polymers that comprise metal ions/clusters and organic ligands. MOFs have been extensively employed in different fields (eg, gas adsorption, energy storage, chemical separation, catalysis, and sensing) for their versatility, high porosity, and adjustable geometry. To be specific, Fe/Fe exhibits unique redox chemistry, photochemical and electrical properties, as well as catalytic activity. Fe-based MOFs have been widely investigated in numerous biomedical fields over the past few years. In this study, the key index requirements of Fe-MOF materials in the biomedical field are summarized, and a conclusion is drawn in terms of the latest application progress, development prospects, and future challenges of Fe-based MOFs as drug delivery systems, antibacterial therapeutics, biocatalysts, imaging agents, and biosensors in the biomedical field.
Topics: Iron; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Polymers; Adsorption; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37675409
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S417543 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Oct 2023Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contain hundreds of chemicals and human exposure to VOCs is pervasive. However, most studies have considered only a single chemical or...
BACKGROUND
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contain hundreds of chemicals and human exposure to VOCs is pervasive. However, most studies have considered only a single chemical or a class of similar chemicals.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the association between urinary volatile organic compound metabolites (mVOCs) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population.
METHODS
The data in this study were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2011-2018. Eligible patients were aged ≥20 years for whom complete data for 20 types of urinary mVOCs and CVD outcomes were available. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to elucidate the association between mVOCs and CVD. Generalized additive models were used to examine the nonlinear relationships between mVOCs and CVD.
RESULTS
6814 indiviuals were included in the final analysis, of whom 508 had CVD. Higher urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (CEMA) and N-Acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-l-cysteine (CYMA) and a lower urinary concentration of 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) were associated with CVD outcomes after the adjustment for potential confounding factors. A nonlinear relationship and a threshold effect were only observed between N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-l-cysteine (AMCC) and CVD among 20 types of mVOCs. There was a significantly positive correlation between AMCC and CVD when AMCC concentration was >2.32 g/mL.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study suggested a significant correlation between urinary VOC metabolites and CVD. Urinary mVOCs may indicate hazardous exposure or distinct metabolic traits in patients with CVD.
Topics: Humans; Volatile Organic Compounds; Nutrition Surveys; Cardiovascular Diseases; Acetylcysteine
PubMed: 37714034
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115412 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Aug 2023The article describes new strategies for the remediation of soils contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants. The aim of this study is to investigate the... (Review)
Review
The article describes new strategies for the remediation of soils contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants. The aim of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects of combining plant-microorganism-functional materials for a more effective reduction of soil contamination with toxic chemicals. The innovative triad involves functional materials as a habitat for microorganisms, which helps to control the release of pollutants into the soil solution from the adsorbed form. This, in turn, reduces the toxic effect on microorganisms and plants. Microorganisms play a complex role, consisting of partial biodegradation of pollutants, stimulation of plant growth, and support for nutrient supply. Plants synthesize root exudates that facilitate microorganisms in biodegrading organic pollutants and stimulate their growth. The plant takes up pollutants through the root system, which can be further supported by endophytic microorganisms. The cooperation of the three players produces a synergistic effect that enhances the effectiveness of rhizodegradation supported by functional materials, which is more effective than using microorganisms, phytoremediation, or functional materials alone. The combination of physicochemical methods (functional materials) and microbiological methods (bacteria and fungi, rhizosphere, symbiotic and non-symbiotic) supported by plants (hyperaccumulators) is a promising approach for reducing chemicals from soil. Key examples of the synergistic effects of combining plant-microorganism-functional materials have been provided in this article.
Topics: Soil Pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bacteria; Environmental Pollutants; Plants; Soil; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 37477813
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28755-8 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2023Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a natural product derived from the herbal medicine Artemisia annua, is recently used as a novel anti-cancer agent. However, some intrinsic...
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a natural product derived from the herbal medicine Artemisia annua, is recently used as a novel anti-cancer agent. However, some intrinsic disadvantages limit its potential for clinical management of cancer patients, such as poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Nowadays, the nanoscale drug delivery system emerges as a hopeful platform for improve the anti-cancer treatment. Accordingly, a metal-organic framework (MOF) based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 was designed and synthesized to carry DHA in the core (ZIF-DHA). Contrast with free DHA, these prepared ZIF-DHA nanoparticles (NPs) displayed preferable anti-tumor therapeutic activity in several ovarian cancer cells accompanied with suppressed production of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced apoptotic cell death. 4D-FastDIA-based mass spectrometry technology indicated that down-regulated reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO1) might be regarded as potential therapeutic targets for ZIF-DHA NPs. Overexpression of ROMO1 in ovarian cancer cells significantly reversed the cellular ROS-generation induced by ZIF-DHA, as well as the pro-apoptosis effects. Taken together, our study elucidated and highlighted the potential of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8-based MOF to improve the activity of DHA to treat ovarian cancer. Our findings suggested that these prepared ZIF-DHA NPs could be an attractive therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.
Topics: Humans; Female; Reactive Oxygen Species; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Ovarian Neoplasms; Apoptosis; Nanoparticles; Membrane Proteins; Mitochondrial Proteins
PubMed: 37386404
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01959-3 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Bee bread is one of the least studied bee products. In this study, ten bee bread samples were characterized using palynology and HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase...
Bee bread is one of the least studied bee products. In this study, ten bee bread samples were characterized using palynology and HS-SPME-GC-MS (headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). In total, over one hundred different volatile components were identified, belonging to different chemical groups. Only ten common components were detected in all the samples. These volatiles were ethanol, ethylene chloride, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, α-pinene, furfural, nonane, nonanal, n-hexane and isovaleric acid. Several other components were commonly shared among various bee bread samples. Over sixty detected compounds have not been previously reported in bee bread. The analysis required a mild extraction temperature of 40 °C, as higher temperatures resulted in the Maillard reaction, leading to the production of furfural. The profile of volatile compounds of the tested bee pollen samples was complex and varied. Some relationships have been shown between botanical origin and volatile organic compound profile.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Propolis; Furaldehyde; Volatile Organic Compounds; Acetic Acid; Solid Phase Microextraction
PubMed: 38519512
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57159-y -
Environmental Science & Technology Dec 2023Asphalt is ubiquitous across cities and a source of organic compounds spanning a wide range of volatility and may be an overlooked source of urban organic aerosols. The...
Asphalt is ubiquitous across cities and a source of organic compounds spanning a wide range of volatility and may be an overlooked source of urban organic aerosols. The emission rate and composition depend strongly on temperature, but emissions have been observed at both application temperatures and surface temperatures during warm sunny days. Here we report primary organic aerosol (POA) emissions and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production from asphalt. We reheated real-world asphalt samples to application-relevant temperatures (∼130 °C) and typical summertime road-surface temperatures (∼55 °C) and then flushed the emitted vapors into an environmental oxidation chamber containing ammonium sulfate seed particles. SOA was then formed following the photo-oxidation of emissions under high-NO conditions typical of urban atmospheres. We find that POA only forms at application temperature as it does not require further oxidation, whereas SOA forms under both conditions; with the resulting POA and SOA both being semi-volatile. While total OA formation rates were substantially greater under the limited time spent under application conditions, SOA formation from passive asphalt heating presents a potential long-term source, as heating continues for the lifetime of the road surface. This suggests that persistent asphalt solar heating is likely a considerable and continued source of summertime SOA in urban environments.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Organic Chemicals; Hydrocarbons; Aerosols
PubMed: 37931038
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06037 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Dec 2023A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues... (Review)
Review
A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues and municipal wastes. Leveraging these feedstocks is both high-risk and high-reward. Converting mixed, variable, and/or highly contaminated feedstocks can pose engineering and economic challenges. However, converting these materials to fuels and chemicals can divert waste from landfills, reduce fugitive methane emissions, and enable more responsible forest management to reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires. Historically, low-value components, including ash and lignin, are poised to become valuable coproducts capable of supplementing cement and valuable chemicals. Here, we evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with converting a range of feedstocks to renewable fuels and chemicals.
Topics: Methane; Recycling; Waste Management; Renewable Energy
PubMed: 37935087
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103017 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Quinone methides are a class of biologically active compounds that can be used in medicine as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory... (Review)
Review
Quinone methides are a class of biologically active compounds that can be used in medicine as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, quinone methides have the potential to be used as pesticides, dyes, and additives for rubber and plastics. In this paper, we discuss a subclass of quinone methides: methylenequinone oximes. Although the first representatives of the subgroup were synthesized in the distant past, they still need to be additionally studied, while their chemistry, biological properties, and perspective of practical applications require to be comprehensively summarised. Based on the analysis of the literature, it can be concluded that methylenequinone oximes exhibit a diversified profile of properties and outstanding potential as new drug candidates and reagents in organic synthesis, both of electrophilic and nucleophilic nature, worthy of wide-ranging further research.
Topics: Oximes; Indolequinones; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37446890
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135229 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Mar 2024The purpose of this review is to assess the toxicological consequences of crude oil vapor (COV) exposure in the workplace through evaluation of the most current... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The purpose of this review is to assess the toxicological consequences of crude oil vapor (COV) exposure in the workplace through evaluation of the most current epidemiologic and laboratory-based studies in the literature.
RECENT FINDINGS
Crude oil is a naturally occuring mixture of hydrocarbon deposits, inorganic and organic chemical compounds. Workers engaged in upstream processes of oil extraction are exposed to a number of risks and hazards, including getting crude oil on their skin or inhaling crude oil vapor. There have been several reports of workers who died as a result of inhalation of high levels of COV released upon opening thief hatches atop oil storage tanks. Although many investigations into the toxicity of specific hydrocarbons following inhalation during downstream oil processing have been conducted, there is a paucity of information on the potential toxicity of COV exposure itself. This review assesses current knowledge of the toxicological consequences of exposures to COV in the workplace.
Topics: Humans; Petroleum; Hydrocarbons
PubMed: 38267698
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00429-8