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Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2022Metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs) are increasingly employed in many fields with a wide range of applications from industries to drug delivery. Due to their... (Review)
Review
Metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs) are increasingly employed in many fields with a wide range of applications from industries to drug delivery. Due to their semiconducting properties, metal oxide nanoparticles are commonly used in the manufacturing of several commercial products available in the market, including cosmetics, food additives, textile, paint, and antibacterial ointments. The use of metallic oxide nanoparticles for medical and cosmetic purposes leads to unavoidable human exposure, requiring a proper knowledge of their potentially harmful effects. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the possible toxicity of metallic oxide nanoparticles in zebrafish during both adulthood and growth stages, with an emphasis on the role of oxidative stress.
Topics: Animals; Metal Nanoparticles; Metals; Oxidative Stress; Oxides; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction; Zebrafish
PubMed: 35154565
DOI: 10.1155/2022/3313016 -
The Analyst Jan 2022In forensic science, knowledge and understanding of material transfer and persistence is inherent to the interpretation of trace evidence and can provide vital...
In forensic science, knowledge and understanding of material transfer and persistence is inherent to the interpretation of trace evidence and can provide vital information on the activity level surrounding a crime. Detecting metal ions in fingermark residue has long been of interest in the field of forensic science, due to the possibility of linking trace metal ion profiles to prior activity with specific metal objects ( gun or explosive handling). Unfortunately, the imaging capability to visualise trace metal ions at sufficient spatial resolution to determine their distribution within a fingermark (micron level) was not previously available. Here, we demonstrate for the first time transfer and persistence of metals in fingermarks, at micron spatial resolution, using synchrotron sourced X-ray fluorescence microscopy. Such information may form a critical baseline for future metal-based detection strategies. Fingermarks were taken before and after brief handling of a gun barrel, ammunition cartridge case and party sparkler to demonstrate the transfer of metals. The results reveal increased metal content after contact with these objects, and critically, a differential pattern of metal ion increase was observed after handling different objects. Persistence studies indicate that these metals are removed as easily as they are transferred, with a brief period of hand washing appearing to successfully remove metallic residue from subsequent fingermarks. Preliminary work using X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopic mapping highlighted the potential use of this technique to differentiate between different chemical forms of metals and metal ions in latent fingermarks. It is anticipated that these findings can now be used to assist future work for the advancement of trace metal detection tests and fingermark development procedures.
Topics: Dermatoglyphics; Explosive Agents; Forensic Sciences; Metals; Microscopy
PubMed: 34989361
DOI: 10.1039/d1an01951a -
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry May 2022Heterocyclic rings are the fundamental building blocks of biological systems and have wide applications in synthetic chemistry and medicinal science. The development of... (Review)
Review
Heterocyclic rings are the fundamental building blocks of biological systems and have wide applications in synthetic chemistry and medicinal science. The development of novel synthetic methodology for heterocyclic skeletons from a variety of starting materials has made great progress in the past decades. Meanwhile, highly strained cyclopropenes as reactive reagents in organic transformations have drawn much attention from chemists. The rich chemical reactivity and reaction routes have been well investigated, and some review articles related to the reactivity of cyclopropenes and the construction of carbocycles and acyclic compounds have appeared in these years. Thus, this review mainly focuses on the progress in the construction of heterocyclic rings starting from various cyclopropenes including the reactions of commonly available stable cyclopropenes, generated reactive cyclopropenes and cyclopropene precursors during this decade. Firstly, the transformations of common cyclopropenes into donor-type vinyl metal carbenes transition metal induced ring opening, direct metalation of the CC bond of metal complexes, and cycloaddition reactions with 1,3-dipoles are described. Next, the annulation reactions of reactive cyclopropenes generated with donor-acceptor reagents, intramolecular nucleophilic addition, and the cycloaddition reactions with 1,3-dipoles are introduced. Then, the transformation of cyclopropene precursors such as alkyl 1-chloro- or 1-alkoxy-2-aroylcyclopropanecarboxylates into five-membered heteroaromatic compounds is also mentioned. In addition, a brief outlook of the opportunity and challenges in the field of bio-orthogonal reactions related to cyclopropenes is given.
Topics: Cycloaddition Reaction; Cyclopropanes; Indicators and Reagents; Metals; Transition Elements
PubMed: 35470816
DOI: 10.1039/d1ob02450g -
Biochimie Jun 2021Inteins are intervening polypeptides that interrupt the functional domains of several important proteins across the three domains of life. Inteins excise themselves from... (Review)
Review
Inteins are intervening polypeptides that interrupt the functional domains of several important proteins across the three domains of life. Inteins excise themselves from the precursor protein, ligating concomitant extein residues in a process called protein splicing. Post-translational auto-removal of inteins remain critical for the generation of active proteins. The perspective of inteins in science is a robust field of research, however fundamental studies centralized upon splicing regulatory mechanism are imperative for addressing more intricate issues. Controlled engineering of intein splicing has many applications; intein inhibition can facilitate novel drug design, while activation of intein splicing is exploited in protein purification. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the past and recent advances in the splicing regulation via metal-intein interaction. We compare the behavior of different metal ions on diverse intein systems. Though metals such as Zn, Cu, Pt, Cd, Co, Ni exhibit intein inhibitory effect heterogeneously on different inteins, divalent metal ions such as Ca and Mg fail to do so. The observed diversity in the metal-intein interaction arises mostly due to intein polymorphism and variations in atomic structure of metals. A mechanistic understanding of intein regulation by metals in native as well as synthetically engineered intein systems may yield potent intein inhibitors via direct or indirect approach.
Topics: Inteins; Metals; Protein Splicing
PubMed: 33727137
DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.03.006 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Jul 2023This bibliographical review is a compilation of different scientific publications that reported data on metal concentrations in the muscle tissue of different species of... (Review)
Review
This bibliographical review is a compilation of different scientific publications that reported data on metal concentrations in the muscle tissue of different species of cetaceans from seas and oceans around the world. Forty-nine scientific articles were selected, published over a fifteen-year period (2006-2021) with data on heavy metals and trace elements. The different groups of cetaceans considered in this study generally presented low concentrations of Cd and Pb. The same cannot be said of Hg. The highest concentrations of Hg were found in the groups of false killer whales. Similarly, the use of these groups of cetaceans as bioindicators of metal contamination shows that the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most metallically contaminated areas in the world. This may be due to the closed nature of the Mediterranean Sea and to the fact that it is also a highly populated and industrialized area.
Topics: Animals; Trace Elements; Environmental Monitoring; Metals, Heavy; Cetacea; Mercury; Dolphins; Mediterranean Sea; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37167666
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115010 -
Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Heavy Metal Exposure: a Systematic Review.Biological Trace Element Research Dec 2023Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a debilitating disease with adverse effects including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Heavy metals can cause severe... (Review)
Review
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a debilitating disease with adverse effects including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Heavy metals can cause severe dysfunction in different body organs including the liver. This review offers the study regarding the positive or negative association between heavy metals exposure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The method used in this study is a systematic review based on searching in the PubMed, Scopus, and Science direct databases with the keywords of fatty liver, non-alcohol fatty liver, heavy metal, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, thallium, lead, iron, zinc, and nickel. There were 2200 articles searched in databases, and after assessment, 28 articles were selected. Positive association is established between arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury, and fatty liver disease. A negative relationship is found between zinc, copper, and progressive fatty liver disease. Furthermore, laboratory methods for NAFLD diagnosis were examined according to the obtained manuscripts. Among the different diagnostic methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method.
Topics: Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Cadmium; Arsenic; Metals, Heavy; Mercury; Iron; Zinc
PubMed: 36929113
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03629-9 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022Nanomaterials have attracted much attention over the last decades due to their very different properties compared to those of bulk equivalents, such as a large... (Review)
Review
Nanomaterials have attracted much attention over the last decades due to their very different properties compared to those of bulk equivalents, such as a large surface-to-volume ratio, the size-dependent optical, physical, and magnetic properties. A number of solution fabrication methods have been developed for the synthesis of metal and metal oxides nanoparticles, but few solid-state methods have been reported. The application of nanostructured materials to electronic solid-state devices or to high-temperature technology requires, however, adequate solid-state methods for obtaining nanostructured materials. In this review, we discuss some of the main current methods of obtaining nanomaterials in solid state, and also we summarize the obtaining of nanomaterials using a new general method in solid state. This new solid-state method to prepare metals and metallic oxides nanostructures start with the preparation of the macromolecular complexes chitosan·Xn and PS-co-4-PVP·MXn as precursors (X = anion accompanying the cationic metal, n = is the subscript, which indicates the number of anions in the formula of the metal salt and PS-co-4-PVP = poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine)). Then, the solid-state pyrolysis under air and at 800 °C affords nanoparticles of M°, MO depending on the nature of the metal. Metallic nanoparticles are obtained for noble metals such as Au, while the respective metal oxide is obtained for transition, representative, and lanthanide metals. Size and morphology depend on the nature of the polymer as well as on the spacing of the metals within the polymeric chain. Noticeably in the case of TiO, anatase or rutile phases can be tuned by the nature of the Ti salts coordinated in the macromolecular polymer. A mechanism for the formation of nanoparticles is outlined on the basis of TG/DSC data. Some applications such as photocatalytic degradation of methylene by different metal oxides obtained by the presented solid-state method are also described. A brief review of the main solid-state methods to prepare nanoparticles is also outlined in the introduction. Some challenges to further development of these materials and methods are finally discussed.
Topics: Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Metal Nanoparticles; Metals; Nanostructures; Oxides; Polymers
PubMed: 35163017
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031093 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jan 2021Biological sulfide precipitation by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is an emerging technique for the recovery of heavy metals from metal contaminated wastewater.... (Review)
Review
Biological sulfide precipitation by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is an emerging technique for the recovery of heavy metals from metal contaminated wastewater. Advantages of this technique include low capital cost, ability to form highly insoluble salts, and capability to remove and recover heavy metals even at very low concentrations. Therefore, sulfate reduction under anaerobic conditions has become a suitable alternative for the treatment of wastewaters that contain metals. However, bioreactor configurations for recovery of metals from sulfate rich metallic wastewater have not been explored widely. Moreover, the recovered metal sulfide nanoparticles could be applied in various fields such as solar cells, dye degradation, electroplating, etc. Hence, metal recovery in the form of nanoparticles from wastewater could serve as an incentive for industries. The simultaneous metal removal and recovery can be achieved in either a single-stage or multistage systems. This paper aims to present an overview of the different bioreactor configurations for the treatment of wastewater containing sulfate and metal along with their advantages and drawbacks for metal recovery. Currently followed biological strategies to mitigate sulfate and metal rich wastewater are evaluated in detail in this review.
Topics: Bioreactors; Metals, Heavy; Sulfates; Sulfides; Wastewater
PubMed: 33157464
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111555 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Metals, metallic compounds, and, recently, metallic nanoparticles appear in textiles due to impurities from raw materials, contamination during the manufacturing...
Metals, metallic compounds, and, recently, metallic nanoparticles appear in textiles due to impurities from raw materials, contamination during the manufacturing process, and/or their deliberate addition. However, the presence of lead, cadmium, chromium (VI), arsenic, mercury, and dioctyltin in textile products is regulated in Europe (Regulation 1907/2006). Metal determination in fabrics was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The ICP-MS procedure has been successfully validated; relative standard deviations were up to 3% and analytical recoveries were within the 90-107% range. The developed method was applied to several commercial textiles, and special attention has been focused on textiles with nanofinishing (fabrics prepared with metallic nanoparticles for providing certain functionalities). Arsenic content (in textile T4) and lead content (in subsamples T1-1, T1-2, and T3-3) were found to exceed the maximum limits established by the European Regulation 1907/2006. Although impregnation of yarns with mercury compounds is not allowed, mercury was quantified in fabrics T1-2, T5, and T6. Further speciation studies for determining hexavalent chromium species in sample T9 are necessary (hexavalent chromium is the only species of chromium regulated). Some textile products commercialised in Europe included in this study do not comply with European regulation 1907/2006.
Topics: Arsenic; Cadmium; Mercury; Metals; Textiles
PubMed: 35055766
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020944 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Aug 2021Developing biotemplating techniques to translate microorganisms and cultured mammalian cells into metallic biocomposites is of great interest for biosensors,...
Developing biotemplating techniques to translate microorganisms and cultured mammalian cells into metallic biocomposites is of great interest for biosensors, electronics, and energy. The metallization of viruses and microbial cells is successfully demonstrated via a genetic engineering strategy or electroless deposition. However, it is difficult to transform mammalian cells into metallic biocomposites because of the complicated genes and the delicate morphological features. Herein, "polymer-assisted cell metallization" (PACM) is reported as a general method for the transformation of mammalian cells into metallic biocomposites. PACM includes a first step of in situ polymerization of functional polymer on the surface and in the interior of the mammalian cells, and a subsequent electroless deposition of metal to convert the polymer-functionalized cells into metallic biocomposites, which retain the micro- and nanostructures of the mammalian cells. This new biotemplating method is compatible with different cell types and metals to yield a wide variety of metallic biocomposites with controlled structures and properties.
Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Biocompatible Materials; Copper; Electrochemistry; Electronics; Gold; HeLa Cells; Humans; Metals; Mice; Microscopy, Confocal; Nanostructures; Nickel; Polymers; Scyphozoa; Silver; Surface Properties
PubMed: 34279053
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102348