Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used for controlling pests worldwide. The inhibitory effects of these pesticides on acetylcholinesterase lead to neurotoxic damages. The oxidative stress ...is responsible for several neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, seizure, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Strong evidence suggests that dysfunction of mitochondria and oxidative stress are involved in neurological diseases. OPs can disturb the function of mitochondria by inducing oxidative stress. In the present study, we tried to highlight the role of dysfunction of mitochondria and the induction of oxidative stress in the neurotoxicity induced by OPs. Additionally, the amelioration of OP-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunctional through the chemical and natural antioxidants have been discussed.
The molecular signaling pathways that lead to cell survival/death after exposure to organophosphate compounds (OPCs) are not yet fully understood. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ...the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and the p38-MAPK play the leading roles in the transmission of extracellular signals into the cell nucleus, leading to cell differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Moreover, exposure to OPCs induces ERK, JNK, and p38-MAPK activation, which leads to oxidative stress and apoptosis in various tissues. However, the activation of MAPK signaling pathways may differ depending on the type of OPCs and the type of cell exposed. Finally, different cell responses can be induced by different types of MAPK signaling pathways after exposure to OPCs.
This study was conducted to investigate the association between trace elements including cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), zinc ...(Zn), and arsenic (As) in gastrointestinal cancer tissue and non-cancerous tissue (suspected gastrointestinal cancer) in Eastern Iran. The samples of 63 gastrointestinal cancers (stomach (n = 20), esophageal (n = 19), and colorectal (n = 24) along with 63 controls in South Khorasan Province, Iran, were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS (Agilent 7900). Our results indicated that the concentrations of Co (1.3 ± 0.8, 1.3 ± 0.8 μg kg
−1
), Cr (8.1 ± 7.3, 11.0 ± 14.8 μg kg
−1
), Ni (29.0 ± 20.1, 39.5 ± 30.2 μg kg
−1
), Pb (6.9 ± 4.0, 6.1 ± 4.6 μg kg
−1
), and Zn (867.6 ± 159.1, 935.6 ± 196.2 μg kg
−1
) were significantly higher among esophagus and colon cancer cases than controls (
p
< 0.05). Similarly, stomach cancer cases showed higher Co, Cr, Ni, Se, and Zn and lower Cu concentrations than their controls (
p
< 0.05). Moreover, the Spearman correlation between metals revealed a mostly low to moderate correlation between metals. Our finding illustrated that the significant risk differences of Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn metals on esophagus cancer when considered the single predictor unadjusted for other metals and covariates RD (95% CI) – Cr: −0.274 (−0.463, −0.086), Ni: −0.288 (−0.457, −0.118), Pb: −0.171 (−0.463, −0.086), Se: −0.243 (−0.434, −0.051), and Zn: −0.094 (−0.143, −0.045) respectively. This study suggests that the trace element’s exposure may be associated with gastrointestinal cancer risk. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying trace element carcinogenesis further.
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•A midazolam(MDZ) imprinted polymer was synthesized for the first time.•An electrochemical sensor based on Nano-MIP modified CPE for determination of MDZ was developed.•The proposed ...sensor showed excellent selectivity to midazolam compared to other its benzodiazepine analogues including oxazepam, diazepam and alprazolam.•This sensor was successfully used for MDZ determination in pharmaceutical formulation and biological fluids samples.
In this research, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles were used as recognition elements for development of a new electrochemical sensor for selective and sensitive determination of benzodiazepine drug, midazolam (MDZ). The MIP nanoparticles synthesized via precipitation polymerization method and then incorporated in composition of carbon paste electrode (CPE) as sensing element. In order to achieve a sensor with maximum performance, the effective parameters on the extraction of MDZ from sample solution and also, electrochemical analysis step were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the fabricated sensor showed good linearity in the ranges of 5.0 × 10−10 to 1.0 × 10−7 M (R2 = 0.9920) and 1.0 × 10−7 to 1.0 × 10−6 M (R2 = 0.9939). Also, the high sensitivity (3.05 × 108 μA L mol−1) along with low limits of detection (1.77 × 10−10 M) and quantification (5.89 × 10−10 M) was obtained for MDZ determination. This sensor was successfully used to analysis of midazolam drug in pharmaceutical formulation and Human urine samples. The results indicated that the Nano-MIP modified CPE is promising sensor for selective detection of MDZ at trace levels in real samples with complicated matrices.
Poisoning is a frequent cause of referral to medical emergencies and a major health problem around the world, especially in developing countries. We aimed to review the epidemiology and pattern of ...adult poisoning in Iran in order to facilitate the early diagnosis and management of poisoning. The pattern of poisoning is different in various parts of Iran. Pharmaceutical compounds were the most common cause of poisoning in most parts of Iran. Pesticide-related toxicities were more common in northern agricultural regions, whereas bites and stings were seen more commonly in southern Iran. Carbon monoxide poisoning was common in cities with many motor vehicles such as Tehran and in colder climates such as in northern and western regions due to inadequately vented gas appliances such as stoves and heaters. Majoon Birjandi (containing cannabis) is a unique substance used in eastern Iran. Poisoning by opioids, tramadol, and pesticides (organophosphate and aluminum phosphide) has remained a common hazard in Iran. Poisoning-associated morbidity and mortality rates vary by region and have changed over time due to the introduction of new drugs and chemicals. Early diagnosis and proper treatment may be lifesaving; thus, understanding the general pattern of poisoning in different regions is important.
Smoking is one of the major causes of mortality and numerous diseases, both directly and indirectly. The role of smoking as a significant risk factor is already known in several human diseases such ...as cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aimed to compare the toxicity of heavy metal levels in the two groups of cigarette smokers and non-smokers in Birjand during 2018. In this case-control study, 70 smokers were enrolled as the case group and 70 individuals with no history of smoking as control group. The cases were selected from among those who smoked 10 cigarettes per day without a drug use history. Heavy metal concentrations were collected in participants’ serum samples. Cluster analysis and principal components analysis were employed to compare heavy metal toxicity between the groups. The duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes consumed per day were 14.36 ± 12.75 years and 11.32 ± 7.23, respectively. The concentration of thallium (Ti), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) was significantly higher in the smoker group than that in the non-smoker group (
p
< 0.05). Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) are among the most important metals accumulated in smokers’ blood, and 21.6% of our study’s total data was associated with them. Cluster analysis in the smoker group, including A1 (Cd), A2 (Co, Pb), B1 (Ti), B2 (mercury (Hg), As, chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)) and C (Mn and Cu). In our study, cluster analysis showed a different grouping of elements in patient and control groups. Lead, cadmium, and cobalt were the most critical metals accumulated in the blood of cigarette smokers.
COVID-19 was responsible for many deaths and economic losses around the globe since its first case report. Governments implemented a variety of policies to combat the pandemic in order to protect ...their citizens and save lives. Early in 2020, the first cases were reported in Arizona State and continued to rise until the discovery of the vaccine in 2021. A variety of strategies and interventions to stop or decelerate the spread of the pandemic has been considered. It is recommended to define which strategy was successful for disease propagation prevention and could be used in further similar situations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of people's contact interventions strategies which were implemented in Arizona State and their effect on reducing the daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths. Their effect on daily COVID-19 cases and deaths were evaluated using an interrupted time series analysis during the pandemic's first peaks to better understand the onward situation. Canceling the order of staying at home (95% CI, 1718.52 to 6218.79; p<0.001) and expiring large gatherings (95% CI, 1984.99 to 7060.26; p<0.001) on June 30 and August 17, 2020, respectively, had a significant effect on the pandemic, leading to the daily cases to grow rapidly. Moreover, canceling the stay at home orders led to an increase in the number of COVID-19 daily deaths by 67.68 cases (95% CI, 27.96 to 107.40; p<0.001) after about 21 days while prohibiting large gatherings significantly decreased 66.76 (95% CI: 20.56 to 112.96; p = 0.004) the number of daily deaths with about 21 days' lag. The results showed that strategies aimed at reducing people's contact with one another could successfully help fight the pandemic. Findings from this study provide important evidence to support state-level policies that require observance of social distancing by the general public for future pandemics.
Today atherosclerosis is considered as a main cause of death in the worldwide. There is a significant association between heavy metal exposure and atherosclerosis. In this study, we discussed the ...scientific literature about the effect of mercury on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We also considered the epidemiological studies on mercury as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus were searched by using the following keywords to 2019: (cardiovascular diseases OR atherosclerosis OR endothelial dysfunction) AND (mercury). Mercury has the potential to act as one of the novel risk factors for atherosclerosis development. The findings have indicated the role of mercury in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, vascular endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia. Mercury can induce atherosclerosis indirectly via increasing the total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C levels as well as decreasing the HDL-C level. Mercury can be considered as a risk factor in the atherosclerosis progression. However, more studies are required to find the exact mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis induced by mercury.
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