Graviola attenuates DMBA-induced breast cancer possibly through augmenting apoptosis and antioxidant pathway and downregulating estrogen receptors

Breast cancer is a global public health problem where it is the second most prevalent cancer. Historical cancer treatment with graviola has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of graviola on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)–induced rat breast cancer. Fifty female Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control group (gastro-gavaged by sesame oil), DMBA-treated group (gastro-gavaged a single dose of DMBA [50 mg/kg body mass, diluted in 1 ml sesame oil]) at the age 57 days, DMBA+G37-treated group (gastro-gavaged a single dose of DMBA [50 mg/kg body mass, diluted in 1 ml sesame oil]) at the age of 57 days plus graviola (200 mg/kg body mass) two times weekly (p.o.) at the age of 37 days till the end of the experiment, and DMBA+G57-treated group (received a single dose of DMBA [50 mg/kg body mass, diluted in 1 ml sesame oil]) plus graviola (200 mg/kg body mass) two times weekly at the age of 57 days until the end of the experiment. After the 30-week experimental period, blood samples were collected. Then, animals were sacrificed to determine the apoptotic indices, antioxidant status, and mammary gland tumor marker (CA 15-3). The DMBA upregulated the expression of one of the main anti-apoptotic genes: B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (BCL2) and estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) gene. Moreover, it significantly increased breast lipid peroxidation and serum CA 15-3 but decreased breast antioxidant enzymatic activities (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase). Nevertheless, administration of DMBA and graviola especially DMBA+G37 induced apoptosis through at least 1.5-fold in gene expression levels of pro-apoptotic genes: BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), tumor suppressor gene (P53), and cysteinyl-aspartic acid-protease-3 (caspase-3). A critical role of P53 in the regulation of the BCL2 and BAX has been reported. These proteins can determine if the cell undergoes apoptosis or cancels the process. Once the BAX gene activates caspase-3, there is no irreversible way toward cell death. Also, graviola ameliorated the DMBA effects on antioxidant enzymatic activities and tumor marker CA 15-3. This study concludes that graviola ameliorated DMBA-induced breast cancer potentially through upregulating apoptotic genes, downregulating the ER-α gene, increasing antioxidants, and decreasing lipid peroxidation levels.

     

Saddle seat reduces musculoskeletal discomfort in microsurgery surgeons

Background. Microsurgery is a surgical procedure requiring a high degree of precision and is commonly facilitated through the use of an intraoperative microscope. When operating the microscope system, the long-term posture leads to musculoskeletal disorders in surgeons, and seats are commonly employed to diminish these problems. The present study was conducted to evaluate musculoskeletal discomfort during work with a saddle seat in comparison with conventional seats for microscopic work. Methods. Two types of seats, a saddle and a conventional one, were evaluated for 73 microsurgical surgeons in terms of musculoskeletal discomfort. Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort scale was used to assess musculoskeletal discomfort before and after working with the seats. Results. The highest amount of discomfort that microsurgical surgeons acquire in the workplace was focused on their neck, shoulders, arms and back. During work with a saddle seat, a significant reduction was found for discomfort values in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, elbow and forearm, as well as the whole body (p?<?0.05). Conclusion. This study showed that the use of saddle seats provides a more appropriate physical posture at work, and can decrease musculoskeletal discomfort in different parts of the body of microsurgical surgeons.     

Adsorption mechanism of chloroacetanilide herbicides to modified montmorillonite

This study was undertaken to characterize the adsorption mechanism of alachlor and metolachlor on montmorillonite modified with cationic surfactants. Adsorbed amounts of cationic surfactant on montmorillonite surfaces were determined by CNHSO analyzer. Equilibrium concentrations of alachlor and metolachlor were determined by GC and adsorption results were fit to a linear regression equation. The slope of the isotherms (Kd) was normalized to the fraction of organic carbon on montmorillonite complexes to produce corresponding Koc. Adsorption of surfactants fit very well to Langmuir equation. Increased basal spacing indicates that surfactant molecules could penetrate through the interlayer spacing and arrange themselves in different ways. Equilibrium data of alachlor and metolachlor suggest that adsorption may occur via physical or chemical bonds. Koc values of alachlor or metolachlor decreased as the fraction of the organic carbon increased in montmorillonite complexes indicating independent adsorption process. Changes of the molar free energy of the adsorption reactions were in the range of physical adsorption, indicating that adsorption reactions are spontaneous and the molecules either adsorb on the surface or penetrate into the inter-layers of montmorillonite-surfactant complex. Careful investigation of the adsorption data suggests that interaction may occur via the active groups such as carbonyl group (-C=O), anilidic (C-N) group and/or phenyl rings. This information may provide better understanding on adsorption mechanism and be useful in designing ecologically acceptable herbicide formulations.     

Factors affecting vehicle exhaust emissions,driver motivations as a mediator

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - Reducing the negative effects of vehicle emissions is one of the main priorities for governments worldwide. Comprehensive understanding of the costs and...     

Insight into the Adsorption Properties of Chitosan/Zeolite-A Hybrid Structure for Effective Decontamination of Toxic Cd (II) and As (V) Ions from the Aqueous Environments

Chitosan/zeolite-A hybrid structure (CS/Z.A) was synthesized and characterized as a multifunctional and environmental adsorbent for the Cd (II) and As (V) ions. The adsorption capacities of CS/ZA for Cd (II) and AS (V) are 170 mg/g and 125 mg/g, respectively which are higher values than several adsorbents in literature. The kinetic study demonstrates Pseudo-First-order behavior for the Cd (II) adsorption process and Pseudo-second order for the As (V) uptake reactions. The Cd (II) and As (V) uptake reactions follow the Freundlich equilibrium behavior with heterogeneous and multilayer adsorption properties. The kinetic and equilibrium studies in addition to the Gaussian energy {6.35 kJ/mol [Cd (II)] and 9.44 kJ/mol [As (V)]} demonstrate physical properties for the Cd (II) adsorption mechanism and more chemical behavior for the As (V) adsorption mechanism. The thermodynamic study declares exothermic, spontaneous, and favorable adsorption reactions for Cd (II) and As (V) by CS/Z.A composite. The CS/Z.A is of significant capacity for Cd (II) and As (V) ions in the existence of other competitive dissolved anions (PO₄^3?, NO₃^?, and SO₄^2?) and other metals [Zn (II), Co (II), and Pb (II)]. Finally, the CS/Z.A composite is a recyclable product and can be applied in effective Cd (II) and As (V) decontamination processes for five runs.

     

Impact of pollutants on fish collected from different parts of Shatt Al-Arab River: a histopathological study

In this study, a total of 120 fish specimens of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), were caught at four different stations in Shatt Al-Arab (Hareer, Garmat Ali, Al-Maqal and Abual-Khasib). The histological changes in the gills of fish were detected microscopically. Results show that the Shatt Al-Arab is polluted by some different sources of pollutants including power stations, paper industry, oil refineries, petrochemical industry, chemical fertilizer companies and the sewage system and overfishing and the application of pesticides. As a result of these analyses, histopathological changes in the gills of fish specimens, such as hyperplasia, loss of regular shape of secondary lamellae, separation of lamellar epithelium, clavate structure, atrophy of secondary gills lamellae, necrosis, dilation of lamellar capillaries, loss of secondary lamellae, fusion of secondary lamellae, edema, proliferation of cartilage in primary lamellae and curving of primary lamellae, were observed. The histopathological changes in fish gill samples from the Hareer region were much more prevalent than samples caught from other stations.     

Carbon dioxide methanation on heterogeneous catalysts: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The Ukraine war has strongly accentuated the ongoing energy and environmental issues, thus requiring a fast development of alternative and more local fuels. For...     

Bioremoval of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles using Aspergillus niger: the role of exopolysaccharides

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Extensive use of engineered nanoparticles has led to their eventual release in the environment. The present work aims to study the removal of...