Aloe-emodin, one of the molecules belonging to the group of hydroxyanthracene derivatives, was recently described as genotoxic in vivo. Indeed, the EFSA judged that aloe-emodin, together with other similar molecules (emodin and danthron) and extracts from the leaf of Aloe species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives, could represent a risk factor for colorectal cancer mediated by a genotoxic effect. Given the marked uncertainty regarding the conclusions in the opinion of the EFSA ANS Panel and conflicts in the epidemiological data on which the opinion is based, a new in vivo study (in vivo alkaline comet assay in mice – OECD 489) was conducted to test the potential genotoxicity of aloe-emodin at doses of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw/day on preparations of single cells from the kidney and colon of treated male mice. Following treatment with the test item, no clinical signs were observed in animals in any treatment group. Slight body-weight loss was randomly observed in all groups treated with the test item and was more evident in the groups dosed at 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw/day. Under these experimental conditions, aloe-emodin showed no genotoxic activity. Possible oxidative damage to colon tissues could not be excluded based on the results obtained after repair enzyme treatment.The occurrence of neurotoxicity caused by xenobiotics such as pesticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, organophosphates, pyrethroids, etc.) or metals (mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic, etc.) is a growing concern around the world, particularly in vulnerable populations with difficulties on both detection and symptoms treatment, due to low economic status, remote access, poor infrastructure, and low educational level, among others features. Despite the numerous molecular markers and questionnaires/clinical evaluations, studying neurotoxicity and its effects on cognition in these populations faces problems with samples collection and processing, and information accuracy. selleckchem Assessing cognitive changes caused by neurotoxicity, especially those that are subtle in the initial stages, is fundamentally challenging. Finding accurate, non-invasive, and low-cost strategies to detect the first signals of brain injury has the potential to support an accelerated development of the research with these populations. Saliva emerges as an ideal pool of biomarkers (with interleukins and neural damage-related proteins, among others) and potential alternative diagnostic fluid to molecularly investigate neurotoxicity. As a source of numerous neurological biomarkers, saliva has several advantages compared to blood, such as easier storage, requires less manipulation, and the procedure is cheaper, safer and well accepted by patients compared with drawing blood. Regarding cognitive dysfunction, neuropsychological batteries represent, with their friendly interface, a feasible and accurate method to evaluate the eventual cognitive deficits associated with neurotoxicity in people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. The association of these two tools, saliva and neuropsychological batteries, to cover the molecular and cognitive aspects of neurotoxicity in vulnerable populations, could potentially increase the prevalence of early intervention and successful treatment.

Biomarker measures of contaminant exposure and nutrient status can help increase understanding of the risks and benefits associated with the consumption of traditional foods by Inuit. While gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions may help explain variations in biomarker measures, the role of genetic polymorphisms is largely understudied especially for vulnerable sub-populations.

The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key genes and blood concentrations of environmental chemicals and nutrients among Inuit.

Blood samples from 665 individuals who participated in the Qanuippitaa Survey (Nunavik, Canada) in 2004 were analyzed for toxicants and nutrients. DNA was extracted and 140 SNPs in classes relevant to the toxicokinetics and/or toxicodynamics of the target contaminants and nutrients, and/or are involved in cardiovascular health and lipid metabolism were genotyped using the Sequenom iPLEX Gold platform.

Geometric means (μg/L) these findings, we believe that such gene-environment and gene-nutrient studies provide a foundation that will inform and provide direction to future studies.

The findings suggest that polymorphisms in environmentally-responsive genes can influence biomarker levels of key toxicants and nutrients. While there are no immediate clinical or public health implications of these findings, we believe that such gene-environment and gene-nutrient studies provide a foundation that will inform and provide direction to future studies.A facile wet-chemical method was adopted to synthesize g-C3N4/MnO2/GO heterojunction photocatalyst for visible-light photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The addition of MnO2 and GO increased the absorption of visible light and the specific surface area of the photocatalyst. The results of photoluminescence, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and photocurrent response indicated that CMG-10 had the lowest electron-hole recombination probability, which was beneficial for the photocatalytic reaction. The ternary photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photoelectric performance and superior photocatalytic activity with 91.4% removal of TC (10 mg/L) under a mere 60 min visible light illumination, which showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation when compared with binary (CM, 77.95%; CG, 78.83%) and single (C3N4, 55.5%; MnO2, 36.41%) photocatalysts. A pH of 6 was optimal for the CMG-10 photocatalytic degradation of TC, and the optimal photocatalyst dosage was 0.5 g/L. Common coexisting ions influenced the removal of TC by influencing the production of active species. The catalyst is stable and reusable with only a 10% reduction in removal efficiency after four cycles. According to the active species analysis, the Z-scheme mechanism was a charge transfer behavior in the composite photocatalyst, which could prevent the recombination of photogenerated carriers. This study presents a photocatalytic approach to the effective removal of TC from water bodies, which provides practical implications to advance the use of photocatalytic technology in the restoration of aqueous environmental pollution.