The aim of this study was to evaluate the inorganic elemental composition (49 elements) of 29 botanical preparations obtained from fruits, leaves, peels, seeds, roots, fungi, and spirulina by using inductively coupled-mass spectrometry and a mercury analyzer. Simultaneously, the risk associated with the chronic dietary exposure to 12 toxic metals and metalloids among the European population was evaluated by using a probabilistic approach based on Monte Carlo simulations. The analysis revealed worrying intake levels of Al, As, and Ni, primarily stemming from the consumption of spirulina-, peel-, and leaf-based botanicals by younger age groups. The intake of As from all analyzed botanicals posed a significant risk for infants, yielding margins of exposure (MOEs) below 1, while those deriving from peel-based botanicals raised concerns across all age groups (MOEs = 0.04-2.3). The consumption of peel-based botanicals contributed substantially (13-130%) also to the tolerable daily intake of Ni for infants, toddlers, and children, while that of spirulina-based botanicals raised concerns related to Al intake also among adults, contributing to 11-176% of the tolerable weekly intake of this element. The findings achieved underscore the importance of implementing a monitoring framework to address chemical contamination of botanicals, thus ensuring their safety for regular consumers.

• MeSH
• Dietary Exposure * MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Risk Assessment MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Food Contamination * analysis   MeSH
• Metals analysis   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Monte Carlo Method MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Metalloids * analysis   toxicity   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Plant Preparations chemistry   analysis   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Short-term (24 h) responses of Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Cladonia furcata to copper (CuII) or chromium (CrIII) excess (10 or 100 μM) were compared. C. arbuscula accumulated more Cu and Cr at higher metal doses but both species revealed depletion of K and/or Ca amount. Not only Cu but also Cr typically elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (fluorescence microscopy detection of total ROS and hydrogen peroxide) and depleted nitric oxide (NO) signal, with Cu showing more negative impact on lipid peroxidation (BODIPY 581/591 C11 staining reagent). Metals and staining reagents also affected anatomical responses and photobiont/mycobiont visibility. Principally different impact of Cu and Cr was observed at antioxidative metabolites level, indicating various ways of metal-induced ROS removal and/or metal chelation: Cu strongly depleted glutathione (GSH) and stimulated phytochelatin 2 (PC2) content while ascorbic acid accumulation was depleted by Cu and stimulated by Cr. Subsequent experiment with GSH biosynthetic inhibitor (buthionine sulfoximine, BSO) revealed that 48 h of exposure is needed to deplete GSH and BSO-induced depletion of GSH and PC2 amounts under Cu or Cr excess elevated ROS but depleted NO. These data suggest close relations between thiols, NO and appearance of oxidative stress (ROS generation) under metallic stress also in lichens.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants metabolism   MeSH
• Buthionine Sulfoximine MeSH
• Chromium toxicity   MeSH
• Phytochelatins metabolism   MeSH
• Glutathione metabolism   MeSH
• Metals toxicity   MeSH
• Ascorbic Acid metabolism   MeSH
• Environmental Pollutants toxicity   MeSH
• Lichens drug effects   metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Copper metabolism   MeSH
• Oxidative Stress physiology   MeSH
• Hydrogen Peroxide metabolism   MeSH
• Lipid Peroxidation MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Nanomaterials in agriculture are becoming popular due to the impressive advantages of these particles. However, their bioavailability and toxicity are key features for their massive employment. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the latest findings on the phytotoxicity of nanomaterial products based on essential metals used in plant protection. The metal nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized from essential metals belong to the most commonly manufactured types of nanomaterials since they have unique physical and chemical properties and are used in agricultural and biotechnological applications, which are discussed. The paper discusses the interactions of nanomaterials and vascular plants, which are the subject of intensive research because plants closely interact with soil, water, and atmosphere; they are also part of the food chain. Regarding the accumulation of NPs in the plant body, their quantification and localization is still very unclear and further research in this area is necessary.

• MeSH
• Plant Physiological Phenomena drug effects   MeSH
• Metal Nanoparticles chemistry   toxicity   MeSH
• Metals chemistry   metabolism   toxicity   MeSH
• Nanotechnology * methods   MeSH
• Plants drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Toxicity Tests methods   MeSH
• Agriculture * methods   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Transition metal ions are key elements of various biological processes ranging from oxygen formation to hypoxia sensing, and therefore, their homeostasis is maintained within strict limits through tightly regulated mechanisms of uptake, storage and secretion. The breakdown of metal ion homeostasis can lead to an uncontrolled formation of reactive oxygen species, ROS (via the Fenton reaction, which produces hydroxyl radicals), and reactive nitrogen species, RNS, which may cause oxidative damage to biological macromolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids. An imbalance between the formation of free radicals and their elimination by antioxidant defense systems is termed oxidative stress. Most vulnerable to free radical attack is the cell membrane which may undergo enhanced lipid peroxidation, finally producing mutagenic and carcinogenic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal and other exocyclic DNA adducts. While redox-active iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) undergo redox-cycling reactions, for a second group of redox-inactive metals such as arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), the primary route for their toxicity is depletion of glutathione and bonding to sulfhydryl groups of proteins. While arsenic is known to bind directly to critical thiols, other mechanisms, involving formation of hydrogen peroxide under physiological conditions, have been proposed. Redox-inert zinc (Zn) is the most abundant metal in the brain and an essential component of numerous proteins involved in biological defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. The depletion of zinc may enhance DNA damage by impairing DNA repair mechanisms. Intoxication of an organism by arsenic and cadmium may lead to metabolic disturbances of redox-active copper and iron, with the occurrence of oxidative stress induced by the enhanced formation of ROS/RNS. Oxidative stress occurs when excessive formation of ROS overwhelms the antioxidant defense system, as is maintained by antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, glutathione (GSH), carotenoids, flavonoids and antioxidant enzymes which include SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. This review summarizes current views regarding the role of redox-active/inactive metal-induced formation of ROS, and modifications to biomolecules in human disease such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, renal disease, blood disorders and other disease. The involvement of metals in DNA repair mechanisms, tumor suppressor functions and interference with signal transduction pathways are also discussed.

• MeSH
• Metals chemistry   metabolism   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Susceptibility MeSH
• Disease * MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Oxidative Stress drug effects   MeSH
• Lipid Peroxidation drug effects   MeSH
• DNA Damage drug effects   MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Signal Transduction drug effects   MeSH
• Free Radicals metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Organic friction materials are standardly used in brakes of small planes, railroad vehicles, trucks and passenger cars. The growing transportation sector requires a better understanding of the negative impact related to the release of potentially hazardous materials into the environment. This includes brakes which can release enormous quantities of wear particulates. This paper addresses in vitro detection of toxic and mutagenic potency of one model and two commercially available low-metallic automotive brake pads used in passenger cars sold in the EU market. The model pad made in the laboratory was also subjected to a standardized brake dynamometer test and the generated non-airborne wear particles were also investigated. Qualitative "organic composition" was determined by GC/MS screening of dichloromethane extracts. Acute toxicity and mutagenicity of four investigated sample types were assessed in vitro by bioluminescence assay using marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri and by two bacterial bioassays i) Ames test on Salmonella typhimurium His(-) and ii) SOS Chromotest using Escherichia coli PQ37 strain. Screening of organic composition revealed a high variety of organic compounds present in the initial brake pads and also in the generated non-airborne wear debris. Several detected compounds are classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans, e. g. benzene derivatives. Acute toxicity bioassay revealed a response of bacterial cells after exposure to all samples used. Phenolic resin and wear debris were found to be acutely toxic; however in term of mutagenicity the response was negative. All non-friction exposed brake pad samples (a model pad and two commercial pad samples) were mutagenic with metabolic activation in vitro.

• MeSH
• Automobiles MeSH
• Escherichia coli drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Phenols toxicity   MeSH
• Formaldehyde toxicity   MeSH
• Carcinogens MeSH
• Metals chemistry   toxicity   MeSH
• Mutagens MeSH
• Organic Chemicals chemistry   toxicity   MeSH
• Particulate Matter toxicity   MeSH
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry MeSH
• Polymers toxicity   MeSH
• Salmonella typhimurium drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Mutagenicity Tests MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Metal toxicity in plants is still a global problem for the environment, agriculture and ultimately human health. This review initially addresses the current state of the environmental/agricultural problem, and then discusses in detail the occurrence, mechanisms and relevance of toxicity of selected trace metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, and Zn). When discussing the mechanisms, special emphasis is laid on a critical review of their environmental/agricultural relevance, because even now many studies in this field of research are performed under highly artificial lab conditions. The main problems outlined in published studies are artificially high metal concentrations (which never occur even in highly polluted sites) combined with too short treatment times, as well as environmentally and agriculturally irrelevant growth conditions (e.g. constant light and submerged cultivation of seedlings). Furthermore, wherever possible an attempt is made to link the mechanisms published to date in terms of discussing which mechanisms are a direct cause of the observed disturbance of plant function and which are rather a consequence of the primary mechanisms, leading to a complicated toxicity phenotype and ultimately to diminished growth or even death of the plants.

• MeSH
• Ions MeSH
• Metals toxicity   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction drug effects   MeSH
• Plants drug effects   MeSH
• Environment MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Zhodnocení zdravotního stavu pacientů, vyšetřených a ošetřených v souvislosti s prokázanou intolerancí kovů, s odstupem 5 až 10 let po terapeutické intervenci a ověření dopadů setrvání nežádoucích kovů v ústech na zdraví pacientů s intolerancí kovů s použitím anamnestického, klinických (stomatologického a kardiologického) a laboratorních (test MELISA? a test na onkologické markery) vyšetření.; To assess of the health status of patients examined and treated in the context of their proven intolerance to metals, looking at them 5 to 10 years after the therapeutic intervention, and the verification of continuing adverse effects of metals in the mouth on the health of patients with metal intolerance using anamnestic, clinical (dental and cardiologic) and laboratory tests (MELISA ? test and a test for cancer markers).

• MeSH
• Hypersensitivity MeSH
• Absorption, Physiological MeSH
• Metals adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Neoplasms chemically induced   MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Heart Diseases chemically induced   MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Mercury adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Alloys adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Dental Alloys adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH

• Conspectus
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NML Fields
• otorinolaryngologie
• oftalmologie
• zubní lékařství
• NML Publication type
• závěrečné zprávy o řešení grantu IGA MZ ČR

Trace elements, such as iron, copper, manganese, and calcium, which are essential constituents necessary for cellular homeostasis, become toxic when present in excess quantities. In this article, we describe disorders arising from endogenous dysregulation of metal homeostasis leading to their tissue accumulation. Although subgroups of these diseases lead to regional brain metal accumulation, mostly in globus pallidus, which is susceptible to accumulate divalent metal ions, other subgroups cause systemic metal accumulation affecting the whole brain, liver, and other parenchymal organs. The latter group comprises Wilson disease, manganese transporter deficiency, and aceruloplasminemia and responds favorably to chelation treatment.

• MeSH
• Chelation Therapy MeSH
• Mental Disorders etiology   MeSH
• Hepatolenticular Degeneration epidemiology   etiology   physiopathology   therapy   MeSH
• Metals metabolism   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Brain metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Video-Audio Media MeSH
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

This study explores the inorganic composition of amniotic fluid in healthy human fetuses and fetuses with congenital malformation with a special attention to presence of metal-based solid particles. Amniotic fluid originates from maternal blood and provides fetus mechanical protection and nutrients. In spite of this crucial role, the environmental impact on the composition of amniotic fluid remains poorly studied. The samples of human amniotic fluids were obtained by amniocentesis, including both healthy pregnancies and those with congenital malformations. The samples were analysed using several techniques, including Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersed spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Several metal-based particles containing barium, titanium, iron, and other elements were detected by SEM-EDS and Raman microspectroscopy. XRD analysis detected only sodium chloride as the main component of all amniotic fluid samples. Infrared spectroscopy detected protein-like organic components. Majority of particles were in form of agglomerates up to tens of micrometres in size, consisting of mainly submicron particles. By statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis), it was observed that groups of healthy and diagnosed fetuses form two separate groups and therefore, qualitative differences in chemical composition may have distinct biological impact. Overall, our results suggest that metal-based nanosized pollutants penetrate into the amniotic fluid and may affect human fetuses.

• MeSH
• Amniocentesis MeSH
• X-Ray Diffraction MeSH
• Karyotype MeSH
• Metals toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Fetus * MeSH
• Amniotic Fluid chemistry   MeSH
• Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Congenital Abnormalities etiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Předmět sdělení: Druhá část literárního přehledu o biokompatibilitě dentálních slitin je věnována jejich možnému alergizujícímu působení, mutagenitě a karcinogenitě a metodám jejich testování. Podmínkou vzniku alergické reakce na kovovou slitinu je uvolnění jejích komponent (kovových iontů) korozním dějem. Z obecných mechanismů alergických reakcí je známo, že kovové ionty samy o sobě nemohou být alergeny. Mohou však hrát roli haptenů, pokud se vážou na některé tělní molekuly (proteiny, nukleové kyseliny, sacharidy) nebo je modifikují. Testy alergizujících vlastností kovů lze provádět pouze in vivo u pokusných zvířat nebo u lidí. Obvykle používané epikutánní testy jsou jednak vzdálené situaci v ústech, jednak je jejich vypovídací schopnost nejednoznačná. Často je obtížné určit, zda zánětlivá reakce na ionty kovu je zprostředkována alergickým mechanismem, nebo jde o toxickou reakci, nebo o kombinaci obou mechanismů. Mutagenita se obvykle testuje v bakteriálních kulturách a karcinogenita v dlouhodobých expozičních studiích na laboratorních zvířatech. Přímé důkazy o mutagenitě a karcinogenitě reálných dentálních slitin nejsou, nicméně potenciál některých kovů v dentálních slitinách se v tomto ohledu připouští. Slitiny pro dentální amalgámy mají mezi ostatními dentálními slitinami výjimečné postavení při hodnocení jejich biokompatibility, neboť obvykle se posuzuje až výsledný produkt, tj. dentální amalgám, který vzniká smícháním práškové slitiny se rtutí za přesně stanovených podmínek. Naprostá většina dílčích studií, zabývajících se korozními vlastnostmi amalgámu, jeho biokompatibilitou a metodami jejího zkoušení, je proto soustředěna na vliv uvolňované rtuti. Technické normy řady ČSN EN ISO 10993 spolu s ČSN EN ISO 7405, týkající se hodnocení biologické snášenlivosti zdravotnických prostředků, a tedy i dentálních slitin, předkládají soubor zkoušek, jejichž provedení je třeba zvažovat před uvedením nového výrobku – zdravotnického prostředku do užívání. Výsledky těchto preklinických testů in vitro a in vivo mají jen omezenou vypovídací hodnotu a nemohou nahradit dlouhodobé klinické zkušenosti.

Background: The second part of the literature review on the biocompatibility of dental alloys is focused to their possible sensibilizing effects, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity and the methods of their testing. The condition of an allergic reaction to the metal alloy is releasing its components (metal ions) by corrosion processes. From the general mechanisms of allergic reactions is well known that metal ions alone can not be allergens. However, they may play a role of haptens, where they bind to certain body molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates) or modified. Tests allergenic properties of metals can only be performed in vivo, in animals or humans, and commonly used patch tests are both far from the situation in the mouth, and secondly, their explanatory power is ambiguous. It is often difficult to determine whether an inflammatory reaction to the metal ions is mediated by allergic mechanism or is a toxic reaction, or combination of both mechanisms. Mutagenicity is usually tested in bacterial cultures and carcinogenicity in long-term exposure studies in laboratory animals. Direct evidence of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of the real dental alloys are not available, however potential of some metals from dental alloys in this regard this admits. Alloys for dental amalgams have among the other dental alloys exceptional position in the evaluation of their biocompatibility,w as the usual tests address the final product, ie dental amalgam, which is produced by mixing the alloy powder with mercury under specified conditions. The vast majority of studies dealing with the corrosive properties of amalgam, its biocompatibility and methods of testing is therefore focused on the impact of mercury release. Technical standards EN ISO 10993 together with EN ISO 7405, regarding the evaluation of biocompatibility of medical devices and therefore dental alloys give a set of tests, the implementation of which should be considered before a new product is introduced into use. The results of these preclinical tests in vitro and in vivo have only limited value and can not replace long-term clinical experience.

• Keywords
• dentální slitiny, testování biokompatibility, biokompatibilita slitin, karcinogenita, mutagenita, kovové ionty,
• MeSH
• Hypersensitivity etiology   MeSH
• Biocompatible Materials * chemistry   metabolism   adverse effects   MeSH
• Carcinogenesis chemically induced   MeSH
• Carcinogens analysis   MeSH
• Corrosion MeSH
• Metals adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mutagens analysis   MeSH
• Nickel adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Palladium adverse effects   toxicity   MeSH
• Materials Testing methods   standards   MeSH
• Mutagenicity Tests * MeSH
• Carcinogenicity Tests * MeSH
• Environmental Exposure MeSH
• Dental Amalgam * metabolism   standards   adverse effects   MeSH
• Dental Alloys * metabolism   standards   adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH