Article
Environmental Sciences
F. Pinero-Garcia, R. Thomas, J. Mantero, E. Forssell-Aronsson, M. Isaksson
Summary: In this study, the biodistribution of radionuclides 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 210Po, and 137Cs in organs and tissues of perch from five lakes in Sweden was investigated. The results showed that the main radionuclides in perch were 238U and 226Ra. It is advised to consume skinned fillets of perch to avoid the intake of radionuclides.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Maystrenko, Anna Rybak
Summary: The study aimed to assess radiation exposure and radiological risks for earthworm populations at four sites from naturally occurring radionuclides. Different dosimetric approaches were used, and the results showed that in some real environmental situations, the radiological risks to reference organisms were significantly higher than the lowest benchmark protection level proposed for ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Festus M. Adebiyi, Odunayo T. Ore, Adedapo O. Adeola, Solomon S. Durodola, Oluwasemola F. Akeremale, Kayode O. Olubodun, Olaniran K. Akeremale
Summary: Radioactive pollution is commonly believed to stem from human activities, but studies show that naturally occurring radioactive materials also significantly contribute to human exposure to ionizing radiation. Exposure to high concentrations of radioactive materials such as potassium K-40, uranium U-238 and U-235, and thorium Th-232 poses severe health risks. The occurrence of radioactive pollution in Nigerian environments is concerning, with concentrations exceeding permissible levels in water, soil, and air, indicating the need for effective remediation strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Y. C. Kong, Olivia S. M. Lee, C. H. Yung
Summary: This article focuses on the activity concentration of Be-7 in the lower atmosphere of Hong Kong and analyzes its temporal variations. The study finds that the long-term monthly average Be-7 activity concentrations are most sensitive to precipitation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Abiola Olawale Ilori, Naven Chetty
Summary: This study aims to report the concentrations of radionuclides in South African soil and their risk assessments, particularly in samples related to industrial activities, where most concentrations exceed the permissible limits. Therefore, this research is important in helping us understand the radioactive contamination in South African soils.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tingjun Xu, Weiming Chen, Junhong Zhou, Jingfang Dai, Yingyong Li, Yingli Zhao
Summary: Aristolochic acids and analogues are nephrotoxic and potentially carcinogenic, with a wide range of biological sources including traditional medicines. In silico research identified 238 naturally occurring aristolochic acid analogues in 175 species, raising awareness for avoiding toxic species, especially those used as herbal medicines.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gian Marco Ludovici, Andrea Chierici, Susana Oliveira de Souza, Francesco d'Errico, Alba Iannotti, Andrea Malizia
Summary: This study analyzes the effects of ionizing radiation and radionuclides on higher plants around the Fukushima nuclear power plant, finding that plants have certain radiation adaptive ability and that radiation affects the genetic structure of plants.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu Jin, Zhijun Song, Fang Cai, Lijun Ruan, Renwang Jiang
Summary: Plants containing podophyllotoxin and its analogues have a long history of use as folk medicines. The unique chemical structures and potent biological activities of these compounds have attracted global attention. Over ninety natural podophyllotoxins have been isolated, and modifications of their structures have led to the development of various derivatives with optimized anti-tumor activity. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest research on natural podophyllotoxins, including their sources, structural modifications, and biological activities. Special attention is given to the structural modifications and optimized antitumor activity. It is notable that etoposide, a derivative of podophyllotoxin, has the potential to prevent cytokine storms caused by recent SARS-CoV-2 viral infections.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard Kwamla Amewu, Patrick Opare Sakyi, Dorcas Osei-Safo, Ivan Addae-Mensah
Summary: Cancer is a complex disease with drugs targeting potential multiple targets being proposed as cutting-edge treatments. However, drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and ineffectiveness in various cancer treatments remain widespread issues. Therefore, efficient therapeutic agents targeting multiple targets in different cancer cells are suggested.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gervais Mouthe Happi, Virginia Kien Ntabo, Klev Gaitan Sikam, Jacqueline Poffelie Kamegne, Jean Duplex Wansi
Summary: Xanthones are important metabolites found in plants, fungi, and lichens, known for their aromatic and highly oxygenated structures that allow them to undergo various chemical reactions and exhibit diverse activities that have attracted the interest of researchers. C-glycosylation, a reaction occurring on their basic nucleus, leads to the formation of C-glycosylxanthones, a rare subclass of xanthones in nature. This mini-review summarizes the occurrence, chemistry, and biological activities of C-glycosylxanthones, providing researchers with easy access to information on this topic.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Sumudu Katugampola, Robert F. F. Hobbs, Roger W. W. Howell
Summary: A computationally efficient analytical model has been developed to predict the biological response to mixtures of low- and high-LET radiations. The model accurately calculates the equieffective dose for mixed radiation exposures and shows better agreement with experimental observations.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Hong Yan, Fen-Er Chen
Summary: This review highlights the recent progress in solid-phase total synthesis of naturally occurring small peptides from 2014 to July 2021, which not only aids in the identification of peptide structures and synthesis of analogues, but also simplifies the isolation of intermediates.
ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yanbei Tu, Ying Yang, Yanfang Li, Chengwei He
Summary: This comprehensive review summarizes the chemical structures and diverse pharmacological activities of coumestans isolated from various plant sources, providing important information on their medicinal values and potential for the rational design and development of more effective drugs. The focus on the counteraction of coumestans against bone diseases and organ damages, along with the involved molecular mechanisms, offers insights into the therapeutic potential of these compounds.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Boguslaw Michalik, Alla Dvorzhak, Ruth Pereira, Joana Lourenco, Hallvard Haanes, Christian Di Carlo, Cristina Nuccetelli, Gennaro Venoso, Federica Leonardi, Rosabianca Trevisi, Flavio Trotti, Raffaella Ugolini, Lea Pannecoucke, Pascale Blanchart, Danyl Perez-Sanchez, Almudena Real, Alicia Escribano, Laureline Fevrierj, Antti Kallio, Lindis Skipperud, Simon Mark Jerome, Jelena Mrdakovic Popic
Summary: This paper discusses the existence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and their impact on workers, the public, and non-human biota. It also highlights the knowledge gaps and characteristics of NORM exposure situations, as well as the progress made in the methodology for identifying and managing NORM radiation exposure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Emma J. Murphy, Gustavo Waltzer Fehrenbach, Ismin Zainol Abidin, Ciara Buckley, Therese Montgomery, Robert Pogue, Patrick Murray, Ian Major, Emanuele Rezoagli
Summary: The prevention and treatment of diseases require effective functioning immune systems, which can be achieved by eliminating infections and abnormal cells. Immune or biological therapy can stimulate or inhibit the immune system depending on the circumstances. Polysaccharides, abundant biomacromolecules in plants, animals, and microbes, interact with and affect the immune response, playing a crucial role in treating various human illnesses. There is an urgent need to identify natural biomolecules that can prevent infection and treat chronic diseases. This article discusses the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring polysaccharides, extraction methods, and immunological modulatory capabilities.