Article
Food Science & Technology
Lingqiao Chen, Junhua Yang, Haoyu Wang, Xianli Yang, Chengkang Zhang, Zhihui Zhao, Jianhua Wang
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic techniques, distribution, frequency, structure elucidation, stability, toxicology, and molecular mechanisms of the emerging NX toxins produced by the NX-producing strains of the FGSC. The potential impacts of global warming on the production of these toxins are also discussed.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Silvia L. Saggiomo, Cadhla Firth, David T. Wilson, Jamie Seymour, John J. Miles, Yide Wong
Summary: This review focuses on the comprehensive study and summary of stonefish venom, including global distribution, clinical case reports, antivenom development, and biomolecular composition. The study found that further research on stonefish venom is crucial for discovering new drug molecules or other physiological uses.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Eva M. Mateo, Andrea Tarazona, Rosa Aznar, Fernando Mateo
Summary: The occurrence of fungi and mycotoxins in foods is a serious global problem. This study aimed to assess the antifungal activity of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains against the main toxigenic Fusarium spp. isolated from cereals. Various machine learning (ML) algorithms were applied to develop models for predicting fungal growth inhibition caused by the LAB strains, and the ability of the LAB strains to reduce mycotoxin production was studied using UPLC-MS/MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre, Charlotte Rimbault, Timothy P. Jenkins, Christoffer V. Sorensen, Anna Damsbo, Natalie J. Saez, Yoan Duhoo, Celeste Menuet Hackney, Lars Ellgaard, Andreas H. Laustsen
Summary: Animal venoms contain toxins that play a crucial role in understanding toxicity mechanisms and developing biotechnological applications. Heterologous expression of toxins is an important approach to produce a sufficient amount of bioactive proteins. It ensures high purity, avoids contamination, and enables the design of toxins with specific properties.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel D. Robinson, Lucas Kambanis, Daniel Clayton, Hannes Hinneburg, Leo Corcilius, Alexander Mueller, Andrew A. Walker, Angelo Keramidas, Sameer S. Kulkarni, Alun Jones, Irina Vetter, Morten Thaysen-Andersen, Richard J. Payne, Glenn F. King, Eivind A. B. Undheim
Summary: Ants are common inhabitants in terrestrial environments, and their venom chemistry, particularly the glycopeptide Mg7a, has been discovered and characterized. Mg7a exhibits paralytic and lethal effects on insects, as well as inducing pain and inflammation in mammals through a membrane-targeting mechanism. The presence of O-glycans plays a crucial role in the solubility of Mg7a in aqueous solutions.
Editorial Material
Biology
Maria Vittoria Modica, Rafi Ahmad, Stuart Ainsworth, Gregor Anderluh, Agostinho Antunes, Dimitris Beis, Figen Caliskan, Mauro Dalla Serra, Sebastien Dutertre, Yehu Moran, Ayse Nalbantsoy, Naoual Oukkache, Stano Pekar, Maido Remm, Bjoern Marcus von Reumont, Yiannis Sarigiannis, Andrea Tarallo, Jan Tytgat, Eivind Andreas Baste Undheim, Yuri Utkin, Aida Verdes, Aude Violette, Giulia Zancolli
Summary: Venom research is a highly multidisciplinary field involving various subfields of biology, informatics, pharmacology, medicine, and other areas. However, lack of coordination among different research teams hampers the full development of venom investigation and applications. The recently launched European Venom Network aims to promote synergistic interactions among stakeholders and foster venom research at the European level.
Review
Toxicology
Theo Tasoulis, Geoffrey K. Isbister
Summary: Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins and peptides. Proteomic techniques have advanced our understanding of venom composition. The dominant protein families, including phospholipase A(2), snake venom metalloprotease, three-finger toxins, and snake venom serine protease, play significant roles in envenomation.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Fernanda D'Amelio, Hugo Vigerelli, Alvaro Rossan de Brandao Prieto-da-Silva, Eduardo Osorio Frare, Isabel de Fatima Correia Batista, Daniel Carvalho Pimenta, Irina Kerkis
Summary: The study showed that the venom of Bothrops moojeni can significantly reduce the number of TRAP+ OCs and disrupt the integrity of F-actin structure in OCs treated with the venom. The proteomic analysis indicates potential pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in OC reduction after treatment.
Review
Toxicology
Benedict C. Offor, Lizelle A. Piater
Summary: Snake venom contains proteins and peptides that make up the toxin, which can attack various systems in the human body and cause diseases. Captopril, a snake venom-based drug, has been approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Research is ongoing to explore the potential use of snake venom for the treatment of cancer and improve current cancer treatments.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kin Ying Wong, Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Christeine Ariaranee Gnanathasan, Choo Hock Tan
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of toxin gene families in the Sri Lankan N. naja venom, with three-finger toxins (3FTX) being the most abundantly expressed. These toxins, especially S-type cytotoxins/cardiotoxins (CTX) and alpha-neurotoxins (α-NTX), are implicated in the local tissue necrosis and neuromuscular paralysis caused by the Sri Lankan N. naja venom. Intra-species variations in toxin gene sequences and expression levels between the Sri Lankan N. naja and other geographical specimens highlight potential antigenic diversity that impacts the effectiveness of antivenom treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jens Chr Meyer, Inga Hennies, Detlev Wessels, Karin Schwarz
Summary: Common oat may be contaminated with mycotoxins due to its susceptibility to various fungi, which could pose a challenge in the procurement of milling oats for food production. This study focused on improving the database on mycotoxin occurrence in European milling oats, with trichothecenes, T-2, and HT-2 toxins being the most prevalent contaminants found in the samples.
FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS PART A-CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS CONTROL EXPOSURE & RISK ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Cara F. Smith, Zachary L. Nikolakis, Kathleen Ivey, Blair W. Perry, Drew R. Schield, Neil R. Balchan, Joshua Parker, Kirk C. Hansen, Anthony J. Saviola, Todd A. Castoe, Stephen P. Mackessy
Summary: This study investigates the geographic variation in venom composition of a wide-ranging rattlesnake species (Crotalus viridis viridis) and explores the associated dietary, phylogenetic, and environmental factors. The research identifies two distinct phenotypes in venom composition, one rich in myotoxins and the other rich in snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs). The results also reveal correlations between dietary availability, temperature-related abiotic factors, and geographic variation in venom composition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edward G. G. Smith, Joachim M. M. Surm, Jason Macrander, Adi Simhi, Guy Amir, Maria Y. Y. Sachkova, Magda Lewandowska, Adam M. M. Reitzel, Yehu Moran
Summary: The authors compare toxin expression across sea anemone species and find variation in dominant toxin diploid copy number, generating distinct haplotypes. Venom is a complex trait with substantial inter- and intraspecific variability resulting from strong selective pressures. However, the understanding of underlying toxin expression dynamics and the determination of venom phenotype remains unresolved.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael J. Borges, Guilherme H. M. Salvador, Henrique B. Campanelli, Daniel C. Pimenta, Mario de Oliveira Neto, Isabel Uson, Marcos R. M. Fontes
Summary: Phospholipases A(2) are commonly found in venomous snake families and can cause serious consequences in snakebites, requiring prompt antivenom administration. Bothrops jararacussu venom contains BthTX-II as a major component, with two variants a and b showing structural and functional differences. The variants exist as monomers in neutral conditions and dimers in acidic environments, maintaining catalytic activity in both states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Felix A. Urra, Ramiro Araya-Maturana
Summary: Cancer cells have characteristics that allow them to adapt to stress conditions and promote their survival and proliferation. Current cytostatic drugs are ineffective against metastatic disease, highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets. Snake venom toxins have shown potential in suppressing cancer hallmarks, making them promising for anti-cancer drug development.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rajkuberan Chandrasekaran, Sunita Patil, Muthukumar Krishnan, Kamil Kuca
Summary: Precise noble metals/metal oxides are needed for sustainable product development, and nanomaterials in the 1-100 nm scale are promising due to their exceptional properties. Metallic/metal oxide nanoparticles, including silver, gold, copper oxide, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide, require extensive study. Green synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs), consisting of Mg2+ and O-2 ions, have potential applications in medicine, cosmetics, environmental protection, chemical industries, and energy. The review focuses on the green synthetic methods of MgONPs, their impact on crystalline structure and shape, as well as their antibacterial and anticancer activities reported in literature. Overall, MgONPs show promise as safe biomaterials for biomedical applications.
MINI-REVIEWS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Milan Jokanovic, Patrik Oleksak, Kamil Kuca
Summary: This article examines the potential link between organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and neurological disorders, including dementia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, neurodevelopment, autism, cognitive development, Parkinson's disease, and chronic organophosphate-induced neuropsychiatric disorder. These effects are primarily observed after chronic exposure to low doses of OP pesticides. The article also discusses three well-defined neurotoxic effects in humans resulting from single doses of OP compounds. These effects include the cholinergic syndrome, the intermediate syndrome, and organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy. Poisoning can generally be prevented through improved administrative control, restricted access to OP pesticides, effective personal protection measures, and education for OP pesticide applicators and medical staff.
Review
Toxicology
Ying Deng, Vojtech Adam, Eugenie Nepovimova, Zbynek Heger, Marian Valko, Qinghua Wu, Wei Wei, Kamil Kuca
Summary: Cellular senescence leads to reduced tissue regeneration and increased inflammation, and is associated with diseases like diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumorigenesis. The signaling pathway c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is involved in the regulation of cellular senescence. JNK can accelerate hypoxia-induced neuronal cell senescence by downregulating hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha. It can also promote cellular senescence by inhibiting mTOR activity and triggering autophagy.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Somesh Kumar, Neha Choudhary, Mohammed Faruq, Arun Kumar, Ravindra K. Saran, Prem Kumar Indercanti, Vikram Singh, Haseena Sait, Sunita Jaitley, Martin Valis, Kamil Kuca, Sunil K. Polipalli, Manoj Kumar, Tejveer Singh, Prashanth Suravajhala, Rohit Sharma, Seema Kapoor
Summary: The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) is essential for altering mitochondria's structure and function. Cyclophilin D (CypD), a mitochondrial protein, plays a role in regulating mtPTP function, making it a potential target for mitochondrial therapeutic studies. This study explored the impact of anastrozole on mtPTP functioning using docking, molecular dynamics, and network-guided studies. The results showed that anastrozole outperformed cyclosporine in inhibiting mtPTP, inducing membrane depolarization, reducing mitochondrial swelling and superoxide generation, and increasing ATP levels. These findings suggest that anastrozole could serve as a therapeutic agent for mitochondrial disorders by regulating mtPTP activity.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zainab Abdullah, Muhammad Umer Ashraf, Kashif Barkat, Syed Faisal Badshah, Umaira Rehman, Asma Razzaq, Asif Mahmood, Farid Ulhaq, Hitesh Chopra, Summya Rashid, Marian Valko, Suliman Alomar, Kamil Kuca, Rohit Sharma
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a controlled delivery system for Tramadol HCl (TRD), an opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain. A pH-responsive hydrogel network was formulated using natural polymers, aloe vera gel and tamarind gum, monomer and crosslinker. The hydrogels showed pH sensitivity and exhibited a maximum release of 92.22% of TRD over 24 hours at pH 7.4.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ci Deng, Ying-Ning Zou, Abeer Hashem, Kamil Kuca, Elsayed Fathi Abd-Allah, Qiang-Sheng Wu
Summary: This study visually analyzed the literature on GRSP in the C field from 1999 to 2022 using CiteSpace software and the core collection of Web of Science. The study found that research on GRSP in the C field could be divided into an initial stage, a steady stage, and an explosive stage. The Chinese Academy of Sciences had the most publications, and the United States, China, and India were the leading nations in the C field of GRSP.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Acharya Balkrishna, Sugandh Sinha, Ashwani Kumar, Vedpriya Arya, Ajay Kumar Gautam, Martin Valis, Kamil Kuca, Dinesh Kumar, Ryszard Amarowicz
Summary: Sepsis has become a major health issue for critically ill patients, with acute kidney injury (AKI) being a common complication that leads to high mortality and morbidity. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of sepsis-associated AKI and highlights the potential of phytoconstituents as candidates for treatment. Biomarkers and bioactive compounds have shown promise in diagnosing and managing sepsis-associated AKI.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Harsh Kumar, Rajni Dhalaria, Shivani Guleria, Richard Cimler, Ruchi Sharma, Shahida Anusha Siddiqui, Marian Valko, Eugenie Nepovimova, Daljeet Singh Dhanjal, Reena Singh, Vijay Kumar, Ashok Kumar Pathera, Narinder Verma, Talwinder Kaur, Sivakumar Manickam, Suliman Y. Alomar, Kamil Kuca
Summary: Cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a metabolic by-product, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important ROS entity that plays a crucial role in physiological processes. However, excessive production of H2O2 can lead to inflammatory responses and health complications. This review focuses on understanding the formation of H2O2, its impact on human health, and the potential of plant extracts and Lactobacillus sp. in alleviating H2O2-induced oxidative stress.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel A. S. Kitagawa, Marcelo C. dos Santos, Kamil Kuca, Tanos C. C. Franca, Samir F. de A. Cavalcante
Summary: This study compared the toxicity of representatives from the V and A series nerve agents through in vitro experiments, and found similar inhibition potency between both agents.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanos Celmar Costa Franca, Jorge Alberto Valle da Silva, Marcelo Carneiro dos Santos, Samir Frontino de Almeida Cavalcante, Kamil Kuca
Summary: The Near Attack Conformation (NAC) approach emphasizes the importance of optimal conditions for substrate atom organization and positioning in enzyme-catalyzed reactions. This approach has been successfully applied to investigate the reactivation mechanism of acetylcholinesterase inhibited by nerve agents, providing a better understanding of this mechanism and consistent corroboration with experimental data. This article summarizes the achievements so far and outlines future perspectives.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mostafa Yusefi, Kamyar Shameli, Hossein Jahangirian, Sin-Yeang Teow, Leili Afsah-Hejri, Siti Nur Amalina Mohamad Sukri, Kamil Kuca
Summary: Chemotherapy is the most common cancer therapy but suffers from non-target effects. Recent studies have explored the use of magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) for targeted and controlled drug delivery in magnetothermal chemotherapy. MNCs offer better biocompatibility, encapsulation, and release, making them ideal for localized chemo-thermotherapy. By combining magnetic cores and pH-sensitive coatings, MNCs can be remotely guided and provide on-demand drug release, selectively incinerating tumors without harming healthy tissues. This review summarizes recent studies on magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and magnetothermal chemotherapy, providing insights into the development of MNC-based anticancer nanocarriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ying Deng, Li You, Xu Wang, Wenda Wu, Kamil Kuca, Qinghua Wu, Wei Wei
Summary: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common mycotoxin contaminant in food and feed, posing toxic effects on humans and animals. Various mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, MAPK signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha, noncoding RNA, and signaling pathways including Wnt/beta-catenin, FOXO, and TLR4/NF-kappa B, contribute to DON toxicity. The intestinal microbiota and brain-gut axis also play a crucial role in DON-induced growth inhibition. Detection, biological control, and enzyme degradation of mycotoxins are the current and future research priorities.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xueqin Huang, Li You, Eugenie Nepovimova, Miroslav Psotka, David Malinak, Marian Valko, Ladislav Sivak, Jan Korabecny, Zbynek Heger, Vojtech Adam, Qinghua Wu, Kamil Kuca
Summary: Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKK) are important kinases in cell growth and DNA damage repair, and their dysfunction and aberrant activation are linked to various diseases including cancer. Inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and PIKK inhibitors related to DNA damage response have shown promise in cancer treatment. However, combination therapies are needed to overcome drug resistance and improve efficacy.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Klaudia Jomova, Marcel Cvik, Peter Lauro, Marian Valko, Erik Cizmar, Suliman Y. Alomar, Saleh H. Alwasel, Patrik Oleksak, Zofia Chrienova, Eugenie Nepovimova, Kamil Kuca, Christopher J. Rhodes
Summary: The antioxidant properties of flavonoids with hydroxyl groups allow them to chelate redox active metals and scavenge free radicals. This paper studies the antioxidant and prooxidant properties of baicalein and its complexes with Cu(II) under different conditions. The results show that baicalein and Cu(II)-baicalein complexes have moderate ROS scavenging efficiency and can protect DNA from damage caused by ROS. These findings suggest that baicalein could be a therapeutic agent for diseases involving disrupted metabolism of copper, while low concentrations of baicalein may not inhibit the pro-oxidant effect of copper ions and ascorbate in cancer cells, leading to effective DNA damage.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Aetsam Bin Masood, Sajida Batool, Sajid Nazir Bhatti, Asad Ali, Marian Valko, Klaudia Jomova, Kamil Kuca
Summary: This study quantified the plasma levels of PD-L1 as a biomarker for the clinical management of GBM and found that PD-L1 levels were significantly higher in GBM, which was associated with poor survival.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
