KARAKTERISASI EMISI PAHs HASIL PEMBAKARAN DUPA DALAM RUANG EKSPERIMEN

Pembakaran dupa yang merupakan bagian dari ritual agama dan budaya mayoritas komunitas Oriental, diketahui berpotensi menyebabkan efek berbahaya akibat emisi yang menghasilkan berbagai jenis polutan. Telah dilakukan identifikasi senyawa Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) yang berasal dari emisi hasil pembakaran beberapa tipe dupa dalam sebuah ruang eksperimen. Studi ini dilakukan di Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thailand dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat emisi PAHs yang terikat dalam partikulat pada sampel-sampel dupa dari tiga negara (Indonesia, Thailand, dan Vietnam) yang dipilih secara acak. Dari hasil analisis PAHs menggunakan High Performance Liquid Chromatography dengan Fluorescence Detector (HPLC-FLD) diketahui bahwa komponen dominan dalam sampel dupa Indonesia dan Thailand adalah fluorenthane (Flu) dengan konsentrasi masing-masing 8.2±1.0 dan 3.5±0.5 mg/m3, sementara sampel Vietnam didominasi oleh komponen chrysene (CHR) (34.5±10.6 μg/m3). Sampel dupa Vietnam mengemisikan total PAHs ~5 kali lebih tinggi dari dupa Indonesia dan ~8 kali lebih tinggi dari dupa Thailand. Seluruh sampel mengemisikan Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) dalam level serupa, meskipun konsentrasi dalam dupa Vietnam masih ~1.3 kali lebih tinggi dari dupa Indonesia dan ~1.8 kali dari dupa Thailand. Sementara untuk nilai BaP ekivalen, dupa Vietnam ~3.7 kali dan ~7kali lebih tinggi dari sampel Indonesia dan Thailand

Evaluation of anti-tumour properties of two depsidones – Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D – in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast tumour cells

There is an ongoing search for new compounds to lower the mortality and recurrence of breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer. Naturally occurring depsidones, extracted from the fungus Aspergillus, are known for their wide range of biological activities such as cytotoxicity, aromatase inhibition, radical scavenging, and antioxidant properties. Research showed the potential of depsidones as a treatment option for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treatment, yet its effects on hormone receptor-negative breast cancer are still unkown. This study, therefore, investigated the potential of two depsidones (Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D) to induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cytotoxicity, and reduce cell proliferation in the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Results were compared with the effects of the cytostatic drug doxorubicin, antimitotic agent colchicine and endogenous hormones 17β-estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The cytostatic drugs and hormones affected the MDA-MB-231 cell line comparable to other studies, showing the usefulness of this model to study the effects of depsidones on a triple-negative breast cancer cell line. At sub μM levels, Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D did not influence cell proliferation, while cell viability was reduced at concentrations higher than 50 μM. Both depsidones induced apoptosis, albeit not statistically significantly. In addition, Unguinol induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells at 100 μM. Our research shows the potential of two depsidones to reduce triple-negative breast cancer cell survival. Therefore, this group of compounds may be promising in the search for new cancer treatments, especially when looking at similar depsidones

Evaluation of anti-tumour properties of two depsidones – Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D – in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast tumour cells

There is an ongoing search for new compounds to lower the mortality and recurrence of breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer. Naturally occurring depsidones, extracted from the fungus Aspergillus, are known for their wide range of biological activities such as cytotoxicity, aromatase inhibition, radical scavenging, and antioxidant properties. Research showed the potential of depsidones as a treatment option for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treatment, yet its effects on hormone receptor-negative breast cancer are still unkown. This study, therefore, investigated the potential of two depsidones (Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D) to induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cytotoxicity, and reduce cell proliferation in the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Results were compared with the effects of the cytostatic drug doxorubicin, antimitotic agent colchicine and endogenous hormones 17β-estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The cytostatic drugs and hormones affected the MDA-MB-231 cell line comparable to other studies, showing the usefulness of this model to study the effects of depsidones on a triple-negative breast cancer cell line. At sub μM levels, Unguinol and Aspergillusidone D did not influence cell proliferation, while cell viability was reduced at concentrations higher than 50 μM. Both depsidones induced apoptosis, albeit not statistically significantly. In addition, Unguinol induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells at 100 μM. Our research shows the potential of two depsidones to reduce triple-negative breast cancer cell survival. Therefore, this group of compounds may be promising in the search for new cancer treatments, especially when looking at similar depsidones

Prevention-intervention strategies to reduce exposure to e-waste

Abstract As one of the largest waste streams, electronic waste (e-waste) production continues to grow in response to global demand for consumer electronics. This waste is often shipped to developing countries where it is disassembled and recycled. In many cases, e-waste recycling activities are conducted in informal settings with very few controls or protections in place for workers. These activities involve exposure to hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead, and brominated flame retardants and are frequently performed by women and children. Although recycling practices and exposures vary by scale and geographic region, we present case studies of e-waste recycling scenarios and intervention approaches to reduce or prevent exposures to the hazardous substances in e-waste that may be broadly applicable to diverse situations. Drawing on parallels identified in these cases, we discuss the future prevention and intervention strategies that recognize the difficult economic realities of informal e-waste recycling.</jats:p

Mechanisms Underlying Latent Disease Risk Associated with Early-Life Arsenic Exposure: Current Research Trends and Scientific Gaps

BACKGROUND: Millions of individuals worldwide, particularly those living in rural and developing areas, are exposed to harmful levels of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in their drinking water. Inorganic As exposure during key developmental periods is associated with a variety of adverse health effects, including those that are evident in adulthood. There is considerable interest in identifying the molecular mechanisms that relate early-life iAs exposure to the development of these latent diseases, particularly in relationship to cancer. OBJECTIVES: This work summarizes research on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the increased risk of cancer development in adulthood that is associated with early-life iAs exposure. DISCUSSION: Epigenetic reprogramming that imparts functional changes in gene expression, the development of cancer stem cells, and immunomodulation are plausible underlying mechanisms by which early-life iAs exposure elicits latent carcinogenic effects. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is mounting that relates early-life iAs exposure and cancer development later in life. Future research should include animal studies that address mechanistic hypotheses and studies of human populations that integrate early-life exposure, molecular alterations, and latent disease outcomes. CITATION: Bailey KA, Smith AH, Tokar EJ, Graziano JH, Kim KW, Navasumrit P, Ruchirawat M, Thiantanawat A, Suk WA, Fry RC. 2016. Mechanisms underlying latent disease risk associated with early-life arsenic exposure: current research trends and scientific gaps. Environ Health Perspect 124:170–175; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.140936