Professional exposure to basaltic rock dust: assessment by the Vibrio fischeri ecotoxicological test

Ledda, Caterina; Rapisarda, Venerando; Bracci, Massimo; Proietti, Lidia; Zuccarello, M; Fallico, Roberto; Fiore, Maria

doi:10.1186/1745-6673-8-23

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Such assays are recommended by international standards to monitor the toxicity of environmental contaminants. 15 There have been a few reports in the literature on modelling the toxicity of ILs towards V. fischeri. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In the present work, we have developed QSAR models for V. fischeri toxicity using the largest available set of ionic liquids with the experimental toxicity data using Microtox®.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of predictive QSAR models for Vibrio fischeri toxicity of ionic liquids and their true external and experimental validation tests

et al. 2016

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Despite possessing an interesting chemical nature and tuneable physicochemical properties, ionic liquids (ILs) must have their ecotoxicity tested in order to be commercialized. The water solubility of ILs allows their easy access to the aquatic compartment of the ecosystem creating a potential hazard to aquatic organisms. Hence, it is relevant to design ionic liquids with lower toxicity while keeping the desired properties of interest. Considering the possibility of an enormous number of combinations of different cations and anions, a rational guidance for the structural design of ionic liquids is essential in order to prioritize the synthesis as well as testing of selected molecules only. Predictive in silico models, such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, can play a pivotal role in exploring the important chemical attributes contributing to the response activity. These models may then lead to the design of novel ionic liquids. The present study aims at developing predictive QSAR models for the ecotoxicity of ionic liquids using the bacteria Vibrio fischeri as an indicator response species. Instead of a single model, here we have used multiple models to capture more complete structural information of ionic liquids for toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri. The derived chemical attributes have been implemented in designing new analogues, some of which have been synthesized and had their ecotoxicity tested for the same model organism. The predictive QSAR models reported here can be used for ecotoxicity prediction of new IL chemicals and for data-gap filling. Moreover, the synthesized low-toxic ILs could be considered for evaluation as well as for application in suitable processes serving the purpose of industry and academia.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of predictive QSAR models for Vibrio fischeri toxicity of ionic liquids and their true external and experimental validation tests

et al. 2016

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“…When chemical agents are concerned, primary prevention entails replacing a toxic agent with a non-toxic one. Though, certain mutagenic/carcinogenic agents can be produced in synthetic processes as intermediates or as waste products (45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead exposure and plasma mRNA expression in ERBB2 gene

Ferrante

Ledda

Conti

et al. 2017

Molecular Medicine Reports

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Epidemiologic data for carcinogenicity in those exposed to lead (Pb) suggests relations with cancers although the totality of the evidence is inconsistent. Alterations in the expression of ERBB receptors have been studied during the development and malignant transformation of different kinds of human tumors where they induce proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis generation. Relevant clinical data demonstrate the role of ERBB2 receptors in the development and malignancy of human cancers. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to give more information on the link between plasma mRNA expression in ERBB2 gene and lead blood levels in a healthy population. Blood samples, socio‑demographic, exposure and health data were obtained from 48 healthy men. Real‑time polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect ERBB2 gene transcripts, ΔΔCt method was used to quantify gene expression. Pb blood level was assayed using high‑resolution sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry and is expressed in µg/dl. Plasma mRNA expression in ERBB2 gene was 6.44±3.07 ΔΔCt; Pb blood levels was 16.07±6.74 µg/dl. Regression analysis revealed a significant association (r2=0.5345; p<0.0001) between Pb levels and mRNA expression in ERBB2. So far, it has still not been established if the expression of ERBB2 receptors is influenced by Pb exposure. On the base of the above reported data, we believe an in vitro study might be useful, to understand the molecular mechanisms implicated.

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“…The volcanic particulates [A (basalt residues), B (volcanic ash), C (mixed basalt and cement) and D (cement)], were collected in different areas of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) and underwent physical and chemical characterizations, as previously described (14). All particles were suspended in RPMI-1640 medium to yield stock solutions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences of STMN1 transcript levels detected in lung cancers diagnosed in exposed and non-exposed to asbestos patients according to the dataset described in the study by Wright et al (14). STMN1, stathmin 1.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Fluoro-edenite induces fibulin-3 overexpression in non-malignant human mesothelial cells

et al. 2016

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Exposure to asbestos is associated with the development of mesothelioma. In addition to asbestos, other fibers have been identified as risk factors for malignant and non-malignant diseases of the lungs. Among these, fluoro-edenite (FE) was found in patients from Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) with pleural and lung disease, suggesting its role for tumor expansion. In this context, the identification of early biomarkers useful for the diagnosis of cancer is mandatory. Fibulin-3 represents an important marker for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. However, it remains to be determined whether it is directly associated with exposure to asbestos-like fibers. In the present study, peripheral blood levels of fibulin-3 from 40 asbestos-exposed workers were compared with those detected in 27 street cleaners from Biancavilla. Intriguingly, the results showed that fibulin-3 levels were higher in the group of street cleaners compared with those of the asbestos-exposed workers, suggesting that these workers used the personal protective equipment according to the current regulations. These data suggest that subjects exposed to FE should be monitored for the risk of mesothelioma. FE and volcanic particulates are probably contained within dust inhaled by street cleaners from Biancavilla during their work activities. Based on these criteria, in this study, such fibers were used to treat mesothelial cells (MeT5A) in order to verify whether fibulin-3 levels are affected by these treatments. The results showed that only treatment with FE was associated with fibulin-3 overexpression at both the transcript and protein levels. It was previously demonstrated that mesothelial cells exhibited low levels of p27 following treatment with FE. Notably, p27 downregulation is associated with stathmin upregulation in cancer, conferring an aggressive phenotype of tumor cells. This observation prompted us to perform a computational evaluation demonstrating the activation of stathmin in lung cancer in patients exposed to asbestos. Overall, it can be speculated that both fibulin-3 and stathmin overexpression may be associated with the malignant transformation of mesothelial cells following exposure to asbestos-like fibers.

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Professional exposure to basaltic rock dust: assessment by the Vibrio fischeri ecotoxicological test

Cited by 14 publications

References 21 publications

Development of predictive QSAR models for Vibrio fischeri toxicity of ionic liquids and their true external and experimental validation tests

Development of predictive QSAR models for Vibrio fischeri toxicity of ionic liquids and their true external and experimental validation tests

Lead exposure and plasma mRNA expression in ERBB2 gene

Fluoro-edenite induces fibulin-3 overexpression in non-malignant human mesothelial cells

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