Anticancer Effects & Comparative Study of Thymoquinone, Cordyceps, Spirulina, Ganoderma Lucidium, Poria Cocos, and Lion’s Mane on Human Nasal Cancer Cells (RPMI-2650)

Recently, many studies have been conducted to discover or improve cancers treatment. The current study aims to investigate the anticancer effect of thymoquinone, cordyceps, spirulina, ganoderma lucidium, poria cocos, and lion’s mane in four different concentrations 4, 8, 16, and 32 ug (equivalent to 1 mg/mL) in two different time treatments (48 and 96 hours) on human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI 2650. By using cell culture cytotoxicity techniques and assay, the highest anticancer effect on RPMI 2650 was obtained by thymoquinone. The lowest anticancer effect was demonstrated by poria cocos and cordyceps. However, these two medications showed higher anticancer effect when given in short-term treatment (48 hours) compared to long-term treatment (96 hours). Ganoderma lucidium and spirulina showed better impact than poria cocos, cordyceps, and lion’s mane in term of cells cytotoxicity. Mild to moderate antineoplastic effect was seen by utilizing lion’s mane treatment compared other drugs. Therefore, adopting a long-term treatment of high concentrations and doses of thymoquinone, cordyceps, spirulina, ganoderma lucidium, poria cocos, and lion’s mane can be more effective in the treatment of nasal cancer. In conclusion, these drugs were found to be a promising cancer remedy; therefore, they can be utilized as alternative treatment for nasal cancer or any other type of cancer therapy.

Molecular Mechanisms of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenesis

Background: The increased use of heavy metal nickel in modern industries results in increased environmental impact. Occupational and environmental exposure to nickel is closely linked to an increased risk of human lung cancer and nasal cancer. Objective: Unlike other heavy metal carcinogens, nickel has weak mutagenic activity. Carcinogenesis caused by nickel is intensively studied, but the precise mechanism of action is not yet known. Results: Epigenetic changes, activation of hypoxia signaling pathways, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be the major molecular mechanisms involved in nickelinduced carcinogenesis. Conclusion: This review provides insights into current research on nickel-induced carcinogenesis and suggests possible effective therapeutic strategies for nickel-induced carcinogenesis.

Differences in Perception of the Environmental and Health Impacts of Decorative Paints among Average Consumers

Decorative paints may evaporate hazardous emissions such as volatile organic compounds and formaldehydes. Studying the paints’ packaging showed that a great amount of decorative paints available in the German market contain low concentrations of volatile organic compounds. In fact, volatile organic compounds may cause an irritation of eyes and respiratory organs, leukaemia, lymphoma and nasal cancer. This paper presents and discusses the results of a questionnaire survey, conducted among the visitors of the trade fairs for construction products in Germany, on the awareness of possible environmental and health impact of paint products. Furthermore, this paper investigates the differences in the importance values of the ecolabels and Material Safety Data Sheets for decorative paints among females and males and respondents with and without children. In order to highlight the essential findings, the key questions were analysed within statistical t-tests. According to the results, females and males do perceive various issues regarding the availability of ecolabels for decorative paints and the use of solvent-free paints differently and put different importance values on these issues. Some results of the questionnaire survey confirm findings of the previous studies on the importance of the ecolabels. Moreover, having children influenced the behaviour of the respondents towards the significance of the Material Safety Data Sheets and using solvent-free indoor paints.

Nickel: Human Health and Environmental Toxicology

Nickel is a transition element extensively distributed in the environment, air, water, and soil. It may derive from natural sources and anthropogenic activity. Although nickel is ubiquitous in the environment, its functional role as a trace element for animals and human beings has not been yet recognized. Environmental pollution from nickel may be due to industry, the use of liquid and solid fuels, as well as municipal and industrial waste. Nickel contact can cause a variety of side effects on human health, such as allergy, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, lung fibrosis, lung and nasal cancer. Although the molecular mechanisms of nickel-induced toxicity are not yet clear, mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress are thought to have a primary and crucial role in the toxicity of this metal. Recently, researchers, trying to characterize the capability of nickel to induce cancer, have found out that epigenetic alterations induced by nickel exposure can perturb the genome. The purpose of this review is to describe the chemical features of nickel in human beings and the mechanisms of its toxicity. Furthermore, the attention is focused on strategies to remove nickel from the environment, such as phytoremediation and phytomining.

Modern diagnostics of face and neck skin neoplasma

The problem of modern diagnosis of neoplasms of the human skin is relevant in connection with the growing number of patients with tumorous formations of the skin of the human body. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the diagnosis of tumor lesions of the face and neck skin on the basis of the analysis of clinical semiotics, dermatoscopy (microscopy) and morphological research. Material and Methods: The study included 50 patients with neoplasms of the external nose and ear skin. There were 30 women and 20 men, aged from 40 to 80 years.The patients were divided into two groups, depending on the location of the neoplasm. The 1st group included 25 patients with tumors of the outer skin of the nose and 2nd group – 25 patients with skin tumors of the outer ear. All neoplasms in the process of vital activity were subjected to physical irritations of various degrees that may develop the malignant process of the skin. The results and discussion: The evaluation of diagnostic results was carried out on the basis of the use of complex diagnostics, with the help of which a malignant skin process was detected in 50 patients. A basal cell carcinoma of the ear was revealed in 23 (46 %) patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 24 (48%) patients, low grade nasal cancer in 3 (6 %) patients. Complex diagnostics allowed to determine the morphological structure and tissue affiliation in 100% of patients. Іt contributed to the correct choice of the method of treatment. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that a comprehensive detection technique makes it possible to fulfill a final diagnosis of the skin disease and to plan treatment adequately.To diagnose timely and reduce the number of malignant skin formations it is necessary to train the population to self-diagnose and to conduct preventive measures for reducing excessive ultraviolet, various chemical and mechanical effects on healthy skin.

Cancer incidence in UK electricity generation and transmission workers, 1973–2015

Background Long-term health outcomes in cohorts of workers from the electricity supply industry have been studied. Aims The aim of the study was to examine updated cancer incidence findings among a cohort of UK electricity generation and transmission workers. Methods Cancer morbidity experienced by 81 616 employees of the former Central Electricity Generating Board of England and Wales was investigated for the period 1973–2015. All employees had worked for at least 6 months with some employment between 1973 and 1982. Standardized registration ratios (SRRs) were calculated based on national rates. Results Overall cancer morbidity was slightly below expectation in males. Significant excesses were found in male workers for mesothelioma (observed [Obs] 763, SRR 326), skin cancer (non-melanoma) (Obs 5616, SRR 106), and prostate cancer (Obs 4298, SRR 106), and in female workers for cancer of the small intestine (Obs 13, SRR 220), nasal cancer (Obs 11, SRR 407), and breast cancer (Obs 758, SRR 110). More detailed analyses showed important contrasts, particularly for mesothelioma, lung cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Conclusions A clear occupational excess of mesothelioma was not matched by a corresponding excess of asbestos-induced lung cancer. Confident interpretation of the excesses of cancers of the nasal cavities and small intestine is not possible, although occupational exposures received in this industry may well not be involved. An excess of skin cancer in transmission workers may be associated with outdoor working.

Chromium(VI) compounds – inhalable fraction. Determining in workplace air with ionic chromatography

The metallurgical, mining and tanning industries are, among others, very important sources of chromium compounds emission to the environment. Moreover, chromium is widely used in the production of dyes, pigments, paints and wood preservatives. Welding processes are one of the sources of exposure to chromium compounds under occupational conditions. Long-term occupational exposure to Cr(VI) chromium compounds increases the risk of developing lung or nasal cancer. The aim of the study was to develop a method for selective determination of Cr(VI) compounds in the workplace air with a combination of ion chromatography technique and post-column derivatisation. The method is based on separating the inhalable fraction of chromium(VI) compounds on a filter using an I.O.M. type probe, extraction with 10 mL of 2% sodium hydroxide/3% sodium carbonate solution and further analysis with ionic chromatography with a post-column reaction of Cr(VI) with 1.5-diphenyl carbazide (DPC) and spectrophotometric determination of the formed Cr(VI)-DPC complex. The measuring range for chromium (VI) compounds is 0.072–1.44 µg/mL. Precision, chromium recovery from filters, limit of detection and quantification were calculated. The overall uncertainty was 12.2 %. The expanded uncertainty for Cr(VI) was 24.3%. The developed method enables the separation and quantification of Cr(VI) compounds in the presence of Cr(III) compounds in air samples (avoiding adverse reactions of one form of chromium to another) at a level of 0.0009 mg/m3 for Cr(VI) compounds converted into Cr at 720-L intake of air. The procedure for determining chromium(VI) compounds is included in the annex.