Universidad Simón Bolívar

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses serious environmental and health risks. It reduces soil fertility and can cause renal failure, liver damage, bone fractures, hypercalciuria, and cancer in humans. Cd contamination in soil, originating from both natural and human activities, is especially concerning because it bioaccumulates in plants, entering the food chain and affecting crops like tomatoes, rice, cocoa, and lettuce. Understanding the mechanisms of Cd bioaccumulation and bioremediation in microorganisms isolated from Cd-contaminated soils is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate Cd contamination in soils. This review highlights recent studies on the mechanisms of Cd uptake and detoxification in microbes, emphasizing genes and enzymes that mediate Cd response. Microbial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia sp., and Bacillus subtilis, along with various fungal species, show resistance mechanisms influenced by genes that enhance their Cd tolerance. Enzymes like peroxidases, ATPase, and sucrose play roles in Cd stress responses. Key genes such as czcA, czcD, zntA, cadA, and cadD encode proteins that improve their tolerance to Cd. These microbial mechanisms offer sustainable solutions to improve soil health, crop productivity, and environmental safety. Future research should focus on engineering microorganisms with improved Cd-binding mechanisms, optimizing their effectiveness across different soil types, pH levels, and exposure durations.

Dysglycaemia, defined as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), increases the cardiovascular risk and prognosis. INTERASPIRE performed in 14 countries across 6 WHO regions evaluated guideline adherence and management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and dysglycaemia.

A total of 4,548 CAD patients (18-80 years) were interviewed 6 months-2 years after hospital admission. All without diabetes were eligible for an oral glucose test (OGTT).

Overall, 1990 (44%) had known T2DM. The OGTT revealed that 808 (40%) had previously unknown dysglycaemia (T2DM 12% and IGT 28%). Two thirds of all dysglycaemic patients were obese. A similar proportion reported low physical activity and only one third received dietary advice. Only half of dysglycemic patients were prescribed all guideline recommended cardioprotective drugs. A majority did not reach recommended blood pressure, lipids or HbA1c targets. Only 16% had attended a diabetes education program.

The INTERASPIRE study shows that screening for glucose perturbations in coronary patients is inadequate, achievement of lifestyle recommendations suboptimal and pharmacological management insufficient resulting in a poor risk factor control. Patients with coronary disease, especially those with glucose perturbations require professional support to achieve healthier lifestyles, and prescription of all cardioprotective medications to achieve guideline targets.

Abstract: Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is a common reaction in biol. systems, with potential implications for DNA damage and repair.This study showed that tris-(2-pyridine carboxylate) chromium (III) (complex 1) exhibited an increased electrochem. reaction rate in the presence of a strong acid, suggesting that PCET via proton donation promotes the reduction reaction.Conversely, complex 1 with picolinic acid showed a decreased electrochem. exchange constant, suggesting kinetic control by slow electronic exchange, consistent with PCET.Bis(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate) chromate (III) of sodium (complex 2), showed potential shifts and broadening of signals in the presence of dipicolinic and ascorbic acids, further supporting the involvement of PCET.Overall, the study highlighted the modulation of the electrochem. behavior of the chromium complexes through proton-coupled shifts in reduction potentials and kinetics, shedding light on their potential interactions with cellular reductant agents and protons.The weaker interactions of complexes 1 and 2 with BSA and DNA, together with their lower bioavailability and solubility compared to CQDP, contribute to our understanding of the potential biol. effects of the chromium complexes studied.This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the results of the study, highlighting the significance of the PCET reactions and their potential implications for biol. processes and health effects.