Correction to: Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children.

The original version of this article [1] unfortunately contained an error which has since been acknowledged in this Correction article. The URL link in the Reference 19 was broken and it needs to be replaced with the active link given below.

Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children.

Among dietary factors, learning and behavior are influenced not only by nutrients, but also by exposure to toxic food contaminants such as mercury that can disrupt metabolic processes and alter neuronal plasticity. Neurons lacking in plasticity are a factor in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation. Essential nutrients help maintain normal neuronal plasticity. Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the amino acid methionine, and the trace minerals zinc and selenium, have been shown to influence neuronal function and produce defects in neuronal plasticity, as well as impact behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nutritional deficiencies and mercury exposure have been shown to alter neuronal function and increase oxidative stress among children with autism. These dietary factors may be directly related to the development of behavior disorders and learning disabilities. Mercury, either individually or in concert with other factors, may be harmful if ingested in above average amounts or by sensitive individuals. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to contain trace amounts of mercury as a result of some manufacturing processes, and its consumption can also lead to zinc loss. Consumption of certain artificial food color additives has also been shown to lead to zinc deficiency. Dietary zinc is essential for maintaining the metabolic processes required for mercury elimination. Since high fructose corn syrup and artificial food color additives are common ingredients in many foodstuffs, their consumption should be considered in those individuals with nutritional deficits such as zinc deficiency or who are allergic or sensitive to the effects of mercury or unable to effectively metabolize and eliminate it from the body.

Formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in domestic high-fructose corn syrup and its toxicity to the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

In the United States, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has become a sucrose replacement for honey bees and has widespread use as a sweetener in many processed foods and beverages for human consumption. It is utilized by commercial beekeepers as a food for honey bees for several reasons: to promote brood production, after bees have been moved for commercial pollination, and when field-gathered nectar sources are scarce. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a heat-formed contaminant and is the most noted toxin to honey bees. Currently, there are no rapid field tests that would alert beekeepers of dangerous levels of HMF in HFCS or honey. In this study, the initial levels and the rates of formation of HMF at four temperatures were evaluated in U.S.-available HFCS samples. Different HFCS brands were analyzed and compared for acidity and metal ions by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Levels of HMF in eight HFCS products were evaluated over 35 days, and the data were fit to polynomial and exponential equations, with excellent correlations. The data can be used by beekeepers to predict HMF formation on storage. Caged bee studies were conducted to evaluate the HMF dose-response effect on bee mortality. Finally, commercial bases such as lime, potash, and caustic soda were added to neutralize hydronium ion in HMF samples, and the rates of HMF formation were compared at 45 degrees C.

Carbonate and carbamate derivatives of 4-demethylpenclomedine as novel anticancer agents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to synthesize a series of carbonate and carbamate derivatives of 4-demethylpenclomedine (DM-PEN), the major plasma non-toxic metabolite of penclomedine (PEN) seen in patients. DM-PEN has been observed to be an active antitumor agent in mouse human xenograft tumor models and non-neurotoxic in a rat model, however, activity in intracranially implanted human glioma xenograft models have not been reported. The major goal was to identify derivatives that are active in brain tumors. METHODS: Derivatives were prepared from DM-PEN and evaluated in vivo against human U251 glioblastoma, D54 glioblastoma and MX-1 breast tumor xenografts and mammary tumor 16/C that were implanted in the mammary fat pad or intracranially (IC). RESULTS: Carbonate and carbamate derivatives were found to be superior to DM-PEN against IC growing human glioblastoma xenografts. CONCLUSION: The activity of the carbonates and carbamates against human tumor xenografts in vivo suggests consideration of these two series of derivatives of DM-PEN for clinical development.

Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar.

Mercury cell chlor-alkali products are used to produce thousands of other products including food ingredients such as citric acid, sodium benzoate, and high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is used in food products to enhance shelf life. A pilot study was conducted to determine if high fructose corn syrup contains mercury, a toxic metal historically used as an anti-microbial. High fructose corn syrup samples were collected from three different manufacturers and analyzed for total mercury. The samples were found to contain levels of mercury ranging from below a detection limit of 0.005 to 0.570 micrograms mercury per gram of high fructose corn syrup. Average daily consumption of high fructose corn syrup is about 50 grams per person in the United States. With respect to total mercury exposure, it may be necessary to account for this source of mercury in the diet of children and sensitive populations.

Beta-cyclodextrins as carriers of monoterpenes into the hemolymph of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) for integrated pest management.

The Varroa mite ( Varroa destructor) is becoming ubiquitous worldwide and is a serious threat to honey bees. The cultivation of certain food crops are at risk. The most noted acaricides against Varroa mites are tau-fluvaninate and coumaphos, but the mites are showing resistance. Since these insecticides are used in the proximity of honey, it is desirable to use natural alternatives. Monoterpenoids such as thymol and carvacrol, that are constituents of oil of thyme and oil of origanum, show promise as acaricides against the Varroa mite ( Varroa destructor), but the delivery of these compounds remains a challenge due to the low water solubility and uncontrolled release into the colony. Beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) inclusion complexes of thymol, oil of origanum, and carvacrol were prepared on a preparative scale. Competitive binding was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy by using 6- p-toluidinylnaphthalene-2-sulfonate as a fluorescent probe. The complexes were characterized, and the competitive binding described by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy chemical shifts. The toxicity of beta-CD and the prepared complexes in enriched sucrose syrup was studied by conducting caged honey bee ( Apis mellifera) feeding trials. After the first and second weeks of feeding, hemolymph and gut tissue samples were acquired from the caged bee study. The levels of thymol and carvacrol were quantified by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectroscopy, using an optimized procedure we developed. High (mM) levels of thymol and carvacrol were detected in bee tissues without any imposed toxicity to the bees, in an effort to deter Varroa mites from feeding on honey bee hemolymph.

Design, synthesis, and anticancer properties of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone and analogues.

4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) has recently completed a phase I clinical trial in advanced cancer with minimal toxicity, and impressive objective responses were noted. A-007 possesses three moieties that appear to have an influence on its anticancer activities: diphenylmethane, hydrazone, and dinitrophenyl. The goals of this study were to modify A-007's chemical moieties with the ultimate goal of maximizing its anticancer activity through increased planarity and introduction of functional groups. Thirty-five phenylhydrazone analogues of A-007 were synthesized and evaluated in vitro in a human primary cancer explant assay. Anticancer activities for selected analogues were also assayed for activity vs established human/murine cell lines. One-hundred-eighty-six fresh human solid tumors were used to screen for anticancer activity. Selected analogues were assayed for therapeutic indices (vs GM-CFC from bone marrow) in preparation for preclinical studies. Several polyaryl phenylhydrazones demonstrated improved cytotoxic activities by factors of 10(2)-10(3) when compared with A-007. However, the polyaryl quinone moieties of the latter analogues introduced potential toxic properties (cardiac, hematological) that do not exist with A-007.

Anticancer activity for 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) analogues and their abilities to interact with lymphoendothelial cell surface markers.

The structure of the anticancer agent 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) has been modified through SAR and by incorporating barbituric acid, pyridine, quinoline, and alkylcarboxylic acids into A-007's moieties. Analogue anticancer activity and interacting with CD surface markers on a T-cell leukemia cell line were evaluated and the correlation between SAR and biological properties are discussed.