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The " Scientific dissemination conference: Contributions of Toxicology in substance safety research and for society" were held on May 19th, 2023 at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Seville, thanks to a financial support received by the VII Plan Propio of the University of Seville (VII PPIT-US) for scientific dissemination activities. The objective was to disseminate scientific knowledge among our students by highly qualified teaching and scientific personnel, and also to inform society in general of the high-level scientific research work that is being carried out in the University of Seville. The activity was aimed at students of the subjects of "Toxicology", "Chemoinformatics, Research and History of Pharmacy", " Laboratory of Pharmacy" (of the Degree in Pharmacy, Degree in Optics and Optometry, and Double Degree in Pharmacy and Optics and Optometry), and the subjects of "Toxicology of the Drugs of Abuse" or "Introduction to Forensic Sciences" (Degree in Criminology). During the Conference, which lasted 5.5 hours, 6 oral communications were given on graphene, cyanotoxins, alliaceous additives in human and animal feed, stilbenes in wines, or biopesticides. All of them were synthesized in informative triptychs distributed among the attendees for their dissemination in their social environment. Likewise, 2 invited presentations were given by experts in Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, respectively. The activity had 75 attendees and the results of the surveys generally showed a high degree of satisfaction with them, showing the Conference as an enriching outreach activity, due to the variety of topics covered, the new knowledge acquired and the approach to research and interest aroused among attendees., Las “Jornadas de divulgación científica: Aportaciones de la Toxicología en la investigación de la seguridad de las sustancias y para la sociedad” se celebraron el 19 de mayo de 2023 en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Sevilla, gracias a una Ayuda recibida por el VII Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla (VII PPIT-US) para actividades de divulgación científica. El objetivo fue divulgar entre nuestros alumnos los conocimientos científicos por parte de personal docente e investigador altamente cualificado, y también dar a conocer a la sociedad en general el trabajo de investigación científica de alto nivel que se está realizando en la US. La actividad iba dirigida a los alumnos de las asignaturas de “Toxicología”, “Quimioinformática, Investigación e Historia de la Farmacia”, “Laboratorio de Farmacia” (del Grado en Farmacia, Grado en Óptica y Optometría, y Doble Grado en Farmacia y Óptica y Optometría), y las asignaturas de “Toxicología de las Drogas de Abuso” o “Introducción a las Ciencias Forenses” (Grado en Criminología). Durante las Jornadas, que duraron 5,5 horas, se impartieron un total de 6 comunicaciones orales con diferente temática: el grafeno, las cianotoxinas, los aditivos aliáceos en alimentación humana y animal, los estilbenos en los vinos, o los bioplaguicidas; todas ellas sintetizadas en unos trípticos divulgativos repartidos entre los asistentes para su divulgación en su entorno social. Asimismo, se realizaron 2 ponencias invitadas por parte de expertos en Toxicología Forense y Ambiental, respectivamente. La actividad contó con casi un total de 75 asistentes y los resultados de las encuestas mostraron en general un alto grado de satisfacción con las mismas, mostrando las Jornadas como una enriquecedora actividad de divulgación científica, por la variedad de temas tratados, los nuevos conocimientos adquiridos y el acercamiento a la investigación e interés suscitado entre los asistentes.

Las “Jornadas de divulgación científica: Aportaciones de la Toxicología en la investigación de la seguridad de las sustancias y para la sociedad” se celebraron el 19 de mayo de 2023 en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Sevilla, gracias a una Ayuda recibida por el VII Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla (VII PPIT-US) para actividades de divulgación científica. El objetivo fue divulgar entre nuestros alumnos los conocimientos científicos por parte de personal docente e investigador altamente cualificado, y también dar a conocer a la sociedad en general el trabajo de investigación científica de alto nivel que se está realizando en la US. La actividad iba dirigida a los alumnos de las asignaturas de “Toxicología”, “Quimioinformática, Investigación e Historia de la Farmacia”, “Laboratorio de Farmacia” (del Grado en Farmacia, Grado en Óptica y Optometría, y Doble Grado en Farmacia y Óptica y Optometría), y las asignaturas de “Toxicología de las Drogas de Abuso” o “Introducción a las Ciencias Forenses” (Grado en Criminología). Durante las Jornadas, que duraron 5,5 horas, se impartieron un total de 6 comunicaciones orales con diferente temática: el grafeno, las cianotoxinas, los aditivos aliáceos en alimentación humana y animal, los estilbenos en los vinos, o los bioplaguicidas; todas ellas sintetizadas en unos trípticos divulgativos repartidos entre los asistentes para su divulgación en su entorno social. Asimismo, se realizaron 2 ponencias invitadas por parte de expertos en Toxicología Forense y Ambiental, respectivamente. La actividad contó con casi un total de 75 asistentes y los resultados de las encuestas mostraron en general un alto grado de satisfacción con las mismas, mostrando las Jornadas como una enriquecedora actividad de divulgación científica, por la variedad de temas tratados, los nuevos conocimientos adquiridos y el acercamiento a la investigación e interés suscitado entre los asistentes., The " Scientific dissemination conference: Contributions of Toxicology in substance safety research and for society" were held on May 19th, 2023 at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Seville, thanks to a financial support received by the VII Plan Propio of the University of Seville (VII PPIT-US) for scientific dissemination activities. The objective was to disseminate scientific knowledge among our students by highly qualified teaching and scientific personnel, and also to inform society in general of the high-level scientific research work that is being carried out in the University of Seville. The activity was aimed at students of the subjects of "Toxicology", "Chemoinformatics, Research and History of Pharmacy", " Laboratory of Pharmacy" (of the Degree in Pharmacy, Degree in Optics and Optometry, and Double Degree in Pharmacy and Optics and Optometry), and the subjects of "Toxicology of the Drugs of Abuse" or "Introduction to Forensic Sciences" (Degree in Criminology). During the Conference, which lasted 5.5 hours, 6 oral communications were given on graphene, cyanotoxins, alliaceous additives in human and animal feed, stilbenes in wines, or biopesticides. All of them were synthesized in informative triptychs distributed among the attendees for their dissemination in their social environment. Likewise, 2 invited presentations were given by experts in Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, respectively. The activity had 75 attendees and the results of the surveys generally showed a high degree of satisfaction with them, showing the Conference as an enriching outreach activity, due to the variety of topics covered, the new knowledge acquired and the approach to research and interest aroused among attendees.

Microcystins (MCs) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN), although classified as hepatotoxins and cytotoxins, respectively, have been shown to also induce toxic effects in many other systems and organs. Among them, their potential endocrine disruption (ED) activity has been scarcely investigated. Considering the increasing relevance of ED on humans, mammals, and aquatic organisms, this work aimed to review the state-of-the-art regarding the toxic effects of MCs and CYN at this level. It has been evidenced that MCs have been more extensively investigated than CYN. Reported results are contradictory, with the presence or absence of effects, but experimental conditions also vary to a great extent. In general, both toxins have shown ED activity mediated by very different mechanisms, such as estrogenic responses via a binding estrogen receptor (ER), pathological changes in several organs and cells (testis, ovarian cells), and a decreased gonad-somatic index. Moreover, toxic effects mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in transcriptional responses on several endocrine axes and steroidogenesis-related genes, and changes in hormone levels have also been reported. Further research is required in a risk assessment frame because official protocols for assessment of endocrine disrupters have not been used. Moreover, the use of advanced techniques would aid in deciphering cyanotoxins dose-response relationships in relation to their ED potential.

The occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxins production are increasing phenomena reported worldwide. Cyanotoxins, secondary metabolites of different cyanobacterial species, are considered a potential hazard that can become a risk for human and environmental health after exposure. Global changes (rising temperatures, eutrophication due to human activities, etc.) favour their appearance leading to increased exposures and, consequently, risks. In order to avoid their negative impacts, the World Health Organization has established provisional drinking-water and recreational-water guideline values, and different countries have implemented limits in their regulations. However, these limits are not enough taking into account the increasing number of known cyanotoxins. Also, the establishment of these legal limits is hampered by the gaps in the knowledge of their toxicological profiles. Thus, this work aimed to establish the state of the art on the human toxicity of cyanotoxins (mainly microcystins, cylindrospermopsin and anaxotin-A) and to shed light on aspects not completely elucidated, such as target organ toxicity, immunotoxicity or genotoxicity.