Background/Objectives: Tartrazine (TRZ), a synthetic red azo dye derived from coal tar, is widely used as a food colorant in various food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This study aims to investigate the impact of TRZ on the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b) and histone deacetylases (HDAC5 and HDAC6). Additionally, we evaluate genomic DNA stability using the alkaline comet assay in three human cell lines: immortalized human keratinocyte (HaCaT), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and human lung adenocarcinoma (A549). The research question focuses on whether TRZ exposure alters epigenetic regulation and DNA integrity, potentially implicating its role in carcinogenesis. Methods: The selected human cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of TRZ (20 µM, 40 µM, and 80 µM), with DMBA serving as a positive control. After treatment, we quantified the expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, HDAC5, and HDAC6 using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, we assessed DNA fragmentation via the alkaline comet assay to determine the extent of DNA damage resulting from TRZ exposure. Results: Our findings indicate that TRZ significantly upregulates the expression of HDAC5, HDAC6, DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, TRZ exposure leads to a notable increase in DNA damage, as evidenced by elevated tail moments across all examined human cell lines. Conclusions: These results suggest that TRZ may play a role in carcinogenesis and epigenetic modifications. The observed upregulation of DNMTs and HDACs, coupled with increased DNA damage, highlights the potential risks associated with TRZ exposure. Further research is necessary to explore these mechanisms and assess their implications for human health.

Background: Christensenella minuta (C. minuta) is a promising next-generation probiotic linked to reduced body weight, inhibition of obesogenic processes, and enhanced metabolic profiles. However, the extent and persistence of these effects, particularly under varying dietary conditions, remain uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of intrarectal administration of C. minuta on body weight regulation in vivo under different dietary patterns, with or without antibiotic pretreatment, both during the intervention and over the long term. Particular emphasis was placed on exploring the interactions between C. minuta supplementation, dietary background, caloric intake, and body weight gain. Methods: A total of 180 CD1 mice (both sexes equally) were allocated into nine experimental groups based on diet, with and without C. minuta supplementation, and with and without antibiotic pretreatment. The bacterial suspension was administered intrarectally once a week for three consecutive weeks in the treatment groups. Body weight was monitored weekly, and food intake was recorded biweekly over the 12-week study period. Visceral fat mass was measured postmortem. Results: Groups treated with C. minuta with antibiotic pretreatment exhibited significantly lower body weight gain than the control groups during the intervention phase in both sexes, irrespective of caloric intake and dietary pattern, indicating that the reduced weight gain was attributable to the effect of C. minuta. Regarding long-term effects following the cessation of administration, sexual dimorphism was observed: while no lasting impact was found in males, the body weight gain inhibiting effect of C. minuta treatment persisted in females. Furthermore, females treated with C. minuta exhibited the lowest levels of visceral fat among all groups. Caloric intake was not significantly associated with body weight gain at any time point in this study. Conclusions: C. minuta exerts a transient, caloric intake-independent inhibitory effect on body weight gain. The absence of sustained effects highlights the necessity for continuous or optimized administration protocols to ensure the attainment of long-term benefits in the future. The results of this study support the hypothesis that C. minuta can act as a modulator of host metabolism and body composition, underscoring the significance of treatment duration in this process.

Az elmúlt évtizedekben jelentős hangsúlyeltolódás tapasztalható a háború megvívására és a hadviselésre vonatkozó ismeretekben. A nem 5. cikkely szerinti válságkezelő műveletekkel, azon belül is a felkelésellenes hadműveletekkel kapcsolatos katonai ismeretek fontossága megnőtt. Jelen cikk szerzői a vonatkozó szakirodalomban meghatározó szerepet játszó David Galula francia katonai gondolkodót alapul véve azt vizsgálják, hogy a felkelések létrejötte és a daganatos betegségek kialakulásának menete milyen mértékben mutat hasonlóságot. Mivel mindkét esetben változó intenzitású, elhúzódó folyamatról van szó, a vizsgálat jobban értelmezhetővé teszi e műveletek sajátosságait, továbbá biztosítja azok árnyaltabb vizsgálatát. A fő pontokon megtalálható egyezés egyértelműsíti, hogy a felkelések és a rák kialakulása különböző szinteken elhelyezkedő, hasonló jellegű folyamatok kölcsönhatásának eredménye.