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Fine particulate matters-PM 2.5 in the air can have considerable negative effects on human health and the environment. Various human cell-based studies examined the effect of PM 2.5 on human health in different cities of the world using various chemical parameters. Unfortunately, limited information is available regarding the relationship between toxicity and chemical characteristics of PM 2.5 collected in Istanbul, Türkiye, located in one of the most populated cities in the world. To investigate the chemical characteristics and cytotoxicity of PM 2.5 in Istanbul, samples were collected for 12 months, then potentially toxic metals, oxidative potential, and particle indicators (e.g., functional groups and elements) were determined, and the cytotoxicity of PM 2.5 on human A549 lung alveolar epithelial cells was examined. The mean PM 2.5 mass concentration was 24.0 ± 17.4 µg m -3 and higher in cold months compared to other seasons. Moreover, the results of the metals, elemental, and functional groups indicated that seasonal and monthly characteristics were influenced by the regional anthropogenic sources and photochemistry input. The cytotoxicity results also showed that the viability of A549 cells was reduced with the exposure of PM 2.5 (30-53%) and higher cytotoxicity was obtained in summer compared to the other seasons due to the impact of the metals, elements, and oxidative characteristics of PM 2.5 .

Salvia L., the largest genus of the family Lamiaceae, is composed of many well-known plants of medicinal value. This study provides the first data on micromorphology, myxocarpy, mineral content and in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of mericarps of Salvia pilifera, considered to be a vulnerable endemic species from Turkey. The macro- and micromorphological mericarp traits were documented and illustrated via stereo microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mineral content of mericarps was analyzed using ICP-MS. Ethanol extract of mericarps was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata using broth microdilution method. Antimycobacterial activity was performed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using resazurin microtiter plate method. Ampicillin, Ethambutol, Isoniazid, and Fluconazole were chosen as reference drugs. Antiproliferative effect of the extract was tested against A549 human lung cancer cell lines using MTT test. The size of the mericarps was 4.38±0.17 mm in length and 3.28±0.13 mm in width. The general shape was elliptic to widely elliptic. The abscission scar was nearly rounded. The ornamentation pattern of the surface was colliculate with polygonal exocarp cells. Myxocarpy was observed on the surface of the mericarps when they become hydrated. Transparent mucilaginous cells showed a moderate reaction with extensions more than 0.1 mm long. Potassium and calcium were determined as major minerals (80.662±0.234 and 41.892±0.399 µg/g, respectively). The extract showed greater antibacterial activity against A. baumannii compared to Ampicillin (62.5 and 125 µg/mL MIC values, respectively). Cell viability level of the extract (100 µg/mL) was found to be statistically lower than control group against A549 human lung cancer cell lines (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]