Toxics

7 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fatal Methanol Poisoning Caused by Drinking Industrial Alcohol: Silesia Region, Poland, April–June 2022

by Marcin Tomsia, Małgorzata Głaz, Joanna Nowicka, Julia Cieśla, Maciej Sosnowski and Elżbieta Chełmecka

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120800 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2866

Abstract

Methanol poisonings caused by drinking industrial alcohol remain a severe problem worldwide. Education on types of alcohol and their harmfulness and legal regulations limiting the industrial alcohol trade seem to be the keys to reducing the number of poisonings. Methanol distribution in different [...] Read more.

Methanol poisonings caused by drinking industrial alcohol remain a severe problem worldwide. Education on types of alcohol and their harmfulness and legal regulations limiting the industrial alcohol trade seem to be the keys to reducing the number of poisonings. Methanol distribution in different tissues after absorption is not well understood. This research aimed to quantify the methanol and formic acid distribution in body fluids and tissue material in post-mortem samples collected from 19 fatal victims of massive intoxication with industrial alcohol in the Silesia Region (Poland) who died between April and June 2022. The samples were analyzed using a gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and correlation coefficients for methanol and formic acid were determined. The results show a wide distribution of methanol and formic acid in human post-mortem biological fluids (blood, urine, vitreous humor, bile, and cerebrospinal fluid) and tissues (muscle, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, and brain). The strongest correlation for methanol concentration in blood and body fluids/tissues was obtained in the cerebrospinal fluid (r = 0.997) and for formic acid in muscle tissue (r = 0.931). The obtained results may be a valuable tool in toxicological analysis and improve medical standards of early diagnosis and targeted treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Forensic Toxicology)

10 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perfluoroalkyl Substance Serum Concentrations and Cholesterol Absorption-Inhibiting Medication Ezetimibe

by Ge Ma and Alan Ducatman

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120799 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2017

Abstract

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made compounds with a widespread presence in human blood and other organs. PFAS have been associated with multiple health effects, including higher serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Objective: Potential population differences in serum PFAS attributable to [...] Read more.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made compounds with a widespread presence in human blood and other organs. PFAS have been associated with multiple health effects, including higher serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Objective: Potential population differences in serum PFAS attributable to ezetimibe, a medication that inhibits cholesterol absorption, are of interest for several reasons. The “C8” Health Project survey data from six contaminated water districts in the mid-Ohio Valley of the United States provide a wide enough range of serum PFAS and a sufficient number of ezetimibe takers to explore this topic. Methods: A total of 44,126 adult participants of the C8 Health Survey were included in the community-based study. The status of taking (1075) or non-taking of ezetimibe, alone or in combination with another lipid-lowering agent, was acquired. The geometric mean serum concentrations of the four most commonly detected serum PFAS were compared based on the status of ezetimibe use. Results: There is no significant difference in serum concentrations of perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) between ezetimibe users and non-users after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), cigarette smoking, education, and average household income. Conclusion: The sterol absorption-inhibiting medication ezetimibe does not appear to affect serum PFAS concentrations. We sought but did not find direct evidence that ezetimibe could inhibit PFAS uptake nor inferential evidence that inter-individual differences in sterol absorption could provide a confounding factor explanation for the association of serum total- and LDL-cholesterol with serum PFAS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Drugs Toxicity)

13 pages, 3828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Low-Molecular Organic Acids on the Migration Characteristics of Nickel in Reclaimed Soil from The Panyi Mine Area in China

by Yonghong Zheng, Jiangwei Lu, Zhiguo Zhang, Yating Li, Yuning Tan, Weiqing Cai, Chengnan Ma and Fangling Chen

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120798 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of low molecular weight organic acids (citric acid and malic acid) on the migration properties of nickel in soil. A reclaimed soil sample was obtained from the Panyi Mine in Huainan City, China. The effects of adding different [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of low molecular weight organic acids (citric acid and malic acid) on the migration properties of nickel in soil. A reclaimed soil sample was obtained from the Panyi Mine in Huainan City, China. The effects of adding different concentrations of Ni, citric acid (CA) and malic acid (MA) were assessed on the migration and transformation of soil Ni forms. The results showed: (1) An increase in soil Ni activity with increasing Ni concentrations. (2) An increased proportion of exchangeable forms of Ni in soil with increased malic acid and citric acid concentrations, effectively promoting Ni mobility. In addition, the active Ni fraction in reclaimed soil increased significantly with increasing concentrations of citric and malic acid. The nickel activation effect of citric acid was found to be higher than that of malic acid. (3) The activation effect of organic acids on Ni weakened with aging, exhibiting a gradual transformation from the loosely bound form of Ni, to the strongly bound form. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the phytoremediation techniques used for the treatment of Ni-polluted soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Toxicity Reduction and Environmental Remediation)

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16 pages, 6634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

T Cells Contribute to Pathological Responses in the Non-Targeted Rat Heart following Irradiation of the Kidneys

by Marek Lenarczyk, Ammar J. Alsheikh, Eric P. Cohen, Dörthe Schaue, Amy Kronenberg, Aron Geurts, Slade Klawikowski, David Mattson and John E. Baker

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120797 - 18 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1926 | Correction

Abstract

Heart disease is a significant adverse event caused by radiotherapy for some cancers. Identifying the origins of radiogenic heart disease will allow therapies to be developed. Previous studies showed non-targeted effects manifest as fibrosis in the non-irradiated heart after 120 days following targeted [...] Read more.

Heart disease is a significant adverse event caused by radiotherapy for some cancers. Identifying the origins of radiogenic heart disease will allow therapies to be developed. Previous studies showed non-targeted effects manifest as fibrosis in the non-irradiated heart after 120 days following targeted X-irradiation of the kidneys with 10 Gy in WAG/RijCmcr rats. To demonstrate the involvement of T cells in driving pathophysiological responses in the out-of-field heart, and to characterize the timing of immune cell engagement, we created and validated a T cell knock downrat on the WAG genetic backgrou nd. Irradiation of the kidneys with 10 Gy of X-rays in wild-type rats resulted in infiltration of T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages after 120 days, and none of these after 40 days, suggesting immune cell engagement is a late response. The radiation nephropathy and cardiac fibrosis that resulted in these animals after 120 days was significantly decreased in irradiated T cell depleted rats. We conclude that T cells function as an effector cell in communicating signals from the irradiated kidneys which cause pathologic remodeling of non-targeted heart. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiation Exposure and Health Effects)

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29 pages, 13423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reducing Virus Transmission from Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems of Urban Subways

by Ata Nazari, Jiarong Hong, Farzad Taghizadeh-Hesary and Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120796 - 17 Dec 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3355

Abstract

Aerosols carrying the virus inside enclosed spaces is an important mode of transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as supported by growing evidence. Urban subways are one of the most frequented enclosed spaces. The subway is a utilitarian and low-cost [...] Read more.

Aerosols carrying the virus inside enclosed spaces is an important mode of transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as supported by growing evidence. Urban subways are one of the most frequented enclosed spaces. The subway is a utilitarian and low-cost transit system in modern society. However, studies are yet to demonstrate patterns of viral transmission in subway heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. To fill this gap, we performed a computational investigation of the airflow (and associated aerosol transmission) in an urban subway cabin equipped with an HVAC system. We employed a transport equation for aerosol concentration, which was added to the basic buoyant solver to resolve the aerosol transmission inside the subway cabin. This was achieved by considering the thermal, turbulent, and induced ventilation flow effects. Using the probability of encountering aerosols on sampling surfaces crossing the passenger breathing zones, we detected the highest infection risk zones inside the urban subway under different settings. We proposed a novel HVAC system that can impede aerosol spread, both vertically and horizontally, inside the cabin. In the conventional model, the maximum probability of encountering aerosols from the breathing of infected individuals near the fresh-air ducts was equal to 51.2%. This decreased to 3.5% in the proposed HVAC model. Overall, using the proposed HVAC system for urban subways led to a decrease in the mean value of the probability of encountering the aerosol by approximately 84% compared with that of the conventional system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Toxicology and Human Health)

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13 pages, 971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecotoxicity Study of Additives Composed of Zinc and Boron

by Šárka Petrová and Petr Soudek

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120795 - 17 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1493

Abstract

The high use of additives containing zinc borate and their limited solubility in water both lead to its persistence and accumulation in biological systems. On the other hand, soluble forms of boron are easily available to plant roots and are taken up by [...] Read more.

The high use of additives containing zinc borate and their limited solubility in water both lead to its persistence and accumulation in biological systems. On the other hand, soluble forms of boron are easily available to plant roots and are taken up by plants. There are no ecotoxicological data available for zinc borate, the industrial utilization of which is widespread. Therefore, the potential toxicity of zinc borate and its dissociated compounds was evaluated. Based on two different ecotoxicology tests, their effect on plant growth was studied. Firstly, the impact on Lemna minor growth was investigated, including the effect on pigment content. Secondly, the inhibition of the root growth of higher plant species Sinapis alba (mustard), Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Trifolium pretense (clover) was measured. The growth inhibition test on L. minor was more complex and sensitive compared to the plant seed germination test. Already low concentrations (10 mg/L) of ZnO, B₂O₃ and Zn₃BO₆ led to a decrease in frond growth and to an inhibition of the conversion of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b. These results suggested that the stress caused by these additives caused damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. The highest inhibition of frond growth was detected in fronds treated with B₂O₃ (92–100%). In ZnO and Zn₃BO₆, the inhibition of frond growth was between 38 and 77%, with Zn₃BO₆ being slightly more toxic. In the seed germination test, the most sensitive species was lettuce, the growth of which was inhibited by 57, 83 and 53% in ZnO, B₂O₃ and Zn₃BO₆ treatments, respectively. However, the inhibitory effect on each plant was different. In lettuce and clover, the seed germination and root elongation decreased with increasing element concentrations. In contrast, in mustard, low concentrations of ZnO and Zn₃BO₆ supported the growth of roots. For that reason, more complex tests are essential to evaluate the additive toxicity in the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)

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The relative growth rate of L. minor plants (based on counted frond number GRNUM and frond area GRAREA) after 7 days of growth in the solutions supplemented with ZnO, B2O3 or Zn3BO6, respectively, at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L. Control plants were grown in Steinberg solution; standard deviation is represented as ± S.D. (n = 3), and two-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons was applied. The average growth rate was calculated as the slope of the logarithmic growth curve. Full article ">Figure 2
Chlorophyll a content in L. minor plants after 7 days of growth in the solutions supplemented with ZnO, B2O3 or Zn3BO6 at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L. Control plants grew in Steinberg solution; standard deviation is represented as ± S.D. (n = 3), and two-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons was applied. Full article ">Figure 3
Chlorophyll b content in L. minor plants after 7 days of growth in the solutions supplemented with ZnO, B2O3 or Zn3BO6, respectively, at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L. Control plants grew in Steinberg solution; standard deviation is represented as ± S.D. (n = 3), and two-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons was applied. Full article ">Figure 4
Total carotenoid contents in L. minor plants after 7 days of growth in the solutions supplemented with ZnO, B2O3 or Zn3BO6, respectively, at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L. Control plants grew in Steinberg solution; standard deviation is represented as ± S.D. (n = 3), and two-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons was applied. Full article ">

24 pages, 7395 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Status and Research Progress of Cadmium Pollution in Rice- (Oryza sativa L.) and Wheat- (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping Systems in China: A Critical Review

by Yue Gao, Zengqiang Duan, Lingxiao Zhang, Da Sun and Xun Li

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120794 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4365

Abstract

The accumulation of cadmium in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a serious threat to the safe use of farmland and to the health of the human diet that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In this [...] Read more.

The accumulation of cadmium in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a serious threat to the safe use of farmland and to the health of the human diet that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In this review, a bibliometric analysis was performed using a VOS viewer (1.6.18, Netherlands) to investigate the status of cadmium contamination in rice and wheat growing systems, human health risks, mechanisms of Cd uptake and transport, and the corresponding research hotspots. It has a certain reference value for the prevention and control of cadmium pollution in rice and wheat planting systems in China and abroad. The results showed that the Cd content in rice and wheat planting systems in the Yangtze River Basin was significantly higher than that in other areas of China, and the Cd content in rice and wheat grains and the hazard quotient (HQ) in Hunan Province was the highest. The average Cd concentration exceeded the recommended limit by about 62% for rice and 81% for wheat. The main reasons for the high Cd pollution in rice and wheat growing areas in Hunan are mining activities, phosphate fertilizer application, sewage irrigation, and electronic equipment manufacturing. In this review, we demonstrate that cadmium toxicity reduces the uptake and transport of essential elements in rice and wheat. Cadmium stress seriously affected the growth and morphology of plant roots. In the shoots, Cd toxicity was manifested by a series of physiological injuries, such as decreased photosynthesis, soluble protein, sugar, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Cadmium that accumulates in the shoots is transferred to grains and then passes up the food chain to people and animals. Therefore, methods for reducing cadmium content in grains of rice and wheat are urgently needed, especially in Cd-contaminated soil. Current research on Cd pollution in rice and wheat planting systems focuses on the bioavailability of Cd, soil rhizosphere changes in wheat and rice, and the role of antioxidant enzyme systems in alleviating heavy metal stress in rice and wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Health Effects of Heavy Metal)

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16 pages, 4704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Lead (Pb) Toxicity in Juvenile Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus—Growth, Behaviour, Erythrocytes Abnormalities, and Histological Alterations in Vital Organs

by Tayeeba Ferdous Mahi, Gourab Chowdhury, Mohammad Amzad Hossain, Asim Kumar Baishnab, Petra Schneider and Mohammed Mahbub Iqbal

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120793 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3412

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the toxins responsible for the deterioration of ecological health in aquatic environments. The present study investigated the effects of Pb(NO₃)₂ toxicity on growth, blood cell morphology, and the histopathology of gills, liver, and intestine of [...] Read more.

Lead (Pb) is one of the toxins responsible for the deterioration of ecological health in aquatic environments. The present study investigated the effects of Pb(NO₃)₂ toxicity on growth, blood cell morphology, and the histopathology of gills, liver, and intestine of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A 30-day long aquarium trial was conducted by assigning three treatment groups T₁ 5.20 mg L⁻¹, T₂ 10.40 mg L⁻¹, and T₃ 20.80 mg L⁻¹, and a control 0 mg L⁻¹ following the 96 h LC₅₀ of 51.96 mg L⁻¹ from acute toxicity test. Overall growth performance significantly declined in all the Pb(NO₃)₂ treated groups and the highest mortality was recorded in T₃. Behavioural abnormalities were intense in all the treatment groups compared to the control. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) values were reported as higher in treatment groups. Reduced nucleus diameter and nuclei size in erythrocytes were reported for T₂ and T₃ groups. Dose-dependent histological alterations were visible in the gills, liver, and intestine of all the Pb(NO₃)₂ treated groups. The width of the intestinal villi was highly extended in T₃ showing signs of severe histological alterations. In conclusion, Pb toxicity causes a negative effect on growth performance, erythrocyte morphology, and affected the vital organs histomorphology of juvenile O. niloticus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution and Related Aquatic Ecotoxicity)

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12 pages, 2302 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Polystyrene Microplastics Postpone APAP-Induced Liver Injury through Impeding Macrophage Polarization

by Jing Liu, Lecong Zhang, Fang Xu, Songyan Meng, Haitian Li and Yang Song

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120792 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) are micrometer-scale items degraded from plastics and have been detected in various organisms. PS MPs have been identified as causing cognitive, cardiac, intestinal, and hepatic damage. However, their role in liver regeneration under drug-induced liver injury remains unknown. Thus, [...] Read more.

Polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) are micrometer-scale items degraded from plastics and have been detected in various organisms. PS MPs have been identified as causing cognitive, cardiac, intestinal, and hepatic damage. However, their role in liver regeneration under drug-induced liver injury remains unknown. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the impact of PS MPs on liver repair during APAP hepatotoxicity. PS MPs pretreatment exacerbates mice mortality and hepatocyte apoptosis, suppresses hepatic cell proliferation, and disturbs the inflammatory response in the APAP-induced damage model. Further mechanism exploration uncovers that prior PS MPs administration is sufficient to recruit neutrophils and macrophages, which are necessary for tissue recovery in the acute liver injury model. However, the polarization capacity of macrophages to anti-inflammatory sub-type is significantly delayed in PS MPs plus APAP group compared to the single APAP group, which is the leading cause of tissue repair suppression. Overall, the current study supports a new insight to realize the toxicity of PS MPs in acute liver injury, which should be considered in health risk assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity and Health Effects of Environmental Nano-/Microparticle Exposure)

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PS MPs treatment exacerbates APAP-caused liver injury. (A) A schematic diagram of the experiment design. (B) Mortality and (C) liver and body weight ratio of mice received APAP, PS MPs and APAP combined with PS MPs (n ≥ 3). (D) The representative histological changes of liver section upon APAP, PS MPs and APAP combined with PS MPs through intragastric administration via H&E staining (Original magnification was 100×. Damaged area was labeled inside yellow circle). (E) The activity of ALT in sera of mice. Asterisk (*) indicates p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001 compared to the control group. Full article ">Figure 2
PS MPs accelerate cell apoptosis and suppress cell proliferation in APPA-induced liver damage. (A) Representative images of cell apoptosis in the liver section of mice after APAP, PS MPs and APAP combined with PS MPs administration through TUNEL staining (Brow dot, 400×). (B) The variation of hepatic Cidea mRNA in mice (n ≥ 3). (C) Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67 in liver section, positive cells were presented in brown (400×). (D) The changes of hepatic Foxm1b level, which indicates cell proliferation after APAP, PS MPs and APAP combined with PS MPs exposure (n ≥ 3). *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01 compared to control. Full article ">Figure 3
PS MPs pretreatment enhances APAP-caused inflammatory response. The variation of transcriptional levels of (A) TNF-α, (B) IL-6, (C) IFN-γ, and (D) IL-10. (n ≥ 3). *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 compared to control. Full article ">Figure 4
PS MPs pretreatment increased neutrophil recruitment capacity in mice after APAP injury. (A) Representative immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsy with Ly6G. Ly6G positive cells appeared in brown dots (red arrows). The changes of (B) Ly6G and (C) Cxcl-1 mRNA upon APAP, PS MPs and combined exposure (n ≥ 3). **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 compared to control. Full article ">Figure 5
PS MPs pretreatment exhibited strong macrophage recruitment capacity after APAP injury. (A) The changes in CD68 expression were analyzed by Western blotting. Relative (B) Ccl2, (C) CCR2 and (D) Cx3cr-1 mRNA expression (n ≥ 3). *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01 compared to control. Full article ">Figure 6
PS MPs treatment postponed macrophage transformation after APAP injury. The alterations of (A) iNOS, (B) IL-β, (C) Mrc1 and (D) Fizz1 in the liver after APAP, PS MPs and APAP combined with PS MPs administration (n ≥ 3). *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001 compared to cotrol. Full article ">

12 pages, 1484 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biofilm and Rivers: The Natural Association to Reduce Metals in Waters

by Nicoletta Guerrieri, Laura Fantozzi, Andrea Lami, Simona Musazzi, Martina Austoni, Arianna Orrù, Laura Marziali, Gigliola Borgonovo and Leonardo Scaglioni

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120791 - 15 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1672

Abstract

This article focuses on a very peculiar habitat, the thin biofilm that covers the surface of rocks, cobbles, sediment grains, leaf litter, and vegetation on a riverbed. Species composition changes over time and depends on environmental conditions and perturbation of water quality. It [...] Read more.

This article focuses on a very peculiar habitat, the thin biofilm that covers the surface of rocks, cobbles, sediment grains, leaf litter, and vegetation on a riverbed. Species composition changes over time and depends on environmental conditions and perturbation of water quality. It provides several ecosystem services, contributing to the biogeochemical fluxes and reducing contamination by absorbing the pollutants. Biofilm into the Toce River (Ossola Valley, Piedmont, Italy) was investigated to assess its capacity to accumulate the metals and macroions from the water column. In this preliminary work, we investigated three sample points, in two different seasons. The community composition of biofilm was determined via morphological analysis (diatoms and non-diatoms algal community). We characterize the biofilm, a community of different organisms, from different perspectives. In the biofilm, Hg was analyzed with an automated mercury analyzer, other metals and macroions with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn), and the carotenoid and chlorophyll composition of the photosynthetic organism with HPLC analysis for the primary producers. The results evidence a seasonal pattern in metals and macroions levels in the biofilm, and a significant difference in the biofilm community and in carotenoid composition, suggesting the utility of using the biofilm as an additional bioindicator to monitor the water quality of the river. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Oxidative Stress in Polluted Inland Water)

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26 pages, 5979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experiments on Pilot-Scale Constructed Floating Wetlands Efficiency in Removing Agrochemicals

by George Pavlidis, Ioanna Zotou, Helen Karasali, Anna Marousopoulou, Georgios Bariamis, Ioannis Nalbantis and Vassilios A. Tsihrintzis

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120790 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2012

Abstract

The efficiency of constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) in their ability to remove agrochemicals (nutrients and pesticides) is here investigated in a series of pilot-scale systems. Four experimental CFWs were designed and constructed; three of them were planted with the aquatic plant species Lemna [...] Read more.

The efficiency of constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) in their ability to remove agrochemicals (nutrients and pesticides) is here investigated in a series of pilot-scale systems. Four experimental CFWs were designed and constructed; three of them were planted with the aquatic plant species Lemna minor, Azolla pinnata and Eichhornia crassipes. The fourth did not contain any plants and was used as the control. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of CFW containing aquatic macrophytes in the reduction of pesticides and nutrients, under field conditions. The CFWs operated continuously from May 2021 to September 2021, and their removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus ions, and five commonly used pesticides were examined. The CFW systems were fed daily with agricultural wastewater which was prepared by mixing a fertilizer and predetermined doses of pesticides. The hydraulic residence time was kept at 14 days. Samples were collected on a weekly basis from both the influent and the effluent of each experimental tank, and were subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. HPLC-DAD and Ion Chromatography were implemented for sample analysis following a very simple sample preparation. Reductions for nutrient ranged from no reduction to 100% removal, whereas for pesticides these varied from no reduction to 98.8% removal, indicating that these systems can be used as efficient and low-cost pollution control technologies for agrochemical wastewater treatment. Significant reduction for certain pesticides was also observed in the algae control tank, thus, proving the efficiency of algae in organic pollution reduction, and recognizing the limitations of aquatic plant use in decontamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Agrochemicals: Environmental Fate, Ecotoxicology, Risk Assessment, and Remediation)

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37 pages, 410 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exposure Levels of Pyrethroids, Chlorpyrifos and Glyphosate in EU—An Overview of Human Biomonitoring Studies Published since 2000

by Helle Raun Andersen, Loïc Rambaud, Margaux Riou, Jurgen Buekers, Sylvie Remy, Tamar Berman and Eva Govarts

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120789 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1984

Abstract

Currently used pesticides are rapidly metabolised and excreted, primarily in urine, and urinary concentrations of pesticides/metabolites are therefore useful biomarkers for the integrated exposure from all sources. Pyrethroid insecticides, the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos, and the herbicide glyphosate, were among the prioritised substances in [...] Read more.

Currently used pesticides are rapidly metabolised and excreted, primarily in urine, and urinary concentrations of pesticides/metabolites are therefore useful biomarkers for the integrated exposure from all sources. Pyrethroid insecticides, the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos, and the herbicide glyphosate, were among the prioritised substances in the HBM4EU project and comparable human biomonitoring (HBM)-data were obtained from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The aim of this review was to supplement these data by presenting additional HBM studies of the priority pesticides across the HBM4EU partner countries published since 2000. We identified relevant studies (44 for pyrethroids, 23 for chlorpyrifos, 24 for glyphosate) by literature search using PubMed and Web of Science. Most studies were from the Western and Southern part of the EU and data were lacking from more than half of the HBM4EU-partner countries. Many studies were regional with relatively small sample size and few studies address residential and occupational exposure. Variation in urine sampling, analytical methods, and reporting of the HBM-data hampered the comparability of the results across studies. Despite these shortcomings, a widespread exposure to these substances in the general EU population with marked geographical differences was indicated. The findings emphasise the need for harmonisation of methods and reporting in future studies as initiated during HBM4EU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Human Biomonitoring Data and Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals: What Do We Learn for Prevention?)

16 pages, 1580 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of In Silico Models to Predict Drug-Induced Liver Injury

by Jiaying Lin, Min Li, Wenyao Mak, Yufei Shi, Xiao Zhu, Zhijia Tang, Qingfeng He and Xiaoqiang Xiang

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120788 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3046

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of the withdrawal of pre-marketed drugs, typically attributed to oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, disrupted bile acid homeostasis, and innate immune-related inflammation. DILI can be divided into intrinsic and idiosyncratic DILI with cholestatic liver injury as [...] Read more.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of the withdrawal of pre-marketed drugs, typically attributed to oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, disrupted bile acid homeostasis, and innate immune-related inflammation. DILI can be divided into intrinsic and idiosyncratic DILI with cholestatic liver injury as an important manifestation. The diagnosis of DILI remains a challenge today and relies on clinical judgment and knowledge of the insulting agent. Early prediction of hepatotoxicity is an important but still unfulfilled component of drug development. In response, in silico modeling has shown good potential to fill the missing puzzle. Computer algorithms, with machine learning and artificial intelligence as a representative, can be established to initiate a reaction on the given condition to predict DILI. DILIsym is a mechanistic approach that integrates physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling with the mechanisms of hepatoxicity and has gained increasing popularity for DILI prediction. This article reviews existing in silico approaches utilized to predict DILI risks in clinical medication and provides an overview of the underlying principles and related practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Drugs Toxicity)

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The mechanisms of drug−induced liver injury (DILI). Bile acid (BA) is transported into hepatocytes by NTCP and OATP2 and drained into bile canaliculus through MRP2 and BSEP. After entering into hepatocytes through OATP3, unconjugated bilirubin (UB) can be converted into conjunction bilirubin (CB), which exits hepatocytes via MRP2/3. Aquaporin−8 (AQP8) is responsible for maintaining the osmotic water permeability of the canalicular membrane. Inhibition of both MRP2/3/4, BSEP, and AQP8 by drugs can induce accumulation of bile acid and result in cholestasis. Inhibition of NTCP and OATP2/3 can induce increased plasma levels of bile acid. Some hepatotoxic drugs or their metabolites can be recognized as reactive molecules that present a similar action like reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage mitochondria and cellular macromolecules, or directly impair mitochondrial function and cause the excessive generation of ROS, resulting in cell injury and death. NTCP, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. OATP, organic anion transporter polypeptide. MRP, multidrug resistance-associated protein. BSEP, bile salt export pump. Full article ">Figure 2
The process of knowledge-based prediction. In knowledge-based prediction, drug properties including molecular descriptors, molecular fingerprints, gene expression profiles, cellular indicators, and their mode of action are used to develop a certain relationship rule with the existing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) outcome, using classification algorithm, shallow machine learning, or deep learning methods. Through sufficient training, validation, and refinements, these models can be applied to predict the DILI risk of a new drug by preliminary properties. Full article ">Figure 3
The illustration of DILIsym. DILIsym model integrates physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model, hepatotoxic mechanisms of drugs, and population variability to simulate the occurrence and development of drug−induced liver injury (DILI), predicting the time−dependent release of biomarkers into serum and assisting the determination of DILI mechanisms. Mitochondrial dysfunction can be further investigated in MITOsym. Full article ">

24 pages, 7206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption Characteristics of Modified Bamboo Charcoal on Cu(II) and Cd(II) in Water

by Yizhuo Wang, He Li and Shaohua Lin

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120787 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

With the development of industry in recent years, heavy metal contamination in water and substrate, which may pose a serious threat to human health if left untreated, has attracted increasing attention. Biochar is commonly used as an adsorbent/immobilizer for heavy metals in water [...] Read more.

With the development of industry in recent years, heavy metal contamination in water and substrate, which may pose a serious threat to human health if left untreated, has attracted increasing attention. Biochar is commonly used as an adsorbent/immobilizer for heavy metals in water and substrates because of its wide range of raw materials, low production cost, and good adsorption performance. In this paper, we selected abundant Moso bamboo as the raw material to make biochar (bamboo charcoal), modified bamboo charcoal using different methods to find the modified product with the best adsorption effect, assessed the adsorption performance of modified bamboo charcoal on Cu(II) and Cd(II) in solution, and investigated the effects of the solution concentration, adsorption time, pH, and temperature on the adsorption effect of KAM500-400-3 on Cu(II) and Cd(II). The effect of the solution concentration, adsorption time, pH, and temperature on the adsorption effect of KAM500-400-3 on Cu(II) and Cd(II) was investigated, and the adsorption mechanism of KAM500-400-3 on heavy metals Cu(II) and Cd(II) was analyzed by fitting the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and adsorption thermodynamics. The adsorption/fixation characteristics of modified bamboo charcoal on heavy metals Cu(II) and Cd(II) in water and substrate were investigated. This study aimed to identify an effective material for the treatment of heavy metals in water and substrates and provide a reference for their application in practical engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Toxicity Reduction and Environmental Remediation)

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13 pages, 3096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ambient Benzo[a]pyrene’s Effect on Kinetic Modulation of Amyloid Beta Peptide Aggregation: A Tentative Association between Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Alzheimer’s Disease

by Samal Kaumbekova, Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh and Dhawal Shah

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120786 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1702

Abstract

Long-time exposure to ambient ultrafine particles is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is triggered by the aggregation of Aβ peptide monomers into toxic oligomers. Among different ultrafine air pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are [...] Read more.

Long-time exposure to ambient ultrafine particles is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is triggered by the aggregation of Aβ peptide monomers into toxic oligomers. Among different ultrafine air pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to have a negative neural impact; however, the impact mechanism remains obscure. We herein examined the effect of Benzo[a]Pyrene (B[a]P), one of the typical PAHs on Aβ₄₂ oligomerization using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, the simulations were performed using four molecules of Aβ₄₂ in the presence of 5.00 mM, 12.5 mM, and 50.0 mM of B[a]P. The results revealed strong hydrophobic interactions between Aβ₄₂ peptides and B[a]P, which in turn resulted in increased interpeptide electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, 5.00 mM of B[a]P accelerated the kinetics of the formation of peptide tetramer by 30%, and stabilized C-terminus in Aβ₄₂ peptides, suggesting consequent progression of AD in the presence of 5.00 mM B[a]P. In contrast, 12.5 mM and 50.0 mM of B[a]P decreased interpeptide interactions and H-bonding due to the aggregation of numerous B[a]P clusters with the peptides, suppressing oligomerization kinetics of Aβ₄₂ peptides by 13% and 167%, respectively. While the study elucidates the effect of small environmental hydrophobic molecules on the formation of Aβ oligomers, the impact of ambient ultrafine particles on AD in the complex composition of the environmental realm requires further systematic delving into the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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Time-evolution of (A,B) average interpeptide distances during 500 ns of the simulation, (C) average distances between Aβ42 peptides and B[a]P molecules during 500 ns of the simulation. Full article ">Figure 2
Time-evolution of (A) Formation of interpeptide clusters during 500 ns of the simulation, (B) formation of clusters of Aβ42 peptides and B[a]P molecules during 500 ns of the simulation. Full article ">Figure 3
Composition of the secondary structure of the peptides averaged among the last 30 ns of the simulations. Full article ">Figure 4
Representative snapshots of (A) four Aβ42 monomers before the simulation; (B) interpeptide cluster of four Aβ42 peptide monomers in the end of the simulation with no B[a]P; intermolecular cluster of four Aβ42 peptide monomers and B[a]P in the end of the simulations with (C) 4 B[a]P molecules; (D) 10 B[a]P molecules; (E) 40 B[a]P molecules. Color index: 1. Secondary structure: beta sheet = yellow, bridge − beta = tan, alpha helix = purple, 3_10_Helix = blue, Pi-Helix = red, turn, bend = cyan, coil = white, 2. B[a]P molecule = grey. Full article ">Figure 5
(A) RMSF of Aβ42 peptide residues, averaged among four peptides in the systems under the study, in the last 30 ns of the simulations, (B) Time-evolution of Radius of Gyration (RoG) of Aβ42 peptides, averaged among four peptides in the systems under the study, (C) Time-evolution of Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) of Aβ42 peptides within 500 ns of the simulation, (D) Time-evolution of SASA of Aβ42 peptides within first 20 ns of the simulation in the systems with no B[a]P, with 4 B[a]P and 10 B[a]P molecules. Full article ">Figure 6
Radial distribution function (rdf) of (A) interpeptide interactions, (B) peptide—B[a]P ineractions in the systems under the study. Full article ">

17 pages, 5336 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Deteriorative Effects of Radiation Injury Combined with Skin Wounding in a Mouse Model

by Li Wang, Bin Lin, Min Zhai, Wanchang Cui, Lisa Hull, Alex Zizzo, Xianghong Li, Juliann G. Kiang and Mang Xiao

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120785 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2991

Abstract

Radiation-combined injury (RCI) augments the risk of morbidity and mortality when compared to radiation injury (RI) alone. No FDA-approved medical countermeasures (MCMs) are available for treating RCI. Previous studies implied that RI and RCI elicit differential mechanisms leading to their detrimental effects. We [...] Read more.

Radiation-combined injury (RCI) augments the risk of morbidity and mortality when compared to radiation injury (RI) alone. No FDA-approved medical countermeasures (MCMs) are available for treating RCI. Previous studies implied that RI and RCI elicit differential mechanisms leading to their detrimental effects. We hypothesize that accelerating wound healing improves the survival of RCI mice. In the current study, we examined the effects of RCI at different doses on lethality, weight loss, wound closure delay, and proinflammatory status, and assessed the relative contribution of systemic and local elements to their delayed wound closure. Our data demonstrated that RCI increased the lethality and weight loss, delayed skin wound closure, and induced a systemic proinflammatory status in a radiation dose-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that delayed wound closure did not specifically depend on the extent of hematopoietic suppression, but was significantly influenced by the toxicity of the radiation-induced systemic inflammation and local elements, including the altered levels of proinflammatory chemokines and factors, and the dysregulated collagen homeostasis in the wounded area. In conclusion, the results from our study indicate a close association between delayed wound healing and the significantly altered pathways in RCI mice. This insightful information may contribute to the evaluation of the prognosis of RCI and development of MCMs for RCI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiation Exposure and Health Effects)

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10 pages, 1591 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

In Vitro Biological Effects of E-Cigarette on the Cardiovascular System—Pro-Inflammatory Response Enhanced by the Presence of the Cinnamon Flavor

by Marine Michon, Clément Mercier, Claudie Petit, Lara Leclerc, Laurent Bertoletti, Jérémie Pourchez and Valérie Forest

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120784 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2175

Abstract

The potential cardiovascular effects of e-cigarettes remain largely unidentified and poorly understood. E-liquids contain numerous chemical compounds and can induce exposure to potentially toxic ingredients (e.g., nicotine, flavorings, etc.). Moreover, the heating process can also lead to the formation of new thermal decomposition [...] Read more.

The potential cardiovascular effects of e-cigarettes remain largely unidentified and poorly understood. E-liquids contain numerous chemical compounds and can induce exposure to potentially toxic ingredients (e.g., nicotine, flavorings, etc.). Moreover, the heating process can also lead to the formation of new thermal decomposition compounds that may be also hazardous. Clinical as well as in vitro and in vivo studies on e-cigarette toxicity have reported potential cardiovascular damages; however, results remain conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess, in vitro, the toxicity of e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols on human aortic smooth muscle cells. To that purpose, cells were exposed either to e-liquids or to aerosol condensates obtained using an e-cigarette device at different power levels (8 W or 25 W) to assess the impact of the presence of: (i) nicotine, (ii) cinnamon flavor, and (iii) thermal degradation products. We observed that while no cytotoxicity and no ROS production was induced, a pro-inflammatory response was reported. In particular, the production of IL-8 was significantly enhanced at a high power level of the e-cigarette device and in the presence of the cinnamon flavor (confirming the suspected toxic effect of this additive). Further investigations are required, but this study contributes to shedding light on the biological effects of vaping on the cardiovascular system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human Toxicology and Epidemiology)

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Definition of the experimental conditions used in this study and the comparisons that allowed determination of the impact of different parameters. Full article ">Figure 2
Relative cytotoxicity induced by the different experimental conditions assessed after 24 h of cell exposure by the LDH release. Results are expressed relative to control (unexposed) cells and are means of three independent experiments, each performed in duplicate. Full article ">Figure 3
Relative ROS production induced by the different experimental conditions and assessed after 90 min (A) or 24 h (B) of cell exposure. Results are expressed relative to control (unexposed) cells and are means of three independent experiments, each performed in duplicate. Full article ">Figure 4
Relative IL-8 production induced by the different experimental conditions and assessed after 24 h of cell exposure. Results are expressed relative to control (unexposed) cells and are means of three independent experiments, each performed in duplicate. Statistical significance is also indicated: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 as determined with a two-sided Student’s t-test between control and experimental groups. For inter-group comparisons, an ANOVA analysis was performed: # p = 0.024. Full article ">

19 pages, 2439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Design and Mechanism Analysis of Phthalic Acid Ester Substitutes: Improved Biodegradability in Processes of Sewage Treatment and Soil Remediation

by Shuhai Sun, Qilin Zuo, Meijin Du and Yu Li

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120783 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1618

Abstract

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have the characteristics of environmental persistence. Therefore, improving the biodegradability of PAEs is the key to reducing the extent of ecological harm realized. Firstly, the scoring function values of PAEs docking with various degrading enzymes in sewage treatment were [...] Read more.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have the characteristics of environmental persistence. Therefore, improving the biodegradability of PAEs is the key to reducing the extent of ecological harm realized. Firstly, the scoring function values of PAEs docking with various degrading enzymes in sewage treatment were calculated. Based on this, a 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) model for PAE biodegradability was built, and 38 PAE substitutes were created. By predicting the endocrine-disrupting toxicity and functions of PAE substitutes, two types of PAE substitutes that are easily degraded by microorganisms, have low toxicity, and remain functional were successfully screened. Meanwhile, the differences in the mechanism of molecular degradation difference before and after PAE modification were analyzed based on the distribution characteristics of amino acid residues in the molecular docking complex. Finally, the photodegradability and microbial degradability of the PAE substitutes in the soil environment was evaluated. From the 3D-QSAR model design perspective, the modification mechanism of PAE substitutes suitable for sewage treatment and soil environment degradation was analyzed. We aim to improve the biodegradability of PAEs at the source and provide theoretical support for alleviating the environmental hazards of using PAEs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies to Decompose Pollutants)

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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
Schematic diagram of the stereological structure and modification sites of DEHP (A) and DBP (B) molecules. Full article ">Figure 2
Three-dimensional isopotential maps corresponding to the stereo (A) and electrostatic (B) fields of the CoMFA model describing the DEHP and DBP molecules. Full article ">Figure 3
Amino acid residue map of the PAE substitutes binding to aerobic bacteria (A)/anaerobic bacteria (B) degradable complex proteins. Full article ">Figure 3 Cont.
Amino acid residue map of the PAE substitutes binding to aerobic bacteria (A)/anaerobic bacteria (B) degradable complex proteins. Full article ">Figure 4
Photodegradation pathway (A)/Microbial degradation pathway (B) associated with DEHP and its substitutes in the soil environment. Full article ">Figure 4 Cont.
Photodegradation pathway (A)/Microbial degradation pathway (B) associated with DEHP and its substitutes in the soil environment. Full article ">Figure 5
W-3D-QSAR model (A), S-3D-QSAR model (B), (stereo field a, electrostatic field b), T-QSAR model (C), and schematic diagram of the molecular modification sites of DEHP substitutes (D). Full article ">

19 pages, 3743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Moss-Dominated Biocrusts on Soil Microbial Community Structure in an Ionic Rare Earth Tailings Area of Southern China

by Yongsheng Song, Renlu Liu, Liren Yang, Xiaoyu Xiao and Genhe He

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120782 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1934

Abstract

Moss-dominated biocrusts are widespread in degraded mining ecosystems and play an important role in soil development and ecosystem primary succession. In this work, the soil microbial community structure under moss-dominated biocrusts in ionic rare earth tailings was investigated to reveal the relationship between [...] Read more.

Moss-dominated biocrusts are widespread in degraded mining ecosystems and play an important role in soil development and ecosystem primary succession. In this work, the soil microbial community structure under moss-dominated biocrusts in ionic rare earth tailings was investigated to reveal the relationship between different types of moss and taxonomy/function of microbiomes. The results showed that microbial community structure was significantly influenced by four moss species (Claopodium rugulosifolium, Orthotrichum courtoisii, Polytrichum formosum, and Taxiphyllum giraldii). The microbial assembly was more prominent in Claopodium rugulosifolium soil than in the other moss soils, which covers 482 bacterial genera (including 130 specific genera) and 338 fungal genera (including 72 specific genera), and the specific genus is 40% to 1300% higher than that of the other three mosses. Although only 141 and 140 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) rooted in bacterial and fungal clusters, respectively, were shared by all four mosses grown in ionic rare earth tailings, this core microbiome could represent a large fraction (28.2% and 38.7%, respectively) of all sequence reads. The bacterial population and representation are the most abundant, which mainly includes Sphingomonas, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and unclassified filamentous bacteria and chloroplasts, while the fungi population is relatively singular. The results also show that biocrust dominated by moss has a positive effect on soil microbe activity and soil nutrient conditions. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of developing moss-dominated biocrusts as hotspots of ecosystem functioning and precious microbial genetic resources in degraded rare-earth mining areas and promoting a better understanding of biocrust ecology in humid climates under global change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil/Ground Water Pollution Remediation under the Background of Carbon Neutralization)

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18 pages, 2414 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

On the In Vitro and In Vivo Hazard Assessment of a Novel Nanomaterial to Reduce the Use of Zinc Oxide in the Rubber Vulcanization Process

by Cinzia Bragato, Silvia Mostoni, Christian D’Abramo, Maurizio Gualtieri, Francesca Rita Pomilla, Roberto Scotti and Paride Mantecca

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120781 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3014

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most efficient curing activator employed in the industrial rubber production. However, ZnO and Zn(II) ions are largely recognized as an environmental hazard being toxic to aquatic organisms, especially considering Zn(II) release during tire lifecycle. In this context, aiming [...] Read more.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most efficient curing activator employed in the industrial rubber production. However, ZnO and Zn(II) ions are largely recognized as an environmental hazard being toxic to aquatic organisms, especially considering Zn(II) release during tire lifecycle. In this context, aiming at reducing the amount of microcrystalline ZnO, a novel activator was recently synthetized, constituted by ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) anchored to silica NPs (ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP). The objective of this work is to define the possible hazards deriving from the use of ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP compared to ZnO and SiO₂ NPs traditionally used in the tire industry. The safety of the novel activators was assessed by in vitro testing, using human lung epithelial (A549) and immune (THP-1) cells, and by the in vivo model zebrafish (Danio rerio). The novel manufactured nanomaterial was characterized morphologically and structurally, and its effects evaluated in vitro by the measurement of the cell viability and the release of inflammatory mediators, while in vivo by the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity (FET) test. Resulting data demonstrated that ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP, despite presenting some subtoxic events, exhibits the lack of acute effects both in vitro and in vivo, supporting the safe-by-design development of this novel material for the rubber industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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TEM images of SiO2 Rhodia (a,d), ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP (b,e) and ZnO NPs (c,f). Arrows in (e) point to the black dots covering SiO2 NPs corresponding to ZnO NPs. Full article ">Figure 2
The cell viability was assessed by (a) MTT test on A549 cells and (b) Alamar Blue on THP-1 cells. Data represent the mean ± SEM of at least three independent experiments. * Statistically different from control sample; * p < 0.005. One-way ANOVA + Bonferroni’s test. IC50 is reported as >higher concentration tested in both in vitro models. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Full article ">Figure 3
Mortality of zebrafish embryos after exposure to ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP, ZnO-NP, SiO2-NP, and ZnO-NP + SiO2-NP NPs suspensions at 96 hpf. The NP concentrations administered are A, B, and C. The results are presented as a mean ± SEM of five independent experiments. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, with respect to Ctrl N.T.; # p < 0.05 with respect to both ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP concentration B and C. One-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni’s test. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Analyses were performed on a total of n = 120 embryos for each experimental condition, collected during five independent experiments. Full article ">Figure 4
Sublethal defects observed in zebrafish embryos after exposure to ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP, ZnO-NP, SiO2-NP, and ZnO-NP + SiO2-NP NPs suspensions at 96 hpf. The NPs concentrations administered are A, B, and C. The results are presented as mean ± SEM of five independent experiments. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, with respect to Ctrl N.T.; # p < 0.05 with respect to both ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP at concentrations B and C. One-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni’s test. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Analyses were performed on a total of n = 120 embryos for each experimental condition, collected during five independent experiments. Full article ">Figure 5
Effects of ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP, ZnO-NP, SiO2-NP, and ZnO-NP + SiO2-NP NPs on embryos hatching. The graphs show the embryos that were alive and almost inside the chorion at 96 hpf. *** p < 0.001, with respect to Ctrl N.T. One-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni’s test. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Analyses were performed on a total of n = 120 embryos for each experimental condition, collected during five independent experiments. Full article ">Figure 6
Hatching time curves of 96 hpf embryo non exposed or exposed to ZnO-NP@SiO2-NP, ZnO-NP, SiO2-NP, and ZnO-NP + SiO2-NP NPs. The delay is visible after NP administration, in particular after exposure to ZnO-NP and ZnO-NP + SiO2-NP at the higher concentration. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Analyses were performed on a total of n = 120 embryos for each experimental condition, collected during five independent experiments. Full article ">Figure A1
IL-8 levels on A549 cells (left panel) and on THP-1 cells (right panel). Data represent the mean ± SEM of at least three independent experiments. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to the <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Full article ">Figure A2
RANTES levels on A549 cells (left panel) and on THP-1 cells (right panel). Data represent the mean ± SEM of four independent experiments. For exposure concentration legend, please refer to the <a href="#toxics-10-00781-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>. Full article ">

21 pages, 4517 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Ecotoxicological Effects of the Anionic Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) in Two Marine Primary Producers: Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Ulva lactuca

by Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho, Eduardo Feijão, Ana Rita Matos, Maria Teresa Cabrita, Andrei B. Utkin, Sara C. Novais, Marco F. L. Lemos, Isabel Caçador, João Carlos Marques, Patrick Reis-Santos, Vanessa F. Fonseca and Bernardo Duarte

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120780 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3158

Abstract

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, extensively used in detergents, household and personal care products, as well as in industrial processes. The present study aimed to disclose the potential toxicological effects of SDS exposure under environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, [...] Read more.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, extensively used in detergents, household and personal care products, as well as in industrial processes. The present study aimed to disclose the potential toxicological effects of SDS exposure under environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 3, and 10 mg L⁻¹) on the physiology and biochemistry (photosynthesis, pigment, and lipid composition, antioxidative systems, and energy balance) of two marine autotrophs: the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the macroalgae Ulva lactuca. A growth rate (GR) reduction in P. tricornutum was observed with a classic dose-response effect towards the highest applied concentration, while a GR increase occurred in U. lactuca. Regarding photochemistry, the decrease in the fluorescence of the OJIP curves and laser-induced fluorescence allowed a better separation between SDS treatments in U. lactuca compared with P. tricornutum. Although all pigments significantly decreased in U. lactuca at the highest concentrations (except for antheraxanthin), no significant variations occurred in P. tricornutum. On the other hand, changes in fatty acid content were observed in P. tricornutum but not in U. lactuca. In terms of classical biomarker assessment, a dose-effect relationship of individual biomarkers versus SDS dose applied; U. lactuca displayed a higher number of biomarker candidates, including those in distinct metabolic pathways, increasing its usefulness for ecotoxicological applications. By evaluating the potential application of optical and biochemical traits, it was evident that the fatty acid profiles of the different exposure groups are excellent candidates in P. tricornutum, concomitant with the characteristics of this anionic surfactant. On the other hand, the results presented by laser-induced fluorescence and some parameters of PAM fluorometry in U. lactuca may be an advantage in the field, offering non-invasive, fast, easy-to-use, high-throughput screening techniques as excellent tools for ecotoxicology assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights on Ecotoxicological Effects of Anthropogenic Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms)

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Growth rate of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (A) and Ulva lactuca (B) following 48-h exposure to increasing SDS concentrations (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 2
Chlorophyll transient kinetics (OJIP curves or Kautsky plots) in (A) Phaeodactylum tricornutum and (B) Ulva lactuca following 48-h exposure to increasing SDS concentrations (mean, n = 3). Full article ">Figure 3
Energy transduction energy fluxes: absorbed (ABS/CS), trapped (TR/CS), transported (ET/CS) and dissipated (DI/CS), the number of oxidized PS II reaction centres per cross-section (RC/CS), and the reaction centre II density within the antenna chlorophyll bed of PS II (RC/ABS) in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (A,C,E,G,I,K) and Ulva lactuca (B,D,F,H,J,L) following a 48-h exposure to SDS rising concentrations (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 4
Parameters derived from OJIP transient curves in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (A,C,E,G,I) and Ulva lactuca (B,D,F,H,J) following 48-h of exposure to SDS increasing concentrations: (A,B) Oxidized quinone pool size; (C,D) Net rate of PS II RC closure (M0); (E,F) Turnover number of QA (N); (G,H) Corresponds to the energy needed to close all reaction centres (SM); (I,J) Grouping probability (PG) (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 5
Red region laser-induced fluorescence in Ulva lactuca following a 48-h exposure to SDS increasing concentrations (A) (mean, n = 3) and measured parameters; (B) maximum fluorescence in the red region (Fmax-red); (C) wavelength deviation of the maximum fluorescence peak in the red region (WLdev-red); (D) red/far-red fluorescence ratio (F685/F735); (E) wavelength of the maximum fluorescence in the red region (WLFmax) (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 6
Fatty acids profiles (A,F); fatty acid ratios (saturated to unsaturated fatty acids ratio (SFA/UFA) (B,G); polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio (PUFA/SFA) (C,H); and double-bound index (DBI) (D,I)); and total fatty acids (TFA) (E,J) in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (top figures) and Ulva lactuca (bottom figures) after 48-h exposure to SDS increasing concentrations (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 7
Catalase (CAT, (A,B)); ascorbate peroxidase (APx, (C,D)); and superoxide dismutase (SOD, (E,F)) enzymatic activities, oxidative stress ratio (G,H); and lipid peroxidation products (TBARS, (I,J)) in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (left figures) and Ulva lactuca (right figures) following a 48-h exposure to SDS rising concentrations (mean ± s.d., n = 3 per treatment, different letters denote significant differences between treatments at p < 0.05). Full article ">Figure 8
The plot of Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates (CAP) based on the photochemical traits (A,B); laser-induced fluorescence (C); pigment composition (D,E)’ fatty acid profile (F,G); oxidative stress (H,I) and energy balance (J,K) in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (left figures) and Ulva lactuca (right figures) following exposition to SDS over 48-h. The ellipses group samples with lower statistical distance are based on Euclidean resemblances. Full article ">

15 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessReview

Adverse Effects of Black Carbon (BC) Exposure during Pregnancy on Maternal and Fetal Health: A Contemporary Review

by Viktoriia Goriainova, Christina Awada, Florence Opoku and Judith T. Zelikoff

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120779 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4585

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) is a major component of ambient particulate matter (PM), one of the six Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criteria air pollutants. The majority of research on the adverse effects of BC exposure so far has been focused on respiratory and cardiovascular [...] Read more.

Black carbon (BC) is a major component of ambient particulate matter (PM), one of the six Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criteria air pollutants. The majority of research on the adverse effects of BC exposure so far has been focused on respiratory and cardiovascular systems in children. Few studies have also explored whether prenatal BC exposure affects the fetus, the placenta and/or the course of pregnancy itself. Thus, this contemporary review seeks to elucidate state-of-the-art research on this understudied topic. Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between BC and a variety of adverse effects on fetal health, including low birth weight for gestational age and increased risk of preterm birth, as well as cardiometabolic and respiratory system complications following maternal exposure during pregnancy. There is epidemiological evidence suggesting that BC exposure increases the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, as well as other maternal health issues, such as pregnancy loss, all of which need to be more thoroughly investigated. Adverse placental effects from BC exposure include inflammatory responses, interference with placental iodine uptake, and expression of DNA repair and tumor suppressor genes. Taking into account the differences in BC exposure around the world, as well as interracial disparities and the need to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the health effects associated with prenatal exposure, toxicological research examining the effects of early life exposure to BC is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update Reproductive Toxicology Research Associated with Air Pollutions)

17 pages, 1188 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of Chlorinated Paraffins

by Liujun Chen, Bixian Mai and Xiaojun Luo

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120778 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3336

Abstract

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), a class of persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulated compounds, have received increasing attention for their environmental occurrence and ecological and human health risks worldwide in the past decades. Understanding the environmental behavior and fate of CPs faces a huge challenge owing [...] Read more.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), a class of persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulated compounds, have received increasing attention for their environmental occurrence and ecological and human health risks worldwide in the past decades. Understanding the environmental behavior and fate of CPs faces a huge challenge owing to the extremely complex CP congeners. Consequently, the aims of the present study are to summarize and integrate the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of CPs, including the occurrence of CPs in biota, tissue distribution, biomagnification, and trophic transfer, and biotransformation of CPs in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates in detail. Biota samples collected in China showed higher CP concentrations than other regions, which is consistent with their huge production and usage. The lipid content is the major factor that determines the physical burden of CPs in tissues or organs. Regarding the bioaccumulation of CPs and their influence factors, inconsistent results were obtained. Biotransformation is an important reason for this variable. Some CP congeners are readily biodegradable in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Hydroxylation, dechlorination, chlorine rearrangement, and carbon chain decomposition are potential biotransformation pathways for the CP congeners. Knowledge of the influence of chain length, chlorination degree, constitution, and stereochemistry on the tissue distribution, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation is still scarce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))

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13 pages, 3028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leaching Mechanism and Health Risk Assessment of As and Sb in Tailings of Typical Antimony Mines: A Case Study in Yunnan and Guizhou Province, Southwest China

by Ziyou Bai, Yinping He, Zhiwei Han and Fuzhong Wu

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120777 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2171

Abstract

The weathering and leaching of mining tailings have released large amounts of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As), causing serious pollution in the surrounding soil, water, and sediments. To understand the leaching characteristics of Sb and As in mining tailings, Zuoxiguo and Qinglong mining [...] Read more.

The weathering and leaching of mining tailings have released large amounts of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As), causing serious pollution in the surrounding soil, water, and sediments. To understand the leaching characteristics of Sb and As in mining tailings, Zuoxiguo and Qinglong mining tailings were collected for analysis. The average content of Sb in Zuoxiguo and Qinglong tailings was 5902.77 mg/kg and 1426.43 mg/kg, respectively, while that of As was 412.53 mg/kg and 405.26 mg/kg, respectively, which exceeded the local background value. Furthermore, the concentrations of Sb in the leachate of Zuoxiguo and Qinglong increased with time; the average Sb concentration in the leachate of Zuoxiguo and Qinglong was 1470.48 μg/L and 70.20 μg/L, respectively, while that of the As concentration was 31.20 μg/L and 6.45 μg/L, respectively. This suggests that the concentrations of Sb and As in the leachate of Zuoxiguo are both higher than those in the leachate of Qinglong and that the pH of the leachate of Zuoxiguo and Qinglong significantly changed within the first day under different initial pH conditions, and tended to be between 6 and 8, after one day. The results of the average health risk index showed that As in the leachate from Zuoxiguo and Qinglong for children was 5.67 × 10⁻⁴ and 9.13 × 10⁻⁵, respectively, and 4.43 × 10⁻⁴ and 7.16 × 10⁻⁵, respectively, for adults. As in the leachate from Zuoxiguo poses serious carcinogenic risks for residents, and in the study area, As poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, the local government must manage As in these areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Toxicology and Human Health)

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Location of the two typical antimony mines. Full article ">Figure 2
XRD pattern of two mining tailings. ((a): XRD analyse for Zuoxiguo mining tailings; (b): XRD analyse for Qionglong mining tailings). Full article ">Figure 3
Leached concentration changes of Sb in different mines and pH changes of the leached solution (corresponding dashed labels). ((a): Sb’s leaching characteristics and pH changes in Zuoxiguo-tailings leachate; (b): Sb’s leaching characteristics and pH changes in Qinglong-tailings leachate). Full article ">Figure 4
Leached concentration changes of As in Zuoxiguo and Qinglong mines and pH changes of the leached solution (corresponding dashed labels). ((a): As’s leaching characteristics and pH changes in Zuoxiguo-tailings leachate; (b): As’s leaching characteristics and pH changes in Qinglong-tailings leachate). Full article ">Figure 5
As and Sb chemical proportions at different points in tailings of Zuoxiguo and Qinglong.((a): Proportions of chemical Sb species in tailings of Zuoxiguo; (b): Proportions of chemical As species in tailings of Qinglong). Full article ">Figure 6
Tailing surface morphology changes before and after leaching: (a) Zuoxiguo antimony mine and (b) Qinglong antimony mine. Scale bar: 10 μm and 20 μm. Full article ">Figure 6 Cont.
Tailing surface morphology changes before and after leaching: (a) Zuoxiguo antimony mine and (b) Qinglong antimony mine. Scale bar: 10 μm and 20 μm. Full article ">

16 pages, 3527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perfluorotetradecanoic Acid (PFTeDA) Induces Mitochondrial Damage and Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos/Larvae

by Neep Patel, Emma Ivantsova, Isaac Konig, Christopher L. Souders II and Christopher J. Martyniuk

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120776 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2788

Abstract

Industrial and consumer products, such as pesticides, lubricants, and cosmetics, can contain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Although many short-chain PFCs have been linked to physiological and behavioral changes in fish, there are limited data on longer-chain PFCs. The objective of this study was to [...] Read more.

Industrial and consumer products, such as pesticides, lubricants, and cosmetics, can contain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Although many short-chain PFCs have been linked to physiological and behavioral changes in fish, there are limited data on longer-chain PFCs. The objective of this study was to determine the potential impact of perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) exposure on zebrafish (Danio rerio) during early developmental stages. We measured several endpoints including gene expression, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and locomotor activity in zebrafish. Survival, timing of hatching, and deformity frequency were unaffected by PFTeDA at the concentrations tested (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µM) over a 7-day exposure period. The expression levels of mitochondrial-related genes (cox1 and mt-nd3) and oxidative stress-related genes (cat, hsp70, and hsp90a) were increased in larval fish with exposure to 10 µM PFTeDA; however, there was no change in oxidative respiration of embryos (i.e., basal respiration and oligomycin-induced ATP-linked respiration). Reactive oxygen species were reduced in larvae treated with 10 µM PFTeDA, coinciding with the increased transcription of antioxidant defense genes. Both the visual motor response test and light–dark preference test were conducted on 7 dpf larvae and yielded no significant findings. This study improves current knowledge regarding toxicity mechanisms for longer-chain PFCs such as PFTeDA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Emerging Contaminants)

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(A) Total percentage of surviving zebrafish embryos/larvae for ERM, 0.1% DMSO, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA over time based on Log-rank Mantel-Cox test. (B) Total percentage of hatched zebrafish embryos/larvae for ERM, 0.1% DMSO, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA over time. (C) Total percentage of deformities in zebrafish embryos/larvae for ERM, 0.1% DMSO, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA. (D) Representative zebrafish (A,B) and examples of spinal lordosis (SL) (C) and pericardium edema (PE) (D) at 3 dpf exposed to 0.1% DMSO, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA. The scale bar in each picture is 2000 µm. Full article ">Figure 2
Oxygen consumption rate (OCR, pmol/min/embryo) for 30-h-old zebrafish embryos treated with PFTeDA for 24 h, beginning at 6 h. Effects of 1, 5, and 10 µM PFTeDA on mitochondrial endpoints compared to the vehicle control. (A) OCR over time, (B) Basal Respiration, (C) Oligomycin-induced ATP-Linked respiration, (D) FCCP-induced Maximal Respiration, (E) Proton Leak, and (F) Non-Mitochondrial Respiration. Each point is a biological replicate, and the horizontal line indicates the mean value of the group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA with a Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, each group, n = 4 embryos from different exposure beakers). Symbols represent samples from different treatment groups. The ns = not significant. Full article ">Figure 3
Normalized reactive oxygen species level in larval zebrafish treated with ERM, 0.1% DMSO, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA. Each point is a biological replicate and the horizontal line indicates the mean value of the group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA followed by a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test, n = 5/group). ** indicate that the values are significantly different from those of the control group at p < 0.01. Full article ">Figure 4
Acridine orange (apoptosis) staining in larval zebrafish treated with ERM, 0.1% DMSO, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM PFTeDA. Each point is a biological replicate and the horizontal line indicates the mean value of the group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA followed by a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test, n = 25/group). Full article ">Figure 5
The expression levels of (A) atp06, (B) cox4i1, (C) cox5a1, (D) cox1, (E,I) cyc1, (F) mt-nd1, (G,J) mt-nd2, and (H) mt-nd3 in 7-day old larval zebrafish exposed to either 0.1% DMSO, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, or 10 μM PFTeDA. Each point is a biological replicate, and the horizontal line indicates the mean value of the group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA with a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test, n = 3–5/group). An asterisk denotes a significant difference at * p < 0.05 from the solvent control. Full article ">Figure 6
The expression levels of (A) cat, (B) hsp70, (C) hsp90a, (D) sod1, and (E) sod2 in 7-day old larval zebrafish exposed to either 0.1% DMSO, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM, or 10 μM PFTeDA. Each point is a biological replicate, and the horizontal line indicates the mean value of the group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA with a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test, n = 3–5/group). An asterisk denotes a significant difference at * p < 0.05 or ** p < 0.01 from the solvent control. Full article ">Figure 7
The light–dark preference test for anxiolytic behavior. (A) Total distance moved; (B) Frequency in dark zone; (C) Mean time in dark zone; (D) Cumulative duration in dark zone. Mean values are depicted by the individual columns that correspond to a treatment group (mean ± S.D.) (one-way ANOVA with a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test, n = 31–46 fish/treatment, combined 3 trials). The ns = not significant. Full article ">

5 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Potentially Toxic Elements Pollution in Urban and Suburban Environments”

by Ilaria Guagliardi

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120775 - 11 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1335

Abstract

Pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is becoming a serious and widespread issue in all environmental matrices because of accelerated population growth rate, rapid industrialization and urbanization, and other changes which have occurred in most parts of the world in the last few [...] Read more.

Pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is becoming a serious and widespread issue in all environmental matrices because of accelerated population growth rate, rapid industrialization and urbanization, and other changes which have occurred in most parts of the world in the last few decades [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potentially Toxic Elements Pollution in Urban and Suburban Environments)

13 pages, 2304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Distribution Pattern and Leaching Toxicity of Heavy Metals in Glass Ceramics from MSWI Fly Ash and Andesite Tailings

by Yongya Wang, Xinyi Huang, Wei Wang and Tao Wu

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120774 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1476

Abstract

The leaching of heavy metals (HMs) is the key factor affecting the resource utilization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash. A novel fly ash and andesite-tailings-based (FAAT) glass ceramic is prepared with the full-component utilization of MSWI fly ash and andesite [...] Read more.

The leaching of heavy metals (HMs) is the key factor affecting the resource utilization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash. A novel fly ash and andesite-tailings-based (FAAT) glass ceramic is prepared with the full-component utilization of MSWI fly ash and andesite tailings. The effects of the content and distribution state of HMs on their leaching toxicity are studied by performing a sequential extraction procedure and leaching toxicity test. The results show that the MSWI fly ash content greatly impacts the HMs’ leaching toxicity in glass ceramics. Thus, the addition of MSWI fly ash must be maintained at below 20% so as to meet the class III groundwater standard. Furthermore, the different distribution states of Zn and Cr also affect their leaching toxicity. Zn suits the requirements for leaching toxicity only in a 2080c sample, while Cr fulfills the class III groundwater standard for all the glass ceramics. Since this finding is mismatched with the calculated potential ecological risk index of glass ceramics, the latter can only be used as a reference. Therefore, the results of the present study are of great significance in the vitrification application of MSWI fly ash. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Radioactive Substances)

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15 pages, 2043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accumulation of Metals in the Environment and Grazing Livestock near A Mongolian Mining Area

by Bayartogtokh Bataa, Kodai Motohira, Delgermurun Dugar, Tsend-Ayush Sainnokhoi, Lkhamjav Gendenpil, Tserenchimed Sainnokhoi, Bolormaa Pelden, Yared Beyene Yohannes, Sumiya Ganzorig, Shouta M. M. Nakayama, Mayumi Ishizuka and Yoshinori Ikenaka

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120773 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2577

Abstract

The Mongolian economy is supported by rich deposits of natural resources, such as copper, coal, and gold. However, the risk of heavy metal pollution to livestock and human have been recently discussed. This research collected various samples from soil and animal (sheep, goat, [...] Read more.

The Mongolian economy is supported by rich deposits of natural resources, such as copper, coal, and gold. However, the risk of heavy metal pollution to livestock and human have been recently discussed. This research collected various samples from soil and animal (sheep, goat, horse, cow, and camel), blood and organs (kidney and liver) in the Mongolian countryside. These samples were processed, and the concentration of metals was quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). As previously reported, arsenic was found at high levels of accumulation in soil. Selenium is another concern, as median concentration in one area exceeded the maximum allowable level. Cadmium and selenium were found to be highly accumulated in animal kidney. This research revealed the current pollution level in Mongolia based on evaluation of soil and animals. The concentration in animals could not indicate that animals had severe effects because of heavy metal exposure. However, kidney is eaten in Mongolia, and so there is a direct connection to human health, and this research suggested the possible risks posed by each edible animal. In particular, evaluation of metals in livestock is rare in Mongolia. This result can contribute to animal and human health in Mongolian communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Exposure, Biomonitoring and Exposure Assessment)

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24 pages, 2212 KiB

Open AccessReview

Genetic Diversity of Microcystin Producers (Cyanobacteria) and Microcystin Congeners in Aquatic Resources across Africa: A Review Paper

by Mathias Ahii Chia, Ilu Ameh, Korie Chibuike George, Emmanuel Oluwadare Balogun, Suwebat Ayanronke Akinyemi and Adriana Sturion Lorenzi

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120772 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2370

Abstract

Microcystins are produced by multifaceted organisms called cyanobacteria, which are integral to Africa’s freshwater environments. The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria caused by rising temperature and eutrophication leads to the production and release of copious amounts of microcystins, requiring critical management and control approaches [...] Read more.

Microcystins are produced by multifaceted organisms called cyanobacteria, which are integral to Africa’s freshwater environments. The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria caused by rising temperature and eutrophication leads to the production and release of copious amounts of microcystins, requiring critical management and control approaches to prevent the adverse environmental and public health problems associated with these bioactive metabolites. Despite hypotheses reported to explain the phylogeography and mechanisms responsible for cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic water bodies, many aspects are scarcely understood in Africa due to the paucity of investigations and lack of uniformity of experimental methods. Due to a lack of information and large-scale studies, cyanobacteria occurrence and genetic diversity are seldom reported in African aquatic ecosystems. This review covers the diversity and geographical distribution of potential microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing cyanobacterial taxa in Africa. Molecular analyses using housekeeping genes (e.g., 16S rRNA, ITS, rpoC1, etc.) revealed significant sequence divergence across several cyanobacterial strains from East, North, West, and South Africa, but the lack of uniformity in molecular markers employed made continent-wise phylogenetic comparisons impossible. Planktothrix agardhii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (presently known as Raphidiopsis raciborskii) were the most commonly reported genera. Potential microcystin (MCs)-producing cyanobacteria were detected using mcy genes, and several microcystin congeners were recorded. Studying cyanobacteria species from the African continent is urgent to effectively safeguard public and environmental health because more than 80% of the continent has no data on these important microorganisms and their bioactive secondary metabolites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Eco)Toxicology of Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins: From Environmental Dynamics to Adverse Effects)

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Figure 1
Microcystin chemical structure generalized as cyclo-D-Ala1-X2-D-MeAsp3-Z4-Adda5-D-Glu6-Mdha7, where X and Z denote the highly variable L-amino acids present at the second and fourth positions, with possible different combinations of seven amino acids that can produce different microcystin variants (modified from Butler et al. [<a href="#B13-toxics-10-00772" class="html-bibr">13</a>]). Full article ">Figure 2
Microcystin congeners. (A) Microcystin-AR, (B) Microcystin-LF, (C) Microcystin-LR, (D) Microcystin –LY. Source: PubChem. Full article ">Figure 3
Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree of the 16S rDNA gene of bloom samples and isolated cyanobacteria from Africa and other continents. The bootstrap consensus tree was inferred from 1000 replicates, and the evolutionary distances were computed using the maximum composite likelihood method. All ambiguous positions were removed for each sequence pair (pairwise deletion option). There were a total of 1462 bp in the final dataset. Evolutionary analyses were conducted in MEGA X version 11 for macOS. Full article ">Figure 4
Phylogenetic tree constructed using the neighbor-joining method of the ITS1 sequences’ gene of cyanobacteria detected from studies on the continent. Branches corresponding to partitions reproduced in less than 50% of bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated taxa clustered together in the bootstrap test (1000 replicates) are shown next to the branches. The evolutionary distances were computed using the Kimura 2-parameter method and are in the units of the number of base substitutions per site. This analysis involved 34 nucleotide sequences. All ambiguous positions were removed for each sequence pair (pairwise deletion option). There was a total of 539 bp in the final dataset. Evolutionary analyses were conducted in MEGA X version 11. Full article ">Figure 5
UPGMA phylogenetic tree of the mcyE gene of blooms and isolated cyanobacteria from Africa and other continents. The bootstrap consensus tree was inferred from 1000 replicates, and the evolutionary distances were computed using the maximum composite likelihood method. The analysis involved 54 nucleotide sequences. All ambiguous positions were removed for each sequence pair (pairwise deletion option). There was a total of 847 bp in the final dataset. Evolutionary analyses were conducted in MEGA X version 11 for macOS. Full article ">

11 pages, 2462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disposition of Aerosols of Isothiazolinone-Biocides: BIT, MIT and OIT

by Seungmi Lee, Heui-Jin Park, Eunice B. Lee, Do Hyeon Lee, Dalwoong Choi and Kyung-Min Lim

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120770 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2937

Abstract

Biocides are widely used in everyday life, and accordingly, human exposure to them is inevitable. Especially, the inhalational exposure of humans to biocides and resultant respiratory toxicity are gaining public interest due to the recent catastrophe associated with humidifier disinfectants. Aerosolized chemicals are [...] Read more.

Biocides are widely used in everyday life, and accordingly, human exposure to them is inevitable. Especially, the inhalational exposure of humans to biocides and resultant respiratory toxicity are gaining public interest due to the recent catastrophe associated with humidifier disinfectants. Aerosolized chemicals are subject to gravitational deposition and chemical degradation. Therefore, the characterization of the disposition of aerosols is essential to estimate the inhalational exposure to biocides. Here, we compared the disposition of aerosols of one of the commonly used biocide classes, isothiazolinone-based biocides, BIT, MIT, and OIT. An acrylic chamber (40 cm × 40 cm × 50 cm) was created to simulate the indoor environment, and a vacuum pump was used to create airflow (1 LPM). Biocides were sprayed from a vertical nebulizer placed on the ceiling of the chamber, and the distribution of particle sizes and volume was measured using the Optical Particle Sizer (OPS) 3330 device. During and after the aerosol spraying, airborne biocides and those deposited on the surface of the chamber were sampled to measure the deposition using LC-MS/MS. As a result, the broad particle size distribution was observed ranging from 0.3 to 8 μm during the nebulization. The inhalable particle faction (>2 μm) of the isothiazolinones was 32–67.9% in number but 1.2 to 6.4% in volume. Most of the aerosolized biocides were deposited on the chamber’s surface while only a minimal portion was airborne (<1%) after the nebulization. More importantly, significant amounts of MIT and OIT were degraded during aerosolization, resulting in poor total recovery compared to BIT (31%, 71% vs. 97% BIT). This result suggests that some isothiazolinones may become unstable during nebulization, affecting their disposition and human exposure significantly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure to Indoor Hazardous Chemicals and Harmful Impacts on Human Body)

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Aerosol exposure system of humidified biocides to the OPSS through a nebulizer. Full article ">Figure 2
(a) Chamber setting for sampling aerosolized biocides with aluminum foil. (b) Setup of the aluminum foils (10 × 10 cm) on each side of the chamber. Full article ">Figure 3
Structure and representative LC-MS/MS chromatograms of BIT, MIT, and OIT at 500 ng/mL. Full article ">Figure 4
Particle size distribution of BIT aerosols (250 and 500 μg/mL) in number measured in an in-house-built exposure chamber. Full article ">Figure 5
Particle distribution of BIT, OIT and MIT aerosols (at 500 μg/mL) in number were measured in an in-house-built exposure chamber. Full article ">Figure 6
Particle distribution of BIT, MIT, and OIT aerosols in volume measured in an in-house-built exposure chamber. Full article ">Figure 7
Disposition of biocide aerosols in the exposure chamber. The aerosolized isothiazolinones deposited on the chamber surface and escaped through the air flow (PTFE filter and an impinger) were collected and analyzed. Full article ">

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