Environmental analysis, health and toxicology最新文献

Exposure to toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium (Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, As⁵⁺, As³⁺, and Cd²⁺), is a known contributor to neurological dysfunction. Although the individual neurotoxicity of these metals has been well established, their synergistic effects with endogenous neurotoxins such as glutamate remain insufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated neurotoxic effects of the combination of glutamate and heavy metals using the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cell line. The cells were exposed to each heavy metal alone or in combination with glutamate at low [LCR; glutamate: heavy metal = 1:0.0025] and high [HCR; glutamate: heavy metal = 1:0.025] concentration ratios. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay, and synergistic effects were quantitatively assessed by the Chou-Talalay method using CompuSyn software. The results showed that Pb²⁺ exhibited consistent synergistic effects with glutamate at both concentration ratios. In addition, Hg²⁺ and As⁵⁺ demonstrated synergistic effects with glutamate under high concentration conditions. These findings highlight that certain heavy metals can potentiate glutamate-induced neurotoxicity through synergistic mechanisms. This study provides quantitative evidence for the enhanced neurotoxic potential of environmental heavy metals when combined with endogenous excitotoxins such as glutamate.

Pesticides, including organophosphates, have been reported to cause important environmental impact through effects over different taxonomic groups. Oligochaeta are often used as bioindicators, but little is known regarding molecular level pesticide interactions in this group. In our study we present a comprehensive in silico analysis of the interactions between 52 organophosphates and Lumbricus erythrocruorin hemoglobin. We performed a molecular docking analysis with GOLD software, to assess the two organophosphates most likely to interact with the studied protein, being Glufosinate ammonium and Fonofos. Next, we used Desmond software for Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS), to elucidate the potential mechanistic effects of these widely used pesticides. MDS of both ligands showed the potential of interacting with heme groups, and with residues important for chains interface, which may affect hemoglobin functioning. Our findings advocate for the application of computational methodologies in environmental toxicology, aiming to guide the development of agrochemicals that minimize ecological damage. It underscores the critical need for environmentally conscious chemical design and calls for further research into the subtle molecular interactions affecting non-target species within agricultural ecosystems.

Landfills are increasingly acknowledged as significant sources of microplastic contamination. Landfills received huge amounts of plastic waste daily, which can degrade into microplastics over time and subsequently accumulate in soil or leach into surrounding environments through leachate. This study investigates the abundance and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) present in soil and leachate across various zones within a landfill., focusing on their size, shape, and polymer composition in young, middle-aged, and old landfill zones. The comprehensive approach involved sample collection, and laboratory analysis. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified the dominant polymers, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used to explore factors influencing MP distribution and grouping patterns between soil and leachate samples. The results showed that the abundance of MPs in leachate was significantly lower in middle-aged landfills compared to young and old zones (P < 0.05). Fiber-shaped MPs were most common, with particle sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 1.6 mm. FTIR spectroscopy identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) as dominant polymer types. PCA indicated that landfill aging and environmental degradation influenced MP distribution, with HCA showing distinct patterns between soil and leachate. Smaller MPs were more mobile and found more often in leachate, while larger MPs were retained in soil. This study highlights the critical role landfills play as sources of MP pollution, emphasizing the need for improved waste management to reduce contamination and mitigate ecological and health risks. Effective strategies are essential to addressing the environmental impact of MPs in landfills.

Increasing evidence of the presence of small microplastics in human tissues necessitates research on their intake routes and internalization. Among two major routes of exposure to microplastics (MPs), inhalation pathways are less investigated than ingestion pathways. In this study, quantitative estimation of microplastics intake and internalization was conducted using the multi-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model by US Environmental Protection Agency assuming three representative particle size distributions (i.e., Power law, unimodal, and biomodal distributions) of cylindrical MPs within the aerodynamic diameter between 0.1 and 10 μm at the aspect ratio of 3:1. Assuming the default atmospheric concentration of MPs at 0.1 μg m-3, the estimated mass deposition in human lungs ranged 19.1-49.9 μg. Although sensitivity analysis revealed that estimated mass deposition of MPs in human lungs were not much different among three particle size distributions, deposition in the pulmonary region was strongly affected by the type of size distributions. Because of suspected health symptoms of MPs in the pulmonary region and the slower clearance in this region, it is of urgent needs to characterize MP size distribution in the inhalable particle size range (0.1-10 μm) and to analyze MPs in the same size range in human respiratory tissues.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been extensively used as surfactants, surface protectors, food packaging materials, and fire-retardants. Due to serious adverse effects on human and environment, they are now considered as legacy compounds. In this study, the effects of PFOA and PFOS on endocrine disruption were assessed using the Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) methodology based on the adverse outcome pathway (AOP). PFOA/PFOS in vitro data for enzyme activities for steroidogenesis, hormone levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone, receptor binding capacity, receptor transcriptional activation, cell proliferation and differentiation were collated and assessed to elucidate the association between the data with the human adverse outcomes. Multiple studies indicate that PFOA/PFOS alter enzyme activities, hormone levels, receptor transcription, and cell proliferation. Moreover, associations were found between in vitro data and human outcomes including semen quality, menarche, menopause, menstrual cycle, infertility, miscarriage, cancer, and birth weight. This study effectively links toxic mechanisms to human adverse outcomes of PFOA and PFOS. However, in vitro data based on the molecular initial events (MIEs) and key events (KEs) in AOP frame works are not enough and often inconsistent for integrated assessment, which suggest that more data for endocrine disruption are required for clear and complete IATA of PFOA and PFOS.

Human health has improved dramatically, but biodiversity is in crisis, with over 1 million species at risk of extinction. Human activities, such as deforestation and resource overuse, have accelerated environmental changes, known as Anthropocene Acceleration. The Planetary Boundaries framework identifies nine ecological limits, including climate change and biodiversity loss. By 2023, six of these boundaries had been exceeded, threatening human survival. Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is causing extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions. The IPCC warns that surpassing 1.5°C will have severe consequences. Climate inequality is worsening, as the wealthiest 10% produce nearly half of global emissions, while low-income populations bear most climate-related economic and health burdens. Biodiversity loss further increases infectious disease risks, necessitating a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. The healthcare sector contributes 4.6% of global emissions, requiring urgent action to become carbon-neutral. South Korea's climate-health policies need to expand beyond infectious diseases to chronic conditions and vulnerable populations including future generations. While WHO advocates integrating climate resilience with emission reductions, ensuring a sustainable, health-centered response to the climate crisis, South Korea lacks GHG reduction targets for healthcare sectors. To address this, South Korea should mandate carbon reporting for healthcare, integrate emissions reduction in hospital accreditation, provide sustainability incentives. Improving high-emission medical practices requires healthcare awareness, behavioral change, and scientific evidence for safety.

This study investigates the correlations among urinary metals, the effects of co-exposure to multiple metals, and the relative importance of each metal in renal tubular damage (RTD) among residents of a metal-contaminated area. Urine sampling and health surveys were conducted for 120 participants living near a smelter for the Forensic Research via Omics Markers (FROM) study. Nine urinary metals (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb, and Hg) and RTD markers such as beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were analyzed. The effects of multiple metals on RTD and the relative importance of each metal were investigated using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). The nine metals were highly correlated with each other, suggesting co-exposure to multiple metals. In the results of BKMR, co-exposure to multiple metals significantly affected NAG levels across the entire urinary metal concentration range. Although β2-MG levels increased with rising urinary metal concentrations, the increase was not statistically significant. V and Cd were the highest contributors to β2-MG (posterior inclusion probability, PIP=0.853) and NAG (PIP=0.983), respectively. This study demonstrates co-exposure to metals among residents living in the metal-contaminated area and that co-exposure to multiple metals significantly increased NAG levels. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that V is the highest contributor to the increase inβ2-MG. This study extends previous research by evaluating co-exposure to a more comprehensive array of metals, there by offering a broader perspective on the potential health impacts of RTD among residents in metal-contaminated areas.

Carbendazim is a widely used fungicide in agriculture, poses significant environmental risks due to its persistence in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To investigate the potential for bioremediation of carbendazim, three bacterial strains, Bacillus aureus PPH1, Bacillus paralicheniformis PPH2, and Bacillus stercoris PPH3, were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of Glyphidrilus sp. earthworms, a common inhabitant of paddy fields. In a controlled laboratory experiment, all the strains were incubated with 100 mg/L carbendazim in minimal salt medium for five days. The HPLC analysis revealed that B. aureus PPH1, B. paralicheniformis PPH2, and B. stercoris PPH3 degraded 87.18%, 89.66%, and 91.21% of carbendazim, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis subsequently confirmed the existence of 2-aminobenzimidazole and 2-hydroxybenzimidazole as major metabolites, suggesting a potential biotransformation pathway for carbendazim degradation. This investigation offers novel insights into the biodegradation mechanisms of carbendazim facilitated by gut bacteria of paddy field earthworms.

Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) and high fat diet (HFD) are already documented to provoke oxidative stress, neuro inflammation and learning and memory deficits. This work aimed to determine the possible neuroprotection of the root extract of Nauclea latifolia (NlREq) against NaAsO2/HFD induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: groups include control; NaAsO2/HFD treated; NaAsO2/HFD + NlREq at 200 mg /kg and 400 mg/kg; and NaAsO2/HFD treated with silymar in at the dose of 50 mg/kg. The behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze and T-maze), biochemical analysis and histological investigations were performed. As shown in the present study, NaAsO2/HFD group exhibited enhanced anxiety related behaviour, memory deficit, oxidative stress (MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β) and decreased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) activity. The histological examination revealed significant neuronal loss and remarkable architectural alteration in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. These effects were ameliorated by NlREq administered in a dose-dependent manner, with the 400 mg/kg dose enhancing memory in the affected animals, reducing inflammation, replenishing antioxidant defence systems, and maintaining integrity of neurons. These results indicate that Nauclea latifolia root extract has strong neuroprotective potential and may be used as a phytochemical for managing neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment due to exposure to toxins in the environment and poor diet.