Exposure to toluene in the air causes germinal apoptosis and neuronal damage, promoting neurobehavioral changes in Caenorhabditis elegans (2023)

Through experiments and simulation calculations to investigate the adsorption performance of nitrogen (N)-doped porous biochar for volatile organic compounds (VOCs, toluene, C₀= 110 mg/m³) under humid conditions was the aim of this work. The results showed that the specific surface of the biochar increased by about 1000 m²Grammatik⁻¹after N-doping, the surface N content increased by more than 3% and the hydrophilicity and polarity decreased. The adsorption capacity of toluene can reach up to 223 mg/g at 0%RH and maintain an adsorption capacity of about 80% under humid conditions. Isosteric heats and simulated binding energies Density functional theory (DFT) states that biochar with a higher surface nitrogen content can achieve a strong interaction with toluene and a weak interaction with water vapor. In addition, the adsorption kinetics showed that water vapor and increasing the number of micropores would decrease the toluene mass transfer rate during adsorption. These conclusions can provide an important reference for the application of N-doped porous biochar and the development of adsorbents for high humidity environments.

Biodegradable plastics (BDP) are being used more and more; however, there have been concerns about their environmental safety, particularly with non-degradable additive compositions. To date, ecotoxicity data for BDP additives are scarce. Here, the nematode C. elegans was used to comparatively assess the toxicity of an isocyanate additive, ie hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), a maleic anhydride, ie diallyl maleate (DIM), and four other organic BDP additives. These additions led to nematode lethality in µg L^-1level, low LC₅₀HDI/DIM value. Consistent exposure to these additives resulted in variable degrees of inhibition of body volume and longevity, suggesting developmental toxicity. Furthermore, BDP supplements induced significant increases in gst-4 expression, particularly a mean increase of 123.54%/234.29% in the HDI/DIM group, but reduced tot-1 expression, suggesting oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. BDP supplements also caused inhibition of locomotor and feeding intake/waste behavior and associated damage to glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, indicating their neurotoxicity. We found that HDI and DIM had relatively strong effects on vulnerable endpoints such as lethality, gst-4, half-life, feeding, and elimination behavior. Overall, this study indicates a pronounced ecotoxic risk of isocyanates and maleic anhydrides as BDP additives, which is important for the selection of environmentally friendly BDP additives.

Germ cell apoptosis is an important feature of spermatogenesis because this process allows excess germ cells to be removed from testicular tissue. This is crucial for controlling the number of germ cells that can be supported and nourished by Sertoli cells. It has been found that up to 75% of germ cells are lost during sperm development. In the process, germ cells with faulty genes are eliminated. In addition, apoptosis regulates testicular tissue homeostasis by maintaining a balance between germ cell proliferation and cell death. This is necessary as it ensures normal spermatogenesis. Apoptosis also occurs during the maturational division of spermatocytes and spermatids, although to a lesser extent. Several factors known as pro-apoptotic proteins play key roles in the apoptotic process. The major pro-apoptotic proteins are caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), truncated death domain BH3-interacting death (tBID), tumor suppressor protein (p53), and Bcl-2-associated protein (BAX). The execution of apoptosis can be triggered by an extrinsic or intrinsic pathway. The extrinsic pathway is initiated by death receptors and death ligands. Death receptors activate pro-apoptotic proteins such as caspase-3 to carry out apoptosis. The intrinsic pathway, on the other hand, is triggered by nutrient deprivation, stress, or DNA damage, which in turn activates the Bcl2 families of pro-apoptotic proteins that promote apoptosis. The present review article focuses on pro-apoptotic proteins and their mechanisms of action, with particular emphasis on their involvement in germ cell apoptosis in testicular tissues of mammalian and avian species.

To address the need for rapid neurotoxicity assessment of a potential exposure to molecules of unknown toxicity, we developed an in silico tool that uses reverse molecular docking to identify receptor targets for molecules and deep learning models that measure activity in predict neurological targets. A panel of human neurological receptors was obtained from the Protein Database (PDB), selected and prepared for mating. In all, we anchored thousands of molecules at various sites on many different neurological receptor structures, generating millions of anchored positions and scores. With these data we identified the protein-ligand interactions and compared them to the experimental results described above. The data was converted into an image representation and used to generate 2D convolutional deep learning models. We generated 19 deep learning models, 17 of which are more than 90% accurate on the validation data and the remaining two are 84% and 87% accurate, respectively. We developed a GUI and reverse-fitting pipeline to identify potential neurological targets for toxins and predict toxin activity using deep learning models based on fitting interactions identified as input. As an example, we applied this pipeline to toluene, a molecule with known toxicity, and correctly predicted that it would be a GABA(B) agonist. The GUI has been tested on Ubuntu 20.04LTS and Windows 10, and the code, templates and GUI are available under GPLv3 on github athttps://github.com/mmccarthy1/Autodock_deeplearning_toxicology_GUI.

Exposure to indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been linked to a variety of human diseases, including neurological disorders. However, studies on VOC-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) and the underlying mechanisms are limited. We established a simulated real-world mouse model for combined VOC inhalation to study the adverse effects of internal VOCs on the dopaminergic nervous system and possible toxicological mechanisms. Our results showed that VOC exposure induced alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and nerve endings, thus leading to PD-like behaviors in a time-dependent manner. Combined VOC exposure disrupted lysosomal function and resulted in autophagy dysfunction, which in turn led to excessive NLRP3-mediated inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation (NOD, LRR, and pyrin), leading to cell death. dopaminergic neurons implicated in the pathogenesis of PD.

In this work, the toxicity and biodistribution of graphene oxide (GO) and oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as a model protein to assess the influence of protein crown formation on the physicochemical properties, colloidal stability and toxicity of the materials. Biological assays were performed to evaluate the effects of uncoated and albumin-coated materials on survival, oxidative stress, intestinal barrier permeability, growth, reproduction and fertility. Critical changes in topography, surface roughness, and chemistry of GO and MWCNT were observed due to albumin corona formation. These modifications were associated with changes in the materials' colloidal stability and prevention of their aggregation and sedimentation in the nematode test medium. Both GO and MWCNT impaired nematode survival, growth, reproduction and fertility, in addition to increasing oxidative stress and intestinal barrier permeability. But GO was more toxic to C. elegans than MWCNT, especially in long-term tests. Coronaalbumin mitigated 100% of the acute and chronic effects of MWCNT. On the other hand, the negative effects of GO have not been fully mitigated; GO inhibited at the highest concentration tested (10 mg L⁻¹), while crown-coated GO reduced 50 and 100% of fertility and growth, respectively. Confocal Raman spectroscopy images were crucial to identify that GO and MWCNTs, naked and coated with crown albumin, passed through the intestinal barrier of C. elegans and reached their reproductive organs. However, corona-BSA protected nematode target organs from the adverse effects of MWCNT and blocked their translocation to other tissues, while coated GO translocated within the nematodes and impaired crucial organ function. Furthermore, the coated MWCNT was shed after 2 h of refeeding, while the coated GO was still accumulating in the nematode gut. Our results indicate that the different patterns of substance translocation and excretion in C. elegans are related to altered physiological functions of primary and secondary organs. This work contributes to a better understanding of the effects of crown protein on the toxicity of graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes; essential information for biological applications and nanosafety.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113452

Recreational anglers in Tasmania have reported dark pigmentation in the normally white fillets of Platycephalus bassensis, a phenomenon known as muscle melanization. Based on histology, it is suggested that eumelanin and pheomelanin are involved in the occurrence of the phenomenon. A macroscopic melanization scoring system was validated using an image analysis technique that quantified the percentage of fillet surface area affected by muscle melanization. The incidence of muscular melanization was more intense in fish inhabiting Enseada do Engenhoso in the Tamar estuary. This indicates that muscle melanization in P. bassensis may be caused by site-specific factors that have yet to be identified. No significant relationships were found between percentage of melanized muscle surface and condition index, age, sex, stage of maturation, fish weight, fish length and size of melanomacrophage centers in liver or spleen. Overall, this study provided important information that will set the direction and focus of future research on melanization of P. bassensis muscles.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113448

The potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from a Japanese bay contaminated by coal-fired power plant effluent were assessed by calculation of toxicity units (TU). UTs calculated from measured total sediment concentrations (C_at) were often greater than or close to 1, indicating a potential toxicity issue for benthic organisms. In contrast, TUs based on freely dissolved pore water concentrations (C_Buch), measured by an ex situ passive sampling technique using polyethylene strips, ranged from 0.0007 to 0.005, well below 1, indicating no effect. We also found that soot fractions in the contaminated bay sediments were significantly higher than those of the reference sites. Overall, we conclude that the effluent from coal-fired power plants increases C significantly_atof PAHs in sediments, but also increases the proportion of carbonaceous particles that strongly retain PAHs. As a combined result, the bioavailable concentrations (expressed by interstitial water C_Buch) of PAH do not increase as much as C_at. The results of this study indicate that the ecotoxicological risks of PAH contamination from coal-fired power plants should be assessed by directly measuring interstitial water C._Buchinstead of c_at.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113396

A composite system with three matrices (water, sediment and rice soil) was developed to determine the potential sources of metals (loides) (Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and U) and their pollution levels in the Synthetically Evaluate Le'an River Basin. The result showed that the observed background values ​​(BV) of the rice soil and sediments in the composite system were obviously higher than those of the upper continental crust (UCC) and the soils of Jiangxi Province, a difference that was particularly pronounced for sediments. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, Cd in the system showed high coefficients of variation (CV), and the metals (oids) in the sediment, with the exception of Pb, showed higher values ​​than those in the rice soil. Cd and Cu in the system showed the highest Ef values, likely posing a high risk to organisms and local residents' health. There were significant linear relationships between the site classification index (SRI) for water and that for sediments or clayey soils, showing that the matrices in the system interacted with each other. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Absolute Values ​​of Principal Components and Multiple Linear Regression Model (APCS-MLR) showed that the enrichments of Cu, Zn, As, Cu, Pb and U in the system were and have been mainly influenced by mining activities deposited in sediments. Point sources of pollution and non-point sources of pollution such as mining activities contributed most of the anthropogenic (dull) metals to the sediments. The results of the SRI and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) visually indicated that the heavy contamination S5, S8, S9, S10, S11 and S12 was concentrated and distributed in areas of extensive mining activity, while other moderately contaminated sites were scattered along the main stream . of the river Le'an.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113379

This study reports a characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (dust PAHs) associated with dust in residential evaporative cooling and associated health effects. Extensive analyzes showed that PAHs in cabin dust came mainly from pyrogenic sources (vehicle emissions), with average total concentrations ranging from 131 to 429 ngg⁻¹. The distribution pattern of PAHs based on the number of rings showed the following descending order of relative abundance: 4 > 3 > 5 > 6 > 2 rings. The results indicate that the mutagenicity of dust PAHs exceeded their carcinogenicity, but that potential carcinogenic effects remain significant. Mean lifetime cancer risk for different age groups for three pathways based on model 2 (dermal (1.39 × 10⁻¹a 1.91×10⁻²), inlet (2.13 × 10⁻³an 8.08×10⁻³) and inhalation (1.62×10⁻⁷a 4.06×10⁻⁷)) was 7.4- to 146-fold greater than the values ​​predicted by model 1 (dermal (5.13 × 10⁻⁵a 3.03×10⁻³), inlet (9.34 × 10⁻⁵a 1.31×10⁻³) and inhalation (7.13×10⁻²⁰a 1.68×10⁻²⁰)). Therefore, exposure to dusty PAHs in household evaporative coolers poses a high risk, especially for children (under 11 years) (HQ=2.71 × 10⁻²⁰and 54.8 of the LTCR = 7.13 × 10⁻²⁰a 1.39×10⁻¹). Strategies to remove such contaminants should be considered to protect people, especially children, from carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects when switching from home evaporative coolers to other cooling systems.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113378

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental problem that is commonly monitored by various agencies. Small wild rodents are ideal biological monitors to show the extent of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to assess the adverse effects of marble and stone quarrying on the Levantine vole Microtus guentheri, which inhabits some contaminated sites. In this context, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the distribution of thirteen heavy metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, B, Pb, As, Co, Cd and Hg) ) in organs (skin, bone, muscle, liver and kidney) from biological samples, and the comet assay showed DNA damage in blood lymphocytes for the first time. This study was conducted near the marble and stone quarries in Korkuteli, Antalya-Turkey during the spring, summer, autumn (2017) and winter (2018) seasons. In spring and summer, genetic damage in blood lymphocytes from all contaminated sites (sites 1 to 5) was significantly greater than in controls, while in autumn it was larger in samples from three sites (sites 3 to 5). As for the distribution of heavy metals in the organs, we found deposits of Fe, Al, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr, Co, As and Pb mainly in the skin with their derivatives, deposits of Cu and Cd in the kidney. , Cu, Cd and B deposits in the liver and As and Pb deposits in the bones. The study shows that certain organs (especially the skin with its derivatives) and blood lymphocytes of the Levantine vole can be used as ideal indicators of heavy metal exposure. Our results indicate that the Korkuteli area may already be threatened by heavy metal contamination.

Pollution, Volume 256, 2020, Item 113055

About particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure in pregnant women in rural China. This study aims to characterize PM exposure_2.5among pregnant women in rural China and to examine potential risk factors for personal PM exposure_2.5. The data comes from a birth cohort study that included 606 pregnant women in Xuanwei, a county known for its high rate of lung cancer. Personal exposure to PM_2.5was measured during each trimester of pregnancy using small hand-held particle monitors. Participants were surveyed using structured questionnaires to obtain information about PM risk factors._2.5Exhibition. Daily exposure to PM_2.5in pregnant women the values ​​were between 19.68 and 97.08 μg/m³(Mean = 26.08). PM exposure_2.5it was higher in winter and autumn than in other seasons (p<0.05); greater during the day than at night (p<0.001); and higher during cooking time than during the rest of the day (p<0.001). Using a mixed effects model, household solid fuel for cooking (β=1.75, p<0.001), winter and fall (β=2.96, p<0.001), cooking ≥ once a day (β=1.58, p<0.05 ), charcoal heating (β=1.69, p<0.001), secondhand smoke exposure (β=1.59, p<0.001) and community 1 (β=2.39, p<0.001) were identified as risk factors for identified personal PM exposure_2.5Pregnant women throughout pregnancy. Indirect effects of seasonal and county factors on personal PM_2.5Exposure was mediated by heating, cooking and the use of fuels in the home. Finally PM_2.5Levels in Xuanwei exceeded WHO guidelines. Seasonal and urban factors and individual behaviors, such as B. the use of solid fuels for cooking in the home, heating with coal and exposure to passive smoking are associated with increased personal particulate matter exposure._2.5Exposure in pregnant women in rural China.