Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Palacios-Mateo, Ke Meng, Lucia Legaz-Pol, Erik Steen Redeker, Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga, Lars M. Blank
Summary: Plastic mulch films and biofertilizers have increased crop yields but also led to microplastic contamination in agricultural soils. Researchers propose using hydrolytic enzymes for bioremediation, optimizing them for natural soil conditions and assessing their effects on soil organisms and ecosystems.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Prajna Muthabathula, Sujatha Biruduganti
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the insecticide cypermethrin on four isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana. The results showed that B. bassiana was able to degrade cypermethrin and one isolate (ITCC 913) exhibited the highest tolerance to the insecticide.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengmei Zhang, Kun Yang, Li Yang, Yangyu Diao, Xingjie Wang, Kaidi Hu, Qin Li, Jianlong Li, Ning Zhao, Li He, Shujuan Chen, Aiping Liu, Xiaolin Ao, Yong Yang, Shuliang Liu
Summary: The esterase genes est10 and est13 derived from Bacillus subtilis were successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant Est10 and Est13 exhibited the capability to degrade pyrethroids, with Est13 showing superior efficiency. Est13 displayed stability at low and medium temperatures and a broad range of pH levels, along with resistance to organic solvents and NaCl. Furthermore, Est13 exhibited efficiency in removing pyrethroid residues from various food items.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Entomology
Peng Wei, Xinying Zeng, Haonan Han, Yiqing Yang, Youjun Zhang, Lin He
Summary: Detoxification is crucial for agricultural pests to withstand pesticides, and cytochrome P450s, carboxyl/choline esterases (CCEs), and glutathione-S-transferases are responsible for this ability. Previous studies mainly focused on the effects of upregulation, downregulation, or mutation on CCEs, while the role of alternative splicing remains unclear. In this study, we identified two variants of TcCCE23 in Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and found that splicing affected the detoxification ability of TcCCE23. Overexpression of the spliced variant, CCE23-V2, resulted in higher mortality of mites under fenpropathrin exposure compared to the control group. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis suggested that splicing enlarged the substrate binding cavity of CCE23-V2, potentially enhancing its ability to accommodate fenpropathrin molecules. These findings indicate that splicing plays a significant role in enhancing the detoxifying capability of TcCCE23.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinjiong Fan, Meng Zhao, Huamei Wen, Yanyu Zhang, Yixin Zhang, Jing Zhang, Xiaolong Liu
Summary: Enzymatic bioremediation is an effective method for degrading pesticides. Through rational design, a mutant enzyme was developed with enhanced degradation ability. The mutant enzyme showed excellent performance in degrading pyrethroid residues in various crops and soil.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wen-hua Zhang, Dun-ming Xu, Jian-bo Hou, Ya-qin Zhang, Ze-long Zhu, Ren-yi Mao, Hui Qiu, Wen Xie, Wei-jian Shen, Xiong-hai Yi
Summary: This study established a method for separating and determining the residues of fenpropathrin enantiomers in fruit and vegetable puree using supercritical fluid chromatography. The method has the advantages of convenient operation, good resolution, and environmental protection, and can be used for the determination of fenpropathrin enantiomer residues in infant supplementary food.
JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Roberto Orellana, Andres Cumsille, Paula Pina-Gangas, Claudia Rojas, Alejandra Arancibia, Salvador Donghi, Cristian Stuardo, Patricio Cabrera, Gabriela Arancibia, Franco Cardenas, Felipe Salazar, Myriam Gonzalez, Patricio Santis, Josefina Abarca-Hurtado, Maria Mejias, Michael Seeger
Summary: Technical advances have made bioremediation a valuable ecosystem service for the treatment of polluted soils worldwide. However, its application is limited in Chile due to the lack of knowledge about key factors affecting costs and the absence of a legal framework. This study evaluates the economic performance of bioremediation techniques on chronically hydrocarbon-polluted urban soils and identifies the factors that influence costs. The findings provide valuable information for the development of a local bioremediation industry in Chile.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Carlos A. Marin Villegas, Gerald J. Zagury
Summary: Dermal exposure to metal(loid)s from contaminated soils can pose a health risk, and the speciation of metal(loid)s in sweat can influence their bioaccessibility and permeability through the skin. The study used chemical equilibrium modeling and Franz cells to assess the speciation and permeation of metal(loid)s in synthetic sweat formulations. Results showed that metal(loid) bioaccessibility was higher in sweat B compared to sweat A, and copper was primarily present as Cu2+. The permeation of Cr was enhanced by sebum, while As, Ni, Pb, and Zn did not permeate the synthetic skin.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaidi Hu, Jianlong Li, Tianye Zhao, Qiao Zhou, Qin Li, Xinjie Hu, Guoquan Han, Shuhong Li, Likou Zou, Shuliang Liu
Summary: This study provides new insight into the biodegradation mechanism of 3-PBA by Aspergillus oryzae M-4 through identifying peripheral transformation products and analyzing transcriptomics.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
David T. Gonzales, Naresh Yandrapalli, Tom Robinson, Christoph Zechner, T-Y Dora Tang
Summary: The ability to build synthetic cellular populations from the bottom-up provides the groundwork to realize minimal living tissues. In this study, populations of monodisperse liposomes encapsulating cell-free expression systems were generated using microfluidics. The dynamics of transcription and translation within individual synthetic cells were quantified. Our experimental and theoretical approaches provide a statistically robust analysis of cell-free expression dynamics in bulk and monodisperse synthetic cell populations.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Javad Aminian-Dehkordi, Shadi Rahimi, Mehdi Golzar-Ahmadi, Amritpal Singh, Javiera Lopez, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Ivan Mijakovic
Summary: Synthetic biology offers new solutions for environmental protection by developing remediation systems using genetically engineered microbes and plants, and utilizing computational methods for design and application to detect and respond to specific pollutants.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Dawen Gao, Huan Zhao, Litao Wang, Ying Li, Teng Tang, Yuhong Bai, Hong Liang
Summary: Organic contaminated soils are a significant environmental issue and the existing physical-chemical methods face various obstacles. Bioaugmentation, an environmentally friendly and potentially economic technology, has been explored as an alternative. This review provides a comprehensive summary of bioaugmentation methods for organic contaminated soils, highlighting practical limitations and proposing future directions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke Yue, Junyu Chen, Yingqiu Li, Lei Kai
Summary: The rapid development of synthetic biology has enabled revolutionary improvements in biotechnology. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has been instrumental in further advancing synthetic biology through its ability to directly manipulate the Central Dogma with flexibility and rapid feedback. This mini-review summarizes recent achievements and applications of CFPS technique in various synthetic biology projects, including minimal cell assembly, metabolic engineering, recombinant protein production for therapeutics, and biosensor development for in vitro diagnostics. It also outlines current challenges and future perspectives in developing a generalized cell-free synthetic biology.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Amany Abdel-Rahman Mohamed, Amany Behairy, Yasmina M. Abd El-Hakim, Mohamed M. M. Metwally, Tarek Khamis, Samah S. Abuzahrah, Ahmed E. Abdelhamid, Leena S. Alqahtani, Walaa M. Essawi, Badriyah S. Alotaibi, Manal Alosaimi, Rehab Ahmed Ahmed El-Shaer, Marwa Mahmoud Awad, Eman S. El-Shetry
Summary: This study explores the potential toxic effects of subchronic exposure to fenpropathrin (FNP) on the reproductive system of male SD rats, and compares the effects of curcumin (CUR) and curcumin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (Cs.CUR.NPs) on these toxic effects. The study involved a cohort of sixty male SD rats, and the findings showed that FNP caused oxidative stress, sperm abnormalities, reduced motility and sperm count, as well as decreased levels of sex hormones. However, treatment with CUR and Cs.CUR.NPs exhibited remarkable restorative effects on semen quality, sex hormone levels, and antioxidant capacity.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anibal Arce, Fernando Guzman Chavez, Chiara Gandini, Juan Puig, Tamara Matute, Jim Haseloff, Neil Dalchau, Jenny Molloy, Keith Pardee, Fernan Federici
Summary: Cell-free gene expression systems combined with programmable toehold switch-based RNA sensors offer a promising platform for field-deployed biosensing. However, the high commercial cost and cold-chain shipping requirements of current systems hinder implementation in resource-limited regions. By developing locally produced RNA toehold switch-based sensors using lysates, the cost can be reduced significantly while maintaining comparable performance to commercial systems. Implementing low-cost cell-free sensors could enhance biosensing capacity at the regional level and enable decentralized models for global surveillance of infectious diseases.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)