Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexis M. Wormington, Sarah E. Robinson, David Gabrielli, Mohammad-Zaman Nouri, Eric S. Coker, Nancy D. Denslow, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Joseph H. Bisesi
Summary: Carbon nanomaterials released into the environment through anthropogenic processes can affect aquatic species through dietary exposure, leading to significant alterations in the gastrointestinal lipidome. Feeding experiments with SWCNTs on adult largemouth bass showed changes in intestinal fatty acids and phospholipid classes, with pathways related to fatty acid biosynthesis also affected in exposed fish. These findings suggest that while SWCNTs do not pass through the gastrointestinal epithelium, they can disrupt gut homeostasis by interacting with intestinal lipids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Aidee Solorio-Rodriguez, Andrew Williams, Sarah Sos Poulsen, Kristina Bram Knudsen, Keld Alstrup Jensen, Per Axel Clausen, Pernille Hogh Danielsen, Hakan Wallin, Ulla Vogel, Sabina Halappanavar
Summary: This study aimed to determine the influence of single or multi-walled structures and surface functionalization on pulmonary toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and to identify the underlying mechanisms. Mice were exposed to different doses of SWCNTs or MWCNTs, and inflammation and DNA damage were assessed. Transcriptomics analysis showed similar responses across all CNTs, with inflammation, cellular stress, metabolism, and DNA damage responses being affected. One pristine SWCNT was found to be the most potent and potentially fibrogenic, warranting further toxicity testing.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bowei Ouyang, Ailimire Yilihamu, Dong Liu, Peng Ouyang, Dongyan Zhang, Xian Wu, Sheng-Tao Yang
Summary: MWCNTs slightly inhibited the growth of nitrogen-fixing bacterium A. chroococcum and induced a small increase in death rate at high concentrations. Additionally, oxidative damage was observed at 0.5 mg/mL after 6 days of exposure, but the damage diminished after 14 days. However, MWCNTs did not impact the nitrogen fixation activity or soil nitrogen contents of A. chroococcum.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingwei Wang, Shuang Shan, Qiao Ma, Zhaojing Zhang, Hongsheng Dong, Shuzhen Li, Catherine Sekyerebea Diko, Yuanyuan Qu
Summary: This study investigated the biotransformation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by bacteria, showing evidence of morphology and functional group changes. The process was demonstrated to involve an extracellular bacterial Fenton-like reaction inducing the production of center dot OH.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edgardo Cruces, Ana C. Barrios, Yaritza P. Cahue, Brielle Januszewski, Leanne M. Gilbertson, Francois Perreault
Summary: The study compared the toxicity of oxidized multi-walled CNTs and GO in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that both CNMs induced indirect toxicity through physical mechanisms associated with light shading and cell aggregation, without causing oxidative stress or membrane damage. This indirect toxicity explained why the intrinsic differences in shape, size, and surface properties between CNTs and GO did not result in differences in how they induce toxicity to cyanobacteria.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed El-Newehy, Badr M. Thamer, Hany El-Hamshary, Meera Moydeen Abdulhameed
Summary: Discharging untreated effluent into water bodies significantly impacts water quality, leading to the spread of waterborne infections and high death rates worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their effectiveness in eliminating waterborne bacteria during wastewater treatment. The results showed that MWCNTs exhibited antimicrobial properties and could effectively eliminate selected pathogens, making them a promising solution for controlling waterborne pathogens in wastewater.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewa Florek, Marta Witkowska, Marta Szukalska, Magdalena Richter, Tomasz Trzeciak, Izabela Miechowicz, Andrzej Marszalek, Wojciech Piekoszewski, Zuzanna Wyrwa, Michael Giersig
Summary: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be toxic when in contact with the biological system due to their size, causing oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study evaluated the oxidative stress of MWCNTs in male rats using various parameters. The results showed that higher concentrations of nanotubes led to decreased TEAC levels in the liver, increased NO levels in the kidneys, and lower GSH levels in the serum. Therefore, analyzing oxidative stress parameters can be a key indicator of the toxic potential of MWCNTs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paraskevi Malea, Zoi Mylona, Emmanuel Panteris, Dimitrios Phaedon Kevrekidis, Theodoros Kevrekidis
Summary: This study investigated nickel uptake and effects in seagrasses. Results showed that nickel may pose a threat to seagrass meadows, H. stipulacea can be regarded as an efficient biomonitor of nickel, and AF and ER impairment in seagrass leaves can be considered as early biomarkers of nickel-induced stress. The data obtained can be useful in the management and conservation of coastal environments.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sonia Martel Martin, Rocio Barros, Brixhilda Domi, Carlos Rumbo, Matteo Poddighe, Santiago Aparicio, Maria Suarez-Diez, Juan Antonio Tamayo-Ramos
Summary: This study assessed the toxicity of commercial pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found that cell proliferation was negatively affected at a high concentration of 800 mg L-1, while oxidative stress was induced at a lower concentration of 160 mg L-1. The transcriptome analysis showed limited biological response of the yeast cells exposed to the selected MWCNTs, with only a small number of genes showing significant transcriptional changes, most of which were downregulated.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaogang Luo, Dongli Xie, Jing Su, Jianchen Hu
Summary: This study evaluated the adverse effects and toxic mechanisms of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on human ocular cells. The results showed that MWCNTs could enter the cells and cause cell damage, leading to decreased cell viabilities. RNA sequencing analysis identified key genes associated with MWCNT exposure, particularly inflammation-related genes. Validation experiments confirmed the upregulation of these genes and their regulation by long non-coding RNAs. These findings provide promising biomarkers for monitoring MWCNT-induced eye disorders and targets for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haifeng Sun, Chunli Lei, Yihao Yuan, Jianhong Xu, Ming Han
Summary: This study reveals the effects of nanoplastics on the uptake, metabolism, and phytotoxicity of phthalate esters in corn seedlings. The results show that nanoplastics promote the accumulation of phthalate esters in leaves and their translocation to roots. Additionally, nanoplastics enhance the transformation of phthalate esters to their primary metabolites. Furthermore, the presence of nanoplastics leads to a greater impairment of photosystem II efficiency and a stronger inhibitory effect on plant growth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingyue Zhao, Ruoran Xu, Xin Hua, Qi Rui, Dayong Wang
Summary: This study investigated the transgenerational toxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the role of germline long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that exposure to MWCNTs caused transgenerational toxicity in terms of decreased brood size and impaired locomotion behavior. Among germline lncRNAs, expression of 5 lncRNAs was dysregulated by MWCNT exposure. Further analysis revealed that only germline RNAi of linc-7 affected MWCNT toxicity. Germline linc-7 expression was increased transgenerationally, and transgenerational MWCNT toxicity was prevented in linc-7 (RNAi) nematodes. Additionally, germline linc-7 controlled transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by activating downstream transcription factor DAF-12.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianbin Zhao, Wenshi Luo, Yanbin Xu, Jiayin Ling, Longhua Deng
Summary: The study found that MWCNTs had negative effects on the growth and reproduction of Xenopus tropicalis, including inhibiting body growth, affecting the development of testis, ovaries, and fat, accumulating in the lungs, altering the structure and diversity of gut microbiota, and even decreasing the fertilized and survival rate of embryos.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lakshmi Narashimhan Ramana, Le N. M. Dinh, Vipul Agarwal
Summary: Surface charge of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) influences their uptake and clearance in melanoma cells, highlighting the significance of this factor in understanding the process.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Toxicology
Dina Mourad Saleh, Shengyong Luo, Omnia Hosny Mohamed Ahmed, David B. Alexander, William T. Alexander, Sivagami Gunasekaran, Ahmed M. El-Gazzar, Mohamed Abdelgied, Takamasa Numano, Hiroshi Takase, Makoto Ohnishi, Susumu Tomono, Randa Hussein Abd El Hady, Katsumi Fukamachi, Jun Kanno, Akihiko Hirose, Jiegou Xu, Shugo Suzuki, Aya Naiki-Ito, Satoru Takahashi, Hiroyuki Tsuda
Summary: This study is the first long-term in vivo study to assess the effects of DWCNTs in the lung and pleura of rats after pulmonary exposure. The results demonstrate that DWCNTs are biopersistent in the rat lung, induce chronic inflammation, and can lead to pleural fibrosis and lung tumors.
PARTICLE AND FIBRE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gordon J. Getzinger, Christopher P. Higgins, P. Lee Ferguson
Summary: This study introduces a new approach to construct an environmentally relevant PFAS molecular database from curated structure lists and predicted transformation products, and to generate a predicted tandem mass spectral library using computational mass spectrometry tools. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for identifying PFAS in HRMS-enabled suspect- and nontarget screening studies.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Manuel D. Montano, Keira Liu, Tara Sabo-Attwood, P. Lee Ferguson
Summary: This study isolated SWCNTs from estuarine sediments using density gradient ultra-centrifugation, and improved the quantitative detection limit. The separation of fluorescent SWCNTs from metal catalyst particles in the sediment matrix complicates CNT risk assessment, as traditional analysis techniques may misrepresent exposure concentrations and toxicological implications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jake C. Ulrich, P. Lee Ferguson
Summary: Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, poses challenges for trace analysis in natural waters due to its zwitterionic and polar properties, as well as its ability to complex with cations in the environment. A robust LC-MS/MS method was developed for quantitation of glyphosate and its primary transformation product AMPA in waters of varying hardness, achieving detection limits and consistent accuracy. The method was validated using uncontaminated river water samples from the US and successfully quantified glyphosate and AMPA in surface and drinking water samples from North Carolina and Sri Lanka.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirsten E. Overdahl, David Gooden, Benjamin Bobay, Gordon J. Getzinger, Heather M. Stapleton, P. Lee Ferguson
Summary: This study investigated azobenzene disperse dyes in dyestuffs and children's apparel, identifying multiple azobenzene dyes and quantifying their concentrations. The research revealed significant levels of azo dyes in children's polyester clothing, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the sources of these potentially allergenic and mutagenic compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Toxicology
Max Russo, Sara T. Humes, Ariana M. Figueroa, Abderrahmane Tagmount, Ping Zhang, Alex Loguinov, John A. Lednicky, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Chris D. Vulpe, Bin Liu
Summary: Organochlorine pesticides have been shown to negatively impact immune responses. This study found that dieldrin, a type of OCP, can inhibit key genes involved in antiviral responses in neuronal and epithelial cells. The modulation of these genes may be linked to changes in intracellular oxidative status.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nicholas J. Herkert, Christopher D. Kassotis, Sharon Zhang, Yuling Han, Vivek Francis Pulikkal, Mei Sun, P. Lee Ferguson, Heather M. Stapleton
Summary: This study analyzed the per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in anti-fog products, finding significant variations in PFAS concentrations and the presence of FTEOs contributing to adipogenic activity. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with using these PFAS-containing products.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew L. Rainey, Julia C. Loeb, Sarah E. Robinson, John A. Lednicky, John McPherson, Sue Colson, Michael Allen, Eric S. Coker, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Anthony T. Maurelli, Joseph H. Bisesi
Summary: This study uses wastewater measurements of SARS-CoV-2 to monitor viral trends and variants in a small island community, and evaluates the influence of tourism on viral loads. The results show a positive association between the number of visitors and the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater, and the detection of a new variant. The study demonstrates the utility of wastewater surveillance in small communities for monitoring SARS-CoV-2.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M-A Petre, K. R. Salk, H. M. Stapleton, P. L. Ferguson, G. Tait, D. R. Obenour, D. R. U. Knappe, D. P. Genereux
Summary: This study quantified PFAS concentrations and loads in Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The results showed that perfluoroalkyl acids dominated the upstream while fluoroethers associated with a manufacturing plant accounted for about 47% of the detected PFAS downstream. The average concentration of 43 PFAS near Wilmington was 143 ng/L, with 17-88% originating from the PFAS plant. Despite the cessation of PFAS process wastewater discharge, significant amounts of fluoroethers and legacy PFAS continue to enter the river, posing potential exposure risks to up to 1.5 million people in the watershed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kayan Clarke, Kevin Ash, Eric S. Coker, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Engineer Bainomugisha
Summary: This study developed a social vulnerability index (SVI) for Uganda and estimated the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. The results showed that the northern and western regions of Uganda have both high social vulnerability and high levels of air pollution. These areas can be targeted for health interventions and policy measures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kayan Clarke, Adriana C. C. Rivas, Salvatore Milletich, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Eric S. S. Coker
Summary: Height-for-age is an important indicator for children's health, and recent studies have found a lack of research on environmental factors contributing to growth failure in African children. This study integrated data on ambient PM2.5 pollution with children's height-for-age data, revealing that for each 10μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 concentration, there was a decrease in height-for-age by 0.069 standard deviation and a 9% higher likelihood of being stunted.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Dino Camdzic, Rebecca A. Dickman, Abigail S. Joyce, Joshua S. Wallace, P. Lee Ferguson, Diana S. Aga
Summary: Spectroscopy is a powerful tool for quantifying PFAS in complex samples, using a characteristic -CF3 shift in the alkyl chain. The 19F-NMR method showed higher sensitivity and detected more PFAS than traditional methods such as TOP assay and LC-MS, suggesting underreporting of PFAS by those methods. Additionally, the 19F-NMR method detected a significantly higher concentration of trifluoroacetic acid compared to LC-MS. Therefore, 19F-NMR can complement TOP or LC-MS approaches for more accurate reporting of PFAS contamination.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marzieh Shojaei, Abigail S. Joyce, P. Lee Ferguson, Jennifer L. Guelfo
Summary: Numerous PFAS substances have been identified in AFFF using high resolution mass spectrometry. This study characterizes the PFAS in AFFF certified for use by the U.S. military using targeted analysis, suspect screening, and non-targeted analysis. The results show that a large portion of the PFAS identified are unknown compounds, including 8 PFAS that have never been reported before.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Zachary R. Markovich, Jessica H. Hartman, Ian T. Ryde, Kathleen A. Hershberger, Abigail S. Joyce, Patrick L. Ferguson, Joel N. Meyer
Summary: This study found that developmental exposure to pentachlorophenol may lead to mitochondrial uncoupling and decreased ATP levels, but did not exacerbate dopaminergic neurotoxicity; instead, trending toward protection.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Sara T. Humes, Nicole Iovine, Cindy Prins, Timothy J. Garrett, John A. Lednicky, Eric S. Coker, Tara Sabo-Attwood
Summary: The study showed that human sputum lipid profiles are associated with different types of viral infections. This contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of infections and the development of related treatments and biomarkers for health status.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexis M. Wormington, Sarah E. Robinson, David Gabrielli, Mohammad-Zaman Nouri, Eric S. Coker, Nancy D. Denslow, Tara Sabo-Attwood, Joseph H. Bisesi
Summary: Carbon nanomaterials released into the environment through anthropogenic processes can affect aquatic species through dietary exposure, leading to significant alterations in the gastrointestinal lipidome. Feeding experiments with SWCNTs on adult largemouth bass showed changes in intestinal fatty acids and phospholipid classes, with pathways related to fatty acid biosynthesis also affected in exposed fish. These findings suggest that while SWCNTs do not pass through the gastrointestinal epithelium, they can disrupt gut homeostasis by interacting with intestinal lipids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2021)