Article
Environmental Sciences
Katsutoshi Ito, Takeshi Hano, Mana Ito, Toshimitsu Onduka, Nobuyuki Ohkubo, Kazuhiko Mochida
Summary: This study focuses on bioremediation using marine benthic animals and finds that Thalassodrilides cf. briani can decompose polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated sediments. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal that the organism adapts to the polluted environment by regulating its metabolism.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Philip Tanabe, Daniela M. Pampanin, Hiwot M. Tiruye, Kare B. Jorgensen, Rachel I. Hammond, Rama S. Gadepalli, John M. Rimoldi, Daniel Schlenk
Summary: Previous studies have shown that 2-hydroxychrysene (2-OHCHR) is more toxic than 6-hydroxychrysene (6-OHCHR), reflecting regioselective toxicity. Our hypothesis is that differences in metabolism may contribute to the regioselective toxicity. Our experiments on Japanese medaka embryos indicate that CYP-mediated activation, potentially to 1,2-CAT, may explain the developmental toxicity differences of 2-OHCHR.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco E. Franco, Karla Johanning, Cole W. Matson, Ramon Lavado
Summary: Anthropogenic pollution can lead to evolutionary adaptations in organisms, affecting their metabolism of pollutants. This study found that pollution-adapted Gulf killifish populations had lower hepatic clearance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), with differences between sexes and populations, indicating the significance of exposure and evolutionary history in shaping responses to pollution.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miharu Sakai, Yuna Tomiyama, Jiro F. Mori, Robert A. Kanaly
Summary: Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (APAHs) are important components of crude oils and petroleum-contaminated sediments. The biotransformation of the relatively water insoluble polyalkyl chain-alkylated PAHs (CA-PAHs) has not been well studied. This research investigated the transformation of CA-PAH 1-ethylnaphthalene (1-EN) by the soil bacterium Sphingobium barthaii KK22.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yusuke Nakakuki, Takashi Hirose, Hikaru Sotome, Min Gao, Daiki Shimizu, Ruiji Li, Jun-Ya Hasegawa, Hiroshi Miyasaka, Kenji Matsuda
Summary: Helically twisted conductive nanocarbon materials are suitable for optoelectronic and electromagnetic molecular devices on the nanometer scale, showing a large effective conjugation length and ultrafast decay dynamics. The extended π-helicenes achieved a large effective conjugation length through helical fusion, leading to an absorption edge in the near-infrared region.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiushang Xu, Amy L. Vonder Haar, Rengo Yoshioka, Qizheng Zhang, Serhii Vasylevskyi, Andrew J. Musser, Akimitsu Narita
Summary: A benzo[rst]pentaphene derivative, BPP-MeOPA, was synthesized and characterized by NMR and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Investigation of its photophysical properties, including transient absorption spectroscopy, revealed improved absorption and emission features from an S-1 state with excitonic and charge-transfer character by introducing MeOPA groups.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Meng Qiao, Weixiao Qi, Huijuan Liu, Jiuhui Qu
Summary: Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) have higher concentrations and toxicity in water environments, posing significant ecological risks to surface water ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yushi Ohno, Shogo Ando, Daisuke Furusho, Ryoyu Hifumi, Yuuya Nagata, Ikuyoshi Tomita, Shinsuke Inagi
Summary: Here, a facile and selective synthesis of cationic azatriphenylene derivatives was achieved through electrochemical intramolecular cyclization, where the key step involves atom-economical C-H pyridination without a transition-metal catalyst or an oxidant. This proposed strategy provides a practical approach for introducing cationic nitrogen (N (+)) into pi-electron systems, thus expanding the molecular design of N (+)-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Huimin Zhong, Cong Jiang, Jiahui Zou, Guancheng Zhu, Yanyan Huang
Summary: In this study, CeO2-based porous carbonaceous frameworks (CeO2 PCFs) were used as antioxidant nanozymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species and absorb benzo[a]pyrene. CeO2 PCFs exhibited excellent superoxide dismutase-like and catalase-like activity, effectively eliminating superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging assay confirmed the free radical scavenging ability of CeO2 PCFs. Furthermore, CeO2 PCFs with large surface area and porous structure efficiently adsorbed benzo[a]pyrene. The designed CeO2 PCFs can serve as new antioxidant nanozymes for scavenging reactive oxygen species and adsorbing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nora Kovats, Katalin Hubai, Tsend-Ayush Sainnokhoi, Bettina Eck-Varanka, Andras Hoffer, Adam Toth, Gabor Teke
Summary: Domestic waste is often burned for heating or to get rid of waste. This study evaluates the chemical and ecotoxicological parameters of particulate matter produced during controlled burning of PET samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thomas Liu, Baptiste Carles, Christine Elias, Claire Tonnele, Daniel Medina-Lopez, Akimitsu Narita, Yannick Chassagneux, Christophe Voisin, David Beljonne, Stephane Campidelli, Loic Rondin, Jean-Sebastien Lauret
Summary: In this study, we conducted single-molecule spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures to investigate the optical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). We found that temperature has an effect on the spectral characteristics of GQDs, and we used density functional theory calculations to explain these observations. Additionally, we discovered that the vibrational features can serve as a unique fingerprint for identifying GQDs.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jamie M. Dearnley, Charles Killeen, Rebecca L. Davis, Vince P. Palace, Gregg T. Tomy
Summary: This article reviews the metabolism and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in fish and presents various methods for analyzing metabolite-containing bile. Recent environmental monitoring studies demonstrate the utility of this technique in assessing oil spill pollution, establishing baseline exposure, and evaluating pollution in urban waterways.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chao Chen, Jiemiao Shen, Liu Yang, Wen Zhang, Rong Xia, Fei Huan, Xing Gong, Li Wang, Chao Wang, Haoliang Yuan, Shou-Lin Wang
Summary: This study identified key structural properties affecting the metabolic capacity of PAHs by using a variety of computational methods. The findings shed new light on the structural mechanism of PAH metabolism and provide a useful tool for screening, classifying, and predicting the toxicities and risk assessment of PAHs in the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxing Lu, Jian Zhang, Huijun Xie, Yuming Jing, Mingde Ji, Zhen Hu
Summary: In this study, a novel wastewater treatment process combining sequencing batch reactor, constructed wetland and microalgal membrane photobioreactor (BCM process) was proposed. The process achieved satisfactory removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their substituted derivatives (SPAHs), and significantly reduced bacterial toxicity and genotoxicity. Microalgae played an important role in ensuring water security.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhiyang Lu, Weijun Tian, Surong Zhang, Meile Chu, Jing Zhao, Bingkun Liu, Kun Yang, Huimin Cao, Zhuo Chen
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution, source, and ecological risk of PAHs and SPAHs in surface sediments in Laizhou Bay. The results showed seasonal differences in concentrations of PAHs and SPAHs and a spatial distribution trend of estuary > coast > offshore. Combustion sources, including petroleum, coal, and biomass, were identified as the main contributors to PAHs and SPAHs. The risk level of PAHs was low-to-moderate, while SPAHs posed a moderate-to-high ecological risk.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Heidy Peidro-Guzman, Yordanis Perez-Llano, Deborah Gonzalez-Abradelo, Maikel Gilberto Fernandez-Lopez, Sonia Davila-Ramos, Elisabet Aranda, Dario Rafael Olicon Hernandez, Angelica Ortega Garcia, Veronica Lira-Ruan, Oscar Ramirez Pliego, Maria Angelica Santana, Denhi Schnabel, Irina Jimenez-Gomez, Rosa R. Mourino-Perez, Elva T. Arechiga-Carvajal, Maria del Rayo Sanchez-Carbente, Jorge Luis Folch-Mallol, Ayixon Sanchez-Reyes, Vinoth Kumar Vaidyanathan, Hubert Cabana, Nina Gunde-Cimerman, Ramon Alberto Batista-Garcia
Summary: Mycoremediation with halophilic Aspergillus sydowii showed significant removal of PAHs in a hypersaline environment, mainly through biotransformation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that A. sydowii grown in hypersaline conditions upregulated numerous genes related to PAHs metabolism, while the activity of traditional enzymes like lignin modifying enzymes remained unchanged. The significant upregulation of the chloroperoxidase gene may be associated with fungal detoxification processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gerardo Patino-Guillen, Alan Arceta-Lozano, Jessica A. Falcon-Montes, Esmeralda Garcia-Diaz, Jorge Noe Diaz de Leon, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Guanhui Gao, Miguel Angel Mendez-Rojas, Jessica Campos-Delgado
Summary: Functionalized carbon nanospheres were synthesized in situ through a chemical vapor deposition strategy using toluene/ethanol mixtures, with the best functionalization achieved at 3 wt% ethanol concentration. The added functional groups enhanced the dispersibility and stability of the carbon nanostructures in water, making them potentially useful in biomedical applications requiring hydrophilic nanomaterials.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Pedro Gama, Ruben D. Cadena-Nava, Karla Juarez-Moreno, Javier Perez-Robles, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: Enzymatic nanoreactors were created by encapsulating galactose-1-phosphate uridylyl-transferase (GALT) into plant virus capsids through a molecular self-assembly strategy, with the aim of developing a potential treatment for classic galactosemia. The nanoreactors showed slightly lower substrate affinity and a 16% activity rate compared to the free enzyme, and were efficiently internalized into various cells, particularly hepatocytes. This innovative enzyme preparation has promising applications in the treatment of classic galactosemia.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Kanchan Chauhan, Andres Zarate-Romero, Prakhar Sengar, Carlos Medrano, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: The article discusses the complex chemical reactions performed by multiple enzymes in the cellular microenvironment of organisms, and efforts to mimic these reactions on artificial nano-assemblies while maintaining catalytic activity. The potential applications of these biocatalytic systems in environmental, biomedical, and applied chemistry are highlighted, along with the importance of considerations for catalytic activity in cascade reactions on nanoassemblies. The study also explores important parameters of enzyme kinetics in cascade reactions and molecular tools for the design and optimization of bi- and multi-enzymatic nanobioreactors reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael R. Blatchley, Franklyn Hall, Dimitris Ntekoumes, Hyunwoo Cho, Vidur Kailash, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: This study developed an engineered system to control O2 concentrations and establish biomimetic O2 gradients to study and manipulate cellular behavior. By using an O2-controllable hydrogel, the authors demonstrated uniform cell behavior in discretized O2 gradients and identified novel regulators of hypoxic cluster-based vasculogenesis. RNA sequencing revealed time-dependent regulation of signaling pathways and various extracellular matrix modulators in hypoxia-driven endothelial cell clustering.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucia Romero-Hernandez, Patricia Velez, Itandehui Betanzo-Gutierrez, Maria Dolores Camacho-Lopez, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Meritxell Riquelme
Summary: The study evaluated the ability of fungal isolates obtained from deep-sea sediments in the Mexican EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico to degrade heavy crude oil (HCO) and extra-heavy crude oil (EHCO). Results showed that Alternaria sp. fungi were able to grow and efficiently degrade EHCO as the sole carbon source, demonstrating its potential for bioremediation in future studies.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Luis L. Perez-Mozqueda, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Ernestina Castro-Longoria
Summary: The study aimed to determine if AGM-1 found in N. crassa is a true agmatinase. Results showed that AGM-1 exhibits similar characteristics to true agmatinases in other organisms, supporting the conclusion that the protein annotated as a hypothetical agmatinase in N. crassa is indeed a genuine agmatinase.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Katrin Quester, Sarahi Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Laura Gonzalez-Davalos, Carlos Lozano-Flores, Adriana Gonzalez-Gallardo, Santino J. Zapiain-Merino, Armando Shimada, Ofelia Mora, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: Encapsulating alpha-lipoic acid in chitosan nanoparticles improves its stability and allows it to cross the intestinal barrier, making it an attractive method for administering antioxidants or other sensitive additives in food.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Seongcheol Choi, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Olivia A. Graeve
Summary: In this study, we investigated the deposition behavior of monodispersed silica nanoparticles on polystyrene spherical particles under pH conditions ranging from 2 to 12, using a modified DLVO interaction force model. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the nonlinear charge regulation parameter, which takes into account the redistribution of ions, in accurately describing the electrical double layer interaction forces.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kanchan Chauhan, Cindy N. Olivares-Medina, Maria V. Villagrana-Escareno, Karla Juarez-Moreno, Ruben D. Cadena-Nava, Ana G. Rodriguez-Hernandez, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: Encapsulated enzyme nanoreactors showed significant GCase catalytic activity and enhanced stability under physiological conditions. Targeting to macrophages was achieved through mannose receptor functionalization, suggesting potential for enzyme replacement therapy in Gaucher's disease.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge L. Mejia-Mendez, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt, Luis R. Hernandez, Eugenio Sanchez-Arreola, Horacio Bach
Summary: This review compiles recent scientific literature on virus-like particles (VLPs) with biomedical applications. It covers general information about viruses, the production and therapeutic performance of VLPs, the structural classification and functionalization methods of VLPs, and various characterization techniques for examining VLPs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anaid Meza-Villezcas, Rommel A. Carballo-Castaneda, Aldo Moreno-Ulloa, Alejandro Huerta-Saquero
Summary: This study evaluated the changes in the metabolomic profile of Vibrio cholerae planktonic and biofilm cells in response to sublethal concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The results showed that more metabolites were significantly modulated in planktonic cells compared to biofilm cells. The chemical class profiles were distinct for both types of cells, indicating a phenotype-dependent metabolic response to the nanoparticles.
Article
Virology
Oscar Gonzalez-Davis, Maria V. Villagrana-Escareno, Mario A. Trujillo, Pedro Gama, Kanchan Chauhan, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is used to treat diseases caused by enzyme deficiency. Encapsulation of enzymes inside virus-like particles (VLPs) as enzymatic nanoreactors provides a promising alternative for ERT. VLPs, as delivery vehicles, are biodegradable, organized, porous nanostructures that protect the biocatalyst and maintain its bioactivity. This article reviews the production processes and functionalization of virus-based enzymatic nanoreactors, and discusses their potential use in the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and other genetic disorders.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jorge A. Ontiveros-Robles, Francisca Villanueva-Flores, Karla Juarez-Moreno, Andrey Simakov, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: Copper oxide nanoparticles were functionalized with specific antibodies to enhance their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The functionalized nanoparticles showed increased specificity of their antibacterial activity, as evidenced by the reduced IC50 and MI values in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The advantages of smart antibiotic nanoparticles are discussed.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Oscar Gonzalez-Davis, Itandehui Betanzo, Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
Summary: This study presents a new spectrophotometric method for accurately determining the concentration of chitosan. The method involves the deamination of chitosan by nitrite under acidic conditions, followed by carbohydrate determination using the anthrone reagent.
BIOLOGY METHODS & PROTOCOLS
(2023)
