Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Lomba, Diego Errazquin, Pilar Garralaga, Noelia Lopez, Beatriz Giner
Summary: In this manuscript, two deep eutectic solvents (DES) were prepared and characterized from an ecotoxicological perspective using three biomodels. The results showed that the ecotoxicity of these solvents depends on the biomodel used and the water content, with lower toxicity values for solvents with higher water content. However, the ecotoxicity of all solvents was found to be quite low, with EC50 values above 1000 mg/L in all cases.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lenka Wimmerova, Olga Solcova, Marketa Spacilova, Nadija Cehajic, Simona Krejcikova, Petr Marsik
Summary: The presence of pharmaceutical and personal care products in water is increasing. This study experimentally assessed the acute toxicity of diclofenac (DCF) and triclosan (TCS) on freshwater algae. The results showed that TCS had higher toxicity. The removal of DCF and TCS from water was tested using sorption, photocatalytic, and photolytic processes, with photocatalysis showing the fastest removal.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Radek Vurm, Lucia Tajnaiova, Jana Kofronova
Summary: This study aimed to determine the toxic effects of commonly used herbicides on marine organisms, with the results indicating the need to monitor and be mindful of herbicide use in the environment.
Article
Microbiology
Lauren Speare, Madison Woo, Anne K. Dunn, Alecia N. Septer
Summary: Interbacterial competition is common in host-associated microbiota and can impact community structure and function. This study identifies a putative lipoprotein that mediates cell-cell attachment and allows targeted elimination of specific competitors. The findings have implications for understanding the impact of competition on microbiome structure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kacper Szymanski, Sylwia Mozia, Andre Ayral, Stephan Brosillon, Julie Mendret
Summary: The investigations on the removal of ibuprofen in a hybrid system coupling ozonation and nanofiltration with functionalized catalytic ceramic membrane are presented. Positive influence of catalytic ozonation on ibuprofen decomposition was observed. The application of catalytic nanofiltration membrane led to a higher ibuprofen removal rate compared to the pristine membrane, and the addition of inorganic salts did not affect the removal efficiency. Three IBU by-products were detected during the treatment process, but after 2 hours of catalytic nanofiltration, the treated product was found to be non-toxic.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Monika Molnar, Eva Fenyvesi, Zsofia Berkl, Imre Nemeth, Ildiko Fekete-Kertesz, Rita Marton, Emese Vaszita, Erzsebet Varga, Dora Ujj, Lajos Szente
Summary: Bacterial Quorum Sensing is a crucial cell-to-cell communication process that affects bacterial cooperative behavior and biological activities; Cyclodextrins-mediated quorum quenching is an innovative approach that can influence bacterial bioluminescence processes; Experimental results show that alpha-cyclodextrin has a strong inhibitory effect on bacterial bioluminescence within certain concentrations and contact times.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Gao, Jing Wang, Longfei Ren, Yifei Cheng, Zhifen Lin, Xin-Gui Li, Haoyu Sun
Summary: This study investigated the influence of energy source on time-dependent hormesis, confirming that SDX induced hormetic effects in all cultivation systems. The action of SDX was speculated to be derived from its interaction with DHPS and AC, inhibiting protein synthesis and upregulating the QS system. Energy source impacted the hourly maximum stimulatory rate, the EC50 of SDX, and the time point that hormesis occurred, potentially due to regulating the metabolic and QS systems of bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rebecca von Hellfeld, Christoph Gade, Neil Vargesson, Astley Hastings
Summary: With the increasing annual chemical development and production, there is a growing demand for safety testing. QSAR modeling can predict the biological effect of a chemical structure, but there is insufficient toxicity data for different mercury species.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fotini Fragou, Areti Zindrou, Yiannis Deligiannakis, Maria Louloudi
Summary: The structure-function relationship of carbon-silica hybrid nanoparticles synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis was investigated. The introduction of nanocarbon into the silica nanostructure altered the surface properties and biocide activity. Interestingly, there was no correlation between the stable radical population and biocide activity.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuchen Su, Qianghong Zhao, Jiayin Du, Chunlan Liu, Xuemei Jiang, Weili Wei, Xiaoyong Tong
Summary: Accurate assessment of ecotoxicity in contaminated soil is crucial for public health. The commonly used luminescent bacteria method faces limitations when dealing with hydrophobic compounds. The existing improved method is not effective for the evaluation of highly hydrophobic chemicals.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gertrud E. Morlock, Jan A. Morlock, Ayse D. Cardak, Annabel Mehl
Summary: Veterinary drug residues in food samples of animal origin are currently analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with sophisticated mass spectrometers. However, the results of this method are only partially consistent with microbiological results and positive findings occur rarely. Therefore, the potential of a non-target planar bioassay screening in veterinary drug residue analysis was studied. The results showed that non-target screening can provide a simple, rapid, eco-friendly, and non-target analysis, filling the gap in routine target analysis.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Denise A. Ludvik, Katherine M. Bultman, Mark J. Mandel
Summary: The symbiosis between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and its symbiont Vibrio fischeri provides a natural system to study host-microbe interactions. The two-component signaling system controls symbiotic biofilm formation, with BinK identified as a negative regulator. This study highlights the importance of biofilm regulation during the establishment of a beneficial symbiosis and provides insights into the signaling circuitry and regulatory changes that occur during this process.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Andrea M. M. Suria, Stephanie Smith, Lauren Speare, Yuzhou Chen, Iris Chien, Emily Grace Clark, Madelyn Krueger, Alexander M. Warwick, Hannah Wilkins, Alecia N. Septer
Summary: The widespread distribution of diverse T6SS in bacterial species and habitats plays a crucial role in interbacterial competition and interactions with eukaryotic cells. The study reveals that bacterial symbionts encode diverse T6SSs with homology to those from distantly related species, suggesting different impacts on host health. Understanding how T6SS promotes bacterial population propagation and impacts host health is essential.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Kloska, Grzegorz M. Cech, Dariusz Nowicki, Monika Maciag-Dorszynska, Aleksandra E. Bogucka, Stephanie Markert, Doerte Becher, Katarzyna Potrykus, Paulina Czaplewska, Agnieszka Szalewska-Palasz
Summary: This study investigates the molecular adaptation mechanisms of marine bacteria to osmotic stress, focusing on adjustment at the proteome level. The results show that bacteria adjust at all levels of their biological processes in response to salinity challenges. The accumulation of DNA-binding proteins and increased polyamine uptake are suggested to play a role in protecting the nucleoid against changes in DNA topology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diego Errazquin, Aminou Mohamadou, Laurent Dupont, Yannick De Gaetano, Cristina B. Garcia, Laura Lomba, Beatriz Giner
Summary: The study found that the toxicity of different bromide-based ionic liquids towards environmental biomodels varies, with ammonium ionic liquids generally being more toxic than phosphonium-based ones. Predictions suggest significant toxicity but not genotoxic or nongenotoxic carcinogenicity for the studied ionic liquids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Barra Caracciolo, Paola Grenni, Livia Mariani, Jasmin Rauseo, Martina Di Lenola, Valerio Giorgio Muzzini, Enrica Donati, Ines Lacchetti, Paola Margherita Bianca Gucci, Antonio Finizio, Eleonora Beccaloni, Luisa Patrolecco
Summary: This study conducted a 28-day mesocosm study at a tunnel construction site to investigate the chemical and ecotoxicological effects of SLES in foaming agents used for tunnel excavation. The results showed a decrease in SLES concentrations over time, as well as varying ecotoxicological responses depending on the initial amount of each product, soil lithology, and organism tested. Site-specific ecotoxicological evaluations are crucial for the safe management of spoil material and potential re-use of excavated soil to prevent waste production.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alif Chebbi, Massimiliano Tazzari, Cristiana Rizzi, Franco Hernan Gomez Tovar, Sara Villa, Silvia Sbaffoni, Mentore Vaccari, Andrea Franzetti
Summary: The study highlights the potential of using nonpathogenic strains to produce rhamnolipids from winery and olive oil residues, demonstrating the ability to utilize agricultural waste for the production of valuable compounds.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Valeria Di Nica, Sara Villa, Valeria Lencioni
Summary: Effluents from wastewater treatment plants in high mountains, containing Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs), may have short-term toxic effects on aquatic biodiversity. However, the overall toxicity levels are relatively low, and the different components of the PhACs mixture do not exhibit synergistic or antagonistic interactions, with potential effects varying over time.
JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Irene de la Casa-resino, Michael T. Empl, Sara Villa, Boris Kolar, Julia Fabrega, Adam D. Lillicrap, Xanthippos N. Karamanlis, Ricardo Carapeto-Garcia
Summary: The present study provides an in-depth analysis of the current two-tiered approach for the environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) intended for aquaculture use. Recommendations include updating and harmonising regulatory guidance documents, developing advanced mathematical models for exposure scenarios, and specifying the types of studies necessary to assess potential adverse effects on non-target organisms. Risk mitigation measures tailored to individual aquaculture farms should also be considered in future or updated guidelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
C. Rizzi, S. Villa, C. Chimera, A. Finizio, G. S. Monti
Summary: This study reconstructed the spatial and temporal trends of PAH risk to benthic communities in the Mediterranean Sea, finding that PAHs primarily originate from biomass burning and show different temporal patterns across basins. The results suggest that increasing PAH concentrations pose a growing risk to the Mediterranean ecosystem, especially in the Western Mediterranean.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andreu Rico, Rhaul de Oliveira, Gabriel Silva de Souza Nunes, Cristiana Rizzi, Sara Villa, Isabel Lopez-Heras, Marco Vighi, Andrea Viviana Waichman
Summary: The rapid urbanization in the Brazilian Amazon has led to untreated wastewater containing pharmaceuticals and other chemicals being discharged into freshwater ecosystems, posing potential risks to biodiversity. Urban areas are identified as hotspots for chemical contamination, with mixtures containing numerous compounds and some reaching global maxima in exposure concentrations. Chemical pollution may have long-term effects on 50-80% of aquatic species near urban areas.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Valeria Di Nica, Cristiana Rizzi, Antonio Finizio, Lorenzo Ferraro, Sara Villa
Summary: This study investigated the effects of two pesticides on the behaviour of Daphnia magna and found that behavioural swimming responses (BSRs) can serve as sensitive indicators of sub-lethal stress. The compounds caused changes in swimming behaviour at different concentrations and exposure times. After 48 hours, there was an increasing tendency in the swimming parameters, possibly due to the activation of compensatory mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alberto Linguadoca, Cristiana Rizzi, Sara Villa, Mark J. F. Brown
Summary: Research has shown that the novel insecticide sulfoxaflor may have major negative effects on bumblebee health, especially when combined with nutritional stress. Improper use of sulfoxaflor can lead to increased mortality in bees, negatively impacting fecundity, and subsequently affecting larval production.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristiana Rizzi, Sara Villa, Alessandro Sergio Cuzzeri, Antonio Finizio
Summary: The study identified HC5 values for different classes of compounds by investigating the toxicity of pesticides to freshwater aquatic species, and examined the impact of pesticide modes of action on aquatic communities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andreu Rico, Rhaul de Oliveira, Gabriel Silva de Souza Nunes, Cristiana Rizzi, Sara Villa, Beatriz De Caroli Vizioli, Cassiana C. Montagner, Andrea Viviana Waichman
Summary: The use of pesticides has increased notably in households and peri-urban areas of the Amazon, but the presence of these contaminants and their ecological risks in freshwater ecosystems remain unexplored. This study assessed the exposure to pesticides in the Amazon River and urban streams, finding widespread pesticide contamination in urban and peri-urban areas of the Brazilian Amazon. Pesticide residues may pose risks to freshwater organisms, particularly invertebrates.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Andrea Masseroni, Cristiana Rizzi, Chiara Urani, Sara Villa
Summary: Nanoplastics (NPs) are a type of environmental contaminant that has gained increasing attention in recent years. This study reviews the literature on NPs and identifies research gaps in environmental risk assessments. The majority of studies have focused on the lethal and sublethal effects of NPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, while research on the presence of NPs in biotic matrices is lacking. Polystyrene NPs have received the most extensive research attention. NP concentrations detected in water are close to or higher than sublethal levels for organisms. A specific ERA framework for NPs is proposed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Teresa Palumbo, Simona Russo, Stefano Polesello, Licia Guzzella, Claudio Roscioli, Laura Marziali, Lucia Valsecchi, Francesca Cappelli, Simona Pascariello, Stefano Tasselli, Sara Villa, Massimo Peruzzo, Stefano Culatina, Giovanni Bellotti, Andrea Turolla, Manuela Antonelli, Francesca Malpei, Sara Valsecchi
Summary: This study evaluated the toxicity and contaminant removal efficiency in wastewater treatment processes through chemical and ecotoxicological analyses. It found that the tertiary treatment process was highly efficient in improving wastewater quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lorenzo Federico, Andrea Masseroni, Cristiana Rizzi, Sara Villa
Summary: Tire particles (TPs) are a major source of micro- and nano-plastic pollution in the environment. While previous research mainly focused on the toxicity of leachate, the potential effects of particles and their impact on the environment have been neglected. This study reviews the environmental contamination of TPs, including their composition, transport, deposition, and toxicological effects on edaphic fauna. It also discusses potential markers for monitoring and proposes risk mitigation measures for sustainability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristiana Rizzi, Davide Seveso, Chiara De Grandis, Enrico Montalbetti, Stefania Lancini, Paolo Galli, Sara Villa
Summary: Tourism is the main source of income for the Maldives, but it poses a growing threat to the marine ecosystem. This study focused on the bioaccumulation of 15 emerging contaminants in reef sponges from different islands and their impact on cellular stress biomarkers. The results showed the presence of various contaminants in the sponges and their induced cellular effects, highlighting the need for increased awareness and the use of environmentally friendly products for sustainable development.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)