Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengqi Sun, Ruiyang Ding, Yiming Ma, Qinglin Sun, Xiaoke Ren, Zhiwei Sun, Junchao Duan
Summary: The study revealed that nanoplastics can induce cardiovascular toxicity in zebrafish embryos, causing issues such as severe pericardial edema, decreased cardiac output, and slowed blood flow velocity. Additionally, nanoplastics may lead to vascular endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulable blood state, and systemic inflammation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Martin-Folgar, Monica Torres-Ruiz, Mercedes de Alba, Ana Isabel Canas-Portilla, M. Carmen Gonzalez, Monica Morales
Summary: Plastics, especially nano-sized plastic particles, have negative health effects on living beings and the environment. These particles can be found in various ecosystems and exposure to them can occur through air, water, food, and personal care products. The toxicity mechanisms of these nanomaterials are currently unknown, emphasizing the need for further studies on their effects at the molecular and cellular levels.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yueyang Zhang, Greg G. Goss
Summary: This study explores the potentiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon uptake in zebrafish embryos by nanoplastics, suggesting a potential link between nanoplastics and environmental pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenhua Yan, Yixin Zhou, Peiyuan Zhu, Xuhui Bao, Pengpeng Su
Summary: The widespread distribution of nanoplastics and nanomaterials in aquatic environments is of great concern. This study evaluated the influences of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to zebrafish embryos. The results showed that the presence of PS nanoplastics could act as a carrier of the co-existing AgNPs in waters and enhanced the alterations in gene expression caused by AgNPs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Monica Torres-Ruiz, Antonio De la Vieja, Mercedes de Alba Gonzalez, Marta Esteban Lopez, Argelia Castano Calvo, Ana Isabel Canas Portilla
Summary: Studies on the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on zebrafish embryo development show that size, concentration, and exposure time do not significantly affect organism responses or cellular responses. Larger nanoplastics mainly accumulate in the gut, while smaller ones can reach internal organs. Effects on locomotion and heart rate are more commonly associated with smaller nanoplastics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ranran Zhou, Dao Zhou, Shixin Yang, Zhiqiao Shi, Hui Pan, Qijie Jin, Zhuhong Ding
Summary: This study explores the neurotoxicity of nanoparticles and finds that polystyrene nanoparticles induce developmental toxicity and neuronal damage in zebrafish embryos, with smaller particle sizes showing more severe effects. The nanoparticles also interfere with the functioning of GABAergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic systems. These findings reveal the neurotoxic risks of nanoparticles and highlight the greater ecological risk associated with smaller particles.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hanna M. Dusza, Jeske van Boxel, Majorie B. M. van Duursen, Markus M. Forsberg, Juliette Legler, Kirsi H. Vahakangas
Summary: Micro-and nanoplastics (MNPs), recently found in human lungs, blood and placenta, are widely present in the environment. However, limited data is available on the potential effects of MNPs on human health. During pregnancy, MNPs may pose particular risks due to increased susceptibility. Although research options are limited in humans, various in vitro and ex vivo human placental models exist, allowing for advancements in understanding the placental uptake, transport, and toxicity of MNPs. Future research is urgently needed to assess the potential hazards and risks of MNP exposure to maternal and fetal health.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theogene Habumugisha, Zixing Zhang, Cheng Fang, Changzhou Yan, Xian Zhang
Summary: Plastic nanoparticles formed from daily use and waste plastics pose a potential health and environmental risk. This study quantitatively investigated the accumulation and depuration of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNs) in zebrafish tissues after aquatic exposure. It was found that the bioaccumulation of PSNs in zebrafish was concentration, tissue, and time dependent, with the highest accumulation in the intestine. After 16 days of depuration, PSNs were still present in the tissues, particularly in the brain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yizheng Li, Shulin Liu, Qiuping Wang, Yanling Zhang, Xikun Chen, Lei Yan, Muhammad Junaid, Jun Wang
Summary: The combined exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls aggravates the toxicity of PCBs in zebrafish, with significant effects on gene expression. Moreover, nanoplastics show prolonged retention in zebrafish and may accumulate in lipid-rich tissues after crossing biological barriers.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Phunsin Kantha, Sian-Tai Liu, Jiun-Lin Horng, Li-Yih Lin
Summary: This study found that nanoplastics can impair skin cells in zebrafish, including damaging the structure of keratinocytes, reducing the number and mitochondrial activity of ionocytes, and inducing oxidative stress in skin cells. Nanoplastics also reduced the expression of antioxidant genes and promoted the expression of apoptosis-related genes.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ranran Zhou, Haohan Yang, Dao Zhou, Shixin Yang, Zhiqiao Shi, Qijie Jin, Zhuhong Ding
Summary: Organic ultraviolet filters (OUVFs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are two important new pollutants that widely coexist in freshwater and coastal habitats. This study comprehensively investigated the neurotoxicity and interaction neurotoxicity of typical OUVFs and NPs on zebrafish. The results showed that both OUVFs and NPs induced neurotoxic effects on zebrafish, with BM-DBM specifically interfering with neurotransmitter systems. Additionally, synergistic and antagonistic effects were observed between PS-NPs and BM-DBM in inducing apoptosis in neuronal cells and developmental neurotoxicity, respectively.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuxuan Liu, Yonghua Wang, Xin Ling, Zhenhua Yan, Donghai Wu, Jianchao Liu, Guanghua Lu
Summary: Nanoplastics and BMDBM have significant effects on the gene expression in zebrafish embryos, with combined exposure reducing adverse effects on gene expression. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology identified neural mid cells as target cells of both pollutants, which commonly altered brain and head development functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Iris Hansjosten, Masanari Takamiya, Juliane Rapp, Luisa Reiner, Susanne Fritsch-Decker, Dorit Mattern, Silvia Andraschko, Chantal Anders, Giuseppina Pace, Thomas Dickmeis, Ravindra Peravali, Sepand Rastegar, Uwe Straehle, I. -Lun Hsiao, Douglas Gilliland, Isaac Ojea-Jimenez, Selina V. Y. Ambrose, Marie-France A. Belinga-Desaunay-Nault, Abdullah O. Khan, Iseult Lynch, Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Silvia Diabate, Carsten Weiss
Summary: The increasing use of manufactured nanomaterials in consumer products and industrial applications has raised concerns about potential impacts on human and ecosystem health. There is an urgent need for high throughput testing in nanotoxicology to predict hazards. Zebrafish embryos have emerged as a valuable model organism for studying nanotoxicity due to their characteristics for microscopy-based screening.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liru Su, Jinling Li, Fen Ran
Summary: In this study, a new strategy for recovering nano-plastics from water and preparing high-performance carbon materials is proposed. The strategy utilizes Pistia stratiotes to absorb nano-polystyrene as a pore-forming agent to generate porous carbon materials, which exhibit good electrochemical performance and large specific surface area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jacky Bhagat, Liqing Zang, Satoshi Kaneco, Norihiro Nishimura, Yasuhito Shimada
Summary: The interaction between microplastic/nanoplastic and other environmental contaminants can lead to the accumulation and increased toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles. This study found that nanoparticles exacerbated oxidative stress and emphasized the importance of monitoring the discharge of these pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Kyeonghye Guk, Soyeon Yi, Hyeran Kim, Yoonji Bae, Dongeun Yong, Sunjoo Kim, Kyu-Sun Lee, Eun-Kyung Lim, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung
Summary: In this study, a novel hybrid Cas protein capable of detecting universal nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) was developed. The CRISPR/hybrid Cas system enables simultaneous detection of both DNA and RNA, and was successfully used for detecting different strains of SARS-CoV-2 without cross-reactivity. The hybrid Cas protein has potential applications in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, tissue and liquid biopsies, and other nucleic acid biomarkers.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Iris Baffour Ansah, Soo Hyun Lee, Jun-Yeong Yang, ChaeWon Mun, Sunghoon Jung, Ho Sang Jung, Min -Young Lee, Taejoon Kang, Seunghun Lee, Dong-Ho Kim, Sung-Gyu Park
Summary: Nanoscale plasmonic hotspots are critical for enhancing molecular Raman signals, enabling sensitive analysis of biomedical molecules. However, label-free SERS diagnoses remain challenging due to random adsorption and size mismatch. In this study, interior hotspots templated with protein@Au core-shell nanostructures were proposed for effective SERS diagnosis. The targets embedded in the hotspots showed highly linear quantitative sensitivity with a low limit of detection. The feasibility of detecting targets in bodily fluids was demonstrated using the proposed templates. These interior hotspots provide a promising solution for early and on-site SERS diagnoses of infectious diseases.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Soo Hyun Lee, Iris Baffour Ansah, Won-Chul Lee, Jun-Yeong Yang, ChaeWon Mun, Hyowon Jang, Sunjoo Kim, Sunghoon Jung, Ho Sang Jung, Taejoon Kang, Seunghun Lee, Dong-Ho Kim, Sung-Gyu Park
Summary: This study demonstrates the irreversible active engineering of three-dimensional (3D) interior organo-hotspots via electrochemical deposition, enabling the highly specific and sensitive detection of low-concentration viral lysates. The proposed platform shows great potential for point-of-care diagnoses of infectious diseases in clinical environments.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Jayeon Song, Younseong Song, Hyowon Jang, Jeong Moon, Hyunju Kang, Yong-Min Huh, Hye Young Son, Hyun Wook Rho, Mirae Park, Eun-Kyung Lim, Juyeon Jung, Yongwon Jung, Hyun Gyu Park, Kyoung G. Lee, Sung Gap Im, Taejoon Kang
Summary: Accurate and efficient DNA detection is crucial for disease diagnosis and health monitoring. This study presents a one-step elution-free DNA analysis method based on the combination of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated CLAT assay and a DNA-capturing pDMAMS-coated tube. The combination simplifies DNA detection in a single tube without the need for complicated extraction steps, improving sensitivity. The platform demonstrates attomolar sensitivity in various samples and shows potential applications in tissue and liquid biopsies.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Soojin Jang, Seong Uk Son, Junseok Kim, Hyungjun Kim, Jaewoo Lim, Seung Beom Seo, Byunghoon Kang, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung, Sungbaek Seo, Eun-Kyung Lim
Summary: A colorimetric sensor using PDA-based hydrogel beads has been developed to conveniently detect food spoilage. The sensor can visually confirm the presence of biogenic amines through color changes, providing an efficient and accurate method.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Qian Yu, Hoa Duc Trinh, Yeonji Lee, Taejoon Kang, Lingxin Chen, Sangwoon Yoon, Jaebum Choo
Summary: In this study, a silica-encapsulated Au core-satellite (CS@SiO2) nanotag was developed, which exhibited strong and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal. By combining SERS with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a highly sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 was achieved. The CS@SiO2 nanotags showed superior performance with a detection limit of 8.81 PFU mL-1, which is 10 times better than conventional ELISA and 100 times better than lateral flow assay strip method. The new CS@SiO2-SERS-ELISA method can significantly reduce the false-negative diagnostic rate for SARS-CoV-2 and contribute to overcoming the current pandemic crisis.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Younseong Song, Nahyun Park, Da Ae Jo, Jueun Kim, Dongeun Yong, Jayeon Song, Yoo Min Park, Seok Jae Lee, Yong Tae Kim, Sung Gap Im, Bong Gill Choi, Taejoon Kang, Kyoung G. Lee
Summary: Sensitive and accurate capture, enrichment, and identification of drug-resistant bacteria on human skin are achieved using a three-dimensional hierarchically structured polyaniline nanoweb (3D HPN). This nanoweb enhances bacteria capture efficiency and helps severely deform the bacteria surface. The recovered bacteria can be successfully identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The assay exhibits excellent sensitivity to detect target bacteria concentrations without any signal interruption and can be extended to on-site pathogen detection systems.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sun-Woo Yoon, Kristin Widyasari, Jieun Jang, Seungjun Lee, Taejoon Kang, Sunjoo Kim
Summary: A single dose of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can enhance immune responses in individuals who had previously contracted SARS-CoV-2, including levels of IFN-gamma and neutralizing antibodies. However, T-cell and B-cell levels did not significantly increase in the infected group following the second vaccine dose.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jisun Ki, Ik Hwan Kwon, Jina Lee, Jaewoo Lim, Soojin Jang, Seong Uk Son, Seung Beom Seo, Seo Yeong Oh, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung, Kyoung G. Lee, Jungho Hwang, Eun-Kyung Lim
Summary: Infections caused by airborne pathogens have become a severe threat to public health. This study presents a colorimetry-based bacterial detection platform and a smartphone application for detecting disease-causing bacteria.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Kristin Widyasari, Jieun Jang, Taejoon Kang, Sunjoo Kim
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant in individuals with or without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection history. The results showed that the serum samples from the infected group had a higher percentage of inhibition before vaccination, but a similarly high percentage after vaccination. Additionally, the serum samples from the infected group had a higher neutralizing capacity against Omicron BA.5 both before and after vaccination, compared to the uninfected group.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Joochan Kim, Jaehyung Jeon, Hyowon Jang, Youngkwang Moon, Abdurhaman Teyib Abafogi, Danny van Noort, Jinkee Lee, Taejoon Kang, Sungsu Park
Summary: The current standard method for diagnosing COVID-19 involves uncomfortable and invasive sampling. This study introduces a 3D printed fluidic swab (3DPFS) that enables easy and efficient nasal wash sampling, resulting in higher sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 compared to cotton swabs. Users also reported greater comfort when using the 3DPFS. These findings suggest that the 3DPFS can improve the performance of COVID-19 testing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Younseong Song, Jayeon Song, Seongeun Kim, Hyowon Jang, Hogi Kim, Booseok Jeong, Nahyun Park, Sunjoo Kim, Dongeun Yong, Eun-Kyung Lim, Kyoung G. Lee, Taejoon Kang, Sung Gap Im
Summary: This study presents a charge-shifting polyplex as an RNA extraction carrier for rapid and user-friendly nucleic acid testing. The polyplex can rapidly bind with viral RNA to efficiently capture a substantial amount of RNA. The captured RNA can be released quickly through hydrolysis, streamlining the entire process from RNA extraction to analysis. The method requires only 5 minutes of centrifugation and can detect RNA in a one-pot setup. It is compatible with high-speed qRT-PCR kits and can identify clinical samples within 1 hour, including the extraction to detection procedure. The method successfully detected influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and their variants in clinical samples with high sensitivity and specificity. This polyplex-based approach represents a significant breakthrough in molecular diagnostics.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ji Wook Choi, Won Ho Seo, Taejoon Kang, Taewook Kang, Bong Geun Chung
Summary: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, detection technologies in molecular diagnosis applications, particularly droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), have gained significant attention. The combination of isothermal amplification strategies with ddPCR has made it a popular method for on-site testing. However, non-specific amplification still poses a challenge. In this study, a multiplexed droplet digital recombinase polymerase amplification (MddRPA) assay was developed, offering rapid detection, precise quantification, and multiplexing capability for viral infections.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Kyeonghye Guk, Soyeon Yi, Hyeran Kim, Suhyeon Kim, Eun-Kyung Lim, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung
Summary: The PoreGlow system based on split green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed and assessed for the rapid and accurate detection of L. monocytogenes. It showed high sensitivity and specificity, with no cross-reactivity with other bacteria. This system is promising for the early detection of L. monocytogenes in food products, which is crucial for preventing outbreaks and protecting public health.
Article
Biophysics
Sehun Jeong, Jingyu Kim, Seong-In Cho, Taejoon Kang, Sunjoo Kim, Eun-Kyung Lim, Sang-Hee Ko Park
Summary: This study presents the development of a multiplex immunosensor based on dual-gate oxide TFT for rapid and accurate detection of influenza A pH1N1 virus, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV. The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity and can detect multiple viruses simultaneously, making it a potential point-of-care test for future pandemics.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)