Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhuozhi Ouyang, Zhiping Zhang, Yao Jing, Linjie Bai, Manyi Zhao, Xinrui Hao, Xiaoqin Li, Xuetao Guo
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated the photo-aging process and mechanisms of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) under different UV irradiation conditions and found that UVC irradiation had the most significant aging effect. These findings provide important evidence for understanding the environmental fate and ecological risks of microplastics in aquatic environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samaneh Karbalaei, Parichehr Hanachi, Gholamreza Rafiee, Parvaneh Seifori, Tony R. Walker
Summary: The study found that exposure to mixtures of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics (MPs) had significant effects on histopathological and histomorphometric biomarkers in rainbow trout, particularly in the gills and gut. Exposure to CPF and PS-MPs individually or combined led to significant changes in histomorphometric biomarkers in fish tissues.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Amlan Das
Summary: Plastic pollution is a significant environmental threat that can cause detrimental effects on terrestrial and marine ecosystems as well as human health. The degradation of macroplastics into microplastics or nanoparticles can lead to organ damage and activation of intracellular signaling, resulting in cell death. Accumulating evidence supports the serious toxicity of microplastics/nanoparticles at various biological levels, and their involvement in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species production. These particles can accumulate in mitochondria, disrupt the electron transport chain, and generate reactive free radicals that induce DNA damage, protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and compromise antioxidant defense. Moreover, microplastic-induced oxidative stress triggers multiple signaling cascades, leading to organ damage such as pulmonary toxicity, neurotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. Despite ongoing research, there is a lack of proper models, interdisciplinary approaches, and mitigation strategies to fully understand and address the detrimental effects of microplastics/nanoparticles on human health.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elham Alsadat Banihashemi, Siyavash Soltanian, Amin Gholamhosseini, Mahdi Banaee
Summary: This study suggests that exposure to MPs and simultaneous challenge with Y. ruckeri could synergistically affect clinical parameters in fish.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Soyeon Jeon, Dong-Keun Lee, Jiyoung Jeong, Sung Ik Yang, Ji-Su Kim, Jinsik Kim, Wan-Seob Cho
Summary: This study investigated the toxicity of microplastics on different cell lines and found that microplastics showed significant toxicity to THP-1 macrophages, with toxicity correlated to the generation potential of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Weathering process reduced the ROS generation potential of microplastics, as weathered microplastics had increased affinity to bind serum protein acting as ROS scavenger.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bernat Morro, Richard Broughton, Pablo Balseiro, Sigurd O. Handeland, Simon Mackenzie, Mary K. Doherty, Phillip D. Whitfield, Munetaka Shimizu, Marnix Gorissen, Harald Sveier, Amaya Albalat
Summary: The study found that growth stunting in seawater-transferred rainbow trout is mainly caused by a significant downregulation in plasma IGF-I and liver igf1 transcription, while changes in the liver proteome suggest reactive-oxygen-species-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress as a key mechanism underlying the phenotype. Lipidomic analysis revealed a reduction in triacylglycerols and elevated amounts of cardiolipins, a characteristic lipid class associated with oxidative stress, in the growth stunting phenotype.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jun Zhang, Jiating Wei, Tian Hu, Li Du, Zhaojin Chen, Yao Zhang, Weicheng Zhang
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are found to mediate the transformation of chromium (Cr) species under sunlight irradiation, reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The reduction process is affected by various factors including the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), properties of the MPs, and environmental factors. The reduction of Cr(VI) induced by MPs can occur in reservoir water and has a faster rate compared to purified water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao-Ping Lang, Zhen He, Gui-Peng Yang, Ge Dai
Summary: Oceanic emissions of ozone-depleting substances may affect the recovery of the ozone layer in the future, and microplastics in the ocean may contribute to increased release of volatile halocarbons by marine phytoplankton.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Patty Zwollo, Fatima Quddos, Carey Bagdassarian, Meredith Evans Seeley, Robert C. Hale, Lauren Abderhalden
Summary: Research showed that exposure to small PS microplastics significantly decreased the abundance of B cells in rainbow trout, affecting the gene expression of immunoglobulins and potentially reducing the response to pathogens. This suggests that chronic exposure to PS microplastics may have negative effects on antibody responses in teleost species and higher vertebrates, including humans. Further studies using RAG1 as a biomarker could help determine the impact of PS microplastics on B cell development.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Magdalena Jakubowska, Marcin Bialowas, Milda Stankeviciute, Agnieszka Chomiczewska, Karolina Jonko-Sobus, Janina Pazusiene, Anna Hallmann, Agne Bucaite, Barbara Urban-Malinga
Summary: The study showed that exposure to different microplastics treatments in rainbow trout early life stages did not result in significant differences in hatching success rate, survival rate of larvae, and other indicators. Although some changes were observed in length gain after long-term exposure and yolk-sac exhaustion rate, the final size of larvae did not differ significantly from the control group.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weike Shaoyong, Hongli Jin, Xiao Jiang, Bocheng Xu, Yalin Liu, Yizhen Wang, Mingliang Jin
Summary: This study found that benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P)-loaded aged polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) can alter their biological toxicity and increase the risk to human health. The exposure to PSMP@B(a)P exacerbates colon barrier degradation, body weight loss, inflammation, and bacterial translocation. Furthermore, the release of B(a)P from PSMP@B(a)P induced by autophagosome acidification results in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the exacerbation of damage to the tight junction and mucosal barriers.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Parichehr Hanachi, Samaneh Karbalaei, Sujuan Yu
Summary: Individual polystyrene microplastics had minimal effects on the nutritional parameters of fish muscle, but in combination with chlorpyrifos insecticide, significant alterations were observed. This study suggests that polystyrene microplastics can increase the toxicity and adverse effects of chlorpyrifos on fish muscle, leading to low nutritional value in fish from contaminated areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xianliang Yi, Wentao Li, Yang Liu, Kaiming Yang, Minghuo Wu, Hao Zhou
Summary: The study revealed that polystyrene particles had different effects on Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, possibly due to their cell wall composition and interactions. Escherichia coli was observed to adhere to the surface of PS particles via flagella, and the antioxidant response was similar in both bacteria.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Houda Hanana, Christine Kleinert, Francois Gagne
Summary: Exposure of juvenile rainbow trout to a mixture of rare earth elements resulted in gene expression changes and genotoxicity even at concentrations lower than 1X, indicating potential sublethal effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Gauthier Monnet, Jordan S. Rosenfeld, Jeffrey G. Richards
Summary: This study found that there are significant differences in behavior between piscivore and insectivore rainbow trout, with the former being more proactive and the latter being more reactive. These differences are partially maintained across populations, with piscivores showing less inter-individual variation in behavior compared to insectivores. The contrasting behaviors between ecotypes may result from different selection pressures related to growth rate and metabolism, ultimately contributing to adult trophic specialization.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jaroslav Semerad, Ondrej Lhotsky, Alena Filipova, Ondrej Urban, Katerina Sirova, Jana Bohackova, Michael Komarek, Tomas Cajthaml
Summary: In this study, a sequence of anoxic/oxic chemico-biological treatments was used to successfully degrade HCHs in extremely contaminated soil. The best results were achieved with mZVI/nZVI, grass cuttings, and oxygen-releasing compounds, with 80% removal of HCHs achieved in 129 days and 98% degradation achieved after 1106 days. Switching between aerobic and anaerobic phases, along with the addition of grass, created suitable conditions for the biodegradation of HCHs and monochlorobenzene/benzene by microbes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Konstantin A. Milakin, Sonal Gupta, Libor Kobera, Andrii Mahun, Magdalena Konefal, Olga Kockova, Oumayma Taboubi, Zuzana Moravkova, Jia Min Chin, Kamal Allahyarli, Patrycja Bober
Summary: Composites of PANI and Zr-based MOFs, UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2, were synthesized with high MOF content close to the theoretical value. The morphology of the composites was determined by the MOF templates, and the MOF structure was mostly preserved. The introduction of MOFs significantly improved the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of the PANI-MOF composites, making them attractive for energy storage applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Barbora Galajdova, Jan Zitka, Lukas Pavlovec, Olga Trhlikova, Jana Kredatusova, Rafal Konefal
Summary: This work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of three ionic liquids (IL) with different cations. The thermal and electrochemical properties of the ILs were studied for their potential usage in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Among the ILs studied, the imidazolium-based IL exhibited the worst thermal properties and is unlikely to be used as an electrolyte for LIB. The phosphonium-based IL showed higher conductivities and a wide electrochemical stability window, making it a promising electrolyte for LIB. A mixture of phosphonium and sulfonium-based ILs achieved the highest conductivities and showed interesting electrochemical stability, making it a potential electrolyte for LIB.
Article
Polymer Science
Jelena Lubura, Olga Kockova, Beata Strachota, Oskar Bera, Ewa Pavlova, Jelena Pavlicevic, Bojana Ikonic, Predrag Kojic, Adam Strachota
Summary: The effects of adding hydrochar (HC), obtained from hydrothermal carbonization of hardwood sawdust, to natural rubber composites were studied. HC was found to reduce the crosslinking density and display anti-oxidizing effects, leading to improved chemical stability and mechanical properties of the composites.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Ralfs Pomilovskis, Eliza Kaulinaa, Inese Mierinab, Arnis Abolins, Olga Kockova, Anda Fridrihsonea, Mikelis Kirpluks
Summary: Adapting the processing of forest bio-resources into biochemicals and bio-based advanced materials is crucial for transitioning to a greener economy. Tall oil, a by-product of wood pulp manufacture, shows promise for extracting valuable products. By developing acrylates from tall oil fatty acids, a new way to produce chemicals and polymer materials from tall oil can be achieved, contributing to the development of a forest-based bioeconomy.
JOURNAL OF BIORESOURCES AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Petr Salek, Daniela Zborilova, Ewa Pavlova, Olga Kockova, Rafal Konefal, Zuzana Moravkova, Olga Janouskova
Summary: In this study, a dispersion polymerization method was developed to prepare cross-linked poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide] (PHPMA)-based nanogels. The nanogels were characterized for their size, particle size distribution, morphology, and structure. The biocompatibility of the nanogels was tested using rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSC) and human foreskin fibroblasts (BJ). The results showed that the nanogels were well-distributed in the cytosol and taken up into lysosomes.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nikita Rathore, Vera Hanzelkova, Tomas Dostalek, Jaroslav Semerad, Renata Schnablova, Tomas Cajthaml, Zuzana Munzbergova
Summary: Root traits, including root exudates, play a crucial role in plant interactions with soil and ecosystem processes. This study investigated the relative importance of phylogeny and species ecology in determining root traits and the predictability of root exudate composition based on other root traits. The findings showed that phylogeny was more influential than species ecology in determining root traits, and root exudate composition could only be partially predicted by certain root traits.
Article
Polymer Science
Oldrich Kotyza, Olga Kockova, Jan Merna
Summary: This article describes a method for chain-end functionalization of branched polyolefins obtained by living olefin polymerization initiated by alpha-diimine nickel catalysts. The method involves the transmetalation of living polymer chains from nickel growing centers to excess organozinc, organomagnesium, or organoaluminum transfer agents, followed by oxidation. Hydroxy-terminated polyolefins were obtained with efficiencies ranging from 25% to 99%.
Article
Polymer Science
Konstantin A. A. Milakin, Oumayma Taboubi, Udit Acharya, Miloslav Lhotka, Vaclav Pokorny, Magdalena Konefal, Olga Kockova, Jirina Hromadkova, Jiri Hodan, Patrycja Bober
Summary: Magnetic polypyrrole-gelatin-barium ferrite (PPy-G-BaFe) cryogels/aerogels were successfully synthesized by incorporating barium ferrite nanoparticles into a gelatin solution and conducting one-step oxidative cryopolymerization of pyrrole. The resulting aerogels exhibited higher specific surface area and conductivity compared to PPy-G aerogel prepared without barium ferrite. The magnetic PPy-G-BaFe aerogel with 10 wt% BaFe content showed significantly improved adsorption capacity and rate for anionic dye removal, making it an attractive adsorbent for water purification.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rafael Torres-Mendieta, Nhung H. A. Nguyen, Andrea Guadagnini, Jaroslav Semerad, Dariusz Lukowiec, Petr Parma, Jijin Yang, Stefano Agnoli, Alena Sevcu, Tomas Cajthaml, Miroslav Cernik, Vincenzo Amendola
Summary: A method using silver nanoparticles doped with magnetic elements to perforate bacterial biofilms has been reported, with demonstrated effectiveness and biological impacts in different bacterial models. This method offers a sustainable, low-cost, and scalable production route, suitable for real-world applications.