Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Ye, Yujie Zhao, Rong Xu, Shuangshuang Li, Chunfeng Zhang, Hanying Li, Haiming Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the sensitization of inorganic semiconductors using singlet fission (SF) materials in high-quality organic/2D bilayer heterostructures. The research reveals the intricate interplay between singlet and triplet excitons at the organic/inorganic interface, and demonstrates that competitive processes can lead to efficient photocharge generation in heterostructures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingxin Yu, Xiaojing Li, Junjie Hu, Zi'an Jiang, Xiaolan Zhang, Guiying Li, Shengtao Ma, Bingli Lei, Xiangming Fang, Ruifang Fan, Taicheng An
Summary: Studies have shown that PBDEs can transfer from mothers to fetuses, with placenta not efficiently acting as a barrier. Different congeners of PBDEs require varying times to reach steady-state in fetuses in pregnant rats, showing differences in barrier capacity between immature and mature placentas. Results from BeWo cell experiments suggest passive diffusion mechanisms govern the influx of PBDEs through the placenta, with P-glycoprotein efflux pump partially inhibited by PBDEs. Molecular docking studies identified pocket sites in P-glycoprotein for inhibiting the efflux pump, providing insights into the mechanisms of transplacental transport of PBDEs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Styliani Fragki, Rudolf Hoogenveen, Conny van Oostrom, Paul Schwillens, Aldert H. Piersma, Marco J. Zeilmaker
Summary: With the increasing application of cell culture models, the quantitative extrapolation of effective dose from in vitro to in vivo (QIVIVE) becomes important in predicting chemical safety. This study investigated the transfer of substances across the placental barrier using the BeWo cell assay and incorporated the results into a Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) model. The approach allowed for a comparison of in vitro dose-response characteristics with in vivo rat developmental toxicity data.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shiekh Zia Uddin, Naoki Higashitarumizu, Hyungjin Kim, Jun Yi, Xiang Zhang, Daryl Chrzan, Ali Javey
Summary: Dominant recombination pathways in monolayer TMDCs depend on background carrier concentration, generation rate, and strain. In this study, the diffusion of neutral and charged excitons in TMDCs is decoupled using chemical counterdoping and the effects of strain and generation rate on exciton diffusion are explored. It is found that increasing generation rate shortens exciton lifetime but increases diffusion length in unstrained monolayers of TMDCs. Strain suppresses exciton-exciton annihilation and makes both lifetime and diffusion length independent of generation rate.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Simon Grall, Shuo Li, Laurent Jalabert, Soo Hyeon Kim, Arnaud Chovin, Christophe Demaille, Nicolas Clement
Summary: This article introduces a formalism to describe the electrochemical shot noise of a redox monolayer, which has been experimentally confirmed at room temperature in a liquid environment. The proposed method, performed at equilibrium, eliminates parasitic capacitance and increases sensitivity, allowing for quantitative information about electron coupling, dispersion, and the number of molecules. Unlike solid-state physics, the homogeneity in energy levels and transfer rates in the monolayer results in a Lorentzian spectrum. This study opens up possibilities for quantum transport research in liquid environments at room temperature and highly sensitive measurements for bioelectrochemical sensors.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanghui Cheng, Baikui Li, Zijing Jin, Meng Zhang, Jiannong Wang
Summary: This study observed diffusion and drift of trions in ML-WS2, with a drift velocity of 7400 cm/s and an effective diffusion coefficient of 0.47 cm(2)/s. The diffusion-caused broadening and drift-caused shift of the emission profiles saturate due to Coulomb interactions between trions and background charges.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Ye, Xuehui Xu, Siyu He, Yanping Liu, Yizheng Jin, Yang Michael Yang, Haiming Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the triplet sensitization of monolayer semiconductors and its potential for enhancing optoelectronic applications. The results show that triplet energy or charge can be transferred to the monolayer semiconductors, resulting in photoluminescence enhancement and long-lived charge separation. These findings demonstrate the great promise of molecular triplets in sensitizing 2D monolayer semiconductors and provide guidance for achieving enhanced optoelectronic applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellen Y. Cotrina, Angela Oliveira, Jordi Llop, Jordi Quintana, Xevi Biarnes, Isabel Cardoso, M. Silvia Diaz-Cruz, Gemma Arsequell
Summary: It has been found that several anthropogenic contaminants can compete with the thyroid hormone T4 for binding to the transport protein TTR, posing a potential threat to human health. In this study, a group of organic UV filters and paraben preservatives were investigated to identify their binding affinity to TTR. The results showed that a compound called BP2 had the strongest affinity to TTR, and computational studies were able to predict the binding modes of these chemicals to TTR. Further research on the involvement of TTR in the transfer of these chemicals across physiological barriers and the long-term consequences of prenatal exposure should be pursued.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ye Tian, Jiani Hong, Duanyun Cao, Sifan You, Yizhi Song, Bowei Cheng, Zhichang Wang, Dong Guan, Xinmeng Liu, Zhengpu Zhao, Xin-Zheng Li, Li-Mei Xu, Jing Guo, Ji Chen, En-Ge Wang, Ying Jiang
Summary: The nature of hydrated proton on solid surfaces has been visualized using cryogenic qPlus-based atomic force microscopy. Eigen cations self-assemble into monolayer structures with local order, while Zundel cations form long-range ordered structures stabilized by nuclear quantum effects. It is found that Zundel configuration is preferred over Eigen on Pt(111), but such preference is absent on Au(111).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Atyeo, Krista M. Pullen, Evan A. Bordt, Stephanie Fischinger, John Burke, Ashlin Michell, Matthew D. Slein, Carolin Loos, Lydia L. Shook, Adeline A. Boatin, Laura J. Yockey, David Pepin, Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn, Ngoc Minh Phuong Nguyen, Maeva Chauvin, Drucilla Roberts, Ilona T. Goldfarb, Juan D. Matute, Kaitlyn E. James, Lael M. Yonker, Lisa M. Bebell, Anjali J. Kaimal, Kathryn J. Gray, Douglas Lauffenburger, Andrea G. Edlow, Galit Alter
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection causes more severe disease in pregnant women compared to age-matched non-pregnant women. Transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies across the placenta is significantly reduced compared to other infectious diseases like influenza and pertussis, but can be partially rescued by infection-induced increases in IgG and increased FCGR3A placental expression. These findings provide insights for maternal vaccine design to boost immunity in neonates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Krystyna Maslowska-Jarzyna, Krzysztof M. Bak, Bartlomiej Zawada, Michal J. Chmielewski
Summary: The transport of amino acids across lipid membranes is crucial for the functioning of cells, but there are few synthetic transporters available. Researchers have discovered a simple anion receptor that can effectively transport various natural amino acids across lipid bilayers at physiological pH. They also developed a fluorescent assay to study the pH-dependence of amino acid transport and the mechanism of the receptor. The findings suggest a new strategy for developing artificial amino acid transporters with improved properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Yeongjin Kim, Sungmin Joo, Won Kyu Kim, Jae-Hyung Jeon
Summary: This study computationally explores the diffusion mechanism of self-propelled agents in biopolymer networks. The dynamics of active tracers show rich and distinct physics depending on the mesh-to-particle size and Peclet number. The study reveals that when the particle is smaller than the mesh size ratio, it moves similarly to free space but with decreased mobility. However, when the particle size is increased to be comparable to the mesh size, the active particles explore the polymer network through trapping and hopping mechanisms.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. Snegirev, V. M. Kovalev, M. V. Entin
Summary: This article theoretically examines diffusion currents in two-dimensional Dirac materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). The transversal effects observed are analogous to the valley Hall (VHE) and photogalvanic (PGE) transport phenomena, where the driving force for the electrons is not an electric field but a gradient in electron density distribution. This gradient can be created by a finite-sized laser spot or by injecting electrons from other materials. The theory developed in this study focuses on the diffusive VHE effect and the PGE-like transport caused by higher electron-density derivatives, taking into account the anisotropic electron scattering processes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abel Carreras, David Casanova
Summary: This work investigates the exciton transport in molecular materials and reveals the significant impact of dynamic disorder effects on the predicted exciton transfer rates. By introducing a simple model, the researchers derive an analytic expression for the distribution of exciton couplings and transfer rates, which shows excellent agreement with experimental data.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kaptan Rajput, Junjie He, Thomas Frauenheim, Debesh R. Roy
Summary: This article investigates the potential of monolayer PC3 compound as a sensor material for environmentally toxic nitrogen-containing gases, such as NH3, NO, and NO2, using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations. The findings reveal significant adsorption energies and short recovery times for PC3 monolayer with these gases at the molecular level.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peiyue Wang, Xiaoqing Lin, Shuaixi Xu, Xiaodong Li, Yunfeng Ma, Weiping Liu, Jiezhen Wu, Jiamin Ding
Summary: This study investigated the removal performance of PCDD/Fs and mercury by different ACI rates in a MSW incinerator. Lower chlorinated PCDD/Fs showed higher removal efficiencies, and AC exhibited different adsorption selectivity for different PCDD/Fs congeners.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanyuan Zhou, Hanyu Liao, Shanshan Yin, Pengqiao Wang, Xiaoqing Ye, Jianyun Zhang
Summary: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used man-made chemicals detected in various human-related samples. This study evaluated the toxicity and mechanisms of nine commonly detected OPEs on human hepatocellular carcinomas. The OPEs induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Different types of OPEs showed varying effects on ROS overproduction, DNA damage, and cytotoxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lucas Panneel, Paulien Cleys, Camille Breugelmans, Christina Christia, Govindan Malarvannan, Giulia Poma, Philippe G. Jorens, Antonius Mulder, Adrian Covaci
Summary: We investigated the concentrations of DEHP and alternative plasticizers (APs) to which premature neonates are exposed during parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy. Our results showed that DEHP and several APs are present in medical devices used for neonatal PN administration, with higher concentrations found in lipid emulsions. Premature neonates receiving PN therapy were estimated to be exposed to 13.9 μg/kg/d of DEHP and 95.7 μg/kg/d of ATBC, below their respective reference doses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Siebe Lievens, Evelynn Vervoort, Giulia Poma, Adrian Covaci, Mik Van Der Borght
Summary: Concerns about microplastics in the environment have grown, leading scientists to conduct thorough studies. A cryogenic grinding and wet-sieving method was developed to efficiently produce and fractionate microplastics. With this method, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics could be produced with specific particle sizes and easily separated into different size ranges. The method has the potential to be applied to other types of plastics as well.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaying Wang, Yikuan Liu, Hanfei Li, Ruihua He, Yang Guo, Jiahui Xu, Ziwei Yu, Xiaogang Liu, Weiping Liu, Zhiyuan Liu, Yihan Zhu, Juan Wang
Summary: Traditional solution-based synthesis methods have limitations in fabricating one-dimensional single-crystalline nanostructures. Here, we introduce a growth mechanism based on progressively oriented attachment, which allows the formation of single-crystalline nanowires with elongated length and moderate thickness. These nanowires can be integrated into a wearable device for multidirectional strain sensing with high responsivity and excellent stability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaomeng Yang, Yingxue Liu, Shuren Liu, Ping Zheng, Xiaoxia Bai, Lena Q. Ma, Weiping Liu
Summary: This study investigated the exposure levels and profiles of PCBs in pregnant women and newborns in Hangzhou and Mianyang, China. The results showed that the PCBs levels in the participants were lower than those in developed countries and were mainly influenced by environmental burden and dietary intake. Maternal exposure to PCB-126 was associated with increased birth weight, and certain health risks were identified. The study also found that the transplacental transfer of PCBs was influenced by log10 KOW.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shanshan Yin, Thomas J. McGrath, Adam Cseresznye, Jasper Bombeke, Giulia Poma, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are a major environmental concern and it is essential to have an effective tool for monitoring personal exposure to CPs. In this study, silicone wristbands (SWBs) were used as a personal passive sampler, and results showed that micro-environments were key contributors to dermal exposure to CPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yao Cheng, Qi An, Heshan Qi, Rui Li, Weiping Liu, Baojing Gu, Kai Liu
Summary: The spatial variation and temporal trends of PFASs in agricultural soils of Eastern China from 2011 to 2021 were evaluated. PFOS concentration decreased by 28.2% during this period, indicating the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention and voluntary phaseout in controlling PFOS pollution. Legacy PFASs were the major components, accounting for 63.8% of total PFASs, and the contribution ratio of consumer product industries steadily increased while that of fluoropolymer industries declined.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lidia Belova, Giulia Poma, Maarten Roggeman, Yunsun Jeong, Da-Hye Kim, Patrick Berghmans, Jan Peters, Amina Salamova, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in European indoor dust were identified, characterized, and semi-quantified using ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry. Targeted QACs (21) and suspect QACs (17) were detected with high detection frequencies. The concentrations of individual QACs were estimated and daily intakes for adults and toddlers were calculated. This study provides important insights into the potential human exposure to QACs.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wangwang Luo, Yingxue Liu, Xiaomeng Yang, Muhammed Aamir, Xiaoxia Bai, Weiping Liu
Summary: In this study, the transplacental transfer of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) was investigated in two cities in China. The results revealed significant differences in the overall levels of OPFRs between the two cities, as well as the detection of emerging OPFRs. The transfer efficiency of OPFRs was found to be associated with ester group and log K-ow values, and certain OPFRs were negatively correlated with birthweight of newborns.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas J. McGrath, Giulia Poma, Sebastien Hutinet, Yukiko Fujii, Robin E. Dodson, Boris Johnson-Restrepo, Dudsadee Muenhor, Gaud Dervilly, Ronan Cariou, Adrian Covaci
Summary: In this study, dust samples from Japan, Australia, Colombia, and Thailand were analyzed for different chain lengths of chlorinated paraffins. The results showed that chlorinated paraffins were detected in all samples, with the highest concentrations found in samples from Colombia and Thailand. Based on current toxicological data, it was determined that short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in indoor dust do not pose a health risk through ingestion.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulien Cleys, Lucas Panneel, Jasper Bombeke, Catalina Dumitrascu, Govindan Malarvannan, Giulia Poma, Antonius Mulder, Philippe G. Jorens, Adrian Covaci
Summary: This study reports metabolites of phthalate and alternative plasticizers in neonatal hair samples as biomarkers for exposure to these plasticizers. Results showed that hair sampled from premature neonates after a NICU stay contained significantly higher metabolite concentrations of both phthalates and alternative plasticizers compared to healthy control neonates. Prolonged NICU exposure to respiratory support devices and gastric tubes was correlated with increased concentrations in hair samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Da-Hye Kim, Yu Ait Bamai, Lidia Belova, Jos Bessems, Giulia Poma, Adrian Covaci
Summary: This review provides information on the occurrence of persistent and mobile chemicals (PMs) in human matrices and environmental samples, and discusses the current knowledge gaps and future research needs regarding human exposure to PMs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiang Wu, Shanshan Yin, Yao Liu, Yuwei Zhu, Timing Jiang, Sha Liang, Shijie Bian, Yaowu Cao, Guojing Wang, Jiakuan Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of co-exposure to aged submicron particles (aSMPs) and Cd as model contaminants on rice leaves. The results showed that co-exposure reduced cadmium levels in leaves and significantly decreased cadmium accumulation. Exposure to Cd caused physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic changes in rice leaves, impacting crop yield and quality. Co-exposure with aSMPs affected the distribution of Cd in plants. Rice leaves co-exposed to Cd and aSMPs exhibited higher toxicity and Cd accumulation compared to those exposed solely to Cd. This suggests that the presence of aSMPs may lead to more pronounced gene expression regulation and changes in metabolic pathways. Our study found that co-exposure to Cd and aSMPs resulted in lower Cd accumulation and toxicity in rice leaves, potentially due to the capture of Cd by aSMPs, reducing its exposure and jointly inhibiting Cd-induced damage.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paulien Cleys, Emilie Hardy, Yu Ait Bamai, Giulia Poma, Adam Cseresznye, Govindan Malarvannan, Paul T. J. Scheepers, Susana Viegas, Simo P. Porras, Tiina Santonen, Lode Godderis, Jelle Verdonck, Katrien Poels, Carla Martins, Maria Joao Silva, Henriqueta Louro, Inese Martinsone, Lasma Akulova, An van Nieuwenhuyse, Martien Graumans, Selma Mahiout, Radu Corneliu Duca, Adrian Covaci
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to phthalates and alternative plasticizers. The results showed that e-waste workers had higher urinary concentrations of phthalates and metabolites compared to non-occupationally exposed controls. However, no significant differences were found between pre-and post-shift concentrations in the e-waste workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
