Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lungile Sitole, Roxanne Fortuin, Fidele Tugizimana
Summary: This study used a metabonomic approach to investigate metabolic changes in individuals with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. Significant differences were found in metabolites related to glutamine, glutamate, glutathione, glucose, and arginine between the treated group and the untreated group.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. L. Matzen, A. L. Olson, C. E. Pallud
Summary: Long-term field studies are necessary to understand the practical application of arsenic phytoextraction with Pteris vittata. This 4-year field study examined the effects of nutrient application and soil texture on arsenic phytoextraction. The results showed that compost amendment in coarse-textured soil resulted in the highest phytoextraction rates, but rates decreased over time, indicating the need for plant replacement every 2-3 years to maintain efficiency.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naeun Kim, Yongtae Ahn, Jungman Jo, Heesoo Pyo, Jeongae Lee, Jaeyoung Choi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of accidental contamination of soils with various chemicals, and found that phytosphingosine and Sphingomonas could potentially serve as biomarkers to evaluate soil contamination. Rain played an important role in the recovery of microbial and metabolic profiles after chemical accidents.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Francesca Di Cesare, Matteo Calgaro, Veronica Ghini, Diletta Francesca Squarzanti, Annachiara De Prisco, Annalisa Visciglia, Paola Zanetta, Roberta Rolla, Paola Savoia, Angela Amoruso, Barbara Azzimonti, Nicola Vitulo, Leonardo Tenori, Claudio Luchinat, Marco Pane
Summary: This study investigated the effects of probiotic treatment on the metabolic profiles of human urine and serum using NMR-based metabonomic approach. The results showed significant impacts of probiotics on urinary and serum metabolomes, without altering their phenotypes. The study demonstrated the variations of metabolite levels resulting from different probiotic posologies.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian Li, Wanting Chen, Wenbin Huang, Ranran Hou, Xinping Huang, Man Xu, Limei Que, Lijing Wang, Yongxia Yang
Summary: This study investigated the changes in serum metabolism in ApoE(-/-);SAP(-/-) mice compared to ApoE(-/-) mice during the progression of atherosclerosis using H-1-NMR metabonomics. The results showed that SAP deficiency regulated the levels of acetate, pyruvate, choline, and VLDL + LDL, which are metabolic markers, and this regulation occurred prior to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Zhou, Xi Liu, Caihua Huang, Donghai Lin
Summary: Lactate, a compound fuel in metabolism, remains unclear whether it plays an important role in muscle cell metabolism. This study assessed the effects of lactate on myoblasts and clarified the underlying metabolic mechanisms. The results showed that lactate treatment promoted the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts, and regulated metabolisms by promoting lactate intake and utilization, activating the TCA cycle, and increasing energy production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juntao Zhuang, Xiao Yang, Qi Zheng, Kai Li, Lingkai Cai, Hao Yu, Jiancheng Lv, Kexin Bai, Qiang Cao, Pengchao Li, Haiwei Yang, Junsong Wang, Qiang Lu
Summary: This study explored differential metabolites in serum of bladder cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The results showed significant differences in levels of glutamine, taurine, glutamate, and hypoxanthine between NAC-sensitive and NAC-resistant groups. Amino acid metabolism may be related to the response to chemotherapy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Franziska C. Landes, Margaret Calcio, Jennifer M. Sobolewski, Kelcey Wallens-Logan, Anna Ledeczi, Yael Kiro, Louise Bolge, James Ross, Steven N. Chillrud, Brian J. Mailloux, Alexander van Geen
Summary: Contaminated soil in urban residential areas, particularly in Brooklyn and Manhattan of New York City, poses a serious risk to children's health due to high concentrations of lead (Pb). The study found that the Pb concentrations in backyard soils were three times higher than the outdated EPA soil hazard standard, while the Pb content in tree pits and public parks was significantly lower. The research also revealed that the Pb in the soil was highly bioavailable, indicating its potential to be absorbed by children.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mohammad Alwahsh, Robert Knitsch, Rosemarie Marchan, Joerg Lambert, Christian Hoerner, Xiaonan Zhang, Berthold Schalke, De-Hyung Lee, Elena Bulut, Thomas Graeter, German Ott, Katrin S. Kurz, Gerhard Preissler, Sebastian Schoelch, Joviana Farhat, Zhihan Yao, Carsten Sticht, Philipp Stroebel, Roland Hergenroeder, Alexander Marx, Djeda Belharazem
Summary: This study is the first metabolomics investigation on thymic epithelial tumors, which identified differential metabolic profiles among different subtypes and predicted activated metabolic pathways. These findings provide new insights for the treatment of aggressive thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
Article
Orthopedics
A. Z. Damyanovich, L. Avery, J. R. Staples, K. W. Marshall
Summary: The metabolic profiles of synovial fluid from patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears and hemarthrosis were compared to that of normal controls using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results showed significant increases in glucose, choline, branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as the mobile components of N-acetyl glycoproteins and lipids in the ACL/HA SF compared to normal controls; lactate levels were reduced.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xu Yang, Jin-long Lai, Yu Zhang, Xue-gang Luo, Meng-wei Han, San-ping Zhao
Summary: This experiment evaluated the ecotoxicity of typical explosives on soil microenvironment and their impact on soil enzyme activity, microbial community structure, and function. The results showed that explosives significantly inhibited soil microbial respiration, reduced microbial diversity, and richness, leading to the dominance of specific microorganisms able to degrade explosives. The non-targeted metabonomics analysis revealed that explosives residues in soil can inhibit soil metabolic processes and alter the soil microbial community structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yasir Karim Khan, Munir H. Shah
Summary: The aim of this study is to assess the environmental quality and potential health risks of public parks by evaluating the mobility/availability of potentially toxic elements in the soil. The concentrations of 16 selected metals in the soil samples collected from 20 parks in Lahore, Pakistan were measured. The results showed that certain metals were dominant in specific soil fractions, and the pollution assessment revealed varying levels of contamination, but overall, the soil was classified as having a low degree of contamination. The health risk assessment indicated no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic health risk to the exposed population.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alastair Kierulf, Cameron Ollson, Caroline Whitehead, Diane Beauchemin, Iris Koch
Summary: When soils are contaminated, conducting a human health risk assessment is helpful for evaluating the potential risks to human health. Validated bioaccessibility methods can accurately assess the relative absorption of contaminants during soil ingestion. However, when validated methods are not available, risk assessors face the challenge of conducting their own literature search, creating their own validation study, or using default assumptions. This study provides a literature search and meta-analysis of the analysis of various elements from different bioaccessibility methodologies in the past 28 years, aiming to inform further method validation and future risk assessments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shi-Wei Li, Minghui Chang, Xiaoyue Huang, Helian Li, Hong-Bo Li, Lena Q. Ma
Summary: The study found that Cd bioaccessibility in contaminated soils was mainly affected by exchangeable and carbonate-bound Cd, which were identified as the main sources of bioaccessible Cd in those soils.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Khin Thandar Htun, Krit Jaikumkao, Jie Pan, Aye Thidar Moe Moe, Nuttawadee Intachai, Sasivimon Promsan, Anusorn Lungkaphin, Monruedee Tapanya, Duanghathai Pasanta, Montree Tungjai, Siriprapa Kaewjaeng, Hong Joo Kim, Jakrapong Kaewkhao, Christopher Lai, Suchart Kothan
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between ectopic fat distribution and metabolite profiles induced by high-fat diets in rats. Visceral fat was found to have the strongest correlation with blood cholesterol levels, while liver fat content showed high correlation with specific metabolites like (-CH2)(n) VLDL/LDL and lactate. Five potential metabolic biomarkers were identified to differentiate between high-fat diet and normal diet groups.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Celine M. Schneider, Katherine L. Steeves, Grace V. Mercer, Hannah George, Leah Paranavitana, Myrna J. Simpson, Andre J. Simpson, Lindsay S. Cahill
Summary: This study used HRMAS MRS to determine relative metabolite concentrations in placental tissue samples from healthy pregnant mice. The results showed that the concentrations of 12 out of 14 metabolites remained unchanged throughout late gestation, while lysine decreased significantly and glucose exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship with gestational age.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Castaneda-Gomez, Kate Lajtha, Richard Bowden, Fathima Nahidha Mohammed Jauhar, Juan Jia, Xiaojuan Feng, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: Forest ecosystems as global soil carbon reservoirs are affected by climate change factors that change carbon inputs. This study integrated molecular composition data sets of soil organic matter and microbial communities to investigate the effects of detrital input and removal treatments on forest soil carbon dynamics. The results showed that long-term litter additions did not increase soil carbon content, while litter reductions negatively impacted soil carbon concentrations. This highlights the sensitivity of soil carbon biogeochemistry to changes in litter deposition.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huan Tong, Mehran Behazin, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: Bentonite clay is suggested as a buffer layer for Canada's geologic repository for long-term storage of nuclear fuels. The presence of natural organic matter (NOM) in bentonite may contribute to container corrosion. Molecular-level techniques were used to analyze bentonite composition under different heat and radiation conditions, and it was found that heat and radiation had minimal effects on overall NOM chemistry. Further research is needed to investigate longer exposure durations and overall stability of NOM in a deep geologic repository setting.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine L. Steeves, Meera J. Bissram, Sonya Kleywegt, Douglas Stevens, Frank L. Dorman, Andre J. Simpson, Myrna J. Simpson, Lindsay S. Cahill, Karl J. Jobst
Summary: This study discovered the presence of fluorotelomer ethoxylates (FTEO) in indoor dust and industrial effluent, indicating their potential as widespread and persistent pollutants.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisa M. Labine, Erico Oliveira A. Pereira, Sonya Kleywegt, Karl J. Jobst, Andre J. Simpson, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: The study investigates the metabolic perturbations of PFAS on Daphnia, highlighting that different PFAS chain lengths and polar functional groups can induce unique metabolic responses while also sharing a common underlying toxic mode of action.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: Soil pollution has had a global impact on ecosystem health, leading to a reduction in critical services provided by soil ecosystems. Environmental metabolomics has provided valuable insights into the effects of pollutants on soil-dwelling organisms, particularly earthworms. Recent studies have also explored the complex relationships between plants-microbes and earthworms-microbes, and how these relationships are altered by pollutant exposure in soil. Overall, these studies highlight the negative ecological cascade and decline in soil organism health caused by pollution.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Erico A. Oliveira Pereira, Lisa M. Labine, Sonya Kleywegt, Karl J. Jobst, Andre J. Simpson, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), commonly used as additives in plastics, can leach into the environment and cause various harmful effects on aquatic organisms. This study examined the impact of four phthalate pollutants on Daphnia magna using targeted metabolomic approach. Results showed unique metabolic profiles for each phthalate pollutant and disruption of amino acid and energy metabolism pathways. These findings suggest a common toxic mechanism of action for phthalate pollutants and emphasize the importance of targeted metabolomic approaches in understanding sub-lethal exposure to pollutants.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kiera Ronda, Katelyn Downey, Amy Jenne, Monica Bastawrous, William W. Wolff, Katrina Steiner, Daniel H. Lysak, Peter M. Costa, Myrna J. Simpson, Karl J. Jobst, Andre J. Simpson
Summary: Environmental metabolomics sheds light on the impact of human activities on organism health at the molecular level. This paper focuses on the use of in vivo NMR as a powerful tool for monitoring real-time changes in the metabolome of organisms. It also investigates the applicability of proton-only experiments on non-enriched samples, specifically using Daphnia as a model organism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Iuliana Stoica, Maryam Tabatabaei Anaraki, Thomas Muratore, Melissa Knorr, Serita D. Frey, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: By analyzing soil samples from the Harvard Forest Soil Warming and Nitrogen Addition experiment, this study found that increasing global temperatures and atmospheric nitrogen deposition threaten carbon storage in forest soils. The study emphasizes the importance of observing environmental stressors using molecular-level approaches to understand how anthropogenic activity will alter forest soil systems.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica C. D'eon, Brian P. Lankadurai, Andre J. Simpson, Eric J. Reiner, David G. Poirier, Greg C. Vanlerberghe, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: Environmental metabolomics is an effective method for studying pollutant impacts on target organisms. Both NMR and MS-based methods are used for amino acid profiling in environmental metabolomic studies. In this study, we compared the quantification of amino acids in different model organisms using both H-1 NMR and LC-MS/MS methods. The results showed that both NMR and LC-MS/MS measurements were reliable for amino acid profiling, demonstrating the compatibility of these two analytical platforms in environmental metabolomics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Istvan Fekete, Ornella Francioso, Myrna J. Simpson, Paola Gioacchini, Daniela Montecchio, Imre Berki, Norbert Moricz, Katalin Juhos, Aron Beni, Zsolt Kotroczo
Summary: Climate models predict warming and drying of Hungarian forests, raising concerns about their carbon storage capacity. To assess future changes, precipitation gradient studies were conducted on oak forests in Central Europe, investigating the quality parameters of soil organic matter (SOM). The results showed lower soil organic carbon (SOC) in humid forests due to increased decomposition and leaching of Ca, but the decrease in easily degradable SOM compounds. In dry forests, the amount of recalcitrant SOM increased, but so did the easily degradable SOM. Overall, SOC may increase in drier forests, partially offsetting the decrease in biomass.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Katherine C. Dibbon, Grace Mercer, Alexandre S. Maekawa, Jenna Hanrahan, Katherine L. Steeves, Lauren C. M. Ringer, Andre J. Simpson, Myrna J. Simpson, Ahmet A. Baschat, John C. Kingdom, Christopher K. Macgowan, John G. Sled, Karl J. Jobst, Lindsay S. Cahill
Summary: Maternal exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics during mouse pregnancy has been found to result in fetal growth restriction and placental dysfunction, with the effects being more pronounced in the group exposed to nanoplastics. This suggests that nanoplastic exposure during human pregnancy has the potential to disrupt fetal brain development and lead to suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. M. Labine, E. A. Oliveira Pereira, S. Kleywegt, K. J. Jobst, A. J. Simpson, M. J. Simpson
Summary: Anthropogenic activities contribute to pollution in freshwater bodies worldwide, with wastewater treatment and industrial effluents containing complex mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants. The molecular-level perturbations to the metabolic profile of Daphnia magna exposed to these effluents were examined in this study. The results showed significant metabolic changes, indicating oxidative stress, disruptions to energy metabolism, and protein dysregulation, highlighting the importance of metabolomics in assessing the interactions of industrial effluents.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katelyn Downey, Wolfgang Bermel, Ronald Soong, Daniel H. Lysak, Kiera Ronda, Katrina Steiner, Peter M. Costa, William W. Wolff, Venita Decker, Falko Busse, Benjamin Goerling, Agnes Haber, Myrna J. Simpson, Andre J. Simpson
Summary: Understanding environmental change requires molecular-level tools. This study investigates innovative experiments to improve low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of environmental and biological samples. Spectral simplification, selective detection, and heteronuclear NMR experiments were tested, and a novel selectively detected HSQC experiment was introduced. The results demonstrate the potential of low-field NMR in biological and environmental research, and its adaptability to various research needs.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Grace V. Mercer, Nikita E. Harvey, Katherine L. Steeves, Celine M. Schneider, John G. Sled, Christopher K. Macgowan, Ahmet A. Baschat, John C. Kingdom, Andre J. Simpson, Myrna J. Simpson, Karl J. Jobst, Lindsay S. Cahill
Summary: Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy caused abnormal fetal brain metabolism in mice, including decreased concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid, creatine, and glucose. The change in relative concentration of asparagine was dependent on fetal sex.