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Fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) are widely used as novel substitutes for perfluorooctane sulfonate, inevitably leading to FTSs accumulation in various environmental media and subsequent exposure to humans. This accumulation eventually poses environmental hazards and health risks. However, their toxicity mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, the mechanisms of two FTSs (6:2 and 8:2 FTS) induced toxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells were investigated via non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics based on liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry. Our results revealed that amino acid, purine, acylcarnitine and lipid levels were significantly perturbed by 6:2 and 8:2 FTS exposure. The effects of 8:2 FTS exposure were largely characterized by up-regulation of pyruvate metabolism pathway and down-regulation of purine metabolism pathway, whereas the opposite trends were induced by 6:2 FTS exposure. The opposite trends were confirmed by the mRNA expression levels of four key genes (glyoxalase 1, adenylosuccinate lyase, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 1 (IMPDH1) and IMPDH2) determined by real-time PCR. Common lipid perturbations included significantly increased ceramide/sphingomyelin ratios, and obvious accumulation of hexosylceramides and lysoglycerophospholipids. 6:2 FTS exposure induced sharp accumulation of glycerides, including monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides. 8:2 FTS exposure induced decreased levels of acylcarnitines and fatty acids. Both of 6:2 and 8:2 FTS exposure induced increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, an imbalance in energy metabolism homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The results of integrated omics analysis are expected to serve as valuable information for the health risk assessment of 6:2 FTS and 8:2 FTS.

Abstract Targeting ferroptosis-related pathway is a potential strategy for treatment of lung cancer (LC). Consequently, exploration of ferroptosis-related markers is important for treating LC. We collected LC clinical data and mRNA expression profiles from TCGA and GEO database. Ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were obtained through FerrDB database. Expression analysis was performed to obtain differentially expressed FRGs. Diagnostic and prognostic models were constructed based on FRGs by LASSO regression, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, respectively. External verification cohorts GSE72094 and GSE157011 were used for validation. The interrelationship between prognostic risk scores based on FRGs and the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed. Immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR detected the FRGs level. Eighteen FRGs were used for diagnostic models, 8 FRGs were used for prognostic models. The diagnostic model distinguished well between LC and normal samples in training and validation cohorts of TCGA. The prognostic models for TCGA, GSE72094, and GSE157011 cohorts significantly confirmed lower overall survival (OS) in high-risk group, which demonstrated excellent predictive properties of the survival model. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed risk score was an independent risk factor related with OS. Immunoassays revealed that in high-risk group, a significantly higher proportion of Macrophages_M0, Neutrophils, resting Natural killer cells and activated Mast cells and the level of B7H3, CD112, CD155, B7H5, and ICOSL were increased. In conclusion, diagnostic and prognostic models provided superior diagnostic and predictive power for LC and revealed a potential link between ferroptosis and TIME.

Chemical exposure and local hypoxia caused by mask-wearing may result in skin physiology changes. The effects of methylparaben (MeP), a commonly used preservative in personal care products, and hypoxia on skin health were investigated by HaCaT cell and ICR mouse experiments. MeP exposure resulted in lipid peroxidation and interfered with cellular glutathione metabolism, while hypoxia treatment disturbed phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathways and energy metabolism to respond to oxidative stress. A hypoxic environment increased the perturbation of MeP on the purine metabolism in HaCaT cells, resulting in increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. The synergistic effects were further validated in a mouse model with MeP dermal exposure and “mask-wearing” treatment. CAT, PPARG, and MMP2 were identified as possible key gene targets associated with skin health risks posed by MeP and hypoxia. Network toxicity analysis suggested a synergistic effect, indicating the risk of skin inflammation and skin barrier aging.

Automotive interiors have been identified as significant sources of various chemicals, yet their occupational hazards for end-of-life vehicle (ELV) dismantlers remain poorly characterized. Herein, eight classes of plasticizers, including 11 phthalates esters (PAEs) and 16 non-phthalates esters (NPAEs), were detected in dust samples from inside and outside ELV dismantling workshops. Moreover, indoor dust from ordinary households and university dormitories was compared. The indoor dust from the ELV dismantling workshops contained the highest concentrations of plasticizers (median: 594 μg/g), followed by ordinary households (296 µg/g), university dormitories (186 µg/g), and outdoor dust (157 µg/g). PAEs remained the dominant plasticizers, averaging 11.7-fold higher than their NPAE alternatives. Specifically, diisononyl phthalate and trioctyl trimellitate were notably elevated in workshop dust, being 15.5 and 4.78 times higher, respectively, than in ordinary household dust, potentially indicating their association with ELV dismantling activities. The estimated daily intake of occupational ELV dismantling workers was up to five times higher than that of the general population. Moreover, certain dominant NPAEs demonstrated nuclear receptor interference abilities comparable to typical PAEs, suggesting potential toxic effects. This study is the first to demonstrate that ELV dismantling activities contribute to the co-emission of PAEs and NPAEs, posing a substantial risk of exposure to workers, which warrants further investigation.

To predict the behavior of aromatic contaminants (ACs) in complex soil–plant systems, this study developed machine learning (ML) models to estimate the root concentration factor (RCF) of both traditional (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls) and emerging ACs (e.g., phthalate acid esters, aryl organophosphate esters). Four ML algorithms were employed, trained on a unified RCF dataset comprising 878 data points, covering 6 features of soil–plant cultivation systems and 98 molecular descriptors of 55 chemicals, including 29 emerging ACs. The gradient-boosted regression tree (GBRT) model demonstrated strong predictive performance, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.75, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.11, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.22, as validated by five-fold cross-validation. Multiple explanatory analyses highlighted the significance of soil organic matter (SOM), plant protein and lipid content, exposure time, and molecular descriptors related to electronegativity distribution pattern (GATS8e) and double-ring structure (fr_bicyclic). An increase in SOM was found to decrease the overall RCF, while other variables showed strong correlations within specific ranges. This GBRT model provides an important tool for assessing the environmental behaviors of ACs in soil–plant systems, thereby supporting further investigations into their ecological and human exposure risks.

Recently, evidence of aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) existence in the dust of the electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area has been exposed. However, there are limited studies investigating occupational exposure and toxicity associated with AAs and their transformation products (p-phenylenediamines-quinones, i.e., PPD-Qs). In this study, 115 dust and 42 hand wipe samples collected from an e-waste recycling industrial park in central China were analyzed for 19 AAs and 6 PPD-Qs. Notably, the median concentration of ∑6PPD-Qs (1,110 ng/g and 1,970 ng/m2) was significantly higher (p

Abstract The extensive use of neonicotinoids on food crops for pest management has resulted in substantial environmental contamination. It is imperative to develop an effective remediation material and technique as well as to determine the evolution pathways of products. Here, novel ball-milled nitrogen-doped biochar (NBC)-modified zero-valent iron (ZVI) composites (named MNBC-ZVI) were fabricated and applied to degrading neonicotinoids. Based on the characterization results, NBC incorporation introduced N-doped sites and new allying heterojunctions and achieved surface charge redistribution, rapid electron transfer, and higher hydrophobicity of ZVI particles. As a result, the interaction between ZVI particles and thiamethoxam (a typical neonicotinoid) was improved, and the adsorption–desorption and reductive degradation of thiamethoxam and ·H generation steps were optimized. MNBC-ZVI could rapidly degrade 100% of 10 mg·L−1 thiamethoxam within 360 min, its reduction rate constant was 12.1-fold greater than that of pristine ZVI, and the electron efficiency increased from 29.7% to 57.8%. This improved reactivity and selectivity resulted from increased electron transfer, enhanced hydrophobicity, and reduced accumulation of iron mud. Moreover, the degradation of neonicotinoids occurred mainly via nitrate reduction and dichlorination, and toxicity tests with degradation intermediates revealed that neonicotinoids undergo rapid detoxification. Remarkably, MNBC-ZVI also presented favorable tolerance to various anions, humic acid, wastewater and contaminated soil, as well as high reusability. This work offers an efficient and economic biochar-ZVI remediation technology for the rapid degradation and detoxification of neonicotinoids, significantly contributes to knowledge on the relevant removal mechanism and further advances the synthesis of highly reactive and environmentally friendly materials. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Straw incorporation into the soil is a common agricultural practice, but its effect on soil cadmium (Cd) mobility is not well understood. We added 0–20 g kg−1 organic matters (OMs) with different C/N ratios to three spiked alkaline paddy soils that contained a realistically low concentration of total Cd (0.94 mg kg−1), and then investigated soil Cd solubility in alternate watering conditions. As current physical and chemical methods have difficulties in accurately determining the distribution and speciation of Cd in soil at a low concentration, we measured multiple soil properties to identify key factors regulating dissolved Cd concentration. For all three soils, pH and dissolved Cd concentration both decreased after flooding and increased after subsequent drying. OM addition significantly reduced soil Cd solubility at both flooding and drying stages. Random forest and linear regressions further confirmed that soil total organic carbon, rather than pH, dissolved organic carbon, or total inorganic carbon as previously suggested, was the primary predictor of Cd solubility. OMs with different C/N ratios had similar effects on soil Cd solubility, whereas the effect of OM addition rate depended on soil type. The results demonstrated the potential of straw incorporation for the remediation of Cd-contaminated alkaline paddy soils, through mechanisms that differ from those reported for acid soils. Graphical Abstract

Emerging alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), including 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS), have been widely detected in the real environment as PFOS restriction. However, the toxicity in plants and the underlying mechanism of F-53B and OBS remain scarce, especially compared to PFOS. PFOS and their emerging alternatives pose significant potential risks to food, especially for crops, safety and human health with the great convenience of high chemical stability. Germination toxicity, oxidative stress biomarkers, and metabolomics were used to compare the relative magnitudes of toxicity of PFOS and its alternatives in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). PFOS, F-53B, and OBS inhibited wheat germination compared to the control group, with germination inhibition rates of 45.6%, 53.5%, and 64.3% at 400 μM PFOS, F-53B, and OBS exposure, respectively. Moreover, oxidative stress biomarker changes were observed in PFOS, F-53B, and OBS, with OBS being more pronounced. The chlorophyll concentrations in wheat shoots increased, and the anthocyanin concentration decreased along with the increased exposure concentration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in wheat root but decreased in the shoot. Peroxidase (POD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased, whereas catalase (CAT) activity decreased. Regarding metabolomics, PFOS, F-53B, and OBS exposure (10 μM) significantly altered 85, 133, and 134 metabolites, respectively. According to KEGG enrichment analysis, F-53B specifically affects lipid metabolism, whereas OBS causes an imbalance in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These findings suggested that PFOS, F-53B, and OBS have distinct toxic mechanisms. Thus, our results indicated that the relative size of the toxicity in wheat is as follows: OBS > F-53B > PFOS, and this finding provides a new reference basis for the phytotoxicity assessment of F-53B and OBS.

Highlights BDOM and visible light improved the biodegradation efficiency of antibiotics. BDOM and visible light promoted bacterial growth. BDOM and visible light enhanced content of fatty acid bacteria. BDOM and visible light up-regulated bacterial genes and enzymes related to antibiotics. CHO type of BDOM affected the functional genes and cellular component of bacteria.

Cadmium (Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prominent soil contaminants found in industrial sites, and their combined effects on plants are not yet fully understood. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the co-exposure of Cd and PAHs and identify key biomarkers for their co-effects, an integrated analysis of metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics was conducted on ryegrass leaves cultivated in soil. In nontarget metabolomics analysis, nine differentially expressed metabolites that were specifically induced by the compound exposure were identified. When combined with the analysis of differentially expressed genes and proteins, it was determined that the major pathways involved in the response to the co-stress of Cd and PAHs were linoleic acid metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The upregulation of 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid and the downregulation of sinapyl alcohol were identified as typical biomarkers, respectively. Compared to scenarios of single exposures, the compound exposure to Cd and PAHs disrupted the oxidation of linoleic acid, leading to alterations in the profiles of linoleate metabolites. Additionally, it intensified hydroxylation, carboxylation, and methylation processes, and interfered with reactions involving coenzyme A, thus inhibiting lignin production. As a result, oxidative stress was elevated, and the cell wall defense system in ryegrass was weakened. The findings of this study highlight the ecological risks associated with unique biological responses in plants co-exposed to Cd and PAHs in polluted soils.

Wearing masks is used as an effective way to prevent the spread of viruses. However, the effect of wearing masks on skin health requires further assessment. In this study, a non-invasive D-squame sampling method coupled with an untargeted metabolomics analysis by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry was developed to identify the changes in the skin metabolome caused by wearing masks. D-squame method was found to have advantages over the commonly used sterile gauze method, especially for the lipids and lipid-like molecules. A total of 356 skin metabolites were putatively identified from the stratum corneum of 10 volunteers, and 17 differential metabolites were significantly downregulated after wearing surgical masks or N95 respirators. The downregulation of metabolites such as phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin might be related to hypoxia or increased skin moisture caused by wearing masks. Changes in skin metabolomics indicated a potential risk of skin barrier disruption and skin inflammation. Intermittent removal of the masks can effectively alleviate changes in the skin metabolome.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in agricultural soil, whereas their effects on the rhizosphere microbial ecosystems and biogeochemical nitrogen cycles during plant growth remain unknown. Here, a 70-day greenhouse experiment was carried out with black and fluvo-aquic soil to evaluate the influence of polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PES), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs on the bacterial communities and functions in the soybean rhizosphere. The PA treatment consistently affected the rhizobacterial alpha diversity in the fluvo-aquic soil at soybean vegetative and reproductive growth stages, whereas the PE, PES, and PVC treatments had a short-term effect on the bacterial alpha diversity. At two growth stages, 6 and 23 biomarkers were consistently abundant in the PA treatment in the black soil and fluvo-aquic soil, respectively, and order Rhizobiales was found to be a biomarker for PA MPs contamination in both soils. Additionally, PA treatment decreased bacterial network complexity and tightness, whereas the effects of the PE, PES, and PVC on bacterial co-occurrence patterns varied depending on the soil types. Furthermore, PES and PVC treatments inhibited ammonification processes in the soybean rhizosphere, and PE could temporarily inhibit ammonia oxidation and denitrification processes according to the variations of N-cycling gene abundances. These effects on soil N-cycling also varied with soil types and soybean growth stages. This study provides profound information for understanding of MPs residues on the assembly of the soybean rhizosphere communities and function during plant development.

Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) is a widely used flame retardant and plasticizer and has been detected extensively in environmental media, wildlife and human bodies. Several epidemiological and animal studies have revealed that TPHP exposure is positively associated with glucose homeostasis disruption and diabetes. However, the effects of TPHP on hepatic glucose homeostasis and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present work aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and glucose metabolism disruption of TPHP and its metabolite diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) within hepatocytes. The cell viability assay undertaken on human normal liver (L02) cells showed that TPHP exhibited more potent hepatotoxicity than DPHP. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data showed that TPHP and DPHP presented different modes of toxic action. Insulin resistance is one of the predominant toxicities for TPHP, but not for DPHP. The insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis were impaired by TPHP, while DPHP exhibited no significant impairment on these factors. TPHP exposure induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and the ER stress antagonist 4-PBA restored the impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis induced by TPHP. TPHP could also induce liver ER stress and insulin resistance in mice. Taken together, the results suggested that TPHP induces more potent insulin resistance through ER stress than its metabolite DPHP.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are widely used chemicals and ubiquitous emerging organic pollutants in the environment, some of which have persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic potentials. Elevated levels of LCMs have been found in the e-waste dismantling associated areas. However, information on their internal exposure bio-monitoring is scarce. For the first time, occurrences of LCMs were observed in the serum samples of occupational workers (n = 85) from an e-waste dismantling area in South China. Twenty-nine LCMs were detected in serum samples of the workers, with a median value of 35.2 ng/mL (range: 7.78–276 ng/mL). Eight noticed LCMs were found to have relatively high detection frequencies ranging from 52.9% to 96.5%. The correlation analysis of individual LCMs indicated potential common applications and similar sources to the LCMs in occupational workers. Fluorinated LCMs were identified as the predominant monomers in the workers. Additionally, the estimated daily intake of the LCMs in the occupational workers was significantly higher than those in residents from the reference areas (p

Phthalates (PAEs) are widely used plasticizers drawing increasing concern due to reproductive toxicity. However, studies on serum PAEs metabolites (mPAEs) and their associations with human ovarian function remain very scarce. In this study, from April 2019 to August 2020, a total of 297 women of childbearing age were recruited in Tianjin, China. Eleven mPAEs were analyzed in serum samples and eight mPAEs were detected at frequencies > 65% with median concentrations of 0.43–15.3 ng/mL. In multinomial logistic analysis, an increase in serum mono (2-isobutyl) phthalate (miBP) was associated with decline in antral follicle count (AFC) (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.61) and 5-mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (mEHHP) was significantly associated with AFC increase (OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.92), which were aligned with the associations found between mPAEs and AMH through generalized linear regression. In multiple linear regression models, per 10% increase in serum mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (mEHP), mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (mEOHP) (oxo-mEHP), and principal component 1 featured for high concentrations of mono-n-butyl phthalate (mBP), miBP and mEHP were associated with 0.15 (95% CI: −0.29, −0.02), 0.01 (95% CI: −0.01, 0.00) and 0.01 (95% CI: −0.02, 0.00) ln-unit decrease in estradiol (E2) levels, respectively, while mono-[(2-carboxymethyl) hexyl] phthalate (mCMHP) (carboxymethyl-mEHP) was positively associated with 0.05 ln-unit increase of E2 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.08). The observed negative associations between mPAEs and the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) also aligned with the change in AFC. Generalized linear regression also revealed nonlinear associations between mono-ethyl phthalate (mEP), mCMHP and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Overall, serum mEHP and its metabolites were negatively associated with E2. miBP was negatively associated with AFC. The nonlinear associations between mPAEs and FSH, and AMH need further study.

In recent years, the diffusive gradients in the thin films (DGT) technique has also been increasingly applied to assess the bioavailability of heavy metals and organic pollutants in the soil. The combination of binding and diffusion phases made from different materials allows for the targeted determination of different target substances. This review briefly introduces the compositions and development of the DGT technique and analyzes the composition structure of DGT and the impact of environmental factors, such as pH, ion strength (IS), and dissolved organic matter (DOM), on the bioavailability evaluation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil. Finally, the application potential and broad application prospects of the DGT technique were expected. In addition, standardized DGT technique methods and calibration procedures are conducive to the establishment of a more stable and reliable measurement system to enhance the robustness of the DGT technique application in the soil.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are increasingly added in electronic products as alternative flame retardants, which may result in high occupational exposure of electronic waste recycling employees. This study investigated occupational exposure to OPEs in an e-waste recycling site in northern China, with intent to explore the impacts of occupational exposure and dismantling manipulation mode. Human urine samples from three sites with different distances from the core dismantling area, including employees from family workshops and plants with centralized management and residents from nearby areas, were collected and analyzed for OPEs’ metabolites (mOPEs). The urinary ∑mOPEs’ median concentrations (0.910 ng/mL) of all employees were significantly higher than those of residents in Ziya Town (0.526 ng/mL) and Jinghai downtown (0.600 ng/mL), suggesting the risk of occupational OPEs’ exposure associated with e-waste dismantling. However, the spatial variation was insignificant for residents with different distances from the e-waste recycling site. Besides, OPEs’ exposure levels were significantly affected by manipulation modes and the urinary ∑mOPEs’ median concentrations in the employees of family workshops (1.05 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those in plants with centralized management (0.667 ng/mL). The result suggests that mechanical dismantling and active ventilating measures can reduce the OPEs’ occupational exposure risk. Moreover, ∑mOPEs were higher in volunteers with age above 50 years old and in the underweight subgroup. Finally, different categories of mOPEs in human urine showed associations with corresponding OPEs in dust samples in the same area.

Melamine (MEL) and its derivatives are increasingly applied as nitrogenous flame retardants in consumer products. Nevertheless, limited information is available on their environmental occurrence and subsequent human exposure via multiple exposure pathways. In this study, we analysed MEL and its derivatives in dust (indication of the dust ingestion route) and hand wipe samples (indication of the hand-to-mouth route) collected in various microenvironments. The levels of ∑MELs in both dust (median: 24,100 ng/g) and participant hand samples (803 ng/m2) collected in e-waste dismantling workshops were significantly higher than those in samples collected in homes (15,600 ng/g and 196 ng/m2, respectively), dormitories (13,100 ng/g and 227 ng/m2, respectively) and hotel rooms (11,800 ng/g and 154 ng/m2, respectively). Generally, MEL dominated in dust samples collected in e-waste dismantling workshops, whereas cyanuric acid dominated in hand wipe samples. This may occur partly because the latter is an ingredient in disinfection products, which are more frequently employed in daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure assessment suggests that dust ingestion is an important exposure pathway among dismantling workers and the general population, whereas hand-to-mouth contact could not be overlooked in certain populations, such as children and dismantling workers not wear gloves at work.

Ingestion of environmental microplastics (MPs) by animals is receiving a great health concern, because of its potential adverse effects on organisms. Most ingested MPs will be excreted, while the health threats depend largely on the excretory dynamics. Although the excretion characteristics of MPs in invertebrates and fishes have been studied, information on the excretion of MPs in mammals remains lacking, especially for the fibrous MPs. Here, fibrous and granular MP and nanoplastic (NP) of nylon polymer (polyamide 66, PA66) were exposed in rats by oral in the first day, then the excretion behavior of ingested PA66 in rats was quantified using mass quantification of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) together with the microscope observation. Although most of the ingested PA66-MP or PA66-NP was excreted within 48 h, the three forms of PA66 were not completely cleared by the rats even after seven days excretion. The excretion of PA66 in rats was well-described by a first-order kinetics model, and the calculated half-lives of elimination of PA66 polymer in rats are 19.9 h (fibrous PA66-MP), 23.7 h (granular PA66-MP), and 36.9 h (PA66-NP), indicating rats excrete smaller MPs more slowly than the bigger ones. This was further confirmed by the particle size distribution of granular PA66-MP observed in feces. Besides, approximately 30% of the ingested PA66-NP were failed to be detected in feces, while the occurrence of PA66-NP in rat serum induced by PA66-NP ingestion was found. This indicates that PA66-NP can pass through the gut barrier and entered the blood circulation. Therefore, the health risks of ingested MPs, especially for the NPs, deserve further attention.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are a class of emerging, persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic organic pollutants. They are detected in various environmental matrixes that are associated with electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling. However, their occurrence and distribution in indoor and outdoor dust on a national scale remain unknown. In this study, a dedicated target analysis quantified a broad range of 60 LCMs in dust samples collected across China. The LCMs were frequently detected in indoor (n = 48) and outdoor dust (n = 97; 37 sampled concomitantly with indoors dust) from dwellings, and indoor dust from cybercafés (n = 34) and phone repair stores (n = 22), with median concentrations of 41.6, 94.7, 106, and 171 ng/g, respectively. No significant spatial difference was observed for the concentrations of the total LCMs among distinct geographical regions (p > 0.05). The median daily intake values of the total LCMs via dust ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation were estimated at 1.50 × 10-2, 2.90 × 10-2, and 8.57 × 10-6 ng/kg BW/day for adults and 1.47 × 10-1, 1.22 × 10-1, and 2.18 × 10-5 ng/kg BW/day for children, respectively. These estimates suggested higher exposure risks for children and indicated that dust ingestion and dermal contact significantly contribute to the human intake of LCMs. The microenvironmental pollution levels of LCMs together with the potential exposure risks associated with some of these chemicals are of concern for human health.

Metal pollution may lead to a variety of diseases; for this reason, it has become a matter of public concern worldwide. However, it is necessary to use biomonitoring approaches to assess the risks posed to human health by metals. In this study, the concentrations of 14 metal elements in 181 urine samples obtained from the general population of Gansu Province, China, were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Eleven out of fourteen target elements had detection frequencies above 85%, namely, Cr, Ni, As, Se, Cd, Al, Fe, Cu and Rb. The concentrations of most metal elements in the urine of our subjects corresponded to the medium levels of subjects in other regional studies. Gender exerted a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the concentrations of Tl, Rb and Zn. The concentrations of Ni, As, Pb, Sr, Tl, Zn, Cu and Se showed significant differences among different age groups and the age-related concentration trends varied among these elements. There were significant differences in the urine concentrations of Zn and Sr between those subjects in the group who were frequently exposed to soil (exposed soil > 20 min/day) and those in the group who were not, indicating that people in regular contact with soil may be more exposed to metals. This study provides useful information for evaluating the levels of metal exposure among general populations.

Nanoplastics in aquatic environments may induce adverse immunotoxicity effects in fish. However, there is insufficient evidence on the visible immunotoxicity endpoints in the larval stages of fish. The liver plays an important role in systemic and local innate immunity in the fish. In this study, the hepatic inflammatory effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastic particles (NPs: 100 and 50 nm) and micron PS particles on transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae were estimated using fluorescent-labeled neutrophils, macrophages, and liver-type inflammatory binding protein (fabp10a). Particles with smaller size induced higher aggregations of neutrophils and apoptosis of macrophages in the abdomen of the larvae, corresponding to greater hepatic inflammation in the larvae. NPs increased the expression of fabp10a in the larval livers in a dose- and size-dependent manner. PS particles of 50 nm at a concentration of 0.1 mg·L−1 increased the expression of fabp10a in the larval liver by 21.90% (P

Wearing masks has become the norm during the Coronavirus disease pandemic. Masks can reportedly interface with air pollutants and release microplastics and plastic additives such as phthalates. In this study, an experimental device was set up to simulate the impact of five kinds of masks (activated-carbon, N95, surgical, cotton, and fashion masks) on the risk of humans inhaling microplastics and phthalates during wearing. The residual concentrations of seven major phthalates ranged from 296 to 72,049 ng/g (median: 1242 ng/g), with the lowest and the highest concentrations detected in surgical (median: 367 ng/g) and fashion masks (median: 37,386 ng/g), respectively. During the whole inhalation simulation process, fragmented and 20–100 μm microplastics accounted for the largest, with a rapid release during the first six hours. After one day’s wearing, that of 6 h, while wearing different masks, 25–135 and 65–298 microplastics were inhaled indoors and outdoors, respectively. The total estimated daily intake of phthalates with indoor and outdoor conditions by inhalation and skin exposure ranged from 1.2 to 13 and 0.43 to 14 ng/kg bw/d, respectively. Overall, surgical masks yield a protective effect, while cotton and fashion masks increase human exposure to microplastics and phthalates both indoors and outdoors compared to no mask wearing. This study observed possible risks from common facemasks and provided suggestions to consumers for selecting suitable masks to reduce exposure risks from microplastics and phthalate acid.

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have been widely used as alternatives to legacy BFRs. However, information on the contamination status and human exposure risks of electronic waste (e-waste)-derived NBFRs in the e-waste workplace is limited. In this study, six NBFRs and the legacy BFRs, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), were analyzed in 50 dust samples from an e-waste-dismantling workplace in Central China. The dust concentration of NBFRs in e-waste-dismantling workshops (median, 157–169 ng/g) was found to be significantly higher than those in an outdoor environment (17.3 ng/g) (p < 0.01). Differently, the highest median concentration of HBCDs was found in dust from the dismantling workshop for cellphones and computers (367 ng/g) among studied areas. The bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEHTBP) was the predominant compound, which contributed 66.0–88.0% of measured NBFR concentrations. NBFRs might originate from plastic and rubber materials in wastes based on the correlation and principal component analysis. Moreover, the total estimated daily intakes (average scenario) of NBFRs were calculated at 2.64 × 10−2 ng/kg bw/d and 2.91× 10−2 ng/kg bw/d for the male and female dismantling workers, respectively, via dust ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways, which were lower than the reference dose values, and thus indicated a limited human exposure risk for NBFRs at the current level. Although the dust concentrations and daily intakes of NBFRs were still lower than those of other emerging pollutants (e.g., organophosphate and nitrogenous flame retardants) measured in the same sampling set, the elevated levels of NBFRs suggested the progressive BFR replacement process in China, which deserves more attention regarding their adverse effects on both the environment and human health.

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a well-known source of plastic additives in the environment. However, the e-waste-related occupational exposure to organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs) and the relevant oxidation products—novel organophosphate esters (NOPEs)—via different pathways is still unknown. In this study, six OPAs and three NOPEs were measured in 116 dust and 43 hand-wipe samples from an e-waste dismantling area in Central China. The median concentrations of ΣOPAs and ΣNOPEs were 188 and 13,900 ng·g−1 in workshop dust and 5,250 ng·m−2 and 53,600 ng·m−2 on workers’ hands, respectively. The increasing concentrations of dust in the form of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) (p

Background: Emerging evidence has proved the associations between exposure to phthalates (PAEs) and bisphenols and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the underlying mechanisms for these associations are poorly understood. Metabolomics is a powerful tool to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways related to diseases and chemical exposure, which may reveal underlying mechanisms. However, little is known about the roles of metabolism in the associations for PAE and bisphenol exposure with T2DM. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the roles of metabolism in the associations for exposure to PAEs and bisphenols with T2DM. Methods: In this study, 60 T2DM cases and 60 controls, who were matched in age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), were selected from the total study population in our previous studies. Fasting blood and spot urine samples of the volunteers were used for non-targeted metabolomics analysis and determination of phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) and bisphenols, respectively. The associations of urinary mPAEs and bisphenols with screened metabolic biomarkers in metabolomics analysis were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Results: Based on non-targeted metabolomics, 19 serum metabolic biomarkers were screened between T2DM cases and controls, mostly related to galactose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. More than half of mPAEs were mostly positively associated with up-regulated metabolic biomarkers and negatively associated with down-regulated biomarkers. Different from PAEs, no evident results suggested the roles of metabolism in the associations between bisphenol exposure and T2DM. Conclusions: Combined with the positive associations between most urinary mPAEs and T2DM in our previous study, our findings indicated that PAE exposure may contribute to T2DM risk through disturbing galactose metabolism, amino acid metabolism (especially arginine biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism), and pyrimidine metabolism.

Dust is a fate of many contaminants and may be an important medium for the human exposure to these contaminants. Microplastics (MPs) have been observed in dust in previous studies. However, the mass concentrations of dominant MPs in dust and the exposure risk to human remain unclear. In this study, indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected from 39 major cities of China. The mass concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) MPs were determined through alkali-assisted thermal depolymerization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the shape and component distribution of MPs were analyzed by optical microscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. PET MPs were detected in all the samples at high concentrations of 1550–120,000 mg/kg (indoor) and 212–9020 mg/kg (outdoor) and PC MPs were detected in approximately 70% of the samples, with median concentrations of 4.6 mg/kg (indoor) and 2.0 mg/kg (outdoor). Fiber was the main shape of suspected MPs, and polyester (including PET) was identified as an important component in MPs from dust. Indoor dust is a non-negligible source of human exposure to MPs, accounting for a geomean daily intake of 17,300 ng/kg-bw of PET MPs in children. Keywords: Microplastics, Polyethylene terephthalate, Polycarbonate, Fiber, Dust, Human exposure

Phthalate esters (PAEs) can be released into the environment during the dismantling of electronic waste (e-waste), but urinary levels of PAE metabolites (mPAEs) in humans living in e-waste sites have not been documented. In this study, 11 mPAEs were determined in urine samples collected from participants living in e-waste dismantling sites and a reference area in Southern China. The total urinary concentrations of the 11 mPAEs (∑mPAEs) in the e-waste sites (range: 11.1 ng/mL to 3380 ng/mL) were dominated by mono-(2-isobutyl) phthalate and mono-n-butyl phthalate. Participants living in the e-waste sites had significantly higher (p

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in consumer products, which contributes to widespread exposure of humans. OPE diester metabolites in urine have been used as biomarkers of human exposure to these chemicals. Little is known, however, about occurrence and temporal variability in urinary concentrations of OPE metabolites in humans. In this study, 11 OPE metabolites were measured in 213 urine samples collected from 19 volunteers from Albany, New York, United States, at 3-day intervals for five weeks to investigate temporal variability in urinary concentrations. Diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) and bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) were the major OPE metabolites, detected in all urine samples at specific gravity (SG)-adjusted concentrations (geometric mean, GM) of 1060 and 414 pg/mL and creatinine (Cr)-adjusted concentration (GM) of 404 and 156 ng/g, respectively. Inter-day variability in urinary OPE metabolite concentrations in 19 individuals was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The inter-day variability in Cr-adjusted OPE metabolite concentrations (ICC: 0.31–0.67) was lower than those of SG-adjusted (ICC: 0.19–0.71) and unadjusted urinary concentrations (ICC: 0.24–0.74). BDCIPP (ICC: 0.68) and bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP) (ICC: 0.67) concentrations showed a moderate-to-high reliability over the sampling period, whereas the other nine OPE metabolites exhibited a moderate reliability (ICC: 0.31–0.55). Urine samples were further stratified by gender, age, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). The concentrations of BDCIPP and DPHP were significantly lower in males with normal BMI (BMI: 18.5–25 kg/m2) than in females and other BMI categories (p

Microplastics (MPs) have been attracting wide attention. Biochar (BC) application could improve the soil quality in the contaminated soil. Currently, most studies focused on the effect of MPs or BC on the soil properties and microbial community, while they neglected the combined effects. This study investigated the combined effects of BC or ball-milled BC (BM) and polyethylene plastic fragments (PEPFs) and degradable plastic fragments (DPFs) on the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) from the PAH-contaminated soil and the potential microbial ecological mechanisms. The results showed that BC or BM combined with PEPF could accelerate the removal of PAHs and PAEs. PEPF combined with BM had the most significant effect on the removal of PAHs. Our results indicating two potential possible reasons contribute to increasing the removal of organic pollutants: (1) the high sorption rate on the PEPF and BC and (2) the increased PAH-degrader or PAE-degrader abundance for the removal of organic pollutants.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are a series of stable and outstanding flame retardants bringing human exposure risks in indoor environment. However, sampling methods now available for BFRs are solvent-consuming and relatively complicated. This study provides a new option of low-volume air sampling device using cartridges with a sorbent mixture for different types of legacy and novel BFRs. In this study, we found that HC-C18 sorbent is most suitable for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel BFRs (NBFRs) enrichment, and that NH2 for hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). The sorbent mixture was optimized using a complex of HC-C18 and NH2 sorbents with elution recovery of 69.4% ± 7.9–117% ± 10%, pumping-through recovery of 84.5% ± 7.9–127% ± 36%, and breakthrough recovery of 70.8% ± 3.4–118% ± 6% for PBDEs, NBFRs, and HBCDs in indoor air. A sequential elution was also achieved using hexane for PBDEs and NBFRs and ethyl acetate for HBCDs. The method was validated with field sampling at nine student dormitory rooms. For legacy BFRs, all the isomers of HBCDs were detected in the air of nine rooms with the median concentrations of 91, 33, and 25 pg/m3 for (±)α-HBCD, (±)β-HBCD, (±)γ-HBCD, respectively, while PBDEs were hardly detected. In contrast, NBFRs were detected at total concentrations of 15–811 pg/m3. Pentabromotoluene (PBT) was the most frequently detected NBFRs with a median concentration of 4 pg/m3, followed by EHTBB at 56 pg/m3 and HBBZ at 21 pg/m3. For the risk assessment, the total hazard index value for air inhalation of BFRs was estimated at 6.1⎓10−4–0.35, which are consistently lower than 1, indicating no immediate health risk, while their long-term effects remain worth concerns.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in consumer and industrial products. Human exposure to OPEs raises concerns due to their endocrine disruptive potentials. Till now, the effects of OPEs on thyroid hormones (THs) and the mediating role of oxidative stress in pregnant women have not been studied. In this study, prenatal urinary concentrations of OPE metabolites (mOPEs), levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and oxidative stress levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in pregnant women (n = 360) from a coastal urbanized region and moderate socioeconomic status. Neonatal TSH in heel blood was also measured in newborns (n = 309). Dibutyl phosphate (DBP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) were extensively detected with a median creatinine-adjusted level of 0.19 μg/g and 0.66 μg/g, respectively, and the median of ∑mOPEs was 1.82 μg/g. DBP and DPHP were included in the analysis. The concentrations of DBP and DPHP were positively associated with either maternal or neonatal TSH levels, while not for maternal FT3 and FT4 levels. Positive associations for maternal and neonatal TSH were particularly observed in girls as stratified by newborn sex suggesting a sex-selective difference. Furthermore, 8-OHdG, the biomarker of DNA damage, was found to be a major mediator (>60%) for the association between neonatal TSH and DPHP, suggesting that DNA damage is involved in fetal thyroid function disruption. On the other hand, MDA showed a partially suppressing effect (

Artificial sweeteners are used as sugar substitutes in our daily lives yet consumption and release patterns are currently unknown in Australia. The spatial distribution of artificial sweetener consumption and WWTP effluent emission in Australia was estimated by wastewater analysis. Wastewater influent and effluent samples were collected from 69 WWTPs across Australia during the week of the 2016 Australian census. Mean population-weighted per capita loads for individual artificial sweeteners (cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame, sucralose, saccharin) ranged from 0.12 ± 0.14 mg d−1p−1 for aspartame to 6.9 ± 2.8 mg d−1p−1 for acesulfame with 1004 kg of these artificial sweeteners being consumed daily in Australia. Significant removal of aspartame (100%), cyclamate (92 ± 18%) and saccharin (88 ± 21%) was observed during wastewater treatment. The average per capita release to the environment for individual artificial sweeteners (cyclamate, acesulfame, sucralose, saccharin) ranged from 230 ± 780 mg d−1 1000p−1 (cyclamate) to 3800 ± 1400 mg d−1 1000p−1 (sucralose). The daily release of artificial sweeteners from Australian WWTPs was estimated to be 142 kg suggesting that 14% of the artificial sweeteners consumed in Australia are released into the environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first wastewater study to estimate the occurrence and population-normalized artificial sweetener consumption and emission in Australia.

Plant foliar uptake is an essential part of the overall biogeochemical cycling of semivolatile organic compounds. Chambers were therefore designed to expose wheat to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) via various combinations of exposure routes (i.e., soil, air and particle). Under the simulated scenarios, most of PBDEs in wheat leaves originated from foliar uptake (including gaseous and particle-bound depositions) rather than translocation from root uptake. Our results further revealed that higher brominated PBDEs (h-PBDEs; i.e. hepta- through deca-BDEs) were inclined to enter wheat leaves via particle-bound deposition while gaseous deposition could not be ignored for less-brominated PBDEs (l-PBDEs; i.e., tri- through hexa-BDEs). Sequential extraction of wheat leaf displayed that the transfer velocities of h-PBDEs were lagged behind l-PBDEs during their deposition to leaf cuticle and subsequent erosion to mesophyll, where a large fraction of the target chemicals were ultimately stored (29–93% of total PBDEs burden). Applying McLachlan’s framework to our data suggested that the uptake of PBDEs was controlled primarily by kinetically limited gaseous deposition for l-PBDEs and by particle-bound deposition for h-PBDEs. The combined use of exposure chamber measurement and framework provides a robust tool for interpreting the behaviors of PBDEs between the atmosphere and plant foliage.

To reveal the metabolic characteristic of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in plants, uptake efficiency, subcellular distribution and hydrolysis of OPEs and their hydrolysis metabolites in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated by hydroponic experiments. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP) were prone to transporting to shoots by transpiration stream, with the translocation factors of 6.2 and 21 for TCEP and BCEP, respectively, as greater than 40% of TCEP and BECP were distributed in the cell sap due to their hydrophilicity. Hydrophobic OPEs (i.e. tri-n-butyl phosphate [TnBP] and triphenyl phosphate [TPhP]), and their hydrolysis metabolites (di-n-butyl phosphate [DnBP] and diphenyl phosphate [DPhP]) were stored in roots, resulting in low translocation capacity in wheat. As organophosphate diesters with relatively high proportions in cell walls (70–84% of DnBP and 41–43% of DPhP) are difficult to being transmembrane transported due to electrical repulsion of the cytomembrane, it is supposed that cell walls could be a main location for in vivo hydrolysis of OPEs. For DnBP, absorption by roots after in vitro hydrolysis of TnBP in hydroponic media was also an important source in wheat. Inhibition experiments showed that it is usually a non-energy-consuming process for root uptake of OPEs and their hydrolysis metabolites. The uptake of OPEs (i.e. TCEP, TnBP, and TPhP) and DPhP were facilitated diffusion mediated by aquaporins or anion channels, while uptake of BCEP and DnBP were simple diffusion processes. This study illustrated the distribution characteristics and translocation capacity of OPEs and their diester metabolites at the subcellular level. Keywords: Organophosphate esters (OPEs), Metabolism, Diesters, Subcellular distribution, Uptake pathways

In recent years, the occurrence of novel per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) such as polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonates (PFAESs) in human samples have aroused attention due to the change in PFASs production profile, however, the data are still lacking. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have examined the associations of PFAS exposure with glucose homeostasis, but with inconsistent results. Therefore, in this study, fasting serum samples from 252 participants with an age range from 19 to 87 years old were collected in Tianjin, China. A total of 21 target PFASs were determined to analyze the levels and distribution of novel and legacy PFASs in serum and to further evaluate the cross-sectional associations of serum PFAS concentrations with two glycemic biomarkers (i.e., fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)). 6:2 chlorinated PFAES (6:2 Cl-PFAES) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) were widely detected novel PFASs (greater than90%) with relatively high median concentrations (8.64 ng/mL and 8.46 ng/mL, respectively), which were second only to the two dominant legacy PFASs, i.e., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 14.83 ng/mL) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (14.24 ng/mL). The percentage contributions to the total known PFASs were separately 17.6% and 17.2% for 6:2 Cl-PFAES and TFA. The levels of 6:2 Cl-PFAES were significantly correlated with age and BMI, and the concentrations of TFA were also significantly correlated with age. Furthermore, 1% increase in serum PFOA and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was separately significantly associated with 0.018% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004%, 0.033%] and 0.022% (95% CI: 0.007%, 0.037%) increment in fasting glucose levels. Similarly, 1% increase in serum perfluorohexanoic acid, PFNA, and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid was significantly associated with 0.030% (95% CI: 0.010%, 0.051%), 0.018% (95% CI: 0.003%, 0.033%), 0.007% (95% CI: 0.003%, 0.011%) increment in HbA1c levels, respectively. These findings suggested that 6:2 Cl-PFAES and TFA showed greater contributions to PFASs in serum and supported an association of exposure to PFASs with fasting glucose and HbA1c. Keywords: PFASs, 6:2 Cl-PFAES, Fasting glucose, HbA1c, Glycemic biomarker

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are one important category of additives in plastics, which are ubiquitous products of e-waste recycling areas, where PAEs are released to the environment intensively and higher exposure level is expected for the employees. This study investigated human exposure levels of PAEs in an e-waste recycling area (Ziya Circular Economy Park (ZCEP) in Tianjin, China) with intending to explore the impacts of residence spatial variation and dismantling manipulation mode. We collected 157 urine samples from three sites around ZCEP with different distances from the core dismantling site and urinary phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) concentrations were measured and were compared among these three sites. The exposure levels of PAEs exhibited spatial variation according to the distance from the core dismantling site, and urinary median ∑mPAEs concentrations (389 ng/mL) of the employees in ZCEP were significantly higher than those of residents in Ziya town (285 ng/mL) and the downtown of Jinghai district (207 ng/mL) (p 0.05). Besides, there was no correlation between exposure levels of different PAEs and their physicochemical parameters like the logKow (p > 0.05). Keywords: Occupational exposure, Phthalic acid esters, E-waste recycling area, Dismantling manipulation modes

It is important to note that 2-Amino-3-methylimidazole[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) is one of the most common heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which is a class of mutagenic/carcinogenic harmful compounds mainly found in high-protein thermal processed foods and contaminated environments. However, the pre-carcinogenic toxicity of IQ to the liver and its mechanism are poorly understood, further research is needed. In light of this, we exposed zebrafish to IQ (0, 8, 80, and 800 ng/mL) for 35 days, followed by comprehensive experimental studies. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis showed that hepatocytes were damaged. TUNEL results showed that IQ induced apoptosis of liver cells, the expression of apoptosis factor gene was significantly increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased. In addition, upregulated expression of the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related factors transcription levels were elevated obviously, suggesting that IQ induced ERS. Decreased protein expression of autophagy-related 5 (Atg5)-Atg12, Beclin1, and LC3-II, increased protein expression of p62, and autophagy-related factors transcription levels were significantly decreased, suggesting that IQ inhibited autophagy. Overall, our research showed that the potential harm of IQ to the liver before the occurrence of liver cancer was related to ERS and its mediated autophagy and apoptosis pathways.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are emerging pesticides of concern due to their potential toxicity to non-target species (e.g., bees, fish and birds). China is an important producer and user of NEOs in the world. Studies on human exposure to NEOs in China are very limited. In this study, urinary levels of six NEOs, namely acetamiprid (ACE), clothianidin (CLO), dinotefuran (DIN), imidacloprid (IMI), thiacloprid (THD), and thiamethoxam (THM) were determined in 324 individuals from 13 cities in China. Across all sampling locations, total NEO concentrations (ΣNEOs; sum of six NEOs) were dominated by CLO (median: 0.24 ng/mL), IMI (0.21 ng/mL), THM (0.15 ng/mL) and DIN (0.14 ng/mL) collectively accounting for 98% of the concentrations. Urinary concentrations of each NEO varied depending on the sampling location with the median values ranged from 0.057 to 1.2 ng/mL for CLO, from 0.036 to 0.83 ng/mL for DIN, from 0.069 to 3.2 ng/mL for IMI, and from 0.062 to 0.45 ng/mL for THM. Sex-related differences in IMI, ACE and ΣNEOs concentrations were observed with males presenting significantly higher urinary levels than did females. All six NEOs were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.135 to 0.661, p

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered to be the primary cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Paclitaxel (PTX), either as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs, is an alternative therapy for advanced NSCLC. However, cancer cell resistance against PTX represents a major clinical problem. This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of miR-4262 in PTX-resistant NSCLC. The levels of miR-4262 were analysed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatics were used to explore the potential target gene of miR-4262. Regulation of miR-4262 and PTEN expressions in NSCLC was conducted by transfection. PTX-resistant A549 and H1299 cells were established by stepwise screening through increasing the PTX concentration in the cultures. In vivo, tumorigenesis experiments were used to explore the effects of miR-4262 and PTX. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell migration were detected using a CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Transwell migration assay, respectively. PI3 K/Akt pathway-related proteins were detected by western blot. miR-4262 expression was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and miR-4262 targeted PTEN. In addition, miR-4262 induced PTX chemoresistance by promoting survival and migration in A549/PTX and H1299/PTX cells. Moreover, miR-4262 expression and PI3 K/Akt signalling pathway-related proteins were upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in A549/PTX and H1299/PTX. Our results indicate that miR-4262 enhances PTX resistance in NSCLC cells through targeting PTEN and activating the PI3 K/Akt signalling pathway. The inhibition of miR-4262 expression might be an improved treatment to overcome PTX resistance in NSCLC.

Mixed micro- and nanoscale structures are gaining popularity in various fields due to their rapid advances in patterning. An investigation in stamp resist filling with multiscale cavities via ultraviolet (UV) nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) is necessary to improve stamp design. Here, simulations at the level of individual features were conducted to explain different filling behaviors of micro- and nanoscale line patterns. There were noticeable interactions between the micro-/nanoscale cavities. These delayed the resist filling process. Several chip-scale simulations were performed using test patterns with different micro/nano ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. There were some minor influences that changed the micro/nano ratios on overall imprint qualities. During the imprinting process, the pressure difference at the boundary between micro- and nanoscale patterns became obvious, with a value of 0.04 MPa. There was a thicker residual layer and worse cavity filling when the proportion of nanoscale structures increased.

High aspect ratio three-dimensional micro- and nanopatterns have important applications in diverse fields. However, fabricating these structures by a nanoimprinting method invites problems like collapse, dislocation, and defects. Finite-element analysis (FEA) is a good approach to help understand the filling process and stress distribution. The FEA method was employed to simulate the nanoimprinting process using positive and negative molds with aspect ratios of 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 7:1. During the filling process, the resist adjacent to boundaries has the maximum displacement. The corners of contact areas between the protruding part of the mold and the resist has the maximum Von Mises stress. For both positive and negative molds, the maximum stress in the mold increases with aspect ratio. However, filling up negative molds is more difficult than positive ones. With the same aspect ratio, the maximum stress in a negative mold is approximately twice as large as that in a positive one.