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Triclosan (TCS), a widely used antimicrobial biocide, has raised serious concern among the scientific community in recent years owing to its ubiquitous presence around the globe and toxicity to aquatic organisms. The current study investigated the alterations in bacterial diversity, nutrients, and sediment enzyme activity in TCS-exposed sediment. TCS concentrations of 3 mg/L (T1) and 6 mg/L (T2) were applied in a microcosm setup for 28 days to sediment collected from Versova Creek, Mumbai. Among sediment enzymes, dehydrogenase activity exhibited the greatest degree of variability in 3 mg/L exposed sediment. Nitrite, total nitrogen and urease exhibited higher concentrations in 6 mg/L TCS exposed sediment. The concentration of ammonia was observed to be decreasing in treatments exposed to 6 mg/L TCS. Total heterotrophic bacteria exhibited an increase in count in T1 and a decrease in T2. Metagenomics data showed a higher relative abundance of bacteria in T1 compared to T2 on the 28th day of sampling. Proteobacteria was found to be the most abundant phylum in all samples, and their relative abundance was reduced by 0.14% in T1 and 5.48% in T2. The results confirm the alterations in the composition of sediment bacterial communities and their enzymatic activities due to TCS exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan, like many other aromatic halides, plays an important role industrially and inevitably ends up in the environment. Chemical treatments have effectively mitigated the presence of such chemicals, through using harsh oxidizing treatments, which are not without issues. A milder and greener alternative, such as an electrochemical method, is needed for the mitigation of compounds, such as triclosan. Herein, we evaluated triclosan treatment via electrochemical cycling and compared it to a traditional chemical oxidative process. Cyclic voltammetry was carried out using a three-electrode cell containing glassy carbon, silver wire, and platinum wire in organic solvent. Electrochemical cycling revealed 6 × greater triclosan conversion compared to traditional chemical oxidation reaction, as monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy. In terms of reaction product selectivity, the chemical and electrochemical reactions yielded the oxidized triclosan and an ether cleavage product, dichlorophenol, as determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Of note, the chemical oxidation yielded the chlorinated re-dimerization side product, which was not observed during electrochemical cycling, which is beneficial, as such products have to be degraded again. Overall, our findings indicate that electrochemical methods offer significant advantages over traditional organic methods, such as product selectivity, relative conversion, and greener operation. In addition, electrochemical approaches offer tunability, such as electrode material, electrolyte, solvent, potential, or current applied, all of which may be integrated into a more efficient environmental application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal compound that is frequently found in personal care and consumer products, and its its impact on male reproductive health is a growing concern. Despite existing experimental studies demonstrating its potential threats to male fertility, reports on its effects on human semen quality remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the relationship between triclosan exposure and semen quality. Methods: This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024524192) and adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Results: The study analyzed 562 screened studies, out of which five articles including 1,312 male subjects were finally included in the study. The eligible studies were geographically diverse, with three from China, one from Belgium, and one from Poland. More so, the eligible studies were both case-control and cross-sectional. The meta-analysis revealed that triclosan exposure significantly reduced sperm concentration (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) -0.42 [95% CI: -0.75, -0.10], P = 0.01) and sperm total motility (SMD -1.30 [95% CI: -2.26, -0.34], P = 0.008). Mechanistic insights from animal and in vitro studies showed that oxidative stress may mediate the adverse effects of triclosan on semen quality. Discussion: This meta-analysis is the first comprehensive evaluation of the impact of triclosan on human semen quality, highlighting its potential to impair male fertility through reductions in sperm concentration and motility. However, the high heterogeneity among the included studies underscores the need for further high-quality research to establish more definitive conclusions regarding the effects of triclosan exposure on human reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the degradation of six different types of absorbable surgical threads commonly used in clinical practice, focusing on their response to exposure to physiological fluids. The threads were subjected to hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation in physiological saline, bile, and pancreatic juice. Our findings demonstrate that bile and pancreatic juice, particularly when contaminated with bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterococcus faecalis, significantly accelerate the degradation process. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile strength testing, we observed distinct differences in the chemical structure and mechanical integrity of the sutures. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the FTIR spectra revealed that PDS threads exhibited the highest resistance to degradation, maintaining their mechanical properties for a longer duration compared with Monocryl and Vicryl. These results highlight the critical role of thread selection in gastrointestinal surgeries, where prolonged exposure to bile and pancreatic juice can compromise the suture integrity and lead to postoperative complications. The insights gained from this study will contribute to improving the selection and application of absorbable threads in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution has quadrupled over the past years and has become a global concern due to its direct impact on life forms. The present study analysed whether the plastic debris in aquatic environments could act as the substratum for the antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria to form biofilm for survival. We have collected various plastic debris (n = 32) from six sites of the Periyar River, the drinking water source for the entire city and one of the most polluted rivers in Kerala (India). The chemical composition of plastics was screened via FTIR analysis and found that they comprised two types, viz., polyethylene and polypropylene. Bacteria isolated from the samples were screened for the AMR characteristics towards eight different classes of antibiotics. All isolates showed 100% resistance towards colistin and obtained the MAR index value of 0.1–0.4 range. Six representative bacterial isolates with high multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index were selected and identified by 16sRNA sequencing as Lysinibacillus mangiferihumi, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus safensis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus altitudins and Bacillus pumilus. In vitro biofilm formation was experimented on the purchased plastic samples in artificial media and river water using two selected strains, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus cereus. Significant variations were observed in biofilm growth in different media (P < 0.05) regardless of plastic types (P > 0.05). The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the characteristic holes on the surface morphology were visualized in SEM analysis, thus indicating the conditioning of the plastics by the isolates for biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as benzene phenolic derivatives being hydrophobic partition to organic matter in sludge/soil sediments and show slow degradation rate owing to poor bioavailability to microbes. Methods: In the present study, the potential of a versatile white rot fungal isolate S5 identified as Hypocrea lixii was monitored to degrade bisphenol A (BPA)/triclosan (TCS) under shake flask conditions with concomitant production of lipopeptide biosurfactant (BS) and plant growth promotion. Results: Sufficient growth of WRF for 5 days before supplementation of 50 ppm EDC (BPA/TCS) in set B showed an increase in degradation rates by 23% and 29% with corresponding increase in secretion of lignin-modifying enzymes compared to set A wherein almost 84% and 97% inhibition in fungal growth was observed when BPA/TCS were added at time of fungal inoculation. Further in set B, EDC concentration stimulated expression of laccase and lignin peroxidase (Lip) with 24.44 U/L of laccase and 281.69 U/L of Lip in 100 ppm BPA and 344 U/L Lip in 50 ppm TCS supplemented medium compared to their respective controls (without EDC). Biodegradation was also found to be correlated with lowering of surface tension from 57.02 mN/m (uninoculated control) to 44.16 mN/m in case of BPA and 38.49 mN/m in TCS, indicative of biosurfactant (BS) production. FTIR, GC-MS, and LC-ESI/MSMS confirmed the presence of surfactin lipopeptide isoforms. The WRF also displayed positive plant growth promoting traits as production of ammonia, indole acetic acid, siderophores, Zn solubilization, and 1-1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, reflecting its soil restoration ability. Discussion: The combined traits of biosurfactant production, EDC degradation and plant growth promotion displayed by WRF will help in emulsifying the hydrophobic pollutants favoring their fast degradation along with restoration of contaminated soil in natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS), a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon, is a highly persistent personal care product (PCP) with a varying concentration range, i.e. ng*L−1 − μg*L−1 in environmental matrices. TCS exhibits lethal effects on the environmental ecosystem and human health due to its antimicrobial resistance, carcinogenic effects, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and endocrine disruptive activities. Since the sudden occurrence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the worldwide production rate of TCS is very high because of the large requirement for disinfection, which may have led to its elevated concentration. Thus, the monitoring and regulation of TCS are of utmost importance from the perspective of its potential damage. The current review article deliberates on its persistence in aqueous and solid systems as well as its toxicological impact on algal, vertebrate, and invertebrate systems. The advanced monitoring techniques for detection up to nanogram levels, such as chromatographic techniques, electrochemical, optical, and electrophoresis methods, etc., have been discussed. The negative impacts of TCS on the environment raised a great concern about developing waste water treatment methods because of the inefficacy of conventional methods. The review also focuses on the removal and remediation techniques so as to develop better research directions for phasing out TCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to identify a new pharmacological lead which should be more potent than the established drug pyrazinamide, a molecular hybridization technique was applied to fuse two pharmacophore moieties: pyrazine‐2‐carbohydrazide (1) and diphenyl ether/piperazinyl derivative (2), to isolate a new series of hybrid molecules. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro for their antibacterial and antimycobacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus and Mycobacterium TB H37Rv strains. In comparison to the reference medication (pyrazinamide) these compounds exhibited moderate antitubercular and antibacterial action, with a MIC value of 15.625–125 µg/mL. All the synthesized molecules were characterized through IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. Docking studies were carried out in order to have better understanding related to protein and ligand receptor interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS), an emerging pollutant, is a notable contributor to adverse impacts on aquatic organisms due to its widespread use during COVID-19 and hydrophobic properties. There is extensive documented literature on TCS toxicity in commercially important fish species; however, studies on aquatic plants remain limited. In this prelude, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of TCS on Lemna minor, a commercially important aquatic plant species for 7 days. The results showed dose-dependent significant alterations in growth, pigments and stress enzymes of L. minor at varied concentrations of TCS (1 to 8 mg L−1). Median inhibitory concentration (IC50) was found to be 4.813 mg L−1. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels decreased 73.11 and 81.83%, respectively after 7 days of TCS exposure. A significant increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity was observed in TCS exposed groups as compared to the control. Bioconcentration factor was found to be in the range of 5.855 to 37.129 signifying TCS ability to accumulate and transfer through the food chain. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed deformation in the cell surface and alteration of stroma morphology of TCS exposed groups. Furthermore, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study also revealed that higher concentrations of TCS could cause alteration in the functional groups in the plant. This study demonstrates that TCS negatively impacts the growth and metabolism of primary producers, offering crucial insights into its interactions with aquatic plants and establishing baseline information essential for crafting effective mitigation strategies for TCS contamination in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS) is an anti-microbial widely used in personal care and medical antibacterial products. Despite the widespread occurrence of TCS in municipal sewage sludge, understanding toward the fate of TCS within sewage treatment and environmental risks in the eventual land application is still limited. This review summarizes the TCS loads and transfer mechanisms in the sewage treatment process, sludge management process, land application, and its potential environmental impacts. TCS transfer from sewage to sludge mainly occurs in the primary sedimentation process, representing 2.50 to 4.58 times more compared to the secondary sedimentation process. This transfer is facilitated through adsorption because of the presence of humic acid-like and protein-like substances in sludge. Both anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting contribute to the degradation of TCS with aerobic composting being more effective, exhibiting TCS degradation rates 1.04–2.87 times higher than those observed in anaerobic digestion. After sludge land application, TCS majorly dissipates in the soil through biodegradation by fungi and bacteria, potentially posing environmental risks, such as inhibiting the seedling growth of plant species. Additionally, the degradation of TCS, coupled with the formation and subsequent degradation of MeTCS, is observed, with MeTCS exhibiting a higher half-life and greater toxicity than its parent compound (TCS). Overall, this research offers vital insights to enhance understanding of TCS's migration and degradation processes in sewage treatment and soil. It also provides guidance in environmental protection and sustainable resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can result in alterations of natural hormones in the body. The aim of this review article is to highlight the knowledge about EDCs and obesity. Methods: A scoping review of the electronic literature was performed using PubMed platform for studies on EDCs and obesity published between the years 2013–2023. A total of 10 systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies met our inclusion criteria on more prominent EDCs focusing mainly on bisphenols, including parabens, triclosan, and phthalates, and their association with obesity. Design: Scoping review. Results: EDCs, mostly bisphenols and phthalates, are related to health effects, while there is less information on the impact of parabens and triclosan. A series of negative physiological effects involving obesogenic, diabetogenic, carcinogenic, and inflammatory mechanisms as well as epigenetic and microbiota modulations was related to a prolonged EDCs exposure. A more profound research of particular pollutants is required to illuminate the accelerating effects of particular EDCs, mixtures or their metabolites on the mechanism of the development of obesity. Conclusion: Considering the characteristics of EDCs and the heterogeneity of studies, it is necessary to design specific studies of effect tracking and, in particular, education about daily preventive exposure to EDCs for the preservation of long-term public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine disruptors are molecules that can interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and lead to harmful effects in living organisms. This review focuses on the impact of synthetic fragrances, which are commonly found in personal care and household products, on the endocrine system. The article discusses the different types of hormones in the body and how they interact with receptors to produce signals. It also explores how endocrine disruptors can interfere with hormone signaling and transport, leading to adverse effects in the body. This work underscores the crucial need for further research into the impact of synthetic fragrances on the endocrine system and the importance of using safer alternatives in personal care and household products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrete water samples represent a snapshot of conditions at a particular moment in time and may not represent a true chemical exposure caused by changes in chemical input, tide, flow, and precipitation. Sampling technologies have been engineered to better estimate time‐weighted concentrations. In this study, we consider the utility of three integrative sampling platforms: polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS), silicone bands (SBs), and continuous, low‐level aquatic monitoring (CLAM). This experiment used simulated southeastern salt marsh mesocosm systems to evaluate the response of passive (POCIS, SBs) and active sampling (CLAM) devices along with discrete sampling methodologies. Three systems were assigned to each passive sampler technology. Initially, all tanks were dosed at nominal (low) bifenthrin, pyrene, and triclosan concentrations of 0.02, 2.2, and 100 µg/L, respectively. After 28 days, the same treatment systems were dosed a second time (high) with bifenthrin, pyrene, and triclosan at 0.08, 8.8, and 200 µg/L, respectively. For passive samplers, estimated water concentrations were calculated using published or laboratory‐derived sampling rate constants. Chemical residues measured from SBs resulted in high/low ratios of approximately 2x, approximately 3x, and 1x for bifenthrin, pyrene, and triclosan. A similar pattern was calculated using data from POCIS samples (~4x, ~3x, ~1x). Results from this study will help users of CLAM, POCIS, and SB data to better evaluate water concentrations from sampling events that are integrated across time. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1384–1395. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: Integrative passive samplers can be an important tool in coastal chemical pollutant monitoring programs, but salt content in marine and estuarine systems can pose a challenge when estimating time‐weighted average concentrations.Remote sampling systems that track the total volume extracted, such as the continuous low‐level aquatic monitoring (CLAM) unit, may be appropriate for monitoring in remote areas and generating integrated chemical concentrations.Passive sampler devices require sampling rate constants (Rs and KPW) that are sensitive to environmental factors such as salinity. There is a general lack of reported constants measured under saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium are opportunistic pathogens commonly found in the microbiota of humans and other animals as well as in the environment. This article presents the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing using phenotypic methods (broth microdilution and standardized disk diffusion) on selected clinical, food, and wastewater isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium. The isolates were divided into subgroups based on their sensitivity to the following antibiotics: vancomycin (VAN) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), and biocides triclosan (TCL) and chlorhexidine (CHX). The study also investigated in vitro virulence factors, including biofilm formation ability, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and β-hemolysis, to explore aspects of pathogenesis. In our study, regardless of the isolation source, VAN-resistant (VAN-R) and CIP-resistant (CIP-R) E. faecalis and E. faecium were detected. The highest proportion of CIP-R strains was found among clinical isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium, with clinical E. faecium also showing the highest proportion of VAN-R strains. But the highest proportion of VAN-R E. faecalis strains was found in wastewater samples. The highest TCL MIC90 values for E. faecalis were found in wastewater isolates, while for E. faecium, the highest TCL MIC90 values were observed in food isolates. The highest CHX MIC90 values for both E. faecalis and E. faecium were identified in clinical specimens. The results obtained for E. faecalis did not indicate differences in TCL MIC and CHX MIC values with respect to sensitivity to VAN and CIP. Higher CHX MIC50 and CHX MIC90 values were obtained for CIP-R and VAN-R E. faecium. Among the tested isolates, 97.75% of the E. faecalis isolates produced biofilm, while 72.22% of the E. faecium isolates did so as well. In biofilm-forming strength categories III and IV, statistically significantly higher proportions of CIP-susceptible (CIP-S) and VAN-susceptible (VAN-S) E. faecalis were determined. In category III, there is no statistically significant difference in E. faecium CIP sensitivity. In category IV, we had a significantly higher proportion of CIP-R strains. On the other hand, the association between the moderate or strong category of biofilm formation and E. faecium VAN susceptibility was not significant. E. faecalis isolated from wastewater had a CSH index (HI) ≥ 50%, categorizing them as "moderate", while all the other strains were categorized as "low" based on the CSH index. Among the E. faecalis isolates, cell surface hydrophobicity indices differed significantly across isolation sources. In contrast, E. faecium isolates showed similar hydrophobicity indices across isolation sources, with no significant difference found. Moreover, no correlation was found between the enterococcal cell surface hydrophobicity and biofilm formation in vitro. After anaerobic incubation, β-hemolytic activity was confirmed in 19.10% of the E. faecalis and 3.33% of the E. faecium strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at monitoring the occurrence and potential sources of emerging contaminants in water sources within the Modder River catchment. Selected water quality indicators were analysed by Hanna multi-parameter meters. Emerging contaminants such as acetaminophen, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, terbuthylazine, 17-alpha-ethinyl-estradiol, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The sources of emerging contaminants were determined by statistical methods such as Pearson correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results showed that all the sampled water sources have some level of questionable drinking water quality and necessitate some amount of treatment to reduce the contamination before consumption, especially DO, EC, and pH. The 17-alpha-ethinyl-estradiol mean values in rivers (7.79 and 31.55 µg/L), dams (1.83 and 6.90 µg/L), and treated drinking water (0.2 and 0.73 µg/L) were the highest in summer and autumn seasons, respectively. Wastewater effluents, domestic sewage, urban surface runoff, agricultural runoff, and illegal dumping were identified as the possible sources of emerging contaminants pollution. Waste management education, proper application of herbicides, and advance wastewater treatment methods were some of the suggested mitigation strategies. The outcomes may be relevant for environmental protection and water sustainability in the catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can result in alterations of natural hormones in the body. The aim of this review article is to highlight the knowledge about EDCs and obesity. Methods A scoping review of the electronic literature was performed using PubMed platform for studies on EDCs and obesity published between the years 2013–2023. A total of 10 systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies met our inclusion criteria on more prominent EDCs focusing mainly on bisphenols, including parabens, triclosan, and phthalates, and their association with obesity. Design Scoping review. Results EDCs, mostly bisphenols and phthalates, are related to health effects, while there is less information on the impact of parabens and triclosan. A series of negative physiological effects involving obesogenic, diabetogenic, carcinogenic, and inflammatory mechanisms as well as epigenetic and microbiota modulations was related to a prolonged EDCs exposure. A more profound research of particular pollutants is required to illuminate the accelerating effects of particular EDCs, mixtures or their metabolites on the mechanism of the development of obesity. Conclusion Considering the characteristics of EDCs and the heterogeneity of studies, it is necessary to design specific studies of effect tracking and, in particular, education about daily preventive exposure to EDCs for the preservation of long-term public health.

The compounds in pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) that may be potential environmental pollutants include metformin and triclosan. The suitable method to estimate the presence of metformin (MET) and triclosan (TRI) in wastewater treatment facilities is developed and validated in this research study. This study aimed to quantify the MET and TRI in sewage through a liquid chromatograph – mass spectrometer (LC-MS 8040) by a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) technique of sample preparation. In LC-MS 8040, the Milli-Q water and sewage were examined at three different concentrations (0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 mg L−1) of MET and TRI. The recoveries of MET in both the matrixes ranged between 88.10 to 116.10% whereas the recoveries were ranged from 86.70 to 116.30% for TRI (n = 7, RSD <10%). The respective limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for MET and TRI were 0.005 and 0.01 mg L−1. With the matrix effect of < 10% in sewage, the approach was shown to be very linear (R2 = 0.9969 for MET and R2 = 0.9939 for TRI) and reliable. The precision was also exemplary with the RSD value of < 10% (n = 6). This method accurately assessed MET (BDL to 0.0657 mg L−1) and TRI (BDL to 0.1833 mg L−1) concentrations in sewage samples of Ukkadam sewage treatment plant (USTP) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University treatment plant (TSTP). This is a unique use of the QuEChERS method for calculating these two compounds from aqueous matrixes with substantially greater outputs (20–25 samples per day) than typical Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial agents like triclosan (TCS, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) and triclocarban (TCC, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea are commonly found in everyday household and personal care products. Both compounds are widely distributed in the environment, acting as potential sources of contamination to ecological safety and human health problems such as algal growth-inhibiting effects; bioaccumulation in algae; endocrine-disrupting effects; development of microbial resistance, and formation of toxic degradable products. Environmentalists are increasingly concerned about the emergence of these micro-organic pollutants in the environment. This review paper focuses on the current state of knowledge, occurrence, effects, detection, and removal techniques for triclosan and triclocarban in the environment. People are exposed to these antibacterial agents when transported from wastewater treatment plants, air, dust, household products, and personal care products. These exposures lead to bioaccumulation in human tissue and biomagnification in the food chain. Surveys have revealed that TCC and TCS under sunlight formed toxic and persistent constituents like chlorinated phenols, methyl triclosan (MTCS), and biphenyl ethers. Different analytical approaches have been used to detect and degrade these compounds to ensure their complete removal in the environment but are found inadequate to effectively eliminate TCS and TCC. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have shown to be promising in successfully breaking down TCS and TCC, considering material and energy consumption and emission of carbon (IV) oxide. Therefore, robust strategies such as electrochemical and nanomaterial methods should be implemented to determine and sequester TCS and TCC in the environment. Furthermore, regulatory bodies and environmental experts should be concerned about the fate and nanocatalyst photodegradation of triclosan and triclocarban in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are commonly found with hydrophobic contaminants in the water column and pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms. The effects of polystyrene microplastics of different particle sizes on the accumulation of triclosan in the gut of Xenopus tropicalis , its toxic effects, and the transmission of resistance genes were evaluated. The results showed that co-exposure to polystyrene (PS-MPs) adsorbed with triclosan (TCS) caused the accumulation of triclosan in the intestine with the following accumulation capacity: TCS + 5 µm PS group > TCS group > TCS + 20 µm PS group > TCS + 0.1 µm PS group. All experimental groups showed increased intestinal inflammation and antioxidant enzyme activity after 28 days of exposure to PS-MPs and TCS of different particle sizes. The TCS + 20 µm PS group exhibited the highest upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL- 10, IL -1β). The TCS + 20 µm group showed the highest increase in enzyme activity compared to the control group. PS-MPs and TCS, either alone or together, altered the composition of the intestinal microbial community. In addition, the presence of more antibiotic resistance genes than triclosan resistance genes significantly increased the expression of tetracycline resistance and sulfonamide resistance genes, which may be associated with the development of intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress. This study refines the aquatic ecotoxicity assessment of TCS adsorbed by MPs and provides informative information for the management and control of microplastics and non-antibiotic bacterial inhibitors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine disruptors are molecules that can interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and lead to harmful effects in living organisms. This review focuses on the impact of synthetic fragrances, which are commonly found in personal care and household products, on the endocrine system. The article discusses the different types of hormones in the body and how they interact with receptors to produce signals. It also explores how endocrine disruptors can interfere with hormone signaling and transport, leading to adverse effects in the body. This work underscores the crucial need for further research into the impact of synthetic fragrances on the endocrine system and the importance of using safer alternatives in personal care and household products.

This study investigated the sanitary quality of digestates resulting from the mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) of urban and agricultural organic wastes (OWs). 40 sanitary indicators, including pathogenic bacteria, antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factor genes, and mobile genetic elements were evaluated using real-time PCR and/or droplet digital PCR. 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 13 pharmaceutical products (PHPs) were also measured. We assessed agricultural OWs from three treatment plants to study the effect of different AD processes (feeding mode, number of stages, pH), and used three laboratory-scale reactors to study the effect of different feedsupplies (inputs). The lab-scale reactors included: Lab1 fed with 97% activated sludge (urban waste) and 3% cow manure; Lab2 fed with 85% sludge-manure mixture supplemented with 15% wheat straw (WS); and Lab3 fed with 81% sludgemanure mixture, 15% WS, and 4% zeolite powder. Activated sludge favored the survival of the food-borne pathogens Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus, carrying the toxin-encoding genes cpe and ces, respectively. Globally, the reactors fed with fecal matter supplemented with straw (Lab2) or with straw and zeolite (Lab3) had a higher hygienization efficiency than the reactor fed uniquely with fecal matter (Lab1). Three pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex), a beta-lactam resistance gene (blaTEM), and three mobile genetic elements (intI1, intI2, and IS26) were significantly decreased in Lab2 and Lab3. Moreover, the concentrations of 11 PAHs and 11 PHPs were significantly lower in Lab2 and Lab3 samples than in Lab1 samples. The high concentrations of micropollutants, such as triclosan, found in Lab1, could explain the lower hygienization efficiency of this reactor. Furthermore, the batch-fed reactor had a more efficient hygienization effect than the semi-continuous reactors, with complete removal of the ybtA gene, which is involved in the production of the siderophore yersiniabactin, and significant reduction of intI2 and tetO. These data suggest that it is essential to control the level of chemical pollutants in raw OWs to optimize the sanitary quality of digestates, and that adding co-substrate, such as WS, may overcome the harmful effect of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical-assisted microbial degradation technology was considered a crucial strategy to reduce micropollutants, but the mechanism of the pulsed electric field (PEF) in affecting biodegradation had not been systematically studied. This study aimed to construct a bio-electrochemical system (BES) using PEF to investigate its effect on the degradation of triclosan (TCS) by the aerobic bacterium Bacillus sp. DL4. The operating optimal parameters for the BES (i.e. 0.01 A of the pulsed current, 1000 Hz of the pulse frequency, Fe (+)–C (−) of the plate materials, 4 cm of the plate spacing) were obtained by batch experiments. The maximum biomass (OD600 = 1.0 ± 0.05) was achieved and the removal efficiency of TCS reached above 95% in 24 h under the obtained operating conditions. Meanwhile, a thorough and methodical investigation of the metabolites in strain DL4 stimulated by PEF using untargeted Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). In multivariate analysis, the experimental groups showed a notable separation in Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Analysis discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) score plots. A total of 3181 differential metabolites were obtained, and the up-regulated metabolites were mainly related to 'Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis', 'Arginine and proline metabolism', 'Lysine degradation', 'ABC transporters', and 'TCA cycle', implying that PEF enhanced the degradation efficiency of TCS by enriching functional genes with transport ability and ion migration ability in cells. This study illuminated how PEF can affect TCS biodegradation and gives insights into the application prospect of electrochemical-assisted biodegradation technology in water environment treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Patent Office Journal recently published a document that highlights several patent applications related to pharmaceutical compositions and treatments. These inventions include topical compositions for haemorrhoid treatment, a curcumin-based formulation for vaginal endometriosis, polymeric nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery, a polyherbal tablet for polycystic ovary syndrome management, herbal granules for antilithiatic effects, processes for synthesizing regorafenib and MBX-4132, mouth dissolving tablets of flurbiprofen, a polyherbal antidiabetic formulation, and a vitamin fortified nutraceutical composition. These inventions aim to provide alternative treatment options for various health conditions. Additionally, the document lists other inventions such as a topical composition for mouth ulcer treatment, a pharmaceutical combination for piles and anal fissures, a stable pharmaceutical composition for lung and pancreatic cancer treatment, small molecules for mycobacterial diseases, a herbal composition for managing nephrotoxicity, a tetrapeptide fragment of liraglutide, an injectable hydrogel for controlled drug release, an antimicrobial composition for prolonged protection, and a formulation for inhibiting bacterial hyaluronidase and disrupting biofilm formation. These inventions aim to improve health outcomes and provide effective treatments for different medical conditions. [Extracted from the article]

Industrial discharge of hazardous organic and synthetic chemicals, such as antibacterials and dyes, poses severe risks to human health and the environment. This study was conducted to address the urgent need for efficient and stable zinc-oxide-based photocatalysts to degrade such pollutants. A novel approach to synthesizing silver-loaded zinc oxide (Ag@Z) catalysts was introduced by using a simple and efficient combination of hydrothermal and precipitation methods. Comprehensive characterization of Ag@Z photocatalysts was performed using XRD, XPS, Raman, UV–vis adsorption, FTIR, and SEM, revealing an enhancement of structural, optical, and morphological properties in comparison to pure zinc oxide. Notably, the 5%Ag@Z catalyst exhibited the highest degradation efficiency among the other synthesized catalysts under UV-C light irradiation, and enhanced the degradation rate of pure zinc oxide (Z) by 1.14 and 1.64 times, for Triclosan (TCS) and Methylene Blue (MB), respectively. the effect of catalyst dose and initial concentration was studied. A mechanism of degradation was proposed after investigating the effect of major reactive species. The 5%Ag@Z catalyst increased the photostability, which is a major problem of zinc oxide due to photocorrosion after reusability. We found that 50% and 74% of energy consumption for the photocatalytic degradation of TCS and MB by 5%Ag@Z, respectively, was saved in compassion with zinc oxide. The remarkable photocatalytic performance and the good recovery rate of Ag@Z photocatalysts demonstrate their high potential for photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] It has been a challenge to prepared polyether block amide (PEBA) fibrous membrane via solution electrospinning. The only few reported methods though involved hazardous solvents and surfactants which were against the principle of green chemistry. In this work, uniform fibrous membrane of PEBA was successfully fabricated by solution electrospinning with a bio-based solvent dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene). To further improve the mechanical strength and adsorption performance of the PEBA membrane, a hierarchical magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPO 4 ·1.2H 2 O, MHP) was synthesized to blend evenly into the PEBA matrix. A Janus MHP/PEBA membrane with one side of hydrophobic surface and the other side of hydrophilic surface was subsequently prepared, which exhibited fast adsorption, high capacity, good selectivity and reusability towards ibuprofen, acetaminophen, carbamazepine and triclosan. In addition, the Janus membrane showed high removal efficiency of the above contaminants in secondary wastewater effluent with good long term stability. It demonstrated that this Janus MHP/PEBA membrane had a good potential in practical wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery and impacts morbidity, mortality and medical costs. This systematic review evaluates whether the use of triclosan-coated sutures for closing the fascia during abdominal surgery reduces the rate of SSI compared to uncoated sutures. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. On February 17, 2024, a literature search was performed in Medline ALL, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on abdominal fascial closure in human adults, comparing triclosan-coated and uncoated sutures, were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Pooled meta-analysis was performed using RevMan. Results: Out of 1523 records, eleven RCTs were included, with a total of 10,234 patients: 5159 in the triclosan-coated group and 5075 in the uncoated group. The incidence of SSI was statistically significantly lower in the triclosan-coated group (14.8% vs. 17.3%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.84 (95% CI [0.75, 0.93], p = 0.001). When polydioxanone was evaluated separately (coated N = 3999, uncoated N = 3900), triclosan-coating reduced SSI; 17.5% vs. 20.1%, OR 0.86 (95% CI [0.77; 0.96], p = 0.008). When polyglactin 910 was evaluated (coated N = 1160, uncoated N = 1175), triclosan-coating reduced the incidence of SSI; 5.4% vs. 7.8%, OR 0.67 (95% CI [0.48; 0.94], p = 0.02). Conclusion: According to the results of this meta-analysis the use of triclosan-coated sutures for fascial closure statistically significantly reduces the incidence of SSI after abdominal surgery with a risk difference of about 2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As bioindicators, freshwater bivalves are crucial for the assessment of the contamination impact on different levels of biological integration. Escherichia coli is used as a bioindicator of water fecal contamination, representing a critical global concern, especially with the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Phylogenetic diversity, pathotypic characterization, and antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolated from freshwater bivalves (Anodonta anatina) were assessed. Samples were collected from the Tua River in Northern Portugal, from two different sites, Chelas and Barcel, representing different degrees of contamination. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method, and characterizations of the phylogenetic groups and pathotypes were assessed by PCR-multiplex and real-time PCR-multiplex, respectively. Results showed that 60% of isolates were characterized as MDR, including resistance to carbapenems, considered the last resort against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Within this study, it was also possible to verify the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile differences between the two sampling sites, with bivalve isolates from the Chelas site showing a higher percentage of antibiotic resistance. Among the E. coli isolates, the highest prevalence (55%) was observed in group B1, followed by group D or E (15%), group A (10%), and group E or Clade I (10%). None of the isolates were classified as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). This work highlights the potential transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through bivalves in the food chain. The 'One Health' approach is crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance, namely in edible freshwater species, emphasizing active surveillance to protect human, animal, and environmental health against the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clothing and textile industries are major contributors to environmental pollution including textile manufacturing through garment production, spinning, weaving, and dyeing. In this context, the sustainability textile industry is a big challenge and contributes to serving a large segment of society. Also, textile wastes could be used as a raw material for added-value products. Herein, in this study, recycling of residues fabric was treated with antimicrobial nanocomposite to reach the best use of exhausts and obtain multifunction products of aesthetic via the technical design of the waste raw materials. Besides, solving the unemployment problem by opening fields for small industry projects capable of producing high-value textile artifacts, especially when treated against microbes, can be applied to home furnishings. The waste fabric was treated via green synthesis nanocomposite based on chitosan and in situ prepared ZnONPs and cross-linked with tannic acid. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized using physicochemical analysis including attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the nanocomposite and treated fabric topographical behavior were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attachment with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and images were processed to evaluate the roughness structure. Additionally, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were performed to ensure the size and stability of the nanocomposite. The obtained results affirmed the green synthesis of nanocomposite with a size around 130 nm, as well as the doped ZnONPs average size of 26 nm and treated waste fabric, performed a promising attraction between nanocomposite and fabric fibers. Moreover, the antimicrobial study observed excellent activity of nanocomposite against bacteria and unicellular fungi as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to public health, and is worsened by the widespread misuse of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan (TCS) in personal care and household products. Leveraging the electrochemical reactivity of TCS's phenolic hydroxyl group, this study investigates the electrochemical behavior of TCS on a Cu-based nano-metal–organic framework (Cu-BTC) surface. The synthesis of Cu-BTC via a room temperature solvent method, with triethylamine as a regulator, ensures uniform nanoparticle formation. The electrochemical properties of Cu-BTC and the signal enhancement mechanism are comprehensively examined. Utilizing the signal amplification effect of Cu-BTC, an electrochemical sensor for TCS detection is developed and optimized using response surface methodology. The resulting method offers a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive detection of TCS, with a linear range of 25–10,000 nM and a detection limit of 25 nM. This research highlights the potential of Cu-BTC as a promising material for electrochemical sensing applications, contributing to advancements in environmental monitoring and public health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound is defined as the damage to biological tissues including skin, mucous membranes and organ tissues. The acute wound heals in less than 4 weeks without complications, while a chronic wound takes longer than 6 weeks to heal. Wound healing occurs in 4 phases, namely, coagulation, inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases. Triclosan and benzalkonium chloride are commonly used as skin disinfectants in wound healing. However, they cause allergic contact dermatitis and antibiotic resistance. Medicinal plants are widely studied due to the limited availability of wound healing agents. The present review included six commonly available medicinal plants in Malaysia such as Aloe barbadensis Miller, Carica papaya Linn., Centella asiatica Linn., Cymbopogon nardus Linn., Ficus benghalensis Linn. and Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. Various search engines and databases were used to obtain the scientific findings, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed Central and Research Gate. The review discussed the possible mechanism of action of medicinal plants and their active constituents in the wound healing process. In addition, their application in nanotechnology and wound dressings was also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with carbon black and ternary oxide (SiO2/TiO2/Nb2O5), denominated SPE/CB/SiTiNb and was developed for the direct detection of triclosan in tap water and mouthwash samples. The morphological characterization and electrochemical behavior of the sensors were performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate the proposed sensor in Britton–Robinson buffer 0.1 mol L−1 and showed a limit detection of 1.23 nmol L−1 in a linear range from 0.025 to 57.01 µmol L−1. Studies with possible interferents were performed demonstrating a significant selectivity of the sensor to the triclosan oxidation reaction. The sensor was applied in tap water and mouthwash real sample analyses, whose recoveries ranged from 93.4 to 98.8%, demonstrating that the sensor shows promise in the detection of triclosan in different matrices allied to high sensitivity, selectivity, low-cost, portability, disposability, and low sample volume, without pre-treatment, per analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the ESKAPE pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an extensively notorious superbug that causes difficult-to-treat infections. Since quorum sensing (QS) directly promotes pseudomonal virulence, targeting QS circuits is a promising approach for disarming phenotypic virulence. Hence, this study scrutinizes the anti-QS, antivirulence, and anti-biofilm potential of citral (CiT; phytochemical) and triclosan (TcN; disinfectant), alone and in combination, against P. aeruginosa PAO1/PA14. The findings confirmed synergism between CiT and TcN and revealed their quorum quenching (QQ) potential. At sub-inhibitory levels, CiT-TcN combination significantly impeded pyocyanin, total bacterial protease, hemolysin, and pyochelin production alongside inhibiting biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, the QQ and antivirulence potential of CiT and TcN was positively correlated by molecular docking studies that predicted strong associations of the drugs with QS receptors of P. aeruginosa. Collectively, the study identifies CiT-TcN as an effective drug combination that harbors QQ, antivirulence, and anti-biofilm prospects against P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Environmental Protection is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] • Mineral-activated perxymonosulfate (PMS) shows dewaterability and triclosan removal. • Iron-rich minerals are more economical than traditional sources of Fe2+. • Rheological test demonstrates that siderite/PMS can promote sludge fragmentation. • Siderite could release Fe2+ more sustainably to persistently produce free radicals. High water and pharmaceutical and care products (PPCPs) bounded in sludge flocs limit its utilization and disposal. The advanced oxidation process of perxymonosulfate (PMS) catalyzed by iron salts has been widely used in sludge conditioning. In this study, two iron-rich minerals pyrite and siderite were proposed to enhance sludge dewatering performance and remove the target contaminant of triclosan (TCS). The permanent release of Fe2+ in the activation of PMS made siderite more effective in enhancing sludge dewater with capillary suction time (CST) diminishing by 60.5 %, specific resistance to filtration (SRF) decreasing by 79.2 %, and bound water content (BWC) dropping from 37.1 % to 2.6 % at siderite/PMS dosages of 0.36/0.20 mmol/g-TSS after 20 min of pretreatment. Pyrite/PMS performed slightly inferior under the same conditions and the corresponding CST and SRF decreased by 51.5 % and 71.8 % while the BWC only declined to 17.8 %. Rheological characterization was employed to elucidate the changes in sludge dewatering performance, with siderite/PMS treated sludge showing a 48.3 % reduction in thixotropy, higher than 28.4 % of pyrite/PMS. Oscillation and creep tests further demonstrated the significantly weakened viscoelastic behavior of the sludge by siderite/PMS pretreatment. For TCS mineralization removal, siderite/PMS achieved a high removal efficiency of 43.9 %, in comparison with 39.9 % for pyrite/PMS. The reduction in the sludge solids phase contributed the most to the TCS removal. Free radical quenching assays and EPR spectroscopy showed that both siderite/PMS and pyrite/PMS produced SO 4 -· and ·OH, with the latter acting as the major radicals. Besides, the dosage of free radicals generated from siderite/PMS exhibited a lower time-dependence, which also allowed it to outperform in destroying EPS matrix, neutralizing the negative Zeta potential of sludge flocs, and mineralizing macromolecular organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut shells' adsorption performance in caffeine and triclosan removal was studied. Peanut shells were analyzed for their chemical composition, morphology, and surface functional groups. Batch adsorption and fixed-bed column experiments were carried out with solutions containing 30 mg/L of caffeine and triclosan. The parameters examined included peanut shell particle size (120–150, 300–600, and 800–2000 µm), adsorbent dose (0.02–60 g/L), contact time (up to 180 min), bed height (4–8 cm), and hydraulic loading rate (2.0 and 4.0 m3/m2-day). After determining the optimal adsorption conditions, kinetics, isotherm, and breakthrough curve models were applied to analyze the experimental data. Peanut shells showed an irregular surface and consisted mainly of polysaccharides (around 70% lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose), with a specific surface area of 1.7 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.005 cm3/g. The highest removal efficiencies for caffeine (85.6 ± 1.4%) and triclosan (89.3 ± 1.5%) were achieved using the smallest particles and 10.0 and 0.1 g/L doses over 180 and 45 min, respectively. Triclosan showed easier removal compared to caffeine due to its higher lipophilic character. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model provided the best fit with the experimental data, suggesting a chemisorption process between caffeine/triclosan and the adsorbent. Equilibrium data were well-described by the Sips model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 3.3 mg/g and 289.3 mg/g for caffeine and triclosan, respectively. In fixed-bed column adsorption tests, particle size significantly influenced efficiency and hydraulic behavior, with 120–150 µm particles exhibiting the highest adsorption capacity for caffeine (0.72 mg/g) and triclosan (143.44 mg/g), albeit with clogging issues. The experimental data also showed good agreement with the Bohart–Adams, Thomas, and Yoon–Nelson models. Therefore, the findings of this study highlight not only the effective capability of peanut shells to remove caffeine and triclosan but also their versatility as a promising option for water treatment and sanitation applications in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial additive in various personal and health care products, has been widely detected in aquatic environment around the world. The present study investigated the impacts of TCS in the gills of the fish, Cyprinus carpio employing histopathological, biochemical, molecular docking and simulation analysis. The 96 h LC50 value of TCS in C. carpio was found to be 0.968 mg/L. Fish were exposed to 1/1000th (1 µg/L), 1/100th (10 µg/L), and 1/10th (100 µg/L) of 96 h LC50 value for a period of 28 days. The histopathological alterations observed in the gills were hypertrophy, hyperplasia, edematous swellings, and fusion of secondary lamellae in TCS exposed groups. The severity of these alterations increased with both the concentration as well as the duration of exposure. The present study revealed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both concentration and duration dependent manner. However, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activity of the metabolic enzymes such as acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was observed in all three exposure concentrations of TCS from 7 to 28 days. The activity of acetylcholinesterase declined significantly (p < 0.05) from 7 to 28 days whereas the content of acetylcholine increased significantly at the end of 28 day. The experimental results were further confirmed by molecular docking and simulation analysis that showed strong binding of TCS with acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The study revealed that long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of TCS can lead to severe physiological and histopathological alterations in the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial biofilms present a significant challenge in treating drug-resistant infections, necessitating the development of innovative nanomedicines. In this study, we introduce triclosan-conjugated, lipase-responsive polymeric micelles designed to exploit biofilm properties and serve as a responsive drug delivery platform. The micelles were created using an amphiphilic block polymer synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) and triclosan-containing cyclic trimethylene carbonate (MTC-Tri). Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-OH) acted as the macro-initiator, resulting in micelles with a PEG shell that facilitated their penetration into bacterial biofilms. An important advantage of our micelles lies in their interaction with local bacterial lipases within biofilms. These lipases triggered rapid micelle degradation, releasing triclosan in a controlled manner. This liberated triclosan effectively eliminated bacteria embedded in the biofilms. Notably, the triclosan-conjugated micelles displayed minimal toxicity to murine fibroblasts, indicating their biocompatibility and safety. This finding emphasizes the potential application of these micelles in combatting drug resistance observed in bacterial biofilms. Our triclosan-conjugated, lipase-responsive polymeric micelles exhibit promising characteristics for addressing drug resistance in bacterial biofilms. By harnessing biofilm properties and implementing a responsive drug delivery system, we seek to provide an effective solution in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus, a severe public health hazard, causesfoodborne diseasesfrom the consumption of contaminated food. Various antimicrobials and disinfectants are used throughout the food chain to reduce microbial contamination or eliminate microorganisms on food contact surfaces. However, little is known about the susceptibility of disinfectants to food pathogens, including S. aureus, which can develop resistance to antimicrobials and cause severe diseases. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of triclosan, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid against 50 S. aureus isolates, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates originating from ground beef, chicken, and fish, was investigated using the broth microdilution method. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of triclosan, CTAB, acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid against the isolates were 0.125-16 μg/mL, 0.25-32 μg/mL, 102.5-26250 μg/mL, 187.5-12000 μg/mL, and 703-22500 μg/mL, respectively. Almost all MDR isolates showed resistance to triclosan. There was a statistically significant difference in MICs between triclosan and organic acids, as well as between CTAB and organic acids (p < 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was not observed in triclosan and CTAB, as well as in acetic acid and lactic acid (p > 0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a strong relationship between triclosan and multidrug resistance. Based on the multiple linear regression analysis, triclosan had a positive effect on multidrug resistance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This research gives helpful information on the susceptibility of disinfectants to S. aureus, particularly to resistant S. aureus isolates from meats, which may help to recommend proper disinfectant use in food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating chronic inflammatory skin condition that typically develops in adults but can rarely affect adolescents and prepubertal children. In paediatric cases, topical antibiotics and antiseptic washes are first-line therapies, based on expert consensus, with more severe and/or recalcitrant cases generally needing systemic antibiotics or hormonal therapies. Biologics demonstrated efficacy in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults, with adalimumab approved in patients aged 12 years and above; adult studies in interleukin inhibitors are in progress. The efficacy of biologics needs to be balanced against their cost and generally subcutaneous routes of administration. RCTs that include paediatric patients are needed in HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpet cleaning guidelines currently do not include the use of an antimicrobial, except after a bodily fluid event. To address this gap, we compared the efficacy of three antimicrobials--two hydrogen peroxide-based (H2O2) products (A and B) and one chlorine-based product (C)--and a steam treatment against two norovirus surrogates, specifically feline calicivirus (FCV) and Tulane virus (TuV). These tests were performed on nylon carpets with either water-permeable or waterproof backing types. The effect of repeated antimicrobial use on carpet properties was also evaluated. For a carpet with water-permeable backing, products A, B, and C achieved a 0.8, 3.1, and 0.9 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and 0.3, 2.5, and 0.4 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively, following a 30 min contact time. For carpet with waterproof backing, only product B achieved a 5.0 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and >3.0 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, whereas products A and C achieved a 2.4 and 1.6 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a 1.2 and 1.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV, respectively. Steam treatment achieved a = 5.2 log10 PFU/coupon reduction of FCV and a > 3.2 log10 TCID50/coupon reduction of TuV in 15 seconds on the carpet with both backing types. The repeated use of products A and B decreased the tensile strength of the carpet backing, while use of product B resulted in cracks on carpet fibers. Overall, steam treatment for 15 seconds was efficacious on both carpet types, but only product B achieved efficacy after a 30-minute exposure on the carpet with waterproof backing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial toxicant found in a myriad of consumer products and has been detected in human tissues, including breastmilk. We have evaluated the impact of lactational TCS on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression and bilirubin metabolism in humanized UGT1 (hUGT1) neonatal mice. In hUGT1 mice, expression of the hepatic UGT1A1 gene is developmentally delayed resulting in elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels. We found that newborn hUGT1 mice breastfed or orally treated with TCS presented lower TSB levels along with induction of hepatic UGT1A1. Lactational and oral treatment by gavage with TCS leads to the activation of hepatic nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and stress sensor, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). When CAR-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Car−/−) were treated with TCS, TSB levels were reduced with a robust induction of hepatic UGT1A1, leaving us to conclude that CAR is not tied to UGT1A1 induction. Alternatively, when PPARα-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Pparα−/−) were treated with TCS, hepatic UGT1A1 was not induced. Additionally, we had previously demonstrated that TCS is a potent inducer of ATF4, a transcriptional factor linked to the integrated stress response. When ATF4 was deleted in liver of hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Atf4ΔHep) and these mice treated with TCS, we observed superinduction of hepatic UGT1A1. Oxidative stress genes in livers of hUGT1/Atf4ΔHep treated with TCS were increased, suggesting that ATF4 protects liver from excessive oxidative stress. The increase oxidative stress may be associated with superinduction of UGT1A1. The expression of ATF4 in neonatal hUGT1 hepatic tissue may play a role in the developmental repression of UGT1A1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large outbreaks of Shigella sonnei among children in Haredi Jewish (ultra-Orthodox) communities in Brooklyn, New York have occurred every 3–5 years since at least the mid-1980s. These outbreaks are partially attributable to large numbers of young children in these communities, with transmission highest in child care and school settings, and secondary transmission within households. As these outbreaks have been prolonged and difficult to control, we developed an agent-based model of shigellosis transmission among children in these communities to support New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene staff. Simulated children were assigned an initial susceptible, infectious, or recovered (immune) status and interacted and moved between their home, child care program or school, and a community site. We calibrated the model according to observed case counts as reported to the health department. Our goal was to better understand the efficacy of existing interventions and whether limited outreach resources could be focused more effectively. We evaluated how well disseminating hand washing education in child care programs can reduce the number of infected children. The model indicated that intervention efficacy may be as high as 24% when all intervention parameters are at optimal values but only approximately 7% for a more realistic, less stringent scenario. We ranked intervention parameters according to their permutation importance using a random-forest regression analysis. The most important parameter was the minimum number of reported cases in a child care program that triggers a visit to disseminate hand washing education, followed by the use of non-antibacterial soap in hand washing education, the number of additional visits to child care programs, and the probability of successfully obtaining information on child care program attendance via patient interview. Additional strategies should be considered, such as working with community partners to assist with hand hygiene education at facilities during an outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are two highly effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents having embryo toxicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity. These two chemicals are presently emerging pollutants of wide concerns and may cause cancer, DNA damage, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has banned market entry of the over-the-counter antibacterial bath products containing antibacterial agents such as TCS and TCC. In China, however, TCS and TCC are still allowed to be used in a limited quantity as quasi-preservatives for cosmetics, and are not restricted for soap products. As emerging exogenous chemical pollutants, TCS and TCC can enter the natural environment with domestic wastewater and pose potential threats to local aquatic lives, ecological security and human health. In order to investigate the toxic effects of TCS and TCC on the long-term exposure and four different developmental stages (i. e., embryo, yolk sac absorption, larval, and juvenile stages) of the Chinese native fish species of Gobiocypris rarus (GR), the fertilized eggs of GR were exposed to TCS and TCC until 60 days post hatching (60 dph) in this study. The results showed that TCS and TCC in the ranges of 6.25 ~ 100 µg ⋅ L-1 and 0.938 ~ 15 µg ⋅ L-1, respectively, had no significant toxic effects on the embryo hatchability of GR. In the larval stage, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) of the 30 dph survival rate in the exposure groups of 6.25 ~ 100 µg ⋅ L-1 TCS and 0.938 ~ 15 µg ⋅ L-1 TCC were 100 µg ⋅ L-1 and 0.938 µg ⋅ L-1, respectively. According to the national standards of China, the hazards of TCC to the aquatic environment were classified as long-term chronic category 1. In contrast, it is impossible to make a clear judgment for TCS because its maximum testing concentration did not reach 1 mg ⋅L-1, but the hazards of TCS to the aquatic environment can be judged as the non-long-term chronic category 1. At the juvenile stage, TCS (6.25 ~ 100 µg ⋅ L-1) and TCC (0.938 ~ 15 µg ⋅ L-1) could induce vitellogenin in both females and males of GR, but did not affect sexual differentiation. During the postembryonic development, TCS of 6.25 ~ 100 µg ⋅ L-1 could significantly affect the fish body weight, which gradually decreased with increasing TCS concentration, indicating that TCS could inhibit the body weight of GR. TCC of 0.938 ~ 15 µg ⋅ L-1 had no significant effect on the fish body weight and body length. In addition, it was found that the toxic effects on the different developmental stages of GR were different. The tolerance of GR at embryonic stage was significantly higher than that at postembryonic development stage, while the tolerance at yolk sac absorption stage and larvae stage was lower than that at the juvenile stage. Therefore, when more of these life stages are included in a test, more toxicity endpoints can be obtained by fewer test animals. Moreover, the toxic effects of different life stages in the tests are all from the same batch of the test animals, making the test results of different life stages more comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical personal care products, which include both prescription and over-the-counter chemicals, are categorized as "emerging contaminants". Triclosan serves as a substance that kills bacteria, while methylparaben acts as a preservative that prevents the growth of microorganisms in medicinal personal care items. Three accurate, rapid, simple, inexpensive, and green spectrophotometric methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of triclosan and methylparaben in a binary mixture in some personal care products. The first technique is the "second derivative peak-to-baseline" was selected at the selected wavelengths. The second technique is the ratio spectra derivative. The third one is the "mean centering ratio derivative spectra". The proposed techniques were successfully applied to some real samples. The suggested approaches' effectiveness is demonstrated by the recovered values that varied from 96.40% to 100.75% with an RSD less than 3.84%. The methods were verified in accordance with "ICH" guideline; interference, accuracy, and precision were found to be within acceptable value. Statistical comparisons of the precision and accuracy of the outputs from the suggested methods and the methods provided reveal no discernible differences when using One-way ANOVA. Lastly, the proposed techniques are measured as the "greenness" profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dental caries is a global health problem that requires better prevention measures. One of the goals is to reduce the prevalence of the cariogenic Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus mutans. We have recently shown that naturally occurring arachidonic acid (AA) has both anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities against this bacterium. An important question is how these activities are affected by other anti-bacterial compounds commonly used in mouthwashes. Here, we studied the combined treatment of AA with chlorhexidine (CHX), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), triclosan, and fluoride. Checkerboard microtiter assays were performed to determine the effects on bacterial growth and viability. Biofilms were quantified using the MTT metabolic assay, crystal violet (CV) staining, and live/dead staining with SYTO 9/propidium iodide (PI) visualized by spinning disk confocal microscopy (SDCM). The bacterial morphology and the topography of the biofilms were visualized by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). The effect of selected drug combinations on cell viability and membrane potential was investigated by flow cytometry using SYTO 9/PI staining and the potentiometric dye DiOC2(3), respectively. We found that CHX and CPC had an antagonistic effect on AA at certain concentrations, while an additive effect was observed with triclosan and fluoride. This prompted us to investigate the triple treatment of AA, triclosan, and fluoride, which was more effective than either compound alone or the double treatment. We observed an increase in the percentage of PI-positive bacteria, indicating increased bacterial cell death. Only AA caused significant membrane hyperpolarization, which was not significantly enhanced by either triclosan or fluoride. In conclusion, our data suggest that AA can be used together with triclosan and fluoride to improve the efficacy of oral health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of alkyl-/1H-1,2,3-triazole-based dimers was strategically designed and synthesized to evaluate their in vitro anti-mycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the non-tuberculous Mycobacterium abscessus strains. Systematic variations in the nature (alkyl/1H-1,2,3-triazole) and positioning of the linker were implemented based on the docking scores observed in the binding sites identified in the crystal structures of InhA from M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus. However, the in vitro evaluation results revealed that the synthesized compounds did not exhibit inhibitory effects on the growth of mycobacteria, even at the highest tested concentrations. The elevated lipophilicity values determined through ADMET studies for these synthesized dimers might be a contributing factor to their poor activity profiles.

ABSTRACT Antiseptics are widely used in oral healthcare to prevent or treat oral diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. However, the incidence of bacteria being tolerant to standard antiseptics has sharply increased over the last few years. This stresses the urgency for surveillance against tolerant organisms, as well as the discovery of novel antimicrobials. Traditionally, susceptibility to antimicrobials is assessed by broth micro-dilution or disk diffusion assays, both of which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and provide limited information on the mode of action of the antimicrobials. The abovementioned limitations highlight the need for the development of new methods to monitor and further understand antimicrobial susceptibility. In this study, we used real-time flow cytometry, combined with membrane permeability staining, as a quick and sensitive technology to study the quantitative and qualitative responses of two oral pathobionts to different concentrations of chlorhexidine (CHX), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or triclosan. Apart from the real-time monitoring of cell damage, we further applied a phenotypic fingerprinting method to differentiate between the bacterial subpopulations that arose due to treatment. We quantified the pathobiont damage rate of different antiseptics at different concentrations within 15 minutes of exposure and identified the conditions under which the bacteria were most susceptible. Moreover, we detected species-specific and treatment-specific phenotypic subpopulations. This proves that real-time flow cytometry can provide information on the susceptibility of different microorganisms in a short time frame while differentiating between antiseptics and thus could be a valuable tool in the discovery of novel antimicrobial compound, while at the same time deciphering their mode of action.IMPORTANCEWith increasing evidence that microorganisms are becoming more tolerant to standard antimicrobials, faster and more accessible antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods are needed. However, traditional susceptibility assays are laborious and time-consuming. To overcome the abovementioned limitations, we introduce a novel approach to define antimicrobial susceptibility in a much shorter time frame with the use of real-time flow cytometry. Furthermore, phenotypic fingerprinting analysis can be applied on the data to study the way antiseptics affect the bacterial cell morphology over time and, thus, gain information on the mode of action of a certain compound.

Triclosan (TCS) is an eminent antibacterial agent. However, extensive usage causes potential health risks like hepatotoxicity, intestinal damage, kidney injury, etc. Existing studies suggested that TCS would disrupt bile acid (BA) enterohepatic circulation, but its toxic mechanism remains unclear. Hence, the current study established an 8-week TCS exposure model to explore its potential toxic mechanism. The results discovered 8 weeks consecutive administration of TCS induced distinct programmed cell death, inflammatory cell activation and recruitment, and excessive BA accumulation in liver. Furthermore, the expression of BA synthesis and transport associated genes were significantly dysregulated upon TCS treatment. Additional mechanism exploration revealed that Fxr inhibition induced by TCS would be the leading cause for unusual BA biosynthesis and transport. Subsequent Fxr up-stream investigation uncovered TCS exposure caused pyroptosis and its associated IL-1β would be the reason for Fxr reduction mediated by NF-κB. NF-κB blocking by dimethylaminoparthenolide ameliorated TCS induced BA disorder which confirmed the contribution of NF-κB in Fxr repression. To sum up, our findings conclud TCS-caused BA disorder is attributed to Fxr inhibition, which is regulated by the IL-1β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Hence, we suggest Fxr would be a potential target for abnormal BA stimulated by TCS and its analogs.

Triclosan (TCS) is an environmental pollutant. In recent years, there has been increasing level of concern regarding the potential toxicity of TCS in animals and humans, especially its effects on the nervous system. However, whether TCS induces ADHD-like behaviour and the mechanism by which it affects neural function are unclear. The impact of 60 days of continuous exposure to TCS on the behaviour of offspring rats was assessed in this research. According to the results of this study, TCS exposure led to ADHD-like behaviour in offspring rats and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), inducing inflammatory factor release. In vitro studies showed that TCS increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in HMC3 cells. More importantly, we found that TCS regulated the STAT3 pathway by upregulating PKM2 via hnRNPA1. In summary, this study suggested that TCS can induce ADHD-like behaviour in offspring rats and continuously activate HMC3 microglia through the hnRNPA1-PKM2-STAT3 feedback loop, promoting inflammatory cytokine secretion.