The environmental damage caused by human activities, particularly the introduction of heavy metals, surpasses the impact of natural events. Cadmium's (Cd) protracted biological half-life, a characteristic of this highly toxic heavy metal, jeopardizes food safety. Plant roots absorb cadmium, due to its high bioavailability, employing both apoplastic and symplastic pathways. This absorbed cadmium is translocated to the shoot via the xylem, utilizing transporters to reach the edible components via the phloem. HPK1-IN-2 cell line The assimilation and accumulation of cadmium in plants produce detrimental effects on the plant's physiological and biochemical processes, which translate into changes in the morphology of its vegetative and reproductive parts. Cd suppresses root and shoot expansion in vegetative areas, along with decreasing photosynthetic productivity, stomatal efficiency, and overall plant mass. Plants' male reproductive organs are significantly more vulnerable to cadmium poisoning than their female counterparts, which negatively impacts both fruit/grain yield and the plant's ability to survive. Plants address cadmium toxicity through a suite of defense mechanisms, encompassing the upregulation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, the increased expression of genes for cadmium tolerance, and the secretion of plant hormones. Moreover, plants endure Cd toxicity by chelating and sequestering it as part of their internal defense mechanisms, aided by phytochelatins and metallothionein proteins, thereby minimizing the detrimental effects of Cd. The knowledge regarding cadmium's effects on vegetative and reproductive parts of plants, and its associated physiological and biochemical changes, provides a basis for selecting the most suitable strategy to mitigate, prevent, or tolerate cadmium toxicity in plants.
In recent years, the ubiquitous presence of microplastics poses a significant threat to the aquatic ecosystems. Biota may be exposed to potential hazards due to the interaction of persistent microplastics with other pollutants, especially adherent nanoparticles. This study evaluated the toxic impacts of 28-day single and combined exposures to zinc oxide nanoparticles and polypropylene microplastics on the freshwater snail Pomeacea paludosa. Post-experimental analysis assessed the toxic consequences by evaluating vital biomarker activities, including antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST)), oxidative stress levels (carbonyl proteins (CP) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)), and digestive enzyme activity (esterase and alkaline phosphatase). Pollutant-laden snail environments induce elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), producing free radicals that cause impairment and modifications to the snail's biochemical markers. Both the individual and combined exposure groups exhibited a change in the function of acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and reduced levels of digestive enzymes, specifically esterase and alkaline phosphatase. HPK1-IN-2 cell line Analysis of tissue samples (histology) showed a decrease in haemocyte cells, with blood vessels, digestive cells, and calcium cells deteriorating, plus evidence of DNA damage in the treated animals. A combined exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles and polypropylene microplastics, in comparison to individual pollutant exposures, elicits more severe detrimental effects in freshwater snails. These effects include a decrease in antioxidant enzymes, oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, an increase in neurotransmitter activity, and a decrease in digestive enzyme activity. This study's results show that the introduction of polypropylene microplastics and nanoparticles creates severe ecological risks and physio-chemical alterations in freshwater ecosystems.
The technology of anaerobic digestion (AD) has proven promising for diverting organic waste from landfills, concurrently producing clean energy. AD, a biochemical process driven by microorganisms, features a wide array of microbial communities converting putrescible organic matter into biogas. HPK1-IN-2 cell line In spite of this, the AD process demonstrates a susceptibility to external environmental factors, such as the presence of physical contaminants like microplastics and chemical contaminants like antibiotics and pesticides. The growing plastic pollution crisis within terrestrial ecosystems has highlighted the issue of microplastics (MPs) pollution. In this review, an all-encompassing evaluation of MPs pollution's impact on the AD process was conducted with the goal of generating efficient treatment technology. A critical examination was made of the possible means by which MPs could gain access to the AD systems. Recent experimental research on the impact of varying types and concentrations of MPs on the anaerobic digestion process was critically reviewed. Correspondingly, various mechanisms such as the direct engagement of microplastics with microbial cells, the indirect effect of microplastics via the release of hazardous chemicals and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the anaerobic digestion procedure were investigated. Subsequently, the threat of escalating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) after the AD process, resulting from the stress exerted by MPs on microbial communities, was considered. The review, as a whole, revealed the severity of MPs' pollution effects on the AD procedure at various levels of operation.
Food production, starting with agriculture and continuing through manufacturing, is essential to the global food network, responsible for over 50% of the entire food output. Production is intrinsically connected to the creation of large volumes of organic waste, specifically agro-food waste and wastewater, which have detrimental effects on the environment and the climate. The pressing requirement of mitigating global climate change highlights the indispensability of sustainable development. For the purpose of achieving this outcome, comprehensive and appropriate agro-food waste and wastewater management strategies are fundamental, not just for lessening waste but also for enhancing resource utilization. Biotechnology plays a critical role in achieving sustainable food production. Its constant progression and widespread implementation hold the potential to enrich ecosystems by converting polluting waste into bio-degradable materials. This transition will become increasingly feasible as eco-friendly industrial procedures are refined. Integrating microorganisms (or enzymes) with multifaceted applications, bioelectrochemical systems stand as a revitalized and promising biotechnology. The technology's effectiveness in waste and wastewater reduction and energy and chemical recovery relies on the specific redox processes of biological elements. Utilizing a variety of bioelectrochemical-based systems, this review provides a comprehensive and consolidated description of agro-food waste and wastewater remediation. Current and future potential applications are critically discussed.
This research was undertaken to provide evidence regarding the potential harm of chlorpropham, a representative carbamate ester herbicide, on the endocrine system. In vitro testing methods, including OECD Test Guideline No. 458 (22Rv1/MMTV GR-KO human androgen receptor [AR] transcriptional activation assay) and a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based AR homodimerization assay, were used. Chlorpropham's impact on the AR receptor was observed to be entirely antagonistic, lacking any agonistic activity and showing no inherent toxicity against the cultured cell lines. Chlorpropham's impact on androgen receptor (AR)-mediated adverse effects centers on its suppression of activated AR homodimerization, thus blocking the cytoplasmic receptor's nuclear transfer. Endocrine-disrupting effects stemming from chlorpropham exposure are posited to be mediated by its engagement with the human androgen receptor. In addition, this study may contribute to the identification of the genomic pathway responsible for the endocrine-disrupting potential of N-phenyl carbamate herbicides mediated by the AR.
Pre-existing hypoxic microenvironments and biofilms significantly impact wound treatment, diminishing phototherapy's effectiveness and highlighting the critical role of multifunctional nanoplatforms for synergistic wound infection management. In this study, a multifunctional injectable hydrogel (PSPG hydrogel) was synthesized through loading photothermal-responsive sodium nitroprusside (SNP) into platinum-modified porphyrin metal-organic frameworks (PCN), followed by in situ gold nanoparticle modification. This method created a near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered, all-in-one phototherapeutic nanoplatform. The Pt-modified nanoplatform displays a noteworthy catalase-like activity, facilitating the continuous breakdown of endogenous H2O2 into O2, thereby augmenting the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect in hypoxic conditions. NIR dual-beam irradiation of poly(sodium-p-styrene sulfonate-g-poly(glycerol)) hydrogel triggers hyperthermia (approximately 8921%), alongside reactive oxygen species production and nitric oxide release. This combined effect aids in biofilm elimination and the disruption of cell membranes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Microbial analysis showed the presence of coliform organisms. Studies performed directly on living subjects demonstrated a 999% reduction in the quantity of bacteria in wounds. Subsequently, PSPG hydrogel can potentially accelerate the eradication of MRSA-infected and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected (P.) bacteria. Angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and the suppression of inflammatory reactions contribute to improved healing in aeruginosa-infected wounds. Additionally, experimental analysis of PSPG hydrogel in both in vitro and in vivo settings indicated its good cytocompatibility. A novel antimicrobial strategy is proposed to eliminate bacteria through a combined effect of gas-photodynamic-photothermal eradication, reduction of hypoxia within the bacterial infection microenvironment, and inhibition of biofilm formation, thereby offering a new perspective on combating antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated infections. The platinum-modified gold nanoparticle-based, sodium nitroprusside-loaded porphyrin metal-organic framework (PCN) injectable hydrogel nanoplatform (PSPG hydrogel) efficiently converts NIR light to heat (photothermal conversion efficiency ≈89.21%), thus triggering nitric oxide release. This platform concurrently regulates the hypoxic microenvironment at the infection site through platinum-induced self-oxygenation, synergistically enabling photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT and PTT) for effective biofilm elimination and sterilization.