Despite the widespread use of the antiviral drug, Tamiflu®, little is known about the long-term toxic effects of drug or its metabolites in an aquatic ecosystem. This study integrated epidemiological and ecotoxicological methods to determine environmentally relevant concentrations of Tamiflu. A model based on the species medaka (Oryzias latipes) was then used to determine the health status and reproductivity of adults exposed to the drug as well as the embryonic development of offspring. The proposed ecotoxicological model was also used to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the toxicodynamic parameters related to egg production, hatchability, and development. Our results revealed that at an environmentally relevant exposure, Tamiflu and its metabolites had no adverse effects on growth, survival, or fecundity of adult medaka. Nonetheless, we observed a reduction in hatchability under exposure to 300 μg L⁻¹ and a reduction in body length under exposure exceeding 90 μg L⁻¹. Under exposure to 300 μg L⁻¹, the estimated spawning time to reach 50% of the maximum percentage of cumulative egg production (ET50) far exceeded that of the control group (without exposure to Tamiflu). We also observed a ∼ 3-fold decrease in maximum egg hatching (Eₘₐₓ). Based on an integrated epidemiological and ecotoxicological model, predictions of environmental concentrations of Tamiflu and its metabolites revealed that the influenza subtypes associated with increases in environmental concentrations: A(H3N2) > A(H1N1) > type B (in order of their effects). We also determined that A(H3N2) posed a potential risk to hatchability and development. Note however, the environmental concentrations of Tamiflu and its metabolites in most countries are lower than the effect concentrations derived in this study, indicating no hazards for aquatic environments. We recommend the use of hatchability and embryonic development as indicators in assessing the effects of long-term parental exposure to Tamiflu metabolites.

The traditional assessment of agricultural soil remediation technologies pay limited attention to sustainability and only considers the decrease in contaminant concentrations and cost, even though the sustainability of these technologies has been prioritized. This 3-year field study comprehensively assessed the sustainability of four commonly used agricultural soil remediation technologies in terms of metal(loid) removal efficiency, environmental merit, and cost. The farmland was contaminated by previous sewage irrigation with excessive amounts of As, Cd, and Pb. The four selected remediation technologies used were phytoextraction, intercropping of hyperaccumulators and cash crops, chemical immobilization, and turnover and attenuation (T&A). A risk reduction–environmental merit–cost model was utilized to compare these four technologies. Results showed that T&A reduced the health risks posed by excess metal(loid)s by ∼47% and yielded the highest risk reduction and lowest cost. Phytoextraction achieved the highest environmental merit because it produced the least interruption to the environment. A simplified assessment frame for soil remediation technology was established from a retrospective aspect using data from a real soil remediation project. Environmental merit is a less considered factor and more difficult to quantify than risk reduction or cost, thus requiring increased attention.

Studies have showed that some of the most common male reproductive disorders present in adult life might have a fetal origin. Perfluorooctane sulfonic (PFOS) is one of the major environmental pollutants that may affect the development of male reproductive system if exposed during fetal or pubertal periods. However, whether PFOS exposure during fetal period affects testicular functions in the adult is still unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of a brief gestational exposure to PFOS on the development of adult Leydig- and Sertoli-cells in the male offspring. Eighteen pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups and each received 0, 1 or 5 mg/kg/day PFOS from gestational day 5–20. The testicular functions of F1 males were evaluated on day 1, 35 and 90 after birth. PFOS treatment significantly decreased serum testosterone levels of animals by all three ages examined. The expression level of multiple mRNAs and proteins of Leydig (Scarb1, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1 and Hsd17b3) and Sertoli (Dhh and Sox9) cells were also down-regulated by day 1 and 90. PFOS exposure might also inhibit Leydig cell proliferation since the number of PCNA-positive Leydig cells were significantly reduced by postnatal day 35. Accompanied by changes in Leydig cell proliferation and differentiation, PFOS also significantly reduced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β while increased phosphorylation of β-catenin. In conclusion, gestational PFOS exposure may have significant long-term effects on adult testicular functions of the F1 offspring. Changes in Wnt signaling may play a role in the process.

Nighttime lighting is an increasingly important anthropogenic environmental stress on plants and animals. Exposure to unnatural lighting environments may disrupt the circadian rhythm of organisms. However, the sample size of relevant studies, e.g. disruption of the molecular circadian clock by light pollution, was small (<10), which led to low statistical power and difficulties in replicating prior results. Here, we developed a power-calibrated statistical approach to overcome these weaknesses. The results showed that the effect size of 2.48 in clock genes expression induced by artificial light would ensure the reproducibility of the results as high as 80%. Long-wavelength light (560–660 nm) entrained expressions of the positive core clock genes (e.g. cClock) and negative core clock genes (e.g. cCry1, cPer2) in robust circadian rhythmicity, whereas those clock genes were arrhythmic in short-wavelength light (380–480 nm). Further, we found artificial light could entrain the transcriptional-translational feedback loop of the molecular clock in a wavelength-dependent manner. The expression of the positive core clock genes (cBmal1, cBmal2 and cClock), cAanat gene and melatonin were the highest in short-wavelength light and lowest in long-wavelength light. For the negative regulators of the molecular clock (cCry1, cCry2, cPer2 and cPer3), the expression of which was the highest in long-wavelength light and lowest in short-wavelength light. Our statistical approach opens new opportunities to understand and strengthen conclusions, comparing with the studies with small sample sizes. We also provide comprehensive insight into the effect of wavelength-specific artificial light on the circadian rhythm of the molecular clock in avian species. Especially, the global lighting is shifting from “yellow” sodium lamps, which is more like the long-wavelength light, toward short-wavelength light (blue light)-enriched “white” light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The impact of nanoplastics (NP) using model polystyrene nanoparticles amine functionalized (PS–NH₂) has been investigated on pigment and lipid compositions of the marine diatom Chaetoceros neogracile, at two growth phases using a low (0.05 μg mL⁻¹) and a high (5 μg mL⁻¹) concentrations for 96 h. Results evidenced an impact on pigment composition associated to the light-harvesting function and photoprotection mainly at exponential phase. NP also impacted lipid composition of diatoms with a re-adjustment of lipid classes and fatty acids noteworthy. Main changes upon NP exposure were observed in galactolipids and triacylglycerol’s at both growth phases affecting the thylakoids membrane structure and cellular energy reserve of diatoms. Particularly, exponential cultures exposed to high NP concentration showed an impairment of long chain fatty acids synthesis. Changes in pigment and lipid content of diatom’ cells revealed that algae physiology is determinant in the way cells adjust their thylakoid membrane composition to cope with NP contamination stress. Compositions of reserve and membrane lipids are proposed as sensitive markers to assess the impact of NP exposure, including at potential predicted environmental doses, on marine organisms.

In this study, we assessed plastic accumulation in marine sediments due to finfish aquaculture using floating net-pens. We studied plastic concentrations around three fish farms located at the Mediterranean coastline of Spain. The macroplastic categories and abundances were determined by video monitoring, detecting the majority of elements (78%), including ropes, nets and fibres, a basket trap and a cable tie, close to the facilities, which were not exclusively linked to fish farming but also to fishing activities. Concentrations of microplastics (<5 mm) ranged from 0 to 213 particles/kg dry weight sediment with higher values in sites directly under the influence of the fish farms. Most particles (27.8%) were within the size fraction from 1.1 to 2.0 mm and fibre was the most common shape with 62.2%. The Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that PE and PP were the predominant types of polymers analysed. In addition, changes in the enthalpy of melting (ΔHₘ (J/g)) and the degree of crystallinity indicate degradation of the microplastics analysed. This study shows that, in the studied fish farms, levels of microplastic pollution can be one order of magnitude lower compared to other areas suffering other anthropogenic pressures from the same or similar regions. Nevertheless, more research effort is needed to get concluding results.

The application of wetland plants to purify surface rivers has gradually become an important means to control water pollution. However, there are many species of wetland plants which differ greatly in living conditions, water purification effects and pollutant migration paths. Therefore, it is necessary to select suitable wetland plants and quantitatively analyze the effects of different wetland plants on pollutant transport paths for the protection of water quality. In this research, the Typha orientalis C. Presl (T), Lemna minor L.(L) and Ceratophyllum demersum L.(C) were selected as typical wetland plants to conduct single-factor and multi-factor experiments under different water quality conditions. The results showed that wetland plants had significantly decreased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration in two sewage bodies. The NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N removal efficiencies ranged from 71 to 96% and from 46% to 76%, and the PO₄³⁻-P removal efficiencies ranged from 79% to 94% . The concentration of nutrient in the sewage decreased rapidly in the early stage and then tended to reach a stable state. The total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies under two kinds of sewage ranked as follows: T+L+C>T>C>L. Under high concentration sewage, the TN removal efficiencies by wetland plants mostly attributed to the change in the microbial status of the water body, which ranged from 82% to 95%. Under low concentration sewage, the combination of wetland plants could optimize the purification effect of plant consumption and microbial decomposition, and the TN removal efficiencies ranged from 75% to 95%. The total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies of T and T+L+C were better in two concentration sewages. The research demonstrated that P in sewage was mainly accumulated in soil matrix and it was important to select the emergent plants with well-develoed roots and vigorous growth to purify sewage.

of bioaugmentation strategies are an obstacle for damage mitigation caused by oil spills in marine environments. Cells added to the contaminated sites are quickly lost by low adherence to the contaminants, rendering ineffective. This study used two hydrocarbonoclastic species - Rhodococcus rhodochrous TRN7 and Nocardia farcinica TRH1 cells - growing in mineral medium containing hexadecane to evaluate cell distribution in a crude-oil contaminated marine water. Cell affinity to hydrophobic compounds was quantified using Microbial Adhesion to Hydrocarbons test and analysis of fatty acids profile was performed using the Microbial Identification System. Bioremediation simulations were set up and cell populations of both strains were quantified by Fluorescent in situ Hybridization. R. rhodochrous and N. farcinica reached up to 97% and 60% of adhesion to hexadecane, respectively. The carbon source had more influence on the fatty acid profiles of both strains than the microbial species. The presence of 45.24% of 13:0 anteiso on total fatty acids in R. rhodochrous and 12.35% of saturated fatty acids with less than 13 carbons atoms in N. farcinica, as well as the occurrence of fatty alcohols only in presence of hexadecane in both species, are indicators that fatty acid changes are involved in the adaptation of the cells to remain at the water/oil interface. Cell quantification after bioremediation simulations revealed an increase in the density of both species, suggesting that the bioremediation strategies resulted on the increase of hydrocarbonoclastic species and up to 27.9% of all prokaryotic microbial populations in the microcosms were composed of R. rhodochrous or N. farcinica. These findings show the potential of application of these two bacterial strains in bioaugmentation of hydrocarbon-contaminated marine ecosystems.R. rhodochrous TRN7 and N. farcinica TRH1 hydrocarbonoclastic strains modify the fatty acid profile and increases density, optimizing hydrocarbons biodegradation.

In steroidogenic cells, steroids are synthesized de novo from cholesterol stored in lipid droplets (LDs). The size of LDs regulated by adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) is closely related to cholesterol ester hydrolysis. Many studies reported that cadmium (Cd) had dual effects on steroidogenesis in granulosa cells (GCs). However, the role of LD and its regulation in abnormal steroidogenesis caused by Cd exposure remain unknown. In current study, female rats were exposed to CdCl₂ during gestation and lactation, and influence of such exposure was investigated in ovarian GCs of female offspring. The size of LDs was found much smaller than normal in GCs; ADRP was down-regulated and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) phosphorylation was increased, followed by up-regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1); the expression of 1-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate phosphodiesterase beta-2 (PLCβ2) and protein kinase C alpha type (PKCα) were both decreased accompanying the ADRP down-regulation. This series of events resulted in a high level of progesterone in serum. Similar results were demonstrated in GCs treated with 20 μM CdCl₂ for 24 h in vitro. The protein level of ADRP was decreased after gene silencing of PLCβ2/PKCα, and the knockdown of PLCβ2/PKCα/ADRP led to micro-sized LD formation. We found that Cd exposure down-regulated ADRP by inhibiting the PLCβ2-PKCα signaling pathway, reduced the size of LDs, and promoted HSL phosphorylation. StAR and CYP11A1 were both up-regulated following the hydrolysis of cholesterol ester, which led to a high production of progesterone. LD thereby is a target subcellular organelle for Cd to affect steroid hormone synthesis in ovarian GCs. These findings might help to uncover the mechanism of ovarian dysfunction and precocious puberty caused by Cd pollution.

Copper have been reported to be associated with metabolic diseases. However, results on copper exposure with blood lipid profiles are inconsistent, and the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. This study focused on investigating associations between urinary copper and blood lipid profiles; and exploring the potential role of systemic inflammation in such relationships. Concentrations of urinary copper, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), and four blood lipid parameters (e.g., Total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) were measured in the adult participants from Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. The associations between copper, CRP, and four blood lipids were assessed by the multivariable linear regression models, and the 3D mesh graphs was used to examine the joint effects of copper exposure and CRP on four blood lipid parameters. In addition, we used mediation analysis to investigate the mediated effects of CRP in the relationships between copper exposure and blood lipid profiles. Each 1% increase in urinary copper was statistically significantly associated with a 5.32% (95% CI: 2.48%, 8.24%) increase in TG after adjusting for the confounders (P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between urinary copper and the other three blood lipid parameters (all P > 0.05). In addition, urinary copper increased monotonically with plasma CRP elevation, which in turn, was positively associated with TC, TG, and LDL-C and negatively related to HDL-C (all P < 0.05). Results from 3D mesh graphs demonstrated that increased levels of plasma CRP with higher urinary copper corresponded to higher TC, TG, LDL-C, and lower HDL-C concentrations. Mediation analysis observed that CRP mediated 6.27% in the relationships of urinary copper and TG. These findings suggest that systemic inflammation partly mediated the association between copper exposure and abnormal blood lipid, and may contribute to the development of dyslipidemias.