Depending on their concentrations, sizes, and types, particulate matters of biological origins (bioPM) significantly affect human health. However, for different air environments, they are not well characterized and can vary considerably. As an example, we investigated the bioPM differences at an urban (Beijing) site and a rural (Wangdu) site in the North China Plain (NCP) using an online monitoring instrument, an ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer (UV-APS), the limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, and a high-throughput sequencing method. Generally, lower concentrations of viable bioPM (hourly mean: 1.3 × 10³ ± 1.6 × 10³ m⁻³) and endotoxin (0.66 ± 0.16 EU/m³) in Beijing were observed compared to viable bioPM (0.79 × 10⁵ ± 1.4 × 10⁵ m⁻³) and endotoxin (15.1 ± 23.96 EU/m³) at the Wangdu site. The percentage of viable bioPM number concentration in the total PM was 3.1% in Beijing and 6.4% in Wangdu. Approximately 80% of viable bioPM was found to be in the range from 1 to 2.5 μm. Nevertheless, the size distribution patterns for viable bioPM at the Beijing and Wangdu sites differed and were affected by PM pollution, leading to distinct lung deposition profiles. Moreover, the distinct diurnal variations in viable bioPM on clean days were dimmed by the PM pollution at both sites. Distinct bacterial community structures were found in the air from the Beijing and Wangdu sites. The bacterial community in urban Beijing was dominated by genus Lactococcus (49.5%) and Pseudomonas (15.1%), while the rural Wangdu site was dominated by Enterococcus (65%) and Paenibacillus (10%). Human-derived genera, including Myroides, Streptococcus, Propionibacterium, Dietzia, Helcococcus, and Facklamia, were higher in Beijing, suggesting bacterial emission from humans in the urban air environment. Our results show that different air harbors different biological species, and people residing in different environments thus could have very different biological particle exposure.

That an alteration of the intestinal permeability is associated with gut barrier function has been increasingly evident, which plays an important role in human and animal health. Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial compound used worldwide, has recently been classified as an environmental pollutant. One of our earlier studies has demonstrated that BPA disrupts the intestinal barrier function by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation in the human colonic epithelial cells line. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary BPA uptake on the colonic barrier function in mice, as well as the intestinal permeability. Dietary BPA uptake was observed to destroy the morphology of the colonic epithelium and increase the pathology score. The levels of endotoxin, diamine peroxidase, D-lactate, and zonulin were found to have been significantly elevated in both plasma and colonic mucosa. A decline in the number of intestinal goblet cells and in mucin 2 gene expression was observed in the mice belonging to the BPA group. The results of immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1) in colonic epithelium of BPA mice decreased significantly, and their gene abundance was also inhibited. Moreover, dietary BPA uptake was also found to have significantly reduced colonic microbial diversity and altered microbial structural composition. The functional profiles of colonic bacterial community exhibited adverse effects of dietary BPA intake on the endocrine and digestive systems, as well as the transport and catabolism functions. Collectively, our study highlighted that dietary BPA increased the colonic permeability, and this effect was closely related to the disruption of intestinal chemistry and physical and biological barrier functions.

Exposure to Particulate Matter (PM) could function as an adjuvant depending on the city of origin in mice allergic asthma models. Therefore, our aim was to determine whether inhalation of fine particles (PM2.5) from Mexico City could act as an adjuvant inducing allergic sensitization and/or worsening the asthmatic response in guinea pig, as a suitable model of human asthma. Experimental groups were Non-Sensitized (NS group), sensitized with Ovalbumin (OVA) plus Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) as adjuvant (S + Adj group), and sensitized (OVA) without adjuvant (S group). All the animals were exposed to Filtered Air (FA) or concentrated PM2.5 (5 h/daily/3 days), employing an aerosol concentrator system, PM2.5 composition was characterized. Lung function was evaluated by barometric plethysmography (Penh index). Inflammatory cells present in bronchoalveolar lavage were counted as well as OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE were determined by ELISA assay. Our results showed in sensitized animals without Al(OH)3, that the PM2.5 exposure (609 ± 12.73 μg/m3) acted as an adjuvant, triggering OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE concentration. Penh index increased ∼9-fold after OVA challenge in adjuvant-sensitized animals as well as in S + PM2.5 group (∼6-fold), meanwhile NS + FA and S + FA lacked response. S + Adj + PM2.5 group showed an increase significantly of eosinophils and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. PM2.5 composition was made up of inorganic elements and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, as well as endotoxins and β-glucan, all these components could act as adjuvant. Our study demonstrated that acute inhalation of PM2.5 acted as an adjuvant, similar to the aluminum hydroxide effect, triggering allergic asthma in a guinea pig model. Furthermore, in sensitized animals with aluminum hydroxide an enhancing influence of PM2.5 exposure was observed as specific-hyperresponsiveness to OVA challenge (quickly response) and eosinophilic and neutrophilic airway inflammation. Fine particles from Mexico City is a complex mix, which play a significant role as adjuvant in allergic asthma.

Previous studies worldwide have suggested the potential role of bioaerosols as ice-nuclei and cloud-condensation nuclei. Furthermore, their participation in regulating the global carbon cycle urges systematic studies from different environmental conditions throughout the globe. Towards this through one-year study, conducted from June 2015–May 2016, we report on atmospheric abundance and variability of viable bioaerosols, organic carbon (OC) and particles number and deduced mass concentrations from Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP; at Kanpur). Among viable bioaerosols, the highest concentrations of Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and Fungi were recorded during December–January (Avg.: 189 CFU/m³), November (244 CFU/m³) and September months (188 CFU/m³), respectively. Annual average concentration of GPB, GNB and Fungi were 105 ± 58, 144 ± 82 and 116 ± 51 CFU/m³. Particle number concentration (PNC) associated with fine-fraction aerosols (FFA) predominates throughout the year. However, mineral dust (coarser particle) remains a perennial constituent of atmospheric aerosols over the IGP. Temporal variability records and significant positive linear relationship (p < 0.05) of GPB and GNB with OC and biomass burning derived potassium (K⁺BB) indicates their association with massive emissions from paddy-residue burning (PRB) and bio-fuel burning. Influence of meteorological parameters on viable bioaerosols abundance has been rigorously investigated herein. Accordingly, ambient temperature seems to be more affecting the bacteria (anti-correlation), whereas wet-precipitation (1–4 mm) relates to higher abundance of Fungi. High abundance of GNB during large-scale biomass burning emissions has implications to endotoxin exposure on human health. Field-based data-set of bioaerosols, OC, PNC and deduced mass concentrations reported herein could serve to better constraint their role in human health and climate relevance.

In vitro tests using human adenocarcinomic alveolar epithelial cell line A549 and small mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J774A.1 were conducted to test toxicity of six PM (particulate matter) samples from Beijing. The properties of the samples differ significantly. The production of inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α for J774A.1) and chemokine (IL-8 for A549) and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were used as endpoints. There was a positive correlation between water soluble organic carbon and DTT-based redox activity. Both cell types produced increased levels of inflammatory mediators and had higher level of intracelllar ROS, indicating the presence of PM-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which were dose-dependent and significantly different among the samples. The releases of IL-8 from A549 and TNF-α from J774A.1 were significantly correlated to PM size, Zeta potential, endotoxin, major metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. No correlation between ROS and these properties was identified.

Particulate matter (PM) released from the processes of livestock production has a negative impact on the health of animals and workers. Herein, the concentration, major chemical components, morphology and microbiological compositions of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5, particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) in a broiler breeding house were investigated. The results showed that the PM2.5 distribution in the chicken house was affected by the illumination, draught fans, chicken frame structure and activity of the chickens in the broiler breeding house. Component analysis showed that organic carbon (OC) accounted for the largest proportion, and followed by element carbon (EC), SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, Na+, K+ and Ca2+. Ultrastructural observations revealed that the shape of PM2.5 had a round, rectangular, chain-like and irregular shape. The concentration of endotoxin was approximately 0.3 EU/m3. Microbiological analysis showed that at the genus level, the pathogenic bacteria included Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Parabacteroides, Escherichia and Megamonas. The abundant harmful fungi were Aspergillus, Scopulariopsis, Wallemia, and Fusarium. Through redundancy analysis (RDA) analysis, we determined that OC, EC, Na+, K+, and NH4+ had strong correlations with Brachybacterium, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Scopulariopsis and Microascus. SO42− was closely related to Scopulariopsis and Salinicoccus. Salinicoccus was also strongly correlated with NO3−. Our results indicated that feed, faeces, and outside soot are contributed to the increase in PM2.5 concentration in the chicken house, while the sources of the dominant bacterial and fungi might be feed, faeces, suspended outside soil and cereal crops.

Interactions between the intestine and the liver, the so-called ‘gut-liver axis’, play a crucial role in the onset of hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, not much is known about the impact of environmental pollutants on the gut-liver axis and consequent hepatic steatosis. Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used plasticiser, is an important environmental contaminant that affects gut microbiota. We hypothesised that BPA induces hepatic steatosis by promoting gut microbiota dysbiosis and activating the gut-liver axis. In this study, male CD-1 mice were fed with diet containing BPA (50 μg/kg body weight/day) for 24 weeks. Dietary exposure to BPA increased lipid contents and fat accumulation in the liver. Analysis of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the diversity of gut microbiota reduced and the composition of gut microbiota was altered in the BPA-fed mice. Further, the abundance of Proteobacteria, a marker of dysbacteria, increased, whereas the abundance of Akkermansia, a gut microbe associated with increased gut barrier function and reduced inflammation, markedly decreased. Expression levels of intestinal tight junction proteins (zona occludens-1 and occludin) also decreased drastically, leading to increased intestinal permeability and elevated levels of endotoxins. Furthermore, BPA up-regulated the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the liver and increased the production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-18, tumour necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. Take together, our work indicated that dietary intake of BPA induced hepatic steatosis, and this was closely related to dysbiosis of gut microbiota, elevated endotoxin levels, and increased liver inflammation through the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Jumping on the bed is a favorite behavior of children; however, no study has investigated the increased air pollutants resulting from jumping on the bed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols from jumping on the bed and making the bed. Simulation of jumping on the bed and making the bed was performed at sixty schoolchildren's houses in Taiwan. PM10, PM2.5, PM1 (PM with aerodynamic diameter less than 10, 2.5, and 1 μm, respectively) and airborne bacteria, fungi and endotoxin concentrations were simultaneously measured over simulation and background periods. Our results show the increase of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, airborne bacteria and fungi through the behavior of jumping on the bed (by 414 μg m-3, 353 μg m-3, 349 μg m-3, 6569 CFU m-3 and 978 CFU m-3, respectively). When making the bed, the PM10, PM2.5, PM1, airborne bacteria and fungi also significantly increased by 4.69 μg m-3, 4.09 μg m-3, 4.15 μg m-3, 8569 CFU m-3, and 779 CFU m-3, respectively. Airborne endotoxin concentrations significantly increased by 21.76 EU m-3 following jumping on the bed and making the bed. Moreover, when jumping on the bed, higher PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations in houses with furry pets rather than no furry pets, and less airborne fungi in apartments than in townhouses were found. For making the bed, lower airborne fungi was found in houses using essential oils rather than no essential oils using. The airborne endotoxin concentrations were positively associated with furry pets and smokers in the homes and negatively correlated to the home with window opening with a statistical significance during the periods of jumping on the bed and making the bed. In conclusion, significant increases of PM and bioaerosols during jumping on the bed and making the bed may need to be concerned.

Background: Although endotoxin has strong pro-inflammatory properties, endotoxin-allergy relationship in adults and children have been inconsistent. Objectives: We investigated the association between household endotoxin levels and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) or specific IgE in the US general population, classified into three age ranges: children/adolescent, adults, and older adults. Methods: We analyzed the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. A total of 5220 participants for whom serum IgE and household endotoxin data were available was included in the analyses. Results: Exposure to endotoxin reduced the risk for allergic sensitization, especially in specific IgE to plants (OR in Quartile 3 = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.44–0.76) and pets (OR in Quartile 3 = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41–0.92), for children/adolescents. In contrast, the risk among adults and older adults increased with increasing endotoxin levels. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the effect of endotoxin on allergic reaction is likely to depend on age.

Here we report the effects of three Bt-rice varieties and their non-Bt conventional isolines on biological traits including survival, reproduction, and the activities of three antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, in the Collembolan, Folsomia candida. The reproduction was significantly lower when fed Kemingdao and Huahui1 than those feeding on their non-GM near-isogenic varieties Xiushui and Minghui63 respectively, this can be explained by the differences of plant compositions depended on variety of rice. The catalase activity of F. candida was significantly lower when fed the Bt-rice variety Kemingdao compared to the near-isogenic non-Bt-rice variety Xiushui. This suggests that some Bt-rice varieties may impose environmental stress to collembolans. We emphasize that changes in activity of antioxidant enzymes of non-target organisms are important in understanding the ecological consequences for organisms inhabiting transgenic Bt-rice plantations.