A novel cobalt-iron bimetallic hydrochar for the degradation of triclosan in the aqueous solution: performance, reusability, and synergistic degradation mechanism.

Low activation performance is a critical issue limiting the practical application of low-cost biochar in the advanced oxidation. Given the high potential of transition metals in the persulfate activation process and abundant oxygen-containing groups of hydrochar, hydrochar derived from cobalt (Co)-modified iron (Fe)-enriched sludge was synthesized and its performance and activation mechanism for the degradation of triclosan were investigated. Co modification significantly altered the morphology of hydrochar, and the increased Co-Fe mass ratios transformed hydrochar from granular to rose-shaped lamellar and then to helical sheet structures. Specific surface area, defect degree, and oxygen-containing groups of hydrochar increased with increasing cobalt-iron mass ratios. The highest removal of triclosan was up to 98% in the hydrochar/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system under a wide range of pHs (3-10) and still remained higher than 90% after four cycles. Both Radical (mainly hydroxyl radical) and nonradical pathways (singlet oxygen and electron transfer) were evidenced to play roles in the triclosan removal. Fe3+ promoted the regeneration of Co2+ and realized the efficient circulation of Co3+/Co2+. A ternary system consisting of electron donor (triclosan)-electron mediator (hydrochar)-electron acceptor (PMS) provided channels for electron transfer. No measurable Co and Fe were released during the reaction, and the toxicity of degradation intermediates was lower than that of triclosan. Beside triclosan, rhodamine B, bisphenol A, sulfamethoxazole, and phenol were also almost degraded completely in this oxidation system. This study provides a promising way for the enhancement of catalytic activity of carbonaceous material.

Plastic takeaway food containers may cause human intestinal damage in routine life usage: Microplastics formation and cytotoxic effect.

The microplastics and organic additives formed in routine use of plastic takeaway food containers may pose significant health risks. Thus, we collected plastic containers made of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid and simulated two thermal usages, including hot water (I) and microwave treatments (M). Nile Red fluorescence staining was developed to improve accurate counting of microplastics with the aid of TEM and DLS analysis. The quantity of MPs released from thermal treatments was determined ranging from 285.7 thousand items/cm2 to 681.5 thousand items/cm2 in containers loaded with hot water with the following order: IPS>IPP>IPET>IPLA, while microwave treatment showed lower values ranging from 171.9 thousand items/cm2 to 301.6 thousand items/cm2. In vitro toxicity test using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells indicated decrease of cell viability in raw leachate, resuspended MPs and supernatants, which might further lead to cell membrane rupture, ROS production, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, the leachate inhibited the expression of key genes in the electron transport chain (ETC) process, disrupted energy metabolism. For the first time, we isolate the actually released microplastics and organic substances for in vitro toxicity testing, and demonstrate their potential impacts to human intestine. SYNOPSIS: Plastic take-out containers may release microplastics and organic substances during daily usage, both of which can cause individual and combined cytotoxic effects on human colon adenocarcinoma cells Caco-2.

Multimedia distribution and release characteristics of emerging PFAS in wastewater treatment plants in Tianjin, China.

Legacy and emerging PFAS in the air, wastewater, and sludge from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Tianjin were investigated in this study. The semi-quantified nontarget PFAS accounted for up to 99 % of Æ©PFAS in the gas phase, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-related PFAS were predominant in wastewater (up to 2250 ng/L, 79 % of Æ©PFAS) and sludge (up to 4690 ng/g, 95 % of Æ©PFAS). Furthermore, field-derived air particle-gas, air-wastewater, and wastewater particle-wastewater distribution coefficients of emerging PFAS are characterized, which have rarely been reported. The emerging substitute p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) and AFFF-related cationic and zwitterionic PFAS show a stronger tendency to partition into particle phase in air and wastewater than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The estimated total PFAS emissions from the effluent and sludge of WWTP A were 202 kg/y and 351 kg/y, respectively. While the target PFAS only accounted for 20-33 % of the total emissions, suggesting a significant underestimation of environmental releases of the nontarget PFAS and unknown perfluoroalkyl acid precursors through the wastewater and sludge disposal. Overall, this study highlights the importance of comprehensive monitoring and understanding the behavior of legacy and emerging PFAS in wastewater systems, and fills a critical gap in our understanding of PFAS exposure.

The role of iron materials in the abiotic transformation and biotransformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): A review.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), widely used as flame retardants, easily enter the environment, thus posing environmental and health risks. Iron materials play a key role during the migration and transformation of PBDEs. This article reviews the processes and mechanisms of adsorption, degradation, and biological uptake and transformation of PBDEs affected by iron materials in the environment. Iron materials can effectively adsorb PBDEs through hydrophobic interactions, π-π interactions, hydrogen/halogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, coordination interactions, and pore filling interactions. In addition, they are beneficial for the photodegradation, reduction debromination, and advanced oxidation degradation and debromination of PBDEs. The iron material-microorganism coupling technology affects the uptake and transformation of PBDEs. In addition, iron materials can reduce the uptake of PBDEs in plants, affecting their bioavailability. The species, concentration, and size of iron materials affect plant physiology. Overall, iron materials play a bidirectional role in the biological uptake and transformation of PBDEs. It is necessary to strengthen the positive role of iron materials in reducing the environmental and health risks caused by PBDEs. This article provides innovative ideas for the rational use of iron materials in controlling the migration and transformation of PBDEs in the environment.

A ferroptosis-related signature predicts the clinical diagnosis and prognosis, and associates with the immune microenvironment of lung cancer.

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

Contamination Status of Novel Organophosphate Esters Derived from Organophosphite Antioxidants in Soil and the Effects on Soil Bacterial Communities.

The contamination status of novel organophosphate esters (NOPEs) and their precursors organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs) and hydroxylated/diester transformation products (OH-OPEs/di-OPEs) in soils across a large-scale area in China were investigated. The total concentrations of the three test NOPEs in soil were 82.4-716 ng g-1, which were considerably higher than those of traditional OPEs (4.50-430 ng g-1), OPAs (n.d.-30.8 ng g-1), OH-OPEs (n.d.-0.49 ng g-1), and di-OPEs (0.57-21.1 ng g-1). One NOPE compound, i.e., tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (AO168 = O) contributed over 65% of the concentrations of the studied OPE-associated contaminants. A 30-day soil incubation experiment was performed to confirm the influence of AO168 = O on soil bacterial communities. Specific genera belonging to Proteobacteria, such as Lysobacter and Ensifer, were enriched in AO168 = O-contaminated soils. Moreover, the ecological function of methylotrophy was observed to be significantly enhanced (t-test, p < 0.01) in soil treated with AO168 = O, while nitrogen fixation was significantly inhibited (t-test, p < 0.01). These findings comprehensively revealed the contamination status of OPE-associated contaminants in the soil environment and provided the first evidence of the effects of NOPEs on soil microbial communities.

Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective.

Environmental pollution is escalating due to rapid global development that often prioritizes human needs over planetary health. Despite global efforts to mitigate legacy pollutants, the continuous introduction of new substances remains a major threat to both people and the planet. In response, global initiatives are focusing on risk assessment and regulation of emerging contaminants, as demonstrated by the ongoing efforts to establish the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention. This review identifies the sources and impacts of emerging contaminants on planetary health, emphasizing the importance of adopting a One Health approach. Strategies for monitoring and addressing these pollutants are discussed, underscoring the need for robust and socially equitable environmental policies at both regional and international levels. Urgent actions are needed to transition toward sustainable pollution management practices to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Human exposure characteristics of pharmaceutical and personal care product chemicals and associations with dietary habits.

Considering the widespread presence of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment and their adverse health effects, human exposure to PPCPs has caused worldwide concern. However, there remains insufficient information on the exposure assessment of the Chinese population. Based on this, the exposure levels of 13 PPCPs in the urine samples of 986 Chinese adults were measured, aiming to provide information on the prevalence of PPCP occurrence and investigate potential correlations between PPCP exposure and obesity. Results showed that the detection rates of these compounds in urine ranged from 28.12 % to 98.58 %, with median concentrations ranging below the limit of detection to 10.58 ng mL-1. Methyl-paraben (MeP) was the most dominant paraben and had the highest urinary concentration (median = 10.12 ng mL-1), while 4-hydroxy-benzophenone (4-OH-BP) was the dominant benzophenone derivative (median = 0.22 ng mL-1). In antibacterials, the urinary concentration of triclosan (mean = 42.00 ng mL-1) was much higher than that of triclocarban (mean = 0.63 ng mL-1). PPCP concentrations were significantly associated with sex, age, body mass index, education level, and annual household income (p < 0.050). Regression analysis of dietary habits showed that seafood and tea consumption may be significant exposure sources of PPCP exposure (p < 0.050). Furthermore, individual exposure to MeP (odds ratio (OR) < 1, p = 0.002) and 4-OH-BP (OR < 1, p = 0.009) exhibited a significantly negative association with obesity in females. Also, analysis results from quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression models demonstrated that an inverse correlation between PPCP mixture exposure and obesity was significant in females. This study reports the extensive prevalence of PPCP exposure among adults from China, and may provide crucial insights into PPCP exposure dynamics. More epidemiological studies are need in the future, with a thorough knowledge of PPCP exposure.

Exosome miR-101-3p derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes radiotherapy sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating DNA damage repair and autophagy levels through EZH2.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The morbidity rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) increases with age, highlighting that NSCLC is a serious threat to human health. The aim of this study was mainly to describe the role of exosomal miR-101-3p derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in NSCLC. METHODS: A549 or NCI-H1703 cells (1×105/mouse) were injected into nude mice to establish an NSCLC animal model. RTqPCR, Western blotting and comet assays were used to assess the changes in gene expression, proteins and DNA damage repair. RESULTS: miR-101-3p and RAI2 were found to be expressed at low levels in NSCLC, while EZH2 was highly expressed. In terms of function, miR-101-3p downregulated EZH2. In addition, exosomal miR-101-3p derived from BMSCs promoted the expression of RAI2, inhibited DNA damage repair, and inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by inhibiting EZH2, thereby promoting autophagy and decreasing cell viability and finally enhancing the sensitivity of NSCLC to radiotherapy and inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of NSCLC. CONCLUSION: Exosomal miR-101-3p derived from BMSCs can inhibit DNA damage repair, promote autophagy, enhance the radiosensitivity of NSCLC, and inhibit the progression of NSCLC by inhibiting EZH2.

Spatial distribution of volatile organic compounds in contaminated soil and distinct microbial effect driven by aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

The vertical distribution of 35 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was investigated in soil columns from two obsolete industrial sites in Eastern China. The total concentrations of ΣVOCs in surface soils (0-20 cm) were 134-1664 ng g-1. Contamination of VOCs in surface soil exhibited remarkable variability, closely related to previous production activities at the sampling sites. Additionally, the concentrations of ΣVOCs varied with increasing soil depth from 0 to 10 m. Soils at depth of 2 m showed ΣVOCs concentrations of 127-47,389 ng g-1. Among the studied VOCs, xylene was the predominant contaminant in subsoils (2 m), with concentrations ranging from n.d. to 45,400 ng g-1. Chlorinated alkanes and olefins demonstrated a greater downward migration ability compared to monoaromatic hydrocarbons, likely due to their lower hydrophobicity. As a result, this vertical distribution of VOCs led to a high ecological risk in both the surface and deep soil. Notably, the risk quotient (RQ) of xylene in subsoil (2 m, RQ up to 319) was much higher than that in surface soil. Furthermore, distinct effects of VOCs on soil microbes were observed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Specifically, after the 30-d incubation of xylene-contaminated soil, Ilumatobacter was enriched under aerobic condition, whereas Anaerolineaceae was enriched under anaerobic condition. Moreover, xylene contamination significantly affected methylotrophy and methanol oxidation functions for aerobic soil (t-test, p < 0.05). However, aromatic compound degradation and ammonification were significantly enhanced by xylene in anaerobic soil (t-test, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that specific VOC compound has distinct microbial ecological effects under different oxygen content conditions in soil. Therefore, when conducting soil risk assessments of VOCs, it is crucial to consider their ecological effects at different soil depths.

Aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) and p-phenylenediamines-quinones (PPD-Qs) in e-waste recycling industry park: Occupational exposure and liver X receptors (LXRs) disruption potential.

Recently, evidence of aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) existence in the dust of the electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area has been exposed. However, there are limited studies investigating occupational exposure and toxicity associated with AAs and their transformation products (p-phenylenediamines-quinones, i.e., PPD-Qs). In this study, 115 dust and 42 hand wipe samples collected from an e-waste recycling industrial park in central China were analyzed for 19 AAs and 6 PPD-Qs. Notably, the median concentration of ∑6PPD-Qs (1,110 ng/g and 1,970 ng/m2) was significantly higher (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) than that of ∑6PPDs (147 ng/g and 34.0 ng/m2) in dust and hand wipes. Among the detected analytes, 4-phenylaminodiphenylamine quinone (DPPD-Q) (median: 781 ng/g) and 1,4-Bis(2-naphthylamino) benzene quinone (DNPD-Q) (median: 156 ng/g), were particularly prominent, which were first detected in the e-waste dismantling area. Occupational exposure assessments and nuclear receptor interference ability, conducted through estimated daily intake (EDI) and molecular docking analysis, respectively, indicated significant occupational exposure to PPD-Qs and suggested prioritized Liver X receptors (LXRs) disruption potential of PPDs and PPD-Qs. The study provides the first evidence of considerable levels of AAs and PPD-Qs in the e-waste-related hand wipe samples and underscores the importance of assessing occupational exposure and associated toxicity effects.

Preparation of novel Fe-containing zeolite-A for KN-R decolorization by Fenton-like reaction.

Herein, novel catalysts of Fe-containing zeolite-A (Fe/zeolite-A) were synthesized by exchanging iron ions into zeolite-A framework, and short-chain organic acids (SCOAs) were employed as chelating agents. Reactive Brilliant Blue KN-R (KN-R) was used as a model pollutant to evaluate the performance of these catalysts based on the heterogeneous Fenton reaction. The results showed that Fe-OA/3A, which applied zeolite-3A as the supporter and oxalic as the chelating agent, presented the most prominent KN-R decolorization efficiency. Under the initial pH of 2.5, 0.4 mM KN-R could be totally decolorized within 20 min. However, the mineralization efficiency of KN-R was only 58.2%. Therefore, anthraquinone dyes were introduced to modify zeolite-3A. As a result, the mineralization efficiency of KN-R was elevated to 92.7% when using Alizarin Violet (AV) as the modifier. Moreover, the modified catalysts exhibited excellent stability, the KN-R decolorization efficiency could be maintained above 95.0% within 20 min after operating for nine cycles. The mechanism revealed that the Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle was accelerated by AV-modified catalyst thus prompting the KN-R decolorization in Fenton-like system. These findings provide new insights for preparing catalysts with excellent activity and stability for dye wastewater treatment.

Nontarget Identification of Novel Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Indoor Air and Dust from Multiple Microenvironments in China.

The indoor environment is a typical source for organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers (OPFRs), yet the source characteristics of OPFRs in different microenvironments remain less clear. This study collected 109 indoor air samples and 34 paired indoor dust samples from 4 typical microenvironments within a university in Tianjin, China, including the dormitory, office, library, and information center. 29 target OPFRs were analyzed, and novel organophosphorus compounds (NOPs) were identified by fragment-based nontarget analysis. Target OPFRs exhibited the highest air and dust concentrations of 46.2-234 ng/m3 and 20.4-76.0 µg/g, respectively, in the information center, where chlorinated OPFRs were dominant. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) was the primary OPFR in office air, while tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate dominated in the dust. TPHP was predominant in the library. Triethyl phosphate (TEP) was ubiquitous in the dormitory, and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate was particularly high in the dust. 9 of 25 NOPs were identified for the first time, mainly from the information center and office, such as bis(chloropropyl) 2,3-dichloropropyl phosphate. Diphenyl phosphinic acid, two hydroxylated and methylated metabolites of tris(2,4-ditert-butylphenyl) phosphite (AO168), and a dimer phosphate were newly reported in the indoor environment. NOPs were widely associated with target OPFRs, and their human exposure risk and environmental behaviors warrant further study.

Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons of Rural Population in Northwestern China: Oxidative Stress and Health Risk Assessment.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure is suspected to be linked to oxidative damage. Herein, ten PAH human exposure biomarkers [hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs)] and five oxidative stress biomarkers (OSBs) were detected in urine samples collected from participants living in a rural area (n = 181) in Northwestern China. The median molar concentration of ΣOH-PAHs in urine was 47.0 pmol mL-1. The 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNap; median: 2.21 ng mL-1) was the dominant OH-PAH. The risk assessment of PAH exposure found that hazard index (HI) values were <1, indicating that the PAH exposure of rural people in Jingyuan would not generate significant cumulative risks. Smokers (median: 0.033) obtained higher HI values than nonsmokers (median: 0.015, p < 0.01), suggesting that smokers face a higher health risk from PAH exposure than nonsmokers. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that ΣOH-PAH concentrations were significant factors in increasing the oxidative damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG), ribonucleic acid (RNA) (8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine, 8-oxoGua), and protein (o, o'-dityrosine, diY) (p < 0.05). Among all PAH metabolites, only 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr) could positively affect the expression of all five OSBs (p < 0.05), suggesting that urinary 1-OHPyr might be a reliable biomarker for PAH exposure and a useful indicator for assessing the impacts of PAH exposure on oxidative stress. This study is focused on the relation between PAH exposure and oxidative damage and lays a foundation for the study of the health effect mechanism of PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their halogenated derivatives in soil from Yellow River Delta: Distribution, source apportionment, and risk assessment.

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated PAHs (HPAHs) in surface soils from the petroleum industrial area of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China were investigated. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 19.6 to 1560 ng/g, while 22 HPAHs ranged from 2.44 to 14.9 ng/g. Moreover, a high degree of spatial distribution heterogeneity was observed for both PAHs and HPAHs, which is likely attributed to the distinct industrial activities in studied area. The combustion of biomass and petroleum were identified as primary sources of soil PAHs and HPAHs in the YRD. Furthermore, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene exhibited high ecological risks (with risk quotients of 1.47, 1.44, and 1.02, respectively) in specific sites within the YRD. Considering the high toxicity of HPAHs and their potential joint environmental effects with PAHs, continuous attention should be directed towards the environmental risks associated with both PAHs and HPAHs.

Novel Defluorination Pathways of Perfluoroether Compounds (GenX): α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticle Layer Retains Higher Concentrations of Effective Hydrated Electrons.

The development of efficient defluorination technology is an important issue because the kind of emerging pollutant of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) as an alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has the higher environmental risks. In the UV/bisulfite system, we first developed a hydrophobic confined α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle layer rich in oxygen vacancies, which accelerated the enrichment of HSO3- and GenX on the surface and pores through electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction, retaining more hydrated electrons (eaq-) and rapidly destroying GenX under UV excitation. Especially, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, the degradation percentage of GenX obtain nearly 100%, defluorination of GenX to 88 and 57% respectively. It was amazed to find that the three parallel H/F exchange pathways triggered by the rapid reactions of eaq- and GenX, which were unique to anaerobic conditions, improved the efficiency of fluoride removal and weaken the interference of dissolved oxygen and H+. Therefore, this study provided an available material and mechanism for sustainable fluoride removal from wastewater in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Do wearing masks and preservatives have a combined effect on skin health?

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

Phthalate Biomarkers Composition in Relation to Fatty Liver: Evidence from Epidemiologic and in vivo studies.

Phthalates, classified as environmental endocrine disruptors, pose potential toxicity risks to human health. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is one of the most widespread liver diseases globally. Compared to studies focusing on metabolic disorders in relation to pollutants exposure, the impact of individual factors such as fatty liver on the in vivo metabolism of pollutants is always overlooked. Therefore, this study measured concentrations and composition of phthalate monoesters (mPAEs) in human urine samples, particularly those from fatty liver patients. Furthermore, we induced fatty liver in male Wistar rats by formulating a high-fat diet for twelve weeks. After administering a single dose of DEHP at 500 mg/kg bw through gavage, we compared the levels of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), its metabolites (mDEHPs) and three hepatic metabolic enzymes, namely cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450), UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 (UGT1), and carboxylesterase 1 (CarE1), between the normal and fatty liver rat groups. Compared to healthy individuals (n = 75), fatty liver patients (n = 104) exhibited significantly lower urinary concentrations of ∑mPAEs (median: 106 vs. 166 ng/mL), but with a higher proportion of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in ∑mDEHPs (25.7 % vs. 9.9 %) (p < 0.05). In the animal experiment, we found that fatty liver in rats prolonged the elimination half-life of DEHP (24.61 h vs. 18.89 h) and increased the contents of CYP450, CarE1, and UGT1, implying the common but differentiated metabolism of DEHP as excess lipid accumulation in liver cells. This study provides valuable information on how to distinguish populations in biomonitoring studies across a diverse population and in assigning exposure classifications of phthalates or similar chemicals in epidemiologic studies.

Algal Extracellular Organic Matter Induced Photochemical Oxidation of Mn(II) to Solid Mn Oxide: Role of Mn(III)-EOM Complex and Its Ability to Remove 17α-Ethinylestradiol.

Photosensitizer-mediated abiotic oxidation of Mn(II) can yield soluble reactive Mn(III) and solid Mn oxides. In eutrophic water systems, the ubiquitous algal extracellular organic matter (EOM) is a potential photosensitizer and may have a substantial impact on the oxidation of Mn(II). Herein, we focused on investigating the photochemical oxidation process from Mn(II) to solid Mn oxide driven by EOM. The results of irradiation experiments demonstrated that the generation of Mn(III) intermediate was crucial for the successful photo oxidization of Mn(II) to solid Mn oxide mediated by EOM. EOM can serve as both a photosensitizer and a ligand, facilitating the formation of the Mn(III)-EOM complex. The complex exhibited excellent efficiency in removing 17α-ethinylestradiol. Furthermore, the complex underwent decomposition as a result of reactions with reactive intermediates, forming a solid Mn oxide. The presence of nitrate can enhance the photochemical oxidation process, facilitating the conversion of Mn(II) to Mn(III) and then to solid Mn oxide. This study deepens our grasp of Mn(II) geochemical processes in eutrophic water and its impact on organic micropollutant fate.

[Research and Application Progress of Biochar in Amelioration of Saline-Alkali Soil].

Saline-alkali land， as one of the farmland problems that seriously threatens grain yield in the 21st century， is widely distributed and has great potential for development. Biochar is a relatively efficient novel soil amendment， which can play an important role in alleviating the soil acid-base barrier， soil pollution control， carbon sequestration， and fertilizer slow release and has a great prospect in promoting sustainable agricultural development. In recent years， the research and application of biochar to improve saline-alkali soil have attracted much attention. However， due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the structural components of biochar， the improvement effect of biochar on saline-alkali soil is highly uncertain， and there is also a lack of systematic summary and in-depth discussion of the key mechanisms， which limits the further popularization and application of biochar technology in the improvement of saline-alkali soil. This study comprehensively analyzed the effects of biochar on physicochemical properties， nutrient availability， and biological characteristics of saline-alkali soil； summarized the improvement effects of biochar and modified biochar on saline-alkali soil and their effects on quality and efficiency； and elucidated the possible mechanism of biochar in the improvement of saline-alkali soil. The future research prospect of biochar was discussed in order to provide reference for further research and development of green， efficient， and accurate improvement technology of biochar in saline-alkali soil and its popularization and application.