Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics Combined With Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment: Recent Developments and Prospects.

Both microplastics and antibiotics are commonly found contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics have the ability to absorb antibiotic pollutants in water, but the specific adsorption behavior and mechanism are not fully understood, particularly in relation to the impact of microplastics on toxicity in aquatic environments. We review the interaction, mechanism, and transport of microplastics and antibiotics in water environments, with a focus on the main physical characteristics and environmental factors affecting adsorption behavior in water. We also analyze the effects of microplastic carriers on antibiotic transport and long-distance transport in the water environment. The toxic effects of microplastics combined with antibiotics on aquatic organisms are systematically explained, as well as the effect of the adsorption behavior of microplastics on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Finally, the scientific knowledge gap and future research directions related to the interactions between microplastics and antibiotics in the water environment are summarized to provide basic information for preventing and treating environmental risks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the aquatic environment: environmental distribution, the research status and eco-toxicity.

The increasing presence of fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics in aquatic environments is a growing concern due to their widespread use, negatively impacting aquatic organisms. This paper provides an overview of the environmental distribution, sources, fate, and both single and mixed toxicity of FQ antibiotics in aquatic environments. It also examines the accumulation of FQ antibiotics in aquatic organisms and their transfer into the human body through the food chain. The study identifies critical factors such as metabolism characteristics, physiochemical characteristics, light, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and environmental compatibility that influence the presence of FQ antibiotics in aquatic environments. Mixed pollutants of FQ antibiotics pose significant risks to the ecological environment. Additionally, the paper critically discusses advanced treatment technologies designed to remove FQ antibiotics from wastewater, focusing on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs). The discussion also includes the benefits and limitations of these technologies in degrading FQ antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants. The paper concludes by proposing new approaches for regulating and controlling FQ antibiotics to aid in the development of ecological protection measures.

Uric Acid Inhibits Mice Pancreatic Steatosis via the Glycerophospholipid Pathway.

Background: despite evidence for mutually reinforcing effects of serum uric acid (SUA) and lipids, the effects of uric levels on pancreatic steatosis are not well-established. In this study, the relationship between low concentrations of uric acid and pancreatic steatosis was evaluated. Methods: forty C57BL/6J mice were fed a diet of high uric acid (HU), high fat (HF), high uric acid and high fat (HUHF), and normal control (NC) (10 mice in each group). Weight was measured weekly. Ultrasonography was performed to observe the pancreatic echo intensity of all mice before the end of feeding. Subsequently, peripheral blood was taken for biochemical examination. Intact pancreatic tissues were taken, part of which was used for pathological examination, part of which was used for PCR experiments and Western Blot experiments to obtain glycerophospholipid-associated mRNA data and protein levels. Results: body weight was significantly higher in the HF group than in the other three groups. Higher uric acid matched lower total cholesterol and triglyceride, matched higher low-density lipoprotein, and matched equal high-density lipoprotein. Ultrasound images and HE staining of pancreatic tissues of mice showed that higher uric acid matched lower fat content. The mRNA levels of phospholipase A2 group IB were highest in high uric acid group, while relative protein expression levels were lowest in high uric acid and control groups. Phospholipase A2 group IIA showed the opposite patterns. Conclusions: elevated serum uric acid at low concentrations can inhibit pancreatic steatosis, which is modulated via the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway.

A novel simplified transperineal prostate biopsy guided by perineal ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Prostate biopsies are mainly performed through transrectal or perineal approaches, while ultrasound probes are located in the rectum for guidance. However, reports on the use of perineal ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy (PG-TPPB) are few. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was designed. A total of 111 patients who underwent PG-TPPB from February 2019 to December 2020 were investigated retrospectively. Simultaneously, 188 patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) were included as control. The prostate cancer detection rates (PCDR), complication rates, and application values were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The overall PCDR in the PG-TPPB and TRPB groups were 33.3% (37/111) and 39.9% (75/188), respectively (P = .258). There was no significant difference in the PCDR between the 2 groups under each prostate-specific antigen level (all P > .05). The single-needle PCDR in the PG-TPPB and TRPB groups were 21.5% (277/1 287) and 24.0% (513/2 134), respectively (P = .091). The incidence of complications in the PG-TPPB group was significantly lower than that in the TRPB group (8.1% vs 21.3%, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The PCDRs of PG-TPPB and TRPB were the same. However, the postoperative complication rate of PG-TPPB was significantly lower than that of TRPB. Moreover, PG-TPPB required simpler equipment and did not require enema administration, which is suitable for patients with rectal contraindications. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The reports on PG-TPPB are few. Our study indicated that PG-TPPB reduced the postoperative complication rate. Moreover, PG-TPPB required simpler equipment. Importantly, PG-TPPB is suitable for patients with rectal contraindications.

Catalytic Strategies for the Upcycling of Polyolefin Plastic Waste.

Chemical upgrading of waste plastics is currently one of the most important methods for addressing plastic pollution. In comparison to the current methods of incineration or landfill, chemical upgrading enables the utilization of carbon and hydrogen elements in waste plastics as resources. This process strongly relies on efficient catalysts and reaction systems. Through catalyst design, waste plastics can be converted into fuels or chemicals under the optimized reaction conditions, extending their life cycles. In this review, we systematically discuss various chemical conversion methods for polyolefin waste plastics, which account for a large proportion of waste plastics. We further explore the remaining challenges and future development trends in this field, including improving product value through product engineering and shifting research perspectives to exploring the tolerance of catalysts toward impurities in practical waste plastic waste rather than using pure plastic feedstock.

The application value of lung ultrasound scoring in assessing disease severity: Evaluation of small-scale outbreaks of COVID-19.

PURPOSE: This study explored the use of transthoracic lung ultrasound for evaluating COVID-19 patients, compared it with computed tomography (CT), and examined its effectiveness using 8 and 12 lung regions. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with COVID-19 and 40 healthy volunteers were assessed using 12 regions (bilateral upper/lower regions of the anterior/lateral/posterior chest) and simplified 8 zones (bilateral upper/lower regions of the anterior/lateral chest) transthoracic lung ultrasound. The relationships between ultrasound, CT, and clinical indicators were analyzed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound scores in COVID-19. RESULTS: Increased disease severity correlated with increased 8- and 12-zone ultrasound and CT scores (all p < 0.05). The modified 8-zone method strongly correlated with the 12-zone method (Pearson's r = 0.908, p < 0.05). The 8- and 12-zone methods correlated with CT scoring (correlation = 0.568 and 0.635, respectively; p < 0.05). The intragroup correlation coefficients of the 8-zone, 12-zone, and CT scoring methods were highly consistent (intragroup correlation coefficient = 0.718, p < 0.01). The 8-zone ultrasound score correlated negatively with oxygen saturation (rs = 0.306, p < 0.05) and Ca (rs = 0.224, p < 0.05) and positively with IL-6 (rs = 0.0.335, p < 0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (rs = 0.327, p < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase (rs = 0.230, p < 0.05), and aspartate aminotransferase (rs = 0.251, p < 0.05). The 12-zone scoring method correlated negatively with oxygen saturation (rs = 0.338, p < 0.05) and Ca (rs = 0.245, p < 0.05) and positively with IL-6 (rs = 0.354, p < 0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (rs = 0.495, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lung ultrasound scores represent the clinical severity and have high clinical value for diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia. The 8-zone scoring method can improve examination efficiency and reduce secondary injuries caused by patient movement.