Bisphenol Research Articles

Enriched environment rescues bisphenol A induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment by modulating synaptic plasticity

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an exogenous endocrine disruptor in the environmental context, garnering attention for its harmful effects on the nervous system function and behavior. Research indicates that being exposed to BPA may result in anxiety-like behavior and impairment in cognitive function. Enriched environment (EE) is beneficial to improve cognitive behavior, but whether EE can improve BPA-induced behavioral impairment is still unclear. This research explored the possible pathways through which EE alleviates anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in mice exposed to BPA. Except for the control mice, all mice received BPA treatment. After BPA treatment, some mice were housed normally, some housed with EE, and some were given NMDA and AMPA receptor agonists. Our research revealed that exposure to BPA results in anxiety-like behavior in open field and elevated-plus maze experiments. Additionally, spatial and learning memory cognitive impairments were observed in Y-maze and water maze tests. Furthermore, exposure to BPA led to a decrease in both the density and maturity of dendritic spines, as well as a reduction in neurite length and branch numbers. PSD-95, GluA1, and NR2A expression were down-regulated, and excitatory synaptic transmission was decreased. However, EE treatment increased dendrite spine density and maturity, up-regulated PSD-95, GluA1and NR2A expression, enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission, and relieved anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in BPA mice. Furthermore, administering NMDA or AMPA receptor agonists to BPA mice led to an increase in dendritic spine density and maturity, a rise in mEPSC amplitude, as well as a restoration of anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits induced by BPA. The findings of this study provide proof that EE has a neuroprotective effect in reducing anxiety-related behavior and cognitive decline caused by BPA.

Sustainable Approach for Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene Plastic Waste Using Ligninolytic White Rot Fungus.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor is used in manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics for food-drink packaging. In the present study, optimized set of conditions to degrade commercial grade BPA has been used and applied in degrading shredded leached low-density polyethylene (LDPE) residues and its leachate (198 µg/L BPA) using white rot fungus Hypocrea lixii. One-at-a-time method showed maximum BPA degradation of 98.73 ± 0.02% with 190.1 ± 0.2 U/L laccase and 1913.2 ± 0.3 U/L lignin peroxidase in glucose-yeast extract-malt extract-peptone (GYMP) medium supplemented with 5% sawdust, mediators-CuSO4 (0.2 mM), veratryl alcohol (0.1 mM) and Tween 80 (0.1 mM). Three sets were prepared by dissolving these optimized nutritional components in leachates-A (only leachate), B (leached LDPE residues in leachate) and C (leached LDPE residues, sawdust in leachate). All sets showed 100% degradation in 5 days. Cracks and holes in degraded LDPE pieces was confirmed by SEM analysis and changes in functional groups by FTIR. Toxicity assay of treated leachate on soil microfauna revealed the elimination of BPA as it supported sufficient microbial growth of soil bacteria. Thus, the present process provides a sustainable solution for the management of LDPE with the possibility of using treated leachate for irrigation.

Removal of BPA by Pseudomonas asiatica P1: Synergistic response mechanism of toxicity resistance and biodegradation

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a globally concerning toxic pollutant, and microbial degradation is considered an effective method to treat BPA contamination. However, the inherent microbial toxicity of BPA is often overlooked, particularly the microbial mechanisms of resistance and detoxification against BPA. This study found that under the toxic stress of BPA, cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidase (cbb3-Cox) in the cells of Pseudomonas asiatica P1 (P. asiatica P1) was the first to resist the toxicity. Genes such as ccoNOQPG showed significant upregulation with an average log2FC value of 3.56. Subsequently, genes that are related to metal ion binding, transport, and DNA repair were upregulated in the middle to later phase, which enhanced the metabolic functions of the strains and induced strain mutations to assist P. asiatica P1 in resisting the BPA toxicity. Meanwhile, three potential BPA degradation genes were identified, among which sdrP1 was crucial to the BPA degradation and detoxification. After genetic recombination, sdrP1 achieved a degradation rate of 92.52 % for BPA. Furthermore, through various methods such as alkyl interactions, sdrP1 exhibited oxidation and demethylation to form lower toxic intermediate products and complete the biological detoxification of BPA. This study provides a systematic analysis of the toxicity resistance, biodegradation, and detoxification processes in bacterial BPA removal, refines the mechanism of BPA biodegradation and contributes to a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of the overall process of microbial removal of toxic pollutants.

Environmental pollution by plasticizers and the relationship to vector dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti: Bisphenol A (BPA) affect the development and viral immune pathway response

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in various products, leading to human exposure through dietary and non-dietary sources. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting reproductive processes in vertebrates by binding to estrogen receptors. While its effects on vertebrates have been extensively studied, much less is known about its impact on invertebrates. This study investigates the effects of BPA on the development and immune response of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are important vectors for arboviral diseases, such as dengue, an emergent viral disease worldwide. Artificial aquatic niches (AAN) were sampled, and BPA concentrations were quantified. Ae. aegypti larvae were exposed to varying BPA concentrations, and their development, fecundity, fertility, and immune response were assessed. Results show delayed development and decreased emergence of mosquitoes exposed to BPA. Females exposed to BPA exhibited reduced oviposition while hatching rates remained unaffected. Furthermore, BPA exposure altered the expression of immune response genes in adult mosquitoes, with differential effects observed between sexes. This suggests that BPA exposure during early developmental stages can modulate the antiviral immune response in adult mosquitoes, possibly through the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling pathway. Overall, this study highlights the potential impact of BPA on the development and immune function of mosquito vectors, with implications for vector competence and disease transmission.

Bisphenol A and its metabolites promote white adipogenesis and impair brown adipogenesis in vitro

Bisphenol A (BPA), an obesogen, can disrupt adipogenesis in vitro, but these studies did not distinguish adipocytes as white or brown. BPA can be metabolized into BPA-glucuronide (BPA-G) and BPA-sulfate (BPA-S). These metabolites are not completely inactive in the body, but the related studies remain limited. In this study, preadipocytes isolated from mouse white and brown adipose tissues were treated with 0.1, 1, and 10μM of BPA and its metabolites for 6 days, which are equivalent to the exposure level of general and occupational populations, to investigate and compare the effects of BPA and its metabolites on white and brown adipogenesis. The results showed that BPA and BPA-G increased lipid accumulation during white adipogenesis, whereas only BPA induced this same effect during brown adipogenesis. Moreover, BPA and its metabolites upregulated the expression of pan-adipogenic markers, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), during white adipogenesis, whereas they downregulated that of PPARγ during brown adipogenesis. Additionally, BPA also inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of brown fat-specific markers (e.g., PPARγ coactivator 1-1alpha (PGC1-α) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)), and mitochondrial activity during brown adipogenesis, and BPA-G also reduced the mRNA expression levels of Pgc1-α and Ucp1. These findings indicated that BPA induced different effects on white and brown adipogenesis, enhancing the former and hindering the latter. Despite less potent than BPA, BPA-G and BPA-S might also affect white and brown adipogenesis. This research provides in-depth insights into the obesogenic effects of BPA and the biological activities of its metabolites.

Endocrine-disrupting compounds in urban rivers of the southern border of Mexico: Occurrence and ecological risk assessment

The occurrence of seven endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in four urban rivers on the southern border of Mexico was studied in this work. The selected EDCs were 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), 4-nonylphenol (4NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4TOP). Water samples from the Coatan, Texcuyuapan, Cahoacan, and Coatancito rivers were collected at three different sites on each river and processed by solid phase extraction (SPE). The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and compounds of interest were identified by dynamic mass reaction monitoring mode (dMRM). Among the target EDCs, E2, BPA, and 4NP were detected in all water samples, with BPA being the most abundant ranging from 4.22 up to 127.96 ng/L. Correlation tests showed significant positive associations between estrogens and BPA, as well as the correlation between alkylphenols and BPA, suggesting common origin emission sources, which were identified as discharges of untreated municipal wastewater. Finally, the estimation of RQ and EEQ values indicated that the presence of E2, E3, EE2, and BPA in all sampled points represents a high risk for aquatic life in these sites, mainly for Texcuyuapan River, where the aquatic organisms may be susceptible to endocrine disruption by chronic exposure to detected compounds.

Bisphenol A in Indian Take-Out Soups: Compliance, Implications and Sustainable Solutions

This research investigates the migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from packaging containers into take-out vegetable soups and premixed tomato soups through three replicate studies. The samples underwent extraction using solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, followed by separation on a C18 column. BPA concentrations in the soups were assessed at 15, 30, and 45-minute intervals, consistently revealing undetectable levels (<LOQ). Plastic packaging samples, known for BPA utilization in production, remained below the Specific Migration Limit (SML) set at 0.5 mg.kg-1, irrespective of material type or contact conditions. These results, conforming to EC regulations, suggest that food-contact materials (FCMs) in the Indian market pose no apparent health hazards during initial use. The absence of detectable BPA levels is attributed to the limited time-temperature relationship during the study. However, caution is warranted as BPA migration can occur with repeated use, emphasizing the importance of considering material quality and intended use of FCMs. The study underscores the significance of understanding BPA leaching under varied conditions, necessitating further research to explore long-term implications. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights for regulators, manufacturers, and consumers, contributing to the ongoing discourse on food safety and using plastic materials in food packaging.

Folic acid mitigates the developmental and neurotoxic effects of bisphenol A in zebrafish by inhibiting the oxidative stress/JNK signaling pathway

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread environmental endocrine disruptor (EED) that can cause various environmental and health issues by inducing oxidative stress. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in oxidative stress-mediated cellular damage. Although folic acid (FA) has demonstrated antioxidant properties, its potential protective effects against BPA-induced developmental and neurotoxicity, as well as the mechanisms involved in the JNK signaling pathway, are still not completely understood. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations of BPA ranging from 20 to 40 µM, with or without treatment of 50 µM FA, starting at 6 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Various parameters such as hatchability, survival rate, body length, and heart rate were measured and analyzed. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted to study the changes in gene expression. Oxidative stress markers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and catalase (CAT) activity, were assessed. The expression of proteins related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/JNK pathway was analyzed using western blot. Neurodevelopmental and apoptotic outcomes were evaluated through behavioral tests, immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR examinations. The study found that exposure to BPA led to a decrease in hatchability, survival, body length, heart rate, total antioxidant capacity and promoted apoptosis in zebrafish larvae. However, supplementation with FA was able to alleviate these negative effects. BPA exposure increased levels of ROS, LPO, and H2O2, while decreasing CAT activity in zebrafish larvae. Treatment with FA effectively reduced BPA-induced oxidative stress and restored antioxidant defense systems. Moreover, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the MAPK signaling pathway was the most enriched signaling pathway. Further studies revealed that BPA activated the JNK signaling pathway, while FA suppressed this activation. Additionally, FA significantly improved BPA-induced neurobehavioral deficits and protected against neurocytological alterations. Our findings demonstrate that FA effectively protects against BPA-induced developmental and neurotoxic effects in zebrafish by suppressing oxidative stress and inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway. This study provides new strategies and insights for preventing BPA-induced developmental and neurotoxicity in aquatic organisms.

Bisphenol A disrupts the neuronal F-actin cytoskeleton by activating the RhoA/ROCK/LIMK pathway in Neuro-2a cells

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disruptor that is widely present in the environment and has been reported to affect neuronal cytoskeleton and neural function. However, the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of BPA on cytoskeleton rearrangement were examined, and the associated signaling pathways, which were influenced by the RhoA/ROCK/LIMK pathway in Neuro-2a cells in vitro, were identified. Specifically, Neuro-2a cells were exposed to BPA, and the effects of BPA exposure on the cytoskeleton of neuronal cells and on the activation or nonactivation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), phalloidin staining, western blot, and real-time PCR. A RhoA inhibitor (Rhosin hydrochloride) and a ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632) were then used to elucidate the precise function of the pathway. The results demonstrated that 50–100μM BPA exposure inhibited Neuro-2a cell viability and caused the formation of aberrantly polymerized F-actin and stress fibers. In addition, the RhoA/ROCK pathway was activated, and the expression levels of the pathway-related molecules—RhoA, ROCK2, LIMK1, Cofilin, Profilin, p-MLC2, and F-actin were dramatically elevated. The addition of Rhosin and Y-27632 resulted in a decrease in F-actin polymerization in the Neuro-2a cells, the disassembly of stress fibers, and a noteworthy drop in the levels of molecular proteins related to the RhoA/ROCK pathway affected by BPA. Together, these new findings indicated that BPA exposure thus activated the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and caused an abnormal accumulation of F-actin in the Neuro-2a cells, in turn altering the microfilament cytoskeleton. F-actin was restored when the RhoA/ROCK pathway was inhibited, suggesting that the process of BPA-induced neuronal cytoskeletal degradation is linked to the RhoA/ROCK signaling cascade.

The catalytic reduction-oxidation collaborative processes for enhanced elimination of TBBPA over Pd/CeO2-R catalyst

The degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was inhibited due to the existence of strong electron attraction Br. The reduction of TBBPA usually generated bisphenol A (BPA), which still do harm to the environment. Herein, we prepared Pd/CeO2 catalysts for the valid elimination of TBBPA with clean products via the catalytic hydrodebromination-oxidation (R-O) synergy processes. TBBPA suffered debromination and BPA and Br- were the products after reaction for 60min during the catalytic hydrodebromination (HDBr) processes, BPA could be degraded smoothly in the following oxidation step involved PMS activation, reflecting an excellent ability of the Pd based catalyst for the activation of H2, C-Br bond and PMS. Both Pd0 and Pdn+ played key roles for the HDBr of TBBPA, while Pd0 was the main active sites for the oxidation of BPA. HOBr generated from Br- oxidation favored the removal of BPA while the reactive species such as 1O2 generated from PMS activation further accelerated the TOC removal. The TOC removal rate was 5.2% for the direct degradation of TBBPA in the PMS/DP-Pd/CeO2-R system, while this value increased to 57.5% in the R-O synergy system. In addition, after reaction for 120min to eliminate TBBPA, the products were friendly to the aquatic organisms in the R-O synergy system, while the products remain exhibited strong toxicity in the single oxidation system, highlighting the advantages of the Pd/CeO2 catalyst triggered reduction/oxidation cooperation processes.

Decoration of marigold flower-like CoMo LDH on reinforced cow manure-derived biochar as an effective peroxymonosulfate activator for degradation of Bisphenol A in water

Marigold flower-like CoMo layered double hydroxide (LDH) was decorated on biochar derived from cow manure (CoMo@BC) to act as an efficient activator for peroxymonosulfate (PMS), enabling the degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) in water. The CoMo@BC/PMS system can eliminate up to 98% of BPA at a concentration of 0.044mM within 15min. High efficacy is sustained in the pH range of 5 to 9, underscoring the robustness and adaptability of the system. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits excellent stability, retaining activity over five consecutive cycles. Versatility is highlighted by the capability to degrade over 88% of various organic pollutants, indicating broad-spectrum applicability in water treatment. A comprehensive mechanistic study has elucidated three distinct degradation pathways and identified six intermediates of BPA, providing valuable insights into the catalytic process. Overall, the research underscores the potential of CoMo@BC as a highly effective catalyst for advanced water treatment applications through PMS activation. Significant efficacy in eliminating organic pollutants suggests great promise for enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of water purification technologies.

Annealing construction of in situ heterojunction for photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A

Here, we report the synthesis of bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) photocatalysts with oxygen vacancy defects by a one-pot solvothermal method followed by annealing in a nitrogen atmosphere. This method allows the oxygen vacancy concentration to be tuned and provides new insights into defect engineering of photocatalytic materials. We found that the Bi2O3/BiOI heterojunction formed after annealing at 400°C significantly improves the photocatalytic performance, which provides a new strategy for the optimal design of structures for efficient photocatalysts. Using a combination of characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), as well as density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have elucidated the photocatalytic mechanism of the Bi2O3/BiOI heterojunctions, highlighting their role in facilitating the photogenerated charge-carrier separation and transfer. The optimized A-B40 samples exhibited photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of up to 99.7% for bisphenol A (BPA), highlighting their potential for remediation of environmental pollutants. This study presents a method for the preparation of high-performance BiOI-based photocatalysts, which offers valuable theoretical and experimental prospects for the development of eco-friendly photocatalytic materials.

M6A RNA Methylation Modulates Autophagy by Targeting Map1lc3b in Bisphenol A Induced Leydig Cell Dysfunction

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure can affect testicular Leydig cells (LCs), potentially causing male infertility. Research suggests that RNA epigenetic response to environmental exposure may impact LCs function and testosterone production, but the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in mediating BPA exposure and its regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that BPA exposure significantly reduces testosterone biosynthesis and upregulates m6A modification in LCs using both in vivo and in vitro models. The involvement of the m6A "writer" METTL3 and the "eraser" ALKBH5 in regulating LCs m6A levels during BPA exposure was discovered, highlighting their central role. Manipulating these factors to reduce m6A methylation levels demonstrated potential for alleviating BPA-induced damage to LCs. Furthermore, integrated analysis of transcriptomic and MeRIP sequencing data reveals that the upregulation of m6A levels induced by BPA specifically targets the Map1lc3b mRNA, a pivotal regulator of autophagy, thereby exerting suppressive effects on autophagic processes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that targeting m6A RNA methylation could be a potential therapeutic approach to mitigate BPA-induced reproductive toxicity, offering novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of male reproductive health.

Highly effective catalytic degradation of bisphenol a through activation of peroxymonosulfate by an Fe-Nx structure anchored on novel lignin-based graphitic biochar: Electron transfer mechanism

A lignin-based Fe/N co-doped carbonaceous catalyst was synthesized via freeze-drying followed by pyrolysis to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for efficient degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The Fe/N co-doped biochar exhibited a high specific surface area (364.84 m2/g), hierarchical porous structures, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups), which enhancing the dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticle and exposure of catalytic site. The Fe8-N10-C/PMS system achieved 100 % BPA degradation within 20 min with a corresponding first-order reaction rate constant (kobs) of 0.4056 min−1, which outperformed most reported catalysts in efficiency. Quenching and EPR analyses revealed that both free radicals (•OH, SO4•−, and O2•−) and non-radical (1O2) were rate-limiting steps, while graphitic N and Fe-Nx structures facilitated direct electron transfer from BPA to PMS in electrochemical tests. XPS results confirmed that pyrrolic N, rather than pyridinic N, played a crucial role in forming the Fe-Nx structure. Moreover, the catalyst showed excellent stability, regeneration capability, and adaptability under diverse conditions, highlighting the potential of the Fe-N-C/PMS system for practical wastewater treatment applications.

Multi-enzyme-immobilized robust self-floating covalent organic framework/chitosan aerogels for the efficient remediation of emerging pollutants in water

Organic contaminants of emerging concern (OCECs) as a new class of organic pollutants have initiated intense global concerns. The efficient enzymatic water treatment was consider the crucial for the potential remediation process. However, the widespread application of enzymatic systems faces significant obstacles, including low enzyme activity and the lower value of recovery. Thus, a novel multi-enzymes immobilized biocatalytic system (multi-enzyme@COF@Chitosan aerogels) was synthesized via the combine the in-situ direct immobilization process and double-cross linking strategy in this study. Results showed that multi-enzyme@COF@Chitosan aerogels exhibits good mesoporous structure (the pore size distribution is 2.5nm) and mechanical strength, leading to remarkable stability a broader pH range (4-7) and temperature range (30~70 ℃). For typical OCECs, including 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), paracetamol (PCM), sulfamethoxazole (SMO), bisphenol A (BPA), Sulfamerazine (SMR), the remediation activities reached 100%, 87%, 68%, 69%, and 100%, respectively. Likewise, the multi-enzyme@COF@Chitosan aerogels exhibited good reusability, with the relative activity still maintained approximately 75.7% after seven cycles. Moreover, the electrochemical characteristics of multi-enzymes@COF@Chitosan aerogel and enzymes activities were contributed to degradation the OCECs.

Multifunctional nanocomposites based on kaolinite/titania/iron applied to hydrogen peroxide production and bisphenol–A removal

The rising global demand for hydrogen peroxide, recognized for its eco–friendly properties, underscores the need for greener synthesis methods. Traditional production processes pose environmental risks, while direct synthesis faces challenges like water formation, explosion hazards, and stability issues, limiting industrial application. On the other hand, Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor widely used in plastics, presents significant environmental and health concerns due to its potential leaching into food and water. The present work introduces efficient and selective photocatalysts aimed at sustainable hydrogen peroxide synthesis and BPA degradation. Both processes were enhanced by the synergistic properties of Fe2O3–TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed within a kaolinite matrix. The Fe2O3–TiO2 photocatalysts, characterized by photoluminescence spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction, showed reduced emission upon iron incorporation and anatase presence on the kaolinite surface. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated through hydroxylation of terephthalic acid, revealing a 127 μmol/L min hydroxylation rate for the KaFeTi400 sample. BPA degradation studies indicated optimal performance in acidic conditions, achieving 96 % removal in 2 h and 98 % in 4 h, with the addition of H2O2 enhancing efficiency. Further, the photocatalyst facilitated benzyl alcohol oxidation to benzaldehyde, demonstrating a H2O2 production rate of 120 μmol. These findings highlight the multifunctional capabilities and environmental benefits of the photocatalyst, underscoring its potential for sustainable hydrogen peroxide synthesis and broader applications in environmental remediation. The catalysts address the pressing challenges associated with hydrogen peroxide synthesis and pollutant removal, particularly in the context of sustainability and environmental impact.

ZIF-derived non-bonding Cu/Zn catalysts-driven peroxymonosulfate activation via selective generation of surface-bound radicals for efficient water purification

The peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PMS-AOPs) have been extensively studied in wastewater treatment due to their ability to generate various reactive oxygen species. However, the ultra-short half-lives of free radical species limit their effective transfer from the catalyst surfaces to the target organic contaminants for efficient decontamination. Thus, directed production of reactive species with longer lifetimes is challenging but belong with significant demand. In this study, a catalyst with neighboring Cu and Zn heteroatoms pairs anchored on the surface of zeolitic imidazolate framework (Cu/Zn-ZIF) was designed to selectively and sustainably generate radicals via PMS activation. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) demonstrated the formation of non-bonding Cu-Zn heteroatom pairs. Owing to the synergistic effect of the Cu and Zn heteroatoms, the Cu/Zn-ZIF/PMS system achieved 99.5 % removal rate of bisphenol A (BPA) within 60 min. Therein, PMS was stabilized by the strongly adsorptive Cu/Zn-ZIF and activated within the nanoscale confinement of Cu sites, resulting in the directional generation of surface-bound •OH and SO4•− radicals with longer lifetimes, which facilitated the efficient removal of BPA. Significantly, it also demonstrated robust resilience against disruptions caused by intricate aquatic environments, including freshwater bodies and ionic species. These findings provide reference for theoretical research on the design of functional MOFs materials and the practical application of surface-bound radicals in AOPs

Salt template-assisted polymer tethering strategy to achieve high dispersed cobalt single atoms/clusters on porous carbon catalysts for effective Fenton-like reactions

The exploration of the synthesis of porous carbon-supported metal nanocatalysts with high metal loading and dispersion for the development of heterogenous catalysts is important. However, this remains a challenging subject. In this paper, a salt template-assisted polymer tethering strategy was proposed to prepare Co single atom and ultrafine cluster anchored on porous carbon (Co-NPC) with a high-loading of 16.9wt%, thereby exposing high density of reaction sites. The obtained Co-NPC catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance for almost 100% degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) within 20min, which is much faster than the CoSA-NPC catalyst with only single atom sites and Co-NC without salt template added. Radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance tests verified that both the nonradical oxidation pathway by 1O2, the electron transfer and radical oxidation pathway by •OH, SO4•- appeared during the degradation process. After 3 cycles, the removal rate of BPA did not decrease significantly. The fixed bed experiment revealed that Co-NPC could realize the continuous degradation of methylene blue (MB) with almost 100% degradation efficiency. This research indicated that the strategy by pyrolyzing metal coordinated polymer is a potential method for the synthesis of high metal loading catalyst at gram scale, meeting the requirement of practical applications.

High-efficient U(VI) removal from organic wastewater through polarization electric field enhanced photocatalysis with In2Se3@Ag3PO4 heterojunction

Effective catalytic methods and catalysts for the simultaneous removal of coexisting organic pollutants and heavy metal ions are crucial for sustainable and environmentally friendly water purification. Herein, flower-like S-scheme In2Se3@Ag3PO4 heterojunctions were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method for simultaneous removal of uranium (VI) (U(VI)) and organic pollutants using piezo-photocatalysis. Characterization and theoretical calculations confirmed the formation of the heterojunction, highlighting the significance of InO and SeP bonds in the S-scheme for enhancing photocatalytic reactions by improving charge carrier separation and migration. Additionally, the piezoelectric polarization electric field can also improve photocatalytic performance. The optimized In2Se3@Ag3PO4–3 catalyst demonstrated superior piezo-photocatalytic performance in synergistically removing U(VI) and degrading organics, such as tetracycline (TC), bisphenol A (BPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), levofloxacin (LVX), and norfloxacin (NOR). Particularly, in the presence of TC, the catalyst achieved 98.7 % U(VI) removal, and 94.1 % TC degradation within 30 min. This study introduces a promising strategy and a novel heterojunction catalyst with dual functional properties for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants and U(VI).

MicroRNA-34a-5p regulates agouti-related peptide via krüppel-like factor 4 and is disrupted by bisphenol A in hypothalamic neurons

Obesity is a complex disease marked by increased adiposity and impaired metabolic function. While diet and lifestyle are primary causes, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A (BPA), significantly contribute to obesity. BPA, found in plastic consumer products, accumulates in the hypothalamus and dysregulates energy homeostasis by disrupting the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons.However, the precise molecular mechanisms of how BPA disrupts neuropeptide expression remains unclear. We hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate approximately 60% of the human protein-coding genome and are crucial for hypothalamic energy regulation, may mediate the effects of BPA on Agrp. Using the TargetScanMouse 8.0 and DIANA microT bioinformatics tools, we identified miR-501-5p as a potential miRNA that directly regulates Agrp and the miR-34 family as miRNAs that indirectly regulate Agrp through its transcription factor krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). We found that in an immortalized NPY/AgRP-expressing cell line, mHypoE-41, miR-501-5p unexpectedly upregulated Agrp, while miR-34a-5p reduced Klf4 and Agrp mRNA levels. Serum starvation reduced miR-34a-5p levels and elevated Agrp mRNA levels, suggesting a potential role in AgRP regulation. Inhibiting the miR-34a-5p interaction with the Klf4 3′UTR using a specific target site blocker prevented the downregulation of both Klf4 and Agrp, suggesting miR-34a-5p alters Agrp mRNA levels via regulation of KLF4. BPA treatment increased Agrp and Klf4 expression while simultaneously decreasing miR-34a-5p levels, indicating miR-34a-5p may play a role in BPA-mediated dysregulation of Agrp. Overall, this study highlights indirect miRNA-based regulation of Agrp, which can also be dysregulated by obesogens, such as BPA.