Environmental Contamination Research Articles

Evaluation of the impact of L-Tryptophan on the toxicology of Perfluorooctanoic acid in Daphnia magna: Characterization and perspectives

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a pervasive environmental contaminant with well-documented toxic effects on both humans and animals, attracting significant scientific concern. Due to its affinity for proteins, research has predominantly focused on PFOA's interactions with biological macromolecules. However, the specific role of smaller molecules, such as amino acids, remains underexplored. This study uniquely evaluates the potential of l-tryptophan (L-Trp) to mitigate PFOA toxicity and investigates the interaction mechanisms involved. Results indicate that the presence of L-Trp in PFOA-contaminated water reduces acute toxicity in Daphnia magna, with an optimal molar ratio of approximately 1:2 (Trp:PFOA). The findings reveal that non-covalent interactions, particularly van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, are central to the Trp–PFOA complex formation. Additional contributions from hydrophobic interactions at the indole group and electrostatic forces between carbonyl and amine groups further stabilize the complex. These interactions likely reduce PFOA's toxicity by altering its bioavailability and distribution. While this study offers valuable insights into the binding mechanisms between L-Trp and PFOA, it raises important questions about the reversibility of this interaction and its applicability to other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

Cardioprotective potential of sakuranetin to counteract polyethylene microplastics induced cardiotoxicity

Polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) are toxic environmental contaminants which can impair multiple organs including heart. Sakuranetin (SKN) is a potential flavonoid with diverse pharmacological benefits. This research was undertaken to analyze the defensive impact of SKN to avert PEMPs-induced cardiotoxicity. Rats were allocated into 4 separate groups: control, PEMPs (1.5 mg kg−1), PEMPs + SKN (1.5 mg kg−1 + 10 mg kg−1) & only SKN (10 mg kg−1) treated group. After 30 days of treatment, our results revealed that PEMPs exposure reduced Nrf2 & antioxidant genes whereas increased Keap1 expression. Besides PEMPs intoxication escalated the level of cardiac biomarkers (CPK, LDH, Troponin I & CK-MB). Additionally, it lessened the activities of GSH, GST, SOD, HO-1, CAT, GSR, GPx whereas the levels of MDA and OS were increased. Conversely, the levels of inflammatory biomarkers i.e., COX-2 activity IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-kB & IL-6 were augmented. Besides, the expressions of apoptotic biomarkers i.e., Bax & caspase-3 were enhanced while the Bcl-2 expression was decreased. Furthermore, histological analysis indicated substantial cardiac tissue damage. However, SKN treatment significantly restored the PEMPs-induced biochemical as well as histological impairments. Therefore, SKN could be used as a therapeutic compound to ameliorate PEMPs-induced cardiac impairments in rats, possibly due to its tremendous pharmacotherapeutic potential.

Response of crop seed germination and primary root elongation to a binary mixture of diclofenac and naproxen.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac (DCF) and naproxen (NPX), represent a group of environmental contaminants often detected in various water and soil samples. This work aimed to assess possible phytotoxic effects of DCF and NPX in concentrations 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L, both individually and in binary mixtures, on the seed germination and primary root elongation of crops, monocots Allium porrum and Zea mays, and dicots Lactuca sativa and Pisum sativum. Results proved that the seed germination was affected by neither individual drugs nor their mixture. The response of primary root length in monocot and dicot species to the same treatment was different. The Inhibition index (%) comparing the root length of drug-treated plants to controls proved to be approximately 10% inhibition in the case of dicots lettuce and pea, and nearly 20% inhibition in monocot leek, but almost 20% stimulation in monocot maize. Assessment of the binary mixture effect confirmed neither synergistic nor antagonistic interaction of DCF and NPX on early plant development in the applied concentration range.

A Narrative Review of Acanthamoeba Isolates in Malaysia: Challenges in Infection Management and Natural Therapeutic Advancements.

Acanthamoeba,a free-living amoeba (FLA) found in diverse ecosystems, poses significant health risks globally, particularly in Malaysia. It causes severe infectious diseases, e.g.,Acanthamoebakeratitis (AK), primarily affecting individuals who wear contact lenses, along with granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), a rare but often life-threatening condition among immunocompromised individuals. AK has become increasingly prevalent in Malaysia and is linked to widespread environmental contamination and improper contact lens hygiene. Recent studies highlightAcanthamoeba's capacity to serve as a "Trojan horse" for amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARBs), contributing to hospital-associated infections (HAIs). These symbiotic relationships and the resilience ofAcanthamoebacysts make treatment challenging. Current diagnostic methods in Malaysia rely on microscopy and culture, though molecular procedures like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are employed for more precise detection. Treatment options remain limited due to the amoeba's cyst resistance to conventional therapies. However, recent advancements in natural therapeutics, including using plant extracts such as betulinic acid fromPericampylus glaucusand chlorogenic acid fromLonicera japonica, have shown promising in vitro results. Additionally, nanotechnology applications, mainly using gold and silver nanoparticles to enhance drug efficacy, are emerging as potential solutions. Further, in vivo studies and clinical trials must validate these findings. This review highlights the requirement for continuous research, public health strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the growing threat ofAcanthamoebainfections in Malaysia while exploring the country's rich biodiversity for innovative therapeutic solutions.

Trivalent chromium stress trigger accumulation of secondary metabolites in rice plants: Integration of biochemical and transcriptomic analysis

Trivalent chromium [Cr (III)] is a frequently detected environmental contaminant that negatively affects plant metabolism, growth, and yield. Plant secondary metabolites are non-nutrient compounds involved in diverse physiological functions in response to abiotic stresses. This study performed biochemical and transcriptomic analyses to clarify the protective role and mechanism of secondary metabolites in rice seedlings under Cr(III) stress. The content of measured secondary metabolites i.e., total soluble phenolics, flavonoids, lignin, and anthocyanin in rice tissues was significantly enhanced under Cr(III) exposure. Additionally, the activities of several enzymes including chalcone synthase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, peroxidase, and anthocyanidin synthase, were positively activated. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Cr(III)-treated rice seedlings and their expression patterns are tissue-specific. Additionally, the DEGs involved in secondary metabolism pathways were evident after KEGG enrichment analysis. Cr(III) exposure resulted in distinct genetic regulation strategies in rice tissues, with different DEGs activating various sub-pathways in the secondary metabolism pathways to cope with Cr(III) stress. Furthermore, the integrated correlation analysis of the secondary metabolites and transcriptome data identified key genes involved in different steps of the sub-pathways of secondary metabolism pathway in rice plants under Cr(III) stress. This study indicates that the accumulation of secondary metabolites in rice plants is a survival and detoxification strategy to reduce the adverse effects of toxic compounds. Future research should explore how key genes in secondary metabolism pathways aid in Cr(III) detoxification and enhance crop stress tolerance.

Chlorinated paraffins as chlorine donors for the formation of 2- and 3-chloropropanediols in refined vegetable oils

The knowledge of chloropropanediols (MCPD) fatty acid esters formation pathways is an important condition for these processing contaminants mitigation. This study aimed to assess the potential of a group of lipophilic environmental contaminants, polychlorinated alkanes, commonly known as chlorinated paraffins (CPs), to contribute to the formation of MCPD esters. Laboratory-scale model systems representing vegetable oils contaminated with both a technical mixture of short-chained CPs and individual short-chained CPs were designed and subjected to heat treatment (230 °C, 2 h) to simulate the deacidification and deodorisation processes. A substantial increase in MCPD content (up to 3.4 times the control levels) was observed in systems spiked with a technical mixture. MCPD formation seems to correlate very well with the concentration of CPs in these systems. Based on the generated data, we can conclude that the processing of vegetable oils contaminated with CPs might contribute to elevated concentrations of MCPD.

Strain induced nitrobenzene sensing performance of MoSi2N4 monolayer: Investigation from density functional theory

The observing of environmental contaminant of Nitrobenzene (NB), from effluent discharges is a critical component of the surveillance to be conducted by public authorities and private sectors. By the way, the present work examines the NB adsorption behaviour of recently synthesized two-dimensional (2D) material MoSi2N4 through density functional theory (DFT). We observed that when increasing the percentage of strain (2, 4, 6 and 10 %) the adsorption energy also increasing reasonably compared to the unstrained case. The bandgap reduction was observed when gas molecule interacts with the strained MoSi2N4 and also the Bader charge calculation claims that the quantity of charge transferred between orbitals of N 2p of MoSi2N4 and the O 2p of NB. 4 % strain shows reasonable binding energy of 1.0201 eV with recovery time of 3.15 min. Moreover, there is strong bonding between N of MoSi2N4 and O of NB as evidenced from wavefunction analysis. 10 % strained system is stable at 600 K, which is examined through ab initio molecular dynamics study. The present theoretical investigation validates the 4 % strained MoSi2N4 can be fabricated as a sensor to detect the NB gas molecule.

Perizinan Lingkungan Sebagai Upaya Mengendalikan Pencemaran Akibat Industrial Waste Sesuai Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2023

This journal examines environmental permits in the enforcement of current legislative rules aimed at mitigating industrial pollution. The author elucidates that the issue of environmental pollution stemming from industrial waste has emerged as a global concern, as it poses a threat to human health and environmental sustainability. Despite the existence of legislation concerning environmental contamination, numerous infractions continue to be perpetrated by industry. The urgency of this research is considering that the environmental permit policy is a preventive government tool as an effort to control community behavior, and also repressive in overcoming environmental problems caused by human activities. Environmental licenses are a crucial governmental regulation designed to safeguard the environment from industrial waste contamination, thereby preventing harm that could adversely affect the community. Consequently, obtaining an environmental permit is crucial for implementing legislation pertaining to environmental protection, ensuring that industries adhere to established standards and are accountable for their waste production. The author asserts that robust environmental legislation may eliminate industrial waste contamination. Nevertheless, sustained collaboration is essential among all stakeholders, including the government, industry, and society, to guarantee the success of these initiatives.

First-Genome Sequence Data of an Alcaligenes nematophilus Strain EBU-23 Encoding bla Gene Implicated in Acute Childhood Gastroenteritis.

Although an environmental contaminant, Alcaligenes sp. are now increasingly reported in clinical infections. Here, we present a whole-genome sequence of an extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Alcaligenes nematophilus strain EBU-23 encoding beta-lactamase, bla gene, isolated from the stool of a hospitalized infant with acute gastroenteritis in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Antibiotics susceptibility test revealed that the isolate was resistant to the β-lactams, cephalosporins, and penicillin, β-lactam combination, and the fluoroquinolones. Genomic analysis exposed the presence of a class A beta-lactam hydrolase gene and multiple multidrug efflux permease which may be responsible for the beta-lactamase and multidrug resistance observed with the isolate. To the best our knowledge, we describe the first whole-genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant A. nematophilus implicated in acute childhood gastroenteritis in Nigeria.

Heavy-Metal Ions Control on PFAS Adsorption on Goethite in Aquatic Systems.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that often co-occur with heavy metals. Despite their prevalence, the mobility of PFAS in complex, multicomponent systems, particularly at the molecular scale, remains poorly understood. The vast diversity of PFAS and their low concentrations alongside anthropogenic and natural substances underscore the need for integrating mechanistic insights into the sorption models. This study explores the influence of metal cations (Cu(II), Cd(II), and Fe(II)) on the adsorption of four common PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFDA, and GenX) onto goethite (α-FeOOH), a common iron (oxyhydr)oxide in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. PFAS adsorption was highly dependent on the PFAS type, pH, and metal ion concentration, with a surface complexation model effectively predicting these interactions. Cu(II) and Cd(II) enhanced PFOS and PFDA adsorption via ternary complexation while slightly reducing PFOA and GenX adsorption. Under anoxic conditions, Fe(II) significantly increased the adsorption of all PFAS, showing reactivity greater than those of Cu(II) and Cd(II). Additionally, natural organic matter increased PFAS mobility, although metal cations in groundwater may counteract this by enhancing PFAS retention. These findings highlight the key role of metal cations in PFAS transport and offer critical insights for predicting PFAS behavior at oxic-anoxic environmental interfaces.

Microbial burden on environmental surfaces in long-term care facilities: a quantitative analysis.

We conducted a quantitative analysis of the microbial burden and prevalence of epidemiologically important pathogens (EIP) found on long-term care facilities (LTCF) environmental surfaces. Microbiological samples were collected using Rodac plates (25cm2/plate) from resident rooms and common areas in five LTCFs. EIP were defined as MRSA, VRE, C. difficile and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative rods (GNRs). Rooms of residents with reported colonization had much greater EIP counts per Rodac (8.32 CFU, 95% CI 8.05, 8.60) than rooms of non-colonized residents (0.78 CFU, 95% CI 0.70, 0.86). Sixty-five percent of the resident rooms and 50% of the common areas were positive for at least one EIP. If a resident was labeled by the facility as colonized with an EIP, we only found that EIP in 30% of the rooms. MRSA was the most common EIP recovered, followed by C. difficile and MDR-GNR. We found frequent environmental contamination with EIP in LTCFs. Colonization status of a resident was a strong predictor of higher levels of EIP being recovered from his/her room.

Environmental protection, health, and occupational safety initiatives: Reducing filter waste and environmental contamination from oil leaks in coal mining excavators

Background: Hazardous and toxic waste contamination in the mining industry is primarily generated from the servicing and maintenance of heavy equipment. One of the key issues in this process is hydraulic oil leaks in excavator units. Additionally, the use of B30 fuel impacts the filter replacement interval, as its lifetime is shorter, thereby contributing to the amount of hazardous and toxic waste. Based on data obtained during the August-November 2023 period, hydraulic system leaks amounted to 4,899 liters. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation of improvement plans aimed at reducing filter waste and environmental contamination caused by oil leaks in excavators. Method: This study is a descriptive quantitative analysis aimed at describing the impact of strategies implemented to reduce filter waste and environmental contamination caused by oil leaks in excavators. The research was conducted at PT. Anteraja Mahada Makmur (PT. AMM) on the jobsite of PT. Multi Harapan Utama (PT. MHU) from August 2023 to March 2024. The variables studied included strategic steps composed of alternative solutions, which serve as the foundation for planning the repair of oil leaks and engine filter damage. The population of the study encompasses all maintenance activities within the company, involving personnel, materials, environment, machinery, and methods. The sample focuses specifically on maintenance activities involving factors that experience deviations, such as personnel, machinery, and methods. Results: The implementation of the improvement plan consists of creating a Standard Form for Follow up suggestion, Creating a special Group for equipment health, Adding a discussion of Plant service H+2 and details of Follow up Equipment Health activities, Cleaning the radiator every 6000 hours by lowering it, Activating tropical spec (+55 degrees) by jumpering CN05 Controller Pump, Installing additional filters to reduce the load on the main filter, Creating Guidance PPM (Machine Inspection Program) and Standardizing Hydraulic Pressure, Sharing Knowledge related to the Hydraulic System, Rebuilding existing tools with available materials, Installing Autodownload VHMS on the Big Digger unit, Developing SS6 for web-based data processing. Conclusion: The implementation of the improvement plan strategy carried out at PT. AMM Site MHU went well and showed maximum results. This can be seen from the positive changes for all elements targeted for improvement (man/workers, machines and methods) which generally have an impact on reducing engine filter waste and environmental contamination due to oil leaks in the excavator unit.

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONCENTRATION OF HEAVY METALS IN ELECTRONIC WASTE DUMP SITE IN ALABA INTERNATIONAL MARKET, LAGOS STATE

This research investigates the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Ni) at e-waste dump sites in Lagos, Nigeria. Measuring the concentration and distribution of heavy metals across different soil depths and comparing these concentrations in soil and water samples. For this purpose, 78 soil samples were taken from different sampling points, and analyses were carried out following standard procedures. The soil samples retrieved from the e-waste site consistently exhibit a sandy soil texture, as per the USDA classification system. It was found that Cu generally has the highest concentrations in the soil layers (2022.20-2312.67mgkg-1) while Cd generally has the least (16.32-22.62 mgkg-1). The elements observed for this study are Cu > Pd >Ni > Cd. Overall, this comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the environmental contamination and health risks posed by e-waste dump sites, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies to mitigate these risks and protect human health and the environment.

Creating a Genetic Toolbox for the Carbon-Fixing, Nitrogen-Fixing and Dehalogenating Bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus.

Xanthobacter autotrophicus is a metabolically flexible microorganism with two key features: (1) The organism has adapted to grow on a wide variety of carbon sources including CO2, methanol, formate, propylene, haloalkanes and haloacids; and (2) X. autotrophicus was the first chemoautotroph identified that could also simultaneously fix N2, meaning the organism can utilize CO2, N2, and H2 for growth. This metabolic flexibility has enabled use of X. autotrophicus for gas fixation, the creation of fertilizers and foods from gases, and the dehalogenation of environmental contaminants. Despite the wide variety of applications that have already been demonstrated for this organism, there are few genetic tools available to explore and exploit its metabolism. Here, we report a genetic toolbox for use in X. autotrophicus. We first identified suitable origins of replication and quantified their copy number, and identified antibiotic resistance cassettes that could be used as selectable markers. We then tested several constitutive and inducible promoters and terminators and quantified their promoter strengths and termination efficiencies. Finally, we demonstrated that gene expression tools remain effective under both autotrophic and dehalogenative metabolic conditions to show that these tools can be used in the environments that make X. autotrophicus unique. Our extensive characterization of these tools in X. autotrophicus will enable genetic and metabolic engineering to optimize production of fertilizers and foods from gases, and enable bioremediation of halogenated environmental contaminants.

Sanitary sewer overflows, household sewage backups, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria: the new frontier of environmental health risks and disasters

Abstract Untreated sewage discharges leading to environmental contamination are increasingly common in communities across the globe. The cause of these discharges range from sewer lines in disrepair, blockages, and in the era of more extreme wet weather events, the infiltration of stormwater into the system during heavy downpours. Regardless of the driver of these events, the aftermath results in raw sewage spilling into local waterways, city streets, and commercial and residential structures. Historical research in public health has thoroughly documented the connection between exposure to untreated sewage and waterborne disease. Recent research has detected antibiotic-resistant bacteria at wastewater treatment facilities at a time when deaths by antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise. However, no research has explored the exposure pathways of antibiotic resistant bacteria during sanitary sewer overflows and household-level sewage backups. In this commentary, we aim to introduce this new frontier of environmental health risks and disasters. To do this we describe the history of modern sanitation and sewer infrastructure with a particular focus on wastewater infrastructure in the U.S. We also explore emerging risks and current methods for identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. We end with future directions for interdisciplinary scholarship at the nexus of urban planning, engineering, and public health by introducing the Water Emergency Team (WET) Project. WET is a community-based multi-method effort to identify environmental risks in the aftermath of household backups through 1) residential surveys, 2) indoor visual inspections, 3) environmental sampling, and 4) laboratory processing and reporting. Our hope is that by introducing this comprehensive approach to environmental risks analysis, other scholars will join us in this effort and ultimately towards addressing this grand challenge of our time.

Environmental management of microplastics and additives: a critical review of treatment technologies and their impact

Microplastics (MPs) and their associated chemical additives, such as bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylate (NEPO), and tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA), are widely recognized as significant environmental contaminants due to their widespread presence in ecosystems and their potential impact on human health. This review evaluates advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration and oxidation processes, for mitigating these risks and highlights gaps in sustainability and efficiency. Actionable strategies for improving the removal of MPs and MP additives were presented in the assessment of innovative hybrid treatment tailored to different water matrices. The importance of anti-fouling technologies, comprehensive life cycle assessments (LCAs), and standardizing treatment methods to enhance the sustainability and applicability of these technologies were further highlighted. To further improve and optimize treatment processes and ensure sustainability, existing knowledge gaps must be addressed by framing a comprehensive understanding of the long-term ecological effects of MPs and their additives.

Application of Mixture Design for Optimization of Smoke Signal Formulation: A Comparative Study of KClO3 and KNO3 as Oxidizers

Smoke signals are traditionally used in military contexts, but in recent times, they have gained popularity among civilians. The M18 smoke grenade was designed with a highly reactive oxidizer, KClO3, and substituting it with a safer oxidizer, notably KNO3, is one way that helps provide a safer choice for civilian use. However, providing optimal formulations for both formulations helps in deciding whether KNO3 can be substituted for the traditional KClO3 oxidizer. One of the techniques for enhancing smoke formulation is the Design of Experiments (DOE). Many researchers these days are focusing on substituting the smoke chemicals for a safer option using a trial-and-error process. However, from the standpoint of environmental contamination, numerical testing to identify the most significant output causes air pollution and chemical waste, which is not only costly but also endangers sea life if not properly disposed of. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize the smoke formulation in order to decrease waste and air pollution as well as enable future mass production of the product for both military and civilian use. The purpose of this paper is to implement the mixture design tool of the DOE approach to determine the optimal formulation of smoke signals using KClO3-based formulations, as well as to provide a comparative analysis of substituting KNO3 to optimize KClO3-based formulations in terms of time and smoke emission. From the KClO3-based formulation (28.68 wt.% KClO3, 23.47 wt.% C12H22O11, 34.39 wt.% dye, and 13.46 wt.% MgCO3) with an average time of 73.43 seconds, an acceptable formulation with a data means of 73.43, substituting with KNO3 oxidizer gave an average of 80.18 seconds, in which the smoke emission was slightly thinner compared to KClO3. As a result, KNO3 can be used as an alternative oxidizer to KClO3, and the KClO3-optimized formulation can be considered a baseline for smoke formulation for future research.

Effect of Health Education on Environmental Pollution as a Primary Factor in Sustainable Development

Environmental Pollution (EP) is an escalating worldwide issue affecting the entire planet. Environmental consciousness plays a crucial role in addressing EP's problems. Environmental Education (EE) is one of the methods used to instill these ideals in individuals. EE is a critical determinant of enhancing the condition of the ecosystem, and it is imperative to get instruction from a young age. Instructors influence children's interests, mindsets, and beliefs on environmental issues and their associated difficulties in Peru. The significance of EE is exceedingly elevated. This significantly impacts the nation's Economic Development (ED) and Public Health (PH) . The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a comprehensive plan for achieving a more prosperous and environmentally responsible future for everyone. The establishment of SDGs aims to eliminate poverty, protect against natural calamities, and provide universal prosperity and security. This study investigates educators' potential, perspectives, and opinions in instructing the subject of EP and PH. The research documents the correlation between EE and EP in Peru. The primary objective was to engage with instructors and ascertain their capacity to educate students about EP. The requisite information was acquired by a survey (240 participants) distributed to all pertinent elementary and secondary schools. The mean yearly number of classes taught is just 2.62, although the preferred number of lessons, as indicated by the instructors, is considerably more. Instructors find water and air contamination particularly intriguing among the various forms of pollution. When instructors mediate the curriculum, they prioritize respecting both living and inanimate nature, focusing on living nature for 19% of their efforts. Several instructors continue to depend on inadequate technological advancement, which is restricted by nature protection (2%). According to instructors, the conversation technique (34%) is a frequently used approach to engage students in learning about the issue of contamination. Studies have indicated that instructors believe that to address the concerns adequately, the number of classes devoted to this topic should be increased threefold. The collected results validate educators' endeavors in addressing environmental contamination, which is a positive trajectory.

Gut heavy metal and antibiotic resistome of humans living in the high Arctic

Contaminants, such as heavy metals (HMs), accumulate in the Arctic environment and the food web. The diet of the Indigenous Peoples of North Greenland includes locally sourced foods that are central to their nutritional, cultural, and societal health but these foods also contain high concentrations of heavy metals. While bacteria play an essential role in the metabolism of xenobiotics, there are limited studies on the impact of heavy metals on the human gut microbiome, and it is so far unknown if and how Arctic environmental contaminants impact the gut microbes of humans living in and off the Arctic environment. Using a multiomics approach including amplicon, metagenome, and metatranscriptome sequencing, we identified and assembled a near-complete (NC) genome of a mercury-resistant bacterial strain from the human gut microbiome, which expressed genes known to reduce mercury toxicity. At the overall ecological level studied through α- and β-diversity, there was no significant effect of heavy metals on the gut microbiota. Through the assembly of a high number of NC metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of human gut microbes, we observed an almost complete overlap between heavy metal-resistant strains and antibiotic-resistant strains in which resistance genes were all located on the same genetic elements.

A global investigation into antimicrobial knowledge in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary undergraduate students: A scoping review to inform future planetary health multidisciplinary education

BackgroundInappropriate use of antimicrobials can push the environment out of balance, and cause unnecessary waste that can contaminate our soil, animals and waterways. Health professional education is committed to preparing students for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and supporting planetary health, but a more multidisciplinary action is needed to curb the expansion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this scoping review is to showcase the current antimicrobial knowledge of undergraduate students across the disciplines of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary. This will consequently showcase the gaps and trends across the different disciplines and countries to help inform planetary health multidisciplinary undergraduate curriculums.MethodsA search of the existing literature published prior to December 2023 was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and ERIC databases. Studies were excluded if they included postgraduate students or discussed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of students towards antimicrobial prescribing, AMR and AMS related to a specific learning activity.ResultsA total of 144 articles were included. The most represented countries were India and Pakistan accounting for 17% and 8% of the studies, respectively. Single-disciplinary research accounted for approximately 80% of the studies. Medicine was the most represented discipline in both single-disciplinary and multidisciplinary research, appearing in approximately 62% of the studies, followed by pharmacy appearing in approximately 30% of the studies and dentistry appearing in approximately 18% of the studies. Three major priority themes were identified: students are more familiar with the term AMR compared to AMS; inappropriate use of antimicrobials is seen as the main driver of AMR; and the need for more training and education in the field of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing, AMR and AMS.ConclusionThis review has highlighted that there is a need for more AMS interprofessional education (IPE) activities in all five disciplines, and especially within the disciplines of nursing, veterinary and dentistry, as shown by a lack of multidisciplinary research in this area. Most of the knowledge assessments have just touched the surface of AMS and focused on inappropriate antimicrobial use alone. Interdisciplinary planetary health education needs to go beyond these skills and broaden the understanding of other factors that can contribute to AMR such as inappropriate disposal, environmental contamination, monitoring and surveillance, one health, false allergies, and more importantly, how each health professional can contribute to a team.