Concentrations Of EE2 Research Articles

The Effect of a Combination of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs), and Silica Microspheres (Si) on the Detection of 17α -Ethinylestradiol (EE2)

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a female synthetic hormone with high estrogenic activity that can disrupt the environment, which can lead to dire health problems. The current standard method is very time-consuming and expensive, so the objective of this study is to develop chemical sensors that are faster and much cheaper to detect EE2 in water samples. In this work, an electrochemical sensor using a combination of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and silica microspheres (Si) as a modified electrode is reported to demonstrate 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) detection using electrochemical analysis. MWCNT-AuNPs, MWCNT-Si, and Si-AuNPs are prepared for the development of this chemical sensor by depositing each material on the carbon electrode by using the drop casting method. The resistance and conductivity of MWCNT-AuNPs, MWCNT-Si, and Si-AuNPs modified electrodes demonstrated stable electrochemical current responses towards the detection of EE2. It demonstrates that when MWCNTs and AuNPs are combined with Si, the sensitivity and R2 value improves at EE2 concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 μM, respectively.

Estrogenic Responsiveness of Brown Trout Primary Hepatocyte Spheroids to Environmental Levels of 17α-Ethinylestradiol.

Three-dimensional (3D) fish hepatocyte cultures are promising alternative models for replicating in vivo data. Few studies have attempted to characterise the structure and function of fish 3D liver models and illustrate their applicability. This study aimed to further characterise a previously established spheroid model obtained from juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) primary hepatocytes under estrogenic stimulation. The spheroids were exposed for six days to environmentally relevant concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol-EE2 (1-100 ng/L). The mRNA levels of peroxisome (catalase-Cat and urate oxidase-Uox), lipid metabolism (acyl-CoA long chain synthetase 1-Acsl1, apolipoprotein AI-ApoAI, and fatty acid binding protein 1-Fabp1), and estrogen-related (estrogen receptor α-ERα, estrogen receptor β-ERβ, vitellogenin A-VtgA, zona pellucida glycoprotein 2.5-ZP2.5, and zona pellucida glycoprotein 3a.2-ZP3a.2) target genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Vtg and ZP protein expressions. At the highest EE2 concentration, VtgA and ZP2.5 genes were significantly upregulated. The remaining target genes were not significantly altered by EE2. Vtg and ZP immunostaining was consistently increased in spheroids exposed to 50 and 100 ng/L of EE2, whereas lower EE2 levels resulted in a weaker signal. EE2 did not induce significant changes in the spheroids' viability and morphological parameters. This study identified EE2 effects at environmentally relevant doses in trout liver spheroids, indicating its usefulness as a proxy for in vivo impacts of xenoestrogens.

A highly sensitive of electrochemical biosensor based on new aptamer sequence for 17α-ethinylestradiol detection in water

The remarkable features of aptamer as biological agent in detecting various compound with high binding affinity could be useful in monitoring of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). EE2 is considered as an endocrine disrupting compound due its ecotoxicity and has widespread in the aquatic ecosystem due to improper disposal. Hence, there is a pressing requirement for sensitive and selective detection of EE2. In this study, we developed a new electrochemical biosensor based on modified DNA aptamers and gold nanoparticles/poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-N-acryloxysuccinimide) microspheres (Au/P(nBA-NAS)). The DNA aptamers was truncated from a 76-mer sequence to 39-mer sequences via computational method, has showed improved binding affinity and stability for EE2. The biosensor was fabricated by attaching the aptamers to the Au/P(NBA-NAS) microspheres, which is provided a large surface area and enhanced electron transfer for the immobilization and signal amplification of the aptamers. The detection principle of the [Fe(CN)6]−3/−4 redox probe in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement by the presence of aptamer-EE2 complexes on the electrode surface. The biosensor exhibited a linear relationship between the current decrease and the EE2 concentration in the range of 1 × 10−6 M to 1 × 10−12 M, with a detection limit of 1.7 × 10−13 M. The biosensor exhibited excellent selectivity, repeatability, and recovery for detecting EE2 in real samples, with results that closely matched those obtained using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. This study provided a promising alternative for developing aptamer-based sensors for onsite environmental monitoring.

Effect-directed analysis of endocrine and neurotoxic effects in stormwater depending discharges

The investigation of pollutant inputs via stormwater runoff and subsequent effects in receiving waters is becoming increasingly urgent in view of climate change with accompanying extreme weather situations such as heavy rainfall events. In this study, two sampling areas, one urban and one rural but dominated by a highway, were investigated using effect-directed analysis to identify endocrine and neurotoxic effects and potentially responsible substances in stormwater structures and receiving waters. For this purpose, a transgenic yeast cell assay for the simultaneous detection of estrogenic, androgenic, and progestogenic effects (YMEES) was performed directly on high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) plates. Concomitantly, estrogens were analyzed by GC–MS/MS and other micropollutants typical for wastewater and stormwater by LC-MS/MS. Discharges from the combined sewer overflow (CSO) contribute a large portion of the endocrine load to the studied water body, even surpassing the load from a nearby wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). An effect pattern similar to the CSO sample was shown in the receiving water after the CSO with lower intensities, consisting of an estrogenic, androgenic, and progestogenic effect. In contrast, after the WWTP, only one estrogenic effect with a lower intensity was detected. Concentrations of E1, 17α-E2, 17β-E2, EE2, and E3 in the CSO sample were 2000, 410, 1100, 560, and 2700 pg/L, respectively. HPTLC-YMEES and GC–MS/MS complement each other very well and help to elucidate endocrine stresses. An Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect could not be assigned to a causative compound by suspect and non-target analysis using LC-HRMS. However, the workflow showed how information from HPTLC separation, effect-based methods, and other meta-information on the sampling area and substance properties can contribute to an identification of effect-responsible substances. Overall, the study demonstrated that effect-based methods in combination with HPTLC and instrumental analysis can be implemented to investigate pollution by stormwater run-off particularly regarding heavy rain events due to climate change.

Effects of 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and removal potential by two microalgal species Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus

17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is the primary component in birth control pills and is highly bioavailable when taken orally. However, 80 % of the administrated dose is excreted un-metabolized in feces and urine, leading to its detection in water bodies and wastewater effluent from conventional treatment plants. EE2 negatively impacts on aquatic ecosystems, including disruption to the endocrine system of organisms, causing feminization in males, egg production and fertilization perturbation.Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a promising biological approach for removing pollutants from the environment, including emergent and persistent contaminants. In this study, we evaluated the tolerance of two microalgal species Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus) to various EE2 concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 1.00, 8.0 and 22.0 mg L−1). Their potential to remove EE2 and the corresponding degradation kinetics were also assessed. The results showed that both species tolerated concentrations up to 8.0 mg EE2 L−1; however, at 22.0 mg EE2 L−1, C. vulgaris biomass decreased, and S. obliquus growth was inhibited. S. obliquus removed over 90 % of EE2 for most concentrations tested, while C. vulgaris achieved a maximum removal of 64 %. EE2 removal was attributed to microalgal biodegradation rather than sorption or bioaccumulation. The kinetic parameters determined that EE2 half-life was one day in S. obliquus culture and nine days in C. vulgaris. These findings confirmed that S. obliquus, especially, could reduce EE2 half-life in the environment, facilitating its removal. This information is valuable to understand EE2 degradation in aquatic ecosystems with microalgae presence.

Detection of 17-[formula omitted]-Ethinylestradiol with Bio-Functionalized tapered optical fiber sensor

This paper presents the utilization of tapered optical fiber (TOF) biosensor for the detection of 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), an estrogen hormone. TOF with a waist diameter of 12 μm was fabricated from single mode fiber using heat and pull method. The tapered area was used as the sensing interface between the evanescent waves propagating around the fiber due to its unique geometry and the attached molecules on the tapered surface. EE2 antibodies were used as biorecognition molecules towards the targeted analyte, EE2. When tested with different concentrations of EE2 within the range of 0.1 ng/L – 1 mg/L, the developed sensor attained a detection limit of 1 ng/L with a sensitivity value of 1.088 nm/ngL-1 within the operation range of 1 – 10 ng/L. The specificity of the sensor was validated by testing the developed sensor with estrone (E1) and no significant wavelength shift was observed. These findings highlight the potential of our approach for sensitive and selective detection of EE2.

17α-ethinyl estradiol induces behavioral and reproductive damages in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is recognized for its ability to cause endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms and its high resistance to environmental degradation, being found in Brazilian waterbodies up to 100 ng L-1. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the exploratory behavior and the histological effects on zebrafish gonads, caused by environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2. Females were exposed to nominal concentrations of 25 ng L-1 and 100 ng L-1 EE2 for 21 days. After that, a behavioral and histological analysis of gonads was performed. The EE2 caused the reduction of the exploratory activity of the animals, when observed the behavior, and an acceleration of the maturation process of the oocytes evaluated in the histological analysis. Considering the results obtained after the exposure to EE2, we highlight the concern about the potential risks it may cause to the aquatic biota, alerting to the need to control and monitor these micropollutants present in Brazilian water resources.

Degradation of pharmaceuticals and other emerging pollutants employing bi-metal catalysts/magnesium and/or (green) hydrogen in aqueous solution

Contaminations by pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other emerging pollutants in water resources have become a seriously burgeoning issue of global concern in the first third of the twenty-first century. As societal reliance on pharmaceuticals continues to escalate, the inadvertent introduction of these substances into water reservoirs poses a consequential environmental threat. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate reductive degradation, particularly, catalytic hydrogenation regarding model pollutants such as diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), or bisphenol-A (BPA), respectively, in aqueous solutions at lab scale. Iron bimetals (zero valent iron, ZVI, and copper, Cu, or nickel, Ni) as well as zero valent magnesium (Mg, ZVM) in combination with rhodium, Rh, or palladium, Pd, as hydrogenation catalysts (HK), were investigated. Studies were executed through various short-term batch experiments, with multiple sample collections, over a total range of 120 min. The results indicated that DCF was attenuated at over 90 % when exposed to Fe-Cu or a Fe-Ni bimetal (applied as a single model pollutant). However, when DCF was part of a mixture alongside with IBP, EE2, and BPA, the attenuation efficacy decreased to 79 % with Fe-Cu and 23 % with Fe-Ni. Conversely, both IBP and BPA exhibit notably low attenuation levels with both bimetals, less than 50 %, both deployed as single substances or in mixtures. No reaction (degradation) products could be identified employing LC-MS, but sometimes a release of the parent pollutant when applying an acetic acid buffer could be noted to a certain extent, suggesting adsorption processes on corrosion products such as iron hydroxide and/or oxides. Surprisingly, Mg in combination with Rh (Rh-HK) or Pd (Pd-HK) showed a significantly rapid decrease in the concentrations of DCF, EE2, and BPA, in part up to approximately 100 %, that is, within a few minutes only in part due to hydrogenation degradation reactions (related reaction products could actually be identified by LC-MS; adsorption processes were not observed here). Moreover, kinetic modeling of the DCF degradation with Mg-Rh-HK was conducted at different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C) and varied initial concentrations (2.5 mg/L, 5.0 mg/L, 7.5 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L). The outcomes prove that the degradation of DCF at the Rh-HK’s surface followed a modified first-order kinetics, most probably by catalytic hydrodehalogenation and subsequent hydrogenation of the aromatic moieties (molecular hydrogen was provided by the corrosion of Mg). From the determined reaction rate constants at four different temperatures, the activation energy was estimated to be 59.6 kJ/mol by means of the Arrhenius equation what is in good agreement with similar results reported in the literature. This coupled hydrodehalogenation and hydrogenation approach may be upscaled into a new promising technical process for comprehensively removing such pharmaceuticals and similar pollutants in sewage plants in a single step, furthermore, even in combination with adsorption by activated carbon and/or ozonation which have already been established at some sewage plants in Switzerland and Germany recently.

Independent and synergistic effects of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the reproductive social behavior of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).

Microplastics (MPs) have become an environmental concern in recent years, with most research focused on the physiological effects of exposure. Comparatively little consideration has been given to the potential behavioral impacts of exposure, which may also have fitness consequences for individuals. Moreover, MPs can serve as vectors for endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other locally co-occurring contaminants known to impair behavioral responses. This project aimed to determine whether MPs alone or in association with a common environmental EDC (17-alpha ethinyl estradiol; EE2) alter reproductive behavior and decision-making in fish. Male and female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to MPs associated with either a low (10 ng/L; MPEE2 10) or high (50 ng/L, MPEE2 50) concentration of EE2, or MPs without EE2 (MPvirgin) for 30 days via a dietary feeding protocol. Behavioral trials were conducted on Day 31 to determine the effects of exposure on male-female social interactions. The expression of male sexually selected traits, including courtship, was unaffected by exposure. However, non-exposed females in all treatment groups trended toward discrimination against exposed males, which reached statistical significance for the MPEE2 50 group. Female fish exposed to MPs, alone or in association with EE2, were equally likely to approach and associate with non-exposed and exposed males. The results from this study suggest that MPs may alter social behavior in fishes and that the behavioral impacts of exposure may be more strongly pronounced in females than males. Such individual-level changes in fitness have the potential to impact population size, with downstream effects on the broader aquatic community.

Models to predict nitrogen excretion from beef cattle fed a wide range of diets compiled from South America.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to develop and evaluate models for predicting nitrogen (N) excretion in feces, urine, and manure in beef cattle in South America. The study incorporated a total of 1,116 individual observations of N excretion in feces and 939 individual observations of N excretion in feces and in urine (g/d), representing a diverse range of diets, animal genotypes, and management conditions in South America. The datasetalso included data on dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d) and nitrogen intake (NI; g/d), concentrations of dietary components, as well as average daily gain (ADG; g/d) and average body weight (BW; kg). Models were derived using linear mixed-effects regression with a random intercept for the study. Fecal N excretion was positively associated with DMI, NI, nonfibrous carbohydrates, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with EE and CP concentration in the diet. The univariate model predicting fecal N excretion based on DMI (model 1) performed slightly better than the univariate model, which used NI as a predictor variable (model 2) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 38.0 vs. 39.2%, the RMSE-observations SD ratio (RSR) of 0.81 vs. 0.84, and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.53 vs. 0.50, respectively. Models predicting urinary N excretion were less accurate than those derived to predict fecal N excretion, with an average RMSE of 43.7% vs. 37.0%, respectively. Urinary and manure N excretion were positively associated with DMI, NI, CP, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with neutral detergent fiber concentration in the diet. As opposed to fecal N excretion, the univariate model predicting urinary N excretion using NI (model 10) performed slightly better than the univariate model using DMI (model 9) as predictor variable with an RMSE of 36.0% vs. 39.7%, RSR 0.85 vs. 0.93, and CCC of 0.43 vs. 0.29, respectively. The models developed in this study are applicable for predicting N excretion in beef cattle across a broad spectrum of dietary compositions and animal genotypes in South America. The univariate model using DMI as a predictor is recommended for fecal N prediction, while the univariate model using NI is recommended for predicting urinary and manure N excretion because the use of more complex models resulted in little to no benefits. However, it may be more useful to consider more complex models that incorporate nutrient intakes and diet composition for decision-making when N excretion is a factor to be considered. Three extant equations evaluated in this study have the potential to be used in tropical conditions typical of South America to predict fecal N excretion with good precision and accuracy. However, none of the extant equations are recommended for predicting urine or manure N excretion because of their high RMSE, and low precision and accuracy.

Evaluation of Nutritional Composition of Small Ruminants’ Feed stuffs widely grown in Khulna Region of Bangladesh

Feed stuffs availability is one of the extreme obstacles to small ruminant production, particularly during the dry season. In Khulna region, there are several feed stuffs, fodders, grasses and weeds, but their potential has not yet been completely realized due to a lack of understanding of their nutritional value. Therefore, the research was carried out to determine the nutritional value of available feed stuffs for small ruminants in the Khulna region. Roughage and concentrate samples were collected from different areas of Khulna region. All of the samples were taken in triplicates and analyzed accordingly. The results revealed that among the grass species, the Gitlacontains the highestamount of DM content (39.74%)and lowest in Kalmilata (13.90%). The crude protein contents in grass species ranged from 6.5% to 25.65% being highest in Helencha and lowest in Para. Highest EE content was found in German lata (7.05%), followed by Kakpaya (6.72%). The CF content varied between 9.39% in Chanchito 40.05%in Para. Kakpayacontains the highest ash (17.45%), while Pakchong the lowest (8.68%).Mustard oil cake containsthe highestamount of DM (94.77%) among the concentrates, whereas red wheat contains the lowest (89.85%). Crude protein (CP) contents of concentrate feed stuffs ranged from 5.35% in gram bran to 50.75% in soybean meal. Rice polish (21.12%) showed the highest EE concentration and it was lowest in motor bran (2.50%). The maximum concentration of CF was found in Khesari bran (27.17%), while the lowest was in maize (1.82%). It could be concluded that evaluated concentrate feeds and grass species could serve as prospective livestock feeds in southwest Bangladesh. South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 31-38

Occurrence and environmental risk assessment of 4 estrogenic compounds in surface water in Belgiumin the frame of the EU Watch List.

The presence of natural estrogens estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in the aquatic environment has raised concerns because of their high potency as endocrine disrupting chemicals. The European Commission (EC) established a Watch List of contaminants of emerging concerns including E1, E2 and EE2. The proposed environmental quality standards (EQSs) are 3.6, 0.4, 0.035ng/L, for E1, E2, EE2, respectively. A thorough evaluation of analytical procedures developed by several studies aiming to perform sampling campaigns in different European countries highlighted that the required limits of quantification in surface water were not reached, especially for EE2 and to a lesser extent for E2. Moreover, data regarding the occurrence of these contaminants in Belgian surface water are very limited. A sampling campaign was therefore performed on a wide range of rivers in Belgium (accounting for a total of 63 samples). The detection frequencies of E1, E2, E3 and EE2 were 100, 98, 86 and 48%, respectively. E1 showed the highest mean concentration (= 4.433ng/L). In contrast, the mean concentration of EE2 was 0.042ng/L. The risk quotients (RQs) were calculated based on the respective EQS of each analyte. The frequency of exceedance of the EQS was 31.7% for E1, EE2, while it increased to 44.4% for E2. The extent of exceedance of the EQS, represented by the 95th percentile of the RQ dataset, was higher than 1 for E1, E2, EE2. The use of a confusion matrix was investigated to try to predict the risk posed by E2, EE2, based on the concentration of E1.

Alteration in the histology of gonads and hormone levels of fish Channa punctatus on exposure to 17-α ethynylestradiol

It has been demonstrated that effluents discharged from sewage treatment facilities allow synthetic estrogens, widely employed in contraceptives and other pharmaceutical applications, to reach the aquatic environment. One of the most biologically active xenoestrogens in the aquatic environment is the synthetic hormone 17-α ethynylestradiol(EE2), raisingreproductive issues in the fish population. The present study chose Channa punctatus fish to study the effects of EE2 on gonad histology and the calculation of estrogen and testosterone levels. The experimental setting was separated into four groups, with Group I as control with 0 ng/L of EE2. The other three groups viz., Group II to IV, had 5 ng/L, 10 ng/L, and 20 ng/L concentrations of EE2, respectively, and samples were obtained after the durations of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The findings showed that as 17-α ethynylestradiol concentrations increased, testosterone levels decreased from 10.88±0.24 ng/dL to 4.91±0.24 ng/dL,while estrogen levels increased from 42.7±2.22 pg/mL to 120.18±4.54 pg/mL. The number percentage of primary growth oocytes, previtellogenic oocytes and vitellogenic oocytes in the histology of ovary decreased from 28.45±1.42 to 10.43±0.47; 16.22±0.81 to 3.15±0.16 and 14.81±0.89 to 2.14±0.11 respectively while in testis, the number percentage of spermatogonia, spermatocytes decreased from 21.4±0.86 to 15.1±0.68 and 97.1±3.88 to 54.2±3.25. In contrast, the percentage of mature spermatids increased from 20.8±0.94 to 40.2±2.41. Since synthetic estrogens adversely affect aquatic animals, especially fish, they should be treated properly before releasing them into the aquatic environment.

Removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) from aqueous solutions by peanut shells (Arachis hypogaea): adsorption kinetic, isothermal, and thermodynamic studies

Abstract This study evaluated the potential of using raw peanut shells as an adsorbent to remove the hormone 17α-ethylestradiol (EE2) from water. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used in the determination of EE2. Kinetics data were tested with the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Elovich models, whereas isothermal data were tested with the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips models, and the parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) were evaluated. A maximum removal rate of approximately 90% was observed in a solution with an initial EE2 concentration of 263.2 μg L−1, under the best experimental conditions (stirring speed = 500 rpm, pH = 6, and adsorbent mass = 2 g in 24 h), and showed an adsorption capacity of 17.3 μg g−1 at 306 K. The pseudo-first-order model adjusted better to the data in the studied temperature range, presenting a potential barrier of 16.69 kJ mol−1 (Ea) for adsorption kinetics. The Freundlich model and Sips model adjusted better to the data in the studied temperature range. The negative value of ΔG° (−15.87 kJ mol−1 at 306 K) confirmed the viability and spontaneity of the adsorption process. The positive value of ΔH° (168.9 kJ mol−1) characterized the chemical nature of the adsorption process.

Socioeconomic and seasonal effects on spatiotemporal trends in estrogen occurrence and ecological risk within a river across low-urbanized and high-husbandry landscapes

Estrogen pollution is a persistent issue in rivers. This study investigated the occurrence, spatiotemporal variation mechanisms, sources, and ecological risks of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), and bisphenol-A (BPA) in the waters of the Zijiang River, a tributary of the middle Yangtze River. The results revealed elevated detection frequencies and estrogen concentrations in the dry season compared to the wet season, mainly due to the precipitation dilution effect. Total estrogen concentration ranged from 21.2 to 97.5 ng/L in the dry season, which was significantly correlated to spatial distributions of animal husbandry and population. Among the estrogens studied in the river, E2, BPA, and EE2 were predominant. The collective sources of E1, E2, E3, and EE2 were traced back to human and husbandry excrement, whereas BPA emitted from daily life products, contributing to 55.5% and 42.7% of the total estrogen concentration, respectively. Particularly, the average and median E1, E2, and EE2 concentrations in the river exceeded the environmental quality standards of the European Union. The total estrogenic activity dominated by EE2 exceeded the 1 ng E2/L threshold, with levels exceeding 10 ng E2/L during the dry season. The risk quotients exhibited a high ecological risk of E1 and EE2 to fish and a moderate to high ecological risk of E1 to crustaceans, EE2 to mollusks, and E2 to fish. Therefore, E1, E2, and EE2 pollution of the river may lead to both high estrogenic potency and moderate or high ecological risk; thus, they should be considered priority pollutants in the river. These results yield valuable insights into the spatiotemporal change mechanisms, sources, and ecological risks of estrogens in river water of low-urbanization and rural watersheds.

Degradation of binary mixtures of water pollutants in a photocatalytic microreactor: Competitive kinetics with explicit radiation absorption effects

The photocatalytic degradation of 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and phenol in aqueous solutions was studied using a continuous flow, planar microreactor under simulated sunlight. A TiO2 thin film was employed as photocatalyst. The degradation rates of single compounds and binary mixtures were well described by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation, including competitive terms for the companion pollutant and the intermediate products, and the effect of photon absorption by the photocatalyst. The absorbed radiation in the microreactor was calculated from the optical properties of the TiO2 film and the application of the Net Radiation method. The estimation of the kinetic parameters was carried out by numerical integration of coupled mass balance equations for EE2 and phenol employing the Runge-Kutta method, and adjusting the kinetics parameters with a nonlinear least-squares solver. The objective of this routine was to minimize the sum of the squares of the differences between the simulated and experimental outlet concentrations of EE2 and phenol under different operating conditions. Using this approach, intrinsic kinetic parameters were obtained. The model was able to predict the degradation of both organic pollutants under different inlet concentrations, irradiation levels, and fluid flow rates. This methodology can be extended to assess the simultaneous degradation of multi-component systems.

Effect of electron beam irradiation on estrogens removal from treated wastewater

In order to remove micro pollutants such as estrogens efficiently from wastewater, it is often recommended that conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) be retrofitted with an advanced oxidation process (AOP) for post-treatment purposes. This study examined the effects of electron beam (EB) absorbed dose on the removal of estrogens from biologically treated wastewater. Known concentrations of E1, E2, E3 and EE2 (0.2, 0.5, 5.0 and 10 µg/l) were spiked into samples obtained from a municipal wastewater plant, which were then irradiated with EB doses of 0.2, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 kGy. Levels of estrogen after irradiation were analyzed using the liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS). According to the results obtained, the concentration of estrogens decreased steadily with an increasing absorbed dose up to 2 kGy. However, there was no significant increase in estrogen removal at EB doses above 2 kGy. It is estimated that the removals of the different types of estrogen are ranged from 86 % to 99 %. E2 was found to be the fastest estrogen to be degraded, followed by E3, EE2, and E1.

Development of the integrated fish endocrine disruptor test-Part B: Implementation of thyroid-related endpoints.

Given the vital role of thyroid hormones (THs) in vertebrate development, it is essential to identify chemicals that interfere with the TH system. Whereas, among nonmammalian laboratory animals, fish are the most frequently utilized test species in endocrine disruptor research, for example, in guidelines for the detection of effects on the sex hormone system, there is no test guideline (TG) using fish as models for thyroid-related effects; rather, amphibians are used. Therefore, the objective of the present project was to integrate thyroid-related endpoints for fish into a test protocol combining OECD TGs 229 (Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay) and 234 (Fish Sexual Development Test). The resulting integrated Fish Endocrine Disruption Test (iFEDT) was designed as a comprehensive approach to covering sexual differentiation, early development, and reproduction and to identifying disruption not only of the sexual and/or reproductive system but also the TH system. Two 85-day exposure tests were performed using different well-studied endocrine disruptors: 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Whereas the companion Part A of this study presents the findings on effects by PTU and EE2 on endpoints established in existing TGs, the present Part B discusses effects on novel thyroid-related endpoints such as TH levels, thyroid follicle histopathology, and eye development. 6-Propyl-2-thiouracil induced a massive proliferation of thyroid follicles in any life stage, and histopathological changes in the eyes proved to be highly sensitive for TH system disruption especially in younger life stages. For measurement of THs, further methodological development is required. 17-α-Ethinylestradiol demonstrated not only the well-known disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, but also induced effects on thyroid follicles in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to higher EE2 concentrations, suggesting crosstalk between endocrine axes. The novel iFEDT has thus proven capable of simultaneously capturing endocrine disruption of both the steroid and thyroid endocrine systems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:830-845. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

MONITORING OF CONTAMINATION OF URBAN SURFACE WATERS IN THE CITY OF CAMPO GRANDE/MS BY HORMONES 17β-ESTRADIOL AND 17α-ETHINYLESTRADIOL USING DISPERSIVE LIQUID-LIQUID MICROEXTRACTION AND HPLC-UV

Studies have shown that hormones have endocrine disrupting properties, which characterize them as potentially toxic to the aquatic environment. This study aims to monitor the water along Prosa Stream/Anhanduí River monthly, to evaluate its contamination by the hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was used for analyte extraction, with acetone as a disperser solvent and carbon tetrachloride as the extraction solvent, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV) as the analytical tool. The results of this application in natural samples indicated the presence of the natural hormone E2 in approximately 72% of the points evaluated, with its concentration values between 48 µg L-1 and 175 µg L-1. In contrast, it was not possible to quantify the concentrations of synthetic hormone EE2, as these values were below the detection limit of the analytical method applied. Even though there is no national environmental legislation that limits amounts of hormones in surface water, these contaminations are significant, due to their already known toxicological potential. It was evident that along the river from its origin to the exit of the city there was the appearance and increase of the contamination of the waters by the hormone E2, thus it is clear that the urbanization around the rivers has become an environmental and health problem for providing the contamination of the aquatic environment.

Ethanolic Extract of Garcinia kola Stem Bark Inhibits LDL-Uptake and LPS-Induced Anxa-1 and ICAM-1 Expression in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECS)

The endothelial cells’ dysfunction linked to the development of atherosclerosis plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Previous studies demonstrated the antiatherogenic effects of Garcinia kola seed extracts based on their lipid lowering effects. Our recent studies showed the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola stem barks (EE). For more insight on the antiatherogenic effect of EE, we investigated its activity on some key points of the atherosclerosis process. The cytotoxicity of EE as well as its effects on LDL-uptake, LPS-induced InterCellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM-1) and Annexin-1 (Anxa-1) expression and LPS-induced DNA damage were evaluated in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). EE significantly (p<0.0001) increased the cell viability in both naive and LPS-treated HUVECs. At the concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml, EE significantly reduced LDL-uptake by endothelial cells stimulated with LPS. The immunohistochemistry results showed a significant (p<0.01) decrease in the ICAM-1 expression at the EE concentration of 250 µg/ml. EE also showed a significant (p<0.0001) concentration-dependent reduction of Annexin-1 expression in LPS-treated HUVECs. Besides, EE exhibited significant inhibition on LPS-induced genotoxicity marked by a decrease in tail DNA expression (p<0.0001) and tail movement expression (p<0.001) for the concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml. These findings showed that EE may mitigate the atherogenic process by reducing LDL-uptake and the expression of adhesion molecules. Thus, the EE of Garcinia kola turns out to be a potential candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis with a lower risk of toxicity.
 Keywords: Garcinia kola, LDL-uptake, LPS-induced inflammation, comet assay.