Human Respiratory System Research Articles

Characterizing Chemical, Environmental, and Stimulated Subcellular Physical Characteristics of Size-Fractionated PMs Down to PM0.1.

Air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM), is a significant environmental pollution worldwide. Studying the chemical, environmental, and life-related cellular physical characteristics of size-fractionated PMs is important because of their different degrees of harmful effects on human respiratory tracts and organ systems, causing severe diseases. This study evaluates the chemical components of size-fractionated PMs down to PM0.1 collected during a biomass-burning episode, including elemental/organic carbon and trace elements. Single particle sizes and distributions of PM0.1, PM0.5-0.1, PM1.0-0.5, and PM2.5-1.0 were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Zeta sizer. Two commonly used cell lines, e.g., HeLa and Cos7 cells, and two respiratory-related cell lines including lung cancer/normal cells were utilized for cell cytotoxicity experiments, revealing the key effects of particle sizes and concentrations. A high-speed scanning ion conductance microscope explored particle-stimulated subcellular physical characteristics for all cell lines in dynamics, including surface roughness (SR) and elastic modulus (E). The statistical results of SR showed distinct features among different particle sizes and cell types while a E reduction was universally found. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the chemical, environmental, and cellular physical characteristics of size-fractionated PMs and sheds light on the necessity of controlling small-sized PM exposures.

Bio-inspired magnetic chitosan/Iron oxide macromolecules for multiple anionic dyes adsorption from aqueous media

Organic anionic dyes are major water pollutants due to their low degradability caused by complex aromatic structures. Not only do they exert toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, tumorigenic, and genotoxic effects, but they also decrease fertility and cause irritation to the skin and respiratory system in humans. This long-term toxicity has detrimental effects on aquatic organisms and their surroundings, resulting in an imbalanced ecosystem. In this study, a Cs@Fe3O4 magnetic biosorbent was synthesised to uptake three anionic dyes and characterised for FTIR, BET/BJH, XRD, TGA, VSM, and FESEM analyses. The biosorbent average surface area was confirmed to be 52.6524 m2/g, with average pore sizes of 7.3606 nm and 6.9823 nm for adsorption-desorption processes, respectively. Batch adsorption studies pH values, contact times, temperature, initial dye concentrations, and adsorbent dosages were examined. Several isotherm and kinetic models were studied to determine the adsorption mechanism. The adsorption data of these dyes at equilibrium was observed to match Langmuir's isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption process for these dyes was an exothermic reaction. Maximum adsorption capacities for congo red, methyl orange, and metanil yellow were 117.77 mg/g, 137.77 mg/g, and 155.57 mg/g, respectively. The reusability of recovered Cs@Fe3O4 after dye adsorption was evaluated up to five continuous adsorption-desorption cycles for its possible industrial applications.

Penerapan model pembelajaran RADEC untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep pada materi sistem pernapasan manusia Siswa Kelas V SD

Conceptual understanding ability is a skill in which students can explain a matter or concept of knowledge with their personal understanding. However, students' conceptual understanding related to science learning, especially on the material of the human respiratory system is still lacking. This study aims to determine how the application of the RADEC learning model in improving concept understanding in human respiratory system material for grade V elementary school students. This research used experimental method with quasi experimental design nonequivalent control groups design. The results showed that the pretest of students' concept understanding ability was highest with a score of 60 with an average score of 33. After the application of the RADEC learning model, the posttest value of students' concept understanding was highest in the very good category with a score of 100 with an average score of 82. The increase in students' understanding of concepts in human respiratory system material after applying the RADEC learning model has increased significantly as evidenced by the n-gain results on students' pretest and posttest scores with a result of 0.72 which is in the high category indicating that there is an increase in understanding of high category concepts after the application of the RADEC learning model of human respiratory system material.

Mathematical Modeling of the Drug Particles Deposition in the Human Respiratory System—Part 1: Development of Virtual Models of the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract

In order to carry out mathematical modeling of the drug particles or drop movement in the human respiratory system, an approach to reverse prototyping of the studied areas based on the medical data (computed tomography) results is presented. To adapt the computational grid, a mathematical model of airflow in channels of complex geometry (respiratory system) has been developed. Based on the data obtained, the results of computational experiments for a single-phase system are presented.

Evaluating the effect of ashwagandharishta on human respiratory system by utilizing spirometry

The key objective of this present study is to analyze the effect(s) of Ashwagandharishta on the lung function of human males. After completing the 45 days of study, the parameter FVC decreased by 3.315 % than the initial period of the study of the control group. On the other hand, the parameters FEV1, FVFC, PEF, FEF25–75%, MEF 75%, MEF 50% and MEF 25% level was increased by 0.2951 %, 5.600 %, 0.971 %, 4.137 %, 1.909 %, 4.590 %, 5.777 %, 7.182 % and 10.635 % respectively after the 45 days of study than the initial period of the control group. Here no result was statistically significant. After the Chronic administration of Ashwagandharishta (ASG) to human male subjects for 45 days, the values of the parameters FVC, FEV1, FVFC, PEF, FEF25–75%, MEF 75% and MEF 50% was decreased by 4.109 %, 5.351 %, 1.077 %, 16.042 %, 7.199 % and 21.074 % respectively than the values of the initial period of the study of the ASG treated group. On the other hand, the parameter MEF 25% level was increased by 2.202 % after the 45 days chronic administration of the ASG. No result was statistically significant. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 12(1 & 2): 45-53, 2023 (June & December)

The effect of human heterogeneity on the transmission of viral respiratory diseases under air pollution

The impact of air pollutants on the human respiratory system has received more and more attention. However, due to the differences in human characteristics and the strength of protective measures, different people have different symptoms in air pollution and viral infection environments. In this paper, an SI1I2P dynamic model of respiratory diseases infected by virus under air pollution is established by introducing air pollutant concentration compartment. Qualitative research shows that there are seven equilibria in the system, the daily average emission and clearance rate of pollutants are the key parameters affecting the existence and stability of equilibria. In this paper, by using Sotomayor’s theorem and center manifold theory, it is proved that the system undergoes saddle–node bifurcation or Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation of co-dimension 3 at the boundary equilibrium, and exhibits saddle–node bifurcation at the endemic equilibrium. Numerical simulation results show that wearing masks in haze weather can not only reduce the number of allergic patients, but also reduce the number of viral patients. In addition, reducing the daily average emission of air pollution and increasing its clearance rate can also reduce the number of allergic patients. It is worth mentioning that this measure is more effective in controlling viral respiratory diseases.

Differentiated Science Student Worksheets : What is the Level of Collaboration Skills of Students of the Elementary School Teacher Education Study Program?

This study aims to develop content-differentiated science student worksheets for students of the elementary school teacher education study program, especially on the subject of the human respiratory system, and analyze its effect on student collaboration skills. This research method used research and development with the 4D model (define, design, development, and dissemination). The sample in this study was 142 2nd semester students of elementary school teacher education study program at PGRI University Yogyakarta. The data was taken through student worksheets documentation, score lists, interviews, observations, validation assessment scales, and student collaboration skills questionnaires. The data analysis technique in this study used qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. Based on the research results, the student worksheets products that have been developed meet the validity criteria with an overall average of 97% in the very valid category. The validity and reliability results of the student collaboration skills questionnaire for the student worksheets developed have met the valid and reliable criteria. The results of the student collaboration skills trial given to 142 students on the developed student worksheets were the order of the number of students who always carried out collaboration skills starting from the responsible aspect (79%), the respect aspect (77%), the productive work aspect (71 %), aspects show flexibility (71%), and aspects contribute actively (38%). Meanwhile, the average number of students is 22% of students at a good level in collaborating and 78% of students are very good at collaborating.

Surfactant-modified coconut coir powder (SMCCP) as a low-cost adsorbent for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater: parameters and adsorption mechanism.

The dye-contaminated wastewater discharged from various industries such as dye manufacturing, paint, textile, paper, and cosmetic is a prime source of surface water pollution having serious detrimental effects on both the environment and human beings. These hazardous dyes when exposed to water obstruct the penetration of sunlight into the water and thus restrain aquatic plants from generating photosynthetic compounds. Moreover, some dyes are potential cancer-causing and also negatively impact the human nervous and respiratory systems. In this current study, modification of coconut coir powder (CCP) was carried out through cationic surfactant treatment and was successively utilized as the adsorbent for decoloring anionic dye (acid blue 185 (AB 185)) containing waste stream. Further, a comparative investigation of the dye removal efficiency of raw CCP and surfactant-modified coconut coir powder (SMCCP) as the adsorbent was studied. On surfactant treatment, using a very minimal SMCCP dosage of 8.3g/L, a very high percentage dye removal of 98.4% is possible, whereas with raw CCP, even after using a higher dosage of 14g/L, only 70.1% dye removal can be achieved. Characterization of SMCCP adsorbent was done by Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric, X-ray, and scanning electron microscope analyses. Furthermore, the optimization of critical operating parameters was investigated for the effective adsorption of AB 185 dye in batch mode. The adsorption of AB 185 onto SMCCP was a thermodynamically spontaneous endothermic process, following the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, regeneration of exhausted SMCCP by 0.1 (M) NaOH was achieved with a satisfactorily high recovery of 97% in the first cycle. Subsequently, SMCCP can be successfully reutilized for five consecutive cycles with a loss of 17.6% in the total adsorption capacity. With all such advantages, the present study delivers a new paradigm to utilize the novel adsorbent SMCCP as a promising eco-friendly adsorbent aided by its advantage of regeneration and reusability for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater.

Exposure to O3 and NO2 on the interfacial chemistry of the pulmonary surfactant and the mechanism of lung oxidative damage

Exposure to ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are related to pulmonary dysfunctions and various lung diseases, but the underlying biochemical mechanisms remain uncertain. Herein, the effect of inhalable oxidizing gas pollutants on the pulmonary surfactant (PS, extracted from porcine lungs), a mixture of active lipids and proteins that plays an important role in maintaining normal respiratory mechanics, is investigated in terms of the interfacial chemistry using in-vitro experiments; and the oxidative stress induced by oxidizing gases in the simulated lung fluid (SLF) supplemented with the PS is explored. The results showed that O3 and NO2 individually increased the surface tension of the PS and reduced its foaming ability; this was accompanied by the surface pressure-area isotherms of the PS monolayers shifting toward lower molecular areas, with O3 exhibiting more severe effects than NO2. Moreover, both O3 and NO2 produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in lipid peroxidation and protein damage to the PS. The formation of superoxide radicals (O2•–) was correlated with the decomposition of O3 and the reactions of O3 and NO2 with antioxidants in the SLF. These radicals, in the presence of antioxidants, led to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Additionally, the direct oxidation of unsaturated lipids by O3 and NO2 further caused an increase in the ROS content. This change in the ROS chemistry and increased •OH production tentatively explain how inhalable oxidizing gases lead to oxidative stress and adverse health effects. In summary, our results indicated that inhaled O3 and NO2 exposure can significantly alter the interfacial properties of the PS, oxidize its active ingredients, and induce ROS formation in the SLF. The results of this study provide a basis for the elucidation of the potential hazards of inhaled oxidizing gas pollutants in the human respiratory system.

Bio‐inspired hierarchical bamboo‐based air filters for efficient removal of particulate matter and toxic gases

AbstractAir pollution is caused by the perilous accumulation of particulate matter (PM) and harmful gas molecules of different sizes. There is an urgent need to develop highly efficient air filtration systems capable of removing particles with a wide size distribution. However, the efficiency of current air filters is compromised by controlling their hierarchical pore size. Inspired by the graded filtration mechanisms in the human respiratory system, microporous ZIF‐67 is in situ synthesized on a 3D interconnected network of bamboo cellulose fibers (BCFs) to fabricate a multiscale porous filter with a comprehensive pore size distribution. The macropores between the BCFs, mesopores formed by the BCF microfibers, and micropores within the ZIF‐67 synergistically facilitate the removal of particulates of different sizes. The filtration capabilities of PM2.5 and PM0.3 could reach 99.3% and 98.6%, respectively, whereas the adsorption of formaldehyde is 88.7% within 30 min. In addition, the filter exhibits excellent antibacterial properties (99.9%), biodegradability (80.1% degradation after 14 days), thermal stability, and skin‐friendly properties (0 irritation). This study may inspire the research of using natural features of renewable resources to design high‐performance air‐filtration materials for various applications.

Why don’t students draw when learning from science texts?

This study explored why students rarely create drawings when learning from science texts despite potential learning benefits. Undergraduates (n = 114) studied a 10-part text on the human respiratory system and took notes by choosing their own strategies (free choice group) or by choosing to create a drawing or write a verbal summary (forced choice group). Other students were instructed to create drawings (draw group) or write summaries (summarize group). All students then completed a series of post-tests. The forced choice group chose to draw significantly more frequently than the free choice group; however, both groups still overwhelmingly chose summarizing. Participants across all groups reported lower prior experience, lower expectancies for success, lower perceived value, and higher perceived cost of drawing compared to summarizing. Students’ prior experiences and beliefs about drawing were also associated with how frequently they chose to draw, providing implications for future instructional interventions.

Environmental exposures, the oral-lung axis and respiratory health: The airway microbiome goes on stage for the personalized management of human lung function.

The human respiratory system is constantly exposed to environmental stimuli, sometimes including toxicants, which can trigger dysregulated lung immune responses that lead to respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function and airway diseases. Evidence supports that the microbiome in the lungs has an indispensable role in respiratory health and disease, acting as a local gatekeeper that mediates the interaction between the environmental cues and respiratory health. Moreover, the microbiome in the lungs is intimately intertwined with the oral microbiome through the oral-lung axis. Here, we discuss the intricate three-way relationship between (i) cigarette smoking, which has strong effects on the microbial community structure of the lung; (ii) microbiome dysbiosis and disease in the oral cavity; and (iii) microbiome dysbiosis in the lung and its causal role in patients suffering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We highlight exciting outcomes arising from recently established interactions in the airway between environmental exposures, microbiome, metabolites-functional attributes and the host, as well as how these associations have the potential to predict the respiratory health status of the host through an airway microbiome health index. For completion, we argue that incorporating (synthetic) microbial community ecology in our contemporary understanding of lung disease presents challenges and also rises novel opportunities to exploit the oral-lung axis and its microbiome towards innovative airway disease diagnostics, prognostics, patient stratification and microbiota-targeted clinical interventions in the context of current therapies.

The Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Digestive, Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

Abstract The proliferation of plastic production in recent years has precipitated a global surge in environmental pollution, with microplastics and nanoplastics (M-NPLs) emerging as omnipresent contaminants across ecosystems. Despite growing awareness of plastic pollution, the systematic toxicity and effects of M-NPLs on human health are often neglected. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the formation, routes of exposure, and potential health impacts of M-NPLs on the human digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Mechanisms of M-NPL formation, including mechanical breakdown, chemical degradation, and biological degradation, are examined, alongside the primary routes of human exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The potential effects of M-NPLs exposure include disruption to intestinal homeostasis, inflammatory responses in the respiratory systems and cardiovascular complications. The findings emphasize the importance of conducting comprehensive investigations to fully grasp the enduring impacts of MNPLs on human health and the environment, addressing this significant challenge to environmental and public health.

Оценка пространственного распределения зон локализации риска развития бронхо-легочной патологии на основе математического моделирования воздушно-пылевых потоков в дыхательных путях и легких человека

The article continues the series of studies that describe a mathematical model of the respiratory system developed by the authors and dwell on its use in practice to assess and predict risks for human health caused by negative effects of airborne environmental factors. The mathematical model includes several submodels that describe how an air mixture flows in the air-conducting zone (it includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea and five generations of bronchi) and the lungs approximated with a continuous two-phase elastically deformed porous medium. The mathematical model is described by using continuum mechanics relationships. It is realized numerically by using engineering software (to investigate processes in the airways) and a self-developed set of programs (to simulate processes in the lungs). Numeric modeling of a non-stationary flow of an air-dust mixture is performed for a personalized three-dimensional geometry of the human respiratory system based on CT-scans. The study provides calculated lines of velocity for a flow of particles in inhaled air in the airways. We have quantified shares of deposited articles with their diameters being 10 µm, 2.5 µm, and 1 µm (РМ10, РМ2,5, РМ1) in the airways; the study also provides trajectories of particulate matter. As particles become smaller and lighter, the share of deposited ones goes down in the airways and grows in the lungs. According to numeric modeling, most (more than 95 %) large particles (PM10) are deposited in the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx; small particles are able to reach the lower airways and bronchi (most particles that reach the lungs penetrate lobar bronchi predominantly in the right lung). Sites with maximum health risks in the human lungs have been identified relying on assessing changes in an air phase mass within the respiration cycle; they are located in lower lobes of the lungs. When contacting airway walls, particles are able to be deposited and accumulate over time producing irritating, toxic and fibrogenic effects; they can thus cause and / or exacerbate pathological states.

Assessing spatial distribution of sites with a risk of developing bronchopulmonary pathology based on mathematical modeling of air-dust flows in the human airways and lungs

The article continues the series of studies that describe a mathematical model of the respiratory system developed by the authors and dwell on its use in practice to assess and predict risks for human health caused by negative effects of airborne environmental factors. The mathematical model includes several submodels that describe how an air mixture flows in the air-conducting zone (it includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea and five generations of bronchi) and the lungs approximated with a continuous two-phase elastically deformed porous medium. The mathematical model is described by using continuum mechanics relationships. It is realized numerically by using engineering software (to investigate processes in the airways) and a self-developed set of programs (to simulate processes in the lungs). Numeric modeling of a non-stationary flow of an air-dust mixture is performed for a personalized three-dimensional geometry of the human respiratory system based on CT-scans. The study provides calculated lines of velocity for a flow of particles in inhaled air in the airways. We have quantified shares of deposited articles with their diameters being 10 µm, 2.5 µm, and 1 µm (РМ10, РМ2,5, РМ1) in the airways; the study also provides trajectories of particulate matter. As particles become smaller and lighter, the share of deposited ones goes down in the airways and grows in the lungs. According to numeric modeling, most (more than 95 %) large particles (PM10) are deposited in the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx; small particles are able to reach the lower airways and bronchi (most particles that reach the lungs penetrate lobar bronchi predominantly in the right lung). Sites with maximum health risks in the human lungs have been identified relying on assessing changes in an air phase mass within the respiration cycle; they are located in lower lobes of the lungs. When contacting airway walls, particles are able to be deposited and accumulate over time producing irritating, toxic and fibrogenic effects; they can thus cause and / or exacerbate pathological states.

Development of Android-Based Augmented Reality Learning Media on the Human Respiratory System to Improve Student Learning Outcomes

This study aims to develop Android-based augmented reality learning media for the science subject, specifically on the human respiratory system for grade V students at SDIT Sultan Agung 05. This research employs a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the Borg and Gall development model. The subjects of this study include validation test subjects consisting of material experts and media experts, and trial subjects consisting of grade V teachers and 27 grade V students. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, questionnaires, documentation, and tests (pretest and posttest). The results indicate that the Android-based augmented reality learning media is rated "very feasible" by both material and media experts. The responses from teachers and students are very positive, with an average percentage of 88%, indicating practicality. The pretest and posttest scores showed an average increase of 33.37 with an N-gain of 0.73, categorized as high. This indicates that the Android-based augmented reality learning media is feasible, practical, and effective in improving student learning outcomes in the science subject of the human respiratory system

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG THE STUDENTS OF SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF UNIVERSITY OF MOSTAR TOWARDS INFLUENZA VACCINATION

Introduction: Influenza is an acute, infectious disease of the human respiratory system, caused byinfluenza viruses. Since it is a vaccine-preventable disease, medical students as future health professionals should be involved in programs promoting the importance of flu vaccination.Aim: Compare knowledge, attitude and practice of vaccination against influenza among students of the firstand sixthyear of School of Medicine of University of Mostar.Subjects and methods: The study included a total of81 students of the School of Medicine of the University of Mostar. The data were collected using a questionnaire that consists from demographic data of the respondents andtwenty questions with the offered answers about the knowledge, attitude and practice of vaccination against influenza.Results: Sixth-year students showed greater knowledge about contraindications for vaccination. Both groups of students showed mainly positive attitudes about influenza vaccination. No surveyed student was vaccinated against influenza and many of them reasoned that influenza is not a serious illness.Conclusions: Despite good knowledge and mostly positive attitudes about influenza vaccination, no student who participated in the study was vaccinated against influenza. Therefore, it would be useful for medical students to provide additional information about the importance of illness prevention, because they represent an important part of the future workforce in the health system, that will affect the global attitudes of vaccination.Keywords: influenza, vaccination, knowledge, practice, students

Paracrinal regulation of neutrophil functions by coronaviral infection in iPSC-derived alveolar type II epithelial cells

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses that predominantly attack the human respiratory system. In recent decades, several deadly human CoVs, including SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV, have brought great impact on public health and economics. However, their high infectivity and the demand for high biosafety level facilities restrict the pathogenesis research of CoV infection. Exacerbated inflammatory cell infiltration is associated with poor prognosis in CoV-associated diseases. In this study, we used human CoV 229E (HCoV-229E), a CoV associated with relatively fewer biohazards, to investigate the pathogenesis of CoV infection and the regulation of neutrophil functions by CoV-infected lung cells. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived alveolar epithelial type II cells (iAECIIs) exhibiting specific biomarkers and phenotypes were employed as an experimental model for CoV infection. After infection, the detection of dsRNA, S, and N proteins validated the infection of iAECIIs with HCoV-229E. The culture medium conditioned by the infected iAECIIs promoted the migration of neutrophils as well as their adhesion to the infected iAECIIs. Cytokine array revealed the elevated secretion of cytokines associated with chemotaxis and adhesion into the conditioned media from the infected iAECIIs. The importance of IL-8 secretion and ICAM-1 expression for neutrophil migration and adhesion, respectively, was demonstrated by using neutralizing antibodies. Moreover, next-generation sequencing analysis of the transcriptome revealed the upregulation of genes associated with cytokine signaling. To summarize, we established an in vitro model of CoV infection that can be applied for the study of the immune system perturbations during severe coronaviral disease.

Polystyrene nanoplastics mediate oxidative stress, senescence, and apoptosis in a human alveolar epithelial cell line.

Nanoplastics, an emerging form of pollution, are easily consumed by organisms and pose a significant threat to biological functions due to their size, expansive surface area, and potent ability to penetrate biological systems. Recent findings indicate an increasing presence of airborne nanoplastics in atmospheric samples, such as polystyrene (PS), raising concerns about potential risks to the human respiratory system. This study investigates the impact of 800 nm diameter-PS nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, examining cell viability, redox balance, senescence, apoptosis, and internalization. We also analyzed the expression of hallmark genes of these processes. We demonstrated that PS-NPs of 800 nm in diameter significantly affected cell viability, inducing oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. PS-NPs also penetrated the cytoplasm of A549 cells. These nanoparticles triggered the transcription of genes comprised in the antioxidant network [SOD1 (protein name: superoxide dismutase 1, soluble), SOD2 (protein name: superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial), CAT (protein name: catalase), Gpx1 (protein name: glutathione peroxidase 1), and HMOX1 (protein name: heme oxygenase 1)], senescence-associated secretory phenotype [Cdkn1a (protein name: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A), IL1A (protein name: interleukin 1 alpha), IL1B (protein name: interleukin 1 beta), IL6 (protein name: interleukin 6), and CXCL8 (protein name: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8)], and others involved in the apoptosis modulation [BAX (protein name: Bcl2 associated X, apoptosis regulator), CASP3 (protein name: caspase 3), and BCL2 (protein name: Bcl2, apoptosis regulator)]. Collectively, this investigation underscores the importance of concentration (dose-dependent effect) and exposure duration as pivotal factors in assessing the toxic effects of PS-NPs on alveolar epithelial cells. Greater attention needs to be directed toward comprehending the risks of cancer development associated with air pollution and the ensuing environmental toxicological impacts on humans and other terrestrial mammals.

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate-induced cytotoxicity and its associated mechanisms in human A549 cells.

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is a widely used organophosphorus flame retardant and has been detected in various environmental matrices including indoor dust. Inhalation of indoor dust is one of the most important pathways for human exposure to TDCIPP. However, its adverse effects on human lung cells and potential impacts on respiratory toxicity are largely unknown. In the current study, human non-small cell carcinoma (A549) cells were selected as a cell model, and the effects of TDCIPP on cell viability, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, and underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Our data indicated a concentration-dependent decrease in the cell viability of A549 cells after exposure to TDCIPP for 48h, with half lethal concentration (LC50) being 82.6µM. In addition, TDCIPP caused cell cycle arrest mainly in the G0/G1 phase by down-regulating the mRNA expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, and CDK6, while up-regulating the mRNA expression of p21 and p27. In addition, cell apoptosis was induced via altering the expression levels of Bcl-2, BAX, and BAK. Our study implies that TDCIPP may pose potential health risks to the human respiratory system and its toxicity should not be neglected.