Laboratory Exposure Research Articles

РАДИАЦИОННЫЕ ИСТОЧНИКИ И ДОЗЫ ОБЛУЧЕНИЯ ПЕРСОНАЛА И ПАЦИЕНТОВ ПЭТ-ЦЕНТРА

Introduction 1. Emissions in cyclotron facility and their influence on staff 2. Radiation sources of radiochemical laboratory and radiation exposure of radiochemists 3. Ionizing radiation sources in PET diagnostics division and doses of medical staff 4. Doses of PET center patients Conclusion

Aquatic worms: relevant model organisms to investigate pollution of microplastics throughout the freshwater-marine continuum.

Plastic pollution has become a global and emergency concern. Degradation processes of plastic macrowaste, either at the millimetre- and micrometre-size scales (microplastics, MP) or a nanometre one (nanoplastic, NP), is now well documented in all environmental compartments. It is hence necessary to study the environmental dynamic of MNP (micro(nano)plastic) on aquatic macrofauna considering their dispersion in different compartments. In this context, worms, having a large habitat in natural environments (soil, sediment, water) represent a relevant model organism for MNP investigations. In aquatic systems, worms could be used to compare MNP contamination between freshwater and seawater. The aim of this review was to discuss the relevance of using worms as model species for investigating MNP pollution in freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. In this context, studies conducted in the field and in laboratory, using diverse classes of aquatic worms (polychaete and clitellate, i.e. oligochaete and hirudinea) to assess plastic contamination, were analysed. In addition, the reliability between laboratory exposure conditions and the investigation in the field was discussed. Finally, in a context of plastic use regulation, based on the literature, some recommendations about model species, environmental relevance, and experimental needs related to MNP are given for future studies.

Update on Radiation Safety in the Cath Lab - Moving Toward a "Lead-Free" Environment.

Radiation exposure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) is an occupational hazard that predisposes health care workers to the development of adverse health effects such as cataracts, cancer, and orthopedic injury. To mitigate radiation exposure, personal protective shielding as well as permanently installed shields reduces these adverse effects. Yet, heavy protective lead aprons and poor ergonomics required for positioning movable shields remain barriers to a safer environment. Recent innovations to enhance personal protective equipment and revolutionize fixed shielding systems will permit the CCL team to work in a personal "lead-free" environment, markedly reducing occupational hazards. The purpose of this review is to update the status and future of radiation protection in the CCL.

Genomic analysis of Brucella melitensis reveals new insights into phylogeny and evolutionary divergence

PurposeBrucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by genus Brucella. The disease is often transmitted to humans by direct or indirect contact with infected livestock or from laboratory exposure. In this study two clinical isolates of Brucella melitensis were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS) using Ion Torrent PGM and Oxford Nanopore MinIon platform. MethodsThe two hybrid complete genomes were subjected to core gene SNP analysis to identify the relative evolutionary position. To distinguish between the various lineages of B. melitensis, Pangenome analysis was carried out. ResultsPhylogenetic analysis revealed that both the study isolates (ST8) clustered along the other Asian isolates that formed genotype II. Genome wide analyses of 326 B melitensis isolates suggests 2171 gene clusters were shared across all the genomes while 3552 gene clusters were considered as accessory genes. ConclusionHere we attempted to provide the gain and loss of six unique genes that defined the phylogenetic lineages and complex evolutionary process. As the severity and prevalence of human brucellosis is increasing a better understanding of Brucella genomics and transmission dynamics is needed.

The environmental cellular stress response: the intertidal as a multistressor model.

The wild poses a multifaceted challenge to the maintenance of cellular function. Therefore, a multistressor approach is essential to predict the cellular mechanisms which promote homeostasis and underpin whole-organism tolerance. The intertidal zone is particularly dynamic, and thus, its inhabitants provide excellent models to assess mechanisms underpinning multistressor tolerance. Here, we critically review our current understanding of the regulation of the cellular stress response (CSR) under multiple abiotic stressors in intertidal organisms and consider to what extent a multistressor approach brings us closer to understanding responses in the wild. The function of theCSR has been well documented in laboratory and field exposures with a view to understanding single-stressor thermal effects. Multistressor studies still remain relatively limited in comparison but have applied three main approaches: (i) laboratory application of multiple stressors in isolation, (ii) multiple stressors applied in combination, and (iii) field-based correlation of multiple stressors against the CSR. The application of multiple stressors in isolation has allowed the identification of putative,shared stress pathways but overlooks non-additive stressor interactions on the CSR. Combined stressor studies are relatively limited in number but already highlight variable effects onthe CSR dependent upon stressor type, timing, and magnitude. Field studies have allowed the identification of responsive components ofthe CSR to various stressors in situ but are correlative, not causative. A combined approach involving laboratory multistressor studies linkingthe CSR to whole-organism tolerance as well as field studies is required if we are to understand the role ofthe CSR in the natural environment.

E-29 | The Impact of the RADPAD Protection Drape in Reducing Radiation Exposure in a Contemporary Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Insights from the ATTENUATE Trial

E-29 | The Impact of the RADPAD Protection Drape in Reducing Radiation Exposure in a Contemporary Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Insights from the ATTENUATE Trial

Burkholderia pseudomallei Laboratory Exposure, Arizona, USA

We describe an incidental Burkholderia pseudomallei laboratory exposure in Arizona, USA. Because melioidosis cases are increasing in the United States and B. pseudomallei reservoirs have been discovered in the Gulf Coast Region, US laboratory staff could be at increased risk for B. pseudomallei exposure.

Effects of cadmium and zinc on gene expression of novel molecular biomarkers in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar

Metal contamination impacts various aquatic species, and mollusk bivalves are appropriate sentinel organisms in coastal pollution assessment. Metal exposure can disrupt homeostasis, alter gene expression, and harm cellular processes. However, organisms have evolved mechanisms to regulate metal ions and counteract their toxicity. This study examined the effect of acute cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on metal-related gene expression in gills of Crassostrea gasar following 24 and 48 h of laboratory exposure. We focused on Zn transport, metallothionein (MT), glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis, and calcium (Ca) transporter genes to understand the underlying Cd and Zn-accumulating mechanisms that prevent metal toxicity. Our findings revealed increased Cd and Zn levels in oyster gills, with significantly higher accumulation after 48 h. C. gasar accumulated high Cd concentrations even in scarce conditions and increased Zn levels, suggesting a strategy to cope with toxicity. While no significant gene expression differences were observed after 24 h, the increased metal accumulation after 48 h led to upregulation of CHAC1, GCLC, ZnT2, and MT-like genes in oysters exposed to Cd, and increased ZnT2-like expression following exposure to higher Cd/Zn mixtures. We found evidence of oysters may mobilize metal-related genes to mitigate Cd-induced toxicity by both chelating metals and/or reducing their intracellular concentrations. The observed genes upregulation also indicates their sensitivity to changes in metal bioavailability. Overall, this study offers insights into oyster mechanisms for coping with metal toxicity and suggests ZnT2, MT, CHAC1, and GCLC-like as molecular biomarkers for monitoring aquatic metal pollution using C. gasar as sentinel species.

EFFECTS OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN ALGAE AND MICROPLASTICS ON LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF DAPHNIA PULEX CLONES

Microplastic (MP) pollution is potentially a big threat to many aquatic organisms. However, we currently know very little about the effects of small MPs on phenotypes and the extent to which genetic and environmental factors modify the effects of MPs. I studied the direct and indirect effects of 9.5 - 11.5 μm polystyrene microspheres on the life history traits (time to maturation, total number of offspring, size of adults) of Daphnia pulex clone Bel 19 and Bel 87. The D. pulex clones were exposed to two different concentrations (low 0.001 mg/l and high 1 mg/l) of MP. Each clone had two groups of individuals. One group of individuals was fed with algae food (no MP aging) to observe direct effects, and another group with algae food (MP aging) to observe indirect effects on the life history traits. MPs were aged in algae suspension for 7 days. Individuals were fed with an amount of carbon concentration 1 mg/l. I used laboratory exposure to answer the research questions - 1) do D. pulex clones differ in the susceptibility to MP pollution in terms of life history traits? and 2) are there any signicant differences between direct and indirect effects of MPs on life history traits of D. pulex clones? The results from the study showed that the D. pulex clones differ signicantly in the susceptibility to MP pollution in terms of the observed life history traits, which demonstrate the importance of incorporating genetic variation into the assessments of the impacts of plastic particle exposure. Signicant differences were also observed between the direct and indirect effects of MP on life history traits of D. pulex clones. Among the observed traits, time to maturation is the most affected one by indirect effect with the largest effect size (almost 3 times higher than the direct effect size). The results indicate that indirect ecological effects might lead to effect thresholds at levels considered eld relevant to the direct effects

Adaptation of the o-DGT for the sampling of 12 hormones: calibration, performance evaluation, and recommendation.

This work highlights the methodology for the development of diffusive gradients in thin films (o-DGT) through its adaptation for 12 natural and synthetic hormones belonging to three different families (estrogens, progestins, and androgens). A reliable strategy must be applied during o-DGT lab adaptation to avoid issues related to the analysis (i.e., presence of matrix effects in grab or passive samples) but also to the o-DGT configuration (i.e., undesirable sorption or desorption, lack of performance with insufficient elution or unreliable diffusion coefficient). To avoid analytical issues due to the presence of salts in grab samples, CaCl2 exposure solutions must be used on a lab-scale development to monitor the hormone concentration. The selected o-DGT was composed of an Oasis®HLB binding gel and a diffusive gel in agarose because they provided better performance than polyacrylamide gels (i.e., higher elution factors and more repeatable diffusion coefficients). The elution factors of the binding gel were then from 0.79 ± 0.13 to 1.04 ± 0.13 (RSD < 15%) and the diffusion coefficients at 25°C were from 4.07 ± 0.24 to 5.49 ± 0.28 × 10-6cm2s-1 (RSD < 9%). A laboratory exposure to a synthetic solution was performed to check the consistency with the DGT quantification model validating the calibration parameters for all hormones (except 17α-ethinylestradiol with a bias of 40%). Therefore, the o-DGT configuration is suitable for sampling hormones in the natural environment with LOQDGT ranging from 0.3 to 6.6ngL-1.

Critical gaps in nanoplastics research and their connection to risk assessment.

Reports of plastics, at higher levels than previously thought, in the water that we drink and the air that we breathe, are generating considerable interest and concern. Plastics have been recorded in almost every environment in the world with estimates on the order of trillions of microplastic pieces. Yet, this may very well be an underestimate of plastic pollution as a whole. Once microplastics (<5mm) break down in the environment, they nominally enter the nanoscale (<1,000nm), where they cannot be seen by the naked eye or even with the use of a typical laboratory microscope. Thus far, research has focused on plastics in the macro- (>25mm) and micro-size ranges, which are easier to detect and identify, leaving large knowledge gaps in our understanding of nanoplastic debris. Our ability to ask and answer questions relating to the transport, fate, and potential toxicity of these particles is disadvantaged by the detection and identification limits of current technology. Furthermore, laboratory exposures have been substantially constrained to the study of commercially available nanoplastics; i.e., polystyrene spheres, which do not adequately reflect the composition of environmental plastic debris. While a great deal of plastic-focused research has been published in recent years, the pattern of the work does not answer a number of key factors vital to calculating risk that takes into account the smallest plastic particles; namely, sources, fate and transport, exposure measures, toxicity and effects. These data are critical to inform regulatory decision making and to implement adaptive management strategies that mitigate risk to human health and the environment. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-science on nanoplastic research, highlighting areas where data are needed to establish robust risk assessments that take into account plastics pollution. Where nanoplastic-specific data are not available, suggested substitutions are indicated.

Toxicity of herbicides used for control of waterhyacinth in the California Delta towards the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris released for biological control

ABSTRACT The water hyacinth planthopper Megamelus scutellaris has been released for biological control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes or Pontederia crassipes) in Florida and is widely established there, with additional releases in Louisiana and California, USA, and in South Africa. Management still often requires the use of herbicides. Knowledge of their direct toxicity to M. scutellaris would aid in integrated management. We tested the contact toxicity of 2,4-D, diquat, glyphosate, imazamox and penoxsulam as well as a paraffinic oil-based and a vegetable oil-based adjuvant, by exposing planthoppers to dipped leaves in the laboratory, and by applying chemicals to infested mesocosms in the field. Exposure to 2,4-D, glyphosate, imazamox and penoxsulam did not cause significant mortality to M. scutellaris compared to exposure to water-dipped leaves in the laboratory, and did not consistently reduce final counts of M. scutellaris compared to counts in water-sprayed mesocosms in field trials. Laboratory exposure to diquat-dipped leaves caused significantly (45%–69%) higher mortality than did exposure to water-dipped leaves, and exposure to leaves dipped in paraffinic-oil based adjuvant also increased mortality (40–50%). In field mesocosms, application of diquat reduced recovery of live M. scutellaris by 64% in one trial, and the same adjuvant reduced recovery by 36%–49% in two trials. The results suggest that biological and chemical control of water hyacinth using M. scutellaris can be safely integrated using most of the herbicides applied for control of this weed in California.

Disparate toxicity mechanisms of parabens with different alkyl chain length in freshwater biofilms: Ecological hazards associated with antibiotic resistome

As emerging organic pollutants, parabens are of global concern because of their ubiquitous presence and adverse effects. However, few researchers have addressed the relationship between parabens' structural features and toxicity mechanisms. This study conducted theoretical calculations and laboratory exposure experiments to uncover the toxic effects and mechanisms of parabens with different alkyl chains in freshwater biofilms. The result demonstrated that parabens' hydrophobicity and lethality increased with their alkyl-chain length, whereas the possibility of chemical reactions and reactive sites were unchanged despite the alkyl-chain length alteration. Due to the hydrophobicity variation, parabens with different alkyl-chain presented different distribution patterns in cells of freshwater biofilms and consequently induced distinct toxic effects and led to diverse cell death modes. The butylparaben with longer alkyl-chain preferred to stay in the membrane and altered membrane permeability by non-covalent interaction with phospholipid, which caused cell necrosis. The methylparaben with shorter alkyl-chain preferred to enter into the cytoplasm and influence mazE gene expression by chemically reacting with biomacromolecules, thereby triggering apoptosis. The different cell death patterns induced by parabens contributed to different ecological hazards associated with antibiotic resistome. Compared with butylparaben, methylparaben was more likely to spread ARGs among microbial communities despite its lower lethality.

Fishing for hosts: Larval spurting by the endangered thick-shelled river mussel, Unio crassus.

Fishing for hosts: Larval spurting by the endangered thick-shelled river mussel, Unio crassus.

Early Experience With an Occupational JYNNEOS ( Orthopoxvirus ) Vaccination Program.

The aim of the study is to identify lessons learned implementing JYNNEOS vaccination for laboratory workers exposed to orthopoxviruses such as mpox. Workers at risk of laboratory exposure were offered vaccine in a carefully planned occupational health program. Vaccine was procured from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Drug Service, which has special requirements. Reasons for accepting or declining vaccine and adverse effects were obtained by survey. Most workers accepted JYNNEOS, and occupational risk was the most commonly cited reason for acceptance. Most experienced mild local adverse effects. The administrative requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drug Service are documented. Occupational health programs caring for laboratory workers handling unusual biological agents require careful planning and coordination to facilitate access to vaccines that are not commercially available, anticipate and mitigate barriers to vaccination, and comply with special Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.

Demographics, Motivations, and Experiences of Participants in Transplantation or Cellular Therapy Fellowships

Recent American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy guidelines have sought to establish clinical and research expectations for participants in blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) and cellular therapy (CT) fellowships. However, little is known about participants in BMT/CT fellowships and the value they find from this additional training. We wanted to characterize the demographics, motivations, and experiences of recent participants in BMT/CT fellowships. We developed a 27-item online survey addressing backgrounds, application processes, training experiences, and perceived benefits among physicians who had started a clinical U.S.-based BMT/CT fellowship between 2012 to 2021. Anonymous responses were solicited through program director outreach, society website postings, targeted emails, and social media. Of 105 respondents (44% pediatric trainees), 4% were URMs and 39% were non-U.S. IMGs. The most important motivations for applying were comfort with allogeneic BMT, improved career prospects, and opportunities for research and publication. Almost all respondents (92%) attended donor selection meetings, whereas smaller proportions visited cell processing facilities (65%), HLA laboratories (57%), or good manufacturing practice facilities (22%). Most respondents reported ≥1 publication (26% reported 4+) based on research or experiences during their fellowship. Respondents reported improved post-fellowship comfort with all queried BMT/CT-related competencies. Seventy percent of respondents stated that they would recommend their fellowship highly to others; this corresponded to a Net Promoter Score of +65%, consistent with a strongly positive experience. Most respondents reported currently being in clinical practice (89% at academic centers), with a median of 70% of time currently spent caring for BMT/CT recipients. Although limited by recruitment methods and recall bias, our study demonstrated that BMT/CT fellowships are effective at increasing comfort with BMT/CT management and that most participants would highly recommend this BMT/CT training to others. Nevertheless, our study identified substantial heterogeneity in clinical responsibilities and BMT/CT-related laboratory exposure. The high representation of non-U.S. IMGs underscores the distinct role of BMT/CT fellowships for this group, whereas improved URM recruitment remains an important future direction for the field. Whether advanced fellowships will ever become required for the future BMT/CT workforce, analogous to the additional training required for solid organ transplantation in other medical and pediatric subspecialties, remains uncertain.

Lessons Learned from a Short-Term Exposure to DMF

A personal experience with the health impact of laboratory exposure to dimethylformamide is described, and the lessons learned from this event are developed. These lessons involve all 4 elements of the RAMP process: hazard recognition, evaluation of the impact of a chemical exposure, selection and use of management strategies, and response to the incident. The goal of this paper is to convert my luck of recovering from a short-term exposure to a hazardous solvent into a group of Lessons Learned which can benefit the laboratory community.

Challenges and perspectives in MS-based omics approaches for ecotoxicology studies: An insight on Gammarids sentinel amphipods

The aquatic environment is one of the most complex biosystems, as organism at all trophic levels may be exposed to a multitude of pollutants. As major goals, ecotoxicology typically investigates the impact of toxic pollutants on the ecosystems through the study of sentinel organisms. Over the past decades, Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based omics approaches have been extended to sentinel species both in laboratory and field exposure conditions. Single-omics approaches enable the discovery of biomarkers mirroring the health status of an organism. By covering a restricted set of the molecular cascade, they turn out to only partially satisfy the understanding of complex ecotoxicological effects. In contrast, a more complete understanding of the ecotoxicity pathways can be accessed through multi-omics approaches. In this perspective, we provide a state-of-the-art and a critical evaluation on further developments in MS-based single and multi-omics studies in aquatic ecotoxicology. As case example, literature regarding Gammarids freshwater amphipods, non-model sentinel organisms sensitive to pollutants and environmental changes and crucial species for downstream ecosystems, will be reviewed.

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, in the human food chain, and have been recently detected in blood and lung tissues. To undertake a pilot analysis of MP contamination in human vein tissue samples with respect to their presence (if any), levels, and characteristics of any particles identified. This study analysed digested human saphenous vein tissue samples (n = 5) using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 5 μm) to detect and characterise any MPs present. In total, 20 MP particles consisting of five MP polymer types were identified within 4 of the 5 vein tissue samples with an unadjusted average of 29.28 ± 34.88 MP/g of tissue (expressed as 14.99 ± 17.18 MP/g after background subtraction adjustments). Of the MPs detected in vein samples, five polymer types were identified, of irregular shape (90%), with alkyd resin (45%), poly (vinyl propionate/acetate, PVAc (20%) and nylon-ethylene-vinyl acetate, nylon-EVA, tie layer (20%) the most abundant. While the MP levels within tissue samples were not significantly different than those identified within procedural blanks (which represent airborne contamination at time of sampling), they were comprised of different plastic polymer types. The blanks comprised n = 13 MP particles of four MP polymer types with the most abundant being polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), then polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyfumaronitrile:styrene (FNS), with a mean ± SD of 10.4 ± 9.21, p = 0.293. This study reports the highest level of contamination control and reports unadjusted values alongside different contamination adjustment techniques. This is the first evidence of MP contamination of human vascular tissues. These results support the phenomenon of transport of MPs within human tissues, specifically blood vessels, and this characterisation of types and levels can now inform realistic conditions for laboratory exposure experiments, with the aim of determining vascular health impacts.

Understanding the aggregation, consumption, distribution and accumulation of nanoparticles of polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate in Ruditapes philippinarum

Plastic products have become an integral part of our life. A widespread usage, high stability, uncontrolled disposal and slow degradation of plastics in the environment led to the generation and accumulation of nanoparticles of polymers (NPs) in the marine environment. However, little is known about the aggregation, consumption and distribution of NPs from common polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (NP-PVC) and polymethyl methacrylate (NP-PMMA) inside marine animal physiologies. In the current study, two types of polymers (PVC and PMMA) × four exposure concentrations (1, 5, 15 and 25 mg/L) × four times (4, 8, 12 and 24 h) exposure studies were conducted to understand the consumption and distribution of luminescent NP-PVC (98.6 ± 17.6 nm) and NP-PMMA (111.9 ± 37.1 nm) in R. philippinarum. Under laboratory conditions, NP-PVC showed a higher aggregation rate than NP-PMMA in seawater within a period of 24 h. Aggregations of NPs increased with an increase in initial NP concentrations, leading to significant settling of nanoparticles within 24 h exposure. Such aggregation and settling of particles enhanced the consumption of NPs by benthic filter-feeding R. philippinarum at all exposure concentrations during 4 h exposure. More interestingly, NP-PVC and NP-PMMA were observed in large amounts in both liver and gills (22.6 % - 29.1 %) of the clams. Furthermore, NP-PVC was detected in most organs of R. philippinarum as compared to NP-PMMA. This study demonstrates that different polymers distribute and accumulate differently in the same biological model under laboratory exposure conditions based on their chemical nature.