Reduction Of Toxicity Research Articles

Highly dispersed single-atom Fe and Fe3O4 clusters anchored hierarchical-pore carbon as efficient persulfate activation catalyst

The selective removal of Fe particles from carbonized Fe-MOFs presents an intriguing strategy for developing efficient peroxydisulfate (PDS) activators. It is commonly accepted that their outstanding performance is largely attributed to the high specific surface area/pore volume. However, our investigation into the structure–function relationship of these materials has revealed new insights. In this study, a highly dispersed single-atom Fe and Fe3O4 clusters anchored hierarchical-pore carbon (CM88-H) was obtained via post-acid treatment of carbonized MIL-88B (CM88). Various characterizations were comparatively conducted to highlight the beneficial effects of iron dissolution. The CM88-H/PDS system achieved a notable BPA degradation efficiency, with a reaction rate of 0.323 min−1, which is 3.94 times higher than that of the CM88/PDS system. DFT calculations indicate that the Fe3O4 clusters optimize the charge distribution around single-atom Fe, promoting favorable PDS adsorption and facilitating a higher oxidation state of CM88-H. As a result, BPA can be completely degraded within 10 min with 0.1 g/L CM88-H and 0.05 g/L PDS via both radical and non-radical pathways. The CM88-H/PDS/BPA system performs effectively under various conditions, with a general reduction in toxicity. Furthermore, the CM88-H/PDS system shows broad oxidation activity towards BPA substitutes and pollutants with high ionization potential (IP). Notably, the CM88-H sponge-based fixed-bed catalytic reactor demonstrated satisfactory BPA degradation, highlighting the promising application of CM88-H in water purification. This study provides a sustainable solution for water treatment and accelerates the practical application of powdered nanocatalysts to improve water quality.

Integrated respiratory toxicity of municipal wastewater to human bronchial epithelial cells and 3D bronchospheres

Respiratory symptoms have been reported in wastewater treatment workers and residents living close to sewage treatment plant. However, toxicological research about the respiratory hazards of municipal wastewater is scarce. The present study aims to gain insight into the comprehensive respiratory hazards induced by the contaminant mixtures in municipal wastewater. The integrated respiratory hazards of effluents from four secondary wastewater treatment plants (SWTPs), a tertiary wastewater treatment plant (TTP), and a constructed wetland (CW) were evaluated using normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) bioassay, and toxicity reduction efficiency of various treatment techniques was analyzed. Effluents caused cytotoxicity, oxidative damage, inflammation response with the increased levels of IL-6 and CXCL8, and impaired barrier integrity with decreased expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in NHBE. Further, the effluents inhibited the development of 3D bronchospheres, increased irregular surface and cell debris, and suppressed the formation of luminal structures. TTP E effluent significantly increased the expression of MUC5AC in bronchospheres. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) of the influent was removed by 40.2% at SWTPs, 18.2% at TTP, and 36.6% at CW, respectively. The IBR of the final effluents from SWTPs, TTP, and CW were 7.2, 7.7, and 7.7, respectively. Significant correlation with toxicity biomarkers was frequently observed for stearyl alcohol, o-cresol, phenanthrene, butylated hydroxytoluene, and dimethyl phthalate. The present study provided human relevant evidence concerning the adverse respiratory effects associated with discharge. The necessity for deep water treatment, performance optimization, and the potential means were suggested for improving water quality and protecting respiratory health.

Understanding abscisic acid-mediated stress signaling to affect rice development under stress

IntroductionRice is a vital staple food for many countries, and its yield is known to be significantly affected by various abiotic stresses, which are expected to intensify with climate change, posing a threat to global food security. Abscisic acid (ABA), a crucial plant growth regulator, plays a crucial role in plant responses to these abiotic stresses. It influences several processes, such as seed dormancy, leaf gas exchange, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, ion toxicity reduction, and root elongation, all of which contribute to enhancing plant survival under stress.MethodsThis article reviews recent research on ABA-mediated gene responses and expressions involved in rice plant architecture and its response to abiotic stress.Results and discussionAbscisic acid responses were primarily driven by changes in gene expression. Expression analyses of the gene related to ABA biosynthesis or catabolism indicated several changes in plant architecture, such as changes in leaf angle, delayed flowering, and modifications in growth regulators. Additionally, tolerance-related mechanisms, such as increased ROS scavenging, reduced membrane leakage, and vacuolar compartmentation of toxic radicals, were activated under single or multiple stress conditions. While these adaptations may improve plant survival and yield sustainability under stress, they may not necessarily enhance yield potential in environments affected by drought, salinity, or heat stress. ABA expression was also associated with improved pollen viability, grain-filling potential, and seed setting under abiotic stresses such as heat, which could enhance seed yield in such challenging environments.

Azacitidine in combination with shortened venetoclax treatment cycles in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

The combination of venetoclax with hypomethylating agents is currently the standard of care for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Despite its favorable efficacy, clinical use is often associated with post-remission cytopenia, frequently necessitating treatment delays and dose modifications. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of shortened venetoclax treatment durations. A multicenter analysis was conducted involving 20 adult AML patients receiving venetoclax (7 or 14 days with 9 and 11 patients, respectively) combined with 5-azacitidine (5-7 days) between 2021 and 2024. The cohort included patients from four German academic centers all treated in first line. Outcome measures included bone marrow response, transfusion dependence, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Median age was 73.5 years, with 70% of patients having secondary AML. Adverse molecular risk was observed in 75% of patients. The overall response rate (ORR) was 100%, with a composite complete remission rate of 78%. No significant differences in response rates were observed between the 7-day and 14-day venetoclax regimens. Median OS for the cohort was 15 months. Infection-related complications were observed in 55% of patients, with severe sepsis in 20% of cases. In this cohort, shortened venetoclax regimens demonstrated efficacy comparable to standard treatment protocols, with a potential reduction in hematologic toxicity. These findings support the individualization of treatment regimens to optimize clinical outcomes while potentially minimizing adverse effects.

Processing-induced reduction in dianthrones content and toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum: Insights from ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis and toxicological assessment.

Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury (PM-DILI) has significantly hindered its clinical application and development. This study investigates the variation in content and toxicity of dianthrones, the toxic components of P. multiflorum, during different processing cycles. We employed the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method to quantify six dianthrones in raw P. multiflorum and formulations processed with a method called nine cycles of steaming and sunning. Additionally, toxicity assessments were conducted using human normal liver cell line L02 and zebrafish embryos. Results indicate a gradual reduction in dianthrones content with increasing processing cycles. Processed formulations exhibited significantly reduced cytotoxicity in L02 cells and hepatotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. Our findings elucidate the relationship between processing cycles and P. multiflorum toxicity, providing theoretical support for its safe use.

Assessment of sweet whey fortified with Bifidobacteria and selenium on reduction of pesticide liver toxicity in albino rats

Deltamethrin (DLM) represents one of the most commonly used pesticides. It passes through milk, vegetables, and fruits to humans or through animals (veterinary drugs and feeding on contaminated forage) to milk; it can escape from skin to blood and be secreted in breast milk in lactating women. It is believed to have neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, and hepatotoxic properties. To investigate deltamethrin-induced hepatotoxicity, 64 rats were divided into eight groups. The control group did not receive any treatment. The groups were as follows: D 30 mg DLM/kg body weight (BW) dissolved in corn oil; B 1 mL whey (1010 cfu/mL of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707); S 1 mL whey (0.5 ppm selenium); BS 1 mL whey (1010 cfu/mL of B. longum ATCC 15707 + 0.5 ppm selenium); BD 1 mL whey (1010 cfu/mL of B. longum ATCC 15707 + DLM); SD 1 mL whey (0.5 ppm selenium) + DLM; and BSD 1 mL whey (1010 cfu/mL of B. longum ATCC 15707) + 0.5 ppm selenium + DLM. Results revealed that the manipulation of Bifidobacteria with selenium triggered a significant improvement in AST (U/mL), ALT (U/mL), GSH (mg/g), TNF-α (pg/mL), NF-κB (ng/mL), and BCL2 (ng/mL) from 166.7 ± 6.42, 30.67 ± 0.55, 0.252 ± 0.005, 17.18 ± 0.42, 1.14 ± 0.10, and 1.77 ± 0.06 versus 334.9 ± 4.7, 72.83 ± 2.49, 0.108 ± 0.005, 33.57 ± 0.59, 2.58 ± 0.05, and 1.04 ± 0.04, respectively, compared to DLM group. As well as reduction in histopathological necrosis, congestion, and degradation. Whey beverages fortified with B. longum and selenium implicated a reduction in oxidative stress and histopathological degradation that accomplished DLM toxicity. The utilization of whey (a byproduct of cheese making) is considered a recycling process that supports eco-friendly practices and sustainability, thus encouraging its use as a protective tool in animal feed or manipulation by humans, especially workers in pesticide plants.

The Role of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy.

This study aimed to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on nutritional intake, body weight, and body composition in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The study evaluated whether ONS could prevent treatment-related nutritional deterioration. This prospective observational pilot study included 30 HNC patients randomized into two groups: ONS (n = 15) and No ONS (n = 15). All participants underwent chemoradiotherapy, with the ONS group receiving 200 mL of a high-calorie, high-protein supplement twice daily. Nutritional status, including body weight, BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass, was assessed at three time points: baseline, mid-treatment, and end of treatment. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, with a p-value of ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups in body weight, BMI, or body composition. By the end of radiotherapy, the No ONS group showed significant reductions in body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), fat mass (p < 0.001), and fat-free mass (p < 0.001), while the ONS group maintained more stable nutritional parameters. Acute radiotherapy toxicities, including nausea, dysphagia, and oral mucositis, were not significantly different between the two groups. ONS effectively mitigates weight loss and preserves body composition in HNC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. While no significant reduction in radiation-induced toxicities was observed, the nutritional benefits of ONS support its use in preventing malnutrition in this patient population. Larger studies are needed to further validate these findings.

Iodine-125 low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy are the most common radical treatments for localized prostate cancer, and brachytherapy (BT) also plays a role in this field. Iodine-125 (I-125) low-dose rate (LDR) prostate BT is an established treatment. However, it remains controversial. Specifically, there are a variety of issues, such as indications for combined treatment with external beam radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, prostate-specific antigen follow-up, the significance of postimplant biopsy, the usefulness of salvage BT and focal therapy, reduction of toxicities, and bladder cancer after BT. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in I-125 LDR BT.

ESSAI DE TRAITEMENT BIOLOGIQUE DES HUILES LUBRIFIANTES USAGÉES RÉCUPÉRÉES DANS DES GARAGES DE KINSHASA À L’AIDE DES URINES HUMAINES ET KAOLIN EN RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

In the various car garages of Kinshasa (in the Democratic Republic of Congo), the lack of consideration of environmental standards is the basis of the voluntary and/or accidental discharges of used oils directly into the environment without any prior treatment. These used hydrocarbons are pollutants that can cause major environmental problems due to their toxicity. The aim of this study is to treat used lubricating oils from car garages biologically in order to reduce their toxic potential. To this end, an aerobic biological treatment system was set up by mixing 4L of used oils with IL of urine, 2Kg of active Kaolin and 20L of water. The reduction in the toxicity of hydrocarbons was assessed through acute toxicity tests on the species Gambusia Affinis and microbiological analyses before and after biological treatment of these oils. The results obtained on the toxicity before treatment of these oils revealed that the LC50 was around ±3 ml/g of used oils to say that the pollutant is very toxic. After biological treatment, the LC50 rise to around ±66.7 ml/g for the treated oils, which represents a significant reduction in toxicity and ranks these treated oils in the order of less toxic effluents. The microbiological analyses of the used oils before their treatment did not show any bacteria; on the other hand, the analyses after treatment made it possible to highlight the presence of bacterial colonies whose identification revealed the following bacteria: Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas, which are mostly lipolytic. This study thus allowed to treat used oils thanks to microorganisms and the intrinsic properties of urine and Kaolin.

Photocatalytic Fenton-like degradation of Acid Green 25 by novel aluminum nanoferrites with persulfate: Optimization by response surface methodology

Magnetic nanomaterials are gaining increasing attention for their catalytic properties and ease of recovery, making them promising candidates for the degradation of various organic pollutants. In this study, AlFe2O4 nanoparticles were employed for the first time in photocatalytic wastewater treatment. The study focused on removing Acid Green 25 anthraquinone dye through persulfate activation under UV-Visible light. AlFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel auto-combustion method and characterized by various techniques (XRD, SEM, EDX, VSM, Raman and FTIR). Moreover, statistical analysis of the experimental data confirmed the strong performance of the RSM model in accurately representing the photocatalytic process. Under optimal conditions including persulfate and catalyst concentrations of 0.3 g/L and 0.83 g/L respectively, a solution pH of 3 and 45 minutes of contact time, a 96 % dye removal rate was achieved. The remaining persulfate concentration was 60 % and fully depleted within 90 minutes, indicating efficient activation by AlFe2O4 photocatalyst. The activation process effectively suppressed electron-hole recombination, enhancing the overall efficiency. Scavenger experiments further identified surface-bound radicals and photogenerated holes as the main reactive species. A degradation mechanism for AG25 dye via a photocatalytic Fenton-like process was proposed, highlighting dual synergistic catalysis in the dye degradation. Ecotoxicity assessments using Vibrio fischeri bioassay revealed a significant reduction in toxicity after treatment with AlFe2O4/PS/UV-Vis system. The stability of AlFe2O4 was demonstrated over five degradation cycles. The findings open new perspectives for the use of AlFe2O4 in advanced wastewater treatment technologies, positioning it as a promising material for the degradation of persistent pollutants.

Efficacy of two different forms of selenium towards reduction of arsenic toxicity and accumulation in Cicer arietinum L.

Arsenic migration from soil to crop plants and subsequently human consumption of contaminated foodstuffs is a serious threat for society. In the present study, two oxidation states of selenium [Se(0) and Se(VI)] were used to check their efficacy towards amelioration of arsenic toxicity in chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.). Three different concentrations (1, 5, and 10 mg/L) of both oxidation states of selenium were applied separately and in combination against a fixed dose (10 mg/L) of arsenic [(As(V)] treatment on chickpea seedlings. Further, seed germination and seedling growth attributes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense under different treatments were analyzed. The changes in anatomical structures and arsenic accumulation in different parts of seedlings were also studied. Results revealed that increased generation of oxidative stress affected physiobiochemical parameters of seedlings and diminished plant growth and deformation in vascular bundles under arsenic stress. However, the combined application of Se with As showed overall improvement in seedling growth, reduced oxidative stress, and organized vascular bundles of chickpea seedlings as compared to arsenic stress alone. The arsenic uptake and accumulation in chickpea seedlings were also reduced upon supplementation of Se. The highest reduction of arsenic accumulation by 42 and 56 % in roots, while 47 and 58 % in shoots were recorded by the application of 10 mg/L of Se(0) and Se (VI) under As stress, respectively. Overall, Se(VI) showed much better performance towards the minimization of arsenic-induced phytotoxicity and arsenic accumulation as compared to Se(0). Therefore, this study explored the efficacy of different forms of selenium towards the mitigation of arsenic toxicity in plants.

Balanced adsorption and oxidation in a porous P, N-doped carbon prepared by melt-salt-mediated strategy for enhanced fenton-like reaction

The activation of persulfate oxidation processes using carbon-based catalysts is attractive for eliminating persistent aromatic organic pollutants in wastewater treatment. Herein, N and P co-doped carbonaceous (NPC) catalysts with an ultrahigh surface area were synthesized using a melt-salt-mediated strategy, employing Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 as a self-sacrificing template. The NPC(1:1) carbon, prepared under optimized conditions, exhibited the highest surface area of 2001.5 m2/g, characterized by the highest number of defects and a high dispersion of N (1.89 %) and P (0.30 %) atoms on the carbon. This carbon catalyst exhibited a high capacity for adsorption and potential for activating persulfates in the removal of p-Nitrophenol (p-NP). Experimental data indicate a balance between adsorption and oxidation in the NPC(1:1)/PDS/p-NP system, with the highest catalytic removal rate achieved through moderate pre-adsorption of p-NP. Evidence from quenching, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and amperometric i-t experiments suggests that the NPC(1:1)/PDS system primarily degrades p-NP through an electron transfer pathway. Defects in carbon and graphitic N were identified as catalytic sites. These defects resulted in an electron-deficient state, which leads to the activation of PDS and graphitic N was more reactive than both pyridinic and pyrrolic N in the adsorption of PDS molecules. Additionally, P-containing groups such as C-P-O, C-O-P, and C3-P were pinpointed as active sites on the carbons through DFT calculations. The intermediates during p-NP degradation were identified, and possible degradation pathways were proposed. A toxicity analysis indicated a significant reduction in overall toxicity following the oxidation treatment. This study provides innovative insights into the balance between adsorption and catalytic activity in porous carbon-activated persulfate oxidation reactions, thereby aiding in the development of enhanced oxidation catalysts for environmental remediation.

Unraveling the residual sludge-mediated waste transformation and physiological regulation mechanism of Tetradesmus obliquus

The accumulation of residual sludge as process waste from water treatment engineering needs to be addressed urgently. Tetradesmus obliquus is an important algal species in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, T. obliquus was cultured in different sludge extract to determine its ability to utilize wastes from the liquid phase and convert them into biomass, and to analyze the response of the microalgae to toxic stress using proteomics. The results showed that the sludge extract medium was superior to the BG11 medium in accumulating biomass, with dry weights, proteins and polysaccharides at least 1.09, 1.12 and 1.28 times higher than those of BG11 medium. In toxic group, T. obliquus reduced TOC from an initial 426.8±20.0 mg/L to 180.4±8.5 mg/L with a simultaneous 48.4 % reduction in toxicity. Toxic sludge extract produced greater damage to the photosystem of T. obliquus compared to the blank, significantly inhibiting the expression of two photosystem II core proteins, A0A383VSL5 (0.290 down) and A0A383V2Z3 (0.308 down), on day 5. However, these impairments were reversible, and at day 20, the expression of A0A383VSL5 was not inhibited, the inhibitory effect of A0A383V2Z3 (0.575 down) was attenuated. These results fill a gap on the treatment of various types of residual sludge by T. obliquus and provide promising strategies for microalgae treatment of residual sludge, whether non-toxic or toxic.

Sequential DBD plasma-assisted tandem tri-electrodes Fenton process for enhanced antibiotics treatment and denitrification

Ozone generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has the potential for water treatment; however, its limitations, including water solubility, performance in complex matrices, and resistance to some pollutants. This study explored a sequential DBD plasma assisted by a tandem tri-electrode Fenton (S-PEF) process, using a three-stage treatment approach for degrading antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, SMX; amoxicillin, AMX; and norfloxacin, NOF) in continuous flow mode for 220-bed volumes. Initially, antibiotics such as SMX and AMX underwent degradation in DBD plasma gas, which housed the mixing chamber. The more resilient NOF was removed by hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the following anodic chamber of the tandem trielectrodes by Fenton assisted oxidation. The continuous cyclic redox regeneration of Fe in tandem trielectrodes prevents secondary Fe sludge pollution. Finally, NO3-N and NO2-N were denitrified into N2 with 95 % selectivity in a cathodic chamber using copper oxide nanowires. This sequential treatment is crucial to mitigating the competitive effects of CO32− and humic acid in wastewater since O3 is less susceptible to them compared to OH. The S-PEF completely degraded all antibiotics regardless of water temperature (10 and 25 °C) compared to sole plasma treatment. Finally, toxicity assessments using an ecological structure–activity relationship (ECOSAR) and E. coli disinfection assays showed a significant reduction in toxicity. This study highlights the promising potential of the S-PEF as an advanced technology for wastewater treatment.

Food processing drives the toxic lectin reduction and bioactive peptide enhancement in Pinellia ternata

Processing can change the properties and flavors of food. Many plants in the Araceae family can be used as food or medicine, but their raw materials are usually toxic, such as Pinellia ternata tuber (PTT). After processing (processed PTT, PPTT), its toxicity is reduced. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, a novel approach integrating liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN), de novo sequencing, and protein database searching was applied to rapidly discover and characterize peptides in PPTT. Potential antihypertensive peptides were screened using in silico methods, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory assay, and molecular docking analysis. A significant decrease was observed in toxic lectins after processing. Meanwhile, a total of 1,954 mass spectral nodes were discovered in PPTT, of which 130 were annotated as peptides by FBMN. These peptides, ranging from 2 to 21 amino acids, were rapidly identified using PEAKS. Notably, 98 peptides were derived from lectins, most of which increased after processing. Approximately 30% of identified peptides were screened for potential high antihypertensive activity in silico. Five peptides exhibited inhibitory effects on ACE, with two showing IC50 values of 131 and 185 μM. Dynamic profiling indicated that 7 to 9 days of processing is optimal for reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy. More importantly, these peptides were also found in commercial PPTT, confirming their bioactivity contributions. These findings provide insights into the mechanism by which food processing drives the toxic lectin reduction and bioactive peptide enhancement in PTT, providing a novel approach to rapidly discover bioactive peptides, which can be extended to other foods in Araceae family.

Bacterial bioaugmentation for paracetamol removal from water and sewage sludge. Genomic approaches to elucidate biodegradation pathway

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized as significant contributors of paracetamol (APAP) into the environment due to their limited ability to degrade it. This study used a bioaugmentation strategy with Pseudomonas extremaustralis CSW01 and Stutzerimonas stutzeri CSW02 to achieve APAP biodegradation in solution in wide ranges of temperature (10-40oC) and pH (5-9), reaching DT50 values < 1.5hours to degrade 500mgL-1 APAP. Bacterial strains also mineralized APAP in solution (<30%), but when forming consortia with Mycolicibacterium aubagnense HPB1.1, mineralization significantly increased (up to 74% and 58% for CSW01+HPB1.1 and CSW02+HPB1.1, respectively), decreasing DT50 values to only 1 and 9 days. Despite the complete degradation of APAP and its high mineralization, residual toxicity throughout the process was observed. Three APAP metabolites were identified (4-aminophenol, hydroquinone and trans-2-hexenoic acid) that quickly disappeared, but residual toxicity remained, indicating the presence of other non-detected intermediates. CSW01 and CSW02 degraded also 100% APAP (50mgkg-1) adsorbed on sewage sludge, with DT50 values of only 0.7 and 0.3 days, respectively, but < 15% APAP was mineralized. A genome-based analysis of CSW01 and CSW02 revealed that amidases, deaminases, hydroxylases, and dioxygenases enzymes were involved APAP biodegradation, and a possible metabolic pathway was proposed. Environmental ImplicationThe wide use of paracetamol (APAP) involves ecological risks, being considered an emerging pollutant. APAP excreted by humans ends up in WWTPs, where its elimination is not complete, remaining in part in the effluent treated waters (discharged into surface waters used for soil irrigation) and in part adsorbed on sewage sludge (used as fertilizer in agricultural soils). APAP bioremediation in WWTPs is the unique opportunity to remove it from both matrices before its dispersion in the environment.The novelty of this study is the isolation of two bacterial strains from sewage sludge, P. extremaustralis CSW01 and S. stutzeri CSW02, that could degrade very high concentrations of APAP and their main formed metabolites, both in water and, for the first time, in sewage sludge, in very short periods of time, and even reach high percentages of APAP mineralization in water. Moreover, CSW01 and CSW02 were active under wide ranges of temperature and pH, and are therefore excellent candidates for the chance to achieve a reduction of APAP toxicity in the environment. In addition, by a genome-based analysis, enzymes possibly involved in APAP biodegradation have been identified and a possible degradation pathway has been proposed.

EJS-4 Dose-optimization studies of modern oncology drugs for reduction of toxicity and cost

EJS-4 Dose-optimization studies of modern oncology drugs for reduction of toxicity and cost

Toxicological assessment of reactive blue 19 dye aqueous solutions under UV-LED light

Abstract The dye-contaminated industrial effluent causes serious health issues when it gets mixed with underground water without primary treatment. The current project was designed to treat reactive blue-19 dye aqueous solutions in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) under UV-LED light. The characterization of the photocatalyst was carried out via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for structure, purity, and surface study. The effect of various factors such as pH, TiO2 dose, UV-LED light exposure time, H2O2, and dye concentration, on the degradation rate and cytotoxicity reduction was evaluated and optimized through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The maximum degradation of dye solution and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction was achieved at 98.81 and 86.22 %, respectively for 50 ppm solution, using UV-LED/H2O2(3 %)/TiO2(6 g/L) hybrid process. The toxicity evaluation through the Allium cepa test demonstrated a 62.40, 65.2, and 56.97 % increase in root length (RL), root count (RC), and mitotic index (MI), respectively, following treatment with the UV-LED/H₂O₂/TiO₂ combined process for 150 min. The hemolytic and brine shrimp tests revealed a reduction in toxicity up to 92.18 and 84.08 %, respectively, after applying the same treatment. Additionally, the Ames test indicated up to 80.94 % reduction in mutagenicity for TA98 and an 84.04 % reduction for TA100 strain when dye samples were treated with UV-LED light in the presence of H₂O₂ and TiO₂ for 150 min. The findings suggested that UV-LED light in conjunction with H2O2 and TiO2 can be a useful tool for the degradation and detoxification of toxic pollutants found in textile wastewater.

Increased oxygen partial pressure enhances toxicity reduction by membrane aerated biofilm reactor treating oil and gas industrial wastewater

Wastewater produced during oil and gas extraction processes is one of the largest residual water streams. Also known as produced water (PW), it has a complex composition and is typically toxic to aquatic ecosystems. This study explores the use of membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABR) for biological removal of dissolved organic compounds and associated toxicity. Three different oxygen partial pressures (0.2, 0.6 and 1 bar), the last two mimicking subsea pressures at 20 and 40 m below the sea level, respectively, were tested at three different hydraulic retention times (HRT of 24, 12 and 6 h). Reactors were fed both with onshore and offshore PW. Removal rates for organic carbon increased at decreasing HRT. Highest oxygen partial pressure led to best performance at 6 h HRT (30.1 ± 3.0 g-COD m−2 d−1) when treating onshore PW and at all HRT when treating offshore PW, with highest COD removal rate still at 6 h HRT (9.4 ± 1 g-COD m−2 d−1). Removal efficiencies ranged from 78 % when treating onshore PW at 24 h HRT to 36–49 % when treating offshore PW at 6 h HRT. All treatments led to a reduction in toxicity (>92 % reduction for offshore PW), with 0.2 bar oxygen partial pressure showing worst performance, while 0.6 and 1 bar did not show significant differences. The biofilms were dominated by hydrocarbonoclastic, responsible of hydrocarbons biodegradation, and sulfur cycling bacteria. Overall, MABR were effective treating PW and operating at higher oxygen partial pressures yield to better performance, especially at high volumetric loading rates.

Synthesis of a novel biomass-based flame retardant featuring vinyl-terminated chemical cross-linking and application in flame retardancy, smoke suppression, toxicity reduction and mechanical enhancement of PAN composite fibers

To develop green and efficient polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers with excellent fire safety properties, a new biomass-based flame retardant (PPC@VA) with vinyl-terminated groups was prepared based on the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphonitrile, teat polyphenols, ethylenediamine and vinylphosphonic acid. Subsequently, it was mixed with spinning solution to obtain PPC@VA/PAN through wet spinning, which were then chemically cross-linked via thermal initiation to achieve CC-PPC@VA/PAN fibers. CC-PPC@VA/PAN showed a significant improvement in flame retardancy with a limiting oxygen index value of 32.5 %. The peak of smoke production rate, total smoke production and CO production rate were lowered by 81.9 %, 77.8 % and 91.3 %. Besides, the hazardous gas HCN was greatly suppressed. Owing to the macromolecular entanglement, hydrogen bonding and covalent cross-linking, CC-PPC@VA/PAN improved elongation at break and tensile strength by 19.2 % and 72.1 %. Also, chemical cross-linking contributed to decrease the migration of P/N-based flame retardants, lower the potential risk of water eutrophication and increased the service life of the fibers.