Single Exposure Research Articles

Bioaccumulation, transformation and toxicity of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in Eisenia fetida under single and binary exposure scenarios

Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to individual and binary mixture of imidacloprid (IMI) and dinotefuran (DIN) at 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg for 28 days to investigate their bioaccumulation, transformation and toxicity. IMI was more easily absorbed by earthworms than DIN, and worms didn’t accumulate or generate toxic metabolites. The obvious accumulation of neonicotinoids during later period caused significant neural dysfunction, especially when exposed to high-concentration IMI. Meanwhile, oxidative stress indicated by decreased SOD/CAT activity (33.2 %-68.1 %) and increased MDA (38.4 %-55.0 %) was induced by binary exposure with high-concentration IMI. By contrast, coelomocytes responded earlier and more strongly than oxidative responses. Coelomocytes’ viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were inhibited (23.6 %-91.7 %) mainly by IMI and binary exposure. Coelomocytes’ lactate dehydrogenase activity exerted a fluctuating pattern, suggesting irregular disturbance on cellular functions. This study highlights the role of coelomocytes and the need to consider binary/multiple scenarios and transformation of neonicotinoids in their risk assessment to earthworms.

Increased accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio through recent improvements in infra-red video bolometer fabrication and calibration.

The infra-red video bolometer (IRVB) is a diagnostic equipped with an infra-red camera that measures the total radiated power in thousands of lines of sight within a large field of view. Recently validated in MAST-U [Fderici et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 033502 (2023)], it offers a high spatial resolution map of the radiated power in the divertor region, where large gradients are expected. The IRVB's sensing element comprises a thin layer of high Z absorbing material, typically platinum, usually coated with carbon to reduce reflections [Peterson et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 10E301 (2008)].Here, the possibility of using a relatively inert material such as titanium, is explored that can be produced in layers up to 1 μm compared to 2.5 μm for Pt and then coat it with Pt of the desired thickness (0.3 μm per side here) and carbon. This leads to a higher temperature signal (about 3 times) and better spatial resolution (about 4 times), resulting in higher accuracy in the measured power [Peterson et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 10E301 (2008)]. This assembly is also expected to improve foil uniformity, as the Pt layer is obtained via deposition rather than mechanical processes [Mukai et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 2014 (2016)].Given its multi-material composition, measuring the thermal properties of the foil assembly is vital. Various methods using a calibrated laser as a heat source have been developed, analyzing the temperature profile shape [Sano et al., Plasma and Fusion Res. 7, 2405039 (2012)] and [Mukai et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 89, 10E114 (2018)] or fitting the calculated laser power for different intensities and frequencies [Fderici et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 94, 033502 (2023)]. Here, a simpler approach is presented, which relies on analyzing the separate components of the foil heat equation for a single laser exposure in a given area. This can then be iterated over the entire foil to capture local deviations.

How well does a single blood sample represent long-term exposure for epidemiological studies of PFOA among men in the general population?

Many epidemiological studies use a single blood sample per participant to assess exposure, but it is unclear how well a single sample represents longer term exposure. We performed a simulation study using summary statistics for repeated serum PFOA measurements from several previous studies in men to generate plausible serum concentrations over time, taking within-subject correlations into account. Simulated serum concentrations for controls were categorized into quintiles at each time point, and used to determine the extent of misclassification at each time point compared to the “true” long-term average exposure. We then generated case counts by quintile needed to produce an odds ratio (OR) of 1.5 for the highest vs. lowest quintile categorized based on long term exposure, and used the same misclassification rates observed in the controls to simulate misclassified exposure quintiles for cases. Comparing long term vs. single baseline exposure measures for repeated serum samples collected within about 5–13 years of each other revealed similar effect estimates, although there was a small bias to the null. Trend tests across quintiles were mostly significant using either baseline or long-term exposure. For the general population sample of men in Norway, with 5 repeated measurements over 28 years, serum PFOA was substantially lower prior to 1987, and using either of the two earliest samples as the exposure metric, compared to the long term average, produced larger bias to the null and non-significant trend tests; however using later time points as the exposure metric resulted in only a small bias. Using data based on studies of men, single baseline serum samples represented rather well the mean of repeated samples collectedup to 13 years apart, but were not always reliable surrogates for average exposure over 3 decades, during which time PFOA exposure levels in the general population have changed substantially.

Exposure to Multiple Natural Disasters and Externalising and Internalising Behavior: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents

PurposeAs natural disasters become more frequent and more severe, there is a corresponding need to understand their relationship with child and adolescent mental health, and in particular, to understand exposure to multiple natural disasters. This study assesses the relationship between exposure to both single and multiple disasters and adolescent internalising and externalising behavior. MethodsThe study used five waves of a nationally representative longitudinal Australian dataset. Exposure to sudden-onset (fires, floods, storms) and slow-onset (drought) disasters was collected across five waves. Adolescent internalising and externalising behavior collected in the final three waves using the self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Random effects regressions assessed sudden- and slow-onset disasters and multiple disaster exposure, controlling for geographic and socioeconomic variables. ResultsExposure to multiple disasters was associated with adverse adolescent outcomes. Two or more sudden- and slow-onset disaster exposures in the last 12 months was related to more conduct problems. Exposure to multiple sudden-onset disasters in the current and previous waves was related to increased problems with peers. A single exposure to either sudden- or slow-onset disasters was not associated with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire outcomes. DiscussionThe study findings suggest that multiple exposure to disasters has a negative association with adolescent wellbeing. These findings suggest that, rather than adapting to disasters, youth exposed to multiple disasters suffer more than their peers, including peers exposed to a single disaster.

Sri Lanka Child Growth Cohort (SLCGC): a population-based study on growth faltering of children

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the study design and baseline characteristics of the Sri Lanka Child Growth Cohort (SLCGC), which was established to assess the timing, pattern and determinants of...

Effects of cyanotoxins on nitrogen transformation in aquaculture systems with microplastics coexposure: Adsorption behavior, bacterial communities and functional genes

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing attention as important new pollutants in freshwater fishery environments. However, there are few reports on the effects of long-term combined MC-LR and MPs pollution on nitrogen transformation and microbial communities in aquaculture ponds, and the resulting risks have yet to be determined. Therefore, in this study, traditional refractory MPs (polystyrene, PS), biodegradable MPs (polylactic acid, PLA) and MC-LR, which are common in freshwater fishery environments in China, were selected as pollutants to construct a microcosm that simulates freshwater aquaculture ponds. MC-LR coexposure to PS and PLA was tested to reveal the effects of these pollutants on nitrogen transformation and microbial communities in aquaculture ponds, as well as to elucidate the potential risks posed by traditional refractory MPs and biodegradable MPs to freshwater aquaculture ecosystems. The results revealed that the MPs had a relatively high adsorption rate for MC-LR and that PS presented a relatively high adsorption capacity, whereas PLA presented a relatively high desorption capacity. Single or combined MPs and MC-LR pollution disrupted the normal nitrogen cycle in the aquaculture system, causing an overall loss of nitrogen in the water, and denitrification and nitrogen fixation in the water were inhibited to a certain extent through the inhibition of nitrogen cycle-related functional genes, with the PS + MC-LR group having the greatest inhibitory effect. In addition, compared with single-pollutant exposure, combined exposure to MC-LR and MPs had a greater effect on the microbial community composition. Analysis of the integrated biomarker response (IBR) index revealed that the risk of combined exposure to MC-LR and PS was greater than that of single exposure, so this phenomenon merits further attention.

Molecular response and adaptation mechanism of Microcystis aeruginosa under metalimnetic oxygen minimum conditions

Reservoirs are important drinking water sources. The metalimnetic oxygen minimum (MOM) usually occurs periodically in summer and autumn in deep-water reservoirs due to algae blooms and thermal stratification. This study aimed to explore the physiological and molecular responses of Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) under MOM conditions (darkness coupled with low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, hydrostatic pressure, and nutrient starvation). The comprehensive response of M. aeruginosa suggested that MOM conditions led to an immediate collapse of gas vesicles. This was followed by a gradual inhibition of photosynthesis by disturbing the electron transport chain and a significant downregulation of energy metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. The active cells were approximately 5 % and > 45 % under MOM aerobic (3.0–7.0 mg/L DO) and anaerobic conditions (< 0.5 mg/L DO), respectively, for 20 days. In addition, a single exposure to darkness or pressure accelerated the decay of M. aeruginosa cells; however, MOM conditions with a low DO concentration had the opposite effect. The survival of M. aeruginosa cells under MOM conditions could be attributed to stringent response and the activation of HIF-1 signal when DO concentration decreased to < 2.0 mg/L by promoting the formation of cellular quiescence and resource redistribution. This study sheds light on the molecular response and adaptation mechanism of M. aeruginosa under MOM conditions.

Evolution of microbial community and resistance genes in denitrification system under single and combined exposure to benzethonium chloride and methylparaben

Benzethonium chloride (BZC) and methylparaben (MeP) are commonly added into cosmetics as preservatives, which are frequently detected in wastewater treatment plants. Different response patterns of denitrification system were proposed under single and combined exposure to BZC and MeP (0, 0.5, 5 mg/L) by evaluating system performance, functional genes, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), cytotoxicity, microbial community structure and resistance genes (RGs). The inhibition effect of BZC on denitrification system was stronger than MeP, and the co-exposure of BZC and MeP showed synergistic effect, enhancing the inhibition effect of BZC single exposure. BZC and/or MeP could promote the diffusion of RGs in sludge, including intracellular RGs (si-RGs) and extracellular RGs (se-RGs). Moreover, the single exposure of BZC and co-exposure of BZC and MeP increased the dissemination risks of RGs in water (w-RGs). IntI1 and tnpA-04, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), correlated positively with diverse RGs from different fractions. Notably, the spread of RGs through horizontal gene transfer mediated by MGEs and the flow of si-RGs into extracellular and water were observed in this study.

Single Dose of Chloroform Induces Hepatic Dysfunction with Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Response in Vivo

Chloroform (CH) is considered an urgent environmental pollutant that leads to critical health effects. This investigation was carried out to verify the involvement of serum cytokines in the hepatic dysfunction induced by single exposure to CH in laboratory rats. Eighteen adult male laboratory rats were separated into three groups of eight rats each. Control (CON) group included animals without any treatment, while the rest of the two groups were administrated trichloromethane at a dose of 477 mg/kg , orally then sacrificed after 1 day (CH-1) and 7day (CH-7) post-exposure. The results indicated that single-dose exposure induced liver dysfunction through significant elevation of serum activities of hepatic enzymes compared with unexposed control rats. Furthermore, chloroform intoxication caused a significant time-dependent rise in concentrations of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum of exposed rats. In conclusion, a single high dose of chloroform causes liver dysfunction and promotes the response of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats.

Prenatal and childhood exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and early thelarche in 8-year-old girls: A prospective study using Bayesian kernel regression

BackgroundStudies on the combined effects of persistent and non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on puberty are insufficient. To date, no studies have analyzed breast development at age 8 years, a key criterion for determining precocious puberty. We investigated the relationship between prenatal or childhood exposure to EDC mixtures and early thelarche, defined as breast development before age 8 years in girls. MethodsThis prospective study included 211 girls with data on prenatal and 8-year-old exposure of cadmium (Cd), lead, mercury, bisphenol-A (BPA), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, and three phthalate metabolites from the Environment and Development of Children cohort. Prenatal exposure was assessed through samples from pregnant women at 14–27th weeks of gestation. Tanner staging was assessed by a pediatric endocrinologist. The relationship between single and mixed chemical exposures and outcomes was assessed using logistic regression, generalized additive models (GAM), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. ResultsEarly thelarche was observed in 42 (19.9%) girls at age 8 years. In the logistic regression models, the risk of early thelarche increased with increased exposure to Cd in their mothers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per interquartile range [IQR] = 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.65) but decreased with prenatal BPA exposure (aOR per IQR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.92). None of the 8-year-old chemical exposures was associated with early thelarche. In the GAM, early thelarche was positively correlated with prenatal Cd and inversely associated with prenatal BPA exposure (p = 0.004 for Cd and p = 0.036 for BPA). In the BKMR models, an increase in log-transformed prenatal Cd concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with an increase in the estimated probability of early thelarche at age 8 years (risk difference: 0.46 [95% credible interval: 0.04–0.88]) when other chemicals were set at their median values. ConclusionsConsidering the combined effects of persistent and non-persistent chemical mixtures, maternal Cd exposure during the second trimester may be associated with early thelarche in 8-year-old girls.

Contrast and quantum noise in single-exposure dual-energy thoracic imaging with photon-counting x-ray detectors

Objective.Photon-counting x-ray detectors (PCDs) can produce dual-energy (DE) x-ray images of lung cancer in a single x-ray exposure. It is important to understand the factors that affect contrast, noise and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). This study quantifies the dependence of CNR on tube voltage, energy threshold and patient thickness in single exposure, DE, bone-suppressed thoracic imaging with PCDs, and elucidates how the fundamental processes inherent in x-ray detection by PCDs contribute to CNR degradation.Approach.We modeled the DE CNR for five theoretical PCDs, ranging from an ideal PCD that detects every primary photon in the correct energy bin while rejecting all scattered radiation to a non-ideal PCD that suffers from charge-sharing and electronic noise, and detects scatter. CNR was computed as a function of tube voltage and high energy threshold for average and larger-than-average patients. Model predictions were compared with experimental data extracted from images acquired using a cadmium telluride (CdTe) PCD with two energy bins and analog charge summing for charge-sharing suppression. The imaging phantom simulated attenuation, scatter and contrast in lung nodule imaging. We quantified CNR improvements achievable with anti-correlated noise reduction (ACNR) and measured the range of exposure rates over which pulse pile-up is negligible.Main Results.The realistic model predicted overall trends observed in the experimental data. CNR improvements with ACNR were approximately five-fold, and modeled CNR-enhancements were on average within 10% of experiment. CNR increased modestly (i.e.<20%) when increasing the tube voltage from 90 kV to 130 kV. Optimal energy thresholds ranged from 50 keV to 70 keV across all tube voltages and patient thicknesses with and without ACNR. Quantum efficiency, electronic noise, charge sharing and scatter degraded CNR by ~50%. Charge sharing and scatter had the largest effect on CNR, degrading it by ~30% and ~15% respectively. Dead-time losses were less than 5% for patient exposure rates within the range of clinical exposure rates.Significance.In this study, we (1) employed analytical and computational models to assess the impact of different factors on CNR in single-exposure DE imaging with PCDs, (2) evaluated the accuracy of these models in predicting experimental trends, (3) quantified improvements in CNR achievable through ACNR and (4) determined the range of patient exposure rates at which pulse pile-up can be considered negligible. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first systematic investigation of single-exposure DE imaging of lung nodules with PCDs.

Energy-dispersive Laue diffraction analysis of the influence of statherin and histatin on the crystallographic texture during human dental enamel demineralization.

Energy-dispersive Laue diffraction (EDLD) is a powerful method to obtain position-resolved texture information in inhomogeneous biological samples without the need for sample rotation. This study employs EDLD texture scanning to investigate the impact of two salivary peptides, statherin (STN) and histatin-1 (HTN) 21 N-terminal peptides (STN21 and HTN21), on the crystallographic structure of dental enamel. These proteins are known to play crucial roles in dental caries progression. Three healthy incisors were randomly assigned to three groups: artificially demineralized, demineralized after HTN21 peptide pre-treatment and demineralized after STN21 peptide pre-treatment. To understand the micro-scale structure of the enamel, each specimen was scanned from the enamel surface to a depth of 250 µm using microbeam EDLD. Via the use of a white beam and a pixelated detector, where each pixel functions as a spectrometer, pole figures were obtained in a single exposure at each measurement point. The results revealed distinct orientations of hydroxyapatite crystallites and notable texture variation in the peptide-treated demineralized samples compared with the demineralized control. Specifically, the peptide-treated demineralized samples exhibited up to three orientation populations, in contrast to the demineralized control which displayed only a single orientation population. The texture index of the demineralized control (2.00 ± 0.21) was found to be lower than that of either the STN21 (2.32 ± 0.20) or the HTN21 (2.90 ± 0.46) treated samples. Hence, texture scanning with EDLD gives new insights into dental enamel crystallite orientation and links the present understanding of enamel demineralization to the underlying crystalline texture. For the first time, the feasibility of EDLD texture measurements for quantitative texture evaluation in demineralized dental enamel samples is demonstrated.

Evaluation of the Effects of High Silver and Copper Nanoparticle Concentrations on Vaccinium myrtillus L. under Field Conditions.

The extensive development of nanotechnologies has allowed nanoparticles to impact living systems through different pathways. The effect of single exposure to high concentrations of silver and copper nanoparticles (50-200 mg/L) on Vaccinium myrtillus L. under field conditions was investigated. Nanoparticle uptake in different segments of Vaccinium myrtillus L. was assessed by applying inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and a particle-induced X-ray emission technique. Copper nanoparticles mainly accumulated in the roots and leaves, while silver nanoparticles showed a higher affinity for the roots and berries. The nanoparticles' effects on the pigments and antioxidant activity of the plant's leaves were also evaluated. The possible human health risk associated with the consumption of nanoparticle-contaminated berries was assessed. The results indicated that the consumption of berries contaminated with nanoparticles presented a low risk for human health.

Auditory decision-making deficits after permanent noise-induced hearing loss.

Loud noise exposure is one of the leading causes of permanent hearing loss. Individuals with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) suffer from speech comprehension deficits and experience impairments to cognitive functions such as attention and decision-making. Here, we tested whether a specific sensory deficit, NIHL, can directly impair auditory cognitive function. Gerbils were trained to perform an auditory decision-making task that involves discriminating between slow and fast presentation rates of amplitude-modulated (AM) noise. Decision-making task performance was assessed across pre-versus post-NIHL sessions within the same gerbils. A single exposure session (2 hours) to loud broadband noise (120 dB SPL) produced permanent NIHL with elevated threshold shifts in auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Following NIHL, decision-making task performance was tested at sensation levels comparable to those prior to noise exposure in all animals. Our findings demonstrate NIHL diminished perceptual acuity, reduced attentional focus, altered choice bias, and slowed down evidence accumulation speed. Finally, video-tracking analysis of motor behavior during task performance demonstrates that NIHL can impact sensory-guided decision-based motor execution. Together, these results suggest that NIHL impairs the sensory, cognitive, and motor factors that support auditory decision-making.

Fast X-ray trimodal computed tomography with an improved diffraction enhanced imaging method

The rapid acquisition of projective images with low radiation dose is essential in computed tomography with diffraction enhanced imaging to extract absorption, refraction, and scattering images from weakly absorbing specimens. This plays a critical role in applying diffraction enhanced imaging to biological and medical imaging. In this study, an improved diffraction enhanced imaging method is proposed to rapidly implement X-ray trimodal computed tomography. This method positions the sample in a specific region near the analyzer crystal, allowing the simultaneous acquisition of transmitted and diffracted images in a single exposure. When combined with computed tomography, three different sample properties, known as absorption, phase and scattering, can be reconstructed simultaneously by collecting the projective images as the sample rotates from 0° to 360°. The experimental results demonstrate that this straightforward method enables the quantitative extraction of sample information and simplifies the data acquisition procedure in computed tomography with diffraction enhanced imaging. Therefore, this novel method offers the advantages of straightforward imaging device, rapid CT data acquisition, low radiation dose and more comprehensive sample information extraction.

Associations between single and combined exposures to environmental phenols and ulcerative colitis in American adults

ObjectiveThe etiology of ulcerative colitis (UC) is complex and involves multiple factors, with exposure to environmental toxins potentially contributing greatly to its pathogenesis. Therefore, this study was carried out with the purpose of delving into the associations between single and combined exposures to environmental phenols and UC among American adults. MethodsSurvey data from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were selected for our research. The associations between single and combined exposures to environmental phenols and the prevalence of UC were analyzed using weighted multivariate logistic regression models as well as Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). ResultsA total of 1,422 adults aged 20 years old and above were included in this study, 17 of whom had UC. The correlation matrix showed strong associations between 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) (R = 0.81), as well as between 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) (R = 0.73). The logistic regression model revealed that, after adjusting for confounders, exposure to environmental phenols was positively associated with the prevalence of UC, with 2,4,6-TCP showing a significant association (OR = 2.37, 95 % CI = 1.10, 5.09, P = 0.037). The BKMR analysis indicated an upward trend in the overall effect of combined exposures to environmental phenols on UC. All five phenols contributed to this effect, with 2,4,6-TCP exhibiting the most pronounced effect. When other compounds were fixed at the 50th percentile, the impact of the five phenols on UC demonstrated a positive association, without any noteworthy interaction among the compounds. ConclusionOur findings suggested that exposure to environmental phenols may contribute to the occurrence of UC among American adults.

Nebulized Lipopolysaccharide Causes Delayed Cortical Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury.

Lung injury caused by respiratory infection is a major cause of hospitalization and mortality and a leading origin of sepsis. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy and delirium are frequent complications in patients with severe lung injury, yet the pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, 70 female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a single full-body-exposure with nebulized lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Neuromotor impairment was assessed repeatedly and brain, blood, and lung samples were analyzed at survival points of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after exposure. qRT-PCR revealed increased mRNA-expression of TNFα and IL-1β 24 h and 48 h after LPS-exposure in the lung, concomitantly with increased amounts of proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage and interstitial lung edema. In the cerebral cortex, at 72 h and/or 96 h after LPS exposure, the inflammation- and activity-associated markers TLR4, GFAP, Gadd45b, c-Fos, and Arc were increased. Therefore, single exposure to nebulized LPS not only triggers an early inflammatory reaction in the lung but also induces a delayed neuroinflammatory response. The identified mechanisms provide new insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy and might serve as targets for future therapeutic approaches.

Chronic environmental level exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate overshadows graphene oxide to induce apoptosis through activation of the ROS-p53-caspase pathway in marine medaka Oryzias melastigma

The widespread occurrence of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and the mass production and application of graphene oxide (GO) lead to their inevitable release and interaction in the environment, which may enhance associated toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. This study elucidates the induction of apoptosis by 60-day chronic single and mixture exposures to environmentally relevant levels of PFOS (0.5 μg/L and 5 μg/L) and GO (1 mg/L) in adult marine medaka Oryzias melastigma. Results showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, the apoptotic positive rate in livers, and activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 in all treated groups compared to the control. PFOS individual and PFOS-GO combined exposures significantly impacted fish growth, upregulated expressions of six apoptosis-related genes including p53, apaf1, il1b, tnfa, bcl2l1, bax, as well as enriched cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways (transcriptomic analysis) related to apoptosis compared to control group. Besides higher ROS production, GO also had a higher binding affinity to proteins than PFOS, especially to caspase 8 as revealed by molecular docking. Overall, PFOS induced ROS-p53-caspase apoptosis pathway through multi-gene regulation during single or mixture exposure, while GO single exposure induced apoptosis through tissue damage and ROS-caspase pathway activation and direct docking with caspase 8 to activate the caspase cascade. Under co-exposure, the PFOS-induced apoptotic pathway overshadowed the GO-induced pathway, due to competition for limited active sites on caspases. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the apoptosis mechanism and ecological risks of nanomaterials and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in marine ecosystems.

Single Exposed Zn (0002) Plane and Sustainable Zn‐Oriented Growth Achieving Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Batteries

To prevent dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction, directional epitaxial growth of Zn2+ ions on Zn anode, especially along the lowest‐surface‐energy Zn (0002) plane, is pursued for highly reversible zinc metal batteries (ZMBs). However, designing single Zn (0002) exposed anodes for sustained uniaxial crystalline orientation of Zn electroplating faces challenges. Herein, we propose an anode engineering that utilizes a low lattice mismatch substrate and ordered Zn2+ migration channels to modify Zn anodes with single (0002) surface exposure and sustainable Zn‐oriented growth, yielding highly reversible ZMBs. A vapor‐deposited metal‐organic framework Cu3(C6O6)2 film on brass foil shows low lattice mismatch (4.24%) with electrodeposited Zn anodes, enabling the exposure of a single (0002) plane. Furthermore, the low desolvation energy (−1.36 eV) between solvated Zn2+ ions and the ordered porous Cu3(C6O6)2 film guides sustainable Zn‐oriented nucleation along the Zn (0002) surface. Consequently, the Zn||Zn cells with brass‐Cu3(C6O6)2 substrate shows a high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.55% after 4,000 cycles at 10 mA cm−2. This work provides a new window to design highly reversible Zn metal anode with a single‐exposed Zn (0002) plane and sustainable oriented growth for emerging ZMBs.

Chronic and Periodic Effects of Smoke from Crop Residue Combustion on Soil Enzymatic Activity

Wildfires lead to the emission of large volumes of toxic smoke, which is transported hundreds of kilometres away from the fires and can have a negative impact on soil, biota and humans. A series of modelling experiments on pyrogenic fumigation of soil were carried out to assess the effects of gaseous products from wildfires on soil biochemical parameters. The effects of chronic exposure to gaseous substances and periodic, repetitive effects of smoke exposure on soil were determined. The results were compared with a single intensive smoke exposure. It was found that pyrogenic impact significantly affected the change of enzymatic activity of ordinary chernozem. The degree of influence depended on the duration and periodicity of smoke exposure. In all experiments enzymes of oxidoreductase class (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase) were more sensitive to fumigation than invertase from hydrolase class. The reason of suppression of enzymatic activity of soils is high concentrations of toxic gases. The following concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations for atmospheric air: CO 714 times, phenol (hydroxybenzene) 441 times, acetaldehyde 24100 times, formaldehyde 190 times. Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil after fumigation was revealed, the total content of PAHs was 377 ng/g. The highest values were recorded for naphthalene, where the concentration was 4.4 times higher than the maximum permissible and phenanthrene 2.8 times higher than the maximum permissible. It was found that 60-minute intensive smoke affects the soil to a lesser extent than chronic and periodic. Indicators of enzymatic activity of chernozem after such fumigation decreased by 15-33% depending on the enzyme, in chronic and periodic by 41-84 and 31-78%, respectively. The obtained data indicate a significant effect of smoke on enzymatic activity of soils under chronic and periodic exposure to gaseous products of combustion.