Trophic transfer of carbon-14 from algae to zebrafish leads to its blending in biomolecules and the dysregulation of metabolism via isotope effect.

Carbon-14 (C-14) has been a major contributor to the human radioactive exposure dose, as it is released into the environment from the nuclear industry in larger quantities compared to other radionuclides. This most abundant nuclide enters the biosphere as organically bound C-14 (OBC-14), posing a potential threat to public health. Yet, it remains unknown how this relatively low radiotoxic nuclide induces health risks via chemical effects, such as isotope effect.

Let the two sides of the same coin meet-Environmental health and safety-oriented development of functional nanomaterials for environmental remediations.

Nanotechnology and engineered nanomaterials have been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs of the 21st century. With the challenges of increasingly complex and emergent environmental pollution, nanotechnology offers exciting complementary approaches to achieve high efficiencies with low or green energy input. However, unknown and unintended hazardous effects and health risks associated with nanotechnology hinder its full-scale implementation.

Bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Environmental Toxicology Studies: A Perspective of AI-Enabled Zebrafish High-Throughput Screening.

The booming development of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought excitement to many research fields that could benefit from its big data analysis capability for causative relationship establishment and knowledge generation. In toxicology studies using zebrafish, the microscopic images and videos that illustrate the developmental stages, phenotypic morphologies, and animal behaviors possess great potential to facilitate rapid hazard assessment and dissection of the toxicity mechanism of environmental pollutants. However, the traditional manual observation approach is both labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Potential New Target for Dry Eye Disease-Oxidative Stress.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition affecting the ocular surface. It is characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis and accompanied by ocular symptoms that may potentially result in damage to the ocular surface and even vision loss. Unmodifiable risk factors for DED mainly include aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle issues such as reduced sleep duration, increased screen exposure, smoking, and ethanol consumption.

Co-exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper induces development toxicity and intestinal mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro.

Nanoplastics (NPs) have raised concerns about the combined toxicity to living organisms due to their ability to adsorb heavy metals. There is still uncertainty, however, whether NPs combined with heavy metals exert adverse effects on intestinal microenvironment, especially the intestinal cells and microbiota. Herein, the combined effects of 500 nm spherical-shaped polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and copper ions (Cu) on intestinal cells and gut microbiota were assessed using HCT-116 cells and zebrafish models.

A molecular extraction process for vanadium based on tandem selective complexation and precipitation.

Recycling vanadium from alternative sources is essential due to its expanding demand, depletion in natural sources, and environmental issues with terrestrial mining. Here, we present a complexation-precipitation method to selectively recover pentavalent vanadium ions, V(V), from complex metal ion mixtures, using an acid-stable metal binding agent, the cyclic imidedioxime, naphthalimidedioxime (HCID). HCID showed high extraction capacity and fast binding towards V(V) with crystal structures showing a 1:1 M:L dimer, [V(O)(CHNO)], 1, and 1:2 M:L non-oxido, [V(CHNO)] complex, 2.

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

Despite improvements in reducing hunger in recent years, undernutrition remains a global public health problem. This study utilizes the swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technique to assess changes in retinal and choroidal thickness in underweight subjects. Ophthalmic examinations were conducted on all adults participating in this cross-sectional research.

3-Hydroxythiophenol-Formaldehyde Resin Microspheres Modulated by Sulfhydryl Groups for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Synthesis of HO.

Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin represents a promising visible-light responding photocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) toward HO production. However, its photocatalytic ORR activity toward HO generation is still unsatisfied for practical application. Herein, 3-hydroxythiophenol-formaldehyde (3-HTPF) resin microspheres synthesized through polycondensation reaction between 3-HTP and formaldehyde at room temperature and subsequent hydrothermal treatment exhibit enhanced photocatalytic ORR activity is reported.

Limbal Stem Cell Dysfunction Induced by Severe Dry Eye via Activation of the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Severe dry eye (SDE) can cause grievous damage to the ocular surface and result in vision impairment and even blindness. To investigate the fate of limbal stem cells in SDE and the underlying mechanism, the current study established an SDE rat model by removing the extraorbital and infraorbital lacrimal glands and maintaining them in a low-humidity environment. One month after the surgery, aqueous tear secretion was reduced dramatically, blood vessels invaded into the central cornea, and inflammatory cells infiltrated into the limbal stroma.

Optimization of method for achieving a single-cell suspension from mouse corneas.

The single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technique is used to explore the biological characteristics of tissues under pathological and physiological conditions that include certain chronic eye diseases. Harvesting of single-cell suspensions is one challenge inherent to scRNA-seq procedures. This study aimed to use an optimized method to digest a whole mouse cornea to harvest single-cell suspensions.

Neuroprotective effect of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on optic nerve injury in chronic ocular hypertension.

Mesenchymal stem cells have neuroprotective effects that limit damage to the retina and photoreceptors, and which may be mediated by extracellular vesicles (or exosomes) released by mesenchymal stem cells. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on glaucoma, we established rat models of chronic ocular hypertension by injecting conjunctival fibroblasts into the anterior chamber to mimic optic nerve injury caused by glaucoma. One week after injury, extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were injected into the vitreous cavity.

Deep Learning-Enabled Morphometric Analysis for Toxicity Screening Using Zebrafish Larvae.

Toxicology studies heavily rely on morphometric analysis to detect abnormalities and diagnose disease processes. The emergence of ever-increasing varieties of environmental pollutants makes it difficult to perform timely assessments, especially using models. Herein, we propose a deep learning-based morphometric analysis (DLMA) to quantitatively identify eight abnormal phenotypes (head hemorrhage, jaw malformation, uninflated swim bladder, pericardial edema, yolk edema, bent spine, dead, unhatched) and eight vital organ features (eye, head, jaw, heart, yolk, swim bladder, body length, and curvature) of zebrafish larvae.

In situ turning defects of exfoliated TiC MXene into Fenton-like catalytic active sites.

Controllable in situ formation of nanoclusters with discrete active sites is highly desirable in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, a titanium oxide-based Fenton-like catalyst is constructed using exfoliated TiC MXene as a template. Theoretical calculations reveal that a redox reaction between the surface Ti-deficit vacancies of the exfoliated TiC MXene and HO molecules facilitates the in situ conversion of surface defects into titanium oxide nanoclusters anchoring on amorphous carbon (TiO@C).

The Role of Ectodysplasin A on the Ocular Surface Homeostasis.

Ectodysplasin A (EDA), a ligand of the TNF family, plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the ocular surface. EDA is necessary for the development of the meibomian gland, the lacrimal gland, as well as the proliferation and barrier function of the corneal epithelium. The mutation of EDA can induce the destruction of the ocular surface resulting in keratopathy, abnormality of the meibomian gland and maturation of the lacrimal gland.

Hazard of polystyrene micro-and nanospheres to selected aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Plastics contamination in the environment is a major concern. Risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastics (MPL and NPL) poses significant challenges due to MPL and NPL heterogeneity regarding compositional polymers, particle sizes and morphologies in the environment. Yet, there exists considerable toxicological literature on commercial polystyrene (PS) micro- and nanospheres.

Downregulation of p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway Ameliorates Tissue-Engineered Corneal Epithelium.

Tissue-engineered corneal epithelium transplantation is effective treatment for severe limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), while epithelial terminal differentiation, tans-differentiation, and insufficient stem cell during construction affect the quality of tissue-engineered corneal epithelium. In this study, we applied SB203580 in the culture medium to downregulate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway during construction of tissue-engineered corneal epithelium. With application of SB203580, tissue-engineered corneal epithelium showed enhanced strength and condensed structure.

Facile fabrication of a 2D/2D CoFe-LDH/g-CN nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic tetracycline degradation.

The widespread use of tetracycline (TC) in medicine and agriculture has caused severe pollution problems in the environment. In this work, a nanocomposite comprising of CoFe-layered double hydroxides grown on graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CoFe-LDH/g-CN) with a notable two-dimensional/two-dimensional (2D/2D) heterostructure was synthesized through a facile co-precipitation method. The CoFe-LDH/g-CN nanocomposite displayed significantly improved visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity towards TC degradation, compared to pristine g-CN and CoFe-LDH alone.

Anionic nanoplastic exposure induces endothelial leakiness.

The global-scale production of plastics has been instrumental in advancing modern society, while the rising accumulation of plastics in landfills, oceans, and anything in between has become a major stressor on environmental sustainability, climate, and, potentially, human health. While mechanical and chemical forces of man and nature can eventually break down or recycle plastics, our understanding of the biological fingerprints of plastics, especially of nanoplastics, remains poor. Here we report on a phenomenon associated with the nanoplastic forms of anionic polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate), where their introduction disrupted the vascular endothelial cadherin junctions in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by confocal fluorescence microscopy, signaling pathways, molecular dynamics simulations, as well as ex vivo and in vivo assays with animal model systems.

Root Hair Apex is the Key Site for Symplastic Delivery of Graphene into Plants.

Uptake kinetics and delivery mechanisms of nanoparticles (NPs) in crop plants need to be urgently understood for the application of nanotechnology in agriculture as delivery systems for eco-friendly nanoagrochemicals. Here, we investigated the uptake kinetics, translocation pathway, and key internalization process of graphene in wheat ( .) by applying three specific hydroponic cultivation methods (submerging, hanging, and split-root).

Enhanced visible light-driven photodegradation of tetracycline by salicylic acid-modified graphitic carbon nitride and toxicity assessment.

The tetracycline (TC) in water has led to serious concern. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) photocatalysts were produced via copolymerization of mono-benzene ring-mediated precursors (urea, melamine, and dicyandiamide) involving salicylic acid (SA) for TC degradation. The SA-modified g-CN samples showed improved visible light absorbance, transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons, and prospective photocatalytic application in TC degradation.

Constructing novel graphitic carbon nitride-based nanocomposites - From the perspective of material dimensions and interfacial characteristics.

Two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN), a fascinating metal-free conjugated polymer, has garnered immense interest in the fields of solar power generation and environmental remediation. The construction of g-CN-based nanocomposites with materials of various dimensions can further improve their photocatalytic activities by surface area enlargement, bandgap tuning, heterojunction formation, etc. In this paper, we comprehensively reviewed the design, synthesis, and functionalities of g-CN-based nanocomposites based on their applications in hydrogen evolution, CO reduction, and pollutants removal.

Meibomian gland alteration in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose: To investigate meibomian gland (MG) alteration in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: This study included 23 SLE patients evaluated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and 21 healthy controls (HCs). All the subjects were evaluated with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, and the eyes were performed examinations of tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive keratographic tear film break-up time (NIKBUT), Schirmer I Test, MG eyelid score, meibography score, and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) on the meibomian gland.

Multiplexed single-cell analysis reveals prognostic and nonprognostic T cell types in human colorectal cancer.

Clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) correlate with T cell infiltrates, but the specific contributions of heterogenous T cell types remain unclear. To investigate the diverse function of T cells in CRC, we profiled 37,931 T cells from tumors and adjacent normal colon of 16 patients with CRC with respect to transcriptome, TCR sequence, and cell surface markers. Our analysis identified phenotypically and functionally distinguishable effector T cell types.