Toxic effects of a methanolic coal dust extract on fish early life stage

A combined toxicological impact on Artemia salina caused by the presence of dust particles, microplastics from cosmetics, and paracetamol

Environmental pollution poses a significant and pressing threat to the overall well-being of aquatic ecosystems in modern society. This study showed that pollutants like dusts from AC filter, fan wings and Traffic dust PM 2.5 were exposed to Artemia salina in pristine form and in combination. The findings indicated that exposure to multi-pollutants had a detrimental effect on the hatching rates of A. salina cysts. Compared to untreated A. salina, the morphology of adult (7th day old) A. salina changed noticeably after each incubation period (24-120 h). Oxidative stress increased considerably as the exposure duration increased from 24 to 120 h compared to the control group. There was a time-dependent decline in antioxidant enzyme activity and total protein concentration. When all particles were used all together, the total protein content in A. salina decreased significantly. All particles showed a considerable decline in survival rate. Those exposed to traffic dust particles showed significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity than those exposed to other particles.

Discovery of New 2-Phenylamino-3-acyl-1,4-naphthoquinones as Inhibitors of Cancer Cells Proliferation: Searching for Intra-Cellular Targets Playing a Role in Cancer Cells Survival

A series of 2-phenylamino-3-acyl-1,4-naphtoquinones were evaluated regarding their in vitro antiproliferative activities using DU-145, MCF-7 and T24 cancer cells. Such activities were discussed in terms of molecular descriptors such as half-wave potentials, hydrophobicity and molar refractivity. Compounds 4 and 11 displayed the highest antiproliferative activity against the three cancer cells and were therefore further investigated. The in silico prediction of drug likeness, using pkCSM and SwissADME explorer online, shows that compound 11 is a suitable lead molecule to be developed. Moreover, the expressions of key genes were studied in DU-145 cancer cells. They include genes involved in apoptosis (Bcl-2), tumor metabolism regulation (mTOR), redox homeostasis (GSR), cell cycle regulation (CDC25A), cell cycle progression (TP53), epigenetic (HDAC4), cell-cell communication (CCN2) and inflammatory pathways (TNF). Compound 11 displays an interesting profile because among these genes, mTOR was significantly less expressed as compared to control conditions. Molecular docking shows that compound 11 has good affinity with mTOR, unraveling a potential inhibitory effect on this protein. Due to the key role of mTOR on tumor metabolism, we suggest that impaired DU-145 cells proliferation by compound 11 is caused by a reduced mTOR expression (less mTOR protein) and inhibitory activity on mTOR protein.

Detrimental impact of fine dust on zebrafish: Investigating a protective agent against ocular-damage using in vitro and in vivo models

Pollution caused by fine dust is becoming a global problem in the aquatic environment. Many studies have investigated the hazards that fine dust may pose to terrestrial organisms; however, information on the effects on aquatic environments remain limited. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of the fine dust associated with the captured powder or liquid state were compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Raw fine dust (RFD), in the captured powder state, was suspended in water (SFD), and the elemental composition, morphology, and size distribution of both were analyzed. Zebrafish were used as a model to study the effects of SFD-exposure on aquatic organisms. A fatal malformation was observed in the integuments of zebrafish exposed to SFD, specifically in the exterior and interior eye tissues. Furthermore, the exposure of SFD to Tg (flk; EGFP) zebrafish remarkably increased ocular vessel diameter expansion along with blood flow velocity. Regarding vessel diameter expansion, EA.hy926 cells exposed to SFD were adversely affected, with a significant increase in cell migration and capillary-like structure formation, which are angiogenic markers. The SFD-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo was dramatically restored to normal via α/β-adenosine isolated from the anti-angiogenic brown algae Ishige okamurae extract. Taken together, the current study presents solid evidence of the altered physicochemical characteristics of SFD compared to RFD, and the detrimental impact of SFD in an aquatic in vivo zebrafish model. In addition, the protective effect of α/β-adenosine, a marine natural product, on SFD-induced angiogenesis suggests that it can be used as an agent to reduce the adverse effects of SFD on aquatic animals.

Oxidative stress and alterations in the expression of genes related to inflammation, DNA damage, and metal exposure in lung cells exposed to a hydroethanolic coal dust extract

BACKGROUND

Open cast mining is well known as a concerning source of environmental and public health problems. This work aimed to obtain a hydroethanolic coal dust extract (≤ 38 µm) and to characterize its composition with particular regard to content of organic compounds by GC/MS, as well as describe its toxicity in vitro on Calu-1 after exposure to several concentrations (0-500 μg/mL).

MATERIALS AND RESULTS

Cytotoxicity was measured with MTT assay and DCFH-DA probe was employed to estimate the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Calu-1 cells. RT-PCR was employed to quantify relative expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, as well as metals, and lipid metabolism. Seventeen organic compounds were identified in the extract, highlighting undecane, dodecane, pentadecane and benzo[a]anthracene, 6,12-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-. Cytotoxicity test showed a decrease trend in the cell viability after 24 h hours from the concentration of 62.5 µg/mL. Further, the extract raised intracellular ROS when compared with control. Expression levels of CYP1A1, IL-8, IL-6, MT1X, and NQO1 were up-regulated when cells were exposed to 125 µg/mL of coal dust, whereas PPAR-α was down-regulated, likely involving aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

In short, this study shows that despite hydroethanolic coal dust extract is not cytotoxic to Calu-1 cells, it produces an elevation of intracellular ROS and alters the expression in marker genes of oxidative stress, inflammation, metal transport, xenobiotic and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that chemicals present in coal dust are biologically active and may interfere key biochemical process in the living organisms.

Effects of coal microparticles on marine organisms: A review

Coal dust is a source of pollution not only for atmospheric air but also for the marine environment. In places of storage and handling of coal near water bodies, visible pollution of the water area can be observed. Coal, despite its natural origin, can be referred to as anthropogenic sources of pollution. If coal microparticles enter the marine environment, it may cause both physical and toxic effects on organisms. The purpose of this review is to assess the stage of knowledge of the impact of coal particles on marine organisms, to identify the main factors affecting them, and to define advanced research directions. The results presented in the review have shown that coal dust in seawater is generally not an inert substance for marine organisms, and there is a need for further study of the impact of coal dust particles on marine ecosystems.

Contaminant Concentrations in Sediments, Aquatic Invertebrates, and Fish in Proximity to Rail Tracks Used for Coal Transport in the Pacific Northwest (USA): A Baseline Assessment

Railway transport of coal poses an environmental risk, because coal dust contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury, and other trace metals. In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, proposed infrastructure projects could result in an increase in coal transport by train through the Columbia River corridor. Baseline information is needed on current distributions, levels, and spatial patterns of coal dust-derived contaminants in habitats and organisms adjacent to existing coal transport lines. To that end, we collected aquatic surface sediments, aquatic insects, and juvenile fish in 2014 and 2015 from Horsethief Lake State Park and Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge, both located in Washington state close to the rail line and within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Two subsites in each area were selected: one close to the rail line and one far from the rail line. Detected PAH concentrations were relatively low compared with those measured at more urbanized areas. Some contaminants were measured at higher concentrations at the subsites close to the rail line, but it was not possible to link the contaminants to a definitive source. Trace metal concentrations were only slightly higher than background concentrations, but a few of the more sensitive benchmarks were exceeded, including those for arsenic, lead, and selenium in fish tissue and fluoranthene, cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, zinc, iron, and arsenic in sediments. At Horsethief Lake, Chinook salmon and yellow perch showed lower total mercury body burdens than other species, but PAH body burdens did not differ significantly among species. Differences in the species caught among subsites and the low number of invertebrate samples rendered food web comparisons difficult, but these data show that the PAHs and trace metals, including mercury, are accumulating in these wetland sites and in some resident organisms.

Assessment of hair cell damage and developmental toxicity after fine particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) exposure using zebrafish (Danio rerio) models

OBJECTIVES

Particulate matter (PM) exposure has become one of the most serious problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hair cell damage and possible developmental toxicity caused by PM_2.5 exposure using a zebrafish model.

METHODS

Zebrafish embryos were exposed to various concentrations of PM_2.5. Developmental toxicity was evaluated based on general morphology score (GMS) system and Panzica-Kelly score, and by measurement of body length and heart rate. To evaluate hair cell damage, the average number of total hair cells within four neuromasts exposed to various concentrations of PM_2.5 was compared with that of the control group.

RESULTS

Morphological abnormalities evaluated by the GMS system and Panzica-Kelly score were rare and body length tended to be shorter in the PM_2.5-exposed groups. Heart rate decreased significantly in the PM_2.5-exposed group. Additionally, significant hair cell damage was observed after PM_2.5 exposure. It was dose-dependent and more severe after a longer period exposure (10 dpf).

CONCLUSIONS

In zebrafish embryos, exposure of PM_2.5 in the early stages of life decreased heart rate and caused significant hair cell damage in a dose-dependent manner.