Environmental impact of estrogens on human, animal and plant life: A critical review

Recent advances in bioassays for assessing the toxicity of environmental contaminants in effect-directed analysis

Chemical cocktails in the environment can cause adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health even at low concentrations. Effect-directed analysis (EDA) has proven to be very valuable in identifying key toxic substances in environmental mixtures. For this, it is important to carefully select accurate bioassays from a wide range of tests for EDA when applying it to actual environmental samples. This article reviews studies published from 2014 to 2023 that have applied EDA and summarizes the bioassays and their corresponding biological effects. A total of 127 studies were selected from 591 publications evaluating the toxic effects of environmental samples, including wastewater, surface water, and sediments. Here, bioassays used in EDA are summarized, including the assays that measure specific receptor-mediated modes of action (MOA), induction of xenobiotic metabolism pathways, and induction of adaptive stress response pathways using either in vitro or in vivo bioassays. Also, the identified substances using EDA are discussed based on their MOA. The importance of EDA in establishing a comprehensive approach for the detection of environmental contaminants using bioanalytical methods is emphasized. The current limitations and benefits of using EDA in practical applications are outlined and strategies for moving forward are proposed.

An insight into the impacts of pharmaceutical pollutants on the ecosystem and the potential role of bioremediation in mitigating pharmaceutical pollutants

Pharmaceutical pollution increases day by day and poses a serious threat to the environment and organisms' health. Though the concentration of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment is low, continuous release and long-term exposure make them a significant threat to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Pharmaceutical pollutants are found in soil, surface water, groundwater, sewage water, wastewater and even in drinking water. Pharmaceutical pollutants cause adverse effects on non-target organisms including development abnormalities, reduced rate of reproduction and antibiotic resistance. The main sources of pharmaceutical pollutants are wastewater and manure from aquaculture and livestock which are used as a source of fertilizer. Plants, along with microorganisms, play an important role in the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants. There is little research on the acquisition, accumulation and mechanism of degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants within plant tissues. Study shows the positive and negative impact of pharmaceutical pollutants on plants. This review provides insight into the many bioremediation techniques along with their merits and demerits for the eradication of toxic and ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on the environment and organism health. The bioremediation techniques, among other techniques described in this paper, are the triple bottom line,economic, environmental and social benefits.

Particulate methane monooxygenase and cytochrome P450-induced reactive oxygen species facilitate 17β-estradiol biodegradation in a methane-fed biofilm

Methane-fed biosystems have shown great potential for degrading various organic micropollutants, yet underlying molecular degradation mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we uncover the critical role of biogenic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in driving the degradation of 17β-estradiol (E2) within a methane-fed biofilm reactor. Metagenomic analyses confirm that aerobic methanotrophs, specifically Methylococcus and Methylomonas, are responsible for the efficient degradation of E2, achieving a degradation rate of 367.7 ± 8.3 μg/L/d. ROS scavenging in conjunction with enzyme inhibition experiments indicate that particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450) could generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which are the primary ROS involved in E2 degradation. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that E2 can enter the active catalytic site of pMMO through electrostatic attraction. Four amino acid residues are found to form stable hydrogen bonds with E2, with a high binding free energy, indicating a high affinity for the substrate. Additionally, density functional theory calculations combined with transformation product analysis reveal that •OH targets carbon atoms on the benzene ring and the hydroxyl group attaches to the cyclopentane ring, primarily through hydrogen abstraction and hydroxylation reactions. This work provides critical insights into the mechanisms of E2 biodegradation in methane-fed systems and highlights the potential for optimizing microbial pathways to enhance the degradation of organic micropollutants from contaminated water.

Endocrine disrupters affect the immune system of fish: The example of the European seabass

An organism's fitness critically relies on its immune system to provide protection against parasites and pathogens. The immune system has reached its highest complexity in vertebrates, combining the highly specific adaptive with the non-specific innate immunity. In vertebrates, a complex system of steroid hormones regulates major physiological functions comprising energy metabolism, growth, reproduction and immune system performance. This allows the organism to allocate available energy according to life-history traits and environmental conditions, thus maintaining homeostasis and survival of the individual and of the population. Immune system activation must take into account the developmental stage and the nutritional state of the organism. It should respond adequately to different pathogens, but should not overperform or consume all resources for other physiological functions. This important trade-off between immunity and reproduction is balanced by oestrogen. Many of the thousands of chemicals released by humans into the environment, so-called xenobiotics, have the ability to disrupt normal endocrine function. Such endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been demonstrated to impair reproductive functions and to be responsible for numerous diseases in humans and wild life. Given that oestrogens are established modulators of immune cell populations, exogenous oestrogens and oestrogen mimics can modulate immune functions in aquatic animals, such as fish, potentially affecting wildlife and aquaculture. This review highlights the interaction of xenoestrogens with fish immunity. It particularly focusses on the thymus, a major primary immune organ, in the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax an important species, both for fisheries and aquaculture.

Spatiotemporal distribution and priority assessment of steroids in the estuarine environment: Implications for environmental risk management

Steroids, known for their endocrine-disrupting capabilities, have become a subject of considerable concern in the scientific community. This research offers a thorough evaluation of steroid contaminants within the Jiulong River Estuary (JRE), examining their spatiotemporal distribution, multimedia distribution, and mass inventory. Seven steroids were detected in water samples, while ten steroids were identified in sediments, with concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 51 ng/L in water and no-detectable (ND) to 12 ng g-1 in sediments. In both water and sediments, natural steroids were the most prevalent throughout both the dry and wet seasons. The distribution of these compounds within the aquatic-sediment system was governed by their hydrophobicity and a suite of environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity, pH, chlorophyll-a, and total organic carbon content. Mass inventory analysis revealed that over 90 % of the total steroid mass inventory was stored in the sediments, underscoring their pivotal role as a repository for these substances within the JRE. Furthermore, this research represents the first comprehensive screening to identify priority contaminants in this region. Utilizing a multi-metric evaluation approach, progesterone and testosterone were identified as high-priority pollutants during the dry season, with progesterone alone ranking as a high-priority pollutant in the wet season. This study provides crucial insights for the management of steroid-related pollution and the assessment of environmental risks in estuarine ecosystems.

Estrogen Mineralization by a Modular Plug Flow Photocatalytic Reactor

Estrogens are currently on the watch list of contaminants of emerging concern in the aquatic environment due to their strong impact on it. Ethinyl estradiol is one of the estrogens often found in contraceptive pills, and it can easily reach water bodies mainly through insufficiently treated wastewater. Photocatalysis is one of the solutions that ensure the complete mineralization of refractory organic compounds in wastewater treatment. Therefore, this work deals with the nonlinear modeling of the photocatalytic mineralization kinetics of ethyl estradiol in aqueous solutions. A modular photocatalytic reactor operated in a plug flow system under UV-A radiation was used. The TiO2/ZnO photocatalyst is deposited on an inert glass support arranged inside the reactor in the form of rows of glass balls. This type of photocatalytic reactor ensures the rapid mineralization of both the initial organic substrate and the formed organic intermediates. The obtained results indicated that the nonlinear modeling of the mineralization kinetics of both the initial organic substrate and the formed organic intermediates fit the experimental data well. On the contrary, the classical Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model does not fit the experimental data regarding the mineralization of the organic intermediates formed, most likely due to an underestimation of the adsorption equilibrium constant of the initial organic substrate, which competes with the organic intermediates for the active centers of the photocatalyst.

Revealing the Impact of Mono(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP) on Prostate Cancer Based on Network Toxicology and Molecular Docking Approaches

Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), identified as a potential carcinogen. Emerging studies have begun to elucidate the impact of MEHP on prostate cancer (PCa), yet its pathogenic effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study seeks to explore the molecular basis through which MEHP affects the onset and progression of PCa. Using network toxicology and bioinformatics, we identified MEHP-related pathogenic genes in PCa. An innovative predictive model was developed by employing multiple machine learning ensemble algorithms, and its performance was validated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Furthermore, at the single-cell resolution, the role of key MEHP-associated molecules, including several critical genes, in the oncogenic progression of PCa was identified. Through the construction of an environmental pollutant-key gene-PCa network, we investigated the interactions between environmental pollutants and the key genes VGF, ASPN, FOXS1, APLN, and AMH. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that the APLN, FOXS1, and ASPN genes exhibited favorable binding energies and high affinities for MEHP. The findings of this study provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the pathogenic role of MEHP in PCa and its potential molecular mechanisms. They also promote the application of network toxicology, molecular docking, machine learning, and single-cell analysis in the study of environmental pollutants.

Pollution characteristics, sources and ecological risks of steroid hormones in Fangchenggang Bay, South China Sea: Significant impacts of rivers and domestic sewage entering the sea

The characteristics, sources and ecological risk of steroid hormone pollution were investigated at 14 stations in Fangchenggang Bay. The results revealed that the detection rate of the steroid hormones in both seawater and sediment was 100 %. Twenty-four types of steroid hormones were detected in seawater, and the concentrations ranged from 0.05 (P) to 7.40 ng/L (HCT). Seventeen types of steroid hormones were detected in marine sediments, and the concentrations ranged from 0.02 (SZL) to 0.82 ng/g (E3). The monthly contributions of rivers flowing into the sea and domestic sewage treatment plants were 2178.2 kg and 46.03 kg, respectively. Based on the ecological risk assessment results, MT and EE2 in seawater were considered to be at high risk level, and E2α was at medium risk, whereas the others were considered to be low or no risk levels; in marine sediments, MT, E2αand EE2 were at a high risk level; AED, E1, E2 α, and E3 were at a medium risk level; and the others were at low or no risk levels. The steroid hormones in the monitoring area were mainly affected by land-based pollution. This issue warrants immediate attention from the relevant management departments, and effective preventive measures need to be performed.

Development of a deep neural network model based on high throughput screening data for predicting synergistic estrogenic activity of binary mixtures for consumer products

A paradigm of chemical risk assessment is continuously extending from focusing on 'single substances' to more comprehensive approaches that examines the combined toxicity among different components in 'mixtures.' This change aims to account for the cocktail effect arising from the toxicological interactions in mixtures, which can lead to increased risks. More than 1000 potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported, and they can be included in different industrial and consumer chemical products and released to the environment as pollutants of emerging environmental concern. Although extensive studies involving both experiments and predictions have investigated individual EDCs, predictions of their synergistic effects are still relatively lacking, an area that requires further investigation. In this study, we extensively investigated substances in consumer products, mainly marketed in South Korea, that might exhibit estrogenic activity or reproductive toxicity. A high throughput screening (HTS) assay based on OECD Test Guideline 455 for hERαHeLa-9903 cells was constructed, and 435 substances were screened using the HTS. Thirty-five (potential) estrogenic agonists were selected, and their 1412 binary mixtures that could be prepared in four different ratios were systematically tested, considering the available effective concentrations of substances and the solubility of their resulting mixtures. The best empirical dose-response curves of 35 substances and 917 mixtures were derived in this study. Based on the HTS data, a deep neural network model was developed (area under the curve (AUC): 0.837-0.881) and compared with a random forest model (AUC: 0.656-0.829) to screen for the synergistic estrogenic activity of binary mixtures.

Uptake, translocation, and biotransformation of phthalate acid esters in crop plants: A comprehensive review

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are prevalent emerging contaminants in agricultural environments. The uptake of PAEs by crop plants has attracted extensive attention due to the risks posed to human health through transfer in food chains. Despite its importance, the interaction between PAEs and crop plants remains poorly understood. In this critical review, the occurrence of six priority control PAEs in various food crops grown in greenhouses and conventional farms is investigated, with detected concentrations reaching up to mg/kg (dry weight) levels. PAEs enter plants through roots, foliar gas, or foliar particle uptake. After entry, PAEs exhibit acropetal translocation from the root and basipetal translocation from the leaf. PAEs are transformed into various metabolites through hydroxylation, hydrolysis, and oxidation in phase I metabolism and further conjugated with biomolecules such as amino acids or sugars in phase II metabolism. Exposure to PAEs disrupts plant homeostasis and activated antioxidant enzymes to alleviate phytotoxicity. Dietary intake of PAEs-contaminated food crops presents potential risks to human health, particularly from fruit and root vegetables consumed by children, warranting specific attention. Furthermore, current knowledge gaps and future perspectives are proposed. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge on the uptake, translocation, and transformation of PAEs in crop plants, emphasizing the need for an integrated investigation into the full life cycle of PAEs in plants to ensure food safety.

Antibiotics and endocrine disrupting chemicals in effluent from wastewater treatment plants of a mega-city affected the water quality of juvenile Chinese sturgeon habitat: Upgrades to wastewater treatment processes are needed

Antibiotics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were measured near a juvenile Chinese sturgeon habitat (JCSH) in the Yangtze River Estuary. It was found that the concentrations in the wet season, when Chinese sturgeon are frequently detected in the habitat, were 146 ± 140 ng/L and 2.34 ± 1.50 ng/L. They posed a high/medium risk to algae and fish. Mega-cities surround the habitat. The largest one, Shanghai, discharges 1020 kg antibiotics and 42.3 kg EDCs to the waterbody near the habitat annually. Restrictions on antibiotic use and industrial restructuring cannot efficiently reduce these pollutants. Optimization of wastewater treatment processes regarding antibiotics and EDCs is necessary. To keep the effluent safe for algae and fish, the removal rate of the risky substances sulfonamides (SAs), fluoroquinolones (FQs), phenolic estrogens (PEs), and steroid estrogens (SEs) should be elevated to 77 %, 99 %, 99 %, and 89 %. Advanced oxidation or adsorption should be added to promote the environmental quality of the JCSH.

Effective simultaneous removal of 17β-estradiol and tetracycline by a novel Alkalibacterium strain: characteristics, mechanisms, and application in livestock wastewater treatment

The environmental risk posed by 17β-estradiol (E2) and tetracycline (TC) contamination within livestock wastewater has been widely concerned. Especially, the co-occurrence of these pollutants poses a tremendous challenge to their efficient bioremediation, highlighting the need for strains capable of simultaneous E2 and TC removal. In this study, a novel strain of Alkalibacterium sp. AEPI-S25 was successfully isolated from the sediments of Qinghai Lake, demonstrating the ability to remove 89.91% of 20 mg L-1 E2 and nearly 100% of 20 mg L-1 TC simultaneously within 5 days. AEPI-S25 exhibited remarkable environmental adaptability and maintained high simultaneous removal efficiency under various stress conditions and the presence of two typical livestock wastewater samples. Based on Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS) analysis, dehydrogenation and monooxygenation were identified as the key steps in the removal pathways of E2 and TC, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing further identified the potential E2/TC removal genes, and the detected potential E2-dehydrogenation (S25_gene0393) and TC-monooxygenation (S25_gene0878) genes were subsequently validated through transcription analysis and heterologous expression. Notably, S25_gene0878 exhibited significant differences from the well-characterized TC removal gene TetX, extending a new understanding of the bacterial TC removal mechanism. Overall, this study provides the first report of a single microbial strain capable of simultaneously removing E2 and TC, offering valuable insights for the application of microbial technologies in addressing typical E2-TC combined pollution in livestock wastewater. KEY POINTS: • AEPI-S25 can remove nearly 90% and 100% of 20 mg L-1 E2 and TC within 5 days • Key E2 (S25_gene0393) and TC (S25_gene0878) removal genes were cloned and expressed • A novel TC-monooxygenase gene distinct from TetX was discovered within the strain.

Nicotiana benthamiana VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN7-2 (NbVND7-2) has a role in xylem formation during interfamily grafting

VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN7 (VND7) is a transcription factor gene that plays a critical role in xylem differentiation. The ectopic expression of VND7 induces the formation of secondary cell walls with spiral patterns in multiple plant cell types. In the present study, we identified four homologs of VND7 in Nicotiana benthamiana and assigned them the names NbVND7-1 to NbVND7-4. In particular, NbVND7-1 and NbVND7-2 were highly expressed during N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana (Nb/At) interfamily grafting. Analysis of the promoter β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter lines of NbVND7 genes elucidated the expression of NbVND7-1 and NbVND7-2 in xylem tissues of intact and grafted plants, and those of NbVND7-3 and NbVND7-4 in internal phloem tissues. Gene network analysis revealed the downstream genes of each NbVND7 homolog and highlighted the association of NbVND7-1 and NbVND7-2 with xylem formation. A β-estradiol-inducible system for NbVND7-2 demonstrated that NbVND7-2 promotes ectopic xylem vessel differentiation in N. benthamiana seedlings and in the stem tissues at graft junctions. Induction of NbVND7-2 at graft junctions enhanced ectopic xylem formation in the callus tissues proliferated at the graft boundary, accelerated the initiation of water transport from stock to scion, and enhanced scion stem growth after grafting. This study reveals a role for NbVND7 genes in xylem formation that can enhance Nicotiana interfamily grafting.

Simultaneous detection of 12 estrogens in poultry meat and blood via ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS: Implications for emerging hormone exposure and health risk assessment

Estrogens, particularly the understudied metabolites 2OHE1, 4OHE1, and 16ketoE2, pose ecological and health risks in poultry, a vital food source. This study developed a method combining ultrasonic and solid-phase extraction with GC-MS to detect 12 natural estrogens in poultry blood and meat. Detection limits were 0.6 to 2.2 ng/mL in blood and 0.6 to 1.4 ng/g in meat, with recovery rates ranging from 86 % to 119 %. Estrogen levels in blood varied from 125 ng/mL in shelducks to 173.64 ng/mL in white-feathered chickens, while in meat, they ranged from 13.6 ng/g in yellow-feathered chickens to 17.5 ng/g in pale geese. The environmental equivalent (EEQ) for E1, E2, E3, and αE2 surpassed safety thresholds. The inclusion of eight understudied estrogens raised the health risk by 78 %, increasing the mean EEQ to 1.52 for meat and 0.57 for blood. These results emphasize the need for further studies on these metabolites in poultry.

Magnetic COF on MOF heterojunction assisted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for 17β-estradiol analysis

17β-estradiol (E2) is a crucial estrogen that significantly influences reproductive biological processes and the development of associated diseases, highlighting the need for effective detection methods. Here, we propose a magnetic hierarchical porous material (Mag MOF@COF-Apt) through the in situ growth of a TAPB-DMTP-COF layer on a magnetic Fe-MOF core for the selective recognition and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis of E2. The Mag MOF@COF-Apt features the inherent SERS-enhancing properties of Mag MOFs. Furthermore, the COF layer establishes a gap between E2 and the Mag MOF, enhancing SERS activity through the on-shell-isolated effect. Additionally, the topological structure of the COF on the MOF provides a high surface area platform for more affinity sites, and its expanded porous structure facilitates size-exclusion of interferents. Finally, E2 aptamer functionalization equips this heterojunction with the capability for the selective capture of E2. Through these multiple synergistic effects, the Mag MOF@COF-Apt assisted E2 profiling features good sensitivity (detection limit of 110.14 nmol L-1), strong tolerance to protein (40 mg mL-1 BSA, 40 mg mL-1 HSA) and salt (40 mg mL-1 NaCl) interference, high signal reproducibility (RSD = 7.29 %) and reusability over four cycles. The effectiveness of Mag MOF@COF-Apt based profiling was validated by successful E2 detection in human serum. This work is anticipated to advance MOF/COF hybrid substrates for SERS, providing an effective tool for E2 analysis.

Overlooked Role of Iodate in Micropollutant Degradation by UV/Periodate: Kinetic Modeling and Mechanism

The periodate (PI, IO4-) is known as an emerging oxidant and disinfectant in water treatment with iodate (IO3-) as the benign end product. However, new results herein strongly suggest that IO3- could contribute to pollutant degradation and trigger disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation in the UV/IO4- process. The degradation of micropollutants, e.g., 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), followed two-stage pseudo-first-order kinetics along with the conversion of IO4- (stage I) to IO3- (stage II) in the UV/IO4- process. The radical scavenging experiments and electron spin resonance technique confirmed both reactive oxygen species (e.g., •OH and O3) and reactive iodine species (RIS) (e.g., IO3•), contributing to contaminant degradation in the UV/IO4- system. A kinetic model based on first-principles was further developed to simulate reaction kinetics, revealing that •OH was the primary reactive species responsible for EE2 degradation in stage I, while RIS, especially IO3•, played major contributions in stage II. The photolysis of IO3- in stage II could increase the risk of iodinated DBP (I-DBP) formation, especially under acidic conditions. The new findings of this work broaden the mechanistic knowledge on the UV/IO4- process and highlight the overlooked role of IO3- in the worrisome I-DPB formation in the wastewater treatment.

Potential risks and hazards posed by the pressure of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on water treatment plants

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely used in various industrial and commercial products, contributing to their substantial presence in the environment. In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the environmental behavior, toxicity, and removal approaches of PPCPs. Nevertheless, few studies systematically summarized the current understanding of these issues and provided suggestions and comments for future research directions. In this review, the classification and detection of PPCPs that are useful for their source, distribution, and occurrence are discussed. Moreover, this review highlights the environmental behavior, biological toxicity, and potential risk of PPCPs after entering the environment. Furthermore, we summarized the removal methods and efficiency of PPCPs and evaluated the inadequacies of current sewage treatment facilities in addressing emerging pollutants. Given the widespread application and complex component of PPCPs, they can potentially threaten water resource safety and human health risks, future research should focus on the following: (1) establishing advanced artificial intelligence statistical analysis and the detection and quantification technologies of PPCPs to more precisely predict their behavior and fate in the environment; (2) evaluating the long-term biological toxicity and human risk effect of PPCPs in terrestrial and aqueous system; and (3) developing new sewage treatment facilities and technologies to remove PPCPs from multiple environmental media.

Immunotoxicity of thyroid hormone system disrupting compounds in fish

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are among the most studied environmental pollutants in the field of (eco)toxicology, and different fish species are commonly used as model organisms, especially for studying reprotoxic effects. Despite the scientific and regulatory importance of EDCs, little attention has been given to their immunotoxic effects in fish. Basic knowledge and test systems for immune-related outcomes in fish are limited. For example, while the impact of estrogenic EDCs on the fish immune system has raised some attention in the last decade, thyroid hormone system disrupting compounds (THSDCs) and their impact on the fish immune system are less well studied. Thus, this literature review is aimed at describing the immunomodulatory roles of thyroid hormones (THs), as well as summarizing the existing research on the immunotoxicity of THSDCs in fish. A simplified potential adverse outcome pathway (AOP) was created, explaining the key events between THSD and lowered survival of fish experiencing pathogen infections along with chemical exposure. This AOP demonstrates that THSDCs can alter immune system functioning on a molecular, cellular, and organism level and, therefore, lead to reduced survival by lowering pathogen resistance of fish. However, available data were mainly limited to molecular analyses of immune-related biomarkers and included only few studies that conducted experiments demonstrating immunotoxic effects at organism level that can inform about population-relevant outcomes. Our putatively developed and simplified AOP can support the incorporation of immune-related endpoints in EDC testing guidelines and aid the development of risk assessments for THSDCs for human and environmental health.

Assessing the environmental impact of medicines in Italy using data from the Italian Medicines Agency

AIM

This study builds on the environmental risk analysis presented in the 2022 National Report on Medicines Use in Italy by the Italian Medicines Agency and aims to assess the environmental risk posed by medicines in Italy and its regions.

METHODS

The analysis selected 90 medicines based on three criteria: high utilization, low predicted no effect concentration (PNEC), and inclusion or candidacy for the European Watch List. For each medicine, the environmental risk was computed as the ratio between the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) and the PNEC. The PEC was derived following the approach of the Swedish Association of Pharmaceutical Industries and Italian drug utilization data. The risk was classified high if the ratio was greater than 10 and moderate if greater than 1.

RESULTS

Overall, 13 medicines were identified as posing a high risk, including cardiovascular agents, antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants and antiparasitic agents. The high risk was driven by either a very low PNEC (eg, estradiol and lacidipine) or high utilization (eg, amoxicillin, ibuprofen and diclofenac). Regional analysis showed higher risk due to high consumption for azithromycin and ofloxacin in central and southern Italy, and for levonorgestrel in northern Italy.

CONCLUSION

This study points to the need for prioritizing targeted sampling in surface waters for medicines estimated at high risk. To prevent and mitigate the risk, a more conscious clinical practice coupled with appropriate waste management are required.

Environmental assessment of steroid endocrine disruptors in stranded cetaceans: A methodological approach to detection and analysis

Exploring the presence of endocrine disrupting compounds in marine organisms, particularly cetaceans, is crucial to evaluate contamination within the ocean's food web and the detection of synthetic hormones in cetaceans is a strong indication of anthropogenic pollution in marine ecosystems. Due to their characteristics, blubber samples are a key component in assessing the analysis of cetaceans, but this type of sample require precise and sensitive analytical methods. Despite some methodologies have been developed for the analysis of natural steroid hormones in cetacean blubber, a significant gap persists in the comprehensive analysis of synthetic steroids within these samples. In this work, a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction combined with UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) analysis was performed to determine six synthetic steroid hormones (nandrolone, prednisolone, prednisone, megestrol acetate, norethisterone, and norgestrel) in 11 stranded cetacean blubber samples. Despite the complex nature of blubber samples, the developed methodology showed promising results, with recoveries ranging from 70 % to 120 % for most target compounds at low concentration levels (150 ng·g-1). The method demonstrated high precision with relative standard deviations under 20 % in both intra- and inter-day experiments. Regarding the matrix effect, ion suppressions of about 50 % were also calculated for those samples spiked at concentration levels of 150 ng·g-1, nevertheless, all compounds were still able to be detected, in most cases below quantification limits. Notably, one sample presented a quantified concentration of megestrol acetate, a steroid hormone used in contraceptives and cancer treatments, at 26.98 ± 2.62 ng·g-1. The results affirm the methodology's effectiveness for analyzing synthetic steroid hormone levels in cetacean blubber, providing a valuable tool for assessing environmental concentrations of these anthropogenic endocrine disruptors and their impact on cetacean welfare and conservation.

The Potential Role of Ecotoxicological Data in National Essential Medicine Lists: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND

Medicines affect the environment throughout their lifecycle, from production and distribution to use and disposal. They contribute to the pollution of air, water, and soil, impacting ecosystems and human health. Recognizing these risks, regulatory bodies and organizations have highlighted pharmaceutical pollution as a global concern, emphasizing the need for environmental risk assessments and sustainable practices.

METHODS

This study reviewed the essential medicines lists (EMLs) from 158 countries and examined the available ecotoxicological data. Medicines with high bioaccumulation, persistence, and toxicity were identified and cross-referenced with their inclusion in EMLs. Additionally, we analyzed the presence of alternative medicines with similar therapeutic effects but potentially lower environmental risks.

RESULTS

Five medicines-ciprofloxacin, ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, ibuprofen, and sertraline-were selected as illustrative examples due to their high environmental persistence and toxicity. All were listed in the 2023 WHO model list, with ciprofloxacin appearing in 94.3% of national EMLs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the limited availability of ecotoxicological data, which hinders environmental risk assessment for medicines. EMLs could serve as a tool to enhance the awareness and data mobilization of pharmaceutical pollution. Incorporating environmental criteria into EMLs could support more sustainable medicine selection and regulatory practices.

Mesoscopic study of smart dendritic-polymeric micelles for the removal of hormonal contraceptives from polluted aqueous environments

The ability of new smart dendritic-polymeric micelles (Boltorn-H40-P(NPAM)-P(NIPAM)) to extract hormonal contraceptives from polluted aqueous environments was investigated using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations and coarse-grained models. Mesoscopic results indicated that these dendritic-polymeric micelles exhibit stimulus sensitivity at two low critical solution temperatures (LCST's). Thermal scans revealed that the micelles generate distinct temperature-dependent miscibility intervals: below the LCST, a thermodynamically stable micellar system is formed, while above the LCST, the system loses miscibility through a cloud point, resulting in hydrophobic particles with a complex conformational structure, comprising a dendritic core and a polymeric shell that double encapsulates the hydrophobic core. The removal process of two hormonal contraceptives, drospirenone and 17α-ethinylestradiol, using Boltorn-H40-P(NPAM)-P(NIPAM) micelles involved two consecutive stages: (I) loading the contraceptive molecules into the dendritic core below the LCST, and (II) separating the contraceptive molecules via a cloud point above the LCST. Finally, all the stages involved in the removal of hormonal contraceptives from polluted aqueous environments were explored in detail.

Age at Menarche and Its Potential Role in Early Detection of Hyperandrogenic Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted heritable endocrine disorder that affects 4%-20% of females worldwide. Characterized by symptoms such as polycystic ovaries, anovulation, and hyperandrogenism, PCOS remains challenging to diagnose, particularly in its early stages. Research suggests that women with PCOS may experience earlier onset of menarche, but the mechanisms behind this association are not well understood. This study explores whether early menarche could serve as an effective diagnostic marker for PCOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey was conducted with 95 adult women (ages 19-62), divided into two groups: women diagnosed with PCOS (49%, n = 47) and women without PCOS (51%, n = 48). Participants with PCOS self-identified and were required to meet the Rotterdam Criteria for diagnosis. Notably, all self-identified participants with PCOS exhibited the hyperandrogenic phenotype. Independent samples t-tests and linear regression were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Women with PCOS reached menarche an average of 1.8 years earlier than those without the condition (mean age 11.4 ± 1.6 years vs. 13.2 ± 1.2 years).

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest that early menarche may be a promising, underexplored indicator of PCOS, offering a potential new avenue for earlier diagnosis of the condition. This could be particularly valuable, as PCOS is often not diagnosed until more classic symptoms, such as anovulation or hirsutism, emerge. Further research is needed to confirm these results and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Bioaccumulation and sources of typical emerging pollutants via farming activities: Insight from risk assessment and mitigation

Emerging contaminants are increasingly and ubiquitously found in both aquatic and terrestrial farms. However, their sources poorly understood, which results in limited capacity to manage and control the ecological and human health risks. The targeted pollutants such as hormones, antibiotics, and phenols were analyzed in farming water, surrounding rivers, feed, biota and feces in the present study. In farming water, the phenols were more prevalent contaminants in aquatic farms, whereas antibiotics were predominant in terrestrial farms, which was partially attributable to the distribution of targeted pollutants in used feed. Notably, the sewage treatment system of terrestrial farms effectively reduced hormones (removal rate: 98.38%) and antibiotics (removal rate: 91.98%), but showed poorly in removing phenols, with their concentrations actually increasing by 37%. This raised significant concerns, as phenols from treated wastewater into rivers posed a threat to aquatic organisms such as fish and daphnia. Moreover, daily pollutant exposure was higher for females than for males, with the highest exposure resulting from the consumption of Penaeus vannamei. The higher exposure to emerging contaminants among females aged 18-29, the critical reproductive phase, warrants special attention due to the potential risks to both their maternal health and fetal development. Overall, this study can propose guidance for all stakeholders to control emerging pollutant emissions from farming and ensure food safety, which is the crucial element for managing the ecological environment and preventing risks.

Menstrual wastes: a Sri Lankan perspective on quantities, characteristics, and issues

The importance of good menstruation hygiene management (MHM) practices has gained considerable attention in Sri Lanka, but least attention is given to menstrual wastes regarding the types, quantities, characteristics, disposal practices, and potential environmental impacts due to haphazard disposal. An understanding of the types, quantities, and characteristics of menstrual wastes is crucial to formulate and implement safer collection and environmentally acceptable disposal strategies. Therefore, this paper provides a preliminary viewpoint regarding menstrual wastes generated in Sri Lanka with an overview on source separation (SS), disposal methods, and the legal requirements regarding disposal. Commercially available single-use sanitary pads (100% in Colombo capital city; 17-91% in other regions) and reusable cotton cloths (3-83% in other regions, except in Colombo-0%) are the widely used menstrual hygiene products (MHPs). SS is very low, and overall disposal practices are environmentally unfriendly (e.g., 8-84% flushing into toilets). Pad quantities generated from one menstruator/month are 288.4 g (259.6 g plastic), 360.5 g (324.5 g plastic), and 432.6 g (389.3 g plastic) (from a 5 mL blood-soaked 5 g pad); 436.8 g (393.1 g plastic), 546 g (491.4 g plastic), and 655.2 g (589.7 g plastic) (from a 10 mL blood-soaked 5 g pad); and 568.4 g (511.6 g plastic), 710.5 g (639.5 g plastic), and 852.6 g (767.3 g plastic) (from a 5 mL blood-soaked 15 g pad), and cloths/menstruator/month are 199.4 g, 249.2 g, and 299 g (from a 5 g material) at changing frequencies of 4, 5, and 6 times/day, respectively. Nevertheless, cloth waste quantities that get disposed for any given year are substantially less (due to reuse) compared with sanitary pad wastes. Soiled MHPs are not categorized as infectious wastes or household hazardous wastes in Sri Lanka. Legislative changes with planning of proper SS, collection, and disposal and the use of cotton cloths and/or other environmentally friendly MHPs are suggested.

Scabiosa artropurperea var.maritima aqueous extracts improve in vivo fertility parameters and in vitro granulosa cell steroidogenesis in Ewe

Scabiosa artropurperea, a member of the Dipsacaceae family and Scabiosa genus, is renowned for its medicinal properties. In the present study, we investigated the impact of Scabiosa artropurperea aqueous extract (AES) on the in vivo reproductive functions in Queue Fine de l'Ouest ewes, and on in vitro ovine granulosa cells. Ewes were synchronized for 14 days with intra-vagina progesterone (P4) devices (FGA, 20 mg) and divided into four groups receiving daily oral doses of 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg of AES/kg Live Body Weight (LBW), respectively. After sponge removal, all ewes received an intramuscular injection of 400 IU of eCG. Estrous behavior parameters as latency and duration, and prolificacy rates, and plasma hormone levels (estradiol and progesterone) were assessed. Estrus latency was reduced and the duration of estrus was increased in ewes that received 1 mg and 2 mg/kg LBW compared to the control. Prolificacy rates were also significantly improved in 1 mg or 2 mg/kg groups compared to the control. Plasma levels of E2 were also higher on 2 mg/kg LBW treated group. Moreover, ovine granulosa cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of AES (ranging from 0 to 5 mg/ml). While AES did not affect cell viability and proliferation whatever the conditions, it significantly increased basal steroidogenesis (P4 and E2 concentrations) at the concentration of 0.5 and 0.05 mg/ml and in response to IGF-1 but not FSH at the 0.05 mg/ml concentration. These latter data were associated to an increase in the expression of CYP19A1 and STAR genes but not those of CYP11A1 and HSD3B and to an increase in cellular lactate concentration. Taken together, AES extracts enhanced in vivo reproductive performance in ewe and this was associated to an increase in in vitro granulosa cell steroidogenesis.

Ultrafiltration and composite microfiltration biocatalytic membrane activity and steroid hormone micropollutant degradation at environmentally relevant concentrations

Biocatalytic degradation of micropollutants has been extensively explored in both batch and membrane reactors in µg/L to mg/L concentrations and variable water compositions. The degradation of micropollutants by biocatalytic membranes at environmentally relevant concentrations of ng/L range found in natural surface water matrices has not yet been investigated, presumably because of the challenging concentration analysis. This study investigated the limitations of biocatalytic degradation of estradiol (E2) micropollutant at environmentally relevant concentrations by a biocatalytic membrane. The contributions of solute flux, hydraulic residence time (HRT) and water matrix composition on reaction kinetics, the apparent rate of disappearance (or reaction rate) and enzyme activity were examined. Two biocatalytic membranes were used: i) laccase entrapped in an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane support (namely UF-SNPs) and, ii) laccase covalently bound to the nanofiber matrix of a composite microfiltration (MF) membrane. The three main findings are reported. Firstly, the apparent rate of E2 disappearance decreases significantly by four orders of magnitude at a low micropollutant concentration of 0.1 µg/L, resulting in undetectable degradation during filtration, irrespective of the biocatalytic membrane. Secondly, the solute mass transfer and HRT control the biocatalytic degradation through the membranes resulting in different E2 removal. For the UF-SNPs membrane, a removal of 31 % is achieved only by increasing the concentration to 3000 µg/L and at a flux of 60 L/m².h (HRT of 4.5 s) due to an increase in solute flux by an order of magnitude similar to the apparent rate of disappearance. In contrast, the nano-MF membrane is ineffective in achieving biocatalytic degradation regardless of E2 concentration, as the HRT is approximately seven times lower (0.6 s) than that of the UF-SNPs, and thus insufficient for E2 to reach the catalytic site. Thirdly, the composition of the aqueous matrix plays a crucial role in the control of laccase activity irrespective of the membrane. Indeed, laccase is inactivated predominantly by chloride ions in synthetic carbonate buffer, since the typical NaCl concentration is about two orders of magnitude higher than E2 concentration. This study highlights that the slower kinetics achieved in the biocatalytic UF-SNPs and MF membranes are ineffective in removing steroid hormone micropollutants at realistic concentrations in surface water matrices. Further research is suggested to accelerate the reaction kinetics at such low concentrations and prolong the residence time within the membrane.

Development of colloidal gold test strip based on the BsVg819 gene fragment of vitellogenin of Bostrichthys sinensis for the detection of vitellogenin in multiple fish species

As an environmental estrogen biomarker, the yolk precursor, vitellogenin (Vtg) is widely used in the assessment of estrogen pollution in aquatic environment. Currently, the detection of Vtg in plasma is mainly achieved by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method based on Vtg antibodies. However, due to differences in the immunological epitopes of Vtg from various species, Vtg antibodies have low universality. Therefore, identifying a universal antigenic epitopes of Vtg from multiple fish species and designing a tools that can be applied in the field can promote the use of Vtg in monitoring estrogenic contamination in aquatic environments. Bioinformatics analysis of the Vtg of Bostrichthys sinensis revealed that the protein is highly conserved in structure. The results of PCR showed that the amino acid sequence encoded by the BsVg819 gene fragment from the Vtg gene of Bostrichthys sinensis could have more than 97% similarity with the amino acid sequences of the PCR products of ten fish species. Development of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip using recombinant proteins was expressed in BsVg819 gene fragments. The test strip was able to detect Vtg in the plasma of untreated female Bostrichthys sinensis and ten different female fish species. Vtg in the plasma of juvenile Bostrichthys sinensis treated with estrogen is elevated and can be detected by test strips. The results show that the test strips have good usability. Compared to ELISA, the strip is prospective for field applications. It provides a portable tool for future rapid detection of estrogenic contamination in the field.

A genetically encoded fluorescent whole-cell biosensor for real-time detecting estrogenic activities in water samples

Real-time monitoring of estrogenic activity in the aquatic environment is a challenging task. Current biosensors face difficulties due to their limited response speed and environmental tolerance, especially for detecting wastewater, the major source of estrogenic compounds in aquatic environments. To address these difficulties, this study developed a single fluorescent protein (FP) -based whole-cell bacterial biosensor named ER-Light, which was achieved by inserting the sensing domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) into the FP Citrine and expressing it in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. As designed, ER-Light enables the detection of net estrogenic activity in mixtures, represented by estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ). ER-Light detects EEQ in 40 s with a detection limit of 4.55 × 10-7 μM and a maximum working range of 1.1 × 10-4 μM, demonstrating sufficient response speed, sensitivity, and working range. In addition, the ER-Light can survive and tolerate wastewater effluent. Satisfactory recoveries (91.0 % to 102.1 %) eliminated concerns about the matrix effect of wastewater. EEQs (Not detected-2.9 ×10-5 µM) measured by ER-Light from the effluent of 9 wastewater treatment plants validate its practicality in detecting wastewater. This is the first attempt to integrate ER into FP-based biosensors for environment monitoring. Our findings provide valuable design rules for real-time detection of bioactivity effects in the environment, contributing to the safeguarding of ecological and human health.

Seasonal dynamics, sources, and ecological risk of estrogens in a freeze-thaw basin: Implications for aquatic ecosystems

Estrogens have attracted extensive attention because of their harmful effects on organisms such as endocrine disturbance and reproductive toxicity. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution and ecological risk assessment of 7 targeted estrogens in surface water in a seasonal freeze-thaw basin. It mainly includes three natural estrogens, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3), two synthetic estrogens, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES), and two phenolic environmental estrogens, bisphenol-A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP). The total estrogen concentration was 15.30-489.62 ng·L-1. BPA, NP, DES and E3 were the major estrogenic pollutants in the basin. The targeted estrogens showed significant seasonal differences in the freeze-thaw process, and the total concentration was from high to low in wet, thawing and freezing seasons. Principal sources of estrogens primarily originated from mixed discharge of livestock and domestic sewage and landfill leachate. Increased runoff promoted pollution sources into rivers, increasing the concentration during wet and thawing seasons, and the latter posed a higher ecological risk to aquatic organisms that would be in the breeding season. Targeted estrogens posed a high total ecological risk to fish and a moderate ecological risk to algae and crustaceans. The total estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQT) of targeted estrogens in all seasons exceeded the safe concentration threshold. Therefore, it is suggested to strengthen the monitoring frequency of estrogens in different seasons and adopt strict sewage treatment measures and discharge monitoring to reduce the harm to the ecological environment.

Occurrence and potential risk of steroid hormones in selected surface water and wastewater treatment plants in western Kenya

Steroid hormones are significant contributors to endocrine disruption, affecting the hormonal functions of both humans and aquatic organisms. However, data on their occurrence and risks in fresh water systems particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is scarce. In this regard, a comprehensive investigation of 58 steroid hormones in rivers and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was conducted in western Kenya. Grab water samples were extracted by solid phase extraction, and analysed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Forty-three steroids were identified with 24 of them being found in both rivers and WWTPs. The median concentrations of detected steroids ranged from 0.06 ng/L to 9 ng/L in rivers, 1.9 ng/L to 670 ng/L in the influents and 0.61 ng/L to 270 ng/L at the effluents. The most frequently detected compound in the rivers was 17β-estradiol occurring in 64% of the samples. Although 23 compounds were reduced to undetectable levels in WWTPs, 90% of the effluents exceeded tentative risk thresholds for estrogenicity. In rivers, concentrations of estrogenic and glucocorticoid effects were in the range of risk thresholds, while androgenic and progestagenic concentrations were below risk thresholds. This study contributes to the occurrence of steroid hormones and an understanding of their potential impacts on freshwater ecosystem and human health. The data generated from the study provides crucial information for the formulation of environmental policies in Kenya.

A highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor for detecting broad-spectrum estrogen molecules in clinical samples

The lack of sensitive and accurate monitoring methods for in vivo estrogen levels presents challenges for better prevention of estrogen-induced diseases. We have developed a label-free electrochemical aptasensor that demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity for the broad-spectrum detection of estrogen molecules. This biosensor uses gold nanoparticles for electrochemical signal amplification and aptamers for broad-spectrum target recognition, enabling precise detection of trace amounts of estrogen in serum samples. The aptasensor demonstrates high sensitivity in estrogen detection, with a linear detection range of 0.01-1 nM and a minimum detection limit of 3 pM. It also exhibits excellent selectivity and interference resistance, with a detection error of less than 19 %, even in the presence of high concentrations of other biological substances. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to provide insights into the molecular mechanism of aptamer broad-spectrum recognition and construction principles underlying the sensor. We anticipate that this aptasensor will serve as a robust, convenient, and cost-effective detection method, offering a valuable solution for the prevention of estrogen-induced diseases.

Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance copolymer composite nanofiber as an adsorbent for online solid phase extraction of three estrogens from water samples with column-switching prior to high-performance liquid chromatography

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the increasing accumulation of estrogen pollutants in the environment has raised concerns about their impact on human health, necessitating the development of highly sensitive detection methods for trace pollutant enrichment and analysis in environmental samples. Online pretreatment detection technology offers significant advantages over conventional offline techniques, including high automation, minimal human intervention, and improved efficiency. However, the key to successful implementation lies in the advancement of novel adsorbent materials.

RESULTS

Herein, we present a novel adsorbent material called polyacrylonitrile-hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced copolymer (PAN-HLB) composite nanofiber prepared via electrospinning for efficient online packed fiber solid phase extraction (PFSPE) of three estrogens from water samples. A rapid and highly sensitive online PFSPE-HPLC-FLD method was developed for the quantification of 17 β-Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), and 17-ethinylestradiol (EE2). The curves of the target analytes were prepared with good correlation coefficient values (r2 > 0.9900) in the range of 0.1-2 ng/mL. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.05 ng/mL, the limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) is 0.1 ng/mL. The recoveries of three estrogens were 94.0 %∼110.3 %, and the precisions (RSD) were less than 5 %. The online PFSPE column, packed with the PAN-HLB composite nanofiber, exhibits exceptional stability and can be effectively reused for a minimum of 100 cycles.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study presents the successful preparation of PAN-HLB composite nanofiber for the first time, demonstrating their efficacy as an innovative online pretreatment adsorbent. The proposed online pretreatment and detection approach offers remarkable benefits in terms of sensitivity, labor-saving, and cost-effectiveness that make it highly suitable for practical water sample analysis.

Highly responsive cryogel based sensing platform by encapsulating programmed DNA for colorimetric detection of 17β-estradiol

Responsive hydrogels show obvious superiorities when being employed at detection owing to their polymeric networks and optical properties. Albeit important, the slow response of traditional hydrogels against targets limits their further applications, and enhancing the responsiveness of hydrogel is therefore imperative. Herein, a cryogel with hierarchical structures was designed through adjusting the hydrogel structure by the freezing process to improve the responsive properties, and fabricated for rapid analysis of 17β-estradiol (E2). The cryogel encapsulating the DNA hairpins rapidly adsorbed the complementary DNA isolated from the aptamer in the presence of E2 and activated an efficient hybridization chain reaction (HCR). After integration with a smartphone system, a portable colorimetric sensing platform was created for sensitive detection of E2 with a low detection limit of 0.5 nM. Our work provides a promising way for highly responsive hydrogel-based biosensor design, and broadens their applications in rapid and portable target detection.

Density tunable dispersive solid phase extraction of four organochlorine pesticides from edible oil sample using rhodamine B as a sorbent prior to GC-MS analysis

In this study, a new method was used to evaluate the levels of four organochlorine pesticides in edible samples. In this method, a density tunable dispersive solid phase extraction procedure was coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rhodamine B was used as a sorbent, which was distributed throughout the oil matrix with the aid of evaporation of methanol. This process enabled the possibility of effective extraction and preconcentration of the target analytes. To achieve this goal, several factors affecting the extraction efficiency, including the type and volume of diluent, the amount of rhodamine B, the volume of methanol, and the temperature of the ultrasonic bath were carefully evaluated. This method provided low detection limits (from 0.21 to 0.36 ng g-1), wide linear range (1.1-100 ng g-1) and acceptable extraction recoveries (64-72%) and enrichment factors (102-115). The precision of the method was evaluated by calculating the relative standard deviation, which ranged from 3.6 to 6.8% for intra- and 3.1 to 8.8% for inter-day precisions. The investigated method reduced the interference of the matrix and provided the possibility of quantitative determination of the studied organochlorine pesticides in various oil samples (canola, corn, sunflower, and olive). This method introduced a reliable analytical tool for the monitoring of the pesticide residues in different oil samples by providing capabilities such as simplicity, sensitivity, and compatibility with the environment.

Studies on cortisol, corticosterone, and 17β-estradiol indicate these steroids have no role in stress or reproduction in the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is a promising candidate for aquaculture diversification, particularly in Europe. As interest in octopus farming grows, animal welfare concerns arise. In bony vertebrates (teleosts and tetrapods), measurements of the levels of corticosterone or cortisol have been successfully used as indicators of stress and welfare. Here, it is explored whether octopuses also produce cortisol or corticosterone and, if so, whether they are released into the water in response to stress (as can be done in teleosts and amphibians). The ability of the octopus to absorb cortisol from the water is also investigated-with another steroid, the principle vertebrate estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), being used as a positive uptake control. In this study, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry techniques, it was found that octopus hemolymph did not contain either cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone (a common metabolite of cortisol), or E2. Nor were any of the corticosteroids consistently found in the water in which stressed octopuses were held. The results support the evolutionary argument that octopuses are unlikely to exhibit a stress response mediated by vertebrate-like corticosteroids. Octopus demonstrated a low ability to absorb cortisol from the water (<2% over 24 h) but showed a high ability to absorb E2 from water (92% over 24 h). In this latter respect, the octopus is similar to other mollusks. The finding calls into doubt the origin of the E2 measured in this species.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that common octopuses (Octopus vulgaris Cuvier 1797) do not produce cortisol, cortisone, or corticosterone in response to stress. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, it was also shown that octopuses have a low absorption rate of cortisol from water but a high absorption rate of 17β-estradiol (E2). The findings support the evolutionary argument that octopuses are unlikely to exhibit a stress response mediated by vertebrate-like corticosteroids.

A Global Inventory of Natural and Synthetic Estrogens in Aquatic Systems

Estrogens are a group of endocrine disruptors that are recognized as a threat to the world's ecosystems and are easily transported through aquatic systems from mainly anthropogenic sources. To illustrate this growing problem, we have compiled a global overview of measured concentrations of natural and synthetic estrogens restricted to freshwater systems (lakes, rivers, and lagoons) and marine coastal and open ocean environments, focusing on estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). We found that the cumulative risk quotient is high at 65% of 400 sampled sites, highlighting that estrogen pollution is a major environmental concern. Our investigation revealed that almost no information is available on the concentration levels of E1, E2, E3, and EE2 for the open ocean areas. However, their occurrence in all systems, including open seas, suggests that estrogens are not completely degraded during transport to and within the environment and may be more persistent than previously thought.

Gut feeling: Exploring the intertwined trilateral nexus of gut microbiota, sex hormones, and mental health

The complex interplay between the gut microbiota, sex hormones, and mental health is emerging as a pivotal factor in understanding and managing psychiatric disorders. Beyond their traditional roles, sex hormones exert profound effects on various physiological systems including the gut microbiota. Fluctuations in sex hormone levels, notably during the menstrual cycle, influence gut physiology and barrier function, shaping gut microbiota composition and immune responses. Conversely, the gut microbiota actively modulates sex hormone levels via enzymatic processes. This bidirectional relationship underscores the significance of the gut-brain axis in maintaining mental well-being. This review explores the multifaceted interactions between sex hormones, the gut microbiota, and mental health outcomes. We highlight the potential of personalized interventions in treating psychiatric disorders, particularly in vulnerable populations such as premenopausal women and individuals with depressive disorders. By elucidating these complex interactions, we aim to provide insights for future research into targeted interventions, enhancing mental health outcomes.

The potential endocrine-disrupting of fluorinated pesticides and molecular mechanism of EDPs in cell models

Environmental endocrine disruptors constitute a category of exogenous compounds that interfere with the endocrine system's functions in organisms or cells. As a class of particularly representative endocrine-disrupting chemicals, the accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances potentially leads to adverse health effects, including hormonal disruptions, developmental issues, and cancer. However, the classification of these disruptors is intricate, and the data on their potential health risks is scattered. The research into fluorinated pesticides is somewhat superficial, with the majority of review articles in this field focusing on the structural characteristics, biodegradation processes, and environmental risks associated with these pesticides. In this study, we compared and investigated the research development processes of seven types of fluorine-containing pesticides and five types of fluorinated endocrine disruptors. The varying toxic effects of these endocrine disruptors are highly dependent on exposure conditions. Their actions are complex, affecting behavioral substances throughout the organism, and monitoring some complex biological phenotypes, sex- or age-specific effects, and behavioral learning poses significant challenges. The findings will serve as a reference for future studies on the toxicity of pesticides to humans and other organisms.

The role of lignin in 17β-estradiol biodegradation: insights from cellular characteristics and lipidomics

17β-estradiol (E2) is an endocrine disruptor, and even trace concentrations (ng/L) of environmental estrogen can interfere with the endocrine system of organisms. Lignin holds promise in enhancing the microbial degradation E2. However, the mechanisms by which lignin facilitates this process remain unclear, which is crucial for understanding complex environmental biodegradation in nature. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using cellular and lipidomics approaches to investigate the relationship between E2-degrading strain, Rhodococcus sp. RCBS9, and lignin. Our findings demonstrate that lignin significantly enhances E2 degradation efficiency, reaching 94.28% within 5 days with the addition of 0.25 mM lignin. This enhancement is associated with increased microbial growth and activity, reduced of membrane damages, and alleviation of oxidative stress. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicate that lignin addition alters lipid peaks. Consequently, by analyzing lipid metabolism changes, we further elucidate how lignin addition promotes E2 degradation.

Multivariate analysis of organic contaminants in groundwater of an endorheic basin draining to a salt lagoon - Fuente de Piedra (Southern Spain)

Forthcoming EU environmental requirements on water resources quality are likely to include concentration limits of certain contaminants of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products. However, understanding the occurrence of organic contaminants, including contaminants of emerging concern, in hydro(geo)logical media remains challenging. This study is based on a comprehensive screening of OCs in groundwater of the unique and complex Fuente de Piedra Lagoon endorheic basin system using hydrochemistry and isotopic tools. The basin includes interconnected aquifers of various types (detrital, carbonate and evaporitic). Groundwater recharges the hypersaline lagoon, which holds significant ecological value, but is heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities such as water exploitation for urban supply and irrigation, soil fertilization for agricultural activities and urban wastewater discharges. Out of 185 analyzed compounds, 32 were detected, including 6 personal care products, 10 antibiotics and 11 pharmaceuticals. Concentrations ranged from 0.1 ng/L to 974 ng/L. Notably, the pesticide aldrin was detected with a maximum concentration of 668 ng/L. Two main processes are suggested as potentially affecting the occurrence of different groups of organic contaminants: (i) re-concentration of the more mobile compounds due to irrigation return flows in the unconfined detrital aquifer and (ii) accumulation of certain contaminants in the deep, saline underground media within the evaporitic aquifer, which forms the geologic basement of the detrital and carbonate aquifers of the basin. This study highlights the difficulty in understanding the occurrence of organic contaminants in complex systems and underscores the challenge of meeting the forthcoming environmental requirements.

Baseline concentrations and quantitative health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in relation to particle grain size in street dust of Warsaw Poland

Total concentrations, toxicity, and health risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in street dust from Warsaw (Poland) in 6 granulometric fractions were investigated. Street dust was collected from 149 sampling points distributed among Area 1 (central districts, left bank of the Vistula River, mostly traffic-related pollution) and Area 2&3 (suburb area, mostly residential, right bank of the river). Street dust was investigated before ("all") and after separating into 5 size-dependent samples: (1-0.8 mm) "0.8", (0.8-0.6 mm) "0.6", (0.6-0.4 mm) "0.4", (0.4-0.2 mm) "0.2", and (below 0.2 mm) " < 0.2". ΣPAH mean concentration was 3.21 mg/kg for Area 1 and 0.89 mg/kg for Area 2&3. ∑BaPTPE values calculated collectively for Area 1&2&3 were observed to be 318.3, 83.5, 131.1, 81.4, 164.3, and 339.7 ng/g for "all", "0.6", "0.4", "0.2", and " < 0.2", respectively. Significant differences in ∑BaPTPE values were observed between fractions and specific areas. The cancer risk levels for children and adults, for all particulate size fractions, were comparable for dermal contact and by ingestion and ranged from 10-5 to 10-4, whereas the cancer risk levels via inhalation always ranged from 10-10 to 10-8. Therefore, inhalation of resuspended street dust is almost negligible compared to other pathways. Environmental implication. Street dust pollution in cities is one of the most important issues in the world and it negatively affects the quality of the environment and people's health. This study contributed to filling the gap in knowledge about the characteristics of PAH contaminants in the subject of the grain size of street dust from Poland and assessing the potential health risks. Therefore, our work has provided new significant information on PAH pollution, methods of measuring PAHs content and assessing the risk to human health, which may be useful to the scientific community, policymakers, and the general public.

Self-assembly of ZnO-Biochar/Kaolinite/Chitosan/GO with 1D/2D/3D heterojunctions for enhanced removal of estrogens and triclosan in water

This Study focuses on the preparation of sustainable and efficient Chitosan catalyst for the removal of three organic pollutants, 17β-Estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2) and triclosan (TCS) from water. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by different techniques which confirmed the presence of the key components Chitosan, Carica Papaya seed and Kaolinite. The optical characterization proved the nanocomposite is photoactive with a band gap of 1.81 eV and 1.77 eV for Chitosan/kaolinite biochar (CS/KBC) and Chitosan/kaolinite biochar/GO (CS/KBC/GO) respectively, confirming the ability of the nanocomposite to be active in the visible light region of the spectrum. The degradation experiment using CS/KBC/GO was observed better with 100% removal for 5 mg/L E2 and EE2 over 60 min and 97.8% over 120 min for 10 mg/L TCS at optimum conditions (pH 3 for E2, and EE2 and pH 7). It was observed that the superoxide radical played a major role in the degradation of the contaminants. Furthermore, the CS/KBC/GO was efficient over four cycles without any decrease in performance, which rules out the question of catalyst deactivation proving the sustainability of the catalyst. The toxicity test shows that the water is safe as it does not harm cerio daphnia silvestrii organism.; CS/KBC/GO efficiently removed the micropollutants from real-life waste samples and the performance was very good with a slight decrease in performance for the wastewater due to the complex matrix of the water sample that competes for the active site.

Preliminary Study on the Positive Expression Regulation of Alpha2-Macroglobulin in the Testicular Tissue of Male Mice by Environmental Estrogens

The male reproductive impairment caused by environmental estrogens (EEs) stands as a pivotal research area in environmental toxicology. Alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) emerges as a promising molecule capable of counteracting oxidative stress induced by EEs. This study conducted exposure experiments spanning PND1 to PND56 employing ICR mice, aiming to delve into the expression patterns of A2M and its modulated IL-6 in the testicular tissue of mice subsequent to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and benzophenone (BP) exposure, while elucidating the pivotal role of ERs in this intricate process. Our findings revealed that upon DES exposure (10 and 100 nM), there was a pronounced upregulation of A2M (mRNA and in situ protein levels) in mouse testicular tissue. Similarly, exposure to BPs (BP-1, BP-2, and BP-3, each at 10 and 1000 nM) exhibited comparable effects and increasing A2M levels in serum. Notably, BP exposure also caused an elevation in IL-6 levels (which could be directly regulated by A2M) within testicular tissue (mRNA and in situ protein). Remarkably, the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 (0.5 mg/kg/day) was effective in reversing the upregulation of both A2M and IL-6 induced by BP exposure. Significantly, the results of theoretical prediction of the potential ERE site in the A2m gene promoter region and ChIP-qPCR experiment provide essential and strong evidence for the key conclusion that A2m is the target gene of ER. Taken together, our study highlights EEs' ability to regulate A2M expression in the male reproductive system via the ER signaling pathway. This vital insight deepens our understanding of molecular mechanisms protecting against oxidative stress caused by EEs.

Coupling UiO-66 MOF with a Nanotubular Oxide Layer Grown on Ti-W Alloy Accelerates the Degradation of Hormones in Real Water Matrices

To enable the photoelectrocatalytic treatment of large volumes of water containing low concentrations of pollutants, this study introduces a hybrid photocatalyst, composed of nanotubular oxides grown on TixW alloy (x = 0.5 and 5.0 wt %) modified with UiO-66 MOF, for degradation of estrone (E1) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2). The oxide layer (Nt/TixW) was prepared via anodization, while UiO-66 nanoparticles were synthesized by using a solvothermal process. Different techniques for modifying nanotubular oxides were evaluated to maximize the photocatalytic activity and the sorption process. In photo(electro)catalytic experiments using low concentrations of E1 and EE2 synthetic solutions and UV-vis radiation (100 W/cm2), all modified materials exhibited approximately 40% higher degradation compared to the unmodified photocatalyst, keeping the same sequential performance of the photocatalysts (Nt/TiO2 < Nt/Ti-0.5W < Nt/Ti-5.0W) independent of the treatment. This enhancement was attributed to the MOF's increased hormone sorption, with no synergistic interaction observed between the photocatalyst and the adsorbent. In real water supply matrices, the photoelectrocatalytic removal rate of E1 using Nt/Ti-5.0W modified UiO-66 under UV-vis radiation and 1.3 V was 0.168 s-1, while for EE2, it was 0.310 min-1, approximately 1.78 and 18.21 times faster than obtained with the unmodified photocatalyst. The slower degradation rate of EE2 compared to that of E1 is attributed to the formation of denser intermediates that compete with smaller organic molecules in the real matrix. The cooperative effect between NT/TixW and UiO-66 favored the confinement of pollutants and by-products within the UiO-66 cavity, minimizing the diffusion effects and promoting the degradation of these compounds by the OH· radical generated at the oxide/solution interface. Among the tested electrodes, NT/Ti5W modified with UiO-66 demonstrated the highest efficiency and stability during the recycle tests. This highlights its promise for applications in photocatalytic processes for treating water supplies with low pollutant concentrations.

Non-invasive biomarkers for investigating urban metal exposure in neotropical bats

In urban centers, sewage treatment plants (STPs) serve as foraging and shelter areas for bats; however, they are sources of persistent pollutants that affect the health of these animals. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pollutants from an STP on the health of different species of neotropical bats from different guilds using non-invasive biomarkers. A conservation unit, the Silvania National Forest (SNF), was used as a reference area for comparison purposes. Blood, buccal mucosa, and fur samples were obtained for comet assay, micronucleus test, leukocyte profile, and metal concentration analysis in fur. Our results demonstrated that bats collected at the STP show a higher frequency of genotoxic damage, nuclear abnormalities, and an inflammatory response linked to infection than bats from the SNF. Regarding guilds, frugivores and nectarivores showed more pronounced responses to damage, but insectivores bats also showed relevant responses. While STPs are considered a source of pollutants, other urban sources of contamination likely contributed to these results. Still we encourage further studies using other non-invasive biomarkers, detection analysis of different pollutants in biological matrices, and the use of other wildlife species inserted in urban centers.

Short-Term Exposure of Bisphenol A Deteriorates the Quality of Rabbit Milk by Impairing Milk Fat Synthesis

This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure of Bisphenol A (BPA) on the growth and lactation performance, blood parameters, and milk composition of lactating rabbits and explore its potential molecular mechanisms. Eight lactating rabbits with similar body weight were selected and randomly divided into the experimental group (BPA) and the control group (Ctrl). The group BPA was orally administered 80 mg/kg/day BPA on the 15th day postpartum, while the group Ctrl received a corresponding volume of vehicle. Blood and milk samples were collected after 7 days treatment. The results showed that short-term ingestion of BPA did not obviously alter the body weight, feed intake, or milk yield of the lactating rabbits. ELISA assays indicated that BPA did not significantly affect the plasma levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), creatinine (CRE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), uric acid (UA), and urea. Utilizing untargeted metabolomics, we first depicted the metabolomic profile of rabbit milk, and identified 277 differential metabolites (DMs), with 141 DMs upregulated (e.g., BPA, and its metabolites including Cetirizine N-oxide) and 136 DMs downregulated (e.g., Oleamide, Tiglic acid, PC O-38:4) in the group BPA. KEGG analysis revealed that the DMs were mainly enriched in pathways comprising fatty acid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and phosphatidylinositol signaling system, emphasizing the effect of BPA on milk fat metabolism. Hence, we established the BPA-induced MAC-T model, and the results showed that BPA significantly reduced cell viability and impacted lipid synthesis, as evidenced by reduced lipid droplets (BODIPY and Oil Red O staining) and decreased expression of genes related to lipid synthesis (e.g., PPARγ, ACACA, LPL). In summary, we first drew the metabolomic profile of rabbit milk and confirmed that short-term BPA exposure impacted mammary lipid synthesis, thereby reducing the milk quality of lactating rabbits and providing fundamental data for resolving the toxicological mechanisms of BPA on mammal lactation.

Functionalized composite nanofiber membranes for selective steroid hormone micropollutants uptake from water: Role of cyclodextrin type

Cyclodextrins (CD) entrapped in nanofiber composite membranes are potential selective adsorbing materials to remove steroid hormone (SHs) micropollutants from water. This study aims to elucidate the role of CD macrocyclic host type on the SHs inclusion complexation and uptake in filtration. Three CD types (α, β, and γ) are cross-linked with epichlorohydrin to form polymers (αCDP, βCDP and γCDP) and entrapped into a nanofiber composite membrane by electrospinning. TGA analysis confirmed the CD entrapment into the nanofiber without loss of CD molecules during filtration. The CD type plays a dominant role in controlling the removal of different SHs. A similar removal (range 33 to 50 %) was observed with αCDP, irrespective of the SH type. In contrast, removal and uptake dependent on SH type were observed for β and γCDP, with the highest removal of 74 % for progesterone, followed by estradiol (46 %) and estrone (27 %) and the lowest removal of 3 % for testosterone. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation revealed a stronger and more stable complex formed with βCDP, as demonstrated by: i) the closer spatial distribution of SH molecules from the βCDP cavity and, ii) the quantum chemistry calculations of the lower de-solvation energy (+6.0 kcal/mol), which facilitates the release of water molecules from interacting interface of CD molecule and hormone. Regarding γCDP, the highest de-solvation energy (+8.3 kcal/mol) poses an energetic barrier, which hinders the formation of the inclusion complex. In the case of αCDP, a higher interaction energy (-8.9 kcal/mol) compared to βCDP (-4.9 kcal/mol) was obtained, despite the broader spatial distribution observed from the MD simulation attributed to a dominant hydrogen bonding interaction with the OH primary groups on the external surface cavity. The findings highlight the relevance of the CD type in designing selective adsorbing membranes for steroid hormone micropollutant uptake. Experimental results and MD simulation suggest that βCD is the most suitable CD type for steroid hormone uptake, due to a more stable and stronger inclusion complexation than α and γCD.

Mechanisms underlying the low-temperature adaptation of 17β-estradiol-degrading bacterial strain Rhodococcus sp. RCBS9: insights from physiological and transcriptomic analyses

The 17β-estradiol (E2)-degrading bacterium Rhodococcus sp.RCBS9 previously showed remarkable resistance to the combined stresses of low temperature and E2. In this study, physiological experiments and transcriptomic analysis were performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the strain's low-temperature adaptation and briefly analyze how it maintains its ability to degrade E2 at low temperature. The results showed that the strain's signal transduction functions, adaptive changes in cell membrane and cell wall structure, gene repair functions, and synthesis of antioxidants and compatible solutes are key to its ability to adapt to low temperature. In addition, its stress proteins in response to low temperature were not typical cold shock proteins, but rather universal stress proteins (USPs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs), among others. The strain also upregulated biofilm production, transporter proteins for carbon source uptake, and proteins for fatty acid degradation to ensure energy generation. The strain's multiple stress responses work synergistically to resist low-temperature stress, ensuring its adaptability to low-temperature environments and ability to degrade E2. Finally, six genes related to survival at low temperature (identified in the transcriptome analysis) were expressed in E. coli BL21, and they were found to contribute to recombinant E. coli growth at low temperature.