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Chacón CF, Parachú Marcó MV, Poletta GL, Siroski PA. Lipid metabolism in crocodilians: A field with promising applications in the field of ecotoxicology. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119017. [PMID: 38704009 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
In the last years, lipid physiology has become an important research target for systems biology applied to the field of ecotoxicology. Lipids are not only essential components of biological membranes, but also participate in extra and intracellular signaling processes and as signal transducers and amplifiers of regulatory cascades. Particularly in sauropsids, lipids are the main source of energy for reproduction, growth, and embryonic development. In nature, organisms are exposed to different stressors, such as parasites, diseases and environmental contaminants, which interact with lipid signaling and metabolic pathways, disrupting lipid homeostasis. The system biology approach applied to ecotoxicological studies is crucial to evaluate metabolic regulation under environmental stress produced by xenobiotics. In this review, we cover information of molecular mechanisms that contribute to lipid metabolism homeostasis in sauropsids, specifically in crocodilian species. We focus on the role of lipid metabolism as a powerful source of energy and its importance during oocyte maturation, which has been increasingly recognized in many species, but information is still scarce in crocodiles. Finally, we highlight priorities for future research on the influence of environmental stressors on lipid metabolism, their potential effect on the reproductive system and thus on the offspring, and their implications on crocodilians conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C F Chacón
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (ICiVet Litoral-CONICET/UNL), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina; Proyecto Yacaré (MAyCC, Gob. de Santa Fe), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - M V Parachú Marcó
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (ICiVet Litoral-CONICET/UNL), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina; Proyecto Yacaré (MAyCC, Gob. de Santa Fe), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - G L Poletta
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (ICiVet Litoral-CONICET/UNL), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina; Toxicología, Farmacología y Bioquímica Legal, FBCB-UNL, CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo S/N, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - P A Siroski
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Aplicada (LEMA), Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (ICiVet Litoral-CONICET/UNL), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina; Proyecto Yacaré (MAyCC, Gob. de Santa Fe), Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Beale DJ, Nguyen TV, Bose U, Shah R, Nelis JLD, Stockwell S, Broadbent JA, Nilsson S, Rane R, Court L, Lettoof DC, Pandey G, Walsh TK, Shaw S, Llinas J, Limpus D, Limpus C, Braun C, Baddiley B, Vardy S. Metabolic disruptions and impaired reproductive fitness in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171743. [PMID: 38494020 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a threat to organisms and ecosystems due to their persistent nature. Ecotoxicology endpoints used in regulatory guidelines may not reflect multiple, low-level but persistent stressors. This study examines the biological effects of PFAS on Eastern short-necked turtles in Queensland, Australia. In this study, blood samples were collected and analysed for PFAS, hormone levels, and functional omics endpoints. High levels of PFAS were found in turtles at the impacted site, with PFOS being the dominant constituent. The PFAS profiles of males and females differed, with males having higher PFAS concentrations. Hormone concentrations differed between impacted and reference sites in male turtles, with elevated testosterone and corticosterone indicative of stress. Further, energy utilisation, nucleotide synthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and amino acid synthesis were altered in both male and female turtles from PFAS-impacted sites. Both sexes show similar metabolic responses to environmental stressors from the PFAS-contaminated site, which may adversely affect their reproductive fitness. Purine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, and ferroptosis pathway changes in turtles can cause gout, cell death, and overall health problems. Further, the study showed that prolonged exposure to elevated PFAS levels in the wild could compromise turtle reproductive fitness by disrupting reproductive steroids and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Beale
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia.
| | - Thao V Nguyen
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia
| | - Rohan Shah
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora West, Vic 3083, Australia; Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Vic 3122, Australia
| | - Joost Laurus Dinant Nelis
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia
| | - Sally Stockwell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia
| | - James A Broadbent
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Rahul Rane
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia
| | - Leon Court
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Black Mountain Laboratories, Acton, ACT 2602, Australia
| | - Damian C Lettoof
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Black Mountain Laboratories, Acton, ACT 2602, Australia
| | - Thomas K Walsh
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Black Mountain Laboratories, Acton, ACT 2602, Australia
| | - Stephanie Shaw
- Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Moggill, Qld 4070, Australia
| | - Josh Llinas
- The Unusual Pet Vets Jindalee, Veterinarian, Jindalee, Qld 4074, Australia
| | - Duncan Limpus
- Aquatic Threatened Species, Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Colin Limpus
- Aquatic Threatened Species, Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
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3
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Vardy S, Baddiley B, Braun C, Limpus C, Limpus DJ, Du Plessis M, Nilsson S, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Beale D. Partitioning of PFAS to serum, tissues, eggs, and hatchlings of an Australian freshwater turtle. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133885. [PMID: 38484658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Turtles are a potential sentinel species of aquatic ecosystem health as they inhabit aquatic ecosystems, are long lived, and potentially have high exposure to anthropogenic chemicals via food and water. This study investigated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tissue partitioning in female Emydura macquarii macquarii turtle, and the maternal offloading of (PFAS) into eggs and then hatchlings as well as the accumulation of PFAS in male and female Emydura macquarii macquarii serum. Significantly higher levels of perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were measured in the male serum compared to the female turtle serum, whereas perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs) were significantly higher in the female turtle serum. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant PFAS in the turtles whereas PFHxA was the predominant PFAS found in the surrounding water. PFHxA was not reported in any turtle tissue or the serum. The short-chain PFSAs and FASAs appeared to be highly associated with blood; long-chain PFSAs and PFCAs were more likely to be associated with tissue. Half of the PFHxS and all the long-chain PFSAs and PFCAs reported in the yolks were transferred into the hatchlings (by mass), suggesting a potential intergenerational effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia; Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia
| | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigations, Science Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia
| | - Col Limpus
- Aquatic Threatened Species, Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia
| | - Duncan J Limpus
- Aquatic Threatened Species, Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia
| | - Martha Du Plessis
- Organic Chemistry, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Australia
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | | | - David Beale
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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4
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Gonkowski S, Ochoa-Herrera V. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in amphibians and reptiles - exposure and health effects. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 270:106907. [PMID: 38564994 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly used in various industries and everyday products, including clothing, electronics, furniture, paints, and many others. PFASs are primarily found in aquatic environments, but also present in soil, air and plants, making them one of the most important and dangerous pollutants of the natural environment. PFASs bioaccumulate in living organisms and are especially dangerous to aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. As endocrine disruptors, PFASs affect many internal organs and systems, including reproductive, endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This manuscript represents the first comprehensive review exclusively focusing on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles. Both groups of animals are highly vulnerable to PFASs in the natural habitats. Amphibians and reptiles, renowned for their sensitivity to environmental changes, are often used as crucial bioindicators to monitor ecosystem health and environmental pollution levels. Furthermore, the decline in amphibian and reptile populations worldwide may be related to increasing environmental pollution. Therefore, studies investigating the exposure of amphibians and reptiles to PFASs, as well as their impacts on these organisms are essential in modern toxicology. Summarizing the current knowledge on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles in a single manuscript will facilitate the exploration of new research topics in this field. Such a comprehensive review will aid researchers in understanding the implications of PFASs exposure on amphibians and reptiles, guiding future investigations to mitigate their adverse effects of these vital components of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Gonkowski
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Valeria Ochoa-Herrera
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, 170901, Ecuador; Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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5
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Li X, Wang Q, Li Q, Wang Y, Tian Y, He A, Chen Y, Si S. Biological effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on running water ecosystems: A case study in Beiluo River, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 468:133808. [PMID: 38387177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants that pose a threat to the biodiversity of the Beiluo River, a polluted watercourse on the Loess Plateau impacted by diverse human activities. However, the occurrence, spatial distribution, and substitution characteristics of PFASs in this region remain unclear. This study aimed to unravel PFAS distribution patterns and their impact on the aquatic ecosystems of the Beiluo River Basin. The total PFAS concentration in the area ranged from 16.64-35.70 ng/L, with predominantly perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), collectively contributing 94%. The Mantel test revealed threats to aquatic communities from both legacy long-chain (perfluorooctanoic acid and sodium perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and emerging (6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, 2-Perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid, and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen-X)) PFSAs. The canonical correspondence analysis ordination indicated that trace quantities of emerging PFASs, specifically 2-Perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen-X), significantly influenced geographical variations in aquatic communities. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of comprehensively exploring the ecological implications and potential risks associated with PFASs in the Beiluo River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qi Li
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yulu Tian
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Anen He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Shaocheng Si
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi'an 710127, China.
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6
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Pickard HM, Haque F, Sunderland EM. Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides (FASA). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2024; 11:350-356. [PMID: 38645703 PMCID: PMC11027762 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Hundreds of sites across the United States have high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASA), but little is known about their propensity to accumulate in fish. FASA are precursors to terminal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are abundant in diverse consumer products and aqueous film-forming foams manufactured using electrochemical fluorination (ECF AFFF). In this study, FASA with C3-C8 carbon chain lengths were detected in all fish samples from surface waters up to 8 km downstream of source zones with ECF AFFF contamination. Short-chain FASA ≤ C6 have rarely been included in routine screening for PFAS, but availability of new standards makes such analyses more feasible. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for FASA were between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude greater than their terminal perfluoroalkyl sulfonates. Across fish species, BAF for FASA were greater than for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), which is presently the focus of national advisory programs. Similar concentrations of the C6 FASA (<0.36-175 ng g-1) and PFOS (0.65-222 ng g-1) were detected in all fish species. No safety thresholds have been established for FASA. However, high concentrations in fish next to contaminated sites and preliminary findings on toxicity suggest an urgent need for consideration by fish advisory programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Faiz Haque
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Willems DJ, Kumar A, Nguyen TV, Beale DJ, Nugegoda D. Environmentally relevant concentrations of chemically complex shale gas wastewater led to reduced fitness of water fleas (Daphnia carinata): Multiple lines of evidence approach. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132839. [PMID: 37926015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Shale gas hydraulic fracturing generates flowback waters that pose a threat to aquatic organisms if released into the environment. In order to prevent adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, multiple lines of evidence are needed to guide better decisions and management actions. This study employed a multi-disciplinary approach, combining direct toxicity assessment (DTA) on the water flea Daphnia carinata and LC-MS metabolomics analysis to determine the impact of a major ion salinity control (SC) and a cumulative flowback shale gas wastewater (SGW) from a well in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia. The exposures included a culture water control, simply further referred to as 'control', SC at 1% and 2% (v/v) and SGW at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1% and 2% (v/v). The results showed that reproduction was significantly increased at SGW 0.5%, and significantly decreased when exposed to SC 2%. SGW 2% was found to be acutely toxic for the D. carinata (< 48-h). Second generation (F1) of D. carinata exposed to 0.125-1% SGW generally saw reduced activity in four oxidative biomarkers: glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and superoxide dismutase. At the metabolomics level, we observed significant changes in 103 metabolites in Daphnia exposed to both SGW and elevated salinity, in comparison to the control group. These changes indicate a range of metabolic disturbances induced by SGW and salinity, such as lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide synthesis, energy production, and the biosynthesis of crucial molecules like hormones and pigments. These multiple lines of evidence approach not only highlights the complexities of SGW's impact on aquatic ecosystems but also underscores the importance of informed decision-making and management practices to safeguard the environment and its inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Willems
- Ecotoxicology Research Group, School of Science, Bundoora West Campus, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Environment Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Urrbrae 5064, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Environment Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Urrbrae 5064, South Australia, Australia
| | - Thao V Nguyen
- Environment Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park 4102, Queensland, Australia; NTT Institute of High Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 300A Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh 700000, VietNam
| | - David J Beale
- Environment Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park 4102, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- Ecotoxicology Research Group, School of Science, Bundoora West Campus, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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Lettoof DC, Nguyen TV, Richmond WR, Nice HE, Gagnon MM, Beale DJ. Bioaccumulation and metabolic impact of environmental PFAS residue on wild-caught urban wetland tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165260. [PMID: 37400030 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
PFAS contamination of urban waters is widespread but understanding the biological impact of its accumulation is limited to humans and common ecotoxicological model organisms. Here, we combine PFAS exposure and bioaccumulation patterns with whole organism responses and omics-based ecosurveillance methods to investigate the potential impacts of PFAS on a top predator of wetlands, the tiger snake (Notechis scutatus). Tiger snakes (18 male and 17 female) were collected from four wetlands with varying PFAS chemical profiles and concentrations in Perth, Western Australia. Tiger snake livers were tested for 28 known PFAS compounds, and Σ28PFAS in liver tissues ranged between 322 ± 193 μg/kg at the most contaminated site to 1.31 ± 0.86 μg/kg at the least contaminated site. The dominant PFAS compound detected in liver tissues was PFOS. Lower body condition was associated with higher liver PFAS, and male snakes showed signs of high bioaccumulation whereas females showed signs of maternal offloading. Biochemical profiles of snake muscle, fat (adipose tissue), and gonads were analysed using a combination of liquid chromatography triple quadrupole (QqQ) and quadrupole time-of-flight (QToF) mass spectrometry methodologies. Elevated PFAS was associated with enriched energy production and maintenance pathways in the muscle, and had weak associations with energy-related lipids in the fat tissue, and lipids associated with cellular genesis and spermatogenesis in the gonads. These findings demonstrate the bioavailability of urban wetland PFAS in higher-order reptilian predators and suggest a negative impact on snake health and metabolic processes. This research expands on omics-based ecosurveillance tools for informing mechanistic toxicology and contributes to our understanding of the impact of PFAS residue on wildlife health to improve risk management and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Lettoof
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia.
| | - T V Nguyen
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia; NTT Institute of High Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 300A Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - W R Richmond
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Government of Western Australia, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - H E Nice
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Government of Western Australia, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - M M Gagnon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Brand Drive, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - D J Beale
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia
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9
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Gorman D, Beale DJ, Crosswell J, Stephenson SA, Shah RM, Hillyer KE, Steven ADL. Multiple-biomarkers show the importance of blue carbon to commercially important fishery species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163162. [PMID: 37030372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems (BCE) support nearshore food webs and provide habitat for many commercially important fish and crustacean species. However, the complex links between catchment vegetation and the carbon food-base of estuarine systems are difficult to disern. We employed a multi-biomarker approach (stable isotope ratios - δ13C and δ15N, fatty acid trophic markers - FATMs and metabolomics - central carbon metabolism metabolites) to test links between estuarine vegetation and the food sources available to commercially important crabs and fish occurring within the river systems of the near-pristine eastern coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the dietary importance of fringing macrophytes to consumer diet, but showed that this is modulated by their dominance along the riverbank. FATMs indicative of specific food sources further confirmed the differences among upper intertidal macrophytes (driven by concentrations of 16: 1ω7, 18:1ω9, 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3 & 22.0) and seagrass (driven by 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3). These dietary patterns were also reflected in the concentration of central carbon metabolism metabolites. Overall, our study demonstrates the congruence of different biomarker approaches to resolve biochemical links between blue carbon ecosystems and important nekton species, and provides fresh insights into the pristine tropical estuaries of northern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gorman
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, Australia.
| | - David J Beale
- CSIRO, Ecoscience Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Rohan M Shah
- CSIRO, Ecoscience Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
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Ren Z, Bergmann U, Uwayezu JN, Carabante I, Kumpiene J, Lejon T, Leiviskä T. Combination of adsorption/desorption and photocatalytic reduction processes for PFOA removal from water by using an aminated biosorbent and a UV/sulfite system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 228:115930. [PMID: 37076033 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are stable organic chemicals, which have been used globally since the 1940s and have caused PFAS contamination around the world. This study explores perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) enrichment and destruction by a combined method of sorption/desorption and photocatalytic reduction. A novel biosorbent (PG-PB) was developed from raw pine bark by grafting amine groups and quaternary ammonium groups onto the surface of bark particles. The results of PFOA adsorption at low concentration suggest that PG-PB has excellent removal efficiency (94.8%-99.1%, PG-PB dosage: 0.4 g/L) to PFOA in the concentration range of 10 μg/L to 2 mg/L. The PG-PB exhibited high adsorption efficiency regarding PFOA, being 456.0 mg/g at pH 3.3 and 258.0 mg/g at pH 7 with an initial concentration of 200 mg/L. The groundwater treatment reduced the total concentration of 28 PFAS from 18 000 ng/L to 9900 ng/L with 0.8 g/L of PG-PB. Desorption experiments examined 18 types of desorption solutions, and the results showed that 0.05% NaOH and a mixture of 0.05% NaOH + 20% methanol were efficient for PFOA desorption from the spent PG-PB. More than 70% (>70 mg/L in 50 mL) and 85% (>85 mg/L in 50 mL) of PFOA were recovered from the first and second desorption processes, respectively. Since high pH promotes PFOA degradation, the desorption eluents with NaOH were directly treated with a UV/sulfite system without further adjustment. The final PFOA degradation and defluorination efficiency in the desorption eluents with 0.05% NaOH + 20% methanol reached 100% and 83.1% after 24 h reaction. This study proved that the combination of adsorption/desorption and a UV/sulfite system for PFAS removal is a feasible solution for environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongfei Ren
- Chemical Process Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, FIN-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Ulrich Bergmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Biocenter, University of Oulu, Oulu, FIN-99020, Finland
| | - Jean Noel Uwayezu
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Ivan Carabante
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Jurate Kumpiene
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Tore Lejon
- Waste Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden; Department of Chemistry, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
| | - Tiina Leiviskä
- Chemical Process Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, FIN-90014, Oulu, Finland
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11
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Shah R, Nguyen TV, Marcora A, Ruffell A, Hulthen A, Pham K, Wijffels G, Paull C, Beale DJ. Exposure to polylactic acid induces oxidative stress and reduces the ceramide levels in larvae of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115137. [PMID: 36563977 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic biodegradation by insects has made significant progress, opening up new avenues for the treatment of plastic waste. Wax moth larvae, for example, have attracted the attention of the scientific community because they are known to chew, ingest, and biodegrade natural polymer bee waxes. Despite this, we know very little about how these insects perform on manufactured plastics or how manufactured plastics affect insect metabolism. As a result, we studied the metabolism of greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella) fed on molasses-supplemented polylactic acid plastic (PLA) blocks. An analysis of the central carbon metabolism (CCM) metabolites was performed using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS), while an analysis of untargeted metabolites and lipids was conducted using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS). In total, 169 targeted CCM metabolites, 222 untargeted polar metabolites, and 196 untargeted nonpolar lipids were identified within the insect samples. In contrast, compared to control larvae, PLA-fed larvae displayed significantly different levels of 97 CCM metabolites, 75 polar metabolites, and 57 lipids. Purine and pyrimidine metabolisms were affected by PLA feeding, as well as amino acid metabolism, carbohydrates, cofactors, vitamins, and related metabolisms. Additionally, PLA exposure disrupted insect energy metabolism and oxidative stress, among other metabolic disturbances. The larvae fed PLA have lower levels of several lipids, suggesting a reduction in lipid reserves, and ceramide levels are likely to have changed due to apoptosis and inflammation. The study indicates that G. mellonella larvae could ingest PLA but this process causes some metabolic stress for the host. Future studies of the molecular pathways of this biodegradation process might help to provide strategies for stress reduction that would speed up insect digestion of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Thao V Nguyen
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Anna Marcora
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Angela Ruffell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Andrew Hulthen
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Khoa Pham
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton VIC 4067, Australia
| | - Gene Wijffels
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Cate Paull
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia.
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12
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Mendoza-Porras O, Nguyen TV, Shah RM, Thomas-Hall P, Bastin L, Deaker DJ, Motti CA, Byrne M, Beale DJ. Biochemical metabolomic profiling of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster): New insight into its biology for improved pest management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160525. [PMID: 36574554 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS), Acanthaster species, is a voracious coral predator that destroys coral reefs when in outbreak status. The baseline metabolite and lipid biomolecules of 10 COTS tissues, including eggs from gravid females, were investigated in this study to provide insight into their biology and identify avenues for control. Targeted and untargeted metabolite- and lipidomics-based mass spectrometry approaches were used to obtain tissue-specific metabolite and lipid profiles. Across all COTS tissues, 410 metabolites and 367 lipids were identified. Most abundant were amino acids and peptides (18.7%) and wax esters (17%). There were 262 metabolites and 192 lipids identified in COTS eggs. Wax esters were more abundant in the eggs (30%) followed by triacylglycerols (TG), amino acids, and peptides. The diversity of asterosaponins in eggs (34) was higher than in tissues (2). Several asterosaponins known to modulate sperm acrosome reaction were putatively identified, including glycoside B, asterosaponin-4 (Co-Aris III), and regularoside B (asterosaponin A). The saponins saponin A, thornasteroside A, hillaside B, and non-saponins dictyol J and axinellamine B which have been shown to possess defensive properties, were found in abundance in gonads, skin, and radial nerve tissues. Inosine and 2-hexyldecanoic acid are the most abundant metabolites in tissues and eggs. As a secondary metabolite of purine degradation, inosine plays an important role in purine biosynthesis, while 2-hexyldecanoic acid is known to suppress side-chain crystallization during the synthesis of amphiphilic macromolecules (i.e., phospholipids). These significant spatial changes in metabolite, lipid, and asterosaponin profiles enabled unique insights into key biological tissue-specific processes that could be manipulated to better control COTS populations. Our findings highlight COTS as a novel source of molecules with therapeutic and cosmetic properties (ceramides, sphingolipids, carnosine, and inosine). These outcomes will be highly relevant for the development of strategies for COTS management including chemotaxis-based biocontrol and exploitation of COTS carcasses for the extraction of commercial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Mendoza-Porras
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Thao V Nguyen
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Rohan M Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Peter Thomas-Hall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Lee Bastin
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Dione J Deaker
- Marine Studies Institute, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Cherie A Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Maria Byrne
- Marine Studies Institute, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
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13
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Sinclair GM, Di Giannantonio M, Jones OAH, Long SM. Is substrate choice an overlooked variable in ecotoxicology experiments? ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:344. [PMID: 36715783 PMCID: PMC9886613 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-10935-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It is crucial to understand the effects caused by experimental parameters such as temperature, light, and food type on lab and field-based ecotoxicology experiments, as these variables, and combinations thereof, can affect results. The type of substrate used in exposure experiments, however, is generally assumed to have no effect. This may not always be correct. The metabolic changes in the freshwater crustacean, Austrochiltonia subtenuis exposed to copper, using three common substrates, gauze; toilet paper; and cellulose were investigated. Substrate alone did not affect survival, but each substrate elicited a different metabolic response and adult and juvenile amphipods had different substrate preferences. Several classes of metabolites were shown to change in response to different substrates and toxicant. These included disaccharides, monosaccharides, fatty acids, and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The results illustrate that metabolomic responses can differ in response to experimental factors that were previously thought not to be significant. In fact, our data indicate that substrate should be viewed as an experimental factor as important to control for as more well-known confounders such as temperature or food, thus challenging the current paradigm. Assuming substrate type has no effect on the experiment could potentially lead to errors in contaminant toxicity assessments. We propose that ideal good practise would be that all experimental factors should be evaluated for their potential influence on metabolomic profiles prior to contaminant response experiments being undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M Sinclair
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia.
| | - Michela Di Giannantonio
- National Research Council (CNR-IAS), Institute for the study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, Genoa, Italy
- Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Oliver A H Jones
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Sara M Long
- Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
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14
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Guillotin S, Delcourt N. Studying the Impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants Exposure on Human Health by Proteomic Analysis: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214271. [PMID: 36430748 PMCID: PMC9692675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical substances that are widely distributed in environments around the globe. POPs accumulate in living organisms and are found at high concentrations in the food chain. Humans are thus continuously exposed to these chemical substances, in which they exert hepatic, reproductive, developmental, behavioral, neurologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, and immunologic adverse health effects. However, considerable information is unknown regarding the mechanism by which POPs exert their adverse effects in humans, as well as the molecular and cellular responses involved. Data are notably lacking concerning the consequences of acute and chronic POP exposure on changes in gene expression, protein profile, and metabolic pathways. We conducted a systematic review to provide a synthesis of knowledge of POPs arising from proteomics-based research. The data source used for this review was PubMed. This study was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. Of the 742 items originally identified, 89 were considered in the review. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the most recent research and available solutions to explore proteomics datasets to identify new features relevant to human health. Future perspectives in proteomics studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Guillotin
- Poison Control Centre, Toulouse University Hospital, 31059 Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR 1295, Centre d’Epidémiologie et de Recherche en Santé des Populations, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Delcourt
- Poison Control Centre, Toulouse University Hospital, 31059 Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR 1214, Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, 31024 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)-567691640
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15
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Beale DJ, Sinclair GM, Shah R, Paten AM, Kumar A, Long SM, Vardy S, Jones OAH. A review of omics-based PFAS exposure studies reveals common biochemical response pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157255. [PMID: 35817100 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of man-made chemicals with a range of industrial applications and which are widespread in the environment. They are structurally diverse but comprise a common chemical feature of at least one (though usually more) perfluorocarbon moiety (-CnF2n-) attached to a functional group such as a carboxylic or sulphonic acid. The strength of the Carbon-Fluorine bond means the compounds do not break down easily and can thus bioaccumulate. PFAS are of high concern to regulators and the public due to their potential toxicity and high persistence. At high exposure levels, PFAS have been implicated in a range of harmful effects on human and environmental health, particularly problems in/with development, cholesterol and endocrine disruption, immune system function, and oncogenesis. However, most environmental toxicology studies use far higher levels of PFAS than are generally found in the environment. Additionally, since the type of exposure, the PFAS used, and the organisms tested all vary between studies, so do the results. Traditional ecotoxicology studies may thus not identify PFAS effects at environmentally relevant exposures. Here we conduct a review of omics-based PFAS exposure studies using laboratory ecotoxicological methodologies and environmentally relevant exposure levels and show that common biochemical response pathways are identified in multiple studies. A major pathway identified was the pentose phosphate shunt pathway. Such molecular markers of sublethal PFAS exposure will greatly benefit accurate and effective risk assessments to ensure that new PFAS regulations can consider the full effects of PFAS exposure on environmental and human health receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Georgia M Sinclair
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Rohan Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia; Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Amy M Paten
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Black Mountain, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Sara M Long
- Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group (AQUEST), School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Oliver A H Jones
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
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16
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Beale DJ, Bissett A, Nilsson S, Bose U, Nelis JLD, Nahar A, Smith M, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Braun C, Baddiley B, Vardy S. Perturbation of the gut microbiome in wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated PFAS levels. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156324. [PMID: 35654195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent and pervasive. Understanding the toxicity of PFAS to wildlife is difficult, both due to the complexity of biotic and abiotic perturbations in the taxa under study and the practical and ethical problems associated with studying the impacts of environmental pollutants on free living wildlife. One avenue of inquiry into the effects of environmental pollutants, such as PFAS, is assessing the impact on the host gut microbiome. Here we show the microbial composition and biochemical functional outputs from the gut microbiome of sampled faeces from euthanised and necropsied wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated PFAS levels. The microbial community composition was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using a Nanopore MinION and the biochemical functional outputs of the gut microbiome were profiled using a combination of targeted central carbon metabolism metabolomics using liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-QqQ-MS) and untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (LC-QToF-MS). Total PFAS was measured in the turtle serum using standard methods. These preliminary data demonstrated a 60-fold PFAS increase in impacted turtles compared to the sampled aquatic environment. The microbiome community was also impacted in the PFAS exposed turtles, with the ratio of Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes rising from 1.4 at the reference site to 5.5 at the PFAS impacted site. This ratio increase is indicative of host stress and dysfunction of the gut microbiome that was correlated with the biochemical metabolic function data, metabolites observed that are indications of stress and inflammation in the gut microbiome. Utilising the gut microbiome of sampled faeces collected from freshwater turtles provides a non-destructive avenue for investigating the impacts of PFAS in native wildlife, and provides an avenue to explore other contaminants in higher-order taxa within the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Joost Laurus Dinant Nelis
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Akhikun Nahar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Research and Innovation Park, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Matthew Smith
- National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | | | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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17
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Liu X, Zheng X, Zhang L, Li J, Li Y, Huang H, Fan Z. Joint toxicity mechanisms of binary emerging PFAS mixture on algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) at environmental concentration. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129355. [PMID: 35716567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since traditional Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were banned in 2009 due to their bioaccumulation, persistence and biological toxicity, the emerging PFAS have been widely used as their substitutes and entered the aquatic environment in the form of mixtures. However, the joint toxicity mechanisms of these emerging PFAS mixtures to aquatic organisms remain largely unknown. Then, based on the testing of growth inhibition, cytotoxicity, photosynthesis and oxidative stress, and the toxicity mechanism of PFAS mixture (Perfluorobutane sulfonate and Perfluorobutane sulfonamide) to algae was explored using the Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The results revealed that all three emerging PFAS treatments had a certain growth inhibitory effect on Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa), but the toxicity of PFAS mixture was stronger than that of individual PFAS and showed a significant synergistic effect at environmental concentration. The joint toxicity mechanisms of binary PFAS mixture to C. pyrenoidosa were related to the damage of photosynthetic system, obstruction of ROS metabolism, and inhibition of DNA replication. Our findings are conductive to adding knowledge in understanding the joint toxicity mechanisms and provide a basis for assessing the environmental risk of emerging PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianglin Liu
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Liangliang Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jue Li
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yanyao Li
- Laboratory of Industrial Water and Ecotechnology, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Honghui Huang
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Zhengqiu Fan
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
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18
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Beale DJ, Nguyen TV, Shah RM, Bissett A, Nahar A, Smith M, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Braun C, Baddiley B, Vardy S. Host–Gut Microbiome Metabolic Interactions in PFAS-Impacted Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii). Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12080747. [PMID: 36005619 PMCID: PMC9415956 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing concern for humans, wildlife, and more broadly, ecosystem health. Previously, we characterised the microbial and biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on the gut microbiome of freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) within a contaminated catchment in Queensland, Australia. However, the understanding of PFAS impacts on this species and other aquatic organisms is still very limited, especially at the host–gut microbiome molecular interaction level. To this end, the present study aimed to apply these leading-edge omics technologies within an integrated framework that provides biological insight into the host turtle–turtle gut microbiome interactions of PFAS-impacted wild-caught freshwater turtles. For this purpose, faecal samples from PFAS-impacted turtles (n = 5) and suitable PFAS-free reference turtles (n = 5) were collected and analysed. Data from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolomic profiling of the turtle faeces were integrated using MetOrigin to assign host, microbiome, and co-metabolism activities. Significant variation in microbial composition was observed between the two turtle groups. The PFAS-impacted turtles showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota than the reference turtles. The faecal metabolome showed several metabolites and pathways significantly affected by PFAS exposure. Turtles exposed to PFAS displayed altered amino acid and butanoate metabolisms, as well as altered purine and pyrimidine metabolism. It is predicted from this study that PFAS-impacted both the metabolism of the host turtle and its gut microbiota which in turn has the potential to influence the host’s physiology and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-73-833-5774
| | - Thao V. Nguyen
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Rohan M. Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | - Akhikun Nahar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Research and Innovation Park, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Matthew Smith
- NCMI, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | | | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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19
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Beale DJ, Nilsson S, Bose U, Bourne N, Stockwell S, Broadbent JA, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Braun C, Baddiley B, Limpus D, Walsh T, Vardy S. Bioaccumulation and impact of maternal PFAS offloading on egg biochemistry from wild-caught freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:153019. [PMID: 35026273 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic contaminants that are pervasive in the environment. Toxicity resulting from elevated PFAS concentrations in wildlife has been studied, yet evidence of their accumulation, developmental toxicity and maternal offloading in egg-laying species is limited. Here we show the maternal offloading of PFAS in freshwater short-necked turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) exposed to elevated PFAS and the resulting biological impact on oviducal eggs. Total PFAS concentrations were determined in serum from adult females and harvested oviducal eggs collected from euthanised turtles exposed to low and high levels of PFAS and compared against turtle serum and eggs collected from a suitable reference site. Multi-omics assays were utilised to explore the biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on egg albumen, yolk and eggshell using a range of metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics techniques. Eggshells were also screened for metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis of the serum collected from adult female turtles and their oviducal eggs demonstrated PFAS offloading and transference that is 1.6 and 5.3 times higher in the low and high PFAS impacted eggs, respectively, compared to maternal serum concentrations. Oviducal egg yolk comprised >90% of the bioaccumulated PFAS load. Multi-omic analysis of the dissected egg fractions illustrated PFAS impacted eggs are significantly elevated in purine metabolism metabolites, which are tied to potential biological dysfunctional processes. The yolks were significantly depleted in lipids and lipid quality tied to growth and development. The high PFAS impacted oviducal eggshells were lower in calcium, important developmental and immune response proteins, and higher in glycerophosphoethanolamines (PE) lipids and histidine metabolism metabolites that are tied to a weakened physical structure. Further investigation is needed to establish the rate of PFAS offloading and quantify the developmental impact on hatchling and hatchling success to fully demonstrate PFAS-developmental toxicity linkages.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Nicholas Bourne
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Sally Stockwell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - James A Broadbent
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | | | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Duncan Limpus
- Aquatic Threatened Species, Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Tom Walsh
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Research and Innovation Park, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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Beale DJ, Jones OA, Bose U, Broadbent JA, Walsh TK, van de Kamp J, Bissett A. Omics-based ecosurveillance for the assessment of ecosystem function, health, and resilience. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:185-199. [PMID: 35403668 PMCID: PMC9023019 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Current environmental monitoring efforts often focus on known, regulated contaminants ignoring the potential effects of unmeasured compounds and/or environmental factors. These specific, targeted approaches lack broader environmental information and understanding, hindering effective environmental management and policy. Switching to comprehensive, untargeted monitoring of contaminants, organism health, and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature, and pH, would provide more effective monitoring with a likely concomitant increase in environmental health. However, even this method would not capture subtle biochemical changes in organisms induced by chronic toxicant exposure. Ecosurveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of ecosystem health-related data that can address this knowledge gap and provide much-needed additional lines of evidence to environmental monitoring programs. Its use would therefore be of great benefit to environmental management and assessment. Unfortunately, the science of 'ecosurveillance', especially omics-based ecosurveillance is not well known. Here, we give an overview of this emerging area and show how it has been beneficially applied in a range of systems. We anticipate this review to be a starting point for further efforts to improve environmental monitoring via the integration of comprehensive chemical assessments and molecular biology-based approaches. Bringing multiple levels of omics technology-based assessment together into a systems-wide ecosurveillance approach will bring a greater understanding of the environment, particularly the microbial communities upon which we ultimately rely to remediate perturbed ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Oliver A.H. Jones
- Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, PO Box 71, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - James A. Broadbent
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Thomas K. Walsh
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Jodie van de Kamp
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
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