Exploring the effect of UV-C radiation on earthworm and understanding its genomic integrity in the context of H2AX expression

Expeditive carbofuran pesticide degradation by submerged thermal plasma and its accelerated mineralization by persulfate addition

Rapid degradation of carbofuran (CBF) pesticide is effectively achieved by submerged thermal plasma (STP) without and with the addition of persulfate (PS) at two different concentrations (10 and 20 ppm). Degradation efficiency was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mineralization percentage was determined by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. Adding 10 ppm PS showed higher degradation and mineralization percentages of 99.5% and 65.2%, respectively, than mere plasma treatment and 20 ppm PS addition to CBF solution. A relatively higher energy yield of 40 mg/kWh and a first order kinetic reaction rate of 0.262 min-1 were obtained in the 10 PS added STP treatment. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis illustrated reaction intermediates formed during plasma treatment. Scavenger investigation implied that •OH radical is the prime cause of CBF degradation, as degradation percentage declined to 50% in all conditions. Toxicity assessment of CBF and its degradation products was predicted using Toxicity estimation software tool (TEST), and plasma treated solutions (PTS) were experimentally investigated on Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms by monitoring its mortality rate, self-assemblage, and histopathological analysis. A lower mortality rate (46%) and self-assemblage (167 s) of earthworms were detected for plasma treated CBF than for the other conditions. The results reveal that PTS is less toxic for earthworms than untreated CBF solution. These findings imply that STP is an effective technique for bio-recalcitrant pollutants degradation in agrochemical industries.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the regeneration process in the earthworm, Perionyx excavatus exhibit indications of apoptosis-induced compensatory proliferation (AICP)

Regeneration is a multifaceted biological phenomenon that necessitates the intricate orchestration of apoptosis, stem cells, and immune responses, culminating in the regulation of apoptosis-induced compensatory proliferation (AICP). The AICP context of research is observed in many animal models like in Hydra, Xenopus, newt, Drosophila, and mouse but so far not reported in earthworm. The earthworm Perionyx excavatus is used in the present study to understand the relationship between AICP-related protein expression and regeneration success in different conditions (normal regeneration and abnormal multiple bud formation). Initially, the worms are amputated into five equal portions and it is revealed that regeneration in P. excavatus is clitellum independent and it gives more preference for anterior regeneration (regrowth of head portion) than for posterior regeneration (regrowth of tail portion). The posterior segments of the worm possess enormous regeneration ability but this is lacking in anterior segments. Alkaline phosphate, a stem cell marker, shows strong signals throughout all the posterior segments but it decreases in the initial 1st to 15th anterior segments which lack the regeneration ability. While regenerating normally, it was suggested that the worm follow AICP principles. This is because there was increased expression of apoptosis signals throughout the regeneration process along with constant expression of stem cell proliferation response together with cellular proliferation. In amputated posterior segments maintained in vitro, the apoptosis signals were extensively detected on the 1st day. However, on the 4th and 6th days, caspase-3 and H2AX expression are significantly suppressed, which may eventually alter the Wnt3a and histone H3 patterns that impair the AICP and result in multiple bud formation. Our results suggest that AICP-related protein expression pattern is crucial for initiating proper regeneration.

Toxicity analysis and biomarker response of Quinalphos Organophosphate Insecticide (QOI) on eco-friendly exotic Eudrilus eugeniae earthworm

An ever-increasing use of pesticides in agricultural fields has led to a catastrophic decline in crop quality and, ultimately soil fertility. To control various pests, quinalphos is commonly used in India's tea plantations. This study aims to investigate the effects of the Quinalphos organophosphate insecticide on the non-target beneficial organism Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms and the biomarkers that respond to its effects. Earthworm species, especially E. eugeniae, remains as the most trustworthy and well-suited model organism for conducting a wide variety of environmental studies. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was identified as 3.561 µg cm^-2 (contact filter paper) and 1.054 mg kg^-2 (artificial soil toxicity). The 5% and 10% of LC₅₀ value 3.561 µg cm^-2 was exposed to earthworm to analyze the sublethal effects at pre-clitellum, clitellum, and post-clitellum segments. Specific enzymatic activities of neurotransmitter enzyme acetylcholinesterase; antioxidant enzymes such as lipid peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; and detoxification enzymes including glutathione S transferase, reduced glutathione, carboxylesterase, and Cytochrome P450 were analyzed. Exposure of E. eugeniae earthworm to subacute exposures of pesticides caused significant alterations in these stress markers in a concentration-dependent manner. Morphological abnormalities like bulginess, coiling, and bleeding were observed after exposure of the insecticide treatments. Histological cellular disintegration, a reduced NRRT time, and an inhibited proteolytic zone were also identified in pesticide-exposed earthworms. Studies demonstrate that the organophosphate insecticide quinalphos causes acute toxicity in E. eugeniae; hence, it is suggested that non-target eco-friendly E. eugeniae earthworms may be at risk if exposed to the excessive concentrations of quinalphos organophosphate insecticide in soil.

Are mulch biofilms used in agriculture an environmentally friendly solution? - An insight into their biodegradability and ecotoxicity using key organisms in soil ecosystems

Biobased and biodegradable plastic mulch films (aka, mulch biofilm) have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic mulch films in agriculture, promising to reduce soil contamination with plastic residues through in situ biodegradation. However, current standards certifying biodegradable plastics cannot predict biodegradability in natural settings. The scarce studies considering the possible biodegradation and ecotoxicity of mulch biofilms in soil systems question the environmental friendliness of these alternative options. This study assessed the biodegradation of a commercially available mulch biofilm by the soil-dwelling fungus Penicillium brevicompactum (in solid culture media and soil for 15 and 28 days, respectively), and the ecotoxicological effects of mulch biofilm microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia andrei (pristine or UV-weathered, at 0.125-0.250-0.500 g/kg). Results (from microplastics' mass loss, microscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy) suggest that the presence of P. brevicompactum promotes mulch biofilm's biodegradation. Exposure to environmental concentrations of pristine biofilm microplastics (and its ingestion) increased earthworms' sensitivity to touch, induced physiological alterations, decreased energy reserves, and decreased their reproduction (>30%). Conversely, exposure to weathered biofilm microplastics slightly increased earthworms' sensitivity, as well as carbohydrate reserves,without affecting their reproduction. The tested mulch biofilm seems to be, at first sight, an environmentally friendly alternative as it presented susceptibility for biodegradation by a widespread fungus, and the absence of ecotoxicological chronic effects on a key macroinvertebrate species in soil ecosystems when considering environmental relevant concentrations and plastics weathered conditions. Notwithstanding, the obtained results highlight the need to revise current standards, as they often neglect the role of, and their chronic effects on, naturally occurring organisms.

A Mutation-Related Long Noncoding RNA Signature of Genome Instability Predicts Immune Infiltration and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered to play a regulatory role in genomic instability (GI), which participates in the carcinogenesis of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We endeavored to establish a GI-derived lncRNA signature (GILncSig) as a potential biomarker and explore its impact on immune infiltration and prognostic significance. Methods: Combining expression and somatic mutation profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we identified GI-related lncRNAs and conducted functional analyses on co-expressed genes. Based on Cox regression analysis, a GILncSig was established in the training cohort (n = 187), and an independent testing patient cohort (n = 183) was used to validate its predictive ability. Kaplan-Meier method and receiver operating characteristic curves were adopted to evaluate the performance. The correlation between GI and immune infiltration status was investigated based on the CIBERSORT algorithm and single sample gene set enrichment analysis. In addition, a comprehensive nomogram integrating the GILncSig and clinicopathological variables was constructed to efficiently assess HCC patient prognosis in clinical applications. Results: A total of 88 GI-related lncRNAs were screened out and the functional analyses indicated diversified effects on HCC progression. The GILncSig was established using four independent lncRNAs (AC116351.1, ZFPM2-AS1, AC145343.1, and MIR210HG) with significant prognostic value (p < 0.05). Following evaluation with the GILncSig, low-risk patients had significantly better clinical outcomes than high-risk patients in the training cohort (p < 0.001), which was subsequently validated in the independent testing cohort. High-risk group exhibited more immunocyte infiltration including B cells memory, macrophages M0 and neutrophils and higher expression of HLA gene set and immune checkpoint genes. Compared to existing HCC signatures, the GILncSig showed better prognosis predictive performance [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.709]. Furthermore, an integrated nomogram was constructed and validated to efficiently and reliably evaluate HCC patient prognosis (3-years survival AUC = 0.710 and 5-years survival AUC = 0.707). Conclusion: The GILncSig measuring GI and impacting immune infiltration serves as a potential biomarker and independent predictor of HCC patient prognosis. Our results highlight further investigation of GI and HCC molecular mechanisms.