Triclosan: A Widespread Environmental Toxicant with Many Biological Effects

Neurotoxic effects of triclosan in adolescent mice: Pyruvate kinase M2 dimer regulated Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation mediated microglia activation and neuroinflammation

Triclosan (TCS), a commonly used antibacterial agent, is associated with various harmful effects on mammalian neurodevelopment, particularly when exposed prenatally. This study investigated the impact of long-term exposure to TCS on the prefrontal cortex development in adolescent mice. We evaluated the motor ability, motor coordination, and anxiety behavior of mice using open field tests (OFT) and elevated cross maze tests (EPM). An increase in movement distance, number of passes through the central area, and open arm retention time was observed in mice treated with TCS. Hematoxylin eosin staining and Nissl staining also showed significant adverse reactions in the brain tissue of TCS-exposed group. TCS induced microglia activation and increased inflammatory factors expression in the prefrontal cortex. TCS also increased the expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), thereby elevating the levels of PKM2 dimer, which entered the nucleus. Treatment with TEPP46 (PKM2 dimer nuclear translocation inhibitor) blocked the expression of inflammatory factors induced by TCS. TCS induced the phosphorylation of nuclear signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in vivo and in vitro, upregulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines. The results also demonstrated the binding of PKM2 to STAT3, which promoted STAT3 phosphorylation at the Tyr705 site, thereby regulating the expression of inflammatory factors. These findings highlight the role of PKM2-regulated STAT3 phosphorylation in TCS-induced behavioral disorders in adolescents and propose a reliable treatment target for TCS.

The Highly Durable Antibacterial Gel-like Coatings for Textiles

Hospital-acquired infections are considered a priority for public health systems since they pose a significant burden for society. High-touch surfaces of healthcare centers, including textiles, provide a suitable environment for pathogenic bacteria to grow, necessitating incorporating effective antibacterial agents into textiles. This paper introduces a highly durable antibacterial gel-like solution, Silver Shell™ finish, which contains chitosan-bound silver chloride microparticles. The study investigates the coating's environmental impact, health risks, and durability during repeated washing. The structure of the Silver Shell™ finish was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The TEM images showed a core-shell structure, with chitosan forming a protective shell around groupings of silver microparticles. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated the uniform deposition of Silver Shell™ on the surfaces of the fabrics. AATCC Test Method 100 was employed to quantitatively analyze the antibacterial properties of the fabrics coated with silver microparticles. Two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were used in this study. The antibacterial results showed that after 75 wash cycles, a 100% reduction for both S. aureus and E. coli in the coated samples using crosslinking agents was observed. The coated samples without a crosslinking agent exhibited 99.88% and 99.81% reductions for S. aureus and E. coli after 50 washing cycles. To compare the antibacterial properties toward non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains of the same species, MG1655 model E. coli strain (ATCC 29213) and a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate were used. The results showed the antibacterial efficiency of the Silver ShellTM solution (up to 99.99% reduction) coated on cotton fabric. AATCC-147 was performed to investigate the coated samples' leaching properties and the crosslinking agent's effects against S. aureus and E. coli. All coated samples demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy, even after 75 wash cycles. The crosslinking agent facilitated durable attachment between the silver microparticles and cotton substrate, minimizing the release of particles from the fabrics. Color measurements were conducted to assess the color differences resulting from the coating process. The results indicated fixation values of 44%, 32%, and 28% following 25, 50, and 75 washing cycles, respectively.

Triclosan administration to humanized UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 neonatal mice induces UGT1A1 through a dependence on PPARα and ATF4

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial toxicant found in a myriad of consumer products and has been detected in human tissues, including breastmilk. We have evaluated the impact of lactational TCS on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression and bilirubin metabolism in humanized UGT1 (hUGT1) neonatal mice. In hUGT1 mice, expression of the hepatic UGT1A1 gene is developmentally delayed resulting in elevated total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels. We found that newborn hUGT1 mice breastfed or orally treated with TCS presented lower TSB levels along with induction of hepatic UGT1A1. Lactational and oral treatment by gavage with TCS leads to the activation of hepatic nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and stress sensor, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). When CAR-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Car-/-) were treated with TCS, TSB levels were reduced with a robust induction of hepatic UGT1A1, leaving us to conclude that CAR is not tied to UGT1A1 induction. Alternatively, when PPARα-deficient hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Pparα-/-) were treated with TCS, hepatic UGT1A1 was not induced. Additionally, we had previously demonstrated that TCS is a potent inducer of ATF4, a transcriptional factor linked to the integrated stress response. When ATF4 was deleted in liver of hUGT1 mice (hUGT1/Atf4ΔHep) and these mice treated with TCS, we observed superinduction of hepatic UGT1A1. Oxidative stress genes in livers of hUGT1/Atf4ΔHep treated with TCS were increased, suggesting that ATF4 protects liver from excessive oxidative stress. The increase oxidative stress may be associated with superinduction of UGT1A1. The expression of ATF4 in neonatal hUGT1 hepatic tissue may play a role in the developmental repression of UGT1A1.

Assessment of triclosan induced histopathological and biochemical alterations, and molecular docking simulation analysis of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the gills of fish, Cyprinus carpio

Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial additive in various personal and health care products, has been widely detected in aquatic environment around the world. The present study investigated the impacts of TCS in the gills of the fish, Cyprinus carpio employing histopathological, biochemical, molecular docking and simulation analysis. The 96 h LC50 value of TCS in C. carpio was found to be 0.968 mg/L. Fish were exposed to 1/1000th (1 µg/L), 1/100th (10 µg/L), and 1/10th (100 µg/L) of 96 h LC50 value for a period of 28 days. The histopathological alterations observed in the gills were hypertrophy, hyperplasia, edematous swellings, and fusion of secondary lamellae in TCS exposed groups. The severity of these alterations increased with both the concentration as well as the duration of exposure. The present study revealed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both concentration and duration dependent manner. However, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activity of the metabolic enzymes such as acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase was observed in all three exposure concentrations of TCS from 7 to 28 days. The activity of acetylcholinesterase declined significantly (p < 0.05) from 7 to 28 days whereas the content of acetylcholine increased significantly at the end of 28 day. The experimental results were further confirmed by molecular docking and simulation analysis that showed strong binding of TCS with acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The study revealed that long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of TCS can lead to severe physiological and histopathological alterations in the fish.

Medical Device-Associated Biofilm Infections and Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Medical devices such as venous catheters (VCs) and urinary catheters (UCs) are widely used in the hospital setting. However, the implantation of these devices is often accompanied by complications. About 60 to 70% of nosocomial infections (NIs) are linked to biofilms. The main complication is the ability of microorganisms to adhere to surfaces and form biofilms which protect them and help them to persist in the host. Indeed, by crossing the skin barrier, the insertion of VC inevitably allows skin flora or accidental environmental contaminants to access the underlying tissues and cause fatal complications like bloodstream infections (BSIs). In fact, 80,000 central venous catheters-BSIs (CVC-BSIs)-mainly occur in intensive care units (ICUs) with a death rate of 12 to 25%. Similarly, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) are the most commonlyhospital-acquired infections (HAIs) worldwide.These infections represent up to 40% of NIs.In this review, we present a summary of biofilm formation steps. We provide an overview of two main and important infections in clinical settings linked to medical devices, namely the catheter-asociated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), and highlight also the most multidrug resistant bacteria implicated in these infections. Furthermore, we draw attention toseveral useful prevention strategies, and advanced antimicrobial and antifouling approaches developed to reduce bacterial colonization on catheter surfaces and the incidence of the catheter-related infections.

Temporal trends in exposure to parabens, benzophenones, triclosan, and triclocarban in adult females in Kyoto, Japan, from 1993 to 2016

Products used in daily life can contain chemicals such as parabens, benzophenones, triclosan, and triclocarban that have potential endocrine-disrupting effects. Little is known about the temporal trends of exposure levels to some of these chemicals in Japan. Our study assessed the intake and risk associated with exposure to commonly used chemicals. We measured the concentrations of five parabens, four benzophenones, and triclosan and triclocarban in 133 single spot urine samples. The urine samples were collected in 1993, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2011, and 2016 from healthy female residents in Kyoto, Japan. With the exception of methylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben, there were no significant fluctuations in the concentrations of target chemicals over the study period; however, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben showed temporal changes in concentrations. Methylparaben concentrations peaked in 2003 with a median value of 309 μg/g creatinine, ethylparaben concentrations peaked in 1993 with a median value of 17.3 μg/g creatinine, and butylparaben showed a decline, with the median values becoming non-detectable in 2009 and 2016. We calculated estimated daily intakes and hazard quotients for each chemical. In the analysis of total samples, 2.3% (3 samples) for butylparaben and 0.8% (1 sample) for propylparaben were found to surpass a hazard quotient of 1. Overall, 3% (n = 4) of the study participants exceeded a hazard index of 1. The potential health risks associated with exposure to butylparaben and propylparaben emphasize the need for further monitoring and research.

Triclosan, an antimicrobial drug, induced reproductive impairment in the freshwater fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)

Triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial drug, is known to occupy different compartments in aquatic ecosystems. The present study focused to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of triclosan, at environmentally relevant (0.009 and 9 μg L-1) and sublethal (176.7 μg L-1) concentrations for 90 days in the pre-spawning phase of the fish, Anabas testudineus. The reproductive biomarkers, namely, gonadal steroidogenic enzymes, expression of aromatic genes, levels of serum gonadotropins, sex hormones, and histology of gonads were analyzed. The weight of the animal, brain weights along with gonadosomatic index decreased while mucus deposition increased significantly at all concentrations of triclosan as the primary defensive mechanism to prevent the entry of toxicants. Triclosan disrupted gonadal steroidogenesis as evidenced by a reduction in the activities of gonadal steroidogenic enzymes. The expressions of cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b genes were up-regulated in the brain of both sexes and testis, while down-regulated in the ovary indicating estrogenic effects of the compound. The endocrine-disrupting effects of triclosan were confirmed. The current results suggest that chronic exposure to triclosan altered reproductive endpoints thereby impairing normal reproductive functions in fish.

Unlocking InhA: Novel approaches to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis continues to pose a health security risk and remains a public health emergency. Antimicrobial resistance result from treatment regimens that are both insufficient and incomplete leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis and totally drug-resistant tuberculosis. The impact of tuberculosis on the people suffering from HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus infection) have resulted in the increased research efforts in designing and discovery of novel antitubercular drugs that may result in decreasing treatment duration, minimising the need for multiple drug intake, minimising cytotoxicity and enhancing the mechanism of action of drug. While many drugs are available to treat tuberculosis, a precise and timely cure is still absent. Consequently, further investigation is needed to identify more recent molecular equivalents that have the potential to swiftly remove this disease. Isoniazid (INH), a treatment for tuberculosis (TB), targets the enzyme InhA (mycobacterium enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase), the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, most common INH resistance is circumvented by InhA inhibitors that do not require KatG (catalase-peroxidase) activation, as a result, researchers are trying to work in the area of development of InhA inhibitors which could help in eradicating the era of tuberculosis from the world.

Uptake, tissue distribution, and biotransformation pattern of triclosan in tilapia exposed to environmentally-relevant concentrations

Although triclosan has been ubiquitously detected in aquatic environment and is known to have various adverse effects to fish, details on its uptake, bioconcentration, and elimination in fish tissues are still limited. This study investigated the uptake and elimination toxicokinetics, bioconcentration, and biotransformation potential of triclosan in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to environmentally-relevant concentrations under semi-static regimes for 7 days. For toxicokinetics, triclosan reached a plateau concentration within 5-days of exposure, and decreased to stable concentration within 5 days of elimination. Approximately 50 % of triclosan was excreted by fish through feces, and up to 29 % of triclosan was excreted through the biliary excretion. For fish exposed to 200 ng·L-1, 2000 ng·L-1, and 20,000 ng·L-1, the bioconcentration factors (log BCFs) of triclosan in fish tissues obeyed similar order: bile ≈ intestine > gonad ≈ stomach > liver > kidney ≈ gill > skin ≈ plasma > brain > muscle. The log BCFs of triclosan in fish tissues are approximately maintained constants, no matter what triclosan concentrations in exposure water. Seven biotransformation products of triclosan, involved in both phase I and phase II metabolism, were identified in this study, which were produced through hydroxylation, bond cleavages, dichlorination, and sulfation pathways. Metabolite of triclosan-O-sulfate was detected in all tissues of tilapia, and more toxic product of 2,4-dichlorophenol was also found in intestine, gonad, and bile of tilapia. Meanwhile, two metabolites of 2,4-dichlorophenol-O-sulfate and monohydroxy-triclosan-O-sulfate were firstly discovered in the skin, liver, gill, intestine, gonad, and bile of tilapia in this study. These findings highlight the importance of considering triclosan biotransformation products in ecological assessment. They also provide a scientific basis for health risk evaluation of triclosan to humans, who are associated with dietary exposure through ingesting fish.

Time-varying associations of gestational and childhood triclosan with pubertal and adrenarchal outcomes in early adolescence

Background

Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, but associations with pubertal outcomes remain unclear. We examined associations of gestational and childhood triclosan with adolescent hormone concentrations and pubertal stage.

Methods

We quantified urinary triclosan concentrations twice during pregnancy and seven times between birth and 12 years in participants recruited from Cincinnati, OH (2003-2006). We averaged concentrations across pregnancy and childhood and separately considered individual exposure periods in multiple informant models. At 12 years, we measured serum hormone concentrations (males [n = 72] and females [n = 84]-dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone; males-testosterone; females-estradiol). Also at age 12 years, participants self-reported physical development and menarchal timing. We estimated associations (95% confidence interval) of triclosan with hormone concentrations, more advanced physical development, and age at menarche.

Results

For females, each doubling of childhood triclosan was associated with 16% lower estradiol concentrations (-29%, 0%), with stronger associations for measures closer to adolescence. We found suggestive evidence that higher triclosan at any age was associated with ~10% (for gestational triclosan: -18%, -2%) lower follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations among males and early postnatal (1-3 years) triclosan was associated with 63% (5%, 96%) lower odds of advanced pubic hair development in females. In multiple informant models, each doubling of gestational triclosan concentrations was associated with 5% (0%, 9%) earlier age at menarche, equivalent to 5.5 months.

Conclusion

Gestational and childhood triclosan concentrations were related to some pubertal outcomes including hormone concentrations and age at menarche. Our findings highlight the relevance of elucidating potential sex-specific and time-dependent actions of triclosan.

Conceptualizing the Role of the Microbiome as a Mediator and Modifier in Environmental Health Studies: A Scoping Review of Studies of Triclosan and the Microbiome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Triclosan is an endocrine-disrupting antimicrobial additive that is suspected of contributing to antibiotic resistance and altering the microbiome. In this scoping review, we summarize what is known about the association between triclosan exposure and the microbiome using evidence from in vivo and epidemiologic studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Our review includes 11 rodent studies, seven fish studies, and five human studies. Evidence from animal studies suggests that triclosan decreases the diversity of the microbiome, although only one epidemiologic study agreed. Most studies suggest that triclosan alters the microbial community beta diversity, but disagree on which taxa contributed to compositional differences. Taxa in the Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria may be more influenced by triclosan than those in other phyla. Studies on triclosan and the microbiome were scarce and were inconclusive as to the effects of triclosan on the microbiome. Additional research is needed to clarify windows of heightened susceptibility of the microbiome to triclosan. We recommend guidelines for future microbiome research in environmental health to increase comparability across studies.

Interleukin 1β and interleukin 6 production in human immune cells is stimulated by the antibacterial compound Triclosan

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial compound widely used in personal hygiene products such as mouthwash and toothpaste; and has been found in human blood, breast milk, and urine. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 beta (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines regulating cell growth, tissue repair, and immune function; increased levels of each have been associated with many diseases, including cancer. Previous studies showed that TCS at concentrations between 0.05 and 5 µM consistently increased the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 from human immune cells within 24 h of exposure. The current study demonstrates that this increase in secretion was not due simply to release of existing stores but was due to an increase in cellular production/levels (both secreted and intracellular levels) of each of these cytokines. Production of IL-1β and IL-6 was increased by exposure to one or more concentration of TCS at each length of exposure (10 min, 30 min, 6 h, and 24 h). TCS-induced stimulation of cytokine production was shown to be dependent on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p44/42 (ERK 1/2). It was also shown that these TCS-induced increases in IL-1β and IL6 production were accompanied by increased mRNA for IL-1β and IL-6. The ability of TCS to increase production indicates that rather than activating a self-limiting process of depleting cells of already existing stores of IL-1β or IL-6, TCS can stimulate a process that has the capacity to provide sustained production of these cytokines and thus may lead to chronic inflammation and its pathological consequences.

Acute/chronic triclosan exposure induces downregulation of m6A-RNA methylation modification via mettl3 suppression and elicits developmental and immune toxicity to zebrafish

Triclosan (TCS), a prevalent contaminant in aquatic ecosystems, has been identified as a potential threat to both aquatic biota and human health. Despite its widespread presence, research into the immunotoxic effects of TCS on aquatic organisms is limited, and the underlying mechanisms driving these effects remain largely unexplored. Herein, we investigated the developmental and immune toxicities of environmentally relevant concentrations of TCS in zebrafish, characterized by morphological anomalies, histopathological impairments, and fluctuations in cytological differentiation and biomarkers following both acute (from 6 to 72/120 hpf) and chronic exposure periods (from 30 to 100 dpf). Specifically, acute exposure to TCS resulted in a significant increase in innate immune cells, contrasted by a marked decrease in T cells. Furthermore, we observed that TCS exposure elicited oxidative stress and a reduction in global m6A levels, alongside abnormal expressions within the m6A modification enzyme system in zebrafish larvae. Molecular docking studies suggested that mettl3 might be a target molecule for TCS interaction. Intriguingly, the knock-down of mettl3 mirrored the effects of TCS exposure, adversely impacting the growth and development of zebrafish, as well as the differentiation of innate immune cells. These results provide insights into the molecular basis of TCS-induced immunotoxicity through m6A-RNA epigenetic modification and aid in assessing its ecological risks, informing strategies for disease prevention linked to environmental contaminants.

Deciphering the molecular mediators of triclosan-induced lipid accumulation: Intervention via short-chain fatty acids and miR-101a

As a potential environmental obesogen, triclosan (TCS) carries inherent risks of inducing obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the lipid metabolism disorder induced by TCS have remained elusive. Through a fusion of transcriptomics and microRNA target prediction, we hypothesize that miR-101a as a responsive miRNA to TCS exposure in zebrafish, playing a central role in disturbing lipid homeostasis. As an evidence, TCS exposure triggers a reduction in miR-10a expression that accompanied by elevation of genes linked to regulation of lipid homeostasis. Through precision-controlled interventions involving miRNA expression modulation, we discovered that inhibition of miR-101a enhanced expression of its target genes implicated in lipid homeostasis, subsequently triggering excessive fat accumulation. Meanwhile, the overexpression of miR-101a acts as a protective mechanism, counteracting the lipid metabolism disorder induced by TCS in the larvae. Notably, the combination of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) emerged as a potential remedy to alleviate TCS-induced lipid accumulation partially by counteracting the decline in miR-101a expression induced by TCS. These revelations provide insight into a prospective molecular framework underlying TCS-triggered lipid metabolism disorders, thereby paving the way for pre-emptive strategies in combating the ramifications of TCS pollution.

Urinary concentrations and elimination half-lives of parabens, benzophenones, bisphenol and triclosan in Japanese young adults

Environmental phenols are widely distributed in the environment and human samples, suggesting potential exposure to these chemicals. We designed an intervention trial with 30 participants over 6 days to assess the urinary concentrations and half-lives of environmental phenols in Japanese young people. The target environmental phenols include three parabens (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, and propyl paraben), two benzophenones (benzophenone 1 and 3), two bisphenols (bisphenol F and bisphenol S), and triclosan. Throughout the intervention, the participants consumed the same food and drinks and used personal care products provided by the project. The target phenols were measured in urine from the participants using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. We compared the measured concentrations between the study periods to better understand the exposure tendency. Some statistically significant differences were observed. All target analytes were detected in more than 50% of samples collected on Day 0 (the day before the intervention). Methyl paraben was the dominant phenol detected in urine (1640 μg/g-creatinine), followed by ethyl paraben (119 μg/g-creatinine). Downward trends in creatinine-corrected concentrations were observed for all target analytes in some instances. Non-compartment analysis was performed to estimate urinary excretion parameters. The estimated half-lives ranged from 7.69 to 20.3 h. Use of paraben-free products during the intervention period reduced the body burden.

Effects of chronic triclosan exposure on nephrotoxicity and gut microbiota dysbiosis in adult mice

Triclosan (TCS), a broad-spectrum, lipophilic, and antibacterial agent, has been commonly used in cosmetics, medical devices, and household products. The toxicity of TCS has recently become a research hotspot. Emerging evidence has shown that TCS can easily migrate to humans and animals and cause adverse effects on various target organs. However, the effects of TCS exposure on nephrotoxicity and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore TCS-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, we establish a mouse model based on adult male mice to explore the effects of 10-week TCS exposure (50 mg/kg) on kidney. After mice were sacrificed, their blood, feces, and renal tissues were harvested for further analysis. We found that TCS treatment dramatically caused kidney structural damage, and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) expression levels, which indicated renal dysfunction. In addition, TCS exposure increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total cholesterol (TCHO) expression levels, which indicated oxidative stress and lipid metabolism changes. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of kidney tissue identified 221 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in 50 pathways, including drug metabolism-other enzymes, oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione metabolism, and inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels signaling pathways. The full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that TCS exposure altered the community of gut microbiota, which was closely related to renal function damage. The above findings provide new insights into the mechanism of TCS-induced nephrotoxicity.

Graphene Oxide, Carbon Nanotubes, and Polyelectrolytes-Based Impedanciometric E-Tongue for Estrogen Detection in Complex Matrices

Currently, it is necessary to maintain the quality of aquifers and water bodies, which means the need for sensors that detect molecules as emerging pollutants (EPs) at low concentrations in aqueous complex solutions. In this work, an electronic tongue (e-tongue) prototype was developed to detect 17β-estradiol in tap water. To achieve such a prototype, an array of sensors was prepared. Each sensor consists of a solid support with interdigitated electrodes without or with thin films prepared with graphene oxide, nanotubes, and other polyelectrolytes molecules adsorbed on them. To collect data from each sensor, impedance spectroscopy was used to analyze the electrical characteristics of samples of estrogen solutions with different concentrations. To analyze the collected data from the sensors, principal components analysis (PCA) method was used to create a three-dimensional plane using the calculated principal components, namely PC1 and PC2, and the estrogen concentration values. Then, damped least squares (DLS) was used to find the optimal values for the hyperplane calibration, as the sensitivity of this e-tongue was not represented by a straight line but by a surface. For the collected data, from nanotubes and graphene oxide sensors, a calibration curve for concentration given by the 10PC1×0.492-PC2×0.14-14.5 surface was achieved. This e-tongue presented a detection limit of 10-16 M of 17β-estradiol in tap water.

Triclosan exposure induces immunotoxic impacts by disrupting the immunometabolism, detoxification, and cellular homeostasis in blood clam (Tegillarca granosa)

Omnipresent presence of triclosan (TCS) in aqueous environment puts a potential threat to organisms. However, it's poorly understood about its immunometabolic impacts of marine invertebrates. In present study, we use a representative bivalve blood clam (Tegillarca granosa) as a model, investigating the effects of TCS exposure at 20 and 200 μg/L for 28 days on immunometabolism, detoxification, and cellular homeostasis to explore feasible toxicity mechanisms. Results demonstrated that the clams exposed to TCS resulting in evident immunotoxic impacts on both cellular and humoral immune responses, through shifting metabolic pathways and substances, as well as suppressing the expressions of genes from the immune- and metabolism-related pathways. In addition, significant alterations in contents (or activity) of detoxification enzymes and the expression of key detoxification genes were detected in TCS-exposed clams. Moreover, exposure to TCS also disrupted cellular homeostasis of clams through increasing MDA contents and caspase activities, and promoting activation of the apoptosis-related genes. These findings suggested that TCS might induce immunotoxic impacts by disrupting the immunometabolism, detoxification, and cellular homeostasis.

Physiological impact of personal care product constituents on non-target aquatic organisms

Personal care products (PCPs) are products used in cleaning, beautification, grooming, and personal hygiene. The rise in diversity, usage, and availability of PCPs has resulted in their higher accumulation in the environment. Thus, these constitute an emerging category of environmental contaminants due to the potential of its constituents (chemical and non-chemical) to induce various physiological effects even at lower concentrations (ng/L). For analyzing the impact of the PCPs constituents on the non-target organism about 300 article including research articles, review articles and guidelines were studied from 2000 to 2023. This review aims to firstly discuss the fate and accumulation of PCPs in the aquatic environment and organisms; secondly provides overview of environmental risks that are linked to PCPs; thirdly review the trends, current status of regulations and risks associated with PCPs and finally discuss the knowledge gaps and future perspectives for future research. The article discusses important constituents of PCPs such as antimicrobials, cleansing agents and disinfectants, fragrances, insect repellent, moisturizers, plasticizers, preservatives, surfactants, UV filters, and UV stabilizers. Each of them has been found to display certain toxic impact on the aquatic organisms especially the plasticizers and UV filters. These continuously and persistently release biologically active and inactive components which interferes with the physiological system of the non-target organism such as fish, corals, shrimps, bivalves, algae, etc. With a rise in the number of toxicity reports, concerns are being raised over the potential impacts of these contaminant on aquatic organism and humans. The rate of adoption of nanotechnology in PCPs is greater than the evaluation of the safety risk associated with the nano-additives. Hence, this review article presents the current state of knowledge on PCPs in aquatic ecosystems.

Effective triclosan removal by using porous aromatic frameworks in continuous fixed-bed column studies

Triclosan (TCS) has been regarded as an emerging contaminant in aquatic systems, making its efficient removal of great significance. In this study, NPVMo@iPAF-1, with a specific surface area of 665 m2/g, was prepared by incorporating (NH4)5H6PV8Mo4O40 into porous aromatic frameworks (PAF). The maximum adsorption capacity of TCS on NPVMo@iPAF-1 reached 917.1 mg/g, as calculated from the Langmuir model. Fixed-bed columns packed with NPVMo@iPAF-1 were employed for TCS removal; the experiment data strongly correlated with the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models under different operational conditions. Pore preservation, electrostatic effects, and the synergistic effect of π-π interactions contributed to the effective adsorption of TCS onto NPVMo@iPAF-1. The NPVMo@iPAF-1 fixed-bed column could be effectively regenerated through in-situ ozonation for more than 10 regeneration cycles. NPVMo@iPAF-1 turned out to be a promising adsorbent for removing TCS not only from pure water but also from reclaimed water and surface water samples.

Effect of Hygiene Protocols on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Two 3D-Printed Denture Resins Characterized by Extrinsic Pigmentation as Well as the Mixed Biofilm Formed on the Surface

To assess the effect of hygiene protocols and time on the physical-mechanical properties and colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans on 3D-printed denture resins (SmartPrint and Yller) with extrinsic pigmentation compared to conventional resin (CR). The protocols were evaluated: brushing (B), brushing and immersion in water (W), 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (SH), and 0.15% triclosan (T), simulating 0, 1, 3, and 5 years. The data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements, ANOVA (Three-way) and Tukey's post-test, generalized linear model with Bonferroni adjustment, and ANOVA (Two-way) and Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05). The protocols influenced color (p = 0.036) and Knoop hardness (p < 0.001). Surface roughness was influenced by protocols/resin (p < 0.001) and time/resin (p = 0.001), and flexural strength by time/protocols (p = 0.014). C. albicans showed interactions with all factors (p = 0.033). Staphylococcus aureus was affected by protocols (p < 0.001). Streptococcus mutans exhibited no count for SH and T (p < 0.001). Yller resin showed more color changes. The 3D-printed resins displayed lower microhardness, increased roughness, and decreased flexural strength compared to CR with all protocols in a simulated period of 5 years. The indication of printed resins should be restricted to less than 3 years.

The development and application of a novel hazard scoring tool for assessing impacts of cosmetic ingredients on aquatic ecosystems: A case study of rinse-off cosmetics

The cosmetic industry has been committed to promoting less hazardous products to reduce the environmental impacts of cosmetic ingredients. This requires identifying safer cosmetic ingredients for developing cosmetic formulations that are less harmful to the environment. However, one of the challenges in developing eco-friendly cosmetics relies on integrating all environmental hazard (EH) information of cosmetic ingredients to select the most eco-friendly ones (i.e., ingredients least harmful to the aquatic environment). Thus, we developed a hazard scoring tool (IARA matrix), which integrates data on biodegradation, bioaccumulation, and acute aquatic toxicity, providing a hazard index to classify cosmetic ingredients (raw materials) into categories of EH (low, moderate, high, or very high). The classification of the IARA was based on parameters established by Cradle to Cradle (C2C), the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and European Regulation 1272/2008, considering the most conservative values of each source. The Leopold matrix was employed as a model for the tool, using a numerical scale from 0 to 6 (lowest to highest EH). According to the IARA, we have successfully demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) filter ingredients have the highest EH out of 41 cosmetic ingredients commonly used for rinse-off products. In addition to UV filters, triclosan (bactericide) and dimethicone (emollient) presented the second-highest EH for aquatic ecosystems, and humectants presented the lowest hazard index. By applying the IARA in the case study of rinse-off products, we have estimated that the aquatic hazard of cosmetic products can be reduced 46% by identifying less hazardous ingredients and combining them into a cosmetic formulation. In summary, the IARA tool allows the estimation of the EH of cosmetic ingredients, provides safer products, and helps achieve sustainability for cosmetic products. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1619-1635. © 2023 SETAC.

Synergistic toxic mechanisms of microplastics and triclosan via multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) inhibition-mediated autophagy in the freshwater water flea Daphnia magna

Since a mixed state of environmental contaminants, including microplastics (MPs), heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products (PPCPs), exists in aquatic ecosystems, it is necessary to evaluate not only the adverse effects of exposure to a single stressor but to combined stressors. In this study, we exposed the freshwater water flea Daphnia magna to 2 μm MPs and triclosan (TCS), one of PPCPs, for 48 h to investigate the synergistic toxic consequences of simultaneous exposure to both pollutants. We measured in vivo endpoints, antioxidant responses, multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) activity, and autophagy-related protein expression via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. While MPs single exposure did not show toxic effects in water fleas, simultaneous exposure to TCS and MPs was associated with significantly greater deleterious effects in the form of increased mortality and alterations in antioxidant enzymatic activities compared with water fleas exposed to TCS alone. In addition, MXR inhibition was confirmed by measurement of the expression of P-glycoproteins and multidrug-resistance proteins in MPs-exposed groups, which led to the accumulation of TCS. Overall, these results suggest that simultaneous exposure to MPs and TCS resulted in higher TCS accumulation via MXR inhibition, leading to synergistic toxic effects such as autophagy in D. magna.

Antibiotic Potential of the Ambigol Cyanobacterial Natural Product Class and Simplified Synthetic Analogs

The ambigols are cyanobacterial natural products characterized by three polychlorinated aromatic building blocks connected by biaryl and biaryl ether bridges. All ambigols known to date possess promising biological activities. Most significantly, ambigol A was reported to have antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus megaterium and B. subtilis. We established a diverse compound library for in-depth biological evaluation building on our previous bio- and total synthetic research on this natural product family. To explore the antimicrobial potential in detail and to determine initial structure-activity relationships of this product class, a large set of dimeric and trimeric compounds were screened against selected bacterial and Candida target strains. Our results reveal exceptional antibiotic activity of the ambigols, especially against challenging clinical isolates.

Dissipation of twelve organic micropollutants in three different soils: Effect of soil characteristics and microbial composition

The dissipation kinetics and half-lives of selected organic micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals and others, were systematically investigated and compared among different soil types. While some pollutants (e.g., atorvastatin, valsartan, and bisphenol S) disappeared rapidly in all the tested soils, many of them (e.g., telmisartan, memantine, venlafaxine, and azithromycin) remained persistent. Irrespective of the soil characteristics, venlafaxine showed the lowest dissipation kinetics and the longest half-lives (250 to approximately 500 days) among the stable compounds. The highest first and second-order kinetics were, however, recorded for valsartan (k1; 0.262 day-1) and atorvastatin (k2; 33.8 g μg-1 day-1) respectively. Nevertheless, more than 90% (i.e., DT90) of all the rapidly dissipated compounds (i.e., atorvastatin, bisphenol S, and valsartan) disappeared from the tested soils within a short timescale (i.e., 5-36 days). Dissipation of pollutants that are more susceptible to microbial degradation (e.g., atorvastatin, bisphenol S, and valsartan) seems to be slower for soils possessing the lowest microbial biomass C (Cmic) and total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAtotal), which also found statistically significant. Our results revealing the persistence of several organic pollutants in agricultural soils, which might impact the quality of these soils, the groundwater, and eventually on the related biota, is of high environmental significance.

Uncovering the metabolic pathway of novel Burkholderia sp. for efficient triclosan degradation and implication: Insight from exogenous bioaugmentation and toxicity pressure

Triclosan (TCS), a synthetic and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, is frequently detected in various environmental matrices. A novel TCS degrading bacterial strain, Burkholderia sp. L303, was isolated from local activated sludge. The strain could metabolically degrade TCS up to 8 mg/L, and optimal conditions for TCS degradation were at temperature of 35 °C, pH 7, and an increased inoculum size. During TCS degradation, several intermediates were identified, with the initial degradation occurring mainly through hydroxylation of aromatic ring, followed by dechlorination. Further intermediates such as 2-chlorohydroquinone, 4-chlorocatechol, and 4-chlorophenol were produced via ether bond fission and C-C bond cleavage, which could be further transformed into unchlorinated compounds, ultimately resulting in the complete stoichiometric free chloride release. Bioaugmentation of strain L303 in non-sterile river water demonstrated better degradation than in sterile water. Further exploration of the microbial communities provided insights into the composition and succession of the microbial communities under the TCS stress as well as during the TCS biodegradation process in real water samples, the key microorganisms involved in TCS biodegradation or showing resistance to the TCS toxicity, and the changes in microbial diversity related to exogenous bioaugmentation, TCS input, and TCS elimination. These findings shed light on the metabolic degradation pathway of TCS and highlight the significance of microbial communities in the bioremediation of TCS-contaminated environments.

Detection of triclosan using 2-domain hemoglobin promoter of Daphnia magna

Triclosan has been widely used as an antimicrobial agent. However, triclosan was found to cause toxicity, including muscle contraction disturbances, carcinogenesis, and endocrine disorders. In addition, it was found to affect central nervous system function adversely and even have ototoxic effects. Conventional methods for detecting such triclosan can be performed easily. However, the conventional detection methods are inadequate in precisely reflecting the impact of toxic substances on stressed organisms. Therefore, a test model for the toxic environment at the molecular level through the organism is needed. From that point of view, Daphnia magna is being used as a ubiquitous model. D. magna has the advantages of easy cultivation, a short lifespan and high reproductive capacity, and high sensitivity to chemicals. Therefore, the protein expression pattern of D. magna that appear in response to chemicals can be utilized as biomarkers for detecting specific chemicals. In this study, we characterized the proteomic response of D. magna following triclosan exposure via two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. As a result, we confirmed that triclosan exposure completely suppressed D. magna 2-domain hemoglobin protein and evaluated this protein as a biomarker for triclosan detection. We constructed the HeLa cells in which the GFP gene was controlled by D. magna 2-domain hemoglobin promoter, which under normal conditions, expressed GFP, but upon triclosan exposure, suppressed GFP expression. Consequently, we consider that the HeLa cells containing the pBABE-HBF3-GFP plasmid developed in this study can be used as novel biomarkers for triclosan detection.

MiR-133b as a crucial regulator of TCS-induced cardiotoxicity via activating β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in zebrafish embryos

As a commonly used antibacterial agent in daily consumer products, triclosan (TCS) has attracted significant attention due to its potential environmental risks. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of TCS exposure (1.4 μM) on heart development in zebrafish embryos. Our findings revealed that TCS exposure caused significant cardiac dysfunction, characterized by pericardial edema, malformations in the heart structure, and a slow heart rate. Additionally, TCS exposure induced oxidative damage and abnormal apoptosis in heart cells through the up-regulation of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling pathway genes (adrb1, adrb2a, arrb2b), similar to the effects induced by β-AR agonists. Notably, the adverse effects of TCS exposure were alleviated by β-AR antagonists. Using high-throughput transcriptome miRNA sequencing and targeted miRNA screening, we focused on miR-133b, which targets adrb1 and was down-regulated by TCS exposure, as a potential contributor to TCS-induced cardiotoxicity. Inhibition of miR-133b produced similar toxic effects as TCS exposure, while overexpression of miR-133b down-regulated the β-AR signaling pathway and rescued heart defects caused by TCS. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxic effects of TCS. We suggest that targeting the β-AR pathway and miR-133b may be effective strategies for pharmacotherapy in cardiotoxicity induced by environmental pollutants such as TCS.

A Short Review of the Toxicity of Dentifrices-Zebrafish Model as a Useful Tool in Ecotoxicological Studies

This review aims to summarize the literature data regarding the effects of different toothpaste compounds in the zebrafish model. Danio rerio provides an insight into the mechanisms of the ecotoxicity of chemicals as well as an assessment of their fate in the environment to determine long-term environmental impact. The regular use of adequate toothpaste with safe active ingredients possessing anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and regenerative properties is one of the most effective strategies for oral healthcare. In addition to water, a typical toothpaste consists of a variety of components, among which three are of predominant importance, i.e., abrasive substances, fluoride, and detergents. These ingredients provide healthy teeth, but their environmental impact on living organisms are often not well-known. Each of them can influence a higher level of organization: subcellular, cellular, tissue, organ, individual, and population. Therefore, it is very important that the properties of a chemical are detected before it is released into the environment to minimize damage. An important part of a chemical risk assessment is the estimation of the ecotoxicity of a compound. The zebrafish model has unique advantages in environmental ecotoxicity research and has been used to study vertebrate developmental biology. Among others, the advantages of this model include its external, visually accessible development, which allows for providing many experimental manipulations. The zebrafish has a significant genetic similarity with other vertebrates. Nevertheless, translating findings from zebrafish studies to human risk assessment requires careful consideration of these differences.

Examining the association between urinary triclosan levels and menopausal status: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003 to 2016

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between urinary levels of triclosan (TCS), a ubiquitous endocrine disrupter, and menopausal status using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study from 2003 to 2016 was conducted among US female participants who completed the reproductive health questionnaire and provided TCS-level measurements. Exposure was assessed by urinary TCS levels adjusted for urinary creatinine; levels were log-transformed to achieve normal distribution for parametric analyses. Menopausal status was based on participants' responses to: "What is the reason that you have not had a period in the past 12 months?" Multivariable linear regression analyses examined the association between creatinine-adjusted urinary TCS levels and menopausal status after adjusting for age at survey completion, body mass index, race, ethnicity, and smoking exposure.

RESULTS

Of the final sample of female participants (n = 6,958), 40% identified as postmenopausal, of whom 60% had experienced natural menopause, and of these, 11% had become menopausal at under 40 years of age. Triclosan levels correlated positively with advancing age (r = 0.09, P < 0.001) and inversely with body mass index (r = -0.09, P < 0.001). Smoking exposure was associated with significantly lower TCS levels (P < 0.001). Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women had significantly higher log-transformed, creatinine-adjusted TCS levels (mean, -1.22 ± 1.79 vs -1.51 ± 1.79 ng/mg creatinine; P < 0.001). Triclosan levels were unrelated to the duration of menopause and did not differ between women who underwent natural versus surgical menopause, and premature menopause versus menopause at 40 years or older. In unweighted multivariate linear regression analyses, menopausal status was independently associated with higher urinary TCS levels after adjusting for covariates (β coefficient, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.020-0.323; P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationally representative sample, postmenopausal status was associated with higher urinary TCS levels, observations that merit further investigation into potential exposures and health consequences.

International Comparison, Risk Assessment, and Prioritisation of 26 Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Three European River Catchments in the UK, Ireland, and Spain

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) constitute a wide variety of chemistries with diverse properties that may/can pose risks to both humans and the environment. Herein, a total of 26 compounds, including steroids, flame retardants, and plasticizers, were monitored in three major and heavily urbanized river catchments: the R. Liffey (Ireland), the R. Thames (UK), and the R. Ter (Spain), by using a single solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) method. Occurrence and frequency rates were investigated across all locations over a 10-week period, with the highest concentration obtained for the flame retardant tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) at 4767 ng∙L-1 in the R. Thames in Central London. Geographical variations were observed between sites and were partially explained using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). In particular, discrimination between the R. Ter and the R. Thames was observed based on the presence and concentration of flame retardants, benzotriazole, and steroids. Environmental risk assessment (ERA) across sites showed that caffeine, a chemical marker, and bisphenol A (BPA), a plasticizer, were classified as high-risk for the R. Liffey and R. Thames, based on relative risk quotients (rRQs), and that caffeine was classified as high-risk for the R. Ter, based on RQs. The total risks at each location, namely ΣRQriver, and ΣrRQriver, were: 361, 455, and 723 for the rivers Liffey, Thames, and Ter, respectively. Caffeine, as expected, was ubiquitous in all 3 urban areas, though with the highest RQ observed in the R. Ter. High contributions of BPA were also observed across the three matrices. Therefore, these two compounds should be prioritized independently of location. This study represents a comprehensive EDC monitoring comparison between different European cities based on a single analytical method, which allowed for a geographically independent ERA prioritization to be performed.

Emerging evidence-based innovative approaches to control catheter-associated urinary tract infection: a review

Healthcare settings have dramatically advanced the latest medical devices, such as urinary catheters (UC) for infection, prevention, and control (IPC). The continuous or intermittent flow of a warm and conducive (urine) medium in the medical device, the urinary catheter, promotes the formation of biofilms and encrustations, thereby leading to the incidence of CAUTI. Additionally, the absence of an innate immune host response in and around the lumen of the catheter reduces microbial phagocytosis and drug action. Hence, the review comprehensively overviews the challenges posed by CAUTI and associated risks in patients' morbidity and mortality. Also, detailed, up-to-date information on the various strategies that blended/tailored the surface properties of UC to have anti-fouling, biocidal, and anti-adhesive properties to provide an outlook on how they can be better managed with futuristic solutions.

Adverse effects of triclosan exposure on health and potential molecular mechanisms

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of disinfectants has grown significantly around the world. Triclosan (TCS), namely 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol or 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, is a broad-spectrum, lipophilic, antibacterial agent that is extensively used in multifarious consumer products. Due to the widespread use and bioaccumulation, TCS is frequently detected in the environment and human biological samples. Accumulating evidence suggests that TCS is considered as a novel endocrine disruptor and may have potential unfavorable effects on human health, but studies on the toxic effect mediated by TCS exposure as well as its underlying mechanisms of action are relatively sparse. Therefore, in this review, we attempted to summarize the potential detrimental effects of TCS exposure on human reproductive health, liver function, intestinal homeostasis, kidney function, thyroid endocrine, and other tissue health, and further explore its mechanisms of action, thereby contributing to the better understanding of TCS characteristics and safety. Moreover, our work suggested the need to further investigate the biological effects of TCS exposure at the metabolic level in vivo.

Deciphering the photolysis products and biological concerns of triclosan under UVC and UVA

Triclosan (TCS) is omnipresent in the environment and has drawn increasing attention due to its potential adverse effects on human health. Direct photolysis of TCS readily occurs, especially in the surface layers of waters that receive abundant ultraviolet radiation during the daytime. However, biological concerns and the identification of toxic products during TCS photolysis have been explored limitedly. Therefore, in the present work, the structural characterization of the photolysis products by UVC and UVA were performed based on the mass spectra and fragmental ions. The results displayed that TCS was more readily eliminated by UVC than UVA, and the product species were completely different when TCS was degraded by UVC and UVA, respectively. Two products, m/z 235 and m/z 252, were produced via reductive dechlorination and nucleophilic substitution with UVC, while three dioxin-like isomer products were generated by dechlorination, cyclization and hydroxylation. Furthermore, the results of biological concerns suggested that the elimination of TCS did not represent the disappearance of biological risks. Specifically, more hazardous and photolysis products were formed during TCS photolysis with ultraviolets. For instance, the dioxin-like isomer products were highly microtoxic and genotoxic, and mildly antiestrogenic. The positive findings highlighted the biological concerns of TCS photolysis by ultraviolet radiation in the aquatic environment.

Analysis of the effect of triclosan on gonadal differentiation of zebrafish based on metabolome

Although the previous research confirmed that triclosan (TCS) affects the female proportion at the early stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and has an estrogen effect, the mechanism by which TCS affects the sex differentiation of zebrafish is not entirely clear. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations of TCS (0, 2, 10, and 50 μg/L) for 50 consecutive days. The expression of sex differentiation related genes and metabolites were then determined in larvae using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS), respectively. TCS upregulated the expression of the sox9a, dmrt1a and amh genes, down-regulating the expression of wnt4a, cyp19a1b, cyp19a1a, and vtg2 gene. The overlapped classification of Significant Differential Metabolites (SDMs) between the control group and three TCS treated groups related to gonadal differentiation was Steroids and steroid derivatives, including 24 down-regulated SDMs. The enriched pathways related to gonadal differentiation were Steroid hormone biosynthesis, Retinol metabolism, Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and Cortisol synthesis and secretion. Moreover, SDMs were significantly enriched in Steroid hormone biosynthesis in the 2 μg/L TCS group, which included Dihydrotestosterone, Cortisol, 11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione, 21-Hydroxypregnenolone, Androsterone, Androsterone glucuronide, Estriol, Estradiol, 19-Hydroxytestosterone, Cholesterol, Testosterone, and Cortisone acetate. Results showed that TCS affects the female proportion mainly through Steroid hormone biosynthesis, in which aromatase plays a key role in zebrafish. Retinol metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and cortisol synthesis and secretion may also participate in TCS-mediated sex differentiation. These findings reveal the molecular mechanisms of TCS-induced sex differentiation, and provide theoretical guidance for the maintenance of water ecological balance.

Molecular Toxicity Mechanism Induced by the Antibacterial Agent Triclosan in Freshwater Euglena gracilis Based on the Transcriptome

Triclosan (TCS), a commonly used antibacterial preservative, has been demonstrated to have high toxicological potential and adversely affects the water bodies. Since algae are one of the most significant primary producers on the planet, understanding the toxicological processes of TCS is critical for determining its risk in aquatic ecosystems and managing the water environment. The physiological and transcriptome changes in Euglena gracilis were studied in this study after 7 days of TCS treatment. A distinct inhibition ratio for the photosynthetic pigment content in E. gracilis was observed from 2.64% to 37.42% at 0.3-1.2 mg/L, with TCS inhibiting photosynthesis and growth of the algae by up to 38.62%. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase significantly changed after exposure to TCS, compared to the control, indicating that the cellular antioxidant defense responses were induced. Based on transcriptomics, the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in biological processes involved in metabolism pathways and microbial metabolism in diverse environments. Integrating transcriptomics and biochemical indicators found that changed reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activities stimulating algal cell damage and the inhibition of metabolic pathways controlled by the down-regulation of differentially expressed genes were the main toxic mechanisms of TCS exposure to E. gracilis. These findings establish the groundwork for future research into the molecular toxicity to microalgae induced by aquatic pollutants, as well as provide fundamental data and recommendations for TCS ecological risk assessment.

Endocrine disrupting activity in sewage sludge: Screening method, microbial succession and cost-effective strategy for detoxification

Sewage sludge (SS) presents a high agronomic potential due to high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients, encouraging its recycling as a soil conditioner. However, the presence of toxic substances can preclude this use. To enable the safe disposal of this waste in agriculture, SS requires additional detoxification to decrease the environmental risks of this practice. Although some alternatives have been proposed in this sense, little attention is provided to eliminating endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To fill this gap, this study aimed to develop effective and low-cost technology to eliminate EDCs from SS. For this, a detoxification process combining microorganisms and biostimulating agents (soil, sugarcane bagasse, and coffee grounds) was performed for 2, 4, and 6 months with aerobic and anaerobic SSs. The (anti-)estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic, retinoic-like, and dioxin-like activities of SSs samples were verified using yeast-based reporter-gene assays to prove the effectiveness of the treatments. A fractionation procedure of samples, dividing the target sample extract into several fractions according to their polarity, was conducted to decrease the matrix complexity and facilitate the identification of EDCs. A decrease in the abundance and microbial diversity of the SS samples was noted along the biostimulation with the predominance of filamentous fungal species over yeasts and gram-positive bacteria and non-fermenting rods over enterobacteria. Among the 9 EDCs quantified by LC-ESI-MS/MS, triclosan and alkylphenols presented the highest concentrations in both SS. Before detoxification, the studied SSs induced significant agonistic activity, especially at the human estrogen receptor α (hERα) and the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The raw anaerobic sludge also activated the androgen (hAR), retinoic acid (RARα), and retinoid X (RXRα) receptors. However, no significant endocrine-disrupting activities were observed after the SS detoxification, showing that the technology applied here efficiently eliminates receptor-mediated toxicity.

Development and characterization of antibacterial coatings on surgical sutures based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/chitosan/chlorhexidine

The layer-by-layer assembly (LBL) method was used in this work to apply antibacterial coatings to the surface of sutures. The nanofilm was created using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, chitosan, and chlorhexidine digluconate. Polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide surgical sutures were used as the substrate. At pH 5, thin, uniform coatings with the ideal number of biopolymers in the film (10 bilayers) are produced. The pH and the shape of the polyelectrolyte macromolecules determine the film's thickness and form. The morphology of the surface and the structure of the sutures after modification become homogeneous and smooth. Both treated and untreated sutures retain their mechanical strength, and there is no significant loss of tensile strength. Nanofilms obtained on the surface of the sutures showed high antimicrobial efficacy against microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Chlorhexidine incorporated into the multilayer membrane was found to have greater antimicrobial activity than sutures treated with chlorhexidine alone. Modified surgical sutures provide antibacterial qualities that last for up to 30 days in a stable, controlled manner. The results showed the prospects of applying nanofilms based on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/chitosan/chlorhexidine to surgical sutures that can prevent the infectious consequences of surgical interventions.

Microbiota-mediated reactivation of triclosan oxidative metabolites in colon tissues

Triclosan (TCS) is a widespread antimicrobial agent that is associated with many adverse health outcomes. Its gut toxicity has been attributed to the molecular modifications mediated by commensal microbes, but microbial transformations of TCS derivatives in the gut lumen are still largely unknown. Aromatic hydroxylation is the predominant oxidative metabolism of TCS that linked to its toxicological effects in host tissues. Here, we aimed to reveal the biological fates of hydroxyl-TCS (OH-TCS) in the colon, where intestinal microbes mainly reside. Unlike the profiles generated via host metabolism, OH-TCS species remain unconjugated in human stools from a cohort study. Through tracking molecular compositions in mouse intestinal tract, elevated abundance of free-form OH-TCS while reduced abundance of conjugated forms was observed in the colon digesta and mucosa. Using antibiotic-treated and germ-free mice, as well as in vitro approaches, we demonstrate that gut microbiota-encoded enzymes efficiently convert glucuronide/sulfate-conjugated OH-TCS, which are generated from host metabolism, back to their bioactive free-forms in colon tissues. Thus, host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions of TCS derivatives were proposed. These results shed light on the crucial roles of microbial metabolism in TCS toxicity, and highlight the importance of incorporating gut microbial transformations in health risk assessment of environmental chemicals.

Single-cell transcriptomic dissection of the cellular and molecular events underlying the triclosan-induced liver fibrosis in mice

BACKGROUND

Triclosan [5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol, TCS], a common antimicrobial additive in many personal care and health care products, is frequently detected in human blood and urine. Therefore, it has been considered an emerging and potentially toxic pollutant in recent years. Long-term exposure to TCS has been suggested to exert endocrine disruption effects, and promote liver fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis. This study was aimed at clarifying the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of hepatotoxicity effect of TCS at the initiation stage.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to different dosages of TCS for 2 weeks and the organ toxicity was evaluated by various measurements including complete blood count, histological analysis and TCS quantification. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was then carried out on TCS- or mock-treated mouse livers to delineate the TCS-induced hepatotoxicity. The acquired single-cell transcriptomic data were analyzed from different aspects including differential gene expression, transcription factor (TF) regulatory network, pseudotime trajectory, and cellular communication, to systematically dissect the molecular and cellular events after TCS exposure. To verify the TCS-induced liver fibrosis, the expression levels of key fibrogenic proteins were examined by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining. In addition, normal hepatocyte cell MIHA and hepatic stellate cell LX-2 were used as in vitro cell models to experimentally validate the effects of TCS by immunological, proteomic and metabolomic technologies.

RESULTS

We established a relatively short term TCS exposure murine model and found the TCS mainly accumulated in the liver. The scRNA-seq performed on the livers of the TCS-treated and control group profiled the gene expressions of > 76,000 cells belonging to 13 major cell types. Among these types, hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were significantly increased in TCS-treated group. We found that TCS promoted fibrosis-associated proliferation of hepatocytes, in which Gata2 and Mef2c are the key driving TFs. Our data also suggested that TCS induced the proliferation and activation of HSCs, which was experimentally verified in both liver tissue and cell model. In addition, other changes including the dysfunction and capillarization of endothelial cells, an increase of fibrotic characteristics in B plasma cells, and M2 phenotype-skewing of macrophage cells, were also deduced from the scRNA-seq analysis, and these changes are likely to contribute to the progression of liver fibrosis. Lastly, the key differential ligand-receptor pairs involved in cellular communications were identified and we confirmed the role of GAS6_AXL interaction-mediated cellular communication in promoting liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

TCS modulates the cellular activities and fates of several specific cell types (including hepatocytes, HSCs, endothelial cells, B cells, Kupffer cells and liver capsular macrophages) in the liver, and regulates the ligand-receptor interactions between these cells, thereby promoting the proliferation and activation of HSCs, leading to liver fibrosis. Overall, we provide the first comprehensive single-cell atlas of mouse livers in response to TCS and delineate the key cellular and molecular processes involved in TCS-induced hepatotoxicity and fibrosis.

Adverse effects of triclosan on kidney in mice: Implication of lipid metabolism disorders

Triclosan (TCS) is a ubiquitous antimicrobial used in daily consumer products. Previous reports have shown that TCS could induce hepatotoxicity, endocrine disruption, disturbance on immune function and impaired thyroid function. Kidney is critical in the elimination of toxins, while the effects of TCS on kidney have not yet been well-characterized. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TCS exposure on kidney function and the possible underlying mechanisms in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were orally exposed to TCS with the doses of 10 and 100 mg/(kg•day) for 13 weeks. TCS was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diluted by corn oil for exposure. Corn oil containing DMSO was used as vehicle control. Serum and kidney tissues were collected for study. Biomarkers associated with kidney function, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis were assessed. Our results showed that TCS could cause renal injury as was revealed by increased levels of renal function markers including serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid, as well as increased oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic markers in a dose dependent manner, which were more significantly in 100 mg/(kg•day) group. Mass spectrometry-based analysis of metabolites related with lipid metabolism demonstrated the occurrence of lipid accumulation and defective fatty acid oxidation in 100 mg/(kg•day) TCS-exposed mouse kidney. These processes might lead to lipotoxicity and energy depletion, thus resulting in kidney fibrosis and functional decline. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that TCS could induce lipid accumulation and fatty acid metabolism disturbance in mouse kidney, which might contribute to renal function impairment. The present study further widens our insights into the adverse effects of TCS.

Neurotoxic mechanisms of triclosan: The antimicrobial agent emerging as a toxicant

Several scientific studies have suggested a link between increased exposure to pollutants and a rise in the number of neurodegenerative disorders of unknown origin. Notably, triclosan (an antimicrobial agent) is used in concentrations ranging from 0.3% to 1% in various consumer products. Recent studies have also highlighted triclosan as an emerging toxic pollutant due to its increasing global use. However, a definitive link is missing to associate the rising use of triclosan and the growing number of neurodegenerative disorders or neurotoxicity. In this article, we present systematic scientific evidence which are otherwise scattered to suggest that triclosan can indeed induce neurotoxic effects, especially in vertebrate organisms including humans. Mechanistically, triclosan affected important developmental and differentiation genes, structural genes, genes for signaling receptors and genes for neurotransmitter controlling enzymes. Triclosan-induced oxidative stress impacting cellular proteins and homeostasis which triggers apoptosis. Though the scientific evidence collated in this article unequivocally indicates that triclosan can cause neurotoxicity, further epidemiological studies may be needed to confirm the effects on humans.

Development of a GIS-based knowledge hub for contaminants of emerging concern in South African water resources using open-source software: Lessons learnt

With population growth and dwindling freshwater sources, protecting such sources has come to the forefront of water resource management. Historically, society's response to a problem is based on funding availability, current threat, and public outcry. Achieving this is largely dependent on the knowledge of the factors that are resulting in compromised water sources. These factors are constantly changing as novel contaminants are introduced into surface water sources. As we are in the information age, the interest in contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) is gaining ground. Whilst research is being conducted to identify contaminants in South African water sources, the research outputs and available information is not collated and presented to the science community and stakeholders in readily available formats and platforms. Current research outcomes need to be made known to regulators in order to develop environmental laws. By using fourth industrial revolution technology, we were able to collate available data in literature and display these in a user-friendly online format to regulatory bodies as well as researchers. A standardized excel spreadsheet was developed and uploaded to a PostgreSQL, running a PostGIS extension and was then processed in the GeoServer to allow for visualization on an interactive map which can be continuously updated. The near real-time access to information will reduce the possibility of duplication of research efforts, enhance collaboration in the discipline, and act as a CEC early warning system.

Modifications to a Biphenolic Antibacterial Compound: Activity against ESKAPE Pathogens

Forty-four analogs of honokiol, a compound with known antibacterial activity, especially with respect to oral bacteria, were synthesized to explore the structure-activity relationships against the ESKAPE pathogens. Compounds with high therapeutic indices (hemolysis20 /MIC) were identified. In particular, ester-linked compounds that would be less than environmentally durable than biaryl ether antibacterials such as the broadly used triclosan were found to be active. MRSA mutants could be generated against some, but not all, of the highly active compounds. Based on gene sequencing results, membrane permeability, intracellular sodium, and intracellular pH assays revealed overlapping mechanisms of action.

Strengthened removal of emerging contaminants over S/Fe codoped activated carbon fabricated by a mild one-step thermal transformation scheme

Thermal transformation of carbonized materials to functional activated carbon (AC) is a simplified, economical and eco-friendly strategy, which has great potential in the practical applications of water purification. Herein, a S/Fe codoped activated carbon (S/Fe@AC) with only 0.90 wt% S and 0.76 wt% Fe was creatively fabricated by one synchronous method of physical activation, carbothermal reduction and sulfidation in the solid phase. The formed iron sulfide shell significantly enhances the antioxidation ability of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI, >180 d) and dramatically improves the hydrophobicity of the composite. Meanwhile, the doped thiophenic S in AC enhances the hydrophobicity and increases the specific surface area to 1194.14 m² g^-1. Incorporating with AC in turn greatly strengthens the dispersibility and stability of sulfurized NZVI particles. Compared to NZVI@AC, AC and NZVI, the removal capacity of S/Fe@AC for the representative hydrophobic contaminant-triclosan (TCS) increases to 519.68 mg g^-1 by 66.60%, 78.60% and 981.21%, respectively, outperforming most of the previously reported materials. The strong hydrophobic and π-π interactions, and weak hydrogen bonding and electrostatic repulsion are responsible for the excellent removal performance for TCS. More importantly, the improved chemical property (29.38%) of the composite caused by the doped S/Fe has a greater effect on TCS removal compared with the changed physical structure (14.56%). Furthermore, the stable S/Fe@AC shows strong anti-interference capability and exceptional regenerability. These intriguing discoveries provide new insights into the design of advanced and sustainable adsorbing materials for emerging contaminants.

Uptake and metabolism of 14C-triclosan in celery under hydroponic system

As triclosan is used extensively as an antimicrobial agent, it inevitably enters agroecosystems, when sewage and treated wastewater are applied to agricultural fields. As a result, triclosan can be accumulated into crops and vegetables. Currently, limited information is available on the metabolism of triclosan in vegetables. In this study, the fate of ¹⁴C-triclosan in celery under a hydroponic system was investigated in a 30-day laboratory test. Most (97.7 %) of the ¹⁴C-triclosan accumulated in celery. The bioconcentration factors of triclosan were up to 3140 L kg^-1 at day 30. The concentration of ¹⁴C-triclosan in roots (17.8 mg kg^-1) was 57- and 127-fold higher than that in stems (0.31 mg kg^-1) and leaves (0.14 mg kg^-1), respectively, at day 30, suggesting a higher accumulation of triclosan in celery roots and negligible transport to stems and leaves. Moreover, triclosan, as well as its eight metabolites, was detected and identified in celery tissues and the growth medium using ¹⁴C-labelling and LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis methods. Phase I metabolites in the growth medium were from hydroxylation, dechlorination, nitration, and nitrosylation. Phase II metabolism was the major pathway in celery tissues. Monosaccharide, disaccharide, and sulfate conjugates of triclosan were putatively identified. The results represent an important step toward a better evaluation of the behavior of triclosan in vegetables, with notable implications for environmental and human risk assessments of triclosan.

Triclosan and triclocarban as potential risk factors of colitis and colon cancer: Roles of gut microbiota involved

In recent decades there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestinal tissues and a major risk factor of developing colon cancer. While accumulating evidence supports that the rapid increase of IBD is mainly caused by exposure to environmental risk factors, the identities of the risk factors, as well as the mechanisms connecting environmental exposure with IBD, remain largely unknown. Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are high-volume chemicals that are used as antimicrobial ingredients in consumer and industrial products. They are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment and are frequently detected in human populations. Recent studies showed that exposure to TCS/TCC, at human exposure-relevant doses, increases the severity of colitis and exacerbates colon tumorigenesis in mice, suggesting that they could be risk factors of IBD and associated diseases. The gut toxicities of these compounds require the presence of gut microbiota, since they fail to induce colonic inflammation in mice lacking the microbiota. Regarding the functional roles of the microbiota involved, gut commensal microbes and specific microbial β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes mediate colonic metabolism of TCS, leading to metabolic reactivation of TCS in the colon and contributing to its subsequent gut toxicity. Overall, these results support that these commonly used compounds could be environmental risk factors of IBD and associated diseases through gut microbiota-dependent mechanisms.

Smartphone-based colorimetric determination of triclosan in aqueoussamples after ultrasound assisted-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction under optimized response surface method conditions

In the present study, a simple and low cost methodology based on ultrasonic assisted-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) followed by smartphone-based colorimetric measurement was introduced for the separation and determination of Triclosan (TCS) from contaminated waters. This method is based on the formation of an azo compound from the alkaline reaction of TCS with a diazonium ion, resulting from the reaction of sodium nitrite and p-sulfanilic acid in an acidic medium. The orange-brown color product was extracted into a low volume of organic phase by UA-DLLME method and RGB values were recorded with free Android app Color Grab. The effective parameters in this procedure, namely solution pH, p-sulfanilic acid and nitrite concentration, reaction time and volume of the extraction solvent were investigated and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) model. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 3.0 and 200 μg L^-1 of TCS. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.8 and 2.7 μg L^-1, respectively. The proposed method was successfullyused for the analyses of triclosan in several water and wastewater samples and satisfactory results were obtained.