Simazine, a triazine herbicide, disrupts swine granulosa cell functions

Undoped and Fe-Doped Anatase/Brookite TiO2 Mixed Phases, Obtained by a Simple Template-Free Synthesis Method: Physico-Chemical Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity towards Simazine Degradation

For the first time, Fe-doping (0.05, 1.0, and 2.5 wt.% Fe) was performed on a high-surface-area anatase/brookite TiO2 by adopting a simple template-free sol-gel synthesis followed by calcination at a mild temperature. The powders’ textural and surface properties were characterized by following a multi-technique approach. XRD analysis showed that the anatase/brookite ratio slightly varied in the Fe-doped TiO2 (from 76.9/23.1 to 79.3/22.7); Fe doping noticeably affected the cell volume of the brookite phase, which decreased, likely due to Fe3+ ions occupying interstitial positions, and retarded the crystallite growth. N2 sorption at −196 °C showed the occurrence of samples with disordered interparticle mesopores, with an increase in the specific surface area from 236 m2 g−1 (undoped TiO2) to 263 m2 g−1 (2.5 wt.% Fe). Diffuse Reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy showed a progressive decrease in the bandgap energy from 3.10 eV (undoped TiO2) to 2.85 eV (2.5 wt.% Fe). XPS analysis showed the presence of some surface Fe species only at 2.5 wt.% Fe, and accordingly, the ζ-potential measurements showed small changes in the pH at the isoelectric point. The photocatalytic degradation of simazine (a persistent water contaminant) both under UV and simulated solar light was performed as a probe reaction. Under UV light, Fe-doping improved simazine degradation in the sample at 0.05 wt.% Fe, capable of degrading ca. 77% simazine. Interestingly, the undoped TiO2 was also active both under UV and 1 SUN. This is likely due to the occurrence of anatase/brookite heterojunctions, which help stabilize the photogenerated electrons/holes.

Pesticides in honey: bibliographic and bibliometric analysis towards matrix quality for consumption

Abstract Honey is a matrix noted for its wide consumption as a sweetener and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties; however, its physicochemical quality can be compromised by the presence of toxicants such as pesticides. This review aims to gather recent information on pesticides in honey from the approach to their detection, understanding, and adverse effects on human health. A bibliographic and bibliometric analysis was carried out in academic databases limited to the last five and thirty years, respectively, comprising the keywords “honey”, “pesticides” and their types of pesticides or the agrochemical compound directly. It was found that there are about 30 pesticides detected in honey, in which organochlorine, organophosphate, and neonicotinoid compounds stood out for their concentrations concerning Maximum Residue Levels (MRL). Their physicochemical alteration was not well explored beyond slight variations in brightness and manganese concentration, and its consumption may have repercussions on human reproductive health. It was also determined that there was limited development on the scientific subject seeing that it is important to explore and investigate more on the issue due to the great impact of honey as a product of high consumption at a global level.

Toxicogenomics Data for Chemical Safety Assessment and Development of New Approach Methodologies: An Adverse Outcome Pathway-Based Approach

Mechanistic toxicology provides a powerful approach to inform on the safety of chemicals and the development of safe-by-design compounds. Although toxicogenomics supports mechanistic evaluation of chemical exposures, its implementation into the regulatory framework is hindered by uncertainties in the analysis and interpretation of such data. The use of mechanistic evidence through the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept is promoted for the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) that can reduce animal experimentation. However, to unleash the full potential of AOPs and build confidence into toxicogenomics, robust associations between AOPs and patterns of molecular alteration need to be established. Systematic curation of molecular events to AOPs will create the much-needed link between toxicogenomics and systemic mechanisms depicted by the AOPs. This, in turn, will introduce novel ways of benefitting from the AOPs, including predictive models and targeted assays, while also reducing the need for multiple testing strategies. Hence, a multi-step strategy to annotate AOPs is developed, and the resulting associations are applied to successfully highlight relevant adverse outcomes for chemical exposures with strong in vitro and in vivo convergence, supporting chemical grouping and other data-driven approaches. Finally, a panel of AOP-derived in vitro biomarkers for pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is identified and experimentally validated.

A comparison of visible-light photocatalysts for solar photoelectrocatalysis coupled to solar photoelectro-Fenton: Application to the degradation of the pesticide simazine

Three different visible-light photocatalysts (hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) and Mo-doped bismuth vanadate (BiMoVO₄)) deposited on transparent fluorine-doped SnO₂ (FTO) were evaluated for the solar-driven photoelectrocatalytic treatment of emerging pollutants. BiMoVO₄ was found to be the most effective photoanode, yielding the fastest degradation rate constant and highest mineralization efficiency using phenol as the oxidation probe. The BiMoVO₄ photoanode was then used to degrade the herbicide simazine in a photoelectrolytic cell combining photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) with photoelectron-Fenton (PEF) under solar light (SPEC-SPEC). Total simazine removal was achieved within 1 min of treatment (k_app = 4.21 min^-1) at the optimum electrode potential of 2.5 V vs Ag/AgCl, with complete TOC removal in 2 h. The analysis of anionic species in solution during treatment showed that most of the nitrogen heteroatoms in the simazine structure were converted into NO₃^- following ^•OH addition to organic N. This innovative process combining BiMoVO₄-PEC with PEF using solar light as a sustainable source of energy (SPEC-SPEF) achieved the highest degradation/mineralization efficiency ever reported for simazine treatment. Besides, this is the first work reporting the photo(electrochemical) degradation of this toxic herbicide.

Evaluation of Triclosan Effects on Cultured Swine Luteal Cells

Simple Summary

A great concern has been raised against many chemicals, both natural and man-made, that can mimic or interfere with the hormones. Among these, using swine ovarian cells, we were aimed to explore the potential effect of triclosan, an antimicrobial agent widely used in cosmetics and home products. Our results demonstrate that triclosan disrupts cellular function, in particular interfering with hormone production and proliferation, thus suggesting a critical evaluation of its effects.

Abstract

Triclosan is a chlorinated phenolic, used in many personal and home care products for its powerful antimicrobial effect. Several studies have shown triclosan toxicity and the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 has limited its use. It has been recently included in endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a list of chemicals known for their ability to interfere with hormonal signaling with particular critical effects on reproduction both in animals and humans. In order to deepen the knowledge in this specific field, the present study was undertaken to explore the effect of different concentrations of triclosan (1, 10, and 50 µM) on cultured luteal cells, isolated from swine ovaries, evaluating effects on growth Bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) incorporation and Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP) production, steroidogenesis (progesterone secretion) and redox status (superoxide and nitric oxide production, enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity). A biphasic effect was exerted by triclosan on P4 production. In fact, the highest concentration inhibited, while the others stimulated P4 production (p < 0.05). Triclosan significantly inhibited cell proliferation, metabolic activity, and enzymatic scavenger activity (p < 0.05). On the contrary, nitric oxide production was significantly increased by triclosan (p < 0.01), while superoxide anion generation and non-enzymatic scavenging activity were unaffected.