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Journal of Exposure Science &... Jul 2023Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a simple, cost-effective, and minimally invasive alternative to venipuncture for measuring exposure biomarkers in public health and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is a simple, cost-effective, and minimally invasive alternative to venipuncture for measuring exposure biomarkers in public health and epidemiological research. DBS sampling provides advantages in field-based studies conducted in low-resource settings and in studies involving infants and children. In addition, DBS samples are routinely collected from newborns after birth (i.e., newborn dried blood spots, NDBS), with many states in the United States permitting access to archived NDBS samples for research purposes.
OBJECTIVES
We review the state of the science for analyzing exposure biomarkers in DBS samples, both archived and newly collected, and provide guidance on sample collection, storage, and blood volume requirements associated with individual DBS assays. We discuss recent progress regarding analytical methods, analytical sensitivity, and specificity, sample volume requirements, contamination considerations, estimating extracted blood volumes, assessing stability and analyte recovery, and hematocrit effects.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase (Elsevier), and CINAHL (EBSCO) was conducted in March 2022. DBS method development and application studies were divided into three main chemical classes: environmental tobacco smoke, trace elements (including lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic), and industrial chemicals (including endocrine-disrupting chemicals and persistent organic pollutants). DBS method development and validation studies were scored on key quality-control and performance parameters by two members of the review team.
RESULTS
Our search identified 47 published reports related to measuring environmental exposure biomarkers in human DBS samples. A total of 28 reports (37 total studies) were on methods development and validation and 19 reports were primarily the application of previously developed DBS assays. High-performing DBS methods have been developed, validated, and applied for detecting environmental exposures to tobacco smoke, trace elements, and several important endocrine-disrupting chemicals and persistent organic pollutants. Additional work is needed for measuring cadmium, arsenic, inorganic mercury, and bisphenol A in DBS and NDBS samples.
SIGNIFICANCE
We present an inventory and critical review of available assays for measuring environmental exposure biomarkers in DBS and NDBS samples to help facilitate this sampling medium as an emerging tool for public health (e.g., screening programs, temporal biomonitoring) and environmental epidemiology (e.g., field-based studies).
Topics: Infant; Child; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Environmental Biomarkers; Cadmium; Arsenic; Persistent Organic Pollutants; Trace Elements; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Mercury; Biomarkers; Endocrine Disruptors
PubMed: 35963945
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00460-7 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023This Editorial provides summaries and an overview of research and review articles published in the journal, volumes 21 (2021), 22 (2022), and 23 (2023), within the...
This Editorial provides summaries and an overview of research and review articles published in the journal, volumes 21 (2021), 22 (2022), and 23 (2023), within the biomedical Special Issue "Portable Electronic-Nose Devices for Noninvasive Early Disease Detection", which focused on recent sensors, biosensors, and clinical instruments developed for noninvasive early detection and diagnosis of human and animal diseases. The ten articles published in this Special Issue provide new information associated with recent electronic-nose (e-nose) and related volatile organic compound (VOC)-detection technologies developed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of diagnostic methodologies for early disease detection prior to symptom development. For review purposes, the summarized articles were placed into three broad groupings or topic areas, including veterinary-wildlife pathology, human clinical pathology, and the detection of dietary effects on VOC emissions. These specified categories were used to define sectional headings devoted to related research studies with a commonality based on a particular disease being investigated or type of analytical instrument used in analyses.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Electronic Nose; Volatile Organic Compounds; Early Diagnosis; Animals, Wild; Electronics
PubMed: 37765943
DOI: 10.3390/s23187885 -
Environmental Science & Technology Aug 2023Acidity is one central parameter in atmospheric multiphase reactions, influencing aerosol formation and its effects on climate, health, and ecosystems. Weak acids and... (Review)
Review
Acidity is one central parameter in atmospheric multiphase reactions, influencing aerosol formation and its effects on climate, health, and ecosystems. Weak acids and bases, mainly CO, NH, and organic acids, are long considered to play a role in regulating atmospheric acidity. However, unlike strong acids and bases, their importance and influencing mechanisms in a given aerosol or cloud droplet system remain to be clarified. Here, we investigate this issue with new insights provided by recent advances in the field, in particular, the multiphase buffer theory. We show that, in general, aerosol acidity is primarily buffered by NH, with a negligible contribution from CO and a potential contribution from organic acids under certain conditions. For fogs, clouds, and rains, CO, organic acids, and NH may all provide certain buffering under higher pH levels (pH > ∼4). Despite the 10to 10 lower abundance of NH and organic weak acids, their buffering effect can still be comparable to that of CO. This is because the cloud pH is at the very far end of the CO multiphase buffering range. This Perspective highlights the need for more comprehensive field observations under different conditions and further studies in the interactions among organic acids, acidity, and cloud chemistry.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Ammonia; Ecosystem; Organic Chemicals; Aerosols
PubMed: 37599651
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09851 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Aug 2023Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and... (Review)
Review
Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and provide future perspectives regarding the vector effect of MPs for chemical contaminants and biological agents. The evidence in the literature indicates that MPs are a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and pharmaceuticals. Concentrations of chemical contaminant in orders of six-fold higher on MPs surfaces than in the surrounding environmental waters have been reported. Chemical pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PAFSs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exhibiting polarities in the range of 3.3-9 are the commonest chemicals reported on MP surfaces. Regarding metals on MPs including chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), the presence of C-O and N-H in MPs promote a relatively high adsorption of these metals onto MP surfaces. Regarding pharmaceuticals, not much has been done, but a few studies indicate that commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen have been associated with MPs. There is sufficient evidence supporting the claim that MPs can act as vectors for viruses, bacterial and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, and MPs act to accelerate horizontal and vertical gene transfer. An area that deserves urgent attention is whether MPs can act as vectors for invertebrates and vertebrates, mainly non-native, invasive freshwater species. Despite the ecological significance of invasive biology, little research has been done in this regard. Overall, our review summarises the state of the current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps and provides perspectives for future research.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Plastics; Ecosystem; Biological Factors; Ibuprofen; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Metals; Fresh Water; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37196837
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2023The global annual production of rice is over 750 million tons, and generates a huge amount of biomass waste, such as straw, husk, and bran, making rice waste an ideal... (Review)
Review
The global annual production of rice is over 750 million tons, and generates a huge amount of biomass waste, such as straw, husk, and bran, making rice waste an ideal feedstock for biomass conversion industries. This review focuses on the current progress in the transformation of rice waste into valuable products, including biochar, (liquid and gaseous) biofuels, valuable chemicals (sugars, furan derivatives, organic acids, and aromatic hydrocarbons), and carbon/silicon-based catalysts and catalyst supports. The challenges and future prospectives are highlighted to guide future studies in rice waste valorization for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.
PubMed: 37927567
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1225073 -
Eco-Environment & Health Sep 2023Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are a family of synthetic organic chemicals applied in the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) of various electric and electronic products... (Review)
Review
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are a family of synthetic organic chemicals applied in the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) of various electric and electronic products (e-products). Due to their unique properties (i.e., persistence, bioaccumulative potential, and toxicity) and widespread environmental distributions, LCMs have attracted increasing attention across the world. Recent studies have focused on the source, distribution, fate, and toxicity of LCMs; however, a comprehensive review is scarce. Herein, we highlighted the persistence and bioaccumulation potential of LCMs by reviewing their physical-chemical properties. The naming rules were suggested to standardize the abbreviations regarding LCMs. The sources and occurrences of LCMs in different environmental compartments, including dust, sediment, soil, leachate, air and particulate, human serum, and biota samples, were reviewed. It is concluded that the LCMs in the environment mainly originate from the usage and disassembly of e-products with LCDs. Moreover, the review of the potential recycling and removal technologies regarding LCMs from waste LCD panels suggests that a combination of natural attenuation and physic-chemical remediation should be developed for LCMs remediations in the future. By reviewing the health risks and toxicity of LCMs, it is found that a large gap exists in their toxicity and risk to organisms. The fate and toxicity investigation of LCMs, and further investigations on the effects on the human exposure risks of LCMs to residents, especially to occupational workers, should be considered in the future.
PubMed: 38074986
DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.002 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Nov 2023Coordination assembly offers a versatile means to developing advanced materials for various applications. However, current strategies for assembling metal-organic...
Coordination assembly offers a versatile means to developing advanced materials for various applications. However, current strategies for assembling metal-organic networks into nanoparticles (NPs) often face challenges such as the use of toxic organic solvents, cytotoxicity because of synthetic organic ligands, and complex synthesis procedures. Herein, we directly assemble metal-organic networks into NPs using metal ions and polyphenols (i.e., metal-phenolic networks (MPNs)) in aqueous solutions without templating or seeding agents. We demonstrate the role of buffers (e.g., phosphate buffer) in governing NP formation and the engineering of the NP physicochemical properties (e.g., tunable sizes from 50 to 270 nm) by altering the assembly conditions. A library of MPN NPs is prepared using natural polyphenols and various metal ions. Diverse functional cargos, including anticancer drugs and proteins with different molecular weights and isoelectric points, are readily loaded within the NPs for various applications (e.g., biocatalysis, therapeutic delivery) by direct mixing, without surface modification, owing to the strong affinity of polyphenols to various guest molecules. This study provides insights into the assembly mechanism of metal-organic complexes into NPs and offers a simple strategy to engineer nanosized materials with desired properties for diverse biotechnological applications.
Topics: Phenols; Polyphenols; Metal Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles; Metals; Water
PubMed: 37800651
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312925 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024To identify age-related plasma extracellular vehicle (EVs) phenotypes in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVES
To identify age-related plasma extracellular vehicle (EVs) phenotypes in healthy adults.
METHODS
EV proteomics by high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate EV protein stability and discover age-associated EV proteins (n=4 with 4 serial freeze-thaws each); validation by high-resolution flow cytometry and EV cytokine quantification by multiplex ELISA (n=28 healthy donors, aged 18-83 years); quantification of WI-38 fibroblast cell proliferation response to co-culture with PKH67-labeled young and old plasma EVs. The EV samples from these plasma specimens were previously characterized for bilayer structure, intra-vesicle mitochondria and cytokines, and hematopoietic cell-related surface markers.
RESULTS
Compared with matched exo-EVs (EV-depleted supernatants), endo-EVs (EV-associated) had higher mean TNF-α and IL-27, lower mean IL-6, IL-11, IFN-γ, and IL-17A/F, and similar mean IL-1β, IL-21, and IL-22 concentrations. Some endo-EV and exo-EV cytokine concentrations were correlated, including TNF-α, IL-27, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, but not IL-11, IL-17A/F, IL-21 or IL-22. Endo-EV IFN-γ and exo-EV IL-17A/F and IL-21 declined with age. By proteomics and confirmed by flow cytometry, we identified age-associated decline of fibrinogen (FGA, FGB and FGG) in EVs. Age-related EV proteins indicated predominant origins in the liver and innate immune system. WI-38 cells (>95%) internalized similar amounts of young and old plasma EVs, but cells that internalized PKH67-EVs, particularly young EVs, underwent significantly greater cell proliferation.
CONCLUSION
Endo-EV and exo-EV cytokines function as different biomarkers. The observed healthy aging EV phenotype reflected a downregulation of EV fibrinogen subpopulations consistent with the absence of a pro-coagulant and pro-inflammatory condition common with age-related disease.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Interleukin-17; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Healthy Aging; Interleukin-27; Interleukin-6; Extracellular Vesicles; Cytokines; Immune System; Fibrinogen; Organic Chemicals
PubMed: 38633262
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355380 -
Chemosphere Aug 2023Fluorescence spectroscopy has numerous applications to characterize natural and human-influenced water bodies regarding dissolved organic matter (DOM) and contamination....
Fluorescence spectroscopy has numerous applications to characterize natural and human-influenced water bodies regarding dissolved organic matter (DOM) and contamination. Analyzing samples in a timely manner is crucial to gaining valid and reproducible excitation-emission matrices (EEM) but often difficult, specifically in transnational projects with long transport distances. In this study, eight samples of different water sources (tap water, differently polluted rivers, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents) were stored under standardized conditions for 59 days and analyzed regularly. With this data set, the sample and fluorescence spectra stability was evaluated. Established analysis methods such as peak picking and fluorescence metrics were compared over time and benchmarked against dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and a maximal change of 10% in terms of their variability. Additional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data to identify single organic compounds provides insights into these DOM alterations and allows for conclusions about the underlying biological processes. Our results corroborate in a systematic way that the higher the organic or microbial load, the faster the sample must be processed. For all water sources, considerable changes were found between days zero and one, indicating a potential systematic bias between in-situ and laboratory measurements. The absolute signals of individual peaks vary substantially after only a few days. In contrast, relative metrics are robust for a much longer time. For specific metrics, when filtered and stored under cool and dark conditions, tap water may be stored for up to 59 days, non-polluted river water for up to 31-59 days, and WWTP effluents for up to 14-59 days. The storability thus depends both on the specific water source and the analytical plan. By systematizing our understanding of how the specific water source and DOM concentration determine the stability of samples during storage, these conclusions facilitate efforts to establish a standardized protocol.
Topics: Humans; Water; Rivers; Organic Chemicals; Dissolved Organic Matter; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Humic Substances
PubMed: 37164201
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138853 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2023Flame retardants (FRs) are chemical substances used to inhibit the spread of fire in numerous industrial applications, and their abundance in modern manufactured... (Review)
Review
Flame retardants (FRs) are chemical substances used to inhibit the spread of fire in numerous industrial applications, and their abundance in modern manufactured products in the indoor and outdoor environment leads to extensive direct and food chain exposure of humans. Although once considered relatively non-toxic, FRs are demonstrated by recent literature to have disruptive effects on many biological processes, including signaling pathways, genome stability, reproduction, and immune system function. This review provides a summary of research investigating the impact of major groups of FRs, including halogenated and organophosphorus FRs, on animals and humans in vitro and/or in vivo. We put in focus those studies that explained or referenced the modes of FR action at the level of cells, tissues and organs. Since FRs are highly hydrophobic chemicals, their biophysical and biochemical modes of action usually involve lipophilic interactions, e.g. with biological membranes or elements of signaling pathways. We present selected toxicological information about these molecular actions to show how they can lead to damaging membrane integrity, damaging DNA and compromising its repair, changing gene expression, and cell cycle as well as accelerating cell death. Moreover, we indicate how this translates to deleterious bioactivity of FRs at the physiological level, with disruption of hormonal action, dysregulation of metabolism, adverse effects on male and female reproduction as well as alteration of normal pattern of immunity. Concentrating on these subjects, we make clear both the advances in knowledge in recent years and the remaining gaps in our understanding, especially at the mechanistic level.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Humans; Flame Retardants; Organophosphorus Compounds; Fires; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Dust
PubMed: 37406685
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165272