-
Environmental Health Perspectives Sep 2022The first evidence of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure in the human placenta is emerging. However, the toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs in the placenta,...
BACKGROUND
The first evidence of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure in the human placenta is emerging. However, the toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs in the placenta, specifically environmentally relevant particles, remain unclear.
OBJECTIVES
We examined the transport, uptake, and toxicity of pristine and experimentally weathered MNPs in nonsyncytialized and syncytialized BeWo b30 choriocarcinoma cells.
METHODS
We performed untargeted chemical characterization of pristine and weathered MNPs using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate compositional differences following particle weathering. We investigated cellular internalization of pristine and weathered polystyrene (PS; ) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE; ) particles using high-resolution confocal imaging and three-dimensional rendering. We investigated the influence of particle coating with human plasma on the cellular transport of PS particles using a transwell setup and examined the influence of acute MNP exposure on cell viability, damage to the plasma membrane, and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis.
RESULTS
Chemical characterization of MNPs showed a significantly higher number of unique features in pristine particles in comparison with weathered particles. Size-dependent placental uptake of pristine and weathered MNPs was observed in both placental cell types after 24 h exposure. Cellular transport was limited and size-dependent and was not influenced by particle coating with human plasma. None of the MNPs affected cell viability. Damage to the plasma membrane was observed only for PS particles in the nonsyncytialized cells at the highest concentration tested (). Modest down-regulation of hsd17b1 was observed in syncytialized cells exposed to pristine MNPs.
DISCUSSION
Our results suggest that pristine and weathered MNPs are internalized and translocated in placental cells . Effects on gene expression observed upon pristine PS and HDPE particle exposure warrant further examination. More in-depth investigations are needed to better understand the potential health risks of MNP and chemicals associated with them under environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10873.
Topics: Cell Survival; Female; Humans; Microplastics; Placenta; Polyethylene; Polystyrenes; Pregnancy
PubMed: 36129437
DOI: 10.1289/EHP10873 -
Journal of Advanced Research Jul 2023Environmental microparticle is becoming a global pollutant and the entire population is increasingly exposed to the microparticles from artificial materials. The...
INTRODUCTION
Environmental microparticle is becoming a global pollutant and the entire population is increasingly exposed to the microparticles from artificial materials. The accumulation of microparticles including microplastics and its subsequent effects need to be investigated timely to keep sustainable development of human society.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore the accumulation of environmental particles in thrombus, the pathological structure in the blood circulation system.
METHODS
Patients receiving cardiovascular surgical operations were screened and twenty-six thrombi were collected, digested and filtered. Non-soluble microparticles were enriched on the filter membrane and then were analyzed and identified with Raman Spectrometer. The associations of particle status (presence or absence) or particle number in the thrombus and clinical indicators were examined. One strict quality control-particle detection system was designed to eliminate environmental contaminations.
RESULTS
Among twenty-six thrombi, sixteen contained eighty-seven identified particles ranging from 2.1 to 26.0 μm in size. The number of microparticles in each thrombus ranged from one to fifteen with the median reaching five. All the particles found in thrombi were irregularly block-shaped. Totally, twenty-one phthalocyanine particles, one Hostasol-Green particle, and one low-density polyethylene microplastic, which were from synthetic materials, were identified in thrombi. The rest microparticles included iron compounds and metallic oxides. After the adjustment for potential confounders, a significantly positive association between microparticle number and blood platelet levels was detected (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
This study provides the first photograph and Raman spectrum evidence of microparticles in thrombi. A large number of non-soluble particles including synthetic material microparticles could accumulate in arteries, suggesting that the risk of microparticle exposure was under-estimated and the re-evaluation of its health effects is urgently needed. There will be a series of reports on assessing the health effects of microparticle exposure in humans in the future and this research provided clues for the subsequent research.
Topics: Humans; Microplastics; Plastics; Thrombosis; Blood Platelets; Polyethylene
PubMed: 36116710
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.09.004 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Sep 2022In the more than 100 years since the invention of plastics, various plastic polymers have been developed that exhibit different characteristics and have been widely used... (Review)
Review
In the more than 100 years since the invention of plastics, various plastic polymers have been developed that exhibit different characteristics and have been widely used in production and life. In 2020 alone, nearly 400 million tons of plastics were produced globally. However, while plastic such as polyethylene brings us convenience, it also threatens environmental sustainability and human health. Due to insufficient recycling efficiency, millions of tons of polyethylene pollutants accumulate in terrestrial or marine environments each year. Polyethylene is elastic, chemically stable, and non-biodegradable, and the traditional disposal methods include landfilling and incineration. These methods are costly, unsustainable, and further increase the burden on the environment. Therefore, recent research has increasingly focused on the biodegradation of polyethylene. In this work, we briefly summarized polyethylene's properties and environmental toxicity. We also reviewed the recent advances in the biodegradation of polyethylene with a summary of traditional abiotic methods. Finally, we proposed a brief research direction in polyethylene study with the aspect of environmental toxicology and industrial applications of decomposition technology.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Environmental Pollutants; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Plastics; Polyethylene; Recycling
PubMed: 35930840
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113933 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Feb 2023We report a novel polyester material generated from readily available biobased 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol possesses a polyethylene-like...
We report a novel polyester material generated from readily available biobased 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol possesses a polyethylene-like solid-state structure and also tensile properties similar to high density polyethylene (HDPE). Despite its crystallinity, high melting point (T =96 °C) and hydrophobic nature, polyester-2,18 is subject to rapid and complete hydrolytic degradation in in vitro assays with isolated naturally occurring enzymes. Under industrial composting conditions (ISO standard 14855-1) the material is biodegraded with mineralization above 95 % within two months. Reference studies with polyester-18,18 (T =99 °C) reveal a strong impact of the nature of the diol repeating unit on degradation rates, possibly related to the density of ester groups in the amorphous phase. Depolymerization by methanolysis indicates suitability for closed-loop recycling.
Topics: Polyethylene; Biodegradation, Environmental; Polyesters; Hydrolysis
PubMed: 36480133
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213438 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... May 2023Polyethylene (PE) is the most abundantly used synthetic resin and one of the most resistant to degradation, and its massive accumulation in the environment has caused... (Review)
Review
Polyethylene (PE) is the most abundantly used synthetic resin and one of the most resistant to degradation, and its massive accumulation in the environment has caused serious pollution. Traditional landfill, composting and incineration technologies can hardly meet the requirements of environmental protection. Biodegradation is an eco-friendly, low-cost and promising method to solve the plastic pollution problem. This review summarizes the chemical structure of PE, the species of PE degrading microorganisms, degrading enzymes and metabolic pathways. Future research is suggested to focus on the screening of high-efficiency PE degrading strains, the construction of synthetic microbial consortia, the screening and modification of degrading enzymes, so as to provide selectable pathways and theoretical references for PE biodegradation research.
Topics: Polyethylene; Bacteria; Plastics; Biodegradation, Environmental; Microbial Consortia
PubMed: 37212223
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.220868 -
Journal of ISAKOS : Joint Disorders &... Oct 2023Anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty in its modern form where it reproduces the normal shoulder has been utilized clinically for more than half a century. As the... (Review)
Review
Anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty in its modern form where it reproduces the normal shoulder has been utilized clinically for more than half a century. As the technology and the designs have changed to recreate the humeral and glenoid sides of the joint, the sophistication of design has resulted in the growing number of cases annually worldwide. This increase is due in part to the increasing number of indications that the prosthesis can treat with successful results. On the humeral side, there have been design changes to better reflect the proximal humeral anatomy, and humeral stems are increasingly placed safely without cement. Platform systems which allow conversion of a failed arthroplasty to a reverse configuration without stem extraction is another design change. Similarly, there has been increasing utilization of short stem and stemless humeral components. Extensive experience with shorter stem and stemless devices, however, has yet to demonstrate the purported advantages of these devices, as recent studies have demonstrated equivalent blood loss, fracture rates, operative times, and outcome scores. Easier revision with these shorter stems remains to be definitively established, with only one study comparing the ease of revision between stem types. On the glenoid side, hybrid cementless glenoids, inlay glenoids, cementless all-polyethylene glenoids, and augmented glenoids have all been investigated; however, the indications for these devices remain unclear. Lastly, innovative surgical approaches to implanting shoulder arthroplasty and the use of patient specific guides and computerized planning, while interesting concepts, still await validation before they are utilized on a widespread basis. While reverse shoulder arthroplasty has been increasingly used to reconstruct the arthritic shoulder, anatomic glenohumeral replacement maintains a significant role in the armamentarium of the shoulder surgeon.
Topics: Humans; Prosthesis Design; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder; Joint Prosthesis; Shoulder Prosthesis; Polyethylene
PubMed: 37207983
DOI: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.05.001 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Sep 2023Polyethylene microplastics have been detected in farmland soil, irrigation water, and soil organisms in agroecosystems, while plastic mulching is suggested as a crucial... (Review)
Review
Polyethylene microplastics have been detected in farmland soil, irrigation water, and soil organisms in agroecosystems, while plastic mulching is suggested as a crucial source of microplastic pollution in the agroecosystem. Plastic mulch can be broken down from plastic mulch debris to microplastics through environmental aging and degradation process in farmlands, and the colonization of polyethylene-degrading microorganisms on polyethylene microplastics can eventually enzymatically depolymerize the polyethylene molecular chains with CO release through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The selective colonization of microplastics by soil microorganisms can cause changes in soil microbial community composition, and it can consequently elicit changes in enzyme activities and nutrient element content in the soil. The biological uptake of polyethylene microplastics and the associated disturbance of energy investment are the main mechanisms impacting soil-dwelling animal development and behavior. As polyethylene microplastics are highly hydrophobic, their presence among soil particles can contribute to soil water repellency and influence soil water availability. Polyethylene microplastics have been shown to cause impacts on crop plant growth, as manifested by the effects of polyethylene microplastics on soil properties and soil biota in the agroecosystems. This review reveals the degradation process, biological impacts, and associated mechanisms of polyethylene microplastics in agroecosystems and could be a critical reference for their risk assessment and management.
Topics: Animals; Microplastics; Plastics; Agriculture; Polyethylene; Soil Pollutants; Soil
PubMed: 37499389
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115274 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2022The generation of small fragments from the environmental ageing of microplastics (MPs) is still a poorly known process. This work addresses the fragmentation of MPs...
The generation of small fragments from the environmental ageing of microplastics (MPs) is still a poorly known process. This work addresses the fragmentation of MPs obtained from marine debris consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene (PE and PP in environmental mixture) and polystyrene (PS) after exposure to accelerated ageing by irradiation and mechanical stirring. Number particle size distribution in the 1-100 μm range was assessed by combining laser diffractometry with particle counts from flow cytometry. The results showed the generation of a high number of small MP particles, which reached 10-10 items/mg of plastic with most fragments <2 μm. The results showed that environmentally aged MPs give rise to a larger number of small MPs in a pattern consistent with progressive fragmentation in the three spatial dimensions. The proportion of small MPs was much higher than that found in current sampling campaigns, suggesting a severe underestimation of the environmental presence of small MPs. We also demonstrated the generation of nanoplastics (NPs) in the fraction <1 μm from irradiated runs. The results showed that the mechanism that produced nanoplastics (NPs) from MPs was irradiation, which yielded up to 10-10 NPs/g with particle size in the few hundreds of nm range. Our results are relevant for the assessment of fate and risk of plastic debris in the environment showing that the number of small plastic fragments produced during the ageing of MPs is much larger than expect from the extrapolation of larger size populations.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Microplastics; Plastics; Polyethylene; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 35276161
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154438 -
Biotechnology Advances Nov 2022The global production of plastics has continuously been soaring over the last decades due to their extensive use in our daily life and in industries. Although synthetic... (Review)
Review
The global production of plastics has continuously been soaring over the last decades due to their extensive use in our daily life and in industries. Although synthetic plastics offer great advantages from packaging to construction and electronics, their low biodegradability induce serious plastic pollution that damage the environment, human health and make irreversible changes in the ecological cycle. In particular, plastics containing only carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone are less susceptible to degradation due to the lack of hydrolysable groups. The representative polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) account for about 40% of the total plastic production. Various chemical and biological processes with great potential have been developed for plastic recycle and reuse, but biodegradation seems to be the most attractive and eco-friendly method to combat this growing environmental problem. In this review, we first summarize the current advances in PE and PS biodegradation, including isolation of microbes and potential degrading enzymes from different sources. Next, the state-of-the-art techniques used for evaluating and monitoring PE and PS degradation, the scientific toolboxes for enzyme discovery as well as the challenges and strategies for plastic biodegradation are intensively discussed. In return, it inspires a further technological exploration in expanding the diversity of species and enzymes, disclosing the essential pathways and developing new approaches to utilize plastic waste as feedstock for recycling and upcycling.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon; Humans; Plastics; Polyethylene; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 35654281
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107991 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Classically, particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis at the implant-bone interface has explained the aseptic loosening of joint replacement. This response is preceded... (Review)
Review
Classically, particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis at the implant-bone interface has explained the aseptic loosening of joint replacement. This response is preceded by triggering both the innate and acquired immune response with subsequent activation of osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells. Although particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis has been considered a foreign body chronic inflammation mediated by myelomonocytic-derived cells, current reports describe wide heterogeneous inflammatory cells infiltrating the periprosthetic tissues. This review aims to discuss the role of those non-myelomonocytic cells in periprosthetic tissues exposed to wear particles by showing original data. Specifically, we discuss the role of T cells (CD3, CD4, and CD8) and B cells (CD20) coexisting with CD68/TRAP multinucleated giant cells associated with both polyethylene and metallic particles infiltrating retrieved periprosthetic membranes. This review contributes valuable insight to support the complex cell and molecular mechanisms behind the aseptic loosening theories of orthopedic implants.
Topics: Humans; Osteolysis; Joint Prosthesis; Osteoclasts; Inflammation; Polyethylene
PubMed: 38106424
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1310262