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10 pages, 670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Screening and Correlation of Trace Elements in the Blood and Urine of School-Aged Children (5–12 Years): A Pilot Biomonitoring Study

by Arlette A. Camacho-delaCruz, Oliver Mendoza-Cano, Xóchitl Trujillo, Miguel Huerta, Mónica Ríos-Silva, Irma Elizabeth Gonzalez-Curiel, Agustin Lugo-Radillo, María Fernanda Romo-García, Herguin Benjamin Cuevas-Arellano, Ángel Gabriel Hilerio-López, Ramón Solano-Barajas, Jaime Alberto Bricio-Barrios, Juan Manuel Uribe-Ramos, J. Francisco Ventura-Ramírez, Alma Alejandra Solano-Mendoza, Fernando Sánchez-Cárdenas, Verónica Benites-Godínez, Eder Fernando Ríos-Bracamontes, Jesús Venegas-Ramírez and Efrén Murillo-Zamora

Toxics 2025, 13(6), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13060431 - 25 May 2025

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Abstract

Children constitute a population at risk from environmental exposure to trace elements. This study aimed to evaluate correlations between urinary and blood levels of multiple elements in school-aged children (5–12 years), assessing whether urine, a less invasive matrix, could complement or replace blood sampling. A pilot biomonitoring study was conducted, and 91 children provided urine and venous blood samples in which the levels of 17 contaminants (Al, As, Ba, Cs, Co, Cu, I, Pb, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, Te, Ti, and Zn) were assessed. Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Urinary and blood levels of arsenic (rho = 0.23, 95% CI 0.01–0.44), lead (rho = 0.43, 95% CI 0.24–0.61), and strontium (rho = 0.22, 95% CI 0.03–0.40) showed significant correlations. These findings suggest that urine sampling could serve as a practical alternative to blood collection for monitoring specific trace elements like lead in pediatric populations, particularly in large-scale studies where participant compliance is critical. However, modest correlations for other elements highlight the need for element-specific validation before adopting urine as a universal biomonitoring matrix. Future research should explore the pharmacokinetic and exposure-related factors driving these relationships to optimize non-invasive surveillance strategies for children’s environmental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Exposome Analysis and Risk Assessment)

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21 pages, 12534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Lighting Systems Implementation Methodology Aligned with SDGs and International Standards: A Case Study in a Mexican Technological Institute

by Jorge Alberto Cárdenas Magaña, Marco Antonio Celis Crisóstomo, Juan M. González López, Sergio Sandoval Pérez, Daniel A. Verde Romero, Francisco Miguel Hernández López, Efrain Villalvazo Laureano, Emmanuel Vega Negrete, Jaime Jalomo Cuevas, Ramón Chávez Bracamontes and Paulina Barragán Sánchez

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10831; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410831 - 11 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive holistic methodology implemented for sustainable lighting systems in educational institutions. The proposed methodology is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), and it follows international standards. The six-step process includes viability analysis, project design simulation using DIALux 4.13 software, the installation of LED lighting systems, and the redesign of some electrical circuits, followed by an analysis of return on investment and the monitorization of CO₂ and energy consumption. The proposed methodology results in significant return on investment (ROI), primarily achieved through energy savings and reduced maintenance costs. The implementation of LED tubes, combined with occupancy and natural light sensors, leads to a 66% reduction in energy consumption and a reduction of 15.63 tons (metric tons) of CO₂ annually, translating into a quick payback period of approximately 2.36 years. Additionally, the system includes Long-Term Monitoring, which ensures that energy consumption and lighting levels are continuously tracked. Full article

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9 pages, 2586 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

TiO₂-Coated Meltblown Nonwoven Fabrics Prepared via Atomic Layer Deposition for the Inactivation of E. coli as a Model Photocatalytic Drinking Water Treatment System

by Alexander G. Aragon, Jaime A. Cárdenas Sánchez, Carlos Zimeri, Eunkyoung Shim, Xiaomeng Fang and Kyana R. L. Young

Environments 2024, 11(5), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11050092 - 30 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2460

Abstract

The controlled manufacturing of semiconductor photocatalysts is crucial to their development for drinking water treatment. In this study, TiO₂-coated meltblown nonwoven fabrics prepared via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) are applied for the inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is observed that in the presence of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) light source (255 nm), 1.35 log E. coli inactivation is achieved. However, exposure to catalyst-coated fabrics in addition to the light source resulted in >4 log E. coli inactivation, suggesting a much higher rate of hydroxyl radical formation on the surface, leading to cell death. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies of Water and Wastewater Treatment)

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11 pages, 2872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Meltblown Nonwoven Fabric Filter for Stormwater Runoff Treatment

by Jaime A. Cárdenas Sánchez, Hunter Szewczyk, Judy Assaad, Carlos Zimeri, Eunkyoung Shim, Xiaomeng Fang and Kyana R. L. Young

Water 2023, 15(2), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020242 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3637

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities (e.g., rural urbanization) play major roles in preventing the achievement of sustainable water quality, where eutrophication—the exacerbation of increase in nutrient concentrations combined with warmer temperatures and lower light availability, leading to the dense growth of plant life depleting the amount of available oxygen and killing aquatic life—remains a major challenge for surface water bodies. Filtration mechanisms, with a wide range of applicability, capture common waterborne pathogens as small as 0.1–20.0 μm (bacteria, cysts, spores) and 0.001–0.100 μm (protein, viruses, endotoxins) through the process of microfiltration and ultrafiltration. This study follows the premise of using a designed water flow-through system, with meltblown nonwoven fabrics to measure its performance to capture water contaminant constituents of surface water contamination and eutrophication: total coliforms, nitrate, and orthophosphate. The achieved fabric filtration mechanism showed capture of total coliforms (59%), nitrate (51%), and orthophosphate (46%). The current study provides an alternative solution to more common and traditional water treatment technologies, such as chlorine and ozone disinfection, which (1) introduces disinfection or treatment byproducts and (2) cannot adapt to the permanent changing conditions and newer environmental challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lake Eutrophication: Causes, Monitoring and Restoration)

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18 pages, 3239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Restraint of Human Skin Fibroblast Motility, Migration, and Cell Surface Actin Dynamics, by Pannexin 1 and P2X7 Receptor Signaling

by Carolina Flores-Muñoz, Jaime Maripillán, Jacqueline Vásquez-Navarrete, Joel Novoa-Molina, Ricardo Ceriani, Helmuth A. Sánchez, Ana C. Abbott, Caroline Weinstein-Oppenheimer, Donald I. Brown, Ana María Cárdenas, Isaac E. García and Agustín D. Martínez

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(3), 1069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22031069 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4715

Abstract

Wound healing is a dynamic process required to maintain skin integrity and which relies on the precise migration of different cell types. A key molecule that regulates this process is ATP. However, the mechanisms involved in extracellular ATP management are poorly understood, particularly in the human dermis. Here, we explore the role, in human fibroblast migration during wound healing, of Pannexin 1 channels and their relationship with purinergic signals and in vivo cell surface filamentous actin dynamics. Using siRNA against Panx isoforms and different Panx1 channel inhibitors, we demonstrate in cultured human dermal fibroblasts that the absence or inhibition of Panx1 channels accelerates cell migration, increases single-cell motility, and promotes actin redistribution. These changes occur through a mechanism that involves the release of ATP to the extracellular space through a Panx1-dependent mechanism and the activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7. Together, these findings point to a pivotal role of Panx1 channels in skin fibroblast migration and suggest that these channels could be a useful pharmacological target to promote damaged skin healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pannexin- and Connexin-Based Channels under Normal and Pathological Conditions)

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