Search Results (1,741)

Heavy metal pollution remains a major global environmental challenge due to persistent ecological risks and potential threats to food safety. Microbial remediation and phytoremediation represent sustainable alternatives to conventional treatments; however, their effectiveness is strongly influenced by number of factors including nutrient availability. This review critically examines how nutritional regulation governs microbial metabolism, plant physiological responses, and rhizosphere interactions to enhance heavy metal transformation and removal. Metal bioavailability depends on type, concentration, soil pH, redox potential, and microbial processes. Interventions including fertilizers, chelating agents, inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria enhance phytoremediation processes through regulating plant nutrient and heavy metal uptake, while selection between ammonium/nitrate changes rhizosphere pH consequently affects plant metal uptake. Similarly, nutrients, i.e., phosphate, iron, zinc and manganese competitively affect metal uptake. Organic amendments enhance phytostabilization, especially for selenium and mercury, while enhancing chromium reduction. Sulfur-reducing bacteria precipitate metals as insoluble sulfides with 90% efficiency. In addition, soil amendments including plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and metal-chelating agents can be strategically used to enhance the phytoextraction from metal from contaminated soils. We suggest that the future integration of modern approaches such as multi-omics and cisgenesis supported by artificial intelligence tools can help to accurately predict the efficiency of nutrient regulation strategies and their remediation outcomes, thereby supporting evidence-based soil management Full article

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a member of the six highly virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens group (ESKAPE) and poses a significant threat to public health due to its ability to cause both hospital and community-acquired infections. Recent health concerns have emerged about heat-tolerant bacterial contamination in hospital settings, particularly those associated with infant formula preparation. This study aims to evaluate the heat survival of 10 clinical K. pneumoniae strains in infant formula and to investigate the correlation between heat tolerance and the presence of heat shock resistance genes, particularly the clp family of ATPases. Ten strains of K. pneumoniae were exposed to heat at 55 °C for 30 min in infant formula. We assessed their survival rates and determined their D-values. Additionally, we screened for the presence of clpC family genes across representative strains. A wide variation in heat tolerance was observed among the strains. Strain 1701 (ST247, capsular antigen profile O3:K1) exhibited the highest heat tolerance, with a D-value of 12.9 min at 55 °C. The other strains exhibited moderate-to-low heat tolerance. Notably, strain 1701 was the only one that contained the clpC2 gene, suggesting a potential association between the clp gene family and heat resistance. Our results indicate that specific heat shock resistance genes, such as clpC2, may be associated with enhanced heat tolerance observed in K. pneumoniae strains. These findings highlight the potential role of heat shock proteins in bacterial persistence within neonatal healthcare environments. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants formed during the incomplete combustion of organic material. Their persistence, bioaccumulation, and metabolic activation contribute to mutagenic and cytotoxic outcomes. Among these are benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), the most studied PAH and a benchmark compound for PAH carcinogenicity, and pyrene, a PAH whose urinary metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene is widely used as a biomarker of PAH exposure. B[a]P undergoes CYP1A1-mediated oxidation to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via epoxide and quinone redox cycling, whereas pyrene produces ROS primarily through pyrene-quinone redox cycling. We investigated cobinamide, a vitamin B₁₂/cobalamin analog with potent antioxidant properties, for mitigating benzo[a]pyrene- and pyrene-induced injury. In H9C2 rat embryonic cardiomyoblasts and A549 human lung epithelial cells exposed to B[a]P (10 μM) or pyrene (10–100 μM), cobinamide (5–10 μM) attenuated PAH-induced reductions in cell number in both models, while in H9C2 cells, it also attenuated decreases in metabolic activity and reduced apoptosis. Cobinamide also returned JNK/p38 phosphorylation to near baseline levels, decreased DNA and protein oxidation and DNA strand breaks. Transcriptionally, cobinamide suppressed inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and oxidative stress genes (HMOX1 and NOX4), while enhancing oxidative response (SOD2) and xenobiotic metabolism (CYP1A1). In Drosophila melanogaster exposed to 5 mM B[a]P/pyrene, 2 mM cobinamide improved survival and fully restored locomotion, outperforming cobalamin (minimal benefit) and N-acetylcysteine (partial rescue). Spectroscopic analyses showed no direct cobinamide-PAH binding. These findings demonstrate that cobinamide efficiently limits ROS-mediated PAH injury through redox modulation while preserving xenobiotic metabolism, suggesting its potential therapeutic use to mitigate PAH-induced toxicity. Full article

This study investigates the robustness of Frenet–Serret curvature ($\kappa$) and torsion ($\tau$) estimates derived from noisy discretely-sampled three-dimensional space curves, with emphasis on the comparative performance of cubic spline and cubic Hermite interpolation methods. Accurate estimation of these geometric invariants is essential for reliable analysis of curves arising in signal processing and shape reconstruction; yet, the higher-order derivatives required for their computation exhibit pronounced sensitivity to measurement noise. We examine curves constructed through a Hilbert transform-based parameterization of the form $\mathrm{r}\left(t\right)=\left(X\left(t\right),A\left(t\right)sin\varphi \left(t\right),g\left(t\right)\right),$ where discrete samples are contaminated with additive white Gaussian noise at varying signal-to-noise ratios. Reconstruction is performed using cubic spline interpolation, which ensures global $C^2$ continuity, as well as cubic Hermite spline interpolation, which provides $C^1$ continuity with local tangent control. Frenet frame computations are then applied via regularized finite difference schemes. To characterize noise amplification theoretically, we derive the Curvature Stability Index (CSI) and Torsion Stability Index (TSI) as first-order variance bounds under the delta method. While these indices formalize the derivative-order dependence of noise sensitivity, Monte Carlo simulations reveal that empirical variance exceeds theoretical predictions by factors of ${10}^4$ to ${10}^6$, indicating dominance of nonlinear error propagation. Nevertheless, the indices establish that torsion instability arises fundamentally from third-order derivative structure rather than ground-truth magnitude. Numerical experiments across three geometric regimes constant-invariant helices, variable-curvature helices, and planar curves with identically zero torsion demonstrate that the ratio of the torsion root mean square error to curvature root mean square error consistently ranges from $6.5$ to $9.8$. This disparity persists even in the degenerate planar case, where $\tau \equiv 0$ analytically, confirming that torsion sensitivity is an intrinsic property of the Frenet–Serret formulation. Across all configurations, cubic spline reconstruction yields lower Monte Carlo mean RMSE and reduced empirical variance compared to Hermite spline, providing superior stability for derivative-based invariant estimation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aim: Dental practice involves continuous exposure to saliva and blood, creating persistent opportunities for cross-infection if contaminated instruments are not processed correctly. This study aimed to evaluate dental students’ knowledge regarding blood-borne infections and infection prevention measures, and to compare knowledge levels according to academic year and sex. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire consisting of 21 single-best-answer questions was administered to 93 undergraduate dental students (Years I–VI) from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania. The questionnaire evaluated knowledge related to instrument classification, cleaning and disinfection procedures, sterilization parameters, autoclave monitoring tests, and storage conditions. Demographic data were also collected. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 31, and associations between responses and demographic variables were assessed using chi-square tests. Associations between responses and demographic variables (academic year and sex) were evaluated using chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: Most participants correctly identified several key steps in the instrument processing circuit, including the use of high-level disinfectant–detergent solutions (88.2%) and the need for disinfection followed by sterilization (76.3%). However, important knowledge gaps were identified regarding autoclave pre-use checks, correct sterilization temperatures and exposure times, recommended sterile storage periods, and the interpretation of sterilization monitoring tools such as type 5 chemical integrators, Bowie–Dick tests, and Helix tests. Knowledge levels differed significantly according to academic year (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although overall awareness of instrument processing procedures among dental students was generally satisfactory, several inconsistencies were observed in critical technical aspects of sterilization and monitoring. These findings highlight the need for strengthened infection control education and repeated practical training to reduce the risk of cross-infection in dental practice. Full article

Ultrashort-chain (USC) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly polar, mobile, and persistent emerging pollutants. While the environmental distribution of USC species is well-documented, their presence in widely consumed beverages remains under-characterized due to the analytical difficulty of capturing such highly polar species. This study established a robust workflow for the simultaneous determination of C1 to C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids, alongside other PFAS classes, in diverse beverage matrices including teas and fruit juices. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a mixed-mode inert-coated alkyl-phase LC column to enhance USC retention while maintaining performance for longer-chain analytes. A high-throughput, minimal-handling sample preparation was optimized to mitigate matrix effects and contamination. Method performance was evaluated using fortified beverage samples across 2–500 ng/L, with calibration ranges of 1–2000 ng/L and incorporation of 13 isotopically labeled internal standards. Results demonstrated acceptable accuracy (recoveries within 30% of nominal values) and optimal precision (%RSD < 12%). Application to commercial samples revealed frequent PFAS occurrence, specifically highlighting the prevalence of previously overlooked USC species in the human diet. These results demonstrate that ready-to-drink beverages are a significant pathway for human exposure, necessitating the inclusion of USC compounds in future food safety monitoring and risk assessments. Full article

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely recognized as persistent contaminants in urban aquatic systems, yet their behavior is typically interpreted under steady-state assumptions driven by continuous discharge of treated wastewater. This paradigm overlooks the dominant role of episodic pollution pulses associated with combined sewer overflow (CSO) events. This review advances a new conceptual framework in which PPCP contamination is understood as a manifestation of complex phenomenon, arising from the interaction of intense precipitation, hydraulic exceedance of sewer systems, and mobilization of accumulated contaminants. We critically synthesize current knowledge on the occurrence, transport, transformation, and removal of PPCPs across wastewater effluents and CSO discharges, integrating insights from degradation kinetics, environmental monitoring, and treatment technologies. Comparative analysis reveals strong matrix-dependent variability in PPCP attenuation, with enhanced degradation in estuarine and marine systems driven by complex photochemical and biogeochemical interactions. However, under CSO-driven pulse conditions, these processes become transient and non-linear, challenging conventional assumptions of steady-state degradation and risk assessment. The findings highlight that CSO events can generate short-duration but high-intensity contamination peaks, often exceeding baseline concentrations and potentially amplifying ecological risks and antimicrobial resistance selection. We propose a matrix-reactivity and pulse-driven framework to better capture the dynamic fate of PPCPs under real-world conditions. Future research should prioritize event-based monitoring, real-time sensing, and time-resolved risk assessment models to address the limitations of current approaches. This work redefines PPCP pollution as a dynamic, episodic, extreme-event-driven process, with important implications for urban water management under increasing climatic variability. Full article

The complete removal of persistent aromatic organic pollutants from aqueous environments demands the development of sustainable and highly efficient filtration materials. In this study, novel bio-sourced mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) were successfully fabricated by incorporating the highly porous metal–organic framework MIL-68(Al) into a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) matrix via a solvent-induced phase inversion method. The integration of MIL-68(Al) nanoparticles significantly tailored the membrane’s morphological structure, endowing the hybrid membranes with enhanced surface hydrophilicity (water contact angle reduced from 90.3° to 72.7°) and superior permeability. The pure water flux reached an optimal value of 42.2 L m⁻² h⁻¹ at a 15 wt.% MOF loading. Crucially, the hybrid membranes exhibited exceptionally high adsorptive removal performance for p-nitrophenol (PNP) and methylene blue (MB). Driven by the abundant accessible active sites of the MOF filler, the MIL-20/PLA membrane achieved a maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity of 121.03 μg/cm² (36.90 mg/g) for PNP, representing a remarkable 25.7-fold enhancement over the pristine PLA membrane. Kinetic analyses confirmed that the adsorption process is strictly governed by pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating a chemisorption mechanism dominated by hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions. Furthermore, the optimized membranes demonstrated outstanding dynamic filtration efficiencies (>80%) and robust regenerability over multiple continuous operating cycles. This work not only highlights the synergistic interfacial effects between MOFs and biodegradable polymers but also provides a highly effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable membrane platform for the advanced remediation of organic-contaminated wastewater. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous combustion-derived contaminants that represent a significant cross-cutting threat to human, animal, and environmental health. Viewed through an explicit One Health lens, this review shows how the shared combustion sources, evolutionarily conserved toxicological mechanisms, and food-web linkages connecting environmental contamination to wildlife and human exposure justify an integrated, cross-domain approach to PAH risk assessment and management. PAHs are generated predominantly through incomplete combustion of organic materials and are globally distributed through atmospheric transport, aquatic runoff, and food-web transfer, persisting in soils and sediments for decades. The present review synthesizes current knowledge on PAHs through an explicit One Health lens, examining shared sources, environmental fate, and convergent health effects across species and health domains, while also highlighting the need to move beyond the classical US EPA priority PAHs to include high-molecular-weight PAHs (>302 Da), alkylated homologues, and transformation products such as oxy- and nitro-PAHs. Common pathways such as dietary intake of grilled and smoked foods, inhalation of contaminated air, and occupational exposure create parallel toxicological burdens in both human and wildlife populations, particularly through genotoxic mechanisms mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation and CYP1A1/CYP1B1-catalyzed bioactivation to reactive diol epoxides. The resulting DNA adduct formation links environmental PAH exposure to carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, immunosuppression, and developmental impairment across vertebrate species with remarkable mechanistic consistency. Wildlife, especially fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, serve as critical sentinels for environmental PAH contamination, while simultaneously facing direct health impacts on immune function, reproduction, and population viability. Vulnerable human populations, including children, subsistence communities, occupational workers, and residents near combustion-intensive industries, bear disproportionate burdens reflecting underlying environmental justice concerns. Integrated intervention strategies encompassing source control, dietary exposure reduction, site remediation, and coordinated biomonitoring are urgently needed. By incorporating emerging PAH classes with distinct persistence, trophic behavior, and toxicological potency, the One Health paradigm provides a more comprehensive conceptual framework for modern environmental surveillance, food safety, and integrated risk assessment, recognizing that the health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is inseparable from that of the animals and humans within them. Full article

Coagulation-based technologies are increasingly recognized as key for controlling fluoride and hexavalent chromium in urban water and wastewater. Combined geogenic and industrial sources often drive chronic exposure and create an underrecognized public health burden. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the occurrence, speciation, and toxicology of F⁻ and Cr(VI) in urban systems, links regulatory targets to health outcomes, and critically examines conventional, advanced, and electrochemical coagulation processes for their removal under realistic water-quality conditions. Mechanistic sections describe how aluminum-, iron-, magnesium- and zirconium-based coagulants, including pre-polymerized and composite formulations (e.g., IPC-type coagulants, PSiFAC-Mg, ZrCl₄), remove fluoride via Al–F complexation, Al–F–OH co-precipitation, ion exchange, and sweep flocculation, while Cr(VI) control relies on Fe(II)-mediated reduction to Cr(III), followed by adsorption and co-precipitation with metal hydroxides. The review assesses how water chemistry and operating conditions affect single- and multi-contaminant removal, highlighting competition among fluoride, Cr(VI), nutrients, and other oxyanions. Performance data from bench-, pilot-, and selected full-scale studies show that optimized coagulation and electrocoagulation can substantially reduce fluoride and Cr(VI) (to drinking-water-relevant levels) in diverse urban waters, but also reveal persistent issues of sludge generation and stability, residual metals, process robustness, and cost. The review identifies priorities, including long-term urban-scale assessments, low-toxicity green coagulants, life-cycle and health impact assessments, and real-time coagulation control for fluoride and Cr(VI). Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in fluorinated firefighting wastewater (FFW), which are difficult to remediate using conventional technologies, represent a critical environmental hazard due to the extreme persistence and bioaccumulation potential of soil–groundwater systems. Niobium-supported boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes were synthesized by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition, and their performance in the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) of FFW were systematically investigated. Under optimized conditions (100 mM Na₂SO₄ electrolyte with 100 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS), current density of 33.3 mA/cm², pH = 6), the BDD anode achieved near-complete mineralization, with 92.5% total organic carbon (TOC) removal and significant defluorination (77.5% F⁻ release) within 240 min in simulated FFW-contaminated groundwater. For FFW-contaminated soil remediation, 90.2% TOC removal and 41.6% defluorination were achieved after 720 min under optimal treatment (water-to-soil ratio of 20:1). Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests revealed that hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) were the predominant reactive species. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis indicated that PFASs were removed by shortened carbon chains, ultimately mineralizing to CO₂ and F⁻. Toxicity assessment using Vibrio fischeri luminescence demonstrated a reduction in toxicity (from 99.8% to 20.9%), confirming the effective detoxification of BDD-based EAOPs. This work establishes BDD-based EAOPs as a promising technology for eliminating PFASs in groundwater and soil, offering theoretical insights into EAOPs and engineering solutions for PFAS remediation. Full article

Coastal systems are vital to human societies, delivering numerous ecosystem services. However, human activities introduce contaminants, especially trace metals (TM) that contribute to their degradation. These environments are inherently dynamic and complex, characterized by rapidly occurring biogeochemical processes. As a consequence, high-frequency sampling is required to evaluate short-term TM dynamics. The hourly temporal variations in nine TM (V, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co and U) concentrations and size-partitioning (<0.02, <0.2 µm, raw sample and in the suspended particulate matter) were investigated during a 27 h diurnal cycle within the Arcachon Bay (SW France). The results demonstrated that: (i) the TM were mainly represented in the potentially bioavailable fraction (<0.02 µm), except for Pb which remained predominantly associated with the particles, (ii) the temporal variability for U and V was only due to the mixing of water bodies contrarily to the 7 other TM, (iii) there was no clear influence of daytime conditions on TM concentration and/or size-partitioning, and (iv) a superimposition of multiple processes controlling TM speciation. Finally, the calculated risk quotients for species demonstrated an ecological risk for the marine biota for Co and Cu. These findings highlight the importance of high-frequency sampling combined with size-fractionation approaches to better resolve TM speciation dynamics, thereby helping to address the persistent knowledge gap in the distribution and biogeochemical cycling of TM between particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved phases in aquatic systems. Full article

Currently, the search continues for solutions for the treatment of water contaminated by toxic compounds such as chlorophenols that are used in the manufacture of pesticides, insecticides, and the paper industry, among others, and that are considered persistent in the environment, in addition to being extremely toxic, especially 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is potentially carcinogenic. In this work, the use of thermally activated Co/Fe hydrotalcites as photocatalysts is presented. The catalysts were characterized by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ physisorption, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The catalysts were tested in the photo-assisted degradation of 80 mg/L of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The catalytic structures present are Co/Fe simple and mixed oxides. The results of the photocatalytic activity show that the materials have good photocatalytic activity with a degradation efficiency of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, reaching a maximum capacity of 65% for oxides derived from hydrotalcites with a Co/Fe ratio of 2 and calcined at 500 °C, exceeding the activity shown by the reference catalyst, high-performance commercial titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic activity studied for the catalyst with the highest percentage of degradation is attributed to the presence of holes, as well as to the formation of oxidizing species such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals that are determinants in the degradation mechanism. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal oncological diseases, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 13%—among the lowest in oncology. Poor survival is driven by aggressive tumor progression and metastasis, which may be influenced by the tumor microbiome. This study aimed to evaluate the role of microbiome in PDAC progression and metastasis. First, we assessed the microbial composition of control samples (surface swabs, empty paraffin, extraction controls, and sequencing controls) and removed contaminant taxa. Overall bacterial biomass was extremely low, with no significant differences in alpha or beta-diversity between tumor and normal tissue. Kocuria rosea was significantly enriched in tumors compared to normal tissue, and this difference persisted after decontamination. Metastatic tumors showed altered abundance of K. rosea and Herbaspirillum huttiense, whereas non-metastatic tumors differed in Lysobacter bugurensis, Caulobacter ginsengisoli, and H. huttiense relative to normal tissue. No global compositional differences were observed between KRAS-mutant and wild-type tumors; however, KRAS-mutant tumors exhibited differential enrichment of K. rosea and L. bugurensis relative to adjacent normal tissue. The PDAC microbiome harbors very low bacterial biomass and does not robustly distinguish tumor from normal tissue at the community level. Nonetheless, K. rosea emerges as a candidate taxon differentially enriched in PDAC, with potential stage- and KRAS-associated patterns. These findings highlight the need for orthogonal validation (qPCR, FISH, culture) and larger prospective cohorts to differentiate true biological associations from residual contamination or stochastic noise in low-biomass settings. Full article

The Yangtze River Economic Belt supports over 400 million people and contributes nearly half of China’s GDP, yet decades of industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural intensification have resulted in severe contamination and pressing environmental challenges. This systematic review synthesizes three decades of peer-reviewed and governmental data to examine the spatiotemporal distribution, sources, and ecological and human health risks of major pollutants, including heavy metals, microplastics, persistent organic pollutants, and excess nutrients. While point-source emission of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury have decreased by 35–42% since 2013 following policy interventions like the 10-Point Water Plan and the Yangtze River Protection Law, legacy contaminants in sediments and diffuse agricultural inputs continue to pose significant risks. Cadmium levels in rice still exceed food safety standards, arsenic in groundwater surpasses health guidelines, and microplastic flux into the East China Sea has reached 8.3 × 10¹² particles per year. Nutrient surpluses also drive extensive algal blooms, causing substantial economic losses. This review evaluates remediation strategies such as dredging, phytoremediation, wetland restoration, and AI-enhanced monitoring, which show removal efficiencies of 60–90% at reduced costs. However, critical gaps remain in understanding chronic mixture toxicity, the long-term fate of emerging contaminants, and pollutant–climate interactions. We propose an integrated basin-wide roadmap combining zero-liquid-discharge mandates, green infrastructure, and adaptive, performance-based governance to secure the Yangtze’s ecological and economic sustainability. This framework offers a transferable model for large-scale watershed management worldwide. Full article