Introduction

ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) is an efflux transporter responsible for pumping compounds out of cells. It influences systemic exposure and pharmacokinetics of compounds by reducing their absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract and regulating tissue distribution and excretion. The ABCG2 protein is responsible for the detoxification of tissues, but also for multi-drug resistance in cancer therapies. One of the possible routes for the excretion of compounds facilitated by ABCG2 is via mother’s milk, so the binding of compounds to this transporter may be a risk factor during breastfeeding. In this study, organophosphorus pesticides were analyzed in the context of their ability to reach mother’s milk by facilitated rather than passive diffusion, using the ABCG2 transport protein.

Material and Method

A total of 18 organophosphorus pesticides were subjected to molecular docking using the AutoDock Vina method. The 3D cryo-electron microscopy structure of the ABCG2 transporter bound to a ligand denoted as BWQ (PDB code: 6FFC) was obtained from the RCSB Protein Data Bank as a template for in silico calculations. The structure of the target protein was prepared by removing heteroatoms, crystallographic water and ions. The dimensions of a docking grid box were 30 Å x 30 Å x 30 Å, and the center coordinates were 131, 127 and 145 (x, y and z, respectively).

Results

It was established that the organophosphorus pesticides exhibit relatively strong affinities for the studied transporter (ca. -7 to -10 kcal/mol) and the protein–ligand interactions occur mainly by hydrogen bonds, carbon–hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking or van der Waals forces. The main aminoacid residues responsible for the binding of each pesticide to the target protein were identified.

Conclusions

Based on the results of in silico calculations, it may be concluded that the studied pesticides are likely to reach mother’s milk by facilitated diffusion or mixed mechanisms. Further studies of the stability of protein–pesticide complexes are underway.

Introduction: Environmental heavy metals have been associated with female infertility. Follicular fluid (FF), which envelops the oocyte, offers insights into element composition. Nevertheless, standardized studies on its trace elements remain limited. Due to its direct contact with the oocyte, FF is a critical medium through which heavy metal concentrations can significantly impact female fertility. Last year, our group attempted to detect 22 analytes (Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn) in four FF samples from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, using ICP-MS/MS without sample digestion. Consequently, a novel and reliable methodology was developed. This study aimed to compare our results with previous reports, analyze their similarities and differences, and identify possible causes.

Methods: An exhaustive literature search was conducted using adequate keywords. Relevant data were extracted for comparison, considering the type of matrix analyzed, the method used, and the elements detected. Finally, these were compared with those obtained by our group in a database.

Results: Of our 22 analytes, values were available for 16 of them, as the remaining ones were not detected (Be, Ce, Cd, La, Pb, and U). Comparable values for 13 of the 16 elements were found in the literature, as there is no published data on FF regarding Bi, Sb, and Rb. Some of the comparisons showed very similar data, but most presented considerable variations.

Conclusions: Although there is similarity in some of the data compared, great variability still exists. This may be due to different factors, such as the methodology used in each case, lifestyle habits, occupational exposure, place of residence, pathologies, or demographic factors. Further study in this field is necessary in order to homogenize conditions and obtain more robust results of analysis regarding potentially toxic elements.

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder affecting approximately 7–10% of menstruating individuals worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis remains largely unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) may contribute to its development.

Methods: Peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were obtained from 50 subjects (25 controls and 25 patients with endometriosis) attending the Gynecology Service of San Juan University Hospital in Spain between June 2020 and September 2022. Samples were processed and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS). Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was performed in R (version 4.4.3, package “bkmr” and “ggplot2”) to provide new insights into the effects of Cd, Pb, and Ni on endometriosis risk.

Results: Cadmium levels were significantly higher in the endometriosis group compared to the control group (0.71 ± 0.94 vs. 0.25 ± 0.22 µg/L, p=0.009). The BKMR model using PF concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Pb revealed a positive trend in endometriosis risk with increasing metal exposure. However, this combined effect was not statistically significant, and none of the metals showed an independent association with the disease.

Conclusions: Although no statistically significant associations were observed, the positive trend in the combined effect of Cd, Ni, and Pb suggests a potential role of metal mixtures in endometriosis pathogenesis. This lack of statistical significance may be related to sample size limitations and inherent variability in peritoneal fluid composition. Nevertheless, the observed trend is consistent with the previous literature on the endocrine-disrupting properties of these metals. These findings highlight the importance of considering environmental mixtures in research on reproductive health and gynecological diseases, and emphasize the need for larger studies to better understand these associations.

Introduction:
Microbial-mediated bioremediation offers a sustainable solution for detoxifying polluted environments, but its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent advances in multi-omics approaches, particularly transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have enabled detailed insight into cellular responses to environmental stressors. In this study, a mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic profiling approach was applied to investigate alterations in protein expression in Paramecium multimicronucleatum exposed to cadmium (Cd²⁺), a toxic heavy metal known to cause cellular stress.

Methods:
A mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic approach was applied to analyze protein abundance changes in P. multimicronucleatum after Cd²⁺ exposure as compared to a control. Samples were processed using the Proteome Discoverer software to identify and quantify peptide spectral matches, total peptides, and proteins. Differential abundance was determined using statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05).

Results:
The proteomic analysis identified 7,416 peptide spectral matches, corresponding to 2,824 unique peptides and 989 proteins. Among these, 29 proteins showed statistically significant differential abundance in cadmium-treated samples. Six proteins were upregulated, while twenty-three were downregulated. These proteins were functionally linked to stress responses, energy metabolism, protein degradation, cell growth, and hormone processing.

Conclusions:
This comprehensive comparative proteomic analysis provides valuable insights into the molecular adaptations of Paramecium under cadmium stress. The findings contribute to our understanding of metal detoxification pathways, supporting future studies on bioremediation strategies for environmental sustainability.

Telomere length (TL) is a critical biomarker of cellular aging and has been increasingly associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. This study investigates the profile of leukocyte TL with ambient PM_2.5 exposure among adults residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A total of 182 participants were enrolled, consisting of 72% females, aged between 23 and 66 years, and stratified into three age groups: under 35 (n = 36), 35–49 (n = 88), and 50 years old or older (n = 58). Relative TL was measured from blood leukocytes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), with results expressed as the telomere-to-single-copy gene (T/S) ratio. PM_2.5 levels were retrieved from local monitoring stations and averaged across lag periods (in weeks). The mean TLs for participants aged <35, 35–49, and ≥50 were 0.83 ± 0.17, 0.81 ± 0.15, and 0.82 ± 0.13, respectively (P > 0.05), with no significant differences observed in age, BMI, smoking status, or gender among the groups. The mean PM2.5 concentration for Lag03 (3 weeks prior) was 45.9 ± 2.92 µg/m³, ranging from 42.6 to 51.2 µg/m³. Adjusting for age, BMI, smoking status, and gender, the multivariable linear regression model showed that PM_2.5 Lag03 was a significant predictor of TL, indicating that higher short-term PM_2.5 exposure was associated with longer relative TL (B = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.11–0.29, β = 0.368, p < 0.001). In this study, TL was similar across the three age groups, while the overall TL values were much shorter than those found in a previous study of healthy nonsmokers in Chiang Mai (TL range: 1.35–1.00). Differences may stem from environmental exposures, measurement methods, or lifestyle. Further studies should explore the effects of PM2.5-bound chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, especially in the context of long-term exposure.

Background and Aims

In the general population, there is little epidemiological evidence linking exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) to lung function. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between urinary OP metabolites and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Material and method

A total of 9291 participants (including 2598 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2017. We used weighted logistic regression, combined with quantile g calculation (Qg) and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to evaluate the relationship between individual or mixed exposure to OP and COPD, and further explored the molecular mechanism of increased COPD risk caused by OP exposure through bioinformatics analysis, providing ideas for the prevention and treatment of COPD.

Result

Dimethyl phosphate (DMPT) (OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.22), diethyl thiophosphate (DEPT) (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.38), dimethyl dithiophosphate diester (DMDTP) (OR=1.25, 95% CI -1.20, 1.29), and diethyl dithiophosphate (DEDTP) (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.40, 1.70) are significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD. The QG results showed that mixed OP exposure significantly increased the risk of COPD (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.47, 1.70, P<0.001), and the weights of DMPT, DEPT, DMDTP, and DEDTP were relatively high. In the WQS model, co exposure to the OP mixture is significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.67, 1.94). The COPD target genes associated with OP exposure are mainly enriched in pathways related to inflammation, infection, metabolism, and hormone regulation.

Conclusion

Exposure to OPs increases the risk of COPD through a mixed effect, emphasizing the significant impact of OPs and the need to prioritize the regulation of high-risk components such as DMPT, DEPT, DMDTP, and DEDTP.

Introduction: The marine luminescent bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri is currently used to assess the toxicity of environmental contaminants. Heavy metal ions such as Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ in aquatic samples are known to inhibit bacterial bioluminescence at high concentrations. These metal ions form Werner-type complexes upon reaction with bidentate ligands. However, the changes in bioluminescence inhibition associated with the stepwise formation of metal complexes have not been fully elucidated. Hormesis—a biphasic dose–response relationship in which low doses induce stimulation and high doses cause inhibition—may contribute to this phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate the hormetic effects of metal complex formation on the bioluminescence intensity of Aliivibrio fischeri. Methods: Octahedral complexes of Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were prepared by mixing the metal ions with varying concentrations of ethylenediamine. The bioluminescence intensity of Aliivibrio fischeri was measured using the ROTAS™ Leachable kit. The redox potential (ORP) of each complex solution was also measured, as ORP is known to influence the bacterial respiratory chain. The degree of hormetic response was evaluated by calculating the hormetic area from time–course data of bioluminescence intensity. Results: All metal ions exhibited hormetic responses upon complexation with ethylenediamine. The hormetic area increased as ORP decreased in the sample solutions (Co²⁺: r = 0.89, Zn²⁺: r = 0.96, Cu²⁺: r = 0.73). The relatively weak correlation in Cu²⁺ complexes is likely attributable to the Jahn–Teller effect characteristic of Cu²⁺. Conclusions: Heavy metal ions tend to exhibit hormesis via the formation of Werner-type complexes, and this behavior is influenced by ORP, which in turn depends on the structure of the metal complexes.

Microplastics (<5 mm) are persistent emerging contaminants now ubiquitous in all environmental matrices, posing serious ecological and health risks due to their toxic effects, their ability to act as vectors of toxic pollutants and their integration into food webs. Despite extensive global research on freshwater microplastic contamination, only a few rivers in Bangladesh have been studied, with no prior research conducted on rivers inthe Barishal region, which experience increased anthropogenic pressure and have ecological significance. Hence, this research was carried out to provide the first overview of microplastic distribution in the region. A total of 30 surface water samples were collected from ten locations along the length of the river during the pre-monsoon season and analyzed using a microscope and FTIR. The results revealed microplastic abundance ranging from 93.33 ± 8.08 particles/L to 196 ± 11.89 particles/L, with downstream sites exhibiting significantly higher concentrations. Fragments and fibers were the predominant shapes, with red and navy blue as the most common colors. The majority of particles fell under a 100–500 µm size range, followed by smaller particles (<100 µm), indicating a potential for greater pollutant adsorption and bioavailability. Six polymer types were identified: PE (34%), PP (22%), PETE (16%), PS (8%), PVC and nylons (both at 10%). These polymers indicate sources such as municipal waste, industrial discharge, plastic bags, bottles, pipes, packaging materials and fishing nets. Risk assessment through indices revealed an overall moderate pollution scenario where Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) values ranged from 7 to 4236.6 (Category II to IV) and ERI_river=145.86. PLIi and PLI_river values were >1, indicating that all sites were significantly polluted. This study provides baseline microplastic contamination data for the Payra River and is crucial for future research and evidence-based policymaking to ensure sustainable riverine ecosystem management.

The impact of particulate matter (PM) on health is an ongoing concern, with PM2.5 pollution being implicated in a broad spectrum of negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, and various mood disorders. Despite significant research efforts, the exact mechanisms through which these particles exert their harmful effects remain largely elusive. In our current study, we utilized a sophisticated small animal whole-body inhalation exposure system to closely examine diesel engine exhaust particles (DEPs), aiming to replicate real-world atmospheric conditions as accurately as possible. The focus of our investigation was to scrutinize potential depression-like symptoms in mice subjected to long-term exposure to these particles, with insights into the molecular underpinnings offered via cutting-edge RNA sequencing techniques. In this study, we utilized male BALB/C mice that were systematically exposed to DEPs over varied durations. Behavioral assessments and pathological analyses of mice exposed to DEPs for 6, 8, and 10 weeks were conducted and juxtaposed with those from unexposed control groups. The findings revealed a discernable onset of depression-like behaviors in mice after 6, 8 and 10 weeks of DEP exposure, identifiable through behavioral testing and microscopic tissue examinations. Furthermore, RNA sequencing results suggested that the depression-like behaviors observed in DEP-exposed mice might be intricately tied to the modulation of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, along with alterations in the BDNF pathways in brain regions such as the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. This evidence underscores the notion that exposure to DEPs could potentially instigate depressive patterns in a controlled murine model.

Nanoplastics (NPs) pose significant ecological risks due to their small size and ability to penetrate biological tissues across all trophic levels. However, their biological effects remain incompletely understood, particularly in tropical reef ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of short-term (7-day) exposure to carboxyl-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs, 100 nm) on juvenile clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), using two concentrations: low (20 µg/L, environmentally relevant) and high (2000 µg/L). A multidisciplinary approach combining biochemical and transcriptomic analyses was used to assess toxicity. Biochemical assays revealed limited changes in oxidative stress biomarkers (CAT, GR, GST, and TOSCA assays). However, the Integrated Biomarker Response index (IBRv2i) suggested compromised fish health, a finding supported by transcriptomic data. Gene expression analysis showed that both concentrations induced significant changes, with shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mostly upregulated, indicating a core molecular response. Despite this, each treatment also elicited unique transcriptional signatures. GO enrichment analysis of the high-concentration group highlighted processes related to muscle contraction, extracellular matrix organization, and oxidative stress responses, suggesting structural and physiological remodeling. In contrast, the low-concentration group showed enrichment for sensory system development, particularly visual function, as well as neurodevelopment and metabolic processes. These results indicate that even low NP concentrations can trigger substantial molecular alterations, although the nature of the biological response varies by exposure level. While high exposure is associated with stress adaptation and tissue restructuring, low exposure predominantly affects neural and sensory pathways. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PS-NP exposure can alter gene expression and physiological state in juvenile reef fish, even at environmentally relevant concentrations. The distinct molecular profiles observed at different concentrations underscore the importance of exposure level in determining affected biological systems and potential long-term impacts of nanoplastic pollution in marine environments.