Evidence of small microplastics in waters and sediments of the Venice Lagoon: quantitative analysis and polymer identification using Micro-FTIR

Microplastics are emerging pollutants in all environmental compartments (e.g. water, soil, sediments, etc.). Their contamination is well documented since 1970’s, although specific references to this topic were made in the US and in Europe in 2008. Microplastic particles are generally classified according their sizes, but the classification has been subject of lengthy debates. Finally, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA, 2019) has proposed the definition of microplastic as “a material composed of solid polymer-containing particles, to which additives or other substances may have been added, with particle dimensions ranging from 1 nm to 5 mm and with fiber lengths ranging from 3 nm to 15 mm and length to diameter ratio of >3. Furthermore, ECHA has firmly stated the need of polymer identification when analyzing microplastics. In literature several methods have been employed, especially microscopic methods which do not allow the identification of polymers. In these studies only a subset of samples was analyzed via FTIR. In several studies only large microplastics were studied and small microplastics were neglected, especially in water studies, since the mesh sizes of manta trawls can be either 330 µm or 100 µm. In this study small microplastics (1-100 µm) were studied in sediments and waters of the Venice Lagoon using micro-FTIR. These small particles can be mistaken as food particles and then ingested by the biota. Small microplastics can cause damages and obstructions of gastrointestinal tract, and they can be accumulated within the organisms along the trophic net. A method of purification, quantification and polymer identification was developed. Six sites in the Venice Lagoon were studied; preliminary findings showed differences among the sites studied

Benzothiazoles as Molecular Markers for Automobile Tire Derived Inputs: Occurrence and Phase Distribution in Highway Runoff and Road Dust

Over the past several decades, discharges of both wastewater and stormwater have been identified as one of the major causes of the deterioration observed in receiving waters (Lamprea and Ruban, 2011). The major sources are vehicle emissions, motor oil, tyre and brake wear, and road particles in urban environments. During rainfall events contaminants are washed into the stormwater system and then discharged. The Italian legislation (Legislative Decree no. 152 of 11 May 1999) provides a complete program for the protection of water bodies from pollution. The decree implements the community directive 91/271/EEC concerning the treatment of urban wastewater, that constitutes the reference standard for the EU member states. The Italian law focuses on the quality of the receiving water body with several monitoring activities for determining the environmental damage. Despite these steps forward, several pollutants are not determined and their impact and fate in the environment are unknown. Furthermore, a comprehensive determination of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is crucial to understand the distribution of target compounds in dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter (Feltracco et al., 2022). The accumulation of road dust itself also serves as a notable pollutant source because it can be transported by runoff, and the associated pollutants could adversely affect the water ecosystem. Among the hazardous pollutants in dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter and road dust particles originating from tires, rubbers, and microplastics are often observed (Rosso et al., 2022), together with benzothiazoles. A total of eight benzothiazoles were determined in highway stormwater runoff and road collected from February to April 2022 near Venice (Casale sul Sile, Veneto Region, Italy). A full validated method is presented, by using an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The target compounds were determined in both dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter of runoff. The road dust samples were divided in seven fractions depending on particles diameters to evaluate the fraction partitioning. The results underline that SO₃H-BTH was the most concentrated benzothiazole derivate in all the analysed substrates, suggesting the presence of tires debris as main source because it is used in the vulcanization processes. The three major compounds in the dissolved phase were inversely correlated with precipitation amount and positively correlated with the number of days after last rain event, while no correlation were found with suspended particulate matter. The road dust samples indicated a clear trend of the majority of benzothiazoles to distribute in the finest fraction (<63 µm). The distribution of 2-SCNMeS-BTH was opposite to the other benzothiazoles, suggesting a different source and environmental behaviour

Quantification and characterization of additives, plasticizers, and small microplastics (5-100 μm) in highway stormwater runoff

Highway stormwater (HSW) runoff is a significant pathway for transferring microplastics from land-based sources to the other surrounding environmental compartments. Small microplastics (SMPs, 5-100 μm), additives, plasticizers, natural, and nonplastic synthetic fibers, together with other components of micro-litter (APFs), were assessed in HSW samples via Micro-FTIR; oleo-extraction and purification procedures previously developed were optimized to accomplish this goal. The distribution of SMPs and APFs observed in distinct HSW runoff varied significantly since rainfall events may play a crucial role in the concentration and distribution of these pollutants. The SMPs' abundance varied from 11932 ± 151 to 18966 ± 191 SMPs/L. The dominating polymers were vinyl ester (VE), polyamide 6 (PA6), fluorocarbon, and polyester (PES). The APFs' concentrations ranged from 12825 ± 157 to 96425 ± 430 APFs/L. Most APFs originated from vehicle and tire wear (e.g., Dioctyl adipate or 5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole). Other sources of these pollutants might be pipes, highway signs, packaging from garbage debris, road marking paints, atmospheric deposition, and other inputs. Assessing SMPs in HSW runoff can help evaluating the potential threat they may represent to receiving water bodies and air compartments. Besides, APFs in HSW runoff may be efficient proxies of macro- and microplastic pollution

Effects of usnic acid to prevent infections by creating a protective barrier in an in vitro study

Nasal sprays are medical devices useful for preventing infection and the subsequent spread of airborne pathogens. The effectiveness of these devices depends on the activity of chosen compounds which can create a physical barrier against viral uptake as well as incorporate different substances with antiviral activity. Among antiviral compounds, UA, a dibenzofuran derived from lichens, has the mechanical ability to modify its structure by creating a branch capable of forming a protective barrier. The mechanical ability of UA to protect cells from virus infection was investigated by analyzing the branching capacity of UA, and then the protection mechanism in an in vitro model was also studied. As expected, UA at 37 °C was able to create a barrier confirming its ramification property. At the same time, UA was able to block the infection of Vero E6 and HNEpC cells by interfering with a biological interaction between cells and viruses as revealed also by the UA quantification. Therefore, UA can block virus activity through a mechanical barrier effect without altering the physiological nasal homeostasis. The findings of this research could be of great relevance in view of the growing alarm regarding the spread of airborne viral diseases

Microplastic accumulation in benthic invertebrates in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

Microplastic contamination of the benthic invertebrate fauna in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) was determined. Twelve macrobenthic species, characterized by different feeding strategies, were selected at 3 sampling sites at increasing distance from the Italian Scientific Base (Mario Zucchelli, Camp Icarus, Adelie Cove). The 83% of the analyzed macrobenthic species contained microplastics (0.01–3.29 items mg−1). The size of the particles, measured by Feret diameter, ranged from 33 to 1000 µm with the highest relative abundance between 50 and 100 µm. Filter-feeders and grazers displayed values of microplastic contamination from 3 to 5 times higher than omnivores and predators, leading to the hypothesis that there is no evident bioaccumulation through the food web. The prevalent polymers identified by micro-FTIR were nylon (86%) and polyethylene (5%); other polymers identified in Antarctic benthos were polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene, phenolic resin, polypropylene, polystyrene resin and XT polymer. Keywords: Antarctica, Benthos, Microplastics, Food web, FTIR, Nile re

Hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF2α prevents NASH-related liver carcinogenesis by decreasing cancer cell proliferation

Background & aims: Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are involved in chronic liver disease progression. We previously showed that hepatocyte HIF-2\u3b1 activation contributed significantly to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression in experimental animals and human patients. In this study, using an appropriate genetic murine model, we mechanistically investigated the involvement of hepatocyte HIF-2\u3b1 in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related carcinogenesis. Methods: The role of HIF-2\u3b1 was investigated by morphologic, cellular, and molecular biology approaches in the following: (1) mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2\u3b1 (HIF-2\u3b1-/- mice) undergoing a NASH-related protocol of hepatocarcinogenesis; (2) HepG2 cells stably transfected to overexpress HIF-2\u3b1; and (3) liver specimens from NASH patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: Mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2\u3b1 (hHIF-2\u3b1-/-) showed a significant decrease in the volume and number of liver tumors compared with wild-type littermates. These effects did not involve HIF-1\u3b1 changes and were associated with a decrease of cell proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. In both human and rodent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related tumors, HIF-2\u3b1 levels were strictly associated with hepatocyte production of SerpinB3, a mediator previously shown to stimulate liver cancer cell proliferation through the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP)/c-Myc pathway. Consistently, we observed positive correlations between the transcripts of HIF-2\u3b1, YAP, and c-Myc in individual hepatocellular carcinoma tumor masses, while HIF-2\u3b1 deletion down-modulated c-Myc and YAP expression without affecting extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and AKT-dependent signaling. In\ua0vitro data confirmed that HIF-2\u3b1 overexpression induced HepG2 cell proliferation through YAP-mediated mechanisms. Conclusions: These results indicate that the activation of HIF-2\u3b1 in hepatocytes has a critical role in liver carcinogenesis during NASH progression, suggesting that HIF-2\u3b1-blocking agents may serve as novel putative therapeutic tools

Oncostatin M is overexpressed in NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes cancer cell invasiveness and angiogenesis

: Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin (IL)-6 family that contributes to the progression of chronic liver disease. Here we investigated the role of OSM in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in NAFLD/NASH. The role of OSM was investigated in: a) selected cohorts of NAFLD/NASH HCC patients; b) liver cancer cells exposed to human recombinant OSM or stably transfected to overexpress human OSM; c) murine HCC xenografts; d) a murine NASH-related model of hepatic carcinogenesis. OSM was found to be selectively overexpressed in HCC cells of NAFLD/NASH patients, depending on tumor grade. OSM serum levels, barely detectable in patients with simple steatosis or NASH, were increased in patients with cirrhosis, and more evident in those carrying HCC. In this latter group, OSM serum levels were significantly higher in the subjects with intermediate/advanced HCCs and correlated with poor survival. Cell culture experiments indicated that OSM upregulation in hepatic cancer cells contributes to HCC progression by inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increased invasiveness of cancer cells as well as by inducing angiogenesis, which is of critical relevance. In murine xenografts, OSM overexpression was associated with slower tumor growth, but an increased rate of lung metastases. Overexpression of OSM and its positive correlation with the angiogenic switch were also confirmed in a murine model of NAFLD/NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis. Consistent with this, analysis of liver specimens from human NASH-related HCCs with vascular invasion showed that OSM was expressed by liver cancer cells invading hepatic vessels. In conclusion, OSM up-regulation appears to be a specific feature of HCC arising on a NAFLD/NASH background, and it correlates with clinical parameters and disease outcome. Our data highlight a novel pro-carcinogenic contribution for OSM in NAFLD/NASH, suggesting a role of this factor as a prognostic marker and a putative potential target for therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Prognostic factors of lung cancer in lymphoma survivors (the LuCiLyS study)

Background Second cancer is the leading cause of death in lymphoma survivors, with lung cancer representing the most common solid tumor. Limited information exists about the treatment and prognosis of second lung cancer following lymphoma. Herein, we evaluated the outcome and prognostic factors of Lung Cancer in Lymphoma Survivors (the LuCiLyS study) to improve the patient selection for lung cancer treatment. Methods This is a retrospective multicentre study including consecutive patients treated for lymphoma disease that subsequently developed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data regarding lymphoma including age, symptoms, histology, disease stage, treatment received and lymphoma status at the time of lung cancer diagnosis, and data on lung carcinoma as age, smoking history, latency from lymphoma, symptoms, histology, disease stage, treatment received, and survival were evaluated to identify the significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Results Our study population included 164 patients, 145 of which underwent lung cancer resection. The median overall survival was 63 (range, 58–85) months, and the 5-year survival rate 54%. At univariable analysis no-active lymphoma (HR: 2.19; P=0.0152); early lymphoma stage (HR: 1.95; P=0.01); adenocarcinoma histology (HR: 0.59; P=0.0421); early lung cancer stage (HR: 3.18; P<0.0001); incidental diagnosis of lung cancer (HR: 1.71; P<0.0001); and lung cancer resection (HR: 2.79; P<0.0001) were favorable prognostic factors. At multivariable analysis, no-active lymphoma (HR: 2.68; P=0.004); early lung cancer stage (HR: 2.37; P<0.0001); incidental diagnosis of lung cancer (HR: 2.00; P<0.0001); and lung cancer resection (HR: 2.07; P<0.0001) remained favorable prognostic factors. Patients with non-active lymphoma (n=146) versus those with active lymphoma (n=18) at lung cancer diagnosis presented better median survival (64 vs. 37 months; HR: 2.4; P=0.02), but median lung cancer specific survival showed no significant difference (27 vs. 19 months; HR: 0.3; P=0.17). Conclusions The presence and/or a history of lymphoma should not be a contraindication to resection of lung cancer. Inclusion of lymphoma survivors in a lung cancer-screening program may lead to early detection of lung cancer, and improve the survival