Fate of silver nanoparticles in constructed wetlands : a microcosm study

Nano-enabled materials are produced at growing volumes which increases the likelihood of nanoparticles being released into the environment. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are likely to receive wastewater containing nanoparticles leaching from products during usage. Therefore, we investigate the retention of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in microcosms simulating CWs treating domestic wastewater. The effects of aeration and organic matter content on the Ag-NP removal efficiencies are studied in particular. CWs remove most of the Ag (80-90%) and the largest fraction of Ag is found in/on the biofilm. Detailed electron microscopy analyses suggest that Ag-NPs are transformed into Ag2S in all microcosm experiments. The good correlation between total suspended solids (TSS) and the Ag concentration measured in the effluent indicates that Ag-NPs are bound to the solids in the effluent. Aeration of the microcosms does not affect the release of Ag-NPs from the systems but increasing organic matter leads to increased amounts of Ag passing the CWs, correlating with the increased release of TSS from the CWs. These results suggest that Ag-NPs are retained with the (suspended) solids in CWs and that the removal efficiency of TSS is an important factor determining the discharge of Ag-NPs from CWs

Fate of metallic engineered nanomaterials in constructed wetlands : prospection and future research perspectives

Metallic engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) undergo various transformations in the environment which affect their fate, toxicity and bioavailability. Although constructed wetlands (CWs) are applied as treatment systems for waste streams potentially containing metallic ENMs, little is known about the fate and effects of ENMs in CWs. Hence, literature data from related fields such as activated sludge wastewater treatment and natural wetlands is used to predict the fate and effects of ENMs in CWs and to analyze the risk of nanomaterials being released from CWs into surface waters. The ENMs are likely to reach the CW (partly) transformed and the transformations will continue in the CW. The main transformation processes depend on the type of ENM and the ambient environmental conditions in the CW. In general, ENMs are expected to undergo sorption onto (suspended) organic matter and plant roots. Although the risk of ENMs being released at high concentrations from CWs is estimated low, caution is warranted because of the estimated rise in the production of these materials. As discharge of (transformed) ENMs from CWs during normal operation is predicted to be low, future research should rather focus on the effects of system malfunctions (e.g. short-circuiting). Efficient retention in the CW and increasing production volumes in the future entail increasing concentrations within the CW substrate and further research needs to address possible adverse effects caused

Genome-scale study reveals reduced metabolic adaptability in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major risk factor leading to chronic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Here we chart liver metabolic activity and functionality in NAFLD by integrating global transcriptomic data, from human liver biopsies, and metabolic flux data, measured across the human splanchnic vascular bed, within a genome-scale model of human metabolism. We show that an increased amount of liver fat induces mitochondrial metabolism, lipolysis, glyceroneogenesis and a switch from lactate to glycerol as substrate for gluconeogenesis, indicating an intricate balance of exacerbated opposite metabolic processes in glycemic regulation. These changes were associated with reduced metabolic adaptability on a network level in the sense that liver fat accumulation puts increasing demands on the liver to adaptively regulate metabolic responses to maintain basic liver functions. We propose that failure to meet excessive metabolic challenges coupled with reduced metabolic adaptability may lead to a vicious pathogenic cycle leading to the co-morbidities of NAFLD.Peer reviewe

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of gestational diabetes mellitus highlights genetic links with type 2 diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. GDM often reoccurs and is associated with increased risk of subsequent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). To improve our understanding of the aetiological factors and molecular processes driving the occurrence of GDM, including the extent to which these overlap with T2D pathophysiology, the GENetics of Diabetes In Pregnancy Consortium assembled genome-wide association studies of diverse ancestry in a total of 5485 women with GDM and 347 856 without GDM. Through multi-ancestry meta-analysis, we identified five loci with genome-wide significant association (P < 5 x 10(-8)) with GDM, mapping to/near MTNR1B (P = 4.3 x 10(-54)), TCF7L2 (P = 4.0 x 10(-16)), CDKAL1 (P = 1.6 x 10(-4)), CDKN2A-CDKN2B (P = 4.1 x 10(-9)) and HKDC1 (P = 2.9 x 10(-8)). Multiple lines of evidence pointed to the shared pathophysiology of GDM and T2D: (i) four of the five GDM loci (not HKDC1) have been previously reported at genome-wide significance for T2D; (ii) significant enrichment for associations with GDM at previously reported T2D loci; (iii) strong genetic correlation between GDM and T2D and (iv) enrichment of GDM associations mapping to genomic annotations in diabetes-relevant tissues and transcription factor binding sites. Mendelian randomization analyses demonstrated significant causal association (5% false discovery rate) of higher body mass index on increased GDM risk. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that GDM and T2D are part of the same underlying pathology but that, as exemplified by the HKDC1 locus, there are genetic determinants of GDM that are specific to glucose regulation in pregnancy.Peer reviewe

Kokemusasiantuntija sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon palvelujärjestelmässä – osallisuuden mahdollistaja vai osallistamispolitiikan edustaja

Kokemusasiantuntijuus hyödyttää palvelujärjestelmää ja sen asiakkaita sekä kokemusasiantuntijoina työskenteleviä, joilla katsotaan olevan kaksoisrooli sekä asiakkaina ja palveluiden käyttäjinä että oma-ehtoisina toimijoina. Artikkelissa kysytään, miten kokemusasiantuntijat asemoivat itsensä päihde- ja mielenterveyspalveluiden hyödyntäminä asiakkaina suhteessa palvelujärjestelmään, sen palveluksessa oleviin ammattilaisiin sekä päihde- ja mielenterveyskuntoutujiin. Tutkimuksessa haastateltiin ko-kemusasiantuntijoita, jotka toimivat kokemusasiantuntijoina erilaisissa tehtävissä päihde- ja mie-lenterveysasiakkaiden tukena ja ammattilaisten rinnalla. Aineiston analyysi kytkeytyy sosiologisen kulttuurintutkimuksen tapaan lähestyä tutkimuskohdetta kulttuurisena ilmiönä. Tutkimus esittää, että kokemusasiantuntijoiden asema on ristiriitainen yhtäältä asiakkaan kuntoutumista vahvistavina päihde- ja mielenterveyspalveluiden toimijoina ja toisaalta hallinnon harjoittaman osallistamispoli-tiikan välineinä. &nbsp