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  • 1.
    Bebianno, M. J.
    et al.
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal.
    Mendes, Vera M.
    CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
    O'Donovan, Sarit
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal.
    Carteny, Camila C.
    Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
    Keiter, Stephen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Manadas, Bruno
    CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
    Effects of microplastics alone and with adsorbed benzo(a)pyrene on the gills proteome of Scrobicularia plana2022In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 842, article id 156895Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Microplastics (MPs) are globally present in the marine environment, but the biological effects on marine organisms at the molecular and cellular levels remain scarce. Due to their lipophilic nature, MPs can adsorb other contaminants present in the marine environment, which may increase their detrimental effects once ingested by organisms. This study investigates the effects of low-density polyethylene (PE) MPs with and without adsorbed benzo[a]pyrene in the gills proteome of the peppery furrow shell clam, Scrobicularia plana. Clams were exposed to PE MPs (11-13 μm; 1 mg L-1) for 14 days. BaP was analyzed in whole clams' soft tissues, and a proteomic approach was applied in the gills using SWATH/DIA analysis. Proteomic responses suggest that virgin MPs cause disturbance by altering cytoskeleton and cell structure, energy metabolism, conformational changes, oxidative stress fatty acid, DNA binding and, neurotransmission highlighting the potential risk of this type of MPs for the clam health. Conversely, when clam gills were exposed to MPs adsorbed with BaP a higher differentiation of protein expression was observed that besides changes in cytoskeleton and cell structure, oxidative stress, energy metabolism and DNA binding also induce changes in glucose metabolism, RNA binding and apoptosis. These results indicate that the presence of both stressors (MPs and BaP) have a higher toxicological risk to the health of S. plana.

  • 2.
    Behnisch, Peter
    et al.
    BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
    Besselink, Harrie
    BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
    Suzuki, Go
    Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan.
    Buchinger, Sebastian
    Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany.
    Reifferscheid, Georg
    Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany.
    Lukas, Marcus
    Wastewater Analysis, Monitoring Methods, German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany.
    Wollenweber, Marc
    Goethe University Frankfurt/Main (GU), Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
    Wollenweber, Simone
    Goethe University Frankfurt/Main (GU), Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
    Hollert, Henner
    Goethe University Frankfurt/Main (GU), Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Department Environmental Media Related Ecotoxicology, Auf dem Aberg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany.
    Kunisue, Tatsuya
    Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
    Tue, Nguyen Minh
    Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
    Alijagic, Andi
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Larsson, Maria
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Ohno, Kayo
    Center of International Cooperation and Environmental Technologies of the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI), 3-1, Uchisaiwaicho 1-chome Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
    Brouwer, Abraham
    BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands; VU University Amsterdam (VU), Faculty of Sciences, Department of Animal Ecology, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
    Results of an international interlaboratory study on dioxin-like activities in drinking-, river surface- and wastewater using DR CALUX bioassay2024In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 920, article id 170759Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Aquatic animals and consumers of aquatic animals are exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of known and as-yet-unknown chemicals with dioxin-like toxicities in the water cycle. Effect- and cell-based bioanalysis can cover known and yet unknown dioxin and dioxin-like compounds as well as complex mixtures thereof but need to be standardized and integrated into international guidelines for environmental testing. In an international laboratory testing (ILT) following ISO/CD 24295 as standard procedure for rat cell-based DR CALUX un-spiked and spiked extracts of drinking-, surface-, and wastewater were validated to generate precision data for the development of the full ISO-standard. We found acceptable repeatability and reproducibility ranges below 36 % by DR CALUX bioassay for the tested un-spiked and spiked water of different origins. The presence of 17 PCDD/Fs and 12 dioxin-like PCBs was also confirmed by congener-specific GC-HRMS analysis. We compared the sum of dioxin-like activity levels measured by DR CALUX bioassay (expressed in 2,3,7,8-TCDD Bioanalytical Equivalents, BEQ; ISO 23196, 2022) with the obtained GC-HRMS chemical analysis results converted to toxic equivalents (TEQ; van den Berg et al., 2013).

  • 3.
    Bereketoglu, Ceyhun
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Biology, The Life Science Center.
    Pradhan, Ajay
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Biology, The Life Science Center.
    Comparative transcriptional analysis of methylparaben and propylparaben in zebrafish2019In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 671, p. 129-139Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Parabens are widely used as preservatives in different commercial items including food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and their wide use has resulted in accumulation in the environment. Parabens have been shown to have negative effects on animals as well as human health. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive study to determine the adverse effects associated with propylparaben (PP) and methylparaben (MP) on early developmental stages of zebrafish. Mortality, hatching, developmental abnormalities and gene expression profiles were investigated in embryos exposed to both compounds. The semi-static exposure conditions showed that both MP (>= 100 mu M) and PP (>= 10 mu M) are toxic to the embryos in a concentration-dependent manner and lead to developmental abnormality. Malformations such as spinal defects, pericardial edema, and pigmentation defects were observed following both MP and PP treatments. Hatching delay, mortality and developmental abnormality data indicate that PP is more toxic than MP. For gene expression analysis, 1 and 10 mu M doses of MP and PP were analyzed. Genes from physiological pathways including stress response, cell cycle and DNA damage, inflammation, fatty acid metabolism and endocrine functions were affected by MP and PP. The gene expression profiles show that parabens cause toxicity by inducing oxidative stress, DNA double-strand breaks, apoptosis as well as by altering fatty acid metabolism. Altered expression of androgen receptor (ar) and estrogen receptor 2 alpha (esr2a) indicates an antiandrogenic and estrogenic activity of parabens in zebrafish. Overall, the present study provides considerable information on the negative effects of MP and PP using physiological endpoints and motivates further studies to explore the molecular mechanism of the toxicity associated with parabens.

  • 4.
    Bjurlid, Filip
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kärrman, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Ricklund, Niklas
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
    Hagberg, Jessika
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
    Occurrence of brominated dioxins in a study using various firefighting methods2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 599-600, p. 1213-1221Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The use of different firefighting methods influences how fast a fire is extinguished and how fast the temperature drops in the area affected by the fire. These differences may also influence the formation of harmful pollutants during firefighting of an accidental fire. The aim was to study occurrence of brominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) in gas and soot during five fire scenarios resembling a small apartment fire and where different firefighting methods were used. Samples of gas and soot were taken both during the buildup of the fire and during the subsequent extinguishing of the fire while using different firefighting methods (nozzle, compressed air foam system, cutting extinguisher) and an extinguishing additive. New containers equipped with identical sets of combustible material were used for the five tests. The use of different firefighting methods and extinguishing additive induced variations in concentration and congener profiles of detected PBDD/Fs. The concentration range of Sigma PBDD/Fs in gas was 4020-18,700 pg/m(3), and in soot 76-4092 pg/m(2). PBDFs were the predominant congeners and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF was the most abundant congener. Chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were also monitored. The PBDD/Fs contributed with in average 97% to the total (PCDD/Fs plus PBDD/Fs) toxic equivalents, in soot and gas. During extinguishing, the shorter time the temperature was around 300 degrees C, the lower occurrence of PBDD/Fs. In the study the firefighting methods showed a difference in how effectively they induced a temperature decrease below 300 degrees C in the fire zone during quenching, where cutting extinguishing using additive and the compressed air foam system showed the fastest drop in temperature.

  • 5.
    Bjurlid, Filip
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Roos, Anna
    Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Ericson Jogsten, Ingrid
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Hagberg, Jessika
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
    Temporal trends of PBDD/Fs, PCDD/Fs, PBDEs and PCBs in ringed seals from the Baltic Sea (Pusa hispida botnica) between 1974 and 20152018In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 616-617, p. 1374-1383Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Temporal trends in exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were assessed in 22 pooled samples gathered from 69 individuals of Baltic ringed seal (Pusa hispida botnica) from 1974 to 2015. Samples were analysed for polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). No previous study has reported on the occurrence of PBDD/Fs in marine mammals in the Baltic Sea. Concentrations of pollutants in Baltic ringed seal, a marine mammal and top predator, can be used as an indicator of pollutants concentrations in the Baltic region.

    Visual inspection of data did not show any temporal trends for PBDD/Fs, while the PCDD/Fs and PCBs showed decreasing concentrations between 1974 and 2015. PBDEs increased until the end of the 1990s and then decreased until the end of the period. ∑ PBDD/Fs ranged from 0.5–52.3 pg/g lipid weight (l.w.) (0.08–4.8 pg TEQ/g l.w.), with 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF contributing on average 61% to ∑ PBDD/Fs. ∑ PCDD/Fs ranged from 103 to 1480 pg/g l.w. (39–784 pg TEQ/g l.w.), with 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF showing the highest average concentrations. PBDD/F toxic equivalents (TEQ) contributed on average 1.1% to the total (PBDD/F + PCDD/F) TEQ. The ∑ PBDEs concentration range was 18.7–503 ng/g l.w., with BDE #47 the predominant congener. The concentration range for ∑ PCBs was 2.8–40.1 μg/g l.w., with #138 and #153 the most abundant congeners. Visual inspection of the data showed decreasing concentrations for all compound groups except PBDD/Fs. A slight increase in the PBDD/Fs concentrations was observed from 2004 onwards. This observation needs to be investigated further.

  • 6.
    Björnsdotter, Maria
    et al.
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Environment and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Building (Annex), Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
    Jonker, Willem
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Legradi, Jessica
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Environment and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Kool, Jeroen
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Ballesteros-Gómez, Ana
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Environment and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Building (Annex), Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
    Bisphenol A alternatives in thermal paper from the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway: Screening and potential toxicity2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 601-602, p. 210-221Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Thermal paper contains potentially toxic additives, such as bisphenol A (BPA), as a common color developer. Because of its known endocrine disrupting effects, structural analogues to BPA, such as bisphenol S (BPS), D-8 and Pergafast 201, have been used as alternatives, but little is known about the presence and toxicological effects of alternatives other than BPS. In this study, thermal paper is screened by direct probe ambient mass spectrometry (rapid prescreening method not requiring sample preparation) and by liquid chromatography (LC) with high resolution time-of flight (TOF-MS) mass spectrometry. Cash receipts and other thermal paper products (cinema tickets, boarding passes and luggage tags) were analyzed. Besides BPA and BPS, other developers only recently reported (Pergafast 201, D-8) or to the best of our knowledge not reported before (D-90, TGSA, BPS-MAE) were frequently found as well as some related unreported impurities (2,4-BPS that is a BPS related impurity and a TGSA related impurity). To gain some insight into the potential estrogenicity of the detected developers, a selection of extracts was further analyzed using a LC-nanofractionation platformin combination with cell-based bioassay testing. These preliminary results seems to indicate very low or absence of estrogenic activity for Pergafast 201, D-8, D-90, TGSA and BPS-MAE in comparison to BPA and BPS, although further dose-response tests with authentic standards are required to confirm these results. Compounds for which standards were available were also tested for developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. TGSAandD-8 induced similar teratogenic effects as BPAin zebrafish embryos. BPS and 2,4-BPS did not induce any developmental effects but 2,4-BPS did alter the locomotor activity at the tested concentration. Our findings suggest that the alternatives used as alternatives to BPA (except BPS) might not be estrogenic. However, TGSA and D-8 showed abnormal developmental effects similar to BPA.

  • 7.
    Blanc, Mélanie
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Alfonso, Sebastien
    MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Route de Maguelone, Palavas-les-Flots, France; COISPA Tecnologia & Ricerca, Stazione Sperimentale per lo Studio delle Risorse del Mare, Italy.
    Begout, Marie-Laure
    MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Route de Maguelone, Palavas-les-Flots, France.
    Barrachina, Celia
    MGX, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France.
    Hyötyläinen, Tuulia
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Keiter, Steffen H.
    Cousin, Xavier
    MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Route de Maguelone, Palavas-les-Flots, France; Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, GABI, Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
    An environmentally relevant mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) disrupts mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism and neurotransmission in the brain of exposed zebrafish and their unexposed F2 offspring2021In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 754, article id 142097Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants still present in aquatic environments despite their total or partial ban. Previously, we observed that an environmentally realistic mixture of these compounds affects energy balance, growth, and reproduction in exposed zebrafish (F0), and behavior in their unexposed offspring (F1-F4). In the present work, we performed lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses on brains of zebrafish (F0-F2) from exposed and control lineages to identify molecular changes that could explain the observed phenotypes. The use of both technologies highlighted that F0 zebrafish displayed impaired mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism regulation (depletion in triacylglycerols and phospholipids) which can explain disruption of energy homeostasis. A subset of the regulated biological pathways related to energetic metabolism and neurotransmission were inherited in 12. In addition, there were increasing effects on epigenetic pathways from the F0 to the F2 generation. Altogether, we show that the effects of an environmental exposure to PCBs and PBDEs on energetic metabolism as well as neurotransmission extend over 2 generations of zebrafish, possibly due to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

  • 8.
    Blanc, Mélanie
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas, France; Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, GABI, Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
    Antczak, Philipp
    Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
    Cousin, Xavier
    MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas, France; Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, GABI, Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
    Grunau, Christoph
    IHPE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
    Scherbak, Nikolai
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Rüegg, Joëlle
    Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    The insecticide permethrin induces transgenerational behavioral changes linked to transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations in zebrafish (Danio rerio)2021In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 779, article id 146404Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The pyrethroid insecticide permethrin is widely used for agricultural and domestic purposes. Previous data indicated that it acts as a developmental neurotoxicant and can induce transgenerational effects in non-target organisms. However, associated underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate permethrin-related transgenerational effects in the zebrafish model, and to identify possible molecular mechanisms underlying inheritance. Zebrafish (F0) were exposed to permethrin during early-life (2 h post-fertilization up to 28 days). The F1 and F2 offspring generations were obtained by pairing exposed F0 males and females, and were bred unexposed. Locomotor and anxiety behavior were investigated, together with transcriptomic and epigenomic (DNA methylation) changes in brains. Permethrin exposed F0 fish were hypoactive at adulthood, while males from the F1 and F2 generations showed a specific decrease in anxiety-like behavior. In F0, transcriptomic data showed enrichment in pathways related to glutamatergic synapse activity, which may partly underlie the behavioral effects. In F1 and F2 males, dysregulation of similar pathways was observed, including a subset of differentially methylated regions that were inherited from the F0 to the F2 generation and indicated stable dysregulation of glutamatergic signaling. Altogether, the present results provide novel evidence on the transgenerational neurotoxic effects of permethrin, as well as mechanistic insight: a transient exposure induces persistent transcriptional and DNA methylation changes that may translate into transgenerational alteration of glutamatergic signaling and, thus, into behavioral alterations.

  • 9.
    Blanc, Mélanie
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kärrman, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kukučka, Petr
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Scherbak, Nikolai
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Mixture-specific gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126)2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 590-591, p. 249-257Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) are persistent organic pollutants of high concern because of their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic properties. Besides, the amphiphilic properties of fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) suggest a role in increasing cell membrane permeability and solubilizing chemicals. The present study aimed at investigating whether PFOS and PFHxA are capable of modifying the activation of PCB126 toxicity-related pathways. For this purpose, zebrafish embryos were exposed in semi-static conditions to 7.5 μg/L of PCB126 alone, in the presence of 25 mg/L of PFOS, 15.7 mg/L of PFHxA or in the presence of both PFOS and PFHxA. Quantitative PCR was performed on embryos aged from 24 h post fertilization (hpf) to 96 hpf to investigate expression changes of genes involved in metabolism of xenobiotics (ahr2, cyp1a), oxidative stress (gpx1a, tp53), lipids metabolism (acaa2, osbpl1a), and epigenetic mechanisms (dnmt1, dnmt3ba). Cyp1a and ahr2 expression were significantly induced by the presence of PCB126. However, after 72 and 78 h of exposure, induction of cyp1a expression was significantly lower when embryos were co-exposed to PCB126 + PFOS + PFHxA when compared to PCB126-exposed embryos. Significant upregulation of gpx1a occurred after exposure to PCB126 + PFHxA and to PCB126 + PFOS + PFHxA at 30 and 48 hpf. Besides, embryos appeared more sensitive to PCB126 + PFOS + PFHxA at 78 hpf: acaa2 and osbpl1a were significantly downregulated; dnmt1 was significantly upregulated. While presented as environmentally safe, PFHxA demonstrated that it could affect gene expression patterns in zebrafish embryos when combined to PFOS and PCB126, suggesting that such mixture may increase PCB126 toxicity. This is of particular relevance since PFHxA is persistent and still being ejected into the environment. Moreover, it provides additional information as to the importance to integrate mixture effects of chemicals in risk assessment and biomonitoring frameworks.

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  • 10.
    Bräunig, Jennifer
    et al.
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains QLD, Australia.
    Baduel, Christine
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains QLD, Australia.
    Heffernan, Amy
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains QLD, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia.
    Rotander, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains QLD, Australia.
    Donaldson, Eric
    Aviation Medical Specialist, Oakey Qld, Australia.
    Mueller, Jochen F.
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains QLD, Australia.
    Fate and redistribution of perfluoroalkyl acids through AFFF-impacted groundwater2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 596, p. 360-368Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Leaching of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from a local point source, a fire-fighting training area, has led to extensive contamination of a groundwater aquifer which has spread underneath part of a nearby town, Oakey, situated in the State of Queensland, Australia. Groundwater is extracted by residents from privately owned wells for daily activities such as watering livestock and garden beds. The concentration of 10 PFAAs in environmental and biological samples (water, soil, grass, chicken egg yolk, serum of horses, cattle and sheep), as well as human serum was investigated to determine the extent of contamination in the town and discuss fate and redistribution of PFAAs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant PFAA in all matrices investigated, followed by perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). PFOS concentrations measured in water ranged between <0.17-14 mu g/L, concentrations of PFHxS measured between <0.07-6 mu g/L. PFAAs were detected in backyards (soil, grass), livestock and chicken egg yolk. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in PFOS and PFHxS concentrations in two groups of cattle were found, one held within the contamination plume, the other in the vicinity but outside of the contamination plume. In human serum PFOS concentrations ranged from 38 to 381 mu g/L, while PFHxS ranged from 39 to 214 mu g/L. Highest PFOS concentrations measured in human serum were >30-fold higher compared to the general Australian population. Through use of contaminated groundwater secondary sources of PFAA contamination are created on private property, leading to further redistribution of contamination and creation of additional human exposure pathways.

  • 11.
    Bäckström, Mattias
    et al.
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Dario, Mårten
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Allard, Bert
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Karlsson, Stefan
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Effects of a fulvic acid on the adsorption of mercury and cadmium on goethite2003In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 304, no 1-3, p. 257-268Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The effects of an aquatic fulvic acid on the pH-dependent adsorption of Hg(II) and Cd(II) to particulate goethite (a-FeOOH) were studied in batch systems. The ionic medium consisted of 0.01 M HClO and the total concentrations 4 of mercury and cadmium were maintained at 10y8 M with 203Hg and 109Cd as tracers. pH In the systems was varied in the range 3–10 by addition of HClO and NaOH.All commercial chemicals were of analytical grade or better. An 4 aquatic fulvic acid (20 ppm), previously isolated and characterised in detail, was used as a model for humic substances and its adsorption to goethite is included in this study. The adsorption of the fulvic acid (20 ppm) onto goethite decreased slowly from 90% at pH 3–7.5 to 10% at pH 10. In systems without fulvic acid the adsorption of mercury increased in a linear fashion from 10% at pH 3 to 70% at pH 10.In the presence of fulvic acid (20 ppm), the adsorption was almost quantitative in the intermediate pH range (pH 5–7), and exceeded 92% over the entire pH range. Thus, association between mercury and the fulvic acid enhanced adsorption in general although the largest impact was found at low pH.Adsorption of cadmium increased from nearly 0 to almost 100% at approximately pH 6. In the presence of fulvic acid, the adsorption increased below pH 7 and decreased above pH 7. The adsorption isotherm for mercury when the concentration was increased from 10y8 to 1.8=10y4 M showed a corresponding increase of K (lyg) up to a total concentration at 10y6 M.At higher mercury concentrations K was lowered. In the presence of fulvic acid the corresponding relationship of K was bi-modal, i.e. high values at low and intermediate concentrations of mercury. This behaviour suggests that in the absence of fulvic acid the adsorption follow the expected behaviour, i.e. adsorption sites with similar affinity for mercury. In the presence of fulvic acid, additional adsorption sites are available by the organic molecule (possibly sulfur groups) when it is associated to the goethite. The adsorption isotherm for cadmium indicates a lowering of K at 10y4 M. Cadmium had no competitive effect on mercury and vice versa. Zinc, however, affected the adsorption of cadmium but not the adsorption of mercury.

  • 12. Bäckström, Mattias
    et al.
    Dario, Mårten
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Karlsson, Stefan
    Allard, Bert
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Effects of a fulvic acid on the adsorption of mercury and cadmium on goethite2003In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 304, no 1-3, p. 257-268Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The effects of an aquatic fulvic acid on the pH-dependent adsorption of Hg(II) and Cd(II) to particulate goethite (alpha-FeOOH) were studied in batch systems. The ionic medium consisted of 0.01 M HClO(4) and the total concentrations of mercury and cadmium were maintained at 10(-8) M with 203Hg and 109Cd as tracers. pH In the systems was varied in the range 3-10 by addition of HClO(4) and NaOH. All commercial chemicals were of analytical grade or better. An aquatic fulvic acid (20 ppm), previously isolated and characterised in detail, was used as a model for humic substances and its adsorption to goethite is included in this study. The adsorption of the fulvic acid (20 ppm) onto goethite decreased slowly from 90% at pH 3-7.5 to 10% at pH 10. In systems without fulvic acid the adsorption of mercury increased in a linear fashion from 10% at pH 3 to 70% at pH 10. In the presence of fulvic acid (20 ppm), the adsorption was almost quantitative in the intermediate pH range (pH 5-7), and exceeded 92% over the entire pH range. Thus, association between mercury and the fulvic acid enhanced adsorption in general although the largest impact was found at low pH. Adsorption of cadmium increased from nearly 0 to almost 100% at approximately pH 6. In the presence of fulvic acid, the adsorption increased below pH 7 and decreased above pH 7. The adsorption isotherm for mercury when the concentration was increased from 10(-8) to 1.8 x 10(-4) M showed a corresponding increase of K(d) (l/g) up to a total concentration at 10(-6) M. At higher mercury concentrations K(d) was lowered. In the presence of fulvic acid the corresponding relationship of K(d) was bi-modal, i.e. high values at low and intermediate concentrations of mercury. This behaviour suggests that in the absence of fulvic acid the adsorption follow the expected behaviour, i.e. adsorption sites with similar affinity for mercury. In the presence of fulvic acid, additional adsorption sites are available by the organic molecule (possibly sulfur groups) when it is associated to the goethite. The adsorption isotherm for cadmium indicates a lowering of K(d) at 10(-4) M. Cadmium had no competitive effect on mercury and vice versa. Zinc, however, affected the adsorption of cadmium but not the adsorption of mercury.

  • 13.
    Callan, Anna
    et al.
    School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia; Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
    Rotander, Anna
    National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains, Australia.
    Thompson, Kristie
    National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains, Australia.
    Heyworth, Jane
    School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
    Mueller, Jochen F.
    National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), The University of Queensland, Coopers Plains, Australia.
    Odland, Jon Øyvind
    Department of Community Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
    Hinwood, Andrea
    Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
    Maternal exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids measured in whole blood and birth outcomes in offspring2016In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 569-570, p. 1107-1113Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Perfluoralkyl and polyfluoralkyl substances have been measured in plasma and serum of pregnant women as a measure of prenatal exposure. Increased concentrations of individual perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), (typically perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been reported to be associated with reductions in birth weight and other birth outcomes. We undertook a study of 14 PFAAs in whole blood (including PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA) from 98 pregnant women in Western Australia from 2008 to 2011. Median concentrations (in μg/L) were: PFOS 1.99; PFHxS 0.33; PFOA 0.86; PFNA 0.30; PFDA 0.12 and PFUnDA 0.08. Infants born to women with the highest tertile of PFHxS exposure had an increased odds of being < 95% of their optimal birth weight (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.1–11.5). Conversely, maternal blood concentrations of PFUnDA were associated with non-significant increases in average birth weight (+ 102 g, 95% CI − 41, 245) and significant increases in proportion of optimal birth weight (+ 4.7%, 95% CI 0.7, 8.8) per ln-unit change. This study has reported a range of PFAAs in the whole blood of pregnant women and suggests that PFHxS and PFUnDA may influence foetal growth and warrant further attention. Additional studies are required to identify the sources of PFAA exposure with a view to prevention, in addition to further studies investigating the long term health effects of these ubiquitous chemicals.

  • 14.
    Chio, Chonlong
    et al.
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Shrestha, Sarita
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Carr, Griffin
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Khatiwada, Janak Raj
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Zhu, Yuen
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada; College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
    Li, Ou
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada; College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China.
    Chen, Xuantong
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Hu, Jing
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Qin, Wensheng
    Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada.
    Optimization and purification of bioproducts from Bacillus velezensis PhCL fermentation and their potential on industrial application and bioremediation2023In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 903, article id 166428Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bioproduction is considered a promising alternative way of obtaining useful and green chemicals. However, the downstream process of biomolecules has been one of the major difficulties in upscaling the application of bioproducts due to the high purification cost. Acid precipitation is the most common method for purifying biosurfactants from the fermentation broth with high purity. However, the use of strong acids and organic solvents in solvent extraction has limited its application. Hence, in this study, a new strain of Bacillus velezensis PhCL was isolated from phenolic waste, and its production of amylase had been optimized via response surface methodology. After that, amylase and biosurfactant were purified by sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation and the result suggested that even though the purified crude biosurfactant had a lower purification fold compared to the acid precipitation, the yield was higher and both enzymes and biosurfactant also could be recovered for lowering the purification cost. Moreover, the purified amylase and crude biosurfactant were characterized and the results suggested that the purified crude biosurfactant would have a higher emulsion activity and petroleum hydrocarbon removal rate compared to traditional surfactants. This study provided another approach for purifying bioactive compounds including enzymes and biosurfactants from the same fermentation broth and further explored the potential of the crude purified biosurfactant in the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and petroleum hydrocarbons.

  • 15. Covaci, Adrian
    et al.
    Voorspoels, Stefan
    Thomsen, Cathrine
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Neels, Hugo
    Evaluation of total lipids using enzymatic methods for the normalization of persistent organic pollutant levels in serum2006In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 366, no 1, p. 361-366Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is conveniently assessed through analysis of blood serum or plasma and the POPs concentrations are traditionally expressed on a lipid weight basis. Enzymatic determinations of total lipid (TL) content in serum, which imply the measurement of individual lipid classes, such as triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHOL) and phospholipid (PL), use small amounts of serum/plasma (<100 microl). These have also become a more precise and less laborious alternative for the gravimetric lipid determinations which were preferred in the past. However, PL are not routinely measured in most clinical laboratories and therefore, TL values are often predicted from formulas based on measurements of only TG and CHOL. In the present study, a large data set (n=483) from Belgian, Swedish and Norwegian populations was used to compute a new formula for TL [TL=1.33*TG+1.12*CHOL+1.48 (g/l)] by means of multiple linear regression. A very good correlation (r=0.949, p<0.001) was found between TL values calculated with the proposed formula and TL values obtained by summation of TG, CHOL and PL. Statistically different values of TL were computed when different previously published formulas were compared, which can have a strong influence on the calculation of lipid-normalized concentrations of POPs. Nevertheless, TL values derived using a mathematical formula which includes only TG and CHOL will be less accurate than TL values obtained by summation of TG, CHOL and PL, which should be the calculation method of choice if PL measurements are available.

  • 16.
    Drenning, Paul
    et al.
    Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Volchko, Yevheniya
    Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Enell, Anja
    Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI), Linköping, Sweden.
    Berggren Kleja, Dan
    Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI), Linköping, Sweden; Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
    Larsson, Maria
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Norrman, Jenny
    Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    A method for evaluating the effects of gentle remediation options (GRO) on soil health: Demonstration at a DDX-contaminated tree nursery in Sweden: Demonstration at a DDX-contaminated tree nursery in Sweden2024In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 948, article id 174869Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Healthy soils provide valuable ecosystem services (ES), but soil contamination can inhibit essential soil functions (SF) and pose risks to human health and the environment. A key advantage of using gentle remediation options (GRO) is the potential for multifunctionality: to both manage risks and improve soil functionality. In this study, an accessible, scientific method for soil health assessment directed towards practitioners and decision-makers in contaminated land management was developed and demonstrated for a field experiment at a DDX-contaminated tree nursery site in Sweden to evaluate the relative effects of GRO on soil health (i.e., the ‘current capacity’ to provide ES). For the set of relevant soil quality indicators (SQI) selected using a simplified logical sieve, GRO treatment was observed to have highly significant effects on many SQI according to statistical analysis due to the strong influence of biochar amendment on the sandy soil and positive effects of nitrogen-fixing leguminous plants. The SQI were grouped within five SF and the relative effects on soil health were evaluated compared to a reference state (experimental control) by calculating quantitative treated-SF indices. Multiple GRO treatments are shown to have statistically significant positive effects on many SF, including pollutant attenuation and degradation, water cycling and storage, nutrient cycling and provisioning, and soil structure and maintenance. The SF were in turn linked to soil-based ES to calculate treated-ES indices and an overall soil health index (SHI), which can provide simplified yet valuable information to decision-makers regarding the effectiveness of GRO. The experimental GRO treatment of the legume mix with biochar amendment and grass mix with biochar amendment are shown to result in statistically significant improvements to soil health, with overall SHI values of 141 % and 128 %, respectively, compared to the reference state of the grass mix without biochar (set to 100 %).

  • 17.
    Egervärn, Maria
    et al.
    National Food Agency, Box 622, SE-75126 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Englund, Stina
    National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Ljunge, Marianne
    National Food Agency, Box 622, SE-75126 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Wiberg, Christer
    National Food Agency, Box 622, SE-75126 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Finn, Maria
    National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Lindblad, Mats
    National Food Agency, Box 622, SE-75126 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Börjesson, Stefan
    National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden.
    Unexpected common occurrence of transferable extended spectrum cephalosporinase-producing Escherichia coli in Swedish surface waters used for drinking water supply2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 587-588, p. 466-472Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The presence of Enterobacteriaceae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) or transferable AmpC beta-lactamases (pAmpC) is increasingly being reported in humans, food-producing animals and food world-wide. However, the occurrence and impact of these so-called extended spectrum cephalosporinase (ESC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in aquatic environments are poorly documented. This study investigated the occurrence, concentrations and characteristics of ESC-producing E. coli (ESC-Ec) in samples of surface water collected at five Swedish water treatment plants that normally have relatively high prevalence and concentration of E. coli in surface water. ESC-Ec was found in 27 of 98 surface water samples analysed. All but two positive samples were collected at two of the water treatment plants studied. The ESC-Ec concentration, 1-3cfu/100mL, represented approximately 4% of the total amount of E. coli in the respective surface water sample. In total, 74% of the isolates were multi-resistant, but no isolate was resistant to carbapenems. Six types of ESBL/pAmpC genes were found in the 27 E. coli isolates obtained from the positive samples, of which four (blaCTX-M-15, blaCMY-2, blaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-14) were found during the whole sampling period, in samples taken at more than one water treatment plant. In addition, the genes were situated on various types of plasmids and most E. coli isolates were not closely related with regard to MLST types. The combinations of ESBL/pAmpC genes, plasmids and E. coli isolates were generally similar to those found previously in healthy and sick individuals in Sweden. In conclusion, the occurrence of ESC-Ec in Swedish surface water shows that resistant bacteria of clinical concern are present in aquatic environments even in a low-prevalence country such as Sweden.

  • 18.
    Eichbaum, Kathrin
    et al.
    Dept Ecosystem Anal, Inst Environm Res, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH), Aachen, Germany.
    Brinkmann, Markus
    Dept Ecosystem Anal, Inst Environm Res, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH), Aachen, Germany.
    Buchinger, Sebastian
    Dept Biochem G3, Fed Inst Hydrol BFG, Koblenz, Germany.
    Reifferscheid, Georg
    Dept Biochem G3, Fed Inst Hydrol BFG, Koblenz, Germany.
    Hecker, Markus
    Sch Environm & Sustainabil, Univ Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Toxicol Ctr, Univ Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
    Giesy, John P.
    School of the Environment and Sustainability and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Department of Zoology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI, United States; Department of Biology and Chemistry, State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Hollert, Henner
    Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH), Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Environment of Education Ministry of China, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
    In vitro bioassays for detecting dioxin-like activity: Application potentials and limits of detection, a review2014In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 487, p. 37-48Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Use of in vitro assays as screening tool to characterize contamination of a variety of environmental matrices has become an increasingly popular and powerful toolbox in the field of environmental toxicology.

    While bioassays cannot entirely substitute analytical methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the increasing improvement of cell lines and standardization of bioassay procedures enhance their utility as bioanalytical pre-screening tests prior to more targeted chemical analytical investigations. Dioxin-receptor-based assays provide a holistic characterization of exposure to dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) by integrating their overall toxic potential, including potentials of unknown DLCs not detectable via e.g. GC-MS. Hence, they provide important additional information with respect to environmental risk assessment of DLCs.

    This review summarizes different in vitro bioassay applications for detection of DLCs and considers the comparability of bioassay and chemical analytically derived toxicity equivalents (TEQs) of different approaches and various matrices. These range from complex samples such as sediments through single reference to compound mixtures. A summary of bioassay derived detection limits (LODs) showed a number of current bioassays to be equally sensitive as chemical methodologies, but moreover revealed that most of the bioanalytical studies conducted to date did not report their LODs, which represents a limitation with regard to low potency samples.

  • 19.
    Elmarghani, Ahmed
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Pradhan, Ajay
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Seyoum, Asmerom
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Khalaf, Hazem
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Ros, Torbjön
    Pelagia Miljokonsult AB, Umeå, Sweden.
    Forsberg, Lars-Håkan
    Mälarenergi AB, Vasterås, Sweden.
    Nermark, Tomas
    Karlskoga Energi MO AB, Karlskoga, Sweden.
    Osterman, Lisa
    Skebäcks Reningsverk, Örebro, Sweden.
    Wiklund, Ulf
    Tyrens AB, Umeå, Sweden.
    Ivarsson, Per
    ALS Scandinavia AB, Täby, Sweden.
    Jass, Jana
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Olsson, Per-Erik
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Contribution of pharmaceuticals, fecal bacteria and endotoxin to the inflammatory responses to inland waters2014In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 488-489, p. 228-235Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The increasing contamination of freshwater with pharmaceuticals, surfactants, pesticides and other organic compounds are of major concern. As these contaminants are detected at trace levels in the environment it is important to determine if they elicit biological responses at the observed levels. In addition to chemical pollutants, there is also a concern for increasing levels of bacteria and other microorganisms in freshwater systems. In an earlier study, we observed the activation of inflammatory systems downstream of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in southern Sweden. We also observed that the water contained unidentified components that were pro-inflammatory and potentiated the immune response in human urinary bladder epithelial cells. In order to determine if these effects were unique for the studied site or represent a common response in Swedish water, we have now performed a study on three WWTPs and their recipient waters in central Sweden. Analysis of immune responses in urinary bladder epithelial cells, monocyte-like cells and blood mononuclear cells confirm that these waters activate the immune system as well as induce pro-inflammatory responses. The results indicate that the cytokine profiles correlate to the endotoxin load of the waters rather than to the levels of pharmaceuticals or culturable bacteria load, suggesting that measurements of endotoxin levels and immune responses would be a valuable addition to the analysis of inland waters.

  • 20.
    Engwall, Magnus
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Schnürer, A.
    Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden .
    Fate of Ah-receptor agonists in organic household waste during anaerobic degradation: estimation of levels using EROD induction in organ cultures of chick embryo livers2002In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 297, no 1-3, p. 105-108Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The fate of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)-inducing compounds in source-separated organic household waste subject to anaerobic degradation (i.e. mesophilic/thermophilic anaerobic treatment) was investigated using organ cultures of embryonic chicken livers from fertilised hen eggs. This bioassay reflects the combined effect of all EROD-inducing, possibly dioxin-like compounds in a sample, including chemicals that are seldom or never analysed. All samples tested induced EROD in the bioassay, indicating the presence of dioxin-like compounds. In the anaerobic processes, the amounts of acid-resistant EROD-inducing compounds coming out of the reactors were considerably higher than the incoming amounts, especially for the low-temperature (mesophilic) process. This apparent production of EROD-inducing compounds may be due to de novo synthesis or to an increase in the EROD-inducing potency of the compounds in the material.

  • 21.
    Forslind, B.
    et al.
    Experimental Dermatology Research Group, Dept. of Medical Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Li, H. K.
    Dept. of Nuclear Physics, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden.
    Malmqvist, K. G.
    Dept. of Nuclear Physics, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden.
    Wiegleb Edström, Desirée
    Experimental Dermatology Research Group, Dept. of Medical Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Elemental analysis of hair fibres using PIXE - a population study of sulphur and zinc content1985In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 42, no 1-2, p. 219-222Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 22.
    Fredriksson, Felicia
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Eriksson, Ulrika
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kärrman, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Yeung, Leo W. Y.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants in Sweden: First findings of novel fluorinated copolymers in Europe including temporal analysis2022In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 846, article id 157406Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are on the global market, while only a minor proportion is monitored regularly in the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been suggested to be a point source for PFAS to the environment due to emission of effluent and sludge. In this study, 81 PFAS including two rarely studied perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide-based (FASA) copolymers were analyzed in sludge samples to understand the usage of PFAS in the society. Sludge samples (n = 28) were collected at four WWTPs in Sweden between 2004 and 2017. The total levels of 79 measured PFAS were between 50 and 1124 ng/g d.w. All sludge samples showed detectable levels of both C8- and C4-FASA-based copolymers. The concentrations of the FASA-based copolymers were proposed to be reported in fluorinated side-chain equivalents (FSC eq.), in order to compare the levels of the copolymers with the other neutral and anionic PFAS, as no authentic standards were available. The concentrations of the FASA-based copolymers in sludge were between 1.4 and 22 ng FSC eq./g d.w. A general predomination of precursor and intermediate compounds was observed. A lower contribution of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids was noted for the WWTPs more influenced by domestic emission when compared with more influenced by industrial emission. An overall declining trend in the total PFAS concentration was seen between the years 2004 and 2017. The present study observed a shift from the C8-based chemistry toward shorter chain lengths, included a declining trend for C8-FASA-based copolymer over the entire study period. These findings further demonstrate the occurrence of side-chain fluorinated copolymers in Sweden and that sludge is a useful matrix to reflect the usage of PFAS in society and the potential for environmental exposure.

  • 23.
    Gong, Wenwen
    et al.
    School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
    Fiedler, Heidelore
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
    Liu, Xiaotu
    School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
    Wang, Bin
    School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
    Yu, Gang
    School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
    Reassessment and update of emission factors for unintentional dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 605, p. 498-506Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    One of the major goals of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is to continuously reduce the releases of unintentional persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated dibenzo-paradioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) from anthropogenic sources. Until now, most efforts have focused on the releases of PCDD/PCDF and to a lesser extent on unintentionally generated PCB, and therefore, release inventories reported as toxic equivalents (TEQ) do not include the twelve dioxin-like PCB (dl-PCB). In order to facilitate the development of national release inventories for the total TEQ - consisting of PCDD, PCDF and PCB - this study collected and summarized published emission factors (EFs) of unintentional dl-PCB or calculated them from measured data for the sources listed in the UNEP Toolkit. In total, 286 EFs for dl-PCB were found (or could be calculated) whereby 233 described release to air, 23 EFs addressed to residue, 25 EFs to product; and only 5 EFs addressed releases to land. Taking into account performance criteria such as the facility type and scale or abatement technologies, the EFs were grouped and assigned to the source categories and/or classes used in the UNEP Toolkit. With these newly added data and EFs of dl-PCB, the already existing EFs in the Toolkit can be improved and amended. In addition, a statistically significant correlation between the EFAir of dl-PCB proposed in this study and EFAir of PCDD/PCDF recommended in the Toolkit was observed.

  • 24.
    Goswami, Linee
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Ekblad, Alf
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Choudhury, Ratan
    Soil and Agro-bioengineering Lab, Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India.
    Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar
    Soil and Agro-bioengineering Lab, Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India.
    Vermi-converted Tea Industry Coal Ash efficiently substitutes chemical fertilization for growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) in an alluvial soil: A field-based study on soil quality, nutrient translocation, and metal-risk remediation2024In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 907, article id 168088Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Although coal ashes (CA) can be converted into an eco-friendly product through vermicomposting, the utility of vermiconverted CA in agriculture still needs to be explored. Therefore, the feasibility of vermicomposted tea industry coal ash (VCA) as an alternative nutrient source for cabbage (Brassica oleracea, var. Capitata) production was evaluated through an on-field experiment in alluvial soil. Two types of vermicomposts were prepared using Eisenia fetida (VCAE) and Lampito mauritii (VCAL) and were applied in different combinations with chemical fertilizers. The results revealed a significant increase in nutrient availability (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in the soil treated with VCA, alongside a concurrent build-up of soil organic carbon stocks, activation of microbial growth, and enhanced soil enzyme activity. Additionally, VCA application substantially reduced toxic metals in the soil, thereby improving soil health and promoting the uptake of essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc) in cabbage. Correspondingly, VCA application reduced the bioaccumulation of potentially toxic metals (chromium, lead, and cadmium) from coal ash, ensuring safer food production. Notably, a 25 % substitution of chemical fertilizers with VCA and farmyard manure (FYM) led to a two-fold increase in the growth and productivity of cabbage. The economic assessment also indicated that large-scale and sustainable recycling of toxic tea industry coal ash in agriculture is feasible. Hence, by integrating VCA-based nutrient management into agricultural practices, developing nations can take significant strides toward achieving circular economy objectives while addressing environmental challenges associated with CA disposal.

  • 25.
    Grahn, Evastina
    et al.
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Karlsson, Stefan
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Düker, Anders
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Sediment reference concentrations of seldom monitored trace elements (Ag, Be, In, Ga, Sb, Tl) in four Swedish boreal lakes: comparison with commonly monitored elements2006In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 367, no 2-3, p. 778-790Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper presents reference and recent acid-leachable concentrations of some seldom monitored trace elements (SMTE; Ag, Be, Ga, In, Sb and Tl) in sediments from four boreal oligotrophic lakes in a south to north transect in Sweden. For comparison commonly monitored trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) are included as well as those of relevance for redistribution processes (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn).

    Pore water pH and the corresponding solid/solution distribution coefficients (Kd) indicated that redistribution of the elements due to acidification is minor. The depth of impact was defined as the level in the sediment where the mean values became constant on successive exclusion of metal concentrations in overlying strata. Reference concentrations were calculated below the depth of impact. The present concentration changes are estimated by the ratio between the average concentration above the depth of impact and the reference concentration.

    Reference concentration ranges for the SMT-elements are (mg/kg, dry wt.): Ag 0.16–0.66; Be 1.6–3.7; Ga 2.0–5.1; In 0.05–0.22; Sb 0.05–0.11 and Tl 0.17–0.70. The concentration ratios for these elements ranged in the two most southern lakes from 1.5 to 4.5 and in the two northern ones from 0.6 to 1.6. A high correlation between Kd for the SMT-elements, and iron, except for Sb and Tl, infer that the biogeochemistry of iron is quantitatively important for the accumulation of these elements.

    The reference concentration ranges for the commonly monitored trace elements are (mg/kg, dry wt.): As 7.0–29.6; Cd 0.33–0.98; Co 5.7–23.8; Cr 15.2–26.1; Cu 27.6–58.4; Ni 5.4–20.8; Pb 44–96. The corresponding concentration ratios were 1.2–18 (second highest 3.9) in the two most southern lakes and 0.8–1.6 in the two northern ones. Declining ratios were found from south to north, most obvious for cobalt and zinc. The copper ratios did not show a regional pattern, partly because of the impact from old mine waste.

    Increased concentrations of Ag, Be, Ga, In, Sb and Tl in recent sediments up to 4.5 times the reference levels in combination with the geographical pattern infer an elevated loading of these elements.

  • 26.
    Guan, Qingxia
    et al.
    School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Tan, Hongli
    School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Yang, Liu
    School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Liu, Xiaotu
    School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Fiedler, Heidelore
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Li, Xue
    Institute of Mass Spectrometer and Atmospheric Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Chen, Da
    School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
    Isopropylated and tert-butylated triarylphosphate isomers in house dust from South China and Midwestern United States2019In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 686, p. 1113-1119Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In the present study we determined the concentrations and compositions of a suite of isopropylated and tert-butylated triarylphosphate ester (ITP and TBPP) isomers in house dust from the city of Guangzhou located in South China and the city of Carbondale in Midwestern United States. These two groups of organophosphate esters (OPE) are structurally analogous to triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), but have rarely been investigated for environmental occurrences and human exposure risks. The majority of target ITP and TBPP isomers were 100% detected in house dust from the two locations. Median concentrations of Sigma ITPs (including all ITP isomers) and Sigma TBPPs (including all TBPP isomers) were 63.4 ng/g (range: 16.0-500 ng/g) and 35.4 ng/g (8.1-198 ng/g) in South China house dust, respectively, compared with 476 ng/g (140-1610 ng/g) for Sigma ITPs and 81.3 ng/g (352-800 ng/g) for Sigma TBPPs in Midwestern US. dust. The profiles of ITP or TBPP isomers were similar between the two locations and were dominated by 2-isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (2IPPDPP) and 4-tertbutylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (4tBPDPP), respectively. Although the levels of Sigma ITPs and Sigma TBPPs were generally one order of magnitude lower than those of TPHP in the same dust samples, the broad occurrences of most of these isomers in house dust from the two locations likely suggest their wide applications in household consumer products. Estimated intakes of Sigma ITPs and Sigma ITBPPs via dust ingestion were generally three orders of magnitude lower than the reference dose proposed for TPHP. However, these emerging OPE chemicals merit continuous environmental surveillance, given their possible applications as specific commercial mixtures or as components/impurities in other flame retardant/plasticizer mixtures. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.

  • 27.
    Guo, J.
    et al.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Wu, C.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Qi, X.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China.
    Jiang, S.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Liu, Q.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Zhang, J.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Cao, Yang
    Örebro University, School of Medical Sciences. Unit of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Chang, X.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Zhou, Z.
    School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Adverse associations between maternal and neonatal cadmium exposure and birth outcomes2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 575, p. 581-587Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Effects of low-level cadmium (Cd) exposure during early life on fetal growth remain unclear. Our aim was to evaluate whether Cd exposure in maternal urine and umbilical cord blood was associated with birth size parameters. A birth cohort study including 1073 mother-newborn pairs was conducted from 2009 to 2010 in an agricultural population in China. Cd concentrations were analyzed in both cord blood and maternal urine. Generalized linear models were performed to determine associations between maternal and neonatal exposure to Cd and birth indicators, including birth weight, length, head circumference and ponderal index. The median (25th to 75th percentile) value of Cd concentration in maternal urine and umbilical cord blood was 0.19 (0.08, 1.00) mug/L and 0.40 (<LOD~0.62) mug/L, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, Cd concentration in cord blood was significantly negatively associated with ponderal index at birth [beta=-0.06g/cm3, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.11, -0.02; p<0.01]. Considering sex difference, significant reduction in ponderal index was only observed in males (beta=-0.06g/cm3, 95%CI: -0.11, -0.02; p<0.01), but not in females (beta=-0.03g/cm3, 95%CI: -0.07, 0.01; p=0.18) (p for interaction term=0.24). Additionally, no significant associations were observed between maternal urinary Cd levels and birth outcomes. Our findings suggest that adverse effects of neonatal exposure to Cd on fetal growth are of considerable public health importance.

  • 28.
    Guo, Jianqiu
    et al.
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Wu, Chunhua
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Zhang, Jiming
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Li, Wenting
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Lv, Shenliang
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Lu, Dasheng
    Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Qi, Xiaojuan
    Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China.
    Feng, Chao
    Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Liang, Weijiu
    Changning District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Chang, Xiuli
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Zhang, Yubin
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Xu, Hao
    Changning District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Cao, Yang
    Örebro University, School of Medical Sciences. Örebro University Hospital.
    Wang, Guoquan
    Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
    Zhou, Zhijun
    School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
    Maternal and childhood urinary phenol concentrations, neonatal thyroid function, and behavioral problems at 10 years of age: The SMBCS study2020In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 743, article id 140678Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND: Environmental phenols, bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), are known as emerging endocrine-disrupting chemicals; however, their impacts on thyroid hormones and children's neurobehaviors are still unclear.

    OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the associations of prenatal and childhood exposure to phenols with neonatal thyroid function and childhood behavioral problems aged 10 years.

    METHODS: A total of 386 mother-singleton pairs were included from Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS), a longitudinal birth cohort in China. We quantified urinary BPA, TCS and BP-3 concentrations in maternal and 10-year-old children's urine samples using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and thyroid function parameters in cord serum samples. Caregivers completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for their children at 10 years of age. Multivariable linear regression models and logistic regression models were applied to estimate associations of urinary phenol concentrations with thyroid hormones and risks of children's behavioral problems, respectively.

    RESULTS: The median values of urinary BPA, TCS and BP-3 concentrations for pregnant women were 1.75 μg/L, 0.54 μg/L and 0.37 μg/L, while 1.29 μg/L, 6.64 μg/L and 1.39 μg/L for children, respectively. Maternal urinary BPA concentrations were in associations with 1.00% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20%, 1.92%] increases in cord serum FT4 concentrations and significantly associated with increased risks of total difficulties [odds ratio (OR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.97], while maternal urinary levels of BP-3 were significantly related to poorer prosocial behaviors (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.39) of children at 10 years of age. In sex-stratified analyses, maternal urinary BPA concentrations were related to increased total difficulty subscales only in boys.

    CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that higher prenatal urinary BPA concentrations were associated with increased risks of total difficulties, especially in boys and maternal urinary BP-3 concentrations were related to poorer prosocial behaviors at 10 years.

  • 29.
    Gustavsson, L.
    et al.
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Genotoxic activity of nitroarene-contaminated industrial sludge following large-scale treatment in aerated and non-aerated sacs2006In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 367, no 2-3, p. 694-703Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An industrial sludge containing a complex mixture of nitroaromatic compounds was treated in industrial large-scale aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation processes, performed in compost sacs. The goal was to study changes in genotoxicity during the two different oxygen regimes using the umuC genotoxicity assay. The composting sac was actively aerated during 3 months and allowed to mature for another 3 months. The anaerobic sac was not aerated for 5 months and aerated during the last month in order to enhance degradation of remaining organic carbon. The sludge was obtained from the wastewater treatment plant at an industrial area in Karlskoga, Sweden. The biodegradation study was performed at a commercial waste treatment plant in Stockholm, according to the company routine procedure when treating household waste in sealed sacs.

    The material from the non-aerated system showed increased genotoxicity in the acetone-soluble fraction after treatment, as did the water-soluble fraction. The subsequent aeration period did not decrease the toxicity below the genotoxicity limit. The increase in the water-soluble genotoxic compounds may pose an environmental problem during secondary storage or use of sludge treated this way, since leakage of water-dissolved genotoxic compounds may occur.

    The composting process also generated genotoxicity, but this was restricted to acetone-soluble compounds, while the water-soluble compounds remained low in genotoxicity. The aerated process therefore seems more favorable in term of risk reduction of this industrial sludge, although it is necessary to optimize the aerated process in order to achieve non-toxic levels of potential genotoxic compounds extractable by organic solvents.

  • 30.
    Hardell, Elin
    et al.
    Örebro University hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
    Carlberg, Michael
    Örebro University hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
    Nordstrom, Marie
    Dept Hematol, Karolinska Univ Hosp Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Time trends of persistent organic pollutants in Sweden during 1993-2007 and relation to age, gender, body mass index, breast-feeding and parity2010In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 408, no 20, p. 4412-4419Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic chemicals that bioaccumulate. Most of them were resticted or banned in the 1970s and 1980s to protect human health and the environment. The main source for humans is dietary intake of dairy products, meat and fish. Little data exist on changes of the concentration of POPs in the Swedish population over time. Objective: To study if the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and chlordanes have changed in the Swedish population during 1993-2007, and certain factors that may influence the concentrations. Methods: During 1993-2007 samples from 537 controls in different human cancer studies were collected and analysed. Background information such as body mass index, breast-feeding and parity was assessed by questionaires. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to analyse the explanatory factors specimen (blood or adipose tissue), gender, BMI, total breast-feeding and parity in relation to POPs. Time trends for POPs were analysed using linear regression analysis, adjusted for specimen, gender, BMI and age. Results: The concentration decreased for all POPs during 1993-2007. The annual change was statistically significant for the sum of PCBs -7.2%, HCB -8.8%, DDE -13.5% and the sum of chlordanes -10.3%. BMI and age were determinants of the concentrations. Cumulative breast-feeding >8 months gave statistically significantly lower concentrations for the sum of PCBs. DDE and the sum of chlordanes. Parity with >2 children yielded statistically significantly lower sum of PCBs. Conclusions: All the studied POPs decreased during the time period, probably due to restrictions of their use. (c) 2010 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.

  • 31.
    Hartz, William F.
    et al.
    Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, United Kingdom; Department of Arctic Geology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
    Björnsdotter, Maria K.
    Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
    Yeung, Leo W. Y.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Hodson, Andrew
    Department of Arctic Geology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway; Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, NO-6851 Sogndal, Norway.
    Thomas, Elizabeth R.
    Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom.
    Humby, Jack D.
    Ice Dynamics and Paleoclimate, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom.
    Day, Chris
    Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, United Kingdom.
    Ericson Jogsten, Ingrid
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kärrman, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Kallenborn, Roland
    Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), NO-1432 Ås, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), NO-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
    Levels and distribution profiles of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in a high Arctic Svalbard ice core2023In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 871, article id 161830Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent organic contaminants of which some are toxic and bioaccumulative. Several PFAS can be formed from the atmospheric degradation of precursors such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) as well as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replacement compounds. Svalbard ice cores have been shown to provide a valuable record of long-range atmospheric transport of contaminants to the Arctic. This study uses a 12.3 m ice core from the remote Lomonosovfonna ice cap on Svalbard to understand the atmospheric deposition of PFAS in the Arctic. A total of 45 PFAS were targeted, of which 26 were detected, using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) MS/MS. C2 to C11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were detected continuously in the ice core and their fluxes ranged from 2.5 to 8200 ng m-2 yr-1 (9.51-16,500 pg L-1). Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) represented 71 % of the total mass of C2 - C11 PFCAs in the ice core and had increasing temporal trends in deposition. The distribution profile of PFCAs suggested that FTOHs were likely the atmospheric precursor to C8 - C11 PFCAs, whereas C2 - C6 PFCAs had alternative sources, such as HFCs and other CFC replacement compounds. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was also widely detected in 82 % of ice core subsections, and its isomer profile (81 % linear) indicated an electrochemical fluorination manufacturing source. Comparisons of PFAS concentrations with a marine aerosol proxy showed that marine aerosols were insignificant for the deposition of PFAS on Lomonosovfonna. Comparisons with a melt proxy showed that TFA and PFOS were mobile during meltwater percolation. This indicates that seasonal snowmelt and runoff from post-industrial accumulation on glaciers could be a significant seasonal source of PFAS to ecosystems in Arctic fjords.

  • 32.
    Henriksson, Sara
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Environmental Staff, Arvika, Sweden.
    Bjurlid, Filip
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Rotander, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Lindström, Gunilla
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Westberg, Håkan
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Hagberg, Jessika
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Uptake and bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs in earthworms after in situ and in vitro exposure to soil from a contaminated sawmill site2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 580, p. 564-571Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Uptake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was studied in earthworms collected from a sawmill site in Sweden with severe PCDD/Fs contamination (the hot spot concentration was 690,000 ng TEQWHO2005/kg d.w.) in order to investigate the transfer of PCDD/Fs from the site to the biota. PCDD/Fs concentrations in the collected earthworms were compared to PCDD/Fs concentrations in laboratory exposed earthworms (Eisenia fetida), which were exposed to contaminated soils from the sawmill site for 34 days. All analyses were performed by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). PCDD/Fs concentrations in the earthworms ranged from 290 to 520,000 pg/g (f.w.). The main congeners found in both soils and earthworms were OCDF, 1234678-HpCDF, OCDD and 1234678-HpCDD. The study showed that the PCDD/Fs in the soil were biovailable to the earthworms and the PCDD/Fs concentrations in the soils correlated with the concentrations in the earthworms. Earthworm samples from soil with lower concentration had higher bioaccumulation factors than samples from soils with high concentration of contamination. Thus, a less contaminated soil could yield higher concentrations in earthworms compared to a higher contaminated soil. Assuming that when assessing risks with PCDD/F contaminated soil, a combination of chemical analysis of soil PCDD/Fs concentrations and bioavailability should be employed for a more comprehensive risk assessment.

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  • 33.
    Hollert, Henner
    et al.
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; College of Environmental Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanhai, China; School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
    Crawford, Sarah E.
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Brack, Werner
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
    Brinkmann, Markus
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
    Fischer, Elske
    Laboratory for Archaeobotany, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, Gaienhofen-Hemmenhofen, Germany.
    Hartmann, Kai
    Institute for Geographical Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Ottermanns, Richard
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Environmental Biology and Chemodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Ouellet, Jacob D.
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Rinke, Karsten
    Department of Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany.
    Rösch, Manfred
    Laboratory for Archaeobotany, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, Gaienhofen-Hemmenhofen, Germany.
    Ross-Nickoll, Martina
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Environmental Biology and Chemodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Schäffer, Andreas
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Environmental Biology and Chemodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Schüth, Christoph
    Institute for Applied Geoscience, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany; Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
    Schulze, Tobias
    Department Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
    Schwarz, Anja
    Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
    Seiler, Thomas-Benjamin
    Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Wessels, Martin
    Institute for Lake Research, State Institute for Environment, Measurements and Nature Conservation Baden-Württemberg (LUBW), Langenargen, Germany.
    Hinderer, Matthias
    Institute for Applied Geoscience, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
    Schwalb, Antje
    Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
    Looking back - Looking forward: A novel multi-time slice weight-of-evidence approach for defining reference conditions to assess the impact of human activities on lake systems2018In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 626, p. 1036-1046Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Lake ecosystems are sensitive recorders of environmental changes that provide continuous archives at annual to decadal resolution over thousands of years. The systematic investigation of land use changes and emission of pollutants archived in Holocene lake sediments as well as the reconstruction of contamination, background conditions, and sensitivity of lake systems offer an ideal opportunity to study environmental dynamics and consequences of anthropogenic impact that increasingly pose risks to human well-being. This paper discusses the use of sediment and other lines of evidence in providing a record of historical and current contamination in lake ecosystems. We present a novel approach to investigate impacts from human activities using chemical-analytical, bioanalytical, ecological, paleolimnological, paleoecotoxicological, archeological as well as modeling techniques. This multi-time slice weight-of-evidence (WOE) approach will generate knowledge on conditions prior to anthropogenic influence and provide knowledge to (i) create a better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on biodiversity, (ii) assess water quality by using quantitative data on historical pollution and persistence of pollutants archived over thousands of years in sediments, and (iii) define environmental threshold values using modeling methods. This technique may be applied in order to gain insights into reference conditions of surface and ground waters in catchments with a long history of land use and human impact, which is still a major need that is currently not yet addressed within the context of the European Water Framework Directive.

  • 34.
    Huang, Jih-Kai
    et al.
    Department of General Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Chuang, Yun-Shiuan
    Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Big Data Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung city, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Wu, Ping-Hsun
    Center for Big Data Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung city, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Tai, Chi-Jung
    Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Pingtung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Pingtung, Taiwan; Center for Long-Term Care Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Lin, Jye-Ru
    Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Kuo, Mei-Chuan
    Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Chiu, Yi-Wen
    Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Hsu, Ping-Chi
    Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Wu, Ming-Tsang
    Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Salihovic, Samira
    Örebro University, School of Medical Sciences.
    Lin, Yi-Ting
    Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Big Data Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung city, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
    Decreased levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment2023In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 896, article id 165184Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been reported to be harmful to multiple organs in the human body. Based on a previous study suggesting that hemodialysis (HD) may be a means of eliminating PFAS from the human body, we aimed to compare the serum PFAS concentrations of patients undergoing regular HD, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and controls. Additionally, we also investigated the correlation between PFAS and biochemical data, as well as concurrent comorbidities. We recruited 301 participants who had been on maintenance dialysis for >90 days, 20 participants with stage 5 non-dialysis CKD, and 55 control participants who did not have a diagnosis of kidney disease, with a mean creatinine level of 0.77 mg/dl. Eight different PFAS, namely perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), total and linear perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression with 5 % false discovery rate were used to evaluate the relationships between PFAS and clinical parameters in HD patients and controls. Circulating concentrations of seven PFAS, including total and linear PFOS (T-PFOS and L-PFOS) PFDA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFUnDA, were significantly lower in the HD group compared to the CKD and control group. For the interplay between biochemical data and PFAS, all of the studied PFAS were positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, ferritin, and vitamin D in the controls, while in HD patients, the PFAS were all positively correlated with albumin, uric acid, iron, and vitamin D. These findings may offer valuable insights for future studies seeking to eliminate PFAS.

  • 35.
    Jayasinghe, Saroj
    et al.
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
    Lind, Lars
    Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Salihovic, Samira
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Department of Medical Sciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Larsson, Anders
    Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Lind, P. Monica
    Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    DDT and its metabolites could contribute to the aetiology of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) and more studies are a priority2019In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 649, p. 1638-1639Article in journal (Other academic)
  • 36.
    Jayasinghe, Saroj
    et al.
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
    Lind, Lars
    Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Salihovic, Samira
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Department of Medical Sciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Larsson, Anders
    Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Lind, P. Monica
    Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    High serum levels of p,p'-DDE are associated with an accelerated decline in GFR during 10 years follow-up2018In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 644, p. 371-374Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Over the past 20 years, the global incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasing and organochlorine pesticides (such as DDT) is a suspected etiological factor. The present study examines the associations between low level background exposure to p,p'-DDE (1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), the main DDT metabolite, and kidney function during a 10-year follow-up. Data was analysed from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (n = 1016, 50% women, all aged 70 years). Serum levels of p,p'-DDE was measured by gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) at baseline (i.e. age of 70 years). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using serum creatinine and cystatin C at 70, 75 and 80 years of age. A significant decline in GFR was seen during the 10-year follow-up (-24 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.0001). A significant negative interaction was seen between baseline p,p'-DDE levels and change in GFR over time (p < 0.0001) following adjustment for sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, smoking and education level at age 70. Subjects with the lowest levels of p,p'-DDE levels at age 70 showed the lowest decline in GFR over 10 years, while subjects with the highest p,p'-DDE levels showed the greatest decline.

    Baseline levels of p,p'-DDE were related to an accelerated reduction in GFR over 10 years suggesting a nephrotoxic effect of DDT/p,p'-DDE. These findings support a potential role for DDT in the epidemic of CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu) in agricultural communities of Sri Lanka and Central America where DDT was previously used.

  • 37.
    Jin, Rong
    et al.
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Liu, Guorui
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Jiang, Xiaoxu
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Liang, Yong
    Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China.
    Fiedler, Heidelore
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Yang, Lili
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Zhu, Qingqing
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Xu, Yang
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Gao, Lirong
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Su, Guijin
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Xiao, Ke
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
    Zheng, Minghui
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China.
    Profiles, sources and potential exposures of parent, chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in haze associated atmosphere2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 593-594, p. 390-398, article id S0048-9697(17)30654-XArticle in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Profiles, sources and potential exposures of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs and BrPAHs) in haze associated atmosphere remain unclear. Haze events happened frequently during heating period in Beijing provided a typical urban context to investigate the concentrations, profiles, sources and potential exposures of ClPAHs, BrPAHs and their non-halogenated parent compounds (PAHs) in air samples. Average concentrations of PAHs, ClPAHs and BrPAHs during heating periods (with more frequent haze events) were about 3-9 times higher than during non-heating periods. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM)-associated ClPAHs and BrPAHs were higher in heating period than in non-heating period, while for gas-associated ClPAHs and BrPAHs, this distinction was not significant. Congener patterns and congener profiles indicated that with increasing coal combustion during the heating period, concentrations of PAHs and ClPAHs in air were elevated in comparison to the non-heating period. Inhalation of PM-associated PAHs, ClPAHs and BrPAHs accounted for higher exposure than inhalation of gas phase and dermal contact of both gas phase and particulate phase. In this study we found that the particulate phase is the dominant exposure pathway of atmospheric PAHs, ClPAHs and BrPAHs during haze days, which is different from previous studies.

  • 38.
    Johansson, Inger
    et al.
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Levels and patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in incineration ashes2003In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 311, no 1-3, p. 221-231Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analysed in weathered bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration, fly ash from a mixed heating plant and an ash mixture from different kinds of biofuels. Although of different origin and age, all three ashes are evaluated in different small-scale fill applications. The ultimate goal is the usage of these ashes on a larger scale. The samples were Soxhlet extracted and analysed using GC/MS in the full scan mode. The sum of the 16 US EPA PAHs was found to vary from 140 mug/kg up to more than 77 000 mug/kg. Total amounts of PAHs were similar in bottom ash and in fly ash. The concentration in the mixed biofuel ash was more than 10 times higher, and exceeded the generic guidelines for PAHs in soil set by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The patterns of the individual PAHs normalised to the total concentration of PAHs were found to be very similar for all the three ashes. Naphthalene and phenanthrene were the dominating PAHs for all ash samples, but the mixed biofuel ash also contained high levels of fluoranthene and pyrene. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

  • 39.
    Julander, Anneli
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Westberg, Håkan
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Distribution of brominated flame retardants in different dust fractions in air from an electronics recycling facility2005In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 350, no 1-3, p. 151-160Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Twelve air samples were collected from an electronic recycling facility in Sweden representing three different dust fractions; respirable, total and inhalable dust. Four samples were collected from each fraction. The highest concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) #209 (ten bromine atoms) was found in the samples from the inhalable dust fraction (ID), which was 10 times higher than for the "total dust" fraction (TD). The concentration ranges were 157.6-208.6; 13.9-16.7; and 2.8-3.3 ng/m3 for inhalable, total and respirable fractions, respectively. The second most abundant PBDE congener was PBDE #183 (seven bromine atoms), followed by the second most abundant substance 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) in all samples. In addition, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DeBDethane) was tentatively identified in five of the samples. Because of the large differences in air concentrations between the three fractions in ID, TD and RD, it is suggested that the inhalable instead of "total dust" fraction should be used to assess air concentrations, in particular for the larger and higher brominated flame retardants (BFRs).

  • 40.
    Kais, Britta
    et al.
    Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Center for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
    Schiwy, Sabrina
    Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Hollert, Henner
    Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
    Braunbeck, Thomas
    Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Center for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
    In vivo EROD assays with the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as rapid screening tools for the detection of dioxin-like activity2017In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 590-591, p. 269-280Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The present study compares two alternative in vivo approaches for the measurement of ethoxyresorufin-Odeethylase (EROD) activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following exposure to acetonic model sediment extracts: (1) the live-imaging EROD assay for the direct detection of EROD induction in individual livers via epifluorescence, and (2) the fish embryo EROD assay in subcellular fractions derived from entire zebrafish embryos after in vivo exposure.

    For toxicity assessment, each sediment extract was tested with the standard fish embryo test (FET). Upon completion of a functioning liver after 72 h, the embryos gave a distinct fluorescent signal in the liver, and a corresponding EROD activity could be detected in the fish embryo EROD assay. The exposure time in the live-imaging EROD assay was reduced to 3 h, which resulted in a stronger, less variable and more sensitive EROD response. Overall, the live-imaging and the fish embryo EROD assays showed the same tendencies and gave comparable results, e.g. a concentration-dependent increase in EROD activity at concentrations one order of magnitude below concentrations producing macroscopically visible abnormalities. At higher concentrations, however, a decrease of EROD activity was observed in either test. Both tests ranked the three model sediment extracts in the same order. Results indicate that both test systems complement each other and together provide a rapid and reliable in vivo tool to investigate the presence of dioxin-like substances in environmental samples.

  • 41.
    Karlsson, Marie
    et al.
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Ericson, I.
    van Bavel, Bert
    Örebro University, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Jensen, J.-K.
    Dam, M.
    Levels of brominated flame retardants in Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) eggs from the Faroe Islands2006In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 367, no 2-3, p. 840-846Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Eggs from Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) were sampled in the Faroe Islands. The content of the brominated flame retardants tri- to decabromodiphenyl ethers (BDEs) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) were determined in nine samples in concentrations ranging from non-detectable to 7 ng g− 1(l.w.). The BDE levels were similar as in an earlier study of BDE levels in the fulmar eggs from the Faroe Islands but 10–1000 times lower compared to studies of eggs from seabirds and birds of prey from Europe. The two hexaBDEs #153 and #154 were the most abundant congeners, which represented around 50% of the total mean BDE concentration. The levels of BDE #209 were below the limit of detection (1.24 ng g− 1 l.w.) except for one sample, which showed a concentration of 7.18 ng g− 1 l.w. BTBPE was detected in eight samples and the mean level was 0.11 ng g− 1 l.w. This concentration was 150 times lower than the average total BDE concentration (including BDEs #28, #47, #100, #99, #154, #153, #183, #209). BTBPE has only been detected once before in biota. Also other bromo-containing compounds were detected in the fulmar eggs. One group identified was the polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), but because of the absence of reference standards in the lab, these could not be quantified.

  • 42.
    Keiter, Susanne
    et al.
    Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
    Burkhard-Medicke, Kathleen
    Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
    Wellner, Peggy
    Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
    Kais, Britta
    Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
    Färber, Harald
    Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
    Skutlarek, Dirk
    Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Braunbeck, Thomas
    Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Group, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Luckenback, Till
    Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
    Does perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) act as chemosensitizer in zebrafish embryos?2016In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 548-549, p. 317-324Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Earlier studies have shown that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) increases the toxicity of other chemicals by enhancing their uptake by cells and tissues. The present study aimed at testing whether the underlying mechanism of enhanced uptake of chemicals by zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos in the presence of PFOS is by interference of this compound with the cellular efflux transporter Abcb4. Modifications of uptake/clearance and toxicity of two Abcb4 substrates, the fluorescent dye rhodamine B (RhB) and vinblastine, by PFOS were evaluated using 24 and 48. h post-fertilization (hpf) embryos. Upon 90. min exposure of 24. hpf embryos to 1. μM RhB and different PFOS concentrations (3-300. μM) accumulation of RhB in zebrafish was increased by up to 11.9-fold compared to controls, whereas RhB increases in verapamil treatments were 1.7-fold. Co-administration of PFOS and vinblastine in exposures from 0 to 48. hpf resulted in higher vinblastine-caused mortalities in zebrafish embryos indicating increased uptake of this compound. Interference of PFOS with zebrafish Abcb4 activity was further studied using recombinant protein obtained with the baculovirus expression system. PFOS lead to a concentration-dependent decrease of the verapamil-stimulated Abcb4 ATPase activity; at higher PFOS concentrations (250, 500. μM), also the basal ATPase activity was lowered indicating PFOS to be an Abcb4 inhibitor. In exposures of 48. hpf embryos to a very high RhB concentration (200. μM), accumulation of RhB in embryo tissue and adsorption to the chorion were increased in the presence of 50 or 100. μM PFOS. In conclusion, the results indicate that PFOS acts as inhibitor of zebrafish Abcb4; however, the exceptionally large PFOS-caused effect amplitude of RhB accumulation in the 1. μM RhB experiments and the clear PFOS effects in the experiments with 200. μM RhB suggest that an additional mechanism appears to be responsible for the potential of PFOS to enhance uptake of Abcb4 substrates.

  • 43.
    Khalaf, Hazem
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Health and Medical Sciences.
    Salste, Lotta
    Karlsson, Patrik
    Ivarsson, Per
    Jass, Jana
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Olsson, Per-Erik
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    In vitro analysis of inflammatory responses following environmental exposure to pharmaceuticals and inland waters2009In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 407, no 4, p. 1452-1460Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Pharmaceuticals are regularly released into the environment; in particular non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. Erythromycin, naproxen, furosemideand atenolol are reported to be stable for up to 1 year in the environment, which increasesthe risk for accumulation. In the present study we have measured the occurrence andconcentration of pharmaceuticals in river Viskan (Jössabron) downstream of a sewagetreatment plant in Borås, Sweden. Pharmaceuticals and water samples were tested forpotential human risk by evaluating inflammatory responses (NF-κB and AP-1) using humanT24 bladder epithelial cells and Jurkat T-cells. NF-κB activity in T24 cells was significantlyreduced by all NSAIDs analysed (diclofenac, ketoprofen, naproxen, ibuprophen anddextropropoxyphene), but also by trimethoprim, using environmentally relevantconcentrations. NF-κB and AP-1 activation was further analysed in response to watersamples collected from different locations in Sweden. Dose-dependent down-regulation ofAP-1 activity in Jurkat cells was observed at all locations. At two locations (Jössabron andAlmenäs) down-regulation of NF-κB was observed. In contrast, the NF-κB response waspotentiated by exposure to water from both locations following activation of NF-κB bytreatment with heat-killed Escherichia coli. To determine the involvement ofpharmaceuticals in the responses, T24 cells were exposed to the pharmaceutical mixture,based on the determined levels at Jössabron. This resulted in reduction of the NF-κBresponse following exposure to the pharmaceutical mixture alone while no potentiationwas observed when cells were co-exposed to heat killed E. coli and pharmaceuticals. Theobtained results demonstrate that the identified pharmaceuticals affect the inflammatoryresponses and furthermore indicate the presence of unknown substance(s) with the abilityto potentiate inflammatory responses

  • 44.
    Khan, Khalid M.
    et al.
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, USA.
    Parvez, Faruque
    Department of Environmental Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
    Zoeller, R. Thomas
    Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.
    Hocevar, Barbara A.
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, USA.
    Kamendulis, Lisa M.
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, USA.
    Rohlman, Diane
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, USA.
    Eunus, Mahbubul
    U-Chicago Research Bangladesh Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh.
    Graziano, Joseph
    Department of Environmental Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
    Thyroid hormones and neurobehavioral functions among adolescents chronically exposed to groundwater with geogenic arsenic in Bangladesh2019In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 678, p. 278-287, article id S0048-9697(19)31977-1Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Groundwater, the major source of drinking water in Bengal Delta Plain, is contaminated with geogenic arsenic (As) enrichment affecting millions of people. Children exposed to tubewell water containing As may be associated with thyroid dysfunction, which in turn may impact neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, data to support such relationship is sparse. The purpose of this study was to examine if chronic water As (WAs) from Holocene alluvial aquifers in this region was associated with serum thyroid hormone (TH) and if TH biomarkers were related to neurobehavioral (NB) performance in a group of adolescents. A sample of 32 healthy adolescents were randomly drawn from a child cohort in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) in Araihazar, Bangladesh. Half of these participants were consistently exposed to low WAs (<10 μg/L) and the remaining half had high WAs exposure (≥10 μg/L) since birth. Measurements included serum total triiodothyronine (tT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb); concurrent WAs and urinary arsenic (UAs); and adolescents' NB performance. WAs and UAs were positively and significantly correlated with TPOAb but were not correlated with TSH, tT3 and fT4. After accounting for covariates, both WAs and UAs demonstrated positive but non-significant relationships with TSH and TPOAb and negative but non-significant relationships with tT3 and fT4. TPOAb was significantly associated with reduced NB performance indicated by positive associations with latencies in simple reaction time (b = 82.58; p < 0.001) and symbol digit (b = 276.85; p = 0.005) tests. TSH was significantly and negatively associated with match-to-sample correct count (b = -0.95; p = 0.05). Overall, we did not observe significant associations between arsenic exposure and TH biomarkers although the relationships were in the expected directions. We observed TH biomarkers to be related to reduced NB performance as hypothesized. Our study indicated a possible mechanism of As-induced neurotoxicity, which requires further investigations for confirmatory findings.

  • 45.
    Laranjeiro, F.
    et al.
    ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Rotander, Anna
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    López-Ibáñez, S.
    ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Vilas, A.
    ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Södergren Seilitz, Fredric
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Clérandeau, C.
    EPOC, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
    Sampalo, M.
    EOMAR, ECOAQUA, University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
    Rial, D.
    Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Subida a Radio Faro, 50-52 36390 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Bellas, J.
    Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Subida a Radio Faro, 50-52 36390 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Cachot, J.
    EPOC, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
    Almeda, R.
    EOMAR, ECOAQUA, University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
    Beiras, R.
    ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
    Comparative assessment of the acute toxicity of commercial bio-based polymer leachates on marine plankton2024In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 946, article id 174403Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Conventional plastics have become a major environmental concern due to their persistence and accumulation in marine ecosystems. The development of potential degradable polymers (PBP), such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polylactic acid (PLA), has gained attention as an alternative to mitigate plastic pollution, since they have the potential to biodegrade under certain conditions, and their production is increasing as replacement of conventional polyolefins. This study aimed to assess and compare the toxicity of leachates of pre-compounding PBP (PLA and the PHA, polyhydroxybutyrate-covalerate (PHBv)) and polypropylene (PP) on five marine planktonic species. A battery of standard bioassays using bacteria, microalgae, sea urchin embryos, mussel embryos and copepod nauplii was conducted to assess the toxicity of leachates from those polymers. Additionally, the presence of chemical additives in the leachates was also verified through GC-MS and LC-HRMS analysis. Results showed that PHBv leachates exhibited higher toxicity compared to other polymers, with the microalgae Rhodomonas salina, being the most sensitive species to the tested leachates. On the other hand, PP and PLA generally displayed minimal to no toxicity in the studied species. Estimated species sensitivity distribution curves (SSD) show that PHBv leachates can be 10 times more hazardous to marine plankton than PP or PLA leachates, as demonstrated by the calculated Hazardous Concentration for 5 % of species (HC5). Qualitative chemical analysis supports the toxicological results, with 80 % of compounds being identified in PHBv leachates of which 2,4,6-trichlorophenol is worth mentioning due to the deleterious effects to aquatic biota described in literature. These findings underscore the fact that whereas environmental persistence can be targeted using PBP, the issue of chemical safety remains unsolved by some alternatives, such as PHBv. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the toxicity profiles of PBP materials through a priori toxicological risk assessment is vital for their responsible application as alternatives to conventional plastics.

  • 46.
    Larsson, Maria
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Lam, Monika M.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    van Hees, Patrick
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. Eurofins Environment Testing Sweden AB, Lidköping, Sweden.
    Giesy, John P.
    University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
    Engwall, Magnus
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Occurrence and leachability of polycyclic aromatic compounds in contaminated soils: Chemical and bioanalytical characterization2018In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 622-623, p. 1476-1484Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An important concern regarding sites contaminated with polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) is the risk of groundwater contamination by release of the compounds from soils. The goal of this study was to investigate the occurrence and leachability of 77 PACs including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NSO-PACs) among total aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists in soils from historical contaminated sites. A novel approach combining chemical and bioanalytical methods in combination with characterization of leachability by use of a column leaching test was used. Similar profiles of relative concentrations of PACs were observed in all soils, with parent PAHs accounting for 71 to 90% of total concentrations in soils. Contribution of oxy-PAHs, alkyl-PAHs and N-PACs ranged from 2 to 9%, 3 to 9% and 1 to 14%, respectively. Although the contributions of groups of PACs were small, some compounds were found in similar or greater concentrations than parent PAHs. Leachable fractions of 77 PACs from soils were small and ranged from 0.002 to 0.54%. Polar PACs were shown to be more leachable than parent PAHs. The contribution of analyzed PACS to overall AhR-mediated activities in soils and leachates suggests presence of other AhR agonists in soils, and a potential risk. Only a small fraction of AhR agonists was available in soils, indicating an overestimation of the risk if only total initial concentrations in soils would be considered in risk assessment. The results of the study strongly support that focus on 16US EPA PAHs may result in inadequate assessment of risk and hazard of PACs in complex environmental samples.

  • 47.
    Lind, Lars
    et al.
    Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Salihovic, Samira
    Örebro University, School of Medical Sciences. Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre.
    Lind, P. Monica
    Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Mixtures of environmental contaminants and diabetes2023In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 859, no Part 1, article id 159993Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND: Many studies have been published on the relationships between different environmental contaminants and diabetes. In these studies, the environmental contaminants have most often been evaluated one by one, but in real life we are exposed to a mixture of contaminants that interact with each other.

    OBJECTIVE: The major aim of this study was to see if a mixture of contaminants could improve the prediction of incident diabetes, using machine learning.

    METHODS: In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala (PIVUS) study (988 men and women aged 70 years), circulating levels of 42 contaminants from several chemical classes were measured at baseline. Incident diabetes was followed for 15 years. Six different machine-learning models were used to predict prevalent diabetes (n = 115). The variables with top importance were thereafter used to predict incident diabetes (n = 83).

    RESULTS: Boosted regression trees performed best regarding prediction of prevalent diabetes (area under the ROC-curve = 0.70). Following removal of correlated contaminants, the addition of nine selected contaminants (Cd, Pb, Trans-nonachlor the phthalate MiBP, Hg, Ni, PCB126, PCB169 and PFOS) resulted in a significant improvement of 6.0 % of the ROC curve (from 0.66 to 0.72, p = 0.018) regarding incident diabetes (n = 51) compared with a baseline model including sex and BMI when the first 5 years of the follow-up was used. No such improvement in prediction was seen over 15 years follow-up. The single contaminant being most closely related to incident diabetes over 5 years was Nickel (odds ratio 1.44 for a SD change, 95 % CI 1.05-1.95, p = 0.022).

    CONCLUSION: This study supports the view that machine learning was useful in finding a mixture of important contaminants that improved prediction of incident diabetes. This improvement in prediction was seen only during the first 5 years of follow-up.

  • 48.
    Mangu, Jagadish Chandra Kumar
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Rai, Neha
    School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
    Mandal, Abul
    Systems Biology Research Center, School of Bioscience, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
    Olsson, Per-Erik
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Jass, Jana
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Lysinibacillus sphaericus mediates stress responses and attenuates arsenic toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans2022In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 835, article id 155377Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Exposure to toxic metals alters host response and that leads to disease development. Studies have revealed the effects of metals on microbial physiology, however, the role of metal resistant bacteria on host response to metals is unclear. The hypothesis that xenobiotic interactions between gut microbes and arsenic influence the host physiology and toxicity was assessed in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. The arsenic-resistant Lysinibacillus sphaericus B1CDA was fed to C. elegans to determine the host responses to arsenic in comparison to Escherichia coli OP50 food. L. sphaericus diet extended C. elegans lifespan compared to E. coli diet, with an increased expression of genes involved in lifespan, stress response and immunity (hif-1, hsp-16.2, mtl-2, abf-2, clec-60), as well as reduced fat accumulation. Arsenic-exposed worms fed L. sphaericus also had a longer lifespan than those fed E. coli and had an increased expression of genes involved in cytoprotection, stress resistance (mtl-1, mtl-2) and oxidative stress response (cyp-35A2, isp-1, ctl-2, sod-1), together with a decreased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In comparison with E. coli, L. sphaericus B1CDA diet increased C. elegans fitness while detoxifying arsenic induced ROS and extending lifespan.

  • 49.
    Nilén, Greta
    et al.
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Larsson, Maria
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Hyötyläinen, Tuulia
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    A complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic compounds causes embryotoxic, behavioral, and molecular effects in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio), and in vitro bioassays2024In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 906, article id 167307Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are prevalent in the environment, typically found in complex mixtures and high concentrations. Our understanding of the effects of PACs, excluding the 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs), remains limited. Zebrafish embryos and in vitro bioassays were utilized to investigate the embryotoxic, behavioral, and molecular effects of a soil sample from a former gasworks site in Sweden. Additionally, targeted chemical analysis was conducted to analyze 87 PACs in the soil, fish, water, and plate material. CALUX® assays were used to assess the activation of aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors, as well as the inhibition of the androgen receptor. Larval behavior was measured by analyzing activity during light and darkness and in response to mechanical stimulation. Furthermore, qPCR analyses were performed on a subset of 36 genes associated with specific adverse outcomes, and the total lipid content in the larvae was measured. Exposure to the sample resulted in embryotoxic effects (LC50 = 0.480 mg dry matter soil/mL water). The mixture also induced hyperactivity in darkness and hypoactivity in light and in response to the mechanical stimulus. qPCR analysis revealed differential regulation of 15 genes, including downregulation of opn1sw1 (eye pigmentation) and upregulation of fpgs (heart failure). The sample caused significant responses in three bioassays (ERα-, DR-, and PAH-CALUX), and the exposed larvae exhibited elevated lipid levels. Chemical analysis identified benzo[a]pyrene as the predominant compound in the soil and approximately half of the total PAC concentration was attributed to the 16 PAHs. This study highlights the value of combining in vitro and in vivo methods with chemical analysis to assess toxic mechanisms at specific targets and to elucidate the possible interactions between various pathways in an organism. It also enhances our understanding of the risks associated with environmental mixtures of PACs and their distribution during toxicity testing.

  • 50.
    O'Donovan, Sarit
    et al.
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
    Mestre, Nélia C,
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
    Abel, Serena
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
    Fonseca, Tainá G.
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
    Carteny, Camilla C
    Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
    Willems, Tim
    Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
    Prinsen, Els
    Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
    Cormier, Bettie
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology. UMR Centre National dela Recherche Scientifique EPOC, University of Bordeaux, Talence, France.
    Keiter, Steffen
    Örebro University, School of Science and Technology.
    Bebianno, Maria João
    Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
    Effects of the UV filter, oxybenzone, adsorbed to microplastics in the clam Scrobicularia plana2020In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 733, article id 139102Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Microplastics (MPs) lipophilic nature and widespread distribution raises concerns due to their increasing presence in the marine environment and their ability to adsorb organic contaminants, as being potential vehicles for transport and potential source of accumulation of organic contaminants by marine organisms. The organic UV-filter, oxybenzone (BP-3) is a constituent of sunscreens and personal care products, entering the marine environment either by direct contact with swimmers or by wastewater effluents. In this study the ecotoxicological effects of exposure to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics with and without adsorbed BP-3 were investigated in the peppery furrow shell clam, Scrobicularia plana. LDPE microplastics with a size range of 11-13 μm were previously contaminated with an environmentally relevant concentration of BP-3 (82 ng g-1). S. plana individuals were exposed to a concentration of 1 mg L-1 of microplastics with and without BP-3 adsorbed in a water-sediment exposure system for 14 days. Clams were sampled at the beginning of the experiment and after 3, 7, and 14 days of exposure. Multiple biomarkers were analysed to investigate the effect of exposure in different clam tissues, gills, digestive gland, and haemolymph. Antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferases) enzyme activities, oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation), genotoxicity (single and double strand DNA breaks), and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity) were assessed along with two biomarker indexes to assess the overall health status. Results indicate that after 7 days of exposure MPs with adsorbed BP-3 induced oxidative stress and damage, when compared to exposure to virgin MPs and control treatments. Neurotoxic effects were also noted in MPs with adsorbed BP-3 after 14 days exposure, while some evidence points to increased genotoxicity with exposure time. Overall results indicate that gills were more affected by exposure to microplastics than digestive gland and that biomarkers alterations are apparently more related to the toxicity of BP-3 adsorbed than virgin MPs alone.

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