דו״ח מאומת

Hong Kong's wet markets play a crucial role in the country's supply of safe, fresh meat to satisfy the dietary needs of its population. Whilst food safety regulations have been introduced over the past few years to maintain the microbial safety of foods sold from these wet markets, it remains unclear whether the hygiene maintenance that is performed on the wooden cutting boards used for meat-processing is effective. In fact, hygiene maintenance may often be overlooked, and hygiene standards may be insufficient. If so, this may lead to the spread of harmful pathogens through cross-contamination, thereby causing severe risks to public health. The aim of this study was to determine the level of microbial transfer between wooden cutting boards and swine meat of various qualities, using 16S metagenomic sequencing, strain identification and biofilm screening of isolated strains. The results established that: (a) the traditional hygiene practices used for cleaning wooden cutting boards in Hong Kong's wet markets expose the surfaces to potentially harmful microorganisms; (b) the processing of microbially contaminated meat on cutting boards cleaned using traditional practices leads to cross-contamination; and (c) several potentially pathogenic microorganisms found on the cutting boards have good biofilm-forming abilities. These results reinforce the need to review the traditional methods used to clean wooden cutting boards after the processing of raw meat in Hong Kong' wet markets so as to prevent cross-contamination events. The establishment of proper hygiene protocols may reduce the spread of disease-causing microorganisms (including antibiotic-resistant microorganisms) in food-processing environments.…

PMID: 32316436

This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of microplastics on female reproductive health by analyzing experimental studies. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify experimental studies published between 2021 and 2023. Studies investigating the effects of microplastics on reproductive organs, hormone levels, fertility rates, and offspring development in female subjects were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that exposure to microplastics significantly affects ovarian function, decreases fertility rates, and disrupts hormone levels in female subjects. Several studies also reported negative effects on embryo development and offsprings health. The quality of the studies varied, with some showing a high risk of bias. The evidence from experimental studies suggests that microplastics have a detrimental effect on female reproductive health. However, the variation in study quality highlights the need for more rigorous research to confirm these results and better understand the underlying mechanisms.…

PMID: 39821449

Several studies have assessed the presence of microplastics (MPs) in human biological fluids and tissues highlighting potential health risks associated to oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysfunction, neurotoxicity and reprotoxicity. However, only few studies have evaluated MP presence and effects in ovarian tissues of mammalians and, to date, no studies have detected MPs in human ovarian follicular fluids. Based on these premises, in this study, 18 women (undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at In Vitro Fertilisation center in Salerno, Southern Italy) were selected to assess the presence of MPs in follicular fluid. Plastic particles < 10 µm were measured using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with an EDX (X Energy Dispersion) detector. MPs (size <10 µm) were detected in 14 out of 18 samples of follicular fluid, with an average concentration of 2191 particles/mL (0-7181particles/mL) and with a mean diameter of 4.48 µm (3.18-5.54 µm). Moreover, a significant correlation between MP concentration in follicular fluid samples and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (p-value <0.05), as well as a weak (non-significant) correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI), age and 17β-estradiol (E2), was found. On the contrary, no correlation with anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), fertilization outcomes, miscarriages, or live birth was observed. Since several studies on animal models have demonstrated the negative effects of MPs on ovarian function, the present study, that verified for the first time the presence of MPs in human follicular fluid, is of great significance for the scientific community in terms of raising awareness of the impact that these increasingly pervasive emerging contaminants have on reproductive function and human health.…

PMID: 39947063

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as an important environmental challenge and can threaten human health. These particles can enter the human body through food consumption, breathing and even skin absorption and cause disruption in the functioning of various organs. In addition, MPs also have an effect on reproduction and can have a negative effect on various stages of reproduction, including gametogenesis and fertilization to embryo formation, and as a result, aggravate infertility problems. This research has investigated the effects of MPs on the male reproductive system, focusing on cellular and molecular processes and approaches to deal with this issue. This review conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple scientific databases. Searches were performed in Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify relevant publications. The search terms used included a combination of MPs, male infertility, sperm, toxicity, and related keywords. The final set of selected articles provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of MPs on cellular and molecular processes in the male reproductive system. In men, MPs can affect the structure and function of the testis and induce the aging process and the inflammatory signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and testicular malignancy. Also, these particles affect the process of spermatogenesis and disrupt sperm parameters. MPs activate different cell signaling pathways and have effects including reducing ATP production, reducing sperm DNA integrity, impairing sperm function and reducing sperm survival. On the other hand, MPs may have destructive effects on the production and balance of male hormones through interaction with the endocrine system. It is evident that proactive measures need to be implemented to address this issue and enhance reproductive health parameters.…

PMID: 41769151

Microplastic pollution is becoming a major issue for human health due to the recent discovery of microplastics in most ecosystems. Here, we review the sources, formation, occurrence, toxicity and remediation methods of microplastics. We distinguish ocean-based and land-based sources of microplastics. Microplastics have been found in biological samples such as faeces, sputum, saliva, blood and placenta. Cancer, intestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases are induced or mediated by microplastics. Microplastic exposure during pregnancy and maternal period is also discussed. Remediation methods include coagulation, membrane bioreactors, sand filtration, adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, electrocoagulation and magnetic separation. Control strategies comprise reducing plastic usage, behavioural change, and using biodegradable plastics. Global plastic production has risen dramatically over the past 70 years to reach 359 million tonnes. China is the world's top producer, contributing 17.5% to global production, while Turkey generates the most plastic waste in the Mediterranean region, at 144 tonnes per day. Microplastics comprise 75% of marine waste, with land-based sources responsible for 80-90% of pollution, while ocean-based sources account for only 10-20%. Microplastics induce toxic effects on humans and animals, such as cytotoxicity, immune response, oxidative stress, barrier attributes, and genotoxicity, even at minimal dosages of 10 μg/mL. Ingestion of microplastics by marine animals results in alterations in gastrointestinal tract physiology, immune system depression, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, differential gene expression, and growth inhibition. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of microplastics in the tissues of aquatic organisms can have adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem, with potential transmission of microplastics to humans and birds. Changing individual behaviours and governmental actions, such as implementing bans, taxes, or pricing on plastic carrier bags, has significantly reduced plastic consumption to 8-85% in various countries worldwide. The microplastic minimisation approach follows an upside-down pyramid, starting with prevention, followed by reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, and ending with disposal as the least preferable option.…

PMID: 37362012

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Their prevalence, persistence, and increasing industrial production have led to questions about their long-term impact on human and animal health. This narrative review describes the effects of MNPs on oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging. Exposure to MNPs leads to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) across multiple experimental models, including cell lines, organoids, and animal systems. ROS can cause damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Direct interaction between MNPs and immune cells or an indirect result of oxidative stress-mediated cellular damage may lead to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines throughout different MNP-exposure conditions. This inflammatory response is a common feature in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and other age-related diseases. MNPs also act as cell senescence inducers by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction, impairing autophagy, and activating DNA damage responses, exacerbating cellular aging altogether. Increased senescence of reproductive cells and transfer of MNPs/induced damages from parents to offspring in animals further corroborates the transgenerational health risks of the tiny particles. This review aims to provoke a deeper investigation into the notorious effects these pervasive particles may have on human well-being and longevity.…

PMID: 39513895

<h4>Background</h4>Microplastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental crisis with potential adverse consequences on human health. Mixtures of microplastics with fungal particles including mycelial fragments or spores are highly probable exposure scenarios occurring in various occupational settings or in moldy built indoor environments. However, immunotoxic outcomes associated with such exposure remain poorly characterized. Most studies have focused on single-exposure components. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the immunotoxic effects of microplastics mixed with spores or mycelial fragments from <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> on human neutrophil-like cells.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Differentiated HL60 neutrophil-like cells were exposed to 0-100 μg/mL HDPE microplastics mixed with 10⁶ heat-inactivated mycelial fragments or spores for 24 h.<h4>Results and discussion</h4>HDPE combined with fungal fragments induced significant release of IL-6 and IL-8 while the mixtures with fungal spores induced only IL-6 release from the neutrophil-like cells. Most importantly, we observed a trend of decreasing IL-6 levels with increasing doses of HDPE microplastics in mixture with fungal particles, indicating possible dysregulation of the pro-inflammatory response. The tested doses of HDPE microplastics in mixture with fungal particles showed no significant acute effects on the cell viability. Using HEK293-TLR reporter cells, we found no significant activation of TLR2 and TLR4 by HDPE microplastics, fungal particles, or their combination, suggesting that the release of IL-6 and IL-8 is induced through other innate immune-signaling pathways. Taken together, fungal particles as microbial contaminants, seem to be the main drivers of the immune responses triggered by exposure to mixed HDPE microplastics and fungal particles. Among these, fungal mycelial fragments appear to be the most potent compared to fungal spores that are typically monitored for risk assessments.…

PMID: 41737803

Microplastics (MPs) are small particles of plastic ( We aimed to evaluate the pathophysiology of intestinal outcomes associated with consuming a high-fat diet and simultaneous intake of MPs, focusing on endocrine and metabolic systems. C57BL6/J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD with or without polystyrene MP for 4 wk to investigate differences in glucose tolerance, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota, as well as metabolites in serum, feces, and liver. In comparison with HFD mice, mice fed the HFD with MPs had higher blood glucose, serum lipid concentrations, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity scores. Permeability and goblet cell count of the small intestine (SI) in HFD-fed mice were higher and lower, respectively, than in ND-fed mice. There was no obvious difference in the number of inflammatory cells in the SI lamina propria between mice fed the ND and mice fed the ND with MP, but there were more inflammatory cells and fewer anti-inflammatory cells in mice fed the HFD with MPs in comparison with mice fed the HFD without MPs. The expression of genes related to inflammation, long-chain fatty acid transporter, and Our findings suggest that in this study, MP induced metabolic disturbances, such as diabetes and NAFLD, only in mice fed a high-fat diet. These findings suggest that LGS might have been triggered by HFD, causing MPs to be deposited in the intestinal mucosa, resulting in inflammation of the intestinal mucosal intrinsic layer and thereby altering nutrient absorption. These results highlight the need for reducing oral exposure to MPs through remedial environmental measures to improve metabolic disturbance under high-fat diet conditions. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11072.…

PMID: 36821708

Microplastics are pollutants that are widely present in aquatic environments. This study utilized polyethylene microplastic particles of 1 μm and 5 μm to expose hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♂ × A. schrenckii ♀), analyzing changes in intestinal ultrastructure, digestive enzyme activity, and gut microbial composition (based on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region). The results indicate that MPs of both particle sizes cause changes in intestinal ultrastructure and digestive enzyme activity. The alpha and beta diversity of gut microbiota in the exposed groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. At the phylum level, the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Desulfobacterota significantly increased (P < 0.01); at the genus level, the abundances of Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, Desulfovibrio, HIMB11, and Muribaculaceae also significantly increased (P < 0.01). Furthermore, functional predictions of the microbiota indicated that the abundance of functions related to diseases, cellular processes, and organism systems increased in the 5 μm treatment group, while the abundance of functions related to genetic information processing significantly decreased (P < 0.05, FDR < 0.05). This study reveals the potential risks of MPs to the digestive physiology and intestinal digestive system of sturgeon, providing a basis for further exploration of the mechanisms by which different particle sizes of MPs affect freshwater fish.…

PMID: 41831156

The safety of microplastics (MPs) and associated health effects has been one of the major concerns worldwide. However, the role of photoaging toward the risk of MPs in water ecosystems remains inconclusive yet. In this study, the size of polyamide (PA, ∼32.50 μm) MPs was obviously decreased after photoaging in water containing fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) (∼19.75 and ∼24.30 μm, respectively). Nanoplastics were formed (4.65% and 2.03%, respectively) and hydrophilia and colloidal stability was improved due to the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups. FA-aged PA exhibited higher inhibition on body length and weight of developing zebrafish than HA-aged and pristine PA. Photoaged MPs in intestine were more difficult to be depurated by zebrafish, leading to the disappearance of intestinal folding, shedding of more enterocytes, and emaciation of intestinal microvilli. Dietary lipid digestion in larvae was inhibited by aged PA due to oxidative stress-triggered lipid peroxidation and inhibition of lipase activities and bile acids secretion. Exposure of photoaged MPs down-regulated genes (cd36, dgat1a, dgat2, mttp, etc.) associated with triglyceride resynthesis and transportation, resulting in lipid maladsorption and growth inhibition. Our findings highlight the potential negative effects of environmentally aged MPs on diet digestion and nutrient assimilation in fish.…

PMID: 34628252