The escalating concern surrounding fluoranthene (FLN), phenanthrene (Phe), and pyrene (Pyr), underscores the urgency to investigate their dynamics in the context of agricultural ecosystems. Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (Bok choy), a globally consumed vegetable, holds particular significance in this scenario. This study explores the migration and transformation of FLN, Phe, and Pyr from soil to Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis during its growth. The germination rates of seeds in these treatments varied, with soil+Bok choy and soil+FLN+Bok choy treatments showing higher rates (77.8%), while soil+mix+Bok choy exhibited the lowest rate (11.1%) after 3 days. Analyzing the distribution of FLN, Phe, and Pyr in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis parts after 30 days revealed a sequence of accumulation in stem> root> leaf. This study provides information on practical implications for regulating the soil-plant migration and transformation of FLN, Phe, and Pyr, offering valuable insights for migration of PAHs pollution in agricultural settings.

Systemic plant protection products, such as neonicotinoids (NIs), are capable of being translocated throughout a plant. Although NIs are less toxic to mammals, fish, and birds, their impact on microbial and non-target insects is of concern. This study investigates the uptake, translocation, and accumulation of the NI, imidacloprid (IMI), in romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longipolia). Exposing 15-day-old seedlings to \"10 mg/L\" of IMI, the effects on microbial communities in both cultivated (CS) and non-cultivated soil (NCS) were studied along with IMI translocation within plant tissues. The concentrations of IMI in soil varied temporally and between soil types after initial application, with a decrease from 2.0 and 7.7 mg/kg on the first day of sampling to 0.5 and 2.6 mg/kg on the final sampling day (day 35) for CS and NCS, respectively. The half-life of IMI soil was 10.7 and 72.5 days in CS and NCS, respectively, indicating that IMI degraded more quickly in CS, possibly due to smaller grain size, aeration, microbial degradation, and water flow. The accumulated concentrations of IMI in lettuce tissues ranged from 12.4 ± 0.2 and 18.7± 0.9 mg/kg in CS and NCS, respectively. The highest concentration of IMI was found in the shoots, followed by the roots, whereas the soil showed the lowest IMI residuals at the end of the trial. Soil bacteria and fungi were altered by the application of IMI, with a lower abundance index within the bacterial community, indicating a negative impact on the distribution of bacteria in the soil.

Food grade titanium dioxide E171 has been used in products such as confectionery, doughs and flours to enhance organoleptic properties. The European Union has warned about adverse effects on humans due to oral consumption. After oral exposure, E171 reaches the bloodstream which raises the concern about effects on blood cells such as monocytes. One of the main functions of these cells is the differentiation of macrophages leading to the phagocytosis of foreign particles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of E171 exposure on the phagocytic capacity and differentiation process of monocytes (THP-1) into macrophages. Physicochemical E171 properties were evaluated, and THP-1 monocytes were exposed to 4, 40 and 200 μg/ml. Cell viability, uptake capacity, cytokine release, the differentiation process, cytoskeletal arrangement and E171 internalization were assayed. Results showed that E171 particles had an amorphous shape with a mean of hydrodynamic size of ∼46 nm in cell culture media. Cell viability decreased until the 9th day of exposure, while the uptake capacity decreased up to 62% in a concentration dependent manner in monocytes. Additionally, the E171 exposure increased the proinflammatory cytokines release and decreased the cell differentiation by a 61% in macrophages. E171 induced changes in cytoskeletal arrangement and some of the E171 particles were located inside the nuclei. We conclude that E171 exposure in THP-1 monocytes induced an inflammatory response, impaired the phagocytic capacity, and interfered with cell differentiation from monocytes to macrophages.

Investigating the interactions between nanomaterials and the cells they are likely to encounter in vivo is a critical aspect of designing nanomedicines for imaging and therapeutic applications. Immune cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and myeloid derived suppressor cells have a frontline role in the identification and removal of foreign materials from the body, with interactions shown to be heavily dependent on variables such as nanoparticle size, charge, and surface chemistry. Interactions such as cellular association or uptake of nanoparticles can lead to diminished functionality or rapid clearance from the body, making it critical to consider these interactions when designing and synthesizing nanomaterials for biomedical applications ranging from drug delivery to imaging and biosensing. We investigated the interactions between PEGylated organosilica nanoparticles and naturally endocytic immune cells grown from stem cells in murine bone marrow. Specifically, we varied the particle size from 60 nm up to 1000 nm and investigated the effects of size on immune cell association, activation, and maturation with these critical gatekeeper cells. These results will help inform future design parameters for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications utilizing organosilica nanoparticles.

UNASSIGNED: Determining whether a new drug is a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of efflux or uptake membrane transporters has become a routine process during drug discovery and development. In vitro assays are utilized to establish whether a new drug has the potential to be an object (substrate) or precipitant (inhibitor, inducer) in transporter-mediated clinical drug-drug interactions. The findings from these in vitro experiments are then used to determine whether further in vivo drug interaction studies are necessary for a new drug.
UNASSIGNED: This article provides an update on in vitro transporter assays, focusing on new uses of transfected cells, time-dependent inhibition, transporter induction, and complex model systems.
UNASSIGNED: The newer in vitro assays add to the toolbox in defining new drugs as transporter substrates, inhibitors, or inducers. Complex models such as spheroids, organoids, and microphysiological systems require standardization and further research with model transporter substrates and inhibitors. In drug discovery, the more traditional transporter assays may be employed as substrate and inhibitor screening assays. In drug development, more complex cell models can be employed in later drug development to better understand how transporter(s) are involved in the absorption, distribution, and excretion of new drugs.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage was <50% in France in 2022 and even lower among socially disadvantaged populations. We aimed to evaluate socio-demographic determinants of HPV vaccine awareness, uptake, and intention among parents of adolescents, and related attitudes and knowledge items. Parents of adolescents attending middle schools across France, who participated in a randomized trial responded to an anonymous baseline survey, conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. We used logistic regression models adjusting for a child\'s age and sex to explore sociodemographic determinants (including at-home multilingualism, occupational categories, local deprivation index and urbanity) of HPV vaccine awareness, uptake, and intention. Among the 1889 participants from 61 schools, parents working as factory workers/farmers had significantly lower odds of vaccine awareness compared to executives/professionals, both if they reported (OR = 0.07; 0.03-0.15) or not (OR = 0.20; 0.11-0.36) speaking also another language than French at home. Parents in lower occupational categories with multilingual families were less likely to have the intention to vaccinate their child (OR = 0.19; 0.07-0.56). Recent physician visit or vaccine offer was strong positive determinants of awareness, uptake and intention. A substantial gradient across occupational categories was observed for attitudes and knowledge around HPV vaccine usefulness, safety, and accessibility. This study confirms the disparities on HPV vaccine uptake in France and provides insight into mechanisms of social disparities in HPV vaccine awareness, access and intention.

East African lakes, especially soda lakes, are home habitats for massive numbers of wildlife such as flamingos, mammals, and fishes. These lakes are known for their high primary production due to local high temperatures, light intensities, and alkalinity (inorganic carbon). However, these lakes, normally within remote areas, receive low nutrient inputs. Ammonium (NH4+) recycling and/or nitrogen fixation can become the major N supply mechanisms for phytoplankton. However, the driving forces on microbial N nutrition in lakes with minimal anthropogenic disturbance remain poorly understood. Using stable isotope tracer techniques, NH4+ recycling rates were measured in 18 lakes and reservoirs in East Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) during the dry season in early 2020. Three functional genes (nifH, gdh, and ureC) relating to microbial N nutrition were also measured. The regeneration of NH4+ supported up to 71 % of the NH4+ uptake. Positive community biological NH4+ demands (CBAD) for all lakes and reservoirs indicate an obvious N demand from microbial community. Our study provides clear evidence that microbial NH4+ uptake rates linked closely to the dissolved organic matter (DOM) properties (e.g., the absorption coefficient at 254 nm, percents of total fluorescence intensity contributed by microbial humic-like and protein-like components) and that water residence time drives microbial NH4+ recycling by regulating the duration of in-lake DOM processing and influencing algal growth. Phytoplankton, especially those of Cyanophyceae, showed maximum biomass and higher NH4+ recycling rates at a certain range of water residence time (e.g., 5-8 years). However, CBAD showed a decreasing trend with longer water residence time, which may be influenced by changes in the algal community composition (e.g., % Cyanophyceae vs. % Bacillariophyceae). These results indicate that DOM dynamics and the water residence time have the potential to facilitate the understanding of microbial nitrogen supply status in East African lakes.

UNASSIGNED: Sexual and reproductive healthcare is essential for all individuals, including LGBTQ+ individuals. However, lesbians and bisexual women often lack tailored services, leading to underutilization. This study aimed to assess the availability and uptake of sexual and reproductive health services for lesbian and bisexual Bulawayo women.
UNASSIGNED: A cross-sectional study surveyed 67 lesbian and bisexual women recruited through the Voice of the Voiceless Organization. The participants completed a structured questionnaire on available services, factors influencing their uptake, and access challenges. Cross-tabulation was used to examine the associations between variables. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and STATA Version 15 S.E.
UNASSIGNED: Most respondents were bisexual women aged 35 years. Cross-tabulations revealed significant associations between delayed or avoided services and the absence of specific services for lesbians and bisexual women as well as the presence of gender identity nondiscrimination policies.
UNASSIGNED: Sexual and reproductive health programs play a vital role in meeting lesbian and bisexual women\'s needs. Improving service uptake requires strengthening the linkages between clinics and sexual health education programs, providing lesbian and bisexual women-friendly clinical services, and ensuring access to comprehensive information.

Existing models for estimating pesticide bioconcentration in earthworms exhibit limited applicability across different chemicals, soils and species which restricts their potential as an alternative, intermediate tier for risk assessment. We used experimental data from uptake and elimination studies using three earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Eisenia fetida), five pesticides (log Kow 1.69-6.63) and five soils (organic matter content = 0.972-39.9 wt %) to produce a first-order kinetic accumulation model. Model applicability was evaluated against a data set of 402 internal earthworm concentrations reported from the literature including chemical and soil properties outside the data range used to produce the model. Our models accurately predict body load using either porewater or bulk soil concentrations, with at least 93.5 and 84.3% of body load predictions within a factor of 10 and 5 of corresponding observed values, respectively. This suggests that there is no need to distinguish between porewater and soil exposure routes or to consider different uptake and elimination pathways when predicting earthworm bioconcentration. Our new model not only outperformed existing models in characterizing earthworm exposure to pesticides in soil, but it could also be integrated with models that account for earthworm movement and fluctuating soil pesticide concentrations due to degradation and transport.

3D spheroids of primary human hepatocytes (3D PHH) retain a differentiated phenotype with largely conserved metabolic function and proteomic fingerprint over weeks in culture. As a result, 3D PHH are gaining importance as a model for mechanistic liver homeostasis studies and in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) in drug discovery. However, the kinetics and regulation of drug transporters have not yet been assessed in 3D PHH. Here, we used organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1/SLC22A1) as a model to study both transport kinetics and the long-term regulation of transporter activity via relevant signalling pathways. The kinetics of the OCT1 transporter was studied using the fluorescent model substrate 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+) and known OCT1 inhibitors in individual 3D PHH. For long-term studies, 3D PHH were treated with xenobiotics for seven days, after which protein expression and OCT1 function were assessed. Global proteomic analysis was used to track hepatic phenotypes as well as prototypical changes in other regulated proteins, such as P-glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 3A4. ASP+ kinetics indicated a fully functional OCT1 transporter with a Km value of 14 ± 4.0µM as the mean from three donors. Co-incubation with known OCT1 inhibitors decreased the uptake of ASP+ in the 3D PHH spheroids by 35-52%. The long-term exposure studies showed that OCT1 is relatively stable upon activation of nuclear receptor signalling or exposure to compounds that could induce inflammation, steatosis or liver injury. Our results demonstrate that 3D PHH spheroids express physiologically relevant levels of fully active OCT1 and that its transporter kinetics can be accurately studied in the 3D PHH configuration. We also confirm that OCT1 remains stable and functional during the activation of key metabolic pathways that alter the expression and function of other drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes. These results will expand the range of studies that can be performed using 3D PHH.