Toxics MDPI

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📚 Aggravate Ammonia-Induced Effects in Zebrafish Embryos
👨‍🔬by Dan Xing et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3fV9



👉In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to a water solution with ammonia concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L) with or without PSNP (100 μg/L) treatment up to 120 hpf. The results showed that combined exposure increased the accumulation of ammonia and obviously reduced the locomotor speed of zebrafish larvae compared with exposure to ammonia alone. Further studies indicated that PSNPs can aggravate ammonia-induced neurotoxicity by altering the cholinergic system, dopaminergic neurons, and the retinal structure in zebrafish larvae. In addition, our results revealed that ammonia caused significant alterations in the expression of genes related to neurodevelopment and retinal development, and PSNPs exacerbated this adverse effect. In conclusion, PSNPs can aggravate ammonia-induced neurotoxicity in the early stage of zebrafish and their associated health risk to aquatic animals should not be underestimated. The main contribution of this article lies in revealing the synergistic neurotoxicity of ammonia and PSNPs in the early stage of zebrafish. Moreover; it emphasizes that the associated health risks to aquatic animals should not be underestimated.

Polystyrene Nanomicroplastics Aggravate Ammonia-Induced Neurotoxic Effects in Zebrafish Embryos The highly hazardous chemical ammonia has been proven to be absorbed by nanoparticles, thereby exerting highly toxic effects on aquatic organisms. As a ubiquitous pollutant in aquatic environments, polystyrene nanomicroplastics (PSNPs) have shown strong adsorption capacity due to their large surface...

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📚 Iodine Deficiency Exacerbates Thyroidal and Effects of Developmental in the Neonatal and Adult Rat
👨‍🔬by Mary E. Gilbert et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3fSy



👉Thyroid hormones (THs) require iodine for biosynthesis and play critical roles in brain development. Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant that reduces serum THs by blocking the uptake of iodine from the blood to the thyroid gland. Using a pregnant rodent model, we examined the impact of maternal exposure to perchlorate under conditions of dietary iodine deficiency (ID) on the brain and behavior of offspring. We observed modest reductions in thyroxine (T4) in the serum of dams and no effect on T4 in pup serum in response to maternal exposure to 300 ppm of perchlorate in the drinking water. Likewise, serum T4 was reduced in ID dams, but, as with perchlorate, no effects were evident in the pup. However, when ID was coupled with perchlorate, reductions in pup serum THs and transcriptional alterations in the thyroid gland and pup brain were detected. These observations were accompanied by reductions in the number of cortical inhibitory interneurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (Pvalb). Alterations in Pvalb expression in the neonatal brain were associated with deficits in the prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle in adult male offspring and enhanced fear conditioning in females. These findings support and extend structural defects in the brain previously reported in this model. Further, they underscore the critical need to consider additional non-chemical stressors in the determination of hazards and risks posed by environmental contaminants that affect the thyroid system.

Iodine Deficiency Exacerbates Thyroidal and Neurological Effects of Developmental Perchlorate Exposure in the Neonatal and Adult Rat Thyroid hormones (THs) require iodine for biosynthesis and play critical roles in brain development. Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant that reduces serum THs by blocking the uptake of iodine from the blood to the thyroid gland. Using a pregnant rodent model, we examined the impact of mater...

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📝 Lipid Effects Induced by Individual and Combined to Multiple in Human Cells
✍️by Zizhao Huang et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3e6T



👉What are the main findings?
Five common food additives disrupt lipid metabolism in human hepatic and intestinal cells in a dose‑dependent manner, and lipid droplet accumulation serves as a more sensitive biomarker than free cholesterol.
Combined exposure displays cell‑specific interaction patterns: additive effects are observed in HepG2 cells, while sodium benzoate and cyclamate exert synergistic disruption in Caco‑2 cells.

👉What are the implications of the main findings?
The main findings highlight that regulatory frameworks need to be updated to incorporate mixture toxicity models instead of relying solely on single-component assessment.They emphasize that real-world dietary co-exposure carries underappreciated risks to lipid metabolic health.

Lipid Metabolic Effects Induced by Individual and Combined Exposure to Multiple Food Additives in Human Cells With the widespread coexistence of multiple food additives, their combined exposure has raised increasing health concerns. This study used high-content imaging to investigate the individual and combined effects of five common food additives on lipid metabolism in HepG2, Caco-2, and Jurkat T cells. I...

🔬 Introducing another member of our scientific committee!

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Theodoros Giakoumis, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Brunel University of London, UK, to Session 1 on Exposure Routes and Exposome of Emerging Contaminants and Materials.

Join us online, 9–11 September 2026, to learn from our experts across 5 sessions in toxicology and environmental health. Our free registrations are still open.

👉 Register or find out more: https://brnw.ch/21x3e6v

📢 from Toxics
📝 A High-Resolution Emission Inventory for Gas Stations in a Typical Yangtze River Delta City: Implications for Formation, Secondary Organic Formation, and Health Risks
✍️by Tianyu Chen et al.
https://brnw.ch/21x3e0M



👉Gasoline evaporation is a significant source of urban volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we selected Nanjing, a major city in the Yangtze River Delta of China, and developed a high-resolution (1 km × 1 km) gridded VOC species emission inventory for gas stations based on measured VOC emission characteristics and statistical data on gasoline and diesel sales. The results show that VOC emissions from gas stations were correlated with population density and road networks, and were mainly concentrated in the downtown area. The emitted VOCs were dominated by alkanes (58%) and oxygenated VOCs (19%), with i-pentane, n-butane, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as the major components. C4–C5 alkenes were identified as the key contributors to ozone (O3) formation, while aromatics contributed most to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. Health risk assessment indicates that, for gas station workers, both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with gasoline and diesel VOC evaporation exceed acceptable thresholds. Benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,2-dibromoethane posed the highest carcinogenic risks, whereas acrolein, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene contributed most to non-carcinogenic risks. For urban residents, the health risks from gas station VOC emissions were generally within acceptable levels; however, under unfavorable meteorological conditions, residents living near gas stations may still face elevated health risks. This study highlights the significant impacts of gas station-related VOC emissions on air quality and human health, and informs targeted control and mitigation strategies for gasoline evaporation.

A High-Resolution VOC Emission Inventory for Gas Stations in a Typical Yangtze River Delta City: Implications for Ozone Formation, Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation, and Health Risks Gasoline evaporation is a significant source of urban volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we selected Nanjing, a major city in the Yangtze River Delta of China, and developed a high-resolution (1 km × 1 km) gridded VOC species emission inventory for gas stations based on measured VOC ...

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📚 What Do We Know About aureus and ? Resistance, Virulence, New Targets, and Therapeutic Alternatives
👨‍🔬by Mírian Letícia Carmo Bastos et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3c6M



👉Staphylococcus aureus is associated with human infections, being a resistant bacterium involved in serious infections, and its virulence and resistance are linked to oxidative stress. In this study, we review the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of this bacterium and its influence on immune system evasion, antibiotic resistance, and pharmacological targeting. S. aureus infection generates an intense inflammatory response in the host, evidenced by the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, the exacerbated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular oxidative stress. However, the bacterium develops protective mechanisms against damage, including the production of endogenous antioxidants, the formation of biofilms, and the regulation of redox metabolism, favoring pathogenicity and drug resistance. Resistance seems to be related to alterations in redox metabolism, which influences the sensitization of the immune system. Modulation of the redox response has emerged as a promising approach for developing new antibiotics and formulating more effective combination therapies to combat resistant infections. Natural compounds, including flavonoids, terpenes, and quinones, have demonstrated antibacterial properties by inducing oxidative stress in S. aureus. In summary, the involvement of oxidative stress is complex, with an increase in ROS in the infection and a reduction in immune system evasion and resistance, which could be an interesting therapeutic target.

What Do We Know About Staphylococcus aureus and Oxidative Stress? Resistance, Virulence, New Targets, and Therapeutic Alternatives Staphylococcus aureus is associated with human infections, being a resistant bacterium involved in serious infections, and its virulence and resistance are linked to oxidative stress. In this study, we review the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of this bacterium and its influence on imm...

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📚 Risk Factors of Optic in Ethambutol Users: Interaction with Isoniazid and Other Associated Conditions of Optic Neuropathy
👨‍🔬by Jiyeong Kim et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3c4c



👉This cohort study identified ethambutol users who initiated ethambutol therapy between January 2015 and December 2021 and had no ON prior to ethambutol therapy. ON incidence up to 31 December 2022 was evaluated. The users were grouped on the basis of the presence of ON. Demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated for risk factor analyses of ON. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Among 204,598 ethambutol users, 5277 (2.6%) patients developed ON over the study period. Patients with ON included a higher percentage of women and had a higher mean age than patients without ON. In the multivariate analyses, the risk factors for ON and visual impairment included s*x, age, cumulative dose, extrapulmonary indications for ethambutol use, and systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. Malnutrition or nutritional disorders significantly increased the risk of ON (OR = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19–1.34), whereas concomitant isoniazid use decreased the risk (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.72–0.86).

Risk Factors of Optic Neuropathy in Ethambutol Users: Interaction with Isoniazid and Other Associated Conditions of Toxic Optic Neuropathy (1) Background: To investigate the risk factors associated with optic neuropathy (ON) and validate the hypothesis that concomitant isoniazid use and other causes of toxic ON affect the development of ON in ethambutol users. (2) Methods: This cohort study identified ethambutol users who initiated eth...

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📝 Modeling to Predict Across Multiple Species
✍️by Iglika Lessigiarska et al.
🧩https://brnw.ch/21x3asd



👉This study addresses the growing need for efficient and reliable application of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to assess aquatic toxicity of chemicals in response to increasing environmental contamination and regulatory demands. Particular emphasis is placed on in silico methods, especially quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling. Curated and structurally diverse datasets were compiled for representative aquatic organisms from different trophic levels, including the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the crustacean Daphnia magna, and fish species (zebrafish embryo and fathead minnow). The models demonstrated consistently strong predictive performance across the evaluated assays. They were based on interpretable molecular descriptors associated with lipophilicity, polarity, and molecular reactivity. Furthermore, interspecies quantitative structure–activity–activity relationship (QSAAR) models were developed, demonstrating that toxicity data from lower trophic levels, combined with structural descriptors, can effectively predict fish toxicity. These models support cross-species extrapolation and contribute to environmental hazard assessment and regulatory decision-making.

QSAR Modeling to Predict Aquatic Toxicity Across Multiple Species This study addresses the growing need for efficient and reliable application of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to assess aquatic toxicity of chemicals in response to increasing environmental contamination and regulatory demands. Particular emphasis is placed on in silico methods, especially quant...

📢 from Toxics
📝 Road , Exposure and in Visby: An Updated Analysis of Mitigation Efforts
✍️by Henrik Olstrup et al.
🔗https://brnw.ch/21x3aoO



👉This is a follow-up study evaluating the impact of this intervention on PM10 concentrations and the associated short-term respiratory health effects. Daily counts of healthcare visits for respiratory diseases (ICD-10: J00–J99) and daily mean PM10 concentrations were analyzed using a quasi-Poisson regression model. This study compared the limestone period (2015–2019) with the granite period (2023–2025), stratified by season (winter/spring and summer/autumn) and age group (children 0–17 years and adults >17 years). The transition to crushed granite reduced peak PM10 concentrations during the spring. For adults, the relative risks for respiratory visits during winter/spring decreased during the granite period when compared to the limestone period (Wald p < 0.05). However, when considering that there were a majority of non-statistically significant differences when comparing the granite and limestone periods, these results should be interpreted with caution. Among children, more pronounced associations were observed during summer, although no significant differences in risk were detected between the limestone and granite periods.

Road Dust, PM10 Exposure and Respiratory Health in Visby: An Updated Analysis of Mitigation Efforts Background: High concentrations of coarse particulate matter PM10 from road dust are a major air quality concern in Visby, Sweden. To mitigate these levels, local authorities replaced soft limestone with crushed granite as an anti-slip material starting in the winter of 2023/2024. This is a follow-u...

Special Issue "Reproductive Toxicity of Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors"
👤Edited by Dr. Michał Hubert Wróbel, Dr. Jarosław J. Młynarczuk
⏳Deadline: 31 October 2026
https://brnw.ch/21x36Nx




Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), both synthetic and naturally occurring, pose a significant threat to reproductive health in animals and humans. They can be categorized into two distinct groups: natural and synthetic. The natural EDCs include plant-derived compounds and hormonally active mycotoxins, or their metabolites. In contrast, synthetic EDCs encompass a broad range of industrial, agricultural, and environmental chemicals that possess hormonal activity. Recent studies have indicated that even low-dose or mixture exposures have the potential to induce functional disruptions in the reproductive system. These disruptions may include alterations in hormone signaling, impaired gametogenesis, reduced fertility, pregnancy complications, and developmental effects in offspring.

The objective of this Special Issue is to furnish a comprehensive overview of EDC-induced reproductive dysfunction, encompassing the male and female reproductive systems, molecular and epigenetic mechanisms, receptor-mediated pathways, and mixture effects. Contributions to this volume will include in vitro, ex vivo, and animal studies, as well as reviews addressing environmental exposure, risk assessment, and predictive toxicology.

This Special Issue will enhance understanding of how endocrine disruptors, natural and synthetic, affect reproductive function and support evidence-based strategies for reproductive and environmental health protection. It will do this by bringing together original research and critical reviews from leading experts.