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Papers
68 resultsShowing papers from China Medical University
ClearEffects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the kidney and cardiovascular system
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics found in human hearts, kidneys, blood, and urine can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and metabolic disruption. Kidney dialysis patients may face especially high exposure, and clinical evidence suggests particulate plastic exposure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Polystyrene microplastics induce hepatic lipid metabolism and energy disorder by upregulating the NR4A1-AMPK signaling pathway
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics accumulate in the liver and disrupt fat and energy metabolism by activating a specific molecular pathway called NR4A1-AMPK. This activation triggers a self-cleaning process called autophagy that reduces fat production in liver cells, while also increasing harmful reactive oxygen species. The findings suggest that long-term microplastic exposure could lead to ongoing liver damage through this metabolic disruption.
Air pollution and its impacts on health: Focus on microplastics and nanoplastics
This review summarizes how airborne micro- and nanoplastics enter the body through breathing, eating, and skin contact, contributing to health risks alongside traditional air pollutants. Plastic particles have been found in human blood, vein tissues, and lungs, and their presence in fine particulate matter in urban air may worsen the inflammation, oxidative stress, and respiratory and heart disease risks already associated with air pollution.
Taurine decreases arsenic and microplastic toxicity in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) through functional and microstructural alterations
Foliar application of taurine significantly reduced arsenic and microplastic toxicity in broccoli by boosting antioxidant enzyme activity, improving membrane integrity, and restoring anatomical structures. Plants treated with taurine showed less oxidative damage and lower arsenic uptake, suggesting taurine as a practical intervention for protecting crops grown in contaminated soil.
Preparation of a novel reusable 2D-MXene with flower-like LDH composite for ultra-high adsorption of congo red and doxycycline: Stability and environmental application
Scientists created a new recyclable material combining MXene and layered double hydroxides that can remove over 98% of certain pollutants from wastewater. While this study focused on dye and antibiotic removal rather than microplastics directly, the same type of advanced filtration technology could be adapted to help remove micro- and nanoplastic contaminants from water supplies.
Reconfigurable Magnetic Liquid Metal Microrobots: A Regenerable Solution for the Capture and Removal of Micro/Nanoplastics
Scientists developed magnetically controlled liquid metal microrobots that can capture and remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. The tiny robots can change shape, be steered with magnets, and be regenerated for reuse, offering a potential new technology for cleaning plastic pollution from water sources before it reaches people.
Impact of seasonal changes and environmental conditions on suspended and inhalable microplastics in urban air
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Taipei City over a full year and found an average of about 6 particles per cubic meter of air, with higher levels during warm seasons. Fragment-shaped microplastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene) were the most common, and their concentrations were influenced more by weather conditions like temperature, UV levels, and humidity than by human activity within the city.
Laser-Induced MXene-Functionalized Graphene Nanoarchitectonics-Based Microsupercapacitor for Health Monitoring Application
Researchers developed a flexible, wearable energy storage device that can monitor pulse and other body signals in real time. While not directly about microplastics, this type of wearable health technology could eventually be used to track health impacts from environmental exposures. The device achieved high energy density and lasted through thousands of charge cycles, making it practical for long-term health monitoring.
Sources, Degradation, Ingestion and Effects of Microplastics on Humans: A Review
This review traces the lifecycle of microplastics from production to environmental pollution to human exposure through food, water, and air. Research suggests microplastics may negatively affect the respiratory, digestive, immune, nervous, and reproductive systems, and have even been found crossing the placental barrier. While many countries have begun regulating plastic particles, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health consequences of ongoing exposure.
The Kidney-Related Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Kidney Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells HK-2 and Male C57BL/6 Mice
This study found that polystyrene microplastics caused damage to human kidney cells in the lab and accumulated in the kidneys of mice. The microplastics triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and a cellular stress response called autophagy in kidney tissue. These results suggest that long-term microplastic exposure could be a risk factor for kidney disease.
Polystyrene microplastic-induced extracellular vesicles cause kidney-related effects in the crosstalk between tubular cells and fibroblasts
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics cause kidney tubule cells to release tiny signaling packages (extracellular vesicles) that trigger stress responses and scarring in neighboring kidney cells. This cell-to-cell communication pathway spread the damage beyond the cells directly exposed to the microplastics. The findings suggest a mechanism by which microplastic exposure could contribute to kidney fibrosis and long-term kidney damage in humans.
Concentrations, characteristics, influencing factors, and interactions of indoor and outdoor microplastics during the hot season at the intersection between tropical and subtropical zones
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations both indoors and outdoors during hot seasons in a tropical-subtropical region and found that high temperatures increased outdoor levels, which in turn raised indoor concentrations. Factors like air pollutants, humidity, temperature, and human activities all influenced how outdoor microplastics make their way inside buildings. The study shows that people in hot climates may face higher microplastic exposure both outdoors and in their homes.
Magnetically Driven Living Microrobot Swarms for Aquatic Micro- and Nanoplastic Cleanup
Scientists developed tiny magnetically controlled bacterial microrobots that can swarm together to capture and remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. These living robots use natural swimming motion combined with magnetic guidance to collect plastic particles from various commercial products in aquatic environments. This innovative technology could lead to new ways of cleaning up microplastic pollution before it enters drinking water and the food chain.
Impact of maternal microplastic exposure on offspring lung structure and function: Insights into transcriptional misregulation and the TGF-β/α-SMA pathway
Pregnant rats exposed to polystyrene microplastics in their drinking water produced offspring with lung damage visible just 7 days after birth, including plastic deposits and collapsed air sacs. By 120 days, the offspring developed lung changes resembling emphysema, even though they were never directly exposed to microplastics after birth. This study provides evidence that a mother's microplastic exposure during pregnancy can cause lasting lung damage in her children.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: An assessment of physiological and health responses in Catla catla fingerlings after polystyrene microplastic exposure
Note: This article has been retracted. The study reported that feeding polystyrene microplastics to Catla catla fish reduced growth, impaired blood health, decreased nutritional quality, and caused intestinal damage. Higher concentrations of microplastics led to worse outcomes across all measures. While the retraction means these specific results should be viewed with caution, the general concern about microplastic effects on farmed fish remains supported by other research.
A Maze in Plastic Wastes: Autonomous Motile Photocatalytic Microrobots against Microplastics
Researchers developed sunlight-powered microrobots that can autonomously navigate through water channels, capture microplastic particles, and break them down through photocatalysis. The tiny robots combine photocatalytic and magnetic materials, allowing them to self-propel under visible light and be precisely guided with magnets. The study demonstrates a novel, energy-efficient approach to actively seeking out and degrading microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Magnetic Microrobot Swarms with Polymeric Hands Catching Bacteria and Microplastics in Water
Scientists developed tiny magnetic robots with polymer coatings that can swarm together and capture both bacteria and microplastics from water. The robots self-assemble into rotating formations when exposed to magnetic fields, effectively sweeping up contaminants as they move. This technology offers a promising new approach for cleaning microplastics from water supplies, which could help reduce human exposure to these pollutants.
Spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric microplastics in high and low population density areas at the intersection of tropical and subtropical regions
Researchers monitored airborne microplastics over one year in both high and low population areas in Taiwan, finding microplastics present year-round in both locations. Urban areas had higher concentrations, and seasonal weather patterns affected how many microplastics were in the air. The study confirms that people are constantly breathing in microplastics regardless of where they live, though those in more populated areas face higher exposure.
Microplastic Removal and Degradation by Mussel‐Inspired Adhesive Magnetic/Enzymatic Microrobots
Researchers developed tiny magnetic microrobots inspired by mussel adhesive chemistry that can capture and break down microplastics in water. The microrobots use a sticky polydopamine coating to grab microplastic particles and an enzymatic component to degrade them. The study demonstrates a novel, biocompatible approach to actively removing microplastic pollution from aquatic environments, offering a potential alternative to passive filtration methods.
Impacts of microplastic accumulation in aquatic environment: Physiological, eco-toxicological, immunological, and neurotoxic effects
This review summarizes how microplastics build up in fish and other aquatic life, causing damage to their immune systems, nervous systems, and overall health. When fish eat microplastics, the particles move up the food chain and can eventually reach humans through seafood consumption. The authors also discuss strategies for removing microplastics from water and reducing plastic pollution.
On-the-Fly Monitoring of the Capture and Removal of Nanoplastics with Nanorobots
Scientists developed magnetic nanorobots that can capture and remove more than 90% of nanoplastics from water within two hours, along with a simple fluorescent dye method to detect and measure nanoplastic concentrations. Nanoplastics are extremely difficult to detect and remove due to their tiny size, so this dual approach of detection and cleanup is a significant advance. These tools could eventually help reduce nanoplastic contamination in drinking water and protect human health.
Light‐Powered Self‐Adaptive Mesostructured Microrobots for Simultaneous Microplastics Trapping and Fragmentation via in situ Surface Morphing
Researchers developed light-powered microrobots made from titanium dioxide that can both trap and break down microplastics in water. These tiny robots use sunlight to change their surface shape, catching microplastic particles and then fragmenting them through photocatalytic reactions. This innovative technology could offer a practical way to clean microplastic pollution from water sources.
RETRACTED: Assessment of polystyrene microplastics as dietary additives in aquaculture species, Catla catla: Alters growth, feed utilization, nutritional composition, hematology and gut histopathology
Note: This paper has been retracted. It reported that feeding polystyrene microplastics to a freshwater fish species reduced growth, nutritional quality, and caused gut damage in a dose-dependent manner. While the specific findings should be treated with caution due to the retraction, the general concern about microplastics accumulating in aquaculture fish and affecting their nutritional value and safety for human consumption remains supported by other research.
Toxicological assessment of dietary exposure of polyethylene microplastics on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass and gut histology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings
Researchers fed Nile tilapia fish diets containing different amounts of polyethylene microplastics and found that higher levels significantly reduced growth, nutrient absorption, and body composition. Fish exposed to the highest microplastic concentration (10%) showed severe gut damage visible under a microscope. Since tilapia is widely farmed for human consumption, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination affecting both fish health and the safety of farmed seafood.