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Papers
55 resultsShowing papers from Sohag University
ClearAnimal exposure to microplastics and health effects: A review
Researchers reviewed how microplastic exposure affects animals across terrestrial and aquatic environments, finding that species suffer physical harm, chemical contamination from pollutants that stick to plastic surfaces, inflammation, and behavioral changes. Because microplastics accumulate up the food chain, the review warns that animals entering the human food supply may carry these particles into our bodies.
Occurrence, analysis, and toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics: a review
This review focuses on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most common types of plastic found as microplastic contamination in food, beverages, dust, wildlife, and human tissues. The authors found major inconsistencies in how researchers measure and detect PET microplastics, making it difficult to accurately assess health risks. Better standardized methods are needed to understand the true scope of PET contamination.
Microplastic and Nanoplastic Interactions with Plant Species: Trends, Meta-Analysis, and Perspectives
This meta-analysis examines how microplastics and nanoplastics interact with plants, finding effects on germination, growth, and nutrient absorption. The findings raise concerns for human health because crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil may take up these particles, creating another pathway for microplastics to enter our diet.
Polytetrafluoroethylene microplastic properties, pollution, toxicity and analysis: a review
This review found that cooking with Teflon-coated (PTFE) pans releases thousands to millions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles per use, directly contaminating food. PTFE microplastics have been found in human tissue, wildlife, water, and air. Given how widely non-stick cookware is used in homes, this is one of the most direct and everyday sources of microplastic exposure for most people.
Teabag-derived micro/nanoplastics (true-to-life MNPLs) as a surrogate for real-life exposure scenarios
Researchers found that steeping commercial teabags released billions of nanoplastic particles into the tea, made from nylon, polypropylene, or cellulose materials. When human intestinal cells were exposed to these particles, the cells absorbed them -- especially the polypropylene and cellulose types -- raising concerns about everyday plastic ingestion through a common beverage.
Are bioplastics safe? Hazardous effects of polylactic acid (PLA) nanoplastics in Drosophila
Researchers tested whether nanoplastics made from PLA (polylactic acid), a popular "biodegradable" bioplastic, are actually safe by feeding them to fruit flies. They found that PLA nanoplastics crossed the gut barrier, entered the bloodstream, and caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and intestinal inflammation. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are harmless and suggests that as they break down into tiny particles, they may pose health risks similar to conventional plastics.
Microplastic contamination in water, fish, and shrimp collected from the Nile River in Upper Egypt poses ecological and human health hazards
Researchers found significant microplastic contamination in Nile River water, fish, and shrimp in Upper Egypt, with urban areas showing the highest levels. They estimated that adults living in the area may ingest thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight annually through water alone. Since millions of people depend on the Nile for drinking water and food, these findings raise serious concerns about long-term health effects from chronic microplastic exposure.
Microplastics induced histopathological lesions in some tissues of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) early juveniles
Researchers exposed young tilapia fish to different concentrations of microplastics for 15 days to study effects on their organs. The study found damage across multiple tissues including the kidney, liver, pancreas, gills, and muscles, with effects ranging from inflammation and cell death to structural deformation. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure can cause widespread organ damage in fish even at relatively low concentrations.
Toxicity of co-exposure of microplastics and lead in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Researchers exposed African catfish to lead, microplastics, and a combination of both for 15 days and found that the combined exposure was more harmful than either pollutant alone. The mixture caused the greatest damage to blood cells, triggered stronger inflammatory responses, and disrupted the fish's antioxidant defenses. Since microplastics can carry heavy metals like lead on their surfaces, this study shows how microplastics may amplify the toxic effects of other pollutants in freshwater fish that people eat.
Abundance and risk assessment of microplastics in water, sediment, and aquatic insects of the Nile River
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in the Nile River across water, sediment, and aquatic insects throughout different seasons, finding contamination in all compartments. Fiber-shaped polyester microplastics were the most common, with summer showing the highest levels. The presence of microplastics in aquatic insects at the base of the food chain means these particles could be transferred up to fish and eventually to humans who consume them.
Protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract against uranyl acetate-induced testicular dysfunction in rats
Researchers found that Moringa oleifera leaf extract protected rats from testicular damage caused by uranyl acetate, a toxic uranium compound, by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress. While focused on uranium toxicity, the protective mechanisms studied are relevant to microplastics research because microplastics also cause testicular damage through oxidative stress in animal studies. Natural antioxidants like those in Moringa may help protect reproductive health from environmental pollutants.
New insights into the reproductive hazards posed by polystyrene nanoplastics
Researchers used fruit flies as a model to study how polystyrene nanoplastics affect reproductive health. They found that nanoplastics accumulated in ovaries, testes, and even individual eggs and sperm cells, causing physical damage to reproductive organs and reducing fertility. The study suggests that nanoplastic contamination can directly interfere with reproduction by physically accumulating within reproductive tissues and gametes.
Single and combined toxicity of tadalafil (Cilais) and microplastic in Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus)
Researchers studied the combined effects of tadalafil (a pharmaceutical residue) and polyethylene microplastics on tilapia fish over 15 days. They found that the combination caused more severe damage than either pollutant alone, including impaired blood cell counts, increased oxidative stress, and tissue damage in the liver and kidneys. The study highlights that when pharmaceutical residues and microplastics co-occur in waterways, their combined toxic effects on aquatic life can be greater than expected.
Chironomus sp. as a Bioindicator for Assessing Microplastic Contamination and the Heavy Metals Associated with It in the Sediment of Wastewater in Sohag Governorate, Egypt
Researchers used Chironomus midge larvae as bioindicators to assess microplastic contamination in wastewater environments in upper Egypt. The study found red and blue polyester fibers were the most common microplastics, and successfully detected microplastic particles inside the larvae, demonstrating that these organisms can serve as useful indicators of plastic pollution in aquatic systems.
Titanium-doped PET nanoplastics of environmental origin as a true-to-life model of nanoplastic
Researchers created realistic nanoplastic test material by sanding down PET bottles that contain titanium dioxide, producing particles that closely resemble the secondary nanoplastics actually found in the environment. These titanium-doped PET nanoplastics were extensively characterized and then tested on human intestinal cells, where they caused cellular stress responses. The study provides a more environmentally relevant model for studying nanoplastic health effects compared to the pristine lab-made particles typically used in research.
Interactions between microplastics and <i>Culex</i> sp. larvae in wastewater
Researchers studied the interaction between microplastics and mosquito larvae in Egyptian wastewater treatment plants, finding that the larvae actively ingest plastic particles. They documented seasonal variation in microplastic abundance at the treatment facilities and showed that contaminated larvae could transfer plastics to adult mosquitoes. The study highlights an overlooked pathway by which microplastics in wastewater can spread into terrestrial ecosystems through flying insects.
Assessment the effect of exposure to microplastics in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) early juvenile: I. blood biomarkers
Researchers exposed juvenile Nile tilapia to different concentrations of microplastics for 15 days followed by a 15-day recovery period and measured blood biomarkers. They found dose-dependent changes in biochemical and hematological parameters, including elevated liver enzymes, altered blood cell counts, and increased glucose levels. Many of these effects persisted even after the recovery period, suggesting that microplastic exposure can cause lasting physiological stress in young freshwater fish.
Toxicity of mixture of polyethylene microplastics and Up Grade® pesticide on Oreochromis niloticus juvenile: I. Hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations
Researchers exposed juvenile Nile tilapia to a pesticide and polyethylene microplastics, both individually and in combination, and measured blood chemistry changes and organ damage over 15 days. The combination treatment caused more severe effects than either pollutant alone, including reduced red blood cell counts, elevated liver enzymes, and significant tissue damage to the gills and intestines. The study demonstrates that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of agricultural pesticides on commercially important fish species.
Antioxidants and molecular damage in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after exposure to microplastics
Researchers exposed juvenile Nile Tilapia to different concentrations of microplastics for 15 days followed by a recovery period. The study found dose-dependent increases in oxidative stress markers, DNA fragmentation, and altered protein patterns in fish exposed to microplastics. Evidence indicates that while fish exposed to the lowest concentration recovered after the treatment ended, higher doses caused more persistent damage.
A new source of representative secondary PET nanoplastics. Obtention, characterization, and hazard evaluation
Researchers developed a method to produce representative PET nanoplastics from water bottles using diamond burrs to avoid metal contamination. While the resulting nanoplastics were taken up by cells in laboratory tests, they did not induce significant cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, or DNA damage at the concentrations tested, though the authors note that more research with environmentally representative samples is needed.
Protective efficacy of dietary natural antioxidants on microplastic particles-induced histopathological lesions in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Researchers tested whether dietary natural antioxidants could protect African catfish from tissue damage caused by microplastic ingestion. Fish fed microplastics alone showed significant kidney, liver, and intestinal damage including cellular necrosis and tissue fibrosis, while fish receiving lycopene, citric acid, or chlorella alongside the microplastics showed substantially reduced tissue injury. The study suggests that natural antioxidant supplementation may help mitigate the harmful effects of microplastic exposure in aquaculture species.
Prefeeding of Clarias gariepinus with Spirulina platensis counteracts petroleum hydrocarbons-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity
Researchers tested whether feeding catfish (Clarias gariepinus) the microalgae Spirulina platensis before exposing them to petroleum pollutants benzene and toluene could protect their liver and kidneys, finding that Spirulina significantly restored normal organ function and reduced tissue damage. While kidney tissue still showed some injury, the study suggests Spirulina's antioxidant properties can meaningfully shield fish from hydrocarbon pollution.
The hazardous impact of true-to-life PET nanoplastics in Drosophila
Researchers created realistic nanoplastics by sanding commercial PET water bottles and tested their effects on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). They found that these true-to-life nanoplastics were internalized through the digestive tract and distributed throughout the body, causing measurable biological impacts. The study highlights the importance of testing with environmentally relevant plastic particles rather than only laboratory-grade materials to accurately assess health risks.
Seasonal variations and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in agricultural soil and associated macroinvertebrates in Egypt
Researchers conducted the first field investigation of microplastic contamination in agricultural soil and associated macroinvertebrates in Egypt's Sohag Governorate. They found that microplastic concentrations in soil were highest in summer and lowest in autumn, with earthworms accumulating more microplastics per individual than earwigs. Polyester fibers were the most common type, and the study highlights the importance of seasonal monitoring for assessing microplastic risk in agricultural ecosystems.