Papers

Polyethylene microplastics promote nucleus pulposus cell senescence by inducing oxidative stress via TLR4/NOX2 axis

Researchers found microplastics -- primarily polyethylene -- in nearly 60% of human spinal disc tissue samples, and lab studies showed these particles accelerate disc degeneration by triggering oxidative stress that causes disc cells to age prematurely. This is the first study to link microplastics directly to intervertebral disc disease, suggesting plastic pollution may contribute to back problems and spine deterioration.

A Review of in vivo Toxicity of Quantum Dots in Animal Models

This review examines the toxicity of quantum dots, tiny semiconductor nanoparticles used in medicine and imaging, across different organs in animal studies. The main toxic mechanisms involve the release of heavy metal ions and generation of harmful reactive oxygen species, which damage cells and alter gene expression. While focused on quantum dots, the oxidative stress pathways described are similar to those triggered by micro- and nanoplastics in the body.

Analysis of Biodistribution and in vivo Toxicity of Varying Sized Polystyrene Micro and Nanoplastics in Mice

This study found that smaller plastic particles spread more widely through the bodies of mice and caused more organ damage than larger ones, particularly in the liver, kidneys, and heart. Nanoplastics (under 1 micrometer) were especially concerning because they crossed biological barriers more easily than microplastics. The results suggest that the tiniest plastic particles in our environment may pose the greatest health risks.

Recent Advances in Polyvinyl Alcohol–Based Biodegradable Packaging: Preparation, Modification, and Applications in Food Packaging

This review examines polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a promising biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging, summarizing recent advances in how PVA films are prepared and modified to improve their performance. Researchers highlight methods for making PVA more water-resistant and better at blocking gases, which are key challenges for food packaging applications. The findings suggest that PVA-based materials could help reduce microplastic contamination from traditional plastic packaging.

Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Tryptophan Metabolism

This review examines how environmental pollutants, including microplastics and nanoplastics, can disrupt the metabolism of tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in producing neurotransmitters and regulating the immune system. Researchers found that exposure to these contaminants can alter tryptophan pathways in ways that affect the nervous system, digestive health, and even pregnancy outcomes. The study highlights an important but underexplored mechanism by which plastic pollution may affect human health at the molecular level.

PLA plastic particles disrupt bile acid metabolism leading to hepatic inflammatory injury in male mice

Researchers found that polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often considered a safer biodegradable alternative, caused inflammatory liver damage in male mice by disrupting bile acid metabolism. Both cell and animal experiments showed that PLA particles triggered inflammation and altered the chemical signaling pathways that regulate bile acid production. The study suggests that even biodegradable microplastics may pose health risks that deserve further scrutiny.

Pharmacological Inhibition of STING/TBK1 Signaling Attenuates Myeloid Fibroblast Activation and Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Renal Fibrosis

Researchers found that pharmacological inhibition of the STING/TBK1 signaling pathway attenuated renal fibrosis in mice by reducing myeloid fibroblast activation and macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition, identifying a potential therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease.

Functional roles of circular RNAs in lung injury

This review examines the functional roles of circular RNAs in various forms of lung injury, including their involvement in disease progression. The study suggests that understanding circRNA mechanisms could lead to new insights into respiratory damage pathways, though the connection to environmental exposures requires further investigation.

Environmental nanoplastics exert dual effects: promoting tumor progression in cancer cells while inducing pyroptosis in normal esophageal epithelium

Researchers found that environmental nanoplastics have dual effects on esophageal tissue: promoting tumor progression in esophageal cancer cells while triggering pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death) in normal esophageal epithelial cells. These opposing effects suggest nanoplastic exposure could both damage healthy tissue and accelerate existing cancers.

RANKL/OPG axis as a therapeutic target for microplastic-induced bone loss: Mechanistic insights from transcriptomic and functional validation

This study found microplastic deposits in human bone tissue and showed that MPs disrupt bone metabolism by altering the RANKL/OPG signaling axis, a key regulator of bone remodeling. Transcriptomic and functional analyses identified therapeutic target pathways that could potentially protect against microplastic-induced bone loss.

Polyethylene microplastics trigger osteosarcoma progression via ITGA5/FAPα/LGMN cancer promoting complex: A novel environmental cancer promoting mechanism

Researchers identified polyethylene microplastics in human osteosarcoma tumor tissues using Raman spectroscopy and demonstrated that PE-MPs promoted cancer progression through activation of the ITGA5/FAPα/LGMN protein complex. The findings link environmental microplastic exposure to a specific molecular mechanism driving bone cancer progression.

Automatic localization and segmentation of adherent microplastics in optical micrographs based on improved YOLOv5 and adaptive perceptual UNET 3+++

Insights into the toxicological effects of nanomaterials on atherosclerosis: mechanisms involved and influence factors

Researchers reviewed how nanomaterials — tiny engineered particles including nanoplastics — can trigger or worsen atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in arteries that leads to heart attacks and strokes. The review found that nanomaterials can damage the cells lining blood vessels and provoke chronic inflammation, raising concerns about the cardiovascular risks of widespread nanomaterial exposure.

Polyethylene microplastics transported to nucleus pulposus cells via macrophages-derived exosomes, and promote intervertebral disc degeneration through NAT10/SLC7A11 and ac4C modification

Polyethylene microplastics transported to the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like core of spinal discs) were shown to cause cellular damage and inflammatory responses. This study is among the first to link microplastic exposure to potential spinal disc degeneration, a significant concern for human musculoskeletal health.

Temporal dynamics of bacterial biofilms and their relationship with heavy metals on expanded polystyrene microplastics

Segmentation of Adhesive Microplastics in Carp Whole Blood Based on Improved Yolov5 and Adaptive Perception Unet 3+++

Analysis of microplastics released from plastic take-out food containers based on thermal properties and morphology study

This study measured microplastics released from three types of plastic take-out food containers — polypropylene, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene — when filled with hot water. Expanded polystyrene released the most particles by far (up to 2.8 million per liter), and over 96% of particles from all containers were smaller than 10 micrometers, small enough to be absorbed into the gut.

Improved detection and counting performance of microplastics in common carp whole blood by an attention-guided deep learning method

Researchers developed an attention-guided deep learning method called Attention-YOLO to improve automated detection and counting of microplastic polystyrene particles in common carp whole blood samples imaged by bright-field microscopy. The system incorporated a channel attention mechanism into the feature extraction network and was trained on a custom dataset of particles in various colors, improving detection accuracy over standard YOLO approaches for high-throughput toxicity studies.

Neuroendocrine involves in flesh quality degradation of Litopenaeus vannamei during waterless transport by disturbing physiological and metabolic response

This study investigated the neuroendocrine mechanisms behind flesh quality degradation in Pacific white shrimp during waterless transport. It found that physiological and metabolic stress responses, including neuroendocrine disruption, contribute to measurable declines in flesh quality.