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Papers
235 resultsShowing papers from Central South University
ClearThe micro(nano)plastics perspective: exploring cancer development and therapy
This review explores the emerging link between microplastics and cancer development. Microplastics can trigger chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormone disruption, all of which are known pathways that may promote cancer growth. Interestingly, researchers are also studying whether engineered microplastics could be used as drug carriers for cancer therapy, though long-term effects remain unclear.
Identification of microplastics in human tear fluid and meibum: Implications for dry eye disease pathogenesis
For the first time, researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in human tear fluid and the oily secretions of the eyelid glands (meibum), with polyethylene being the most common type found. Higher polyethylene levels correlated with worse dry eye disease symptoms. In lab and mouse experiments, polyethylene exposure damaged eye surface cells and triggered inflammation, suggesting airborne microplastics may contribute to dry eye disease.
The effects of micro- and nanoplastics on the central nervous system: A new threat to humanity?
This review summarizes growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and damage the central nervous system through inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of brain chemicals. The authors note that microplastic exposure has been linked to memory and behavior changes in animals and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, though direct human evidence is still limited.
Fate, abundance and ecological risks of microcystins in aquatic environment: The implication of microplastics
This review explores how microplastics in water can interact with microcystins, highly toxic compounds produced by harmful algal blooms, by adsorbing and transporting them through aquatic environments. The combination poses increased risks to human health because microplastics can carry these dangerous toxins into drinking water sources and through the food chain.
Impact of nanoplastics on Alzheimer ’s disease: Enhanced amyloid-β peptide aggregation and augmented neurotoxicity
Researchers found that even very low concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics can speed up the clumping of amyloid-beta protein, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and increase its toxicity to brain cells. The hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface of the nanoplastics helps the proteins stick together faster, suggesting a potential link between environmental nanoplastic exposure and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Emamectin Benzoate and Microplastics Led to Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Common Carp via Induced Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Protein Synthesis and Degradation Imbalance
A study in fish found that combined exposure to the pesticide emamectin benzoate and microplastics caused muscle wasting by triggering oxidative stress, damaging mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells), and disrupting the balance between muscle building and breakdown. This suggests that microplastics may worsen the toxic effects of pesticides on muscle health in aquatic organisms.
Surface change of microplastics in aquatic environment and the removal by froth flotation assisted with cationic and anionic surfactants
This study found that microplastics become less water-repellent after months of sitting in natural river water due to surface weathering and mineral buildup, which makes them harder to remove by flotation methods. The researchers then showed that adding surfactants (soap-like chemicals) could restore the microplastics' water-repellent properties and make flotation effective again. This work advances practical methods for cleaning microplastics out of contaminated water.
International consensus guidelines for the definition, detection, and interpretation of autophagy-dependent ferroptosis
This scientific review provides guidelines for understanding a specific type of cell death called autophagy-dependent ferroptosis, where cells essentially digest their own protective components and then die from iron-driven damage. While not directly about microplastics, this process is relevant because microplastics and nanoplastics have been shown to trigger oxidative stress and iron-related cell damage in tissues. Understanding these cell death pathways helps researchers assess how plastic particle exposure could harm organs like the liver, brain, and lungs.
Recent trends and economic significance of modified/functionalized biochars for remediation of environmental pollutants
Researchers reviewed recent advances in modified biochars — charcoal-like materials made from organic waste — as low-cost tools for removing chemical pollutants from contaminated soil and water. By altering biochar's physical and chemical properties through various treatment techniques, scientists have significantly improved its ability to bind and neutralize a wide range of harmful substances.
BRCC36 Deubiquitinates HMGCR to Regulate the Interplay Between Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis
This study uncovered a molecular switch (an enzyme called BRCC36) that controls whether liver cancer cells die by ferroptosis or pyroptosis, two different forms of programmed cell death. While not directly about microplastics, ferroptosis has been identified as one of the ways nanoplastics damage cells in recent studies. Understanding how cells regulate ferroptosis could help explain why some tissues are more vulnerable to nanoplastic-induced damage than others.
Biochar as a Green Sorbent for Remediation of Polluted Soils and Associated Toxicity Risks: A Critical Review
This review examines biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, as a tool for cleaning up soil contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. While biochar can effectively trap contaminants, the production process itself can create toxic byproducts like PAHs that may harm soil life. The research is relevant to microplastic pollution because biochar is being explored as a potential method to bind and reduce microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
Unraveling the ecotoxicological effects of micro and nano-plastics on aquatic organisms and human health
This review summarizes the growing body of evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics affect aquatic organisms and, through the food chain, potentially human health. The tiny plastic particles absorb toxic pollutants and pathogens from the water, acting as carriers that deliver these harmful substances into the bodies of fish, shellfish, and other organisms. The review highlights that both direct plastic toxicity and indirect chemical exposure through contaminated seafood pose risks to human consumers.
Internal and external microplastic exposure in young adults: A pilot study involving 26 college students in Changsha, China
A pilot study of 26 college students in Changsha, China found that the main source of microplastic exposure in young adults was through food, followed by air and drinking water. Microplastic levels in blood serum were higher than in urine, suggesting these particles accumulate in the body rather than being quickly eliminated.
The interfacial interaction between typical microplastics and Pb2+ and their combined toxicity to Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers found that microplastics in freshwater can absorb lead (a toxic heavy metal) onto their surfaces, especially after being weathered by UV light. When combined, the microplastics and lead were more toxic to freshwater algae than either pollutant alone, with PET plastic showing the highest capacity to bind lead. This means microplastics in rivers and lakes may concentrate heavy metals and deliver higher doses of toxins to aquatic life and potentially to people through the water supply.
Machine learning: Next promising trend for microplastics study
This review explains how machine learning -- a type of artificial intelligence -- is being applied to microplastics research to speed up identification, predict pollution patterns, and analyze environmental risks. Traditional methods of identifying microplastics are slow and labor-intensive, but machine learning can process large datasets much faster and more accurately. Better detection tools are important because they help scientists understand the true scale of human microplastic exposure.
Plastic bottles for chilled carbonated beverages as a source of microplastics and nanoplastics
Scientists tested how carbonated drink bottles release microplastics and nanoplastics into beverages. Polypropylene bottles released the most particles, and cold temperatures plus carbonation increased the release. The good news is that flushing bottles with carbonated water before first use removed over 90% of loose plastic particles, suggesting a simple way to reduce exposure.
Time-dependent effects of microplastics on soil bacteriome
Researchers studied how six common types of microplastics affect soil bacteria over time at realistic contamination levels. The effects were slow to appear due to the chemical stability of plastics, but over time, microplastics altered bacterial community structure and soil functions in ways that differed by plastic type. This matters because changes to soil bacteria can affect nutrient cycling and crop health, with potential downstream effects on food quality.
Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces abnormal activation of innate immunity via the cGAS-STING pathway
Polystyrene nanoplastics triggered an abnormal immune response in mouse cells by activating a specific signaling pathway called cGAS-STING, which normally defends against viruses and damaged DNA. This activation led to inflammation through the NF-kB pathway, and when researchers silenced the STING gene, the inflammatory response was significantly reduced. The study reveals a new mechanism by which nanoplastics could cause chronic inflammation in the body.
Advances in Portable Heavy Metal Ion Sensors
This review covers advances in portable sensors for detecting heavy metal ions in the environment, including electrochemical, optical, and smartphone-based devices. While focused on heavy metals rather than microplastics directly, the technology is relevant because microplastics often carry heavy metals that can leach into water and food. Better field-testing tools could help track how microplastics transport toxic metals into the environment and human food sources.
Heterogeneous impacts of and vulnerabilities to the COVID-19 pandemic
This study reviewed the uneven impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across different populations, finding that socioeconomic status, housing, and race influenced how severely people were affected. While not focused on microplastics, the research highlights how environmental health inequalities, including pollution exposure, compound health risks for vulnerable communities. The findings are relevant because disadvantaged groups often face higher exposure to environmental contaminants including microplastics.
Smart and Sustainable Microplastic Removal: Hybrid Systems, Bio-Inspired Technologies, Real-Time Sensing, and Policy Integration
This review covers emerging technologies for removing microplastics from water, including hybrid systems that combine physical, chemical, and biological methods, as well as bio-inspired designs that mimic natural filtration. New sensor technologies and smart monitoring systems for real-time microplastic detection are also discussed. The authors emphasize that effective solutions will require both technological innovation and coordinated policy action across industries and governments.
Activation of gut metabolite ACSL4/LPCAT3 by microplastics in drinking water mediates ferroptosis via gut–kidney axis
This study found that polystyrene microplastics carrying the pollutant benzo[a]pyrene caused kidney damage in mice by triggering a type of cell death called ferroptosis through disrupted fat metabolism. The damage occurred through a gut-kidney pathway, where the pollutant-laden microplastics first affected intestinal cells before impacting the kidneys. These findings reveal how microplastics in drinking water could act as carriers for other toxins, amplifying harm to the kidneys.
A review: Research progress on microplastic pollutants in aquatic environments
This review summarizes current research on microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, including sources, detection methods, and ecological effects. The study highlights that microplastics can carry heavy metals and organic pollutants, forming complex contaminant combinations that accumulate through the food chain with potentially unpredictable consequences for both aquatic life and human health.
Microplastics in stools and their influencing factors among young adults from three cities in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study
In a study of 78 college students across three Chinese cities, microplastics were detected in the stool of nearly every participant, with a median concentration of about 55 micrograms per gram. People who ate more takeout food had significantly higher microplastic levels in their stool. This is one of the first studies to measure the actual mass of microplastics passing through young adults' digestive systems, confirming that diet and food packaging directly influence human exposure.