bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyurethane microplastics and associated tris(chloropropyl)phosphate additives both affect development in larval fathead minnow Pimephales promelas
Authors: Hamilton Bonnie M , Jantunen Liisa M , Rochman Chelsea M 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Microplastics (&lt; 5 mm) are a diverse class of contaminants ranging in morphology, polymer type, and chemical cocktail. Microplastic toxicity can be driven by one or a combination of these characteristics. Most studies, however, evaluate the physical effect of the most commercially available polymers. By disregarding other polymers with high consumption and/or production rates, and the chemical constituents of plastics, we fail to have a holistic understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity. Polyurethane is understudied in terms of effects testing yet considered one of the most hazardous polymers due to its chemical composition. Polyurethane is a high production polymer and is found in common consumer products ranging from packaging to spray foam insulation. To better understand the physico-chemical effects of polyurethane and a common additive in polyurethane products, we exposed larval fathead minnows for 28 days to polyurethane without chemical additives (i.e., plastic treatment), chemical leachate from polyurethane containing chemical additives (i.e., tris(chloropropyl)phosphate [TCPP]; i.e., chemical treatment) and polyurethane with chemical additives (i.e., plastic with chemical treatment) in a fully factorial experiment. We observed significant decreases in growth at 12 days posthatch (dph) in the plastic, chemical, and plastic with chemical treatments, suggesting a physical and chemical driver of toxicity. At 28 dph, we did not observe significant differences in growth, suggesting individuals can recover. We also observed concentrations of ΣTCPPs in fathead minnow exposed to the plastic with chemical treatment and the chemical only treatment, demonstrating TCPP uptake in exposed individuals. Combined, our data suggests the importance of both the physical and chemical components of microplastics when assessing effects, and thus emphasizing the need to evaluate the effects of microplastics in a multidimensional way.
The influence of tissue morphometry on tissue mercury concentration in male and female virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis)
Authors: Libunao Tate E , Kolok Alan S 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the influence of tissue morphometry on tissue total mercury concentration (THg) in male and female virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis). In 2023, 10 embryonized and nine stage IV female crayfish and 29 male virile crayfish were captured from Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane River Arm, in Washington, USA. Total mercury was analyzed in the adductor muscle, gills, and hepatopancreas for all individuals and the ovaries and eggs for females with developed ovaries and embryonized females, respectively. Tissue morphometrics and tissue THg were allometrically correlated to the clawless body mass of male virile crayfish. Furthermore, it was determined that in male size-adjusted virile crayfish, gill THg was significantly associated with hepatopancreas THg but not adductor muscle THg. In embryonized and reproductive developing female virile crayfish, there was evidence of considerable adductor muscle and hepatopancreas tissue atrophy; however, no significant differences in THg occurred. In both the adductor muscle and the hepatopancreas, THg was not bioamplified despite tissue atrophy, suggesting a net loss of mercury from the tissues into the hemolymph. Although the most plausible redistribution of mercury in females with developed ovaries would be from the hepatopancreas to the developing ovary, this redistribution does not completely explain the level of maternal transfer observed. Clearly, dietary mercury contributed to the body burden of mercury within the ovaries of the females in reproductive development.
Effect-based analysis of endocrine effects in surface and ground water with focus on progestagenicity using Arxula yeast-based reporter gene assays
Authors: Klein Michelle , Reibold Melissa , Reinders Petra , Itzel Fabian , Jaehne Martin , Gehrmann Linda , Klaßen Martin Daniel , Schmidt Torsten Claus , Türk Jochen 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The use of effect-based methods in water monitoring for identifying risks to aquatic organisms and human health is important for aiding regulatory decisions. In the past decades, the database on monitoring, especially in surface waters, has grown as this aquatic environment is openly exposed to various contamination sources. With regard to endocrine disruption, estrogenic and androgenic effects have been primarily investigated. Here, yeast-based bioassays emerged as potent tools, offering sensitivity to environmentally relevant concentrations and high robustness. The objectives of this study were to investigate further endocrine endpoints and extend the monitoring to ground waters. The inclusion of progestagenic effects is crucial due to their multifaceted roles in various functions of organisms. Hence, three different Arxula-yeast hormone screens (estrogen, androgen, and progesterone receptors) were applied, revealing simultaneous exposure to diverse endocrine effects in surface and ground water matrices. Although effect profiles in surface waters showed mainly activation of hormone receptors, in-ground water samples inhibitory effects clearly predominate. Although toxicological thresholds are not yet legally binding, they are essential for effective regulatory measures and risk management to ensure the good ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. The results were compared with effect-based trigger values for ecological as well as human risk assessment depending on the sample matrix, none of which were exceeded.
Impacts of seasonality on mercury concentrations, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and stable isotopes: implications for the use of tetragnathid spiders as sentinels
Authors: Landaverde Jessica , Olson Connor , Montesdeoca Mario , Hannappel Madeline , Otter Ryan R 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Riparian spiders are used in ecotoxicology as sentinels of bioavailable contaminants that are transferred from aquatic to terrestrial habitats via emergent aquatic insects. Spiders in the family Tetragnathidae are particularly of interest because a high proportion of their diet consists of emergent aquatic insects and their contaminant loads reflect the amount transferred through the food web to riparian predators. The transfer of contaminants can be determined through food web tracers such as stable isotopes and polyunsaturated fatty acids; however, it is unclear how contaminants and tracers vary over the course of a year. The objective of this study was to determine whether seasonality affected size, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, polyunsaturated fatty acid biomarkers, mercury, and other trace metal concentrations in tetragnathid spiders. Spiders were sampled fortnightly from a single site on the Stones River in Tennessee, USA, for an entire active season (April through October). Spider mass and length steadily increased from April to September to a maximum average value of 0.078 ± 0.03 g, then decreased in October. Seasonal trends were observed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, with significantly decreased signatures occurring late in the active season. Overall, methyl mercury concentrations (range: 12.1–134.4 ng/g) and the methyl-total mercury ratio (range: 49%–98%) increased throughout the active season, with higher variability observed at the end of the active season. Collectively, our results indicate that seasonality affected several important endpoints and that spiders collected during the end of the active season may not be representative of spiders during the entire active season.
Study on the developmental, behavioral toxicity, and toxicological mechanism of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine and its active metabolites in zebrafish
Authors: Chen Qian , Gu Siying , Lan Yufen , Xu Jiaming , Lin Wenting , Qin Yingjun , Ren Yuan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
As a representative agent of bicyclic antidepressants, venlafaxine (VEN) has become widely used worldwide and is frequently detected in surface waters with concentrations ranging from ng/L to µg/L. To evaluate the toxicological effects of such medications on aquatic species, studies on environmentally relevant concentrations are essential. Zebrafish were used as a model organism to assess growth and development in larvae and examine tissue accumulation, oxidative stress, and DNA methylation in adults. The results showed adverse effects, including an 18.5% decrease in embryo hatching rate and an increase in mortality by 18.5%. There was also a reduction in body length (4.5%) and eye area (12.2%) in the larvae, along with abnormal developmental issues, such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and spinal curvature. Venlafaxine and its metabolites induced oxidative stress, leading to observable toxic effects. In adult zebrafish, VEN and O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) accumulated primarily in the liver, followed by the brain and intestines, and caused a reduction in DNA methyltransferase activity, leading to DNA hypomethylation. VEN had the most significant impact on DNA methyltransferase 1 and altered its conformation more than ODV. Overall, venlafaxine was found to be more toxic than its metabolites, providing a scientific basis for evaluating the toxic effects and ecological risks of antidepressant residues on aquatic organisms.
Computational new approach methods guide focused testing and enhance understanding of chlorantraniliprole toxicity across species
Authors: Jensen-Brickley Marissa A , Glimsdal Leah , Johnson Abigail , Stacy Emma , Santana-Rodriguez Kelvin , Mattingly Kali , Villeneuve Daniel L , Hockett Russ , Blackwell Brett , Cavallin Jenna , LaLone Carlie A 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Diamide insecticides, specifically chlorantraniliprole (CHL), have been rising in popularity over the past decade, becoming one of the most widely used insecticide classes globally. These insecticides target the ryanodine receptor (RyR), primarily for control of lepidopteran agricultural pests. Field studies have revealed that some lepidopteran species have developed mutations where a methionine in a particular position (e.g., I4790M) increases resistance to CHL. The toxicity data for CHL across species is limited, as is the case for many chemicals, which creates an opportunity to apply both traditional toxicity test methods and new approach methods (NAMs) to address data gaps. Here, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool was used to query the RyR to generate susceptibility predictions for species exposed to CHL to fill those data gaps. These SeqAPASS results generated testable hypotheses that were used to guide focused acute aquatic toxicity studies using Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex, Pimephales promelas, and Danio rerio. The fish species were not sensitive to CHL, whereas D. magna and D. pulex were found to be sensitive to CHL at environmentally relevant concentrations, despite having the methionine residue in the position of the I4790M resistance mutation. Additional SeqAPASS results showed that many other species, including beneficial pollinators and Lepidoptera, are predicted as likely susceptible to CHL. This study provided multiple lines of evidence toward the unlikelihood for the I4790M mutation to be the primary cause of resistance across species, filled knowledge gaps concerning CHL toxicity across species, and generated predictions of susceptibility for nontarget species that are not generally amenable to toxicity testing. This work presents a case example that demonstrates how NAMs can be used in combination with other types of data to direct targeted testing and build confidence in predictive approaches for their use in risk assessment.
Waterborne toxicity of several dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane congeners to Hyalella azteca and its implications for contaminated sediment assessment
Authors: Mount David R , Burkhard Lawrence P , Hockett J Russell , Holloway Chloe J , Howe Sarah E , Jenson James J , Kadlec Sarah M , Kasparek Alex J , Lahren Tylor J , Lott Kevin G , Piasecki Edward F , Swanson John J , Votava Lauren K 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Although banned long ago in many countries and jurisdictions, the organochlorine pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and compounds related to it remain in the aquatic environment, particularly in sediments, and can pose risks to aquatic life. To inform ecological risk assessment of these compounds, we tested the toxicity of six DDT congeners, specifically the p, p’ (4,4’) forms of DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), and dichlorodiphenylchloroethylene (DDMU), as well as the o, p’ (2,4’) isomers of DDT and DDD. The epibenthic amphipod, Hyalella azteca, was exposed for 7 days to waterborne chemical and assessed for changes in survival and growth. Median effect concentrations for biomass gain (aggregating effects on growth and survival) ranged from 0.14 µg/L (p, p’DDT) to 5.8 µg/L (o, p’DDD). Among p, p’ congeners, relative toxicity was DDT ≫ DDD &gt; DDE ≈ DDMU. Ortho-para’ isomers were approximately five-fold less toxic than their p, p’ analogs. Much of the observed effect was expressed as lethality, as half maximal effect concentrations based on biomass were on average only 25% lower than the corresponding median lethal concentration. Effects in parallel 7-day and 10-day exposures indicated close comparability between the two durations for o, p’-DDT. Application of these waterborne exposure endpoints in ecological risk assessment of contaminated sediments is discussed.
High-performance thin-layer chromatography–umu combined with nontarget analysis—a sensitive genotoxicity screening tool applicable for potable water analysis
Authors: Flörs Markus , Schertzinger Gerhard , Pannekens Helena , Seitz Wolfram , Zwiener Christian , Winzenbacher Rudi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Monitoring of genotoxic chemicals released into the water cycle or formed through transformation processes is critical to prevent harm to human health. The development of the high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)–umu bioassay combines sample separation and detection of genotoxic substances in the low ng/L concentration range. In this study, raw, process, and drinking water samples from 11 different waterworks in Germany were analyzed using the HPTLC-umu. A genotoxic response was detected in three out of 42 samples (one raw water sample and two drinking water samples). Genotoxicity testing using the micronucleus and p53-CALUX (chemical activated luciferase gene expression) assays revealed genotoxic effects for the raw water sample and one of the drinking water samples. Fortunately, only minor genotoxic effects could be detected in the two drinking water samples, with estimated 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide equivalency concentrations of 0.12 ng/L and 0.17 ng/L, respectively. After extraction of the genotoxic zones from HPTLC plates, identification attempts were conducted with nontarget analysis (NTA). A prioritization approach based on chlorine and bromine isotope pattern revealed several halogenated features for both drinking water samples. These tentatively identified substances were previously reported in the literature as possible carcinogens. Although the detected features could not be conclusively identified, the presence of halogenated features in the genotoxic effective zone of the HPTLC-umu assay strongly suggests that the chlorine disinfection process in both waterworks was responsible for the formation of the genotoxic substances in the drinking water samples. These findings emphasize that the HPTLC-umu in combination with additional genotoxicity assays and NTA can be used to evaluate even relatively clean samples, such as drinking water.
Mycoremediation of Louisiana sweet crude oil with Pleurotus ostreatus and nutrient amendments
Authors: Crescent Summer S , Pisarski Emily C , Wirth Ed F , Long Richard A 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are known to metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in petroleum crude oil, making them candidates for oil spill remediation studies. This work aimed to assess P. ostreatus for its hydrocarbon degradation potential in estuarine conditions. In vitro experiments evaluated nutrient amendments based on P. ostreatus carbon: nitrogen: phosphorous (C: N: P) ratios to optimize mycelium growth, increase degradation efficiencies, and reduce potential nutrient runoff in broader applications. Image analysis was used to track mycelium growth response to various salinities, nutrient amendments, and oil types. Subsequent evaluation of alterations within the saturate, aromatic, resin, and asphaltene (SARA) fractions constituting Louisiana sweet crude (LSC) was conducted via SARA analysis. Results indicate that P. ostreatus mycelium tolerates estuarine salinities, with maximum growth between 5 and 15‰. Relative to 0‰, growth was reduced at salinities &gt;25‰, but positive growth was still observed. Nutrient amendments significantly increased growth over 7 days relative to untreated samples (p &lt; 0.0001). The combination of ammonium chloride and potassium phosphate yielded optimal mycelium growth after 7 days. Mycelium and nutrients significantly altered saturate (p = 0.0015) and asphaltene (p = 0.0124) fractions in LSC. This study suggests that mycelium growth is viable under estuarine salinities and can be enhanced with nutrient amendments. Introducing nutrient factors was shown to influence oil degradation. Results also indicate that mycelium can reduce recalcitrant oil fractions. Thus, this study highlights the adaptability of P. ostreatus to estuarine conditions and its response to nutrient amendments, all while offering a promising approach to crude oil bioremediation.
Drinking water treatment residuals reduce toxicity to fish from metal-contaminated sediments
Authors: Kurita-Oyamada Hajime G , Kroll Kevin J , Zhou Lang , Kozuch Marianne , Wallace Samuel M , Gaillard Jean-François , Bonzongo Jean-Claude J , Denslow Nancy D 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs) produced as a result of the coagulation-flocculation process during water treatment are considered waste materials. Characterization of this material shows its ability to sequester metals and other anionic and cationic chemicals. Drinking water treatment residuals from two different drinking water treatment plants located in Wyoming and Oregon were evaluated for their ability to function as viable capping materials of metal-contaminated sediments. The contaminated sediments tested were either spiked with a mixture of metals, 1 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, or coming from an intertidal sediment collected at a U.S. Naval Air Station. A Gust chamber experiment was used to determine metal fluxes from these sediments into the overlying water with applied hydrodynamic stress of 0.05 and 0.4 Pa in the absence and presence of DWTR as a capping material. The DWTR effectively reduced the amount of metal released to the overlying waters to a value below the National Recommended Aquatic Life Criteria for Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, but slightly above the value for Cd. The toxicity of these waters was tested with an in vivo 96 hr fathead minnow survival assay. In the absence of capping, all the fry died within 1 hr. Capping with DWTR from Wyoming effectively reduced contamination, and 95% of the fish survived. The DWTR from Oregon was less successful, but the survival of fish was equivalent to diluting the original contaminated waters by a factor of 100. Drinking water treatment residual effectively reduced metallothionein in fish, a biomarker of metal contamination, corroborating the survival experiments. These results suggest that DWTRs may be very effective for remediation of metal-contaminated sites.
Mind the gap—national pesticide monitoring data needs for invertebrate effects assessments in English rivers
Authors: Poyntz-Wright Imogen P , Tyler Charles R 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Pesticides are an integral part of agriculture in arable and pastoral farming and in animal and pet care, but they have been shown to have detrimental impacts on biodiversity, including of freshwater systems. The United Kingdom (UK) has the 7th highest pesticide usage per area of arable land across 30 European and African countries assessed between the years 2000 and 2012 and thus an associated higher likelihood for impacts on riverine biodiversity. In our analysis of the UK’s 24-year national chemical monitoring program (WIMS database; years 2000 to 2023), we show that of the nine pesticides that pose the greatest likely threat to UK freshwater invertebrates based on concentrations measured in British rivers exceeding the lowest effect concentrations (ECs) in laboratory-based toxicity tests, seven pesticides have exceeded the ECs across England between the years 2000 and 2023. The Anglian and Midland regions of England that have the highest regional arable pesticide use recorded the greatest number of pesticides exceeding the ECs for aquatic invertebrates. However, this finding may also be influenced by the more limited sampling/monitoring bias across England, and greater sampling of southern and northwest rivers is needed to better establish the potential impact of pesticides on riverine invertebrate communities in those regions.
Mutation impact on mRNA versus protein expression across human cancers
Authors: Liu Yuqi , Elmas Abdulkadir , Huang Kuan-lin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Cancer mutations are often assumed to alter proteins, thus promoting tumorigenesis. However, how mutations affect protein expression—in addition to gene expression—has rarely been systematically investigated. This is significant as mRNA and protein levels frequently show only moderate correlation, driven by factors such as translation efficiency and protein degradation. Proteogenomic datasets from large tumor cohorts provide an opportunity to systematically analyze the effects of somatic mutations on mRNA and protein abundance and identify mutations with distinct impacts on these molecular levels.

Results
We conduct a comprehensive analysis of mutation impacts on mRNA- and protein-level expressions of 953 cancer cases with paired genomics and global proteomic profiling across 6 cancer types. Protein-level impacts are validated for 47.2% of the somatic expression quantitative trait loci (seQTLs), including CDH1 and MSH3 truncations, as well as other mutations from likely “long-tail” driver genes. Devising a statistical pipeline for identifying somatic protein-specific QTLs (spsQTLs), we reveal several gene mutations, including NF1 and MAP2K4 truncations and TP53 missenses showing disproportional influence on protein abundance not readily explained by transcriptomics. Cross-validating with data from massively parallel assays of variant effects (MAVE), TP53 missenses associated with high tumor TP53 proteins are more likely to be experimentally confirmed as functional.

Conclusion
This study reveals that somatic mutations can exhibit distinct impacts on mRNA and protein levels, underscoring the necessity of integrating proteogenomic data to comprehensively identify functionally significant cancer mutations. These insights provide a framework for prioritizing mutations for further functional validation and therapeutic targeting.