Konstantin Terytze

Scrapie Agent (Strain 263K) Can Transmit Disease via the Oral Route after Persistence in Soil over Years

The persistence of infectious biomolecules in soil constitutes a substantial challenge. This holds particularly true with respect to prions, the causative agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or chronic wasting disease (CWD). Various studies have indicated that prions are able to persist in soil for years without losing their pathogenic activity. Dissemination of prions into the environment can occur from several sources, e.g., infectious placenta or amniotic fluid of sheep. Furthermore, environmental contamination by saliva, excrements or non-sterilized agricultural organic fertilizer is conceivable. Natural transmission of scrapie in the field seems to occur via the alimentary tract in the majority of cases, and scrapie-free sheep flocks can become infected on pastures where outbreaks of scrapie had been observed before. These findings point to a sustained contagion in the environment, and notably the soil. By using outdoor lysimeters, we simulated a contamination of standard soil with hamster-adapted 263K scrapie prions, and analyzed the presence and biological activity of the soil-associated PrPSc and infectivity by Western blotting and hamster bioassay, respectively. Our results showed that 263K scrapie agent can persist in soil at least over 29 months. Strikingly, not only the contaminated soil itself retained high levels of infectivity, as evidenced by oral administration to Syrian hamsters, but also feeding of aqueous soil extracts was able to induce disease in the reporter animals. We could also demonstrate that PrPSc in soil, extracted after 21 months, provides a catalytically active seed in the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) reaction. PMCA opens therefore a perspective for considerably improving the detectability of prions in soil samples from the field.

Hazard assessment of a silver nanoparticle in soil applied via sewage sludge

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in many fields of application and consumer products due to their antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to prepare a hazard assessment for one specific AgNP in soil, incorporated via sewage sludge (the sewage sludge pathway). The effects of pristine AgNPs on microorganisms, plants and earthworms were first determined in screening tests. Long-term tests over 140 days were then conducted with AgNPs added to soil via sewage sludge. AgNPs were incorporated into the sludge through a simulated sewage treatment plant (STP) over 10 days to allow transformation to occur and also by manual spiking over 2 h. The results of the most sensitive organism from the long-term tests, the soil microorganisms, are presented.ResultsThe STP simulations confirmed that at environmentally relevant concentrations >90% of AgNPs remain bound to sewage sludge. Effects of AgNPs bound to sewage sludge and added to soil were similar to that of pristine NM-300K after degradation of the sludge. The predicted no-effect concentration for NM-300K in soil of 0.05 mg/kg dry soil determined a maximum threshold of 30 mg/kg dry sludge per application, considering the maximum addition of sewage sludge in Germany (5 tons per hectare every 3 years).ConclusionAt environmentally relevant concentrations, AgNP absorption to sludge and aging in soil (even after transformation) cause toxic effects on soil microorganisms of the terrestrial ecosystem.

Effects of silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate in the earthworm reproduction test.

The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), for example, in textiles and cleaning products, means that they are likely to reach the environment via biosolids or the effluent from wastewater treatment plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the ecotoxicity of Ag-NPs in the earthworm reproduction test using Eisenia andrei. In addition to the usual endpoints, the authors also investigated the uptake and accumulation of Ag by adult earthworms and the concentration of free Ag(+) in soil pore water. Silver nanoparticles and Ag nitrate showed similar toxicities in the earthworm reproduction test. The uptake of Ag from Ag-NPs in the earthworm was slightly higher than the uptake of Ag from Ag nitrate. Spiked soils showed a concentration-dependent effect on reproduction, but there was no concentration-dependent increase in the amount of Ag in earthworm tissues. The authors noted a concentration-dependent increase in the levels of free Ag(+) in the soil pore water regardless of the Ag source. The number of juveniles is a more suitable endpoint than biomass or mortality. The uptake of Ag does not appear to inhibit reproduction. Instead, inhibition seems to reflect Ag(+) released into the soil pore water, which affects cocoons and juveniles in the soil. Analysis of transformed Ag-NPs after purification in wastewater treatment plants would provide additional information.

Applicability of non-exhaustive extraction procedures with Tenax and HPCD

Chemical extraction techniques like non-exhaustive extraction with Tenax or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) have been shown to measure the biodegradable fraction of aromatic contaminants like PAHs in soil. However, there is little research on the chemical prediction of aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for HPCD and Tenax extractions to predict PAH and petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in soil. 11 historically contaminated soils with PAH concentrations between 74 and 680 mg/kg and concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons from 330 to 4,704 mg/kg were analysed. Both non-exhaustive extraction procedures showed promising results for estimating the available contaminant fraction of both contaminant groups concerning the feasibility, reproducibility and correlation with soil biodegradation applying single point testing. Both methods have the potential to be used to assess the biodegradable hydrophobic organic pollutant fraction in contaminated soils. In a direct comparison of the two extraction procedures, Tenax extraction is assessed to be more time-consuming than HPCD extraction. Furthermore, a sufficient soil/Tenax ratio has to be considered.

Determination of extractable chromium(vi) in soils using a photometric method

Abstract For determination of soluble Cr(VI) beside Cr(III) in soil a method was developed based on the photometric standard protocol used for determination of Cr(VI) in waters. For Cr(VI) extraction, the soil is shaken with a mixture of aluminium sulfate solution and phosphate buffer. To prevent interfering redox reactions, oxidizing compounds are reduced by adding sulfite, and afterwards reducing compounds are oxidized by hypochlorite. After reaction of Cr(VI) with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide, the photometric determination is performed. Using this approach, Cr(VI) concentrations of 0.2 – 25 mg/kg in soils are detectable. Analyses of a number of soils revealed that anthropogenically chromium-contaminated soils showed relatively high amounts of soluble Cr(VI), while only traces of Cr(VI) were extractable from soils with high geogenic chromium contents.

Incorporating availability/bioavailability in risk assessment and decision making of polluted sites, using Germany as an example

Nearly all publications dealing with availability or bioavailability of soil pollutants start with the following statement: the determination of total pollutant content will lead to an over-estimation of risk. However, an assessment of contaminated sites should be based on the determination of mobile fractions of pollutants, and the fractions with potential for mobilisation that threaten groundwater and surface water, and the actual and potential fractions available for uptake by plants, soil microflora and soil organisms. After reviewing the literature for method proposals concerning the determination of available/bioavailable fractions of contaminants with respect to leaching, plants, microorganisms (biodegradation) and soil organisms, we propose a testing and assessment scheme for contaminated sites. The proposal includes (i) already accepted and used methods, (ii) methods which are under standardisation, and (iii) methods for which development has just started in order to promote urgently needed research.

Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles in the earthworm reproduction test

BackgroundThe increasing use of nanotechnology means that nanomaterials will enter the environment. Ecotoxicological data are therefore required so that adequate risk assessments can be carried out. In this study, we used a standardized earthworm reproduction test with Eisenia andrei to evaluate three types of TiO2 nanoparticles (NM-101, NM-102, NM-103). The test was performed in natural sandy soil (RefeSol 01A) following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Test Guideline No. 222. The nanoparticles differed in several aspects, such as crystalline structure, size, and the presence or absence of a coating.ResultsUncoated nanoparticles stimulated earthworm reproduction in a concentration-dependent manner during winter testing, increasing the number of offspring by up to 50% compared to the control. However, there was no stimulation when the same test was performed in the summer. This reflected an underlying circannual rhythm observed in the control soil, characterized by the production of a significantly larger number of juveniles in summer compared with that in winter. The effect of the uncoated TiO2 nanoparticles was to reduce or eliminate the circannual differences by increasing the reproductive rate in winter. Coated TiO2 nanoparticles did not influence earthworm reproduction.ConclusionTiO2 appears to affect earthworm reproductive activity by abolishing the circannual rhythm that depresses reproduction in the winter. Further experiments will be necessary to determine (1) the mode of action of the nanoparticles, (2) the important parameters causing the effect (e.g., relevant soil parameters), and (3) the environmental relevance of continuous earthworm reproduction we observed under laboratory conditions.

Total Aortic Arch Replacement: Superior Ventriculo-Arterial Coupling with Decellularized Allografts Compared with Conventional Prostheses

Background To date, no experimental or clinical study provides detailed analysis of vascular impedance changes after total aortic arch replacement. This study investigated ventriculoarterial coupling and vascular impedance after replacement of the aortic arch with conventional prostheses vs. decellularized allografts. Methods After preparing decellularized aortic arch allografts, their mechanical, histological and biochemical properties were evaluated and compared to native aortic arches and conventional prostheses in vitro. In open-chest dogs, total aortic arch replacement was performed with conventional prostheses and compared to decellularized allografts (n = 5/group). Aortic flow and pressure were recorded continuously, left ventricular pressure-volume relations were measured by using a pressure-conductance catheter. From the hemodynamic variables end-systolic elastance (Ees), arterial elastance (Ea) and ventriculoarterial coupling were calculated. Characteristic impedance (Z) was assessed by Fourier analysis. Results While Ees did not differ between the groups and over time (4.1±1.19 vs. 4.58±1.39 mmHg/mL and 3.21±0.97 vs. 3.96±1.16 mmHg/mL), Ea showed a higher increase in the prosthesis group (4.01±0.67 vs. 6.18±0.20 mmHg/mL, P<0.05) in comparison to decellularized allografts (5.03±0.35 vs. 5.99±1.09 mmHg/mL). This led to impaired ventriculoarterial coupling in the prosthesis group, while it remained unchanged in the allograft group (62.5±50.9 vs. 3.9±23.4%). Z showed a strong increasing tendency in the prosthesis group and it was markedly higher after replacement when compared to decellularized allografts (44.6±8.3dyn·sec·cm−5 vs. 32.4±2.0dyn·sec·cm−5, P<0.05). Conclusions Total aortic arch replacement leads to contractility-afterload mismatch by means of increased impedance and invert ventriculoarterial coupling ratio after implantation of conventional prostheses. Implantation of decellularized allografts preserves vascular impedance thereby improving ventriculoarterial mechanoenergetics after aortic arch replacement.

Long‐term effects of sulfidized silver nanoparticles in sewage sludge on soil microflora

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products such as textiles leads to their discharge into wastewater and consequently to a transfer of the AgNPs to soil ecosystems via biosolids used as fertilizer. In urban wastewater systems (e.g., sewer, wastewater treatment plant [WWTP], anaerobic digesters) AgNPs are efficiently converted into sparingly soluble silver sulfides (Ag2 S), mitigating the toxicity of the AgNPs. However, long-term studies on the bioavailability and effects of sulfidized AgNPs on soil microorganisms are lacking. Thus we investigated the bioavailability and long-term effects of AgNPs (spiked in a laboratory WWTP) on soil microorganisms. Before mixing the biosolids into soil, the sludges were either anaerobically digested or directly dewatered. The effects on the ammonium oxidation process were investigated over 140 d. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggested an almost complete sulfidation of the AgNPs analyzed in all biosolid samples and in soil, with Ag2 S predominantly detected in long-term incubation experiments. However, despite the sulfidation of the AgNPs, soil ammonium oxidation was significantly inhibited, and the degree of inhibition was independent of the sludge treatment. The results revealed that AgNPs sulfidized under environmentally relevant conditions were still bioavailable to soil microorganisms. Consequently, Ag2 S may exhibit toxic effects over the long term rather than the short term. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3305-3313.

Evaluation of the hazard potentials of river suspended particulate matter and floodplain soils in the Rhine basin using chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the hazard potentials of contaminated suspended particulate matter (SPM) sampled during a flood event for floodplain soils using in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis. Sediment-contact tests were performed to evaluate the direct exposure of organisms to native soils and SPM at two different trophic levels. For comparison, acetonic extracts were tested using both contact tests and additionally two cell-based biotests for cytotoxicity and Ah receptor-mediated activity (EROD-Assay). The sediment-contact tests were carried out with the dehydrogenase assay with Arthrobacter globiformis and the fish embryo assay with Danio rerio. The results of this study clearly document that native samples may well be significantly more effective than corresponding extracts in the bacteria contact assay or the fish embryo test. These results question the commonly accepted concept that acetonic extracts are likely to overestimate the toxicity of soil and SPM samples. Likewise, the priority organic compounds analyzed failed to fully explain the toxic potential of the samples. The outcomes of this study revealed the insufficient knowledge regarding the relationship between the different exposure pathways. Finally, there is concern about adverse effects by settling suspended particulate matter and remobilized sediments in frequently inundated floodplain soils due to an increase of the hazard potential, if compared with infrequently inundated floodplain soils. We showed that the settling of SPM and sediments revealed a significant impact on the dioxin-like potencies of riparian soils.