Effects of Multiple Stressors, Pristine or Sulfidized Silver Nanomaterials, and a Pathogen on a Model Soil Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Previous research using the model soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed that silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and their transformed counterpart, sulfidized AgNP (sAgNP), reduce their reproduction and survival. To expand our understanding of the environmental consequences of released NP, we examined the synergistic/antagonistic effects of AgNP and sAgNP along with AgNO3 (ionic control) on C. elegans infected with the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. Individual exposures to each stressor significantly decreased nematode reproduction compared to controls. Combined exposures to equitoxic EC30 concentrations of two stressors, Ag in nanoparticulate (AgNP or sAgNP) or ionic form and the pathogen K. pneumoniae, showed a decline in the reproduction that was not significantly different compared to individual exposures of each of the stressors. The lack of enhanced toxicity after simultaneous combined exposure is partially due to Ag decreasing K. pneumoniae pathogenicity by inhibiting biofilm production outside the nematode and significantly reducing viable pathogens inside the host. Taken together, our results indicate that by hindering the ability of K. pneumoniae to colonize the nematode's intestine, Ag reduces K. pneumoniae pathogenicity regardless of Ag form. These results differ from our previous research where simultaneous exposure to zinc oxide (ZnO) NP and K. pneumoniae led to a reproduction level that was not significantly different from the controls.

Plasmid size determines adsorption to clay and breakthrough in a saturated sand column.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major factor in the spread of antibiotic resistant genes (ARG). Transformation, one mode of HGT, involves the acquisition and expression of extracellular DNA (eDNA). eDNA in soils is degraded rapidly by extracellular nucleases. However, if bound to a clay particle, eDNA can persist for long periods of time without losing its transformation ability. To better understand the mechanism of eDNA persistence in soil, this experiment assessed the effects of 1) clay mineralogy, 2) mixed salt solution, 3) plasmid size on DNA adsorption to clay and 4) breakthrough behavior of three differently sized plasmids in an environmentally relevant solution. Batch test methods were used to determine adsorption trends of three differently sized DNA plasmids, pUC19, pBR322, and pTYB21, to several pure clay minerals, goethite (α-FeOOH), illite, and kaolinite, and one environmental soil sample. Results show not all sorbents have equal adsorption capacity based on surface area with adsorption capacities decreasing from goethite > illite = kaolinite > bulk soil, and low ionic strength solutions will likely not significantly alter sorption trends. Additionally, plasmid DNA size (i.e., length) was shown to be a significant predictor of adsorption efficiency and that size affects DNA breakthrough, with breakthroughs occurring later with larger plasmids. Given that DNA persistence is linked to its adsorption to soil constituents and breakthrough, eDNA size is likely an important contributor to the spread of ARG within natural microbial communities.

Multiple stressor effects on a model soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans: Combined effects of the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae and zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Research utilizing the model soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed that agriculturally relevant nanoparticles (NP), such as zinc oxide NP (ZnONP), cause toxicity at low concentrations and disrupt molecular pathways of pathogen resistance. However, in most nanotoxicity assessments, model organisms are exposed to a single stressor but in nature organisms are affected by multiple sources of stress, including infections, which might exacerbate or mitigate negative effects of NP exposure. Thus, to expand our understanding of the environmental consequences of released NP, this project examined the synergistic/antagonistic effects of ZnONP on C. elegans infected with a common pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Individual exposures of C. elegans to ZnONP, zinc sulfate (Zn2+ ions) or K. pneumoniae significantly decreased nematode reproduction compared to controls. To assess the combined stress of ZnONP and K. pneumoniae, C. elegans were exposed to equitoxic EC30 concentrations of ZnONP (or Zn ions) and K. pneumoniae. After the combined exposure there was no decrease in reproduction. This complete elimination of reproductive toxicity was unexpected because exposures were conducted at EC30 Zn concentrations and reproductive toxicity due to Zn should have occurred. Amelioration of the pathogen effects by Zn are partially explained by the Zn impact on the K. pneumoniae biofilm. Quantitative assessments showed that external biofilm production and estimated colony forming units (CFU) of K. pneumoniae within the nematodes were significantly decreased. Taken together, our results suggest that during the combined exposure of C. elegans to both stressors Zn in ionic or particulate form inhibits K. pneumoniae ability to colonize nematode's intestine through decreasing pathogen biofilm formation. This highlights the unpredictable nature of combined stressor effects, calling into question the utility of exposures in simplified laboratory media.

FEAST of biosensors: Food, environmental and agricultural sensing technologies (FEAST) in North America.

We review the challenges and opportunities for biosensor research in North America aimed to accelerate translational research. We call for platform approaches based on: i) tools that can support interoperability between food, environment and agriculture, ii) open-source tools for analytics, iii) algorithms used for data and information arbitrage, and iv) use-inspired sensor design. We summarize select mobile devices and phone-based biosensors that couple analytical systems with biosensors for improving decision support. Over 100 biosensors developed by labs in North America were analyzed, including lab-based and portable devices. The results of this literature review show that nearly one quarter of the manuscripts focused on fundamental platform development or material characterization. Among the biosensors analyzed for food (post-harvest) or environmental applications, most devices were based on optical transduction (whether a lab assay or portable device). Most biosensors for agricultural applications were based on electrochemical transduction and few utilized a mobile platform. Presently, the FEAST of biosensors has produced a wealth of opportunity but faces a famine of actionable information without a platform for analytics.

Coal combustion residues and their effects on trace element accumulation and health indices of eastern mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum).

Coal combustion is a major energy source in the US. The solid waste product of coal combustion, coal combustion residue (CCR), contains potentially toxic trace elements. Before 1980, the US primarily disposed of CCR in aquatic settling basins. Animals use these basins as habitat and can be exposed to CCR, potentially affecting their physiology. To investigate the effects of CCR on eastern mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum), we sampled 30 turtles exposed to CCRs and 17 unexposed turtles captured in 2015-2016 from the Savannah River Site (Aiken, SC, USA). For captured turtles, we (1) quantified accumulation of CCR in claw and blood samples, (2) used bacterial killing assays to assess influences of CCR on immune responses, (3) compared hemogregarine parasite loads, and (4) compared metabolic rates via flow-through respirometry between CCR-exposed and unexposed turtles when increased temperature was introduced as an added stressor. Turtles exposed to CCR accumulated CCR-associated trace elements, corroborating previous studies. Blood Se and Sr levels and claw As, Se, and Sr levels were significantly higher in turtles from contaminated sites. Average bacterial killing efficiency was not significantly different between groups. Neither prevalence nor average parasite load significantly differed between CCR-exposed and reference turtles, although parasite load increased with turtle size. Regardless of site, temperature had a significant impact on turtle metabolic rates; as temperature increased, turtle metabolic rates increased. The effect of temperature on turtle metabolic rates was less pronounced for CCR-exposed turtles, which resulted in CCR-exposed turtles having lower metabolic rates than reference turtles at 30 and 35 °C. Our results demonstrate that turtles accumulate CCR from their environment and that accumulation of CCR is associated with changes in turtle physiological functions when additional stressors are present.