1. Combined toxic effects of BPA and its two analogues BPAP and BPC in a 3D HepG2 cell modelMartina Štampar, Tim Ravnjak, Ana-Marija Domijan, Bojana Žegura, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly used substances in the manufacture ofvarious everyday products. Growing concerns about its hazardous properties, including endocrinedisruption and genotoxicity, have led to its gradual replacement by presumably safer analogues inmanufacturing plastics. The widespread use of BPA and, more recently, its analogues has increasedtheir residues in the environment. However, our knowledge of their toxicological profiles is limitedand their combined effects are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effectscaused by single bisphenols and by the combined exposure of BPA and its two analogues, BPAP andBPC, after short (24-h) and prolonged (96-h) exposure in HepG2 spheroids. The results showed thatBPA did not reduce cell viability in HepG2 spheroids after 24-h exposure. In contrast, BPAP andBPC affected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Both binary mixtures (BPA/BPAP and BPA/BPC)decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but the significant difference was only observedfor the combination of BPA/BPC (both at 40μM). After 96-h exposure, none of the BPs studiedaffected cell viability in HepG2 spheroids. Only the combination of BPA/BPAP decreased cellviability in a dose-dependent manner that was significant for the combination of 4μM BPA and 4μMBPAP. None of the BPs and their binary mixtures studied affected the surface area and growth ofspheroids as measured by planimetry. In addition, all BPs and their binary mixtures studied triggeredoxidative stress, as measured by the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,at both exposure times. Overall, the results suggest that it is important to study the effects of BPsas single compounds. It is even more important to study the effects of combined exposures, as thecombined effects may differ from those induced by single compounds.
Keywords: BP analogues, hepatic in vitro 3D cell model, combined exposure, viability, oxidative stress, toxicology
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 2; Downloads: 1
 Full text (2,18 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Impact of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone as single and combined treatment on DNA, cell cycle and cell proliferation in HepG2 cellsAna-Marija Domijan, Klara Hercog, Martina Štampar, Goran Gajski, Marko Gerić, Marijana Sokolović, Bojana Žegura, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The study aimed to investigate toxicity and the mechanism of toxicity of two Fusarium mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA). DON and ZEA were applied to HepG2 cells as single compounds and in combination at low environmentally relevant concentrations. HepG2 cells were exposed to DON (0.5, 1, and 2 µM), ZEA (5, 10, and 20 µM) or their combinations (1 µM DON + 5 µM ZEA, 1 µM DON + 10 µM ZEA and 1 µM DON + 20 µM ZEA) for 24 h and cell viability, DNA damage, cell cycle and proliferation were assessed. Both mycotoxins reduced cell viability, however, combined treatment with DON and ZEA resulted in higher reduction of cell viability. DON (1 µM) induced primary DNA damage, while DON (1 µM) in combination with higher ZEA concentrations showed antagonistic effects compared to DON alone at 1 µM. DON arrested HepG2 cells in G2 phase and significantly inhibited cell proliferation, while ZEA had no significant effect on cell cycle. The combined treatment with DON and ZEA arrested cells in G2 phase to a higher extend compared to treatment with single mycotoxins. Potentiating effect observed after DON and ZEA co-exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations indicates that in risk assessment and setting governments’ regulations, mixtures of mycotoxins should be considered.
Keywords: mycotoxins, comet assay, flow cytometry, co-exposure, food monitoring
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 18; Downloads: 3
Full text (1,60 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure assessment among active daily commuters to induce behaviour change to reduce air pollutionAnja Ilenič, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, Nina Zupančič, Radmila Milačič, Janez Ščančar, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a detrimental urban air pollutant primarily emitted by traffic and biomass burning, poses disproportionately significant health risks at relatively limited exposure during commuting. Previous studies have mainly focused on fixed locations when assessing PM2.5 exposure, while neglecting pedestrians and cyclists, who often experience higher pollution levels. In response, this research aimed to independently validate the effectiveness of bicycle-mounted low-cost sensors (LCS) adopted by citizens, evaluate temporal and spatial PM2.5 exposure, and assess associated health risks in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The LCS quality assurance results, verified by co-location field tests by air quality monitoring stations (AQMS), showed comparable outcomes with an average percentage difference of 21.29 %, attributed to humidity-induced nucleation effects. The colder months exhibited the highest air pollution levels (μ = 32.31 μg/m3) due to frequent thermal inversions and weak wind circulation, hindering vertical air mixing and the adequate dispersion of pollutants. Additionally, PM2.5 levels in all sampling periods were lowest in the afternoon (μ = 12.09 μg/m3) and highest during the night (μ = 61.00 μg/m3) when the planetary boundary layer thins, leading to the trapping of pollutants near the surface, thus significantly affecting diurnal and seasonal patterns. Analysis of exposure factors revealed that cyclists were approximately three times more exposed than pedestrians. However, the toxicological risk assessment indicated a minimal potential risk of PM2.5 exposure. The collaborative integration of data from official AQMS and LCS can enhance evidence-based policy-making processes and facilitates the realignment of effective regulatory frameworks to reduce urban air pollution.
Keywords: air pollution monitoring, PM2.5 exposure, citizen science, bicycle-mounted low-cost sensors
Published in DiRROS: 30.01.2024; Views: 358; Downloads: 136
Full text (2,57 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. Defining the fire decay and the cooling phase of post-flashover compartment firesAndrea Lucherini, Jose L. Torero, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The current research study discusses and characterises the fire decay and cooling phase of post-flashover compartment fires, as they are often mixed up despite their important heat transfer differences. The two pha- ses are defined according to the fire heat release rate time-history. The fire decay represents the phase in which the fire heat release rate decreases from the ventilation- or fuel-limited steady-state value of the fully-developed phase to fire extinguishment. This phase is highly influenced by the fuel characteristics, ranging from fast decays for hydrocarbon and liquid fuels to slow decays for charring cellulosic fuels (wood). Once the fuel is consumed, the compartment volume enters the cooling phase, where the cooling in the gas-phase and solid-phase happens with significantly different modes and characteristic times. The thermal boundary conditions at the structural elements are then defined according to physical characteristics and dynamics within the compartment. The research study also underlines how the existing performance-based methodologies lack explicit definitions of the decay and cooling phases and the corresponding thermal boundary conditions for the design of fire-safe struc- tural elements under realistic fire conditions.
Keywords: razpadanje ognja, hlajenje, izgorevanje, naravna izpostavljenost ognju, dinamika požara, požari v oddelkih, požarno inženirstvo, učinkovitost, požarna varnost, fire decay, cooling, burnout, natural fire exposure, fire dynamics, compartment fires, structural fire engineering, performance-based, fire safety
Published in DiRROS: 13.11.2023; Views: 446; Downloads: 209
Full text (4,91 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
5. Monitoring the corrosion of steel in concrete exposed to a marine environmentNina Gartner, Tadeja Kosec, Andraž Legat, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Reinforced concrete structures require continuous monitoring and maintenance to prevent corrosion of the carbon steel reinforcement. In this work, concrete columns with carbon and stainless steel reinforcements were exposed to a real marine environment. In order to monitor the corrosion processes, two types of corrosion probes were embedded in these columns at different height levels. The results from the monitoring of the probes were compared to the actual corrosion damage in the different exposure zones. Electrical resistance (ER) probes and coupled multi-electrodes (CMEs) were shown to be promising methods for long-term corrosion monitoring in concrete. Correlations between the different exposure zones and the corrosion processes of the steel in the concrete were found. Macrocell corrosion properties and the distribution of the separated anodic/cathodic places on the steel in chloride-contaminated concrete were addressed as two of the key issues for understanding the corrosion mechanisms in such environments. The specific advantages and limitations of the tested measuring techniques for long-term corrosion monitoring were also indicated. The results of the measurements and the corrosion damage evaluation clearly confirmed that the tested stainless steels (AISI 304 and AISI 304L) in a chloride-contaminated environment behave significantly better than ordinary carbon steel, with corrosion rates from 110% to 9500% lower in the most severe (tidal) exposure conditions.
Keywords: corrosion in concrete, steel reinforcement, long-term exposure, field exposure, electrical resistance (ER) probes, coupled multi-electrodes
Published in DiRROS: 21.08.2023; Views: 402; Downloads: 202
Full text (4,42 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
6. The association between day-to-day stress experiences, recovery, and work engagement among office workers in academia : an Ecological Momentary Assessment studyLarissa Bolliger, Ellen Baele, Elena Colman, Gillian Debra, Junoš Lukan, Mitja Luštrek, Dirk De Bacquer, Els Clays, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the associations between day-to-day work-related stress exposures (i.e., job demands and lack of job control), job strain, and next-day work engagement among office workers in academic settings. Additionally, we assessed the influence of psychological detachment and relaxation on next-day work engagement and tested for interaction effects of these recovery variables on the relationship between work-related stressors and next-day work engagement. Methods. Office workers from two academic settings in Belgium and Slovenia were recruited. This study is based on an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) with a 15-working day data collection period using our self-developed STRAW smartphone application. Participants were asked repeatedly about their work-related stressors, work engagement, and recovery experiences. Fixed-effect model testing using random intercepts was applied to investigate within- and between-participant levels. Results. Our sample consisted of 55 participants and 2710 item measurements were analysed. A significant positive association was found between job control and next-day work engagement (β = 0.28, p < 0.001). Further, a significant negative association was found between job strain and next-day work engagement (β = −0.32, p = 0.05). Furthermore, relaxation was negatively associated with work engagement (β = −0.08, p = 0.03). Conclusions. This study confirmed previous results, such as higher job control being associated with higher work engagement and higher job strain predicting lower work engagement. An interesting result was the association of higher relaxation after the working day with a lower next-day work engagement. Further research investigating fluctuations in work-related stressors, work engagement, and recovery experiences is required.
Keywords: work-related stress, stress exposure, work engagement, office workers, academia
Published in DiRROS: 04.05.2023; Views: 482; Downloads: 216
Full text (734,96 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
7. Combined effects of early season leaf removal and climatic conditions on aroma precursors in Sauvignon blanc grapesPaolo Sivilotti, Branka Škvarč, Lorena Butinar, Melita Sternad Lemut, Klemen Lisjak, Andreja Vanzo, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Early leaf removal around the cluster zone is a common technique applied in cool climate viticulture, to regulate yield components and improve fruit quality. Despite the increasing amount of information on early leaf removal and its impact on total soluble solids, anthocyanins and polyphenols, less is known regarding aroma compounds. In order to verify the hypothesis that defoliation, applied before or after flowering, could impact the biosynthesis of thiol precursors, we performed a two year (2013 and 2014) experiment on Sauvignon blanc. We provided evidence that differential accumulation of thiols precursors in berries is affected by the timing of defoliation and this impact was related to modifications in biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, the possible interaction between leaf removal treatment and seasonal weather conditions, and its effect on the biosynthesis of volatile precursors are discussed. Our results suggested that in Sauvignon blanc the relative proportion of 4-S-glutathionyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (G-4MSP) and 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol (G-3SH) precursors can be affected by defoliation, and this could be related to the induction of two specific genes encoding glutathione-S-transferases (VvGST3 and VvGST5), while no significant effects on basic fruit chemical parameters, polyphenols and methoxypyrazines were ascertained under our experimental conditions.
Keywords: early leaf removal, cluster exposure, thiol precursors, methoxypyrazines, Vitis vinifera
Published in DiRROS: 06.09.2022; Views: 585; Downloads: 256
 Link to full text |
8. Emerging organic compounds in European groundwaterS. Y. Bunting, D. J. Lapworth, E. J. Crane, J. Grima-Olmedo, Anja Koroša, A. Kuczyńska, Nina Mali, L. Rosenqvist, M. E. van Vliet, A. Togola, B. Lopez, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: In Europe, emerging organic compounds (EOCs) in groundwater is a growing research area. Prioritisationfor monitoring EOCs in Europe was formalised in 2019 through the development of thefirst voluntarygroundwater watch list (GWWL). Despite this, groundwater occurrence data in the peer reviewedliterature for Europe has not been reviewed to date. Questions surrounding the effect, toxicity, move-ment in the subsurface and unsaturated zone make the process of regulating EOC use difficult. The aim inEurope is to develop a unified strategy for the classification, and prioritisation of EOCs to be monitored ingroundwater. This paper compiles evidence from the recent published studies from across Europe, since2012, when the last major literature global review of EOCs in groundwater took place. A total of 39studies were identified for review based on specific selection criteria (geography, publication date,sample size>10, inclusion of EOCs data). Data on specific compounds, and associated meta-data, arecompiled and reviewed. The two most frequently detected EOCs, carbamazepine and caffeine, occurredin groundwater at concentrations of up to 2.3 and 14.8mg/L, respectively.
Keywords: emerging organic chemicals, environmental exposure, groundwater contaminants, compounds of concern, groundwater hazards
Published in DiRROS: 13.01.2021; Views: 1643; Downloads: 724
Full text (1,90 MB) |
