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Tsai YY, Vazquez CI, Shiu RF, Garcia AK, Le C, Patel P, Sadqi M, Chin WC. Effects of Rock Dust Particles on Airway Mucus Viscosity. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-020-0236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Chen CS, Shiu RF, Hsieh YY, Xu C, Vazquez CI, Cui Y, Hsu IC, Quigg A, Santschi PH, Chin WC. Stickiness of extracellular polymeric substances on different surfaces via magnetic tweezers. Sci Total Environ 2021; 757:143766. [PMID: 33243507 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Organic particle dynamics in the surface ocean plays a critical part in the marine carbon cycle. Aggregation of marine organic particles drives their downward transport to support various marine organisms on their transit to the sediments. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from various microbes are a major contributor to the oceanic organic particle pool. The stickiness of EPS is expected to play a determining role in the aggregation process of particles; however, stickiness parameters are usually indirectly estimated through data fitting without direct assessment. Here a magnetic tweezer method was developed to quantitatively assess the stickiness of three model EPS produced by: Amphora sp., (diatom), Emiliania huxleyi (coccolithophore), and Sagittula stellata (bacteria), under different in vitro environmental conditions (salinity or EDTA complexed cations) and surface matrices (EPS-EPS and bare glass). Our results showed the stickiness of three microbial EPS decreasing for S. stellata > E. huxleyi > Amphora sp., in line with their decreasing protein-to-carbohydrate (P/C) ratios (related to their relative hydrophobicity). The data not only emphasize the importance of hydrophobicity on EPS stickiness, but also demonstrates that salinity and the nature of the substrate surface can influence the stickiness. Furthermore, we investigated stickiness between various types of EPS, and the observed selective stickiness of EPS between species may shed light on the interactions among heterogeneous marine microorganisms. Overall, this newly developed system provides a platform to assess the EPS stickiness to advance our understanding of the aggregation and sedimentation process of organic particles that are critical for the fate of organic carbon as well as for biofilm formation and microbial colonization of surfaces in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Shuo Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Feng Shiu
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Hsieh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Carlos I Vazquez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Yujia Cui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ian C Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Chin
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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Shiu RF, Vazquez CI, Chiang CY, Chiu MH, Chen CS, Ni CW, Gong GC, Quigg A, Santschi PH, Chin WC. Nano- and microplastics trigger secretion of protein-rich extracellular polymeric substances from phytoplankton. Sci Total Environ 2020; 748:141469. [PMID: 33113698 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The substantial increase in plastic pollution in marine ecosystems raises concerns about its adverse impacts on the microbial community. Microorganisms (bacteria, phytoplankton) are important producers of exopolymeric substances (EPS), which govern the processes of marine organic aggregate formation, microbial colonization, and pollutant mobility. Until now, the effects of nano- and micro-plastics on characteristics of EPS composition have received little attention. This study investigated EPS secretion by four phytoplankton species following exposure to various concentrations of polystyrene nano- and microplastics (55 nm nanoparticles; 1 and 6 μm microparticles). The 55 nm nanoparticles induced less growth/survival (determined on a DNA basis) and produced EPS with higher protein-to-carbohydrate (P/C) ratios than the exposure to microplastic particles. The amount of DNA from the four marine phytoplankton showed a higher negative linear correlation with increasing P/C ratios, especially in response to nanoplastic exposure. These results provide evidence that marine phytoplankton are quite sensitive to smaller-sized plastics and actively modify their EPS chemical composition to cope with the stress from pollution. Furthermore, the release of protein-rich EPS was found to facilitate aggregate formation and surface modification of plastic particles, thereby affecting their fate and colonization. Overall, this work offers new insights into the potential harm of different-sized plastic particles and a better understanding of the responding mechanism of marine phytoplankton for plastic pollution. The data also provide needed information about the fate of marine plastics and biogenic aggregation and scavenging processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruei-Feng Shiu
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Carlos I Vazquez
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Chang-Ying Chiang
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Meng-Hsuen Chiu
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; National Life Science, Inc., Sacramento, CA 95660, USA; Kaiser Biotech, Inc., Sacramento, CA 95660, USA
| | - Chi-Shuo Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Ni
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Gwo-Ching Gong
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Chin
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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Shiu RF, Vazquez CI, Tsai YY, Torres GV, Chen CS, Santschi PH, Quigg A, Chin WC. Nano-plastics induce aquatic particulate organic matter (microgels) formation. Sci Total Environ 2020; 706:135681. [PMID: 31780163 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The pervasive presence of plastic waste in the aquatic environment is widely viewed as one of the most serious environmental challenges for current and future generations. Microplastics ultimately degrade into nano and smaller-sizes. In turn, their biological and ecological impacts become more complicated and ambiguous. Nano-plastic particles travel from freshwater systems to estuarine and oceanic regions, during which they can interact with dissolved organic matter (DOM) to form microgels. Microgel formation is ubiquitous in aquatic systems, serving as a shunt between DOM and particulate organic matter (POM), as well as playing key roles in particle aggregation/sedimentation and pollutant transport. Currently the influences and mechanisms of the aggregation behavior and environmental fate of nano-plastics in different aquatic environments is poorly understood. Here, we report that 25 nm polystyrene nano-particles in lake and river water can promote POM (microgel) formation and accelerate the DOM-POM transition. We also adjusted various salinities of water samples to simulate scenarios based on plastic transport in waters flowing from rivers to seas. The results indicate polystyrene nanoparticles can interact with organic matter to form large organic particles, which may undergo further settling in response to specific salinity levels. Polystyrene-induced microgel formation appears to involve the hydrophobic interactions between plastics and DOM. Our data provides much needed information for modeling and understanding the retention and sedimentation of nano-plastics. We show that nano-plastics alter the DOM-POM shunt to cause unanticipated perturbations in the functionality of aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruei-Feng Shiu
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Carlos I Vazquez
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Yi-Yen Tsai
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Gabriela V Torres
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Chi-Shuo Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Marine Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Chin
- Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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Chiu MH, Vazquez CI, Shiu RF, Le C, Sanchez NR, Kagiri A, Garcia CA, Nguyen CH, Tsai SM, Zhang S, Xu C, Santschi PH, Quigg A, Chin WC. Impact of exposure of crude oil and dispersant (Corexit) on aggregation of extracellular polymeric substances. Sci Total Environ 2019; 657:1535-1542. [PMID: 30677919 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spilled oil treated with Corexit dispersant can cause unintended impacts on marine environment systems including altering marine organic matter dynamics; however, impacts on microgels and marine oil snow (MOS) formation are still debated and remain to be fully understood. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are a major source of marine organic carbon for MOS and microgel formation. EPS initial aggregation plays key roles in the oil degrading process and various biogeochemical reactions. Here we used four types of EPS with water accommodated fraction (WAF), chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF) and Corexit, to represent potential situations during oil spills and post-application of Corexit. We found that Corexit alone can inhibit EPS aggregation and disperse pre-existing microgels. CEWAF can enhance EPS aggregation with efficiency by up to 80%-100% and more aggregates accumulated within the air-water interface. Additionally, more hydrophobic EPS aggregates showed high resistance to Corexit dispersion while hydrophilic EPS were more sensitive. Effects of oil spills on marine gel particle formation are primarily determined by chemical characteristics (hydrophobicity and protein content) of the constituent EPS. This study offers unique insights for organic particle dynamics and identifies controlling factors for MOS or gel particles associated with oil spills and Corexit dispersant used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hsuen Chiu
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; National Life Science, Inc., Sacramento, CA 95660, USA; Kaiser Biotech, Inc., Sacramento, CA 95660, USA
| | - Carlos I Vazquez
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Ruei-Feng Shiu
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Clarence Le
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Nicole R Sanchez
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Agnes Kagiri
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Cynthia A Garcia
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Chanh H Nguyen
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Shih-Ming Tsai
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Saijin Zhang
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Chin
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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Javier RA, Yanos PT, Yussef M, Kirshenbaum S, Herron WG, Vazquez CI, Primavera LH. Methodological problems encountered in research with psychiatric inpatients: a case example. Bull Menninger Clin 1997; 61:520-31. [PMID: 9401154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this article, problems associated with several methods commonly employed in research with psychiatric inpatients are discussed and the implications that these problems have for the validity of research with this population are explored, using an investigation of the relationship between moral reasoning and aggression among psychiatric inpatients as a case example. Specific issues examined include the adequacy of hospital records for diagnosing patients, the difficulty of determining when it is appropriate to approach recently admitted patients for research, and problems in the measurement of behavioral and psychological variables such as aggression and moral reasoning. Suggestions and recommendations for addressing these issues in future research are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Javier
- Center for Psychological Services and Clinical Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York 11439, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Vazquez
- New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, New York 10016, USA
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Cancelmo JA, Millán F, Vazquez CI. Culture and symptomatology--the role of personal meaning in diagnosis and treatment: a case study. Am J Psychoanal 1990; 50:137-49. [PMID: 2221197 DOI: 10.1007/bf01250910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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