Assessment of atmospheric pollution by potentially toxic elements in the urban areas of the Riotinto mining district.

Ore mineralizations in bedrock and their exploitation may have a negative impact on air quality of surrounding urban areas and, subsequently, on human health. This study uses lichens as bioindicators of atmospheric pollution to evaluate the spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the towns close to the massive sulfide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) in SW Spain. Altogether 89 native lichen samples of Xanthoria parietina were collected from the mining towns, control towns out of the reach of the mining activity, as well as from distal sampling sites.

Bacteria-Carried Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Treatment of Anemia.

The efficiency of maghemite nanoparticles for the treatment of anemia was sensibly higher when nanoparticles were incorporated onto the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum (MNP-bacteria) than when administrated as uncoated nanoparticles (MNP). Plasma iron and hemoglobin, intestine expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and duodenal Cytochrome b (DcytB), as well as hepatic expression of the hormone hepcidin were fully restored to healthy levels after administration of MNP-bacteria but not of MNP. A magnetic study on biodistribution and biodegradation showed accumulation of maghemite nanoparticles in intestine lumen when MNP-bacteria were administrated.

Magnetic study on biodistribution and biodegradation of oral magnetic nanostructures in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

We have undertaken a magnetic study on the oral biodistribution and biodegradation of nude maghemite nanoparticles of 10 nm average size (MNP) and probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus fermentum, containing thousands of these same nanoparticles (MNP-bacteria). Using AC magnetic susceptibility measurements of the stomach, small intestine, cecum and large intestine obtained after rat sacrifice, and iron content determination by ICP-OES, we have monitored the biodistribution and biodegradation of the maghemite nanoparticles along the gastrointestinal tract, after oral administration of both MNP and MNP-bacteria. The results revealed that the amount of magnetic nanoparticles accumulated in intestines is sensibly higher when MNP-bacteria were administered, in comparison with MNP.