Immunotoxicity of stainless-steel nanoparticles obtained after 3D printing.

This study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of nanoparticles (NPs) produced during the selective laser melting (SLM) of 316 L stainless steel metal powder on the immune response in a human blood model. Experimental data did not reveal effect on viability of 316 L NPs for the tested doses. Functional immune assays showed a significant immunosuppressive effect of NPs.

Alteration of Hordeum vulgare and Sinapis alba germination and early growth in response to airborne low-metallic automotive brake wear debris.

Road transportation significantly contributes to environmental pollution, both in terms of exhaust and non-exhaust (brake wear) emissions. As was proven, brake wear debris is released in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and compositions. Although studies confirming the possible adverse health and environmental impact of brake wear debris were published, there is no standardized methodology for their toxicity testing, and most studies focus only on one type of brake pad and/or one test.

Microplastics and additives in patients with preterm birth: The first evidence of their presence in both human amniotic fluid and placenta.

Considering the well documented, almost ubiquitous nature of microplastics in different environments, the exposure of pregnant women to microplastics may pose risks to the unborn children. The study focused on investigating the presence of microplastics in amniotic fluid and placenta, and brings the first evidence of the simultaneous presence of microplastics and additives in both human amniotic fluid and placentas. In total, 20 samples of amniotic fluid and placenta from 10 patients were analyzed for the presence of microplastics and plastic additives by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) after alkaline digestion with KOH.

Simple method for quantification of metal-based particles in biopsy samples of patients with long bone implants - Pilot study.

The presence of particles fixed in tissue samples due to implant degradation or disintegration plays an important role in post-operative complications. The ability to determine the size, shape, chemical composition and, above all, the number of these particles can be used in many areas of medicine. This study presents a novel, simple metal-based particle detection method using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS).

Solid Anorganic Particles and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Histopathology Study.

Although extensive research has shown the pathological effect of fine and ultrafine airborne particles, clear evidence of association of environmental exposure to them and inflammatory changes in human nasal mucosa is missing. Meanwhile, pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis, despite being a disease with high prevalence in the population, is still unclear. The increasing evidence of the pro-inflammatory properties of these particles raises the question of their possible role in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Traffic pollution tracers in the lymphatic system tissue of children-possible link to chronic tonsillitis development: pilot study.

The origin of metal elements in tonsillar tissues of children patients was investigated in order to establish the link between environmental pollution and tonsilitis diagnosis. The children lived either in a polluted, industrial region (Moravian-Silesian Region, North-East Czechia) or a clean, predominantly agricultural region (South Bohemian Region, South-East Czechia). Simultaneously, the distance of the address of the patients to the closest main road was assessed.

Identification of the phase composition of solid microparticles in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis using Raman microspectroscopy.

Solid particles, predominantly in micron and submicron sizes, have repeatedly been observed as a threat to a human health unique compared to the other textures of the same materials. In this work, the hypothesis the solid metal-based particles play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was investigated in patients who had not responded positively to medication. In the group of 40 randomly selected patients indicated for surgical mucotomy, the presence of solid micro- and submicron particles present in their nasal mucosa was assessed.

Size-resolved, quantitative evaluation of the magnetic mineralogy of airborne brake-wear particulate emissions.

Exposure to particulate air pollution has been associated with a variety of respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological problems, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Brake-wear emissions are one of the major sources of metal-rich airborne particulate pollution in roadside environments. Of potentially bioreactive metals, Fe (especially in its ferrous form, Fe) might play a specific role in both neurological and cardiovascular impairments.

Source apportionment of magnetite particles in roadside airborne particulate matter.

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurological problems. Magnetite, a mixed Fe/Fe oxide, is ubiquitous and abundant in PM in urban environments, and might play a specific role in both neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease. We collected samples of vehicle exhaust emissions, and of heavily-trafficked roadside and urban background dusts from Lancaster and Birmingham, U.

Metal particles in mucus and hypertrophic tissue of the inferior nasal turbinates from the human upper respiratory tract.

Mucosal surfaces are the first mechanical barrier preventing the entry of foreign particles into the organism. The study addresses the detection and analysis of metal-based solid particles in cytological mucus samples from the surface of human hypertrophic tissue in the inferior nasal turbinates in patients diagnosed with chronic rhinitis. Solid particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy; all the biological samples were also subjected to vibration magnetometry.

Synthesis and Characterization of Erbium Oxide Nanocrystallites.

The present article describes a method of the preparation of erbium oxide nanocrystallites (nano Er₂O₃) via thermal decomposition of a transient complex formed from Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O and glycine. Decomposition of the complex occurred at about of (250±10) °C. Ultra-fine light pink powder of erbium oxide nanocrystallites was obtained via this method.

Determination of Oxidative Potential Caused by Brake Wear Debris in Non-Cellular Systems.

Wear debris from automotive brake systems represents a major source of non-exhaust emissions from road traffic and its production increases with number of cars worldwide. However, impact of brake wear debris on the environment and organisms is still not clear. One of the most possible ways by which these particles may affect living organisms is oxidative stress.

Detection of Micron and Submicron Particles in Human Bronchogenic Carcinomas.

Metal based particles were detected in pulmonary tumor tissue samples and reference lung tissue samples (lung tissue without carcinoma) by Raman microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Many of these particles were in the size below 1 m. Using scanning electron microscopy, particles based on iron were found in the majority of samples.

Settled iron-based road dust and its characteristics and possible association with detection in human tissues.

Settled road dust was examined to detect the presence of non-airborne submicron and nano-sized iron-based particles and to characterize these particles. Samples were collected from a road surface near a busy road junction in the city of Ostrava, Czech Republic, once a month from March to October. The eight collected samples were subjected to a combination of experimental techniques including elemental analysis, Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and magnetometry.

Biological response of an in vitro human 3D lung cell model exposed to brake wear debris varies based on brake pad formulation.

Wear particles from automotive friction brake pads of various sizes, morphology, and chemical composition are significant contributors towards particulate matter. Knowledge concerning the potential adverse effects following inhalation exposure to brake wear debris is limited. Our aim was, therefore, to generate brake wear particles released from commercial low-metallic and non-asbestos organic automotive brake pads used in mid-size passenger cars by a full-scale brake dynamometer with an environmental chamber simulating urban driving and to deduce their potential hazard in vitro.

Toxicity and mutagenicity of low-metallic automotive brake pad materials.

Organic friction materials are standardly used in brakes of small planes, railroad vehicles, trucks and passenger cars. The growing transportation sector requires a better understanding of the negative impact related to the release of potentially hazardous materials into the environment. This includes brakes which can release enormous quantities of wear particulates.

Automotive airborne brake wear debris nanoparticles and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes: A pilot study.

Motor vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust processes play a significant role in environmental pollution, as they are a source of the finest particulate matter. Emissions from non-exhaust processes include wear-products of brakes, tires, automotive hardware, road surface, and traffic signs, but still are paid little attention to. Automotive friction composites for brake pads are composite materials which may consist of potentially hazardous materials and there is a lack of information regarding the potential influence of the brake wear debris (BWD) on the environment, especially on human health.

Oxidative stress markers are elevated in exhaled breath condensate of workers exposed to nanoparticles during iron oxide pigment production.

Markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were analysed in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine samples of 14 workers (mean age 43  ±  7 years) exposed to iron oxide aerosol for an average of 10  ±  4 years and 14 controls (mean age 39  ±  4 years) by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) after solid-phase extraction. Aerosol exposure in the workplace was measured by particle size spectrometers, a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), and by aerosol concentration monitors, P-TRAK and DustTRAK DRX. Total aerosol concentrations in workplace locations varied greatly in both time and space.

ZnO/graphite composites and its antibacterial activity at different conditions.

The paper reports laboratory preparation, characterization and in vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of ZnO/graphite nanocomposites. Zinc chloride and sodium carbonate served as precursors for synthesis of zinc oxide, while micromilled and natural graphite were used as the matrix for ZnO nanoparticles anchoring. During the reaction of ZnCl2 with saturated aqueous solution of Na2CO3a new compound is created.

Raman microspectroscopy of exhaled breath condensate and urine in workers exposed to fine and nano TiO2 particles: a cross-sectional study.

The health effects of engineered nanoparticles in humans are not well-understood; however experimental data support the theory of oxidative stress promoting fibrogenesis and carcinogenicity. The aim of this study was to detect TiO2 particles in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine samples to ascertain their presence and potential persistence and excretion in urine.EBC and urine samples were collected from 20 workers exposed to TiO2 aerosol; among them, 16 had a higher risk level of exposure (production workers) and four had medium risk level (research workers); in addition to 20 controls.

Micro- and Nanosized Particles in Nasal Mucosa: A Pilot Study.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate presence and quantity of micro- and nanosized particles (NPs) and interindividual differences in their distribution and composition in nasal mucosa.

Methods: Six samples of nasal mucosa obtained by mucotomy from patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinosinusitis were examined. Samples divided into 4 parts according to the distance from the nostrils were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy to detect solid particles and characterize their morphology and composition.

Preparation, characterization and antibacterial properties of ZnO/kaoline nanocomposites.

This paper describes laboratory preparation, characterization and antibacterial activity testing of ZnO/kaoline composites. ZnO/kaoline composites with 50 wt.% of ZnO were laboratory prepared, dried at 105 °C and calcined at 500 °C.

Iron-based granules in body of bumblebees.

The paper deals with the presence of iron-based granules in body parts of bumblebees. Two groups of bumblebees were collected from their natural habitat, industrial landscape, and from a breeding station. Detection of the magnetic particles was performed by a vibratory magnetometer and their morphology and elemental composition was analysed by scanning electron microscopy with EDX microanalysis.