Nanoplastics as competitors of natural colloids in the environment: The case of gadolinium complexes.

This study investigates whether nanoplastics are significant contributor of rare earth elements (Gd) transportation under environmental conditions. Important effects of nanoplastic concentration, Gd concentration, complexation with organic ligands, pH, ionic strength and occurrence of natural colloids competitor were studied thanks to an experimental design combining incubation follow by ultrafiltration and ICPMS analyses. In particular, we observed that even in sea water, about half of the gadolinium can be adsorbed on nanoplastics.

Use of H-labeled nanoplastics to study their accumulation and toxicity in Daphniamagna.

Understanding the interactions between nanoplastics (NP) and biota is essential for risk assessment. However, NP quantification in complex matrices remains a challenge, especially when they are not labeled. Most labeling strategies consists in adding another compound (fluorophore, metal, lanthanide …) to the polymer, which can alter the NP properties and poses a risk of leaching phenomena.

Multielement analysis of single red blood cells by single cell - inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for the analysis of essential metals (Fe, Cu, Mg, and Zn) and non-metals (P, S) in single red blood cells was developed by single cell (SC)-ICP-MS. The use of a triple quadrupole configuration (MS/MS) enabled an effective elimination of polyatomic interferences, which affect the accuracy of ICP-MS analysis using a single quadrupole mass analyzer. Fixation with glutaraldehyde for at least 90 days was developed to improve the quantification of elements in a single red blood cell.

Study of the Stability, Uptake and Transformations of Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles in a Model Plant by Means of an Optimised Single Particle ICP-MS/MS Method.

In the context of the widespread distribution of zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) in the environment and its possible exposure to many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, this study investigates the effects, uptake, bioaccumulation, localisation and possible transformations of nZVI in two different forms (aqueous dispersion-Nanofer 25S and air-stable powder-Nanofer STAR) in a model plant-. Seedlings exposed to Nanofer STAR displayed symptoms of toxicity, including chlorosis and reduced growth. At the tissue and cellular level, the exposure to Nanofer STAR induced a strong accumulation of Fe in the root intercellular spaces and in Fe-rich granules in pollen grains.

Study of metal and organic contaminants transported by microplastics in the Lebanese coastal environment using ICP MS, GC-MS, and LC-MS.

An untargeted study of multiclass contaminants associated with microplastics (MPs) in the East Mediterranean was carried out. Samples were collected in 2020-2021 from the shoreline at 14 different locations, along the Lebanese coast. Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy showed the predominant presence of polyethylene and polypropylene among plastic debris.

A green and fast microwave-assisted synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their characterization under gastrointestinal conditions using mass spectrometry.

We present a novel microwave-assisted green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using yeast extract as source of a non-toxic reducing and capping agents. Effects of synthesis and gastrointestinal digestion conditions on the biogenic Se particle size distribution and number concentration using SP ICP MS were evaluated. The median equivalent diameter of SeNPs varied depending on the synthesis conditions.

Trace metal sorption on nanoplastics: An innovative analytical approach combining surface analysis and mass spectrometry techniques.

The mass and volume concentration of nanoplastics is extremely low, but incredibly high in terms of surface area; this is expected to increase their toxicity through the ab/adsorption and transport of chemical co-pollutants such as trace metals. In this context, we studied the interactions between nanoplastics model materials functionalized with carboxylated groups, with either smooth or raspberry-like surface morphologies, and copper as representative of trace metals. For this purpose, a new methodology, using two complementary surface analysis techniques: Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was developed.

Comprehensive Speciation Analysis of Residual Gadolinium in Deep Cerebellar Nuclei in Rats Repeatedly Administered With Gadoterate Meglumine or Gadodiamide.

Purpose: Several preclinical studies have reported the presence of gadolinium (Gd) in different chemical forms in the brain, depending on the class (macrocyclic versus linear) of Gd-based contrast agent (GBCA) administered. The aim of this study was to identify, with a special focus on insoluble species, the speciation of Gd retained in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of rats administered repeatedly with gadoterate or gadodiamide 4 months after the last injection.

Methods: Three groups (N = 6/group) of healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats (SPF/OFA rats; Charles River, L'Arbresle, France) received a cumulated dose of 50 mmol/kg (4 daily intravenous administrations of 2.

Nanoplastic Labelling with Metal Probes: Analytical Strategies for Their Sensitive Detection and Quantification by ICP Mass Spectrometry.

The detection and quantification of nanoplastics in aquatic environments is one of the major challenges in environmental and analytical research nowadays. The use of common analytical techniques for this purpose is not only hampered by the size of nanoplastics, but also because they are mainly made of carbon. In addition, the expected concentrations in environmental samples are below the detection limit of the majority of analytical techniques.

A Novel Strategy for the Detection and Quantification of Nanoplastics by Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

A method for the detection and quantification of nanoplastics (NPTs) at environmentally relevant concentrations was developed. It is based on conjugating nanoplastics with functionalized metal (Au)-containing nanoparticles (NPs), thus making them detectable by highly sensitive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operated in single particle (SP) mode. The selectivity of the method was achieved by the coupling of negatively charged carboxylate groups present at the surface of nanoplastics with a positively charged gelatin attached to the custom-synthesized AuNPs.

To-Do and Not-To-Do in Model Studies of the Uptake, Fate and Metabolism of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles in Plants.

Due to the increasing release of metal-containing nanoparticles into the environment, the investigation of their interactions with plants has become a hot topic for many research fields. However, the obtention of reliable data requires a careful design of experimental model studies. The behavior of nanoparticles has to be comprehensively investigated; their stability in growth media, bioaccumulation and characterization of their physicochemical forms taken-up by plants, identification of the species created following their dissolution/oxidation, and finally, their localization within plant tissues.

Metabolic Response of the Yeast During Enrichment in Selenium.

Selenium (Se) was found to inhibit the growth of the yeast ATCC 9950. Cells cultured in 30 mg selenite/L supplemented medium could bind 1368 µg Se/g of dry weight in their structures. Increased accumulation of trehalose and glycogen was observed, which indicated cell response to stress conditions.

Nickel Nanoparticles Induce the Synthesis of a Tumor-Related Polypeptide in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.

Although nickel allergy and carcinogenicity are well known, their molecular mechanisms are still uncertain, thus demanding studies at the molecular level. The nickel carcinogenicity is known to be dependent on the chemical form of nickel, since only certain nickel compounds can enter the cell. This study investigates, for the first time, the cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and molecular targets of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) in human skin cells in comparison with other chemical forms of nickel.

Occurrence of Cerium-, Titanium-, and Silver-Bearing Nanoparticles in the Besòs and Ebro Rivers.

The presence of anthropogenic nanoparticles (NPs) in the aquatic environment has become an emerging concern in terms of environmental and health safety. In the present study, we assessed the presence of Ag-bearing, Ti-bearing, and Ce-bearing NPs in the Barcelona catchment area, including the Besòs River basin and the Barcelona coast, and in the Ebro River Delta, using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS). Ti-NPs and Ce-NPs were ubiquitously detected in surface waters, and their presence was related to a high natural background.

Uptake, translocation, size characterization and localization of cerium oxide nanoparticles in radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, the production and use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO NPs) in different areas, especially in automotive industry, is rapidly increasing, causing their presence in the environment. Released CeO NPs can undergo different transformations and interact with the soil and hence with plants, providing a potential pathway for human exposure and leading to serious concerns about their impact on the ecosystem and human organism. This study investigates the uptake, bioaccumulation, possible translocation and localization of CeO NPs in a model plant (Raphanus sativus L.

New Frontiers of Metallomics: Elemental and Species-Specific Analysis and Imaging of Single Cells.

Single cells represent the basic building units of life, and thus their study is one the most important areas of research. However, classical analysis of biological cells eludes the investigation of cell-to-cell differences to obtain information about the intracellular distribution since it only provides information by averaging over a huge number of cells. For this reason, chemical analysis of single cells is an expanding area of research nowadays.

Study of the uptake and bioaccumulation of palladium nanoparticles by Sinapis alba using single particle ICP-MS.

In recent years, increased palladium content has been found in the environment, due to its wide use in various fields, especially as catalytic converters. Palladium can be emitted as a range of soluble and insoluble compounds and in the form of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). The level of toxicity is equally dependent on concentration and form of palladium and hence, it is important to determine not only the total content of this element, but also its forms of occurrence.

Analytical approaches for the characterization of nickel proteome.

The use of nickel in modern industry and in consumer products implies some health problems for the human being. Nickel allergy and nickel carcinogenicity are well-known health effects related to human exposure to nickel, either during production of nickel-containing products or by direct contact with the final item. In this context, the study of nickel toxicity and nickel carcinogenicity involves the understanding of their molecular mechanisms and hence the characterization of the nickel-binding proteins in different biological samples.

Silver nanoparticle behaviour in lake water depends on their surface coating.

The present study examines the stability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of three different coatings - citrate (CIT), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and lipoic acid (LIP) and two sizes - 20 and 50nm in lake water (LW) over time. Using a combination of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS), the influence of size, surface coating, exposure time, as well as the presence and nature of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the transformation of AgNPs at low environmental concentrations was thoroughly investigated. The results revealed that the AgNP stability in lake water are complex interplay between the surface coating characteristics, exposure time and presence and nature of DOM.

A Multimethod Approach for Investigating Algal Toxicity of Platinum Nanoparticles.

The ecotoxicity of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) widely used in for example automotive catalytic converters, is largely unknown. This study employs various characterization techniques and toxicity end points to investigate PtNP toxicity toward the green microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Growth rate inhibition occurred in standard ISO tests (EC values of 15-200 mg Pt/L), but also in a double-vial setup, separating cells from PtNPs, thus demonstrating shading as an important artifact for PtNP toxicity.

An insight into silver nanoparticles bioavailability in rats.

A comprehensive study of the bioavailability of orally administered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using a rat model. The silver uptake was monitored in liver and kidney tissues, as well as in urine and in feces. Significant accumulation of silver was found in both organs, the liver being the principal target of AgNPs.

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a powerful tool for nanoanalysis.

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is an emergent ICPMS method for detecting, characterizing, and quantifying nanoparticles. Although the number of applications reported to date is limited, the relatively simple instrumental requirements, the low number concentration detection levels attainable, and the possibility to detect both the presence of dissolved and particulate forms of an element make this methodology very promising in the nanoscience related areas.