Biomarkers responses and polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their methoxylated analogs measured in Sparus aurata from the Lagoon of Bizerte, Tunisia.

This study aimed to the examination of the levels and effects of organobromine compounds (polybrominated diphenyl ethers: PBDEs and methoxylated brominated diphenyl ethers: MeO-PBDEs), in Sparus aurata native to the Lagoon of Bizerte. For that, different biomarkers of exposure (somatic indices, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities) and effect (malondialdehyde level, histopathologic alterations, and DNA damage) as well as pollutant levels were measured in specimens collected from this impacted ecosystem and the Mediterranean Sea as a reference site. Bizerte Lagoon PBDE fish levels were higher than the Mediterranean Sea, whereas MeO-PBDEs were higher in the reference site.

π-Donor/π-Acceptor Interactions for the Encapsulation of Neurotransmitters on Functionalized Polysilicon-Based Microparticles.

Bipyridinium salts, commonly known as viologens, are π-acceptor molecules that strongly interact with π-donor compounds, such as porphyrins or amino acids, leading their self-assembling. These properties have promoted us to functionalize polysilicon microparticles with bipyridinium salts for the encapsulation and release of π-donor compounds such as catecholamines and indolamines. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of four gemini-type amphiphilic bipyridinium salts (-), and their immobilization either non-covalently or covalently on polysilicon surfaces and microparticles have been achieved.

A test battery for assessing the ecotoxic effects of textile dyes.

The textile dyeing industry is one of the main sectors contributing to environmental pollution, due to the generation of large amounts of wastewater loaded with dyes (ca. 2-50% of the initial amount of dyes used in the dye baths is lost), causing severe impacts on human health and the environment. In this context, an ecotoxicity testing battery was used to assess the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of the textile dyes Direct Black 38 (DB38; azo dye) and Reactive Blue 15 (RB15; copper phthalocyanine dye) on different trophic levels.

Gemini pyridinium amphiphiles for the synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles for drug delivery.

Hypothesis: Gemini pyridinium-based amphiphiles can play a triple role as: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesis facilitator, particle stabilizer and anion recognition centre. The so formed nanoparticles should be able to bind and release anionic drugs.

Experiments: We describe (a) Synthesis, by a phase transfer method, of both new organic media and water soluble AuNPs using gemini-type surfactants based on bis-pyridinium salts as ligands, acting as transfer agents into organic media and also as nanoparticle stabilizers, (b) Examination of their stability in solution, (c) Chemical and physical characterization of the nanoparticles, (d) Toxicity data concerning both the bis-pyridinium ligands and the bis-pyridinium coated nanoparticles, and (e) Study of their ability for delivering anionic pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen and piroxicam.

Rhamnose-coated superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles: an evaluation of their in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.

Tumor recurrence after the incomplete removal of a tumor mass inside brain tissue is the main reason that scientists are working to identify new strategies in brain oncologic therapy. In particular, in the treatment of the most malignant astrocytic tumor glioblastoma, the use of magnetic nanoparticles seems to be one of the most promising keys in overcoming this problem, namely by means of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment. However, the major unknown issue related to the use of nanoparticles is their toxicological behavior when they are in contact with biological tissues.

Textile dyes induce toxicity on zebrafish early life stages.

Textile manufacturing is one of the most polluting industrial sectors because of the release of potentially toxic compounds, such as synthetic dyes, into the environment. Depending on the class of the dyes, their loss in wastewaters can range from 2% to 50% of the original dye concentration. Consequently, uncontrolled use of such dyes can negatively affect human health and the ecological balance.

The Comet Assay and its applications in the field of ecotoxicology: a mature tool that continues to expand its perspectives.

Since Singh and colleagues, in 1988, launched to the scientific community the alkaline Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) protocol, or Comet Assay, its uses and applications has been increasing. The thematic areas of its current employment in the evaluation of genetic toxicity are vast, either in vitro or in vivo, both in the laboratory and in the environment, terrestrial or aquatic. It has been applied to a wide range of experimental models: bacteria, fungi, cells culture, arthropods, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and humans.

Oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology biomarker responses in Mugil cephalus and Dicentrarchus labrax gill exposed to persistent pollutants. A field study in the Bizerte Lagoon: Tunisia.

The use of biomarkers has become an important tool for modern environmental assessment as they can help to predict pollutants involved in the monitoring program. Despite the importance of fish gill in several functions (gaseous exchange, osmotic and ionic regulation, acid-base balance and nitrogenous waste) its use in coastal water biomonitoring focusing on protection and damage is scarce. This field study investigates biochemical (catalase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation), molecular (DNA integrity) and morphological (histology) parameters in gill of mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and originating from Bizerte lagoon (a coastal lagoon impacted by different anthropogenic activities) and from the Mediterranean Sea (a reference site).

Critical factors to be considered when testing nanomaterials for genotoxicity with the comet assay.

The comet assay is widely used to test the genotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) but outcomes may vary when results from different laboratories, or even within one laboratory, are compared. We address some basic methodological considerations, such as the importance of carrying out physico-chemical characterisation of the ENMs in test-medium, performing uptake and cytotoxicity tests, and testing several genotoxicity-related endpoints. In this commentary, we discuss the different ways in which concentration of ENMs can be expressed, and stress the need to include appropriate controls and reference standards to monitor variation and avoid interference.

In vivo inflammatory effects of ceria nanoparticles on CD-1 mouse: evaluation by hematological, histological, and TEM analysis.

The attention on CeO2-NPs environmental and in vivo effects is due to their presence in diesel exhaust and in diesel filters that release a more water-soluble form of ceria NPs, as well as to their use for medical applications. In this work, acute and subacute in vivo toxicity assays demonstrate no lethal effect of these NPs. Anyhow, performing in vivo evaluations on CD-1 mouse systems, we demonstrate that it is even not correct to assert that ceria NPs are harmless for living systems as they can induce status of inflammation, revealed by hematological-chemical-clinical assays as well as histological and TEM microscope observations.

An integrated approach for detecting embryotoxicity and developmental toxicity of environmental contaminants using in vitro alternative methods.

The main available alternatives for testing embryotoxicity are cellular tests with stem cells and in vitro-ex vivo tests with embryos. In cellular tests, the most developed alternative is the embryonic stem cell test, while the most developed tests involving embryos are the zebrafish and whole embryo culture test. They are technically more complex than cellular tests, but offer the advantage of determining the expectable phenotypic alteration caused by the exposure.

Occurrence of patulin in organic and conventional apple-based food marketed in Catalonia and exposure assessment.

In the last years, consumption of organic foods has become increasingly popular. Nevertheless, safety of organic foods is still unclear, and needs to be thoroughly evaluated. Patulin is a mycotoxin mainly present in rotten apples and apple-based products.

Substituent effects on the biological properties of Zn-salophen complexes.

The synthesis, characterization, and luminescent properties of a series of 5,5'-X-substituted salophen ligands, X = OCH3, Br, and NO2, and the corresponding Zn(II) complexes are reported here. Their biological activity has been analyzed and related to the different Lewis acid character of the complexes. In vitro studies (AFM and absorption and emission titrations) show that the strongest interaction with free plasmid DNA is observed for 5,5'-dinitro-substituted Zinc-salophen complex 3b.

From Waste to Healing Biopolymers: Biomedical Applications of Bio-Collagenic Materials Extracted from Industrial Leather Residues in Wound Healing.

The biomedical properties of a porous bio-collagenic polymer extracted from leather industrial waste residues have been investigated in wound healing and tissue regeneration in induced wounds in rats. Application of the pure undiluted bio-collagen to induced wounds in rats dramatically improved its healing after 7 days in terms of collagen production and wound filling as well as in the migration and differentiation of keratinocytes. The formulation tested was found to be three times more effective than the commercial reference product Catrix (Heal Progress (HP): 8 ± 1.

Lysine-based surfactants in nanovesicle formulations: the role of cationic charge position and hydrophobicity in in vitro cytotoxicity and intracellular delivery.

Understanding nanomaterial interactions within cells is of increasing importance for assessing their toxicity and cellular transport. Here, the authors developed nanovesicles containing bioactive cationic lysine-based amphiphiles and assessed whether these cationic compounds increase the likelihood of intracellular delivery and modulate toxicity. Different cytotoxic responses were found among the formulations, depending on surfactant, cell line and endpoint assayed.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of ceria nanoparticles on different cell lines in vitro.

Owing to their radical scavenging and UV-filtering properties, ceria nanoparticles (CeO(2)-NPs) are currently used for various applications, including as catalysts in diesel particulate filters. Because of their ability to filter UV light, CeO(2)-NPs have garnered significant interest in the medical field and, consequently, are poised for use in various applications. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of short-term (24 h) and long-term (10 days) CeO(2)-NP exposure to A549, CaCo2 and HepG2 cell lines.

In vitro safety toxicology data for evaluation of gold nanoparticles-chronic cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and uptake.

Safety and toxic effects of nanoparticles are still largely unexplored due to the multiple aspects that influence their behaviour toward biological systems. Here, we focus the attention on 12 nm spherical gold nanoparticle coated or not with hyaluronic acid compared to its precursor counterpart salt. Results ranging from the effects of a 10-days exposure in an in vitro model with BALB/c 3T3 fibroblast cells show how 12 nm spherical gold nanoparticles are internalized from 3T3 cells by endo-lysosomal pathway by an indirect measurement technique; and how gold nanoparticles, though not being a severe cytotoxicant, induce DNA damage probably through an indirect mechanism due to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology biomarker responses in mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) liver from Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia).

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on oxidative stress, genotoxic and histopathologic biomarkers in liver of mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) collected from a polluted coastal lagoon (Bizerte Lagoon) in comparison to a reference site (the Mediterranean Sea). Antioxidant enzyme activities were lower in fish from the polluted site compared with fish from the reference site, suggesting deficiency of the antioxidant system to compensate for oxidative stress. DNA damage was higher in both fish species from the contaminated site indicating genotoxic effects.

Embryotoxicity of cobalt ferrite and gold nanoparticles: a first in vitro approach.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging as promising biomedical tools thanks to their peculiar characteristics. Our purpose was to investigate the embryotoxicity of cobalt ferrite and gold NPs through the Embryonic Stem Cell Test (EST). The EST is an in vitro standard assay, which permits to classify substances as strongly, weakly or non-embryotoxic.

Chronic exposure to MDMA (ecstasy) increases DNA damage in sperm and alters testes histopathology in male rats.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") is consumed mainly by young population. For this reason, it is especially relevant to take into consideration the effects on the reproductive system. The influence of MDMA on the fertility and reproduction of the male rat was assessed in this study.

Use of transduction proteins to target trabecular meshwork cells: outflow modulation by profilin I.

Purpose: Fusion proteins containing a protein transduction domain (PTD4) are able to cross biological membranes. We tested the applicability of the protein transduction method for study of the aqueous humor trabecular outflow pathway by targeting the actin cytoskeleton, which is known to be involved in outflow facility regulation.

Methods: Expression vectors useful for generating fusion proteins with the PTD4 domain and the actin-binding protein Profilin I were constructed.