Pesticides in sediments from Magdalena River, Colombia, are linked to reproductive toxicity on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Pesticides are prevalent pollutants found in river sediments in agricultural regions worldwide, leading to environmental pollution and toxic effects on biota. In this study, twenty sediment samples were collected from the Magdalena River in Colombia and analyzed for forty pesticides. Methanolic extracts of the sediments were used to expose Caenorhabditis elegans for 24 h, evaluating the effects on its reproduction.

Potential of Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipes for the phytoremediation of water contaminated with Nickel (II).

Phytoextraction of Nickel (II) in water by two types of aquatic macrophytes (Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipes) was investigated using synthetic aqueous solutions of NiSO at concentrations of 0.5, 1.5 and 2.

Vaccines platforms and COVID-19: what you need to know.

Background: The novel SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is the third zoonotic coronavirus since the beginning of the 21 first century, and it has taken more than 6 million human lives because of the lack of immunity causing global economic losses. Consequently, developing a vaccine against the virus represents the fastest way to finish the threat and regain some "normality."

Objective: Here, we provide information about the main features of the most important vaccine platforms, some of them already approved, to clear common doubts fostered by widespread misinformation and to reassure the public of the safety of the vaccination process and the different alternatives presented.

Application of zinc oxide nanoparticles to promote remediation of nickel by Sorghum bicolor: metal ecotoxic potency and plant response.

Nickel (Ni) is one of the most toxic metals in human health. Its bioaccumulation in gluten-free crops limits the progressing demand of safe foods for allergic people to gluten. Nanoparticles have shown promising results in enhancing the crop yield and reducing the risk of heavy metal uptake.

Metal- and metal/oxide-based engineered nanoparticles and nanostructures: a review on the applications, nanotoxicological effects, and risk control strategies.

The production and demand of nanoparticles in the manufacturing sector and personal care products, release a large number of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the atmosphere, aquatic ecosystems, and terrestrial environments. The intentional or involuntary incorporation of ENPs into the environment is carried out through different processes. The ENPs are combined with other compounds and release into the atmosphere, settling on the ground due to the water cycle or other atmospheric phenomena.

Dried blood spots to characterize mercury speciation and exposure in a Colombian artisanal and small-scale gold mining community.

The artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector uses the most mercury (Hg) worldwide. Despite health concerns associated with high Hg exposures in these communities, ASGM sites are often situated in resource limited and remote regions which challenge traditional human biomonitoring approaches. To help overcome such challenges, here we report on the development of a high-quality method to characterize chemical speciation of Hg in dried blood spots (DBS), and then apply this method to assess Hg exposures in people sampled from an ASGM community (Pueblito Mejia) and a nearby town (Barranco de Loba) in Colombia.

Toxic Effects of Bisphenol A, Propyl Paraben, and Triclosan on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous plasticizer which is absorbed by ingestion and dermal contact; propyl paraben (PPB) inhibits the microbiome and extends the shelf life of many personal care products, whereas triclosan (TCS) is commonly found in antiseptics, disinfectants, or additives. In this work, was used as a biological model to assess the toxic effects of BPA, PPB, and TCS. The wild type strain, Bristol N2, was used in bioassays with the endpoints of lethality, growth, and reproduction; green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic strains with the , , , , , , , , and genes were evaluated for their mRNA expression through fluorescence measurement; and quick Oil Red O (q ORO) was utilized to stain lipid deposits.

Toxicity of atrazine- and glyphosate-based formulations on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Atrazine and Glyphosate are herbicides massively used in agriculture for crop protection. Upon application, they are available to the biota in different ecosystems. The aim of this research was to evaluate the toxicity of Glyphosate and Atrazine based formulations (GBF and ABF, respectively).

Toxicity profile of organic extracts from Magdalena River sediments.

The Magdalena River, the main river of Colombia, receives contaminated effluents from different anthropogenic activities along its path. However, the Magdalena River is used as drinking water source for approximately 30 million inhabitants, as well as a major source of fish for human consumption. Only a few studies have been conducted to evaluate the environmental and toxicological quality of the Magdalena River.

Pollution by metals and toxicity assessment using Caenorhabditis elegans in sediments from the Magdalena River, Colombia.

The Magdalena River is the most important river in Colombia, supplying over 70% of the population of fish and drinking water, and it also is the main river transportation way of the country. It receives effluents from multiple sources along its course such as contaminant agricultural and industrial discharges. To evaluate the toxicity profile of Magdalena River sediments through endpoints such as survival, locomotion, and growth, wild type strains of Caenorhabditis elegans were exposed to aqueous extracts of the sediments.

Caenorhabditis elegans, a Biological Model for Research in Toxicology.

Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode of microscopic size which, due to its biological characteristics, has been used since the 1970s as a model for research in molecular biology, medicine, pharmacology, and toxicology. It was the first animal whose genome was completely sequenced and has played a key role in the understanding of apoptosis and RNA interference. The transparency of its body, short lifespan, ability to self-fertilize and ease of culture are advantages that make it ideal as a model in toxicology.