Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are used in a wide range of applications. Although inhalation of NPs is one of the most important toxicologically relevant routes, experimental studies on potential harmful effects of TiO NPs using a whole-body inhalation chamber model are rare. In this study, the profile of lymphocyte markers, functional immunoassays, and antioxidant defense markers were analyzed to evaluate the potential adverse effects of seven-week inhalation exposure to two different concentrations of TiO NPs (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Inhalation of lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs), which are emitted to the environment by high-temperature technological processes, heavily impairs target organs. These nanoparticles pass through the lung barrier and are distributed via the blood into secondary target organs, where they cause numerous pathological alterations. Here, we studied in detail, macrophages as specialized cells involved in the innate and adaptive immune response in selected target organs to unravel their potential involvement in reaction to subchronic PbO NP inhalation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCopper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are increasingly used in various industry sectors. Moreover, medical application of CuO NPs as antimicrobials also contributes to human exposure. Their toxicity, including toxicity to the immune system and blood, raises concerns, while information on their immunotoxicity is still very limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA total of 152 aerosol and spider web samples were collected: 96 spider's webs in karst areas in 4 European countries (Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia), specifically from the surface environment ( = 44), photic zones of caves ( = 26), and inside (aphotic zones) of caves ( = 26), 56 Particulate Matter (PM) samples from the Cave System (speleotherapy facility; = 21) and from aerosol collected from the nearby city of ( = 35) in the Czech Republic. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were isolated from 13 (13.5%) spider's webs: 5 isolates of saprophytic NTM (, , , and complex) and 6 isolates of potentially pathogenic NTM ( ssp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA sensitive and fast method for simultaneous determination of gaseous ammonia (NH) and particulate ammonium (NH) in ambient air is presented. NH is sampled in a cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder (CWEDD) and analyzed online by a continuous flow system with a fluorescence detector (FLD), while NH bound to aerosol particles is sampled in parallel by a condensation growth unit-the aerosol counterflow two-jet unit (CGU-ACTJU) sampler-and analyzed online with another FLD. The sensitive fluorescence detection of ammonium in concentrates of the CWEDD and the ACTJU is based on its reaction with -phthaldialdehyde and sulfite to form isoindol-1-sulfonate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe inhalation of metal (including lead) nanoparticles poses a real health issue to people and animals living in polluted and/or industrial areas. In this study, we exposed mice to lead(II) nitrate nanoparticles [Pb(NO) NPs], which represent a highly soluble form of lead, by inhalation. We aimed to uncover the effects of their exposure on individual target organs and to reveal potential variability in the lead clearance.
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