Cytotoxicity assessment of HDPE microplastic on Tetrahymena thermophila (Protozoa, Ciliate): Assuring quality and FAIR data.

Microplastics is recognized as an emerging pollutant and adapting and harmonizing existing test methods is essential to advancing research. The aim of our work was to provide a case study on how to ensure quality and FAIR data in the assessment of microplastic hazards with the unicellular organism Tetrahymena thermophila (Protozoa, Ciliata). We selected high density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics as a model material.

Development of a one-pot synthesis of rGO in water by optimizing Tour's method parameters.

Since its first synthesis in 2004, graphene has been widely studied and several different synthesis methods has been developed. Solvent exfoliation of graphite and the reduction of graphene oxide previously obtained through graphite oxidation are the most employed. In this work, we exploited synthesis conditions of a method usually employed for obtaining graphene oxide (the Tour's method) for directly obtaining a very poorly oxidised material with characteristics like reduced graphene oxide.

A template wizard for the cocreation of machine-readable data-reporting to harmonize the evaluation of (nano)materials.

Making research data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) is typically hampered by a lack of skills in technical aspects of data management by data generators and a lack of resources. We developed a Template Wizard for researchers to easily create templates suitable for consistently capturing data and metadata from their experiments. The templates are easy to use and enable the compilation of machine-readable metadata to accompany data generation and align them to existing community standards and databases, such as eNanoMapper, streamlining the adoption of the FAIR principles.

Knowledge, Information, and Data Readiness Levels (KaRLs) for Risk Assessment, Communication, and Governance of Nano-, New, and Other Advanced Materials.

The obvious benefits derived from the increasing use of engineered nano-, new, and advanced materials and associated products have to be weighed out by a governance process against their possible risks. Differences in risk perception (beliefs about potential harm) among stakeholders, in particular nonscientists, and low transparency of the underlying decision processes can lead to a lack of support and acceptance of nano-, new, and other advanced material enabled products. To integrate scientific outcomes with stakeholders needs, this work develops a new approach comprising a nine-level, stepwise categorization and guidance system entitled "Knowledge, Information, and Data Readiness Levels" (KaRLs), analogous to the NASA Technology Readiness Levels.

Antibacterial and degradation properties of dialdehyded and aminohexamethylated nanocelluloses.

Dialdehyde cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared via periodate oxidation (CNF/CNC-ox) and subsequently functionalized with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) via a Schiff-base reaction, resulting in partially crosslinked micro-sized (0.5-10 μm) particles (CNF/CNC-ox-HMDA) with an aggregation and sedimentation tendency in an aqueous media, as assessed by Dynamic Light Scattering and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The antibacterial efficacy, aquatic in vivo (to Daphnia magna) and human in vitro (to A594 lung cells) toxicities, and degradation profiles in composting soil of all forms of CNF/CNC were assessed to define their safety profile.

Toxicokinetics of Ag from AgS NP exposure in Tenebrio molitor and Porcellio scaber: Comparing single-species tests to indoor mesocosm experiments.

Determining the potential for accumulation of Ag from AgS NPs as an environmentally relevant form of AgNPs in different terrestrial organisms is an essential component of a realistic risk assessment of AgNP emissions to soils. The objectives of this study were first to determine the uptake kinetics of Ag in mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and woodlice (Porcellio scaber) exposed to AgS NPs in a mesocosm test, and second, to check if the obtained toxicokinetics could be predicted by single-species bioaccumulation tests. In the mesocosms, mealworms and woodlice were exposed together with plants and earthworms in soil columns spiked with 10 μg Ag g dry soil as AgS NPs or AgNO.

Defining Quality Criteria for Nanoplastic Hazard Evaluation: The Case of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Aquatic Invertebrate spp.

Polystyrene nanoparticles are the most investigated type of nanoplastics in environmental hazard studies. It remains unclear whether nanoplastic particles pose a hazard towards aquatic organisms. Thus, it was our aim to investigate whether the existing studies and data provided therein are reliable in terms of data completeness.

Screening of NaCl salinity sensitivity across eight species of subterranean amphipod genus Niphargus.

Secondary salinization of freshwater is becoming a growing environmental problem. Currently, there is few data available on the effects of salinisation on subterranean crustaceans that are vital for the maintenance of groundwater ecosystem functioning. In this study, the sensitivity of subterranean Niphargus amphipods to NaCl was investigated.

Stressor-Dependant Changes in Immune Parameters in the Terrestrial Isopod Crustacean, : A Focus on Nanomaterials.

We compared the changes of selected immune parameters of to different stressors. The animals were either fed for two weeks with Au nanoparticles (NPs), CeO NPs, or Au ions or body-injected with Au NPs, CeO NPs, or lipopolysaccharide endotoxin. Contrary to expectations, the feeding experiment showed that both NPs caused a significant increase in the total haemocyte count (THC).

Comparison of sublethal effects of natural acaricides carvacrol and thymol on honeybees.

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a threat to beekeeping colonies. Among naturally derived acaricides, the monoterpenoid essential oil compound thymol is used in beekeeping for varroa mite control, but adverse impacts on honeybees has been already documented. Carvacrol, another monoterpenoid, also has a high acaricidal potential and could thus be promising for regular use in beekeeping, but information is scarce regarding the effects of prolonged systemic administration of carvacrol on honeybees.

How cancer cells attach to urinary bladder epithelium in vivo: study of the early stages of tumorigenesis in an orthotopic mouse bladder tumor model.

The majority of bladder cancers in humans are non-muscle-invasive cancers that recur frequently after standard treatment procedures. Mouse models are widely used to develop anti-tumor treatments. The purpose of our work was to establish an orthotopic mouse bladder tumor model and to explore early stages of implantation of cancerous MB49 cells in vivo using various labeling and microscopic techniques.

The Biological Fate of Silver Nanoparticles from a Methodological Perspective.

We analyzed the performance and throughput of currently available analytical techniques for quantifying body burden and cell internalization/distribution of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Our review of Ag NP biological fate data shows that most of the evidence gathered for Ag NPs body burden actually points to total Ag and not only Ag NPs. On the other hand, Ag NPs were found inside the cells and tissues of some organisms, but comprehensive explanation of the mechanism(s) of NP entry and/or in situ formation is usually lacking.

The significance of nanomaterial post-exposure responses in Daphnia magna standard acute immobilisation assay: Example with testing TiO nanoparticles.

One of the most widely used aquatic standarized tests for the toxicity screening of chemicals is the acute toxicity test with the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, which has also been applied in the toxicity screening of manufactured nanoparticles (NPs). However, in the case of non-soluble NPs most of the results of this test have showed no effect. The aim of the work presented here was to modify the standardized test by the least possible extent to make it more sensitive for non-soluble particles.

Effects of CeO Nanoparticles on Terrestrial Isopod Porcellio scaber: Comparison of CeO Biological Potential with Other Nanoparticles.

Nano-sized cerium dioxide (CeO) particles are emerging as an environmental issue due to their extensive use in automobile industries as fuel additives. Limited information is available on the potential toxicity of CeO nanoparticles (NPs) on terrestrial invertebrates through dietary exposure. In the present study, the toxic effects of CeO NPs on the model soil organism Porcellio scaber were evaluated.

An interlaboratory comparison of nanosilver characterisation and hazard identification: Harmonising techniques for high quality data.

Within the FP7 EU project NanoValid a consortium of six partners jointly investigated the hazard of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) paying special attention to methodical aspects that are important for providing high-quality ecotoxicity data. Laboratories were supplied with the same original stock dispersion of AgNPs. All partners applied a harmonised procedure for storage and preparation of toxicity test suspensions.

FTIR microscopy reveals distinct biomolecular profile of crustacean digestive glands upon subtoxic exposure to ZnO nanoparticles.

Biomolecular profiling with Fourier-Transform InfraRed Microscopy was performed to distinguish the Zn(2+)-mediated effects on the crustacean (Porcellio scaber) digestive glands from the ones elicited by the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The exposure to ZnO NPs or ZnCl2 (1500 and 4000 µg Zn/g of dry food) activated different types of metabolic pathways: some were found in the case of both substances, some only in the case of ZnCl2, and some only upon exposure to ZnO NPs. Both the ZnO NPs and the ZnCl2 increased the protein (∼1312 cm(-1); 1720-1485 cm(-1)/3000-2830 cm(-1)) and RNA concentration (∼1115 cm(-1)).

Bioavailability of cobalt and iron from citric-acid-adsorbed CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber.

The aim of this study was to determine whether citric acid adsorbed onto cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) influences the bioavailability of their constituents Co and Fe. Dissolution of Co and Fe was assessed by two measures: (i) in aqueous suspension using chemical analysis, prior to application onto the food of test organisms; and (ii) in vivo, measuring the bioavailability in the model terrestrial invertebrate (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea). The isopods were exposed to citric-acid-adsorbed CoFe2O4 NPs for 2 weeks, and tissue accumulation of Co and Fe was assessed.

Altered physiological conditions of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber as a measure of subchronic TiO2 effects.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) show low toxic potential against a variety of environmental organisms when measured by conventional toxicity endpoints. However, the question is whether the conventional measures of toxicity can define the adverse effects of nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to asses the potential toxic and cytotoxic effects of the ingested nano-TiO2 (anatase, <25 nm) on a terrestrial isopod, Porcellio scaber.

Oxidative potential of ultraviolet-A irradiated or nonirradiated suspensions of titanium dioxide or silicon dioxide nanoparticles on Allium cepa roots.

The effect of ultraviolet-A irradiated or nonirradiated suspensions of agglomerates of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) or silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) nanoparticles on roots of the onion (Allium cepa) has been studied. The reactive potential of TiO(2) nanoparticles, which have photocatalytic potential, and the nonphotocatalytic SiO(2) nanoparticles with the same size of agglomerates was compared. The authors measured the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase as well as lipid peroxidation to assess the oxidative stress in exposed A.

Effects of magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles on biological and artificial lipid membranes.

Background: The purpose of this work is to provide experimental evidence on the interactions of suspended nanoparticles with artificial or biological membranes and to assess the possibility of suspended nanoparticles interacting with the lipid component of biological membranes.

Methods: 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid vesicles and human red blood cells were incubated in suspensions of magnetic bare cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) or citric acid (CA)-adsorbed CoFe2O4 nanoparticles dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline and glucose solution. The stability of POPC giant unilamellar vesicles after incubation in the tested nanoparticle suspensions was assessed by phase-contrast light microscopy and analyzed with computer-aided imaging.

Effect of ingested tungsten oxide (WOx) nanofibers on digestive gland tissue of Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea): fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging.

Tungsten nanofibers are recognized as biologically potent. We study deviations in molecular composition between normal and digestive gland tissue of WOx nanofibers (nano-WOx) fed invertebrate Porcellio scaber (Iosopda, Crustacea) and revealed mechanisms of nano-WOx effect in vivo. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) imaging performed on digestive gland epithelium was supplemented by toxicity and cytotoxicity analyses as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the surface of the epithelium.