Size and phase preservation of amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticles in aqueous media using different types of lignin for contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Hypothesis: Calcium carbonate (CaCO) nanoparticles could have great potential for contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS) due to their gas-generating properties and sensitivity to physiological conditions. However, the use of nano CaCO for biomedical applications requires the assistance of stabilizers to control the size and avoid the fast dissolution/recrystallization of the particles when exposed to aqueous conditions.

Experiments: Herein, we report the stabilization of nano CaCO using lignin, and synthesized core-shell amorphous CaCO-lignin nanoparticles (LigCC NPs) with a diameter below 100 nm.

Maximizing the relevance and reproducibility of A549 cell culture using FBS-free media.

Scientists are using in vitro methods to answer important research questions and implementing strategies to maximize the reliability and human relevance of these methods. One strategy is to replace the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS)-an undefined and variable mixture of biomolecules-in cell culture media with chemically defined or xeno-free medium. In this study, A549 cells, a human lung alveolar-like cell line commonly used in respiratory research, were transitioned from a culture medium containing FBS to media without FBS.

Versailles project on advanced materials and standards (VAMAS) interlaboratory study on measuring the number concentration of colloidal gold nanoparticles.

We describe the outcome of a large international interlaboratory study of the measurement of particle number concentration of colloidal nanoparticles, project 10 of the technical working area 34, "Nanoparticle Populations" of the Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS). A total of 50 laboratories delivered results for the number concentration of 30 nm gold colloidal nanoparticles measured using particle tracking analysis (PTA), single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light spectroscopy, centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The study provides quantitative data to evaluate the repeatability of these methods and their reproducibility in the measurement of number concentration of model nanoparticle systems following a common measurement protocol.

Physico-chemical properties and toxicological effects on plant and algal models of carbon nanosheets from a nettle fibre clone.

Carbon nanosheets are two-dimensional nanostructured materials that have applications as energy storage devices, electrochemical sensors, sample supports, filtration membranes, thanks to their high porosity and surface area. Here, for the first time, carbon nanosheets have been prepared from the stems and leaves of a nettle fibre clone, by using a cheap and straight-forward procedure that can be easily scaled up. The nanomaterial shows interesting physical parameters, namely interconnectivity of pores, graphitization, surface area and pore width.

Improving Quality in Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity Testing by a Tiered Inter-Laboratory Comparison Study.

The quality and relevance of nanosafety studies constitute major challenges to ensure their key role as a supporting tool in sustainable innovation, and subsequent competitive economic advantage. However, the number of apparently contradictory and inconclusive research results has increased in the past few years, indicating the need to introduce harmonized protocols and good practices in the nanosafety research community. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate if best-practice training and inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) of performance of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay for the cytotoxicity assessment of nanomaterials among 15 European laboratories can improve quality in nanosafety testing.

Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Marine Otters (Lontra felina) and Domestic Cats (Felis catus) in an Arid Environment in Chile.

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide-distributed protozoon that infects warm-blooded animals. We determined T. gondii exposure in one marine otter (Lontra felina) and four domestic cats (Felis catus) along the northern and central coast of Chile, indicating a low seroprevalence of 5% (1/19) and 8% (4/50) respectively, likely related to arid environment.

An across-species comparison of the sensitivity of different organisms to Pb-based perovskites used in solar cells.

Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates as photovoltaic cells. Recently, they have attracted significant attention due to certified power conversion efficiencies exceeding 23%, low-cost engineering, and superior electrical/optical characteristics. These PSCs extensively utilize a perovskite-structured composite with a hybrid of Pb-based nanomaterials.

Xenopus laevis as a Bioindicator of Endocrine Disruptors in the Region of Central Chile.

One of the direct causes of biodiversity loss is environmental pollution resulting from the use of chemicals. Different kinds of chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants and some heavy metals, can be endocrine disruptors, which act at low doses over a long period of time and have a negative effect on the reproductive and thyroid system in vertebrates worldwide. Research on the effects of endocrine disruptors and the use of bioindicators in neotropical ecosystems where pressure on biodiversity is high is scarce.

How complex should an in vitro model be? Evaluation of complex 3D alveolar model with transcriptomic data and computational biological network models.

To more accurately model inhalation toxicity in vitro, we developed a tetra-culture system that combines lung alveolar epithelial cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, and mast cells in a three-dimensional orientation. We characterized the influence of the added complexity using network perturbation analysis and gene expression data. This will allow us to gain insight into the steady-state profile of the assembled, complete three-dimensional model using all four cell types and of simpler models of one, two, or three cell types.

Protecting the child while preserving the relationship: Using baby's relational withdrawal to gauge the effect of parental visitation.

The impact of children's interactions with parents in the context of out-of-home placements is receiving much-needed cross-disciplinary attention. However, the paucity of instruments that can reliably represent young children's experiences of such interactions precludes a nuanced evaluation of their impact on wellbeing and development. In response to this empirical gap, the present study investigates children's relational withdrawal as a clinically salient, easily observable and conceptually valid measure of infants' and toddlers' responses to parents.

Effects of silver nanoparticles and ions on a co-culture model for the gastrointestinal epithelium.

Background: The increased incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into consumer products makes the characterization of potential risk for humans and other organisms essential. The oral route is an important uptake route for NPs, therefore the study of the gastrointestinal tract in respect to NP uptake and toxicity is very timely. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Ag NPs and ions on a Caco-2/TC7:HT29-MTX intestinal co-culture model with mucus secretion, which constitutes an important protective barrier to exogenous agents in vivo and may strongly influence particle uptake.

Interlaboratory comparison of size measurements on nanoparticles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA).

One of the key challenges in the field of nanoparticle (NP) analysis is in producing reliable and reproducible characterisation data for nanomaterials. This study looks at the reproducibility using a relatively new, but rapidly adopted, technique, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) on a range of particle sizes and materials in several different media. It describes the protocol development and presents both the data and analysis of results obtained from 12 laboratories, mostly based in Europe, who are primarily QualityNano members.