Considering safe and sustainable by design alternatives-Environmental hazards of an agriculture nano-enabled pesticide to non-target species.

Nanopesticides (Npes) offer improved efficacy compared to their conventional forms while reducing the usage/application rates, hence being more sustainable options. However, there is still a knowledge gap on the Npes environmental impacts. To support the safety of nano-enabled pesticides, the present study aimed at assessing the toxicity of the commercial Npe NUCOP-M and the active substance copper oxychloride, using the ecotoxicological soil model Enchytraeus crypticus and LUFA 2.

On the lifespan of - impact of iron (nanomaterial and salt) on aging.

Iron oxide nanomaterials (FeO NMs) have important biomedical and environmental applications, e.g. drug delivery, chemotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, etc.

Targeting superficial cancers with gold nanoparticles: a review of current research.

Superficial cancers typically refer to cancers confined to the surface layers of tissue. Low-targeting therapies or side effects prompt exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), due to their unique optical properties, serve as effective photosensitizers, enabling tumor ablation through photothermal therapy (PTT).

Machine Learning Allowed Interpreting Toxicity of a Fe-Doped CuO NM Library Large Data Set─An Environmental In Vivo Case Study.

The wide variation of nanomaterial (NM) characters (size, shape, and properties) and the related impacts on living organisms make it virtually impossible to assess their safety; the need for modeling has been urged for long. We here investigate the custom-designed 1-10% Fe-doped CuO NM library. Effects were assessed using the soil ecotoxicology model (Oligochaeta) in the standard 21 days plus its extension (49 days).

Iron Oxide (Magnetite)-Based Nanobiomaterial with Medical Applications-Environmental Hazard Assessment Using Terrestrial Model Species.

Nanobiomaterials (NBMs) have tremendous potential applications including in cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the health and environmental effects of NBMs must be thoroughly assessed to ensure safety. FeO (magnetite) nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were one of the focus NBMs within the EU project BIORIMA.

Safe and sustainable by design Ag nanomaterials: A case study to evaluate the bio-reactivity in the environment using a soil model invertebrate.

Safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) nanomaterials (NMs) or NM-containing products are a priority. Silver (Ag) NMs have a vast array of applications, including biomedical and other products, even as nanopesticides. Thus, their release to the environment is expected to increase.

Pseudo-Bartter syndrome as the initial presentation of cystic fibrosis in children: an important diagnosis not to be missed.

Pseudo-Bartter syndrome (PBS) is characterised by hyponatraemic, hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis that mimics Bartter syndrome, without renal tubular disease. We present a case of an infant with a positive cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening, hospitalised during the summer with dehydration, oliguria and apathy. Blood analysis revealed hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis, hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia.

Advanced materials - Food grade melatonin-loaded Lipid Surfactant Submicron Particles (LSSP)-environmental impacts.

Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) are advanced materials (AdMa), particularly relevant for drug delivery of poorly water-soluble compounds, while also providing protection, stabilization, and controlled release of the drugs/active substances. The toxicological data available often focus on the specific applications of the LNPs-drug tested, with indication of low toxicity. However, the ecotoxicological effects of LNPs are currently unknown.

Biocompatible 3D-Printed Tendon/Ligament Scaffolds Based on Polylactic Acid/Graphite Nanoplatelet Composites.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has become a popular tool to produce complex structures. It has great potential in the regenerative medicine field to produce customizable and reproducible scaffolds with high control of dimensions and porosity. This study was focused on the investigation of new biocompatible and biodegradable 3D-printed scaffolds with suitable mechanical properties to assist tendon and ligament regeneration.

Environmental hazards of WELGRO® Cu+Zn: A nano-enabled fertilizer.

Nanoagrochemicals have the potential to revolutionize agriculture towards a precision farming system, able to reduce application rates and consequently their environmental footprint, while keeping efficacy. Several nanoagrochemicals (including nanopesticides (Npes) and nanofertilizers (Nfer)) are already commercialized but the environmental risk assessment of these advanced materials is often lacking. In the present study, we studied the commercial fertilizer WELGRO® Cu + Zn and assessed its ecotoxicity to the soil invertebrate species Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), further comparing it to its individual active substances CuO and ZnO.

Environmental hazards of nanopesticides to non-target soil species - commercial nanoformulation versus its active substance (Karate Zeon® and lambda-cyhalothrin).

Nanopesticides (Npes) carry the potential of increased efficacy while reducing application rates, hence increasing agricultural productivity in a more sustainable way. However, given its novelty, the environmental risk assessment of these advanced materials is mostly absent. In the present study we investigated the ecotoxicity of a commercial insecticide, with reported nanofeatures, Karate Zeon®, and compared it to its active substance lambda-cyhalothrin.

Tentative Approaches for Extraction of Lanthanides from Wastewater with Low Metal Concentration.

Lanthanides are critical elements, and their recovery from wastewater increases the availability of these elements and reduces their impacts on the environment. In this study, tentative approaches to extract lanthanides from low-concentration aqueous solutions were investigated. PVDF membranes soaked with different active compounds or synthesized chitosan-based membranes containing these active compounds were used.

Nanoemulsion carriers for drug delivery: Assessment of environmental hazards.

Nanoemulsions (NEs) have been extensively studied as carriers for drug delivery, since these provide a good alternative to the existing non-nano systems, while promoting their target delivery and controlled release. NEs are considered safe drug carriers from a pre-clinical perspective, but there is currently no information on their ecotoxicological effects. In the present study we investigated the toxicity of a NE material (lecithin, sunflower oil, borate buffer) designed to be used as a liposomal excipient for eye drops, further referred to as (Lipid Particle:LP) LP_Eye and its dispersant (borate buffer) (LP_Eye disp.

TiO nanoparticles' library toxicity (UV and non-UV exposure) - High-throughput in vivo transcriptomics reveals mechanisms.

The hazards of nanomaterials/nanoparticles (NMs/NPs) are mostly assessed using individual NMs, and a more systematic approach, using many NMs, is needed to evaluate its risks in the environment. Libraries of NMs, with a range of identified different but related characters/descriptors allow the comparison of effects across many NMs. The effects of a custom designed Fe-doped TiO NMs library containing 11 NMs was assessed on the soil model Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), both with and without UV (standard fluorescent) radiation.

A 3D printed hydrogel to promote human keratinocytes' spheroid-based growth.

Tissue engineering uses cells and biomaterials to develop bioartificial tissue substitutes for different purposes. For example, although several skin models have been developed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic research and skin wound healing, there are few studies on 3D cultures of keratinocytes in 3D printed scaffolds. So, this work aimed to develop a 3D-printed hydrogel scaffold to promote human keratinocyte growth.

Prospective study of loss of health-related quality adjusted life years in children and their families due to uncomplicated and hospitalised varicella.

Introduction And Aims: Although usually benign, varicella can lead to serious complications and sometimes long-term sequelae. Vaccines are safe and effective but not yet included in immunisation programmes in many countries. We aimed to quantify the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) in children with varicella and their families, key to assessing cost-utility in countries with low mortality due to this infection.

Safer and Sustainable-by-Design Hydroxyapatite Nanobiomaterials for Biomedical Applications: Assessment of Environmental Hazards.

Developments in the nanotechnology area occur ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, not only in terms of safety requirements, but also to meet sustainability goals. Hence, safer and sustainable-by-design (SSbD) materials are also aimed for during developmental process. Similar to with any new materials their safety must be assessed.

Environmental Hazards of Nanobiomaterials (Hydroxyapatite-Based NMs)-A Case Study with -Effects from Long Term Exposure.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a calcium phosphate used in many fields, including biomedical applications. In particular, ion-doped HA nanomaterials (nHA) are developed for their increased bioactivity, particularly in the fields of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine. In this study, we assessed the ecotoxicological impact of five nHA materials: a synthesized calcium hydroxyapatite (CaP-HA), superparamagnetic iron-doped hydroxyapatite (Fe-HA), titanium-doped hydroxyapatite (Ti-HA), alginate/titanium-doped hydroxyapatite hybrid composite (Ti-HA-Alg), and a commercial HA.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia with a deletion overlapping the tenascin-X gene: an atypical presentation.

Objectives: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic diseases characterized by impaired cortisol biosynthesis. 95% of CAH cases result from mutation in the CYP21A2 gene encoding 21-hydroxilase. TNX-B gene partially overlaps CYP21A2 and encodes a matrix protein called Tenascin-X (TNX).

Cerebrospinal fluid hypotension following fall in a child: Case report.

CSF hypotension arises in the context of a leak of CSF which causes negative intracranial pressure. Sacral fractures result from high-energy trauma which are frequently underdiagnosed. A ten-year-old boy presented with hip pain, after a fall.

Impacts of Longer-Term Exposure to AuNPs on Two Soil Ecotoxicological Model Species.

The production, use and disposal of nanoparticles (NPs) has been increasing continuously. Due to its unique properties, such as a high resistance to oxidation, gold NPs (AuNPs) are persistent in the environment, including the terrestrial, one of the major sinks of NPs. The present study aimed to assess the effects of AuNPs (from 10 to 1000 mg/kg) on two OECD standard ecotoxicological soil model species, and , based on the reproduction test (28 days) and on a longer-term exposure (56 days), and survival, reproduction, and size were assessed.

Molecular mechanisms of zinc toxicity in the potworm Enchytraeus crypticus, analysed by high-throughput gene expression profiling.

Zinc (Zn) is known to be relatively toxic to some soil-living invertebrates including the ecologically important enchytraeid worms. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of zinc toxicity we assessed the gene expression profile of Enchytraeus crypticus (Enchytraeidae), exposed to the reproduction effect concentrations EC and EC, over 4 consecutive days, using a high-throughput microarray (species customized). Three main mechanisms of toxicity to Zn were observed: 1) Zn trafficking (upregulation of zinc transporters, a defence response to regulate the cellular zinc level), 2) oxidative stress (variety of defence mechanisms, triggered by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)), and 3) effects on the nervous system (possibly the primary lesion explaining the avoidance behaviour and also why enchytraeids are relatively susceptible to Zn).