Microbial function matters: Microbiome-aware nano-ecotoxicology needs functional endpoints besides compositional data.

The microbiome provides an active barrier to the external environment and aids in the metabolism of the host. Nanomaterials are known to interact with this microbiome host plane. Given the recent advances in techniques to study the microbiome, there has been a vast increase in studies trying to find causality in host response via the microbiome in nano-ecotoxicology.

Easy-MODA: Simplifying standardised registration of scientific simulation workflows through MODA template guidelines powered by the Enalos Cloud Platform.

Modelling Data (MODA) reporting guidelines have been proposed for common terminology and for recording metadata for physics-based materials modelling and simulations in a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA 17284:2018). Their purpose is similar to that of the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) model report form (QMRF) that aims to increase industry and regulatory confidence in QSAR models, but for a wider range of model types. Recently, the WorldFAIR project's nanomaterials case study suggested that both QMRF and MODA templates are an important means to enhance compliance of nanoinformatics models, and their underpinning datasets, with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Fibrous microplastics in the environment: Sources, occurrence, impacts, and mitigation strategies.

Fibrous microplastics (FMPs), a unique class of microplastics, are increasingly recognized as a significant environmental threat due to their ubiquitous presence and potential risks to ecological and human health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of FMPs, including their sources, prevalence in various environmental media, and potential impacts. FMPs, which can be found in over 90 % of certain environmental samples, originate from a diverse range of sources, including synthetic textiles, landfill waste, industrial emissions, and atmospheric deposition.

Quantitative tracking of nanoplastics along the food chain from lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to snails (Cantareus aspersus).

Terrestrial systems are a significant sink for plastic contamination, including nano- and microplastics (NMPs). To date, limited information is available about the transfer of NMPs up the food web via trophic transfer, however, concerns about this exposure pathway for invertebrates and higher-level organisms have been raised. We aim to examine and quantify the trophic transfer of europium doped polystyrene nanoplastics (Eu-PS; NPs) within a terrestrial food chain.

Accumulation kinetics of polystyrene nano- and microplastics in the waterflea Daphnia magna and trophic transfer to the mysid Limnomysis benedeni.

Despite the pervasive presence of nano- and microplastics (NMPs) in aquatic environments, their movement through food chains remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored the uptake of polystyrene plastics (PSPs) of varying sizes (26, 500, and 4800 nm) in Daphnia magna and their subsequent transfer to the freshwater mysid Limnomysis benedeni, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of NMP transfer in freshwater ecosystems. Our results show that in D.

Modeling the Toxicokinetics of Suspensions of Soluble Metallic Nanomaterials.

Proper risk assessment of the many new nanoforms (NFs) that are currently being developed and marketed is hindered by constraints in time and resources for testing their fate and (eco) toxicity profile. This problem has also been encountered in conventional chemical risk assessments, where the definition of related chemical groups can facilitate risk assessment for all class members. Whereas grouping and read-across methods are well established, such approaches are in the early stages of development for NFs.

Perspectives on Advancing Multimodal Learning in Environmental Science and Engineering Studies.

The environment faces increasing anthropogenic impacts, resulting in a rapid increase in environmental issues that undermine the natural capital essential for human wellbeing. These issues are complex and often influenced by various factors represented by data with different modalities. While machine learning (ML) provides data-driven tools for addressing the environmental issues, the current ML models in environmental science and engineering (ES&E) often neglect the utilization of multimodal data.

Informing the public about chemical mixtures in the local environment: Currently applied indicators in the Netherlands and ways forward.

The current use of chemicals puts pressure on human and ecological health. Based on the Aarhus Convention, citizens have the right to have access to information on substances in their local environment. Providing this information is a major challenge, especially considering complex mixtures, as the current substance-by-substance risk assessment may not adequately address the risk of co-exposure to multiple substances.

Chemical respiratory sensitization-Current status of mechanistic understanding, knowledge gaps and possible identification methods of sensitizers.

Respiratory sensitization is a complex immunological process eventually leading to hypersensitivity following re-exposure to the chemical. A frequent consequence is occupational asthma, which may occur after long latency periods. Although chemical-induced respiratory hypersensitivity has been known for decades, there are currently no comprehensive and validated approaches available for the prospective identification of chemicals that induce respiratory sensitization, while the expectations of new approach methodologies (NAMs) are high.

Molecular characterization and transcriptional response of Lactuca sativa seedlings to co-exposure to graphene nanoplatelets and titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

The widespread use of nanomaterials in agriculture may introduce multiple engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the environment, posing a combined risk to crops. However, the precise molecular mechanisms explaining how plant tissues respond to mixtures of individual ENPs remain unclear, despite indications that their combined toxicity differs from the summed toxicity of the individual ENPs. Here, we used a variety of methods including physicochemical, biochemical, and transcriptional analyses to examine the combined effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) on hydroponically exposed lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings.

Ixodes ricinus as potential vector for Usutu virus.

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. In Europe, the virus has caused mass mortality of wild birds, mainly among Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) populations. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors for USUV, Common Blackbirds and other avian species are exposed to other arthropod ectoparasites, such as ticks.

Roadmap towards safe and sustainable advanced and innovative materials. (Outlook for 2024-2030).

The adoption of innovative advanced materials holds vast potential, contingent upon addressing safety and sustainability concerns. The European Commission advocates the integration of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles early in the innovation process to streamline market introduction and mitigate costs. Within this framework, encompassing ecological, social, and economic factors is paramount.

Virus neutralization assays for human respiratory syncytial virus using airway organoids.

Neutralizing antibodies are considered a correlate of protection against severe human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) disease. Currently, HRSV neutralization assays are performed on immortalized cell lines like Vero or A549 cells. It is known that assays on these cell lines exclusively detect neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) directed to the fusion (F) protein.

Effects of a multicomponent communication training to involve older people in decisions to DEPRESCRIBE cardiometabolic medication in primary care (CO-DEPRESCRIBE): protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial with embedded process and economic evaluation.

Background: Deprescribing of medication for cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes has been incorporated in clinical guidelines but proves to be difficult to implement in primary care. Training of healthcare providers is needed to enhance deprescribing in eligible patients. This study will examine the effects of a blended training program aimed at initiating and conducting constructive deprescribing consultations with patients.

Building species trait-specific nano-QSARs: Model stacking, navigating model uncertainties and limitations, and the effect of dataset size.

A strong need exists for broadly applicable nano-QSARs, capable of predicting toxicological outcomes towards untested species and nanomaterials, under different environmental conditions. Existing nano-QSARs are generally limited to only a few species but the inclusion of species characteristics into models can aid in making them applicable to multiple species, even when toxicity data is not available for biological species. Species traits were used to create classification- and regression machine learning models to predict acute toxicity towards aquatic species for metallic nanomaterials.

Comparing the impact of microplastics derived from a biodegradable and a conventional plastic mulch on plant performance.

Agricultural lands have been identified as plastic sinks. One source is plastic mulches, which are a source of micro- and nano-sized plastics in agricultural soils. Because of their persistence, there is now a push towards developing biodegradable plastics, which are designed to undergo (partial) breakdown after entering the environment.

To breathe or not to breathe: Inhalational exposure to heavy metals and related health risk.

This study reviewed scientific literature on inhalation exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in various indoor and outdoor environments and related carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. A systematic search in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases yielded 712 results and 43 articles met the requirements of the Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes (PECO) criteria. Results revealed that HM concentrations in most households exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values, indicating moderate pollution and dominant anthropogenic emission sources of HMs.

Characterising information gains and losses when collecting multiple epidemic model outputs.

Background: Collaborative comparisons and combinations of epidemic models are used as policy-relevant evidence during epidemic outbreaks. In the process of collecting multiple model projections, such collaborations may gain or lose relevant information. Typically, modellers contribute a probabilistic summary at each time-step.

Seaweeds as a major source of dietary microplastics exposure in East Asia.

Microplastics (MPs) occurrence in marine ecosystems is well known, but their accumulation in seaweeds and subsequent human exposure remain understudied. This research quantifies MPs presence in two commonly consumed seaweeds, kelp (Saccharina japonica) and nori (Pyropia yezoensis), in East Asia, revealing widespread contamination dominated by microfibers (<500 μm). Based on dietary patterns, human uptake through seaweed consumption was estimated and quantified.

Effects of dissolved organic matter and halogen ions on phototransformation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in aquatic environments.

Photochemical reactions contribute to the attenuation and transformation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in surface natural waters. Nevertheless, effects of DOM and halogen ions on phototransformation of PPCPs remain elusive. This work selected disparate PPCPs as target pollutants to investigate their aquatic phototransformation processes.