Research

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14 pages, 5728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Metal-Doped Fluorescent PVC Microplastics in Freshwater Mussels

by Samantha V. Facchetti, Rita La Spina, Francesco Fumagalli, Nicoletta Riccardi, Douglas Gilliland and Jessica Ponti

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122363 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4120

Abstract

The large-scale production of plastic and the resulting release of waste is leading to a huge accumulation of micro-sized particles in the environment that could have an impact on not only aquatic organisms but also on humans. Despite the extensive literature on the [...] Read more.

The large-scale production of plastic and the resulting release of waste is leading to a huge accumulation of micro-sized particles in the environment that could have an impact on not only aquatic organisms but also on humans. Despite the extensive literature on the subject, there is still an insufficient harmonization of methodologies for the collection and analysis of microplastics (MPs) in complex matrices; especially for high density polymers; such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which tend to sink and accumulate in sediments, becoming available to benthonic organisms. In this article, mussels have been chosen as model for microplastic accumulation due to their extensive filtering activity and their wide distribution in both fresh and salt water basins. To facilitate the identification and quantification of microplastics taken up by mussels, novel fluorescent and metal-doped PVC microplastics (PVC-Platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) MPs in the size range of 100 µm) have been synthesized and characterized. For the analysis of the mussels following exposure, an enzymatic protocol using amylase, lipase, papain, and SDS for organic material digestion and a sucrose-ZnCl₂ density gradient for the selective separation of ingested microplastics has been developed. The final identification of MPs was performed by fluorescence microscopy. This work can greatly benefit the scientific community by providing a means to study the behavior of PVC MPs, which represent an example of a very relevant yet poorly studied high density polymeric contaminant commonly found in complex environmental matrices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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8 pages, 452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multigenerational Exposure to WCCo Nanomaterials—Epigenetics in the Soil Invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus

by Rita C. Bicho, Janeck J. Scott-Fordsmand and Mónica J.B. Amorim

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050836 - 27 Apr 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2738

Abstract

It has become clear how important it is to assess longer term effects of (nano) materials in the environment given the current evidence showing how epigenetics drives response mechanisms. Here we studied global DNA methylation in standard soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus over 224 [...] Read more.

It has become clear how important it is to assess longer term effects of (nano) materials in the environment given the current evidence showing how epigenetics drives response mechanisms. Here we studied global DNA methylation in standard soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus over 224 days when exposed to nanostructured tungsten carbide cobalt (WCCo nanomaterials (NMs)) and to cobalt (CoCl₂) in a multigenerational experiment. In order to assess the transgenerational effect, we used a multigenerational (MG) test design consisting of four generations in spiked soil followed by two generations in clean soil. Results showed that MG exposure to WCCo NMs caused global DNA methylation to increase, which continued in unexposed generations and was associated with an increase in reproduction (phenotypic effect). In general, WCCo NMs caused more (and more consistent) methylation than CoCl₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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13 pages, 2442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Amorphous Silica Nanopowders on the Avoidance Behavior of Five Soil Species—A Screening Study

by Joana Santos, Ângela Barreto, João Nogueira, Ana Luísa Daniel-da-Silva, Tito Trindade, Mónica J. B. Amorim and Vera L. Maria

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(3), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10030402 - 25 Feb 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2787

Abstract

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) are one of the most used in commercial products and biomedical tools, however, their environmental effects have not been fully described. Although negative effects of SiO₂NPs on the behavior of freshwater invertebrates have been reported, the [...] Read more.

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) are one of the most used in commercial products and biomedical tools, however, their environmental effects have not been fully described. Although negative effects of SiO₂NPs on the behavior of freshwater invertebrates have been reported, the knowledge is limited, especially the effect of nanopowders in terrestrial organisms. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to understand the effects of SiO₂NPs on the avoidance behavior of five soil species, whose niche may differ thus contributing to differential harmful SiO₂NPs effects. Hence, avoidance assays testing SiO₂NPs concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg were performed with Enchytraeus crypticus, Folsomia candida, Tenebrio molitor, Porcellionides pruinosus and Eisenia fetida. SiO₂NPs induced different behavioral effects, depending on the invertebrate ecology/habitat, exposure route and physiology. T. molitor, P. pruinosus and F. candida did not avoid contaminated soil; however, E. crypticus and E. fetida significantly avoided SiO₂NPs spiked soil. Since these terrestrial worms (oligochaetes) live mostly burrowed in the soil, this can provide greater opportunity for SiO₂NPs’ uptake. On the other hand, the other tested organisms mainly living on the upper part of the soil did not avoid the SiO₂NPs spiked soil. The avoidance data obtained here also highlight the need for further studies to understand whether (or not) the detected behavioral responses are linked to either neurotransmission processes or sensorial aspects of the biological models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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9 pages, 758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cell In Vitro Testing with Soil Invertebrates—Challenges and Opportunities toward Modeling the Effect of Nanomaterials: A Surface-Modified CuO Case Study

by Maria J. Ribeiro, Mónica J.B. Amorim and Janeck J. Scott-Fordsmand

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(8), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9081087 - 29 Jul 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2624

Abstract

Soil invertebrates have been widely used in ecotoxicology studies for decades, although their use as in vitro models, albeit promising, has not been pursued as much. The immune cells of earthworms (coelomocytes) and the coelomic fluid can be used, and are a highly [...] Read more.

Soil invertebrates have been widely used in ecotoxicology studies for decades, although their use as in vitro models, albeit promising, has not been pursued as much. The immune cells of earthworms (coelomocytes) and the coelomic fluid can be used, and are a highly relevant in vitro system. Although it has been tested before, to cover the testing of nanomaterials (NMs), several challenges should be considered. NMs characteristics (dispersibility, agglomeration, etc.) can interfere with the common in vitro methodologies, not only during exposure, but also during the measurements. Here, we have assessed the effect of a CuO NMs case study using surface-modified particles, functionalized for safe-by-design strategies with ascorbate, citrate, polyethylenimine, and polyvinylpyrrolidinone, plus the pristine CuO NMs and copper chloride (CuCl₂) for comparison. Eisenia fetida’s coelomocytes were exposed for 24 h via the coelomic fluid. Changes in cell viability were evaluated using flow cytometry. All materials affected the cells in a dose-related manner, where CuCl₂ was the most toxic followed by the citrate-coated CuO NM. There was a strong correlation between NM characteristics, e.g., the hydrodynamic size, and the EC₅₀ (50% Effect Concentrations) values. This screening further confirms the potential for the usage of the standard earthworm model as an in vitro standard. Further detailed in vitro studies are needed using other NMs aiming toward their implementation and standardization. Additional cell endpoints can also be assessed, making it a high content tool for mechanistic understanding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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9 pages, 954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Soil: Ecotoxicity Assessment Using Enchytraeus crypticus Reduced Full Life Cycle

by Monique C. P. Mendonça, Natália P. Rodrigues, Marcelo B. de Jesus and Mónica J. B. Amorim

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(6), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060858 - 05 Jun 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) possess unique physicochemical properties, allowing a wide range of applications in physical, chemical, and biomedical fields. Although GBNs are broadly used, information about their adverse effects on ecosystem health, especially in the terrestrial environment, is limited. Therefore, this study aims [...] Read more.

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) possess unique physicochemical properties, allowing a wide range of applications in physical, chemical, and biomedical fields. Although GBNs are broadly used, information about their adverse effects on ecosystem health, especially in the terrestrial environment, is limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess the toxicity of two commonly used derivatives of GBNs, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus using a reduced full life cycle test. At higher exposure concentrations, GO induced high mortality and severe impairment in the reproduction rate, while rGO showed little adverse effect up to 1000 mg/kg. Collectively, our body of results suggests that the degree of oxidation of GO correlates with their toxic effects on E. crypticus, which argues against generalization on GBNs ecotoxicity. Identifying the key factors affecting the toxicity of GBNs, including ecotoxicity, is urgent for the design of safe GBNs for commercial purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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13 pages, 3446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots Impaired the First Two Generations of Placenta Growth in an Animal Model, Based on the Shh Signaling Pathway

by Wuding Hong, Huijuan Kuang, Xingping He, Lin Yang, Pengfei Yang, Bolu Chen, Zoraida P. Aguilar and Hengyi Xu

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(2), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9020257 - 14 Feb 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2712

Abstract

The toxicity, especially the transgenerational toxicity of quantum dots (QDs) in vivo, is still scarcely understood in spite of great promising applications of QDs in biomedicine. In this study, the maternal status, pregnancy outcome, and fetus development of parental generation (P0) to offspring [...] Read more.

The toxicity, especially the transgenerational toxicity of quantum dots (QDs) in vivo, is still scarcely understood in spite of great promising applications of QDs in biomedicine. In this study, the maternal status, pregnancy outcome, and fetus development of parental generation (P0) to offspring in three generations (F3) were investigated after Kunming mice perinatal (GD 13-PND 5) exposure to Cd containing QDs (CdSe/ZnS QDs) and CdCl₂. The results show CdSe/ZnS QDs induced placenta injuries in P0 and diminished placenta diameters in F1 and F2. Bodyweight growth decreased in the CdSe/ZnS QDs treatment group in the F1 and F2 generation. Additionally, CdSe/ZnS QDs significantly altered the expression of key genes in the Shh signal pathway. Overall, this study exhibited that the CdSe/ZnS QDs exposure during perinatal period impaired placenta growth in the first two generations, but not on the third generation. The toxicological actions of the CdSe/ZnS QDs might be through the effects on the Shh signal pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 1855 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanoparticles in Agroindustry: Applications, Toxicity, Challenges, and Trends

by Luis A. Paramo, Ana A. Feregrino-Pérez, Ramón Guevara, Sandra Mendoza and Karen Esquivel

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(9), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10091654 - 23 Aug 2020

Cited by 152 | Viewed by 9444

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a tool that in the last decade has demonstrated multiple applications in several sectors, including agroindustry. There has been an advance in the development of nanoparticulated systems to be used as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, sensors, and quality stimulants, among other applications. [...] Read more.

Nanotechnology is a tool that in the last decade has demonstrated multiple applications in several sectors, including agroindustry. There has been an advance in the development of nanoparticulated systems to be used as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, sensors, and quality stimulants, among other applications. The nanoencapsulation process not only protects the active ingredient but also can affect the diffusion, interaction, and activity. It is important to evaluate the negative aspects of the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture. Given the high impact of the nanoparticulated systems in the agro-industrial field, this review aims to address the effects of various nanomaterials on the morphology, metabolomics, and genetic modification of several crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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14 pages, 1063 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neurotoxicity of Nanomaterials: An Up-to-Date Overview

by Daniel Mihai Teleanu, Cristina Chircov, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu and Raluca Ioana Teleanu

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9010096 - 13 Jan 2019

Cited by 104 | Viewed by 8554

Abstract

The field of nanotechnology, through which nanomaterials are designed, characterized, produced, and applied, is rapidly emerging in various fields, including energy, electronics, food and agriculture, environmental science, cosmetics, and medicine. The most common biomedical applications of nanomaterials involve drug delivery, bioimaging, and gene [...] Read more.

The field of nanotechnology, through which nanomaterials are designed, characterized, produced, and applied, is rapidly emerging in various fields, including energy, electronics, food and agriculture, environmental science, cosmetics, and medicine. The most common biomedical applications of nanomaterials involve drug delivery, bioimaging, and gene and cancer therapy. Since they possess unique properties which are different than bulk materials, toxic effects and long-term impacts on organisms are not completely known. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to emphasize the main neurotoxic effects induced by nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots, as well as the key neurotoxicology assays to evaluate them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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28 pages, 1604 KiB

Open AccessReview

Health Concerns of Various Nanoparticles: A Review of Their in Vitro and in Vivo Toxicity

by Marziyeh Ajdary, Mohammad Amin Moosavi, Marveh Rahmati, Mojtaba Falahati, Mohammad Mahboubi, Ali Mandegary, Saranaz Jangjoo, Reza Mohammadinejad and Rajender S. Varma

Nanomaterials 2018, 8(9), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8090634 - 21 Aug 2018

Cited by 218 | Viewed by 11191

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are currently used in diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases, including autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, cytotoxic effects of NPs on normal cells and living organs is a severe limiting factor that hinders their use in clinic. In addition, diversity [...] Read more.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are currently used in diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases, including autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, cytotoxic effects of NPs on normal cells and living organs is a severe limiting factor that hinders their use in clinic. In addition, diversity of NPs and their physico-chemical properties, including particle size, shape, surface area, dispersity and protein corona effects are considered as key factors that have a crucial impact on their safe or toxicological behaviors. Current studies on toxic effects of NPs are aimed to identify the targets and mechanisms of their side effects, with a focus on elucidating the patterns of NP transport, accumulation, degradation, and elimination, in both in vitro and in vitro models. NPs can enter the body through inhalation, skin and digestive routes. Consequently, there is a need for reliable information about effects of NPs on various organs in order to reveal their efficacy and impact on health. This review covers the existing knowledge base on the subject that hopefully prepares us better to address these challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Toxicology of Nanomaterials, Including Modelling Nano-/Microplastics)

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