33 results on '"Lynch I"'
Search Results
2. Biotransformation of nanoplastics in human plasma and their permeation through a model in vitro blood-brain barrier: An in-depth quantitative analysis
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Monikh, F.A., Lehtonen, Š., Kekäläinen, J., Karkossa, Isabel, Auriola, S., Schubert, Kristin, Zanut, A., Peltonen, S., Niskanen, J., Bandekar, M., von Bergen, Martin, Leskinen, J.T.T., Koistinen, A., Bogialli, S., Guo, Z., Kukkonen, J.V.K., Chen, C., Lynch, I., Monikh, F.A., Lehtonen, Š., Kekäläinen, J., Karkossa, Isabel, Auriola, S., Schubert, Kristin, Zanut, A., Peltonen, S., Niskanen, J., Bandekar, M., von Bergen, Martin, Leskinen, J.T.T., Koistinen, A., Bogialli, S., Guo, Z., Kukkonen, J.V.K., Chen, C., and Lynch, I.
- Abstract
Challenges in characterizing and quantifying nanoplastics within the human body hinder understanding of their transport, biotransformation, and potential for cellular penetration and barrier crossing. By implementing an innovative analytical workflow, including incorporation of gadolinium (Gd) as a tracer into the polymer matrix of nanoplastics, the fate of nanoplastics relative to an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model is elucidated in the absence or presence of a biomomolecule corona. The nanoplastics were incubated in human plasma for 5 min, 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h, after which the absorbed proteins and lipids (biocorona) were determined. A total of 268 proteins were identified in the biological coronas on polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanoplastics, with the initial compositions being broadly similar on both PS and PVC. Both nanoplastics exhibited a strong affinity for phosphatidylcholines (PC) and lysophosphocholines (LPC) from human plasma. The inherent chemical composition of the nanoplastics plays a pivotal role in the corona’s evolution over time. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (iECs) and astrocytes were exposed for 2 h to 5 µg L−1 of pristine nanoplastics or nanoplastics covered with a biological corona (following incubation in plasma for 6 h). A relatively low concentration of PS and PVC nanoplastics was determined to be present within the cellular layer of the BBB. The number of PVC nanoplastics crossing the BBB was higher than the number of PS nanoplastics. The presence of a biological corona on these particles decreases their uptake and transcytosis. This understanding might further the development of preventive measures or therapeutic strategies to counteract potential nanoplastic-induced neurotoxicity, and provide a foundation for development of in silico models to predict the neurotoxic implications of nanoplastics.
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- 2024
3. Unlocking the potential of sensors for our environment : a call to action from a NERC writing retreat
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Bagshaw, L., Bee, E., Bhowmik, D., Bridle, H., Chan, K., England, P., Gaura, E., Halford, A., Lynch, I., Maniatis, G., Martin, P., Mao, F., Mukherjee, K., Naylor, M., Novellino, A., Oren, N., Pope, F., Schaap, A., Watson, C., Van De Wiel, M., Yuksel Ripley, B., Bagshaw, L., Bee, E., Bhowmik, D., Bridle, H., Chan, K., England, P., Gaura, E., Halford, A., Lynch, I., Maniatis, G., Martin, P., Mao, F., Mukherjee, K., Naylor, M., Novellino, A., Oren, N., Pope, F., Schaap, A., Watson, C., Van De Wiel, M., and Yuksel Ripley, B.
- Abstract
Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Constructing a Digital Environment Strategic Priorities Fund (CDE) programme aspired to support the development of a comprehensive ‘digital environment’ ecosystem that best served scientists, policymakers, businesses, and communities. Emphasising multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary collaboration, CDE supported a team of challenge-focused researchers from a variety of disciplines to bring to the fore current and future digital advances in sensors that are critical to addressing environmental concerns. From March 2023 to January 2024, the team worked together to develop frameworks that sought to optimise the benefits of both existing and emerging sensor network technologies and their related infrastructure. Central to the development of these frameworks was a co-creation writing retreat in July 2023, where we came together to discuss the environmental sensing ecosystems unmet needs and challenges around five themes: Values, Changes, Barriers, Tools, and Lessons. The resultant findings and call for action suggest that: A. Focusing on People, Places and Ethics when making decisions on the whole sensor systems lifecycle (sensor design, deployment, application, and uptake) can ensure that research is more holistic, relevant, ethically sound, innovative, and, at the same time, has the potential for real-world impact. B. There is a clear need for a better-enabled sensor ‘development and use’ ecosystem (i.e., frameworks, methodologies, designs, communities) that has strong foundations and support for collaborative and interdisciplinary research to drive ambition for responsible innovation and resilient research communities. Overall, the findings highlight the vast potential offered by increased sensor utilisation for science and society, as well as broader concerns around data practices and innovation and specific challenges to sensors and sensing for the environment. There is a greater need for responsible data sharing
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- 2024
4. A systematic review on the state-of-the-art and research gaps regarding inorganic and carbon-based multicomponent and high-aspect ratio nanomaterials.
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Papadiamantis AG, Mavrogiorgis A, Papatzelos S, Mintis D, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
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This review explores the state-of-the-art with respect to multicomponent nanomaterials (MCNMs) and high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARNs), with a focus on their physicochemical characterisation, applications, and hazard, fate, and risk assessment. Utilising the PRISMA approach, this study investigates specific MCNMs including cerium-zirconium mixtures (Ce
x Zry O2 ) and ZnO nanomaterials doped with transition metals and rare earth elements, as well as Titanium Carbide (TiC) nanomaterials contained in Ti-6Al-4V alloy powders. HARNs of interest include graphene, carbon-derived nanotubes (CNTs), and metallic nanowires, specifically Ag-based nanowires. The review reveals a significant shift in research and innovation (R&I) efforts towards these advanced nanomaterials due to their unique properties and functionalities that promise enhanced performance across various applications including photocatalysis, antibacterial and biomedical uses, and advanced manufacturing. Despite the commercial potential of MCNMs and HARNs, the review identifies critical gaps in our understanding of their environmental fate and transformations upon exposure to new environments, and their potential adverse effects on organisms and the environment. The findings underscore the necessity for further research focused on the environmental transformations and toxicological profiles of these nanomaterials to inform Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) strategies. This review contributes to the body of knowledge by cataloguing current research, identifying research gaps, and highlighting future directions for the development of MCNMs and HARNs, facilitating their safe and effective integration into industry., Competing Interests: DGM, NC, AT, AGP, AA are affiliated with NovaMechanics, a cheminformatics and materials informatics company., (© 2024 The Authors.)- Published
- 2024
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5. Easy-MODA: Simplifying standardised registration of scientific simulation workflows through MODA template guidelines powered by the Enalos Cloud Platform.
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Kolokathis PD, Sidiropoulos NK, Zouraris D, Varsou DD, Mintis DG, Tsoumanis A, Dondero F, Exner TE, Sarimveis H, Chaideftou E, Paparella M, Nikiforou F, Karakoltzidis A, Karakitsios S, Sarigiannis D, Friis J, Goldbeck G, Winkler DA, Peijnenburg W, Serra A, Greco D, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
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). Despite the advances in computational modelling of materials properties and phenomena, regulatory uptake of predictive models has been slow. This is, in part, due to concerns about lack of validation of complex models and lack of documentation of scientific simulations. The models are often complex, output can be hardware- and software-dependent, and there is a lack of shared standards. Despite advocating for standardised and transparent documentation of simulation protocols through its templates, the MODA guidelines are rarely used in practice by modellers because of a lack of tools for automating their creation, sharing, and storage. They also suffer from a paucity of user guidance on their use to document different types of models and systems. Such tools exist for the more well-established QMRF and have aided widespread implementation of QMRFs. To address this gap, a simplified procedure and online tool, Easy-MODA, has been developed to guide users through MODA creation for physics-based and data-based models, and their various combinations. Easy-MODA is available as a web-tool on the Enalos Cloud Platform (https://www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/insight/moda/). The tool streamlines the creation of detailed MODA documentation, even for complex multi-model workflows, and facilitates the registration of MODA workflows and documentation in a database, thereby increasing their Findability and thus Re-usability. This enhances communication, interoperability, and reproducibility in multiscale materials modelling and improves trust in the models through improved documentation. The use of the Easy-MODA tool is exemplified by a case study for nanotoxicity evaluation, involving interlinked models and data transformation, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the tool in integrating complex computational methodologies and its significant role in improving the FAIRness of scientific simulations., Competing Interests: PDK, NS, DZ, DDV, DM, AT, AA are affiliated with NovaMechanics, a cheminformatics and materials informatics company., (© 2024 The Authors.)
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- 2024
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6. NanoBioAccumulate: Modelling the uptake and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials in soil and aquatic invertebrates via the Enalos DIAGONAL Cloud Platform.
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Mintis DG, Cheimarios N, Tsoumanis A, Papadiamantis AG, van den Brink NW, van Lingen HJ, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
NanoBioAccumulate is a free-to-use web-based tool hosted on the Enalos DIAGONAL Cloud Platform (https://www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/diagonal/pbpk/) that provides users with the capability to model and predict the uptake and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials (NMs) by soil and aquatic invertebrates using two common first-order one-compartment biokinetic models. NanoBioAccumulate offers an approach for comprehensively analyzing the kinetics of different forms of NMs via a nonlinear fitting feature, integrating them with environmental fate models, and considering important physiological processes. NanoBioAccumulate overcomes the constraint of requiring prior knowledge of kinetic rate constants associated with the biokinetic models and eliminates the need for external statistical analysis software as it quantifies the kinetic rate constants and other constants through the application of nonlinear regression, using user-provided experimental data. Furthermore, NanoBioAccumulate incorporates statistical analysis measures like the adjusted R-squared and the bias-corrected Akaike information criterion, allowing for assessment of the goodness-of-fit of the two different biokinetic models, assisting in the identification of the best-performing model for a specific nanoform and its uptake kinetics by a specific invertebrate. The tool also includes model scenarios, retrieved from literature, which involve examining the exposure of soil and aquatic invertebrates to various types of NMs such as TiO
2 , SiO2 , C60 , graphene, graphene oxide (GO), Au, Ag and its ionic control AgNO3 . These model scenarios aim to enhance understanding of the uptake and elimination rates exhibited by different NM-species. NanoBioAccumulate features advanced integration capabilities, enabled by an extensive Application Programming Interface (API). This functionality promotes efficient data exchange and interoperability with other software and web applications, significantly expanding its utility in research, regulatory risk assessment and environmental surveillance and monitoring contexts. The inclusion of a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) in NanoBioAccumulate greatly improves the overall user experience by simplifying complex tasks and eliminating the need for programming proficiency, thereby expanding the tool's applicability to a diverse range of users across various fields such as environmental research, monitoring, and regulation., (© 2024 The Authors.)- Published
- 2024
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7. Hospital readmission after surviving sepsis: A systematic review of readmission reasons and meta-analysis of readmission rates.
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Ackermann K, Lynch I, Aryal N, Westbrook J, and Li L
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Purpose: To review the evidence regarding hospital readmission diagnoses and analyse related readmission rates following a sepsis admission., Methods: Five databases, grey literature, and selected article reference lists were searched in May and June 2024. Included studies investigated sepsis survivor readmissions and reported readmission diagnoses and rates. Meta-analyses of readmission rates were performed., Results: After screening, 51 studies were included, with most studies (46/51; 90.2 %) investigating adult survivors. Infection or sepsis were reported as the most common readmission reason in 18 of the 21 studies investigating three or more readmission diagnoses in adults. Meta-analyses showed that 4.7 % (95 % CI: 3.1 to 6.5 %, PI: 0.3-13.4 %, n = 11 studies) of adult survivors readmitted to hospital with another sepsis diagnosis at 30 days, 8.1 % (95 % CI: 4.5 to 12.7 %, PI: <0.1-29.0 %, n = 7) at 90 days, and 16.4 % (95 % CI: 11.3 to 22.2 %, PI: <0.1-96.3 %, n = 3) at one year. At 30 days 3.5 % (95 % CI: 2.2-5.0 %, PI: 0.3-10.0 %, n = 7) of adult survivors readmitted to hospital with a cardiovascular disease diagnosis., Conclusions: Infection and sepsis are frequent readmission diagnoses for sepsis survivors, with one in 21 adult survivors readmitted for sepsis at 30-days. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023455851., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Ms. Khalia Ackermann is a PhD candidate supported by a Macquarie University Research Excellent Scholarship (No. 20224428)., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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8. NanoTube Construct: A web tool for the digital construction of nanotubes of single-layer materials and the calculation of their atomistic descriptors powered by Enalos Cloud Platform.
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Kolokathis PD, Zouraris D, Sidiropoulos NK, Tsoumanis A, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
NanoTube Construct is a web tool for the digital construction of nanotubes based on real and hypothetical single-layer materials including carbon-based materials such as graphene, graphane, graphyne polymorphs, graphidiyene and non-carbon materials such as silicene, germanene, boron nitride, hexagonal bilayer silica, haeckelite silica, molybdene disulfide and tungsten disulfide. Contrary to other available tools, NanoTube Construct has the following features: a) it is not limited to zero thickness materials with specific symmetry, b) it applies energy minimisation to the geometrically constructed Nanotubes to generate realistic ones, c) it derives atomistic descriptors (e.g., the average potential energy per atom, the average coordination number, etc.), d) it provides the primitive unit cell of the constructed Nanotube which corresponds to the selected rolling vector (i.e., the direction in which the starting nanosheet is rolled to form a tube), e) it calculates whether the Nanotube or its corresponding nanosheet is more energetically stable and f) it allows negative chirality indexes. Application of NanoTube Construct for the construction of energy minimised graphane and molybdenum disulfide nanotubes are presented, showcasing the tool's capability. NanoTube Construct is freely accessible through the Enalos Cloud Platform (https://enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/diagonal/nanotube/)., Competing Interests: PK, DZ, NS, AT and AA are employed by NovaMechanics, a cheminformatics and materials informatics company., (© 2024 The Authors.)
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- 2024
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9. Synergetic effect of green synthesized NZVI@Chitin-modified ZSM-5 for efficient oxidative degradation of tetracycline.
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Wang X, Zheng Y, Ning P, Lynch I, Guo Z, Zhang P, and Wu L
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- Green Chemistry Technology methods, Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry, Zeolites chemistry, Chitin chemistry, Water Pollutants, Chemical chemistry, Iron chemistry, Oxidation-Reduction, Tetracycline chemistry
- Abstract
The aggregation and limited activity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) in aqueous media hinder its practical application. In this study, a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, robust, and efficient synthesis method for NZVI-based composite was developed. NZVI@Chitin-modified ZSM-5 (NZVI@C-ZSM) composite was facilely and greenly synthesized by loading NZVI into alkali-modified ZSM-5 molecular sieves after modifying with chitin as a surfactant and binder. NZVI@C-ZSM exhibited remarkable efficacy in TC removal, achieving a removal efficiency of 97.72% within 60 min. Compared with pristine NZVI, NZVI@C-ZSM demonstrated twice the removal efficiency, indicating that NZVI@C-ZSM effectively improved the dispersion and stability of NZVI. This enhancement provided more reactive sites for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly boosting catalytic activity and durability while reducing the potential risk of secondary pollution. An improved two-parameter pseudo-first-order kinetic model was used to effectively characterize the reaction kinetics. The mechanism for TC removal primarily involved an adsorption process and chemical oxidation-reduction reactions induced by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O
2 - ). Three potential degradation pathways for TC were suggested. Furthermore, NZVI@C-ZSM exhibited good resistance to interference, suggesting its broad potential for practical applications in complex environmental conditions. This study offers a viable material and method for addressing the issue of antibiotic-contaminated water, with potential applications in water resource management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2024
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10. Pro-inflammatory and genotoxic responses by metal oxide nanomaterials in alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages in submerged condition and air-liquid interface: An in vitro-in vivo correlation study.
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Di Ianni E, Erdem JS, Narui S, Wallin H, Lynch I, Vogel U, Jacobsen NR, and Møller P
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- Humans, Animals, A549 Cells, Oxides toxicity, DNA Damage, Macrophages drug effects, Macrophages metabolism, Mice, Interleukin-8 metabolism, Interleukin-8 genetics, Nanostructures toxicity, Mutagens toxicity, THP-1 Cells, Alveolar Epithelial Cells drug effects, Alveolar Epithelial Cells metabolism, Coculture Techniques
- Abstract
Studies on in vitro-in vivo correlations of inflammatory and genotoxic responses are needed to advance new approach methodologies. Here, we assessed pro-inflammatory and genotoxic responses by 13 nanosized metal oxides (nMeOx) and quartz (DQ12) in alveolar epithelial cells (A549) and macrophages (THP-1a) exposed in submerged conditions, and in A549:THP-1a co-cultures in air-liquid interface (ALI) system. Soluble nMeOx produced the highest IL-8 expression in A549 and THP-1a cells in submerged conditions (≥2-fold, p < 0.05), whereas only CuO caused a strong response in co-cultures exposed in the ALI system (13-fold, p < 0.05). IL-8 expression in A549 cells with concentrations as nMeOx specific surface area (SSA) correlated with neutrophil influx in mice (r = 0.89-0.98, p < 0.05). Similarly, IL-8 expression in THP-1a cell with concentrations as mass and SSA (when excluding soluble nMeOx) correlated with neutrophil influx in mice (r = 0.81-0.84, p < 0.05). DNA strand breaks (SB) was measured by the comet assay. We used a scoring system that categorizes effects in standard deviation units for comparison of genotoxicity in different models. Concordant genotoxicity was observed between SB levels in vitro (A549 and co-culture) and in vivo (broncho-alveolar lavage fluid cells and lung tissue). In conclusion, this study shows in vitro-in vivo correlations of nMeOx-induced inflammatory and genotoxic responses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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11. Analysis of nanomaterial biocoronas in biological and environmental surroundings.
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Zhang P, Cao M, Chetwynd AJ, Faserl K, Abdolahpur Monikh F, Zhang W, Ramautar R, Ellis LA, Davoudi HH, Reilly K, Cai R, Wheeler KE, Martinez DST, Guo Z, Chen C, and Lynch I
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- Protein Corona chemistry, Protein Corona analysis, Protein Corona metabolism, Mass Spectrometry methods, Chromatography, Liquid methods, Electrophoresis, Capillary methods, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission methods, Nanostructures chemistry
- Abstract
A biomolecular coating, or biocorona, forms on the surface of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) immediately as they enter biological or environmental systems, defining their biological and environmental identity and influencing their fate and performance. This biomolecular layer includes proteins (the protein corona) and other biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and metabolites. To ensure a meaningful and reproducible analysis of the ENMs-associated biocorona, it is essential to streamline procedures for its preparation, separation, identification and characterization, so that studies in different labs can be easily compared, and the information collected can be used to predict the composition, dynamics and properties of biocoronas acquired by other ENMs. Most studies focus on the protein corona as proteins are easier to monitor and characterize than other biomolecules and play crucial roles in receptor engagement and signaling; however, metabolites play equally critical roles in signaling. Here we describe how to reproducibly prepare and characterize biomolecule-coated ENMs, noting especially the steps that need optimization for different types of ENMs. The structure and composition of the biocoronas are characterized using general methods (transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) as well as advanced techniques, such as transmission electron cryomicroscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure and circular dichroism. We also discuss how to use molecular dynamic simulation to study and predict the interaction between ENMs and biomolecules and the resulting biocorona composition. The application of this protocol can provide mechanistic insights into the formation, composition and evolution of the ENM biocorona, ultimately facilitating the biomedical and agricultural application of ENMs and a better understanding of their impact in the environment., (© 2024. Springer Nature Limited.)
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- 2024
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12. Beyond microbeads: Examining the role of cosmetics in microplastic pollution and spotlighting unanswered questions.
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Kukkola A, Chetwynd AJ, Krause S, and Lynch I
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- Humans, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollution analysis, Microspheres, Cosmetics analysis, Microplastics analysis, Microplastics toxicity
- Abstract
The presence of microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products (C&PCPs) has been increasingly in the public eye since the early 2010s. Despite increasing research into the potential environmental and health effects of microplastics, most research to date on microplastics in C&PCPs has investigated "rinse-off" products, while the potential impacts of "leave-on" C&PCPs have been largely neglected, despite these products being purchased in greater volumes and often having two or more microplastic ingredients in their formulations(CosmeticsEurope, 2018b). This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge of microplastic in C&PCPs, assessing the potential environmental and human health impacts of C&PCPs and discussing the regulatory implications. The lack of studies on leave-on C&PCPs is significant, suggesting a severe knowledge gap regarding microplastic presence in, and emissions from, C&PCPs. There is a noticeable lack of studies on the (eco)toxicological consequences of microplastic exposure from C&PCPs. As a result, significant aspects of microplastic contamination may be overlooked in the microplastic legislations emerging globally (including from the European Commission), which intend to restrict microplastic use in C&PCPs but focus on rinse-off C&PCPs only. This review highlights the potential consequences of microplastics in leave-on C&PCPs for regulatory decision-making, particularly as alternatives to microplastics are considered during the phase-out periods and spotlights the need for sufficient monitoring and research on these alternatives, to avoid unforeseen consequences., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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13. A template wizard for the cocreation of machine-readable data-reporting to harmonize the evaluation of (nano)materials.
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Jeliazkova N, Longhin E, El Yamani N, Rundén-Pran E, Moschini E, Serchi T, Vrček IV, Burgum MJ, Doak SH, Cimpan MR, Rios-Mondragon I, Cimpan E, Battistelli CL, Bossa C, Tsekovska R, Drobne D, Novak S, Repar N, Ammar A, Nymark P, Di Battista V, Sosnowska A, Puzyn T, Kochev N, Iliev L, Jeliazkov V, Reilly K, Lynch I, Bakker M, Delpivo C, Sánchez Jiménez A, Fonseca AS, Manier N, Fernandez-Cruz ML, Rashid S, Willighagen E, D Apostolova M, and Dusinska M
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- Software, Metadata, Nanostructures chemistry
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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. These templates are citable objects and are available as online tools. The Template Wizard is designed to be user friendly and facilitates using and reusing existing templates for new projects or project extensions. The wizard is accompanied by an online template validator, which allows self-evaluation of the template (to ensure mapping to the data schema and machine readability of the captured data) and transformation by an open-source parser into machine-readable formats, compliant with the FAIR principles. The templates are based on extensive collective experience in nanosafety data collection and include over 60 harmonized data entry templates for physicochemical characterization and hazard assessment (cell viability, genotoxicity, environmental organism dose-response tests, omics), as well as exposure and release studies. The templates are generalizable across fields and have already been extended and adapted for microplastics and advanced materials research. The harmonized templates improve the reliability of interlaboratory comparisons, data reuse and meta-analyses and can facilitate the safety evaluation and regulation process for (nano) materials., (© 2024. Springer Nature Limited.)
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- 2024
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14. Application of Machine Learning in Nanotoxicology: A Critical Review and Perspective.
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Peijnenburg W, Vijver MG, Balraadjsing S, Dong Z, Zhao X, Leung KMY, Mortensen HM, Wang Z, Lynch I, Afantitis A, Mu Y, Wu F, and Fan W
- Abstract
The massive production and application of nanomaterials (NMs) have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of NMs on human health and the environment. Evaluating the adverse effects of NMs by laboratory methods is expensive, time-consuming, and often fails to keep pace with the invention of new materials. Therefore, in silico methods that utilize machine learning techniques to predict the toxicity potentials of NMs are a promising alternative approach if regulatory confidence in them can be enhanced. Previous reviews and regulatory OECD guidance documents have discussed in detail how to build an in silico predictive model for NMs. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement in addressing the ways to enhance the model representativeness and performance from different angles, such as data set curation, descriptor selection, task type (classification/regression), algorithm choice, and model evaluation (internal and external validation, applicability domain, and mechanistic interpretation, which is key to ensuring stakeholder confidence). This review explores how to build better predictive models; the current state of the art is analyzed via a statistical evaluation of literature, while the challenges faced and future perspectives are summarized. Moreover, a recommended workflow and best practices are provided to help in developing more predictive, reliable, and interpretable models that can assist risk assessment as well as safe-by-design development of NMs.
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- 2024
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15. Governance of advanced materials: Shaping a safe and sustainable future.
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Groenewold M, Bleeker EAJ, Noorlander CW, Sips AJAM, van der Zee M, Aitken RJ, Baker JH, Bakker MI, Bouman EA, Doak SH, Drobne D, Dumit VI, Florin MV, Fransman W, Gonzalez MM, Heunisch E, Isigonis P, Jeliazkova N, Jensen KA, Kuhlbusch T, Lynch I, Morrison M, Porcari A, Rodríguez-Llopis I, Pozuelo BM, Resch S, Säämänen AJ, Serchi T, Soeteman-Hernandez LG, Willighagen E, Dusinska M, and Scott-Fordsmand JJ
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- Humans, Nanotechnology legislation & jurisprudence, Europe, Sustainable Development, Nanostructures
- Abstract
The past few decades of managing the uncertain risks associated with nanomaterials have provided valuable insights (knowledge gaps, tools, methods, etc.) that are equally important to promote safe and sustainable development and use of advanced materials. Based on these insights, the current paper proposes several actions to optimize the risk and sustainability governance of advanced materials. We emphasise the importance of establishing a European approach for risk and sustainability governance of advanced materials as soon as possible to keep up with the pace of innovation and to manage uncertainty among regulators, industry, SMEs and the public, regarding potential risks and impacts of advanced materials. Coordination of safe and sustainable advanced material research efforts, and data management according to the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles will enhance the generation of regulatory-relevant knowledge. This knowledge is crucial to identify whether current regulatory standardised and harmonised test methods are adequate to assess advanced materials. At the same time, there is urgent need for responsible innovation beyond regulatory compliance which can be promoted through the Safe and Sustainable Innovation Approach. that combines the Safe and Sustainable by Design concept with Regulatory Preparedness, supported by a trusted environment. We further recommend consolidating all efforts and networks related to the risk and sustainability governance of advanced materials in a single, easy-to-use digital portal. Given the anticipated complexity and tremendous efforts required, we identified the need of establishing an organisational structure dedicated to aligning the fast technological developments in advanced materials with proper risk and sustainability governance. Involvement of multiple stakeholders in a trusted environment ensures a coordinated effort towards the safe and sustainable development, production, and use of advanced materials. The existing infrastructures and network of experts involved in the governance of nanomaterials would form a solid foundation for such an organisational structure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)
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- 2024
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16. Z-scheme Fe@Fe 2 O 3 /BiOBr heterojunction with efficient carrier separation for enhanced heterogeneous photo-Fenton activity of tetracycline degradation: Fe 2+ regeneration, mechanism insight and toxicity evaluation.
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Wang X, Lin X, Wu X, and Lynch I
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- Water Pollutants, Chemical chemistry, Water Pollutants, Chemical toxicity, Iron chemistry, Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry, Anti-Bacterial Agents toxicity, Ferric Compounds chemistry, Ferric Compounds toxicity, Animals, Catalysis, Tetracycline chemistry, Tetracycline toxicity, Hydrogen Peroxide chemistry, Bismuth chemistry
- Abstract
The recombination of photogenerated carrier leads to inefficient Fe
2+ regeneration, which limits the extensive application of heterogeneous photo-Fenton. Here, a novel Fe@Fe2 O3 /BiOBr catalyst with Z-scheme heterojunction structure is designed, and the establishment of the Z-scheme heterojunction facilitates the separation and transfer of photogenerated carrier and maintains the superior redox capability of the system. As-prepared Fe@Fe2 O3 /BiOBr catalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic performance and stability, especially for the optimum composite FFB-3, its degradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC) achieves 98.22% and the mineralization degree reaches 59.48% within 90 min under natural pH. The preeminent catalytic efficiency benefited from the synergistic of heterogeneous photo-Fenton and Z-scheme carriers transfer mechanism, where Fe2+ regeneration was achieved by photogenerated electrons, and increased hydroxyl radicals were produced with the participation of H2 O2 in-situ generated. The results of free-radical scavenging experiment and ESR illustrated that •OH, •O2 - ,1 O2 and h+ were active species participating in TC degradation. Furthermore, the TC degradation paths were proposed according to LC-MS, and the toxicity evaluation result showed that the toxicity of TC solutions was markedly decreased after degradation. This study provides an innovative strategy for heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of antibiotic contaminations by constructing Z-scheme heterojunctions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)- Published
- 2024
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17. The potential of micro- and nanoplastics to exacerbate the health impacts and global burden of non-communicable diseases.
- Author
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Krause S, Ouellet V, Allen D, Allen S, Moss K, Nel HA, Manaseki-Holland S, and Lynch I
- Subjects
- Humans, Global Burden of Disease, Nanoparticles adverse effects, Inflammation, Noncommunicable Diseases epidemiology, Microplastics, Environmental Exposure adverse effects
- Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) constitute one of the highest burdens of disease globally and are associated with inflammatory responses in target organs. There is increasing evidence of significant human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MnPs). This review of environmental MnP exposure and health impacts indicates that MnP particles, directly and indirectly through their leachates, may exacerbate inflammation. Meanwhile, persistent inflammation associated with NCDs in gastrointestinal and respiratory systems potentially increases MnP uptake, thus influencing MnP access to distal organs. Consequently, a future increase in MnP exposure potentially augments the risk and severity of NCDs. There is a critical need for an integrated one-health approach to human health and environmental research for assessing the drivers of human MnP exposure and their bidirectional links with NCDs. Assessing these risks requires interdisciplinary efforts to identify and link drivers of environmental MnP exposure and organismal uptake to studies of impacted disease mechanisms and health outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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18. Strategies for Enhancing Plant Immunity and Resilience Using Nanomaterials for Sustainable Agriculture.
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Zhang P, Jiang Y, Schwab F, Monikh FA, Grillo R, White JC, Guo Z, and Lynch I
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Nanostructures, Plant Immunity
- Abstract
Research on plant-nanomaterial interactions has greatly advanced over the past decade. One particularly fascinating discovery encompasses the immunomodulatory effects in plants. Due to the low doses needed and the comparatively low toxicity of many nanomaterials, nanoenabled immunomodulation is environmentally and economically promising for agriculture. It may reduce environmental costs associated with excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which can lead to soil and water pollution. Furthermore, nanoenabled strategies can enhance plant resilience against various biotic and abiotic stresses, contributing to the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems and the reduction of crop losses due to environmental factors. While nanoparticle immunomodulatory effects are relatively well-known in animals, they are still to be understood in plants. Here, we provide our perspective on the general components of the plant's immune system, including the signaling pathways, networks, and molecules of relevance for plant nanomodulation. We discuss the recent scientific progress in nanoenabled immunomodulation and nanopriming and lay out key avenues to use plant immunomodulation for agriculture. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, and the calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK or CPK) pathway are of particular interest due to their interconnected function and significance in the response to biotic and abiotic stress. Additionally, we underscore that understanding the plant hormone salicylic acid is vital for nanoenabled applications to induce systemic acquired resistance. It is suggested that a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating environmental impact assessments and focusing on scalability, can expedite the realization of enhanced crop yields through nanotechnology while fostering a healthier environment.
- Published
- 2024
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19. NanoConstruct: A web application builder of ellipsoidal nanoparticles for the investigation of their crystal growth, stability, and the calculation of atomistic descriptors.
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Kolokathis PD, Zouraris D, Voyiatzis E, Sidiropoulos NK, Tsoumanis A, Melagraki G, Tämm K, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
NanoConstruct is a state-of-the-art computational tool that enables a) the digital construction of ellipsoidal neutral energy minimized nanoparticles (NPs) in vacuum through its graphical user-friendly interface, and b) the calculation of NPs atomistic descriptors. It allows the user to select NP's shape and size by inserting its ellipsoidal axes and rotation angle while the NP material is selected by uploading its Crystallography Information File (CIF). To investigate the stability of materials not yet synthesised, NanoConstruct allows the substitution of the chemical elements of an already synthesized material with chemical elements that belong into the same group and neighbouring rows of the periodic table. The process is divided into three stages: 1) digital construction of the unit cell, 2) digital construction of NP using geometry rules and keeping its stoichiometry and 3) energy minimization of the geometrically constructed NP and calculation of its atomistic descriptors. In this study, NanoConstruct was applied for the investigation of the crystal growth of Zirconia (ZrO
2 ) NPs when in the rutile form. The most stable configuration and the crystal growth route were identified, showing a preferential direction for the crystal growth of ZrO2 in its rutile form. NanoConstruct is freely available through the Enalos Cloud Platform (https://enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/riskgone/nanoconstruct/)., Competing Interests: PK, DZ, NS, AT and AA are employed by NovaMechanics a cheminformatics and materials informatics company., (© 2024 The Authors.)- Published
- 2024
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20. NNI Nanoinformatics Conference 2023: Movement Toward a Common Infrastructure for Federal nanoEHS Data Computational Toxicology: Short Communication.
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Mortensen HM, Amos JD, Exner TE, Flores K, Harper S, Jarabek AM, Klaessig F, Lobaskin V, Lynch I, Marcum CS, Martens M, Brough B, Spadola Q, and Bjorkland R
- Abstract
The National Nanotechnology Initiative organized a Nanoinformatics Conference in the 2023 Biden-Harris Administration's Year of Open Science, which included interested U.S. and EU stakeholders, and preceded the U.S.-EU COR meeting on November 15
th , 2023 in Washington, D.C. Progress in the development of a common nanoinformatics infrastructure in the European Union and United States were discussed. Development of contributing, individual database projects, and their strengths and weaknesses, were highlighted. Recommendations and next steps for a U.S. nanoEHS common infrastructure were discussed in light of the pending update of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)'s Environmental, Health and Safety Research Strategy, and U.S. efforts to curate and house nano Environmental Health and Safety (nanoEHS) data from U.S. federal stakeholder groups. Improved data standards, for reporting and storage have been identified as areas where concerted efforts could most benefit initially. Areas that were not addressed at the conference, but that are critical to progress of the U.S. federal consortium effort are the evaluation of data formats according to use and sustainability measures; modeler and end user, including risk-assessor and regulator perspectives; a need for a community forum or shared data location that is not hosted by any individual U.S. federal agency, and is accessible to the public; as well as emerging needs for integration with new data types such as micro and nano plastics, and interoperability with other data and meta-data, such as adverse outcome pathway information. Future progress will depend on continued interaction of the U.S. and EU CORs, stakeholders and partners in the continued development goals for shared or interoperable infrastructure for nanoEHS., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.- Published
- 2024
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21. Development of a Robust Read-Across Model for the Prediction of Biological Potency of Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta Agonists.
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Antoniou M, Papavasileiou KD, Melagraki G, Dondero F, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Subjects
- Molecular Docking Simulation, Humans, Machine Learning, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, PPAR delta agonists, PPAR delta chemistry, PPAR delta metabolism, Software
- Abstract
A robust predictive model was developed using 136 novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonists, a distinct subtype of lipid-activated transcription factors of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulate target genes by binding to characteristic sequences of DNA bases. The model employs various structural descriptors and docking calculations and provides predictions of the biological activity of PPARδ agonists, following the criteria of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the development and validation of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Specifically focused on small molecules, the model facilitates the identification of highly potent and selective PPARδ agonists and offers a read-across concept by providing the chemical neighbours of the compound under study. The model development process was conducted on Isalos Analytics Software (v. 0.1.17) which provides an intuitive environment for machine-learning applications. The final model was released as a user-friendly web tool and can be accessed through the Enalos Cloud platform's graphical user interface (GUI).
- Published
- 2024
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22. Gender and equity considerations in AMR research: a systematic scoping review.
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Lynch I, Fluks L, Manderson L, Isaacs N, Essop R, Praphasawat R, Middleton L, and Naemiratch B
- Abstract
Research on gender and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) beyond women's biological susceptibility is limited. A gender and equity lens in AMR research is necessary to promote gender equality and support the effectiveness, uptake, and sustainability of real-world AMR solutions. We argue that it is an ethical and social justice imperative to include gender and related intersectional issues in AMR research and implementation. An intersectional exploration of the interplay between people's diverse identities and experiences, including their gender, socio-economic status, race, disability, age, and sexuality, may help us understand how these factors reinforce AMR risk and vulnerability and ensure that interventions to reduce the risk of AMR do not impact unevenly. This paper reports on the findings of a systematic scoping review on the interlinkages between AMR, gender and other socio-behavioural characteristics to identify priority knowledge gaps in human and animal health in LMICs. The review focused on peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2017 and 2022. Three overarching themes were gendered division of caregiving roles and responsibilities, gender power relations in decision-making, and interactions between gender norms and health-seeking behaviours. Research that fails to account for gender and its intersections with other lines of disadvantage, such as race, class and ability, risks being irrelevant and will have little impact on the continued and dangerous spread of AMR. We provide recommendations for integrating an intersectional gender lens in AMR research, policy and practice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
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- 2024
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23. In Vitro Toxicological Insights from the Biomedical Applications of Iron Carbide Nanoparticles in Tumor Theranostics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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Antoniou M, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
(1) Background: Despite the encouraging indications regarding the suitability (biocompatibility) of iron carbide nanoparticles (ICNPs) in various biomedical applications, the published evidence of their biosafety is dispersed and relatively sparse. The present review synthesizes the existing nanotoxicological data from in vitro studies relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. (2) Methods: A systematic review was performed in electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library) on December 2023, searching for toxicity assessments of ICNPs of different sizes, coatings, and surface modifications investigated in immortalized human and murine cell lines. The risk of bias in the studies was assessed using the ToxRTool for in vitro studies. (3) Results: Among the selected studies ( n = 22), cell viability emerged as the most frequently assessed cellular-level toxicity endpoint. The results of the meta-analysis showed that cell models treated with ICNPs had a reduced cell viability (SMD = -2.531; 95% CI: -2.959 to -2.109) compared to untreated samples. A subgroup analysis was performed due to the high magnitude of heterogeneity (I
2 = 77.1%), revealing that ICNP concentration and conjugated ligands are the factors that largely influence toxicity ( p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: A dose-dependent cytotoxicity of ICNP exposure was observed, regardless of the health status of the cell, tested organism, and NP size. Inconsistent reporting of ICNP physicochemical properties was noted, which hinders comparability among the studies. A comprehensive exploration of the available in vivo studies is required in future research to assess the safety of ICNPs' use in bioimaging and cancer treatment.- Published
- 2024
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24. Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads.
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Kukkola A, Schneidewind U, Haverson L, Kelleher L, Drummond JD, Sambrook Smith G, Lynch I, and Krause S
- Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)
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- 2024
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25. In silico assessment of nanoparticle toxicity powered by the Enalos Cloud Platform: Integrating automated machine learning and synthetic data for enhanced nanosafety evaluation.
- Author
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Varsou DD, Kolokathis PD, Antoniou M, Sidiropoulos NK, Tsoumanis A, Papadiamantis AG, Melagraki G, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
The rapid advance of nanotechnology has led to the development and widespread application of nanomaterials, raising concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Traditional (experimental) methods for assessing the nanoparticles (NPs) safety are time-consuming, expensive, and resource-intensive, and raise ethical concerns due to their reliance on animals. To address these challenges, we propose an in silico workflow that serves as an alternative or complementary approach to conventional hazard and risk assessment strategies, which incorporates state-of-the-art computational methodologies. In this study we present an automated machine learning (autoML) scheme that employs dose-response toxicity data for silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO
2 ), and copper oxide (CuO) NPs. This model is further enriched with atomistic descriptors to capture the NPs' underlying structural properties. To overcome the issue of limited data availability, synthetic data generation techniques are used. These techniques help in broadening the dataset, thus improving the representation of different NP classes. A key aspect of this approach is a novel three-step applicability domain method (which includes the development of a local similarity approach) that enhances user confidence in the results by evaluating the prediction's reliability. We anticipate that this approach will significantly expedite the nanosafety assessment process enabling regulation to keep pace with innovation, and will provide valuable insights for the design and development of safe and sustainable NPs. The ML model developed in this study is made available to the scientific community as an easy-to-use web-service through the Enalos Cloud Platform (www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/sabydoma/safenanoscope/), facilitating broader access and collaborative advancements in nanosafety., Competing Interests: DDV, PK, MA, NKK, AT, AGA and AA are affiliated with NovaMechanics, a cheminformatics and materials informatics company, (© 2024 The Authors.)- Published
- 2024
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26. ASCOT: A web tool for the digital construction of energy minimized Ag, CuO, TiO 2 spherical nanoparticles and calculation of their atomistic descriptors.
- Author
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Kolokathis PD, Voyiatzis E, Sidiropoulos NK, Tsoumanis A, Melagraki G, Tämm K, Lynch I, and Afantitis A
- Abstract
ASCOT (an acronym derived from Ag-Silver, Copper Oxide, Titanium Oxide) is a user-friendly web tool for digital construction of electrically neutral, energy-minimized spherical nanoparticles (NPs) of Ag, CuO, and TiO
2 (both Anatase and Rutile forms) in vacuum, integrated into the Enalos Cloud Platform (https://www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/sabydoma/ascot/). ASCOT calculates critical atomistic descriptors such as average potential energy per atom, average coordination number, common neighbour parameter (used for structural classification in simulations of crystalline phases), and hexatic order parameter (which measures how closely the local environment around a particle resembles perfect hexatic symmetry) for both core (over 4 Å from the surface) and shell (within 4 Å of the surface) regions of the NPs. These atomistic descriptors assist in predicting the most stable NP size based on lowest per atom energy and serve as inputs for developing machine learning models to predict the toxicity of these nanomaterials. ASCOT's automated backend requires minimal user input in order to construct the digital NPs: inputs needed are the material type (Ag, CuO, TiO2 -Anatase, TiO2 -Rutile), target diameter, a Force-Field from a pre-validated list, and the energy minimization parameters, with the tool providing a set of default values for novice users., Competing Interests: PK, EV, NS, AT, AA are affiliated with NovaMechanics, a cheminformatics and materials informatics company., (© 2024 The Authors.)- Published
- 2024
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27. Unlocking the potential of nanoscale sulfur in sustainable agriculture.
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Sun Y, Jiang Y, Li Y, Wang Q, Zhu G, Yi T, Wang Q, Wang Y, Dhankher OP, Tan Z, Lynch I, White JC, Rui Y, and Zhang P
- Abstract
The global population is growing rapidly, which poses a significant challenge to food security. Innovation in agricultural technologies is necessary to achieve sustainable development in agriculture and combat food insecurity. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool in agriculture; compared to conventional agricultural chemicals, demonstrated benefits include increased efficiency of delivery and utilization of both nutrients and pesticides, as well as nanoscale-specific stimulation of stress tolerance pathways. Among the many studied nanomaterials, nano-sulfur has demonstrated superior effects at enhancing plant resilience to pathogens and abiotic stresses, as well as improving plant growth and nutritional quality of edible tissues. A number of published studies have investigated the physiological effects (growth promotion, disease resistance) of single or several sulfur and sulfide compounds on crop species. However, there is no systematic analysis of this literature, including the effects and specific mechanisms of various sulfur forms in agricultural applications. In this review, we will discuss the effects of sulfur (including nano-sulfur) on crop species, the underlying mechanisms of action for their transport and transformation in the soil-plant system, and evaluate their suitability in sustainable agricultural development. Additionally, we discuss the current challenges and knowledge gaps for nanoscale sulfur use in agriculture, and describe future research directions to advance our understanding of the sustainable use of this material at the scale of individual fields., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this work., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)
- Published
- 2024
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28. Influence of soil properties and aging on exogenous antimony toxicity to Caenorhabditis elegans in agricultural soil.
- Author
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Song Z, Dang X, Zhao L, Hou H, Guo Z, Lynch I, Nadezhda T, and Zhang P
- Subjects
- Animals, Caenorhabditis elegans, Antimony toxicity, Antimony analysis, Reproduction, Soil, Soil Pollutants toxicity, Soil Pollutants analysis
- Abstract
Exploring the influence of soil on antimony (Sb) aging could help predict Sb toxicity on nematodes that play an important role in agricultural soil nitrogen cycling. This study aimed to investigate the major soil factors affecting the aging process and toxicity of exogenous Sb. Therefore, nematodes were exposed to varying levels of Sb contamination (0-6400 mg/kg) in nine agricultural soils, with aging periods of 7, 56, and 168 days, under dark conditions at 20 ± 0.5 °C for 96 h. The results suggested that nematode reproduction was more sensitive to the toxicity of exogenous trivalent Sb (Sb(III)) compared to growth and fertility. Following 7-168 days of aging, the EC
50 of nematode reproduction increased from 546-1557 to 3560-6193 mg/kg in nine soils contaminated by exogenous Sb(III). Exogenous Sb(III) toxicity is overestimated without considering its aging process. The aging factors (AF) of nine soils aged over 7-168 days were calculated as 3.54-8.03. The regression equation AF = 0.923 pH - 0.812 (n = 9, adjust-r2 = 0.687, P = 0.004) indicated that pH was the primary soil factor explaining 85.2% of the variance in the aging process of exogenous Sb(III). No significant toxicity was observed in soils contaminated with exogenous pentavalent Sb after 7 days of aging. These findings could provide guidance for the adjustment of Sb toxicity data, the revision of soil environmental quality standard, and efficient soil environmental management., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)- Published
- 2024
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29. A broad-taxa approach as an important concept in ecotoxicological studies and pollution monitoring.
- Author
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Rosner A, Ballarin L, Barnay-Verdier S, Borisenko I, Drago L, Drobne D, Concetta Eliso M, Harbuzov Z, Grimaldi A, Guy-Haim T, Karahan A, Lynch I, Giulia Lionetto M, Martinez P, Mehennaoui K, Oruc Ozcan E, Pinsino A, Paz G, Rinkevich B, Spagnuolo A, Sugni M, and Cambier S
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Invertebrates, Ecosystem, Arthropods
- Abstract
Aquatic invertebrates play a pivotal role in (eco)toxicological assessments because they offer ethical, cost-effective and repeatable testing options. Additionally, their significance in the food chain and their ability to represent diverse aquatic ecosystems make them valuable subjects for (eco)toxicological studies. To ensure consistency and comparability across studies, international (eco)toxicology guidelines have been used to establish standardised methods and protocols for data collection, analysis and interpretation. However, the current standardised protocols primarily focus on a limited number of aquatic invertebrate species, mainly from Arthropoda, Mollusca and Annelida. These protocols are suitable for basic toxicity screening, effectively assessing the immediate and severe effects of toxic substances on organisms. For more comprehensive and ecologically relevant assessments, particularly those addressing long-term effects and ecosystem-wide impacts, we recommended the use of a broader diversity of species, since the present choice of taxa exacerbates the limited scope of basic ecotoxicological studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of (eco)toxicological studies, focusing on major aquatic invertebrate taxa and how they are used to assess the impact of chemicals in diverse aquatic environments. The present work supports the use of a broad-taxa approach in basic environmental assessments, as it better represents the natural populations inhabiting various ecosystems. Advances in omics and other biochemical and computational techniques make the broad-taxa approach more feasible, enabling mechanistic studies on non-model organisms. By combining these approaches with in vitro techniques together with the broad-taxa approach, researchers can gain insights into less-explored impacts of pollution, such as changes in population diversity, the development of tolerance and transgenerational inheritance of pollution responses, the impact on organism phenotypic plasticity, biological invasion outcomes, social behaviour changes, metabolome changes, regeneration phenomena, disease susceptibility and tissue pathologies. This review also emphasises the need for harmonised data-reporting standards and minimum annotation checklists to ensure that research results are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR), maximising the use and reusability of data. The ultimate goal is to encourage integrated and holistic problem-focused collaboration between diverse scientific disciplines, international standardisation organisations and decision-making bodies, with a focus on transdisciplinary knowledge co-production for the One-Health approach., (© 2023 Cambridge Philosophical Society.)
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- 2024
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30. Dynamic Transformation of Nano-MoS 2 in a Soil-Plant System Empowers Its Multifunctionality on Soybean Growth.
- Author
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Li M, Zhang P, Guo Z, Zhao W, Li Y, Yi T, Cao W, Gao L, Tian CF, Chen Q, Ren F, Rui Y, White JC, and Lynch I
- Subjects
- Glycine max, Molybdenum, Agriculture, Soil chemistry, Nanostructures
- Abstract
Molybdenum disulfide (nano-MoS
2 ) nanomaterials have shown great potential for biomedical and catalytic applications due to their unique enzyme-mimicking properties. However, their potential agricultural applications have been largely unexplored. A key factor prior to the application of nano-MoS2 in agriculture is understanding its behavior in a complex soil-plant system, particularly in terms of its transformation. Here, we investigate the distribution and transformation of two types of nano-MoS2 (MoS2 nanoparticles and MoS2 nanosheets) in a soil-soybean system through a combination of synchrotron radiation-based X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). We found that MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs) transform dynamically in soil and plant tissues, releasing molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S) that can be incorporated gradually into the key enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism and the antioxidant system, while the rest remain intact and act as nanozymes. Notably, there is 247.9 mg/kg of organic Mo in the nodule, while there is only 49.9 mg/kg of MoS2 NPs. This study demonstrates that it is the transformation that leads to the multifunctionality of MoS2 , which can improve the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and growth. Therefore, MoS2 NPs enable a 30% increase in yield compared to the traditional molybdenum fertilizer (Na2 MoO4 ). Excessive transformation of MoS2 nanosheets (NS) leads to the overaccumulation of Mo and sulfate in the plant, which damages the nodule function and yield. The study highlights the importance of understanding the transformation of nanomaterials for agricultural applications in future studies.- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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31. Design and Synthesis of a Water-Based Nanodelivery Pesticide System for Improved Efficacy and Safety.
- Author
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An C, Huang B, Jiang J, Wang X, Li N, Liu H, Shen Y, Sun C, Zhan S, Li X, Wang C, Zeng Z, Cui H, Wu Q, Zhang Y, Guo Z, Zhang P, Lynch I, Gao JM, and Wang Y
- Subjects
- Animals, Water, Escherichia coli, Zebrafish, Pesticides
- Abstract
Developing an environmentally friendly and safe nanodelivery system is crucial to improve the efficacy of pesticides and minimize environmental and health risks. However, preparing a completely water-based nanopesticide without using harmful solvents is a technical challenge. In this study, a water-based nanodelivery pesticide system was constructed to improve the efficacy and safety of Emamectin Benzoate (EB). A specific surfactant, 29-(4-(5-hydroxynonan-5-yl)phenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol (SurEB) was designed and synthesized to form a water-based nanodelivery system (EBWNS) with EB. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the self-assembly and interaction forces between SurEB and EB in water, providing insights into the formation mechanism of EBWNS nanoparticles. The nanodelivery system showed the prolonged effectivity of EB with reduced degradation and demonstrated a good control efficacy for multiple target pests, such as red spider mite, beet armyworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and rice stem borers (Chilo suppressalis). Toxicology tests on various objects demonstrated that the EBWNS has low toxicity for seeds, HaCaT cells, zebrafish, earthworm, and E. coli . This study provides a distinctive perspective for developing environmentally friendly nanopesticide formulations, which clarified a water-based treatment method for specific lipid-soluble pesticides. The water-based nanodelivery pesticide system has the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of pesticides in the process of field applications.
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- 2024
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32. Combined toxicity of fluorescent silica nanoparticles with cadmium in Ceriodaphnia dubia: Interactive effects of natural organic matter and green algae feeding.
- Author
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Maia MT, Delite FS, da Silva GH, Ellis LA, Papadiamantis AG, Paula AJ, Lynch I, and Martinez DST
- Subjects
- Animals, Cadmium toxicity, Silicon Dioxide toxicity, Tissue Distribution, Cladocera, Nanoparticles toxicity, Chlorophyta
- Abstract
The environmental risks of silica nanoparticles (SiNP) reported in the literature are contradictory and bring into question its safety for use in consumer applications. Organisms are never exposed to NPs alone in the real environment, while studies of the combined toxicity of SiNP are limited. To address this, we compared the acute toxicity of fluorescent core-shell SiNPs alone and in mixtures with Cd
2+ to Ceriodaphnia dubia in the absence and presence of NOM. We identified biodistribution and feeding behaviour in addition to the traditional endpoints. NOM increased the colloidal stability of SiNPs in reconstituted water. In immobility tests, no significant effects were observed from Cd2+ exposure with NOM and varying concentrations of SiNPs. A similar pattern of curve dose-response was observed for varying concentrations of SiNPs and increasing Cd2+ concentration and constant NOM. Fluorescence microscopy verified a dose-dependent bioaccumulation of SiNPs in C. dubia. Co-exposure to 10 mg L-1 SiNP with NOM and Cd2+ resulted in a stimulated stress feeding response at the lower Cd2+ concentrations which declined at the higher dose due to a functional impairment of the digestive tract. Alterations in feeding behaviour and the increasing bioaccumulation of SiNP indicate a potential ecological risk for Ceriodaphnia dubia from the mixture exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)- Published
- 2024
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33. A Review on CNTs-Based Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors: Unique Properties and Potential Applications.
- Author
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Meskher H, Ragdi T, Thakur AK, Ha S, Khelfaoui I, Sathyamurthy R, Sharshir SW, Pandey AK, Saidur R, Singh P, Sharifian Jazi F, and Lynch I
- Subjects
- Humans, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers chemistry, Biosensing Techniques instrumentation, Biosensing Techniques methods, Electrochemical Techniques instrumentation, Nanotubes, Carbon chemistry
- Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are safe, biocompatible, bioactive, and biodegradable materials, and have sparked a lot of attention due to their unique characteristics in a variety of applications, including medical and dye industries, paper manufacturing and water purification. CNTs also have a strong film-forming potential, permitting them to be widely employed in constructing sensors and biosensors. This review concentrates on the application of CNT-based nanocomposites in the production of electrochemical sensors and biosensors. It emphasizes the synthesis and optimization of CNT-based sensors for a range of applications and outlines the benefits of using CNTs for biomolecule immobilization. In addition, the use of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-CNTs in the production of electrochemical sensors is also discussed. The challenges faced by the current CNTs-based sensors, along with some the future perspectives and their future opportunities, are also briefly explained in this paper.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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