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IntroductionReforestation of degraded lands in the boreal forest is challenging and depends on the direction and strength of the plant-soil feedback (PSF).MethodsUsing a gradient in tree productivity (null, low and high) from a long-term, spatially replicated reforestation experiment of borrow pits in the boreal forest, we investigated the interplay between microbial communities and soil and tree nutrient stocks and concentrations in relation to a positive PSF induced by wood mulch amendment.ResultsThree levels of mulch amendment underlie the observed gradient in tree productivity, and plots that had been amended with a continuous layer of mulch 17 years earlier showed a positive PSF with trees up to 6 m tall, a closed canopy, and a developing humus layer. The average taxonomic and functional composition of the bacterial and fungal communities differed markedly betweenlow- and high-productivity plots. Trees in high-productivity plots recruited a specialized soil microbiome that was more efficient at nutrient mobilization and acquisition. These plots showed increases in carbon (C), calcium (Ca), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) stocks and as well as bacterial and fungal biomass. The soil microbiome was dominated by taxa from the fungal genus Cortinarius and the bacterial family Chitinophagaceae, and a complex microbial network with higher connectivity and more keystone species supported tree productivity in reforested plots compared to unproductive plots.DiscussionTherefore, mulching of plots resulted in a microbially mediated PSF that enhances mineral weathering and non-symbiotic N fixation, and in turn helps transform unproductive plots into productive plots to ensure rapid restoration of the forest ecosystem in a harsh boreal environment.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy among women. Compared to other types of cancer, therapeutic agents can be administrated locally at the mucosal vaginal membrane. Thermosensitive gels have been developed over the years for contraception or for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, and sexually transmitted infections. These formulations often carry therapeutic nanoparticles and are now being considered in the arsenal of tools for oncology. They can also be three-dimensionally (3D) printed for a better geometrical adjustment to the anatomy of the patient, thus enhancing the local delivery treatment. In this study, a localized delivery system composed of a Pluronic F127-alginate hydrogel with efficient nanoparticle (NP) release properties was prepared for intravaginal application procedures. The kinetics of hydrogel degradation and its NP releasing properties were demonstrated with ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (∼80% of encapsulated AuNPs released in 48 h). The mucoadhesive properties of the hydrogel formulation were assayed by the periodic acid/Schiff reagent staining, which revealed that 19% of mucins were adsorbed on the gel's surface. The hydrogel formulation was tested for cytocompatibility in three cell lines (HeLa, CRL 2616, and BT-474; no sign of cytotoxicity revealed). The release of AuNPs from the hydrogel and their accumulation in vaginal membranes were quantitatively measured

Diffusion cells are devices made of donor and acceptor compartments (DC and AC), separated by a membrane. They are widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, toxicology, and protective equipment tests (e.g., gloves) to measure the kinetics of permeants (molecules and nanoparticles) across biological membranes as the skin. However, rarely is the concentration of permeants in the AC measured in continuous or in real-time, and this limitation leads to significant discrepancies in the calculations of kinetic parameters that define the permeation mechanisms. In this study, a diffusion cell compatible with positron emission tomography was used to measure the permeation kinetics of nanoparticles across glove membranes. The technology allows for the measurement of nanoparticle concentration in real-time in the two compartments (DC and AC) and at a detection sensitivity several orders of magnitude higher compared with conventional spectroscopies, thus allowing a much more precise extraction of kinetic parameters. Ultra-small (

In this exploratory work, micrometric radiopaque W–Fe–Mn–C coatings were produced by magnetron sputtering plasma deposition, for the first time, with the aim to make very thin Fe–Mn stents trackable by fluoroscopy. The power of Fe–13Mn-1.2C target was kept constant at 400 W while that of W target varied from 100 to 400 W producing three different coatings referred to as P100, P200, P400. The effect of the increased W power on coatings thickness, roughness, structure, corrosion behavior and radiopacity was investigated. The coatings showed a power-dependent thickness and W concentration, different roughness values while a similar and uniform columnar structure. An amorphous phase was detected for both P100 and P200 coatings while γ-Fe, bcc-W and W3C phases found for P400. Moreover, P200 and P400 showed a significantly higher corrosion rate (CR) compared to P100. The presence of W, W3C as well as the Fe amount variation determined two different micro-galvanic corrosion mechanisms significantly changing the CR of coatings, 0.26 ± 0.02, 59.68 ± 1.21 and 59.06 ± 1.16 μm/year for P100, P200 and P400, respectively. Sample P200 with its most uniform morphology, lowest roughness (RMS = 3.9 ± 0.4 nm) and good radiopacity (∼6%) appeared the most suitable radiopaque biodegradable coating investigated in this study., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Three W–Fe–Mn–C coatings (P100, P200, P400) were developed by magnetron sputtering. • Coatings showed a columnar structure and power-dependent thickness and W concentration. • Thicknesses from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.8 ± 0.2 μm and RMS from 3.9 ± 0.4 to 54.3 ± 8.1 nm were found for P100, P200, P400, resp. • The amorphous phase of P100, P200 and γ-Fe, bcc-W and W3C of P400 significantly affected the CR. • The most uniform morphology, lowest roughness (3.9 ± 0.4 nm) and good radiopacity (∼6%) were found for P200.

Diffusion cells are routinely used in pharmacology to measure the permeation of pharmaceutical compounds and contaminants across membranes (biological or synthetic). They can also be used to study drug release from excipients. The device is made of a donor (DC) and an acceptor (AC) compartment, separated by a membrane. Usually, permeation of molecules across membranes is measured by sampling from the AC at different time points. However, this process disturbs the equilibrium of the cell. Furthermore, analytical techniques used in association with diffusion cells sometimes lack either accuracy, sensitivity, or both. This work reports on the development of nuclear imaging – compatible diffusion cells. The cell is made of a polymer transparent to high-energy photons typically detected in positron emission tomography (PET). It was tested in a finite-dose set-up experiment with a pre-clinical PET system. Porous cellulose membranes (3.5, 25 and 300 kDa), a common excipient in pharmacology, as well as for dialysis membranes, were used as test membranes. The radioisotope 89Zr chelated with deferoxamine B (DFO; 0.65 kDa), was used as an imaging probe (7–10 MBq; 0.2–0.3 nMol 89Zr-DFO). In medicine, DFO is also commonly used for iron removal treatments and pharmacological formulations often require the association of this molecule with cellulose. Permeation profiles were obtained by measuring the radioactivity in the DC and AC for up to 2 weeks. The kinetic profiles were used to extract lag time, influx, and diffusion coefficients of DFO across porous cellulose membranes. A sensitivity threshold of 0.005 MBq, or 3.4 fmol of 89Zr-DFO, was revealed. The lag time to permeation (τ) measured in the AC compartment, was found to be 1.33, 0.5, and 0.19 h with 3.5, 25, and 300 kDa membranes, respectively. Diffusion coefficients of 3.65 × 10−6, 8.33 × 10−6, and 4.74 × 10−5 cm2 h−1 where revealed, with maximal pseudo steady-state influx values (Jpss) of 6.55 × 10−6, 1.76 × 10−5, and 1.29 × 10−5 nmol cm−2 h−1. This study confirms the potential of the technology for monitoring molecular diffusion and release processes at low concentrations, high sensitivities, in real time and in a visual manner.

Ultrasmall nanoparticles (US-NPs

Identifying ecological drivers of tick-borne pathogen spread has great value for tick-borne disease management. However, theoretical investigations into the consequences of host movement behaviour on pathogen spread dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes remain limited because spatially explicit epidemiological models that incorporate more realistic mechanisms governing host movement are rare. We built a mechanistic movement model to investigate how the interplay between multiple ecological drivers affects the risk of tick-borne pathogen spread across heterogeneous landscapes. We used the model to generate simulations of tick dispersal by migratory birds and terrestrial hosts across theoretical landscapes varying in resource aggregation, and we performed a sensitivity analysis to explore the impacts of different parameters on the infected tick spread rate, tick infection prevalence and infected tick density. Our findings highlight the importance of host movement and tick population dynamics in explaining the infected tick spread rate into new regions. Tick infection prevalence and infected tick density were driven by predictors related to the infection process and tick population dynamics, respectively. Our results suggest that control strategies aiming to reduce tick burden on tick reproduction hosts and encounter rate between immature ticks and pathogen amplification hosts will be most effective at reducing tick-borne disease risk.

Summary Background Whole breast irradiation delivered once per day over 3–5 weeks after breast conserving surgery reduces local recurrence with good cosmetic results. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) delivered over 1 week to the tumour bed was developed to provide a more convenient treatment. In this trial, we investigated if external beam APBI was non-inferior to whole breast irradiation. Methods We did this multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial in 33 cancer centres in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Women aged 40 years or older with ductal carcinoma in situ or node-negative breast cancer treated by breast conserving surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either external beam APBI (38·5 Gy in ten fractions delivered twice per day over 5–8 days) or whole breast irradiation (42·5 Gy in 16 fractions once per day over 21 days, or 50 Gy in 25 fractions once per day over 35 days). Patients and clinicans were not masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome was ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR), analysed by intention to treat. The trial was designed on the basis of an expected 5 year IBTR rate of 1·5% in the whole breast irradiation group with 85% power to exclude a 1·5% increase in the APBI group; non-inferiority was shown if the upper limit of the two-sided 90% CI for the IBTR hazard ratio (HR) was less than 2·02. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00282035 . Findings Between Feb 7, 2006, and July 15, 2011, we enrolled 2135 women. 1070 were randomly assigned to receive APBI and 1065 were assigned to receive whole breast irradiation. Six patients in the APBI group withdrew before treatment, four more did not receive radiotherapy, and 16 patients received whole breast irradiation. In the whole breast irradiation group, 16 patients withdrew, and two more did not receive radiotherapy. In the APBI group, a further 14 patients were lost to follow-up and nine patients withdrew during the follow-up period. In the whole breast irradiation group, 20 patients were lost to follow-up and 35 withdrew during follow-up. Median follow-up was 8·6 years (IQR 7·3–9·9). The 8-year cumulative rates of IBTR were 3·0% (95% CI 1·9–4·0) in the APBI group and 2·8% (1·8–3·9) in the whole breast irradiation group. The HR for APBI versus whole breast radiation was 1·27 (90% CI 0·84–1·91). Acute radiation toxicity (grade ≥2, within 3 months of radiotherapy start) occurred less frequently in patients treated with APBI (300 [28%] of 1070 patients) than whole breast irradiation (484 [45%] of 1065 patients, p Interpretation External beam APBI was non-inferior to whole breast irradiation in preventing IBTR. Although less acute toxicity was observed, the regimen used was associated with an increase in moderate late toxicity and adverse cosmesis, which might be related to the twice per day treatment. Other approaches, such as treatment once per day, might not adversely affect cosmesis and should be studied. Funding Canadian Institutes for Health Research and Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance.

We developed a method combining passive baiting (animals that are not trapped) with DNA meta-barcoding of the feces acquired, to study fungi in the diet of small mammals. Mammal and fungal species were identified using genomic DNA of 596 fecal samples collected in five regions of the eastern Canadian boreal forest. For identification of the small mammal species, the cytochrome b region was used. A total of eight species of small mammals displayed hypogeous fungi consumption, with northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) and red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) as the top consumers. For identification of their fungal diets, the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used. We recovered 722 taxa of Ascomycota, 429 Basidiomycota, 81 Zygomycota, 4 Chytridiomycota, 1 Glomeromycota, and 44 unidentified fungal taxa. Of these, 28 were hypogeous sequestrate fungi (underground fructification), which presumably are dug out by small mammals for consumption. Otherwise, for the remaining fungi [epigeous (above ground fructification) or microscopic fungal species], it is unclear which ones are selected by the animal as a dietary source or result from incidental contamination. Our paper presents a promising approach for tracing mycophagy in small mammals, and our results suggest that fungal diversity is important for the diet of some small mammals.

Melting and solidification problems in presence of natural convection are known to require high computational resources. Very fine meshes are essential to accurately determine the flow structure an...

Microencapsulation is being investigated as a means to avoid rejection of transplanted pancreatic islets. Monitoring bead distribution and stability in vivo is an important step toward improving microencapsulated islet transplantation strategies. Islet co-encapsulation with gadolinium-labeled mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Gd-MSNs) could allow bead visualization while immobilizing and limiting the potential internalization of the contrast agent. The porous nature of the MSNs could also be used to locally release anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, or anti-apoptotic factors. Mouse insulinoma 6 (MIN6) beta cells were co-encapsulated with Gd-MSNs in alginate beads produced by emulsification and internal gelation. Gd-MSN alginate beads appeared brighter in T1-weighted imaging sequences (detection threshold of 0.016 mM Gd; relaxometric ratio r2/r1 = 1.45) than beads without Gd-MSNs. No leaching of Gd3+ from the hydrogels was detected over the course of 3 months. MIN6 cells co-encapsulated with Gd-MSNs were viable...

The bidomain and monodomain models are types of nonlinear reaction-diffusion system and are widely used to study cardiac electrical activity. The numerical simulation of these models calls for extremely fine meshes to accurately predict the depolarization and repolarization wave fronts, which leads to huge computational challenges. In this paper, we will show the advantage of a parallel mesh adaptation method for solving the monodomain model. A comparison between parallel adapted and uniform meshes will be presented. The computational efficiency of the proposed methodology is assessed using an example of spiral wave.

Brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) are the main structural and dynamic components of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), preventing the majority of drugs from reaching the brain. Since BMECs are involved in a wide range of central nervous system diseases, the development of nanocarriers that trigger receptor-mediated uptake in these cells has been suggested as a promising approach to an increased drug delivery to the brain. Here, we report the size and the bioconjugation effects of antibody-conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) on in vitro and in vivo targeting ability to BMECs. For this, Ri7 antibody was conjugated to MSNs of two different sizes (50 nm and 160 nm in diameter) through a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker. The particles were also functionalized with a MRI contrast agent (gadolinium chelate) and with a fluorescent label. The functionalized MSN suspensions showed good colloidal stability. The Ri7 antibody immobilized on the MSN surface maintained its high specific activity and high binding affinity, as demonstrated in vitro. Cells incubated with gadolinium-chelated Ri7-MSNs showed a significant MRI positive contrast enhancement, highlighting the potential of such nanoparticles for theranostic applications. To measure the uptake and affinity of Ri7-MSNs to brain endothelial and neuronal cells, cell uptake studies were performed and a quantitative cellular assay was developed. The results revealed that endocytosis of nanoparticles is mediated by transferrin receptors and that Ri7-MSN cellular uptake is size- and time-dependent. A highest specific uptake was found with 50 nm Ri7-MSNs. Upon intravenous injection, 50 nm Ri7-MSNs were specifically accumulated in BMECs, suggesting the strong potential of antibody-coated nanoparticles for targeting BMECs in vivo. These findings open the door to therapeutic targeting of BMECs, enabling potential therapeutic drug delivery to the brain.

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) distributed in the vicinity of low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy seeds could multiply their efficacy thanks to the secondary emissions induced by the photoelectric effect. Injections of radioactive LDR gold nanoparticles (LDR Au NPs), instead of conventional millimeter-size radioactive seeds surrounded by Au NPs, could further enhance the dose by distributing the radioactivity more precisely and homogeneously in tumors. However, the potential of LDR Au NPs as an emerging strategy to treat cancer is strongly dependent on the macroscopic diffusion of the NPs in tumors, as well as on their microscopic internalization within the cells. Understanding the relationship between interstitial and intracellular distribution of NPs, and the outcomes of dose deposition in the cancer tissue is essential for considering future applications of radioactive Au NPs in oncology. Here, LDR Au NPs (103Pd:Pd@Au-PEG NPs) were injected in prostate cancer tumors. The particles were visualized at time-po...

Ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIOs) have been used as vascular contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mainly for their capacity to generate negative contrast. To use USPIOs as positive contrast agents, it is necessary to achieve increased colloidal stability and signal-enhancement performance. Their molecular coatings must be carefully chosen so the vascular blood-pool contrast agents must lead to long blood turnover times. However, to avoid long-term toxicological effects, they must also be cleared rapidly through the urinary or the gastrointestinal pathways. In this context, highly stable USPIOs showing “positive” contrast in MRI and optimal clearance rates, call for the development of robust biocompatible molecular coatings. In the present study, USPIOs were stabilized with multidentate block copolymer (MDBC), using a one-pot polyol synthesis method in the presence of MDBC. Two types of MDBC having pendant COOH groups in the anchoring block were developed: a po...

When combined with 1H MRI, 19F MRI has the potential to combine high-resolution anatomical information with quantitative diagnostic. In this study, we report on the development of fluorinated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), as dual 1H and 19F MRI probes. For this, MSNs were synthesised and covalently functionalized either with fluorosilane (FMSNs) or polyfluorosiloxane (polyFMSNs). Gadolinium chelates were also grafted on the particles, in order to confer 1H-MRI contrast enhancement to the imaging probes. Thus-treated nanoparticles were fully characterized and their 1H/19F relaxometric performances were thoroughly measured and compared. The 19F relaxation properties were found to be dependent on the concentration of fluorine; they were also highly sensitive to the presence of gadolinium. Better relaxivities were obtained with polyFMSNs, in comparison with those of FMSNs, leading to better 19F MRI sensitivity. Strong 1H relaxometric properties were also obtained for both nanoparticle systems, at la...

Fluorapatite-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the hyphosphere of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus Wilcoxina sp., a dominant species in the Picea glauca (Moench) Voss rhizosphere. Hundreds of strains isolated from the ascomycete Wilcoxina sp. could dissolve tricalcium phosphate, while only 27 of them could produce clarification halos on fluorapatite-amended solid medium. Most of the fluorapatite-solubilizing strains belonged to the Burkholderia genus. Scanning electron microscopy observations have shown that these efficient phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were able to completely solubilize fluorapatite crystals within 22 h. The efficient PSB Burkholderia sp. strain 205 and Curtobacterium sp. strain 168 were tested for their ability to associate with a genetically distant fungal host while fulfilling their phosphate-solubilizing function. Burkholderia sp. strain 205 successfully associated with the basidiomycete Laccaria bicolor (Maire) P.D.Orton when hydroxyapatite was the only phosphorus source available to the fungus, while there was no bacterial development when Laccaria bicolor could access soluble phosphorus as well. Optical microscopic observation of Laccaria bicolor associated with Burkholderia sp. revealed extensive colonization of fungal hyphae by the bacterium. These results suggest an important role of bacteria – ECM fungi associations in white spruce phosphate nutrition.

A single-step procedure for the preparation of Au–MnOx NPs was achieved through pulsed laser ablation of a gold–manganese metal target made of a pressed metal powder mixture. First, a 248 nm nanosecond laser at 66.7 J cm–2 was used to synthesize Au–MnOx NPs from a gold–manganese metal target immersed in an aqueous solution at pH 11 (NaOH). It is demonstrated that the Au–MnOx NPs are made of a small Au core (around 5 nm in diameter) surrounded by a very thin manganese oxide layer (0.3–1.3 nm) as characterized by TEM, HAADF HR-STEM, and EELS. The superficial MnOx layer has a local structure that bears a close resemblance to that of Mn2O3 and MnO2 as revealed by EXAFS and XANES measurements. Comparative studies were also performed with a 1064 nm nanosecond laser at 1.4 J cm–2. In that case, the resulting colloids are mainly made of a mixture of Au NPs and MnOx NPs, with few Au–MnOx NPs, thereby suggesting the impact of the laser wavelength and fluence on the synthesis process. The mechanisms responsible for ...

An effective mussel-inspired multidentate block copolymer strategy having pendant anchoring catechol groups (Cat-MDBC) to stabilize extremely small iron oxide nanoparticles (ESNPs) in water is reported. The resultant aqueous Cat-MDBC/ESNP colloids with diameter ≈16 nm and core diameter ≈2 nm were non-toxic to cells up to 200 μg/mL and exhibit excellent colloidal stability in physiological condition (pH=7) as well as in the presence of IgG model protein. More promisingly, they had the relaxivity ratio to be r2/r1=1.5, which is significantly lower than PEG-coated SNPs with core diameter=1.5-6 nm; further which is similar to those of Gd-DOTA T1-weighted contrast agents. These results suggest that aqueous Cat-MDBC/ESNP colloids could be a promising candidate for T1-weighted MRI contrast enhancement.

Biofilm formation on abiotic and biotic surfaces was studied with two hyphobacteria, strongly attached to the surface of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizoglomus irregulare (Ri) DAOM 197198 and two mycorrhizobacteria, loosely attached to the roots of different mycorrhizal plants. When the sparingly soluble igneous phosphate rock (PR) from Quebec, or when the chemical hydroxyapatite were used as sole phosphorus (P) source, hyphobacteria Rhizobium miluonense Rm3 and Burkholderia anthina Ba8 produced significantly more biofilms than mycorrhizobacteria Rahnella sp. Rs11 and Burkholderia phenazinium Bph12, as indicated by the crystal violet assay or by quantifying biofilm exopolysaccharides. As previously observed with planktonic bacteria, biofilms mobilized P by lowering the pH and releasing gluconic acid. The high efficiency of P mobilization by the hyphobacteria Ba8 was linked to the presence of more viable cells in its biofilm as revealed by the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed a high adherence of the best P-solubilizer hyphobacteria Ba8 on the surface of Quebec PR. Hydroxyapatite porous structure did not allow a good adherence of Ba8. Ba8 formed an important biofilm on the hyphae of Ri DAOM 197198 with low reactive Quebec PR while no biofilm was observed with the high reactive hydroxyapatite. Results confirm the possible presence of specificity between the Ri DAOM 197198 and the hyphobacteria and suggest that the interaction would be regulated by the availability of P. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00572-016-0726-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are considered as one of the most promising nanovectors for controlled drug delivery. For the design of ideal drug nanocarriers, several factors have to be taken into account, such as size and surface chemistry. Here, we report how MSNs surface functionalization and particle size critically affect the drug release performances and therapeutic capabilities. We illustrate the size effect of these functionalized MSNs on in vitro, intracellular, and in vivo drug release efficiency, as well as on nanoparticle and drug diffusion into the targeted tissues (tumor). For this, dispersible MSNs with different particle sizes (from 500 down to 45 nm), similar physicochemical properties (e.g., structural and textural properties), and high colloidal stability (even in saline conditions), were synthesized. Their surface was specifically functionalized with a phosphonate-silane according to a novel postgrafting strategy, for better control over loading and release of positively charg...

New mesh-update for FSI problems.Parabolic extension.Large displacements.Mesh quality. Knowing the displacements of the solid boundary, various techniques have been proposed to update the fluid mesh in fluidstructure interaction problems. The ideal moving mesh method must be cheap, avoid the generation of degenerated elements and provide good quality elements to ease the finite element solution. We therefore introduce a very simple moving mesh method allowing for very large deformation in static problems and to very large time steps for time-dependent problems. We compare our method with more classical approaches such as harmonic extension and radial basis function method through a number of test problems and we analyze their performances.

The fabrication of semiconductor products for the microelectronic industry requires the deposition of thin noble metal layers (e.g. Au-Sn and Pd) by means of processes involving fluid baths that contain metal ions (e.g. electrowinning and electroless plating). After several cycles, the plating solutions are used up and must be replaced, generating large volumes of discarded solutions containing precious metals. The metals (Au and Pd) are recovered either by electrowinning, a slow batch process, or by the use of toxic molecules (e.g. cyanides). This study demonstrates the possibility of using an atmospheric plasma technology to recover Au and Pd from these solutions, which provides a faster and greener process. Plasma discharges are generated at the surface of the solutions, causing ions to precipitate as nanoparticles. The treatment (few minutes only) allows the recovery of >95% gold, and >60% palladium. The process separates Au (NPs) from Sn ions (remaining in solution), as confirmed by elemental analysis and XPS. Particle size distributions of the nanoparticles recovered through the process suggests that as-synthesized nanoparticles could integrate value-added products (e.g. catalyst industry). Overall, the use of plasma technology could open several possibilities for the recycling of metals contained in solutions discarded from the semiconductor industry.