Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structure fires: Concentrations outside and inside self-contained breathing apparatus and in vitro respiratory toxicity.

Structure fires release several health-hazardous compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory to protect firefighters' airways. The characterization of PAHs released during structure fires is scarce, principally in European countries. This work elucidates the mechanisms of toxic effects associated with human exposure to PAHs released during structure fires, by assessing for the first time, the levels in the breathable air of sapper firefighters with and without the use of SCBA.

Co-Creation in the Development of Digital Therapeutics: A Narrative Review.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are transforming healthcare delivery through personalised, evidence-based interventions that offer a cost-effective approach to health management. However, their widespread adoption faces significant barriers including privacy concerns, usability issues, and integration challenges within healthcare systems. This review assesses the current evidence on DTx, with a particular focus on the role of co-creation in enhancing design and usability.

Correction: Brandão et al. Genotoxicity and Gene Expression in the Rat Lung Tissue following Instillation and Inhalation of Different Variants of Amorphous Silica Nanomaterials (aSiO NM). 2021, , 1502.

In the original publication [...

A comprehensive analysis of digital health-focused Living Labs: innovative approaches to dementia.

The increasing prevalence of dementia demands innovative solutions; however, existing technological products often lack tailored support for individuals living with this condition. The Living Lab approach, as a collaborative innovation method, holds promise in addressing this issue by actively involving end-users in the design and development of solutions adapted to their needs. Despite this potential, the approach still faces challenges due to its lack of recognition as a research methodology and its absence of tailored guidelines, particularly in dementia care, prompting inquiries into its effectiveness.

Firefighters' personal exposure to gaseous PAHs during controlled forest fires: A case study with estimation of respiratory health risks and in vitro toxicity.

Firefighters are daily exposed to adverse health-hazardous pollutants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), well known endocrine disruptors with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, are among the most relevant pollutants. The characterization of firefighters' occupational exposure to airborne PAHs remains limited; information is scarce for European firefighters.

Multiparametric genotoxicity assessment of different variants of amorphous silica nanomaterials in rat alveolar epithelial cells.

The hazard posed to human health by inhaled amorphous silica nanomaterials (aSiO NM) remains uncertain. Herein, we assessed the cyto- and genotoxicity of aSiO NM variants covering different sizes (7, 15, and 40 nm) and surface modifications (unmodified, phosphonate-, amino- and trimethylsilyl-modified) on rat alveolar epithelial (RLE-6TN) cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated at 24 h after exposure to the aSiO NM variants by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and WST-1 reduction assays, while genotoxicity was assessed using different endpoints: DNA damage (single- and double-strand breaks [SSB and DSB]) by the comet assay for all aSiO NM variants; cell cycle progression and γ-H2AX levels (DSB) by flow cytometry for those variants that presented higher cytotoxic and DNA damaging potential.

In vitro data for fire pollutants: contribution of studies using human cell models towards firefighters' occupational.

Firefighters are the principal line of defense against fires, being at elevated risk of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released during fires and burning processes. Although many biomonitoring studies exist, only a limited number of human investigations in fire risk assessment are currently available. studies stand out as valuable tools to assess the toxicity mechanisms involved following exposure to fire pollutants at a cellular level.

Assessing the toxicity of airborne (nano)particles to the human respiratory system: from basic to advanced models.

Several studies have been conducted to address the potential adverse health risks attributed to exposure to nanoscale materials. While studies are fundamental for identifying the relationship between dose and occurrence of adverse effects, model systems provide important information regarding the mechanism(s) of action at the molecular level. With a special focus on exposure to inhaled (nano)particulate material toxicity assessment, this review provides an overview of the available human respiratory models and exposure systems for testing, advantages, limitations, and existing investigations using models of different complexity.

Unveiling the Toxicity of Fine and Nano-Sized Airborne Particles Generated from Industrial Thermal Spraying Processes in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells.

High-energy industrial processes have been associated with particle release into workplace air that can adversely affect workers' health. The present study assessed the toxicity of incidental fine (PGFP) and nanoparticles (PGNP) emitted from atmospheric plasma (APS) and high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate (WST-1) metabolisation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell cycle changes, histone H2AX phosphorylation (γ-H2AX) and DNA damage were evaluated in human alveolar epithelial cells at 24 h after exposure.

In Vitro Cyto- and Genotoxicity Assessment of Antibacterial Paints with Triclosan and Isoborneol.

Surfaces with antimicrobial properties are gaining notoriety as an efficient method to avoid surface contamination. Self-disinfecting paints are a promising strategy towards cleaner indoor environments by preventing the colonization of walls with microorganisms. However, its widespread use needs an appropriate toxicological safety evaluation due to the potential for biological disturbance associated to its biocidal activity.

Toxicity of Industrially Relevant Engineered Nanoparticles in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells: Air-Liquid Interface Submerged Cultures.

Diverse industries have already incorporated within their production processes engineered nanoparticles (ENP), increasing the potential risk of worker inhalation exposure. models have been widely used to investigate ENP toxicity. Air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures have been emerging as a valuable alternative to submerged cultures as they are more representative of the inhalation exposure to airborne nano-sized particles.

Genotoxicity and Gene Expression in the Rat Lung Tissue following Instillation and Inhalation of Different Variants of Amorphous Silica Nanomaterials (aSiO NM).

Several reports on amorphous silica nanomaterial (aSiO NM) toxicity have been questioning their safety. Herein, we investigated the in vivo pulmonary toxicity of four variants of aSiO NM: SiO_15_Unmod, SiO_15_Amino, SiO_7 and SiO_40. We focused on alterations in lung DNA and protein integrity, and gene expression following single intratracheal instillation in rats.

Toxicity assessment of industrial engineered and airborne process-generated nanoparticles in a 3D human airway epithelial model.

The advanced ceramic technology has been pointed out as a potentially relevant case of occupational exposure to nanoparticles (NP). Not only when nanoscale powders are being used for production, but also in the high-temperature processing of ceramic materials there is also a high potential for NP release into the workplace environment. toxicity of engineered NP (ENP) [antimony tin oxide (SbO•SnO; ATO); zirconium oxide (ZrO)], as well as process-generated NP (PGNP), and fine particles (PGFP), was assessed in MucilAir™ cultures at air-liquid interface (ALI).

Nanoparticle exposure and hazard in the ceramic industry: an overview of potential sources, toxicity and health effects.

The ceramic industry is an industrial sector of great impact in the global economy that has been benefiting from advances in materials and processing technologies. Ceramic manufacturing has a strong potential for airborne particle formation and emission, namely of ultrafine particles (UFP) and nanoparticles (NP), meaning that workers of those industries are at risk of potential exposure to these particles. At present, little is known on the impact of engineered nanoparticles (ENP) on the environment and human health and no established Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) or specific regulations to airborne nanoparticles (ANP) exposure exist raising concerns about the possible consequences of such exposure.

Unravelling the Potential Cytotoxic Effects of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Metal(Loid) Mixtures on A549 Human Cell Line.

Humans are typically exposed to environmental contaminants' mixtures that result in different toxicity than exposure to the individual counterparts. Yet, the toxicology of chemical mixtures has been overlooked. This work aims at assessing and comparing viability and cell cycle of A549 cells after exposure to single and binary mixtures of: titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONP) 0.

Genotoxicity of TiO Nanoparticles in Four Different Human Cell Lines (A549, HEPG2, A172 and SH-SY5Y).

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) have a wide variety of applications in many consumer products, including as food additives, increasing the concern about the possible hazards that TiO NPs may pose to human health. Although most previous studies have focused on the respiratory system, ingestion must also be considered as an important exposure route. Furthermore, after inhalation or ingestion, TiO NPs can reach several organs, such as the liver, brain or lungs.

Assessment of oxidative damage induced by iron oxide nanoparticles on different nervous system cells.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have received much attention for their utility in biomedical applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery and hyperthermia, but concerns regarding their potential harmful effects are also growing. Even though ION may induce different toxic effects in a wide variety of cell types and animal systems, there is a notable lack of toxicological data on the human nervous system, particularly important given the increasing number of applications on this specific system. An important mechanism of nanotoxicity is reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative stress.

Optimization of the harvesting and freezing conditions of human cell lines for DNA damage analysis by the alkaline comet assay.

The comet assay is a commonly used method for in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assessment. This versatile assay can be performed in a wide range of tissues and cell types. Although most of the studies use samples immediately processed after collection, frozen biological samples can also be used.

Gold nanorods induce early embryonic developmental delay and lethality in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Due to their unique electronic and optical features, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have received a great deal of attention for application in different fields such as catalysis, electronics, and biomedicine. The large-volume manufacturing predicted for future decades and the inevitable release of these substances into the environment necessitated an assessment of potential adverse human and ecological risks due to exposure to AuNP. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the acute and developmental toxicity attributed to a commercial suspension of Au nanorods stabilized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-AuNR) using early embryonic stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a well-established model in ecotoxicology.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity (HepG2) and chemical composition of polar extracts from the ruderal species Coleostephus myconis (L.) Rchb.f.

Coleostephus myconis (L.) Rchb.f.

Moving into advanced nanomaterials. Toxicity of rutile TiO nanoparticles immobilized in nanokaolin nanocomposites on HepG2 cell line.

Immobilization of nanoparticles on inorganic supports has been recently developed, resulting in the creation of nanocomposites. Concerning titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs), these have already been developed in conjugation with clays, but so far there are no available toxicological studies on these nanocomposites. The present work intended to evaluate the hepatic toxicity of nanocomposites (C-TiO), constituted by rutile TiO NPs immobilized in nanokaolin (NK) clay, and its individual components.

Assessment of Beneficial and Possible Toxic Effects of Two New Alfalfa-Derived Shelf Products.

Aerial parts of Medicago sativa L. have been used as food and its consumption has been associated with health benefits, one among the most important being menopausal symptoms control. This work was aimed to explore possible pharmacological effects of two new alfalfa-derived products that have recently emerged as daily beverage preparations.

Are iron oxide nanoparticles safe? Current knowledge and future perspectives.

Due to their unique physicochemical properties, including superparamagnetism, iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have a number of interesting applications, especially in the biomedical field, that make them one of the most fascinating nanomaterials. They are used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, in targeted drug delivery, and for induced hyperthermia cancer treatments. Together with these valuable uses, concerns regarding the onset of unexpected adverse health effects following exposure have been also raised.

In vitro cytotoxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on neuronal and glial cells. Evaluation of nanoparticle interference with viability tests.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have attracted great interest for use in several biomedical fields. In general, they are considered biocompatible, but little is known of their effects on the human nervous system. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two ION (magnetite), coated with silica and oleic acid, previously determining the possible interference of the ION with the methodological procedures to assure the reliability of the results obtained.