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Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 22365

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Constantine D. Stalikas

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: carbon nanodots; analytical; biomedical
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos

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Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: nanomaterials; carbon-based nanomaterials; graphene; carbon nanodots; photoluminescent probes; sample preparation; analytical method development; metabolomics; toxicity; antibacterial activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Up till today, there have been myriad studies that discuss the advantages of nanomaterials which can be reaped in numerous applications. During the last several years, more and more nanomaterials have been used in commercial products and their number continues to increase exponentially. However, what may seem as a blessing for humanity can easily backfire by causing unforetold problems. Nanomaterials can be likened to the sword of Damocles, threatening the well-being of the ecosystems and ultimately of humans. As the flux of nanomaterials into ecosystems increases, it is imperative to study their effects on the (micro)organisms of the ecosystems. Although this field of research has progressed substantially during the last few years, there remains a lot to be done. This Special Issue aims to shed light on the nanoecotoxicity of novel or well-known nanomaterials and to gather data on the latest advances in this field. Research articles as well as review articles are welcome. Topics of the Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

Toxicity assessments of nanomaterials on prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and more advanced organisms (e.g., animals)
Effects of nanomaterials on the phenotype of living organisms
Assessments of interactions of nanomaterials with biomolecules
Use of -omics techniques to highlight biochemical changes in organisms
Development or use of in vitro, in vivo, or computational models to assess ecotoxicity

Prof. Dr. Constantine D. Stalikas
Dr. Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Nanoecotoxicology
Nanomaterials
Toxicology
Omics
Biochemical alterations
Toxicity models

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low Toxicity of Metal-Organic Framework MOF-74(Co) Nano-Particles In Vitro and In Vivo

by Suke Lan, Jiahao Zhang, Xin Li, Lejie Pan, Juncheng Li, Xian Wu and Sheng-Tao Yang

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3398; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12193398 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

With the rapid development of metal-organic frameworks (MOF), the toxicity and environmental safety of MOF materials should be thoroughly investigated. The behaviors and bio-effects of MOF materials after oral exposure are largely unknown. In this study, we performed a pilot toxicity evaluation of MOF-74(Co) nanoparticles (NPs) both in vitro and in vivo. The cell viability and cell cycle were monitored after LO2 cells were incubated with MOF-74(Co). The Co contents, bodyweight, serum biochemistry, histopathological changes, and oxidative stress parameters were measured after oral exposure to MOF-74(Co) NPs in mice. LO2 cells showed viability loss at 100 mg/L. The cell cycle arrest was more sensitive, which was observed even at 12.5 mg/L. MOF-74(Co) NPs led to a significant accumulation of Co in the liver and kidneys. No bodyweight loss was observed and the serum biochemical index was mainly unchanged. Except for slight inflammation, the histopathological images of the liver and kidneys after oral exposure to MOF-74(Co) NPs were normal compared to the control. Meaningful oxidative stress was found in the liver and kidneys. The results collectively indicated the low toxicity of MOF-74(Co) NPs after oral exposure in mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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16 pages, 3506 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Sorption Capacity of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles: Implication for Wastewater Purification from Antibiotics

by Liubov Yu. Antipina, Kristina Yu. Kotyakova, Mariya V. Tregubenko and Dmitry V. Shtansky

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3157; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12183157 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

The constant accumulation of antibiotics and their degradation products in wastewater as a result of human activity poses a serious threat to humanity and other living beings. To contribute to solving this important problem, hollow hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNPs) with a spherical shape and smooth surface were synthesized, which were characterized as an efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment from three types of antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (CIP), tetracycline (TC), and benzylpenicillin (BP). As follows from DFT calculations, the interaction of antibiotic molecules (AM) with the BN surface is neither purely physical nor purely chemical, and negative binding energy (BE) indicates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The calculated electron density redistributions at the AM/BN interfaces show that antibiotics interact with BN mainly through oxygen-containing groups. In addition, this interaction causes the BN surface to bend, which increases both the BE and the contact area. The removal efficiency of antibiotics (Re, %) depends on their initial concentration. At an initial concentration of 10 µg/mL, Re₅₀ and Re₁₀₀ were observed after 24 h and 14 days, respectively. With an increase in the initial concentration to 40 μg/mL, Re₅₀ and Re₁₀₀ were achieved after 5 and 28 days (with the exception of ciprofloxacin (~80% Re)). The maximum sorption capacity of BNNPs (q_e) was determined to be 297.3 mg/g (TC), 254.8 mg/g (BP), and 238.2 mg/g (CIP), which is significantly superior to many other systems. Tetracycline is adsorbed much faster than the other two antibiotics, which is confirmed by both theoretical and experimental data. Based on the results of the DFT analysis, a simple and efficient sorbent regeneration strategy was proposed, which ensures complete removal of antibiotics after 14 (BP), 21 (TC), and 10 (CIP) days. Thus, the obtained results clearly show that BNNPs are promising sorbents for various classes of antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and β-lactams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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15 pages, 2479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low Toxicological Impact of Commercial Pristine Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

by Sonia Martel Martín, Rocío Barros, Brixhilda Domi, Carlos Rumbo, Matteo Poddighe, Santiago Aparicio, Maria Suarez-Diez and Juan Antonio Tamayo-Ramos

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2272; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11092272 - 01 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2371

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted the attention of academy and industry due to their potential applications, being currently produced and commercialized at a mass scale, but their possible impact on different biological systems remains unclear. In the present work, an assessment to understand the toxicity of commercial pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the unicellular fungal model Saccharomyces cerevisiae is presented. Firstly, the nanomaterial was physico-chemically characterized, to obtain insights concerning its morphological features and elemental composition. Afterwards, a toxicology assessment was carried out, where it could be observed that cell proliferation was negatively affected only in the presence of 800 mg L⁻¹ for 24 h, while oxidative stress was induced at a lower concentration (160 mg L⁻¹) after a short exposure period (2 h). Finally, to identify possible toxicity pathways induced by the selected MWCNTs, the transcriptome of S. cerevisiae exposed to 160 and 800 mg L⁻¹, for two hours, was studied. In contrast to a previous study, reporting massive transcriptional changes when yeast cells were exposed to graphene nanoplatelets in the same exposure conditions, only a small number of genes (130) showed significant transcriptional changes in the presence of MWCNTs, in the higher concentration tested (800 mg L⁻¹), and most of them were found to be downregulated, indicating a limited biological response of the yeast cells exposed to the selected pristine commercial CNTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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13 pages, 1998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fresh-Water Mollusks as Biomonitors for Ecotoxicity of Nanomaterials

by Natalia Abramenko, Petr Mashkin, Sergey Volkov, Vladimir Olshanskiy and Leonid Kustov

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11040944 - 08 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1522

Abstract

The use of different nanoparticles (NPs) is growing every year since discoveries of their unique properties. The wide use of nanomaterials has raised concerns about their safety and possible accumulation in the aquatic environment. Mussels are being considered as one of the most suitable organisms for bioaccumulation monitoring. Within our study, we focused on developing the method that can be applied in field studies of ecotoxicity and can be nondestructive and informative at early times of exposure, while at the same time being based on changes of physiological parameters of fresh water mussels. The changes in the cardiovascular and neural systems of mollusks (Anodonta anatina and Unio tumidus) were measured as biomarkers of toxic effects. Different monometallic and bimetallic NPs, silicon NPs with various ligands were applied as test substances. Changes in cardiovascular and neural functions were in good correlation with accumulation tests for all tested NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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20 pages, 3362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochemical, Ameliorative and Cytotoxic Effects of Newly Synthesized Curcumin Microemulsions: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

by Abbas Rahdar, Mohammad Reza Hajinezhad, Saman Sargazi, Maryam Zaboli, Mahmood Barani, Francesco Baino, Muhammad Bilal and Esmael Sanchooli

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 817; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11030817 - 23 Mar 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2841

Abstract

Curcumin is known to exhibit antioxidant and tissue-healing properties and has recently attracted the attention of the biomedical community for potential use in advanced therapies. This work reports the formulation and characterization of oil-in-water F127 microemulsions to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin Microemulsions showed a high encapsulation efficiency and prolonged release. To investigate the interactions of curcumin with one unit of the polymeric chain of surfactant F127, ethyl butyrate, and sodium octanoate, as well as the interaction between ethyl butyrate and one unit of the F127 polymer chain, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the M06-2X level of theory, were performed in water solution. The MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated curcumin on non-malignant and malignant cell lines. Combination effects were calculated according to Chou-Talalay’s principles. Results of in vitro studies indicated that MCF7 and HepG2 cells were more sensitive to curcumin microemulsions. Moreover, a synergistic relationship was observed between curcumin microemulsions and cisplatin in all affected fractions of MCF7 and HepG2 cells (CI < 0.9). For in vivo investigation, thioacetamide-intoxicated rats received thioacetamide (100 mg/kg Sc) followed by curcumin microemulsions (30 mg/kg Ip). Thioacetamide-intoxicated rats showed elevated serum liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels, and a significant reduction in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p < 0.05). Curcumin microemulsions reduced liver enzymes and serum creatinine and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in thioacetamide-treated rats in comparison to the untreated thioacetamide-intoxicated group. Histopathological investigations confirmed the biochemical findings. Overall, the current results showed the desirable hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-cancer effects of curcumin microemulsions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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13 pages, 977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolomic Profiling Unveils the Impact of Non-Doped and Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Nanodots on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos

by Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos, Claire Pliatsika, Ieremias Chousidis, Ioannis D. Leonardos and Constantine D. Stalikas

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 483; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11020483 - 14 Feb 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

Recently, concern has been raised over the transport, transformation, and fate of carbon nanodots (CNDs) after their release into the environment. Their toxicity towards organisms and humans has recently been addressed as an important issue. In this study, a metabolomic approach was employed to obtain an insight into the effect of CNDs (either pristine or doped with nitrogen and nitrogen/sulfur) on zebrafish. Embryos were exposed to concentrations corresponding to lethal concentration (LC) LC₅₀ (550, 400, and 150 μg mL⁻¹), LC_50/2 (275, 200, and 75 μg mL⁻¹), and LC_50/4 (138, 100, and 38 μg mL⁻¹) of the three CNDs (non-doped, N-doped, and N,S-codoped, respectively) to scrutinize the interactions of the CNDs with the larvae. Numerous differences in the metabolic pathways were recorded in all cases. Seven metabolic pathways were detected in the control larvae. When the larvae were exposed to concentrations equal to LC₅₀, LC_50/2, and LC_50/4 of non-doped CNDs, 12, 12, and 3 metabolic pathways were detected, respectively. In the case of N-doped CNDs, 4, 7, and 4 pathways were detected, while in the case of N,S-codoped CNDs, 8, 5, and 5 pathways were detected when exposed to concentrations of LC₅₀, LC_50/2, and LC_50/4, respectively. In all cases, certain metabolic pathways were altered while others were either down-regulated or up-regulated. Some of these changes include the activation of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, butanoate metabolism, D-glutamine, and D-glutamate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, selenoamino acid metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation pathways. Moreover, the deactivation of starch and sucrose metabolism, the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, among others, were recorded. Our findings underline the importance to further study the impact of CNDs on marine organisms. As zebrafish has been shown to share many similarities with humans in bioprocesses and genome, it can be assumed that CNDs may also pose a threat to human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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Review

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29 pages, 1918 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biomaterials for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture: From Applications in Oncology to Nanotechnology

by Tarek Saydé, Omar El Hamoui, Bruno Alies, Karen Gaudin, Gaëtane Lespes and Serge Battu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 481; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11020481 - 13 Feb 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 8020

Abstract

Three-dimensional cell culture has revolutionized cellular biology research and opened the door to novel discoveries in terms of cellular behavior and response to microenvironment stimuli. Different types of 3D culture exist today, including hydrogel scaffold-based models, which possess a complex structure mimicking the extracellular matrix. These hydrogels can be made of polymers (natural or synthetic) or low-molecular weight gelators that, via the supramolecular assembly of molecules, allow the production of a reproducible hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties. When cancer cells are grown in this type of hydrogel, they develop into multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS). Three-dimensional (3D) cancer culture combined with a complex microenvironment that consists of a platform to study tumor development and also to assess the toxicity of physico-chemical entities such as ions, molecules or particles. With the emergence of nanoparticles of different origins and natures, implementing a reproducible in vitro model that consists of a bio-indicator for nano-toxicity assays is inevitable. However, the maneuver process of such a bio-indicator requires the implementation of a repeatable system that undergoes an exhaustive follow-up. Hence, the biggest challenge in this matter is the reproducibility of the MCTS and the associated full-scale characterization of this system’s components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanoecotoxicology: From the Molecular to the Biological Level and Back)

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