Toxicity of nanoplastics for zebrafish embryos, what we know and where to go next.

Nanoplastics (NP) are an emerging threat to human health and there is a need to understand their toxicity. Zebrafish (ZF) is extensively used as a toxicology model due to its power to com-bine genetic, cellular, and whole organism endpoints. The present review integrates results regarding polystyrene NP effects on ZF embryo development. Study design was evaluated against NP effects. NP size, concentration, and exposure time did not affect organism responses (mortality, development, heart rate, locomotion) or cellular responses (gene expression, enzymes, metabolites). However, NP accumulation depended on size. Smaller NP can reach internal organs (brain, eyes, liver, pancreas, heart) but larger (>200 nm) accumulate mainly in gut, gills and skin. Locomotion and heart rate were commonly affected with hypoactivity and bradycardia being more prevalent. Effects on genetic/enzymatic/metabolic pathways were thoroughly analyzed. Immunity genes were generally upregulated whereas oxidative stress response genes varied. Central nervous system genes and visual related genes were generally downregulated. Results of genetic and enzymatic analyses coincided only for some genes/enzyme pairs. Reviewed studies provide a basis for understanding NP toxicity but results are hard to integrate. We propose key recommendations and future directions with regard to experimental design that may allow greater comparability across future studies.

Towards Harmonized Biobanking for Biomonitoring: A Comparison of Human Biomonitoring-Related and Clinical Biorepositories.

Human biomonitoring (HBM) depends on high-quality human samples to identify status and trends in exposure and ensure comparability of results. In this context, much effort has been put into the development of standardized processes and quality assurance for sampling and chemical analysis, while effects of sample storage and shipment on sample quality have been less thoroughly addressed. To characterize the currently applied storage and shipment procedures within the consortium of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which aims at harmonization of HBM in Europe, a requirement analysis based on data from an online survey was conducted. In addition, the online survey was addressed to professionals in clinical biobanking represented by members of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) to identify the current state-of-the-art in terms of sample storage and shipment. Results of this survey conducted in these two networks were compared to detect processes with potential for optimization and harmonization. In general, many similarities exist in sample storage and shipment procedures applied by ESBB members and HBM4EU partners and many requirements for ensuring sample quality are already met also by HBM4EU partners. Nevertheless, a need for improvement was identified for individual steps in sample storage, shipment, and related data management with potential impact on sample and data quality for HBM purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for crucial first steps to further strengthen sample quality, and thus foster advancement in HBM on a pan-European level are given.

[DEMOCOPHES SPAIN AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE HARMONIZATION OF EUROPEAN HUMAN BIOMONITORING]. / DEMOCOPHES ESPAÑA Y SU CONTRIBUCIÓN A LA ARMONIZACIÓN DE LA BIOVIGILANCIA HUMANA EN EUROPA.

UNLABELLED: Objetive: contributing to demonstrate of the feasibility of a coordinated action on human biomonitoring in Europe (DEMOCOPHES project) and demonstrate the utility of HBM studies to assess the influence of diet and lifestyle in environmental exposures. METHODS: the EU protocol was adapted to the national requirements. The quality controls defined herein were followed and special care was taken to ensure the comparability of the results among participating countries. RESULTS: the protocol adaptation did not shown significant difficulties. Only minor changes were applied, so the original design of the study was respected. 134 mother- child pairs were selected in one school in Añover de Tajo (Toledo) and three schools in Madrid. All volunteers donated a urine and hair sample and complete the epidemiological questionnaire. Significant differences were found in the participation rates between the sampling locations. DISCUSSION: standardization of all steps in a human biomonitoring study is essential for its harmonized development in Europe. The results has contributed to obtain for the first time comparable data about environmental exposure in the general population within 17 EU countries showing the differences associated with diet and lifestyles. The experiences and materials developed in the fieldwork could be applied to the design and implementation of HBM studies in the future.

Objetivo: contribuir a la armonización europea de la biovigilancia en humanos (proyecto DEMOCOPHES) demostrando la utilidad de los estudios de biovigilancia para valorar la influencia de la dieta y los estilos de vida como vía de exposición a contaminantes ambientales. Métodos: se adaptó el protocolo europeo a las necesidades nacionales, siguiendo los controles de calidad definidos en él y sin comprometer la obtención de datos comparables entre los países participantes. Resultados: la adaptación nacional del protocolo europeo no presentó grandes dificultades y, salvo mínimas modificaciones, se respetó el diseño original del estudio. Participaron 134 parejas madre-hijo, seleccionados en un colegio de Añover de Tajo (Toledo) y tres colegios de Madrid. Los voluntarios donaron una muestra de pelo y de orina y contestaron a las preguntas del cuestionario epidemiológico. Se observaron diferencias significativas en la participación de los voluntarios en las dos localizaciones de muestreo. Discusión: la estandarización de todas las etapas de un estudio de biovigilancia en humanos es esencial para su desarrollo armonizado a escala internacional. Los resultados obtenidos han contribuido a la obtención de datos sobre exposición ambiental, por primera vez comparables en 17 países europeos, y han permitido observar diferencias relacionadas con la dieta y los hábitos de vida. Las experiencias y el material de trabajo desarrollado para el estudio piloto serán aplicables al diseño e implementación de futuros estudios de HBM.