Comparative study of cytotoxicity by platinum nanoparticles and ions in vitro systems based on fish cell lines.

Emission of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) especially from vehicle exhaust catalysts and pharmaceutics cause an increase in concentrations of this metal in aquatic environments. In this study, small (4-9 nm) uncoated and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated Pt NPs were synthetized and their dispersion in different exposure media were evaluated. Pt NP uptake in two established fish cell lines were investigated and comparative in vitro cytotoxicity of Pt NPs and ions were assessed. The coated and uncoated Pt NPs dispersions in minimum essential medium (MEM) with fetal bovine serum (FBS) displayed high colloidal stability. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (STEM/EDX) indicated no detectable cellular uptake of Pt NPs in both cell line monolayers. But with ICP-MS analysis, trace amount of Pt content was determined in all digested monolayer cell samples. The cytotoxicity of both Pt NPs and Pt ions on both fish cell lines after 48 h exposure was investigated through three assays to monitor different endpoints of cytotoxicity. In all studied concentrations (0.325-200 mg/L) no significant cytotoxicity (p > .5) compared to controls were observed in the cells exposed to coated Pt NPs. Uncoated Pt NP and ion exposed cells indicated similar concentration dependent cytotoxicity on both cell lines.

Review-Microwave Radar Sensing Systems for Search and Rescue Purposes.

This paper presents a survey of recent developments using Doppler radar sensor in searching and locating an alive person under debris or behind a wall. Locating a human and detecting the vital signs such as breathing rate and heartbeat using a microwave sensor is a non-invasive technique. Recently, many hardware structures, signal processing approaches, and integrated systems have been introduced by researchers in this field. The purpose is to enhance the accuracy of vital signs' detection and location detection and reduce energy consumption. This work concentrates on the representative research on sensing systems that can find alive people under rubble when an earthquake or other disasters occur. In this paper, various operating principles and system architectures for finding survivors using the microwave radar sensors are reviewed. A comparison between these systems is also discussed.

Anticancer and Cytotoxic Activities of [Cu(C6H16N2O2)2][Ni(CN)4] and [Cu(C6H16N2O2)Pd(CN)4] Cyanidometallate Compounds on HT29, HeLa, C6 and Vero Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: In cancer, apoptosis relevant proteins-such as CaM kinase, Bcl-2 or P53, topoisomerase I, cell migration feature and DNA/BSA-macromolecules represent significant targets for current chemotherapeutics. OBJECTIVE: We recently reported two coordination compounds-[Cu(C6H16N2O2)2][Ni(CN)4] (1) and [Cu(C6H16 N2O2)Pd(CN)4] (2)-together with their IR spectra, magnetic properties, thermal analyses and crystal structures. Herein, we describe the ability of these complexes to induce apoptosis in relevant proteins and stimulate topoisomerase I activity, cell migration velocity and DNA/BSA binding properties. METHOD: The in vitro antiproliferative effects and cell toxicity of both compounds were investigated through pharmacological measurement techniques, and interactions between both compounds and CT-DNA/BSA were studied with UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results & Conclusion: Studies on cells revealed that 2 (i) demonstrated a high antiproliferative effect, which was higher toward HeLa and C6 cancer cells than toward healthy Vero cells; (ii) impaired the migration of HeLa cells; (iii) altered the P53-Bcl-2 ratio in favor of apoptosis; (iv) strongly bound to DNA/BSA macromolecules; and (v) inhibited human topoisomerase I and KpnI or BamHI restriction endonucleases. In conclusion, this preliminary information demonstrates that 2 may represent a promising antiproliferative agent and a potential candidate for a therapeutic approach against HeLa.

Effects of subchronic exposure to zinc nanoparticles on tissue accumulation, serum biochemistry, and histopathological changes in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) are among the least investigated NPs and thus their toxicological effects are not known. In this study, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to 1 and 10 mg/L suspensions of small size (SS, 40-60 nm) and large size (LS, 80-100 nm) ZnNPs for 14 days under semi-static conditions. Total Zn levels in the intestine, liver, kidney, gill, muscle tissue, and brain were measured. Blood serum glucose (GLU), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were examined to elucidate the physiological disturbances induced by ZnNPs. Organ pathologies were examined for the gills, liver, and kidney to identify injuries associated with exposure. Significant accumulation was observed in the order of intestine, liver, kidney, and gills. Zn levels exhibited time- and concentration-dependent increase in the organs. Accumulation in kidney was also dependent on particle size; NPs SS-ZnNPs were trapped more effectively than LS-ZnNPs. No significant accumulation occurred in the brain (p > 0.05) while Zn levels in muscle tissue increased only marginally (p ≥ 0.05). Significant disturbances were noted in serum GOT and LDH (p < 0.05). The GPT levels fluctuated and were not statistically different from those of controls (p > 0.05). Histopathological tubular deformations and mononuclear cell infiltrations were observed in kidney sections. In addition, an increase in melano-macrophage aggregation intensity was identified on the 7th day in treatments exposed to LS-ZnNPs. Mononuclear cell infiltrations were identified in liver sections for all treatments. Both ZnNPs caused basal hyperplasia in gill sections. Fusions appeared in the gills after the 7th day in fish treated with 10 mg/L suspensions of SS-ZnNPs. In addition, separations in the secondary lamella epithelia were observed. The results indicated that exposure to ZnNPs could lead to disturbances in blood biochemistry and cause histopathological injuries in the tissues of O. niloticus. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1213-1225, 2017.

Chronic exposure of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to iron oxide nanoparticles: Effects of particle morphology on accumulation, elimination, hematology and immune responses.

Effects of chronic exposure to alpha and gamma iron oxide nanoparticles (α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 NPs) were investigated through exposure of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mg/L (9.2×10(-4), 4.6×10(-3) and 9.2×10(-3)mM) aqueous suspensions for 60days. Fish were then transferred to NP-free freshwater and allowed to eliminate ingested NPs for 30days. The organs, including gills, liver, kidney, intestine, brain, spleen, and muscle tissue of the fish were analyzed to determine the accumulation, physiological distribution and elimination of the Fe2O3 NPs. Largest accumulation occurred in spleen followed by intestine, kidney, liver, gills, brain and muscle tissue. Fish exposed to γ-Fe2O3 NPs possessed significantly higher Fe in all organs. Accumulation in spleen was fast and independent of NP concentration reaching to maximum levels by the end of the first sampling period (30th day). Dissolved Fe levels in water were very negligible ranging at 4-6µg/L for α-Fe2O3 and 17-21µg/L for γ-Fe2O3 NPs (for 1mg/L suspensions). Despite that, Fe levels in gills and brain reflect more dissolved Fe accumulation from metastable γ-Fe2O3 polymorph. Ingested NPs cleared from the organs completely within 30-day elimination period, except the liver and spleen. Liver contained about 31% of α- and 46% of γ-Fe2O3, while spleen retained about 62% of α- and 35% of the γ-polymorph. No significant disturbances were observed in hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell and white blood cell counts (p>0.05). Serum glucose (GLU) levels decreased in treatments exposed to 1.0mg/L of γ-Fe2O3 NPs at day 30 (p<0.05). In contrast, GLU levels increased during the elimination period for 1.0mg/L α-Fe2O3 NPs treatments (p<0.05). Transient increases occurred in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Serum Fe levels did not change during exposure (p>0.05), but increased significantly within elimination period due to mobilization of ingested NPs from liver and spleen to blood. Though respiratory burst activity was not affected (p>0.05), lysozyme activity (LA) was suppressed suggesting an immunosuppressive effects from both Fe2O3 NPs (p<0.05). In contrast, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels increased significantly in treatments exposed to α-Fe2O3 NPs (p<0.05), and the effect from γ-polymorph was marginal (p≥0.05). The results indicate that morphological differences of Fe2O3 NPs could induce differential uptake, assimilation and immunotoxic effects on O. niloticus under chronic exposure.

Toxicity of Engineered Nickel Oxide and Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles to Artemia salina in seawater.

In this study, the effects of exposure to engineered nickel oxide (NiO 40-60 nm) and cobalt oxide (CoO <100 nm) nanoparticles (NP) were investigated on Artemia salina. Aggregation and stability of the aqueous NP suspensions were characterized by DLS and TEM. Acute exposure was conducted on nauplii (larvae) in seawater in a concentration range from 0.2 to 50 mg/L NPs for 24 h (short term) and 96 h (long term). The hydrodynamic diameters of NiO and CoO NPs in exposure medium were larger than those estimated by TEM. Accumulation rate of NiO NPs were found to be four times higher than that of CoO NPs under the same experimental conditions. Examinations under phase contrast microscope showed that the nanoparticles accumulated in the intestine of artemia, which increased with increasing exposure concentration. Differences were observed in the extent of dissolution of the NPs in the seawater. The CoO NPs dissolved significantly while NiO NPs were relatively more stable. Oxidative stress induced by the NP suspensions was measured by malondialdehyde assay. Suspensions of NiO NPs caused higher oxidative stress on nauplii than those of CoO NPs. The results imply that CoO and NiO NPs exhibit toxicity on artemia (e.g., zooplankton) that are an important source of food in aquatic food chain.

A comparative toxicity study between small and large size zinc oxide nanoparticles in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Organ pathologies, osmoregulatory responses and immunological parameters.

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was exposed to different sizes of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to evaluate their organ pathologies (kidney, liver, gill, and intestine), osmoregulatory responses and immunological parameters. Sub-chronic exposure was conducted in fresh water with 1 and 10 mg/L concentrations of the small (10-30 nm) and large-size ZnO (100 nm) particles for 7 and 14 days. In this study, it is found that small and large forms of ZnO-NPs cause various pathologic findings in the target organs at all concentrations. These findings are increased of melanomacrophage aggregates, tubular deformations, necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolations in the kidney, oedema, mononuclear cell infiltrations, fatty changes, pyknotic nuclei and hepatocellular vacuolations in the liver, hyperplasia, aneurysms, and epithelial liftings in the gills, and hyperplasia, swelled of goblet cells, villus deformations in the intestine. Results showed that respiratory burst and potential killing activity at the small-size ZnO concentration significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.05) but significant reductions of these parameters at the large-size ZnO concentrations compared to control (p < 0.05) were measured. These findings demonstrate the potential of each particle size to cause significant damage to the immune system. Moreover, because ZnO NPs inhibit the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity at all concentrations and increase serum Ca(2+) and Cl(-) levels especially in gill, these particles are osmoregulatory and toxicant for tilapia fish. As a summary, both sizes of the particles have led to organ damage, osmoregulatory changes and immune disorder in tilapia fish.

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on bioaccumulation and oxidative stress in different organs of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Nano-size zinc oxide particles (ZnO NPs) are used in diverse industrial and commercial fields. However, the information from existing studies is not sufficient in evaluating the potential toxic effects of ZnO NPs. In this study, tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to different concentrations of small and large ZnO NPs in vivo. Accumulation in various organs/tissues (liver, gill, intestine, kidney, brain and muscle) and possible oxidative stress mechanisms were investigated comparatively. Fish were exposed to 1 and 10mg/L concentrations of small (10-30 nm) and large (100 nm) ZnO NPs semi-statically for 14 days. Both small and large ZnO NPs accumulated substantially in the tissues. Accumulation for the small ZnO NPs was significantly higher compared to larger NPs under same exposure regimes. Significant fluctuations were observed in antioxidant defense system biomarkers, including Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione (GSH) levels depending on particle size, exposure time and concentration. Lipid peroxidation measured with TBARS levels were higher in groups exposed to the suspensions of small ZnO NPs than that of large ZnO NPs and controls. These results imply that colloidal suspensions of small ZnO NPs induce elevated oxidative stress and toxic effects on tilapia compared to the larger NPs.

Influence of Alpha and Gamma-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Marine Microalgae Species.

The effects of alpha-iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) and gamma-iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) on marine microalgae species (Nannochloropsis sp. and Isochrysis sp.) were investigated in this study. Both Fe2O3 NPs covered the surface of algae with the agglomerates of the nanoparticles. This form of physical NP toxicity significantly decreased the sizes of phytoplankton. Both NPs were toxic to the tested algal species, while α-Fe2O3 showed less toxicity than γ-Fe2O3 NPs for both algal species. A comparative analysis of growth data of the two algal species treated with α-Fe2O3 or γ-Fe2O3 NPs revealed that Isochrysis sp. are more sensitive than Nannochloropsis sp. Toxicity of these widely used NPs to primary producers forming the base of the food chain in aquatic environments might result in widespread adverse effects on aquatic environmental health.

Evaluation of alpha and gamma aluminum oxide nanoparticle accumulation, toxicity, and depuration in Artemia salina larvae.

In this study, Artemia salina (crustacean filter feeders) larvae were used as a test model to investigate the toxicity of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) on marine microorganisms. The uptake, toxicity, and elimination of α-Al2O3 (50 nm and 3.5 µm) and γ-Al2O3 (5 nm and 0.4 µm) NPs were studied. Twenty-four and ninety-six hour exposures of different concentrations of Al2O3 NPs to Artemia larvae were conducted in a seawater medium. When suspended in water, Al2O3 NPs aggregated substantially with the sizes ranging from 6.3 nm to >0.3 µm for spherical NPs and from 250 to 756 nm for rod-shaped NPs. The phase contrast microscope images showed that NPs deposited inside the guts as aggregates. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis showed that large particles (3.5 µm α-Al2O3) were not taken up by Artemia, whereas fine NPs (0.4 µm γ-Al2O3) and ultra-fine NPs (5 nm γ-Al2O3 and 50 nm α-Al2O3) accumulated substantially. Differences in toxicity were detected as changing with NP size and morphology. The malondialdehyde levels indicated that smaller γ-Al2O3 (5 nm) NPs were more toxic than larger γ-Al2O3 (0.4 µm) particulates in 96 h. The highest mortality was measured as 34% in 96 h for γ-Al2O3 NPs (5 nm) at 100 mg/L (LC50 > 100 mg/L). γ-Al2O3 NPs were more toxic than α-Al2O3 NPs at all conditions.

Accumulation and toxicity of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles through waterborne and dietary exposure of goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Dietary and waterborne exposure to copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was conducted using a simplified model of an aquatic food chain consisting of zooplankton (Artemia salina) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) to determine bioaccumulation, toxic effects, and particle transport through trophic levels. Artemia contaminated with NPs were used as food in dietary exposure. Fish were exposed to suspensions of the NPs in waterborne exposure. ICP-MS analysis showed that accumulation primarily occurred in the intestine, followed by the gills and liver. Dietary uptake was lower, but was found to be a potential pathway for transport of NPs to higher organisms. Waterborne exposure resulted in about a 10-fold higher accumulation in the intestine. The heart, brain, and muscle tissue had no significant Cu or Zn. However, concentrations in muscle increased with NP concentration, which was ascribed to bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn released from NPs. Free Cu concentration in the medium was always higher than that of Zn, indicating CuO NPs dissolved more readily. ZnO NPs were relatively benign, even in waterborne exposure (p ≥ 0.05). In contrast, CuO NPs were toxic. Malondialdehyde levels in the liver and gills increased substantially (p < 0.05). Despite lower Cu accumulation, the liver exhibited significant oxidative stress, which could be from chronic exposure to Cu ions.

Temporal Changes in Concentrations of Some Trace Elements in Muscle Tissue of Crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823), from Keban Dam Lake.

Crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) is the native crayfish species in Turkey. It was exported regularly to Western Europe. In this study, bioaccumulation and temporal trends of some trace elements (arsenic: As, cadmium: Cd, copper: Cu, mercury: Hg, lead: Pb, and zinc: Zn) in edible abdomen muscle of crayfish from Keban Dam Lake (Elazig, Turkey) were investigated for the 2006-2012 period. Sequence of metal concentration levels was Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd > As in muscle tissues. The highest concentration of Zn (21.69 mg kg(-1)) was detected in 2006, while the lowest (4.35 mg kg(-1)) in 2009. In general, it was found that the concentrations of trace elements investigated were lower than the maximum permissible limits of the food regulations of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (MFAL), the Turkish Food Codex and Commission Regulation (EC). If the crayfish selected for the study are recognized as bioindicators of environmental pollution, then it is possible to conclude that the changes in studied trace elements concentrations in the Keban Dam Lake are being steady.

Characterization and pollution potential assessment of Tunceli, Turkey municipal solid waste open dumping site leachates.

Environmental monitoring of leachate quality from an open municipal solid waste dumping site in Tunceli, Turkey was studied in this research. The most commonly examined pollution parameters were determined on a seasonal basis. The annual average 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of station points were measured as 70 and 425 mg/L, respectively, and also the average BOD5/COD ratio (a measure of biodegradability) was calculated as 0.20. The low ratio of biodegradability and slightly alkaline pH values in the leachate samples indicated that the site was characterized by methanogenic conditions. The mean ammonium-nitrogen (NH4 (+)-N) and corresponding phosphate (orthophosphate) values were assayed as 70 and 11 mg/L, respectively. The average solids content in the leachates was measured as 4,681 mg/L (total solids) and 144 mg/L (suspended solids). Very low concentrations of iron, manganese, copper, and zinc in the leachate samples were found and the concentration of cadmium was measured below detection limits. Excessive amount of nutrients and high organic and inorganic pollutant content in the leachates pose serious pollution potential to the environment. Since no drainage system or bio treatment exists in this open dumping site, high permeability of natural soil at the site and in the surrounding area and very fractured and crackled rocks under natural soil are indicators of high groundwater pollution potential in this site.

Bioaccumulation, Sub-acute Toxicity, and Tissue Distribution of Engineered Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles in Goldfish (Carassius auratus).

The increased use of nano-sized materials is likely to result in the release of these particles into the environment. It is, however, unclear if these materials are harmful to aquatic animals. In this study, the sub-lethal effects of exposure of low and high concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on goldfish (Carassius auratus) were investigated. Tissues, including intestine, gills, muscle, and brain were analyzed for Ti content by ICP-MS. Accumulation of TiO2 NPs increased from 42.71 to 110.68 ppb in the intestine and from 4.10 to 9.86 ppb in the gills of the goldfish with increasing exposure dose from 10 to 100 mg/L TiO2 NPs. No significant accumulation in the muscle and brain of the fish was detected. Malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of lipid oxidation was detected in the liver of the goldfish. Moreover, TiO2 NPs exposure inhibited growth of the goldfish. Although there was an increase (8.1%) in the body weights of the goldfish for the control group, in the low and high exposure groups 1.8% increase and 19.7 % decrease were measured respectively.

Determination of bioaccumulation of heavy metals and selenium in tissues of brown trout Salmo trutta macrostigma (Duméril, 1858) from Munzur Stream, Tunceli, Turkey.

The objective of the present work was to determine the bioaccumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), uranium (U) and selenium (Se) in gill, liver, and muscle tissues of the fresh water fish Salmo trutta macrostigma (Duméril, 1858) in Munzur Stream, Tunceli, Turkey. The highest concentrations of U (1.83 µg kg(-1)), Pb (119.84 µg kg(-1)) and Se (1.31 µg kg(-1)) were recorded in the gills of S. t. macrostigma. Concentrations of As (46.27 µg kg(-1)), Cd (109.19 µg kg(-1)), Hg (16.40 µg kg(-1)), Cu (18.19 µg kg(-1)) were recorded at highest levels in the liver. The results showed that there were significant differences in concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, U and Hg in gill, liver and muscle tissue (p < 0.05). Heavy metals were within the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the permissible safety levels for human uses.