This study aims to investigate the in vitro effects of nanoparticles (NPs) produced during the selective laser melting (SLM) of 316 L stainless steel metal powder on the immune response in a human blood model. Experimental data did not reveal effect on viability of 316 L NPs for the tested doses. Functional immune assays showed a significant immunosuppressive effect of NPs. There was moderate stimulation (117%) of monocyte phagocytic activity without significant changes in phagocytic activity and respiratory burst of granulocytes. A significant dose-dependent increase in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a was found in blood cultures treated with NPs. On the contrary, IL-8 chemokine levels were significantly suppressed. The levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were reduced by only a single concentration of NPs. These new findings can minimise potential health risks and indicate the need for more research in this area.

• Klíčová slova
• 3D printing, Immunotoxicity, Metal alloy powders, Selective laser melting,
• MeSH
• 3D tisk MeSH
• cytokiny MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nanočástice * toxicita   MeSH
• nerezavějící ocel * farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokiny MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• nerezavějící ocel * MeSH

Road transportation significantly contributes to environmental pollution, both in terms of exhaust and non-exhaust (brake wear) emissions. As was proven, brake wear debris is released in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and compositions. Although studies confirming the possible adverse health and environmental impact of brake wear debris were published, there is no standardized methodology for their toxicity testing, and most studies focus only on one type of brake pad and/or one test. The lack of methodology is also related to the very small amount of material released during the laboratory testing. For these reasons, this study deals with the mixture of airborne brake wear debris from several commonly used low-metallic brake pads collected following the dynamometer testing. The mixture was chosen for better simulation of the actual state in the environment and to collect a sufficient amount of particles for thorough characterization (SEM, XRPD, XRF, chromatography, and particle size distribution) and phytotoxicity testing. The particle size distribution measurement revealed a wide range of particle sizes from nanometers to hundreds of nanometers, elemental and phase analysis determined the standard elements and compounds used in the brake pad formulation. The Hordeum vulgare and Sinapis alba were chosen as representatives of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. The germination was not significantly affected by the suspension of brake wear debris; however, the root elongation was negatively influenced in both cases. Sinapis alba (IC50 = 23.13 g L-1) was more affected than Hordeum vulgare (IC50 was not found in the studied concentration range) the growth of which was even slightly stimulated in the lowest concentrations of brake wear debris. The plant biomass was also negatively affected in the case of Sinapis alba, where the IC50 values of wet and dry roots were determined to be 44.83 g L-1 and 86.86 g L-1, respectively.

• Klíčová slova
• Airborne brake wear debris, Early plant growth, Germination, Hordeum vulgare, Root elongation, Sinapis alba,
• MeSH
• hořčice rodu Sinapis MeSH
• ječmen (rod) * MeSH
• testy toxicity MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

Considering the well documented, almost ubiquitous nature of microplastics in different environments, the exposure of pregnant women to microplastics may pose risks to the unborn children. The study focused on investigating the presence of microplastics in amniotic fluid and placenta, and brings the first evidence of the simultaneous presence of microplastics and additives in both human amniotic fluid and placentas. In total, 20 samples of amniotic fluid and placenta from 10 patients were analyzed for the presence of microplastics and plastic additives by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) after alkaline digestion with KOH. In 9 out of 10 patients, microplastics or additives were found in amniotic fluid, placenta, or both. Specifically, 44 particles of microplastics and polymer additives were identified in all samples. Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) and Calcium zinc PVC Stabilizer with particle sizes between 10 and 50 μm prevailed. Although all women involved in this study, who provided placenta and amniotic fluid samples, experienced physiological, singleton pregnancies complicated with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), it is too early to draw any conclusions and more research is needed.

• Klíčová slova
• Additive, Amniotic fluid, Human health, Microplastics, Placenta, Preterm birth,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The presence of particles fixed in tissue samples due to implant degradation or disintegration plays an important role in post-operative complications. The ability to determine the size, shape, chemical composition and, above all, the number of these particles can be used in many areas of medicine. This study presents a novel, simple metal-based particle detection method using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The presence of metal particles in biopsy specimens from long bone nail-fixated implants (10 patients with titanium steel nails and 10 patients with stainless steel nails) was studied. The samples were analysed using automated area analysis based on image binarization and brightness to 255 grayscale. The results were supplemented with histological data and statistically analysed. The method based on the software used was found to be accurate and easy to use and, thus, appears to be very suitable for particle detection in similar samples.

• Klíčová slova
• Automated analysis in the area, Biopsy samples, Metal-based particles, Scanning electron microscopy, Traumatology,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Although extensive research has shown the pathological effect of fine and ultrafine airborne particles, clear evidence of association of environmental exposure to them and inflammatory changes in human nasal mucosa is missing. Meanwhile, pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis, despite being a disease with high prevalence in the population, is still unclear. The increasing evidence of the pro-inflammatory properties of these particles raises the question of their possible role in chronic rhinosinusitis. The presented study focused on detection of microsized anorganic particles and clusters of nanosized anorganic particles in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis by Raman microspectroscopy and comparison of their composition to histologic findings. The results were compared to the findings in mucosa obtained from cadavers with no history of chronic rhinosinusitis. Solid particles were found in 90% of tissue samples in the group with chronic rhinosinusitis, showing histologic signs of inflammation in 95%, while in the control group, the particles were found in 20% of samples, with normal histologic findings in all of them. The main detected compounds were graphite, TiO2, amorphous carbon, calcite, ankerite and iron compounds. The results are in accordance with the premise that exogenous airborne particles interact with the nasal mucosa and possibly deposit in it in cases where the epithelial barrier is compromised in chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Klíčová slova
• Raman microspectroscopy, airborne pollutants, chronic rhinosinusitis, fine and ultrafine particles, micro- and nanosized particles, nanotoxicology,
• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nosní sliznice patologie   MeSH
• rýma * MeSH
• sinusitida * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The origin of metal elements in tonsillar tissues of children patients was investigated in order to establish the link between environmental pollution and tonsilitis diagnosis. The children lived either in a polluted, industrial region (Moravian-Silesian Region, North-East Czechia) or a clean, predominantly agricultural region (South Bohemian Region, South-East Czechia). Simultaneously, the distance of the address of the patients to the closest main road was assessed. The elemental content of the present particulate matter in the tonsil samples, coming from indicated tonsillectomies, was analysed using scanning electron microscopy equipped with an X-ray microprobe. No significant association of the elemental composition and the region was found using both bivariate and multivariate methods; however, an association with the distance to the closest main road was found. The study presents a novel assessment of the tonsillar tissues and supports the link between environmental factors (traffic-related particulate pollution) and the onset of chronic, idiopathic diseases in children, which has been debated recently.

• Klíčová slova
• Children, Chronic tonsillitis, Idiopathic diseases, Industrial pollution, Metal-based particles, Traffic pollution,
• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfatický systém chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• tonzilitida * MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * analýza   MeSH
• znečištění spojené s dopravou * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH

Exposure to particulate air pollution has been associated with a variety of respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological problems, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Brake-wear emissions are one of the major sources of metal-rich airborne particulate pollution in roadside environments. Of potentially bioreactive metals, Fe (especially in its ferrous form, Fe2+) might play a specific role in both neurological and cardiovascular impairments. Here, we collected brake-wear particulate emissions using a full-scale brake dynamometer, and used a combination of magnetic measurements and electron microscopy to make quantitative evaluation of the magnetic composition and particle size of airborne emissions originating from passenger car brake systems. Our results show that the concentrations of Fe-rich magnetic grains in airborne brake-wear emissions are very high (i.e., ~100-10,000 × higher), compared to other types of particulate pollutants produced in most urban environments. From magnetic component analysis, the average magnetite mass concentration in total PM10 of brake emissions is ~20.2 wt% and metallic Fe ~1.6 wt%. Most brake-wear airborne particles (>99 % of particle number concentration) are smaller than 200 nm. Using low-temperature magnetic measurements, we observed a strong superparamagnetic signal (indicative of ultrafine magnetic particles, < ~30 nm) for all of the analysed size fractions of airborne brake-wear particles. Transmission electron microscopy independently shows that even the larger size fractions of airborne brake-wear emissions dominantly comprise agglomerates of ultrafine (<100 nm) particles (UFPs). Such UFPs likely pose a threat to neuronal and cardiovascular health after inhalation and/or ingestion. The observed abundance of ultrafine magnetite particles (estimated to constitute ~7.6 wt% of PM0.2) might be especially hazardous to the brain, contributing both to microglial inflammatory action and excess generation of reactive oxygen species.

• Klíčová slova
• Air pollution, Brake wear, Magnetite, Neurodegeneration, Particulate matter,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• magnetické jevy MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel analýza   MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

Solid particles, predominantly in micron and submicron sizes, have repeatedly been observed as a threat to a human health unique compared to the other textures of the same materials. In this work, the hypothesis the solid metal-based particles play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was investigated in patients who had not responded positively to medication. In the group of 40 randomly selected patients indicated for surgical mucotomy, the presence of solid micro- and submicron particles present in their nasal mucosa was assessed. For comparison, a set of 13 reference samples from patients without diagnosed chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was evaluated. The analysis was performed using Raman microspectroscopy. The advantage of this method is the direct identification of compounds. The main detected compounds in the mucosa samples of patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis were TiO2, carbon-based compounds, CaCO3, Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2 MgCO3, Fe2O3, BaSO4, FeCO3 and compounds of Al and Si, all of which may pose a health risk to a living organism. In the reference samples, only TiO2 and amorphous carbon were found. In the control group mucosa, a significantly lower presence of most of the assessed compounds was found despite the longer time they had to accumulate them due to their higher mean age. Identification and characterisation of such chemicals compounds in a living organism could contribute to the overall picture of the health of the individual and lead to a better understanding of the possible causes not only in the chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, but also in other mucosal and idiopathic diseases.

• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• endoskopie MeSH
• hypertrofie etiologie   patologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch škodlivé účinky   chemie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nosní sliznice patologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rýma etiologie   patologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurological problems. Magnetite, a mixed Fe2+/Fe3+ oxide, is ubiquitous and abundant in PM in urban environments, and might play a specific role in both neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease. We collected samples of vehicle exhaust emissions, and of heavily-trafficked roadside and urban background dusts from Lancaster and Birmingham, U.K. Then, we measured their saturation magnetic remanence and used magnetic component analysis to separate the magnetite signal from other contributing magnetic components. Lastly, we estimated the contributions made by specific traffic-related sources of magnetite to the total airborne magnetite in the roadside environment. The concentration of magnetite in exhaust emissions is much lower (3-14 x lower) than that in heavily- trafficked roadside PM. The magnetite concentration in petrol-engine exhaust emissions is between ~0.06 and 0.12 wt%; in diesel-engine exhaust emissions ~0.08-0.18 wt%; in background dust ~0.05-0.20 wt% and in roadside dust ~0.18-0.95 wt%. Here, we show that vehicle brake wear is responsible for between ~68 and 85% of the total airborne magnetite at the two U.K. roadside sites. In comparison, diesel-engine exhaust emissions account for ~7% - 12%, petrol-engine exhaust emissions for ~2% - 4%, and background dust for 6% - 10%. Thus, vehicle brake wear is by far the most dominant source of airborne magnetite in the roadside environment at the two sites examined. Given the potential risk posed, post-inhalation, by ultrafine magnetite and co-associated transition metal-rich particles to human cardiovascular and neurological health, the high magnetite content of vehicle brake wear might need to be reduced in order to mitigate such risk, especially for vulnerable population groups.

• Klíčová slova
• Air pollution, Brake wear, Magnetite, Particulate matter, Source apportionment, Traffic,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Mucosal surfaces are the first mechanical barrier preventing the entry of foreign particles into the organism. The study addresses the detection and analysis of metal-based solid particles in cytological mucus samples from the surface of human hypertrophic tissue in the inferior nasal turbinates in patients diagnosed with chronic rhinitis. Solid particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy; all the biological samples were also subjected to vibration magnetometry. Since the upper airways are the first part of the respiratory tract, which is exposed to inhaled particles, it can be assumed that inhaled particles may be partially deposited in this region. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of metal-based solid particles/clusters in the majority of the analysed cytological mucus samples and also in hypertrophic tissues; in all groups, the particles were of submicron size. Raman microspectroscopy detected the presence of particles/clusters based on amorphous carbon, graphite, calcium carbonate, anatase and barite only in the hypertrophic tissue. The obtained results show that the composition of some of the solid particles (i.e. Ba, Zn, Fe and Ti) detected in the mucus from the surface of the hypertrophic tissues resembled the particles found in the hypertrophic tissue itself. It can be assumed that after the capture of the inhaled particles by the mucus, they penetrate into the deeper layers of tissue.

• Klíčová slova
• Inflammatory tissue, Inhaled metal particles, Mucus, Raman microspectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, Vibration magnetometry,
• MeSH
• hlen MeSH
• kovy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• nosní skořepy * MeSH
• rýma * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kovy MeSH