TY  - JOUR
A1  - Brachner, Andreas
A1  - Fragouli, Despina
A1  - Duarte, Iola F.
A1  - Farias, Patricia M. A.
A1  - Dembski, Sofia
A1  - Ghosh, Manosij
A1  - Barisic, Ivan
A1  - Zdzieblo, Daniela
A1  - Vanoirbeek, Jeroen
A1  - Schwabl, Philipp
A1  - Neuhaus, Winfried
T1  - Assessment of human health risks posed by nano-and microplastics is currently not feasible
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
N2  - The exposure of humans to nano-and microplastic particles (NMPs) is an issue recognized as a potential health hazard by scientists, authorities, politics, non-governmental organizations and the general public. The concentration of NMPs in the environment is increasing concomitantly with global plastic production and the usage of plastic materials. NMPs are detectable in numerous aquatic organisms and also in human samples, therefore necessitating a risk assessment of NMPs for human health. So far, a comprehensive risk assessment of NMPs is hampered by limited availability of appropriate reference materials, analytical obstacles and a lack of definitions and standardized study designs. Most studies conducted so far used polystyrene (PS) spheres as a matter of availability, although this polymer type accounts for only about 7% of total plastic production. Differently sized particles, different concentration and incubation times, and various biological models have been used, yielding hardly comparable data sets. Crucial physico-chemical properties of NMPs such as surface (charge, polarity, chemical reactivity), supplemented additives and adsorbed chemicals have been widely excluded from studies, although in particular the surface of NMPs determines the interaction with cellular membranes. In this manuscript we give an overview about the critical parameters which should be considered when performing risk assessments of NMPs, including novel reference materials, taking into account surface modifications (e.g., reflecting weathering processes), and the possible role of NMPs as a substrate and/or carrier for (pathogenic) microbes. Moreover, we make suggestions for biological model systems to evaluate immediate toxicity, long-term effects and the potential of NMPs to cross biological barriers. We are convinced that standardized reference materials and experimental parameters along with technical innovations in (nano)-particle sampling and analytics are a prerequisite for the successful realization of conclusive human health risk assessments of NMPs.
KW  - nanoplastics
KW  - nanoparticles
KW  - microplastics
KW  - microparticles
KW  - human exposure
KW  - biological barriers
KW  - biofilm
KW  - microbe carrier
KW  - toxicity
KW  - neurotoxicity
Y1  - 2020
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219423
SN  - 1660-4601
VL  - 17
IS  - 23
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Berger, Sarina M.
A1  - Rühe, Jessica
A1  - Schwarzmann, Johannes
A1  - Phillipps, Alexandra
A1  - Richard, Ann-Katrin
A1  - Ferger, Matthias
A1  - Krummenacher, Ivo
A1  - Tumir, Lidija-Marija
A1  - Ban, Željka
A1  - Crnolatac, Ivo
A1  - Majhen, Dragomira
A1  - Barišić, Ivan
A1  - Piantanida, Ivo
A1  - Schleier, Domenik
A1  - Griesbeck, Stefanie
A1  - Friedrich, Alexandra
A1  - Braunschweig, Holger
A1  - Marder, Todd B.
T1  - Bithiophene-Cored, mono-, bis-, and tris-(Trimethylammonium)-Substituted, bis-Triarylborane Chromophores: Effect of the Number and Position of Charges on Cell Imaging and DNA/RNA Sensing
JF  - Chemistry—A European Journal
N2  - The synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of selectively mono-, bis- and tris-dimethylamino- and trimethylammonium-substituted bis-triarylborane bithiophene chromophores are presented along with the water solubility and singlet oxygen sensitizing efficiency of the cationic compounds Cat\(^{1+}\), Cat\(^{2+}\), Cat(i)\(^{2+}\), and Cat\(^{3+}\). Comparison with the mono-triarylboranes reveals the large influence of the bridging unit on the properties of the bis-triarylboranes, especially those of the cationic compounds. Based on these preliminary investigations, the interactions of Cat\(^{1+}\), Cat\(^{2+}\), Cat(i)\(^{2+}\), and Cat\(^{3+}\) with DNA, RNA, and DNApore were investigated in buffered solutions. The same compounds were investigated for their ability to enter and localize within organelles of human lung carcinoma (A549) and normal lung (WI38) cells showing that not only the number of charges but also their distribution over the chromophore influences interactions and staining properties.
KW  - singlet oxygen
KW  - boron
KW  - bioimaging
KW  - luminescence
KW  - nucleic acid
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256963
VL  - 27
IS  - 56
ER  -