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Air and seawater samples were collected in 2022–2023 and analyzed through a common DNA extraction, purification, and Next-Generation Sequencing protocol. The study targeted bacteria, archaea, fungi, and plant-associated taxa to compare community structure across both milieus. Given the scarcity of data on environmental microbiomes in Greece, we aimed to investigate further the diversity and variability of these microbiomes for the first time, using barcoding to provide data on microbial signatures in the air and seawater. Sequencing data revealed significant spatial and seasonal variability and a high diversity and richness of microbiome communities in both habitats. After quality filtering, we detected 21 phyla and 345 genera of bacteria and archaea, 3 phyla and 149 genera of fungi, and 17 Viridiplantae orders in the urban air. At the same time, in the recreational waters, we isolated 20 phyla and 420 genera of bacteria and archaea, 2 phyla, and 53 genera of fungi and 19 orders of Viridiplantae. Many of the fungal and bacterial taxa detected in this study can be potentially pathogenic. These findings highlight the potential of DNA barcoding as a reliable tool for integrative environmental monitoring, offering insights into the composition of environmental microbiomes. Microbiome monitoring is valuable for the environment and health, and it will be more efficient by integrating DNA analysis with the development of open databases and artificial intelligence.

Atmospheric particles of biological origin, also referred to as bioaerosols or primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP), are important to various human health and environmental systems. There has been a recent steep increase in the frequency of published studies utilizing commercial instrumentation based on ultraviolet laser/light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF), such as the WIBS (wideband integrated bioaerosol sensor) or UV-APS (ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer), for bioaerosol detection both outdoors and in the built environment. Significant work over several decades supported the development of the general technologies, but efforts to systematically characterize the operation of new commercial sensors have remained lacking. Specifically, there have been gaps in the understanding of how different classes of biological and non-biological particles can influence the detection ability of LIF instrumentation. Here we present a systematic characterization of the WIBS-4A instrument using 69 types of aerosol materials, including a representative list of pollen, fungal spores, and bacteria as well as the most important groups of non-biological materials reported to exhibit interfering fluorescent properties. Broad separation can be seen between the biological and non-biological particles directly using the five WIBS output parameters and by taking advantage of the particle classification analysis introduced by Perring et al. (2015). We highlight the importance that particle size plays on observed fluorescence properties and thus in the Perring-style particle classification. We also discuss several particle analysis strategies, including the commonly used fluorescence threshold defined as the mean instrument background (forced trigger; FT) plus 3 standard deviations (σ) of the measurement. Changing the particle fluorescence threshold was shown to have a significant impact on fluorescence fraction and particle type classification. We conclude that raising the fluorescence threshold from FT + 3σ to FT + 9σ does little to reduce the relative fraction of biological material considered fluorescent but can significantly reduce the interference from mineral dust and other non-biological aerosols. We discuss examples of highly fluorescent interfering particles, such as brown carbon, diesel soot, and cotton fibers, and how these may impact WIBS analysis and data interpretation in various indoor and outdoor environments. The performance of the particle asymmetry factor (AF) reported by the instrument was assessed across particle types as a function of particle size, and comments on the reliability of this parameter are given. A comprehensive online supplement is provided, which includes size distributions broken down by fluorescent particle type for all 69 aerosol materials and comparing threshold strategies. Lastly, the study was designed to propose analysis strategies that may be useful to the broader community of UV-LIF instrumentation users in order to promote deeper discussions about how best to continue improving UV-LIF instrumentation and results.

BackgroundCosmetic powders contain numerous components, including titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, little is known about potential inhalation exposures to particles that are released during cosmetic powder applications.MethodsWe realistically simulated the application of five different eyebrow powders using a mannequin and then determined concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, and PM4 fractions of particles that would be inhaled during powder application. We determined the size and shape of particles in the original powders and released particles, as well as their TiO2 concentrations and Ti content of individual particles.ResultsThe application of eyebrow powders resulted in the release and inhalation of airborne particles at concentrations ranging from 21.2 to 277.3 µg/m3, depending on the particle fraction and the powder. The concentrations of TiO2 in PM4 and PM10 samples reached 2.7 µg/m3 and 9.3 µg/m3, respectively. The concentration of TiO2 in airborne particle fractions was proportional to the presence of TiO2 in the bulk powder.ConclusionThe application of eyebrow powders results in user exposures to respirable PM4 and PM10 particles, including those containing TiO2. This information should be of interest to stakeholders concerned about inhalation exposure to TiO2.

We characterized the composition, diversity, and potential bacterial aerosol sources in Athens’ urban air by DNA barcoding (analysis of 16S rRNA genes) during three seasons in 2019. Air samples were collected using the recently developed Rutgers Electrostatic Passive Sampler (REPS). It is the first field application of REPS to study bacterial aerosol diversity. REPS samplers captured a sufficient amount of biological material to demonstrate the diversity of airborne bacteria and their variability over time. Overall, in the air of Athens, we detected 793 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were fully classified into the six distinct taxonomic categories (Phylum, Class, Order, etc.). These OTUs belonged to Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Fusobacteria. We found a complex community of bacterial aerosols with several opportunistic or potential pathogens in Athens’ urban air. Referring to the available literature, we discuss the likely sources of observed airborne bacteria, including soil, plants, animals, and humans. Our results on bacterial diversity are comparable to earlier studies, even though the sampling sites are different or geographically distant. However, the exact functional and ecological role of bioaerosols and, even more importantly, their impact on public health and the ecosystem requires further air monitoring and analysis.

Development of cancer cell resistance, low accumulation of therapeutic drug in the lungs, and severe adverse treatment side effects represent main obstacles to efficient chemotherapy of lung cancer. To overcome these difficulties, we propose inhalation local delivery of anticancer drugs in combination with suppressors of pump and nonpump cellular resistance. To test this approach, nanoscale-based delivery systems containing doxorubicin as a cell death inducer, antisense oligonucleotides targeted to MRP1 mRNA as a suppressor of pump resistance and to BCL2 mRNA as a suppressor of nonpump resistance, were developed and examined on an orthotopic murine model of human lung carcinoma. The experimental results show high antitumor activity and low adverse side effects of proposed complex inhalatory treatment that cannot be achieved by individual components applied separately. The present work potentially contributes to the treatment of lung cancer by describing a unique combinatorial local inhalation delivery of drugs and suppressors of pump and nonpump cellular resistance.

The potential for human exposure to engineered nanoparticles due to the use of nanotechnology-based consumer sprays (categorized as such by the Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory) is examined along with analogous products, which are not specified as nanotechnology-based (regular products). Photon correlation spectroscopy was used to obtain particle size distributions in the initial liquid products. Transmission electron microscopy was used to determine particle size, shape, and agglomeration of the particles. Realistic application of the spray products near the human breathing zone characterized airborne particles that are released during use of the sprays. Aerosolization of sprays with standard nebulizers was used to determine their potential for inhalation exposure. Electron microscopy detected the presence of nanoparticles in some nanotechnology-based sprays as well as in several regular products, whereas the photon correlation spectroscopy indicated the presence of particles <100 nm in all investigated products. During the use of most nanotechnology-based and regular sprays, particles ranging from 13 nm to 20  μ m were released, indicating that they could he inhaled and consequently deposited in all regions of the respiratory system. The results indicate that exposures to nanoparticles as well as micrometer-sized particles can be encountered owing to the use of nanotechnology-based sprays as well as regular spray products.

Understanding the deposition of bioaerosols in the respiratory system may help determine the risk of disease; however, measuring deposition fraction in-situ is difficult. Computational models provide estimates of particle deposition fraction for given breathing and particle parameters; however, these models traditionally have not focused on bioaerosols. We calculated deposition fractions in an average-sized adult with a new bioaerosol-specific lung deposition model, BAIL, and with two multiple-path models for three different breathing scenarios: “default” (subject sitting upright and breathing nasally), “light exercise”, and “mouth breathing”. Within each scenario, breathing parameters and bioaerosol characteristics were kept the same across all three models. BAIL generally calculated a higher deposition fraction in the extrathoracic (ET) region and a lower deposition fraction in the alveolar region than the multiple-path models. Deposition fractions in the tracheobronchial region were similar among the three models; total deposition fraction patterns tended to be driven by the ET deposition fraction, with BAIL resulting in higher deposition in some scenarios. The difference between deposition fractions calculated by BAIL and other models depended on particle size, with BAIL generally indicating lower total deposition for bacteria-sized bioaerosols. We conclude that BAIL predicts somewhat lower deposition and, potentially, reduced risk of illness from smaller bioaerosols that cause illness due to deposition in the alveolar region. On the other hand, it suggests higher deposition in the ET region, especially for light exercise and mouth-breathing scenarios. Additional comparisons between the models for other breathing scenarios, people’s age, and different bioaerosol particles will help improve our understanding of bioaerosol deposition.

Objective： Various nanoparticles have been designed and tested in order to select optimal carriers for the inhalation delivery ofanticancer drugs to the lungs. Methods： q-he following nanocarriers were studied： micelles, liposomes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles （MSNs）, poly propyleneimine （PPI） dendrimer-siRNA complexes nanoparticles, quantum dots （QDs）, and poly （ethylene glycol） polymers. All particles were characterized using the following methods： dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy, in vitro cyto- and genotoxicity. In vivo organ distribution of all nanopartides, retention in the lungs, and anticancer effects of liposomes loaded with doxorubicin were examined in nude mice after the pulmonary or intravenous delivery. Results： Significant differences in lung uptake were found after the inhalation delivery of lipid-based and non-lipid-based nanoparticles. The accumulation ofliposomes and miceUes in lungs remained relatively high even 24 h after inhalation when compared with MSNs, Q Ds, and PPI dendrimers. There were notable differences between nanoparticle accumulation in the lungs and other organs 1 and 3 h after inhalation or intravenous administrations, but 24 h after intravenous injection all nanoparticles were mainly accumulated in the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Inhalation delivery of doxorubicin by liposomes significantly enhanced its anticancer effect and prevented severe adverse side effects of the treatment in mice bearing the orthotopic model of lung cancer. Conclusion： The results of the study demonstrate that lipid-based nanocarriers had considerably higher accumulation and longer retention time in the lungs when compared with non-lipid-based carriers after the inhalation delivery. These particles are most suitable for effective inhalation treatment of lung cancer.

Accurate characterization of particulate matter (PM) exposure in young children is difficult, because personal samplers are often too heavy, bulky or impractical to be used. The Pretoddler Inhalable Particulate Environmental Robotic (PIPER) sampler was developed to help address this problem. In this study, we measured inhalable PM exposures in 2-year-olds via a lightweight personal sampler worn in a small backpack and evaluated the use of a robotic sampler with an identical sampling train for estimating PM exposure in this age group. PM mass concentrations measured by the personal sampler ranged from 100 to almost 1,200  μ g/m 3 , with a median value of 331  μ g/m 3 . PM concentrations measured by PIPER were considerably lower, ranging from 14 to 513  μ g/m 3 with a median value of 56  μ g/m 3 . Floor cleaning habits and activity patterns of the 2-year-olds varied widely by home; vigorous play and recent floor cleaning were most associated with higher personal exposure. Our findings highlight the need for additional characterization of children’s activity patterns and their effect on personal exposures.

We evaluated two concentrating techniques that could be used to improve bioaerosol detection and quantification: A BioChromato Smart Evaporator C1 (BioChromato, Inc.) and two Concentrating Pipette (CP) models (CP-150 and CP-Select) (InnovaPrep, LLC). We determined the concentration factor (CF) (the concentration of particles in the final solution compared to the concentration in the initial solution) and the particle losses when processing the samples with polystyrene latex (PSL) beads and different species of bacteria. When processing total particles, regardless of the culturability status, the losses for the Evaporator were 3.70–23.89%; for the CP-models, the losses ranged from 0.20% to 67.22%. For the culturable particles processed with the CP devices, the losses ranged from 42.85% to 90.19% and were higher for Gram-negative pseudomonads compared to Gram-positive B. subtilis. Despite the loss of particles, both devices yielded more concentrated final solutions. The CF for the Evaporator was 3.59–10.92; the CF values for the CP devices ranged from 55.77 to 184.64 for total particles and from 6.29 to 96.52 for culturable bacteria. This higher CF was mainly achieved due to lower final suspension volumes. The study demonstrated that the two concentrators can improve particle detection, but that one should take particle losses into account.