Synthese und Biofunktionalisierung von SiO2-Nanopartikeln zur Anwendung in der Krebsimmuntherapie

In the field of cancer immunotherapy more and more nanoparticle systems are being used. In addition to chemotherapy and irradiation, they are meant to assist/support surgery. The re-placement of both systemic therapies by a local application/therapy would be desirable. By equipping the nanoparticles with specific target vectors for cells, such a local therapy could be realized. Furthermore, the particles can be used as carriers for pharmaceuticals or as "infor-mation carriers" to aid the immune system in fighting disease. Using metal or metal oxide nanoparticles also provides a contrast agent for imaging such as MRI/CT. Other particles can be functionalized with imaging ligands for applications in PET, for example. Silica and silica-based nanoparticles are of high interest due to their low toxicity, good solubility, high biocompatibility and good modifiability. They can easily be combined with other materials to increase their versatility. Silica can occur in different morphologies and structures (mesoporous), allowing a wide range of applications. Using a silane anchor, functional ligands can be covalently bound to the surface of the particles, which leads to a stable system for biomedical applications. The focus of this work was thus to synthesize and modify different silica and silica-based nanoparticles for various applications, such as cancer immunotherapy and cancer treatment. Studies mainly explored how the varying cells of the immune system reacted to the nano-particle treatment. Further investigations addressed whether it is possible to bind complex structures, such as proteins, to the particle surface without losing bioactivity, as well as if particles bound to tumor cells could be used as contrast agents.vi, 172, LI Seite

Research / children's health

The article provides detailed information from a study that suggests environmental exposure to airborne manganese (Mn) is neurotoxic, especially when inhaled, and is inversely associated with intellectual function in young school-age children. Entering into the body through the lungs, airborne Mn may access the brain directly through olfactory uptake. This cross-sectional study measured the environmental exposure to airborne Mn resulting from mining and processing in Hidalgo State in central Mexico, and explored its association with the intellectual function of school-age children

Avaliação da exposição a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos e partículas em suspensão (PM2.5) por queima de biomassa numa zona indígena do Estado de San Luis Potosí, México

The domestic use of firewood represents a socio-ecological condition that causes important health effects, mainly in rural areas of developing countries. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in women and children, as well as the concentration of PM2.5 inside dwellings of indigenous people who reside in Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. With the results, the perspective of parents for making decisions with regards to the environmental health of children due to risks of exposure to toxins was analyzed. 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was used as an exposure biomarker to PAHs, and the 24-hour PM2,5 was measured inside indigenous dwellings using Minivol® equipment. 100 % of the studied dwellings used biomass for cooking and 70 % burned garbage in their homes. Levels of 1-OHP of 1.15 (0.28-2.1) and 1.04 (0.28-3.62) μmol/ mol creatinine were found in women and children respectively. In addition, mean PM2.5 concentrations of 93.3 ± 3.6 μg/m3 were detected. Finally, it was shown that 90 % of caregivers say that children spend more time in the kitchen area and the backyard, which are poorly or not adapted to child safety. This indigenous community is an example of the health risks associated with indoor air pollution in Mexico. Therefore, intervention programs aimed at reducing exposure to these toxins in vulnerable populations are required, starting with the education of caregivers.El uso doméstico de leña representa una condición socioecológica con importantes efectos sobre la salud, principalmente en las zonas rurales de los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) en mujeres y niños, así como la concentración de PM2,5 en interiores de viviendas indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Con los resultados, se analizó la perspectiva de los padres para la toma de decisiones en la atención a la salud ambiental infantil por riesgos de exposición a tóxicos. Utilizamos el 1-hidroxipireno como un biomarcador de exposición a HAP y se evaluaron las PM2,5 de 24 horas en interiores de viviendas indígenas mediante equipos Minivol®. El 100 % de las viviendas estudiadas utilizaban biomasa para la cocción de sus alimentos y el 70 % quemaban basura en sus hogares. Se encontraron niveles de 1-OHP en mujeres y niños de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) y 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respectivamente. Además, se detectaron concentraciones medias de PM2,5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Finalmente se mostró que el 90 % de los cuidadores indican que el niño se concentra en el área de la cocina y traspatio, existiendo poca o nula adaptación para la seguridad del niño. Esta comunidad indígena es un ejemplo de los riesgos en salud asociados a contaminación de aire de interiores en México; por consiguiente se requiere de programas de intervención dirigidos a reducir la exposición a estos tóxicos en poblaciones vulnerables, iniciando por la educación de los cuidadores.O uso doméstico de lenha representa uma condição socio-ecológica com importantes efeitos sobre a saúde, principalmente nas zonas rurais dos países em desenvolvimento. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a exposição a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) em mulheres e crianças, bem como a concentração de PM2.5 em interiores de habitações indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Com os resultados, analisou-se a perspetiva dos pais para a tomada de decisões relativamente à saúde ambiental infantil por riscos de exposição a tóxicos. Utilizámos o 1-hidroxipireno como um biomarcador de exposição a HAPs e avaliaram-seas PM2,5 de 24 horas no interior das habitações indígenas com o equipamento Minivol®. Em 100 % das habitações estudadas era utilizada biomassa para a cocção dos alimentos e em 70 % dos lares eram queimados resíduos.Encontraram-se níveis de 1-OHP em mulheres e crianças de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) e 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respetivamente. Além disso, foram encontradas concentrações médias de PM2.5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Por fim, apurou-se que 90 % dos cuidadores indicam que as crianças se encontram na área da cozinha e logradouro, existindo pouco ou nenhum cuidado para a proteção das mesmas. Esta comunidade indígena é um exemplo dos riscos em saúde associados a contaminação do ar interior no México; indicando que são necessários programas de intervenção destinados a reduzir a exposição de populações vulneráveisa estes tóxicos, iniciando pela educação dos cuidadores

Evaluación de la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos y partículas en suspensión (PM2,5) por quema de biomasa en una zona indígena del Estado de San Luis Potosí, México

El uso doméstico de leña representa una condición socioecológica con importantes efectos sobre la salud, principalmente en las zonas rurales de los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la exposición a hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) en mujeres y niños, así como la concentración de PM2,5 en interiores de viviendas indígenas de Tocoy, San Antonio, San Luis Potosí, México. Con los resultados, se analizó la perspectiva de los padres para la toma de decisiones en la atención a la salud ambiental infantil por riesgos de exposición a tóxicos. Utilizamos el 1-hidroxipireno como un biomarcador de exposición a HAP y se evaluaron las PM2,5 de 24 horas en interiores de viviendas indígenas mediante equipos Minivol®. El 100 % de las viviendas estudiadas utilizaban biomasa para la cocción de sus alimentos y el 70 % quemaban basura en sus hogares. Se encontraron niveles de 1-OHP en mujeres y niños de 1,15 (0,28-2,1) y 1,04 (0,28-3,62) μmol/mol creatinina respectivamente. Además, se detectaron concentraciones medias de PM2,5 de 93,3 ± 3,6 μg/m3. Finalmente se mostró que el 90 % de los cuidadores indican que el niño se concentra en el área de la cocina y traspatio, existiendo poca o nula adaptación para la seguridad del niño. Esta comunidad indígena es un ejemplo de los riesgos en salud asociados a contaminación de aire de interiores en México; por consiguiente se requiere de programas de intervención dirigidos a reducir la exposición a estos tóxicos en poblaciones vulnerables, iniciando por la educación de los cuidadores

SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Ten Cities from Mexico

We aimed to estimate the lead time and infection prevalence from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater (WW) monitoring compared with clinical surveillance data in Mexico to generate evidence about the feasibility of a large-scale WW surveillance system. We selected 10 WW treatment plants (WWTP) and 5 COVID-19 hospitals in major urban conglomerates in Mexico and collected biweekly 24-h flow-adjusted composite samples during October–November 2020. We concentrated WW samples by polyethylene glycol precipitation and employed quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays, targeting the nucleoprotein (N1 and N2) genes. We detected and quantified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 88% and 58% of the raw WW samples from WWTPs and COVID-19 hospitals, respectively. The WW RNA daily loads lead the active cases by more than one month in large and medium WWTP sites. WW estimated that cases were 2 to 20-fold higher than registered active cases. Developing a continuous monitoring surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 community transmission through WW is feasible, informative, and recognizes three main challenges: (1) WW system data (catchment area, population served), (2) capacity to maintain the cold-chain and process samples, and (3) supplies and personnel to ensure standardized procedures

Synthese und Biofunktionalisierung von SiO2-Nanopartikeln zur Anwendung in der Krebsimmuntherapie

In the field of cancer immunotherapy more and more nanoparticle systems are being used. In addition to chemotherapy and irradiation, they are meant to assist/support surgery. The re-placement of both systemic therapies by a local application/therapy would be desirable. By equipping the nanoparticles with specific target vectors for cells, such a local therapy could be realized. Furthermore, the particles can be used as carriers for pharmaceuticals or as "infor-mation carriers" to aid the immune system in fighting disease. Using metal or metal oxide nanoparticles also provides a contrast agent for imaging such as MRI/CT. Other particles can be functionalized with imaging ligands for applications in PET, for example. Silica and silica-based nanoparticles are of high interest due to their low toxicity, good solubility, high biocompatibility and good modifiability. They can easily be combined with other materials to increase their versatility. Silica can occur in different morphologies and structures (mesoporous), allowing a wide range of applications. Using a silane anchor, functional ligands can be covalently bound to the surface of the particles, which leads to a stable system for biomedical applications. The focus of this work was thus to synthesize and modify different silica and silica-based nanoparticles for various applications, such as cancer immunotherapy and cancer treatment. Studies mainly explored how the varying cells of the immune system reacted to the nano-particle treatment. Further investigations addressed whether it is possible to bind complex structures, such as proteins, to the particle surface without losing bioactivity, as well as if particles bound to tumor cells could be used as contrast agents

Perceived health risks of manganese in the Molango Mining district, Mexico

A series of investigations, using an ecosystem approach to human health, have been conducted in the Molango Mining District in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Given that risk perception plays a key role in the public response to environmental exposures, it is important to recognize the perceived health risks of manganese (Mn). The aim of this study was to analyse the Mn risk perception by describing the attitudes of adult residents toward their communities, assessing the importance they give to environmental problems, including Mn, and their recognition of the links established between Mn and health-illness-death. A quantitative study based on interviewer-administered questionnaires was conducted. A sample of 402 residents was randomly selected from six communities at different distances from the mines and/or Mn processing plants. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify Mn risk perception predictors. The results show that roughly 30% of the residents identified mining activities and the resultant pollution as their most important concern. This proportion is greater in communities that have processing plants within them. More than 70% perceive a high Mn pollution regionally, but this proportion decreases when the residents attribute the pollution to their home area. More than 20% of the adults interviewed associated Mn exposure with their own illness, mainly “lungs” and “sight.” Factors influencing Mn risk perception are community of residence, age group (41–60), and the report of having a chronic illness. The risk management plan for the mining district must take into account these differences to have a greater local impact