Environmental Fe, Ti, Al, Cu, Hg, Bi, and Si Nanoparticles in the Atrioventricular Conduction Axis and the Associated Ultrastructural Damage in Young Urbanites: Cardiac Arrhythmias Caused by Anthropogenic, Industrial, E-Waste, and Indoor Nanoparticles

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: An emerging threat for the environment and human health

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FexOy NPs, mainly Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3) are nanomaterials ubiquitously present in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments, with a high prevalence and complex sources. Over the past decade, numerous reports have emerged on the presence of exogenous particles in human body, facilitated by the rapid development of separation and detection methods. The health risk associated with magnetic FexOy NP have garnered escalating attention due to their presence in human blood and brain tissues, especially for their potential association with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of sources, analysis methods, environmental impacts, and health risks of magnetic FexOy NP. Currently, most researches are primarily based on engineered FexOy NP, while reports about magnetic FexOy NP existing in real-world environments are still limited, especially for their occurrence levels in various environmental matrices, environmental transformation behavior, and biotoxic effects. Our study reviews this emerging pollutant, providing insights to address current research deficiencies and chart the course for future studies.

Sleep and Arousal Hubs and Ferromagnetic Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Nanoparticle Motion Under Electromagnetic Fields: Neurodegeneration, Sleep Disorders, Orexinergic Neurons, and Air Pollution in Young Urbanites

Air pollution plays a key role in sleep disorders and neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and/or transactive response DNA-binding protein TDP-43 neuropathology have been documented in children and young adult forensic autopsies in the metropolitan area of Mexico City (MMC), along with sleep disorders, cognitive deficits, and MRI brain atrophy in seemingly healthy young populations. Ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs) reach urbanites' brains through nasal/olfactory, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and placental barriers. We documented Fe UFPM/NPs in neurovascular units, as well as lateral hypothalamic nucleus orexinergic neurons, thalamus, medullary, pontine, and mesencephalic reticular formation, and in pinealocytes. We quantified ferromagnetic materials in sleep and arousal brain hubs and examined their motion behavior to low magnetic fields in MMC brain autopsy samples from nine children and 25 adults with AD, PD, and TDP-43 neuropathology. Saturated isothermal remanent magnetization curves at 50-300 mT were associated with UFPM/NP accumulation in sleep/awake hubs and their motion associated with 30-50 µT (DC magnetic fields) exposure. Brain samples exposed to anthropogenic PM pollution were found to be sensitive to low magnetic fields, with motion behaviors that were potentially linked to the early development and progression of fatal neurodegenerative diseases and sleep disorders. Single-domain magnetic UFPM/NPs in the orexin system, as well as arousal, sleep, and autonomic regions, are key to neurodegeneration, behavioral and cognitive impairment, and sleep disorders. We need to identify children at higher risk and monitor environmental UFPM and NP emissions and exposures to magnetic fields. Ubiquitous ferrimagnetic particles and low magnetic field exposures are a threat to global brain health.

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Start in Pediatric Ages: Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Industrial Nanoparticles Are Key in the Early-Onset Neurodegeneration: Time to Invest in Preventive Medicine

Billions of people are exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels above the USEPA's annual standard of 9 μg/m3. Common emission sources are anthropogenic, producing complex aerosolized toxins. Ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs) have major detrimental effects on the brain, but the USA does not measure UFPM on a routine basis. This review focuses on the development and progression of common neurodegenerative diseases, as diagnosed through neuropathology, among young residents in Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC). MMC is one of the most polluted megacities in the world, with a population of 22 million residents, many of whom are unaware of the brain effects caused by their polluted atmosphere. Fatal neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) that begin in childhood in populations living in air polluted environments are preventable. We conclude that UFPM/NPs are capable of disrupting neural homeostasis and give rise to relentless neurodegenerative processes throughout the entire life of the highly exposed population in MMC. The paradigm of reaching old age to have neurodegeneration is no longer supported. Neurodegenerative changes start early in pediatric ages and are irreversible. It is time to invest in preventive medicine.

Single-domain magnetic particles with motion behavior under electromagnetic AC and DC fields are a fatal cargo in Metropolitan Mexico City pediatric and young adult early Alzheimer, Parkinson, frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in ALS patients

Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) children and young adults exhibit overlapping Alzheimer and Parkinsons' diseases (AD, PD) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 pathology with magnetic ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs). We studied magnetophoresis, electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry in 203 brain samples from 14 children, 27 adults, and 27 ALS cases/controls. Saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), capturing magnetically unstable FeNPs ~ 20nm, was higher in caudate, thalamus, hippocampus, putamen, and motor regions with subcortical vs. cortical higher SIRM in MMC ≤ 40y. Motion behavior was associated with magnetic exposures 25-100 mT and children exhibited IRM saturated curves at 50-300 mT associated to change in NPs position and/or orientation in situ. Targeted magnetic profiles moving under AC/AD magnetic fields could distinguish ALS vs. controls. Motor neuron magnetic NPs accumulation potentially interferes with action potentials, ion channels, nuclear pores and enhances the membrane insertion process when coated with lipopolysaccharides. TEM and EDX showed 7-20 nm NP Fe, Ti, Co, Ni, V, Hg, W, Al, Zn, Ag, Si, S, Br, Ce, La, and Pr in abnormal neural and vascular organelles. Brain accumulation of magnetic unstable particles start in childhood and cytotoxic, hyperthermia, free radical formation, and NPs motion associated to 30-50 μT (DC magnetic fields) are critical given ubiquitous electric and magnetic fields exposures could induce motion behavior and neural damage. Magnetic UFPM/NPs are a fatal brain cargo in children's brains, and a preventable AD, PD, FTLD, ALS environmental threat. Billions of people are at risk. We are clearly poisoning ourselves.

Air Pollution, Built Environment, and Early Cardiovascular Disease

As the world's population becomes increasingly urbanized, there is growing concern about the impact of urban environments on cardiovascular health. Urban residents are exposed to a variety of adverse environmental exposures throughout their lives, including air pollution, built environment, and lack of green space, which may contribute to the development of early cardiovascular disease and related risk factors. While epidemiological studies have examined the role of a few environmental factors with early cardiovascular disease, the relationship with the broader environment remains poorly defined. In this article, we provide a brief overview of studies that have examined the impact of the environment including the built physical environment, discuss current challenges in the field, and suggest potential directions for future research. Additionally, we highlight the clinical implications of these findings and propose multilevel interventions to promote cardiovascular health among children and young adults.

APOE Peripheral and Brain Impact: APOE4 Carriers Accelerate Their Alzheimer Continuum and Have a High Risk of Suicide in PM2.5 Polluted Cities

This Review emphasizes the impact of APOE4-the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD)-on peripheral and neural effects starting in childhood. We discuss major mechanistic players associated with the APOE alleles' effects in humans to understand their impact from conception through all life stages and the importance of detrimental, synergistic environmental exposures. APOE4 influences AD pathogenesis, and exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), manufactured nanoparticles (NPs), and ultrafine particles (UFPs) associated with combustion and friction processes appear to be major contributors to cerebrovascular dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. In the context of outdoor and indoor PM pollution burden-as well as Fe, Ti, and Al alloys; Hg, Cu, Ca, Sn, and Si UFPs/NPs-in placenta and fetal brain tissues, urban APOE3 and APOE4 carriers are developing AD biological disease hallmarks (hyperphosphorylated-tau (P-tau) and amyloid beta 42 plaques (Aβ₄₂)). Strikingly, for Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) young residents ≤ 40 y, APOE4 carriers have 4.92 times higher suicide odds and 23.6 times higher odds of reaching Braak NFT V stage versus APOE4 non-carriers. The National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) framework could serve to test the hypothesis that UFPs and NPs are key players for oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, protein aggregation and misfolding, faulty complex protein quality control, and early damage to cell membranes and organelles of neural and vascular cells. Noninvasive biomarkers indicative of the P-tau and Aβ₄₂ abnormal protein deposits are needed across the disease continuum starting in childhood. Among the 21.8 million MMC residents, we have potentially 4 million APOE4 carriers at accelerated AD progression. These APOE4 individuals are prime candidates for early neuroprotective interventional trials. APOE4 is key in the development of AD evolving from childhood in highly polluted urban centers dominated by anthropogenic and industrial sources of pollution. APOE4 subjects are at higher early risk of AD development, and neuroprotection ought to be implemented. Effective reductions of PM_2.5, UFP, and NP emissions from all sources are urgently needed. Alzheimer's Disease prevention ought to be at the core of the public health response and physicians-scientist minority research be supported.

Fine particle air pollution and lung cancer risk: Extending the long list of health risks

Exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations above the WHO guidelines affect 99% of the world population. In a recent issue of Nature, Hill et al. dissect the tumor promotion paradigm orchestrated by PM_2.5 inhalation exposures in lung carcinogenesis, supporting the hypothesis that PM_2.5 can increase your risk of lung carcinoma without ever smoking.

Interaction of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles with maize (Zea mays): Accumulation, biotransformation and phytotoxicity

This study aimed to investigate the biotransformation of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in maize grown in hydroponics for ecotoxicity assessment. Maize seedlings grown for 14 days were exposed to a solution of 9 nm ZnO NPs, 40 nm ZnO NPs, and ZnSO₄ at a Zn concentration of 300 mg L^-1 for 1, 3, and 7 days, respectively. The results of in-situ Zn distribution in maize (Zea mays) showed that 9 nm ZnO NPs could quickly enter the roots of maize and reach the center column transport system of the stem. The results of transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that ZnO NPs were accumulated in the vacuoles of the roots, and then transformed and transported through vesicles. Simulated studies showed that low pH (5.6) played a critical role in the transformation of ZnO NPs, and organic acids (K_f = 10^11.4) could promote particle dissolution. Visual MINTEQ software simulated the species of Zn after the entry of ZnO NPs or Zn²⁺ into plants and found that the species of Zn was mainly Zn²⁺ when the Zn content of plants reached 200-300 ppm. Considering that the lowest Zn content of the roots in treatments was 1920 mg kg^-1, combination of the result analysis of root effects showed that the toxicity of roots in most treatments had a direct relationship with Zn²⁺. However, treatment with 9 nm ZnO NPs exhibited significantly higher toxicity than ZnSO₄ treatment on day 1 when the Zn²⁺ concentration difference was not significant, which was mainly due to the large amount of ZnO NPs deposited in the roots. To the authors' knowledge, this study was the first to confirm the process of biotransformation and explore the factors affecting the toxicity of ZnO NPs in depth.