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Microglial cells play a key role in protecting the central nervous system from pathogens and toxic compounds and are involved in the pathogenesis of different neurodegenerative diseases. Cadmium is a widespread toxic heavy metal, released into the environment at a rate of 30,000 tons/year by anthropogenic activities; it is easily uptaken by the human body through diet and cigarette smoke, as well as by occupational exposure. Once inside the body, cadmium enters the cells and substitutes to zinc and other divalent cations altering many biological functions. Its extremely long half-life makes it a serious health threat. Recent data suggest a role for heavy metals in many neurodegenerative diseases; however, the role of cadmium is still to be elucidated. In this work we report the investigation of cadmium toxicity towards murine BV2 microglial cells, a widely used model for the study of neurodegeneration. Results show that increasing cadmium concentrations increase oxidative stress, a proposed mechanism of neurodegeneration, but also that BV2 cells can keep oxidative stress under control by increasing glutathione reduction. Moreover, cadmium induces alterations of cell morphology and metabolism leading to mitochondrial impairment, without switching the cells to Warburg effect. Finally cadmium induces the release of proinflammatory cytokines, but does not markedly switch BV2 cells to M1 phenotype.

The assessment of the environmental footprint of an organization or product is based on methods published by the European Union Joint Research Centre, which take 16 impact areas into account. Among the listed categories are human and freshwater ecosystem toxicities. Standard protocols utilize just chemical parameters as input data, hindering the determination of the full impact of complex mixes, such as pollutants released into the environment. Biological assays enable us to overcome this gap: in the present work, assays were employed to determine both baseline and specific toxicity to aquatic species (green algae, luminescent bacteria, and crustacean cladocera) as well as specific toxicity (mutagenicity and carcinogenicity). Ecological footprint was estimated with regard to the impact categories “freshwater toxicity” and “human cancer toxicity” following the standard methodology. In parallel, the impact on the above categories was estimated using the results of biological assays as input. Standard and bioassay-based results are not always congruent, and conventional methods generally underestimate the effects. Likewise, the choice of reference substance (metals or organics) influences the quantification of impact. Appropriate batteries of biological assays could therefore be utilized to complement LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) techniques in order to make them more sensitive when considering toxicity in mid-term impact categories.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are particles ranging in size between 1 and 1000 nm, and they are a form of environmental contaminant of great ecotoxicological concern. Although NPs are widespread across ecosystems, they have only recently garnered growing attention from both the scientific community and regulatory bodies. The present study reviews scientific literature related to the exposure and effects of NPs and identifies research gaps that impede the finalization of related environmental risk assessments (ERAs). Approximately 80 articles published between 2012 and 2021 were considered. Very few studies (eight articles) focused on the presence of NPs in biotic matrices, whereas the majority of the studies (62 articles) assessed the lethal and sublethal effects of NPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Whilst many studies focused on nude NPs, only a few considered their association with different aggregates. Amongst NPs, the effects of polystyrene are the most extensively reported to date. Moreover, the effects of NPs on aquatic organisms are better characterized than those on terrestrial organisms. NP concentrations detected in water were close to or even higher than the sublethal levels for organisms. An ERA framework specifically tailored to NPs is proposed.

Several harmful modifications in different tissues-organs, leading to relevant diseases (e.g., liver and lung diseases, neurodegeneration) are reported after exposure to cadmium (Cd), a wide environmental contaminant. This arises the question whether any common molecular signatures and/or Cd-induced modifications might represent the building block in initiating or contributing to address the cells towards different pathological conditions. To unravel possible mechanisms of Cd tissue-specificity, we have analyzed transcriptomics data from cell models representative of three major Cd targets: pulmonary (A549), hepatic (HepG2), and neuronal (SH-SY-5Y) cells. Further, we compared common features to identify any non-specific molecular signatures. The functional analysis of dysregulated genes (gene ontology and KEGG) shows GO terms related to metabolic processes significantly enriched only in HepG2 cells. GO terms in common in the three cell models are related to metal ions stress response and detoxification processes. Results from KEGG analysis show that only one specific pathway is dysregulated in a significant way in all cell models: the mineral absorption pathway. Our data clearly indicate how the molecular mimicry of Cd and its ability to cause a general metal ions dyshomeostasis represent the initial common feature leading to different molecular signatures and alterations, possibly responsible for different pathological conditions.

The literature is currently lacking effect-based monitoring studies targeted at evaluating the performance of full-scale membrane bioreactor plants. In this research, a monitoring campaign was performed at a full-scale wastewater treatment facility with two parallel lines (traditional activated sludge and membrane bioreactor). Beside the standard parameters (COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals), 6 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, 29 insecticides, 2 herbicides, and 3 endocrine disrupting compounds were measured. A multi-tiered battery of bioassays complemented the investigation, targeting different toxic modes of action and employing various biological systems (uni/multicellular, prokaryotes/eukaryotes, trophic level occupation). A traffic light scoring approach was proposed to quickly visualize the impact of treatment on overall toxicity that occurred after the exposure to raw and concentrated wastewater. Analysis of the effluents of the CAS and MBR lines show very good performance of the two systems for removal of organic micropollutants and metals. The most noticeable differences between CAS and MBR occurred in the concentration of suspended solids; chemical analyses did not show major differences. On the other hand, bioassays demonstrated better performance for the MBR. Both treatment lines complied with the Italian law's “ecotoxicity standard for effluent discharge in surface water”. Yet, residual biological activity was still detected, demonstrating the adequacy and sensitivity of the toxicological tools, which, by their inherent nature, allow the overall effects of complex mixtures to be taken into account.

The performing arts have made migration a central theme of their poetics and languages. To the extent that the migration issue has been artistically typified from the stage, its components are consolidated as recurrent metaphors (luggage, train/beast, coyote, desert, etc.), highly effective. However, to the same extent the theatrical aesthetic is separated from the geopolitical coordinates of contemporary international diplomacy or from activism. In the midst of the dilemma between aesthetic and ethical performances whit social content, a fictional space arises that serves as a port or transition, a point of arrival or no return, an urban stain flanked by a wall that seduces and encourages creativity. The migrant bodies that come to Ciudad Juárez print their mark on the streets of the border, sometimes tragically after losing their lives, but sometimes that vestige is only perceptible to playwrights and troupes that amplify the drama of exile in front of the spectators. This article explores the link between four plays and the space that motivates and inspires them., El teatro mexicano contemporáneo ha hecho de la migración un tema protagónico de sus poéticas y lenguajes. En la medida en que esta cuestión de índole humanitaria se ha tipificado de manera artística desde el escenario, sus componentes se consolidan como metáforas recurrentes (el equipaje, la bestia, el coyote o pollero, el desierto, etc.), altamente efectivas, aunque no siempre reaccionarias a la diplomacia internacional o propositivas en términos de activismo. En medio de la disyuntiva entre performances estéticos, éticos y con contenido social, se levanta un espacio de ficción que sirve de puerto o de transición, un punto de llegada o de no retorno, una mancha urbana flanqueada por un muro que seduce e incita al ingenio. Los cuerpos migrantes que acuden a Ciudad Juárez imprimen su huella en las calles de la frontera, a veces de manera trágica tras perder la vida, pero en ocasiones ese rastro o vestigio es solo perceptible para dramaturgas/os y compañías que amplifican el drama del exilio ante la solícita mirada del público espectador. Este artículo estudia el vínculo entre cuatro obras teatrales y el espacio tanto citadino como geográfico que las motiva e inspira.