Since magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) as magnetite (Fe O NPs) have potential applications in life sciences, industrial fields and biomedical care, the risks for occupational, general population and patients rises correspondingly. Excessive IONP accumulation in central nervous system (CNS) cells can lead to a disruption of normal iron metabolism/homeostasis, which is a characteristic hallmark resembling that of several neurodegenerative disorders. Fe O NPs- versus Fe O bulk-induced toxic effects have been assessed in two human CNS cells namely astrocytes (D384) and neurons (SH-SY5Y) after short-term exposure (4-24-48 h) to 1-100 μg ml , and long-term exposure to lower concentrations. Short-term Fe O NPs induced significant concentration- and time-dependent alterations of mitochondrial function in D384 (25-75% cell viability decrease): effects started at 25 μg ml after 4 h, and 1 μg ml after 48 h. SH-SY5Y were less susceptible: cytotoxicity occurred after 48  h only with 35-45% mortality (10-100 μg ml ). Accordingly, a more marked intracellular iron accumulation was observed in astrocytes than neurons. Membrane integrity was unaltered in both CNS cell types. Lowering Fe O NP concentrations (0.05-10 μg ml ) and prolonging the exposure time (up to 10 days), D384 toxicity was again observed (colony number decrease at ≥0.05 μg ml , morphology alterations and colony size reduction at ≥0.5 μg ml ). Effects on SH-SY5Y appeared at the highest concentration only. Fe O bulk was always remarkably toxic toward both cells. In summary, human cultured astrocytes were susceptible to both Fe O NP and bulk forms following short-term and extended exposure to low concentrations, while neurons were more resistant to NPs. Cellular iron overload may trigger adverse responses by releasing iron ions (particularly in astrocytes) thus compromising the normal functions of CNS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Several studies suggest that Iron Oxide nanoparticles may arrive to central nervous system independently of the route of administration. Actually, evidences indicate that the presence iron oxide nanoparticles into nervous system are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. In this regard, our goal was to assess in vitro PolyVinylPirrolidone coated Iron Oxide nanoparticles, diameter of 20 nm, neuro-toxicity and their mechanism of action, which was fixed over the human neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y. Inducted biological effects were evaluated after 4–48 hours at crescents doses 1–100 μg/mL using the following endpoints: (i) Membrane integrity: Nanoparticles have produced no effect over cellular membrane for every dose and time evaluated; (ii) Mitochondrial activity: Starting at 10 μg/mL with a decrease of cellular vitality of 35%, and a maximum decrease of 45% at highest dose (100 μg/mL); (iii) Cellular morphology: Cells have evidenced no alteration after 48 hours of exposure; (iv) Cellular uptake: Dose-time dependent accumulation has observed: blue spots have been found at 10 μg/mL and over. Concluding, mitochondria are apparently the target: considering that the toxic effect produced by PolyVinylPirrolidone coated Iron Oxide nanoparticles after 48 hours of exposure in a dose-time dependent manner was evident.

Camelina can be considered a valuable crop for bio-based products and biofuels, but, to date, there are still many uninvestigated aspects concerning the optimization of its agricultural management and its environmental impact. Consequently, a low-input camelina cultivation has been realized, in northern Italy environment, through a 4-year camelina-wheat rotation in open field. In these conditions, camelina was grown as winter crop. Camelina reached, over the years, a variable (CV=28%) mean seed yield of 0.82 Mg ha-1. This notwithstanding, the oil content - 39.17% (CV=3%) - and its related quality were rather stable, reaching an oil yield of 320 kg ha-1 particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acid. The low input cultivation system here adopted implied an energy ratio (output energy/input energy) of 4 and a 30% decrease in Global Warming Potential per hectare, compared to the standard value reported by the European Renewable Energy Directive for sunflower, reducing, at the same time, other relevant environmental burdens. However, due to its relatively low oil production, the full use of all camelina co-products should be considered in order to fulfill the sustainability requirements for European jet fuel production. In fact, stability of yields and quality of oil, oilcake and straws makes low-input camelina eligible for many other novel green chemistry applications.