Arsenic in Water and Food: Toxicity and Human Exposure

Arsenic is a human carcinogen present in drinking water and food, especially rice, rice products and seafood. It can be found in both organic and inorganic forms, the latter being the most toxic. In addition to the carcinogenic effect, exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause numerous disorders in different organs/systems of the human body, such as the skin, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems. The risk assessment associated with dietary arsenic is mainly based on the margin of exposure, i.e., the ratio between the dose at which a small but measurable adverse effect may occur and the estimated daily intake of the target substance. It is mainly influenced by arsenic concentrations and consumption data of average or 95th percentile consumers. This review focuses on the toxicity of arsenic, its sources and routes of human exposure, with particular attention to the ingestion of contaminated water and food, considering the differences between age groups and dietary habits

Impact of leukoreduction on the metabolome of ovine packed red blood cells during refrigerated storage

Background-Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention for many species of veterinary interest, including sheep. Despite extensive research on the impact of refrigerated storage of packed red blood cells (pRBC) in humans, research on the quality of stored ovine blood is limited and storage guidelines are mostly informed by studies in humans. Human pRBC are currently stored without residual white blood cells, following selective removal of the leukocytes by filtration (leukoreduction). This process delays the onset and mitigates the progression of the storage lesion, a series of molecular changes that RBC undergo as a function of storage duration. However, leukoreduction of ovine pRBC is not routinely performed. Materials and methods-Here we performed metabolomics analyses of non-leukoreduced (nLR) and LR pRBC from six sheep. Units were stored under standard veterinary blood bank conditions (4°C) for up to 42 days and sterilely sampled weekly for metabolomics analyses of cells and supernatants. Results-LR-pRBC showed significantly lower levels of mono-, di-and tri-carboxylates in both the cellular and supernatant compartments, and slower accumulation of lactate and immunomodulatory succinate, fumarate and malate. The presence of residual white blood cells in the units accelerated the consumption of glucose from the media, with no increase in detectable high energy phosphate compounds (AMP). nLR showed a higher degree of purine breakdown and deamination products, (hypoxanthine, xanthine and allantoate). Elevated free fatty acids in nLR RBC are consistent with increased lipid peroxidation and lipolysis. Strong sex dimorphism was observed across all samples, independently of storage duration or leukoreduction. Discussion-Leukoreduction of ovine pRBC delays the onset and mitigates the metabolic storage lesion to central energy and redox metabolism, while almost completely abrogating the accumulation of carboxylates in stored units

Stability and tribological properties of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with native corn starch and olive leaves phenolic extracts

In this work, the tribological behaviour of o/w model emulsions stabilized by native corn starch particles in association with a surface-active olive leaf phenolic extract (OLE) was studied. Preliminarily, starch particles were submitted to a high-pressure homogenization pre-treatment and were then separated, by sedimentation, into small (<5 μm, centered on 2.5 μm) and large (<50 μm, centered on 17 μm) particles. Oil-in-water emulsions (10 % dispersed phase, w/v) were prepared using native corn starch particles in the presence of OLE as an emulsifier and characterized for particle size, microstructure and tribological behaviour. OLE and starch particles were both needed for system structuration, providing stability with different mechanisms. OLE triggered oil droplet formation acting as a low molecular weight emulsifier, while starch particles played a different role in the stabilization of the emulsions based on their size: the small starch particles provide stability by adsorbing onto the o/w interface, while the large particles provide stability by forming an interconnected network in the continuous phase, which embedded OLE-stabilized oil droplets. The tribological study showed that emulsions stabilized by small particles showed higher friction coefficients. In these emulsions, the stable emulsion droplets provided particle lubrication. In emulsions stabilized by large particles, lower friction coefficients were observed, which was due to the low stability of the oil droplets. The oil droplets could easily coalesce under flow, causing the formation of an oil film, which was more efficient in lowering the friction coefficient than the oil droplets stabilized with smaller particles. Such findings demonstrated that the size of starch particles played an important role in the stabilization mechanism of the emulsions as well as of their lubrication properties, and can be used to control different properties of emulsions

Bridging the Gap in Physical Activity and Sport Among Women University Students: Motivational and Practical Insights for Effective Promotion

Women’s participation in physical activity (PA) and sport remains lower than that of men, with specific challenges persisting into young adulthood. This study aims to better understand the diverse engagement patterns and motivations of women university students in order to inform targeted, gender-sensitive approaches to PA and sport promotion. A survey was conducted among 2,071 women students aged 18–25 years (M = 20.01, SD = 1.33) from 16 European universities. Principal component analysis and clustering techniques revealed two main participation styles: “free” (C1 and C2) and “organized” (C3 and C4). The “free” group preferred low-intensity, flexible activities, often self-directed, and supported by digital tools, while the “organized” group thrived in structured, socially supportive environments such as clubs or team sports with coaching. Motivational factors varied considerably: C1 participants did not prioritize a single motivational factor, C2 were primarily motivated by physical condition and appearance, while a combination of enjoyment, affiliation, and psychological well-being drove C3 and C4 participants. The study highlights the need for universities to offer diverse, flexible PA options that cater to different preferences, from autonomous activities facilitated by digital innovations to structured programs that promote social belonging and accountability. Universities can create supportive environments that encourage sustained PA and sport engagement by tailoring interventions to individual motivations and using inclusive communication strategies. These findings provide valuable insights for promoting active lifestyles among women university students and for advancing gender-sensitive approaches to PA and sport promotion

Cybersecurity in France, Poland and Italy

Presently, cyberspace dominates private lives and is extensively used for business activities, including providing services and implementing public tasks. It facilitates conducting various activities, both public and non-public, reducing costs as well as increasing accessibility. Cyberspace also enables faster communication. Therefore, its importance can hardly be overestimated. However, with the development of new technologies and the widespread use of the Internet, cyberthreats are intensifying. Measures to combat them should be vital parts of any entrepreneur’s or web user’s activities, and public policies at the central, local and regional levels. Through adequate cybersecurity management using cyberspace can be optimised and the threats it poses countered

Digital Dynamics: Ceramics Route of Castelli (CerCAST)

The tradition of ceramic craftsmanship serves as a defining characteristic of the cultural and economic landscape in a substantial portion of European history. This tradition has facilitated the reproduction and evolution of highly efficient production systems, which have subsequently manifested as cultural and social capital of considerable importance to local communities, such as Castelli. Castelli is acknowledged as a pivotal center in the history of Italian maiolica production, celebrated for its exceptional cultural contributions and ornamental varieties that possess distinctive aesthetic value, particularly from the 16th to the 18th centuries. This research explores the development of digital practices to address the promotion and preservation requirements of Castelli ceramics, which is a significant yet vulnerable element of cultural heritage. The project analyzes the challenges and opportunities associated with employing digital strategies to advance and support the preservation of Castelli ceramics' cultural heritage in the digital age

Ultrasound evaluation of fetal parameters to estimate gestational age in native Teramana goats

ABSTRACT Biodiversity, understood as biological variability, is based on genetic diversity and represents a heritage to be protected. The protection of species at risk of extinction aims to address the problems related to genetic impoverishment through the conservation of the native heritage, which is based on the knowledge and study of native breeds. Among the endangered native breeds, there is the Teramana goat, a breed that originated in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region, in Italy. It is important to consider the advantages of native breeds, with phenotypes linked to the climate and geography of the region in which they evolved, and therefore the possibility of acquiring higher-quality productions compared to not native breeds. The overarching goal is to provide valuable data that can contribute to improving reproductive management strategies and conservation efforts for this rare and at-risk breed. This study focuses on the reproductive performance and foetal development of the endangered Teramana goat breed, utilising ultrasonography to monitor pregnancy progression and estimate gestational age. The study aims to measure foetal growth using key biometric parameters such as Biparietal Diameter (BPD), Abdominal Diameter (ABD), Crown-Rump Length (CRL), and Heart Rate (HR) between day 28 and day 125 of gestation. These measurements were found to correlate strongly with gestational age, making them reliable predictors of foetal development. However, Placentome Length (PLL) was not significantly correlated with gestational age, proving less useful as a measurement tool, as demonstrated previously by other authors (Doize et al., 1997; Lee et al., 2005; Abreu et al., 2007; Nwaougu et al., 2010). The study also revealed an important incidence of dystocia among the pregnant goats, particularly in twin pregnancies and those involving male foetuses. Despite relatively large pelvic dimensions, dystocia was prevalent, suggesting that other factors such as foetal positioning or size may contribute more significantly to birthing complications. The findings emphasise the importance of close monitoring during late gestation and parturition, particularly in breeds like the Teramana goat that face high reproductive risks. 3 This research provides essential data on the reproductive management of Teramana goats, highlighting the value of ultrasound as a non-invasive tool for monitoring foetal development and predicting gestational outcomes. The results support the use of this diagnostic method in reproductive management programs in order to develop strategies aimed at increasing the population in those endangered breeds