A multibiomarker approach to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of honey bees, Apis mellifera

A rapid decline of Apis mellifera, a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, was recorded worldwide in recent years. The massive use of insecticides and fungicides in agriculture associated with pollution generated by other human activities and presence of parasites can cause toxicological effects in bees including a decrease of the immune defences, leading to the collapse of the colonies. Effective assessment of the ecotoxicological impacts of anthropogenic contaminants requires an approach that combines different biomarkers that enable a more precise diagnosis of exposure to environmental stressors through a combination of different biological responses. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a set of biomarkers to study the ecotoxicological status of honey bees. In the first phase, we investigated in the laboratory the effects of EMS, cadmium and a commercial fungicide (azoxistrobin 18.2% and ciproconazole 7.3%) in adult honey bees, evaluating eventual variation in glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CaE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme, erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay and differential haemocytes count (DHC). Genotoxic effects, as well as alteration of the immune system, were found in bees treated with EMS, cadmium or the fungicide. Cadmium and the fungicide also inhibited AChE and CaE activities, GST was induced by all the compounds investigated. In the second phase, adult honey bees were collected from apiaries located in four environments characterized by different chemical input: a wooded environment (low input), an urban site, an orchard and a cultivated countryside site. Honey bees from the urban site were also collected and analyzed before and after treatment for parasites. ENA assay showed that bees taken from the countryside and the orchard had a greater number of abnormalities compared to the forest, confirming the presence of genotoxic substances in agricultural environments compared to control environments. GST activity was induced in bees from the urban environment, AChE was inhibited in the countryside compared to the forest, suggesting the presence of substances with neurotoxic effect in this environment. ALP activity was induced in all sites in comparison to wooded one. The bees collected after the parasites treatment showed an increase for GST activity as well as AChE inhibition

Multi-biomarker approach and IBR index to evaluate the effects of different contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of Apis mellifera

The honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, is disappearing globally due to parasites and diseases, habitat loss, genetic constraints, beekeeper management issues and to the widespread use of pesticides. Besides insecticides, widely studied in this species, honeybees are also exposed to herbicides and fungicides and heavy metals whose lethal and sublethal effects need to be investigated. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of fungicides and of heavy metals on honeybees and to develop and apply a multi-biomarker approach that include an Integrated Biological Index (IBRv2) to assess the toxicological status of this species. Biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE and CaE), metabolic alteration (ALP, and GST) and immune system (LYS, granulocytes) were measured, following honeybees’ exposure to cadmium or to a crop fungicide, using the genotoxic compound EMS as positive control. A biomarker of genotoxicity (NA assay) was developed and applied for the first time in honeybees. At the doses tested, all the contaminants showed sublethal toxicity to the bees, highlighting in particular genotoxic effects. The data collected were analyzed by an IBRv2 index, which integrated the seven biomarkers used in this study. IBRv2 index increased with increasing cadmium or fungicide concentrations. The IBRv2 represents a simple tool for a general description of honeybees ecotoxicological health status. Results highlight the need for more in-depth investigations on the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, such as honeybees, using sensitive methods for the determination of sublethal effects. This study contributes to the development of a multi-biomarker approach to be used for a more accurate ecotoxicological environmental monitoring of these animals

Il Trattamento delle Eccezioni nella Programmazione Strutturata: Metodologia di Progetto

The treatment of abnormal conditions in program design and coding raises several difficulties in the implementation of "good" programs. The scheme is of the controlled top-down kind: in the first step the normal program flow is analyzed; in the second step all the exception conditions are individuated and propagated from the lower level units to the higher level ones; in the third phase the exception conditions are raised in the program flow and treated in exception handler blocks. An example illustrates the methodological scheme

Multi-biomarker approach and IBR index to evaluate the effects of different contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of Apis mellifera

The honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, is disappearing globally due to parasites and diseases, habitat loss, genetic constraints, beekeeper management issues and to the widespread use of pesticides. Besides insecticides, widely studied in this species, honeybees are also exposed to herbicides and fungicides and heavy metals whose lethal and sublethal effects need to be investigated. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of fungicides and of heavy metals on honeybees and to develop and apply a multi-biomarker approach that include an Integrated Biological Index (IBRv2) to assess the toxicological status of this species. Biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE and CaE), metabolic alteration (ALP, and GST) and immune system (LYS, granulocytes) were measured, following honeybees’ exposure to cadmium or to a crop fungicide, using the genotoxic compound EMS as positive control. A biomarker of genotoxicity (NA assay) was developed and applied for the first time in honeybees. At the doses tested, all the contaminants showed sublethal toxicity to the bees, highlighting in particular genotoxic effects. The data collected were analyzed by an IBRv2 index, which integrated the seven biomarkers used in this study. IBRv2 index increased with increasing cadmium or fungicide concentrations. The IBRv2 represents a simple tool for a general description of honeybees ecotoxicological health status. Results highlight the need for more in-depth investigations on the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, such as honeybees, using sensitive methods for the determination of sublethal effects. This study contributes to the development of a multi-biomarker approach to be used for a more accurate ecotoxicological environmental monitoring of these animals

A multibiomarker approach to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of honey bees, Apis mellifera

11noNumero articolo: 2.02.6reservedThe honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, is disappearing globally due to parasites and diseases, habitat loss, genetic constraints, beekeeper management issues and to the widespread use of pesticides. Besides insecticides, widely studied in this species, honeybees are also exposed to herbicides and fungicides and heavy metals whose lethal and sublethal effects need to be investigated. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of fungicides and of heavy metals on honeybees and to develop and apply a multi-biomarker approach that include an Integrated Biological Index (IBRv2) to assess the toxicological status of this species. Biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE and CaE), metabolic alteration (ALP, and GST) and immune system (LYS, granulocytes) were measured, following honeybees’ exposure to cadmium or to a crop fungicide, using the genotoxic compound EMS as positive control. A biomarker of genotoxicity (NA assay) was developed and applied for the first time in honeybees. At the doses tested, all the contaminants showed sublethal toxicity to the bees, highlighting in particular genotoxic effects. The data collected were analyzed by an IBRv2 index, which integrated the seven biomarkers used in this study. IBRv2 index increased with increasing cadmium or fungicide concentrations. The IBRv2 represents a simple tool for a general description of honeybees ecotoxicological health status. Results highlight the need for more in-depth investigations on the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, such as honeybees, using sensitive methods for the determination of sublethal effects. This study contributes to the development of a multi-biomarker approach to be used for a more accurate ecotoxicological environmental monitoring of these animals.mixedCaliani,I.; Campani, T.; Ammendola, A.; Conti, B.; Bedini, S.; Cosci, F.; Di Noi, A.; Gori, A.; Bellucci, F.; Giovanetti, L.; Casini, S.Caliani, I.; Campani, T.; Ammendola, A.; Conti, B.; Bedini, S.; Cosci, F.; Di Noi, A.; Gori, A.; Bellucci, F.; Giovanetti, L.; Casini, S

Risposte biochimiche nel granchio Pachygrapsus marmoratus per la valutazione della contaminazione ambientale del porto di Livorno (Italia).

The main purpose of the present investigation was to assess the health status of Livorno harbour, through the responses of a set of biomarkers in the crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Fabricius, 1787). This investigation is part of the IMPACT project (Port Impact on Marine Protected Area: crossborder co-operative actions), and the aim is to debug cross-borders management plans in order to actually protect the Marine Protected Areas. Male and female of the crabs were collected from two different areas: Livorno harbour, considered the polluted area, and the control area, the Marine Protected Area “Secche della Meloria”, located just a few miles from the Livorno harbour. A battery of biomarkers was employed to assess neurotoxic effects (acetylcholinesterase, AChE activity), energy metabolism (isocitrate dehydrogenease, IDH; lactate dehydrogenease, LDH), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, LPO; glutathione S-transferase, GST; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; glutathione reductase, GR; catalase, CAT; glutathione, GSH) and DNA damage (erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities, ENAs assay). Moreover, the levels of trace elements and PAHs were evaluated in the specimens. The results of LPO, CAT, GST, GSH and ENA assay showed that the crabs sampled in Livorno harbour are exposed to contaminants able to cause oxidative stress and genotoxic effects. The average values of LPO and ENA assay showed a statistically significant difference between specimens collected into Livorno harbour and those collected in the marine protected area. The average values of LPO were about three times higher in crabs sampled in polluted area in comparison to those sampled in the control area. Although the females showed higher values in comparison with the males, no significant differences between sex were found. A statistically significant difference was found between the two sampling sites regarding energetic metabolism biomarkers. The crab P. marmoratus, used as a bioindicator to investigate the contamination in a port area using a multi biomarker approach, can be considered a good model organism for marine coastal environment monitoring

Multisite artery disease: a common and challenging clinical condition calling for specific management

'Multisite' artery disease is defined as the simultaneous presence of clinically significant atherosclerotic lesions in at least two major vascular territories. The management of patients with multisite artery disease represents a common challenge in clinical practice, since they are at increased risk for both vascular and coronary surgery. Preliminary experiences suggest that percutaneous treatment may represent a promising strategy for patients with multisite artery disease. In this review, the prevalence and management of multisite artery disease are discussed with particular attention to coronary and peripheral revascularization related issues

Impact of radial-to-aorta vascular anatomical variants on risk of failure in trans-radial coronary procedures

Objectives To assess the impact of an operative classification of vascular anatomic variants on the feasibility of trans-radial approach. Background Vascular anatomic variants located from the wrist to the aorta may influence the feasibility of trans-radial procedures. Recently, a new operative classification of these variants was proposed. Methods Consecutive trans-radial diagnostic or interventional catheterizations were considered. Vascular anatomic variants were classified according to 10 categories and sub-grouped according to the ABC classification (A: radial-brachial arterial axis; B: axillary-subclavian-anonymous axis; C: aortic arch). Primary study end-point was failure of trans-radial approach (necessity to cross-over to another approach to complete the procedure). Results Three thousand four hundred seventy-seven consecutive radial procedures were considered. Anatomic variants were diagnosed in 308 procedures (8.8%): A variants: 7.2%, B variants: 1.9%; C variants: 0.3%. Failure occurred in 2.0% of procedures. Failure rate was 0.7% in the absence of variants vs.15.2% in the presence of any variant (P < 0.0001, OR 27.7, 95%CI 16.346.9). Each of the 10 variants was significantly associated with increased failure rate. Each of the three level-subgroups of variants was significantly associated to the risk of failure (failure 14.7% in A level, 13.9% in B level, 33.3% in C level; P < 0.0001 vs. absence of variants). Conclusions Failure of trans-radial procedures is associated to anatomic variants located from the wrist to the aorta. The operative ABC classification of anatomic variants is useful not only to categorize these anatomic variants, but also to predict the risk of failure of trans-radial approach. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc