Pesticide residues with hazard classifications relevant to non-target species including humans are omnipresent in the environment and farmer residences

Intensive and widespread use of pesticides raises serious environmental and human health concerns. The presence and levels of 209 pesticide residues (active substances and transformation products) in 625 environmental samples (201 soil, 193 crop, 20 outdoor air, 115 indoor dust, 58 surface water, and 38 sediment samples) have been studied. The samples were collected during the 2021 growing season, across 10 study sites, covering the main European crops, and conventional and organic farming systems. We profiled the pesticide residues found in the different matrices using existing hazard classifications towards non-target organisms and humans. Combining monitoring data and hazard information, we developed an indicator for the prioritization of pesticides, which can support policy decisions and sustainable pesticide use transitions. Eighty-six percent of the samples had at least one residue above the respective limit of detection. One hundred residues were found in soil, 112 in water, 99 in sediments, 78 in crops, 76 in outdoor air, and 197 in indoor dust. The number, levels, and profile of residues varied between farming systems. Our results show that non-approved compounds still represent a significant part of environmental cocktails and should be accounted for in monitoring programs and risk assessments. The hazard profiles analysis confirms the dominance of compounds of low-moderate hazard and underscores the high hazard of some approved compounds and recurring “no data available” situations. Overall, our results support the idea that risk should be assessed in a mixture context, taking environmentally relevant mixtures into consideration. We have uncovered uncertainties and data gaps that should be addressed, as well as the policy implications at the EU approval status level. Our newly introduced indicator can help identify research priority areas, and act as a reference for targeted scenarios set forth in the Farm to Fork pesticide reduction goals

Assessment of mandibular cortical bone thickness for miniscrew placement in relation to the vertical facial patterns using CBCT (Cross-sectional Study)

Background: The need of more anchorage in the orthodontic daily practice has introduced the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs). Cortical bone thickness has been one of the major factors on the success rate of the stability of TADs. Different vertical dimension patterns can be found among orthodontic patients with potentially variable cortical bone thickness. Aim of the study: to assess the cortical bone thickness in the posterior region of the mandible in relation to different vertical facial patterns using Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the progressive change in the thickness of cortical bone from 4,6 to 8 mm from the crest of the alveolar bone toward the apical region.Material and Methods: Thirty-six participants were selected and their cephalometric x-rays and CBCTs were analyzed and compared. Vertical facial pattern was measured with the use of the mandibular plane angle and participants were grouped in 3 categories according to the measures. On the CBCTs, buccal and lingual cortical bone thickness were measured from 4,6 and 8 mm from the alveolar crestal bone and compared. All analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, v.26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The significance level was set at α = 0.05 for all statistical analyses. Results: There was no statistically significant differences were observed between the vertical dimensions groups in terms of buccal and lingual measurements at 4, 6, and 8 mm from cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) between 44/45, 45/46, and 46/47 (P\u3e0.05). Conclusion: There was a progressive increase in cortical bone thickness in most of the studied groups from the alveolar crest to the apical region

Sediment toxicity of the fungicide fludioxonil to benthic macroinvertebrates -evaluation of the tiered effect assessment procedure

28-Day sediment-spiked laboratory toxicity tests with eight benthic macroinvertebrates and the lipophilic fungicide fludioxonil were conducted to verify the proposed tiered sediment effect assessment procedure as recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The test species were the oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus and Tubifex tubifex, the insects Chironomus riparius and Caenis horaria, the crustaceans Hyalella azteca and Asellus aquaticus and the bivalves Corbicula fluminalis and Pisidium amnicum. Toxicity estimates were expressed in terms of total concentration of dry sediment as well as in pore water concentration. Field-collected sediment, also used in a previously performed sediment-spiked microcosm experiment, was used in tests with all species. L. variegatus and C. riparius had similar lowest 28d-L(E)C10 values when expressed in terms of total sediment concentration, but in terms of pore water concentration L. variegatus was more sensitive. Three of the six additional benthic test species (A. aquaticus, C. horaria, C. fluminalis) had 28d-EC10 values a factor of 2–6 lower than that of L. variegatus. Comparing different effect assessment tiers for sediment organisms, i.e. Tier-0 (Modified Equilibrium Partitioning approach), Tier-1 (Standard Test Species approach), Tier-2 (Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) approach) and Tier-3 (Model Ecosystem approach), it is concluded that the tiers based on sediment-spiked laboratory toxicity tests provide sufficient protection when compared with the Tier-3 Regulatory Acceptable Concentration (RAC). Differences between Tier-1 and Tier-2 RACs, however, appear to be relatively small and not always consistent, irrespective of expressing the RAC in terms of total sediment or pore water concentration. Derivation of RACs by means of the SSD approach may be a challenge, because it is difficult obtaining a sufficient number of valid chronic EC10 values with appropriate 95% confidence bands for sediment-dwelling macroinvertebrates. Therefore, this paper proposes a Tier-2 Weight-of-Evidence approach to be used in case an insufficient number of valid additional toxicity data is made available. Similar studies with pesticides that differ in fate properties and toxic mode-of-action are necessary for further validation of the tiered effect assessment approach for sediment organisms.</p

Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Urban Soil and Plants of Kirkuk City in Iraq

Kirkuk city is known for its industrial activities, especially oil and cement production, as well as its road traffic. The aim of this study was to assess potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil and plants from urban areas by measuring pollution indices and estimating the effect that this pollution has on the environment. Leaf and soil samples were taken from 10 different locations in Kirkuk. These samples were pre-treated using the acid digestion method and concentrations of 12 elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicate a high content of aluminum and magnesium (mg/kg) in the soil samples from all study sites. For leaf samples, the results showed a moderate to low amount of magnesium and aluminum. Based on our results, the PTE concentrations were found in the following order—Mg > Al > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Co > As > Se > Cd > Hg > Ti—in leaf samples from all 10 study sites. However, in the soil samples, PTE concentrations were in the following order—Mg > Al > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > As > Se > Ti > Cd > Hg—from all study sites. Pollution indices showed a moderate level of contamination of Pb, Cd, and Ni, and a high level of contamination of As and Hg in plant and soil samples from all study sites in Kirkuk city

In vitro cytogenetic toxicity of sertraline

Sertraline (SRT) is an antidepressant agent used as a neuronal selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SRT blocks serotonin reuptake and increases serotonin stimulation of somatodendritic serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) and terminal autoreceptors in the brain. Although numerous studies on SSRIs indicate that many of those agents possess genotoxic risk, the genotoxic effect of SRT in human peripheral blood lymphocytes has not been investigated so far. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of SRT was evaluated using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy human subjects. In addition, biochemical parameters of total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured to quantitate oxidative stress. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to four different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 μg/mL) of SRT for 24- and 48-h treatment periods. In this study, SRT was not found to induce MN formation either in 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In contrast, SRT induced a concentration-dependent decrease (r= - 0.979, p ≤ 0.01) in the MN when it was present for the last 48 hr (48-h treatment) of the culture period. The application of various concentrations of SRT did not increase TAS levels in either 24- or 48-h treatment periods when compared to control. However, SRT caused significant oxidative stress in both 24- or 48-h treatment periods. The increase in TOS was potent as the positive control MMC at both treatment times. In addition, exposing cells to SRT caused significant decreases in the nuclear division index at 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75 μg/mL in 24-h and at the highest concentration (5 μg/mL) in 48-h treatment periods. Our results suggest that SRT may have nucleotoxic effect on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

In vitro cytogenotoxic evaluation of sertraline

Sertraline (SRT) is an antidepressant agent used as a neuronal selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SRT blocks serotonin reuptake and increases serotonin stimulation of somatodendritic serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) and terminal autoreceptors in the brain. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of SRT was evaluated using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy human subjects. DNA cleavage-protective effects of SRT were analyzed on plasmid pBR322. In addition, biochemical parameters of total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood plasma were measured to quantitate oxidative stress. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to four different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 µg/mL) of SRT for 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In this study, SRT was not found to induce MN formation either in 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In contrast, SRT concentration-dependently decreased the percentage of MN and MNBN (r=−0.979, p<0.01; r=−0.930, p<0.05, respectively) when it was present for the last 48 hr (48-h treatment) of the culture period. SRT neither demonstrated a cleavage activity on plasmid DNA nor conferred DNA protection against H2O2. The application of various concentrations of SRT significantly increased the TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes for both the 24- and 48-h treatment periods. Morover, the increase in TOS was potent as the positive control MMC at both treatment times. However, SRT did not alter the TAS levels in either 24- or 48-h treatment periods when compared to control. In addition, exposing cells to SRT caused significant decreases in the nuclear division index at 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75 µg/mL in the 24-h and at the highest concentration (5 µg/mL) in the 48-h treatment periods. Our results suggest that SRT may have cytotoxic effect via oxidative stress on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

In vitro cytogenetic toxicity of sertraline

Sertraline (SRT) is an antidepressant agent used as a neuronal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SRT blocks serotonin reuptake and increases serotonin stimulation of somatodendritic serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) and terminal autoreceptors in the brain. Although numerous studies on SSRIs indicate that many of those agents possess genotoxic risk, the genotoxic effect of SRT in human peripheral blood lymphocytes has not been investigated so far. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of SRT was evaluated using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy human subjects. In addition, biochemical parameters of total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured to quantitate oxidative stress. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to four different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 μg/mL) of SRT for 24- and 48-h treatment periods. In this study, SRT was not found to induce MN formation either in 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In contrast, SRT induced a concentration-dependent decrease (r= - 0.979, p ≤ 0.01) in the MN when it was present for the last 48 hr (48-h treatment) of the culture period. The application of various concentrations of SRT did not increase TAS levels in either 24- or 48-h treatment periods when compared to control. However, SRT caused significant oxidative stress in both 24- or 48-h treatment periods. The increase in TOS was potent as the positive control MMC at both treatment times. In addition, exposing cells to SRT caused significant decreases in the nuclear division index at 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75 μg/mL in 24-h and at the highest concentration (5 μg/mL) in 48-h treatment periods. Our results suggest that SRT may have nucleotoxic effect on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

In vitro cytogenotoxic evaluation of sertraline

Sertraline (SRT) is an antidepressant agent used as a neuronal selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SRT blocks serotonin reuptake and increases serotonin stimulation of somatodendritic serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) and terminal autoreceptors in the brain. In the present study, the genotoxic potential of SRT was evaluated using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy human subjects. DNA cleavage-protective effects of SRT were analyzed on plasmid pBR322. In addition, biochemical parameters of total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood plasma were measured to quantitate oxidative stress. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were exposed to four different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 μg/mL) of SRT for 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In this study, SRT was not found to induce MN formation either in 24- or 48-h treatment periods. In contrast, SRT concentration-dependently decreased the percentage of MN and MNBN (r=–0.979, p<0.01; r=–0.930, p<0.05, respectively) when it was present for the last 48 hr (48-h treatment) of the culture period. SRT neither demonstrated a cleavage activity on plasmid DNA nor conferred DNA protection against H2O2. The application of various concentrations of SRT significantly increased the TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes for both the 24- and 48-h treatment periods. Morover, the increase in TOS was potent as the positive control MMC at both treatment times. However, SRT did not alter the TAS levels in either 24- or 48-h treatment periods when compared to control. In addition, exposing cells to SRT caused significant decreases in the nuclear division index at 1.25, 2.50 and 3.75 μg/mL in the 24-h and at the highest concentration (5 μg/mL) in the 48-h treatment periods. Our results suggest that SRT may have cytotoxic effect via oxidative stress on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Effect of airway stent on stenosed trachea

Tracheal stenosis is a windpipe obstruction that can cause breathing problems. Besides, complications from past surgery or external injuries are several other common causes of tracheal stenosis. Besides, some other common causes of tracheal stenosis are complications from previous surgery or external injuries. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique is allowed to understanding to flow characteristic inside stenosed trachea. This study uses patient computed tomography (CT) images to investigate the relationship of pressure distribution and air flow rate in the tracheal airway. In order based on CT-scans of a patient for all breathing condition. We assessed flow patterns and pressure drops over tracheal stenosis artificially inserted into a actual three-dimensional upper airway model. The actual airway model is extremely irregular and the presence of stenosis adds to its geometrical complexity, resulting in very complex flow patterns with flow separations. In this analysis, the findings show air flow velocity and pressure with trachea stenosis and stenting