Challenges in operationalizing the water–energy–food nexus

Concerns about the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus have motivated many discussions regarding new approaches for managing water, energy and food resources. Despite the progress in recent years, there remain many challenges in scientific research on the WEF nexus, while implementation as a management tool is just beginning. The scientific challenges are primarily related to data, information and knowledge gaps in our understanding of the WEF inter-linkages. Our ability to untangle the WEF nexus is also limited by the lack of systematic tools that could address all the trade-offs involved in the nexus. Future research needs to strengthen the pool of information. It is also important to develop integrated software platforms and tools for systematic analysis of the WEF nexus. The experience made in integrated water resources management in the hydrological community, especially in the framework of Panta Rhei, is particularly well suited to take a lead in these advances

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): a new tool for high risk tracheostomy decannulation

La decannulazione è sempre stata considerata una procedura con un certo grado di rischio, specie nei pazienti con ridotti diametri delle via aeree, come nel caso della sindrome delle apnee ostruttive (OSA). Presentiamo 4 casi nei quali la chirurgia robotica transorale (TORS) ha permesso un appropriato management di pazienti tracheotomizzati da divers mesi. Gli obiettivi del nostro lavoro sono: 1. Dimostrare come il team otorinolaringoiatrico possa favorire il riconoscimento di pazienti ad alto rischio di decannulazione inefficace e 2. Evidenziare il ruolo nella TORS nel trattamento dellipertrofia della base della lingua, responsabile dellostruzione delle vie aeree superiori. Dalla nostra esperienza la TORS appare una tecnica efficace nella decannulazione di pazienti affetti da ipertrofia della base della lingua e da epiglottide flottante

La chirurgia robotica transorale (TORS): Una nuova applicazione nelle decannulazioni ad alto rischio

Tracheostomy decannulation has always been considered a procedure with an attendant risk, especially in patients with a reduced upper airway diameter as is commonly observed in the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) population. We report on 4 cases where transoral robotic surgery (TORS) helped in the management of long-term cannulated patients. The aims of our paper are: 1. To demonstrate how the otolaryngology team can help identify patients at high risk for decannulation failure; and 2. To demonstrate how TORS may aid in the decannulation process of patients at high risk for failure due to severe tongue base hypertrophy. From our experience, TORS appears to offer an effective option to aid in the decannulation of patients with a severe hypertrophy of the base of tongue and floppy epiglottis

Evaluation of the toxicological effects of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in the common carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>)

In the present study we evaluated the toxicological effects of a scarcely documented environmental pollutant, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), on selected biochemical endpoints in the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Juvenile organisms were exposed to PFOS through a single intraperitoneal injection (liver concentrations ranging from 16 to 864 ng/g after 5 days of exposure) and after 1 and 5 days effects were assessed in liver and serum of the exposed organisms. The investigation of the hepatotoxicity of PFOS included the determination of the peroxisome proliferating potential (peroxisomal palmitoyl CoA oxidase and catalase activity) and the compounds influence on the average DNA basepair length (ABPL) by agarose gel electrophoresis. Total antioxidant activity (TAA), cholesterol and triglyceride levels were monitored in the serum. After 1 day of exposure the ABPL was significantly increased in the 270 and 864 ng/g treatment groups. After 5 days of exposure significant increases relative to the control were observed for the 16, 270 and 864 ng/g treatment groups. Enzyme leakage from the liver was investigated by measurement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in the serum. At 561, 670 and 864 ng/g PFOS a significant increase in serum ALT activity became apparent after 5 days of exposure with values ranging from 159 to 407% relative to the control. For serum AST activity a significant increase for the 864 ng/g treatment group was observed with a value of 112% relative to the control. Determination of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration into liver tissue as assessed through myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in liver, was used as an indicator for inflammation. It appeared that inflammation was not involved in the observed membranous enzyme leakage for the 561, 670 and 864 ng/g PFOS treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that PFOS induces inflammation-independent enzyme leakage through liver cell membranes that might be related to cell necrosis. Furthermore, results show that PFOS does not significantly affects serum antioxidant levels nor does it clearly induce peroxisome proliferation in carp. This study also points out that PFOS might interfere with homeostasis of the DNA metabolism. The results of these biochemical analyses were used to perform an initial hazard assessment study indicating that PFOS levels observed in tissues of wildlife populations could induce a clear rise in serum transaminase levels indicative for disruption of hepatocyte membrane integrity

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in bib (<i>Trisopterus luscus</i>) and plaice (<i>Pleuronectes platessa</i>) from the western Scheldt and the Belgian North Sea: distribution and biochemical effects

A biomonitoring campaign was conducted in the Belgian North Sea and in the Western Scheldt (The Netherlands) with the primary goal to assess perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) contamination and distribution in different biota. This study covers the results obtained for bib (Trisopterus luscus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and includes the assessment of some stress-related biochemical endpoints. Analysis of liver and muscle PFOS concentrations of both species provided evidence for the existence of a PFOS pollution gradient along the Western Scheldt with higher levels at the upstream locations and a lower degree of PFOS pollution at the marine locations. Cellular necrosis was studied by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the serum. Serum ALT but not serum AST was shown to correlate positively with the PFOS liver concentration in bib (r = 0.44, p < 0.05), indicating that PFOS might contribute to the induction of hepatic damage in bib in the area of study. Analysis of total carbohydrate, lipid, and protein content of bib liver tissue revealed a positive correlation between the protein content and the PFOS liver concentration (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). Whether this is due to induction of compensatory mechanisms, detoxification, or repair processes remains unclear

Exposure patterns of perfluorooctane sulfonate in aquatic invertebrates from the western Scheldt estuary and the southern North Sea

Over the past decades little research has been conducted on the environmental behavior and effects of fluorinated organochemicals (FOCs). Recently it has been reported that perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is occurring worldwide. Little is known about the PFOS levels in organisms originating from the southern North Sea and the Western Scheldt estuary. In this study, we determined, for the first time, the PFOS-exposure levels in Crangon crangon, Carcinus maenas, and Asterias rubens from these ecosystems. Concentrations on a wet-weight basis in soft tissues of shrimp, crab, and starfish ranged from 19 to 520 ng/g, from 24 to 877 ng/g, and from 9 to 176 ng/g, respectively. These results show the existence of a PFOS pollution gradient in organisms along the Western Scheldt estuary, with the highest concentrations near Antwerp. The range of PFOS levels in shrimp and crab are slightly higher in coastal regions compared with sampling sites in open water. This study shows widespread distribution of PFOS in the Belgian and Dutch marine and estuarine environment at rather high concentrations

Exposure patterns of perfluorooctane sulfonate in aquatic invertebrates from the western Scheldt estuary and the southern North Sea

Over the past decades little research has been conducted on the environmental behavior and effects of fluorinated organochemicals (FOCs). Recently it has been reported that perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is occurring worldwide. Little is known about the PFOS levels in organisms originating from the southern North Sea and the Western Scheldt estuary. In this study, we determined, for the first time, the PFOS-exposure levels in Crangon crangon, Carcinus maenas, and Asterias rubens from these ecosystems. Concentrations on a wet-weight basis in soft tissues of shrimp, crab, and starfish ranged from 19 to 520 ng/g, from 24 to 877 ng/g, and from 9 to 176 ng/g, respectively. These results show the existence of a PFOS pollution gradient in organisms along the Western Scheldt estuary, with the highest concentrations near Antwerp. The range of PFOS levels in shrimp and crab are slightly higher in coastal regions compared with sampling sites in open water. This study shows widespread distribution of PFOS in the Belgian and Dutch marine and estuarine environment at rather high concentrations

Baseline study of perfluorochemicals in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Northern Europe

A growing concern has been expressed about perfluorinated organic compounds. Previous studies suggest that perfluorochemicals, in particular, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are spread worldwide in wildlife and humans, but toxic effects are scarcely documented. This is the first study to evaluate the occurrence of PFOS and related compounds in by-caught harbour porpoises from waters around Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and in the German Baltic Sea. Furthermore, this study tried to reveal the possibility of using fluorinated compounds to discriminate harbour porpoises in different regions in the waters around Norway. This was done by combining our toxicological data and stable isotope measurements. Liver samples were collected from 41 harbour porpoises caught incidentally in fishing nets. Concentrations of perfluorinated compounds were determined using highperformance-liquid-chromatography combined with electrospray-tandem-mass-spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Of all perfluorinated chemicals measured, PFOS seemed to be the predominant compound (levels up to 1149 ng/g wet wt). A geographical difference could be observed with a decreasing trend in levels from south to north. Concentrations of all compounds measured (PFOS, PFDA, PFUA, PFDoA) were higher in porpoises from the Baltic Sea than those from Iceland and Norway. Within the samples of Norway, a significant difference could be detected between the concentrations of PFOS of porpoises from North Norway/Barents Sea (118.24 ± 44.70 ng/g wet wt) and the Southwest coast of Norway (343.91 ± 248.50 ng/g wet wt). Analysis of the stable isotope ratios of porpoise muscle tissue of the two regions in Norway, showed that there is a difference in feeding habits, regarding food source. Based on these ecological data, we might consider that even remote regions without a direct pollution source of perfluorochemicals, such as North-Europe, have become critical habitats

Tissue distribution of perfluorinated chemicals in harbor seals (<i>Phoca vitulina</i>) from the Dutch Wadden Sea

Perfluorinated acids (PFAs) are today widely distributed in the environment, even in remote arctic areas. Recently, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been identified in marine mammals all over the world, but information on the compound-specific tissue distribution remains scarce. Furthermore, although longer perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are used in industry and were shown to cause severe toxic effects, still little is known on potential sources or their widespread distribution. In this study, we report for the first time on levels of longer chain PFCAs, together with some short chain PFAs, perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorobutanoate (PFBA), in liver, kidney, blubber, muscle, and spleen tissues of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Dutch Wadden Sea. PFOS was the predominant compound in all seal samples measured (ranging from 89 to 2724 ng/g wet weight); however, large variations between tissues were monitored. Although these are preliminary results, it is, to our knowledge, the first time that PFBS could be found at detectable concentrations (2.3 +/- 0.7 ng/g w wt) in environmental samples. PFBS was only detected in spleen tissue. PFCA levels were much lower than PFOS concentrations. The dominant PFCA in all tissues was PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid), and concentrations generally decreased in tissues for all other PFCA homologues with increasing chain length. No clear relationship between PFOS levels in liver and kidney was observed. Furthermore, hepatic PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid) levels increased with increasing body length, but in kidney tissue, PFDA levels showed an inverse relationship with increasing body length. These data suggest large differences in tissue distribution and accumulation patterns of perfluorinated compounds in marine organisms

Baseline study of perfluorochemicals in harbour porpoises (<i>Phocoena phocoena</i>) from Northern Europe

A growing concern has been expressed about perfluorinated organic compounds. Previous studies suggest that perfluorochemicals, in particular, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are spread worldwide in wildlife and humans, but toxic effects are scarcely documented. This is the first study to evaluate the occurrence of PFOS and related compounds in by-caught harbour porpoises from waters around Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and in the German Baltic Sea. Furthermore, this study tried to reveal the possibility of using fluorinated compounds to discriminate harbour porpoises in different regions in the waters around Norway. This was done by combining our toxicological data and stable isotope measurements. Liver samples were collected from 41 harbour porpoises caught incidentally in fishing nets. Concentrations of perfluorinated compounds were determined using highperformance-liquid-chromatography combined with electrospray-tandem-mass-spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Of all perfluorinated chemicals measured, PFOS seemed to be the predominant compound (levels up to 1149 ng/g wet wt). A geographical difference could be observed with a decreasing trend in levels from south to north. Concentrations of all compounds measured (PFOS, PFDA, PFUA, PFDoA) were higher in porpoises from the Baltic Sea than those from Iceland and Norway. Within the samples of Norway, a significant difference could be detected between the concentrations of PFOS of porpoises from North Norway/Barents Sea (118.24 ± 44.70 ng/g wet wt) and the Southwest coast of Norway (343.91 ± 248.50 ng/g wet wt). Analysis of the stable isotope ratios of porpoise muscle tissue of the two regions in Norway, showed that there is a difference in feeding habits, regarding food source. Based on these ecological data, we might consider that even remote regions without a direct pollution source of perfluorochemicals, such as North-Europe, have become critical habitats