83 research outputs found
Antibiotics and malachite green residues in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Iranian markets: A risk assessment
ABSTRACTAntibiotic and malachite green residues in farmed rainbow trout muscles were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography for a food risk assessment. The surveillance was carried out on total of 120 rainbow trout fillets, all fishes were randomly sampled from 20 fish markets of Iran. All antibiotics were detected in the range of 0.42–1.20 μg/g for Oxytetracycline, 0.02–0.34 μg/g for Enrofloxacin, 0.21–2.61 μg/g for Florfenicol, and finally 0.02–0.89 μg/g for Malachite green. Our results showed that 99 (82.5%), 36 (30%), 56 (46.6%), and 70 (58.4%) samples contained detectable residues of Oxytetracycline, Enrofloxacin, and Florfenicol antibiotics, and Malachite green, respectively. Our results showed that fish farmers use these drugs in large scale. Further investigations are needed to prevent: the foodborne risk to consumers, the possible environmental contamination, and the antimicrobial resistances
a review of airq models and their applications for forecasting the air pollution health outcomes
Even though clean air is considered as a basic requirement for the maintenance of human health, air pollution continues to pose a significant health threat in developed and developing countries alike. Monitoring and modeling of classic and emerging pollutants is vital to our knowledge of health outcomes in exposed subjects and to our ability to predict them. The ability to anticipate and manage changes in atmospheric pollutant concentrations relies on an accurate representation of the chemical state of the atmosphere. The task of providing the best possible analysis of air pollution thus requires efficient computational tools enabling efficient integration of observational data into models. A number of air quality models have been developed and play an important role in air quality management. Even though a large number of air quality models have been discussed or applied, their heterogeneity makes it difficult to select one approach above the others. This paper provides a brief review on air quality models with respect to several aspects such as prediction of health effects
Time-dependent metabolic disorders induced by short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.
Abstract In the modern society, plastic has achieved a crucial status in a myriad of applications because of its favourable properties. Despite the societal benefits, plastic has become a growing global concern due to it is persistence and bioavailability as microplastics (MPs) to aquatic biota. In order to provide mechanistic insights into the early toxicity effects of MPs on aquatic invertebrates, a short-term (up to 72 h) exposure to 3 µm red polystyrene MPs (50 particles/mL) was conducted on marine mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, selected as model organism for their ability to ingest MPs and their commercial relevance. The use of protonic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics, combined with chemometrics, enabled a comprehensive exploration at fixed exposure time-points (T24, T48, T72) of the impact of MPs accumulated in mussel digestive glands, chosen as the major site for pollutants storage and detoxification processes. In detail, 1H NMR metabolic fingerprints of MP-treated mussels were clearly separated from control and grouped for experimental time-points by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Numerous metabolites, including amino acids, osmolytes, metabolites involved in energy metabolism, and antioxidants, participating in various metabolic pathways significantly changed over time in MP-exposed mussel digestive glands related to control, reflecting also the fluctuations in MPs accumulation and pointing out the occurrence of disorders in amino acid metabolism, osmotic equilibrium, antioxidant defense system and energy metabolism. Overall, the present work provides the first insights into the early mechanisms of toxicity of polystyrene MPs in marine invertebrates
Micro- and nano-plastics in edible fruit and vegetables. The first diet risks assessment for the general population.
Microplastics (MPs) represent a current public health concern since toxicity has not yet fully investigated. They were found in several foods, but to the best of our knowledge, at this time no data was reported for the edible vegetables and fruits. We focused on diet exposure aiming to evaluate the number and the size (10 μm) of MPs in the most commonly consumed vegetables and fruits, in relation to their recommended daily intake too. MPs extraction and analysis were carried out using an innovative Italian methodology and SEM-EDX, respectively. Finally, we calculated the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) for adults and children for each type of vegetal and fruit. The higher median (IQR) level of MPs in fruit and vegetable samples was 223,000 (52,600-307,750) and 97,800 (72,175-130,500), respectively. In particular, apples were the most contaminated fruit samples, while carrot was the most contaminated vegetable. Conversely, the lower median (IQR) level was observed in lettuce samples 52,050 (26,375-75,425). Both vegetable and fruit samples MPs levels were characterized by wide variability. The smallest size of MPs was found in the carrot samples (1.51 μm), while the biggest ones were found in the lettuce (2.52 μm). Both vegetable and fruit samples had size of the MPs characterized by low variability. We found the highest median level of MPs in samples purchased from the "fruiter 3" (124,900 p/g) and the lowest in those purchased in "supermarket" (87,600 p/g). The median size of the MPs had overlapping dimensions in all the purchase sites, with the exception of the samples purchased at the "shop at km zero 2″ which had slightly smaller size (1.81 μm). The highest adults' (4.62 E+05) and children's (1.41 E+06) EDIs are due the ingestion of apples, instead the lowest are due to the ingestion of carrots (adults: 2.96 E+04; children: 1.15 E+05). We hypothesized that the mechanism of uptake and translocation of MPs can be the same described and reported for carbon-nanomaterials. This may be a possible translocation route of MPs by environment to vegetables permitting, so, the translocation or uptake inside of their biological systems. Based on the results obtained it is urgent important to perform toxicological and epidemiological studies to investigate for the possible effects of MPs on human health
The Relevance of Microcystin Monitoring in Dialysis Centers of Sicilians Cities: An Environmental Study
Background:
Sicilian surface basins are among the most important water supply resources available on the island. They are often affected by harmful cyanobacteria blooms as Planktothrix rubescens and Microcystis aeruginosa. Since dialysates are produced using network water, they could contain cyanotoxins. No study has been conducted yet to evaluate the removal efficiency of osmotic systems for cyanotoxins in abnormal conditions at room temperatures of about 40°C. The aim of this study was to monitor the presence of microcystins in Sicilian dialysis center, network waters and, finally, dialysates produced from these waters in an Agrigento dialysis unit where environmental conditions are favorable for algal bloom.
Methods:
This clinic normally receives surface water from artificial basins, where several times, traces of cyanobacteria have been detected. Moreover, dialysates and underground supply waters of a clinic in Catania were also sampled as control. Samplings were performed in summer 2018, when room temperatures were above 38 °C. A total of 40 samples were analyzed by ELISA assay.
Results:
Results of our monitoring highlighted concentrations of MCs in waters of several basins among LOD - 155 ng/L, lower than WHO reference value for drinking waters (1,0 µg/L), that decrease up to undetectable levels whereas no MC contamination was detected both in supply waters and dialysates.
Conclusion:
Although our first set of data outcomes seem to be quite comforting, an improvement of law and a complete census of the water supplies of dialysate centers would be ideal
Pollutants degradation and power generation by photocatalytic fuel cells: A comprehensive review
Abstract Wastewater contains organic compounds (fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates) that have a significant amount of chemical energy. In this regard, the use of wastewater for recovering energy by some appropriate energy conversion technologies can be considered as an appropriate approach to simultaneously achieve the reduction of environmental contamination and increasing supply of energy. The Photocatalytic Fuel Cell (PFC) can provide a new approach in developing technology for simultaneous organic pollutants removal from wastewaters and power generation, but it also has disadvantages, such as requires higher voltage, more cost and complexity. To present a comprehensive vision of the current state of the art, and progress the treatment efficiency and agitate new studies in these fields, this review discussed the study covering PFC aspects, with a focus on the comparison of pollutant degradation, power generation, different photoanode and photocathode materials as well as the application of the Fenton process in PFCs
Female Obesity and Clinical Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been developed to be used for reproductive-age women with primary and secondary infertilities. Obesity is a worldwide epidemic for both women and men and a major global health concern. The direct effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) increase on the outcomes of ART is still unclear. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the available scientific evidence to assess the effects of obesity on the clinical outcome of ART treatment. Numerous studies have shown failure in ART due to increased BMIs in infertile women; however, the impact of increased BMI on clinical effectiveness of ART still remains inconclusive. Using results from 44 studies (831616 subjects) we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to highlight this subject (clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live-birth rate). Compared to the women with BMIs of 25 kg/m(2) or less, women with BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) have a lower chance of pregnancy risk ratio 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94] as well as lower live-birth rates risk ratio 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94], and show increased miscarriage rates risk ratio 1.35, 95% CI: 1.28-1.46]. Our findings indicate that elevated BMI and obesity requires more recognition as a potential contributor to negative pregnancy outcomes and reduced live-birth following ART. The results of our meta-analysis suggest that weight loss should be considered in overweight and obese women before the initiation of infertility treatment
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