Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis: 04/30/18

Δευτέρα 30 Απριλίου 2018

Tropospheric ozone enhancement during post-harvest crop-residue fires at two downwind sites of the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Abstract

In the present study, surface ozone (O₃), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured at two sites downwind of fire active region in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP): Agra (27.16° N, 78.08° E) and Delhi (28.37° N, 77.12° E) to study the impact of post-harvest crop-residue fires. The study period was classified into two groups: Pre-harvest period and Post-harvest period. During the post-harvest period, an enhancement of 17.3 and 31.7 ppb in hourly averaged O₃ mixing ratios was observed at Agra and Delhi, respectively, under similar meteorological conditions. The rate of change of O₃ was also higher in the post-harvest period by 56.2% in Agra and 39.5% in Delhi. Relatively higher O₃ episodic days were observed in the post-harvest period. Fire hotspots detected by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) along with backward air-mass trajectory analysis suggested that the enhanced O₃ and CO levels at the study sites during the post-harvest period could be attributed to crop-residue burning over the North-West IGP (NW-IGP). Satellite observations of surface CO mixing ratios and tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) column also showed higher levels during the post-harvest period.

Graphical abstract

Removal of pharmaceutically active compounds from synthetic and real aqueous mixtures and simultaneous disinfection by supported TiO 2 /UV-A, H 2 O 2 /UV-A, and TiO 2 /H 2 O 2 /UV-A processes

Abstract

Pharmaceutically active compounds are carried into aquatic bodies along with domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural wastewater discharges. Psychotropic drugs, which can be toxic to the biota, have been detected in natural waters in different parts of the world. Conventional water treatments, such as activated sludge, do not properly remove these recalcitrant substances, so the development of processes able to eliminate these compounds becomes very important. Advanced oxidation processes are considered clean technologies, capable of achieving high rates of organic compounds degradation, and can be an efficient alternative to conventional treatments. In this study, the degradation of alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and carbamazepine was evaluated through TiO₂/UV-A, H₂O₂/UV-A, and TiO₂/H₂O₂/UV-A, using sunlight and artificial irradiation. While using TiO₂ in suspension, best results were found at [TiO₂] = 0.1 g L⁻¹. H₂O₂/UV-A displayed better results under acidic conditions, achieving from 60 to 80% of removal. When WWTP was used, degradation decreased around 50% for both processes, TiO₂/UV-A and H₂O₂/UV-A, indicating a strong matrix effect. The combination of both processes was shown to be an adequate approach, since removal increased up to 90%. H₂O₂/UV-A was used for disinfecting the aqueous matrices, while mineralization was obtained by TiO₂-photocatalysis.

Fluorescent characteristic and compositional change of dissolved organic matter and its effect on heavy metal distribution in composting leachates

Abstract

Composting leachates were collected to investigate the fluorescent characteristic and compositional change of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the effects of the DOM and nutrients on heavy metal distribution during a leachate combination treatment process. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra showed that, with the progress of the treatment units, the content of fulvic-like, humic-like, and protein-like substances gradually decreased. One fulvic-like component (C1), three humic-like components (C2, C3, and C4), and three protein-like components (C5, C6, and C7) were identified in the leachate DOM by parallel factor analysis. Anaerobic-aerobic processes removed a large fraction of the tyrosine-like component (C7) and tryptophan-like component (C6) and a small amount of humic-like component (C2), while the membrane bioreactor showed a good removal effect on protein-like component. The ultra-filtration membrane treatment had a removal effect on fulvic-like and humic-like component and other recalcitrant compounds, while the reverse osmosis treatment had a good removal effect on both humic-like and protein-like components. Correlation analysis indicated that Mn and Cr were primarily associated with protein-like components and nutrients in the composting leachates. Ni and Pb were bound to fulvic-like, humic-like, and protein-like components, Co and Zn interacted with inorganic nitrogen and total phosphorus, and Cd only interacted with inorganic nitrogen.

RE: “MODELING RISK-FACTOR TRAJECTORIES WHEN MEASUREMENT TOOLS CHANGE SEQUENTIALLY DURING FOLLOW-UP IN COHORT STUDIES: APPLICATION TO DIETARY HABITS IN PRODROMAL DEMENTIA”

The impact of environmental pollution on public health expenditure: dynamic panel analysis based on Chinese provincial data

Abstract

In recent years, along with rapid economic growth, China's environmental problems have become increasingly prominent. At the same time, the level of China's pollution has been growing rapidly, which has caused huge damages to the residents' health. In this regard, the public health expenditure ballooned as the environmental quality deteriorated in China. In this study, the effect of environmental pollution on residents' health expenditure is empirically investigated by employing the first-order difference generalized method of moments (GMM) method to control for potential endogeneity. Using a panel data of Chinese provinces for the period of 1998–2015, this study found that the environmental pollution (represented by SO₂ and soot emissions) would indeed lead to the increase in the medical expenses of Chinese residents. At the current stage of economic development, an increase in SO₂ and soot emissions per capita would push up the public health expenditure per capita significantly. The estimation results are quite robust for different types of regression specifications and different combinations of control variables. Some social and economic variables such as public services and education may also have remarkable influences on residential medical expenses through different channels.

Use of Neodymium magnetic discs as pressure earrings for ear lobe keloid post-excision

2 to Z flap for reconstruction of adjacent skin defects

Effect of Petrolatum Coating on Fast-Absorbing Gut Suture

Split Ear Lobe Repair with Piercing Preservation and Optimal Ear Lobe Aesthetics

Effect of EDTA and citric acid on absorption of heavy metals and growth of Moso bamboo

Abstract

The effect of EDTA and citric acid on accumulation, toxicity of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb), and growth of Moso bamboo was investigated in current experiment. The availability of heavy metals in soil and its uptake by plants has indicated toxicity. The results revealed that EDTA and citric acid has reduced biomass of Moso bamboo but non-significant difference in biomass was observed compared with control. Application of EDTA (10 mmol kg⁻¹) has significantly improved copper (Cu) by 56.5 and 84.9% in roots and above ground parts of plants. Application of EDTA (10 mmol kg⁻¹) has significantly enhanced lead (Pb) by 51.8 and 210.8% in roots and above ground parts of Moso bamboo. Furthermore, treatment of EDTA has significantly improved activities of water-soluble Cd, Cu, and Pb in soil by 98.9, 70.1, and 73.1 times compared with control. In case of contents of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals, the treatment of EDTA (10 mmol kg⁻¹) has produced maximum increase of 244.5 mg kg⁻¹ Zn and 157.9 mg kg⁻¹ Pb, respectively. It is concluded that effect of EDTA was superior compared with citric acid for improvement of phytoremediation potential of Moso bamboo.

Molecular surveillance of Vittaforma -like microsporidia by a small-volume procedure in drinking water source in Taiwan: evidence for diverse and emergent pathogens

Abstract

Vittaforma corneae belongs to microsporidia, which include over 1500 species of opportunistic obligate intracellular fungi infecting almost all known animal taxa. Although outbreaks of ocular infections caused by waterborne V. corneae have been reported in recent years, little is known about the occurrence of this pathogen in aquatic environments. In this study, 50 water samples from rivers and reservoirs around Taiwan in two seasons were analyzed to explore the presence of this pathogen in natural aquatic environments. A high detection rate of Vittaforma-like amplicons (94%; 47/50) was observed in the water samples when examined by nested PCR with primer pairs specific to the small ribosomal subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. After electrophoresis, many lanes showed multiband patterns with expected molecular weights. After confirmation by DNA sequencing and by sequence alignment in the NCBI database, we identified a variety of Vittaforma-like microsporidia with weak sequence similarity, with approximately 85% identity to V. corneae, thus indicating high diversity of microsporidia in aquatic environments. Phylogenetic analysis showed clear-cut microsporidian clade classification and indicated that the most Vittaforma-like microsporidia in this study belong to clade IV and cluster into four major groups. The first group is similar to the microsporidia associated with ocular microsporidiosis. The second group is associated with the diarrheal pathogens, whereas the third and fourth groups are a novel group and a zoonotic group, respectively. This study provides abundant sequencing information, which will be useful for future molecular biological studies on microsporidia. Because microsporidia are important pathogens of animals and humans, it is urgently necessary to determine via a survey whether there are species with potential threats that have not yet been revealed.

CHOP/caspase-3 signal pathway involves in mitigative effect of selenium on lead-induced apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum pathway in chicken testes

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is an environmental pollutant. Selenium (Se) has alleviative effect on Pb poisoning. However, mitigative effect of Se on Pb-induced apoptosis has not been unclear via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathway in chicken testes. The aim of this study was to investigate mitigative effect of Se on apoptosis induced by Pb poisoning via ER pathway in chicken testes. Sixty male chickens (7-day-old) were randomly divided into the control group offered drinking water (DW) and basic diet (BD) (0.49 mg/kg Se), the Se group offered DW and BD containing Na₂SeO₃ (SeBD) (1.00 mg/kg Se), the Pb group offered DW containing (CH₃OO)₂Pb (PbDW) (350.00 mg/L Pb) and BD, and the Pb + Se group offered PbDW and SeBD; and were fed for 90 days. The following contents were performed as follows: histology; antioxidant indexes (reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)); mRNA expressions of ER-related genes (glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78), protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP)); and apoptosis-related genes (cysteine-aspartic protease (caspase)-3 and caspase-12) in chicken testes. The results indicated that Pb poisoning caused histological changes; increased MDA content; decreased the content of GSH and the activities of GPx, GST, and SOD; and upregulated mRNA expressions of the above five ER-related genes and two apoptosis-related genes in the chicken testes. Se alleviated Pb-induced oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis via CHOP/caspase-3 signal pathway in the chicken testes.

Immobilization of Eu and Ho from synthetic acid mine drainage by precipitation with Fe and Al (hydr)oxides

Abstract

Use of lime to mitigate acid mine drainage is, in general, accompanied by precipitation of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al) (hydr)oxides which may increase the removal of trace elements from water. This work aimed to evaluate the precipitation of Fe/Al (hydr)oxides to remove rare earth elements (REE) from contaminated water and the stability of precipitates. Two sets of 60-day syntheses were carried out using different Fe/Al/REE molar ratios, for europium (Eu) and holmium (Ho). The pH was periodically adjusted to 9.0, and the stability of the resulting precipitates was evaluated by water-soluble and BCR extractable phases, namely (1) acid soluble, extracted by 0.11 mol L⁻¹ acetic acid; (2) reducible, extracted with 0.5 mol L⁻¹ hydroxylamine hydrochloride; and (3) oxidisable, extracted with 8.8 mol L⁻¹ hydrogen peroxide efficiencies of the water treatments for both Eu and Ho that were higher than 99.9% irrespective to the Fe/Al/REE molar ratios. Water-soluble phases of Eu and Ho were lower than 0.01% of the total contents in the precipitates. Recoveries from precipitates by Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) sequential extractions increased with increasing concentrations of Eu and Ho. Acetic acid extracted higher amounts of REE, but Eu recovery was superior to Ho. Lepidocrocite was formed as Eu concentration increased which decreased its stability in the precipitates.

Editorial to the thematic issue Climate change and Microbiology

Safety and efficacy of HCV eradication during etanercept treatment for severe psoriasis

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.

Pimpinella anisum essential oil nanoemulsions against Tribolium castaneum —insecticidal activity and mode of action

Abstract

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is an economically important pest of stored products. As possible alternative to conventional insecticides for its management, plant essential oils have gained interest owing to their effectiveness and eco-friendly features. However, they also show some drawbacks, such as low stability, poor water solubility and diffusion, and limited persistence in the environment. A good strategy to overcome these disadvantages is represented by green nanotechnologies. Herein, we developed a nanoemulsion based on the essential oil from Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae) containing 81.2% of (E)-anethole and evaluated its toxicity on T. castaneum adults and F₁ progeny, as well as its morphological and histological impact. The aniseed oil nanoemulsion was characterized by the formation of a semi-solid interphase between oil and water; mean drop size was 198.9 nm, PDI was 0.303, zeta potential was − 25.4 ± 4.47 mV, and conductivity was 0.029 mS/cm. The nanoemulsion showed toxicity on T. castaneum (LC₅₀ = 9.3% v/v), with a significant impact on its progeny. Morphological and histological damages triggered by feeding and exposure to the aniseed nanoemulsion were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy. Overall, our findings showed that the development of nanoemulsions allows to improve the stability of P. anisum essential oil enhancing its efficacy against stored grain pests and contributing to reduce the use of harmful synthetic insecticides.

The combined effect of Bassa 50EC and Vitashield 40EC on the brain acetylcholinesterase activity in climbing perch ( Anabas testudineus )

Abstract

The combined effect of Vitashield 40EC (chlorpyrifos ethyl-CPF) and Bassa 50EC (fenobucarb-F) was compared with the effects from exposure to the two pesticides separately, by measuring the brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in climbing perch fingerlings (Anabas testudineus). The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions and included three treatments containing 0.173 mg/L of CPF, 1.137 mg/L of F, 0.173 mg/L of CPF + 1.137 mg/L of F (M), and a control. The inhibition of the brain AChE activity in fish exposed to F was weaker and shorter than in fish exposed to CPF. The inhibition by the mixture of CPF and F was significantly lower and less prolonged than the inhibition by only CPF but significantly higher than the inhibition by only F.

Mitochondria, temperature, and the pace of life

Abstract

Life history strategies, physiological traits and behavior are thought to covary along a "pace of life" axis, with organisms at the fast end of this continuum having higher fecundity, shorter lifespan, and more rapid development, growth, and metabolic rates. Countergradient variation represents a special case of pace of life variation, in which high-latitude organisms occupy the fast end of the continuum relative to low-latitude conspecifics when compared at a common temperature. Here, we use Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) to explore the role of mitochondrial properties as a mechanism underlying countergradient variation, and thus variation in the pace of life. This species is found along the Atlantic coast of North America, through a steep latitudinal thermal gradient. The northern subspecies has faster development, more rapid growth, higher routine metabolic rate, and higher activity than the southern subspecies when compared at a common temperature. The northern subspecies also has greater mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the liver, although these differences are not evident in other tissues. The increased respiratory capacity of liver mitochondria in northern fish is associated with increases in the activity of multiple electron transport complexes, which largely reflects an increase in the amount of inner mitochondrial membrane per mitochondrion in the northern fish. There are also differences in the lipid composition of liver mitochondrial membranes, including differences in cardiolipin species, which could also influence respiratory capacity. These data suggest that variation in mitochondrial properties could, at least in part, underlie variation in the pace of life in Atlantic killifish.

Integrated ecological floating bed treating wastewater treatment plant effluents: effects of influent nitrogen forms and sediments

Abstract

In recent years, the treatment of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent has gained increasing attention. However, researches on the relationships between nitrogen forms and nitrogen removal efficiency are very limited. Based on the fact that the nitrogen forms in the WWTP effluent may vary as the season changes, the nitrogen removal efficiencies of an integrated ecological floating bed (IEFB) was studied under different influent nitrogen forms. In addition, the effects of sediments in the system were also quantified during the experiment. Results showed that the total nitrogen (TN) removal rates of the IEFB were 25.61 ± 5.72% and 60.03 ± 7.00%, respectively, when the main influent nitrogen forms are nitrate and ammonia. The sediments in the system also played vital roles in the removal processes: when the sediments were covered with a polyethylene membrane, the total nitrogen (TN) removal rate of the system dropped from 27.86 ± 5.53% to 14.78 ± 4.97%, and the total phosphorus (TP), from 58.77 ± 6.20% to 33.51 ± 25.52%.

Modeling the risk of water pollution by pesticides from imbalanced data

Abstract

The pollution of ground and surface waters with pesticides is a serious ecological issue that requires adequate treatment. Most of the existing water pollution models are mechanistic mathematical models. While they have made a significant contribution to understanding the transfer processes, they face the problem of validation because of their complexity, the user subjectivity in their parameterization, and the lack of empirical data for validation. In addition, the data describing water pollution with pesticides are, in most cases, very imbalanced. This is due to strict regulations for pesticide applications, which lead to only a few pollution events. In this study, we propose the use of data mining to build models for assessing the risk of water pollution by pesticides in field-drained outflow water. Unlike the mechanistic models, the models generated by data mining are based on easily obtainable empirical data, while the parameterization of the models is not influenced by the subjectivity of ecological modelers. We used empirical data from field trials at the La Jaillière experimental site in France and applied the random forests algorithm to build predictive models that predict "risky" and "not-risky" pesticide application events. To address the problems of the imbalanced classes in the data, cost-sensitive learning and different measures of predictive performance were used. Despite the high imbalance between risky and not-risky application events, we managed to build predictive models that make reliable predictions. The proposed modeling approach can be easily applied to other ecological modeling problems where we encounter empirical data with highly imbalanced classes.