Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the Garigliano River (Campania region, Italy).

Measuring organochlorine compounds in muscle tissue of European eels from the Garigliano River in Campania (Italy), overall PCBs emerged as the most abundant pollutants, followed by DDTs, Dieldrin and HCB. Target PCBs, IUPAC nos. 118, 138, 153 and 180, were the dominant congeners accounting for 64.

[Changes in intestinal microflora following levofloxacin administration in laboratory animals].

Administration of antimicrobial agent is the most frequent and significant cause of modifications to gastrointestinal bacterial microflora. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact on Gram-negative aerobic bacterial intestinal flora, the possible colonization of Candida spp. and the possible emergence of resistant bacterial strains in a ten rats group receiving levofloxacin at the dosage of 10mg/kg one a day for 5 consecutive days.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in seafood from the Gulf of Naples (Italy).

Seven target polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs; IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) and the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its related metabolites (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD) were quantified in edible tissues from seven marine species (European hake, red mullet, blue whiting, Atlantic mackerel, blue and red shrimp, European flying squid, and Mediterranean mussel) from the Gulf of Naples in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). PCBs 118, 138, and 153 were the dominant congeners in all the species examined.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine organisms from the Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by an HPLC method with fluorescence detection in bivalves (Mitylus galloprovincialis), cephalopods (Todarodes sagittatus), crustaceans (Aristeus antennatus), and fish (Mullus surmeletus, Scomber scombrus, Micromesistius poutassou, and Merluccius merluccius) caught in the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benzo(k)fluoranthene were detected, at different concentrations, in all of the examined marine organisms, whereas benzo(a)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene were found only in Mediterranean mussels. Of mussels collected in winter 71.

Mycotoxins nivalenol and deoxynivalenol differentially modulate cytokine mRNA expression in Jurkat T cells.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its hydroxylated form nivalenol (NIV) are Fusarium mycotoxins that occur in cereal grains alone or in combination. Several studies have shown that these metabolites affect lymphocyte functions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their activities are still partially known.

Persistent organic pollutants in edible marine species from the Gulf of Naples, Southern Italy.

Edible tissues from 10 marine species, collected from the Gulf of Naples in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) between February and July 2003, were analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticides hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and DDTs (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD), and 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCB levels (calculated as the sum of all the determined congeners) were found to be the highest (from 56.8 to 47909.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in European roe deer Capreolus capreolus resident in a protected area in Northern Italy.

In 2001, samples of liver (n = 38) and perirenal fat (n = 25) (only in males) were taken from European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populating a hilly, wooded protected area in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocycloexane alpha-, beta- and gamma-isomers (alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH), alpha-endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, and the seven PCB 'indicator' congeners IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, in order to investigate the current state of contamination of the area and to assess the possible toxicological risks for the monitored species.

Ochratoxin A affects COS cell adhesion and signaling.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a metabolite produced by strains of Aspergillus and Penicillium, has nephritogenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic activity in animals and humans. Nanomolar concentrations of OTA promote apoptosis in a cell-type specific fashion. In this study, we have analyzed the molecular mechanism by which OTA affects COS cell adhesion and signaling resulting in an apoptotic response.

Effect of fumonisin B1 on structure and function of macrophage plasma membrane.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme and related fungi, is nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive in animals and man. In this study we evaluate the modifications of fluidity, endocytosis and peroxidative damage of plasma membrane induced by FB1 in macrophage cell line J774A.1.