Currents, wave motion, solar radiation, and abrasion are mechanisms responsible for the degradation of large plastic artifacts and contribute to the dispersion of micro and nanoplastics into aquatic ecosystems, which are, currently, the most dangerous threats due to their invisibility and persistence. The present work evaluated the possible lethal and sublethal effects of amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics (nPS-NH) with diameters of 50 nm and 100 nm on , an organism at the base of the trophic chain of the aquatic system, using a widely used model for the analysis of embryotoxicity from environmental pollutants. For this purpose, after evaluating the biodistribution of nanoplastics in the body of the tested animals, several endpoints such as anomalies, apoptosis, and ROS production were assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) are used intensively. Thanks to their extremely small size (1-100 nm), TiO-NPs are more absorbable by living organisms; consequently, they can cross the circulatory system and then be distributed in various organs including the reproductive organs. We have evaluated the possible toxic effect of TiO-NPs on embryonic development and the male reproductive system using as an organism model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe actinobacillosis is rare and to date the biological profile of the agent is not yet fully understood. The knowledge about the possible hosts of the pathogen is incomplete and is generally only associated with granulomatous lesions in cattle and sheep. The primary organs involved are the mouth, tongue and pharynx.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ubiquitous spread of Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) has rendered chronic human exposure an unavoidable phenomenon. The biodistribution of such particles leads to bioaccumulation in target organs including the testis, the site of sperm maturation. The purpose of this research has been to estimate the impact of PS-NPs (50 and 100 nm) on the metabolism of mature spermatozoa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOxidative stress is due to an unbalance between pro-oxidants, such as reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species, and antioxidants/antioxidant system. Under physiological conditions these species are involved in different cellular processes such as cellular homeostasis and immune response, while an excessive production of ROS/RNS has been linked to the development of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. In this context, the naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine has shown the ability to scavenge ROS, counteract lipid peroxidation, and inhibit proteins oxidation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecently, there has been a worrying increase in the pollution of the aquatic ecosystem caused by emerging contaminants (ECs) detected in wastewater effluent discharges. Although traces of ECs in waters have been found in low concentrations, it leads to negative effects for nontarget organisms. Antihistamines are a class of drugs largely used, whose metabolites are widespread in the aquatic ecosystem.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aim: is a global zoonotic parasite infecting virtually all warm-blooded species, although a species-specific variability is evident referring to symptoms frame. Both the success of and the outcome of infection depend on a delicate balance between host cellular pathways and the evasion or modulation strategies elicited by the parasite. The hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in this delicate host-parasite balance are still unclear, especially when considering intermediate host species other than mouse.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigated the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of fruit extracts of (Ker Gawl.) Haw.(OD) and (L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The aim of this article was to describe, step-by-step, an original technique (T-L technique) in a single centre series of patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and analyze perioperative outcomes.
Material And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 567 patients who underwent HoLEP. The T-L technique consists of a series of incisions used as landmarks, performed at the beginning of the procedure before enucleation.
Abstract: Novel foods, such as edible insects and food products on the basis of insects, could play an important role in both human and animal nutrition in the future. The identification of dangers associated with insect consumption is fundamental to guarantee consumer safety and adequate regulatory guidelines for operators of the food sector. Although former studies have focused on the microbiological contamination of fresh or processed edible insects, so far little information is available about the occurrence of foodborne parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, whose life cycles make them candidates for potential insect breeding substrate contamination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe focus of this work was to investigate the toxicity of different metal nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles [AuNPs], silver nanoparticles [AgNPs], titanium dioxide nanoparticles [TiO NPs]) on brine shrimp Artemia salina. We investigated if nanoparticles could have an influence on hatching of cysts and on mortality of larvae. Larvae (also called nauplii) and cysts were exposed to NPs for 24 hr in artificial seawater on microplates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganophosphates are a large class of chemicals with anticholinesterase action insecticides. Dimethoate belongs to the class of organophosphates and it is used for agriculture purpose. Its main toxicological role in animals and humans is the inhibition of the activity of acetylcholinesterase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecently two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS), have received much attention as adsorbent materials for the effective removal of organic contaminants. MoS is attracting attention, not only for its chemical-physical properties, but also for its wide availability in nature as a constituent of molybdenite. The aim of this investigation was to assess the effects of different MoS concentrations (5 × 10, 5 × 10 and 5 × 10 mg/ml) on the embryonated eggs of Gallus gallus domesticus, according to Beck method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this article, we report for the first time the presence of the parasite Hepatoxylon trichiuri in specimens of Lepidopus caudatus from the Mediterranean Sea. A total of four plerocercoids were studied using microscopy techniques for both morphological and histological analysis. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We report for the first time for the Mediterranean Sea the presence of the parasite Hepatoxylon trichiuri in specimens of the commercial fish species Lepidopus caudatus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) by short-term toxicity tests in Apis mellifera, considered an excellent bioindicator organism mainly due to its sensitivity. Bees have been exposed to several concentrations of TiO NPs (1 × 10 , 1 × 10 , 1 × 10 , 1 × 10 mg/10 ml) for 10 days. Morphostructural and histological assays were done on gut and honey sac.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvertebrates are precious organisms in order to study environmental pollution. In particular, they appear to be suitable as a bioindicator species for pioneer ecotoxicity studies on new xenobiotics such as nanoparticles. In fact, they are able to absorb nanomaterials scattered in the environment in different ways and it's known the compartmentalization of nano-sized contaminants in selected tissues and intracellular organelles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The aim of this study was to assess surgical and functional outcomes of 17 consecutive patients undergoing robot- assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with palliative intent in a monocentric single surgeon series.
Material And Methods: We collected data from 17 consecutive patients who underwent RARC with palliative intent performed by a single surgeon at our institution. Patients undergoing palliative RARC were those with advanced bladder cancer (BC) or advanced comorbidities.
In recent years, the Mediterranean Sea has become an accumulation zone for waste generated by the 22 countries bordering its shores. Although the effects of plastic litter on the marine environment and on organisms have recently been studied in other areas, further information is needed for the Mediterranean Sea and, in particular, about plastics additives inputs and interactions with the biota and the trophic network, such as phthalates and bisphenol A. Plastic material production, use and disposal contribute also to the release of heavy metals into the environment, such as mercury (Hg), often used during the production of chlorine, the primary ingredient in PVC, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which are used as stabilizers in PVC and leach out of products during use and disposal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe issue of whether market fish can be involved in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in the marine environment is highly debated since toxoplasmosis has been diagnosed frequently in cetaceans stranded along the Mediterranean coastlines in recent times. To support the hypothesis that fishes can harbour and effectively transmit the parasite to top-of-the-food-chain marine organisms and to human consumers of fishery products, a total of 1,293 fishes from 17 species obtained from wholesale and local fish markets were examined for T. gondii DNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough in recent years there has been intensification in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) for the production of many commercial products, few studies have been carried out to assess the risks associated with its use. Among the most used NPs, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have a preponderant position as they have various applications. In this study, 40 adult zebrafish were exposed to increasing concentrations of AgNPs (8, 45, and 70 μg/L) for 30 days to evaluate the effects on eyes after chronic exposure to AgNPs with an average diameter of 50 nm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of our study is to describe the use of posterior muscle-fascial reconstruction during urethro-ileal anastomosis in bladder cancer (BC) patients submitted to robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (ON) and its role in facilitating day- and night-time continence recovery during a 12-month follow up.
Materials And Methods: We prospectively collected data from 42 consecutive patients who underwent RARC with totally intracorporeal ON and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) at our Institution from June 2014 to October 2017. Prior to the urethro-neobladder anastomosis we reconstructed the Denonvilliers Fascia (DF) as previously described for radical prostatectomy using a bidirectional barbed suture.