Exploring seasonal dynamics of sea spray aerosol bioactivity: Insights into molecular effects on human bronchial epithelial cells.

Sea spray aerosol (SSA) is a complex mixture of natural substances that can be inhaled by coastal residents. Previous studies have suggested that SSA may have positive effects on human health, but the molecular mechanisms and the factors influencing these effects are poorly understood. In this study, we exposed human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) to natural SSA samples, collected monthly using quartz microfiber filters mounted on tripods within 15 m of the waterline, with air drawn through pumps, throughout a one-year period at the Ostend coast, Belgium, and measured cellular gene expression changes using RNA sequencing.

Seasonal dynamics of bacterial community structure and function in the surf zone seawater of a recreational beach in Ostend, Belgium.

Despite the importance of bacteria in surf zone water quality, detailed insights into their community composition, functions, and seasonal dynamics at recreational beaches are scarce. This study conducted year-long, weekly monitoring of bacterial communities and environmental factors at a recreational beach in Ostend, Belgium. Using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we correlated bacterial composition and predicted functions with environmental factors to identify potential drivers.

Assessment of road run-off and domestic wastewater contribution to microplastic pollution in a densely populated area (Flanders, Belgium).

Plastics are omnipresent in our daily life. Unfortunately, the produced plastics will partly end up in the environment including aquatic ecosystems. People often refer to littering or illegal waste dumping as sources of plastic emission to the environment.

Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium).

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant of concern in all known aquatic ecosystems. However, studies at a regional scale on MP pollution in freshwater systems and the necessary risk assessments are limited. Therefore, in this study, we examined microplastic concentrations, size distributions, and polymer types in surface waters and sediments in the geographic region Flanders (Belgium), as a case study for a densely populated region and one of the most developed parts of Europe.

Toward a Better Understanding of the Contribution of Wastewater Treatment Plants to Microplastic Pollution in Receiving Waterways.

Microplastics (1 µm-5 mm), are ubiquitous in daily-use products and regularly end up in the wastewater. The main part of the wastewater is treated in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which allow for at least partial removal of microplastics. The present study aimed to understand the contribution of domestic wastewater to microplastic pollution in Flanders (Belgium) via two main discharge routes of microplastics: (1) the effluent, and (2) removed fractions.

Sea Spray Aerosols Contain the Major Component of Human Lung Surfactant.

Marine phytoplankton influence the composition of sea spray aerosols (SSAs) by releasing various compounds. The biogenic surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is known to accumulate in the sea surface microlayer, but its aerosolization has never been confirmed. We conducted a 1 year SSA sampling campaign at the Belgian coast and analyzed the SSA composition.

Phycotoxin-Enriched Sea Spray Aerosols: Methods, Mechanisms, and Human Exposure.

To date, few studies have examined the role of sea spray aerosols (SSAs) in human exposure to harmful and beneficial marine compounds. Two groups of phycotoxins (brevetoxins and ovatoxins) have been reported to induce respiratory syndromes during harmful algal blooms. The aerosolization and coastal air concentrations of other common marine phycotoxins have, however, never been examined.

Aerosolizable Marine Phycotoxins and Human Health Effects: In Vitro Support for the Biogenics Hypothesis.

Respiratory exposure to marine phycotoxins is of increasing concern. Inhalation of sea spray aerosols (SSAs), during harmful and blooms induces respiratory distress among others. The biogenics hypothesis, however, suggests that regular airborne exposure to natural products is health promoting via a downregulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.

Marine biogenics in sea spray aerosols interact with the mTOR signaling pathway.

Sea spray aerosols (SSAs) have profound effects on our climate and ecosystems. They also contain microbiota and biogenic molecules which could affect human health. Yet the exposure and effects of SSAs on human health remain poorly studied.

Clinical outcomes with a trifocal intraocular lens: a multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results and safety obtained with a new type of multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) using a trifocal design to achieve pseudoaccommodation.

Methods: A pilot observational study of patients with a trifocal IOL (FineVision; PhysIOL, Liege, Belgium) implanted by 1 of 12 surgeons between March and December 2010. Visual outcomes that were assessed postoperatively included uncorrected and corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity.

Visual and refractive outcomes after implantation of a fully diffractive trifocal lens.

Background: The purpose of this study was to record the visual outcomes of patients treated by six surgeons after implantation of a trifocal lens.

Methods: The setting for this study comprised six ophthalmology units and eye clinics in Belgium and France, with a coordinating center in France, and data management and statistical analysis in France and Belgium. Ninety-four eyes from 47 patients were implanted with a trifocal FineVision(®) intraocular lens by six surgeons.

Anterior segment imaging using optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in secondary pigmentary glaucoma associated with in-the-bag intraocular lens.

A 43-year-old man with high myopia developed unilateral pigmentary glaucoma with recurrent episodes of painless blurred vision in the left eye following uneventful phacoemulsification. Bilateral cataract surgery was performed with capsular bag implantation of a +4.00 diopter AcrySof MA60 intraocular lens (IOL) (Alcon Laboratories) followed by a neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy.