Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
December 2024
Antarctica, once regarded as the last pristine desert untouched by human activity, is now facing increasing local impacts due to the rising presence of humans, primarily driven by scientific and touristic activities. This pilot study aimed to assess and compare the atmospheric concentrations of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) collected using passive air samplers and polyurethane foam disks as sorbent phases at different distances from a permanent (Capitán Arturo Prat) and a semi-permanent (Yelcho) research stations in the north-west region of the Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) during summer 2022 and throughout the year for the permanent station. The findings revealed that Antarctic research stations serve as potential primary sources of PAHs to the local atmosphere.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVibrios, a group of bacteria that are among the most abundant in marine environments, include several species such as Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which can be pathogenic to humans. Some species of Vibrio contain prophages within their genomes. These prophages can carry genes that code for toxins, such as the zonula occludens toxin (Zot), which contribute to bacterial virulence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn Chile, edible herbs are mainly grown by small farmers. This type of horticultural crop typically requires intensive management because it is highly susceptible to insects, some of which transmit viruses that severely affect crop yield and quality. In 2019, in coriander plants tested negative for all previously reported viruses, RNA-Seq analysis of one symptomatic plant revealed a plethora of viruses, including one virus known to infect coriander, five viruses never reported in coriander, and a new cytorhabdovirus with a 14,180 nucleotide RNA genome for which the species name was proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
November 2023
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a vital role in human health, well-being, and the management of inflammatory diseases. Insufficient intake of omega-3 is linked to disease development. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are derived from omega-3 PUFAs and expedite the resolution of inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is highly heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to severe and fatal cases. COVID-19 has been characterized by an increase of serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels which seems to be associated with fatal cases. By contrast, the role of pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), involved in the attenuation of inflammatory responses, has been scarcely investigated, so further studies are needed to understand SPMs metabolism in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
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