Quantitative source apportionment of faecal indicator bacteria from anthropogenic and zoogenic sources of faecal contamination.

Recreational bathing waters are complex systems with diverse inputs from multiple anthropogenic and zoogenic sources of faecal contamination. Faecal contamination is a substantial threat to water quality and public health. Here we present a comprehensive strategy to estimate the contribution of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) from different biological sources on two at-risk beaches in Dublin, Ireland.

Environmental and bioclimatic factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shores.

The present study employed data collected during the Mycosands survey to investigate the environmental factors influencing yeasts and molds distribution along European shores applying a species distribution modelling approach. Occurrence data were compared to climatic datasets (temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation), soil datasets (chemical and physical properties), and water datasets (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration) downloaded from web databases. Analyses were performed by MaxEnt software.

Bacterial and Bacteriophage Antibiotic Resistance in Marine Bathing Waters in Relation to Rivers and Urban Streams.

Fecal pollution of surface water may introduce bacteria and bacteriophages harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the aquatic environment. Watercourses discharging into the marine environment, especially close to designated bathing waters, may expose recreational users to fecal pollution and therefore may increase the likelihood that they will be exposed to ARGs. This study compares the bacterial and bacteriophage ARG profiles of two rivers (River Tolka and Liffey) and two small urban streams (Elm Park and Trimleston Streams) that discharge close to two marine bathing waters in Dublin Bay.

crAssphage as a human molecular marker to evaluate temporal and spatial variability in faecal contamination of urban marine bathing waters.

Bathing water quality may be negatively impacted by diffuse pollution arising from urban and agricultural activities and wildlife, it is therefore important to be able to differentiate between biological and geographical sources of faecal pollution. crAssphage was recently described as a novel human-associated microbial source tracking marker. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the crAssphage marker in designated bathing waters.

Relative Validity of an Italian EPIC Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Factors in Children and Adolescents. A Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute Study.

Dietary factors play a major role in the development of non-communicable diseases, however little is known regarding the impact of nutrition on rare diseases like sarcomas. This Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute study aimed to evaluate the relative validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to measure the consumption of foods in comparison with a 3-days diary diet in a healthy Italian student population aged between 12 and 17 years. An extended version (including food groups for children) of the semi-quantitative FFQ used in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) was administered.

Mycosands: Fungal diversity and abundance in beach sand and recreational waters - Relevance to human health.

The goal of most studies published on sand contaminants is to gather and discuss knowledge to avoid faecal contamination of water by run-offs and tide-retractions. Other life forms in the sand, however, are seldom studied but always pointed out as relevant. The Mycosands initiative was created to generate data on fungi in beach sands and waters, of both coastal and freshwater inland bathing sites.

Correlation between antimicrobial resistance and faecal contamination in small urban streams and bathing waters.

Antibiotic resistance represents the greatest challenge to healthcare systems around the world. As antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are shed in faeces, many studies have focused on how wastewater effluent contributes to ARG pollution in rivers. However, small urban streams and bathing waters not impacted by treated wastewater have received little attention though they may be important reservoirs of ARGs.

Zinc treatment of hydroponically grown barley plants causes a reduction in root and cell hydraulic conductivity and isoform-dependent decrease in aquaporin gene expression.

The cellular and molecular basis of a reduction in root water uptake in plants exposed to heavy metals such as zinc (Zn) is poorly studied. The aim of the present study on hydroponically grown barley (Hordeum vulgare) was to test whether any reduction in root hydraulic conductivity (Lp) in response to Zn treatment is accompanied by a reduction in cell Lp and gene expression level of aquaporin (AQP) isoforms. Plants were grown in the presence of 0.