Publications by authors named "H Bouwman"
Are Metal Concentrations in Lesser Flamingo Eggs and Eggshells Good Indicators of Environmental Pollution?
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Metallic elements can harm flamingos, which may accumulate these metals from the saline waters where they live and breed, impacting their organs, feathers, and eggs.
- A study on Lesser Flamingo eggs in South Africa found metal pollution, particularly concerning levels of strontium and copper, indicating potential reproductive stress and varying metal concentrations due to their nomadic lifestyle.
- While flamingo eggs are not reliable indicators of environmental metal pollution, the research reveals that chicks may be more vulnerable to pollutants after hatching, highlighting the need for better protection strategies for this bird family.
Dioxins, PFOS, and 20 other Persistent Organic Pollutants in Eggs of Nine Wild Bird Species from the Vaal River, South Africa.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
October 2024
The Vaal River catchment drains the largest and most populated industrial and mining region in Southern Africa. Heron, ibis, cormorant, egrets, and darter eggs, representing three habitats and four feeding guilds, were collected at four locations in 2009/10 to identify hotspots and hazards associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The POPs included 21 organochlorine pesticides, five polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) classes, 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs including six non-dioxin-like PCBs; NDL-PCB), and 12 dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs), 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
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- - The study examines microplastics (MPs) in corals from three remote islands in the Indian Ocean, specifically focusing on six coral genera across a 1200 km area.
- - Average microplastic concentration was found to be 0.78 n/g, predominantly consisting of polypropylene (78%) and polyethylene (18%), with no significant differences between the islands.
- - This research is the first to report on microplastics in corals from the Western Indian Ocean, establishing a baseline for future studies and contributing to environmental monitoring and policy development.
The efficacy and safety of eculizumab in patients and the role of C5 polymorphisms.
Drug Discov Today
September 2024
Eculizumab is an orphan drug with indications for extremely rare autoimmune disorders. It is primarily prescribed for use in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome; but is also highly effective in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, among others. By binding to the C5 protein in the complement system, eculizumab effectively inhibits cellular hemolysis and autoimmune reactions.
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