Publications by authors named "Pergantis Spiros A"

As the concern for Ni contamination in the aquatic environment escalates, efforts for microalgal use in environmental monitoring and bioremediation are increasing. This study aims to evaluate the potential of Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for Ni bioremediation by investigating their physiological stress responses in Ni-contaminated environments. The analysis focuses on how Ni(II) uptake affects cell growth, nutrient metal homeostasis, and lipid unsaturation levels, as these parameters are critical indicators of metabolic stability and resilience essential for effective bioremediation.

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The spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a major agricultural pest with a global distribution, extremely diverse host range and a remarkable ability to develop resistance to a wide variety of acaricides. P450 mono-oxygenases have been frequently associated with resistance development in this species. In particular enzymes of the CYP392A-subfamily were shown to metabolize a number of key acaricides, including abamectin, amitraz, fenpyroximate and the active metabolite of pyflubumide.

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Background: Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, important for human health. The relationship of Se with cardiovascular risk factors is still inconclusive, especially regarding the role of different selenoproteins. The present study evaluated the relation of total serum Se as well as its distribution in plasma selenoproteins, namely glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) and selenoprotein P (SelP) with cardiovascular risk factors in a sex-specific manner, in a healthy population with moderate levels of Se.

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To evaluate the effect of trace element (TE) release from fish farms on seagrass Posidonia oceanica, we compared TE concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) in shoots near fish cages (Station 'Cage') with those away from them (Station 'Control') in two fish farm facilities (Site 1 and Site 2, North Aegean Sea, Greece). We assessed the present (i.e.

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The molecular mechanisms of amitraz and chlorfenapyr resistance remain only poorly understood for major agricultural pests and vectors of human diseases. This study focusses on a multi-resistant field strain of the crop pest Tetranychus urticae, which could be readily selected in the laboratory to high levels of amitraz and chlorfenapyr resistance. Toxicity experiments using tralopyril, the active toxophore of chlorfenapyr, suggested decreased activation as a likely mechanism underlying resistance.

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Chlorfenapyr is a pro-insecticide increasingly used in combination with pyrethroids such as a-cypermethrin or deltamethrin in insecticide treated bednets (ITNs) to control malaria transmitted by pyrethroid-resistant mosquito populations. Chlorfenapyr requires P450 activation to produce tralopyril and other bioactive metabolites. Pyrethroid resistance is often associated with elevated levels of chemoprotective P450s with broad substrate specificity, which could influence chlorfenapyr activity.

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Background: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is involved in several pathophysiological functions. The relationship of Se with cardiovascular disease remains inconclusive, especially regarding the role of different selenospecies.

Objective: The present study assessed the levels of Se distribution in plasma selenoproteins, namely glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3), selenoprotein P (SelP) and selenoalbumin (SeAlb) and total Se in selenoproteins in relation to 10-year cardiovascular risk in the ATTICA prospective study.

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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nowadays appear in close to 24% of consumer products that contain engineered nanomaterials. Thus, they are expected to be released into the environment, where their fate and effect are still undetermined. Considering the evidenced efficacy of the single particle Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (sp ICP-MS) technique in the study of nanomaterials, this work reports on the use of sp ICP-MS along with an online dilution sample introduction system for the direct analysis of untreated and spiked seawater samples, as part of a larger scale experiment studying the fate of Ag (ionic and nanoparticles) in seawater mesocosm systems.

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Acequinocyl and bifenazate are potent acaricides acting at the Q site of complex III of the electron transport chain, but frequent applications of these acaricides have led to the development of resistance in spider mites. Target-site resistance caused by mutations in the conserved cd1- and ef-helices of the Q pocket of cytochrome b has been elucidated as the main resistance mechanism. We therefore monitored Q pocket mutations in European field populations of Tetranychus urticae and uncovered a new mutation, L258F.

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Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with a diameter of 1.99 nm on average were synthesized and applied as labels in immunoprobes for the determination of cytosolic proteins in individual human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPEsv) cells by single cell - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (sc-ICP-MS). For quantitative purposes, the number of gold atoms per immunoprobe (i.

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Concentrations of 27 metals and elements were investigated in the tissues of 28 demersal and pelagic marine fish species from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The analysis indicated highest concentrations of accumulation for the majority of elements in the gills, liver, and scales; whereas, lowest assimilation of elements was reported in the muscle. Pelagic fish accumulated higher concentrations of elements than demersal fish.

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Microfluidics coupled on-line with ICP-MS detection can be combined with powerful quantitation procedures that take advantage of internal standardization and standard additions, such as the recently introduced Standard Dilution Analysis (SDA). Although so far used at mL min flow rates, here we demonstrate that SDA can be conveniently employed with a microfluidic chip-based ICP-MS system to improve determination accuracy for various sample types, including water, biological and cell digest samples, analyzed at μL min flow rates. The efficient coupling of a microfluidic chip to ICP-MS was accomplished using a combination of commercially available components, including a pneumatic high-efficiency nebulizer and a spray chamber designed to allow for the addition of a laminar flow makeup gas.

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Chemical control strategies are driving the evolution of pesticide resistance in pest populations. Understanding the genetic mechanisms of these evolutionary processes is of crucial importance to develop sustainable resistance management strategies. The acaricide pyflubumide is one of the most recently developed mitochondrial complex II inhibitors with a new mode of action that specifically targets spider mite pests.

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Chemical residues released from aquaculture farms may persist in the environment and may pose adverse ecological effects. The aim of this study was to assess the pollution status of marine sediments underneath or close to aquaculture farms in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the factors that affect the elemental distribution, and the exceedance of environmental quality standards and factors. To this end, surface sediment samples were collected (underneath fish cages, at 25 m distance and from a reference station) from 48 fish farms in Greece with variable environmental and geochemical characteristics.

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Metal-containing nanoparticles (NP) can be characterized with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) in terms of their size and number concentration by using the single-particle mode of the instrument (spICP-MS). The accuracy of measurement depends on the setup, operational conditions of the instrument and specific parameters that are set by the user. The transport efficiency of the ICP-MS is crucial for the quantification of the NP and usually requires a reference material with homogenous size distribution and a known particle number concentration.

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The data presented in this particular study demonstrate that the biodegradation of phenol by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a dynamic bioenergetic process mainly affected by the production of catechol and the presence of a growth-promoting substrate in the culture medium. The study focused on the regulation of the bioenergetic equilibrium resulting from production of catechol after phenol oxidation. Catechol was identified by HPLC-UV and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

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This study reports on the development of a single-particle (sp) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique suitable for the multi-mode determination of nanoparticle (NP) metal mass fraction and number concentration. The described technique, which is based on a dual inlet system consisting of a pneumatic nebulizer (PN) and a microdroplet generator (MDG), allows for the sequential introduction of ionic metal calibrant solutions and nanoparticle suspensions via all combinations of the two inlets; thus allowing for a combination of three independent modes of analysis. A novel interface, assembled using standard analytical components (a demountable quartz ICP-MS torch, flexible non-conducting silicon tubing and various connectors), was used to interface the dual inlet system to an ICP-MS.

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Background: Glycerolipids are important components of membranes in cyanobacteria that possess vital roles in biological processes. The effect of nitrogen deprivation on membrane lipids of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 lipids has not been previously examined.

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The complementary use of single cell atomic mass spectrometry (MS) and ambient molecular MS allowed for the in-depth study of arsenate uptake by cells and of the effect this toxic metalloid species has on their lipid profile. Compared to conventional inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, in which case hundreds of thousands of cells are digested and then analyzed, it is demonstrated that single cell (SC) ICP-MS provides uptake data that are potentially of greater biological relevance. This includes the arsenic mass distribution within the cell population, which fits to a log-normal probability function, the most frequently contained arsenic mass within the cells (1.

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The use of a modified prototype continuous flow reactor (CFR) as a pivotal part of a number of versatile singlet oxygen-mediated reaction sequences is presented herein. These sequences target rapid access to structural complexity and diversity. The prototype reactor achieves high conversions and productivities by attaining large specific surface areas for these biphasic reactions.

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Concentrations of 26 metals and elements were measured in sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) sampled from 6 Greek coastal areas in order to assess public health risks and benefits. Nutritional benefits seem to outweigh the potential risks arising from fish metal content, since various parameters (Safety Standards, Estimated Daily Intake, Maximum Safe Consumption, Hazard Quotient, Metal Pollution Index, As Carcinogenic Risk, Mercury toxicity - Selenium benefits, Nutrient Reference Values) indicated mostly safe consumption of the studied species. Weekly consumption of 480.

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Species - specific differences in the levels of 26 metals and elements in sardine and anchovy are investigated and the factors of proximate composition (proteins, lipids, ash) and body size (length, weight) that may affect the metal and elemental concentrations in fish are explored. Statistical analysis revealed that levels of metals and elements in fish seem to strongly depend on species. Significantly higher levels of most of the metals and elements studied have been observed in anchovy compared to sardine at each of six different sites.

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A series of hydroxycyclopent-2-enones and methoxycyclopent-2-enones have been synthesized in a single operation from simple furan substrates using an innovative continuous flow nebulizer system (NebPhotOX). Photooxygenation of the furan substrates takes place in an aerosol within the NebPhotOX system.

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Arsenic speciation analysis was conducted on fish samples (sardine and anchovy) collected from six areas along the Greek coastline, i.e. Artemisium Straits, Thermaikos Gulf, Amvrakikos Gulf, Strymonian Gulf, Thracian Sea, and Elefsina Gulf.

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