Background: Since 2011, there have been ongoing massive unexplained increases of sargassum seaweed strandings along the coastlines of Caribbean countries. The objective of our study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients exposed to noxious emissions of decomposing sargassum seaweed.
Methods: This observational study included patients from January 2018 to December 2018 for complaints attributed to decomposing sargassum seaweed. History and geographical characteristics of sargassum seaweed strandings as well as detection of ambient air hydrogen sulfide (HS) levels were documented during the inclusion period.
Findings: A total of 154 patients were included. Mean exposure period was 3 months. Neurological (80%), digestive (77%) and respiratory (69%) disorders were the most frequent reasons for medical visit. Temporal distribution of medical visits was related to history of strandings. Geographical origins of patients were consistent with the most impacted areas of strandings as well as the most elevated ambient air HS levels.
Interpretation: The toxicological syndrome induced by sargassum seaweed exposure is close to the toxidrome associated with acute HS exposure in the range of 0-10 ppm. Our study suggests that patients living in massive stranding areas may be exposed to HS > 5 ppm for 50 days per year.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2020.1789162 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Beneficial Roles of Seaweed in Atopic Dermatitis.
Mar Drugs
December 2024
Department of Smart Green Technology Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by severe pruritus and recurrent flare-ups, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Current treatments, such as corticosteroids and immunomodulators, often provide symptomatic relief but can lead to adverse effects with prolonged use. Seaweed, a sustainable and nutrient-dense resource, has emerged as a promising alternative due to its rich bioactive compounds-polysaccharides, phlorotannins, polyphenols, and chlorophyll-that offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of Ultrasound- and Microwave-Assisted Extraction on Bioactive Compounds and Biological Activities of and .
Mar Drugs
November 2024
Nuclear Research Centre of Birine, Ain Oussera 17200, Algeria.
This study represents the first investigation into the ultrasonic and microwave extraction of bioactive metabolites from (red seaweed) and () (brown seaweed), with a focus on their biological activities. The research compares ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) utilizing a hydromethanolic solvent to evaluate their effects on these seaweeds' bioactive compounds and biological activities. The assessment included a series of antioxidant essays: DPPH, ABTS, phenanthroline, and total antioxidant capacity, followed by enzyme inhibition activities: alpha-amylase and urease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanofiber Applications From Hijiki Macroalgae: Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Properties in Biocompatible Polymers.
Biopolymers
January 2025
Department of Environmental Protection Technology, Kazım Karabekir Vocational School, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey.
One of the current biotechnological applications is nanofiber applications made from algae using the electrospinning technique. Nanofibers containing poly-caprolactone (PCL) extracted from the brown seaweed Hijiki (Sargassum fusiforme) were prepared using electrospinning technique. Water extraction was performed to preserve the integrity of Hijiki components, ensuring their efficacy in subsequent electrospinning and characterization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtraction and characterization of sodium alginate from native Malaysian brown seaweed Sargassum polycystum.
Int J Biol Macromol
December 2024
Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia. Electronic address:
Malaysian seaweed, particularly Sargassum polycystum, has potential for alginate production, yet an extraction protocol for this seaweed remains lacking. This study aimed to optimize the extraction process to maximize alginate yield while characterizing the physicochemical properties of the extracted alginate and its potential applications. An alkali-based extraction method was employed, with key parameters, including alkali concentration, extraction temperature, and time, carefully optimized to yield 30.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiversity and Community Structure of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from the Brown Seaweed in Coastal Regions of Korea.
Mycobiology
November 2024
Department of Biology Education, Korea National University of Education, Cheongju, Korea.
This study investigated the diversity of endophytic fungi isolated from the brown seaweed, collected from six coastal regions in Korea: Gangneung, Pohang, Buan, Taean, Tongyeong and Yeosu. A total of 154 fungal strains were isolated using ITS rDNA sequence analysis, resulting in 84 species across 43 genera. Species diversity, assessed based on the Shannon index, was highest in Tongyeong (H'=3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!