High Levels of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Children at the Onset of Diabetes.

Background. Impairments of endocrine system may be associated with exposure to perfluorinated compounds that are able to bind nuclear receptors, including the peroxisome proliferator-activating receptors. Aim of this study was to assess perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid concentrations in children and adolescents at the onset of type 1 diabetes compared to healthy controls.

When isolated at full receptivity, in vitro fertilized wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) egg cells reveal [Ca2+]cyt oscillation of intracellular origin.

During in vitro fertilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) in egg cells isolated at various developmental stages, changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) were observed. The dynamics of [Ca2+]cyt elevation varied, reflecting the difference in the developmental stage of the eggs used.

Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.) canopy as interceptor of airborne trace elements and their accumulation in the litter and topsoil.

We investigated the role of urban Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.) trees as an airborne metal accumulators and metals' environmental fate. Analyses confirmed Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn as a main contaminants in Siena's urban environment; only Pb concentrations decreased significantly compared to earlier surveys.

Baseline element composition of foliose and fruticose lichens along the steep climatic gradient of SW Patagonia (Aisén Region, Chile).

Samples of foliose (Nephroma antarcticum) and fruticose (Usnea sp.) lichens were collected across a steep climatic and vegetation gradient in a remote, almost pristine region of SW Chilean Patagonia. Concentrations of major and trace elements in lichens from the rainforest were among the lowest ever reported worldwide for foliose and fruticose lichens and can be considered background levels for the region.

Phase I and II biotransformation enzymes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck, 1819) collected in front of an oil refinery.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the responses of phase I and II biotransformation enzymes and levels of PAHs in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck, 1819) collected from three sites at different distance from an oil refinery. Phase I enzyme activities as NAD(P)H-cyt c red, NADH ferry red, B(a)PMO and phase II as UDPGT, GST were measured in digestive gland while 16 PAHs (US-EPA) in whole soft tissue. An added value to the data obtained in the present study rely on the RDA analysis which showed close correlations between PAHs levels and phase I enzyme activities in mussels collected in front of the refinery.

Interaction of ABC transport proteins with toxic metals at the level of gene and transport activity in the PLHC-1 fish cell line.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of four toxic metals with ABC transport proteins in piscine cell line PLHC-1. Cells were exposed for 24 h to 0.01-1 μM of CdCl(2), HgCl(2), As(2)O(3), or K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and the expression of a series of ABC genes (abcb1, abcc1-4) was determined using qRT-PCR.

Modulation of CYP1A and genotoxic effects in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to weathered oil: a mesocosm study.

The aim of this study was to assess medium-term toxicity of weathered oil on European seabass. A mesocosm system reproducing an oil spill at sea was applied. Fish were collected after 48 h, 7, 30 and 60 days.

Xylan-degrading enzymes in male and female flower nectar of Cucurbita pepo.

Background And Aims: Nectar is a very complex mixture of substances. Some components (sugars and amino acids) are considered primary alimentary rewards for animals and have been investigated and characterized in numerous species for many years. In contrast, nectar proteins have been the subject of few studies and little is known of their function.

Old and new challenges in using species diversity for assessing biodiversity.

Although the maintenance of diversity of living systems is critical for ecosystem functioning, the accelerating pace of global change is threatening its preservation. Standardized methods for biodiversity assessment and monitoring are needed. Species diversity is one of the most widely adopted metrics for assessing patterns and processes of biodiversity, at both ecological and biogeographic scales.

Time-dependent modulation of cyp1a gene transcription and EROD activity by musk xylene in PLHC-1 and RTG-2 fish cell lines.

Musk xylene (MX) is a common synthetic nitromusk fragrance. Its high release in aquatic environments and evidence of bioaccumulation in biota suggest that it could have serious toxicological consequences for aquatic ecosystems. However, not much data is available on cellular pathways and mechanisms of toxicity in aquatic organisms.

Selective uptake of major and trace elements in Erica andevalensis, an endemic species to extreme habitats in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

To assess the ecophysiological traits and the phytoremediation potential of the endemic heather Erica andevalensis, we determined the concentrations of major and trace elements in different plant parts and in rizosphere soils from Riotinto mining district (Huelva, Spain). The results showed that E. andevalensis may grow on substrates with very high As, Cu, Fe and Pb concentrations (up to 4114, 1050, 71900 and 15614 microg/g dry weight, respectively), very low availability of macro- and micronutrients and with pH values ranging from 3.

Hepatic biotransformation genes and enzymes and PAH metabolites in bile of common sole (Solea solea, Linnaeus, 1758) from an oil-contaminated site in the Mediterranean Sea: a field study.

The aim of the present field study was to evaluate the response of hepatic biotransformation genes and enzymes of the common sole collected from an area characterized by the presence of an oil-refinery. Based on ∑PAHs levels detected in sediments, three sites were identified: an high-impact site in front of the refinery, a moderate impact site and a reference site at increasing distances from the refinery. Transcription of cyp1a, udpgt and gst genes and related enzyme activities, such as EROD, BROD, MROD, B(a)PMO, UDPGT and GST, were assessed in sole liver.

Pomology observations, morphometric analysis, ultrastructural study and allelic profiles of "olivastra Seggianese" endocarps from ancient olive trees (Olea europaea L.).

Preliminary studies of historical sources and remote sensing were used to identify ancient olive trees near archaeological sites and heritage buildings in the Orcia Valley (Siena, Italy). Distinctive characters were assessed by traditional pomological observation. Trees with similar characters were selected on the basis of the features of endocarps, the only structure that survives aerobic deterioration and conserves useful botanical information for centuries.

Differences in Pop Levels between Conventional and Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Enriched Milk and Dairy Products.

Conventional and omega-3 fatty acid-enriched milk and cheese were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Omega-3-enriched products are usually supplemented with fish oil which is potentially contaminated. All classes of the considered POPs (PCBs, DDT, HCB, PBDEs, and PCDD/Fs) were found in the samples, with average concentrations higher in omega-3-enriched products than in conventional ones.

Physiological effects of arsenic in the lichen Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.

The aim of this study was to test in a short term laboratory experiment the accumulation and physiological effects of As in the epiphytic lichen Xanthoria parietina. Arsenic content in treated samples increased progressively with increasing concentration in treatment solutions. Treatment of X.

Physiological effects of mercury in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis (Sandst.) Ruoss and Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb.

This study aimed at investigating the cellular distribution of Hg in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Peltigera rufescens treated with Hg²(+) and at testing if Hg treatment affects selected physiological parameters. In both species, increasing Hg accumulation under increasing Hg supply in the treatment solutions was found.

Identification of five partial ABC genes in the liver of the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii and sensitivity of ABCB1 and ABCC2 to Cd exposure.

Several ABC transporters have been characterized from many aquatic organisms, but no information is yet available for Antarctic fish. The aim of this work was to identify the expression of genes for ABC proteins in Trematomus bernacchii, a bioindicator species of the Southern Ocean. Partial cDNA sequences of ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, ABCC4 and ABCC9 were cloned from liver.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional response of drug-metabolizing enzymes to PAHs contamination in red mullet (Mullus barbatus, Linnaeus, 1758): a field study.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of red mullet (Mullus barbatus) liver detoxification enzymes to PAHs at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in the field. Fish were captured in the north-eastern Adriatic Sea, close to an oil refinery. Sixteen PAHs (EPA) were determined in sediments and fish fillets; transcription levels of cyp1a, cyp3a and abcc2 genes and EROD, BROD, B(a)PMO, BFCOD, GST and UDPGT enzymatic activities were measured.

Effects of ammonia from livestock farming on lichen photosynthesis.

This study investigated if atmospheric ammonia (NH3) pollution around a sheep farm influences the photosynthetic performance of the lichens Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea. Thalli of both species were transplanted for up to 30 days in a semi-arid region (Crete, Greece), at sites with concentrations of atmospheric ammonia of ca. 60 microg/m3 (at a sheep farm), ca.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated naphthalenes and polycyclic musks in human fat from Italy: comparison to polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides.

Prior to this study, reports of occurrence of polycyclic musks and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in human tissues from Italy were not available. In this study, concentrations of PCNs and polycyclic musks were determined in human adipose tissue from Italy collected during 2005-2006; for comparison, legacy organohalogen pollutants such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined. SigmaPCN concentrations ranged from 0.

Do plants dynamically regulate nectar features through sugar sensing?

Nectar properties (volume, concentration, viscosity) change dynamically in time. As stated by Pedersen some decades ago (1958), "Nectar is not a static product remaining outside the plant once produced but is in close contact with the plant system."1 It is now evident that secretion may occur concomitantly with resorption and that the latter process sometimes continues after secretion has ended.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether contamination levels in fish from the Antarctic and the Mediterranean Sea.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) concentrations and congener profiles were evaluated in four species of Antarctic fish (Chionodraco hamatus, Chaempsocephalus gunnari, Gymnoscopelus nicholsi,Trematomus eulepidotes) and in one Mediterranean species (Tuna, Thunnus thynnus). The GC/MS-ECNI analysis revealed that average sigmaPBDE concentrations in Antarctic fish species ranged from 0.09 ng g(-1)wet weight (wet wt) in G.

Spatial patterns and autocorrelation in the response of microarthropods to soil pollutants: the example of oribatid mites in an abandoned mining and smelting area.

Although exogenous factors such as pollutants can act on endogenous drivers (e.g. dispersion) of populations and create spatially autocorrelated distributions, most statistical techniques assume independence of error terms.