Microplastics in fillets of Mediterranean seafood. A risk assessment study.

Microplastics (MPs) are considered as emergent threat to human health. No complete data still exists on MPs presence in fish tissue and their transmission to humans. The present study aims to detect and quantify the presence of MPs (<3 µm) in several edible seafood (Sardina pilchardus, wild and farmed Sparus aurata, Mullus surmuletus, Solea solea and musselMytilus galloprovincialis) from the south coast of Mediterranean Sea. MPs were detected through an innovative extraction method coupled to the SEM-EDX technology. The Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) for adults and children for each species were calculated. The higher median level (IQR) of MPs (9.09E+04) was found inM. surmuletus. Conversely, the lower median (IQR) level was observed in S. pilchardus (7.04E+04). The smallest and biggest median (IQR)diameter of MPs (1.8 and 2.5 µm) were identified in M. galloprovincialisand S. solea, respectively. The highest EDIs (25.50E+03; 48.09E+03) arefor ingestion of farmedS. auratarespectively for adults and children. Instead, the lowest EDIs (2.37E+02; 4.48E+02) are due to M. galloprovincialisingestion for adults and children, respectively. Our data should be carefully considered in view of the direct exposure of humans to plastic particles under 3 µm through seafood consumption to better manage the related risks.

Land use change and conversion effects on ground water quality trends: An integration of land change modeler in GIS and a new Ground Water Quality Index developed by fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making models.

This study aggregated Land Change Modeller (LCM) as a useful model in GIS with an extended Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) developed by fuzzy Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making models to investigate the effect of land use change and conversion on groundwater quality being supplied for drinking. The model's performance was examined through an applied study in Shiraz, Iran, in a five year period (2011 to 2015). Four land use maps including urban, industrial, garden, and bare were employed in LCM model and the impact of change in area and their conversion to each other on GWQI changes was analysed. The correlation analysis indicated that increase in the urban land use area and conversion of bare to the residential/industrial land uses, had a relation with water quality decrease. Integration of LCM and GWQI can accurately and logically provide a numerical analysis of the possible impact of land use change and conversion, as one of the influencing factors, on the groundwater quality. Hence, the methodology could be used in urban development planning and management in macro level.

Effect of PLC on functional parameters and oxidative profile in type 2 diabetes-associated PAD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of propionyl l-carnitine (PLC) on clinical and functional parameters, and markers of the overall oxidation state in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomised, double-blind, clinical trial, conducted in the Unit of Medical Angiology of the University of Catania. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Seventy-four patients with NIDDM-associated PAD were treated with PLC (2 g/day) or placebo for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle/brachial index (ABI) and the distance of pain-free walking were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, oxidation time of low-density lipoproteins, and nitrite/nitrate ratio were measured as indices of the overall oxidation profiles at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: In the PLC group, ABI progressively increased (0.78, 0.83, and 0.88 at 0, 6 and 12 months, respectively). The distance of pain-free walking also improved (366.4, 441.9 and 519.8 m, respectively). In the placebo group, these parameters were relatively unchanged. Significant improvements in all parameters of the oxidative profile were seen in the PLC-treated group, with only minor variations observed in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adjunct therapy with PLC may be warranted in type 2 diabetes-associated PAD.