Comparative study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in salt gland and liver of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, Cheloniidae) stranded along the Mediterranean coast, Southern Italy.

The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, were determined in the liver and salt gland of 19 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta Linnaeus, Cheloniidae) stranded along the coasts of the south Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, from 2019 to 2021. The 16 EPA's priority PAHs were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The average values of ΣPAHs in liver, 139 ± 55.0, were exceptionally high and up to one hundred times those of literature and appeared even more worrying in salt gland, 320 ± 97.6 ng/g, w.w. Naphthalene was the predominant contributor to PAHs richness and accounted for 90.0% and 93.7% of ΣPAHs in the two matrices, highlighting the petrogenic source of exposure. An overall higher bioaccumulation of NAP, more than two-fold, was detected in salt gland and especially in female and adults. Data of PAHs richness highlighted a potential risk of neoplastic disease development and that anthropogenic activities may seriously impair healthy state conditions of C. caretta. populations in south Tyrrhenian Sea.

Dispersion of serum 1,5 anhydroglucitol values in patients with type 2 diabetes at goal of HbA1c.

AIM: To investigate the relationship of 1,5 anhydroglucitol (1,5 AG) with HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with different ranges of glycemic control. METHODS: One hundred outpatients with T2D ≥ 18 years old were studied. In addition, HbA1c, glycemia, 1,5 AG, lipids, albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and clinical data were registered. RESULTS: The patient's median age was 62.5 years, with a median of 10 years with T2D. Those with HbA1c < 7 % had higher 1,5 AG than those with HbA1c ≥ 7 %, 16.8 ug/ml vs. 4.90 (p = 0.00001). 1,5 AG correlated inversely with HbA1c (r = -0.7910, p = 0.00001), glycemia (r = -0.6307, p = 0.00001), cholesterol (r = -0.2257, p = 0.0239), LDL-cholesterol (r = -0.2240, p = 0.0266), albuminuria (r = -0.3644, p = 0.0002) and heart rate (r = -0.267, p = 0.0072). Those on insulin therapy also had lower 1,5 AG (p = 0.000). The scatter plot of 1,5 AG and HbA1c fitted a second-degree fractional polynomic regression model, with dispersion of 1 5 AG when HbA1c < 7.5%. An HbA1c ≥ 7.5 % predicted a 1,5 AG < 10 ug/ml. CONCLUSION: Dispersion of 1,5 AG values at HbA1c < 7.5 % indicates postprandial glucose excursions that may impair glucose control and increase the cardiovascular risk in these patients.

Levels of non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) in liver of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Southern Italy).

The levels of six non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were determined in the liver of 84 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the coasts of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Campania Region (Southern Italy), from 2017 to 2021. The average value of the sum (∑6PCBIND) was 28.0 ± 52.2 ng/g (w.w.). The hexachlorobiphenyls PCB 153 and PCB 138 and the heptachlorobiphenyl PCB 180 were the main contributors to the ∑6PCBIND. A weak positive correlation was found between CCL and highly chlorinated PCBs, with adult females having lower PCB concentrations than juvenile females and adult males. This study provides more comprehensive information on the levels of NDL-PCB in Mediterranean loggerhead turtles and sets the basis for assessing anthropogenic impacts on this species.

Spatial distribution of trace elements in surface sediments of Hooghly (Ganges) river estuary in West Bengal, India.

The spatial distribution of trace elements in surface sediments of the Hooghly estuary was studied over the monsoons in 2014-2017. As, Cd, Ni, Pb and U were two- to sixteen-fold the crust means with increasing levels toward the estuary, with Ni peak during the post-monsoon. Pearson's correlation matrix, cluster analysis, enrichment factors and pollution index revealed the anthropic source and association of trace elements with Fe, Mn and Al and of Pb with U. Geoaccumulation index revealed for Ni an extremely contaminated situation at the estuary water during monsoon and for Cd a heavily contaminated situation at freshwater location. The potential contamination index was >6; thus, sediments were very severely contaminated by As, Cd and Ni with worst situation for As and Cd at fresh and brackish water and during post-monsoon. The overall ecological risk was severe, 300≤RI<600 at all sites and seasons, especially after the monsoon, at fluvial and brackish locations.

The occurrence of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water and sediments from an urban lagoon in Southern Italy.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are agents able to exert perturbation toward the endocrine system via a broad array of signalling pathways. Some EDCs are released into the environment as a result of antropogenic activities. Analytical surveillance plays a critical role in investigating the prevalence of such chemicals in environmental samples. A study was carried out in a lagoon in Southern Italy, a water basin relates to the sea through a mouth channel, making this water body a "dynamic environment". The screening of fourteen EDCs in surface waters and sediments, includes a fast and cost-effective sample preparation, based on a solid-liquid (sediments) and liquid-liquid (surface waters) extraction and a chromatographic analysis by liquid chromatography tandem UV and fluorescence detection. Only four chemicals out the fourteen investigated EDCs were detected in both matrices with a frequency higher than 60%. The average concentrations of the single EDC were higher in sediments (730-155.000 ng kg-1  dw) than in surface waters (132-28.000 ng L-1 ). Limited to the assayed EDCs, the ecosystem has a low risk regarding to the conservation of biodiversity of the animal species living thereby, since the total estrogenic activity does not exceed 1 ng L-1 . PRACTITIONER POINTS: Occurrence of selected EDCs was investigated in an Italian lagoon in Southern Italy. BPAF, BADGE, and BPA were the most frequently and highly detected compounds in both waters and sediments. Concentration levels were greater in the sediment than in water samples. Low risk for the ecosystem biodiversity concerning investigated EDCs.

Diagnóstico de carcinoma urotelial durante estudio de bacteremia por Streptococcus gordonii / Diagnosis of uroepithelial carcinoma during bacteremia by Streptococcus gordonii

Resumen La bacteremia por Streptococcus gordonii es infrecuente. Su aislamiento en hemocultivo traduce alta significancia clínica y debe dirigir el abordaje diagnóstico hacia la búsqueda de entidades subyacentes como neoplasias hematológicas, cardiopatías valvulares, neumonía, alteraciones estructurales de cabeza y cuello, inmunosupresión, y otras condiciones asociadas. No se han identificado reportes en pacientes con neoplasia de vías urinarias como posible condicionante de bacteremia por este agente. Se describe el caso de un paciente que, durante el estudio de bacteremia por este microorganismo, fue diagnosticado de carcinoma urotelial de alto grado.

Abstract Streptococcus gordonii bacteremia is rare. Its isolation in blood culture translates into high clinical significance and the diagnostic approach should be directed towards the search for underlying entities such as hematologic malignancies, valvular heart disease, pneumonia, structural changes of the head and neck, immunosuppression and other related conditions. No reports have been identified in patients with urinary tract neoplasia as a possible condition of bacteremia by this agent. The case of a patient who was diagnosed with high-grade urothelial carcinoma during the study of bacteremia by this microorganism is described.

Sediment contamination by heavy metals and ecological risk assessment: The case of Gulf of Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.

Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, GoP, and northwest of the Gulf beyond Monte di Procida, MdP, were determined. The enrichment factor, EF, revealed in GoP strong pollution with peaks for Cr and Cu of 61.1 and 96.9. High EF Cr, Cu, and Ni values were observed for MDP. Geoaccumulation index, Igeo, rates GoP extremely polluted by Cr and Cu, Igeo > 5, and MdP heavily polluted by Cr, moderately to heavily polluted by Cu, and heavily to extremely polluted by Ni. Contamination factor, Cf, was high in GoP and varied: Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > Hg > Zn > Pb > As, and those of Cr, Cu and Ni largely surpassed the thresholds in MdP. The ecological and comprehensive ecological risk placed Cr, Cu, Hg and Ni at high or serious risk level in the Gulf, with a peak of 465 for Cu and at a moderate level in MdP except for a very high risk for Ni.

Contaminants bioaccumulation and pathological assessment in Mytilus galloprovincialis in coastal waters facing the brownfield site of Bagnoli, Italy.

We studied the bioaccumulation of metals and PAHs, the pathological conditions, regressive phenomena and pathogens in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis taken along the North Pier facing the former second Italian largest steelworks of Bagnoli. There was no Cd and Pb bioaccumulation with respect to the EU role 221/2002. Metal shell index decreased as follows: Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu and correlates with the pollution state. The level of BaP was up to thirtysixfold higher the EU rule 835/2011. The sum of 4 hydrocarbons, PAH4, were up to seventeen-fold the rule. PAH levels increased toward the coast. Prevalence values of tissue necrosis and inflammatory lesions were between 50 and 100%. In May animals showed lesion like granulocytomas and inflammatory capsules. Signs of atresia, necrotic oocytes and diffused cases of hermaphroditism were detected. An appropriate localization of farming to avoid contamination from sediment turbulence and risks for consumer health is needed.

Levels of pollution of rare earth elements in the surface sediments from the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Campania, Italy).

The Gulf of Pozzuoli includes the former second largest Italian steelworks of Bagnoli. The REE, Y, Th and Sc pollution in sediments of the Gulf of Pozzuoli was determined. Ce, La, Nd and Pr had the highest percentage distribution of rare earth elements normalized respect to chondrite with 31.19, 28.35, 19.51 and 8.41% individually. It was observed a marked enrichment of these elements, from west to the east from 26.39 to 111.04 mg/kg and from onshore to offshore from 31.67 to 217.74 mg/kg. The output of the principal component analysis revealed that the REE were mainly of anthropic origin being clearly linked to that of PAHs, metals and organic matter. This, together with their distribution patterns, highlighted the role of the former Bagnoli metallurgical plant in the pollution of the gulf.

Distribution and enrichment of trace metals in surface marine sediments in the Gulf of Pozzuoli and off the coast of the brownfield metallurgical site of Ilva of Bagnoli (Campania, Italy).

The distribution of metals in surface sediments of Gulf of Pozzuoli (GoP), embedding the former second Italian largest integrated steelworks of Bagnoli, was studied based on sediment dispersal, quality guidelines (SQGs) and quantitative pollution indices of the respective metals. As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn largely exceeded the limits. Hg had a mean of 5.8mg/kg, twentyfold higher the rule, accumulating primarily near Bagnoli site. The mean effective range quotient, m-ERM-Q, revealed a high potential for negative biological effects especially in the area nearby the Bagnoli site. The enrichment factor (EF) values were outstandingly high, >1.5 with values which were often ≥100. The geoaccumulation index, Igeo, was very critical for Cr, Cu, Hg and Ni, showing an Igeo in the range of strongly polluted (45). The principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation matrix (CM), excluded significant contribution from weathering products.

Characterization and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in the sediments of gulf of Pozzuoli (Campania, Italy).

Most of the literature reports on the impact of the former Bagnoli brownfield on the pollution of Bagnoli Bay, embedded in the Gulf of Pozzuoli (GoP). Thus, we studied concentrations, types and sources of sixteen PAHs (EPA) in sediments at 22 sites along 5 transects covering the entire area of GoP. Outstanding levels of PAHs were found, varying from 7.1µgg-1 to 2.5 E+3µgg-1. Sediments collected at sites far away from Bagnoli were found to be polluted to a similar extent than those facing the brownfield site, with values>100µgg-1. Total PAHs levels in the sediments of GoP were higher by thirty-eleven thousand fold than those reported by other studies from various marine sites in the world. Transit axes of fine and very fine sands and diagnostic indexes revealed a common pyrolytic PAHs pollution spreading from the Bagnoli plant to all GoP.

A multidisciplinary approach for the characterization of the coastal marine ecosystems of Monte Di Procida (Campania, Italy).

A multidisciplinary survey was carried out on the quality of water and sediments of a coastal protected marine area, embedded between the inputs from Bagnoli steel plant to the south and a sewage plant, Volturno River and Regi Lagni channel to the north. The study integrated chemical-sedimentological data with biological and ecotoxicological analyses to assess anthropogenic pressures and natural variability. Data reveal marked differences in anthropogenic pollution between southeastern and northwestern zone, with the north affected by both inorganic and organic flows and the south influenced by levels of As, Pb and Zn in the sediments above law limits, deriving from inputs of the Bagnoli brownfield site. Meiobenthic data revealed at south higher relative abundance of sensitive species to pollution and environmental stress to the south, i.e. Lobatula lobatula and Rosalina bradyi, whereas to the north relative abundance of stress tolerant Quinqueloculina lata, Quinqueloculina pygmaea and Cribroelphidium cuvilleri were determined.

Effectiveness of a physical barrier for contaminant control in an unconfined coastal plain aquifer: the case study of the former industrial site of Bagnoli (Naples, southern Italy).

A vertical engineered barrier (VEB) coupled with a water treatment plant was surveyed in the framework of a vast remedial action at the brownfield site of the former ILVA of Bagnoli steel making facility located in western Naples, Italy. The VEB was put in place to minimize contaminant migration from the brownfield site toward the sea at the shorelines sites of Bagnoli and Coroglio. The efficiency of the VEB was monitored through 12 piezometers, 8 at the Bagnoli shoreline and 4 at the Coroglio shoreline. Concentrations of inorganic and organic pollutants were examined in upstream and downstream groundwater relative to the VEB. The mean levels of Al, As, Fe, and Mn largely exceeded the legal limits, 10-15-fold, whereas that of Hg was up to 3-fold the rules. The VEB decreased the outlet concentrations only at certain specific location of the barrier, four times for Al, 6-fold for Hg, and by 20% for Mn with means largely exceeding the rules. At the other sites, the downstream water showed marked increases of the pollutants up to 3-fold. Outstanding levels of the hydrocarbons > 12 were detected in the inlet water with means of some hundred times the limits at both sites. Likewise most of screened inorganic pollutants, the downstream water showed marked increases of the hydrocarbons up to ~113%. The treatment plant was very effective, with removal efficiencies >80% for As, Al, Fe, and Mn. The study evidenced the need to put alternative groundwater remedial actions.

Olive oil mill wastewater for remediation of slag contaminated soil.

Two olive mill wastewaters (OMW) samples, OMWa and OMWb, containing different polyphenolic loads were used for decontaminating an unauthorized dump site in the Campania region, south Italy. In a bench-scale experiment, OMWa at pH 6.0 (OMWapH6.0) and 4.7 (OMWapH4.7), OMWb at pH 4.7 (OMWbpH4.7) and OMWa free of the polyphenolic moiety polyphenol-free OMWa (PF-OMWa) were added to the soil for a 96 h contact time. At 96 h, OMWapH4.7 was more effective than OMWapH6.0, with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn removal percentages of 30.7-68.1. Cd and Pb levels were 6.0 and 915 mg kg(-1), respectively, decreasing below the regulatory limits for industrial and commercial areas (15.0 and 1 × 10(3) mg kg(-1), respectively). A threefold decrease in Zn levels was also observed from 13.5 × 10(3) to 4.3 × 10(3) mg kg(-1). The metal removal efficiency of PF-OMWa dropped from 30.7 % to 15.6 % for Cd and from 37.9 % to 1.3 % for Pb. OMWbpH4.7 at 96 h was more efficient than OMWapH4.7, with mean removal percentages of 32.5 versus 7.8, respectively.

Relación de la tasa de litio con los cambios hormonales del ciclo menstrual / Relation between the lithium ratio and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle

Se evaluó los cambios en la tasa de litio (TL), paralelamente a los cambios hormonales (LH, FSH, progesterona, estradiol y testosterona) durante un ciclo mestrual completo, en 6 voluntarias sin antecedentes de desorden afectivo bipolar ni de alteraciones endocrinológicas. Los valores de la TL oscilaron a lo largo del ciclo menstrual, observándose los valores más bajos en los días cercanos a la ovulación. No se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre TL y la concentración de hormonas o las relaciones estradiol/progesterona y estradiol/testosterona. Debido a que se cuantificó la fracción total de hormonas esteroideas y no la fracción libre (biológicamente activa), aún no es posible descartar una relación entre TL y estas hormonas. Se observó además que tres de las voluntarias, quienes mostraban valores de TL elevados con respecto al resto en la fase folicular temprana(p<0.05) y la fase luteal tardía (p<0.01), sufrían de sindrome premenstrual. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en los niveles hormonales entre ambos grupos.