Oxidative Status, Iron Plasma Levels in Venous Thrombosis Patients.

Exaggerated clot induces venous thrombosis (VTE); oxidative stress (OxS) can to be postulated as additional risk factor. This study evaluates firstly OxS by measuring surrogate biomarkers (malondialdehyde-MDA, 4-hydroxinonenal-4-HNE, superoxide desmutase enzyme (SOD)), secondly the iron (Fe) plasma level and thirdly the hepcidin protein (Hep) level in patients with VTE. A case control study was performed enrolling twenty hospitalized patients and an equal number of healthy individuals. In VTE patients, the following results were found. The MDA was 8.38 ± 0.5 µM/L, the 4-HNE measured 2.75 ± 0.03 µM/L and the SOD was 0.025 ± 0.01 U/mL. The I was 73.10 ± 10 µg/dL and the He was 4.77 ± 0.52 ng/mL. In the control group, the MDA measured 5.5 ± 0.6 µM/L, the 4-HNE 2.24 ± 0.021 µM/L and the SOD 0.08 ± 0.12 U/mL. The Hep was 2.1 ± 0.55 ng/mL and the Fe was 88.2 ± 9.19 µg/dL. Differences were statistically significant. Results suggest that in VTE there is activated OxS, Fe deregulation and over-production of Hep. Fe deregulation induces OxS, leading both to inflammation in the clot activator and stimulation of the pro-thrombotic status. The study highlights OxS and Fe and their regulation as intriguing indicators for risk of VTE.

In vitro exposure to PM2.5 of olfactory Ensheathing cells and SH-SY5Y cells and possible association with neurodegenerative processes.

PM2.5 exposure represents a risk factor for the public health. PM2.5 is able to cross the blood-alveolar and blood-brain barriers and reach the brain through three routes: nasal olfactory pathway, nose-brain pathway, blood-brain barrier pathway. We evaluated the effect of PM2.5 to induce cytotoxicity and reduced viability on in vitro cultures of OECs (Olfactory Ensheathing Cells) and SH-SY5Y cells. PM2.5 samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Catania, and the gravimetric determination of PM2.5, characterization of 10 trace elements and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were carried out for each sample. PM2.5 extracts were exposed to cultures of OECs and SH-SY5Y cells for 24-48-72 h, and the cell viability assay (MTT) was evaluated. Assessment of mitochondrial and cytoskeleton damage, and the assessment of apoptotic process were performed in the samples that showed lower cell viability. We have found an annual average value of PM2.5 = 16.9 µg/m3 and a maximum value of PM2.5 = 27.6 µg/m3 during the winter season. PM2.5 samples collected during the winter season also showed higher concentrations of PAHs and trace elements. The MTT assay showed a reduction in cell viability for both OECs (44%, 62%, 64%) and SH-SY5Y cells (16%, 17%, 28%) after 24-48-72 h of PM2.5 exposure. Furthermore, samples with lower cell viability showed a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased cytotoxicity, and also impaired cellular integrity and induction of the apoptotic process after increased expression of vimentin and caspase-3 activity, respectively. These events are involved in neurodegenerative processes and could be triggered not only by the concentration and time of exposure to PM2.5, but also by the presence of trace elements and PAHs on the PM2.5 substrate. The identification of more sensitive cell lines could be the key to understanding how exposure to PM2.5 can contribute to the onset of neurodegenerative processes.

Short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics hampers the cellular function of gills in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Plastic is undoubtedly the most useful and versatile polymeric material that man has developed in the last two centuries Despite the societal benefits, plastic is now a serious global issue because it is persistent and may bioaccumulate into aquatic biota as microplastics (MPs). This study was designed to evaluate the daily uptake and cellular effects due to a short-term (up to 72 h) exposure to 3 µm red polystyrene MPs (50 beads/mL) in the gills of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, chosen as model species for its ecological and commercial relevance. After measuring the daily uptake of MPs and detecting their presence within the branchial epithelium at all the exposure time-points (T24, T48, T72), some cleaning mechanisms were observed by neutral and acid mucous secretions at mussel gills. The protonic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics, combined with chemometrics, allowed to comprehensively explore the time-dependent metabolic disorders triggered by MPs in mussel gills over the short-term trial. Specifically, the clear clustering between MP-treated mussel gills and those from control, together with the grouping for experimental time-points as depicted by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were due to changes in the amino acids and energy metabolism, disturbances in the osmoregulatory processes, as well as in the cholinergic neurotransmission. Moreover, as evidenced by enzymatic assays, even the oxidative defense systems and lipid metabolism were hampered by MP exposure. Overall, these findings provides the first insights into the early time-dependent mechanisms of toxicity of polystyrene MPs in marine mussels, and underline the potential environment and human health risk posed by MPs contamination.

Microplastics (≤ 10 µm) bioaccumulation in marine sponges along the Moroccan Mediterranean coast: Insights into species-specific distribution and potential bioindication.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in marine environments and widely recognized as emerging environmental pollutants due to the multifaceted risks they exert on living organisms and ecosystems. Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are essential suspension-feeding organisms that may be highly susceptible to MPs uptake due to their global distribution, unique feeding behavior, and sedentary lifestyle. However, the role of sponges in MP research remains largely underexplored. In the present study, we investigate the presence and abundance of MPs (≤10 µm size) in four sponge species, namely Chondrosia reniformis, Ircinia variabilis, Petrosia ficiformis, and Sarcotragus spinosulus collected from four sites along the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, as well as their spatial distribution. MPs analysis was conducted using an innovative Italian patented extraction methodology coupled with SEM-EDX detection. Our findings reveal the presence of MPs in all collected sponge specimens, indicating a pollution rate of 100%. The abundance of MPs in the four sponge species ranged from 3.95×105 to 1.05×106 particles per gram dry weight of sponge tissue, with significant differences observed among sampling sites but no species-specific differences. These results imply that the uptake of MPs by sponges is likely influenced by aquatic environmental pollution rather than the sponge species themselves. The smallest and largest MPs were identified in C. reniformis and P. ficiformis, with median diameters of 1.84 µm and 2.57 µm, respectively. Overall, this study provides the first evidence and an important baseline for the ingestion of small MP particles in Mediterranean sponges, introducing the hypothesis that they may serve as valuable bioindicators of MP pollution in the near future.

Glyphosate and environmental toxicity with "One Health" approach, a review.

The herbicide Glyphosate (GLY), or N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine was synthesized in 1950 and applied to control weeds in agricultural production. For a long time, it was believed that it was an inert compound, but many studies have instead demonstrated over the years the dangers of GLY to the ecosystem and human health. Among the best-known effects, it is known that GLY interferes with the metabolic pathways of plants and the main groups of microorganisms, negatively influencing their growth. GLY interferes with the metabolic pathways of plants and major groups of microorganisms negatively affecting their growth. The extensive GLY application on fields results in a "slow death" of plants through the minor resistance to root pathogens and in increasing pollution of freshwaters and soils. Unfortunately, however, unlike the old beliefs, GLY can reach non-target destinations, in this regard, ecological studies and environmental epidemiology are of significant interest. In this review, we focus on the effects of acute and chronic exposure to GLY on the health of plants, animals, and humans from a One Health perspective. GLY has been linked to neurological and endocrine issues in both humans and animals, and behavioral modification on specific bioindicators, but the knowledge about the ratio cause-and-effect still needs to be better understood and elucidated. Environmental GLY residues analysis and policy acts will both require new criteria to protect environmental and human health.

Single and combined effects of caffeine and salicylic acid on mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: Changes at histomorphological, molecular and biochemical levels.

Caffeine (CAF) and salicylic acid (SA) are frequently detected in waterbody, though information on their biological impact is poor. This work assesses the effects of CAF (5 ng/L to 10 µg/L) and SA (0.05 µg/L to 100 µg/L) alone and combined as CAF+SA (5 ng/L+0.05 µg/L to 10 µg/L+100 µg/L) on mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis under 12-days exposure by histomorphology of digestive gland and oxidative stress defense at molecular and biochemical levels. Besides evaluating tissue accumulation, absence of histomorphological damage and haemocyte infiltration highlighted activation of defensive mechanisms. Up-regulation of Cu/Zn-sod, Mn-sod, cat and gst combined with increased catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity were found in CAF-exposed mussels, while SA reduced ROS production and mitochondrial activity. CAF+SA exposure induced differential responses, and the integrated biomarker response (IBR) revealed more pronounced effects of SA than CAF. These results enlarge knowledge on pharmaceuticals impact on non-target organisms, emphasizing the need for proper environmental risk assessment.

Investigation of health and ecological risk attributed to the soil heavy metals in Iran: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The presence of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil can pose risks to human health via ingestion and dermal absorption. This systematic review and meta-analysis study focused on both of health and ecological risks attributed to the six HMs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) in the soil of different Provinces of Iran. Articles were selected in the Web of Science and Scopus from 2000 to August 2021. The study was carried out according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, finally 32 studies were reviewed which the ranking of mean concentrations of the studied metals followed as: As > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. Mean concentration of Cd and As calculated via meta-analysis in the studied Provinces was found to be more than Iran's environment protection agency (EPA) guideline values. Other HMs met guideline values. A significant non-carcinogenic risk attributed to the As found in Kurdistan Province (hazard index, HI > 1). Furthermore, a significant carcinogenic health risk was found in Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan associated to As and in Fars, Khozestan and Khorasan-e-Razavi Provinces associated to Cd (ELCR >10-4). Concerning the impact on the ecosystem, Cd, As and Pb caused ecological risks in some areas of Iran (ecological risk, ER > 40 and potential ecological risk, PER >150). Hence, we can conclude that Cd and As are important heavy metals from the health aspect. Moreover, Cd, As and Pb must be considered from an ecological point of view. Therefore, control of the Cd, As and Pb release in the environment and remediation of polluted sites through novel approaches is recommended.

Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risk assessments of heavy metals contamination in drinking water supplies in Iran: a systematic review.

The contamination of water due to heavy metals (HMs) is a big concern for humankind; particularly in developing countries. This research is a systematic review, conducted by searching google scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Springer, and Scopus databases for related published papers from 2010 to July 2021, resulting in including 40 articles. Among the analyzed HMs in the presented review, the average content of Cr, Pb, Ba, Al, As, Zn, and Cd exceeded the permissible limits suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 1,053 Iranian standards. Also, the rank order of Hazard Quotient (HQ) of HMs was defined as Cd>As>Cr>Pb>Li for children which means Cd has the highest non-carcinogenic risk and Li has the least. This verifies to the current order As>Cr>Pb>Fe=Zn=Cu>Cd for adults. The corresponded values of HQ and Hazard Index (HI) in most cities and villages were investigated and the results indicated a lower than 1 value, which means consumers are not at non-carcinogenic risk (HQ). Carcinogenic risk (CR) of As in the adult and children consumers in most of the samples (58.82% of samples for both groups) were investigated too, and it was more than>1.00E-04 value, which determines that consumers are at significant CR.

Toxicity, metabolism, and mitigation strategies of acrylamide: a comprehensive review.

Acrylamide, a food-borne chemical toxicant, has raised global concern in recent decades. It mainly originated from reducing sugar and free amino acid interactions in the carbohydrate-rich foodstuffs heated at high temperatures. Due to the neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity of AA, the mechanism of formation, toxic effects on health, and mitigation strategies, including conventional approaches and innovative technologies, have been of great interest since its discovery in food. Potato products (especially French fries and crisps), coffee, and cereals(bread and biscuit) are renowned contributors to AA's daily intake. The best preventive methods discussed in the literature include time/temperature optimization, blanching, enzymatic treatment, yeast treatment, additives, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, vacuum roasting, air frying, and irradiation, exhibiting a high efficacy in AA elimination in food products.

Benefits of Physical Activity during and after Thyroid Cancer Treatment on Fatigue and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological studies have provided evidence of the usefulness of physical activity for cancer prevention, increased survival and quality of life (QoL), but no comprehensive review is available on the effects on thyroid cancer. The present systematic review provides an overview of the effects of physical activity on fatigue, QoL and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with thyroid cancer diagnosis both during and after treatment, with a focus on sex. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus databases. We included studies investigating the impact of physical activity during and after thyroid cancer treatment, including fatigue, QoL and/or HRQoL among the outcomes. Review articles, conference papers, short communications and articles written in a language other than English articles were excluded. Study selection followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Two reviewers independently selected the studies and assessed their eligibility. The same two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Outcomes of interest were fatigue, QoL and HRQoL. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the selected studies. We compared the outcomes between groups of patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism undergoing a physical activity program and a sedentary group, evaluating the possible presence of sex differences. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We found five studies eligible for inclusion in our review; only two were prospective studies including an exercise training program. One study was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group. Three out of five studies comprised low-quality evidence with a high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: The level of confidence in the available evidence is very low. A close association between physical activity and fatigue, QoL and HRQoL in patients with thyroid cancer diagnosis with a focus on sex can neither be supported nor refuted. Future studies are needed to understand which training programs are optimal, both in terms of beneficial effects and to avoid potential adverse responses, in addition to focusing on gender differences. The protocol of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42022322519.

Trace elements in the muscle tissue of Hemiculter leucisculus and Abramis brama orientalis from the Anzali International wetland, south-west of Caspian Sea: An exposure risk assessment.

High levels of trace elements in aquatic environments can affect the quality of seafood. We analyzed the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Hg, Mn, Ni and Pb, in the edible muscles of Hemiculter leucisculus and A. brama orientalis caught in four different areas of southwest of the Caspian Sea. We estimated the potential risks for human health deriving by the oral consumption of these two species, and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) according to the US-EPA approach. THQ by adults and children was always below 1 for all stations. The greater contribution was given by Co, followed by Cd, Hg, Pb, Ni, As and Mn. Total-THQ was 0.538 and 0.246 for children and adults, respectively. Trace elements detected by our study were not elevated, highlighting a positive picture of the studied area and a lower risk of developing chronic systemic effects deriving from the consumption of local fish products.

A systematic review of the concentration of potentially toxic elements in fish from the Persian Gulf: A health risk assessment study.

Fish as a critical food source is responsible for supplying nearly 20% of the average per capita animal protein for 3.2 billion people worldwide. However, oral exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTE) such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) through marine fish consumption can cause health risks in consumers. This study aimed to collect information among databases (2000-2020), including ScienceDirect, PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, regarding the concentration of PTEs in different types of fish from the Persian Gulf. In this regard, thirty articles containing 266 samples were included in the current systematic review. In addition, the non-carcinogenic risk caused by ingestion of PTEs via consumption of fish was calculated. The average PTE concentrations in fish muscles were presented in the following order: As (0.37 mg/kg ww) > Pb (0.20 mg/kg ww) > Cd (0.17 mg/kg ww) > Hg (0.13 mg/kg ww). However, the mean concentration of PTEs was below the defined level by the World Health Organization, and the findings revealed that the calculated average daily dose (ADD) for Cd and Pb in Iranian children and adult consumers was lower than the reference dose (RfD), whereas the ADD of Hg was higher than the RfD for children consumers. The total target hazard quotient for Iranian and children consumers was >1. The excess lifetime cancer risk values for Pb were safe, unlike those for Cd, which were in an unsafe range (>10-4) for consumers.

Ecological and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Topsoils, Southeast of Iran.

This study aimed to assess ecological and health risk of heavy metals (HMs) in the 35 topsoils in southeastern Iran. Ecological and health risks were assessed based on the EPA method. The order of the HMs followed as: Zn > Cr>Cu>Pb>As>Cd. All samples, except As and Cu, had the moderate enrichment and low to moderate pollution, respectively. The As in both regions and Cu in the city was classified in the lack to minimal enrichment and no pollution category. The studied HMs in both regions were shown a low ecological risk. There was minimal possibility of adverse non-carcinogenic effects. The Cr and As had an acceptable or tolerable carcinogenic risk from ingestion route (ELCRing) in both regions. According to the important role of As, Cd and Cr from the aspect of ecological and health risk, control of their sources must be considered to attenuate ecological and human adverse effets in the studied areas.

Possible association between PM2.5 and neurodegenerative diseases: A systematic review.

Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems that afflict our planet and one of the greatest risk factors for human health. In particular, PM2.5 is able to cross the blood-alveolar and blood-brain barriers, thus increasing the onset of respiratory, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative disease is a progressive neuronal dysfunction that leads to neuronal lesions in both structure and function, and includes several diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), vascular dementia (VaD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and others. We carried out a systematic review using PRISMA approach to investigate on the possible association between exposure to PM2.5 and neurodegenerative diseases. The international databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Sciences) were used to find published studies on the topic. The search period was between January 2011 and June 2021. About 2000 full research articles were selected, and finally, we included 20 full-research articles. Selected studies have highlighted how PM2.5 exposure can be associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases (AD, PD, MS, VaD). This association depends not only on age, PM2.5 levels and exposure time, but also on exposure to other air pollutants, proximity to areas with high vehicular traffic, and the presence of comorbidities. Exposure to PM2.5 promotes neuroinflammation processes, because through breathing the particles can reach the nasal epithelial mucosa and transferred to the brain through the olfactory bulb. Furthermore, exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with an increased expression of markers of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. alpha-synuclein or beta-amyloid), which can contribute to the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Although many studies have revealed the pathological relationship between PM2.5 exposure and cognitive impairment, the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms of PM2.5 leading to neurodegenerative disease remain not entirely clear, and then, further studies need to be carried out on the topic.

Dietary exposure of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) from canned seafood by single particle ICP-MS: Balancing of risks and benefits for human health.

The present study aims to give information regarding the quantification of ZnO-NPs in canned seafood, which may be intentionally or unintentionally added, and to provide a first esteem of dietary exposure. Samples were subjected to an alkaline digestion and assessment of ZnO-NPs was performed by the single particle ICP-MS technique. ZnO-NPs were found with concentrations range from 0.003 to 0.010 mg/kg and a size mean range from 61.3 and 78.6 nm. It was not observed a clear bioaccumulation trend according to trophic level and size of seafood species, although the mollusk species has slightly higher concentrations and larger size. The number of ZnO-NPs/g does not differ significantly among food samples, observing an average range of 5.51 × 106 - 9.97 × 106. Dissolved Zn determined with spICP-MS revealed comparable concentration to total Zn determined with ICP-MS in standard mode, confirming the efficiency of alkaline digestion on the extraction of the Zn. The same accumulation trend found for ZnO-NPs was observed more clearly for dissolved Zn. The ZnO-NPs intake derived from a meal does not differ significantly among seafood products and it ranges from 0.010 to 0.031 µg/kg b.w. in adult, and from 0.022 to 0.067 µg/kg b.w. in child. Conversely, the intake of dissolved Zn is significantly higher if it is assumed a meal of mollusks versus the fish products, with values of 109.3 µg/kg b.w. for adult and 240.1 µg/kg b.w. for child. Our findings revealed that ZnO-NPs have the potential to bioaccumulate in marine organisms, and seafood could be an important uptake route of ZnO-NPs. These results could be a first important step to understand the ZnO-NPs human dietary exposure, but the characterization and quantification of ZnO-NPs is necessary for a large number of food items.

Correlation between heavy metal concentration and oxidative potential of street dust.

The current study aimed to consider oxidative potential (OP), its spatial distribution, and correlations with heavy metals (HMs) in street dust in Kerman city, Iran. The concentration of HMs in 35 street dust samples was detected by ICP-AES. The OP in samples was measured through dithiothreitol (DTT). The mean concentration of elements followed Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > As > Cd. The OP value was found to be 7.17 ± 2.98 nmol/min. µg dust in the current study. A strong correlation was observed among the concentrations of As and Cr and OP values in dust samples. More values of OP were observed in the center and west of the Kerman city. According to results of the current study, it could be concluded that OP can be applied as metrics of pollution originated from different sources and human health effects. The amount of OP in the street dust in the Kerman city can be reduced through the use of clean fuels.

Determination of chloroform concentration and human exposure assessment in the swimming pool.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the concentration of the by-products of chlorination in the swimming pool and estimate human health risk for the swimmers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, the chloroform concentrations of 16 samples were measured using Gas Chromatography (GC). All the measured concentrations were less than the allowed amount announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results of the cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI) showed that the major exposure routes were found to be dermal during swimming and the 95 percentile of estimated CR and HI for the male group were 1.38 × 10-10 and 1.82 × 10-5 respectively, which is higher than the values of 5.48 × 10-10 and 2.25 × 10-5 respectively, for the women group. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the swimming exposure time (ET), and chloroform concentration were the most relevant variables in the health risk model. Therefore, knowledge about the sources of micro-pollutants in swimming pools might help promote the health methods of the pool environment.

Healthcare University Courses Fail to Improve Opinions, Knowledge, and Attitudes toward Vaccines among Healthcare Students: A Southern Italy Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Healthcare providers have a crucial role in contrasting vaccine hesitancy (VH). We aimed to investigate opinions, knowledge, and attitudes toward vaccines in healthcare students (HS) at the University of Catania (Italy). (2) Methods: A survey was conducted from 1 October 2019 to 31 January 2020. Data on the opinions, knowledge, and attitudes of HS toward vaccinations were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The opinion answers were added to calculate the VH index (<18 = low, 19−22 = medium, >23 = high). Data were summarized by the VH index, degree, year of study, and sex differences, using descriptive statistics. (3) Results: A total of 1275 students (53.7% females) participated in the study, with a median (IQR) age of 21 (19−22) years. The median level of VH was 20 (17−23), with slightly higher values in males. We found an inverse trend between VH and opinions, knowledge, and attitudes toward vaccines. The same trend was confirmed in all study courses. Furthermore, the comparison between sexes revealed a higher level of knowledge in women. (4) Conclusions: The results highlight a lack of knowledge about vaccines, as well as contrasting opinions and attitudes among future health professionals. Therefore, future interventions on these topics in the preparation of future healthcare providers are needed.

Identification by MicroRNA Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors Bearing Pathogenic Relevance in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer.

MicroRNA and DNA adduct biomarkers may be used to identify the contribution of environmental pollution to some types of cancers. The aim of this study was to use integrated DNA adducts and microRNAs analyses to study retrospectively the contribution of exposures to environmental carcinogens to lung cancer in 64 non-smokers living in Sicily and Catania city near to the Etna volcano. MicroRNAs were extracted from cancer lung biopsies, and from the surrounding lung normal tissue. The expression of 2549 human microRNAs was analyzed by microarray. Benzo(a)Pyrene-DNA adducts levels were analyzed in the patients' blood by HPLC-fluorescence detection. Correlations between tetrols and environmental exposures were calculated using Pearson coefficients and regression variable plots. Compared with the healthy tissue, 273 microRNAs were downregulated in lung cancer. Tetrols levels were inversely related both with the distance from Etna and years since smoking cessation, but they were not significantly correlated to environmental exposures. The analysis of the microRNA environmental signatures indicates the contribution of environmental factors to the analyzed lung cancers in the following decreasing rank: (a) car traffic, (b) passive smoke, (c) radon, and (d) volcano ashes. These results provide evidence that microRNA analysis can be used to retrospectively investigate the contribution of environmental factors in human lung cancer occurring in non-smokers.

Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review.

The daily environmental exposure of humans to plasticizers may adversely affect human health, representing a global issue. The altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important pathogenic role in exposure to plasticizers. This systematic review summarizes recent findings showing the modified expression of miRNAs in cancer due to exposure to plasticizers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in the past 10 years, focusing on the relationship between plasticizer exposure and the expression of miRNAs related to cancer. Starting with 535 records, 17 articles were included. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to plasticizers causes changes in or the deregulation of a number of oncogenic miRNAs and show that the interaction of plasticizers with several redundant miRNAs, such as let-7f, let-7g, miR-125b, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-22, miR-192, miR-222, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-296, miR-324, miR-335, miR-122, miR-23b, miR-200, miR-29a, and miR-21, might induce deep alterations. These genotoxic and oncogenic responses can eventually lead to abnormal cell signaling pathways and metabolic changes that participate in many overlapping cellular processes, and the evaluation of miRNA-level changes can be a useful target for the toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants, including plastic additives and plasticizers.