Mitochondrial DNA variability and Covid-19 in the Slovak population.

Recent studies have shown that mitochondria are involved in the pathogenesis of Covid-19. Mitochondria play a role in production of reactive oxygen species and induction of an innate immune response, both important during infections. Common variability of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can affect oxidative phosphorylation and the risk or lethality of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases and sepsis. However, it is unclear whether susceptibility of severe Covid-19 might be affected by mtDNA variation. Thus, we have analyzed mtDNA in a sample of 446 Slovak patients hospitalized due to Covid-19 and a control population group consisting of 1874 individuals. MtDNA variants in the HVRI region have been analyzed and classified into haplogroups at various phylogenetic levels. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the risk of Covid-19. Haplogroups T1, H11, K and variants 16256C > T, 16265A > C, 16293A > G, 16311 T > C and 16399A > G were associated with an increased Covid-19 risk. On contrary, Haplogroup J1, haplogroup clusters H + U5b and T2b + U5b, and the mtDNA variant 16189 T > C were associated with decreased risk of Covid-19. Following the application of the Bonferroni correction, statistical significance was observed exclusively for the cluster of haplogroups H + U5b. Unsurprisingly, the most significant factor contributing to the mortality of patients with Covid-19 is the age of patients. Our findings suggest that mtDNA haplogroups can play a role in Covid-19 pathogenesis, thus potentially useful in identifying susceptibility to its severe form. To confirm these associations, further studies taking into account the nuclear genome or other non-biological influences are needed.

Uncovering the impact of agricultural activities and urbanization on rivers from the Piracicaba, Capivari, and Jundiaí basin in São Paulo, Brazil: A survey of pesticides, hormones, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and PFAS.

Rivers in Southeast Brazil are essential as sources of drinking water, energy production, irrigation, and industrial processes. The Piracicaba, Capivari, and Jundiaí rivers basin, known as the PCJ basin, comprises major cities, industrial hubs, and large agricultural areas, which have impacted the water quality in the region. Emerging contaminants such as pesticides, hormones, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are likely to be released into the rivers in the PCJ basin; however, the current Brazilian legislation does not require monitoring of most of these chemicals. Thus, the extent of emerging contaminants pollution and their risks to aquatic and human life in the basin are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of several pesticides, hormones, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in 15 sampling points across the PCJ basin, while industrial chemicals and PFAS were assessed in 11 sampling points. The results show that agriculture and industrial activities are indeed causing the pollution of most rivers. Multivariate analysis indicates that some sampling points, such as Jundiaí, Capivari, and Piracicaba rivers, are largely impacted by pesticides used in agriculture. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the presence of PFAS in rivers in São Paulo, the most populous state in Brazil. Four out of eight species of PFAS assessed in our study were detected in at least 5 sampling points at concentrations ranging from 2.0 to 50.0 ng L-1. The preliminary risk assessment indicates that various pesticides, caffeine, industrial chemicals, and PFAS were present at concentrations that could threaten aquatic life. Notably, risk quotients of 414, 340, and 178 were obtained for diuron, atrazine, and imidacloprid, respectively, in the Jundiaí River. Our study suggests that establishing a comprehensive monitoring program is needed to ensure the protection of aquatic life and human health.

Anthropogenic and natural inputs of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediment of three coastal systems of the Brazilian Amazon.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in 32 surface sediment samples collected around three cities (Barcarena, Belém, and Santana) located on the coast of the Brazilian Amazon. The concentration of total PAHs ranged from lower than detection limit to 33,101 ng g-1 in a sample from Barcarena and was related to a large aluminum industrial complex and port activities. In Belém, which is the most populated area in the Amazon region, PAHs were probably derived from untreated sewage discharge and inputs from a large municipal landfill. Pyrogenic PAHs were predominant in both cities, with a smaller contribution of petrogenic PAHs. Low alkylated PAH levels may be associated with small boats and ship traffic. Santana had low total PAH concentrations, with a predominance of unusual alkylated PAHs, probably related to diagenetic transformations of organic matter in the sediment. In general, PAH concentrations in the samples were low and may reflect baseline levels for this Amazon estuarine system.

Sugars--dominant water-soluble organic compounds in soils and characterization as tracers in atmospheric particulate matter.

The presence of saccharides is being reported for aerosols taken in urban, rural, and marine locales. The commonly found primary saccharides are alpha- and beta-glucose, alpha- and beta-fructose, sucrose, and mycose with lesser amounts of other monosaccharides. Saccharide polyols are also found in some airsheds and consist mainly of sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, and glycerol. In temperate climate areas these compounds increase from negligible concentrations in winter aerosols (usually dominated by levoglucosan and related anhydrosaccharides from biomass burning) to a maximum in late spring-summer, followed by a decrease to winter. The composition of the saccharide mixtures suggests soil and associated microbiota as the source. Saccharide analyses of soils confirmed these compositions. Therefore, we propose resuspension of soil (also unpaved road dust) from agricultural activities as a major component of aerosol particles and the saccharides are the source specific tracers. In addition, the saccharides as well as the anhydrosaccharide derivatives from biomass burning are completely water soluble and thus contribute significantly to the total water-soluble mass of aerosols.

Three series of high molecular weight alkanoates found in Amazonian plants.

Electron impact mass spectra were measured by high temperature high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HT-HRGC-MS) for three homologous series of high molecular weight compounds present in the Amazonian plants Marupá (Simaruba amara) and Brazil nut (Bertholettia excelsa). Based on their mass spectra, the compounds were identified as three wax ester series of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), beta-tocopherol and phytol (2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadec-14-en-16-ol). The interpretations are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry and GC retention indices of authentic standards.