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Lactococcosis is a common bacterial fish disease caused by Lactococcus garvieae, L. petauri and L. formosensis. Although there are different PCR-based techniques to identify the etiological agent, none of these can differentiate these two bacteria without sequencing PCR-amplified fragments. In the present study, we developed a multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of L. garvieae and L. petauri. The specificity of the primers was validated against the bacterial DNA of the targeted and non-targeted bacteria. The sizes of the PCR amplicons were obtained as 204 bp for the DUF1430 domain-containing protein gene of L. garvieae, 465 bp for the Lichenan permease IIC component gene of L. petauri, and 302 bp for the teichoic acid biosynthesis protein F gene of both L. garvieae and L. petauri. The PCR amplicons were clearly separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The multiplex PCR assay did not produce any amplification products with the DNA of the non-targeted bacteria. The multiplex PCR detection limits for L. garvieae and L. petauri were 5 and 4 CFU in pure culture and 50 and 40 CFU/g in spiked tissue samples, respectively. It takes less than 2 h from plate-cultured bacteria and 3 h from tissue samples to get results. In conclusion, the developed multiplex PCR assay is a rapid, specific, accurate, and cost-effective method for the detection and differentiation of L. garvieae and L. petauri and is suitable to be used for routine laboratory diagnosis of L. garvieae and L. petauri.
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The aquaculture sector plays a vital role in global food security, yet it grapples with significant challenges posed by infectious diseases. Piscine lactococcosis is one of the significant threats in rainbow trout aquaculture due to its potential to cause severe economic losses through mortalities, reduced growth rates, and increased susceptibility to other pathogens. It poses challenges in disease management strategies, impacting the sustainability and profitability of rainbow trout farming. The current study focuses on the variations in serum blood parameters of farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during a lactococcosis outbreak caused by Lactococcus garvieae. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, fish were examined for parasites and bacteria, and DNA from bacterial colonies was PCR-amplified and sequenced for identification. Overall, 13 biochemical parameters, including proteins, enzymes, lipids, chemicals, and minerals, were measured in serum blood samples from both diseased and healthy fish. The results indicate significant alterations in the levels of these parameters during the outbreak, highlighting the impact of infections on the blood profile of farmed rainbow trout. Urea levels were significantly higher in diseased fish compared to controls, and creatinine, phosphorus, and magnesium also showed similar trends. Alanine aminotransferase and total protein levels were higher in control fish. Chloride levels differed significantly between groups. Iron levels were higher in controls and lower in diseased fish. No significant differences were found in other parameters. This study reveals significant changes in serum blood parameters of rainbow trout during a lactococcosis outbreak caused by L. garvieae. These changes highlight the potential of these parameters as tools for monitoring health status, stress, and aquaculture management. Continuous monitoring can provide valuable insights into disease severity and overall fish health, aiding in the development of improved management practices. The presented data contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of piscine lactococcosis and developing effective mitigation strategies for farmed rainbow trout.
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The global decline in amphibian populations is a major environmental issue. Chytridiomycosis, Ranaviruses and the red-leg syndrome have been identified in unusual mortality events. However, these infections do not account for all causes of declining amphibian populations. Moreover, several cases of amphibian mortality are difficult to solve without resorting to an interdisciplinary approach. Two cases of unusual mortality in Rana temporaria occurred at two high-mountain ponds (northwest Italy) in April and May 2021. Water and frog samples were analysed to understand the possible causes responsible for the unusual mortalities. Results of the main physicochemical (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chemical and biochemical oxygen demand) and nutrient (ammonia/ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, total phosphorus) parameters revealed a good condition of the water quality, with the absence of the main cyanotoxins (microcystins/nodularins). However, unseasonably high spring water temperatures were recorded in both ponds (12.73 °C and 14.21 °C for Frog Pond and Selleries Pond, respectively). Frogs (n = 50; snout-vent length: 7.0-9.8 cm; body mass: 85-123 g) collected from Frog Pond mainly presented bumps on the ventral cavity and dermal ulceration associated with the isolation of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum. On the other hand, frogs (n = 5; snout-vent length: 8.0-9.1 cm; body mass: 87-92 g) from Selleries Pond presented petechiae and dermal ulcerations on the rear limbs associated with the isolation of Aeromonas salmonicida and A. sobria. In both mortality events, the interdisciplinary approach revealed an association between frog mortalities and the isolation of bacteria. Isolated bacteria are considered opportunistic pathogens, and the high values of the water temperature has certainly led a stress on the frogs, favouring the spread of bacteria and the death of the frogs. Further studies are needed to assess the pathophysiological effects of the opportunistic bacteria here isolated, clarifying the interactions between emerging pathogens and climate change.
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Lagoas , Ranavirus , Animais , Rana temporaria , Mudança Climática , AnfíbiosRESUMO
Assessing the ecotoxicological risk of marine sediments is now a critical factor in deciding how to treat dredged material in harbor and coastal areas. Although ecotoxicological analyses are routinely required by some regulatory agencies in Europe, laboratory skills necessary to perform them are often underestimated. According to the Italian Ministerial decree No. 173/2016, ecotoxicological tests are performed on the solid phase and elutriates, and the classification of sediment quality is defined using the "Weight of Evidence" (WOE) approach. However, the decree does not provide adequate information regarding the preparation techniques and laboratory skills. As result, a wide variability among laboratories occurs. An error in the classification of ecotoxicological risk has a negative impact on the whole environmental quality and/or the economy and management of the interested area. Thus, the main aim of this study was to determine if such variability can affect the ecotoxicological outcomes of tested species and WOE associated classification, producing different options for the management of dredged sediments. Four different sediment types were selected to assess the ecotoxicological responses and their changes as a function of variability of the following factors: a) the storage time laps (STL) for both the solid phase and the elutriates; b) the methods used to prepare the elutriates (centrifugation vs. filtration), and the conservation method used for the elutriates (freshly prepared vs. freezing). Results suggest a wide variability of ecotoxicological responses among the four sediment samples here considered, differentiated according to chemical pollution, grain-size texture, and macronutrient contents. The storage time laps significantly affect the physicochemical parameters and the ecotoxicity of both the solid phase test and elutriates. For the elutriates preparation, centrifugation is preferred to filtration to preserve a better representation of sediment heterogeneity. Freezing of elutriates does not seem to show any significant effects on the toxicity. Findings allow to define a weighted schedule of the storage time of sediments and elutriates useful for laboratories to scale analytical priority and strategies related to different sediment types.
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Sedimentos Geológicos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Artefatos , Laboratórios , Ecotoxicologia , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodosRESUMO
Lambl's excrescences (LE) are fibrous strands typically occurring at coaptation lines of cardiac valves. Although they have been widely reported in human medicine, information on LE occurrence in veterinary medicine is still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of LE in different freshwater fish and in swordfish. A total of 185 hearts were collected from different fish species, and samples of different cardiac areas (sinus venosus, atrial wall with sinoatrial valves, ventricular wall with atrioventricular valves and bulb with bulboventricular valves) were submitted to histopathological evaluation. LE were detected in 6 of 103 freshwater fish (5.8%) and 19 of 82 swordfish (23.2%). LE developed in atrioventricular, sinoatrial and bulboventricular valves. All affected valves also showed endocardiosis. Based on the results of the present work, teleost fish, specifically swordfish, could be proposed as a novel spontaneous model for the study of LE pathogenesis.
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Modelos Animais de Doenças , Doenças das Valvas Cardíacas , Animais , PeixesRESUMO
Lactococcosis is one of the main bacterial diseases affecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), with significant economic and sanitary repercussion. Vaccination and antibiotic treatments are commonly used to prevent and control the infection outbreaks; however, these strategies have some drawbacks including limited coverage, handling costs, induction of antibiotic resistance and chemical residues in the environment. Selective breeding programs represent a promising complementary approach for increasing fish disease resistance in commercial farms and some immunological parameters may be tentatively used as indirect indicators for this purpose. The present study investigated for the first time some innate and adaptive immune responses in two groups of rainbow trout derived from selected lines (susceptible and resistant) showing a different "in field" phenotypical resistance to Yersinia ruckeri, Flavobacterium branchiophilum, F. psychrophilum, and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, after an immersion-dilution based exposure to Lactococcus garvieae carried out in controlled experimental conditions. Twenty-six resistant and twenty-six susceptible female rainbow trout (mean body weight 80 g, 9 months aged, F5 generation) were obtained from an intensive farm considered L. garvieae free and were exposed to the pathogen. Moreover, 10 resistant and 10 susceptible fish were used as uninfected controls. After 5 days, blood and tissue samples were collected for immunological analyses. A significantly higher serum and mucus lysozyme activity was recorded in resistant rainbow trout compared to susceptible fish (P ≤ 0.05), both before and after exposure to L. garvieae. Similarly, respiratory burst activity of head kidney leukocytes resulted more intense in resistant fish (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting that phagocytes could more quickly activate their microbicidal mechanisms to counteract the bacterial spread. Resistant group displayed also an up-regulation of immunoglobulins M (IgM), major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene expression (P ≤ 0.05) and a significantly higher blood lymphocytes count (P ≤ 0.05), highlighting their potential better ability to trigger the recruitment of defensive cells and the initiation of specific immune processes such as antigen presentation to CD4+ T lymphocytes and IgM synthesis. The results herein presented might be useful for the identification of immunological markers to be used as indirect indicators in rainbow trout selective breeding programs.
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Resistência à Doença/imunologia , Suscetibilidade a Doenças/veterinária , Doenças dos Peixes/imunologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/veterinária , Imunidade Inata , Oncorhynchus mykiss , Imunidade Adaptativa , Animais , Suscetibilidade a Doenças/imunologia , Suscetibilidade a Doenças/microbiologia , Doenças dos Peixes/microbiologia , Flavobacterium/fisiologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/imunologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/microbiologia , Hymenostomatida/fisiologia , Lactococcus/fisiologia , Yersinia ruckeri/fisiologiaRESUMO
Integrated multi trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is well developed in seawater, while the only suitable organisms for bioremediation in freshwater are bivalves. The aim of this research has been to investigate a novel system, based on freshwater bivalves integrated with rainbow trout, for the bioremediation of inland aquaculture systems. The Unionid species selected for the experiments was Sinanodonta woodiana. Five mesocosm experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of mussels in filtering the total bacteria and Aeromonas hydrophila, as well as their clearance efficiency on trout farm wastewater. The temperatures, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates were monitored and were all within the physiological tolerance range of the species in all the experiments. The feasibility of bioremediation with S. woodiana in trout farming has thus been demonstrated, and among the tested rearing densities (3.75; 7.5; 15; 30 and 60 kg m-3) that of 7.5 kg m-3 was found to be optimal. The net reduction of the total bacterial concentration was as much as 72%, while that of A. hydrophila reached a level of 95-98%. No relevant effects of the mussels on particulate suspended material or sedimented material was observed, regardless of the temperature. The efficiency of freshwater bivalves in reducing the bacterial load, in particular toward A. hydrophila, indicates a bioremediation system with the possibility of interesting applications on inland fish farms, and as a biotechnological tool against the diffusion of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture.
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Bivalves , Truta , Animais , Aquicultura , Biodegradação Ambiental , Água DoceRESUMO
This work reports a mortality outbreak, occurred in 2015 and affecting juveniles of European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) farmed in Italy. Perch rhabdovirus (PRV) was detected by viral isolation and biomolecular investigations. Phylogenetic analysis clustered our isolate into genogroup B, which also includes PRV isolates from Perca fluviatilis identified in France (2004-2009); diagnostic investigations also revealed opportunistic bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) and parasites (Chilodonella piscicola). Since, occasionally, PRV has been reported in the natural environment, which is often a source of eggs and broodstock for farms, it could be possible that both similar France and Italian isolate were imported from a same place elsewhere and have a common origin. Improving biosecurity measures (batch control) and disinfection of egg strings with an iodine-based solution helps prevent apparent vertical transmission of PRV.
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Surtos de Doenças/veterinária , Doenças dos Peixes/mortalidade , Percas , Infecções por Rhabdoviridae/veterinária , Rhabdoviridae/fisiologia , Animais , Aquicultura , Doenças dos Peixes/virologia , Itália/epidemiologia , Filogenia , Rhabdoviridae/classificação , Infecções por Rhabdoviridae/mortalidade , Infecções por Rhabdoviridae/virologiaRESUMO
Despite their remote locations, high-mountain lakes located in the Alps are vulnerable to chemical pollution. This discussion explores the important aspects of these lakes as repositories of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), elucidating their sources and implications for both the environment and human health. In terms of the presence of POPs in high-altitude lakes of the Alps, 14 studies have been identified examining the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane an its metabolites, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The bulk of research on POPs in high-mountain lakes is concentrated in the Italian Alps (63%), followed by Switzerland (22%), Austria (12%), and France (3%), respectively. Sediment is predominantly investigated (65%), followed by fish (33%) and water (2%). Similarly, in relation to the presence of CECs in high-mountain lakes of the Alps, six studies have been identified investigating the occurrence of musks, perfluorinated compounds, and microplastics. Investigations into CECs predominantly occur in Switzerland (42%), France (33%), and Italy (25%), with fish samples (muscle and liver) being the primary focus (46%), followed by sediment (17%) and water (17%). Other compartments like zooplankton, frog/tadpoles, and snow remain less explored. The discussion also shed light on various pathways through which pollutants reach these remote landscapes, including atmospheric transport, glacial meltwater, and human activities. Protecting these pristine peaks demands concerted efforts encompassing ongoing research, vigilant monitoring, and dedicated conservation initiatives.
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Monitoramento Ambiental , Lagos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Lagos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Orgânicos Persistentes , Bifenilos Policlorados/análise , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Suíça , Altitude , Animais , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análise , ItáliaRESUMO
Sturgeon farming is rapidly expanding in Europe, where Italy ranks first in farmed caviar production. A major threat to sturgeon health in captivity is infection with Acipenser European Iridovirus (AcIV-E), a viral disease definitively identified in 2016. Here we present data on the occurrence of AcIV-E in 482 sturgeons (age ≤ 12 months, species of the genus Acipenser and the species Huso huso) collected from sturgeon farms in northern Italy between January 2021 and December 2023. The health status of each specimen was determined by necroscopy and virological assay. Virological analysis was performed on gill samples and real-time PCR specific to the MCP gene of the iridovirus viral capsid. Molecular analysis revealed positivity to the virus in 204 samples (42.68% of the total), while anatomopathological examination of nearly all fish with positive real-time PCR disclosed swollen abdomen, hepatic steatosis, splenomegaly, and increased gill volume. Two challenges to timely diagnosis are the absence of pathognomonic symptoms and the inability to isolate the virus on cell monolayers. Continuous and widespread health monitoring is therefore crucial for disease management and to effectively control spread of the virus.
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Doenças dos Peixes , Iridovirus , Viroses , Animais , Doenças dos Peixes/diagnóstico , Doenças dos Peixes/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Peixes/patologia , Itália/epidemiologia , Europa (Continente) , PeixesRESUMO
Anthropogenic activities are increasing fluoride concentration in watercourses. The present study focuses on the sublethal toxicity of sodium fluoride during sub-chronic and chronic time periods in the freshwater fish Anabas testudineus. The 96-hour LC50 value for fluoride was found to be 616.50 mg/L. Excessive mucous production and hyper excitability, followed by loss of balance, were seen in fish under acute fluoride exposure. Significant reduction in yield and specific growth rate of fish were assessed at 15, 30 and 45-days exposure intervals. Different bio-indicators like Hepatosomatic-index, Gonadosomatic-index and fecundity were reduced significantly in fish exposed to 10% (61.6 mg/L) and 20% (123.2 mg/L) of 96 h of LC50 values of fluoride in comparison to control. Toxicant concentrations directly correlated with parameter lowering. Fluoride exposure increased plasma glucose, creatinine, AST, and ALT and reduced total RBC, haemoglobin content, Hct (%), plasma protein, and cholesterol. Moreover, fluoride exposure significantly reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential in liver. This may result in metabolic depression, haematological, biochemical, and enzymological stress. The in-silico structural analysis predicts that fluoride may impede cytochrome c oxidase of the electron transport system, hence inhibiting mitochondrial functionality. These findings collectively highlight the urgent need for stringent regulation and monitoring of fluoride levels in freshwater ecosystems, as the subchronic and chronic effects observed in A. testudineus may have broader implications for aquatic ecosystems.
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Doenças Mitocondriais , Percas , Animais , Fluoreto de Sódio/toxicidade , Fluoretos/toxicidade , Ecossistema , FígadoRESUMO
Glyphosate is the most widely used systemic herbicide. There is ample scientific literature on the effects of this compound and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), whereas their possible combined genotoxic action has not yet been studied. With the present study, we aimed to determine the level of genomic damage caused by glyphosate and AMPA in cultured human lymphocytes and to investigate the possible genotoxic action when both compounds were present at the same concentrations in the cultures. We used a micronuclei assay to test the genotoxicity of glyphosate and AMPA at six concentrations (0.0125, 0.025, 0.050, 0.100, 0.250, 0.500 µg/mL), which are more realistic than the highest concentrations used in previous published studies. Our data showed an increase in micronuclei frequency after treatment with both glyphosate and AMPA starting from 0.050 µg/mL up to 0.500 µg/mL. Similarly, a genomic damage was observed also in the cultures treated with the same concentrations of both compounds, except for exposure to 0.0065 and 0.0125 µg/mL. No synergistic action was observed. Finally, a significant increase in apoptotic cells was observed in cultures treated with the highest concentration of tested xenobiotics, while a significant increase in necrotic cells was observed also at the concentration of 0.250 µg/mL of both glyphosate and AMPA alone and in combination (0.125 + 0.125 µg/mL). Results of our study indicate that both glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA are able to cause genomic damage in human lymphocyte cultures, both alone and when present in equal concentrations.
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Dano ao DNA , Glicina , Glifosato , Herbicidas , Linfócitos , Testes para Micronúcleos , Organofosfonatos , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Glicina/toxicidade , Humanos , Herbicidas/toxicidade , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Organofosfonatos/toxicidade , Mutagênicos/toxicidade , Adulto , MasculinoRESUMO
Microplastic pollution poses an escalating concern, particularly in coastal lagoons rich in biodiversity. This study delved into the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in Magallana gigas (formerly Crassostrea gigas) from the Orbetello and Varano coastal lagoons (Italy), also investigating the response of these filter-feeding organisms to various colors (P = pink; B = blue; W = white) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) MP fragments. Oysters were exposed for 7 days under controlled conditions. Subsequently, the oysters underwent analysis for both MP presence and biochemical markers of oxidative stress. Diverse ingestion rates of HDPE were noted among oysters from the two lagoons, eliciting antioxidant responses and modifying baseline activity. The two-way ANOVA revealed the significant effects of treatment (control; HDPE_B; HDPE_P; HDPE_W), site, and the interaction between treatment and site on all biomarkers. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed a divergent effect of HDPE color on biomarkers. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the influence of MP color, dose-dependent effects, and the long-term impacts of exposure. Comprehending these intricacies is imperative for devising effective strategies to mitigate plastic pollution and safeguard marine health.
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Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is the main metabolite in the degradation of glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, and it is more toxic and persistent in the environment than the glyphosate itself. Owing to their extensive use, both chemicals pose a serious risk to aquatic ecosystems. Here, we explored the genotoxicological and physiological effects of glyphosate, AMPA, and the mixed solution in the proportion 1:1 in Lymnaea stagnalis, a freshwater gastropod snail. To do this, adult individuals were exposed to increasing nominal concentrations (0.0125, 0.025, 0.050, 0.100, 0.250, 0.500 µg/mL) in all three treatments once a week for four weeks. The genotoxicological effects were estimated as genomic damage, as defined by the number of micronuclei and nuclear buds observed in hemocytes, while the physiological effects were estimated as the effects on somatic growth and egg production. Exposure to glyphosate, AMPA, and the mixed solution caused genomic damage, as measured in increased frequency of micronuclei and nuclear buds and in adverse effects on somatic growth and egg production. Our findings suggest the need for more research into the harmful and synergistic effects of glyphosate and AMPA and of pesticides and their metabolites in general.
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Glicina , Glifosato , Herbicidas , Lymnaea , Organofosfonatos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Glicina/análogos & derivados , Glicina/toxicidade , Lymnaea/efeitos dos fármacos , Lymnaea/genética , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Organofosfonatos/toxicidade , Herbicidas/toxicidade , Testes para Micronúcleos , Dano ao DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Hemócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Tetrazóis/toxicidadeRESUMO
Periphytic protozoa are esteemed icons of microbial fauna, renowned for their sensitivity and role as robust bioindicators, pivotal for assessing ecosystem stress and anthropogenic impacts on water quality. Despite their significance, research exploring the community dynamics of protozoan fauna across diverse water columns and depths in shallow waters has been notably lacking. This is the first study that examines the symphony of protozoan fauna in different water columns at varying depths (1, 2, 3.5 and 5 m), in South China Sea. Our findings reveal that vertical changes and environmental heterogeneity plays pivotal role in shaping the protozoan community structure, with distinct preferences observed in spirotrichea and phyllopharyngea classes at specific depths. Briefly, diversity metrics (i.e., both alpha and beta) showed significantly steady patterns at 2 m and 3.5 m depths as well as high homogeneity in most of the indices was observed. Co-associations between environmental parameters and protozoan communities demonstrated temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH, are significant drivers discriminating species richness and evenness across all water columns. Noteworthy variations of the other environmental parameters such as SiO3-Si, PO4--P, and NO2--N at 1 m and NO3--N, and NH4+-N, at greater depths, signal the crucial role of nutrient dynamics in shaping the protozoan communities. Moreover, highly sensitive species like Anteholosticha pulchara, Apokeronopsis crassa, and Aspidisca steini in varying environmental conditions among vertical columns may serve as eco- indicators of water quality. Collectively, this study contributes a thorough comprehension of the fine-scale structure and dynamics of protozoan fauna within marine ecosystems, providing insightful perspectives for ecological and water quality assessment in ever-changing marine environments.
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Ecossistema , China , Biodiversidade , Monitoramento Ambiental , Água do Mar , Organismos AquáticosRESUMO
N-1,3-Dimethylbutyl-N'-phenyl-p-quinone diamine (6PPDQ) is a derivative of 6PPD, a synthetic antioxidant used in tire manufacturing to control the degradation caused by oxidation and heat aging. Its discovery in 2020 has raised important environmental concern, particularly regarding its association with acute mortality in coho salmon, prompting surge in research on its occurrence, fate, and transport in aquatic ecosystems. Despite this attention, there remain notable gaps in grasping the knowledge, demanding an in depth overview. Thus, this review consolidates recent studies to offer a thorough investigation of 6PPDQ's environmental dynamics, pathways into aquatic ecosystems, toxicity to aquatic organisms, and human health implications. Various aquatic species exhibit differential susceptibility to 6PPDQ toxicity, manifesting in acute mortalities, disruption of metabolic pathways, oxidative stress, behavioral responses, and developmental abnormalities. Whereas, understanding the species-specific responses, molecular mechanisms, and broader ecological implications requires further investigation across disciplines such as ecotoxicology, molecular biology, and environmental chemistry. Integration of findings emphasizes the complexity of 6PPDQ toxicity and its potential risks to human health. However, urgent priorities should be given to the measures like long-term monitoring studies to evaluate the chronic effects on aquatic ecosystems and the establishment of standardized toxicity testing protocols to ensure the result comparability and reproducibility. This review serves as a vital resource for researchers, policymakers, and environmental professionals seeking appraisals into the impacts of 6PPDQ contamination on aquatic ecosystems and human health.
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Organismos Aquáticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Organismos Aquáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Animais , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Quinonas/toxicidade , EcossistemaRESUMO
Increasing microplastic (MP) pollution, primarily from anthropogenic sources such as plastic film mulching, waste degradation, and agricultural practices, has emerged as a pressing global environmental concern. This review examines the direct and indirect effects of MPs on crops, both in isolation and in conjunction with other contaminants, to elucidate their combined toxicological impacts. Organic fertilizers predominantly contain 78.6% blue, 9.5% black, and 8.3% red MPs, while irrigation water in agroecosystems contains 66.2% white, 15.4% blue, and 8.1% black MPs, ranging from 0-1 mm to 4-5 mm in size. We elucidate five pivotal insights: Firstly, soil MPs exhibit affinity towards crop roots, seeds, and vascular systems, impeding water and nutrient uptake. Secondly, MPs induce oxidative stress in crops, disrupting vital metabolic processes. Thirdly, leachates from MPs elicit cytotoxic and genotoxic responses in crops. Fourthly, MPs disrupt soil biotic and abiotic dynamics, influencing water and nutrient availability for crops. Lastly, the cumulative effects of MPs and co-existing contaminants in agricultural soils detrimentally affect crop yield. Thus, we advocate agronomic interventions as practical remedies. These include biochar input, application of growth regulators, substitution of plastic mulch with crop residues, promotion of biological degradation, and encouragement of crop diversification. However, the efficacy of these measures varies based on MP type and dosage. As MP volumes increase, exploring alternative mitigation strategies such as bio-based plastics and environmentally friendly biotechnological solutions is imperative. Recognizing the persistence of plastics, policymakers should enact legislation favoring the mitigation and substitution of non-degradable materials with bio-derived or compostable alternatives. This review demonstrates the urgent need for collective efforts to alleviate MP pollution and emphasizes sustainable interventions for agricultural ecosystems.
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Agricultura , Microplásticos , Poluentes do Solo , Solo , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Poluentes do Solo/metabolismo , Solo/química , Agricultura/métodos , Recuperação e Remediação Ambiental/métodos , Produtos Agrícolas , Fertilizantes , Biodegradação Ambiental , PlásticosRESUMO
The pervasive and steadily increasing presence of microplastics/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their integration into trophic dynamics. This emerging issue has garnered the attention of (eco)toxicologists, promoting the utilization of toxicotranscriptomics to unravel the responses of aquatic organisms not only to MPs/NPs but also to a wide spectrum of environmental pollutants. This review aims to systematically explore the broad repertoire of predicted molecular responses by aquatic organisms, providing valuable intuitions into complex interactions between plastic pollutants and aquatic biota. By synthesizing the latest literature, present analysis sheds light on transcriptomic signatures like gene expression, interconnected pathways and overall molecular mechanisms influenced by various plasticizers. Harmful effects of these contaminants on key genes/protein transcripts associated with crucial pathways lead to abnormal immune response, metabolic response, neural response, apoptosis and DNA damage, growth, development, reproductive abnormalities, detoxification, and oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. However, unique challenge lies in enhancing the fingerprint of MPs/NPs, presenting complicated enigma that requires decoding their specific impact at molecular levels. The exploration endeavors, not only to consolidate existing knowledge, but also to identify critical gaps in understanding, push forward the frontiers of knowledge about transcriptomic signatures of plastic contaminants. Moreover, this appraisal emphasizes the imperative to monitor and mitigate the contamination of commercially important aquatic species by MPs/NPs, highlighting the pivotal role that regulatory frameworks must play in protecting all aquatic ecosystems. This commitment aligns with the broader goal of ensuring the sustainability of aquatic resources and the resilience of ecosystems facing the growing threat of plastic pollutants.
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Organismos Aquáticos , Microplásticos , Transcriptoma , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Microplásticos/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Organismos Aquáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Organismos Aquáticos/genética , Animais , Transcriptoma/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas/toxicidade , Nanopartículas/químicaRESUMO
Parthenogenesis, or virgin birth, describes a mode of reproduction where an egg develops into an offspring without fertilization, and is observed across various vertebrate taxa, excluding mammals. Obligate parthenogenesis, found in around 100 vertebrate species and 1000 invertebrate species, is relatively rare. Conversely, facultative parthenogenesis, where females can reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically, is observed in some vertebrates, including elasmobranchs. Notably, this phenomenon in elasmobranchs is mainly documented in captivity, allowing for detailed long-term observation. Specifically, this study reports the first case of facultative parthenogenesis in the common smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus, a species classified by IUCN as endangered. Here we show that the juvenile M. mustelus were born through parthenogenesis, exhibiting homozygosity at each genetic marker, consistent with terminal fusion automixis. Remarkably, this finding reveals that parthenogenesis can occur annually in these sharks, alternating between two females, and conclusively excludes long-term sperm storage as a cause. Consequently, this enhances our understanding of parthenogenesis in elasmobranchs and highlights the reproductive flexibility of M. mustelus. Overall, these results contribute to our broader understanding of reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs, which could inform conservation efforts for endangered species.