Gea Oliveri Conti

Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) attributed to atmospheric O3, NO2, and SO2 using Air Q Model (2011–2012 year)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important disease worldwide characterized by chronically poor airflow. The economic burden of COPD on any society can be enormous if not managed. We applied the approach proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) using the AirQ2.2.3 software developed by the WHO European Center for Environment and Health on air pollutants in Tabriz (Iran) (2011-2012 year). A 1h average of concentrations of ozone (O3), daily average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were used to assess human exposure and health effect in terms of attributable proportion of the health outcome and annual number of excess cases of Hospital Admissions for COPD (HA COPD). The results of this study showed that 2% (95% CI: 0.8-3.1%) of HA COPD were attributed to O3 concentrations over 10 μg/m(3). In addition, 0.7 % (95% CI: 0.1-1.8%) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0-1%) of HA COPD were attributed to NO2 and SO2 concentrations over 10 μg/m(3) respectively. In this study, we have shown that O3, NO2 and SO2 have a significant impact on COPD hospitalization. Given these results the policy decisions are needed in order to reduce the chronic pulmonary diseases caused by air pollution and furthermore better quantification studies are recommended.

Mortality and morbidity due to exposure to outdoor air pollution in Mashhad metropolis, Iran. The AirQ model approach.

In the past two decades, epidemiological studies have shown that air pollution is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality. In this study the effect of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and O3 pollutants on human health among the inhabitants of Mashhad has been evaluated. To evaluate the health effects due to air pollution, the AirQ model software 3.3.2, developed by WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, was used. The daily data related to the pollutants listed above has been used for the short term health effects (total mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, hospitalization due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute myocardial infarction). PM2.5 had the most health effects on Mashhad inhabitants. With increasing in each 10μg/m3, relative risk rate of pollutant concentration for total mortality due to PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and O3 was increased of 0.6%, 1.5%, 0.4%, 0.3% and 0.46% respectively and, the attributable proportion of total mortality attributed to these pollutants was respectively equal to 4.24%, 4.57%, 0.99%, 2.21%, 2.08%, and 1.61% (CI 95%) of the total mortality (correct for the non-accident) occurred in the year of study. The results of this study have a good compatibly with other studies conducted on the effects of air pollution on humans. The AirQ software model can be used in decision-makings as a useful and easy tool.

Ligia italica (Isopoda, Oniscidea) as Bioindicator of Mercury Pollution of Marine Rocky Coasts

In this study, we evaluated the possible role of Ligia italica as a bioindicator for the monitoring of heavy metals pollution in the suppralittoral zone of marine rocky coasts. Between 2004 and 2011 specimens of L. italica were collected along the Eastern Sicilian coasts from sites known for their high pollution levels as they are near to an area where in September 2001 a refinery plant discharged into the sea some waste containing Hg. Other specimens were collected from the Vendicari Natural Reserve located about 30 miles from the polluted sites and used as control area. On a consistent number of animals, the concentration in toto of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. On other animals, investigations were carried out in order to check for ultrastructural alterations of the hepatopancreas, that is the main metals storage organ in isopods. Results revealed the presence, in the animals collected in 2004 from the polluted sites, of considerable concentrations of Hg and of lower concentrations of other metals such as As, Pb and V. The Hg bioaccumulation resulted in remarkable ultrastructural alterations of the two cellular types (B and S cells) in the epithelium of the hepatopancreas. Surprisingly, a moderate amount of Hg was also found in specimens collected in 2004 from the Vendicari Natural Reserve, proving that the Hg pollution can also spread many miles away. Animals collected from the polluted sites in the following years showed a progressively decreasing Hg content, reaching very low levels in those from the last sampling. Also, the ultrastructural alterations found in the hepatopancreas of the animals from the last sample were quite irrelevant. In conclusion, Ligia italica can represent a good bioindicator and the ultrastructure of the hepatopancreas could be used as ultrastructural biomarker of heavy metals pollution in the supralittoral zones.

A randomised, controlled clinical trial evaluating changes in therapeutic efficacy and oxidative parameters after treatment with propionyl L-carnitine in patients with peripheral arterial disease requiring haemodialysis.

ObjectiveWe explored the efficacy of intravenous therapy with propionyl L-carnitine in patients with both peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic renal insufficiency requiring haemodialysis.MethodsThe trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty-four patients on haemodialysis (32 per treatment arm) with chronic renal insufficiency and PAD were assigned to receive either intravenous propionyl L-carnitine 600mg or placebo 3 times weekly for 12 months. The main outcome measures were the ankle/brachial index (ABI), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) concentrations, and the plasma nitrite/nitrate ratio (NO2/NO3); these were measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months.ResultsSignificant increases in ABI were observed in the propionyl L-carnitine group, whereas in the placebo group the reverse trend was seen. In patients treated with propionyl L-carnitine, significant progressive decreases were seen in plasma MDA, 4-HNE and the NO2/NO3 ratio from baseline. In the placebo-treated group, only weakly significant or no differences were seen.ConclusionIntravenous administration of propionyl L-carnitine to haemodialysis patients with PAD improves both haemodynamic flow and the oxidative profile.

Heavy metal concentration in muscle of pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758) from Anzali international wetland, southwest of the Caspian Sea and their consumption risk assessment

Abstract This study evaluated the concentrations of nine heavy metals in muscle specimens of pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758) from four sites of southwest of the Caspian Sea: Shijan, Abkenar, Hendakhale and Siakeshim. The potential human health risks due to consumption of pike have been assessed by estimated average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals. In particular, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Ni, Co and Mn were quantified in the edible tissue of specimens by AAS determination. The average metal concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Ni, Co and Mn measured in this study were 1.12 ± 0.264, 5.37 ± 0.702, 0.058 ± 0.023, 0.20 ± 0.035, 0.005 ± 0.002, 0.17 ± 0.047, 0.33 ± 0.062, 0.28 ± 0.034 and 0.20 ± 0.035 μg/g w wt, respectively. Our results demonstrate the consumption of muscle of pike for adult and children as less than 1, hence residents of these regions will not be exposed to significant health risks.

A review of AirQ Models and their applications for forecasting the air pollution health outcomes

Even though clean air is considered as a basic requirement for the maintenance of human health, air pollution continues to pose a significant health threat in developed and developing countries alike. Monitoring and modeling of classic and emerging pollutants is vital to our knowledge of health outcomes in exposed subjects and to our ability to predict them. The ability to anticipate and manage changes in atmospheric pollutant concentrations relies on an accurate representation of the chemical state of the atmosphere. The task of providing the best possible analysis of air pollution thus requires efficient computational tools enabling efficient integration of observational data into models. A number of air quality models have been developed and play an important role in air quality management. Even though a large number of air quality models have been discussed or applied, their heterogeneity makes it difficult to select one approach above the others. This paper provides a brief review on air quality models with respect to several aspects such as prediction of health effects.

First data on trace elements in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) from southern Italy: Safety issues.

This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abalone, Haliotis tuberculata (Ht) (Linnaeus, 1758) from three sites along the southern Italian coast: Gulf of Catania (CT), the Northern Coast of Messina (ME) and the harbor of Villa San Giovanni (VSG). The species is commonly found in the area and has significant commercial value. Additionally, it is long lived, thus suitable as bioindicator of the environmental monitoring. The potential human health risks due to consumption of Ht have been assessed by estimated average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals, respectively. In particular arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and vanadium (V) were quantified in the edible tissue of specimens by acid digestion of the samples and ICP-MS determination. The highest concentrations were found in CT sample area for most metals analyzed. Mean values for Pb, Cd and Hg were lower than the maximum levels (MLs) set for bivalve mollusks by Regulation (CE) no. 1881/2006 in all sites, and average intake values below the risk levels for human consumption.

Development of a screening fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of fumonisins B₁ and B₂ in maize.

This paper reports the development of a screening fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) for the simultaneous detection of fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in maize. Three FB1 tracers including FB1-fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FB1-FITC), FB1-5-([4,6-dichlorotriazine-2-yl]amino)-fluorescein (FB1-5-DTAF), and FB1-Texas Red-X succinimidyl ester (FB1-TRX) were synthesized and studied to select appropriate tracer-antibody pairs using seven previously produced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). An FPIA employing the pair of FB1-FITC and mAb 4B9 showing 98.9% cross-reactivity (CR) toward FB2 was used to simultaneously detect FB1 and FB2. Maize flour samples were extracted with methanol/water (2:3, v/v). After optimization, the FPIA revealed a limit of detection (LOD) of 157.4 μg/kg for FB1 and an LOD of 290.6 μg/kg for FB2, respectively. Recoveries were measured for spiked samples of FB1 or FB2 separately, ranging from 84.7 to 93.6%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of <9.9%. Total time needed for FPIA including sample pretreatment was <30 min. The FPIA was used to screen naturally contaminated maize samples. Results detected by FPIA showed good agreement with that of HPLC-MS/MS with a fit of R(2) = 0.99 for the simultaneous detection of FB1 and FB2. The established method offered a rapid, simple, sensitive, and high-throughput screening tool for the detection of fumonisins in maize.

Heavy metals (As, Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni) concentrations in rice (Oryza sativa) from Iran and associated risk assessment: a systematic review

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa) is the second cereal consumed in Iran. Many studies have been carried out in Iran about the contamination of rice by environmental pollutants such as heavy metals. The aim of present study was: • to systematically review about Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni) concentrations in cultivated rice in Iran and; • to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk for age and sex groups. We applied the target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) to evaluation of the non-carcinogenic risk. International and Iranian databases were searched from January 2008 to October 2016. Data obtained from 27 articles showed that minimum and maximum concentrations of heavy metals were As (0.05 ± 0.09 μg/g dry weight) and Ni (0.83 ± 0.04 μg/g dry weight), respectively. The rank order of heavy metals based on THQ was As > Cr > Pb > Cd > Ni. Also the rank order of consumers rice based on TTHQ were rural females (0.49) > urban females (0.461) > rural males (0.455) > urban males (0.41). Minimum and maximum of TTHQ was related to 35–44 and 15–24 years age groups both males and females, respectively. Since THQ and TTHQ were either lower than 1 value, therefore, consumers were not exposed to carcinogenic risk by consumption of rice cultivated in Iran.

Potential risk assessment of trace metals accumulation in food, water and edible tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in Haraz River, northern Iran

Abstract This study focuses on the extent of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb bioaccumulation in water, fish feed and the muscles of 40 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from four farmsalong Haraz River, Mazandaran Province, north of Iran. The dependence of bioaccumulation with food chain and environmental heavy metals concentration was specifically addressed. The potential human health risks due to consumption of rainbow trout have been assessed by estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of aforementioned metals. The detected concentration ranges of the elements in the muscles, reported as μg.g−1 dry weight, were as following: Zn (13.92–15.92), Cu (0.54–0.74), Ni (0.12–0.26), Cd (0.008–0.01) and Pb (0.25–0.57). The rank order of the levels of the heavy metals was: in edible tissue Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd; in water Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd; in fish feed Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd. In general, the concentrations of all target metals were positively correlated with fish feed contents, whereas negative correlations were observed between the metal concentrations and water. Risk assessments suggested that there isn’t potential ecological and human health risk.