Abstract
Background
Hydrogen cyanamide is a plant growth regulator introduced in Italy as Dormex in 2000, but recalled from the market in 2008. It’s currently not authorized in Europe. ...Inhalation/dermal contact may cause irritation/caustic burns, ingestion of severe organ damage and concomitant alcohol consumption disulfiram-like reaction due to aldehyde-dehydrogenase inhibition by hydrogen cyanamide.
Aims
To study all exposure cases referred to our centre, evaluating temporal and geographic distribution and analysing clinical manifestations, including the ones after alcohol consumption.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated all hydrogen cyanamide exposures referred to our Poison Control Centre (January 2007–December 2021). For each case, age, sex, exposure route/year, geographical location, intent of exposure, alcohol co-ingestion, emergency department-admission Poison Severity Score, signs/symptoms and treatment were analysed.
Results
Thirty subjects were included. Median case/year was 1 1; 2: 79% occurred after market withdrawal, 92% in Sicily. All exposures were unintentional and work related; 41% of patients also co-ingested alcohol. Mean poison severity score at emergency department admission was 1.54, more severe when ingestion occurred. The most common signs/symptoms were flushing, secondary to peripheral vasodilation (41%), hyperaemia/erythema (29%), dyspnoea (25%), nausea (20%), vomiting (12%), oedema (12%), II–III degrees burns (12%) and pharyngodynia (12%). All patients were treated symptomatically and fully recovered.
Conclusions
Hydrogen cyanamide exposure can lead to severe clinical manifestations. Despite its withdrawal from the Italian market, hydrogen cyanamide is still used: through PCC’s crucial role in monitoring exposure to agricultural products efforts should be made to contrast illegal trade and increase awareness of its potential toxicity in those countries in which it’s still legal.
Hydrogen cyanamide is a plant growth regulator recalled from the market of many countries because of its potential toxicity. Few data describing hydrogen cyanamide toxicity exist in literature; our study describes hydrogen cyanamide exposures before and after Italian market withdrawal, focusing on clinical manifestations and route of exposure. We also describe symptoms arising from concomitant hydrogen cyanamide use and alcohol consumption due to hydrogen cyanamide ability to cause disulfiram-like reactions by inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase.
The toxicity of three heavy metals (copper, zinc and nickel) on an activated sludge biomass was studied by measuring several parameters of microbiological activity and the dynamics of microbial ...community composition. The effects on the microflora in the activated-sludge tank were evaluated by dosing the tank with different metal concentrations and a noninhibiting concentration of copper for a 2-week period. The relationship between biological effects and chemical measurements was elucidated by principal component analysis (PCA). The biochemical data suggested a higher sensitivity of nitrifiers to these metals than heterotrophs. This was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on the microbial community. The impact of copper was displayed by biomass deflocculating phenomena (pin-point) and a decrease in the
β-proteobacteria component. In addition, the zone settling velocity (ZSV) was shown not to be a good indicator of chronic toxicity phenomena. Finally, the sequence of biomass metal accumulation capability was assessed, and corresponds to
Cu
>
Ni
>
Zn
.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
During the mid-Cretaceous the Earth was characterized by peculiar climatic and oceanographic features, such as very high temperatures, smooth thermal meridional gradient, long-term rising sea level, ...and formation of oceanic gateways and seaways. At that time widespread deposition of micritic pelagic limestones, generally called chalk, occurred in deep pelagic settings as well as in epeiric seas, both at tropical and at high latitudes. The origin of such extensive chalk deposition in the mid-Cretaceous is a complex and still controversial issue, which involves the interaction of several different factors. In this work we address this topic from the paleoceanographic perspective, by investigating the contribution of major oceanic circulation changes.
We characterize several stratigraphic sections from the Tethys and North Atlantic with litho-, bio-, and carbon isotope stratigraphy. Our data show a change between two different oceanic circulation modes happening in the Late Albian. The first is an unstable mode, with oceanographic conditions fluctuating frequently in response to rapid environmental and climatic changes, such as those driven by orbital forcing. The second mode is more stable, with better connection between the different oceanic basins, a more stable thermocline, more persistent current flow, better defined upwelling and downwelling areas, and a more balanced oceanic carbon reservoir. We propose that under the mid-Cretaceous paleogeographic and paleoclimatic conditions this change in oceanic circulation mode favored the beginning of chalk sedimentation in deep-water settings.
•6 Albian–Cenomanian sections across the Tethys and North Atlantic are presented.•A new Albian δ13C reference curve is established.•Reconstruction of major Albian–Cenomanian deep-water sedimentary changes•New hypothesis for the origin of the Cretaceous chalk facies
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Phthalates might be implicated with obesity and insulin sensitivity. We evaluated the levels of primary and secondary metabolites of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in urine in obese and ...normal-weight subjects both before and during puberty, and investigated their relationships with auxological parameters and indexes of insulin sensitivity.
DEHP metabolites (MEHP, 6-OH-MEHP, 5-oxo-MEHP, 5-OH-MEHP, and 5-CX-MEHP), were measured in urine by RP-HPLC-ESI-MS. Traditional statistical analysis and a data mining analysis using the Auto-CM analysis were able to offer an insight into the complex biological connections between the studied variables.
The data showed changes in DEHP metabolites in urine related with obesity, puberty, and presence of insulin resistance. Changes in urine metabolites were related with age, height and weight, waist circumference and waist to height ratio, thus to fat distribution. In addition, clear relationships in both obese and normal-weight subjects were detected among MEHP, its products of oxidation and measurements of insulin sensitivity.
It remains to be elucidated whether exposure to phthalates per se is actually the risk factor or if the ability of the body to metabolize phthalates is actually the key point. Further studies that span from conception to elderly subjects besides further understanding of DEHP metabolism are warranted to clarify these aspects.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Virginia opossum (
Didelphis virginiana
) has a rapidly expanding distribution in North America, but many aspects of its ecology remain relatively understudied, particularly in rural areas of its ...core range. We collected GPS telemetry data from 93 opossums in a rural, non-agricultural landscape in South Carolina, USA (2018–2019) to examine factors influencing space use and resource selection. Estimated male home ranges (99% utilization distributions) were on average 50% larger than those of females (mean home range 115.9 ± 103.7 ha vs 76.7 ± 75.0 ha). The home range size decreased on average by 20% with each 20% increase in deciduous land cover but was not affected by season or other landscape factors. Core area sizes (65% utilization distributions) were not influenced by sex (mean core area size 29.1 ± 23.7 ha and 22.4 ha ± 13.8 for males and females, respectively) or season, but the core area size decreased by 14% with each 400 m increase in distance from a permanent water source. Resource selection by opossums primarily occurred at the landscape level. Both males and females generally selected for wetlands while avoiding pine forests and developed/open areas, likely the result of differences in resource availability and predation risk between habitats. Opossums also tended to select for linear features such as unpaved roads and edge habitat, which may facilitate movement across the landscape. The home ranges we documented are among the largest recorded for opossums in the USA, likely the result of the relatively low resource abundance throughout our study area due to comparatively minimal anthropogenic influence.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
This study investigated the poorly known phenomenon of Centimetric circular areas Uncolonized by Microbial Biofilms (CUMBs) which is frequently observed on natural and heritage stone surfaces ...displaying widespread lithobiontic colonization. In order to unveil a possible relationship with past lichen colonization, analyses were carried out on the distribution, morphometry, physical and mineralogical properties, and microscopic features of CUMBs on the marble surfaces of a balustrade in the Garden of a Savoy residence in Torino (Italy; UNESCO-WHS 823bis) and in its original quarry site in the W-Alps. Image analyses of CUMBs displayed a distributional and dimensional compatibility with lichen thalli (re-)colonizing surfaces in their vicinity. Invasive analyses on quarry materials displayed similar microscopic modifications in marble layers beneath CUMBs and lichens, associated to a higher stabilization of the calcite {01–12} form, which is favoured by the presence of organic substances. These findings support the hypothesis of a lichen origin for some CUMBs, which may derive from the modification of physical stone properties and/or a long-lasting allelopathic effect affecting surface bioreceptivity.
Display omitted
•CUMBs and lichens compared on natural and heritage marble surfaces.•Distributional and dimensional compatibility of CUMBs and lichens.•Similar micro-features beneath CUMBs and lichens associated to calcite reprecipitation.•Experimental evidences pointing to a lichen origin of (some) CUMBs.•Reduced CUMBs bioreceptivity due to modified physical properties and/or allelopathy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We used a screening procedure to identify protein domains from phage-displayed cDNA libraries that bind both to bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells and tumor vasculature. Screening phage for ...binding of progenitor cell-enriched bone marrow cells in vitro, and for homing to HL-60 human leukemia cell xenograft tumors in vivo, yielded a cDNA fragment that encodes an N-terminal fragment of human high mobility group protein 2 (HMGN2, formerly HMG-17). Upon i.v. injection, phage displaying this HMGN2 fragment homed to HL-60 and MDA-MB-435 tumors. Testing of subfragments localized the full binding activity to a 31-aa peptide (F3) in the HMGN2 sequence. Fluorescein-labeled F3 peptide bound to and was internalized by HL-60 cells and human MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells, appearing initially in the cytoplasm and then in the nuclei of these cells. Fluorescent F3 accumulated in HL-60 and MDA-MB-435 tumors after an i.v. injection, appearing in the nuclei of tumor endothelial cells and tumor cells. Thus, F3 can carry a payload (phage, fluorescein) to a tumor and into the cell nuclei in the tumor. This peptide may be suitable for targeting cytotoxic drugs and gene therapy vectors into tumors.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Next-generation switches and routers may rely on optical switch fabrics to overcome scalability problems that arise in sizing traditional electrical backplanes into the terabit regime. In this paper, ...we present and discuss several optical switch fabric technologies. We describe a promising approach based on arrayed waveguide gratings and fast wavelength tuning and explain the challenges with respect to technical and commercial viability. Finally, we demonstrate an optical switch fabric capable of 1.2-Tb/s throughput and show packet switching with four ports running at 40 Gb/s each.
We report the case of a man in his early 30s who presented with high fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash and considerably elevated inflammatory markers. Further evaluations revealed ...cardiomyopathy and renal failure. During hospitalisation he developed profound generalised muscle weakness caused by diffuse myopathy without elevated creatine kinase. He was eventually diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) after it was established that he had been suffering from COVID-19 5 weeks prior to presentation. He was started on intravenous immunoglobulins and high-dose corticosteroids, after which symptoms resolved rapidly. MIS-A is a rare but severe complication of COVID-19, whose pathogenesis is insufficiently understood. This case provides further insight into this new disease entity by describing a previously unreported disease progression with severe inflammatory myopathy without elevated creatine kinase.
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