Dimethoate is an organophosphorus insecticide still used in Croatia and worldwide, with polar structure and high water solubility that make it prone to leaching. This study analyzed how ...physico-chemical properties of soils affected dimethoate sorption and mobility. For that purpose, five soil samples were collected from three Croatian regions (two coastal and one mountain region). Dimethoate sorption process was analyzed using the batch procedure while its mobility and leaching potential was investigated by column experiment. The results showed that dimethoate sorption can be adequately described by Freundlich model. All isotherms were of L-type with varying degrees of non-linearity, indicating different sorption efficiencies and distribution of sorption sites energies among the soils. Energy distribution was broader in soils richer in organic matter (OM). KF values indicated relatively low sorption efficiency for all soils, with an increase of KF values proportional to OM content. Mechanisms involved in dimethoate sorption and mobility were analyzed by fitting the breakthrough curves (BTCs) with two mathematical models, namely one-site equilibrium (ELM) and two-site nonequilibrium sorption model (NELM). Correlations were quantified by Kendall-Tau test, which revealed the strongest correlation of KF value with OM content, cation exchange capacity and the humic acid content, while correlations with pH, clay content and A465nm/A665nm ratio were negative and insignificant. Based on these findings, a model for prediction of leaching potential was formed. A simplified model for dimethoate sorption/transport was proposed.
Display omitted
•Sorption efficiency and site energy distribution depended on organic matter content.•Breakthrough curves parameters were correlated to soil physico-chemical properties.•Higher organic matter/humic acids content and CEC diminish leaching potential.•Mathematical model for prediction of leaching potential was formulated.•A model for dimethoate sorption/transfer is proposed.
In Croatia, Podravina is a well-known lead-polluted region due to the intensive exploitation of natural gas, a highly developed agricultural industry, and a traffic hub with several heavily traveled ...roads. It represents a natural environment with a great variety of wildlife, especially hares (
Lepus europaeus
Pallas), which may serve as an indicator for environmental quality assessment. This study was conducted to estimate the bioaccumulation of lead in hare liver, kidney, muscle, and brain during long-term exposure and its impact on the oxidative status of the organism and to investigate a possible lead exchange ionic mechanism in the brain. In the organs of two hare groups (experimental from polluted area and control from the island of Krk), Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, lead concentrations, and antioxidant enzyme defense system were analyzed. The accumulation of lead was highest in the brain (3.7-fold higher compared to the control group) and lowest in the liver (1.6-fold higher compared to the control group). Kendall-Tau and multiple regression analysis showed that the increased lead content caused a stronger exchange of Ca and Na ions in the brain. We proposed that lead either mobilizes intracellular cation stores or causes competitive displacement of Ca from the binding site in intoxicated cells. A linear predictive model for cell intoxication by lead was proposed, where GPx and SOD were predominantly influenced by long-term lead exposure. The presented results showed that long-term lead exposure in hares negatively affected their oxidative status and caused the strongest toxicity in the brain and muscles, making their survival and/or population vulnerable.
Aucubin is pharmacologically active natural compound which possesses numerous beneficial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of aucubin against cisplatin (CP)-induced acute ...kidney injury in mice and the mechanism of its action. Aucubin was administrated to mice orally or intraperitoneally (ip) (1.5 and 5 mg/kg) for two consecutive days, two days after ip injection of cisplatin (CP), 11 mg/kg. Treatment with aucubin by both routes of administration ameliorated histopathological changes and reduced elevated serum markers of kidney injury. CP administration increased renal expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which was dose-dependently ameliorated by aucubin. Moreover, aucubin reduced increased renal expression of cleaved caspase-3 and -9 and decreased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Mechanistically, aucubin suppressed the activation of several signaling pathways involved in inflammation and apoptosis, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a). Parenteral application was marginally but statistically more effective in reducing CP-induced kidney injury than oral administration. The findings of this study suggest that aucubin acts as a protective agent against CP-induced nephrotoxicity, which should be further investigated.
Display omitted
•Cisplatin (CP)-intoxicated mice received aucubin orally or intraperitoneally.•Aucubin ameliorated histopathological changes and reduced kidney injury.•Aucubin decreased oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in the kidney.•Aucubin suppressed the activation NF-κB, STAT3, Akt, ERK1/2 and FOXO3a.•Parenteral application was the most effective in reducing CP-induced kidney injury.
We investigated the effect of natural sweetener Stevia rebaudiana and its constituent stevioside in cisplatin (CP)-induced kidney injury. Male BALB/cN mice were orally administered 10, 20, and ...50 mg/kg body weight of Stevia rebaudiana ethanol extract (SE) or stevioside 50 mg/kg, 48 h after intraperitoneal administration of CP (13 mg/kg). Two days later, CP treatment resulted in histopathological changes showing kidney injury. Increased expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in mice kidneys suggested oxidative stress. CP treatment also increased renal expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 subunit and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), as well as expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of the cell cycle in kidneys was evidenced by increased expression of p53, Bax, caspase-9, and p21, proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), with concomitant suppression of Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expression. The number of apoptotic cells in kidneys was also assessed. CP administration resulted in activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Both SE and stevioside attenuated CP nephrotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through mechanism involving ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB suppression.
•Stevia and stevioside attenuate cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice.•Stevia and stevioside reduce oxidative stress in kidneys.•Both compounds inhibit renal apoptosis and restore cell cycle.•Stevia and stevioside reduce inflammmatory response in kidneys.•Stevia and stevioside suppress activation of ERK1/2 and STAT3.
In January 2023, the derogation loophole was closed on "emergency authorisations" for the use of three out of five neonicotinoids in all EU states. In this study, we analysed the sorption/desorption ...behaviour and kinetic parameters of acetamiprid and thiacloprid, the two neonicotinoids that are still approved for use, either regularly or under emergency authorisations in the EU, and widely used worldwide. Sorption and desorption curves in four soils with different organic matter content were analysed using four kinetic models, namely, Lagergren's pseudo first-order model, two-site model (TSM), Weber-Morris intraparticle diffusion model and Elovich's model. Kinetic parameters were correlated to soil physico-chemical characteristics. To determine the mutual influence of soil characteristics and sorption/desorption parameters in the analysed soils, a factor analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Even though the two insecticides are very similar in size and chemical structure, the results showed different sorption/desorption kinetics. The model that best fits the experimental data was TSM. Thiacloprid showed a more rapid sorption compared to acetamiprid, and, in all soils, a higher proportion sorbed at equilibrium. Intra-particle diffusion seemed to be a relevant process in acetamiprid sorption, but not for thiacloprid. Desorption results showed that acetamiprid is more easily and more thoroughly desorbed than thiacloprid, in all soils. The kinetic behaviour differences stem from variations in molecular structure, causing disparate water solubility, lipophilicity, and acid-base properties.
Imidacloprid (IMI) is an extensively used neonicotinoid insecticide whose occurrence in the environment is a worldwide problem. Its sorption/transport properties are recognized as one of the key ...knowledge gaps hindering policymaking regarding its international routine monitoring in soils. Therefore, we studied IMI transport behaviour in Croatian Mediterranean soils using column experiments. Breakthrough curves were analysed using the two-site adsorption model and compared against dimethoate (DIM). Transport parameters were correlated to soil physicochemical properties. The results indicate that IMI shows a high degree of preference for soil organic matter over any other soil constituent. For IMI, the clay did not exhibit any sorption activity, while hematite did act as an active sorbent. Contrarily, hematite increased the leachability of DIM by blocking the active sorption sites on clay platelets. Both hematite and clay sorption acted as type-2 (i.e., rate-limiting) sites. In all soils, IMI exhibited lower short-term leachability than DIM. Combined with a body of data concerning other aspects of IMI environmental behaviour, the results indicate that the risk of accumulation of IMI in the soil is greater than the risk of contamination by leaching. Thus, continuous monitoring of IMI in soils should be incorporated into future soil health protection programs.
The history of the Labin region in Croatia includes intensive industrial development with repercussions of pollution on environment and health. Assuming that prolonged exposure to polluted ...environments causes qualitative changes in mortality, the aim was to analyse the mortality characteristics of the population of the Labin Region for the 1968-2008 period based on data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Public health and social opportunities in this geographical area carry a long-term burden of exposure to an industrial polluted environment with outcomes expressed by mortality or/and morbidity in the population. This study includes data on 11,903 deaths, most of which due to diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems as well as neoplasms. In the third and fourth decade of the study period, a group of neoplasms showed significant increases, while the increase in respiratory diseases were more gradual. The female population died mostly from diseases of the circulatory and endocrine system as well as neoplasms, while the male population mainly died from diseases of the digestive system and external causes. This research provides guidelines that could create better public health, raising the quality of life and contribute to a future environmental protection in local communities by targeted policies.
Bacterial pneumonia caused by the inhalation of aerosols contaminated with Legionella spp. is also known as Legionnaires' disease. In this study, we report a case of pneumonia caused by Legionella ...pneumophila sg.1 in a 58-year-old man who visited a sea water-filled whirlpool within a hotel and spa complex. The patient's Legionella urine antigen test was positive for L. pneumophila sg.1. During the field study, samples were taken from both the outdoor and indoor sea water-filled pools. Samples from the whirlpool were culture positive for L. pneumophila sg.1. Typing results indicated sea water isolate belonged to Sequence type ST82 and Allentown/France MAb subgroup. In vitro experiments showed that L. pneumophila strains are able to survive within sea water up to 7 days, and survival time is prolonged with sea water dilution. Also, our results indicate that L. pneumophila Allentown strain was the most resistant to adverse conditions in sea water with the highest values of DT50 (420 min) and DT90 (1,396 min). The possible source of infection was adding potable water for filling up the whirlpool. The survival of the L. pneumophila in additionally conditioned sea water should be considered in a further study.
is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen that can contaminate hospital surfaces in the form of a biofilm which is hard to remove with standard disinfectants. Because of biofilm resistance to ...conservative disinfectants, the application of new disinfection technologies is becoming more frequent. Ozone gas has antimicrobial activity but there is lack of data on its action against
biofilm. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of gaseous ozone on the OXA-48-procuding
biofilm. A 24 h biofilm of
formed on ceramic tiles was subsequently exposed to different concentrations of ozone during one and two hours to determine the optimal ozone concentration. Afterwards, the total bacteria count, total biomass and oxidative stress levels were monitored. A total of 25 ppm of gaseous ozone was determined to be optimal ozone concentration and caused reduction in total bacteria number in all strains of
for 2.0 log
CFU/cm
, followed by reduction in total biomass up to 88.15%. Reactive oxygen species levels significantly increased after the ozone treatment at 182% for the representative
NCTC 13442 strain. Ozone gas in the concentration of 25 ppm caused significant biofilm reduction but did not completely eradicate the
biofilm formed on ceramics. In conclusion, ozone gas has great potential to be used as an additional hygiene measure in joint combat against biofilm in hospital environments.
The present study evaluated the possible synergistic antimycobacterial interactions of Juniperus communis and Helichrysum italicum essential oils (EO).
Antimycobacterial potential was tested against ...Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare using broth and water dilution method and checkerboard synergy method. Antiadhesion and antibiofilm effect of EOs was evaluated on biotic (HeLa cells) and abiotic surface (polystyrene). To evaluate the possible mechanisms of action, cellular leakage of proteins and DNA was tested and structural changes were visualized with a transmission electron microscope.
MIC, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimal effective concentration (MEC) were 1.6 mg ml
for J. communis EO and 3.2 mg ml
for H. italicum EO against both mycobacteria. All combinations of EOs in checkerboard synergy method produced fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.501 to 1.5, corresponding to synergistic, additive or indifferent effects. Mycobacterium avium showed a greater tendency to create biofilm but these EOs at subinhibitory concentrations (sMIC) effectively blocked the adhesion and the establishment of biofilm. The exposure of both mycobacteria to MICs and sMICs lead to significant morphological changes: acquired a swollen form, ghost-like cell, disorganized cytoplasm detached from the cell wall. OD value of supernatant for both mycobacteria exposed to EOs have confirmed that there is a leakage of cellular material.
The leakage of the cellular material is noticeably higher in sMIC, which is probably due to cell wall damage. sMIC of both EOs have an additive or synergistic effect, reducing MICs, limiting adhesion and preventing the formation of biofilms.
PDF
