Essential and toxic elements in meat of wild and bred animals

Essential and toxic elements were determined by Energy Dispersive Polarized X-Rays Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDPXRF) in the meat of 145 wild and bred animals to provide the baseline data regarding meat of wild and bred animals consumed in central Italy. As far as K, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cu are concerned, no significant differences resulted between young and adults and between males and females for farmed and wild animals. No marked differences were found between hunted and non-hunted animals groups. In all samples analyzed, Mn, Cr, and Mo were below the detection limit. As far as the non-essential or toxic elements are concerned, As, Cd, V, and Hg concentrations in muscle from wild and bred animals were low and always below the detection limits. Among the wild animals killed with lead (Pb) bullets, elevated Pb concentrations in tissues were detected. This finding may result in elevated Pb levels in meat ingested by humans.     

Evaluation of Direct-Oxidative DNA Damage on Human Lung Epithelial Cells Exposed to Urban Airborne Particulate Matter

Airborne particulate matter (PM) extracts were investigated for their content of organic compounds and for the direct and oxidative DNA damage induced on lung epithelial cells A549. PM₁₀ was seasonally collected at two monitoring sites (Stations 1 and 2), characterized by different traffic loads. The cells were exposed for 30 min to extracts of PM₁₀ diluted at 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1% for summer samples, and at 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.15% for winter samples. Oxidative and direct DNA damage were evaluated by formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (fpg) comet assay analyzing tail moment (TM) values from fpg-enzyme-treated cells (TMenz) and enzyme untreated cells (TM) respectively and by comet percentage analysis. Measurements relating to Station 2 showed higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their methyl-(methyl-PAHs) and nitro-(nitro-PAHs) derivatives in both the seasons. Nitro-PAH concentrations were higher in summer than in winter at both the stations. We found a significant increase of comet percentages at the highest dose of extract from both stations in summer and from Station 2 in winter. The TM and TMenz values relative to the summer sampling showed an early oxidative DNA damage induction also followed by direct DNA damage more evident at Station 2, that seems to correlate with the presence of higher nitro-PAH concentrations during the warm season. At both monitoring stations, the results from winter sampling campaign showed a direct DNA damage induction at 0.1% of extract and oxidative-direct DNA damage at the highest dose (0.15%).     

Measurement of phase-distributed nitrophenols in Rome ambient air

Atmospheric nitrophenols (NPs) were determined both in the gas and particle phases by combining the annular denuder sampling technique with GC-MS analysis. The phase distribution of six mono-NPs identified in air sampled in downtown Rome was assessed. 4-NP, 3-methyl-4-NP and 2,6-dimethyl-4-NP were found for more than 75% in the particle phase, whilst 2-NP, 4-methyl-2-NP and 5-methyl-2-NP predominated in the gas phase. Concentration levels lower than 20 ng m-3 were observed for all NPs, among which 4-NP (17.8+/-5.6 ng m-3) and 2-NP (10.4+/-4.2 ng m-3) were the most abundant congeners in the two phases, respectively.     

Irrigation water intensity and climate variability: an agricultural crops analysis of Italian regions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper examines the relationship between the requirement of water resources for irrigation and climate variability and analyses the ranking of the...     

Psychological consequences of prenatal diagnosis in a case of familial Angelman Syndrome

Angelman Syndrome (AS), characterized by mental retardation, absence of speech, seizures and motor dysfunction, is caused by genetic defects leading to loss of expression of the maternal copy of the chromosome 15q11–13 imprinted region. Most cases are sporadic, being caused by de novo deletion of maternal chromosome 15q11–13 (75%) or by paternal uniparental disomy (3–4%). Familial cases can occur, due to mutations in the UBE3A gene or in the imprinting center. We describe the case of a pregnant woman having two nephews with AS caused by a UBE3A mutation; lack of communication within the family led the woman to be completely unaware of the risk of disease recurrence until 15 weeks of gestation. UBE3A genetic testing revealed she carried the familial mutation 892–893delCT. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on amniotic fluid and demonstrated that the fetus had inherited the mutation. The unexpected diagnosis and the subsequent termination of the pregnancy caused the woman to undergo acute psychological distress showing relevant psychopathological symptoms. Nevertheless, at 2-year follow-up, adverse consequences were minimized, and the couple was planning a new pregnancy. Factors affecting the psychological outcome of abortion and the role of psychological support in reducing the risk of long-term unfavorable consequences are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorine in the rocks and sediments of volcanic areas in central Italy: total content, enrichment and leaching processes and a hypothesis on the vulnerability of the related aquifers

Rock, sediment and water samples from areas characterised by hydrothermal alterations in the Sabatini and Vico Volcanic Districts, near Rome and the large city of Viterbo, respectively, were collected and analysed to determine the total fluorine (F) content and to understand the F geochemical background level in the volcanic districts of central Italy. Leaching and alteration processes controlling the high concentration of F in water were also investigated. Fluorine concentrations were directly determined (potentiometrically) by an F selective electrode in water samples, while the procedure for rock samples included preliminary F dissolution through alkaline fusion. F concentrations higher than 800 mg kg(-1) were commonly found in the analysed rocks and sediments; the concentration depended on the lithology and on the distance from the alteration areas. A specific successive sampling campaign was conducted in three areas where the F content in sediments was particularly high; in the same areas, measurements of CO(2) flux were also performed to investigate the possible deep origin of F. To verify the relationships among the high F contents in rocks and sediments, the leaching processes involved and the presence of F in the aquifer, we also collected water samples in the western sector of the Sabatini Volcanic District, where hydrothermal manifestations and mineral springs are common. The data were processed using a GIS system in which the F distribution was combined with morphological and geological observations. The main results of our study are that (1) F concentrations are higher in volcanic and recently formed travertine (especially in hydrothermally altered sediments) than in sedimentary rocks and decrease with distance from hydrothermal alteration areas, (2) F is more easily leached from hydrothermally altered rocks and from travertine and (3) sediments enriched with F may indicate the presence of deep regional fractures that represent direct pathways of hydrothermal fluids from the crust to the surface.