Slowly seeing the light: an integrative review on ecological light pollution as a potential threat for mollusks

Seasonal changes in the natural light condition play a pivotal role in the regulation of many biological processes in organisms. Disruption of this natural condition via the growing loss of darkness as a result of anthropogenic light pollution has been linked to species-wide shifts in behavioral and physiological traits. This review starts with a brief overview of the definition of light pollution and the most recent insights into the perception of light. We then go on to review the evidence for some adverse effects of ecological light pollution on different groups of animals and will focus on mollusks. Taken together, the available evidence suggests a critical role for light pollution as a recent, growing threat to the regulation of various biological processes in these animals, with the potential to disrupt ecosystem stability. The latter indicates that ecological light pollution is an environmental threat that needs to be taken seriously and requires further research attention.

     

Histopathological alterations induced by marine environmental pollutants on the bivalve Cerastoderma glaucum (Bruguière 1789) from Temsah Lake,Suez Canal,Egypt

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Bivalves are considered a main consumed matrix for coastal communities worldwide and classified as hyperaccumulators of pollutants. The present study...     

Understanding the relationship between electric power consumption,technological transfer,financial development and environmental quality

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This research paper attempts to investigate both the long-run and causality relationship among electric power consumption (EPC), technological...     

Active Surveillance and Genetic Characterization of Prevalent Velogenic Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 Viruses Among Migratory Wild Birds in Southern Egypt During 2015–2018

Food and Environmental Virology - A total of 1007 samples (910 fecal droplets and 97 cloacal swabs) were collected from 14 species of migratory wild birds in most wetlands during 3 successive...     

Delayed neurotoxicity in the wild mallard duckling caused by the organophosphorus insecticides cyanofenphos and leptophos

Abstract

The susceptibility of wild mallard ducklings to the delayed neurotoxic effect of the neurotoxic organophosphorus insecticides cyanofenphos and leptophos was evaluated following a daily dosing regimen. Ducklings were treated daily with either cyanofenphos or with leptophos at different dose levels for 90 days, or until they died, or became paralyzed. A control group of ducklings given corn oil at 1 ml/kg daily for 90 days was used for comparison. All treated birds were observed daily for any clinical signs of neurotoxicity during the course of this study. All of the surviving ducklings that were treated with cyanofenphos at 4 mg/kg/day or leptophos at 10 mg/kg/day developed clinical signs of delayed neurotoxicity after 7 to 11 weeks of intoxication. Symptoms included leg weakness, ataxia, severe ataxia and paralysis. The observed clinical signs were confirmed by histological changes found in the spinal cords of the treated birds. These changes were of the type associated with organophosphorus‐induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). These results demonstrate that wild mallard ducklings are susceptible to OPIDN and this avian species can be used in screening organophos‐phorus compounds for such effect.     

Cell-free DNA screening and sex chromosome aneuploidies

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is increasingly being used to screen pregnant women for fetal aneuploidies. This technology may also identify fetal sex and can be used to screen for sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs). Physicians offering this screening will need to be prepared to offer comprehensive prenatal counseling about these disorders to an increasing number of patients. The purpose of this article is to consider the source of information to use for counseling, factors in parental decision-making, and the performance characteristics of cfDNA testing in screening for SCAs. Discordance between ultrasound examination and cfDNA results regarding fetal sex is also discussed. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.