Determination of oral uptake and biodistribution of platinum and chromium by the garden snail (Helix aspersa) employing nano-secondary ion mass-spectrometry

Environmental heavy metal contamination is a case of concern for both animal and human health. Studying the fate of metals in plant or animal tissues may provide information on pollution. In the present study, we investigated the possibility to follow the biological fate of chromium and platinum uptake in common garden snails (Helix aspersa), typically accumulating high concentrations of metals from their environment. Chromium and platinum were administered orally to snails in 5 groups (n = 25/group): control, food contaminated by ca. 2.5 μg g^?1 and 19 μg g^?1 chromium and 2.5 μg g^?1 and 25 μg g^?1 platinum, for 8 weeks. Following exposure, surviving snails were sacrificed, shell and remaining tissue investigated by ICP-MS, and shell, midgut gland and mantle by nano-secondary ion mass-spectrometry (Nano-SIMS). ¹²C¹⁴N-normalized platinum and ⁴⁰Ca-normalized chromium measurements indicated highest enrichments in cellular vesicles of the midgut gland, and lower concentrations in mantle and shell, with significantly higher platinum and chromium concentrations in the 2 exposure groups vs. control (P < 0.05), with somewhat differing distribution patterns for chromium and platinum. Comparable results were obtained by ICP-MS, with both chromium and platinum fed snails showing drastically elevated concentrations of metals in shell (up to 78 and 122 μg g^?1 dw platinum and chromium, respectively) and in other tissues (up to 200 and 1125 μg g^?1 dw platinum and chromium, respectively). Nano-SIMS allowed for semi-quantitative comparison of metal fate in snail tissues, making this an interesting technique for future studies in the area of environmental pollution.     

Natural radionuclides distribution and environmental impacts of ferruginous sand-siltstone (raw material) and their manufactured Ahmer oxide used as wall paints

Commercially known Ahmer oxide paints are prepared from raw material mainly composed of red iron oxides (hematite) and iron oxyhydroxides. The raw material used in manufacturing of Ahmer oxide comes from some localities in southwest Sinai such as Abu Thor, Allouga, and El lehian. The adsorption of uranium and other radioelements on iron oxides could make the raw material (red iron oxides) and their products environmentally hazardous. The studied samples were subjected to radiometric analysis using NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The average activity concentration of U, Th, Ra, and K are 108.7, 458.8, 88.8, and 627.5?Bq?kg^?1, respectively in raw material and 136.4, 14.6, 58.3, and 95.9?Bq?kg^?1 in Ahmer oxide. High values of activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K were recorded in Allouga and El lehian raw material. High radioactivities of Allouga and El lehian raw material are mainly attributed to the presence of torbernite, zircon, and monazite, in addition to adsorbed elemental uranium in Ahmer oxide. absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent, radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external hazard index (H_ex), and internal hazard index (H_in), as well as representative gamma index (Iγ) were determined from the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. Some of the studied samples do not satisfy the universal standards.     

Simulation study of the Lower Cretaceous geothermal reservoir for aquifer thermal energy storage

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) has gained attention in several countries as an installation for increasing the energy efficiency of geothermal...     

Peri-urban agro-ecosystems in the Mediterranean: diversity,dynamics, and drivers

Regional Environmental Change - To address sustainability challenges of agro-ecosystems located in Mediterranean urban regions, this paper focuses on the multidisciplinary subject of urban...     

Anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Salvia officinalis essential oil against vanadium-induced oxidative stress and histological changes in the rat liver

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Salvia officinalis essential oil (SOEO) against vanadium-induced hepatotoxicity...     

Spontaneous abortion in women occupationally exposed to inhalational anesthetics: a critical systematic review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Occupational exposure to inhalational anesthetics has been associated with health problems, including reproductive issues. Considering the scarcity...     

Ergonomics intervention on an alternative design of a spinal board

Nurses are often obliged to work in a 12-hr shift work system. We have decided to check whether such a working system constitutes an excessive load for nurses. On the basis of a questionnaire survey among nurses working in an 8-hr daytime shift system (169 nurses) and in a 12-hr shift (536 nurses), the amount of physical workload, work stress, and after-work activities were compared. Data analysis has shown that a 12-hr shift system is characterized by less significant physical workload but greater mental load. The nurses working in a 2-shift system were more tired after work, but they could spend more time on leisure activities and do housework. The data suggest that there are no significant contraindications for nurses to work in a 2-shift system.     

Genotypic characterization of quinolone resistant-Escherichia coli isolates from retail food in Morocco

This study was conducted to assess the retail food as a possible vehicle for antimicrobial resistant, particularly quinolones resistant and pathogenic Escherichia coli. We determined the prevalence and characteristics of nalidixic acid (Nal) resistant E. coli isolates from diverse retail food samples. In all, 70 (28%) of 250 E. coli isolates studied were Nal-resistant E. coli and 91% of these were multi-drug resistant. Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes were identified in 32 isolates, including aac(6′)-Ib-cr (n = 16), qnrS1 (n = 11) and qnrB19 (n = 7). Mutations in gyr A and par C genes were detected among 80% of the isolates, and the isolates showed substitution Ser83-Leu and Asp87-Asn in gyrA and Ser80-Ile in parC. In addition, three different gene cassettes were identified (aadA1, aadA7, aac(3)-Id) in 18%. Virulence-associated genes stx1, eae, sfa, hlyA and stx2 were found in six (8%), three (4%), two (3%), three (4%) and three (4%) isolates, respectively. E. coli isolates of phylogenetic group A were dominant (64%, 45/70). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed none epidemiological relationship between these isolates. The results of this work report the higher frequency of Nal-resistant E. coli isolates from Moroccan retail food samples including MDR and pathogenic isolates.