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Understanding oxidative stress in high-mountain lake fish offers crucial insights into their health, resilience, and adaptation to extreme environmental changes. This study investigates the oxidative stress response of Cottus gobio in a high-mountain lake (Dimon Lake) located in the northeast Italy during the ice-free season, focusing on the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and physicochemical water parameters, as well as persistent and emerging contaminants. Significant seasonal variations were observed in water parameters, with lower oxygen, pH, conductivity, and phosphate levels in summer compared to autumn, while temperature, ammonium, and nitrate were higher in summer. Metal concentrations in C. gobio muscle were higher in autumn, with Zn showing the most significant increase. PAHs, NDL-PCBs, and pesticides were all below the limit of quantification in the fish muscle samples. No microplastics items were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish. Oxidative stress biomarkers revealed organ-specific and seasonal variations. The liver exhibited the highest activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-tranferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR), highlighting its central role in detoxification and metabolic processes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was notably higher in muscle tissue during summer, suggesting increased metabolic activity. A strong correlation was found between pH and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and metallothioneins (MTs), emphasizing the importance of water chemistry in influencing oxidative stress responses. This approach not only aids in understanding the local adaptations of these fish but also highlights the impacts of environmental stressors on high-mountain ecosystems. Continuous monitoring of water chemistry, particularly pH, is crucial for understanding and managing oxidative stress in aquatic organisms, especially in the context of global environmental changes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pesticides play a critical role in modern agriculture by protecting crops and ensuring higher yields, but their widespread use raises concerns about human health and environmental impact. Regulatory agencies impose Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) to ensure safety, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assesses pesticide risks. This study monitored pesticide residues in 169 feed samples from Piedmont (Italy) collected between 2019 and 2023. Using GC-MS/MS, residues were found in 92% of animal-based and 70% of cereal-based feedstuffs. The most common pesticides in cereal-based feeds were pyrimiphos-methyl, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, azoxystrobin, and tetramethrin, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl-butoxide demonstrated a significant increase in contaminated samples in 2023. The lower concentrations in 2021 were likely due to COVID-19 impacts on pesticide availability. In animal-based feeds, common pesticides included deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl-butoxide. The results highlight the pervasive presence of low-dose pesticide mixtures in feed and food chains, which could impact health, although do not pose acute risks. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing pesticide monitoring and awareness of the long-term effects of chronic pesticide exposure on animal, human, and environmental health.

Introduction: Cancer is a leading cause of death in cats, and the rate of such disease has been increasing recently. Nonetheless, feline oncology represents an important area of study not only for the health and wellbeing of cats but also for human health since various types of cancer in cats share similarities to those found in humans. Therefore, epidemiological studies on feline oncology may suggest environmental and genetic factors contributing to cancer in cats, which can eventually be translated to improve human cancer care., Method: To provide an initial understanding of the epidemiology of feline neoplasms, a descriptive study was undertaken using a dataset documenting cases of feline cancer gathered from the Liguria region (northwest Italy) spanning from 2002 to 2022. The database includes tumor location, morphological codes of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd Edition (ICD-O-3), feline's breed, sex, neuter status, date of birth, date of diagnosis, national territorial unit code of the town of the owner's residence, and an alphanumeric string uniquely identifying the owner's surname., Results and Discussion: The dataset involves a population of 4,399 cats, including 3,195 females (1,425 neutered) and 1,204 males (750 neutered). Our results indicate that mammary gland tumors are the most represented tumors in the female population, while soft tissue and skin cancers appear to have a higher abundance in the male population during the periods investigated (2002-2022). Moreover, Poisson regression analysis showed that not neutered female cats have a significantly increased risk of developing mammary gland tumors compared to the neutered female population [proportional morbidity ratio (PMR) neutered vs. not neutered = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.72]; meanwhile, for both sexes, for soft tissue and skin tumors, being neutered appears to be a risk factor (PMR neutered vs. not neutered = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.86-2.73; PMR neutered vs. not neutered = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.89-1.51). Finally, the evaluation of the Ligurian municipalities pollution, based on wild boars data (i.e., biomonitors), which coexisted with cats, was correlated to cancer development for all the tumors investigated (in polluted areas, estimated PMRs ranged from 42.61 to 80.13, 95% CI: 29.94-105.11). Overall, the data presented here suggest the use of the feline population as a possible animal model for human health, i.e., sentinel., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Giugliano, Dell'Anno, De Paolis, Crescio, Ciccotelli, Vivaldi and Razzuoli.)

Introduction: Dogs are human companions and share environmental conditions with their owners. Epidemiological studies have shown that dogs seem to be good sentinel animals for the association of diseases and/or mortality provoked by chronic exposure to heavy metals (Cd, Pb)., Methods: In the present work, we analyze the registered death cases and population from the National Canine Registry from 2020 to 2022, involving a dog population of 582,564 and 17,507 deaths. The mortality rate in male and not-purebred dogs is higher than in female and purebred dogs, respectively. The mortality cases were cross-referenced with the environmental pollution data relating to the concentration of Cd and Pb detected, between 2012 and 2022, in the various municipalities of the Liguria region. We then calculated SMR (Standardized Mortality Rate) throughout the region and found that mortality increases from the eastern to the western Ligurian coast., Results and Discussion: We observed that the most polluted areas present the highest SMRs (IRR = 1.36, 95%CI: from 1.31 to 1.41). Considering dog ages, we found that mortality in young dogs is not affected by pollution, while mortality in old dogs (10-20 years old) is heavily affected by it (IRR = 8.97, 95%CI from 8.09 to 9.93). In conclusion, the data suggest the importance of canine health and biomonitor studies and provide a basis for future research involving both animal and human health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Giugliano, Crescio, Cosma, Ciccotelli, Vivaldi and Razzuoli.)

Shellfish sanitary controls are very important to guarantee consumer health because bivalve molluscs (BVM) are filter-feeders so they can accumulate pathogens, environmental contaminants and biotoxins produced by some algae, causing infections and food poisoning in humans after ingestion. The purpose of this work was to analyse with chemometric methods the historical data relating to routine analyses carried out by the competent authority (Liguria Local Health Unit, National Health Service) on the BVM reared in a shellfish farm located in the Gulf of La Spezia (Italy). Chemometric analysis was aimed at identifying any correlations between the variables, as well as any seasonal trends and similarities between the stations, in order to be able to provide further material for a more accurate risk assessment and to improve the monitoring organization for example by reducing sampling stations and/or sampling frequency. The dataset used included 31 variables classified as biotoxicological, microbiological and chemical variables, measured twice a week, monthly or half yearly respectively, for a total of 6 years (from 2015 to 2021), on samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis coming from 7 monitoring stations. The results obtained by the application of principal component analysis have shown positive alga-biotoxin correlations, as well as seasonal trends linked to algae growth, with a greater algal biomass and their toxins during the spring months. In addition, periods characterised by low rainfall were found to affect algal development, promoting especially species such as Dinophysis spp. Considering the microbiological and biotoxicological variables, significant differences between the monitoring stations were not found. However, stations could be distinguished on the basis of the nature of the predominant chemical pollutants., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Valentina Ciccotelli reports article publishing charges was provided by Zooprophylactic Institute of Piemonte Liguria and Valle d’Aosta., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

During the last decades, plant-based milk has become very appreciated by consumers, becoming a staple ingredient, especially for alternative breakfasts. Milk contains lactose, which is a sugar hydrolysed by the lactase enzyme. Lactose intolerance and lactose malabsorption are very common food intolerances among individuals. However, a lot of consumers consider themselves as lactose intolerant on the basis of self-reported intolerance and start to avoid dairy products, ignoring that plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally comparable to animal milk, especially in terms of protein intake. The aim of this study is to grow folder knowledge of the security of plant-based drinks, helping competent authorities to issue a risk assessment and to apply national plans about consumer safety. Results show that proper sanitary practices, such as pasteurization, are necessary in plant-based milk alternatives as well as in dairy milk. Chemical analysis has highlighted that there are no pesticide risks for consumers.

Cadmium (Cd 2+ ) is regarded as one of the most toxic heavy metals, which can enter the food chain through environmental contamination and be bioaccumulated. Its exposure in Ligurian wild boars was monitored between 2016-2020 and revealed high level of this heavy metal in different provinces. In one of these polluted area, 21 wild boars were additionally sampled and the relationship between hepatic and renal Cd 2+ concentration suggested that majority of these animals presented chronic intoxication. Cd 2+ exposure of wild boar might lead to an immunosuppression status, thus in vitro experiments on wild boar monocyte-derived macrophages (moMФ) were carried out. Effects of Cd 2+ scalar doses were evaluated through viability and adsorption assays, ELISA, qPCR. Moderate doses of this environmental pollutant (20 μM) were absorbed by moMФ, with subsequent reduction of their viability. This heavy metal did not trigger release of either IFN- β, anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory cytokines by moMФ, instead 24 h treatment with 20 μM of Cd 2+ resulted in down-regulated expression of TNF-α, IL-12p40, several TLRs, CD14, MD2, BD2, MyD88, p65, and NOS2. The results of our monitoring activity suggested that wild boar can be useful to monitor environmental exposure of this heavy metal and can help in understanding the type of contamination. In addition, in vitro experiments on wild boar moMФ revealed that Cd 2+ exposure negatively affected the immune function of these cells, likely leading to increased susceptibility to infection., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

The presence of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in non-depurated and depurated oysters raised in the north-west Italian coast was investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Total and inorganic arsenic (As) and the presence of marine biotoxins (DSP, ASP, PSP) by LC-MS were also investigated. NoV was detected through all the sampling period in non depurated and depurated oysters with highest levels during wintertime (>10 4 genome copies per gram, gc/g) and minimum values in summer below the LOQ (<130/140 gc/g). HEV has never been found as well as biotoxins. Total As concentration was found in oysters in the range 0.45-3.0 mg/kg, while inorganic As was found in all samples in concentrations below the LOQ (<0.020 mg/kg). The study highlights how the 24 h depuration process didn't reduce significantly NoV levels and therefore the high concentration of NoV in oysters could represent a risk for consumers especially during winter and spring months., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is employed in fish farms to contest or prevent bacterial infections. We simulated an OTC treatment at therapeutic level (75 mg kg(-1)) and at higher doses (150, 300 mg kg(-1)) for 10 days. A withdrawal period of 10 days was considered for treated carp, carrying out the same chemical and biochemical analyses (total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde). The aim was to obtain data related to the carryover in muscle and on variations in the antioxidant indicators in liver and kidney. The OTC residual levels in muscle showed a dose-response relationship. After 10 days of treatment at the recommended dose (75 mg kg(-1)), the mean value in muscle was 295 μg kg(-1). After 10 withdrawal days, residues in all treated groups were not entirely eliminated by fish. Residues of recommended 75 mg kg(-1) OTC dose were lower than the maximum permitted by EEC regulation: 100 μg kg(-1). Disturbance in the antioxidant systems in liver and kidney was recorded in (150, 300 mg kg(-1)) carp, as well as during the withdrawal period. A lowered superoxide dismutase activity and higher levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione were evaluated in liver, while in kidney only higher malondialdehyde and glutathione S-transferase concentrations were recorded for 300 mg kg(-1) dose. The therapeutic OTC dose exerted lower effects, and only in liver, enhancement of GPx and GR activities was recorded. After the withdrawal period, altered antioxidant responses in tissues were restored for all three OTC doses.

A selective and sensitive method for screening 31 analytes (nine corticosteroids, eight β-agonists, seven anabolic steroids, six promazines and zeranol) in bovine urine was validated according to 2002/657/EC guidelines. Upon optimization of sample treatment conditions, the extraction was performed by diethylether at pH 9, after deconjugation. Extraction yields (R%) proved higher than 70% for 19 analytes, 50

An analytical, pharmacokinetic and histopathologic investigation was conducted by two experimental trials on beef cattle in order to determine fate and effects of dexamethasone and prednisolone, administered to distinct cattle groups at low dosage for long periods of time. In trial 1, eighteen Charolaise beef cattle, male, 17-22-months-old, were divided in three groups: to group A (n=6) dexamethasone-21-sodium-phosphate 0.7 mg day(-1) per os for 40 days was administered; group B (n=6) was orally treated with prednisolone 15 mg day(-1) for 30 days, while group C (n=6) served as negative control. Urine was collected at days 0, 7, 15, 25 and 47 from groups A and C, and at days 0, 8, 18 and 42 from group B. In trial 2, sixteen Friesian cattle, male, 10-17-months-old, were randomly divided into two groups: group D (n=8) was administered prednisolone 30 mg day(-1) per os for 35 days, while group K (n=8) served as control. In both trials, the animals were slaughtered after a 6-days drug withdrawal and thymus and livers were collected and properly stored until the analysis was performed. Quantitative determinations of dexamethasone, prednisolone and its main metabolite, prednisone, in urine and liver samples were conducted by HPLC-MS/MS, after the analytical procedure was optimized and fully validated. The method validation included the assessment of specificity, linearity, precision, trueness, robustness, CC(α) and CC(β) values. By a morphological point of view, severe atrophy of thymus parenchyma was observed in group A, together with a significant (P<0.005) reduction of the mean thymus weight (217±94 g), while group B (646±215 g) presented normal thymus features and weights (group C, 415±116 g). Accordingly, no differences were found in trial 2 for groups D (727±275g) and K (642±173 g). Average dexamethasone concentrations in group A urine samples ranged from 1.4 to 3.0 μg L(-1) during the treatment, while no residue was detected in the urine samples collected 6-7 days after the end of the treatment. Low amounts of dexamethasone (<1 μg L(-1)) were detected in liver samples of group A. All average prednisolone concentrations in group B urine samples (sum of conjugate and free form) turned out to be below 1.0 μg L(-1) during the treatment, despite the much higher concentration administered (15-30 mg day(-1)) with respect to dexamethasone in group A (0.7 mg day(-1)). No prednisolone residues were found in the urine and liver samples taken at the slaughterhouse. The absence of any prednisolone residue in the urine samples of control group animals supports the theory that the origin of this molecule is fundamentally exogenous, at least for this cattle category maintained under unstressing conditions. Remarkable findings are represented by the absence of thymus atrophy in the prednisolone treated animals and the extremely low residue concentrations found in urine during the treatment. Both findings reveal that the detection of illegal growth-promoting treatments with this drug is difficult., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)