Search

Simple Summary: Dolphins, top predators able to accumulate high levels of environmental contaminants, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution. In this study, the content of metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn) has been evaluated through ICP-MS analysis in several organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of both dolphin species to metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg content correlated to the pollution of the environment where they lived. Significant differences were observed in metals distribution in different organs/tissues analyzed and confirmed by the comparative analysis of metals according to sex and state of development of both dolphin species. These data underline the important role of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as sentinels of the aquatic environment for assessment of the trend of metals pollution in coastal ecosystems and, indirectly, the health of aquatic species of the Mediterranean Sea. Dolphins, top predators of the aquatic food chain, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution as they are sensitive to environmental changes and able to accumulate a large content of contaminants. Several EU directives promote study of marine mammalians as bio-indicators to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which is rich in environmental pollutants due to its geographic and geo-morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of toxic and essential metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn), through ICP-MS analysis, in organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of dolphins to toxic metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg levels observed in skin and liver, although a low Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was found in all samples of both dolphin species. From a comparative analysis of trace metals and metalloids according to sex and state of development, the highest levels of Cd and As were found in females vs. males and adults vs. juveniles, except for Pb in both species, and significant differences were observed between the two species, size of specimens, and organs/tissues analyzed. The highest Hg levels were correlated to those of essential metals Se and Zn, expressed as molar ratios, to evaluate the potential synergic effect of these detoxifying elements against Hg toxicity. This study confirms the rule of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as valid sentinel species of the Mediterranean Sea, to verify the trend of metals pollution in this aquatic environment and, consequently, the health of these marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 151 wild and farmed fish samples of three species (S. aurata, D. labrax and U. cirrosa) from south Mediterranean were examined for cadmium, lead and mercury and total lipids detection to verify possible differences between wild and farmed fish. Mercury was detected only in S. aurata samples, with mean values of 0.056 ± 0.128 mg/kg and 0.031 ± 0.033 mg/kg for farmed and wild samples, respectively. The results verified no significant differences in Pb, Cd and Hg levels between wild and farmed fish samples (p < 0.05). The farmed fish samples showed higher total lipids contents than wild (p > 0.05). As far as we know, this work report first findings on the toxic metal presence in farmed Umbrina cirrosa, showing no detectable Hg, Cd and Pb values. The results of this work seems to confirm that the presence of toxic metals could be more related to the pollution the site than the type of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the relationship between V, Cr, Mn, Hg, As, Cd, Sn, Sb and Pb concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples from the coasts of Sicily and the expression of metallothioneins. Toxic mineral elements assessment was carried out by A.A. Spectrometry and ICP-MS. The metallothioneins expression was performed by q-PCR method. Low metals' levels were found in the mussel samples examined, in comparison with what was reported in literature. The highest mean values of toxic mineral elements were found in Gela (Cr 0.178 ± 0.03 mg/Kg, Mn 4.325 ± 0.012 mg/Kg, As 3.706 ± 0.009 mg/Kg, Sn 0.148 ± 0.014 mg/Kg, Sb 0.009 ± 0.004 mg/Kg e Pb 0.364 ± 0.01 mg/Kg). Significant levels of Hg were found in samples from Catania (0.014 ± 0.005 mg/Kg). Only vanadium and lead concentrations showed significant differences between sampling areas (p < 0.05). Molecular analysis verified a basal expression of Mt1 and the absence of over-expression of Mt2, confirming the low mineral's concentrations found in the samples examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensitive LC–ESI-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of 165 pesticides in 50 citrus fruit samples collected in Sicily. Moreover, an evaluation of pesticides levels in the citrus layers (peel, albedo, and pulp) was carried out. The method presented acceptable trueness, precision, and linearity with LOQ of 5 μg/kg. The results obtained showed a high frequency of fungicides class pesticides in all the citrus samples examined (>95%) with the highest concentrations in the peel (4468 µg/Kg). A significant difference of concentrations was found between the layers of the citrus fruits analysed (p < 0.05). In particular, the peel and albedo present higher pesticides significantly higher than the pulp. Our findings confirming the widespread use of these substances in citrus cultivation and suggesting the importance of pesticides analysis in all the citrus fruit layers separately, considering the different interactions between the physicochemical characteristics of the matrices and the pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples (n = 485) of raw (n = 394) or heat-treated (n = 91) milk of three different species (cow, n = 170; sheep, n = 133; donkey, n = 84), collected 2013-2016 in Western Sicily (Southern Italy), were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive ELISA results were further analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Both methods had a detection limit for AFM1 in milk of 7 ng kg−1. ELISA yielded 12.9 and 5% positives in cows and sheep milk, respectively, all samples of donkey milk were negative. Levels of AFM1 were in most cases at 0.007-< 0.05 μg kg−1, only two samples (sheep milk) slightly exceeded the European Union maximum level of 0.05 μg kg−1. Only 6% of the samples were positive for AFM1 in a concentration range of 0.008-0.15 μg kg−1. Only milk samples collected directly from farms were positive. Overall, the levels were much lower than previously reported for Southern Italy cow and sheep milk samples purchased in retail stores. The results of this work indicate a continuous improvement of the feeding techniques on dairy farms of Southern Italy, which is essential to ensure consumers' protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Curative surgery of synchronous peritoneal metastases (PM) and colorectal liver metastases (LM) has been recently investigated as feasible option. When synchronous peritoneal and liver resection is not achievable, the sequence of the surgery remains unknown. Our hypothesis was that liver resection (LR) promotes peritoneal growth resulting in a non-resectable PM. We sought to analyse the effects of major LR and liver regeneration after hepatectomy in a murine model of PM and the associated angiogenesis. Methods Murine model of colorectal PM in Balb/C mice was developed by intraperitoneal injection of different CT-26 tumour cell concentrations. Five days after the injection, mice were randomized into three groups: 68% hepatectomy group, sham laparotomy and control group without surgery. On post-operative days 1, 5 and 20, PM was evaluated macroscopically, tumour growth and liver regeneration by immunohistochemistry, and angiogenesis by immunofluorescence. Circulating progenitor cells, plasmatic cytokines and digestive arterial blood flow velocity measurements were also analysed. Results Reproducible murine model of limited colorectal PM was obtained. Surgery induced PM increases and promoted neo-angiogenesis. Major hepatectomy influence the tumour growth in the late phase after surgery, the extent of extra-peritoneal metastasis and the increase of Ki-67 expression in the remnant liver. Conclusions This animal model confirms the pro-tumoural and pro-angiogenic role of surgery, laparotomy and major LR, which promotes the increase of angiogenic factors and their participation in PM growth. These results suggest that peritoneal resection should be first step in the case of two-step liver and peritoneal surgery for patients with colorectal PM and LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined a total of 369 bovine liver and muscle samples for the detection of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DOX) residues by implementation and validation of a LC-MS/MS method. The method showed good recovery values between 86% and 92% at three levels of concentrations. The linearity tests revealed r2 > 0.996 for all the tetracyclines examined. Furthermore, the Youden test revealed that the method was robust. Only 14.4% of the samples showed OTC and TC residues in a concentration range of 10.4–40.2 µg kg−1. No CTC and DOX residues were found in all the samples analyzed. Liver samples showed the highest average values (31.5 ± 20.6 and 21.8 ± 18.9 for OTC and TC, respectively). The results showed a low incidence of TCs in all the samples examined, in comparison with other studies reported in the literature. A significant decrease in TC residues frequency was found from 2013 (p < 0.05). This work reports for the first time epidemiological data on the presence of TC residues in liver and muscle samples of cattle farmed in Sicily (Southern Italy). The very low incidence of TC residues indicates a continuous improvement in farming techniques in Southern Italy, which is essential to ensure consumers' protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of polyphenols was examined in carob pods ( Ceratonia siliqua ) from Southern Italy 90 days after harvest by the validation of a reliable LC-HRMS method. A greater abundance of Apigenin (51490.22 ± 34399.16 μg/Kg) and Myricetin (24897.92 ± 108332.05 μg/Kg) compared to previous research works conducted in Mediterranean countries. Significant differences in the polyphenol content between sampling areas ( p  < 0.05) were observed, particularly differences in hesperidin and myricetin. These differences confirmed the role of geochemical and climatic conditions in the variation of polyphenol content. This study is a first regarding the phenolic content of carob pods from Southern Italy, confirming the presence of these substances even long after harvest and that carob pods are valuable sources of phenolic substances that may be useful in the prevention of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Dolphins, top predators of the aquatic food chain, are used as sentinel species of marine pollution as they are sensitive to environmental changes and able to accumulate a large content of contaminants. Several EU directives promote study of marine mammalians as bio-indicators to evaluate the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which is rich in environmental pollutants due to its geographic and geo-morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of toxic and essential metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Zn), through ICP-MS analysis, in organs/tissues (liver, muscle, lung, kidney and skin) of striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba ) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis ) stranded along the Sicilian coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea. The results confirm the exposure of dolphins to toxic metals and metalloids, with the highest Hg levels observed in skin and liver, although a low Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was found in all samples of both dolphin species. From a comparative analysis of trace metals and metalloids according to sex and state of development, the highest levels of Cd and As were found in females vs. males and adults vs. juveniles, except for Pb in both species, and significant differences were observed between the two species, size of specimens, and organs/tissues analyzed. The highest Hg levels were correlated to those of essential metals Se and Zn, expressed as molar ratios, to evaluate the potential synergic effect of these detoxifying elements against Hg toxicity. This study confirms the rule of Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis as valid sentinel species of the Mediterranean Sea, to verify the trend of metals pollution in this aquatic environment and, consequently, the health of these marine species.