Article
Environmental Sciences
Manasa Muralidharan, K. Veena Gayathri, P. Senthil Kumar, D. S. Preethi, R. Kavitha, Revathy Rajagopal, Gayathri Rangasamy
Summary: Accidents involving diesel oil spills are prevalent in sea-and coastal regions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent contaminants with poor water solubility. Microbial degradation of PAHs has proven to be a beneficial and effective method for pollutant removal.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adrian Alvarez-Molina, Jose F. Cobo-Diaz, Elena A. Alexa, Fiona Crispie, Miguel Prieto, Mercedes Lopez, Paul D. Cotter, Avelino Alvarez-Ordonez
Summary: In recent years, advances in high throughput sequencing technologies have opened up new possibilities for environmental monitoring in the food processing industry. This study used whole metagenome sequencing to assess the microbiome and resistome of food processing environments from slaughterhouses, dairy processing plants, and meat processing plants. The results showed that slaughterhouses had more diverse microbiomes and resistomes, while dairy processing plants had the highest variability. Different predominant bacterial genera were found in each industry type. The study also identified the most abundant antimicrobial resistance genes, which were associated with resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The findings have important implications for food safety management systems.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ilze Brila, Anton Lavrinienko, Eugene Tukalenko, Frauke Ecke, Ilia Rodushkin, Eva R. Kallio, Tapio Mappes, Phillip C. Watts
Summary: Studies show that metal pollution can affect the diversity of gut microbiota in wild animals, leading to changes in composition, highlighting the importance of studying a wider range of metals and their cocktails in more representative environmental exposures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hannah-Marie Martiny, Patrick Munk, Christian Brinch, Judit Szarvas, Frank M. Aarestrup, Thomas Nordahl Petersen
Summary: This study presents a large-scale metagenomic analysis of sequencing reads from over 200,000 samples to investigate the dissemination and emergence of mobilized colistin resistance genes. The results show that the distribution of gene variants depends on sampling source and location, and new subvariants can emerge in specific environments. The study highlights the importance of sharing genomic data for monitoring antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Environmental Studies
Anna Lunde Hermansson, Ida-Maja Hassellov, Jana Moldanova, Erik Ytreberg
Summary: New global regulations implemented in January 2020 limit the maximum sulphur content in marine fuels. Installing exhaust gas cleaning systems can lead to increased discharge of pollutants into the marine environment. Considering environmental loads and impact of contaminants from shipping, it is crucial to include both the marine and the atmospheric perspectives for a comprehensive evaluation.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Winston E. Anthony, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Gautam Dantas, Jennie H. Kwon
Summary: This review discusses the gut as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance and pathogen colonization, with a focus on beta-lactam and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance. It also explores the use of functional metagenomics and long-read sequencing technologies to detect and understand antimicrobial resistance genes within the gut microbiome, as well as the potential for future microbiome-directed methods for detecting and preventing infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric J. Vlaanderen, Timothy M. Ghaly, Lisa R. Moore, Amaranta Focardi, Ian T. Paulsen, Sasha G. Tetu
Summary: Plastic pollution is a global problem, with over 12 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the oceans annually. Plastic debris can impact microbial communities in marine environments, leading to an increase in pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes. However, our understanding of these impacts is limited to microbial assemblages on plastic surfaces, and it is unclear whether these effects are due to plastic properties or chemicals leached from plastics.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Edvige Gambino, Kuppam Chandrasekhar, Rosa Anna Nastro
Summary: Marine pollution, especially in coastal areas, is a serious issue with pollutants accumulating in sediments. Effective remediation of sediments is necessary to prevent further harm to marine life and human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ma lgorzata Czatzkowska, Damian Rolbiecki, Magdalena Zaborowska, Katarzyna Bernat, Ewa Korzeniewska, Monika Harnisz
Summary: This study reveals the significant impact of co-treatment of landfill leachate and municipal wastewater on chemical and microbiological contamination in the environment, particularly on the occurrence of antibiotic resistance determinants in wastewater and rivers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rashmi Trivedi, Tarun Kumar Upadhyay, Mohd Adnan Kausar, Amir Saeed, Amit Baran Sharangi, Ahmad Almatroudi, Nadiyah M. Alabdallah, Mohd Saeed, Farrukh Aqil
Summary: The rise of antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to public health, and the microbiome and nanotechnology offer potential solutions to combat this issue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Joana Pereira-Dias, Chau Nguyen Ngoc Minh, Chau Tran Thi Hong, To Nguyen Thi Nguyen, Tuyen Ha Thanh, Caroline Zellmer, Hao Chung The, Lindsay Pike, Ellen E. Higginson, Stephen Baker
Summary: This study conducted shotgun metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples from healthy individuals in Vietnam and found a significant presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in the gut microbiome, especially in young children. These genes could be transferred to pathogens, contributing to the generation of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant pathogens. Longitudinal cohort studies in urban and rural areas of developing countries are suggested to further understand the behavior of these AMR reservoirs.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Karen Leth Nielsen, Markus Harboe Olsen, Albert Palleja, Soren Roddik Ebdrup, Nikolaj Sorensen, Oksana Lukjancenko, Rasmus L. Marvig, Kirsten Moller, Niels Frimodt-Moller, Frederik Boetius Hertz
Summary: This study investigated the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome and resistome of antibiotic-naive patients during neurointensive care. It was found that narrow-spectrum antibiotic treatment increased microbial richness, while broad-spectrum treatment had diverse effects on different patients. Additionally, post-treatment broad-spectrum treatment resulted in higher abundance of antibiotic resistance genes.
Article
Immunology
Weizhong Li, Terhi Tapiainen, Lauren Brinkac, Hernan A. Lorenzi, Kelvin Moncera, Mysore Tejesvi, Jarmo Salo, Karen E. Nelson
Summary: The study found that perinatal antibiotics significantly disrupted vertical transmission of maternal microbes to infants, changing the source of gut colonization towards horizontal transfer from the environment to the infants.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Biswajita Pradhan, Prajna Paramita Bhuyan, Rabindra Nayak, Srimanta Patra, Chhandashree Behera, Jang-Seu Ki, Andrea Ragusa, Alexander S. Lukatkin, Mrutyunjay Jena
Summary: This review examines the changes in physicochemical and molecular characteristics of microalgae in response to heavy metals and metalloids stress and discusses the use of biotechnological methods to enhance their bioaccumulation and remediation capabilities.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Madhumitha Vijayanand, Abiraami Ramakrishnan, Ramakrishnan Subramanian, Praveen Kumar Issac, Mahmoud Nasr, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Rajinikanth Rajagopal, Babett Greff, Nur Izyan Wan Azelee, Byong-Hun Jeon, Soon Woong Chang, Balasubramani Ravindran
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major class of organic pollutants with significant health and environmental concerns. Recent research has focused on the degradation mechanisms and microbial degradation of PAHs. Advances in analytical biochemistry and genetically engineered technologies have improved the efficiency of PAHs' breakdown and facilitated the development of new bioremediation techniques. This review provides insights into the degradation of PAHs in the aquatic environment by halophilic archaea, bacteria, algae, and fungi, and discusses the removal mechanisms of PAHs in the marine/aquatic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
T. N. Nganje, C. I. Adamu, A. S. Ekwere, K. A. Ibe, Aniekan Edet, A. S. Hursthouse
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of shale bedrock on the soil and water environment in parts of southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. The results showed that lead was highly enriched in the shale rock, while other elements were slightly enriched. The concentrations of metals in the soil were higher than in the shale bedrock, indicating contamination. Shale bedrock and mineral load were identified as the major sources of contamination in the soil and water.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. J. Watts, A. Argyraki, M. Barbieri, A. Brown, M. Button, R. Finkelman, G. Gibson, O. Humphrey, X. Huo, A. S. Hursthouse, B. Kaninga, P. Marinho Reis, D. R. S. Middleton, O. Morton-Bermea, A. Nazarpour, A. S. Olatunji, O. Osano, S. Potgieter-Vermaak, C. Prater, K. Torrance, M. H. Wong, C. Zhang, M. Zia
Summary: This article discusses how the SEGH community has responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluates the progress made from 2019 to 2021, including the increase in membership offerings and improvement in regional diversity.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Na Song, Iain McLellan, Wei Liu, Zhenghua Wang, Andrew Hursthouse
Summary: The 2017 ban on waste import in mainland China and the introduction of new waste management policies have had a widespread impact, providing a direction for transformation. The ban has led to increased prices for domestic recycling and the adoption of more formal and environmentally friendly recycling processes. The dynamic of domestic policies in China shows a high level of activity in policy updates and revisions since 2015, and the concept of 'zero waste cities' offers new hope for improving the waste management system.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Si Li, Nana Xiong, Guocheng Zhu, Peng Wan, Andrew S. Hursthouse, Hongqi Huang
Summary: This study evaluated a modified gravity compression aeration system for separating dye from water. By adjusting the preparation conditions of a modified polyester fibre ball (MPFB), the best adsorption conditions were determined. The results showed that under specific conditions, the system can achieve up to 100% removal of dye and has a high adsorption capacity.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
O. Okwu, E. Viza, A. Hursthouse, L. Idoko
Summary: The informal recyclers in Port Harcourt's mobile phone village lack the necessary skills and knowledge for proper waste electrical and electronic equipment management. They show willingness to comply with government guidelines, but have limited awareness of health and safety practices and the use of personal protective equipment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ernest Man, Claire Easdon, Iain McLellan, Humphrey H. P. Yiu, Clare Hoskins
Summary: Wound care is crucial for effective recovery, but the financial burden it imposes on global national health services necessitates further research. This study develops multifunctional polymer wafers that provide antibacterial activity, high cell viability, and a thermally stable medium for delivering therapeutic agents. The wafers create nanosilver particles within the polymer matrix via a one-pot synthesis method, promoting wound healing. The synthesis of nanosilver particles was compared using different agents, resulting in thermally stable alginate matrices with high swelling capacities and controlled release rates for antibacterial activity.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. Jones, M. E. Alexander, S. Lightbody, D. Snellgrove, P. Smith, S. Bramhall, F. L. Henriquez, I. McLellan, K. A. Sloman
Summary: Ornamental fishes can experience compromised welfare during the transportation process, but post-transport tank composition and visual cues can improve their behavior and welfare. Fish placed in tanks with conspecifics exhibited more aggression and had shorter latency to forage.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Somayeh Bahrami, Zeinab Asadi, Mehdi Zarei, Hossein Hamidinejat, Fiona L. Henriquez
Summary: In this study, the cytopathic and phagocytic properties of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites were examined after exposure to sublethal concentrations of chlorine. Results showed that chlorine-treated trophozoites exhibited more extensive cytopathic effects, higher bacterial uptake rate, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities compared to untreated cells. mRNA expression analysis revealed upregulation of virulence genes in chlorine-treated trophozoites. Proper concentration and exposure time of chlorine are crucial to prevent the development of resistance and virulent amoebae.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wisdom K. Adza, Andrew S. Hursthouse, Jan Miller, Daniel Boakye
Summary: Hypertensive heart disease in European regions is linked to environmental noise and air pollution. Epidemiological studies have shown that road traffic air-noise pollution can contribute to adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases like hypertension. The DPSEEA conceptual framework model is effective in reviewing and assessing the impact of policy and legislation in environmental public health, especially in relation to air-noise pollution and cardiovascular diseases in the EU and UK.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Elisabetta Antuofermo, Marta Polinas, Daniele Dessi, Fiona Luisa Henriquez
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cecilia Chaine, Andrew S. Hursthouse, Iain Mclellan, Evi Viza, Jan Miller
Summary: Countries with emerging legislation on WEEE but limited infrastructure can learn from more robust systems to develop adaptable and socioeconomically viable management schemes. Additives in plastic waste from electronic goods can introduce hazardous characteristics, highlighting the need for legislation to reduce risks and maximize resource recovery. A baseline study of WEEE plastics in Scotland and Uruguay shows that regulatory frameworks have a significant impact on material recyclability. Future actions for a more sustainable regulatory approach are identified.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asma Sikander, Steven Kelly, Kerstin Kuchta, Anika Sievers, Thomas Willner, Andrew S. Hursthouse
Summary: We propose a novel integrated model for recovering tantalum from tantalum-rich waste by combining hydro-metallurgical and bio-metallurgical processes. Leaching experiments with heterotrophs showed high efficiency in leaching manganese, but no tantalum was detected. An unidentified species was able to mobilize 16% tantalum in non-sterile tantalum capacitor scrap, but efforts to identify it failed. The proposed model involves microbial leaching with Penicillium simplicissimum to solubilize manganese, followed by a second leach with 4 M HNO3 to dissolve silver and impurities, resulting in concentrated pure tantalum.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marion Revel, Kadda Medjoubi, Camille Rivard, Delphine Vantelon, Andrew Hursthouse, Susanne Heise
Summary: While our understanding of the toxicity and accumulation of rare earth elements remains limited, this study investigated the acute toxicity of lanthanum (La) and gadolinium (Gd) in Daphnia magna neonates. The results showed significant differences in the toxicity levels of La and Gd, and synchrotron micro and nano-X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed different patterns of metal distribution and accumulation. These findings suggest that the uptake pathways of solid and dissolved metal species can greatly affect their accumulation and toxicity in aquatic organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)