Article
Ecology
Giulia Simbula, Ginevra Moltedo, Barbara Catalano, Giacomo Martuccio, Claudia Sebbio, Fulvio Onorati, Luca Stellati, Alessandra Maria Bissattini, Leonardo Vignoli
Summary: The study investigated the impact of different field treatments (conventional and organic) on the health status of Italian wall lizards in central Italy. The findings showed significant oxidative stress effects in conventional areas and between sexes, but no difference in intestinal parasite infections among treatments. The Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus appears to be a promising bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies and pesticide risk assessment, although further research is needed to fully understand specific pesticide effects for this species.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ginevra Moltedo, Barbara Catalano, Giacomo Martuccio, Giulio Sesta, Giulia Romanelli, Anna Lauria, Maria Teresa Berducci, Roberta Parravano, Chiara Maggi, Giulia Simbula, Leonardo Vignoli, Fulvio Onorati, Susanna D'Antoni
Summary: The use of pesticides can have toxic effects on reptiles, increasing their antioxidant capacity and causing DNA damage, but not neurotoxicity. This study found that pesticide-mixtures used in hazelnut orchards caused accumulation of some chemicals in non-target organisms and resulted in cellular damages.
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juliana dos Santos Mendonca, Liria Queiroz Luz Hirano, Andre Luiz Quagliatto Santos, Daniela de Melo e Silva, Carolina de Castro Pereira, Matheus Santos Costa, Amanda Pereira da Costa Araujo, Guilherme Malafaia, Isabela Sayuri Ambrosio, Lais de Moura Bife Castilho, Allyson Leandro Rodrigues dos Santos, Anizio Marcio de Faria, Denis Vieira de Andrade, Lucelia Goncalves Vieira, Phamella Neres de Lima
Summary: This study investigated the effects of pesticide exposure on the viability, growth, and bone alterations of Podocnemis expansa eggs. The results showed that the tested pesticides did not affect the viability of the eggs, but led to decreased body mass and impaired development in the embryos. Bone malformation was also observed in some individuals. Pesticides accumulated in the eggshells at concentrations related to the exposure level.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ginevra Moltedo, Giacomo Martuccio, Barbara Catalano, Giulia Simbula, Leonardo Vignoli
Summary: Conventional methods to analyze biochemical processes related to contaminant toxicity usually require the sacrifice of animals to collect tissues and organs. However, for ethical reasons and especially for endangered species, non- or minimal-invasive methods should be preferred. In this study, the use of the tail of Italian wall lizard was tested as a minimal-invasive method to detect various biomarkers. The results showed that most biochemical responses could be analytically detectable in tail tissues, although the mean values obtained were significantly lower than those obtained with invasive methods.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Chi Zhang, Chengmei Jiang, Lingyi Lan, Jianfeng Ping, Zunzhong Ye, Yibin Ying
Summary: Agro-product safety is crucial, and developing sensitive and stable methods for detecting contaminants in agro-products is highly desirable. Nanomaterials with outstanding properties have been widely used in biosensors, enabling highly sensitive, stable, and rapid detection of various contaminants. Recent years have seen the application of new nanomaterials in developing biosensors for agro-product contaminant detection, showing ultra-high sensitivity.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dileshwar Kumar, Sukesh Narayan Sinha, Sangaraju Rajendra, Kanika Sharma
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the adverse effects of pesticide use in humans, such as non-communicable diseases, using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pesticide concentrations in blood samples. Various health risks from pesticide exposure were assessed, including dizziness or headache, tension, anxiety, confusion, loss of appetite, loss of balance, concentration difficulties, irritability, anger, and depression. A total of 26 pesticides were detected in the blood samples, and the pesticide concentrations were statistically significant between the case and control groups. The AChE levels were significantly lower in case samples than in controls, and were associated with diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and obesity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fahong Yin, Zhaohai Qin
Summary: Long-chain molecules are important in agricultural production and are widely used as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators. This review specifically focuses on the agricultural biological activities and applications of long-chain molecules. The utilization of long-chain molecules in pesticide development is an attractive approach for designing novel pesticide compounds. By providing valuable insights, this article serves as a useful reference for the design of new long-chain molecules for pesticide applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Louisiane Burkart, Anthony Olivier, Olivier Lourdais, Marion Vittecoq, Gabriel Blouin-Demers, Fabrice Alliot, Clement Le Gac, Nicolas Martin, Aurelie Goutte
Summary: The study found that the levels of POPs in European pond turtles in the Camargue wetland were very low, possibly due to the different agricultural hydraulic systems where the turtles were sampled. PCB-52 and hexachlorobenzene were higher in turtles captured in drainage channels, while PCB-153 was higher at the site that receives irrigation water.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Mirna Awad, Aris Leivadeas, Abir Awad
Summary: The revolution of virtualization technologies and Cloud computing solutions has highlighted the importance of energy-efficient and SLA-aware resource management techniques in cloud data centers. This study proposes a workload consolidation approach that leverages a multi-resource and multi-step resource utilization prediction model, resulting in reduced power consumption and improved performance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caroline da Silva Montes, Leonardo Fernandes da Paixa, Bruno Nunes, Zelia Maria Pimentel Nunes, Maria Auxiliadora Pantoja Ferreira, Rossineide Martins da Rocha
Summary: This study assessed environmental quality in Amazonian estuaries by utilizing histological and immunohistochemical biomarkers, along with trace metal analyses in Sciades herzbergii tissues and physical chemical analyses of water. The results showed variations in condition factors and tissue damage levels among samples captured from different locations and seasons, indicating differences in the risks posed to fish health by pollutants.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bernard Robaire, Geraldine Delbes, Jessica A. Head, Vicki L. Marlatt, Christopher J. Martyniuk, Stephane Reynaud, Vance L. Trudeau, Jan A. Mennigen
Summary: Studies have mainly focused on the effects of EDCs on adult males and females, but exposure of mature or developing gametes can lead to multigenerational and transgenerational effects. By synthesizing knowledge across vertebrate species, potential mechanisms of EDC effects are discussed, and recommendations for advancing the field are proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Mathematics
Guofang Wang, Ziming Li, Wang Yao, Sikai Xia
Summary: This study addresses the problem of cooperative attack-defense evolution of large-scale agents in high-dimensional environments. By considering multiple factors in the cost functions, modeling the motion of agents using high-dimensional state dynamics, and formulating the problem as a multi-population high-dimensional stochastic mean-field game, this approach significantly improves communication efficiency and computational complexity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Christian Habel, Werner Ulrich, Andreas H. Segerer, Thomas Greifenstein, Johannes Knubben, Jerome Moriniere, Vedran Bozicevic, Armin Guenter, Axel Hausmann
Summary: Insect diversity has significantly decreased in the past decades, with agricultural intensification being a main driver of this negative trend. A four-year study conducted in a heterogeneous Central European agro-environment in southern Germany revealed that insect diversity is higher along forest edges compared to the center of meadows. The findings highlight the importance of heterogeneous agro-environments for biodiversity and the value of combining data collected with different sampling techniques.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunseo Jung, Hyunju Kim, Kyung-Duk Suh, Jung-Min Park
Summary: As robots become more versatile and are integrated with various Internet of Things technologies, they are capable of serving humans in their daily lives. To provide services that cater to different human requests, multiple robots need to take turns performing a series of tasks. The order in which tasks are performed may vary based on user requests, thus the sequential interdependencies between tasks should be considered. This study proposes a dynamic service scheduler that can handle the scheduling of tasks in a multi-agent environment by dynamically sequencing and allocating tasks based on user requests. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach in satisfying user requirements in different situations, and provide a foundation for further development of efficient multi-agent environments in offices and homes.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yu Zheng, Kedong Zhou, Jianquan Tang, Can Liu, Jing Bai
Summary: This study investigated the effects of DEHP on Folsomia candida, a non-target organism in soil, in terms of survival, reproduction, enzyme activities, and DNA damage. The results showed that DEHP may cause biochemical and genetic toxicity to F. candida, potentially impacting soil ecosystem processes.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rone S. Barbosa, Fabianne Ribeiro, Aline Silvestre Pereira Dornelas, Althieris de Souza Saraiva, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Renato Almeida Sarmento, Carlos Gravato
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a thiamethoxam-based formulation on a population of insects and found that the offspring showed higher tolerance to the formulation, suggesting that insect resistance to neonicotinoids may be associated with improved biological functions in the progeny.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Cunha, Monica G. Silva, Lucia De Marchi, Rui G. Morgado, Valdemar I. Esteves, Valentina Meucci, Federica Battaglia, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Carlo Pretti, Rosa Freitas
Summary: This study evaluated the toxicity of a mixture of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and salicylic acid (SA) on mussels and measured the effects at the cellular level. The results revealed that the combined effect of EE2 and SA caused the highest metabolic capacity, antioxidant activation, and cellular damage in the organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Madalena Andrade, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Montserrat Sole, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: The production of e-waste is increasing globally, posing a threat to aquatic environments due to the presence of nonbiodegradable components. A study investigated the biological effects of anthropogenic yttrium (Y) exposure in Mytilus galloprovincialis. The results showed that tissue Y content increased with exposure concentration, but at the highest dosage, the mussels reduced their biotransformation activities without cellular damage. The findings highlight the potential environmental concern of low anthropogenic Y concentrations on organisms' biochemical performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Joana C. Prata, CarlosJ. M. Silva, Dalila Serpa, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Carlos Gravato, Ana L. Patricio Silva
Summary: This work aimed to understand the factors and mechanisms influencing microplastic uptake and related adverse effects on Chironomus riparius. Results showed that high concentrations of small microplastics filled the gut of fourth instar C. riparius. Ingested microplastics had a slower elimination rate and short-term toxicity seemed to result from damage to the gut epithelium. Wild chironomids already have microplastics in their guts and environmental exposure to microplastics may induce adverse effects on C. riparius in freshwater benthic ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Helena Barbosa, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: The global Lithium (Li) industry has rapidly expanded in recent decades, and future projections indicate further growth in its production. Li has been identified as an emerging pollutant in aquatic environments, but there is limited understanding of its implications in marine and coastal ecosystems. This review aims to bridge these knowledge gaps by examining the literature on Li occurrence and its effects on marine and coastal ecosystems. The findings highlight concerns about Li pollution and the urgent need for new solutions to meet sustainable development goals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonieta Gabriel, Catia Venancio, Jose Paulo Sousa, Sara Leston, Fernando Ramos, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Isabel Lopes
Summary: Intensive agriculture and the use of agrochemicals have negative impacts on soil fertility, erosion, and acidity. Liming is a common practice in agriculture to increase soil fertility and nutrient availability by managing soil pH. However, the influence of soil pH on the toxicity of agrochemicals remains species-dependent and not consistent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Aline Silvestre Pereira Dornelas, Joao L. T. Pestana, Althieris de Souza Saraiva, Rone Silva Barbosa, Grasiele Soares Cavallini, Carlos Gravato, Amadeu Mortagua Velho da Maia Soares, Renato Almeida Sarmento
Summary: This study assessed the chronic effects of increasing salinity and microbial insecticides on a species of mosquito larvae. The results showed that these insecticides have detrimental impacts on nontarget freshwater insects, potentially leading to cascading effects in freshwater ecosystems.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez, Cristobal Narvaez, Ximena Andrade Cares, Pablo Sabat, Ravi Naidu
Summary: Earthworms are being studied for their potential in bioremediation due to their impact on pollutant fate. Different earthworm species have varying sensitivities and capacities to break down contaminants, and Lumbricus terrestris is the most suitable species for bioremediation of OP-contaminated soil due to its higher levels of detoxification enzymes and oxidative homeostasis mechanisms compared to Eisenia fetida andAporrectodea caliginosa. These findings suggest L. terrestris as a better candidate for soil bioremediation than epigeic earthworms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ligia M. B. M. Santana, Evila Pinheiro Damasceno, Susana Loureiro, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Pedro Pousao-Ferreira, Denis M. S. Abessa, Roberto Martins, Maria D. Pavlaki
Summary: This study presents an accessible protocol for histological processing of Senegal sole larvae, which are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies. The protocol uses low-cost and easy-to-use techniques and provides valuable background information for observing changes in cell morphology and physiology.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lucas Navarrete, Nico Lubcker, Felipe Alvarez, Roberto Nespolo, Juan Carlos Sanchez-Hernandez, Karin Maldonado, Zachary D. Sharp, John P. Whiteman, Seth D. Newsome, Pablo Sabat
Summary: By analyzing stable isotopes, researchers found that two species of songbirds obtain water from a combination of metabolic water, seawater, and freshwater. The birds' diet and physiological adjustments also play a role in maintaining water balance.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Fatina Jouni, Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez, Corinne Brouchoud, Yvan Capowiez, Magali Rault
Summary: This study evaluates the effect of soil type on enzyme activities in the presence of the organophosphorus pesticide parathion. The results show that the pesticide significantly inhibits enzyme activities in the soil, and the inhibition is influenced by the soil texture. Additionally, earthworms are able to improve enzyme activity restoration in their casts after exposure to parathion.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ana M. Oliveira, Ana L. Patricio Silva, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Damia Barcelo, Armando C. Duarte, Teresa Rocha-Santos
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased use of disposable face masks has led to a significant environmental burden. This critical review discusses the degradation and toxicity of face mask contaminants and emphasizes the need for more research in this area. The lack of studies on biodegradation and ecotoxicity, as well as the uncertainties in experimental procedures, hinder the comparison with conventional plastic debris. Further studies on the abundance and composition of face mask-released contaminants and the development of methodological strategies are crucial to understand their environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristiana Lopes, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Silvia F. S. Pires, Diana Campos, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Hugo C. Vieira, Maria D. Bordalo
Summary: This study investigated the combined effects of invasive red seaweed, polyethylene microplastics, and warming on mussels. The results showed that simultaneous exposure did not necessarily amplify the toxic effects of these factors. It highlights the importance of studying the impact of multiple stressors to better understand the underlying mechanisms of chronic exposure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Rita R. Silva, Patricia V. Silva, Ana Raquel Soares, M. Nazaret Gonzalez-Alcaraz, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Dick Roelofs, Gabriela Moura, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Susana Loureiro
Summary: The global population growth leads to increased demand for food and the use of pesticides. Persistent pesticide contamination, such as carbendazim, remains a pressing environmental concern with potential long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems. This study exposed Daphnia magna to carbendazim and found changes in gene transcription and reproductive impairment. However, after 12 generations, the daphnids showed some level of acclimation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fatima C. F. Santos, Rudo A. Verweij, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Janeck J. Scott-Fordsmand, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Monica J. B. Amorim
Summary: This study assessed the multigenerational effects of silver nanomaterials (Ag NM300K) and silver salt (AgNO3) on soil invertebrates. The results showed that both forms of silver caused a decrease in reproduction, and silver uptake decreased over time. After reaching a certain concentration, detoxification mechanisms seemed to be activated, leading to a decrease in reproductive output. Transfer to clean soil allowed for complete elimination of silver from the animals.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
