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Abstract: Despite the efforts invested into measures to prevent water eutrophication, like prevention and treatment of point and dispersed discharges, the eutrophication still occurs. One of the unwanted consequences of eutrophic water state is the occurrence of excessive cyanobacterial blooms. Mass occurrence of cyanobacteria is a significant health risk related to surface waters in EU and worldwide since most of the cyanobacterial genera produce cyanotoxins. Besides toxicity, cyanobacterial blooms cause an increase in the turbidity of water and create taste and odour problems. All mentioned represents substantial economic losses in sectors like aquaculture, tourism, drinking water facilities and indirect losses due to increased healthcare expenditures and environmental degradation. It is, therefore, necessary to find appropriate solutions for rapid detection and also in-lake prevention of bloom occurrence despite, for example, existing high eutrophic conditions in the water body. The proposed project represents such a solution. In the frame of the LIFE Stop CyanoBloom project, we have designed two solar powered robotic vessels for the in-lake detection and control of cyanobacterial proliferation. Each vessel is capable of three-dimensional localisation of cyanobacteria by measuring fluorescence of pigments involved in the process of photosynthesis. The vessels are additionally equipped with electrochemical cells using boron doped diamond electrodes fixed on board, producing short-lived hydroxyl radicals, which prevent cyanobacterial proliferation as well as cyanotoxins inactivation. Hydroxyl radicals cause different levels of damages to cyanobacterial cells as well as stress, that may also result in phage induced cyanobacterial lysis. Natural control of cyanobacterial density by lytic cyanophages is known for several years. The mixing of water during the electrolytic cell operation also increases the potential contacts of cyanobacteria with cyanophages, disturbs cyanobacterial buoyancy and generates additional nutrients for nontoxic phytoplankton population. Additional newly developed equipment of the vessel allows advanced automated navigation (automatic docking, avoiding obstacles, maintaining the position in windy conditions, etc.), sampling from different depths, real-time data transfer, statistical analysis and graphical presentation using the adequate software.
Keywords: cyanobacteria, cyanobacterial blooms, cyanotoxins, health risk
Published in DiRROS: 05.09.2024; Views: 89; Downloads: 667
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Abstract: A general standard operating procedure (SOP) for the production of reference material (RM) for use in plant health diagnostics was developed. The general SOP was designed based on (limited) information on existing SOPs and guidelines available with the consortium partners. The general SOP describes the different steps required in the production process, ranging from the different possible sources of the reference material, tests to confirm its identity, possibly required multiplication steps to the actual production process. For each step in the process, criteria and critical points are identified. The criteria that reference material has to meet, and their minimum required levels as identified and described in Deliverable 3.1 of WP3 form an import basis of the final production process.
Keywords: plant health diagnostics
Published in DiRROS: 03.09.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 49
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Abstract: Introduction Current urban and transport planning practices have significant negative health, environmental, social and economic impacts in most cities. New urban development models and policies are needed to reduce these negative impacts. The Superblock model is one such innovative urban model that can significantly reduce these negative impacts through reshaping public spaces into more diverse uses such as increase in green space, infrastructure supporting social contacts and physical activity, and through prioritization of active mobility and public transport, thereby reducing air pollution, noise and urban heat island effects. This paper reviews key aspects of the Superblock model, its implementation and initial evaluations in Barcelona and the potential international uptake of the model in Europe and globally, focusing on environmental, climate, lifestyle, liveability and health aspects. Methods We used a narrative meta-review approach and PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched using specific terms. Results The implementation of the Super block model in Barcelona is slow, but with initial improvement in, for example, environmental, lifestyle, liveability and health indicators, although not so consistently. When applied on a large scale, the implementation of the Superblock model is not only likely to result in better environmental conditions, health and wellbeing, but can also contribute to the fight against the climate crisis. There is a need for further expansion of the program and further evaluation of its impacts and answers to related concerns, such as environmental equity and gentrification, traffic and related environmental exposure displacement. The implementation of the Superblock model gained a growing international reputation and variations of it are being planned or implemented in cities worldwide. Initial modelling exercises showed that it could be implemented in large parts of many cities. Conclusion The Superblock model is an innovative urban model that addresses environmental, climate, liveability and health concerns in cities. Adapted versions of the Barcelona Superblock model are being implemented in cities around Europe and further implementation, monitoring and evaluation are encouraged. The Superblock model can be considered an important public health intervention that will reduce mortality and morbidity and generate cost savings for health and other sectors.
Keywords: urban geography, transport, public health, pollution, sustainable development, Barcelona (Spain)
Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 222; Downloads: 215
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Abstract: Increasing research demonstrates the potential of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) as a biomarker for monitoring the health of various solid organ transplants. Several methods have been proposed for cfDNA analysis, including real-time PCR, digital PCR, and next generation sequencing-based approaches. We sought to revise the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based approach to quantify relative dd-cfDNA in plasma from kidney transplant (KTx) patients using a novel pilot set of assays targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms that have a very high potential to distinguish cfDNA from two individuals. The assays are capable of accurate quantification of down to 0.1% minor allele content when analyzing 165 ng of human DNA. We found no significant differences in the yield of extracted cfDNA using the three different commercial kits tested. More cfDNA was extracted from the plasma of KTx patients than from healthy volunteers, especially early after transplantation. The median level of donor-derived minor alleles in KTx samples was 0.35%. We found that ddPCR using the evaluated assays within specific range is suitable for analysis of KTx patientsʼ plasma but recommend prior genotyping of donor DNA and performing reliable preamplification of cfDNA.
Keywords: kidney transplantation, droplet digital PCR, plasma cell-free DNA, minor allele quantification, assay evaluation, graft health monitoring
Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 237; Downloads: 113
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Abstract: Muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius were analyzed for the presence of selected trace elements (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) to determine the value of the daily intake of trace elements from fish consumption and to assess the risk to human health. The mean concentrations of As in the muscle tissue of M. barbatus and M. merluccius for the entire period were 19.689 mg/kg wet weight (ww) and 8.356 mg/kg ww, Hg 0.497 mg/kg ww and 0.153 mg/kg ww, and Pb 0.031 mg/kg ww and 0.025 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all fish sampled were below the detection limit (<0.02 mg/kg ww). The evaluation of the potential health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and estimated daily intake (EDI) indicated that the intake of As in both fish species and Hg for M. barbatus could pose an appreciable risk to human health. The calculated hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for both fish species. The continuous monitoring of trace elements’ concentrations in fish is strongly recommended, as the results demonstrate potential health risks due to the presence of As and Hg.
Keywords: trace elements, Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius, human health risk assessment, Montenegro, Adriatic Sea, hydrobiology
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 187; Downloads: 99
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