Several regions of the world suffer from water quality degradation caused mainly by anthropogenic interference, domestic sewage discharge, industrial discharges, and contaminants from agricultural activities, which increase the amount of nutrients into water such as nitrogen and phosphorus intensifying the process of eutrophication. Considered as one of the main problems faced by supply water sources in the world, eutrophication represents a global phenomenon that also affects the socioeconomic and environmental sector. In the present study, a bacterial pool formed by the Nitrosomonas europae, Nitrobacter winogradskyi, and Paracoccus denitrificans strains was used to remove the compounds NH₃, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, P, and PO₄³⁻, real water samples from human supply at time 0 to 24 h. At the final time (24 h), the bacterial pool obtained total removal (100%) of all compounds analyzed. With the removal of nutrients from water, there was also reduction in the amount cyanobacteria and saxitoxins of water. Thus, the bacterial pool can be applied as a remediators of micropollutants such as compounds N and P, since their performance in removel the compounds was satisfactory. The removal of micropollutants from water bodies aims to decrease the nutrients responsible for cyanobacteria blooms, eutrophication, as well as improve water quality, optimize, and reduce water treatment costs, benefiting both the aquatic ecosystem and human health.

The plasmid-borne mobilized colistin resistance genes (mcr-like) are related to resistance to polymyxins, which were reintroduced for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. To analyze the presence of clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including mcr-like genes and plasmids in a beach, sand samples from a public beach were collected. Fifty-seven amplicons from 22 ARGs [mcr-4, blaVIM, blaCTX₋M₋Gₚ₉, blaPER, blaCMY, qnrB, qnrS, oqxA, oqxB, sul1, sul2, sul3, floR, cmlA, tetA, tetB, tetC, aadA, ant(2″)-Ia, aph(3′)-Ib, aac(6′)-Ib, and mefAE] and 18 amplicons from seven plasmid families (IncFᵣₑₚB, IncFIA, IncHI1, IncFIB, IncY, IncN, and ColE-like) were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the mcr-4 gene in Brazil and the first report in the world of mcr-4 gene in a recreation area. This study calls attention to the presence of mcr-4 gene and contribute to the surveillance studies about the mcr-like genes.

The aim of this study is to investigate complex pollution history and spatial trends of pollution (heavy metals and organic pollutants) in the selected oxbow lake (at the border between the Czech Republic and Poland) along the Odra River, located in the heavily polluted Ostrava urban agglomeration. Contaminant distribution is affected by position in the lake; the highest heavy metal concentrations were found in the central parts. Depth trends in ¹³⁷Cs mass activity, hexachlorobenzene, and DDT metabolites were used as additional date levels. Depth profiles of heavy metals and their enrichment factors and multi-proxy stratigraphic analysis allowed two stages of oxbow lake evolution to be recognized. The initial stage was characterized by higher sediment accumulation rates in the whole oxbow lake, while during the second stage, sediment was deposited in a plug bar and in proximal parts of the lake, providing a more complete pollution record. Coal-rich layers were found in the deeper parts of the sedimentary record, related to coal mining activities. Samples rich in coal revealed a negative correlation with CIEL* (brightness) and conversely a positive correlation with specific biomarkers (homo hopanes and 16 α(H)-phyllocladane) and PAHs (secondary sorption to coal-rich strata). The sedimentary record since the oxbow lake cut-off event in 1966 showed a distinct vertical distribution of all pollutants. Maximum concentrations were attained during 1970s and 1980s, while a decreasing trend occurred after 1989 due to political and socio-economical changes in the former Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic).

Herein, three different types of zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles as photocatalysts were synthesized from iron and zinc sulfate using a co-precipitation method. Tri ethylene glycol (TEG) was utilized as a capping/stabilizing agent in the presence of ammonium hydroxide. The as-prepared nanoparticles were annealed at 400 °C for 4 h followed by acid etching with HCl (for 15 min in I M solution). The thermally treated magnetic nanostructure was subjected to surface modification by treating with 3-aminopropyl (triethoxysilane) 3-(APTES) at 60 °C for 2 h. Various characterization techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-rays diffraction (XRD) were carried out to examine the structural properties of the pristine and functionalized nanocrystals. XRD pattern assessed the crystalline and nano size of the ZnFe₂O₄ recording particle sizes of 13.5, 23.3, and 106.5 nm for functionalized, annealed, and pristine ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, respectively. FTIR spectral analysis corroborated the modifications and functionalization of the samples. BET analysis revealed a surface area of 0.6719 (functionalized), 45.21 (annealed), and 155.38 (pristine nanoparticles). The photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanostructures was investigated for Eriochrome Black T (EBT) dye under the unfiltered sunlight. At optimal reaction parameters, the photocatalytic rates of EBT dye for functionalized, annealed, and blank NP’s were 92, 91, and 83%, respectively. Kinetic models demonstrate that the degradation processes followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The energies of the band gap in the acidic and basic media, as determined from the Tauc plot, were 2.47 and 2.7 eV, respectively. Taken together, the results showed that newly fabricated nanostructures are considered as promising photocatalysts in degrading organic pollutants for a sustainable environment.

Oocyte vitrification preserves the female genetic resources of elite dromedary camels. In the current study, we aimed to explore the effects of vitrification of camel oocytes on mitochondrial activity, redox stress, and expression of genes related to mitochondrial function, apoptosis, pluripotency, and cytoskeleton. Moreover, we investigated developmental competence of vitrified oocytes after parthenogenetic activation. Oocytes vitrified with the Cryotop method were compared with the fresh oocytes. Our results showed that vitrification led to increased ROS production in oocytes as evidenced by an increase in the DCFDHA fluorescence intensity, and lower mitochondrial activity. At the molecular level, vitrification reduced mRNA expression of many genes, including those related to mitochondrial function (TFAM, MT-CO1, MFN1, ATP1A1, NRF1), pluripotency (SOX2 and POU5F1), and apoptosis (p53 and BAX). In contrast, expression of KLF4 and cytoskeleton-related genes (ACTB and KRT8) was not affected. However, we found no difference in the rates of oocyte survival, cleavage, and blastocyst development, and blastocyst hatching between fresh and vitrified oocytes after warming. Our results indicate that although vitrification of camel metaphase II (MII) oocytes adversely affected mitochondrial functions, the effect was transient without compromising the developmental potential of the oocytes after parthenogenetic activation.

The ecosystems near arsenic mining industrial areas are characterized with an elevated level of pollutants. In Caucasus region, such a hotspot is presented in Western Georgia: Uravi and Tsana abandoned arsenic production facilities and nearby mining tailings stored in deteriorating conditions that pose a threat to the population. The research presents a study of the local bacteria community of highly arsenic-contaminated soils (from 400 mg/kg at Uravi arsenic sulfide mineral processing facility to 11.3 g/kg at arsenic oxide storage area in Tsana) using an innovative, multitasking microscale bioanalytical method for environmental enquiries – DNA biochip (microarray). The detected Shewanella spp., Bacillus spp., and sulfate-reducing bacteria were considered as promising objects for future projects on in situ recovery of vast arsenic-contaminated areas applying remediation methods.

Nickel-contaminated soil was treated by adding different amounts of calcium oxide in this study. The leaching concentration, pH, and bioavailability of the soil samples were investigated on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 15th days. The chemical speciation changes of the contaminated soil treated with calcium oxide were analyzed, and the soil phases were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that the application of calcium oxide increased the pH of the soil, resulting in passivation of nickel ions in soil by forming a poorly soluble precipitate. It was identified that addition of 5% of calcium oxide showed the best result, with the leaching concentration on the third day reaching 0.35 mg/L, which is 99.21% lower than the untreated soil’s leaching concentration of 44.24 mg/L. On the 15th day, the bioavailability of nickel decreased from the untreated soil’s 93.82 to 36.73%. It was also observed that the pH of the soil increased at the beginning and decreased afterwards. The pH value was 7.94 on the 15th day. In addition, the water-soluble fraction of Ni decreased from 7.39 without treatment to 0.19%; the reducible fraction of Ni decreased from 35.14 to 25.79%, and the oxidizable fraction of Ni increased from 10.37 to 29.10%, respectively, on the 15th day after the treatment with calcium oxide. XRD analysis of soil samples showed the amorphous nickel hydroxide may be formed in the precipitation process.

Ambient air pollution (AAP) has been widely associated with increased morbidity of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, no prior studies have investigated the effects of AAP exposure on the length of stay (LOS) due to IHD. Hospital data during 2015–2017 were obtained from hospital information system in five cities of Hubei province, China. We collected daily mean concentrations of air pollutants, including PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, and CO, and meteorological data during the same time period. Poisson regression was applied to estimate the acute impacts of AAP on the LOS of IHD inpatients. A total of 42,114 inpatients with primary diagnosis of IHD were included, 50.63% of which were chronic IHD inpatients. Annual average concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, and CO were 61.93 μg/m³, 95.47 μg/m³, 18.59 μg/m³, 35.87 μg/m³, 100.30 μg/m³, and 1.117 mg/m³, respectively. After adjusting for temperature, relative humidity, gender, age group, payment method, number of hospital beds, location of hospital, and surgery or not, exposures to PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, O₃, and CO were associated with increased LOS for all IHD patients in both single- and multi-pollutant models, and stronger associations were observed among chronic IHD patients. In addition, subgroup analyses demonstrated that males and the group aged 65+ years were more vulnerable to air pollution, and the adverse effects were also promoted by low temperature in cold season. This study provides the first investigation of the adverse effects of AAP on the LOS for IHD patients. In order to shorten the LOS of IHD, measures should be taken to strengthen the AAP management and protect the high-risk population.

Natural products have been used to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation for decades. Due to the ecotoxicological implications of synthetic sunscreen exposure in aquatic ecosystems, there is a greater need to explore alternative sources of UV filters. Recent research has focused on discovering novel UV absorbing photoprotective molecules from nature. In response to the excessive damage caused by UVB rays, plants induce the production of high concentrations of phytoprotective secondary metabolites and anti-oxidative enzymes. Despite promising UV absorbing and photoprotective properties, plant secondary metabolites have been underutilized in topical delivery due to low solubility and high instability. Numerous phytochemicals have been effectively nanosized, incorporated in formulations, and studied for their sustained effects in photoprotection. The present review outlines recent developments in nanosizing and delivering photoprotective crude plant extract and phytochemicals from a phytochemical perspective. We searched for articles using keywords: “UV damage,” “skin photoprotection,” “photodamage,” and “nano delivery” in varied combinations. We identified and reviewed literature from 43 original research articles exploring nanosized phytochemicals and crude plant extracts with photoprotective activity. Nanosized phytochemicals retained higher amounts of bioactive compounds in the skin and acted as depots for their sustained release. Novel approaches in nanosizing considerably improved the photostability, efficacy, and water resistance of plant secondary metabolites. We further discuss the need for broad-spectrum sunscreen products, potential challenges, and future growth in this area.