Environmental Contamination Research Articles

Risk Element Interaction with an Emerging Contaminant in Mammals: The Case of Arsenic and Carbamazepine Orally Taken up by Microtus arvalis L. as a Model Organism

Arsenic (As), a well-known ‘traditional’ environmental contaminant, and carbamazepine (CBZ), an emerging contaminant of a pharmaceutical category, are both frequently detected in the environment and have been shown to exhibit toxicity at exposure concentrations present in the environment. This study aimed to assess the single and combined exposure effects of these pollutants on the adult common vole (Microtus arvalis L.), a model mammalian organism. This study assessed As and CBZ accumulation, their biotransformation processes, and antioxidant enzyme defence responses after sole and combined exposure. The animals were fed a diet containing either a low (1.25 mg/kg) or high level (166 mg/kg) of As. Moreover, half of the animals were exposed to CBZ via drinking water infused with 10 ng/L of CBZ, and the second half had the use of drinking water devoid of CBZ. The results showed enhanced total As and As species contents in the organs of the As + CBZ exposure group compared to the As exposure group. High As exposure in the As + CBZ group did not cause an enhanced uptake of CBZ in the liver compared to the CBZ exposure group. There was a potential accumulation of CBZ in the liver of the CBZ exposed groups (CBZ and As + CBZ), raising concerns about potential toxic effects in mammals from long-term exposure. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, reflecting the antioxidant enzyme defence responses against single and co-exposure of the two pollutants, showed that the CBZ group exhibited comparable activity to the control group, while the As group had down-regulation and the As + CBZ group had up-regulation. These findings suggest that the CBZ group experienced minimal oxidative stress conditions, similar to the control group. The As group showed a rapid adaptation response to curtail or offset potential oxidative stress tissue damage conditions, compared to the slow adaptation/response in the As + CBZ group. The findings of this experiment indicate that the possible interactions of various environmental pollutants could alter the potential effects of the individual pollutants after a sole exposure. These findings indicate the necessity of investigating these interactions for better understanding of the potential risk of these pollutants in real environmental conditions.

Honeybee Bioaccumulation as a Tool for Assessing the Environmental Quality of an Area Affected by the Activity of a Municipal Waste Sorting Facility (Central Italy)

The management of municipal solid waste presents a significant challenge for cities. Facilities dedicated to sorting, treating, and recycling waste (including plastic, glass, metals, aluminium, and wood) play a crucial environmental role in urban areas, contributing to sustainable development. Since combustion processes are not involved, any potential chemical impact of the facility on the surrounding area are likely to result from the emissions of metals and metalloids. In this study, the bioaccumulation of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the tissues of honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica) was employed as a reference to assess the environmental quality of the area near a municipal waste sorting and storage facility located in Ponte Rio, Perugia (Umbria, Central Italy), which serves as the case study here. No higher contamination levels were found in the facility area compared to the suburban territory of Perugia, where the bioaccumulation levels of these elements in honeybees frequently exhibited higher values. The application of the Honeybee Contamination Index (HCI) confirmed these results. Therefore, the operation of this waste sorting facility is sustainable concerning environmental contamination by chemicals.

Impact of airflow-assisted spraying technology on droplet drift: a solution for reducing pesticide drift under multidirectional strong wind conditions.

In agricultural production, pesticide application is often influenced by natural wind, leading to pesticide drift. This reduces the effectiveness of pest and disease control on target crops and poses risks of pesticide damage to nontarget crops, which can result in serious environmental and food contamination issues. This study addresses the issue of droplet drift in complex farmland environments by developing a simulation model that couples auxiliary airflow with multidirectional wind. The model analyzes the complex movement trajectories and dynamic characteristics of droplets within the coupled flow field, identifies the key factors influencing drift under the effect of auxiliary airflow, and adjusts spraying parameters based on different wind directions and speeds to reduce droplet drift. Numerical simulations were conducted using the optimized auxiliary airflow parameters in multidirectional wind. The results demonstrated that for winds of 3.3 ~ 7.9 m s-1, the optimized auxiliary airflow significantly reduced both the drift rate and amount of droplets: compared to conventional spraying, the drift rate and amount decreased by 50.6% and 84.9%, respectively; compared to conventional airflow-assisted spraying, they decreased by 11.54% and 49.8%, respectively. Moreover, bench tests validated the simulation model with an error rate of 7.7 ± 0.2%. Through simulation analysis and adjustment of auxiliary airflow parameters, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of droplet drift behavior under various wind directions and speeds in complex environments. The findings show that adjusting airflow parameters can effectively address pesticide drift in multidirectional wind, reducing pesticide deposition in nontarget areas and minimizing environmental pollution. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Therapeutic potential of traditional herbal plants and their polyphenols in alleviation of mercury toxicity.

Mercury (Hg) is a major environmental contaminant significantly impacting human health. As a naturally occurring element, mercury has been extensively mobilized into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems over thousands of years, largely due to anthropogenic activities such as mining and metal extraction. Acute mercury toxicity causes extensive physiological damage, affecting vital organs including the kidneys, heart, liver, brain, and skin. Phytochemicals, known for their diverse pharmacological properties, have shown promise in mitigating metal-induced toxicities, including mercury. These compounds exhibit protective effects against mercury-induced multi-organ damage through mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition, and anti-inflammatory activity. This review explores the therapeutic potential of traditional herbal plants and their phytoconstituents in alleviating mercury-induced toxicity. Key findings highlight several plants with hepatoprotective effects, mitigating necrosis and anatomical distortion in liver cells. Phytochemicals such as quercetin, rutin, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol play pivotal roles in downregulating molecular pathways activated by mercury exposure. Other bioactive compounds, including acetogenin and gallic acid, exhibit potent antioxidant properties, with mechanisms such as ROS scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. This review also highlights certain compounds, such as aloe-emodin and gentisic acid, which exhibit potential for mitigating mercury toxicity through mechanisms like inhibiting oxidative stress and enhancing cellular defense pathways. However, these compounds remain underexplored, with no significant studies conducted to evaluate their efficacy against mercury-induced toxicity, presenting a critical area for future research. These findings underscore the potential of phytochemicals as effective agents in combating mercury toxicity through antioxidant mechanisms, cellular signalling regulation, and heavy metal chelation.

Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in feces collected from stray dogs and in public parks in the city of Anápolis-Goiás

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in the feces of dogs and soil in public squares and parks in Anápolis. The presence of parasites in public squares and parks is primarily attributed to domesticated dogs that do not receive antiparasitic treatment and stray dogs, which can act as reservoirs for intestinal parasites with the potential to infect humans. Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM) and Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM) are of great importance when addressing gastrointestinal parasites, representing specific forms of parasitic infection that can affect humans. Additionally, other parasites such as Trichuris trichiura, Dipylidium caninum, and Giardia spp. are highlighted for their potential to cause intestinal infections. The transmission of these parasites is facilitated by improper human practices, such as handling food with dirty hands after contact with animals or contaminated soil. Of the 89 analyzed samples of shelter dog feces, 30.3% showed one or more parasites, with Toxocara canis being the most frequently found (24.7%). Associations between Ancylostoma sp and Toxocara canis were also observed in 3.37% of dogs. In the 105 feces soil samples collected in parks and squares, 29.5% tested positive, with emphasis on Ancylostoma canis. This underscores the importance of raising awareness among the population regarding the transmission of these parasites and the need to control the population of stray animals in public spaces, as well as the preventive deworming of dogs to reduce environmental contamination.

Towards Sustainable Development in South Asian Countries: The Role of Economic Complexity and Globalization on Environmental Pollution

In the context of developing economies, this study aims to investigate the insights found in the literature on economic complexity, globalization, and environmental pollution institutions. The available theoretical and empirical literature on the subject is reviewed and summarized in this work. It begins with a summary of Pakistan's environmental contamination, globalization, and economic complexity. By using the theoretical and empirical insights from the published literature, it identifies the literature in the second place. This article also clarified theoretical approaches that explain how and why they function. Third, this paper suggests three useful areas for additional study. By critically examining and combining current environmental theory and research institutions, this work advances the fields of economic complexity, institutions, globalization, and environmental degradation. The rapid urban expansion, there is frequently an increase in the quantity of energy utilized, the amount of trash created, and the amount of pollution produced. In order to lessen the amount of environmental damage that is caused by urban areas, it is essential to implement waste management systems that are both effective and environmentally friendly. This is accomplished via the use of urban planning strategies.

Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in Natural Environments

In recent decades, the world has experienced the detrimental effects of the unchecked growth of various human activities, including industrialization, transportation, agriculture, and urbanization [...]

Epidemiological trends in the burden of chronic kidney disease due to lead exposure in China from 1990 to 2021 compared to global, and projections until 2050.

Lead is an environmental and occupational heavy metal and contaminant that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study analyzed the long-term trend burden from 1990-2021 using Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, projecting trends through 2050 with Bayesian age-period-cohort models. In 2021, the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of lead-associated CKD was 8635.60 and 189127.20. And age-standardized mortality and DALYs rates were 0.47 per 100,000 population and 9.39 per 100,000 population, respectively. Compared with 1900, all indicators have declined except for death number, all of which were below global level. The sex-specific burden increased with increasing age, and was higher in males. The downward trend in sex-specific burden from 2020-2050 was observed. While overall burden has decreased, persistent environmental lead pollution necessitates targeted prevention for males and middle-aged/elderly populations. CKD management and pollution control remain critical public health challenges in China.

Aflatoxin B1-Induced Apoptosis in Donkey Kidney via EndoG-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent environmental and forage contaminant that poses significant health risks to both humans and livestock due to its toxic effects on various organs and systems. Among its toxicological effects, nephrotoxicity is a hallmark of AFB1 exposure. However, the precise mechanisms underlying AFB1-induced kidney damage in donkeys remain poorly understood. To investigate this, we established a donkey model exposed to AFB1 by administering a diet supplemented with 1 mg AFB1/kg for 30 days. Kidney apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining, while gene expression and protein levels of Endonuclease G (EndoG), as well as genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis, were quantified by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Our findings indicate that AFB1 exposure resulted in significant kidney injury, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Notably, AFB1 exposure upregulated the expression of EndoG and promoted its translocation to the ER, which subsequently induced ER stress and activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. These results suggest that AFB1-induced kidney damage in donkeys is mediated through the oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways, primarily involving the EndoG-IRE1/ATF6-CHOP signaling axis.

Establishing the Mechanisms Involved in the Environmental Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Risk of Male Infertility.

Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as plasticizers, alkylphenol compounds, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has increased due to environmental contamination. PCBs, categorized as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are lipophilic chemicals commonly used in lubricants, cutting oils, and electrical insulators. PCBs may have detrimental effects on hormone-producing glands, potentially contributing to male infertility. Thus, the objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the adverse effects of PCBs on the male reproductive system. Searches of three electronic databases were performed using MESH terms and 32 studies were included. Although the exact mechanism of action for PCBs remains unclear, several PCBs are regarded as potential endocrine disruptors due to their ability to interact with hormone signaling pathways. PCBs have been found to disrupt physiological functions by mimicking endogenous hormones as agonists or antagonists, altering patterns of hormone synthesis, hormone receptor affinities or numbers, and modulating enzymes involved in hormone secretion. These reports highlight the pleiotropic nature of PCB function and the susceptibility of the reproductive system. Endocrine-disrupting PCBs can mimic, alter, or block hormonal responses, inhibiting natural signaling to the testes and epididymis via various mechanisms such as binding to sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen-binding protein or blocking cell surface receptors. Furthermore, PCBs can alter the hormonal environment in the prostate or seminal vesicles by changing the affinity of androgens for their receptors. The testicles and genital organs may be susceptible to various estrogenic effects, leading to changes in the quality or quantity of their secretions and the volume of semen.

Dose-Dependent PFESA-BP2 Exposure Increases Risk of Liver Toxicity and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent and highly bioaccumulative emerging environmental contaminants of concern that display significant toxic and carcinogenic effects. An emerging PFAS is PFESA-BP2, a polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid found in drinking water and the serum of humans and animals. While PFESA-BP2-induced liver and intestinal toxicity has been demonstrated, the toxicological mechanisms and carcinogenic potential of PFESA-BP2 have remained relatively understudied. Here, we studied how different doses of PFESA-BP2 affect gene activity related to liver toxicity and the risk of liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice exposed to PFESA-BP2 once daily through oral gavage for seven days. An analysis of key hepatic pathways suggested increased risk of hepatotoxicity as a result of PFESA-BP2 exposure. Increased oxidative stress response was associated with all concentrations of exposure. Liver toxicity pathways, including PXR/RXR activation and hepatic fibrosis, showed dose-dependent alteration with activation primarily at low doses, suggesting an increased risk of hepatic inflammation and injury. Additionally, an analysis of carcinogenic and HCC-specific pathways suggested PFESA-BP2-induced risk of liver cancer, particularly at low doses. Low-dose PFESA-BP2 exposure (0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg-day) was associated with an increased risk of HCC carcinogenesis, as indicated by the activation of tumor-related and HCC-associated pathways. In contrast, these pathways were inhibited at high doses (3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg-day), accompanied by the activation of HCC-suppressive pathways. The increased risk of HCC development at low doses was mechanistically linked to the activation of signaling pathways such as HIF, EGF, NOTCH4, HGF, and VEGF. Biomarkers linked to liver cancer risk, prognoses, and diagnoses were also identified as a result of exposure. Overall, our findings on liver carcinogenic and hepatotoxic pathway activation patterns suggest that PFESA-BP2 increases the risk of liver toxicity and HCC development, particularly at low doses.

Bait trapping of waterfowl increases the environmental contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV)

AbstractHighly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b has circulated in North America since late 2021, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality in wild birds than observed in this region before. The objective of this study was to determine whether baiting, which is widely conducted in Canada and the United States as part of waterfowl management practices (e.g., duck banding), influences the occurrence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in wetlands. We used a quasi‐experimental design, collecting superficial sediment samples (n = 336) and fecal samples (n = 242) from paired baited (treatment) and non‐baited (control) sites at 2 wetlands in Saskatchewan, Canada, between August and September 2022. We visited sampling sites 3 times during the sampling period: prior to the commencement of baiting activities (t0), approximately 14 days after t0 (t1), and 24 days after t0 (t2). We screened samples for AIV using real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) targeting the matrix gene and subjected the PCR‐positive samples to next‐generation sequencing. We used a mixed‐effects logistic regression model to estimate the effect of baiting on the odds of AIV positivity in sediment samples, while controlling for clustering by wetland. At control sites, we did not detect evidence for a difference in the odds of AIV detection in sediment at t1 or t2 versus t0; however, at baited sites, the odds of AIV detection at t1 were 5.43 (95% CI = 1.99, 14.79) times the odds at t0 and at t2 the odds of AIV detection were 8.73 (95% CI = 3.29, 23.18) times the odds at t0. We detected HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in sediment at 1 treatment site following baiting. There was also a trend towards increased fecal AIV positivity and increased fecal and sediment AIV diversity in baited versus non‐baited sites; however, there was insufficient power to determine if these findings were statistically significant. Overall, our results indicate that baiting is associated with localized increases in AIV environmental contamination, with baiting potentially creating concentrated areas of AIV accumulation. As such, wetland baiting activities may pose a risk to wildlife population health through the propagation of AIV in wetlands and the waterfowl using those environments and efforts to replace, refine, or reduce this activity may be warranted depending on local ecosystem contexts and cost‐benefit analyses.

Spatial distribution, environmental contamination and health risk assessment of metals in surface soils of Lesser Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Spatial distribution, environmental contamination and health risk assessment of metals in surface soils of Lesser Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Genomic analysis of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from manure and manured agricultural grasslands

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifactorial issue involving an intertwining relationship between animals, humans and the environment. The environment can harbour Escherichia coli that are pathogenic or commensal. Escherichia coli is used as an indicator of environmental faecal contamination. Through culture dependent approaches this study identified 46 E. coli isolates in porcine and bovine manure, non-manured and manured soil, and manured grass. The grass isolation highlights grass as an environmental reservoir for E. coli. We also identified a diverse plasmidome with 23 different plasmid replicon types. The E. coli isolates were phenotypically antimicrobial resistant, predominantly multidrug resistant. Whole genome sequencing identified 31 antimicrobial resistance genes, and mutations in the gyrA, parC, and parE genes, conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. This study demonstrates grass as an understudied environmental niche of AMR E. coli, which directly links the environment to the grass grazing animal and vice-versa via the circular economy of manure application.

Impact of Air Pollution and Smog on Human Health in Pakistan: A Systematic Review

Air pollution is a serious public health issue in Pakistan’s metropolitan cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s urban areas are vulnerable due to air pollution drivers such as industrial activities, vehicular emissions, burning processes, emissions from brick kilns, urbanization, and other human activities that have resulted in significant human health issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of air pollutants and smog, as well as their causes and effects on human health. The PRISMA technique was used to assess the impact of environmental contaminants on human health. This study looked at air pollution sources and pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, CO2, CO, SOX, and NOx from waste combustion and agriculture. The population included people of all ages and sexes from both urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Data were retrieved and analyzed using SRDR+ software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The data suggested that Karachi and Lahore had the highest levels of air pollution and disease prevalence, which were attributed to heavy industrial activity and traffic emissions. Smog was a serious concern in Lahore during winter, contributing to the spread of several diseases. Other cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhang, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Kallar Kahar, were impacted by agricultural operations, industrial pollutants, brick kilns, and urbanization. Due to these drivers of air pollution, some diseases such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases had notably higher incidences in these cities. Other diseases were connected with air pollution exposure, asthma, eye and throat problems, allergies, lung cancer, morbidities, and mortalities. To reduce air pollution’s health effects, policies should focus on reducing emissions, supporting cleaner technologies, and increasing air quality monitoring.

Geographic Clustering of Systemic Sclerosis in Areas of Environmental Pollution.

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and other organs. SSc is thought to arise in genetically predisposed individuals with occupational triggers, although further environmental etiologies still need to be identified. Limited research exists detailing which environmental factors lead to the downstream inflammatory and fibrotic symptoms experienced by SSc patients across the United States. This study describes a retrospective cohort of 179,188 individuals with an SSc or SSc related diagnosis code enrolled in the Medicare beneficiary program between the years 2014-2018. The incidence of SSc and SSc related diagnosis codes in all United States (US) zip codes with beneficiary counts greater than 11 was calculated. We conducted global and local Moran's I as well as hot spot analysis with the Getis Ord Gi Static to determine if SSc and SSc related diagnosis codes exhibited clustered or dispersed patterns across the US. We identified clusters of SSc and SSc related diagnosis code high incidence in or around Superfund sites, which are federally identified areas of environmental contamination. SSc exhibited clustered patterns in two analyzed cohorts based on global Moran's I statistics of 0.588 and 0.521. Results of local Moran's I indicated clusters of disease in Mississippi, New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan, among others. Some zip codes with high disease incidence were home to at least one Superfund site. SSc exhibits non-random, clustered distributions in a US Medicare beneficiary cohort composed of 179,188 individuals from 2014-2018.

Modelling transmission and control of Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand farmland.

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the world's most prevalent parasites and has significant impacts on the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. In New Zealand's rural environments, T. gondii creates economic losses for the farming industry and threatens vulnerable native avifauna and marine mammals. Predator control of rodents and feral cats has potential to reduce or even eliminate transmission of T. gondii on farms; however, the efficacy of such management is uncertain. We apply a mathematical model of T. gondii transmission dynamics in feral cat and rodent populations in New Zealand farmland and simulate varying intensities of predator control to predict changes in T. gondii prevalence and environmental contamination levels over time. The model predicts that predator control is relatively ineffective for reducing transmission in areas with high environmental contamination rates. However, assuming low rates of environmental contamination, local elimination of T. gondii could be achievable, for example, by control that sustains large reductions of 88%, 69% and 59% in feral cat, house mouse and ship rat populations, respectively, over 56 weeks. Predator control is, therefore, a potentially viable approach for managing T. gondii in some rural environments, but only if high levels of population control are sustained.

Detection of Echinococcus spp. and other taeniid species in lettuces and berries: Two international multicenter studies from the MEmE project.

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are severe zoonotic diseases characterized by long asymptomatic periods lasting months or years. Viable Echinococcus spp. eggs released into the environment through the feces of canids can infect humans through accidental ingestion via hand-to-mouth contact or consumption of contaminated food or water. Both Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato are considered as foodborne parasites. However, when considering possible pathways of human infection, it appears that food and water-borne related variables do not significantly increase the risk of infection. Providing evidence-based data for the presence of DNA and, potentially, eggs in fresh produce is crucial in understanding foodborne transmission of Echinococcus spp. to humans. Two multicenter and multicountry studies were conducted within the One Health EJP framework to estimate the proportion of lettuces and berries contaminated by E. multilocularis, E. granulosus sensu lato, and other taeniid DNAs from a total of 12 European countries, Tunisia and Pakistan. A total of 1117 lettuces, 71 others vegetables, 300 strawberries, 130 blueberries and 50 others berries samples were collected and analysed by washing, sequential sieving and real-time PCRs. E. multilocularis DNA was detected in 1.2% (7/570) of lettuce samples tested from the seven European endemic countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland) and in 2% (2/100) from Pakistan. E. granulosus sensu lato DNA was identified in 1.3% of lettuces (9/695) collected in five European endemic countries (France, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Portugal) and in 12% (9/75) and 4% (4/100) from Tunisia and Pakistan, respectively. All E. granulosus sensu lato samples were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (20/22), except for two identified as E. canadensis (2/22) from Latvia and Pakistan. Regarding berries, E. multilocularis DNA was detected in 5.4% (n=11/202) of strawberries, 7.3% (6/82) of blueberries from the seven European endemic countries and 56% (14/25) of blueberries from Pakistan. High contamination rates of E. granulosus sensu stricto were found outside of Europe, with 12.0% (3/25) in blueberries from Pakistan and 81.3%. (13/16) in strawberries from Tunisia. The total contamination rate of all taeniid species DNA in lettuces (5.3%; 59/1117), others vegetables (5.6%; 4/71) and berries (12.1%; 58/480) suggests that the transfer of taeniid eggs from carnivore feces to food is not uncommon. Although we assume that eggs are the source of the DNA detected in this study, the viability of such eggs is unknown. The detection of Echinococcus species in lettuces and berries suggests a potential risk of foodborne human infection. The relative contribution of this risk remains to be estimated. Further studies on food and environmental contamination are necessary to cover different epidemiological contexts and social habits, leading to a better understanding of human infections by Echinococcus spp. eggs.

Pesticides enhance maternal care in the wolf spider by inhibiting HSD3B,an enzyme for progesterone synthesis

Natural enemies are essential for the integrated pest management (IPM) strategy in insect pest control. However, chemical pesticides remain the primary method for insect pest control, diminishing natural enemies and causing environmental contamination. The wolf spider (Pardosa pseudoannulata), a major enemy in agro-ecosystem, exhibits maternal care (MC) behaviors such as eggsac-carrying and pulli-carrying, which are crucial for population growth. Here we found that m-Aminophenylacetylene (m-A), a MC inducer, downregulated HSD3B (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5,4-isomerase) expression through two transcription factors, GATA6_Pardosa and LRH_Pardosa. HSD3B expression reduction inhibited progesterone production, which then induced pulli-carrying behavior in P. pseudoannulata. Although m-A did not inhibit HSD3B activity directly, several pesticides showed inhibitory effects on HSD3B from results of molecular docking and activity inhibition assay on recombinant enzyme. The fungicide difenoconazole, herbicide topramezone and insecticide buprofezin efficiently inhibited HSD3B activity, and then reduced progesterone production, thereby enhancing the pulli-carrying behavior. From MC induction perspective, some pesticides are not inherently harmful to natural enemy spiders of insect pests, and in turning trash into treasure, may be used as beneficial agents to improve pest control effectiveness.

Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations in ceftazidime exacerbate the formation of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms.

Associated with nosocomial infections, the environmental Gram-negative coccobacillus A. baumannii leads to various kinds of high mortality-rate infections among which pneumonias mainly in immune-compromised people from health-care facilities. A critical component of the current antibiotic resistance problem is the presence of antibiotics sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) in a variety of natural settings including drinking water, sewage water, rivers, lakes, and natural sludge. In India, third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftazidime (CAZ) count among the most often prescribed β-lactams to treat infections by A. baumannii. In this study, we showed that CAZ sub-MICs 1/ reduce adhesion to lung epithelial cells and slow down the growth of the A. baumannii KSK1 strain, which nevertheless quickly resumes its growth; 2/ alter the morphology of A. baumannii KSK1 planktonic cells and induce the formation of bacterial aggregates that resemble biofilms; 3/ increase the in vitro formation of biofilms by A. baumannii KSK1 bacterial cells. Our findings underscore the importance of considering sub-MICs in antibiotic therapy and environmental contamination as the antibiotics sub-MICs potentially found in wastewater may contribute to the selection causing antibiotic resistance and persistence of antibiotic-resistant strains.