Toxicity Index Research Articles

Speciation characteristics, ecological risk assessment, and source apportionment of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Gomishan wetland

Metal contamination is one of the worldwide environmental issues. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration, probable environmental risk, and source of investigated elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in sediments and water of the Gomishan wetland. Sediment contamination indices revealed sediments were solely polluted by As. The potential ecological risk index (RI), toxic risk index (TRI), and chemical speciation assessments indicated no major ecological hazards for investigated metals. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that all studied metals in the Gomishan wetland sediments derived from natural sources. HPI, and HEI indices showed that the water quality in terms of hazardous components was inappropriate for aquatic life.

Research on oxygen enrichment for municipal solid waste fly ash melting: A pilot-scale study on natural gas and coal as the melting fuel

High energy consumption is the main obstacle of melting/vitrification technology for the disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) for industrial applications. To reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs, oxygen enrichment melting was proposed and studied in this work. This research was conducted in a pilot-scale melting furnace, and three melting conditions were compared and discussed. The results showed that 66% of natural gas was saved and the operating cost was reduced by 55% when oxygen enrichment technology was applied to MSWIFA melting. When coal was used as the fuel with the oxygen enrichment melting technology, the operating cost was even lower at 66.39 dollar/ton of fly ash. Because MSWIFA was a Ca-rich material, the relatively high content of Si and Al in the coal fly ash promoted the formation of vitrificated slag, leading to a reduction in the overall pollution toxicity index (OPTI) of MSWIFA by 99.98%. Meanwhile, SO2, HCl, and secondary fly ash were the main pollutants during MSWIFA melting, and when coal was used as the fuel, the emissions of SO2 and HCl could be reduced and the OPTI of secondary fly ash was suppressed. These results suggested that to obtain the lowest operating cost and reduce secondary pollution during MSWIFA melting, the best option consisted of oxygen enrichment technology with coal as the fuel.

Glutathione and bicarbonate nanoparticles improve mucociliary transport in cystic fibrosis epithelia.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease is characterized by thick mucus and impaired mucociliary transport (MCT). Loss of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR) leads to acidification and oxidation of airway surface mucus. Replacing bicarbonate (HCO3 -) topically fails due to rapid reabsorption and neutralization, while the scavenging antioxidant, glutathione sulfhydryl (GSH), is also rapidly degraded. The objective of this study is to investigate GSH/NaHCO3 nanoparticles as novel strategy for CF airway disease. GSH/NaHCO3 poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles were tested on primary CF (F508del/F508del) epithelial cultures to evaluate dose-release curves, surface pH, toxicity, and MCT indices using micro-optical coherence tomography. In vivo tests were performed in three rabbits to assess safety and toxicity. After 1week of daily injections, histopathology, computed tomography (CT), and blood chemistries were performed and compared to three controls. Fluorescent nanoparticles were injected into a rabbit with maxillary sinusitis and explants visualized with confocal microscopy. Sustained release of GSH and HCO3 - with no cellular toxicity was observed over 2weeks. Apical surface pH gradually increased from 6.54±0.13 (baseline) to 7.07±0.10 (24h) (p<0.001) and 6.87 ± 0.05 at 14 days (p<0.001). MCT, ciliary beat frequency, and periciliary liquid were significantly increased. When injected into the maxillary sinuses of rabbits, there were no changes to histology, CT, or blood chemistries. Nanoparticles penetrated rabbit sinusitis mucus on confocal microscopy. Findings suggest that GSH/NaHCO3 - nanoparticles are a promising treatment option for viscous mucus in CF and other respiratory diseases of mucus obstruction such as chronic rhinosinusitis.

ADMET and Solubility Analysis of New 5-Nitroisatine-Based Inhibitors of CDK2 Enzymes.

The development of new substances with the ability to interact with a biological target is only the first stage in the process of the creation of new drugs. The 5-nitroisatin derivatives considered in this study are new inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) intended for anticancer therapy. The research, carried out based on the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) methods, allowed a basic assessment of the physicochemical parameters of the tested drugs to be made. The collected data clearly showed the good oral absorption, membrane permeability, and bioavailability of the tested substances. The analysis of the metabolite activity and toxicity of the tested drugs did not show any critical hazards in terms of the toxicity of the tested substances. The substances' low solubility in water meant that extended studies tested compounds were required, which helped to select solvents with a high dissolving capacity of the examined substances, such as DMSO or NMP. The use of aqueous binary mixtures based on these two solvents allowed a relatively high solubility with significantly reduced toxicity and environmental index compared to pure solvents to be maintained, which is important in the context of the search for green solvents for pharmaceutical use.

Monitoring and accumulative risk assessment of pesticide residues detected in the common vegetables grown in the Eastern Nile Delta, Egypt

The present study proposed to monitor the pesticide residues in most vegetables grown in the Eastern Nile Delta region, Egypt, and evaluate the potential health risk associated with them. Using multi-analysis methods, twenty-five pesticide residues were found. Pesticide residues were found in 88.37% of examined samples, with 31.4% above maximum residue limits. Overall, 66.23% of contaminated samples contain more than one pesticide, while three samples (1.2%) contain residues of 6 compounds. Residues of 25 chemicals were found in tested samples, with chlorpyrifos being the most common at 25.6%. According to the WHO toxicity classification (WHO, 2019), 36% of detected compounds were moderately hazardous (class II) and 24% slightly hazardous (class III). The health index values were less than 100%, indicating that there was an acceptable safety risk for exposure to the individual pesticide. However, the combined risk index revealed an unacceptable risk to individuals more than the individual health index because the pesticide toxicity index values were greater than 1.0 in some vegetables. There is a critical need to monitor and control the pesticide residues in vegetables to standardize the pesticide amount used and reduce their misuse.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils in Poland using contamination indicators

Heavy metals are considered a major pollutant due to their resistance to biodegradation, toxic effects on organisms, the fact that they can persist for long periods of time in soils and translocation. So far, no comprehensive, retrospective analyses have been carried out in Poland to assess spatial and temporal changes in contamination of agricultural soils with heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, V) using toxicity indices. The main objectives of the present study were to comprehensively assess the status of contamination of agricultural soils in Poland with selected heavy metals based on several indicators: Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), Potential Ecological Risk Index (ER), Enrichment Factor (EF), Pollution Index (PI) and Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI). Multivariate statistical analysis was also carried out, including principal component analysis (PCA) and descriptive statistics presented in box plots. Analyses were conducted over a period of 25 years at 216 study points within the framework of the chemistry monitoring of Poland's arable soils. This study will provide considerable assistance in the different soil types of Poland on the basis of toxicity indices. The presented research results show the spatial and structural diversification of soil contamination with metals and can be used in practice to formulate recommendations for rational soil use and planning investment activities in the field of environmental protection. In addition, these studies may be useful in the development of planning documents, especially in the development of postindustrial areas. At the analysed points, the potential toxicity of soils in relation to heavy metals was influenced by industrial activities in southern Poland (Upper Silesia) and south-western Poland (Lower Silesia); however, these exceedances affected few points (usually 2–3 of the 216 assessed). This situation persisted at these sites throughout the study period. The dominant type of contaminated soils was cambisols and phaeozems.

Synthesis of inventive biphenyl and azabiphenyl derivatives as potential insecticidal agents against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis

The emergence of pest resistance of Spodoptera littoralis (order; Lepidoptera, family; Noctuidae) towards the large scale of different classes of insecticides necessitates the development of some new poly-functionalized biphenyl and azabiphenyl with highly anticipated insecticidal bioresponse. Four new biphenyl carboxamidines 4a–d and four aza-analogue picolinamidine derivatives 8a–d were designed and prepared via the treatment of their corresponding carbonitriles with lithium-bis trimethylsilylamide [LiN(TMS)2], followed by hydrolysis with hydrogen chloride. Furthermore, these compounds were elucidated by spectral data, and their toxicity and insecticidal activity were screened against Spodoptera littoralis. Whereby, toxicological and biochemical aspects of the inventively synthesized biphenyl and azabiphenyl derivatives against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis were inspected. As regards the indomitable LC50 and LC90 values, biphenyl and aza-analogues 8d, 8a, 4b, and 8b, revealed the furthermost forceful toxic effects with LC50 values of 113.860, 146.265, 216.624, and 289.879 ppm, respectively. Whereby, their LC90 values are 1235.108, 1679.044, 2656.296, and 3381.256 ppm, respectively, and toxicity index being 22.31%, 17.36%, 11.72%, and 8.76%, respectively, comparing with the already recommended, methomyl insecticide, lannate 90% SP (LC50, 25.396 and LC90, 57.860 and toxicity index, 100%). Additionally, electrochemical parameters via DFT studies were carried out for demonstrating and elucidation of structure–activity relationship (SAR) according to highly motived compounds, descriptors, and the in vivo insecticidal activities.Graphical

Production Waste Management: Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics and the Calculation of the Hazard Class of Phosphogypsum

Phosphogypsum (PG: CaSO4·2H2O) is a waste product (or by-product) from the production of phosphoric acid, the main component in the production of concentrated simple and complex fertilizers. The world production of phosphogypsum exceeds 200 million tons per year. PG discharged into water bodies (seas, rivers) or disposed of in land dumps may contain elements (including heavy metals and radionuclides) in forms and concentrations that are toxic to ecosystems and human health, which raises concerns about its impact on the environment. The concentrations of these elements vary depending on the region where the raw material is mined and the process used to produce phosphoric acid. Given the significant volumes of phosphogypsum formed, an urgent problem is not only the development of methods for its disposal, but also a special, specific control over its composition after the release of PG and during its use for removal, transportation, and storage in dumps and sludge storages. This article presents the results of comprehensive studies on the determination of the chemical and mineralogical composition of by-products from an experimental plant for the processing of phosphate raw materials of the designed chemical complex of the EuroChem-Karatau company (Republic of Kazakhstan). Based on the conducted studies, it was established that, in terms of the total toxicity index, the studied wastes belong to the fourth hazard class (low-hazardous) with the possibility of processing for the purpose of their further use.

Spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements contaminations and risk indices of water and sediments in the Darband and Samana streams, Pakistan.

This study examined potentially toxic elements (PTE) of water and sediments in the Darband and Samana streams of Hangu District. Darband and Samana streams are the main fluvial ecosystems of Hangu District, Pakistan, directly or indirectly affecting more than 0.52 Million people. Water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed for PTE utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Water characteristics of Darband and Samana streams were noted within the WHO drinking water guidelines, except for Turbidity and sulfate. Most water characteristics showed higher values in the Samana stream than in the Darband stream. Similarly, most ofPTE showed higher concentrations in sediments collected from the Samana stream than the Darband stream. For ecological risk evaluation, several pollution indices were employed to assess the eco-toxicological consequences. The highest contamination factor (CF)value of 15and 20 were exhibited by molybdenum (Mo) in the Samana and Darband streams showing very high contamination. Similarly, the pollution load index (PLI) showed that 24% of the sediment samples were polluted (PLI > 1). Furthermore, a high ecological risk in a range of 160 < ERI < 320 was observed for Mo, while a low ecological risk ERI < 40 was by As for the Darband and Samana streams sediments. Statistical techniques revealed that various anthropogenic sources primarily contaminated in water and sediment. Therefore, this study recommends regular monitoring PTE contaminations in the area to avoid any health hazards in the future.

Phytochemical and Heavy Metal Screening of Fura da Nono, Ciklavit®, Katoka Mixtures®, and Yoyo Bitters®

Background: Evaluation of the phytochemicals and heavy metals contained in four commonly consumed beverage and herbal products in Nigeria, was investigated. This was to ascertain the health benefits as well as potential for toxicity that may be associated with the consumption of these products. Methods: The samples studied are Fura da Nono, Ciklavit®, Katoka Mixtures® and Yoyo Bitters®. The phytochemical screening of each product was done using standard procedures. The heavy metals screening was done using Agilent®720 Inductively Coupled Plasma -Optical Emission Spectroscopy machine (ICP-OES). The Hazard quotient and Index were assessed using appropriate equations in line with United States Environmental ProtectionAgency (USEPA). Results: All phytochemicals tested were found in Fura da Nono except Steroids and Terpenoids.Also, all the tested phytochemicals were detected in Ciklavit® except Alkaloids and Phlobatannins. Both Katoka Mixtures® and Yoyo Bitters® contained all other phytochemicals except Phlobatannins. Quantitatively, Fura da Nono was high in Cardiac glycosides, and Ciklavit® was found to be high in Flavonoid content. Both Katoka Mixtures® and Yoyo Bitters® are high in Phenols. The results of the heavy metal analysis revealed different concentrations (ppm) of arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, copper and nickel in the four products. Arsenic was not detected only in Fura da Nono. The heavy metal concentrations obtained were all within WHO maximum permissible limits. Further analysis for potential non-carcinogenic health risk using Hazard quotient on each of the four toxic heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium) and Hazard Index (HI) on the same toxic heavy metals revealed that by the United States Environmental ProtectionAgency (USEPA) threshold value of HI ≤1, Yoyo Bitters® (0.4684) and Ciklavit® (0.7870) had the lower and safer values for combined heavy metal risk while Katoka Mixtures® (0.9908) and Fura da Nono (1.4144) had the highest. Conclusion: The phytochemical screening of the investigated products showed that the commonly consumed food drink and herbal products, are rich in phytochemicals. Even though the heavy metal screening indicates a fairly positive safety margin for three of the products. Caution should therefore be exercised in the use of these products.

Pollution indices and ecological risk assessment of major elements and trace metals in the marine sediment of the western Nigeria continental shelf, Gulf of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea is known to be highly productive owing to its ecological and economical significance. Given its importance, detailed evaluation of the major elements (Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, K and Si) and trace metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, As, Sc, V, Th and U) were analyzed from the sediment core within this basin for the first time. This study aims to determine their baseline composition, pollution level, and ecological risk. Analyses of these metals using inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) with Agilent SPS3 Autosampler showed the descending order of Na > Fe > Ca > Si > Mg > Al > K > Mn and Zn > U > V > Ni > Cr > Th > Pb > As > Cu > Sc for major and trace element respectively. The pollution indices and sediment qualities were assessed using the contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), potential ecological risk factor (Er), modified hazard quotient (mHQ), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (RI), single metal toxic risk index (TRIi) and integrated Toxic risk index (TRI) at three stations (stations A, B, and C). Except for As and U, the mean concentrations of the metals were lower than their respective background values. Based on the pollution indices, the studied trace metals were found to have severe EF (>25) with respect to Zn and V, considerable CF (3 ≤ CF ≤ 6) for As, and high CF (> 6) for U. The Igeo values of all the trace metals indicated unpolluted to moderately polluted status (0 ≤ lgeo ≤ 1). The Er ranges (0.05–41.80) indicate low to moderate ecological risk, while mHQ (< 1) values indicate very low severity of contamination. There was no significant risk from the combined metals recovered from the sediment core of the study area to the marine ecosystems according to RI (<150), PLI (< 1), and TRI (< 5) values. The findings from this study will serve as a preliminary baseline chemical composition for rational ecological protection measures off the Nigerian coast.

Antiviral opportunities of Mannich bases derived from triterpenic N-propargylated indoles.

Oleanolic and glycyrrhetic acids alkyne derivatives were synthesized as a result of propargylation of the indole NH-group condensed with the triterpene A-ring, the following aminomethylation led to a series of Mannich bases. The synthesized compounds were tested for their potential inhibition of influenza A/PuertoRico/8/34 (H1N1) virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell culture and SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in baby hamster kidney-21-human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (BHK-21-hACE2) cells. Mannich bases of oleanolic and glycyrrhetic acids N-propargylated indoles 7, 8, and 12 were the most efficacious against influenza virus A with IC50 7-10 μM together with a low toxicity (CC50 > 145 μM) and high selectivity index SI value 20. Indolo-oleanolic acid morpholine amide Mannich base holding N-methylpiperazine moiety 9 showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus activity with EC50 value of 14.8 μM. Molecular docking and dynamics modeling investigated the binding mode of the compounds 7 and 12 into the binding pocket of influenza A virus M2 protein and compound 9 into the RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein.

Novel acaricidal and growth-regulating activity of Aloe vera and Rheum rhabarbarum extracts and their oil/water nanoemulsions against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii

Hyalomma dromedarii is an important tick species infesting livestock. This work evaluated the novel adulticidal, insect growth-regulating, and enzymatic efficacy of ethanol plant extracts of Aloe vera and Rheum rhabarbarum and their nanoemulsions against males and engorged females of the camel tick, H. dromedarii. The physicochemical properties of nanoemulsions were evaluated. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses indicated that the extracts contained polyphenols and flavonoids, which could enhance their acaricidal effect. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the nanoemulsions of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 196.7 and 291 nm, whereas their zeta potentials were − 29.1 and − 53.1 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicated that nanoemulsions showed a regular spherical shape (less than 100 nm). Fifteen days post-treatment (PT) with 25%, the mortality% of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 88.5 and 96.2%, respectively. Five days PT, the median lethal concentration values of A. vera, R. rhabarbarum, and their nanoemulsions were 7.8, 7.1, 2.8, and 1.02%, respectively, and their toxicity indices were 91.02, 100, 36.4, and 100%, respectively. Their median lethal time values PT with 3.5% were 6.09, 5.09, 1.75, and 1.34 days, respectively. Nanoemulsions enhanced the efficacy of the crude extract 1–7 folds, 5 days PT, and accelerated their speed of killing ticks 2–4 times. The total protein and carbohydrates, Acetylcholinesterase, Alpha esterase, and Amylase were affected PT. The reproductive potential of engorged females was adversely impacted. In conclusion, the novel A. vera and R. rhabarbarum extracts were promising acaricides, and their nanoformulations enhanced their efficacies.

Investigating the Effects on Cardiac Functionality of Daphnia magna by Residential Chemical Products

Many new residential chemical products have been commercialized with advancements in chemical technology and the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Including herbicides and insecticides, many disinfectants now claim 99.99% bacteria-killing capacity are ubiquitous around the house. It is deemed an urgent issue to make the public aware of the toxicity of new residential chemical products. The acute effects on cardiac functionality induced by the 30-minute incubation were evaluated in serially diluted solutions while measuring the heartbeat of Daphnia. Since they are sensitive invertebrate models and have fundamental biological systems close to those of humans, the Daphnia’s heartbeat change might be used as a model to test the new chemical entities’ tolerability. Eight residential chemical products were chosen, and their heartbeat difference was plotted for dilution factor. The ratio of the testing chemical’s area under the curve (AUC) to ethyl alcohol AUC was defined as a toxic index and compared among the testing articles. The results showed that the toxic index was significantly greater for the groups of Malathion and Triazicide while smaller in lambda-cyhalothrin and geraniol (P&lt;0.05). The order of the toxic index seemed to be fit for the toxicity data. More studies might be needed to clarify the underlying mechanism of such effects.

GIS Analysis of spatial-temporal variation of the ecological risk caused by element and organic pollutants in Lake Marmara (TURKIYE)

Located in western Anatolia (Turkey), Lake Marmara is a wetland with high ecological value. Lake Marmara, which was exposed to intense anthropogenic effects after 1940, is experiencing ecological deterioration in recent years. This study aimed to analyze the ecological risk level of the lake by using Enrichment Factor (EF), Toxic Risk Index (TRI), Modified Potential Ecological Risk Index (mER) etc. The research hypothesized that the discharge of water from the Gediz River and Kum Stream to the lake after 1940 triggered ecological risk problems. Moderate toxic risk, low potential ecological risk, moderate element contamination were detected throughout the lake. It was determined that Mo, P and Hg of anthropogenic origin and As, Ni, Cr, Cu of lithological origin created ecological risk at a regional scale. Domestic-industrial wastes and agriculture in the Gediz River basin and around the lake were identified as the dominant anthropogenic activity. The temporal variation of the ecological risk indices based on the elements did not reflect the anthropogenic traces of water discharge into the lake from the Gediz River basin. However, the temporal variation of TOC, N, P and CDP showed the effects of anthropogenic interventions in the lake. According to the threshold values; P is highly contaminated and N is close to the severely contaminated limit. The findings, while confirming the research hypothesis, showed that the dominant ecological risk factor in Lake Marmara is not elemental contamination, but organic pollutants, nitrogen and phosphate.

Ecological Risk Analysis of Lake Arin Sediments (Bitlis, Türkiye)

This study aimed to determine the ecological risk of Lake Arin through an analysis using comprehensive indexes. Surface sediment samples (21) and bedrock samples (5) were collected from Lake Arin. The metal concentrations were obtained from the ICP-OES analysis values. Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Toxic Risk Index (TRI), Modified ecological risk index (mER) and Modified Potential Ecological Risk Index (m-PER) were calculated from the ICP-OES data. Our results reveal that the average concentration of the Lake Arin metals is Al &gt; Fe &gt; Mn &gt; Zn &gt; Ni &gt; Co &gt; Pb &gt; Cd &gt; As, in decreasing order. While moderate enrichment was determined for Ni, As and Zn, moderate contamination was detected only for Ni. It was determined there was no contamination in terms of Geoaccumulation Factor, and PER values showed low ecological risk. The second highest EF value belongs to As, which is thought to originate from the use of fossil fuels in the region. As a result of the ecological risk analysis of Lake Arin, it was determined that the metal levels were not at high levels and were not toxic.

Financial Toxicity and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: An Australian Perspective

Financial toxicity is under-investigated for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). The aim of this study was to quantify and describe the financial toxicity and out-of-pocket costs for patients with HNC in regional Australia and to consider its relationship with quality of life. A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients with mucosal HNC who were disease free and 1-3 years after completion of radiotherapy at a regional tertiary hospital in Australia. The survey included questions on socio-demographics, out-of-pocket expenses, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with the FACT-H&N. Financial toxicity was evaluated using the Financial Index of Toxicity (FIT) survey, which scores financial toxicity on a scale of 0-100 (higher score indicating higher financial toxicity). The relationship between high financial toxicity scores (top quartile) and HRQoL was explored. Of 57 total patients, 41 (72%) reported out-of-pocket expenses at a median of AU$1,796 (interquartile range AU$2,700) and a maximum of AU$25,050. The overall median FIT score was 13.9 (interquartile range 19.5) and patients with high financial toxicity (n = 14) reported poorer HRQoL (76.5 vs 114.5, p < 0.001). Patients who were not married had a higher financial toxicity score (23.1 vs 11.1, p = 0.01). Similarly, those participants with lower levels of education had higher financial toxicity (19.3 vs 11.1, p = 0.06). Participants with private health insurance were found to have lower rates of financial toxicity (8.3 vs 17.6, p = 0.01). Medications (41%, median AU$400), dietary supplements (41%, median AU$600), travel (36%, median AU$525) and dental (29%, AU$388) were the most common out-of-pocket expenses. Only nineteen patients (33%) reported that a member of their treating team had asked if they have any financial concerns. Participants living in rural locations (> 100km from the hospital) had higher out-of-pocket expenses (AU$2655 vs AU$730, p = 0.01). Financial toxicity is a significant issue for a significant proportion of patients with head and neck cancer which was associated with a reduced HRQoL. All clinicians should consider asking patients with HNC about financial concerns and be aware of what financial support is available in their region. Interventions are required to reduce the burden of financial toxicity for patients with HNC.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SAFETY OF AGROPROTECTIVE CHEMICAL BASED ON THIAMETHOXAM

The article is devoted to the aspects of environmental safety of the use of Aktara insecticide, widely used in the agro-protective sector, with the active substance thiamethoxam from the class of neonicotinoids. Studies have been carried out on the impact of insecticide on test organisms of soil and aquatic ecosystems, and its transformation in the process of laboratory biodegradation has been studied on the basis of chromato-mass-spectral analysis.&#x0D; In order to identify the anthropogenic load of soil and water ecosystems during the application of the Aktara preparation containing thiamethoxam, and to assess the toxicity of the insecticide, test objects were studied: earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.), shoe ciliates (Paramecium caudatum). The phytotoxicity of the drug was analyzed using test objects - seeds: corn (Zea mays), pea (Pisum sativum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), carrot (Daucus carota) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea), it was evaluated germination state. The biodegradation of thiamethoxam with the help of soil degrading microorganisms was studied.&#x0D; The material for the experiments was Aktara, in which the active ingredient is thiamethoxam. Fertile chernozem, selected from the ecologically clean territory of the Iglinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan.&#x0D; In the presented work, experiments were carried out on the effect of the drug on earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.), taking into account their behavior, the condition of contact of the test object with the insecticide was modeled.&#x0D; Studies on phytotoxicity were carried out, vegetables (cucumber, carrot, tomato, cabbage), cereals (corn) and legumes (peas) were used as test objects.&#x0D; Biotesting on infusoria-shoes (Paramecium caudatum) was carried out by an experimental method using the 2M-BIOTESTER device. Obtaining destructive material - microorganisms-destructors was carried out by the method of «imprints» in Petri dishes on meat-peptone agar, isolating them from fertile chernozem, selected in the Iglinsky district of Bashkortostan.&#x0D; The change in the destructive material of the active substance of the insecticide was determined using a thin layer chromatogram (TLC), Silufol UV-254 plates were used, the eluent was acetone, the developer was phosphomolybdic acid. Chromato-mass-spectral analysis was performed on a Shimadzu GC-9A instrument.&#x0D; The results of the analysis of the effect of the insecticide based on thiamethoxam on earthworms showed that this substance has a moderately toxic effect.&#x0D; In uncontaminated soil, in microbiota-rich chernozem, a large species spectrum and numerical composition of microorganisms were observed: Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Arthrobacter sp., Azotobacter sp., Flavobacterium sp. The introduction of an insecticide (IC) into the agrosystem leads to a decrease in biomass, inhibition of the microbiota, and a negative impact is noted at the working concentration declared by the manufacturer. When using a dose of insecticide 2 IC in the soil, a further decrease in biomass was recorded and species resistant to toxicity were Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. With significant soil contamination, at a dose of insecticide 5 IC, the growth of the microenvironment was suppressed.&#x0D; Biodegradation of thiamethoxam – [5-methyl-3-(2-chlorothiazol-5-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene-N-nitroamine], C8H10NO3SCl – was carried out for 170 days.&#x0D; According to the results of chromato-mass spectral analysis, intermediate products of biodegradation were determined – bis (2-methylpropyl) ester of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl adipate.&#x0D; In experiments on the study of phytotoxicity after treatment with the Aktara preparation of various concentrations: IC, 2 IC, 5 IC, the analysis showed a different result in comparison with the control sample.&#x0D; It has been established that at the right concentration, thiamethoxam can have a positive effect on seed germination. Therefore, thiamethoxam is not toxic to plants if the instructions are followed.&#x0D; The results of biotesting revealed that the toxicity index of samples with IC preparation and 2 IC corresponds to a moderate degree of toxicity (0,565 and 0,671, respectively) and 5 IC (0,797) corresponds to a high degree of toxicity.

Global Health and Climate Effects of Organic Aerosols from Different Sources.

The impact of aerosols on human health and climate is well-recognized, yet many studies have only focused on total PM2.5 or changes from anthropogenic activities. This study quantifies the health and climate effects of organic aerosols (OA) from anthropogenic, biomass burning, and biogenic sources. Using two atmospheric chemistry models, CAM-chem and GEOS-Chem, our findings reveal that anthropogenic primary OA (POA) has the highest efficiency for health effects but the lowest for direct radiative effects due to spatial and temporal variations associated with population and surface albedo. The treatment of POA as nonvolatile or semivolatile also influences these efficiencies through different chemical processes. Biogenic OA shows moderate efficiency for health effects and the highest for direct radiative effects but has the lowest efficiency for indirect effects due to the reduced high cloud, caused by stabilized temperature profiles from aerosol-radiation interactions in biogenic OA-rich regions. Biomass burning OA is important for cloud radiative effect changes in remote atmospheres due to its ability to be transported further than other OAs. This study highlights the importance of not only OA characteristics such as toxicity and refractive index but also atmospheric processes such as transport and chemistry in determining health and climate impact efficiencies.

Degradation of Emerging Pharmaceutical Pollutants from Wastewater Using Penicillium aurantiogriseum 2AJS.

Approximately 3000 pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products (PPCPs) are utilized and discharged into the wastewater at low levels, and they are rarely removed or treated in wastewater treatment facilities. The present study focused on the potential ability of Penicillium aurantiogriseum 2AJS to degrade pharmaceutical and personal care products of different classes of drugs: antipyretic and analgesic drugs (paracetamol, diclofenac, and ibuprofen) and hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). Various ligninolytic extracellular enzymatic studies were also studied. A phytotoxicity assay was performed using the Lemna minor species procured from the Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore. The results revealed degradation of pharmaceutical and personal care products to 95.27% (paracetamol), 94.37% (diclofenac), 89.29% (ibuprofen), 94.16% (progesterone), 91.10% (estrogen), and 82.12% (testosterone). GC-MS and NMR analyses aided in proposing the degradation pathway of all six pharmaceutical compounds. Degradation kinetics showed a first-order model for all the degradation studies with R2 values ranging between 0.89 and 0.95. A toxicological assay using Lemna minor showed very less toxicity of degraded compounds with a toxicity index ranging between 1.2 and 1.5 compared to the parent compounds. Hence, strain 2AJS can be used in in situ bioremediation of wastewater treatment processes.