Levels Of Environmental Stress Research Articles

Environmental stress and salivary cortisol levels in preterm infants.

Preterm infants are exposed to numerous environmental stressors during their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay, particularly during the first week after birth. The aim of this study is to assess whether salivary cortisol levels are correlated with Neonatal Infant Stressor Scale (NISS) scores in preterm infants during the first week of life. We also quantified the changes in both NISS scores and cortisol levels in the first week, and whether cortisol levels are associated with gestational age. Preterm infants (n = 38, birth weight <1250 g and/or gestational age <29 weeks) were included. Saliva samples were collected on day 0-3 (early) and day 4-7 (late), and cortisol concentrations were measured by immunoassay. NISS scores were assessed retrospectively for the six hours preceding each saliva collection. NISS scores were not significantly correlated with salivary cortisol levels at either time point. However, infants born at <28 weeks gestation had higher median cortisol levels than infants born at >28 weeks (p = 0.0068), and there was also a significant inverse relationship between NISS score and gestational age (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between the early and late time points for either NISS scores or cortisol levels. Cortisol levels are elevated in infants <28 weeks gestation but do not correlate with NISS scores. NISS scores are inversely related to gestational age, likely reflecting increased exposure to interventions and invasive procedures for the smallest infants.

Photophysiological and Oxidative Responses of the Symbiotic Estuarine Anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica to the Impact of UV Radiation and Salinity: Field and Laboratory Approaches.

The estuarine anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica and its symbiont Philozoon anthopleurum are continuously exposed to intense fluctuations in solar radiation and salinity owing to tidal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tidal cycle, solar radiation, and salinity fluctuations on the photosynthetic and cellular responses (lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity) of the symbiont complex over a 24 h period in the Quempillén River Estuary. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the specific photobiological responses to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and salinity. Our field results showed that the photosynthetic parameters of the symbiont complex decreased with increasing ambient radiation; however, no relationship was observed with changes in salinity. Increased peroxidative damage, total phenolic compound levels, and antioxidant activity were mainly related to increased UVR and, to a lesser extent, PAR. During the dark period, only PAR-exposed organisms returned to the basal levels of photosynthesis and cell damage. Laboratory exposure confirmed the deleterious effects of UVR on the photosynthetic response. The present study suggests that the ability of A. hermaphroditica to acclimate to natural radiation stress is mediated by the concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that occur at different times of the day, under varying levels of environmental stress.

Evaluation of methods for detection of Campylobacter in raw milk: A multi-country study

Raw milk is considered a high-risk source of Campylobacter due to faecal contamination from healthy cattle and farm environments, thus linking raw milk consumption to global outbreaks. Detection of Campylobacter in raw milk poses challenges due to low contamination levels and antibacterial properties of the milk. Culture-based protocols for Campylobacter detection in milk vary, mainly with regard to pH adjustment and the choice of enrichment broth.This European collaborative study was organised by the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Campylobacter together with eight EU National Reference Laboratories (NRL) for Campylobacter with the purpose to evaluate methods for culture-based detection of Campylobacter in raw cow's milk. The study was divided into two parts, an interlaboratory part and an intralaboratory part, both organised around the same two protocols. The aim of protocol 1 was to evaluate the impact of pH adjustment and storage of the milk on the culturability of Campylobacter over time. Aliquots of the spiked milk were adjusted either to pH 7.0 or pH 7.6 or left unadjusted. The milk was stored up to 48 h at refrigerated temperature and Campylobacter was quantified according to ISO 10272-2 on day 0, 1 and 2. The aim of protocol 2 was to evaluate which enrichment broth, Bolton broth (BB) or Preston broth (PB), showed highest sensitivity in detection of Campylobacter. The spiked milk was enriched in BB and PB as described in ISO 10272-1:2017 or ISO 10272-1:2017/Amd1.2023. In the interlaboratory part, each milk batch was collected locally by each participating NRL/EURL and inoculated with the same Campylobacter strain. In the follow-up intralaboratory part, the EURL-Campylobacter repeated the tests in protocol 1 and 2 but used different Campylobacter strains and strains subjected to thermal stress prior to inoculation.The results show that pH adjustment of raw milk has a negligible impact on culture-based detection of Campylobacter, regardless of strain and level of environmental stress. The composition of milk and properties of the inoculated strain influence culture-based detection of Campylobacter over storage time, and strains subjected to additional stress prior to inoculation in milk are reduced in culturability much faster than the same strains prepared under normal conditions.Finally, the study showed that PB without Campylobacter growth supplement is less effective than BB in detecting Campylobacter in raw milk.

Impact of climate change, environmental pollution, and nutrition on women’s reproductive health

In recent years, interest in the impact of the environment on human health, including the reproductive function of women, has increased significantly. This review aimed at analyzing the dependence of women’s reproductive health on environmental conditions and dietary patterns. The study evaluates the direct impact of pollutants, such as heavy metals and endocrine disruptors, on reproductive health and their indirect effects through changes in dietary habits and the quality of consumed food. Moreover, the study focused on the relationship between the quality of the environment, including the level of air pollution, and women’s reproductive health. Furthermore, the article describes the effect of the mechanisms of chemical substances on the endocrine system and subsequent reproductive outcomes and the influence of nutrients and chemicals contained in agricultural products. Data from various studies worldwide were used; thus, the conclusions are more universal and generalized. The authors emphasize the need for adopting international measures to improve environmental standards and develop strategies to reduce chemical pollution in air and water. Moreover, this study highlights the consequences of climate changes for public and reproductive health, emphasizing the urgency of adapting healthcare and social systems to change environmental conditions. Such changes require a comprehensive approach in response strategies, including reforming the food industry and agriculture and increasing public awareness and activity in environmental well-being issues. Additionally, using various studies as examples, issues concerning the relationship between climate changes and human health, in general, and the need for adapting social and healthcare systems to the current level of environmental stress are raised. This review aimed at stimulating public dialogue and developing innovative approaches to addressing the issue of improving women’s reproductive health against the backdrop of environmental changes and challenges of the modern world.

Do Children's Health Behaviors Buffer the Impact of Cumulative Environmental Stress on Emerging Cardiometabolic Risk?

Previous studies have found that exposure to childhood environmental stress is associated with cardiometabolic risk. However, it is not known whether individual health behaviors disrupt this relationship. This study prospectively evaluated the relationship between cumulative environmental stress in a low-income sample and cardiometabolic risk in middle childhood and examined whether child health behaviors attenuated this relationship. In a cohort of children (n=338; 57% Hispanic children; 25% Black children), environmental stressors (family and neighborhood factors representing disadvantage/deprivation) and child health behaviors (accelerometry measured physical activity; parent-reported screen time and diet recalls) were measured over 5 time points beginning when children were aged 2 to 4 years and ending when they were aged 7 to 11 years. Children's cardiometabolic risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure, triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, C-reactive protein) were measured at 7 to 11 years. Emerging cardiometabolic risk was defined as having ≥1 elevations that exceeded clinical thresholds. In adjusted path analyses, greater cumulative environmental stress was associated with higher likelihood of emerging cardiometabolic risk in middle childhood (P<0.001). Higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity and fewer sedentary minutes attenuated the positive relationship between stress and cardiometabolic risk (P<0.05). Children with >2 hours of average daily screen time had a higher likelihood of elevated cardiometabolic risk (P<0.01), but screen time did not moderate the stress-cardiometabolic risk relationship. Dietary intake was not related to cardiometabolic risk. Interventions that promote moderate to vigorous physical activity and limit sedentary behavior may have particular importance for the cardiometabolic health of children exposed to high levels of cumulative environmental stress.

Time-domain expression and mechanical response of the viscoelastic Poisson's ratio in asphalt pavement

Poisson's ratio (PR) is a fundamental mechanical parameter for materials. Unlike the constant Elastic Poisson's Ratio (EPR), the Viscoelastic Poisson's Ratio (VEPR) is significantly influenced by external factors such as environmental temperature, stress level, and loading frequency. Using the VEPR to characterize the stress state of asphalt pavements provides a more accurate reflection of their actual service conditions. Moreover, the VEPR plays a more critical role than the EPR in predicting fatigue life, analyzing temperature sensitivity, and optimizing pavement structure design. In this study, the Elastic-Viscoelastic Correspondence Principle (EVCP) and the Zener mechanical model were combined to derive a time-domain expression for the VEPR of asphalt pavement. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors were embedded within various structural layers of an in-service road to collect mechanical response and temperature data under traffic loads. Based on the measured temperature data, Finite Element Models (FEMs) were developed for both the VEPR and EPR conditions. The mechanical responses were validated using these FEMs, and the results were compared with the strain data collected by the FBG sensors. The results indicated that both VEPR and EPR increase most rapidly between 20°C and 35°C, with VEPR resulting in higher transverse and longitudinal strains and stresses than EPR, while vertical strain remained constant. Furthermore, the VEPR was better suited to actual driving conditions, with a peak error of only 3.97 % and an average error of 10.04 %.

Optimization and Evaluation of Accelerated Corrosion Tests Based on Mechanism Equivalence Principles.

Conventional indoor corrosion test design methods primarily focus on the rapid evaluation of material corrosion resistance, often neglecting the impact of environmental stress levels on the equivalence of corrosion mechanisms. This study introduces a novel indoor corrosion test design method based on the principle of corrosion mechanism equivalence, aimed at improving the accuracy of indoor accelerated corrosion simulations. We define the characteristic of corrosion mechanism equivalence as the Corrosion Mechanism Equivalence Degree (CMed), which quantifies the similarity between corrosion mechanisms in indoor accelerated tests and field tests. Then, modified conventional link function models are defined, integrating the probability distribution of environmental factors to estimate corrosion model parameters more precisely. Finally, an optimization problem is constructed for accelerated corrosion tests based on CMed, incorporating constraints on environmental stress levels and acceleration factors. A case study demonstrates the proposed method's ability to accurately simulate the actual service environment of materials, determining the appropriate stress levels for indoor accelerated corrosion tests while ensuring the desired acceleration factor and corrosion mechanism equivalence.

New insights into assembly processes and driving factors of urban soil microbial community under environmental stress in Beijing

Rapid urbanization leads to drastic environmental changes, directly or indirectly affecting the structure and function of soil microbial communities. However, the ecological response of soil microbes to environmental stresses has not yet been fully explored. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the assembly mechanism and driving factors of soil microbial community under environmental stresses. The results indicated that environmental stresses significantly affected soil properties and the levels of beryllium, cobalt, antimony, and vanadium contamination in soil generally increased from the suburban areas toward the city core. The composition and distribution of soil microbial communities demonstrated clear differences under different levels of environmental stress, but there was no significant difference in microbial diversity. Random forest and partial least squares structural equation modeling results suggested that multiple factors influenced microbial diversity, but antimony was the key driver. The influence of environmental stress led to deterministic processes dominating microbial community assembly processes, which promoted the regional homogenization of soil microbes. Therefore, this study provides new insights into urban soil microbial management under environmental stresses.

A Framework Analyzing Climate Change, Air Quality and Greenery to Unveil Environmental Stress Risk Hotspots

Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased environmental challenges, compounding worries about deteriorating air quality and rising temperatures. As cities become hubs of human activity, understanding the complex interplay of numerous environmental elements is critical for developing effective mitigation solutions. Recognizing this urgency, a framework to highlight the hotspots with critical environmental issues emerges as a comprehensive approach that incorporates key criteria such as the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII), heat index (HI) and air quality index (AQI) to assess and address the complex web of environmental stressors that grip urban landscapes. Employing the multicriteria decision analysis approach, the proposed framework, named the environmental risk hotspot mapping framework (ERHMF), innovatively applies the analytic hierarchy process at a sub-criteria level, considering long-term heat island trends with recent fluctuations in the HI and AQI. Climate change impact has been symbolized through rising temperatures, as reflected by surface urban heat island intensity trends over two decades. The robustness and correctness of the weights have been assessed by computing the consistency ratio, which came out as 0.046, 0.065 and 0.044 for the sub-criteria of the SUHII, AQI and HI, respectively. Furthermore, the framework delves into the nexus between environmental stressors and vegetation cover, elucidating the role of green spaces in mitigating urban environmental risks. Augmented by spatial and demographic data, the ERHMF adeptly discerns high-risk areas where environmental stress converges with urban development, vulnerable population concentrations and critical vegetation status, thereby facilitating targeted risk management interventions. The framework’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in a regional case study in Italy, underscoring its ability to pinpoint risk hotspots and inform specific policy interventions. The quantitative study undertaken at the sub-administrative level revealed that approximately 6,000,000 m2 of land in Bologna are classified as being under high to extremely high environmental stress, with over 4,000,000 m2 lying only within the extremely high stress group (90–100). Similarly, 1,000,000 m2 of land in Piacenza and Modena have high levels of environmental stress (80–90). In conclusion, the ERHMF presents a holistic methodology for delineating high-risk urban hotspots, providing essential insights for policymakers, urban planners and stakeholders, with the potential to enhance overall urban resilience and foster sustainable development efforts.

Benthic Foraminifera as Bio-Indicators of Trace Element Pollution at St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh

Benthic Foraminifera occupied all marine environments. The practice of utilizing benthic foraminifera for monitoring the state of the marine environment has garnered widespread recognition all over the world. Changes in foraminiferal assemblage indicate the level of environmental stress. The prime concern of the present research is to evaluate the abundance and distribution of benthic foraminifera stress and how anthropogenic stresses affect their diversity in St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh. About 250 foraminifera specimens were collected, of which 22 species, 19 genera, and 17 families of predominantly benthic provenance were recognized. Astrorhiza holds the first position in order of relative abundance and frequency of occurrence followed by the Elphidium, Robulus, and Eponoides. The stress-tolerant and heterotrophic genera (Quinqueloculina, Elphidium, Ammonia, Trochammina) dominated the sensitive or symbiont genera (Calcarina, Operculina, Cibicides, Nummulites). Analysis of various diversity indices reveals that the northern part of the island near the boat terminal shows a lower diversity of benthic foraminifera. The southern part of the island shows moderate diversity indicating less pollution. For the investigation of the Foraminiferal shell, in addition to statistical computing, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) analyses have been utilized. From the EDX analysis, it has been found that lower oxygen (O) with a weight range of (36.51-53.71%) and calcium (Ca) with a weight range of (30.44-53.38%) are the primary components of the foraminifera test. The shells also contain higher percentages of trace elements such as silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), chlorine (Cl), sodium (Na), aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn). Anthropogenic activity is the main source of these trace elements, which clearly demonstrates the island's environmentally stressed condition. The intrusion of these elements in the benthic foraminiferal shell indicates they react to anthropogenic contaminants. These exogenous trace elements are responsible for particular morphological distortion of foraminifera shells which are also observed in St. Martin’s Island. The outcomes from the current research will build a foundation for future researchers focusing on anthropogenic impact assessment and sustainable coastal management in Bangladesh. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 12(2), 2023, P 1-14

Effects of Natural and Artificial Seawater Temporary Rearing on Flavor and Immunomodulation of Acanthopagrus schlegelii: A Study Based on GC-MS and UPLC-MS Untargeted Metabolomics

ABSTRACT Electronic tongue and metabolomic analysis (GC-MS and UPLC-MS techniques) were conducted to investigate the taste characteristics and metabolome of black sea bream before and after temporary rearing in natural seawater and artificial seawater, respectively. The natural seawater group showed reduced bitterness with advanced saltiness and sweetness, while the artificial seawater group had decreased umami. Metabolomic analysis revealed that most flavor-related metabolites and immune function-associated metabolites were downregulated, with a greater impact observed in the artificial seawater group. The artificial seawater group showed reduced immunity and disease resistance compared to the natural seawater group, indicating a greater level of environmental stress.

Assessment of Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a broad spectrum of motor disability which is non progressive and is caused by damage to the brain at or around birth. Care of a child with cerebral palsy is a source of tension and struggle for parents and causes many problems in meeting the child’s needs. Understanding the quality of life of this category of parents , will contribute entire and sufficient physiotherapeutic interventions by various techniques and examine what structural changes could be made to increase parent satisfaction. Study Design: This study is a cross sectional study approach to assess the quality of life of these parents in Pune. A sample of 30 parents of children of cerebral palsy age 3-17 years was selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected using WHO-QOL BREF, Parental stress index, Beck depression inventory questionnaire, focusing on quality of life, stress and depression of parents. Method: 30 Participants were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Convenient sampling was done. Informed consent was obtained before data collection. Demographic details were recorded, and participants responded to the questionnaire, focusing on physical health, psychological health, social relationship and environmental barriers, stress and depression level. Descriptive statistics analyses were conducted to analyze the data. Results: The result showed as compare to father mother experienced lower quality of life, average depression level and increased stress level. This finding emphasizes the quality of life is severely affected suggesting the need to have family- centered approach for the management of children with cerebral palsy and evaluate unique challenges and experiences of parents to improve communication and support. Conclusion: This study concludes that the Quality of Life in Mothers is lower than that of Fathers of Cerebral Palsy child.

Associations between somatomotor-putamen resting state connectivity and obsessive-compulsive symptoms vary as a function of stress during early adolescence: Data from the ABCD study

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are relatively common during adolescence although most individuals do not meet diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Nonetheless, OCS during adolescence are associated with comorbid psychopathologies and behavioral problems. Heightened levels of environmental stress and greater functional connectivity between the somatomotor network and putamen have been previously associated with elevated OCS in OCD patients relative to healthy controls. However, the interaction of these factors within the same sample of individuals has been understudied. This study examined somatomotor-putamen resting state connectivity, stress, and their interaction on OCS in adolescents from 9–12 years of age. Participants (n = 6386) were drawn from the ABCD Study 4.0 release. Multilevel modeling was used to account for nesting in the data and to assess changes in OCS in this age range. Stress moderated the association between somatomotor-putamen connectivity and OCS (β = 0.35, S.E. = 0.13, p = 0.006). Participants who reported more stress than their average and had greater somatomotor-left putamen connectivity reported more OCS, whereas participants who reported less stress than their average and had greater somatomotor-left putamen connectivity reported less OCS. These data suggest that stress differentially affects the direction of association between somatomotor-putamen connectivity and OCS. Individual differences in the experience or perception of stress may contribute to more OCS in adolescents with greater somatomotor-putamen connectivity.

Impact of stress on the tear production of healthy cats.

This study aimed to determine the impact of acute stress on tear production in companion cats to provide a basis for minimizing stress-inducing stimuli during ophthalmic evaluations. A total of 24 healthy owned cats (12 males, 12 females) of mixed breed, aged 8 months to 7 years, with no history of ocular diseases, were selected for the study. The cats were housed in individual cages under controlled conditions for 6 days. The Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) was performed in the morning (between 9:00 am and 11:00 am) using test strips from the same batch. The first test (without stress) was conducted on the fifth day of acclimation, and the second test (with stress) on the sixth day. The stress stimulus consisted of recordings of barking dogs, cats fighting and the murmuring of people. For both tests, the heart rate was assessed with a stethoscope before, during and after the tests, and the environmental stress level was also evaluated. Results are presented as mean ± SD and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study found that STT-1 values were significantly higher (P = 0.009) with stress (22.2 ± 6.0 mm/min [95% CI 19.9-24.6]) than without stress (17.5 ± 6.9 mm/min [95% CI 14.8-20.2]). Similarly, the heart rate was significantly higher (P = 0.028) in stress vs non-stress conditions (213.4 ± 37.5 beats per minute [bpm] [95% CI 198.7-228.1] vs 171.5 ± 28.6 bpm [95% CI 160.3-182.7], respectively), and the environmental stress score was significantly higher (P <0.001) in stress vs non-stress conditions (3.3 ± 0.5 [95% CI 3.1-3.5] vs 1.2 ± 0.4 [95% CI 1.1-1.4], respectively). Stress increased tear production in cats. Although the mean STT-1 value obtained under stress conditions was within the normal range, stress can influence the test results. The use of cat friendly handling techniques facilitates execution of the STT-1.

ФЛУКТУИРУЮЩАЯ АСИММЕТРИЯ СЕЙСМОСЕНСОРНЫХ КАНАЛОВ ГОЛОВЫ У ВЕРХОВКИ LEUCASPIUS DELINEATUS (HECKEL, 1843) ИЗ МАЛЫХ ПРУДОВ С РАЗНЫМИ ВЕЛИЧИНАМИ МИНЕРАЛИЗАЦИИ ВОДЫ И СОДЕРЖАНИЯ КАТИОНОВ ЖЕСТКОСТИ

Background. The change in external conditions is accompanied by various responses of organisms existing in an unstable and heterogeneous environment. Relevance. Under the influence of physico-chemical factors of the aquatic environment, the frequency and extent of asymmetric manifestations of bilateral morphological features in fish individuals may increase, which is a consequence of an imbalance in their development and reflects the level of environmental stress. The aim of this work was to examine the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in the number of pores in the head seismosensory canals of belica Leucaspius delineatus (sunbleak) from the water bodies that differ in the content of total dissolved solids (water mineralization) and hardness cations. Methods. Ichthyological material was collected in nine small ponds belonging to the Kama River basin in the Udmurt Republic in 2018-2019. In the captured individuals of belica, the number of pores in the seismosensory canals in four paired head dermal bones has been identified, on the basis of which two FA indices have been calculated. Results. In several water bodies, a considerable proportion of belica mature individuals with incompletely ossified sections of the head seismosensory canals, often on one side only, or on the both sides but to different extents, has been recorded. This proportion determined the FA indices of the studied seismosensory features and had a positive correlation with the content of magnesium ions in the water bodies. In the belica individuals with fully ossified head seismosensory canals, the FA variance of the total number of pores in these canals had a positive correlation with the total dissolved solids in the water of the investigated small ponds; however, it had not depended on the content of hardness cations in them. Conclusion. The possible mechanisms of the influence of the investigated hydrochemical factors on the morphogenetic processes sequentially occurring in the belica early development - anlage of the raws of primary head neuromasts in its larvae and the subsequent formation of the ossified sections of the head seismosensory canals in its fry - are discussed.

Lifestyle Factors Counteract the Neurodevelopmental Impact of Genetic Risk for Accelerated Brain Aging in Adolescence

BackgroundThe transition from childhood to adolescence is characterized by enhanced neural plasticity and a consequent susceptibility to both beneficial and adverse aspects of one’s milieu. MethodsTo understand the implications of the interplay between protective and risk-enhancing factors, we analyzed longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (n = 834; 394 female). We probed the maturational correlates of positive lifestyle variables (friendships, parental warmth, school engagement, physical exercise, healthy nutrition) and genetic vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and sought to further elucidate their implications for psychological well-being. ResultsGenetic risk factors and lifestyle buffers showed divergent relationships with later attentional and interpersonal problems. These effects were mediated by distinguishable functional neurodevelopmental deviations spanning the limbic, default mode, visual, and control systems. More specifically, greater genetic vulnerability was associated with alterations in the normative maturation of areas rich in dopamine (D2), glutamate, and serotonin receptors and of areas with stronger expression of astrocytic and microglial genes, a molecular signature implicated in the brain disorders discussed here. Greater availability of lifestyle buffers predicted deviations in the normative functional development of higher density GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) receptor regions. The two profiles of neurodevelopmental alterations showed complementary roles in protection against psychopathology, which varied with environmental stress levels. ConclusionsOur results underscore the importance of educational involvement and healthy nutrition in attenuating the neurodevelopmental sequelae of genetic risk factors. They also underscore the importance of characterizing early-life biomarkers associated with adult-onset pathologies.

The stress model of neuroticism and anxiety symptoms in fishermen.

Marine fishermen experience high levels of environmental and relationship stress and anxiety. The current study explored the role of stress in the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms among marine fishermen. Participants (fishermen from Tanmen in Qionghai city, Hainan Province) completed three questionnaires: the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory-Neuroticism Subscale (NEO-FFI-N); the Mental Stressor Investigation Questionnaire (MSIQ); and the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire-30-item-Anxious Arousal Subscale (MASQ-D30-AA) within 1 week before embarking on a fishing trip and then again within 1 week after their return to port. The data were subjected to correlational analyses and structural equation modelling. Positive correlations were found between NEO-FF-N (neuroticism) score, MSIQ score (total stress), MSIQ work-relationship score, ship environmental stress score, and MASQ score (anxiety symptoms). Regression analyses showed environmental stress had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms, and further analysis showed a mediating effect of work-relationship stress on the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms. Marine fishermen with high environmental stress had greater anxiety symptoms than those with low environmental stress. Neuroticism in marine fishermen further affects anxiety symptoms by affecting the level of work-relationship stress.

Combined effect of acute salt and nitrogen stress on the physiology of lichen symbiotic partners

Nitrogen pollution and excessive salinity are commonly regarded as one of the major environmental concerns in recent decades in many urban environments. Although in urban areas lichens are exposed to both salt and nitrogen stress, no studies have been conducted to date on the simultaneous impact and interaction of these factors on lichen physiology. The aim was to determine the effect of various combinations of NaCl and NH4NO3 doses on the physiology of epigeic lichen Cladonia rei. We also aimed to compare the response of lichens collected from polluted and unpolluted sites to verify whether lichens exposed to different levels of environmental stress in their native environment will react differently. The combined salt-nitrogen treatment caused significant disturbances in the integrity of cell membranes and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The most detrimental effect concerned the loss of cell membrane integrity, which suggests that this parameter can serve as a relevant indicator of acute salt-nitrogen stress incidents. Salt stress decreased the photosynthetic efficiency 1 h after exposure, but after 72 h, the FV/FM returned to the level characteristic of healthy lichens in experimental groups without and with small doses of ammonium nitrate. In contrast, recovery was not possible in combination with high nitrogen doses. This indicates that exposure to short-term salt stress in a nitrogen-poor environment only causes a temporary reduction in photosynthetic efficiency, but in urban eutrophic environments may have more serious consequences. The weakened physiological condition of the mycobiont manifested by an increased level of cell membrane damage and a persistent decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency of the photobiont in lichens growing along the roads may indicate an excess of nitrogen in the environment, enhanced by the effect of salt. Lichens collected from a heavy-metal-polluted habitat responded more strongly than those from an unpolluted habitat suggesting that in lichens previously affected by certain harmful factors, exposure to another stress factor may lead to greater disturbances. This is of particular importance for lichens inhabiting the vicinity of roads, since they are also under the influence of other pollutants emitted by road traffic.

Plasticity of the Anemonia viridis microbiota in response to different levels of combined anthropogenic and environmental stresses

Despite their recognized primary importance, marine coastal ecosystems around the globe are currently under threat, being subject to continuous local and global anthropogenic stressors. In this frame, understanding the response of coastal habitat-forming species to multiple stressors and their resilience is fundamental for the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. In the present study, to provide some glimpses in this direction, we explored the response of theAnemonia viridis-associated microbiota to the combined anthropogenic stressors, which typically affect touristic hotspots at Mediterranean coastal sites. To this aim, two case studies have been carried out, the first in the Riccione coastal site (Italy, Center Mediterranean) and the second at Cap de Creus (Spain, North-western Mediterranean), where theA. viridismicrobiota was assessed under the conditions of both high and low anthropogenic pressure. According to our findings, theA. viridismicrobiota showed a relevant degree of plasticity in response to combined anthropogenic and environmental stressors, with changes that also mirrored variations in the surrounding seawater, thus indicating a close connection with the environment, from which potential symbiotic partners are selected. However, this potentially adaptive process also has a limitation, as observed in the highly anthropogenic impact site of Cap de Creus, whereA. viridis-associated microbiota appeared completely unstructured, as demonstrated by an increased dispersion according to the Anna Karenina principle. This raises the question about the resilience of theA. viridis-associated microbiota under combined climate and anthropogenic threats, as well as of the anthropogenic factors driving the observed dysbiosis changes.

Anthropogenic Pressure and Climate Change Could Severely Hamper the Avian Metacommunity of the Sicilian Wetlands

Our study shows that the current levels of anthropogenic exploitation of the Sicilian wetlands (Italy), combined with the likely exacerbation of climate-driven variables, are unsustainable and could soon exclude many bird species from this metacommunity. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and its wetlands represent a network of unreplaceable stopover sites that allow waterbirds to rest and refuel during migratory journeys along the central-eastern Mediterranean bird flyway. During the summer period, these species experience higher levels of environmental stress as water scarcity and anthropogenic pressure are at their peak. Through field surveys, geoprocessing and statistical analyses, we investigated: (a) the structure of the avian metacommunity of the largest Sicilian wetlands during July–September and (b) the effects of 10 (geographic, hydrological and anthropogenic) wetland attributes on avian diversity. We sampled 73 bird species, of which 30 are listed in annex I of the Birds Directive. The avian metacommunity was significantly nested and non-modular; in addition, it presented elevated beta diversity and random species assemblage. Environmental filtering superseded biotic interactions in determining species composition. Avian diversity was significantly favored by higher water levels, water-level fluctuations and water discharges, and disfavored by water diversion, salinity and tourism pressure. The knowledge concerning the particular structure of the avian metacommunity of the Sicilian wetlands can facilitate the implementation of conservation policies that could mitigate and compensate the effects of short- and mid-term risks.