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De Filippis F, Valentino V, Sequino G, Borriello G, Riccardi MG, Pierri B, Cerino P, Pizzolante A, Pasolli E, Esposito M, Limone A, Ercolini D. Exposure to environmental pollutants selects for xenobiotic-degrading functions in the human gut microbiome. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4482. [PMID: 38802370 PMCID: PMC11130323 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollutants from different chemical families may reach the gut microbiome, where they can be metabolized and transformed. However, how our gut symbionts respond to the exposure to environmental pollution is still underexplored. In this observational, cohort study, we aim to investigate the influence of environmental pollution on the gut microbiome composition and potential activity by shotgun metagenomics. We select as a case study a population living in a highly polluted area in Campania region (Southern Italy), proposed as an ideal field for exposomic studies and we compare the fecal microbiome of 359 subjects living in areas with high, medium and low environmental pollution. We highlight changes in gut microbiome composition and functionality that were driven by pollution exposure. Subjects from highly polluted areas show higher blood concentrations of dioxin and heavy metals, as well as an increase in microbial genes related to degradation and/or resistance to these molecules. Here we demonstrate the dramatic effect that environmental xenobiotics have on gut microbial communities, shaping their composition and boosting the selection of strains with degrading capacity. The gut microbiome can be considered as a pivotal player in the environment-health interaction that may contribute to detoxifying toxic compounds and should be taken into account when developing risk assessment models. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT05976126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Filippis
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 40, Napoli, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Valentino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sequino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Biancamaria Pierri
- National Reference Centre for the Analysis and Study of the Correlation between Environment, Animal and Human, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- National Reference Centre for the Analysis and Study of the Correlation between Environment, Animal and Human, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzolante
- National Reference Centre for the Analysis and Study of the Correlation between Environment, Animal and Human, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Edoardo Pasolli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 40, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mauro Esposito
- National Reference Centre for the Analysis and Study of the Correlation between Environment, Animal and Human, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonio Limone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Danilo Ercolini
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, Italy.
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 40, Napoli, Italy.
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Marotta V, Grumetto L, Neri I, Russo G, Tortora A, Izzo G, Panariello I, Rocco D, Pezzullo L, Vitale M. Exposure to Bisphenol A increases malignancy risk of thyroid nodules in overweight/obese patients. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120478. [PMID: 36306887 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread thyroid disruptor, but evidence about an association with thyroid cancer is weak. Excess body weight is a risk factor for thyroid cancer and affects activity of endocrine disruptors. Aim of the study was to investigate the association between BPA exposure and thyroid cancer, verifying the effect modification related to body weight. We performed a multicentre, cross-sectional study including consecutive patients referring for nodular goiter. The quantitative determination of BPA in serum samples was performed through high performance liquid chromatography system, coupled in tandem with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. Ninety-six patients were included: 55 benign nodules, 41 thyroid cancers, 28 normal weight, and 68 overweight/obese. BPA was detected in 79 subjects. In the overall study population and in the group with BMI<25 kg/m2 BPA exposure was not significantly correlated to thyroid cancer (p = 0.08 and 0.759, respectively). In the group with BMI≥25 kg/m2, BPA-exposed subjects showed significantly higher risk of malignancy (OR: 5.3, p = 0.028). At multivariate analysis, such association was independent of smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational exposure, and phthalates exposure (p = 0.021 and 0.016, respectively), but was lost after adjustment for the presence of metabolic syndrome (p = 0.089). In overweight/obese subjects, BPA exposure was significantly associated with higher thyroid stimulating hormone levels. Our study suggests that BPA exposure is a risk factor for thyroid cancer in overweight/obese subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Marotta
- UOC Clinica Endocrinologica e Diabetologica, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Italy.
| | - Lucia Grumetto
- Pharm-Analysis & Bio-Pharm Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Ilaria Neri
- Pharm-Analysis & Bio-Pharm Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Giacomo Russo
- School of Applied Sciences, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Tortora
- UOC Clinica Endocrinologica e Diabetologica, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Italy
| | - Giulia Izzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, Università di Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Panariello
- Struttura Complessa Chirurgia Oncologica della Tiroide, ISTITUTO NAZIONALE TUMORI - IRCCS - FONDAZIONE G.PASCALE, Italy
| | - Domenico Rocco
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, Università di Salerno, Italy
| | - Luciano Pezzullo
- Struttura Complessa Chirurgia Oncologica della Tiroide, ISTITUTO NAZIONALE TUMORI - IRCCS - FONDAZIONE G.PASCALE, Italy
| | - Mario Vitale
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, Università di Salerno, Italy
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Alberti P. The 'land of fires': epidemiological research and public health policy during the waste crisis in Campania, Italy. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12331. [PMID: 36582724 PMCID: PMC9792804 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The region of Campania, South Italy rose to prominence in the mid-2000s due to the illegal disposal of waste by the Camorra during the local waste management crisis. Several lines of evidence have identified a link between exposure to toxic waste and adverse health outcomes in the local populations. Critically, studies since 2017 have strongly suggested that this link is causal in nature. The uncertainty of evidence polarised the Italian epidemiological community and partly undermined the precautionary principle in public health policy, leading to years of delay in the deployment of appropriate interventions. The crisis also sparked concerns about pollution of soil, water, and agricultural products. The contrast between political responses and protests from local communities shows analogies with environmental emergencies of a larger scale. Beyond law enforcement actions to prosecute illegal waste disposal activity, future mitigation of risks for affected populations will require coordinated efforts in environmental policy (land reclamation, improved waste management) and public health (i.e. extensive epidemiological surveillance, screening and prevention programs). By summarising evidence over the last two decades, this review aims to construct a cohesive interdisciplinary narrative of the events in the Campanian waste crisis.
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Nunzio AD, Giarra A, Toscanesi M, Amoresano A, Piscopo M, Ceretti E, Zani C, Lorenzetti S, Trifuoggi M, Montano L. Comparison between Macro and Trace Element Concentrations in Human Semen and Blood Serum in Highly Polluted Areas in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811635. [PMID: 36141930 PMCID: PMC9517217 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Macro and trace elements are important regulators of biological processes, including those ones linked to reproduction. Among them, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se, and Zn ensure normal spermatic functions. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of 26 macro and trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, U, V, and Zn) in blood serum and also in semen of healthy young men, homogeneous for age, anthropometric characteristics, and lifestyle, living in three highly polluted areas in Italy. Furthermore, a comparison among three geographical areas was performed to highlight any difference in the investigated parameters and, overall, to speculate any correlations between chemical elements and semen quality. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among the three areas were found for each investigated element, in both semen and serum samples, where inter-area differences were more evident in semen than in blood serum, suggesting human semen as an early environmental marker. Considering the homogeneity of three cohorts, these differences could be due more to environmental conditions in the recruiting areas, suggesting that variations in those involved in reproductive-associated pathways can have an impact on male fertility. Nevertheless, more research is needed to evaluate threshold values for sperm dysfunction and male infertility. Actually, the role of different dietary intake and environmental exposure underlying the observed differences in the recruiting areas is under further investigation for the same cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Di Nunzio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Giarra
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Toscanesi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, 305, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ceretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Zani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Lorenzetti
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (EcoFoodFertility Project), Italy “Oliveto Citra Hospital”, Oliveto Citra, 84020 Salerno, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Gennaro V, Cervellera S, Cusatelli C, Miani A, Pesce F, De Gennaro G, Distante A, Vimercati L, Gesualdo L, Piscitelli P. Use of official municipal demographics for the estimation of mortality in cities suffering from heavy environmental pollution: Results of the first study on all the neighborhoods of Taranto from 2011 to 2020. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112007. [PMID: 34509482 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cities suffering from heavy environmental pressure or pollution, it is extremely important to rapidly access municipal demographics that can be used as indicators of population health status. Among those, mortality rates represent the most reliable data as they are officially retained and available to municipality with high level of details, thus allowing epidemiological comparison between different neighborhoods of the city across several years. Our study was aimed at validating and propose as universally applicable approach the use of municipal demographics as first-line tool to rapidly assess population health and drive health policies or urban planning in cities characterized by heavy environmental pressure. The case study of Taranto has been chosen due to the presence of the biggest European steel plant since 1960s resulting in heavy burden on environment and population health. METHODS We have performed an ecological study on general mortality data due to all causes, specific by gender, age groups and disaggregated at sub-municipal level (highest data granularity) into neighborhoods from 2011 to 2020 by using official demographics related to all people living in Taranto available at General Registry Office of the municipality. A preliminary analysis comparing data available at Municipality and those provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) was performed and confirmed the high level of reliability of the municipal source of data. For comparative analyses, we used Regional demographics and mortality from ISTAT. Indirect age-standardized mortality ratios (SMR; CI 90% and 95%), specific for gender and neighborhoods, were calculated in reference to the city of Taranto and Apulia Region; direct age-standardized and neighborhoods mortality rates were computed on city population. RESULTS The city of Taranto shows relevant inequalities in terms of mortality between the northern neighborhoods, closest to the industrial area (Paolo VI, Tamburi and Città Vecchia-Borgo), with excess mortality highlighted across 10 years described by SMRs always higher than those of the entire Apulia region, with peaks exceeding 50% between 2015 and 2017 both in women and men. The significant excesses of mortality have increased from 2011 to 2020 and progressively extended across several neighborhoods of Taranto city. Compared to the Apulia region, in the 3 Northern neighborhoods of the city (Paolo VI, Tamburi and Città Vecchia-Borgo) a total of 1020 excess deaths were recorded from 2011 to 2019 in both males and females (showing statistical significance), with a peak of 68% mortality excess in 2019 for men living in Paolo VI district. CONCLUSION The use of official mortality data allows a timely, reliable and costless assessment of population health in cities heavily impacted by environmental pollution like Taranto.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Gennaro
- Former Director of Liguria Region Mesothelioma Registry, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Cervellera
- City Hall Bureau of Demographic Statistics, Municipality of Taranto, Taranto, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cusatelli
- Ionian Department, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Taranto, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, SIMA, Milan, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Pesce
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi De Gennaro
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Ionian Hub, Taranto, Italy
| | - Alessandro Distante
- Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), School of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Prisco Piscitelli
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, SIMA, Milan, Italy; Euro Mediterranean Scientific Biomedical Institute (ISBEM), Brindisi, Italy
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Pierri B, Buonerba C, Pierri A, Pizzolante A, Ferro A, Crispo A, Bollati V, Sanchez TR, Grazia Andreassi M, Esposito M, Cerino P. Exposure study on susceptible people - SPES: An integrative biomonitoring approach. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106931. [PMID: 34653810 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evaluation of environmental exposure risk requires a global analysis of pollution phenomena, including biological effects and potentially correlated clinical outcomes in susceptible populations. Although human biomonitoring plays a fundamental role in assessing the degree of contamination, it is not effective alone in identifying a direct link between exposure, biomolecular effects and outcomes on target organisms. While toxicogenomics and epidemiology are mainly focused on the investigation of molecular reactions and clinical outcomes, the monitoring of environmental matrices works independently to characterize the territorial distribution of toxic compounds, without proving any correlated health risk for residents. OBJECTIVES We propose a new biomonitoring model based on a whole systemic analytical evaluation of environmental context. The paradigm of the method consists of identifying the sources of pollution, the migration pathways of those pollutants and their effects on target organisms. By means of this innovative, holistic epidemiological approach, we included healthy human subjects in a cohort to identify potential risks of exposure and predict possible correlated clinical outcomes. 4205 residents of the Campania region were enrolled in the "SPES" biomonitoring study, which especially focused on the areas dubbed "Land of Fires" in the recent decades. DISCUSSION The analysis of environmental exposure risk suffers the lack of data integration from various science fields, and this comes down to a limited point of view and a limited knowledge of phenomena. In implementing our model, we first constructed an analytical picture of the Real-world situation. We next conducted a comparative risk assessment, in order to identify possible correlations between pollution and health within a holistic view. CONCLUSION This type of research activities aims to support the implementation of public health interventions and to become a reference model in the evaluation of the risk of exposure to environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biancamaria Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, (SA), Italy.
| | - Carlo Buonerba
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
| | - Andrea Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
| | - Antonio Pizzolante
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
| | - Amedeo Ferro
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
| | - Anna Crispo
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiffany R Sanchez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, 10032 New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Andreassi
- Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Esposito
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, (NA), Italy
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Agovino M, Cerciello M, Musella G. Campania and cancer mortality: An inseparable pair? The role of environmental quality and socio-economic deprivation. Soc Sci Med 2021; 287:114328. [PMID: 34482276 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The region of Campania in Southern Italy features high levels of socio-economic deprivation and low levels of environmental quality. A vast strand of the scientific literature has tried to verify whether poor environmental quality and widespread socio-economic deprivation might explain the high cancer mortality rates (CMRs) observed, especially in the municipalities - infamously labelled as the 'Land of Fires' - that were hit most severely by the crisis. While some studies managed to identify links between these two confounding factors and cancer mortality, the evidence is overall mixed. Interesting information may be drawn from the observation of municipal data: in spite of previous claims, some municipalities featuring high environmental quality and low socio-economic deprivation also display high CMRs, while other Campanian municipalities facing disastrous environmental and socio-economic conditions are characterised by low CMRs. These figures, in contrast to common sentiment and previous studies, need to be investigated thoroughly in order to assess the exact role of the confounding factors. In this work, we aim to identify the municipalities where confounding factors act as driving forces in the determination of high CMRs through an original multi-step analysis based on frequentist and Bayesian analysis. Pinpointing these municipalities could allow policymakers to design targeted and effective policy measures aimed at reducing cancer mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Agovino
- Department of Economic and Legal Studies, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Cerciello
- Department of Economic and Legal Studies, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Musella
- Department of Management and Quantitative Studies, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
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Could Kallikrein-Related Serine Peptidase 3 Be an Early Biomarker of Environmental Exposure in Young Women? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168833. [PMID: 34444582 PMCID: PMC8392638 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenols and phthalates affect androgen receptor-mediated signaling that directly regulates Kallikrein-Related serine Peptidase 3 (KLK3) secretion, indicating that environmental factors may play a role in KLK3 secretion. With the aim of obtaining preliminary data on whether KLK3 could serve as an early marker of environmental pollution effects, in 61 and 58 healthy women living in a high environmental impact (HEI) and low environmental impact (LEI) area, respectively, serum KLK3 levels at different phases of menstrual cycle were measured. KLK3 values resulted in always being higher in the HEI group with respect to the LEI group. These differences were particularly relevant in the ovulatory phase (cycle day 12°–13°) of the menstrual cycle. The differences in KLK3 values during the three phases of the menstrual cycle were significant in the LEI group differently from the HEI group. In addition, higher progesterone levels were observed in the LEI group with respect to the HEI group in the luteal phase, indicating an opposite trend of KLK3 and progesterone in this phase of the menstrual cycle. Although changes in KLK3 could also depend on other factors, these preliminary data could be an early indication of an expanding study of the role of biomarkers in assessing early environmental effects for female reproductive health.
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Estimation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pollution in Mediterranean Sea from Volturno River, Southern Italy: Distribution, Risk Assessment and Loads. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041383. [PMID: 33546201 PMCID: PMC7913333 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study reports the data on the contamination caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) drained from the Volturno River. The seasonal and spatial distribution of PAHs in water and sediment samples was assessed. The 16 PAHs were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments. A multidimensional statistical approach was used to identify three pollution composite indicators. Contaminant discharges of PAHs into the sea were calculated in about 3158.2 kg/year. Total concentrations of PAHs varied in ranges 434.8 to 872.1 ng g−1 and 256.7 to 1686.3 ng L−1 in sediment samples and in water (DP + SPM), respectively. The statistical results indicated that the PAHs mainly had a pyrolytic source. Considering the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the water environmental quality standards (USEPA EQS), and risk quotient (RQ), the Volturno River would be considered as an area in which the environmental integrity is possibly at risk.
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Forte IM, Indovina P, Costa A, Iannuzzi CA, Costanzo L, Marfella A, Montagnaro S, Botti G, Bucci E, Giordano A. Blood screening for heavy metals and organic pollutants in cancer patients exposed to toxic waste in southern Italy: A pilot study. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:5213-5222. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Maria Forte
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy UnitIstituto Nazionale Tumori‐IRCCS‐Fondazione G. Pascale, I‐80131Napoli Italy
| | - Paola Indovina
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphia Pennsylvania PA 19122 USA
| | - Aurora Costa
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy UnitIstituto Nazionale Tumori‐IRCCS‐Fondazione G. Pascale, I‐80131Napoli Italy
| | | | - Luigi Costanzo
- ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Via Lupoli, FrattamaggioreNaples Italy
| | - Antonio Marfella
- SS Farmacologia clinica e Farmacoeconomia‐Istituto Nazionale Tumori‐IRCCS‐Fondazione G. Pascale, I‐80131Napoli Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal ProductionsUniversity of Naples “Federico II,”Napoli Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Scientific DirectionIstituto Nazionale Tumori‐IRCCS‐Fondazione G. Pascale, I‐80131Napoli Italy
| | - Enrico Bucci
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphia Pennsylvania PA 19122 USA
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphia Pennsylvania PA 19122 USA
- Department of Medical BiotechnologiesUniversity of Siena Italy
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Carducci A, Fiore M, Azara A, Bonaccorsi G, Bortoletto M, Caggiano G, Calamusa A, De Donno A, De Giglio O, Dettori M, Di Giovanni P, Di Pietro A, Facciolà A, Federigi I, Grappasonni I, Izzotti A, Libralato G, Lorini C, Montagna MT, Nicolosi LK, Paladino G, Palomba G, Petrelli F, Schilirò T, Scuri S, Serio F, Tesauro M, Verani M, Vinceti M, Violi F, Ferrante M. Environment and health: Risk perception and its determinants among Italian university students. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 691:1162-1172. [PMID: 31466198 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Among the determinants of environmental health risk perception, health literacy and social media messages have been generally neglected. This study details the environmental health risk perception and its determinants in Italian university students, including a measure of functional health literacy and an analysis of newspapers and social media. A cross sectional survey was carried out among students from 15 Italian universities and different disciplines (grouped into Scientific-Health and Humanistic-Legal-Social sectors) using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, divided into six sections: socio-demographic characteristics, information on health and environment, environmental health risk perception, trust, attitudes and behaviors and functional health literacy. Local newspapers and tweets in the same areas and period were analyzed in relation to quantity and topics. The study population included 4778 students (65.1% female) aged 21 ± 4.3 years, and functional health literacy was low (below the cutoff value) for 44.4% of students. A new outcome of the survey is that the detected association between high functional health literacy a higher global health risk perception and trust in institutions both as sources of information and as actors for protection against environmental risks. The internet and social networks were the most frequently consulted sources of information (77.7%), which was predictive of a higher risk perception. The possible relation between environmental health risk perception and tweet communication was highlighted by a comparison between the risk perception in the city with the highest number of tweets (Modena) and another one similar for socio-demographic characteristics (Pisa). In conclusion, the results of our study may be of help to strengthen information and education programs: functional health literacy should be taken into account in school programs, to produce a basic knowledge for a better understanding of health and environment. Moreover, mass and social media should be included in planning communication intervention and in verifying their results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Azara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Martina Bortoletto
- Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana - Treviso District, Workers' Preventive Medicine Service, Treviso, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Caggiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Antonella De Donno
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Osvalda De Giglio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Dettori
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pamela Di Giovanni
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Facciolà
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Messina, Italy
| | | | - Iolanda Grappasonni
- University of Camerino, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, Camerino, Italy
| | - Alberto Izzotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Liberata Keti Nicolosi
- Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Grazia Paladino
- Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Petrelli
- University of Camerino, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, Camerino, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schilirò
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Scuri
- University of Camerino, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, Camerino, Italy
| | - Francesca Serio
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marina Tesauro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Verani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Violi
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Catania, Italy
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Weber R, Herold C, Hollert H, Kamphues J, Blepp M, Ballschmiter K. Reviewing the relevance of dioxin and PCB sources for food from animal origin and the need for their inventory, control and management. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2018; 30:42. [PMID: 30464877 PMCID: PMC6224007 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-018-0166-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past, cases of PCDD/F and PCB contamination exceeding limits in food from animal origin (eggs, meat or milk) were mainly caused by industrially produced feed. But in the last decade, exceedances of EU limit values were discovered more frequently for PCDD/Fs or dioxin-like(dl)-PCBs from free range chicken, sheep, and beef, often in the absence of any known contamination source. RESULTS The German Environment Agency initiated a project to elucidate the entry of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in food related to environmental contamination. This paper summarizes the most important findings. Food products from farm animals sensitive to dioxin/PCB exposure-suckling calves and laying hens housed outdoor-can exceed EU maximum levels at soil concentrations that have previously been considered as safe. Maximum permitted levels can already be exceeded in beef/veal when soil is contaminated around 5 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dry matter (dm). For eggs/broiler, this can occur at a concentration of PCDD/Fs in soil below 5 ng PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ/kg dm. Egg consumers-especially young children-can easily exceed health-based guidance values (TDI). The soil-chicken egg exposure pathway is probably the most sensitive route for human exposure to both dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs from soil and needs to be considered for soil guidelines. The study also found that calves from suckler cow herds are most prone to the impacts of dl-PCB contamination due to the excretion/accumulation via milk. PCB (and PCDD/F) intake for free-range cattle stems from feed and soil. Daily dl-PCB intake for suckler cow herds must in average be less than 2 ng PCB-TEQ/day. This translates to a maximum concentration in grass of 0.2 ng PCB-TEQ/kg dm which is less than 1/6 of the current EU maximum permitted level. This review compiles sources for PCDD/Fs and PCBs relevant to environmental contamination in respect to food safety. It also includes considerations on assessment of emerging POPs. CONCLUSIONS The major sources of PCDD/F and dl-PCB contamination of food of animal origin in Germany are (1) soils contaminated from past PCB and PCDD/F releases; (2) PCBs emitted from buildings and constructions; (3) PCBs present at farms. Impacted areas need to be assessed with respect to potential contamination of food-producing animals. Livestock management techniques can reduce exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs. Further research and regulatory action are needed to overcome gaps. Control and reduction measures are recommended for emission sources and new listed and emerging POPs to ensure food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Weber
- POPs Environmental Consulting, Lindenfirststraße 23, 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Christine Herold
- POPs Environmental Consulting, Lindenfirststraße 23, 73527 Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Kamphues
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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