B(a)P adduct levels and fertility: A cross‑sectional study in a Sicilian population

In-Vitro Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Human Sperm Function: What Are the Clinical Consequences?

Background: Lifestyle and environmental pollution harm male fertility. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are bio-accumulates in the environment as well as in several human tissues, and one of the most common PFAS is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of PFOA with hydrophobic and waterproofing properties on motility and bio-functional sperm parameters. Methods: To accomplish this, 50 healthy men with normozoospermia and not exposed to high doses of PFAS were enrolled. Their spermatozoa were incubated for 3 h with increasing concentrations of PFOA (0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM) to evaluate its effects. In particular, we evaluated the effects of PFOA on total and progressive sperm motility and, by flow cytometry, on the following bio-functional sperm parameters: degree of chromatin compactness, viability, early and late apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, the degree of lipoperoxidation, and concentrations of mitochondrial superoxide anion. Results: The results showed that PFOA decreased both total and progressive sperm motility, impaired chromatin compactness, and increased sperm lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial superoxide anion levels. Conclusions: This study showed that PFOA alters several sperm parameters and thus it may play a negative role in male fertility.

XRCC1 Polymorphisms p.Arg194Trp, p.Arg280His, and p.Arg399Gln, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Infertility: A Case-Control and In Silico Study

XRCC1 is involved in repair of single-strand breaks generated by mutagenic exposure. Polymorphisms within XRCC1 affect its ability to efficiently repair DNA damage. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs are genotoxic compounds which form bulky DNA adducts that are linked with infertility. Few reports suggest combined role of XRCC1 polymorphisms and PAHs in infertility. Present study investigates association of three XRCC1 polymorphisms (p.Arg194Trp, p.Arg280His, p.Arg399Gln) with male and female infertility in a North-West Indian population using case-control approach. Additionally, in silico approach has been used to predict whether XRCC1 polymorphisms effect interaction of XRCC1 with different PAHs. For case-control study, XRCC1 polymorphisms were screened in peripheral blood samples of age- and gender-matched 201 infertile cases (♂-100, ♀-101) and 201 fertile controls (♂-100, ♀-101) using PCR-RFLP method. For in silico study, AutoDock v4.2.6 was used for molecular docking of B[a]P, BPDE-I, ( ±)-anti-BPDE, DB[a,l]P, 1-N, 2-N, 1-OHP, 2-OHF with XRCC1 and assess effect of XRCC1 polymorphisms on their interaction. In case-control study, statistical analysis showed association of XRCC1 p.Arg280His GA genotype (p = 0.027), A allele (p = 0.019) with reduced risk of male infertility. XRCC1 p.Arg399Gln AA genotype (p = 0.021), A allele (p = 0.014) were associated with reduced risk for female primary infertility. XRCC1 p.Arg194Trp T allele was associated with increased risk for female infertility (p = 0.035). In silico analysis showed XRCC1-PAH interaction with non-significant effect of XRCC1 polymorphisms on predicted binding. Therefore, present study concludes that XRCC1 polymorphism-modified risk for male and female infertility in North-West Indians without significant effect on predicted XRCC1-PAH interactions. This is the first report on XRCC1 in female infertility.

Benzo[a]pyrene disrupts LH/hCG-dependent mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis through receptor/Gαs protein targeting

Steroidogenesis of gonadal cells is tightly regulated by gonadotropins. However, certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), induce reproductive toxicity. Several existing studies have considered higher than environmentally relevant concentrations of BaP on male and female steroidogenesis following long-term exposure. Also, the impact of short-term exposure to BaP on gonadotropin-stimulated cells is understudied. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of 1 nM and 1 µM BaP on luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin (LH/hCG)-mediated signalling in two steroidogenic cell models, i.e. the mouse tumor Leydig cell line mLTC1, and the human primary granulosa lutein cells (hGLC) post 8- and 24-h exposure. Cell signalling studies were performed by homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay, bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET) and Western blotting, while immunostainings and immunoassays were used for intracellular protein expression and steroidogenesis analyses, respectively. BaP decreased cAMP production in gonadotropin-stimulated mLTC1 interfering with Gαs activation. Therefore, decrease in gonadotropin-mediated CREB phosphorylation in mLTC1 treated with 1 μM BaP was observed, while StAR protein levels in gonadotropin-stimulated mLTC1 cells were unaffected by BaP. Further, BaP decreased LH- and hCG-mediated progesterone production in mLTC1. Contrastingly, BaP failed to mediate any change in cAMP, genes and proteins of steroidogenic machinery and steroidogenesis of gonadotropin-treated hGLC. Our results indicate that short-term exposure to BaP significantly impairs steroidogenic signalling in mLTC1 interfering with Gαs. These findings could have a significant impact on our understanding of the mechanism of reproductive toxicity by endocrine disruptors.

Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on Human Sperm Functions: An In Vitro Study

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is considered one of the most dangerous air pollutants for adverse health effects, including reproductive toxicity. It is found both in male and female reproductive fluids likely affecting spermatozoa after the selection process through cervical mucus, a process mimicked in vitro with the swim-up procedure. In vitro effects of BaP (1, 5, 10 µM) were evaluated both in unselected and swim-up selected spermatozoa after 3 and 24 h of incubation. BaP reduced total, progressive and hyperactivated motility and migration in a viscous medium both in swim-up selected and unselected spermatozoa. Viability was not significantly affected in swim-up selected but was reduced in unselected spermatozoa. In swim-up selected spermatozoa, increases in the percentage of spontaneous acrosome reaction and DNA fragmentation were observed after 24 h of incubation, whereas no differences between the control and BaP-treated samples were observed in caspase-3 and -7 activity, indicating no effects on apoptotic pathways. ROS species, evaluated by staining with CellROX® Orange and Dihydroethidium, did not differ in viable spermatozoa after BaP treatment. Conversely, the percentage of unviable ROS-positive spermatozoa increased. Our study suggests that BaP present in male and female genital fluids may heavily affect reproductive functions of human spermatozoa.

Impact of air pollution on human health in different geographical locations of Nepal

According to a recent survey, Nepal's urban air quality has been classified as one of the worst in the globe. A large portion of the country's population is subjected to health risks caused by air pollution. As Nepal has a wide variation in altitude coupled with socio-cultural and biological diversities, it is important to understand the different health hazards in the different geographical regions - Terai, Hills and Mountains. Constantly increasing physical infrastructures (such as transport vehicles, open burning of plastics and other fuels) are the main reasons for the escalating air pollution in the country. This study aims to critically review the current air pollution status in different geographical locations along with its impacts on public health in the country. It has been revealed that irrespective of geographic location, the air pollutants interfere with different human physiological systems related to respiration as well as cardiovascular, ophthalmic, and gastrointestinal functioning. Further, the research findings highlighting the influence of prolonged exposure of the population to the air pollution leading to the significant number of deaths have been presented. A notable rise in the number of hospitalized patients suffering from illnesses related to above mentioned pollution borne cases has been reported.

Environmental and occupational factors and higher risk of couple infertility: a systematic review study

Background

Infertility is a global health problem that represents an increasing trend due to new lifestyles following technological advances since individuals are facing more risk factors than before. The present systematic review study aimed to investigate the impact of environmental and occupational factors on reproductive parameters and increased risk of couple infertility.

Main body

Scopus, PubMed, SID, and Web of Science databases were searched for the available observational (i.e., cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional) systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical trial studies between 2007 and 2019. To this end, keywords such as ‘Environmental exposure’, ‘Occupational exposure’, ‘Environmental pollutants’, ‘Environmental pollution’, ‘Couple infertility’, ‘Sterility’, and ‘Sub-fertility’ were used. The retrieved investigations examined the impact of environmental and occupational risk factors on reproductive indices and increased infertility risk. Totally, 66 out of 9519 papers were evaluated after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reported risk factors in the reviewed studies were heavy metals, cigarette smoking, and exposure to chemicals through consumer goods, urban life, and proximity to main roads. In addition, occupational factors included heavy physical activity, prolonged sitting, exposure to a hot environment, contact with formaldehyde, pesticides, insecticides, mechanical vibration, and contact with ionizing radiation, all of which affected the reproductive parameters. However, some researchers found no significant associations in this regard.

Short conclusion

In general, individuals with known impairments in reproductive parameters were more exposed to risk factors. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to determine the risk of infertility in the population.

Thyroid Carcinoma: A Review for 25 Years of Environmental Risk Factors Studies

Environmental factors are established contributors to thyroid carcinomas. Due to their known ability to cause cancer, exposure to several organic and inorganic chemical toxicants and radiation from nuclear weapons, fallout, or medical radiation poses a threat to global public health. Halogenated substances like organochlorines and pesticides can interfere with thyroid function. Like phthalates and bisphenolates, polychlorinated biphenyls and their metabolites, along with polybrominated diethyl ethers, impact thyroid hormones biosynthesis, transport, binding to target organs, and impair thyroid function. A deeper understanding of environmental exposure is crucial for managing and preventing thyroid cancer. This review aims to investigate the relationship between environmental factors and the development of thyroid cancer.

Impact of benzo[a]pyrene with other pollutants induce the molecular alternation in the biological system: Existence, detection, and remediation methods

The exposure of benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) in recent times is rather unavoidable than ever before. BaP emissions are sourced majorly from anthropogenic rather than natural provenance from wildfires and volcanic eruptions. A major under-looked source is via the consumption of foods that are deep-fried, grilled, and charcoal smoked foods (meats in particular). BaP being a component of poly aromatic hydrocarbons has been classified as a Group I carcinogenic agent, which has been shown to cause both systemic and localized effects in animal models as well as in humans; has been known to cause various forms of cancer, accelerate neurological disorders, invoke DNA and cellular damage due to the generation of reactive oxygen species and involve in multi-generational phenotypic and genotypic defects. BaP's short and accumulated exposure has been shown in disrupting the fertility of gamete cells. In this review, we have discussed an in-depth and capacious run-through of the various origins of BaP, its economic distribution and its impact as well as toxicological effects on the environment and human health. It also deals with a mechanism as a single compound and its ability to synergize with other chemicals/materials, novel sensitive detection methods, and remediation approaches held in the environment.

A Review of Studies Using Air Q Software for Prediction of Air Pollution Health Effects in Iran

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Exposure to air pollutants may lead to various health effects and is a major public health issue. Concerns about these effects exist in both developed and developing countries. The Air Q software was developed to estimate the health impacts of air pollution based on reported levels of air pollutants in real world studies. In Iran several studies have been conducted to estimate human morbidity and mortality based on this software. We conducted this review to summarize articles which have predicted the effects of air pollution on human health in Iran using Air Q. We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies published until 24 April 2021 in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SID (Scientific Information Database which includes articles in Farsi language). We applied no time or language restrictions.

RECENT FINDINGS

A total of 44 studies out of 525 identified articles met our inclusion criteria. The main air pollutants under investigation were particulate matter (PM), NO₂, O₃, and SO₂. Most studies were conducted in metropolitan areas, such as Ahvaz (9 studies), Tehran (9 studies), and Shiraz (7 studies). In all studies, the levels of most air pollutants were higher than the 2005 WHO guideline levels and were predicted to be related to considerable health effects. However, it was not possible to aggregate the results and report the total number of casualties during these years, because studies were done in different cities with fluctuating levels of multiple pollutants and in different years and time frames. This systematic review showed that air pollution remains at unacceptably high levels resulting in substantial detrimental health effects in various Iranian cities. Using clean renewable energies, increasing human capital, and increasing green spaces and vegetation can help improve air pollution and decrease human casualties in Iran.

Mixture analysis on associations between semen quality and sperm DNA integrity and occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The objective of this study was to assess relationships between exposure to PAHs at occupational levels and outcomes of human semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected to quantify exposure of 16 targeted PAHs to coke-oven workers at a steel company in southern Taiwan. Semen quality, including concentration, motility, morphology, and viability, were assessed. Sperm DNA fragmentation, 8-oxodGuo, bulky PAH adducts, and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-DNA adducts served as biomarkers for assessment of sperm DNA integrity. The Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression modeling was employed to estimate mixture effects of the PAH mixture on the outcomes of semen quality and sperm DNA integrity and to identify individual compounds of PAH mixtures associated with the mixture effects. Exposure to the PAH mixture was inversely associated with sperm viability, while benzo(b)fluoranthene (B[b]F) was identified as the main predictor for sperm viability. Exposure to the PAH mixture also exhibited a positive trend with sperm DNA fragmentation. B[b]F and benzo(a)anthracene (B[a]A) were identified as individual PAH compounds associated with increased sperm DNA fragmentation.

Identification by MicroRNA Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors Bearing Pathogenic Relevance in Non-Smoker Lung Cancer

MicroRNA and DNA adduct biomarkers may be used to identify the contribution of environmental pollution to some types of cancers. The aim of this study was to use integrated DNA adducts and microRNAs analyses to study retrospectively the contribution of exposures to environmental carcinogens to lung cancer in 64 non-smokers living in Sicily and Catania city near to the Etna volcano. MicroRNAs were extracted from cancer lung biopsies, and from the surrounding lung normal tissue. The expression of 2549 human microRNAs was analyzed by microarray. Benzo(a)Pyrene-DNA adducts levels were analyzed in the patients’ blood by HPLC−fluorescence detection. Correlations between tetrols and environmental exposures were calculated using Pearson coefficients and regression variable plots. Compared with the healthy tissue, 273 microRNAs were downregulated in lung cancer. Tetrols levels were inversely related both with the distance from Etna and years since smoking cessation, but they were not significantly correlated to environmental exposures. The analysis of the microRNA environmental signatures indicates the contribution of environmental factors to the analyzed lung cancers in the following decreasing rank: (a) car traffic, (b) passive smoke, (c) radon, and (d) volcano ashes. These results provide evidence that microRNA analysis can be used to retrospectively investigate the contribution of environmental factors in human lung cancer occurring in non-smokers.

Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review

The daily environmental exposure of humans to plasticizers may adversely affect human health, representing a global issue. The altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important pathogenic role in exposure to plasticizers. This systematic review summarizes recent findings showing the modified expression of miRNAs in cancer due to exposure to plasticizers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in the past 10 years, focusing on the relationship between plasticizer exposure and the expression of miRNAs related to cancer. Starting with 535 records, 17 articles were included. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to plasticizers causes changes in or the deregulation of a number of oncogenic miRNAs and show that the interaction of plasticizers with several redundant miRNAs, such as let-7f, let-7g, miR-125b, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-22, miR-192, miR-222, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-296, miR-324, miR-335, miR-122, miR-23b, miR-200, miR-29a, and miR-21, might induce deep alterations. These genotoxic and oncogenic responses can eventually lead to abnormal cell signaling pathways and metabolic changes that participate in many overlapping cellular processes, and the evaluation of miRNA-level changes can be a useful target for the toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants, including plastic additives and plasticizers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposures and telomere length: A cross-sectional study on preschool children

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been associated with shorter telomere length (TL), a marker of ageing at cellular level. However, the available evidence on this association among children is still scarce. We therefore aimed to assess, the relationship between urinary 1-hydroxipayrene (1-OHP), a marker of exposure to PAHs, and relative leukocyte TL (LTL) in children at preschool age. Our study was based on 200 children enrolled from 27 randomly-selected kindergartens in the city of Sabzevar, Iran (2017). 1-OHP levels in the participants' urine samples were measured using solid phase extraction (SPE) method and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, real-time PCR was used to measure the LTL in the participants' blood samples. Linear mixed effects models, controlled for relevant covariates, were applied to investigate the association of 1-OHP concentration and LTL. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) of relative LTL and urinary 1-OHP were 0.83 (0.7) and 257 (375.5) ng/L, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, an IQR increase in urinary 1-OHP was related to -0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, -0.01, P-value = 0.02) decrease in relative LTL. This association was similar among boys and girls; however, we observed indications for a stronger association for those children whose parents had university education. Our study suggested an inverse relationship between urinary 1-OHP and LTL in children at preschool age. However, further longitudinal research with repeated measures of PAHs and LTL are needed to confirm these findings.

Crude oil and public health issues in Niger Delta, Nigeria: Much ado about the inevitable

The importance of crude oil has come at a great cost. In many developing economies of the world, it can be described as the bitter-sweet crude for its double-edged impacts on the welfare, wellness and wellness of the people. Agitations and restiveness remain characteristic features of Niger Delta following claims of exploitation and neglect of the local population by the multinationals. Literature on the environmental and public health impacts of crude oil was searched from relevant databases such as google scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. This paper is a translational scientific and toxicological insight on what should be done by the major players rather than casting unending aspersions. Since living near oil spills and crude oil production sites is an environmental stressor occasioned by exposure to both chemical pollutants and physical menace that are all detrimental to health, cumulative risk assessment CRA is proposed as a viable approach for a comprehensive understanding of the size of this problem. Multinational oil companies should support development of Environmental Medicine Research which will in turn generate data on both how to harness the natural resources to combat the public health issues associated with oil exploration and the mitigation and remediation of the environment. This endeavor will create a waste-to-wealth program that will pacify the restiveness in oil exploring communities. It will be interesting to know that in the same environment that breeds the elephant-in-the-parlor lies the natural antidotes to check-mate the public health malady.

In Vitro Co-Exposure to CeO2 Nanomaterials from Diesel Engine Exhaust and Benzo(a)Pyrene Induces Additive DNA Damage in Sperm and Cumulus Cells but Not in Oocytes

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a recognized reprotoxic compound and the most widely investigated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in ambient air; it is widespread by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels along with cerium dioxide nanomaterials (CeO₂ NMs), which are used in nano-based diesel additives to decrease the emission of toxic compounds and to increase fuel economy. The toxicity of CeO₂ NMs on reproductive organs and cells has also been shown. However, the effect of the combined interactions of BaP and CeO₂ NMs on reproduction has not been investigated. Herein, human and rat gametes were exposed in vitro to combusted CeO₂ NMs or BaP or CeO₂ NMs and BaP in combination. CeO₂ NMs were burned at 850 °C prior to mimicking their release after combustion in a diesel engine. We demonstrated significantly higher amounts of DNA damage after exposure to combusted CeO₂ NMs (1 µg·L^-1) or BaP (1.13 µmol·L^-1) in all cell types considered compared to unexposed cells. Co-exposure to the CeO₂ NMs-BaP mixture induced additive DNA damage in sperm and cumulus cells, whereas no additive effect was observed in rat oocytes. This result could be related to the structural protection of the oocyte by cumulus cells and to the oocyte's efficient system to repair DNA damage compared to that of cumulus and sperm cells.

Endocrine-Disrupting Air Pollutants and Their Effects on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

Anthropogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can contaminate air, soil, and water. Human exposures to EDCs occur through inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. EDCs act by disrupting various pathways in the endocrine system. When the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis is disrupted by EDCs, there can be effects on fertility in both men and women. Not only can fertility be indirectly affected by EDC disruptions of the HPG axis, but EDCs can also directly affect the menstrual cycle and sperm morphology. In this review, we will discuss the current findings on EDCs that can be inhaled. This review examines effects of exposure to prominent EDCs: brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, diesel exhaust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cadmium and lead, TCDD, and polychlorinated biphenyls on fertility through alterations that disrupt the HPG axis and fertility through inhalation. Although the studies included herein include multiple exposure routes, all the studies indicate receptor interactions that can occur from inhalation and the associated effects of all compounds on the HPG axis and subsequent fertility.

Significance of arsenic and lead in Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrated on thyroid tissue, blood, and urine samples

Our previous investigation showed significantly increased arsenic (As) content in thyroid tissue samples of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This research aimed to extend previous findings and provide reliable insight into the close relationship between As and other trace elements with HT by considering a greater number of thyroid tissue samples, accompanied by blood and urine samples. The essential trace elements for thyroid homeostasis (Mn, Cu, Zn, Se) and the main threatening toxic trace elements (Ni, As, Pb, Cd, U) was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Relevant parameters that could affect the concentration of trace elements were considered. This research showed that there was a difference in the elemental profile between HT and control samples. The most important findings were related to the elevated As and Pb content in the thyroid tissue and HT blood samples. The obtained negative correlations between As and Pb with Se may explain the antagonistic effect of As and Pb on the extrusion of essential Se from the HT tissue. The reduced Se content in the blood and its increased content in urine samples may further confirm this hypothesis and explain the lack of Se in HT. Furthermore, the reported results may highlight the unresolved molecular basis of HT and could indicate the role of trace element effects on thyroid homeostasis.

A Return to the Origin of the EMGS: Rejuvenating the Quest for Human Germ Cell Mutagens and Determining the Risk to Future Generations

Fifty years ago, the Environmental Mutagen Society (now Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society) was founded with a laser-focus on germ cell mutagenesis and the protection of "our most vital assets"-the sperm and egg genomes. Yet, five decades on, despite the fact that many agents have been demonstrated to induce inherited changes in the offspring of exposed laboratory rodents, there is no consensus on whether human germ cell mutagens exist. We argue that it is time to reevaluate the available data and conclude that we already have evidence for the existence of environmental exposures that impact human germ cells. What is missing are definite data to demonstrate a significant increase in de novo mutations in the offspring of exposed parents. We believe that with over two decades of research advancing knowledge and technologies in genomics, we are at the cusp of generating data to conclusively show that environmental exposures cause heritable de novo changes in the human offspring. We call on the research community to harness our technologies, synergize our efforts, and return to our Founders' original focus. The next 50 years must involve collaborative work between clinicians, epidemiologists, genetic toxicologists, genomics experts and bioinformaticians to precisely define how environmental exposures impact germ cell genomes. It is time for the research and regulatory communities to prepare to interpret the coming outpouring of data and develop a framework for managing, communicating and mitigating the risk of exposure to human germ cell mutagens. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:42-54, 2020. © 2019 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.

Tire waste management system in Cyprus in the framework of circular economy strategy

Worldwide, waste raised from tires counts 1.3-1.5 billion tonnes/year and by the end of 2025, is expected to be more than 2.5 billion tonnes. On 2013, the EU countries reached 3.6 million tonnes of used tires. However, the cheapest treatment method since now is landfilling and is considered to be a major threat for the environment and the public health. In Cyprus, the total tires that were imported on 2015 was 835,142 pieces (5.8% more than the 2014), which were equal to 9638 t, while at the same time, the total waste from those tires were 6629 tonnes. Moreover, the cement industry used 6691 tonnes of tires as alternative fuel. Until now, there are three management systems in place in Cyprus, for the end-of-life tires (ELTs). The collection of ELTs on 2011 was 1817 tonnes while at the end of 2016 was 7201 tonnes. The main treatment methods in Cyprus are the use of ELTs as alternative fuel in cement industry or to produce rubber granules (609-2738 tonnes/year) to be used to construct artificial surfaces or substrate for artificial lawn grounds and limited to pyrolysis (324-837 tonnes/year). At the same time, the environmental fees for the collection of tires varies and depends on the tire category. Furthermore, the market share of ELTs is up to 1.5 million € and the total recovery index from the market is closed to 90% the last 6 years (2013-2017). This paper evaluates and assess the existing tire waste management system (TWMS) in Cyprus in order to promote strength and weakness as well as to propose a holistic management system in insular communities in order to adopt the targets set by the concept of circular economy. The SWOT analysis identified as the main weaknesses the absence from the legislation of specific target for the recovery index of tires and the absence of any centralized logistic system to control the existing management systems while the main threats includes bureaucracy and the absence of technical and economic data which will guarantee the financial viability of a centralized treatment unit.

Decreased total sperm counts in habitants of highly polluted areas of Eastern Sicily, Italy

Air pollution has been suggested to affect semen quality, but the evidence is still contradictory. To assess whether any differences occur in conventional sperm parameters of men life-long resident in low, middle-low, middle, and high industrial density zones in the province of Messina. We retrospectively analyzed the conventional sperm parameters of patients to whom the sperm analysis was requested during their female partner counseling for infertility in an assisted reproductive technique (ART) center. A total of 184 men were enrolled. Total sperm count was higher in patients living in low and middle-low industrial density areas compared with that of men living in middle and high ones (123.5 ± 146.8 vs. 80.7 ± 92.7 mil/ejaculate, p < 0.05). No difference was found for sperm concentration (37.2 ± 49.7 vs. 30.5 ± 37.2 mil/mL), progressive motility (15.4 ± 19.8% vs. 14.2 ± 18.4%), total motility (62.3 ± 20.5 vs. 58.4 ± 19.9 mil/mL), and normal forms (2.7 ± 1.5 vs. 2.3 ± 3.0 mil/mL). These results add further evidence to findings from Sicilian population. Effective control of air pollution should be accomplished to prevent its negative impact on human reproductive health.

BPDE and B[a]P induce mitochondrial compromise by ROS-mediated suppression of the SIRT1/TERT/PGC-1α pathway in spermatogenic cells both in vitro and in vivo

There is increasing evidence that indicates benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its active metabolite benzo[a]pyrene-7, 8-dihydrodiol-9, 10-epoxide (BPDE) are endocrine disruptors that can cause reproductive toxicity. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms are still obscure. The present study investigates the impacts of B[a]P and BPDE on mitochondria, a sensitive target affected by multiple chemicals, in spermatogenic cells. It showed that BPDE treatment induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse spermatocyte-derived cells (GC-2). These effects were efficiently mitigated by pretreatment with ZLN005, an activator of PGC-1α, in GC-2 cells. TERT knockdown and re-expression cell models were established to demonstrate that TERT regulated the BPDE-induced mitochondrial damage via PGC-1α signaling in GC-2 cells. Moreover, upregulating or knockdown SIRT1 expression attenuated or aggravated BPDE-induced mitochondrial compromise by activating or inhibiting, respectively, the TERT and PGC-1α molecules in GC-2 cells. Finally, we observed that BPDE markedly elevated oxidative stress in GC-2 cells. Resveratrol and N-acetylcysteine, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, attenuated BPDE-mediated mitochondrial damage by increasing SIRT1 activity and expression in GC-2 cells. The in vitro results were corroborated by in vivo experiments in rats treated with B[a]P for 4 weeks. B[a]P administration caused mitochondrial damage and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells, as well as the decreased expression of SIRT1, TERT, and PGC-1α. In summary, the results of the present study demonstrate that B[a]P and BPDE induce mitochondrial damage through ROS production that suppresses SIRT1/TERT/PGC-1a signaling and mediate B[a]P- and BPDE-mediated reproductive toxicity.

Environment and Male Fertility: Effects of Benzo-α-Pyrene and Resveratrol on Human Sperm Function In Vitro

Lifestyle, cigarette smoking and environmental pollution have a negative impact on male fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in-vitro effects of benzo-α-pyrene (BaP) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists on motility and bio-functional sperm parameters. We further assessed whether resveratrol (RES), an AHR antagonist and antioxidant molecule, had any protective effect. To accomplish this, 30 normozoospermic, healthy, non-smoker men not exposed to BaP were enrolled. Spermatozoa of 15 men were incubated with increasing concentrations of BaP to evaluate its effect and to establish its dose response. Then, spermatozoa of the 15 other men were incubated with BaP (15 µM/mL), chosen according to the dose-response and/or RES to evaluate its antagonistic effects. The effects of both substances were evaluated after 3 h of incubation on total and progressive sperm motility and on the following bio-functional sperm parameters evaluated by flow cytometry: Degree of chromatin compactness, viability, phosphatidylserine externalization (PS), late apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA fragmentation, degree of lipoperoxidation (LP), and concentrations of mitochondrial superoxide anion. Benzo-α-pyrene decreased total and progressive sperm motility, impaired chromatin compactness, and increased sperm lipoperoxidation and mitochondrial superoxide anion levels. All these effects were statistically significant at the lowest concentration tested (15 µM/mL) and they were confirmed at the concentration of 45 µM/mL. In turn, RES was able to counteract the detrimental effects of BaP on sperm motility, abnormal chromatin compactness, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial superoxide. This study showed that BaP alters sperm motility and bio-functional sperm parameters and that RES exerts a protective effect on BaP-induced sperm damage.

Role of Emerging Environmental Risk Factors in Thyroid Cancer: A Brief Review

Environmental factors are recognized as risk factors of thyroid cancer in humans. Exposure to radiation, both from nuclear weapon or fallout or medical radiation, and to some organic and inorganic chemical toxicants represent a worldwide public health issue for their proven carcinogenicity. Halogenated compounds, such as organochlorines and pesticides, are able to disrupt thyroid function. Polychlorinated biphenyls and their metabolites and polybrominated diethyl ethers bind to thyroid, transport proteins, replace thyroxin, and disrupt thyroid function as phthalates and bisphenolates do, highly mimicking thyroid hormones. A better knowledge of environmental risks represents a very important tool for cancer prevention through true risks prevention and management. This approach is very important because of the epigenetic origin’s theory of cancer. Therefore, the aim of this review was study the association between environmental agents and thyroid cancer promotion.

Healthy Design and Urban Planning Strategies, Actions, and Policy to Achieve Salutogenic Cities

Starting from a previous experience carried out by the working group "Building and Environmental Hygiene" of the Italian Society of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (SItI), the aim of the present work is to define new strategic goals for achieving a "Healthy and Salutogenic City", which will be useful to designers, local governments and public bodies, policy makers, and all professionals working at local health agencies. Ten key points have been formulated: 1. climate change and management of adverse weather events; 2. land consumption, sprawl, and shrinking cities; 3. tactical urbanism and urban resilience; 4. urban comfort, safety, and security perception; 5. strengths and weaknesses of urban green areas and infrastructures; 6. urban solid waste management; 7. housing emergencies in relation to socio-economic and environmental changes; 8. energy aspects and environmental planning at an urban scale; 9. socio-assistance and welfare network at an urban scale: importance of a rational and widespread system; and 10. new forms of living, conscious of coparticipation models and aware of sharing quality objectives. Design strategies, actions, and policies, identified to improve public health and wellbeing, underline that the connection between morphological and functional features of urban context and public health is crucial for contemporary cities and modern societies.

Acute myocardial infarction and COPD attributed to ambient SO2 in Iran

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are important diseases worldwide. Inhalation is the major route of short-term exposure to air sulfur dioxide (SO₂) that negatively affect human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the health effects of short-term exposure to SO₂ in Khorramabad, Iran using the AirQ software developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Daily mean SO₂ concentrations were used as the estimates of human short-term exposure and allow calculation of the attributable excess relative risk of an acute MI and hospital admissions due to COPD (HACOPD). The annual mean SO₂ concentration in Khorramabad was 51.33µg/m³. Based on the relative risk (RR) and baseline incidence (BI) approach of WHO, an increased risk of 2.7% (95% CI: 1.1-4.2%) of acute MI and 2.0% (95% CI: 0-4.6%) of HACOPD, respectively, were attributed to a 10µg/m³ SO₂ increase. Since the geographic, demographic, and climatic characteristics are different from the areas in which the risk relationships were developed and not evaluated here, further investigations will be needed to fully quantify other health impacts of SO₂. A decreased risk for MIs and COPD attributable to SO₂ could be achieved if mitigation strategies and measures are implemented to reduce the exposure.