Phthalate ester levels in agricultural soils of greenhouses, their potential sources, the role of plastic cover material, and dietary exposure calculated from modeled concentrations in tomato

Soil samples collected from 50 greenhouses (GHs) cultivated with tomatoes (plastic-covered:24, glass-covered:26), 5 open-area tomato growing farmlands, and 5 non-agricultural areas were analyzed in summer and winter seasons for 13 PAEs. The total concentrations (Σ13PAEs) in the GHs ranged from 212 to 2484 ng/g, wheeas the concentrations in open-area farm soils were between 240 and 1248 ng/g. Σ13PAE in non-agricultural areas was lower (35.0 - 585 ng/g). PAE exposure through the ingestion of tomatoes cultivated in GH soils and associated risks were estimated with Monte Carlo simulations after calculating the PAE concentrations in tomatoes using a partition-limited model. DEHP was estimated to have the highest concentrations in the tomatoes grown in both types of GHs. The mean carcinogenic risk caused by DEHP for tomato grown in plastic-covered GHs, glass-covered GHs, and open-area soils were 2.4 × 10-5, 1.7 × 10-5 and 1.1 × 10-5, respectively. Based on Positive Matrix Factorization results, plastic material usage in GHs (including plastic cover material source for plastic-GHs) was found to be the highest contributing source in both types of GHs. Microplastic analysis indicated that the ropes and irrigation pipes inside the GHs are important sources of PAE pollution. Pesticide application is the second highest contributing source.

Neuroprotective effects of amantadine for experimental acute carbon monoxide poisoning

OBJECTIVE

Amantadine is known to have a neuroprotective effect in many neurological diseases. This study aims at investigating the neuroprotective effect of amantadine in rats exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were maintained under standard experimental laboratory conditions and randomized into 4 different groups of 7 each namely control, amantadine only, CO exposure, and amantadine + CO exposure. For immunohistochemical analysis, tissues taken from the prefrontal and hippocampal regions were taken into formalin and kept for at least one day. Afterward, the tissue was followed and blocked for paraffin blocking. N-Methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) levels in homogenates were studied by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the supernatants were studied with commercial kits. Nitric oxide (NO) and Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine (ADMA) levels were studied by the ELISA method. Enzyme activity values were calculated by dividing the protein values in the supernatants and normalizing them.

RESULTS

CAT, SOD, NMDA, ADMA, and NO levels were statistically significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). According to post-hoc pairwise comparison test results, the values of the control and amantadine groups for CAT, SOD, NMDA, ADMA, and NO parameters were significantly higher than that of CO group. Similarly, values in the control and amantadine groups were considerably higher than values for the amantadine + CO group. NMDA values were significantly lower in group amantadine + CO than in CO group (p: 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis and endothelial damage after CO poisoning is a complex process, and amantadine administration has a limited contribution in preventing this process.

Existence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient particulate matter samples: A nationwide study in Turkey

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. The disease led to significant mortality and morbidity in Turkey, since the first case was reported on March 11th, 2020. Studies suggest a positive association between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urban-background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between 13th of May and 14th of June 2020 to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 203 daily samples (TSP, n = 80; PM_2.5, n = 33; PM_2.5-10, n = 23; PM₁₀μm, n = 19; and 6 size segregated PM, n = 48) were collected using various samplers. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to real time (RT)-PCR and three-dimensional (3D) digital (d) PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8%) samples. Ambient PM-bound SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed quantitatively and the air concentrations of the virus ranged from 0.1 copies/m³ to 23 copies/m³. The highest percentages of virus detection on PM samples were from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM_2.5 mode. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.

Negative effect of feeding with high energy diets on testes and metabolic blood parameters of male Japanese quails, and positive role of milk thistle seed

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in testicular tissue and cell count, testicular oxidative stress and some metabolic blood parameters of male broiler Japanese quails fed with high energy diet and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed. One hundred-twenty male 15-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 equal groups with 30 each. The applications in each group were repeated 3 times with 10 animals each. Control group was fed with basal diet. Milk thistle seed group was fed with diet including 1% milk thistle seed. High energy diet group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup. High energy diet + milk thistle seed group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup along with 1% milk thistle seed. The feeding period in all groups was 35 days. When the quails reached 50 days old, a total of 48, 12 from each group (4 from each replication) were euthanized and blood samples and testes were collected. Compared with the control group, significant increases in body weight, serum cholesterol and glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase activity and testicular malondialdehyde level; however, significant decreases in serum testosterone level, testicular glutathione peroxidase activity, counts of round and elongated spermatid and sperm as well as histopathologically, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, and marked disorganization in germinal cells were determined in quails fed with high energy diet. It was observed that almost all of the disturbances in testicular tissue, cell number, oxidant-antioxidant balance and metabolic blood parameters caused by feeding with high energy diet were significantly prevented by supplementation of milk thistle seed to the diet with high energy. On the other hand, alone milk thistle seed and high energy diet + milk thistle seed administrations decreased body weight in comparison to control and high energy diet groups. As a result, feeding with high energy diet causes disturbances in testes of male quails by affecting liver metabolic functions and testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance, but milk thistle seed addition to diet plays a protective role.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in soils of greenhouses located in Aksu Antalya, Turkey

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrophobic organic compounds that are generally absorbed on organic fraction of soils. It is known that some PAHs, which can pass to air, soil, water and food as a result of natural or anthropogenic processes, have carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic effects on humans and animals. One of the important steps that is identified in the transition takes place during agricultural production. Greenhouses are commonly used as a type of agricultural production especially during the winter season in mid and temperate climates. Greenhouse cultivation is abundant in Antalya Aksu Region in Turkey. Two sampling campaigns (autumn and winter) were carried out to sample the soils in 53 glass and polyethylene covered greenhouses. The samples were analysed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for 16 PAHs. The result showed that four ring PAHs were dominant in the region. In the winter season, PAHs concentrations increase because of low volatility of motor vehicle exhaust related PAHs in the atmosphere and of coal and wood combustion emissions used in the heating of greenhouses and surrounding village houses. The cross plots of diagnostic ratios also confirmed coal and wood combustion and traffic emissions in the region.

Determination of the personal, indoor and outdoor exposure levels of inorganic gaseous pollutants in different microenvironments in an industrial city

We measured SO2, NO2 and O3 concentrations during the summer and winter in Kocaeli, Turkey. The sampling was carried out indoors and outdoors at homes, schools and offices. Personal samplers were also used to determine personal exposures to these pollutants. High NO2 and SO2 concentrations were observed in outdoor samples collected close to locations characterized by heavy urban traffic. Concentrations of O3, on the other hand, were higher in rural areas around the city due to ozone distillation. For both sampling periods, the concentrations of outdoor SO2 and O3 were higher than for indoor and personal samples; however, the NO2 concentrations were higher in indoor and personal samples, indicating that outdoor sources significantly contribute to indoor SO2 and O3 levels and that indoor NO2 concentrations are primarily modulated by sources within buildings. Seasonal variations in pollutant concentrations showed statistically significant differences. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO2 and SO2 measured in the winter were higher than the levels measured in the summer; O3 concentrations, on the other hand, exhibited the opposite trend. Active-to-passive concentration ratios for NO2, SO2 and O3 were 0.99, 1.08 and 1.16, respectively; the corresponding outdoor ratios were 0.95, 0.99 and 1.00.

Chemical composition of Eastern Black Sea aerosol--preliminary results

Trace element composition of atmospheric particles collected at a high altitude site on the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey was investigated to understand atmospheric transport of pollutants to this semi-closed basin. Aerosol samples were collected at a timber-storage area, which is operated by the General Directorate of Forestry. The site is situated at a rural area and is approximately 50 km to the Black Sea coast and 200 km to the Georgia border of Turkey. Coarse (PM2.5-10) and fine (PM2.5) aerosol samples were collected between 2011 and 2013 using a "stacked filter unit". Collected samples were shipped to the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, where Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, Pb were measured by Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Comparison of measured concentrations of elements with corresponding data generated at other parts of Turkey demonstrated that concentrations of pollution derived elements are higher at Eastern Black Sea than their corresponding concentrations measured at other parts of Turkey, which is attributed to frequent transport of pollutants from north wind sector. Positive matric factorization revealed four factors including three anthropogenic and a crustal factor. Southeastern parts of Turkey, Georgia and Black Sea coast of Ukraine were identified as source regions affecting composition of particles at our site, using trajectory statistics, namely "potential source contribution function" (PSCF).

Fabrication of Electrospun Chitosan and Chitosan/Poly(ethylene oxide) Nanofiber Webs and Assessment of Their Antimicrobial Activity

In recent years, production of nano-sized wound dressing materials from biopolymers by electrospinning method has attracted great attention. In this study, chitosan that is an inherently antimicrobial polymer and chitosan (CS)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blend solutions were electrospun to obtain nanofiber webs for wound-dressing applications. Although electrospinning of chitosan with PEO was previously studied, this study emphasized the effect of molecular weight of polymer used, total polymer concentration and electrical conductivity of polymer solution on fiber formation. Results show that selection of suitable solvent and determination of optimum process parameters were key factors for obtaining uniform nanofibers. Antimicrobial activities of these nanofiber webs against S.aureus, E.coli, and C.albicans were tested according to AATCC 100–2004. Over 99% reduction in the number of microorganisms with pure chitosan nanofibers and over 50% reduction with CS/PEO blend nanofibers were obtained.

Indoor/outdoor concentrations and elemental composition of PM10/PM2.5 in urban/industrial areas of Kocaeli City, Turkey

This study presents indoor/outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations measured during winter and summer in 15 homes in Kocaeli, which is one of the most industrialized areas in Turkey. Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations and elemental composition were determined using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Quantitative information was obtained on mass concentrations and other characteristics such as seasonal variation, indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio, PM2.5/PM10 ratio, correlations and sources. Average indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were 29.8 and 23.5 microg/m(3) for the summer period, and 24.4 and 21.8 microg/m(3) for the winter period, respectively. Average indoor and outdoor PM10 concentrations were 45.5 and 59.9 microg/m(3) for the summer period, and 56.9 and 102.3 microg/m(3) for the winter period, respectively. A varimax rotated factor analysis (FA) was performed separately on indoor and outdoor datasets in an effort to identify possible heavy metal sources of PM2.5 and PM10 particle fractions. FA of outdoor data produced source categories comprising polluted soil, industry, motor vehicles, and fossil fuel combustion for both PM fractions, while source categories determined for indoor data for both PM2.5 and PM10 comprised industry, polluted soil, motor vehicles, and smoking, with an additional source category of cooking activities detected for the PM2.5 fraction. Practical Implications In buildings close to industrial areas or traffic arteries, outdoor sources may have an important effect on indoor air pollution. Therefore, indoor and outdoor investigations should be conducted simultaneously to assess the relationship between indoor and outdoor pollution. This study presents the simultaneous measurement of PM fractions (PM2.5 and PM10) and their elemental compositions to determine the sources of respirable PM and the heavy metals bound to these particles in indoor air. Factor analysis of indoor data indicated that the contribution of outdoor pollutant sources to indoor pollution was about 70%, making these sources the most significant for indoor heavy metal pollution, wheras other sources of indoor pollution included smoking and cooking activities.