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Norese C, Nicosia E, Cortese K, Gentili V, Rizzo R, Rizzo S, Grasselli E, De Negri Atanasio G, Gagliani MC, Tiso M, Zinni M, Pulliero A, Izzotti A. SARS-CoV-2 presence in recreational seawater and evaluation of intestine permeability: experimental evidence of low impact on public health. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1326453. [PMID: 38500723 PMCID: PMC10944960 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1326453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Coastal seawater pollution poses a public health risk due to the potential ingestion of contaminated water during recreational activities. Wastewater-based epidemiology has revealed the abundant presence of SARS-CoV-2 in seawater emitted from wastewater outlets. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of seawater on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity to assess the safety of recreational activities in seawater. Methods Wild SARS-CoV-2 was collected from oral swabs of COVID-19 affected patients and incubated for up to 90 min using the following solutions: (a) standard physiological solution (control), (b) reconstructed seawater (3.5% NaCl), and (c) authentic seawater (3.8%). Samples were then exposed to two different host systems: (a) Vero E6 cells expressing the ACE2 SARS-CoV-2 receptor and (b) 3D multi-tissue organoids reconstructing the human intestine. The presence of intracellular virus inside the host systems was determined using plaque assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and transmission electron microscopy. Results Ultrastructural examination of Vero E6 cells revealed the presence of virus particles at the cell surface and in replicative compartments inside cells treated with seawater and/or reconstituted water only for samples incubated up to 2 min. After a 90-min incubation, the presence of the virus and its infectivity in Vero E6 cells was reduced by 90%. Ultrastructural analysis performed in 3D epi-intestinal tissue did not reveal intact viral particles or infection signs, despite the presence of viral nucleic acid detected by qPCR. Indeed, viral genes (Orf1ab and N) were found in the intestinal luminal epithelium but not in the enteric capillaries. These findings suggest that the intestinal tissue is not a preferential entry site for SARS-CoV-2 in the human body. Additionally, the presence of hypertonic saline solution did not increase the susceptibility of the intestinal epithelium to virus penetration; rather, it neutralized its infectivity. Conclusion Our results indicate that engaging in recreational activities in a seawater environment does not pose a significant risk for COVID-19 infection, despite the possible presence of viral nucleic acid deriving from degraded and fragmented viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clelia Norese
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Nicosia
- Regione Liguria, Environmental Department, Ligurian Region, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Gentili
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA, Clinical Research Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Grasselli
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia De Negri Atanasio
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Micaela Tiso
- MICAMO, Spin-Off Department of Earth Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Zinni
- MICAMO, Spin-Off Department of Earth Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Izzotti
- DIMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- HSM, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Piccardo M, Provenza F, Anselmi S, Renzi M. Ecotoxicological Assessment of "Glitter" Leachates in Aquatic Ecosystems: An Integrated Approach. Toxics 2022; 10:toxics10110677. [PMID: 36355968 PMCID: PMC9697108 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The most worrisome fraction within plastic pollution is that of microplastics (MP). A category of MP almost completely ignored is that of glitter. The objective of this study is to test the toxicity of nine types of glitter leachate (3 soak times: 3, 90 and 180 days) on model organisms in freshwater (Allivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna) and saltwater (Allivibrio fischeri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Paracentrotus lividus). An integrated approach was applied to obtain the percentage of ecotoxicological risk. The results show that (i) photosynthesizing primary producers are the most sensitive trophic level; (ii) algae transitioned from growth inhibition to biostimulation; (iii) D. magna showed higher sensitivity after 48 h compared to 24 h; (iv) A. fischeri responded more strongly in saltwater than in freshwater. The integrated data show a greater risk associated with the marine environment, with the highest risk for glitters that are hexagonal and composed of poly-methyl-methacrylate. Our multivariate analysis shows that the toxicity of plastic leaching is a complex phenomenon that depends on the sensitivity of the species, in some cases on the soaking time and on the medium, and is not clearly linked to the polymer type, the contact area or the colors of the particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Piccardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Provenza
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Anselmi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy
| | - Monia Renzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- CoNISMa, Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 4, 00196 Roma, Italy
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Schwake DO, Alum A, Abbaszadegan M. Legionella Occurrence beyond Cooling Towers and Premise Plumbing. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122543. [PMID: 34946143 PMCID: PMC8706379 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionella is an environmental pathogen that is responsible for respiratory disease and is a common causative agent of water-related outbreaks. Due to their ability to survive in a broad range of environments, transmission of legionellosis is possible from a variety of sources. Unfortunately, a disproportionate amount of research that is devoted to studying the occurrence of Legionella in environmental reservoirs is aimed toward cooling towers and premise plumbing. As confirmed transmission of Legionella has been linked to many other sources, an over-emphasis on the most common sources may be detrimental to increasing understanding of the spread of legionellosis. This review aims to address this issue by cataloguing studies which have examined the occurrence of Legionella in less commonly investigated environments. By summarizing and discussing reports of Legionella in fresh water, ground water, saltwater, and distribution system drinking water, future environmental and public health researchers will have a resource to aid in investigating these pathogens in relevant sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Otto Schwake
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middle Georgia State University, 100 University Pkwy, Macon, GA 31206, USA;
| | - Absar Alum
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Morteza Abbaszadegan
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-480-965-3868
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Rabieh S, Bayaraa O, Romeo E, Amosa P, Calnek K, Idaghdour Y, Ochsenkühn MA, Amin SA, Goldstein G, Bromage TG. MH-ICP-MS Analysis of the Freshwater and Saltwater Environmental Resources of Upolu Island, Samoa. Molecules 2020; 25:E4871. [PMID: 33105583 PMCID: PMC7659969 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The elemental composition of freshwater and saltwater samples around the South Pacific island of Upolu, Samoa has been investigated together with other indicators of water quality. Up to 69 elements from Li (3) to U (92) are measured in each sample, analyzed by Mattauch-Herzog-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MH-ICP-MS). One hundred and seventy-six samples were collected from surface freshwater sources (24 rivers, two volcanic lakes, one dam) and from seawater sources from the surface to 30 m depth (45 inner reef, reef, and outer reef locations) around Upolu Island, including river mouths and estuaries. Principal component and hierarchical clustering correlation analyses were performed on quantile normalized log transformed elemental composition data to identify groups of samples with similar characteristics and to improve the visualization of the full spectrum of elements. Human activities, such as the use of herbicides and pesticides, may relate to observed elevated concentrations of some elements contained in chemicals known to have deleterious obesogenic effects on humans that may also cause coral reef decline. Furthermore, the salinity of some saltwater samples tested were very high, possibly due to climate variability, which may additionally harm the health and biodiversity of coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Rabieh
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA;
| | - Odmaa Bayaraa
- Environmental Genomics Lab, Biology Program, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE; (O.B.); (Y.I.)
| | - Emarosa Romeo
- Hydrology Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Level 3, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Building (TATTE), Sogi., P.O. Private Bag, Apia 95564, Samoa;
| | - Patila Amosa
- Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, P.O. Box 1622, Apia 95564, Samoa;
| | - Khemet Calnek
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA;
| | - Youssef Idaghdour
- Environmental Genomics Lab, Biology Program, Division of Science and Mathematics, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE; (O.B.); (Y.I.)
| | - Michael A. Ochsenkühn
- Marine Microbial Ecology Lab, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE; (M.A.O.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Shady A. Amin
- Marine Microbial Ecology Lab, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi 51133, UAE; (M.A.O.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Gary Goldstein
- College of Dentistry, New York University, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA;
| | - Timothy G. Bromage
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA;
- Department of Biomaterials, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA
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Da Costa JP, Nunes AR, Santos PSM, Girão AV, Duarte AC, Rocha-Santos T. Degradation of polyethylene microplastics in seawater: Insights into the environmental degradation of polymers. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2018; 53:866-875. [PMID: 29624466 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2018.1455381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination of aquatic environments has become an increasingly alarming problem. These, defined as particles <5 mm, are mostly formed due to the cracking and embrittlement of larger plastic particles. Recent reports show that the increasing presence of microplastics in the environment could have significant deleterious consequences over the health of marine organisms, but also across the food chain. Herein, we have studied the effects of artificial seawater on polyethylene (PE)-based beads by exposing them up to eight weeks to saltwater in stirred batch reactors in the dark and examined the structural and morphological changes these endured. Electron microscopy observations showed that artificial seawater induces severe microcracking of the pellets' surfaces. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses evidenced the formation of oxidized groups whenever these particles were exposed to water and an increase in organic matter content of the waters in which the pellets were kept was evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. There were also noticeable consequences in the thermal stability of the polyethylene pellets, as determined by thermogravimetric studies (TGA). Furthermore, the parallel exposure of polyethylene pellets to UV radiation yielded less pronounced effects, thus underscoring its lower preponderance in the degradation of this material. These results highlight the importance of determining the mechanisms of degradation of microplastics in marine settings and what the implications may be for the environment. Overall, the herein presented results show that a relatively short period of time of accelerated exposure can yield quantifiable chemical and physical impacts on the structural and morphological characteristics of PE pellets.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Da Costa
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
- b CESAM, University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Ana R Nunes
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Patrícia S M Santos
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
- b CESAM, University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Ana V Girão
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
- c CICECO, University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Armando C Duarte
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
- b CESAM, University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Teresa Rocha-Santos
- a Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
- b CESAM, University of Aveiro , Campus de Santiago, Aveiro , Portugal
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Thap T, Yoon KH, Lee J. Graphite Based Electrode for ECG Monitoring: Evaluation under Freshwater and Saltwater Conditions. Sensors (Basel) 2016; 16:E542. [PMID: 27092502 DOI: 10.3390/s16040542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We proposed new electrodes that are applicable for electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring under freshwater- and saltwater-immersion conditions. Our proposed electrodes are made of graphite pencil lead (GPL), a general-purpose writing pencil. We have fabricated two types of electrode: a pencil lead solid type (PLS) electrode and a pencil lead powder type (PLP) electrode. In order to assess the qualities of the PLS and PLP electrodes, we compared their performance with that of a commercial Ag/AgCl electrode, under a total of seven different conditions: dry, freshwater immersion with/without movement, post-freshwater wet condition, saltwater immersion with/without movement, and post-saltwater wet condition. In both dry and post-freshwater wet conditions, all ECG-recorded PQRST waves were clearly discernible, with all types of electrodes, Ag/AgCl, PLS, and PLP. On the other hand, under the freshwater- and saltwater-immersion conditions with/without movement, as well as post-saltwater wet conditions, we found that the proposed PLS and PLP electrodes provided better ECG waveform quality, with significant statistical differences compared with the quality provided by Ag/AgCl electrodes.
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Brijs J, Gräns A, Ekström A, Olsson C, Axelsson M, Sandblom E. Cardiorespiratory upregulation during seawater acclimation in rainbow trout: effects on gastrointestinal perfusion and postprandial responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310:R858-65. [PMID: 26911464 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00536.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Increased gastrointestinal blood flow is essential for euryhaline fishes to maintain osmotic homeostasis during the initial phase of a transition from freshwater to seawater. However, the cardiorespiratory responses and hemodynamic changes required for a successful long-term transition to seawater remain largely unknown. In the present study, we simultaneously measured oxygen consumption rate (ṀO2), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), and gastrointestinal blood flow (GBF) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) acclimated to either freshwater or seawater for at least 6 wk. Seawater-acclimated trout displayed significantly elevated ṀO2 (day: 18%, night: 19%), CO (day: 22%, night: 48%), and GBF (day: 96%, night: 147%), demonstrating that an overall cardiorespiratory upregulation occurs during seawater acclimation. The elevated GBF was achieved via a combination of increased CO, mediated through elevated stroke volume (SV), and a redistribution of blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. Interestingly, virtually all of the increase in CO of seawater-acclimated trout was directed to the gastrointestinal tract. Although unfed seawater-acclimated trout displayed substantially elevated cardiorespiratory activity, the ingestion of a meal resulted in a similar specific dynamic action (SDA) and postprandial GBF response as in freshwater-acclimated fish. This indicates that the capacity for the transportation of absorbed nutrients, gastrointestinal tissue oxygen delivery, and acid-base regulation is maintained during digestion in seawater. The novel findings presented in this study clearly demonstrate that euryhaline fish upregulate cardiovascular function when in seawater, while retaining sufficient capacity for the metabolic and cardiovascular changes associated with the postprandial response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Brijs
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Albin Gräns
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Andreas Ekström
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Catharina Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Michael Axelsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Erik Sandblom
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
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Moustafa K. Toward breeding new land-sea plant hybrid species irrigable with seawater for dry regions. Plant Signal Behav 2015; 10:e992744. [PMID: 25806436 PMCID: PMC4622069 DOI: 10.4161/15592324.2014.992744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A plant species growing in sea or coastal saltmarsh is greatly tolerant to high concentrations of salts, and a plant species growing in desert or dry regions is highly tolerant to drought. Breeding a new plant hybrid species from both species by means of cellular grafting, genome fusion or nuclear transfer would generate, at least in theory, a hybrid plant species that should be strongly tolerant to harsh aridity and salinity and would be potentially irrigable with seawater. Such prospective species can be used for example as a fodder, biofuel crop or stabilizer species to protect soil from wind erosion and sandy storms in dry regions. Breeding such species would change the surface of the world and help to solve major challenges of starvation, malnutrition and poverty. Here, I propose potential approaches that would be worthy of investigation toward this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Moustafa
- Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM); Paris, France
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